Disclaimer: See first chapter. Also the 'ass of u and me' thing was something I read in Silence of the Lambs and I do not claim any ownership of the phrase. I just wanted a chance to use it. I made absolutely nothing from using it.
A/N: The one called Omoishoji is mine! He's all mine! I created him. No touch. Also I did my best with no beta…. So be nice.
Need to know- Tanto is a small blade or dagger.
As Time Will Tell
Chapter Four: Past, present or future?
Kagome sat on the couch; she couldn't keep her eyes of the door since the stranger had left. She could not but help to think that she knew his face from somewhere. The events of the day kept being replayed in her head. She could not figure him out. There was just something about him. She could swear that he was flirting with her but he was years older than her. Not like she cared, her honest opinion was that he was incredibly handsome, and she would not mind seeing him again. As she sat there contemplating Eizan the strange hero of the day, she fell asleep on the couch, with her bruised ankle resting on the armrest.
Mrs. Higurashi and Souta entered their house carrying groceries they found Kagome asleep on the couch with one leg hanging over the edge. Souta thought it was funny and he did not hesitate to laugh at his sister. Mrs. Higurashi just smiled and dragged Souta into the kitchen leaving Kagome alone.
"Souta, were going to let her sleep till dinner is ready. It looks like she had a busy day. And if you are going to play video games, keep the volume down." Mrs. Higurashi said as she pulled the groceries out their bags.
"Hai, mama." And Souta ran back into the living room, careful not to wake his sister up and began killing aliens on the TV.
Hours later, Kagome woke to the mouth watering scent of dinner and the fuzz of the glowing TV, she rose from the couch, her dress was wrinkled and hair was coming undone from her bun. She remembered her hurt ankle and she dared to see if it could handle her weight. She stood carefully on it and she was surprised to find that her ankle did not hurt that much. She jumped up and down on her ankle and it did not hurt. Mrs. Higurashi walked into the living room when she heard a loud noise and she found that Kagome was awake and was jumping up and down.
"Kagome what are you doing?"
Kagome blushed from the look on her mother's face. She looked at her if she grew horns out of her head. "I'm just seeing if my ankle hurts mama. I was knocked down by some guys when I was shopping with my friends." Mrs. Higurashi smiled as at her daughter, and turned back to the kitchen, and Kagome followed her in.
"So what did you do today?" Kagome's mother asked as she finished up the last of the dinner preparations.
"Yuki wanted to buy some stuff, and she dragged Ayumi, Eri and me with her. We went to a few stores, before I wanted to go home, I had fun but you know I got to meet Inuyasha. I was walking home and some guys knocked me down. They didn't offer to help me up or anything. But this is where my day got interesting. Mama do you believe in guardian angels? Well I was saved by one." Kagome giggled a bit before she calmed down. "When I was knocked to the ground my bag landed in the middle of the road so when I reached out to get it, a car came barreling around the corner and it almost took my head off."
"Oh dear!"
"But the next thing I know, I am in the arms of this guy. It was like on of those action heroes in the movies I swear. He even looked like one. He was tall and I barely reached his chest. His hair was long and blond and had the most amazing amber eyes. He was like an angel I swear. After the shock wore off, he was so nice to me and he checked my ankle. I asked him and he said that he knew first aid, and he bought me a hot fudge brownie."
"It sounds like that your day was full of surprises." Mrs. Higurashi said as she handed Kagome a glass of water. "Well hopefully Kagome, if you are ever in the need of angel I hope yours comes to save you again."
"Me too." Kagome whispered. She didn't know why she looked forward to being in peril if it meant being in his arms again, but she found that she liked it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kagome climbed out the well, struggling with the weight of the hefty yellow pack that weighed her down. As she climbed over the rim of the well, she sat on the ground while resting for a few minutes as she breathed heavily from the workout. No matter how many times she did that, her pack back just seemed to get heavier and heavier with every trip.
"Oi wench, hurry up, now that you are here we got hunt down more shards."
Kagome looked up at the familiar voice and smiled as Inuyasha gave his normal greeting. "Yeah Inuyasha I'm coming. Don't wait up for me." She stood up and brushed the imaginary dust from her skirt and lugged her pack on her shoulders and followed Inuyasha down the familiar trampled path through the woods to the small village that they called home. She loved taking in the scenery; it always made her feel special, that she was the only privy enough to see Japan as it once was. She knew that her history professor would give his left arm to see all this. And that brought an illicit grin to her face and giggled. Sesshoumaru could use his arm. Oh well, nothing to do about it.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Sesshoumaru." Her eyes widen and she brought her hand to cover her mouth. She couldn't understand she was so stupid and said that.
Inuyasha stopped and spun on the girl before she knew what was happening. "Why are you thinking of him?" Inuyasha snarled in an angry jealous rage.
Kagome yelped in surprised and backed away in a natural cause for self-preservation, "Heh…. I was laughing about his arm… Its nothing to get upset over Inuyasha!"
"I don't care, I don't want you to ever be happy and smile when talking about him. You like him don't you?" Inuyasha yelled as he stepped closer with jealous clouding his thoughts.
"What!" Kagome shouted, her fear forgotten in favor of her rage. "How can you say that? I don't even know him so how can I like him? You are such a jerk Inuyasha! Osuwari!"
As Inuyasha plummeted to the ground, Kagome heartlessly stomped over the subdued hanyou as she made her way through the dirt path.
'Irritating stupid little….' Kagome screeched inside her head, trying so hard think of harsher words to call the hanyou, but her anger quickly as she broke through the forest and saw the hut that belong to the miko Keade and her friends.
Kagome picked up her sped and fogged through the Edo village and found the hut that she spotted from the tree line. "Keade! Sango? Shippou! I'm back!"
Before she could reach the hut a orange-haired blur came dashing out of the hut and wrapped itself around Kagome's legs.
From the ground Shippou looked up at the girl that he admired, he greeted her with a big grin on his face, "Welcome back Kagome!"
Kagome bent over and picked out the kitsune and held him to her chest. "Shippou! Have you been good? You better have not been mean to Inuyasha, you know he can't take it." Kagome joked.
"Oh no, I was good. I'm not stupid like the baka." Shippou who prepared him to be hit any moment, but when nothing happened, he noticed that his bully was nowhere to be found. "Hey where is the dumb dog anyway?"
"You mean Inuyasha? I had to sit him on the way here. He got angry at me over a stupid thing."
"Heh, Inuyasha always deserves to be sat. He is not smart enough to know when to stop-" before Shippou could finish his sentence, and righteous fist slammed on top of his skull. "Ow!" Kagome and Shippou turned and found Inuyasha with a victorious grin on his face, and smug look as he put the little cub in his place. "What was that for dog boy?"
"You were asking me to hit you."
"No I was saying how you were stupid- ow! Stop hitting me!" Shippou cried as he held his abused head in his hands.
"See there you were practically begging for it. If I were you I would be quiet."
"If I were you I would drop dead!" Before Inuyasha could hit him again, Shippou lunged out of Kagome's grasp and landed on the silver head of the hanyou. Shippou latched himself onto one of Inuyasha's ears and bit with all the strength he could muster.
"Oi you little bastard! Get off of me!"
"Make me!" Shippou muttered out from behind his closed teeth.
"Inuyasha! Shippou! Stop!" Kagome hollered and she tried to get between Inuyasha and Shippou but, the kitsune wouldn't budge and Inuyasha was adamantly trying to remove the little guy from his head.
"I'll kill you if don't stop you little piece of shit!" Inuyasha howled. He felt Shippou's fangs leave his ear and he tried grabbing the cub before he could jump off but the kid just jumped back in the safety of Kagome's arms. "You're dead!" he yelled again and Inuyasha tried to yank him out of Kagome's arms and give him a good throttle but one little word stopped everything.
"Osuwari."
"Damn it." And Inuyasha met intimately face first with the well-known ground.
"Nice timing Kagome!" Shippou cheered as the mutt tried to fight against his necklace. But Kagome wasn't happy with either one of them.
"Shippou I told you not to do that. You honestly need to stop as I won't keep protecting you forever from him."
"But Kagome!" Shippou looked up at the girl and gave her his most puppy-eyed look he could gather. "You don't mean that!" he cried, visibly hurt from her words.
"Shippou you are a growing boy, soon you will need to take care of yourself and if that means fighting your own fights against Inuyasha… But for now stop starting these fights."
"Alright…" Shippou whined but he forgave her when he remembered what brought him out side in the first place. "Kagome what did you bring me?"
Kagome looked down at the expected boy and shook her head. "I won't give you it today. You need to learn Shippou, if you are bad you won't get your snacks."
"Ahhh Kagome, you don't need to be mean." Shippou pouted and crossed his arms against his chest and whined. Kagome just laughed it off and went into the hut with the dishearten cub and the left Inuyasha in the dust.
Keade and Sango were sitting around the fire and the pot and Miroku was against the wall writing new ofudas.
"Good afternoon everyone!" Kagome cheered as she set the kitsune and her bag on the floor and sat besides the taijiya.
"Good afternoon child." Keade muttered without looking from her stirring.
"Good afternoon Kagome-sama." Miroku greeted warmly as he placed his newly written spells within his robe.
"Good afternoon Kagome. Though it wasn't much of a welcome as it?" Sango said and laugh escaped her lips.
"If you knew what was going on outside, why didn't you come out there and help me?"
"Oh don't whine Kagome! Out of all the people you are the only one that can handle that hanyou and the kitsune cub!" Sango laughed again and added some greens to the pot she and Keade where tending to.
Forgetting her trouble, Kagome looked into the pot and gave witness to what was the most disgusting soup mixture she seen in her short life. It was a most unnatural shade of purple and green with lumps that nothing more than mud. She gagged and scooted far from the concoction. "What on Earth is that?"
Keade completely unabashed about her mixture, she answered without ever taking her good eye of her work. "It's a mixture meant to be used for healing. A miko ye traveled here recently had shared her knowledge with aye. It may look bad but trust me child, it does do what it is intended to do."
"Okay, I guess I can take your word for that." A soft jingle came from behind and Kagome turned and saw Miroku come over and sit next to her. "How are you doing Miroku-sama?"
"I am doing what is expected of me Kagome-sama." Miroku gave her a grin and his eyes twinkled in amusement. "Are you set and ready for our new venture of shard hunting?"
"I am already to go, but what you Sango?"
"I am finished here Kagome-chan. Keade just needed some help and I volunteered to help."
"Thank ye child for helping this old woman with the mixture. It should quite helpful with the recent attack."
"No problem Keade, I'm happy to have helped you." Sango and the others climbed up from the ground and collected their things.
As Kagome bent over to grab her bag, her skirt giving view of her cotton underwear, she didn't sense her current state of vulnerability. As she stood up she felt a hand rub against her butt. Blushing, she saw Sango in front of her and she peaked over her shoulder and found the monk grinning happily behind her. Holding in the blush and hiding her anger she turned and she faced Miroku. Smiled sweetly at him as her hand that was held beside her waist twitched. "Miroku-sama, did I have some dust on my skirt again?"
Taken back from her usual scream and punishment Miroku carefully smiled, "Yes Kagome-sama, I felt that I had to get rid of such of an unsightly mark on your kimono." Sango eyes narrowed and she reached for her large bone boomerang, the monk would surely be hit hard, very hard for his newest offense.
"Then don't do it again you hentai!" Kagome wailed as she slapped the perverted houshi, only for seconds later for the huge boomerang to slam into his head.
"That stupid houshi never learns." Sango exclaimed as she replaced Hiraikotsu back onto her back. Shippou laughed and jumped on Kagome's shoulder as they stepped over the prone body of the monk and they made their way out of the hut. Inuyasha was sitting against the wall of the hut, and he wore a wide grin at the monk's punishment. It made him happy to know that he wasn't the only one that got knocked around in their group, the monk at least deserved it for being a letch but he was sure that he never warranted the hell Kagome put him through by all those sittings.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Honestly Inuyasha, in the future Japan isn't ruled by a dictator, we have a president that is voted into office by the people and he only rules for a certain number of terms."
"Feh, I don't believe that, even you humans need a strong leader to tell you what to do."
"Oh whatever. I just want you to know- I sense a jewel shard!" Kagome stopped peddling on her bike and kicked the kick bar in place holding the bike up. She was in her usual stance her head bowed, concentrating on the shard. Everyone else tensed up, waiting for his or her instruction. Before Inuyasha could interrupt Kagome looked up, "I can barely sense it but it's in the direction of over there." She pointed to a dense forest to their left. Kagome found a bush and hid her bike as Inuyasha impatiently waited for her to get on his back. Kirara had already transformed and Sango and Miroku were onto with Shippou sitting on the monk's shoulder.
Kagome climbed onto Inuyasha's back and they immediately went off in the direction of the shard. Inuyasha effortlessly jumped from tree to tree almost as if he was flying over the treetops, with Kirara simply holding up.
"It's moving!"
"What way Kagome?"
"Straight, but its moving away from us."
"Damn it!" Inuyasha cursed, but he kept chasing after it.
Kirara pulled up next to Inuyasha and Kagome, Miroku waved his stick, wanting their attention. "Perhaps we should split up and corner it? Since it seems it is aware that we are coming."
"Alright, just don't take your time." Sango just waved Inuyasha off as she and her group left Inuyasha and Kagome.
"Hey Inuyasha we are almost there."
"Yeah I can smell it." He covered his nose, from the putrid smell whatever it was, it liked to dirt and slime.
Inuyasha ran farther with Kagome on his back. They found a clearing in the thinning woods. There was green slime a yard wide and it in one direction and it headed away from the woods.
"Inuyasha, the shard is moving but its closer than ever and its moving really slow." Inuyasha gave no inclination that he heard her and only ran following the slime trail. "What do you think did this?"
"It's a slug."
"Slug? There is slug youkai?"
"Yeah, but they are not supposed to be big. They usually are just small mindless weak youkai. The slug most have the jewel shard if its slime trail is this big."
As Inuyasha got closer and closer to the slug demon, Kagome could feel the presence of the shard getting closer. Inuyasha was right the slug demon had the shard. With one last jump Inuyasha landed in another clearing, the slug demon was making its own trail through the dissipating woods. The slug was huge, twenty feet long and at least five feet high. It was covered with slime and Inuyasha nearly wanted to throw up at the stench. He could barely hold it together as the horrible smell overpowered his own senses.
Kagome pulled out her bow and arrow from her back and looked for the shard. It was embedding in its stomach, or what was considered its stomach. Kagome realized the slug must have simply crawled over inserting it in its body without knowing what it was. Before Kagome could think more, a voice rang over the air.
"Inuyasha! Here, use it!" Inuyasha and Kagome looked up to find Sango, Miroku and Shippou on the back of Kirara. Sango threw down her exterminator's mask and Inuyasha caught it and he slid the mask on he immediately felt better, though the mask didn't block out everything, but now he could fight and move without throwing up or fainting.
Inuyasha howled his thanks as he pulled his Tetsusaiga, finally able to fight.
"No problem!" She yelled back as Kirara descended onto the forest floor. Miroku had already jumped off and he held his staff in his familiar combat stance, ready to fight and protect Shippou and Sango.
"Kagome where is it?" Inuyasha's muffled voice interrupted her, as she was pulled from her thoughts.
"It's underneath its body, on its stomach-tail thing!"
Inuyasha transformed the fang with ease and leapt up into the air and was going to strike but the slug saw it with its antennae and spewed acid back at Inuyasha. He couldn't dodge and the acid hit his chest and he was knocked back. Inuyasha got his bearings and inspected his chest. The fire rat haori was slowly being eaten away, but it didn't matter slug acid wasn't that strong. As Inuyasha was prepared to attack again, Hiraikotsu struck the slug demon in the middle splitting it in half. On instinct Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and jumped away as the insides of the slug soared everywhere.
As the seemingly endless showers of putrid acid blood, and the last bubbling of the slime that covered the very dead slug youkai, Inuyasha with Kagome in his arms came back into the clearing. Sango was already inspecting the corpse while careful to avoid the drying slime and acid. Kagome hopped out of Inuyasha's and ran up to the corpse.
"Kagome-sama, be careful." Miroku said as he walked up from the back of the "fight" with Shippou and Kirara giving chase after the kitsune cub. "You do not want to step in the pools of acid."
"That was easy. I could have killed it." Shippou boasted as he jumped up and sat on Miroku's shoulder.
"Even so, slug acid can still burn." Sango informed knowingly. "You okay Inuyasha? Is the fumes still strong?"
Inuyasha nodded with the mask covering the lower half of his face. "Have you fought these things before Sango?" he wondered as he readjusted the mask. Even with the slug youkai dead, the strong waves of acid and slime still made his nose burn and light-headed.
"Yeah, but I never seen one this big before. We were called to exterminate some youkai that destroyed some farmer's crops. It was a school of slugs, which devastated the village's fields. I remembered because Kirara had bitten one and it made her sick. The only defense they have is their horrible smell. When we learned this was a slug, I knew that you would have a hard time breathing." Sango concluded.
"Kagome where's the shard?" Kagome took another step forward, trying to find the glowing shard in the mess that was once the slug. She found it in a chunk of flesh that floated in a puddle of acid and blood.
"Eww." No explanation as needed as her face contorted into one of disgust, she pointed to the shard she found. Inuyasha picked up hunk of flesh and plucked out the shard. It glowed under the sun even with it covered with gore. He handed it to Kagome who added it to the collection that hung around her neck. She looked around and pieces of slug seemed to be everywhere. "So what do we do with the slug now?"
Sango shrugged as she pulled out a towel to clean her Hiraikotsu clean of dirt and slime that clung to it. "One good thing about slugs is that their own acid eats away at the bodies. We don't have to do anything. It will go away by itself in a few days."
Inuyasha looked up and noticed it would get dark soon; he turned back to his group and told them that they should get back.
"My bike! I left it in the bushes!" Kagome yelled as she remembered her bike. She started to run back, but Inuyasha jumped in front of her and turned his back to her.
"Get on, or we won't get back before it gets dark." She didn't need anymore incentive as she hopped on his back and Inuyasha took off back to where Kagome had abandoned her bike. He still wore the mask on his face, but with it tied around his head, it kept his long hair from moving, and Kagome learned that it was actually nice to be carried on his back, but she never realized it before. All the other times she was too concerned with the chase then to care about his hair thrashing wildly and whipping her face.
Inuyasha arrived back to the part of the road that they left, and Kagome jumped off to check on her bike. It was still in one piece. "Thank goodness!" she exclaimed, relief washed upon her shoulders.
"Its okay Kagome, no one was here." Inuyasha added, his voice no longer muffled as he pulled off the mask. But he didn't say anything about his nose burning and that his sense of smell might be what it would be for the next few hours. What could happen?
Sango and the others came into view seconds later, Inuyasha threw the mask back at her, and she smiled at the hanyou as she placed it back in her bag as her fire cat landed on the ground.
"Is it safe to assume Inuyasha that were are going to rest here for the night?" Miroku asked as his staff jingled softly as he walked.
"Yeah, I guess, its getting dark and plus I noticed earlier that there is small lake nearby."
With everyone there, they started their usual preparations for the night.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They sat around the campfire taking in all the warmth the fire gave off. They celebrated their newest success of their newly acquired jewel shard. They laughed and they talked not thinking of the next part of their adventure. They knew that the jewel shards were dwindling in the wild, only a few remained. Kagome sat around the campfire with Shippou sitting comfortably on her shoulder, he was nibbling on a snack that Kagome newly introduced to him called a smore. It was hot but it was delicious as was evident to the mess on his face. Chocolate and marshmallows were smeared all around his small mouth. Kagome and the others laughed at the kitsune. Miroku sat across from the young miko and close to the taijiya but not as close as he wanted. Kirara in her small form sat between him and Sango. He didn't know if was the neko's protective nature or that Sango was using the neko to keeping him away.
He looked at the taijiya and gave her a small grin, and she blushed, turning away from him. Kagome saw the interaction and laughed at the two of them, which only resulted in the demon exterminator's blush to darken, and the houshi smile to enlarge. The hanyou sat forgotten in his perch of the tree branch that hung over the camp. He never participated in the banter; he liked his quiet reflection as he watched over them. He couldn't help it, he felt uneasy at night, and he always had. Now that he had friends to protect and he preferred to be aware of their surroundings and let them joke and play as he watched from his tree branch.
Inuyasha saw the houshi tease the taijiya and heard Kagome's gentle giggle. These are the times he treasured. His friends were happy and perfectly fine. He would never admit it but he loved his 'pack' like a family. They were important to him, but like he said he would never tell them that. If they didn't see it for themselves then he wouldn't have to bring himself to explain it.
His ears twitched, not for the great amount of noise but for the lack of it. His friends haven't noticed yet but it was too quiet even for nighttime. He hopped down softly behind Kagome, he had his hand firmly holding Tetsusaiga, and he sniffed the air. He cursed under his breath, with his sense of smell being handicapped, he can't tell if anyone was near by.
"Inuyasha? What's wrong?" Kagome asked as she stood up not liking what she sensed. She lowered Shippou and grabbed her bow and arrows. Kagome could sense a strong demonic aura. It felt familiar but it didn't seem threatening, but she was still careful. Inuyasha wasn't tense for no reason.
"Is it Naraku?" Miroku wondered, as he stood ready next to Sango who was peeling off her outer kimono in favor of her taijiya uniform.
"I don't think so. This aura is not projecting any kind of threat." Kagome answered Miroku nodded in agreement, but anything could happen and they didn't want to take the chance. They have been tricked before.
Inuyasha stepped out from behind Kagome and walked to the edge of the light the fire gave off. He smelled the air again, and this time he knew the scent and it was very close. He growled and pulled his newly transformed great fang from its scabbard.
From the faint light of the camp fire, the humans could barely see in the dark but the light fabric and soft black shoes could be seen as the person walked closer, the person's face still not visible.
Inuyasha growled again and leaped high into the night sky with Tetsusaiga held above his head. He brought it down hard upon the stranger and the others could hear a sharp clang. The person stopped Inuyasha's attack. Kagome and the others heard his loud curse as they heard more of clashing swords. She raised her arrows, despite not being able to see the battle. A sharp wind blew past her and she turned to see Inuyasha collided with the tree that he was in earlier. She rushed to his side; her bow lay forgotten on the ground.
"Inuyasha! Are you okay?"
"How pathetic that you need assistance from a human."
A cold chill ran down Kagome's spine as she recognized the owner of the voice. She stood and turned to see Sesshoumaru standing in the edge of the light. The shadows played shadow effects across his delicate face. His normally angelic face looked sinister in the dark. He wore the same little arrogant smirk he wore whenever he bested Inuyasha in their squabbles.
Her attention was turned back as Inuyasha growled again and stood up as recovered from he blow. "Sesshoumaru you bastard what you are doing here?"
Kagome watched as her friends moved into their battle stances. A cold sweat drop slid down her brow. She could sense no evil or harmful intention from Sesshoumaru but it didn't mean that he would not try anything.
"I am here of my own wishes hanyou."
Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga in front of him and clasped it with both hands. He snarled at his elder half-brother as he rushed towards him again. Again Sesshoumaru countered Inuyasha's brash attack but it could be seen clearly by all at the camp. Kagome grabbed her discarded bow and ran to her friends. Sango held Hiraikotsu behind her back waiting for an opening between youkai and hanyou. Miroku held his staff tightly to the point of his knuckles turning white. Kirara stood transformed with Shippou sitting protected on her back.
"Guys, don't attack Inuyasha needs it, Sesshoumaru is acting weird." Miroku and Sango gave Kagome a questioning look but the held their weapons ready at a chance to help Inuyasha, if he needed it.
Sesshoumaru jumped back into the haven of darkness. And watched the humans from their camp, they seemed unsure and they wanted to help but the miko held them back. He heard her whisper to the others and came out from the protection of the flames. His intentions were once again hampered from the hanyou, but he didn't expect anything less from his irritating half-brother.
Inuyasha again charged Sesshoumaru, with Tetsusaiga swinging wildly. But Sesshoumaru countered with Tokijin and he dropped to the ground holding Tokijin in front and knocked the hanyou off his feet with a circular kick and knocked him on his back. Inuyasha flipped over back onto his feet with Tetsusaiga at his side.
"Asshole!" He growled deeply and he charged again. He threw any thought of tactic to the wind, not caring if his brave attempt worked or not. Sesshoumaru watched as the hanyou charged openly leaving many opportunities for a kill that is if he was going for such a move. Instead he stood and placed Tokijin in front over his shoulder. He charged also and brought his sword swinging counter-clockwise onto the guard of the Tetsusaiga as he narrowly dodged as Inuyasha aimed for his head. The sword flew from Inuyasha grip, landed onto the ground, and transformed back into its rusty form. He kicked Inuyasha's chest and sent him flying back into the same tree he knocked him into earlier.
An arrow flew past Sesshoumaru's face, the miko-powered arrow nearly missed him, and he felt the brush of power nick his nose. He turned to see the miko she stood defiantly put she looked as if she didn't want to hurt him. He sheathed Tokijin and inspected his wound. It there was no blood, as purification would eradicate any semblance of youkai, being physical or pure aura. The wound was shallow, but it still would take some time to heal days longer than normal inflicted wound. Oh how he hated purification, even he could be killed by such a simple power. And it was evident by his wound on his nose.
"Sesshoumaru I missed on purpose, so I suggest to you to tell us as to why you are here." Kagome yelled knowing that he could very well hear her.
"It is not wise to threaten me miko." He spat out; dislike laced his words though his face gave none away. Inuyasha stood forgotten. He was sword less, and he didn't want to move until he knew that he could reach his fang.
Kagome's eyes narrowed, and she pulled another arrow from its place and set it in her bow. "Well I did, what you going to do about it?" Sesshoumaru growled and watched the two humans on either side of her close in on her protecting her from both sides. "Anyway I know you want something, and its not Tetsusaiga, so just spill it."
'Spill it? What does she mean by that?' Sesshoumaru thought as he took in his situation. He was where he didn't want to be. The hanyou was still by the tree bidding his time, and the humans were ready to attack him. He was tempted to sigh but he directed his disappointment towards the miko. "I am here for no other reason than to eradicate the hanyou nuisance."
"Fat chance asshole!" Inuyasha barked and clawed at his half-brother. Sesshoumaru simply jumped back and his materialized poison whip appeared and he struck at the hanyou.
"Inuyasha get your sword moron!" Inuyasha ignored Kagome. If Sesshoumaru wasn't going to use Tokijin then he wasn't going to use Tetsusaiga.
Kagome watched as Inuyasha missed as he swiped at his brother. Things were not going well. Kagome grew angry and threw down her bow and ran to the edge of the light of the fire, and watched as Sesshoumaru dance around Inuyasha, dodging his attacks with ease.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Everyone turned to the new voice in the dark and a human girl emerged from the darkness. She ran towards Sesshoumaru, but Inuyasha didn't take notice as the girl ran into his path.
Kagome watched the twitch in Sesshoumaru's face, as Inuyasha lunged forward not caring of the little girl in his way. "Osuwari!" Inuyasha pummeled into the ground.
"Ow wench! Why...?" He coughed up dirt as he face breathed in the earth.
"Baka! You could have killed that girl!"
'Girl?' Inuyasha thought from his little crater. He didn't see anybody besides Sesshoumaru.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! You are okay! Jaken-sama said that you were going to fight!"
Miroku, Sango, Kagome, Shippou and the fire neko, watched as the human girl that traveled with Sesshoumaru. They knew of her, both they never actually seen her. It was just wild rumor about the demon lord. She didn't seem shaken when he began to growl and forced her behind him. Inuyasha was out of his hole and he held the Tetsusaiga in his hand, but it was not transformed, it still was in its rusty form.
"Inuyasha you are truly a fool. I came here with hopes that we could forge an alliance the despicable hanyou Naraku. But from what I see, you are simply useless. I can not fathom to as why that coward fears you."
"Huh?" Inuyasha stammered. He stood wide-eyed and confused. He wasn't the only one. Miroku scratched his head, and Sango lowered her boomerang. Kirara transformed back into her small form and mewed softly as Shippou petted her absent-mindingly. Only Kagome wasn't surprised from his statement. She almost seemed happy.
"I do not repeat myself brother."
Inuyasha gained his bearings and narrowed his eyes in disbelief. Tetsusaiga was now held steady his hands with the great fang pointed at Sesshoumaru. "I don't care if you are here for alliance or anything else. You are not staying here." But his threat diminished as a water bottle collided with his head.
"You are stupid you know that! He came here asking for help and you are going to turn him down! You are an idiot. If he wants to kill Naraku that's his business, but at least he's not going after you!" Kagome stood next to the fire; with her fists gripped tightly her anger could be seen openly on her expression. Waves of anger and disbelief could be smelled from her already enticing scent. The wind blew softly; her uniform swaying gently along with the wind.
"What? No Kagome he just wants to use us, and then kill us for whatever sick purpose he is planning. He might even be working with that bastard!"
"Silence your woman. Inuyasha. Though she seems more intelligent than you."
"She's not my woman asshole."
Kagome stalked over with her rage taking over. She reached the hanyou, tugged on his ears, and bent him over, despite his painful whining. "Quit being stupid Inuyasha. Just let him talk. Nothing bad ever came from that." She let go of Inuyasha and he rubbed his abused ears. The pain throbbed and the sharp ring of her yells still heard in his delicate hearing. "And you!" She turned onto Sesshoumaru. His eyes narrowed, but he kept his distance. "Just because you want an alliance for whatever reason it doesn't give you any right, to demand anything from us or treat us like crap. YOU came to US."
"You do not have to remind me human. I didn't come to seek help. I am capable of killing the half-breed myself."
"Then why are here, if you don't need help?" Kagome's anger vanished as she became confused, and stepped back as if she was been lashed out at.
"He's just playing with us." Inuyasha growled. He lunged at Sesshoumaru again but Kagome prevented it again.
"Osuwari." she said softly. "Alright we are listening, even Inuyasha here has your undivided attention." She kicked at immobile hanyou as he lay on the ground.
"Is this your idea of courtship Inuyasha? Your woman seems to hold you by a leash as some common animal." Sesshoumaru sneered.
Inuyasha just growled from his second impact.
"Just get to the point Sesshoumaru. I won't stop him a third time." Kagome interrupted. "And besides, you are the animal not him."
"Watch your tongue human."
"Last time I checked you were the dog Sesshoumaru and in my book that makes you the animal."
Sesshoumaru cracked his knuckles. The impertinent wench dared to insult him. If he didn't need the group as of that moment he would slaughter them all. She was brave and she seemed overconfident in her anger. But she had no control over her words she yelled in her angry rampages; she was quite foolish. But he ignored the insult. He could take his time and kill them after Naraku was dead, after all the alliance would be no longer needed. "I do not need assistance in the death of the hanyou. But he seems adamant in avoiding me. Your little pack takes the brunt of his assaults."
"So you just want to tag along and wait for him to show up?"
"... Essentially yes."
"To what purpose is the alliance if you do not need us?" Kagome and Sesshoumaru turned to see the monk walking over. He carried the staff like that of a walking stick as he came around the fire. Sango and the kitsune and neko followed behind.
"It is just formality monk." Miroku nodded his head and he clasped his chin with his hand and thought the answer over. Inuyasha was back up and he stood in front of Kagome. He didn't like the looks Sesshoumaru was giving them.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" The little girl spoke again as she looked from behind the great lord. Her hand gripped his pants as she peered at the group of people her lord distrusted.
"Rin, be quiet." Rin looked up to he face and he hadn't moved. He was still watching the group.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Another wail came from the darkness, but it wasn't Rin.
Kagome shook her head. 'This was getting unbelievable. First Rin comes and now that stupid toad.' The others watched as Jaken ran through the line of the trees, and ran towards him not noticing Inuyasha or his band of humans.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin ran after you again. I tried to stop her but she out ran this servant!"
Sesshoumaru simply kicked the toad and sent him flying through the darkness. But Ah-Un had caught the imp as the two-headed dragon flew into area. Ah-Un landed behind Sesshoumaru and put the toad back onto the ground. Sesshoumaru's attention was brought back to the inu-tachi, as he heard the miko whispered growl under her breath. "I can't believe this. I might go nuts after this. People popping out of the damn trees."
"Formality Sesshoumaru? That doesn't mean anything to us." Inuyasha said.
"Even though you run wild mutt you do carry some rights of the court."
"I don't care. Formality does not give us anything to guarantee our safety."
"Fine. Then what do you propose?" Sesshoumaru eyes narrowed. The hanyou had proved to have some semblance of intelligence, which only grew to irk him.
"Inuyasha. We should talk this over. He is serious about this." Sango whispered to the hanyou.
"Feh, whatever." He whispered back though knowing that Sesshoumaru could hear them. Inuyasha grinned and his eyes shined with mischief. "You can come with us but, you don't move, talk, breath, or even take a piss without telling us. And you can't harm or kill anyone or try to take MY Tetsusaiga. And you can't get in my way if we get in a fight."
"Unacceptable."
"Too bad."
A slap resounded through the woods. Inuyasha held his face, as he looked Kagome. Her hand trembled from anger. "You are useless Inuyasha. What good is it if you force him away? He might be your evil brother, but it is stupid to turn him away. Can't you think? At least a little bit. If Naraku is too afraid to attack Sesshoumaru head on, then having him here is a good idea."
"What? No!" Inuyasha snarled, nothing good ever came from with having his brother involved.
"Look I'm truly sorry Inuyasha for hitting you but you needed it. I had to slap some sense into you. Having him here is a good idea, even if he using us. Naraku will think twice before bothering us. And that will buy us time to find more shards before he does. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Inuyasha repeated.
"Kagome-sama is right Inuyasha." Miroku broke in. "You do not have to like the idea of him being near, but we can use his strength. Naraku is a cunning but cowardly. And they are the most often the hardest foe to kill."
Kagome turned from her friends and spun to face the demon lord. "Sesshoumaru here is what we will agree on. We will not hurt or kill each other. You can do what you want and we do what we want. But when it comes to fighting you help us… if we need it. And after the fight with Naraku is over we go our separate ways." Kagome said, "Oh and you can't go after Tetsusaiga." She added as in after thought.
"That is acceptable."
Inuyasha growled and placed Tetsusaiga in its scabbard and jumped back into his tree branch, sulking over Sesshoumaru. Kagome left Inuyasha in the tree and collected her neglected bow. And went back to her sleeping bag. Miroku and Sango were more hesitant to let go of their guard, but they relented and went back to their spots. Shippou left Kirara and jumped into Kagome's lap. He looked up at the girl; he could see she was still tense from everything that happened.
"Kagome are you sure that it was a good idea letting Sesshoumaru stay here?" Kagome looked down at the kitsune and let out a small laugh. She grabbed his face and wiped the mess that was still on his face from the smore.
"Shippou it looks like that you have most of your smore on you face than your stomach." She giggled and licked her thumb and tried to wipe the sticky mess from his face. Shippou pawed at her hand, clearly embarrassed but she didn't answer his question. For the first time since he met her, he couldn't help think that she was crazed out of her mind, and he might feel safer in Inuyasha's lap than hers, with the bloodthirsty demon nearby.
"Kagome you didn't answer me."
"Shippou its ok. Sesshoumaru is a lot of things but I never once seen him lie, or deceit us. And I sense that he will keep HIS word, like WE will keep ours." She said that louder enough for both demons nearby.
Sesshoumaru heard the kitsune and miko's conversation he found it funny that the kitsune thought that the woman-child had allowed him to stay. But she was correct, he would not go back on his word, they had their uses. Though he was using them he clearly understood that they were using him too. It was acceptable. In fact if the miko hadn't suggested that he would have thought them as stupid. To take advantage of a situation not only guaranteed survival, it improved it.
He walked away from the group wanting his space from them and his hanyou brother. He sat beneath a tree and watched as Rin started a small fire with the assistance of Jaken. Despite all the claims of hating the human girl, he knew the imp grew attached to the human in his own perverse way. Ah-Un lay across the ground circling protective of the girl. Rin had the almost magical power of making people like her. As his thoughts wondered his went back to the miko and her group. She too had the same gift. When he first met her it was just Inuyasha and her. They bickered horribly and the hanyou didn't seem to care about her, which was until she pulled Tetsusaiga from his father's grave. The hanyou then hastily promised to protect her, and he shortly lost his arm.
Sensations began to move within his body. He could feel the phantom attachment of his now missing arm. He could feel as if it was still there. Silently he cursed himself for being stupid. What was done was done. His arm would grow back. But it would take nearly a century despite all his best effort, no magic or potion or healing herb would counter the effect of a severed arm. He would have to wait it out.
From his place under the tree he could see Inuyasha's rag-tag group. The miko had climbed into a strange fabric and laid down her back to him. The taijiya and the monk had followed suit and went into their own strange fabric bag. The kitsune was under some blankets and held the small fire neko to him. His half-brother was in his tree branch, he wasn't asleep he knew it. He was watching him. It didn't bother Sesshoumaru; he had nothing to hide. Sesshoumaru watched Rin finish tending the fire and she leaned into the dragon for extra warmth.
Inuyasha sat from his place in the trees and watched all that was below. His friends were asleep, and Sesshoumaru's company was also asleep. He noticed him watching them. He didn't like that he was so close. Even with the new alliance they had, but he couldn't help think it was a useless agreement. Sesshoumaru was too proud to need help. Even if he was using them like he had admitted it, he didn't trust him anymore than he liked Naraku.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The sun began to rise as both hanyou and youkai watched the sun slowly rise from the ground. The humans were still asleep including the kitsune, neko and toad. Inuyasha hopped down from his tree and his woke the other's up in an unusual show of concern. As if Sesshoumaru had bewitched them in their sleep he wanted to make sure that they were okay.
"Oi Kagome, wake up. Hey I say wake up. You got to make ramen." Well maybe not.
"Inuyasha not now. I need sleeeeeeeeeeeeeep." Kagome whined into her pillow.
"Fine whatever." Inuyasha went to his next victim, Shippou. "Hey stupid wake up. We got to get going." And Inuyasha was welcomed with teeth clamped down on his hand. Inuyasha yanked his hand free and growled at the kitsune. "You stupid little bastard I'm going to kill you!" Shippou heard the warning, ran from his blankets, and ran towards Kagome, his only safe place from Inuyasha's anger.
Inuyasha grabbed the fleeing kitsune's tail and yanked him off the ground. "Let go Inuyasha! If you don't Kagome will sit you!" Shippou tried to claw Inuyasha but he was too short he couldn't reach him at all.
All thoughts of Sesshoumaru and his possible threat disappeared or lay forgotten as Inuyasha and Shippou had their usual battle of wits.
"I don't think so. She can't sit me if she's asleep." Inuyasha raised the kitsune to his eye level and Shippou could see that he couldn't get out of this one. Inuyasha flexed his claws but he was slammed into the ground. Not by a subduing spell but by a boomerang.
"Inuyasha don't be so rude in the morning." Sango yawned as she placed her bone weapon back down. Shippou whispered his thanks to his unexpected savior and Sango just waved it off, as she stretched her arms above her head. A familiar hand found its way on her butt, she found that Miroku was awake and she slapped him off, "Hentai! Keep your cursed hands off me you stupid monk!"
"I'm sorry Sango but your had some leaves on your kimono." Miroku chuckled and he got back off the ground and began to clean up his sleeping bag.
"Yeah right. Didn't you use that excuse when you felt me up yesterday." Kagome yawned as she stretched; her shirt rode up exposing her stomach. Miroku watched from the corner of his eye. He loved the girl from the future, never had his eyes been rewarded this much before he meet the girl.
"Kagome-sama you can not blame me wanting to help the both of you from looking unclean."
"Next time you might insist helping us bathe since we are so incapable of keeping ourselves clean." Kagome said as she climbed out of her sleeping back and rolled it up and replaced it as she pulled out ramen, bathing supplies and clothes.
"Only if you need me Kagome-sama, I would love to assist you and Sango."
"Stop being a pervert. She was joking houshi." Sango yelled as she smacked him again which only made him fall back onto the ground.
Miroku clutched his abused cheek. He knew that she was joking but it didn't mean that he couldn't play along. "My dear Sango, can you not take a joke?"
"Not when it comes from you. Knowing you, you would ask to come with us even if it was a joke." Miroku smiled at the taijiya and only made Sango's eyes narrow at him.
"I'm going to take a bath, and no you can't come Miroku." Kagome said as she held the bathing supplies in her arms. "Would you like to come with me Sango? Shippou?"
"I already bathed a few days ago." Sango said as she eyed the monk.
"Well what about you Shippou?"
"Nah, I'm hungry, I want to eat."
Kagome shrugged and handed the ramen to Sango. "Here Sango, you can prepare it. The pot should be in my bag."
"Sure Kagome-chan." Sango grabbed the ramen and went through her bag as Kagome walked away towards the small lake. Kagome got nearer to the lake and farther from her group when Inuyasha intercepted her.
"Where do you think you are going?"
"Inuyasha, I know you heard me. I'm going to take a bath."
"Not with bastard here."
"Huh? You mean I can't bathe at all?"
Inuyasha crossed his arms and nodded his head quickly. He was right and Kagome would just accept it and he wasn't going to take no for answer.
"Are you nuts? I can't go days without bathing." Inuyasha's eyes widen in surprise as she was looking at him as if he grew a second head on his shoulders.
"Fine then I will go with you." Kagome faltered, and nearly dropped her bathing supplies.
"No you won't. I swear you are just as bad as Miroku."
"I don't want to watch you bathe, I just want to make sure the bastard doesn't do anything."
"So you are not worried about Sango or Miroku? He could something to them." Inuyasha's arms dropped from his body. He hated it whenever she out smarted him. 'Damn it wench, can't you see that Sesshoumaru can't be trusted?'
"They can take care of themselves."
"Oh and I can't? I can recall that I hurt Sesshoumaru as many times as you did. So don't lay that protection crap on me." Inuyasha whined, annoyed that Kagome wasn't relenting. Kagome giggled a bit and that made Inuyasha snap of his whining. "Look Inuyasha I will be fine. Really. Besides Sesshoumaru can't be a pervert at least I hope not. He won't spy on me. And if something does happen I will yell out for you."
"All right wench, don't get yourself kidnapped or killed." Inuyasha stalked away back to the camp, ignoring the smells of ramen and kept his senses alert for anything that could happen to her.
Kagome walked towards the spring, she nearly skipped over to it. She wanted a bath so much, since she had slept in her uniform. She stripped herself of her clothes, leaving on her bra and panties. It took a few times for her to understand even though she thought of bathing as an act you did by yourself, others would still barge in on her, specifically a certain monk, and a few times an over zealous wolf. She took no chances anymore.
She slipped into the lukewarm water and she dived into water. She swam around letting her body get used to the temperature, then swam back to the surface near the edge of the water. She grabbed her shampoo and washed her hair diligently. One thing she didn't like about the Sengoku Jidai, you could get dirty from anything and everything. And her poor hair got the brunt of it. She honestly could go without bathing as long as she had clean clothes, but she absolutely could not stand dirty nappy hair. It made her feel gross.
She dunked under the water to rinse her hair of the strawberry shampoo and took another lap around the lake, before she went back to her supplies. She grabbed her conditioner and worked her into a rich lather before dunking her head again. Kagome looked around to make sure no one was around before she slid out of her underwear. She quickly washed and rinsed herself before she grabbed her towel and covered herself as she climbed out. She grabbed some clean panties and slid it under her towel.
Yes being paranoid did make her feel better about her modesty. Like her mother always said, 'Better safe than sorry.' Kagome did one last check before she dropped her towel and snapped on her bra. Kagome rummaged through her belongings and seized her shirt and pulled it over her head. She found her shorts and pulled them on. Kagome now was free to do, as she wished without free of being spied on. Honestly who would enjoy watching a girl brush her hair or put on deodorant? Finished, Kagome took up her bathe supplies and wet/dirty clothes and headed back. She didn't notice the person blocking her path.
"Watch where you are going." Kagome looked up to find Sesshoumaru staring down at her. The cut across his nose was still there. But it didn't take away from his feminine beauty. Kagome stumbled back, she didn't like the closeness he shared with her, but Sesshoumaru closed in on her.
"How long have you been standing there?" Kagome choked out as she backed up again.
"Not long enough."
"Not long enough? Huh? You wanted to see me bathe?" Kagome narrowed her eyes in anger. With fear of her modesty gone, she brushed past Sesshoumaru and headed back towards the camp. If he wanted to be a pervert he could be a pervert alone. Sesshoumaru remained where he was and watched the confusing human leave him. "Why do I always get the weird ones? Hojou, Inuyasha, Kouga, Naraku, and now Mr. High and Mighty Dog Demon. Damn someone up there hates me." She muttered under her breath with Sesshoumaru still within hearing distance, as she broke through the tree line to see her friends all ready to go. The fire was gone and the traces of ramen for breakfast were gone. She dropped her stuff into her bag, and placed her wet clothes and towel in a plastic bag, and she pulled out a cereal bar, as she heaved her heavy pack unto her back.
Hey I'm ready to go."
"About time. What did you do all that time?" Inuyasha snarled in annoyance. He was ready to go for a quite awhile, but he didn't bother trying to get her knowing that she would sit him no matter the situation. But he hid is happiness that nothing had happened to her while he was gone.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sesshoumaru sat under his tree as he watched the sun rose. Rin was still asleep against Ah-Un, the dragon had curled up around the girl protectively as if she has it's pup. Jaken too was asleep the Staff of Heads laid a few feet away, as the toad youkai had let go of it during his sleep. Sesshoumaru watched the other camp on the other side of the meadow. His bother sat in his tree branch watching his own group.
The hanyou hopped down and tried to wake the strange miko wench from her slumber but she refused to take his command she demanded that he let her rest. Sesshoumaru snorted at the act. It was a wonder on how the hanyou had managed to secure such a small but formidable army and them not take his instructions. The hanyou then turned onto the small kitsune. The hanyou and kitsune were trading barbs and injuries, but it seemed the hanyou had no patience when it came to the small fox demon.
It was amusing hearing the kitsune threaten his brother through the miko. So ready to believe that she would come to his rescue. It was sad to have such faith in a human girl. Sesshoumaru watched and held in the laugh that threatened to spill from his chest. It seemed that not only the hanyou was controlled by the miko but by the taijiya as well. That little group was quite amusing. If he had nothing better to do, he honestly would watch them like that of kabuki theatre, his own private entertainment. It seemed that despite the hanyou's attempt the miko awoke herself after the monk was knocked back for being fresh with the taijiya. Even from his distance he clearly heard her cry out of his perversion.
The interaction among all of them proved that they were loyal and trusted each other with their lives. No one thought of anyone as any less. Surprising him a bit since a miko, a monk and, a taijiya traveled with a hanyou, the one despised above all others, and two youkai. He was raised since birth to hate taijiya, miko and monks. And he knew that most youkai feared and loathed them as well. And of the same with humans.
Out of all the things he saw in Japan, the group he watched was one of the most fascinating. The miko was the most intriguing though. She wore indecent clothing, spoke rudely and polite at the same time, as she never considered the class system in her words. She spoke to him as if she was his equal. She had an odd speech dialogue and spoke strange phrases, that he never heard of. She had more power than any human but yet she did not take advantage of it. And she had many crazed concepts of the world. She seemed to view the world as two parts. Good and Evil and which he just happened to fall into the evil category of hers, though he had witnessed that she gave everyone a second chance. It was confusing. To battle someone, turn around, and give them aid. She didn't care if you were youkai, a thief, a whore, a hanyou, sick or poor, she helped those that need it without ever asking for anything in return.
However, the monk in the group was interesting too. For someone who claimed to be a monk he did not act like one. From what he understood monks were meant to be pious, selfless and celibate. From everything he learned the monk was not any of these. Sesshoumaru doubted that he really was a monk; it had to be some scam, even though he did have spiritual powers. What ever the monk was he was odd like the girl. Unlike the miko he expected a profit from his good deeds, and helped if there was some kind of award. This is what he could relate to, he did as he wished and did nothing if he didn't want to. The monk seemed to have a better view of the world than everyone else in the group.
He watched the taijiya with distrust, even though it seemed that she did not hunt down every youkai that they came across like most demon exterminators, she did have the natural biased ideas that the miko did not. She was a demon exterminator, and Sesshoumaru knew if the woman could wish it she would rid the world of youkai. It was just the matter of upbringing. She hated him and he despised her, for they both exterminated each other's kind. But for very different reasons, Sesshoumaru honestly didn't care about her and the demon that did her wrong. She was like every human that he has met. Nothing special about her.
The kitsune was of no concern. He had no power that he needed to worry about, but made Sesshoumaru wonder on how the kitsune came to be in the possession of the miko. It was obvious that the miko looked after the cub, and he seriously doubted that she stole him away from his parents. He concluded that the kitsune was an orphan like Rin. Sesshoumaru looked at his own orphan and a felt a small tug at his heart. She was his, and he accepted that. He would protect Rin like the miko with her cub. That thought entertained him. Him, a youkai with a human child and a miko with a youkai cub, it was a funny concept.
He was brought out of his thoughts and looked at the one who disturbed him. The miko had announced that she wished to bathe. She was so full of surprises. It was rare that someone, and even more shocking that a human would wish to keep themselves clean since they didn't have the superior senses youkai had. In fact most youkai did not bath that often themselves. But any higher youkai with a sophisticated sense of smell knew the importance of keeping the stench of decay and sweat from their person.
He noticed his brother had returned from the miko's direction and didn't overlook the glare his younger brother gave him. Sesshoumaru was sure that they had forgotten about him, but he was surprisingly pleased that they haven't. The humans, the kitsune, and the pet neko, too gave him a look but they went about fixing their meal.
Sesshoumaru wondered what his foolish brother told them about him. He knew the hanyou would have told them that he hated humans, but Inuyasha did not know him, he wasn't the youkai that his dear half-brother made them believe.
He didn't hate humans, in fact; he even respected a few. It just took a personal reason to hate something, and he had no reasons to do so. He did not know humans so therefore he could not hate them; he just simply disliked them. It was far more impersonal and cold to act with indifference. He was Lord of the Western Lands; he viewed everyone like insects. Those in his way were struck down, those who disobeyed died, and those that pleased him were rewarded. He views were different from most youkai. They all hated humans and believed themselves superior. They thought that humans were nothing more than a nuisance that need to be exterminated, or used as entertainment. Nevertheless, they didn't realize that humans viewed them the same way.
A few years ago he thought the same of humans like all other youkai, but Midoriko and his own travels changed his views. Humans had their uses for his land, and they did not realize that humans and youkai were so much alike and so different. It was a confusing conflict but it was quite true. Youkai and humans both reacted the same in with war, love, hate, lust, friendship, betrayal, and in peace.
Sesshoumaru looked at the group again. He grew bored watching them. He was comfortable with his observations of the group, but he was unfulfilled. The most intriguing human wasn't there for him to dissect. He stood up and went in the direction of the miko. He wanted to see what she was like alone. He was careful to avoid Inuyasha. The boy was quite protective of her from everything.
Sesshoumaru found the miko near a small lake. She stood directly in front of him and she was garbed in a strange garment. She wore a skintight fabric that was white with red hearts printed on the fabric; around her rear and she was bending over her bag seizing another of her strange clothing items. She shook her hips almost seductively and he had an ample view of her velvety, crisp, pale legs. For a woman child she had no hair on her legs. He couldn't feel put of; it was strange seeing this. He was sure that the miko was an innocent so why did she act so sensual, so indecent? It was odd watching her dress, she did not seem to know that he was there, but still she held his attention. When she stood and pulled down a pink sleeveless shimmer like fabric over her head, he saw that she had a strange strap around her back. He didn't know what it was or what's it purpose was but his thoughts changed when she pulled out a pair of pants made of a long dense fiber he never seen. When she had finished on with the dark blue pants, it seemed to accentuate her backside and legs. She slid on her socks and peculiar shoes.
Sesshoumaru found himself looking forward to their confrontation. From what he had witnessed with the others and her, she would be embarrassed, blush and she would yell out obscenities, and might call out for her hanyou protector. On the other hand, she would shrink from fear and try to hide from him. He didn't know which reaction would be more suitable, but he prided himself on making anyone uncomfortable when he wished it.
She turned and walked towards her still not noticing his presence. 'So the miko is untrained, horribly under-developed it seems. What a surprise.' Sesshoumaru decided that he would make his presence known since she was too absorbed in her own world. 'What an odd girl?' "Watch where you are going." His voice cut through the wind and the noisy forest creatures and the miko finally noticed his being.
She stumbled back from shock and looked up at him, but he just stepped closer to her, waiting for her reaction.
"How long have you been standing there?" she demanded in a quiet voice.
"Long enough." Sesshoumaru teased. He wanted to bait her for some reaction, anything to show for his quiet observations of her.
"Not long enough? Huh? You wanted to see me bathe?" Her confused/angry response was how he thought she would react but he didn't expect that she wouldn't start yelling about her modesty and call him a pervert. Instead she simply walked past him as if he was nobody and he clearly muttered under her breath about him and all her male problems. He turned to watch head towards her friends and he stood there just contemplating her actions.
He had to re-evaluate his assessment of the woman-child. Not only was she loud, brash, and foolish but also she was also rude with no regard for her station, untrained and intriguing. He hated things that were intriguing; they proved to be the most mysterious, dangerous unpredictable things to ever plague the earth. Yet they sucked anything and everything like harpies, all are unable to pull away from their hypnotizing spell. He would be wise to tread carefully around the miko. He even he could not foresee any of her actions. He would watch and learn from her and the group. If Naraku viewed them as his biggest threat he wanted to know why.
Sesshoumaru ran back to the clearing to find that his brother's group had left but they were not that far ahead and that Rin and everyone else were awake.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! Good morning."
"Morning Rin."
"Sesshoumaru-sama you are wounded!" Rin cried out, Sesshoumaru looked down at his ward, she was clearly upset that he was hurt and the concern was swirling in her dark eyes.
Sesshoumaru inspected his nose again. A strange emotion washed over him, it wasn't strange as he new the emotion well but he couldn't understand as to why he felt it. He WAS proud. The evidence on his face that he was wounded by an untrained, human, miko, but yet the feeling was clearly pride. It sickened him that he felt it, but he did not deny it. He was proud of his battle injury. "I'm fine Rin."
"I'm happy that you okay Sesshoumaru-sama." Rin's grin grew wide, and showed the gap in her teeth. Though her teeth were growing in, the gap was still there.
"Silly girl! Sesshoumaru-sama is tougher than you think! A simple misshape of a worthless human could never harm our lord." Jaken squawked, waving the Staff of Heads angrily. "Sesshoumaru-sama what of the hanyou's group are you not going to follow?"
"I am aware that they left, I did not forget." Sesshoumaru just simply turned and walked after the hanyou and his group of friends. Jaken gave chase after their lord, with the Staff of Heads weaving to and fro over his shoulder. Rin held on to Ah-Un's reigns as she walked behind her lord, easily out pacing Jaken with his short legs.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"How old are you?"
"I'm twenty-two."
"What's that?"
"What's what?"
"That on your hand."
"Its my glove to cover my cursed hand."
"Why is it cursed?"
"It's cursed to grope every woman he sees." Sango interrupted.
A short time passed and the two groups were reluctant to fuse, slowly started to mix. Inuyasha walked in front like he always did, with Miroku and Sango behind him. However, with the newest edition of Rin, she stood between the monk and taijiya, chatting away and asking questions. Kagome was on her bike with Shippou in the basket of her bike, with Sesshoumaru behind her with Jaken and Ah-Un bringing up the rear.
"Kagome can I have something to eat?"
"Sorry Shippou its not lunch time."
"But I'm hungry..." Shippou whined.
"Shippou." The kitsune looked at Kagome and understood that he couldn't talk her out of it. He bowed his head, he didn't understand what he did, but he was sorry. Kagome sensed his distress and cut him of it. "Shippou it's almost time to take a break, you don't want to ruin your meal, before hand. You might not have not enough room for dessert."
"Dessert?" Shippou asked with his eyes full of glee, all sadness was washed away. Shippou jumped on her shoulder on hugged her neck. "Kagome you're the best!" Kagome laughed and hugged the kitsune one handed with her other hand still on the handle of her bike. Shippou jumped back into the basket and looked forward to his dessert. "Hey Shippou why don't you try to make friends with Rin? She looks to be around your age."
"But Kagome I'm way older than her, and I'm a youkai. I don't think that she will like me."
"So?"
"But Sesshoumaru-"
"What about him? Look he won't hurt you if you try to be friends with Rin. Just think of him as an overprotective dad, all right? Go ahead and talk to her. I'm sure that she will like you."
Shippou looked from Kagome to Rin. She walked happily between Miroku and Sango still asking questions. Finally Shippou got the nerve and jumped out of the basket and quietly walked up the girl. Kagome barely could hold in the laugh at Shippou made the first attempt at talking to her. The girl seemed happy to finally talk to him, Shippou avoided her since Sesshoumaru joined them group, only to keep the inu youkai from killing him. Kagome and along with Sesshoumaru watched as Rin grabbed Shippou and pulled him off the road and dragged to the meadow that was full of flowers.
Miroku watched as the little girl that wouldn't leave his side to play with Shippou, he never been so happy to be free of a woman's presence before. He stepped back as Kagome rode up next to him and smiled in gratitude. "It's okay Miroku, she is just curious. I don't think she gets a lot of people to talk to."
Miroku sighed and blinked his eyes, "That maybe so, but is it natural for someone to talk that much?"
Kagome laughed at Miroku as she rode past him leaving him behind. "Miroku you should know better. No one talks more than me." She said yelled back with a giggle. Miroku stood where he was dumbfounded. Only Kagome could laugh at herself in such a playful manner. He started walking again, and found him next to Sango again, but with no child between. No words were exchanged, both were grateful for silence.
Kagome rode up next to Inuyasha. All day she could sense that he wasn't happy, and she knew the cause. Kagome got off the bike, and walked beside her best friend. "Care to tell what's bothering you?"
Inuyasha made a guttural noise in his throat and refused to look at her. He hoped his sulking would be enough but he knew that she wouldn't give up.
"Come on Inuyasha, what's wrong? You've been in a bad mood for awhile now."
Inuyasha growled and his hand went instinctually to his Tetsusaiga, he gripped the handle. The move seemed to calm him down as he finally looked at Kagome. "It's nothing Kagome. I'm fine, I just have a bad feeling that's all."
"I think it's more than that."
"It's nothing, just drop it okay?"
"Inuyasha I thought you trusted me more than that. If something is wrong I want to help." She growled in annoyance. 'He can be so stubborn!'
"Nothing is wrong, just drop it wench." Inuyasha walked faster leaving her behind.
"Osuwari!" she screamed so loud that Sesshoumaru from far back wince at her tone. Inuyasha pummeled to the ground, and dust whipped around his prone body. Kagome stood next his crater overlooking him, and her voice was tinged with anger. "Inuyasha you jerk. I wanted to help you but you had to be a stubborn baka. And you know not to call me that. You know my name so use it, unless you want to be sat again. Got it?" Inuyasha could barely nod in understanding, before she continued. "Since you are obviously too wounded to move," she cursed, "We should rest for a while. It's lunch time anyway." Kagome walked her back off the road, set her bike down, and rested under the shade of a tree. Miroku and Sango took no time to abandon Inuyasha on the road to the preferable shade of the tree from the hot sun. "Shippou, Rin you hungry?"
Shippou and Rin ran back, on the whole time laughing and giggling at each other. Despite his reluctance, the kitsune found that he loved talking and playing with another kid. Shippou ran circles around the girl, and she laughed happily with a large grin on her face. She tried to catch the cub but she wasn't fast enough but she didn't care. They ran to the shade, hopped to the ground, and waited for their lunch.
Sesshoumaru looked at his brother still in the ground and coughed up a laugh. It amused him that the strongest hanyou around could be subdued so easily. He too left Inuyasha on the road to sit with the others. It didn't bother him that the miko was the one in charge. She had no authority over him, and he did what he wanted. The pace was slower than what he was used to but he didn't care. If this was the method they used to find jewel shards and fight Naraku then he had no problem adapting to the slow march. He found another tree a bit farther away from the others, but it was close enough to hear, and see everything that went on. He still didn't trust them, but he knew that Rin was in good hands with the miko and her friends.
He leaned against his tree and closed his eyes, though he could sense everything around him. Now was a good time to relax and meditate. It was his first chance to do it since he joined the group, as the first couple of days; he refused to keep his eyes off the hanyou and the taijiya. Though the monk and miko were more of a threat, considering he knew the destructive power of the Kazaana and the purification powers of the girl, they wouldn't go against their agreement unless he broke it first. They were honorable, even the monk in his odd way.
As he sat in his mediate stance, it was hard to clear his mind. Thoughts of Naraku, the miko girl, and his unwanted alliance refused to leave his mind. He doubted that he did the right thing. He liked his sanity and he was very attached to his reputation and honor. The cowardly hanyou, and the confusing woman-child plagued him. His subjects didn't care that he was hunting a hanyou that was bent on taking over his land, but they would rather care more about that he was traveling with a hanyou and humans. That he sought help, that he was overpowered by wench of an under-developed girl.
No she was not under-developed, she was quite woman of her age. It would do no good to lie to himself. He remembered her curves when he caught her at the lake. He would be a fool not to have noticed. She practically danced in front of him in an indecent piece of cloth. But he would be a bigger fool to wonder about it any longer. She simply was a spell-caster; all males around her have succumbed to her charms. He wouldn't, no he didn't want to be caught by a simple curiosity. He began to wonder if she really was human. She seemed to have powers that were beyond human or youkai. Like those of youkai myth, she was one of the spirits that come to earth to cause havoc, and disrupt people's lives for their own amusement. Somehow this made him feel better about his curiosity about her.
A strong scent of sakura blossoms and vanilla with tint of ginger came into his sense. He opened his eyes to see the miko was kneeling in front of him. He tried his hardest to cover the surprise on his face. He was either so distracted and did not paying attention to his surroundings or the miko used her magic to hide her scent. He didn't know which one it was but he didn't like either of the options. The girl had a small smile on her face, and her blue eyes pierced his own. The wind blew gently make her hair dance to the invisible air. He took another breath and breathed in her scent. He never smelled anything like it. The sweetness of if and the calming effect of the vanilla calmed his spirit as his surprise eased away.
"Sesshoumaru I know that you don't like us much, but since you are an ally now, I think it's best if we got along ne?"
Sesshoumaru simply kept his stare, he couldn't think anything to say, and the only thought that crossed his mind is that he didn't like how she addressed him with such familiarity. It was beneath him to be addressed by someone who wasn't another lord, particularly a human miko, and his most natural enemy. But he decided that he would bite his tongue in favor of peace and the for the sake of killing the despicable hanyou. If there were peace amongst them then there would be no need to kill for honor and pride.
"Well anyway, I made some ramen, would you like some?" The smile on her face was still there, and Sesshoumaru kept his bored look on his face. "We have more than enough. I know you don't eat human food, but everyone who tried it loved it." Sesshoumaru finally allowed himself to nod. He didn't care for food at the time but he decided to give into his whim of his. He wanted to try it and see for himself. He looked forward to not liking it, and telling her so. "Great! I'll bring you some."
Sesshoumaru watched her run back to her temporary camp and fill him a bowl. He heard Inuyasha's objections to him eating HIS ramen but the girl simply ignored him. She was a trusting fool. He wondered if Naraku had asked forgiveness and wanted to repent for his evil, she just might believe the disgraceful hanyou and offer him her assistance. He snorted at the thought, if she was as he thought, maybe it would be a good thing to be rid of her after the hanyou was gone. He saw her walking back with a bowl full of steaming hot noodles and chopsticks. She set it down in front of him, and walked away, not expecting a thank you. As he inhaled the smell of the food, it smelled... appetizing, and poison free. He wasn't surprised by that, she would never stoop so low to do that. Life to her was important. She wouldn't take a life unless it was necessary.
He picked up the bowl and brought it to his lips, letting the hot seasoned water touch his lips. He had to admit it was not horrible, just over spiced. It over powered the taste, but he believed that it was seasoned for human taste but it was acceptable. He placed the bowl in lap and picked up the chopsticks. He swirled the chopsticks around the bowl, not caring about proper etiquette. (One thing he didn't like about these noodles was that it was it took two hands to eat.)
Kagome rejoined her friends after giving Sesshoumaru a bowl of ramen. She wasn't surprised that he didn't talk to her, he hadn't said anything if it couldn't be expressed through body language. She wasn't bothered by it; he didn't want to associate with people like her. But it wouldn't stop her from being nice. She thought of him as lonely. She never saw him with another youkai. She didn't count Jaken, as he was just a servant. She meant an equal, like a friend or a mate. She sought to become his friend, not because she pitied him or that he was an ally, but because she couldn't deny that she liked him and thought he would need a friend.
Sure he was arrogant, self-impressed with himself, narcissistic, rude (to at least to her friends), thought himself better than her, but she couldn't help that was what he let people see. She wanted to know what he was like when he was alone, or how he acted around other lords and youkai. What did he like, what he disliked, and what was his favorite food? She couldn't help but think that she was being funny, but she was curious about everything about him, as he didn't give away anything about himself. She would get through to him, she knew she would, if he would be anything like Inuyasha she would have quite a task on her hands.
"Oi are you going to eat that?" Kagome was pulled from her thoughts as she saw the hopeful look on Inuyasha's face. She smiled to herself, as she hoped to see Sesshoumaru look at her like that. But Inuyasha took her smile as a sign to help himself, and reached for her bowl.
"Sit." Kagome yelled on reflex. She grabbed her bowl as she heard Inuyasha's displeased growling. "I didn't say you could have it Inuyasha," and more cursing came from the ground. She laughed at Inuyasha, she didn't sit him that hard. She ignored him as he shot her a glare as he went back to his spot, as she ate her own ramen.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Naraku watched the newly knit group of people that he wished to kill from Kanna's mirror. It was the last thing he expected that could happen. It did not bode well for him, he knew that, but if he was lucky he could force them at each other's throats and set them upon different paths once again or even manipulate it so they would kill each other.
It sickened him to see the great lord, interact with the traveling pack. He thought that he hated his brother more than anything. But apparently he angered the lord more than the hanyou, if it meant that the lord threw away any pride to hunt with his half-breed brother. From what he witnessed everyone wasn't happy with the new alliance, except for the miko. The little wench was the one responsible for the new group. She certainly had her way with all the males. The little whore just had to flutter her eyes, and show some leg and she got what she wanted.
A cold laugh erupted from deep within his chest. If the little miko placed her charms on every male what would stop from the Taiyoukai from being enticed? Maybe this was something good that came his way. Distract the great lord, which would allow him to take care of the hanyou. A plan began to build inside his head, it would work, he knew it, and his enemies were slow to adapting to his changing strategies. He knew this one could not be countered.
"Kagura."
Within seconds his offspring appeared before him.
"Hai Naraku-sama?"
"Kagura I want you to watch Inuyasha's group and his new friends. But do attack until I say to. The timing needs to be perfect."
"Hai Naraku-sama." And with the same instant as they appeared they disappeared into the shadows following his commands.
Naraku glazed back into the mirror that his prized offspring held. She was so obedient and loyal, two things he loved from his servants. Though his newest offspring was quite special itself, and he couldn't wait to unleash his power against the people he hated most.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It had been a few weeks since Sesshoumaru had joined Inuyasha and his pack. It was quite uneventful for them. A few wild youkai attacks, a few shards here and there, and both groups were still jumpy around each other. Sesshoumaru hadn't spoken to anyone in the group except for Kagome who was the only one to talk to him first. And Inuyasha and his group just ignored the youkai lord as if he wasn't there. Though Rin was welcomed, as they couldn't do anything about it, she was a talkative child and pulled the reluctant humans into liking and caring for her. Jaken grew to annoy everyone, human, hanyou and youkai. But surprisingly Ah-Un was accepted by the inu-tachi as the two-headed dragon had protected Shippou during one of the attacks from a wild youkai that was carrying a shard.
They walked down a dirt and beaten path along another field, Inuyasha was in the front in his usual position, Kagome was behind him, pushing her bike along her. Shippou and Rin were running around her, playing on of the games Kagome taught them. Sango and Miroku walked side-to-side watching the two run amok. Sesshoumaru was behind them bringing up the rear. Jaken was forgotten as he walked slowly behind his lord while holding onto Ah-Un's reigns.
As Kagome walked past the road, a monotone scenery of what she had seen for the past flashed in her head. The memories rolled around in her head, as she watched the familiar red haori in front of her. She had to admit, it was an interesting time, though no one else saw it that way. Ever since Sesshoumaru joined the group, shard hunting certainly became easier and they avoided more unnecessary injuries. But she wasn't completely happy from the results. She had hoped that Sesshoumaru would open up to them but he hadn't. He barely spoke as it was. She couldn't understand why he was so antisocial, but it didn't help that her friends ignored him. She was the only one to talk to him. She had suspected whenever she actually tried to befriend Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha was jealous. She giggled lightly at the idea, but Inuyasha wasn't hard to read he was just stubborn about sharing anything. She honestly wanted to get to know Sesshoumaru, but for all her attempts he shut her out. Damn demon pride. Always mistaking friendship for something else entirely.
"What are you laughing about wench?" Inuyasha asked, interrupting her thoughts as he turned on her, barely standing a few paces away.
"Its nothing Inuyasha." She smiled, and walked past him, with her bike moving slowly with her.
Inuyasha leaped into air and landed between Sango and Miroku. They jumped up in surprise as he surprised them.
"Hey do you think she is alright?" Inuyasha asked.
"What would you say that?" The soft jingle of Miroku's staff was heard after he asked his question.
"She's been acting weird." Inuyasha growled, though leaving out what he thought the cause was.
"How is she acting weird Inuyasha? You just might be over concerned." Sango theorized. But the girl was a strange one; it was just simply normal for her to act weird. Maybe the hanyou didn't seem to understand that yet.
"She was giggling about something. I don't like it."
"Oh Inuyasha, I know what ails you. I have known several girls who have suffered from the same thing."
"Really? What?" Inuyasha asked; he was skeptical if it came from the perverted monk, but if it helped Kagome he didn't care.
"It's just simply a sickness that plagues the body, they giggle as a feverous heat consumes them and they need to release it or they go mad with heat. I would be happy to provide the service to Kagome-sama, but it would be best if we were alone. It is best if I dealt with it alone." A sly smile grew on his face, as his mind was invaded by thoughts of Kagome being treated by him. Yes his treatment, which was best done without clothes...
"Hentai!" Sango screamed, as she slapped the monk. She didn't need to see his grin to know that he was thinking of Kagome in a perverted manor. Inuyasha growled at Miroku as he nursed his wounded cheek.
"Houshi, if you don't want to die, then don't ever mention that again," and with the warning he left him and went back to his place in the front of the line. Sango too abandoned him, walking away, but not before giving him a ample view of her backside.
Miroku continued on his way on the road, still nursing his sore and abused face. Thoughts of all his injuries from the past few weeks came haunting his mind. At first the pain was worth it, but he remembered the time that he almost was killed by the very youkai that came to make an alliance with them. He simply asked Rin a question and the lord had tried to kill him, and he would have been killed if Kagome hadn't stepped in and saved his life from a very angry lord. But he didn't escape fully; he was hit by both women and was dragged away before the lord could change his mind from sparing him. Miroku shook off the pain, what was done was done, but he knew that he would be careful around the lord, from now on. He doubted the lord had forgotten. He gathered his wits and walked as nothing had happened.
Sesshoumaru watched the interaction with a great interest. He could never be bored from watching those people. But he was curious to know what the miko was giggling about. No one had said anything to warrant such a reaction. So must have thought of something amusing to make her laugh. He could hear as clearly as if he was standing right next to her. It was a giggle that was usually associated with physical sexual attraction or something to that nature. He heard her and the taijiya laugh about some farm boys that tried to get their attention a few days ago. They whispered to each other about the humans, and the giggles were part of the girlish conversation. Perhaps the miko was not that innocent? She understood sexual advances from men, and she knew how to reciprocate the advances. However, she still was not with one yet. She was of child baring age, and she was not yet married. One would think differently from her dress. From her kimono it would give an impression that she has an experienced woman.
He was pulled from his thoughts as he heard the loud smack that rang in his ears. The houshi made another perverted comment or he groped someone. The thought of the monk touching the miko disgusted him, or anyone woman for the matter. At first he understood the monk with his tendency to "handle" woman as he did, but after he dared to ask Rin to bare his child, it washed away all trust or lack of what was trust and respect. He had asked her once she was of age, but it sickened him that he asked her. Rin was his, and no one would touch her. He almost killed the monk, but he spared his life, when the miko stopped him. He once again allowed the girl her request, though he didn't like it, he simply would have her repay him for his entire leniency he gave her.
'Damn it Kagome what the hell is wrong with you? Since that bastard joined us you've been nice and friendly to a guy who wants to kill us, you are acting weird and you haven't paid that much attention to me.' Inuyasha thought to himself as he marched far ahead in front from the group. He honestly couldn't understand what was going on in the head of hers. He wasn't even sat in a while. Which was a small miracle, but it was not a good thing if she was not her self. Wild accusations began swarming in his head. His brother must have bewitched her, or something. Kagome wouldn't act like that otherwise. 'She was nice to the bastard! There is no other reason, he placed a spell on her!' He would show Sesshoumaru, he would remove the spell and dodge the trap he was planning. It was just a matter of time.
"Inuyasha we need to stop. Its lunch time."
Inuyasha was pulled from his thoughts as the very girl that occupied them spoke to her. "Feh. We need to keep going." He said the very words hoping to provoke her, he wanted to get angry and be back to normal.
"But Inuyasha, we all are hungry, and fighting on an empty stomach won't do us any good."
"Neither would a full one." Kagome faltered a bit, Inuyasha actually made a clever remark, but it didn't stop her from making her point and she would see to have their break.
"Yeah so? We need to keep up our strength for the rest of the day. And plus we have been walking all day."
"What about the jewel shards huh? What about Naraku and his evil plans to wipe us out?"
"Well we haven't had any trouble from him in weeks, and does it matter if we run into him here or later down the road? At least if we do stop and he does come, we would be ready for him. If he bothers us today Inuyasha you can rub it in my face."
"Keh fine, do what you want."
"Arigato Inuyasha! I didn't have to sit you for it!"
THUMP!
"Oh sorry Inuyasha I didn't mean to say it!" Kagome dropped her bike and ran to Inuyasha who was splattered across the dirt road. Miroku, Sango, Kirara Shippou and Rin, who was now used to the odd arguments made their way to the trees and laid to rest. Sesshoumaru stood in the middle of the street, with Jaken still at his heels. He didn't like the feeling he had in the back of his head. His instincts were going off in his head like a bell alarm. He recently felt the strange paranoia of being watched, and he didn't doubt it was Naraku the clever bastard was up to something.
"About time." Inuyasha said but the muffled sound of his face full of dirt came out nothing close to what he said.
Kagome knelt down and checked on Inuyasha, she honestly didn't mean to sit him. She just forgot to avoid the 'S' word. Honestly why couldn't the subduing word be a more obscure word? "I'm sorry Inuyasha, it was a accident."
Inuyasha waited till he was free he jumped up and growled angrily. Kagome stood up and prepared fully for his anger.
"You stupid wench! How could you forget about it? You say it every day!"
"I told you that I am sorry! What more could you want?"
"Easy, I don't want you sitting me!"
"Why you-"
"Quiet. I smell Naraku." Sesshoumaru's voice held on emotion but it was clearly heard by everybody. Inuyasha tensed up and sniffed the air, he couldn't smell anything, but it didn't surprise him just angered him that his brother had a better sense of smell. Kagome dropped her yellow pack, she held her bow in her hands, and the quiver of arrows was at her disposal. Miroku and Sango joined them back on the road, while Shippou and Rin were with Kirara and Ah-Un staying under the cover of the trees. Jaken too was prepared along Ah-Un and Kirara with his Staff of Heads weaving side to side.
Finally Inuyasha could smell what his brother had sensed. It smelled like Naraku but it was different. Probably another offspring of his, no matter he would deal with it. He stood in front of Kagome protectively while waiting for the cause for concern come into view. A person appeared from the brush, ad he was as tall as Sesshoumaru. He wore a plain grey haori and black hakamas. As he walked closer, he had no weapons, and now humans could see his features as well. He was tanned and had short black hair but his bangs were long and shaped his face. A long green stripe was across his face, as it stretched from the corner of his left eye across his lips to the right side of his chin. He had pointed ears and blue eyes. His smile on his face was wide and it showed the fangs in his face. Despite the green stripe it didn't take away from his looks.
"Konnichiwa minna." A cheery voice loomed over Kagome and the others. This was the newest offspring? He was oddly friendly.
"Sesshoumaru are you sure that he came from Naraku?" Kagome whispered to the lord that stood came to stand next to her.
"I am sure."
"I don't care who he is, if he Naraku sent him, I'm going to take him out." Inuyasha snarled as he pulled Tetsusaiga from his scabbard, and it transformed into the great fang. Inuyasha ran straight towards the youkai with Tetsusaiga held over his head. The strange youkai remained where he was with the happy grin still adorned on his face. As Inuyasha charged, the stranger's arm shot up, slammed into Inuyasha's head, and dodged as the fang was swung at him. Inuyasha stumbled a bit as he tried to collect his bearings. The stranger was now standing a few feet from Kagome, Sesshoumaru, and the other humans on the dirt road leaving Inuyasha in the brush.
"That was rude! I say hello and you attack me. No wonder Naraku wants you dead." The strange youkai with the green stripe said with the smile still on his face.
"Naraku? So you are his offspring." Kagome pulled out an arrow and notched it in her bow, aiming at the very youkai she spoke to.
"I am indeed Naraku's newest offspring. Hello." He bowed politely and the grin on his face grew wider and his eyes were closed, he looked innocent, but Sesshoumaru didn't trust the facade. "I am Omoishoji, it's a pleasure to meet you. But you have it is unfortunate luck that I have been sent to make your lives hell." The grin never left his face, as he continued. "Kagome, Sesshoumaru, Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha, I hope that this will be fun. I know it will be." He bowed again, but as he did Inuyasha attacked and swung the Tetsusaiga, Omoishoji dodged again but the sword pierced his side.
"That won't ever happen bastard!" Inuyasha yelled as he waved off the blood from his sword.
Omoishoji grabbed his side and felt the blood pour freely from his wound. He looked at it fascinated with his eyes wide open, his hand held close to his face and looked his own blood. "You are really starting to annoy me half-breed, you don't understand that attacking me while I am talking is rude." For the first time, he dropped his happy facade, and his eyes were held with full of malice and hate. His grin was now a sadistic sneer, as he wiped his blood on the front of his grey haori. "You will the first to feel my anger hanyou." He sighed and the happy mask was back on his face. He looked at Kagome, Sesshoumaru and the others ignoring the hanyou. "Hmm, interesting. Not bad some of you are quite good looking." His eyes settled back on the two in front of him, Kagome and Sesshoumaru. "You are honestly very attractive you know that? If only I had the time to play with you..."
Sweat dropped from Kagome's brow, she didn't know you who he was referring to, his eyes had scanned over her self and the others. A cold chill swept across her body, she didn't like this guy, he seemed to be one a sick perversion which only made it worse since he was Naraku's offspring. Sango walked up and stood in front of Kagome protectively. Omoishoji gave her friend a look that she didn't like.
"Well you taijiya you are a bit too tough for my taste." Omoishoji gave her a wink and Sango blushed furiously and un-strapped Hiraikotsu from her back. Seeing her angry glare and the blush on her face, he explained further. "I wasn't talking about you, I was referring to the monk, and the demon lord. Though the miko looks delectable herself." He eyed Kagome again and licked his lips. "Nice legs."
"You are disgusting." Sesshoumaru broke the quiet tense of the group as he stared him, Miroku and Kagome down. Kagome felt sick to her stomach, she was right about the offspring, and she wanted nothing more than to hide from his presence. Miroku stepped back and looked at Kagome and Sesshoumaru. From what he could tell, the Taiyoukai was angry as Omoishoji had come onto him with his remark, and Kagome was disgusted. He himself was disgusted; a damn offspring of his most mortal enemy had a likening to him.
"Oh not really. It's not something you can help."
"Kaze no Kizu!" Inuyasha roared as he released the destructive power of Tetsusaiga onto Naraku's offspring. The waves of destruction sliced away at Omoishoji, his cries of agony could be heard for miles.
"God damn you hanyou! I swear on the powers of Hell itself you will die!" and with a last scream his body was ripped apart.
"I don't think so." Inuyasha turned his back on what was left of Omoishoji, faced his friends, and placed his sword back in its scabbard. "He was all talk. I'm surprised that Naraku sent him after us."
"He was a sick depraved youkai who was better off dead." Sango muttered to herself as she stepped away from Kagome. She was still angry at the demon, as she marched off the road.
"Well it doesn't matter anymore Inuyasha killed him." Kagome exhaled deeply, happy that it was over with Naraku's offspring Omoishoji. As she placed her arrow back into his quiver and picked up her bag, she didn't see the look of crazed malice form on her best friend's face. "Inuyasha, I think its okay to rest..." A blur of red sped towards her, and she was knocked back into Sesshoumaru. She felt a tinge of pain across her stomach, but she ignored it as she found the look on Inuyasha's face. He looked happy with her blood on his claws. Sesshoumaru held her with his one arm against his armor. He was taken by surprised when the miko crashed against him. Confusion hit him as he thought that his half-breed brother would rather die than to hurt the very woman in his arm. He tried to ignore the smell of her blood as her powerful scent covered him.
"Inuyasha! Have you gone mad? You just attacked Kagome-chan!" Sango yelled as she again held Hiraikotsu ready to defend Kagome against the last person she would ever believe to come to hurt them.
Inuyasha just licked his claws cleaning them of Kagome's blood. He laughed at Sango and he lunged back at Kagome but the great bone boomerang blocked his path.
"Inuyasha what is wrong with you?" Miroku ran at Inuyasha with his hands held tightly onto his staff, as he came between him and Kagome. "Why did you attack Kagome-sama?"
An evil crackle escaped his lips, and Kagome watched, as tears fell silently from her eyes. She couldn't believe what was happening. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see anymore. Something was horribly wrong, and she didn't register the fall as Sesshoumaru let go of her as he attacked the hanyou. Miroku caught her, and held her to him. Miroku inspected her wounds through her sliced shirt, it didn't seem life threatening, but he still had to prevent any more blood loss. He ripped a piece of his outer robe sleeve and placed pressure on her stomach. His eyes left her as he witnessed the battle between hanyou and youkai.
Sesshoumaru clawed at his brother, but Inuyasha leaped back and Sesshoumaru's claws just skimmed the front of his haori. Inuyasha just kept jumping back or dodging, as Sesshoumaru kept going after him. Inuyasha wasn't trying to defend himself; Tetsusaiga was still sheathed. "Inuyasha cease this useless action." Sesshoumaru ordered but the hanyou simply retaliated, and clawed at Sesshoumaru's face. Sesshoumaru pulled back as the claws nearly slashed his newly healed nose. "I will kill you if you do not stop."
"No you won't." A voice came in above, everyone looked up to see Kagura on her feather floating above the battle between brothers. "Hello Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, having fun?" A sharp sneer appeared on her face as she pulled her fan from her belt.
"Kagura."
"I see you haven't forgotten me monk." Miroku glared at the wind witch, but he felt movement below him, Kagome was trying to stand.
"Its hard to forget someone like you." Kagome snarled, as she wobbled on her two feet. Miroku held her in his arms with his hands holding up his blooded make shift bandage. Sesshoumaru, Sango and Inuyasha watched as Kagome pushed Miroku away and notched an arrow at Kagura.
"That isn't wise miko." Kagura threatened as she raised her fan and opened it in front of her face hiding her grin.
"Have you ever known me to do anything wise?" Kagome joked without a smile on her face. She pulled back on her arrow and it let it fly. Kagura flicked her fan blowing the arrow of course, but it continued to fly and it struck her feather. Kagura plummeted to the ground as hordes of youkai surrounded Kagome and her friends. Sesshoumaru kept an eye out on Kagura while still watching Inuyasha. He seemed docile than he did before. And Sesshoumaru didn't know what would happen. Kagura had came to save the hanyou. Inuyasha would never ally himself with her and Naraku, but then why did she save him?
All thoughts were left as the hundreds demons swarmed over them, Sesshoumaru pulled Tokijin and gutted the first demon that attacked him. Inuyasha from the corner of his eye saw that he still didn't pull Tetsusaiga from its scabbard; instead he was clawing away at the demons. A scream went through the battle; Sesshoumaru turned and found that the monk was on his stomach with long claw marks on his back. The miko was the one to have screamed, as she stood over the houshi protectively with her arrows letting loose on all those who came near. He could see her fear on her face, but she remained adamant in the fight. He ran to her, joining her in her fight. He knew that she was not used to the one protecting people, but with the other girl distracted, the miko was on her own.
"Thanks." she hissed as she shot another demon that swooped down from above her. Sesshoumaru gave no reply as he sliced apart the demons Kagome missed. "Damn it!" Kagome cursed, her supply of arrows was dwindling. Kagome watched the battle as she purified demons that went after her and Miroku, it didn't look good, no matter how many they took out they still came after them. She reached behind her and found that her quiver was empty. "Damn it!" she cursed louder, ignoring her youkai companion's flinch, she bent down and pulled out bandages out of her bag, as Sesshoumaru continued to stand over her and Miroku. Her own wound was still fresh but it was closing. She ripped off the shredded, outer robe and pulled off his haori. She placed the bandages on her unconscious friend. She did all that she could, for the moment; at least she covered his wounds.
"Kagome!" a bark like roaring filled her ears, as Sesshoumaru and Kagome witnessed mass of demons disintegrated into nothing as the familiar power of Kaze no Kizu washed over the youkai.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome yelled hopefully, as she leapt up and stood next to Sesshoumaru. She saw him running towards her, but he was cut off as a huge tornado touched down onto the battlefield.
"This can't be good!" Kagome yelled. She watched as the tornado, moved and destroyed the ground itself, trees were plucked from the dirt and were sucked into the dangerous winds, the screams of the winds, were deafening.
"What magic is this?" Sesshoumaru asked, as he had never seen anything like it before. The winds twisted around like a top, pulling everything thing in it.
"Its a tornado! We got to get out of here!" She turned to face Sesshoumaru, but her screams were useless as the loud whistle of the tornado silenced her pleas. Kagome felt herself getting pulled towards the tornado and she grabbed the nearest thing to her- Sesshoumaru. Her small hands were plunged into his obi, as she was lifted off the ground. Her body was stretched in the air, with her feet waving dangerously in the wind. She looked up at the demon lord, and his face was construed in determination. Kagome felt the Taiyoukai's arm pull her into his chest, cradling her against his armor. "Please Sesshoumaru, don't let me go!" Kagome felt safe only for a few seconds, before she realized that her anchor against the winds was being sucked into it.
All chaos broke loose, as Sesshoumaru and Kagome were sucked into the great wind funnel. She shrieked and closed her eyes, as she didn't dare to open her eyes. Her hair whipped furiously in the wind, slashing at her face. Her only protection was the only arm that held onto her. She felt nauseated as she and Sesshoumaru were whipped around, at total command of the winds. Sesshoumaru pushed the miko more into his chest and he tried to double over her, trying all he could to keep her from leaving his grip. It was harder to do as he watched himself rise higher and higher in the funnel. He witnessed his brother, the humans, and many of the mindless youkai that attacked them at the mercy at the tornado. He saw no others in the tunnel which gave him hope that Rin was safe and far from the battle, but disgust grew at his own powerlessness, as he and the woman-child in his arms were shot out of the funnel. He held onto the miko, as he prepared themselves as they flew through the air. He watched as he pummeled to the ground. In that instance it reminded him of a kite he played with when he was younger. It was airborne for only a few seconds before it crashed to the ground. He couldn't but think that is what he must have looked like as he hit the ground.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was dark, and the stars were out. He was confused, why was it dark? He knew that he was on the ground and he felt a weight on his chest. He almost didn't want to look, as the waft of sakura blossoms entered his nose. He saw a mass of raven hair and the soft skin of her face. She was asleep. On his chest. He almost threw her off before the scent of her blood hit him. The battle from before entered his mind, his hanyou brother hurting his miko, Kagura coming to his rescue, and the great wind that blew him and the miko away. His thoughts softened as he let the girl remain where she was. The injuries must have reopened when they hit the ground he realized. It would do no good to remove her. He laid his head back on the ground, with his arm still around her hip. The stars seemed brighter than the last time he watched them. Lying there on the ground with a human woman-child asleep on his chest under the stars, he realized that he didn't mind. Her scent blanketed him, making him less tense then he normally would be after being in a battle.
He was comfortable. The sensation was new, but he couldn't deny it. He breathed in deep and he took in all of her scent. It was almost cute the way she bobbed up and down on his chest as he breathed. Her hair seemed to glow in the starlight. Even when asleep she was still completely mysterious and alluring. He felt his eyes droop, didn't realized how drained he felt, and the girl's smell calmed him. It wouldn't do any harm to sleep, he knew he need it, and he felt somewhat safe in spite of being in a clearing with no protection.
It was bright, and it was warm. She felt the sun warming her body, as she slowly came aware of waking. She laid on something hard, and she felt trapped. She twisted her head, and saw that she was on Sesshoumaru. Her eyes opened in surprise, but what surprised her not the fact that she was still in his arms but that he was asleep. His face was angled so that she saw his profile as he slept on the ground, and his hair covered his pointed ear and some of his face. He had some cuts on his forehead, cheeks and around his lips, but they were healing. She wondered what could have hurt him, but as she tried to get off she felt the same weight that trapped her.
His arm held her to his armor. She smiled to herself. He didn't let go of her, a wave of thankfulness washed over her. She tried to wriggle out of his arm but a grunt of pain escaped her. She touched her stomach and felt the scab of her laceration on her belly, the same wound that Inuyasha gave her last night. The arm that pinned her was gone, she noticed, she looked back at the Taiyoukai. He gazed at her with a questionable glare, and she blushed horribly. She got off of him careful not to hurt herself and avoided touching him as she rolled off his chest and sat up next to him. She refused to look at him. The embarrassment was just too great for her.
"How is your wound?" Kagome her embarrassment forgotten looked at her belly and found it had scabbed over, but it still hurt. Her shirt was in tatters; she didn't need to move her shirt to see most of her cuts. She ignored her modesty as she spun to face him.
"Are you okay? Hitting the ground after being thrown from that must have hurt. And your face!" Her hand reached over to inspect his cuts, but his hand caught hers.
"They will heal. You need to tend to yourself."
"Yeah but,"
"No, you are..."
Kagome pulled her hand from his grip and narrowed her eyes at the demon lord. "Listen, to me, just because I'm human doesn't mean anything. You had it worse than me. A few cuts here and there are nothing compared to being slammed into the ground like an asteroid! You could have a concussion or something!"
"I don't need your pity." Sesshoumaru growled. He didn't understand why she was acting like that. She needed to tend to her own wounds and care for herself. He didn't need her pity, he was a youkai, his wounds would heal. He loathed being the object of pity. But he was surprised when the girl beside him glared and growled just as demanding.
"Look you, I do not pity you, its concern. You saved my life and I don't want you dying on me-"
"So its just your survival that you worry for."
Kagome yelled out of frustration, she punched the ground and glared at her demon companion. "You are impossible! I have been nice to you for weeks, hoping that we could be friends, and trust each other, but no! You have to think that I have to have a motive for everything! When I say I care, I care. I don't want to see you hurt. It's that simple. But now I don't think I care if you just curled up and die if you are going to be like that." She took in a deep breath, swallowing her anger. "I'm sorry okay. I didn't mean that. I don't want to fight. We are separated from everyone, hurt," she said implying both of them, "and we have to get along. I will be nice because I want to and I hope that you give me the same respect."
Sesshoumaru turned from her and looked away, the smell of water was strong, and he wished for nothing more than her to leave tend to herself. Her scent was driving him mad. It was never this bad, he never been so close to her before and her scent was all over him. "There is a lake." and pointed towards a small crop of trees. "Go tend yourself." The questioning look in her eye somewhat annoyed him that she was still concerned about his non-existent wounds, but it did make him feel warmer at the prospect that she cared. "I am fine, you wash first, and then I will go."
She smiled as she clamored to her feet and left him to his thoughts as she walked in the direction he gave her of the lake.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The human of his thoughts walked right where he thought that she would show up. She reached the lake and stripped and cleansed herself in the water. He was right; she was delectable. Even more so with the beautiful slashes across her stomach. She wasn't the beauty that everyone else believed her to be; the demon lord was far more beautiful. She was alright, her breast were small and her hips narrow but she tasted better than anything he had ever tasted and he wanted to know what was underneath the strange garment that hid her womanhood. He would have her at least once. To hell with Naraku and his plans, he would do what he wanted with the miko, and her male protectors. The poor girl didn't even know what he had planned for her. He waited till she finished and headed back before playing with her, and the Taiyoukai. Taking the girl's clothes off would be his right to do.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
'Why is it so bright?' Inuyasha thought to himself as he cracked his eyes open. The sun was overhead, and he shut his eyes and rolled onto his stomach. 'What's going on?' he sat up, while blinking his eyes a few times. He was on the ground, and he was alone, in a middle of a road. He sniffed the air and nothing familiar was nearby. A moment later a strong wind blew past and his senses were assaulted.
"I smell Sango's blood." Flashes of Kagome buzzed in his head. He recalled everything that happened, Naraku's offspring, then his attack on Kagome and the strange wind tunnel. Inuyasha stiffened as he remembered her look on her face when he licked off her blood. He raised the very hand that sliced her, and he could see some of her blood underneath his claws. He thought it was just a dream. He didn't know it really happened. He hurt Kagome! And the worst part that he couldn't stop himself. He remembered watching everything and he couldn't do anything to stop it. As if he was not himself, but it was him that attacked her. He grabbed his head as he tried to wake himself from his nightmare.
Inuyasha growled and threw his hands away from his head. He needed answers and Sango's blood was in the air. He ran towards the over powering smell, and he found Sango in the woods, lying against a tree. She her head was a bit bloody and Inuyasha carefully prodded her wound. It wasn't serious; she just only lost some blood. He found her Hiraikotsu it was a few yards away, slammed into the middle of a tree, splitting it into two.
Inuyasha went back to the taijiya, and prodded her awake. "Sango, hey wake up." The taijiya moaned softly as Inuyasha held her shoulder gently rousing her from her sleep. "Sango wake up damn it."
Eyes fluttered open and Sango's eyes blurred in and out of focus. The blurred vision made it hard to for her to see who was talking to her. A red fuzzy image and silver streaks stood before, her and she recognized the distant voice from somewhere but she couldn't place it.
"Sango get up you lazy human, we got to find Kagome."
And as if she were in a trance her vision and hearing returned to normal and she pushed the hanyou away from her, in a surprising move, making Inuyasha fall back, and Sango pulled her katana from its scabbard. "Get away from me hanyou!" She snarled, as she swiped furiously at the half-breed.
"Sango are you out of your mind, its me!"
"I don't care! You attacked Kagome-chan!" Inuyasha held back the growl of guilt he felt, but it didn't stop him from defending himself from an angry taijiya.
Inuyasha grabbed Sango's arm that held the katana and he knocked it out of her hand, Sango not one to give up she pulled out a tanto from behind on her hip and targeted his neck. Inuyasha let go of Sango and pushed her back into the tree that she slept on, and her breath was knocked of her body, though her grip on her knife didn't lessen. "Sango stop, it wasn't me that did that. I was controlled by something."
Sango's glare didn't lesson until, Inuyasha went slack and hung his head in shame. "I hurt Kagome, I don't know how or why, but it wasn't me that did it. I was watching through a mirror and I couldn't stop it from happening. I don't care if you don't believe me, but Kagome is missing and we need to find her."
Sango sheathed her knife and Inuyasha looked up at her with clear relief written on his battle worn face. She grabbed her katana and Hiraikotsu from the tree, and silently climbed onto Inuyasha as he waited for her to collect her things and find Kagome.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
What was taking her so long? She only had to clean herself to remove her stench. Not waste half the morning. He needed to clean himself and be rid of any remaining evidence of her scent. He was so wrapped in his own thoughts he almost missed the miko that held his thoughts. He looked to see that she was back from her bath; he was slightly disturbed that he almost did not sense her arrival.
"Sesshoumaru-sama." Kagome whispered as she walked closer to him.
The Taiyoukai did not miss the tone she used in her voice, it was sultry and seductive, nor did he miss the sudden honorific suffix at the end of his name. He watched as she wrapped one arm under her breast and the other playing with the edge of her skirt. She marched closer to him and kneeled before him.
Sesshoumaru watched from curiosity. She was not acting herself. He could not smell anything out of place and he did not sense anything except for simple creatures that inhabited the woods. She simply must have finally lost her mind. No other reason could be found her sudden change.
Kagome kneeled before Sesshoumaru, he was still on the ground but he had pulled one leg into his chest and his only remaining arm lay resting on his knee. She pawed his thigh, and leaned closer pressing her chest against his cold broken armor. "Sesshoumaru-sama, I don't think I am feeling well. Can you help make me feel better?" The sultry tone was back and her hand started to wonder to the edge of his pants.
Sesshoumaru was no stranger to foreplay, but he could not believe that the miko dared to try to seduce him. "Remove yourself." She continued to ignore him as she played with his obi. Though curious at the girl, it sickened him that she would believe that he would rut with a human, but as he forced her off of him pushing her to the ground, her scent spiked, the air now thick with her arousal.
She was sprawled on the ground, he pushed her off stronger than he thought, but she simply sat up and began to peel off her shirt, and he nearly laughed as she struggled to get the fabric off and in her struggle, claw marks on her stomach reopened. She managed to get the shirt off and began crawling towards him. "Let us play Sesshoumaru-sama."
Sesshoumaru watched as the human crawled towards him like a neko youkai, the girl took her time and slowly crawled to him and gave him a seductive look and despite all logic, he simply couldn't look away, he couldn't help himself, the girl simply blocked every thought, as he watch her wiggle her hips and licked her lips as if she was starving. He stood up and tried to clear his head of all the thoughts that swarmed in his mind. A collision impacted against his chest and he was again enveloped in the sweet tantalizing scent that was Kagome. He dared to look down as the human stared at him with unspoken promises. A sudden jolt went through him and he felt the miko's hand cupping him.
"Wench remove yourself from this Sesshoumaru."
She looked away and an odd laugh erupted from the miko's mouth. She looked back at him with a wide grin. "I don't think that is what you want Sesshoumaru-sama." She rubbed her hand harder against his groin, and ignored the Taiyoukai's growl. Sesshoumaru grabbed the girl's shoulder and shoved her but, with surprising strength, she held on. "I told you I wanted to play with you. Too bad I must with this body of mine. The miko is not the most suitable for what I have in store for you."
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed and all amusement from the situation died. The girl was possessed! Why did he not realize this? He wrenched himself free from her grasp and pulled Tokijin from its sheath. The sword crackled with its evil aura, it wanted nothing but blood to be split. "Who are you?"
The possessed miko laughed again, took a step back from the angry inu-youkai. For a moment she ignored his question as she began to poke and prod away at her body. The miko looked down and as if for the first time studied her chest and grabbed the fabric that was held across her chest and yanked at it. It didn't move. She yanked again. "What is this thing?" She yanked again and with the struggle bra versus miko, one breast escaped its fabric wall.
Sesshoumaru's patience was running short, and anger began to flood throughout his body. The possessed miko ignored him and began to play with herself. Again his control was on the verge of collapse when she attempted to pull of her bindings that held her breast. He growled loudly and he seemed to knock the girl from her prodding.
"Oh, sorry Sesshoumaru-sama. I could not help myself. Such a strange girl isn't she? Well one must do what they need to do. I only wish that she would give me a fight like you."
"Answer me. You are not the miko, so tell me who you are."
"Did I not already introduce myself? It is a shame that you would forget me so easily Sesshoumaru-sama." The half-naked miko bowed politely as she reintroduced herself, "I am Omoishoji, son of Naraku."
With lightening speed, a pale claw was wrapped around the delicate miko's neck. The possessed girl gave no fight as Sesshoumaru lifted her off the ground. "You can not be him. He was slain by my hanyou half-brother."
The two looked at each other as the youkai lord held the girl in the air. One look was of amusement and the other of cold disbelief. Sesshoumaru snarled as the grin on the possessed miko's face did not fade. "My body was destroyed yes, but I was not killed."
"You lie."
"Believe what you want Sesshoumaru-sama, but I am immortal and Naraku's greatest incarnate. You can not stop me."
"No one is immortal." The girl's melodic voice rang in his ears as she laughed.
"If one can not die, then one is immortal Sesshoumaru-sama. Do you recall when the your half-breed brother attacked this miko?"
Sesshoumaru only narrowed his eyes.
"Did you not think it was odd that he would attack his precious miko?" A crazed looked appeared on the miko, and Sesshoumaru could not help but think that the look was lost on such a woman. "I am the one who hurt her. The look on her face was priceless Sesshoumaru-sama. Her sweet blood running over my claws, her shocked and scared look of wonder. The sweet nectar as it ran down my throat, as I tasted her blood. Its enough to make one hard."
The great lord snarled, at the Naraku incarnate scum, if he was right, then the entire battle was nothing but a ploy, a game for Naraku's amusement.
But the possessed miko misunderstood the snarl, as her eyes twinkled. "But I forgot, I am female, for the moment anyway." She grabbed his arm and a pink light emitted from her hand, and Sesshoumaru dropped the girl to the ground. A small handprint was brunt into his skin. "That is so disappointing really, that was meant to kill you, but the delectable miko is fighting me."
Sesshoumaru could not stop the growl that erupted from his chest, he wanted to kill the incarnate but he could not when he was held within the miko's body. His honor would not allow him to do so, but the damn incarnate had insulted him.
A strong wind blew past and Sesshoumaru could smell the scent of his half-brother and the taijiya coming towards them. Everything that possibly could go wrong was. But if he could use it to distract the miko perhaps he could find away to remove the possessor. He ignored the pain of his brunt arm he stuck out at the miko, but the crazed woman lunged at him, slicing her shoulder in the process. She wrapped her arms around his neck and curled on leg around his waist and planted a crushing kiss against his lips. The thunderous sound her blood that escaped her shoulder almost blocked out the angry yell of his half-brother.
The wench was ripped away as Inuyasha held Kagome in his arms. "Kagome! Are you okay?"
A weak cry escaped her as she wrapped her arms around the hanyou. He looked at the miko, his best friend, she wasn't wearing her shirt, she was exposed, and bleeding and she reeked of his brother. He could smell arousal and he didn't care who it was.
"Sesshoumaru you fucking bastard. I'll kill you!" Sango ran up and pulled the girl from Inuyasha's hold. Inuyasha charged, and Sesshoumaru reclaimed Tokijin from the ground and held up his sword as Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga trying to slice his brother open. "You are fucking dead Sesshoumaru!"
The two brothers snarled at each other as their swords repelled each other. Inuyasha with a free hand to use he tried to slice at the Taiyoukai's throat but Sesshoumaru pushed the hanyou back with pure strength. Inuyasha charged again, and swung his sword in front of his brother, as he was about to release the Kaze no Kizu, an anguish cry stopped the battle.
"Osuwari."
Kagome was decent again as she now wore her once discarded shirt that was now red from her closing wound, pushed her self from the ground and out of the grasp of the Taijiya. She marched between the feuding brothers; she ignored the angry snarls of the subdued hanyou and the distrusting youkai lord. She flashed Sesshoumaru a fortified glare as she held her ground in front of him. Inuyasha rose as the subduing spell wore off, and his eyes were bleeding red despite the Tetsusaiga held tightly in his fist. His upper lip was up and quivered as his growls challenged Kagome's interference. He moved the great fang in front and held the sword threateningly with but fists, he gave a quiet bark warning Kagome to move, but she refused to move from in front of the Taiyoukai.
"Inuyasha. Please calm down."
Inuyasha ignored her pleas and charged, wind began to whip around the sword as he neared the miko and the demon. As Inuyasha struck the sword in front of him, instead of the destructive power that was supposed to be released, the sword was back into its rusted and damaged form to his and Sesshoumaru's surprise. Kagome was still standing, completely unharmed and stoic. Inuyasha cursed loudly and threw down the now useless sword and bypassed the miko in favor of his brother.
Inuyasha was beyond words and logic, his demonic side began to take over as his eyes bleed completely red and the stripes broke free on his face. He ran after his brother and tried to swipe the left side of Sesshoumaru's face, but as he tried to dodge Inuyasha flashed from his view and appeared behind him and he felt the claws of his brother in his back. Sesshoumaru jumped from the rampaging hanyou-turned youkai. Instead of waiting for the crazed youkai, he charged, his poison whip materialized and he slashed at the demon. Instead of dodging the whip as Sesshoumaru had thought he would do instead, he grabbed the whip while ignoring the corrosive acid that saturated his fist, and yanked on the whip making the demon lord fly towards his brother. Sesshoumaru almost didn't see Inuyasha's next plan of attack, as he was propelled towards him, and Sesshoumaru moved to counter it. He released the whip and began to build up the acid in his palm.
As he neared the hanyou he shoot the pool of acid into Inuyasha's face, Sesshoumaru was forgotten when he began clawing at his own face, trying to remove the feeling of his face burn and bubble. Sesshoumaru fell to the ground, and rolled away and watched as the hanyou pummeled to the ground on the girl's command. The girl continued to subdue Inuyasha as she grabbed his fallen sword and held it against his back. The chaotic and crazed aura dissipated as Inuyasha fell unconscious and the transformed back into his normal self.
A few more minutes pass as Inuyasha remained subdued, Kagome climbed off her best friend and sat back cursed loudly. A hurricane of emotion swept through her as she looked at Inuyasha who knocked out in the crater she was responsible for. His claws were bloody and his face was blistered and had claw marks running over his face. If she didn't subdue him when she did, she was sure that he would have clawed out his eyes, to remove the acid. She heard a rustle of fabric and saw that Sesshoumaru had settled near her but from the question glare she knew that he didn't trust her. He had every right not to.
"Girl are you in your right mind?"
"I... I... I don't know. He's gone and everything but I'm not fine."
"This could be another ploy of that despicable incarnation?"
"I don't think so. He wanted to play with us but I don't think this is what he wanted."
Sesshoumaru watched the human. He wasn't sure if she was back to her odd and mysterious normal that grew to be accustomed to. She acted like Kagome, she talked like Kagome, and she had the emotional swarm that was Kagome. But he was sure that he would not fall for such a trick again. The girl had him on edge far more than he was comfortable with. As he watched over her, the idea of him using her name with such ease never crossed his mind.
"Ano, Kagome-chan, just what the hell is going on?"
Sesshoumaru and Kagome turned to see that Sango stood far from them, with Hiraikotsu held up against her side. She didn't like the attention from them after she was left to watch from the sidelines but the overwhelming confusion overrode any self-control.
Kagome bowed her head as the days events washed over her mind. She wasn't sure herself to what was happening but she had a good idea. Sango came to sit next to the girl, completely unaware of the girl's possession. "I'm not sure, but its all Naraku's fault. Inuyasha and I were possessed by Naraku's offspring, Omoishoji."
"What! I thought-"
"So did we, but he possessed Inuyasha right after he attacked him. Remember? He was not himself."
"But did he not regain himself during the battle before that great wind funnel swept us apart? And what of you and Sesshoumaru? What happened?"
Kagome's face reddened from embarrassment and fury, she could not bring herself to relieve it, and she never felt so violated and disgusted with herself.
"The girl tried to seduce me." Sesshoumaru sensed the turbulent emotions come from the girl, as he knew that she was reliving all that happened. He himself was brought up all that transpired, but the emotions that he felt were different from the girl's.
Kagome and Sango spun their heads at the demon lord. Fury and disbelief escaped Kagome as Sango's eyes widen in horror.
"What?" Kagome cried out in dismay. Was he not there when Omoishoji told him that it was he that controlled her? She could not believe this. The great demon lord was full of himself. She was not some tramp, or whore that jumped him because she wanted him. She was possessed; she had no control over herself. When she watched herself hurl onto him... like some hussy, her insides froze. Disgust, fury, embarrassment and shame lingered as she recalled all those things she did to him. And it only served to make her even angrier that the so-called great lord did nothing to stop it.
"Kagome-chan..."
"I did not try to seduce you! It was that... that... bastard! He told you himself!"
"And yet I recall that it was you that grabbed-"
"You complete bastard! I had no control over my body! It was him doing that, and I remember you not doing a damn thing to stop me."
"I ordered you to remove your hands from this Sesshoumaru."
"Oh there's something! The great Sesshoumaru ordered his enemy not to touch him! That is brilliant! So next time we see Naraku, and you tell him to hand over the Shikon shards, you expect him to bow to your wishes and kiss your feet! What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Girl, do not mock this Sesshoumaru."
"Whatever! I was possessed and you act like it was no big deal."
"This Sesshoumaru assumed that you finally went mad."
"You assumed? When you assume Sesshoumaru you make an ass of u and me. Did it not seem odd that I crawled into your lap when this damn thing started?"
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the miko. He knew that she was acting odd, but she was Kagome, everything about her was odd, one could never predict what she would do. At first when she crawled into his lap, he was too surprised and shocked at her audacity to do anything, the lingering of her heat and her scent blanketed him for a moment, but as she continued to harass him, he realized that something was wrong even for such a human. She claimed that he did nothing to stop her, but how would one know that she was not herself? He told her remove herself, but the wench ignored him and went through great lengths to try to break his control.
"It does not matter. You propositioned me and I thought," Sesshoumaru said while carefully avoiding using the word he now hated, "that you simply were becoming the whore, you look to be."
"I am not a whore you disgusting asshole! I don't throw myself onto anyone, let alone you. You make me sick, I wouldn't touch you ever and seeing that I was not myself, and I was used like some toy, for some sick bastard's pleasure, you have no right to call me a whore." Kagome gnawed on her teeth while holding the explosive anger. If she had a subduing necklace for him, she was sure that she would wail on him till, he learned to shut up or break his back over and over.
Sesshoumaru was disgusted when he learned that the girl was possessed, and she was controlled by a male youkai. He felt disgust as he was violated by one not in their own mind. He never dealt with someone that was forced into sexual intentions and it angered him that the girl felt so disgusted from the idea of being with him. "And if you wanted to touch me, do not presume that I would let you grace my bed. If anything at all you should be honored that I did not kill you when you first laid your disgusting hands on me. You are beneath me, so do not think that I granted you any favors, by sparing your life."
Kagome had enough, she stood up and her aura savagely encompassed her. Her clothes ruffled widely in the wake of her power. She barely recognized the challenge that she presented against the very demon that had insulted her. Sesshoumaru and Sango stood up as well as they witnessed the unbottled power that escaped from her. "Beneath you? Don't make me laugh. You are not worth my time Sesshoumaru. You are complete scum, and I would be very fortunate if I never had to deal with some as disgusting as you."
Sesshoumaru's control was again being tested from the girl, but this time it called to him to take her head, not her body, and he lunged after her.
"Kagome!" Sango yelled. She raised Hiraikotsu as she watched the demon lord chased after her friend. But Kagome stood her place; no fear was evident on her face as she stared down the angry lord. As he reached the barrier of her power holding him off, Kagome raised her hand and a pink beam shot from her palm slamming against Sesshoumaru's broken armor and he was knocked back into a tree shattering it.
The youkai lord rose from the once proud tree as pieces of wood and splinters fall to the ground. He was covered in dust and it did nothing to help his anger. He shook his body, dispersing himself of the dust like a dog that was just bathed. He brushed his claws through his hair, fixing them back into place. Sesshoumaru almost did not believe his eyes as he witnessed the swirl of power wrap around her lithe body. He knew her to be powerful but she had not the ability to manipulate it and draw it out like a protective cloak, which he concluded was the reason he could not harm her when he went after her.
"Kagome?" Sango asked again.
Kagome didn't hear Sango as the rush of newfound power silenced everything around her. It was like she was in colorful haze. She looked around and everything was blue, pink, red, and yellow, and she only heard the beating of her heart as the aura of her miko power moved with the beat. She looked at her hands and marveled at she had done. She didn't want to hurt Sesshoumaru, she just wanted him to go away, and she did it without knowing how or why she did. She closed her fist and opened them to see a small flame of power flickering on her palm. As she stood transfixed, she calmed down. Every time she used her power she was nervous as every time she did something different. She tried to be afraid at first but she found the warm strength to be a comfort.
Her power receded back into her and she crashed to the ground. She held back the watery tears as they threatened to run down her face. She was no longer angry, but the bitterness and sadness consumed her. As she was bent over the ground with her fingers clawing into the dirt, a soft whimper broke through. She wiped her face clear of her teary dampness and crawled to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha opened his eyes, but as he did, his eyes burned beyond belief and shut them hoping the pain would subside. He pushed himself off the ground and felt something fall of his back. With his eyes close he was forced to rely on his other enhanced senses. He reached out and grabbed the object that was on top of him, it was the Tetsusaiga, empty memories and curiosity was all that he was left with as he tried to understand what happened and why the Tetsusaiga was not in its scabbard. He didn't know what was going on, and his body ached. He grabbed Tetsusaiga and nearly dropped it from the pain. His eyes shot open and he witnessed the horrid injury that plagued his fist. Palm and fingers were charred and black, dead skin was peeling off and he could smell the putrid smell of acid and ash.
"Inuyasha are you okay?"
Inuyasha turned to Kagome and she gasped as he faced her. His face was red, and his skin was bubbled and peeling; his eyes were blood shot and the claw marks were still on his face and forehead. She reached to touch his face but Inuyasha winced as she inspected his burns.
Inuyasha grabbed her hand and held it in his lap. "Kagome what happened?"
Kagome tried to pull away but Inuyasha held on. "You transformed into a youkai, Inuyasha you tried to kill me and Sesshoumaru."
His jaw dropped and he pulled away from Kagome as if she was some frightening creature. He touched his own face and felt the rough and blistered skin. Guilt washed over him again, again he hurt Kagome and he didn't have any control. "Kagome I'm sorry for hurting you, I didn't mean any of this." If she never forgave him, he would understand, how could she forgive him? He couldn't stop himself from hurting her, what kind of protector was he?
"Its okay Inuyasha, you are not the only one that didn't mean to hurt people."
"No it's not okay. I promised to protect you and I hurt you twice-"
"Inuyasha it doesn't matter ok. All that does is you are hurt, we are separated from Miroku and the others and we need to figure out what is going on."
"But Kagome..."
"I will be okay Inuyasha, I just want this to end."
"Ano Kagome-chan and Inuyasha, but if Naraku is behind this, we should find the others before another trap is laid for us. The faster we find the others the faster we can deal with the new offspring, and stop this from happening ever again."
Kagome took a deep breath of relief, and with a wish to forget everything as she climbed from the ground and reached for Inuyasha's hand wanting to help him up, but he pulled away but Kagome would not let go. As if Inuyasha gave up all will Kagome pulled him from the ground and wrapped her arms around him. Inuyasha took in her scent as his nose was buried in her neck. Though the stench of acid lingered in his nostrils, he could still smell the familiar scent. "It's okay Inuyasha, everything will be okay. It always is." She whispered knowingly he heard every word.
Inuyasha pulled away and turned his back on to Kagome, signaling for her to climb onto his back. Though he was slightly handicapped, as he couldn't use his eyes, he carefully took off, slower than he was used to with Kagome on his back and Sango trailing after using his other senses to find the others. Sesshoumaru was left forgotten, but he ran after humans and the hanyou.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Miroku-sama? Miroku-sama? Are you okay? What happened to Sesshoumaru-sama and Kagome-neechan?"
Miroku opened his eyes and saw a blurry face above him, but the intense brightness of the sun forced him to close his eyes again. He slowly fluttered his eyes open and the blurry vision came into picture.
"Rin-chan?"
The smiling face nodded happily, "Hai, its Rin! Are you okay Miroku-sama?"
"I don't know." Miroku finally noticed his surroundings and found that he was in the middle of the forest with only Rin, Ah-Un, Jaken, Kirara and something yellow in a bush. Everyone else was gone. He tried to move but hot flames of pain washed over him. He ignored it as he sat up, though he almost fainted from the effort. He touched his back and found his robes ripped and his back bandaged but he couldn't tell how bad it looked. "Rin do you know where everyone is? How did I get here?"
"Rin doesn't know. Jaken told Rin that you flew through the sky and your kitty caught you."
"Kitty?" but the question was answered when Miroku turned to the meow and found Kirara brushing her cheek against his leg. "Heh, sorry Kirara." He took another look of his surroundings and the temperamental toad sat sulking against a tree as the two-headed dragon lazily rested on the ground. The bright yellow fabric that was lodged in the bushes besides Ah-Un seemed familiar but he couldn't place where. Then suddenly it clicked. It was Kagome's bag. "Rin-chan?"
"Hai Miroku-sama?"
"Do you see that yellow bag over there?"
"Hai, it fell down with you but Jaken-sama wouldn't let Rin take it."
"Its Kagome-sama's bag, and it has medicine and food. Can you get it?"
"Hai Miroku-sama!" Rin hopped merrily with her arms swinging back and forth. She grabbed the bag and tugged and pulled the bag out the torn bush and skipped back just as happily as the large bag was dragged across the ground. She ignored the squawks of Jaken as he protested Rin from touching the foreign bag. "Here Miroku-sama!"
"Thanks Rin-chan." Miroku unzipped the pack and Rin watched captivated by the simple movement. As Miroku ruffled through it looking through Kagome's supplies, Rin played with the zipper.
"Rin! Stop playing the human's magical pack. You don't know what will happen!" Jaken yelled.
Rin and Miroku along with Ah-Un and Kirara turned and looked at Jaken. Miroku gave the kappa a funny laugh and Rin couldn't understand why she couldn't play with wonderful bag. It sealed itself back together with the magical metal pull, what could be so bad about that?
A victorious yell escaped Miroku as he found what he was looking for. He pulled out a bottle of aspirin and a water jug. Rin stopped playing with zipper and watched Miroku open the childproof bottle and tapped out a few tablets onto his hand. He swallowed the pills and then took a swig of water.
"Miroku-sama what did you eat?"
Miroku put the water jug down and looked over at Rin. 'Eat? Oh!' He gave Rin a smile as he explained painkillers. "Its medicine from Kagome's home. You take them to take pain away and helps you make you feel better as you heal."
"How does it work? Why are they so small? Where did Kagome-neechan get them? Can I have some when I get sick? Will it work on Sesshoumaru-sama? What is that thing that they came out of?"
The questions came a mile a minute, and Miroku again found himself overwhelmed with Rin's curiosity. Miroku smiled gently and just tapped her head, as he gave her an answer. "I don't know. Kagome-sama says they work and that is all it really matters." Miroku put the bottle of aspirin back and found some bandages, some salve and two breakfast bars and handed of the bars to Rin. "Hungry?"
"Hai!" Rin grabbed the bar but Jaken snatched it out her hand. "Jaken-sama?" Rin asked as she reached for the bar.
"You stupid little girl! You don't know what is in that! What if he poisoned it! Sesshoumaru-sama would punish me if you eat that!"
"Jaken there is nothing wrong with the food." Miroku interrupted. "Its just food."
"Like I would trust you human!"
Miroku took his own bar and ripped it open and pulled a piece from the rest of the fruit bar and placed it in his mouth deliberately and chewed slowly on the food. "See? Not poisoned," he said as he played up the swallowing, and rubbed his stomach in a fake fulfillment of his hunger.
Jaken hesitated but Rin grabbed the bar back and tried to open it, but the complicated wrapper kept her from the food. "Miroku-sama... Rin can't open it."
Miroku took the bar and peeled the plastic off and handed it back to the little girl. Rin took a big bite and smiled happily as she chewed on the granola bar. "See Jaken-sama its not poisoned!" Miroku laughed as little crumbs escaped as she talked excitedly while chewing at the same time. "Rin likes this!" she squealed in delight as she finished off her fruit bar.
"I am glad you like it Rin-chan."
"Hai! Can I have another Miroku-sama?"
"Alright but we shouldn't deplete Kagome-sama's food previsions when she is not here." Miroku fished out another breakfast bar and handed it to Rin. She struggled with it a bit but she successfully ripped open the wrapper and ate the fruit bar while smiling to herself in joy. Miroku watched Rin and couldn't help but smile to himself. When she didn't bombard him with so many questions she was adorable, even if he hated it to admit it.
With the pain gone Miroku carefully pulled off his robes and placed it haphazardly on the ground. He reached around and inspected his wound again. He couldn't tell how long he was out abut he should change his bandages. He bit his lower lip as he began to peel the bandage from his skin. He growled in pain but he just tugged harder as he ripped the bandage off. He discarded and grabbed a fresh binding and freed it from its packaging.
"Miroku-sama what are you doing?"
Miroku turned and found Rin kneeling before him with her arms on her knees, watching him.
Miroku placed a fake grin and answered her, "I am changing my bandages. I have a wound on my back that needs to be tended to."
"Can Rin help?"
"I am capable of it Rin-chan, but thank you."
"No Rin wants to help! Miroku-sama is hurt!"
Miroku broke his resolve when little tears watered her eyes. He dropped his head, and gave in. He grabbed a jar of ointment and handed it to the little girl. "Rin I need you to place this salve on my wound." Rin smiled that she could help, she enthusiastically took hold of the jar he handed her and she ran around him, and liberally speared the cream thickly on his back.
Miroku shuddered as the cream made contact with his skin, no matter how many times Kagome-sama had treated him with her medicine of her time, he could never get used to the feeling of cold chills the salve produced.
"Miroku-sama I'm done!"
Miroku looked around and smiled at the little girl and inspected his as well as he could. Though the girl was over-in enthusiastic with the crème, it seemed that she covered it well.
"Miroku-sama! You pervert! Taking advantage of a little girl!"
Miroku whipped his head around and found the clearing full of people. Kagome-sama was climbing off of Inuyasha's back, and he himself looked fairly wounded. Sango was handling her Hiraikotsu threateningly and the very dangerous Taiyoukai as snarling at him, and pulling out Tokijin from its sheath. Before Miroku could protest, Sango collided her Hiraikotsu against his head, knocking him on his side.
"If all the horrible things!"
"It's not what it looks like!"
"Oh really? We arrive with you indecent and Rin too close to your naked flesh!" Sango yelled in disgust.
Kagome leaving Inuyasha she helped Miroku up and noticed his back was ripped open and dirt and other filth had gotten in. She looked at Rin and noticed that she held a jar of her ointment. "Rin? Did you help Miroku-sama with his wounds?"
"Hai! Miroku-sama's back is hurt, and he needed to change his bandiges, and Rin asked if Rin could help, then Miroku-sama then said okay, and gave Rin this," Rin held up the jar, "and Rin put this on his owwie."
Sesshoumaru still brandishing Tokijin and wished nothing more then to slice him open for even letting Rin close, he closed in on the monk, but Kagome softly brushed his arm and sword away while looking up at him. "Its alright Sesshoumaru. Rin wanted to help. Nothing wrong with that." Sesshoumaru quietly, sheathed Tokijin and marched away, while containing his anger, promising next time nothing will stay his hand from punishing the monk, while Sango dropped her boomerang, and apologized quickly for not believing him and jumping to conclusions.
"Its alright Sango, though it the near future, you could be less forceful, when I am injured..." and Miroku gave her a flirty grin, and Sango walked off angrily and collected Kirara- away from the monk.
As Kagome dug through her backpack, she gave a warning to the monk. "You know Miroku-sama, while you are a good friend, and a great person, I won't stop them from hurting you if you continue that again."
"I am aware of my circumstances Kagome-sama, I will not be foolish enough to suffer the wrath of the Western Lord."
Kagome nodded as she cleaned Miroku's wounds, and wrapped his body with the wraps. As Kagome tended to Miroku, he took notice of everyone that found him and Rin. The Western Lord was with his dragon and servant, though he was physical fine, but Miroku notice that his armor was broken, and he wondered who was capable of doing so. He looked upon Inuyasha instead of occupying a tree branch; he sat under one, with the Tetsusaiga in his arms. He noticed his horrid burns and slashes across his face, though he was a hanyou, it looked like it would take days to heal. It didn't get lost on the monk that Inuyasha's eyes were sealed shut and grew worried if the hanyou would ever see again. Sango sat a great distance from him and she was tending to her bone boomerang, and warm feelings encompassed his heart, as he was happy to see the woman warrior unhurt.
"Kagome-sama, what has transpired since the battle with the accursed offspring Omoishoji?"
Kagome stopped her ministrations and sighed deeply and withdrew from the hapless monk.
"I'm not quite sure myself, you know. A lot happened and I just wanted to find the rest of you guys. Omoishoji just played with us…"
Miroku reached over and pulled Kagome's hands out of lap and held them dear in his own. "Its alright Kagome-sama, you do not need to say any more."
"I just am so happy to see you all right. I feared for you and Shippou…"
"Shippou? I have not seen him Kagome-sama."
"What? You mean that Shippou isn't here?"
Kagome pulled her hands from Miroku and clamored to her feet. She looked around the monk's camp and noticed that the kitsune was not there. How could she have missed that?
"Shippou-chan!"
An orange blur ran past her, and she followed it to the edge of the trees, there was Shippou arm full of apples, as he struggled to keep them in his arms as Rin the little speed demon hugged him greatly.
"Shippou… Are you alright?" as Kagome struggled to control her happiness as she witnessed her little adopted cub fine and safe.
Several thumps broke through the clearing as Shippou dropped his collection of fruit and Kagome felt herself fall to the ground as the little kitsune tackled her to the ground.
"Kagome! Kagome! You're okay! I missed you! I was so worried!"
Kagome could not hold back the laugh that spilled from her throat as she sat on the ground, with Shippou held against her chest, rubbing his head affectionately. "Don't worry, I will always be okay. But don't ever scare me again! I thought something bad happened to you when I learned that you weren't here!"
"I was just picking food, Rin and I were getting hungry and we didn't know when Miroku was going to wake, so I thought that I could help out and gather food for everyone!"
"It's okay Shippou that is a good thing that you wanted to help out. I was just worried okay, I didn't want anything bad to happen to you too."
Shippou withdrew from Kagome's bosom and took in the sights of the new comers to his campsite. Inuyasha looked horrible with his face puckered and red. The demon lord, did not seem to be hurt but his pristine manner was washed away with his broken manor and worn clothing. Sango too looked fine but Shippou could tell that she was worn out and tired.
"What happened Kagome? Rin, Jaken, Kirara and the dragon, saw that weird wind thingy and all of you went away. We found Miroku all alone and hurt and I didn't know where you were and Rin as worried about Sesshoumaru and I wanted to go look for you but that stupid toad wouldn't let me go… You look hurt, and Inuyasha's face…"
"Don't worry about it Shippou. Inuyasha and I are fine. He just kinda went crazy again and Sesshoumaru and I had to subdue him."
"Did Inuyasha hurt you?"
Inuyasha shuddered at the accusation by the kitsune as he overheard Kagome and Shippou's conversation but he couldn't blame the runt; he did hurt her, and it was his fault that everything happened. Though the guilt ran deep within Inuyasha his ears twitched hesitantly wanting to hear Kagome's answer.
"… It was not his fault. None of this is our fault. We got tricked and set up in another one of Naraku's traps. It was Naraku and his horrible demons that did this. So don't blame Inuyasha Shippou; Naraku just used Inuyasha like he has done to everyone else."
"Okay Kagome, but what are we going to do now?"
"I guess we will stay here awhile and get better. Inuyasha and Miroku's wounds won't heal for awhile anyway."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"You worthless incarnate! I told you the plan, why couldn't you just follow it?" Naraku roared from his seat. He grabbed a sake bottle and hurled it against the wall, missing his offspring. The strong odor of sake drafted throughout the room as it ran down the wall. "Your ruined everything! How hard was it to take over a stupid unlearned miko? And what of the hanyou? You went after the miko not the damn Taiyoukai! You stupid fool, my plan was ruined. And now they know you exist!"
Omoishoji kneeled unafraid in the darkened corner of the room. As he witnessed the Naraku's fury a cold distant smile grew on his face. Truth be it, Naraku held no power over him. Naraku was nothing to him, but he indulged in his needless obsession of destroying the inu hanyou and his friends, ever since he learned on how much fun they could be. Naraku had no idea, but then again he was too preoccupied by the useless jewel to pay attention to the true and immeasurable pleasure in causing havoc to the very group that he was sent to eliminate.
"It was a pathetic plan. It wasn't going to work, they are stronger then you think."
A darkened look glazed over washed over Naraku, his red eyes were the only visible part of him as he leaned back in his chair was he was swept in the dark shadows.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Omoishoji stood up and a very human face left the haven of the gloom, dark eyes sparkled with mischief. A filthy dirt crusted hand rose and brushed the fallen brown strands of hair out of his face and brushed them behind his rounded ear.
"You don't need to know, they are my prey."
Naraku's sinister laugh enveloped the room, as he leaned back into the light, his right hand held his face as the other arm occupied the armrest. He set his crimson orbs on the aged face of Omoishoji's newly borrowed body. "I will allow this but Omoishoji if you ever betray me again I will kill you."
"Kill me, you're favorite? I don't think so. I am beyond your power to do so. I am not some puppet that you can control father, am not like Kagura or Kanna. I am perfect."
"I am Naraku, I am capable of doing whatever I want. Killing you will be no different. But I am curious to know what you are planning to do Inuyasha, his little whore and his bastard brother. Do what you will. I am sure the outcome will be no different from mine."
"When this is over I want to keep the Taiyoukai."
"No. He will die with the others. You can keep the monk."
"Now that's unfair. His curse will destroy him before I have any fun with him."
Naraku leaned back in his chair letting the darkness cover him once again, and then a sharp chuckle escaped. "I have changed my mind. You can have the Taiyoukai. He is too proud to be killed. Ruin him in anyway you choose. A person such as you is more than capable of destroying him." He chuckled again and beckoned Omoishoji closer. As Omoishoji came closer to Naraku, he whispered seductively making Omoishoji excited. "If you make me happy and listen to me as we destroy Inuyasha, I will let you keep the monk- curse free. A Taiyoukai and the monk for your loyalty, that is more than fair. But only if you do not betray me, otherwise they will both die."
Omoishoji bit his lower lip in excitement and headed his way out. "They will be mine no matter what." He raised his hand and waved, "See you later father I have people to play with." And the shoji doors shut as he left the room leaving Naraku alone in the room.
As Naraku sat in his chair he had to ponder of his latest offspring. His own incarnate had surpassed his sadistic nature. Omoishoji cared nothing more than playing with his newest toy. He was rather simple in demands but his lust for torture, humiliation and pain made him a creature to dread.
He certainly had a problem on his hands, but if he could maintain control and kept his loyalty then indulging him with everything, would be worthwhile.
Yes everything will be worthwhile, and he will have everything he wanted even if he had to spare two of his enemies to his offspring as playthings. He was looking forward to it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Teaser:"You thought he was a pervert? Dear god Kagome what is wrong with you?"
"Hey! You hear those stories about those rich weirdoes, what was I supposed to think when he suddenly began to play with my foot?"
"So what if he had a foot fetish? He must have liked you; Hayakawa is a notorious man for never giving anyone the time of day- male, female anyone. He doesn't even care to meet other business associates, he is an ass to everyone."
"Though there are some rumors that say that he is such a narcissistic man, that only person that can get himself off, is himself."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You should know the drill. VV
