Disclaimer: Inu Yasha and Co. ain't mine. I be cryin', fists be flyin', and
lawyers be dyin'.
AN: Phew! I finally got over the writer's block! And, as promised, I give credit to these people who helped me, as well as gave me some good ideas: Sabishii, Brittney a.k.a Hoshi Mizuriu, and Demon-Rai-Chan. Thanks guys! Now, without further ado...
Hakama- The kind of pants Inu Yasha wears.
Ara- An expression kind of like 'oh my...' or 'well, well...'
Nogareru~Break Away
By Otaku-Chan ^_~
Chapter Eight~Mistaken Identity
As the sun began to rise and reflect off the sparkling morning dew, the sleepy village began to awaken as well. Today was the day Lord Naraku would assign slaves to everyone in Saizen out of those captured from Kinryoku.
Kohaku wiped the sleepiness from his eyes as he got out of bed. His parents had given him word that they would be receiving a new 'house servant' that day. He felt a sickening feeling at that thought. How could people treat other human beings like objects or servants? It wasn't right!
'I'm sure that Sango Nee-Chan would have something to say about this...'
Putting on his best haori and hakama outfit, Kohaku made a steady pace towards the kitchen. Since Sango wasn't home, he had to be the brave one.
"Ara, Kohaku, you look nice. In a few hours we have to report to the village square," his mother said as she sipped her morning tea. His father was busy putting on his best armor. Even though they were a poor family, they did have dress for special or important occasions.
"It's wrong," Kohaku stated as he held his head low. Both of his parents looked up at him in confusion, then sad understanding.
"Listen son, I know as well as the next man that it's wrong, however, since Lord Naraku has decreed that every member of this village is to take in a slave, we have no choice. Besides, whoever we get, you know we will treat them with respect. We are all human beings..."
"But what about the youkai and hanyous from Kinryoku? What will happen to them? They'll all be killed! Lord Naraku won't take pity on them, will he?" Kohaku cried as he looked up at the worried expressions written all over his parents faces.
"Lord Naraku stated that no one, be they youkai, hanyou, or human, would be harmed the day we took over their village...," Kohaku's father began.
"Can't you see that he's up to something? Have you forgotten the law that if anyone from Kinryoku is captured, they'd be killed? Why would Lord Naraku suddenly change that?"
"Kohaku! Watch what you say! If someone were to be outside our hut and hear you..."
"Why? Because we live under a sadistic dictator? I don't care if anyone hears! Lord Naraku should set the Kinryoku villagers free! This whole war is ridiculous and I want it to end!" Kohaku then felt a smack across his face, and he saw the anger in his father's eyes.
"Listen boy, we're barely making a living as it is. True that Lord Naraku is pulling some strings, but we're in no position to complain. Do you want us to be seen as traitors to this taijiya village? Do you want to be a slave yourself, or worse yet, be executed? Your mother and I are only doing what we have to do to survive! This is the way things are, so you better learn to accept them."
"Kohaku, we don't like the war any more than you do, but in this village we seem to thrive on it. I know that sounds horrible, but it's true. The only reason us taijiya are so successful is because this wretched war made us into what we are. We live to hunt youkai, and any humans that side with their kind are our enemies. It has been that way for generations, and if we want to live to see tomorrow, we have no choice but to follow the ways of the taijiya. Do you understand?" his mother wept.
Kohaku was beyond angry at the moment. His parents were just going to sit back and let things continue the way they have been without even trying to make a difference? If everyone thought that way, the war surely would never come to an end! Then, he pushed aside the bamboo straw door to leave the hut, "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back on time, so don't worry about it."
His mother sighed. "What are we going to do about him? He may get us all into trouble with the law of Saizen."
"Let him be for now. I'm sure the kid has some sense. He won't do anything foolish."
Meanwhile, Kohaku was cooling off his temper in his favorite place. He sat next to a small pond which he came to often whenever he needed to get away from it all. It seemed it was the only place where there was no war, no hatred, nothing. Only the peaceful flow of the cold water and nature.
Looking around the ground, he spied a small, flat pebble. He picked it up, and with a flick of his wrist, he flung it at the pond, happily watching it skip over the water three times before it sunk to the bottom. He continued by throwing another until he heard a nearby bush rustling, and...crying?
Kohaku stood up and walked over to the source of the sounds, and there he found, crouched behind a tall bush, a young boy of about six crying.
"Ano, what's wrong?" Kohaku asked, snapping the boy to attention.
"P-Please don't hurt me! I didn't do anything!" the boy wept. Kohaku then knew that the boy must've been from Kinryoku.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. My name is Kohaku, what's yours?"
The boy looked up to Kohaku and wiped his tears. "My name is Souta...Higurashi, Souta."
"Ah, nice to meet you..." Kohaku said while scratching the back of his head. Then he got to the point. "You're one of the prisoners from Kinryoku, right? How'd you get out here without being caught?"
Souta stood up, brushed himself off, and turned to the older boy. He seemed trustworthy, he thought. "When my family and I were brought to the village, I hid under one of the carriages when the taijiya men were unloading the people...I ran away when nobody was looking. I-I want to save my mama and grandpa, but I can't! Why did this have to happen?" he said in a crumbling voice as a fresh batch of tears worked their way into his eyes.
Suddenly, Kohaku placed a hand on the trembling boy's shoulder as he declared, " I'll help you."
**********
"Are you insane?! If we go to Saizen, we'll be killed before we even know what hit us!" Kagome yelled as she tugged on the hanyou's furry ears.
"Let go wench! The only way we're gonna save your people is to kill the Lord of Saizen. Besides, I have my own grudge against that jack ass that sentenced me to death! I'll go there and rip him apart, then the taijiya will be without their Lord and have no choice but to release your people!" Inu Yasha argued as he wrenched Kagome off his ears.
"Fine! Just waltz in there without any descent plan and get yourself killed. See if I care!" Kagome huffed as she walked back into Kaede's hut.
"You ARE a baka!" Shippo barked as he bopped Inu Yasha in the head.
*Bonk!* *Wham!*
"Owowowowow!!!! You jerk! You didn't have to hit ME!" the kitsune cried.
"Keh! I don't have time to deal with your nonsense. Go tell Kagome that I'm leaving, with, or without her."
Suddenly, Kagome appeared from behind the bamboo straw door, looking surprised. "Inu Yasha, you actually said my name..."
"So? Why does it matter?" he asked, ears twitching in curiosity. The girl certainly was unusual, caring about such a trivial thing.
"Perhaps it means you want to be a bit friendlier with me, that's all."
"Keh! What gives you that idea?"
"Listen! I know you think you're all high and mighty, but if you don't treat me a little nicer, I'll NEVER take the rosary off of you."
"And I'll let your family die at the hands of Naraku."
Kagome was hurt by that last remark. How could he be so insensitive?
"Inu Yasha..."
Seeing the fierce look in her eyes, he suddenly feared the worst. She'd sit him a hundred times for what he just said! 'Damn! I always end up saying the wrong thing when I'm angry!' he thought as he braced himself for the impact.
To his surprise, she merely grabbed her bag of supplies and started walking towards the clearing at the edge of the village, not saying another word. Inu Yasha knew she decided to go alone, and he felt horrible realizing how much his words hurt her. 'I always end up pushing others away with my thoughtless words," he thought as he raced off to follow her.
Shippo stood on the step, confused by the behavior of Inu Yasha and Kagome. Why did they always have to fight?
"Don't worry Shippo. Those two will resolve all of their conflicts eventually. That Kagome, when I look in her eyes I can see it."
Shippo glanced up at Kaede, very confused. "See what?"
"That girl is no ordinary miko. When she's near it's almost as if she's purifying the very souls of everyone around her. Even Inu Yasha has been effected by her. Minus the incident that just took place, he seems calmer when she's around him, especially last night when he returned from the hot springs. He had a different look in his eyes...a look of relief, as well as peace. Perhaps Kagome is the reincarnation of Midoriko herself."
"Eh? Who's Midoriko? What do you mean?" Shippo asked.
"Midoriko was the only person who ever came close to ending this bloody war. She was a powerful miko from the South with a unique ability to purify souls. Unlike ordinary mikos, Midoriko could single handily take on an army of youkai, or humans, and miraculously soothe their raging souls with her purifying powers. She brought peace wherever she went, and many people worshipped her as a Goddess. Nobody knows exactly how she died, but it is said that one day, an ominous dark force overtook her, and she lost all of her powers."
"Then what happened?"
"She died shortly afterward from unknown causes. That was over one hundred years ago, just before the war was in full motion. I'm sure that if Midoriko had lived, she could've changed the hearts of humans and youkai alike. There would probably be no war today."
"Demo, Kaede-Bachan, what was the dark force that killed her? Is it still around today? Was it a youkai?" Shippo asked, his curiosity and worry peaked.
"I do not know, Shippo, however, if Kagome is Midoriko's reincarnation, I'm sure that the evil will resurface and try to destroy her as well. I can sense that a dark future awaits that child. I only pray that she will be ready to face her fate when the time comes. Maybe she and Inu Yasha will fight it together as one."
"But they fight like cat and dog! How will they be able to fight anything if they can't stop fighting each other?" asked Shippo with an incredulous look.
"Ha, ha, ha! You may be too young to notice, but all their fighting is merely the steps towards eventual attraction. When I was Kagome's age, Inu Yasha was still too untrustworthy of me, even though we were friends. I have a feeling that Kagome will gain his complete trust. Perhaps they may even fall in love..."
"No way! That doggy-boy is too STUPID to know what love is! And I doubt Kagome would be dumb enough to fall for him!" Shippo snorted, disgusted by the thought.
"Only time will tell, Shippo. Someday you'll understand."
"No thank you!"
Then the two sat quietly, thinking their own separate thoughts.
Meanwhile, Kagome and Inu Yasha began their journey to Saizen. Kagome was very quiet, and it had Inu Yasha on edge.
'She's really pissed at me, isn't she? Maybe I should apologize...' he thought.
"Kagome, look, I'm sorry, okay? I wasn't thinking back there when I said that. I didn't mean it," Inu Yasha said as he turned Kagome to face him. He could've sworn his heart skipped a beat when he looked into her eyes, brimmed with tears unshed.
"I-I miss my family. I'm not even sure if they're still alive..." Kagome whispered as she began to cry, falling to her knees. "Mama, Souta, and Grandpa...what if they...?"
"NO! You mustn't give up hope! Snap out of it. We'll save them, okay? Just don't lose faith, otherwise we will have lost before we even begin," he said in an encouraging voice as he kneeled down to face her and wipe away her tears with his sleeve. He couldn't stand seeing her like this, and he knew it was all his fault. He felt like everything he said to her just hurt her more. However, Kagome's next action quickly dispelled that idea.
"I-Inu Yasha!" she cried as she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, crying softly into his haori.
For a moment, he was shocked and didn't know what to do, but then he decided to wrap his arms around her as well to calm her down. He could feel her warm tears soak into the fabric of his clothing as he gently stroked her smooth hair. "Shhh...it'll be okay. I'll protect you, defeat that bastard Naraku, and I'll save your family, I promise."
Did he really mean that? Kagome wondered as she stopped crying. She felt so warm and safe in his arms at that moment that she didn't want to let go. 'He is a jerk at times, but he doesn't really mean it," she thought, burying her face in the warmth of his haori. 'This feels so right...'
"Kagome..." Inu yasha sighed. He never felt this way before. He never held anyone in his arms like this. 'She smells so good...,' he thought as he sniffed her hair, but then he caught the scent of something else...
Blood.
"Kagome, are you injured somewhere?" Inu Yasha asked, concerned as he pushed Kagome away enough to look into her eyes.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"You're bleeding! I can smell it!"
Kagome's cheeks turned crimson as she realized what he smelled. It was the time of her monthly cycle. 'How embarrassing!' she thought as she quickly stood up. "I-It's nothing! Don't worry about it!" she tried to reassure him without having to explain all the gory details.
"You sure you're not hurt?" he asked again, but when he saw the blush on her cheeks, he too realized what it was, then he added, "never mind," dropping the subject.
The two then continued walking through the woods, guided by Inu Yasha's keen sense of smell. Neither of them had any definite plans for exactly how they would take out Naraku, but they knew that's what had to be done. Kagome felt a little closer to the hanyou at that moment, remembering how he said he'd protect her and save her family.
'I hope he really means it,' she thought to herself, remembering how good his hug felt.
**********
"Sango, are you sure you know where this place is?" Miroku asked for the second time that morning.
"Of course I do! Look, I'll get out the map and show you..." she said as she stopped to rummage through her bag. After a frantic minute, Sango realized that the map was gone. "Oh crap..."
"Well? Where is it?"
Suddenly Sango turned to hear the sound of rustling paper...and was horrified to see what Kirara was doing to the map.
"Kirara! Stop! What are you doing!!!???" she yelled as she watched the neko youkai relieve it's bodily wastes all over a chewed up, wrinkled map. It was ruined!
"Hmmm, it seems we have a problem here," Miroku sighed while scratching his forehead.
"Kirara, how could you! Mou!!! Now we're totally lost, and my mission is ruined!"
Seeing Sango in such distress caused the Houshi to want to comfort her...in the only way he knew how...
*Grope* *Feel*
*SLAP!*
"Hentai! How dare you touch my...!"
"Gomen, gomen! I was only trying to take your mind off of your problems! I meant no harm!" Miroku pleaded as he rubbed his poor red cheek.
*Squeak?*
When Kirara finished, she proudly trotted over to Sango, not sure why the human was so upset all of a sudden.
"Sango, do you even know what Sesshoumaru looks like? Perhaps we can still find him."
"Well, Lord Naraku told me that he has golden slitted eyes, looks fierce, and has long silvery hair. He also told me that he has a sword at his side with strange powers. That's all I know."
"Hmmm. That may not be enough to go on, since all Inu youkai have golden eyes and silver hair."
"Well, if you have any great ideas, speak up," Sango sighed. She should've been at Sesshoumaru's estate by now...
Suddenly, the two stopped as they heard talking nearby. Then they heard foot steps coming closer, small twigs snapping, and leaves rustling. Miroku grabbed Sango and Kirara and dashed behind a large tree with them. Sango was surprised, but knew to keep quiet. Whatever's nearby must be a youkai.
Then, peaking out from the tree, the two spotted a youkai...with long silvery hair, golden eyes...and a sword...
Sango whispered to Miroku, "Do you think that's him?"
"He appears to be with a human girl...I doubt the Lord of Western Lands likes humans...besides, look at those ears. Don't Inu youkai have ears kind of like ours, except pointy?" Miroku asked, also whispering. "And that outfit he's wearing certainly doesn't look Lord-like."
"Well, I've never actually encountered one before, so I wouldn't exactly know..." Sango replied, but suddenly they saw the Inu youkai turn towards them. Kirara growled low, causing Sango to clamp her hand over the neko youkai's mouth.
"Shhhh!!!"
Inu Yasha motioned for Kagome to stay behind him as he sniffed the air.
"Kagome, there's someone behind that tree...actually three someone's. I can smell them. Hide somewhere quickly," he whispered, and Kagome did as she was told and hid by some nearby bushes.
'I hope it's not youkai, or worse, taijiya,' Kagome thought as she glanced at Inu Yasha, who began to draw his sword.
Sango glanced out carefully, seeing that he had his sword drawn. 'That's just a rusted piece of crap!' she thought as she took in it's details. It was badly chipped all along the blade, and the leather wrapped around the hilt was in various ripped stages. Surely this wasn't Sesshoumaru's 'powerful sword.'
However, all doubt of whether or not the youkai was Sesshoumaru or not quickly left her as she witnessed the junky old sword begin to glow and irradiate an incredible power. It was transforming into what looked like a large fang, as flawless as it looked dangerous.
"I know you're there humans! Come out or else!" Inu Yasha spat. He knew the smell of taijiya.
"Miroku-Sama! That's him! It has to be! I saw his sword transform into something very powerful. Let's get him while we have the chance!" Sango said as she quickly grabbed her boomerang.
"If you say so, but we better be careful. If that IS Sesshoumaru, we're in for one hell of a fight!" Miroku exclaimed as he grabbed his staff and leapt out from behind the tree with Sango by his side. "Better get the scroll ready!"
Sango held up the scroll and smiled. This was her chance to prove herself as a worthy taijiya. Her family would live good for the rest of their lives if she succeeded, and the war would be so much closer to an end. 'Don't screw up,' she reprimanded herself.
"Well, you may not look like a lord, but I'm sure you fight like one. Hand over your human captive and prepare to die. It ends here."
"Well said, Sango-Chan," Miroku chimed in.
Inu Yasha looked pointedly at the taijiya girl. What the hell was she blabbering about? He wasn't a lord or anything. Then he turned to look at the Houshi next to her, and by his feet a neko youkai. And did they think he was holding Kagome captive?
"Keh! I don't know what your business is here, but I won't go easy on you all if you truly intend to fight me."
Suddenly Inu Yasha heard Kagome yell out to him from her hiding spot. "Inu Yasha! Watch out for that scroll she has! That'll steal your soul and you'll die!"
"Inu...," Sango began.
"...Yasha?" Miroku finished.
Sango looked curiously at the being before her, then asked, "Your name is Inu Yasha?"
"Yeah, so what's it to you?" he replied with clenched teeth.
"I guess that isn't Sesshoumaru," Miroku added.
Inu Yasha visually flinched at that name. Hatred welled up inside him just remembering that bastard who abandoned his mother and him so long ago. Sesshoumaru, his half-brother...
Suddenly the taijiya recalled the name 'Inu Yasha.'
"You're that hanyou that was rescued from Saizen two nights ago, aren't you? Well, I guess I can take you back. Naraku should be pleased with that."
"Sango, we should leave him be. He is merely a hanyou. And I doubt Naraku will be pleased with a hanyou rather than the Lord of Western Lands," Miroku suggested, not wanting to fight a meaningless battle.
Then, Kagome stepped out from behind the bushes, revealing herself to the eyes of the lecherous Houshi. "Leave Inu Yasha alone! He has nothing to do with you!"
The hanyou was surprised by the girl's bravery, and more so that she was sticking up for him.
"Eh? I do believe I have seen such a fair face as yours before," miroku said as he walked closer to Kagome. Then, getting a good look at the Houshi, Kagome concluded that they had met before.
"You are Miroku, right? I remember seeing you in my village once. After you exorcised evil spirits out of the Nagoshi family's house, I recall a big fuss that they were ransacked. I assume you did it?" Kagome asked, feeling a bit relieved that she at least knew this person. "I also remember that you tied to grope me."
Everyone face faulted at that, and Sango glared daggers at the monk. :Houshi-Sama, you do those things to every girl you meet?"
"Hee, hee, I guess I do!" Miroku said while blushing slightly.
Kagome decided to be the peace maker, saying, "There's no point in fighting us. We intend you no harm. Besides, you're looking for Inu Yasha's half- brother, Sesshoumaru, right? So let's call it a truce." Sango nodded in agreement, as well as Miroku.
Meanwhile, Inu Yasha was losing his patience.
"Enough of this chatter! Why are you looking for Sesshoumaru?" Inu Yasha asked gruffly.
However, before any one of them could utter another word, the winds picked up in velocity. The tree branches swayed, the leaves that were dying blew away, and everyone looked up to find a very large youkai soaring high in the sky. Sweat began to pour down Inu Yasha's face as he caught the familiar scent.
"Sesshoumaru! Damn it! He's here!" Inu Yasha growled as he held his sword tighter.
As the youkai pack animal landed, everyone jumped back. Kagome noticed the figure of a man stepping off the creature with a girl alongside him. She was shocked to see who the girl was...
"Rin!"
The girl looked over at the group until she saw the person who called her name. Tears almost welled up in her eyes. There she was, a friend that she thought to be dead or captured.
"Kagome! Oh my God! It's really you! And Inu Yasha! You're both all right!" she exclaimed as she happily ran to hug her friend. Sesshoumaru looked on at the distasteful scene. Humans were such emotional creatures.
Then Sesshoumaru spoke, earning everyone's attention, especially Sango's.
"Inu Yasha, It's been awhile hasn't it?"
"You bastard! How dare you show your face here after what you did to mother and I!" Inu Yasha yelled, ready to run Sesshoumaru through with the Tetsusaiga if need be.
"I do not need to be reminded, dear little brother. You should be grateful that I at least let you live. Now, as much as I'm sure you'd like, I didn't come here for a family reunion. I shall reclaim what should rightfully be mine. Give me the Tetsusaiga, else incur my wrath."
Rin glanced at the two half-brothers, afraid that Sesshoumaru wouldn't keep his word. And what if Inu Yasha bested him? She didn't want to see any bloodshed.
"Kagome, we have to stop them!"
"I'll stop them," Sango said, raising her scroll. "This is my job, so everyone step away. Sesshoumaru, I will be your opponent this day, so prepare yourself!"
Miroku looked apprehensive. Would she succeed?
The youkai lord glanced at the woman with amusement. A sealing scroll? As if that could work on someone as powerful as he was. "Inu Yasha, after I take care of this wench, I'll return to the task at hand. It is not in my nature to turn down a challenge."
It seemed an all out battle royale was about to begin. Sango's heart was racing. 'Don't screw up!'
To Be Continued...
AN: That was a long chapter! I'm so glad I got inspiration to write again! ^_^ Hmmm, just look at that awful cliffhanger I left you guys with. Hee, hee. Don't worry! I'm already working on the next chapter! Don't forget to review, cause I love reading them, and you're more likely to get a longer story if you do ^_~.
AN: Phew! I finally got over the writer's block! And, as promised, I give credit to these people who helped me, as well as gave me some good ideas: Sabishii, Brittney a.k.a Hoshi Mizuriu, and Demon-Rai-Chan. Thanks guys! Now, without further ado...
Hakama- The kind of pants Inu Yasha wears.
Ara- An expression kind of like 'oh my...' or 'well, well...'
Nogareru~Break Away
By Otaku-Chan ^_~
Chapter Eight~Mistaken Identity
As the sun began to rise and reflect off the sparkling morning dew, the sleepy village began to awaken as well. Today was the day Lord Naraku would assign slaves to everyone in Saizen out of those captured from Kinryoku.
Kohaku wiped the sleepiness from his eyes as he got out of bed. His parents had given him word that they would be receiving a new 'house servant' that day. He felt a sickening feeling at that thought. How could people treat other human beings like objects or servants? It wasn't right!
'I'm sure that Sango Nee-Chan would have something to say about this...'
Putting on his best haori and hakama outfit, Kohaku made a steady pace towards the kitchen. Since Sango wasn't home, he had to be the brave one.
"Ara, Kohaku, you look nice. In a few hours we have to report to the village square," his mother said as she sipped her morning tea. His father was busy putting on his best armor. Even though they were a poor family, they did have dress for special or important occasions.
"It's wrong," Kohaku stated as he held his head low. Both of his parents looked up at him in confusion, then sad understanding.
"Listen son, I know as well as the next man that it's wrong, however, since Lord Naraku has decreed that every member of this village is to take in a slave, we have no choice. Besides, whoever we get, you know we will treat them with respect. We are all human beings..."
"But what about the youkai and hanyous from Kinryoku? What will happen to them? They'll all be killed! Lord Naraku won't take pity on them, will he?" Kohaku cried as he looked up at the worried expressions written all over his parents faces.
"Lord Naraku stated that no one, be they youkai, hanyou, or human, would be harmed the day we took over their village...," Kohaku's father began.
"Can't you see that he's up to something? Have you forgotten the law that if anyone from Kinryoku is captured, they'd be killed? Why would Lord Naraku suddenly change that?"
"Kohaku! Watch what you say! If someone were to be outside our hut and hear you..."
"Why? Because we live under a sadistic dictator? I don't care if anyone hears! Lord Naraku should set the Kinryoku villagers free! This whole war is ridiculous and I want it to end!" Kohaku then felt a smack across his face, and he saw the anger in his father's eyes.
"Listen boy, we're barely making a living as it is. True that Lord Naraku is pulling some strings, but we're in no position to complain. Do you want us to be seen as traitors to this taijiya village? Do you want to be a slave yourself, or worse yet, be executed? Your mother and I are only doing what we have to do to survive! This is the way things are, so you better learn to accept them."
"Kohaku, we don't like the war any more than you do, but in this village we seem to thrive on it. I know that sounds horrible, but it's true. The only reason us taijiya are so successful is because this wretched war made us into what we are. We live to hunt youkai, and any humans that side with their kind are our enemies. It has been that way for generations, and if we want to live to see tomorrow, we have no choice but to follow the ways of the taijiya. Do you understand?" his mother wept.
Kohaku was beyond angry at the moment. His parents were just going to sit back and let things continue the way they have been without even trying to make a difference? If everyone thought that way, the war surely would never come to an end! Then, he pushed aside the bamboo straw door to leave the hut, "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back on time, so don't worry about it."
His mother sighed. "What are we going to do about him? He may get us all into trouble with the law of Saizen."
"Let him be for now. I'm sure the kid has some sense. He won't do anything foolish."
Meanwhile, Kohaku was cooling off his temper in his favorite place. He sat next to a small pond which he came to often whenever he needed to get away from it all. It seemed it was the only place where there was no war, no hatred, nothing. Only the peaceful flow of the cold water and nature.
Looking around the ground, he spied a small, flat pebble. He picked it up, and with a flick of his wrist, he flung it at the pond, happily watching it skip over the water three times before it sunk to the bottom. He continued by throwing another until he heard a nearby bush rustling, and...crying?
Kohaku stood up and walked over to the source of the sounds, and there he found, crouched behind a tall bush, a young boy of about six crying.
"Ano, what's wrong?" Kohaku asked, snapping the boy to attention.
"P-Please don't hurt me! I didn't do anything!" the boy wept. Kohaku then knew that the boy must've been from Kinryoku.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. My name is Kohaku, what's yours?"
The boy looked up to Kohaku and wiped his tears. "My name is Souta...Higurashi, Souta."
"Ah, nice to meet you..." Kohaku said while scratching the back of his head. Then he got to the point. "You're one of the prisoners from Kinryoku, right? How'd you get out here without being caught?"
Souta stood up, brushed himself off, and turned to the older boy. He seemed trustworthy, he thought. "When my family and I were brought to the village, I hid under one of the carriages when the taijiya men were unloading the people...I ran away when nobody was looking. I-I want to save my mama and grandpa, but I can't! Why did this have to happen?" he said in a crumbling voice as a fresh batch of tears worked their way into his eyes.
Suddenly, Kohaku placed a hand on the trembling boy's shoulder as he declared, " I'll help you."
**********
"Are you insane?! If we go to Saizen, we'll be killed before we even know what hit us!" Kagome yelled as she tugged on the hanyou's furry ears.
"Let go wench! The only way we're gonna save your people is to kill the Lord of Saizen. Besides, I have my own grudge against that jack ass that sentenced me to death! I'll go there and rip him apart, then the taijiya will be without their Lord and have no choice but to release your people!" Inu Yasha argued as he wrenched Kagome off his ears.
"Fine! Just waltz in there without any descent plan and get yourself killed. See if I care!" Kagome huffed as she walked back into Kaede's hut.
"You ARE a baka!" Shippo barked as he bopped Inu Yasha in the head.
*Bonk!* *Wham!*
"Owowowowow!!!! You jerk! You didn't have to hit ME!" the kitsune cried.
"Keh! I don't have time to deal with your nonsense. Go tell Kagome that I'm leaving, with, or without her."
Suddenly, Kagome appeared from behind the bamboo straw door, looking surprised. "Inu Yasha, you actually said my name..."
"So? Why does it matter?" he asked, ears twitching in curiosity. The girl certainly was unusual, caring about such a trivial thing.
"Perhaps it means you want to be a bit friendlier with me, that's all."
"Keh! What gives you that idea?"
"Listen! I know you think you're all high and mighty, but if you don't treat me a little nicer, I'll NEVER take the rosary off of you."
"And I'll let your family die at the hands of Naraku."
Kagome was hurt by that last remark. How could he be so insensitive?
"Inu Yasha..."
Seeing the fierce look in her eyes, he suddenly feared the worst. She'd sit him a hundred times for what he just said! 'Damn! I always end up saying the wrong thing when I'm angry!' he thought as he braced himself for the impact.
To his surprise, she merely grabbed her bag of supplies and started walking towards the clearing at the edge of the village, not saying another word. Inu Yasha knew she decided to go alone, and he felt horrible realizing how much his words hurt her. 'I always end up pushing others away with my thoughtless words," he thought as he raced off to follow her.
Shippo stood on the step, confused by the behavior of Inu Yasha and Kagome. Why did they always have to fight?
"Don't worry Shippo. Those two will resolve all of their conflicts eventually. That Kagome, when I look in her eyes I can see it."
Shippo glanced up at Kaede, very confused. "See what?"
"That girl is no ordinary miko. When she's near it's almost as if she's purifying the very souls of everyone around her. Even Inu Yasha has been effected by her. Minus the incident that just took place, he seems calmer when she's around him, especially last night when he returned from the hot springs. He had a different look in his eyes...a look of relief, as well as peace. Perhaps Kagome is the reincarnation of Midoriko herself."
"Eh? Who's Midoriko? What do you mean?" Shippo asked.
"Midoriko was the only person who ever came close to ending this bloody war. She was a powerful miko from the South with a unique ability to purify souls. Unlike ordinary mikos, Midoriko could single handily take on an army of youkai, or humans, and miraculously soothe their raging souls with her purifying powers. She brought peace wherever she went, and many people worshipped her as a Goddess. Nobody knows exactly how she died, but it is said that one day, an ominous dark force overtook her, and she lost all of her powers."
"Then what happened?"
"She died shortly afterward from unknown causes. That was over one hundred years ago, just before the war was in full motion. I'm sure that if Midoriko had lived, she could've changed the hearts of humans and youkai alike. There would probably be no war today."
"Demo, Kaede-Bachan, what was the dark force that killed her? Is it still around today? Was it a youkai?" Shippo asked, his curiosity and worry peaked.
"I do not know, Shippo, however, if Kagome is Midoriko's reincarnation, I'm sure that the evil will resurface and try to destroy her as well. I can sense that a dark future awaits that child. I only pray that she will be ready to face her fate when the time comes. Maybe she and Inu Yasha will fight it together as one."
"But they fight like cat and dog! How will they be able to fight anything if they can't stop fighting each other?" asked Shippo with an incredulous look.
"Ha, ha, ha! You may be too young to notice, but all their fighting is merely the steps towards eventual attraction. When I was Kagome's age, Inu Yasha was still too untrustworthy of me, even though we were friends. I have a feeling that Kagome will gain his complete trust. Perhaps they may even fall in love..."
"No way! That doggy-boy is too STUPID to know what love is! And I doubt Kagome would be dumb enough to fall for him!" Shippo snorted, disgusted by the thought.
"Only time will tell, Shippo. Someday you'll understand."
"No thank you!"
Then the two sat quietly, thinking their own separate thoughts.
Meanwhile, Kagome and Inu Yasha began their journey to Saizen. Kagome was very quiet, and it had Inu Yasha on edge.
'She's really pissed at me, isn't she? Maybe I should apologize...' he thought.
"Kagome, look, I'm sorry, okay? I wasn't thinking back there when I said that. I didn't mean it," Inu Yasha said as he turned Kagome to face him. He could've sworn his heart skipped a beat when he looked into her eyes, brimmed with tears unshed.
"I-I miss my family. I'm not even sure if they're still alive..." Kagome whispered as she began to cry, falling to her knees. "Mama, Souta, and Grandpa...what if they...?"
"NO! You mustn't give up hope! Snap out of it. We'll save them, okay? Just don't lose faith, otherwise we will have lost before we even begin," he said in an encouraging voice as he kneeled down to face her and wipe away her tears with his sleeve. He couldn't stand seeing her like this, and he knew it was all his fault. He felt like everything he said to her just hurt her more. However, Kagome's next action quickly dispelled that idea.
"I-Inu Yasha!" she cried as she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, crying softly into his haori.
For a moment, he was shocked and didn't know what to do, but then he decided to wrap his arms around her as well to calm her down. He could feel her warm tears soak into the fabric of his clothing as he gently stroked her smooth hair. "Shhh...it'll be okay. I'll protect you, defeat that bastard Naraku, and I'll save your family, I promise."
Did he really mean that? Kagome wondered as she stopped crying. She felt so warm and safe in his arms at that moment that she didn't want to let go. 'He is a jerk at times, but he doesn't really mean it," she thought, burying her face in the warmth of his haori. 'This feels so right...'
"Kagome..." Inu yasha sighed. He never felt this way before. He never held anyone in his arms like this. 'She smells so good...,' he thought as he sniffed her hair, but then he caught the scent of something else...
Blood.
"Kagome, are you injured somewhere?" Inu Yasha asked, concerned as he pushed Kagome away enough to look into her eyes.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"You're bleeding! I can smell it!"
Kagome's cheeks turned crimson as she realized what he smelled. It was the time of her monthly cycle. 'How embarrassing!' she thought as she quickly stood up. "I-It's nothing! Don't worry about it!" she tried to reassure him without having to explain all the gory details.
"You sure you're not hurt?" he asked again, but when he saw the blush on her cheeks, he too realized what it was, then he added, "never mind," dropping the subject.
The two then continued walking through the woods, guided by Inu Yasha's keen sense of smell. Neither of them had any definite plans for exactly how they would take out Naraku, but they knew that's what had to be done. Kagome felt a little closer to the hanyou at that moment, remembering how he said he'd protect her and save her family.
'I hope he really means it,' she thought to herself, remembering how good his hug felt.
**********
"Sango, are you sure you know where this place is?" Miroku asked for the second time that morning.
"Of course I do! Look, I'll get out the map and show you..." she said as she stopped to rummage through her bag. After a frantic minute, Sango realized that the map was gone. "Oh crap..."
"Well? Where is it?"
Suddenly Sango turned to hear the sound of rustling paper...and was horrified to see what Kirara was doing to the map.
"Kirara! Stop! What are you doing!!!???" she yelled as she watched the neko youkai relieve it's bodily wastes all over a chewed up, wrinkled map. It was ruined!
"Hmmm, it seems we have a problem here," Miroku sighed while scratching his forehead.
"Kirara, how could you! Mou!!! Now we're totally lost, and my mission is ruined!"
Seeing Sango in such distress caused the Houshi to want to comfort her...in the only way he knew how...
*Grope* *Feel*
*SLAP!*
"Hentai! How dare you touch my...!"
"Gomen, gomen! I was only trying to take your mind off of your problems! I meant no harm!" Miroku pleaded as he rubbed his poor red cheek.
*Squeak?*
When Kirara finished, she proudly trotted over to Sango, not sure why the human was so upset all of a sudden.
"Sango, do you even know what Sesshoumaru looks like? Perhaps we can still find him."
"Well, Lord Naraku told me that he has golden slitted eyes, looks fierce, and has long silvery hair. He also told me that he has a sword at his side with strange powers. That's all I know."
"Hmmm. That may not be enough to go on, since all Inu youkai have golden eyes and silver hair."
"Well, if you have any great ideas, speak up," Sango sighed. She should've been at Sesshoumaru's estate by now...
Suddenly, the two stopped as they heard talking nearby. Then they heard foot steps coming closer, small twigs snapping, and leaves rustling. Miroku grabbed Sango and Kirara and dashed behind a large tree with them. Sango was surprised, but knew to keep quiet. Whatever's nearby must be a youkai.
Then, peaking out from the tree, the two spotted a youkai...with long silvery hair, golden eyes...and a sword...
Sango whispered to Miroku, "Do you think that's him?"
"He appears to be with a human girl...I doubt the Lord of Western Lands likes humans...besides, look at those ears. Don't Inu youkai have ears kind of like ours, except pointy?" Miroku asked, also whispering. "And that outfit he's wearing certainly doesn't look Lord-like."
"Well, I've never actually encountered one before, so I wouldn't exactly know..." Sango replied, but suddenly they saw the Inu youkai turn towards them. Kirara growled low, causing Sango to clamp her hand over the neko youkai's mouth.
"Shhhh!!!"
Inu Yasha motioned for Kagome to stay behind him as he sniffed the air.
"Kagome, there's someone behind that tree...actually three someone's. I can smell them. Hide somewhere quickly," he whispered, and Kagome did as she was told and hid by some nearby bushes.
'I hope it's not youkai, or worse, taijiya,' Kagome thought as she glanced at Inu Yasha, who began to draw his sword.
Sango glanced out carefully, seeing that he had his sword drawn. 'That's just a rusted piece of crap!' she thought as she took in it's details. It was badly chipped all along the blade, and the leather wrapped around the hilt was in various ripped stages. Surely this wasn't Sesshoumaru's 'powerful sword.'
However, all doubt of whether or not the youkai was Sesshoumaru or not quickly left her as she witnessed the junky old sword begin to glow and irradiate an incredible power. It was transforming into what looked like a large fang, as flawless as it looked dangerous.
"I know you're there humans! Come out or else!" Inu Yasha spat. He knew the smell of taijiya.
"Miroku-Sama! That's him! It has to be! I saw his sword transform into something very powerful. Let's get him while we have the chance!" Sango said as she quickly grabbed her boomerang.
"If you say so, but we better be careful. If that IS Sesshoumaru, we're in for one hell of a fight!" Miroku exclaimed as he grabbed his staff and leapt out from behind the tree with Sango by his side. "Better get the scroll ready!"
Sango held up the scroll and smiled. This was her chance to prove herself as a worthy taijiya. Her family would live good for the rest of their lives if she succeeded, and the war would be so much closer to an end. 'Don't screw up,' she reprimanded herself.
"Well, you may not look like a lord, but I'm sure you fight like one. Hand over your human captive and prepare to die. It ends here."
"Well said, Sango-Chan," Miroku chimed in.
Inu Yasha looked pointedly at the taijiya girl. What the hell was she blabbering about? He wasn't a lord or anything. Then he turned to look at the Houshi next to her, and by his feet a neko youkai. And did they think he was holding Kagome captive?
"Keh! I don't know what your business is here, but I won't go easy on you all if you truly intend to fight me."
Suddenly Inu Yasha heard Kagome yell out to him from her hiding spot. "Inu Yasha! Watch out for that scroll she has! That'll steal your soul and you'll die!"
"Inu...," Sango began.
"...Yasha?" Miroku finished.
Sango looked curiously at the being before her, then asked, "Your name is Inu Yasha?"
"Yeah, so what's it to you?" he replied with clenched teeth.
"I guess that isn't Sesshoumaru," Miroku added.
Inu Yasha visually flinched at that name. Hatred welled up inside him just remembering that bastard who abandoned his mother and him so long ago. Sesshoumaru, his half-brother...
Suddenly the taijiya recalled the name 'Inu Yasha.'
"You're that hanyou that was rescued from Saizen two nights ago, aren't you? Well, I guess I can take you back. Naraku should be pleased with that."
"Sango, we should leave him be. He is merely a hanyou. And I doubt Naraku will be pleased with a hanyou rather than the Lord of Western Lands," Miroku suggested, not wanting to fight a meaningless battle.
Then, Kagome stepped out from behind the bushes, revealing herself to the eyes of the lecherous Houshi. "Leave Inu Yasha alone! He has nothing to do with you!"
The hanyou was surprised by the girl's bravery, and more so that she was sticking up for him.
"Eh? I do believe I have seen such a fair face as yours before," miroku said as he walked closer to Kagome. Then, getting a good look at the Houshi, Kagome concluded that they had met before.
"You are Miroku, right? I remember seeing you in my village once. After you exorcised evil spirits out of the Nagoshi family's house, I recall a big fuss that they were ransacked. I assume you did it?" Kagome asked, feeling a bit relieved that she at least knew this person. "I also remember that you tied to grope me."
Everyone face faulted at that, and Sango glared daggers at the monk. :Houshi-Sama, you do those things to every girl you meet?"
"Hee, hee, I guess I do!" Miroku said while blushing slightly.
Kagome decided to be the peace maker, saying, "There's no point in fighting us. We intend you no harm. Besides, you're looking for Inu Yasha's half- brother, Sesshoumaru, right? So let's call it a truce." Sango nodded in agreement, as well as Miroku.
Meanwhile, Inu Yasha was losing his patience.
"Enough of this chatter! Why are you looking for Sesshoumaru?" Inu Yasha asked gruffly.
However, before any one of them could utter another word, the winds picked up in velocity. The tree branches swayed, the leaves that were dying blew away, and everyone looked up to find a very large youkai soaring high in the sky. Sweat began to pour down Inu Yasha's face as he caught the familiar scent.
"Sesshoumaru! Damn it! He's here!" Inu Yasha growled as he held his sword tighter.
As the youkai pack animal landed, everyone jumped back. Kagome noticed the figure of a man stepping off the creature with a girl alongside him. She was shocked to see who the girl was...
"Rin!"
The girl looked over at the group until she saw the person who called her name. Tears almost welled up in her eyes. There she was, a friend that she thought to be dead or captured.
"Kagome! Oh my God! It's really you! And Inu Yasha! You're both all right!" she exclaimed as she happily ran to hug her friend. Sesshoumaru looked on at the distasteful scene. Humans were such emotional creatures.
Then Sesshoumaru spoke, earning everyone's attention, especially Sango's.
"Inu Yasha, It's been awhile hasn't it?"
"You bastard! How dare you show your face here after what you did to mother and I!" Inu Yasha yelled, ready to run Sesshoumaru through with the Tetsusaiga if need be.
"I do not need to be reminded, dear little brother. You should be grateful that I at least let you live. Now, as much as I'm sure you'd like, I didn't come here for a family reunion. I shall reclaim what should rightfully be mine. Give me the Tetsusaiga, else incur my wrath."
Rin glanced at the two half-brothers, afraid that Sesshoumaru wouldn't keep his word. And what if Inu Yasha bested him? She didn't want to see any bloodshed.
"Kagome, we have to stop them!"
"I'll stop them," Sango said, raising her scroll. "This is my job, so everyone step away. Sesshoumaru, I will be your opponent this day, so prepare yourself!"
Miroku looked apprehensive. Would she succeed?
The youkai lord glanced at the woman with amusement. A sealing scroll? As if that could work on someone as powerful as he was. "Inu Yasha, after I take care of this wench, I'll return to the task at hand. It is not in my nature to turn down a challenge."
It seemed an all out battle royale was about to begin. Sango's heart was racing. 'Don't screw up!'
To Be Continued...
AN: That was a long chapter! I'm so glad I got inspiration to write again! ^_^ Hmmm, just look at that awful cliffhanger I left you guys with. Hee, hee. Don't worry! I'm already working on the next chapter! Don't forget to review, cause I love reading them, and you're more likely to get a longer story if you do ^_~.