here's my new chapter. i hope you like it
Disclaimer: do not own Inuyasha... wish I did
Chapter 3: Western Lands and Sesshomaru's deal
Sesshomaru looked straight at Kagome. "Tell me miko. Why do you have that inu pup?"
"Um, long story short? I helped her mother give birth to her."
"And where is her mother?" Hayate questioned. "Clearly a mother wouldn't leave her newborn pup."
"It's not like she abandon Mizuki" Kagome paused, looking away. "She's not here because... she died."
"Explain" Sesshomaru said.
"Okay but on two conditions. One, we move somewhere more private" She said indicating toward the staring youkais.
"Hn. And your second condition"
"No matter what, I get to keep Mizuki."
Sesshomaru just gave her a long inspecting look before turning away. "Follow me. Hayate, you come along also" Hayate nodded, leading the group behind Sesshomaru.
Kagome let out a heavy sigh. She felt like a nervous wreck and Inuyasha's grumbling wasn't making it any better. They were led through the palace, all the while the servants was staring at the young miko holding the inu pup. To say the least, she was pretty relieved when Sesshomaru led them into a closed room. It looked to be a library, where several seats were placed. Sesshomaru signalled for them to take a seat.
"Now, tell me about that pup's mother"
"Okay. Well, to start, her name was Manami. She came across our camp after escaping attacks from other demons. She said her mate died protecting her and told her to seek me out and" Kagome paused taking the jewel from where she hung it from her neck. "To give me this. I thought that was why the demons were after her but then she told me it was because of her pup. Mizuki is an inu born of pure blood although her parents were lesser inu-youkais." Kagome paused again to shift the inu pup's position in her arms. "After Manami gave birth she became weak. She told me she wasn't going to live and asked that I take care of her pup. She made me take in some of her blood so Mizuki recognize me as her mother. So I did. And if you must know it's Inuyasha's fault we are here on your lands." She said casting a look at Inuyasha.
"Hey! I said we couldn't travel with that baby and it would be best to leave it somewhere else." Inuyasha yelled. Then he looked at Sesshomaru. "I thought it would be best if you took it"
"I must agree" Sesshomaru said, raising his hand for silence when Kagome tried to object. "However, according to the miko the pup has recognize her as its mother therefore it shall stay with her. But know this, I will not permit a rare, pure-blood inu pup to be in danger outside this palace's gates."
"So what are you trying to say?" Sango asked wearily.
"The miko stays here with the pup."
"HELL NO!" Inuyasha shouted, getting up from his seat and more than roughly pulled Kagome to her feet. "No deal. We are leaving" He made a move to the door but was blocked by Hayate. "Move out of my way."
"Did I not warn you to show Lord Sesshomaru the proper respect?"
"I'll show him respect alright, when I chop his head off!" Inuyasha pulled out Tesusaiga and point it at the youkai.
"Know your place hanyou" Hayate replied somewhat darkly, taking out his own weapon, which was a double-edge sword. "Before something unnecessary happens."
"Enough Hayate." Sesshomaru said getting up. "Inuyasha, it should be the miko's decision on what she would do, not yours." He stated looking at Kaome.
"Um, well, it's not that i don't appreciate the offer, um, suggestion" She hesitated " But I still have my duty as the Shikon miko, so I can't stay. But don't worry. I won't let harm come to Mizuki."
"Hn. We shall see." Sesshomaru said. Before anyone could ask what he meant he spoke. "You may leave now,"
Everyone looked at him shocked, including Hayate, who tried to protest. "But sir.." he was halted by Sesshomaru's raised hand.
"Have another guard escort them out"
"Yes" Hayate said, getting one of the guards. When the group left he came back. "I don't understand why you are letting them go."
"I am not." Sesshomaru simply said.
"I do not follow"
"I want you to follow them. Keep an eye on the miko and pup. If they encounter any danger, you are to bring them here. Do not let them know of your presence, is that clear?"
"Yes my Lord. I shall depart right away," Hayate bowed then left the room, trailing after the group.
It had been two days since the group left Sesshomaru's lands. Kagome had to force Inuyasha to give them a break so they can eat and rest. In the shadows Hayate was boiling in anger. He was doing all he can from coming out and ripping the hanyou apart. What kind of leader drags his group along when they are clearly exhausted. He gives the miko an even harder time. He thought. Over the time he had watched the group, he had seen and heard the hanyou insult the miko many times. If Sesshomaru hadn't given him specific orders to remain hidden, Hayate would definitely teach the hanyou a lesson. He shook his head to clear the thoughts and watch the miko sat beside the taijiya to eat.
"I hate this." Kagome mumbled, picking at her fried fish on a stick. "What's up with him anyway? All of a sudden he's driving us to moved faster, makes no sense,"
"I wish I knew" Sango said. She had finished eating while Kagome had went off to feed Mizuki. Said inu pup was asleep in the taijiya's lap, cuddled next to Kirara. Shippo had long past collapsed of exhaustion, and slept beside a meditating Miroku.
Kagome sighed. "We haven't had a sign of Naraku or a shard since the night Mizuki was born. Inuyasha was so eager to find him but just had to delay us by heading to the western lands. Now we have to start from scratch."
"Meaning, going and asking around a whole lot of villages" Sango concluded.
"Exactly" By now Kagome had finished her meal, discarding the remains into the fire. After a while Inuyasha announced their break was over and ordered them to moved. Kagome put out the fire then took Mizuki from Sango who in turned carried Kirara. Miroku didn't have the heart to wake the sleeping Shippo, and settled for carrying him. By the time sunset came they were all wanting to rest for the night.
"Inuyasha let's stop, it's getting dark" Kagome suggested.
"We can still carry on. Stop complaining." Inuyasha replied, keeping ahead of the group.
"But Inuyasha, we've been at it all day. Plus, we don't even know where we are heading."
"All you have been doing is dragging your feet and wasting time." He said. Kagome was about to sit him when she felt multiple auras of demons. In less than a second, hoards of youkai came out of the forest and surrounded them. Kagome had quickly formed a barrier around her with Shippo and Mizuki inside. As the others fought she shot arrows from inside, purifying the demons that came after her barrier.
Meanwhile, Hayate was battling his own set of youkai. The beasts came out of nowhere and surround him. He was getting frustrated, for every one youkai he killed, three more take it's place. To make matters worse, it began to rain. He needed to make sure the miko and the pup stayed safe, but the youkais were making it difficult to locate her. When he heard her scream, he decided enough was enough and changed into his true form.
Kagome kept her concentration on the demons to her right, seeing as they were the most persistent in attacking her barrier. She did not see the two boar youkais that simultaneously attacked the barrier, successfully breaking it. Turning around she sent an arrow through them both, grabbed Shippo and Mizuki, then dashed away from the demons. Unfortunately she wasn't fast enough. One demon caught up to her, and raked its claws down her back, causing her to let out a painful scream. She fell forward, then curled in a ball to protect the two children. The youkai was ready to grab her when it was suddenly flung into the air. By then Kagome was half-conscious, and saw her rescuer through blurred vision. Standing in front of her was a magnificent Bird. Its feathers was a mixture of red and blue.
Hayate looked down at the miko and saw she was losing blood. Whipping his head around, he caught two pursuing youkais and threw them to the side. Using his large wings he blew up a wind storm sending a majority away. He turned his attention back to the miko to find her unconscious. The little kitsune was staring at him in fear but stood in front her body bravely. Hayate change back into his humanoid form and approached Shippo.
"Do not fear young kitsune. I will not harm you" he said, which seemed to relax the boy.
"Why are you here?" Shippo asked.
"I was sent to make sure the miko and pup stayed safe. But now that she is hurt I am to take her back to the western lands."
"You can't!" Shippo cried looking back at his surrogate mother worriedly. Before Hayate could respond he heard the group calling out for the miko.
"I do not have time to deal with this" he growled, Settling on a choice, Hayate picked up Kagome, who still held Mizuki, and Shippo. "Now fox, I am taking you with me so I want to hear silence."
Shippo nodded and hung onto Hayate's armour as the youkai broke into a high speed run. In a matter of hours they were at the palace gates. Hayate called for one of the servants. "Get me the healer and inform Lord Sesshomaru of my return." The servant immediately went to fetch the healer then Sesshomaru. The healer led Hayate to the medical wing, where he laid Kagome down in a one of the rooms. He then took both Mizuki and Shippo out while the healers got to work. Shortly after Sesshomaru found them sitting on the floor waiting.
"Hayate" he called out.
The bird youkai quickly got to his feet and bowed, all without disturbing the sleeping pup in his arms. "Lord Sesshomaru. I apologize. You asked me to make sure the miko was safe but she was injured."
"Explain"
"Well, I don't know how to explain, it all happened so fast. One minute she's arguing with the hanyou the next a hoard of demons were attacking. I also found myself surrounded by the demons."
"Hn. And why is he here?" Sesshomaru asked looking at Shippo.
"I had no choice but to bring him. Their companions were coming and I did not want to engage in a fight while the miko was hurt."
Sesshomaru looked at Hayate before nodding. "Understood. How is she"
"She'll be just find" Said the main healer as she walked through the door. "Thankfully she didn't lose too much blood. You may see her if you wish."
Shippo was the first to enter the room, and went to Kagome's side. Sesshomaru stood by the door watching, while Hayate placed Mizuki next t her mother. The two male youkais then left the room leaving Kagome and the two children to rest.
"I want guards to look out for Inuyasha and his group. No doubt the hanyou will come for the miko." Sesshomaru said as they left the west wing.
Inuyasha let out a growl as they lost sight of the youkai that took Kagome and Shippo. They had managed to defeat the demons when they notice Kagome was missing. They called out for her only to see her being taken. Inuyasha knew immediately who the demon was and it infuriated him. So he bounded after the youkai without a word to Sango and Miroku, who finally caught up to him.
"Inuyasha what's going on" Miroku asked, jumping from Kirara's back and landing next to the hanyou.
"Yeah, you just ran off so suddenly" Sango said.
"Kagome got capture by that guard of Sesshomaru's" Inuyasha growled.
"What? How would they know where we were?"
"My guess is the bastard was following us. We have to go get Kagome back"
Miroku looked at Sango, who looked back worriedly. Just why did Sesshomaru sent his guard for Kagome? Did they have anything to do with the youkai attack?
The answer to their question, unfortunately was in the western lands.
the longest chapter ever. i thoroughly enjoyed writing this chapter it was fun. well please review, i hoped u liked it. ^^ bye-bee