Hello all. Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter. How has your summer been? Sure hoped it was better than my hot mosquito filled one :) Well it's time for a new chapter in this crazy fic of mine.
Disclaimer: How many times have I said this now. I do not own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does.
Chapter 14: Strike One
Kagome woke up to the glow of the rising sun in her eyes. Turning over to block out the light she paused at the sight before her. Inuyasha was by her bed sitting on the ground with a wide awake and cheery Mizuki. He was staring at the pup with a curious expression while she was taking great interest in his white hair. The young pup had a gummy grin on her face as her small hands reached out and tug a large amount of the hanyou's hair causing him to flinched and muttered a quick 'hey'. Kagome smiled and let out a little giggle. "She likes you." Kagome said getting out of bed.
Her furry eared friend looked her way and stood carefully with the pup in his arms. "Good your awake." He handed her Mizuki and gently pried the little pup's fingers from his hair. "Thought I'd watch her awhile before you got up and you knows apologize for how I acted before."
"It's fine thank you. Uh, were you here all night?"
"Wanted to make sure you were safe." he replied in a low voice.
Kagome smiled at her friend. "Thanks Inuyasha. Would you mind finding Tsume? I want to feed Mizuki and get ready for breakfast."
Inuyasha nodded and left the room. When he left Kagome got started on feeding Mizuki. As the pup suckled greedily, Kagome started thinking about all the troubles that she was now faced with. "Never thought my life would get this complicated. First breaking and searching for the jewel, then Naraku trying to kill me." She sighed looking at the little inu. "Now I'm a mother hiding away from an unknown hostile enemy. Can it get any worse?" A knock on the door brought her attention from her unnecessary ramblings. "Come in"
Tsume entered the room with a gentle smile on her face. "Good morning Kagome. How are you feeling?"
"Better than yesterday I suppose." Kagome replied, smiling back at the demoness. "Are my friends awake?"
"Yes they have already gone off to breakfast. Shall I help you pick out a kimono?"
"Yes please. I want something free moving and light. I would like to practice my archery if of course Lord Sesshomaru allows me."
"I see no harm in it," the kawauso replied walking towards the slightly large wardrobe next to the adjoining room. "This will do" She handed Kagome a small dark blue kimono with light blue patterns. Laying the pup on the bed she helped Kagome into the kimono which reached just below her knees. When she finished she retrieved the pup and led them down the hall.
Entering the room Kagome saw that everyone else was already eating. She took a seat next to her Sesshomaru as per usual. She greeted him a small morning before digging into the food presented to her. As they ate the group decided to discuss what to do about their current problem.
"I think I remember something about Katsurou." Miroku said earning everyone's attention. "My father told me about him, well more specifically about the monks that sealed him."
"Did he tell you how they did it?" Sango asked not letting an inch of hope sink in. The incident, after all, did happen many centuries ago.
The monk shook his head. "No but I believe I might be able to find out if I search for their descendants."
"And how long will that take?" Inuyasha asked not liking what he was about to hear.
"Maybe a month or two." Miroku said thinking. "Definitely no more than three."
That earned an irritated sigh from the hanyou. "You got to be kidding. So what the hell are we suppose to do?"
"Why not split up for the time being?" Kagome stated. "You continue looking for Naraku and the jewels with Sango while Miroku searches for the monks descendants."
"Well I don't really have to search for them just anyone who knew of the tale and perhaps a way to reseal Katsurou."
"We don't need to seal him we need to kill him." This time it was Sesshomaru who spoke. "Sealing him again would be in vain if all he does is plot his next escape."
"If the past lords couldn't do it then how can we?" Inuyasha asked.
"Have you no faith? I plan on getting help from the other lords. Besides-" His train of thought cut off as he noticed the miko eating unusual berries off her plate. Quicker than anyone could blink Sesshomaru grabbed Kagome by the bottom of her jaw. This caused the other occupants of the room to panic.
"Sesshomaru what the hell! Let her go!" Inuyasha yelled growling deep.
But the daiyoukai ignored all of them and studied the girl in his grip. "Spit it out." Immediately Kagome spat out the food and berries onto the table, too afraid of what might happen if she didn't. "Had you been eating these this whole time?" Sesshomaru said in a hushed serious tone. When she nodded he cursed silently. Standing from where he was he grabbed the still shocked miko, threw her over his shoulder and dashed out of the room.
"What the hell was that about?" Sango asked.
"I don't know. Come on" Inuyasha said following after his brother. He followed the daiyoukai's trail till they reached what looked to be a healing room. Entering they found Kagome on one of the beds drinking from a cup the healing gave to her. "Oi Sesshomaru want to tell me what the hell just happened?!"
"The berries the miko was eating are poisonous to humans." Sesshomaru said never taking his eyes off the girl on the bed.
"What? I thought you said this place would be safe for her?" Sango spoke worried for her friend.
The daiyoukai let out a low growl before turning towards the door. He gave them no mind as he left the room heading to the kitchen. If someone was trying to kill the miko under his watch they were going to pay with their life, no questions asked. When he left they turned their attention to their friend who was finishing a second drink.
"Kagome are you okay?" Sango asked sitting next to her on the bed.
"Yes I'm okay but I think you may have upset Lord Sesshomaru"
"Who cares what that prick feels" Inuyasha said gaining a glare from the healer that was still there. Ignoring her he continued. "Looks like it's not safe here anymore. We need to get you out of here."
"Inuyasha please. I'm fine besides I can't leave yet." Kagome said feeling a bit irritated by the hanyou's words. Sesshomaru had promise to protect them and she believed him so having her friends demean him made her mad. It was strange but she didn't dwell on it.
"Yes you can" Inuyasha said.
"Listen for a while will you? It's safer here than to be wandering around outside. Not to mention I still need to care for Mizuki and I will not risk her life by leaving her. Lord Sesshomaru promised to keep us safe-"
"Yeah and he's doing a fine job at it" Inuyasha cut her off sarcastically. "And since when has he been 'Lord Sesshomaru'?"
This only made Kagome sighed and stand from her spot. Well she was about to when the healer stopped her. "Forgive me my lady but it would be better if you rest still to be sure the poison will not affect you."
"Okay thank you." She said with a small before laying back in the bed. "First of all Inuyasha," she continued with a glare. "He has been more than helpful these past few days. Secondly by living in his household it's only the respectable thing to call him by his title. Got it?"
Miroku covered the hanyou's mouth before he could say anything else. "We understand. Should we leave you to rest?"
"Yes. Oh and possible could you let Tsume and the children know I'm okay?"
"No problem." Miroku said with a smile dragging a reluctant Inuyasha outside then followed by Sango.
After leaving the room they headed back to the dining hall to inform Tsume of her condition. Reaching the room they halted when Hayate and another guard came out carrying a body. "Uh, what happened?" Sango asked calmly.
"This? Lord Sesshomaru found the demon responsible for the poison berries." Hayate answered before continuing down the hall, no doubt to dispose of the body. No sooner had he left the doors opened again this time revealing a less than calm Sesshomaru. He pinned them with a cold hard glare before turning away, probably toward his study. The inu-taichi just stared after him before checking to see if the others were inside. Indeed Tsume and the children were inside still seated. They turned their heads when the heard the door open.
"Sango, Miroku Inuyasha!" Shippo yelled running up to them. It was clear from his voice and moist eyes he must have been worried about Kagome. "Is okaa-san alright?"
"Yeah, she going to be fine" Sango said giving the small demon a comforting hug. "Do you wish to see her?"
He nodded in reply before skipping to Rin and grabbing her hand so she could come with. With that the group, including Tsume and the pup, made their way back to the healers room. Kagome was sitting there looking bored out of her mind before the two children launched themselves on the bed asking her a dozen questions at the same time.
"Kagome!" "Okaa-san!" "How are you?" "Are you okay?" "Are you in pain?" "Can I get you any thing?" "Do you want some water?"
Kagome smiled and hugged the two of them together to stop them. "I'm okay. I'm fine now that you two are here." This was enough for Rin and Shippo to relax next to her.
"Don't forget this little one" Tsume said had Mizuki over to the young miko. "She actually looked miserable when you were taking away."
"Really" Kagome smiled at her daughter. "Oh did mommy worry you? I'm sorry" She said giving the pup little kisses on her head.
Watching the scene with a smile, Tsume left the room to tend to other business with the palace. Looking back on earlier she was surprised when her lord had taken the miko away. Then when she noticed the berries she had to make sure the others, especially Rin had none of it on their own plates. It's makes her uneasy and upset to know that some demon was trying to hurt the miko with these walls. Well they might have to think twice on their tactics since Sesshomaru had made a public display in the kitchen what will happen if anyone tried to betray him. Shuddering slightly at the memory Tsume just knew this wasn't the end of whatever they were planning for Kagome.
So how was it? I really meant to post this last week but something happened that had me a little depressed sorry. Now with the new school term coming up I'm under a whole lot of stress. Don't know how often I'll be posting new chapters but bear with me. The next chapter will show what happened in the kitchen so don't worry :) Anyway please review I love to hear you guys thoughts. it always brightens up my day :D