Experiment #4: Take Two

"No. No way. Forget it. Not in a million years."

"Come on Sango, it's not that bad!"

"Not that bad! Not that BAD? Kagome it's horrible, unthinkable, and indecent! I won't do it and that's final!"

"But Sango you have to! I don't like the part I have to play either, but I'm going to do it. And I don't hear Miroku complaining, and look what I'm making him do."

"Yes Sango my dear, we must all play our parts if this experiment is going to work."

"Stuff it monk. The only reason you're playing along is because you finally have a reason to get Kagome out of her clothes! –Sigh- I just don't see why all of this is necessary."

"Sango, I need a control for this experiment. There are just too many different variables; I need to eliminate some from the equation to get some real answers. I need you to do this. Please, for me?"

"You owe me big time for this Kagome."

"Ohhh thank you Sango! Thank you so much! You won't regret this I swear!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Well, she might regret it, but that's not really my problem anymore. She agreed to play her part in the experiment, and now everything is in place. The stage is set, the actors ready for their scenes, and the chemical concoctions have been prepared. All that's left is for the main player to make his appearance.

Shippo is taking care of Inuyasha right now. By now, he should have managed to get Tetsusaiga away from the unsuspecting hanyou, and will be leading him towards the first of my traps.

I have taken many pages from Kikyo's book to make this experiment work smoothly. Though I am not pleased with having to rely on methods employed by the dead priestess, I have learned from experience that they are effective. Who am I to tamper with success? Besides, I am supposed to be her reincarnation; I may as well get to use some of the priestess powers which she is so well known for.

I may not be as powerful as Kikyo, and I may not be as well trained, but I have one thing that she does not: unabated determination and four Shikon shards. I know that using the shards is dangerous and I may just be asking for trouble, but I also know when to admit that I need help, and I simply don't have enough power to make this work on my own. In order to perform all of the priestess magic needed for this experiment I would have drained all of my strength. And I need my strength should things get out of hand, which I have a sinking feeling they might just do.

I have produced a barrier around myself to hide my presence from Inuyasha's keen nose. While my shield keeps me from being detected, my partners in this experiment have been given a potion of my own making. Soap, shampoo, and perfume that I use on a regular basis, combined with some sweat and blood and a sprinkle of Miko powers; and poof, Kagome scent in a bottle. It is my hope that this scent will be enough to make Inuyasha believe he is following me.

The barrier is being maintained by two Shikon shards, so my true presence will not be detected until I want it to be. While that is taken care of, I must be able to see what is happening. I don't want my friends to be in danger and alone should this experiment fail. My spirit shall be my eyes. As Kikyo was able to project her form as Saint Hijiri when she had been incapacitated by Naraku's poison, I have also employed the technique to keep a watchful eye on those in my care. Of course, this stunt also requires the use of my remaining shards, but I have faith that what I am doing will be for the best in the long run.

I can't go on any longer without real answers to my questions. I can't be living my life in doubt. I need to do this.

Let the experiment commence.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Get back here you little runt! And give me back my sword!"

All is going as I planned it seems. Shippo has 'borrowed' Tetsusaiga from Inuyasha, and is now leading him back to the village where Miroku will be waiting. Speaking of Miroku,

"Inuyasha!" The monk ran towards Inuyasha at full speed, his face twisted in a look of fear and anxiety.

"What is it monk? I have a rat to catch!"

"It's Kagome!"

Inuyasha immediately abandoned his search for the missing Shippo and turned to take hold of Miroku, shaking him slightly as he tried to get the information out of him.

"What about Kagome? You better not have let anything happen to her or I'll…"

Awww, Inuyasha you do care. That's so sweet, threatening bodily harm on one of our friends because you though he had let me get hurt.

"I don't know what's happened to her. She and Sango left for the hot springs over two hours ago and they still haven't returned. I was worried and went to check on them," Yeah about as worried as a guy who wants to try and sneak a peek at unsuspecting bathing girls…ahem…right. "When I got to the springs they weren't there. I don't know where they have gone. I thought that you would be able to use your nose to find them."

"Stay here in case they come back. I'll go find them."

As Inuyasha took off into the trees, he could not see the smirk spreading its way across the monk's face. I would like to say that he was proud that his deception worked so well, but I know Miroku far too well to think that's the case. That smirk, which is gradually spreading into a full-blown lecherous smile, has nothing to do with his acting and everything to do with what he knows Inuyasha shall find once he tracks down my scent.

Miroku, you really are a letch. If I had a voice in this form I would call you a pervert, but since I don't I'll leave you to your business. You still have another task to perform.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hehehe…you know Sango, if you get any redder, you might just spontaneously combust. Oh I am so glad she can't see me right now, or I'm sure that she would have many, many choice words to share with me.

I watched as she sprayed the scent marker, which I like to call 'eau de Kagome', on a towel and lie it out by the hot spring, and then, very, very, cautiously (oh, I'm sorry Sango, but I'm so glad you can't hear me right now because I am laughing like an insane hyena!) spray the sex pheromone on her…well…lower regions.

Perfect. She's ready. All we need now is…

"KAGOME!"

Inuyasha, perfect timing as usual.

Sango gulped uneasily at the sound of Inuyasha's voice, and then slowly started to pull away her clothing. She was only holding the cloth loosely over her naked form when Inuyasha burst through the trees surrounding the spring.

Sango screamed the scream of a bashful maiden whose privacy had just been rudely interrupted, pulled her shed clothes to wrap her body as best she could, and wheeled around to yell at Inuyasha.

"INUYASHA! Get out of here! Can't you see I'm indecent!"

Within seconds, Inuyasha's face was redder than his haori, and he stumbled over his words as he looked bashfully at the ground as though it would somehow get him out of this mess.

"Kagome…the monk said she was with you…he was worried."

"Well she's not here!" Sango screeched. "Now get out of here before you find yourself missing an appendage, and I'm not talking about an arm or a leg!"

Inuyasha sweat-dropped and made a hasty, stumbling retreat.

"Kagome," I heard Sango's very angry and very dangerous sounding voice. "If you can hear me, then you will so pay for making me do that."

Well on that note, I think I'll go see what Miroku is up to. I'll talk to you later Sango. Much later…maybe a week will be enough for you to calm down.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I found Miroku sitting in the field we had decided upon for this phase of the experiment. He was dangling his legs into the river, his back turned to the direction Inuyasha would be coming from.

I could see he was all ready, though I have to wonder at that smile on his face. He can't seriously be enjoying being dressed up in my school uniform that much, can he?

There is just something not quite right about that one. Hmmm, maybe we should have sent Miroku after Jakotsu instead of Inuyasha. They might have gotten along swimmingly, what with being able to talk about the wearing of female's cloths and make-up. Though I haven't actually seen Miroku put on any makeup, I would bet a good sum of money that he can do it better than most females. I mean, there is only so much that any normal male knows about females in general, and Miroku is always one step ahead of other males in that department.

I can't believe the similarity. Seeing him in those clothes, his hair down and brushed out to flow like mine, it's like looking in a mirror. Except the mirror is very masculine and…Good God Miroku! Did you shave your legs?

"KAGOME!"

Oh thank you Inuyasha. I don't know if I could have taken it if I found out what other things Miroku decide to test out 'for the good of science'. I think he may be taking his role in this experiment a bit too far.

As planned, Miroku did not turn to alert Inuyasha to the current…situation. Instead, he kept his back turned to the approaching hanyou to wait and see if my scent combined with the pheromones would have an effect on Inuyasha.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha was right behind the monk. He obviously thought that Miroku was me and was curious as to why I would be ignoring him. "Kagome look at me."

When Miroku still refused to turn, Inuyasha grabbed his shoulder and turned him around.

The expression on his face was absolutely priceless. I wish I had a camera. Shock, disbelief, confusion, repulsion; all rolled into one absolutely hilarious expression which lasted the entire time, from when he lost his balance, to when he hit the ground with a thud.

As I laughed hysterically, Inuyasha continued to stare at the monk in astonishment from his newfound sitting position.

"Miroku?" His voice was strange, but as he continued to speak it grew in volume. "What. The. Hell!"

"I'm sorry Inuyasha," Miroku replied with his most sincere and gentle voice (The same one he uses to try and convince us ladies that he is not a womanizer. Sorry Miroku, but you really have to work on the whole innocent act. No one is buying it anymore). "I simply had to find out why Kagome finds these clothes so comfortable. And since you were already out to find the girls, I took my chance. The shirt is rather restricting, but the skirt…ahhhh…a guy could get used to this sort of freedom."

Ewwwwww! Please tell me, Miroku, that you are wearing some sort of undergarments under MY skirt! Well, there's another school uniform for the pyre. –Sigh-You have served me well, my uniform, but there is no way in hell I will don you again if Miroku has been free-balling it in you!

And now Miroku is out cold. Thank you Inuyasha. I think I have had enough insight into the one known as Miroku to last me a lifetime. I bet he didn't even see that hit coming, and I bet it will hurt a lot more when he wakes up than Sango's playful bashing of the monk's hard head.

Well I guess, since all the other players have done their part, it is time for me to do mine.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I picked up the two shard fragments from the ground, effectively removing the barrier surrounding me. Inuyasha will, no doubt, pick up my scent right away so I must work quickly.

I focused my miko powers, concentrating on giving the semblance of life to the shaped paper. When I was done, and the magic had taken hold; a Shikigami, which was the perfect replica of Kikyo's soul collectors, flowed out of the magic creating it and began swimming through the air and winding itself about my body.

I could feel Inuyasha's presence approaching. I needed to put the finishing touched on the illusion.

I had already donned the miko garbs and tied my hair loosely at the nape of my neck, allowing a few strands to flow down by my face. I was only missing one thing: the scent of graveyard soil and medicinal herbs.

I pulled the small perfume bottle from one of the many pouches in the garment and sprayed it heavily on myself. Another mixture of my own making. This one still contained my blood and sweat as well as a trace of my miko powers, but instead of those things connected with my scent, I had substituted soil from Kikyo's grave and a few medicinal herbs from Kaede's hut.

Now for the last ingredient: the sex pheromone.

I repeated the process from the last experiment, breaking the small vial and ignoring the uncomfortable feeling of having wet panties, and then waited.

Inuyasha had not been affected by any of the other scenarios that I had presented him with. The pheromone on its own was not enough to elicit a reaction, nor was the pheromone in combination with my scent. The only combination left to try was the one I was least optimistic about.

Kikyo is the one Inuyasha loves. She has always been the one holding his heart, and at one time she may have been his wife. If he believes her to be his mate, then the pheromone may affect him only if it is combined with her scent and not any other.

I could feel him closing in on me. His approach was slow and deliberate, and though I could not see him with my back turned, I knew there was something wrong. I nervously stroked the long, slender back of my Shikigami, and took a deep breath to wait. He was right behind me when he finally spoke.

"Kikyo."

His voice was deep and raspy and terrifying. I knew it was not Inuyasha speaking to me then, it was the beast within him; the beast he has no control over. The pheromone had been effective, even on a hanyou, but its effect was very specific.

And now he had lost control of himself because I had made certain he would by taking Tetsusaiga from him. I had called out another beast because of my experiments, but this time I would not face it alone.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

YEAH! Another experiment! I think I like this one more than any of the others…hehehehe…Miroku, it is just too easy to play with his character XD

I know there may be some people who are angry with me for leaving off with a cliffy, but I have already exceeded my word limit and I wanted the next chapter to stand alone. So, I'm sorry but you'll have to wait. But hey, I never take very long to update so the wait won't be too long :)

Until next time

ShadowsWeaver1

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters I am about to weave into my web of chaos. Any and all definitions have been taken directly from Wikipedia the online encyclopedia because I am far too lazy to do any further research to support my Inuyasha obsession.