Sango's struggling persisted, and as she attempted to remove his person from her, she felt his naked body pressed up against her, certain features assaulted her body quite intimately.
"Well well…look what I've caught lurking about all alone…" He chuckled. "I kept my word that I would see you again…" With evil intentions, he grabbed her hands with one of his own and held them above her head against the wall, while his free one slid down her form. "You are indeed gorgeous…"
"Stop it! What are you doing?" she kicked at him, but that only seemed to arouse him further. She felt something quite hard against her stomach, and she didn't have to think twice to know what that was. She inwardly barfed.
He chuckled. Annoyed by her constant kicking, he seized her leg, pulling her thigh just over his right hip; his fingers bruised her skin underneath her tight slayer outfit. The sudden shift of position was enough to bring vivid thoughts of ravishing her soft, small body. Ever so slightly, he leaned in so as to take in a long inhale of her sweet scent, and at this he saw her shudder. Sango's constant resistance did not let up; in fact it only boosted his male ego because he had the upper hand. "You may not be aware, but when our people choose a mate, the female has to submit no matter what. Of course she would have to be unclaimed…Why not just give in?" He asked and pressed his lips against her neck. "I can bring you great pleasure…that I can assure you."
"I'm not a prize to be won! Now get off me!"
But hearing her protests, Minarv chuckled. "Oh but my dear you are. You lost to me in the tournament, and therefore that means you belong to me."
Annoyed, Sango gritted her teeth. "It was a sport for fun. Nothing more!"
"My but you are wild," he commented on her relentless struggling. Bending forward, he whispered in to her ear. "Fighting is pointless…Why don't we create our own little fun, right here?" He hand reached down and his fingers rubbed against her intimately and rough. The tight uniform that she wore made the friction more intense and she gasped.
"Don't you dare try anything!" Before she knew what to expect, she found his hand roaming the rest of her virgin body, and at the sudden contact, she thrashed in his hold. She felt very warm suddenly and couldn't take his intimate touches. She almost had the nerve to tighten her legs around his waist, but she couldn't submit to a lecher, especially this creature. When he freed her leg, she then slid it in between his own and without a second to spare, she brought her knee up high.
The sudden painful attack forced a cry from his mouth and he nearly fell over holding himself. What he didn't expect was to find himself on his back with the slayer standing before him quite upset. She was stronger than he first thought.
Not knowing what to say to such a lecher, who was as bad as the monk, Sango turned around and continued on her way, this time her aggravation flared. However she didn't get very far when she felt rough hands grab her ankle and in one forceful jerk, she found herself on the floor, trying to pull herself up. Regrettably weight held her down and it wasn't long before Sango felt the touch of the male upon her yet again. "No! Stop it! I have no interest in becoming your mate!"
Irritated, he grasped her shoulder and roughly turned her around so as to have her look up at him. Minarv straddled her hips, and from her reddened face, he instantly pressed his lips against her own. All the while he ignored her moans of protests and the way her knees kicked at his ribs. He felt the heat emanating from her mouth as his tongue explored her cavern. Her breasts tempted him as they pressed against his chest, and he didn't waste a moment fondling them. Minarv enjoyed the way her body seemed to tremble from his actions.
Sango wanted so badly to barf right now. Her body was currently being ravaged by this Zora…no beast! Why he was as worse as the monk! No matter how much she tried to push him off her, he did not let go. On instant, she bit his tongue, if only to cause small harm so he would release her, and it did, but not the way she expected it to.
He sat up slightly, but he did not allow her to move. With one hand still clutching her own hands, he placed his fingers against his mouth. "That was not nice…why must you fight me? If you just submit it will not be as bad…"
She spit in his face. "I'd rather die than have your filthy hands touching me you lecture!"
Used to her resistance, he leaned towards her face, which in turn caused her to move her head to the side so as to escape his sudden advancement. "I want you to have my eggs."
Thoroughly disgusted by his sudden remark, Sango grimaced at the very thought of having his 'eggs' Just who did he think he was asking such a question to? From what she saw, they were two different species, and for one, there was no way that she would ever bear him any children, not if he was the last male on earth. Repulsed by his commanding words, she felt her eye twitch. "Sorry to disappoint you, but we're from two different worlds. There no way we could possibly be together."
Despite her refusal, he smirked. "Oh but I think you'll change your mind."
"Not likely!" Immediately she flicked her wrists, and her two hidden daggers ripped from her sleeves, and from the surprise of it all, Minarv loosened his grip on her; that was the chance Sango wanted all along. Without a moment to spare, she slashed at him, and in turn, he released her, and with her momentary freedom, she took advantage of it and kicked him so hard he fell back. "I'm not some toy that you can just play with!" She shouted at his stilled form. Still seething with anger, she turned her back and calmly walked away, knowing full well that from his surprised and taken aback expression, he wasn't going to do her any more harm. "Remember that next time you want to harass a girl!"
With his mouth still agape, Minarv smirked, watching her retreating figure round the corner, her hips swaying defiantly and tauntingly at him. She was indeed something interesting. Raising himself up in to a seated position, he shook his head. "What a woman." Indeed he couldn't just let a moment like this pass him up.
OOO
Cornered in the darkened room, the young priestess could do nothing more but stare in to the Zora's eyes, baffled by his sudden shift in behavior. Moments ago he was telling her that it would be best to stay put rather than go out and fight and the next thing she knew, he had her pressed against the wall, staring at her with a strange look in his eyes.
"K-Kauji?"
With thoughts filled with ravishing the maiden before him, Kauji hesitated. Were his actions too forward? From his observing, he regarded her facial features, discerning through the darkness that she was indeed confused by his actions. A hint of fear fell from her countenance. Was it wrong to think romantically of such a creature? Kauji wanted so badly to reach out and caress her soft, delicate, skin, yet at the same time, he held himself back. It was not out of dread that she might reject him, but that she differed from his tribe. Kagome was a land walker, a human being who was meant to live on solid ground, not in the ocean, yet it wasn't entirely impossible for them. As he stood before her, his thoughts conjured up vivid scenarios of their possible future. Like all humans, she would have a right to live on land, maybe even by the beach; that would be beneficial to him, seeing as how he could visit her whenever the need should arise or that he just might want to see her. In his mind, he did not find the idea dissatisfactory, in fact, he found it quite nice.
Thrilled, he decided not to delay any further. Inching towards her petite frame, he lowered his head, his lips nearing her own, yet unfortunately, he abruptly pulled away, practically startled when a familiar voice echoed in the back of his mind.
"Oh? Surely you weren't because of that human woman, were you?" he scoffed at the younger male before him. "You'd be wise not to get way ahead of your thoughts, Kauji. Humans girls are not as subtle as our own,"
"What are you implying, Merek, that I would have some infatuation?" He turned his back to the older male. "What I do is none of your business."
Gulping from his recollection, he managed to place some distance between himself and the girl he supposedly loved. Why had his words flashed in his mind? Was it not enough that he knew his actions were wrong, but wanted to go through with it? Then again, he knew the consequences of his actions, yet he wished it weren't so. If he had attempted to woo her, just like that, Merek, his friends and family would question him and from that only trouble would arise. Also, Kagome most likely didn't feel the same, yet it hoped he was wrong.
"You could do so much better…but I'm afraid you'll only lose your heart along the way…"
Kauji nearly flinched at the words Merek had said afterwards, but he knew that what he was saying was not out of animosity but out of concern. Exhaling a deep sigh, Kauji stepped away from the girl and proceeded to conjure up a reasonable explanation for his sudden actions, yet he was speechless when none formed on his lips. Surely he had invaded her personal boundaries, and she awaited some response.
Baffled, Kagome remained against the wall, staring up at the male who struggled with his own thoughts. When he had cornered her, she did feel some sort of fright. In a way, it reminded her of how Sakon forced her to the wall, yet not as terrible. Kauji didn't have the same hungry look in his eyes; instead, he stared at her with a different look; a look that confused her. Whatever the case, he immediately pulled away, his eyes elsewhere and for that, she was thankful. Kauji didn't seem like the forceful type, and besides, he was a decent guy.
Smiling despite the oddity of what had happened, Kagome waited for Kauji to say something.
Looking back, he sighed again. Automatically, he grabbed her hand, and to her surprise, he pulled her out of the room and in to the main room of the domain.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you think? You're so insistent on fighting, that I have no choice but to keep an eye out for you."
Hearing this, she was taken aback, but she was also ecstatic. He was, however, breaking the rules of his people or that is to say their temporary leader. Of course it wasn't as if he was breaking the law or something. It was a matter of duty, and her friends just so happened to be in the area.
Upon arriving at the scene, Kagome gasped. This was worse than she expected. Multiple mutants were scattered around the vicinity, and innocent Zoras were trying to escape their wrath. Luckily she had yet to see any bodies of the tribe.
Stopping before a couple young Zoras, Kouji stepped ahead of Kagome. "Hand me your bow and arrows."
"What? What for? You already have a sword." The smaller youth scrutinized the older male.
Despite his hesitation, he went on to explain, and as he did, Kagome caught sight of bewildered stares from those young Zoras nearby, watching her as if not certain what she was doing out in the danger zone.
"I don't know…"
Fed up with the waiting, Kagome pushed past Kauji, startling him and she pointed her finger at both of them, her other hand planted on her hip. "You know now's not the time to be picky about who should fight and who shouldn't!" She interrogated. "Hand me one of your bows and arrows."
Not sure what to do, the two merely stared at one another before picking up a fallen bow and a case of arrows. "Alright…but don't let Larith know about this…"
Musing for a moment, Kauji glanced around the room. "Speaking of which, where is the devil?"
"Locked in his room like usual," the younger one replied with a shake of his head. Hearing a fierce growl, he turned and saw one of the foul beasts charging for them. "Watch out!"
Kauji unsheathed his sword and readied for the offending creature, but just as the mutant got within twelve feet of them, an arrow soared by, wrapped by an immense blue light. When it made impact between its eyes, the light was so intense that it completely engulfed the creature and within moments, it fell to the ground before it collapsed in to a heap of ash.
With his mouth opened in wonder, Kauji, as well as the other Zoras in the vicinity, all turned their eyes towards the young maiden, who stood her ground with her bow outstretched and her eyes burning with determination. A land walker had easily destroyed one of the enemies with one blow and a woman at that.
Looking back at the guys, the priestess gave them a reprimanding look. "Don't just stand there staring. Hurry up and fight!"
Obliging, the other Zoras quickly returned to the battle, frightened that she might take her anger out on them.
OOO
Inuyasha groaned. He gave up long ago trying to reach for the piece of iron, and now he simply leaned his head against the bars, his eyes narrowed in frustration. He needed something that would latch onto the offending scrap, but he wasn't sure what to use. For the longest moment, he mused. 'There has to be something I can use…but what?' Immediately, his thoughts were interrupted by something small and green. Blinking from the stupidity of it all, Inuyasha called out. "Hey! Hey!"
Looking over to his left, Tingle let out a delightful gasp. When he had tried to offer his assistance to the gang, an arrow had shot his balloon down and he fell in to the water. Luckily he knew how to swim and after he lost tract of the fairy boy and the kit, he was swept away by the strong currents and in to a strange tunnel. After ambling around for the longest time, he finally came across his good friend Inuyasha.
Joyously, Tingle ran up to his imprisoned friend, staring up at him curiously. "Inuyasha?"
"Good thing you're here! Hurry!" He pointed to the piece of iron lying on the ground in front of the cell. "Get that. I can't reach it."
Looking down below his feet, Tingle handed the iron to his friend, puzzled as to why he was locked up in the cell. "Were you captured?" he asked.
While fumbling with the small iron, Inuyasha snorted. "What does it look like?" Placing it inside the lock and turning it each and every way possible, it clicked and Inuyasha pushed opened the bars that trapped him. "Finally!" Looking at the small paunchy man, Inuyasha gave his first genuine smile. "Good work! It's a good thing you were nearby." Without any hesitation, he dashed up the stairs, leaving the small man behind.
Blushing from his words, Tingle bounced in one place, his hands on either side of his face. A giggle escaped him and he was about to turn and thank Inuyasha, but what he found was an empty room. Noticing that his friend was missing, Tingle chased after. "Wait for me Inuyasha!"
OOO
Miroku sighed as he climbed yet another wooden ladder which would once again lead to another door that would lead them in to another room filled with traps as well as danger. How much longer would it take for them to reach the room Shippo spoke of earlier?
Shippo, who decided to sit on his shoulder, ushered him to hurry up. "Come on Miroku! We're almost there!" He said, although he knew he was probably wrong. It couldn't be that difficult to find the main room, could it? The youth's thoughts wondered to Inuyasha and Link; were they unharmed? Or were they still imprisoned?
After reaching the final step, Miroku heaved himself upon solid ground and regained his footing. Looking around, he found a door right before him, and he resumed to opening it. Once inside, he and Shippo found themselves in a large room filled with many barrels and weaponry.
Cautiously, the monk ambled forward, looking each way for any sign of a threat. Up ahead, he heard the faintest sounds of women conversing, and peeking behind the nearest barrel, he observed them. "Looks like getting past them won't be easy…" he whispered to the child next to his ear.
A chuckle resounded in the room, and Miroku listened with interest. They both crawled forward, their breath's hitched.
"I have to admit I do find it strange that this is happening. First the sky reddens and then there's that eclipse. Do you think the rumors are true?"
"You mean the old legend?"
She nodded. "Yes! Not long back we had that nearing moon. Gosh I thought we were goners!" she said.
"Don't be foolish, there's no way the world could end. Think about it, whenever it seems as if total annihilation is headed straight for us, it ends up going away, as if nothing ever happened."
"Yeah…but…come on, think about it. Nothing like this has ever happened. I remember, before Aveil was appointed leader over us, that there was a raging war; it was brutal. Many of our sisters died. But then, just as you said, something always happens!" She responded. "Like, when that person appeared out of nowhere many years back. Why, we even thought he was our enemy at first, but then he made everything go away!"
"Oh yeah! I remember! My, that wasn't very long ago. I thought he was very charming, yet mysterious in a strange way. I wonder what happened to him?"
The other pirate shrugged. "Who knows? It seems that after he disappeared, our sister, Aveil was elected leader of our tribe, and after that, strange things have been happening…for example, those strange fish that somewhat, yet not entirely, resembles those Zoras."
She nodded. "You got that right. Man are they ugly!"
The youngest pirate sighed and leaned herself against a barrel exhaustedly. "So what about our recent capture?"
"What about them?" The older woman asked. Spotting movement to the side, she turned her eyes away from her friend.
"Well they were awfully young," she replied. For a moment she mused. "Gosh that old perverted man doesn't know when to stop, does he? How many times has he sneaked in?"
Looking back to the girl, she shrugged. After she had scanned the area, she found nothing out of the ordinary and only believed that her eyes were playing tricks on her. "I'm not sure. Too many for me to count."
Moving away from the talkative pirate, the older woman dressed in bright green stepped away and searched her surroundings yet again.
"Why don't you sit down?"
Annoyed, she snapped at the girl who was still lazily sitting. "Our job is not to sit around all day. We're still on duty."
She placed her arms behind her head. "It's not like anyone is going to sneak in."
"You don't know that."
As if to answer her response, four spears, which had stood erected in a fashion, fell over, clanging to the stone floor, easily alerting both women on guard. It had come as such a surprise that the oldest turned around, ready to attack, but what she hadn't expected to see what a man dressed in purpled fabric and a child with a tail? "What the?"
Peeking from behind her, the youngest woman's mouth fell open. "I guess I was wrong?" Her golden eyes glanced at her. "So…what do we do with them? Want to just drop them in the prison?"
She hardly gave her a look. "Are saying that we shouldn't tell Aveil? Think of what she'd do if she found out.
In response to that, she waved her hand dismissively. "She doesn't scare me. Besides they're executing the remaining prisoners later today, if this storm clears." She eyed the now standing man and the trembling child. "Don't look like much a threat to me."
"Alright then."
Miroku glared. "Excuse me! What have you done with our friends?!" He readied his staff.
Shippo cowered behind his leg, his legs trembling. With shaking hands, he lifted his finger and pointed at them. "You let our friends go!"
The younger one canted her head. "Hm?"
At their glares, Shippo clung to Miroku's robes. "O-or else!"
Unable to help herself, the much younger one squealed, her smile brightening up her face. "Awe how cute!"
Sighing at the somewhat childish response, the adult in this situation took a step to the right and reached for the lever sitting innocently next to them. "Sorry to disappoint you, but we're in no mood for a fight. Hope you guys understand." With that, she pulled hard on it, watching as the trap door below Miroku and Shippo suddenly opened. "Who knows, maybe you'll find your friends down there."
Miroku nearly cursed. "Oh no!" Gravity got the best of them, and it was so fast that he and Shippo were unable to move in time. The darkness suddenly engulfed them, and their screams were just loud enough to send shivers up their spines.
"Bye!" she called in to the large space.
OOO
I sing sweet…despair—
I'm waiting for you—
The shackles are tight—
We have lost this fight—
Are we still alone, here in this dark place?
Where is that smile, I long for on your face?
When you are afraid of the past, no worries are gone, just like our past,
But there is that hope that lives in your eyes—
Our saviors today, are you a lie?
I'm drowning right now—
I do not know how,
When you are so near—
My troubles are found,
What is this fear that suffocates us?
Worry and dread, helplessness and lust,
When you are afraid of the past, no worries are gone, just like our past,
But there is that hope that lives in your eyes—
Our saviors today, are you a lie?
The fingers that played the harmonious music fell short, and the player's eyes, including several others, glanced above, hearing male shouts echo throughout the cavern. On impact, something quite pink shielded whoever was falling from acquiring any damage. Perplexed, he and the others merely stepped forward, curious of this new spectacle.
Transforming back in to his regular form, Shippo took a breath. He had not expected to fall down in a trapdoor. In fact, he was prepared to fight against those pirates. "Where are we?" he asked, glancing at the dirtied floor and the barren walls of what appeared to be a cave.
Miroku, who was peering in the opposite direction as the kit, found quite a sight before him. Dozens of female Zoras accumulated the room; they stood a few distances away, as if unsure of whether he and Shippo were a threat or not. Clearing his throat, he stepped forward. "Excuse me, but we have come to rescue you." Off to the side, he noticed an elderly man dressed in a blue overcoat, haggard and frail as he watched the two curiously; from what Tingle had mentioned, an old man, the scientist that had been taken hostage by the pirates must have been the old man there; well, it seemed they found everyone, thank goodness.
Shippo gasped. "I can't believe that trapdoor led us here!"
A male stepped out of the swarm of girls, and stood before Miroku, a pleasant smile graced his face. "Thank the heavens! We've been waiting for some time!" In one hand he held his skeletal guitar, which was baffling to the monk and the kit, and with his free hand, he shook Miroku's hand. "My name is Japas. We were all captured trying to escape those fiends, and we'd almost given up hope."
"Do not worry. We shall return you to your people," The monk explained. Feeling a tug on his robes, he glanced down.
The crowed suddenly separated and allowed an aged old Zora, who walked towards them slowly. Tired eyes were half closed, and dull, but his voice was strong, despite his features. "Are you the heroes who have come to save us?"
Miroku nodded and lowered his head respectfully. "Yes, but the others are watching over your people, and I do believe that a couple of our friends are within this fortress somewhere."
"My people thank you for your kindness…"
On sudden realization, the child beside Miroku's feet pulled at his robes. "How are we going to save them when we're also trapped?"
Miroku sweat dropped. "Do not fear. I'm sure there's a way to escape." He eyed their surroundings. What encircled them were cavern walls, and a small body of still water. "Hm…" Stepping forward, he crossed through the throng of women as they cleared a way for him. Once on the other side of the room, he placed his palm on the stone wall. "Shippo, I'm going to need your help on this one."
OOO
"I take back what I said!" Inuyasha cursed. No matter which direction he turned, he could not find his way back to the main room. And if that wasn't bad enough, now he had that little guy following him. Could his day get any worse? Well, he did get him out of the cell, and for that he was thankful, but still, he didn't have all day to chat about fairies.
"I'm not sure why a fairy hasn't come to me…even though I've waited and waited…"
After managing to creep through hall after hall, Inuyasha found each and every one empty. 'Damn it! Where did that brat run off too?'
"Inuyasha? Hey…Inuyasha…Inu—"
"What?!" he asked quite loudly before cursing. He hadn't meant to raise his voice, but fortunately no one was around to hear that. "Will you stop bothering me! Listen, I don't care about some dumb fairies, ok? If you're going to follow me, then keep quiet, or better yet make yourself useful." With that he walked away, opening doors and searching through other rooms.
OOO
A loud explosion suddenly filled the underwater cavern, and large debris fell away as well as part of the wall. Shippo had used his explosives, just as Miroku had wanted, and to their relief, it was a success.
"It worked!" The child awed. He looked at the opened path leading to a number of stairs in to the next room. Inside, there was also two other cells, only they were empty.
Japas looked upon the ceiling warily. "It's a wonder the whole cavern didn't cave in..." he looked to the smiling monk. "How did you know just where to make the explosion?"
A weak laughed left Miroku, as he scratched his head in a strange manner. "Uh well…monk's intuition, I suppose."
Shippo narrowed his eyes. "In other words, you guessed!"
"Now Shippo, why would you say that?" He shushed the child. "Well, let's hurry along!"
A few Zoras ran up to Miroku and threw their arms around him lovingly. "You have our thanks!" At the same time, they both kissed him on each of his cheek. Miroku had the urge to return the favor, but from Shippo's glare, he held back, his hands fell to his side.
Japas hurried the females out of the cavern in an orderly fashion, and Miroku and Shippo led the way. It wouldn't be long until they got out of this place for good.
OOO
After finally sneaking past several guards, Link managed to reach the throne room by entering through the servant's hall. There were two entrances in to the main room; one entry way was through the main door or you could bypass through the back rooms, and sneak inside without alerting anyone; that was the best course of stealth Link chose. Only a fool would try to go through the huge door.
Because no one was in the vicinity of the hall, he held his back against the wall and looked inside the giant furnished room. Inside, the leader of the tribe, Aveil, sat alone, distracted by her septor. What puzzled Link was the strange aura emanating off the staff, and it left him with an odd feeling.
"How long does it take those beasts to slaughter that pathetic tribe?" She muttered to herself quite annoyed. With delight, she ran her hands over the darkened orb, laughing as if something had happened. "With this, those Zoras are as good as dead."
Link glared. So that was how she managed to control those mutants. That staff was controlled by strange magic. Stealthily, he ducked in to the room, positioning himself behind a large chest. That staff was too dangerous and he intended to take it from her. Although the pendant was also important, so was the staff. If he could manage to take it when she wasn't looking, then he might have a chance of also taking the pendant.
Suddenly, Aveil placed the septor down and removed herself from her chair. Afterwards, she stretched her arms above her head, with her back to him. Taking this opportunity, Link darted towards the chair and just as she was about to turn around, he concealed his self behind the throne. With a quiet sigh, Link sneaked a glance at the woman, whose back was still turned away from him.
Seeing the rod leaning against the chair itself, Link reached his hands out to grasp it. Just as his fingers brushed against the cool surface, the door slammed open, and Link pulled away out of shock.
The sudden noise shifted Aveil's attention and she grasped her septor before turning towards the intruder. "What?! How did you escape?!"
Inuyasha eyed the woman threateningly. "You got a lot of nerve locking me up!" He stomped towards her menacingly. "Now I'm pissed!"
From his hiding place, Link sweat dropped. Did Inuyasha really have to interrupt just when he was about to grab the staff, the root of Great Bay's problems? 'Fool!'
Stepping back from the irate male, Aveil pointed her septor at him. "Guards! We have an intruder!" she shouted.
Cursing, Inuyasha was just about to jump the woman, but she sidestepped him and with her staff, and fired a strange energy ball at him, knocking him off his feet. "Men are such foolish creatures."
Inuyasha was immediately detained by two senates, and he struggled again in their grasp. Of course he wasn't going to make it easy for them as he did put up a fight. "Get your damned hands off me!"
Because the threat was taken care of, Aveil took a seat, relaxing in to the soft cushions, all the while laughing at him. "My but you are feisty! How on earth did you manage to escape?"
Inuyasha's struggling persisted. "What does it matter? I'm here aren't I? The hell do you think you're up to?! Why are you so intent on bothering the tribe?"
Aveil arched a brow. "Haven't you figured it out yet?"
"What?"
Once again, she laughed, especially at his stupidity. "Fool! That was merely a ploy to lure you all here…unfortunately not all of you are present…" She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "No matter, that is already being dealt with."
Inuyasha feared for his friends' safety. 'They're in trouble! Kagome…' With all his might, Inuyasha managed to push one of the women off him and with his free hand, he punched the other quite hard. The second he was free, he charged at Aveil. "You're going to pay!"
Despite his attack, Aveil laughed, and once again aimed her septor at the loud-mouthed male. "Oh, you think so? Why don't you just die?!"
A blast of fire was thrown in his direction, yet he managed to jump out of the impact. After he landed on his feet, he yet again charged at her, but with her staff filled with magic, she threw more attacks at him. "Damn!" This time, he was sent sprawled on the ground, a pained expression gracing his features.
"Mistress, let us handle this male!" One of the senates declared. She sauntered up to Inuyasha and lowered her spear at his throat, while the other one stood beside her ready to strike him if he made a move to attack.
"You may relax, my lady! He can't do anything to harm you!" The other explained.
Seeing this, Aveil sat down in her chair, amused by her sentries and placed the septor down against the chair. She then leaned in to the comfort of her soft cushions, smiling at the scene before her.
As he sat up, with the weapon still aimed for his throat, Inuyasha noticed movement behind the chair in which Aveil was seated. Looking closely, he noticed familiar blond hair and blue eyes of a certain youth. 'What is he doing?' He watched as Link slowly reached out to grab the septor, which sat against the chair innocently. Immediately, Inuyasha understood. 'So that's what you're up to...'
"Die!"
As the spear closed in on Inuyasha, he rolled out of harm's way, and thankfully the attack missed. Regrettably, he was yet again seized and this time there was no way for him to escape. They yelled at his ignorance and Inuyasha could do nothing but watch as both spears plummeted towards him.
The attack never came, and the girls' were suddenly overcome with great shock. Inuyasha, who had awaited his death, suddenly looked upon the reason for their strange behavior. What he saw made him grin.
"Ladies, ladies, can't we settle this like civilized people?" A familiar voice asked while simultaneously groping them from behind. On his face he wore a pleasant smile. How he showed up like he did, Inuyasha and everyone else did not know. Even Link, who had reached for his boomerang to help the male had faltered in his attack and sweat dropped at the scene. Link face palmed. Now was seriously not the time for this.
One minute Miroku was smiling innocently behind them and the next he was at their feet, their spears pointed and ready to kill. He weakly laughed at his situation, while Inuyasha breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why you disgusting pervert!"
"How did he get in?!"
Attempting to back away, Miroku's smile remained. "I mean you no harm…"
Embarrassed by what this man had just done to them, they both, in unison, raised their sharp blades and at that life threatening moment, Miroku suddenly crawled away with a panicked expression.
After he escaped their attack, he settled beside Inuyasha out of breath. "Shippo wasn't kidding about them…Are you okay, Inuyasha?" he asked, noticing the bruises on his face.
Inuyasha nodded. "So far…took you long enough!"
"My apologies…" He leaned down to whisper in to his companion's ear. "We have found the prisoners. Shippo is leading them outside as speak," he explained, and at this, Inuyasha smirked.
"There's one problem solved…now we have to deal with that…"
Miroku looked in Inuyasha's general direction and nearly stepped back in shock. What he saw was a gorgeous woman of great beauty that he had ever seen before. Why she certainly almost rivaled the Great Fairy. He looked upon her slender form, eyeing the cloth that covered her breasts and the ruby hanging by a golden chain upon her forehead. Her eyes, though they threateningly glared at him, were amber. What really caught his eye was her flaming scarlet hair.
While he seemed unable to look away from her, he was overcome by something quite sinister. His eyes fell on the golden staff, and emanating from it was an ominous power, the same power he sensed a while back. "Inuyasha…do you sense that?"
He nodded. "Yeah…I'm guessing that's the cause of everything here…" he whispered back.
Aveil chuckled, earning their attention. "I was waiting for you to show up monk…I see you have found the prisoners?"
Miroku narrowed his gaze. "What would make you think that?"
In response, she laughed. "You're little friend is not present…Did you honestly believe it would be so easy to get in and out of my home?" She questioned. "Men are such simple creatures…"
Perspiration fell from Inuyasha's brow. This was not good. Somehow she knew about their coming and rescuing the remaining tribe. He had a feeling that there was more to that staff then just blasting energy balls at its targets. "What are you after?"
Again she laughed. "Now why would I waste my breath explaining?" Upon noticing their glares, she mused. "If you can defeat me…then…I'll consider letting you freely escape."
Unconvinced, Miroku stepped forward. "You expect us to believe that?"
Inuyasha nodded. "The minute we turn our back, you'll kill us! You're not getting rid of us that easily!"
"Oh…so you're smarter than I gave you credit…Have you come for this?" She reached in to her chest and pulled out a small pendant with a sapphire jewel imbedded in the center.
Because Aveil had yet to release the staff, Link was still unable to reach for it. Looking behind the chair, he watched the scene unravel. Several guards crowded the room, and surrounded both Miroku and Inuyasha who stood back to back. There was nothing Link could do without blowing his cover. For now, he would wait until Aveil released the staff. For now, the guys were on their own.
Puzzled, Miroku whispered in to Inuyasha's ear. "Where is Link?"
Inuyasha nodded his head in to Aveil's direction, and it took Miroku a minute or two to figure it out. When he spotted a couple fingers somewhat hidden behind the legs of the chair, he understood.
"We need to create a diversion…" Inuyasha whispered but Miroku already had an idea.
"Leave it to me, Inuyasha."
Due to his reply, he scrutinized the monk warily. "What are you planning?" If he knew Miroku, he knew the distraction would prove excellent, after all, he was able to con several headmen in the past about a 'supposed' demon that had taken over their home, or he had used Shippo a few times as a decoy while he and everyone made their escape. What did the monk have up his sleeve now? What would be his part in the diversion
OOO
Meanwhile, Shippo did his best to lead all of the Zoras to safety. At the moment, they ran through a long corridor with the exit just ahead. Having already gone through the layout of this fortress, he knew the correct way out, but unfortunately he could not run fast enough. Several times, Japas had volunteered to carry Shippo, but the child refused, and had explained that he was just fine; that was not the case. Out of breath and quite feverish, Shippo's eyesight suddenly darkened. Numbness swept over his form and his wobbly legs gave out.
Immediately, the women stopped and huddled around the fallen kit worriedly. On close inspection, they noticed his ragged breathing and his feverish face. The child was sick, and they blamed themselves for believing that he would lead them out, even though the task was quite a challenge.
Japas swept the tyke in to his arms and grasped a long piece of white fabric from the nearest table and wrapped it around Shippo's shaken form. "Poor thing…We have to get you some medicine…"
"I-I'm…O-okay…" He weakly voiced. He attempted to ease his way out of Japas's arms, but he failed miserably. Instead of putting up a fight, he rested his head against the Zora.
Japas shook his head. "I don't think so. Just rest." With that said, he rushed off in the general direction they had followed. After braving the hallway without any confrontations, they found themselves overwhelmed by the strong winds and thunder. If that wasn't enough to startle them, then it must have been the massive whirlpool right below them, spinning out of control in the center of the lake.
Japas mused. 'Wait…did I go the wrong way?' he wondered. Their surroundings certainly looked familiar. On closer scrutiny, he realized that they were in the right place. Glancing around, Japas understood. By accident, they had taken what might have seemed like the wrong path, but in fact, it led them outside next to a railing overlooking the Lake.
Shippo sneezed, and automatically, Japas pulled the fabric over him to shield him from the rain. It seemed there was no way for them to continue on since there was no way of getting past that vortex below them, and it wouldn't be good if Shippo were out in this weather for much longer.
"Everyone!" Japas caught the ears of all the females around him. "Back inside!" he ordered. After everyone gathered back in to the warm hall, they found that danger lurked right before them.
"You there! How did you escape?!"
Frightened, the Zoras found themselves trapped yet again, only this time they were trapped between a raging vortex and several upset pirates bearing sharp weapons.
OOO
Without the slightest bit of fear, the monk sauntered forward; his ever present smile graced his expression. Sure he was slightly fearful of these amazons, but he would muster up his courage to distract them.
On instinct, the women bared their teeth and readied their weapons. This male had the audacity to calmly walk towards them without any hint of fear present on his countenance. Just what was he up to? The smile caught them off guard, and his intentions were baffling to them.
"Ladies, ladies, I have a request. I, Miroku, a humble man, offer you the chance of bearing my children! Who will be the first?"
A twitch developed under Inuyasha's right eye, and he had the urge to sigh loudly. Instead of calling the monk out, he shook his head. Even though it was a distraction, Inuyasha knew he should have seen it coming. If it worked, then that was good. Just as long as the 'holy' monk didn't get himself in to any 'trouble,' then they would be alright.
In response to his sudden bold declaration, they each took a step back, baffled and clearly taken back from his words. Had they heard him correctly? Did this male actually ask to father their children?
Positively annoyed, one woman in particular darted towards the monk and latched onto his robes. "Just who do you take us for?!" Did he believe they were that easy? Well he had another thing coming.
Charmingly, Miroku grasped her hand and stared deeply in to her eyes. He took notice of her bright red hair that cascaded own her lower back and the sensual curl that rested just over her ear. "Would I lie to such a beauty?"
Aveil arched her brow at this man's strange behavior, and she nearly rolled her eyes when the women in the room were blushing profusely. Given that they hadn't been with a man in ages, she should have expected something of the sort to happen. Absentmindedly, she watched the scene unfold.
Breaking from her sudden trance, she instantly smacked the monk across the face. "D-don't touch me!"
Oh how that smack brought back memories. Rather than recoil from her, he kneeled before her and gazed upon the standing woman. Slowly, he reached for her hand, and though she hesitated, she stepped away.
"If you touch me…" she warned, but before she could hit him, her hand was already in his grasp. A blush spread across her face when the male placed his lips upon the back of her hand. Just as that had happened he pulled away and regained his standing.
Briefly, he pondered. Looking from girl to girl, he couldn't tell which was the most beautiful. " You're all so very beautiful that I just can't make up my mind…so then…I would be honored if you would all bear my children, so that I might die a happy man!" he suddenly exclaimed joyously.
Link frowned deeply. Was that the best the monk could come up with?
"Hey! The hell do you think you're doing Miroku?!" Inuyasha suddenly yelled, startling the monk and everyone else from their own thoughts. "Now's not the time to flirt!"
Miroku smiled. "Now Inuyasha, we can't just pass an opportunity like this. I mean, look at them. Aren't they gorgeous?"
Inuyasha growled. "God damn it Miroku! You can't go one day without being a lecher, can you? We got more important things to worry about! Now get your ass over here!"
As if he hadn't heard his demand, Miroku went about staring lovingly in to another woman's eyes. "Are those real rubies?" he asked. "They flatter you well."
"Hey!" That was it. Inuyasha marched himself right over to the distracted monk and grabbed him by the collar of his robes and turned him around so that he looked right in to his angry eyes.
"Ah…Inuyasha…there's no need to get upset…" Miroku leaned in to Inuyasha and whispered so that no one else would hear. "Good job. They seem to be buying it."
"Oh really?!" Inuyasha shook the monk harshly. "You know, Sango would have you in your grave if she saw you talking to those girls!" He blurted. He too leaned in to Miroku, and from afar, it seemed like he was threatening the monk. "So far…"
For a moment, Link mused to himself, and it didn't take him long enough to get the big picture. So it was all a distraction, Miroku's perversion and Inuyasha calling the monk out and threatening him. They were helping him? Wow, he hadn't seen that coming.
Aveil laughed as Inuyasha swung at Miroku, and it was enough that she released her hold on her magic staff and leaned further in to the cushions. How long had it been since she had some decent entertainment? The incessant screaming from the monk pleased her, and the fury in the other male's eyes brought a smile to her lips.
Seeing his chance, Link reached out and this time, he succeeded. Swiftly, he latched onto the cold surface of the rod and backed away while her attention was focused on the fight. Now that he held this, he sensed the evil seeping from the crystalized orb.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a hand reach for her staff, and although it completely shocked her, she was unable to take it back in time. With indignation, she leapt out of her throne and glared at the blonde youth responsible. "You! How dare you take what belongs to me!" Her voice was so loud that it shifted everyone's attention onto her, and Miroku and Inuyasha had to stop mid-fight to watch the scene unravel.
Inuyasha smirked. "He got it!" Seeing his chance, Inuyasha and Miroku, took action and ran towards the woman in charge, but she barely gave them a glance. Before either could get within feet of her, their path was blocked.