For the people who still care about my story, sorry I've been away for so long. I was busy with my Harukanaru Toki No Naka De fanfics (they are in Chinese, too) and other stuff. But one of them is already finished and I would have time to work on this story now. I hope to finish this in the next two months or so, I already had the plotline completely planned out. If you have also read my Fushigi Yugi/Inuyasha cross-over, Love That Trancends Time, then I will tell you very regretfully, I have put that story on indefinite hold, meaning there will be little chance of me getting back on it any time soon. But we shall see, cuz you'll never know.
This is a short transitional phase. Things will start happening in the next two chapters. Enjoy!
Story Thus Far (it's wise to read this!)
Kagome and Inuyasha, Princess and Prince of two warring kingdoms, met on the Higurashi feast and it was hate at first sight! After Kagome put a cursed prayer bead necklace on the half dog demon, Inuyasha kidnapped her to look for the priestess who gave her the beads. On the way, Kagome was injured by a demon and an old miko, Lady Kaede, took them in. Meanwhile, their friends Miroku and Sango had given up on the search and went back to the Shikon palace.
Finally, Kagome's conditions improved and she was now able to move around and even help with some Lady Kaede's housework. And it was around this time that Inuyasha showed himself again, pressing for answers.
"So wench, just tell me, who is that wrinkly old lady?" he asked one day as Kagome was picking dried leaves off a bundle of vegetables.
"If I did, what's in it for me?" she asked cleverly.
"Just tell me damn it!"
"Nope!"
"Alright, there's no point asking anyways. Your wounds are healed so we're leaving, right now!" Inuyasha said as he grabbed Kagome's waist.
"Hey, where're you taking me?"
"To a place where we can find that old priestess of course!" said Inuyasha. His grip tightened around Kagome as he prepared to take off.
"No need, Prince Inuyasha. You are currently standing in that place." The door creaked open, and Lady Kaede stood in the doorway.
"Lady Kaede!" Kagome exclaimed in surprise.
The old priestess stood calmly, and said, "Inuyasha, there's no point in keeping this from you any longer. Yes, I'm the priestess that gave Princess Kagome the prayer beads around your neck."
Inuyasha gave her a fanged grin, "So you're the annoying old hag, why haven't I figured this out earlier? Now, if you want to live, tell me how to get these stupid beads off RIGHT NOW!"
Lady Kaede stood her ground, her expressions unchanged, while the dog demon flexed his claws. "I thought a son of the great Inutaisho household would be taught manners as to not to threaten a poor, defenseless old woman. Turns out I was wrong.
"Yes," she continued, "I gave the prayer beads to the Princess for the kindness she had shown me, also for a reason I cannot tell you. At least, not right now. As for the way to take the beads off," the Priestess paused, "there…is none."
"WHAT?" Inuyasha stared at the old woman before him incredulously, "What do you mean there is none?"
"I meant what I said," Lady Kaede replied, "although, if it was you two, maybe there's a chance of finding a way. For even without the beads, your lives are bound together since before your births. It was written in the stars."
"What are you babbling on about you hag? Who wants to be bound to that wench?" Inuyasha's eyes twitched, black lines appeared on his face.
"Inuyasha," a crisp, high-pitched voice chirped from behind him, "SIT!"
"So, no news of my daughter?" asked the emperor. Even though it's only been a few days, he seemed as if he aged ten years. The light of his wise, proud eyes was dulled, and he looked tired and old. He was less like a dignified emperor, and more like a father, worried sick about his child.
"No, Your Majesty, please forgive my uselessness," Sango replied regretfully. Not only was she unable to bring back Kagome, she was keeping secrets from the royal family even now.
"You can go now, and get some rest. It must've been hard searching all these days," Emperor Higurashi dismissed her. His concern made Sango even guiltier. She bowed quickly and fled from the throne room, and when she rushed past Prince Kouga on the way, she didn't even bother to stop.
Miroku sat cross-legged on the straw mattress, deep in (for appears to be) meditation. Darkness ruled the small cave except for the tiny light emanating from a candle beside him. As if intruding the Shikon Royal Palace wasn't bad enough, he had to hide in this small damp rock tunnel in the middle of a water fountain. The tunnel made a great secret escape route for sure. But for a hideout, Miroku expected something much cozier. He broke his meditation with a sigh, at least Sango provided him with blanckets and candles, and brought him food everyday. Still, the hardship was almost too hard to bear. Maybe he could sneak out through the tunnel passageway without a lantern, but he didn't have a single copper coin left in his purse…
There were sounds of light footsteps and the noise of a rock being moved, followed by the pouring of bright sunlight into the tunnel. Miroku blinked, and saw the slim figure of Sango appearing by the tunnel opening, surrounded by light, and holding a basket of food.
"Ah, my goddess!" Miroku rushed over (while bending his back, for the rock ceiling was too low) and hugged her tight, but got a solid slap across the face as soon as his hands wandered down to her oh-so-sensual butt.
"Is this how you show your gratefulness, lecher?" Sango asked, her face twitching.
"Of cours not," said Miroku, grinning, "that was just a little bonus. I missed you, you know."
"Yeah right," sadi Sango, rolling her eyes, but her face turned pink just the same.
"So, how long do I have to stay here for?"
"We'll leave as soon as the army general reports back with the news of Kagome'. Though I doubt that he has any."
"Hmmm, two more days, then," Miroku mumbled as he stuffed a rice ball into his mouth.
"Anyways, are you sure you don't have any clues where Inuyasha had gone?"
"How would I know?" asked Miroku.
"Because you're his friend?" Sango raised her voice impatiently.
"But that doesn't mean I know all of his secrets.!"
…
As the pair bickered away, a dark shadow lurked in the bushes beside the fountain, listening to their careless conversation.
"Inuyasha's friend, huh? Thank you for leading me to him, Miss Taijiya. Hey, you two, keep a close watch on them. I want to know every move they make."
Beside him, two creatures with glowing green eyes accepted the command.