"I suppose, you have a really good explanation for this!" Sakura's voice was calm and non-interested but yoko knew better. She had to be pissed off. And it wasn't because of mud, which magically appeared in her room or that trap plant which Kurama planted before her window. No, it was because of a little human child. That boy was seven years old with big brown eyes, which didn't stop shed tears since he came to Sesshomaru's palace. To be honest he didn't came there on his own will. Some guards find him nearby and bring him here. They left him with Kurama who wasn't able get some information from him. The boy was too terrified for answering any questions. In the end Kurama lost his patience and punched him into his head. Unfortunately, at this moment Sakura walked in. The kitsune breathed out and tried calm down his growing irritation.
This is going on my nerves. Maybe I should try to drug him. It would be quicker.
"The guards brought him here a few hours ago. I can't find out anything about him because he only crying like a child!"
Sakura rose one of her eyebrows.
"He IS a child if you didn't notice it, Kurama!" her answer was quite spiteful. Kurama sent her one dark glare and started thinking about some herbs, which would calm the child down. Before it, Sakura sat down and took the boy into her arms.
"It's alright, little one. Kurama isn't cruel, he's only stupid." She sent a sweet smile to Kurama and ignored his wry look. As she continued to stroke the boy's hair, he slowly calmed down.
"What's your name?" she asked when he stopped cry.
"Nurumu."
"Nice to meet you, Nurumu. I'm Sakura. Higurashi Sakura. Can you tell me what happened?"
"A yokai attacked our village. Most of our people died. I was scared, so I ran out from there and then I got here." He started cry again while Sakura had sorrow in her face.
"Where is your village?"
"Only a day from here."
"Alright then." Sakura stood up and helped to Nurumu on his feet.
"Can you show me the way? I would like to see it." When she started walking Kurama grabbed her for the obi and stopped her.
"Not so fast, sweetheart! Hey, boy! Do you know why that demon attacked your village?"
"He was asking people for the Shikon no Tama's shards." Nurumu answered while he was hiding himself beyond Sakura. Kurama turned his gaze to her.
"You are staying here. I will check it out!"
"Since when are you bossing me around?" Sakura snapped at him angrily. His eyes were cold and serious.
"Since Sesshomaru isn't here. Get use on it!"
"You arrogant jerk! Why should I stay here? I would like to know at least one GOOD reason!"
"The demons going after the Shikon no Tama are mostly very powerful!"
"And does it matter?"
"You are not afraid?"
"The only person who I'm seriously afraid is YOU!" she said through her clenched teeth. The smirk on his face was now forced but Sakura didn't notice it.
"The you are going with me but you will do as I tell you. Unless you want to go home in a coffin!"
She looked like she would wanted to tell him something about his behaviour but his serious golden-eyed look silenced her. She murmured something under her breath but didn't argue. The both of them left the palace immediately leaving Nurumu in Rin's care. Outside of the palace Kurama took Sakura into his arms. On his back appeared two big leaves, reminding butterfly's wings, and with it Kurama flew up to sky.
In a garden, when was Rin with her new playmate, Nurumu's eyes for a moment changed to red.
Sakura was safely in Kurama's arms but that didn't prevent her form looking. The two hundred feet under her was quite disturbing. Soon, she found herself drew closer to Yoko's body. It wasn't as if she was afraid of height but this was too much even for her.
Kurama smirked when he felt her snuggled in his embrace. He tightened his grip around her, when he broke down. Their falling was quick and intense. Sakura almost screamed. To prevent such humiliation she bit her lip to blood.
"Was it really so horrible?" asked her Kurama suspiciously.
"Don't. Ever. Do. It. Again!" she had to breathe in with every word she told him. Kurama smirked at her pale cheeks and wide eyes.
"And I thought that you don't like my presence."
Sakura gave him a dirty look before she turned to the village. The cluster of ruined huts was a terrible view. Everywhere was corpses of people and animals. The bodies were ripped to pieces and the air was full of heavy smell of blood. Sakura still felt dizzy from fly with Kurama, almost faith. A strong arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and held her still. Sakura looked up to Kurama, whose face was full of worries.
"Something is wrong. Be careful around here!"
For Sakura was everything wrong. Death bodies and ruined huts were proof of it. After she get herself together she started sensed other things too. The first thing she noticed was that Kurama was right. Nurumu told them that his village is a half-day away from palace. Nurumu spent a few hours in a palace. Now was almost noon of second day. But everything here looked like if it was before a half of hour. Something was definitely wrong through smoke Sakura didn't see anything for more than a few feet.
"Kurama, can you see someone alive?" she didn't believe in positive answer.
"No, everyone and everything here is death. Don't go anywhere alone, Sakura! I'm starting think this is a trap." He waited for her nod and then together they started looking around. The smoke was more and more thick. Sakura was coughing and had to cover her mouth to avoid breathed more. It wasn't helping. Sakura's head was hurting and spinning from heavy smell. She didn't know how but she was on her knees gasping for air.
She didn't know where Kurama is.
She didn't know where She is.
Her lugs cried in agony and desperate needs for air. The smoke cause pain in her eyes and she wasn't sure how long she would be able to stay conscious. Then she couldn't see anymore. She tried to call Kurama but it was useless. In her own cough she couldn't hear anymore.
"KAZAANA!"
The smoke was now gone and Sakura slowly got herself together. Her eyes were still full of tears but slowly she started see. The view left her speechless. One young man in a monk's clothes, one girl in a kimono with a large boomerang on her back, a cat of impressive size, a little kitsune with red hair, one boy with white hair and dog ears and…
"HOLY SHIT!"
"OSUWARI!"
A few moments ago
"Miroku, you pervert!"
Kagome and Shippo laughed when Sango's hand hit Miroku's face. Inuyasha made some 'Feh' and didn't say anything else, but Kagome could see the small smile on his lips.
"Miroku will never learn!" said Shippo from his place on Kagome's shoulder.
"Yeah, I know. That's what is so funny on him!" Kagome answered. She started giggling again but stopped when she saw Inuyasha sniffing in air.
"What's the matter, Inuyasha?"
"I can smell smoke and blood. It's nearby." At these words everyone started run with Inuyasha. They all knew what that is meant. Some was killed.
When they reached the village Inuyasha cursed.
"Naraku's scent. Miroku, can you use Kazaana to clear the smoke?"
"Of course, I can. Stay aside everyone!" Miroku took the seal from his hand and his friends stood behind him.
"KAZAANA!"
The smoke was sucked into an air void in Miroku's palm and they could see what happened in there. Inuyasha looked around and his golden eyes stopped at coughing girl in a dirty kimono. That girl raised her head up and Inuyasha gasped for air. She almost looked like….
"Kikyo…" his whisper was silent, but still was heard by the wrong person. Kagome red in her face from the name of her love rival yelled at Inuyasha. Her yell collided with another one.
"HOLY SHIT!"
"OSUWARI!"
Sakura frowned at Kurama who held a bowl with some disgusting liquid. The first surprise at seeing her younger sister here was almost gone and now Sakura must deal with her friends and angry Kurama.
"What is this?"
"It makes you feel better!"
"I asked 'what is this', not what it do to me!"
"Just drink it."
Sakura looked at her inner list of possible answers at his demand and then she decided for a simple classic.
"No!"
Kurama took another deep breath and continued to stare at her. Kagome's gaze travel between them and she tried to understand what her sister was doing here. The feudal era was the last place (or time) where she would expect her sister, after her mystical disappearing. It was six weeks now and their mother was almost mad from worries. And now here her sister is. In the middle of feudal era, with a gorgeous demon as a company.
"Maybe you should drink it, Sakura. You really don't look very well." Kagome was sure that her sister is too stubborn to drink it, but still she wanted to try. From Sakura's glare she shivered. Her friends were nearby and looked after Inuyasha who was still angry for Kagome's 'osuwari'.
"Of course I don't look very well, Kagome! The smoke was horrible. I'm sure I will feel much better after awhile WITHOUT Kurama's potions." She sent a side look to kitsune who looked angrier then before.
Who knows what fret him this time! Thought Sakura.
"You can introduce me your friend. I'm fine enough." With that she definitely refuse to drink Kurama's potion and he gave up. When Kagome's friends came closer, Kurama frowned at Inuyasha but didn't say anything. Kagome started introducing them and Sakura nodded at every name. The last was Miroku who grabbed her hand and asked her his usual question.
"Sakura-sama, will you bear my child?" after he finished he earned an angry look from Sango, almost a growl from Kurama, a sigh from Kagome and Shippo and blow to the head from Inuyasha. Sakura sweetly smiled at him.
"Sorry, pretty-boy, I'm not interested in idiots!" she snapped her hand from his grip and turned to Kagome.
"Anyway, jokes aside." Sakura frowned. "How did you get here?" she asked her sister, little spark of hope in her mind.
"I'm travelling here through the old well in our shrine." The hope in Sakura disappeared and she sighed.
"What's the matter, sis? You can always return back with me through the well!"
"No, Kagome. I don't think so." Sakura started rub back of her head. "The magic which allows you to travel through time is quite strict. The same way as you came here, you can return, but not otherwise."
"Since when you know about magic?" Asked Kagome and looked at her sister. Sakura sighed.
"Kira wasn't only a mean old priest. If you shut up and listened him, you could learn something."
Kagome gave her a side look at this statement.
"You didn't tell me that you was staying in Kira's house. Why didn't you tell me about it?"
"The thing in your head is a brain. Surprise me and use it!" said Sakura spitefully. "Do you really think that mother would let me stay in his house? No way…."
"Can you two stopped with this stupid chattering? We need to find out why is everywhere Naraku's scent!" yelled Inuyasha who ran out of his patience. That wasn't a big deal, because he hadn't too much of it. Sakura looked at her sister and raised one eyebrow. Kagome sighed and turned to angry hanyou.
"Inuyasha, we didn't find Naraku or some of his puppets anywhere around so please calm down, OK?" she turned to Kurama who was watching suspiciously Inuyasha, a frown on his face.
"Ehm, something is matter, Kurama-kun?" she asked him worriedly. She could easily see the way he looked at her sister and she still remembered the growl, which he gave to Miroku.
"Hey, are you related to Sesshomaru?" asked Kurama instead answering Kagome's question. Inuyasha's face turned red on mention of his half-brother and he barked at the tall kitsune.
"That bastard is my half-brother. Why are you asking? Are you his friend or what?" Inuyasha continued and put his hand on Tetsusaiga. Sakura, at this statement dropped her jaw and stared in utter shock.
The great lord Sesshomaru is brother of this manner less brat? That lord Sesshomaru who is true gentleman (sometimes) and unbelievable cool guy? The smoke must affect me worse than I expected. Hell, I am starting to hear things! This simple isn't possible!
"Are you kidding me?" said Sakura aloud towards Inuyasha. The others looked at her and she quickly shook her head. That wasn't a good idea because the pain returned in full force. Before she could do anything, Kurama took advantage on her situation and made her drink his potion. Sakura started cough and made faces because of the bitter taste.
"I will kill you for this, Kurama!" she swore and sent him a death in her eyes.
"I would love to see you try!" replied smirking Kurama. The atmosphere around changed rapidly when everyone started laughed. Everyone except Sakura who looked as mean as Inuyasha usually did. When Kagome wiped tears of laugh from her eyes she asked to Sakura.
"What are you doing at this place anyway? Did you were here before the attack?"
"No. To Sesshomaru's palace came a small boy who lived here and told us about this village was attacked. So we came here to check it out. Then I was trapped in the strange smoke. I'm starting thinking that it wasn't accident after all. That boy said it was a few days ago, but it seems too fresh to me."
"Well, Naraku using many of his puppet to do a dirt work for him. That boy could be one of them." Kagome stopped and then looked at her sister.
"Can you tell me what exactly did you mean by 'Sesshomaru's palace'?" her voice was curious.
"I've been living in his palace for six weeks now. He promised me to help me return back to our time. But week ago, he must go somewhere so he hadn't time to finish the spell." She sighed and turned to speechless Inuyasha.
"And what exactly is YOUR problem?"
"You have been living with the biggest fucking bastard in the world and you asking ME what's my problem?" he yelled back at her.
"Actually, you brother is very polite person. More polite than some others who I know!" her angry look turned to Kurama and Miroku, but both of them pretend not to see it.
"And who the hell is Naraku?" Kagome told her the whole story and took out the piece of Shikon no Tama she had. To Sakura it looked like more than a half of a glass ball. On her face appeared a doubting frown.
"And this trinket should grand you a wish? Sorry, Kag, but that's the lamest thing I've ever heard."
"Why? Don't you have any big wish?"
"I don't need any trinket to grant my wishes. Everything I wish for I can get by my own power. Anyway, you said that the guy Naraku is after the Shikon no Tama? Hmm, if is really true that Inuyasha can smell him," she ignored his 'Keh' and calmly continued. "…then I don't understand what he wanted to doing here in this village. If he wanted just to destroyed it and kill everyone in sight…" Sakura's eyes widened when she realized something. That thought was so simply and still so obvious that she completely passed it in her mind. She turned to Kurama who got the same thought at the same time.
"RIN!"
Really, really thanks for reviews. I didn't know I have so poor grammar. Well, I knew it's bad, but so much? But don't worry I'm systematically working on it. Feel free and tell me where I'm doing the mistakes so I will be able to fix it. Another reviews are welcome.