more to come


Lord Suki, Soto and Lord Hyde were tasked with checking the southern side of the mountains. They have been searching all day and it was now too dark to continue. Hyde was frowning, this was the 6th cave they were visiting, the first two being empty, the second two housing thousands of disgusting bats and the last one home to a not too friendly giant mole rat. It was pushing about 8 pm and getting later by the second.

" If she is not in here I'm pushing you off this mountain Soto."

The priest just smiled, " I'm pretty quick for a human, trust and believe you'll be falling with me."

The black inu turned to the only human in this trio, " Who do you think you are to speak to me in such a manner. I am demon lord of the entire eastern lands."

Soto raised a brow, not intimidated, " You want a doggy treat."

Hyde was shocked at the audacity of the insult, he stepped forward, " You son of..."

Lord Suki raised his arms, stepping between the two, " Gentlemen please, the enemy is Death, not each other."

Hyde just frowned, glaring at the cocky human, " When this is over, you will answer for your tone."

Soto smiled wide, " But until then watch your mouth mutt."

Hyde growled at him, ready to take his head off, there was a sudden echo in the cave they stood in front of. It was the sound of water softly splashing, Lord Suki glanced to Hyde, " Perhaps there is a waterfall?"

The inu nodded, " We should investigate."

The three nodded in agreement, this was the last cave they were checking for the day, they might as well be thorough.

Walking deeper in the cave, Lord Suki felt a sudden shiver, he frowned, senses now on high alert. Barrier. He paused, looking to the search team he was assigned to, " We should call the others."

Hyde frowned, " For what, we are not sure this is it."

Soto just shook his head at the idiot dog, " You don't feel that?" even his human senses can pick up the thick malice in the air.

The priest pulled out the walkie talkie everyone was given before they separated. Hyde rolled his eyes, stepping forward, " We should first confirm before having everyone rush over here."

Lord Suki followed the younger demon, making Soto do the same though he kept the walkie out. Walking deeper into the cave, the felt more and more of the malicious intent in the air. Standing in the opening, the three men took in the sight of a gorgeous hot spring clearing.

Lord Suki frowned, " Is this it?"

Hyde shrugged, still taking in the sight, " Possibly."

A sudden gasp of air was heard as a head broke the surface of the water, " I made it!" The trio turned to see the woman they were searching for climb out the water, dressed like a cosplay pirate with a large black duffle bag on her back.

Suki smiled as she stood up, soaking wet, " Kagome!"

Blue eyes glanced up, surprised to see people in the man cave, she frowned, pulling out her sword, this can only mean one thing. Pirates! " Stay back! This is my treasure!"

Hyde raised a brow, " What?"

All three men walkies chirped to life, " Anybody see anything?" Souta's voice asked, followed by static.

" Man!"

They all saw her shadow stretch and separate; just as the body took form, Soto raised his walkie and pressed the talk button, " We found her! Do anyone copy?! We found..." he was cut off as blackness surrounded him and his traveling companions.


Souta free climbed up the side of the mountain with a smile on his face. He knew what type of dire situation this was but he couldn't help the exhilarating way his heart pumped at the act of climbing. He remembered when Kagome took him to the indoor rock climbing park and they spent the day racing each other to the top.

With a grunt and a heave, he pulled himself up to a small plateau and looked out over the horizon. This was definitely a beautiful spot to view the sea. They had to be in the right area at least; with that thought in mind, he pulled out the walkie in his pocket.

" Anybody see anything?"

One by one the teams started checking, Sesshomaru being the first, he was teamed with Kikyou and Lord Hampton, " Nothing on the east side."

Tanaka, Tashio and Atomi was teamed up, Tashio speaking for them, " Nothing on the North end either."

Souta sighed with a shake of his head, Gruff and Lord Lemin was still canvasing the area but he knew they weren't going to find her here. He had a six sense when it came to Kagome, he was always able to tell when she was near, and right now, she wasn't. " West is a dead end."

There was silence for a moment, he shook the dread he was feeling off, about to ask where was the last team when the radio sputtered to life.

" We found her! Do anyone copy!? We found..." then static.

Souta jumped up, " Gruff, you heard that!"

Kagome's adopted father was already headed to the south side of the mountain, " Let's go!"

Souta nodded, taking off in a leap to catch up with the others. Jumping in leaps and bounds, Souta saw the others rushing towards the only entrance near the top of the mountain. They landed as a group at the entrance to the cave.

Tashio glanced around at the nine of them before pulling out his walkie, " Suki, you there?"

Static was the only answer, Souta felt a cold ice form in his stomach, he could feel her, " She's here."

Lord Lemin frowned, shaking his head, " There's something odd in the air, I can't sense anything."

Souta swallowed, that block of ice growing colder, his voice a mumble, " She's here."

Kikyou glanced to her younger brother, slightly jealous at the affirmation he was making; she was Kagome's twin after all, she should know her best. " I can't feel her."

" I can." he replied.

Atomi pulled out his walkie, " Soto? Do you copy?"

Again, nothing but static, tension thickened the air when they all heard the static echo deeper in the cave.

Glancing at each other once more, as a group, they made their way down the tunnel. They could see the opening at the end and crept as silently as possible towards it. That odd feeling in the air, now recognized as malevolence. The cave opened up to a large cavern with a hot spring in the center.

Eyes took in the beauty of the hiding gem before Tanaka gasped loudly with a small yelp. They turned, Soto was lying on the ground. In pieces. His walkie next to his head and his foot.

Immediately everyone pulled out their weapons, scanning the area for the devil that killed the member of the council.

A voice echoed through the clearing. " Leave or die."

Gruff shook his head, knowing exactly who was talking, " Where's Kagome?"

A black smoke drifted into the area before it spun in a whirl wind, the shadow of a figure in a hooded robe stepped out from the smoke. His eyes a swirling cloud of white, with a smile showing rows of sharp teeth, " How many of you plan to come for her? How many of you do I have to kill?"

Though he hated the sword, Tashio held So'unga in his hand, it was the strongest weapon they had, " Did you kill Suki and Hyde as well?"

Man grinned, Kikyou thought of a shark, " No, they're in the back, this one just talked too much."

Cautiously Kikyou took a small step forward, " Please give back my sister."

He took a step forward, " Give me a reason."

She swallowed, " We need her."

" Not as much as I do." His tone hard and stern, allowing no argument. It was a threat through and through. He released his aura in a mass explosion, the power as strong as gravity, forcing the group to their knees.

Kikyou swallowed hard again, fear freezing her mind as she laid on the grass. He was like the boogie man, a dark tale purposely meant to frighten and terrorize. Her breathing had gone rapid, she wanted to get away from him, move far away but his aura was clouding her senses. It was so dark and malevolent, it was making her physically sick. They all groaned under the pressure, trying to get back to their feet.

A soft voice filtered in, " Man! Come on already!"

He turned with a smile, the threat in the air gone, " One more minute little pig."

Everyone on the ground gasped for air, finally able to breathe now that the thick cloud of evil subsided. Sesshomaru looked up as Kagome skipped over to them, he raised a brow, what the hell? She was definitely younger than the 24 year old adult they knew. She was at least 14 or 15 years old, dressed in a classic blue Alice costume from Alice in wonderland. Her height now about 5'5 instead of 5'8, her build not of muscle and training like she was before, but more feminine. Her curves softer, much more visible, her breasts were smaller but taking a good form. Her black hair was mid back and pulled into a high ponytail.

With a wide smile, she grabbed her best friend's hand, " I saved you a seat, but I don't want to eat without you." she rubbed her belly, " I'm hungry."

Man patted her head, " I'll be right there little pig."

Souta shook his head, " What did you do to her?!"

Blue eyes turned at the outburst, she blinked; there was a film of white clouding her eyes, " Who are you?"

She glanced to her only friend, " Who are they?" a hand reached down, pulling the gun out of its thigh holster, " Are they here to steal our treasure?"

Man smiled, " No little pig, they want to join the tea party."

She slid the gun back with ease, turning with a smile, " My table only fit 7 and I already have two plus me and Man." she made a face, pulling her gun back up and tapping it on her chin, " I don't like the dog though so I can trade him."

Stepping closer she bent, looking Lord Lemin in his eyes. She shook her head, " Not this one, he has cubs."

Lemin looked surprised at the accurate assumption, " How did you.."

She ignored him and moved over to Atomi and made face, " I don't like this one." she pointed her gun, " I kinda wanna shoot him."

Man just shrugged, " Go ahead."

The gun clapped, ringing in the air, the bullet tearing through Atomi's shoulder. He screamed, falling to the ground, pressing a hand to the wound. Tanaka moved to help him when the gun went off again, shooting her in the leg, " This is my tea party, behave!"

She turned, bending in front of Souta, her clouded eyes stared into his, " I feel like I know you."

He nodded, " I'm your brother."

Her laugh was adorable and childishly, " I don't have a brother, there's only ever just Man and me. But you can stay, I like you."

She looked to Kikyou and immediately shook her head. " What is this, some cheap lookalike?"

Kikyou frowned, " Excuse me?"

She pointed her gun at her twin's head, " I'mma shoot her."

Man just smiled at the violence he loved so much, " Go for it."

" Kagome." Gruff called out, in hopes to distract his daughter, " Do you remember me?"

Kagome turned to him, she stared, the white film in her eyes making it uncomfortable to make eye contact with. She stepped closer to him, her gun lowering, something was tugging at her brain. Gruff was quick, reaching up and grabbing her wrist, his magic sparked and her eyes flashed blue. " Baba?"

He was suddenly thrown by an unseen force clear across the cave, Man was in front of Kagome, a clawed hand on her head. She cuddled into the shadow body, " He hurt my head!"

He raised his arm, his calloused fingers tipped with deadly black claws lovingly stroked the cheek of his ward, a sinister smile on his handsomely horrifying face, " You're okay little pig, let's play some more."

Kagome smiled, nodding, turning to the others that were still on the ground. She stepped forward, raising her gun, " One." she tapped Souta on the head, " Two." she tapped Sesshomaru on the head, " Three." She tapped Tashio on the head, then paused, looking to Gruff as he laid across the clearing, " Four."

She waved her gun, " Follow me!" she smiled, turning in the other direction. Sensing no one following, she turned, a frown on her face, " Man, make them listen!"

The entity smirked, " Of course." raising his hand.

An unseen force, pulled the chosen four through the air like a puppet on a string. Kagome laughed in delight as she turned and skipped her way to the back of her cave.

Man turned to the left over crew, Lord Lemin, Kikyou, Tanaka and Atomi, " Leave or die."

The four glanced at each other before silently agreeing it was best to retreat. Carefully they picked themselves up and walked out of the cave.


Suki sat at a dining table that seemed to stay full of food and drink. Slowly he sipped on a steaming cup of tea, sharp eyes on the dead ones of Lord Hyde. His head hung upside with his collapsed neck.

You should have stayed quiet, he thought, carefully placing the cup back on its coaster. There was a time and place for everything and a smart person understood when he was outmatched and to shut the hell up.

When Kagome had her shadow attack them, they were forced to the ground by a strength he had never felt in all his life. It was already a red flag seeing as Kagome was younger looking than what she should be. Then when she suggested a tea party and the only priest in the group refused, it made Kagome upset and her shadow literally tore Soto apart. That was enough for him to understand he was out of his league and he agreed to her demands.

Kagome was much like a child when she showed them to the dinning area and returned in a new costume. She was smiling as she poured them cups of tea, animatedly talking about all her adventures she been on. Hyde had made the mistake of saying none of her clearly exaggerated stories were true. The claw snapped his neck before Suki could even blink, that is when the phoenix smiled at Kagome, sipped his tea and said, " Tell me more."

He made sure to laugh when she laughed and frown when she frowned, just to keep her shadow at bay. When she suddenly rubbed her tummy, declaring she was hungry and left the room; he thought about trying to sneak out. But he noticed the heavy aura didn't leave with her, meaning to him the shadow was still here.

He glanced to the door as Kagome skipped in humming as Souta, Sesshomaru, Tashio and Gruff were tossed in by invisible strings.

Kagome clapped her hands, " Everyone sit. I'll pour the tea." she picked up the teapot and kicked Hyde out of his seat. A shadow below the body sunk the dead inu into the ground and out of the way.

Slowly the four men sat down, Suki nodded to the others, motioning for them to pick up the cup as Kagome poured. Getting the hint to follow along, they all did the same.

Kagome plopped into the seat at the head of the table, " I am happy so many friends want to have tea with me!"

She reached over and took a biscuit off the platter, " Eat up! The food is magic." She wagged a finger at them, " But no talking with your mouth's full, that's bad manners."

They nodded, watching her load a plate up with treats; Souta cleared his throat, picking up a cookie, " So Kagome..."

Kagome cut herself a slice of cake, " What? And who do you know my name?" she paused, her eyes suddenly narrowing, her shadow extending slowly behind her, " Are you a spy?"

Suki looked at him, shaking his head sharply, clearing indicting that he tread lightly. Souta nodded softly, " No, I'm... a stowaway, from a pirate ship."

Kagome's smile lit up the cave, her shadow settling back into her form, " I'm a pirate too!" she stuffed her mouth with some cake, " I loot and plunder and take all I want!"

Souta laughed forcefully, " That's the life I dream of."

She grinned, picking up her tea cup, " Drink up!"

Everyone raised their glasses in a silent toast, Kagome suddenly laughed, " I was telling Suki all about my pirate adventures. Right Suki?"

The demon nodded, " They are the best adventures I ever heard."

She beamed a smile at him, " I like you, you're much better than that other demon and really pretty to look at."

Suki forced a smile, " You are even more pretty Kagome."

A blushed touched her cheeks, " Can I brush your hair?"

He nodded, knowing he didn't really have a choice, " Of course, I would love that."

Kagome jumped up with a smile, " Okay wait right..." she paused, glancing down for a second and rubbing her stomach. She frowned, the air around her thickening with malice, she glanced back up and her eyes were swirling white, her voice suddenly monotone, " I need to sleep for a while."

They watched her slowly walk out the room before turning to look at each other. Tashio shook his head, " Suki are you alright?"

The demon lord nodded, " Yes, I'm fine."

" What happened to Hyde?"

Suki frowned, " He upset Kagome."

Souta shook his head, " We need to get out of..." Suki tapped his glass loudly to interrupt him, " A toss! To Kagome!"

The four men looked at him with a raised brow, slowly they lifted their glasses in the air. As they did, Suki smiled, " The air is pretty cold in here still huh, too bad Kagome isn't in here to warm it with her smile."

Sesshomaru blinked, confused for a moment, then blinked again. That's right, the aura in the air is still here even though Kagome left the room. That meant one thing, the walls have eyes. They all glanced to each other, understanding slithering across their eyes one at a time. Quietly they sipped at their tea, eyes taking in all they could without suspicion.

A chuckled echoed into the room, " I like this group."

Man separated from the wall, " The last ones never figured out I was always watching." He sat down at the head of the table, his sharp teeth grinning on his face as he folded his clawed hands on his chest. " Events are going to move quickly from this point on; there's no stopping what happen next."

He glanced around the table, " I appreciate how well my host was taken care of, and that is why I offer you this chance to leave now, alive."

Tashio glanced to the being in charge, " And if we stay, what happens?"

The entity smirked, " You watch the world burn by Kagome's side, then watch her become the portal to Hell, then watch me take her home before you perish with the rest of your kind."

A soft whine sounded in the hall as Kagome called for her shadow. He stood, " I am needed elsewhere; leave or stay, the ending result is the same."

He glanced over to the other magic user in the room, " And you, try that trick again on what's mine and I'll make her remember you then kill you in front of her then make her forget you for good."

The 5 people at the table sat in silence for a moment as the shadow slithered into the darkness. Souta sighed heavy, looking down to his plate of food, " What do we do?"

Gruff shook his head, not caring if the shadow was listening or not, " The plan is still the same, we get Kagome away from him."

Souta wiped at tears in his eyes, " How, that, that... thing has full control of over her!"

Tashio touched the boy's shoulder, " Calm yourself, we need to be rational."

Suki frowned, " He's not wrong though."

Sesshomaru spoke up, " Yes he was."

Everyone looked at him, the impassive look on the inu's face remained but his eyes boiled in anger, " He called her his. But she's not..."

Tashio blinked, then his eyes went wide, remembering a certain conversation his son and himself had at a bar, " That's right..." Sesshomaru marked her right after they got married.

The inu looked at his father, knowing he knew what he was talking about, the bond between mates is the most powerful of all. " I can get through to her."

Gruff nodded, " All we need is a moment."

Souta wiped his face once more, he didn't know what the plan was but he knew one thing he was good at was causing a distraction, " I'll do it."


one or two chapters left I think