CHAPTER 32

TO ARMS!

Goose bumps were running up and down her spine and Kagome was trying to get some distance but she backed into something solid. With her heart in her throat she whirled around to a pair of glowing eyes that sent her blood scurrying in fear all the way down to her toes.

Those eyes…

What the…? She cocked her head on the side, brows bunching. No way! Is this a mirage? My eyes are playing tricks on me. "Damn,' she whispered, her voice sound hollow, the glow on her hands flickered off, the mission she came down here for forgotten. "Oh no…" She ran a clammy hand on her face. "I'm in even bigger trouble. The hell! I'm beginning to see things in this place." She began gesturing about while she walked around the mirage. "Dammit! Of all the people in the world why, oh why, did you have to conjure that…that…self-absorbed stiff who thinks he's the kami's gift to creation." Kagome stepped back once more, shaking her head in total disappointment at herself, hands on hips. "Wow. Look at that." She said, as her eyes run up and down the figure before her. "Rats, it even has that annoying smirk on his…" frowning deeper, she reached out and poked at the cheek. "uhh….that…that feels real," to make sure, she had to poke the spot once more.

"Perfection is kami's gift to creation." A clawed hand snaked out, stilling Kagome's surprised squeal half-way. "Were you happy to see me?"

"You!" she hissed, slapping the hand off of her mouth. "You scared the hell out of me!"

"Hn. You scared yourself, miko." As if they were arguing back in his shiro Sesshoumaru stood back in the shadows once more and languidly slid his arms in his sleeves. "Cease venturing in places if you were wont to scare yourself."

"What…what the hell are you doing here?"

"This was not my plan, miko." The tone in his voice made sure of that.

"Whose plan then?"

"My daughter. Rin was most convincing."

"Rin?" she stood with arms akimbo. "About?"

"On dragging me all the way here in this Kami-forsaken location," slim nose flared in disgust at the rank air.

"Rin's with you?" her smile widened.

"And Shippo…" his voice trailed off with a sigh.

"What?!" she stepped back. "Why's he with you?"

"Why would a son insist to be near his mother?"

"Don't start, you hear?" Kagome glared at Sesshoumaru. "You know I don't want him to get dragged again into any trouble I always get myself into, and, wait a minute, he's supposed to be in training, right? So who gave him permission to get out?"

"I did." Sesshoumaru wanted to banish that smirk from the miko's face. He's forgotten how she's good at turning the tables (her expression) on him.

"Well, it's your fault then." She shrugged. "Weren't you the one who said no one could make you do things you don't wanna do?" she winked at him with that saucy smile.

"Hush, woman." Sesshoumaru hissed.

"Hey! Don't you hush me…hmpf!" Sesshoumaru dragged Kagome with him in the darkest part of the hall, keeping a firm grip on her waist and around her mouth.

"Silence!" he whispered harshly.

Gods! I hate it every time Sesshoumaru's going all that drama on me... They both froze when from above the door creaked open and a big gust of wind came with it. With a bang the heavy wooden door slammed shut. Slow shuffling footsteps scratched at the rough stone steps nearer and nearer.

The darkness moved and two pairs of eyes tracked it. Faint shadow against the shadows in the darkness; moving, swaying. The wraith went straight to the spot where she was standing before. Sesshoumaru could feel Kagome's warm breath against his hand and the fast beat of her heart like a cornered rabbit. And that is not all, the faint scent of lavender on her hair was distracting him.

As she was held against the inulord Kagome's back was beginning to smart from whatever it was poking behind her. Oh rats. That better be armor I feel behind me… she cringed.

After it seemed like a century had passed, the shadow moved away from the object in the gloom. It left a faint reddish glow in its wake further casting the dark in deeper shadows. The inulord continued to be as still as a pillar of stone as the shadowy figure shuffle back up the steps. Kagome made to move but the slight tightening of his fingers around her waist stilled her. Both stayed frozen in place even as the door creaked open once more and the gust of icy wind swirled down violently. The anaconda-like hold around her waist finally loosed when they heard the door closed.

She didn't realize how oppressive the air in this dungeon was until the wind brought with it the freshness of the lake. She gratefully filled her lungs with the faint scent of greenery and it felt wonderful. She turned at Sesshoumaru wanting to berate him but she sensed something from him; it was then she noticed he didn't move from the wall but instead was focused on something beyond the dark.

"What is it, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome followed the inulord.

"What can you tell me about Rylanion, Kagome?" asked Sesshoumaru, stopping in the middle of the dungeon.

"Uh well…" Kagome said, dragging her hair back. "His wife died by Naraku's hand and he was devastated by her death…"

"Yes, we know about this," voice low, Sesshoumaru faced her, "As he has told us."

Kagome could only gape at the inulord. "What do you mean?" she followed as he walked back to the farthest corner of the dungeon.

"This." Sesshoumaru stepped aside to reveal what was behind him.

~{0}~

The rustling from the trees froze both girl and beast; Rin stood up slowly, casting about and noting how many adversaries could be behind the rustling bushes. As Ah-Un rumbled a deep growl the captain grew more wary when the rustling intensified. Could they get any noisier? Ah-Un tensed, as one by one they came out from the trees; a figure came out from the right, and then another from the front…then the left.

"Good day." Rin bowed for hajimemaste. "My name is Rin Okamoto…." But someone shouted and charged on different fronts. "Ah-Un! Stay!" She deflected the attacks, breaking their spears, wooden pitch forks and various wooden items with her sword. But as more people came charging out of the forest the dragon could not be held back and they belched a red hot blast of flame. It scattered the armed group of people, setting some of them on fire. They doused the flames by throwing the victims on the ground and rolling them on the snow. The rest renewed their attempt and they charged once more.

"Rin! What the hell's going on?" Shippo entered the scene with a loud crash, and in the lead two men drunkenly stumbled before the tall kitsune with blood on their faces.

"I don't know!" Rin shouted back, tripping a woman and pushing an older man aside. "Please! Stop!" One of the men shouted again and pointed. As she ran to intercept them, Rin exchanged her sword for the battle axe, more for its fear factor. The resounding thud of the handle stopped the men as she stood before her steed, their eyes not leaving the beautiful but fearsome blades.

"Are you all right?" Shippo asked, hurling his kitsune magic mushrooms. As the spores exploded, it blinded and confused the assailants. "Who are these people?"

But before Rin could respond the men seemed to have been roused from their fear and mustered another attack. Rin shook her head, not understanding the strange language but as a veteran of many battles their body language spoke a lot. Since this is obviously a mismatched fight the battle axe returned to its holder and soon the six men were groaning and rolling on the snow.

"Y'know? Your guess is as good as mine." Rin shook her head, breathless.

"Are you hurt?" As he went nearer to Rin Shippo still kept an eye on the cornered bunch. It further alarmed the strange group when they saw the kitsune clutching a struggling young boy by the scruff.

"No, I'm ok Shippo." Rin pointed at the boy still in Shippo's grasp. "Better let him go. I think that's his mother." Released, the young lad ran to a crying woman, together they huddled, shivering. "Have you been attacked too?"

"They tried but…" the kitsune shrugged. "you saw…" another shrug.

Rin smirked at the nonchalant gesture. "Oh quit it. Tsk!" she shook her head, confused. "Look at them."

"Yeah, I know." Shippo snorted softly. "Hardly the stuff of warriors." These people were just a group of cowed ragtag mix of young boys, a few adolescent men, women and several old people. "Do you think they're thieves?" Shippo shook his head at the tattered clothes and unkempt appearances. What's more, none of them seemed to know what to do after they have been disarmed just like the two men who ganged up on him.

Rin shook her head. "We don't know. But how? We can't understand them…"

"Rin-sama, let me try." And before the startled two (who didn't even know that the toad was around), Jaken strode to their attackers. They shrank back at the toad's appearance, clutching at each other in terror but when Jaken began to speak, they were startled and instead gasped in surprise at someone speak in their language. What happened next was like seeing a freed dam. It suddenly got chaotic as they all started to talk at the same time, gesturing and explaining animatedly. Curious but nevertheless still not understanding the language, Rin and Shippo moved closer.

"Rin-sama," Jaken turned to Rin and beckoned someone to come forward. "This is their elder, Fedar." Rin bowed at the old man but he ignored it and launched a long and angry speech.

"What?" Rin was confused. "Jaken!"

Jaken silenced the man before turning to the captain. "He is angry…"

"We can see that." Shippo snorted. "What's his problem?"

"…because of your coat." Jaken pointed to Rin.

"What of it?"

"The bear was what they were hunting but someone got to it first." Jaken explained. "They saw Sesshoumaru-sama hunt the bear. When he left the bear's den they were hoping he only took the pelt with him but my lord also fed on the animal and didn't leave anything…" Jaken shushed the noisy leader again with a shout. "He…he said his people were counting on that bear to feed the whole village but now they have nothing."

"I apologize on my father's behalf. I'm sure he didn't mean that to happen. He gave this to me as a present. Had he known he wouldn't have hunted that bear."

"Oh hell," Shippo whispered. "I don't think they buy it, Rin," the kitsune anxiously rub his chin looking at the angry people; they gestured and stomped their feet.

Rin stepped forward and stopped Jaken's futile attempt at explanation. "Ask them what they want, Jaken."

The question apparently surprised the leader and the people, they quieted and looked at each other and began talking. After a few minutes Fedar faced them once more, looking warily at Rin.

"Fedar said all he wanted was food for their families."

"That's no problem," Shippo spoke up, "I'll hunt for them."

But Jaken shook his head after Fedar replied to the kitsune's suggestion. "I have offered that suggestion. I'm afraid he doesn't want your help or mine as well."

"Why not? It'll be quick. No problem at all," But the kappa just shook his head sadly and slid an irritated glance at the village headman.

"I think I know why, Shippo," Rin sighed, feeling frustrated. "he wouldn't accept help from you or Jaken because you are youkai. I'm right, aren't I, Jaken?"

"Yes, Rin-sama." Jaken stomped the butt-end of the staff on the ground showing his frustration.

"So, would he accept help if it comes from me?" Rin was surprised when the leader shook his fist at her after the translation.

"Urhm," Jaken cleared his throat after he and the leader traded shouts at each other. "he said….Rin-sama…"

"Tell me Jaken," she glared at the kappa. "I want to know word for word."

"He said he'd rather starve than accept any help from you because…uh..you are an…you…you are the abomination of a monster."

~{0}~

THE DEN

With the combined illumination of their youki, Kagome and Sesshoumaru stood speechless as they beheld a huge room full of containers. The light made the smooth surface glitter as if dusted with diamonds…but inside….

"What the hell…" Kagome whispered and with the loss of concentration her hands lost its glow leaving Sesshoumaru's dokkasou to light the nightmarish images. "What is going on?" Kagome whirled around to face Sesshoumaru's retreating back.

"We need to leave this place, miko. Now."

"What! We can't!" Kagome almost dragged the inulord back. "Wait! We can't just leave them here, Sesshoumaru." A sob caught midway. "We can't…"

"There is nothing to be done about them, miko." Sesshoumaru spared a glance at the rows upon rows of glass…containers for specimens…like butterflies. Dead butterflies. "Come," he grabbed her wrist and wrapped his other arm around her waist, steering her out of the room.

"No…no…" But Kagome could not fight his superior strength. Up and up the stairs went, her feet catching on the uneven mortar…her breath and sobs mingling spasmodically. Sesshoumaru, impatient as always swung the woman up in his arms and took the flight of steps in five bounds but not out through the door. In his covert spying of this compound he stumbled upon a strange outcropping, like a crack on a wall that revealed another entrance to this den of death.

~{0}~

The words left Rin stunned. "What?"

"I told him you are his ward and daughter. He said you came from a monster and they wouldn't accept anything from you."

"Also because he is a youkai?" at Jaken's nod Rin's face darkened like gathering storms on the horizon. "Tell him…them," she clenched her shaking hands, visibly controlling herself. Shippo rubbed her shoulder blades for comfort, "that that 'monster'' the words rolled bitterly, "that monster took a poor starving child in his care and gave her her life back," Rin stabbed the air stiffly. "THAT is the man they call a monster while the people in my village, my human village, shunned me when my family perished but he gave me life." And before the tears fell Rin swiveled away back to Ah-Un. The dragon didn't know whether to console their human or growl at the reason for her tears as Rin clung to them.

There was a sudden commotion among the people, gasps and frightened shouts again. The childhood friends looked up, following the pointing fingers. It was Sesshoumaru landing in the camp.

"Монстр! Это монстр! Монстр!" (Monster! It's the monster! Monster!) shouted the people in their language.

"Kagome!" Both children run to meet the miko in Sesshoumaru's arms.

"Mom, are you okay?" Shippo turned to Rin, a worried expression on his face for the miko looked crushed and shaken. She clung to Shippo as soon as Sesshoumaru set her on her feet.

Rin pulled back. "Kagome…hey…what's wrong." The captain glanced at the miko and to her father now talking to Jaken. The toad ran off to an errand.

"Rin, take care of Kagome." Sesshoumaru's fierce eyes cowed the people.

"Yes father," Rin nodded as she herded the miko inside her tent, grateful and relieved of her father's return.

"Shippo, come. Tell me what happened." Together, as the two youkai strode to the crowd of humans it didn't take long for the kitsune to relate the story. The western lord stood and scrutinized the villagers who attacked his camp. But by merely standing there in his finery was at the same time quite terrifying for them. "I will speak to Fedor," he said in their language shocking the villagers. He pointed to an area about three meters in front of him where the head man shuffled forward; his eyes not leaving the imposing youkai. "Why did you attack my camp?"

"We thought the girl was being attacked." Fedor held his breath in fear. "What…what is your name, lord youkai?"

If Sesshoumaru was offended at the direct question he did not give any indication. "Address me as Sesshoumaru, lord of the west."

Fedor blinked, surprised that he ever got an answer at all. "Were you a guest at master Rylanion's castle, lord Sesshoumaru?" the name was a little tricky to say and he repeated it to make it sound right.

"No, this one is not. But a member of my household was his guest."

"The lady Zariana?"

Sesshoumau noted Fedor glanced at the tent where Rin took Kagome. "I take it you know lady Zariana quite well?"

"Ye…yes…quite well. In fact she was the mistress of this land but she…she…" the headman looked at Sesshoumaru.

"Was?" the golden eyes narrowed.

"She…she died, my lord," another glance at the tent. "But apparently I am in error."

"How so?"

"Lord Rylanion killed her."

~{0}~