OF COURSE WE DON'T OWN INUYASHA AND PEOPLE.
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Recap:
Once inside Ae, Sesshomaru, Miroku, InuYasha, and Koga sat down
"Okay I have to ask this Who the Hell are you?"
"InuYasha as brunt as ever it seems." chuckles Ae as she takes off her hood
"Your Ae...cathud" whispers InuYasha as he falls into a faint
"Your a..."
"Yes Miroku I am a Vestal Virgin, unwillingly though, my
name is Aeriana or Ae for short. We need all your guy's help."
"How do you know Sesshomaru."
"At one time I was his fiancée."
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Chapter 5: Seeing You Again
"You're engaged to a Vestal Virgin?" Miroku's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Is that even legal?" Koga asked.
Aeriana nodded. "As long as I say away from him, don't see him, or have any contact with him."
Inuyasha snorted. "Well, that's out the window…"
"We're arranged to be married after my service since I was first emitted," Ae continued, ignoring Inuyasha's comment. She waited for a minute, making sure they weren't going to ask anymore questions before she switched the subject to what she really came here for.
"Anyway, we need your help," she confessed again looking directly at Sesshomaru. "And trust me, if there were any other way I wouldn't be here bothering you."
"Who's 'we'?" Inuyasha interrupted.
"The rest of the Vestal Virgins and I," Ae simply answered. "Which means Ana too if you remember her."
Inuyasha wracked his brain for something on a girl named 'Ana'. It didn't take long for him to start remembering the little trouble-making blue-eyed girl he used to play with as a child. That's right, she did become a Vestal along with Ae. That's why I haven't seen her in years.
Sesshomaru was waiting for Ae to continue; he was curious to the reason why she had risked so much to come here. But before Ae could say anything else, Miroku interrupted next, reaching over to obviously try to take the blue haired girl's hand. He grinned widely at her.
"So you need a favor…and it just so happens that I need one too, so it looks like we might just be able to help each other out –"
A low warning growl came from Sesshomaru's direction, cutting Miroku off. Koga smacked his wandering hand away. "Didn't we talk about this before…? You can't touch her, she's a Vestal Virgin remember?" As an after thought he muttered; "…Perv…"
Miroku reluctantly drew back his hand but not because he was listening to Koga, but because Sesshomaru was really starting to intimidate him.
"So why do you need us?" Inuyasha asked impatiently, trying to get back on track to speed things up.
After recovering from Miroku's confrontation, Ae sat up to start explaining herself. "Well, you guys heard about one of our sisters' death sentence, right?"
The guys nodded. "That got around to the whole of Rome within like an hour," one of them replied.
"Well that was Aurora, a good friend, and we want to get her back," Ae explained. "We've already come up with a plan which is to wait until her boyfriend can get ship tickets out of Rome, and then we've got to dig her up so she can leave. As of right now we've been sneaking her food until it's time to get her." Ae sighed; "We need your help digging her up and getting her out."
"But why can't you do that?" Koga asked.
Ae paused for a minute to collect her thoughts, trying to figure out the best way to explain the rest. "I've found a book that explains that Rory can be pardoned from her sins if she escapes with the help of immortal beings."
"Like the gods?" Koga asked, a bit skeptical.
"I was thinking something a little different could work also," she answered, looking intensely at Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. "I know you two are descendents from of a passed god and a human, and even though it's little, you still have immortal blood running through you. I think it'll be enough. With your help, Vesta should pardon Rory instead of smite her if she escapes."
Inuyasha nodded showing he was following while Sesshomaru remained as impassive as ever.
Miroku on the other hand, looked completely interested. "I have come across that somewhere in my studies also," he replied seriously, all traces of immaturity out the window.
"And what kind of studies would that be?" Ae asked curiously, wondering how he could know even a little on that subject.
"I am a Roman priest and my studies consist of things that have to do with the gods, or any thing else spiritual," he answered.
Ae stared at him completely shocked. "You're a priest?" she asked. It was then that she also noticed he was wearing a long priest type robe. Could have fooled me. He defiantly doesn't act like a priest.
"Unbelievable, I know," Inuyasha muttered.
Miroku just choose to ignore all the comments and nod.
"What about me?" Koga asked, a bit annoyed and feeling left out. "One of my ancestors was a goddess."
"Perfect. Then you and Miroku would both work," Ae said. "It's better then mortal blood so your help will be much appreciated."
It was quiet while the guys thought over what Ae had proposed; they all knew the consequences if they agreed to help. First they would be acquainting themselves with not one, but eventually 4 Vestal Virgins, and then be helping the 5th sinful one escape. The whole situation screamed painful consequences if they were caught.
Ae sighed when she saw that they were having a hard time answering. "Look, I know I'm asking a lot…I mean I haven't seen you, Sesshomaru or Inuyasha, in how many years? And I only just met Koga and Miroku…not to mention what would happen to all of you if you were caught…but it would mean the world to all of us girls if you could help us save Aurora. She's our sister and it's unfair that she should die over some emotion she had no control over."
She then looked them over each slowly with her blue/green eyes. "I know you realize the consequences, but you guys will make our plan perfect if you agree." Aeriana waited patiently after that; she didn't want to push them.
"I guess I'm in."
Ae and the three guys turned to stare at Koga who in turn shrugged. "Well, there's really nothing else to do around here," he answered, waving it off like nothing.
Miroku sighed in response to Koga answer. "Yeah, your right, Koga. And besides, I can't bear the idea of a beautiful servant of any Goddess being left to die of loneliness and starvation," he replied mournfully.
Inuyasha snorted. "If you two idiots are going, then so am I. You'll get no where without me."
It was Koga's turn to laugh this time. "As if, dog breath."
As Koga and Inuyasha continued bickering back and forth, Ae turned her head to look at Sesshomaru, expecting some kind of answer from him as well. What she got though was something she didn't expect.
The older silver haired man stood up. "Aeriana, I would like to speak with you in private."
Ae noticed that it sounded more like a demand then a question but she found herself nodding anyway and following him out of the room and into a slightly smaller one. Inuyasha, Koga, and Miroku almost didn't even see them leave.
Ae silently wondered why Sesshomaru couldn't say what he wanted to in front of the others? Did it have to be in private?
She put a hand to her chest to find that her heart was pounding. Why was she so nervous? Sesshomaru closed the door behind her with a soft thud. Oh yeah, because she was alone in a room with a man, her future fiancé to be exact, which also happened to be the biggest rule you could break as a Vestal Virgin, and because of all the other rules she was breaking on top of that. Or, already broke.
Ae took a minute to calm her self down a bit by taking in her surroundings instead of panicking over things that had already been done. She observed that she was in a slightly smaller room then the gathering room she had just been in a moment ago. It looked like a guest bedroom by the way an array of blankets had been perfectly laid out across a soft looking mattress on top of a flat piece of marble that was against the far side of the room. And just by the way the curtains fell around the open window, the flat rugs lay across the floor, and the beautiful vases decorated the area, Ae could tell that the room was barely ever touched, therefore suggesting a guest room.
Sesshomaru turned to her after closing the door behind her. Ae also turned her attention to Sesshomaru, looking not as comfortable as he looked though. In fact, Ae felt quiet the opposite. To avoid any more awkwardness she replied; "I know this isn't your type of thing, I mean you are a senate member, but could you just do it for me…cause all be hell to live with if not."
She could have imagined it, but Ae thought she saw a hint of a smirk play across Sesshomaru's lips. Before she could fully distinguish though, he started walking slow circles around her. "I could just turn you in," he replied casually.
Ae gulped. She didn't like the beginning of this. A little time passes before Sesshomaru spoke again, but he continued to walk around her, testing her with his golden eyes. "You do realize the consequences for you as well?"
Ae nodded, following him with her own eyes as he passed in front of her. "All of the girls do."
Sesshomaru left her answer hanging as he finally stopped after one more lap, a couple feet in front of her. He then took the time to look his fiancée over. Ae also got a chance to give Sesshomaru a good look over. The senate member had changed a lot since she had last seen him. How long had it been? Their families had been good friends, still are as far as she knew. Ana's family also had been a good friend of both Ae's and Sesshomaru's and that's why she probably knew where Ae was right now. All four of them used to play together as kids, and back then was also when Ae and Sesshomaru's parents made the decision for them to get married when they were older, in order to unite the families.
As both Ae and Sesshomaru continued to look each other over, Ae noticed just how much Sesshomaru had changed. He wasn't just a little kid anymore, he was defiantly taller, pretty much towering over Ae, his beautiful silver hair had grown longer, he had became firmer in the arms and broader in the chest it looked like, and only if you were blind would you not see how good looking he had become. She even had to admit Sesshomaru's brother, Inuyasha, had gown up nicely as well. Just wait till I tell Ana, she would have love to see these two now…
Ae started to feel uncomfortable again as the silence loomed over them and he continued to stare at her, almost as if he had never seen her before. This look is what was starting to make the blue haired girl feel awkward. She cleared her throat, trying to think of something to say. "So, how are things?" she asked lightly.
"Fine," he answered. "And you?"
Ae shrugged. "Well, not so well lately, obviously." Ae mentally groaned in her head. Why was it so hard to talk to him now? To her that whole conversation that just happened seemed forced.
Suddenly Sesshomaru started to inch his way closer, and still staring at her, drinking in her appearance.
"How long has it been since I last saw you?" he wondered aloud to her flatly.
Ae shrugged, which to her felt like the only thing she could do as he got closer and her knees embarrassingly started to feel weak; his nearness was starting to make her feel nervous. "I don't know…6 years?"
Sesshomaru neither acknowledge nor cared for her obvious uncomfort and just continued to look at her, not saying anything.
Suddenly Ae found herself wondering that if in that span of time Sesshomaru had been with any other women? Even though he was engaged he was still a man who had to wait for his wife for many years and it wasn't like seeing other women was illegal or frowned upon by anyone but her. He knew she was obviously a virgin, but now she wondered if he was too? Probably not…she found herself sighing angrily in her head…Somebody who looks like him? No way.
The feeling of Sesshomaru's hand touching the smooth skin on her face is what brought Ae out of her thoughts. Now she felt her personal bubble pop and felt extremely exposed but she had no idea why. This was her future husband. Maybe it was because she had never been touched by a man this good looking before…or even a man at all?
Yeah, cause she wasn't supposed too.
Ae suddenly became a little irritated by Sesshomaru's lack of respect for rules. "Don't touch me," she said stepping away, "you know you can't."
Sesshomaru put a strong hand around her arm and squeezed, keeping her in place. "Why? You do belong to me, correct?"
"Right now I belong to Vesta," Ae countered, glaring at him.
"I have immortal blood running through me…there's not much she can do."
Ae was appalled. How could Sesshomaru stand there and insult a goddess like that, and in such a nonchalant tone too?
"I have to go," Ae replied suddenly, squirming out of Sesshomaru's grip and moving away, "before the Prontifex Maximus realizes I'm gone. Then we're all busted."
Sesshomaru took step away not showing any emotion at all on his face, which Ae realized, was really starting to get on her nerves. She turned her back on him and headed toward the door out of the guest bedroom.
"I never agreed to help you, Aeriana," Sesshomaru reminded her.
Ae stopped, took a deep breath, and sighed, trying not to get too frustrated. "I guess I'll be waiting for your answer then." She pushed open the door and stepped out of the room. And to think that I pray for him every night…
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"What do you think they're doing in there?" Koga wondered aloud, "catching up on all the wasted years?"
Inuyasha made a disgusted face towards the man as he picked up on the suggestion in his voice. Miroku on the other hand, leaned back in his chair and started talking.
"Now Koga, you know Sesshomaru can't touch her even if they are engaged, and he knows that too and he's not one to break too many rules," he lectured wisely. "The Vestal Virgin priestess are to remain untouched to many man until they are released from Vesta's service or you will anger the goddess herself."
Koga rolled his eyes. "You just tried 5 minutes ago Miroku."
"Yes, but unlike all of you, I am a priest and therefore I am in the gods' good graces. I am also holy - "
Inuyasha took the time to whack him on the head when he couldn't take it anymore. "You're not an exception," he replied gruffly. "You don't even act like a priest 95 of the time, perv."
Miroku sighed desperately. "My body acts all on it's own sometimes. It's hardly my fault."
"Spare me," Koga mumbled, rolling his eyes again.
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"Kagome sit down, she'll be ok," Ana assured the black haired girl who she was trying to sooth at the moment.
Said girl stopped mid stride to stare down at Ana and the cushions she was currently sitting on. "She's gonna get caught and this is going to turn into another Aurora outcome."
"As long as she's here for the evening cleansing of Vesta's Temple, the Prontifex Maximus won't even notice she's gone," Sango reasoned as her eyes followed Kagome who continued her pacing.
"Yeah that's at sundown, and look…the sun's almost starting to go down!" Kagome motioned out the window to her right. Sure enough behind all the trees and plants in the court yard the sky was starting to turn beautiful shades of pink, red and orange, and long shadows were beginning to shape their way into the room.
"Will you just please calm down," Ana asked her friend desperately, "your making me dizzy." She started to rub her temples gently; she already had a headache from earlier when she had thought to hard about why Ae would go see their old friends without her; she had never been one that liked to be left out from the action. I know that's where she went…Inuyasha and Sesshomaru have some immortal blood and that's what we need to help us…but she still could have asked me to come with her…maybe she didn't ask because she wanted to talk to Sesshomaru alone? That would make sense…
As Ana continued rubbing and trying to figure things out, something moved outside the window unnoticed, and suddenly a hooded figure jumped into the room, startling the girls and stopping them from whatever they were doing.
The person pushed her hood down to reveal Ae's blue hair and pretty face. "Hey guys," she greeted guiltily, knowing some sort of yelling or arguing was about to begin.
First though, came the hugging. Ae opened her eyes to find Kagome wrapping her arms around her. "Oh my gosh I was so worried," she complained, "the sun was almost starting to come down, you still weren't here and we had no idea were the heck you went." Kagome let go of Ae to step back and stare her down with her hands on her hips. "What kind of note is 'I must go find some old friends of mine'?"
Ae smiled weakly. "I know you guys, I'm sorry," she apologized to them. "I thought it would be better if I just left cause I knew you would either try to stop me or come with me, and I didn't need either."
Ana waited for her to finish her sentence but cut in before Kagome could say any more; even though she was upset about begin left behind, curiosity on what went down seemed to outweigh the previous emotion.
"So what did they say?"
"What did who say?" Sango wanted to know. "Who are these so called 'friends'?"
Ana and Ae both ignored her. "They all wanted to help but Sesshomaru," Ae answered, "he never agreed or disagreed."
Ana rolled her eyes. "Of course he would be the one to be difficult."
"Sesshomaru? Isn't that your childhood playmate?" Kagome spoke up.
"So when are we going to know his answer cause we're gonna need his help too," Ana asked, too caught up in her and Ae's conversation to hear Kagome either.
Ae shrugged.
"Well you know he will. He just likes to act all tough and mysterious- "
"Do you guys care that we have no idea what's going on?" Kagome interrupted, getting sick of Sango and her being ignored.
Ae and Ana suddenly seemed to break out of their bubble and noticed that their other two sisters were still there. "Oh, your right, sorry guys," Ae grinned. "Yeah, Sesshomaru is my best friend from childhood and I went to go see him and his little brother to help us save Aurora."
"And how would that help?" Sango asked.
Ana answered this time. "Sesshomaru and Inuyasha are descendants of a god and a human, meaning that they have some immortal blood running through them," she explained. "As Ae said in her note, we need them to save Aurora from being punished by Vesta."
"So I was thinking that once Alfonso gets the tickets, he could tell us the day the ship is leaving, we could inform the guys ahead of time then meet them the night before to show them where Rory is being kept," Ae explained herself.
Ana smiled at her blue haired sister. "Not bad, Ae," she praised, walking over to her and playfully nudging her. Kagome nodded in agreement.
Sango on the other hand couldn't believe her ears. "I can not believe you went to go see them."
Good thing I left out the part when Sesshomaru and I were alone in a room together… "Oh, well it wasn't just Sesshomaru and Inuyasha either…" Ae confessed. Ana gave her a confused look. Were there more brothers she didn't know about?
"…They had two other friends with them who agreed to help. One was a priest, the one we saved yesterday, and another guy. The priest is holy so I'm sure it wouldn't hurt if we had his help, and the other guy claims he had a goddess as an ancestor as well," Ae finished.
"Great," Sango sighed sarcastically, "you went to see four guys…alone." She shook her head; "You're becoming more of a mix between Ana and Aurora everyday."
"Common Sango," Kagome smiled reassuringly, "what's done is done, and if this works then we'll be saving Aurora in two ways."
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Ana quietly walked out of her room, pulling her robe around her tighter to her body trying to block out the night chill. She made her way down the hall a little ways, the only sound being her bare feet padding across the floor, until finally she made it to the room she was looking for. Ana lightly rapped her knuckles against the doorframe. She looked through the almost transparent curtain that had been draped across the doorframe to see the shape of a girl lying on the floor and the blurry outline of a little yellow light.
Ana didn't wait for an answer, instead she pulled the curtain aside and stepped into the room.
Aeriana was lying on her stomach on top of her cushioned bed, looking at her loop hole book, with a small candle sitting in a holder next to her.
"You have got to be kidding me," Ana said, arching an eyebrow at her friend on the floor.
Ae looked up. "Chill, I'm just looking over some things." She turned her attention back to her book. "So, did you just come into my room in the middle of the night to make fun of me, or did you actually have a purpose?"
Ana smiled at her joking tone and went to sit on Ae's bed next to her. "Actually I did have a purpose: I wanted to talk about that little stunt you pulled earlier."
Ae gave her a wary look, all joking gone. "I know your not here to lecture me…right?"
Ana shook her head, almost looking appalled. "Of course not! I thought it was a stupid thing to do, but brave and something I defiantly would have done…if I had been invited or even informed…"
Ae started to giver her a guilty look but Ana shook her head again. "I'm kidding Ae, it's ok. I just came to talk about Sesshomaru and Inuyasha," she smiled warmly. "So how are they? How long as it even been?"
Ae smiled in return and started to sit up, she was happy to share the little details of her adventure. "I think it's been like, maybe 6 years, and lets just say that time has been very good to those two." Ae added by giving Ana a meaningful look.
"That good, huh?"
Ae nodded. "They both have gown up so much since you've last seen them, Ana. It's unbelievable."
Ana smiled impatiently. "So what do they look like?"
Ae thought for a moment, thinking of the best way to describe them. "Well, Sesshomaru is defiantly taller, his hair is longer and absolutely gorgeous, and his golden eyes are exactly as I remember them," she explained. "Inuyasha is almost a spitting image of his older brother, but he's handsome in his own way, I can't really explain it."
Ana suddenly went into visual mode inside her head. She pictured two gown men, one a little taller then the other, but with the same flowing sliver hair and piercing golden eyes. Ana was disappointed though, she could feel that her mental images weren't doing the little boys she had once known justice.
"They still dislike each other," Ae continued smiling, "and I didn't talk to Inuyasha much, but I do know that Sesshomaru has become a pretty powerful member of the Senate. You can tell by his house."
Ana tried to picture that also, but found that she couldn't, so instead she asked; "Did Sesshomaru mention any thing about your wedding…"
Ae shook her head, "Nope…" Which wasn't a total lie but not exactly the truth either. Ae decided to leave out the part when they were in a room alone together and he started to get a little touchy. Even if it was Ana she was talking too, Ae felt that if she told, her white haired sister would still have a lot to say on the matter, and to be honest Ae really didn't want to hear it; she was already confused on the matter as it was.
Ana's sighing broke Ae out of her thoughts. "I wish I could see them. It's been so long, and I'm trying to imagine what they look like now, but it's not going that well…"
Ae placed a hand over Ana's and smiled warmly. "I'm sure you'll get to see them soon. For one, most of them promised to help with Aurora, and second, I still need an answer from Sesshomaru, remember?"
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---Sincerely, Shorty and Arian