Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Fuurin Kazan. This is merely a work of self expression.
~o0o~
Love, in the face of a girl:
Sea wanderer, forest visitor!
Even the pure immortals can not escape you
And mortal man, in his one day's dusk,
Trembles before your glory.
~o0o~
Chapter 2
"Feh! If I have to eat that shit again…"
"Inuyasha!" The warning was there, in the tone of her voice.
"What?" The hanyo said hesitantly, his ears drooping a bit.
Kagome shot him a look and went back to stirring the barley, miso mixture boiling above the camp fire.
Years had past since Kagome climbed from the bone eaters well and freed Inuyasha. Now they were all there on the path to finding their greatest enemy.
They had been following Naraku's trail for the sixth week now, and their staples were dwindling.
By the second ramen had become a distant memory, causing a certain half Inuyoukai to be more testy than usual.
Now, after five days of what could be a samurai's field rations, he was near to unbearable.
With the land in the grip of another famine even wild game had become scarce.
Demons had been preying on villages all over the province they were traveling, wiping out any hope of refuge and extra supplies.
Kagome sighed and glanced over at the others.
She smiled as Shippo and Rin ran by chasing Kirara into the forest.
It amazed her that they could find such happiness in these conditions. Even more so that Sesshomaru allowed any type of joyful abandonment around him-self.
When they had all come together (around the same time the ramen had run out), every one had absolutely been shocked at just what Rin could get away with around the stoic demon Lord.
It made Kagome rethink her preconceptions.
I mean he did save me from that disgusting poison master. She thought as she added the last of the stewed daikon to the bubbling mixture.
He most definitely didn't have to do that. It served him no purpose at all. Rin has certainly changed him.
She smiled at the little girl walking back into camp with Kirara in her arms.
The rest of the group were spread out waiting for the food to be prepared.
Miroku sat in deep meditation across the fire beside Sango who stood cleaning Hirikotsu with a soft cloth. Ah-Un seemed to be asleep further behind them.
Inuyasha sat on a low branch close to the small stream running nearby, and Jaken, nearly Miroku's mirror image, seemed to be asleep rather than meditating near the fire.
A snot bubble, formed as he snored, popped and Kagome jerked back in surprise.
"Eww. Jaken you nasty pest! Wake up and get away from the food. Gross." She yelled at the kappa startling him so, that he fell over, smacking himself with the staff of two heads.
He crawled farther away from the fire, and the Mikos' temper, grumbling "Stupid wench."
"I heard that." she shot back silencing the little green youkai at once.
Kagome quickly pulled the pot from the flames and began dishing out servings into wooden bowls. As she came to the last one, she frowned. They wouldn't have enough for every one.
She did rapid calculations in her head and gave a short nod. Discounting Sesshomaru, who got his own meals, she poured two spoonfuls back into the pot from each bowl and gave up the portion for herself. They would have enough until they reached the next village.
Hopefully it will still be there. She thought, filling her bowl with water. She added one spoon of broth and a few bits of the radish to fool every one else.
At least the kids will be fed.
Sesshomaru stood in the shadows cast by the fires light, watching as Kagome solved the dilemma of rationing their food.
Disliking human food, he had no worry over where his next meal came from.
Youkai such as himself had no need for sustenance as often, meaning he could go weeks without eating and still remain just as powerful.
Something his idiot half brother could only dream of.
Inuyasha complained throughout the meal about the contents of his bowl, never noticing his 'companion' was basically eating water with daikon, smiling all the while.
The Inu Lord had.
He also noted, with a slight curiosity, when the Miko pulled the children aside to hand them each a block of some sweet smelling concoction the kitsune labeled chocolate.
Kagome smiled as Shippo dragged Rin away from the others to devour their treat in solitude. (Away from Inuyashas' nose).
She gave a small yelp of surprise when Sesshomaru slid up quietly beside her.
"What was that you gave to Rin?"
Kagome stammered a bit, he made her nervous.
"Ah. That. It's chocolate, a sweet or confection from my time. You eat it, it's really good. I have another if you would like to try some."
"Hn. Perhaps at another time." He turned away, finding a tree to lean against for the night.
Kagome was left feeling perplexed. He had actually responded to her question.
Before he wouldn't have stayed past the explanation, let alone answer her!
She shook her head and sat down to read.
The Inu's eyebrow went up.
As he watched from the corner of his eye, Kagome pulled a thick book from her rugged pack It wasn't so surprising, she did come from a different age.
What cracked his emotionless mask was that the book was written in another language. One he didn't know.
"Oi! What are you staring at Kagome for, bastard?"
Sesshomaru glared at his lack witted brother, annoyance building from within.
"This Sesshomaru does not stare at the Miko half breed. Only at the material she holds."
The cold arrogance of his tone made the Hanyo puff up, ready for a fight.
"Inuyasha, don't start." Kagome called over with a sigh. He growled at her, but stomped off at the rise of her eyebrow.
Every one else released a pent up breath, glad another calamity had been averted.
~o0o~
The village they arrived in the next morning, thankfully had more than enough in the market for the group to choose from.
Being so close to the sea, with their own port, kept the place afloat, so to speak. They were in direct trading with China.
Kagome was busy remembering her ancient history. Try as she might, it was fuzzy at best. She was pretty sure that, with the famine and such, it was near time for uprisings to begin. Making her wary of being around main settlements such as this one.
"Everyone let's all get what we need quickly and get out of here." She said, noting the stares they were receiving.
They agreed and split up to buy the needed items.
Miroku had gone off with Inuyasha and Kirara stayed behind with Jaken and Ah-Un.
Sesshomaru was of cource absent, not wishing to smell the fetid human population.
Sango, Kagome, Rin and Shippo began gathering vegetables and things of that nature.
There was burdock and barley (Inuyasha would be so happy), eggs and a small pack of sugar. Finding the umeboshi made all four of them give a silent cheer. Rice, of cource, and katsuobushi.
Kagome picked up some mochi even when Shippo groused.
When they all met up again at the edge of town, Sesshomaru appeared walking from the forest to stand next to Inuyasha, who had two chickens draped over his shoulder.
Sango clapped her hands telling Kagome they were fighting cocks.
She said she would teach her how to make Gunji nabe for their meal that night, which perked up the Hanyo's mood considerably.
As they left the town behind none but the Daiyoukai noticed they were followed. He found it of little importance, but kept his gaze vigilant anyway.
Takeru followed the group quietly, his eyes hungrily roaming over the girl wearing the short kimono.
He had seen her at the market laughing with the youkai taijia and was mesmerized.
He followed them learning all he could from their conversation.
The child, it seemed was not hers but belonged to someone called Sesshomaru sama.
He was surprised the taijia allowed a kitsune to travel with them until he saw their other companions at the edge of town.
Rage washed over him momentarily when he thought one of the males might have a claim on the woman, but it didn't seem to be so. With plans on grabbing her in the night, he trailed them until they made camp at dusk.
Sesshomaru caught the stench of human male once again, only this time it held a strong undertone of lust. The youkai narrowed his eyes. That was not something he would permit. Silently he left camp to circle around behind the reeking ningen.
The man was filthy, dressed as a poor Ronin with one rusty sword tethered to his side. His black hair, streaked with grey, was held in a sloppy top knot and a nasty scar ran along his cheek. His eyes held a sickly, dark kind of lust as they followed Kagomes' every move.
A deep, guttural growl was the only warning he had.
Takeru swung around, freeing his sword in one motion, only to be met with a blur of white and green before his world went black.
Sesshomaru grimaced when he turned back to the camp only to see a tad too much of Kagome's thigh from where she sat near the fire.
As long as he'd known of the woman, she had worn such apparel. It was indecent he thought.
Reasoning that it was so there would be less of these types of problems, Sesshomaru flew back to the village with an intent of purchasing something more befitting a woman of this era.
The group had finished their meal by the time Sesshomaru stepped back into camp.
"Where the hell have you been?" Inuyasha began, only to snap his mouth shut in shock as the Inuyoukai strode up to Kagome.
A package wrapped in brown paper tied with hemp landed in the dirt next to her.
Kagome looked up in surprise.
"This Sesshomaru dispatched a man earlier, who had followed from the village. It was his every intention to snatch you, Miko."
Kagome's face showed shock at this revelation.
"The smell radiating from him was disgusting and one I do not wish to experience again. Fore go those kimono of your time and garb yourself accordingly." He stated coolly before walking away.
The Miko's mouth was dry as she watched his retreating form.
"That is the most I have ever heard Sesshomaru sama speak." Jaken said with tears in his eyes.
"Chikushou, how did I not smell the guy? Oi, Kagome quit letting these bastards lust after you!" Inuyasha barked.
Miroku shot him a 'shut the hell up' glance.
"Keh!." The hanyo spat as he jumped onto the low branch of a near by tree.
Kagome folded back the paper to reveal a yukata, awase and two brightly colored obi. She glanced back up at Sesshomaru, who was reclined against an outcropping of rocks near the base of the mountain.
She stood and made her way over to him, conscious of everyone's staring eyes. She waited at his feet until he looked at her, one brow arched elegantly.
Kagome slid to her knees and bowed deeply.
"Thank you Sesshomaru sama, for the clothes and protection you have provided."
She surprised him yet again with such respectful words.
A voiced "Hn" was all she got in response, but she smiled none the less.
~o0o~
It had become a normal occurrence for the group to be without one or both of their youkai protectors.
Over the next few months Sesshomaru would be gone from camp before they awoke, only to find them once more in the evening.
It was to be expected since he never hid the fact he didn't care much for humans.
What really put the group on edge was Inuyashas frequent disappearances. For the last two weeks the Hanyo had hardly shown his face.
At first it had near ripped Kagome's heart in two.
Now she just shook her head, eyes filled with sadness, and buried herself in school workbooks.
It was one such evening when they came upon a group of bandits surrounding three woman and what looked to be a Samurai.
The two older women pressed themselves to the much younger one in an attempt to protect her as the bushi gripped his sword in anticipation.
Miroku strode forward confidently, causing the bandits to cease their circling of the four in the center.
"Excuse me my good men. Could you point me in the direction of the nearest temple?" The naivety in his tone made the six unscrupulous men grin wickedly at each other.
You see, Miroku is a man of certain taste.
Never one to waste the payment 'given' to him from his time spent previously, he made sure to keep himself looking handsome for the ladies.
His robes, hardly ever dirty, were made of good quality cloth and fairly nice. Not to mention the pristine condition of his Shakujou.
So, leave it to greedy uneducated dimwits to try and attack the Houshi.
Miroku's eyes held a frightening kind of glimmer as the first man made his move.
Jerking forward with a swing of his blade, the monk merely stepped to the side and, as the man stumbled past, brought the end of his staff down across his head.
Seeing their comrade slumped in the dirt brought the others into action, until Miroku sucked their weapons into his hand.
Screaming in fright, the now frantic bandits fled leaving behind their 'friend'.
Miroku smirked wickedly as he wrapped his prayer beads around his wrist once more.
Kagome, Sango and the others came out from the trees laughing.
"Miroku sama, that was brilliant." Kagome said brightly.
"Why thank you Kagome sama. I couldn't just stand idly by while they bullied such a lovely young woman, now could I?"
Kagome rolled her eyes as Hiraikotsu met with his head.
"Sango I was merely being humorous! Sango?"
The taijia wasn't listening as she faced the four travelers with Kagome.
"Are you all right?" Kagome asked seeing their shocked faces in the rising moon light.
The man looked at her and bowed his head.
"We are. I thank you for the assistance only, what was that the Houshi did just now?"
The mans voice was deep, making Kagome think of a bass guitar. He wore customary kamishimo, and kawagutsu upon his feet. Making him rather high up for a Kobushi, she thought.
His hair, black as night, was held in a half top knot, leaving the rest to brush the collar of his uwagi.
"Miroku sama. His hand holds a curse placed on it by a demon. He uses it to help people such as yourself, you have nothing to fear." She placated them when they backed away.
"Please join us as we make camp for the night. It will be easier to travel in the morning." Sango offered, motioning towards a clearing farther back from the path on which they stood.
The Samurai inclined his head, re sheathing his sword. Turning to the young woman he bowed on one knee.
"My Lady. Let us share camp this night and be on our way at daybreak."
The lady looked on the group for a moment before giving a nod.
He stood and let her walk ahead, following Sango. Kagome bowed as she passed.
Gathered around the fire, Kagome was able to get a better look at the others.
The two older women were acting as servants to the lady.
They wore yukata of cotton, one dark blue the other orange, and had black hair peppered with grey held at the nape.
The Lady wore a pink yukata with white brocade embellishments, but she held herself differently.
Her hair was cut into what one would see on an aristocrat.
"Hime-sama?" Kagome whispered. No matter, they had heard.
The Samurai turned a suspicious gaze to her from where he sat Indian style nearby, tensing at her words.
The Lady, who sat on her knees with legs bent underneath, reached out a staying hand to him.
Peering at Kagome with keen eyes she smiled. "Do you know me?"
"No, Hime-sama. I assume." she said bowing again.
She shifted her eyes to the others, noting they were to busy to hear the quiet conversation between she and their friend with the strange blue eyes.
"You are very clever then. I ask that you not tell the others, as it pertains to my life."
"Hime-sama!" The Samurai whispered fiercely.
"Aikira sama, it is known. I do not say anything of import."
"Stay your tongue of it's insolence." The elder of the two women said heatedly to the man.
The Samurai bowed low and stayed quiet.
"What is your name?" The Lady asked.
"Higurashi, Kagome."
"I am sure you understand, Higurashi san, that I was not here."
"Of course Hime-sama." she said with a short bowl. "Then please forgive my companions and I of our rude behavior."
The Lady smiled and gave a small nod.
When Sesshomaru stepped into camp there were three surprised gasps and the sound of a sword being drawn.
Hard gold eyes landed on the Samurai standing before three women near the fire.
His hand came up glowing an eerie green.
"Onegai!" All eyes shifted to Kagome who stepped in front of the bushi with her hands out.
"Sheath your sword. You insult Sesshomaru sama!"
The Samurai startled at her words and looked to his Lady.
She gave a nod, never taking her eyes off the handsome youkai.
The green glow faded as the human put away his katana.
He had very nearly sneered at the unwanted presence when he had smelled them before landing in amongst the trees.
Now he definitely wanted them gone.
That woman was staring at him again.
The bushi was leaning entirely too close to Kagome as they spoke.
All this was pushing him towards cranky.
.
"Human you will cease in your perusal of this Sesshomaru." He said harshly, startling the whole group.
"Do not speak to my Lady in such a manner, demon." The Samurai growled.
Kagome's face held fear as she watched the two males stare at each other.
Tension filled the space until she spoke.
"I have never met a Samurai before. Do you command men during war?"
That drew the bushi's attention back to her, especially to the hand upon his arm.
He smiled at Kagome and she noticed his eyes for the first time were a deep green.
"It is surprising you have yet to encounter a Samurai before me Kagome sama."
His voice held a warm humor that seemed to wash over her bruised hurts, ala Inuyasha.
Kagome gave him a real smile and he was dazzled.
"I have commanded men in many battles, but now Tono wished for me to accompany my Lady to her fathers village."
"It was fortunate we met then Aikira sama."
He laughed. "I believe so."
Everyone was impressed at the way Kagome directed the attention away from bloodshed, for that's what it would have led to, knowing Sesshomaru's intolerance for fools.
Rin and Shippo behaved, for the most part, until falling asleep on Kirara.
Sango spoke with Lady Hisa, as she called herself.
Miroku kept watch noting with a smirk that Sesshomaru's attention was directed toward Kagome and Aikira sama's conversations.
"We have come upon many villages that were burned to the ground, the people slaughtered. Even this far into the war it still rages." Kagome said sadly.
Aikira sighed. "Hai. The Lords will order villages burned to prevent the enemy from gaining resources. It is a cruelty both unnecessary yet forced upon those fighting."
Kagome silently looked at him thinking how amazing it was to be able to understand the view point of a Samurai who must fight.
"When I first began my journey as Samurai I would sit among the swaying grasses, and the winds I felt were the winds of destiny, pushing me forward. This is my way, the path of my soul."
"Aikira sama." Kagome whispered in awe.
He smiled at her, this blue eyed girl, so different from other women he had met. His gaze shot to the youkai who sat directly in front of them at a distance. Was she his, or under his protection? Would there be any way for him to make her his own?
As if hearing his thoughts, the youkai opened his eyes, pining Aikira in a deathly cold glare. If he had been a lesser man he would have fled from such a look.
This demon was not one to take lightly.
Kagome felt the tension returning with the heated gaze of the Inu no Daiyoukai, so she grabbed hold of Aikira by inquiring of his methods.
"Do you believe arguments can be used as tools in battle?"
Sesshomaru's brow went up yet again. The Kobushi had a different reaction. He burst into laughter.
"Ah! Kagome sama, you are a delight. I have never done such a thing. I suppose one could employ trickery but I feel it would shame the warrior to do so. Strength is what you must rely on in battle."
Kagome wrinkled her nose at his self important tone.
"To make an enemy yield without fighting is dishonorable?"
Aikira's smile slowly disappeared at her annoyed timbre, which caught everyone's attention once more.
Sesshomaru schooled his surprised features back to their stoic mask as she went on.
"In our case, because soldiers are human, shouldn't one try to preserve every life? Which is why battles often involve contriving. To draw someone in as an ally, with out harming or tormenting him, and by not losing your soldiers. Is that not a way to obtain complete victory?" Kagome stood ignoring the bushi's slack jaw.
"I feel I do not understand just where you are coming from Aikira sama, or more to the point I don't care to. Excuse me I need to prepare the food." She gave a respectful bow and walked away.
Aikira sat in a stunned silence.
Certainly she was different from all other women. The interest in her grew with her every word.
A low growl reached his ears and he looked over at the youkai Lord.
Shivers ran through him in rapid succession.
The look on the Daiyoukai's face made him feel as if he were going to die right there, drowning in the liquid fire of those eyes.
Someone sat next to him, thankfully breaking their hold.
It was the Houshi, Miroku.
"Houshi." Aikira said clearing his throat.
"Bushi sama." Miroku replied with a nod. "It seems you have caught the attention of our Inu no Daiyoukai."
Miroku smirked when he saw the youkai's eyebrow twitch.
The Houshi is enjoying this far to much. Sesshomaru thought turning his gaze to the moon.
Aikira turned to the monk. "What do you mean?"
Miroku sighed. "Kagome sama, she is unlike any you will ever meet. Not just for her beauty or intelligence. She is also a very powerful Miko."
Aikira jerked his gaze from the woman back to the man beside him. "Miko!" He looked at her again. "She does not seem to be a Miko."
"Mmm. She refuses to wear the garb of a priestess, for… personal reasons. She is not one to be trifled with. It is only a friendly warning." The monk said waving his hands before him as the Samurai tensed, his hand on his sword hilt.
"Also, she is under the protection of quite a few demons. Not just Sesshomaru sama, but also Inuyasha, Sesshomaru sama's brother, as well as Prince Kouga of the Ookami tribe and his pack. She also has the allegiance of this group." He said fiercely, fingering the beads around his wrist.
Seeing the Samurai pale, he knew his words got through.
"Eat well my friend and rest. Your journey begins in the morning right?" Miroku said patting the mans shoulder as he stood.
"Hai, Monk. My Lady and I will leave at dawn, do not worry."
"That's good then." The Houshi drifted over to the Miko's side and sat by the fire, shooting a grin in the Daiyoukai's direction.
Sesshomaru almost laughed at that. The Houshi wasn't half bad, for a human.
A/N: Well that's it for another chapter. I was pondering not writing any more, but figured I owed it to the story to finish it, even if no one likes it.
All these foods, I have found, they actually made note of in the history of Sengoku Jidai.
Inu no Daiyoukai: Great dog demon
Bushi, Kobushi: Samurai or Feudal warrior
Miko: Shinto priestess
Houshi: Buddhist priest or Monk
Taijia: Exterminator
Ookami: Wolf
Daikon: Large white radish
Burdock: Root used to flavor stew
Umeboshi: Pickled Dried plums
Katsuobushi: Small pieces of sliced dried Bonito
Mochi: Sticky rice cake
Gunji Nabe: Nabe or hot pot made with the chickens from chicken fights. The losers. ^_^`
Yukata: Summer Kimono that usually stops above the ankle
Awase: Lined Kimono
Obi: Sash
Kamishimo: Samurai garb
Kawagutsu: Leather boots
Uwagi: Kimono style shirt or tunic
Hime-sama: Princess
Tono: Feudal Lord
The writing at the top is an excerpt from a poem about love by Sophacles.
I also have to point out that I borrowed a few lines from the drama Fuurin Kazan, which was also set in the Sengoku Jidai, mostly the line Kagome spoke about battle was a slightly modified speech Yamamoto Kansuke made to the Tono and his generals. It is an interesting show if you like history. It also has Gackt in it, although he doesn't show up until episode 24.
I will try in the future to not put so much history in the story, so don't worry. Hope you enjoy. And if you do please leave a review!