A/N: Hello there to all of my readers! How are you? I've been up to my neck in stories! I have so far five stories that I am working on and it feels great! I am also planning another story to post on this site so look for it in the future. I've also been up to my neck in summer homework... :sniff: Three books to read, a poem to analyze, notes to take, and two term papers to do. That's a lot, huh? Well I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Explanation: Well, I got a review from one of my readers named LuLu and she was wondering why in the world Kagome would go to a slave market. I understand that you weren't flaming me LuLu but I've decided to answer your question through this chapter instead of sending you a message because you never left an email address. You see, when the locket that she possessed took her into Madrien it was fated that she would end up at the local slave market for Shardul to find. She didn't do it on purpose if that was what you were thinking and so... Why in the world would I allow Kagome, a young woman with a lot of intelligence, to wander into a slave market! I'm not that mean! Hehe.
Thank You: A special thanks to the following people for reviewing thus far: Katie, Hand off the Hanyou, Danyu, Artemis Moon, Starr Stealer, aMizuShoubai, Angel of Death 88, rinchhead, Jynx, marijang69, KougaDemonAddict, Lulu, Crystal, Sesshouismine, Lizz456, KatanaFox, Hanyou665, She-Demonstriss, none, short-tempered, twigy, ArtemisMoon, Hot Bitch (a.k.a. Celeste), Inuyasha-Is-My-Boyfriend, Crutches the Magic Hippie, Latinachica, Kagomeissosexy, Orlando-Inu-Lover, Hi, Annie, Tarzan, Kenshrix, Kinomoto, Dark Hanyou Lover, Shaq, InuFan4Life, AuronZs10, EarthQueen11492, LinaoftheLight, chickichicki, tomariella222, spotzplaya888, elementalobsession, Black Betty, InnocentDarkSassyCat, Dark Daimon Fate, Innocent Hope, dreamz-of-hope, azn-modern-miko, Lady Dark Angel, GohanzGirl, Schezerade7, Ria-chan, Shokora no Sakuhen, Embury, lyn, Iuschopstiks, Silver Rain Drops, kawaii-arula, inu-kaglover45, Malitia, AzaraRubie, dragdr, and Alarnia. Thank you for sticking with me so far especially with my random updates and I sincerely hope that you continue to do so. Your words mean more to me than you -or I- may ever know.
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless." -Mother Theresa
Dedication: This fanfiction is dedicated to Ria-chan, my little sister and best friend. She proof read the first two chapters of this story and has given me the inspiration to begin my story anew. But most important of all, she believes in me, which is why I posted this fic and for that I am eternally grateful. She has been my constant anchor when my world seems like it is turning upside down and inside out. She has been there for me and listened to my complaints and I thank every star at night for leading me to her. Thank you, Ria-chan! Love you lots, sweetie!
Disclaimer: Repeat after me please: "Winged Shadow does not, and we repeat, DOES NOT own Inuyasha. He belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and whomever has rights to him." Very good class:clapping proudly: In this chapter I own Naku, Elsa and, of course, Selena who is modeled after my dear little sister Rai-chan!
"The more you know the less you understand." -Tao Te Ching
Chapter 9: A Familiar Face
The sun slowly filtered through the curtains, kissing Kagome's flushed cheeks and welcoming her to the new day that had brightened outside. She opened her sleep-heavy eyelids to be met with surroundings completely unfamiliar to her. An ornate, carved ceiling peeked down upon her, gold plated and shimmering in the sun's brilliant rays. Slowly she propped herself upon her elbows, so many questions running through her mind as her ebony tresses clung to the pillow from her deep slumber. Why was she here? And where was here? But most important of all, where was Inuyasha? She could have sworn that she had seen him before she passed out... Wait, passed out? Quickly she sat up fully and immediately regretted the action when the lavish room around her spun dangerously. She placed a slightly shaking hand to her head, a small throb ensuing in her temple that she tried to alleviate.
The pain blurred her vision somewhat as she threw her legs over the bed to touch the soft carpeting on the floor. Kagome managed a smile when she felt how luxurious the plush carpet was as she began to walk over it. There was a rustle of sheets and suddenly she felt the cool breeze brush across her slender body from all around. Kagome stopped quickly, glancing down to find that she wasn't wearing anything, not even a bra or underwear. A blush crept into her cheeks even though no one was around. Being in a strange place plus the fact that she was naked made her beyond uncomfortable.
A gasp escaped her lips when she began to wonder who had seen her like this. But more importantly, who had undressed her! It better not has been Inuyasha or she was going to give him a piece of her anger that he would regret. Even though she would be overjoyed to see him... Maybe it was that young woman, the one whose soft words had reassured her that she was safe. Kagome sincerely hoped that it was she because she didn't want to start something with Inuyasha. All she desired was to see him and talk to him again. Explain everything to him, maybe clear up the misunderstanding that had happened between them.
"Miss?" a voice called out softly from the other side of the door followed by a light tap upon the polished wood. It was impatient and not at all accommodating to the person occupying the room, increasing Kagome's anxiety about where she was. Kagome's efforts to regain the blanket became jerkier as the embarrassment continued to run through her swiftly. Please don't let her come in, please don't let her come in. Those words repeated themselves over and over inside of Kagome's mind as she wrapped the blanket around her slender form hurriedly. She did not want to someone to walk in on her without any clothing, placing her at a disadvantage.
Without permission the door opened to reveal a stout, plump woman with a face touched with fine wrinkles. She held a certain authority as she walked that clearly told that she was not a woman to be crossed, but the kindness in her eyes sometimes betrayed her, at least that was what the ebony-haired girl in front of her could see. But when the strange woman stopped a few feet from her, Kagome knew that she was wrong. There was no kindness in this woman when her mouth finally opened to introduce herself.
"Good morning, Miss," the woman bowed respectfully at the waist as she surveyed her from beneath her eyelashes. This was someone that was completely new to her and rumor had it that she had come from the Mortal realm instead of here in Madrien. But whoever she was, she didn't like her already. "I am Elsa and I will be taking care of you for the time being," the woman concluded in a curt manner, she was already bustling around the room and opening the curtains ever wider to allow more sunshine to stream in.
"Nice to meet you," Kagome murmured, bowing at the waist as well though Elsa never paid her any attention. It was as if Kagome was not in the room at all as her hands tightened the sheet around her. By the way that she clung to the blanket it made it seem like it was the only thing keeping her safe. Everything about this was strange. Right down to the servants. Kagome stared wide eyed as Elsa's dull gray hair slipped past her shoulder to reveal the elfin shaped ears she possessed and suddenly Kagome wanted to find out more about this woman and where in the world she had managed to find herself. She knew that she should not be surprised. After all, Kagome had been the slave to a tiger demon of all things...
For long moments, all that was heard inside the room were the ruffle of velvet covers as the keeper smoothed the wrinkles from them with an expert hand. When she wanted to speak Kagome found that she could hardly get a word in for Elsa was chatting away casually as if Kagome did not matter in the least, "Ye are now in the manor of Lord and Lady Inutaisho, which resides in the province of Dunai. Ye were very lucky that the masters have decided to take ye in like they have, otherwise ye would have died already. This is not a place for," Elsa paused, finally turning to her as she finished straightening the covers upon the bed, eyeing her over with a distasteful expression before continuing, "A place for a mere mortal girl to wander about in."
Anger swelled within Kagome at Elsa's ill chosen words. It was enough that the woman was not making her feel welcome in this house, now she was insulting her! What in the hell was this?
"Now listen I didn't ask to be dropped here you know-" Kagome gritted between her teeth, taking a threatening step forward. Elsa, however, was not intimidated for she was already waving away the comment with a flick of her wrist. She didn't have time for this girl's idle prattle. There was work to be done.
"I suppose ye will be needing clothing..." Elsa muttered as she straightened once again and looked Kagome over from head to toe, judging everything. When she was satisfied she pulled a velveteen chord that hung from the ceiling and not too far away a bell was tolling. Kagome frowned, wondering what she had done but her answer soon came in the form of several younger women that marched through the door. Each of them held a different article of clothing in many styles and fabrics. Elsa clapped once, directing the girls to stand before Kagome and hold up a different dress. Each was decadent in its own way, from embroidery to jewels to lace and ribbon. The colors and material were all breath taking, Kagome finding that she liked the powder blue one the best.
Kagome asked softly, "May I wear this one?" She fingered the gown with delicate swipes of her fingers as she held it out for Elsa to see. For all of this she was willing to look over what Elsa had said, at least until she managed to make her angry once more.
Elsa nodded, also seeing that it suited Kagome more than the others and waved the rest of the girls off. "Dismissed," she commanded harshly as she moved to help her temporary mistress into the dress. The style was simple, a silk gown that was touched in lace at the large, belled sleeves and square neckline. It graced her small form almost fully until it billowed out at the waist in magnificent folds that shimmered and skimmed the floor with each step that Kagome made. She was in awe of the beauty of it all as the soft feel of it rubbed into her skin. It was light and airy despite the many yards of fabric that must have been used to make it and suddenly Kagome wandered who it had been really made for. The waist was slightly bigger than what she usually wore and the skirt was a bit long as well.
"Whom does this belong to?" Kagome wondered out loud as she spun in front of the full-length mirror, the dress blossoming beautifully around her. When she stopped her ebony locks gracefully settled atop her shoulders, slipping past to tumble down her back and seeing this Elsa moved to pin it up for her. But Kagome only shook her head at her, the elf woman had already done enough. Elsa shrugged nonchalantly, knowing it best not to press the matter.
A tiny crease appeared in the middle of Kagome's brows when something in the mirror caught her eye. Moving closer, Kagome turned fully until her back faced her reflection and reached hesitant fingers to touch the light scars along her skin. They were healing as best as they could and Kagome had only just noticed them. So she had been affected. She now bore them as a reminder of what Shardul had done to her. A soft sigh escaped Kagome's lips but nothing more was said. Oh well, there was nothing that she could do. They were there and Kagome decided that she just had to accept them.
Elsa gathered the remaining blanket that Kagome had used as a means to cover her form and took her time in answering the question. "It was originally worn by Lady Selena but she has outgrown it in her condition. So it would be best of ye wore it. Now if ye will excuse me..." Elsa trailed off as she bowed at the waist once more before taking her leave. Her absence left Kagome to stand in the over bearing room by herself.
She sighed and looked down upon the dress once more in longing. She didn't want to take it from this woman, whomever she may be but was grateful that she had something to wear now. But she preferred being naked to what Shardul had made her and his other "possessions" wear when they had been in his keep. That was another thing she was grateful for: to be rid of those horrible scraps of clothing. A shiver ran up and down her spine at his thought and once again she was glad to be rid of him once and for all. Now all that was left to worry about was finding Inuyasha. If he even lived in this house...
Gathering the skirt in her hands, Kagome walked out of the room slowly and stopped to gain her bearings. There were rooms stretching for as far as the eye could see, ones that led to different parts of the house. Uncertain parts. She didn't want to get lost in this place and that possibility was very likely the longer that Kagome gazed around her. Exploring would have to wait even though there were beautiful paintings that hung on nearly every panel in the wall. Vases and earthly toned furniture were abundant throughout that called to be touched for it seemed that they had been there for ages with no apparent use. Each sat elegantly upon a Persian rug laced with gleaming gold thread that screamed expensive, not to mention a taste for all things exotic.
After much deliberation she resigned herself to the flight of stairs that would lead her to the first floor of the mansion. It was her wisest choice by far, seeing as she knew no one here and did not want to appear as if she were sneaking around. Placing one hand on the railing, Kagome descended the stairs slowly as the pain in her temple returned somewhat but Kagome refused to show that small weakness and she chose to ignore it. It would leave soon enough.
The clack of her heels did not end at the bottom of the stairs as Kagome continued her search through the house. The mansion's floor plan bordered on ridiculous. So far, Kagome must have passed at least three sitting areas, two kitchens and what looked to be a study and still it stretched outwards almost endlessly, giving Kagome another headache. Who in the world lived in a house this big? Yet she had found no one. For such a large house, there were not many servants lurking around as she had expected. Maybe they were on some kind of break, a holiday maybe? Or was she just looking in all of the wrong places?
"You little rat! How dare you step into my room!"
Kagome's head snapped to the side as a scream screeched around her, chilling the blood in her veins. The tone was wrought in a fury that she had never heard before. From around a corner a small ball of fluff raced under the side tables with an unnatural speed. He was trying to get away from the woman that was following close behind him after he had done nothing wrong in the first place. Seeing the skirt in front of him, the child leapt into Kagome's arms and latched his arms around her neck for dear life.
If she had not righted herself quickly Kagome would have fallen from the sheer impact as her arms caught the boy tenderly. Kagome took a few staggering steps back for good measure, not entirely sure she wanted to meet the person to whom that voice had belonged. It reminded her of the girls that she had classes with back on Earth. A slight sense of homesickness rose from the depths of her heart but Kagome managed to quell it before it could consume her. She couldn't focus on that right now.
All that should be on her mind was the little boy. Shivers racked his form badly from his head to his small toes but that was far from his thoughts. All he could focus on was the wonderful scent of vanilla and cherry blossoms that came from the woman's body. How closely she held him to her body as if he were precious to her. Who was she? And why did he feel so safe with her?
Kayo's form was the next thing that appeared from around the corner wall, her glinting eyes looking over everything endlessly for that small demon. He would pay for what the mess he had made inside her fair bedroom. She never tolerated anything or anyone to enter without her permission for her room was filled to brimming with precious valuables that she refused to have stolen. She finally spotted Kagome with the culprit in her arms and she stalked toward her with precise steps that revealed clearly her foul mood. She was not one that would be trifled with.
Kagome saw her intent and instead of taking a step back as most would have she faced Kayo's anger squarely. It was obvious to her that whomever this woman was she was after the small boy that was doing his best to hide himself underneath her massive locks of hair. Kagome felt a sweep of maternal instincts, holding him tighter as she silently challenged Kikuyu to try and take him from her.
And that was exactly what she did. "Hand that little wretch over," Kikyo commanded, thinking this young woman to be a new member of the household. "He is to be punished for his behavior."
She was expecting for Kagome to obey her and it came as a great shock when her order was not taken to heart. Kagome did not cower before her as the other servants did, rather she was glaring at Kikyo with her anger rising steadily. For one moment Kikyo thought of backing down for this girl held a tremendous power within her and one that she could detect no boundaries or limits to in its infamy. But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside. Kikyo was the Maiden of Twilight and no one could defeat her.
Kagome regarded her with a cool demeanor that did nothing to hide the true emotions swirling inside the depths of her azure eyes. "And what was this behavior that he needs to be punished for?" she asked softly, a clear warning in her tone.
"I do not have to answer to the likes of you, wench, now give me that little brat if you value your safety," Kikyo threatened through clenched teeth. Her slender hands with their crimson fingernails wound into fists at her side, standing up straighter when she realized that this was no servant but at the same time she had never seen this girl. She was outraged that she was having to answer for her actions in this mansion. She was Inuyasha's mistress and she explained herself to no one. But for some reason she did not know why she was acting this way... What about this girl was throwing her off balance?
Kagome's crystalline eyes narrowed dangerously as she heard the small boy's whimper in her ear, "Please don't let her take me, miss." Shippo knew that everyone succumbed to Kikyo's demands especially when she threatened them with her powers and he dreaded that this woman would do the same. But he didn't want her to. For the first time Shippo actually cared whether this woman, with her warm arms and the resonating beat of her heart that soothed his troubled mind, would give him up to Kikyo's wrath. This woman who smelled of winter's nights that revealed to him the subtle hints of spring's coming.
His voice came brokenly and the shivers coursing through him concerned Kagome to no end. What had she done to this boy to make him sound so frightened?
"I think he will stay with me," Kagome mused, smiling with slight satisfaction at the expression upon Kikyo's delicate features. So this woman was used to getting her way, huh? Well that was certainly not going to happen this time, not while she was here. Kagome's expression suddenly turned serious, shifting Shippo's small body to her other side before opening her mouth to speak once again, "I suggest that you take a nice stroll outside to calm yourself. It is such a lovely day..."
A strangled cry of frustration burst from Kikyo's lips as she realized that this impudent girl not only was serious but was also mocking her as she just- just commanded her to go outside! Her mouth opened and closed several times with no sound coming as she tried to lift herself from the shock of being told off. Where had all of her authority just disappeared to! Her brown eyes narrowed into dark slits, sinister purple power seeping from the fists at her sides to circle her body in a spiral. She would be rid of this wench once and for all then move onto that blasted boy she clutched to her breast.
"You will pay!" Kikyo cried at her, seeing with rising anger and puzzlement that Kagome remained rooted to the spot. Keeping that same air of superiority around her like a shining shield. Or was that power that was radiating outward to nullify her own? She couldn't tell or rather did not have the time to before Sesshomaru materialized from the shadows themselves to interrupt the impending battle.
He strode past Kagome swiftly to tower over Kikyo with his form that stood at six feet. For one breathtaking moment, Kagome thought it might have been Inuyasha that stood before her. But when she glanced closer, she saw the flaws that existed. This person showed too much restraint with his emotions to be Inuyasha, was too calm and collected. He was certainly taller, looked much more sophisticated than Inuyasha with his velvet coat that gleamed crimson all the way down to his polished boots. Inuyasha was more laid back than this man, plus the air around the half demon was not so cold and frigid. And it probably did not help that it was Kikyo that this man's emotions were directed at.
Sesshomaru had been more than surprised to find that Kikyo had actually lost her sense of balance. It was true that the courtesan did use her powers to intimidate those around her but never had she allowed herself the chance to truly free them. Until now. Kikyo stood before him, flustered, furious, fiery. All dangerous emotions that could prove to be the end of someone if they were not careful.
"Lady Kikyo," he murmured, his voice low and appealing to the ears, "It would bode well for you that you place a rein upon your powers. We would not want anyone hurt." The last part of his statement was a clear warning that he made no move to disguise. She had never been someone he liked or even tolerated. This unbridled display only proved to worsen his temperament toward her.
Gradually, with what looked to be a great effort on Kikyo's part, her powers were pulled back within her. The way in which she did it frightened Kagome slightly, almost reminding her of a snake that recoiled into itself. Retreating but not seeing defeat. The image brought a shiver deep in her body but she suppressed it enough to quirk a delicately arched eyebrow as Kikyo face contorted in disgust. Without a word, she sauntered off in a swish of silken skirts, leaving Kagome in the presence of an incredibly handsome demon and a still shivering little boy.
Sesshomaru stared after Kikyo's retreating form, making sure that she did leave them. She was a cunning creature that would resort to tactics that were far below what the honor code dictated. Now certain that she was gone, he faced the woman behind him fully, looking to never had moved at all. His actions came as a ripple of sheer muscle that was easily seen through the thin material of his clothing. His tall form shone with a subtle aura, a clear test of power that he bridled expertly within himself. Just by looking at him, Kagome could tell that he was not one to lose his serenity easily and that was far more frightening than if he showed his anger out right.
His gaze slid up and down her body, inspecting every inch of the girl that Inuyasha had brought with him when he had returned. She looked much healthier than she had yesterday, the color having returned to her limbs and eyes. She glowed with a soft, radiant light that ate away at the cold facade that he kept over himself. But at the same time Sesshomaru could see the effects of her abuse. Her need for food shown clearly from the weariness inside of her clear eyes and the over slenderness of her body, something that caused a small discomfort in him. He could not tolerate someone that treated a woman in such a way. They were the gods' greatest gifts and should be treasured as such. But there was no way that he was going to tell anyone that. He rarely did.
A small frown broke on Kagome's forehead. "What are you looking at?" The suspicion was clear in her voice as she regarded him with equal scrutiny. She was unaccustomed to such a thing and Sesshomaru's golden eyes were intimidating, not to mention his tall frame that drew closer to her slowly. And just as he suspected she did not back away from him.
"I am merely trying to decide whether you are extremely brave or extremely foolish to stand up to Kikyo as you did," Sesshomaru murmured in a sensually deep voice as he finally looked up. It took Kagome a long moment to realize that he was teasing her. This looming man with a power that was too much to comprehend as it drifted around him was actually trying to lighten the tension in the air. And to top it all off, his mouth was curving into an amused grin.
"I think it might be a little bit of both," she answered breathlessly, tilting her head back so that she could look into his face. He was a good two heads taller than she was. Kagome couldn't help herself. She flashed him a small smile to match his own, a burst of laughter also escaping her.
Sesshomaru nodded without a word but his smile remained. She was indeed beautiful, both inside and out. Who else would have stood up to Kikyo's wrath to save the small boy she held in her arms? He could see why Inuyasha was so smitten with her and he found that he approved of her already even when he did not know her. But Sesshomaru had a feeling that he would know soon enough who this young woman was. He cocked his head to the side in a subtle gesture that indicated he wanted her to follow him as he led her down the hallways.
Kagome knew she could trust him. After all, he had saved her from that woman or rather had merely intervened at the right moment. She had been partially frightened of the power that she sensed was surfacing once more in her body, the same one that had saved Inuyasha from that man that had attacked them in the park. She dwelled on those thoughts for a moment before the small boy in her arms drew her attention to him.
He had to be the most adorable little thing that she had ever seen. A small mop of unruly red hair framed a smoothly rounded face and Kagome was instantly reminded of a cherub in a Renaissance painting. Innocence contained in a small body that had to be sent down from the Heavens themselves. A beautiful boy personified. Her heart only melted more when their eyes met, a startling emerald green color peeking up at her through sweeping eyelashes and regarded her with a mixture of awe, love and slight apprehension. It seemed to her that he couldn't comprehend why she had done what she did. Kagome found herself pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead just because she had to.
Shippo stiffened at the maternal touch but eased himself further into her arms. She was very confusing to him but Shippo really didn't care. All he wanted to do was remain in her arms just as he was right then. He couldn't explain it but something about her was right, like he had searched for her ever since... that night... A deep welling sadness made itself known then, creeping its way into Shippo's heart and eyes slowly like it had always done. But the longer he remained in Kagome's hold, the less the sadness could touch him. What was it about her?
Kagome smiled at the myriad of emotions that played inside of his eyes, reminding her of shadows that crept across a forest meadow. She asked softly, "What's your name?"
Shippo answered immediately, his voice light and if Kagome listened close enough she could hear a touch of hesitancy as well. "Shippo, miss."
"Miss?" she grimaced, "Makes me sound like a grandma. Call me Kagome instead, Shippo."
Shippo nodded his head enthusiastically, now at ease in her comforting presence. "You were really great, Kagome! I've never seen anyone stand up to Kikyo like that." There was happiness in his piping voice that matched the grin lighting his rounded cheeks. It was true. There never anyone that made Kikyo as flustered as she had been then, no one around to bring out her true nature. But Shippo had seen Kagome do it and in his eyes shown the respect and admiration he had for her and it warmed her heart to see it. In his excitement, Shippo's bushy tail began to wag as it thumped against Kagome's hand in a quick motion.
Kagome looked over his shoulder to see it and made a small sound of pleasure. It was a tail! She moved one hand to pet it, loving the velvety texture against her palm. Was there no end to his cuteness!
"Thank you, sweetheart. What kind of demon are you, Shippo?" she wondered, continuing to stroke his still wagging tail of fur. She was utterly mesmerized and couldn't stop for some reason. Next to Inuyasha's ears she had never seen anything like this before. She was thinking he might be some kind of dog as well, or maybe a raccoon, though he had none of the right coloring. His hair and tail were a subtle red instead of the black, white and grey that it should have been.
Seeing that his new friend wanted to know more about him, Shippo puffed out his little chest that was clad in almost identical clothing as Sesshomaru's and announced proudly, "I'm a fox demon!"
Kagome smiled affectionately at him, which caused a small blush to creep into Shippo's rounded cheeks. He ducked his head quickly to twiddle his fingers nervously. He could not think of the last time someone smiled at him like that, even in this house. Inuyasha had taken him and his large family had welcomed Shippo but the little demon had always thought himself to be a burden to them.
Sesshomaru watched their interaction from the corner of his eye, surprised if anything at Kagome's actions. She had taken to Shippo right away and had actually made the sometimes-rebellious boy blush. "I am Sesshomaru, eldest brother of Inuyasha, Kagome," he introduced gently as they walked side by side.
Instantly a joyful light dawned inside of the velvet blue of Kagome's eyes, knowing that she had seen Inuyasha staring back at her in Sesshomaru's handsome face. Kagome had really not been dreaming. He was here in this house, possibly right at that moment. "Where is he, Sesshomaru! Can I see him?" she rushed, lengthening her stride so that she could keep up with him. Though she tried her best to hide it, the happiness of seeing Inuyasha once more leaked through to her words. It added a musical lilt to her voice, curling around the words with a care and devotion that matched that of her feelings for Inuyasha.
"He and the others are waiting for you up ahead," Sesshomaru explained calmly, his voice a sharp contrast to her excited one. But he failed to mention that Inuyasha was somewhat reluctant to see her. And none of that would change, seeing as that she had awoken much earlier than any of them had suspected. She was indeed a powerful mortal girl. The only thing that puzzled and surprised him was the amount of power that Kagome's body stored and he believed that Kikyo sensed it as well. There was something here that Inuyasha was not explaining to them, Sesshomaru would be the one to get the information out of him, whether by force or otherwise.
Kagome wished with all of her might that Sesshomaru would increase his pace so that they would reach wherever they were going much sooner but sadly he did not. She lapsed into a silence that was disturbed by nothing but deep inside she was near to bursting, barely able to contain her excitement. She wanted, no needed to see Inuyasha. Those seven days spent without him had her thinking. She didn't want him just for his protection from Shardul. She needed to see him to make amends, hope that he would apologize for the way that he treated her that day. She had done nothing wrong to him, had merely wished to protect him from more pain.
Another long moment passed before Kagome finally saw the door that Sesshomaru wanted her to go through and she continued to walk in breathless anticipation toward it, following Sesshomaru's movements with perfect harmony. She didn't want to appear foolish in his eyes in anyway because something about him demanded complete perfection. Shippo saw where they were going and tapped Kagome on the shoulder with one small finger. Kagome turned her head slightly to look at him curiously. There was that apprehension she had seen earlier as it dawned on his face and suddenly she was nervous.
"I don't think I should come with you," Shippo said quietly, not meeting her gaze. He knew that Inuyasha was in there waiting for his eldest brother and for Kagome but Shippo didn't want to be in the same room as him. He took care to avoid almost everyone in the house, extra energy devoted to not seeing Inuyasha or spending time with him. The half demon scared him sometimes, he made Shippo nervous just to be around him. He didn't want to go but at the same time he didn't want to leave Kagome alone with him either. He was already protective of her and they had just met.
Kagome slipped a kiss onto Shippo's cheek and bent down to place him on the ground. She was surprised to find that he was so small. He didn't even reach her knee and she began to wonder how old he was. "You go have fun and I'll see you later?" she said hopefully, needing a friend in this strange world.
He grinned widely at her, the smile spreading from one elfin ear to the other. Shippo did an inward victory dance as he nodded but if there had been a way to do one and not look like he was a little kid he would have done it. He hated it when people thought he was just a little boy that had nothing better to offer or say. He quickly rushed away into another room, the pads of his paw-like feet making soft echoing sounds around them before they faded into the distance.
Kagome watched him leave their presence and all of a sudden she was nervous. She had no idea what to expect from all of this, no idea how Inuyasha would react when he saw her. They had not exactly left each other on the best of terms but... Before she had passed out that day she had seen the concern shining forth in his eyes, the anxious lines around his mouth. Surely they could see past that small fight that they had had. With that thought in mind, Kagome turned to Sesshomaru as he opened the heavy mahogany door to allow her to enter first.
All eyes turned to the opening door and the strong, filtering light that cascaded inside the study. Breathless with anticipation, Kagome entered the spacious room to see more people than she had ever expected to meet here. Inuyasha was there as she had expected and hoped, standing at one of the many bay windows. His arms were crossed over his chest in seeming defiance and it was obvious to Kagome that they had been in the middle of a conversation when the two of them had walked in. There was no warmth in his eyes when he beheld her, but underneath his facade, a place that none could see but him, he was bursting.
Kagome stood before him in good health and glowing as brightly as ever. True she looked somewhat exhausted but that could be fixed. From what he could tell she had been unaffected on the outside save for the criss crossing marks upon her back and Inuyasha hoped that it was the same with her on the inside. If he found evidence that Shardul had scarred her emotionally he would personally go back to tear him limb from limb with his bare hands. And this time he would show no mercy. But for the time being he kept a stoic expression in his golden eyes as he nodded toward her politely.
Atop the elegant couch sat two of the most beautiful women that Kagome had ever seen in her life, proving to only adding to the nervousness that she felt well inside of her. They sat with all of the airs of finery, clothed in silken dresses that billowed around them like shimmering water. One of them she recognized as the young lady that had healed her wounds the night before. She could never forget the charcoal color of her silken tresses or the unique coloring of her eyes. Crimson and gold... What an unusual mix... The woman seated next to her had hair the color of the finest chocolate, which framed a delicate but strong face. Her gaze was all-knowing and demanded respect from those that she knew. She wasn't as soft as the woman next to her but still managed to seem feminine and sophisticated.
There was also a man that stood not too far away from the rest of the group, dignified and silent. There was no trace of humor on his face until he saw Kagome. Immediately he placed a dashing smile on his sculpted lips and began to walk toward her, his arms slightly outstretched as though he would take her in them.
"Ah, my dear, you are even lovelier awake than you are when you slumber so delicately-" he began but before he could get any closer to her, a hand grabbed at his wrist and pulled him roughly back. It belonged to the woman that Kagome had never seen before and from the looks of it she was not pleased with his display.
"Sit down, Miroku and stop being a fool," she snapped, watering him with a seething glare. She turned back to Kagome with an exasperated look. "I am sorry. He can sometimes be a lecher so you'll have to watch out for his wandering hands."
Miroku looked brutally hurt as he pretended to stagger beneath the weight of her words. He disagreed entirely about her accusation but Kagome believed the woman far more than she would believe the one they called Miroku. "I beg to differ, my sweet Sango. There, of course, is no one that is fairer than you," he purred quietly. His gaze drifted across her lush body enough to make Sango blush prettily with his attention. The hard look remained on her face but she seemed to calm somewhat with his well-chosen words.
"So you've met Sango and Miroku. They're madly in love but they don't like to show it." The next one to talk was Selena as she tried to stand from her seated position. Kagome could now see that she was heavy with child for her large stomach was far more apparent when she moved when before it had been covered by her dress. So that was what Elsa meant when she said Selena's "condition." Almost instantly, Sesshomaru had left Kagome's side to come to Selena's. He urged her back into the couch with a gentleness that Kagome was shocked to see that he had. He was so imposing just moments before with Kikyo and here was now handling Selena as if she were a porcelain doll that he didn't want to lose.
"You mustn't strain yourself, Lena," he murmured to her in concern. In his hands were more pillows that he used to prop her back up. He wanted her to be as comfortable as possible so the possessive side of him was awake once again. Sesshomaru couldn't help himself. Selena was so small and fragile that he couldn't help but worry about her condition.
Selena smiled at him with tenderness and reached forth a hand to cup his cheek. Her Sesshomaru never ceased to surprise her with the softer side of him that was rarely shown to others but her. It brought tears to her eyes sometimes when he treated her this way. Her thoughts always strayed to the first time that they met, he had been so cold and withdrawn that there seemed to be no hope to melt his heart of ice. But she had done it and now had his love and affection. Selena still counted herself as the luckiest woman in the world.
Sango discreetly moved out of her seat to allow Selena to draw Sesshomaru onto the couch beside her. She smiled at Kagome as the tall man took her small hand in his large one.
"You have met Sesshomaru already. I am his mate Selena," she introduced in a voice that rang like pristine bells, "Don't allow him to intimidate you because on the inside he is just a big softie. He is constantly worrying about me and our second child." She ran a hand over her swollen stomach to emphasize her point as if no one in the room knew how he acted.
Kagome returned her smile with one of her own and found that she was thoroughly relaxed amongst all of these people. She was grateful that there were women here and not just intimidating and lecherous men that she would have to control on her own. At Sango's invitation, Kagome sat down next to her on another couch inside the room and relaxed visibly on the soft cushions.
"Congratulations. I'm very happy for you," Kagome whispered. She imagined that their second child would be as beautiful as their first child must have been. What a wonder to have children. Unconsciously her eyes strayed to Inuyasha and Kagome had to force down a blush at the thoughts running through her mind. First she had to see if Inuyasha was still angry with her. "Thank you for helping me last night," Kagome finished hurriedly, remembering that this woman had taken care of her without question.
Selena smiled, having caught the look that Kagome had sent to Inuyasha. Selena's eye caught Sango's and together they communicated silent words to each other. They knew that Inuyasha had feelings for this Kagome and were now sure that she shared the same feelings when it came to him. "You are very welcome, Kagome. It's not every day that Inuyasha brings someone he cares about to the manor," Selena said absently. Sneaky thoughts were going around in her mind at all the different ways that she and Sango could play matchmaker with their older brother. How fun this would be...
A blush crept into Kagome's cheeks at her statement and she heard Inuyasha's barely concealed growl. He hated what Selena was trying to do, though he could very clearly see the reasoning behind it. She was going to set him up with Kagome. Well, she had another thing coming.
"You know very well that I brought Kagome here because I couldn't leave her with that tiger demon," he muttered, finally turning around to face his family. He couldn't raise his voice to them like he wanted to for he loved them all too much but that didn't mean that he couldn't be harsh with them. Inuyasha looked at Kagome momentarily just because he had to. He loved watching her beauty and the different emotions that played across her eyes and mouth. And at that moment, hurt was etched into her features and he had to look away to meet Miroku's gaze. "I also brought her to this place because Oki suspects that she might be the Maiden of Twilight and all of you know that as well."
He didn't believe it, however. Or rather, he didn't want to. It had been seen to that Kikyo was the Maiden of Twilight because she exhibited much of the qualities that were written in legend. Everyone, including Inuyasha himself, had come to accept that as law. But with Kagome now in the mix the whole balance had been tipped. Now there was a possibility that their suspicions about Kikyo were wrong and that in actuality Kagome was the chosen maiden. But how could that be? How could a mortal be the woman of legend when they had Kikyo, a being that had been born right here in Madrien?
Maiden of Twilight? Now Kagome was definitely confused. What in the world were they talking about? And why was everyone staring at her as if she might sprout wings and fly? Kagome's hands clenched in her lap, kneading the soft fabric of her dress with urgency. She didn't know what to do or say so she blurted out, "What are all of you talking about!"
There was a relative silence as Kagome's words hung heavily in the air around them. It would have been a suffocating silence if not for the familiarity in the atmosphere that came from the people that sat in the room. It was finally broken by a movement that came from the one called Miroku. He walked closer to Kagome and voiced the question that was on all of their minds:
"How exactly did you come here, Kagome? Inuyasha was telling us that you're home is on the Earth."
Kagome looked down at her lap, a look of concentration in the depths of her azure eyes. It was all a bit hazy to her. "Well, after Inuyasha left I sat down in my room," she began slowly, picking out each word she would say with meticulous care. She didn't want to let it slip out that she had been crying at the time. "All of a sudden there was this pillar of light behind me and for some reason it seemed to call to me-" Kagome stopped immediately and flushed a pretty red.
"I'm sorry, this might sound crazy to all of you..." she rushed quickly. She was unable to meet any of their gazes as she cursed herself for telling them that. Sango saw her distress and took Kagome's hand in hers for reassurance. Sango knew that this must be difficult for her, seeing that she was in an entirely different world with people she didn't know. And to top it all off the only person that she did know and trust refused to look at her directly in the eye.
"Don't worry, Kagome. It doesn't sound any crazier than the fact that you are somewhere else besides the planet Earth," she advised, "Now just tell us what you remember."
Kagome smiled her thanks for Sango's confidence in her. It doubled her gratitude for her being there. She didn't think she could say anything if it were not for Sango and Selena. The smile faded slowly and she turned her eyes back to the rest of them. "That is all I can remember, I'm afraid. The next thing I knew I was in a slave market and Shardul had bought me."
Sesshomaru nodded at her words but said nothing in response. There was some thing missing from her story, some key fact that she wasn't telling them. But he knew that it wasn't because she was with holding the information from all of them. Kagome simply didn't know. "So what do you think, brother?" he asked in his soft voice. It never seemed to rise from that level. He turned his head to stare at Inuyasha, the silver strands of his shimmering hair tumbling over one shoulder. They graced his lap before falling to Selena's. The color was a sharp contrast to the blood red hues of her dress but beautiful nonetheless.
Inuyasha placed a hand to his chin and allowed his mind to wander for a second. He went over the details of Kagome's story with precision, trying to find that missing link that he knew the rest of his family noticed. But no matter how he concentrated on it there he drew up a blank. A complete blank. "Well... Okinamaru wanted to have her brought to him. Maybe he can sort all of this out," Inuyasha said finally. Everyone agreed with him on the spot. The sorcerer and healer was well known for his vast stores of knowledge. Surely he could be the one to figure all of this out.
"Okinamaru?" Kagome echoed. "Who is he?" There was an edge of nervousness to her voice that she was unable to conceal as her sapphire gaze strayed to each of her new friends in turn. Kagome didn't want to sound anxious or afraid in front of them. It was obvious that they trusted whoever this man was and she should, as a result, trust in theirs. After all, what could happen? Maybe he could be the one to find a way to take her back to her world. Souta and her mother would be worried sick by now and she couldn't imagine the chaos that their hearts would be plunged into.
"Okinamaru is a healer and sorcerer," Sango explained as she patted Kagome's hand in a sisterly fashion, "Don't worry. He's very kind and our family has known him for many, many years."
The ebony haired girl nodded silently and once again looked down at her lap. Everyone could see that she was doing her best to absorb all of this as fast as she could. This was new to her, confusing her but she tried her best and that lifted her up in their eyes. Selena watched her intently, her softening crimson eyes betraying her feelings. She already liked the girl that Inuyasha had brought to them. She hoped with all of her being that Kagome was indeed the Maiden of Twilight. Kikyo she had never believed could save Madrien but Kagome could.
"Inuyasha, why don't you take Kagome to Oki now," Selena suggested in light tones. "I'm sure he'd want to meet her right away."
He nodded silently and moved toward the door with a grace that Kagome could not help but notice. Each step was sure and deliberate; none of them wasted and it made it appear as a dance within itself. He gestured for Kagome to follow him and she did so slowly, bowing to each of the people she had met that day respectfully before leaving after him.
Once the door had been shut, Selena rose from her place upon the couch before Sesshomaru could lift a hand to help her. When he attempted to rise and make his way to her, she only waved him back down to the seat. "I'm fine, Sesshomaru," she assured him. "I'm tired of sitting and our child agrees with me. He's kicking extra hard today."
It was true. Selena winced visibly with each passing moment and took that time to run her palms gently over her swollen stomach. It had become overly large with the six months that she had been along making her appear even tinier in comparison. Miroku could see why Sesshomaru was worried about her. Selena looked far too small to be birthing children as she propped her form against the window in a mimic of Inuyasha.
Sesshomaru snorted at her lack of obedience to his word. "Perhaps he agrees with me that you should be resting instead of being on your feet," he mused seriously, though his countenance was broken by the gentle humor in his tone. Sesshomaru could deny her nothing when she smiled at him the way she did.
"Perhaps. So how did you know that she was awake?" Selena wondered, directing the question at her anxious mate. She had not felt Kagome's spirit until Sesshomaru had led her close enough to the room. Maybe the baby was draining her of her power like her first-born child had done... But that should have come along at a later time.
Sesshomaru shrugged nonchalantly, he did not see it as a big deal. "I merely felt her energy spike considerably. When I saw Kagome, she had engaged Kikyo to lose her control over her powers."
Miroku stared disbelievingly at those words. Kikyo? There was no way that could have happened. Inuyasha's mistress was always in a forced serenity of her emotions and rarely allowed anyone to see her true self. But, despite that, the whole household knew what she was really like. Everyone perhaps but Inuyasha. He was either totally oblivious of chose to ignore her outbursts. Either way she was not someone that anyone happened to like.
Sango laughed at the look upon Miroku's face. "It doesn't matter. Kikyo now has a rival to Inuyasha's heart. And I have a feeling that she has already lost."
"What have you found out, Naku?"
Silver eyes shot open from the looming darkness that was being fought by the flickering beat of candlelight, turning to the man that had entered his domain. So Naraku had grown impatient, had he? The one he addressed as Naku was seated upon the marbled floor in the middle of the chamber upon the highest west tower. He had come here on Naraku's request and the substantial amount of gold he had promised. He was not one that worked for free.
A smile grew upon his flaky pale lips, revealing fangs as sharpened as a razor. Naku rose from his kneeling position, the crimson and black robes floundering around him. They mirrored the movements of his long, fiery red hair. It glimmered demonically in the fire's light and in some places it glowed starkly silver. He was a tall man that towered over Naraku at six feet and the top of his head nearly touched the ceiling of the low room. His long strands of hair brushed along the carefully placed sand as he walked to his employer, disturbing the ornate circle that he had been seated in.
As he bowed before Naraku's form, the candles quivered in fear of his aura and growing power. Their bodies bowed to him as he did to Naraku until they faded away completely, leaving only darkness when light should have been streaming through the windows. But in the castle, sunlight was not expected and so not missed. Naku's skin, though, glowed sickly white and provided all the light that was needed. In the confines of his flesh ran the blue veins that pumped blood throughout his skin, easily seen and distinguished by his pallor.
"The woman you seek is here in Madrien as you suspected." His voice was a chilling scrape of bone against bone. Raspy. Slowly creeping its way around a spine and snapping it in two. "And she resides in the house of Inutaisho," he explained, looking up at Naraku from beneath his spiked eyelashes. There were depths of black mixed with the steely silver eyes and from where his employer stood they looked like the abyss of eternal darkness, a darkness that would never be penetrated by the light. A life lost to the grips of power and forever ensnared.
Naraku's smirk widened across his face, a painful contortion of his features that drove a stake of slight fear into Naku's heart. There was something about this demon that he did not like because it dawned on him that Naraku reminded him of himself. Only Naku kept the blackness of his should within his body while Naraku was the living embodiment of all evil.
"If I may be so bold, Lord Naraku," Naku began, moistening his lips with his ruby red tongue. "Why not take this girl for your own? You possess the power and strength to do it."
Naraku had expected as much. There was not a lot known about the legend's maiden and it was natural to assume that he could take her as she was. "For the very reason that she has not yet awoken. The true being still remains dormant from the bleakness of this life and is still clean. I want the maiden that is tainted, awoken from her slumber."
He walked further into the room and past Naku to stand above the circle of sand that had been erected in an effort to find out all that was possible about the girl that had mangled Teinen in the way that she had. It seemed that she was mere mortal but a frown graced Naraku's handsome- but demonic- features. There was something about the girl that had his memory stirring. He had seen her somewhere before, he was sure of it when Naku had shown him an image of her that he had taken from Teinen's mind. Who was she? And why did he feel like he knew her?
"Soon," Naraku whispered darkly, "Soon you will be in my grasp. For now I will show you mercy and allow you to spend your time with that half breed, my dear. But the time will come when he will die by your hands."
Kagome grasped Inuyasha's hand as he helped her down from the carriage. They had rode over to what Inuyasha said was the king's castle, that was where Okinamaru resided. Inside the carriage, the atmosphere had been strained with the silence that existed between Kagome and Inuyasha. They had sat opposite of each other on each side. Their faces were turned away to gaze at the passing landscapes and for those moments Kagome had allowed herself to be lost in the beauty of the land. They had passed villages bustling with life, mansions, and forests that stretched for as far as the eye could see. It gave her the excuse to stay quiet and not meet Inuyasha's probing eyes. She knew that he had been watching her for she could feel his golden eyes upon her back, caressing her through the material of her dress.
"Be careful," Inuyasha said softly as Kagome's feet touched the smoothly paved path to the castle.
Her hand released the hem of her dress and Kagome's stained glass blue eyes widened in awe. The castle was even bigger than she had expected. It was not even a castle at all like she had thought. It was more like an estate with cream-colored walls adorning the outside, windows as large as the trees around it taking up half the front. The door was the finest marble carved with swirling designs and littered in jewels of every color and size.
When Kagome attempted to withdraw her hand, Inuyasha's fingers only tightened over hers. Puzzled, she looked up at him to find that he was studying her as intently as their ride over there. There was something in the depths of his eyes, a hunger that shook Kagome from her head to her feet. She wasn't sure why he was acting this way. At the manor he had not once made direct eye contact with her, had not spoken to her at all. What now? Why was he looking at her as if... as if he was a man that had not quenched his thirst in days?
Inuyasha could not seem to take his eyes from her no matter how he tried. He could see her confusion and wished he could explain his actions to her but even he didn't know what was going on. For some reason he had to touch her, he craved and desired the silken feel of her skin. He tucked her hand carefully into the crook of his elbow, proceeding to lead her inside the great manor. He released a small breath of air that she had not pulled away from his touch. He was not certain what to expect. The servants bowed before him in respect but shot Kagome a long, scrutinizing glance. This was not the Lady Kikyo. So who was she? In all their yeas of seeing Inuyasha come and go the servants had never once seen another woman on his arm before.
"How are you feeling?" Inuyasha asked after a long pause. It was the first words he had spoken to her since yesterday and Kagome's heart glowed faintly with hope.
Kagome answered without looking at him, wanting to see all there was to see in this gigantic place. It was even bigger than Inuyasha's home! "I'm better thanks to Selena. How did she heal me?"
Inuyasha smiled slightly, one corner of his mouth quirking up. "I'm glad to hear that Selena was able to take away your pain. She is a healer from a distant village and has been trained in the ways of water healing," he explained in low tones. Anything higher might disturb the peace inside of the king's residence.
"Water healing..." Kagome trailed off, now seeing why the powers had felt like the sprinkle of rain. The two of them lapsed into another silence, only this time it was not as tense. Though their lack of speech was becoming a habit.
Inuyasha searched his mind for something to say, something to keep the conversation going. He was rather nervous, an emotion that was foreign to him around women. But he found that with Kagome there he was also calm and at peace. A feeling he liked very much. "Oki has fixed your locket," he told her absently, nodding at a knight in the king's service.
Kagome's breath caught in her throat. Her locket? She had completely forgotten about it that whole day. Her father's locket that he had given to her, the only possession she had left of him. She remembered vaguely that she had wanted Inuyasha to get it from Shardul but she couldn't remain awake long enough to actually see whether he had or not. "You brought it back?" she asked hesitantly, finally tearing her eyes away from the beauty of the halls and giving her full attention to Inuyasha. She didn't even realize that she was holding her breath.
"Of course. I know how much it means to you, Kagome." Inuyasha's amber eyes fell to drink in Kagome's magnificence, the tumble of her ebony hair on her shoulders and back. She robbed him of precious breath, so much that it hurt sometimes to look at her. But what captured him the most was the faint gathering of tears at the corner of her eyes. Tears she was going to cry because of the small thing he had done for her, because he had saved her most important item from the demon that had abused her. That small thought made him feel more masculine somehow.
Kagome could do nothing but stare up at him in wonder with her heart in her eyes. He had cared that it meant something to her... Inuyasha had granted that small request the night before and had made sure that it was repaired. He had done that for her. A radiant smile brushed along her lips so that her whole face soon glowed with the happiness that was brimming inside of her azure eyes, brimming in the form of crystalline tears. Slowly she laid her head upon his strong shoulder and allowed a single tear to skim her cheek. It fell onto Inuyasha's coat and was absorbed into the velvet folds.
"Thank you. Thank you for everything, Inuyasha," Kagome murmured, her voice barely audible if not for Inuyasha's keen sense of hearing. Her tone was pristine and radiant, caressing Inuyasha's ears with its heavenly sound.
Inuyasha smiled genuinely for the first time in seven days. He brushed a tender kiss to the crown of her head, closing his eyes as he inhaled her sweet scent. How long he had waited to do that. Without volition he pressed his lips to her forehead as well, whispering, "You're welcome, my sweetling."
They finally reached the door that would lead them to Okinamaru's quarters. To Kagome's surprise it was not a single room but a varying amount that had been opened to him. Inuyasha knew his way around the place, having been there numerous times in the past for many reasons. Whether upon Oki's request or the king's and sometimes even his own. Velvet fabrics of different colors graced the floors, the walls and the furniture, endless yards of it. Large, plush pillows littered the floors in front of the many fireplaces. All of them were filled with flames that gave the room wonderful warmth and placed Kagome at ease.
What caught Kagome's eyes were the many paintings that lined the wall, much like they had in Inuyasha's manor. There were demons and humans alike, lined up side by side like equals. Old men, young ones, beautiful women and even a few children. All were painted with a flourish in a swirl of colors that accented their features with an expert hand. Kagome walked next to Inuyasha as they passed each one slowly.
Kagome's heart nearly stopped when she reached one of the last paintings in the line of the wall, an audible gasp escaping her well formed lips. The color had drained from her face quickly, leaving her creamy complexion yellow. Almost sallow. Very slowly she made her way to it, her breath caught inside of her throat with no way out. Maybe she was imagining it. Maybe she really had not recovered from her wounds and she was still delirious. Her hand went out to touch the painting, judging if it was real or not. Feeling the strokes of the paintbrush and the lines of the paint and canvas. No, it couldn't be. That couldn't be-
"Dad?" she whispered softly.
A/N: Well, look! It's a cliffy! Yay! Not it is time for me to plan out the next chapter of this story! You know what I just noticed? My chapters are gradually getting longer and longer. I looked back on my chapters that I have saved on my computer at home and from the first chapter up until now they have become a little longer with a little more depth. This particular chapter is fifteen pages long. Wow. Living proof of the progress I've made. That's kinda cool. Well anyway, I hope you enjoyed and now, please press the little purple button and leave a review if it's not too much trouble.