Chapter 12 A Sword in a Stone
Kagome was in a foul mood. She was draped in a cloak with a stick in hand poking a non-existent fire. She figured it was about two hours ago since she lost the feeling in her lower limbs.
She had awoken three days ago to Inu no Tashio entering her dream and telling her that she would have to be in Sesshomaru's lands within three days for the ritual to be successful. The moment she woke up she ran. She almost forgot her sword, but remembered it at the last moment.
She didn't have time to wait around for someone to wake up or write her mother a note, but she was sure her mother would understand the urgency when she got back home. Kagome was finally going to save the one person that saved her many times over.
She reached her rendezvous point with the old demon lord. He opened up the barrier to allow her passage. It was a weird feeling. This was the reason there weren't many demons in her world. Whoever placed this must have been really strong. She felt a small pang in her heart. Knowing that there was someone this powerful out there, and yet she wasn't strong enough to help her friends, she felt useless.
Instead of falling into despair, she looked to the future. She knew she was going to save Inuyasha, and that was all she needed to keep her going.
The barrier around her felt jello-like. It was a clear substance that surrounded her, but she never felt like she was getting wet. She could feel it crackle against her as the power of the barrier tried to kill her and her natural power try to save her. As soon as she entered she was out and into a whole other world. This world seemed untouched by time. It was almost like she was back in the feudal era once more.
It wasn't until she had passed the barrier she had a moment to catch her breath and take note of her attire. Normally she would insist on going home and changing into her real clothes, but for Inuyasha she would make this a onetime exception.
Now she had time to reflect on her departure and realized why people ran from her and called her a mad woman. She was running bare foot down the street with a sword in one hand and dressed in nothing but her p.js. Had it been anyone else, Kagome would have made a comment, but this was her, and she was going to save Inuyasha. So she didn't care…she just hoped she didn't run into anyone that she knew.
She had no time to be mortified. She had run on nothing but her sheer will to save Inuyasha from his fate.
So for three days and three nights she walked to the Western lands. On the first night, Inu no Tashio left her alone for a while and came back with a cloak and a pair of slip on shoes. She was grateful for both items, especially since he forbade her to start a fire.
"Kagome, please put on the cloak."
Of course, Kagome did so, it was freezing outside, but she stopped dead at his next comment, "No one besides my son should ever see my future daughter-in-law in such a state." He said giving her a look over.
Kagome had looked down at her garments. She was more covered now then she was in the feudal era. She was dressed in a tank top (okay so it was a little tight) and a pyjama pants. It wasn't her fault the shirt was tight; dryers and cotton are evil together! Everything but her shoulders was covered. The old bastard had better get up with the times.
The man was a tyrant; really, he was out to kill her. When he tossed her the cloak, she was glad that the old Demon lord was already dead otherwise she would have killed him.
"Really now old man," Kagome scoffed him at his comment, "I'll have you know that my school uniform shows more, and I wore that while I was travelling with Inuyasha."
"Yes but you were with my son. Now you are alone, and my son is dead, so you have to look the part of the Lady of the Western Lands."
She started to choke on the air that went down the wrong way. "What makes you think that I will become Lady of the Western Lands?" Kagome cried out in disbelief.
"Because, you will mate with my eldest son and become the new lady."
There was no arguing with him, so Kagome did the only thing she could think of. She stayed silent and went to sleep.
That was the extent of her three days travelling with the "matchmaker". She would wake, she would eat, and he would proceed to tell her why she would become the new mate to Sesshomaru, then after a long day's travel she would eat and then she would sleep. If she heard one more point about why she should become the lord's mate she would scream!
The Western palace was in sight. Kagome sighed a breath of relief. Soon she would be free of him, and Inuyasha would be set free.
During the walk to the castle, Inu no Tashio told her that she would have to travel the remainder of the way solo. He was to meet up with the crow demons that were going to perform the ritual.
It took the demons five hundred years to collect all the ashes that once made up the half demon. All Kagome needed to do was gather the sword so Inuyasha's soul could be complete when he was called from the embrace of the abyss. She was more than eager to send the dead demon off on his merry way.
She was shocked.
No one was around the castle when she approached. Her entrance was easier than she assumed. She was supposed to get the sword and wait for Inu no Tashio's signal that they were ready for her part. She didn't know what she was supposed to do, but she assumed she'd know when the time came.
It seemed as if the castle was deserted. Something told her to search the main parts of the castle first for the sword. She was now glad that the old coot had given her the cloak. The castle was damp and she could feel drafts coming through the walls. It also concealed her from servants seeing that she was a human; although, her scent would give her away before that.
She heard screaming in the main hall and her curiosity had got the better of her. Slinking in the shadows, she peeked through a crack in the wall. She saw Sesshomaru pin what almost looked like Yusuke by his throat.
He was growling something about ridding his lands of vermin starting with this mortal. Seriously, once you've heard the "Die human speech" you've heard them all. Kagome figured it would be better if she did save the human from his death. She had taken a liking to Keiko, even though she had only met the girl for a brief second. She figured Keiko would hate it if her boyfriend were killed.
Kagome liked to pride herself on being a good judge of character. She hoped this time she was right too. She first took notice of the room. There were demons everywhere. Kagome made a mental note to kill Inu no Tashio when she was done. She knew he was dead, but figured that if they could resurrect Inuyasha, they could do the same for him. She wanted the pleasure of killing him all over again.
Kagome knew she might as well get the jump on the demons before they noticed her. So pulling her cloak around her and making sure that her face was not visible she slid open the door. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?"
Everyone in the room turned and stared at her. Sesshomaru growled low at her, again this was nothing new. Sesshomaru dropped Yusuke to the ground. His friends came up and pulled him out of harm's way.
"Who are you? Leave before I kill you for trespassing on this Sesshomaru's lands."
Kagome rolled her eyes at the demon lord. She was kind of glad that he couldn't see her expression; otherwise, she'd be dead for such blatant disrespect. "Don't worry, I won't be here long. I've simply come to collect a sword."
She watched as eyebrows rose. She knew that they recognized her voice but couldn't place from where.
Somehow her statement intrigued the demon lord. "Oh, and what sword is that, human?"
Once again Kagome rolled her eyes, 'What's with the name-calling. Couldn't he come up with something a little more creative?' Kagome looked around the room. Everyone had their full attention on her. The guards weren't even worried about her. They simply stood there waiting for their lord to make the first move. That's when she saw it.
She almost groaned. "I believe that one there," She pointed to the centerpiece of the room. There was Tetsusaiga embedded in a stone. Kagome pointed to it. "That's the one. Really Sesshomaru, you'd think after so many years you'd think of something a little more creative. A sword in a stone, don't you think that's already been done?" Kagome scoffed at the lack of imagination. "It's a little cliché, even for me."
Before Sesshomaru could say anything one of his advisors spoke up, "Only the ruler and future ruler of the Western Lands can remove the sword."
Kagome wanted to laugh, but tried to hold it back. "So if I remove the sword then I become the ruler of the Western Lands, and I would be dethroning Sesshomaru?" She couldn't hold back the mirth in her voice.
Kagome was almost hysterical.
She thought it was hilarious, however the Lord thought differently. "I will not tolerate this blasphemy!"
Kagome brought her mirth down a few notches, "It was a mere question. No need to get in a tiff about it, heaven knows you're anal enough already."
She could hear some of the people in the room snicker at her comment, but her eyes never left the demon. She knew that taking her eyes off Sesshomaru guaranteed her death. She watched as the demon lord snarled at her.
"You are walking on thin ice human. No one but this Sesshomaru may remove the sword." She watched as his face turned from dark and murderous to slightly amused, "If you think you can remove it then try. Know this human," He snarled, "When you fail to remove the sword, I will remove your head."
The cloaked Kagome nodded in response. The crowd parted before her and she walked up to the sword. She stood before the five-foot tall stone. She turned and addressed the advisor, "So if I remove the sword, I'm the new Lady of the Western Lands?"
Before the advisor could speak, Sesshomaru informed in a dead panned tone that she was correct. She didn't know if she wanted to laugh or choke. Instead all that came out was a mangled snort. She turned to the demon lord. She knew, or rather bet on the fact he wouldn't kill her while her back was turned to him, because he was certain he would be able to kill her later. After all, he was a sadistic bastard.
"You know Sesshomaru, you father would never let me live this tidbit down if he knew." Kagome pushed away the voice inside her head telling her it was pointless trying to hide it from him. Yes, Kagome developed a voice in her rational mind. It's true, after spending three days with no company but a ghost; you start to lose your marbles.
She watched his face cover over in a layer of ice. She didn't realize that his father was a sore subject with him. She filed that information away another time. "Human, my father has been dead for centuries, you couldn't have known him."
Kagome took the first step up the giant stone. "Time is all relative my dear Watson." She stated in a horrible British accent.
Kagome saw the look of confusion on everyone's face. She would have thought they would have caught on to the British theme. She would have groaned if their faces weren't so pitiful. "It's a British theme. God, men are really that stupid." She ignored the loud collective snarl from everyone watching. "You did King Arthur, so I figured I could do Sherlock Homes."
She muttered under her breath how men have the brains the size of peas as she climbed the rest of the way. She stood on the top of the stone. The sword lay between her and the demon lord.
"Remember filth, when you fail to pull out the sword, I will kill you."
Kagome shook her head; she was tired of the name calling, so she decided to hurt his pride like the good old days. She pulled back the hood that had thankfully kept her face hidden until now. The crowd was in a fury. It was a combination between shock, rage and hate. Surprisingly, most of those were coming from the demon lord himself.
Kagome realized she was treading very deep waters and she was getting tired. "We had an agreement Sesshomaru, and you failed to deliver! For that, I will take everything from you!"
Her voice was strong and powerful, but it didn't reflect the way she was feeling inside. 'This is for you Inuyasha.' Kagome wrapped her small hands around the hilt of the sword. It was just as she remembered. She could feel a small surge of power, like she did the first time she pulled out the sword.
Everyone stood silent as they watched in horror as a human became the new ruler. Before anyone could react, Sesshomaru charged Kagome. However, Kagome was not prepared for how quick he was. Instinctively, she erected a barrier around herself. She made another mental note to find out how she did that.
She watched in what seemed slow motion. The demon lord was not even two feet away from her when she felt her powers lash out and erected a barrier, which sent the demon lord flying across the room.
"Guards! Seize him!" She cried out before he could recover and she would be left helpless once again. She knew the barrier was a one time thing, and she didn't have time to scold a puppy who had just lost his bone.
The guards, now fearful of their new ruler, did her bidding. She could see the hesitation in their faces. They were loyal to the demon, and they did not like the fact a human beat him; yet, they were afraid of what she could do.
Kagome took a regal pose and stuck her nose up in the air. "I should kill you for your treachery and your failed attempt to kill the Lady of the Western Lands." She watched the murderous look glaze over his ice-like features. She was playing the role perfectly. She wanted to stab and twist his ego, and she was doing just that. She just hoped that Inu no Tashio didn't walk into this scene because she'd never hear the end of it.
Sesshomaru stood up with the help of the guards that were supposed to restrain him. "Human, you are supposed to be dead."
She shrugged her shoulders, "I'm supposed to be many things, I'm sorry to disappoint you." Her mind flashed to all the things she was supposed to be but wasn't. She was supposed to be a strong priestess, a model student, a perfect sister and daughter, a good friend, a loving parent to a Hayward group, and generally a person pure of thought.
She tried that route, and look where it got her. Everyone she cared about was dead. Here she was five hundred years in the future still trying to correct her problems.
Kagome was anything but perfect.
"There is one thing this Sesshomaru is certain of: you will die by my hand. I should have taken care of you mongrels before."
Kagome was really glad that the guards were holding him back, because she was getting pissed. "What's with the name calling, you one armed freak?"
The words just came out. Kagome wanted to hit herself over the head. Yes let's tease and prod the psycho seeking your death. She blamed all of this on Inu no Tashio. Somehow, someway, this was his fault.
Kagome watched as the once loyal guards gripped Sesshomaru tighter, holding him back. "See Sesshomaru, words do hurt." She chided him like the child he was being.
"This Sesshomaru will find out what kind of spell you have done, and I will see to your demise."
Kagome suddenly felt tired of all the name-calling and abuse given out by this demon. "I've done nothing. It is you that has led me to this point. If you would've kept your promise, then none of this would have happened."
"You are the one that killed my ward and retainer."
"Yeah, we all know good help is hard to find. Besides it's your fault. You let Shippo die. An eye for an eye, with interest." Shippo's death was still a sore subject with her.
Sesshomaru broke free form the guards hold and charged towards her. This time she was waiting for him. She had her hand placed on her sword and allowed the surge of power to creep up her arm. She watched as the ex-demon lord came towards her. She was about to push back her cape and reveal the sword when Inu no Tashio's voice stopped her.
"Kagome, come quick; it has all gone wrong."
Both demon and miko stopped in their tracks and stared at the door from where the voice came from. Everyone else in the room watched as Inu no Tashio entered. Kagome knew time was not on her side, so instead of watching the old demon lord enter the room, she grabbed the case and sheathed the sword. Tetsusaiga was ready to go.
She watched as Sesshomaru's face stayed impassive, but his eyes were the windows to his inner emotions. "Father." Kagome had yet to tell if he was happy to see him or not. Touching reunion it may be, she didn't want to be here any longer than necessary.
Inu no Tashio stopped and stared at the newly acquired sword in Kagome's hand. "So I see you were able to get it."
Kagome scoffed, "Like you doubted I could. It was a piece of cake, and you knew it would be." Kagome jumped off the rock. She knew her 'Queen of the Castle' game was over. Now it was time to get down to business.
Everyone in the room had stayed silent until now. One of the advisors spoke up, "That was a complicated spell performed by none other than our Lord Sesshomaru. Many have tried to remove the sword, and all have failed."
Before Kagome could even think of something to say, Inu no Tashio boasted. "She's special. She's destined for greatness."
Kagome had to roll her eyes at that statement, but at the same time she was humbled with the compliment. "Thank you." Kagome's eyes turned from soft to serious. "Now what's so urgent?"
"The spell's not working. Part of him is still missing."
Kagome stopped dead in her tracks. She felt like she was hit by a subway train. Her desperation turned into pure white rage. She turned and unleashed her anger upon the demon lord who caused all of this. "I should have you killed." She snarled at the demon lord.
The same advisor spoke again, this time his voice seemed smaller, "If that's my Lady's wishes..."
Inu no Tashio raised his eyebrow. "Did I miss something while I was gone?"
Kagome groaned at the twinkle in the dead demon's eyes. "You'll like this," She dreaded saying this next part. She knew with every fiber of her being he was going to like this. "Did you know that if I removed the sword I become the new ruler of the Western Lands?" She did her best not to shudder, since she knew what was coming next.
"So, I guess that means that you can mate with Sesshomaru and everything will work itself out." Inu no Tashio looked like he had won the lottery. Kagome, on the other hand, thought very differently about the subject.
"That's out of the question." She stated blankly. There was no way she would ever couple with the demon. Even the very thought made her want to take a hot shower. It sickened her, and there wasn't enough soap in the world to get her clean.
"Why?"
Kagome stared at him in disbelief. She hoped her ears deceived her, but the look on his face told her otherwise. She wanted to do nothing but wipe that smirk off his face. "I don't want or need an anti-social, serial psychopath as a mate!" She knew her words fell on deaf ears, but it made her feel better.
"He does have some flaws..." Inu no Tashio placed his finger on his chin as he thought things through.
Kagome just shook her head, wishing she could bang her head on the wall. Better yet, she'd like to bang his head against the wall. But knowing her luck, he'd get brain damage and think they were really a couple, demanding grandchildren.
"I thought Kouga was your mate?" Kurama voiced from the sidelines.
Kagome started to laugh. She was almost to the point where she couldn't breathe. It was official; everyone around her was insane. "No, Kouga's not my mate." She shook her head sadly at the memory. "I killed him. He's been dead for five hundred years." Kagome walked towards the door, but stopped at Inu no Tashio when he spoke.
Kagome had a sad and far away look to her eyes, so he decided to say something more on her behalf. "Like I would let my future daughter get together with that moron."
Kagome rolled her eyes at him. At least now the sadness he had seen in her eyes vanished. "Right, like Sesshomaru is any better." Kagome scoffed and left the room. She left everyone staring at her with jaws dropped.
Inu no Tashio tisked his only living son, "You should have been nicer to her. I thought I taught you to never piss off a miko. Fool me once shame on me, fool me twice shame on you. Whatever she does now..." He shook his head in disappointment. "There's no one to blame but yourself." With that said he turned around and walked out on his son and towards the miko. He only hoped they would make it in time.
AN: Thank you all the reviews! This chapter is going out to The Statue! I do have a few things to say however… I would have thought someone would have realized who Hashi really was…I thought I was being generous on the clues, but :giant grin: if no one realizes who he is, then it makes it an even better surprise! I will say that Hashi is NOT an OC!
This part is addressed to The Statue: As for the Enma part, don't worry I have all that part figured out already:cough: If you still think/hope it's an S/K … I wish you luck! And you have one bit of information incorrect (but that could be because you read only the manga) The Shikon didn't emerge with Tetsusaiga, but with the third sword Sou'unga. It was known as the sword of hell. I think that's what I referenced it as and changed it to the sword of justice…I really don't remember. I never really thought about Hiei owing her like that…but yes :evil grin: he must pay! Thank you so much. I am humbled by your review. I can only hope you will continue to put up with my neurotic behaviour as I continue this story. I cling to plot because I killed romance. So that's the only way to survive…you should see the end I have planned… I say too much!
Please everyone continue to read and review! I love to hear what you think! You won't hear anything about/from Hashi until chapter 14! I like to keep people guessing! If you're certain (then please keep it to yourself) unless you're wrong then amuse me!
B/N: You know, the PPB is staying with me now. You should be scared! And I told you no one would get Hashi! Alrighty peeps, you actually get a well-edited chapter… now it's pay back time. J, MF is coming for you!