Koinonayami
Chapter 4: Confusing Thoughts on a Deadly Subject
Hey folks it's me again, I love all of your great reviews, especially one by a
person named Mistress. Your review was very sweet and I will try my hardest to
keep your request when it comes to the shortness of my paragraphs. It is thanks
to you and of course my good friend and fellow author that I am writing this
chapter so much earlier then I had thought I would. I know I said due to
Christmas break and mass amounts of school work that I would not update until
2005, but o well. You can all thank Mistress for her inspiration.
Engetsu and Mangetsu wandered the halls for a bit longer before they entered
the dining room and were greeted by a servant. The kitsune served them nigujaga
with a few pieces of sushi that tasted five times better then anything they had
ever had. Maybe it was because the potatoes were fresh ad the food was great or maybe it was because he had found his father, but Engetsu was in the
best mood he had been in for sometime. Only one thing was missing, and that
thing was his mother.
Of course that lovely feeling of serenity did not last for long as the
lingering sense of a youki weaseled its way into the back of Engetsus mind.
Instantly he was up on his feet and heading to the doors, followed closely by
the servant and Mangetsu.
As they reached the outside courtyard a flood of oni flowed inside the walls of
the castle. They were relatively weak youkai servants, but the mass numbers of
them were utterly impossible to defeat with the only three of them.
Engetsus golden eyes widened slightly as he jumped forward and pushed Mangetsu to the ground. Engetsu knew his brother was strong, but he did not wish for any harm to befall his younger sibling. He heard his brother let out a small whimper in fear and surprise before his own vision swam red.
His fangs had already started to elongate when a sharp scent hit him like a
stampede it was the same scent that had blocked away the youkais putrid smell
and stopped him from sensing them. It burned his nose and watered his eyes,
making it so the only thing keeping Engetsu awake was his own blood lust.
Mangetsu was already passed out beneath him and the strike of a blunt object to the back of his head was all it took to finish the job. Though he did see one
thing before he passed out, it was the silhouette of man with long black hair
and glowing red eyes.
SESSHOMARU AND KAGOME
Time passes by so much slower when you do not understand or just can not
comprehend what happens around you. Maybe that is the wonder of having children,
of suddenly feeling that you really aren't invincible and the lives of two young
boys have suddenly been placed into your hands. That may not have been the exact
words to describe the situation, but right about now that was the only thing
Sesshomaru could think of.
Kagome was running beside him at a pace much quicker then any human female should be able to pull off and she was completely ignoring his presence.
Thirteen years, thirteen long years and what did she do, she didn't even bother
to look in his direction, and for some reason that just really ticked him off.
Kagome chanced a glance over at Sesshomaru and even though she couldn't read any emotion on his controlled features, but she could easily sense the raging form of his aura. This did cause a small amount of fear to push into her heart, but
Kagome easily pushed it away with a passion as she concentrated on the race to
her sons. 'Not Much longer and I can leave. All I got to do is get to my sons
and head for the well' Kagome silently told herself as she picked up pace just a
bit.
Sesshomaru was starting to get annoyed at Kagomes pace, though fast for a
human, it was slow for him. So in his urge to get to his long lost kin,
Sesshomaru grasped Kagome around the waist and pulled her to him before jumping
up into the sky. He vaguely realized that this was the best speed he had ever
attained without losing control to his demon instincts, but Sesshomaru quickly
squashed that idea as they reached the palace yard.
The palace gardens were trashed and small fires littered the yard though neither Kagome nor Sesshomaru paid attention to the damage. For attached to an arrow at the palace gates was a message that clearly read in a suspiciously red ink:
Dear Kagome,
You have committed a great crime against my family, and thus I will destroy
yours. Both of your sons have been taken away to my castle. If you ever wish to
see them again then I suggest you and your lord visit the place of Narakus
death.
Sincerely,
Kumo
Sesshomarus eyes bled red as he sniffed the letter and easily smelt his eldest son's blood was the ink adorning the cursed document. He has also had not missed the fact about the person who had written the letter.
A soft whisper from beside him confirmed Sesshomarus own thoughts as Kagome gasped," Kumo means spider…….. Naraku." Kagome had always gone along with fate, and she had never really complained, but at that moment as she fell back into the comforting denial of unconsciousness one thought flew through her mind. Strange and completely random Kagome whispered out," Life really sucks."
Sesshomaru easily caught Kagome with one hand as she practically fell back on him, but one perfectly sculpted brow did rise slightly in confusion as he caught the end of her statement. "Still as utterly insane as before, I see," Sesshomaru nearly chuckled as he lifted her up and walked down the long hallways of the fortress in search of a room to lay her in. Good thing the other lords left or I would never live this down, Sesshomaru thought with a small sigh as he finally reached his destination.
He placed Kagome down gently on the large futon, before he placed a thin blanket over her. Sesshomaru almost left the room completely before he heard a soft whimper and suddenly smelt a tang of fear so strong he nearly had to cover his nose. Kagome is never this scared, what the hell is she dreaming about, he thought as he turned back to look at the now thrashing woman.
KAGOMES DREAM
Dark. Black. Cold. There was no color; nothing at all existed except for the darkness and sound. Off in the distance Kagome could make out the sound of metal clashing against metal as it steadily grew closer. Something in her mind screamed to run, yelled at her mind to work and flee, but her legs seemed glued in place.
Then she saw it, off in the distance she could make out sparks of light as they flew from clashing weapons of steel. A wave of fear ran through her body at this sight, for the flashes of light seemed to come from everywhere at once, as if the unseen battlers were moving faster then even demons.
Suddenly Kagome seemed to be able to make out things in the darkness, such as the wisps of her own frozen breaths and the weapons could suddenly be seen as a Scythe and a sword; a very familiar sword. It was the Toujikin. Though not sure why, Kagome began to shiver uncontrollable as the fighting stopped.
"Is it over?" Kagome asked curiously, but her only answer was two stripped hands reaching out and pulling her backwards into a hard armor-covered chest.
"Kagome," whispered a seductively familiar voice as the owner of said voice suddenly began to nip at the bite mark on her neck. Kagome tried to squirm out of his grasp but it just wasn't working, his hold seemed unbreakable.
"Let go of her," growled a voice so soft and deadly cold, that Kagome had to strain to hear it all. Like a ghost out of the mist a new player was suddenly entering the game.
He looked rather young with long black hair that was pulled back into a high ponytail and a black star marking his brow. The man seemed to hold the same frigid air that Sesshomaru had, but this man also seemed to hold a deadly and permanent smirk. In his hand was a large scythe and his clothes where a thin black silk.
Kagome wasn't sure why, but this strange man made her think of one and only word, 'darkness.' He had done nothing to her nor said that he would but that man sent fear streaking through Kagome; fear for not only her one life but Sesshomarus as well.
A low growl was heard coming from behind and slightly beside Kagome, and she could not help but shiver at the warning. Though the man simply widened his smirk and let out a laugh so cold and humorless, that Naraku could have taken lessons.
END OF KAGOMES DREAM
Kagome sprang out of the bed she had just been placed in as she tried to still the raging beating of her heart. "Ankoku," she whispered softly as she thought back to the man in her dream. Many things about him just seemed familiar, too familiar, but what struck her was the fact that she seemed to 'know' his name. No one had ever told her and yet the name Ankoku rang through her head like a broken record.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the clearing of Sesshomarus throat. He was standing by the doorway looking as calm as ever, though the slight downward tilt of his brows made Kagome wander if he was slightly worried.
"We should head out soon, who knows what Kumo will do to 'our' sons," Sesshomaru remarked sternly, his aura radiating calm.
Kagome nearly protested, but her altruistic nature and her mother instincts told her to shut it and agree. Which is exactly what she did by nodding affirmative and getting out of the bed.
Sesshomaru scantly wandered about why she was being so docile and why her scent was not laced with fear as it had been during her dream. 'Aww but you forget, she may look human, but she has the instincts of a true demon mother' a voice echoed through his head, making him wonder just how much Kagome had changed over the years. 'Is she still so naive, so selfless when it comes to her own pain,' Sesshomaru let the thought roll around in his mind before he mentally shook himself and focused on the task at hand.
Kagome noticed the insignificant pause in his step, the momentary hesitation that clearly told her he was thinking deeply about something. 'I wonder what's on his mind' Kagome thought absently.
The next assessment to pass was that Kagome had actually noticed the small changes that showed what Sesshomaru was thinking. If it had been some time ago, Kagome never would have noticed the concentrated look in his wonderful golden and now seemingly expressive eyes. 'Could it be that the mating mark has made me more attune to his emotions.' Kagomes internal interrogation was interrupted once more by Sesshomaru clearing his throat before heading out of the room.
The castle, or manor or where ever the heck Kagome was, held a magnificent air or a royalty that would have mad King Phillip XVI look like commoner. The building was not overly extravagant or coated in gold like the sun palace, but something about it warmed Kagomes heart and made her feel welcomed. Everything was done in calming warm and cool colors that contrasted excellently to the Inuyoukai paintings that adorned most of the walls. The most prominent colors throughout the home were a light blue almost teal color and a dark crimson almost maroon.
Sesshomaru noticed the slack jawed wide eyed expression on Kagomes face and nearly chuckled, 'Yep she is still the same naïve child I meet thirteen years ago.'
As they turned and twisted down the sinuous hallways of the castle Sesshomaru began to pick up his pace until they reached a large building in the back. The doors to the room were normal shoji screens, but they where huge and a plate above the door read 'Dojo' in perfectly written Kenji.
"Why the Dojo," Kagome questioned with a curious look over the others massive shoulder.
"To retrieve a weapon for you," Sesshomaru remarked curtly before he opened the door and bowed in respect before entering. "Now pick one," he commanded as he indicated the weapons lining the right wall.
Kagome looked around at the vast masses of weapons before she walked over to a white bow and arrow set that seemed to be made of purified demon bone. "I choose these," she remarked as she lifted up the bow and slung the quiver over her shoulder.
Sesshomaru nodded in agreement at the choice before he remarked, "Now choose a katana or scythe for close combat."
Kagome nervously chewed at her bottom lip before replying," I can't use either of those." Sesshomaru gave her a condescending glare after that and caused her to practically bristle with anger. "WHAT? I can't use any close combat weapons OK. In my time, training like that is expensive and I just didn't have the money."
"Then I will just have to train you, ne" Sesshomaru remarked with an amused glimmer in his eyes.
NARAKUS CASTLE WITH ENGETSU AND KUMO
The monotonous sound of water dripping from the ceiling seemed to echo throughout the entire ruins of the castle. A soft groan soon followed the sound as pale eyelids flickered open to reveal tired golden orbs. Engetsu had just woken from being passed out and his mind seemed too muddled to conceive any true thoughts except 'Where am I?'
"Awake I see," chuckled a dark voice that seemed to be coming from the very walls themselves.
"Who's there?" Engetsu growled lowly as he tried to search the room for its second occupant. Or at least he tried, before the sudden realization that he was chained to the wall stopped most of the searching.
"I'm right here, pup," answered a young man as he stepped from the shadows, his voice still laced with amusement. The man looked to be in his twenties, with jet black hair and glowing scarlet eyes.
"Where is my brother? What have you done with him," Engetsu snapped out after he caught sight of the man.
"My my, it seems my little pet does have some spunk, from your lovely mother I'm sure," Kumo remarked as he approached Engetsu, stopping only mere inches away from the chained inu.
"You didn't answer my question, and how do you know my mother," Engetsu growled, his well formed control now out the window as his eyes turned an interesting shade of red.
"Do not fret little one, your brother is simply down the hall a ways, but now that I think about it I really do not need two of you. Your parents will come as long as there is one of you, so I think I will just rid myself of the whelp," Kumo shrugged before letting out a dark chuckle.
Engetsu pushed with all his might against the chains that bound him as he shook his head furiously and yelled out," NO, please no, do not harm my Otouto-san."
Kumo hid a smirk before he asked," Tell me, what would you do to save your twin?"
Engetsu let his head fall limp against his chest as he muttered something under his breath.
"What was that?" Kumo questioned as he cocked his head to the side to listen.
"Anything, I will do anything," Engetsu remarked again, almost whimpered, but what was left of his shield held strong.
"That's what I thought you said, my pet. Now give me your word on your brother's life that you will do what I say and I will return Mangetsu unharmed to your parents when they arrive," Kumo replied.
Engetsu swallowed detectably before he vowed;" I give you my word on my brother's life that I will do as you ask, though I request that you do not ask me to harm my mother, please."
"Fine," Kumo remarked before braking out into a wide grin and disappearing out the door of the cell. Five minutes later he came back with something black and smelling strongly of leather in his hands. "Tilt your head up and forward," he commanded in a stern voice before something suddenly clapped around Engetsus neck. It was a simple black dog collar with a metal clasp in the back and even a little ring for a leash.
Next thing Engetsu knew, he was falling to the floor after hearing a click to his sides and Kumo was commanding him to get up. He rose on unsteady feet before looking over at his new 'master'.
"Take your Haori off, now," Kumo snapped with a motion of his hands as he lifted up two other black collars.
Engetsu hesitated for a moment before he removed his shirt and held out his hands, knowing exactly what Kumo wanted.
"Very good little pet," he remarked with that same sickening grin before placing the two smaller collars on Engetsus wrists.
After having his hands released Engetsu began to raise his hand to tug at the largest collar and try to relieve an annoying itch on his neck. A sudden jolt of black ki shocked him and Engetsu could not help but let out a yelp in surprise.
Kumo snickered in the background before telling Engetsu," See now my pet, those bindings can never be removed unless I do so myself. Now I need you to move your neck to the right, and maybe I will even take away the pain of the burns."
Engetsu quickly did as he was told before he suddenly found himself much closer than he had ever wanted to be with anyone. Kumo had suddenly moved forward and began to nip at his neck before fully sinking his fangs into his jugular.
Engetsu nearly passed out from the intense pain but something totally unexpected kept him conscious. It was Kumos scent that metallic tang of blood that seemed to disturbingly make up the elders scent, started to bring out his own blood beast. Suddenly Engetsu was afraid and he tried to push away, tried to escape that intoxicating scent of blood. He even began to whine as he tried to dislodge the other from his neck.
Kumo let the now whimpering boy go, but not before grasping his burned handed and moving it close for examination. "Saliva will stop the pain, but you cannot move your hand above your neck, hmm what shall we do pet. Aww how about I help you, and then we can continue your first session as a pet dog." With that Kumo brought the burning hand up to his mouth and let his tongue lap over the sensitive area.
Engetsu continue his whimpers and attempts to escape, but he knew it was of no use. He now belonged to someone else. He was now propriety to a hanyou.
Kumo smirked as he dropped the hand then shot forward, slamming the boy against the wall, to continue his feast on the demon/mikos powerful blood. Of course this time the boy seemed to fully crack as he cried out desperately, his howls echoing down the halls," MANGETSUUUUUUUU." Tears fell from his eyes for the first time in years as he tried to block out everything his mind was telling him. The only thing he could really distinguish was pain, lots of searing pain.
In the darkness of these hidden halls, in a cell not far away, twin tears fell to the floor only to mix with the dripping water from the rafters.
Yeah We now have chapter 4 put in al of its glory, and don't you all just love Kumo. Sick little bastard aint he, poor Engetsu. Well I thank all of you who reviewed and guess what I now have 103 reviews. The next chapter will be out whenever my muses return.