Thank you for the reviews! Happiness is a review…Anyways, here's the chapter that I know some of you have been anticipating! Da-dum-da-dum: Sesshomaru makes his appearance! Yes, I know, finally. But I needed to establish the setting for the story and poor Sesshomaru just didn't enter until now. But now he's here! So enjoy! Oh, FYI: Inuyasha is in this chapter, meaning there will be a little swearing. Just to let you know.
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Disclaimer: Sesshomaru is all mine…not. Only in my dreams. Sigh.
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Chapter Five
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Kagome smiled with some satisfaction and Kaede nodded with approval. Though she was still having some trouble with her physical masking, she had just completely masked her aura for the first time.
"Kaede? What will Sango do now?"
"She will be joining us. Speaking of Sango, would it be agreeable if she were to stay here for a time?"
"Of course. But why?"
"Kikyo and Naraku do not allow people to simply leave their service. Her home is too dangerous now."
"I see."
Kagome looked in a mirror. Because she was not fully able to mask her appearance, her hair was a strange mix of silver and black.
"The demon Sesshomaru, Rin's guardian?" Kagome asked. "Why was he captured instead of killed?"
"He is a demon lord and though this is a time when all demons must practice discretion, he has many connections and great knowledge of demons existing within this country. To Naraku and Kikyo, he is more valuable alive."
"I see." Kagome thought. "He must be powerful though. How do they keep him?"
"Kikyo uses her miko powers to keep and restrain him. He is kept in a fortress." Kaede looked at Kagome rather shrewdly. "Why?"
"I was just curious. Rin was talking about him."
"I see."
Kagome sometimes wondered about Kaede. She often got the feeling that the old miko realized more than she let on.
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There was a knock at the door and Kagome, after looking through the peephole, opened it to let Sango in.
"Hey, Sango."
"Hello, Kagome."
Kagome cocked her head in question. "I didn't expect to see you for awhile. What happened?"
"Naraku and Kikyo's forces were swarming over my home. I only just managed to back off undetected."
"I'm sorry about that. But come on in."
Kagome closed the door and turned to face Sango who was wearing a loose skirt and sweater. Kagome assumed Sango was wearing her amour because she saw what looked like black leggings peeking out from under the skirt. She carried only her weapon. Kagome wondered how Sango managed to walk down the street while carrying it.
"You can stay in my room, if that's okay."
"That's fine."
"Hey, Sango."
Kagome and Sango both turned to see Inuyasha standing in the doorway.
"Hi…?" Sango drew out.
"Inuyasha," he supplied.
"Hello, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha gave Kagome a quick look before going back to his room.
"What was that about?" Sango asked.
"Inuyasha's been mad at me for the past three or four weeks."
"I'm sorry."
Kagome offered Sango her bed but Sango refused it. So Kagome helped make up a bed of blankets for her on the floor.
Sango then helped Kagome fix dinner. The three sat down to dinner, an uncomfortable silence over them.
"Why are you so angry with Kagome? What did she ever do to you?"
"She went in my room."
Sango gaped at him for a moment before crying out, "That's it?"
Inuyasha looked confused for a moment before turning angry. "She had no right to do it! She was being nosy!"
Kagome couldn't take it anymore. "Nosy! I was putting clothes I got you in your room! I said I was sorry, what else do you want?"
There was a glaring match for a time before Inuyasha broke eye contact.
"Sorry then," he said gruffly.
Kagome gaped. Had he just apologized? Weird. "That's okay."
Dinner was finished in silence.
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"Hello, Kaede. Hi, Miroku." Kagome greeted them as they entered the apartment.
"Hello, Kagome."
"Beautiful, Kagome. Will you bare my-"
He suddenly stopped and flushed. Kagome followed his gaze, curious as to what had so abruptly halted his romanticisms and saw Sango. She glanced at Miroku and saw he was blushing and silent.
'Hm, interesting.'
"Hello, Kaede," Sango greeted.
"Hello, child. This is Miroku."
"Hello, Miroku."
"Ehh," Miroku cleared his throat. "Hello."
Kagome smiled. Someone just fell hard.
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Sango and Kagome sat chatting in their room as Kagome practiced her subduing charm. Suddenly Sango clapped.
"You did it, Kagome!"
"Did I?"
Kagome got up to check and sure enough she looked completely human. She opened her mouth (no fangs) and examined her hands (no claws).
"Yay!" Kagome said.
Sango laughed. Suddenly Kagome grew serious and Sango cocked her head in question at this change in demeanor.
"Sango? Can I ask a favor of you?"
Despite the circumstances of how they had met, the two had grown close over these past few weeks and Kagome trusted Sango completely, which is why she was willing to ask this favor of her.
"What is it?"
"Can you help me to free Sesshomaru? Rin's guardian. I made a promise to her."
Sango was again struck by how honorable Kagome was. She'd made a promise to a child at considerable risk to herself. But she fully intended to honor it.
"Yes," Sango said. "I will go with you. Let's wait a week so you have time to perfect your charm."
"Thanks."
Kagome hugged Sango, who at first was surprised but then hugged her back.
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Kagome checked the clock. Time to make dinner. She had been maintaining her charm all day because she knew how important it was for her to be practiced.
She came across Inuyasha in the kitchen, he stared at her in shock before letting out a growl and then darted to his room, slamming the door. Kagome winced. She'd forgotten how similar she and Kikyo looked. Seeing her must have been confusing and painful. Kagome noticed Sango for the first time.
"What's wrong with Inuyasha?"
Kagome sighed and explained. Sango's face was full of sympathy once Kagome finished speaking.
"Poor Inuyasha. I don't always like him and I don't know if I trust him. But I know what it feels like to be betrayed."
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Kagome and Sango were chatting when she sensed rather than heard Kaede at the apartment door. She stopped talking.
"What is it?" Sango asked.
"Kaede."
They rose to open the door for her. There was a small child with red hair clinging to the older woman's shirt.
"Kaede? What brings you here? And who's this?"
"This is Shippo."
Kagome could smell the fear and sorrow coming from the small boy.
"Hello, Shippo," she said gently. "My name is Kagome."
The little boy suddenly dropped his subduing charm. He was a fox demon. He launched himself into Kagome's arms with a sniffle. Kagome felt her heart twist with pity at the misery radiating from this small child. Kagome stood, the boy in her arms letting her own subduing charm fall as well, so her demon energy and spirit could comfort his.
"What happened?" Sango asked Kaede.
Kaede shot a look at the small boy before saying in a low troubled voice, "His parents were murdered. He managed to hide until I got there. He is not able to hold his subduing charm for long when he is emotionally taxed and I wanted to let him rest for awhile before I get him to a safe house. Is that all right?"
"Of course," Kagome said shakily, looking down at the child in her arms. Murdered…
They settled down in the living room, the boy still clinging to Kagome. With some difficulty, owing to the circumstances, they chatted lightly for about an hour, Inuyasha coming in to join them. The whole while, Shippo clung to Kagome and when Kaede made to leave, he clung tightly to the front of Kagome's shirt and would not let go. Kagome felt tears in her eyes as she looked down at the small frightened figure huddled in her lap.
"Kaede," Kagome said. "Why cant he stay here? We have room."
"No way in hell!" protested Inuyasha. "I don't want some whiny brat living here!"
"Sit!"
Inuyasha met carpet with a low thud.
"Quit with the attitude," Kagome told him, feeling a primitive surge of protectiveness well up within her.
"Wench-" he growled, standing.
"Sit!!"
As Inuyasha once again tasted carpet (which Kagome had not yet vacuumed this week). Shippo giggled, some of the sadness disappearing from him. Kagome smiled and gave him a squeeze. He turned to smile at Kagome who felt her heart melt.
'What a sweet kid.'
Inuyasha began to let out a stream of colorful language, which Kagome frowned at.
"Watch your language. There are children present. Sit!"
And everyone else joined in Shippo's laughter.
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Kagome pulled on a pair of black pants and a black sweatshirt. She then slipped her feet into a pair of tennis shoes and put up her subduing charm. Sango donned her armor but brought weapons more easily concealed than her giant boomerang.
Kagome paused to look at Sango. "Sango?"
"Yes?"
"Are you sure you want to come with me? I have no way of knowing what we face; it could be dangerous. And it was my promise to Rin, not yours."
"I'm sure, Kagome."
"Thank you."
They quickly left the apartment and set out, Kagome holding Sango on her back as she ran. Kagome felt a smirk of satisfaction on her lips. She had perfected her subduing charm so that she could mask her demon aura but still have the full use of her demon senses and faculties. Kagome headed to where she knew the prison was generally located and as they neared the west, Kagome began to sense a great surge of energy. Kagome headed in that direction.
Kagome stopped so suddenly that Sango hit her chin on the back of Kagome's head.
"Ouch! What's wrong?"
"There's a barrier in front of us."
Sango looked about in confusion. "Where? I don't see anything."
"Can you get down so I can check something, please?"
"Course."
Kagome put a tentative hand outward and touched the barrier. It felt hot and her demon recoiled slightly but Kagome managed to calm it. She closed her eyes in concentration and soon a hole appeared within the energy.
"Quick! Come on!" Kagome whispered to Sango. They entered and the barrier closed behind them.
Kagome paused, trying to get a feel for the air around them until her eyes fell upon a large cluster of rocks. She pointed silently and the two girls swiftly made their way over, being careful not to make a sound.
Kagome pulled Sango to the ground, a finger pressed warningly to her lips. She pointed and held up two fingers. She pointed in another direction and held up three. Sango nodded and the two girls split up.
Kagome, crouching low, swiftly ran, dodging rocks and foliage before coming to a stop behind a bush. Three men were there in front of her, dressed in armor and respectively equipped with arrows and swords. Two stood about ten feet from each other while the last was nearly thirty feet away. They stood rather still, occasionally looking about.
Kagome waited until none of them were looking in her direction and then dashed at the lone man, striking him quickly across the temple. He fell and a glance at the other two revealed one of them looking in her direction; one of them opened his mouth but Kagome was upon him, hand encircling his throat tightly, before he could let out a sound. He gagged faintly as Kagome lifted him in the air and soon she had a nearly silent man in either hand. She quickly bashed their heads together, being careful not to be too forceful and released them; their unconscious bodies slumping to the ground. Simply knocking them unconscious left little room for mistake or delay but Kagome did not have the heart to kill them. She quickly found Sango, who had dispatched two other guards. That taken care of, Kagome closed her eyes in concentration as she sorted through the strong energy all around.
Eyes now open, Kagome, with Sango close behind, made her way to the left and descended rough steps hidden within the rock. They went down a long way but eventually very faint flickering light could be seen. The steps ended and the two girls pressed against the wall. Kagome pointed the way, feeling demon energy. There was suddenly a yell and a guard was upon them. Kagome rushed him, clasping a hand to his mouth before slamming him to the ground. But the damage was done as faint shouting came from ahead of them. Four guards.
Kagome darted down the narrow hall, leaving Sango far behind. She dashed by the first two, leaving them to Sango. The other two, the ones she had stopped to take care of, descended upon her simultaneously. She grabbed one and twisted his arm up behind him. As his arm gave a sickening crunch Kagome felt a flash of pain in her side. She released the man's arm and forced his head to the wall. She reached behind her and pulled the other guard over her head and into the wall. He dropped to the ground. Kagome winced. The guard had not released his weapon right away, causing the embedded spear to tear through her flesh.
She gritted her teeth as she began to run, yanking the weapon from her body. She gave a cry of pain as the wound tore further as the spear exited. Gasping, she began to run, feeling the jabbing pain with each movement. Kagome skidded to a halt, having found the cells. There were four demons and, despite the grime, they all had a certain regality about them. She felt her demon blood protest slightly as she grasped the first door but her miko energy combined with her strength allowed her to force the cell open. The first three, a dragon demon, a wind demon, and a firecat all bowed before leaving quickly. Neither was Sesshomaru; she had made discreet enquiries and discovered that he was a dog demon, like her. Where was the demon Sesshomaru? She ran further, feeling increasingly light-headed, until she came to a halt outside another cell. A tall demon stood as she forced the door.
"Are you Sesshomaru?"
"Yes."
"Please come with me. Your ward is anxious to see you."
"Very well."
Kagome turned and began to head back towards the exit, Sesshomaru not far behind, until they had caught up with Sango. The three left quickly. They soon came to the barrier once again and Kagome, with some trouble, managed to let them through it. They had gone no more than ten minutes when Kagome stopped.
"I'm sorry. Give me a moment," she winced, pressing a hand to her side.
"Kagome! You're hurt!"
"I'm fine."
Kagome ripped off her sweatshirt and tore a large piece of it and bound it tightly to her torso.
"I can't carry you, Sango. We'll have to go at your pace."
"No need," spoke up Sesshomaru calmly. He conjured up a large cloud of pink energy. "Come."
Sango and Kagome stepped onto it and the three took off into the sky.Kagome, if she hadn't been in so much pain, would have been fascinated by this means of transportation. As it was, all she noticed was the pounding in her head, the pain in her side, and the frigid wind. She gave an involuntary shiver.
"Lie down," Sesshomaru told Kagome stoically. "It will support you."
Kagome did as told and closed her eyes. By the time they reached the apartment Kagome was relieved to find herself clear-headed and she knew her wound was already healing. They quickly went up to the apartment to be met by an irate Inuyasha. His angry face immediately took on a look of shock after catching sight of Sesshomaru.
"You!"
"Me." Sesshomaru said indifferently.
"Do you two know each other?" Sango asked.
"We are half-brothers."
There was some shock at this before Kagome shook herself out of her partial stupor.
"Inuyasha," she said "we need to contact Kaede."
"What for, bitch," he said sullenly.
She looked at him. "Sit."
Whomp!
"Stop being difficult."
Sango laughed and Sesshomaru looked almost amused. Shippo peeped around the corner with a giggle.
"What the fuck were you thinking?" Inuyasha seethed, once he'd stood again. "I don't care what happens to you but I'm bound to you, I have no choice! I can't let you be an idiot!"
Kagome felt tears come to her eyes and she fled to her room, slamming the door. How could he be so hurtful? She threw herself on the bed, burying her face in the pillow. There was a knock and the sound of the door opening.
"Sango," she sobbed. "I don't know why he keeps doing such things!"
"I'm afraid he's always been that way," said an obviously male voice.
Uh…
Kagome whirled around, wiping her eyes hurriedly.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were Sango."
He looked at her for a moment before saying, "Your name is Kagome, is it not?"
She nodded.
"Kagome, I thank you for freeing me. I am in your debt."
He gave a slight bow and then straightened.
Kagome felt a little embarrassed. She didn't know this guy at all but everything told her that he was not given to displays and was very proud. To be bowed to was…flustering.
"You're welcome."
There was a slight pause.
"Are you a miko?" he asked.
"Uh, sort of. I'm demon but somehow I retain miko blood."
She let her subduing charm fall. She saw him take in her appearance and his gaze seemed to linger on her markings. Kagome felt flustered again under the scrutiny. He nodded slightly and there was a moment of silence.
"Rin is well. You'll get to see her soon," Kagome said, finding her voice.
His face showed no emotion but his eyes seemed to soften.
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Okay, that's the end of chapter 5! Pleas R&R! Pretty please?