Chapter 7- A missing ingredient?
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"Inuyasha take a closer look at Kagome." Daichi commanded. Inuyasha and the gang all took a look at Kagome.
"No. . .It can't be." Inuyasha said his eyes covered by his bangs.
"Lady Kagome bares the mark of the west" Miroku said
"She's the new Lady and mate of Lord Sesshoumaru" Daichi said. His anger took control and Inuyasha held Daichi's collar.
"How can that be…?" Inuyasha whispered his head still hung low.
"That Inuyasha . . . Even we still don't know" Daichi said holding Inuyasha's fist and yanking it off.
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She fell unconscious then and Sesshoumaru had to carry her, bridal style, to her bed. Growls of anger escaped Inuyasha's lips but got silenced by Sesshoumaru's heavy glare. The girls had run off to call the medics again. With the Inu gang in the castle, Daichi sighed at the thought of the incoming future havoc and chaos that will soon run about.
Sango sat at the bed side, her one hand softly touching Kagome's pale face. Miroku stood beside Sango with a comforting hand resting on her shoulder and his other hand on her rear. A large slap resounded with a groan of pain trailing after. Shippo sighed; he sat at the bed's foot near Kagome's feet.
Sesshoumaru tore himself from the miko, who had earlier clutched his clothes with her death grip. After successfully releasing himself from her grasp, Sesshoumaru walked away from Kagome and then got out of the room. Seeing this, Inuyasha took advantage and went closer to the fallen miko.
"Don't step any closer Inuyasha" Daichi's voice sternly commanded. He walked to the gang, getting glances and annoyed looks from them.
"Why?" Inuyasha asked with an irritated tone.
"Because I don't think Sesshoumaru can bottle up his anger anymore." He merely said getting a snarl form Inuyasha.
"Stop it Inuyasha." Sango said looking at Inuyasha angrily, her voice compact and full of command. Ears flat to his head; Inuyasha hung his head low and took a slow step backward.
"We are here for Kagome-chan" she said glancing at the unconscious Kagome.
"Sorry for the intrusion Lord Daichi." Miroku said bowing down to him.
"Please no formalities. Just call me Daichi, I think I still haven't gotten the names of Kagome's friends." Daichi said
"I am Miroku a Buddhist monk." Miroku said standing like a monk would do. Shippo coughed out an obvious –pervert- and got an evil look from Miroku.
"My name is Sango, a demon exterminator" She said getting a surprised look from Daichi.
"A very surprising person to pick Inuyasha. Though having the last demon exterminator in your group serves useful" Daichi said secretly praising Sango, who blushed at the secret praise.
"I'm Shippo." the young kit said with a hint of happiness.
"And what kind of relationship do you have with Kagome-chan?" Daichi asked bending down to the kit, which had a kid like smile on his face.
"Kagome adopted me a year ago." Shippo beamed up to the demon. Daichi was taken back, eyes wide and lips parted. Chuckling, her recovered and gave the young demon fox a pat on the head.
"I'll introduce you to the four girls later." Daichi said looking at the whole group.
"Girls?" Miroku asked pervertedly ,getting a slap from Sango and a smirk from Shippo.
"You may get some rest if you like, I may escort you all to your rooms." Daichi said getting a unison shaking of the heads.
"I'd like to stay here by Kagome-chan's side" Sango said glancing at the miko's form.
"Yea me too!" Shippo said sliding closer to Kagome. Miroku ,in agreement, nodded his head. Daichi, seeing their decision, smiled and started a conversation with the monk.
"Tch." Inuyasha humped away. "The hell I care about her." Stomping his feet, he banged the door open and shut it back.
The room was covered in silence and a tense atmosphere settled in. Miroku's hand secretly wandered to Kagome's backside only to be seen by Sango. With a push, Miroku loudly fell to the floor in a painful crash making Shippo laugh. Sango's eyes were alit with flames of anger directed to the perverted monk. Daichi and Shippo shared a round of laughs and the tense air got blown away.
After that incident Miroku had himself away from Sango and Kagome. Daichi and Miroku had settled themselves to a long conversation, sitting on one of the many comfortable couches in Kagome's room. Topics ranging from Battles to Inu Gang's trips, from the many demons fought to girls. Chuckling as the topic came to girls, Daichi realized Miroku's other side despite his saintly monk appearance. From time to time Miroku would get hit by a random flying object by Sango. Shippo always laughed when the poor monk got hit.
Sango had settled herself more comfortably on the bed. She sat there with her legs outstretched and one of her arm around Kagome's shoulder. Her boomerang was settled on the wall with her other things. Kirara stood next to the boomerang and shrunk to her smaller version. With a yawn she circled twice before lying next to Sango's things. Shippo had fallen asleep snoring at the side of Kagome opposite to Sango. The young kit wrapped his arms around Kagome's arm and nuzzled closer feeling her warmth.
Kagome slept peacefully, breathing even and calm. Her face was soft no trace of nightmares was found. Her silver hair flowed like silk and her bangs parted revealing the now very dark and obvious mark of the west. The purple crescent moon looked so normal for her face and the pink stripes on each sides of the cheek hugged her frame greatly. On her wrists were silhouettes of two pink stripes. She totally looked like a female Sesshoumaru.
"Is this permanent Daichi-san?" Sango asked as she looked at Kagome's sleeping face. Daichi and Miroku stopped from their conversation and turned to look at Sango.
"Will she really stay like this?" Sango asked with sadness in her voice.
"Kagome-chan had sacrificed enough for the group from cutting of from her studies and to leaving her own home. She had sacrificed enough for this era. She deserves a normal life but now. . . I think it would even be harder for her to return to her home." Sango said as she touched Kagome's face with a finger gentle not wanting to wake her up. Daichi had no reply and looked obviously confused.
"Kagome-sama is not from this time." Miroku stated.
"She lives in this same place but only five hundred years from now." He said to the dog demon.
"The future?" Daichi said with amazement.
"Kagome Higurashi is the reincarnation of Kikyo, who was the late Miko of the Shikon. When Kikyo-san died her body was burned along with the Shikon in her hands. Kagome-sama said that the Shikon was originally in her body as her mother stated that when she was born she saw a glowing pink light in Kagome-sama's body." Miroku intelligently said.
"Five hundred years. Such a huge sacrifice for someone so young." Daichi said standing up and going to the bed side which Sango sat.
"That is why if there is any possible way to reverse this. Please Daichi-sama, please do it." Sango said facing the demon Lord with pleading eyes.
"It is still not known why or how to reverse the effect. . but I will try my best Sango-san." Daichi said. Sango took those words to heart and hoped that Kagome would be okay.
"Oh right. I'll be taking my leave and check on Rin-chan." Daichi said facing toward the door.
"I'll also get some maids to deliver food here. Rest well I know the journey going here was stressful." He added before walking out of the room, closing the doors gently.
"What are we going to do Miroku?" Sango asked getting out of the bed and walking towards the monk. Miroku patted the seat next to him offering it to Sango. With a sigh she sat next to the monk.
"The only thing we can do now is wait. When Kagome-sama wakes up later then we can plan what to do next." Miroku said. Sango from her exhaustion let her head lean on Miroku's shoulder letting her eyes close. Miroku looked at the tired Sango and smiled softly, arm wrapped around her shoulder pulling her closer and more comfortably.
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"Why is Sesshoumaru-sama and Kagome-san not here?" Rin whined. The young girl wore different clothes for the day which meant this day had to be special. Rin was inside her room sitting at the bed's edge.
"Sesshoumaru-sama said that he would be quite busy today while Kagome-sama is still resting in her room. We must not disturb both of them today. For the meanwhile we'll be your company." Yoko said softly to the girl. Rin frowned but tried to cheer up by flashing them a smile.
"Where shall we go Rin-chan?" Katsumi asked child-like and all. Rin put her pointer finger on her lower lip and stoke a cute thinker pose. The two demons giggled at the young girl.
"I want to go to the gardens!" Rin exclaimed with her arms outstretched on either side and a grin plastered to her face.
"Then the gardens we shall go." Yoko said patting Rin on the head and grabbing the lass's hand.
The trio went out of the room and merrily made their way to the gardens. They went through many hallways before they got to the exit and finally arrived to their destination. Opening the two big oak doors, Rin ran ahead of them her arms flailing in the air and a big smile on her face. The human girl twirled to a stop and put down her arms, inhaling deeply the scent of the flowers. Katsumi and Yoko followed the girl behind and too stopped to smell the scent of the flowers in the air. After a few minutes of walking the trio stopped to one of the many benches in the gardens.
The gardens were found at the back part of the castle but still within the castle walls. It had been one of the latest landscaping done to the West Castle. Sesshoumaru knew Rin's love for flowers and built her a big garden. The Garden itself was divided into four sections. Most of which were filled with flower beds. Three of the parts were filled with different kinds of flowers separated and organized according to each of the flower's required need. The other part contained various kinds of fountains and a natural water fall, though it was said to have been made by some demons years back. That was just a made up rumor. The waterfall was quite high and apparently had a small width. There was times when the water continuously fell and times when not a drop got out of the waterfall.
"Look Yoko-san! He's standing in the waterfall!" Rin pointed out to her two demon company.
"Go get him out of there Katsumi." Yoko ordered ,with a lazy irritated tone, as she held Rin's hand closer.
"Sure. Sure." Katsumi replied prancing to the waterfall where Inuyasha stood at the end of it.
"You shouldn't stand there you know. The waterfall might suddenly flow again." Katsumi said halting to a stop at the edge of the waterfall's well.
"You! I saw you in there earlier! What are you doing here?" Inuyasha asked out loud with a finger pointing at Katsumi.
"We are escorting Rin-sama at the moment." Katsumi merely replied.
"Rin-sama? Rin?" Inuyasha said to himself. With a sudden short earthquake the waterfall burst into beauty. Inuyasha was pushed to the ground by the force of the waterfalls. Spluttering and heaving deep breaths, Inuyasha dragged his body out of the well and waterfall.
"AHAHAHAHA~" Katsumi laughed out loud as she tried to help the wet and angry Inuyasha.
"He's Sesshoumaru-sama's younger half-brother. Do you know him Rin?" Yoko asked looking down at the lass's face.
"I see him with Kagome-san sometimes. . ." Rin replied utterly distracted at Inuyasha's pair of dog ears. Inuyasha shook his head down to his body in an attempt to remove the water.
"Are you okay?" Katsumi asked to the now standing and dripping wet Inuyasha.
"What is wrong with that waterfalls?" Inuyasha fumingly screamed pointing out to the cascading waterfalls.
"It has its times." Yoko shortly replied to the fuming Inu-yokai. "Rin go and enjoy the flowers. We'll talk to Inuyasha-san for a while." Yoko kneeled to the ground and pat the girl gently on the head, letting go of her hand, and letting her go to the flowerbeds.
"Babysit duty? I thought that green toad was her babysitter." Inuyasha asked getting a giggle from Katsumi.
"Jaken-san is currently handling other important matters regarding to Kagome-sama." Yoko said getting Inuyasha's interest.
"What about Kagome?" Inuyasha said
"Kagome-sama." Katsumi stressed out getting a grunt from Inuyasha.
"I'll never call that wench anything like that." Inuyasha smartly said out. With a quick motion, Inuyasha found himself in a hard situation.
Inuyasha's neck was trapped by four blades positioned like scissors both in front and the back. Katsumi was positioned in front with her hands crossed and blades positioned close to his throat. She was close to Inuyasha with her right shoulder pressing against his chest and her neck craned close to his face, her eyes staring cold straight through his golden orbs. Her teeth were showing baring them angrily to Inuyasha. Her ears and tail were alert and clearly showed her anger. Yoko positioned herself behind in a semi lunged position with her hands crossed and blades enclosing Inuyasha.
"You are lucky, Hanyou. If it were any other person that heard those words come out from your dirty mouth you would have been killed, Especially now since Sesshoumaru-sama is furious." Yoko, in a low voice, warned Inuyasha.
"Lady Kagome might be new here and the people still does not know of her. But her position remains the same, the position Lady of the West demand respect from those who linger upon these lands." Katsumi pierced through Inuyasha's golden orbs to ensure he got the point. And to wrap the warning, both girls slid their blades to Inuyasha's skin just enough to let him feel the cold steel. With a loud and hard gulp, Inyusha let out an exhale of relief as he was let out from the dangerous enclosure.
"What's happening?" A soft voice asked. The three of them immediately tensed and jerked around to see.
"Rin-chan!~" Katsumi squealed in a girl way. Running towards the girl, Katsumi and Yoko both gave Inuyasha the final death-glares and went on to Rin's side.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Yoko exclaimed. Katsumi held Rin close to her with Yoko immediately going to their side.
"What are you doing here in my lands, half-breed?" Sesshoumaru asked stopping just a few steps away from Inuyasha, his hand resting on the hilt of Tokijin.
"I came to get Kagome back." Inuyasha replied
"The miko has currently a business with this Sesshoumaru."
"What have you done to Kagome?" Inuyasha exclaimed his hand gripping the hilt of Tessaiga.
"Last time I checked she was just human, now she's a demoness. There can't be a way to turn her like that without having to do a mating ritual with a demon! She's a priestess also! Those two things just don't mix! Tell me Sesshoumaru! What happened to her?" Sesshoumaru was about to draw Tokijin when a short pain pulsed through him. Stepping backward and clutching his forehead in pain, Sesshoumaru felt pulses go through him.
"What's this? I thought the almighty Sesshoumaru won't get beaten by anyone?" Inuyasha dared on Sesshoumaru to draw his sword.
"Lord! The Lady is experiencing pains. Please go immediately." A servant cut in shouting. Sesshoumaru immediately turned to go, still clutching his forehead with one hand covering the pulsing crescent moon.
"Rin-chan let's go inside for the while. We'll accompany you." Katsumi softly said with a small smile on her face. Rin gave a slow nod and held Yoko's hand tight.
Inuyasha was left all to himself. The garden grew quiet and made him think about the situation at hand. Kagome wouldn't just go and be with his half-brother, she loathed him. Right? Kagome knows that Sesshoumaru is the enemy and never can he be an ally or anywhere near an acquaintance. He is a cold bloody killer, heartless leader and the known 'Ice Prince'. Kagome knows all of that, right? Then why does she have the mark of the West on her. Why is she now tied with Sesshoumaru? How can all of this happen in a blink? How-
"I see you've found the gardens." Daichi stated with amusement. Inuyasha sent out an irritated snort, his train of thought cut.
"What are you doing here?" annoyingly asked, for the sake of it.
"I should be the one asking you, Inuyasha." Daichi merely replied.
"Words of advice should be taken seriously, especially when you know you are at fault." Daichi said out loud to everyone, just being completely random. With a smirk and another irritated snort from Inuyasha, he left.
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"Kagome-chan!" Sango worriedly shouted. She was currently being held back by Miroku and was steered away from the bed side. Shippo stood in front of them watching closely. Kirara, in her chibi form, was perched on Miroku's shoulder.
"This is bad. Her priestess powers aren't working to heal the wounds and it seems like her demon side is reacting." A healer said out to Miyako and Natsuko. Miyako closed her eyes shut and muttered out words.
"Sesshoumaru-sama and Daichi-sama are coming. Don't worry." Natsuko said to everyone in the room
"Sesshoumaru-sama is the only one that can stop Lady Kagome's pain." Natsuko thought.
"It's no use. She's blocked out, I can't connect." Natsuko said with frustration.
"Don't force it. You may regret doing that." Daichi said stepping between the two.
"Her wound doesn't look like it healed a bit. Her priestess healing power might be struggling since the demon side is there blocking its effect. Though I'm not sure of this. I'll go on and call Lerhea, she knows about this stuff." Daichi said taking a good long look at the claw wounds at Kagome's cheek. "Go and fetch her fast." Daichi ordered the healer in the room.
As the healer scampered off to call on the Head healer, Lerhea, Sesshoumaru came in the doors with an atmosphere that could choke. The gang slipped to a safe corner of the room which was out of Sesshoumaru's range of killer intent. Natsuko and Miyako lined up and bowed together. Daichi let out a sigh and gave Sesshoumaru a tired look.
"This is not the place Sesshoumaru." Daichi stated. Sesshoumaru gave no response and just walked to the bed side.
"What is wrong with the miko?" He asked nonchalantly. Sango heard his tone and got angry.
"How dare he sound like that? He was the one who injured her! He's the cause of everything that's happened to Kagome-chan!" Sango fumed
"This is not the right time Sango." Miroku coolly whispered imitating Daichi's voice. Sango thrust her elbow to Miroku's side as a reply. Shippo, although sad, lightened up from the two lovers antics and Kirara mewled in agreement.
"Let's just wait for Lerhea and for the meantime relax. If Kagome-san ever feels this kind of atmosphere it would have a bad effect on her." Daichi reasoned out. Sesshoumaru listened and sat on the closest seat available.
Kagome kept on craning her neck to the side, showing out the claw marks. The wound seemed to seep a bit of new blood out which proved that it wasn't healing a bit. Her eyes were shut tight and her mouth was in a tight line, keeping her groans of pain back. Her hands were flat out on each side all palm down and sweat began to form on her forehead.
"I'll go get a towel and water. Kagome-sama is sweating." Natsuko said getting a nod from Miyako.
"I'll stay by her side. Lerhea-san is getting close." Miyako stated. With that a female demon entered the room with two healers at her side.
The female was completely wrapped up. She wore a white robe that was floor length, loosely turtle neck and had bells sleeves. It had a purple tie on the waist which was ribboned at the back, showing her feminine curves. The sleeves had purple linings at the end and a straight line in the middle which connected up to her shoulder and to the turtle neck. At the back of the robe is the mark of the west. Her purple hair was tied up to a bun with only a few strands framing her face at each side. Her eyes onyx black in color and eyeshadow light purple.
"Lerhea." Daichi said her name in recognition to her presence.
"So what shall I fix up?" Lerhea smiled at her informal talk. Daichi gave a short laugh before showing her Kagome. Natsuko had settled the cloth and water on a table near the bedside.
"Her name is Kagome. As you can see at the situation. .. you'll understand." Daichi merely said tired of explaining everything again and again.
"She looks just like you Lord Sesshoumaru. What a beautiful Lady." Lerhea half-jokingly said.
"He's not in the mood.." Daichi whispered to Lerhea, who gasped at this and said sorry directly.
"Let me examine her and I'll see what I can do." Lerhea said to everyone.
After that she asked them to leave the room for the time being since Kagome will need the space and silence. The gang left at once saying that they needed some rest and Daichi and the two girls left to check on Rin and Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru stayed. Lerhea was shocked, not only was the girl human but Sesshoumaru had marked her and he showed his concern by staying in the room. Chuckling, Lerhea asked Sesshoumaru to stay outside if he wanted to wait for the results.
"She will need the space my Lord, her state might be worsened if there were to be people in this room." Lerhea explained. Sesshoumaru's eyes were on Kagome while he gave lerhea a flat look. His eyes scanned through her state, she looked in pain and her eyes were scrunched the whole time. But that was not what he looked at the most, it was the three bloody claw marks on her right cheek which he caused. He felt an unknown feeling dwell in him. Lerhea saw Sesshoumaru looking at Kagome and followed his trail of sight. Guilt? It is guilt. Sesshoumaru earlier ago scratched Kagome's face with his claws. THE lord Sesshoumaru laso known as 'Ice Prince' was showing guilt? What a rarity this is. She was surprised when she found that rare emotion twinkling in Sesshoumaru's eyes. She sighed with a soft smile on her face.
"He's showing emotion to a human nonetheless. Lady Kagome may be the key to every problem in this castle."
"I'll take care of her. Don't worry." Lerhea said out softly getting a grunt from Sesshoumaru, who quickly left the room. Taking the cloth and water that Natsuko had earlier prepared, Lerhea began to find the solution to Kagome's pain.
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"Her condition is not good and to make it worse, it's not getting any better." Lerhea said with sorrow in her voice.
It was already late in the afternoon and the sun was starting to set, making the sky orange.
They were currently outside Kagome's room. Daichi and Sesshoumaru were the only ones there to listen to her report.
"Her wound isn't the problem. It's an easy thing to heal, just use a little Chiba to stop the bleeding. It is in her internal where there is problem. It seems like her priestess and demonic sides are fighting and causing internal problems to her. Her heartbeat is already slow for the normal rate. . ." Lerhea frowned and she dropped her head for the while. Daichi also frowned at the news but Sesshoumaru was hard to figure out and Lerhea saw this. "I'll try my best to look up a cure for her!" She exclaimed. "I will not just try. I will DO my best!" She added standing her ground as the Head Healer of the West. After that she immediately made a quick bow and friskily walked away.
"If Lerhea is that motivated then there is nothing too much to worry about." Daichi said with a small smirk, trying to lift the bad news away.
"I'll go look up to it myself! Time to hit the books!" Daichi said with a smile. Sesshoumaru feels unfazed by the recent events. Daichi sighed out and looked at Sesshoumaru's facial expression, this guy is impossible to read. He may be sad or happy about the news. With Sesshoumaru you can never really be sure of his current emotion.
The two parted ways and the day ended with darkness covering the lands and the emotions of the people.
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GOMENASAI!~ My files from the computer and stories were erased BUT lucky me the latest chapters of all of my stories were saved from the disaster! I'll be serious from here on out.I plan to finish this story by the start of the next school year. That's about 2 months from now. Don't worry I'll get this back on the road and flowing steadily for the while.
For now just read and review