I don't own Inuyasha; I'm broke so go figure!
H
A/N: Well another chapter… Please if anything confuses you fell free to ask me questions. I usually don't answer them right away but I will if asked. No Problem... Also everyone check out my other story Techno Dreams… I'm currently working on chapter 7… it had a rather delicate issue that my readers are split over sorta and I'm trying to resolve it… well happy holidays!
H
H
Thanks for your reviews everyone! Keep it up! They really helps in the motivation area!
kawaii-baka4life: That great! Thanks for the review!
sesshygirl13: Thanks I'm glad you like it, and hope you like this update.
Skitzoflame: Really, Really, Really… well I hope you like this chapter. I thought it up and wrote it all in the same day…
kinkyneko33: I just hope that you continue to like it, thanks for the review.
mimi86: Thanks for the review. And the optimism…. :p I needed.
sennin: Now I hope you stay hooked and try my other stories as well… thanks for the review.
LynGreenTea: I'm happy you like this as well …to tell you the truth I was extremely skeptical about posting it. Thanks for the review.
flying jade: Sorry bout the misunderstanding. What I mean by that is just a simple echo, but her voice becomes deep, lusty almost and slower (like slow motion). Thanks for the review.
Blueyesangel1186: Glad you like the story… thanks for the review and I hope this is the 'more' you're lookn' for.
Cindygirl: I almost had a heart attack when you reviewed.. I religiously follow your current story… so it was… let me correct that… is an honor to have a review from you. I'm still trying to work out my jumbled thoughts for 'this' particular story, but I can say that Sesshomaru's father will be around for this story; at least for a while.
Chapter 2
My willing Hostage
Toga stopped yelling orders to his men. There was really no use. He, just like everyone else, was so caught up in the hype of things that he failed to notice that there was no army waiting to attack them. Instead, his camp was being intruded by two small women. Once Toga caught on, settled for watching the girls. Sesshomaru had long gone after them and Toga wondered what the girls were up to.
As he turned to head back to his tent, Toga caught sight of the girls with Sesshomaru trailing behind them. He eyed the scene with great interest, and was shocked to see the two women split. Even more shocked when one of the girls raised her sword and ran straight for Sesshomaru.
…………
Sesshomaru quickly flung her away from him. "Sneaky Bitch!"
"Vile Demon!" Kagome fired back.
Usually comments as such didn't bother Sesshomaru, but coming from her…… it annoyed the hell out of him. Her meaning was clear; it was an insult. Sesshomaru growled low and deep then charged at his target.
Kagome smiled at the young Lord. "Did I say something to upset you?" She asked innocently as she prepared for his attack. Suddenly rivets of energy shot from the sword in Sesshomaru's direction.
Sesshomaru managed to block most of the attack, but could not stop some of it from connecting. Standing back on his feet he noticed Kagome was gone, again. She ran away.
…………
Sango reached the Barracks, as expected she was stopped.
"Halt." A sentry demanded.
"Move!" Sango ordered. Okay that was their only chance. She quickly donned her mask and let the poison powder fly.
"H...al...t!" Another sentry attempted, but the poison was starting to take hold.
Sango pull her heavy weapon from her back. "Alright!" Once in position she let the large boomerang go. "HIRAIKOTSU! Ahh!" Sango took out her sword and followed the large weapon to it destination; cutting all those down who stood in her path.
She needed to reach the middle of camp and no one was going to stop her.
…………
When Kagome reached Sango in the middle of the largest barracks in Toga's camp, she stopped dead in her tracks. "Sister." She wheezed. "Are they dead?"
Sango shook her head. "No, just knocked out. Only those who tried to stop me are dead."
"Well that's good I gue…" Kagome stopped when she saw the look on Sango's face. Following the direction Sango was looking, Kagome saw Sesshomaru coming down the path she just left.
"Kagome! Quickly!" Sango shouted.
Kagome nodded and threw the bloody daggering to the ground. A blue aura swirled around her and her eyes took on an abnormal glow as she started to chant. As the last word left Kagome's mouth, she looked around her shoulder to discover Sesshomaru was about to tackle her.
Sesshomaru knew he was too late to stop her plans, but that did not stop him. He was pissed. All she ever does is piss him off then run. Not this time, he thought darkly. When Kagome turned around to look at him, his step almost faltered. She was beautiful in a creepy sort of way. But with his resolve strengthened, Sesshomaru tackled her to the ground; then blacked out once more as the barrier closed.
…………
Toga sighed when he saw the dome go up over his barracks. He could easily take the city on his own, but why destroy something that you want the right to protect? "Time to admit defeat." He uttered aloud. Turning to the nearest solider, Toga instructed him to send a messenger to Jin. He is willing to accept defeat, but only on one front. There is one other prize to be had, and he wanted it.
sssssssssss
A little while later, Jin appeared at Toga's tent with a few guards in tow. After one of them announced his arrival, Jin stepped into the tent and greeted the other lord. "Toga-sama, it is nice to see you; even if under these circumstances."
"Indeed, thank you for coming, Jin-sama. I assume that you know of my current situation?"
Jin shook his head. "Actually, no. I have had a little while to contemplate, your reasons for this meeting and I can only come up with two. Either you want to demand my surrender or you want to surrender. Tell me, friend, which is it?"
Toga gracefully stood up and pulled his window flap up revealing a blue kekkai. He laughed at the face that Jin managed to make and motioned for Jin to take a seat while he took one as well. "Just a little while ago, the women under your service managed to take my main barracks hostage along with my eldest son."
"So that is where she went to?" Jin said aloud. He has been looking for, both, Kagome and Sango since before dawn. Jin wanted to talk to them about their battle strategy… Yes he had planed on taking a back seat on this one, so his daughters could shine; but only after he made sure their plans were solid and well formed. Jin could feel his ire rise just at the thought of them running off. "Kagome…"
"So, one of the young women is your daughter? I figured as much. In any case, you should be proud of your daughter. She has managed to annihilate my son's camp and damage mine." Toga replied.
Jin gritted his teeth and started to march down the hill. Of course he wanted the upper hand, but not like this. The Lord's son was trapped in that barrier as well.
"Wait, what are you doing." Toga asked.
"That dome is like the one over the city, but with certain aspects changed." Jin stated as he stopped to look at his friend. "It serves the same function." He thought for a minute. "Only this one will not let the captured out, and those with demon blood will have it slowly purified."
"I see." Toga replied.
"As much as I want the upper hand for negotiations, I will not have you worried about your son." Jin explained.
"It's fine." He assured him. "Sesshomaru is well over four hundred years old, and knew what he was walking into." Toga motioned for Jin to come back into the tent. "Your daughter has secured your victory. Let's wait on her; then talk about your demands. I will accept defeat for now."
…………
"Sister." Sango huffed. "How much does he weigh?" She and Kagome were busy carrying Sesshomaru back up the hill to his father's tent. He passes out from the magic inside.
"I don't know…" Kagome mused. "He must eat whole people or something." She and Sango broke out into a fit of giggles. "Really, he wouldn't have passed out so quickly if hadn't insisted on chasing me." Kagome looked down at him once more before they entered the tent. "Stupid Dog." Then she stated laughing again, but quickly stopped when something grabbed her throat.
Once more Sesshomaru was roused out of the peacefulness blackness of unconsciousness; this time, by sweet laughter. When his eyes fluttered open, there she was laughing. Her eyes still glowing with power and she carried him. Sesshomaru snarled at his situation. The other woman noticed and let go, but Kagome hadn't noticed anything till his hand wrapped around her delicate neck. For a moment Sesshomaru hoped and thought he saw fear in those beautiful haunting eyes, but he did not. Kagome only glared back at him with utter antipathy. Sesshomaru collected himself and walked into the tent; still holding Kagome by the neck; proud that he caught his prey. Now he only needed to dominate it. However, that train of thought stopped when he heard his father's voice.
"Sesshomaru." Toga barked. "Put her down."
His eyes narrowed dangerously at his father. "Why?" Sesshomaru asked. "I caught her."
"Look at her eyes moron!" Toga admonished. "She still holds the upper hand. Further more, she saved 'YOU' from unnecessary suffering." He added.
Sesshomaru squeezed her neck a little tighter which drew a small moan from Kagome. The sound sent a tingle up his spine and he found that pleased him greatly. Still… he let her fall into a heap on the floor and marched up to his father. "Father, why deny me my victory?" His voice was low and deadly. "This wench almost caused me injury and she still holds our men hostage."
Toga was about to answer, but Jin cut him off. "If I may young Lord." He started. "You prevented yourself from the attacking my daughter and caused your own injury. Kagome only helped you." He explained.
Realization hit Sesshomaru like a ton of bricks when he saw the human lord; this Kagome is the young girl that he met not eight years ago? He glanced over to his father for confirmation, and then became confused; something that does not happen often. "Explain." Sesshomaru demanded.
Even from where he stood, Jin could see the aura coming off of his daughter's discarded blade. He calmly walked over to the battered Sesshomaru, pulled out the blade, and held it up for Sesshomaru to look at. It was caked in dried blood; Kagome's blood. "I will not divulge my daughter's battle tactics to our enemy." Jin replied. "But I will explain the shield that you see over yonder." He pointed to the other object of Sesshomaru's curiosity; the glowing green barrier around the city. When Sesshomaru nodded, Jin continued. "That is a Blood Kekkai, young Lord. It is made with the essences of my very body; my blood. Those not welcome into the city within inches of the barrier are repelled most painfully and drained of their energy."
For the first time, Sesshomaru noticed the hole in his shirt and the tender skin underneath. If his theory is correct, from listening to Jin-sama's explanation, then that this Kagome drained him of his power! The rage that had left his body was now rapidly returning at the thought of the woman stirring against the wall. He started to take a step toward her direction, but his father's voice kept him from doing so.
"Sesshomaru! Control yourself in front my guest, boy!" Toga roared. "We have another guest arriving."
Sure enough, seconds later, a Guard led Sango in to the make-shift quarters. Immediately she ran to Kagome's side. "Sister." Sango called out; not caring about the informality in front of nobles. "Kagome, are you hurt." She tried again.
Kagome shook her head vigorously; trying to get all the cob-webs out. When she looked up, she saw Sango and responded. "Sister, no, I'm fine." Kagome stood and looked up at Sango, who was slightly taller. "Really I'm okay." She took in Sango's appearance on more time. "Is something else wrong?"
Sango took a glance around the room then leaned forward into Kagome's ear. "We have bigger problems."
"They have arrived then?" Kagome asked. She didn't want to reveal anything relevant to their current situation.
"Yes."
"Please wait for me out side." Kagome announced as she walked over to her father.
Sango bowed before the Lords. "Forgive me, I should have greeted you but we have an emergency. Please, excuse me." Sango spun around and left.
"So what are your demands Lady Kagome?" Toga asked.
Kagome looked confused. "Huh! My demands?"
"Yes. Kagome you have won this battle with your quick thinking, so I will allow you deal with 'this' negotiation." Jin explained.
Kagome nodded. "Okay." She stood up straight. "I would like to tell you, Lord Taisho, that I don't expect you to give up on this land so easily; nor will I give it up."
"Indeed. What do you propose?" Toga inquired.
"An armistice." Kagome answered. "Short term of course; followed by a long term treaty. This will prevent a future war."
"That sounds like a plan your father or myself would have come up with. Brilliant, but I want something in return." Toga said sounding serious.
"Yes, of course. That would only be fair, though you are not in a position to compromise." Kagome answered. "What would you like for this 'temporary peace'?" Kagome asked.
Toga took a sideward glance at Kagome's father then turned his eyes back to her. "A volunteer hostage; at least one, but I will take several. For a period of at least six months then the situation will switch and I will send you a hostage. This is a show of good faith that our lands are and will have peace between them."
"Who might this hostage be?" Kagome asked.
"You, my dear. You have sparked my interest, and I believe I can teach you some things about demon society your father can not." Toga answered half truthfully.
"Before I can agree to the terms, we must first sign the armistice, and map out the treaty." Kagome replied.
"Fine. If I may, I would like to get this done as soon as possible."
"If you will, Toga-sama, please return to my castle and we will discuss this matter." Jin asked.
"Indeed." Toga turned to Sesshomaru. "Boy, take the men and head home. Once this matter is taken care of, I will personally escort Lady Kagome to the west."
"Lord Taisho, it was a pleasure meeting you again; even under these circumstances." Kagome stated once she reached her father's side. She then turned her attention slightly to the Lord's right. "Sesshomaru." She said in a crisp tone.
"No the pleasure is ours young one, and I speak for both myself and Sesshomaru." He looked straight into Kagome's eerie blue eyes. "It is always nice to meet a strong, intelligent young woman. You will make someone very lucky one day."
Kagome blushed. "Thank you." Then she looked at her father. "Father, Sango and I will return home shortly." Kagome grasped her dagger from her father hand and wiped the blood off before heading out of the door.
…………
After Jin, Sango, and Kagome left; Toga turned to his thoughts. It wasn't hard for him to see the lustful, predatory, angry, and possessive glares Sesshomaru was giving Kagome. Also, he never saw Sesshomaru make so many mistakes in his entire life as he did around this girl. Well he would make something happen. Jin's daughter is the prize that he seeks, and Toga can only hope that is works out fine.
Sesshomaru effectively cut his father's mussing off. "Father. That woman is going home with us." Sesshomaru asked in the need for confirmation.
Toga smirked. "Indeed Sesshomaru, is there something you would like to say?"
"No. That is your decision, however, I do not agree." Sesshomaru answered.
"I see, no matter, she is the one that will be going." Toga stated. "And you will protect her while she is with us. Though she is strong, she is still a woman."
Sesshomaru caught an unconscious shiver at his father's last words. 'Still a woman', he thought, a woman that annoys and excites me. He stalked off into the recesses of the camp after leaving the tent. He needed some rest. Chasing that little bitch around, had to be bad for his health.
sssssssssss
As soon as Toga stepped into the Higurashi castle gates, he noticed the chaos around him. "Jin-sama…"
"Jin, please. We are about to enter a pact, there is no need to be formal with me."
Toga smiled. "Indeed, as long as you do me the same honor, Jin."
Jin saw the man looking rather curiously at the commotion around him, and felt the need to apologize. "Toga, I apologize for having to greet you this way; but the inhabitants of this castle are under a bit of stress." His eyes landed on his wife, who is currently yelling at a servant carrying a child.
"Might I ask what has happened?" Toga's curiosity finally won out.
"A kitsune man with a child arrived at our city gates, requesting help for his village. The little kit had been beaten and was bleeding profusely while the older demon just looked half dead." Jin watched his wife, take the bloody child and march into the castle. "Sakura took the man's message, sent word to my daughter, and decided to care for him and the child."
"And why not send word to you?"
Jin shook his head. "I will not help any village that is not under my rule, however, Kagome will. But... Before she aid the village, they must submit to Edo's rule or take whatever fate is ready to give them; this is such a village." Jin motioned to Toga to follow him. "Come, we can discuss this in my study and then I will have a servant show you to your room."
Then men talked until dusk came; having a cup of sake her and there. Toga learned many things from the man, but one thing he refused to bring up was his daughter or the other woman. "Jin… I would like to ask you a personal question; it has plagued me for some time now."
"Of course…"
"Who is that other young woman? I believe your daughter called her 'sister', but she is not your child."
"She is a cousin, my twin brother's child and a demon slayer like my wife was, but I raise them as 'sisters'." Jin answered.
"You should be proud of her as well. She too has much promise." Toga informed him.
Jin sighed as he watched Kagome and Sango run into the night with only a few supplies and their weapons. "That may be so; friend, but they are both feral sprits. Finding some one who will tame and nurture those sprits will be tough if not impossible."
"Indeed." Toga saw the girls from the study windows as well. "But… I may have an answer to one of your problems."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, it would solidify treaty and give us what we both want." Toga replied.
Jin looked at Toga questioningly. "Tell me then, friend, what could the answer be?"
…………
Sesshomaru HAD every intention on carrying out his father's order… that is… until he thought about Kagome. Well, that and the fact that his father NEVER made treaties alone. Either way the wench managed to get under his skin and excite him… now, the endless curiosity has arrived.
He could not bring himself to wait… Sesshomaru needed to know how a girl like her would act in an everyday setting, before she comes to the west. "Jaken!" He made up his mind rather quickly. "Lead the men home, and inform no one of my absents."
"Milord, my I ask where you are going?" Asked a worried Jaken.
Sesshomaru pinned the vassal with an insidious look. "Are you trying to question me, Jaken?"
"No milord!" Jaken sputtered as he lowered himself onto the ground.
"Good, now do as I say… And Jaken." Sesshomaru turned his back and started walking the opposite direction. "If you fail to do what I ask, your life is forfeit." With that, he disappeared into the shadows.
It only took Sesshomaru a few hours to reach his destination, but he soon found the quick travel to be in vain. He arrived in time to see Kagome, the woman that he wanted to research, leaving in the cover of night. Instead of waiting for her return, Sesshomaru mask his aura and followed.
ssssssssss
As soon as Kagome and Sango got back to the city, their mother informed them of the situation.
Sakura told them that the place that is under distress, is a mid-size kitsune village due north of Edo. They were not under Edo's rule, but they were good neighbors.
The duo, set out to help the village at all cost.
…………
"Come now Kagome, what type of pace are you trying to set?" A tired Sango asked. They began the trip with a fast walk and now they are running.
Kagome looked back as Sango. "Alright, we can rest but only for a few minutes. There are people that need us!" She replied excitedly.
"Okay then, I will ride Kirara and you can run. That way no time is wasted." The little neko jumped off of Sango's shoulder and transformed. "Let's go!"
With the new pace set, they got to the outskirts of the said village rather quickly… but a strong demonic aura stopped their progress.
"Kagome, what brings you to my domain?"
"Hoshiomi!" Kagome gasp. She could feel her cheeks starting to heat up. "Of the demon ninja's."
"Indeed." The remarkable demon male descended upon the woman. "It has been a while since I last saw you both." Hoshiomi walked up to Kagome and placed a light kiss on her leather covered hand. "What brings you to my domain?" He asked again.
Kami, now is not the time for this; Kagome thought. "That village." She pointed to a place just beyond the hill. "Is under attack."
"And what do you plan to do?" Hoshiomi asked smoothly.
"That's easy…" Sango replied.
"We are going to help them and take them from your domain." Kagome finished.
Hoshiomi's brow lifted a little, but he still held on to Kagome's hand. "Is that so 'MY' little miko?"
Kagome nodded.
He released her hand. "Very well. You may assist them and take whatever you see fit." Hoshiomi replied smoothly.
…………
Sesshomaru sat in the hiding place shocked as the woman's blatant disregard to borders and the demon's power over is. Though Hoshiomi is a lower lord, he still has great power. This woman must be insane, he thought. But… that could not be. Hoshiomi, practically, let Kagome do as she pleased in his lands; even let her take what she wanted, which included that village.
After the women left, Hoshiomi stayed behind; he too had followed the women, but noticed another as well. "Come out great prince."
"I see that you are as sharp as some say." Sesshomaru replied as he stepped out of hiding.
"Yes I am… so, to what do I owe the honor?" Hoshiomi asked as he watched the women's retreating bodies.
Sesshomaru nodded in the direction of Kagome. "I am following that woman." Humph, he could have lied, but this demon may be able to tell.
"Really?"
"Indeed, I am curious," Sesshomaru did not like to answer to anyone, he is not a lord, as of yet, and he is on this demon's lands.
Hoshiomi narrowed his eyes at Sesshomaru. "Curious you say? Well… let me give you some advice. Stay away from Kagome…"
This demon considered HIM a rival for that wench's affections! Sesshomaru almost fainted right there… AS IF he would ever go there with HER or the other one. "Worry not, I am not after her affections. Just curious."
"Fine. I will take your word, for now, young prince." Hoshiomi turned and left the small clearing with anger come off him in waves. The thought of another male desiring Kagome did not bode well the demon ninja leader…
sssssssss
"Milady, we have tracked some of the bandits that left the kitsune village."
Sakura looked up from the healing kit. "I take it, that my daughters made there then?"
"Yes, milady." The spy replied. "Gaining approval from the Demon Lord of the region, they saved the village and claimed the land. Still… a few of the bandits escaped and are headed this way."
"How many?" Sakura placed the child's head on the pillow and looked toward the man kneeling by the door. "And how far are they from the city?"
The man lowered his head. "There are about twenty men and they are only hours away, Milady."
Sakura smirked. "Then let us get ready."
…………
Jin sat at in front of Toga; he looked deep in thought. "So that is your true compromise Toga?"
"Indeed. However, it will not stop the peace between our lands. It will only strengthen the bond." Toga replied.
"Yes… but you will benefit from this in two ways, where as, I will not. Tell me why do you want my daughter so badly?"
Toga smiled, after two days of talking, Jin has finally figured him out. "After our meeting, so long ago, I did some research on your family. I know what you are and I want the same power for my house. The children born from your daughter will hold great power and that power would insure that my family line keeps on going." He explained.
"Hmm… I see…" Jin turned thoughtful for a moment. "I doubt my girl will agree to such a match. Let's make a different type of deal…."
For the rest of the day, the two fathers sat in Jin's office scheming.
ssssssssss
Toga, Sesshomaru, and the rest of the court waited in the throne room to greet the newest part of the house hold… well at least part of it for six months.
After the village incident, Kagome insisted that she need to tie some loose ends up at home; so she would make it to the palace on her own. Much to Sesshomaru's dismay, she showed up on time.
The room became noisy and everyone has started to grow impatient. Suddenly a servant calmly walked into the center of the room. "The Higurashi House has arrived." Everyone parted so the path to Toga would be clear; then awaited their arrival.
When Kagome walked through the door with her entourage, there was a collection of gasps. Sesshomaru and Toga were both shocked, to say the least. Kagome looked like a completely different person in court attire. The gown clung to her figure in all the right places; showing just enough skin, but not too much. Her hair was down, making her look older. Most alluring was the make-up she wore. It was a mixture of smoke colored blacks and blue hues; making her eyes appear mysterious. Finally, Kagome addressed the Lord. "Lord Taisho." She said softy, almost in a voice they didn't recognize. "I'm happy to see you that you are well."
"Rise Lady Kagome Higurashi, I am happy to see you looking…" he raises his eye brow in question. "Different. Welcome to my home." He stepped down from his place and grasped her tiny hand and lightly kissed the top. It hardly looks as if it could hold a sword, he thought.
Sesshomaru was shocked out of words, that is, till he caught Kagome glaring at him. Then he became shocked for a completely different reason. She openly challenged him in public! Well… she glared at him then smiled, but he caught it; the hidden meaning. He glared back and got rewarded.
"Sesshomaru!" Kagome called out with a mock fondness. When he didn't respond, she ran right up to him and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Glaring at a woman in public, you bastard." Kagome whispered. Then she pulled away to meet other guest; leaving Sesshomaru even more annoyed.
Sesshomaru squared his shoulders and walked out of the room. He needed time alone. He couldn't throttle her like he did the first time; this is not the battle field.
…………
A monk stood in the background watching the two human women with hungry eyes. He was one of FEW humans there. Today must be his lucky day. "Dear Kami, what have I done to deserve this." He asked himself out loud.
H
H
Tell me what you think!