AN: windsinger.windpainter. : Thank you so much for the reviews! I'm glad you like my story so much. It's always nice to get complimented for your work, and I appreciate it greatly. I need a good pep talk every now and then!
With that, I give you the next installment. Enjoy!
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Chapter 6: Demons Betray, Humans Lie
"My Lord, we've just received word from the wolf demon tribe. Apparently their forces are being driven back by the poisonous gases as well…and also…"
The messenger had been rattling off news to Sesshomaru as he stood looking out over the lands, his sleeves billowing around him in the breeze. His eyes and face seemed to be frozen into a blank expression, but he was listening to the demon intently, every word making him bitter and frustrated. At the messenger's pause, he turned his head slightly, waiting for him to continue.
"And…?" he drawled, causing the young demon to gulp deeply and shake his head sadly.
"It's Naraku, my Lord. There are suspicions that he may be aiding the humans somehow…his insects are often seen hovering around villages…we used to think they were there to help us, but there have been instances where the insects have fought against our soldiers, leading us to believe he is not on our side."
The messenger spoke quickly, a note of panic coming into his voice, mostly due to the fear he had for his own life. He did not want to bear this news to the Lord Sesshomaru of all people. The great dog demon looked like he would cut any man down who merely looked at him in the wrong way.
Sesshomaru was facing him fully now, a slight frown marring his smooth face.
"I see…" was all he said, before he glided past the young demon and made his way back into the palace.
The messenger watched him go for a moment, and realizing that he had been spared any wrath he had imagined, he turned and sprinted off into the woods, thanking the gods he was still alive.
Meanwhile, Sesshomaru's thoughts were speeding through his mind. He knew that Naraku was the type of demon that would double-cross anyone to gain power, whether it was his side or theirs. If Naraku was truly aiding the humans, how was he doing it? Those meaningless insects could be easily defeated. So what was it?
Naraku, you filthy bastard, you will pay for this act of treachery…at my hands, he declared inwardly.
He groaned as he turned into his room, another thought striking him. His brother had still not returned. He started to wonder if the half demon was really dead or alive. But he couldn't shake the feeling that Inuyasha was still out there somewhere. He would never admit to it, but he needed his half brother to help him figure out the cause of Naraku's betrayal. His frown deepened at both the admission of weakness, and at the mystery of Naraku's evil plot.
First Inuyasha's disappearance, and now Naraku is allying himself with the humans. If Sesshomaru were not a stronger demon, he would have slumped down onto his cushions and bowed his weary head. But he kept his chin high, and with a calculating stare, he watched the winds blowing through the trees surrounding his palace, almost as if the answers to all his questions would be there, hidden in the brush.
---I---
Kagome opened her eyes to see a pair of gold ones staring back at her. She was lying in the tall grass, enjoying the afternoon's rays on her face. She'd nodded off for a little while, knowing that Inuyasha wouldn't wander too far off, when a noise made her awaken, and there he was, standing over her, a slight grin on his face.
She smiled wide and murmured, "Hello."
His grin widened into a smirk. "Sleep well?"
Kagome chuckled softly and sat up, turning so she could see him better. He was standing straighter, his wound nearly healed. The white undershirt he wore accentuated his broad chest, and his tan arms were folded in mock annoyance.
"As a matter of fact, I did sleep well…until you woke me up." She was teasing him, and he immediately took the bait.
"Well maybe I should have left you there to be attacked by wolves or something." He barked, turning his head so she couldn't see the smile he was trying to hide at his antics.
"Hmm…would I have gotten more sleep?" Kagome asked with feigned seriousness.
He turned to look at her, and when their eyes met, they both burst into peals of laughter, her light tone soaring above his deeper, richer chuckles.
It was amazing, Kagome thought, how much they'd come to know each other. She'd felt as though Inuyasha had always been there, maybe not physically, but somehow in her heart, like a hidden dream that was suddenly real. She'd told him her story, about her mother dying, and how she grew up without a family. She didn't mention that her mother was the queen, not wanting him to know that she was royalty. She just couldn't tell him, at least not yet.
She was amazed to find out that he too was brought up without a mother or father. He mentioned having a brother very briefly, but that his father had died during a sneak attack. It had made her feel guilty to learn that it was humans who had caused his father's death, and at expressing her feelings, he'd said,
"When that happened, I hated humans. But, I know better now." He'd looked into her eyes as he spoke, and she could feel her heart warming to his words.
"I'm glad," was all she could say.
And here they were, two days later, and it had felt like months. Inuyasha came and sat down next to her, his legs and arms crossed, his bright red pants billowing and tightening against his legs. Kagome was aware of him with every fiber of her being, and she wanted so badly to scoot closer to him, to lean against his shoulder…
"Kaede," he said, knocking some sense back into her. She still hadn't told him her real name, or her lineage. This made her guilt return, but she quickly tried to ignore it. She was not going to ruin this moment. Who could say how many she would have left?
"Yes, Inuyasha?" she returned.
"I want this war to be over."
She looked over, stunned to see the look on his face. His eyes were boring into the steadily setting sun, and his mouth was set in a grim line. She watched him with concern as she said,
"I as well. I don't see why humans and demons cannot coexist."
He sensed her gaze and turned to look at her, his frown deepening. "It's stupid, the fighting. What's it for?"
Kagome sighed and put her hand on his, trying to relieve some of his pain. He looked at her hand covering his, an unnamed emotion taking hold of him.
"Look at us, Inuyasha. If we are able to get along, then there is hope for the rest of them." Kagome said, her voice calm and reassuring.
He looked up, and as he did so, his hand turned and wrapped around hers, holding it tight.
"Yeah," he whispered, "you're right."
Kagome's heart was pounding. He was so close to her now, and his hand was like a beacon; it was all she could feel, all she could see. She leaned closer, knowing how badly she wanted to kiss him at that moment. He seemed to see her intent and his eyes darkened with emotion as he too moved to close the gap between them.
Their lips met, clumsy at first, and light, barely there. He was looking at her with a question in his eyes, and she gave him the answer as she recaptured his lips with hers. Yes, she thought, I want to kiss you Inuyasha. I…I think I love you. Her thoughts poured into that kiss.
He kissed her passionately, his pent up feelings overflowing in that one moment. He slowly bent her back to the ground, her head resting against the soft grass, their lips never parting. It was almost painful, the swelling of her chest. She had so many emotions she thought she might burst.
They finally parted, each of them panting slightly. Inuyasha looked down at her blushing face, her hair flung around her head in a raven halo of black and blue. She stared up at him, marveling at his perfect mouth, and the way his silver hair fell on either side of his face, a silver curtain that tickled the skin on her neck.
"Inuyasha," she breathed, trying to say all the things she felt for him, all the secrets she'd kept from him, but just as she was about to, a sound shattered the scene.
"My Lady!"
Kagome sat up quickly, wishing she could hide from her title forever. But she saw Kaede coming toward her through the woods, an angry scowl on her face.
Inuyasha looked bewildered as he too rose next to her, and slightly frustrated upon seeing the older woman stalking toward them.
When she came up to them, Kaede saw their flushed faces and her sour demeanor seemed to grow worse.
Her eyes landed on Kagome's and she inwardly winced. Please, she prayed, don't give me away Kaede.
"My Lady, your uncle needs to see you immediately." Her voice sounded urgent and clipped.
Kagome was puzzled. What could be so important? "What? Now?"
"Yes, now, it is very important."
"But, what on earth could he need me for?"
"My Lady, please, just come with me and-
"No, what is it?" Kagome looked at Inuyasha and added, "What ever you need to tell me you can say in front of him too."
Kaede closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them, revealing a sadness in their depths. "My Lady, your uncle wishes to see you because he has news concerning your…your betrothed."
Kagome felt her world slowly crumbling with these words. She quickly turned to Inuyasha, and saw the horrible sight of pain in his eyes, a pain she had never wanted to give him. He looked stricken, as though seeing the loss of a loved one before him.
"Please, Inuyasha…I wanted to tell you—I…I'm so sorry." She felt the tears welling up in her eyes, and she knew this would hurt him even more, and she hated herself, for her lies and her foolishness.
His face seemed to harden; his shields came back up. "Keh!" was the last noise she heard before he turned and darted off into the woods, a blur of silver and red, a burst of cool wind, and then he was gone.
She felt Kaede's hand on her shoulder, and she resisted the urge to shrug it away. This wasn't the old woman's fault. She'd started the lies, the deception, thinking it wouldn't make a difference, and now she was paying the price for it. Kaede had tried to save her, and she'd been a fool.
"Oh, Kaede…what am I to do?" she wailed, throwing herself into the woman's waiting embrace.
Kaede stroked her hair gently, feeling the girl's sobs shaking her body and her tears staining her shirt. "My child," she'd only called Kagome this when she was a young girl, but the words felt right. "You are a young girl with so much spirit, so much love…whoever that man that your uncle picked out was, he is not the one for you. But this strange demon, he is so much like you. And I can tell that you care for him very much. If he cares for you as well, he will forgive you your lies. I promise it."
Kagome's sobs softened into sniffles, and then, when she was spent of her tears, she lifted her head and looked at Kaede, feeling only love and respect for the old woman.
"Oh Kaede, thank you. Thank you so much. Only, what about my betrothed?"
Kaede reached up and gave Kagome's cheek a soft pat. "I didn't tell you the news yet. You see, on his way to the palace, your betrothed was attacked and thieves ambushed his attendants. You see, my child, your husband-to-be is dead."
AN: Ooo! Cliffy! Ha ha…I'm so evil. But I just can't help myself. Please tell me what you think in a review, okay? Thanks for reading!
&Niiroke&
