Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co.
Here's my next story. I worked super hard on it so I hope you enjoy [=
The night was crisp and cool; not a soul was in sight. A breeze ruffled the trees that lined the property silently. The moon shone brightly on the mansion and his calculating, cold eyes scanned the area for any signs of trouble. Satisfied that there were none, he headed back inside to prepare for the daylight.
His servants had already retired, leaving him to himself and his thoughts. He sat in the chair by his deck, gazing at the crystal goblet emotionlessly. The deep red liquid stared right back at him and he cursed himself for needing to depend on something other than himself.
His room was dark and haunting. A large four poster bed sat in one corner; black out curtains hung from its bars. Red silk sheets glistened in the candlelight and he knew his day sleep would be calling him to retire soon. He could already begin to feel its persuasive pull on his mind, jarring his focus.
He picked up the goblet and could feel it was warmed by the blood. His fangs elongated as the smell drifted into his nose. It was a coarse supper. He knew it would only satisfy the void, but not the hunger itself. He downed it in one gulp, not taking pleasure in the metallic aftertaste.
He knew where the blood came from. It came from the same company that supplied every one of his kind with the same blood. It was manmade blood, nothing real. He could easily take blood from humans, but that would only make him more like him. He refused to give in to his animalistic urges.
He stood, setting down the goblet, and began undressing. His clothes slipped from his muscled body easily and his long silver hair swayed from the movement. His gestures became slow and heavy as his day sleep began to call to him more. He slipped into his bed, closing the draped behind him. He covered his nude body and closed his golden eyes as dawn broke. Sesshomaru the vampire was asleep.
Kagome smiled brightly and waved to her friends across the meadow. They waved back and continued picking flowers for tonight's feast. She turned and gazed into the sky. No, it wasn't really a sky. It was just an imaginary sky. They were as high up as one could possibly reach. They lived in the sky and therefore lived without one for themselves. Kagome wondered what the real sky looked like. Maybe it was even more wondrous than the one above her. She sighed and continued her own picking, casting her own selfish wishes aside.
Her large wings twitched and irritated her. She let out a frustrated huff and stretched them out. Their wingspan was almost twice her length and the feathers were so brilliantly white that they made other wings look dull. They seemed to shimmer in the sunlight and looked even brighter in comparison to her dark hair. It was almost time for her to shed her winter coat in preparation for the spring. She knew it would happen by tonight and they were bothering her even more than usual.
She finished her picking and began heading back to the castle. She needed to prepare for tonight and she was running out of time. She leapt in the air and spread her wings, reveling in the wonderful sensation of stretching her wings fully. A few feathers fluttered down from her and she cursed. Look like it was going to happen sooner than expected.
She could see the castle in the distance and the sight was bittersweet. She loved her life here, but sometimes she wished for something more. Everyday was the same up here. She didn't have any duties, so she occupied her time in various ways that became boring quick.
She landed on the balcony to her room and set her basket down on the floor. The flowers she would use to make a wreath for her hair. It was mandatory that a daughter of an archangel identify herself with the flower of her family. Her flower was the white rose. Another boring tradition. The corners of her mouth turned down and she felt unhappiness well up inside her. She sighed, forcing down the feelings of helplessness. What could she do? She couldn't leave. Then she would be one of the Fallen. She shuddered. That was a fate worse than death.
A knock sounded at her door and she bid them to enter. A maid entered, her eyes cast down in respect.
"My lady, your presence is requested in Lord Michael's office." She said meekly.
"Thank you, Tokiko. You may leave." She dismissed her with a wave. The girl left quickly and Kagome checked her appearance in the mirror. She needed to look respectable for her father or else she would be scorned.
Her thick wavy hair was braided and wrapped around her head to keep it out of her way. Her large sky blue eyes were fringed with dark eyelashes. Her eyes were doe eyes and she had often been made fun of when she was younger for their size. Her petit frame was wrapped in a white toga and held together by a white rose brooch.
She left quickly and walked to her father's office. She wondered what he could want.
Michael sighed and looked down at his desk. "I don't know about this…"
"It must be done. It was ordered from the Boss. I'm sorry, old friend." Gabriel spoke quietly. Michael sighed, an uncomfortable feeling forming in his gut.
"When?" he asked.
"After she sheds her winter coat." Gabriel said. Michael nodded and stood. That will be when the sun sets. He looked out the window. Dusk was approaching fast. They didn't have much time.
A knock was heard at the door, followed by a butler entering.
"Lady Kagome," he introduced and quickly let her enter before leaving. She walked forward and smiled when she saw Gabriel.
"Uncle Gabe," she greeted warmly. "How have you been?"
Gabriel smiled at the young woman. She exuded radiance and grace. She was a shining star and he could easily see why she was being chosen.
"I've been busy, but well. And yourself?" he asked.
"Just fine," she answered back politely. She turned to her father who came to greet her. He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"Daughter," he began, "I have news." He motioned for her to sit. Gabriel sat in the chair next to her and waited quietly for Michael to continue.
"You know of Naraku," he said. Kagome's eyes darkened at the mention of the devil. "And you know that the creatures he has carry out his work on earth."
She nodded. Vampires. They were spawned from the fires of hell and sent out to do his evil work.
"The vampire directly under Naraku has revolted against him. He seeks entrance into heaven once he dies." Michael said. Her eyes widened. Was such a thing possible? She thought vampires were mindless creatures without conscience or wit.
"He has turned from everything Naraku stands for, even refusing to injure a human for sustenance. The Boss has seen this creature as a valuable asset for the war against Naraku that is to come. He has deemed this vampire worthy of heaven if he sticks to his newfound morals."
Kagome couldn't believe her ears. This vampire sounded amazing. To go against the very devil when he's your maker. It must be extremely difficult, especially refusing to take blood from humans because it's against your morals. She wondered what this news had to do with her.
"The Boss has sent out orders that one of our own go to assist this vampire for two reasons: to protect him from Naraku and to keep him on the path of righteousness. He has assigned this project to you." Michael said, his voice quieting on the last sentence. Kagome's mouth fell open.
Her dreams were coming true. She was going to earth for the first time. She smiled and jumped up.
"Really? For how long?" She asked. Michael sighed.
"Only the Boss knows that. He did not tell us when. But if you are successful on your trip then both of you will be brought back to heaven when it is time." Her father said. Kagome nodded, her face flushing from excitement.
Gabriel chuckled at the girl. It was obvious knowledge that Kagome wanted to go to earth. Perhaps that's why she was chosen.
"Kagome, settle down. There are many dangers on earth that you are not aware of." Her father said quietly. Kagome sat down, her excitement fading a little.
"Humans are not perfect, as you well know. Some want to do good, some want to do bad. The ones who are bad you must not trust. In fact, you must not trust anyone until you are comfortable." Kagome nodded, listening intently. "People kill, rob, rape, and act selfishly on earth. You must not expect everyone to have the same mindset as your or you will quickly become overcome by the contamination that is humanity." Her father said. Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was impossible that there were people of that nature on earth. Why would the Boss allow such monstrosities on earth?
She looked away. No, she couldn't believe that. The human race had more to it than just filth. She believed in them.
"When do I leave?" She asked.
"As soon as your spring coat as emerged." Gabriel spoke up. Kagome looked at her wings sullenly. That would be tonight. She sighed.
"Tell me about this vampire." She said. Michael looked down at a paper on his desk.
"His name is Sesshomaru Taisho. He lives in Romania in a secluded castle of his own. He has one sibling that shouldn't come into the picture. He is a cold person, but you shouldn't have any problem explaining to him who you are." Michael finished. Kagome gasped and stood.
"Wait a minute. You mean to tell me he doesn't know I'm coming?" she demanded. Gabriel stood as well.
"We cannot communicate with the human world anymore. Not since the old days. You know that, Kagome." He said quietly. Kagome looked down. Yes, she did know that. She only hoped this vampire would believe her.
Michael came around to embrace his daughter. He didn't like sending his only child into such a predicament, but he had no choice. He would look out for her and keep her safe. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. She was nervous, but excited. He knew this is what she wanted.
"You will not need to pack anything. You can only wear one robe on earth since you are a celestial being." Michael said. "I have had it lain out for you on your bed. Come see me once more before you leave."
She nodded and left, glancing back at the two archangels before closing the door behind her.
Sesshomaru awoke suddenly. He laid in the darkness as his senses came back to him. His hunger rose again and he let out a soft sigh. Was he never going to be free from this ever aching need?
He rose, the silk sheets slipping from his body and pooling at the floor. He strode across the room and unlocked the doors to his balcony. He flung them open and let the night billow into his room. It was silent again tonight. He clenched his fist, his senses tingling. Something wasn't right.
A knock sounded at the door. His butler, Miroku, entered with a fresh goblet sitting on a platter.
"Lord Sesshomaru, your breakfast." He set down the goblet on his desk and left silently. He stared over his shoulder at the red liquid, the starch feeling of disappointment sitting low in his gut.
He quickly downed the cup and headed for the bath house. He needed to soothe his frazzled nerves. He wasn't accustomed to the tingling feeling on the edge of his nerves. He wondered if Naraku finally decided to make a move about his defect.
Kagome frowned in frustration, sweat beading her brow. Her wings were stretched and trembling. The moment was near when she would shed her winter coat and she wished it would just happen. She ordered everyone to leave her room as they tried to comfort her. They were empathetic and left without another word.
She struggled to stand on her balcony, bathed in moonlight. She could hear music from the feast vaguely and wildly wondered when her next feast would be.
Suddenly, she felt the moment, and pushed. Instantly all her feathers fell from her wings and newer, brighter feathers emerged. They were light and it was a nice change from the heavy winter feathers. Kagome sighed, happy it was done. She called for her maids to come and clean up the feathers.
She turned and looked at the robe that lay on her bed. It was pale silver and reached her shins. She slipped it on over her head. Material gathered over her breasts and it had no sleeves. It fit her perfectly and it felt light. She smiled. She liked it.
She left, taking one last look at her room, at her maids who were busy sweeping up her winter feathers. She was going to miss her home. But she would return. She left to go speak with her father.
Sesshomaru rose from his bath, wrapping himself in a black silk robe before leaving. The cool air nipped at his skin as he walked back to the castle. His senses were tingling more and more and he was getting angry at it. He wasn't one to lose control.
His ears twitched as he heard a sound. He glanced around, but his keen eyesight didn't pick up on anything. The sound was growing louder. He glanced up and was floored.
A figure in the sky was heading for him. He could sense holy power and his guard instantly went up. The figure had enormous, brilliantly white wings that sparkled in the moonlight. He was temporarily speechless. It was a woman.
She seemed to be out of control, tumbling towards earth. He raised an eyebrow delicately. Wasn't that was what wings were for?
He stepped back as she crashed into the ground, a small crater forming around her. She cried out in pain and cursed.
"Damn gravity. Thanks for warning me, jerks." She mumbled. She stood and flinched in pain. She tried to stretch her wings, but one appeared to be broken. It was bent at an odd angle. He could smell salt and assumed she was about to cry. She straightened and gulped loudly as she tried to swallow her tears.
His eyes widened as he smelled blood. Instantly, the craving rose in him and his eyes tinted red momentarily. He regained control and appeared emotionless. But turmoil was raging inside him as she tried not to watch the thick red liquid drip from her wings.
She brushed the dirt from her dress and faced him. "Pardon me, but are you Lord Sesshomaru Taisho?"
Her voice was light and musical, almost like the tinkling of bells. He gave a small nod. She smiled briefly and bowed.
"My name is Kagome, daughter of the archangel Michael. I have been sent here for your protection." Her voice faltered and she went limp. He was there instantly, cradling her small frame in his arms. He looked down at her face and wondered. Had Heaven finally acknowledged his wishes?
There you have it! R&R please
LD