AR: Hi, y'all! I'm back again with another chapter comin' at 'ya! I was thinking that I just start doin' absolutely ridiculous song quotes from now on, like somthin' from Hannah Montana or something. OH! Maybe even High School Musical! That would freak some people out...hehehe...
IY: You are psychotic, AR.
AR: Well, maybe I am, but I don't care what you think! You're an idiot anyway.
K: Requiem, be nice!
Ka: Yeah, Doodle hasn't done anything to deserve that yet. Wait 'till he does and then you can call him an idiot!
AR: Fine. I'm watching you, InuYasha.
IY: Feh.
AR: I've also come up with the theory that all InuYasha characters have Xenosaga counterparts! For example, Kagome's counterpart is Miyuki, and Rin's is MOMO. Kanna may be bad, but her personality counterpart is KOS-MOS. That leaves Sesshomaru with Ziggy, InuYasha with Jr., Kagura with Pellegri, Naraku with Albedo, Sango with Shion, and Shippo with the young Shion or MOMO. The closest we can get with a counterpart for Miroku would be chaos, save for the fact that Miroku is a hentai.
IY: Blah, blah, blah...
AR: And then there is the theory that all InuYasha characters have counterparts in-
IY: Shut up, would 'ya? We don't care about your stupid theories!
AR: You better watch it InuYasha! Do you remember how much power a writer holds over his/her characters?
IY: Feh.
R: Doodle-chan! Sesshomaru-sama said that you have to take Rin to school today!
IY: Get away from me, you little squirt! I'm not taking you anywhere!
K: Now you can call him an idiot.
Y: That didn't take very long.
AR: Ah, Kagome, you can deal with it. I don't feel like it anymore.
K: Hey! You are so lazy sometimes, you know that?
AR: Yup. And I'm proud of it, too.
Kagome: sigh InuYasha, osuwari.
IY: Gah! slam
K: Be nice to Rin. She has never done anything to you.
IY: unsconcious
K: Whoops...oh, well. Maybe you should get on with the story until poor InuYasha wakes up, AR. We can't have him miss out on our stupid skits.
AR: Hey! They are not stupid! They're...
Se: Stupid.
AR: Shut up, Sesshomaru! Fine. Here you go' y'all. At least the length of the last one makes up for the shortness of this one. Anyway, I don't own InuYasha. Y'all should know that. I will reiterate the fact that I do own Yukana, Kaori, Sakurako, Kiri, Yue, and Amira/Miyuki!
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But you don't need my pictures on your wall
You say you need no one
And you don't need my secret midnight call
I guess you need no one
Is anybody waiting at home for you
Cause it's time that will tell if it's heaven if it's hell or if it's
Anybody waiting at home for you
Cause it's time that will tell this tale
(Hopeless: Train)
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Don't Fall Away
Chapter Twelve: Enemies
The next day passed quickly. Kagome began to carry her sword everywhere: a habbit she had picked up from Sesshomaru and InuYasha. Now that Kagome had a weapon to train with, there was no reason that she couldn't begin her training when the ball was over, but she was also nervous. If she was no good at it, then the sword was a total waste. Sure, it looked nice, but why have a sword just sitting around gathering dust? It would be a waste of a trip, not to mention the scares she got from Sesshomaru on the trip.
"What'cha thinkin' 'bout?" Yukana asked, practically skipping into the room. "Can I see your sword, Kagome?! Sesshomaru told me you named it Rekuiemu. Why did you pick that name?" Kagome took her sword out of its sheath and handed it to Yukana.
"I guess I named it after it's best attack, sort of." Kagome answered. "Rekuiemu just sounded like it fit. I mean, the ultimate attack is Fallen Angel's Requiem, so I guess the fact that the name means 'requiem' isn't completely pointless."
"Yeah, it makes sense, but it's really obvious." Yukana said. "But, then again, knowing me, if it were mine I probably would have named it Tenshi! So Rekuiemu is so much better!"
"Uhh...thanks?" Yukana set the sword on the bed and turned around and started to leave.
"Oh, yeah! I almost forgot. Sesshomaru wants you to come to his study." Yukana declared. "I think it has something to do with being fitted for your kimono for the ball, since you didn't get a chance to do it yesterday."
"Oh, okay." Kagome returned Rekuiemu to its sheath and followed Yukana out of the room. She followed her through a few halls until Yukana stopped.
"This is where I leave you."
"Yukana, you make it sound like a life or death situation."
"Yeah, I know, 'cause it is." Yukana teased. "I'm just kidding. I have things to do to get ready for the ball myself, so you're on your own, now." Yukana smiled brightly and pranced away. Kagome shook her head and continued down the hall. Suprisingly, there was somebody leaning over something on the floor when she turned the corner. The girl looked up. It was Sakurako.
"What would an accomplished miko like yourself need to carry a sword for, Kagome-sensei?" she asked shrewdly. Kagome frowned.
"That is my own buisness. Although, I appriciate the compliment, Sakurako. Right now, however, I don't have time for meaningless chit chat." Kagome said coolly. "I am busy at this moment, but feel free to seek me out if you require any assistance in your studies before our first lesson." Sakurako's pale green eyes flashed with insult.
"Are you insinuating that I of all people need help?" she snapped. Kagome's first impression of this girl was turning out to be correct. She struggled to keep her temper in check before she hurt the poor girl.
"No person or demon is infallible or omniscient, Sakurako." Kagome said harshly, her eyes flashing red. "You'd do well to remember that. That curse you were working on before I got here will not work on anyone. You are inexperienced at that particular type, so you would never be able to tell if you were doing it wrong. Now, I would like my hair clip back, if you don't mind." Sakurako glared at Kagome as she dropped the clip into her outstretched hand and stormed away.
Kagome entered the study a few minutes later. Sesshomaru saw the anger radiating in her aura and he was able to smell it even before she walked in the door. He inwardly sighed.
"What is it now?" Kagome took a deep breath and gained a small amount of her previous composure before she answered his question, but her anger was still apparent.
"I reserve the right to dismiss Sakurako when I feel that she has crossed certain lines that are not to be crossed with me." Kagome declared, as calmly as she could manage.
"What has she done this time?"
"The girl tried to curse me!" Kagome exclaimed. "Sure, it wouldn't have worked, but she still tried to do it! Although., she did get really pissed when I told her that she was doing it wrong. I'd like to give her a piece of-"
"Enough. If you feel the need to remove her from her duties, so be it, but it would not be a wise idea to wound her physically." Sesshomaru advised. "At least not without a warning first."
"I'm not in the mood for jokes right now, Sesshomaru." Kagome snapped. "What did you need?"
"We will discuss Sakurako at a later date. As Yukana has most likely already informed you, you will need your kimono fitted before we depart for Lord Daijirou's castle."
"Fine."
"Naiya will be up in a few moments." Sesshomaru told her. "I trust that you know how to act in public. This means be polite, courteous, and respectful, especially to the other lords. Understood?" Kagome nodded.
A few minutes later, Naiya had arrived with a bundle of silk in her arms.
"Good afternoon, Sesshomaru-sama." she greeted, bowing. "The kimono for Lady Kagome is ready, there is only the fitting left to be done. We used the taijiya for the measurements, but they may be different sizes." Sesshomaru nodded and left Naiya and Kagome in the study.
"Lady Kagome you will need to remove your kimono, please."
"Uhh...what?"
"I said that you will need to remove your kimono." Naiya repeated. "After you have finished, you are to put on this one." She held up a beautiful floor-length sky blue kimono with soft pink sakura flowers and light green leaves and a matching obi. The sleeves flared out at the bottom and reached to about her knees.
"Oh, okay. Turn around for a minute, okay?" Naiya complied and Kagome removed her kimono and put on the other one. After she had tied the obi, she gave the other girl permission to turn around again.
"You look wonderful, Lady Kagome."
"Okay, you don't have to call me that. It's irritating." Kagome said.
"Well, Kagome, the good news is that you and Sango are the same size and the kimono doesn't have to be altered. The bad news is that the kimono fits perfectly, meaning that you are going to have a lot of eyes on you at the ball." Naiya joked. Kagome giggled.
"Well, I guess we're done here." Kagome said. Naiya nodded, picked up her things, and left. Kagome also left after she had put her other outfit back on. She started to walk back toward her room when she realized that she had forgotten Rekuiemu in Sesshomaru's study. Kagome quickly turned around and ran back towards the room that she had just left.
When she got there she knocked on the door, making sure that Sesshomaru wasn't in there. When she heard no answer, she slowly opened the door. The sight made her extremely angry. Sakurako was standing in the middle of the room with Kagome's sword in her hands. She had a smug smile on her face as she watched Kagome enter the room.
"Sakurako, I do not want to hurt you, but if you force me into it, I will not hesitate to remove your hands." Kagome threatened. "Return my weapon at once."
"Hmm...nah, I think I'll keep it." Sakurako mocked.
"Don't test me." Kagome warned. "You won't like the score." Kagome spun around and sent a ring of blue fire into the offending being. Sakurako was thrown backwards into the wall behind Sesshomaru's desk.
Kagome walked forward and picked up her kimono and Rekuiemu, which Sakurako had dropped when she was thrown back.
"If you are going to chalenge me, at least make an effort." And with that, Kagome walked out the door, leaving the unconscious Sakurako on the floor. She called over a servant on her way to her room.
"Sakurako, the miko-in-training, is in Sesshomaru-sama's study and will need medical attention." The servant nodded and rushed into the study.
Kagome continued to walk and didn't even look back. She met up with Sesshomaru some time later and tried to avoid a conversation. Sesshomaru, however, wouldn't have it.
"I heard all of the noise, Kagome." he informed her. "I would like it if you would refrain from fighting in my castle."
"I warned her." Kagome said simply, shrugging. "She didn't listen. She insisted on a fight and I gave it to her. It's too bad that she didn't put more effort into it, though."
"After your stay here, it would be a miracle if my castle stayed in one piece."
"Is that a joke, Sesshomaru, or are you testing me as well?" Kagome teased. "Well I'm not going to tear apart you castle. The kimono, by the way, didn't need any adjustments." Sesshomaru nodded.
"Fine. Get all of your friends together and we can leave tonight." Sesshomaru instructed. "I will find Rin, Yukana, and InuYasha."
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"It seems that they are leaving a bit earlier than we had anticipated." Naraku observed. "No matter, the plan can wait. Kurayami, until then, I have something else for you to do."
"Does it have anything to do with you sick fantasies, Naraku?" Kurayami spat. She glared at Naraku defiantly. Naraku quickly had her up by her neck.
"I may not have your heart in my possession, wench, but that does not mean that I can't torture you." Naraku threatened. "I am the only reason that you are still alive, so you owe me your life. Until your debt is repaid, you are mine!"
Kagura watched the scene unfold in front of her eyes. Kurayami had said exactly what was on her mind, and she always seemed to do just that. She was lucky to have a heart that beat in her chest and not in Naraku's body. Kagura hated her for that, but there was also a hint of admiration for her, for the fact that Kurayami said what she herself was too afraid to say, even though she could still end up dead in the morning.
"As far as I am concerned, you ruined my life." Kurayami retorted. "I owe you nothing. And your stupid mark on my forehead is a constant reminder of my grief and depression. I can tell you that Kagura feels the exact same way. Even Kanna is tired of your bossiness and stupidity. I'd stake my life on that. Not to mention that you have also taken advantage of the dead miko's hatred for that hanyou, the hatred that you forced upon her. You are nothing. You speak of your kindness to others that you 'let them live' when I have yet to see that gift. This is not living. The day I died was when you supposedly saved me from the demons that you set upon my village. And I can tell you master that you will meet your end very soon, and that it will be by the very same people who's lives you ruined for your own personal game. I will play a role in that demise that Japan seems to so dearly want to inflict upon you."
"Those are bold words for a woman who could die at any moment." Naraku said coldly.
"You may have my body, Naraku, but you do not posess my soul." Naraku dropped the daring young demoness. She stood up, still glaring at him. Naraku flipped her off and left the chamber.
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Kagome, Miroku, Shippo, and Sango met up with Sesshomaru and the others outside of the castle around an hour later. Sesshomaru had been able to make InuYasha change his previous attire in favor of something more formal.
"InuYasha, you changed!" Kagome said loudly.
"Don't remind me."
"What's wrong with you? You weren't so moody the other day." Kagome inquired.
"I don't want to go to this ball." InuYasha complained. "I don't know any of those people anymore!"
"InuYasha, shut up." Kagome ordered. "I would say 'it', but since you're clean for the time being, I will refrain from doing so." (and yes, people I meant to use 'it'.)
While Kagome was pretty much scolding InuYasha, Miroku and Sesshomaru had started to pack up the supplies. There weren't very many, only a few cases that contained some extra changes of clothing. Sango would bet that one of the cases was filled with clothing for InuYasha, just in case.
"Kagome, let him be." Miroku said. "It is in InuYasha's nature to be a little immature and to complain."
"Put a sock in it, Miroku!"
"Kagome-chan, Rin wants to play a game."
"Rin, we don't have time for a game right now." Kagome said. "And when you refer to yourself, you need to say 'I' instead of 'Rin'. Okay?"
"Okay! Rin wants...uhh, I want to know where Shippo-chan is!"
"Rin, we don't have time for a game. I'm sorry, but we have to go like now." Kagome told her. She lifted her up and sat her on Ah-Un, with InuYasha, Shippo and Yukana. She watched Kirara transform and Sango and Miroku climbed on. Kagome knew that she would end up riding with Sesshomaru again, so she didn't bother to get on. Sesshomaru walked to the front of the party and called Kagome over. Kagome did as she was told and soon they were off to the palace of the east.
They arrived in the eastern castle's courtyard around four hours later. Rin and Shippo had long since fallen asleep, along with Yukana and Sango. During the long journey, Kagome had passed the time by plucking out strands of her long hair and letting them fly away. The majority of them strangely ended up hitting InuYasha in the face.
Kagome woke up the children and Yukana and Sango. They all slid off of their rides and almost fell over from jell-o legs. When InuYasha had regained the strength in his legs, he bagan to slowly pick off strands of midnight blue hair that had flown into his face and into his own hair and clothes. Kagome giggled and grinned at him, waving hello.
Kagome walked up to Sesshomaru, who was watching the doors intently.
"What are you doing, Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked.
"It is tradition to wait in the courtyard of any lord's home that you are visiting until they come out themselves and invite you in." Sesshomaru explained. "Lord Daijirou and Lady Katara are on their way."
"Oh, okay."
Moments later, a handsome demon strolled confidently out of the castle, followed by a beautiful demoness. They were both of the neko breed. Lord Daijirou had short black hair, piercing silver eyes, and one ice blue stripe under each of his eyes and an ice blue six point star on his forehead. He was handsome, almost as handsome as Sesshomaru. Lady Katara had ice blue eyes, long medium brown hair, two slightly wavy seafoam green stripes under her eyes, and a deep blue water drop on her forehead that was barely visible under her bangs.
"Hello, Sesshomaru! Long time no see!" Lord Daijirou greeted enthusiasticly, shaking his hand with gusto. "Who is this that you have with you?" Daijirou shifted his gaze to look at Kagome, who glanced at Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru nodded.
"My name is Kagome. It is an honor to meet you, Lord Daijirou." Kagome said politely.
"It's very nice to meet you as well, miss Kagome. You sure did bring a lot of guests with you, Sesshomaru." he observed.
"Sango, Miroku, and Shippo are my friends. Rin is here to keep Shippo company so he doesn't get himself into trouble." Kagome explained.
"One of your friends is a taijiya, and the other a monk. How did you manage to accomplish that?" Daijirou inquired. Kagome smiled weekly.
"It's kind of a long story." Kagome said sheepishly. Yukana walked up beside her and yawned.
"I forgot how long it takes to get here from the western castle." she stated.
"Yukana, where have you been all this time? I haven't seen you in years!"
"I was actually helping in the fight against Naraku. I was centered in a secret villaged in the southern lands." Yukana said. "I came across Sesshomaru and Kagome as they were passing by a few weeks ago. And a few days after I returned to the castle, InuYasha and the rest of Kagome's friends showed up."
"InuYasha is here as well?" Daijirou asked. Yukana pointed behind her to where InuYasha was standing beside Ah-Un. InuYasha glared at Yukana and moved to stand next to Kagome.
"I haven't seen you since you were a child." Daijirou said. "You've grown so much since then."
"Feh."
"InuYasha, be nice. Don't make me say 'it'." Kagome warned. InuYasha crossed his arms in the sleeves of his haori and didn't say anything. "Good boy."
"Say what?"
"Don't ask. That's another long story." Kagome said.
"Oh, my! What are we doing standing outside? Come in, all of you." Daijirou said warmly. "Katara, would you please find Tanrei and have her take Ah-Un and the fire neko to the stables?"
"Hai. I will return shortly." Katara turned to enter the castle but halted when Sango spoke.
"Not to be rude or anything, but Kirara stays with me." she said. Kirara was suddenly surrounded in flames. When they died down, there was a small cat in her place.
"Oh, I apologize." Sango smiled and waved it away.
"Well, I guess just Ah-Un then." Daijirou joked. Katara nodded and entered the castle. "Come in, Tanrei will show you all to your rooms when she returns from the stables."
Daijirou led the party into the castle and into the meeting hall. Kagome looked around, noting that the eastern castle was much smaller than Sesshomaru's, but it was still very elegant. A few minutes later, Lady Katara returned with Tanrei and stood next to her mate.
"Welcome. Let me show you to your rooms." Tanrei said, motioning for them to follow her.
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AR: Well, that's all y'all are gonna get for now 'cause I'm tired.
IY: wakes up
K: Rise and shine, InuYasha! Time to get up!
IY: I wouldn't need to wake up if you hadn't used that stupid spell!
K: Do you want me to do it again?
AR: Kagome, leave the poor puppy alone. Knocking him out once is enough until tomorrow.
IY: Gee, thanks.
AR: Well, y'all better clear out, 'cause I wanna go to bed.
K: Fine.
All: By AR.
AR: 'Night y'all! Dasvidanya!
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