AR: Howdy y'all! I'm back with another chapter comin' at 'ya! So, how do y'all like the story so far?
Naraku: I think it's lame.
IY: Hey! Who invited that moron?! I thought that this was good people only!
AR: I didn't invite him...
All: *gasp* KIKYO!
Y: *looks away from tv* Maybe she was mad about the other day, when Sango pretty much kicked her out of the beginning skit. *returns attention to the tv*
AR: It's a possibility. I suppose it isn't a good idea to anger a zombie, 'cause if you don't watch your back she might just invite your mortal enemy into your house. I don't know about you people, but I'll tell you something: I definitely don't want to wake up with a sword in my chest.
K: Yeah, I agree with you there, Requiem. Although, I have come close to doing just that a few times. Yup, it ain't too pleasent.
N: *slips out while nobody is paying attention*
Y: No! C'mon, MOMO, don't die! KOS-MOS, do something!!!
AR: Yukana, what in the world are you doing? Hey! Is that mine!
Y: Uhh...
S: I'll kill her! Where is she?!
AR: Sango, chill. Haven't we already passed by that topic? Geez, where is Kaori when you need her?
Ka: I'm right here, AR. *waves from corner* Are you going to put me back into the story anytime soon?
AR: What is with you people? You're all, like, fighting so hard to get into my fanfiction. I feel so loved! Hey! Guess what people!
All: What?
AR: Yukana, do you know where I got the basic concept for your personality?
Y: Uh...no.
AR: From my best friend! Her name is Devin. Don't you feel special?
IY: See? I told all of you before, but I'll say it again; Archangel's Requiem is psychotic.
K: Wow...I didn't know that you knew a word that big, InuYasha.
IY: What is that supposed to mean?!
Se: It means that the miko thinks you are stupid.
All: *nods*
K: Hey, Dust Bunny, I have a name, you know! I'll start calling you by your given name as soon as you have enough decency to call me by mine!
IY: Finally! Somebody put that ass hole in his place!
Se: Are you willing to come over here and say that, half-breed?
AR: Hey, hey, hey! There will be absolutely no fighting in my room! If you guys wanna go kill each other, show me some respect and do it outside!
From living room: Angel, I'm home!
AR: Oh, no! Quick! Everybody into the closet!
K: But AR, we won't all fit.
AR: Fine. You and Sesshomaru can hide under the bed. Okay, places everybody! Hurry!
All: *hides*
*door opens*
mother: Angel, what is going on in here? I could have sworn I heard at least ten other people in here.
AR: Uhh...you were just imagining things, oka-san. Look around: nobody!
mother: You're not a very good liar, Angel. There weren't any boys in here, were there?
AR: That's insulting! You probably heard sound effects from my computer.
mother: Fine. Okay, Angel, I have to go shopping. Do you need anything?
AR: Yeah! I need some more ramen noodles.
mother: But, I bought a whole new pack two days ago.
AR: I'm a growing girl, oka-san! I need lots of food! We like the beef kind.
mother: We?
AR: When kids are hungry, it's like there are two of them! Now, off you go! I'm finishing my homework!
mother: Yeah, right...homework... *leaves, muttering to herself* Since when did she start doing her homework?
AR: *listens until car pulls out of driveway* Okay, y'all can come out now.
IY: It's about time!
K: How are you able to keep the fact that you have at least ten people at a time in your bedroom every day a secret?
AR: I have my ways.
M: Yes, Angel-sama appears to be very smart, so it would be easy for her to hide that.
AR: What have I told you, Miroku? I told you not to call me that! Oh, and just for the record, flattery doesn't work on me. It was a nice try, though.
M: *sigh*
AR: How many of you people wanna know what I was watching last night?
Se: It doesn't matter what we say. Knowing you, you would just tell everybody anyway.
AR: Right! But, anyway, I was watching Walk the Line! YAY! And yes, I do like Johnny Cash, 'cause his music is cool. I like some old people, but I have to say, he's not too pleasing to the eyes. All of the people laughed at me when I told them that it looked like somebody hit him in the face with a shovel.
Y: *looks away from the tv -playing Xenosaga Episode III: Also Spracht Zarathustra* Uhh...AR, I think it's about time to get the chapter rolling.
AR: Now, back to our previous discussion...how did you figure out how to play that playstation, Yukana?
Y: Hm...I have my ways.
AR: Hey! That's my line!
All: *stare at the tv as realians start to eat another realian, "Febronia!"*
K: Oh, Yukana, that's gross! How can you play that without throwing up?
Se: Actually, I find it to be quite entertaining.
AR: Cheers to that, Dust Bunny! This is, like, my absolute favorite part of this game!
M: It is a shame that they are not real people. *stares at Shion's skimpy outfit*
IY: These people dress worse than Kagome!
K: Hey! InuYasha, osuwari!
Y and AR: Hehehe...hey, Miroku, you should see their swimsuits.
S: Shut up, you two! You're filling his head with...things.
AR: *smirks* Think dirty thoughts, Miroku!
Ka: Too late for that, Requiem. He's ahead of you by quite a few years on that one.
Se: Angel, I agree with Yukana on this one. It would be wise to give the readers the story before they leave.
AR: Oh, right. Okay people, my people are mine and Rumiko Takahashi's people are hers. The same goes for plots and all that other good stuff. Enjoy! And while you guys do that, we'll watch Yukana play Xenosaga! WOOHOOO!
---------------------------------------------------------------
In the winding down hours
I let your heart down again
~what did I do to make a scene so gory~
~I'm no better than the ones before me~
Old habbits die hard
I always end up hating the end
~what did I do to make a scene so gory~
~I'm no better than the ones before me~
(By The Way: Hinder)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Don't Fall Away
Chapter Thirteen: The Ball
The group followed closely behind Tanrei as she expertly led them through an intricate maze of hallways and corridors. Kagome silently admired the paintings and anything else that was hanging on the walls as she passed by, while Sesshomaru watched her with hidden amusement that came from the fact that she wasn't watching where she was going, which lead to her almost tripping over Tanrei's heels multiple times. And every time, Kagome would quickly apologize, only to do it again just seconds later.
"Forgive me Lady Kagome, but maybe it would help if you were watching where you were going instead of where you've been." Tanrei said uncertainly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Tanrei. And it's okay, I completely understand." Tanrei nodded and stopped at an intricately carved mahogony door.
"The monk and the taijiya are to share this room." she announced. Miroku smirked and Sango blushed slightly. However, both entered the room without complaints, since there were two beds in the room. Tanrei continued down the hall and soon stopped at another door.
"Lady Yukana and Lord InuYasha are to share this room. Yes, I am aware that you are cousins, but there are two beds, so you will be fine." InuYasha mumbled something under his breath and followed Yukana into their sleeping chambers. The next room that Tanrei led them to was designated to Rin and Shippo.
"Is it bed time yet, Kagome?" Shippo asked, yawning. Rin nodded in agreement as she followed Shippo into the room. Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru and followed them into the room to tuck them in. She bid them goodnight and gently kissed their foreheads before she joined Sesshomaru and Tanrei back in the corridor.
"If you don't mind my asking, Lady Kagome, but why is it that you act as the children's mother?" Tanrei inquired.
"Because they don't have anyone else to do it for them." Kagome answered quietly. The other demoness nodded in understanding. Tanrei continued down the hall to another set of mahogony doors, although that particular set seemed to mark a more important room than the others did. She took a gold key from her pocket and unlocked the doors.
There was a loud click and the large doors automaticly swung foreward to reveal a beautifully decorated bedroom with a four poster bed draped in blue and silver, silk and valour, and even assorted furs. Kagome, however, didn't notice any of this, since her eyes were on just the bed in general.
"Uhh...Tanrei?" Kagome turned around, but Tanrei had already dissapeared. Kagome sighed and walked into the room, followed by Sesshomaru, who shut the door behind himself. He then looked at Kagome. She was standing in the middle of the floor with a strange look on her face as she stared-almost glaring-at the bed.
"Is there a problem, Kagome?"
"Yes! If you haven't noticed, Sesshomaru, there is only one bed in here!" Kagome exclaimed.
"Do not raise your voice to me, miko." Sesshomaru warned.
"Well, something has to be done about it!" Kagome whispered urgently. "We're not together, so I have a huge problem with this!"
"Oh, this was an awesome idea." Tanrei whispered through her giggles. She turned to another demoness who was standing beside her.
"Yes, Yukana would simply love this."
"Love what?" The two turned around to see Yukana walking toward them. "What are you two up to this time? And Kaori, what are you doing here?"
"Shush!" Tanrei and Kaori both pushed Yukana back towards her room. When they entered they quickly closed the door behind them.
"Hey! What's going on now? I thought Kaori was at home!"
"InuYasha, chill." Yukana said. "Go talk with Miroku for a little while, will 'ya darlin'? Oh, and send Sango over here. Thanks!" Yukana pulled InuYasha up off the floor and shoved him out the door, locking it behind him. She turned around and looked at Tanrei and Kaori suspiciously.
"Okay, what are you two up to?"
"Well..." Kaori and Tanrei began.
"You're trying to get Sesshomaru and Kagome together, so you put them in the same room with only one bed and wanted to know what they would do. Am I correct?"
"Okay...Yukana, that's scary. But, yes, we are." Kaori said.
"Kaori, how many times have I told you not to meddle in Sesshomaru's love life?" Yukana scolded.
"What love life?" Kaori and Tanrei said simultaneously. Yukana raised her eyebrows and the other two smiled sheepishly.
"Okay, let me re-phrase that. How many times have I told you not to meddle in Sesshomaru's love life...without letting me in on it?!" Tanrei and Kaori giggled.
"Sorry, Yukana. We meant to tell you sooner, we just didn't get a chance with me having to leave the castle and all." Kaori said. "Wanna help now?"
"Duh! Of course I do!"
So, Yukana, Tanrei, and Kaori started contemplating what they were going to do next, while Sesshomaru and Kagome figured out what they would do about their little situation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"This is not good." Kagome said. "What are we supposed to do, sleep in shifts? Don't answer that."
"You are making this seem worse than it really is." Sesshomaru declared. "There is a simple answer."
"What are we gonna do, stay on sides?"
"Precisely." Kagome narrowed her eyes.
"I don't trust you like that, Sesshomaru." Kagome informed him.
"I have my honor to watch out for, Kagome." Sesshomaru reminded her. "I promise I will not try anything."
"Fine, I'll hold you to that promise." Kagome walked to her side of the bed and picked up her bag, which was brought shortly before Tanrei had led them there. She picked it up and started to rummage through it. Kagome pulled out a pair of shorts and a tank top.
"Sesshomaru...I have to change. Do you mind waiting in the hall for me?" Kagome asked sweetly. Sesshomaru complied and walked out of the room.
(outside w/ sesshomaru)
"Sesshomaru, what are you doing?" InuYasha asked.
"Kagome is changing." Sesshomaru stated simply. InuYasha's jaw dropped.
"You mean...you and Kagome are sharing a room?"
"That's what it looks like." The door opened behind Sesshomaru and Kagome came out in her pajamas. InuYasha's jaw dropped even further, if it was even possible, when he saw her night wear.
"Kagome, what are you wearing? That's worse than your school uniform!"
"InuYasha, osuwari." Kagome ordered. "That was mean, InuYasha!"
When they had heard InuYasha hit the floor, Yukana, Kaori, Tanrei, Sango, and Miroku all came out into the hallway.
"What is going on, Kagome?" Sango asked. Miroku stared dumbly at Kagome and let his mind wander to the unmentionables. Sango looked over at him and gave him a good whack in the back of the head.
"InuYasha was being mean to me." Kagome answered innocently.
"InuYasha, I thought we told you to go bother Miroku, not Sesshomaru." Yukana said.
"You guys kicked InuYasha out of his room?" Sango asked. Yukana, Kaori, and Tanrei nodded.
"We told him to go hang with Miroku for a while." Kaori said. "And to send you over."
"Wait a minute...Kaori, what are you doing here?" Kagome asked, confused.
"Tanrei needed company."
"Whatever. I'm going to bed." Kagome turned around and dissapeared back into the room, leaving everyone else in the hall stuck in an awkward silence.
"I agree with Kagome. It's about time for me to retire for the night as well." Miroku declared a few minutes later. Sango nodded.
"Yeah, me too. Oyasumi." She followed Miroku back into their room.
"Well, Yukana, Kaori and I have to get going as well." Tanrei said. "We have a few things to take care of." She took hold of Kaori's arm and led her off somewhere.
"Okay, then. C'mon, InuYasha, we should get to sleep, too." Yukana pulled InuYasha off the floor and led him into their room. Sesshomaru turned and entered his own. He looked over to Kagome, who was already asleep and quietly removed his armor and haori. *-drool-* The taiyoukai layed toward the edge of the bed and was soon carried into the land of dreams.
~*^*~~*^*~~*^*~~*^*~~*^*~
Kagome awoke to the chirping of birds and the sunlight shining in her face. She felt abnormally warm, but she didn't care. She felt like she could lay there all day. Kagome sighed and snuggled her head closer into her pillow. It was then that she realized that her movements were somewhat limited by an arm draped around her waist.
Kagome's eyes flew open and her breath caught in her chest. Her mind was screaming at her to get away from it, but her body didn't want to respond. There was also that small part of her mind that didn't want her to move, either.
'This is wrong...'
'And how would that be? You're not engaged or anything.'
'Yeah, I know, but this is Sesshomaru we're talking about here.'
'Ya know, Kagome, you're a very smart girl, but sometimes I really think that you're stupid.'
'Hey! What's that supposed to mean?'
'If you can't figure it out by yourself, then there's no use telling you. You've got a brain, do some detective work of your own.'
'I wouldn't need to do some 'detective work', as you put it, if you would just tell me!
'So, you want my thoughts on this subject?'
'Well, duh.'
'Fine. It is my beliefe that the stick in the mud laying behind you may feel even a little something toward you. And I'm not talking about a friendship.'
'You can't be serious. He's InuYasha's brother. He hates me!'
'Wow...you really are stupid. What a shame. Who told you that?'
'Uh...nobody did. I just figured that since I always hung around InuYasha that Sesshomaru would-'
'Oh, shut up! Have you even payed attention to the way he acts around you? His fortress is falling and you are the opposing army that is making it do just thatl.'
'Okay...I'll test out this theory of yours and get back to you.'
'It's not a theory. It's a fact. And I also happen to know that you are starting to feel the same way about him as well.'
'Leave me alone. I have things I need to do.'
'Fine! I don't wanna talk to you either! Hehehe...toodles!'
Kagome finally regained control of her body and slowly slid away from the still sleeping taiyokai...
"Ahh! Oof!"
Thump.
Sesshomaru's amber eyes opened, looking quite startled. Kagome's head poked up from the floor, blushing furiously.
"Whoops, clumsy me!" she said nervously, rubbing the back of her head. Kagome grinned sheepishly before she got up off the floor and started going through her bag.
"So, is that how you always wake yourself up, Kagome?" Sesshomaru teased. Kagome snorted into her bag and continued to remove the contents until she found what she had been after. Sesshomaru had gotten out of the bed and started to put his haori and armor back on. *-oh, man!-*
Seconds later Kaori, Sango, Yukana, and Tanrei came rushing into the room.
"What's all the commotion, Kagome?" Sango asked teasingly. Yukana, Tanrei, and Kaori had filled her in on everything earlier that morning, and she had thought it was a great idea.
"I...uh...fell out of the bed again..." Kagome answered sheepishly, blushing once again at the thought of exactly why she had fallen. "Okay, all of you out! I need to change. Yes, that includes you, Sesshomaru." They all filed toward the door.
"Hey, Sesshomaru, don't hold back any details." Yukana whispered as they headed towards the door. She smirked at him and sped up to join the others.
Sango, Yukana, Tanrei, and Kaori had sprinted off immediatly after exiting the room, while Sesshomaru chose to wait outside the door. He had only been there a few minutes when he heard a pained cry from inside the room, followed by the crash of breaking glass. Sesshomaru turned around and ran into the room.
Kagome was on the floor next to the vanity, panting and gasping desperatly for breath with one hand on her chest and a pained expression on her face. Broken glass had been scattered all over the floor around her. Sesshomaru rushed over and knelt next to her.
"Sess...ho...maru. I c...can't...breathe." Kagome choked. "I...can't-" It was then that she passed out due to lack of oxygen. Sesshomaru quickly caught her before she fell on the glass littered floor. For the first time since his father died, Sesshomaru was at a loss. He didn't know what he should do to help her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AR: Maybe I should stop here, guys. What do you think?
K: No! Bad AR! You have to make it longer!
AR: How come?
Se: Because I said so.
AR: Okay, Dust Bunny!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just then, Yukana came back.
"Sesshomaru, what happened? Why is the floor covered in...KAGOME!" Yukana exclaimed, running to Kagome's side. "Sesshomaru, what happened?! She's not breathing!"
"Yukana, stay calm." Sesshomaru said sharply. "Fetch Arashi, the castle healer, quickly." The usually calm and collected Sesshomaru was near the point of panic, but this didn't show until after Yukana had left the room. He gently tried to coax Kagome into consciousness, but was not making any progress.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kurayami watched silently from the window as the great Sesshomaru tried to coerce the young demoness to breathe. Her red eyes softened into a darker shade of pink. There was no way she would be able to do this.
'I can't take her life.' Kurayami thought. 'She may be the only other living thing that can help me get my own life back.' She then thought of Sesshomaru. She knew just by looking at him that he loved Kagome, even if he,himself, didn't know it yet. *-O.O she's good-*
She closed her eyes and sighed, releasing the magical hold she had on Kagome's lungs, but she did not see the rise and fall of her chest that meant she was breathing.
'What is wrong?'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sesshomaru knew now what he had to do. He knew he had to force the air into her lungs if she was going to have a chance. He knew it was going to be the only way, but there was something nagging at him in the back of his mind. He disreguarded this little voice, however.
Sesshomaru tilted Kagome's head back to clear her airway, but then he hesitated, unsure of himself.
'What would Kagome think?'
'Well, you'll never find out if you don't hurry up!'
'Silence! I'm working on it! You're distracting me, be gone!'
'Touchy, touchy...fine. I'll only leave because this is something important. Good luck!'
Sesshomaru shook his head to dispose of any and all things that could prove distracting. He lowered his head and upper body and their lips met...
*~----------------------------------~**~----------------------------------~*
Yukana sprinted out of the room in search of Arashi. This was going to be a difficult task: she had never met Arashi, which means that she doesn't know her scent or aura, so she was on her own. Yukana continued to race down the corridors. She rounded a corner and collided with Lord Daijirou.
"Good heavens, Yukana! What on earth are you doing?" he asked. It was then that he saw the panicked look on her face. "Yukana, is there something wrong?"
"I need Arashi!" Yukana said hurriedly. "Where is Arashi?!"
"She is in the hospital wing, but what is the emergency, child?"
"There's no time for this!" Yukana yelled. "Where is the hospital wing, Lord Daijirou?"
"It's just down this corridor. Yukana I would really-" He was cut off when Yukana sped off in the direction he was pointing in. The lord sighed and followed her down the hallway. Yukana was already in there and quickly explaining everything to the healer. Arashi let her eyes go wide and she followed Yukana back to the bedroom, stuggling to keep up with the demoness.
Yukana skidded to a halt outside the doors to Sesshomaru and Kagome's bedroom and pushed them open, rather forcefully. Her eyes widened when the scene behind the doors came into her line of vision. Lord Daijirou stalked up behind them.
"I demand to know what is going on here!" he ordered. Yukana didn't answer, her body had frozen from suprise and disbelief.
"Yukana...what in the world?"
Kagome's Dream
Kagome looked around at the swirling white mist that surrounded her. She was in...a graveyard? But this was not the one she would expect herself to be in. It was different from the one in which the body of InuYasha and Sesshomaru's father resides. They were human graves, that and everything was in black and white.
''Where am I?'
"Kagome, you are in a place that you will see in the near future." the stranger said, her voice echoing mysteriously in the empty silence. "This place will determine the future of your friends and yourself."
"But, I have never even seen this place before." Kagome looked into the girl's deep, blue eyes, the only color that existed in the lifeless void, excluding the bright orange of her hair. "Who are you? Where am I?"
"The living call me Nephilim." she replied. "This place, Rennes-le-chateau, this is where the final battle will take place."
"The final battle...with Naraku?"
"Naraku is the least of your worries, Kagome. Your body could die at any moment if you don't fight it." the girl replied gravely. "I am doing everything in my power to keep your heart beating as long as possible." Kagome gaped at the young girl. 'She can't be more than ten years old.'
"You must help us, Kagome."
"Us?"
"We need your help. You and him are the only ones who can save us from the otherwise inevitable." Nephilim informed her.
"But, Nephilim, I don't understand. Who am I saving? And who is this man that is supposed to be helping me?" Kagome questioned. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Save us, Kagome. You two are the only hope we have left." Having said what she came to say, Nephilim dissapeared, but her last message echoed through the air even after her physical being was no longer visible. "Do not fear the restrictor. She is an ally. She can help."
"Wait! I still have questions!" Kagome called. "Why is it that nobody stays anymore? I would be better off talking to my shoe. How am I supposed to get out of here?"
Kagome.
"What? Who's there?"
Kagome.
"Huh?"
Wake up, Kagome.
End Dream
Kagome's eyes fluttered open, revealing deep gold orbs staring down at her. Kagome sat up and held her hand to her head.
"What happened?" Kagome asked wearily.
"You stopped breathing and passed out." Yukana said. "Kagome, what happened to you?"
"The ristrictor..." Kagome muttered.
"Who?"
"The restrictor." Kagome said louder. "She is the one who did it. But...she's supposed to be an ally. Who is she?" Sesshomaru stood up and helped Kagome to her feet.
"There is a rumor going around concerning a young female demoness." Sesshomaru said. Everyone turned to look at him.
"What is the rumor, Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked.
"It is said that she is able to take control of the action of the lungs and heart, most likely using some sort of magic." Sesshomaru explained calmly. "The rumor also states that her residential village was recently decimated by numerous demons under Naraku's jurisdiction."
"Do you know her name?" Yukana inquired.
"As of this moment, her name is unknown." Sesshomaru stated. "However, it is a theory that she has joined forces with Naraku, but whether she joined out of force or free will, is, as of yet, unknown." Kagome nodded and thought back to the cryptic young girl who had appeared before her in her dream.
"She said she was an ally." Kagome muttered, staring at the floor.
"Kagome, what are you talking about?" Kagome looked up.
"Naraku forced her to join him." Kagome said fiercely. She then said, more to herself than anyone else, "She's the one of the people we're supposed to help...but who is the other one?" Yukana looked warilly at Kagome as she muttered to herself.
"Kagome, are you okay?" Yukana questioned. "Who is this woman you keep talking about?"
"Not a woman, Yukana, but a girl." Kagome informed her. "Nephilim. She needs help, but I don't know why...how am I supposed to help her?"
"Um...is something going on in here?" Everyone turned around to see Sango standing in the doorway with Kaori and Tanrei.
"No, it's nothing important. I just-"
"Almost died." Yukana interrupted. Kagome glared at her. Kaori, Sango, and Tanrei adopted a worried expression.
"Yukana, if I wanted them to worry I would have told them myself." Kagome said.
"Well, they deserved to know." Yukana defended. "They are your friends, too, so you can't keep something big like that from them."
"It's not that big of a deal. I almost die at least once a week." Kagome retorted. "You should know that by now."
"Yes, I do know that, but somebody had to be really close in order to be able to put such a strong curse on you."
"I think we've already established that it wasn't a curse, Yukana." Sesshomaru said.
"Um...why don't we continue this discussion later?" Arashi offered. "You all need to get ready for the ball tonight."
"It doesn't take all day to put a kimono on." Kagome pointed out lazily. "But I would like to continue this later. I have to go wake up Rin and Shippo." She flashed a smile at Sesshomaru and walked out the door.
'Maybe I do like him...'
Kagome slowly opened the door to the childrens' room and silently walked over to Rin's bed. She smiled tenderly at the little girl and gently picked her up. Rin wrapped her arms around Kagome's neck and yawned into her shoulder. Kagome set her down next to Shippo's bed, making sure that she was standing firmly before she woke Shippo. The kit was a bit more difficult to wake. Kagome ended up picking him up and pretending to drop him before he was even half conscious.
"It's just about time for you two to start getting ready for the ball, okay?" Kagome said softly. Rin looked up at Kagome and rubbed her eyes.
"Why do we have to go to the ball, Kagome-chan?" Rin asked, her speach still a little slured from drowsiness. Shippo nodded in agreement, making Kagome giggle.
"Yes, you guys have to go. Wanna know why?" Rin and Shippo tilted their heads to the side.
"Why?"
"Because I have to go! I don't know what I'm supposed to do, so I need you to help me so I don't mess up, Rin." Kagome said sweetly. Rin's eyes adopted an excited gleam and she seemed to wake up immediately.
"Okay, Kagome-chan! Rin will help Shippo, too." Rin offered. Shippo nodded enthusiasticly and Kagome smiled at the two adorable children. She patted their cheeks and bent down to their eye level.
"Get ready." Kagome smiled at them again and walked out the door.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The day passed quickly and before Kagome knew it, the ball was already about to start. Kagome had already put on her kimono and was pacing in the hall. Earlier, she had made the decision to leave her hair down for the ball. Kagome also refused to put on make-up, making Tanrei wonder if she was alergic to it or somethin. Kagome just told her that she didn't need to put any on.
Kagome continued her pacing until Katara walked up to her.
"Kagome, you look nervous." she said simply. Kagome nodded.
"Believe it or not, I've never been to one of these things. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do." Kagome admitted.
"It's okay. I heard you talking to Rin earlier." Katara said. "You'll be fine. Just act the same way you did when you first arrived here. That's all there is to it."
"Arigatou, Lady Katara."
"I have been the lady of the east for at least ninteen years and I still haven't gotten used to that yet." Katara said offhandedly. Kagome took the hint.
"Sorry."
"It's okay. You can just call me Katara. Everybody else does." Katara told her. "I prefer being called by my name over adressed with that akward title of 'lady'." Kagome giggled and Katara smiled.
"Lord Takeru and Lady Asuna of the north have just arrived, as well as Lord Ozai and Lady Sousha of the south." Tanrei announced. Katara nodded and greeted the lords and ladies with a warm smile. Lord Takeru had short dark brown hair. He was tall, but not as tall as Sesshomaru, and he had two barely noticable yellow stripes under his eyes and a white feather on his head. Lady Asuna, on the other hand, had long bright orange hair and loud green eyes that sparkled with excitement. Her demonic markings very closely resembled Kagome's, save for the light green snowflake in place of Kagome's star.
The appearance of the lord and lady of the south startled her greatly. They looked like they could have been twins. They both had pitch black hair, piercing red eyes, one grey stripe under thier eyes, and a red flame symbol on their foreheads, hidden by thier bangs. The only difference between the two was the Lady Sousha's eyes held none of the severity that was clouding her mate's. Lord Ozai was staring at Kagome, which she found unnerving. She didn't like the way he looked at her...
Sesshomaru walked up behind Kagome a few moments later. He had put on the same basic outfit he usually wears, but the red and white had been switched and he was not wearing his armor. He placed his hand on Kagome's shoulder.
"Welcome." Katara said. "I am sure you remember Lord Sesshomaru." The others nodded. Sesshomaru felt Kagome shiver slightly and noticed the odd look she was being given by Lord Ozai. He glared at the other lord, who averted his gaze.
Lady Asuna turned to Kagome, smiling brightly.
"Who is your guest, Sesshomaru?" she asked.
"Her name is Kagome." Sesshomaru answered blandly. Kagome smiled and managed a small wave.
"Katara, everyone, it is time." Daijirou declared as he strolled up to the group. "Ozai and Sousha are entering first, followed by Takeru and Asuna, Sesshomaru and Kagome, and then us." The group stood in order, with the females on their male's right side. The doors opened and Lord Ozai and Lady Sousha entered the hall, announced by another demon as they went in. Kagome felt her stomach twist itself into a nervous knot.
Sesshomaru sensed Kagome's uneasyness and gave her hand a light squeez of reassurance. Kagome turned and looked at him. She smiled softly and turned her head foreward as Takeru and Asuna dissapeared into the ballroom after they had been announced.
'I can handle this...I know I can.' Kagome thought. 'If I mess up...' Kagome's thoughts were interrupted when the demon announced her and Sesshomaru. She took a deep breath and stepped into the brightly lit ballroom. When they came into view, eyerything suddenly went silent, as if someone had pressed the mute button on a remote.
The sudden silence didn't do anything to help Kagome's nerves as she decsnded the staircase. The hall suddenly erupted in whispers of "Who is she?" and "That lucky bitch!", followed by the occasional "Now that girl's a piece of work." and a slap from their date. She tried her best to ignore these little comments, but Kagome found that, somewhere deep down, they aggrivated her for some reason.
They reached the bottom of the staircase and stood next to the other lords and ladies as Daijirou and Katara entered. Katara was beaming at all of the guests as she decended beside her mate. As they walked down the aisle to the other end of the room, the people bowed as they passed and Kagome, Sesshomaru, Sousha, Ozai, Takeru, and Asuna followed behind them.
There were a total of eight seats, each getting higher according to the power of the lands and their ruler. The only exception being that the top two were switched to show that, even though the west was more powerful than the east, the east was the host of the ball for their daughter. They all stood in front of their designated seat and turned around. Lord Daijirou raised his arms.
"Welcome! Arigatou for coming to celebrate this very special day." he said. "I would also like to thank the other lords and ladies for gracing us with their presence." Daijirou looked around the room at the silent faces of the poeple. "Let the dancing begin!" After making this announcement, he took his seat and the others followed suit. There was a lot of movement and the music bagan to play and the other guests started to dance.
Kagome turned to Sesshomaru, who was silently watching the lesser lords and their dates on the dance floor.
"Are we just supposed to sit here and look pretty?" Kagome asked.
"No." Sesshomaru answered. "Once the princess comes out we will be able to get up and dance or do anything else we feel the need to do." Kagome nodded and relaxed slightly, allowing her back to slump over a little. She watched with delight as all of the others, demons and humans alike, danced to the music.
Kagome was situated between Sesshomaru and Ozai, a thought that she wasn't necessarily comfortable with. She could feel that funny sense that tells a person that someone is staring at them. Kagome's body tensed again and she fidgeted slightly under his unyielding gaze. Sesshomaru noticed her small movements and glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. He was going to say something to her, but the demon who had announced the entrance of the lords and ladies ordered the attention of the room again.
"It gives me great honor to announce the Princess of the East, Lady Ayaka."
The doors opened again and revealed a very young looking demoness. From a distance, the only feature that Kagome could make out was her bleach blonde hair and rather large ice blue eyes. Ayaka decended the stairs and made her way towards her parents and the other rulers. It was then that Kagome finally got a good look at her. Her eyes held a sort of liveliness that Kagome had never seen in a demon. She closely observed the cerulean crystal on her forehead. Another odd contribution to Ayaka's appearance was that she had no stripes under her eyes or on her wrists. But she was still rather pretty.
Ayaka stopped in front of her parents and bowed deeply, then turned and did the same to the other lords and their ladies. She turned once again and bowed to all the other guests.
"I thank you all for coming." Ayaka announced. "I would also like to give my congratulations to Lord Sesshomaru of the West. We thought that we were going to have to find you a dance partner!" She turned to Sesshomaru and Kagome and grinned. The other guests laughed lightly as they caught on to the joke.
"Enjoy the rest of the ball!" Ayaka beamed and sat in front of her parents. The music started up again and the guests continued dancing. Kagome giggled at Ayaka's little comment and, to be completely honest, actually agreed with it to some point.
"Am I correct to assume that the other lords and ladies have a habbit of trying to play matchmaker when you come over for one of thier celebrations?" Kagome asked airily as she examined her claws. Sesshomaru looked at her and she turned to him and smiled.
"It was just a question."
"Yes, you are correct in your assumption. Although, I would have to say it never worked very well." Sesshomaru stated. Kagome giggled again and started twirling her hair around her finger.
"So what are we supposed to do now?" Kagome asked. "Is there, like, a signal that we wait for that tells us we can get up?"
"Lord Daijirou and Lady Katara will get up in a few moments." Sesshomaru informed her. "They will start the traditional dances. When that happens, we are required to join in."
"Oh...and how long would that take?"
"Kagome-chan!" Kagome jumped and looked into the crowd to find Rin and Shippo running at her.
"Hello, you two! You guys aren't causing any trouble, are you?" she asked playfully.
"Nope. Rin is being good!" Rin said proudly. Shippo nodded and jumped onto Kagome's lap. Rin, on the other hand, just stood there with a sad look in her eyes. Kagome saw this look and picked up the little girl, sitting her next to Shippo. Rin beamed and her face spread into a wide grin.
Yukana, Sango, Miroku, and InuYasha appeared a few seconds later, pushing their way through the crowd of people, and stood in front of Kagome.
"Hey, Kagome. Are you having fun yet?" Sango asked, grinning.
"I suppose we'd have to wait for the end result." Yukana said. "It depends on how many little critters we have running around."
"I agree." Miroku piped in. "It is hard to predict the future, but I have a feeling there will be at least five."
"Miroku..." Sango warned.
'I hope they're not talking about what I think they're talking about...' Kagome thought.
"Yes, that does seem like a rather rediculous number...I like the sound of three. What do you think InuYasha? Doesn't it have a certain ring to it?" Sango scowled and moved her kimono so that nobody could see her stomp on Miroku's foot.
"Ow!"
"Miroku, are you okay?" Kagome asked.
"The little critters got me..." Miroku answered meekly. Sango raised her foot again and Miroku shut his mouth. InuYasha rolled his eyes and walked off in search of something better to do than watch Miroku make a fool out of himself.
Sesshomaru turned to Kagome and motioned for her to get up. Kagome looked at Daijirou and Katara, who had stood up, and did as she was told. Rin and Shippo hopped off her legs and were led away by the others. The demon at the doors announced the traditional dances and the guests cleared out from the dance floor. Kagome and Sesshoamru followed Daijirou and Katara into the center.
The first dance was an upbeat song with a fast tempo. At first, Kagome had some difficulty keeping up with Sesshomaru, but, once she got the steps down, she looked like she had been doing it for years. It was something very close to swing dancing. After a little while, all of the other guests joined in, including Rin, Shippo, Yukana, Sango, Miroku, and InuYasha.
The second dance was to a slow beat. It was a short dance and this made Kagome rather glad. She didn't like slow dances.
According to Sesshomaru, there were three traditional dances. The first two Kagome didn't mind, but she had a real problem with the last one. The lord's date was required to dance with their neighboring lord, going in a counter clockwise direction. This put Daijirou with Sousha, Katara with Takeru, Sesshomaru with Asuna, and, to Kagome's dismay, herself with Ozai. The thing that made it worse was the fact that it was also a slow dance. She didn't complain, however.
Kagome pursed her lips and stood in front of Ozai. Kagome frowned when the music started playing, but started the dance as if nothing was wrong. As the dance progressed, Kagome's discomfort did as well. Kagome could feel his hand sliding down her back, ever so slowly. It was then that his hand migrated way too low for comfort. Kagome scowled and purposely stepped on his foot.
"Don't." she warned. Kagome reached behind her and replaced Ozai's hand where it should be. It was too bad it didn't stay. Kagome, once again, stepped on his foot, harder this time, and moved his hand back to its ideal spot.
"I said 'no'." Kagome said through clenched teeth. Ozai smirked.
"Ma pe`che, I am clueless as to what you are speaking of."
"Don't call me that." Kagome glared at him.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Ozai asked shrewdly. "You can't hurt me for risk of getting into trouble." Kagome smirked at him.
"Hide and watch me." The dance ended and Kagome turned on her heel and stormed away. Yukana caught up with her a few moments later.
"You look pissed." she said bluntly.
"You think?" Kagome snapped, not even bothering to look at Yukana. Yukana quickened her pace so that she was walking alongside Kagome.
"What's wrong? You weren't so angry before the dances started." Yukana pointed out. "Did Sesshomaru do something to you again?"
"No." Kagome spat. "Even Sesshomaru wouldn't go that low, Yukana."
"Kagome, what on earth are you talking about?" Kagome turned on Yukana and glared at her. Her usually sparkling eyes were cold and angry.
"If Lord Ozai comes within two meters of me, I won't hesitate to hurt him." Kagome seethed. "Noble blood or not, I won't hold back. And if I kill him, I won't have any regrets." It was that statement that rattled Yukana. Kagome turned and stalked out of the ballroom.
Yukana knew how much damage that Kagome was capable of doing. She remembered clearly what had happened when Sesshomaru had angered the young miko. He had ended up unconsciouse for at least three hours. Yukana stared after Kagome and made a decision: she had to tell Sesshomaru. She searched the room and found him conversing with Daijirou, Katara, Takeru, Hikari, and Sousha. She walked up behind him and tapped his shoulder.
"Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru turned around to look at her. "I need to talk to you. It's important." Sesshomaru nodded and followed Yukana into the corridor.
"What is this important matter you wish to discuss, Yukana?" Sesshomaru inquired.
"Kagome."
"What is wrong with the miko this time?"
"She is angry. I'm afraid she's going to do something drastic." Yukana said. "When she left she was furious."
"Who was the one who caused this anger?"
"I think she said something about Ozai..." Yukana muttered. "I don't remember exactly what she said, but I think it was something to the effect of 'keep him away from me or I'll hurt him'. She told me that she wouldn't regret it if she killed him. He must have made her really mad..."
"Where is Kagome now?" Sesshomaru asked. Yukana shrugged her shoulders and started twiddling her fingers.
"I don't know...the only place I can think of is back to the room." Yukana informed him. "It's quiet in there and there wouldn't be anyone around. You should go talk to her."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kagome made her way through the winding corridors of the eastern castle, still seething over Lord Ozai's actions.
"That god damned, mother fucking, cock sucking son of a bitch!" she fumed. She rounded a corner and almost collided with a rather tall demon, but was able to stop herself just in time. Kagome glared at the feet person who had interrupted her ranting. She refused to look him in the eyes.
Lord Ozai stared down at her with a smirk on his face and placed his hand under her chin, forcing Kagome to make eye contact.
"You wouldn't happen to be talking about me, would you, ma pe`che?" Kagome balled her hands into fists.
"You don't deserve the recognition." Kagome spat. "Now remove your hand before I remove it for you. Trust me, you won't like the way I'll do it."
"Is that a threat, ma pe`che?" Ozai asked mockingly.
"No. It's a promise." Kagome saw something that looked a lot to her like lust flash in his eyes.
Her instinct took over at that point.
Kagome punched him in the stomach and sprinted back in the direction she had come from, running down radom hallways in order to confuse him should he choose to persue her, which he did.
'Her youth is obvious. She has enabled her instinct to take over.' Ozai smirked and took a detour that would place him right in her path if she kept up her unconscious pattern. 'A demon's instinct always uses the same pattern: right, right, left, left, right, left.' He found the corridor he was looking for and waited. Moments later, Ozai could hear Kagome's frantic footsteps approaching.
Kagome rounded a corner and was, with great force, hoisted up by her collar and slammed against the wall. Kagome let out a cry and tried to wrench his hand from her kimono. When this didn't work, she resorted to digging her claws into it, instead. This new idea didn't phase Ozai, however, but instead proved to be very annoying.
"You cannot escape, ma pe`che." he mocked. "You should just give in. You can't beat me." Kagome whimpered, closing her eyes, and her hold on his hand weakened. Ozai smirked. "Good girl." He pressed his body against her small frame.
Kagome's eyes shot open. 'This is not good...' her instinct told her. She renewed her struggles and almost succeded in getting away, but Ozai refused to let that happen and punched her in the stomach. Kagome gasped. Ozai reached behind her head, taking hold of a large chunk of Kagome's hair, and crashed his lips down on hers. Kagome whimpered again and tears started rolling down her cheeks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm almost positive she went back to-" Yukana started, but Sesshomaru cut her off.
"Quiet." Sesshomaru ordered. He sniffed the air and smelled the distinct scents of fear, blood, and arousal.
"What's wrong, Sesshoamru?" Yukana asked timidly.
"Kagome is in trouble..." Sesshomaru sprinted off toward the source of the scents, with Yukana tailing him closely.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kagome's mind was screaming at him to stop. In her heightened sense of fear, Kagome's miko powers lay forgotten in the back of her mind. The tears were flowing freely down the side of her face as she futilly struggled against the lord's form. He had let go of her collar and his free hand was wandering over her body. The only thing that kept her up was the force between Ozai and the wall, making it so that Kagome couldn't even feel the ground.
'I don't want this!'
'Kagome.' Kagome opened her eyes to see the blury image of Nephilim. Her eyes were shining with pity.
'N-Nephilim...help me...please...'
'Do not worry. Help is on the way.'
Kagome sobbed and continued her hopeless struggle against the demon lord. By that time, her body had begun to shake violently. Ozai left her mouth and started trailing small kisses down her neck. Kagome struggled harder against him, hitting and punching any place that she could reach.
"Your struggles are futile, ma pe`che." Ozai told her, pinning Kagome's hands above her head. "You should give up." He returned his attention to her bruised and bleeding lips. 'I need you...please help me, Sesshomaru.' Kagome pleaded mentally.
--------------------------------------------------------------
InuYasha watched Sesshomaru and Yukana leave the ballroom and secretly followed them. When he heard Sesshomaru declare that Kagome needed help, he rushed after them to help her.
The three of them arrived at the scene and froze. 'He's forcing himself on her...' InuYasha thought in disbelief.
Sesshomaru was the first to regain his control and ran at Ozai, shoving his shoulder into the other lord. Ozai was thrown at least twenty feet and Kagome fell to the ground, sobbing her heart out. InuYasha rushed over and picked her up. Kagome struggled against him, screaming for him to let her go. He did as he was told and left her to Yukana. Yukana knelt next to her and threw her arms around the hysterical young girl.
"Kagome...you're safe now. You're going to be okay." Yukana cooed, rocking back and forth.
"I would have expected better on your part, Ozai." Sesshomaru spat.
"She is not claimed." Ozai declared furiously. "I have the right to claim the wench. Get out of my way, Sesshomaru."
"So you're saying that Kagome doesn't have a say in the matter?"
"She wants it. I know she does." Ozai said hungrily. "That little whore asked for it, she wanted it so badly. Hand her over and I can be on my way." In only a few strides, Sesshomaru had reached the other lord. He landed a punch right in the center of his forehead and knocked Ozai out.
"Disgusting." Sesshomaru muttered. He turned and went back to Kagome, InuYasha, and Yukana. Kagome was still shaking badly, but her sobs had died down to a pathetic whimper.
'I could have killed him...I could have hurt him...why didn't I do anything?' Kagome thought to herself. 'I could have thrown him back, but instead I ran when I know that any youkai will chase something that runs from them. I knew that...'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AR: All done!
IY: Finally. What took you so long?
AR: If you haven't forgotten, InuYasha, I still have school. Besides, I had a small case of writers block.
K: That chapter was mean, AR. You know that, right?
AR: Yes...but all of the people were waiting for something good to happen and that was the only thing I could think of.
K: So you had to suffocate me and stick me with a big pervert?
AR: Affirmative.
K: That doesn't sound fair to me.
AR: Kagome, shut it. Y'all wanna know what I got for Christmas? I got ice skates! And a whole bunch of art stuff...but, anyway, I'm out 'cause I wanna go to bed. Toodles and Dasvidanya all you people!
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL LONGEST CHAPTER IN DON'T FALL AWAY!!!!