Chosen Mibhar: Finally I'm able to update! I apologize for the inconvenient wait. A few weeks ago I updated my 2003 Microsoft Word w/ 2007 but then the code I received from an 'acquaintance' didn't work and after the grace period it locked down on me. So I had to buy the software-- legally and now I can write freely in Microsoft Office again.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own the manga/anime of the series InuYasha but all other characters belong to me!
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Chapter 2: Unbelievable discoveries
"SIT!" Kagome's voice erupted, shattering the peaceful evening. "SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!"" she yelled. She knelled over slightly to catch her breath before she yelled once again. "SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!!!"
"You think I smell like shit huh?! Well eat dirt you insensitive baka!" Kagome bellowed over InuYasha who was currently faced down in a one or two feet deep crater.
"Humph!" Kagome snorted indignantly, sticking her nose into the air and she marched off proudly. She grabbed her yellow back pack from the ground.
"Come on Sango-chan, Shippo-chan to the springs!"
Sango and Shippo hesitated but agreed knowing the miko's wrath would turn on them if they would dare to reject her invitation. "And Miroku-sama I'm advising you to just be on the look out only around camp!" Kagome casted a glare toward the monk who was wisely sitting off on the side with kirara in his lap.
"Why of course Kagome-sama I wouldn't dream of anything else!" Miroku said with an innocent grin on his face as he patted Kilala's head. Everyone excluding the buried hanyou rolled their eyes.
"Be true on your word monk" Sango said glaring daggers. "I would just hate to throw hiraikotsu first and then ask questions later if something or someone might be lurking in the woods"
"Ladies, Ladies! Do you not trust me?"
"No!" Kagome, Sango and Shippo said in unison. Kilala meowed in agreement. Miroku sweat dropped and sighed lowering his head in shame. "We'll be back soon" Kagome said walking away with Sango and Shippo while taking great care to step on InuYasha as she passed. Shippo shuddered. "She's really, really mad this time Sango" Shippo whispered softly to the demon slayer.
"Yes she is"
"Not to mention scary" he said looking back at InuYasha who was just able to peel himself from his grave.
"You can say that again"
"What are you two whispering back there?"
"Nothing!"
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Once at the hot springs things began to cool off. Kagome and Sango were laying their heads against the rocks while Shippo floated in ring tube that Kagome brought from her time. The girls were laughing and talking about the fun times. That was until Sango recalled a moment when she saw InuYasha chasing his own butt which was proven to be a mistake. Kagome went from the jolly green giant to a fire breathing dragon at the mention of hanyou's name and began to go off on a screaming rant.
"Kagome-chan relax!" Sango yelled over her excited friend almost sorry she recalled the memory. "Calm down!"
"Yeah please don't get worked up over InuYasha-baka!" Shippo chipped in too.
Sango nodded while adding, "Especially since you fainted yesterday! Don't stress yourself out"
"Yeah" Kagome agreed weakly. She laid back against the rocks in thought. A few days earlier, it was an average day. Help a few peasants, kill mischievous lower demons, gain a few funds, and find some to no leads on finding Naraku. Well somewhere in the middle of the daily cycle, something happened.
It was a beautiful day in the fall, Kagome and her friends where heading back to Kaede's village to take a much needed rest and to restock on 'ninja food' when suddenly Kagome sensed a powerful spell a work. Then the next thing she knew her body was in tear streaking pain. She screamed and fell over from the spasm. At once all her friends yelled her name in unison but none of their cries were louder than InuYasha's. He caught her and shook her while yelling her name continually, just making it worst.
"Inuyasha—" was all Kagome managed to say before she passed out.
Over thirty minutes passed before she regained consciousness. She noticed she was lying down in the shade of a tall tree with a wet cloth placed on her forehead. The first thing she seen was two golden orbs staring into her whirl pools of chocolate. At once other voices where heard.
"Kagome-kun!"
"Kagome-sama!"
"Kagome-Oeensan!"
"Back away!" shouted Inuyasha shoving Sango, Miroku, and Shippo back. "Give her some air!" but then ironically stuck his face closely into Kagome's face again. Kagome eyes widen. She had to fight the blush daring betray her face. Inuyasha has never been this close to her face before. Not since he almost kissed her when he thought she was Kikyo when they first were becoming acquainted or the time she kissed him to keep him from transforming.
Then in the softest and most concerned voice she heard InuYasha say, "Kagome, are you alright?"
Kagome was flabbergasted. "Y-Yes" she stuttered with her face going scarlet. InuYasha's eyes widen then, his face turning several shades darker than her's. He bolted straight up looking away. "A-Are you sure?"
"Positive" Kagome smiled a little in reassurance. But ever since she said that one word Inuyasha has been nothing but a nuisance. First he said her ramen sucked and didn't want any even though it looked like it pained him to say so. Then he augured about her riding her stupid bicycle too much and then somehow he broke it and then had to carry her over long distances.
When she was doing homework from her time at night she accidentally complained out loud while pulling her hair, "This drives me crazy!" Before she knew it three weeks wroth of assignments where tossed in the fire and after all he did to her his only reply was "Feh. Get over it wench. What's done is done."
"Why does InuYasha have to be so rough and insensitive Sango?" Kagome whined as she was brought out of her thoughts and back to the present.
"He's difficult Kagome I know, but I believe the way he's acting is his own way of showing you that he cares. He said all those things just to keep you from going too long without rest"
'Well he sure knows to make a girl happy!' Kagome thought in vain. "Well he didn't have to say I smelled like shit in order to make us stop at the springs."
"I didn't like that comment either" Sango agreed. "But he said that to get you off your feet since you refused to rest today as we traveled."
"Okay maybe" Kagome said. "But can't he ever just come straight out and tell me in a nice way?!"
"He's an baka. It's most likely never to happen" Shippo said sitting up in his floatie. The girls sighed, realizing it was perhaps the truth. Shippo then shrugged before resuming his peaceful state. "With all his mental and emotional issues good luck pulling anything sensible out of him."
Ah, from the mouth of babes…
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Sesshomaru's nose twitched as the smells of decay entered his nostrils. Using his acute eyesight he spotted nothing but stinking marshlands for miles around. "Aghhh!" an agitated voice come from behind him. Sesshomaru glanced back in annoyance.
Jaken had finally caught up with him. His face was adorned with twigs, filth and dirt. "This Bog is much foul Milord" he complained as he waved his hand in front of his face. Sesshomaru ignored him and continued walking, not caring if the imp was able to keep up. Jaken shrieked behind him, begging not to be left behind. Sesshomaru was glad he left the children with Ah-Un in a florally meadow several miles away or else there would be more shrieks in the unpleasant atmosphere.
After about another thirty minutes of finding his way through the swamp Sesshomaru came upon a grimy looking hut. The first ten of the thirty minutes he lost sight Jaken again. He went inside the hut without bothering to announce himself. Once inside, he was surrounded by strange artifacts sitting all around and even some items hanging from the ceiling. Unlike the foul stench of the swamp the stuffy house smelled of sweet perfume.
At the end of the house he came to a hollow library. On a ladder at the end of the first row he discovered a woman looking threw the volumes, her back faced him. "It's nice if you were to knock before entering" she said not turning around. She pulled a scroll from the dusty shelve and began to climb down. "It's rude not to do so."
"Taji" was all he said.
Once the woman reached the floor and turned around. Her eyes widen as she gasped. "S-Sesshomaru…sama?"
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After explaining his situation, Taji got to work immediately to diagnose the spell. As Sesshomaru watched her get her charms ready memories came back to him. Taji was a distant kin and a Hanyou Inu-youkai. She wore a simple sleeveless tan kimono with brown hakama pants. Her hair was dark brown, but her eyes were soft and silvery. She had gold colored dog ears on the top her head symbolizing her carnie bloodline and her hair style was similar to Rin's but had several ponytails sticking out oddly from different angles.
Her mother was an Inu-youkai of the northern clan. On a trip south, she became infatuated with a mortal man who was a prince. The rest was history. The mother was killed shortly after the prince's father discovered their union, but Taji was already born. Her and her father had fled her grandfather's persecution by coming to live in this very swamp with a witch. Even after old age claimed Taji's father, the witch took Taji under her wings and passed on everything she knew before she died as well.
When Taji finished her charm, she started her concentration. After standing still for over forty minutes in a binding seal Sesshomaru was beginning to ache. Taji had yet to move an inch as well. She was Knelling right in front of him until she suddenly stood up. "You may move Sesshomaru-sama"
"What have you discovered? He asked.
Taji shook her head. "Nothing really... My vision is clouded but I can tell you this; Yuriko-sama must have used the yin-yang pendant and you told me she also had one strand of silver hair and the other black?"
"Hai, continue"
"Silver hair is a symbol of otherworldly nobility. Since natural silver is rare to come by I assume the silver strand was yours"
"And the black strand?"
"Most likely of mortal descend. You see this spell is of a higher power making more difficult to behold. In order to see fully what Yuriko has done I must do a recreation of the spell which requires a strand of your hair and a strand of her's"
"Her's?"
"Remember yin and yang. Yin is male and the light. Yang is female and the darkness. Day and Night. Only together can they create harmony—a perfect balance." She then smirked slyly. "It seems Yuriko-sama has played match maker with you Sesshomaru-sama"
"Explain"
"By using the pendant of yin-yang and the hair of one female and one male she has cursed you to have your destinies intertwined and now you're soul mates!" She crackled. "It's like you're already bonded though you have yet to know a woman!"
Ignoring the fact that Taji knew too much about his personal life, Sesshomaru asked instead. "Who is the one Yuriko bonded me to?"
Taji's face lit up like a kid going to the toy store. "Come and see!"
Taji walked across the hut to a shabby looking cabinet. She unlocked the doors and flung them open. She bowed and stepped to the side. "Come! Look into the mirror of Taji!"
Sesshomaru turned and walked over to the open cabinet, inside hung an oval shaped mirror. When he stood in front of the mirror, Taji touched it gently with her clawed hand. Immediately their reflections vanished and it began to swirl in space and time. Transfixed in its activity, Sesshomaru didn't notice Taji movements until he felt a tug on his head before a nice hard yank, "There we are!" Taji said triumphly holding a strand of silver.
"What's the meaning of that act?" Sesshomaru asked calmly.
"I needed a piece of your hair!" Taji said. The look Sesshomaru gave her made her cringe. The only reason she was still breathing is because she served a purpose. "N-Next time I-I'll ask first!" she said nervously, deciding to get his good side by performing the spell quick. She muttered a chant before placing the hair on the mirror. The Mirror absorbed it, turned completely black, and then began to show images.
The scenery was a foggy forest, coming into view were two walking women. One was dressed in a green and pink kimono with her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. On her back was strapped a large boomerang weapon. Sesshomaru's eyes widen. Was that the demon slayer who traveled with his half-brother? Oh Kami-dono… but then the image began to move and it zoomed in on the lady walking next to her.
She carried a child kitsune in her arms. Her strange clothing was no more dignified than a harlot's; disgracefully showing off her figure. Her raven hair bounced around her round face as she talked with the demon slayer with her brown eyes sparkling.
Taji stood silently watching the woman too with a blank look on her face until the truth melted in. She knew all too well about Sesshomaru's hatred toward humans and hanyous. The hilarious irony of Yuriko's spell! "She's the one" was all she stated.
"The one what?" Sesshomaru asked while silently praying it was not as he thought.
"Your soul mate is that girl named Kagome"
Sesshomaru's unemotional mask cracked to reveal horror and disgust. Suddenly Kagome gasped, shaking as if she had felt his rage. She began to look all around her. The Demon Slayer and the Kitsune asked what was wrong. The only thing she replied was "Do you get the strange feeling we're being watched?" she asked quietly.
Taji's eyes went wide. "Enough!" she shouted. The image inside the mirror faded, turning completely black. A moment later both she and Sesshomaru could see their reflections again.
"Why did you stop it?" Sesshomaru asked, suspicious of the impulsive action.
"She's a miko… Amazing… she is a strong miko of the light" Taji said astonished. "She was sensing our presence as we watched her! She would have discovered us since you both are connected"
"We won't be for long" Sesshomaru threatened causing Taji's dog ears go flat to her skull. Of all the beings why did that Yuriko no baka entwined him to his brother's bitch? 'How dare you father!' Sesshomaru venomously thought. After all it was him who requested the gift or rather—curse from Yuriko in the first place. His eyes were beginning to bleed crimson.
"In order to figure out Yuriko-sama's spell I need a piece of her hair along with yours" Taji said. She then pondered. "But I wonder if the wheel of destiny has already began to spin into motion, that even clouds these present advents…what if right at this moment it's using me to bring forth its purpose…" Taji trailed off. "I've heard of such things…"
"I, Sesshomaru-sama create my own destiny." He spat arrogantly, cracking his knuckles sinisterly. "Must she be kept alive when I retrieve a strand of her hair?"
"For a keepsake yes" Taji warned. She then closed the mirror in the cabinet and locked the doors with the key upon her chest. She turned to see Sesshomaru's blood red eyes.
Taji flinched. "W-Well Go fetch a few of her hairs and bring them back to me—p-please Sesshomaru-sama, savvy?" she asked cowering, hoping the mighty Dai-youkai would leave her alive and in one piece.
"This Sesshomaru is not a messager boy. You are to come with me"
Taji eyes bulged. It was one thing to be scared of Sesshomaru but to leave her protective swampland was scarier. "I-I'm afraid n-n-n-not Sesshomaru-sama. Since my birth I have never traveled outside the bog and I would hate to change that simply for your convenience" she said instantly regretted her words.
But before Taji could blink a burning sensation was pressed at her throat. She cried out as the poison from Sesshomaru's nails began to burn and eat away her skin. "OOOOOh w-w-what I was trying to say is that I would simply love to travel!!! Especially for you milord!!!!" she yelled through the pain.
Sesshomaru removed his claws. Taji crumbled to the floor whimpering. "Come. You have five minutes for any preparations" was all he said walking out the hut. Taji followed a few minutes later with a small bundle of items tied to her back and some sort of orange cream applied under her chin where the burn was.
"Jaken"
"Yes milord?" answered Jaken weakly as he crawled over to his master's feet. He had finally found his way to the witch's home after being nearly devoured twice, drowned in quick sand and trapped within the wild foliage.
"Return to the children and Ah-Un and lead them speedily to the outskirts of InuYasha's forest. I will meet you all there." With no effort he picked up Taji in his arms and turned into pure white energy. "If you should fail my instructions I will find and disembowel you"
Jakkan's face faltered. "Yes Sesshomaru-sama!" he groaned threw tears as his master took flight. Taji screaming in fright as the energy ball flew out of sight.
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Kagome, Sango and Shippo were happily chatting as they traveled back toward the camp from the hot springs. Suddenly Kagome shivered.
"Kagome-chan?" Sango asked.
"Umm…" Kagome mumbled. She glanced around and then began to turn in search. Shippo was still in her arms, began to see stars from all the jerking. "What's wrong?" he asked, feeling dizzy.
Sango raised her hiraikotsu into attack position. Kagome squeezed Shippo closer to her chest and continued to search. "Do you get the strange feeling we're being watched?" she asked quietly.
"Er…sorry, I don't sense anything Kagome" Sango answered. Which was true, there was no demonic aura or any threat but then an idea popped into her head. In rage she bellowed. "MIROKU YOU HENTAI! COME OUT HERE NOW!"
A distance away a bush rattled. Up rose a flustered monk. He walked over to them smiling sheepishly. "Heh, heh. Hello my dear Sango-chan, Kagome-sama and Shippo-kun." Kagome and Shippo sweat dropped as Sango walked closer to him with her hands on her hips. "And what were you doing out here monk?" she asked in forced monotone voice. "When you were only suppose to watch the campsite"
"InuYasha has taken over the position and I decided to stretch my legs—"
"Around the hot springs I presume"
The monk paled. "I confess that do need a bath" he joked trying to get off topic.
"Miroku!"
"Alright Sango! The truth is since you and Kagome were taking so long I decided to check on you. Perhaps I'm a little later coming than usual but—"
"What do you mean usual?"
Miroku then began to sweat. "Well… um heh. Look Sango-chan" Miroku grabbed her hands. "When you are away too long I grow concerned for you" he said gazing into her eyes. Sango composure softened. "Oh…that's nice of you Mi—" Sango stopped in mid sentence when she felt a hand creeping upon her backside. Is this what she get's for letting her guard down for just a second around the monk?
"HENTAI!" Sango roared before she hammered the monk's head with her hiraikotsu. "You're nothing but a lecher!" She bellowed and huffed away.
Shippo jumped down from Kagome's arms to look at the swirly eyed monk on the ground. "Erm… Sango-kun, are we just going to leave Miroku here?"
"Hai!" Sango yelled over her shoulder.
Kagome shook her head. Some things would never change. But she had the strange feeling that it was not only Miroku that was spying on them. It was someone with dark spiritual powers… Tsubaki? No, the dark miko was dead. Was it someone related to her trying to get revenge? Just the thought of curses and bad luck made Kagome shiver. Maybe it was a good idea to go home for a while after all…
------TBC
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Chosen Mibhar: poor Sesshy but most of all poor Kagome…By the way people, in the manga—Sesshomaru regenerated left his arm!
If any of you are wondering why I'm reposting this story well frankly life in college was busier that I first thought. So I began to delete my work but I remembered something my mom told me, 'Finish what you start'. So now I'm really serious about finishing up this story. I'll try to update weekly. And since it's in popular demand, I will finish the story 'My pup' after I finish this one. Thanks. I won't beg for reviews but I have to admit—they are nice to have…
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