Last time on Ai Youkai… "Yoru-sama got herself seriously laid last night and is mating him! Congratulations Yoru-sama!" she smiled the men's mouth's dropped open. It was hard for some to stomach the fact that they didn't have her as their own and for others to even picture little Yoru-sama having sex.
The women and most of the men cheered her on and drank a toast in the name of losing her virginity.
With a sigh she decided to live with it and go on with her work. The Steelers were still winning the game anyway.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango yelled in her confusion. Her hair was wild and her eyes wide as those of a deer caught in headlights. Miroku picked himself up off the ground with Shippou's help. Sango's punch held more power than that of her usual slap to the face.
"Sango-chan, please calm down.. Ka-Kagome isn't with us. She's d-dead, remember?" little Shippou choked out the words. Kagome's death had been hard on the little one, but Sango had taken her death just as badly.
With an intake of breath the slayer remembered where she was. Silence filled the camp as they all knew that it wasn't a time for talking. While they mourned the young miko's death, not a word was spoken.
"Let's go.. Kaede is waiting for us." Sango whispered gathering her belongings. She walked into the trees not waiting for the others to follow her; they knew their way home.
Kagome moaned as she struggled to open her heavy lidded eyes. She couldn't recall anything except for the look of worried golden eyes staring down upon her. Golden eyes that she couldn't help but know belonged to Sesshomaru.
"Miko, be still. You hit your head when you fainted." Sesshomaru instructed.
I fainted? Why did I faint? Oh, Kami I don't think I even want to know.. I don't think fainting twice in one day is a good thing.
"Sesshomaru, my head hurts." She complained. She just wanted an asprin and ice pack. She hated pain, it was annoying.
"There is nothing this Sesshomaru can do for you at the moment Miko. Can you open your eyes?" he asked .
"If I could I think I would have by now…"
"Hold your tongue with this Sesshomaru. I will not tolerate disrespect from even that of my mate, miko." He scowled at the female laying on the futon, but couldn't help but release his frown. She was beautiful, but even more so now that she was his mate.
"Mate!?" Kagome shot up from her laying position immediately regretting it when she felt a pounding at her head.
Sesshomaru nodded not repeating himself.
"Shimatta! I knew that I wouldn't want to know what she did! That stupid Yoru! Is that why my body is so sore?" she yelled exasperated.
Yoru was becoming a major pain in her side. She had to join with the demon, but she found herself reluctant to even think about it. She had no clue what would happen should she actually allow herself to join with the beast.
With a small unnoticeable smirk Sesshomaru nodded confirming her suspicions.
"It seems last night we had a bit of fun. This Sesshomaru is pleased to say that even though the timing was inconvenient it was pleasing."
Prick! He enjoyed himself?!
With a scowl upon her face Hasuko rose from the bed ignoring her 'mate' at her side and dressed pulling on modified miko garbs. They were of silk gold hakama and off white haori.
"I'm going out.. Don't follow me." She called over her shoulder leaving a surprised inu in her wake.
"Kanna.. Where is the miko Kagome? Is she not with the inutachi? I do not see Inuyasha either.." Naraku growled in frustration. He had been trying to find the miko for days now and had no such luck. It was as if she had vanished.
"Inuyasha is not with the group master. The nigen have parted ways." The void girl stated trying to catch her master up on the details of what she knew.
With a nod Naraku called Kagura into the room. The demoness had been in his good graces the past week, so he decided to let her live a bit longer seeing as she had her uses.
"Yes, Naraku-sama." Kagura bowed.
"I want you to find out the details in the disappearance of the miko. Gather as much information as possible. Be back by dawn.."
"As you wish master.." she bowed turning to take her leave.
"Oh, and Kagura… Do not fail me."
Kagura suppressed the urge to scowl at the spider demon. He was wicked and evil. She hated him with every fiber in her being. So what if he had brought her to life? If she was to live as his slave then she would have rather not been born at all.
She hurried out of the hell hole of the prison that her master called a castle. It was nothing close to a castle it was a graveyard. It reeked of death and the acidic tang of miasma. The black cloud loomed over head of the castle shielding it away from view. From the sky as she rose into the cold air she could hardly see past the poisonous fog.
Kagura looked around for miles, but there was not a speck of life left on the top of this mountain. Where there had once been lush trees and clear waters were now dead decaying logs that hardly resembled that of trees and black waters that seemed to scream death.
"What has he done? There is nothing left." She sighed passing above the sullied soil and into the clean clear airs of that untouched by Naraku.
She watched as flocks of birds flew past her and nigen plowed their fields in preparation for spring. Mating season was coming soon, and she could feel the primal urge inside of her to find a mate. She would soon be going into her heat. The first time had been horrible; the feelings of lust and the pain of being left unsatisfied. Naraku had beat her in disgust. He had called her a whore and many other things.
She had wished that she could go out and be free. She yearned to fly freely like the clouds going where the winds blew her. She wanted to be like the other female demons and find mates. She had once had someone in mind, but she knew that her idea was out of reach.
Sesshomaru was a beautiful creature and she had once thought herself to be in love with him. She couldn't help but feel lust for his divine body. She thought him to be sent from the Kami themselves.
It wasn't love, and I know this now. It was but a simple crush. Yet, I cannot help but wish that maybe I will meet someone that will be 'my' Sesshomaru. My perfect samurai.
"I hate you Naraku!!" Kagura yelled into the wind. She didn't care if he heard her or not. She hated him and she hoped he knew it.
"I WILL be free! I will be free, or I will die trying." She hissed under her breath.
Hasuko danced under the sun's rays her golden hair lighted like fire. Her hands were curled delicately around butterfly swords. The light of the sun reflected off of her swords making it seem even more magical. Her technique a form of Wing Tsun; it originated from the main lands, but she had learned how to use it.
Rin watched from the floors of the manor. A huge grin placed itself on the girl's sun cheery face. She had never seen this style of dance before. She had seen many swords within the palace, all of which were Taisho property, but to see Lady Hasuko in action was new to her and she loved to see the older onna at practice.
Lady Hasuko is so pretty. She is a good fighter too! I wish I could be like her when I grow up.. Maybe she will let me try! I wanna play with Lady Hasuko!!!
As if reading Rin's thoughts Hasuko lowered her butterfly swords and extended them out in the direction of the young girl. She had not been oblivious to the child watching her. She was quite aware of the 'oohs' and 'aahhhs' she so happily exclaimed.
"Here Rin, you want to try?" Hasuko asked her gold locks glistening in the sunlight. A mild sweat had broke out and little huffs of air left her like pants. She had been at it for three hours now. The sun was well overhead as the sun sat directly above them; it was half past noon.
"Really, Lady Hasuko? You'll let Rin try?" the girl asked almost cautiously.
Hasuko nodded with a fang full grin. "Sure fire! Here, these are called Butterfly Swords. One of the same; they are twins. The creator of these swords was named Ah Zhe. He was the son of a Xiaolin monk. The swords Ai and Liang together were made for a beautiful orphaned girl he had saved and adopted. He taught her the art of kung fu and she became a strong warrior."
Rin took the swords into her hands. "So she was like Rin?"
"Yes, she was like you. Her name was Fang Ai Li, and Rin there's really no need to be so formal with me." Hasuko asked Kagome's voice coming into light.
"Okay, and Rin will be a strong fighter too! Will You teach me Lady Hasu?" Rin exclaimed.
Laughter bubbled up from inside Hasuko. Rin was just too adorable. With little protest she agreed and taught the child the basic steps.
"This is the Southern Tiger style! You must be strong and fierce! Strength to your forearms! Legs apart and then swipe. Unlike many Japanese styles, this particular variation that my mother taught me is smooth like Taichi, but ferocious like that of a tiger." Hasuko stepped and swept up with imaginary swords in hand showing Rin the basic movements.
"Like this Lady Hasu??" Rin successfully side stepped and swept up then reversed into a vertical attack.
Not bad, it seems she has developed the knack for weapons skills from Sesshomaru.
The next hour progressed quickly with Rin also learning the Crane style. She was beaming with delight as Hasuko allowed her to practice with her. She was proving to be an exceptional student.
"Hn." The familiar grunt of Sesshomaru came from behind the female inu. She jumped a little turning to see him in the corner of her eye.
"Didn't I say to leave me alone????????" Hasuko asked with a moan.
"This Sesshomaru takes orders from no one, not even his 'beloved' mate." He smirked sarcasm dripping from his fangs.
"Well, then maybe I should let Yoru teach you some manners. Perhaps she can whip your big doggy tail into shape, ya pervert." Hasuko bit back miffed.
Sesshomaru stayed quite finding her remark not worth replying to. Instead he continued watching as his ward absentmindedly fought with invisible opponents. She was lacking in many things, but over all she was doing incredibly well for someone who had never touched a weapon before. (She has, but he doesn't know or really remember)
Rin paused for a breather and looked back grinning. Her eyes grew wide and a giant smile spread across her face when she saw her father. She wiped the sweat from her brow and ran to her Lord wrapping her arms around him- the swords in her hands were long forgotten.
"Lord Sesshomaru!!! Lady Hasu was teaching Rin the Butter Fly swords!" she happily stated her face buried in his mokomoko.
I looked down at Rin and held back the smile making its way to my face. She was cute for a nigen girl. I was impressed with her work. She was very good at martial arts, but she was going to need practice. I had originally planned for her to marry a wealthy nigen Lord once she was of age, but now that I look closely she is more demon than she is nigen. How would she behave if I just sent her away like a pup to a new master? This Sesshomaru has doubts within his mind that she would make a good house wife. Nigen men wanted porcelain dolls that sat idle and knew not how to speak. Rin was educated as many youkai children were and she could not keep her mouth shut. No, she would be better off with youkai kind.
"Very good, Rin. Perhaps when you are well instructed I will permit you to spar with some other youkai children. Does this please you?" Sesshomaru asked the child.
Sesshomaru is not that bad. I used to think that he was a cold hearted brute that was just… EVIL! Now I know better. He's a cold hearted brute with a soft spot for kids. Who would have known? The Killing Perfection was actually great with kids! He must be nice or have some kind of heart if he is able to take care of a girl like Rin. Rin is the delicate err.. sensitive type. She needs love and nurturing. If Sesshomaru would permit me I would gladly be her mother, but that is not my call. I would not let him tell Shippou what to do, so I won't treat Rin any different than my mate treats my kit. Uh… Did I just call him my mate? What is happening to this world!!!
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru! Thank you very much, Lord Sesshomaru. That would make Rin very happy!"
Haha! I guess we all know where Rin got the habit of talking in third person.
"I shall see to it you are properly instructed in the martial arts. Karate and Kendo should suffice."
Rin's smile dimmed but she kept on smiling. She was glad she was getting to learn anything. It wasn't very often that the females of this palace learned a fighting art. She was making the best of what she was receiving. She was in no position to ask too much of her Lord.
"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru. I'm gonna go practice my swords okay?" she said with a grin and left.
Hasuko glared at Sesshomaru. The inu lord ignored his mate and turned walking back inside the manor. It was true what they said sleeping with the enemy made things very awkward indeed.
"Sesshomaru, she needs to finish learning the Butterfly Swords! You can't just stop her she was making good progress!" Hasuko growled following her mate.
"Hn, she needs not know the foreign arts. She is Japanese, and she will learn a Japanese art." Sesshomaru glared coldly.
Hasuko's mouth dropped. He was angry over Rin learning kung fu? That was completely ridiculous.
"Just what is wrong with Rin learning Kung Fu? It's an ancient art! You should be glad she is learning such a beautiful art of defense! Why do you have to be so bull headed you jerk!"
"I have no need to explain to you, Miko. Now, this Sesshomaru has work to do." And with that he sped off.
That son of a- Gah! I hate him so much! Forget that he's my smoking hot mate; he's a royal pain in my legendary backside! As if on cue another voice popped up. Haha, see I told you that you'd find out. To think, you were worried I did something horrible. Yoru you conniving witch! You and your damned hidden agenda! I should purify you! Alas, you can't or you would doom the both of us. I hate you! I love you too Kagome. When shall it be my turn? I am missing my mate.. Sesshomaru is a God in bed. I swear! Oohh just thinking about it- Eew~!! I don't even want to know! You know what, I'm soo not talking to you. That's fine you don't have to talk to me.. But you will always hear me in the end. Lalala Lala~ I can't hear you~!!! Lalala lala! Yes you can~!! Whatever.. Just leave me alone.
"Lady Hasuko, Master Jaken is requesting your assistance." A young maid called bowing from the end of the hall.
"Tell him, I'm on my way." Hasuko sighed and walked in the direction of the little toad's aura.
Kagura sighed as she descended from her feather. She turned in the direction of the village noise and began walking. She was sent to collect information, but she guessed that she could also give some away. Naraku had forgotten to send the poison inscects with her so she was free to do what she wanted. As long as Kanna wasn't able to see her she would be safe. Well safe mostly, unless Hakudoshi showed up unexpectedly.
Kyaaah! Onii-san! Kagura winced at the high pitched scream but followed it into the forest. She ran fans pulled out to her sides and frowned. It sounded like a child. She didn't care for children, but to kill one was not honorable. Sure, she had no honor but that doesn't mean that she would let others kill little kids while she was around.
"Kuku ku. When I am done with you I will make sure that I enjoy picking the flesh from your beautiful body." An oni laughed evily standing over a little girl. Her eyes were wide with fear and brimming with tears. She glanced at Kagura crying out for help.
"Kuso, it is a kid." Kagura hissed under her breath.
The oni took a step towards the child his mouth salivating. His ugly orange teeth were sharp and jagged. He licked his lips in anticipation of the child's skin. As he lifted his club over his head-
"Dance of the Blades!" Kagura called out smirking as the oni's arm was cut into ribbons.
"Raaaagh~! You wench! You dare interrupt me!?" the oni howled in pain.
"Heh heh, I dare many things, and killing you is one of them." Kagura smiled wickedly glancing at the child as she ran behind some bushes.
The oni angrily turned towards the wind witch and charged his one arm raised and poised to claw her into pieces. Kagura casually side stepped him and whipped out her fan.
"How 'bout a piece of dragon power? Ryuuja no Mai!" she hissed and watched as the oni was blown away. She groaned as a piece of oni blob landed on her cheek.
"Sick… Oh well. Little girl!" she beckoned the child hiding as she wiped her face.
"W-who are you?" the child demanded trembling in her bush.
"I am Kagura, and I just saved your life so get out here." The witch barked irritated.
The girl yelped but quickly complied running out from behind the bush. She was making her way over to Kagura when she tripped. She braced herself for the impact but she never fell. Instead she landed into a large soft feather.
"Oh! A feader? Is big!" she exclaimed with a gasp. She giggled as she played with the soft wisps.
"Yes kid, it's a feather. Now can you tell me what your name is, and what are you doing out here by yourself. You're too young to leave your mother." Kagura scolded shaking her head.
The girl smiled and pulled herself onto the feather with all her strength. She looked up at the youkai and giggled her small fangs peaking through.
So, she's a hanyou.. Where are her parents?
"My onii-san named me Gou! Gou is five springs old! I was playing with Onii-san when I got lost. Can you help me find Onii-san?" Kagura looked from the girl's expectant gaze into the thick trees surrounding them. She couldn't smell anyone nearby, but maybe she could see something from the sky.
"Okay, but we're going to fly. Just sit still and don't fall off, okay kid?" she smiled a bit and hopped onto the feather. She almost laughed when the girl cooed all the way up into the air. It was amazing she didn't fall off the edge since she was leaning so far down to see what was below them.
"Sugoi~! Obaa-chan, everything is small!" she giggled.
Kagura growled glaring at the inattentive kid. She wasn't THAT old, heck the Gou was probably older than her by a year or two.
"You can call me onee-san. You could call me obaa-san if I was thirty years older. Even then you would be half a century too soon." Kagura laughed.
"Okay!"
Half an hour rolled by as they flew over the country side. Gou had said that she lived in the mountains with her brother, but Kagura hadn't seen anyone for over three miles now.
"Are you sure you know where we're going Kid?" Kagura asked getting impatient with the way they were progressing.
"Yup! See! There he is! Onii-san~!!!!!" she yelled waving down to her brother.
Kagura looked down to see a demon glaring at the girl. His fangs were bared and his knuckles cracking. His long black hair reached his waist, feathery and silky looking. His deep purple eyes seemed to be burning with anger. Kagura reluctantly lowered her feather down to the ground watching as the girl ran towards her brother.
"Onii-san! I'm back!" she ran up to him but stopped when she saw the look of anger on his face.
"Gou, where have you been! I had told you not to leave my sight and I would be doing business. I avert my eyes for two seconds. Two seconds! And the next thing I know, you're missing and I can't find you anywhere!" the demon growled angrily.
Kagura stood back watching the older sibling scold the other. He was rather handsome, he rivaled that of even Sesshomaru. Where Sesshomaru was beautiful and stealthy, this man was handsome and his face was definitely more masculine than Sesshomaru's.
The swords hanging from his hips were hidden in his dark locks. He wore black hakama and haori. Keeping his clothes together and holding his swords were two sashes; He wore white and purple sashes braided around his hips. He looked deadly.. Like a fallen angel coming for revenge.
"W-well I got bored! Onii-san always talks with his friends, but Gou has to sit still inside! I like to play too! You said I could play! Onii-san promised to teach Gou how to fly! Onii-san's a baka!" Gou cried upset with her brother.
His glare let up replaced with a look of hurt. He seemed to really take Gou's insult to heart.
"Gou, you know I have work to do. You can't possibly mean that can you?" his voice was coated in melancholy.
Gou's anger seemed to deflate a bit but she still frowned.
"Mhmm… Because, onii-san doesn't play with me anymore. Onii-san only works and he doesn't talk to Gou! You only talk to Mr. Fatty-head!"
"Lady Kaede, we're back." Shippou called into the hut. He jumped from Miroku's shoulder and ran into the hut. His eyes were teary and his heart still broken. His mother was gone, and he didn't know what to do. She was the best thing to happen to him since his own parent's died. His father was killed by the Thunder Brother's and he was allowed that revenge through Inuyasha. But what was he going to do now? Inuyasha had killed Kagome! She was gone! Forever….
"What is it child?" Kaede asked concerned.
"Kaede, K-kagome's dead! Okaa-san is dead!" Shippou cried flinging himself into the miko's chest. He held onto her hard for support and cried his little eyes out soaking her garments through.
Kaede's eyes were wide. She looked down at the young kit in her arms and didn't know how to react. She stared at him and held him to her. She told him sweet things and rocked him in her arms while tears made their way into her own eyes. In a way Kagome had been like the daughter she had never had. She was the family had never been allowed to have. The life of a miko was surely a lonely one, and now the happy family she had allowed to form was leaving her.
Sango came and told her of the news. She had explained everything while holding in her tears. She had stated so coldly the fact of how she had killed her dear sister Kikyo. Kikyo had needed to pass on, but it was still sad to hear of her death. She had felt betrayed when Miroku told her that Kikyo had forced Inuyasha to kill Kagome. Not only had she lost Kagome and Kikyo, but now she had also lost Inuyasha. He may not have been dead, but he would never show his face at this village again. His fate was sealed when he allowed his sisters clay pot self to cast a spell on him.
With heavy grief and melancholy she looked out the hut and into the woods she had seen the young couple walk to so many times. So many times had she told Kagome goodbye as she disappeared into them. She would never see her again, and she had not even got the chance to say goodbye.
"Everything will be okay…. Shippou, for your sake I pray that Kagome is still alive."
XxOoXxOoXxOoXxOo READ AND REVIEW oOxXoOxXoOxXoOxX
Me: Long time no see everybody! I just wanted to thank you for being patient with me and for even reading my story to begin with
Kago: Yea thanx for not ditching us like Miss Lazy ass over here!
San: yes, perhaps we should torture you for keeping us waiting so darn long
Mir: Strip Poker torture!!! You shall strip before me!
Nara: Yes, finally Sesshy shall be naked before me
Sess: when hell freezes over and the fat lady sings
Inu: You sing?
ME: Haha, man I missed you guys!
Shipp: I missed you too sensei! *hugs*
Kago: Keep reading okay! Thanx ^^