Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.
I apologize if I am moving too fast in my story. I was just going through it, and I'm introducing and bringing back characters in every chapter, so it seems like it's going really fast.
It was eveningtime. Belladonna's eyebrows were drawn together in an X of concentration. She stared at the fish in the stream, and with a few skilful arrows, arranged the dinner.
Although it had been a week since she had joined the band, Kouga and Inuyasha still had misgivings. It was quite a shock for them to realise that they agreed on something other than Kagome's safety.
"She's suspicious. " Inuyasha declared, throwing up his arms in frustration. "We don't know anything about her!"
"She has the lily tattoo, Inuyasha, thats clearly the mark of the lily. " Kagome's voice carried a hint of frustration. She fingered the shikon no tama shard that she wore around her neck. It was a rather big shard, and it was taking every modicum of Kagome's powers to conceal its aura.
"She could be an imposter." Miroku still had misgivings.
"Or maybe you are upset that a girl beat you-effortlessly." Sango murmured. It was a loud murmur, and Miroku blushed scarlet-as was the intention.
"Ok, what about the mark of the dragon, then?" Miroku questioned. "Maybe she's got other tattoos on her body?" he cast a lecherous glance at Belladonna's frame.
Sango hit his head with her hiraikotsu. It was hard, and knocked his head forward.
"Oh, did I do that? Sorry, didn't mean to." She said in response to Miroku's baleful stare.
"Can we all just agree that she's here to help?" Kagome stated. "She gave me the shikon no tama shards, maybe she knows of the prophecy!"
Belladonna walked up. "Dinner." She said, holding an arrow with fish impaled, like a sheesh kebab.
As they all sat around the hastily made fire, and ate the charred fish, Kagome, Sango and Inuyasha all cast furtive glances at each other. Kouga was not there, he had gone off to search for his own dinner. Although Kagome had defended Belladonna, and believed she was the warrior, she had her own doubts.
"Belladonna?" Kagome ventured.
Belladonna looked her way. She had finished eating much before the rest and had been staring into the embers of the fire. It was a questioning stare that she threw at Kagome.
"Do you...have any other mark on your body?" She asked, and immediately wanted to bite her tongue.
Belladonna raised her eyebrows. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
"You know, tattoos?" Kagome asked. When Belladonna just shook her head, Kagome asked "Dragon tattoo?"
Understanding filled Belladonna's face. "Are you asking about Midoriko's prophecy?"
Kagome felt a wave of relief. "So you do know what we are talking about!"
"Sure" Belladonna nodded. "My clan is called the Dragons. Mark of the lily and the dragon right?"
"But, if that's so, isn't your entire clan fitting the prophecy?" Sango asked.
"Oh yeah." Belladonna said. "I'm also the first in my family to be born with purple eyes. " Kagome screwed up her face.
"You know, purple eyes-dragon eyes?" Belladonna pursed her mouth. "I've actually been waiting for you guys to ask me that question"
"So why didn't you tell us?" Sango smiled.
"I don't voluntarily offer up information. " Belladonna said curtly.
"Oh. " Sango was embarrassed.
Miroku pushed himself off the ground and walked over to Belladonna's side. Seating himself on the same log as Belladonna, and ignoring Kagome and Sango's warning glances, he grabbed Belladonn'a hands and gazed into her eyes.
"Has anyone told you what beautiful eyes you have?" He asked rhetorically.
"Many times. " Belladonna said frostily, and made to turn away.
Miroku pulled her towards him.
"Belladonna. " He began. "Will you be the mother of my children?" He smiled.
"No thanks" was Belladonna's crushing reply.
"Oh" Miroku looked crestfallen. This was the first time someone had refused him directly. Kagome had been too nice to say anything, and Sango anyway liked him. The women of the village viewed him a catch , and responded with titters and blushes, so naturally he was nonplussed.
"I understand if you want to wait..." Miroku trailed off.
"Not really. " Belladonna shrugged.
"Or if there is someone else...?" Miroku asked.
"Nope. " Belladonna shook her head.
"Oh." Miroku looked straight. He edged away from Belladonna until he was at the edge of the log.
Sango and Kagome were trying to curb their giggles. Even Inuyasha seemed to be amused by the affair, while Kirara purred next to the fire.
Belladonna rubbed her hands together. Kagome looked at her. Despite the respite of the recent occurrence, there seemed to be a tension in the air.
"You feel it?" Kagome asked.
Belladonna acquiesced . The fire snapped and crackled. The tension was faint. Kirara stopped from warming herself by the embers and purred restlessly. Inuyasha's ears twitched. He suddenly leapt to his feet and swore.
"The bastard!" Inuyasha exclaimed.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried. "Whats the matter?"
"He's here." Inuyasha snarled, drawing the Tetsusaiga.
"Who?" Kagome got up.
A shadow fell over the fire. It seemed to darken.
"What does he want now?" Inuyasha swore.
There was a blast of air, and a hideous trumpeting sound. There was a massive noise, as a body collided with the ground. When the dust cleared, they saw him, his perfect features illuminated by firelight. The two headed dragon Ah and Un stood next to him, with A small dark haired child sitting on in. An imp was apopletic with rage at the back.
"Sesshomaru." Sango breathed. There seemed to be a problem, because his eyes were red, and purple marks were on his cheeks.
"He's upset." Miroku summed up. "Why?"
"Inuyasha." Sesshomaru growled. "How dare you!"