A/N: Yay another chapter! This one had more Sesshoumaru and Arianna interaction. I also want to say thank you to all the people who have reviewed you make my day :)
Disclaimer: All the characters belong to their respective owners, I only twist them to suit my own purposes.
I would like to take this moment to explain the whole Master of Death thing as I understand some of you are slightly confused about it. Ari is the Master of Death but not in the conventional sense, she is more like his companion (hence the title of the story) she can summon him and talk to him but others can't see him or interact with him. Death can no longer touch the Hallows as they are not in his world of existence which is why he can't call them back to him. Ari isn't immortal as such as she can ask Death to take he soul when she wishes to die but until that moment she won't grow old and will be brought back to life if she should die. No one knows of her connection with Death as of this moment so is unaware of the Hallows all they see is a pretty bracelet.
Anyway now that that is out of the way enjoy the chapter :)
Ari appeared in Keade's hut with a soft crack and immediately started giggling like a lunatic. Miroku, Sango and Keade who were inside the hut had jumped in surprise at her sudden appearance but they smiled happily once they realised she was safe. Ari turned the Elder wand back into a charm and fitted it back to her bracelet.
"Where have you been? We were worried sick." Sango asked the still laughing girl. "I went back to the clearing after you never came back but you were gone. Kagome was worried sick."
"Ari?" Kagome and Inuyasha entered the hut and when she saw Ari she burst into tears. "Where did you go?"
"Ah well I fell asleep in the clearing after Sango left and when I woke up it was dark." Ari had stopped laughing when she saw Kagome's tears and moved to embrace the poor girl. "I tried to make it back to the village on my own but I got lost, then my sword started to glow. I figured it was trying to lead me back here because when I went off the path it wanted me to go it stopped glowing, so like the Gryffindor I am I stupidly followed it. So long story short I met up with Lord Jackass and his cute little human ward – which I don't really understand considering the fact that he seems to hate humans – he tried to kill me because I called him Lord Jackass but used the Elder wand to get him away from me with magic and now we are going to play a game called 'What Am I?'"
"Lord Jackass? Who is that?" Kagome questioned.
"Ain't it obvious," Inuyasha said chuckling. "It's Sesshoumaru. Ha Lord Jackass damn I would have given everything to see his expression to that name."
"Oh I see," Sango said then her eyes widened. "Wait a minute did you say he had a human ward?"
"Yup, I don't understand that part either but she's adorable none-the-less." Ari replied with a shrug.
"You mean Lord Jackass the human hating youkai now has a human, a little girl no less." Inuyasha said and at Ari's nod he looked appalled then shocked. "I don't believe it. That's unthinkable...I mean why would...What would...How?"
Ari just shrugged and moved over to her trunk and grabbed her holly wand and caressed it lovingly "Oh my dear sweet wand I will never leave you alone again. My own, my precious." Everyone looked at Ari like she had grown another head but Ari ignored them in favour of attaching her wand and holster back to her arm. She opened her trunk and rummaged through it before pulling out a tub of bruise ointment, opening the lid she began to rub it on her neck wincing slightly.
"Did Sesshoumaru give you those bruises?" Miroku asked gently.
"Yup, like I said he had enough of my insults and tried to kill me." Ari replied with a grin.
"You said you're now playing a game right?" Kagome asked and Ari responded with a nod. "You mean you're playing a game with a very deadly assassin?"
"...Yes..." There was a tone of uncertainty in her voice.
"How STUPID can you be?" Kagome blew up angrily.
"Calm down child and listen to what Lady Ari has to say." Keade said softly.
"What did you expect me to do? The guy was seconds away from killing me Kagome; I used my magic in front of him. He wanted to know what I was so I came up with a way to extend my life. Excuse me for trying to stay alive."
"What is the game exactly?" Sango asked as Kagome fumed silently.
"Every time we meet he is going to ask a question or guess as to what I am and I will answer the question honestly or tell him if his guess is correct. It was the only way I could keep my life and possibly get away with insulting him." Ari grinned at the last part. "I mean if he kills me before he guesses then he will never know what I am so I doubt he will do it."
"To think this whole situation with Lord Sesshoumaru could have been avoided if you had used that spare wand thing you have to get back here." Miroku said with a shake of his head.
"Hee hee yeah I um forgot about that one." Ari said not really wanting to tell them the real reason why she didn't want to use the Elder wand. Kagome looked at her with an annoyed expression on her face, clearly she still wasn't too happy about Ari being alone with Sesshoumaru.
"You're an idiot," Kagome sneered. "You think you can keep Sesshoumaru entertained for long with your little game. How nice it must be in your perfect little world, Lady Arianna Potter, wealthy, powerful and famous. How nice it must be to get everything you want at the snap of your fingers. How nice it must be to have everyone begging at your feet for your attention. You're pathetic!"
"How dare you," Ari said the anger rolling of her in waves. "Perfect? You think my life is perfect? Yeah I might be wealthy, powerful and famous but I didn't ask to be did I? I worked very hard to master my magic to gain that power unlike you, you lazy cow. You just stand around expecting Inuyasha to save you or relying on the spiritual power inside of you which by the way in case you didn't notice YOU can't CONTROL! Why don't you do everyone a favour and learn to master it and whilst you're at it learn how to use a God damned bow properly there's no point carrying it around with you if all you do is aim and hope for the best after all is was your own lack of skills and intelligence that broke the Shikon jewel in the first place. The only thing your useful for is for sensing the damned jewel shards. At least I've done something useful with my life."
"Guys why don't we all..." Inuyasha started hesitantly.
"STAY out of it!" Both angry girls shouted at him causing him to yelp and hide behind Miroku.
"I'm useless am I? Well at least I'm not some coward, running away from my world because the 'pressure' of being a hero is just too much. 'Oh I defeated the Dark Lord and now I can't stand everyone kissing up to me'" Kagome said trying to imitate Ari's voice. "'Oh I know I will just go find some adopted family of mine and try and get them to pity me. Maybe then I can actually start to feel loved. Oh let's travel down the well that Kagome found and start intruding on her life there.' You are so annoying you're only playing this game with Sesshoumaru because you want him you attention seeking whore."
"So we get to real issue of why you're so angry." Ari said with a dark smile. "You're jealous! You're jealous of the fact that I have piqued Sesshoumaru's curiosity with my magic, whilst you are some mere imitation of Kikyou. You're jealous that I'm receiving Sesshoumaru's attention whilst the one you love chooses someone that's nothing more than a walking zombie. I have no feelings romantic, sexual or any other positive emotion towards Sesshoumaru I'd rather cuddle up to an iceberg it would probably be a lot warmer than trying to cuddle up to Lord Jackass anyway. And for the record I don't want or need your pity, and I got sick of everyone trying to be my friend under false pretences being a hero I dealt with it but the falsities and the lies I got sick of them. I'd like to see you do what I've done but then again you're so useless you'd have died the first time."
Ari's head snapped to the side as Kagome's hand made contact with her cheek "At least I know what love feels like unlike you. I have the love of my friends and my family; your family didn't even want you. Your mother and father went and got themselves killed like stupid fools and your aunt and uncle hated the very ground you walked on."
Ari snarled and her wand was pointed at Kagome within seconds of her insulting Ari's parents. Kagome backed up quickly with eyes wide in fright as she saw the hate filled green eyes in front her. Ari was visibly shaking with barely constrained anger as she spoke in a deadly calm voice "Don't you EVER insult my parents again do you understand me?" When Kagome nodded she lowered her wand and stormed out of the hut.
OoO
They were travelling again but the tension between Ari and Kagome had thickened to an almost unbearable atmosphere. Ari had adamantly refused to so much as glance at Kagome whilst the latter was trying to hardest to apologise. The rest of the group was walking dejectedly under the tense silence that Ari and Kagome had created, even Inuyasha didn't say anything as he glanced between his two angry friends. They had just left an old man and his grandson after helping them back to their village and were continuing on their search for Naraku.
"I smell blood an' lots of it." Inuyasha said as he sniffed the air. "It's coming from the village we just left that old man at."
"We have to go back and help Inuyasha." Sango said hurriedly
"Feh no way we have to search for Naraku." Inuyasha replied.
"We are going back Inuyasha." Kagome said and Inuyasha was quick to agree, he didn't want to risk Kagome's temper being directed at him.
They quickly turned around and made their way back to the village, Ari wondered what or who had attacked the village. They reached the road which lead directly to the village and found the little boy they had helped before, bleeding on the ground. Ari was quick to rush to his side her practise as a Healer kicking in. She pulled out the necessary equipment from her trunk and started to treat him.
"No!" The boy said. "You need to help my grandpa, he's in the village."
"Inuyasha and I will go and check it out whilst you girls stay behind." Miroku said and was quick to whisk Inuyasha away towards the village.
"I need you to keep this pressed tightly to your arm whilst I treat you head ok honey." Ari said as she pressed a gauze to his arm, the boy nodded and placed his hand over the gauze.
"What happened to you?" Sango asked.
"We got back to the village safely but after you guys had left we were attacked by bandits. They killed most of the men but kept the leader wanted all the women to remain untouched. I was hit in the head and stabbed in the arm but Grandpa managed to distract the bandits, preventing them from killing me, and told me to run. So I ran hoping I could catch up to you guys." The boy replied.
"There seems to be more to this then just some bandits ransacking a village, I mean why would they kill all the men but keep the women safe and unharmed." Sango said worriedly looking in the direction of the village.
"I wonder if there okay." Kagome whispered.
"Go," Ari said and upon feeling two pairs of eyes on her she elaborated. "I have things under control here so go and help Inuyasha and Miroku."
Ari watched as Sango and Kagome sped off in the distance and turned her attention back to the boy in front of her, she smiled encouragingly as she engaged him in small talk. She tried to take his mind of what had happened in the village as she disinfected the wound on his head. After giving him a pain relieving potion and rubbing some numbing cream onto his head Ari pulled out a sterilised needle and thread and began to stitch the wound.
"Now these stitches will dissolve when the wound is healed." Ari said as she wrapped the wound with a bandage. She began to dress the wound on his arm when she felt a very familiar aura appear behind her 'seriously I can't get rid of this guy can I' she thought with a sigh.
"To what do I owe the pleasure Lord Jackass?" Ari asked as she began to stitch the boys arm carefully she smirked when she heard his growl in response to the nickname.
"This Sesshoumaru is here for Inuyasha. This one was merely curious as to why you aren't in that village helping the others in your group." He replied uncaringly.
"I'm clearly taking care of this boy. Besides the other members of my group are perfectly capable of taking out a few bandits." Ari rolled her eyes and put some cream on the wound to reduce swelling.
"And how are they at dealing with Inuyasha?" He asked smugly.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Ari asked icily.
"Inuyasha is currently in his demonic form."
Ari cursed under her breath and hurriedly bandaged the wound, telling the boy to stay put until it was safe she ran to village leaving behind a very smug Daiyoukai.
"Goodbye and thank you Lady Ari." The boy called after her retreating form.
Upon reaching the village she stumbled at the sight in front of her, there was blood everywhere from the dead bandits. Ari knew that it was Inuyasha who had killed them judging by the blood on his hands. She watched as Sango and Miroku tried to keep Inuyasha away from them whilst Kagome pleaded with Inuyasha to stop. Allowing her wand to slip into her hand she raised it and cast a quick spell to protect Sango, Kagome and Miroku. A strong magical barrier erected around the three and Inuyasha was sent flying away from them, growling he stood and moved at rapid speed to attack Ari. 'Well I clearly didn't think this one through' she thought as she let loose a string of spells at Inuyasha who, with his enhanced speed, dodged them. Inuyasha lunged at Ari and before she could cast a barrier she found herself on the ground a hand wrapped round her throat and her wand rolling away from her. Snarling Inuyasha raised his other hand intending to smash through Ari's frail human body but before he could he was torn away from Ari.
"What is it with you inuyoukai and the need to strangle me." Ari coughed as she sat up to gaze upon her saviour, only to see the fluttering silver hair of Sesshoumaru.
"Oh Lord Jackass you saved me," Ari said pretending to swoon and clutch at her heart. "You really do care." She added as she wiped an imaginary tear from her eye.
"This Sesshoumaru does not wish you to die before he finds out what you are." Sesshoumaru said coldly as he looked around at the damage Inuyasha had caused.
"Yup figured as much." Ari said as she stood up.
"You are nothing more than a murderous demon." Sesshoumaru said as he addressed Inuyasha. 'Takes one to know one' Ari thought 'how many people have you killed?'
"Come at me Inuyasha I wish to test your strength transformed." Sesshoumaru goaded Inuyasha who growled and cracked his knuckles. Inuyasha ran towards his brother and taking a giant leap into the air he lunged at Sesshoumaru who merely draw Tokijin.
"No don't do it Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru's sword is too strong for you." Miroku shouted but Inuyasha didn't listen. He clenched his hand into a fist and punched the sword out of the way, much to Sesshoumaru's and everyone else's surprise. Inuyasha landed on the ground with deep cuts on his arm from Tokijin, whilst Sesshoumaru insulted Inuyasha calling him 'foolish'. Inuyasha lunged forward again but Sesshoumaru dodged his attack by jumping above Inuyasha and landed behind him. Sesshoumaru pointed his sword at Inuyasha and Ari felt its pulse as its power hit Inuyasha dead on causing more deep cuts across his body, Inuyasha ignored the cuts and lunged forward again. Ari quickly came to the conclusion that Inuyasha couldn't feel the pain that his wounds were causing. Ari watched as Sesshoumaru easily dodged all of Inuyasha's attacks she saw Sesshoumaru's mouth open but was unable to hear what he said as he was too far away. Sesshoumaru jumped into the air and away from Inuyasha to create more distance between them bringing the Daiyoukai closer to Ari.
"Know your place in the world half breed." Ari flinched slightly in anger as Sesshoumaru said that after all she was a half blooded witch not that the youkai Lord knew this if course. Inuyasha lunged at Sesshoumaru as the latter stepped forward. "A half demon should act like one. On your knees!"
Sesshoumaru thrust his sword out in front of him and the powerful light it emitted had Ari squinting her eyes as she tried to look at what was happening. The power struggle only lasted a few seconds, Sesshoumaru clearly being the most powerful and Inuyasha was flung back onto the ground throwing up dust. Kagome rushed towards him with a cry of his name and flung herself on the ground next to him begging Sesshoumaru to stop attacking him.
"He has finally been brought down," Sesshoumaru said walking nearer, disregarding Kagome's threat to not come nearer as Sango and Miroku shot forward. Ari casually walked forward knowing full well that Kagome was in no danger. "If you wish him to stop use Tessaiga to reverse the transformation, otherwise he will continue to fight when he awakens."
"Ha I knew it!" Ari declared happily. "I knew you cared for him really."
"You're wrong," Sesshoumaru sneered. "I will slay him eventually, why kill him now when he doesn't know himself? There would be no point."
"You keep telling yourself that." Ari grinned.
"And you!" Kagome said pointing angrily at Ari. "You have the power to stop Sesshoumaru from doing this to Inuyasha didn't you?"
"Maybe I did but then again maybe I didn't." Ari replied casually.
"If you did then why didn't you?" Kagome shouted.
"I didn't want to be attention seeking after all according to you that's what I am right?" Ari said venomously.
"Go to hell!" Kagome replied.
"Please," Ari said grinning darkly. "Is that the best comeback you could think up?"
"Stupid whore!" Kagome hissed.
"Clearly you and I have a different definition of what it means to be a whore. I mean I'm still a virgin and I don't come here dressed in the shortest skirt I can find. You're to one that looks like a whore not me." Ari smiled as she Kagome turned back to Inuyasha huffing.
"This Sesshoumaru will take his leave." Sesshoumaru said after listening to the two human girls argue providing him with some amusement. Turning around he started making his way back to his own group whom he had left behind.
"Hey Lord Jackass wait," Ari called suddenly. "Aren't you going to ask your question?"
"The human boy earlier referred to you as Lady Ari why?" Sesshoumaru said after carefully considering which question he wanted to ask.
"It's my name and title, what else was he supposed to refer to me as?" Ari replied a little stunned that that was his question. She thought he'd ask more direct questions about what she was, upon seeing his glare she decided to develop more on what she had said. "Where I am from I am known as Lady Arianna Potter, Lady of the noble and most ancient house of Black, Lady of the noble and most brave house of Gryffindor and Lady of noble and most loyal house of Potter. I am was into the house of Potter and as a consequence am the direct descendant of Godric Gryffindor, the owner of the sword I told you about. I was named heir of the house of Black by my godfather who was Lord before me. Was that a satisfactory answer to your question?"
"Hn," Sesshoumaru said making Ari's eye twitch 'what does hn mean?' She thought 'someone needs invent a book on the different things hn means'. "Until next time Lady Arianna Potter."
Ari's whole body twitched at the sarcastic and patronising way he'd said her name, she glared heatedly at his retreating form. "Lord Jackass!" She shouted at his back stamping her foot on the ground like a child she was tempted to turn his hair bright pink.
A/N: So Ari and Kagome are currently arguing, Inuyasha went crazy and Sesshoumaru asked his first question wow that was lot of stuff happening in one chapter.
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