Chapter 16: Deception
"Oh I almost forgot!" Alice exclaimed as she and Sango were heading back to Densuke's house, "I think I've found a way to get to the castle!"
Sango looked over at Alice in surprise saying, "Really? That's great! I can't wait to tell the others."
The two laughed as they entered Densuke's house, only to meet four worried but relieved faces.
"What took you guys so long," Inuyasha complained as they entered annoyance and a little concern hidden in his tone.
"Yeah, we were worried about you, especially when you disappeared so suddenly," Shippo told Alice from where he stood next to Kagome.
"Yes, especially when Sango, who went looking for you, didn't come back," Miroku added.
"I'm glad to see that you're both okay though," Kagome put in happily.
"Sorry," Alice replied while dipping her head, "I didn't mean for everyone to get worried."
Miroku nodded before pointing out, "Well you look happy, did something good come up?"
Alice grinned as she and Sango exchanged a mischievous look before Alice turned back to Miroku and replied casually, "Oh, nothing much."
"Well then, would you care to tell me?" Miroku responded, catching the mischievous look Alice gave Sango, "After all we don't have any secrets between us do we?"
"Miroku, behave yourself, or Sango might get offended," Kagome scolded as Miroku approached the two.
"I don't get offended," Sango argued as Miroku put in, "Of course, I was worried about Sango too you know."
"Were you really?" Sango asked in happy disbelief.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Miroku replied while blinking in surprise at Sango, who immediately blushed while Alice giggled.
I see, so Sango must have a crush on Miroku. That explains her behavior towards me before, she just wanted to hang out with Miroku but I kept on getting in the way.
Miroku then walked over next to Sango and patted her on the back before revealing his true intentions. When Alice saw what they were she sighed. Wow Miroku… I kind of expected this from you, but right now? Not the best of timing…
Sango stiffened before muttering angrily, "Miroku…"
Miroku chuckled before Sango turned around and slapped him across the face, leaving a clear pink mark from where she hit him. Miroku looked down at the ground dejectedly, while everyone else didn't look too surprised at the monk's actions.
Shippo sighed, "Why are they always like this?"
"Sango's going to be in a bad mood again," Inuyasha whispered to Kagome who replied, "Who can blame her?"
Alice sighed, shaking her head.
"Is something wrong?" Kagome asked as she walked up to Alice, Inuyasha soon following with Shippo on his shoulder.
"Huh? Oh no, nothing's wrong," Alice replied, "But guess what? I found an alternate route to the castle!"
"Really?" Inuyasha responded suddenly more interested in the conversation than before.
"Yeah, you can get there by going through a cave found on the outskirts of the village," Alice explained happily.
"Wow, you sure seem enthusiastic about this," Inuyasha replied a bit surprised.
"Why wouldn't I be? This route will save us the effort of going the long way to the castle. Also today has been a pretty good day," Alice responded while glancing at Sango who smiled back.
"Will you guys be staying another night?" Densuke asked as he entered the room.
"Nope, I think we've stayed long enough," Alice replied as Inuyasha agreed, "We can't be relaxing here forever, let's get going."
"Well then, may your journey be safe and remember if you ever need a place to stay you know where to find me," Densuke replied.
"Right, thanks for everything! Bye!" Alice called over her shoulder as they headed out.
Sango and Alice then lead everyone to the cave they were just in a few moments ago, and within moments they arrived.
"Wow, no wonder we didn't notice this cave before," Kagome said as she looked around, "It's hidden very well."
Alice nodded as Sango replied, "Yeah, it took me a while to find it."
Alice took the lead as everyone filed into the cave. As they walked through the dimly lit cave, Alice couldn't help but feel sad.
It's only been a couple of minutes since Kohaku left but it seems like he's still here… I wish I could've brought him back Alice thought sadly as she turned to look back at Sango.
When the two's eyes met they both exchanged a look of sorrow before letting it die from their eyes before someone else in the group noticed.
A light from the soon to be setting sun shone through the exit of the cave, Alice and everyone else picked up their pace until they were running towards the entrance.
"Finally, sunshine!" Alice said happily as they stepped out of the darkness and into the light.
Everyone smiled and agreed before setting out on the road to the Castle Town. They were walking a good pace and enjoying the peaceful scenery until a piercing scream filled the area. Alice jumped, as did everyone else, at the sound of the scream, hands immediately going to her sword.
"It's a woman, and by the sound of it she's in trouble," Miroku concluded.
No really? I thought she was screaming for fun. Alice thought bitterly before the woman called out again, "Help demon! Somebody help me!"
"We're coming!" Alice yelled as they began running.
"Oh, she's a beautiful woman too," Miroku said out loud as they ran.
Alice looked back at Miroku and replied, "You can tell just by her voice?"
Miroku just shrugged as he ran past Alice towards the voice. Alice sighed I don't know what he's up to but at least he'll be able to reach her quickly.
"Miroku sure moves quickly when it comes to woman," Shippo pointed out as Inuyasha spoke up, "Keh, whatever. If it's a demon we gotta help, let's hurry up already."
When they reached the demon, Alice found herself a bit surprised when she spotted not one but three beautiful woman. Wow, I'm impressed Miroku, you were right they are beautiful.
"Travelers, please help us!" one woman called out.
"Of course, just stay right there and we'll deal with the demon," Miroku replied as he grabbed the rosary beads on his hand.
What's he doing? Alice thought as she unsheathed her sword and ran in between the three women and the demon.
Miroku and the others soon followed until Miroku stood at the head of the pack, pulled of the prayer beads and yelled, "Wind Tunnel!"
Alice stared in astonishment as a vortex came from the monks hand and began pulling the demon towards it. As the demon came closer to the monk's hand, it screamed out in fear before completely disappearing into Miroku's hand.
The three women, as well as Alice, stared at Miroku in wonder and awe as he turned around and grinned at them. At this, Alice immediately shook her head to clear her thoughts and tried to look uninterested.
The women, on the other hand, immediately pushed past Alice and looked towards Miroku with gratitude in their eyes saying, "Thank you so much! It was due to your bravery that we were saved."
"Oh, it's nothing," Miroku replied happily.
"I don't even want to think about what would've happened if you didn't save me," the woman in an elegant dark blue kimono responded.
"I'm here now so everything will be okay," Miroku told them with a smile.
"You're so strong," the woman in the pink kimono praised.
"And handsome," the woman in the brown kimono added while blushing.
Oh great Alice thought as she rolled her eyes.
Miroku laughed, "I'd never get hurt by such a weak demon."
"Come on Miroku let's go already," Sango called out coldly.
"Sango's right, if there are no demons left then our job is done here," Inuyasha added.
"Yeah, we are still a long ways away from the castle so let's hurry up and head out," Kagome put in.
"Wait a minute!" the woman in the elegant kimono interrupted holding out her hand to stop everyone, "I'd like to show my appreciation to you. If you'd like, please come to my mansion."
"Thank you very much, we'll be honored to go with you," Miroku replied.
Who died and made him king Alice thought as she stopped and looked back at the monk irritably as Inuyasha called out, "Hey Miroku, why in the world would we need to go to some woman's house?"
"Yeah, we need to focus on getting to the castle," Sango added.
"At least let me prepare a meal for you guys," the woman pressed on.
"Actually… I am pretty hungry," Inuyasha replied giving into the suggestion as his belly grumbled.
"I'll prepare meat, fish, and some mountain vegetables," the woman went on happily.
Wow Inuyasha, so all this is all it takes for you to give into something? Alice thought as she cast a disbelieving glance at him as the woman in the brown kimono spoke up, "There are a lot of demons ahead of here, but if you come with us we could at least give you a nice meal."
"It seems pretty dangerous around here," Inuyasha replied while looking around.
"Maybe it's not such a bad idea to go to the mansion," Kagome agreed.
"I guess it would be bad to part ways here," Sango added as everyone turned towards Alice, to see what she had to say about the decision to go to the mansion or not.
Alice sighed. Geez guys, and here I thought you'd be focused on getting to the castle and nothing else.
"Okay, okay, we can go but please, let's make it a quick visit," Alice reluctantly agreed.
"Well they did invite us so it would be rude to refuse," Inuyasha pointed out.
"As long as I'm here you don't need to worry about demons," Miroku continued to the women as they took off towards the mansion.
"Yeah they need to start worrying about him," Alice muttered to Sango.
"He sure reacts swiftly when it comes to this sort of thing," Shippo added from Alice's shoulder.
"No kidding," Alice replied as she looked up at the pink sky, "Well at least we'll have a place to stay for the night."
The woman with the elegant kimono, who later introduced herself as Yurihime, led the group to a huge mansion placed in the middle of the forest.
What a weird place to put a mansion Alice thought as they walked up to the mansion.
Once inside, Yurihime led the group into a guestroom before bowing and stating, "Your meals will be ready in a few minutes."
"Wow, what a mansion," Kagome exclaimed as she looked around the fancy room.
"No kidding," Shippo agreed. Alice shrugged as everyone took their place around the room.
Alice sat near a wall next to Kagome who sat next to Miroku. Across from Alice was Shippo who sat next to Sango who sat next to Inuyasha.
When Yurihime returned she brought with her a massive amount of food and laid a portion of it in front of everyone.
"Wow, you sure know how to make a lot of food in such a short time. There's no way I could even hope to eat all of this," Kagome stated, a look of impression on her face as she stared at the amount of food before her.
"No kidding," Alice agreed as she stared at the food in amazement.
Everyone smiled and dug in, well, all except for Miroku, who casually walked over to Yurihime and said, "You're such a beautiful woman."
Yurihime immediately blushed and looked away, "Oh, stop it you're making me blush."
Miroku smiled, "But it's the truth."
"Really?" Yurihime replied looking at Miroku.
"Really," Miroku confirmed.
"He never ceases to amaze me," Alice muttered unimpressed as Inuyasha replied, "You'll get used to it eventually."
Sango shook her head while saying annoyed, "A monk huh? Sure doesn't seem like one."
Inuyasha, Kagome, and Alice all looked over at Sango, eyes widening in question before Sango broke her chopsticks in two which sent a flash of wariness through everyone's eyes as they scooted back a few inches.
"Uh, Sango? You okay?" Alice asked uncertainly.
"It's because of Miroku," Kagome leaned over and explained quietly.
Really now… Alice thought as she looked over at Miroku who carried on, unaware of what had just occurred, "It's such a beautiful night."
"Would you like to come with me for a walk outside?" Yurihime asked.
Not hesitating for even a moment Miroku nodded and the two walked out of the room.
"Looks like he was in a hurry," Alice pointed out while taking a bite of fish.
"Is he what you'd call a ladies man?" Shippo asked innocently through a mouthful of fish.
Everyone sighed before Kagome spoke up, "Hey Sango, do you think Miroku will be alright?"
They all looked towards Sango expectantly before flinching at her cold reply, "I don't care, it has nothing to do with me."
Alice and everyone else sighed and went back to eating. Still I feel pretty bad that she had to fall for a pervert like Miroku, but I can easily see why she would Alice thought as she remembered all the monk's good qualities that had appealed to her.
"Hey, I was wondering, why is Miroku trying to find Naraku anyway?" Alice asked, changing the subject, while putting her chopsticks down neatly over her plate.
"I guess I haven't explained to you about the Wind Tunnel have I?" Kagome replied turning towards Alice.
"The Wind Tunnel? Oh yeah, that's technique or whatever Miroku use to slay that demon today, right?" Alice asked.
"Yes, but it's not exactly a like that. You see, it's a curse that was placed on him by Naraku," Kagome explained.
"A curse, what do you mean by that?" Alice asked worriedly, "I mean, why would Naraku give him something so powerful?"
"It's not that simple," Inuyasha cut in looking over at Alice.
"As time goes by, the Wind Tunnel grows and it will eventually suck Miroku up unless the curse is lifted," Kagome went on sadly.
"You mean that unless we kill Naraku before the curse spreads, Miroku will die," Alice replied, widening her eyes in horror.
Kagome nodded sadly as Alice continued, "I… I never realized..."
All those things I've said about him, I never even realized what horrors Miroku had gone through. Ugh, I'm such an idiot! Alice immediately got up and ran to go after Miroku but stopped dead in her tracks as she heard voices in the hallway. She swiftly backed up to the frame of the door, intently listening on the conversation outside.
"I choose the girl with the black and white hair," one voice said with a hint of pleasure as the other one responded, "Fine, but the girl with her hair tied back is mine."
What's going on out there! Alice thought in horror as she backed away from the door slowly.
Just then Alice noticed something on the wall behind the screen near where she was just sitting moment's ago. Everyone gave her questioning glances as she ran over the screen and tilted it forward so she could investigate what she had just seen.
Huh, what is…? Alice squinted her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting before gasping in surprise and swiftly jumping away from the wall.
Everyone jumped at Alice's reaction and, after regaining herself, Kagome quickly moved over to Alice and tapped her shoulder while giving her a questioning look.
"There's something terribly wrong about this place," Alice murmured, eyes still locked on the wall.
"Alice please calm down," Kagome tried to comfort Alice as Shippo asked, "What do you mean?"
"What're you so scared of?" Inuyasha teased before jumping over to the wall and looking behind the screen
Inuyasha stiffened at the sight behind the screen, as Alice closed her eyes the image still fresh in her mind.
Inuyasha bent down and sniffed the wall before growling, "This is human blood."
"Blood?" Kagome asked in surprise.
"Yeah, and it's all over this wall," Inuyasha confirmed.
"What happened here?" Kagome went on worriedly as she looked around the room.
"I don't know but whatever it is, it's not good," Alice replied as she got up.
"I'm getting worried about Miroku, let's go and find him," Sango put in as everyone nodded in agreement and headed out of the room.
But as Alice exited the room she came to a screeching halt, causing Inuyasha to bump into her and growl, "What's the matter this time?"
Alice ignored him as she narrowed her eyes at the two women that they had saved earlier were now blocking their way.
"Where are you going?" the one in the brown kimono asked as one in the pink kimono continued, "We are in the middle of a gathering you know?"
"Yeah, so what? I need to check on a friend of mine," Alice replied warily.
"Your friend will return soon, just wait here for him," the woman in the brown kimono replied.
"So we're just supposed to wait for him, what if it takes him all night?" Sango asked impatiently.
"Well we'll just have to wait and see," the pink woman replied.
Alice narrowed her eyes. Something isn't right about these two…
"Hmph, they're suspicious," the woman in the pink kimono pointed out.
"Huh?" Shippo asked timidly as Alice snapped, "Of course we're suspicious why wouldn't we be!"
"Until the master gets the monks liver, we mustn't let them leave the room," the woman in the brown kimono stated.
What! Alice thought as she stared at the two in horror.
"Right, we'll just kill them so they don't cause any disturbances," the pink woman stated darkly as she transformed into a demon.
"They've transformed," Shippo called out, terror on his face as the other woman transformed as well.
"No, this is their true form, and we've just fallen straight into their trap," Alice pointed out angrily as she unsheathed her sword.
"Keh, just try it," Inuyasha growled as he unsheathed Tessiaga and stood back to back with Alice.
"Yes, but we need to finish this quickly, if these woman were actually demons than it would be safe to say that Yurihime must be a demon as well and that means Miroku is in danger," Sango pointed out worriedly.
Alice nodded before turning back at the demon that stood in her way. Just hold on Miroku! We'll be right there! And with those thoughts on her mind, Alice jumped towards the demon and raised her now blazing sword high above her head.
Trapped and with no where to run, will the group make it to Miroku before it's too late?
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