An Obscure Encounter
A/N: Aren't I mean, making you all wait. Revised 05/07/15
'What just happened?' Kagome groaned, blinking up at the ceiling. The ground now covered in splinters, tiny scratches adorned her body, the expensive silk shredded. Sesshoumaru watched the girl from the balcony apprehensively, he should not have lost control. The demon Lord slowly approached, but paused when a sudden pink light cocooned the female's body. Looking at his newly formed clawed hand and then look back to the woman his expression perplexed.
'The Miko appears to be holding much more power than this Sesshoumaru first understood.' He should wait until she calmed down, her power overwhelming his primal instinct to react. An internal struggle began in the now clouded golden orbs, as the rain pelted down dispersing any left over power from the futuristic woman.
"Inuyasha" Shippou yelled before transforming into his larger pink balloon the rain patting around his spherical form. "Are we going to get Kagome back?" Inuyasha growled in response, flicking the child who deflated to the ground.
Miroku eyed his Hanyou friend curiously; it was unusual for Inuyasha not to dash off in search of Kagome. It was unusual, but with the amount of fighting the two had done over the past several weeks, Miroku presumed his friends stubborn nature was kicking in more than his need for shard hunting. It was almost winter, they would have to slow down soon due to the harsh weather.
"Sango and I will go and fetch some more firewood" Miroku called out, his beloved Sango eyed him carefully as he tilted the hat he wore to keep the rain off towards her.
'If looks could kill' she thought. Miroku smiled innocently at the demon slayer grabbing her hand and pulling her away from the camp. Feet squelched in the mud but the pair didn't seem to care, retreating away from the brooding mood of the teenage Hanyou. Shippou shrugged, walking over to the fire cat who had shielded herself from the flooding water under a great tree for comfort.
"What are you up to monk?" the demon slayer panted, as they scurried off into the forest. Miroku has placed a hand at the small of her back but did not travel lower, surprising Sango.
"Patients my dear Sango, I only need to speak with you, privately." The walk was short. Soon enough they entered another smaller clearing like their camp, but a fair distance from demon ears. "Sango, you are closest to Kagome did she tell you anything that would warrant her disappearance?" The purple orbs of the monk fixed on her dancing gaze. Sango recollected the talk she had with Kagome. Sure she had confessed out growing her childish love, but she said nothing about Sesshoumaru. Shaking her head at Miroku gave him more troubles. The rain flicking off their matching hats as they scurried back into camp. Before they entered, Sango grabbed Miroku's sleeve.
"She only spoke of her lack of affections for Inuyasha, Kagome's not been herself though as of late." Miroku placed a firm hand under his chin in thought, her brow furrowed as she looked up to the man she loved dearly.
"What is it dear Sango?" he asked quietly, watching his beloved as she recalled the situation.
"It's just, when I went to look for her the morning after the festival." She started, Miroku was listening intently. "Well, I found her on the floor in a daze." The older teen hadn't pressed the matter that night because it seemed irrelevant, Kagome could have merely tripped. Sango continued, "I have a feeling though, that she is hiding something. I didn't want to press her though" Miroku looked back towards the and then back at Sango.
"Do you think whatever she is hiding, Inuyasha knows?" before Sango could answer the small fox demon and the fire cat raced towards them Shippou shouting as his little legs pushed him closer to the two humans.
"Sango, Miroku! Inuyasha's gone!" Shippou slipped launching forward; Miroku caught him with ease patting his back in comfort.
"What do you mean he's gone?" Sango spoke cuddling a damp Kirara mewing at the affection. Shippou scrambled out of the monks grasp dusting himself off.
"He just upped and left." The fox turned quickly continuing his story pointing. "He went that way" Sango and Miroku looked up in the direction of the little fingers pointing to the western path. Sango looked irritated,
'Always so hot headed' she mused, before the two adults jumped on the back of the fire cat Kirara. Sango motioned for the small Kitsune to jump up before they flew off into the air. It wasn't long before they spotted red and silver bobbing up and down in the distance.
Inuyasha was furious, he knew his brother hated him but using Kagome in his vindictive daze. It was just unacceptable. Inuyasha was burning inside, his beast was yearning for the woman Kagome,
'And why should I not, she is strong willed, loyal and…' Inuyasha's eyes flashed red as his beast was released momentarily 'mine.' he bit out a growl so loud, it echo back towards the human trackers Miroku and Sango. Concern riddled their faces as the noise. Inuyasha was so angry. Coming to a break in the vast forest they had covered in no time. Inuyasha descended landing on the edge of a vast lake the downpour rippling the surface.
The others were only a fraction behind. But stayed in the air cautious of their friend in his feral state.
"What do you think he is doing?" Shippou asked quietly, as the Hanyou began sniffing the ground. Sango shook her head, he was obviously tracking, but what he was currently thinking was anyone's guess.
The rain was making it difficult, Inuyasha couldn't scent Kagome clearly, she had been here he was sure of it. However his inferior senses weren't a match for his half-brother's manoeuvres.
"He's really mad isn't he?" the small demon spoke again. The white of his untamed hair swayed with every turn from the boy, sniffing away at faint trails,
'She has been here, I can just about smell her' he snarled walking right of the lakeside.
A small formation of rocks came into view, the sudden misty atmosphere making the visibility somewhat worse for everyone. The red of the fire rat becoming a Rudolph's nose to the humans above, and so they followed him bouncing from rock after rock. In the distance an ominous trail of lights welcomed the travellers, something was up ahead. Something Inuyasha was heading directly for.
Sango couldn't believe it, the boy below was still in his demon state, and his sword hadn't suppressed it back. Something wasn't right and they couldn't just let Inuyasha waltz into wherever they were headed in the state he was currently in. He would kill someone, she was sure of it. Miroku patted her back softly, again not testing the demon slayers mood.
"We have to stop him Miroku" she whispered, her small bangs tickled at his right lobe, the monk blushed; Sango noticed keeping Shippou close. Miroku nodded in acknowledgment, the chance of stopping Inuyasha was slight, but they had to do something. Both looked forward as the lights became clear, revealing an elaborate fortress. Miroku narrowed his eyes, a small gate post sat but a few feet away and the half breed had begun quickening his pace.
'I fear it is too late to stop him now my dear Sango' Miroku glared at the large gate. A recognizable insignia carved into the wood.
Sesshoumaru shot a gaze towards the eastern wing of his palace, never in his lifetime did he believe his little half-brother would venture into their fathers palace. Taking a look at the woman inside the study, Sesshoumaru stepped down from his usual resting place on the balcony.
In his advance he had watched the guests who were to stay be shown into the guest wing, a smaller building inside the grounds. With each room connected by a small outside corridor. He watched the servants scurry around as he floated above unnoticed. Shielding themselves from the rain as they went. He himself however already sodden, didn't take much notice to the pelting water.
Meanwhile the group weren't having any luck with Inuyasha, he had spent the best part of twenty minutes shouting at the guards to let him in, but not surprisingly they had refused. Inuyasha cursed, eyes still red. With the Hanyou quite, Miroku took up this opportunity to ask the guards a simple question.
"If I may, to whom does the insignia belong too?" The demon guards roared in laughter at the question. Miroku kept a blank face, whilst Inuyasha growled at being ignored.
"Why should we answer to a pathetic human like you?" one of the guards answered back, between the laughter of the other three. Miroku nodded in irritation.
"Would I be right in guessing this is the insignia of Lord Sesshoumaru?" Miroku spoke, Inuyasha only growled low.
'So he has come to get Kagome, or at least one of them has.' The monk wasn't sure if it was a good thing that the beast had taken over to retrieve their friend, but if they didn't stop him now he would surely be injured by the guards doing their duty to their lord. Sango clutched tightly to Miroku's abdomen, she was worried too.
A burst of white light fluttered down in front of the feral Inuyasha. Steel hit steel, a loud ringing echoed through the clearing, across the lake. A warrior's melody, the offender pushed the Hanyou back.
"You are here for the young Lady." The demon stated, his sword poised at his side. The group eyed the strange demon, skin glistening gold, with chestnut hair tied in a similar fashion to the monks own. Sango and Miroku narrowed their eyes, he was wearing a strange ensemble.
"What do you know of Kagome?" Spat Inuyasha, sword following the strange demon as it circled the teen dog. The others kept their distance, he was very powerful and well Inuyasha was not likely to cooperate with them. But they didn't feel a threatening aura, more of a taunting trainer air about him.
"I know she is with your brother" he spoke again, wording each syllable with difficulty. Inuyasha growled at the sound of her, his loyal shard detector was with him. The rain seemed to not affect the foreign demon, his skin was fascinatingly water resistant, only enhancing his glittering skin.
A small voice squeaked out from the humans hovering above, the crystal blue eyes poured into the naïve fox.
"Is Kagome safe? Can we see her?" Shippou asked the strange demon. He smiled at the child before fluttering up to them in a burst of the same white light. Sango held onto Shippou tightly in fear.
"Yes your friend is safe, but I'm afraid you cannot go in little demon." Sango held her breath, even though he seemed friendly she could tell he was hardly harmless.
"Thank goodness" Shippou muttered to himself, his emerald eyes shone with happiness, but dropped remembering he couldn't see his adoptive mother.
"I seem to be making your humans uncomfortable" he said again smiling at the fox child.
"You are really strong, Sango and Miroku are just being cautious." Shippou giggled at sango who seemed to not like his observation.
"We are concerned for Inuyasha" Sango said to Shippou, scolding the child gently.
"Inuyasha" the foreign demon spoke distantly"
"Inuyasha is…" Looking down Shippou saw Inuyasha was still mostly demon, his eyes bleeding in anger as the two conversed like friends.
"Uncontrolled" the white dragon spoke softly to the child, before stepping back from the fire cat loaded with guarded humans. In one swift swoop the demon stepped on the gate house, turning to speak to the guards, "I suggest you alert Lord Sesshoumaru. The wild one will need dealing with." However Lord Sesshoumaru made his appearance, still dressed in his Chinese attire. The Hanyou was oblivious but Miroku and Sango rose an eyebrow to one another.
Sesshoumaru had no will to fight tonight. However one look exchanged from bother brothers changed that. His beast curdled at the sight.
"Let her go, she is mine" the voice no longer Inuyasha's spat. Sesshoumaru eyed the group in the distant, very wisely keeping their distance. Still ignoring the half breed, the lord of the west lowered his gaze.
"You may return inside Lord Bo Lei" The other demon nodded and zipped out of sight. Shippou spoke up hesitantly.
"When can Kagome come out?" the green eyes tearing slightly. Sango again held Shippou tightly and Miroku got ready to speak up for the child; however it wasn't needed.
"When my questions have been answered Kitsune, your human will be returned." Inuyasha quickly grabbed a pebble from his feet, and launched it towards his brother who caught it in his newly formed hand. Sesshoumaru threw it back, double speed. The contact sent the Hanyou flying towards the lake. Inuyasha swiftly regained his footing flipping over sword poised to unleash the wind scar.
"Bastard" he yelled inhaling to shout the famous words.
"Do not try my patience Inuyasha" Sesshoumaru let his aura flare wildly, Tessaiga calmed to that of it's useless state causing the half demon eyes to bleed back to his usual gold. Slumping to the ground the teen gritted his teeth before dashing off in the distance.
"Inuyasha!" both humans called,
"If you value your lives humans, stay clear of the Hanyou until your Miko is returned." With that he left the group at his front gate. He had answers he needed from the futuristic Miko, bane of his aristocratic life.
Meanwhile Kagome shifted, it was dark and the room was unrecognizable. She brought her hand straight to her head the sudden pain knocking her into something low and wooden, rubbing her head and her now sore shin, she gradually made herself towards the dimly lit area.
'Jeeze, where am I?' she breathed fiddling with the soaked fabric, 'and where is that damn insufferable demon lord?' she groaned softly before being suddenly knocked off her feet once more.
"What the hell" she yelled rubbing her head once again, 'I should've just stay on the floor' she scoffed squinting in the dark. Looking up towards the only source of light, she noticed a familiar sight on the balcony. Tall, Long hair, well built. Still in his Chinese garb, after her mind painted up Sesshoumaru she instantly spoke up "Where's the fluff?"
"Excuse me?" he spoke a hint of amusement fluttered into the human's ears. The human teen laughed picking herself up once again.
"Sorry, was a bit disorientated there for a second; what happened?" Even in this light all Kagome could make out was the shimmering silver of his hair. Sesshoumaru on the other hand had no problem seeing in the dark, but if he was going to have a discussion with the woman he would at least light the room for the insufferable woman. A sudden flick and a scratch and a small fire was lit on a standing candle. The small bits of flint were then placed back onto the table, the sudden light change caused Kagome to wince, be she watched the man head for his large chair.
"This Sesshoumaru wants to know why you restored his arm?" he spoke clearly. Kagome however began removing her obi. "What are you doing" he tensed and it showed not only in his voice. Kagome now revealing her under garment folded the obi at her waist, making it easier for her to sit on the only other chair directly opposite the not so stoic lord.
"Getting comfortable" she explained, Sesshoumaru wasn't sure if he was having a heart attack at her indecent behaviour. "And well as I explained earlier. I don't know." She drilled out as calm as he had been. The light flicked on the table, it was then she had noticed his sudden change in make-up, his usual red eye-liner was now shimmering gold.
'Does he do that himself?' she let out a small laugh which didn't go unnoticed by the demon lord, but the woman had always appeared to be aimless, so he shrugged it off.
"Look, I cannot tell you why, if I do not know why." God she started to really want to sit his royal butt. Sesshoumaru was growing impatient but he had to admit she was more amusing angry. As if by magic a knock broke the stale mate the two had come too.
"Amaterasu take the Miko to her room" Kagome twitched in irritation,
'What is it with the stupid mutt brothers? Is my name so hard that both can't seem to use it?' Golden orbs watched the woman, who had stood suddenly arm clenched in anger. The white haired demoness smiled at the lord, grabbing Kagome's hand she tugged her softly to shake her out of whatever she was thinking.
"Sesshoumaru…" She started, before he interrupted.
"Do not address me so familiar woman." Kagome walked away stunned, it was as if he knew she was uncomfortable. The demon escorting Kagome held her tightly arm in arm, as a friend would walking down a street. This thought only depressed her more. It had been a while since she saw her mother, granddad and Souta, she really did miss them.
"You must be cold" The older woman broke the silence, her warm arm patting the smaller girl. Kagome smiled at the demoness, before nodding gracefully.
"Yes, I am a bit" she laughed, this demon was so nice towards her. Too nice to work for such an emotionless man. She thought grumpily. The older female laughed gripping the human tighter.
"He isn't that bad," she continued laughing, Kagome eyed her jadedly. "You must have thought so too, you returned his arm so graciously" the woman spoke, startling the younger female,
'How does she do that?' Kagome stifled a yawn.
"As you rightly guessed earlier, I can pick up on your thoughts" the raven haired girl stared in amazement. "You are quite adorable sometimes Kagome" she laughed again, her smile this time a lot wider showing off her perfect fangs.
"Kind of makes me wonder why I bother talking at all" Kagome returned the smile, both laughed as they continued up the corridor. "And the arm was an accident I swear" she giggled, along with Amaterasu before coming face to face with the royal wing.
"I will return in the morning to set up your bath" Kagome smiled turning to eye her huge room again. The door closed silently, the teen ran to the futon the outer layer of her dress falling at her feet. Her head collided with the pillow is shear bliss.
Kagome jumped off the bed instantly as an eerie silhouette entered her room through the large rounded window, the only lit candle had blown instantly coating the room in complete darkness. Kagome grabbed the lantern in a bid to defend herself, flicking the hot wax at the thing prowling around, unaware if she hit the target. She tried to run, but collided with the beast.
Shippou jumped on the head of Kirara his eyes bleeding with fear,
"Kagome" He yelled, a strong set of hands grabbed the fox cub before he could jump up to the guard house unannounced. Sango looked crossly at the fox.
"What do you think you are doing?" Shippou lowered his gaze in submission; however she too had wondered what had alerted the young demon.
"What's going on Shippou?" Sango asked. A sudden burst of dense energy surrounded the outer walls, a barrier that was considerably impenetrable.
'He's defiantly hiding something' Miroku brought his hand up in a questioning pose, before he looked at the Hanyou who now had less of a chance seeing Kagome.
"There was a high pitched scream, I don't know but it sounded like it might've be Kagome" Sango once again eyed the small boy, subtly comforting him.
"If it was Kagome, Sesshoumaru is honour bound to save her" She hushed the teary boy. Before Shippou could do something stupid, Miroku ushered Kirara to back away from the gate, his thoughts on why Sesshoumaru had warned them of their white haired comrade.
"I think we should head back for now, don't you?" the human male nodded to his female traveller, who nodded agreeing completely,
"What about Inuyasha?" Shippou asked pensively his eyes watering once more at having to leave Kagome again. Miroku cleared his throat,
"He can follow if he wishes, we'll retreat as far as the forest edge" his tone was much louder, knowing the canine boy below was watching them intensely
'Keh that Miroku who does he think he is taking charge, that's my role!' Taking his sword in hand, the dog eared man drove it into the soil.
"I'm staying right here until that bastard gives back Kagome" plonking to the floor, Inuyasha gripped his sword until his knuckles went white. For a teenager he was persistent. Shaking his head Miroku tapped the cat demon to continue without Inuyasha, at least the lake would provide dinner for the four travellers.
Rin ran over to the older demon, brushing her white hair away, she sighed in relief she was breathing. The demoness smiled as the girl touched her face gently moving more strands away. Her crystal orbs dazzled up at the small human female. Sesshoumaru was approaching, and fast.
"Be still child, I am fine" Rin smiled as best she could, but she knew something was wrong. Kagome was gone and not willingly, the wax from the candle hardened on the bamboo matts a few centimetres away from her discarded dress. Without warning, Sesshoumaru's clawed hand grasped the doorframe causing Rin to jump. A loud crack startled his ward as the wood beneath his fingers splintered.
"Lord Sesshou…"
"Where is the Miko?" his gaze now fixed on Amaterasu, true the woman was at best five hundred years his elder and he was no adolescent. But for her to be thrown down in such a way, this was no lowly demon. Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth, fangs bearing in annoyance.
'There is a traitor among the demons in my house.'
"Lord Sesshoumaru, forgive me I couldn't stop the unknown demon" Amaterasu softly spoke, her eyes hung low in humility.
"You do not need to apologize to this Sesshoumaru" he spoke sternly, yet his tone was a lot softer to the older woman. He lifted the soft silk of her gown feeling the fabric within his claws,
'It's still warm, she is not long gone' suddenly it dawned on the demon lord 'Bo Lei he had requested my interference with the half breed.' The dragon was far to intrigued with the priestess.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading :)