I honestly love the reviews and wow I am so happy I have so many followers and people who have made my story gain 100 favorites after chapter 20. 109 followers and 100 favorites but I honestly would have continued even without the huge support because I love this story. Here is Chapter 21, I am glad I am able to squeeze a few more chapters out.
The palace was quiet, the only lights being lanterns or the stars as most were sleeping or standing guard. Now there was barely a difference between night and day with the existence of the moon hidden beside a big black circle in sky void of any light. The sun could barely light up the sky at this point and this rose the terror across the land. Two whole months had passed since they made it to the Western Palace and life inside the barrier remained peaceful. Sesshoumaru was still looking into a way to keep tabs on Kagome at all times yet nothing came. They never discovered what the intruders were looking for or how they got in and then escaped. He left for patrol often to satisfy his anger at being played for a fool.
Life had continued on with the new routines everyone had established but in the dark of the night things tended to go wrong. A soft thrum of power pulsed a few times before a beautiful tune took its place, and though it eased most to sleep, it roused one from slumber. The shifting of fabric sounded in the room as its inhabitant moved out of their futon and arose to their feet. They took a step followed by another and soon they were out the door and heading down the hallway as they followed the coaxing of the tune. The soft pitter patter of their footsteps sounded down the corridors as they followed it, a light orb began forming, guiding them through the maze.
Step after step, they went from the top floor of the castle and descended steadily down the stair wells without falter. No one tried to stop them or even noticed them for they were all peacefully asleep minus those who could withstand its allure. They plugged their ears trying to keep it from affecting them through their sense of hearing. So focused they were on blocking it out that they did not realize one of them followed instead of being pressed to sleep.
Its tune faded from the upper levels as the one they coaxed to them had now descended to the basement, going through the echoing corridors with ease. The cobwebs and dirt did not seem to make them pause as they carried through parts that had been unused for decades from any steady traffic flow. The corridors narrowed down to one that made a steady drop, further below the surface of the Earth. It was a long time until it finally evened out. The thrum of a barrier above them did not even register as they continued on before making a steady climb back up.
The glowing orb was then at the end of the tunnel and floated up into the night air out of sight. The figure then climbed out with the help of a clawed hand through a doorway made in the Earth and covered by it as well. The twinkling stars overhead in all their splendors were ignored as the trance like state remained. Two figures stood, one putting away the instrument and diminishing the orb as the other stood looking at their stolen treasure. They flicked the cobwebs and dust webs from the ebony locks as he gazed into the unfocused meridian blue eyes before them and took in their victory. It was an easy enough task that was completed with not a single problem.
"I am so glad you could join me Kagome," he chuckled before placing cuffs on her wrists and a tiara on her head, "my queen." Grabbing her hand and leading her away from the door, through the western lands and into the night. The beasts stayed clear of them as they continued through, the wails and growls of the night off in the far distance.
When the music disappeared they stopped trying to plug their ears for those who managed to evade its temptation and others that were forced to slumber were slowly roused awake. A full scan of the castle was needed and the generals of Sesshoumaru's army and guards feared for their lives as they shouted out orders, knowing his impending arrival would possibly bring bloodshed, their blood. Touga had already left his quarters and woke up the nearby guards and began checking the rooms as he made his way to Kagome's only to discover her scent leaving it.
Looking into the open door and seeing for his eyes what his nose was telling him he immediately followed the trail with hurried steps. As he descended the floors and into the underground basement he felt his stomach drop right before his body tensed and a growl began to shake his frame. He continued tracking her down, her scent still fresh giving him hope.
When he reached the point where he only had a single corridor to follow he began to sprint to the end, quickly reaching the door in the Earth. He could smell the two demons that were standing there in wait of her arrival. They had left, he was already outside of the barrier he knew, and he had felt it a ways back. He closed the door to keep any more intruders from stumbling upon it and pushed on; he would save Kagome and bring her back to him.
It was so comfortable she tried to force her tired body to go back to sleep as the soft silk beneath her and the plush covers above her surrounded her on cloud nine. She couldn't remember being so comfortable other nights and wondered absentmindedly where they came from as she snuggled into them deeper.
She felt a strong arm tighten around her, bringing her into a strong chest and her mind ran away from her. 'I must be with Touga.' She half wondered if she was dreaming, thinking of being with the gorgeous dog demon whose presence brought out her feminine desires. She mumbled his name sleepily and sighed in content.
The arm around her tightened again, bringing them even closer and she felt the warm breath fan across her left ear and down her neck before a voice not quite as deep as Touga's spoke, "Not quite." In her sleep fogged mind she felt confused stiffening as those words echoed in her head.
Apprehensively she turned around in their embrace and connected eyes with a mystifying purple gaze. "I would have to say I am much better than that dog," he muttered. His gaze held her tongue still, she couldn't tear her eyes from him and any scream she would have had, had died in her throat.
"Sleep my queen; you are safe in my embrace." His eyes changed and she felt her lids grow heavy not even registering his face drawing in as he kissed her lips and his clawed hand glided through her hair. She was out and a wicked smirk crossed his lips as he held her to him and looked out the window, hearing a dog howl way off in the distance.
He continued to lie there until he could feel the aura of the dog demon Touga draw near. Laying a kiss on her temple he removed his hand from her silky locks and left to battle the dog. His queen will forget his existence eventually after he extinguishes his life and prevents her from falling for his charms any further.
Donning his black armor he walked out of his black castle that nearly touched the clouds. He jumped off the ledge of the wall and plummeted down to the ground below, landing and pushing off in powerful strides to meet him in battle. Their swords clashed and their growls vibrated into the ground making it tremble beneath them.
"Can you smell her on me dog?" He questioned, knowing very well Touga could, his words meant to aggravate his opponent. He continued on, not getting the desired effect yet, "I could be in there still holding her in my arms, maybe even make her scream my name!" His eyes tainted with lust as he thought about the possibilities. "She is my queen and will be ruling by my side so why don't you learn to die and stay dead just like your kin that I slaughtered."
Touga kept a level head, he could not smell anything that would indicate them having sex though he knew Kagome wouldn't have done so willingly. That slice of information kept him steady, he felt confident that he could save her. He charged him, readying his sword for another clash; it cracked under pressure and with another push Takeshi's sword cut through but Touga had already disappeared from that spot. His whip filled it instead and he took the demon by surprise, leaving a small gash on his sword arm.
Quickly growing tired of the whip Takeshi put on a burst of speed and tried to catch the dog by surprise and quickly dodged his glowing lethal claws. The deadly dance that began lasted for hours and ended with Touga taking a hit through his stomach and a gash that almost severed his sword arm. Takeshi was not left unscathed, his skin burned from the claws that raked across his face, his head having come close to being decapitated and the litter of burns from the whip and claws along his body.
With much anger Touga was forced to retreat, the battle a loss with Kagome still in the other demon's claws. He would have to recover soon and hope his acid claws would make it harder for the Oroan demon to heal and give him the upper hand. Next time he would make it his goal to get closer and snatch her away, they were both clearly holding back from revealing all of their attacks.
Finding a hot spring he shed his armor and clothes, stepping into the hot waters. His clothing was made of a special silk that would repair itself, his armor having similar qualities. He knew though that he would need to acquire his own sword again soon. He sighed and fell into his thoughts, his mind conjured a plan, and he sensed Kagome from one of the taller sections of the castle.
She woke again to hearing someone in the room with her. Blinking her eyes a few times to clear them they focused on the broad back and black locks of the demon in her room. She watched them smoothly tie their pants. As they moved, their muscles ripple lightly across their back. They turned and grabbed a sleeveless shirt, sliding their muscled arms through the holes before securing the front with the ties on both sides.
Her cheeks burned red a little but she tried to control her body, she didn't know this demon and was in an unfamiliar room. He pulled on a black haori securing it as well but with a purple and blue obi. They turned and connected eyes with her, the healing wound on his face went mostly unnoticed, the eyes hypnotizing her once again.
His approach was slow but the space still closed swiftly. His clawed hand smoothed out her wild locks before both hands found her shoulders and guided her into a sitting position. "I will show you where you can freshen up, come with me." He grabbed hold of her wrist, guiding her into a closet to another door where he slid it open to a moist room, steam rising up from the hot waters. He brought her attention to the clean robe and bathing supplies before saying, "don't take too long, I will be back to retrieve you for nourishment."
She understood the hidden meaning and as soon as he departed with a click of the door she went straight to stripping out of her yukata and getting into the hot waters. She got right to work with scrubbing herself clean, she felt dirty and her thoughts raced. In the past she would have screamed and acted rashly but this time she kept her head on straight, determined not to let on her plan to escape.
She fiddled with the cuffs and couldn't get them to budge an inch; she could feel magic in them. Giving up she finished her bath and got set on drying off and combing her locks before standing in the wardrobe looking at what she had for a selection. She wanted to blend in easily so she picked black slippers, a tight fitting haori and the matching hakamas before hiding them under a two layer black and purple kimono with a dark blue obi that complimented her eyes. Looking in the mirror she made sure the fabric underneath was disguised before exiting just as he opened the door looking a bit disappointed.
'Pervert,' she thought before she took another step forward. He walked over to a small vanity and grabbed something silver, she watched him approach, intent on placing the silver tiara on her head and she jerked back. Her experience with that boar demon in the past made her not trust it and the silver cuffs loaded with some sort of magic strengthened her resolve. "If you think I am about to trust you with a seemingly harmless tiara then you better think again."
His displeasure was noted but he seemed amused. "This tiara signifies you to be my chosen queen, if anything it will keep the beasts from attacking you due to the amethysts that are in it."
"I'm not your chosen anything!" Within a blink of an eye he had grabbed her arm and pulled her to his chest, securing an arm around her waist while the other secured the tiara on her head. She pushed on him and called her powers to her palms, feeling only a mild trickle of them glow as they came forth but to her surprise they receded. She felt her wrists warm up as the deceivingly delicate cuffs heated up in response. "I couldn't have you purifying me at the first chance you get. Now come along, you have been in bed for a couple days."
She glared at him as she followed behind him quietly, taking note of her surroundings and looking out each window they passed. They had been descending the stairs for a few minutes before he finally went through an open doorway to a large hall that opened to several big doors and she doubted that she was strong enough to open a single one by herself.
He carried on to the large doors straight ahead of them, with a blast of his aura they opened up presenting a large table spread out with a variety of food, she guessed he didn't know what she ate or was expecting more guests. He pulled out the nearest chair for her to sit down and then seated himself at the far end of the table. He immediately began dishing out his own food and she followed by example, eating after she noticed he already took a bite. They ate quietly, and she drank her water and kept her gaze from wandering much, mainly looking at the spread of food on the table.
She looked up and noticed he was concentrating on something she couldn't sense until a small spike in a demonic aura caught her attention and a few shouts. She watched him wipe his mouth with a napkin before setting it down. "Please continue without me, I will be back shortly." With that he was crossing the room and going out one of the doors before shutting it.
Once he was gone her eyes darted around the room and latched onto the single open window. It would be a tight squeeze but it was her only shot. She quickly made her way over and surveyed the surroundings outside the window. She carefully draped one leg over the ledge and brought the other through before twisting until she was on her stomach holding on to the ledge as her right foot found a foot hold.
She carefully began descending until it was safe to jump. She looked around, not seeing any gates or guards. Looking at the wall in front of her she sighed and began the climb up until she was finally sitting on top letting her body rest a few seconds before she started to descend down the other side, she couldn't take too long, that demon would be back.
She ran to the edge, teetering as she noticed the long drop down and backing up a few steps, she calmed herself and began looking for some stairs in hopes their might be something but instead she didn't see anything, just a jagged cliff and a long way down. She huffed in annoyance; the demon most likely could fly. She wasn't going back and waiting to be rescued, not when her single defense against him was taken away.
Looking for a good spot to hopefully slowly slide down she sat on her butt and pushed her self carefully over the edge and made a slow slide down until she got to a part that jutted out. Digging her heels into the ground she came to a stop and skirted around it. Once she made it to a good spot she turned over on her stomach secured her foot hold and climbed the rest of the way down. 'Phew, that was a lot of climbing,' she wiped the sweat from her brow as she stood on the lush grass, looking at the forest on the other side of the field she launched off into a sprint, darting into the shadows.