A/N-2022 update
I found the lost pages of this chapter and re-added them. Sorry in advance!
OOO
As the abrupt storm loomed over head and lightening flashed across the darkened gray sky, Link and Kagome couldn't help but look upon the desecrated camp before them. Bodies of hooded men were strewn upon the blood stained grass, their faces wearing horrid expressions.
Kagome had sensed the demonic aura at this very spot, but from what she could see, there had been nothing there; there were no signs of the evil presence nor were there any of Inuyasha. From the looks of it, whatever had caused this had fled the scene entirely.
However, the most startling amidst the deaths before them was finding a young, golden-haired woman. Her hands and feet had been bound by thick ropes near the fire with blood spilling from a slight wound to her neck. Thankfully her pulse remained, sleeping as she was after freeing her from her ropes.
Believing this girl was a villager of Ikana, somehow caught up in a terrifying ordeal with those mysterious men, Link took the liberty of carrying her on his back. Eventually the three safely distanced themselves from the camp, walking around the winding path around the canyon and the raging waterfall until they stopped near the river's edge.
After settling her upon the grass with Kagome looking after her, Link decided to search the woods for the source of the loud explosion moments before. If he had to guess, Inuyasha might have been caught up in it, and he had a feeling that not all the men back at the camp were dead.
There had been no sightings of the mask or the familiar face of the Happy Mask Salesman in the area, and if he had to guess, maybe both were up in town. Yet, left behind was an intriguing scroll, the seal of the Royal Family imprinted on its yellowed surface. Whatever its purpose was for being so far from the Palace, Link felt it had some connection to the young woman he and Kagome found.
While Link was away, Kagome couldn't help but silently look over the girl in front of her, sleeping soundly. The wound on her neck seemed very unpleasant, and as she searched her skirt pocket, she removed a small handkerchief. After dipping the rag into the river, she dabbed the cloth upon the cut, the blood already dry as it fell away onto the grass.
"Why does she seem so familiar to me?" Kagome wondered aloud. She was certain she never met the girl, but her face reminded her of someone she knew. Deciding not to think too deeply on the subject, the priestess found herself shivering from the cold, and when she gazed back at the girl, she removed her cloak, placing it upon her as she slept. "First things first, we'll have to take her back home…"
Her thoughts returned to what Link had said earlier when they arrived upon the bloodied camp…
"Kagome…This woman should have been sacrificed…I believe that our presence in the past may have disrupted the flow of time."
Kagome couldn't help but stare into the face of the young girl. So she was supposed to die? But why? Why would they want to kill her? Sighing, she wrapped her arms around her knees, and she shivered. By now, she was sick and tired of everyone around her dying. Was it not enough that the Great Fairies lost their lives? Even Serena? And now this girl?
For a moment as she sat there, her thoughts turned to her family and friends. Oh how she wished she could return home, if only to embrace those that she loved dearly. By now her mom must be thinking the worst and surely her friends Eddie, Yuka and Ayumi were no doubt calling nonstop about her absences from school.
She sighed. There was no well in Termina to take her to her own world, Tokyo, Japan. Heck, she wasn't even in the Feudal Era anymore! At the very moment, she was in the past of this other world the Goddesses had supposedly brought them into in order to save a land destined to end. Just how much could a middle school girl handle this year?
Slight movement from beside her brought Kagome from her musings, and when she realized the girl was stirring, she leaned in closer. As her eyes slowly fluttered open, Kagome's breath caught in her throat. Blue eyes…such beautiful blue eyes, and they reminded her of Link's.
With her vision somewhat blurry, she felt the warmth of the black cloth lying upon her, and as she turned her head to ascertain her whereabouts, she sat up alarmed. This wasn't her chamber room! Why was she outside? Where was she?
While she inwardly panicked, she took notice of the woman beside her, dressed in the littlest fabric she'd ever seen, and her first thought told her this woman was a commoner. Though she knew not where she was, she couldn't help but scoot away.
Seeing this, Kagome immediately sweat dropped, raising her hands before her when she realized she might have frightened her. "No, please don't be scared! You're safe now. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."
Somewhat unsure and with her dainty hand placed upon her chest in hopes of calming her quickened heartbeat, the young girl looked upon the woman in front of her. Her eyes scanned this stranger, noting her long thick waves of raven hair, innocent brown eyes and skin almost as fair as her own. Despite the peculiarity in her clothing, this woman didn't seem like a threat.
As her fingers slid over the black cloak settled on her lap, she realized it must have belonged to this oddly dressed girl before her. When her blue eyes noticed the female across from her shiver slightly from the cold, her eyes widened. The poor thing was practically freezing, yet she showed compassion to her.
Feeling more reassured, she scanned her surroundings briefly before focusing her attention entirely on Kagome. She decided to get right to the point. "Where am I, if I might ask? And who are you?" Her melodious voice asked most curiously.
Upon realizing she was staring, a little mesmerized by her beauty, Kagome shook her head to rid herself of such envious thoughts. "Oh right! Well…my name is Kagome. Nice to meet you," She greeted. Turning around, the priestess pointed across the river towards the towering cliff overhead. "Up there is where the town is. I assume that's where you live?" She asked, and when she received a slight nod, Kagome smiled. "We were planning on taking you there, but you've been asleep for a while."
Understanding, the young maiden nodded. A strand of her long, blonde hair fell in her face, and pushing it back, she returned her stare back at the girl seated in front of her. "We?"
Kagome nodded. "Mhm. Link and I," She explained. "He'll be back soon. He went to check on something real quick." Deciding to get a little personal, Kagome canted her head to the side, hoping to catch the befuddled girl's attention, and when that worked, Kagome went on. "Could I ask what your name is?"
"Please forgive me, but this is a first that I've been in such … circumstances, so I apologize if I may seem a tad rude. You may refer to me as Cathleen," She replied, smiling at Kagome, pleased this young woman seemed trustworthy. "Do you live in Ikana by any chance? Your clothes seem a bit … outlandish …"
"Oh well I'm not from around these parts…" Kagome sweat dropped, waving her hands in front of her. "You see I'm just traveling with my friend, and well we were on our way to Ikana…"
Cathleen nodded. "Really? It's quite unusual to have visitors from out of town. May I ask why you have journeyed here?"
Kagome only shook her head. "Oh it's something kind of personal, really," She laughed.
Noticing a bow and quiver of arrows lying innocently beside the girl across from her, the young blonde maiden couldn't help but scrutinize the woman who called herself Kagome. "May I ask what your rank is, Kagome?"
Blinking, she couldn't help but lower her eyes to her weapons before flushing before Cathleen. "I'm a priestess," She bashfully replied, feeling the strong stare of the woman seated before her pierce through her.
Hearing this, her expression suddenly brightened. Before Kagome knew what to expect, Cathleen had clasp her own hands with the young priestess, nearly causing Kagome to fall back in surprise. "Oh a priestess! How marvelous!" She exclaimed with wonderment. Pulling away timidly, she couldn't help but clear her throat, realizing she had almost gotten too excited before her acquaintance. "Please forgive me…To speak truth, I've never met with one before, so it's an honor to meet you."
"Oh no, it's alright," Kagome replied with a shake of her head. Maybe priestesses were rare in this world. Honestly, Kagome had never seen one in Termina at all, but then again, there weren't any demons here either, just monsters of a certain kind unfamiliar to her since her first arrival to this world.
"Are you not cold?"
Kagome only smiled. "I'm alright. Besides, I think you need it more than me."
"You're very kind," She replied as she hugged the cloak against her for warmth.
As she threw a small piece of timber onto the small flame of the fire, Kagome couldn't help but look out towards the woods where Link left a short time ago. Kagome wondered if he happened upon Inuyasha out there. Still…it was very strange that he had lost his sword, a weapon the Great Fairy had given to him from the start of their adventure in Termina. It didn't make sense. Kagome still had her light arrows…
She looked troubled. That was what Cathleen thought as she quietly observed the priestess across from her. Something was clearly bothering her since she wore such solemn face. However, before she could ask a sudden rustle from behind her and light footsteps caused her to jump slightly, and she looked behind her.
Kagome also noticed this. She saw the faint outline of her friend crossing towards them from the woods, his expression somewhat tired. "You're back? What happened?" She was referring to the explosion not long ago.
As he approached closer, Link merely shook his head. In truth, he had only found a few fallen trees and a massive crater in the earth some distance away, but other than that, there were no signs of anyone around. "There were no signs of Inuyasha or any others. Just a few fallen trees," He replied, thus saddening the priestess. Seating himself beside her, he couldn't help but acknowledge the awakened girl staring interestedly at him. "How are you feeling?"
Cathleen merely nodded. "I am doing well. I'd like to thank you and Kagome for finding me, and I do hope you will escort me back home safely."
"You may rest assured," Link replied, earning a thankful smile from the young woman and Kagome.
Because she was curious as to how the young girl had ended up in such circumstances, Kagome couldn't help but lean in closer to Cathleen. "Do you happen to remember what happened to you?"
She pondered for a moment, her mind somewhat cloudy since she had awoken a short time ago. Honestly, she didn't remember much. There had been shadowy silhouettes in her memory and the last she recalled, she was in her chamber room preparing to rest for the evening. After that, it was all a blur. "I can't say that I remember…But I think I was kidnapped from my room." Cathleen didn't see herself as the sort to sleep walk, and if that had been the case, she was sure someone would have awakened her before stepping outside.
Kagome frowned. How awful! At least she was safe now and she would see to it that she returns safely to her family.
"I think it would be best to leave at this moment. I assume we will arrive in town before sunrise," Link explained. "Are you capable of walking?"
"You may call me Cathleen," She replied, realizing she hadn't introduced herself to the young man. "And I am well enough for travel."
Understanding, Link stood up before looking around the clearing. It seemed climbing was out of the question and because there was no path leading upstream, their only option was to take a boat. "We should follow the river upstream."
Kagome stood up, offering the young girl her assistance before looking around. When her eyes landed on the dock, she spotted an old, weathered boat tied off to the post there. "Do you think we'll be able to take it upstream? The current seems awfully strong, Link."
Well it was either that or somehow safely cross the river and climb the cliff, but he didn't think it was possible without putting Kagome and Cathleen in danger. "We'll be fine," He replied before stepped onto the wooden platform with the two girls quickly following him from behind.
"Someone has to live upstream," Kagome murmured to herself. But it was strange. Why would someone build a dock so close to the waterfall? Whoever it was, they must have used great timing before their boat was swept away by the current downstream. As she scrutinized the boats old appearance, she couldn't help but notice that Link removing his boots and weapons. "What are you doing?"
"Quickly, get into the boat. I will help to bring you two to land once on the other side," He explained. While the girls did as they were told, he removed his satchel from his waist, throwing it into the boat along with his other belongings. Link bent down to where the rope was tied off, holding the boat firmly in place. After undoing the knot, he immediately wrapped the rope around his middle and over his shoulders before securing it tightly. As he felt the weight of the boat pulling him closer to the edge of the dock, Link quickly leapt into the river, using his arms and legs to overpower the current's strong force.
Kagome on the other hand was astonished. Link was actually pulling the boat with his upper body strength even while the current pushed upon him. "Cathleen, help me out!" Kagome exclaimed before handing the young girl the oar to help her paddle.
To speak truth, Link didn't know if there would be land on the other side. In the past, he had always overlooked that certain area upstream during his travels. Yet as he continued on, his back and shoulders aching, he wondered if there was a path ahead that would help them to reach the city above the cliff. Link doubted the city was impenetrable. There had to be a route somewhere, even if it was hidden.
OOO
Eventually, after laboriously pulling the boat and fighting against the swift current, Link managed to safely bring the girls to land. With their help, they managed to pull the boat onto the dewy grass a little away from the river. After which, they took in their surroundings. They were rewarded with a massive view of the waterfall pouring from the city above them. The Palace peeked over the walls of the canyon, and they realized they seemed a lot closer to the city.
By now the sky had well brightened from its gray color to beautiful yellows and pinks. The sun had finally begun to rise and with it, the air grew warmer.
"I was sure someone lived up here…" Link said aloud, baffled there wasn't any hut nearby. Why else would there be a dock downstream? The gorge there had been void of anyone except those who had been murdered, but he could only assume they were people from the city.
While they ventured around the area, searching around for paths behind shrubberies and trees, it wasn't until Kagome happened upon a sign that her curiosity suddenly grew. "What's this?" She murmured.
The sign was written in large bold letters, ones she had come to understand since their arrival in Termina. It read: "Trespassers Keep Out!"
After reading that, Kagome knew for sure there was something there. After looking around, it wasn't until she crossed over a few large stones that she happened upon a wondrous sight. "Hey, look what I found!" She shouted, immediately alerting her friends.
When they approached her, passing and acknowledging the same sign, they found Kagome pointing at a spot behind the waterfall. When they stood next to her, they noticed a hidden enclosure behind it. A dark cave stood before them, though its entrance seemed uninviting.
"Someone must live here!" Kagome excitedly exclaimed. Whoever they were, it was possible they could help them.
As they entered the cave, despite the signs warning against intruders, the three found themselves standing in a damp room. A few pots decorated the sides of the dirt walls to their right and a small pond with a few fish lively swimming sat on their left. There were three paths that led to separate rooms inside the cave, but only one had a door well ahead of them. Painted symbols decorated the wooden surface and a large, golden sun sat just above it; it was clear to Link that Light Arrows were needed to unlock the barred door, but instead of doing so at the moment, the three decided to inspect the opposite paths inside.
To their right was an archway Kagome and Cathleen took to investigate while Link to the one to the left of the room. The entire cave seemed empty of any persons, but the quietness seemed a little unnerving.
The path to the left took Link to another room, this one more ornate than the main room. A large bed sat within the corner of the room with large picture frames decorating the walls. More pots sat off against the opposite walls, and a few weapons were piled in an enormous chest containing different sizes of knives, swords and so forth. Despite all of that he saw, Link turned away from the room, exiting it, only to come face to face with some unknown person, probably the owner of the cave they had intruded upon.
In his early thirties with a small mustache beginning to form above his lip, and dressed in a rather familiar long cloak of poor quality, the owner quirked a brow at the blonde haired boy. His arms were crossed in a rather unpleasant manner, and his brown eyes scrutinized the lad from head to foot. "Let me guess…You thought you could get away with barging into another's residence. There's not much here to vandalize or steal, as you've already seen."
Before Link could explain, the owner turned his head to stare at the other room, as if sensing there were others that had intruded into his home. With a raise of his hand, he snapped his finger, and in an instant, their ears were rewarded with startling shrieks. Kagome and Cathleen had been forcefully pulled into the main room suddenly, a strange red rope wrapped around their middle to secure their hands at their sides.
Kagome struggled. "What is this?!"
"How strange," Cathleen voiced beside the priestess. "I can't seem to move my hands."
A surprising clap turned their attention away from their bindings to Link and a rather tall man with shaggy black hair above his shoulders, standing before them irritably and yet a little disbelieving that a few strangers had found his hidden abode.
"Let's just get down to business, why don't we?" He's deep voice replied. "Was there a reason you decided to barge into my home?" He asked.
Link held his hands up defensively, earning the owner's attention. "We were only looking for some assistance on our travels. We meant no harm intruding and as you can see, we've stolen nothing; that is not our intention."
"You haven't stolen anything…yet," The owner replied untrustworthy of the strangers. "How do I know you aren't lying?"
"Check our pockets," Kagome suddenly voiced. "You'll see that we didn't steal anything."
For a moment, he half considered doing so, but instead; he once again snapped his fingers, releasing the binding seal upon the two. "I'm a reasonable man, so I believe you," He explained, thus earning sighs of relief from the girls. "Despite your uncivilized entrance here, what seems to be the problem? I'm a busy man, so I don't have all day. Speak up."
"Well…We're trying to find a way to reach the city above the cliff," Kagome explained, and at this, the owner quirked a curious brow. "We saw a boat at the dock and thought maybe if we head upstream, we'd find a path, but when we saw that someone lived up here, we wanted to see if someone could help."
He nodded understandingly. "Ah, that makes more sense…I take it you're foreigners from outside the Kingdom?" He questioned, and from their nods, he whistled low. "That's a problem, a big problem isn't it? You see those people up there don't take kindly to outsiders. From your appearance, you'd likely start a riot," He explained, and at this, Link and Kagome glanced at each other warily.
"We mean no harm," Link replied, but the owner only waved it off.
"Doesn't matter," He said before looking at Kagome closely. "Your friend here is enough to earn too many stares. She could be thought as a threat, innocent as she might appear," The owner explained before looking Link and Cathleen in the eye. "As for you young ones, blonde hair and blue eyes are rare, quite rare. Someone might mistake you for members of the Royal Family or imposters trying to invade and start a war."
"How can we convince you we are innocent?" Link asked.
The owner pondered. "If you had a Royal Decree of the Royal family requesting entrance into the city, then I'd let you pass. But that seems highly unlikely. I can either turn you in to the Royal Court myself…or I can have you turn back."
Because it seemed Kagome and Link were at a loss as to what to say, Cathleen approached the owner of the cave. Her eyes found his, and for a moment the two shared a silence. "Your loyalty to the Royal Family is smiled upon, but you may be assured that these two are who they say they are."
He arched a brow. "Really? And you hold proof dearie?"
Cathleen nodded before tugging upon her left sleeve of her white gown. The skin beneath it revealed a light pink birthmark, its shape familiar that it had the older man astonished. "My name is Cathleen Leona Du Ikana, the only daughter of Igos Du Ikana belonging to the Royal Family," She admitted, thus also surprising Link and Kagome. "These two saved me from a frightful experience when I was taken from my chamber room," She explained. "They only wish to escort me back to the safety of the Palace. I am praying that his Majesty has not already declared war, so it is your decision whether or not you wish to delay our passage to the Palace. We don't have much time."
The smirk that he had worn moments ago suddenly fell, along with his straight, standing posture. He was on the ground at her feet in an instant, his face quite close to the ground as he lowered himself humbly before the young Princess. Had he known she was indeed Royalty, he would have never tied her up or spoken to her without formality. "Your highness, please forgive this lowly servant!"
Cathleen only nodded. "I forgive you. Now will you grant their request? After all, his Majesty will want to reward them for their amendable deed, will he not?"
"For certain, your highness! I shall lead you there myself!" He declared, and at this, everyone felt more at ease.
With that out of the way, the owner turned to Link and Kagome apologetically. "I'm sorry. If I had known before hand, I would have never interrogated you as such."
Kagome only sweat dropped. "Oh no it's okay. You were only being cautious because you don't want anyone suspicious to enter the Kingdom…"
The owner nodded. "Oh, my name is Adrian. And you two?"
"My name is Kagome."
"Link…"
Adrian nodded. "Kagome…such an interesting name. Never heard of such before. You must have traveled far to arrive here."
The priestess only nodded. It wasn't like she could very well explain her place of origin when it wasn't even in the same universe. Instead, she only smiled.
With that out of the way, Adrian turned away toward the exit. "Well let's be headed out, shall we? We don't have time to dawdle—"
"Wait!" Kagome suddenly found herself shouting. It surprised Adrian, even Link and Cathleen just as much as herself, and she couldn't help but blush. "Er…well before that, I was wondering if you happened upon anyone unusual around here lately."
Adrian blinked before propping his hand onto his hip. "Someone unusual you say? Define unusual. I've seen quite a lot of unusual people around these parts, Kagome."
"Well, our friend got separated from us the other day, and we've also been out looking for him. He has long silver hair, dog ears on his head, golden eyes and his clothing is red. He was last seen heading this way yesterday," Kagome replied.
Adrian pondered as he scratched his chin. "Well I'd say I did happen upon someone that fits that description," He explained. "You say he's a friend of yours?"
"Yes!" Kagome and Link replied simultaneously.
"Well you're in luck!" He announced. "Somewhat…"
Kagome tilted her head confusedly. "Somewhat?"
"He's in that room there locked up," He pointed to the ornate door across from them with the large emblem of a golden sun above it. "Happened upon him not long ago this morning injured. But he is by no means friendly…"
Kagome nearly jumped for joy at the news. So Inuyasha was just behind that door?! Fantastic! "Well the thing is…he…"
"He's cursed into a full fledge demon, correct?" Adrian interrupted.
Kagome was about to open her mouth to explain, but in a way, he was actually right. Because he was without his sword, his demon blood took over. "Can you take us to him?"
The owner nodded, though a little hesitant.
Eventually they stood within the same room their silver haired friend occupied. Kagome and Link saw Inuyasha bound by chains inside a large cage. There were hardly any noticeable injuries on his person, and he was laying there fast asleep.
The room also housed many more cages, imprisoning strange entities and spirits, some vibrant colors of pinks, purples and greens; in a way, they resembled large bursts of flames. Some were very familiar to Link back in his travels in Hyrule. He recognized them as Poes, little ones and big ones. Candles littered the walls and floors, its scented incense seemingly calming the spirits, coaxing them into a deep sleep, and it must have been the reason why Inuyasha was out.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried, falling to her knees before the cage. "Inuyasha…"
Adrian crossed his arms from beside Link. "You say your friends with this demon?"
Link nodded, half listening to Adrian and to Kagome calling out to her friend behind the bars. "Yes. We were traveling together and somehow his demon blood got out of control. He originally had an object with him to keep his demon form below the surface, but somehow we lost that object," He explained.
"Really? What kind of object?"
While Link and Adrian were talking amongst themselves, Cathleen had decided to join Kagome well ahead of the boys. She saw the priestess kneeled beside the cage, grasping the bars as she looked upon the sleeping man inside. He was a sight to behold. Beautiful silver hair cascaded about his shoulders, and his skin was very pale, with dark markings along his cheeks.
Judging by the solemnity in the female's countenance, this 'Inuyasha' guy must have been a very close friend of hers. Cathleen could only guess he was caged up in case he should awaken and cause problems and the incense littered around the room was to keep him asleep.
"C-can't you let him out?" Kagome asked, standing up and facing Adrian.
Unfortunately for her, he merely shook his head. "No can do. Sorry, but if I were to release him from there, and let him out of this room, he could pose a threat to everyone," Adrian explained as a matter of fact. "I can't risk putting the lives of anyone in danger like that."
"But you can't just keep him caged up like this," Link replied back.
Adrian scoffed, urging frowns from both Kagome and Link. "Of course I can. After all I am a well renowned Ghost Hunter in these parts."
"Ghost hunter?" Kagome questioned. Inuyasha wasn't even a ghost!
He nodded. "Of course! I capture anything supernatural in these woods and I get a good purchase from them as well, if you know what I mean."
Hearing this, Kagome immediately clenched her fists, her temper suddenly rising. "He's our friend! You can't just auction him off!" And here she thought he was going to release him from his imprisonment.
Cathleen suddenly jumped a bit from the loudness of the young girl's voice beside her, and she couldn't help but step aside, somewhat out of fright.
Even Link saw this, and instead of joining the Princess, he instead placed his hand upon the hilt of his sword, eyeing the ghost hunter.
"Look I'm not a greedy man…But I need to make a living too," He replied with a shrug of his shoulders. He couldn't help but notice the lad beside him grasping the hilt of his sword, and he sweat dropped a bit. He felt…cornered. How unusual.
Kagome approached him. "Then make a living off something else! Not our friend!"
Adrian held his hands up defensively. She sure was a hell kitten when angered. "And I've been meaning to ask you…You travel the countryside with a demon? I've never seen the like in all my life. Tell me; is he your pet and you his mistress?" He snidely asked. "Or is—"
"I am so sick and tired of people always saying that!" She literally stomped her foot. The priestess felt her heart pounding rapidly in her chest, and without a moments breath, she stalked up to him, nearly entering into his personal space before poking him quite roughly against his chest. "Look here, buddy! He and I have been through a lot together, more than you'd ever know! It's not fair that you have him locked up like this, and I ask you nicely to release him! He's not some piece of meat you can sell for a fancy coin!" She shouted. Heck she didn't even know what kind of currency they used here. "Or rupee, or whatever you all call it!"
Adrian raised a delicate brow. Well…he certainly did not know such a woman with a temper. He was about to open his mouth to reply back to her, but he was immediately silenced when she interrupted him.
"I'm not finished yet!"
Link and Cathleen shared a look from across the room.
Deciding to cheer for Kagome, Cathleen couldn't help but throw her arms into the air. "You tell him priestess!"
Sweat dropping, Kagome cleared her throat. "Ah hem…"
"A priestess?" The hunter questioned. This little girl?
Kagome crossed her arms over her chest and glared. "Yeah, what of it?"
"It's just I didn't expect such a young girl, wearing revealing clothing to be of a spiritual nature…" He replied as he eyed her from head to foot.
"Hey, hey, my eyes are up here!" Kagome's face flustered in embarrassment. "And you shouldn't judge a book by its cover…"
Adrian sighed. "A feisty outspoken girl with a temper happens to be a priestess defending her demon friend…How troublesome."
"We just want our friend back," Kagome pleaded, her voice a little hoarse from shouting. She hadn't yelled that much since her and Inuyasha's last fight.
The owner frowned. "Don't turn your accusing eyes toward me. I have done nothing wrong but my job. You see I was appointed by his Majesty himself to protect this Kingdom from vile vermin that haunt these lands. Your friend is caged up solely for that purpose."
Well of course that part made sense. She could understand them caging him up because of his demon blood and the great chance he might inflict harm upon others. It still did not give him the right, however, to sell him off. "I understand you are in charge of capturing entities, but it doesn't give you the right to sell our friend for money. You don't sell people. Inuyasha isn't just a demon; he's a half demon, one that possesses a kind heart."
By this point, Link was beginning to grow frustrated. He had almost heard enough of this hunter arguing with Kagome, and he felt it was really getting them nowhere. "Listen, isn't there any way we can strike a deal here? We'll personally take responsibility for any mishap Inuyasha might cause. Under no circumstances will he harm anyone. So why not offer a trade?"
"A bargain, eh?" Adrian inquired thoughtfully. "Alright…let's say I might be willing to offer a trade…Would you have anything worth as much value as your friend there," He was referring to Inuyasha. "I'm a busy man, so what do you have to offer?"
Something worth the same value as Inuyasha? Were they seriously going to bargain? No, she didn't understand it. There had to be another way to get their friend back. "Link, why should we have to bargain?" She questioned, thus earning baffled stares from the boy and the Princess; the hunter on the other hand merely smirked.
"Kagome?" Link couldn't help but look at her curiously. "What are you—"
When she said this, her attention drifted away from Adrian and his cocky grin to the morbid spirits trapped within their separate cages in the room. An idea surfaced suddenly, and she firmly planted both her fists upon her hips. With a raise of her chin, she replied, "Now I've kindly asked you once and I will not ask again. Let our friend go or I'll purify all of the ghosts in this room," She threatened. "Including you if I have to!" A small vein popped upon her forehead, though it went unnoticed to the ghost hunter. Link on the other hand noticed this and stepped away warily. The Princess, however, looked upon the scene smiling devilishly; the whole scenario where the priestess dared to threaten a ghost hunter drew in her odd fascination. It wasn't every day that she could leave her castle and witness such a confrontation.
Adrian cackled at her small threat. "You wouldn't possibly do that. You're bluffing. You would dare to destroy all my hard earned cash. What kind of person does that make you?" He questioned, and at this Kagome's eye slightly twitched. "I'll tell you what it makes you-"
Kagome glared. "For starters, it makes you a greedy old man who takes joy in selling innocent people for money. I'm just trying to save him from a conman like you…And you call yourself a ghost hunter…He isn't even a ghost. Look at him!"
Adrian eyed Inuyasha from the corner of the room before looking back at kagome. "Well one…I'm hurt. You must be blind not to notice that I'm only twenty eight with my rugged good looks if I might add…
Everyone in the room felt the urge to roll their eyes.
"Two, your friend over there is a wild beast—"
"He's not a beast! He's more human than you'll ever be!" She shouted back.
Adrian coughed. "As I was saying…As I can see already, you are nothing but a troublesome little girl, probably pretending to be a priestess so you can fool the heart of our innocent and lovely Princess over here."
"What?!" She seethed.
"Did I stutter?" He inquired. "Allow me to repeat myself in a way that only you can understand." The smile on his face widened and he approached her suddenly, ignoring the death glares sent his way from all directions. As soon as he was near her, enough to breathe upon her face, he leaned in to whisper into her ear. "You're a fake…"
Kagome's head fell, not literally, but her shoulders suddenly tensed and she couldn't tighten her fists hard enough. She felt her blood racing and her heart pounding so much that she wanted to just run away that very moment. How dare he humiliate her in front of Link and Cathleen. He had no right! He had no right to sell off her friend for money!
"Did I strike a nerve, priestess?" He questioned.
Immediately her head snapped upwards, her eyes giving off a misty clear blue light. Her body was suddenly engulfed in a blue glow, the energy surging off her flesh as her raven locks defied gravity, fanning around her shoulders.
This was a first Link had ever seen the priestess's spiritual powers react in such a way. To be honest, it was a little terrifying. Maybe Shippo was right those times way back when he first got to know the gang. Kagome did have a frightening side. Shippo's words were exact: "Beware Kagome's wrath." Also, as he was watching the ghost hunter step back from the young girl, he couldn't help but remember a phrase he heard long ago: thou hath no fury like a woman scorned.
The Princess on the other hand could not help but smile behind her hands. This was so exciting! She couldn't believe she was actually going to witness a real life priestess in action. At first she had little doubt of Kagome, but now she was a full believer that this girl had tremendous powers just below the surface.
"Do you really want to test me?" Her voice was dark and unsettling. Kagome stepped forward, and the energy suddenly shot out from her form, unexpectedly hurdling toward the closest cage near them, not the one containing Inuyasha, but one, instead housing a Poe. In an instant, the Poe was surrounded by the energy and the next everyone saw, it had disintegrated into a pile of ash.
The Princess gasped, and the ghost hunter cried out in shock.
Realizing she had purified a rare Poe he had captured not long ago, he turned irritably towards the priestess. "Do you realize how long it's taken for me to capture one of those!"
"Just think how much longer it'll take for you to refill all the cages…" She threatened, her spiritual energy rising.
All the spirits and Poes inside their cages, who had witnessed the terrifying sight of their brother being fried to a crisp by a mad woman, cried out in desolate tears. They frantically threw themselves at the bars imprisoning them, but to no avail, they could not escape. Others were spinning around, their minds entirely lost and at a loss of what to do.
Kagome approached Adrian closer, and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on edge. "I'm beginning to lose my patience…"
In a moment of desperation, he gave in. He threw his hands above him in defeat, and stepped away. "Okay! Okay! Just stop! You want your friend back, fine! Just stop destroying my property!"
Relieved he had finally decided to agree, her spiritual energy lessened, and the ghosts in the room ceased their frightful dances. Still in her trance, she replied, "So you'll let him go?"
"I'll let him go for that necklace of yours."
She frowned. "You're still trying to trade?" She seethed. How pathetic was he going to get?
Adrian scoffed. "Well you destroyed something quite rare of mine, so I want something of yours in return. A rare jewel for a rare ghost. What do you say?" He held his hand out rudely, frowning at her quite angrily.
Kagome touched the jewel around her neck, fingering the shiny surface slightly. Give him the jewel?
Noticing the ghost hunter was referring to the necklace he had given Kagome a while back Ikana, Link couldn't help but step in. There was no way he was going to allow Kagome to give up the necklace just like that. "No."
Kagome looked at Link questionably from beside her, but she couldn't help but think about Inuyasha locked up in the cage in front of her. She wanted to free him from there and get him away from this man.
"Kagome, no," Link warned.
Because it seemed as if she was considering the trade, Adrian stepped closer to the young girl. He noted that her spiritual powers had calmed entirely by now, and for that he was thankful. Reaching out, he lightly touched the crystal of her necklace. "I see great worth in this necklace. It holds strange powers…" He explained softly, as if his words were placing Kagome under a trance to hand it over to him right then.
Angered by his close proximity towards Kagome, Link pushed him aside to stand in front of her. "I'll give you rupees, if that will suffice!"
Kagome's eyes widened at this.
"I don't need your petty change!" Adrian scoffed. "That demon will cost you way more than you can earn in your entire life, kid."
Ignoring his ignorant and selfish words, Link reached into his satchel before retrieving a hefty pouch containing over a few hundred rupees. He held the bag open for Adrian to peer inside. "This is not enough?"
"The cost for a full fledge demon is higher in price…"
Link glared. "And what makes you think her necklace would be a better offer?" He inquired.
Outright ignoring Link, Adrian pushed him aside to stand directly in front of the priestess, his smirk returning. "If you give me that necklace, I give my word that I'll gladly release your friend. Interest free of course. And I'll even throw in this…" He suddenly began searching his pockets, earning Link and Kagome's attention.
When Kagome noticed a small medallion lying in his hand, she couldn't help but reach out to touch it, but Adrian pulled it out of reach with a shake of his finger. "What's that?"
"Something that will return your friend to his normal senses. It will dull the effects of his demon blood. You said it yourself," He explained. "What do you say? It seems fair…"
From Link's disapproving frown to Adrian's somewhat compromising bargain, Kagome couldn't help but ponder. Well, it would be simple enough to just hand over the necklace and Inuyasha and have him returned to his senses. That seemed like a really good choice. But as she thought longer on it, Link had given her the necklace to protect her. Kagome didn't want Inuyasha sold away.
"Well…I don't know…" In truth, Kagome felt saddened she had hurt the poor little spirit with her priestess powers; it didn't deserve such a cruel fate. She felt she had to repay the hunter for her immature behavior to try to scare him into handing Inuyasha over.
"Kagome let me handle this. I will pay for his release," Link exclaimed, hoping she would stay out of it and let him handle this. He honestly did not want to start a fight with her, and having her deny him this hurt him just a bit, though he wouldn't say it aloud.
Sadly, Kagome chose to argue back. "But you need the money for supplies. We don't have much left."
"Either way, let me handle this…"
"But, he's also offering to help revert Inuyasha back to his normal self!" She replied a little louder than necessary. What's more important?"
Link felt his fist tighten. No…he had to stay calm. He understood she was only thinking of her friend, but… The young swordsman turned away from Adrian and took Kagome's hand away from the necklace she had been previously touching. "What if something happens to you and I can't get there in time to save you?" Link questioned, nearly startling her speechless. "This necklace was meant for that purpose, to protect you when I'm not around!"
"Link…"
And yet she would easily just throw that away…If anything, Link didn't want her to give up on the necklace. He wanted to provide for her, he wanted to sacrifice his own belongings instead. That's what he wanted. Why couldn't she understand that? Did she not understand the necklace meant more than just her safety?
Cathleen couldn't help but feel the stir of emotions springing back and forth between priestess and swordsman. It was as though these two were love birds or something and the necklace meant more to Link than it did to Kagome. It was sad, to be honest. Watching this…So much so, that she decided to interfere. "I can offer twice that amount in gold!" Cathleen declared suddenly.
Hearing this, everyone turned towards the Princess in surprise, confidently standing there with her hands planted firmly on her hips. Honestly, they had almost forgotten she was standing there.
"That way everyone's happy! How does that sound?" She asked the others, but they only exchanged looks.
The ghost hunter mused. "Oh but I couldn't have you do that, Princess…Please, this matter doesn't concern you," He politely replied, but Cathleen merely waved her finger.
"Of course it concerns me. They have already won my friendship, and as their friend, I cannot just stand idly by and watch them suffer your torment. Really, how about I triple the offer?" She questioned.
Adrian thought for a moment, his gaze shifting from Kagome's necklace to the demon lying asleep in the cage. He felt a little guilty that the Princess was willing to pay him for such a matter. "Double is more than enough."
"Then we have a deal?" She asked, and from his nod, she continued. "You will release their friend and revert him back to his human form without hesitation?"
He nodded again, a little disappointed he had to give up on the exquisite and rare gem the priestess wore around her neck. Then again, couldn't pass up on gold from the Royal Family.
"Deal!" She celebrated happily before throwing a wink at Kagome and Link. She felt so excited she had helped them out.
Thankful that they would have their friend back without the worry of him having to remain in his demon form, Kagome and Link watched as Adrian unlocked the cage. After which, he stepped inside and placed the medallion around the half demon's neck. One moment he was full demon and the next, everyone's eyes widened a fraction of their size. Inuyasha was no longer a half demon, instead he was human. His hair had changed to black in an instant and his claws and dog ears vanished.
"He's human!" Kagome gasped. She hadn't realized the charm would subdue his demon blood completely.
Adrian of course merely rolled his eyes before pulling the half demon onto his shoulder as if it were nothing. "Of course he's human. If you had him waltzing right into the city looking like he did, you'd run into some serious problems. And for first time guests that's the last thing you'd folks want."
Well that made sense after all.
Because Kagome was pleased with the turn of events, she couldn't help but thank the Princess. As she fell into a short conversation with Cathleen, she couldn't help but notice out of the corner of her eye that Link had suddenly turned his back to them, exiting the cave without a word. "Link?"
As soon as Cathleen and Kagome exited the cave, with the hunter carrying Inuyasha over his shoulder, the priestess couldn't help but saunter over to the young swordsman with his back to them standing near the river's edge.
"Link?" She called, but he merely ignored her or hadn't heard her. Frankly she had a feeling he had heard her, given he turned away from her the moment she called out to him.
Instead, he stepped over to Adrian, who appeared a little discontented all of a sudden. "You will show us the path to the palace, I assume?" Link asked.
"Of course!" Adrian proudly exclaimed. Looking past a few trees hugged closely together across a few large stones away from the river, Adrian led the way. "That path leads up the canyon. It can be a little treacherous at night, but if you follow me, you'll all be fine," He explained assuredly before looking back at the Princess. "Follow closely, your highness. It will not do to have you left behind."
With that said, Adrian led the way, and without even bothering to look back at Kagome, Link turned to follow after. When he felt Kagome abruptly grasp his hand, calling out to him again in question, he only looked at her from the corner of his eye. Link read the confusion in her eyes, but he couldn't help but feel somewhat hurt by her intentions back at the cave.
"Link…are you upset with me? I'm sor—"
"Kagome, let's travel in silence…" He interrupted suddenly, thus causing the priestess to release his hand disappointedly. Without another reply or look her way, Link followed after Adrian.
Feeling a tender wound to her heart, Kagome couldn't help but place her hand upon her chest where her necklace rested. Link was upset with her, and it was her fault; she was willing to give the necklace Link had given to protect her from danger to the ghost hunter, and she had even refused him more than once. It was clear Link valued the fact that he had given her the necklace, but why couldn't he understand that she only wanted to save Inuyasha?
"Priestess Kagome?" Cathleen called out, her dainty hand touching Kagome's shoulder comfortingly. "Do not feel saddened by today's misunderstanding…"
Kagome ruefully looked at her. "Link has never gotten so angry with me before…"
Cathleen frowned. "Would you care if I gave you my opinion on the matter that happened previously?"
Kagome only nodded. "Sure."
"From what I have witnessed, Link gave you the necklace some time back to protect you from harm during his absence, correct?" When Cathleen was rewarded with a nod, the Princess continued. "You were willing to exchange the necklace for the return of your friend, and though I understand both your intentions were true, both of you seem to have misunderstood the other's feelings. If you understand what I'm referring to?"
The priestess couldn't help but scrunch her face in confusion. What had she misunderstood?
Realizing they had fallen a little behind the guys, who were still trekking up the hill around the canyon, Cathleen took Kagome's wrist as they followed along. "Well I do not believe Link is angry with you. Rather he might feel a little hurt, disappointed actually. You were willing to give up something very precious and important," She explained. "I realize Link must care an awful lot about you, Kagome. I can see, or rather I've witnessed it all back there."
"It's true…" Kagome replied sadly. Only recently they had become a couple and now look what happened.
"Men and women tend to think differently, especially when it comes to emotions. Men pride themselves highly before others, and when you were willing to give the necklace up, his pride was hurt. Perhaps he felt you did not care for his affections, Kagome. It might have been that he thought you valued Inuyasha more than his feelings…Does that make sense?"
Kagome stopped suddenly, her eyes widening. "I do care," She replied back. Her hand found the chain of her necklace suddenly. "This means a lot to me…"
Cathleen softly smiled. "Then tell him that…only after the tension has cleared of course."
Now she understood. So that was why Link was ignoring her. It made sense. Even Inuyasha had his sense of pride where he didn't want to admit his true feelings, and it was clear that yes, men and women do differ greatly from one another. So Kagome supposed it wasn't unusual for a misunderstanding to happen between her and Link; it's happened before with her and Inuyasha several times, though she didn't care to recall those sad memories.
Cathleen was right. Right now she would give Link space, but she would apologize and explain her reasoning later, hopefully sooner than later. Kagome just hoped Link didn't take what happened to heart…though he probably did.
"Here we are!" Adrian's loud voice exclaimed suddenly, rousing Kagome from her thoughts to stare at her surroundings.