InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Shards Of Hope ❯ He Just Can’t Win… ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: Since I obviously don't own the copyright to Teen Titans or Inuyasha, I'm taking advantage of the Fair Use Clause of the Copyright laws to write a story with them in it. Who knew the government would protect the little guys? Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

 

Author's Notes: Thanks for the reviews! Thank you all for making me feel all appreciated and good about myself. I hope you enjoy this chapter! I'm still willing to Beta for anyone who wants me to and I also suggest reading the following: It Only Takes A Moment by EmaniaHilel; Reality Check by Insaneiac The Maniac; Know What's Wrong With Prophecies by XRR; and finally Raven's Destiny, another piece I am writing.

 

Chapter 7: He Just Can't Win…

 

Robin stepped out of the limo and was greeted by the diplomat who looked exasperated, “Are you sure about this? They can go to…”

Robin cut him off with a hand held in front of him, “I'm positive, how long before we clear the diplomatic channels?”

“They want assurance that the Teen Titans take full responsibility for the protection of the family.”

“Will a verbal agreement do or will I need to sign something?” Robin said impatiently, looking over to where Beast Boy leaned against the limo impatiently.

The diplomat pulled out his cell phone and began dialing.

Miroku and Sango sat staring at one of the iron beasts that Kagome had briefly described to them as carts that move without horses. They had nearly attacked it the moment they saw it, such a large and dangerous looking creature, but Kagome had assured them it was harmless. It was a good thing they weren't hostile, they had seen literally dozens of them in a tall building not far from where they were. The world Kagome lived in was… scary. Massive temples and castles that were unlike anything either of them had ever seen before surrounded them. People were everywhere, although the oddly dressed people and demons that had led them here were keeping other people away from them.

“What do you make of all this Miroku?” Sango said, shaking her head in frustration. None of this made sense…

Miroku frowned, “Kagome's world is strange.”

Sango nodded, “I hope Kagome is sure about all of this.”

“As am I.” Miroku agreed.

“What sort of sorcery created these…” Her eyes narrowed as she felt an all too familiar sensation, a hand rubbing against her butt. A large red mark appeared on Miroku's face and he withdrew his hand with a small laugh. “Letch.” She said with a sneer and got up, deciding she preferred the company of anyone else to Miroku's. What she found was that demon, the one that floated around, sitting down against one of the beast carts looking rather depressed. Something about that disturbed her, but she couldn't tell why. That's when the demon's head perked up and found Sango starring at her. The silence was uncomfortable and they just looked at each other.

“We will be leaving soon.” Starfire said. Her tone was so different from before, quieter, almost… scared.

Sango frowned, “Is… something wrong?”

Starfire blinked and forced a smile, “Nothing is wrong, everything is wonderful…” She frowned and dipped her head, “everything is not wonderful... my friends hate each other…”

Sango was left standing there as she began to hear the demon whimper. The twin urges of comforting her and leaving this uncomfortable mess hit her simultaneously. She didn't even know her, and from the way she had acted earlier, Sango wasn't sure getting close to her or talking to her was the wisest decision…

Swallowing the growing lump in her throat Sango took a step towards her but someone cut her off. Robin walked towards Starfire from an awkward angle, facing Starfire but completely missing Sango. “Hey, Star, we've got authorization to leave… Star, are you alright?”

“I will be fine…” She said meekly, looking up at Sango instead of Robin. Robin looked about confused, turning to find Sango standing a few feet behind him.

“Oh. We will be leaving to take your friend to the safe place now.” He explained it as if she were a child, Sango noted with a touch of irritation.

“Ok Star, transport has been arranged. You, Cyborg, and Beast Boy will be guarding her and the other man we found in the well. I'm going with the family.” Starfire nodded numbly, leaving Robin to pause and furrow his brow, “Are you paying attention Star? I haven't even told you where you're supposed to meet them.”

Starfire unconsciously grabbed her arms, looking at the ground “I am sorry. Where are they located?”

Robin paused, gnawing on his lower lip. She was probably worried about Raven… “Just follow me.”

“We will be taking you to the safe place now.” Starfire said glumly and then stood, not floating, but standing on the ground and slowly following Robin. Sango simply nodded and followed her.

Miroku stood outside a car next to Beast Boy and Cyborg. If Starfire had not been so depressed she might have found Beast Boy's arms waving around like a bird amusing, especially since he was currently in human form. But she barely noticed walking over to them with Sango in tow. Cyborg finally convincing Beast Boy to stop trying to communicate with the confused Miroku when Starfire arrived and an uncomfortable silence encompassed to the group. It was broken briefly as Robin re-iterated their orders, but returned just as quickly when he left.

“Star… think you can tell them to get in the car?” Cyborg asked, noticing that Sango and Miroku were both staring at the vehicle warily.

Starfire nodded, and then looked at the pair while forcing a smile, “Can you please get into the car?”

Sango nodded, and then slowly got into the back of the cramped and closed in cart. It made her a little claustrophobic, and she was having troubles with her (find name for boomerang), finally wedging it between the center divider and the front passenger seat. Miroku followed reluctantly, sitting in the middle of the back seat, next to Sango.

“All right, I'm driving.” Cyborg said, getting into the driver's seat.

“I call shotgun!” Beast Boy yelled emphatically, racing to the other side of the car.

Starfire simply opened the door and without looking sat down next to Miroku. There was a brief moment that Starfire failed to feel anything, but then Miroku began to move his hand about and the world was sent into SHARP focus. She blinked rapidly, turning a deep red color and looking at him as he smiled at her. Starfire's mouth fell open at the sight. Miroku opened his mouth to finally say his traditional greeting when he received the blow. Not a normal slap, a solid smash from Starfire that drove him from his seat and into the car door, letting him come to rest on Sango's lap. “NEVER DO THAT AGAIN! YOU! YOU! YOU!”

Sango looked over to the irate Starfire, then back to Miroku and finishing her sentence for her, “Letch.” Miroku looked up, still holding his chest, forcing a smile. Sango frowned, opened the door and let him fall out.

 

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Inuyasha belched, then wiped his mouth with his hand. Raven looked at him in slight disgust. They had been waiting for nearly an hour and the others still hadn't arrived. While Shippo and Kilala were waiting patiently, Inuyasha was beginning to get restless. Raven had been watching him the entire time, and every few moments his eyes would dart to the door. Of course, he had noticed her watching as well and wasn't happy about it.

“Will you quit staring at me? When is Kagome going to get her?”

Raven kept the deadpan expression on her face, “I don't know when Kagome will get here.”

“Well then will you stop staring at me? It was bad enough when I was eating…” He huffed and looked away. Raven didn't.

“I've never seen another half demon.”

Inuyasha blinked, then turned around. Raven lifted a small cup of herbal tea to her mouth and drank some, not moving her eyes off of him. “You mean you've never met another half-demon?”

“Must I repeat myself?” She said, arching an eyebrow.

Inuyasha growled, “What is it with you? Are you angry with me or something?”

“No.”

Inuyasha frowned, crossing his arms in front of his chest. `I will never understand women…' He snorted and looked away, leaving the room in silence and Raven's eyes upon him. “Were you telling the truth about half-demons before?” Inuyasha said, still looking away.

“Why would I lie?”

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, and huffed again, “What is it with you and questions anyway?”

“I saw into your mind.”

He growled again, pointing at her directly, “YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO DO THAT!”

“You are right. I am sorry.” She said and placed the tea back on the table and, for the first time since they had entered the buildings she took her eyes off of him, turning to look at the floor instead.

Inuyasha frowned, “What did you see… how much did you see?”

“Outside of how to speak Japanese… nothing of importance, as I said earlier.”

Inuyasha's frown deepened, but he stopped questioning the girl. Instead he turned his attention to Shippo who was trying to steal a rice ball from his plate. One vicious punch to the head later, Shippo was sitting back on his seat whining while Inuyasha began yelling at him. When he finally looked back at Raven, he saw her look away.

“Am I really the only half-demon you've ever seen?” Inuyasha asked bluntly.

“Outside of looking in a mirror, yes.” She said with a slight

Inuyasha fidgeted, “If you want to talk about…”

She raised a hand, “No thank you.”

Inuyasha nodded, then heard something that make his ears pick up slightly. He looked towards the doorway and managed to smile, “Kagome…” He completely missed Raven's frown.

 

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A circle of flames wrapped around him, slowly bending and curling on the dead earth until it completely surrounded him. “The task is complete,” There was a brief pause and then he finished, “master.” Slade said and bent down on his knee, looking down at the ground, the fire dancing around him, “The priestess is dead.” He looked up watching as the opposite wall lit up, his master's mark searing the cave wall.

The flames flickered wildly for a moment without reply and then exploded at Slade, slamming into his chest and causing him to yell out in agony. The circle of flames erupted completely surrounding Slade and then beginning to close in. The sound of sizzling flesh and a tormented howl was briefly droned by a warped inhuman voice, “You have failed. When the pain ends, kill her and destroy what she has brought. Do not fail again.” And then there was nothing but screams.