InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The return of Anubis ❯ Festival of the Moon ( Chapter 10 )

A/N: I do not own Inuyasha.

This will be a short chapter! I try to push out 10,000+ words for my chapters but I decided to take a break on this one.

~X~

Today was the day of the festival! And Kagome was excited. She has never been to one before… Especially one that was held in Egypt.

It was already late in the afternoon that day, the sun barely touching the horizon in the distance and still continued its descent as the minutes passed.

She could hear the bustling crowds gather outside of those palace walls, gathering near the large platform where it all began. And currently Kagome was within the confines of Aria's room along with Kisara, finalizing the touches to her dress.

“Wow, Kagome… This dress really suits you.”

The miko blushed from Kisara's words of praise, again looking over the dress she was currently wearing while she stood in front of that tall mirror.

“Th-thank you…”

The white dragoness smiled at Kagome as she'd grab up her arm, now placing on golden bracelets upon both her wrists and another pair of those golden accessories upon the middle of her biceps. Once that was done, Kisara would now place a small golden chain across her naval for an added fashion effect. And lastly, her part would finish when a thick, golden sash was tied around Kagome's waist, leaving the larger flat end of the ribbon fall out in front with that same symbol of the eye placed upon the fabric, stitched in black within the gold.

“There you go… Now, Aria will handle the rest.”

The white dragoness smiled at the miko and took some steps back; now Aria would make her appearance as she brought in some small trinkets with her.

What were they for?

Kagome saw Aria pick up some tool, a stick of some sort. Aria then drew near and raised up her hands to place upon Kagome's head and she'd feel the end of that stick press directly at the center of her forehead. She would then draw that tool back and Kagome felt Aria drag that tool down the middle of her skull, parting her hair down the middle. Was that some sort of comb? And it wasn't a stick; it was a stone in the shape of a stick.

After Aria parted her hair, another tool was brought and it looked to be like a comb. A small toothed comb that was made of stone. Aria then began to comb Kagome's hair repeatedly, straightening out those ends until those locks were completely straight like Aria's. Aria stepped off to the side and now grabbed up that same stone stick again, parting some of her hair to braid some strands. An equal amount would be braided on either side of her head and once done; Aria now placed golden beads in her hair. They'd be only placed on the strands that were braided.

“Now… the last bit.”

Aria brought a small cup filled with black ink in one hand and other held a small fine paint brush, snow standing before the miko to block her view from the mirror.

“Close your eyes, Kagome.”

Was that makeup of some kind? It was eyed for long moments but Kagome would now close her eyes as instructed and soon felt that cool touch of the brush. She'd feel Aria outline her eyes on either side and then that brush ran over her eyebrows in one fine arch. Then Kagome felt Aria's blow some air over her face as if to dry the substance she had put on her face and then she'd hear her chuckle, now stepping out of her way so that she may gaze in the mirror.

“Now you may open them.”

And slowly Kagome opened her eyes and she gasped at her newfound look. She had some expensive looking eyeliner on, in her opinion, accentuating her blue eyes that shone brightly in the light within the room. And her eyebrows looked different as well, seeing the paint Aria placed upon them and gave a nice little arch to it. Kisara would peer over and took a look at Kagome as well and she rose her brows in surprise at Aria's work, definitely liking what she saw.

“Wow Aria… You really outdid yourself.”

“Why thank you.”

Kagome really looked like she was from Egypt. Now she was curious to know how the others would view her new look.

“Oh, one last thing.”

Aria had set down that paint and brush upon nearby counter and would be off to get that large, thick beaded necklace. She'd return to Kagome's side and would place that necklace around her neck, fastening it closed behind her and now she was complete. The beaded necklace seemed to glimmer in the light and in the middle of it all held a vividly bright jewel that matched her very eye color. It was surprisingly light, given how big it was. It stopped just above her breasts where her dress began.

Perfect!

“Okay! Now, come with me, Kagome. The other maidens should be done by now.”

The girl nodded her head at Aria's words and both the black and white dragoness would lead Kagome out from Aria's room and off to the main hall where all her companions and other maidens would be.

It did not take them long to arrive at the hall that held the main palace doors and that's where the other dragons would see the approaching forms of Aria and Kisara, Freed waving to them in the distance and motioned for them to come over. They saw someone trail behind them and couldn't get a good look at who it was. But once that miko came within range of those dragons and the silver haired Inu brothers, all of their eyes were on her immediately.

Aria smirked as they all seemed pleased with Kagome's look, both her and Kisara stepping out of the way so that they could get a good look at her.

Asche felt time all around him stop the moment he took in Kagome's new look and she looked absolutely beautiful. She looked to be like a queen… A queen of Egypt. And he would definitely be her follower to the ends of time if it ever came down to it.

Freed's brows rose when he saw Kagome approach and he already knew this had to be Aria's doing since she wore similar makeup as the black dragoness. He definitely liked what he saw, though.

“Wow…”

Inuyasha just stared down Kagome when he spoke and just couldn't believe what he was seeing. Was that even Kagome? Seeing her in Egyptian silks and jewelry, it was like another person. Another Kagome. And this Kagome he liked, a lot. But he couldn't approach her, well, it was hard to. They had such a horrible exchange of words some days ago and they never spoke to each other since.

Now Sesshoumaru viewed Kagome in a whole new light. She looked definitely like a Queen in his eyes, a queen he had long accepted and come to have known for some time now. He eyed her body with no shame at all, both him and his inner beast pleased at what they saw. Those silks hugged her form in all the right places, pearly white flesh visible upon the top of her frame, her mid-drift and her leg that escaped the curtain of silks from each step she took. He had half a mind to whisk her way from the prying eyes of the others as well.

Kagome's eyes slowly looked up to those before her and felt the heat rise to her cheeks when she saw the very appraised looks she got from the males, especially when she saw Sesshoumaru's face. A flash of hunger would appear in those amber hues and she couldn't stare at him for long or else she'd be feeling it!

“Kagome, if I hadn't known any better, I would have mistaken you for an Egyptian.”

That was Asche speaking up by then, a tinge of red forming upon his cheeks when he viewed Kagome some few feet away. And Kagome gazed back at the red dragon, offering him a small smile and slight bow of the head.

“That's a good thing, right?” Giggling softly after. That giggle was enough to have Asche crushing so hard on her… It was like high school all over again.

“Alright! It is time we go now. The festival will be beginning soon.”

And yes, that day drew to night and the moment that sun disappeared over the horizon with the night sky taking its place; it was as if the entire city lit up braziers placed upon each and every rooftop, lit up aflame.

The four dragons and the four maidens made their way to the main platform where the main event would start. Kagome never felt so nervous! She was trying to keep it together but soon she'd feel a gentle touch upon her arm, that coming from Anna, the maiden from Greece, walking beside the miko and gave her a reassuring smile. Kagome smiled back and nodded her head slowly, showing that she was okay.

They'd walk down that long path that led to the center stage and there were so many guards all around! And Atem's servants, too. They would all bow their heads when they walked passed them down that aisle, now reaching the steps that led up to the platform ahead. And here, Kagome's eyes lit up when she saw a faint, glow come from the cracks between the stones that made up the platform, giving off a light bluish color.

Now those corners were taken up when the dragons would depart from the maidens and in no time they took to their true forms, standing tall as they could be. Ishtar now made her appearance, gracing the girls with soft smiles and left them a few words to encourage them since they were about to bless the lands in preparation for the planet's alignment as well as give praise to the Egyptian Moon god, Khonshu.

Ishtar also wore attire that seemed to be fitting for the oracle, wearing nothing but white silks. She gave one last look to the girls and motioned for them to follow her, drawing closer to the other end of the stage where the roaring crowd would be and felt all eyes on them from both human and youkai alike.

Now Kagome began to wonder, where was Atem?

Said Pharaoh would make his appearance when she heard the crowd's voices increase in volume, continuously chanting out his name and then she felt it. That powerful youki that belonged to none other than the pharaoh himself. Why had she not sensed it before when she arrived at that library some nights ago? Was he hiding himself from her? So many questions… But those were not important to find answers for.

Atem graced those maidens when he'd arrive on that stage by himself and without his staff. He'd bow his head lightly before Ishtar and so would she, now turning his sights upon the four girls who were dressed in silks from his home land. Everyone of them beautiful in his opinion, especially when he found Kagome. That attire had to be of Aria's work, no doubt. But he had no complaints. It suited her. Kagome felt Atem's eyes on her and she blushed heavily, wondering if he approved of what she wore. Honestly, she thought it was a bit too much!

But soon Atem would step forwards, walking pass the oracle and the maidens to once again grace his people before him.

The moon made its appearance high in the sky and Atem would direct them all to it. It shone bright in that night sky and so did the stars around it, completely in its full moon state. And at that moment, the very city lit up with that same soft blue color coming from the cracks of the platform, now spreading out through the entire city. It was amazing!

Atem now gestured his hand towards his oracle, Ishtar speaking up to the four maidens and told them of the hymn the recited some days prior. They were going to recite those words tonight! Luckily Kagome knew of its significance so she knew what to expect.

And so they'd take their places, Ishtar starting first to recite that hymn the moment Atem had silenced his people.

It sounded like a poem, honestly. A prayer in the form of a poem and it held words that would even she found to be quite complex. As those four girls began to recite the hymn of the moon, they would all feel that connection to the spirits and the spiritual realm, their auras flaring and outlined their bodies in various colors of the rainbow spectrum. Now Kagome began to realize this wasn't just a prayer, a hymn or a poem… It was a song.

A song given to the spirits and to Khonshu who would bless their lands from the oncoming attack by Anubis when the planets align. The song would last for just a few minutes and when it had ended, the crowd would remain silent, raising up their arms and bowed their heads, leaving a moment of silence for the god of the moon. Kagome saw this and was quite moved at it all.

And again Atem would take the `stage' and in time the crowd would raise their heads, now setting all of their eyes upon the Pharaoh.

“Now, let the festival begin!”

And the crowd went wild, their cheers for them all heard and soon the festival began to take its course.

The streets of the city became quite busy that night, humans and youkai from all over, coming together in one place. There was music, lots of it, some singing and others going into dance, entertainment offered to some as well. Drinks and feasts, all happening within those streets of Atem's Kingdom and they all looked to be having a good time. It was indeed a party of sorts.

As for Kagome and the rest of them, they all left that platform and went to enjoy themselves at the festival. She also noticed some new faces and there as she found out that they were a part of a selected few that would be invited into the palace should they be on the pharaoh's personal guest list. She hadn't known what other festivities would be happening in the palace, though, because currently she was being dragged around by Aria by the arm, the dragoness wanting nothing more for Kagome to enjoy herself tonight. A night where she would forget all her troubles and just enjoy the festivities.

And so she did that night.

Kagome did not drink, mostly because she still couldn't hold her liquor as much as the other youkai but she would find it highly amusing to see that dragoness take in so much to a point where she got drunk. Is this how Aria truly was? It was amusing to see. Inuyasha and those other two male dragons also had their own drinking contest and unfortunately, Freed was the only one who passed out. Asche and Inuyasha? They were slightly tipsy but they'd continue to bicker about nonsense, arguing over the smallest of things.

As for Sesshoumaru, she had not seen him anywhere. Did he head off to some place? Or had he returned back to his room?

Well, either way, she hoped he was alright.

And while the miko enjoyed the festival with her dragon companions and the silver haired hanyou, on the far end of the southwestern side of the city where activity was most scarce, Sesshoumaru would be in hot pursuit of the enemy.

That same, black hooded figure that kept a careful watch on the maidens had been found by the DaiYoukai as he took note of their heavy ill-intent aura within the bustling crowds during the open ceremony.

They were currently scaling the lit up streets, dodging in and out of buildings, alleyways and passage ways, Sesshoumaru's mighty sword drawn, the Bakusaiga, currently gripped tight within his hand and began to slaughter the hordes of lesser demons that was sent his way.

Whoever this figure was, they had a power that allowed them to summon any sort of lesser demon at their command, having those creatures charge for Sesshoumaru but they all met the same fate with death by his sword. The sickening sounds of flesh being chopped clean in half would be heard within that back alley and soon the hooded figure ended up at a dead end.

“Hmm, seems I am cornered…”

Sesshoumaru would land gracefully upon his feet some meters away from the intruder, his weapon still drawn with eyes remaining upon the foe. Sesshoumaru knew that whoever this person was, they were a threat to the maidens, which included Kagome. And he promised to protect her, no matter the enemy. Slowly his sword raised and pointed it at his foe, eyes narrowing when that figure slowly turned to face Sesshoumaru in the distance and here he could see the grin they gave underneath their hood, the only thing he could make out from the darkness.

“Hoh? Seems Atem found some powerful guards.”

“This Sesshoumaru is in no relation to them.”

Sesshoumaru? He had not ever heard of that name before. And coming from their attire, eyeing the kimono, weapons, armor and that weird fluff thing over their shoulder, this one knew that they were not from the lands of Egypt.

However, what was far more interesting is that this intruder spoke in Japanese… And Sesshoumaru never needed any bracelet since he did not wish to speak to any of them so this raised many, many questions.

“Who are you?”

Sesshoumaru's voice heard in the vast amount of space between them but all the DaiYoukai would get in return is a laugh. A cryptic laugh that had Sesshoumaru resisting the urge to growl at them. The hold on his sword tightened when he saw them rise up their hands, grasping their hood and pulled it back to reveal his face to the DaiYoukai.

It was an Egyptian from what he could see; dark skinned with short, grey hair and a four-stitched scar underneath his right eye. Said eyes were a pale purple color, almost as if the life had been sucked right out of him but here he was, alive as can be. Human? Youkai? It was hard to tell. They gave no particular aura or youki, almost as if he was masking it.

Then the man smirked.

“Who am I, you ask? That is something that will be revealed in due time... But for now, I will remain watching those precious maidens and soon their lives will be no more.”

Sesshoumaru growled lowly. This weak creature posed no threat. And how dare they speak as if they can do anything?! Without another word, Sesshoumaru closed the distance between himself and that man in seconds, perhaps reaching near record speed, and with weapon in hand, Sesshoumaru thrusted his sword forwards with the blade piercing the man's heart instantly. He had thought he came into contact with flesh but it seems that was not the case. The intruder began to laugh evilly, his eyes widening as that sickening laugh resounded out through that back alley. Then that body began to disintegrate into a pile of sand before Sesshoumaru's feet.

Seems they ran off, whoever they were.

Sesshoumaru sensed no one else within that area and so, sword was sheathed away and immediately he leapt up upon the roof of that building he stood beside, eyes gazing out at the distance over the castle walls. Nothing but sand all over and he couldn't find anyone outside. Well, with the threat gone, Sesshoumaru began to pace his way back to the main area where the festival was being held, hopping off building after building until he came to the main street where most of the humans and youkai would be.

He then heard the angry yell of his half-brother, followed by those male dragons, turning his head to find said brother who looked to be quite intoxicated. Gaze did not remain on him for long as he found Kagome some feet ahead of the hanyou, watching her closely as she was currently with Aria who was just as intoxicated as Inuyasha with Kisara assisting the miko. He saw her smile and laugh as she enjoyed herself with the festival tonight and so he'd let the woman be so that she could have her fun with her companions. He would remain in the shadows, though, keeping careful watch on her or any more enemies in the area.

Kagome's eyes blinked slowly when she felt a presence near and it was somewhat familiar. Who was it? She'd turn her head to glance up at the building beside her, finding no one atop that roof. Was she losing her mind? Or maybe she shouldn't have had that shot earlier. …Possibly.

And so that day drew so late into the night to the point where Kagome was so tired. Somehow, Inuyasha was knocked out cold and Freed was left on guard duty since Asche began to give Kagome company after Kisara took Aria's drunk ass to her room.

“Kagome, I just want to let you know that you look absolutely beautiful right now.”

Kagome was highly surprised that Asche managed to say those words while he was just as plastered as Inuyasha yet still kept conscious. Huh. Then again, he was a full blooded dragon youkai, after all. Kagome offered Asche a small smile and gave a light laugh.

“Thank you, Asche. But you look like you're ready to collapse.”

Asche snorted, “Please, I am perfectly fine.” Well, for the moment.

“Mhm, I bet you are.”

And the two laughed lightly as they'd make their way back into the palace with Freed looking absolutely annoyed right now as he was currently dragging an unconscious hanyou right now. Kagome noticed the look upon his face and offered him a smile too, “Thank you again, Freed.”

He rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah.”

Asche grinned at Freed and he would glare right back at that red dragon in complete annoyance.

And the four of them made it back to Kagome's room, the girl opening up the door inside and she would instruct Freed to just leave Inuyasha on the enlarged cushion within the middle of the main area. And so he did, Inuyasha still out like a light. He was going to have quite the hangover the next morning. Anyhow! She would say her goodbye's to both Asche and Freed, thanking them again for their time and wished them a goodnight.

Those dragons would now take their leave and door was closed behind them, Kagome turning to view the unconscious hanyou that was sprawled out on that cushion. It brought a small smile to her lips, giggling lightly when she'd remember the silly things he and Asche fought over. Lips parted and she yawned out tiredly, stretching those arms high above her head and began to pace towards her room. She'd stop when she saw the curtains move as a wind passed by, catching a glimpse of silver form the outside.

Oh. Was that Sesshoumaru?

Kagome would now make her way out to the balcony and found Sesshoumaru sitting upon that cushion, his gaze out at the distance and looked to be in thought. She smiled softly and would draw herself near to the DaiYoukai, grabbing up the other vacant cushion and placed it beside him to sit upon.

“Are you not tired, Sesshoumaru?”

“No.”

Kagome blinked, “Oh…”

“But it seems you are.”

He could hear the tiredness in her voice and was mildly surprised that she did not head back into her room to sleep. Then again, not that he wasn't complaining.

“A little…” More than a little, it was a lot!

Kagome watched Sesshoumaru's face and he was still gazing out at the distance, her gaze slowly dropping to the mokomoko that was perched up on his shoulder. A wide smile graced her lips when she reached out with her hands to grasp the ball of fluff and Sesshoumaru stiffened when he'd feel her soft hands upon it. He'd feel her rub her face in it like she once did before and again, he tried not to groan at the feel of her softness. He'd hear her giggle and now stroke the fluffiness with her hands.

Was she drunk? Possibly.

Kagome would once again see that fluff move from its spot upon his shoulder, slinking around her like a snake and wrapped around her waist. It was so warm, almost as if it was alive… Kagome had to wonder if this thing was a part of him, somehow. Either that or was it alive on its own?

Eyes narrowed some as she watched Sesshoumaru's face and he still didn't look at her but she'd grin slowly at what she was about to do. Her hands would raise to the top of his shoulder and curled her fingers as she dragged her nails down the fluff and that was enough to have Sesshoumaru growling lowly when he turned his heavy amber gaze to the miko.

“Now I know why you gained the nickname, Fluffy-chan.”

He continued to growl at her as he leaned towards her direction, the girl seemingly unphased as she was having the time of her life with Sesshoumaru now. He drew close to a point where he was just a few inches away from her face, glaring at her. The girl smiled and without word she'd lean in to meet him half way to place a peck upon his lips.

“Didn't I say you shouldn't growl so much?”

Again with that teasing tone of hers that he seemed to enjoy. Oh how much he had fallen! And soon his mokomoko would uncoil from her waist and she'd giggle when she felt the fur brush over the skin exposed around her front.

“Alright, I'm off to bed. Oyasuminasai, Fluffy-chan.”

Sesshoumaru now watched the girl head off and disappear back into the main room, now hearing a door open and close soon after.

And with that the festival was now drawing near its end as the full moon shone bright in the night's sky, the lands of the kingdom still shone bright until the now rising sun would make it's a appearance in the distance.

~X~