InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Cross of Blades ❯ The New Monster Hunters of Winhill ( Chapter 5 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Striking Falcon 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.05.2004 | Pages: 4 | Words: 8.1K | Visits: 778 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.05.2004 | Pages: 4 | Words: 8.1K | Visits: 778 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: No, I don't own it. So there! You guys can't sue now! Oh, and this chapter includes a few more gunblade names, again thanks to Tessa3!
Chapter Four: The New Monster Hunters of Winhill
I
"Huh?" Sango said before Kagome flopped down face first onto her bed. "What are you talking about? What bet?"
"Oh man," Kagome moaned as she grabbed a pillow and held it over her head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"How bout you tell me and we cross the bridge from there?" Sango suggested as she sat down beside her. She listened patiently as Kagome told her about her earlier conversation with Sesshoumaru, and the bet she so foolishly agreed to. Kagome peered at Sango from underneath the fluff when she finished, watching as her friend bit clean through her lip to keep from laughing outright.
"So you're telling me," Sango breathed as Kagome sat up and glared at her. "That you were stupid enough to make a bet with Sesshoumaru in the first place? Not only that, but you made one with him knowing that he's a captain now and can pick his own team?" Kagome blushed at that, having forgotten until then that as captain Sesshoumaru could insure that her chances of winning would be slim to none.
"Just great," Kagome groaned and whopped Sango upside the head with her pillow when she finally caved into her giggles. "Once again, further proof of why me and dogs just don't mix."
"Oh don't act like that," Sango comforted when she finally calmed down. "Just pick a skirt and..." She glared sharply at Kagome's sheepish face, then said, "You don't own a skirt do you?"
"Um...no." Kagome frowned when Sango collapsed again, this time sprawled across her bed and her chuckles loud enough to be heard down the hallway. "What?!"
"You really messed up this time," Sango giggled as she raised her arm to avoid another blow. "How are you going to get a skirt before tomorrow morning? You do know that's when we're supposed to report to him right?"
Kagome froze mid-blow, then flopped backward onto the bed and groaned. "Oh man. I'm screwed. Hey, I know!" she exclaimed as she sat up. "I can say I'm sick!"
"What?"
"Yeah," Kagome steam-rolled ahead as she dug around her closet for something. "I'll just fake it. Put a water bottle underneath my bed, use a Fire and a Water spell to make steam so it looks like I'm sweating. It'll work."
"No it won't," Sango shook her head and ducked a flying water bottle as it sailed toward her head. "Think about it Kagome. Sesshoumaru would be able to smell the lie."
"Oh great," Kagome moaned from the innards of the closet before shutting the door behind her and closing herself inside. "I'm doomed."
"Now you know I'm going to help you," Sango said as she stood off the bed and walked toward the closet. She sat down on the floor beside it, her back leaned against the wall with her arms wrapped around her knees. "As a matter of fact, I think I have an idea."
The closet door slid open and Kagome's head appeared in the opening. "Really?" she asked. Sango nodded. "Really. I think you should take that bet and turn it against him."
"How?" Kagome wondered. "Make him wear the skirt."
"As much as I'd like to see that-"
"You and half the Garden," Kagome snickered, then quieted when Sango glared at her. "Sorry."
"Thank you. Anyway, I think we should dress you up a bit." Sango smiled, already sorting through her wardrobe for something appropriate. "I haven't seen you in a skirt since we were nine. It'd be nice to see you dress like a girl for once."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kagome snapped as she stepped out of the closet and glowered down at her. Sango grinned and stood up, her hands up in appeasement. "Chill out. What I meant was that you're always in pants and t-shirts. If not that then you're in your uniform. It'd be a cool change to see you dress pretty, that's all."
"I don't know," Kagome mumbled while she closed her closet shut and sat back down on her bed. "I'm not shaped like you Sango."
"Yeah I know," Sango nodded. "You've got killer long legs and a tiny waist. You know," she said as she sat down beside her. "Models are tall."
"Guys are tall," Kagome grumbled back.
"Beauty contestants are tall." She winced when Kagome growled at her and scratched the back of her head. "Ok, that was a bad example. What I'm trying to say is that you're a beautiful person, but you hide it like someone's going to come up and steal it. You do all that training and for what?"
"To be a better specialist," Kagome answered quickly. "Why else would I?"
"Well yeah it's obviously that," Sango replied with a wave of her hand. "But Kagome...would it hurt to enjoy being pretty for once? Please...." she begged, her hands clasped in front of her and her eyes squinted shut. "Pretty please...?" She pouted and gave Kagome a large, brown eyed puppy dog look that she knew the younger girl couldn't refuse.
"Oh for the love of-Fine," Kagome relented with a heavy sigh. "But you have to help."
"Like I was going to do anything else. Now wait here," Sango said before she jumped up and ran out the door. "I'll be right back."
Kagome waited for what she felt had to be thirty minutes, then decided to start packing for the long trip. `All the report said was to pack for at least two weeks. I'm going to pack for one extra week just in case.' She jumped when Sango finally barged into the room, with Miroku, Shippou and a load of clothes following along behind her. Kagome gaped, a pair of boyshorts loosely in her hands before she quickly wadded them up and tossed them into her duffle bag.
"Sango!" Kagome exclaimed when both gentlemen tossed their load onto her bed and (making sure to wave to Kagome first) left the room and shut the door behind them. "What's this? What's going on?"
"Well, this is just a few things I thought we could look through," Sango replied before shifting through the mountain of clothes. "Shippou and Miroku'll come back later to grab what we don't need."
"But Sango," Kagome protested. "It's not going to take that long to find something...will it?"
"Of course it will!" Sango nodded before tossing a red shirt over her head and toward the chair sitting idly in a nearby corner. "That's why I'm going to spend the night in here. That way we'll find something perfect for that jerk tomorrow and you can help me pack at the same time."
"Ok then," Kagome said before clearing a space free and dropping a couple of ammunition holsters into the bottom of the bag. Sango watched her a moment, then gestured toward the rest of the room. "Hey Kagome? Where's the ammo holster Kikyou gave you? You know, the one she said a guy in Dollet made special for her?"
"Why?" Kagome asked as she reached inside a nearby dresser drawer, pulled it free and handed it to her.
"Oh, just an idea," Sango replied with a wicked grin. "You'll see..."
II
Shippou leaned against the wall, he, Inuyasha and Miroku patiently waiting by the front gate. They had been waiting since sun up, having forgone breakfast to make sure they saw Kagome and Sango off. Shippou glanced up eagerly as someone approached them but deflated when Kikyou shyly waved at them.
"Hey guys," she greeted after giving Inuyasha a quick hug. "How's it going? Have they left yet?"
"If they had, would we still be standing here?" Shippou snipped testily and turned his head to watch the awakening wildlife. Kikyou blinked in surprise, then turned a questioning glance to Inuyasha and Miroku.
"Excuse him Kikyou," Miroku said. "He's a bit upset about Kagome leaving. Those two have been inseparable since before they arrived at the Garden, so he's understandably upset."
"It's about time somebody did something about that," Inuyasha griped with a yawn. "Those two have been attached to the hip for as long as I can remember. Next thing you know, they're gonna start dressing and acting alike. Hell, he may do like she does and keep a tube of lip gloss inside his ammo pack."
"For one dumbass," Shippou retorted with a growl. "I don't even use a gun. Two; we've been dressing alike for years. What do you call the Garden uniforms? Jeez, you can be so dumb sometimes."
"You know what?" Inuyasha growled as he stalked toward the irrate kitsune. "I'm tired of your mouth. Get this straight Shippou: Once Kagome leaves, there's nothing, and I mean nothing to stop me from beating your ass."
"I'd like to see you try it Dog Boy," Shippou taunted and cracked his knuckles. "There's nothing between us but air and opportunity."
"Boys, boys," Kikyou shouted as she and Miroku stood between the two youkai. "Just stop. Is this how you guys want Sango and Kagome to remember you?"
"She's right," Miroku agreed. "You're behaving like kids! Grow up already!"
"Besides..." Kikyou reached inside a small pouch on her shoulder and brought out a white paper bag. "Wouldn't you rather eat doughnuts than fight? I've got enough for everyone..."
"Fine," Inuyasha growled as he turned from Shippou and held out his hand. Shippou growled something like a temporary peace and silently received Kikyou's offering, nodding his head in thanks and quietly chewing as everyone else fell into conversation around him.
"I wonder what's taking them so long," Miroku said as he flipped open his com-phone and checked the time. "Sango said they had to leave at 10. It's 9:38 now and Sesshoumaru's not even here yet."
"He's coming though," Inuyasha replied after sniffing and wrinkling his nose. "He's almost here."
They glanced up the stairs just as Sesshoumaru appeared at the top of them, his head down and his eyes distant as he descended the steps toward them. His right hand tightly held his duffle bag strap, the bag bumping against the back of his legs. His coat was left unbuttoned, with a royal blue button up shirt underneath and his left hand inside one of the pockets of his black denim jeans. His hair was back in the usual ponytail and Inuyasha noticed that his tail was nowhere to be seen as Sesshoumaru finally looked up and acknowledged them.
"As flattered as I am," Sesshoumaru said as he stopped before them and sat his duffle bag at his feet. "I don't believe I needed such fanfare to begin this mission."
"It's not for you," Inuyasha grumbled with a snort. "We're waiting on Kagome and Sango. Have you seen them by the way?"
"No," Sesshoumaru shook his head as he adjusted the black leather holster at his side and looked at his watch. "They don't have long to arrive either."
"Hey, isn't that them?" Kikyou asked as she pointed up the stairs toward the commons circle. The others looked ahead and shrugged at the two girls walking toward them.
"No, I don't think so," Miroku said as he shook his head. "I guess we're stuck waiting. Oh well. I'm sure they'll get here soon."
)-(
"Sango, I feel like an idiot," Kagome grumbled as she nervously dusted off the front of her outfit. Sango shook her head in disagreement and knocked her hands away.
"Stop that. You're so wound up," Sango told her. "Just relax and stand still so I can make sure you've got everything."
"What else could there be?" Kagome moaned miserably and grimaced when Sango began to walk around her. Sango eyed her critically, then nodded in approval and gave Kagome a quick hug. "You look great!" Sango chirped. "I told you you would!"
"Yeah," Kagome mumbled as she glanced at herself in the mirror. The long sleeved white scoop neck sweater was fine with her (even if it was a little low), but the black pleated miniskirt made her feel self-conscious. She turned to the side, bluish green eyes studying the silver strappy heeled sandals Sango insisted she wear. "You do realize that there's still snow on the ground right?" Kagome asked as she glanced at Sango's mirror image.
"Yeah, I know," Sango mumbled, a pair of black elastic hair bands between her teeth inhibiting her speech. "But it's not like we're going to be walking a long way anyway."
"I can't wield my gunblade in this," Kagome continued to complain as Sango parted her hair down the back of her head and flipped the two separate sections over her shoulder. "What happens if we're attacked?"
"Where?" Sango asked before running a brush through the right side of Kagome's hair. "You mean, like attacked in the car? I don't think that's possible."
"What about stray winds?" Kagome tried again and winced as Sango pulled her hair into two low pigtails. She sighed while Sango flipped them over her shoulders, the obsidian strands free to cascade over her breasts to the middle of her ribs before starting on her own hair.
"You know you can't talk yourself out of this," Sango told her as she unrolled her hair and flung it up in a quick ponytail. "You're the one that made the bet."
"I wish someone would have smacked me upside my head last night," Kagome sighed miserably, then reached for her duffle bag and her coat. She eyed Sango's blue jeans and crimson blouse wistfully. "I'd rather have on what you're wearing."
"Stop complaining," Sango scolded. "You look amazing. He's so going to regret making that bet with you."
"Um...is that a good thing?" Kagome asked, then followed Sango out the door. Sango waited while Kagome slid her ID card through the lock, both of them waiting for the tumble of locks and the tiny beep that signaled it secure before continuing down the hallway.
"Of course it's a good thing," Sango assured her. "I tell you what? How about we-"
"Sango?"
"Yeah?"
"Um...did we just forget our weapons, or is it just me?"
"Oh crap!" They sprinted back to Kagome's room, both of them scolding themselves for being so empty-headed as Kagome fumbled with the door lock. Sango quickly grabbed her holster, a brown western version with room for her rifle, ammunition, and any potions or spells she may decided she needed for the journey. She waited for Kagome while she strapped her gunblade and holster in place before grabbing a black ammo pack off her desk and sitting down on in the chair in front of it.
"Is that the one Kikyou gave you?" she asked while Kagome kicked off her right shoe and slid the loaded pack up her leg. The pack looked more like a garter belt than the traditional ammo packs, with the bullets held separately in tiny sleeves around her leg. Kagome nodded and stood up when it stopped at mid thigh, just an inch or two from the hemline of her skirt before stepping back in the shoe and locking the door once again.
"I can't believe we did that," Kagome blushed while Sango laughed beside her. "I mean, how dumb was that?"
"I know!" Sango giggled. "Ok, let's do a quick check and make sure we haven't left anything else. You got any extra ammo packs?"
"Yup," Kagome said and patted her duffle bag. "Never leave home without them."
"You got that right," Sango grinned as they left the dormitory wing and stepped out onto the commons circle. Kagome froze instantly, automatically conscious of herself once again. "Come on Kagome," Sango urged her forward with a light hand on her elbow. "We're going to be late. Just image how bad that'll look to be late for our first mission."
"Yeah, you're right," Kagome nodded, nervous peacock blue eyes focused only on her friend. "Ok Sango. Sorry."
"No problem. Now...you got underwear?"
"Of course," Kagome laughed as they continued around the circle. She and Sango ignored the other students as they made their way toward the front gate, though Kagome could feel the stares of the other male students as they leered at her. She held her nervousness inside and answered Sango's questions, silently grateful for her friend's distraction as the Garden directory finally cam into view.
"Jeez, I wish we had woke up earlier," Sango complained when her stomach growled. "What's wrong with your alarm?"
"Me," Kagome smirked, then reached inside her bag for a twinkie. "Sorry, but this is all I've got."
"Where'd you get it?" Sango asked as she ripped through the clear wrapper and attempted to inhale the cake in one bite.
"I keep them in my room," Kagome explained. "I've been doing it for so long now. Shippou and I used to have all kinds of junk food in our room."
"You know, if you ever got busted for that you two could have ended up doing janitorial duty."
"Yeah, I know," Kagome winked and she and Sango burst into laughter at old memories. "Ok, here we are," Sango said as she threw the empty wrapper into a nearby trashcan. "You ready?"
Kagome took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied. Sango nodded. "Me too. Let's go."
Sango waited anxiously, though on the outside she was calm as they descended the stairs. She caught Miroku's eyes and smiled at him first, then at everyone else as they admired her handiwork on Kagome. `I just knew that skirt would be perfect for her,' she thought as she glanced at her skittish friend. A light blush stained her cheeks from the attention, both from the other students and from their friends in front of them.
Kagome and Sango stopped before Sesshoumaru and saluted as ordered, their right hands raised to their foreheads with their left resting at their sides. "You two are late," he told them, his gaze frigid and calculating as he glanced over Kagome's attire. `Not bad,' he thought to himself as he discreetly glanced at long, tanned legs that stemmed from her skirt. `A little short in the back, but not bad all the same.'
"You two will do well to be on time from now on."
"Yes sir captain," they responded quickly, though they both inwardly snickered.
"Higurashi!"
Sesshoumaru glanced up, Kagome and Sango still at attention as Headmaster Leonheart ran to catch up with them. "Good morning Captain Endo," he greeted with a smile, then turned to Kagome and called her and Sango out of attention. "Kagome, have you forgotten about your insignia?"
"Oh no!" Kagome exclaimed with a light slap to her forehead. "I'm so sorry Headmaster! I meant to come by your office last night, but I forgot."
"I see why," Headmaster Leonheart responded as he eyed her with an amused smirk. "It's going to be a little hard to fight in that, isn't it?"
"Hopefully not sir," Kagome sighed. "Oh, but I figured out my insignia last night. It's this." She grabbed her jacket from her bag and held it up, her finger pointing to the burning cross embroidered on the material.
"Alright then," he nodded as he pulled a notepad from his pocket and scribbled it down. "Sango? What about you? Have you named yours yet?"
"Kirara, Headmaster," Sango answered with a nod. "Sorry about taking so long."
"Not a problem. Now, I'm sure your captain wishes to tell you a few things so I'll be going." He began his way back to the Garden, stopping once to wish them luck before disappearing. Sesshoumaru picked up his duffle bag and gestured ahead toward the outer gate.
"The car is out front. Say your goodbyes now and meet me there."
They nodded before he left, both girls suddenly finding themselves surrounded and questions of all kinds flying toward them. "Hey," Sango called out. "One at a time please."
"Just what in the hell are you dressed like that for?" Inuyasha demanded and winced when Kikyou boxed his ears. "Ow! What?"
"Be nice Inuyasha," she scolded and grinned at Kagome. "I think you look nice Kagome."
"Me too," Miroku agreed before grabbing Sango by the waist and kissing her forehead. "But you cannot surpass my Sango."
"Shut up you perv," Sango blushed and lightly whacked him upside the head while the others laughed. Miroku grinned and kissed her again. "Be safe, alright?"
"OK," Sango nodded. "You too." She and Kagome said their goodbyes to everyone else and began to walk away when Kagome whirled around, jumped up and threw her arms around Shippou's neck.
"I'm going to miss you Shipp," she whispered into his shirt collar. Shippou eagerly hugged her back, his tail tightly winding around them as he lightly tugged a pigtail and smiled.
"I'm going to miss you too. Hey, make sure to call. Be careful huh?"
"You got it," Kagome smiled back. She gave him a brief squeeze and sprinted down the pathway to catch up with Sango, leaving the others to sadly stare after her.
"Do you think they'll be alright?" Kikyou meekly asked. Inuyasha `Feh'ed and led the way back to the Garden. "I'm not worried about them," he smirked in amusement. "It's Sesshoumaru that ought to be scared. Those two are nearly as bad as Kagome and Shippou together. Something's bound to catch fire."
"That's not very nice," Shippou heard Kikyou reprimand as he sank deeper into his own thoughts. He sighed wistfully and turned back to the outer gate, his senses open and eager as the faint scent of water lilies faded on ths cool wind.
`Good luck Kagome,' Shippou thought as he ran a hand through his hair and turned to follow the others. `I know this is what you wanted, and you're only moving away from the Garden...
`But I can't help but feel that you're moving away from me too...'
III
Sango gazed out the back window, cinnamon eyes distant and unfocused. Her car mates sat in a similar state of near unconsciousness, with Sesshoumaru driving and Kagome in the front seat beside him. All were trapped deep within their own minds, so neither were expecting the-
Ka-THUNK!
CLUNK!
Ker-POW!!!
"What's that?" Sango exclaimed as the car puttered and thunked to a stop. "What's going on?"
"It sounds like something came loose in the engine," Kagome replied, then groaned along with Sesshoumaru when white smoke began to drift from underneath the hood. "Great. Just great."
Sesshoumaru stepped out of the car, Kagome and Sango following close behind. "Now what Sesshoumaru?" Sango asked while he opened the hood and waved away the blinding smoke that billowed out. "We're like sitting ducks out here like this."
"Higurashi, can you fix this?"
"I don't know," Kagome shrugs. "I think I can get it running again, but fixing it is another thing entirely."
"Then do so. Almasy, up on the roof."
Kagome and Sango split up, with Sango climbing to the roof of the car with her shotgun cradled in her lap and Kagome opening the trunk and rifling inside for her duffle bag. She popped out, this time with a silver tool belt strapped to her waist.
"Where is your weapon?" Sesshoumaru asked when she stepped past him and pulled a flashlight out of her belt.
"Oh, it's in the trunk," Kagome replied as she leaned over the front and looked around the smoke to the blackened parts below her. "I can't wear it and my tool belt."
"Well do be quick about it Higurashi," Sesshoumaru told her as she braced her knee on the bumper and leaned into the engine compartment. Her jacket rose to her waist, and the back of her skirt rose to just below her upper thigh. Sango watched Sesshoumaru stare at her friend, a brief comment about dogs and backsides causing a soft giggle to escape her lips unchecked. She glanced away seconds before he glared up at her and looked back when he turned around to face the plains, with his gaze wary and his right hand resting on the hilt of his gunblade.
`You know,' Sango mused to herself as Kagome knocked and banged below her. `I'm going to have to put Kagome in a skirt more often. The results are just too funny.'
"Are you paying attention Almasy?" she heard Sesshoumaru call.
"Yes sir Sesshoumaru," Sango responded. `Heh, I doubt you are though,' Sango smirked, unaware of her unknown visitor until-
"I assure you private, I'm paying attention," Sesshoumaru growled from below. "And if you were, then you would see that we have company."
"Huh?" Sango looked to the left where he pointed and gaped at the four bite bugs heading their way. "Right," Sango replied sheepishly before loading her gun and pointing it toward the insects. Four quick blasts immediately blew them back, and Sango grinned down smugly as they disappeared. "How's that?" she cheered.
"Not bad," Sesshoumaru admitted as he unsheathed the dark blade at his side. "However, what are you planning to do about them?"
"Them?" Sango turned back just as Kagome looked up. Both gaped at not one but two T-rexuars, watching as they stumbled from woods at their right side, glared at the trio and roared. "Oh," Sango breathed as Kagome stood upright. "That's not good."
"Keep working Higurashi," Sesshoumaru commanded, then snapped his fingers. An enormous wall of ice formed around them, the Blizzaga spell lasting only seconds under the dinosaurs' fury. "And Almasy-"
"I'm on it!" Sango shouted and reloaded her gun with nitrogen ammunition. She stood up and fired off a single shot, unable to do more when Sesshoumaru leapt into her line of fire. She held the gun steady for when he finally moved from one monster to the other and fired off another round. The bullets pierced the dinosaur's leathery scales and another roar of pure agony pierced the air.
Sango winced at the sound of metal connecting with flesh and grimaced when a scaly clawed arm landed inches from the car. `Oh, that's gotta hurt,' Sango groaned and glanced down at Kagome. "Hey Kagome-girl! How's it goin'?"
"It's goin'!" Kagome hollered over the sounds of battle. "I'm telling you Sesshoumaru, you got jipped! This thing wasn't meant to get to the Garden, no less get to it and come back!"
"Just get it started Higurashi!" he growled as he parried one of the T-rexuar's strikes, ducked the other one, stabbed his gunblade into it's side and sliced through the entire right side of it's body. It shrieked, clawing insistently at the inu youkai attached to it before a single shotgun blast rendered it lifeless.
Kagome turned as it fell, her eyes widening at the large hole in the middle of its forehead. "Holy crap," she whispered. "Hey Sango!"
"What?!" Sango hollered back before letting loose a few more rounds. "I'm kinda busy you know!"
"Get it the car and try to start it!"
"OK!" Sango fired one more round and quit the roof, effortlessly sliding through the driver's side window and into the seat while Sesshoumaru dealt with the last monster. She turned the key and pumped the gas, her fingers reddening from the tension as the car refused to start. "No go Kagome!"
"Keep trying!" `Now what?' Kagome asked herself and stood back. She weighed the wrench in her hands, gave one last shout to Sango and quickly struck the side of the engine. The car sputtered and stammered to life, the engine purred like a kitten before Kagome slammed the hood shut and scrambled for the inside of the car.
"Hey captain!" she shouted at Sesshoumaru. "We've fixed the car...sort of," she mumbled under her breath. Sango moved to the back and Kagome replaced her in the driver's seat. She thought to blow the horn while Sango rolled down the window and pointed the end of her gun out, but thought better of it when she remembered how sensitive youkai ears tended to be.
Sesshoumaru glanced back at the car and, after Kagome shut her door, quickly snapped his fingers and dodged the T-rexuar's next attack. The dinosaur stumbled back when the wind around them began to stir, the frigid northern winds wrapping around Sesshoumaru and lifting him from the ground. Tiny snowflakes fluttered together underneath him, taking form and shape until he sat cross-legged on the shoulder of a giant female GF. She was as powdery blue as the sky above them, and she cast crimson eyes to Sesshoumaru before lifting her hands toward the clouds. Brilliant white light began to build above her head until a great white ball glowed between her hands. She dropped it quickly, the ball shattered and the ground froze upon contact. The T-rexuar stopped when heavy sheets of ice rushed over it in a magnificent crystal wave. The giant glacier erupted seconds later, both ice and flesh shattering to the winds.
The GF nodded in satisfaction at her work, then held out her palm for Sesshoumaru to step into. She lowered him to the ground gently and waited until his feet were safely on the ground before giving a reverent bow and disappearing in a rising mass of snowflakes.
"I'm so bloody jealous," Kagome grumbled as Sesshoumaru sat down in the passenger side seat and shut the door. "Why couldn't I have gotten a GF like that?"
"Let's be off Higurashi," he said instead of commenting on her grumbling. "Almasy?"
"Yes Sesshoumaru?"
"I want you and Higurashi both to report your GFs to me."
"Um..ok. I've got a lightening based named Quezacotl and a GF named Carbuncle that reflects magic," Sango told him. "Carbuncle belongs to my boyfriend so I'm kinda unfamiliar with him."
"And you?" Sesshoumaru said as he glanced at Kagome from the corner of his eye. "What are yours?"
Kagome sighed deeply, her gaze lowered slightly as Balamb's town gate appeared in the horizon. "All I have is Diablos."
"Funny," Sesshoumaru remarked more to himself than to her. "I was told that Diablos was a dark elemental."
"Not exactly," Kagome shook her head. "He's a none, but he's got a dark attack."
"Then what are you doing with him?"
"Headmaster thought I could handle him," Kagome admitted as she drove through the front gate and into the rental car garage. "I'm still having a little trouble." She parked the car in the garage and popped the trunk before getting out. They quickly grabbed their duffle bags and returned the keys to the attendant.
"Come," Sesshoumaru beckoned as he led the way toward the middle of town. "We have just enough time to catch the 1:30 train to Timber."
"We're going to Timber?" Sango exclaimed excitedly. "Yay!"
"Why are we going to Timber?" Kagome wondered before stopping at the items shop nearby. "Don't we need some things?"
"No," Sesshoumaru shook his head. "We won't need them on the train." Kagome and Sango stood behind him while he bough the tickets, then followed him to the train itself and boarded with the last of the passengers. Sesshoumaru used his ticket to open the door to the rest of the train. He used it again to open their cabin doors and stepped inside while Kagome and Sango gawked from the threshold.
"Wow," Kagome muttered as she and Sango drank in the lavishly decorated room. A white leather sectional took up most of the outer wall, with a pair of bunk beds lined up on the left side. The room was decorated in burnt sienna and burnished gold, with a beautiful oriental rug underneath their feet. "This is so amazing."
"SeeDs really live it up huh?" Sango said next as she and Kagome finally entered the room. They dropped their bags on different sides of the room and plunked down on the couch. "So..." Sango said as Kagome bounced a little on the cushions. "What's our mission? You never told us and our folders said that you were going to brief us once we boarded the train."
"I know. Here," Sesshoumaru reached inside his bag and passed them two folders. "What do the two of you know about Winhill."
"A lot," Sango quickly spoke up while Kagome read over the files. "Miroku's from there."
"Who's Miroku?" Sesshoumaru asked and glanced at Kagome when she huffed. "You remember Miroku," she began. "He's the other human that took the SeeD exam with me."
"Oh yes," Sesshoumaru nodded. "The sniper. Continue."
"Oh, but we don't know a lot," Kagome said. "Only what Miroku told us."
"Then you should know about the monster hunters that protect the town?"
"Yeah, we know about them," Sango nodded. "One of them is Miroku's father. Why? What's happened?"
"Two days ago, a cattle stampede injured two of the hunters and fatality wounded another-"
"What started the stampede?" Kagome asked when Sango gasped. Sesshoumaru plucked yet another folder from his file and began to search through it.
"According to intelligence, a group of caterchipillars startled the cattle and the three hunters were the unfortunate victims-"
"What about Mr. Saikai?" Sango interrupted yet again. "Is he...dead?"
"I do not know," Sesshoumaru answered. "The report does not give names. I was instructed to tell you this once we boarded because of the number of students that attend the Garden from Winhill."
"So what?" Kagome asked. "We're going to Winhill?"
"We're to go to Timber first, then go from there to Winhill," Sesshoumaru nodded. "Our mission, and my command, doesn't begin until we arrive at Timber."
"So..." Sango said as she came out of her previous stupor. "What are we supposed to do for two days? Sit around and twiddle our fingers?"
"I do not care what you do," Sesshoumaru growled in disinterest after leaning back against the couch and closing his eyes. "But do be quiet about it."
`Hopeless,' Kagome thought to herself as she and Sango immediately stood up and left the room. `But-`
"I'm hungry," Sango said suddenly. "Come on." She grabbed Kagome's arm and dragged her toward the dining car. "We'll come back and check on him, but until then we're gonna have some fun."
III
Sango hopped onto the train steps and stretched, a wide grin spread across her face as the warm late afternoon sun shone down on her. "Timber!" she sighed happily as Kagome disembarked behind her. "It feels so good to be home!!!"
"Go on Sango," Kagome grumbled as she shoved her out of the way. "You're not the only one that wants to get off the train!"
Sesshoumaru stood on the platform seconds later and watched as the two squabbled like children. Today Sango was the one in a skirt, this one grazing her knees with a high split up the both sides and a burgundy turtleneck. Kagome wore her beloved hip hugger jeans and a white fitted tee with `I'm Special' in glittery blue cursive.
"How on earth did I get stuck with these children," Sesshoumaru mumbled to himself before clearing his throat and glaring at the pair. The women froze instantly, their gazes guilty and sheepish as they turned to him and saluted. "Now that I have your attention," he began before shedding his heavy coat and dropping it into his bag. "We have a few moments to spare so-"
"Can I go home for an hour?" Sango chirped. "I live just on the west side. It won't take me long I swear."
"No," Sesshoumaru growled, his normally infinite patience shortened to mere ashes from the past couple of days with the duo. "We do not have that long."
"Then I'm hungry," Sango shrugged. "Aren't you Kagome?"
"Well, yeah," Kagome agreed. "Aren't you hungry captain?"
"I do not need to eat as much as a human," he responded. "Funny," Sango said as they descended the stairs to the platform below. "Inuyasha ate nearly everything in sight."
"And I am not Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru snapped and calmed himself when they flinched. "You would do well to remember that."
"Come on you two," Kagome offered as she grabbed both their hands and gently led them toward the center of town. "Let's just get something to eat." No one spoke a word until after they arrived at the small caf‚ and it was only to order food. The trio ate in silence, Sesshoumaru deciding sometime after entering the little eatery to indulge himself with a little something.
"So captain," Kagome said to break the silence. Sesshoumaru looked up with chilled golden eyes, his chopsticks hovering over his bowl as he waited for her to continue. "What's the plan now?"
"Once we finish, we'll take the next train to Winhill." He frowned when they burst into laughter. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, just what you said," Sango giggled as Kagome calmed beside her. "That was a good one Sesshoumaru."
"A good one of what?"
Sango and Kagome sobered quickly, taking a moment to study him before Kagome asked, "Are you serious?"
"Why would I not be?" Sesshoumaru inquired.
"Um...I hate to break this to you Sesshoumaru, but..." Sango sighed and glanced at Kagome, who said, "There is no train to Winhill."
"Surely you jest."
"Nope," Sango shook her head. "And we ought to know."
"There are four stations in this town," Sesshoumaru frowned as he pulled the mission folder from his bag and glanced over it. "Do you mean that none of them go to Winhill?"
"Sorry captain," Kagome apologized. "But the stations here are to the desert, the Northwestern station, Balamb and the new one that goes to Fisherman's Horizon."
"There's never been a Winhill station," Sango replied. "But who said there was a Winhill train?"
"That is what intelligence says," he told them. He slid his folder toward them and tapped the first slip of paper, unintentionally poking a hole in the top with one of his claws. Kagome and Sango read over it and burst out laughing again. "Now what?"
"Hojo," was Sango's simple answer, as if it answered everything. They continued to laugh while Sesshoumaru sat confused. "I do not understand," he admitted. "What does one human have to do with-"
"Hojo apparently saw Kagome's name on your mission file and decided to get a little revenge for taking away his girl," Sango giggled, then winced when Kagome punched her in the arm.
"Shut UP!" Kagome squeaked as she punched her again. "I am not his girl!"
"Ow! Anyway, you're not the first person he's done this to," Sango comforted as she passed the folder back to him. "He's done all kinds of stuff. He's the reason why Kouga flunked his SeeD test the first time."
"I'm really sorry Sesshoumaru," Kagome apologized again. "If I had known-"
"You cannot control the actions of another," Sesshoumaru interrupted as he returned the folder to his bag. "... no matter how childish they are. I take it Winhill is accessible by car then?"
"It'll take two days, but yeah," Sango nodded.
"I believe we can spare an extra two days." Sesshoumaru stood and plunked down a couple of gil for the bill. "You two stay here. I'm going to rent a car."
"You can't," Sango called after him. "The rental place closed at 8. It's 8:20 now. Sorry."
"Then I will make reservations at the hotel. Almasy, you're to gather food supplies. Higurashi, you're to retrieve items and other such uses."
"Alright Sesshoumaru," Sango waved as he walked out of the restaurant. "See you at the hotel ok?" She smirked when he left without responding. She turned to Kagome, who was unusually quiet. "What is it?" she wondered.
"I've been thinking," Kagome sighed. "About what happened in Winhill. It's strange, don't you think?"
"How so?" Sango asked before stuffing a cake in her mouth.
"It's just that, when was the last time a group of caterchipillars bothered a bunch of cows? Why would they?"
"What are you talking about?" Sango wondered. "I think you worry too much."
"I'm serious," Kagome disagreed. "Think about it; caterchipillars aren't carnivorous. Cows and stuff know that so why would they run because of a bunch of them when all they probably want to do is graze?"
"You know, I haven't thought of that," Sango said with a thoughtful look. "I mean, now that you look at it, it is kinda strange. Cattle don't run from caterchipillars, humans do and that's only because of their webbing."
"So the question is..." Kagome mused as she brought her knuckles to her lips. "What really caused the stampede?"
(End Chapter)
SF: That's right! Mr. Frosty himself has well...Shiva! The queen of frosty! Isn't that great?
Sesshou: Somehow I do not share your enthusiasm.
SF: You rarely do. Anyway people, that's a little more for this series. I know, short chapter but trust me, there's reasons for that. For one, Second Chance is due for an updating, and that should happen some time next week. Two, I'm almost antsy to get started on the next chapter of this story. Holler at your girl if you have any questions so far and...oh! The preview is next!
The Antagonist: How long have I waited, plotting my revenge against those that so shamelessly turned their backs on my father? Nineteen years have passed, yet nothing's been done about the injustice done to him. My father was a great president, and wonderful father. My life became nothing when he was killed, yet the people of this rancid city go on as if nothing important happened. How dare they try to forget when they live in his city?
It will be nothing to take it all back...to regain what my father so foolishly trusted to that sorceress wench...
No, not hard at all.
Chapter Five: Invoking the Devil
) And for a glimpse of Shiva: www (dot) (slash) image (dot) php?loc (slash) ff10(slash) art (slash) summ04 (dot) jpg (
(Responses)
Mediaminer
ady anhee 999: Me too! I practically begged for FFX-2 for Christmas this year. No problems about the spelling score. I can't spell worth a darn myself. It's sad really but that's what the spell check is fore. Thanks so much for the praise. I worry sometimes about the detail in the stories, but it's nice to know that people enjoy them as much as I do. I'm glad you have such an open mind about the pairings. There are a few people who only read one thing, so when they find out that a story's another they tend to send some interesting mail. You will be sticking around won't you?
Chapter Four: The New Monster Hunters of Winhill
I
"Huh?" Sango said before Kagome flopped down face first onto her bed. "What are you talking about? What bet?"
"Oh man," Kagome moaned as she grabbed a pillow and held it over her head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"How bout you tell me and we cross the bridge from there?" Sango suggested as she sat down beside her. She listened patiently as Kagome told her about her earlier conversation with Sesshoumaru, and the bet she so foolishly agreed to. Kagome peered at Sango from underneath the fluff when she finished, watching as her friend bit clean through her lip to keep from laughing outright.
"So you're telling me," Sango breathed as Kagome sat up and glared at her. "That you were stupid enough to make a bet with Sesshoumaru in the first place? Not only that, but you made one with him knowing that he's a captain now and can pick his own team?" Kagome blushed at that, having forgotten until then that as captain Sesshoumaru could insure that her chances of winning would be slim to none.
"Just great," Kagome groaned and whopped Sango upside the head with her pillow when she finally caved into her giggles. "Once again, further proof of why me and dogs just don't mix."
"Oh don't act like that," Sango comforted when she finally calmed down. "Just pick a skirt and..." She glared sharply at Kagome's sheepish face, then said, "You don't own a skirt do you?"
"Um...no." Kagome frowned when Sango collapsed again, this time sprawled across her bed and her chuckles loud enough to be heard down the hallway. "What?!"
"You really messed up this time," Sango giggled as she raised her arm to avoid another blow. "How are you going to get a skirt before tomorrow morning? You do know that's when we're supposed to report to him right?"
Kagome froze mid-blow, then flopped backward onto the bed and groaned. "Oh man. I'm screwed. Hey, I know!" she exclaimed as she sat up. "I can say I'm sick!"
"What?"
"Yeah," Kagome steam-rolled ahead as she dug around her closet for something. "I'll just fake it. Put a water bottle underneath my bed, use a Fire and a Water spell to make steam so it looks like I'm sweating. It'll work."
"No it won't," Sango shook her head and ducked a flying water bottle as it sailed toward her head. "Think about it Kagome. Sesshoumaru would be able to smell the lie."
"Oh great," Kagome moaned from the innards of the closet before shutting the door behind her and closing herself inside. "I'm doomed."
"Now you know I'm going to help you," Sango said as she stood off the bed and walked toward the closet. She sat down on the floor beside it, her back leaned against the wall with her arms wrapped around her knees. "As a matter of fact, I think I have an idea."
The closet door slid open and Kagome's head appeared in the opening. "Really?" she asked. Sango nodded. "Really. I think you should take that bet and turn it against him."
"How?" Kagome wondered. "Make him wear the skirt."
"As much as I'd like to see that-"
"You and half the Garden," Kagome snickered, then quieted when Sango glared at her. "Sorry."
"Thank you. Anyway, I think we should dress you up a bit." Sango smiled, already sorting through her wardrobe for something appropriate. "I haven't seen you in a skirt since we were nine. It'd be nice to see you dress like a girl for once."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kagome snapped as she stepped out of the closet and glowered down at her. Sango grinned and stood up, her hands up in appeasement. "Chill out. What I meant was that you're always in pants and t-shirts. If not that then you're in your uniform. It'd be a cool change to see you dress pretty, that's all."
"I don't know," Kagome mumbled while she closed her closet shut and sat back down on her bed. "I'm not shaped like you Sango."
"Yeah I know," Sango nodded. "You've got killer long legs and a tiny waist. You know," she said as she sat down beside her. "Models are tall."
"Guys are tall," Kagome grumbled back.
"Beauty contestants are tall." She winced when Kagome growled at her and scratched the back of her head. "Ok, that was a bad example. What I'm trying to say is that you're a beautiful person, but you hide it like someone's going to come up and steal it. You do all that training and for what?"
"To be a better specialist," Kagome answered quickly. "Why else would I?"
"Well yeah it's obviously that," Sango replied with a wave of her hand. "But Kagome...would it hurt to enjoy being pretty for once? Please...." she begged, her hands clasped in front of her and her eyes squinted shut. "Pretty please...?" She pouted and gave Kagome a large, brown eyed puppy dog look that she knew the younger girl couldn't refuse.
"Oh for the love of-Fine," Kagome relented with a heavy sigh. "But you have to help."
"Like I was going to do anything else. Now wait here," Sango said before she jumped up and ran out the door. "I'll be right back."
Kagome waited for what she felt had to be thirty minutes, then decided to start packing for the long trip. `All the report said was to pack for at least two weeks. I'm going to pack for one extra week just in case.' She jumped when Sango finally barged into the room, with Miroku, Shippou and a load of clothes following along behind her. Kagome gaped, a pair of boyshorts loosely in her hands before she quickly wadded them up and tossed them into her duffle bag.
"Sango!" Kagome exclaimed when both gentlemen tossed their load onto her bed and (making sure to wave to Kagome first) left the room and shut the door behind them. "What's this? What's going on?"
"Well, this is just a few things I thought we could look through," Sango replied before shifting through the mountain of clothes. "Shippou and Miroku'll come back later to grab what we don't need."
"But Sango," Kagome protested. "It's not going to take that long to find something...will it?"
"Of course it will!" Sango nodded before tossing a red shirt over her head and toward the chair sitting idly in a nearby corner. "That's why I'm going to spend the night in here. That way we'll find something perfect for that jerk tomorrow and you can help me pack at the same time."
"Ok then," Kagome said before clearing a space free and dropping a couple of ammunition holsters into the bottom of the bag. Sango watched her a moment, then gestured toward the rest of the room. "Hey Kagome? Where's the ammo holster Kikyou gave you? You know, the one she said a guy in Dollet made special for her?"
"Why?" Kagome asked as she reached inside a nearby dresser drawer, pulled it free and handed it to her.
"Oh, just an idea," Sango replied with a wicked grin. "You'll see..."
II
Shippou leaned against the wall, he, Inuyasha and Miroku patiently waiting by the front gate. They had been waiting since sun up, having forgone breakfast to make sure they saw Kagome and Sango off. Shippou glanced up eagerly as someone approached them but deflated when Kikyou shyly waved at them.
"Hey guys," she greeted after giving Inuyasha a quick hug. "How's it going? Have they left yet?"
"If they had, would we still be standing here?" Shippou snipped testily and turned his head to watch the awakening wildlife. Kikyou blinked in surprise, then turned a questioning glance to Inuyasha and Miroku.
"Excuse him Kikyou," Miroku said. "He's a bit upset about Kagome leaving. Those two have been inseparable since before they arrived at the Garden, so he's understandably upset."
"It's about time somebody did something about that," Inuyasha griped with a yawn. "Those two have been attached to the hip for as long as I can remember. Next thing you know, they're gonna start dressing and acting alike. Hell, he may do like she does and keep a tube of lip gloss inside his ammo pack."
"For one dumbass," Shippou retorted with a growl. "I don't even use a gun. Two; we've been dressing alike for years. What do you call the Garden uniforms? Jeez, you can be so dumb sometimes."
"You know what?" Inuyasha growled as he stalked toward the irrate kitsune. "I'm tired of your mouth. Get this straight Shippou: Once Kagome leaves, there's nothing, and I mean nothing to stop me from beating your ass."
"I'd like to see you try it Dog Boy," Shippou taunted and cracked his knuckles. "There's nothing between us but air and opportunity."
"Boys, boys," Kikyou shouted as she and Miroku stood between the two youkai. "Just stop. Is this how you guys want Sango and Kagome to remember you?"
"She's right," Miroku agreed. "You're behaving like kids! Grow up already!"
"Besides..." Kikyou reached inside a small pouch on her shoulder and brought out a white paper bag. "Wouldn't you rather eat doughnuts than fight? I've got enough for everyone..."
"Fine," Inuyasha growled as he turned from Shippou and held out his hand. Shippou growled something like a temporary peace and silently received Kikyou's offering, nodding his head in thanks and quietly chewing as everyone else fell into conversation around him.
"I wonder what's taking them so long," Miroku said as he flipped open his com-phone and checked the time. "Sango said they had to leave at 10. It's 9:38 now and Sesshoumaru's not even here yet."
"He's coming though," Inuyasha replied after sniffing and wrinkling his nose. "He's almost here."
They glanced up the stairs just as Sesshoumaru appeared at the top of them, his head down and his eyes distant as he descended the steps toward them. His right hand tightly held his duffle bag strap, the bag bumping against the back of his legs. His coat was left unbuttoned, with a royal blue button up shirt underneath and his left hand inside one of the pockets of his black denim jeans. His hair was back in the usual ponytail and Inuyasha noticed that his tail was nowhere to be seen as Sesshoumaru finally looked up and acknowledged them.
"As flattered as I am," Sesshoumaru said as he stopped before them and sat his duffle bag at his feet. "I don't believe I needed such fanfare to begin this mission."
"It's not for you," Inuyasha grumbled with a snort. "We're waiting on Kagome and Sango. Have you seen them by the way?"
"No," Sesshoumaru shook his head as he adjusted the black leather holster at his side and looked at his watch. "They don't have long to arrive either."
"Hey, isn't that them?" Kikyou asked as she pointed up the stairs toward the commons circle. The others looked ahead and shrugged at the two girls walking toward them.
"No, I don't think so," Miroku said as he shook his head. "I guess we're stuck waiting. Oh well. I'm sure they'll get here soon."
)-(
"Sango, I feel like an idiot," Kagome grumbled as she nervously dusted off the front of her outfit. Sango shook her head in disagreement and knocked her hands away.
"Stop that. You're so wound up," Sango told her. "Just relax and stand still so I can make sure you've got everything."
"What else could there be?" Kagome moaned miserably and grimaced when Sango began to walk around her. Sango eyed her critically, then nodded in approval and gave Kagome a quick hug. "You look great!" Sango chirped. "I told you you would!"
"Yeah," Kagome mumbled as she glanced at herself in the mirror. The long sleeved white scoop neck sweater was fine with her (even if it was a little low), but the black pleated miniskirt made her feel self-conscious. She turned to the side, bluish green eyes studying the silver strappy heeled sandals Sango insisted she wear. "You do realize that there's still snow on the ground right?" Kagome asked as she glanced at Sango's mirror image.
"Yeah, I know," Sango mumbled, a pair of black elastic hair bands between her teeth inhibiting her speech. "But it's not like we're going to be walking a long way anyway."
"I can't wield my gunblade in this," Kagome continued to complain as Sango parted her hair down the back of her head and flipped the two separate sections over her shoulder. "What happens if we're attacked?"
"Where?" Sango asked before running a brush through the right side of Kagome's hair. "You mean, like attacked in the car? I don't think that's possible."
"What about stray winds?" Kagome tried again and winced as Sango pulled her hair into two low pigtails. She sighed while Sango flipped them over her shoulders, the obsidian strands free to cascade over her breasts to the middle of her ribs before starting on her own hair.
"You know you can't talk yourself out of this," Sango told her as she unrolled her hair and flung it up in a quick ponytail. "You're the one that made the bet."
"I wish someone would have smacked me upside my head last night," Kagome sighed miserably, then reached for her duffle bag and her coat. She eyed Sango's blue jeans and crimson blouse wistfully. "I'd rather have on what you're wearing."
"Stop complaining," Sango scolded. "You look amazing. He's so going to regret making that bet with you."
"Um...is that a good thing?" Kagome asked, then followed Sango out the door. Sango waited while Kagome slid her ID card through the lock, both of them waiting for the tumble of locks and the tiny beep that signaled it secure before continuing down the hallway.
"Of course it's a good thing," Sango assured her. "I tell you what? How about we-"
"Sango?"
"Yeah?"
"Um...did we just forget our weapons, or is it just me?"
"Oh crap!" They sprinted back to Kagome's room, both of them scolding themselves for being so empty-headed as Kagome fumbled with the door lock. Sango quickly grabbed her holster, a brown western version with room for her rifle, ammunition, and any potions or spells she may decided she needed for the journey. She waited for Kagome while she strapped her gunblade and holster in place before grabbing a black ammo pack off her desk and sitting down on in the chair in front of it.
"Is that the one Kikyou gave you?" she asked while Kagome kicked off her right shoe and slid the loaded pack up her leg. The pack looked more like a garter belt than the traditional ammo packs, with the bullets held separately in tiny sleeves around her leg. Kagome nodded and stood up when it stopped at mid thigh, just an inch or two from the hemline of her skirt before stepping back in the shoe and locking the door once again.
"I can't believe we did that," Kagome blushed while Sango laughed beside her. "I mean, how dumb was that?"
"I know!" Sango giggled. "Ok, let's do a quick check and make sure we haven't left anything else. You got any extra ammo packs?"
"Yup," Kagome said and patted her duffle bag. "Never leave home without them."
"You got that right," Sango grinned as they left the dormitory wing and stepped out onto the commons circle. Kagome froze instantly, automatically conscious of herself once again. "Come on Kagome," Sango urged her forward with a light hand on her elbow. "We're going to be late. Just image how bad that'll look to be late for our first mission."
"Yeah, you're right," Kagome nodded, nervous peacock blue eyes focused only on her friend. "Ok Sango. Sorry."
"No problem. Now...you got underwear?"
"Of course," Kagome laughed as they continued around the circle. She and Sango ignored the other students as they made their way toward the front gate, though Kagome could feel the stares of the other male students as they leered at her. She held her nervousness inside and answered Sango's questions, silently grateful for her friend's distraction as the Garden directory finally cam into view.
"Jeez, I wish we had woke up earlier," Sango complained when her stomach growled. "What's wrong with your alarm?"
"Me," Kagome smirked, then reached inside her bag for a twinkie. "Sorry, but this is all I've got."
"Where'd you get it?" Sango asked as she ripped through the clear wrapper and attempted to inhale the cake in one bite.
"I keep them in my room," Kagome explained. "I've been doing it for so long now. Shippou and I used to have all kinds of junk food in our room."
"You know, if you ever got busted for that you two could have ended up doing janitorial duty."
"Yeah, I know," Kagome winked and she and Sango burst into laughter at old memories. "Ok, here we are," Sango said as she threw the empty wrapper into a nearby trashcan. "You ready?"
Kagome took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied. Sango nodded. "Me too. Let's go."
Sango waited anxiously, though on the outside she was calm as they descended the stairs. She caught Miroku's eyes and smiled at him first, then at everyone else as they admired her handiwork on Kagome. `I just knew that skirt would be perfect for her,' she thought as she glanced at her skittish friend. A light blush stained her cheeks from the attention, both from the other students and from their friends in front of them.
Kagome and Sango stopped before Sesshoumaru and saluted as ordered, their right hands raised to their foreheads with their left resting at their sides. "You two are late," he told them, his gaze frigid and calculating as he glanced over Kagome's attire. `Not bad,' he thought to himself as he discreetly glanced at long, tanned legs that stemmed from her skirt. `A little short in the back, but not bad all the same.'
"You two will do well to be on time from now on."
"Yes sir captain," they responded quickly, though they both inwardly snickered.
"Higurashi!"
Sesshoumaru glanced up, Kagome and Sango still at attention as Headmaster Leonheart ran to catch up with them. "Good morning Captain Endo," he greeted with a smile, then turned to Kagome and called her and Sango out of attention. "Kagome, have you forgotten about your insignia?"
"Oh no!" Kagome exclaimed with a light slap to her forehead. "I'm so sorry Headmaster! I meant to come by your office last night, but I forgot."
"I see why," Headmaster Leonheart responded as he eyed her with an amused smirk. "It's going to be a little hard to fight in that, isn't it?"
"Hopefully not sir," Kagome sighed. "Oh, but I figured out my insignia last night. It's this." She grabbed her jacket from her bag and held it up, her finger pointing to the burning cross embroidered on the material.
"Alright then," he nodded as he pulled a notepad from his pocket and scribbled it down. "Sango? What about you? Have you named yours yet?"
"Kirara, Headmaster," Sango answered with a nod. "Sorry about taking so long."
"Not a problem. Now, I'm sure your captain wishes to tell you a few things so I'll be going." He began his way back to the Garden, stopping once to wish them luck before disappearing. Sesshoumaru picked up his duffle bag and gestured ahead toward the outer gate.
"The car is out front. Say your goodbyes now and meet me there."
They nodded before he left, both girls suddenly finding themselves surrounded and questions of all kinds flying toward them. "Hey," Sango called out. "One at a time please."
"Just what in the hell are you dressed like that for?" Inuyasha demanded and winced when Kikyou boxed his ears. "Ow! What?"
"Be nice Inuyasha," she scolded and grinned at Kagome. "I think you look nice Kagome."
"Me too," Miroku agreed before grabbing Sango by the waist and kissing her forehead. "But you cannot surpass my Sango."
"Shut up you perv," Sango blushed and lightly whacked him upside the head while the others laughed. Miroku grinned and kissed her again. "Be safe, alright?"
"OK," Sango nodded. "You too." She and Kagome said their goodbyes to everyone else and began to walk away when Kagome whirled around, jumped up and threw her arms around Shippou's neck.
"I'm going to miss you Shipp," she whispered into his shirt collar. Shippou eagerly hugged her back, his tail tightly winding around them as he lightly tugged a pigtail and smiled.
"I'm going to miss you too. Hey, make sure to call. Be careful huh?"
"You got it," Kagome smiled back. She gave him a brief squeeze and sprinted down the pathway to catch up with Sango, leaving the others to sadly stare after her.
"Do you think they'll be alright?" Kikyou meekly asked. Inuyasha `Feh'ed and led the way back to the Garden. "I'm not worried about them," he smirked in amusement. "It's Sesshoumaru that ought to be scared. Those two are nearly as bad as Kagome and Shippou together. Something's bound to catch fire."
"That's not very nice," Shippou heard Kikyou reprimand as he sank deeper into his own thoughts. He sighed wistfully and turned back to the outer gate, his senses open and eager as the faint scent of water lilies faded on ths cool wind.
`Good luck Kagome,' Shippou thought as he ran a hand through his hair and turned to follow the others. `I know this is what you wanted, and you're only moving away from the Garden...
`But I can't help but feel that you're moving away from me too...'
III
Sango gazed out the back window, cinnamon eyes distant and unfocused. Her car mates sat in a similar state of near unconsciousness, with Sesshoumaru driving and Kagome in the front seat beside him. All were trapped deep within their own minds, so neither were expecting the-
Ka-THUNK!
CLUNK!
Ker-POW!!!
"What's that?" Sango exclaimed as the car puttered and thunked to a stop. "What's going on?"
"It sounds like something came loose in the engine," Kagome replied, then groaned along with Sesshoumaru when white smoke began to drift from underneath the hood. "Great. Just great."
Sesshoumaru stepped out of the car, Kagome and Sango following close behind. "Now what Sesshoumaru?" Sango asked while he opened the hood and waved away the blinding smoke that billowed out. "We're like sitting ducks out here like this."
"Higurashi, can you fix this?"
"I don't know," Kagome shrugs. "I think I can get it running again, but fixing it is another thing entirely."
"Then do so. Almasy, up on the roof."
Kagome and Sango split up, with Sango climbing to the roof of the car with her shotgun cradled in her lap and Kagome opening the trunk and rifling inside for her duffle bag. She popped out, this time with a silver tool belt strapped to her waist.
"Where is your weapon?" Sesshoumaru asked when she stepped past him and pulled a flashlight out of her belt.
"Oh, it's in the trunk," Kagome replied as she leaned over the front and looked around the smoke to the blackened parts below her. "I can't wear it and my tool belt."
"Well do be quick about it Higurashi," Sesshoumaru told her as she braced her knee on the bumper and leaned into the engine compartment. Her jacket rose to her waist, and the back of her skirt rose to just below her upper thigh. Sango watched Sesshoumaru stare at her friend, a brief comment about dogs and backsides causing a soft giggle to escape her lips unchecked. She glanced away seconds before he glared up at her and looked back when he turned around to face the plains, with his gaze wary and his right hand resting on the hilt of his gunblade.
`You know,' Sango mused to herself as Kagome knocked and banged below her. `I'm going to have to put Kagome in a skirt more often. The results are just too funny.'
"Are you paying attention Almasy?" she heard Sesshoumaru call.
"Yes sir Sesshoumaru," Sango responded. `Heh, I doubt you are though,' Sango smirked, unaware of her unknown visitor until-
"I assure you private, I'm paying attention," Sesshoumaru growled from below. "And if you were, then you would see that we have company."
"Huh?" Sango looked to the left where he pointed and gaped at the four bite bugs heading their way. "Right," Sango replied sheepishly before loading her gun and pointing it toward the insects. Four quick blasts immediately blew them back, and Sango grinned down smugly as they disappeared. "How's that?" she cheered.
"Not bad," Sesshoumaru admitted as he unsheathed the dark blade at his side. "However, what are you planning to do about them?"
"Them?" Sango turned back just as Kagome looked up. Both gaped at not one but two T-rexuars, watching as they stumbled from woods at their right side, glared at the trio and roared. "Oh," Sango breathed as Kagome stood upright. "That's not good."
"Keep working Higurashi," Sesshoumaru commanded, then snapped his fingers. An enormous wall of ice formed around them, the Blizzaga spell lasting only seconds under the dinosaurs' fury. "And Almasy-"
"I'm on it!" Sango shouted and reloaded her gun with nitrogen ammunition. She stood up and fired off a single shot, unable to do more when Sesshoumaru leapt into her line of fire. She held the gun steady for when he finally moved from one monster to the other and fired off another round. The bullets pierced the dinosaur's leathery scales and another roar of pure agony pierced the air.
Sango winced at the sound of metal connecting with flesh and grimaced when a scaly clawed arm landed inches from the car. `Oh, that's gotta hurt,' Sango groaned and glanced down at Kagome. "Hey Kagome-girl! How's it goin'?"
"It's goin'!" Kagome hollered over the sounds of battle. "I'm telling you Sesshoumaru, you got jipped! This thing wasn't meant to get to the Garden, no less get to it and come back!"
"Just get it started Higurashi!" he growled as he parried one of the T-rexuar's strikes, ducked the other one, stabbed his gunblade into it's side and sliced through the entire right side of it's body. It shrieked, clawing insistently at the inu youkai attached to it before a single shotgun blast rendered it lifeless.
Kagome turned as it fell, her eyes widening at the large hole in the middle of its forehead. "Holy crap," she whispered. "Hey Sango!"
"What?!" Sango hollered back before letting loose a few more rounds. "I'm kinda busy you know!"
"Get it the car and try to start it!"
"OK!" Sango fired one more round and quit the roof, effortlessly sliding through the driver's side window and into the seat while Sesshoumaru dealt with the last monster. She turned the key and pumped the gas, her fingers reddening from the tension as the car refused to start. "No go Kagome!"
"Keep trying!" `Now what?' Kagome asked herself and stood back. She weighed the wrench in her hands, gave one last shout to Sango and quickly struck the side of the engine. The car sputtered and stammered to life, the engine purred like a kitten before Kagome slammed the hood shut and scrambled for the inside of the car.
"Hey captain!" she shouted at Sesshoumaru. "We've fixed the car...sort of," she mumbled under her breath. Sango moved to the back and Kagome replaced her in the driver's seat. She thought to blow the horn while Sango rolled down the window and pointed the end of her gun out, but thought better of it when she remembered how sensitive youkai ears tended to be.
Sesshoumaru glanced back at the car and, after Kagome shut her door, quickly snapped his fingers and dodged the T-rexuar's next attack. The dinosaur stumbled back when the wind around them began to stir, the frigid northern winds wrapping around Sesshoumaru and lifting him from the ground. Tiny snowflakes fluttered together underneath him, taking form and shape until he sat cross-legged on the shoulder of a giant female GF. She was as powdery blue as the sky above them, and she cast crimson eyes to Sesshoumaru before lifting her hands toward the clouds. Brilliant white light began to build above her head until a great white ball glowed between her hands. She dropped it quickly, the ball shattered and the ground froze upon contact. The T-rexuar stopped when heavy sheets of ice rushed over it in a magnificent crystal wave. The giant glacier erupted seconds later, both ice and flesh shattering to the winds.
The GF nodded in satisfaction at her work, then held out her palm for Sesshoumaru to step into. She lowered him to the ground gently and waited until his feet were safely on the ground before giving a reverent bow and disappearing in a rising mass of snowflakes.
"I'm so bloody jealous," Kagome grumbled as Sesshoumaru sat down in the passenger side seat and shut the door. "Why couldn't I have gotten a GF like that?"
"Let's be off Higurashi," he said instead of commenting on her grumbling. "Almasy?"
"Yes Sesshoumaru?"
"I want you and Higurashi both to report your GFs to me."
"Um..ok. I've got a lightening based named Quezacotl and a GF named Carbuncle that reflects magic," Sango told him. "Carbuncle belongs to my boyfriend so I'm kinda unfamiliar with him."
"And you?" Sesshoumaru said as he glanced at Kagome from the corner of his eye. "What are yours?"
Kagome sighed deeply, her gaze lowered slightly as Balamb's town gate appeared in the horizon. "All I have is Diablos."
"Funny," Sesshoumaru remarked more to himself than to her. "I was told that Diablos was a dark elemental."
"Not exactly," Kagome shook her head. "He's a none, but he's got a dark attack."
"Then what are you doing with him?"
"Headmaster thought I could handle him," Kagome admitted as she drove through the front gate and into the rental car garage. "I'm still having a little trouble." She parked the car in the garage and popped the trunk before getting out. They quickly grabbed their duffle bags and returned the keys to the attendant.
"Come," Sesshoumaru beckoned as he led the way toward the middle of town. "We have just enough time to catch the 1:30 train to Timber."
"We're going to Timber?" Sango exclaimed excitedly. "Yay!"
"Why are we going to Timber?" Kagome wondered before stopping at the items shop nearby. "Don't we need some things?"
"No," Sesshoumaru shook his head. "We won't need them on the train." Kagome and Sango stood behind him while he bough the tickets, then followed him to the train itself and boarded with the last of the passengers. Sesshoumaru used his ticket to open the door to the rest of the train. He used it again to open their cabin doors and stepped inside while Kagome and Sango gawked from the threshold.
"Wow," Kagome muttered as she and Sango drank in the lavishly decorated room. A white leather sectional took up most of the outer wall, with a pair of bunk beds lined up on the left side. The room was decorated in burnt sienna and burnished gold, with a beautiful oriental rug underneath their feet. "This is so amazing."
"SeeDs really live it up huh?" Sango said next as she and Kagome finally entered the room. They dropped their bags on different sides of the room and plunked down on the couch. "So..." Sango said as Kagome bounced a little on the cushions. "What's our mission? You never told us and our folders said that you were going to brief us once we boarded the train."
"I know. Here," Sesshoumaru reached inside his bag and passed them two folders. "What do the two of you know about Winhill."
"A lot," Sango quickly spoke up while Kagome read over the files. "Miroku's from there."
"Who's Miroku?" Sesshoumaru asked and glanced at Kagome when she huffed. "You remember Miroku," she began. "He's the other human that took the SeeD exam with me."
"Oh yes," Sesshoumaru nodded. "The sniper. Continue."
"Oh, but we don't know a lot," Kagome said. "Only what Miroku told us."
"Then you should know about the monster hunters that protect the town?"
"Yeah, we know about them," Sango nodded. "One of them is Miroku's father. Why? What's happened?"
"Two days ago, a cattle stampede injured two of the hunters and fatality wounded another-"
"What started the stampede?" Kagome asked when Sango gasped. Sesshoumaru plucked yet another folder from his file and began to search through it.
"According to intelligence, a group of caterchipillars startled the cattle and the three hunters were the unfortunate victims-"
"What about Mr. Saikai?" Sango interrupted yet again. "Is he...dead?"
"I do not know," Sesshoumaru answered. "The report does not give names. I was instructed to tell you this once we boarded because of the number of students that attend the Garden from Winhill."
"So what?" Kagome asked. "We're going to Winhill?"
"We're to go to Timber first, then go from there to Winhill," Sesshoumaru nodded. "Our mission, and my command, doesn't begin until we arrive at Timber."
"So..." Sango said as she came out of her previous stupor. "What are we supposed to do for two days? Sit around and twiddle our fingers?"
"I do not care what you do," Sesshoumaru growled in disinterest after leaning back against the couch and closing his eyes. "But do be quiet about it."
`Hopeless,' Kagome thought to herself as she and Sango immediately stood up and left the room. `But-`
"I'm hungry," Sango said suddenly. "Come on." She grabbed Kagome's arm and dragged her toward the dining car. "We'll come back and check on him, but until then we're gonna have some fun."
III
Sango hopped onto the train steps and stretched, a wide grin spread across her face as the warm late afternoon sun shone down on her. "Timber!" she sighed happily as Kagome disembarked behind her. "It feels so good to be home!!!"
"Go on Sango," Kagome grumbled as she shoved her out of the way. "You're not the only one that wants to get off the train!"
Sesshoumaru stood on the platform seconds later and watched as the two squabbled like children. Today Sango was the one in a skirt, this one grazing her knees with a high split up the both sides and a burgundy turtleneck. Kagome wore her beloved hip hugger jeans and a white fitted tee with `I'm Special' in glittery blue cursive.
"How on earth did I get stuck with these children," Sesshoumaru mumbled to himself before clearing his throat and glaring at the pair. The women froze instantly, their gazes guilty and sheepish as they turned to him and saluted. "Now that I have your attention," he began before shedding his heavy coat and dropping it into his bag. "We have a few moments to spare so-"
"Can I go home for an hour?" Sango chirped. "I live just on the west side. It won't take me long I swear."
"No," Sesshoumaru growled, his normally infinite patience shortened to mere ashes from the past couple of days with the duo. "We do not have that long."
"Then I'm hungry," Sango shrugged. "Aren't you Kagome?"
"Well, yeah," Kagome agreed. "Aren't you hungry captain?"
"I do not need to eat as much as a human," he responded. "Funny," Sango said as they descended the stairs to the platform below. "Inuyasha ate nearly everything in sight."
"And I am not Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru snapped and calmed himself when they flinched. "You would do well to remember that."
"Come on you two," Kagome offered as she grabbed both their hands and gently led them toward the center of town. "Let's just get something to eat." No one spoke a word until after they arrived at the small caf‚ and it was only to order food. The trio ate in silence, Sesshoumaru deciding sometime after entering the little eatery to indulge himself with a little something.
"So captain," Kagome said to break the silence. Sesshoumaru looked up with chilled golden eyes, his chopsticks hovering over his bowl as he waited for her to continue. "What's the plan now?"
"Once we finish, we'll take the next train to Winhill." He frowned when they burst into laughter. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, just what you said," Sango giggled as Kagome calmed beside her. "That was a good one Sesshoumaru."
"A good one of what?"
Sango and Kagome sobered quickly, taking a moment to study him before Kagome asked, "Are you serious?"
"Why would I not be?" Sesshoumaru inquired.
"Um...I hate to break this to you Sesshoumaru, but..." Sango sighed and glanced at Kagome, who said, "There is no train to Winhill."
"Surely you jest."
"Nope," Sango shook her head. "And we ought to know."
"There are four stations in this town," Sesshoumaru frowned as he pulled the mission folder from his bag and glanced over it. "Do you mean that none of them go to Winhill?"
"Sorry captain," Kagome apologized. "But the stations here are to the desert, the Northwestern station, Balamb and the new one that goes to Fisherman's Horizon."
"There's never been a Winhill station," Sango replied. "But who said there was a Winhill train?"
"That is what intelligence says," he told them. He slid his folder toward them and tapped the first slip of paper, unintentionally poking a hole in the top with one of his claws. Kagome and Sango read over it and burst out laughing again. "Now what?"
"Hojo," was Sango's simple answer, as if it answered everything. They continued to laugh while Sesshoumaru sat confused. "I do not understand," he admitted. "What does one human have to do with-"
"Hojo apparently saw Kagome's name on your mission file and decided to get a little revenge for taking away his girl," Sango giggled, then winced when Kagome punched her in the arm.
"Shut UP!" Kagome squeaked as she punched her again. "I am not his girl!"
"Ow! Anyway, you're not the first person he's done this to," Sango comforted as she passed the folder back to him. "He's done all kinds of stuff. He's the reason why Kouga flunked his SeeD test the first time."
"I'm really sorry Sesshoumaru," Kagome apologized again. "If I had known-"
"You cannot control the actions of another," Sesshoumaru interrupted as he returned the folder to his bag. "... no matter how childish they are. I take it Winhill is accessible by car then?"
"It'll take two days, but yeah," Sango nodded.
"I believe we can spare an extra two days." Sesshoumaru stood and plunked down a couple of gil for the bill. "You two stay here. I'm going to rent a car."
"You can't," Sango called after him. "The rental place closed at 8. It's 8:20 now. Sorry."
"Then I will make reservations at the hotel. Almasy, you're to gather food supplies. Higurashi, you're to retrieve items and other such uses."
"Alright Sesshoumaru," Sango waved as he walked out of the restaurant. "See you at the hotel ok?" She smirked when he left without responding. She turned to Kagome, who was unusually quiet. "What is it?" she wondered.
"I've been thinking," Kagome sighed. "About what happened in Winhill. It's strange, don't you think?"
"How so?" Sango asked before stuffing a cake in her mouth.
"It's just that, when was the last time a group of caterchipillars bothered a bunch of cows? Why would they?"
"What are you talking about?" Sango wondered. "I think you worry too much."
"I'm serious," Kagome disagreed. "Think about it; caterchipillars aren't carnivorous. Cows and stuff know that so why would they run because of a bunch of them when all they probably want to do is graze?"
"You know, I haven't thought of that," Sango said with a thoughtful look. "I mean, now that you look at it, it is kinda strange. Cattle don't run from caterchipillars, humans do and that's only because of their webbing."
"So the question is..." Kagome mused as she brought her knuckles to her lips. "What really caused the stampede?"
(End Chapter)
SF: That's right! Mr. Frosty himself has well...Shiva! The queen of frosty! Isn't that great?
Sesshou: Somehow I do not share your enthusiasm.
SF: You rarely do. Anyway people, that's a little more for this series. I know, short chapter but trust me, there's reasons for that. For one, Second Chance is due for an updating, and that should happen some time next week. Two, I'm almost antsy to get started on the next chapter of this story. Holler at your girl if you have any questions so far and...oh! The preview is next!
The Antagonist: How long have I waited, plotting my revenge against those that so shamelessly turned their backs on my father? Nineteen years have passed, yet nothing's been done about the injustice done to him. My father was a great president, and wonderful father. My life became nothing when he was killed, yet the people of this rancid city go on as if nothing important happened. How dare they try to forget when they live in his city?
It will be nothing to take it all back...to regain what my father so foolishly trusted to that sorceress wench...
No, not hard at all.
Chapter Five: Invoking the Devil
) And for a glimpse of Shiva: www (dot) (slash) image (dot) php?loc (slash) ff10(slash) art (slash) summ04 (dot) jpg (
(Responses)
Mediaminer
ady anhee 999: Me too! I practically begged for FFX-2 for Christmas this year. No problems about the spelling score. I can't spell worth a darn myself. It's sad really but that's what the spell check is fore. Thanks so much for the praise. I worry sometimes about the detail in the stories, but it's nice to know that people enjoy them as much as I do. I'm glad you have such an open mind about the pairings. There are a few people who only read one thing, so when they find out that a story's another they tend to send some interesting mail. You will be sticking around won't you?