InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Aflaming Passions ❯ The Plot Thickens ( Chapter 5 )

*~ AFLAMING PASSIONS ~*

 

By Laura-chan

 

 

 

AN: I know, I know it's been more than a year, but please let me explain: first of all, I had school and gods, this has been a really difficult year and now school is still killing me; then, my computer broke TWICE and so I lost what I wrote of chapter 5 TWICE... I worked very hard on this one, to make it longer and better than usual to excuse myself.... Now please read and enjoy! (And don't forget to review ^^)

 

 

Sesshomaru is in this chapter: I decided to let him have both of his arms...it didn't feel right for a human Sesshoumaru to have only one arm.

 

 

Another thing: I found out Inuyasha's mother real name, so I'm changing it from Hana to Izayoi (yes, his mother was called Izayoi... I love this name ^^)

 

 

 

!!!! WARNINGS !!!! - I'm Italian and I'm still studing English.... please forgive my mistakes; also, this story is rater R for a reason, don't read if you aren't over 17 years old or if you can't take sex or violence.

 

 

Reviews Answers will be posted next chapter.

I'm delighted to have such lovely readers! I love all of you, you are what keeps me going on writing.

This chapter is dedicated to all of you!

 

 

 

 

 

*NOTES*

_Furisode: colourful kimono for ceremonies.

_Mikoto: Prince.

_Miko: virgin shinto priestess/priestesses

_Ise jingu: Temple of Ise. One of the most important, ancient and sacred temples of the entire Japan; 'Jingu' is how the Imperial temples are called.

 

 

 

 

 

*~CHAPTER 5: THE PLOT THICKENS~*

 

 

 

"I understand... so... nothing, eh?" "Nothing, Your Majesty: no guards were discovered in the act of taking children. No one lamented the loss of his daughers or sons." A clawed hand rubbed its owner's chin. "I don't think the kid was lying.... Something stinks here." The prince turned towards his head of the Royal Guards. "General Kouga, I hope you aren't hidding something from me."

The militar's eyes widened. "Never, Your Majesty! Why would I do that?"

 

 

That was true: Kouga had no family, no home outside the palace.

 

 

Inuyasha waved a hand, closing his eyes. "Sorry Kouga, I know you're not lying.... I'm just tired, I promised Kagome I would find her brother and sister..." his eyes turned towards the window, from which he could see Kagome with flowers in her hair, playing in the garden with Sango, Souta and some other servant. He sighed, massaging with a hand his closed eyelids.

 

 

"Now go, please, leave me alone." "But Your Majesty, I have news of your brother..." Violet eyes shot open. "What happened to Sesshoumaru?" "Well, nothing new, he's actually pursuing the rebels and the bandits that are destroing the villages in the north-west zone, but he managed to take prisoners some of them and he's sending them here."

 

 

Inuyasha groaned "More prisoners in the prison... we have to built another one or we won't have anymore space... I don't understand why he always bring them here... he has his own palace, hasn't he?" He shook his head, his eyes unfocusing.

 

 

General Kouga noticed his prince was quite exhausted and understood it was better to leave him be. "I'll take my leave, My Lord." Inuyasha nodded, sighing tiredly.

As the door closed, he sat down on his chair and took his chin in a hand, thinking.

 

 

At the same moment Kagome was laughing as Souta blushed, a crown of flowers (dayses and lilies) around his head. "Sis! I'm not a girl!" He whined, mortified. Sango joined her friend with her laughter. "You're so funny Sota-chan!" "Sota-kun! Kun, not chan!!!" The poor child was red with embarassment.

 

 

"I think Sota-kun is really cute with that crown." Tsubame, a little girl who worked in the kitchen, was blushing and watching him under her lashes. The boy stammered and blushed too.

Kagome giggled and whispered to Sango "I think my little brother has a crush." The older girl nodded, then said "Sota-kun, would you like to help Tsubame in the kitchen while I talk to your sister?" "The little boy, who wanted nothing more than escape embarassment and take the crown off his head, nodded hurriedly and followed the girl out of the garden where the four of them had been playing and joking.

 

 

Kagome lay down and smiled "I love it here! It's so peaceful... I'd love to spend all my time here."

Sango just nodded and savored the feeling of the wind caressing her face, smiling as the warm rays of the sun touched her.

 

 

Kagome closed her eyes, inwardly sighing: the past few days had been peaceful and uneventful... she had stayed with Sango and played with Sota... but she had to admit she was quite bored.

Oh, she didn't miss her old life, full of difficulties...it was nice to have a bed, a roof over your head and a hot warm that waited you almost every evening....also it was wonderful to have such a friend like Sango and to eat whatever she wanted!

But now that she was acquainted with all these new things, her mind was spinning with the force of all those changes....she still couldn't believe that she was living in the Empereor Palace!

 

 

If she hadn't met Inuyasha....

 

 

Inuyasha... he was a mistery to her: she couldn't understand him. At first, he had been arrogant and a jerk, then... his behaviour changed and he had become quite a sweet guy.

She tried to ask Sango about that, but the older girl had just waved off, saying it didn't matter...

It mattered, DAMN IT! She was so confused!

 

 

She blushed remembering all the kisses he had left on her lips and skin. She had never been kissed before... hell, she had never had the attention of a guy before!

 

 

She sighed again, opening her eyes and sitting up, leaning back on her hands. She turned her head towards the tall walls of the Imperial Palace: she hadn't seen Inuyasha for at least three days and she missed him.

Last time she had met the Prince had been in the dining room, where he was talking in a low tone with a handsome man with blue eyes and long back hair pulled back in a ponytail. She had learned after that he was the Captain of the Royal Guards.

Then, Inuyasha had smiled at her, but it wasn't the grin she was so accustomed to, but a little tired stir of the lips; his eyes had been blank and with bags under them.

 

 

She didn't know what was worring him, but she was worried for his health: she had talked to Miroku but he had just smiled and said not to worry, "The Prince is just a bit stressed in this moment... his father is away and his brother too... He has to control everything and he's not used to it."

 

 

Why had she the feeling that they weren't telling her something?

 

 

 

~*~ ~*~

 

 

 

A moan escaped his lips as his tired limbs moved: he had not sleep a wink, even if he had had a hot bath the night before and the bed had been more than comfortable .

This situation was killing him: still no news about Kagome's siblings and more prisoners from Sesshoumaru. Also, his 'dear' father decided to stay away a little more -State affairs, he said- and so everything was in Inuyasha's hands.

 

 

He was happy he wasn't the Crown Prince.

 

 

"Inuyasha?" The Prince lifted his stare to see his best friend closing gently the door. "How are you feeling?"

"Like shit." he answered honestly. Miroku shook his head. "Are you still so against Kaede-sama medicine? At least you'll sleep." "I'll take it tonight." Inuyasha said, covering his naked chest [AN: no drool girls!] with his white kimono and putting on a black hakama: simple clothes for staying at home.

"I'm not going to leave my office: I have too many matters in hands now."

 

 

The houshi watched as the Prince disappeared in the bathroom and sighed. "You know Kagome has been asking about you? She's worried."

Silence was his only answer.

 

 

"I..." Inuyasha got out the bathroom, eyes downcast "I can't tell her that I still have no idea where her brother and sister are.... I simply can't." Miroku patted him on his shoulder. "My friend, I'll sure she'll understand." and he simply left.

 

 

Inuyasha pondered on his words and sat down on the bed: she missed her.

He missed the warm feeling he got whenever she was near and he missed her beautiful smile, which remembered him of his mother before the illness.

 

 

His mother.

 

 

His eyes widened: who, better than his mother, could advice him?

He stood up and went out, towards Queen Izayoi's room.

 

 

 

~*~ ~*~

 

 

 

A delightful smile stretched itself over her face: oh yes, the letter was really good news.

She brushed her hair away from her face, her sly eyes coming in view.

 

 

"What are you smiling for, cousin?" a voice asked from the door.

 

 

She turned, grey eyes widening in surprise as her cousin, fan in hand as usually, leaned her back on the door. She smiled again.

 

 

"Kagura... I didn't hear you enter. Come, I have wonderful news to share with you."

 

 

The young woman, Kagura, moved herself from the door, walking slowly and with grace, her normal red and white kimono covered by a beautiful furisode full of colors, with long sleeves, almost covering her hands, as usual for non-married woman: she sat elegantly on the chair in front of her cousin.

 

 

"Read, read!" The other woman excitingly gave her the rise-paper in her hand and Kagura took it.

After reading the first lines she shot a doubtful look at her cousin, who just smiled slyly. At the end, she put on the table the letter, her mind confused. "I'm not sure, cousin. It's a bit... dangerous." she said carefully.

 

 

The other just waved her off "You worry too much. Uncle said he has everything under control." Kagura bit her lower lip 'This is what I'm most afraid of.' she thought. "Sometimes... Father makes mistakes too." she said, still in the same careful tone.

 

 

The woman in front of her stared at her, eyes flashing coldly: "He's not mistaken about this."

Kagura shook her head. "I hope you're right." 'For the both of you....'

 

 

 

~*~ ~*~

 

 

 

"Sesshoumaru-sama! This Jaken wants to inform Your Highness that a group of rebels had been seen in the village north from here. Do You want to go and control?"

 

 

The Crown Prince stared at the sky, wondering how many hours was the sunset away: after a minute in silence he asked, voice rough and low. "How much?" "It's not too far away....just an hour of walking briskly." His servant hurriedly answered.

 

 

Sesshoumaru lifted his right arm, the famous Tokijin in his grip. In the camp reigned immediately silence.

He turned towards his men and then nodded to his General: "I will take with me a company and we'll go hunting those rebels. Follow me."

 

 

 

~*~ ~*~

 

 

 

The little child trembled, cold seeping in her clothes and freezing her bones: she was hungry and afraid and she didn't like the group of about twenty men in front of her.

 

 

They were were eating like pigs, ripping the soft cow meat with their teeth, laughing and drinking sake.

"Ehe- it had been easy!" a fat one said. "We'll sell this one well: she's little but cute, Kashiwa-sama or Kiwazaki-sama will like her... they always liked young flesh." a small and bald man nodded, munching the meat without closing his mouth. "Yes... they're bastard, but very rich...and they pay well for kids." The other men chuckled darkly, not sparing a glance to the terrified little girl in the corner, tears falling on her cheeks.

 

 

A man whispered to the one near him. "Ya think we'll have trouble for having stolen some Guards' uniforms?" "I dunno." the other said, shrugging his shoulder. "Don't care. 'ey'll never find us."

 

 

Eventually all the men got drunk and fell asleep, too certain they were safe. The child wanted to escape, but she was too scared: what would happen if they wake up and beat her up for attempting to escape? No, she didn't want to risk. But, on the other side, if she never risked she would never be free.

 

 

'Sister, brothers... I miss all of you.'

 

 

She heard the door opening and lifted her gaze, eyes widening: more bandits?

Instead, this time a young man entered the hut where she and the bandits have been in the past two days: his stare was made of ice and his elegant and rich armour made him stand out in the poor room.

He was a noble!

 

 

The girl whimpered: maybe it was one of the nobles those men were going to sell her to.

The noise made him turn his head in her direction and one of his eyebrow raised, the only indication of surprise on his face.

 

 

"Your Highness?"

 

 

He turned back and ordered in a low voice: "Kill everyone but two or three: we need them to be interrogated." Then he moved towards the girl and kneeled in front of her, which made her cower into the wall. "Don't be afraid." he said, gentleness entering in his voice, but still remaining firm.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He picked her in his arms and the girl gripped his clothes with all her might: she didn't know why, but she trusted this man.

 

 

He made sure that her eyes could not see the slaughter that his soldiers were doing in the room and exited the hut, waiting for them to finish, the moon lightening the night.

"General?" he asked when he saw the man get out. "All dead. We have two men, but they're still too intoxicated to be useful now. The stink of sake is almost overpowering." the General grimaced.

"Let's going to the camp. Tomorrow I want to go back to Kyoto."

"As you wish, Mikoto-sama." The General bowed his head and then barked orders to the men.

 

 

Sesshoumaru stared down at the girl cuddled in his arms, watching him with big innocent eyes. "Child, what's your name." She hesitated, then whispered. "Rin."

"Rin." he repeated. "Well, now you're coming with me in Kyoto." At her panicking look he hurriedly say. "Don't worry, I'll do nothing to you: I think I...." he didn't finish the statement, but began walking towards his horse, mounting it.

 

 

'I think I need some company.'

 

 

 

~*~ ~*~

 

 

 

"What do you need, Inuyasha?" Izayoi said to her son, her beautiful black hair tied back in a loose ponytail, like the ones of the miko of the Ise jingu.

The Prince stared fondly at his mother, hoping his father would be back soon: he knew she missed him terribly.

 

 

"Let me guess." Izayoi said, smiling. "You've got troubles with a pretty girl who escaped the Palace once?" Inuyasha blushed, but nodded all the same.

He sighed. "It's just that.... Kagome asked me to find her siblings and I still have no news about them... So, being also so busy, I avoided her; Miroku told me she's quite worried and I want to meet her... but I don't think I can do it without having some news about her sister and brother." he said honestly.

 

 

"I don't see what the problem is." A surprised Queen stared at him. "You are trying your best and you still have found no traces of them. So what? Just tell her: she'll understand. I think she will prefer to hear from you than having you not speaking to her." He was still hesisant. "Are you sure?"

"Trust me, dear. Am I a woman or not?" she joked.

He nodded, grinning. "Ok Mother. I will follow your advice." Izayoi shook her head, smiling.

 

 

He walked out his mother's room and watched out of the window: Kagome was in the garden, alone for once, lying on her belly, her head on her arms. He smiled and walked out of the Palace, his footsteps light not to wake the sleeping beauty.

He sat down beside her and waited for her to wake up: he didn't have to wait long, because after about ten minutes, her eyelids began moving and her breath quickened a bit.

 

 

She opened her blue eyes and stared back at him, smiling when she realized who he was. "Hey!" she exclaimed. "It's been a long time: how are you? Last time I've seen you, you were exhausted."

Inuyasha sighed. "I still am. But I have to talk to you." "What about?" she asked curiously.

"Well," he fidgeted "...I have no traces of your siblings... I'm sorry." "Oh..." her face fell a bit, but she smiled a little. "I'm sure you're doing your best. I just hope you're going to find them soon. I miss them." she said a bit bitterly.

 

 

"Kagome... I'm so sorry." "Hey, you have nothing to be sorry about... you're helping me, aren't you?"

they smiled and remained in the garden, talking and forgetting of the world around them.

 

 

 

~*~ ~*~

 

 

 

"Your Majesty, You Majesty!"

 

 

"Calm down! His Highness is resting a bit!" Miroku stopped the messanger who had entered in a hurry the open-air courtyard. "What's happening?"

"I've come to tell you that Sesshoumaru-sama is coming back and wants everything to be ready for his arrival."

 

 

Miroku arched an eyebrow. "About time." he muttered. "How far is he?" "About one hour and half of good gallop. Oh, and he said to prepare a chamber for his guest."

 

 

"His guest?"

 

 

 

To be continued~

 

 

 

 

AN: So... it was good enough to make you forgive me? I hope so! I worked quite hard on this chapter.

I don't know when I'll update, 'cause I'm going on a short vacation, but I hope to write soon another chapter...

 

Please, let me know if you enjoyed this chapter.... LEAVE A REVIEW!! ;)

Thank you very much!