InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Avoiding Yokai Eradication ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: Seleni

VOCABULARY

Onsen - Hot spring bathing facilities

Ningen - Human

Onna - Woman

Zabuton - Japanese cushion

Komon - Casual style Japanese Kimono. It has a repeated pattern and may be worn around town

Sakura - Cherry blossom

Nagisa - Japanese name meaning Sea Shore. One of Sesshoumaru' many servants and assigned to Kagome

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Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

CHAPTER 5: PROPOSITION

Sengoku Jidai

Juunigatsu, 1548

Guest Room in the Tsuki no Palace

The miko struggled to remain awake as her lugs screamed from the well missed air. With her mouth open, she aspire as much oxygen as she could before her vision came back to normal. In the darkness, she could hardly see anything, but it didn't take a genius to know she wasn't home anymore. And if the imposing figure near the door told her anything, was that she was back to the feudal era in what she guessed was Sesshoumaru's castle. Holding herself up with her weak arms, breathing better she tested her voice.

"What do you want Sesshoumaru" she asked the male who in the darkness lifted an eyebrow in wonder. He was sure his aura was suppressed. "It doesn't matter how much of it you hide from me, I can tell it's you by the yoki not by the amount of it" she answered his question as if she had read his mind.

Deciding that it wasn't that important that the miko knew his yoki so well, he turned to leave and hide her naked form from his eyes. He found he like what he saw the more he looked at her, and with his enhance eyesight he could see her perfectly in the darkness.

"There is a still unsolved matter between us, Miko" he told her.

"And prey tell what might that be, because as far as I remember, you and I haven't spoken more than a few words. I know none of you secrets and as a weak ningen, I wouldn't be of any help to you" she answered as he had expected, in anger, with a couple of truths blended into it and in a complete disregard of his tittle. Maybe she needed to be reminded who was boss but he stopped that idea before it took root in his brain. The last thing he wanted was to be near her even when she smelled delicious enough to eat.

"We'll talk later. First I would recommend a bath and a change of clothe" he said before opening the door and exiting her small room. Calling for a servant he instructed her to look after the miko before he returned to his office to read more scrolls.

A light blue head popped behind the door and entered. Bowing down to the ningen onna in front of her she introduced herself. "I'm Nagisa. I've been appointed as your maid during your stay at the Palace". Upon hearing the yokai speak, the miko's expression changed from one of concern to a charming smile.

"Oh, hi there, I'm Kagome. Would you happen to have something I could wear?" she asked the maid. The yokai wore a plain white yukata with a blue obi around her waist. Her bluish hair was tied at the nape of her neck with a blue ribbon. "And where can I bath?" she added as an afterthought. Although she tried not to think about it, she had been touched by some disgusting yokai.

"Yes, this way, please" said Nagisa after lending a yukata to Kagome which she put on.

She followed the maid into the springs near her room which Nagisa explained was for the guests to use. The onsen was big, with towels and baskets to leave the clothes at and the necessities required for bathing before entering the water. After scrubbing the grime off, including some blood and stickiness in uncomfortable places, she washed the soap off her body. Once done, she entered the warm healing water holding a folded towel on her head.

Enjoying the relaxing moment she began to wonder why Sesshoumaru was interested in her. She might have a little more power than before, but not enough to be a thread or help to him. Beside, most of their encounters ended with her saving Inuyasha from his numerous tries on the hanyou's life. She had been an obstacle to him during the few years they had known each other. When he wanted Tessaiga, she had given it to Inuyasha, and many times after that, she had made sure he didn't get the sword. He had tried to eliminate Naraku just as many times as he had tried to kill his half-brother, but the glory of the evil hanyou demise had gone to their group in general. Everybody had given their all in his defeat thanks to her bringing them together. And, once again, it seem she stood between Sesshoumaru and something he wanted bad enough that he had to kidnap her to achieve it.

Getting out of the warm water before she became too dizzy and passed out, she got the new clothes placed for her on the basket and dressed. She was ready to talk to Sesshoumaru and find out what he wanted from her. Otherwise, she knew he wouldn't let her go.

~*~

Sengoku Jidai

Juunigatsu, 1548

Village of Edo

"What is she doing here, Inuyasha?" asked a very ticked off Sango holding her Hiraikotsu dangerously.

"I haven't come to cause trouble taijijya" said Kikyo's unfeeling voice. "I only came because Inuyasha requested my presence".

"I don't buy it. You are plotting something, I can feel it" answered an angry demon slayer not letting her eyes astray from the walking dead.

"Now Sango, calm down, Lady Kikyo doesn't seem to be interested in a fight right now, am I right?" asked Miroku. Although he didn't believe her intentions were all friendly, he decided to listen to her. Maybe they would find out something about their friend. "What has brought you here, if I may ask?"

"Leave her alone all of you, she came because I called her" answered abruptly Inuyasha.

"And for what do we need her, Inuyasha?" almost screamed Sango with all her attention focused on the hanyou.

"To bring Kagome back" he mumbled.

"For what? Speak louder Inuyasha, so we can hear you" demanded Sango, the murderous glint not completely gone from her eyes.

"To bring Kagome back" repeated Inuyasha with more conviction.

"That is really smart" said the slayer as if congratulating the hanyou. "Bring the one that wants to kill her and steal her soul" she spat out next.

"What? No, Kikyo wouldn't do that" said Inuyasha only to receive an incredulous gaze from his friends.

"My friend, I believe it would be wiser if you didn't ask such thing from Lady Kikyo. Kagome might not appreciate her presence when she returns" said Miroku trying to appeal to the numerous sits Inuyasha would receive upon Kagome's return.

"Your friends are right Inuyasha" Kikyo's dead voice quieted the little quarrel. "Kagome doesn't need my assistance to return to this era since she is already here". Unbelieving eyes focused on her.

"You lie" stated Sango who was adamant to believe her friend had returned without meeting them first.

"No, taijijya, I do not. I can tell she is in the West right now" said the zombie.

"The west" repeated Miroku as something clicked in his head. "That is Sesshoumaru's territory. How did she come to be there?" he wondered out loud.

"Maybe he kidnapped her when she returned and we didn't notice" added the taijijya beginning to panic.

"Then we better get out asses there before the bastard does something to hurt her" exclaimed Inuyasha.

"I don't believe that will be necessary" said Kikyo offhandedly.

"Why not?" demanded Sango with a wary glaze toward the undead woman.

"Well, she seems to be enjoying herself very much" said Kikyo with her eyes in the distance as if reviving some very nice memories.

"How would you know?" asked Miroku not really believing what she told them.

"I share half her soul. I can feel her presence and feelings as long as she stays in this time" remarked the zombie. "If these happy feelings are something to go by, I would say she is quite content to be where she is. However, I'm sure she'll come by to say high sooner or later" she lied as she turned back and began to walk toward the forest.

"Oi, Kikyo, don't leave yet" cried Inuyasha.

Stopping and turning her face to look at him right in the eyes, she asked him coldly "Do you need something else?"

"No, but…"

"Then wait patiently for the priestess to return. I'm sure she'll bring good company for you to play with" with that she disappeared into the thick foliage.

Inuyasha was very confused. How was it that Kagome was in the West when she had never gone through the well? He would have known if she had. And what did Kikyo meant by that? However, the hanyou wasn't alone in his confusion. The monk and the slayer were also wondering what the hell was going on. Where they supposed to take Kikyo's words seriously and wait for Kagome to show up, or should they head west and knock down Sesshoumaru's front door looking for Kagome. Neither one seem to be the most pleasant alternative so they decided to do both. They would wait a couple of day before heading west to rescue their friend.

"When is Kagome coming back?" asked Shippou after a several minutes of silence.

"Soon" said Miroku and headed for Kaede's hut.

~*~

Sengoku Jidai

Juunigatsu, 1548

Sesshoumaru's Private Office

He sensed her before she even knocked on his door but waited until she tapped to mutter an 'enter'. Seconds later he heard the ruffle of cloth, the door opening and somebody stepping into his most sacred place. Without lifting his head to look at his guest, he signaled for her to sit on the zabuton. Once he finished reading the report, he signed it and placed in a pile to his left before looking at his visitor.

She was wearing a red komon with a pattern of white sakura flowers. The obi was a pale pink that molded her waist and held her perfect beasts in place. She looked regal, he noted but decided to ignore it in favor of getting the conversation done and over with.

"This Sesshoumaru has a need for the wish and will not accept a 'no' for answer" he said without preambles.

"What? You had to kidnap me because you wanted the jewel? I thought it was below you to desire a fake source of power" she told him imitating his cold voice. Sesshoumaru didn't even blink and ignored that comment in favor of the conversation although he wished to hang her from the neck for her insolence.

"The Shikon's power is not fake, but I seek it for another reason" he stated. "It may pose a threat to me in the future and I wish for it to be gone. As long as you ask for a selfless wish that does not include yokai, I would leave you to decide what the wish is".

"Are you afraid I'll wish for the yokai race to disappear, Sesshoumaru?" her searching eyes noted how he tensed. She was sharp he grudgingly admitted. "I'll have you know that I have a son who happens to be a yokai. I would never ask for his disappearance from this world".

"This Sesshoumaru knows of your kitsune, Miko but I still don't trust you" Kagome hadn't expected anything less from the regal lord.

"I figure as much, but I won't sacrifice my son to kill many others who might be just as innocent as him" she was certain she wouldn't fall so low to kill everyone for the sin of one.

"Still, I won't let you out of my sight until you make the wish. This Sesshoumaru would like for you to live here for some time so you get accustomed to the manner of the yokai. That way it will ascertain that your wish won't endanger any of us" he said deciding that their discussion had come to an end.

However, things couldn't be that easy and it was confirmed when the priestess sighed and said a soft "I can't"

"Why not?" he wondered. She had the jewel. She was free to wish on it whenever she wanted.

"The wish is not for me to make" she simply said.

"You are the Shikon Miko. You hold the Shikon no Tama. How come you can't wish on it?" he asked. The onna was a puzzle.

"I promised it to Inuyasha" she finally said fidgeting under his potent gaze.

"What?" he was surprised to say the least, even when his expression almost didn't change. His eyes did narrow further focusing on the miko.

"You know Inuyasha wanted the Shikon no Tama to become a demon. I told him he could have the wish to become whatever he wanted. So, if you want to know what his wish will be, you'll have to go to Edo and ask him yourself because I'm not wishing on it until he has agreed to it" Kagome wasn't sure what the hanyou's wish was going to be but she did have a sneaky suspicion that it wasn't to become a demon. And even if she knew he planned on betraying her, she wasn't about to stoop lower than him by taking the first step and betraying him first. Besides, it was Sesshoumaru who wanted the wish. She wasn't going to give it to him willingly. It might be a mistake on her part, but she couldn't bring herself to trust the regal yokai. She felt he was withholding information from her and, unless he came forward, she wasn't willing to bend the rules a little.

She hadn't thought the Jewel had enough power to eliminate all yokai. So just for that, she was willing to help Sesshoumaru and would try to convince Inuyasha to help, even if it was very unlikely that he would accept to assist just because it was his half-brother. She still thought the rivalry between them was pointless but never dared to voice it out loud.

"He won't be happy" stated Sesshoumaru, thinking that his idiot of a brother would outright refuse his demand just because it was him demanding it.

"I know, and I'll try to vouch for you just because I think the cause it's worth it but I can't promise anything. You know how touchy Inuyasha gets when it comes to you" she said waiting for him to said something but she just received an 'Hm'. "Well, when do we go" she asked expectantly.

"After I'm done with some of these papers, probably in two to three days" he said once again with his eyes on another scroll. For him that was a dismissal and hoped that the miko would leave as soon as his attention was directed to the new parchment. However, seeing that Kagome was still there, looking curiously around, he guessed she didn't get the silent treatment she was receiving at the moment. "You may leave" he said in dismissal. Her eyes widen when she saw him looking at her.

"Oh. Ok, bye Sesshoumaru" she said before disappearing behind the door into a hallway.

He still wondered why he kept the miko alive. She was distracted most of the time, too trusting, felt too much at the same time, caring, disregarded his authority, loyal and brave. Overall, a pain in the ass that was always getting in his way. But he knew why she was alive. It had been his fault, his ignorance or more like his veiling of the truth. He should have known who the miko was seconds after finding she went home through the Bone's Eater Well, but he hadn't connected the dots at the time. If he had, dispatching her would have been at the top of his priority list, leaving Tessaiga and Inuyasha at the bottom. But no, he had to let her live and now he couldn't kill her without letting the person who he really didn't want to give the jewel to, Kikyo.

That undead priestess owned part of the Miko's soul and therefore was the other one that could purify the jewel without being controlled by it. However, Sesshoumaru knew Kikyo was tainted. If she did get Shikon no Tama, he was sure the prophesy would come true for her contempt toward the yokai race was well known among his kind and hers. He knew that to kill Kagome, he needed to eliminate Kikyo first or the zombie would get all that she wanted. Kagome