InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Awakening of Fires ❯ The Smell of Sulfur ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi does.

 

 

A/N: X_X . Once again...well at least they say “patience is a virtue”… Spring Break is here which = quicker updates. Whomever is within Kagome has not yet revealed its name…therefore, to distinguish their thoughts and speeches...if the phrase is in bold and italic = the “thing” within Kagome is thinking, if it is bold = “thing” speaking.

 

I hope that some aspects of the plot are becoming clearer with each chapter.

 

 

“Awakening of Fires”

 

 

Ch 3: The Smell of Sulfur

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ****~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

“Come on, hurry up, Sesshoumaru!” yelled the young and seemingly innocent demon girl.

 

The trees were glittering amber from the setting sun…a young Sesshoumaru…one who was prone to laughter, tears, and even tantrums...ran and leaped over tops of trees trying to keep up with the childish game his demon friend had started.

 

His mother had informed him that soon his folly was to come to an end; she was trying to engrave ideas of bravery, prowess, and detachment into a demon child… a demon but first and foremost, a child; one who still saw the world through eyes filled with endless curiosity and excitement… For this, he was scorned and scarred.

 

“You are the rightful regal-blooded demon heir to your father's throne and to rule you MUST be tactful, cunning, and above all, strong both of mind and of body. There must be no room for weakness. You can't have that while you gallivant around doing things that are both demeaning and insignificant. ”the words of his mother resonated in his head…but just as easily were pushed aside….

 

He couldn't help himself; there was something about that demon girl's smile, the way she plotted mischief and had upset at least half the citizens of the kingdom that drew his interest greatly.

 

“Here it is, just up ahead!” the girl pointed towards the magnificent lake filled with the reflection of gold specks…each moving as the water rippled.

 

As they landed on the ground of the shore, the girl began to undress leaving only her outermost garments on the ground besides Sesshoumaru's feet.

 

Sesshoumaru followed suit and was soon into the shallow water besides the girl, both were floating on the surface of the wading water.

 

The demon girl suddenly stood on the floor of the lake and drew Sesshoumaru to her. She looked into his face…

 

“She has violet eyes; they look like crystals…why is she looking at me that way?” He gave her a look of confusion, she answered by taking his face into both of her hands. His eyes shot wide in surprise. She, on the contrary, shut her eyes tightly and pressed her lips onto his; they lay there unmoving.

 

The queen was observing the scene nearby…her face was expressionless.

 

“What is she doing?” Sesshoumaru thought worriedly, he had felt at first; a sort of panic, then, a rush as if he were running, then a tickling feeling began to creep up from his core…

 

The girl drew her head back, she took a long look at his bewildered face, then a demon impulse overcame her…she took his head and pushed it underwater.

 

“WHA-“the water began to engulf him he still hadn't mastered breathing underwater, let alone a protective shield.

 

The same panic was rushing into him, except this time, he felt his heart drop in desperation and he felt the imminent danger of death torturing him to what he thought would be his last breath.

 

She held him there and saw he was struggling to come up. She removed her hands from his head and shoulder and instead wrapped them around his neck…her face was still; no facial gesture donned her face.

 

“Father! Mother! I will never see you again!… I won't ever be king. I have brought shame…I will die before completing my duties as Father has and his father did before him…NO! I…refuse to die!” He clawed at her chest; three deep gashes made the girl release her grip. She winced in pain at her wounds.

 

He gasped violently for air…anger filled him…no it was rage.

 

Just as he was about to charge at his former friend, a great ball of electricity was thrown at the lake…it aimed and struck the girl, her screams pierced Sesshoumaru's ears, she was obliterated into nothing.

 

He looked up to see his mother standing still, her hair swaying in the wind…she reminded him, “Desire is also a feeling…a weakness.” She turned from him and began to walk away.

 

He did not look back; he simply dressed and stood with his chin firm in the air, the light from his eyes began to dim… As he began to follow his mother he finally consented, “Yes, nothing but a weakness…”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

If a person could determine their death …would they want to know?

“…love, money, power, and health.” Always seem to be the questions…

 

The mighty demon dog demon was no exception. It seems curiosity in mystical foreshadowing was yet another similarity twixt the human and demon world.

 

In a time where Lord Sesshoumaru was only the second most renowned demon, and was still earning the respect and fear of the vassals in his land and that of Japan, lived his father, a powerful history maker, a graceful demon who laced every one of his battles with a sense of nobility, and all the same was an utter disgrace upon his family name…to his entire kind.

 

Three days before a certain hanyou would meet with this world's rejection for the first time, the dog demon let his superstitious itch overwhelm him and he allowed his curiosity to be indulged…perhaps for the sake of his future…perhaps it was concern over his impulsive, irrational, bloodthirsty opponent determined to become his successor; his firstborn son…or was it for his forbidden love and the unborn babe she carried?

 

The fact that his father held these burdens equally upon his brow…stung Sesshoumaru like a traitorous knife…the seed of sibling hatred was sown.

 

This, above all things, struck a resonating pang of worry in the great dog demon's heart, his heart was torn; his sin was to love, as his son would say, “a worthless, weak, pathetic, and traitorous piece of flesh, whose only true purpose would be to serve as nourishment to even lower, baser creatures…” so then he was guilty of going against his very nature of evil and the empty illusion of satisfaction it brought; for he longed for the warmth of goodness. With Izayoi, happiness wasn't an appearance for the sake of noble titles, it wasn't as unsubstantial and unreachable as a cloud… it was a state of being.

 

Never the less, after she had prophesized to him of the difficult choice he was to make and after he begun to walk the path he had chosen…he looked back and wondered if he had made the right decision, but his heart called out to Izayoi and the possible impending danger that stalked her.

 

The cold breeze on his face carried the scent of blood, it was his own… dripping onto the dry cracked ground, he had little time now…

 

Before his destiny had been mapped out by an oracle, he felt an urge to see Lady Izayoi and after hearing of the rebellion in her palace over Izayoi's heart and the blasphemous decision it had made over a certain demon lord, Fate chose to cross his path with one of whom the dog demon had forgotten… Ryukotsei…the oracle could only shed light on what destiny the great demon lord had already set in motion…

 

“All the things between us, Sesshoumaru, all the things left undone…the things of which I was perhaps too proud to say… my son, who is disgusted by all things meek and feeble and yet has denied himself of the highest power, love. One day you will understand what it means to have someone to protect. Forgive me for what you have become; it was my doing, my fault. I will always love you, my son.”

 

He knew the seer had been right and now he understood…“his blood will choose…” Lingering, abstract thoughts clouded over him as he flew towards Izayoi's castle.

 

As he ran through the snowy woods, he thought of his estranged demon wife, “had there ever been love, could there ever have been?”…

 

As he fought his way through the soldiers who had someone to defend, he clashed his swords against theirs, foreign arrows and the ends of katanas cut away at their target, the fire was eating away the walls; the panic in him slowly grew… “Izayoi!”

 

The smell of an intense smoke burned his sensitive nostrils, as he made his way through the threatening unmerciful fire that devoured wood and human flesh alike, he saw her on the floor.

 

Something lay in her arms gently wrapped in a blanket…the scent of blood doused his senses…

 

Tenseiga was summoned for a miracle…hope and faith was imprinted on the blade.

 

Fast and tiny heartbeats echoed in his ears…the perfect moment…his eyes were held in Izayoi's mesmerizing gaze…their newborn in her arms… “At last, true happiness…” and suddenly he gasped; the tiny heartbeats had told him their name.

 

A name that will honor both worlds…a sort of peace between them coursed through the infant's veins…both working to sustain his existence… “Inuyasha”

 

Predictions had become facts…the present became history…or more specifically…HIS story, a mere blink of a life alongside his lonely mother, his ruthless half-brother, her passing, his anger; the incredibly large void his heart carried…almost a sort of wind tunnel…

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sesshoumaru took the sword from the ancient talking tree… an heirloom his father had so generously bestowed upon him…a reminder of his father's weakness was slung about the left side of his waist.

 

It would lay there wasting away, inside its sheath, the sword inwardly smiled… it held many powerful secrets that hoped one day his new master would unleash.

 

“Father, this Tensuiga is useless, nothing but a memento of your affinity for humans. Where did you leave Tetsuiga? ...no doubt, you think yourself clever,” he looked to the sky then at the ground, “It's only a matter of time now.”

 

He had tortured his father's closest confidantes. Only one was small and insignificant enough to evade Sesshoumaru's persistence and wrath, it was he who held the map to the sought out treasure, but it was another who gave Sesshoumaru a riddled answer.

 

Amethyst encrusted temple doors welcomed him into a world that told him he had reached the outskirts of reality and was dangerously bordering a territory based on instinct and forces that went beyond the physical powers of a warrior. Sesshoumaru had come to see one of the beings who had last seen his father before his unnecessary demise…a former obsession…the seer.

 

~ *~ *~ ~*~*~

 

“Hey, you can't just come here and think that arrogance has granted you permission to enter, let alone allow you to SEE this place and its people.” said the obstacle in his path.

 

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and as usual they sent a deadly frost meant to destroy any courage from any opponent. The first of his attacks had begun with a mere glance of superiority.

 

The woman began to smirk; it became a smile, and eventually a small snicker. She had to admire his nerve.

 

She had been carrying Sais. She quickly drew the one from her right leg and threw it towards his face.

 

He simply caught it between his acidic fingers…the green light had melted all but the handle.

 

“Impressive,” she admitted with a smile, “But you'll have to do better than that to go anywhere beyond this point.”

 

Sesshoumaru stood stoic…silent….an expressionless face was his response.

 

The woman knelt on one knee and began praying…or invoking something...“I know what you want…my name is Chiyo and it's my duty so see to it that it remains unreachable…”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Not much had changed in centuries for the great and feared Sesshoumaru (or so he thought)…not even Chiyo had changed…and therein lay the absurdity. She had logically become legend and story with the passing of time. How could a mortal be alive and have remained not a day older since he had last seen her?

 

“Answer me you BASTARD!” yelled Chiyo while she held the sword pointed toward Seshoumaru.

 

The tip of the sword was shaking, barely able to contain itself.

 

“What?!” Sesshoumaru's first thought had caught his senses off guard. The electric shock that surged through his skin had just as quickly dissipated. Inwardly he punished himself for the frailty of utter surprise he had felt at the sight of her. His heart had stiffened…a trait common between him and his half-brother.

 

“My affairs are none of your concern.” He committed one of the most despicable insults any warrior could do unto his opponent…or any male could do unto a female… he turned away and began to walk towards his true intention.

 

As Chiyo watched him stride past the blade ignoring both her inquiry and threat…her blood boiled.

 

Inuyasha watched his brother intently: he had sensed something peculiar… “Hmph! Seems like even someone as cold blooded as Sesshoumaru has fears…his heart beat so loud and fast for a second there even I could hear it…but why in the hell is he walking towards…” his train of thought had been cut off. He was at first baffled and surprised to see Sesshoumaru walking towards Kagome but when he saw that he had arrived within breathing distance of her, his daze was over…the need to protect her had taken control.

 

Sesshoumaru was but a few steps away from Kagome's limp form on the ground.

 

“Kagome!” yelled the worried Miroku, Sango, and Shippou.

 

“Don't you DARE lay a finger on her Sesshoumaru!” Inuyasha threatened him and before Inuyasha could continue his threats, Sesshoumaru had drawn out Tensuiga and pointed it towards Kagome.

 

“If you use the Windscar or any of your weak winded attacks, you will be jeopardizing this woman's life as well. Surely even someone as simple-minded as you can see that.” Sesshoumaru pointed out the obvious.

 

“What the fuck are you doing?” Inuyasha's worry had decreased somewhat because he knew it to be a healing sword…but then again, he knew Sesshoumaru did not waste energy nor time unless he wanted something.

 

The thing within Kagome recognized Sesshoumaru's soul; it was struggling to come forward. “So little time and so much we could do together…yes… so many pleasures…”it thought… or perhaps it was Kagome who thought it.

 

Sango had been the first to sense an evil not far from the site…her ears alerted her to a familiar buzzing…”The Saimyoshou…”

 

Miroku had sensed it quickly after, he looked towards Sango. She spoke to him in glances…they came to an understanding…Miroku nodded in consent…she was off to investigate what new intrigue Naraku had conjured.

 

“What does Sesshoumaru want with Kagome?” asked Shippou while he sat on Miroku's shoulder worriedly peering towards the battle scene.

 

Sesshoumaru focused his eyes and searched Kagome for any indication that could alert his senses.

 

“Hmm…this girl shows no signs, oh but of course…” He flashed to Inuyasha's side but positioned himself so that he could still see Kagome's face in the distance. He had flicked his whip as quickly as he had sped up to Inuyasha's side. The end of his whip had grazed Inuyasha's shoulder and something invisible to the untrained eyes and nonexistent to those that lacked a sharp perception was being released from Kagome.

 

A strong scent of acid surrounded Sesshoumaru and lingered in his nostrils and throat… was it threatening him?…no matter, he was unaffected.

 

“It smells of…sulfur?! Miroku speculated but found no explanation…except perhaps Naraku had…

 

Inuyasha put some distance between him and his opponent with a back flip. As he landed, he was now letting anger wield his sword.

 

“SESSHOUMARU!” an arrow whizzed in the air; it flew towards Sesshoumaru's armor…just like Kagome's arrow had once done and broken….but was it Kagome? It mattered not; he had just as easily caught it with his hand.

 

“These affairs ARE my concern and you still haven't answered my question, my lord!” The sarcastic smile had overcome Chiyo's mouth.

 

“Argh!” Inuyasha lifted the Tetsuiga over his head and was ready to release his attack... “Now's my chance…” But he felt his sword transform over his head; a sacred arrow had been the cause.

 

“Stay out it! He's my fight now.” Chiyo had warned… a feverish fire seeped through her eyes…

 

Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome; his eyes narrowed, then he shifted them towards Inuyasha.

 

“Oh he always was as cunning as he was charming… but then again the two of them are brothers… the irony…this time it will be me standing over them while they sigh their last sighs…” the being within Kagome began to overtake her thoughts…her very mind. “No!” Kagome thought, “Not again” she pleaded with the infectious being inside her...just then, she felt the flames of an invisible fire…

 

“Inuyasha, you would be wise to keep your guard up, that is unless you yearn for death.”

 

With that ominous but riddled warning, the great Lord Sesshoumaru took leave; leaving behind unsettled scores both with family and old…acquaintances.

 

“Come back here you coward!!” yelled Chiyo AND Inuyasha simultaneously… they looked at each other remembering what had happened before Sesshoumaru's appearance.

 

“So, I see that even though you and that bastard share the same blood, you have no brotherly bond.” She stated, “Excellent. That means they'll be no objection from you when I rip his heart out.”

 

“Hey, it's no skin off my back; you wanna kill Sesshoumaru that's your business. But, when you threaten my friends, then it's my problem.” Inuyasha warned.

 

He turned towards Kagome and leaped to her side, “Kagome are you hurt?”

 

“No…” she closed her eyes tightly and sighed, “I'm fine.”

 

“In that case,” yelled Chiyo from where Inuyasha had been standing, “I propose we postpone our duel for another time…by the looks of you, you're going to need to regain strength…”she looked at Kagome as she stood up and lifted her weapons, “and skills.” She smiled. “It is settled then…A truce?”

 

“Sango, you're back!” jumped Shippou with joy.

 

Sango was running towards Miroku's side, “it seems they were flying towards a mountain range, I couldn't follow them past a miasma.” She informed him; then asked, “What's happened?”

 

“It seems this… woman, Chiyo,” he said as he rubbed his neck remembering her threats, “intends to make peace with Kagome.”

 

“Why the change of heart, that seems strange. One minute you're blaming Kagome cuz some soldiers wanna lop off your head…the next you want a truce…smells like something underhanded…something one of Naraku's minions would do.” challenged Inuyasha.

 

“To demonstrate my truest intentions, I will not only surrender my weapons,” she knelt on one knee, then thrust the arrowheads into the ground and took her bow into her hands, “I will destroy them myself.” She snapped the bow in half then drew the arrows from the ground and began walking towards Kagome.

 

“What does the bitch plan to do this time?” Kagome couldn't understand her hostility towards Chiyo…

 

Chiyo knelt and bowed her head as she extended the bows for Kagome to take. “They are yours,” she said with a knowing voice, “take them as my pledge and as your agreement to our truce.”

 

“I have never seen this form of warrior submission, I've only heard about it in folktales…” she whispered to Miroku, then assured an insecure…or was it fearful Kagome… “It is a legitimate form of surrender…and it is a ritual Naraku couldn't possibly know of.”

 

“Curse her,” said the thing inside Kagome, “if I refuse, they will suspect, and I want them nice and unsuspecting as they have been…for now. I have no choice but to let that useless twit take control again.”

 

“Just as I suspected she's knows I know who she really is, once she touches my bows, I'll have her right where I want her.”

 

Kagome came forth, “What was that?!” she blinked coming to her senses, “See Inuyasha, I told you she would come to her senses, she's a little angry” she said smiling to herself as it reminded her of Inuyasha, “but I'm sure she has her reasons and truly means no harm” she said as she took Chiyo's arrows, “truce it is then.”

 

Chiyo lifted her head ready to expose that thing for what it really was but was then in utter shock, the girl remained unaffected. What could she do?...nothing except close her gaping mouth and smile…her only consolation was that she would remain close to them…perhaps she could slowly convince them…surely she couldn't keep up her little disguise for long…it would be imprudent of her to try a direct attack when everyone of her “friends” was on their high guard…besides she had also stumbled onto some unfinished business…

 

Miroku had seen Chiyo's reaction, he looked towards Kilala who had been subtly growling…he noticed Sango had left her behind…perhaps there was something she had ordered Kilala to watch over…

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

Sango had told about the Saimyoshou and how their trail had been lost…Inuyasha's doubts towards Chiyo grew…he insisted on pursuing the wasps from hell in hopes of confronting Naraku, but he noticed Kagome's attempts to hide her exhaustion. He decided to rest for the night but knew Chiyo could and may as well be a trap…

 

After much of Kagome's persuasion, Inuyasha had agreed to allow Chiyo to accompany them…at least for awhile…he would keep a watchful eye on her…he found her more mysterious than before…it made it all the more worrisome…

 

His suspicion should have been directed to someone closer to him…

 

The darkness of the night came, a campfire was lit… “explanations” were needed from the strange woman…

 

“Kilala, where are you going?” asked Shippou

 

“I think it is best we leave her be for awhile Shippou, I don't think she's been feeling well lately…” Sango looked at Kilala's form distanced herself…she had to do it…how else could she understand what had happened and what needed to be done about her?

 

~*~*~*~*

 

“I apologize for allowing my anger to blind my reason. You see, I was searching for the person…” she looked towards Kagome then towards Inuyasha and the others, “the beast, that had been responsible for the massacre of countless villages…it had been described as a young woman with incredible spiritual powers…the name the villagers had given me was `Kagome'…well to make a long story short, I returned to one of my neighboring villages and discovered that my comrades had been slaughtered mercilessly…I had inspected them and of course the men returning home had been the very soldiers who were seeking the evil…they saw me…and discovered I too was a priestess they naturally assumed-“ she paused…”well the rest is nothing more than a misunderstanding…”

 

“How do we know you didn't really slaughter them yourself?” asked Inuyasha, still incredulous.

 

“You don't,” she admitted, “unless you wish to verify my claims with the village I visited on that day, that is, …if it is still standing.”

 

“I know it isn't any of my business, but what quarrel do you have with Sesshoumaru?”asked Sango…she committed a dire mistake…

 

“It's just some strings left loose…nothing to worry about…dealing with him is my department….” Chiyo gave a steely stare towards the emptiness.

 

Sango was about to ask her of her origins and her training but decided to bite her tongue for now…

 

“Sesshoumaru came here for a reason…but what and what did it have to do with Kagome?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Yes, that was strange…it seemed as even though his whip attacked you…he was looking at Kagome for a reaction…and then there was a strong smell of sulfur…”Miroku speculated…as usual the observant man…but in doing so he revealed that he knew too much…and if not…he certainly had the capabilities to find out the truth.

 

Kagome…or the thing inside her…tried to mislead the conversation…Chiyo was the only one who noticed…

 

“It could've had something to do with Naraku…”she offered, “the Saimyoshou were nearby…”

 

“I'm gonna keep a lookout tonight…”said a determined Inuyasha, then he turned towards Chiyo… “I just hope I don't have to watch my back and sleep with one eye open.” He said sarcastically.

 

There was hostility about their words…a sort of tension…could it be a tension born of a subconscious attraction?

 

“I truly apologize for having jumped to unreasonable conclusions,” Chiyo spoke to overwhelm the loud silence… “I hadn't noticed before, you see, I had heard that this thing was an expert archer with excellent combat skills, bewitched men to their deaths, and could inflict pain by merely using its mind,” she informed them and looked at Kagome, “clearly that is not the case, you can't possibly have those sinister powers; besides your left hand does not have great calluses or bruises from practice.”

 

She struck a nerve in Kagome, there they went again, underestimating her and comparing…comparing like they had done with Kikyo… and them.

 

She feigned a smile, “Well then, I'm glad that's settled and cleared up. Do you think that person or thing…is nearby?” she asked.

 

“Don't even think about it,” predicted Inuyasha, “for all we know it could be a trap…”he said, “no offense but I still don't trust you.”

 

“None taken, believe me, I would think the same.” Chiyo agreed, “It really isn't necessary t---“ she was interrupted.

 

“We'll help you find this thing.” offered Kagome.

 

“`We',” he stood up, “ain't gonna do nothing,” interjected Inuyasha, “it has nothing to do with us, besides we got bigger problems, like Naraku. Or have you forgotten?”

 

“Of course I haven't,” she stood countering his male ego and answered, “but we haven't exactly any real leads on his whereabouts and who knows maybe that thing that is destroying villages…maybe THAT is Naraku's doing.”

 

“Kagome is right Inuyasha,” agreed Miroku, “perhaps we should help; we cannot allow anything to continue slaughtering innocent people.”

 

“I agree,” said Sango, “either way anything THAT despicable has Naraku's name written all over it.”

 

“Aw not you too!” exclaimed a disappointed Inuyasha, “Don't tell me you're falling for some sob story!”

 

“Inuyasha! SIT!” commanded Kagome. Why the hell did he have to be so stubborn and have such a temper when it came to any subject that didn't deal with Naraku?...or did it?

 

The bigger authority had won the dispute and with the support from the rest of the group. “Fine, but we are not gonna waste all our time looking for that monster or whatever. If there is nothing wrong with those villages then it is not our concern any longer.” He pouted and imposed whatever little authority he had left…along with dignity.

 

“Agreed,” said Kagome, pleased she had gotten her way…or was it the thing inside her that was thrilled?

 

“I suggest you rest, we will need our strengths for tomorrow” advised Chiyo.

 

~ ~ * ~ * ~ ~

 

The drug known as fatigue had swept over most of them…even haunting Inuyasha himself…but then again, he rarely slept soundly as was Chiyo's case…

 

Inuyasha olfactory senses warned him of a familiar threatening scent…Kilala had been besides him…she had decided to ostracize herself from the group earlier…they felt as though they could trust each other…together they took flight to surprise the enemy before it did them…

 

The waning moon was held high above the black blanket of the skies…midnight had crept upon them…just as something crept within Kagome…it stirred and woke her slumbering body with the searing of heat…

 

“That monk knows something…but he forgets…I have known him...in EVERY possible way…I think he needs to be reminded who I am…” the thing hissed inside Kagome's conscious.

 

“What do you mean you `know' him?” asked Kagome as she panicked at the insinuations, “Who are you and what do you want with me and Miroku?!”

 

“Why don't you bear witness…after all I can sense your desire for his touch is NOTa foreign thought…is it?” IT was trying to convince Kagome…or was it speaking the truth?

 

Kagome was careful not to wake her fellow companions…noticing Inuyasha was missing she took it as a sign to follow through with her plans …she tucked Shippou safely inside her sleeping bag…As began to walk towards Miroku's sleeping form; she hissed his name…”Miroku…”

 

She then began to walk past the shrubbery into the open field…waiting…

 

“Stop! What are you doing?!” fought Kagome inwardly.

 

“Hmm hmm aaah ah hmm hmm…come to me…” she began to hum beckoning for her chosen prey…or was it chosen lover…Miroku.

 

The smell of a certain flower he couldn't quite place caressed him like tender hands that wandered his body…it awoke him…and his desires…but, how could that be so if he yearned and only loved---…he looked towards Sango; she was still fast asleep…

 

“Who?” he questioned…but did he already know?

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome screamed within

 

“Sorry to disappoint you,but tonight I'll have the monk…your precious Inuyasha, BELIEVE ME,will come…in time” countered the evil…as she saw her victim approaching, “I've been expecting you…”

 

The thing spoke using Kagome as a disguise…Miroku was not yet securely in her grasp…

 

“Kagome is something the matter?” he asked; while he was half conscious and quickly becoming enveloped in a daze…

 

Kagome began to surround him…walking around him in a circle…inspecting every inch of him. Her face was near his body…her nose sniffing out fear…and his lurking dormant passion…all of it for the taking…all for her…”Why would anything be wrong?” she…or it reasoned.

 

“Are you certain you're all right?” he continued to persist…trying to control his urges…then his normal lecherous self came forth…”Because if you ever need my assistance…” he began to play a dangerous game; his hand found its way to her bottom, “I would do everything in my power to help you…”his hand began to caress her there, he paused… waiting for the violent slap to strike his cheek…

 

Instead, he heard Kagome moan…”Oh…perhaps you can help me….” She began to do what no woman…not even the one he loved had ever done…she began to return his gesture… ”See, we can help each other...Miroku.”

 

Miroku was appalled by her …her forwardness…her agreement to his perverted advances. His eyes widened in confusion and surprise…reason made its way back to him. He removed her hands from his buttocks, “Kag--- Kagome, I-I-I don't think---“

 

“You're right. You and I shouldn't think...” she grabbed his neck…her mouth coming closer to his…”how about feel?…”

 

Kagome tried to writhe and free herself,”NO!”

 

Kagome's struggle only made the thing posing as her…wince mildly…it shut its eyes and returned to her former attentions…

 

“We shouldn't…this is wrong…I…” Miroku tried to regain his strength…

 

It noticed it was losing its hold on him…she began to hum…her lips were grazing his; hiss lips…those tantalizing lips… and they were conveniently open…but she teased….

 

He lost and surrendered to her and her overpowering self…”You're lips…” he whispered as he gave her complete control…”they're so soft…” He wrapped his hands about her waist…he was caught in her web, helpless…or perhaps he didn't want to fight…

 

Chiyo had heard the rustling of the leaves as Miroku had brushed by…she was now standing nearby watching as she confirmed her instincts had been correct…she knew he had feelings for the demon slayer…not the priestess…it was the beast's doing…

 

Chiyo turned and heard someone stir…then she heard the scraping of swords…the scent of soil and blood was scattered in the air…

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

“Miroku?” asked Sango sleepily, “Where did that monk go off to now?” She turned and noticed everyone was missing…only Shippou had been left behind…

 

She turned to follow the path Miroku had followed…

 

* * * * ~ ~ ~ ~

 

I hope you enjoyed the chapter…it was probably the longest thus far. Please continue to read and review…still open to respectful, constructive comments.

~ daflyingarrow

 

Thanks to the following reviews from mediaminerDOTorg ^_^ :

~ Angelstars

~ Vandreador