InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beauty Meets Beast ❯ Unexpected Guests Can Lead to Unexpected News.... ( Chapter 12 )

Beauty Meets Beast

 

I wish to apologize about the increasing delays in my updates. Since last November, my hands have been causing me increasing pain and the doctors cannot figure out what's wrong. At times the pain is so bad I cannot pick up a pencil or even hold a book. Because of this, writing has been becoming increasingly difficult. I have seen several doctors and none of them can tell me very much. It's not my nerves, so it's not carpel tunnel (Thank God) but they can't determine what is causing my pain other than it appears to have something to do with the muscles in my hands. I am seeing a rheumatologist at the end of the month and am hoping that he can tell me what is wrong. But until I get this resolved, my updates will be short and far between. But I promise I will not discontinue any of my stories. I will work on them as long as it takes…but know that it may take a very long time. I pray none of you ever have to deal with pain like this. Thanks and happy reading!

 

 

GhostReader: Yes they are, I just have quite decided how...XD The reason Miroku didn't go off to get her on his own was he was exhausted and knew that if he left before he was able to regain his strength he would have been little help to Sango. Also, I'm glad you are enjoying the story.

 

Chapter 12: Unexpected Guests Can Lead to Unexpected News....

 

Kagome couldn't contain her sigh of relief when the towering walls of the fortress came into view. It had been a long day, and she didn't think her nerves could take much more. The entire day she'd been too tense to do anything but sit stiffly in Sesshoumaru's arms, not to mention if she moved more than an inch he would tighten his grip on her until she returned to her previous position and promised not to move again. So, needless to say, she was more than eager to be back on the ground and away from him. Her ease of mind was short-lived however as her normally silent companion began growling so viciously, she could feel the vibrations in her chest.

 

“What is he doing here?” He said as he landed in the courtyard.

 

She turned to look at him, but before she could ask him what he was talking about, he unceremoniously dropped her and disappeared back into the sky. `Doesn't he ever just use the door?' She sighed made her way through the labyrinth of halls to her room. Or well, she hoped this was the way to her room. She still wasn't completely used to the intricate layout of the castle and she was starting to doubt she ever would. `I wonder what got Sesshoumaru in such a bad mood? Not that he's ever all that pleasant, but he seemed really ticked and earlier he seemed fine.' She gave an inward jump for joy when she finally reached her room. What she really needed right now was a nice, long bath…

 

“Kagome?”

 

`Now what?' She really didn't want to talk to anyone right now, but she knew she had to. It would be rude if she ignored whoever it was, and she didn't want to risk angering her captor anymore than she had to. She turned around slowly, shocked to find it was Miroku who stood in front of her. “Miroku? What are you doing here?”

 

The young monk smiled and ran to her, hugging her tightly. “I thought that was you! When did you get back? Inuyasha and I have been waiting on you.”

 

“Inuyasha is here?”

 

“Yeah, we got here yesterday and have been awaiting your return. Are you alright? We heard you had to go get some special medicine.”

 

“Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed to get some antiseptic for some cuts I got a few days ago. How did you guys find me?” She smiled as she pulled away from him, not wanting to risk contact with his `cursed' hand. But she had to admit, it made sense now. Sesshoumaru was angry because Inuyasha was here.

 

“Inuyasha knew where to look. We've been walking around for weeks looking for you and…”

 

“And?” Kagome repeated, not liking the look on his face.

 

“Sango,” he mumbled as he dropped his gaze to the floor, unable to face her with his shame. What kind of man was he? He hadn't even noticed she was gone until Inuyasha pointed it out. He was truly unworthy of her.

 

“What's wrong with Sango?” She grabbed his arms and forced him to look at her. “Miroku, where is Sango?”

 

“I don't know. She disappeared a couple days ago. I'm worried sick about her, but Inuyasha wouldn't be swayed in his search for you. Even when we got here and learned you were not, he refused to leave until you returned and he could ensure your safety. I was actually about to leave to look for her myself when I saw you.”

 

“We have to go look for her! When did she disappear?!”

 

“The last time I saw her was three days ago. She vanished shortly after we crossed into Sesshoumaru's lands. Sesshoumaru's scouts are looking for her, but they haven't come back with any news.”

 

“Where's Inuyasha? We have to leave right now! We have to find her!” Grabbing his hand, Kagome turned and dragged the surprised monk to Sesshoumaru's study. She had a feeling that would be the easiest way to locate both brothers as they were probably at each other's throats. She smiled as they drew closer to the office. They weren't even 50 feet from the door yet, but she could already hear Inuyasha's screaming at the no doubt bored taiyoukai. When she finally opened the door, she wasn't surprised to find Inuyasha standing right in Sesshoumaru's face, yelling at him for taking her from him.

“Inuyasha!”

 

In seconds, the hanyou had abandoned his position next to his brother and was drawing Kagome into a fierce hug. “Kagome, I was so worried. Are you ok? What did that bastard do to you?”

 

“Nothing,” Kagome sighed as she leaned into him. She hadn't realized just how much she missed this; how much she missed him. It was nice to be embraced by someone who wasn't disgusted by you. She burrowed into his warmth, gladly taking the strength he so freely gave.

 

“But you were injured, that's why you weren't here when we got to the castle.”

 

“I got attacked by some wolf youkai and Sesshoumaru saved me. That's why I wasn't here; he was taking me to get medicine from my home. Believe me, if he had done something, you would be the first to know.”

 

“Would the two of you kindly stop speaking of this Sesshoumaru as if he is not in the room.”

 

Kagome jumped, she'd forgotten he was here. She turned to say something to him in apology, but Inuyasha shoved her behind him.

 

“What did you do to her?”

 

“As the miko has already told you, I have done nothing.”

 

“Then why does her skin smell vaguely of her blood?”

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome sighed, turning him to face her. “I told you, I was attacked. I was out in the woods and some wolf youkai attacked me.” She smiled and hoped he wouldn't question her further. It just wouldn't do if she had to tell him exactly why she was out in the woods. “I'd be dead right now if it weren't for Sesshoumaru.”

 

“I somehow doubt that.”

 

“Um, can I say something?” Miroku said softly. He'd been standing next to the door, doing his best to stay out of the argument as long as possible, but he couldn't wait any longer. “I just wanted to say that I am leaving now to go look for Sango.”

 

“That's right!” Kagome gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in surprise. “Sango is in danger! We have to go find her! The longer we stand here, the less chance that she's ok!”

 

“You miko, are not going anywhere.”

 

“What the hell are you talking about?” Inuyasha yelled, once again taking a defensive stance in front of Kagome. “Of course she's going! Do you really think I'm going to leave her here with you?”

 

“She has a debt to pay.”

 

“Please Sesshoumaru,” Kagome said, walking around Inuyasha to face the stoic taiyoukai. “I need to go with them. I promise I'll come back as soon as we find her, but I need to make sure she's ok. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to her.”

 

“The discussion is over,” he said, turning away from her in favor of the window.

 

Kagome just stared at him, unsure why he was insisting she stay. She wasn't really doing anything here but get in the way for everyone in the castle. Then again, she'd never actually figured out why he'd brought her here to begin with. Sure at first she'd thought it was because of the incident with Shippou and that he needed someone to teach Rin, but now she wasn't so sure. And then there was his recent behavior in her time. She was still confused by his actions last night…and this morning. He'd acted almost…well, almost like a boyfriend. It was the only way she could explain his behavior, but that didn't make it any less weird. She knew she needed to say something to him, because she was sure that if she thought this was confusing, that he was totally lost, but she couldn't. What could she say in this situation? At a loss for what to do, she reached out to him, but a knock on the door stopped her.

 

“Enter,”

 

“My lord,” Drake said, bowing low as he entered the room. “The scouts have picked up the scent of wolves near where Inuyasha said they lost their comrade.”

“Wolves?” Sesshoumaru turned to face them and Kagome thought she saw something in his eyes, but before she could blink it was gone and his expression was once more unreadable.

 

“Yes my lord.”

 

“Very well, send word to lord Kouga at once. Let's see what he has to say about this.”

 

“We did my lord. As soon as we detected wolves, we sent two scouts to lord Kouga, but he said that he and his pack haven't been anywhere near your lands in months.”

 

“Sesshoumaru,” Kagome said softly, her eyes filling with dread as she looked at him. “Could these wolves be members of the same pack that attacked me? What if they took Sango to get revenge on us?”

 

“Us?” Inuyasha said, spinning her around to face him and draw her away from the taiyoukai. “What us? What `us' do you have with him?”

 

“Inuyasha…for the last time, they attacked me. He saved me. And if you ask me again, I'm going to `it' you.”

 

Drake looked over the two, his curiosity getting the better of him for a moment. But then, he remembered why he was here and looked once more to the demon lord of the West. “What do you wish for me to do my lord?”

 

“Find the wolves. Discern why they are trespassing in my lands and if they have the exterminator…relieve them of her by any means necessary.”

“Yes my lord, we will leave immediately.” He turned to leave, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

 

“Do you mind if we accompany you?” Miroku asked, his worry evident in his voice and posture.

 

“I do not mind, but can you keep up?”

 

“Of course we can,” Inuyasha stated confidently, coming to stand next to his friend. “The question is, can you?”

 

The head of the guard laughed at that, and Kagome found she rather liked the sound. “I assure you we can.”

 

“Fine, I say we backtrack to where me and Miroku discovered she was gone. Her scent should still be fresh enough to track.”

 

“That reminds me, do you have anything of hers that we can use to memorize her scent? That way we can have a better knowledge of what we are looking for. After all, several noses are better than one.”

 

“No, we don't. Sorry.”

 

“Well, Inuyasha,” Miroku said, his gaze falling to the floor. “That's not exactly true.”

 

“Wha…”

 

“You have something?”

 

The monk nodded and drew a square of embroidered cloth from his pocket. “Here, it's her handkerchief. She gave it to me about a week ago, so her scent should still be on it.”

 

“Very well,” Drake said, taking the proffered cloth before moving to the door. “Let me gather my men and we can leave. I will meet you at the gate.”

 

“Let's go,” Inuyasha said as he too moved to exit the room, Miroku close at his heels. “Coming Kagome?”

 

Kagome looked from one brother to the other, unsure if she should leave or not, but Sesshoumaru wasn't looking at her. In fact, he's turned to once more stare out the window. She would sure like to know what was so damned interesting out there. Biting her lip, she debating on saying something to him, but she could think of nothing. She sighed and silently followed Inuyasha from the room, unsure about the sudden pang of sadness that wracked her chest as she shut the door to his study…and him. She was leaving. She should be happy. So why wasn't she?

 

“Kagome?” Inuyasha said as he gently shook her shoulders, effectively shaking her from her thoughts. “Hey did you hear me? I said I have your pack if you want to change clothes.”

 

“What? Oh…” She'd forgotten that she had changed back into her borrowed kimono before they'd left her home in the future as it would not fit in her bag. “Thanks, I'll go change and then meet you at the gate.” She walked back to her room, surprised to find Aerin already there.

 

“I heard you were leaving, but I didn't want to believe it. Why?”

 

“My friend is in trouble and it may be my fault. I have to go find her.”

 

“Well then, at least let my help you one last time,” she said as she began loosening the ties on Kagome's obi.

 

“Thanks. I will never get used to wearing these.”

 

“Who tied this obi? It is unusually tight.”

 

“Huh? Oh…uh…Sesshoumaru did. He said I didn't tie it properly so he tied it again himself.”

 

“That's odd, but it does explain the nature of the bow.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Oh, it's nothing important. The bow is simply tied more masculinely than I was expecting.”

 

“Oh, well I guess it doesn't really matter.” She quickly threw on some jeans and a t-shirt, moaning softly when she slid her feet into her worn converses. “No more geta…” She looked nervously at the two overstuffed bags on the bed, silently hoping she could carry the combined weight and keep up with the others. She yelped when she almost toppled over immediately after hefting them onto her shoulders.

 

Aerin giggled at her misfortune for a moment before moving to help steady the overloaded woman. “Be careful, are you sure you can carry all that?”

 

“Yeah, it'll be fine. And if I can't, I'll just make Inuyasha carry it.” She smiled and pulled the demoness into a hug. “Well, I guess it's time to go. I hope I see you soon.”

 

“Likewise,” she replied, hugging her back just as fiercely.

 

“I'm really going to miss talking to you. You made life here bearable. I don't know what I would have done without you.”

 

“Say hi to your kit for me.”

 

“I will.”

 

Walking over to the balcony, Kagome leaned on the doors and looked out over the landscape that had become her home the past few weeks. “It is so beautiful here. I am truly going to miss it.” Glancing around the room once more, she sighed before exiting and heading down to where her comrades awaited her.

 

Aerin smiled as soon as the door shut behind the time traveling miko and turned to the balcony. “That was close my lord. What were you doing standing there? Do you not wish for her to leave?” She sighed when silence was her answer and she knew he was gone. But why had he been there in the first place? She shrugged, knowing that that was one thing she would probably never know. “Well, might as well get back to work…”

 

A.N. Sorry things were a little choppy, but I wanted the focus to be on the conversation. Things are starting to heat up. I think we are drawing close to the end of this story. A couple more chapters maybe. I feel rather accomplished at the moment as I wrote this chapter in its entirety (handwritten and typed) in one day, which is a record for me and is rather amazing considering my recent problem with my hands. My hands seem to be giving me a break at the moment, so I will do my best to get as much written as I can before they start acting up again.