InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beauty & the Beast ❯ Chapter 3

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

Beauty and the Beast

Speaking - "..."
Thoughts - '...'
Telepathy - ~...~

By: Cassial_Darkfox

Still don't own any Inuyasha charactors and still own Sitora and everyone else, minus Shinjiru. She's my sister's charactor, so no theiving.


Chapter 3

Her ears were back showing how upset she was. 'How can I ever go back there knowing he hates me? I'll never be able to look him in the face again.' Tear were streaming down her fur covered cheeks. Her blue eyes were filled with pain as she cried her eyes out.

She never felt the approach of a strong youki or the sound of soft cautious steps.

Koa's heart tore in two when he saw her crying. 'I did that to her.' He shook his head, 'She should have told me if she felt differently towards me then a friend.' He swollowed the lump in his throat, "Sitora?"

She spun around and confronted the cause of her pain. "Go away, Koa."

"We need to talk."

Sitora growled, "There is nothing to talk about. Leave me be!" She made as if to run away, but Koa blocked her path. "Why can't you leave me alone?"

"Because I'm the reason you're crying and I don't want you crying over me."

"I'm sorry If I made you feel bad! It's not my fault I feel this way about you." She turned away from him, "Please just go away."

His eyes hardened, "What exactly do you feel for me?"

"Why does it matter?! You could never feel the same way about me!"

Now she was trying his patience, "Answer the question Sitora!"

"Fine, I love you. Happy?!" More tears fell from her blue eyes, "Because I'm not."

"You don't want to love me?"

"No! Wh should I love someone who doesn't love me?!" Her eyes were pleading with him, "Leave me alone Koa, please."

"No, I will not leave you here alone." He stepped up to her, "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Because," She whispered, "you didn't love me. I was afraid to change what we had."

Koa nuzzled her face and made her look at him, "Who ever said I didn't love you?"

"What?" She looked at him, almost afraid to hope against hope.

"I never said I didn't love you Sitora." He nuzzled fully against her neck and face, "Please come back with me."

"Are you saying you love me?"

"Yes, I am." He pulled away and licked her muzzle.

She nuzzled his neck, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Same reason you didn't tell me." He pulled away, "Come on, our Lord wanted us back at the palace." Koa ran a few steps ahead, "Hurry or you might get left in my dust."

She growled playfully, "You're going down." Sitora took off at full speed into the forest as Koa flew overhead.


******


Kagome yawned. For some reason it hurt everytime she took a breath. She tried to sit up and a shrap pain shot up her back causing her fall back onto the bed with a scream.

Her scream did not go unheard. Two youki heard her as they made it to the palace and rushed to her room.

Sitora and Koa looked at her pain filled face. With a look to Koa that said stay here Sitora walked up to the bed and looked at the miko. ~Are you alright?~

She turned her teary eyes to Sitora, "It hurts."

~This will help.~ Then Sitora purred and let her breath get really cold. She blew on Kaogme's chest and the pain immediately ceased. ~Better?~

"Thank you." Kagome breath slowly and laid down fully on the bed, she turned to the silver tiger, "Where am I?"

Koa stepped forward, ~You are at my Lord's palace. You were injured in the fight, so we brought you here to recover.~ He sat down and folded his wings behind him, ~How are you feeling?~

"A little sore. My energy is all used up too and I'm hungry."

~I will go have someone prepare you some food.~ Koa left them alone in the room.

Sitora sat back, "I wanted to thank you for saving me."

"You can talk?"

She laughed, "Yes, we all can."

"But you saved me, all I did was heal you." Kagome looked down.

"No, the tiger that injured me had poison in his claws, so he poisoned me. If you hadn't healed me I would have been dead by now." She saw the expression on Kagome's face and said, "What's wrong?"

"Your Lord, what is he like?"

"Hm, well, he is very proud. He likes for everyone to be precise and do what they are told. He hates weakness and respects courage." Sitora's head cocked to the side, "Why do you ask?"

"His aura feels familiar. I don't know why, but it does." As hard as Kagome thought on where she had felt his aura before she couldn't place it. She sighed, "He's coming here right now."

"You can feel his youki?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be able to?"

"Not even I can feel his youki. Koa can't either. His youki is always hidden, so is his aura for that matter." She shrugged, "You're the only one who can sense him."

"Really? I wonder why?"

Sitora's ears turned to the sound of footsteps, "What is your name?"

"Kagome. Yours?"

She smiled, "Sitora."

Koa walked in with their Lord. Koa spoke, "Your meal will be here shortly."

"Thank you."

He looked at her, "I went to your village. Everyone is looking for you, even a hanyou."

Kagome's eyes widened, "Inuyasha?"

Sitora looked at her in shock, "You know Inuyasha?"

"Yeah, do you know him?"

"No, I've only heard about him."

His brown eyes never left her blue ones, "How do you know the hanyou?"

"He just showed up one day with a kit name Shippo and ever since then they always visit. Except I told Inuyasha to stay out of the village for a while. I guess he doesn't know how to listen."

"Why did you tell him to stay out?"

"Because he's a jerk." Her eyes shot open all the way, "Where's my katana?"

"It is in my dojo." He regarded her carefully, "I was unaware that mikos carried swords."

She blushed, "I'm the only one. I do use a bow, but I like the sword better. A katana is far more accurate than a bow, besides a bow doesn't work for close combat." She looked at the Lord fully this time and took in his looks.

He was tall, taller than even Inuyasha. He looked like he was some kind of youkai, she couldn't tell what kind. He was covered in black fur and had dark brown eyes. His hands looked more like paws with claws on the end. He was wearing a pair of black hakamas with a dark purple pattern on the top. The sash he wore was purple also."

Koa watched the miko look over his Lord and was a little fearful that his Lord would take it the wrong way. He was surprised when his Lord did nothing, but look back at her.

"When will I be able to get out of bed?"

"A week. You broke nine ribs. As soon as you are well enough to get up you can." He turned, "Until then you will be brought food here." He left without a look back.

She groaned, "A week? What am I going to do for a week?"

"Can't you just use you miko energy to heal your ribs?"

"Yeah, but not until at least tomorrow. I'm still too weak to heal myself."


*******


Inuyasha sat in a tree outside Kikyo's village. Though he was welcome there he needed to think in peace. He looked everywhere and got no sign of Kagome or the youkai that took her. He told Shippo, big mistake though. He wouldn't stop crying.

One thing bugged Inuyasha about who ever took Kagome. There were tigers, only one youkai used tigers in any situation. Inuyasha growled just thinking about it. He hated to think that that was where Kagome was, but it was the only reasonable choice.

He stood up when he saw Kikyo walking towards him, "Naraku. It is you isn't it?"

Kikyo looked up at Inuyasha, "I was told this is where I could find you."

"Yeah, I was thinking about who took Kagome." He jumped down and looked at her, "Where are your miko garbs?"

"I decided to just spend the day with you. I'm not a miko today, just Kikyo."

He smiled at her and hugged her. "Thank you. I need to get my mind off of things."


******


Sango jumped up onto Kirara. She decided that she wasn't going to wait around for Inuyasha, she would find Kagome. A hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned and saw Miroku, "Let me go."

"Lady Sango I would just like to say that this is not a good idea. I will not stop you but I did warn you, please be careful." He smirked at her, "I would hate for my bride-to-be to get hurt."

She rolled her eyes, but said, "Alright I'll be careful." Sango took off to the skies on Kirara.


*******


That night Kaogme found it hard to sleep, usually she could see the stars and in here she couldn't. Sitora was sleeping on the floor near her bed, snoring softly. Kagome sighed, unless she wanted to scream and wake everyone up she would have to wake Sitora up.

"Sitora." Nothing. "Hey, Sitora."

Her eyes opened and she looked at Kagome sleepily, "Yeah?"

"I didn't want to bother you, but could you open the drapes on the window? I can't sleep unless I can see the stars."

"Sure." She got up and stretched. Using her teeth she pulled the curtains aside to reveal the starry night sky. "That good?"

"Yes, thank you." Kagome sat back in her bed and sighed as finally sleep came to her.

Sitora shook her head, 'What a weird human.' She laid back down and fell into a light sleep.


*******


He watched the girl in his mirror, he had heard Sitora's thought about the miko. He believed the same as the tiger, this human was odd. She was the first he had ever known to not be frightened of him and even acted civilized towards him and his servants. "That's enough Kanna. You may go now."

The snow white cat named Kanna stalked away from her Lord. She was silent as always.

He turned towards the sky, everyone in his castle was cursed just as he was. Kanna used to look like a little girl with white hair, now in the body of a neko she could make anything a mirror by touching it. It was with her assistance that he could could see the outside world and it's inhabitants.

Everyone in his castle was turned into an animal they could relate to or the breed of youkai they were. While they were the imbodiment of their animal selves he was turned into a horrible beast. All over a single old woman.

*Flashback*

It was another cold winter in his lands and her sat upon his throne in near annoyance. Another human from his lands had come to ask for herlp from the attacking youkai hordes. He was about to order that the human be killed for his insolence when a servant came saying a woman wished to see him.

He had grudgingly went to the massive doors to see the woman only to find that it was jsut some worthless old human. "What do you want wench?"

She held up a shining rose, "I offer you this in return for shelter for tonight. As you know my Lord it is cold and I fear I may not last the night out here."

"I will let no humans enter my palace least of all those whose appearance offend me at first glance." He turned his back on her and made to close the door.

"My Lord I beseech you. Do not turn me away based wholly on my appearance, appearances can be decieving. For beauty is found on the inside." One last time she held up the rose.

"I see no beauty in your disfigured face human. Leave my palace at once." He turned away from her.

"I'm sorry you feel that way my Lord."

He turned back to her only to see that she stood before him with power radiating off of her in waves. She was no longer the old woman, but a beautiful demoness. Her hair was gold and on her forehead rested a diamond shaped jewel of pink hue. His eye widened at her appearance, "For give me my Lady, I was unaware of your station."

"There will be no second chance my Lord, you were warned and still failed to show kindness. This world will come to an end if humans and youkai fail to live in peace and accept one another. You clearly can not do that, so I must put an end to your influence on others."

"No, I will change, you have my word. As the Lord-"

"I will hear no more!" Her youki flowed from her body to the kneeling Lord and at once his form changed to that of a beast with none of his former beauty. The silk he wore was torn from his body as he grew into more of a beast. Fur covered his body and his eyes glared up at the one resposible for what happened to him.

"You will-"

"I said silence Lord. You will listen and listen closely." She held up the rose she had offered him and said, "This rose I offered you will act as a timer. If by your twenty-first human year you have not learned to love and recieve another's equal love the curse I have placed upon you and all who dwell in this castle will be permanent. If you can learn to love and earn their love in return then the spell will be broken." A sympathetic look over-came her anger, "I hope for your sake that you do find love my Lord."

*End of Flashback*

He gave up hope long ago of ever finding someone who could love him and he love as well. It was all useless in his opinion, so he was resigned to his fate. However, if he could change things he would. His servants had nothing to do with the way he treated the demoness, but were still punished for his behavior.

There was a knock at his door, and promptly Kagura entered the room. She bowed then said, "The hanyou has left the miko village to search for the miko that is here. He believes if he finds his brother he will help him."

His eyes met hers, "The Lord of the Western Lands is a fool. The hanyou will not find him no matter how much he searches."

Kagura smirked, "Lord Sesshoumaru a fool?"

"Yes, he is. Now leave me be."

She left without another word.


**********


Kagome woke early the next morning, the sun was shining through the curtains right on her face. She squinted and went to move out of the sun but a sharp pain in her chest stopped her. Her hands went to her chest as she laid back down, "Ow, that hurt." Closing her eyes Kagome focused on her miko powers, 'Just enough to make the bones heal.' After opening her eyes Kagome sent her miko energy to her hands and pushed it out into her chest to heal her.

When she moved around and discovered that there was no pain, but her energy was drained. her eyes became heavy and sleep over-came her. The sun was completely ignored by Kagome.

From the door leading out into the hallway the Lord of the palace walked into sight. He had seen her heal herself and pass out afterwards. He walked to the window and drew the curtains closed. His attention landed once again on the miko. There was something odd about her, she had an odd aura. Not that of a human's or miko's, but something else.

Now without anyone around he could look at her and not have to worry about his meddlesome servants getting involved in his affairs. She wasn't ugly, not at all. Truthfully she was beautiful, more so than most of the female youkai he had seen in his life. Though she was human, she held a beauty most humans could never dream to have. He shook his head, this was no time to appreciate her beauty, he needed to decide what he was going to do with her. He couldn't just let her leave after seeing him and everyone else here. It would be too dangerous for him and his servants.

Keeping her there was the only logical idea, but keeping her there was easier said than done. And the hanyou, Inuyasha, was also another factor. It wouldn't do to have the hanyou showing up at the palace. He needed to decide and would have found it easier if she was conscience. There was nothing he could do until she woke up.


**************


Sitora paced in the garden. He had told her to stay out of the miko's room for the rest of the day. It scared her to death what he might be doing in there with her. If anyone trusted their Lord most it was her, but he didn't look happy this morning when she saw him.

Koa sighed, "Sitora relax, if he wanted her dead she would have been dead earlier."

"That's not very reassuring Koa." She stopped pacing long enough to glare at him, "You didn't see the look on his face Koa. He looked absolutely pissed and it scared me Koa. I have never been afraid of him, never. Until this morning."

"You have no reason to be afraid of him, you know he won't hurt any of us." He was staring at the meal Sitora never ate and his empty plate. "Sitora please eat something."

She completely ignored the remark about the food, "It's not that. I know he wouldn't hurt us, but her, the miko he might. She is just a human and couldn't do anything to defend herself with her energy down like it is."

"Why does her life mean so much to you?"

A growl escaped her mouth, "I'm not sure. There is just something about her that is different." She sighed, "I don't know how to explain it other than that I feel like no matter what she has to live."

He looked at her, "You feel that strongly towards her?"

"Yes, but I don't know why."

"I think you need to tell him about this feeling. He might understand what you mean Sitora." He looked down at her plate of food and then back up at her, "He trusts you Sitora, like no one else. And I get the feeling that he also feels this need to ensure her survival."

"Yeah, but how can you be sure?"

"Are you saying you don't trust our Lord?"

She shook her head slowly, "No, its just her connection to Inuyasha. I know he doesn't like it and wants to ask her about it, and she doesn't even know anything about him or any of us. Even if he also has this feeling, who's to say he'll listen to it? He's not known for wise decisions, you know that Koa."

"Sitora, what if you don't tell him and he ends up killing her because he fails to see why he needs to keep a miko alive and in his home? What will you do then?" His eyes were pleading with her, "Just tell him."

Finally giving in to him she sighed, "Fine, I'll talk to him after he gets out of her room. Assuming she's still alive for me to intervene." At his glare she put her ears back, "Sorry."

"It's all right." He sat up and walked over to her, Koa nuzzled her neck then said, "Eat something Sitora, then go talk to him." He walked to the door.

"Where are you going?"

He smirked back at her, "I'm going to get some rest. Dealing with you is very tiring work." Koa slipped out the door.

Sitora muttered under her breath, "Jerk." She settled down in front of her meal and ate the now cold food. 'I should have gone out hunting.'


*****************


Inuyasha jumped from treetop to treetop as he searched for a sign of his friend's scent. He had decided to go and search for her, he couldn't sit around and wait any longer. After telling Kikyo and Shippo about his plans he took off, not even thinking about Sango. Kikyo had wished him luck and watched him leave with Shippo on her shoulder. It was obvious to anyone who knew the kit that he missed Kagome dearly, one look at him said everything. The village children even asked about him being down.

Shaking his head lightly to end his train of thought Inuyasha stopped when a not so familiar scent wafted to his nose. It was a youkai, a fast one too. Inuyasha shifted his course to the direction of the youkai, hoping against hope that the youkai had seen Kagome.


********************


Kikyo stood before the the large tree that was Inuyasha's favorite. Shippo was perched up in the branches, crying softly. "Shippo please come down." He didn't budge, so Kikyo sighed and left him be. He was as safe in the forest outside the village as he was in the village.

She made her way back to the shrine thinking about Inuyasha. He had told her about Kagome and the village she lived in. It wasn't much diferent from hers, except that they had youkai exterminators living in their village. As she ascended the stairs to the shrine she noticed that at least six people were standing outside the shrine gates.

Once she reached the top she stopped and regarded the strangers silently. Then she spoke up, "May I help you?" A young woman in a gi with shoulder, knee, and elbow pads looked at her.

"Are you the priestess Kikyo?"

"I am. What is your business here?" An older man behind her answered.

"We are looking for the hanyou Inuyasha. Is he here?"

"No," She said cautiously, "he is not. Inuyasha left some time ago. What business do you have with him?" This time a young boy dressed just like the girl except with teal padding where hers was pink answered.

"We need Inuyasha's help. We're looking for our friend and the miko of our village. Her name is-"

"Kagome."

"Yeah, did he tell you about her?"

Kikyo nodded, "Yes he did. Inuyasha went in search of her, he left earlier this morning. You may be able to catch him, I do not know which way he went though." She went to continue when Shippo streaked past her. "Shippo?"

He latched onto Sango, "Sango, is she really gone?"

She smoothed back his hair, "Yeah, but we will find her Shippo. I promise." Sango pulled Shippo away from her chest, "Do you know which way Inuyasha went?"

He nodded slowly, "Yeah, I do. Can I come with you?"

Sango was about to tell him no when another voice answered. "I think it would be a good idea if he came, at least until we find Inuyasha." All eyes landed on the monk, "I heard you all were going to search for Kagome, so I left earlier and came here."

"Miroku, how do you know Inuyasha and Shippo?" Sango was glaring at him for interfering.

"I've know Inuyasha for nearly as long as Kagome has, Shippo was shortly afterwards." A smirk appeared on his face, "I wish to accompany you Lady Sango to ensure the safety of my bride-to-be. Will you accept this humble monk's help?"

She wanted to scream at him and slap him, but her father stopped her. "Fine, but if you get in the way you will be left behind. Shippo you too."

Shippo nodded vigorously, "Okay, you don't have to worry about me."

Kikyo interrupted their talk, "Where do you intend to search?"

Sango looked down at Shippo, "Well?"

"He went to the North."

Her father sighed, "The North it is."

Everyone prepared to leave as Kikyo watched them. It seemed that Kagome was well respected in her village, and well loved outside her village too. All of the people they were using to find her along with Inuyasha, seemed a bit much to Kikyo, but she wouldn't say anything.

Sango watched Kikyo from the corner of her eye, if she hadn't been so positive she would have thought Kagome and Kikyo were twins. The only difference was their eyes, Kagome's being a blue-grey and Kikyo's being brown, and their hair, while Kagome's shone with a blue tint in the sun Kikyo's with a brown tint. That was all that separated them in their looks, and had Sango wondering if Kagome knew how much her and Kikyo looked alike.

Her father nodded when the final preparations were complete. He looked over at Sango, Shippo, and Miroku and sighed, it was going to be a long trip. "Alright let's go. Move it out guys!" Sango took Shippo, and with Miroku rode Kirara, while the rest of them walked below. So they headed North after Inuyasha.


*****************

Sorry about taking so long, my computer took a dump and I just fixed it. So yeah, sorry. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and waited paitently for this.


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