InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Don't Cry ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8: Into the night

The sound of laughter filled the empty castle walls, bringing smiles to the servants lips.

"You can't catch me NAH! Said a half naked Shippo sticking out his tongue at Kagome who held a brand new tunic in her hand.

"Shippo get down from there!" Kagome cried as she watched Shippo jump from counter top to counter top-in his new room. Shippo cackled and leapt from a small dresser to his bed, landing on his stomach. He tried to get away but Kagome was too fast for him.

"I'll give you a tickling you'll never forget." She laughed as she mercilessly attacked the small boy's sides. Shippo was laughing so hard tears were streaming down his face.

"S-Stop!" he gasped as he burst into giggles.

"Not unless you promise to be good!" Kagome said sternly as she continued to tickle his ribcage. Shippo tried to kick away from her but he was laughing too hard.

"Okay!" he shouted, squirming under Kagome's fingers.

"Promise?" Kagome asked.

"I promise, I promise- hehe!" Shippo cried. Kagome smiled and pulled the tunic over the boy's head.

"There." She said with satisfaction and a small nod. It had been a week since the last time saw Sesshoumaru and Kouga; they were in meetings all the time. Mostly debating with other lords and even some vassals. But Kagome didn't care, she didn't need to be around them to know how a meeting was going-she could sense their anger and frustration, so she avoided them the best she could.

"Kagome can we go outside to play?" Shippo begged jumping up and down on his bed, his hair which Kagome had neatly parted only minutes before was now in disarray. Kagome sighed and gave her small friend a smile.

"I don't know I would have to ask." Kagome said truthfully, she didn't know if she was aloud to go outside.

"Aw c'mon! Let's go! Those meanies will never know!" Shippo shouted as he jumped around on his bed and spun around in mid air.

"Who's a meanie?" came a deep masculine voice from behind them.

Kagome and Shippo turned around wide eyed and stared at Kouga who was leaning comfortably in the door frame to Shippo's room. Kagome relaxed when she saw Kouga's smile.

"You are of course, silly." Kagome said her eyes twinkling.

"Is that so?" Kouga said raising an eyebrow. Kagome laughed when she saw Shippo nod his head fervently.

"Yea! You won't let us go outside and play!" Shippo said pointing an accusing finger at Kouga. Kouga smirked at the boy and walked slowly over to him.

"You have my permission to go outside as long as you don't leave the castle grounds." Glancing at Kagome then Shippo. Kouga strode over to Shippo so he was directly in front of the small boy, he bent down so the were eye level.

"It's your job to protect Lady Kagome while she's outside, don't fail me." Kouga said in mock seriousness and stood up again.

"Don't worry I'll protect her." Shippo said solemnly, puffing out his chest and trying to look as grown up as possible. Kouga nodded and turned toward Kagome, he gave her a playful wink and whispered in her ear.

"We need to talk later." With that done he turned and left. Kagome smiled as Shippo tugged at her kimono and dragged her out the door through the corridors. During the first few days of their stay Shippo had gone exploring the castle and its grounds while Kagome had stayed shut up in her chambers. But Shippo wouldn't allow her to mope and before she knew it she was back on her feet acting like her normal self again.

Before Kagome knew it, she was lost. She had never been in this part of the castle before, though she suspected she was on the ground floor. The smell of baking bread assaulted her nose and Kagome breathed in the heavenly scent.

"C'mon Kagome! We're almost there!" Shippo called as he tugged her through a plain swinging door.

Kagome looked around wide eyed, Shippo had taken her into the kitchens. There were at least fifty people bustling around, none of which seemed to acknowledge their presence. There was a huge counter that stretched down the length of the room. On her left stoves -hundreds of them- were baking an assortment of foods. On her right people were rolling dough, chopping vegetables, rinsing dishes and other things.

"C'mon Kagome!" Shippo said navigating them through the busy room. He pulled her through the kitchens to a back room that led to another corridor.

"Shippo slow down! Where are we going?" Kagome cried as she fumbled over her own feet.

"To the gardens!" Shippo said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Finally they came to a large door made of tinted glass. Shippo jumped up to reach the latch and held on as the door opened. Kagome's eyes widened in wonder.

It was a beautiful sunny day without a cloud in the shimmering blue sky. She was standing in a small clearing. Towering hedges fenced in the small area, blocking the world around them out. (Kinda like a maze). Hundreds of flowers bloomed and there was a small stone path that led from the door under an arch decorated in red and white roses, and was surrounded on both sides by hedges, leading to a maze of mystery and beauty.

"Wow." Kagome gasped in wonder. Shippo flew out of the door with blinding speed.

"Catch me if you can!" he called over his shoulder as he disappeared into the garden. Kagome let out a small sigh and trotted after her little friend

Kagome made her way through a maze of flowers and small shrubs, just being in the garden made Kagome forget her problems and feel more relaxed then she had been in weeks. She found herself humming softly to herself and wonderfully at ease.

"Shippo!" she called with a small laugh. Her voice echoed through the garden. Kagome sighed when she didn't get an answer and decided just to enjoy the beauty around her. She would find Shippo eventually and when she did he was in for a tickling. Kagome walked around the garden humming softly and twirling a daisy between her fingers when she stumbled upon a sight that made her smile.

Shippo stood in front of a small lake a bouquet of flowers clutched in his hand and his cheek were a bright red. In front of him stood a young around his age dressed in a beautiful blue kimono, her long black hair fell past her shoulders and she smiled sweetly at Shippo before accepting the bouquet.

"They are really pretty" the little girl squealed as she buried her nose in the flowers inhaling their scent. Shippo smiled and scratched the back of his head.

"Thanks" he murmured.

`That is so cute! Shippo has a crush on that little girl!' Kagome thought with a smile. Kagome backed up behind a bush and called in a far away voice

"Shippo I know you're here somewhere I'm coming to get you!" And with that warning she stepped into the clearing.

"There you are you little rascal" Kagome scolded as she looked at Shippo in mock sternness. She turned to the little girl and smiled.

"Now, who's your little friend?" she said smiling. The little girl smiled and bounced forward.

"I'm Rin!" she announced happily.

"Nice to meet you Rin, I'm Kagome." Kagome said with a wink. They young girl smiled back at her and before they knew it all three of them were swept away in endless chatter and then, a game of tag. . .

It was starting to get dark out and Kagome was exhausted.

"Alright you guys it's time to go inside" Kagome panted to the two energy filled children. They nodded their heads in understandment, old people needed their rest.

"Where do you need to be?" Kagome asked a yawning Rin.

"Rin's tired, Rin wants to go to sleep." The young girl replied rubbing her drooping eyes.

"Shippo lets drop Rin off at her room okay?"

Shippo nodded and led them through another maze of corridors until they finally reached Rin's rooms. There was a tired and weary looking attendant waiting outside Rin's chambers.

"Thank you for bringing her back." The woman said ushering Rin into the room.

"Bye!" Kagome and Shippo called. Rin nodded her sleepy head and waved back.

"Let's get some sleep.' Kagome yawned as she patted Shippo on the head.

"C'mon, let's go this way!" Shippo exclaimed taking her down a long flight of stairs. When they reached the bottom Kagome nearly tripped over Shippo who had stopped dead in his tracks. Kagome looked up and realized they were in the front hall. It was a big room and finely decorated. It didn't take Kagome long, however, to figure out what Shippo was looking at.

There standing in the middle of the hall was a squad of armored demons, they looked tired and battle worn, blood was splattered over their armor and Kagome could tell they were struggling to keep their eyes open, at least SOME of them were anyway. Because in there clutches, between to wide awake and gruff looking demons was a young girl - about Kagome's age maybe a little older- she was covered in blood and looked extremely tired. She was wearing a ca suit that had been torn in numerous places, her brown eyes-though tired- looked angry and defiant and she struggled against her bounds.

Just then Sesshoumaru strode into the room, cool elegance rolled off him in waves.

"What is it that you want." He said coolly. His voice was hard and cold, as were his eyes.

An old burly demon came forward, he looked to be in charge of the rest of the soldiers.

"M'lord we fought against the village that has been giving us trouble recently, and we won.. We tried to keep some of the humans alive but all of them died, that is except for this girl." He motioned towards the bound girl. The two demons holding her, ushered her forward. The girls struggled as she glowered at the demons, then Sesshoumaru.

"We brought her here in case you wanted to question her M' lord." The burly demon said, his head bowed in respect. Sesshoumaru's eyes flicked over to the girl then back to the demon.

"I have no questions, kill her." Sesshoumaru said nonchalant. The girl's eyes widened in shock, as did Kagome's. Suddenly, Kagome found her voice.

"Stop that this instant!" She cried marching over to stand protectively in front of the girl. Sesshoumaru looked at her blankly but somehow she could sense the amusement that he felt. Kagome glared at Sesshoumaru

"Leave her alone!" Kagome demanded her small hands clenched into fists. Her brown eyes radiated the fury she was feeling. `How could they just kill someone without a thought?' Kagome scowled.

"This girl is to be executed by the orders of Lord Sesshoumaru." The demon in charge growled, a smirk played across his lips, apparently he was looking forward to killing the girl.

"What did she do to deserve such punishment!" Kagome snapped angrily, raising an eyebrow.

"She dared to oppose M'lord Sesshoumaru is what she did HUMAN." the demon sneered, glaring death in Kagome's direction. Kagome took a deep shuddering breath, trying to control the extreme rage she was feeling.

"That's RIDICULOUS!" Kagome shouted looking every demon in the room in the face, they all turned their heads unable to withstand the heat of her gaze, that is except for Sesshoumaru.

Kagome looked at the bloodied girl at her feet. "Your going to kill her because she defended her village and doesn't agree with you." Kagome whispered angrily, knowing Sesshoumaru could hear her. Her burning gaze fell upon Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru just looked at her calmly, his eyes searching hers as if he was looking for something.

"To oppose me warrants death Kagome" He said coolly, giving her a level gaze. Kagome scowled and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You can't kill her I wont let you." She said stubbornly. Shock flickered across Sesshoumaru's face, but just as quickly disappeared. Kagome ignored the murmurs of shock that came from the demons behind her and continued to glare at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru took a step toward her so that they were almost touching.

`If he's trying to intimidate me it's really not working.' Kagome thought dryly as she looked up into Sesshoumaru's eyes. All of a sudden her head felt foggy, as if something was creeping across the surface of her brain. Kagome found that she couldn't break eye contact with Sesshoumaru, she was forced to stare helplessly up into his beautiful face. A whisper like a stray thought filled her head, coming from some unknown source deep inside her.

"If you feel so strongly about it then fine you may keep her- this time" the voice in her mind said, kagome gasped as she realized that it was Sesshoumaru's voice she was hearing and that they were communicating telepathically.

"Thanks" she whispered still a little dazed, it was such a strange feeling to have someone in your head- it was downright creepy when it was Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru nodded and walked briskly away.

"M'lord?" the leader of the demon army called after him. Sesshoumaru raised a hand without turning around he said "Let the wench go." And with that done he left.

the two demons guarding the girl grumbled their disagreement and let the girl fall to the ground, where she lay motionless looking up wide eyed at Kagome. Kagome ran to the girl's side and knelt down next to her. She undid the gag over the girls mouth and worked quickly to untie the knot that bound her hands.

"Are you okay?" Kagome asked worriedly, looking over the girl's wounds. She had a long gash on her shoulder that went all the way down to her back. Her arms were covered in scratches and she had a purple bruise on her right cheek. The girl simply nodded and continued to stare at kagome in awe and confusion.

"I can't believe those jerks, they don't have the right to call themselves men, or demons or whatever they are. . ." Kagome grumbled as she worked on the knot. Finally she freed the girl's hands, but her feet were still bound.

"Where's a knife when you need one?" Kagome grumbled. A heavy hand was placed on her shoulder. Kagome looked up into a pair of worried blue eyes-Kouga's eyes.

"Where were you?" he asked glancing down at the girl on the floor.

"Oh! I was in the garden but. . . "Kagome looked at the girl on the floor with concern. Kouga nodded.

"I could sense your anger, but I'm glad your okay." Kouga said then he scowled slightly. "We still need to talk" he said gruffly.

Kagome sighed. "I know but I need to help her first." Kagome said as she continued to work on the ropes that bound the girl's feet. Kouga growled.

"Let me." He said shoving her hands away. Effortlessly he broke the ropes and scooped the girl up into his arms. The girl started to protest but Kouga silenced her with a glare.

"I'll bring her to the infirmary, you go to your chambers- I'll meet you there."\

"No Kouga you don't have to…"

"Go!"

Kagome nodded and gave the girl in Kouga's arms a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry about Kouga his barks worse than his bite, I'll see you in the morning so get some rest ok?" She whispered.

The girl in Kouga's arms gave her a weak smile "Thank you." She whispered hoarsely as Kouga carried her away to the infirmary.

Kagome sighed as she stood in the hallway.

"Um, Kagome?" Shippo asked meekly from her side, looki9ng up at her wide eyed.

"Huh?"

"Your scary when your angry." He whispered. Kagome laughed and scooped him up into her arms.

"Let's go to bed." She said laughing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~

Kagome sat in the plush green chair yawning. The bright light of the fire illum9inated her face. She had put Shippo to bed a long time ago and still Kouga had not arrived.

"Where are you Kouga?" Kagome said sleepily, her eyelids drooping. Two firm hands gripped her shoulders and squeezed gently.

Kagome looked up startled into Kouga's smiling face.

"Miss me?" he asked cockily as he let go of her shoulders. Kagome grumbled as she got to her feet.

"Took you long enough! I ought to smack you for sneaking up on me like that." She said playfully. Kouga smiled and shrugged.

"Not my fault you deaf." He teased. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"What was it you wanted to talk to me about?" she asked stifling a yawn.

"This" he said handing her a book - HER book. "The Love of a Solider" glittered in gold on the front cover.

"Thank you Kouga I guess I forgot it in the library the other day." Kagome said with a smile. Kouga nodded.

"I can't wait to read it." She said stroking the cover fondly.

"I would love to hear you read Kagome, dear." Kouga smirked playfully.

"There's enough room in these chairs for two." Kagome whispered shyly, her gaze on the floor. Kouga looked shocked for a second then he smiled and flopped down in one of the chairs. Making room for Kagome. Kagome looked down nervously and finally wedged herself between the chair and Kouga. She smiled and opened the book, leaning into Kouga's chest she read

"The day was warm and bird soared through the sky like. . ."

Kagome read on deep into the night, her head nestled into Kouga's chest. Soon enough Kagome drifted off, her steady breathing brought a warm smile to Kouga's face.

"I love you Kagome." He whispered gently, wrapping his arms around her protectively. Then he too drifted off into a light slumber.

Ok this one was a long one, sorry I haven't posted in a while its just that I went on vacation… TO THE BAHAMAS! WOHOO! Yea sorry bout that, oh and by this point in time I think its only fair that I tell you that this is going to be a k/k fanfic sry all you s/k fans out there but I went by popular vote ^_^ well I have to go now, Lindsay is going to kill me. . . she's been waiting down town 4 like a half hour for me *snickers* well ne way R&R people ! Thanks!

~sarah