InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Flirting with Demons ❯ The Summons ( Chapter 3 )

“Dammit!” Inuyasha cursed as he jumped over the garden wall. The guards looked up but all they could see was a flash of silver in the dawn light. Shaking their heads they went back to their rounds. A ways up the forest path stood Kouga, waiting for his return.

“Hey puppy! What happened to you?” Kouga said noticing the pissed look on his companions face.

“I—” A blush ran across Inuyasha's cheeks.

“I saw you dancing with the princess!” Kouga sang as he circled the hanyou. “And then you left, and she left a while later and didn't come back. What happened?” The stupidest smile broke out across his face and Inuyasha new he had to tell or the wolf would think…Inuyasha's blush grew until his entire face was as crimson as his blouse.

“I'll tell you back at the hideout.” He mumbled not wanting to chance a guard overhearing.”

“Yeah, yeah. You take your time, I'll here it eventually.” Kouga sneered. “By the way, idiot, you forgot your Tessaiga.” He said producing a tightly wrapped sword. His hands held small burns from the barrier even through the thick cloth.

“Yeah…thank you.” Inuyasha said distractedly, grabbing the blade. “We had better return these outfits.” He began walking down the path, plucking at the sleeve of his blouse. “Miroku would be pissed if we didn't.”

He turned to Kouga walking beside him, he had already changed from his Young lord costume and back into the simple peasant attire they had to wear in Acrinox. InuYasha wanted nothing more than to wear his old cloths, but he had a job to do, and he didn't need to attract too much attention to himself.

“Let's get going then.” Kouga said as he took off, leaving a cloud of dust to swirl around Inuyasha, still lost in his thoughts.

“Yeah…” Inuyasha charged after him.  

 

~*~*~*~*

 

Fire blazed around them, climbing up the trees and sending animals racing from the forest down to the wide river. She stood, clutching the strange red fabric in a fist, burying her face in her companion's chest. Warm arms encircled her, protecting her from the heat of the flames. Acrid smoke filled her lunges and she coughed.

She turned around slowly to watch her beloved palace crumble, soldiers of both sides scrambling to get out. The large statue of Kikyou she had gotten for her birthday stood in the center of the bloodstained garden just beyond the forest. It looked ominous, like some malevolent being out to destroy all in which the Lady truly stood for.

She gazed up at her rescuer, his silver hair twisting around him like a wave of silver smoke. His golden eyes held a haunting sadness. Clutching her by the waist he ran, carrying her from the terrible scene. Her world had been destroyed, the most blessed place in all of Acrinox falling beneath the force of the evil hanyou.

She wept in his arms, helpless and broken. How could they stop a creature that could challenge a goddess, and win?

~*~*~*~*

Kagome bolted up in her bed, the heavy blankets falling off her, exposing her to the cold air of her room. The fire in the hearth had died down to glowing embers, giving off little warmth. Tears stained her eyes as she studied her surroundings, still there and undisturbed. Not a single indication that a battle between two lands had taken place.

She shivered at the memory. Why had her dreams returned? Was it because of the man at the ball…Inuyasha? Or…maybe she had dreamed that too. Looking around the room she spotted the large feather, sitting so innocently on her vanity next to her rose comb. Kicking of her covers she walked to it, picking the weightless item up and carrying it back to bed. Why had he given it to her? Was it some kind of clue? Could she find him with something so simple?

Sighing she placed the feather on the pillow beside her, careful not to disturb it as she lay back down, pulling the quilts to her chin, she stared at the puzzling item until her vision became fuzzy, then black. Sleep took her again, this time, to an imagined place where she would again meet her beloved hanyou... and never leave his side.  

 

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

 

Inuyasha paced the small cottage, back in his comfortable traveling cloths, a delicate scroll clutched in his right hand.

 

“What's taking them so long?!” He growled in fixation. Charging over to the hearth he knelt down and stirred the embers back to life, tossing some dry kindling and a reasonable size log in, he sighed and surveyed his home. He had built the cottage in the first weeks he had lived here, choosing to camp out in the woods rather than stay in an inn, mush to Kouga's chagrin. He just couldn't take the risk of being discovered as a hanyou.

 

Running a filed clawed hand up the wood carving in the walls a faint smile touched the corners of his mouth. They had finished in a month, and it was as fine as any palace he had ever lived in. He doubted even his brother would complain about it. The small living room was comfortably, if sparsely, furnished. A small couch sat close to the hearth and a hand carved desk over in the far corner. A small table for eating or playing cards sat off to the said, a folded back cloth revealed the entranceway to the kitchen to the left, and a small staircase to the right led to the loft were two beds lay along side each other. Kouga currently sleeping in one.

 

With a sigh Inuyasha sat down onto the couch with a satisfying thud, carefully unrolling the scroll to read its contents for what felt the hundredth time.

 

My dear little brother,

 

I apologize for the hasty summons yet with Nuraku's forces looming on the horizon I am forced to pen this not in my study, but rather in the carriage that is as I write taking me and the others to the Miasma where we will set sail for Acrinox as soon as able. I implore you to finish your task for where once we thought we had time, it seams now we lack in it. Even if you must abduct the princess with force, you must retrieve the heir to the Shrine.

 

I know not whether I will be able to reach Acrinox or if Nuraku will foresee my departure, if I am not docked in a fortnight take the Fang to Levishord, I will find you if able. If not, go on alone. I have kept no part of my plans from you; you know what needs to be done.

 

I have faith in you brother. Prey I make it through the borders without incident. Look for the fog.

 

Your brother and king,

Sesshoumaru

 

Closing his eyes Inuyasha leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. Sesshoumaru would never express his feelings so tenderly if not in dire peril, and rarely then. Nuraku's threat must have grown far more ominous since he left. The only positive point was the ground he had gained with the princess last night. He doubted it would take much to lure the girl outside with the promise of a midnight stroll.

 

A fragment of the night before invaded his thoughts. His eyes flew open and he sat ramrod straight, shaking the image of her in the morning light from behind his eyelids. He never should have taken Miroku's advice and relied of seduction. It had accomplished his goal all right, but at what price?

 

He looked out the large windows opposite the hearth; the garden was slowly reviving itself, shaking the bleak winter grays from the cottage and replacing it with the cheery green of spring.

 

“When are they getting here?” He growled again and renewed his pacing.