InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forbidden Sanctuary ❯ "Just Test My Best!" ( Chapter 7 )

[~: A/N :~]

 

Semi: -yawns You asked for it so here it is, Chapter 7 everyone! -falls asleep-

 

ChibiLee: Ano . . .please forgive Semi-sama, she's been working hard lately and hasn't gotten much rest -bows-

 

Semi: -opens one eye- That's an understatement . . . -yawns again- Well anyway I hope you all enjoy the latest chapter of FS.

 

CL: It's time for CL's recap! In the last chapter Umeko meet up with some new people, Sango and gang! Finding little Shippo-chan in the brush, Umeko goes back to find people had invaded her sanctuary! Sesshomaru went back to the camp and was attacked by none other then Sango-san! They find out he's the one who named her, strange ne? What's gonna happen next?! Read and find out!
-solutes-

 

[~: Disclaimer :~] I do not own InuYasha nor do I own Beauty and the Beast, or the song “Test My Best” . Have a nice day.

Sanctuary

By: Youkai Semi

 

Chapter Seven: “Just Test My Best!”

 

“NANI?!” Sango's voice echoed through the forest. The birds near the clearing took flight, darking the sky for a moment. For the next minute everyone remained silent. It was Sesshomaru who broke the silence.

 

“Are you done? I don't think the other lands quite heard you.” He commented sarcastically, causing the group to lose their jaws. Turning back to Umeko, he removed his hand from her forehead and helped her up.

 

“Umeko? Here, drink this down.” Sesshomaru leaned her against him then picked up the cup and held it to her lips, encouraging her to drink. Umeko sputtered a bit but managed to swallow the mixture. Almost immediately they saw a difference in the hanyo. She relaxed against the demon lord, her breath coming easy now instead of the strained sound of earlier. The early morning light played across her sleeping features, giving her an almost doll like look. As watched he brushed her bangs away to reveal the two half sphere jewels on her forehead.

 

“You named her?” Miroku asked quizzically, not at all sounding sarcastic or rude but rather intrigued.

 

“Hai. I found her here. She had been driven from the village and then beaten to ensure she wouldn't return. I felt it my duty as a fellow Inu demon to help her and I have.” Sesshomaru spoke quietly while trying to lay the girl down. Her hands clenched his hatori's sleeve, however, and would not let go.

 

“fefh, like you know anything about duty.” Everyone turned to find InuYasha leaning on a tree.

 

“And you have no honor, little brother.” Sesshomaru glared at the other hanyo. Gently he pried her fingers away from his kimono and laid her down before standing up.

 

“You think I don't have honor? Well if I don't then nether do you.” InuYasha scuffed, hating being put down as always.

 

“I have honor . . . even if you do not see it.” Sesshomaru looked over his shoulder at his brother. The iciness he usually displayed was gone, but the emotionless mask remained. Caught off guard, the group watched as Sesshomaru turned and left.

 

“He's really changed . . ..” Miroku blinked and looked at InuYasha. The hanyo was looking at the spot the Taiyoukai had been a moment before. Had he been wrong? No one said anything for several minutes, taking the time to absorb the information.

 

“Did he say she was beaten?” Sango went to Umeko's side and took a closer look. Small cuts and bruises still remained.

 

“He was telling the truth . . . but why would anyone beat a blind person? Hanyo or human!” Miroku looked disgruntled.

 

“He was right . . . it is our duty to protect her.” InuYasha spoke quietly, his bangs shadowing his eyes. “She is the last female Inu demon after all.” He turned away from them. “She should be taught how to defend herself. . . I'll be back.” He left into the trees and took off in the same direction Sesshomaru had.

 

“Hehe, InuYasha's grown up!” Shippo laughed leaping over to Umeko with Kirara by his side.

 

“I think we all have.” Miroku smiled sadly at Sango. They knew it had been 'her' that had changed them, and Umeko who had somehow changed the once ice cold demon lord.

 

“Do you think that's a good thing?” Sango joked lightly while putting a blanket over the sleeping hanyo.

 

“I know so.” Miroku nodded with a small laugh. Umeko stirred in her sleep and tossed a little. They watched anxiously, hoping one of the other two got back soon . . . preferably Sesshomaru since he had the herbs to help her.

 

“Sessho . . .” Umeko mumbled in her sleep and stopped tossing. A hidden observer continued to watch them. A small smirk playing on his lips as a new plot formed itself in his head.

 

“The fun . . . starts now.” He chuckled to himself.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Several days later, Sesshomaru and InuYasha stood sparing while the others watched. They didn't know how or why, but the two had returned to camp together. They also refused to speak about what had happened and so left the humans in the dark. It was a friendly spar so they weren't too worried.

 

Umeko listened to the two fighters as her own personalized training that the two had come up with. She was to listen to their movements until she could understand them well enough to stop them. Her ears swiveled this way and that, catching everything she could. For a brief moment she saw them in her head. Frustrating was what she would of called it.

 

Closing her eyes she focused solely on two brothers. Blocking out everything else besides the sounds of flesh connecting with flesh. Again she saw them in her head. A foot connecting with a lower arm, the arm throwing the foot back. A fist connecting with the palm of another hand. A leg sweeping the other's legs out from under him.

 

That's when she noticed. The bigger of the two only used his right arm, never his left. It was as if it were not there. Concentrating she focused on him. Yes, she had been correct . . . the limb was missing. Instinctively she knew she was focused on Sesshomaru. She didn't know how she could have missed it, but then they were never really close enough for her to tell.

 

Umeko almost missed what was said a moment later. “Umeko, want to give it a try?” InuYasha sat down in front of her as he spoke.

 

“Hai . . . I think I've got it now.” She smiled nervously. InuYasha pulled Tetsusaiga from it's sheath without transforming it and put it in her hands.

 

“We'll practice by throwing grass balls first ok?” He helped her up and stepped away. Shippo handed him a handful of newly woven grass balls he had just made. The hanyo took them and nodded in approval. Sesshomaru meanwhile went over to Umeko and got behind her.

 

“You want to stand like this.” He instructed while moving her into a battle stance. Once she was in position he stepped away again and stood against a tree to watch. Closing her eyes, she let her arms ad the sword drop. InuYasha looked at Sesshomaru who nodded a 'go ahead'. Umeko listened to the figure before her. When she heard the ball snap into the air she opened them again. She brought up the sword just as the ball was about to hit, cleaving it in twine and to everyone's immense astonishment, transforming the Tetsusaiga. The group gaped at the hanyo in utter shock. NO on e but InuYasha or Sesshomaru had transformed it before.

 

'She has more strength then I gave her credit for.' Sesshomaru thought mildly, grinning behind his mask. 'I wonder . . . ' He put his hand to his chin then removed Tenseiga and walked back over to the female hanyo.

 

“Let's try that again . . . but this time use both swords.” He instructed and placed Tenseiga in her other hand. Umeko looked in his direction with a confused look.

 

“I'll explain later.” He gave her hand an unseen pat and motioned InuYasha to throw another one. Umeko nodded and got into a more comfortable position since she was holding two swords instead of one.

 

This time when the ball came at her she spun, pivoting on one heal and ducking her head slightly. The ball was split by Tetsusaiga . . . and made whole again once more by Tenseiga. Again they all stood staring in shock. She could use not only InuYasha's but Sesshomaru's as well . . . and at the same time no less! This hanyou was indeed more then she appeared to be.

 

“I think . . . that will be all for today.” Sesshomaru took his sword, putting it back in it's scabbard. InuYasha did the same, still awestruck about the whole incident.

 

“Sugoi Umeko-san! Sugoi, sugoi!” Shippo bounced onto her lap and laughed. She blushed slightly then hugged the little kitsune.

 

“Arigato Shippo-kun.” She laughed with him, though not really sure how it was 'amazing' as he had put it.

 

'If she was powerful as a miko, then she's ten times more so as a hanyo . . . If she were a full Youkai I'd have something to worry about.' The Taiyoukai pondered from his seat high up in the trees. It was almost as if . . . nay, no on e knew what happened to it. But he supposed it could be a possibility.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Naraku watched the group in the clearing with great interest. He knew the kitsune pup was right in a way, but was beginning to understand better then the others just who Umeko really was. He did not know, however, that Sesshomaru knew the truth already. He though he was the only one who knew and was thinking of something to use it to his advantage. If he could, then he could retrieve the nearly whole Shikan no Tama from the hanyo.

 

Ah . .. the Shikan jewel. The jewel of four souls. He had nearly had it in his grasp. Then that human girl with Kikyo's soul had started taking it back little by little. The stupid girl had shattered it, much to his . . . delight. She had not known just how powerful the jewel was then. Now? Well now she knew very well . . . which was going to prove very troublesome. If she learned how to harness that power, well he'd rather not think on that.

 

He still had many plans left to full fill and he would not let a girl like her stop him. Naraku glared at the group. Many times they had foiled one plot after another. He'd make sure they never did so again. No matter what the cost. That's when a light went off in his head.

 

Silently the hanyo crept from his spot and took off to his own devices. He still had one jewel fragment left and he planned to keep it. One way or another he'd get the rest of it as well. There were still way to do so. Oh yes, many ways to retrieve the Shikan no Tama and he would try each one until he succeeded. He had to have it . . . by any means or cost.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Umeko yawned from her seat on the sprawled blanket near the fire. She swayed slightly, causing concern looks from the others, but it was from being tired not the illness. As a matter of fact she felt quite well now. Her head hurt a bit but the previous sickness hadn't reoccurred since the last time Sesshomaru had given her that odd drink.

 

Sango smiled as she watched the hanyo yawn again and rub her eyes with one fist and the back of the other hand. Looking for all the world like a small child. Well after all the practice she had done, Sango wasn't surprised she was tired. The girl was really amazing and she was glad they had gotten a chance to meet her.

 

“Why don't you take a bath Umeko? The food will be done when you get back.” Sango offered the hanyo with a smile, knowing a bath would do her good and would keep her up long enough to eat. The hanyo turned to the Taijia's direction and considered it a moment.

 

“That sounds nice. I think I will. Thanks Sango-san.” Umeko stood up and stretched.

 

“Just don't take too long. You'll turn into a prune.” Sango joked and turned back to the food. Umeko laughed and shook her head. She had grown rather fond of the woman during the past few days. She never failed to cheer her up. The woman would be a great mother one day. If only Miroku would tell her how he truly felt.

 

Shrugging slightly, Umeko turned and followed a trail of slashes in the tree trunks until she came to a small hot spring. They had found it the second day the group had stayed and everyone seemed reluctant to leave the little pond clearing. Mostly due to the food supply, hot spring, and the training ground they had been using earlier. It was a rather nice place to stay all in all. Plus no one had bothered them so far.

 

So far, that was the word for it. No one had yet to bother them, but how long would that last? Umeko shivered at the thought. She never wanted to go near that village again. And she'd keep it that way if she could. Those men hadn't needed to do what they did. But because they had she could no longer fully trust humans. She feared them above all else.

 

Umeko sighed and shook the thought from her head. It wouldn't do to dwell on the things you fear. All it ever did was make it worse and cause problems. Right now she wanted to forget about it and relax. Having so many people around made her a little nervous so she needed it. Things could wait to be thought about and pondered over.

 

The hanyo let her kimono slip off her shoulders and fall to the ground. Hesitantly she stepped into the spring and slowly lowered herself in. She hissed as the hot water meet bruises. The ones the men had caused were long gone but new ones appeared every time she spared the Inu brothers. Before the sword training today they had drilled her on close quarters combat . . . hand to hand or close and personal, as some would call it.

 

They didn't hurt anymore after an hour or two, but when doused with hot water they flared up then went completely away. A marvel all it's own really. She didn't know how or why they did, but was grateful they went away so quickly. Maybe she'd ask\ Sesshomaru about it later. He didn't seem to mind her silly questions, usually encouraging more out of her.

 

Sesshomaru . . . Taiyoukai of the Western Lands. There were times when she felt drawn to him, like he needed her in some way. Others he rather frightened her. He was lethal, and at times, merciless. When he was around her, though, he seemed calmed and serene. Almost like two totally different people. It surprised her that he could be so gentle and yet so powerful at the same time.

 

Umeko ducked under the water, the sound of it in her ears calming her nerves. She just felt tired and her brain was over analyzing things. Though it was a pleasant tired, not the one from lack of sleep but that of doing a full day's work. The training was tiresome . . . in the end it would be very helpful so she stuck to it. It wasn't like she had something else to do anyways.

 

Then why did she have this feeling she was missing something . . . like she had forgotten something very important that needed to be done? It felt like she was supposed to do something, hadn't finished, and now time was running out. She came up out of the water and shook her head.

 

'Quite you!' Umeko hissed at her mind then sighed. It just wouldn't leave her alone tonight. She groaned. If this kept up she wouldn't get any sleep tonight. It wouldn't be the first time though . . . before she had gone many nights without sleep while waiting and watching for InuYasha.

 

'Now where did that come from?' Umeko frowned heavily, not liking that thought. After a moment of thinking she got out and felt for the drying cloth they always left on a tree branch near the spring. When her hands brushed it she quickly pulled it down and wrapped herself in it. That finished, she sat on a small boulder under the same branch and combed her fingers through wet hair.

 

“Lovely night isn't it? A silky voice broke through the hanyo's pondering, causing her to jump where she sat.

 

'Why didn't I hear anyone?' She swallowed, her heart thumping madly in her chest.

 

“Calm down, no one is going to hurt you.” The voice laughed. It wasn't a pleasing laugh. No, it sent chills down Umeko's spine.

 

“What do you want?” She hugged the towel closer to herself and listened closely.

 

“Merely to speak with you.” The voice answered. She could see the smug look on his face in her mind and growled mentally. That's when the jewels on her forehead began to itch. She felt the man's presence come into the clearing and the itching intensified. The hanyo refrained from scratching at it, keeping her mind focused on the man with all her might.

 

“I'm listening . . . but please, don't come any closer.” Umeko commented quietly, slipping further back on the boulder. The cool night air was beginning to make her flesh goose-bump.

 

“As you wish.” The man, or what ever he was, stopped with the smirk still upon his face. “Tell me . . . do you trust those people you are with?” He asked casually, sitting down on the edge of the clearing.

 

“I . . . yes I do. Why do you ask?” She hesitated, asking the second question like an after thought.

 

“The jewels on your forehead are part of a whole. There are many who want it and would not hesitate to kill you for it.” He laughed mirthlessly.

 

“Who? And why?” Now the hanyo was worried. She known that and wanted to know who would do such a thing.

 

“The one named InuYasha wants it to become full demon. The one called Sango is a Youkai killer . .. a Taijia as it were. Miroku would do anything for her and the one called Sesshomaru . . . well he is a cold blooded killer who hates humans and hanyos alike.” The man chuckled darkly.

 

“You . . . you're lying!” Umeko denied what she heard, shaking her head as if to free herself from it.

 

“Am I really? Why don't you ask them yourself? Ask them what happened to their companion and long time friend.” The man gave an evil laugh and left the clearing. His job was done. He had succeeded in planting the seed of doubt in the young hanyo's mind. Now when she asked, the seed would grow to mistrust. Umeko shuttered, hugging herself tightly. Still trying to deny it all but having to know if he spoke the truth.

 

Distractedly she redressed herself. Neither paying attention to her surroundings or herself. Her mind was locked in a battle with logic . . . and was losing. The seed . .. had begun to grown.

 

 

[~:End of Chapter:~

 

Semi: Oh yeah! -cheers and throws fist into air- I am GOOD!

 

CL: Egotist much? -stares through hooded eyes-

 

Semi: -sweat drop- Hey! You're great to Chibi! -hugs muse and dances around-

 

CL: -smirks- I know.

 

Semi: -face plants- Now who's talking? Any who, evil cliffie once again -smirks-

 

CL: It'll be worth it in the end folks! CL very happy with all your review tee hee.

 

Semi: Hai hai . . . thanks you everyone and I hope you enjoyed this edition of FS!

 

 

[~: Teasers for the next chapter:~]

 

Umeko's a run away! Naraku's planning something evil as usual. The Inu brothers go off in search of the missing Umeko and only Sesshomaru continues to do so alone! The team begins thinking up a plan but it seems Umeko's run into something that might have been in her best interest to stay away from . . . Tune in next time!

 

 

Chapter Eight: “ When You Walk Away.”