InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Foreign Exchange Orphan ❯ The Adventure Begins ( Chapter 20 )

Foreign Exchange Orphan

Chapter Twenty:

The Adventure Begins

A.N.: I am so happy! I got five more reviews! Since you guys seem to like my story so much, and I don't feel good for certain female reasons *cough*, and I'd prefer to sit down, I've decided to write another chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, so shut up and leave me alone!

Warnings: Oh, this chapter is much longer than Summoning the Shikon.

***

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am!" she snapped angrily, thrusting the jewel in front of his nose.

"But how-"

"That's the problem! I don't know Inuyasha!" Kagome cried, facing burning red in anger. He was such an idiot! "It was like a reality dream. One minute it was all a fantasy, and the next…" She unclenched her hands, revealing half of the pink jewel resting in her palm. "If this is what Naraku wants…"

"We shouldn't give it to him," Miroku's soft voice interrupted. "Not on our lives. My ancestors were monks, and I have heard and read legends in ancient scrolls about such a thing as the Shikon no Tama. It grants powers towards demons, and I wager that Naraku, in deed, is one."

"He's a demon? Whoa! But how did he get a hold of Kikyo, I mean…"

"She went to him," Inuyasha muttered, amber eyes slitted, one hand balled into a fist. "She was a foreign exchange, he must have paid off the school and everything for an adult to be able get her! If he puts a hand on my girl-" He stopped when he heard Kagome give a small, pained yelp, and she looked away, and began to fidget with the Jewel in her hands. He sighed. He hadn't meant for it to come out that way. BAKA! "Kagome-"

"Huh? Oh, I think I hear Sango calling me! See you later!"

"Man, you are an idiot," Miroku sighed, caressing his temples with a skilled hand.

"Shut up."

He didn't see Kagome for two hours, until she came back with Sango, who had a giant bone boomerang slung over her shoulder. At her feet, a small, furry, white neko youkai with red eyes and two tails purred. Inuyasha growled at it, but stopped when Kagome told him to go fetch his sword. Once they got outside, Sango summoned her cat, and she jumped forwards, as waves of crackling orange fire surrounding her, as she grew.

"Arigato, Kiara." The cat smiled then yawned, revealing long white fangs. Kagome came out of the house.

"Okay, I wrote the letter."

"Good, now hop on." After a few minutes of clamoring, and bickering, everyone found a comfortable position on her back, and they sped off into the dark night sky.

"It's a good thing my family went out to dinner, but I feel bad leaving them."

"Your mom will understand," Sango said gently, stroking her arm. "Besides, we'll probably get medals for saving a girl, and kidnapping the most notorious being the states!"

"Huh? How so?"

"Well…about five years back, a bunch of people starting disappearing, one right after another. One 11 year old girl, then one 12 year old girl, then a 13 year old one, until he picked his way up to 20. Then, their bodies were found slung all over in various places, like their bedrooms," she paused to give a delicious shiver before continuing. "But, no one has been able to find him, and now, he's led us right to him!" Kagome nodded, then diverted her attention to the hanyou, who had a grim, serious expression on his face, deep in thought. If I didn't love him so much, I would have stayed right back home. What an idiot! Can't he tell that I love him? No, all he's worried about is Kikyo's safety, not me at all. Our month is almost up. We have two more weeks left, then I'll never see him again, and he'll be too preoccupied with Kikyo to notice… A tear dropped and splashed on her bent thigh. She sniffed, and wiped it away.

"Kagome?" His soft voice tore her from her thoughts. "You alright?"

"Uh-huh," she murmured, blushing, turning away from him. Kagome shifted so she could turn to Sango. "What's your reason for coming?"

"Naraku almost murdered my parents, because since they are demon exterminators, they almost killed him. They were in intensive care for months. Miroku wants to wipe Kazaana from his right hand and to avenge his parent's deaths," she replied as a matter-of-factly. "And you?" She blushed a vivid shade of red.

"Inuyasha," Kagome answered quietly. "Not for Kikyo, I came with him for support…"

"Oh don't worry, he is grateful."

"I sure hope you are right." Kagome smiled, scooted into a comfortable position, and fell asleep.

***

She was prodded awake a long while later. They had made camp in a thick forest. The air was chilly, and her breath came out in a shower of frosted crystals before her nose. Kagome shivered again. And felt something warm drape across her shoulders.

"It's made from the hair of a fire rat, you'll have some protection at least," Inuyasha said, blushing, not looking at her face.

"Uh…thanks."

"Don't mention it. But, if you weren't so weird looking you wouldn't need it!"

"You should talk dog boy!" And they got entangled in a pointless battle.

"At least they're keeping warm," Sango cried, laughing, as she snuggled deep in her jacket, picking along the ground for sticks.

"And speaking of keeping warm…" *WHACK* *THUD* Miroku fell into a crumpled heap at the ground, and Inuyasha stopped bickering to glare at him, and smirk.

"Serves you right, hentai," he chuckled. After a while, they gathered in front of a roaring, red fire, and Sango told the plans.

"Kagome bought some food for all of us for a couple of days in her bag. Naraku's castle shouldn't be but a few miles from here, so to save Kiara for battle, we'll walk. Now, I know he would have put up some pretty strong defenses, so we must all learn how to work weapons. Erm…Kagome, do you-" She shook her head.

"I take archery, but I borrow bows and arrows from the school, we're too um… *blush* too poor to get-"

"It's okay," Sango said in a soothing voice. "It's our job to protect you then."

"And I should be able to find Kikyo with my nose."

"Right, I keep forgetting that you're hanyou. Anyways, we'll get Kikyo, destroy Naraku, and alert the police to the scene. He's bound to have a phone in there somewhere."

"Yep," Kagome piped in. I'm not so sure coming was a good idea. It's freezing out here, and I'm only in my darn school uniform! Inuyasha protect me? Ha! He'll be too busy kissing all over Kikyo. Now, I know I'm totally jealous *blush*, but…Oh, how am I supposed to compare? Inuyasha is always talking about how much better she is than me, so I guess I really don't have a chance. What if we die? Or I get hurt? Or Kikyo is dead? I couldn't bear to see how heart-broken he would be! My Inuyasha - She was broken from her sad thoughts, when she felt warm, strong arms encircle around her waist, and pull her to rest against a firm chest. What is he doing? What about Kikyo? But since he'll never look my way again, I might as well as enjoy this night, because it'll be the last we spend together. A barely audible sigh escaping from her lips, she snuggled against him, and fell asleep.

Kagome woke up, swimming in warmth, and looked to see Inuyasha still asleep, snoring lightly, hot breath tickling her hair. She giggled, and his eye popped open.

"What you laughing bout?" he asked in a slurred, groggy voice, yawning. She giggled again and blushed.

"You were just too cute!" she said softly, reaching to massaging a velvety white triangle. He purred in contentment, and bent over to lick the outer shell of her ear. She shuddered, and before they could continue -

"Getting quite comfortable, I see." *WHACK*

"Pervert! Couldn't you see Inuyasha and Kagome were having a 'moment.''" Their faces heated up. Gee thanks Sango, I owe you one!

"My apologies," Miroku said, rubbing a throbbing red spot on his face. "Should we set out?"

"Definitely." Kagome felt herself groaning, when the warmth was snatched abruptly away from her. Might as well get used to it, Kag, it's gonna be happening more often from now on. She trailed behind Inuyasha, shoes crunching against the hard, frosted grass. Sango came tramping behind her, as Miroku ran to catch up with the hanyou.

"Gods Kagome, you look down," she observed, putting her frozen hand against Kagome's warm forehead. "You okay?" She nibbled her cold lips.

"Fine, it's just that, you know, the whole Inuyasha-Kikyo thing, he'll forget about me."

"Oh, of course he won't!" Sango exclaimed, stopping in mid-walk to stamp her foot to prove her point.

"But I look just like her, I'd just fade away, be a memory!"

"I've never seen you so down."

"That's because," she dropped her volume. "I've never been in love before."

***

After those long, bone-chilling hours hiking through the frigid hills of North Dakota, they arrived in front of a gargantuan castle. It was like a zillion stories high, and was spread out seemingly for miles. The roof was a deep, rich, bold green and it went up into an elegant point at the middle. The walls were white, and there were long marble steps going up gracefully to a wooden patio, with an oak door. Naraku's land stretched out for a least 100 acres, and on either side of the pathway that led to the steps, there were little frozen ponds, a those few rare flowers that could survive weather extremes.

What a rich bastard.

Inuyasha growled, crackling his knuckles as he flexed his long claws, baring his little fangs in anger. Miroku looked just as determined, thick, dark eyebrows knit into a frown. Kirara was in her small form, but was hissing venomously, as Sango just glared at the castle, hand clutching the strap that bound Hiraikotsu to her so tightly, that it turned ashy. Kagome just gulped. This castle would seal her fate, and the fate of the Jewel, which was currently fastened to a cheap, plastic necklace.

"Kagome, on my back," he ordered harshly, and she obliged, not wanting to get caught in his line of fire. Once her legs were securely wrapped around his waist, and she felt energy tremble throughout his tightly coiled muscles, and he sprung off into the air. She sustained a yelp but digging her face in the fabric of his sweater. Kagome seemed to have left her stomach on the ground. Kirara had transformed below them, and Sango was on her back along with Miroku. Inuyasha landed on the patio, and with one skilled punch, it was broken into many little splintering pieces of wood.

***

"Ah, they're here. Hold the demons at bay, Kagura. You and Kanna, be polite, and greet our guests."

"Yes, sir."

"Of course Naraku."

"I didn't think he would show," a voice smirked(is that possible???) "Good job."

"Kikyo, Kikyo, I am disappointed."

***

"This place is thick with the scent of demons," Inuyasha growled, sniffing deeply, as Kagome scrambled off his back. "But none are showing. Guess they're scared." She gave him a little push, stifling a giggle, it was more comfortable when he was confident. They were in the "lobby." Even to a human it smelled horrible. Musty carpets, peeling paint, dust coating everything. Well, at least now they had proof that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

"Stop you!" she said, laughing lightly, wagging a finger, as if she was talking to a naughty puppy. He smirked. Suddenly, he tensed, and whipped out the puny, rusty sword from its sheathe.

"Show yourself!"

"Ah, what a pathetic excuse for a sword." A woman, draped in a long, pure white kimono dotted with pink flowers, with sleek black hair pulled into a short ponytail, and ruby red eyes emerged from the shadows. She fluttered a fan before her face.

"What a pathetic excuse for a demon," he quipped, waving the sword before him.

"Then let's see what you can do!" She brought the fan from her face, a gave it an elegant sweep. Thick waves of wind crashed before them, and everyone was flung into the walls. Kagome whimpered, tasting blood in her mouth.

"Kagome!"

"Don't worry about that stupid human girl."

"Shut up demon!"

"Please, call me Kagura." Kagura waved her fan again, and now thick, white blades flew from it, ripping into Inuyasha's flesh. He gave a scream of pain.

"INUYASHA!" Kagome screeched, and began running towards him.

"Don't come," he muttered, staggering to his feet, using the sword for support. Before he had time to react, the wind sorceress made more broad, clear waves of wind smash into his huddled form, making him slam into he china cabinet, cracking it, shards of glass cutting into his skin.

"Hiraikotsu!" came a voice, as the boomerang was hurled towards the demon's figure. She muttered something, and it was blown effortlessly from her face. Kirara suddenly launched herself forwards, attempting to knock Kagura from her feet, but she sent the razors charging for her. They cut into her pelt, and she whimpered, falling to the ground. Now Naraku's carpets were stained with blood.

"My my, I think Naraku over estimated you," Kagura tisked, shaking her head with shame.

"Shut up!" Kagome yelled, running over to help Inuyasha, picking some particles of glass from him. "You should be ashamed of yourself! Crawl up somewhere and die." Kagura hissed coldly, eyes narrowing.

"Such a mouth you have," she muttered. "Die." She swept her fan, sending some blades towards Kagome. She shrieked, and tried to dodge, but some still got to her. Her leg, left cheek, right arm, and waist was slashed. Kagome whimpered again, staggering to the ground, clutching her wounds, watching as the blood slowly stained her fingers.

"KAGOME!" Inuyasha was next to her in second, cuddling her against his broken form. "Baka! Who told you to come help me?"

"Inu…yasha, I'm sorry you're hurt…" Then she fainted. He felt something he hadn't felt in a long time. Tears began to sting his eyes. Was she going to die? It was all his fault! His heart was crumbling, and it fell into little bits on the floor. The stench of her blood was horrible, and he sputtered.

"Kirara, take her," he growled, gently setting the injured girl on the recovered neko, who nodded. "Now, bitch," he began, attention back to Kagura. "You're going to pay!"

"Ooh, is that a challenge? You seem quite attached to that girl, are you in love with her?"

"That's not any of your frickin' business!" Inuyasha hollered. I should have been there to protect her! Suddenly, he felt pulsing beneath his palm. He looked at his Tetsusaiga, which was slowly transforming. It grew bigger, and wider, until it was a glistening, white fang. How the hell? Now it's ass-kicking time! Kagura seemed scared. Her mouth fell open in dumb shock, and there was a tick in her left eye.

"No matter," she yelled, brushing her fan in the air. The blades flew at him again, but he blocked with Tetsusaiga, and they were sent repelling towards her, slicing her kimono.

"Naraku will hear of this," Kagura said, then disappeared.

***

They were trudging through the musty hallways. Inuyasha sat on Kiara, Kagome's head cradled in his lap, as he stroked a wisp of hair from her face. Her cuts were still bleeding lightly, but not as hard as before. Tears were threatening to overcome him again, but he blinked them away. Crying isn't gonna help Kagome now. He bit his lip so hard it bled, and he licked away the drops of salty blood. Kagome moaned, and turned, snuggling against him more. He blushed.

"I would have never have thought Inuyasha would fall in love with a human girl," came a bold, rich voice echoing through the corridors.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Why Inuyasha, I am most disappointed. All this time spend pursing me, and you have yet to know my voice?" There was a deep-throated chuckle.

"What do you want? Why do you have Kikyo? Why Kagome…"

"Disarm yourself. Take away Tetsusaiga. Bring the girl and the Shikon Jewel to the end of the hallway, and all of your questions will be answered." Then, the voice ceased. Inuyasha growled deep in his throat.

"Inuyasha, don't you dare…"

"Shut up Miroku, here." He dumped the sword and his sheathe in the monk's hands, and carried Kagome bridal style. "I have to. Or Kagome and Kikyo will die."

Sorry for the cliffhanger! Next chapter, Freedom of Choice, will be short, followed by a much larger one that I haven't really decided to on the title for. I hope this quenched your thirst for a longer chapter. PLEASE REVIEW. And remember, until next time, Aloha!