InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kage & Kaze ❯ Arriving ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter One: Arriving

 

`What?' Ember gold eyes looked up at the sky.

 

In a small clearing a girl stood slowly looking at her unfamiliar surroundings. Beside her another body, this one unconscious, breathed slowly. “Oh crap.”

 

)O(

 

Lord Sesshomaru paced around in his palace up the stairs, down the halls, across the library and training room. It wasn't the first time a portal had been opened from another world. They managed to safely close most of them and made sure nothing from the other worlds reached theirs, but with the last portal he wasn't sure. The air around the eastern part of his lands smelled off. It was contaminated for sure from something no doubt, but what puzzled the western lord was the matter that they couldn't find the source.

 

Sesshomaru passed his study and turned towards another hallway and stopped at a window where he looked out towards the eastern part of his lands. He would soon have to set out and find the nuisance. If it were living he would have to kill it. On several occasions humans left their own worlds and would meet their bloody fate when confronted by the lord. It would not have been possible if a certain demon hadn't escaped prison. The time demon, Tempest, had begun opening portals in several places to throw search units off his scent and a month later has been very successful.

 

“L-Lord Sesshomaru?” The regal lord looked down towards a small ugly toad demon waiting down the hall. Sesshomaru honestly didn't know why he kept the ugly demon around. It wore the ugliest of tunics and smelled of sake from the Inutaiyoukai's cellar.

 

“What, Jakken?” the annoyed dog demon bellowed out.

 

“Well, Mi-lord there is reason to believe more humans escaped the portal and has wondered west towards us. The search units want to know your plan of action.”

 

The dog demon walked past the toad as he spoke, “Tell them I will deal with the problem myself.”

 

)O(

 

Back in the forest the ember-eyed girl carried the still unconscious body on her back. “God, you weigh too much Nami!” The body on her back gave a satisfied snore as she got comfortable digging her knees into the carriers hips. “Time to wake up Nami…” The dead weight gave a sudden yelp as she was dropped onto cold dirt. “Hey, I was dreaming their!” The older of the two sighed while the younger sat on her bum in the middle of the dirt.

 

The younger teenager got up and brushed the dirt off her fiery red hair. Her red eyes had shown through her long bangs while the rest of her hair was styled into a choppy bun. She wore a black and red plaid skirt with a leather belt with small spikes. A maroon sash hung from above the belt and a frill cover hung below it, knee high boots adorned her feet, and she wore a black tank top with a black fishnet on it and for her weapon of choice a medium sized sword hung from her belt. Near the top of her shoulder to the half her upper arms length she donned a tattoo of a fierce, black and gray dragon. The slightly older teen, Tsuki, wore black baggy pants with several chains hanging from her hip and short black boots. On her upper body she wore a dark green tank with a long dark gray open knee-length vest with a collar holding studs and spikes. Her long purple hair was braided behind her with tufts coming out to cover her face while covering it she wore a black bandana bearing the sign `Kage' on the front. The matching fingerless gloves also read `Kage' on both of them. She bore a tattoo on her back of large black bloody wings with thorns keeping them held down and for her weapon of choice two large daggers dangled from her chains.

 

“Tsuki…where the hell are we?” The redhead walked forward to a tree that had been marked with scratch marks. Looking around the tree she saw a rundown trail of plants dug out from their roots (1). “What the…”

 

“I think we should start moving and find somebody that could help us.” The older teen turned south and was about to begin walking.

 

“Wait. I think we should explore first.” Nami lit up at her own idea.

 

“You're still the same (2). We shouldn't explore because we aren't on familiar lands anymore. If we explored we could be going around in circles. Besides I think the sooner we find people the sooner we eat.”

 

The redhead nodded as her stomach growled on cue. As they headed south the redhead looked at her surroundings. The air was pristine and fresher than what they normally breathed. The plants seemed healthier, an odd bright green. The sky even seemed bluer and the air was cool and refreshing. There was no smell of the city. There was no sound of sirens or traffic far off and no signs of any roads or highways. The forest was eerily quiet as they walked on. “Tsuki, you don't suppose we're in a different time do you.”

 

“You are in a different time.”

 

Both girls turned towards the new voice. There stood a tall man with long silver hair, yellow eyes, and a moon on his forehead above his brow. The purple markings on his face began from his high cheekbones and ended near the rear of his cheek. He wore a white haori which was adorned with red flowers on his left shoulder. Heavy battle armor rested on his right shoulder and midsection while two sword hilts rested on his side which on one of them the man's hand rested on.

 

Both blinking unknowingly at the stranger the older was the first to talk. “Snap…” Nami took this time to look at the man's stance knowing what Tsuki had been thinking. This man had come to kill them.

 

Tsuki was the first to speak to the man. “Is there any particular reason why you came here to kill us?” Nami gulped, as did Tsuki.

 

The man took his sword from his hilt and pointed it in their direction. “You don't belong here.” Nami `meeped' at his short reply. Tsuki eyebrows both raised at the short reply and the small meep. Nami turned to face Tsuki with a hopeless look in her eyes. Tsuki thought to herself, `Uh-oh, that's the “look”. I'm not falling for that crap. Dear Gosh make it stop.

 

It's so…pathetic. Fine!' Tsuki knowing the other girl's inner wishes faced the regal looking man and said with an almost straight face, “I can strike you a deal if you let us live.”

 

The man narrowed his eyes at the two, “I don't make deals with humans.”

 

A quick face of confusion came onto Nami's face. She glanced over at Tsuki noticing she picked up on this also by her taken-aback expression. `He's not human?,' Nami almost seemed to ask silently to Tsuki.

 

“Could you at least listen to our offer first?” Tsuki pleaded knowing very well the man (or whatever he may call himself) probably wouldn't grant her wish. Taking his silence as an approval she continued. “Technically if you let us live we'll be in debt to you. You can use us to take care of errands, though we have special abilities that can help us provide another option for you. We can probably be a loved one's guardians-,” seeing him narrow his eyes more at this she quickly continued albeit a little concerned for their well-being, “…or bodyguards of some one important enough to have us escort them.”

 

The man seemed to consider the thought while contemplating whether it was a good idea to keep humans around. He glared at the two girls then with a flick of his hand his sword had slid back into its hilt. He continued to glare at them while he motioned for them to follow him.

 

As the sun finally hit the horizon both girls finally saw the palace that belonged to the man before the sun actually disappeared beneath the earth's surface. It was huge. As they got inside a number of servants came forward to take the armor and the swords of the now known lord. The lord turned towards them before speaking in an icy voice, “You will address me as my honorific when you are in my palace. There will be under any circumstance no weapons allowed on the east wing of the palace, they are allowed on the west wing where I will be testing your skills tomorrow. As for your job…follow me.”

 

The lord lead them through many hallways and doors. On the walls were many ancient scrolls and paintings. Lining the next wall were tapestries and carvings made of intricate designs and dark colors seeming to blend all at once. The hall seemed to grow darker in color as they walked towards the inner palace. The lord stopped at a door with a wilting wreath hanging off the door. “This is Rin's room I expect you to stay by her side whenever I'm not around. If anything harms her it will result in both your deaths regardless whose fault it is. Understood?” Both girls nodded in silence.

Sesshomaru continued regarding the fact that he sensed waves of fear radiating off both of the two girls and enjoying it. He turned and slid the door open of the room they were facing. A girl not even older than nine came bounding out and hugged on to the lord's lower half being how short she was. Despite him being a cold person, Tsuki had to smile genuinely at the two.

 

The lord sighed like an annoyed mother would before returning back to the matter at hand. “Rin. These people are here to protect you when I'm not around. Rin…” Rin had stopped hugging the lord and studied the two teenage girls and her eyes trailed down to the chains on Tsuki's belt which she began wreathing it like she did the door. Sesshomaru broke the awkward moment by continuing while watching Rin and Tsuki interact. “Rin you will get to know them this evening at dinner.”

 

Nami rolled her eyes while Rin tugged away at the chains making them full of flowers. Sesshomaru watched in amusement as Tsuki was almost dragged away by the little girl into her room. Almost. The lord once again stopped the awkwardness and began to walk down the hall motioning to all of them to follow. Even deeper towards the inner castle were a couple of rooms near next to no light that were dark but very comfortable. “This will be your room.” The lord had almost gone before Nami turned around realizing something. “Sir?”

 

The lord turned around looking on with emotionless eyes. Nami almost turned scared now knowing what Tsuki felt like when the heat was on her. “What's your honorific?”

 

“Lord Sesshomaru. Yours?”

 

Nami looked relieved he didn't bite her head off. “I'm Nami. Kize Nami.”

 

Lord Sesshomaru almost did a double take when he saw Tsuki teaching Rin how to braid wreaths faster. “And your name?”

 

Tsuki looked up from Rin's wreaths. “Kage Tsuki.”

 

)O(

 

Lord Sesshomaru sat in his study thinking of the new guard's looks. The humans in Japan were almost all the same with black hair and brown eyes. Some occasionally were lucky enough to get dark or lighter brown hair. But the two girls in the palace could not have been humans. Red and gold eyes were most common amongst demons and demons only;

The same thing was apparent with their hair color. Humans were not special in anyway at all. They were not known for uniqueness and beauty, or intelligence. That's what separated these two from the rest. They didn't run nor did they attack when he had his hand on his sword. They prefer discussing is before actually taking action. They also had weapons with them leading me to believe they are able, but not strong enough to defeat me two to one. I hope Rin is happier than me with these arrangements.

 

 

 

 

)O(

 

Later that evening the new recipients traveled around the palace learning of all the routes as they made their way to the dining area. Nami looked at all the old scrolls hanging from the walls and appreciated them silently.

 

“So…Tsuki, what's the plan?” Tsuki continued walking forward and reached out towards one of the paintings. She sighed, “There is no plan.”

 

Nami stopped too with wide eyes. “No plan! How are we gonna get outta here?” After an eerie silence Nami grinned at Tsuki. Tsuki blinked curiously at her best friend, “Uh, Nami? What are you smiling at?” Nami only continued to grin as the familiar figure of the lord appeared from the opposite end of the hall.

 

“You like the lord dontcha?”

 

Tsuki's eyes widened, “Is that why you think…The answer is no.”

 

Nami laughed, “You lie. You lie!” Tsuki laughed also as she traced the outlines on the painting. “You like Reno and I like Sephiroth. By the way-” Tsuki never got to finish her sentence as she spotted the lord when she turned around. “Uh-oh.”

 

The lord glared immensely at Tsuki as he walked past the two on his way to the dining area. Nami barely held in her laughs as he walked off. Tsuki popped Nami across her head, “That wasn't funny! I can't believe you did that. I don't think he would've hesitated to kill us if I said something I shouldn't have said.”

 

Nami grinned, “And what were you gonna say?” Tsuki rolled her eyes at Nami, “Apparently none of your business now.”

 

“I'll find out later anyway.” Nami walked into the dining area still grinning.

 

Tsuki despite being upset grinned also and followed her friend into the dining area.

 

)O(

 

During the meal the two girls sat silently while Rin rambled on. Once in a while she would pause for Nami's opinion on the situation. Both teens had forgotten the topic fifteen minutes ago. Nami sighed, “Well, what do you think?”

 

Rin grinned, “I think we should give you different clothes because you look funny. Right, Lord Sesshomaru?”

 

The lords brow rose at this before replying, “Only when we leave these grounds.” Tsuki choked on the rice that had slipped down her throat. “We have to change clothes? Why?”

 

“Do not question my authority.” (MY AUTHORI-TIE!) The lord continued glaring at Tsuki when he said this. She groaned and massaged her temple. Nami looked on knowing an argument was coming on from the look on both her friend's and the lord's face. Neither one of them were the type of people who would back down from an argument. Tsuki placed her chopsticks neatly on her plate then turned towards the lord.

 

“But the women's clothes from your time are hard to move around in. We won't be able to do our jobs wearing clothes like that.” Tsuki paused to read the lords expressions before continuing. “Besides our clothes provide equipment and access to things we need most.” Nami grinned knowing the last part was a lie, but a good lie nonetheless.

 

The lords eyes narrowed more, “I warned you.” He snapped his fingers and an ugly toad demon appeared. Nami flinched at how ugly it was. The bug eyes were creepy.

 

Sesshomaru stood from the table. He was furious. He sensed the humans lies and it enraged him to no end. “Get their weapons and go to the training room.” Before the demon left he turned to regard Tsuki, “I expect you to be there.”

 

Nami gaped at the now empty seat of the lord. “Weren't we supposed to train tomorrow…Uh-Oh. Um…Tsuki?” Nami for the first time looked fearful for her friend. “OH…MIGOSH. I think he's going to kick your butt…” The older of the two began to feel nauseous at the idea of having to face the regal lord. In fact she felt dizzy and light on her feet. The redhead saw this at once, “Tsuki! Don't pass out on me!”

 

Rin got up from her side of the table and waved a sad goodbye before retreating back to her room. Tsuki looked surprised at the gesture. “Snap…I'm gonna die.”

 

)O(

 

Sesshomaru angrily paced back and forth in his training grounds. A HUMAN stood up to him and it had to be dealt with immediately. It confirmed his thoughts that these girls were human because only a human would be stupid enough to stand up to him. Sesshomaru grabbed his large katana Tokojin from the wall and held it up weighing it between his fingers. The old sword had slayed many demons and despite its old age it still worked just as good if not better as the day it was brandished. He had stopped pacing when a soft knock came from the door. “Come in.”

 

)O(

 

As Nami and Tsuki walked down the empty halls they couldn't help but notice how much the art on the walls enhanced the gloomy mood. Tsuki sighed before running down some hallways. Nami looked incredulously confused when she had done this. “Where are you going! Tsuki continued running and smirked back at Nami, “I'm going to get the gear! Wait for me in the training room!”

 

“Uh…Sure.” Nami knocked on the door of the training room and entered after a short reply of `Come In'.

 

Sesshomaru stood now with battle armor and one large sword by his side. Nami carefully walked into the room laughing nervously. “Kage is coming shortly she just went to go grab some things.”

 

It piqued the lords curiosity, “What things?”

 

“Her gear. Gloves and a bandana-” Nami had paused from the sudden noise coming from behind the door. Not long after she heard it the toad had stumbled in with weapons in his small hands. He left as quickly as possible leaving the door open knowing what was to come.

 

Nami almost drowned in the awkward silence before Sesshomaru had finally spoke up.

 

“Who is Reno and Sephiroth?” Nami almost fainted at being asked such a personal question from out of the awkward silence. “Um, well, you see…before we came here we knew these two men who we liked…a lot. Reno and I were as I liked to say `almost together' because he was too dense to realize I liked him. As for Sephiroth and Tsuki…Tsuki is mad at him because all he thinks about is revenge on Cloud, another guy we know. We learned our fighting skills from them and while we were training we got sent here. So…now you know.”

 

The lord only questioned Nami further, “If that was the case why did you suggest she liked me when you two were in the hallway.”

 

Nami sighed, “I was joking and messing with her feelings. I was just checking.”

 

“Checking what?” the lord said with a cold stare.

 

Nami laughed nervously once more, “To see if she liked you.”

 

The conversation was abruptly interrupted as Tsuki entered the room with her gloves and bandana on. “Did I interrupt something?”

 

The lord returned to glaring at Tsuki once more, “No. Pick your weapon up and prepare your stance.”

 

Tsuki unsheathed the two large daggers and crossed them in a defensive stance. The lord pointed the sword at Nami as well. “You too.”

 

Nami's eyes widened, “What?” Tsuki grinned “Looks like I'm not the only

one suffering now.” Nami now with a medium sized sword in her hands picked a defensive stance beside Tsuki.

 

For several seconds it was at a stand still until the lord lunged forward at Nami. She blocked and dodged and hoped for the best as he turned towards Tsuki. The moment Tsuki took a step back the lord came forward at an amazing speed and brought his sword down on Tsuki's blades. `He really isn't human.' They stood struggling for power until the demon kicked her legs out from under her. Before she met the ground the demon lord kicked her sideways so that she hit the wall opposite to them. Slowly Tsuki got up and rolled her shoulders before rolling on the floor to dodge the flying sword that was swung at her. Nami took her sword and began an offensive stance.

 

The demon now turned towards Nami. As he cut into Nami's right she brought up her sword to defend. The demon then took a swift swing catching Nami on her stomach. A small scratch now lay on her freshly cut abdomen. Nami winced as her finger prodded the cut. For a small cut it hurt badly and the more she moved the more the cut would widen and bleed. She looked up to find Tsuki fighting once again with Sesshomaru.

 

Tsuki finally had the upper hand when the demons blade had finally been knocked out of his hands. The demon was impressed, but would rather die before actually admitting it. Sesshomaru continued fighting with his poison claws giving him the upper hand once again. Tsuki would have to keep dodging to avoid being poisoned and if not die a slow painful death. Dying young sucks! She was abruptly pulled out of her thoughts when she felt the hilt of her daggers being yanked out of her hands. Her eyes widened when the demon advanced on her poison claw at his side.

 

The demon smirked as the whites in his eyes turned red, “You can give up and avoid future injuries…”

 

Tsuki glared, “Or.”

 

The demon had taken a vine, thorned whip which had appeared from his hand and snapped it once. “…Or suffer consequences.” the demon had finished for her.

 

Nami ran between the two waving her hands. “Enough already.” She glanced at the demon lord. “She won't back down so I'm asking you to spare her.” She then turned to Tsuki, “Let this one go Tsuki. Please…for Sephiroth.”

 

“Fine.”

 

The demon smirked at the two girls, “It's pathetic that you need your friend to save you.”

 

Tsuki massaged her temple once again. “Do you like arguing with me?” The lord turned his back on both of them. “It's amusing.” Both girls stood there and gaped at the lords retreating back.

 

He Jokes?

)O(

 

Both the girls returned to the dark bedroom they shared. It was simple, but still luxurious. Two plush futons lie on opposite sides of the room each with a small floor desk and

candle holder. On the right there was a door leading to a bathroom where a huge bathhouse resided in. Near the end of the room were large cushions rested on the floor supposedly for comfort and large curtains. Nami stepped to the curtains and frowned. Why would you have curtains in the room if it had no windows? The redhead lifted the curtain and gasped. “Tsuki, come look at this!”

 

Tsuki was currently looking at the futon suspiciously. It looked nice, but it was still on the floor. She gave the futon one last look before going over to the curtains and pulling them halfway open. “Wow.” On the other side of the curtains was a slide-in door to a balcony. A huge balcony. Nami slid the door completely back and ran out into the night.

 

“This balcony is bigger than my yard!” Nami ran to the railing near the edges of the balcony. “Man, that's a nasty fall.”

 

Tsuki looked to the sky and smiled. The sky was lit by the moon's shine and the land and mountains had a soft glow, visible only to them.

 

The balcony stretched out far enough to reach seven rooms, including their own.

 

Nami had started to spy through some of the doors while the older teen walked and sat on the railing. She looked over the edge and saw how far the drop actually was.

 

Nami had passed two doors and waved for Tsuki to follow, “There's a door to the bathhouse and Rin's room over here.” The redhead continued to walk past the door to Rin's room to a third door. She hesitantly looked at it before she pushed it open. Her eyes widened as she went inside the room. There were bookshelves three stories tall (no pun intended) that had lined up every single crook and corner. The many rows loomed over her as she walked in.

 

Tsuki had walked into the room and almost stumbled from not looking where she was going. The library was bigger than both their houses combined. She looked to her right and saw a dim glow from around the corner. She walked towards it while keeping note of where the other girl was.

 

Upon reaching her destination she found books stacked on a lounge chair and a table with a burning candle. She picked up one of the books and flipped to the first page. On the page was a record of a past war and a list of the opposing armies weak points. Tsuki was surprised when she looked closer at the page's contents noticing the enemy commander's army was Chinese, not Japanese. She was more surprised to find out that she actually recognized the names from a certain game she played. The book also contained records of the officers and how many soldiers they killed with some even going as high as ten-thousand. She then looked to the bottom of the page and read the neat handwriting.

 

Unbeknownst to her some one had been watching her in interest.

 

)O(

 

Nami had managed to crawl ten feet above the ground to look at a title of one of the books. The book was a half a foot thick with silver engravings in a language unreadable covering the front. She let her hand hover over the spine before pulling it out. She ran her fingers over the soft black leather on the back before dropping it onto a cushion below her and continuing her book searching. Another book caught her eye that was to her left. This book had brown leather instead of black and gold engravings instead of silver. On the front it read `Book of Heaven.' This book she also dropped on the cushion. The books looked very similar, but different colors and languages.

 

She plopped down from the shelf onto a defenseless cushion and picked up the two books. While rounding a shelf she stopped to look around. The air got cold and the hairs on her neck stood. She slowly walked in Tsuki's direction, but stopped. She could've sworn she heard an echo of footsteps. She continued walking past another shelf and then quickly pivoted on her heels getting a surprising result when she was face to face with the person who had been following her.

 

Directly in front of her a pair of pale purple eyes looked back into hers. The man had blue hair that reached his shoulders and long bangs that shaded half his face, but didn't hide a marking the shape of a diamond on his forehead. He wore dark blue baggy pants to hide the more important parts and bore tattoos on his chest of a blue dragon that's tail reached past his shoulder to his back.

 

Nami looked at the male before him in awe. All in all he was very handsome. The face in front of hers smirked before stepping back and crossing his arms over his chest.

 

“You wouldn't happen to be one of those guards Lord Sesshomaru hired, would you?”

 

Nami furrowed her eyebrows in confusion before speaking, “Why?”

 

“Well,” the man began, “The lord doesn't hire humans and neither would I, but I guess your race wasn't why he hired you.”

 

Nami only glared at him when this was said, “What the hell are you talking about?”

 

The blue haired demon only chuckled at the redhead, “You should watch your tone some of the demons aren't as nice as me.” He only grinned when Nami had rolled her eyes at him.

 

“I'll let you in on a secret. If the lord really wanted a guard for his little brat he would have sent a demon, not two weak humans. Also you two are female which-” The blue haired demon had not been able to finish before Nami had started walking away, books in hand. The demon looked incredulously at her retreating back. He swiftly walked up beside her and continued a one-sided conversation.

 

“You are a funny looking human. If you hadn't been picked up by the lord you would sell very highly in a slave ring. Pets are becoming very popular with demons.”

 

Nami stopped walking at this. “What do you mean pets?”

 

The demon also stopped, eyes blinking in realization. `She doesn't know.' He then turned to the curious girl. “Pets are…well…there happens to be a tournament coming up that the lords enter their pets in.” He could tell from the look on the girls face she was even more confused and knew his explanation would last a little longer than expected. “During this tournament the pets fight to the death until one group is left.”

 

Nami raised her eyebrows at the mention of this. “And…”

 

The demon once again continued, “And…I believe he's entering you in that tournament.”

 

)O(

 

Tsuki had long finished the first book and read through a second in the stack of books. She was half-way through when she felt a light tap at her shoulder.

 

“Tell me later, Nami.” The figure behind her smiled. He put his hands over the girl's eyes before speaking in a baritone voice. “Guess who.”

 

Tsuki had quickly ducked away from the man's hands and in the process tripped over the lounge chair. Before she flipped over it the man grabbed her hand and steadied her.

 

The man holding her had dark red eyes with orange specks in them. His black hair looked about shoulder-length and was pulled back with a tie with tufts of hair shaping his face.

He wore baggy dark red pants and had a blood colored tattoo of a wolf from his chest to his arm.

 

“You can let go now.” Tsuki looked into the demons eyes and were captivated by them.

 

The demon took notice of this and developed an evil grin. “Like what you see?”

She quickly changed the subject and glanced at him before turning her attention to finding the book she dropped. “How long have you been standing there?”

 

The man now stood in front of her with the lost book in his hand. “I've been here long enough to know you like reading statistics on past wars. Which I'd like to add is very odd for a girl your age.”

 

Tsuki sighed, “So…I like reading about wars. Your point?”

 

The demon had now smiled at the girl because of her clueless stare, “Girls your age don't read books about wars. They usually chase after suitors to raise their ranks or already have a family to tend to. Some don't even know how to read.”

 

“Then they are ignorant fools.” Tsuki looked up from the book currently in her hand at the man whose gaze watched her like a hawk. He chuckled at her reply and reached out to one of the bookshelves where a large book rested.

 

“If you like war books I would recommend this one since the one you are currently reading is the one the lord wants no one to touch.”

 

“Oops. Oh well.” Tsuki put the book down on the stack where it belonged and took the book the demon handed to her.

 

The man smiled, but it was a sad one. The purple haired teen noticed and got closer to look him in his eyes. “What's wrong?”

 

The demon placed the books Tsuki set down moments ago in the correct order so as not to anger the lord. “It's sad what the lord is putting you through. If we had met under different circumstances we could have been friends.”

 

Tsuki was shocked by the demons words. “What's he going to make us do exactly?”

 

The demon had stood in front of her and now showed a serious face. “He's going to enter you in a tournament. A gladiator's tournament.”

 

Tsuki had held the book to her chest now and walked to another shelf. “That's why he's keeping us? A tournament. Why would he enter us though?”

 

“Lords enter people they call “pets” into the tournament in an attempt to create stronger bonds with other lords. If a lord's pets wins he would hire them for whatever job they asked for or if the lord has no need for them he will kill them and since your human I don't expect you to last long even after the tournament.”

 

Tsuki had sat on the floor and began rubbing her temple. It made sense that they would be expected to earn their jobs, but not like this. Tsuki looked up as she heard the sound of swift steps behind her. She swiveled on her bum and looked up at the new arrival. Upon realizing who it was she quickly stood, but was once again tripped by the lounge chair. Tsuki yelped as she flipped over the chair and felt the cold marble meet her back.

 

Tsuki groaned from behind the chair. She had not meant to embarrass herself in front of the lord and the other demon. As she sat up she rubbed the spot on the back of her head that connected with the floor and winced when she felt the growing knot.

 

The lord and demon watched as she got up slowly this time. She knew she was in trouble by the cold stare she received from the lord and the sympathetic one from the black haired demon. The lord walked forward and grabbed one of the books on top of the stack.

 

“Who told you, you could come in here and read this book?”

 

Tsuki walked to the floor to the book she dropped during her fall. “No one.”

 

She picked it up nervously knowing the lord was glaring at her now. “You shouldn't put your nose where it doesn't belong.”

 

Tsuki once again rubbed her temples in aggravation. “I wasn't aware that I`m not allowed to be here and furthermore I don't know much about the rules here so you can't expect much. I am “human” after all.” Tsuki's icy reply had stunned the other demon in the room and irritated the lord.

 

“I won't hesitate to beat you again if you go too far.” Tsuki looked angrily at the lord's back as he turned and grabbed the book from the stack and turned to talk to the other demon quietly. He handed the demon the book before walking out of view.

 

The demon looked behind him to make sure the lord was gone and strode over to Tsuki's side. He grinned and put the book that had been in the lord's private stack into her hands.

 

“While you were glaring at the lord's back he told me to give this to you and provide you with any other book you need before escorting you to your room.”

 

Tsuki was puzzled at the demon's statement. “Are you joking?”

 

The demon had grabbed a cart from a corner and chuckled as he saw her eyes widen.

 

“Nope.”

 

)O(

 

Nami sniggered when she had found out that blue haired demon's name was Mizu. The word for water.

 

“What are you laughing at?” Nami struggled to keep her laughs in and eventually fell over laughing. “I'm sorry! It's just your name is so…girly!”

 

Mizu playfully poked the girl that was presently on the floor with his foot. “Shut up! At least my name isn't NAMI. God forbid I be named something as horrid as that!”

 

The redhead rolled her eyes at the males antics. “There is nothing wrong with my name. In fact I think my name suits me.” Mizu snorted at her comment.

 

“Your name means wave and mine means water. I think it's ironic.” Nami silently agreed with Mizu with a nod and headed towards the entrance of the library. When she walked out the door she decided to walk out towards the ledge of the balcony. Mizu had sat on the railing beside her with his feet dangling in the air while she simply leaned on it. She began to wring her hands in anxiety at the thought of having to go into the tournament. She had found out from Mizu that the tournament was two days away and failure to compete resulted in instant death.

 

Mizu had thoroughly explained the manners of the competition, but some parts continued to remain foggy. The demon told her that the lords would bring large groups and more groups than necessary most times, while others brought in very small groups, which didn't make sense to the redhead at all. If a lord wanted their team to win why did he bring small groups?

 

Mizu recognized the troubled expression on Nami's face and seemed to know what she was thinking.

 

“What part of the tournament confuses you?”

 

Nami sat up on the railing and held the two books she originally had on her lap before asking her question. “If lords want to win why do some have such small groups?”

 

“Either the lord is confident of the pets or he didn't come there to win.”

 

Nami groaned knowing there was more to the explanation. “Why would he not come there to win?”

 

“Lords usually go to tournaments to make stronger bonds and hope for future alliances when they participate with other lords during the tournament and sometimes a little bloodshed may do the trick.”

 

“Oh…gosh. Lord Sesshomaru is going to bring just us two so the other lords can watch us be stabbed with joy!”

 

“That would be the idea.” Both Mizu and Nami looked up to find two people standing near them. One was Tsuki and the other was the demon who had spoken.

Tsuki sat beside the ledge of the balcony and placed four books beside her that she collected from the library. “Kasai already told me about the tournament.”

 

Nami sighed, “It sucks. Do you think we still have to train tomorrow?”

 

Tsuki grabbed her books and paused before returning to her room. “I know I am. I'm tired so I think I'll go rest.” Nami nodded before muttering a `me too'.

 

Kasai strode along beside Tsuki. Tsuki looked curiously in his direction. “Are you staying near by?”

 

Mizu was the one to speak up this time. “Actually we'll be sharing a room.”

 

Nami frowned at this and threw an annoyed look towards Tsuki's direction. “We're getting babysitted because of you.”

 

“Shut up and go to sleep.”

 

)O(

 

Nami felt the sun on her face as she groggily woke up. She looked over to her right to find everyone already awake. Mizu was lounging on the cushions in the corner while Kasai and Tsuki sat on the other futon looking through the books picked out from last night. Nami sat up from her futon and rubbed her eyes. “How come you guys didn't wake me up?”

 

“We thought about it, but you stopped snoring so we didn't care anymore.”

 

“I don't snore…” Nami replied annoyed. Mizu grinned and with a quick flip was on his feet and in Nami's face. “How do you know you don't snore if your never awake to hear it?” It was more of a statement than an answer and Nami knew he was right.

 

“Oh, whatever.” Nami got up and stretched before walking over to the bathroom to wash her face. She groaned as her stomach growled at her. “What's for breakfeast?”

 

Mizu had walked into the bathroom and sat down on the floor. “ You slept passed noon. It's lunch time now.”

 

“Well, I'm hungry. Are their any kitchens?”

 

Mizu stood and gestered for everyone to follow him.

 

They were soon walking through the same halls they had been through the previous day. They made a sharp left and made their way down to what looked like servants quarters because of the loss of decorations. Mizu had stopped in front of an oak door and call out to it. “Anybody in here? The lords guests are hungry.”

 

The group backed up as the door roughly swung open. In the entrance was a girl the same age as Tsuki and Nami. Her light blue hair reached down to her knees despite it being in a high ponytail. Her gray eyes were light and had a rim of green on the edges. She wore a loose blue shirt that hung off one of her shoulders and a silver necklace around her neck. Her pants ended above her knees and she wore black work sandals, rough from working a lot.

 

“Hey Mizu! The food is already done. It's on the counter so you guys can just help yourself.” She paused finally noticing the two girls. “Hello, I'm Umi. You guys are the guards, right? The lord is nicer since you guys came. I guess after he beat one of you up he relaxed. Which one did he beat up?”

 

A nervous laugh came from the older of the two. “That would be me.”

 

The blue haired girl's eyes widened. “Everybody here knows about you! Jakken went and told all the help of how you didn't back down. If anybody outside the palace heard of that you'd be well respected.”

 

Nami yawned, “I fought too…” Umi smilied, “I know, but you didn't argue with the lord. Your friend is lucky to be alive. He must like you.”

 

Both Nami and Tsuki looked at eachother when this was said. Tsuki then walked around Umi to the other side of the door. “He doesn't like me and even if he did he has a weird way of showing it.”

 

Nami nodded in agreement and quickly made her way in when the aroma of rice reached her nose.

 

)O(

 

The group of four made their way to their room after lunch.

 

Nami had thought about the two books sitting on the edge of her futon. Somehow she was lured to them. Before she was aware of it she had sat on the floor and flipped through the pages of the brown leather book titled book of heaven. Her eyes skimmed one of the pages which seemed uninteresting since it described the shape of a cloud. Nami rolled her eyes as she read the details. The beautiful book on the outside looked like a very old science book on the inside. Her eyes shifted through the words until she reached the bottom. In calligraphy was an inscription for a hex. A spell to be exact.

 

She quickly picked up the other book and flipped to the first page. Both the pages looked identical except the language was different and the picture of the cloud was replaced with a heavily thorned rose. (sp ignore this) Nami looked around and realized it had darkened outside. What seemed like five minutes had been hours passing by. She knew it had been daylight when she flipped through the other book. She looked up at the door as it slid open.

 

Tsuki walked across the room and sat on her futon tired and sweaty from what she guessed was training. Mizu snored lightly from his plush spot in the cushions while Kasai had managed to look comfortable on the floor beside Tsuki. She slid the book in her hand over to the purple haired teen.

 

“Read that.”

 

The purple haired teen looked curious as she picked up the book and skimmed the first page. Her eyes widened slightly as they found the bottom. “That's an incantation.”

 

Nami crawled over to the other girls futon with her book and looked down at the page of the rose. The words seem even more complicated as the redhead looked down at them.

 

“You can understand it, but I can't.” The elder held the other book in her hand after switching and furrowed her brows.

 

“Your book is different too. You can't read this book and I can't read that one.”

 

Nami switched the books and once more flipped through the pages of “her” book. She grinned as a thought came to her.

 

“We should use these for the tournament!”

 

Tsuki blanked as a thought hit her. “Do we know how to do these?”

 

“Uh…no.”

 

Tsuki rolled her eyes and stood in the center of the room with book in hand. She cracked her neck, closed her eyes, and stuck her finger in a random spot in the leather, covered book. She opened the book and her eyes met the first spell on the page. As she read the spell the air grew gold and shadows quickly covered the room. The floor beneath her glowed blue before dark crystals encased her feet.

 

“I think you may be on to something.”

 

 

(1) I'm not sure if this is true with all dogs when they are searching for something, but my dog makes trails by taking out plants and I'd thought I'd use it.

 

(2) I made the character Nami like my friend and she likes to explore a lot so…