InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lady Kagome ❯ Chapter 19 ( Chapter 19 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

"Where is Inu Yasha and Kagome?" Sango asked.

Inu Yasha had disappeared from their group the night that he made Kikyo leave. Sango, Miroku, and Shippou were worried that either Inu Yasha had been dragged to Hell by Kikyo or had been run through by some incarnation of Naraku. There were no rumors of any silver- haired hanyou walking in any villages near the Ookami clan and they had ventured to Kaede’s village to find out that he had not shown up their either. Of course, after a little thought, Sango figured that Inu Yasha tried to avoid villages at all costs. Most were frightened of youkai and even when he had accompanied her, Kagome, and Miroku, people tended to shy away from him or hiss out some vulgar name towards him.

She hoped that perhaps he was with Kagome. But where was she? She had disappeared and Shippou said that she had fled in tears and run for some time that her trail had become difficult to track and even disappeared as if she had just vanished. The group was worried about her. She had her powers, but she was still untrained and now it was a few months since her disappearance that they feared her dead.

Other rumors were that she was under Sesshoumaru’s protection. It struck Sango odd as to why Sesshoumaru might actually protect Kagome, but then again, no one questioned the cold taiyoukai and his ways were so mysterious. He kept his own council, reducing his toad youkai retainer, Jaken to a mere servant. If so that she was being protected by Sesshoumaru, it was the best hope.

"Who cares where mutt face is. He just better bring back my woman," Kouga growled.

Kouga knew what the Inu-tachi thought. He feared the same, even more so for Kagome. He could not see Inu Yasha croacking anytime soon as he was tough, even as a hanyou. He also figured that the hanyou chose to journey by himself as punishment for losing Kagome. He was frustrated. So many possibilities, both positive and negative, but he was not an optimist. Youkai tended to not have as much hope as they truly survived by the day. Youkai ate youkai, unlike ningen, so it was truly a blessing to live past a millennia as some races of youkai aged faster and were killed. Kouga was only a little over six hundred years old and he had become a lord because his father was killed and eaten by a dragon youkai. The youkai of canine descent usually were blessed with long lives if lucky to not be eaten, sometimes spanning well over five millennia before any actual change due to age could be detected. He knew Lord Sesshoumaru was over a thousand years old and looked no older than a twenty year old male.

‘Focus Kouga.Your are the Prince of the Wolf clans. Inu Trasha is alive. Our woman is alive. If those rumors of her being with the Inu Lord, then hope that she really is there and the rumors are not a farce,’ he tried pepping himself up.

Kouga sensed Sango’s discomfort when referring to Kagome as ‘his woman.’

"Kouga, as you know, Kagome is a kind girl, very pure. I know you care for her, demo have you even asked Kagome how she feels? I am her friend, practically her sister and do you know what she told me?" Sango asked further.

Sango usually did not stick her nose into many things, but knowing Kagome had no romantic inclination towards Kouga and the fact that she had to listen to him constantly spouting off to her, the group, and his wolf youkai comrades that she was ‘his woman’ was getting on her nerves. She saw Miroku make a silent gesture of applauding.

‘At least he approves of me setting Kouga straight.’

"Mochiron, that she wants to be with me," Kouga smiled.

Miroku hit Koga with his staff. He was also tired or hearing about it and even though he was a monk and patience was suppose to be one of his virtues besides groping Sango’s supple butt, that he could only take so much.

"Ow! What the hell was that for you crazy houshi?" Kouga said, holding his head.

"Kouga-sama, Kagome-sama loves Inu Yasha despite his tendency to be a huge baka. She likes you as a friend. It greatly upsets her when you and Inu Yasha get into fights over her," Miroku replied. “She is very nice to many people and many gentleman have mistaken her kindness for romantic interest.”

"I don't believe you. Kagome is my woman," Kouga insisted and then growled, baring his teeth at Sango and Miroku.

"Perhaps it is best to ask neechan next time we see her," Ginta suggested as Hakkuku nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I'll ask Kagome. I'm not one to force myself on someone, but my youkai calls out for a mate and has reacted stronger towards Kagome than anyone else," Kouga replied, his ice blue eyes filled with hope for a future with Kagome.

"Perhaps Kagome-samas aura is that strong to attract many youkai. Her powers have grown over the last three years and she is a very desirable lady. If I weren't so in love with my beautiful Sango, I would definitely have pursued Kagome-sama," Miroku seductively smiled at Sango, while watching her blush.

"Houshi, don't start your lecherous behavior in my cave. You will respect Sango by keeping your hands and highly suggestive words to yourself," Kouga growled.

Although he could not help agree that Sango was easy on the eyes, he was aware of Miroku’s behavior and wondered if he learned it from his father or perhaps a habit he sadly developed in his teenage years knowing that the hole in his hand may prevent him from one day have a family.

"I will try my best Kouga-sama," Miroku replied. "My cursed hand has a mind of its own."

"Wind tunnel or not, that hand will be covered and given to my wolves if you cannot control yourself," Kouga warned, and then smiled as he watched Miroku gulp.

Sango laughed. She had begun to get use to Miroku's lecherous tendencies, but she still slapped him when he got too far. She was not ready to give her heart away yet. She still had to destory Naraku before even thinking of future plans. Of course, she wanted to settle down one day, but until she finished her goal, she could only dream of such a life. And yes, those dreams did include the perverted houshi and many children. She promised herself if that both of them lived through this that she would confess her feelings to Miroku and if he wanted her, she would bear him as many children as he wished.

At that thought, she almost stifled a laugh but kept it in. Only Kouga looked at her a bit strange and muttered something about ‘women and their secret thoughts.’

"I bet Kagome is back in Sesshoumaru's castle by now and Inu Yasha is there too," Shippou said, colouring with the crayons Kagome had given him before.

Shippou had heard the wolves bring in the rumors about Kagome’s whereabouts. He knew Lord Sesshoumaru was not very particular about ningen, but since he had taken in the little girl Rin as his ward, he did not seem so bad. He was still a fierce youkai, the scariest in all of Japan. If Kagome was with him, Shippou knew she would be okay. Sesshoumaru knew that Kagome was important. She was the miko who was to purify the jewel once Naraku was destroyed and killing her would ultimately screw his chances of maintaining the Western lands if Naraku came to hold the whole jewel.

"Sesshoumaru holds an annual ball at his palace where all the lords of the land visit. It is not far from now. I expect an invitation very soon, so instead of waiting for Inu Yasha to gt his flea filled butt here, we can all go there," Kouga said. “Hopefully, if the rumors are true, then Kagome will be there.”

"That is a good idea. I wouldn't mind a little rest time. We've been shard collecting for so long, a short break would be nice," Sango smiled as Kirara mewed her agreement.

Despite not having Kagome to locate the shards or Naraku and his incarnations more accurately, they had relied on leads from villages, both ningen and youkai. It kept them busy, but it seemed more a waiting game to see whether Inu Yasha or Kagome would turn up soon.

"Then it's settled. You'll all stay with my pack and I until the ball. You will be protected and relax," Kouga said.