InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Legend of the Labyrinth ❯ Of Women ( Chapter 14 )

  Sunset came early to the city beside the mountains, already the sun had sunk behind their towering gray peaks, the only remaining light reflecting off the clouds like burning embers of a dying fire. Eagles circled in the distance, high enough to catch the last few rays of direct sunlight, their piercing cries echoing in the silence of the evening.   Far below, Kagome watched them from the steps of the castle, leading up to the main hall. Her figure, wrapped in a pure white dress, stood out in stark contrast against the smooth gray marble of the small courtyard. Her midnight hair, held up by a metal circlet, glinted palely in the reflected light from the clouds. Indeed, one may have mistaken her for a goddess, had it not been for the small scab which remained visible on her upper arm, a souvenir from their visit to Athens.    The clothes were on loan, from the queen herself who had insisted on having Kagome’s garments washed and repaired while they stayed. She wore the complex style of clothing with an ease acquired through years of practice, her movements fluent and graceful as she sat, perched on a low wall beside a paved walkway. And yet, she did not feel comfortable in them, not so much physically, but mentally.   The last time she had worn clothes like this had been the day her country had been overrun by Crete, the day she had lost her family, everyone she knew and loved. She felt tears of frustration rising to her eyes as she recalled how she had watched the war ships moving in from the horizon, watched as their soldiers had come raging up from the shore lines, trampling their crops, overcrowding the small harbor town. Even as she fled, she watched, separated, captured, watching her home burn.   She realized now that had she been a man, she would have been able to fight, instead of helplessly watch.   Shaking her head, she recalled earlier events of the day. After the incident in the market, the group had been brought to the castle, and eventually presented to the Queen, and the king’s head advisor, the king being absent at the time. Kagome had been thrilled to discover that he had left for Delphi not two days ago, and was expected back within the week. Queen Jacosta was a kind woman, welcoming them with open arms, and even offering them a place to stay. The advisor, however…   “My Queen, with all due respect, this is no time to be entertaining guests.” To the group he explained, “Our fair city has come under hard times, and we cannot afford to strain our resources. So, I will ask you straight out, how did you come to our city?”   He was staring at Inuyasha as he spoke, but Kagome answered, “Excellency, if you please, we simply followed the road from Marathon, to enter into your fair city.”    The advisor had narrowed his eyes at her, before taking a few steps forward to pass by her, and stop several feet before Inuyasha.   “Is this true traveler? You simply walked in? You encountered no trouble with the sphinx?”   Inuyasha just proceeded to dart glances between Kagome and the advisor, having been told earlier to let her do all the talking.   “Your Excellency, I’m afraid I do not…”   “Silence woman. This concerns matters far beyond your comprehension.”   Kagome watched as an eagle swooped down, dropping from the sky like a stone. She let out a frustrated sigh.
She had of course known that such men existed within the world, but her father had always treated her as if she were, more or less equal with her brother. She was taught the same lessons from the same tutor, and learned rhetoric for public speaking and matters of running a state. She knew how to read and write better than most women twice her age. She had learned mathematics and matters concerning money handling. At home, if any man had dared belittle her, or think less of her for being a girl, her father would readily defend her and her thoughts.    But her father was not here now, and with no one to support her, the advisor had simply cast her aside within the space if a minute. He had proceeded to speak directly to Inuyasha who, despite her most pleading looks, had blown up in frustration, cursing and swearing until the advisor had also refused to speak to such a boorish, uncouth, infidel. Kagome hadn’t been able to leave it at that, not wanting to part in the bad graces of Theban royalty. So she had begged and pleaded with the advisor to wait for the arrival of Miroku, their ‘leader’, who was certainly very well spoken and much more civilized.   Another sigh, and she rubbed her temples as she felt a headache building. Inuyasha certainly hadn’t looked happy when he had left to look for the priest, and there was a good chance he was mad at her, but it couldn’t be helped. Something was going on within this city, and Kagome got the impression that they wouldn’t be be able to leave until it was cleared up. If the advisor wouldn’t speak to Inuyasha, and he wouldn’t speak to her, than their only hope for getting any information out of him was Miroku. She only prayed that the priest would be on his best behavior.   Things had started looking up a little after that. The queen had stepped in and had managed to convince the advisor to let them stay. After all, all travelers were said to be under the protection of Zeus, and the last thing the city needed at the moment was to face the wrath of another angry god. This had only increased Kagome’s feelings of foreboding. The city was being punished by a god, and they had some how ended up in the middle of it.   She and Shippo had been shown to an empty room which they could sleep in, with one for the men just down the hall. Sleeping mats and blankets were brought by servants, and clothes had been provided for Kagome. Shippo had gone off to explore the castle, leaving Kagome with nothing to do but sit, haunted by her own thoughts.   Funny, it had never bothered her before, being a woman. Whenever she had met up with some of her peers, girls her own age, she had always thought them to be brainless and air headed, concerned only with boys and their own looks. Now, thinking back, Kagome wondered if maybe the foolish one wasn’t her instead. By now, most of those girls had already been married and given birth to at least one child. Their futures were secure, and any grievances they had could be taken up by their husbands. If she had been married to a prince of another kingdom, Kagome would have convinced him to rally their own troops to come to the defense of her island when Crete had attacked. Had she been a man, she would have gone to their allies directly, and asked them to aid her in taking back her kingdom.   As it was, she had no army, no power, no allies who would listen to the demands of a woman. It made her feel bitter inside. While she was physically capable of surviving on her own, of working to make money; and mentally able and educated to do such tasks as bookkeeping, money lending, judging, or any other number of jobs, she wouldn’t be allowed to because these “matters” were all far beyond her fragile, female “comprehension”. She was in fact helpless, but only because, without a male to defend her, they could write her off as unimportant. Inuyasha and Miroku weren’t just her friends, she needed them with her in order to be taken seriously, to have someone voice her thoughts for her so that no one would realize they were those of a woman. If they were to leave…   She was chewing on her bottom lip now, trying not to be overwhelmed by this new thought. After all, Inuyasha had only come with her because he hadn’t had anything better to do, and who knows why Miroku had decided to tag along. With a grimace, Kagome remembered the angry look on Inuyasha’s face as he had stormed out of the palace in search of Miroku. Quickly she shook her head. Inuyasha would forgive her, they’d fought before after all…it wasn’t like he would stay mad at her forever. It was just some small little thing…nothing to get concerned over.   Yes, nothing to get concerned over. Biting down hard on her lip, she realized she was just worrying herself into a depression. Inuyasha wouldn’t leave her, and Miroku would hopefully be with them for a while longer yet. She couldn’t let this one little incident get to her…   “Your Highness!”   Kagome was startled out of her thoughts by a racket at the gate. Soon, the doors were opened, and a soldier was seen running up the stairs, dressed in full armor. He paid no attention to Kagome, nearly knocking her over as he ran passed in his haste to get to the main hall. The young woman caught herself, and sent a withering glare after the soldier as he disappeared into the main hall. Really, how rude!    With that, Kagome sat down again, trying hard to take her thoughts down a path that wouldn’t leave her less depressed. She had gotten instructions on how to get to Delphi from a helpful page. She had to cross over the first ridge of mountains to the east, and follow the valley beyond north for maybe a day or so. Kagome doubted it would be quite that simple, there would have to be dangers…and hadn’t the page mentioned something about a cult of Artemi….   “No! NO YOU LIE!!”   It was a very high pitched shout from the throne room. Queen Jacosta?   “You’re LYING! He can’t be dead, he can’t be!   “Your majesty please…calm.”   “I WILL NOT BE CALM!! NO!! My husband! My king! NO!”   Wandering slowly up to the open doors of the hall, Kagome stopped just before them as she registered what was being said. Jacosta’s husband, the king…dead? Kagome listened for more, but the queen had reduced to sobbing uncontrollably while the advisor spoke too quietly to be heard. She watched as some maids began to lead the queen away. Kagome bit her lip as she recalled the Queen’s kindness. How sad, but how did it happen?   “Oi wench, what the fuck is that noise?”   Kagome nearly jumped out of her skin, whirling around, hand on her heart, to face Inuyasha. She barely had time to take note of the rather cold way he regarded her before he was nearly shoved aside by a second familiar person.   “Lady Kagome! I must say, you look absolutely stunning. I nearly mistook you for a goddess!” before she could speak, he had grabbed her hand and gone down on one knee, kissing the back of her palm. Kagome felt a blush rising in her cheeks.   “Mmmm, such delicate skin. I wonder, lady Kagome, if all your skin is so soft and pure…” He went in for another kiss, but Kagome pulled away, albeit a little flustered.   “M-Miroku. Wh-” She stopped to collect herself, “Where in the name of Zeus have you been? How dare you take off on us like that! And with all our stuff too, it had better be safe!”    “Patience Lady Kagome, all will be explained in good time.” Miroku moved to walk passed her, heading for the main hall. “At the moment, there is some business I would like to discuss with the rulers of this city.”   Miroku moved away, and Kagome was again faced with Inuyasha’s piercing stare. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but Miroku…
“Miroku wait!” the priest continued undaunted towards the entrance to the main hall. “Miroku, I don’t think this would be a good tim…”   “Relax Lady Kagome, I shall handle this. You don’t need to concern yourself with these matters.”   Kagome tried not to think of how much of a dismissal that sounded as she chased after him. “No seriously Miroku! Now’s not a good time, a messenger just arrived and…”   “SILENCE!”   Kagome stopped dead in her tracks as the advisor’s voice rang throughout the hall. Miroku, undaunted, continued onwards to the front until he stood facing the stern old man. Slowly, Kagome trailed in behind him, with Inuyasha following at some distance after that. They watched as Miroku bent down on one knee, bowing deeply, before standing again. The old man acknowledged Miroku with a nod, his face revealing nothing. At length he spoke…   “So, you are Miroku, leader of this group of women and infidels?”   Miroku took a step back, allowing him the chance to cast an amused look at the rather put out looking pair behind him. Women and infidels was it?   “A yes, your Excellency. I have much to discuss with the ruler of this kingdom, but first allow me to introduce myself, my name is indeed Miroku. Miroku, high priest of Dionysus.”   He bowed slightly again, but not out of respect. If one had been able to see his face, they would have taken note of the satisfied smirk there as he observed the advisor turn various shades of angry: pink, red, crimson, and then some rather fleshy shade of purple.   “Guards! Guards! Seize them! Guards!”   From the courtyard outside, and the palace inside, the sound of clanking metal could be heard as the soldiers hastened to do the advisor’s bidding. Inuyasha however, was much quicker. Before Kagome could scream, he had run up and grabbed the advisor by the saggy flesh of his throat. Kagome’s surprised yell and Miroku’s warning shout stopped the half god beast from tearing the advisor a new hole to breath from, but he refused to relinquish his grip. The soldiers filed into the room, but stayed far away from the band of travelers.   “Don’t worry about me, even if I die, kill…” he was cut off with a quiet choke as Inuyasha began to squeeze the flesh in his hand. Unsure, the soldiers began to advance. Miroku thought quickly.   “Not another step!” The soldiers paused, once again uncertain. Behind him, the advisor was turning slightly blue. Miroku continued, “The next person who moves to attack dies by Inuyasha’s hand! The man is half-god beast, and will kill without hesitation.”   Miroku winced as Inuyasha’s growl increased a notch in volume shot the priest with a fierce glare.   “Sorry Inuyasha, it is necessary…” He said it low enough that only the hanyou would hear. The glare became sour, but the growling did slightly abate. The guards also seemed to shift back slightly.   “Inuyasha, let him go!” Kagome was concerned for the old man’s safety, she didn’t think he could breathe.   Inuyasha answered without looking at her, “Keh, why should I wench!”   “Thank you Inuyasha, that is enough.” The half-god-beast regarded the Priest for a second, before slowly easing up on his grip, allowing the advisor to stumble to the ground. In an instant Kagome was beside him, apologizing profusely, and helping the old man to his feet. She spared a second to turn glare at her golden eyed companion.   “Inuyasha, how could you! He’s just an old man!”   “Keh! Shows what you know bitch! I just saved you’re stupid ass.”   “Now, now Inuyasha…” Miroku didn’t think this was time for a lover’s quarrel.   “Move on! I may be old but I am not so frail as to require the assistance of a woman to stand.” The argument was halted as the advisor stood and spoke, shrugging off Kagome’s hand and stepping away from her in distaste. The girl looked like she was about to protest, but...stopped. She was looking at Inuyasha, Miroku noted, a rather pleading look in her eyes.   Inuyasha, of course, didn’t seem to notice, and any chance Miroku would have taken was lost as the advisor turned to him and spoke.   “Bastard, say your peace and then leave our fair city immediately.”   Miroku’s eyebrow ticked. Any other insult, and the priest wouldn’t have minded…but now it was personal.   “Ah yes, your Excellency, as I was saying, I would like to speak with the ruler of this kingdom, regarding the current…er…situation your lovely city is in.”   The advisor narrowed his eyes, “And what do you know of the condition of our fair city.”   Miroku’s face lit up with a mischievous smile. “I have it on good authority that the city is being plagued by a sphinx, sent here by my lord Dionysus. It seems the king of this city, no doubt as per some misguided advice, was convinced to omit my God from his due worship.” He flashed the advisor a winning smile and was almost certain he heard the advisor growl. He continued, undaunted. “Your Excellency, I have come here in the name of my god to free your city from the curse of the sphinx, provided that your king is willing to repent his passed transgressions by fulfilling certain demands I make in the name of my god.”   Miroku caught Kagome eying him suspiciously. He flashed her his most conspiring smile, complete with a wink for encouragement, before turning back to the advisor. The man frowned thoughtfully.   “How exactly do you, so called priest of a bastard,  plan on defeating the sphinx where many of our best warriors have failed.”   Miroku’s eyebrow ticked twice at the double insult, but his smile remained unwavering.   “That is none of your concern, all you need to know is that I shall do the deed only after the King has sworn a sacred oath that he will meet my demands, as specified.”   “And what are your demands? I can make you no promises.”   “I am aware of that, which is why I must ask to speak to the king. Surely, he will be interested in the welfare of his kingdom, you should fetch him immediately.”   “The king is indisposed at the moment.”   “And how long will he be indisposed for?”   “That is none of your concern, priest!”   “…Miroku….”   Miroku briefly turned his attention to the young woman before him. She spoke quietly, “Miroku, the King is dead, a messenger arrived…”   “SILENCE!! Woman, know your place!” Inuyasha flattened his ears as the shout echoed off the marble walls. To Miroku, the advisor added, “Nothing has been confirmed, as far as I am concerned, the King is still alive, and will return at the end of the week. If you wish to wait until then, so be it. You have your rooms. Good night!” And with that, the advisor turned, storming out of the room, his whole demeanor radiating rage.   Miroku smiled. “Well, that went quite well, thank you Kagome, Inuyasha…”   He turned to find the pair too busy ignoring each other to listen to what the monk had to say. He sighed, this was going to be a long night.   *~*~*~*~*   Kagome sighed, slumping down on her sleeping mat in the corner of the room. She was trying to convince herself that they didn’t mean it, not really. That, that…jerk of an advisor just had her feeling self conscious, that was all. Inuyasha was just ticked off about something, and they’d sort it out in the end. Miroku’s plan to get rid of the sphinx wasn’t anything weird or dangerous, he wasn’t trying to hide it from her at all. It would all work out in the end, she would see. She had to think optimistically about these things, isn’t that what her mother had taught her? Thinking negatively would only make those thought’s come true, right?   “Kagome!”   She looked up as Shippo came bounding into the room, a happy smile upon his face. It was a contagious smile, as Kagome soon found herself grinning in return as she took the boy in her arms and held him in her lap. “Hello Shippo, did you like the castle?”   The little boy nodded vigorously in answer. “Uh-huh, uh-huh! I went all over, and I found the gardens, and the biggest bed you’ve ever seen Kagome, and a dinning hall, and the Kitchen! You don’t have to worry about giving me dinner Kagome, this old lady in the kitchen was really nice and she gave me some food, but it was kinda weird. Kagome, do people in castles always eat pickled vegetables and rice? Anyway, so, I was in the garden an…”   At the reminder of food, Kagome’s stomach gave a rumble and she realized that she hadn’t eaten anything since midday.   “Shippo, hold on a second, I’m gust going to go next door to see if Miroku has any food.”   The kit stopped his castle explorations and politely hopped off of her lap, allowing her to stand. “Okay Kagome.”   *~*~*~*~*   There was a knock on the door. Miroku stopped talking long enough to glance at Inuyasha, know that the half god beast already knew who it was.   “Keh! What do you want wench?”   Kagome, was calling on him at this hour, oh happy day!   “Sorry, to bother you, I just need to grab the bag with our food in it, I’m starved.”   Oh shit!   “Ah-hahaha…Sorry Lady Kagome, Inuyasha and I are in the middle of an important meeting right now. Why don’t you go see if the kitchen has any…” Miroku held his breath through the long pause that followed.   “…what are you two talking about in there? Is it about your plan Miroku. You’d better tell me what it is soon, or else…”   “Ahahaha…no, of course not Lady Kagome. We were just discussing manly issues, nothing to be worried about.”   “Then why did you say you were in an important meeting?”   Oh, fuck, he was caught on that one…   “I’m coming in there…”   “No! Don’t!” The monk instantly plastered himself to the door, preventing Kagome from opening it. “I mean, uh…hahaha…well, the truth is Kagome, I’m not dressed and well…”   “Keh! Go away wench, you’re not wanted.”   There was a long pause. Miroku held his breath.   “Oh…” at the sound of retreating feet, Miroku heaved a sigh of relief.   “Okay letcher. Why can’t I smell food in here anywhere?”   At the sound of growling behind him, Miroku almost heaved up his lunch. “I-Inuyasha…uh…I can explain…”   The half demon stood there, the yellow of the candle light making his eyes glow dangerously. “Talk fast lecher…”   “Well…” gulp, “…you see, the truth is, I gave it all to a poor starving little boy. H-he was being beaten up by a bunch of kids, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him…” Well, that was the truth, mostly.   Inuyasha, however, had never been one for pity…and Miroku gulped as his growl increased in volume.   “…Wait, wait…I can get it back, promise! Just think Inuyasha, if we defeat the sphinx, they’ll give us whatever we want! We can ask for a whole cart load of food, and slaves to carry it!”   “What do you mean we defeat the sphinx? I thought you were going to do that, letcher.”   “Well, I am. Uh…but your help would be greatly appreciated. Just think Inuyasha, you’ll be a hero! They’ll write songs about you for years to come.”   Inuyasha continued to regard the priest suspiciously, but soon he turned, stalking back to his sleeping mat and sitting down, sword propped against his chest.   “Talk, priest.”   *~*~*~*~*   After waiting a moment for her tears to subside, Kagome went back to her room. As much as she hated to admit it, Inuyasha’s words stung. Sure he was usually gruff, impolite, and painfully blunt…but still…did he have to be so, so…   “Kagome!”   She tried to force a smile as Shippo bounded up to her with a smiling face. It must have come out lopsided though.   “Kagome, what’s wrong, didn’t you get the food? Is Inuyasha hogging it all to himself?”   Oh yeah, the food. “Um, no Shippo, I didn’t get any…um…” she had completely forgot the food in favour of trying to figure out what they were talking about that was so important. And Miroku, naked? What where they doing in there.   “Ooooh, that jerk! I’m going to go bite his ears off!” and with that he raced off towards the door. Wait, ears...”Shippo wait.”   “Um…I mean uh…they’re not hogging the food, they’re um…we’re playing a game!” Oh please buy it, please buy it.   “A game?” Shippo looked confused. Kagome nodded vigorously.   “Uh huh, a game, but,” and she lowered her voice, “It’s a spying game, to find the food, and I need your help. Would you help me Shippo?”   “SURE!” Kagome cringed, and made a shushing motion. “Oh, I mean sure…what do you want me to do Kagome?”   Kagome glanced at the marble wall which separated the two rooms. Quietly, conscious of Inuyasha’s own super hearing, she crept up to it, and pressed her ear to it’s cold surface, she made a motion for Shippo to do the same.   “Can you hear what they’re saying Shippo?” Kagome herself could only make out muffled noises. But the kit began nodding eagerly. “Yup, I can hear every word!”   “Shhhhhh!” Kagome cringed again, but calmed when the murmurs continued. Shippo apologized, and then went still. Kagome waited…   and waited…   …   “Shippo, what are they talking about?”   “Shhh!”   …   Slowly, the child peeled his ear from the wall and shook his head. “I dunno Kagome, it doesn’t make any sense.”   Kagome frowned, “Well, tell me anyway, maybe it’s code?”   Shippo listened for a bit more and then turned to her, still confused. “I dunno, they’re talking about sinks. Miroku says that to get rid of the sinks, you have to answer a riddle, and if you get it wrong, then the sinks kills you. He wants Inuyasha to help him get rid of the sinks by buying him time…” Shippo shook his head again, “What do they mean Kagome, is the food buried in quicksand or something?”   Kagome thought about it for a moment. Sinks, sinks…sphinx! They were talking about the sphinx! Ohh, that lying…“What are they saying now Shippo?”   Shippo began listening again, his face becoming more confused by the second. “I think they’ve gone loony Kagome, Miroku’s saying about how after they defeat the sinks, he thinks he might ask them to make him a king, and he wants to know if Inuyasha wants to stay with him and be a bodyguard…are you okay Kagome?”   Kagome swallowed several times, in an attempt to get her throat working again. “Wh-what did Inuyasha say?”   Shippo listened again.   “…he said yes.”   The room was deadly silent for a moment, mostly because Kagome couldn’t bring herself to speak.   “Kagome? Kagome? Are you okay? Do you know where the food is yet? Do you want me to go find it for you?”   Kagome cleared her throat for a moment, blinking back tears.   “Kagome?”   “Ahem. Yeah, I-I think I have a clue where it might be…Shippo, you said they had a kitchen in the castle, is there a sink there?”   Shippo’s eyes grew wide with understanding. “Ah! You’re right! I’ll go look for it Kagome, I’ll be back right away! Don’t worry, you can count on me!”   Her smile was a bit more genuine this time, Shippon was glad to see as he scampered away. He wasn’t sure exactly what was wrong, but if finding the food for Kagome would make her happy, then he would do it as fast as he could.   As soon as Shippo left, Kagome walked out of the room, and closed the door, heading down the hall in the opposite direction Shippo had taken. She just needed to go for a walk, she thought, scrubbing tears from her eyes. A walk would help her put her thoughts in order. She would figure out what to do then, it would be no problem. She would be okay, everything would be fine…   *~*~*~*~*   Inuyasha sat on the roof of the palace, gazing quietly at the moon, and the stars. Keh, stupid wench, did she actually think that he hadn’t been able to hear her? And he couldn’t believe Shippo had actually bought her excuse, how stupid could you get, a game to hide food? And Kagome thought that he was the dumb one. Keh, yeah right.   A scowl crosses his face as he recalled what had happened that afternoon. She had told him not to say a word, like he would mess it all up as if he said anything. And then when that idiot had started ignoring her and he’d been forced to talk, she’d looked horrified at everything that had left his mouth, shaking her head and mouthing words behind the old geezer’s back. What, was he supposed to be a mind reader. She had wanted him to grovel at that asshole’s feet! No way in Hades he was doing that! Not as long as he lived!   And then there was the fucking priest. No, she didn’t like what he had to say, but she would listen to the letcher, call him their “leader” and ask him to go fetch the bastard as if he were some kind of lowlife dog. She let the fucker kiss her hand and shit, but she had yelled at him for choking the old geezer while trying to protect her, and then let the bastard push her around like some kind of…fucking…god or something, Keh!   And then there was that dress…fucking. Yeah, he had always know that she was a princess and stuff, but…but she had never dressed like it before. What was wrong with her normal clothes anyway. But then the snob probably liked dressing in that white, frilly shit anyway. Fucking stuck up…no wonder she didn’t want anything to do with him. After all, who was he but the guy who had saved her life fifty times. Just some monster to her, that was all he was. She was no better than the rest of them, fucking whore…bitch…wench…     He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath, and letting it all out.   …so why did it bother him so much? Why did it…hurt…   …Maybe he really would stay with Miroku if they beat the sphinx. Not that he trusted the lecher in any way, but the guy was too afraid of him to try anything stupid. It might not be such a bad life, he’d have a room and all the food he could eat. Kagome would go off and find her family and be happy with them. The plan sounded simple enough. Miroku would ask the riddle, and Inuyasha would fight this sphinx, whatever it was, until Miroku found the answer to the riddle and killed the bastard for good. It should be a piece of cake. He’d never met a god beast he couldn’t kill.   No…he wasn’t going to think of Sessoumaru, or what had happened after, with Kagome, and the poison, and the wounds, her touch…    Fuck.   “Kagomeeee!”   Inuy asha almost sighed in relief; finally a distraction. Looking around, he sniffed the air once, and twisted his ears a bit to the right. There, he’d located the runt, now to go bug him. Hehehe…   The young fox was wandering around the main hall, now abandoned to the night. A pair of guards sat, sleeping by the entrance. It was a wonder Shippo didn’t wake them up with all his yelling. Keh, deaf humans.   “Kagomeeee!”   “Oi runt, quit with all that racket. People are trying to sleep here!” Inuyasha had snuck up so quietly behind the kit that the poor boy must have jumped two feet into the air. The half god beast smirked in spite of an attempt to keep a straight face.   “Inuyasha! You…you JERK!”   Okay, he wasn’t smirking now. Shippo had jumped him, and proceeded to try to bite his ears and pull at his hair. The older demon growled and yanked the boy off. “Oi, what was that for?”   “You jerk! It’s all your fault! You made Kagome sad, and now I can’t find her! And I didn’t find the food either! I looked and I looked…it’s all you fault! Bwaaahahaha!! Kagomeeeee! Whhhaaaaaa!”   Inuyasha was quick to try and clamp his hands over the boys mouth, but Shippo was a good squirmer. It wasn’t until Inuyasha pinned the boy against his own chest with one hand that he managed to secure the other one over the boys mouth and silence him for good. Apparently the guards weren’t completely deaf either, and Inuyasha was forced to make an escape out of the front doors before either came to their senses enough to see what was going on. Finally, he landed on a nearby roof, and looked down sternly at the kit in his arms.   “What do you mean you can’t find Kagome stupid. She’s in her room, sleeping.”   Shippo struggled under Inuyasha’s grip to shake his head in the negative. Eventually, Inuyasha released his grip on the kit’s mouth, after warning to keep quiet or else.   “Nuh-uh. She’s not in her room, I checked, and then I looked all over the castle, but I couldn’t find her. The only place I smelled her was by the gate, but she couldn’t be there, because if she went there it means she left the castle, and she wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t leave me! She must be hiding from you, because you’re so mean to her and you make her sad. It’s all your fault, meanie!” The kit took this moment to chomp down hard on Inuyasha’s hand, until the half god beast was forced to release him. Shippo scurried off over the roof top, yelling Kagome’s name at the top of his lungs. Inuyasha winced, the castle people weren’t going to be happy with them tomorrow…   But more importantly, where was Kagome? She wouldn’t have been stupid enough to wander into the city alone would she? The people there were hungry enough to eat her alive.   Still, he went to the gate to see exactly what Shippo had been smelling. Jogging lightly (for him anyway) he followed the castle wall around to the front gate, and landed just inside, sniffing…   Strange…sure smelled like Kagome…   Concerned, he leapt easily over to the other side of the wall as well. He landed, sniffed, and scowled.   Of all the stupid, fucking, moronic things for the bitch to do! What in Hades was she thinking?    *~*~*~*~*   Okay beta readers, here’s a problem for you…what now. I could either:   A)    Have Inuyasha go and find Kagome, yell at her, bring her back to the castle, and then have the battle of the sphinx happen the next day, or B)     Have Kagome go challenge the sphinx by herself, and then have Inuyasha come save her in the nick of time.   I was rather planning on A, because I can focus more on Miroku then, as I had wanted to. However, with the way things are going, B actually makes more sense.   Either way, what has to happen is: the advisor has to announce to the city that whoever kills the sphinx gets to marry the queen, and thus be king. Kagome answers the riddle, kills the sphinx, but only after she sees Hojo walking up with his cane (Oedipus). When she admits that it was Hojo who gave her the idea, the whole city starts praises Hojo as the one who killed the sphinx (because you can’t have a woman ruling the country) and Miroku feels dejected, and the group continues on their merry way.                   &n bsp;