InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part III): Loss of the Demon Soul ❯ Castle in the Fog ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter Four

Castle in the Fog

It took them nearly two hours to get to the castle. Miroku was resting over Kilala's scruff, Kagome sitting behind him holding onto him tightly. Sesshoumaru sat behind her, not liking the state of hysteria the priestess had been in. She now seemed to be deep in thought and he believed that she was contemplating ways to enter into the monk's dreams.

Once at the castle, Miroku was moved to a bed and Kagome stayed at his side trying desperately to will him to fight off the demoness and her power over him. Sesshoumaru stood in the door watching her, fearful that she would either again attempt to use her powers on him, or try to enter into his dream state. He had sent the large cat back to get his brother, demon exterminator and the children.

Finally he turned from the room and sought out Jaken. He ordered his servant to remain near the monk and priestess. "If she attempts to use any of her powers on him, come get me immediately." The imp stared up at Sesshoumaru but wisely mentioned nothing of his transformation to a human. Sesshoumaru then sat out to find Rin. She was in her room playing quietly.

"Rin, have you on your best behavior while I was away." The girl shouted his name and ran to him, halting when she noticed his appearance.

"Lord Sesshoumaru?" She slowly walked towards him, both afraid and intrigued by his sudden change of appearance. "What happened to Lord Sesshoumaru?" He stared down at her and finally spoke.

"Lord Sesshoumaru has changed his appearance for awhile, Rin. There are going to be guests at the castle, come with me." Rin followed him back to the room where Kagome and Miroku were.

"Kagome, I would like for you meet Rin." He said when he entered the room. He had hope that bringing the child to her, would calm her down and help her begin to think more rationally. If the monk where to be saved, she would most likely need her energy and a clear head. Kagome turned to see Rin and then moved from Miroku's side. She knelt down on the floor at Rin's level and introduced herself kindly. Rin gave her a warm smile and began immediately began bombarding her with questions.

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome interact with Rin. Her personality totally changed in front of his eyes. She spoke to the child with kindness and the terror that she had been feeling, seemed to have melted away. Finally Sesshoumaru stepped forward.

"Kagome let us take Rin out of this room. I will instruct my servants to keep a watch over the monk. If there are any changes they will retrieve us immediately." Kagome glanced over her shoulder at her sleeping friend and then slowly nodded and got to her feet. The three walked out to the gardens where Rin instantly began to run and play. She kept begging Kagome to play with her and finally the priestess was also running through the grass chasing Rin.

A short while later, Sesshoumaru entered the castle and instructed the servants to prepare a quick meal for the girls and informed them that there would be many guests for dinner. He then told Kagome and Rin that it was time for them to eat. Rin rushed ahead of them and Kagome followed Sesshoumaru to the dinning area. He sat, but did not eat. Kagome watched him for a moment and then decided to speak.

"You will need to eat too. Human's require nourishment to keep up their strength." He watched her for a moment and only nodded his head. He had no intention of eating in front of them. He still held strong to his demon pride, though he was no longer demon.

Kagome checked on Miroku and then spent more time playing with Rin. Finally Kilala returned with InuYasha, Sango, Kohaku and Shippou. Rin was ecstatic when she met the other children and she and Shippou began to play. Kohaku again returned to Kagome's side and InuYasha followed. Sango went to check on Miroku and sat with him for some time.

Kagome decided that she would go check on Sango and found her sitting on a chair that was next to the bed. She held Miroku's hand and was crying softly. Kagome too felt tears come to her eyes. It wasn't a big secret that Sango cared for Miroku and despite his lecherous ways, he too cared for her.

Kagome cleared her throat softly and Sango looked towards the door. Instantly, Kagome came to her side and embraced her. Both then looked at the monk, whom they weren't sure they would ever speak to again. They sat with him for awhile and then left to eat dinner with everyone else. Sesshoumaru ordered his servants to provide the guests with anything they needed, but he himself did not come to the dinner. That night Sango and Kagome shared a room, while InuYasha shared a room with Kohaku and Shippou.

Kagome stayed awake until she was sure Sango was asleep and then released herself into Hitomi's world, hoping to find Miroku. She was in an open field late at night. The moon was hidden behind heavy clouds and a fog was beginning to roll into the lands. Kagome was suddenly grabbed from behind and struggled to get away. A hand went over her mouth and the other arm was wrapped tightly around her. She was being dragged away, when suddenly she heard Naraku's voice whispering in her ear. She became to struggle frantically and finally broke free.

She took off in a full run, not able to see where she was going. The fog was growing thicker and she finally had to stop running so that she could catch her breath. She began to hysterically spin in circles the fog now so thick that she couldn't see more than a few inches in front of her. She could hear Naraku speaking to her. Telling her that she belonged to him, but she couldn't tell in which direction he was. The burn on her back began to tingle and could sense him nearing her.

Suddenly, she heard Miroku's voice call out to her. She stopped moving and listened for him. She focused her energy and could feel him. She ran in the direction that her instincts told her to and found herself suddenly free of the fog. She was near a very large castle, which held a lot of negative energy in it. She rushed into the door and ran through the corridors. Finally she came to a door that she could sense an immense amount of positive spiritual power behind.

She opened it and woke in the room she and Sango were sharing. She looked around and then got up. Hitomi had a barrier around the room and she had been unable to enter it. `What kind of power was that? I have never witness such a thing before.' Kagome pondered; stunned at the energy she had just come into contact with. She left her room and went to check on the monk. His prayer beads were still giving off a slight glow and he showed no signs of regaining his consciousness anytime soon. She sat there for quite awhile before she heard a voice behind her.

"You tried to find him." She turned to see Sesshoumaru standing in the doorway. She nodded and then looked back to Miroku's body.

"I'm positive I found the place she has him, but she has some sort of strange barrier up that won't allow me to enter." Sesshoumaru walked towards her and he too looked down at the monk. He then addressed Kagome.

"You are weakened right now. Both from the traumatic time you spent with that half-breed and the mark he placed upon you. For now, I believe the best course of action, would be to return to the priestess Toshi. She knows the most about the shinju, and could possibly give us some insight about Hitomi. She is a demoness with powers unlike any other I have come across. Perhaps there is a way that the priestess can restore my demon blood as well." Kagome looked up at him and then nodded. For now it was the best plan they had.