InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ She Walks In Beauty ❯ She Walks In Beauty Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Here's the next chapter….not much else to say….

 

REVIEW!

Disclaimer: ME NO OWN INUYASHA!

She Walks In Beauty

By: HayleyM425

Chapter 4

“It's the miko.”

The cold voice of Sesshoumaru immediately set me on edge. I had realized before coming back that I had friends but I also had enemies , some of which I don't even know who or what they are. All conversation in the room had stopped. Now I had two pairs of golden eyes, one indifferent, one shocked, and about 6 other pairs of red eyes staring intensely at me with mistrust. I was suddenly feeling very, very cold.

“Kagome?”

Inuyasha's questioning voice snapped me out of my little stupor and I glanced over to stare at him for the first time in 5 years. Even though he was sitting down I could tell he had grown taller. He was also more defined; his once teenage appearance had ironed out to that of a young, powerful man. His silver hair was still the same, as well as his fire rat haori. It was almost comforting to see the red billowy outfit. But this was no place to let one's guard down, for all I knew I could be surrounded by enemies.

“Let me introduce Lady Kagome,” none other than a smug Miroku said, stepping up to stand next to me.

“Meeting postponed. We will pick up where we left off in 2 hours,” said Sesshoumaru, standing up and walking out indifferently, nodding discreetly at me as he passed.

A procession of unknown Lords and Generals followed him out, leaving only Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha in the meeting room with me. I knew that nervousness was coming off me in waves as Inuyasha just continued to stare at me in shock and something else I couldn't name.

The next thing I knew, I was pulled tightly up against a warm chest, his arms wrapping around me like he never wanted to let me go. The feeling of being held by him was the same; comforting and like I was the only one in the world to him.

“cough Um…we'll leave you two alone, I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do.”

Grabbing Miroku before he could complain, Sango pulled him out of the room and shut the door. Neither of us moved, Inuyasha held onto me like I was going to vanish, I couldn't really blame him though. After all, I did vanish for 5 years.

Finally, after what felt like forever, he stepped back and just looked at me.

“Well, how are you Inuyasha,” I asked nervously, reaching up to tuck some of my hair behind my ear.

“Wench! What the hell were you thinking coming here all by yourself and unprotected! You could have been killed; this isn't like your era ya know!”

My eyebrow was twitching, and I wasn't all too rushed to stop it.

“Inuyasha, the first time I see you in 5 years and vice-versa and you're going to yell at me!”

“Well, I thought you would have grown a brain by now! Yet you're continuing to surprise me!”

Opening my mouth to retort, I paused and stared at him before laughing. His reaction made me laugh only harder. His ears lowered and his lips pulled back to reveal his long, deadly fangs that were meant to intimidate me more than anything else. His growl was steadily gaining volume as I continued to laugh, for some reason I couldn't stop and tears were starting to come out of my eyes.

It took me about 5 minutes to calm down, an irate Inu-Hanyou growling at me the whole time.

“Inuyasha, you don't know how long its been since I've laughed like that,” I glanced up at him, my eyes shimmering from the water in my eyes, “it's great to see you.”

I could tell he was uncomfortable. I mean, traveling with him for 4 years really let me get to know his habits very well. Of coarse they could have changed, it's been 5 years after all, but I was willing to bet my instincts were right.

“So, what are you doing here anyway?”

“I came to help.”

“How did you…how did you know about what's going on.”

“I actually didn't find out until a couple days ago. The well started giving off this weird aura and it would fluctuate I guess you could say. Well I went to check it out and there was this banging and the next thing I know I'm being swung onto Kirara's back and I end up at Sango and Miroku's exterminator village. They explained the situation to me and at first I couldn't help them, so I went back home, but I came back the next day and met up with them at that fort that was just attacked. And that's about it.”

The stare he gave me was slowly darkening by the second and before I could stop him he was racing out the doors, no doubt to have a little `chat' with a certain monk and exterminator.

Bringing my hands to cover my face, I shook my head and sighed, `some things never change,' I thought.

“Miko.”

Whipping around I came face to chest with none other than the Western Lord, Sesshoumaru. He was still the same. His indifferent expression and rigid `I'm better than you'll ever be' attitude.

“What is the purpose of your arrival? From what I was told by Inuyasha, he sent you back to your home after the battle with Naraku.”

Taken aback from him actually calling Inuyasha by his name and not `half-breed', it took me a second to answer him back, and even when I gave my answer it sounded lame.

“I'm here to help.”

Mentally cursing at my simpleton answer, I continued to look at him as he just stared down at me.

“Your assistance is not needed, I shall lend Aa-Un to you and you will return to your home.”

Turning around to leave, I stared in shock at him as he superiorly ended the conversation without letting me get a say.

“Excuse me! I don't need your permission to return home or your order; I was asked by Sango and Miroku to assist in this `war' and as far as I'm concerned only they are allowed to tell me when my assistance is not needed.”

I guess I had been ignoring the warning signs my miko powers were shooting at me during my speech because suddenly I was held against the wall by my neck with Sesshoumaru's poisonous claws pressed against my skin. My hands reflexively shot up to grab his wrist, my energy shooting out naturally to purify him in defense. Dropping me and pulling his hand back while stepping away from me, he did what I can only describe as a hiss before he glared coldly at me.

“In the morning, you will return back to your home.”

With that he turned and walked out the same time Inuyasha and the others walked in. I was still sitting against the wall with my glowing pinkish-purple hands held against my throat, glaring coldly at Sesshoumaru's back when they set eyes on me.

Running over to see if I was okay, I shrugged them off and told them what happened when they asked. Inuyasha's answer was to scoff and mutter, `yeah right,' while Miroku and Sango looked at me worriedly.

“Here's your room Kagome, Miroku and me are right across the hall if you need anything, and Inuyasha is the room at the end of the hall with the large black doors. Get some sleep, tomorrow we're heading out to another camp. I'll see you in the morning,” Sango said all of this in one breath as Miroku and her headed into their room.

Nodding at her I turned around and shut the door to my new room. It was a large and exquisite room, I couldn't deny that. The large white canopy bed sat against the white wall across from a large fireplace with a medium fire going to keep the room warm. A black chair and table sat in a corner next to a large oval window, showing a great view of the castle's garden.

Stepping across the plush white carpeting, tossing my shoes off along the way, I fell down face first into the soft silk bedding. Stretched out while scooting up to slip my arms underneath the pillows, I closed my eyes to relax a moment before I was going to force myself up to take a bath.

“Your funny lady.”

I swear I never jumped so high in my life. Leaping up onto the bed, I completely misjudged my position and fell over the side to land with a soft thud on the opposite end of the bed from the door.

Peaking over the bed warily I was surprised to see Shira sitting Indian style in the middle of my bed, smiling innocently at me at the same time as she smirked at my reaction.

`I gotta ask her how she does that,' I thought, reaching up to pick myself up to sit on the edge of the bed across from her, prepared to jump at the slightest threat.

“How did you get in my room?”

“I just did. Don't worry about it.”

For some reason, that didn't help to put me at ease.

“What are you doing here then, can I worry about that?”

“Just here to visit. I know all about you Kagome Higurashi. I just thought I'd get to know you, I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other real soon.”

“Is that so,” I said, my heart beat accelerating because she knew my last name. I never mentioned my last name in the Feudal Era because of obvious reasons; the only person that knows my last name is Inuyasha, well as far as I knew.

“Yup! And to warn you.”

“Warn us? About what?”

“That, Ms. Kagome, is something you'll have to find out by yourself, I can't take away all your fun now can I?

"What? What do you mean? You can't say something like that and not elaborate, at least a little."

“Well, someone's coming! I have to go! I'll see you later Kagome!”

"No wait! What did you mean!"

She vanished the exact moment there was a knock on the door. Jumping to my feet, I practically ran toward the doors. Stopping before them a second to look behind me and make sure nothing seemed odd, I grabbed the handle and opened the door.

When the doors opened I was faced with a young woman with short black hair in pigtails and a simple white and red kimono. She was very pretty, or at least I thought so, and she held an air of innocence around her that was surprising.

"Yes, can I help you," I said after a moment of silence.

"You don't remember me, do you Kagome."

Feeling guilty as soon as the words left her mouth I stared harder at her, hoping that I would recognize her. Then, out of nowhere I knew who it was and I was left standing in shock. I could'nt do anyway but stare. The young, yet mature woman before me was none other than Rin. The young girl who was always followin Sesshoumaru around.

"Rin?!?"

She stepped forward and enveloped me in a large hug, "It's good to see you sister Kagome."

I hugged her back and when she stepped back I continued to stare at her in surprise. I was having a hard time comprehending the woman before me.

"How have you been."

Forcing myself to stop staring I smiled at her.

"I'm fine Rin. How about you? Would you like to come in so we can talk?"

"I'd love to," she said, stepping into the room as I stepped out of the way to grant her entry, "and I'm doing well thank you."

We both walked over to the small set of chairs and the table next to the window overlooking the gardens. The sun was already beginning ot descend beyond the horizon and the sky was streaked with yellows, purples, and oranges.

"I heard from Sesshoumaru that you came back to help us," Rin said, sitting comfortably in the chair.

"Oh. I didn't realize that he was going to tell everyone."

"No he doesn't plan to, I just forced it out of him when he went into his study and he was clutching his smoking hand," she said, raising her eyebrow at the last part.

Laughing nervously I changed the topic.

"So what have you been up to? I haven't seen you in years. The last time I saw you, you were running after Sesshoumaru whenwe finally defeated Naraku."

"Well, when I turned 16, Sesshoumaru asked me if I would be his mate, and I said yes, but he's only courting me at the moment until I turn 18," Rin stated proudly.

"Oh my god! Congradulations! That was the last thing I expected to hear. Kind of caught me off gaurd," I said, placing my hand over hers' as I said my congrats to her.

"Oh well, that's in the past. I figured that since you most likely are being kept in the dark about whats happeneing I'd fill you in since you'll be staying to help us defeat this monster."

"What? I thought Sesshoumaru said he was going to 'send me home' as he so kindly put it," I said indignitly.

"I wouldn't worry about that. I had a little chat with him when he told me that you were here."

I smiled at that. She always had a way with Sesshoumaru. It was truly amazing. Who would have thought that the cold and emotionless Lord's weakness would be a little girl?

"Anyway...you've been told that we suspect that the main guy behind all the attacks is Naraku's predessesor right?"

"Yes."

"Good, anyhow, I don't think anyone's told you this yet and I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't, but about a week ago, before Sango and Miroku sent for you we were informed by a nearby miko that she had had a vision and was told to tell the leaders of the Demon Exterminators that 'both future and past unlock the key'. I think they understood exactly what they meant if they sent for you. It makes sense if you think about it, you are from both the past and the future."

"Both future and past unlock the key?"

"Yes. That's what I've been told. Those were the miko's exact words."

"What am I supposed to unlock then if I'm the one behind the meaning?"

"I don't know. I guess we'll know when the time comes. But for now I think I'm going to go to bed."

I glanced outside quickly and noticed the the sun had completely disappeared and the stars were shining brightly in the sky. Rin was standing up and heading toward the door by the time I glanced back at her. Standing up quickly I followed her to the door.

"It was nice to see you again Rin."

"It's nice to see you again Kagome. Sango and me will come get you in the morning for breakfast, until then big sister."

Rin made the motion to leave and opened up the large doors. As she walked out and prepared to shut them and go to bed she stopped and turned around. Looking me in the eye she said a simple line that made my heart stop.

"Inuyasha hasn't been the same since you left. I don't remember the last time I've seen him as happy and laid back as he was after he saw you earlier, not since you were last here at least."

She shut the door quietly, leaving me alone in my now cold room. The fire had burned out a long time ago, leaving the only light within the room from the outside moon. I stood there awhile longer, thinking about how much everyone had changed. This was the first time I had to think to myself in awhile. Taking a deep breath I exhaled slowly and gasped when my breath came out in a smoky cloud. Suddenly realizing that it was oddly cold I turned around completely until I landed on the window. It was wide open, the white drapes flapping serenly in the wind.

Walking quickly over to them to shut the window, it was a complete surprise when an arrow shot throught the window and cut into my cheek before implanting itself into the bed post behind me. Jumping down to not make myself an easy target in the wide open window and placing a hand over my bleeding cheek, I waited a second before jumping up and shutting the window quickly. I turned around and walked toward the arrow. Reaching up to pull out the arrow, I stopped when I noticed the black and blue swirling energy around it.

"Miasma."

Deciding to pull it out anyway, I wrapped my hand around the shaft, my purifying powers awakening and shooting outward into the arrow, I yanked it out and held it in my hand inspecting it. It was simple. Too simple. Setting it on the shelf over the fireplace, I moved to the bathroom to wash the cut. When that was finished and I had accepted the fact that there was a high possibility that a scar would form, I changed into the sleeping gown that Sango had leant to me and crawled into bed.

The last thing I remember before I fell asleep was a child's giggle and a chilly breeze blowing over me.

Okay…I'm seriously debating whether I should continue this story or not because I'm not getting any reviews…so if you want me to continue…please take the time to review!

UNTIL NEXT TIME!