InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Siren Sisters ❯ The Cold ( Chapter 12 )

CHAPTER 12: THE COLD

 

Midnight nickered and neighed as Kagome approached his stall; somehow on an unconscious level he knew he was going somewhere. Kagome smiled at him and she retrieved a piece of carrot from her pocket. Rin would be so mad if she knew Kagome took it, but she couldn't help but to spoil Midnight. He was her baby, her little boy in a big beautiful horse's body. She presented the treat palm up, and his took it with his big lips, yellow teeth munching happily. She looked back to the barn door. They would be fine on their own, it was an early afternoon lull right now, so not many people would be coming for some time. She just hoped she could leave before—

 

“Kagome-chan!”

 

Kagome winced and ended her sentence mentally. Before she ran into him. She turned and gave him a gentle smile and waved a little, “afternoon Hojo.”

 

The said man jogged up to her, Midnight giving him the eye. Roughly translated, it would mean, `you've got to be kidding…' Hojo looked over Midnight, eyes widening slightly at the sheer size of the animal. Midnight would have raised a brow if it were noticeable. But Hojo quickly came back to his senses and smiled boyishly at Kagome. She wanted to run away. He was damn well persistent. “Afternoon, Kagome-chan. I saw you coming out to the barn and thought I'd come to pick up my horse. I'm heading into town for my grandmother's, staying for some time.”

 

Kagome nodded like she was suppose to, and unlatched Midnight's stall. “How nice. So you're leaving us?” please on every god make him leave!

 

Hojo nodded eagerly, and grabbed the bridle from the stall door next to Midnight's. Inside was a nice gray mare, sweet tempered and mellow, and Kagome was afraid the boy was much too energetic for a horse like that. But it wasn't hers, though she was sure Dolly wouldn't mind the company if she bought her. Kagome backed up and Midnight followed from his stall, head held high with his neck arched impressively. She wanted to smirk. He was obviously trying to intimidate someone…it worked a bit, as Hojo backed a foot or two from the horse, hands tightening on the bridle. Midnight snorted arrogantly. Kagome hide her grin. Okay, she was enjoying this too much, time for business. Hojo watched wide eyed as Kagome clucked her tongue, turning to leave the barn, and the big stallion gave Hojo one last glance before following, swishing his tail smugly.

 

Once out in the sunlight, the fresh breeze ruffling the horse's mane and Kagome's loose braid, she patted his neck affectionately, “good boy.”

 

He threw his head and snorted, pawing the ground with one hoof. That was obviously, `you're welcome'. Kagome chuckled to herself as she jumped and threw a leg over the beast's bare back, strong thighs gripping the horse as she grabbed a handful of mane in each hand. She kicked with her heels, and midnight was off like a wild cat. This was one of the things Kagome most enjoyed. She loved the warmth of the horse under her, muscles bunching and releasing as each step was taken, the expansion of its lungs as they breathed deeply for air. His glorious mane whipped at her face, and the thundering of his hooves became her heartbeat. She could live off this energy, this wild need to run like the wild herds of the past. She closed her eyes, trusting Midnight completely not to toss or lose her, and leaned closer to his neck. Heat radiated off him, and her head swam with visions of her home. Of rolling green hills, glowing like emeralds as the morning sun hit dew. Of the roaring waves below the cliffs, becoming mammoth walls of water whenever a storm hit hard, breaking to white foam on the cliff walls.

 

But all too soon her little dream was ceased, and she felt midnight slow beneath her, signaling her he had no idea where to go next. It was time for her to take charge. Kagome sighed and sat up on his back, clucking her tongue to make him trot. She didn't know exactly where she was going, but she was told that all the roads in town led to the palace, where next to it stood the town gates where merchants and trading farmers must pass to exit or enter the port town. So she followed the roads, making sure to go where they all met up, and followed a large dirt road, four carts wide, north, where she was sure it would be. The forest was hushed beside her, and she took note that not many woodland creatures roamed. It confused her, the weather was fair, and no sickness tinted the air. But she moved forward nonetheless, a deepening sense of foreboding crawling up her spine. She gasped as she came upon the palace gates, the palace a master piece behind wooden and stones walls.

 

It was traditionally Japanese, white walls raised above stone foundation. The sweeping dark tiles of the roof came up, and curls of dark wood adorned the corners of the roof, the porches and walkways surrounding the palace stained a dark cherry. From just over the wall, she could see trees in bloom, pink blossoms rustling in the breeze as the branches swayed back and forth. The air was tinted with their sweet perfume, and she had no doubt she smelled orchids as well behind the walls. The walls themselves were very intimidating, thick trees almost ten feet high cut down and buried bottom down into the ground, large spikes craved at the top. A guard post was stationed at the entrance, where a very bored looking guard stood watch. She almost frowned.

 

“Hey!” Kagome called, snapping the guard from his daydream, and he looked down at her with a frown.

 

“What?” he snapped, making her sniff with annoyance. She scowled at him, and midnight stepped in place.

 

“The Lady Nailah called for my assistance, I am a healer,” she replied just as hauntingly. He looked taken aback by her attitude and deepened his look to a glare. But no matter what he did, his lady would reprimand him if he turned the healer away. With a grumble under his breath, the man jumped down from his post and unlocked the gate. He opened the door quite easily, much to her surprise, but only when he appeared again did she see the slight pointiness to his ears. So he was a demon. She nodded appreciatively, and he growled at her. Midnight snorted at him they passed. Kagome gasped. She had one word. Beautiful. It was absolutely beautiful. The sakura trees she had seen, but the vast garden that expanded beyond the wall was breath taking. Spouts of green everywhere, bright colors flashing in the sunlight. Stone pathways made their way through the jungle of a garden, stone benches here and there. Sparrows chirped and butterflies made themselves at home among the blossoms. Never had she seen such a variety of color, of sheer wonder. It looked like the Garden of Eden, yet was the home of a demon. Talk about irony.

 

Midnight's trot was brisk and quick, and Kagome found that he was following the scent of hay when a barn came into view. She turned him to a stop, and turned curious eyes to a noise to her right. She saw something scamper out from the barn doors, a blur of rusted auburn, and as it came closer, she saw it was a small boy. He tripped a few times in his eagerness to get to her and see her to her needs like a proper stable boy, and she couldn't help but smile softly at his antics. She heard him mumble as he got up again and run the rest of the way to her. He ran on all fours, and she noticed he had little fox feet, which he tripped over once again, coming to a skidding stop next to midnight. The horse lowered his head to sniff at the little fox boy, and Kagome got off and kneeled next to him. the boy looked up to find friendly brown eyes smiling warmly at him.

 

“Are ye okay lad?” she asked gently, and the boy jumped up out of his embarrassment, dusting his clothes lightly, blushing as he patted down his light green kimono and fur vest and his ginger tan tail twitched in annoyance.

 

“Oh yeah! I'm fine, just a bit clumsy!” he coughed, scratching the back of his head. Kagome shook her head. Boys, they were all the same. His bright auburn hair shined like fire, and his eyes were as green as grass. But she stood with smile, and the boy bowed to her, “may I take your horse for water and groom him my lady?”

 

She waved her hand at him, scowling at the title, “please, call me Kagome, `my lady' makes me sound old.” She managed to get him to laugh and she patted Midnight's neck, “and I would be grateful if you took midnight for some water. You can groom'em if ye feel it, he doesn't mind a good brushing.”

 

The boy nodded his head, “yes my—I mean Kagome.”

 

She cocked her head as he hopped on to midnight, nudging the horse slightly with his fox feet. Kagome smiled as midnight walked away. It seems he likes the boy already. But she called out, “what's ye name boy?”

 

He turned around and smiled brightly, “Shippou!”

 

He waved as he entered the barn, and Kagome turned with a sigh. But shrieked when she came face to face with lady Nailah. Nailah smiled as Kagome put a hand over her heart and laughed lightly. “My men had informed me that you arrived.”

 

Kagome bowed respectively like her Granda taught her to and grinned, “ I wish I had men to tell me when you came.”

 

Nailah chuckled lightly and turned to guide Kagome into the palace. Kagome followed, eyeing the lady's light pink silk kimono and river of black hair. Now what did it take to be that beautiful? But Kagome felt her eyes wander and gawk wonderingly at the interior.

 

The floors were polished to gleam, and the walls were a homey beige color, with numerous scrolls hung about. She got to look at one as she passed, and saw the battle of a large white dog and an opposing giant insect with the looks of a man. She guessed it must have been his lordship, or a member of the family long past. Servants bustled about, cleaning and seeing to the needs of the palace. The bowed as they passed the lady, or stopped completely when she walked down a hall. Kagome felt quite put out for everyone to see. She never did like to be the center of attention.

 

Inuyasha exited the library with his eyes boring into a scroll, reading intensely as he walked about. He did this often if he found himself bored, scanning the library for anything that caught his eye. The mahogany shelves were lined to the brim, many scrolls looking ancient, and many new books that the scrolls had been converted to for ease. His bare feet patted on the wood floor, red haroi top undid to expose the white one underneath, as the library had been a bit stuffy. He was going to have to ask a maid to air it out. But now that the stale musk was replaced with fresh new air, Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks. He lifted his nose and sniffed again. The scent was flowery, lavender mixed with honeysuckle and fresh dew, and he felt the warm feeling form in his gut. He knew that scent, only one person would have that scent. And as she turned the corner with his mother, his eyes went wide with surprise.

 

She returned the expression, and Nailah couldn't help but grin as the two young people had been caught exchanging looks. The healer beside her blushed and looked to the tips of her boots, while Inuyasha quickly looked away, hastily redoing his haroi when he realized that it was open. The air of ease that once was about was replaced with hormonal tension as the to young people stole glances at each other, hoping the Nailah didn't see. Which she did. Nailah sighed. Young people these days, everything was about appearance and approach. The lady was no fool, she could obviously tell something was between these two. She knew this was the reason to why Inuyasha had so vehemently protested against Kikyou. She blinked. Oh no…if the girl beside her saw Kikyou. Nailah bit her lip ever so lightly. She had to make sure young Kagome didn't see Kikyou, for not only would it upset her, but most certainly send her son on a tirade, which could end quite ugly. She cleared her throat, which made the two jump slightly, and they focused their attention on the lady. She inclined her head and beckoned to Kagome.

 

“Shall we continue? I'm sure you'd like to see my lord before the sun sets?” she questioned comically, and Kagome smiled warmly. Inuyasha blinked at both of them.

 

“Is there something wrong with Father?” he asked, and Nailah clutched her hands. Kagome licked her lips, bringing his attention to them. So soft, rosy pink, like silk…

 

“Nothing is for certain,” Kagome answered, snapping him from his starting reverie. “But the lady asked me to come and see if there was.”

 

He nodded understanding, and hopped to the side, sweeping an arm the let them pass. Nailah giggled at his antics, and Kagome blushed when his honey warm eyes made contact with hers. Oh how she could get lost in those eyes. They followed Inuyasha's mother down the hall, Inuyasha taking the place beside Kagome, “accidentally” brushing her hand with his. She felt slow tingles slide up her arm, hot pin pricks making her gasp. He let his grin slip a little, but pulled it back. All the way, she could feel when he slid his eyes to her, could feel the heat of it flow over her in waves. She was melting like ice on the sun.

 

That ended all too abruptly.

 

It hit her like a wall, a solid block of ice slamming into her lungs. She noticed faintly that they were nearing a pair of double doors, but it blurred, and she hissed when she felt ice daggers gnawing at her gut. What was this? What were these feelings? How could she feel this? She knew nothing of magick, of fairy power or the wiccan ways. But yet…she felt this, this gouging cold tearing at her from the inside out. She was unaware when she fell to her knees, grabbing her torso in shivering pain.

 

Inuyasha had watched the whole thing happen, how her blush died all too quickly on her cheeks, and turned to a sickly pasty white. He called her name, but she neither acknowledged it nor heard it. He saw the sweat pop from her brow, as she grimaced in a pain he didn't know, as she fell to her knees gasping for breath.

 

“Kagome!” he didn't care if it was obvious he knew her, or that his mother was there. All he knew was there was something wrong with Kagome, his love, and he knew not what it was. His mother crouched beside the shivering girl, and he did the same to hurriedly gather her in his arms. She was cold as ice, and the cold sweat trickled from her brow. She was trembling horribly, and her jaw flexed as she fought back against the feelings. Her eyed rolled back as she grunted and let out a deep breath. Those chocolate orbs came back to his, clouded and confused, but soon sharpened as she shakily got up. She backed away from them as they stood, and Inuyasha wanted nothing more than to hold her. She shook her head as he stepped forward.

 

Her voice was quiet and quivering, but she spoke firmly, “aye, there be something that ails ye mate, but it's nothing I can treat. But there is something terribly wrong.”

 

Inuyasha blinked as Kagome turned sharply on her heels and ran from them. The scent of her fear tinted the air, and he took no hesitation to go after her.

 

Nailah brought her shaking hands to her lips, and look back on the double doors. Yes, something was wrong. For Lord Inutaisho sat behind those doors.

 

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