InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Questions and Challanges ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8 ~ Questions and Challenges.

 

Goma-suri's hooves dug deeply into the soft dirt, his majestic head dipped low between heavily muscled forelegs as he skidded to an abrupt halt on the outskirts of the resting youkai. The action caused his terrified passenger to go sliding forward over his head and shrieking through the air at a terrifying rate.

 

Startled into action, Kuro's quick reflexes saved the frightened woman before her body could come into contact with the ground in a bone-shattering landing. Terror turned to rage and the lion youkai found himself holding onto a bundle of fury as Kagome struggled to get free.

 

“Let me go!” She screamed in anger and frustration as the horse threw back his head, releasing the amused whiny for the entire world to hear. “I'm gonna purify that hell-spawn!”

 

Kuro's arms tightened around her slender waist like steel bands, effectively trapping the struggling miko tight against his muscled chest. Scoffs and laughter filled the air as several of the younger demons found the situation amusing. Their mirth only succeeded in making Kagome angrier until she was sputtering with anger. The older, more controlled, youkai held tightly to their calm outer appearance but she could see the amusement flickering through their eyes and could feel Kuro's body quaking with the suppressed laughter.

 

“The great Miko,” Ozeki taunted, “Beat by a common horse. How pathetic.”

 

“That is not a common horse!” Kagome pointed at the retreating form of her tormentor, her deep blue eyes ablaze with fury. “That is a creature escaped from the depths of hell!”

 

Her words were met with another outburst of laughter and several more taunts from Ozeki. Taunts that were suddenly silenced when Tatsu suggested they allow the human to deal with Ozeki in the horse's absence. A call to challenge that was taken up instantly by several of those gathered. The sounds of disappointment could be audible heard when Kisho quietly told everyone that matter would have to wait until they were all better rested.

 

Kagome, realizing that she was still held by the lion, sighed in defeat, her shoulders sagging while she let the weariness fill her once more. Now that the adrenalin of the ride was wearing off, Kagome believed she could finally get some rest. “You can let go now, I'll behave.”

 

Kuro released her instantly, letting her drop to her feet before stalking off to disappear among the shadows. Freed, Kagome seated herself between Inuyasha and Shippo. She slouched tiredly, her body still feeling the effects of using too much of her power.

 

“So where did you disappear too?” Inuyasha demanded. His golden eyes still held the amusement of the others yet there was something deeper in those pale depths, a glimmer of something just beyond recognition.

 

Kagome sighed, her vision focused on the ground in front of her. After a moment of silent contemplation she told him what had happened and all that Kana had told her. Conscious of so many others listening, Kagome left out the part about the woman knowing her or that she had at one time passed through the well. It would do no good to have someone here try to use that against her.

 

“So this Kana, wants you to become stronger?” Jodan asked curiously from across the campfire where he and his brother sat. Near them, Kagome could just make out Kisho listening intently to what she had said about the lady. He received a nod in response and fell into a thoughtful silence.

 

“Lord Tatsu?” Kagome turned to look at the dragon lord. Red eyes focused on the girl from the shadows of a nearby tree, making the woman extremely nervous. “Would you have any idea who she might have been referring too if not the demon Midoriko fought against?”

 

“Why do ye ask me, miko?” Tatsu demanded, crossing muscled arms over his broad chest. The rippling of those iron muscles had Kagome shifting uncomfortably while thinking over her answer. She didn't even bother correcting him on the use of her name, it might very well have signed her death warrant, besides she held far more respect toward this one youkai then she had ever felt before in the face of his wisdom.

 

“Because your aura speaks of ancient wisdom,” Kagome began her eyes locking on Tatsu's so that he could see the truth in her words. “A wisdom that will aid us long into the days ahead. I also believe that if you hold any knowledge of the goings on of that event it will come in handy to us now.”

 

Tatsu nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. The girl's perceptiveness surprised him, so few of the younger ones listened to the elder wisdom of years before and her assumption of his knowledge of that event was well placed.

 

“Midoriko,” Tatsu said with a reverence that surprised many in the large group. It was not often a youkai held that level of respect for a human miko. “She be a great one that miko. One blast of her sword felled ten youkai at once, her powers unlike any before or since.”

 

Kagome saw a far off look forming in the crimson eyes and she knew that old memories were being played out behind them. Memories that she hoped would lead her to some information on who their enemy might be.

 

“Lord Kisho's mother and Lord Sesshomaru's grandfather stood with her that day, but she would have none of it. Told the two they be in her way,” Tatsu chuckled; not noticing the intense look Kisho was giving him.

 

“Kisho, himself were among them, stood along side me whilst the three quarreled. In the end, Midoriko won, sending both armies to protected the surrounding villages against the youkai's underlings. Only the fire-cat remained.”

 

Kagome instantly thought of Kirira's actions at Midoriko's cave when they had first entered it. She had seemed sad, a longing to stay behind with the mummified corpses.

 

“Word reached us days later that she had fallen, leaving behind the bodies of many dead demons, and the armies scattered to their own lands. Many rumors surfaced later that several of the underlings fell into a deep slumber the moment the Jewel was born, their souls cursed to join those trapped inside until they be freed by its destruction.”

 

“If this is true than the jewel must have been cleansed,” Hoben added suddenly surprise shining in the depths of his green eyes.

 

“Of course the jewel was cleansed,” Inuyasha retorted. “Kagome did that ten years ago.”

 

“That would explain a few things.” Kisho replied smoothly. “Like the means you used to become a full-blood and the sudden appearance of Sesshomaru's arm.”

 

“Yeah, it was all because of her wish.” Inuyasha grinned, pride of their accomplishments sparkling in his golden eyes. Beside him, Kagome shifted uncomfortable under the stunned stares of several in the group.

 

“That slip of a girl?” Ozeki snorted in disbelieve. “She can't be the one that was said to have helped defeat Naraku and destroyed the jewel. She's too weak.”

 

“What are you implying bear?” Inuyasha was on his feet in an instant, his hand wrapped around the hilt of Tetsusaiga. “Are you calling me a liar?”

 

“I am!” Ozeki was up, the two standing ready to come to blows several inches away from each other.

 

“Will you two knock it off?” Kagome sighed, leaning her head wearily against Shippo's shoulder. Silently she was cursing herself for taking the necklace off Inuyasha because it would come in handy right about now.

 

Both youkai ignored the woman's pleas and kept slinging insults back and forth at one another until Kuro had to break them up. The two growled at one another one last time before retreating back to where they had been sitting moments before.

 

Inuyasha turned to argue with Kagome about the reason he wouldn't let anyone insult him when he found she had fallen asleep. He heaved a sigh and turned back to stare at the fire instead. Around him the conversation turned to what the repercussions of the rescue might be, but he barely listened as he sulked.

 

Shippo just shook his head at his long time friend and adjusted enough to allow him to cradle Kagome's body. Gently he picked her up and retreated away from the others so that she might be able to rest peacefully. Feeling a bit tired himself, Shippo slept close to her so that he might hear if she needed him any time during the night and drifted off to sleep.

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Pale blonde hair drifted lazily on the night breeze and two yellow eyes stared down through the treetops at the amassed group below. The mountain cliff gave him a perfect place to spy on them without fear of detection. He had found them earlier, tracking their passage with ease. They had been forced to move slowly due to the injured ones and he had been able to catch up easily, choosing the cliff to keep an eye on them while they slept.

 

His orders were specific. He was to find out why the ambush had failed when so many of their soldiers were hidden in the tunnels below the dungeon. His master had effectively found the secret after Kisho and his men escaped, plotted the capture of the scouting party, and even orchestrated Sesshomaru's escape in order to draw the Northern Lord back to the castle. For some reason, Kisho was an important part of his master's plans and it was up to him to discover the treachery that had been used to cause the failure to occur.

 

First he had inspected the caverns, searching for the missing soldiers who were suppose to have been waiting for the rescue party to reemerge from the dungeons with the prisoner's in tow. He had been shocked to find that many of the demons lay dead where they had been hiding. A few had made it to the dungeon doorway, only to be killed while they were trying to gain access to the dungeons and the door had been tightly sealed.

 

Reports from the surviving men inside had told him that none of the Western troops were responsible for that; they had escaped through another door in the torture chamber. How they got that far to begin with was a mystery to him, because surely the prisoners would slow them down with those extensive injuries. Those left inside the castle were too few and scattered to have effectively held against the small group, but even then at least one of the prisoners should have fell under the assault. None had fallen, none of the group had succumbed to the blade or died from injuries during their flight and it baffled him.

 

It had surprised him to discover a woman in the midst of the youkai, an apparently human miko at that. The occurrence was a rarity but it might explain why no one had fallen. Miko's were well known for their healing abilities along with the rumors that most could see death's henchmen, a talent many youkai had longed for over the centuries.

 

He had watched her disappear on the white horse only to return some time later to the amusement of her companions. The girl's mishap had amused him as well and listened intently as she told the others of what had taken place. Her words had been faint from so far away and he had strained to catch them, but it was a small matter for one of his kind.

 

Below he had caught site of at least two other inu-youkai in her group. Being part of the race gave him an advantage, knowing what they could be capable of. A small smile pulled at the corner of his lips as a plan began to slowly form.

 

Rising from his spot, Iyashii sped off toward the Western Palace even as the details began to crystallize. He would meet up with the group there, passing himself off as one of the few escapees from the Northern Lands. No one would know of him, so an assumed name would not be required.

 

A smirk formed on his pale lips even as he thought about how he could use the miko to his advantage and maybe even have a little fun in the process. All he had to do was come up with a way to get closer to her without alerting anyone to his plans.

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The sun found the group on the move, not waiting for it's warming rays. Complaining could be heard from several of the younger youkai, Ozeki being the loudest of the bunch.

 

Kagome flitted from one battered body to the next, her attentions centering on Kuro's cub. She had come to learn that his name was Yasuo and they were become fast friends while she tended his quickly healing wounds. He had taken the longest to heal while many of his fellow soldiers were already nicely healed.

 

She could tell from the way the young lion spoke that he loathed the thought of going back out on the battlefield and she sympathized with him. He held a peaceful spirit, taking great pleasure in the surrounding scenery or the songs of the birds. He told her of wanting to help others and how he longed to sit under a favored shade tree in his father's holdings. Kagome couldn't keep the soft smile off her face as Yasuo recited one of his mother's favorite poems or told of how his father use to sing to her on rainy nights.

 

A few scoffs came from several of the other youkai but one glare from Kuro's tawny eyes effectively quieted those who would dare make fun of him. He allowed his son the pleasure of talking with the miko only because she seemed to take away the pain that reflected in the eyes so like his.

 

Kuro wasn't the only one who took note of the calming presence the miko seemed to hold over the group. Kisho, Tatsu and the kitsune twins watched in awe as she effectively drew even Ozeki into easy conversation where most times he seemed standoffish and solitary.

 

Most of their conversation centered on taunts and insults slung between the two causing many of their companions to laugh or make jests in their direction. All were met with the woman's bright smile and challenging eyes.

 

When she wasn't harassing Ozeki or tending to the injured, Kagome could be found near Inuyasha or Shippo catching up on old times. The two patiently answered all her questions and asked several of their own. They were cryptic questions that were not understood by most of those around them. Effectively she would answer every one leaving those listening even more confused than before.

 

They moved most of the day, stopping only to bath in a hot spring or eat as most were healed. The pace was still kept easy due to Yasuo and no one complained about it. None seemed to be in hurry to get back to the war going on.

 

Kisho and Tatsu spoke at length about the situation at hand and of the small piece of information Kagome had brought them from the unknown woman. Since she could not effectively describe the woman, many speculations were born. Too few of them still lived that were old enough to remember the event. They planned on making inquiries of several households that still stood to see if any one could remember the names of the demon's henchmen.

 

As the sun began to touch the horizon they could just begin to make out the silhouette of the western castle some distance away. Several sighs were heard through out the group as the thought of a good nights sleep became more apparent.

 

“Inuyasha!” the voice of a woman drifted to them from a distance and they could just make out the form of someone running toward them at top speed. Hearing his name, Inuyasha raced forward to sweep the figure up in his arms.

 

Shippo cast a wary glance toward Kagome, worried that the scene might cause her grief. He remembered her crying so many times the last time over the embracing couple. Strangely, he found the woman smiling happily with warmth touching her blue eyes as she watched them embrace. When the two separated, Kagome's smile widened even more as her steps quickened enough to swiftly carry her toward Kikyo.

 

“See I told you we'd bring him back.” Kagome laughed as she embraced the teary-eyed demoness. The two embraced as thought they were sisters separated for a length of time and Shippo fought to keep his chin from dropping in astonishment. Apparently, his mother's forgiving nature had won another victory.

 

“I find that once again that I am in your debt.” Kikyo replied drawing away to look down at the shorter woman. Her smile held every bit as much warmth as Kagome's did. Even with Kikyo's demonic markings, most could see the two held a slight resemblance to each other and a few began to wonder if they were indeed sisters, even thought Kagome appeared human.

 

“I did not know you had a sister, Kikyo.” Hoben spoke the words that many were wondering as the group neared them enough to be heard.

 

“She's my reincarnation. From the first time my life was taken.” Kikyo let her answer hang in the air as she turned back to talk to her husband.

 

“Come my love, Horuki awaits us at our home.” Kikyo looked back over her shoulder at Kagome a questioning look in her dark eyes. “Will you visit us when you've had a chance to rest?”

 

“Sure! I'd love to meet your son.” Kagome grinned, knowing that before she had a chance to rest she would be required to answer to Sesshomaru alongside Kisho.

 

Kikyo nodded than turned to leave, Inuyasha following after her like a lost puppy. Kagome chuckled softly at the vision it created and turned to look at the stunned Shippo at her side. Her smile widening even more. “You can close your mouth now Shippo.”

 

“Umm... are you alright?” he asked quickly shaking himself from the stupor.

 

“I'm fine.” Kagome looked toward the retreating couple, her eyes softening slightly as she looked after them. “I got over that crush years ago, so don't worry. I know now that there is someone else meant for me.”

 

“Who?” Shippo asked curiously looking at her like she was some kind of fortuneteller.

 

Kagome shrugged and then laughed at her own foolishness. “I have no clue, but I'm sure I'll find the poor soul one day.”

 

“Poor soul is right,” Shippo laughed following after the rest of the group who had left them standing in the middle of the road. “You'll drive any man crazy.”

 

“Oh thanks,” Kagome laughed threading her arm through his, the happy sound ringing through the evening air, startling the guards at the gate.

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The mirth had faded away as she stared into Sesshomaru's golden eyes, his fury radiating off him in waves belying the calm expression on his face. Beside her Kisho sat in much the same manner, his own aggression adding to the stifling heat of the study. Kagome squirmed slightly under the tense gaze as she waited for him to say something.

 

“Am I to believe that you are not yet at your full potential?” He watched her shift nervously again, her small nod confirming his earlier suspensions. “Than what do you plan on doing about this?”

 

“I don't know,” Kagome's shoulders slumped in defeat. “I guess I'll have to find someone who can train me more extensively.”

“Who do you think could do that?” Kisho asked from beside her, his golden eyes as intense as the younger lord.

 

“Well I was thinking of asking Kikyo. I'm sure she knows a lot of things I don't know.” Kagome replied thoughtfully. “And maybe I could get some of the others around here to help hone my weaponry skills.”

 

“Do you think to inquire this training of those under my command?” Sesshomaru asked. His voice lowered as if some unknown threat lay in the smooth depths.

 

“I was thinking of asking Tatsu if he could teach me a few things.” Kagome felt herself shrinking in on herself under those intense gazes. Being the center of attention by two Taiyoukai was a bit unsettling and she wished she could crawl in a hole somewhere and hide.

 

“How will you get the dragon lord to train you?” Kisho asked. He was skeptical that anyone could convince the old dragon to train them. Many youkai more deserving had begged the old one to teach them only to walk away disappointed. Now here was this unusual woman talking about doing something that no other had succeeded in doing.

 

“I don't know until I try.” Kagome shrugged her eyes focused on the hem of her hakama. She couldn't take looking into those two sets of golden suns anymore without fear of running from the room.

 

How do I get myself into these things? She wondered not for the first time since entering Sesshomaru's study.

 

“When do you plan on talking with him about this?” Sesshomaru's voice broke her from her thoughts and she blushed slightly with embarrassment.

 

“Umm, I whenever I got up the nerve to ask him, but definitely after I've spoken with Kikyo.” She replied quietly.

 

“Do I detect a hint of fear in your voice, Lady Kagome?” Kisho asked, the amusement in his voice stirring the slightest anger in the woman beside him.

 

“Well who wouldn't be afraid of him,” She huffed. “He could probably take on the both of you and Inuyasha and be the only one to walk away.”

 

“Do you believe this Sesshomaru weak?” Sesshomaru's voice now held a slight snarl to it and Kagome knew she'd said something to hurt his pride.

 

“No I don't.” She retorted feeling her own anger raising a notch or two. “I just think that if he wanted too he could probably kill a god and not be effected. And you very well know it.”

 

Kisho gave a light laugh and shook his head as he turned his amused gaze on the irritated Sesshomaru. “I do believe the lady has you there old friend.”

 

“Do not underestimate your allies, miko.” Sesshomaru reigned in his anger, enough to return to his stoic mask. It had barely slipped when she had angered him but it was a small matter. One day he might just find out exactly how much stronger the girl had become.

 

For a while the men spoke of the mission, almost forgetting that she was there. She had remained quiet, deep in thought as she once more thought over Kana's words. Something was missing, she just knew it, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She was content just to listen to the voices of the two inu-youkai, one as smooth and crisp as silk while the other held a deep velvety quality to it that had her wishing she could just listen to him all day.

 

Suddenly she remembered what she hadn't been able to so far. During the long march she had felt drawn to at least two of the youkai around her more so than the others. Tatsu was one of them, the one she had been drawn to the most, but the other one was something she couldn't explain.

 

Ozeki had been the other, his brash ways and ready insults reminding her almost of Inuyasha. He had challenged her and as she thought about it a smile stretched across her face. Two intense gazes fell back on the silent woman feeling the sudden shift in her mood.

 

“Are we amusing you Lady Kagome?” Kisho asked with slight irritation. He found nothing amusing about the usurper and the pending war.

 

“Uh?” She looked up at them startled to here her name. Her blue eyes darkening slightly in confusion as she looked between them a few seconds before Kisho's words sunk in. “Oh no, I was thinking about something else.”

 

“Would you care to elaborate?” Sesshomaru leaned slightly into the desk, his eyes daring the woman to go on.

 

“Well I was thinking about Ozeki.” She shifted again. “I kind of excepted his challenge earlier and was thinking about how to use that to my advantage.”

 

“Ah, yes I remember it was Tatsu's idea in the first place.” Kisho supplied then went on to explain, to Kagome's utter embarrassment, the event that brought about the challenge in the first place. Sesshomaru could barely hide the small twinkle of amusement in his golden gaze when he looked back at the blushing girl.

 

“Do you believe you can defeat Ozeki?” He asked not trying to keep the amusement from his voice.

 

“Oh, I'm not to sure about it,” Kagome answered, mischief sparkling in the depths of her blue eyes. “But I know what will happen if I get lucky enough to win.”

 

“May I enquire as to what that maybe?” Kisho's own eyes reflected the look in Kagome's and once again Sesshomaru was struck with the notion of their uncanny resemblance.

 

“With your permission of course, Sesshomaru.” Kagome grinned. “I'm gonna make him into my personal servant for two weeks. That ought to take the arrogant bear down a peg or two.”

 

Sesshomaru thought about her plan and sighed inwardly. There was no way around the chaos she would cause in his life, but at least she was seeking his permission to do it. That had to be a step in the right direction, right? “I find the arrangement suitable.”

 

 

“Thanks!” Kagome beamed happily. Her small hands clasp in front of her and she bowed her head to him reverently and Sesshomaru fought the urge to tell her to stop it. He had only granted her the small request because he believed the bear needed to learn a hard lesson. Maybe Kagome could break the arrogant youkai where many of his best men could not. There was no denying the fact that she could do wonders with all creatures.

 

It had been by her request that he had been allowed to join their shard-hunting group. Her persistence had won out over Inuyasha's stubbornness in the end, something he felt grateful to her for. It had also been the woman who had helped repair the rift that had formed between him and his half brother so many years before the whelp had been sealed to the tree.

 

“When will you take up this challenge?” He asked his eyes never leaving the woman in front of him. There was something about the way she was grinning that sent a sensation of uncertainty through him.

 

“When I regain my strength from the rescue mission.” She said. One hand came up to hide the yawn she was trying hard to fight and losing to anyway. “Excuse me.”

 

Small fists rubbed at her eyes and she shook her head to clear her vision. She was really tired, sleeping on the ground was hardly considered restful and she longed to have a bath. Focusing back on Sesshomaru again, Kagome tried to stir up enough nerve to ask him for these things when he spoke up once again.

 

“Once you are feeling rested, than we will decide on a course of action to ferret out those who bare the taint you detected before your departure.” Sesshomaru informed her quietly. When all she did was nod, one eyebrow raised in slight surprise, the woman was never this agreeable before. Perhaps she was too tired to feel up to her usual argument.

 

“For now, Jaken will see you to your room.” Sesshomaru called for the servant hiding his amusement as the stumbling toad came hurrying through the door. Among the routine bowing and scraping Jaken always seemed to insist on Sesshomaru was able to command him to take the miko to her sleeping quarters.

 

Kagome followed Jaken quietly, her mind centered on staying awake long enough to reach the room. The toad rambled on with several insults that Kagome effectively ignored. It was a trick she had learned when he joined her group right along with Sesshomaru. Besides the creature couldn't help it if he didn't have a life.

 

The room Sesshomaru had chosen for her were varying shades of blue, several of them almost matching the deep stormy quality of her eyes. A large tub of heated water waited for her near the center fire that kept the room at a comfortable temperature. A tansu stood along one wall while a large futon dominated the other. Soft pale blue silks beckoned for her to caress the slick sheets.

 

“A servant will come by later to remove the tub and retrieve your clothing.” He snapped as he walked out the door. Jaken left her alone, standing in the doorway with her mouth hanging slightly open.

 

His words spurred her into action, stripping down and stepping into the frothing water with a contented sigh. Perfume rich oils floated on top of the water, while several wooden bottles sat off to one side. Harsh soaps had been offered, yet she'd been delighted to find that her backpack had been placed near enough for her to be able to grab it from her comfortable spot in the water.

 

From the zippered pocket, Kagome drew out her soap hair care products to thoroughly enjoy the much-needed relaxation. She stayed in the water until it began to cool, only than drawing her weary body from it to dry and dress in the soft cotton nightshirt she had brought from home.

 

After several minutes spent in preparation for sleep, did Kagome sit on the soft bedding. With no thought to the last few days' events, Kagome fell into a sound sleep even before her head struck the pillow.

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FYI~ if anyone is wondering a tansu is a sort of wardrobe crafted to hold kimonos.

 

My continuing thanks to all those that have reviewed my story. And also to those who haven't. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Much Love DJ