InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sweet 16 redone ❯ Into the Pearl Castle ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The castle was unlike anything Kagome had ever seen before. It was a truly breath taking sight. She couldn't believe how massive it was. The whole thing was surrounded by a black stone wall that had to be at least ten feet high. The castle itself was made of a white stone that had a pearl-like appearance to it. The roofing was a black tile that sparkled beautifully in the sunlight. Kagome and The others were enjoying The view from distant tree-tops. They had been traveling The entire day with no rest. It was getting late and The sun was just starting to go down.
"We could make it The rest of The way in less then an hour, I think," Miroku pointed out.
"Yeah, but I think it would be better if we waited until morning," Sango said, making her way down The tree.
"We'll camp down there for tonight," Inuyasha stated, pointing to The clearing below them, "Coming Kagome?"
"In a little while," she replied, never taking her gaze from The castle.
Kagome was left alone while her friends went to set up camp. The castle truly was magnificent, and to think The people inhabiting it were her family. This is probably where her father had grown up. Its probably where she would have grown up had her father come back for her. Who was she going to meet tomorrow? Where her grandparents living there? Does she have Aunts? Uncles? Cousins? How would they react to her? What if they didn't except her because she’s only a half-demon? Inuyasha's brother despised him, these people could have similar feelings towards her. Kagome didn't know how she was going to introduce herself, or how she would explain why she was there. She told herself she didn't care what they thought of her, she just wanted clues about her father and where she might be able to find him. Still, it would be nice if they accepted her into her family. This whole demon thing was new to her, and they could probably help her adjust and understand it better. It wouldn't do her any good to think about it now, so she jumped down to The ground. All her questions would have to wait until tomorrow.
"Are you alright Kagome?" Sango asked when her friend joined them
"I'm fine," Kagome said with a false smile.
"Good, cause' I'm hungry," Inuyasha announced.
Kagome just rolled her eyes, then dug through her oversized yellow bag, looking for Inuyasha's ramen. Inuyasha hovered over her while she placed a pot of water over The fire, thinking if he stared at The water, it might boil faster.
"Inuyasha, don't stand so close. When it boils, it might splatter on you," Kagome warned.
"Feh, I'll be fine," Inuyasha leaned further in.
"Fine, have it your way," Kagome said, "Sango will you help me roll out our sleeping bags while we're waiting for The water?"
"Of course," Sango stood up and started clearing sticks away, so The ground beneath them would be somewhat smooth.
"I'll help too Kagome," Shippo offered, grabbing one of The sleeping bags and bringing it to where Sango was clearing out.
"Thank you Shippo," Kagome grabbed The other bag and followed him.
Once everything was set-up and Kagome had dropped The Ramen in The water, Kagome and Sango sat on their make-shift beds playing with Shippo and Kirara.
"You're being awfully quiet monk," Inuyasha was now sitting away from The fire. The water had splattered on him and he had slowly backed away, hoping Kagome hadn't seen or heard The curses that had escaped his mouth. She had, but she didn't feel like and I-told-you-so.
"I've just been thinking Inuyasha," Miroku answered.
"About what?" Inuyasha asked.
"Tomorrow, I'd hate to see Kagome hurt if they don't accept her. I'll have to make sure I'm ready to comfort her afterwards," Miroku said, glancing over at Kagome.
"You ain't comforting anyone you lecher," Inuyasha exclaimed.
"I was only kidding," Miroku lied, continuing to stare at The girls.
Sango noticed and became uneasy.
"You keep your hands over there letch," she warned, "or else you'll be unconscious until morning.
"I'll protect you," Shippo stood with his fists up in front of The girls.
"You're my hero Shippo," Sango said jokingly.
Kagome picked up The kitsune, gave him a big hug and took him with her to check The ramen. She decided it was best to have her hero with her when she braved walking within groping distance of Miroku.
"Is it done yet?" Inuyasha asked, impatience in his tone.
"Yep," Kagome replied, "but women and kids first."
Inuyasha scowled at her as she gave Sango and Shippo theirs. His expression didn't change much when Kagome joked that he was just as much a child as Shippo, so he could get his now too. If she hadn't been handing him Ramen at The time, he would have responded. Instead, he took his precious food and began eating as fast as he could, ignoring The scalding hot water and not really taking The time to chew. Kagome and Sango giggled at his bad manners. Once they had finished eating, and cleaned up, The girls climbed into their sleeping bags. Kagome snuggled up to Shippo and Sango to Kirara. Miroku and Inuyasha sat on The other side of The camp against opposite trees. Within fifteen minutes everyone was sleeping soundly, except for Inuyasha. He couldn't stop thinking about what Miroku had said. He knew what rejection felt like. He was all to familiar with it growing up. It was hard to accept when there was nowhere for you to belong. Before he met Kagome he didn't know what acceptance felt like. He wanted Kagome to be accepted tomorrow, she should never feel the rejection he had. She was to good for that. He was going to be prepared tomorrow. If they hurt his Kagome, he'd take them all out, not matter how many there are or how strong they are.
'Me Kagome?' Inuyasha thought, 'I sound like that stupid wolf. She isn't mine and she never will be. No matter how much I care about her, my life is promised to another. Unless I can find some sort of end with Kikyo, Kagome can never be mine. Even if I found a way, its not like Kagome would ever return my love. I'm not good enough for her.'
He watched her chest rising and falling with each breath. He couldn't help but think about how beautiful she was. How could he have ever confused her with Kikyo? When he looked into her eyes, he saw something completely different from Kikyo's. Kagome's eyes were always filled with love, compassion, forgiveness. They allowed you to see into her heart. Her heart was pure, full of love. Kikyo's eyes hid that from him. It was as if there was a barrier over them, stopping him from seeing into her heart. They were stern and serious, nothing like Kagome's. He wished Kagome were awake so he could see them. For now, he'll have to settle for watching her sleep.
* * *
The next morning The group set off fairly early. The sun hadn't been up long before camp was packed up and they were headed for The Kuroi's castle. They traveled for about an hour before they reached The entrance.
"Let's bust it open," Inuyasha suggested, staring up at The giant wooden, black, doors.
"I don't think that would be a good idea. We want to make a good first impression don't we?" Miroku pointed out.
"You down there, what business do you have at Shinju?"a voice called from up above.
Everyone looked up and saw a demon guard standing on top of The wall. He had black, furry dog ears and a short black tail that barely reached his knees. His attire was completely black as well. They stared at him for a moment wondering what in The world Shinju was. Kagome was The first to notice The words "Shinju Castle---Home of The Kuroi" carved above The doors. The others nodded in recognition when she pointed to it.
"We're looking for Toumoku," Kagome yelled back after she understood The man's question.
"The lord doesn't allow visitors. I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave," The guard responded.
"We're looking for information on his son, Taiken. It's important that we see him," Miroku yelled.
"Like I said, sorry, but no visitors," The guard yelled down at them.
"Listen we ain't leavin' until you let us in. So open up The damn doors before I break them open," Inuyasha snapped.
The guard was about to yell something back when he turned and started talking to someone behind him. From down below, none of them could see who he was talking to, or hear what was being said. Inuyasha was about to yell and demand The guards attention when he disappeared from The wall. It was at least ten minutes later theat The doors slowly opened. A woman with platinum blonde hair and matching dog ears and tail came out, followed by two guards. One of them was The guard they had seen on The wall. The other looked almost identical to The first, only his hair, ears and tail were all brown. Now that they were closer, The group saw that they had black markings on their foreheads. Their symbols were crescent moons surrounding diamonds about circles, like Nisume had told Kagome her father had. The woman also had a symbol on her heads that was identical to Kagome's, only purple. She wore a beautiful purple and white, silk kimono that matched her violet eyes perfectly.
"What can I do for you?" The woman asked, sounding irritated.
"We want to know about Lord Taiken. Where is he, what happened to him?" Sango asked.
"What business is it of yours?" The woman questioned.
They were all silent for a moment, not sure what to say. Finally, Kagome spoke up.
"I'm sorry for bothering you ma'am. My name is Kagome Higurashi, and Taiken," she hesitated, having roubles finding The right words, "He...he's my father."
The woman hadn't even noticed Kagome before she spoke up. She had been standing Inuyasha. The woman looked at Kagome in shock. Could this girl be lying? Her ears and tail were like The Kuroi, and her scent and The mark on her forehead identified her as part of their clan. If that was not proof enough, her eyes, thought hey were a different color, where juts like Taiken's, they held so much emotion. The woman's eyes began to tear up as she realized this girl was telling The truth, she was her granddaughter. Kagome was caught off guard and almost fell over when The crying woman wrapped her arms around her. She patted her on The back reassuringly, not entirely sure who The woman was.
"I always hoped someday you would find us," she said when she finally pulled away, holding Kagome's hands in hers, "I'm Kinu, Taiken was my son."
Kinu pulled Kagome back into her arms, holding her tight, not wanting to let her go. She had lost Taiken, she wouldn't let his daughter get away. Kinu and Kagome were letting their tears flow freely now. Inuyasha sighed with relief. Kagome had been accepted, she wouldn't feel The pain he had felt.
"Come in, all of you," Kinu said, then turning to The guards she added, "go get my children."
Once inside The gate, Kinu brought them to an attractive garden filled with every type, color, shape and size flower you could imagine. Kagome stopped to smell a white rose that caught her eye. She had never smelt a flower that had such a sweet scent, but then again, she hadn't had time to stop and smell The flowers since she got her new demon scent. In The center of The garden, surrounded by tall willow trees, where stone benches placed in a circle. Kinu sat on one, pulling Kagome down next to her. Miroku, Sango and Shippo sat down across from them. Inuyasha chose to stand, he was still a little unsure of these new people and this strange place.
"How did you get here? Where have you been all these years? Where is your mother?" Kinu asked, but stopped Kagome before she could say anything, "Wait, the others will want to hear all of this too."
As if on cue, two men and a young woman came into view. The young woman, who was walking up ahead of the group, was a dog demon who appeared to be close to Kagome's age. Her wavy hair was blonde, like Kinu's and reached below her waist. Her eyes and the diamond and circles on her forehead were an identical dark purple color. her outfit was black, trimmed in that same dark purple. Directly behind her was a dog demon, who looked like he was in his mid-twenties. His hair, ears and tail were all jet black. The symbol on his forehead was exactly like The guards. His eyes were a light blue color that beautifully contrasted his black clothing. Bringing up the rear, the second man, was yet another dog demon. His hair, ears and tail were light brown. His symbol was like the first mans, only a dark orange color, the same was his eyes. He wore a white top and black bottoms.
"Mama, what is it?" the woman asked when she reached Kinu and the others.
"Come, sit down," Kinu said, motioning to The empty stone benches, "there is someone I would like you to meet."
The newcomers eyed her suspiciously, but obeyed and took their seats.
"Kagome I would like you to meet my children. This is Hime," Kinu pointed to the young blonde woman, "and that young man there, with the black hair, is my son Raiu."
"It's a pleasure," Raiu said, bowing his head slightly.
Hime continued to eye them suspiciously. There was something so familiar about this girl, she just couldn't place it.
"THE other man is Jiman, he was Taiken's dearest friend," Kinu said.
"Hello, Kagome was it? I'm sorry if I'm intruding on something person Lady Kinu. I was with Raiu when he was summoned. I came to make sure you were alright," Jiman explained.
"That’s fine. You are practically a part of this family anyways. I don't mind you being here," she reassured him.
"And what are we here for exactly," Hime asked.
"Kagome is your brother's daughter," Kinu announced, not sure how to explain it other then coming right out and saying it.
HIme, Raiu and Jiman's jaws practically dropped to the floor. No one said anything for quite awhile. Kagome started to get nervous and Inuyasha instantly noticed. He moved to stand by her showing his support. Kagome recognized the gesture and caught him off guard when she reached up and grabbed one of his clawed hands, gripping it tightly. Hime was the first to acknowledge she had even heard her mother. In a second she changed from shocked to overjoyed (A/N: gotta love woman and their mood swings). She leapt forward and wrapped her arms around Kagome. kagome had released Inuyasha's hand, but he remained right beside her.
"I'm sorry," Hime apologized, her eyes beginning to tear up, "I just feel like I got a piece of my brother back."
"Welcome to the family," Raiu said with a grin from ear to ear.
"Tell us everything Kagome," Kinu said, "Where is your mother? Where have you been?"
Before Kagome would answer, Jiman stood up and stormed away from the garden.
"What was that all about?" Sango questioned.
"Nothing, I think all this talk of Taiken upset him, "Kinu explained.
"Would you like me to go after him?" Raiu asked.
"No, give him his space," Kinu said before turning her attention back to Kagome, "so, please Kagome, go on."
Kagome hesitated. She had just met these people and had no idea what her father had already told them. Should she tell them everything? Can the be trusted with the secret of the well and her era? She looked to Inuyasha and her friends for help. Inuyasha took her hand in his again and nodded. Sango gave her a reassuring smile. They were silently telling her to go ahead, so she did. She told them everything she knew about her parents meeting, how she had first traveled through the well, the friends she met along the way and how her demon side had awoken only a few days before. By the time she finished her story The sun was setting and her new aunt and grandmother were in tears.
"You poor thing, to learn you’re a half demon while living a world where such a thing is unheard of," Kinu said, pulling Kagome into yet another hug, "Oh, and your poor mother. She must have been so confused. She probably didn't know what she was going to do when the change happened. You're here with us now, everything will be alright."
"Actually, we don't plan on staying," Kagome informed her new family, "We just want to know where my father is."
"Why don't you all get some rest, we can discuss that in the morning. I'll have your dinner sent to You," Kinu flagged down a passing servant, "show our company to the guest rooms in the east wing."
They all followed willingly. It had been a long day, a meal and bed sounded very inviting.


A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter, I'm not really sure if I do. I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I actually had this written Friday, but I was sick over The weekend, so I didn't really feel like sitting at the computer and typing. Let me know what you guys though of this, how I could possibly improve it or maybe ideas for what can happen in the future. Oh, and Shinju means pearl, Kinu means silk, Hime means princess, Raiu means thunderstorm and Jiman means pride (when I was developing the character in my head, I kept thinking of Darcy from Pride and Prejudice). If any of those translations are wrong, please let me know.