InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The worth of a friend ❯ Friend or Foe? ( Chapter 4 )

The worth of a friend

 

A/N: I do not Inu or Sessy!

This chappie will be rated Y for some bad language.

 

Chapter 4

 

Yawning and rubbing the sleep from her eyes Hoshiko pushed her cover aside as she sat up, the early morning rays nearly blinding her as they peaked over the trees surrounding their campsite. Looking around still somewhat groggily she noted that Miroku was laid out in the position that she'd dubbed `Sango's been here', and from where she was sitting she was able to see the red hand print blazing across one cheek. Shaking her head in disgust she looked around for the taijin and spotted her walking back to camp from the lakes direction. Remembering what happened last night there with a certain taiyoukai she blushed and sprung to her feet.

 

Pull yourself together girl! This is no time to be thinking about that baka.

 

Stretching the kinks out of her body she joined Sango as she knelt beside the fire. “Morning Sango! Hoped you slept well.”

 

“If you don't count waking up to that lecher with his hand on my rear, then yeah I slept well.” Sango joked, then suddenly looked up over her new friends head and smiled.

 

Looking behind her Hoshiko knew it was her sister and Inuyasha returning to camp, and could only smile warmly when she saw the two walking hand in hand towards them.

 

“Hey sis, Inu! Looks like some people had fun last night.” Hoshiko implied, causing the two to blush and look away.

 

Giggling along with Sango they both set about getting the breakfast of ramen ready while Inuyasha headed for Miroku and kicked him in the side to get him up. While she talked to her sister and Sango she became aware she was being watched. Letting out a quiet snort when she realised who it was she ignored it and started gathering her belongings once breakfast was over.

 

“So which direction are we headed to today?” Hoshiko asked no one in particular as she helped Rin with Ah Un's saddle.

 

“There's a village a few days travel from here.” Miroku began. “We could head towards there and ask them the relevant questions.”

 

All nodding in agreement they set back out on their quest, with Inuyasha and Miroku walking up front, Ah Un, Jaken and the children in the middle, and the girls at the back.

 

“So Kagome, are you going to tell us what happened last night?” Sango whispered low enough so a certain hanyou's ears wouldn't hear.

 

Blushing as red as a tomato said miko looked at her two companions that had crowded closer to her and sighed. Still blushing and with head bowed she told them what had happened in as much detail as she could, and at the end showed them both her mating scar.

 

“Oh wow, cool!” Hoshiko gushed softly, as she reached a finger out to touch the half healed raised flesh on her sisters shoulder.

 

“I would not touch it, if I were you.”

 

Jerking back from her and whipping her head behind her she glared frostily at the ice prince that stood there, looking cool and collected as ever. Has last night completely slipped his mind? No, I'll remember that look he gave me. It was like he'd just realised something and was not sure if he liked it or not.

 

“Well you're not me Sess-hou-maru, so I'll touch it if I want to!” Hoshiko growled back, body tense and ready to fight him tooth and nail. God, why does this guy…no…demon infuriate me soooo much?

 

Cocking a brow at her Sesshoumaru ignored the questioning looks from the others as they all stopped in their tracks and looked back. Taking a step closer to her the taiyoukai matched her glare with one of his own. If I am to train her then she must learn that I am her alpha, not anyone else.

 

“Listen wench, as I will not repeat myself.” He growled back. “I let you off with that little show of yours the night before and the wound you inflicted upon this Sesshoumaru, but from now on you will do as I say!”

 

Feeling one eye twitch at his words Hoshiko felt the air around her swirl and could sense that the others and even her sister were backing away. Growling again the pissed off teen felt her nails biting into her palms and closing her eyes she took a very deep breath. I can't keep loosing my temper like this. I have to prove to myself and to him I have some control. After all, if I don't then what use am I? Letting all her anger and rage out in one long breath she felt herself relax a little, and focusing her gaze on the beast in front of her she gave him one last glare, letting him know he hadn't won, before turning on her heel and walking away, not before shooting something back at him over her shoulder.

 

“Fine, you pig! But don't expect me to go easy on you when we train, or have you forgot that little promise, because I certainly haven't!”

 

Watching her sister storm off to the head of the group Kagome chanced a glance at the taiyoukai and nearly gasped out loud when she saw a very small smile appear on his face, which only lasted a few seconds before his stoic mask fell back into place. Looking away again before she got caught staring the miko grabbed Sango by the arm and took off after her sister.

 

I wonder what happen last night with those too. I'll have to pull her to one side tonight and have a talk with her.

 

~*~*~

 

With the sun setting slowly behind them the band of shard hunters finally made it to the village Miroku told them about. Walking through the front gates the eerie silence that surrounded them quickly put them all on edge, and the others that didn't have sharp hearing jumped when a voice boomed out from no where.

 

“What do you people want, and why have you come here?”

 

Looking towards the sound of the voice Inuyasha growled as one hand went to the hilt of his sword. “Why don't you come out so we can see you?”

 

Hearing rustling from the trees between two huts a man the size of said hanyou came out of his hiding place, dressed in dark green hakama's and a grey haori he lowered his bow and arrow slightly as he regarded the rag tag group. “I ask again, state your business?”

 

Stepping forward and placing a hand on the bristling hanyou's shoulder Miroku politely bowed to the man. “We mean you and your village no harm or disrespect kind sir. We only came here for food and lodgings, but I cannot look past the fact that a demonic aura has been through here recently, or the fact that the rest of the villagers are hiding. Is there something we can help you with?”

 

Heaving a great sigh the man lowered his weapon. “I see the rumours are true then, of a group of travellers that help to destroy rogue youkai. I am most sorry for my harsh treatment towards you. My name is Kaffifi, and I am the headman of this village. Come my friends, you may all stop at my humble home, while I tell you the nightmare that has plagued my village these past few moons.”

 

Bowing again Miroku and the others followed closely behind, while Sesshoumaru sent Jaken and Ah Un to scout around on the outskirts of the village.

 

Sat gathered around a table in the headman's home after a hearty meal they listened intently to Kaffifi's tale.

 

“Like I mentioned earlier, it all started about two moons ago. A lone traveller came into our village seeking safety. We gladly offered of course, but soon people started to disappear. We'd find their dried up bodies a few days later in the woods or by the hot springs nearby. We don't know what it is that could be doing this, as our own demon slayer, my son Kael, was one of the dead when he went out to investigate.”

 

“Hey Kagome, Hoshiko, do you two sense any jewel shards around here?” Inuyasha suddenly asked as his nose started twitching. There's the stench of death and demons everywhere. I'm finding it hard to pinpoint exactly.

 

Furrowing their brows the girls just shook their heads in the negative.

 

“So what happened to this traveller you mentioned. Is he she still here?” Miroku asked.

 

“No, he disappeared too but we haven't found his body jet. All we could get out from him while he was here is his name is Mikal and he comes from a village to the east.”

 

Getting to his feet Inuyasha made for the door as his ears picked up sounds from outside. “Sounds like we've got company guys.” He got out before dashing off with the others in tow.

 

When they were outside the headman behind them gasped in alarm and relief. Stood a ways from his front door was the traveller Mikal, surrounded by several youkai.

 

“Mikal you've returned! Where have you been?” Kaffifi asked quizzically.

 

Chuckling Mikal crossed his arms arrogantly. “I was told that if I let my brethren feed here long enough that the miko who holds the jewel shards would come, and by the looks of things he was right.”

 

Growling Inuyasha flicked Tetsusaiga ready for battle. “Let me guess, this `he' you mentioned wouldn't happened to be someone called Naraku by any chance?”

 

“I am not interested in names or your idle questions.” Mikal snorted in reply. “Hand over the jewel shards and I will make your deaths quick and painless.”

 

Spreading out Miroku and Sango took to the right of their friend while the others went left, leaving Sesshoumaru and the headman guarding the children who were still inside. With her hand resting on her moon dagger Hoshiko didn't take her eyes off their foes as Inuyasha continued to interrogate him. With striking red hair in a braid to his mid back, and wearing black hakama's and kimono the man instantly put her on edge, and if that didn't do it then the strange youkai around him did. These looked humanoid in appearance, though they had wings with sharp claws on the ends and their faces were very elongated. As her aura touched theirs briefly she had to gasp as she felt it being sucked a little away. Reeling hers back in and wrapping it tightly around her she looked a little frightened at the near white creatures.

 

Holly crap, there like succubae. These are the ones that have been sucking the life out of the villages. Brrrr, I've never felt so creeped out in my entire life!

 

“I have had enough of these foolish questions hanyou.” Mikal snarled, and with a wave of his hand the youkai surrounding him surged forwards noiselessly.

 

“Don't let them touch you, their succubus creatures!” Hoshiko managed to warn before leaping back out of the way as one of them made a beeline straight for her. Ewww, gross, gross, gross! Unsheathing her weapon she instantly felt better when it grew into its longer blade with a pulse of white light.

 

“SCRRREEEEECCCCHHH!”

 

Cringing at the god awful noise the youkai that attacked her made she quickly realised that it was afraid of her weapon, more to the point the moon energy that was coming off of it, and before it could turn and fly away Hoshiko swiftly sliced its back, making it wail as its body burned and disintergrated away.

 

Well that was fairly easy.

 

Looking to the others she saw that Kagome had purified two while the rest returned to their masters side, who was slowly backing away as he locked murderous red eyes with hers.

 

Why's he looking at me for?

 

“I will not forget this, nor you wench!” Mikal snarled before a dark shroud slipped over him and his beasts, and when they were all covered it retreated again, taking them with it.

 

“Well that was definitely short lived.” Miroku suddenly broke in as the group all looked at the spot where their foes once stood. “Do you think he will be back Inuyasha?”

 

Snorting the hanyou sheathed his sword as he turned around and headed back into the headman's hut. “More than likely he will.” Looking over his shoulder his eyes locked with Hoshiko's before turning away again.

 

Oh yeah Mikal will be back. He's knows that I'm a threat to him and his little brothers.

 

With a tired sigh Hoshiko followed the others in, her mind and body suddenly too tired to deal with the new mess she had gotten herself into.

 

Kami, why me?

 

~*~*~

 

Two long, torturous hours later after bidding everyone else goodnight Hoshiko still lay wide awake on her futon, her mind going over the events of the day, especially the recent fight with Mikal and his minions.

 

It doesn't really make any sense. If they've been terrorising this village for two whole months, and Kagome says she and the others were all at Mt Hakurai gone six weeks, then why didn't they pick up on this sooner?

 

Sitting up the troubled teen swiftly got to her feet. Picking up her moon dagger that lay beside her bed she slipped it into the belt of her shorts, and then quickly pulled on her trainers before tiptoeing to the shoji of her room. Easing it open slightly to check the hallway she saw and heard no one else about at this time of night and quietly slipped out, closing the door behind her least someone walked past and saw she wasn't in her room.

 

Something is not adding up around here.

 

Heading in the direction of the main room where they all had their super earlier she quickly looked around before heading outside. Standing on the porch of the headman's house she was just about to go back inside when movement to her left got her attention. Pressing herself up against the wall and the darkness it offered her she looked towards the trees and saw the faint light of a lantern through the breaks in the foliage. Catching a glimpse of Kaffifi before he disappeared Hoshiko quickly made up her mind and silently followed the suspicious man deeper into the woods.

 

This is probably not my wisest idea, but by the time I go back inside and mess around waking all the others he could well have disappeared. Huh, speaking of which, where the hell has Sessy gone? I can't sense him anywhere.

 

After following Kaffifi for a while she was forced to hide behind a tree when he suddenly stopped before a very large boulder, which looked like the size of a car. Just as she was wondering what the guy was up to Hoshiko was about to gasp in amazement when the stone suddenly split in two, but the sound was stopped by a warm clawed hand clasped tightly over her mouth. Knowing it was the taiyoukai himself by the two magenta strips on his wrist she didn't struggle against him as she watched her prey disappear into the split stone.

 

Where the hell is Kaffifi going?

 

Giving the man a few minutes to get ahead she tried to move forward but was stopped by that same hand that still hadn't removed itself from her mouth. Growling lowly at him she grasped his thick wrist with one of her small hands and tried to move it. When that didn't work she changed her tactics, and sticking out her tongue she flicked it against his palm, oddly enjoying the musky taste of his skin, until with a startled gasp Sesshoumaru jerked the offending appendage away. Smirking to herself at her plan she swiftly moved away from him and to the split stone before her. Coming closer to it she was again surprised when she discovered there were stone steps leading deeper underground.

 

Interesting.

 

Ignoring the taiyoukai at her back she descended down into the depths a few feet, until they stopped and opened up into a narrow corridor that mostly filled with light from the open entrance up ahead. Resisting the urge to look behind her Hoshiko moved silently forward, wishing for somewhere to hide as voices drifted past her ears.

 

Wait a minute…that sounds like Mikal talking to Kaffifi! I knew there was something fishy going on around here.

 

Hearing what they were saying now and seeing more into the room beyond Hoshiko stopped and crouched low to the floor so as not to draw any attention to herself. By the soft feel of silk rubbing against her bare legs she knew that her companion had followed her move, and could feel his slow even breaths tickle her right ear, making her skin tighten and crawl with delicious shivers.

 

Why the hell does he have to be so damn close?

 

~*~*~

 

“Why was I not made aware of that woman and her damn moon blade Kaffifi?” Mikal barked angrily as the human before him bowed again in apology.

 

“I'm sorry M'lord. I was just surprised as you by this even when she came with the group. I did not think those type of blades were still in existence from the last battle your clan had with the warriors of the moon. I thought you said they were all slaughtered?”

 

Rounding on the foolish mortal Mikal backhanded him and sent him flying into a soil and rock wall. “You dare question me, Mikal, Lord and rightful ruler of the Night clan about our victory! Impotent wretch! For this ignorance of yours I will have my brethren feed upon you very slowly and painfully, until you beg me to end your pitiful life!”

 

Shaking in fear and knowing he couldn't say anything to appease his master Kaffifi did not see the pink haired woman they had been talking about coming up behind Mikal, until her voice rang out low and clear.

 

“You will do no such thing!”

 

~*~*~

 

Having heard Mikal's ranting and having quiet enough Hoshiko creped slowly and silently up to the demons back, surprised that she was close enough to him to touch and not being detected by his keen senses. Pointing her unchanged blade at his exposed neck she felt him tense before looking over his shoulder at her.

 

“You dare to give me orders wench?” Mikal growled, ignoring his servant who tried to make an escape but was halted by Sesshoumaru blocking the exit. “You have no honour if you think you can slay me when I am unarmed.”

 

Letting out a snort of disgust she pressed the blade closer to the skin on the back of his neck.” What do you know about honour Mikal? Killing people who are so weaker than yourself even if they were armed or not. And yet you find pleasure in this.”

 

Chuckling darkly Mikal suddenly looked too calm to Hoshiko, as he stood there with her dagger digging into his skin. “Even if you kill me now it will not stop my brothers and sisters.”

 

Looking around the small antechamber they were currently in Hoshiko suddenly realised that she'd been led into a trap. With a growl of annoyance and rage the blade of her moon dagger suddenly glowed brightly before growing, slicing straight through Mikal's neck and killing him instantly. From the light that had sprung forth his body slowly burn away at her feet, leaving nothing but bones and dust. Not stopping to watch she spun on her heel and ran after Sesshoumaru, who had already ran ahead at Mikal's last spoken words.

 

Sister, Inu, everybody, please be all right!

 

Running as fast as her legs would carry her back to the village she burst through the tree line to see that the taiyoukai had his sword Tokijin already drawn and was waylaying the mass of youkai that was surrounding the headman's home. She had a moment to smile in relief though when she saw that the others were fine and cutting the enemy numbers down. Joining the battle with weapon out and ready Hoshiko made quick work of the beasts that she encounted, as the others flew away in fright of her blade, but were swiftly cut down by Inuyasha's attack of the wind scar. With that attack the last of the youkai were slain, and only then did Hoshiko remember that she had left Kaffifi behind. Turning to go back for the traitor she was somewhat surprised when she turned round and saw the scared man clinging to a tree, having run after her fearing she was leaving him where he was and then watched the fight that ensured. Stepping closer to him she watched as he instantly went to his knees.

 

“Please, please, spare me! I had no choice M'lady. He threatened me with my daughters life if I did not cooperate with his wishes.” Kaffifi pleaded.

 

Looking behind her to the others for a little help she was somewhat glad when the taiyoukai suddenly stepped forward and glared down at the man at his feet. “This Sesshoumaru is not interested in you or this village, but let it be known that if I hear of any such trickery from you again I will not hesitate to take your life.” Seeing his point was made he swiftly spun on his heel and left.

 

With a weary sigh Hoshiko just shook her head at the still crying man and headed back to the hut to get her belongings, her mind and body no longer tired and having no desire to spend the rest of the night here either. Outside again she was pleased to see the others had followed her lead, and catching up to them they all headed back out of the village. Not glancing back she was glad to see that Sesshoumaru was waiting further down the road with Jaken and Ah Un, and hearing their approach the trio started off again taking the lead.

 

God, will this night never end!

 

~*~*~

 

A/N: Well there's the next chappie for you. I know it sounds a bit drab and all but the next one will be better! RNR!