InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Throw Caution To The Wind ❯ Attempts ( Chapter 6 )

AN:Hey everybody! Sorry this took so long! I'd like to thank you all for your great reviews! They're what keeps me going..oh, and chocolate. Anyways, hope you like this chapter, 'cause I don't know about it. It moves kinda fast, but tell me what you think. Hope you enjoy it. Took me freaking long enough…

THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND_CHAPTER 6_ATTEMPTS

It's the sad fate of beautiful days to end in misery. The more beautiful something is, the more disastrous it's end. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. The further the aspirations, the more painful the failure. Murphy's law: anything that can go wrong, will. Murphy's law is really just an explanation of life in the end. Bitter.

It had been a beautiful day. Perfect, norm-defying weather. We had entered Sesshoumaru's castle painlessly. Beautiful day. I had found the location of the shikon shard. Beautiful day. We were close to running, without confrontation, with the jewel shard. Sesshoumaru showed up. Ugly, ugly day. What did I expect? No more, no less, to tell you the truth. I knew it was too good to be true. Over the last week, I was used to things being to good to be true. Or too bad to be false.

I should have been prepared for any occurrence, I should have known Sesshoumaru would show up at the least opportune moment. After all, I had felt him coming. That nagging feeling I had had in my stomach….yeah, that. In truth, I knew it could happen and in a way, I was ready for it. I just didn't know how to deal with it.

"Did you find what you lost."

I knew, right then, that we were in trouble. Best be courteous. After all, from what I have learned of him, if there's one thing Sesshoumaru has, it's honor. Or ego. Best to play along with it, whatever it is.

"Not yet, Sesshoumaru-sama." I dusted off my uniform. I don't know why I still wear the damn thing anyways. I've long grown out of it, and my new class's uniform had slightly different variations. Damn nostalgia. It's not like it's the most practical thing to wear while traipsing about feudal Japan.

I glanced back up at him quickly, waiting for him to say something, do something. Chastise me for betraying his hospitality to use it for my own good, or kill me for trespassing in his home. But, technically, I hadn't trespassed. Maki had let me in. Still, that gave me no right to be in Rin's room without permission, searching through the cute girl's things. I held my breath, waiting for him to do anything.

But he didn't. He stared at me, a piercing, angry stare that seemed to burn me from the inside out. It was as cold as ice yet burned my very soul into ash. His gaze shifted to Inuyasha and the others, then back to me. I don't know what he was thinking, and it didn't really matter as long as he didn't kill us, but for some reason I wanted to know what was behind those eyes. Did he hate me more than he had before? Did he think me weak and easily influenced by Inuyasha and my companions? I couldn't stand his accusing gaze.

"Sesshoumaru-sama…"

His glare narrowed even more, if possible, but still maintained a bored quality. Dangerous. I thought.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, I-we-didn't-oh hell." but I was cut short as he appeared before me in a blink of an eye, a large, striped hand clenched around my jugular. Inuyasha made to lunge, but came to a sudden stop with Sesshoumaru's words.

"A step, and I kill her, brother." It was the calmest, most deceiving voice I had ever heard. It did not serve to sooth my pounding pulse as my face paled under his grip with his demonstration of my position. "You.." he held me off the ground, his nose inches away from mine, his eyes boring into mine.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!!" A shrill, happy voice rang through the room as the form of a small girl came into view, followed by the toad, Jaken, huffing and puffing to keep up. Sesshoumaru, who, I swear closed his eyes for a split second, dropped me almost instantly to the floor. "Kagome-nechan!! Ne-chan came to see me!" Rin ran around Sesshoumaru's legs and dropped to the floor to give me a hug. She squeezed tightly whispering how glad she was to see me, but was called back by a single bidding from Sesshoumaru.

"Jaken."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Take Rin."

The toad looked at his master in confusion.

"Where shall I take her, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Take Rin…now." he said with a finality that none would question. Sesshoumaru turned back to me and my companions.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama." the toad spattered quickly.

"But, Sesshoumaru-sama! I missed Kagome-nechan!! Why can't I play with her?"

"Rin."

Rin dropped her head and followed the toad grudgingly out the door. She looked back once and waved to me. I picked myself off the floor, waving back, mouthing that I would come back and she smiled, bopping Jaken on the head and taking off down the outside hallway.

I stood motionless and was very thankful for once of Inuyasha's decision to not make a huge fuss. Heaven knows that wasn't what we needed. Perhaps Inuyasha knew he didn't stand a chance against Sesshoumaru in his own home. Maybe he had died standing there, before he could talk. Whatever the cause, I was thankful (not that I would want Inuyasha to die). This was something rash actions and words would not settle.

Sesshoumaru gazed at me as if I were scum on his immaculate armor that he needn't dirty his hands with. Now, I know he had good reason to, I don't blame him, but I myself can get heated about some things, and people looking at me lowly is one of them. I glared back, then, and smiled a small, soft smile. It worked. He obviously was irked. I had given him my 'knowing smile'. The one that Inuyasha always yelled at me for because he thought I knew something he didn't. Rash actions. Right.

Sesshoumaru turned to Inuyasha, but I had the distinct feeling it was directed towards me the most out of all of us.

"Inuyasha. You and your companions will leave this castle and never come back." He paused, shifting his gaze silently between all of us. " If I encounter any of your little entourage again, whomever it is will not live. This is to be understood and heeded." With that, he turned his back on me and my friends. Standing in the doorway, he took one last glance back at me. "I believe you know the way out." With that final word, he disappeared from the room, leaving a somewhat shocked, burdened group of shard hunters to ponder his actions until they realized it was not smart that they remain there, and we ran out of the castle as fast as their legs could carry us.

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Once we were out of the castle as quickly as possible, courtesy of myself, we slowed to a mediocre walk. Not one of us had spoken a word to each other during our departure, but now that we were out of the castle and at least three miles away, we gained our voices back. I was the last person who wished to talk, but I could not partake in the deathly silence.

"Well, that was…odd." I said in a counterfeit happiness. It didn't have the effect that I had hoped for. My eyes dropped to the ground. "I'm sorry, everyone. I didn't mean to put us in danger like that."

Sango walked over to me and put her arm around my shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"Kagome, we were fully aware of what could happen. Don't be sorry. In fact, be happy that we got away so easily." She squeezed me once and turned to Inuyasha and Miroku. "Perhaps we could find a good camp spot early if we continue for another hour or two." Miroku agreed. And Inuyasha nodded, being his uncharacteristically silent self. It unnerved me a bit. I mean, to not have Inuyasha teasing me or yelling at me constantly, it seems like something is missing. Something is lacking.

After walking for what turned out to be three more hours, we found a small spot by a river bed and made camp for the night. I had difficulty falling asleep. The look on Sesshoumaru's face. Completely unreadable, yet so transparent. Hatred. He hated Inuyasha, he hated me. I, in a way, felt like I'd betrayed his trust. Now he would probably never let me near Rin again. I sighed inwardly, and turned over for the thirtieth time that night. It was my fault, all my fault that we had narrowly escaped the anger of a very powerful youkai, and hadn't even gained a jewel shard. And now, it was like we were tagged. If any of us ever encountered Sesshoumaru again, he would kill us. Not that that was any different than it had always been before.

I slept uneasily all night. Insomnia seems to be a growing monster.

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T he next day turned up no more leads and we were almost worse than where we had started off. Naraku, with the new-found powers of my new-stolen shards, had put up a barrier that none of us could sense. His miasma was utterly blocked and we no longer received "there is an evil aura over the mountain" clues from villagers, although we were pointed in the direction of a very fine ramen restaurant. No body felt odd, there were no surrounding black mists, no demons part raining from the sky that usually signaled Naraku's presence. It seemed as if he had just….vanished. With our shards.

We, having decided to leave the last town we had visited, considering the lack of anything that held our interest, made camp about ten miles from the small town in a forest to the south of Kaede's village. It was the night of the new moon and I believe we were all a bit anxious, but I was unable to sleep for other reasons. My earlier-mentioned insomnia was kicking in again and I was having a difficult time just trying to clear my mind. Too many things to think about. Sure, there was Inuyasha's time of the month when we were all in a little more danger, but there was also the topic of Naraku's growing power and seemingly clean disappearance, not to mention the added threat of Sesshoumaru's promise to kill any of us if he ever saw us again. Things were just going peachy, weren't they?

I pulled my sleeping bag up a bit, willing the warm weight of the cloth to help me in my sheep-less counting, and turned over on my side, facing the fire. I watched the flame simmer, flame upwards, sending out bright stars of sparks then retreat, only to do it again, accompanied by the melody of crackling and burning wood.

I peered over at the base of the tree where Inuyasha was currently resting, looking up at the sky overhead. I almost jumped when he turned to look at me. Right. He doesn't sleep during the new moon. I sighed.

"Kagome, you should be sleeping." He looked at me worriedly, scanning my body as if I might have an injury.

"Inuyasha, I am fully aware of that. Unfortunately, my body isn't."

He "keh'd" and turned back to watching the sky.

"Inuyasha…" I unzipped my sleeping bag, crawled out and walked over to the tree, wrapping the blanket around me. "Can I sit with you?"

*wump*

"Oh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I really didn't mean to!"

We remained quiet for the next few minutes, perhaps because Inuyasha's mouth was full of dirt, but he soon pried himself up with a surprisingly lacking range of cursing.

I guess he understood. I slid down next to him quietly. For a long time, neither of us said anything. I followed his gaze up to the night sky and peered on in wonder for a while, then though of something.

"Inuyasha…"

He grunted and I took that as an acknowledgement.

"Why have you been so quiet lately. It's not…like you. You don't talk to Miroku, Sango, Kirara, or…me.."

"What's there to talk about?" he turned his head away, apparently fascinated with the pitch black around us.

"Ever since we left Sesshoumaru's castle, you've been acting strange. What's wrong?"

"Who are you to talk! I'm acting strange? Since when do you know Sesshoumaru's servants personally, play with that human kid of his, and call him Sesshoumaru-sama?! What the hell is going on. What went on? When the hell did you two get so familiar?"

I giggled, but covered it with my hand.

"Inuyasha…are you…jealous?"

"J-Jealous? Why the hell would I be jealous of Sesshoumaru?!"

"Don't ask me, I don't know to the minds of inu hanyous work."

Inuyasha was obviously flustered now.

"You still didn't answer my question. How did you guys come to such close terms?!"

"Easy. The reason I know of Sesshoumaru's servants are because Rin has told me of them in the course of her fast talking when I ran into her at a village once. I didn't know she had belonged to Sesshoumaru, but she said she was being taken care of by a strong demon lord in the west and she showed me a picture she had drawn. One of Sesshoumaru and the ugly toad…thing. And one of two of his servants…Maki and Kaji I think. I only assumed that the servant that we met must be Maki. I can put two and two together. And as for the Sesshoumaru-sama, if you were in a position where you and your friends could be killed at any second, it would be smart if you treated the possible mass-murderer with some respect. Tact, Inuyasha. Common human sense. Perhaps that's the problem."

Inuyasha didn't growl and retaliate like I though he would. Instead he glanced at me and said in a cautious tone. "Sesshoumaru isn't someone that anything should take lightly, especially humans. You and everyone else are in danger now. We can't not notice Sesshoumaru. If he were to come tonight…"

I leaned my head against his shoulder and felt him tense slightly. "Inuyasha, don't worry about it. We're all here and ready for anything at any moment….well, mostly anyways, and we can look out for ourselves and you. You don't have to worry, you're not alone anymore." Inuyasha's body relaxed and I leaned into him, using his shoulder as a pillow. I gazed around the campfire at my friends.

Sango was asleep on the extra blanket I carried with me, Kirara curled cutely in a petite, fluffy ball by her head. The cat demon was an amazing creature. The cute little pet was also a brave, strong, dependable warrior, I thought. And her master was a brave, strong, and dependable warrior also. And one of my best friends. Miroku, despite his worldly…hobbies, was a trustworthy, amiable companion who was humbled by his slowly deteriorating amount of time on this earth yet still retained a positive outlook. Then there was Inuyasha. Inuyasha, the first person I had first fallen in love with. The person that had held my heart in love for so long and now held my hand in an amazing friendship.

But the truth was, I loved all of them. And Inuyasha was right. There were too many dangers for them at the moment.

I made a decision right then and, falling victim to the warmth and security Inuyasha provided, fell asleep, my head on his warm shoulder.

____________________________________________________________ < p>A week later, and no signs of any jewel shards. We had chased a rumor far to the east on an old man's hunch. The search had not been productive at all. We had followed the rumor with hope that it would prove more than a rumor and relief that we would not be heading west. I think, inwardly, we were all relieved that our travels would not take us west. West was the domain of Sesshoumaru-sama, the great Inu youkai. The great Inu youkai meant death for our little band. It hovered over us. There would not be much more time before Sesshoumaru wished to battle his half brother once again for the tetsusaiga, which would put us in direct proximity with the demon who claimed he would kill all of us if he ever smelled us again.

I felt nothing but absolute guilt. It was my fault. I should have just left the fact that there was one or two shards at the castle alone and let it work itself out. Now, because of me, and my stupid presumptions, we were just waiting to get ripped to shreds by Sesshoumaru at any given second.

After the weeks fruitless search, I told Inuyasha I would be going home for a while. He protested, as usual, but with a little more anger and less enthusiasm than I knew of him.

I sighed to myself. Eventually, our travels would have to take us near there. Perhaps….no. I needed to take care of it by myself. Retainer Now. I couldn't stand watching my friends rest in anticipation, always on the alert. I had made my decision a week ago and I would follow it through like any respectable miko who cared dearly for her friends.

At about ten in the morning, I was completely packed and ready to leave. I had told them that I would be gone on vacation with my family for a week or longer, at which Inuyasha instantly threw an absolute tantrum…just after asking how what a vacation was and how many days were in a week. But I would have none of it and told him that I needed to do this. After all, I had been spending hardly any time at all back home. The feudal age was sucking away my life. It sounded like a reasonable excuse, and it would have been, had it been true. If I was to do what I was currently set on doing, I could not have Inuyasha around, distracting me and messing everything up. I just hoped that he wouldn't go to my time, looking for me.

I hugged Sango and Miroku (while slapping away a wandering hand) and told them I would return sooner if possible. I shouted a goodbye to Inuyasha who was skulking in his tree, acting as if he were asleep, and headed off towards the well. Every two minutes I turned to see if Inuyasha was following me, ready to pounce and break the well before I could hop down it. I was relieved that I couldn't sense him anywhere near. I was thankful for my growing powers even if I was a bit scared. They were useful, even if they were unknown and I fear the unknown. It's a normal human reaction to fear what we don't know. But it's not a normal human reaction to come with miko powers included. Just an extra bonus, I tried to assure myself.

I looked left and right once I got to the well. I took out an old change of clothes and threw them down the well just in case. I seriously doubted even Inuyasha was that dumb, but maybe it would convince him that I had entered the well if my scent was in it. Who was I kidding? I knew what I was going to do was idiotic and there was a high possibility of me not making it through with every piece intact. Still, I had my purifying arrows, and, if I do say so myself, I was becoming a formidable opponent when it came to fighting demons. My aim had improved immensely. I even practiced sometimes in my time, when I wasn't busy studying.

I put my pack down and pulled out a pair of tennis shoes. After all of the hiking around we had been doing, I had wised up and brought the tennis shoes along with my regular shoes. I swapped them quickly and placed my black shoes in the yellow bag. Sighing heavily, I hitched the backpack up a bit and continued in the way west, hoping to all things mighty I would be able to find the damn place. Sesshoumaru's castle.

________________________________________________________________

Going on the third day, I began to sympathize with early explorers who had had to trek across vast new territories. By the time I was done with this, I'd be able to make my own map of Japan, I though blandly. Yes, and here's the tree that I sat by while going to Kaede's village after the attack by that brown oni… and here's the village where I met the little girl who was obsessed with dolls that had grass hair…and here's… Heck. I had spent so much time in feudal Japan, I felt as if I should know it inside and out. So why am I practically failing my history class?! I thought bitterly. The only things I got right had to do with Japanese mythology. Go figure.

Three days. I had only encountered one demon who had come across me on accident. I had easily put it to rest with one shot. I was thankful for once that I was not in possession of the shards. The jewel attracted danger and that was most certainly what I was not looking for.

I rested by a stream, washing my hands and face in the refreshing waters. I had taken care to pack extra food for my little trip, but I hadn't planned on it taking that long. I ate a little bread and packed up, taking to the road once again.

As far as I could tell, I was three days into it and nothing looked familiar. Flying with Sesshoumaru had been much more easier. In fact, I had slept some of the way. It had taken a day and a half at most. Now, I was double that time and didn't seem like I had traveled half the distance.

This was beginning to look like a stupid idea. No, now an even more idiotic idea. I had been traveling for three days, was exhausted and moody. Not to mention, by the time I got back, assuming I did, it would be at least a week, probably more. Inuyasha might go to find me. I would have to hurry…or I could just turn back.. No. I can't do that. My friends are in enough danger as it is. They don't need Sesshoumaru after them because of a mistake I made. I walked on, my legs screaming at me in pain. My back was aching and I was beginning to regret not bringing my bike. Why had I not thought of that. Stupid Kagome. I slapped my forehead repeatedly, but stopped immediately when I felt the faint tug of a shard. That only meant one thing. I was near Sesshoumaru's home.

"Oh, hi Sesshoumaru? How are you today? Fine? Good. Well, you know how you said you would kill me and my friends if you ever met us again after we sneaked into your home, tricking your servant, and scavenged through your ward's room? Yeah, well I was hoping you could just maybe see past that. You know, just forget about the whole thing…" Oh, yeah. That would work wonders. I sighed and hunched my shoulders. I had been lucky enough to find the castle without getting myself killed. I had been unlucky enough to find the castle without getting myself killed. It worked both ways, really. Perhaps Maki and Kaji would be there and I could just have them relay the request to their master when he came home. Yeah, that would be good. If I wanted a quick death.

I neared the edge of the forest and clamored up a small hill. "Hi, Sesshoumaru, DON'T KILL ME!!! Um..yeah… I stumbled down the hill, following my feet, a growing pit devouring my stomach as the massive achitecture loomed over me. "I'm really sorry about what we did and all and I was wondering…." I raised my hand and knocked twice. "I you would, in your kindness, be able to forgive us for taking advanta-"

"What are you doing here, human?!" a small squeak rose from somewhere near the floor. I stared down absently and almost died when I realized that Sesshoumaru's retainer was standing at the giant wooden door, looking at me like the toe jam between his nasty green appendages. I stared at him blankly. How had I gotten to the door like that? Or more importantly, what was I supposed to do now? I should ask for Sesshoumaru.. No..don't be stupid, you must not show up suddenly and ask him for this. Tact, Kagome, tact. Something I felt that I was supremely lacking in at the moment.

"Hello…"

"Jaken-sama to you, ningen."

"Jaken…sama…is Maki or Kaji near? I need to speak to them."

The toad squaked a humph and glared at me suspiciously. "Why would a pathetic human wench like you wish to do with my master's most trusted servants?"

I was in no mood to put up with an ugly, talking reptiles crap.

"Haven't I already said that. I want to speak to them!" I could feel my miko energy pulsing through me, a warning to be taken. Jaken, he calls himself, got the clue. "So if you wish to keep you body how it is, unpurified to smithereens, I would suggest you get them!!" Jaken looked utterly afraid, standing stock still in front of me. Now he was blocking my way. " Today, Toady!" The toad scampered off faster than I would have thought him capable.

I stood in the grand entrance hall, surveying my wondrous surroundings. Large, intricate tapestries and scrolls hung from the walls, depicting beautiful mountainous landscapes and enormous, awe-inspiring, pure white dogs. The crescent was evident in all decoration, a common theme of a great line of heirs.

I had completely gone over the furnishings of the entry way and was currently ravaging my mind for possible things to say to the great taiyoukai Sesshoumaru. I was scared out of my wits but I almost wished he would just show up so I could get it over with.

"Where the hell is that disgusting toad?!!" I grumbled none-to-quietly under bated breath.

"I do not appreciate you referring to my servants in such ways." a cold, smooth voice announced calmly from behind me. "And did I not warn you that if I saw you again, I would kill you? Humans are such stupid beasts…"

I whipped around so fast I almost lost balance, coming face to chest with the very person I had just been dreading. I took a skittish step backward, enabling me to see his face.

"Sesshoumaru..please…before you do anything..will you listen to me for just a minute?" I almost pleaded. It made me sick. Pleading for something was totally not a Kagome thing to do. He stared me down cold.

"Give me one good reason why I should not just kill you right now. I gave you warning that was beyond fair."

"No! I mean, Yes! I mean…I dropped my head to the floor then cast it quickly back up, my eyes meeting his scrutinizing stare. Suddenly, my anger and will came back to me in a flood. I held my head up high, gazing directly back at him in the same manner. "What I mean is that you may kill me, but do not kill my friends. It was my fault that we came here. I told them about…well, never mind, that doesn't matter…I led them here without thinking twice, I took them to Rin's room. If blame is to be placed, place it on no one else but me. Please understand, I take full responsibility for my friends' actions. They were under my influence. Please, do not go to kill them without thinking. If you must kill someone, kill me, but don't hurt my friends. I'm sorry for what I did, I really am, and, I'm not asking you to dismiss me that easily, but please try to forgive me…" I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what was to come. He didn't say anything, just looked at me with a calculated stare, almost too calm for my tastes. It was an odd stare. No hate or malice. Maybe anger and something else, I couldn't tell.

Then, I almost jumped when I swear I heard the smallest of sighs escape his lips. But, it must have only been my imagination, for a second later, he had reached out and grad my hands harshly. He held them in his, examining them wordlessly. I couldn't help my heart rate rising. I could feel my face turning pink, the warmth spreading across my cheeks.

"Wh-what are you doing?" I squeaked uneasily.

"You are strong enough, for a human woman. I have decided." He dropped my hands unceremoniously and narrowed his gaze once again. "I agree that the offense completely your fault and yours alone. Therefore, you will pay for it." I shivered expectantly, waiting for my death sentence. Would he kill me now or later? Would he kill me slowly, perhaps torturing me, or would he be quick and merciful. "I will not kill you, Instead, you will make yourself useful. A loyal servant of mine, Maki, has fallen somewhat ill. In the place of your friends' lives, you will remain here, indefinitely in servitude. If you object to this, then I will kill you, and eventually Inuyasha and all of your companions. The choice is yours. Decide swiftly, I will kill you before you leave."

With that, he turned around gracefully and walked off, rounding a corner to the right, disappearing completely from view.

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AN: What'd you guys think? I may repost this with some variations. Man do I put Kagome through some crap. I'm glad I'm not her. Then again, she gets to serve the honorable, and oh-so-sexy Sesshoumaru. Heck, I'd put up with all of it, just to change his sheets. ^^Anyways, I now have over 100,000 words logged on ff.net!! Celebrate! Yay!Next chapter: Kagome works her butt off as the new servant in the house of the western lands. But, hard work can form bonds…

Due to an avid readers observation, I had to fix a part where Kagome says sit and Inuyasha doesn't slam into the earth. Thank you, devoted IY fan! Oh, yeah, thanks to my muse, the literary landwhale for all of her help and musiness. Well, see you all next time. Oh, and I plan to make this story between 10 and 15 chapters long. I know that's not much time for relationships to bloom, but that's how life is. See ya next chapter!!