InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Truth's Tears ❯ The Meeting ( Chapter 12 )

Disclaimer~ All rights for Inu Yasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The legend of the Dragon King belongs to the people of Japan, we hold no rights to it. This fiction is only for entertainment purposes. And if any part of this fanfiction resembles another it is purely coincidental.

Chapter Twelve ~ The Meeting

"Emotions are a weakness that many demons believe humans suffer from the most. Yet your mother had them in great quantities and because of that she was stronger than any other demon we came across. And they may be the only thing that saved us when he found us, when he slipped within our group and joined in our hunt for the Shikon no tama..."

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"La da dum, mm mm, de da de dum."

A young man hummed as he heaved his bag over his shoulder once more. Along his sides fellow travelers sent odd looks in his direction, he must be foreign to this land. He must have come from a powerful family to be dressed as finely as he was. He must be a demon lord like the feared Lord of the western lands. But this man smiled and talked with them. Who was this man?

"Seta! Seta! The yellow dragon! They've seen the yellow dragon!"

An older man before him turned toward the shouting of the school children, smiled and turned to him.

"It means good luck to have seen the gold dragon, eh friend."

The young man smiled whimsically before he nodded his blonde head and murmured, "Rumor has it Ryu, is searching for a lost gift."

The old man's expression softened, "Let us pray that Lord Ryu finds his gift before more evil befalls it."

The younger man's smile never faltered and as his eyes opened and narrowed slightly at the older man.

With a broad toothless grin the old man laughed lightly before speaking, "May Lord Ryu's luck be with you, young man." Piercing yellow eyes followed the older man while a pale eyebrow quirked before he turned and gazed into the horizon. Suddenly a soft laugh broke free from his throat. Shaking his head, he continued down the dusty trail, following the strange scent of the woman he was after. She may no longer carry that, that was his, but she must know of its whereabouts.

The sun was setting by the time he reached the area named, "Inu Yasha's forest." Slowly he breathed in the fresh scent of the flora around him, a peaceful _expression gracing his features. He could still smell the hanyou's magic that clung to the wildlife in the area and he could also still smell the tears the humans had shed for the young warrior.

Bright eyes fluttered close as the man concentrated on his energy, one last transformation before meeting up with the young miko would leave his powers below her senses. Golden eyes flashed open and bled crimson as human features took on a more reptilian resemblance. Light sparked around the man's form, engulfing him within an aura of pure white. The white died away to a brilliant gold and exposed the huge form of a dragon.

Long claws dug into the earth as the Dragon King stretched his long body. Wise crimson eyes opened and gazed unblinkingly into the depth of the forest. Slowly, his deep voice spoke, shaking the leaves from the trees and startling many of the small animals from within.

"Lord Sesshomaru."

Piercing eyes waited as the young Lord emerged from the darkness, his back stiff and his golden eyes questioning.

"What brings you away from your palace, Lord Ryu."

Ryu smiled a fang-filled smile, as a deep purr broke free from his huge throat, "My servants are incompetent."

Sesshomaru merely gazed stiffly forward, his eyes twitching in sarcasm.

"Fish and turtles have never been known for their intelligence, Lord."

Harsh laughter filled the air as Ryu acknowledged the young lord's dry wit.

"True, true. But even with their failings their devotion is unconditional."

Sesshomaru simply nodded his head before he bowed and took his leave of the great Dragon. The Dragon King was not a creature to contend with. He was several millennia old and stronger than all the great Youkai Lords. Sesshomaru's curiosity had been piqued though, what was Ryu looking for? Questions trembled behind his blank eyes as Sesshomaru collected his servant and the human child, he would follow the dragon and learn the answers.

Ryu's wise eyes watched as the young lord returned to his following, with a great sigh Ryu silently thought to himself, "he would be a great and powerful lord if he learned a bit of compassion toward the human race."

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The first thing Kagome realized as she came to was the slow throb gaining strength behind her eyes.

"Ahhhh...my head." Moving very slowly, Kagome crawled from underneath the pile of blankets. The shock of the early morning light intensified the throbbing in her head as she quickly dove back into the safety of the futon.

She felt like someone had crammed an entire baggy of cotton balls into her mouth and then decided to beat her with a steal pipe. Good Kami! Her everything hurt!

"Aspirin, must have aspirin." She mumbled softly as she reached one hand out from the blankets and padded around for her bag.

Her hand bounced lightly across the ground, searching for her hiding bag when suddenly it tapped something solid.

`Ah, ha!' she thought with a grin and moved to grab the object only to realize something was oddly different about her bag. It was hard, and warm and wait . . . are those shoes?

"Well this is a first," a lite voice teased as Kagome's hand tapped curiously on his foot, "usually I'm the one groping, not being groped."

Kagome's eyes flew open with realization and her hand flew back under her hiding place her face growing warm as she mumbled, "thought you were my bag."

Melodic laughter broke the quiet, Miroku's laugh which normally would calm her was nearly her downfall.

"Not so loud! My head hurts!" Kagome cried in frustration as she crawled from out of her safe haven, only this time she took her time.

Miroku's laughter lowered to a soft chuckle as he watched a bedraggled Kagome renter the world.

`She looks like hell.' he thought to himself and was oddly startled as a tender smile graced his mouth.

`Water, must have water. Gah! Cotton mouth, why did I listen to that shriveled up old man for anyways!'

`Oh ya, guilt.'

Kagome sighed lightly with her mental monologue, `Its all Miroku's fault for, for making me feel quilty! Send really nasty, evil glares his way. Okay, good. Er, wait...why is he smiling?'

"Jerk, this is all your fault you know."

Miroku laughed lightly as he leaned back and reclined against the wall, his eyebrow quirked mischievously.

"Oh? So it was I who forced that bottle of sake down your pretty throat?"

Kagome flushed before she sent another nasty glare his way, "Ya!"

Miroku's eyebrow lifted higher.

Kagome blushed deeper, "Er, well sorta."

Miroku grinned broader.

"Okay, fine! You didn't physically force me to drink it, but you still caused me to get drunk."

Something about his nails seemed to have captured Miroku's undivided attention as he softly murmured, "Ah, well I wasn't the cause of you drinking, just the cause of getting you drunk. I see."

With a huff, Kagome blew her messy bangs from her eyes as she turned away. Her eyes widened when she heard a soft chuckle, slowly she turned her head and let out a startled "eep!" when she came face to face with Miroku.

The color instantly returned to her cheeks and Kagome suddenly found it difficult to think.

`Mm, eyes pretty.'

Miroku was saying something, but Kagome's brain had suddenly ceased to function as she felt his warm breath against her lips. Her natural reaction was to breathe deeply and she quickly realized his breath smelled like mint and tea.

"You smell nice."

Miroku's heart skipped a beat. Wait, did she just say he smelled nice? His eyes widened as he pulled away slightly and carefully looked into Kagome's chocolate eyes. His heart once more failed him with what he saw in those creamy depths. A small lecherous smile spread across his face and Miroku leaned closer, her name whispered from his lips.

"Kagome..."

Kagome snapped from her Miroku induced coma with his utterance of her name. Her cheeks flared a brighter shade of red as she quickly scrambled backwards, tangling herself within her blankets. Embarrassment was at an all time high as Kagome struggled to free herself from the confining blankets. Her struggles proved fruitless as she gave up and laid still, doing her best to slow the rapid beat of her heart. After several moments of simply laying still Kagome lifted her head and peered at the spot Miroku had occupied.

With a frown, Kagome slowly untangled herself and set about her morning rituals. Her heart ached, but why? Several thoughts circled her mind and she blushed, was he going to kiss her?

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Ryu yawned. He had spent the entire evening as a dragon, and though he loved that form it did leave him tired afterwards. Tenderly he adjusted his pouch once more on his shoulder, it had been worth the expense of his power with the amount of ground he had covered last night. A slow smile reached his lips as he gazed up at the long row of steps before him, the human he was seeking was at last within his reach. He would have what belonged to him shortly.

With growing excitement, Ryu stepped forward moving carefully over the steps, his eyes set before him. He could feel the immense power of the future miko wash over him, trying to determine if he was friend or foe. A soft laugh rumbled from his throat as he crossed the last steps and gazed at the shrine before him. His pale eyes quickly surveyed the open yard, focusing on a young monk who seemed to be lost in his thoughts. Ryu moved forward, his features schooled to look relaxed and curious as he approached the monk. Recognizing the monk almost instantly through the descriptions, his servants had given him.

Miroku was mentally kicking himself and with a soft curse he reminded himself that she had just lost Inu Yasha, her mate, her love. Though not accepted as a human marriage, it was still a binding of souls. She needed time to mourn. He had to give her time. If not only to grieve but IT was his duty after all to give her time. Miroku shook his head and reminded himself that his duty to Kagome was to protect her until her journey was over.

"Lovely morning, eh Lord Monk?"

Miroku whirled around, his left hand habitually fisted around the prayer beads as he raised his fist before the creature that stood beside him. Amused golden eyes gazed deeply into Miroku's violet, a soft chuckle breaking the tense quiet that surrounded them.

"Forgive me for startling you, Lord Monk, but I was under the impression that it was close too impossible to startle a follower of Buddha."

Miroku sighed, lowered his arm and with a disgruntled glare straightened his robes.

"How may I help you, sir?" Miroku was too shaken to care with formalities at the moment as he turned away from the man and returned his gaze back to the grounds.

Ryu smiled, "I will get straight to the point. I am looking for the miko that protected the tama."

Miroku fought back the need to turn and glare at the man, "I have not seen her."

Ryu grinned, his white canines shimmering in the early light, "Ah, but you lie Lord Monk. She is here, with you and the old man. I can feel the power she holds dormant within her young form."

Miroku did turn this time. His violet eyes narrowed.

"Who are you?"

The smile that had been ever present on Ryu's face dimmed as he sneered slightly, "Who I am is not of any importance to you, Lord Monk. I am here to speak with the miko, bring her to me and make this easier on all of us."

With a step closer, Miroku quickly closed the space between them his eyes hard as he spoke lightly, "I am her protector, whatever business you have with her you will share with me also."

Golden eyes clashed with violet, as both men glared the other down. Miroku's hand slipped within his robes as Ryu's hand dropped the bag over his shoulder and fisted.

"Bring the woman to me."

"No."

Ryu couldn't believe the arrogance of the human man before him. He had disregarded his request and now challenged his need to speak with the miko. Suddenly a broad grin appeared across Ryu's features, and a burst of laughter spilled from his lips.

Bowing before the monk, Ryu spoke lightly between his laughter, "This Lord humbly asks that he may speak with the miko that is under Lord monk's protection."

Shock left Miroku still for a moment before he stepped back and bowed in return. A confused smile on his lips as Ryu clapped him on the back and laughed loudly.

"Ho! I really must get out into the human world more often!"

Making a mental note to ask the man what he meant later, Miroku lead them to the temple. Bowing again as he turned, Miroku left to track down the future miko, he found her sitting in the garden a flower in her hair and her eyes closed.

Unable to disturb her just yet, Miroku simply took in the beauty that surrounded her. Her aura was healthy and swirled gently around her meditating form, the small white flower in her hair seemed to pulse off the radiant life force around her. Miroku's stomach clinched as he moved forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, coaxing her gently back to reality.

"Lady Kagome, you have a visitor."

Kagome's bottomless eyes opened and gazed up into Miroku's a small smile touched her lips as she rose and nodded to him. Miroku fought against the upheaval of emotions that rose to the surface from the look she had given him. `She's in mourning' he chanted mentally as he steered them to their waiting guest.

Kagome entered the large room and stopped dead still. The peaceful look in her stance evaporated as she tensed, her bright eyes wide as she took a step away.

"Who are you? Who the hell are you!" She cried out shocking Miroku.

Ryu looked up from his place, his smile gone and his eyes lethal as they met with hers.

"I, young miko, am the true owner of the tama, and I have come for what was stolen from me so many years ago."

tbc...

A/N ~ :stretches tired limbs and yawns: there, chapter 12 all done... We apologize for delay with the posting of this chapter. But this last month has been hell for us. We lost our father, two good friends and have had marital problems. BUT, we are back! And we will not leave this story unended. Things are going to get a wee bit weird from here on out, just keep in mind that MOST of this is normal time line while the rest is AU.

Thanks to all of you that responded with kind words and reviews. We apologize for no individual responses but...Yawns...tired.

We do, however, have one last thing to say. It was mentioned to us that the A/N upset some of you with giving you false hopes that the chapter had been updated. We appreciate the fans, but the response we received left us in rather sour moods. We had agreed that it was the polite thing to do, and yet we received such a horrible response it almost ended "Truths Tears". The only thing we can say is, we will keep in mind your feelings the next time a loved one of ours passes away.