Phew.. OK FIRST!!!! This story is NOT beta'd. I ran out of time (2 days ago) and needed to get this posted ASAP. I will come back and post an edited version later :) This story is for OPAL's challenge, and it is also for OPAL's picture. Her picture can be found here: http://www.dokuga.com/gallery?func=detail&id=7436. This is an AU/Cannon story (you will see).
I want to thank Zandrellia for saving me from writing a really really bad fic... She inspired me to do something really crazy and off the wall, and I must say I had a blast doing it. It is not complete, but it will be soon. It is going to be pretty long, and I just could not finish it like I was supposed to. I hope you enjoy, and the errors will be corrected soon...ish.
ENJOY.
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The sun had begun to set, casting the world in its brilliant orange hue. The air still held the warmth of summer, yet a slight breeze carried the breath of the approaching autumn. A lone woman stood upon a balcony, the wind caressing her ebony locks. Her eyes were somber, her lips pursed and taught. She took a deep breath as her lids fluttered closed.
“Breathe, Kagome.” She whispered to herself. “Just breathe. He will return.” She opened her eyes once more to scan the horizon for any sign of him. Still there was nothing.
“Princess!” Kagome ignored the voice, yet she could not help the sigh that fell past her lips. “You should not be out here! He may see you!” An elderly woman moved forward, her hands coming around the young woman’s shoulders.
“I am waiting.” She responded sadly. The elder woman leveled her with a stern look.
“He is off fighting for you, princess. You will not dishonor his actions by jeopardizing your safety.” The young woman winced and her eyes deflated. She looked away from the horizon, her aura flushing with shame.
“You are right, Kaede. I just… I worry for him.”
“He is with his brother, princess. Nothing will happen to him. You know that he would not allow it.” Though her tone was said in jest, her words were none the less spoken in truth.
“I just pray Inuyasha returns soon.” Kagome cast one last glance at the horizon, her eyes beginning to mist as she allowed Kaede to lead her inside. She was safe inside, safe from him.
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“Get up wench! We got to move!” The booming voice woke her from her dreams. She shot upwards, her breathing coming in gasps. When she realized there was no danger she pinned the one who had awoken her with a harsh glare.
“Sit!” A moment of panic crossed the hanyou’s face before it disappeared into the dirt. Kagome moved the blankets aside, her mood thoroughly ruined. Not only had he scared her half to deaf with his sudden shouting, but he had awoken her from her dream! It was not exactly a great dream, but he it was a dream where she was a pretty princess dressed in a gorgeous gown, not to mention that Inuyasha was off fighting to protect her! It was as close to a fairy tale as she was ever going to get.
“He is in one urgent mood this morning.” Sango remarked as she tied back her hair. Kagome grumbled, her annoyance still thrumming hotly.
“What a wonderful way to start my day!” Kagome whined somewhat pathetically. Sango laughed lightly and placed her hand upon her shoulder.
“Do not worry, we should reach Kaede’s village by nightfall if we are leaving this early. Maybe he will let you go home and rest. The past week has been grueling for all of us.” The mention of home lit up Kagome’s face with joy, a hopeful look burning in her blue eyes.
“Ah a hot bath! And my bed! My oh so awesomely comfy bed how I have missed you!” Sango shook her head, knowing her friend was far gone in her musings of home.
With nothing left to do but pack up and set out, the small group of shard hunters did just that. Inuyasha lead the way, his hands folded into the sleeves of his haori. He had a calm look on his face, yet everyone could feel the burning impatience dancing in his aura. It was not uncommon for Inuyasha to be so on edge, the past few weeks they had searched high and low for a shard but come up with nothing. It had been frustrating to say at least, and Inuyasha's foul mood was not helping.
The sun was slowly beginning to reach its highest point in the sky, its rays beaming down on the unsheltered group. Beads of sweat dotted their foreheads, yet their unaffected hanyou leader seemed unfazed by the sweltering heat. Even young Shippou seemed sluggish in his attempts to keep up, finally taking refuge on Miroku’s shoulder. Kagome took out her cantine and drank that last few remaining sips eagerly. She could not help the wave of annoyance that washed over her directed at their hanyou leader. With a slight growl she stopped in her stride, her hands crossing stubbornly over her chest.
“I need a break.” She said sharply, her eyes burning holes into the back of Inuyasha’s head. He turned to her, a scathing retort dancing on the edge of his tongue on to still at her look. Oh he knew that look alright. Part of him roared against her defiance, urging him to step in and demand she follow, but the part of him that enjoyed remaining upright and not eating dirt calmly rationalized the need for life. Begrudgingly he collapsed to the ground in his customary “sit and wait” pose. Kagome’s temper dropped instantly and a cheerful expression blossomed on her face.
“Thanks Inuyasha!” She chirped as she nearly skipped to the trees where the sound of running water could be heard. Sango and Shippou followed close behind. Inuyasha watched Kagome go, a very slight smile making its way on to his face. Sometimes she was just too cute to stay angry at.
“She is quite charming, Inuyasha.” The smile vanished instantly and was replaced by a scowl.
“Keh.” He grumbled, fighting the rising blush upon his cheeks. Miroku grinned and mentally added a score under his name.
“Meddling monk.” Inuyasha though hotly, yet he did not argue. A sudden uneasy feeling crept its way onto the back of his neck, and Inuyasha jumped up, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
“What is it Inuyasha?” Miroku asked, crouching into a defensive stance. He sensed nothing, but knew his friend would not react such if something was not nearby.
“I don’t know, I just feel it. Come out ya bastard!” Inuyasha called out, withdrawing his sword.
“Still as protective as ever, Inuyasha. Though your manners have suffered immensely.” The voice was feminine, yet entirely unfamiliar. He turned sharply as a figure shimmered into view. She was tall and dark, her skin a dark chocolate hue and hair that fanned out from her head in ebony curls. She wore a golden dress of a fashion unlike any he had ever seen. It clung to her body and plunged in the front with a large upturned collar that seemed to frame her face.
“Keh who the hell are you?” Inuyasha growled, confusion warring with his unease.
“Inuyasha who are you talking to?” Miroku asked, his own voice seeming slightly shaky. He still could not sense or see anything, but Inuyasha was staring pretty hard at a certain spot.
“The damn wench right there you blind idiot!” Inuyasha snapped.
“Inuyasha there is no one there…” Miroku began.
“The monk cannot see me in case your addled mind was unable to piece that together. This visit was intended for you, and you alone. It wouldn't be so fair if it were two against one now would it?” The woman seemed to snicker at his annoyance. Inuyasha grit his teeth. Who the hell was this woman?
“I asked you a question, wench?” The woman smirked at him, and placed her hand on her hip.
“That is not nice of you, Inuyasha. Your language is fowl and I will not tolerate it. It has taken us a very long time to find you, and your precious princess, but we will finish what we started!”
“Keh your crazy, wench!” Inuyasha snapped before leaping forward, his sword transforming before her eyes. The woman glared but leapt out of his way with ease.
“Your skills may have improved, but you are still no match for me!” A long unusual looking spear appeared in her hand and she lunged to meet Inuyasha.
“Inuyasha what is going on!” Miroku shouted.
“Miroku, Inuyasha!” Kagome called as she raced into the clearing, Sango and Shippou hot on her heels.
“Stay back! There is something here, but none of us can see it!” Kagome’s eyes widened, her gaze locked onto the woman engaged with Inuyasha.
“Who the heck is she?” Kagome asked, pointing to the spear wielding woman. Miroku’s face faltered.
“You can see his opponent?”
“Yes! Inuyasha be careful!” The woman’s gaze flickered to Kagome, a sinister smile curling onto her face.
“I see your princess still beckons to you like a cheap harlot! Master will reward me greatly when I bring her to him!” She spun with speed Inuyasha could not match and flew through the air towards Kagome.
What happened next neither Inuyasha nor Kagome could explain. A flash of light exploded about her and a figure too bright to be seen was standing before her, protecting her. Kagome fell back onto her backside in shock, her eyes wide. The mysterious figure lifted a giant weapon, far larger than any Kagome had ever seen, and swung it at the attacking woman. It collided with her own weapon but the force of his strike sent her flying through the air with a cry of pain. Kagome looked up at her savior, her eyes catching one detail before the image faded; golden eyes.
“Kagome!” Inuyasha raced to her side, worry etched onto his face. “Kagome, are you alright?” He asked, pulling her up from the ground and pushing her behind him. He faced the woman who was beginning to stand.
“Damn him! My master will take each of you out, just as he has done before! Not even your precious warrior will protect you, princess!” She shimmered from view, her oppressive aura dissipating from the surroundings.
“What the hell was that?” Sango said, her hand coming to Kagome’s shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“I am fine, Inuyasha who was she? And why did she keep calling me princess?”
“Keh, no idea but when we see her again I will destroy her.” His heart was beating fast, his hands shaking and sweaty. That woman would have gotten ahold of Kagome, and there had been nothing he could have done to stop it. She had been so close, but that thing saved her.
“Kagome, what was that bright flash?” Shippou asked. “It didn’t feel like your miko powers.”
“I don’t know Shippou. It looked like a guy.” She admitted somewhat sheepishly, her eyes catching Inuyasha’s. For some reason, admitting that another guy had protected her seemed cruel to say in front of Inuyasha. She could tell he seemed disturbed by this ordeal already.
“We head for Kaede’s. Pick up the pace.” He crouched down, a sign that he wished for Kagome to climb on his back. She gave no argument as she hopped on. Did this have something to do with her dream?
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Love,
Caleesci