Foolish Games

Chapter XIV: New Allies….

Kagome woke up feeling restless. Something was out of balance but she didn’t know what it was. Her instinct told her that something big was going to happen and she needed to be prepared for it. It has been five weeks since she, Sesshoumaru, and her friends left the western castle in search of Naraku. They haven’t heard a word concerning his whereabouts. They had heard of few rumors and they had followed on them but they had turn to be nothing but rumors. Kagome was getting anxious. She knew whenever they heard nothing from Naraku; it usually means that he was planning something. It was unlike the hanyou to disappear for that long without a trace.

It was almost dawn and she knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep. She got out of bed, wincing when her feet touch the cold stone floor. They were staying at one of Sesshoumaru mini castles. She found he had more than a few of them. They were spread strategically all over the western lands. She had to admit they came in pretty handy especially since winter was approaching. With a sigh, she stood, reached for her silk robe and wrapped it around her. She slipped on her shoes and quietly left her room. The hallway was deserted; not that she expecting to see anyone awake at the crack of dawn. She walked around the castle for a while; just exploring the empty rooms. Most them were empty and void of furniture. The other ones that were furnished were covered in dust and spider webs. She could tell that it has been a while since anyone had stayed in this place. She found it odd that the rooms they were staying in were cleaned enough and these ones weren’t. She brushed off her curiosity; telling herself that it wasn’t important how they were cleaned. Once she ran out of room to visit, she returned to hers and sat on the window sill. It was a long way till morning and she could only hope, she’d get tired soon.

“What is it troubling you?” A voice that she knew well asked.

“I can’t see sleep.”

“I can see that but why can’t you sleep.”

Sesshoumaru came out of the shadow and sat facing her.

“I don’t know. I feel that something is coming.”

“Something?”

“Well, I have this really bad feeling that something bad is going to happen really soon and I’m afraid that I might be ready for it.”

“And what is the nature of that ‘something’.”

“I don’t know. I wish I knew though.”

He was silent for a moment.

“I received some news from the Eastern and Southern Lands. And it seems that the hanyou had attacked them less than a week ago. Nothing too damaging but they’re worried and had asked for my assistance. I will be visiting the Eastern Lands tomorrow to discuss this matter.”

“You’re leaving us here?”

“You can accompany me if you wish but I will understand if you wish to remain here and continued with your quest. I shall join you later.”

“I want to go with you. I want to know what Naraku is up too.”

He nodded. During their talk, Sesshoumaru had sat himself in the settee that was outside on the balcony. His silver head was leaning against the wall and his arms were folded and hidden inside the sleeves of his white sleeping kimono. He looked every bit the regal lord that he was. His head was held high and his posture straight. Confidence, power, intelligence, and not to mention, sex appeal were oozing in waves from the western Taiyoukai. His impassive facial features betrayed nothing. She long guessed that hiding his emotions was second nature to him and he did it sometimes unconsciously. She didn’t take any offence in it anymore. He might be able to his expressions but his eyes said all that she needed to know. And at that moment, she couldn’t help but fell in love with him all over again. She loved every little thing about the demon lord. His arrogance, his pride and even his aloofness toward others. Sesshoumaru was Sesshoumaru. And she loved him for that. She couldn’t help wondering if he loved her. He once told her that he cared about her. Maybe his feelings for her had deepened during the last few months they had been together. She hoped so. Otherwise, it would be just like what happen with Inuyasha. Except this time, she would lose so much more than just her heart.

Suddenly Kagome sat up straight. She could have sworn she felt the Shikon shards. The feeling was feint but it was definitely there. Sesshoumaru, who had been studying her, noticed when she went rigid.

“Something’s wrong?”

“The Shikon no Tama, it’s close. I felt it.”

“In what direction?”

She pointed in the direction she felt.

“It’s moving very slowly.”

“Shall we go and see.”

She nodded. They didn’t go very far. They must have walked for ten minutes before they came upon a clearing. By then, Kagome didn’t need to point the way to Sesshoumaru. He could smell the blood. Minutes later, they found Kouga lying in a pool of blood. Kagome rushed to the wolf prince and check his pulse. It was faint but he was alive. She wanted the extent of his wounds but he was covered in blood and she didn’t have her first aid kit with her.

“Sesshoumaru, help me with him, please.”

“You know him?”

“Yeah, he’s my friend.”

He nodded and grudgingly picked up the wolf prince. His face showed his disgust. No he was covered in blood. They arrived at the castle in record time. He put the wolf demon in a room and left him with Kagome. He needed a bath.

“Thanks, Sesshoumaru.”

Kagome went to get her first aid kit and a bowl of water. She returned to the room and washed Kouga as best as she could, given the circumstances. She disinfected his wounds afterwards and bandaged him up.


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Like he had planned, Sesshoumaru left the following day for his meeting with the southern and northern lords. He told her that he would be back in two days, no later than three. She had to admit that she missed him. Even if it had been only two days since she saw him. She was worried about him. She didn’t want to have another meeting with Naraku and get hurt again.

The next few days were back to normal. Kouga was back on his feet. His wounds were healed completely but he was still sore. Kagome had advised him to stay in bed to regain his strength.

“So what happen to you, mangy wolf?” Inuyasha asked.

“None of your business, Inu-Trasha.”

“Why you…”

“Children…”Kagome warned.

They both fell silent.

“But really Kouga, what happened?”

“Naraku sent a couple of his minions after me to get the jewel shards. I wasn’t there when but they somehow managed to find my den and kill most of my people. Few manage to escape but they were wounded so they might not live long. I managed to kill some of them but some got away.”

Kagome didn’t know what to say. Kouga was sad. She didn’t think she ever saw the wolf prince sad. He always had a cocky grin plasted on his face.

“I’m sorry, Kouga. This is all my fault.”

“Don’t blame yourself for it. I’m sure you would have done something if you could.”

“People are dying because of the Shikon no Tama. I’m the guardian of the jewel therefore it’s my responsible to put an end to all this.”

“Kagome…” Sango said.

Sango wrapped her arms around her adoptive sister.

“Naraku is more powerful than anyone in all Japan. How do you plan to stop him?” Kouga asked.

“I don’t know yet but I have to do something. I don’t want anyone else to die.”

“His powers have grown. The hanyou has an army now. He planned to take over all the lands. And I’m afraid that he might be able to do just that if he’s not stop.”

“The wolf prince is right.”

The whole turned to face the western lord. He was covered in blood and was leaning heavily against the door.

“Sesshoumaru?”

She pressed her palms against his chest and healed him. Unlike the first time she healed him, his demonic powers didn’t react.

“Thanks.” He murmured low enough for her to hear.

She nodded.

“What happened?” She asked.

“I made the acquaintance of some of Naraku’s goons.”

“Oh! Are you alright?”

“This Sesshoumaru’s alright but I require a bath.”

She laughed

“All of you meet me in the study. I have a few matters that I need to address.”

“Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama.”

He left and she returned to her friends. Inuyasha was looking her suspiciously.

“Something wrong, Inuyasha.”

Her relationship with Inuyasha was a bit strained. They were awkward with each other. She knew that Inuyasha was aware that his brother was her lover. She could tell that he didn’t like it but he didn’t say anything. Whether it was in fear of his brother or her scorn, she didn’t know. She was grateful that he didn’t go out of his way to pick fight with Sesshoumaru. In fact, those two avoided each other like the black plague.

“No, I was just wondering why your power never react to my bastard of a brother the way it reacted to other demons.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been wondering the same thing, lady Kagome.” Miroku added.

“Yeah! Kagome-nee-chan, that’s the second time you’ve healed him.” Sango pointed out.

“How come your powers never purified the bastard?”

“Don’t call him a bastard. And to answer your question I don’t know.”

“Does it have anything to do with the fact that he’s your lover?” Kouga asked.

Just leave it to Kouga to be blunt about things.

“I mean wouldn’t it suck if you purified him when you’re trying to make love to him?”

Kagome blushed.

“Shut up, you many wolf.” Inuyasha growled.

“Don’t tell me you’re jealous that she chose the better brother.”

“You fucking…”

“Sit…and Kouga, stop provoking him.”

Kouga laughed and Inuyasha swore.

“Sesshoumaru wants us to meet him in his study.”

They all nodded. On their way out, Sango pulled Kagome aside.

“I don’t care what they say about Sesshoumaru-sama as long as you’re happy. But if he hurt you, I’ll introduce him personally Hiraikotsu.”

Kagome giggled then hugged her friend.

“Thanks, that means a lot.”

“Alright, let’s not keep him waiting?”

The meeting with Sesshoumaru was short. As was expected the Taiyoukai was quick and to the point. He told them what he had found out from the other lords. He told her that they were planning on attacking Naraku before he caused any more damage to their lands. He had sent words to his own men to assemble.

“You have an army?” Kagome asked.

“Yes, But I usually have no use for it.”

“It’s necessary for a lord with as much lands as Sesshoumaru-sama to have an army as a way of protection.” Kouga said.

“It used to be father’s army. When Sesshoumaru inherited the western lands, he inherited the army.”

“Correct. They would be waiting for my orders at the eastern palace in a week.”

He dismissed them soon after he told them they’d be leaving for the eastern lands tomorrow early. With a sigh, Kagome made her way to her room. On the way, she was stopped by Kouga.

“I want you to remove the Shikon shards from my legs.”

“Are you sure? Won’t you need to fight?”

“I might but you have better need for them. If we have any hope of defeating Naraku, you’ll need all the shards.”

She nodded.

“All right.”

She bent down and held out her hands. The jewel shards that were embedded in his skin glowed before coming out and gently rest in her palm. She purified the shards but before she could put them in the little battle around her neck, they sink in her skin. Soon after, she felt weird. It was as if the jewel shard had dissolved and fused with her blood. She was genuinely taken aback. That had never happen before. She was even more startled when the rest of the shards started glowing. They slipped from the little jar and disappeared in her flesh. She felt the same thing as before. Kagome was confused. What the heck was going on with these shards?

Kouga had watched all this with morbid fascination. He didn’t what he was supposed to think.

“Kagome, what just happened?”

“Uh…please excuse me. I need to speak with my sisters.”

“Sisters?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Does it have anything to do with your appearance?”

“Yes, but I can’t tell you right now. I have to go. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She disappeared inside her room and left him standing there. He shrugged before he made his way to the room he was given.

Kagome, as soon as she got to her room, went straight to her back. She found the four stones Sesshoumaru had given her. She did the same thin as before and in an instant, her sisters were standing in front of her.

“Sister, is something wrong?” Naura asked.

“Why do you ask?”

“You looked as if you’ve been given a death sentence.” Galadhia said.

“I…something weird just happened.”

“What?”

“When I touch the Shikon shards, it was absorbed into my skin. Afterwards, I had this weird feeling that it had fused with my blood.”

“Well of course, Ereka. The Shikon no Tama is part of you. Now that you have most of your powers back, the easier it’d be to collect the rest of the shards.”

“But Naraku has them. Kouga told me that he has an army and he’d be attacking any time now.”

“Well, then you need to be ready for that. You know that you can not let him win.”

“I know but sometimes I wish I didn’t have to fight. I don’t want to lose anyone close to me.”

Dona and Alussia, who had stayed quiet till now, hugged her close and she relished in the comforting embrace.

“Don’t worry, sister. You’ll be fine. We know you can do it. We believe in you.”

“Could you help me then? Could you help me fight?”

“No, we can’t.” Galadhia said.

“We’re not allowed to meddle in mortal’s affairs.”

“The fates won’t allow it.”

“I understand.”

“Fear not, sister. Everything will turn out alright.”

"After all, you have your lover on your side."

Author’s note: I don’t even know what to say.