Taste My Blood

Chapter three

Tia: hello, hello! I got some very nice reviews (6 so far), I was hopping for a bit more but that’s okay. I’m going to make this story my main priority, even more so then ‘Coraphyee’. Thank you to venusgirl5, IWasATennageBarbieDoll, Sessobssesed92, IggyLovechild, Mo Mo, and spiketwo89 for reviewing! I absolutely LOVE you all!

Kagura opened her eyes to the sound of angry voices outside her window. Blinking feverently, she slowly pulled back the covers and rose from her bed; leaving the world of dreams with the night. Hazy sunlight filtered through the blinds in narrow strips, giving the room a surreal look. With heavy movements, Kagura dressed, pulling her door open violently, and made her way outside to where the voices originated. Kagura held a hand up to her creased brow as she ventured into the day, and she flinched at the suns intense glare. Once her eyes grew accustomed to the vivid light, Kagura found herself starring at the stiff back of Naraku. He was standing straight and ridged, wrapped in his white fur robes. He was radiating the appearance of being distant and detached, as if he was there in body only, and not spirit. Despite his air of indifference, Kagura could tell he was displeased. Muso was beside him immensely more obvious in his anger. With bowed back and clenched fists he stood, yelling at a very frightened looking toad demon. Kagura watched with wide eyes, her mouth drawn into a tight line. In one graceful gesture, she glided off to the side, so that she was almost horizontal to the retched toad. Half concealed by a tree; elegant white fingers wrapped ‘round the trunk, she watched in utter silence.

“Please sir!” The demon muttered as Muso paused for breath, “We tried our best to protect her!”

Protect her?

Muso continued to rag on the poor servant, but Kagura had tuned them all out. She searched the forested area of the castles front yard, where small ranking demons where unloading wounded out of wooden carts. Kagura’s eyes fell on a familiar figure. Kanna was lying face up on a shabby stretcher. Her usually pale face was even more so, but for single red lines on her flushed cheeks. Streams of perspiration were running down her face and back, giving her the clammy look of a dying body. Kagura’s eyes flickered over Kanna's bruised body. Her once flaxen robes were now stained with burgundy, the dry blood matting her hair, caking her body in large clumps. It was enough to make one retch, but Kagura was hardened to such sights, immune to the stench of torn flesh. A cursory glance told her Kanna was not dead, far from it, but she and her mirror would be out of commission for quite a while. Kagura bit down on her lower lip, quelling the urge to smile. With a final look cast in Naraku’s direction, Kagura melted away from the trees, the shadows enveloping her from; a hungry fog swallowing her whole.

Sesshomaru was in a foul mood. All day Rin had been lagging behind, coughing throatily. It wasn’t the fact that they were taking to long to get to the next demon he intended to face, nor was it the fact that Rin was coughing, that had put him out so. It was the fact that he was worried about her that bothered him so much. It had dawned on him in a gradual way. When she first started coughing he had paid no attention, but all through the morning she had continued. Rin would cough, Jaken would tell her to be quite, and Sesshomaru’s mood grew a little darker each time. Now all he knew was that he needed to get Rin checked up, in case the cough was something serious. He stopped walking suddenly, so sharply in fact, that both Rin and Jaken walked into him. Rin ended up on the ground, sniffing softly. Jaken muttered something incoherently, while Sesshomaru kneeled down to look Rin in the eyes. Without a word, he lifted his hand to Rin’s forehead, feeling for a fever.

“Lord Sesshomaru?” Jaken wondered at this strange behavior but dared not say more. Sesshomaru frowned at Rin’s wide eyes. She did indeed have a fever. He contemplated why he had not noticed her flushed cheeks before. Rin was undoubtedly ill. Sesshomaru lifted Rin up, bridal fashion, making sure she was comfortable, then took one great bound, carrying himself and Rin miles away from the confused Jaken and heedless Ah’Uh.

Rin had felt faint all day, and now, in Sesshomaru’s arms she started to drift of into peaceful slumber. Sesshomaru sensed her breathing steady, and looked down at the little girl in his arms with what could have been a smile.

Keade was sitting on her wooden floor, doing nothing as far as one could tell, but inside she was wiring with activity. She starred of into space and thought about the last little week. Kagome had quarreled with Inuyasha again, but they were friendly rows, always ending with the two laughing over such silliness. Keada was glad. She didn’t think she had ever seen a time were either of them was happier, then when they made up after a fight. Indeed, Keada had always loved small brawls, because the apologies made after were always so sweet. Yesterday, they had all come over to see her, but early this morning Inuyasha had sensed a demon and rushed off. And if Inuyasha went, Kagome went; if she left, Sango came as well; and if Sango went, Miroku and Kilala would follow. The only one who had stayed was Shippo (he had had enough of demon fighting for a while), but he had left an hour or so earlier as well, in search of Kagome. Keada hear the soft rustling of her fabric door being pulled back, and a fleeting moment of hope coursed through her. Had the others returned so soon? Keada turned with a smile on her wrinkled features, and then let out a wailing shriek. Kagura stood before her, wearing a smug look.

“Old woman, you will tell me my future.” Kagura wasted no time and got right down to what she wanted. Keada’s mouth hung open, and she moved it about like a fish yearning for breath.

“I would not advise ye to ask for such a thing.” Keada spoke boldly. As much as Kagura was the enemy, Keada would not curse her with the knowledge of the future. Frown lines appeared on Kagura’s smooth face.

“I don’t care for your opinion old maid; just tell me what I want to know.” Kagura seated herself across from the old lady, and Keada wrung her hands anxiously. She knew that the art of for-seeing was a delicate thing. It could drive a mind crazy, and when put into the wrong hands, the knowledge could seriously harm the flow of time. Keada glanced down at Kagura’s hands dryly. Yep. Definitely wrong.

Kagura noticed the old woman’s hesitation and she narrowed her eyes menacingly.

“You will tell me, old hag, or you will die.” She smiled crookedly, “A most painful death I a sure you.” She said it pleasantly, the undertone of her voice dark. Keada gave no sign of fear, but inside she knew that Kagura could make good on her threat. She sighed in defeat and seated herself on the ground.

“Sit.” Keada ordered and Kagura obeyed. Kagura watched curiously as the woman closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. The air in the room was heavy and calm. Kagura was enraptured. Keada seemed to go to sleep, and after a while Kagura shifted uncomfortably. She was growing impatient.

“Hurry UP old woman!” Kagura hissed. Keada gave no sign she had heard. The air in the room was hot and stuffy; Kagura’s uneasiness grew, and reached its height, exploding when Keada’s eyes started to roll in their sockets. A moan like sound escaped the old ladies lips, and Kagura was just about ready to high tail it out of there. Keada gasped as she semi consciously saw Kagura move away.

“Stop!” She rasped in a harsh whisper. “You wanted the future; I will give it to you!” Kagura winced at the forceful voice, so unlike Keada’s usual kind one. This voice was threatening, taunting and full of fire.

“What you wish for will come to pass.”

Kagura leaned forward, “You mean Naraku’s death?”

Keada nodded once. Kagura panted, her eyes wide. She licked her lips and breathed in deeply.

“And who… brings about his death?”

“It will be…”

Kagura grabbed her with shaking white hands. “Who? Tell me!” Her voice was raised in a panicky squeak. Kagura was near hysterical by now, and she shook the foreseer with a surging force.

Keada’s eyes started to focus, as she began to leave her dream like state. She looked at Kagura with calm prestige.

“It will not be you. It will be Kagome who kills Naraku in the end.”

Kagura ceased her shaking, but her fingers stayed firmly wrapped around Keada. When she spoke it was with freakish calm and quiet.

“What?”

Keada gulped, fully out of the dream state and realizing the danger she was in. Kagura did not look happy.

“Ye will not be Naraku’s end, child.”

Kagura was shaking with anger and vexation, “You lie. Liar!” She raised an arm to strike the old woman, when she noticed the shadow that had fallen over her form. She whirled around to face the intruder.

“I do hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Sesshomaru starred into Kagura’s eyes with detached coolness. Keada eased her way around Kagura, but made no move for the door. She was caught between decisions. If she stayed where she was, Kagura might attack her. If she made a run for it, Sesshomaru would undoubtedly harm her. In a deadlock choice, she opted to try her best at pretending she wasn’t there. It wasn’t all that difficult, either. Kagura and Sesshomaru were intent on looking at each other, matching glare for glare, and seemed to have no interest in the old maid. Kaeda liked it that way.

“Get out of my way, fluffy.” Kagura’s voice was hard, free of any former fear she might have had. He was in oath to her, and could not bring harm until the oath was fulfilled. Sesshomaru knew this, but it bothered him none the less to have someone speak so boldly to him. He drew his sword in an attempt to look mightier then he felt, before stepping gracefully away from the entrance. Kagura forced her way past, throwing a dagger like glare at the young girl hiding behind him. Rin was clutching her lord’s robes, sniffing gently. She felt a little light headed, but she wasn’t sure why. Sesshomaru-sama had brought her here without a word of explanation. Kagura stopped outside the hut, breathing in the chilly air of the approaching evening. She felt her wild rage start to ebb away in the calmness of the night, and a gradual sourness replaced it. How could anyone other then her be the one to bring Naraku to his knees? She wouldn’t allow it! This Kagome was just a child, veven if she was the reincarnation of Kikyo. It just wasn’t right that anyone else should have the pleasure of seeing Naraku fail.

Inside, Sesshomaru was bringing Rin out from behind him. Keada saw the girls flushed cheeks and hazy eyes, and knew at once why Sesshomaru had come. She came forward and cautiously took Rin’s hand. When Sesshomaru made no move to stop her, she tugged on the tiny hand and pulled Rin to a pallet.

“Lay down little’un, and all will be well soon.” Rin did as she was told, still slightly confused.

“Am I sick, lady Keada?”

“You are child.” Keada sighed, “But I will see you well again.”

Sesshomaru watched the exchange of words, and, feeling that all was in order here, silently took his leave. He would return for Rin in a few days. Kagura heard Sesshomaru leave the hut, and quickly dabbed at her face. She had been crying in frustration, and now she was ashamed and red faced. Sesshomaru noticed but wisely said nothing.

“I’m going to find your brother and his friends.” She announced, “And you’re coming with me.”

“Am I?” He asked. The way he said it was like a statement, as if he was challenging her to disagree.

“Yes you are!” She stumbled, “I hold you to your oath.”

When he said nothing her anger and desperation grew, “You promised to help me!”

“I did.” Sesshomaru was racking his mind for an excuse to stay. He didn’t want to leave Rin here if she was ill. But he wasn’t about to tell Kagura that.

“In one night.” He finally said, having failed at creating an excuse, “If you leave tomorrow I will join you.”

Kagura nodded. That would have to do.