Where Do I Go?

Chapter 5 The New Arrival





Kurama led Hiei into the kitchen where both Sesshomaru and Kagome awaited them. Hoping his friend had some clear knowledge of tact he introduced him to the young miko.





Kagome looked up at the new comer and took note of the auras that surrounded him. She sensed that this demon was more than he seemed, in fact if she read the auras correctly he was at odds with himself. The shikon was also reacting strangely, alternating between pulsing out and pulling in. “ A forbidden child?” Asked Kagome and was taken back at the fierce look in his eyes, “ Forgive me I meant no disrespect, it is just that something about you seems to pull at the jewel. With the auras you are giving off I am not surprised though, fire and ice are not a very common pair in the youkai realm.”







Hiei let his eyes narrow on the woman who had dared mention his origins, how was it she had known? Yes she was a miko but most never caught on to him when he didn’t want them to. This one though had seen straight through his defenses, how was that possible? “ Ah easy my friend, I see she has used her unusual powers of perception on you as well. She was able to discern my auras also, truly she is a wonder.” Hiei looked from Kurama to Sesshomaru and back to the one called Kagome, she was pretty for a ningen to be sure but that was not what was pulling at him, his dragon felt the jewel just as she had said. It too was pulsing and pulling trying to test this new power or threat that was so near. He would have to watch this miko; she caused a strange reaction in him. If he wasn’t mistaken the air had been rife with strong emotions when he had entered. He could tell that most were coming from her by the sorrow contained in her eyes. Well no matter he was not here to dwell on the personal feelings of a ningen, he was here to collect his team for the council. “I have come to bring the two of you back. The council has called on us again.”







Kurama looked at his friend, the apparition had to have had a reason for hunting them out and he had been sure it was not out of curiosity concerning Kagome. Hiei was not like most with his curt sentences and too the point bluntness. It had taken him many years to get used to it, but it seemed not to faze Sesshomaru not at all. He could only hope Kagome wouldn’t take it as a direct slight to her; the small of stature demon was always that way. Looking at the object of his thoughts he couldn’t help but notice the shadows in her eyes, as her gaze seemed fixed on a point far away when suddenly she spoke. “I am sorry, I have kept the two of you from your duties it seems,” with a small smile she stood, “ I will join you shortly but right now I need to complete a few tasks. How will I contact you when I am ready to go?”







Sesshomaru stepped forward and grabbed her hand, “ Kagome do you trust us?” He watched as she looked into his eyes and he prayed she saw the earnestness that he so badly wanted her to see when to his relief she nodded and smiled. Taking her hand he made a small incision with his claw on her finger, doing the same to himself he then pressed their two fingers together. “Now that our blood is linked so are our minds, all you will need to do is call out to me in your mind and I will be there.” Letting her hand fall back to her side he caressed her cheek, he then signaled to the others and before she could blink all three had gone.





Kagome sat back down at the table and placed her hand over the spot Sesshomaru had so softly touched. Her heart ached once more and after finally being left alone she let her head drop upon her crossed arms. For the first time in three months she wept, her heart aching for those left behind in that final battle where she could do nothing. She wept for everything she had lost and let the sorrow go. Sitting back up she wiped her face with a new determination set to her jaw. She needed to move on, no longer would the fear of being weak stand in her way. She had failed once to protect the ones she loved, she would not do so again. If this Ronku was looking for a fight he was going to get it.







Phu looked up at the shrine he had been so closely watching for the last hour. A rather tall youkai but not at all unattractive, he had the ability to mask his presence from even the strongest miko’s or houshi’s he had run across. He was young as far as demons went but his hard life and experience made up for his youth. Now just as always his piercing crystal blue eyes never wavered from the object of his task. When he had first seen the woman through the upstairs window he realized why his master wanted this ningen alive. Her beauty seemed to be ethereal and otherworldly, while her aura radiated with unmistakable power. If he did not have such a clear objective in this mission to leave her unharmed he would have had some fun with her first. Letting out a sigh he continued to wait and watch for the opportunity to arise.







After packing up some things for her family Kagome brought the bags down to the entryway. She had showered and changed from her earlier garments into the ones she had become accustomed to training in. They were a knock off of Sango’s demon slayer out fit but instead of being black they were a deep crimson. Trimmed in black around the collar, sleeves, and ankles with a black dragon embroidered on the back. She had drawn a picture of the clothing trying to design the same thing for her but all the missed days in home economics had caught up to her. She had had no idea of where to start in order to have the end result. Thankfully Arumi had known of a small custom order shop that specialized in the unusual, how she knew it Kagome did not want to know she was just grateful that she had. After bringing in the drawings to the elderly Chinese woman and explaining the basics, she had been told to return with in a weeks time and the outfit would be ready for her. She was surprised to learn of the many hidden compartments in this new suit of hers and the plates protecting all her joints. Thanking the woman profusely she had returned there at least twice more when she had had similar outfits made for the boys.







Walking down the hall and into the kitchen she made her way out the door and towards the storage shed in the back. Opening the doors she strode swiftly to the back to where she kept her armory. Yes believe it or not quiet mild mannered Kagome had an armory. Reaching up she pulled the pair of katanas from the wall where they hung and strapped them to her waist, she then strapped two knives one to her thigh the other to her right bicep. Grabbing the set of throwing stars her mother had gotten her for Christmas she quickly pocketed those as well. She then walked to the cabinet in the far left corner of the room and opened it up. Her eyes shone with reverence as she gripped the bow and quiver of arrows Kaede had made for her what seemed an eternity ago. Last but not least she strapped Sango’s Hiraikotsu to her back.





Leaving out of the shed she locked and turned to go back to the house when she had the eerie feeling of being watched. Stopping she turned her head and peered into the trees surrounding her family shrine, seeing nothing she made her way into the house and locked the back door behind her.







Phu let out the breath he had been holding in a long exhale, how could she have sensed him even a bit? He had made sure to mask himself completely and yet she had let her gaze linger on the exact tree he was perched in. He hoped something would happen soon because it looked like she was definitely ready to go into battle, and he had to be honest and admit that he would like to see her in action. The smile stretched across his handsome face as he imagined what her body would look like in the grace and agility of a fight. Yes she would definitely be sleek perfection, if he had to guess he would have to say she knew how to use every weapon she owned very well.







Kagome carried the bags out side and into the garage. Unlocking her trunk she stowed them away before turning back to secure the house. Try as she might she could not shake the feeling she was being watched. Stopping once more she let her senses reach out across the area, then she felt it. It was small and not very threatening to say the least but she felt the youki in the trees. Stepping forward a few paces she looked up into the branches and called out. “ I know you are there so you might as well show your self.” She held her breath waiting for an answer, when none was forthcoming she crouched down ready to launch herself up. Pinpointing exactly where it was again she launched into the branches. Landing she was surprised to see nothing, no one, she must be losing it. She could have sworn that there had been someone in the trees. Scanning once more with her miko senses she jumped down when she felt nothing. Making her way back to the garage she got back into her Mitsubishi 3000 GT and pulled out. She needed to get to her aunts so that she could rejoin Sesshomaru and his friends.







Phu let out the growl he had been holding in until she had pulled out. Maintaining his distance behind her he once again was in shock that she had detected even a hint of his aura. She was a lot stronger than most he had encountered, and while he was looking forward to a confrontation with her it would happen on his terms. Following her he leapt from building to building wondering where she was going. After about fifteen minutes she pulled off into a suburb making her way through the small streets before pulling up to a small home. He sat on the roof of the house in front of where she had stopped and watched as she pulled all but one small bag out of her car and went to the door. His eyes widened when he saw Shippo and Sota run out to relieve her of her burdens. So this is where her family had gone, smart girl to put them into hiding. However she was still out of luck, as he now knew where they were. Sitting back he relaxed and waited for her to return to her vehicle.







Kagome had been in her aunt’s house for about an hour and now it was time to go. As much as she didn’t want to leave her family, she needed to stop one more place before joining up with her allies. She let Shippo walk her to her car after saying her goodbyes to the others. “Kagome you have to promise me that you will come back. I don’t understand why you won’t let me come with you! I am strong enough to guard your back and I know I could take any demon on any day!” She looked down into the green eyes she had loved since the moment she had met this boy, how could he ever know how much he meant to her. He was the one remaining tie to all those lost as well as the child of her heart. “ Shippo you must understand I need you and Sota to keep the family safe. I can’t go out there and fight and worry about you guys too. You know how much you all mean to me and if anything were to happen I know my sanity would not survive it. This demon that I must face is worse than Naraku and has no qualms about taking my family to get to me. I love all of you and I will not fail to protect those I love again.” He watched as one lone tear fell from her eye and saw the fear and anguish in her gaze. Sighing he knew he would not win this argument with her and to be honest he didn’t want to make it hard on her. “ Fine I will protect everyone but you make sure to protect you because there are a few people who would miss you fiercely if something were to happen to you.” Smiling she ruffled his hair before pulling him into a crushing embrace, whispering “ I love you too my son.” She kissed him on the forehead and then let him go. Making her way back to her car she blew him one last kiss before getting in and starting it up.







Phu was delighted to see his job was going to be easier than he thought. He now knew exactly who in her family was going to be the sacrificial lamb in order to get her to come to the master. With one last look at the house to memorize the number he vanished in a puff of smoke.







* Demon Realm *



“This is not what I expected, I would have thought that we would have had more time.” All that Kurama could do was to sigh as he pondered what Sesshomaru had stated. It was Hiei who spoke, “Yes but we should have known that Ronku would attack when we were not in this realm. No matter what he is heartless and persistent, if it were me I would have done the same thing.” Sesshomaru let out a small growl while Kurama just sighed, the apparition would never change. “ Well gentleman bickering about this will get us no where, so let’s try to anticipate his next move.”





After walking a few steps Sesshomaru stopped, “Kagome…we need to get back to her now.” Kurama thought maybe the dog lord was being a bit paranoid when Hiei spoke once more. “ You’re right if it were me I would have my best tracker trail her and find a weakness.” With those words all three made their way to the gate joining the two realms. When on the other side Sesshomaru opened up his mind link with Kagome.



“Kagome can you hear me?”



*What is it Sesshomaru? *



“Where are you at?”



* I just left my aunts house I’m on my way to a friends why? *



“Listen I do not want to alarm you but have you felt anything around you?”



* Well actually I thought someone was watching me in the trees out side the shrine, but when I investigated there was nothing there. *



“ Kagome you need to call your family and have them move to a safer location, and quickly! I think Ronku has had someone tailing you and if I am right then they are in danger.”



* Oh god ok I’ll contact you in a little bit. *







* Kagome’s Family *





“Shippo what did Kagome say?” Shippo sighed while looking at Sota, “Nothing important Sota, hey wanna help me unpack?” “Sure Shippo race you to the room!” Mrs. Higurashi smiled as she watched the two boys race up the stairs. She could only hope that what ever it was her daughter had to face that she would not be as scarred as the last time. Making her way to the kitchen she joined her younger sister and their father at the table. Pouring herself some tea she relaxed listening to the sounds of the two rambunctious boys overhead. “ Anko I really do appreciate you housing us, we should be able to go home soon from what Kagome said.” Her sister just smiled before shaking her head, “It’s the least I can do for you. You and Shinji kami rest his soul, put me through school when you didn’t have to. I can never repay that, so if it means that I can at least try then it is nothing. Besides I need the company while Hiro is out of town on business.” They sat in companionable silence for a while, each simply enjoying the company of the other. Then Mrs. Higurashi noticed that it had become a little too quiet above, “ I must go check on those boys, they have got to be in to something.”





Shippo struggled to release Sota from the demons grasp but it was no use. He simply was not strong enough. “ Who are you? What do you want?” Smiling the demon dropped Sota as the boy had fallen unconscious, “ Why that’s simple, you see I only need you. Once my master has you your lovely mother will simply fall into his hands!”





As Mitsu (Kagome’s Mom) made her way to the staircase the phone rang, “Hello Kutsari residence.” “Mom is that you?” “Why Kagome what is it dear? You just left twenty minutes ago.” “ Mom this is important, you guys are in danger you have to get out of there all of you! I don’t know how but I think they tracked you there. I can’t explain right now, just get everyone together and go someplace even I don’t know ok?” “ All right Kagome if you’re sure…hold on I think I heard something.” “ Mom? Mom? MOM get out of the house right now! All of you get out now!!!!”





* With Kagome *



All she heard on the other end was a busy signal, hanging up she tried a third time to get back through to her family. After meeting the same results she slammed the payphone down and raced for her car. Opening the mind link she called for Sesshomaru praying that her family would be okay.





* Sesshomaru are you there?? *



“ What is it Kagome? I am almost to your location.”



* No time for that! Follow me something is wrong with my family…oh kami I can’t get through to them! *



“We are right behind you.”

Feeling the mind link close Sesshomaru turned back to his team motioning for them to follow.







Kagome screeched to halt in front of her aunt’s house. Throwing her car in park she ran to the front door when she heard her mother screaming. Heart pounding in her ears she raced up the stairs to where she felt one of the strongest demonic presences since Naraku. Stopping she checked her mother where she had collapsed. Finding a pulse she moved on towards the room she knew her brother and Shippo were to be staying. Pulling out her katana it began to glow a bright blue, she came to a stand still at the sight that greeted her. Her grandfather laid in a heap against the wall her aunt lying across his lap. Further in, next to the futon on the right lay her brother. Bringing her gaze back up she saw the demon she had sensed. He had to be as tall as Sesshomaru with Black hair and violet eyes. As handsome as he was she could feel the cold brutality of his aura. His face bore the markings of a taiyoukai in the form of two blue stripes to his cheeks and a red sun upon his fore head. Behind him stood a slightly shorter demon with the most piercing blue eyes she had seen. But that was not the only thing about him that caught her attention; he had an unconscious Shippo in his arms. Without warning her aura flared and she raised the sword up for attack when the taller one spoke. “ My beautiful Kagome, I would not do that if I were you. You see one word from me and Phu will crush the kitsune cubs neck.” Looking back to him she suppressed the power inside that was struggling to break free and attack. How could she have let this happen? More importantly was this Ronku? “ I can tell that you have already been briefed on who I am by your friends the dog lord and that pitiful fox thief. Rest assured the cruelty they told you I am capable of is all very true. Now why don’t you put the blade away so that we can negotiate for the life of your son hmm?” Kagome froze at the sound of his voice, this could not be happening. She had sworn to protect him, not put him back into danger. Finally she lowered her sword to her side, “What is it you want Ronku?”





Oh she was feisty! She made his body tremble in lust when she spoke his name so venomously, as if it were poison on her tongue. He could not have asked for a better mate! “Why that is simple my dear, your life for his. We let him go and you come with me willingly to help me join these worlds and to become my mate.”



Her eyes widening a fraction Kagome almost emptied the contents of her stomach right then and there. His mate? Not if she could help it! “ And if I refuse and choose to fight?” Laughing the demon merely shrugged. “Why then it’s simple, I have Phu kill the fox and I take you anyways. It is your choice my dear, however believe me when I say I love a good battle before sex!” That arrogant son of a bitch! She felt like slapping the smile right off of his face! His mate, join with him? He was out of his damn mind!



* Sesshomaru where are you?! I need your help Ronku is here! *



“ We are almost there! Can you stall him for ten more minutes?”



* I don’t know if I can, Sesshomaru he has Shippo…I can’t lose him…he is all I have from…Never mind, listen I know I am going to regret this but you guys better come for me you hear! *



“Kagome what are you talking about? Don’t do anything rash! Just hold him there for a little more time!”



* Sesshomaru if this thing works across worlds then know I will be in contact with you soon. Please take care of my family…*





Feeling the link close Sesshomaru sped up while cursing under his breath. She better not be doing what he thought she was, he was not going to allow it!





Kagome looked from Shippo to the eyes of the one who held him. Complete and utter cruelty was reflected back towards her. She would get no help there; he would definitely kill if his master called for it. Closing her eyes she let her aura recede and put her sword away. “ Release my son and I will go with you.” Opening her eyes she watched as the one called Phu placed him on the futon while remaining poised at the kits side. Ronku stepped towards her and held out his hand, “ Now if you would be so kind as to rid yourself of the armaments you have concealed my dear then we can be on our way to your new home.” Not suppressing the shudder of revulsion she untied her swords to drop on the floor. Pulling both knives from their sheaths she let those drop as well. She then took a step towards him. “I meant all of them my dear.” With that he was at her side in a flash. She felt his hands rake over her form as he removed the throwing stars she had hoped to keep in her possession. Once that was accomplished he turned her to face him while keeping her arms restrained. She let her eyes flash her hatred when he bent his head towards her, “ Oh I am going to enjoy taming you my dear. You are very cunning, exactly what I need in a mate.” That was the last thing she saw before he rendered her unconscious and lifted her in his arms. “Phu it is time to take our leave, come.” Both demons strode towards the window when they heard a crash from above.





Sesshomaru was praying to every god he had ever heard of to keep her safe until he got there. Landing on the roof all three demons dropped through just out side the bedroom where Kagome’s muted aura could be felt. Once they entered the room they froze at the sight before them. It was Ronku, and he had Kagome. “Sorry to disappoint you gentleman but I have a prior arrangement with my soon to be mate here. I will have to play with you another time.” With that said he and Phu vanished in a puff of smoke while two howls rang through the night air.