Next Chapter of This Wasn't in the Job Description - Unbetaed
Chapter 64
Returning
Miroku and Sango waited anxiously for the return of InuYasha and Kagome, as the hollow sounding movement of what passed for a breeze in this otherworld swept about them. Kirara nestled in Sangos arms, being gently petted while Myoga sat in gloomy dejection, arms limp at his sides on Mirokus shoulder. The flea was not even tempted to take a quick sip from the humans neck, his mustache drooping in misery.
Two figures came into sight, hand in hand, and Miroku and Sango breathed long breaths of relief. Their eyes met, and their faces lit with hopeful smiles to see their friends coming back. Fears of their group being broken were wiped away. They looked for clues in their friends faces as to what had transpired. InuYasha looked composed and resigned, but was this belied by a bearing of determination. Kagome looked like she did not want to relinquish his hand very soon, her eyes on her boyfriend to will him strength and encouragement.
“Let’s get the fuck outta here,” InuYasha said. “I’ll get washed and changed quickly, and then we can find Totosai.”
Kirara jumped from Sangos arms and transformed. They all climbed on her back, InuYasha first with Kagome holding him tightly from behind. Up in the sky a dark spot spiraled slowly, and Kirara leaped towards it. The portal gaped wide as they approached, and swallowed them, propelling them back to the forests of the demon realm.
~*~
A murmuring echoed softly, a sibilant hiss, as Lord Sesshomaru returned to his fortress, Kagura in tow. The vassals of the Taiyouki Lord averted their eyes when he leveled his cool and steely gaze at them. Behind him Kagura held her head proudly; sure that Lord Sesshomaru’s promise to protect her would insulate her from the obvious animosity of his court.
The Lord of the Western Lands led Kagura into his meeting hall, gesturing for the guards to leave them once inside. Alone at last, Lord Sesshomaru made sure the spells that kept the chamber were working, concealing their conversation from the sensitive ears of his curious household. His sweep of the place complete, he went and sat down. With a nod of his head, he instructed Kagura to approach. She stepped up, eyes downcast and hands clasped demurely in front of her.
“So, we will make an agreement if you wish my protection,” Sesshomaru said. “You will tell me what you know of Naraku’s plans and I will let you stay here as an advisor in my court.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Kagura responded. “If you will, I must inform you of my limitations.”
His hands steepled in front of his face, Lord Sesshomaru’s eyebrows rose at her statement. Kagura waited, not looking up, for permission to continue.
“What limitations?” Sesshomaru said mildly.
“I was created by Naraku from knowledge he got from the human realm,” Kagura replied. “He calls this nanotech. It gives him many of the powers he has. It also controls me - if I do not get back to the vats he created me from, I will die.”
“I see…” Sesshomaru said. “Yet you sought your freedom, coming here to me, despite imminent death. How long do you have?”
“I am not sure,” Kagura said, shrugging and her mouth twisting down at the corner. “But I will do everything in my power to help you defeat him quickly - hopefully in time to save me.”
Lord Sesshomaru nodded slowly, considering all she had told him. This Kagura was a brave creature, fierce in battle and strong of will. She would make a worthy advisor and benefit his court with her power and knowledge; if he could keep her alive…
“What else can you tell me about this nanotech?” Sesshomaru asked.
“Naraku has been seeking something called the Shikon no Tama formula,” Kagura replied. “It was created by a human named Midoriko, and he has got all his nanotech from her work. The Shikon no Tama is her ultimate creation, but she disappeared with it when she got wind he was after it. Your brother is also looking for the formula, which he knows of from his former girlfriend and former assistant to Midoriko, named Kikyo.”
While Sesshomaru digested this information, Kagura wondered if she had played her cards right. The Lord of the Western Lands was the most powerful Taiyoukai around, and in direct conflict with Naraku. But who knew what Naraku would pull from his vats next. She shuddered, her stomach clenching. The only other one that could possibly defeat Naraku, she now believed, was InuYasha. But she would not tell Lord Sesshomaru how it was that InuYasha and his friends appeared over the battlefield…that was her doing. She had wanted to see how InuYasha faired against Naraku, and though impressed, InuYasha was still an unknown. Maybe she could find a way to get the brothers to work together…
“I will get a retainer to show you to the rooms that will be yours,” Lord Sesshomaru said, breaking into Kagura’s ruminations.
The wind sorceress bowed respectfully as Sesshomaru rose from his chair. “Thank you, my Lord.”
Taking a deep breath, Kagura followed the Lord of the Western Lands out of the room. She held her head high and looked boldly back at those denizens that gave her sidelong looks. As Sesshomaru called for one of his household retainers, she smirked. Everyone here would soon learn of her worth, she had no doubt. She would make sure of it.
~*~
Around the ruins of the house in the field, Kikyo stalked. Her brows were creased in a frown and her mouth twisted with irritation as she looked at her instruments. InuYasha and his friends trail ended here, and she was baffled. The scanner was silent in her hands, and she shook it angrily. Having checked it numerous times, she could find nothing wrong with it. They could not have found a way to block her!
With a sigh, she stopped and ran a hand through her hair. Maybe it was time to strike out on her own again, instead of spying on InuYasha in hopes they would drop some clues. These same devices should be able to pick up any other nanotech brought over here. Only thing was, they could bring her to what she was looking for…or to Naraku. There was no way to program them to differentiate.
‘Not that I am afraid of that bastard,’ Kikyo thought. ‘But I’d rather not stumble on him or his minions unaware.’
A spot like a portal suddenly flared a few feet away from her, and she stepped back startled. As it grew, she made a quick decision on her next action and ran for cover. But she pulled out another small device that would act like a cloaking mechanism to conceal her from InuYasha’s keen senses.
~*~
Naraku turned away, disgusted as Kanna’s mirror only showed him Kikyo. He stalked impatiently away, waving at her to lower the mirror and follow him. Obediently she trailed after him like a shadow waif.
The buzz of machines and bubbling of vats met their ears as they entered the lab. Naraku checked the status of his latest - and hopefully greatest - creation.
“Momentarily your newest sibling will be ready,” Naraku said. “You are to help them by finding InuYasha in your mirror - Kikyo does not interest me at the moment, as it seems she is also tracking InuYasha.”
Hands behind his back, Naraku smiled evilly as the bubbles began to subside, and a form could be seen. Once he set this one upon them, he was sure to get what he wanted. He believed it with all his being - this one was a stroke of genius. Not flawed like that traitor Kagura…just wait until he got his hands on her! His hands twitched at the thought of her disintergrating before his eyes, begging him to save her.
‘I won’t do it,’ Naraku thought, red eyes narrowing. ‘Kagura was a failure as a creation, she is not needed anymore.’
~*~
By the ruined house, the dark portal yawned open like a spot of damnation on a bright and sunny day. Out flew Kiarara, landing gracefully on the ground. In an instant the portal closed and the black pearl dropped towards the ground. But it never got there, because InuYasha had quickly dismounted and gone to catch it. He brought it to Kagome to keep in her pack. From now on he would guard his father’s resting place himself.
They headed out to find a spring or river where InuYasha could wash and change. His torn and blood soaked clothes were an irritation, and he sped up his pace, eager to be rid of them. Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Kirara did their best to keep up with him, as they disappeared into the canopy of the forest. He glanced back occasionally to be sure he had not lost them.
What InuYasha did not see was that they were being watched very closely…..
Returning
Miroku and Sango waited anxiously for the return of InuYasha and Kagome, as the hollow sounding movement of what passed for a breeze in this otherworld swept about them. Kirara nestled in Sangos arms, being gently petted while Myoga sat in gloomy dejection, arms limp at his sides on Mirokus shoulder. The flea was not even tempted to take a quick sip from the humans neck, his mustache drooping in misery.
Two figures came into sight, hand in hand, and Miroku and Sango breathed long breaths of relief. Their eyes met, and their faces lit with hopeful smiles to see their friends coming back. Fears of their group being broken were wiped away. They looked for clues in their friends faces as to what had transpired. InuYasha looked composed and resigned, but was this belied by a bearing of determination. Kagome looked like she did not want to relinquish his hand very soon, her eyes on her boyfriend to will him strength and encouragement.
“Let’s get the fuck outta here,” InuYasha said. “I’ll get washed and changed quickly, and then we can find Totosai.”
Kirara jumped from Sangos arms and transformed. They all climbed on her back, InuYasha first with Kagome holding him tightly from behind. Up in the sky a dark spot spiraled slowly, and Kirara leaped towards it. The portal gaped wide as they approached, and swallowed them, propelling them back to the forests of the demon realm.
~*~
A murmuring echoed softly, a sibilant hiss, as Lord Sesshomaru returned to his fortress, Kagura in tow. The vassals of the Taiyouki Lord averted their eyes when he leveled his cool and steely gaze at them. Behind him Kagura held her head proudly; sure that Lord Sesshomaru’s promise to protect her would insulate her from the obvious animosity of his court.
The Lord of the Western Lands led Kagura into his meeting hall, gesturing for the guards to leave them once inside. Alone at last, Lord Sesshomaru made sure the spells that kept the chamber were working, concealing their conversation from the sensitive ears of his curious household. His sweep of the place complete, he went and sat down. With a nod of his head, he instructed Kagura to approach. She stepped up, eyes downcast and hands clasped demurely in front of her.
“So, we will make an agreement if you wish my protection,” Sesshomaru said. “You will tell me what you know of Naraku’s plans and I will let you stay here as an advisor in my court.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Kagura responded. “If you will, I must inform you of my limitations.”
His hands steepled in front of his face, Lord Sesshomaru’s eyebrows rose at her statement. Kagura waited, not looking up, for permission to continue.
“What limitations?” Sesshomaru said mildly.
“I was created by Naraku from knowledge he got from the human realm,” Kagura replied. “He calls this nanotech. It gives him many of the powers he has. It also controls me - if I do not get back to the vats he created me from, I will die.”
“I see…” Sesshomaru said. “Yet you sought your freedom, coming here to me, despite imminent death. How long do you have?”
“I am not sure,” Kagura said, shrugging and her mouth twisting down at the corner. “But I will do everything in my power to help you defeat him quickly - hopefully in time to save me.”
Lord Sesshomaru nodded slowly, considering all she had told him. This Kagura was a brave creature, fierce in battle and strong of will. She would make a worthy advisor and benefit his court with her power and knowledge; if he could keep her alive…
“What else can you tell me about this nanotech?” Sesshomaru asked.
“Naraku has been seeking something called the Shikon no Tama formula,” Kagura replied. “It was created by a human named Midoriko, and he has got all his nanotech from her work. The Shikon no Tama is her ultimate creation, but she disappeared with it when she got wind he was after it. Your brother is also looking for the formula, which he knows of from his former girlfriend and former assistant to Midoriko, named Kikyo.”
While Sesshomaru digested this information, Kagura wondered if she had played her cards right. The Lord of the Western Lands was the most powerful Taiyoukai around, and in direct conflict with Naraku. But who knew what Naraku would pull from his vats next. She shuddered, her stomach clenching. The only other one that could possibly defeat Naraku, she now believed, was InuYasha. But she would not tell Lord Sesshomaru how it was that InuYasha and his friends appeared over the battlefield…that was her doing. She had wanted to see how InuYasha faired against Naraku, and though impressed, InuYasha was still an unknown. Maybe she could find a way to get the brothers to work together…
“I will get a retainer to show you to the rooms that will be yours,” Lord Sesshomaru said, breaking into Kagura’s ruminations.
The wind sorceress bowed respectfully as Sesshomaru rose from his chair. “Thank you, my Lord.”
Taking a deep breath, Kagura followed the Lord of the Western Lands out of the room. She held her head high and looked boldly back at those denizens that gave her sidelong looks. As Sesshomaru called for one of his household retainers, she smirked. Everyone here would soon learn of her worth, she had no doubt. She would make sure of it.
~*~
Around the ruins of the house in the field, Kikyo stalked. Her brows were creased in a frown and her mouth twisted with irritation as she looked at her instruments. InuYasha and his friends trail ended here, and she was baffled. The scanner was silent in her hands, and she shook it angrily. Having checked it numerous times, she could find nothing wrong with it. They could not have found a way to block her!
With a sigh, she stopped and ran a hand through her hair. Maybe it was time to strike out on her own again, instead of spying on InuYasha in hopes they would drop some clues. These same devices should be able to pick up any other nanotech brought over here. Only thing was, they could bring her to what she was looking for…or to Naraku. There was no way to program them to differentiate.
‘Not that I am afraid of that bastard,’ Kikyo thought. ‘But I’d rather not stumble on him or his minions unaware.’
A spot like a portal suddenly flared a few feet away from her, and she stepped back startled. As it grew, she made a quick decision on her next action and ran for cover. But she pulled out another small device that would act like a cloaking mechanism to conceal her from InuYasha’s keen senses.
~*~
Naraku turned away, disgusted as Kanna’s mirror only showed him Kikyo. He stalked impatiently away, waving at her to lower the mirror and follow him. Obediently she trailed after him like a shadow waif.
The buzz of machines and bubbling of vats met their ears as they entered the lab. Naraku checked the status of his latest - and hopefully greatest - creation.
“Momentarily your newest sibling will be ready,” Naraku said. “You are to help them by finding InuYasha in your mirror - Kikyo does not interest me at the moment, as it seems she is also tracking InuYasha.”
Hands behind his back, Naraku smiled evilly as the bubbles began to subside, and a form could be seen. Once he set this one upon them, he was sure to get what he wanted. He believed it with all his being - this one was a stroke of genius. Not flawed like that traitor Kagura…just wait until he got his hands on her! His hands twitched at the thought of her disintergrating before his eyes, begging him to save her.
‘I won’t do it,’ Naraku thought, red eyes narrowing. ‘Kagura was a failure as a creation, she is not needed anymore.’
~*~
By the ruined house, the dark portal yawned open like a spot of damnation on a bright and sunny day. Out flew Kiarara, landing gracefully on the ground. In an instant the portal closed and the black pearl dropped towards the ground. But it never got there, because InuYasha had quickly dismounted and gone to catch it. He brought it to Kagome to keep in her pack. From now on he would guard his father’s resting place himself.
They headed out to find a spring or river where InuYasha could wash and change. His torn and blood soaked clothes were an irritation, and he sped up his pace, eager to be rid of them. Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Kirara did their best to keep up with him, as they disappeared into the canopy of the forest. He glanced back occasionally to be sure he had not lost them.
What InuYasha did not see was that they were being watched very closely…..