Foaming at the mouth never looked so good

Whut

2007-08-25T04:43:30Z

BECAUSE I CAN.

#1- Kakashi and Sasuke centric. No pairing, lame introspection. Sasuke coming to terms
with his teacher's flaws and forgiveness.

It was Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke, but everyone felt it was only Sasuke that Kakashi saw.

It had been expected on Sakura’s part, and accepted on Naruto’s. Sasuke was the village’s pride, the sole remnant of Uchiha, golden boy to Konoha while Naruto was village idiot, and Sakura, sadly enough, was nothing at that point but a pretty face.

When Sasuke had been younger, and more arrogant, he had assumed it was because he had been the only member of Team 7 to show any promise. Kakashi had been right, no, obligated, to single him out.

Sasuke of seventeen knows better. In the shock of his life it had been Sakura to beat him, and Naruto who was able to beat her. It was a delicate balance, he had learned, one he had disrupted by leaving. So he turned around and came back, to mixed feelings from everyone who had once loved him.

Secretly, Sasuke feared seeing his old teacher again, the one who chose him, who trained him, to the exclusion of his other students. He knew the betrayal would be easy to read in those normally apathetic features.

Kakashi smiled when he saw Sasuke. Sasuke didn’t pretend to understand why.

They sat together, one day not long after his return, watching Sakura beat up on Naruto, and Naruto shrieking and enjoying it at once. Any attention from Sakura was always welcome attention to the blonde ninja. Sasuke saw them, happy and unburdened despite their profession. A stirring of jealousy gripped his chest. If things had been different, he might be down there too, teasing with them...

“My clan’s name is cursed. All who bear it suffer.” Sasuke was surprised he had said it.

“Oh really?” Kakashi’s offhand comment pricked Sasuke’s sense of tragedy, prompting him to reply harshly.

He looked pointedly at the forehead protector covering his instructors’ left eye.

Beneath it laid the birthright only members of the Uchiha blood should be able to possess. It didn’t take a genius to guess the scenario that had enabled Kakashi to come by such an asset.

“You should know better than most.” Sasuke sneered.

Kakashi had smiled at that. “He was my teammate. He died on my first mission as a jounin leader. This eye was his advancement present to me.”

Inwardly, Sasuke shuddered at the barbaric gift, and the fact that his teacher willingly accepted such a morbid legacy. He was familiar with regretful circumstances though, and on some level he understood and accepted that piece of the copy ninja’s history.

“We never got along. He was always a warmer person than I was. Even now, I can only weep out of his eye.” Kakashi said. He was quiet for some time before adding, “I don’t consider that a curse, though.”

Sasuke knew about debts, and what they can do to a person. He even knew how loss and expectation went hand in hand. How a village could put the weight of a clan on a survivor. How a teacher could single one boy out, wishing he was another. Even how a man could see himself reflected so painfully in a child.

Though Sasuke couldn’t say for certain, he wouldn’t have been surprised if fifteen years ago it was his teacher sitting where he was now, watching his teammates enviously with eyes that still matched.

“Hatake doesn’t suit you.” Sasuke remarked, a sense of irony twisting his lips.

Kakashi looked at Sakura and Naruto, and squinted. In the fading light, when time bled at the edges a little, they could almost pass as two other teenagers...

“Yes.” Kakashi agreed. “Uchiha would’ve been better.”
----

#2- Sakura-centric. SasuSaku with hints of GaaSaku. Sakura finds freedom
from the guilt she harbors for failing to make Sasuke stay. It always goes to the
depresssing end of the spectrum, blast it!

He had needed her, even through his cruelty and apathy. Sakura had understood that, and willingly followed where he led.

They all said she was the one who chased him, but the night she met him on that road, it had been he who came to her. (She was weaker then, and knew it would’ve been child’s play for him to slip by undetected, but he just walked by, unafraid and untouchable.)

Even as he left, she still couldn’t do anything for him.

Who is hiding?

She turned her face down when she started crying-

Who is seeking?

and woke remembering the scrape of his shoes against the stone.

And now it’s three years later.

It’s her, she’s still ducking under tables and crouching in ditches, concealing bruises no make-up or healing jutsus can dispel. (She knows- she’s able to use both masterfully.)

Gaara is under her hands, every line in her palm a lesson from the greatest medic nin of her generation, but he’s not breathing. She wants to brush the tears from her eyes, but she can’t, her fingers are too desperate to stop pumping chakra into Gaara.

“Victim of circumstances.” Gai mutters, but all Sakura hears is-

VICTIM.

VICTIM.

VICTIM.

That’s all anyone she ever loved was, utterly vulnerable to the flick of fate’s wrist. Even her. She detests the helplessness, the weeping she did, and how her last glimpse of him was of his back.

BREATHE.

She needs Gaara to live because the other could be dead, needs him to open his eyes because his could’ve looked like that if he had tried, needs him to breathe, NEEDS HIM TO.

BREATHE GODDAMMIT.

Sasuke is drowning her, but as Gaara’s eyes shoot open with gasping inhalations, she’s finally surfacing.

Even as he clutches her hand, she feels a freedom, an absolution from inadequacy.

This one she kept at her side.
---

Shorts

2007-08-25T04:42:18Z

Uuuuupdatessss!

2007-08-25T04:39:55Z

Forgot to post this here, AGAIN. OH WELL!

STATS:

Title: Penumbra

Chapter: 4/?

Series: Inuyasha

Genre: Dark fairytale, romance, alternate universe

Pairings: IYxKag

Rating: R

Warnings: Dark themes, cursing, violence

AN: andrea_sins and coleymerrin are godsends. The pace is finally starting to kick up. So much plot, so little time. Previous chapters can be found in my user info. Uhhhhh...that's it??

Grandpa and Mama had wanted to know why I had a strange child in the house, but Maro merely smiled and quickly fabricated a story. Kagome the heroine, rescuing lost children in the train station.

Yeah, heroine.

How did one go about killing a supernatural being anyway?

I left my window open that night. It was too cool really, the late summer air already chilling with the slow death of autumn, but there was no mansion or castle that was big enough to contain my mood tonight. Fingers dipped in pale moonlight rested on the chipped paint windowsill, and for an instant I wanted to leap out into the night and run away like the fairytale children I had loved so much.

The knowledge Maro imparted on me was suffocating in the silence and the darkness. I welcomed the heavy drooping of my eyelids, the sweet escape of sleep lulling me into a dreamless black. Lazily, one last thought whispered across my brain.

‘Where was Peter Pan when you needed him?’

It wasn’t Peter Pan who visited my window that night.

Jerking awake, it took a few seconds to blink away the sleep. A quick sweep of my room didn’t show anything misplaced, but there was a weight to the atmosphere that made me look twice.

The glint of quicksilver caught my eye, and before I knew it, Inuyasha was kneeling next to me. It was strange how his presence didn’t surprise me.

“What are you doing here?” I tried to get up, but his glare froze me in place. I was still wary that he’d take that clawed hand and plunge it through flesh and bone to grasp what he saw as his.

“I didn’t know where else to go.” His tone was angry, as if I had been the one who made him leave. Well...I hadn’t been expecting that one.

And yeah, I’ll admit it- in my naïveté and sleep-hyped immortality I let that piss me off. “You better leave.”

One strong brow arched in disbelief at my open contempt. “You think you’re in any position to tell me what to do?” I noticed for the first time the fuzzy ears twitching madly on top of all that glowing hair. Somehow, those ears made a big difference in his appearance. He was no longer an ancient specter, all wild beauty and hazy night god, but rather a petulant teenager. Dog demon of old made me edgy. But grumpy bully who was looking younger and more human by the minute? That, I could relate to.

The insane urge to smile was crushed as Maro’s words echoed through my mind.

‘...by slaying Inuyasha.’

“I was told I was meant to kill you.” His ears went still, and whatever respite I felt from the grim truth disappeared.

‘Why would you warn your victim?’ Some other place in my mind snorted, clearly unimpressed with the way I was handling the situation.

‘He could hardly be called a victim.’ I retorted, sulkily.

To his credit, he didn’t laugh. He definitely didn’t run away screaming either. “You’re an arrogant bitch now, aren’t you?” He must’ve seen me bristle at the words because he suddenly went offensive, backing me across the window seat. “Why don’t I just snap your pretty neck right now before she teaches you how to take me down? After all, you do have something I want.”

The expression on his face reminded me of his other selves. I blotted out the memory of the last time he had been that close, the name of another earning the curses on his lips. My back hit the wall as he leered at me, his aura radiating aggression.

I was sick of retreating, of being told what to do by people who had no right to dictate my actions. For the past three months, I had been running, hoping I could cheat my life from the debts it was demanding of me. And no, it wasn’t fair, but it wasn’t going to change. All I could do was deal with it. All I could do was act upon it. I was going to butt heads with fate, even if the price was my life.

I was surprised to realize I was angry. I hadn’t been angry, truly angry, for so long now.

My hands opened the collar of my night shirt, exposing the expanse of my neck and collar bone to his surprised gaze.

“If you want it, take it. I’ll let you.”

I hope I shook that bastard. I hope he was disturbed down to his dirty bare feet. Because right now, lashing out was the best idea I’ve ever had, and it felt good. I really was crazy, I thought as I tamped down the urge to giggle nervously. What kind of demented psycho would offer herself like a lamb to the slaughter?

Deep down inside was the fear that maybe I was looking for an easy way out.

He looked shocked at first, then anxiously determined. He drew his hand back, poised it for the killing blow. I shut my eyes, hindsight telling me I should’ve chosen a better place to die. Mama didn’t need to walk in tomorrow to find another loved one gone; insides ripped open in cold blooded gore. Had I really just been thinking about my friends seeing me as a horror film casualty?

Ironic.

I counted off the ticking seconds. Five, six, seven...His harsh breathing was the only thing I could register. Blood was rushing through me, pounding in my ears, and still those panting inhalations drowned it out.

Would I see Dad again?

I’m sorry Mama, so sorry...

Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen...

“FUCK!”

I didn’t have to ask him to leave this time. When I opened my eyes, the curtains were swishing his goodbye.

~*~
“Kagome!”

I blinked up at the sound of my name.

“Oh my god...are you ill?!” Eri looked horrified, not the first person to notice the toll a day of shocks had had on my body.

“I’m fine, truly!” I smiled sheepishly, waving my arms around as if to brush the words aside.

“Seriously, Higurashi, you’re not looking too well.” Hojo crouched by my desk, his concern clearly displayed in his warm eyes.

I crossed my arms, aiming for nonchalance. “I’m okay guys, I swear. I just had a rough night last night, that’s all.”

Eri’s concern melted into a relieved grin. “Oh, I get it. You’re worried about that math exam, right?”

I had forgotten completely about that math exam.

“Something like that.” I replied weakly.

Hojo brightened, straightening. “In that case Higurashi, allow me to tutor you! Math is my best subject!”

Well, couldn’t say the boy lacked enthusiasm even if he was a bit off. “Er...thank you Hojo. That won’t be necessary though.”

His face fell and I was immediately assailed with guilt.

“That is to say, not today! Now that you guys mention it, I actually am feeling a bit sick. I think I might go home and rest.”

I was recipient of several sympathetic nods and a handful of offers to call and help should I need it. A swing by the nurses’ office revealed a low grade fever from stress rather than illness, but it was enough to get me excused from class.

Though they meant well, the last thing I could deal with today were the prying questions of my fellow students.

The thought of returning to an empty shrine made my throat close up. The sun was still high, but the streets of Tokyo were subdued, all its citizens working or schooling. The school ground passed by me unnoticed, followed by the ramen stall, the movie rental shop. Shops blurred and became sparse, while the trees grew denser.

Maybe Grandpa would skip the historical society fundraiser.

Maybe Mama would have a day off.

Souta could have the same bug as me- maybe he went home early too.

The shrine steps came into view. Leaves whispered in the breeze. It wasn’t anything unusual, but my skin began prickling...

I waaaaaaant iiiiiiiiiiiit...

“Look out!”

A razor sharp insect leg whizzed by my face before I could even react, a hairline cut oozing a thin line of red. Moments later I was bodily grabbed, seconds before the inhuman body scored another blow, but not without a parting one. An animal shriek ripped at my ears behind me, drawing my gaze upwards. Hovering over me, face twisted in a snarl-

“Inuyasha?”

Crimson leaked through the material of a modern t-shirt where he had been hit. The price tag peeked out of the collar and it might’ve been funny, except his blood was dripping all over me. My nose, cheeks, the corner of my eye; it cooled instantly on my skin, slid down into my hair.

I knew then I really didn’t want to kill him.

“What are you, stupid?! I said look out!” He shouted right in my face, but I was still floored, eyes riveted to the stained material on his shoulder.

“You’re bleeding...” I almost reached out to touch it, but my hand seemed frozen to my side.

“Oh for fucks’ sake.” He rolled his eyes before he drew his palm back and smacked me.

The crack of his palm brought sanity back, and I blinked, momentarily stunned by the force of the blow. My eyebrows drew together in annoyance. “Did you just hit me?!”

“It’s about time you stopped looking like a spaced out zombie.” Inuyasha snorted.

“The Jewel of the Four Souls. I want it.” A distinctly female voice commanded from above us.

I looked past Inu Yasha to see a monstrous parody of humanity. Her upper torso was multi-limbed, the face of a woman contorted in fury. But her body was a twisting, clicking mess of legs and insect exoskeleton.

“I was so lonely here at this shrine.” She lamented, “And then you came.”

Inuyasha curled two clawed fingers, cracking his wrist in an intimidating display of prowess. “Listen old lady, you’re a few hundred years too late. The Shikon no Tama is mine.”

“You half-human brat.” She spat, appendages twitching in agitation. “Let’s see what you can do with your dirty blood.”

Inuyasha’s pupils dilated and I could hear a crunch as he clenched his teeth. I thought he would curse, but instead, his lips curled back, and his eyes narrowed. The laughter bubbled out of his throat in sick guffaws until his mouth was wide and gaping with it, fangs bared and flashing.

“You’ve got a big mouth for such a weak demon.” His smirk was evil, menacing. All traces of the boy who had been before me last night were wiped off his face cleaner than a dry erase board. “That’s okay though. It just makes it easier.”

He was off the ground then, so fast that I hadn’t detected the actual movement. He extended one hand, claws flashing before he plunged them right in the centipede woman’s mouth. He spun, following the line of her body, ripping her right in two. I shielded my head as bits of centipede demon rained over me. She hadn’t screamed once- he had ripped out her windpipe first.

I should’ve been shocked, horrified by the display of carnage. Inuyasha landed behind me in a crouch, flicking the guts off his fingers as he stood. The pieces of the centipede’s body dissolved into ash, scattering in the wind.

He wasn’t human. There was no way he could be, even if it was only half.

I was scared.

All of this- the jewel, my spiritual powers, and at times, Inuyasha himself- it frightened me.

I could admit that now.

He turned, stalking towards me, and my hands instinctively clutched my shirt front. Would he do the same to me as he did to the centipede demon? Would he mercilessly rip the jewel from my heart while I gaped down at the hole in my chest? I shuddered when his eyes met mine.

I flinched as he grabbed my collar when he reached me.

But, even if it scared me...

Resolutely, I met his gaze, willing myself not to look away.

…it didn’t mean that I would give into that fear.

“When I say look out, bitch, I don’t mean STAND THERE!”

I blinked in confusion. “What?”

“I didn’t warn you so you could just stand there with your mouth hanging open! Geez, is everyone in this time as useless as you?” He ranted, mere inches from my face. His point of focus moved down, suddenly zeroed-in on my cheekbone. He released my shirt more gently than he grabbed it. “Damn, look at you, you still managed to get hurt.”

He brought a clawed hand up to the gash on my face. Before he could touch my skin, a sizzle of pink light reached out, zapping his fingers.

He yelped, sticking the abused digits in his mouth. His ears twitched madly as he shot me a dirty look. Taking his fingers out of his mouth, he stepped back. “I see you still don’t trust me.”

I noticed for the second time his abused appearance- the stolen clothes, the dirt smudges and pavement scrapings- and his wounds still oozing blood.

It didn’t sit right with me, his beat-up appearance.

“Don’t trust you? I would be crazy to. Just last night you tried to kill me.” I retorted, shooting him a dubious look.

He growled. “Listen, psycho, that was all your idea! And besides, I didn’t go through with it, did I!?”

I felt calmer than I should’ve been as I drew nearer. He gave me a suspicious once over.

“Why didn’t you do it?” I asked, my eyes unwavering from his angry face. “And furthermore, why did you protect me today? I am the reincarnation of the woman who sealed you. I have the jewel, and I have been sworn to kill you. But last night, you didn’t take the golden opportunity I presented you with. And today...” My fingers touched the sticky fabric of his shirt. “You chose to protect me even at the cost of your own well-being.”

He wouldn’t look at me, face guarded, pissed off. I had definitely struck a nerve.

I was about to strike another, too.

“I’m not Kikyo.” I whispered, instinctively knowing that was the reason behind it all. How could he feel any attachment to a complete stranger? But to one who had the same face as his tragic lover...

“Who the hell said you were!? Kikyo was a hundred, no, a thousand times more beautiful! She never would have worn such indecent clothing, nor would she hesitate like you did back there! And she definitely would’ve thanked me for saving her sorry ass! You’re just a pale imitation.” Inuyasha sneered, but his fists were clenched so tight his claws were drawing blood.

“This is a warning. Even if you refuse to harm me...In order to put Kikyo’s soul to rest-” There was a catch in my voice and I knew I was close to tears. Why me? Why now? As if my plate wasn’t full of enough emotional challenges. “I will kill you, Inuyasha.”

“You can try.” He flashed me the same grin he did at the centipede demon. “But I’m warning you- I won’t just lie down in some ditch and die.”

I allowed the same smile to tug at my lips, forcing back my upset. “And neither will I.”

“I’ll be waiting, whenever you want a fight-” He glanced back. “...miko.”

With that, he left, bounding away to wherever it was he took shelter when not playing with my life.

Miko?

Was that what I was now? I didn’t feel like a miko. I didn’t even feel like killing Inuyasha was the right course of action. The thought of doing to him what he did to the demoness sickened me. He may be an arrogant, dangerous and moody jerk, but he was still a person.

I didn’t want to do it.

“Stay the hell away from me, Inuyasha! Never come back here!” I screamed to his retreating back, but it was doubtful that he paid my words any heed.

He probably didn’t even see them for what they really were- a plea.

Le fiction

2007-08-25T04:38:06Z

I forgot to post this here. It's a ficlet, part of the 30_kisses challenge I took. It's for the first theme, which is 'look over here'. Uhm, I need to sleep.

Title: Beh? I actually forgot it

Status: 1 ch. ficlet

Series: Naruto

Pairing: Gaara x Sakura

Warnings: Gaara's creepy, as usual. And this was picked apart ten ways from Sunday, so I'm eventually going to revise it, but for now, it stays this way. Dasright.

He was twelve, and she was twelve, and that’s where their similarities ended.

He only came up to her brow line, and Sakura hated short men as much as Gaara hated tall women. Never mind that he would grow to be lanky and strong and they both knew it.

She was silly and sentimental and smiled, when all he could do was sneer and cut people with his words. He might hate her for that. She might hate him for that, too.

And his eyes were scary, and hers were dreamy and in the end she loved Sasuke really, and he loved nothing at all, so basically they would’ve pissed each other off.

Even so, Gaara had never seen the shade of pink her hair was, and her lips were sugar-shiny glossed the same color, and it was so fucking cutesy perfect he could’ve kissed that mouth and made it bleed.

And as for her, she was guilty of a gaze that lingered on his iris, a more vibrant shade than hers, and she wished she could own that intensity, make it part of her. She was thinking even though those eyes were scary, she wouldn’t mind seeing them closer and closer still, rich bottle green before her eyelashes swooped down.

When he antagonized Sasuke she bristled and he noticed, glaring full force at her trite display of protection and loyalty.

They would’ve pissed each other off, definitely.

But still, they couldn’t help looking.

I forgot to post dis.

2007-08-25T04:35:27Z

I need a good thirty six hours in my day, fo sho.

STATS:

Title: Penumbra

Chapter: 3/?

Series: Inuyasha

Genre: Dark fairytale, romance, alternate universe

Pairings: IYxKag IYxKik (to a small extent)

Rating: R

Warnings: Dark themes, cursing, violence

AN: It's so very, very short. Uhmmmmm...lessee. LOVE my beta, (if you don’t know who it is yet, shame on you!) LOVE my qualified reader, (once again, for shame if you don’t know), previous chapters can be found in my memories. ENJOY!

Penumbra
Chapter 3

It was war. Flames toyed with my robes, left sooty love bites on fragile skin. Fighting instinct drew my mind as sharp as the arrow already drawn and waiting for purpose. There was so much heat, cooking the smells of filth and vomit and human struggle. I didn’t gag, didn’t even hesitate as I became dragon slayer, warrior, hunter. The sweat plastered cloth and hair to me, the blood bathed me in its’ sanctioned sin.

And then…

Frozen.

This wasn’t me!

I ripped out the ribbon binding my hair.

“Damn you, Kikyo! Stop it!”

No voice answered mine. The roar of the battle mingled with the blood pounding in my ears. It grew softer, fainter, and I suddenly realized I was no longer in the burning village. Where I was now was dark and cool and boundless. The skin of my face grew dry, growing taught on my features. It wrinkled, tore, pieces of flesh falling to the ground in sizeable chunks. I could see it all happen, spectator and participant at the same time. The last of the skin slide off my chin and hit the ground with a wet ‘splosh.’

But the face that emerged…was Kikyo’s.

My hands rested lightly over my cheeks. I heard my own voice speak, echoing almost separately from my awareness.

“I don’t understand.”

In the next instant I was yanked back to where I had been previously standing, watching lives and dreams going to hell, burning on a funeral pyre fit for Vikings. Then a wrenching force, an ungodly pain, and a sword was through my chest.
My body crumpled to the ground on my scream.
~*~
“NO!”

It was gone. Heavy hands grasped at my pounding heart, searching for the fatal wound. My fingers found only breast and collarbone. I was alive.

“You’re awake.”

I jerked towards the voice, noticing for the first time that a child stood near me. My school bag was clutched to her midriff.

“You dropped this.”

“Who are you?” I moaned, letting my aching head rest in my hands.

She flashed me an enigmatic smile. “My name is Maro, but I was once known by a name very different, while I lived in the Warring States Era; a time when Kikyo, my older sister, was still very much alive. It is my former self who comes to you now.”

At the mention of Kikyo it all came rushing back to me. I sucked in a gasp.

“Where’s Inuyasha? We have to get out of here. He’s going to kill us!” I rose shakily to my feet, ears straining for any sound of a coming attack.

“Inuyasha?” The young girl asked, blinking up at me. “He wasn’t here when I found you.”

“Please, come with me inside. Just inside. So if he comes back we’re not out in the open.” I knew my voice held a hysterical note, and the girl gazed back at me with age-ridden eyes. It freaked me out, seeing the eyes of a grandma set in a child. But really, what hadn’t I seen lately that wasn’t worthy of a freak out?

“Alright.” She agreed finally. “Explanations are more conducive with tea anyway.”

It was such a trite reason, but I took what I could get. Forget that that monster would rip apart her tiny female frame, sparing no concern over the fact that she would’ve died just as effectively if she was left to walk home on her own, or maybe cook dinner on the stove. It must be terrifying to be that young- knowing you couldn’t even defend yourself against another child if they happen to grow faster. Depending utterly on the love of your parents to keep you alive. And what if your parents didn’t love you? What then? I hobbled to the door, her small arms supporting what she could of my exhausted frame. With her help, I fished the house key from my bag.

When I slid the key into the lock my hand trembled so viciously I almost couldn’t find the metal slit in the bolt.

She noticed, I know she did, because she was staring at my fingers, shaking like there were motors under my skin.

But she never said a word.

~*~
In the house, the warm smells of cooked food and air fresheners slowed my beating heart, but I still felt numb and hypersensitive at the same time. I did as the girl suggested, and put on the kettle, setting out two blue-painted tea cups. They weren’t ‘my teacups’, I noticed, they were ‘Grandpa’s teacups’. I knew it had only been three months, but I was beginning to wonder...would this shrine ever feel like home?

‘Don’t start with this again, Kagome...’

It seemed like mere seconds had passed when the kettle whistled, split seconds to set out the tea cups, steep the tea. Maro poured, while I clenched my fists against my thighs, delicate tremors disturbing my flesh from head to toe. My mind was blank- my heart...all blank.

“You’re in shock.” Maro observed, taking a delicate sip from her cup.

The weak laugh that tumbled from my stiff mouth held anything but humor. “Wouldn’t you be?”

A twist of her lips, hideous and cynical on that young mouth. “You’ll see worse.”

Correction.

I’m just worried about her, Dad. Even though she’s had time, Kagome has never really mourned for her father. I’m beginning to think she’s been...damaged, by what she witnessed.

*Have* seen worse.

But I nod, assenting to her authority on the subject. “You were her sister?” I asked, the still air begging for a change of subject.

“In another time, yes.” Another sip, another calculating gaze.

“How do you know that?” My voice is dull, and I can’t find it in me to conjure curiosity such a question would require.

“My current awareness has been bonded with my former one, in order to aide you in your quest.” Neat tiny fingers, folded like an adult’s. Indifferent, schooled expression, tranquil like an adult. Where was the child Maro must have been?

“My quest?”

“You...don’t know the story about Inuyasha, do you?” The edge of concern made me nervous.

“I know it.” I defended. “Inuyasha fell in love with Kikyo, priestess of the Jewel of the Four Souls. But one of them was betrayed- no one knows who did it first. Inuyasha used the Jewel to transform into a full demon, but he only succeeded in splitting himself right down the middle. Kikyo sealed him to the tree, then she died.”

Maro moved to my side of the table. “Then tell me, Kagome, how you came to have this jewel in your heart if Inuyasha had successfully used it to fulfill his wish.”

I was blindsided by the hole in the story. That’s right. If the Jewel of the Four Souls ceased to exist- how did it end up in me?

“I...I supposed I assumed that Inuyasha’s wish wasn’t fulfilled- since he became mindless. And so the jewel remained.” It was staggering really. This changed everything about the legend. “Why wasn’t the jewel destroyed?” I realized I had been clutching at my chest, the steady beat of my heart a bit more potent than usual. I knew now, beneath the layers of my skin, that stupid hunk of rock was messing with me.

“The jewel Inuyasha used was a fake.” Maro’s replies were frustratingly short and to the point.

“But why would there even *be* a fake jewel? And is it because of the jewel that I’m having these crazy things happen to me?” I was hungry for knowledge now, desperate to understand the situation more.

“No one knows why or how Inuyasha came to possess a fake. It’s a mystery that was never solved. Kikyo sealed him to the tree, not because he stole the jewel, but because he attacked her, and because she knew he was no longer a sane being. I think...I think she regretted loving him. She must have known it was doomed from the beginning.”

My vision must have been affected by the day’s events, because for a moment I did not see an eight-year-old girl, but an old woman, skin wrinkling with melancholy under an iron eye patch.

“Kaede?” I whispered.

It was gone, and it was Maro’s face I saw look at me, startled. “What did you say?”

“I...” I felt a splitting headache come on, and that expansive feeling was returning. My mind stretched uncomfortably. “I don’t remember. What is this? What is happening to me?”

“Those are your powers. Your meeting with Kikyo must have prematurely woke them. Which would also explain how Inuyasha found you.”

“What powers? And *what quest*?” It was too much, too fast, reality and fantasy colliding, a heady drug in my veins. Limbs moved through thick liquid, my mind was leaden and blank as I gripped the edge of the table. ‘Keep me on the ground’ I prayed, ‘let my fingers keep me here on Earth, because I don’t want to go where she’s leading.’

“You are a miko, Kagome. You have been chosen to lay my sister’s spirit to rest, and to protect the jewel that rests in your heart...”

A moment, a heartbeat, a slow swoop of eyelashes.

“By slaying Inuyasha.”

OOooo cliffhanger! Okay, I'm so dead for the rest of the week. Except for when I post my pledges for the LR's annual fanfic/fanart pledge drive. But after that, definitely, officially dead. RIP, Lauren, RIP.

A wee bit o'fiction

2007-08-25T04:33:42Z

Okay, so I started to write my CoL drive fic, and ended up finishing this one. Whaaaateeevaaaaaah. I'm like, not terribly pleased with it, but I don't think it's awful. I don't usually take the serious angst-y-ish route, so it seems a bit shakey to me. Also, I think I way overdid it. Way. Anywho, it has a happy ending (kinda?) so Stella shouldn't hate me for it.

Oh, and if you know me in real life, you're not allowed to read it. Caitlin, Sergio, Franky, Lori, whoever else managed to find my anime LJ, THAT MEANS YOU! I MEAN IT!...IF YOU DO, I WILL COME TO YOUR HOUSE, AND *I WILL CUT YOU*!

For everyone else, please, continue

AN: This takes place between the episodes where Vash offs Legato and then wakes up all confused and whatnot. They really left a lot to the imagination so yeeeeah...I imagined and whatnot.

It was through a remarkable exercise of will that Meryl Stryfe opened her eyelids to the light and to the pain. Sight returned, and with it, the horrifying images of the scene around her, forcing their way through her retinas to be burned upon a mind still untouched by such tragedy. Milly’s bruised and bloodied face lay close to hers, the town people collapsed all around them. And further up, Vash, standing stalk still in the same place he had been when she had lost consciousness. Sharp grey eyes narrowed at the hint of something unusual- something about the motionlessness of the humanoid typhoon was not right, not normal. It was a deception, his unmoving calm, for upon closer inspection it could be seen that he was being wracked from head to toe by barley perceptible tremors. Panic was brutally tamped down as Meryl rose shakily, recklessly shoving away the protests of her body. All she knew was she had to get to Vash. She had to help the man who had just saved her life. She stiffened as she drew near, the sight of what the gunmen’s eyes were so perfectly intent on freezing her to the core. Legato was sprawled over the sand, wearing a smile that held a euphoric joy Nirvana would envy. He was dead. Her gaze immediately flew to the blonde man hovering over the corpse, shock almost stealing her speech.

“Vash.” She croaked, her voice as scratchy and dry as the desert planet itself.

Suddenly, that tortured aqua horror was trained on her, leaving no air, no space between the almost tangible connection of their eyes.

“Meryl.” His voice shook in time with his body, an entirely disturbing realization for the young woman standing behind him. “I…I ki…I ki…” And, as if those three attempts had depleted the last of his energy, his eyes rolled back, and his six foot frame tumbled to the earth. It was only by reaching out and locking her bruised arms around him that Meryl was able to spare him from more injury. Her tiny body took the brunt of the impact on hot sand, Vash landing gracelessly on top of her. Her limbs screamed in agony, earning a spring of tears, but Meryl did not regret her action.

“Meryl?” Milly’s high pitched query had never been more welcome.

“Help, Milly.” She pleaded breathlessly, hardly able to draw air into her lungs under the weight of the gunman. “Vash…he’s in trouble.”

~*~*~*~

The shake of the doctor’s head was like a heavy blow. She could feel coldness seeping into her body, the steady thud of her heartbeat deafening all other noise save for the physician’s sympathetic baritone.

“He’s not improving.”

“No way…no way…” The news had her mindlessly mouthing words of denial. It had been two weeks already. He should be getting better! Not worse…

“What’s wrong with Mr. Vash?” Milly’s concerned voice was her anchor, dragging her back to the four yellowed plaster walls of the tiny room.

The doctor scratched his wiry beard. “I honestly don’t know, missy. It’s almost like he’s …given up.”

Those words felt like the fear had been squeezing her insides since she had dragged Vash to this village. Meryl shut her eyes against the familiar sensation of being trapped- helpless. “So…he’s just going to die?” It would’ve been easier to force razorblades through her teeth.

The doctor’s eyes were light blue, and so compassionate; they so closely resembled Vash’s it made her chest tighten with heartache. He did not immediately verbalize his response, but the click of his medical bag was louder than a gunshot.

“You might want to start making preparations.” Was his solemn advice. Milly nodded, sparing Meryl the chore of acting calm. Meryl had not known that emotion in a long time.

“We’ll call you if we need you again, doctor. Thank you for your help.” Milly replied. How she managed those courteous expressions of etiquette, Meryl couldn’t possibly understand. Right now there was only one thing she could grasp- Vash was dying. *Dying*.

It seemed like years to take the door to shut. Decades for Milly to cross the room and place her strong hands on slope of Meryl’s shoulders. Eons of standing, watching the slow rise and fall of the dead mans’ chest.

“Will…you be okay, Meryl?”

A little rallying, a little bravado for the sake of her partner. That much she could do for Milly. “I’ll be okay, Milly. After all, he’s not dead yet, is he? There’s always hope.”

Milly managed a timid smile. “You can cry if you want.”

Meryl shut her eyes against the statement. Somehow, shoving the obvious out in the open like that had made the urge to weep return tenfold, its’ hungry claws nearly shredding what was left of her dignity. “Thank you, Milly. There’ll be enough time for that later, though.”

A small nod from her partner and she withdrew, leaving Meryl alone with the comatose Vash. Slowly, painfully slow, Meryl pulled a stool up to his bedside, and perched herself on the edge, intending to watch over him until the very end. Come hell or high water, she would not leave this room, or him, until she was certain he was at peace.

The pinkish glow of twilight bled into the inky blackness of night, bringing shadows and doubts into the room Vash and Meryl occupied. Dark hours led to dark thoughts. Somewhere between the minute hand and the second hand, she *knew* she couldn’t let him go. This man, this gentle, kind, selfless man could not be lost. She wouldn’t be able to bear the weight of that. Meryl swallowed thickly around the tightness in her throat, a familiar heat building behind her eyes. She had been fighting it…for so long now.

The first tear, hot and salty, blazed a trail down her cheek. Others followed it in droves, and in her misery, she finally did what, until then, had only been a vague yearning she denied. Fitting her smaller palm into his, she slowly closed her cold fingers over his with a careful precision. Even in his unconscious state, the warmth and size of his hand sheltered her- protected her. Surrendering herself to the storm of her grief, that chaste, dry contact was Meryl’s north star, her guiding force. She gripped it for dear life, wondering if she’d ever be able to release her grasp.

She had reached her peak of hopelessness, the whiplash of sorrow and fear making her bite back sobs, her eyes squeezed shut, head bent and resting on the striped mattress, her being aching for the man as ageless as the stars…maybe even the sky itself. Between her raw gasps a supplication was torn from her throat, more earnest than any prayer or wish she had ever uttered. “…*please*.”

And, amazingly, she was answered. The lax roughness of Vash’s fingers suddenly gained strength, closing over hers with a gentle force. She gasped sharply and whipped her head up, searching his face with tear-blurred eyes, desperate for any signs of consciousness. There were none, but she felt it still, his grip answering hers, as if he *knew*. He stirred slightly, and then, it was gone, his fingers going limp once more as his face relaxed back into his seemingly endless slumber.

“Vash.” She bent close to his ear, her hand never leaving his. “If you can hear me…come back.” Trembling fingers smoothed strands of hair colored sunlight, her mouth exhaling words to fall, fresh with fragile hope, against his ears. “Please, Vash” her voice wobbled,
”…hold on.”

It was quiet in the cramped room, the moment between the minute hand and the second hand where she found Vash once again already ticked and spent, leaving no promises to ease its’ passing. And yet, Meryl’s watch never faltered, never moved, her hand curled steadfast against Vash’s through the darkest hours of the night.

~*~

“Hey, Insurance Girl.”

Meryl paused in her ministrations to seize the iodine, a distracted ‘hm?’ indicating that she was listening, even if she wasn’t perfectly intent.

“Were you with me the night before I woke up?” Vash’s question was quiet, as he was prone to being these days.

Meryl’s hands abruptly stilled on his shoulder, hovering lightly over scarred and puckered skin, the tumbling ribbons of crisp bandages still clasped in one fist. That fist trembled gently against his body, a thick voice following it. “I…yes. How did you know?”

A ghost of a gentle grin lit his face, a piece of the old Vash peeking out at her from the weary face of this newer, rawer Vash. He stayed quiet for a heartbeat, eyes focused somewhere in the distance. “I could feel your hold.”

Did you know

2007-08-25T04:32:23Z

I'm really bad at doing things I should be getting done.

This sucker was the one-shot from hell. I sat down with a cute idea about Inuyasha's subduing spell and ended up with a 32-page 6-month monster. GAWD. But it's OVER. And it didn't turn out half bad, in my opinion. Eh, well, who knows.

Stats:

Inuyasha

InuyashaxKagome

Slight MirokuxSango

Comedy/Romance

REALLY long one-shot

PG-13? (that might be a bit too generous, but eh)

Innocent would have been the word to use when describing the day ahead of Kagome Higurashi. A picnic in a sunny field may not have seemed very out of the ordinary, but when you’re a sixteen year old time traveling Shikon shard hunter, that opportunity was more precious than any gem or relic in the world. No burying unfortunate villagers, no violent struggles for survival, no jealous undead ex-girlfriends, and most importantly- NO Sengoku Jidai food. Kagome had made a trip through the well for provisions especially for this day.

Yes, the day ahead seemed innocent. But then again, appearances can be deceiving…

“Oi! Give me back that ramen ya little runt!”

“No way! I called the last one!”

“You called shit! Now hand it over!”

Kagome rubbed her temples, attempting to relax despite the shouting match going on between her companions. “I can’t believe I forgot to bring more instant ramen. I knew I was forgetting something.” She watched Inuyasha chase the kit, exasperation marring her features.

“It’s not your fault, Kagome.” Sango reassured her.

“Sango is right. The problem could be solved easily if two certain demons would LEARN TO SHAAARE.” Miroku said, purposefully raising his voice on the last phrase, knowing it would carry over to the squabbling pair.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve to be lecturing on manners, lech.” Inuyasha snapped, barley dodging the ball of foxfire that flew by his head. He spun around, allowing a menacing growl to build as he took off in Shippo’s direction.

The little demon squeaked, searching his mind frantically for an escape route. His foxfire hadn’t worked, his toys just stalled the rampaging half-breed, and with Inuyasha’s superior strength and speed he had no hope of winning in hand to hand combat. He clutched the styrofoam cup to his chest, eyes narrowing grimly. He would be forced to use his secret weapon, one so effective and powerful that Inuyasha had yet to beat it.

“Kagoooomeeee!” Shippo wailed, bouncing over to the young miko.

“Heeere we go, again.” Kagome sighed as Shippo jumped on her shoulder.

“You can’t hide behind her, Shippo! That may have worked before but this isn’t some stupid fight. This is *ramen*. I won’t be going that easy on you!” Inuyasha shouted as he changed course to barrel towards Kagome, his demon speed blurring his form to a thin streak of red flying across the meadow.

“Eek!” Shippo squealed before he launched off of Kagome’s shoulder, self- preservation causing him to put more “oomph” than necessary into the leap.

“Whoa!” Kagome wobbled as the baby fox demon took off, not expecting the sudden unbalancing force. Her eyes widened as she saw Inuyasha approaching, his path set straight for her. Realizing he was going far too fast to be able to avoid crashing into her, the hanyou dug his heels into the ground; a hopeless attempt to counteract the inertia that was about to cause him to flatten the poor schoolgirl. He let out a panicked yelp as he careened into her full on, the final insult to her delicate stability.

Kagome’s arms flailed wildly as she desperately tried to stop herself from being slammed into hard, unforgiving dirt. Reaching fingers slid over warm, smooth beads, grabbing tightly on instinct as she pitched backwards. There was a quiet “snap” as Kagome lost her fight to stay upright and hit the ground with a jarring “thump”. She gasped on impact, pain flaring up from her rear end and lower back, along with the certain knowledge that riding her bike would be out of the question for the next few days.

Tentatively, she opened eyes she hadn’t even realized she had squeezed shut. Immediately they popped wide open, her jaw dropping a good few inches. There in front of her, stood a gaping Inuyasha, one clawed hand pressed to his throat, naked of the necklace that was normally strung around it. With a growing sense of doom, Kagome cast her eyes downward, her vision registering the tiny wooden spheres scattered around her. As they winked merrily in the sunlight she felt their power fade, the sudden disunity causing whatever ancient force they held to escape and gently ripple away in the warmth of the day.

Weakly she brought up her right fist, cringing when she found the woven string the holy beads were once strung on clutched in it. Of course- with her miko talents, the spell would bend to her will. And if she had wanted to tear the rosary off, well by golly, it’d *let* her tear the rosary off.

Miroku looked on with an intense gaze, surveying the scene with a vague concern. Sango frowned at the change in the monk, her eyes widening as her glance lilted over the beads strewn around her fallen friend. From behind her Shippo trembled, the ramen all but forgotten.

Inuyasha was free.

But, the silver haired boy had changed considerably since the subduing spell had first been placed on him.

It should be okay. Right?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How she could have been so wrong about something that obvious, Kagome would never know. She had had *far* too much faith in her red-clad companion. In the weeks following the breaking of the spell, he had become nothing short of a menace. His offenses had ranged far and wide.

She should have seen it coming the very day she had accidentally released him. A bop to Shippo’s head and minutes later the dog-eared boy had the instant ramen, and Kagome had a fussy kitsune. As much as it had annoyed her, Kagome had been relieved that Inuyasha’s reaction to his sudden freedom had been beyond predictable. It might have been that very relief that kept her semi-oblivious to the changes in the hanyou’s behavior.

It started with the small things- intimidating the villagers, picking on Shippo more often than usual, insulting everyone excessively, including their allies.

It didn’t get really bad until Kouga had showed up.

To say that Kagome was the mediator between the rivals was an understatement- she had been the only thing keeping each other from fighting to the death on occasion. The meeting went as they often did- insults flew and before she could remember that “sit!” didn’t have the same impact as before, Inuyasha had raised his Tessaiga for the finishing blow. Without the rosary, Kagome did the only thing she could think to do- she leapt in front of the wolf demon, effectively using herself as a shield.

Inuyasha was beyond pissed. Kagome was beyond caring.

One hour later she was at the well, bag in hand.

Just as she leapt off the lip of the wooden structure she felt a tug on her school blouse. Looking up, she gasped as she saw Inuyasha’s clawed hand curled into the fabric, effectively suspending the girl over her ticket home.

He rotated her slowly to face him, pushing his nose right against hers. “If you think I’m gonna let you leave, bitch, you’ve got another thing coming.”

It wasn’t the first time Inuyasha had tried to keep her from going home, but it *was* the first time he had succeeded. Apparently Inuyasha had come to the same realization, because the whole time he carried her back, the smirk never left his face.

Kagome didn’t make it to her time that day, nor any of the following days. No matter how sneaky she was, how carefully she plotted her escape, Inuyasha would always catch her less than halfway to the well, throw her over his shoulder and bound off to the village, cackling the whole way.

Inuyasha was convinced that the breaking of the rosary was the best thing since (or is it before?) instant ramen.

He was the only one of that opinion.

The young miko sighed, and stood, smoothing her skirt pleats. She had been hoping the group would be able to weather an unrestrained Inuyasha but she was beginning to see that that was something even *she* couldn’t handle. She would have to go to Kaede and see if there was any way she could reinstate the subduing spell…Inuyasha might hate her for it for a little while, but at least everyone would have a little peace of mind.

“Oi, Kagome!” Inuyasha called out, picking the pondering girl up suddenly and placing her none too gently on his back. “Let’s get going! We’ve picked up some rumors, but we gotta hurry it up.”
Kagome sighed irritably. “Inuyasha, I’ve been here for *two weeks straight*. I have to go home *some* time. My family is going to get worried!

“No way in hell, bitch!” Inuyasha grinned, taking off at a breakneck pace.

Kagome clung to his neck for dear life. Screw everyone else’s peace of mind, she needed some for herself.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“So you need to reinstate the subduing spell, huh?” Kaede gave Kagome a sympathetic look over the rim of her earthenware mug. The hut was cool and dark in the heat of summer.

Kagome nodded miserably, clasping her hands in front of her in a pleading motion. “Please, Kaede, I’m begging you. He’s driving everyone *crazy*.”

“Kagome, you know I only placed that spell on Inuyasha in the first place because your life was in danger. That is not the case anymore. I know, now, Inuyasha would die protecting you...there is no reason for me to be concerned about his character. To subdue him again without good reason would be enslavement.” Kaede sighed deeply, but her voice was strong with conviction.

Kagome deflated, her last ray of hope fading rapidly. It was in that last desperate moment that Inuyasha barreled into the hut, golden eyes sweeping its’ interior frantically. His urgency disappeared as soon as his gaze rested on the pouting teenager.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Inuyasha responded, turning around to leave. “Just making sure you didn’t try to run off to your own time again.”

Kagome was instantly struck by inspiration. “Speaking of returning to my time, won’t you please let me go back? Just for a day, Inuyasha?”

Inuyasha stiffened and shot her an uncertain look. She was asking politely- Kagome hadn’t been nice to him all week, or at least since he foiled her last attempt to return home for her ‘tests’. It he let her go now...after all he’d done...well, the chances of her returning would be slim.

He snorted arrogantly. “The day you go back home is the day I kiss Naraku. Don’t ask stupid questions.”

With that, he left the hut, satisfied that he had put her in her place.

Kagome turned back to Kaede, who was now wearing a slight frown.

“Kaede, I understand that you don’t want to enslave Inuyasha by placing an unnecessary restriction on him. A very powerful restriction, at that. But, by refusing to give me another necklace, you are effectively enslaving *me*. Please, I have another life I haven’t been able to go back to for weeks. I have a family that doesn’t know where I am.” Kagome’s warm eyes bore into the older holy woman, pleading for her assistance.

Kaede sighed again, but this one was shorter, more resigned. “Very well, Kagome. I see your point. Although the situation isn’t fair to either of you, I feel that you need the upper hand more so than Inuyasha.”

Reaching inside her robes, she pulled out a rosary, identical to the one that she had used on Inuyasha, all those months ago.

Kagome squealed and clapped her hands together. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou! I promise, I won’t sit him unless I absolutely need- huh?”

Kaede had placed the string of beads in Kagome’s hands, leaving her to stare blankly at it.

“Why are you giving this to me, Kaede?” Kagome inquired, more than a little confused. The first time they had subdued Inuyasha, Kaede had chanted some ancient prayer and the beads rocketed away to reform around Inuyasha’s throat. The only thing Kagome had had to do was say the magic word.

“The same spell won’t work on Inuyasha again. He’ll recognize the unique signature of the magic and prevent us from finishing it.” Kaede explained.

Kagome let out a distressed cry. “WHAT!?”

“You’ll need to physically place the beads over Inuyasha’s head.”

She watched the young girl collapsed onto the wooden floor, moaning in misery.

“No way. Getting these beads over his head is going to be next to impossible!” Kagome wailed, spreading her arms out helplessly.

“It’s your only option.” Kaede informed her gently.

Kagome let out a tired sigh before hopping to her feet. “Right. Well, if that’s what it’s going to take to get me back home, then so be it!”

Stepping out of the hut she glared up at Inuyasha, who was obliviously gazing at the horizon from his treetop perch. ‘I’ll get you Inuyasha…and your little *ears* too.’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

‘Now or never…’ Kagome grinned, an expression laced with dangerous menace, as she reviewed her cleverly skillful strategy. It was one that had been carefully and secretly spun in the dead of night, when she was positive no one would hear the genius of her effective planning, her devious cunning…

Okay, the plan sucked, and she had come up with it while she had been stressing over her math formulas before bed yesterday. In fact, it was so stupid that had anyone else thought of it, Kagome would have burst into laughter right on the spot. However, considering the situation was dire, and no other options had presented themselves, it was all she had. She would have to go through with it.

Heaving a great sigh, she trudged over to the tree Inuyasha was lounging in while Sango and Miroku poked and prodded at the unusually pathetic fire. They briefly noted her progress, but left her alone. Even Kirara and Shippo were keeping their distance. The group was more than aware of Kagome’s intention to subdue Inuyasha again- and though they said not a word for or against it, they couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of relief with her decision.

“Inuyasha.” She called softly, waiting for his head to turn lazily so he could regard her. “Could you come down here for a second?”

Letting out an impatient sigh, the hanyou scooted off the branch to land gracefully in front of Kagome. She smiled up at him for a minute and brought a hand up to tuck her hair behind her ear. Suddenly, her eyes widened in mock surprise, a sharp gasp immediately alerting Inuyasha that something was amiss.

“Kagome? What is it?” His intense eyes narrowed seriously.

“Inuyasha! You have to help me! I just realized that I’ve lost one of my grandmother’s earrings! I’m sure it must be around the camp site somewhere!” Kagome was impressed with her performance. It was totally believable- or *would’ve* been if…

“Kagome, you told me you had never met your grandmother.” Inuyasha shot her a confused frown.

‘Shoot!’

“Er…well…that is to say, my adopted grandmother. Yes. We were very close. I mean, we still are. I know she’d just be so upset if she knew I lost her precious gift.” Kagome winced at her halting explanation.

Inuyasha’s ears twitched. “Adopted grandmother?” He repeated the unfamiliar phrase slowly, turning the concept around in his head. “Is that something from your time?”

‘Oh, thank god…’

“Yes!” Kagome exclaimed brightly, relief descending on her in a heady rush. “Yes, it’s something I have in my time.”

“Oh, okay. But, Kagome, your ears aren’t even pier-“

“Inuyasha, shut up and help me find the stupid earring!” Kagome snapped, blowing her bangs out of her eyes in frustration.

Inuyasha closed his mouth and glared, but reluctantly began to half-heartedly cast his demon eyes around the campsite. Kagome winced at her lapse in patience and logic- definitely something that would alert Inuyasha’s suspicion.

“Oh! Look over there! I think I see it!” She pointed wildly to a spot nearby, her hand going into her skirt pocket to pull the necklace out.

Inuyasha bent slightly, examining the ground carefully. “Kagome, I don’t see anything.”

The rosary was hopelessly tangled. Kagome nearly gasped as she attacked the chaotic mess of beads. “Uh, I’m sure I saw it there! Look closer, Inuyasha!”

“I am, but there’s nothing here except dirt.”

Nimble fingers made fast work of the knots. “Try a little to the left.”

“Listen bitch, I’m *telling* you- OOF!”

The exact second Kagome had bent down to shove the necklace over the unsuspecting hanyou’s head he chose to jerk upward, intending to give the modern-day miko a piece of his hassled mind. Their heads collided with a dull “thunk” as Kagome went flying into the bush behind her.

Choked laughter in the direction of the campfire roared in her ears as bright stars frolicked in her sight. In her one second of lucid thought she shoved the rosary back into her pocket.

“Kagome! Are you okay?” Inuyasha grabbed her hand, hauling her up from her leafy throne.

She dragged her dancing vision to focus on the half demon. “Absolutely fine, Inuyasha.” She smiled before her eyes rolled back in her head, numbing darkness seizing her senses.
~*~
Consciousness came back in bits and pieces of sensation. First it was the warmth that drove away the chill of the inky black. Second was the strength in the arms that supported her limp frame. A familiar scent drifted over her as she shook her head, clearing away the fuzziness that still clogged bits of her brain. The warmth and strength withdrew, lowering her with almost ridiculous care to the cushioning of her sleeping bag.

She opened her heavy eyelids to meet Inuyasha’s apprehensive gaze.

“Fuck Kagome, don’t ever pass out on me like that again.”

Kagome winced as pain sparked across her nerve endings and merged to form a throbbing heat at the top of her scalp. “Ouch. I couldn’t help it Inuyasha, you’ve got a hard head. How long was I out for?”

The silver-haired boy snorted. “Long enough.” Noticing her wince, he sifted clawed fingers through her hair gently, searching the contours of her skull for the source of her suffering. Other than the fact that she was in a great amount of discomfort this was…rather nice. His fingertips skimmed an abnormal bump, and the niceness faded away to be replaced by a pathetic whimper she couldn’t help but emit.

“Is that where it hurts?”

Kagome nodded miserably.

Inuyasha withdrew his fingers, tucking his hands back into his sleeves. “You’ve got a huge bump.”

“I’ve also got a huge headache.” Kagome grimaced at the pulsing discomfort against her eyelids. “If this is a concussion, I can’t go to sleep.”

“Con-what?”

Kagome heaved a long-suffering sigh. “Don’t worry about it. It just means I bumped my head too hard, so I shouldn’t sleep. If I do, I could damage my brain.”

Inuyasha smirked. “That thing was damaged long before you hit your head.”

Kagome glared at him, shooting into sitting position. “Listen you- oooooowww.” She clutched her head as she felt a stabbing ache protest against her sudden movement.

Inuyasha snorted lightly as he helped her lay down again. “Just stay put. Obviously you’re not feeling too bad if you have enough energy to get up to pound me.”

“Inuyasha, even if I were on my deathbed, I would still have enough energy to pound you.” Kagome mumbled, pressing her head back against her pillow. She was sleepy- but her head felt better than it had a few minutes ago. She probably didn’t have anything more than that nasty bump. Sighing in relief, she snuggled into her bedding.

“I’m glad, wench.” Inuyasha replied softly.

So softly, that Kagome didn’t hear him as she drifted off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~

‘Okay! Second chance!’

Kagome swallowed as she regarded the alarming drop to the ground. Hugging the tree branch tightly, she gritted her teeth and hardened her resolve. This may be a shot in the dark, but the first plan hadn’t worked, and she was desperate.

‘Heh. Like I wasn’t before.’

The miko grinned humorlessly at her own jibe. Buckling down and swinging herself into a ready position, she ran through her mental checklist one last time.

1. Untangle beads.

Check.

2. Climb tall tree and conceal presence there.

Check.

3. Wait for target to walk past and drop rosary directly over head.

Status pending…

Sighing, Kagome ran her fingers over the smooth wooden beads of the sacred adornment, unconsciously seeking their reassuring power. She felt their magic give a sharp pulse at her touch before calming to their usual thrum. A quiet sigh escaped her. At least she knew that once she got these damn things over his head they would work.

Suddenly, there was a snap of broken twigs, and Inuyasha walked past, his sweeping gaze searching the area for any threats, or signs of the schoolgirl currently perched above him.

‘I just have to drop them right over his head!’ Kagome’s heart leapt.

The only thing was- Inuyasha wasn’t standing directly under her. In fact, he was a bit higher up, and a little to the right. Straddling the branch, Kagome scooted forward, suppressing the grunt that threatened to surface with the grating of bark against inner thigh.

Inuyasha turned around to regard the other half of the woods.

Shoot! Now she’d have to shift again! Leaning more to the right, she extending her reach as much as possible, every limb stretching to its’ limit. She sighed in relief as she finally had the beads positioned perfectly over his head- only to realize that she had absolutely no purchase on the branch whatsoever. Her legs trembled once before losing their grip completely, sending Kagome plummeting towards the ground.

She gasped as she felt her sudden weightlessness, wind rushing past her ears in a dizzying flurry. Inuyasha looked up sharply, and reacting on lightening-fast reflexes, held out his arms. Kagome landed in them neatly, her slight weight barely jarring his frame as she impacted.

Taking several deep breaths, Kagome attempted to force the manic rush of adrenaline making her heart pound and her legs shake to calm. She was alive. She was uninjured. She was…in Inuyasha’s arms. Blinking her smoky eyes she turned her head slowly, coming eye to eye with a very annoyed hanyou. As casually as she could manage, she slid the beads back in her pocket. This might get messy.

“Kagome,” Inuyasha’s voice was deliberately clipped, his little white ears working madly on top of his mane of white hair “please tell me you didn’t just jump from that tree.”

“I didn’t just jump from that tree.”

She felt an irritated growl rumble low in his throat. Hoping the cute tactic would work she blinked innocently and donned her best smile.

“Oh hell no. That look isn’t getting you anywhere. You get into too much trouble as it is- I don’t need you dropping out of the fucking sky on top of that. And *no* look you could possibly give me is gonna make me forget that you almost broke your fool neck.”

Kagome’s face fell as she was unceremoniously flung over the half-demon’s shoulder, his strong arm hooked in the crook of her knees to keep her from tumbling. Sighing, she crossed her arms, and slumped against Inuyasha’s unyielding back. From this point it could go two ways- she would either get embarrassed or angry.

“Stick close the camp, and for gods’ sake, try to repress your tree climbing urges from now on. With your clumsiness it’s almost a given you’ll fall again, and I won’t always be there to catch you.”

He took the embarrassment route. Smart boy.

“Your wish is my command, oh great master.” Kagome’s tone was even and dry…maybe a *little* sulky, not that she would admit it.

Inuyasha paused for a moment.
“I could get used to hearing that from you.”

Kagome could hear the smug grin in his tone. She immediately bristled. “The only words you’re going to be hearing out of me are -“

Inuyasha’s hold on Kagome’s legs suddenly went slack and the young girl shrieked as she felt gravity’s alarming pull. Acting on self-preservation instincts alone she immediately clamped her arms around Inuyasha’s back. She managed to suspend herself that way, upside down, for a full five seconds before she lost her hopeless battle and found herself kissing dirt.

Inuyasha’s infuriating laughter drifted over her.

“Nice young ladies don’t even consider saying things like that. You really are a wench, Kagome.” With that final snicker he sauntered away, chuckling to himself the whole time.

Kagome fumed from her undignified position on the forest floor. ‘Just you wait, Inuyasha. You have more sits coming your way than Miroku has pick-up lines.’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Now that Kagome had sworn her vengeance, the real question was- how to wreak it? Inuyasha was still maddeningly rosary-less. It was obvious the subtle approach hadn’t worked, nor had the sneak attack approach come through. The young miko needed something simpler, something less sneaky…something more…direct.

That’s right. Kagome was planning to tackle Inuyasha to the ground and force the string of beads over his miserable little neck. A seemingly hopeless accomplishment considering the hanyou’s disgustingly superior strength, but she did have one advantage- Inuyasha would die before hurting her. If she exploited this one weakness she just might be able to pull it off.

She had been mentally reviewing every wrestling match she had ever watched with her brother in preparation, doing her best to re-create the take-down moves of the professionals in private. Going through possible outcomes she developed several techniques and holds she could pull if she was forced into certain positions. She had been preparing a full week, more fanatical energy fueling her than any cram session of the past could hope to rival.

She was about as ready as any school girl about to rumble with a half demon could be.

Her chance presented itself not long after her “training” was through. Inuyasha was alone, in a small clearing, doing a check of the surrounding wood as he was wont to do now and then. Kagome’s heart pounded an erratic rhythm as she crouched low to the ground, hoping to hide her telltale scent from the half-breed’s keen nose. Doubts surfaced as she began realizing just *how* many physical advantages the fuzzy eared boy had over her. Oh god, she couldn’t do this. What was she *thinking*?

Inuyasha turned to face her direction as her scent carried over to him on a slight breeze.

“Kagome? Is that you?”

‘Come on, Hirgurashi. You’re no coward. Don’t start acting like one now.’

Drawing a deep breath, she shot to her feet and bellowed a hearty battle cry at the top of her little miko lungs. Charging head on, she rammed her slight frame into Inuyasha’s taller one. Both went down in a tangle of limbs, clothes, and hair.

Kagome shuddered as the air was knocked from her lungs in a thought scattering ‘whoosh’. Coughing, she was forced to wait for a few precious moments to regain her breath.

Those few moments proved to be her undoing.

“Kagome, what in the hell are you-…oh. I get it.” Inuyasha’s annoyance suddenly evaporated into the most mischievous grin she had seen the boy sport in a long time. His fangs and claws glistened dangerously in the fading sunlight.

Kagome’s eyes widened. He couldn’t have possibly learned about the rosary- what was he talking about? And why was he looking at her like that? “Inuyasha?” She queried in a choked whisper, a thrill of fear seemingly stilling her heart.

“So you finally decided to take me on. I’ll have you know I’m a *master* at grappling. Bring it on, little girl!” Inuyasha let out a shout of laughter as he tackled her, twisting her arm uncomfortably around her back.

Kagome made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a grunt. True, Inuyasha would never seriously hurt her- but Kagome had failed to take into account that her hanyou companion was also half puppy- and therefore, no stranger to the non-lethal but submissive tactics of play-fighting. A very unfortunate miscalculation indeed.

Kagome regained her footing, struggling helplessly against his hold. “I-Inuyasha! Let me go!” She felt frustration well up in her, at the thought of failing again. She couldn’t reach the rosary in this position, her arms were effectively restrained behind her back. Forget the necklace, she couldn’t even fight back.

She heard him snort from behind her. “Only if you promise to tell everyone at the camp I kicked your sorry human ass.”

Maybe it was because Kagome’s patience was strung so thin. Maybe the mentality of all those pro wrestlers she had been visualizing finally got to her. Maybe it was a combination of both. But whatever it was, Kagome’s pride blazed in indignant rage at the thought of being dominated so effortlessly. Everything in her clamored for one simple thing- victory. “No way in hell, dog-boy.”

Suddenly, years of rough housing with Souta came back to her, and ruthlessly taking advantage of Inuyasha’s hold, she suddenly bent at the waist and heaved forward, straining every last muscle she had managed to build in her year long quest.

Inuyasha had no way to prevent the fall- both his arms had been restraining Kagome, and his guard had long since dropped. He was powerless as he rolled over the curve of her spine, landing heavily in the grass in front of her. Confused, displaced, he blinked up at her, hardly believing she had managed to throw him.

Kagome wasted not an instant- she was on Inuyasha in the barest fraction of a second, her one hand mercilessly attacking his ribs and neck, her other working his knees and thighs. A cruel gleam shimmered in her eyes as her strategy took effect.

Inuyasha gasped and shouted, his laughter nearly incapacitating him.

“No fair! No fair!” He wheezed, desperately trying to regain control of his rebellious muscles. It was a useless resistance, however, and he found himself giving in on a new spasm of guffaws. No matter how much he wiggled, how much he squirmed, Kagome was in perfect control. Even blocking her arms was hopeless- there were too many vulnerable spots to be protected, and she knew them all. Her fingers were finely honed weapons, swooping in to exploit any weakness in his scattered defense. It was all he could do to avoid dying of asphyxiation.

Kagome’s giggles soon joined Inuyasha’s roaring (and helpless) laughter, the rosary all but forgotten in the rush of her triumph. Giddiness welled up in her as she tortured the dog hanyou without pity or remorse.

“Mercy! Mercy!” He gasped, finally managing to capture her wrists, though his stomach still trembled from mirth.

“Do you surrender, Inuyasha?” Kagome asked, an indifferent brow arched high in the air. She reveled in the arrogant smile curving her lips.

“You win!” He managed to choke out, releasing her hands.

She sat back on his stomach, a leg on either side of his waist. “You suck.” She grinned, as the boy underneath her continued to struggle for air. “Even Souta can withstand the “Tickle Monster Torture” better than you.”

“You’ve done that to Souta!?” he panted.

Kagome nodded.

“The boy must be scarred for life.”

She slapped his shoulder playfully. “I didn’t even know demons were ticklish.”

“Neither did I.” Inuyasha admitted, his respiration evening out.

“Hmph. Well, I went easy on you this time.” Kagome mock-boasted, sticking her nose in the air. “Don’t expect me to be so generous next time.”

Inuyasha grinned up at her lightly. “Ooo, Kagome, you are heartless.”

It was the way he said it that drew her attention. His tone was velvety smooth- the words more a caress than a jibe. Her startled cocoa-colored gaze met his- and held. His eyes…his eyes had gone soft with the calming of his breath, their amber depths radiating a seductive gentleness she rarely saw. The more they stayed like that, silent and comfortable, the warmer his gaze became.

It stole Kagome’s breath, and she found herself transfixed. An intoxicating dizziness seeped into her veins, making her heart beat erratically in her chest. She could feel Inuyasha’s heard pounding a similar rhythm through the haori beneath her fingertips. The mood shifted subtly, a thrill of raw electricity charging the atmosphere between the two.

The clawed fist that had been resting on her knee slowly flattened, gliding upwards on her bare leg. It tingled in the wake of his touch. She felt a low rumbling begin in his chest as his eyes regarded her almost dreamily, his lazy smile making her want to melt against him.

“Inuyasha,” She breathed as his hand skimmed higher on her thigh. A drugging warmth assailed her body, and she felt his other hand on the small of her back, exerting a light pressure- tempting her to close the gap between them. She found herself obeying the oddly irresistible force, leaning in closer and closer.

“Hmmm?” He answered vaguely, his voice sounding far away.

She wanted to give in…wanted to give in…to what?

“What are you doing?” She whispered.

He froze instantly, as if realizing for the first time that he had moved. His gaze snapped to the hand that was mere centimeters from being tucked under her green uniform skirt, and immediately snatched it back, a heavy blush staining his cheeks.

“I-I…” His mouth worked soundlessly for an instant, eyes wide and a little…scared? “Sorry! I just-sorry!” Inuyasha was almost frantic as he pushed her off his waist.

Kagome plopped down in the cool grass, beyond puzzled. Inuyasha stood and began to hurriedly walk away. He paused once to steal a glance back at her, and Kagome beheld that scarlet blush a second time. But the sight was lost in the next moment when he jerked his head back around again and continued walking, his back stiff and tense.

Her hand came to rest gently against her still-pounding heart. “What was that all about?” She wondered aloud, pondering a moment before heading off in the direction of the camp. All was still in the clearing.

“Che.” The bushes clucked. “Another opportunity wasted because of Inuyasha’s inconceivably low self-confidence. He’ll never get anywhere if he doesn’t extend his offense.”

“Well, Houshi,” a nearby cluster of dried branches commented, “I can’t argue with that one. But I do wish Kagome would’ve been a little more aggressive in the exchange. If they’re ever going to get together, it’s going have to involve a lot of teamwork.”

“Well,” The bush countered, “Kagome did appear to be a touch disoriented. After all, women need a certain gentle coaxing before they are comfortable enough to reciprocate a man’s more powerful passions and affections. Inuyasha’s strategy is lacking. He should consider re-working his game-plan.”

“I don’t think,” The branches replied dryly, “that groping her backside would count as ‘gentle coaxing’ or even as ‘strategy’.

“Sango!” The bushes cried out in indignation, “You wound me!”

“If only I could, Houshi. Unfortunately, I left Hiraikotsu back at the camp.”

Shippo grumbled, glaring alternately at the talking bits of vegetation and the spot where Kagome and Inuyasha had just been. “As far as I’m concerned, all of you are *insane*.”

Kirara mewed her agreement.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was with a defeated sigh that Kagome sifted the embers of the dying fire. Inuyasha still hadn’t returned. Miroku and Sango kept shooting her looks that she didn’t understand, and probably didn’t want to. It was only little Shippo that kept her company now, clinging to her leg and purring as she stroked his fiery hair.

“Hey, Kagome.” He asked, opening his vibrant eyes.

“Mm?” She asked, still stirring the fire a bit in hopes of reviving its’ blaze.

“How’re you gonna get that rosary over Inuyasha’s head? You already tried a lot of things.”

Kagome visibly drooped. “I’m not. I give up.”

Sango and Miroku were on her in an instant, both arguing vehemently from either side.

“Kagome! You can’t! Remember your family! How are you going to get home to your little brother and mother and grandfa...”

“Kagome, you simply cannot stand by while Inuyasha continues to run loose like this! He’s more detrimental to the quest than beneficial if he doesn’t have a restrai…”

Kagome’s weary sigh silenced them both. “I’m sorry…I really am. But I’ve tried everything I can think of. There’s just no way a stupid girl like me can get this rosary on Inuyasha.” She let her head fall to her knees.

There was a long silence, heavy with the expectation of words, reassurances. But none came. Tears pricked the eyes of the girl from the future. But then…

“Maybe you just need to change your tactics.” Miroku said cryptically.

Sango whacked him on the back of his head. “This is no time for your commentary!”

“Commentary?” Kagome echoed, lifting her head, something akin to suspicion forming. “I’ve never heard Miroku say anything that would remotely sound like commentary…”

Both Sango and Miroku averted their eyes guiltily, the dark scenery of the forest suddenly holding their undivided attention.

Realization widened Kagome’s eyes. “You’ve been spying on Inuyasha and me.”

They both shared a wince before hesitantly meeting Kagome’s disbelieving stare. “Only a little bit.” Miroku offered reluctantly.

The young miko heaved another sigh. “That’s great. Well, I guess that explains how weird you’ve been acting tonight. You saw that little scene in the woods today.”

Two heads nodded in affirmation. Shippo yawned and abandoned Kagome’s lap for the soothing comfort of Kirara’s silence- sometimes, he just didn’t get humans- or hanyou’s for that matter.

“It’s *because* of that scene I suggest a change in your approach.” Miroku pressed on, grabbing one of Kagome’s hands in his earnest. He earned a smack on the head from Sango for his troubles.

“What?” Kagome seemed dumbfounded. “I don’t even understand what happened back there!”

Sango shot her a suspicious look. “You honestly have no idea what got into Inuyasha?”

Kagome shook her head. “How could I? One minute he’s laughing and joking around, the next he’s trying to get his hand up my skirt! He’s either been taking tips from Miroku, or …I don’t even know what!”

Miroku feigned surprise. “Kagome, I am shocked. Do you think so little of me, that you would believe I’d instruct dear Inuyasha to defile you in such a manner?”

Sango and Kagome shot him unimpressed looks. “YES.” They chimed in unison.

Miroku pouted.

“Kagome.” Sango said, turning back to the raven haired girl, “You can’t give up. You need to get home.”

Kagome turned her eyes to the fire. “I want to but…I’m all out of ideas.”

Miroku grinned slyly, lightly bopping Kagome on the head with his staff. “In that case, I have a few you might want to consider.”

Kagome looked unsure. “Keep going.”

Sango graced the monk with a skeptical glance. “I’m dying to hear this one, Houshi.”

“Kagome, the one flaw in your plans is that they were too complex.”

“Miroku, not to be disrespectful, but my last plan was to tackle him and *force* the rosary over his head. I don’t see how that’s complicated.”

Miroku shook his head. “No no, that’s too much force. You’re not looking at the advantages you have right in front of you.”

“Because I don’t have any. Are you suggesting I shoot him with one of my purifying arrows? Because there’s no way I’d *ever*-“

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m suggesting nothing of the sort.” Miroku protested.

“Well, what *are* you suggesting, because the only advantage I could ever have over Inuyasha are my miko powers.” Kagome argued.

Miroku sighed and brought a hand up to silence the unorthodox priestess. “That’s because you’re just looking at him as a half demon. Inuyasha *is* a hanyou. But first and foremost, he is a man. And men are very, very, vulnerable against women.”

Kagome’s eyes widened. “So you’re saying…”

Miroku grinned. “The opportunity for you to wield your most powerful weapon has presented itself. It is time to unleash… YOUR FEMININE WILES!”

There was a dead silence and for the moment, Miroku was sure that he would be feeling the sting of not one, but two hands tonight.

Kagome stood abruptly. “You’re right, Miroku! If I want to win this, I have to fight dirty! All the cool anime girls do it- why can’t I!?”

Sango fell over in shock. “You’re actually considering it?”

Kagome grinned. “Not considering, Sango- I’m going to do it. I finally have something I can use against Inuyasha! Don’t you see? I’m not powerless against him! *I have a chance!*” She turned her eyes to the dark woods, enthusiasm rolling off of her in almost visible waves.

Sango raised an eyebrow before surreptitiously leaning over to the monk’s ear. “Clever move, Houshi. A full out ‘cunning manipulation’ with a perfectly executed set-up of ‘likely story’ and at the last possible second, a well-concealed fall back to the ‘ulterior motives’ play. Good combination.” She whispered appreciatively.

“I haven’t been in the business this long without picking up a few good techniques here and there.” Miroku shot back. He looked up at Kagome, and noticed a spark of hope shining once more in her enchanting eyes.

‘Kagome’s out to seduce Inuyasha…the poor sucker doesn’t stand a chance...bwa ha ha ha ha ha…’

~*~
It was a tense week following Kagome’s resolution. Between seduction lessons from Miroku and trying to keep the new plan from the groups’ unofficial leader, there was also the added discomfort of Inuyasha’s lingering and varying emotions, ranging from sulking to awkward embarrassment. Sango often found it difficult to draw in air effortlessly when everyone was together for dinner or on the road. But one thing that did help relieve some stress- everyone was positive Inuyasha had yet to discover Kagome’s intentions. His self-absorbed brooding was proof enough that he was oblivious to the time Miroku and Kagome spent away from the group after their evening meal.

“One week,” Miroku had said, “And Inuyasha won’t be able to resist you.”

That week was up tonight. Sango bit her lip, her eyes dancing from Kagome to Miroku. So far, Kagome hadn’t done anything. Maybe they had decided to abandon the idea? Or maybe Kagome still needed more time to prepare?

Sango wasn’t sure. Kagome certainly wasn’t dressed in her usual manner. She was clad in an outfit Miroku had chosen before they had gone to bathe. A light flowing skirt that opened in a sweeping vee exposing Kagome’s long and shapely legs. The top he had chosen had much the same effect as the skirt- though the outfit in actuality covered more than her standard school uniform, the teasing glances of flesh it showed were tempting- provoking. It made her seem more naked than when Sango sat in the hot springs with her.

She had also taken special preparation with her bath tonight. She took great care to avoid overly scented bath products, instead choosing to rub some fragrant dried flowers over her damp skin and work a paste she had concocted from them into her scalp while they soaked.

Kagome looked ready to go through with the plan. But it had been three hours since they had come back from the hot springs, and she had yet to approach the dog demon. Sango thought it quite likely that mayhap this was another stage of the plan.

She was so deep in thought, she almost missed the knowing glance the two holy people exchanged. Almost.

As soon as their gazes broke away, Kagome stood. Sango unconsciously held her breath.

“Inuyasha?”

“Hm?” He grunted, clearly in one of his “like a rock” moods.

“Can I speak with you for a moment?”

He jerked his head up first to look at her, and then at the others. Sets of eyes were quickly averted, lest he become spooked by the attention and refuse. Looking edgy, but relatively confident, Inuyasha turned back to Kagome and nodded curtly. “Go ahead.”

“Ah...I meant, you know, privately.”

His gaze *immediately* jerked to the rest of them. Sango grabbed Miroku by the arm and suddenly started chatting with him animatedly, perching Shippo on her lap as she spoke. Shippo and Miroku both caught on immediately, and nodded along with her voice.

Out of the corner of their eyes, they saw the hanyou turn back to Kagome. Another curt nod was Kagome’s response, and she silently lead the way into the woods, until they were out of sight. Sango bit her lip.

“Don’t worry.” Miroku’s tranquil voice crested over her like a wash of soothing water. “I instructed her well. And Inuyasha wouldn’t try anything she wasn’t comfortable with.”

“I know.” Sango sighed, trying to tamp down her big-sister instincts. “I just can’t help but worry.”

Miroku smiled knowingly before he turned to tend the evening’s fire. “Sango, it’s just me and you together, alone now, you know.”

Shippo gawked. “I’m here *too* you know. And so is Kirara!”

The fire cat mewled her agreement.

But Sango smiled, broadly, before she glared full force. “Don’t get any perverted idea, houshi-sama.”

“Sango! I would never dare dream of such things! My hands though…they’re another story...”

“A story that’s going to have a tragic ending if you don’t keep them away from my bottom.”

“But my dearest, sweetest Sango!-“

“I still don’t get them.” Shippo whispered to Kirara, who favored him with a purr when he stratched her head.”

Sango hid a grin at Shippo’s comment. Of course he didn’t understood. Very few did when it came to her. But Miroku- he always knew.

‘Houshi-sama. Thank you for the distraction. And thank you, for knowing me all too well.’

~*~*~*~

Kagome was getting nervous. Inuyasha stalked dutifully behind her, but the sour expression never left his face. She pulled Miroku’s lessons in her head, mentally reviewing the steps he had instructed her to take.

“First, you must find a moonlit clearing. Something preferably with pleasing foliage, but small enough to be intimate.”

“That’s...rather romantic, Miroku. Especially hearing it coming from a guy.” Kagome exclaimed, feeling a bit surprised that Miroku was so idealistic.

“Exactly! You see, Kagome, men could care less about location. But one thing they *do* care about- what’s going on in that woman’s head? Men never know Kagome. They’re utterly clueless. But if the *girl* leads them deliberately to a romantic setting such as that, it puts them on the alert- maybe she took them to this place on purpose. Maybe she wants to do something a little more than talking.”

Kagome rolled her eyes. “I should have known. Never expect too much from a male.”

“What’d I say?”

There! Kagome found the perfect spot. Summer blooms littered the area, and the full moon’s strong light filtered through the leaves gently, dappling the area in ethereal light. It was a romance novel come to life. Kagome grinned. Step 1 was accomplished.

“Secondly, you must stand close to Inuyasha. Allow him to take in such things as your presence, your features, your scent.”

“Inuyasha knows my scent *and* he knows what I look like. Plus, I ride on his back all the time.” Kagome argued.

“Nono, my dear Kagome. This will be a departure from the norm Inuyasha is used to. For not only will you be looking different, you will be smelling delicious as well. And as for your presence- think *womanly*, think *sensual*, think... well…*sexy*.”

“Uh...”

“Just leave it to me, my little miko…”

She took a deep breath before she consciously turned on the charm. Turning around she caught Inuyasha’s eyes with her own, letting her face relax into what she hoped was a lazy sensuality. Rolling her hips like Miroku had instructed her, she sauntered closer, noting the way his eyes seemed glued upon her.

“I think here’s a good place to talk.”

Inuyasha glanced around and she took the opportunity to stand closer. She knew she was close enough when her ‘personal space’ radar started going off. Ignoring it, she took a step closer.

He jerked his head to look at her once again, and everything hit her at once. The warmth radiating off of his body, the height of his build next to her own, the way his silver hair framed his face, his bangs hanging slightly in his eyes. She was remarkably aware of him, of his essence, and her own racing heart.

Inuyasha appeared similarly affect. His ears were trained solely on her, his nostrils flaring slightly.

He was noticing the potpourri Miroku had given her, she realized.

“You’ve seemed bothered lately.” It was hard to speak, for some reason, and her voice came out sounding low, sultry. It surprised her, but she found it pleasing. She leaned in closer.

Her eyes traced the movement of Inuyasha’s adams apple as he swallowed hard. “I have?” His voice was husky as well, low and quiet, making her want to shiver.

“Yeah.” Kagome met his eyes and held them. “Ever since that day in the woods.”

Inuyasha immediately protested. “That’s not-“

“Yes it is.” Kagome cut him off. “I know you. I know what you were going to do.”

“You do?” he breathed, sounding a little scared.

Almost time for step three…

“Yes.” She whispered, raising her arms slightly.

“Once you’ve intoxicated him with your irresistible female magnetism-“

“Whatever.” Kagome muttered.

“You must further coax him. This may require some touching.”

“Touching?” Kagome’s voice was uncertain.

Miroku nodded. “Yes, yes, most definitely. Men are creatures ruled by their passions. Therefore, you must arouse them!”

“Ewwww.”

“The passions, not the men. Though if I were Inuyasha, I know I’d already have an intimate knowledge of the former condition. Oh, stop blushing like a school girl, Kagome.”

“I can’t help it! I *AM* a schoolgirl!”

“Listen, Kagome...” Inuyasha protested, but she cut him off with a finger to his lips. His eyes widened in response.

“I’m not finished Inuyasha. I want you to know I’m very angry with you.”

She saw the panic hit him and knew that her opportunity had presented itself.

“There are many parts of a human being that are sensitized to sensual touch.”

“Like?”

“For instance, the back, the throat, the fingers.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound so bad.”

“The ears.”

“The…ears?”

“A normal human beings’ ears are very *very* sensitive.” Miroku looked her intently and knowingly in the eye. “I’d hate to think how sensitive a half-demons would be.”

“You didn’t even get to the good part.” She practically exhaled the words against his lips before she traced the hand silencing his words up his face to the one trait completely inhuman. The movement brought her close, so close that she was pressed entirely against him. Her fingers traced lightly- ever so lightly- over the fine fur covering one of those adorable triangles.

The experience was definitely different for Kagome. There was a tingling sensation wherever she and Inuyasha touched. Her breasts molded to the harder planes of his chest, her hips cradled his groin, a delicious heat sparking between the two, a twin thudding of heavy heartbeats roaring in the stillness of the forest.

And more than that- she felt powerful. Inuyasha’s breathing was sharper than normal, fluttering against her hair, and the knowledge that she had this effect on him excited her. She nuzzled her lips against his throat.

His eyes bugged and he inhaled sharply at her action. And then the look was back- the intense, melting look he had turned on her in the forest. The look that reminded her of a starving man and a god all at once. It was shades of amber tinted need, glowing and trained on her. Only on her. Inuyasha never looked at Kikyo that way.

“Kagome.” His whisper was hoarse against her shoulder.

“I’m going to finish what you started, Inuyasha. Lean down.”

His brilliant honey colored eyes drifted closed as he obeyed, his head dipping down towards hers.

It was time.

Kagome stepped back and reached back into the waistband of the skirt, tugging out the rosary. She didn’t hesitate when she slammed the ancient beads over the Inuyasha’s outstretched neck, didn’t stop when she heard his startled yelp. They pulsed and buzzed, and Kagome could feel the expectation of their magic- waiting for her word.

His eyes jerked open in shock. “What the fuck!?”

“The next command out of my mouth binds you to me again, Inuyasha.”

He froze and looked at her, too startled to really comprehend.

“I’m sorry we had to do this. But you were getting out of control. I haven’t been home in a month, now. I couldn’t think of any other way to get through to you.”

Inuyasha’s dawning understanding was painful to watch. He growled. “This is fucked up, Kagome.”

She didn’t argue with that. “I had no other choice. Inuyasha, I’m so-“

“Just shut up and say it! Get this over with.” He snarled, and then softer, grumbling to himself, “God...I’m so stupid...so stupid...”

“Inuyasha?” Kagome asked, not understanding.

He looked at her sullenly from beneath his bangs. “I thought you meant it, Kagome.”

She felt a pang of regret. “I-I did.” She stuttered, realizing for the first time that she wasn’t just seducing him out of necessity- she was seducing him out of *want*.

He keh’d and turned his nose up. “You expect me to believe that? This was all to get that stupid rosary back on me again. So go ahead. You’ve got me where you want me. Say your little command or whatever. It doesn’t matter to me.”

But it did, Kagome knew. And he was never going to trust her again. She bit her lip, suddenly wanting to take it back. But she couldn’t... unless...

“Inuyasha.” She drew close, and tentatively rested her hands on his waist.

“What?!” He snapped, glaring down at her.

She smiled shyly up at him. She didn’t know if this would be for better or for worse, but her heart was telling her it was right.

“Kiss me.”

The rosary reacted instantly to the command, and Inuyasha lips slammed on top of hers. Kagome wasted no time. Miroku had also instructed (verbally!) in the proper way to kiss someone, should it come to that. She put his lessons to use, and judging by the primal noises that escaped Inuyasha’s throat, she was putting them to *good* use.

She broke away, leaving the dog demon panting and stunned.

A sly grin curved her lips. “There. You should like that subduing word a little better than ‘sit’.”

He stared at her mutely, still completely confused.

“I’m heading back to camp. Come back when you’re ready, okay? I’ll make you some ramen.”

She walked off, smiling secretly to herself, pleased with how things had turned out. And besides, this subduing spell was *far* more effective than the last one- he had actually shut up for more than a minute. Yes, this might be a good thing after all.

~*~*~

Inuyasha’s mind was slow to process thoughts. He registered Kagome’s retreating footsteps. That had been…rather good...really good...great...amazing. He turned around and ran after the flowing hair and skirt of the modern-day miko.

“Kagome! Wait! Can you subdue me again!?”

-fin-

AN: THANK GOD. THIS WAS THE ONE SHOT FROM HELL! HEEEEEELL I TELL YOU!

Whoa. Nostalgia.

2007-08-25T04:30:46Z

So I was looking through my word documents on my computer and I found this little skit-fic thing I did about all the crazy-ass Gundam crossovers. It's kinda amusing so I thought "What the hell, why not throw it up on my LJ"

STATS:

Comedy

Script-format

References to Titanic, Sailor Moon, The Baby Sitters Club, Ranma 1/2, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Blink 182 and (my personal favorite) Space Ghost Coast to Coast

GUNDAM WING CROSSOVERS YOU’LL PROBABLY NEVER SEE
(or at least pray you won’t)

Gundam Wing and…

Titanic

Millardo: ::hanging off the end of Titanic:: I’M KING OF THE WORLD!!

Relena: ::coming up behind him:: I think NOT! ::kicks him off boat:: I’M QUEEN OF THE WORLD!!

*~*~*~*~*~

Duo: So…you wanna go to a REAL party?

Heero: Mission declined

Trowa: Same goes for me

Quatre: Um…Duo…I really don’t think we should be going to a party with alcohol…we’re UNDERAGE after all..

Wufei: The day I go to a party with you, Maxwell, is the day I forsake my social life.

Duo: ::sigh:: Why do I even bother.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Relena: Heero, I want you to draw me like one of your French girls…wearing this ::holds up Heart of the Ocean::

Heero: But Relena, I can’t-

Relena: Wearing ONLY this

Heero: 0_0

::whole nekkid scene::

Relena: So, how did the drawing turn out, Heero?

Heero: Um…fine…just fine…eh heh

Relena: Well let me see it.

Heero: No no, really, that’s not necessary…

Relena: Heero ::grabs sketchbook from Heero:: A STICK FIGURE!?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mrs. Dorlian: Come here Relena!

Relena: Mother, I don’t want to get married to a man I don’t love. I’m a successful politician that influences the world’s actions, and I’m rich to boot. I don’t need an arranged marriage!

Mrs. Dorlian: Shut up, and let me lace your corset girl!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sailor Moon

Sally: Oh look, I get to play another two-bit character, Luna the cat.

Catherine: I am Catherine, another two bit character, posing as Artemis.

Sally: But. . . you’re a *girl*. And Artemis and Luna are supposed to be in *love*.

Catherine: Hey, if Neptune and Uranus can get it on, what’s wrong with us?

Sally: That’s completely different. That’s *human* female sex. This is *feline* female sex.

Catherine: Oh, you’re right. Let’s go find the moon princess.

Sally: Oh Relena! You’re the moon princess!

Relena: What!? Why do *I* have to be the stinkin’ moon princess!? I don’t even LOOK like Sailor Moon!

Sally: But. . . you have such pretty hair.

Catherine: Zechs’ is prettier.

Sally: OooO! Plot revision!

Heero: Does that mean I get to take off this stupid tux?

Sally: Yeah, sure, you’re out of the picture.

Relena: Here Heero, let me help you ::purrs::

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Zechs: In the name of the moo- Oh my god I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.

Sally: Finish your goddamn righteous speech! It took me HOURS to get those stupid buns right.

Zechs: Fiiiiiiine. ::unenthusiastically:: In the name of the moon, I will punish you, un-noble cur.

Catherine: Please tell me you didn’t write the speech too, Sally.

Sally: WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE SPEECH!?

Catherine: ::sighs and rubs paw on head:: Nothing…just…promise me you’ll get some time away from Wufei. . .

::rose flies by::

Zechs: ::gasps:: Tuxedo Treize!

Treize: Yes, I am Tuxedo Treize. ::grins sexily:: Be strong, or something!

Noin: ::runs onto to screen wearing a tuxedo:: I can’t believe I’m la- HEY! What are *you* doing here!

Treize: I’m Tuxedo Mask.

Noin: No, *I’m* Tuxedo Mask.

Treize: I don’t see any roses… ::menacing glare::

Noin: I don’t see any look-a-like qualities ::equally menacing glare::

Zechs: Please, guys, you can fight over my well-toned body *after* we’ve finished off . . . whatever evil alien is trying to kill the earth now.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hilde: Ok. . . let me get this straight. . .I’m sailor Mercury? But. . .I never even finished high school! I went straight into the military! And from there I ran a scrap yard!

Relena: And I’m Sailor Venus? I’m a *politician* for gods’ sakes! Not a scantily clad, boy-crazy ditz!

Hilde: Now Relena. . .maybe you’re going a bit too far. Afterall there might be Sailor Moon fans looking.

Lauren: And we wouldn’t want the author getting any unnecessary floggings!

Dorothy: ::wearing Sailor Mars’ outfit, with dyed black hair:: ::darkly:: Oh, we *wouldn’t*?

Duo: You know they’re getting desparate when they had to cast *me* as Sailor Jupiter.

Zechs: Duo, this show’s been desparate from the beginning. Although my hair does look kinda cute.

Une: ::dressed as Beryl:: Zechs, that’s just scary. Stop admiring your hair and let me get in a cheap shot before you blast me with your sparkly wand thing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Babysitters Club

Heero: It all started when me and my friends got together one night and thought it would be cool to start a club. . . a BABYSITTERS CLUB!

Duo: ::singing:: Say hello to you friends!

Dorothy: It’s tragic really. . .such esteemed hero’s going mad.

Relena: But on the up-side I can leave Heero home alone with the kids for only four bucks an hour!

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heero: Duo, you are acting too boy-crazy! I think it’s cutting into your sitting performance.

Duo: I can’t help it, Heero! After all, I am a suave New Yorker who can’t help but find guys irresistibly cute!

Wufei: I agree! Did I mention I like art?

Quatre: I don’t know how you can be so forward Duo! ::giggles shyly:: The only person who ever liked me was Logan. ::blushes::

Trowa: ::munches on celery sticks and mutters about the ozone layer::

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ranma 1/2

Narrator: Duo of the Maxwell School of Anything Goes Martial Arts

Duo: ::jumps around on sticks::

::Howard grabs Duo::

Duo: Lemme go!

Narrator: Hilde of the Schbeiker Dojo

Hilde: CHA! ::chops concrete blocks::

::Treize grabs Hilde::

Hilde: Wait, what the-!?

Narrator: Their fathers decided that they should be engaged.

Howard and Treize: ::grin stupidly::

Duo: Don’t decide for me!

Hilde: It’s my life!

Narrator: And there’s one thing complicating Duo’s life.

::Duo is doused by cold water::

Duo: WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?

Narrator: When cold water is poured on him, he becomes a girl.

Duo: Wait. Hold the phone. I become a GIRL!?

Lauren: Y’know, it’s actually scary how well this could work. A few minor line changes- like so-

Relena: HEEEE- ::Lauren hands Relena script:: Oh. AIIIIIREEEEEEN!

Wufei: Curse you Treize Khushrenada. ::Lauren tosses script to Wufei:: Oh. PREPARE TO DIE MAXWELL DUO! Who is ‘the pigtailed goddess’?

Lauren: And you have quite a crossover on your hands.

Duo: ::poking newly acquire boobs:: Well….can’t say it doesn’t have perks…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lord of the Rings

Zechs: ::as Legalos:: Actually, I kinda like this crossover. I get to have this nifty bow.

Duke Dermail: ::as Sauromon:: and I get to be a backstabbing evil wizard!

Heero: ::as Frodo:: And I have a mission.

Duo: ::as Samwise:: and I get to be a bumbling, well-meaning if somewhat ineffective side kick!

Wufei: ::as himself:: And that’s any different than usual?

Lauren: Hmmm…You’re right. This *is* kinda cool.

~Mocking of Lord of the Rings crossovers has been canceled due to its’ unexpected coolness~

Lauren: Hmmm…what other popular book series can I pick on now…AHA! I KNOW!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry Potter

Harry Potter Fans: ::fire up torches and sharpen pitchforks::

Lauren: Um…help…

Harry Potter Fans: CHARGE!

Lauren: ::runs away screaming::

Dorothy: So much for avoiding unnecessary floggings.

~Mocking of Harry Potter crossovers had been canceled due to authoress’s new-found fear of Harry Potter fans~

Space Ghost

Space Ghost: Moltar, who’s our guest tonight?

Moltar: Uh…some dude named Heero Yuy.

Space Ghost: *Heero* Yuy? HERO!? The nerve…Trying to out-do me…

Zorak: Not like it’d take much ::cackles in his Zoraky-way::

::TV wheels down::

::Heero appears on screen::

Space Ghost: ::thinking to self:: You’re only a child…well HERO Yuy, you’ve met your match…your ass is gravy…

Moltar: Actually, Space Ghost, it’s grass.

Space Ghost: What?

Moltar: The saying. It’s ‘your ass is grass.’

Space Ghost: Oh. ::sudden realization dawns:: MOLTAR! You can read my thoughts!?

Moltar: Uh…no…you were talking outloud the whole time…

Zorak: Moron.

Space Ghost: So! HERO, old buddy. Getting enough air?

Heero: It’s sufficient.

Space Ghost: Good…good…so, whatcha been up to lately?

Heero: I’ve been using guerilla tactics to overthrow a tyrannical organization known as ‘OZ’ for the purpose of freeing the weaponless colonies from their grasp.

Space Ghost: Rightio! That’s hip. So, how’s that Relena chick working out for you?

Heero: ::stares silently::

Space Ghost: ::stares back::

::close up of Heero staring::

::close up of Space Ghost staring::

::even closer close up of Heero staring::

:: close close up of Space Ghost flashing his charming ‘damn I’m good looking’ smile::

Zorak: I take it you haven’t slept with her yet, then.

Space Ghost: ::wheels around without warning and blasts Zorak with powerbands::

Zorak: Hack. Cough.

Space Ghost: So HERO. Do *you* have any power bands?

Heero: No.

Space Ghost: HA! NO POWERBANDS!? WHAT KIND OF *HERO* ARE YOU THEN!? HUH!?

Heero: I am not a hero. Just a nameless soldier, of little worth or use except to fight for peace.

Space Ghost: Oh. So…I’m better than you?

Zorak: ::muttering:: idiotic nincompoop.

Space Ghots: ::whips around and shoots Zorak with his powerbands again::

Moltar: Maybe I should bring out the next guest…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Space Ghost: You know, you’re a very attractive women. What turns you on?

Relena: Oooh, I don’t know. Death threats mostly…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

:;Dorothy appears on screen::

Space Ghost: ::screams:: You….know…I think I hear someone knocking at the door…

Moltar: But Space Ghost…it’s a spacial vacuum out there…

Space Ghost: Precisely why I should go open the door…right now… ::flys away::

Zorak: ::stares at Dorothy:: You know, your eyebrows frighten me beyond all insect comprehension…

Dorothy: I get that a lot…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Space Ghost: So are you telling me you use some kind of hair formula?

Duo: Well you gotta, to maintain a sexy braid, such as mine…

Space Ghost: Say, y’know where I could get some of that? I’ve been bald for years…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Space Ghost: So…Quatre…there’s been rumors about you and….this *tea* of yours…

Quatre: YOU LEAVE MY TEA OUT OF THIS!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Space Ghost: Split personalities, eh? Zorak has split personalities.

Une: Huh?

Zorak: That’s right. My other personality is Barry Manilow.

Space Ghost: ::whispering to Une:: Just don’t let that slip to the public, if you know what I mean.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Space Ghost: ::sizing up whole Gundam cast:: There’s something remarkable about this group of people. And I’ve come here today to share that with you, my audience.

Gundam cast: ::smiles::

Space Ghost: And that special thing is…I’M TALLER THAN EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE OF THEM!

Gundam cast: ::falls over::

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Blink 182

Trowa: ::singing:: What’s my name again? What’s my name again?

Duo: Trowa, why are we running around naked in public?

Heero: You think *HE’S* gonna remember that!??

Wufei: How I rue the day I joined this god-for-saken band…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Well that’s it for the skits! And since there’s been an unexcusable lack of Quatre, he’s going to tap dance while the author’s notes roll.

AN:

Quatre: ::tippity tappity tip::

Just for the record, I hate barely anything I’ve mocked here. I think Titanic is the only thing I truly dislike. As for the Harry Potter poke, no hard feelings, I’m a reader of the books myself, I just wanted to joke a bit about it’s widespread popularity.

Quatre: ::tip tap tappity tap::

For those of you that have seen the series, you’d recognize that the Ranma parody is taken directly from the little opening blurb at the beginning of each episode of the second season. They might have carried that into other seasons as well, but if they haven’t, that’s where you can find it.

Quatre: ::tippity tippity tippity::

And finally, I hope you all enjoyed this. It’s rather stupid humor, I know, but that’s what I’m best with. Oh, and the scariest thing about this whole omake- I’m actually considering doing a series of Space Ghost crossover interviews…my mind is a scary place…

Quatre: ::tip tip TAP!::

Audience: ::applauds madly::

Lauren: Great job Quatre!

Quatre: ::blushes:: Well, I did take tap all through high school…

Ohsnap

2007-08-25T04:28:41Z

Wrote this at work today while I was waiting for my ride and typed it up when I got home. It's my first contribution to blkros's 100 Ways to Propose To Relena challenge. Don't be too hard on it, it's really just for funsies.

STATS:

One-shot, 644 words

Comedy, challenge fic

Gundam Wing

1xR

PG-13 (once again, playing it safe)

EDIT: I just realized there was another fic entitled "Belated Realizations" for 99 Ways, soooo to avoid confusion, I just changed it to "Overdue Realizations." Not nearly as catchy or flowing, but eh, I slack therefore I adjust titles.

The phone rang as Relena Darlian was toweling off. Heaving a mighty sigh, the President of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation walked quickly to the monitor, her eyes skimming across the number on the caller ID to judge whether or not it would be appropriate to answer the call scantily clad. Her brain immediately registered the familiar digits and she accepted, turning her back to the monitor.

“Ms. President.” Heero’s familiar monotone made her smile secretly to herself.

“Good afternoon, Heero. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?” She absently combed fingers through her damp hair as she spoken to her bodyguard, barely catching the towel as it started to slip.

Heero’s voice sounded slightly choked as he responded. “I wanted to go over the schedule tomorrow, but…”

“Oh, that’s okay Heero. I’m almost certain I’ve been informed of the final changes. All my morning meetings are in office tomorrow with the exception of my meeting with the Colonial Foreign Minister, to which my escorts will be Po and Chang. From there, I go to the panel in the Trades and Commerce building for a run down on the economic situation of former Africa and the discussion of probable points of action. From there, back to the office for some paperwork, and then after work we’re going to the electronic store so we can get you a vidphone.” Relena wrinkled her nose as she finished reciting the vigorous schedule.

“About that vidphone Relena…”

Becoming frustrated with her battle to keep the towel in place, she let it slide to the floor and kicked it away, securing the curtains so the gardeners wouldn’t look up and see more of their employer than they expected. She thought she heard a squeak come from Heero’s end of the connection. She chalked it up to the antiquated device he was using.

“What about it, Heero? And don’t try to convince me you don’t need it,” She chided as she walked to her desk to retrieve a proposal she wanted to review once she was dressed. “You use that broken down, audio only piece of junk out of paranoia. You don’t have to hide your face from people anymore. And if you’re going to start on that ‘coworkers shouldn’t be consorting after office hours’, forget about it. We’re going after work and that’s that.” Relena absent-mindedly rocked to the soft music crooning from her radio. Hands smoothed over her skin, trying to disperse of the water droplets her still wet hair had dripped.

“Th…that’s not…what I was going to talk to y-you about.” Heero’s voice sounded thick, and she heard him swallow heavily as she pushed aside the drape of her burnished gold hair. Relena raised an eyebrow. Heero tongue-tied? Now she was intrigued.

“Well, if it’s not that, what is it?”

Heero cleared his throat several times before he could speak. “I wanted to inform you that the trip to the electronic store tomorrow would be unnecessary.”

“Oh?” Relena replied, half-paying attention as she looked around the room for the towel she had so carelessly thrown aside. “Why’s that?”

“Because I went today and purchased a vidphone myself.”

“Well that’s goo…” Relena’s words were cut short as Heero’s words abruptly sunk in.

Slowly she turned to face the vidphone screen, her mouth dropping open as Heero’s flushed face looked back at her. He didn’t even try to hide his eager appraisal of her nude form.

Relena was rendered mute and numb. She considered this a blessing, since she was certain that if she *could* produce noise, it would be a shriek, and had she had the option of feeling, it would be burning mortification.

There was a long silence.

“Relena?”

“Yes, Heero?”

Another silence.

And then an awed “Marry me.”

The connection went abruptly dead as Relena threw her paper weight at the display screen.

Oh, what am I getting myself into?

2007-08-25T04:25:43Z

My new baby. Has yet to be posted anywhere but here since I'd like to have a fall-back of at least three chapters. Melodramatic, angsty, and possibly-stupid though it may be, I was just too excited not to put it up here. AWMAN.

Also, many thanks to coley_merrin not only for enduring my plotting, agonizing, and ceaseless chatter, but also for giving me the title.

AND, a *big* thank you andrea_sins for volunteering to beta this cracked out fic. <3 You rock.

STATS:

title: Penumbra

chapters: meh? something ridiculious probably.

series: Inuyasha

genre: Dark fairytale, romance, alternate universe

pairings: IYxKag IYxKik (to a small extent)

rating: R

warnings: Dark themes, cursing

My father had been dead two months when I learned of the legend of Inuyasha the Hanyou.

Son of a great Taiyoukai, he sought the Jewel of the Four Souls in order to transform his half-human body into that of a full demon. But somewhere along the way, Inuyasha’s quest for power became side tracked as he found himself slowly falling in love. Even more shockingly, it was Kikyo, the miko who guarded the Jewel, who caused such unexpected feelings to arise. As their romance blossomed, both Kikyo and Inuyasha agreed they would use the Jewel to purge Inuyasha of his demon heritage, making him permanently human. Then, they would wed.

But, on the very day his change was to take place, Inuyasha was tricked. Shot at by Kikyo herself. Enraged, he stole the Jewel from the village. Before Kikyo could prevent him from doing so, he used the Jewel’s power to cast away his human half, leaving his demon blood pure. But there was a price to pay for such a wish. Inuyasha became mindless, utterly consumed by bloodlust- for his soul was mortal. Kikyo sealed him to a sacred tree, before dying from deep shoulder wound.

Strangely enough, the wound seemed to have been caused by Inuyasha.

To this day, no one knows who deceived whom. Kikyo’s body was burned. Centuries pass and Inuyasha remains pinned to the tree still, Kikyo’s holy arrow forever freezing him in a state of stilled time.

It is said that Inuyasha’s humanity still walks the world, seeking his imprisoned half, thirsting to be united once more. All while Kikyo’s bitter spirit lingers in the walls of the shrine where she died, weeping her wordless apologies, hauntingly beautiful even in death.

It was a legend my father would have liked.

It was a story of betrayal.

I see him, swinging from that rope in his study. The screams of my brother echo in the empty halls, my mother’s frantic voice winding around them as she calls the ambulance.

And me…I stare.

My name is Kagome Higurashi. I’m a fifteen-year-old junior high student. I live in an old shrine that’s full of history- a shrine where true love once died. Where a broken family pieces their lives back together. Where a girl must reconcile her shattered reality to the fairytales from her father’s lying lips.

A shrine full of history- a history that would soon alter my future.

~*~
“Souta! *What* are you doing?” My voice, I know, crackled with annoyance. If he dawdled anymore, we would be late for school.

Huffing, I shoved open the door to the well house, probably with more force than necessary. The old slats of wood clacked loudly against the solid rock of the high walls next to the well house- part of a giant fence that encloses a little less than half of the shrine’s courtyard. An entirely odd structure, no one knows exactly when it was erected or what it was enclosing- the keys to its’ massive stone entrance were misplaced long before my Grandfather’s time. Ignoring the possible damage to the door, I barged into the dark hut with all the fury of an older sister made tardy.

My little brother was crouched by the Bone Eaters’ Well. Named that for yet another old story, it was ancient, less than sturdy, and dangerous.

“Souta! Get away from there! Grandpa told us it’s not safe in here.”

Souta bit his lip and turned towards me, making my exasperation double- he was making the face! It was a face only a ten year old wuss could master. Groaning, I massaged my temple as I caved into the pitiable look. “Alright, what is it?”

“Kagome.” He was whispering, his eyes still wide with fear. “There’s someone *down* there.” He pointed shakily to the well.

I blinked in surprise. Dropping my backpack I rushed down the stairs and over to the edge of the wooden structure. “What!? You mean someone fell in!?”

Souta swallowed audibly. “No. Kagome…it’s a ghost!”

Oh. My. God. “SOUTA! You twerp, you’re making me late to school because you think you saw a ghost!?”

He shook his head vehemently. “No Kagome! There really *is* one! I saw her!”

Exasperation was fast giving way to anger. “There are no such things as ghosts. I know you’re always hearing stories about them from Grandpa and D…From Grandpa, but that doesn’t make them real!” Honestly, I could understand this behavior a few years ago, but Souta was almost a middle school student. Grandpa’s stories were entertaining, and inspiring- but they were still just stories.

Souta was unconvinced. His hands still trembled in spite of my stern reassurance. Time for big sister intervention.

“Okay, okay, *fine*, if I go down there and *show* you there’s no ghost, will you please go get your backpack so we can leave?”

He nodded sharply, relief softening the fright that furrowed his brow.

Grumbling and slightly put out, and I started climbing down the creaking ladder, praying that this reckless action wouldn’t result in a broken leg, or an even more painful injury. My steps echoed against the rock walls of the well as I descended into its’ gaping mouth. I shivered slightly, not so much from cold as from dread of what evil creatures might be living at the bottom.

“Be careful, Kagome!” Souta sounded far away. A quick glance up revealed his pale face peering down at me.

“Yeah, I know! Get away from the edge!” I called back up to him. He obeyed me, for once.

The descent brought me deeper into the cold dark. I shivered as goosebumps rose on my bare legs. It was…*creepy* down here. Something prickled at the back of my mind, an uneasy feeling that seemed to be warning me- urging me to back pedal. It made me uneasy, and my senses immediately become more alert. Shaking the paranoia with some difficulty, I found myself at the bottom of the well unexpectedly. Casting blind eyes around, my hands grasped the rough wooden rungs of the ladder just a little tighter. Seconds ticked by in silence, the only sound my own measured breaths couples with the steady pounding of my heart in my ears. Relaxing, I felt a bit of my (unreasonable) anxiety subside. Nothing was stirring at the bottom of this old hole.

“Souta! I don’t see any-!”

It hit me then- a force so powerful it cut my words off with my own gasp. The world spun as a hectic energy hummed around me- no, no, that wasn’t right. It wasn’t around me- it was*from* me. Reality expanded in a rush of color, sounds, flowing time and blurring auras. My awareness was alive in ways that I never felt before- something was burning in me, something deep and primal- something that once was dormant, sleeping inside me. My limbs, my face, my mind- it was all consumed in this raw fire, ravaging me from the inside out. My hold on the ladder went slack without even a second thought, and I sunk to my hands and knees, the sudden onslaught of sensation overwhelming in its’ intensity. And through it all, I could feel something foreign...something that wasn’t me, passive but communicative.

I was *pulsing*.

And something was *answering it*.

A small cry broke through my haze, and suddenly, it was all over, as quickly as it had come. I was left feeling shaky, dizzy, and with the disturbing knowledge that I was no longer alone.

Eyes I didn’t remember shutting blinked open. An ethereal light bathed the bottom of the well in bluish luminescence, and I was helpless to resist its’ pull on my gaze. My heart…my heart thudded against my chest, each breath I took rasping down my throat almost violently.

A girl, no older than eighteen, gazed down at me impassively. Her shoulder was battered and torn- blood welled from the wound and coursed down her arm, and yet- it never touched the ground, never sullied or stained anything except her medieval miko robes and skin.

My stomach lurched as my own face looked back at me.

“Who are you!?” My voice came out stronger than I thought it would, commanding in the hellish black I was drowning in.

Her eyes narrowed, like dark coals set in her wan face, fixing their unfathomable depths right on me. “You child. You should have stayed away from this place.”

Her voice was deep, smooth, and cold- as freezing as the bottom of this well. Nothing like mine. For some reason, the knowledge that we weren’t so similar gave me a brief burst of strength. “Answer me! Who are you!?”

She ignored my question again. “Your awakening will have summoned him. He knows where to find you now.” Her tone was emotionless. There have been winters less chilling. “It’s time.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Hysteria had finally closed its’ mind-spinning fingers on me. This was not happening- this was not happening!

She walked up to me- not floated, not glided, but walked, like a person still bound by such earthly laws as gravity. Halting a few inches away she studied me momentarily, with a strangely detached curiosity I have never seen anyone mortal display. I could see her wound clearly from my place on the hard packed ground- four slashes, right through her very bone. I winced as she crouched down, looking me squarely in the eyes.

“You’re…you’re Kikyo.” I don’t know how I managed these words. They were thick and wobbly against my teeth, but they came out. She neither confirmed nor denied my statement, merely kept those eyes, dead of everything human, trained on mine.

“You will put right what I have wronged.” And she reached out, touching my shoulder lightly, a gesture seemingly executed without premeditation.

At the brush of her icy fingers an aching sorrow assailed my being, soul wrenching and all-encompassing. Tears automatically sprung to my eyes as my breathing hitched on a sob. God…it was more than I could bear. The edges of my vision went dark…I could feel myself slipping away from consciousness. She removed her fingers quickly, and all that pain was wrenched away again. Nausea curled in the pit of my stomach, my arms trembling once before giving out, leaving me to fall in a heap on the ground. I fought the urge to retch, jerking my eyes up to where she should have been leaning over me- but she was gone.

I don’t know how long I lay on the ground, trying to keep my vision from swimming and my meal down. Rising uncertainly on shaky knees, I fumbled for the ladder. Climbing had never been more difficult- everything felt surreal, dream-like. Grabbing onto the lip of the well, I managed to haul myself over the edge and land hard next to Souta in a heap of limbs and twisted fabric.

He was crying, and suddenly, a bone-deep weariness stole whatever had been sustaining me.

“Are you okay, Kagome?” He sobbed and I nodded tiredly, trying not to show him how shaken I was. “You saw her too!” his voice died down. “You saw her.”

There was a muffled silence in the cool shadows of the well house, light breaking through the cracks in the wood to throw patterns against the weeping boy. He had been right. I should have listened to him…I should have…

“…I’m sorry, Souta.”

He wailed, and I closed my eyes against the familiar sound.

~*~
I didn’t think about my close encounter with the dead priestess in the days that followed. I forcibly removed from my mind the fact that we looked nearly identical. That day, when I rose from the well house’s dirt floor, I vowed to put it behind me. I was hallucinating, I reasoned, some sort of delayed effect of my father’s abrupt passing. I didn’t try to explain how Souta also managed to see this ‘vision’. Fairytales were not true. They just weren’t.

Then I started to notice the presence.

A little at first, and then more intensely as time went on, I felt watched, stalked. The world began to change. Everyone seemed to hum with some mysterious force, and yet, at the same time they were completely normal. Things I never stopped to consider suddenly pulled me with an almost tangible magnetism. The cemetery on my way to school. The old park where it was rumored demons still skulked. The giant stone wall closing off half of our shrine.

But always, even with these startling new revelations, I felt those eyes. I began to carry a small can of pepper spray in my purse, and jumped at shadows that seemed too close to my own late at night. Despite that, I had almost convinced myself that nothing in me had changed, that life was as normal and humdrum as it always was. My mind slipped easily back to old faithfuls- grades, friends, family.

Then, as the reality of the situation started to fade to fantasy and dull history, she began her weeping.

It was the first night of what became her nightly haunting. I shot up in my bed, my heart hammering away in my chest. I had been dreaming, but of what, I could not remember. For no particular reason, I held my breath.

That’s when I heard it.

A quiet moaning, drifting through the walls of our house. I gasped in fear, choking on the air as it hit my lungs. The terror pushed everything out of me but motion. I ripped off the bed covers before thought filtered through my shocked haze, my legs pumping as I raced towards the sound. Why did I answer it? Why couldn’t I seem to deny that calling?

I stumbled into the courtyard, the stone rough and cold against my bare feet. My chest heaved, my eyes strained. Where was she?

Where was Kikyo?

And then I saw her, bloodied, kneeling, glorious, not more than two yards away. She clutched at her temple and threw her head back, the wail that escaped her throat a tormented plea for release. Her sorrow made my bones ache, my muscles tremble.

She turned and caught my stare, her charcoal pupils boring into me. There was an instant understanding. Something passed between us, a deep empathy I knew was not inspired solely by her tragic plight. There was more there, binding us together.

“Find him.” She mouthed, her crimson streaked hand stretching towards me.

“You’re not real!” My voice broke with my tears, and my breathing became shallow and harsh.

She clenched her teeth in a grimace, squeezing her eyes shut. I thought I saw tears slip down those flawless alabaster cheeks. And then I felt it in me, some last reserve of self control and safe ignorance strain and break. I finally understood why I denied Kikyo’s existence so vehemently and completely. It was because I already believed she was real. My hyperventilating breaths deepened rapidly to harsh sobs, and when I looked up she was gone. But it was still there, that realization, and I fell to the ground and cried as bitterly as she had. There was no time, no air. Only me, and that awful truth.

“Kagome?!” Grandpa shouted as he ran to me. I barely heard him. Vaguely, the pressure of his hands eased my head up from between my knees. “My god. What’s wrong?! What’s happened Kagome? Are you hurt?!” He looked terrified.

“She was me, she was me, she was me, she was me…” It felt as if those words were soft, but I could hear the shouts of my voice bouncing back from the stone wall. I knew then, that I had been screaming it. Even as he folded me in the comfort of his arms, even as my voice died down to a bare whisper, I couldn’t stop saying those awful words. My eyes leaked tears on his shoulder as I buried my face in it. My hands hardly dared to let go of his faded dressing gown, lest the world spin away even faster.

When I finally lifted my eyes, my vision had gone fuzzy, but I swore I saw a figure retreating into the shadows of the shrine. And with it, the sensation of being watched echoed stronger in me.

What was happening to me?
~*~

Penumbra, chaptah 2!

2007-08-25T04:22:54Z

I love and hate this story at the same time. Either way, I could not look at this chapter any more. I really couldn't ::whimper:: So anywho, "unofficially" posting it here. Because chapter 3 isn't done yet. And since I know you guys, your threats mean nothing. Bahahaha. Ahem. Anywho.

STATS

title: Penumbra

chapter: 2 of ??

series: Inuyasha

genre: dark fairytale, romance, alternative universe

pairings: IYxK, IYxKik (to an extent)

rating: R- keeping it safe.

WARNINGS: Violence, cursing, dark themes

Authors Notes: For those that don't know- Kagome's name is an unusual one. It was actually derived from an old children's rhyme whose origins are vague. It is still unknown as to what 'Kagome' actually means. Anywho, the rhyme you will see in the beginning of this chapter is the childhood rhyme that Kagome got her name from. The translation and explanation was found at Inuyasha Sengoku o-Togi Zoushi if you wanna check it out for yourself.

As always, HUGE thanks to my beta, andrea_sins and to my "qualified reader" coley_merrin for being wells of patience, creativity, and support. You guys rock <3 ONWARD!

Kagome, kagome,

His deep baritone was still so familiar.

“And so Rose Red and Rose White went into the woods, where they discovered. . .”

When does the bird inside the cage come out?

“But as she gazed at his face, she accidentally spilled tallow on his linen nightclothes…”

At dawns and evenings.

“Food would never pass his lips, water would never touch his tongue, for it would all turn to brilliant gold. Still he did not resent it, until finally, one day, his daughter fell to the curse of the touch as well…”

Who is in front of the back…

“Even in eternal sleep, she was beautiful, and the prince bent down to place upon her rosy lips, a single kiss…”

..where a crane and a turtle slipped and fell?

“And they lived happily ever after…”

Happily ever after…

Kagome, Kagome…

~*~*~

“Kagome. Kagooooomeee? Hellooooo, earth to Higurashi!”

I blinked, startled out of my mental doze. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

“I was just asking you, when are you going to give Hojo a break, and start dating the poor boy?” Yuka grinned at me, a hint of mischief sparkling in her eyes.

“Yeah!” Eri piped in readily, “Because if you don’t want him, I’ll gladly step in to ease his pain.”

The group of girls roared back into conversation, while I easily hung back, forgotten in the din of teenage bantering. My stomach felt heavy, sugary sick with too much milkshake.

Once upon a time, when I had been a normal girl with one annoying little brother, two happily married parents, and a crazy old grandpa, these girls had looked at me as one of them; one to tease, one to laugh with so hard we couldn’t keep our balance; one to whisper secrets to in the sleeping bags, rooftops, and fast food booths of our world. Now I was a normal girl with a tragic back story, one hesitant and terrified little brother, one struggling parent, and a grandpa who pulled me back from the edge when he found me, screaming, outside at 3 am. These girls now looked at me as if I was something fragile, an uncomfortable outsider in their otherwise carefree lives. Even tonight there was a vulnerability in the gazes they were shooting me that I still could not stop resenting. I was not a friend anymore, I knew. I was an obligation.

“I’m gonna go.” I stood quietly, and the girls flinched, the way they did at horror movies. A grim smile touched my lips at the thought of me being that first unexpected casualty.

“Okay Kagome. We’ll see you in school tomorrow.” Eri offered hesitantly, and I nodded, flashing a grin that I knew was stretched too thin to be believable. The door of Wacdonald’s jingled merrily as I exited.

In the streets, the light of dusk cast a supernatural glow on the people still bustling about. The humming of their collective energies had become commonplace to me, no longer so alien and frightening. Why I was noticing this phenomenon was still an unanswered question, and I chose not to ask it too often. Sighing, I turned, and began the long trek home. I knew what I wasn’t admitting to myself.

I haven’t been the same since I climbed down that well.

In fact, nothing has. Not Souta, not the shrine, not anything.

There was this expectation, this excitement that told me the worst was yet to come. And sitting here waiting was driving me crazy. Just thinking about it triggered memories of my nights filled with Kikyo’s mourning. I could still feel the cold ground on my knees if I thought hard enough about that first haunting. I pushed it all aside, keeping my eyes and thoughts on the pavement.

It might have been for that reason that when footsteps started echoing mine, I noticed. Fear welled in my throat as I felt those eyes on me, that presence at my back. I stopped, to see if the footsteps would still come, but they didn’t. Swallowing back my terror, I started walking again. The soft thud of shoes followed the clunking of my low heels. I sped up. The footsteps matched my pace. Then went faster. He wanted to catch up. I turned around without even thinking, my skirts whirling around my thighs, hair whipping across my cheek. The figure stopped, obviously surprised by my actions. Our eyes met briefly, his shadowed by the hood of a torn and dirtied sweatshirt, but despite the darkness, something was exchanged. He saw my fear, knew I was frozen with it, and I could see it excited him- tempted him. Motion seemed to slow as he smirked and it was unmistakable that now we both knew- the chase was on.

I dropped my school sack and flew, my legs kicking up gravel, my arms grasping desperately at empty air. The sidewalk blurred under me as breathing became torturous, each gasp burning down my lungs. Lights flew by, familiar landmarks- the cemetery, the woods, and finally, the steps to my shrine. I chanced a look behind me, and shrieked when he was closer than anticipated. I don’t know how I got up the steps- animal instinct pushed me past a point where I could think about what I was doing. Suddenly his weight collapsed on me from behind, his hot, rank breath fanning my neck. I screamed, my frame so weakened from terror my knees nearly gave out. Preservation made me ram my elbow into his stomach and he coughed and released me. I ran to the door, frantically trying to open it, but it was locked. Later I would remember that Souta, Mama, and Grandpa were at his Back To School night. But now, it just made me more desperate. I turned back to my attacker and froze- he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I could still feel him though, the whisper of his menace through the leaves of the trees. My breathing was still hitched, jerky, as I swiped at the tear tracks on my face. I needed to find safety, before he decided to show himself again. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye- Kikyo. She glowed in a way that seemed new to me, though I knew it wasn’t.

“Follow.” She mouthed, and turned the corner. The swish of her robes led me past the house, the well house, and to the stone gate that hadn’t been opened since my ancestor’s generation. She turned and looked at me before passing through the wall. She’d led me to a dead end. My throat closed up.

“Kikyo!” My voice was raw against my throat as I banged my fists against the gate. My fingers tangled in the webs of ivy, and I grew maddened with my movements, tearing off chunks of vine. It was useless, and after a few moments of violent clawing, I ceased, barely swallowing the tears that threatened to come. “Don’t just leave me here.” I whispered hoarsely, slumping against the gate in defeat. I heard a thick ‘clack’ from the other side before the stone gate slowly swung open under my weight.

I knew I must have stared for longer than I thought because I could hear Kikyo’s voice urging me, “Now! Now!”

I rushed inside the courtyard, but my eyes were behind me the whole time. Which is why I didn’t see him at first.

The roots of the tree had taken a bizarre path of growth. Instead of sinking into the ground, they were curled around his body, centuries of neglect letting them go wild. His outfit was dirtied, frayed, and in the old style of dress. By all means, if it was as aged as it should have been, it would’ve disintegrated off his body by now. And yet, there it was. His hair was silvered white, longer than my own, and his fingertips ended in claws made for ripping flesh. And lodged in his heart, an ancient miko arrow.

Inuyasha.

I must have stepped forward, must have been so entranced I didn’t notice how close I was getting, because when my attacker came from behind, he slammed me against the sleeping boy on the tree.

“You knew this would happen to me, Kikyo! YOU KNEW!” His hands were strong, too strong, when they wrapped around my throat.

“I…I…” My vision was going black. Choking. A memory. Feet dangling in midair. That rope. Dad.

“You’ll pay for what I’ve suffered through, you little bitch!” He snarled, shaking me violently.

“Not…her…” Sirens. Whispers. Ashes. Dad.

A beautiful, impassive face, inches from my own. My fingers reached, touched the shaft of wood that sealed him there.

“Inuyasha…”

And then I ripped the arrow out of his chest, going dizzy as it disintegrated in my hands. From behind me, those punishing hands went slack and I fell to the ground, gasping and coughing.

Inuyasha began to pulse with an eerie, sinister force. Waves of it poured off of him, visible to the naked eye. I could hear his joints start to crack, rusty laughter bubble in his throat, and suddenly there was a sharp movement, faster than my thoughts could track. Pieces of thick tree root rained down around me, but my gaze was locked with his as he floated to the ground, awed with his power. His eyes were inhuman, scarlet and cornflower, thirsting for carnage. The bottom dropped out of my stomach as his claws descended on me.

Suddenly, a body collided with Inuyasha’s, and both were thrown to the ground. I struggled to my feet when I realized it had been my attacker that had intercepted the killing blow. The filthy hood had been knocked off, revealing his features for the first time. He had the same face as the boy I had awakened but it echoed completely the one element the other had lacked- humanity.

The two were circling each other, snarling and snapping. They leapt and those claws drew blood, while those hands broke bones. They parted, gasping in pain, before meeting again in violent confrontation. Two identical men, different coloring, same bloodlust.

“Join with me!” Inuyasha’s humanity shouted, fending off another lethal attack.

His demon side cackled, a sickening smirk revealing his elongated incisors. “A weak little human like you? Killing you will hardly bring me pleasure.”

“This is madness…” My eyes were wide, horrified, watching them cut away at each other, bit by bit. My hands pressed against my ears, trying to block out the wet thuds as they struck each other. “Madness…” But I couldn’t look away.

The demon pinned the human to the ground, grinning as the other coughed up blood. He extended one hand into the air, poised for a killing blow. “And now I’ll tear out your precious human heart.”

“STOP!”

The two figures froze as the courtyard blazed with pink light. Suddenly, one Inuyasha began sinking into the other, their points of contact sucking the other in. Primal screams were ripped from their throats, mine joining them as that overwhelming feeling of all-consuming awareness stretched my brain again, testing my limits. It was too much, that power, and unable to think of any other way to stop it, I rammed my knuckles into the stone ground. The pain was the shock my system needed, and I collapsed, cradling my bloodied and aching hand against me.

I was abruptly heaved up by the collar of my shirt, still whimpering with pain.

Inuyasha was glaring at me, but his eyes were not the dark thirsty ones of the form before. Now they were light, amber colored orbs. His irises stood out, pupils dilated almost like a cat’s.

“Hand over the jewel, Kikyo.”

“I’m...not Kikyo.” I groaned. “Please…I’m Kagome.”

He snorted. “What the hell are you talking about, wench?”

I managed to point a shaking hand towards the gate and my house. “It’s been…five hundred years. Kikyo is dead. My name is…”

But I never finished, because Inuyasha dropped me abruptly to the ground. “YOU LIE!” He snarled, before he grabbed a fistful of my hair. “I don’t know what kind of devil you are, but I do know you have the Jewel. WHERE IS IT!?”

“I don’t have it!” I yelled, hoping force would help convince him.

“Don’t you fucking say that! Its energy is crackling all around you! It’s…” He broke off suddenly, his eyes lowering to my shirt front, their stare wide and disbelieving.

“What is it!?” I shrieked, suddenly frightened by that look.

His eyes met mine again, still denying what he knew. “How the hell did you manage that? How did you take Kikyo’s face? How did you lodge that jewel in your heart!?”

“What!?” I gasped, hardly daring to breathe.

And then his attention was directed elsewhere, and he dropped me again. I watched his lips as he mouthed a now familiar name.

“Kikyo.”

And there she was, watching us, looking at him with such a pained longing. Her words came back to me.

“You will put right what I have wronged.”

All went dark.

ficlet!

2007-08-25T04:20:46Z

STATS!

Title: Forgiveness

Series: Naruto

Genre: Fluff, to cheer me up

Pairing: SasuxSaku

Word Count: Meh, SOMETHING

Warnings: Nada.

FANFICTION WILL BE THE BALM TO MY TROUBLED SOUL! (vague comment to be explained later)

His arrival in Konoha was received with mixed emotions. Friends he didn’t know he had welcomed him back. Fellow shinobi’s eyed him warily. ‘And with good reason.’ He thought, averting eyes as black as the sins he’d committed.

“Oi! Sakura!” Naruto shouted, loud as he’d always been, arms waving in an ostentatious display of energy. “He’s back!”

Sasuke followed Naruto’s gaze, barely registering the blur of reds and pinks until it slammed into his body. Sakura’s arms restricted his breathing, and though glad of the embrace, he found suffocation a very likely outcome of the crushing hug.

“Sakura.” He winced, and she immediately released him, throwing her arms around Naruto.

“Thank you.” He thought he heard her murmur into Naruto’s jacket. The grin on that idiot’s face gentled as he hugged her back, replying simply with “Hey, that's my ninja way.”

They parted, facing Sasuke, smiling a welcome that didn’t need to be spoken. He was grateful, so grateful. And yet…

Days later, he and Sakura had a moment of respite from the red tape his return had required, an idle moment on the bridge they had once waited on every morning. It was hard, keeping up the casual conversation with such an apparent reminder of all they had lost, so Sasuke found himself voicing the question he’d never intended to ask.

“Why did you welcome me back?” And in-between those lines, so obviously, ‘why don’t you hate me?’.

She looked startled, and for a moment he thought he had offended her. After all, it could only be with a measure of insolence that a person could doubt the gift she had given him.

But then her mouth sweetened into a smile, warm and intimate, and because of the troubled past they now had, Sasuke didn’t resent it anymore when his heart predictably skipped a beat.

Her hands lifted to clasp his, and her eyes crinkled with some tender emotion.

“What is love, Sasuke, without forgiveness?”

He would work to earn this, he promised, because he knew something good had finally happened for him, and for once his eyes were open to it. And he didn’t deserve it, at least not now, he knew, but Sasuke had never been one to let an opportunity slip by simply because he wasn’t worthy of it, so he bent down and kissed her.

Guh

2007-08-25T04:16:40Z

I was innocently going to bed, when this fanart blindsided me. This always happens. ::collapses::

IN ANY CASE XD This fanart is a gift for vermaxen or Angel Of Death, in exchange for a delightful fanfic she wrote for me by request. Yes, I CAN be bought. And it doesn't take much. Really, some Fameous Amos cookies would do the job. Hell, I'd even take Chips Ahoy.

ANYWAY. Gaara. Sakura. Trying to mix art class with anime. Failing. Semi-sexin' in the Kazekage's office. You know the drill.

Yeah, something's up with Gaara's knees. I don't know what. I don't even remember drawing them in all honesty. It's really time for me to sleep. ::falls unconscious::

one more for the road

2007-08-25T04:14:39Z

Theme #11 (Gardenia) for 30_kisses. I shoulda stuck this with my ficlet, but customer service has fried my brain beyond all human comprehension.

Yeah. I don't know what I do with my life. I DO know that there will be SLEEP after this post though. YESSSSSSSSSS!

Okay. I'll stop spamming your friends pages now.

The birthday post!

2007-08-25T04:11:36Z

It was my Middle of the Year resolution to acknowledge birthdays more. I'm belated on both of these birthdays, buuuuut 0_o Here goes nothing! coley_merrin I'm still working on your fanart :D But I don't feel bad, because I gave you sketch previews ;p

HAPPY BIRFADAY wickedchild_md and twinbells!!!!! (thie post is not dial-up friendly)

A fanart for Finding Happiness featuring our favorite hentai demons XD! I was originally gonna go with a hot anime guy, but then I got the idea for this and it seemed much more fun.

Naruto: Hey guys! Guess what! It's Cheryl's birthday! We gotta get her a present!

Sasuke: Who's Cheryl?

Sakura: NARUTO! How are we supposed to get a complete stranger a good birthday present!?

Naruto: I heard she wants...

A SEXY GIRL!

Sakura: LIES! THAT'S WHAT *YOU* WANT!

Sasuke: I have a feeling I'm going to be making this expression a lot.

Sakura: Don't worry, guys, I have completely figured out what Cheryl wants...A nice, romantic...

KISS FROM SASUKE-KUN!!!!!!

Sasuke: Ki-kiss!? Don't you think she'd like something a little more...

uh...mature?

Naruto: Actually, Sasuke...I heard she wants...

Well...

Sasuke: ...

Gai: RELAX CHILDREN! FOR I, MAITO GAI, KNOW WHAT THE ~~YOUNG~~ SEMI-YOUTHFUL AND MOST BEAUTEOUS QUEEN CHERYL TRULY DESIRES FOR HER DAY OF BIRTH!

Team 7: Really?!????

What will it be!?

A naked Kakashi!?

A hot babe!?

Sasuke bound and gagged!?

No....IT'S...

A BANNER! YAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!

Cheryl: -_-; Actually, I think I was leaning more towards that bound and gagged thing.

Kakashi: -_-; Gai...I should've known.

AAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA

2007-08-25T04:09:48Z

Vash, you ALWAYS win in my book.

I wanted to stay out late and play on AIM tonight, but I've got an eight and a half hour shift tomorrow, and that's really just not gonna work unless I eat breakfast first, which means actually getting up MORE than an hour in advance. MAN. Getting up early can suck it.

WTF

2007-08-25T04:07:48Z

So, one second I'm getting ready for bed, the next I'm listening to "Back in Black" and drawing Gaara going batshit. I don't know either. WTF INSPIRATION. WTF.

Also, I need to stop spamming your livejournal pages. This will happen. Eventually.

ALSO- Sand is really hard to draw. That doesn't look like sand, and I know it. Just pretend. Shhhhhh...it's sand.

ROSE!

2007-08-25T04:04:53Z

Yer fanart be done. After like...two years? Yeah. But it's done! Now with 10% less jacked up Heero-face!

textless version is here

And I've got a big-ass version if you want that for some inconcievable reason.

And now, I'm crashing. <3

Ficlet + art

2007-08-25T03:59:01Z

Basically, I pimped it everywhere. EXCEPT HEEEEEEEEERE!

STATS:

TITLE: Dunno yet. Suggestions?

PAIRING: GaaSaku

FANDOM: Naruto (I swear I write for more than this fandom...I swear it!)

RATING: I'm gonna go PG-13 on this one

WARNINGS: Nada

AN: Written for 30_kisses with the theme "Between Dream and Reality" in mind.

During the days, Sakura and Gaara played the roles of ambassador and Kazekage well. Sharp intelligent words and the firm stance of her frail - by his standards – form earned Gaara’s grudging respect and assured that she, at least, had garnered his notice. She’d need to be able to do that much if she was going to be able to work with him and his staff towards more sturdy relations between the two hidden villages

In broad daylight Sakura relentlessly pursued him, harping on this or that, while Gaara pretended not to notice her badgering. Occasionally he showed her a small taste of what it meant to annoy such a powerful ninja. He wondered why he bothered with the latter - it never stopped her for long, anyway. A few hours, maybe a day, and she was back on his trail, grumbling her complaints to his tense back.

Time passed.

He found that, sometimes, when they had an appointment, she’d put her hand on his while she was leaning over to explain a new policy or document. She never noticed it, absorbed in the task, her fingers clenching in her excitement occasionally. Gaara was always keenly aware of that simple touch - it was the closest anyone had ever come to holding his hand.

During the day, Sakura made sure she chased him hard, lest he try to overlook her.

Once the sun fell beneath the sand, it was he who came to her.

He would never understand how she could work so hard that she’d end up falling asleep on her desk on a regular basis, or why he would stand there and watch her. Maybe it had been the time she had noticed his staring and blushed, or perhaps it was the way she didn’t jerk away when he had once placed a careful palm on the small of her back? There was something about how she pushed so hard towards her goals that three times out of five she was out cold before she reached her chambers, face pressed against the tabletop.

Her determination made her intense. Attractive.

He justified his fascination with a new reason every night; he wanted to clarify a few details from earlier and found her that way, he was bored, her office smelled nice, she was a heavy sleeper and there had been ninjas who protested her presence, she had seemed distressed earlier.

Gaara never noticed his rationalizations getting more and more personal.

He was sure it violated a million different rules and unspoken agreements of etiquette, but in the end he felt pulled to her as if she were a magnet.

While she dreamed of all she made, and all she would make, Gaara would search her slack face. He would linger on her gaudy hair, her battle-roughened hands, the width of her forehead. Imperfections were noted and categorized as she slept.

She drooled.

She talked in her sleep.

Her breasts were too small.

Her hips were too wide.

She had worry lines between her brows.

But there was folly in that line of observation, because all too soon it would reverse direction unconsciously.

Her lips really were full, pouty, tempting when they parted to show an edge of teeth.

Her complexion was slightly red with the kiss of sunshine, but creamy, a warm peach color.

Her legs were long and toned.

She was beautiful when she was angry.

Though Gaara never slept, this train of thought would cause him to squeeze his eyes shut and lean his head against the sandstone wall, letting images that could not be dreams yet were not truly reality play across his mind. He would relive the brief moments they touched, expand on them, learning the brush of her hair and the texture of her skin only in his fantasies.

In his not-dreams, she would taste and feel like water. Clean, sweet, vital.

During the night, hidden by dark and clouded with desire, Gaara felt concealed enough to stop pretending. In the shadows of the corner he watched her from, he admitted he understood enough of love to know it began with obsession. He also knew loneliness didn’t quite describe the ache in his chest when she smiled at him.

Actuality would always trip him up, reminding him that even if she could overlook his horrific past, the demon he hosted, or his own unstable nature, he was still Kazekage. Soon enough her year-long diplomatic mission would end, and then she’d be replaced by another.

And then it was time to open his eyes, and leave, closing the door on all those forbidden taboos lurking in his deserted heart. The distance between him and her would once again be enforced, his footsteps carrying him out of the room. He’d always look back at least once.

“Sasuke.”

It made him sick the way she said that name, as if someone were still around to answer to it. But tonight it made him stop at the door, grit his teeth, and furiously pivot on his heel. He wanted to be rough and uncaring when he gathered her into his arms, but she had been so surprisingly little that instead he clasped her to him like a doll and cursed.

“Mmm?” He felt her eyelashes flutter against his neck and had to resist the urge to look down. He had never seen her wake up before.

“If you’re going to sleep, at least have the dignity to drag yourself to a bed first. It’s disgusting when you drool all over your desk.” He never felt so exposed, having her watch him as he carried her.

“Sorry.” She mumbled, dropping her forehead to his collarbone again. “Thanks for looking out for me, Gaara.”

He froze in his tracks, but she was asleep once more, waiting for a dead man to love her.

If there was a space between Sakura’s dreams and Gaara’s reality, it would be honesty.

Gaara wasn’t a liar, but neither was he a saint, so when the sun rose once more, and Sakura was barging up to him, he would turn his back to her.

Still, if all his days promised were lies, and all his nights yielded were fantasies, Gaara decided he would take that in-between place that lay amid her dreams and his reality, a twilight where she twined her arms around his neck when he grudgingly carried her to bed and he didn’t care if she felt his heart pound.

It would have to be enough.

And again, for 30_kisses, some fanart. This time, the theme was "Superstar". GaaSaku once again.

Okay, I'm tired and cold. END!

double XD

2007-08-25T03:54:32Z

Coley's been hittin' the orange juice just a leeeeeettle too hard.

ColeyJn: oh man, this Brawny paper towel ad is selling sex

laureng 85: 0_0
laureng 85: so wrong

ColeyJn: Brawny paper towel man: *flexes* If you look like me you will have sex, men.
Men: You are so pretty, some of us want to have sex with you.
Brawny paper towel man: Ok, that's going a little too far.

And you thought you were going to make it out of here without a picture. BIGPSYCH!

XD

2007-08-25T03:52:17Z

My mind is a scary place on 3 hours of sleep and three cans of diet pepsi. Flippin yeah. Pepsi. So...Gaara's going to Ninja Prom.

Gaara: ::jaw hangs open::

Naraku: I know, boy. She's done it to me too. Her artistic bastardization of us misunderstood characters is disgustingly elementary and-

Gaara: THAT IS SO NOT MY COLOR!

Naraku: ::closes mouth::

Gaara: ::talking to gourd:: No mother, of COURSE you're not really that fat! She doesn't know what she's drawing. I mean honestly, LOOK AT THOSE PROPORTIONS!

XD Okay. Bed. Now.

A pint on meee

2007-08-25T03:46:31Z

Randomly doodle I made while on the phone with Vi. I really don't know how she has an intelligable conversation with me sometimes.

Vi: They're together sometimes.

Me: You mean not all the time?

::dead silence::

Me: ...seriously, please ignore I said that.

I'm being productive in all the wrong ways today.

2007-08-25T03:41:58Z

Finished the picture of Hitomi I had been working on, with mixed feelings. I'm still not very good at CGing things. Hitomi also doesn't look like Hitomi, but on purpose, because I couldn't draw the nose. Like, not physically incapable, I just like, couldn't stand to put it on her. ::le sigh:: Ah well. Anywho, about the subject. Hitomi is supposed to be this normal ordinary schoolgirl- but I always felt like there was something a little more mysterious and romantic to her personality. Her psychic ability and the way she's directly involved in changing the fate of Gaea back that up. So, I thought, if she was to be a tarot card, she'd be The Preistess. Hence the name. Enjoy guys, it's mediocre but at least it doesn't look terrible.

Vashism

2007-08-25T03:31:07Z

A very Trigun Halloween

2007-08-25T03:26:59Z

Halloween fanart!