Prelude

InuYasha stomped back towards the well. Kagome and himself had fought over how long she would stay in her time, and, of course, she'd won again, telling him to SIT! "Damn her! Why do I always have to look like the bad guy?! I just want to get this damn quest over with!" InuYasha muttered, slipping inside the well.

"InuYasha!!!" Kagome's cry alerted him.

"Eh?" He popped his head back up to see Kagome standing in the shrine's doorway.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Kagome sighed. "I just have this huge test tomorrow and..."

"Feh. I don't care. You don't want me around? Fine! I'll just go then." InuYasha snorted, going back to the well.

"Wait!!" Kagome said, reaching for him.

"What?" He looked irritated.

"I.... What's that?" Kagome pointed past him, towards the wall. InuYasha looked to where she had pointed.

"What in the seven hells??" He gasped, backing away.

"It looks like a.... portal.. I think." Kagome carefully walked over to a semi-large rainbow colored hole that was plastered to the wall. The portal began to tremor when Kagome touched it. Suddenly... "KYAAA!!" Kagome shouted, as the portal began pulling her in.

"KAGOME!" InuYasha jumped forward, and grabbed her thighs. Both blushed at the awkward position, and the portal took the chance to suck them both inside.

TOP

Part 1

Such an overcast day in Konan was becoming a regular occurrence for three of the Suzaku Seven. It had only been a week since Miaka's return to her world but it seemed like an eternity. Nuriko watched helplessly as Tamahome mindlessly ate his meal. He had been chewing on a fork with no food on it for the last fifteen minutes and Nurko really couldn't take it anymore. His teeth clanked on the metal while his eyes starred into nothing. He was thinking of Miaka. Nuriko watched as he absently touched the spot where he had cut himself to give her blood. The wound had healed but the memory still remained.

"How about some food with your fork? Humm?"

Tamahome snapped to as though he had been slapped.

"Huh? Oh...Sure." He took another bite, let his mind wonder again, and was quickly back to chewing on the fork.

Nuriko sighed with exasperation and left. It was his problem if Miaka was more of a distraction than his appetite. He walked along the palace terrace, watching the fine mist sift through the luscious gardens. The path to the pond was ahead, and there, also, the gazebo on the water. Nuriko turned onto the path. He continued until he could see the small structure seemingly afloat on the water. A lone figure stood beneath its concave roof. Nuriko paused. He knew the person there. He loved him, but that person also awaited Miaka's return.

Hotohori turned to his approaching friend. "Hello, Nuriko. How are you?"

"I'm fine you highness, but I think Tamahome needs another distraction. You advise that he eat something did not exactly work." Nuriko told the emperor about Tamahome's most recent dilemma. "I think there may soon my a prong-less fork in your collection."

Hotohori smiled, "he is welcome to it." They conversed pleasantly about the weather, the nation, and the remaining Suzaku Seven.

Nuriko paused at Hotohori's casual mention of Miaka's absence. "I think Tamahome does not believe she'll return. He acts as though a part of himself has been removed." He caught a flash of fear in the emperor's expression, but it disappeared quickly. Could Hotohori be worried too?

"I do not doubt her return." More silently he said, "she promised me."

Nuriko could tell his friend was comforted by the memory of his private time with Miaka. For Nuriko there was joy and sadness, satisfaction and envy for Hotohori and Miaka. The emperor obviously cared deeply for the priestess and besides, Nuriko would never have his affections. He was silent while swallowing his own pain and jealousies, yet mustering the courage to be happy for Hotohori's good fortune. The emperor at least had a chance to win Miaka, while Nuriko was learning to accept that Hotohori would never love him in that way.

The pond was deathly silent. Birds, insects, and animals alike chose to hide away from the weather. The water's surface was broken by neither current nor wind, creatinga perfect mirror to the mists that clothed it.

Nuriko's brow creased. "What is that saying they have..? 'The calm before the storm'?" He watched the silence, an incredible sense of foreboding creeping inside him, raising the hair on the back of his neck. "There's trouble..."

Kagome could hear the patter of rain on a window and the soft murmur of voices. Her body was feather light in her mind and incredible warmth surrounded it. It reminded her of the warmth she felt whenever some one thought she and InuYasha were together, that they were a romantic couple. Kagome was familiar with the feeling of embarrassment that suddenly rose inside her. It blended with the external warmth to an almost uncomfortable point. She shifted slightly to relieve some of the feeling.

"Look, she's waking," a female voice from nearby intruded on Kagome's hazy world. Her embarrassment vanished and curiosity arose. Who could that be?

She opened her eyes to two strange faces looking at her expectantly. A finely dressed woman with yards of blue hair piled atop her head was sitting on the bed beside Kagome. She had lavender eyes that drew Kagome's attention immediately because of their size and clarity. She was also holding a damp cloth in her hand that she placed on Kagome's forehead.

The other person, a man in headdress and extravagantly embroidered robes, came closer to the bed and sat in a chair at Kagome's side. Kagome tried not to stare, because he was incredibly handsome, and because she was sure he was of high status, she just wasn't sure how high. She was obviously not in her own time, a phenomenon she was used to, but with the fashion of these people's dress she deduced that she was not in ancient Japan either.

"Are you a king," she asked him in a weak, scratchy voice.

The woman frowned at Kagome and rose; "let me get you some water," she said as she left Kagome's range of site. She returned with the promised beverage and help Kagome to sit up and sip the drink. Kagome realized then that she was no longer in her school uniform and so hugged the covers to her chest, even though she was wearing a sleeping robe.

"Umm, my clothes..." She looked at her lap, a blush stealing to her face.

The man beside her smiled. "Do not worry. Your clothing is being mended. Nuriko here dressed you and has been caring for you since."

Nuriko smiled, "you were pretty cut-up, especially a large scrape on you hip. Do you remember how you got it? What about how you got into the palace? And also, where are you..."

"Not yet, Nuriko. Let her recover." The man smiled at Kagome again, "I'm sure she'll answer our questions after she adjusts. It's not everyday that a person travels to a different world."

Kagome looked up, shocked. "How did you know I'm from another world?" She was afraid that they would think she was a witch or a demon or... DEMON!! Oh my god, where's InuYasha? Did he come here too? Did they...

"Let me explain," the man interrupted her thoughts. "My name is Hotohori and this is Nuriko. I am the emperor here in Konan and both of us are members of the Suzaku Seven."

"Suzaku Seven?"

"Yes," the woman, Nuriko, broke in, "the Suzaku Seven are celestial warriors with special abilities. When our priestess gathers us all together, Suzaku will come and save Konan from her enemies. We each have a character mark on our bodies, which identifies us as one of the seven and defines our ability." Nuriko was practically sitting in Kagome's lap by the end of her hurried explanation. Hotohori pushed the cross-dresser back, out of the girl's face.

"Our priestess, Miaka, is also from another world. Her city is called 'Tokyo'." He wondered if the girl knew Miaka. Perhaps her presence meant that Miaka would be back soon.

The girl looked shocked. "Tokyo?" Both Hotohori and Nuriko nodded. "I'm from Tokyo, but…," they were both in her face now, "I don't know your priestess." The man looked destroyed and Nuriko actually slipped and fell off the bed. "Sorry, I wish I knew her, your highness."

Hotohori looked at the girl, her misery obvious. "Please, do not worry about it." She regarded him with sad teal-gray eyes, eyes almost the same color as Tamahome's. He watched her for a moment then realized he'd lost his train of thought. She was so unlike Miaka… He smiled, "what is your name?"

Kagome smiled. He doesn't seem too upset now. "Kagome, your highness."

"Kagome…once you have recovered fully we'll talk some more. Nuriko?"

"Yes, your highness," answered the floor.

"Stay with Kagome and come find me when she feels well enough to tell us her story." He looked directly at her again, waiting for her full attention. Once he had it, Hotohori reached out and cupped her face in his hands. Kagome blushed.

She wanted him to let her go and her feelings were obvious. Hotohori brushed her cheek absently before releasing her. He stood slowly and looked down at her. "Sorry, I just had to see if you were part of my imagination." Kagome nodded her acceptance of the apology (I mean he is an emperor and you don't snub emperors, right?), then blushed an even deeper red. She was looking at her water glass as like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Kagome?"

"Yes."

"Are you… I mean…never mind. See you again soon." He began to leave but stopped at the door. Something about the mist seemed to prompt his memory. "Nuriko?"

"Yes?" He was up off the floor finally.

Hotohori motioned the cross-dresser over. Just outside the door he paused, "where is Tamahome?"

The question caught Nuriko off guard. What's this guy's angle? "In the dining hall still, I suppose. I could go look…"

"NO!!"

Hotohori corrected his appearance then peeled Nuriko off the ceiling. "No, that won't be necessary. If he asks, tell him Kagome's too worn out to talk. Otherwise don't mention her." The emperor of Konan finished giving the order and walked away.

Nuriko watched him leave then looked over his shoulder at the Kagome's bedroom. She doesn't even look like Miaka, what's he worried about Tamahome for? He shrugged and decided to put that mystery on the back burner for a while longer. Perhaps something else would pop-up.

Nuriko looked out into the misty gardens beyond the railing. This had all definitely just begun.

TOP

Part 2

Nakago wondered into the dungeon to take a closer look at the strangely dressed boy. He could remember that the boy had been wearing a pink kimono and a rusty sword had been brough to the general later. Instead of investigating the intruder immediately, Nakago had simply "put him to sleep" for a bit until the Lady Yui was taken care of. He could still see the pool of blood surrounding her and that look in her eyes, a plea to him to let her die. A shiver passed though him. He had rushed her to the temple and there, under the protection and guidance of Seriyu, he had tended her wound. Only a week had passed since he had found the priestess, beaten and raped, in the streets of Kotou's capital. He blamed himself for not finding her faster, for not comforting her enough. He could have prevented this.

The celestial warrior stopped outside the boy's cell. Behind the bars the youth was chained to the wall, head draped forward, and his long black hair a curtain over his face.

"Still, sleeping...?" Nakago had to smile slightly at the job he'd done; most prisoners recovered and were coherent in half the time this boy had had. The warrior's eyes twinkled. Maybe he would take out some his frustrations on this boy. After all, if Nakago hadn't had to kick the brat out of the way, Lady Yui would not have had to suffer even that little bit longer. He unwound the whip hidden beneath his cape...

"Not fucking likely," was the weak response. The figure in chains raised his head, and two amber eyes peered through the ebony waterfall of hair.

Nakago raised an eyebrow. "You're not in a position to be giving insults, now are you?"

Behind the shadows of his hair the boy smiled. Nakago couldn't see it but he could feel it; an evil and calculating smile. A strange power and sense of foreboding filled the room and Nakago's head. His patience seemed to expire too quickly and he came into the boy's cell, ready to battle. Hell he wasn't even angry really, just slightly amused with the boy's bravado. But this evil feeling was changing his disposition quickly. How dare this little brat act so smug, so cocky towards me. Perhaps this was the perfect time to vent all his frustrations.

InuYasha awoke. His human nose, pathetic as it was, told him he was still in his cell, and that he was still covered in blood. Figures it wasn't a dream... He cursed his half-demon pedigree and the fact that the fates always seemed to be against him. For once he'd like to be sucked into something and not get the short end of the stick right away.

He growled as he pushed himself to his knees. Shackles on his wrists and ankles made soft chiming noises as he forced his body to sit upright. He had to wonder how something so horrible like bondage tools could make such a sweet sound.

InuYasha looked down to inspect the damage.

Deep gashes cris-crossed his chest, and he suspected his back too. The blood still seeped from a few of the nastier cuts but on the whole most had clotted. Beneath the shackles dark bruises ringed his joints; the swelling was starting to go down, but InuYasha knew if he stood his ankles probably would not hold the weight. His kimono and shirt lay in a pile by his side. Ribbons of blood vertically stripped his pants.

InuYasha noticed that there was little blood in his immediate area, but there was a good-sized stain in the center of the room. Above it a set of shackles hung from the ceiling. He had been stripped to the waist , hung up by his arms, and whipped soundly.

Wait till I get my hands on you, Asshole!!! You think what you did to me was painful... The half-demon sat contentedly for a few minutes, mapping-out in his mind everything he would do to his torturer. Right down to the smallest, graphic detail.

The prayer beads began to glow slightly. InuYasha took notice only because of the incredible darkness in the prison cell. The necklace charm pulsed a few times then expired. He waited then scowled. What's going on...?

It made sense to InuYasha that Kagome would be the only one who could remove the beads, but they had never glowed and pulsed before. He was gripped by a sudden exciting fear. What if she just died? That would break the spell, right? Did it pulse because... He tried to remove the necklace but failed. Relief flooded his chest, undoing the painful knot that had unexpectedly formed in his stomach.

Probably for the better, I guess. Certainly gonna make it easier to find the Jewel with her around. He looked around again. Hope she's not down here... He suddenly found that he had to keep from thinking about the terrible things his captor could do to her. The least of her worries would be rape, the worst... He shuddered, suppressed his sudden and intense anger, and began actively trying to focus on other thoughts, like say, escape.

InuYasha looked around the cell for any sign of the hour. There were no windows and the only exit, a hall to the right, curved and seemed to head upwards. He was probably a few dozen feet underground. It wouldn't matter once the night was over, he would return to his half-demon self no matter how deep in the ground he was. It was just a matter of time. Hopefully he'd be gone before anyone decided to come back for round two. InuYasha doubted his human body could take another beating like the one he'd just had, plus he had to find Kagome, kick some blond-haired-blue-eyed-dressed-like-a-military-dictator ass, get to the portal (or whatever door they came through), and return to finding the Jewel.

Damn wench, had to go and bust-up the Jewel to begin with, then bitch, bitch, bitch about going back to her world and taking tests instead of correcting the problem she caused. He rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation. If she didn't look so much like Kikyo... The half-demon's thoughts wondered as he ranted and raved while waiting for morning.

TOP

Part 3

The boy was gone. Nakago surveyed the damage in the dungeon, wondering what could have done such a good job of utterly destroying the torture cell. Shackles had been pulled completely from the walls and ceiling, the iron bars shredded and bent, and even the stone showed signs of sbuse. Two foot thick solid Earth granite was cracked in spots and some pieces even had imprints of the assailant's knuckles.

"General..."

"What is it?" Nakago replied, exasperation thickening his voice. Why do I have to be surrounded by incompotent weaklings?

"We've just uncovered the spot you requested," came the timid soldier's answer.

Nakago walked past some of his gatheres men to near where he'd last left the boy. Under all the wreckage he'd expected to fidn the boy's remains, but there was nothing. His brow was creased in frustration and concern as he walked towards the exit hall.

"Keep looking."

Mid-day sun bathed the capital palace as Nakago walked with a measured stride back towards the main wings. There would be explaining to do before the emperor would allow Nakago to continue advising the Priestess of Seriyu. He had barely been able to convince the emperor that she would recover from her injuries, but add this to it...

He sighed. Where could he get the evidence he would need to explain this mess.

On a hunch, Nakago turned towards the Temple. He'd found the boy there so that was the most likely place a clue would also be found. The dim light in Seriyu's Temple came from two sources; a few prayer candles and the glowing blue eyes of the beast god's statue. Nakago paid his respects then began searching.

The boy had been in the middle of the floor, laying on his stomach as though he'd stumbled and fallen there. Nakago barely remembered how the boy's reven hair had blanketed him and how akaward the prone position had appeared.

He'd given it no thought until now, but, hadn't there been blood? Not Yui's but blood on the boy? Nakago crouched down near the floor. Where exactly had the boy been laying?

There was no evidence of that night's incidents. It was now three days after the fact, and Nakago chastised himself for thinking that the blood would not have been cleared away immediately after Yui had been healed.

He made a wide sweep of the temple coming to the corner he'd initially kicked the boy to. His magic and strength had launched the light body against the wall, out of his way, when he'd brought Yui into the temple. As the candles seemed to fade Nakago looked closer to the spot on the ground.

He'd found his evidence. A single frayed strip of green cloth; it was dotted with blood and looked as though it'd been torn by somethign with claws. Nakago smiled. There had been blood on the boy's hand.

TOP

Part 4

Nuriko starred at Kagome, as the Priestess of the Shikon Jewel finished her story. He was a little disbelieving about the half-demon boy and the kitsune, and it was obvious that there were things that Kagome was not telling them, but the general gist of her tale was no more unusual than Miaka's perdicament.

The cross-dresser regared his emperor's reaction. He had come to appreciate Hotohori's insight with people, a trait constructed through his years of ruling Konan, and Nuriko, though still deeply emotional about the emperor's rejection of him (even before they knew he was a man), was amazed at how Hotohori could convey so much meaning in a simple look. There had been volumes to tell in the emperor's reactions to the different situations they'd encountered, and now Nuriko watched him, waiting to see how this girl and her story should be handled.

The emperor's face was blank; he betrayed no emotion or reaction to Kagome even when she blushed and began to act shy again. He was less likely than Nuriko to jump to the conclusion that Kagome was hiding something, simply because he was already beginning to trust her, but he had to admit there was a hint of deception in the way she hesitated. Something about the demon and the way she got there...

"I don't suppose InuYasha was with me when you found me?" Her question brought Hotohori back to himself. Could that be it? This demon-boy?

"No, sorry. You were the only one. We found you unconscious on the floor of Suzaku's Shrine, right in the middle of the seal of Konan. There was no one else." He watched her nod in response. "Do you think your boy-friend may have come here as well?"

Her head came up, eyes wide and almost angry. "He's not my boyfriend, really we're just stuck together, looking for the jewel, and he doesn't even like me like that, and I DEFINATELY don't like him like that, he's just..."Kagome blushed deeply, trying to catch her breath, "a friend. That's all." She was studying the floor intently.

Hotohori almost wanted to cry; her innocence was so adorable, and the way she defended her platonic relationship to this InuYasha, it was so sweet.

"I meant only your friend who happens to be a boy," Hotohori stated in a controled voice. It wouldn't do to exhibit any excitement to the fact.

Kagome had been in Konan for close to three days now. She had been unable to carry a full conversation due to exhaustion for the last day and Hotohori had had plenty of time to think up numerous reasons for the priestess's appearance. His favorite was she would stay and assist in summoning Suzaku, even after their beloved Miaka was back. He was not without notice to the difference between the two girls, that they would be unlikely friends under other circumstances, but wasn't that how it was for him and Tamahome? Friends through circumstance? Yes, that she would stay was his favorite senario.

Now, however, there was her friend to think about. His presense in Konan, or anywhere in China might take Kagome away from Konan, back to her world and the quest she sought. Suddenly unsure, Hotohori decided to think on it some more and speak with Kagome later. Perhaps he could devise a way to send her friend, which she obviously did not have deep feelings for, back to their world so that she might stay in Konan.

Surely if she consults with demons and is priestess of a jewel she, herself, calls the Jewel of Four Souls, she might have some power that could aide us. She might even be a direct link to Suzaku; Jewel of Four Souls...Universe of the Four Gods. There must be some connection...

The doors to Kagome's room burst open as though from a great wind but instead a man dressed in common clothes rushed in. Kagome only had a chance to notice that he had blue hair and a glowing red character on his forehead before Hotohori pushed her behind him. The emperor stood facing the intruder, one hand on the hilt of his sword, the other holding Kagome protectively to his back. She blushed at the intimacy of the position but lost her embarrassment when the other man started speaking.

"Where is she!?! Where is Miaka, Hotohori!?!", he shouted. The rough words were filled with a passion so intense that Kagome tried to look past the emperor to see the man. She met a stiff resistance when Hotohori tightened his hold, securing her to him.

"She has not returned, Tamahome. You know I would gather us all if she had..." Hotohori was trying to control his anger.

"LIAR! I heard her with my own ears." He advanced menacingly towards them. "YOU'RE HIDING HER!!" he accused.

Kagome could feel Hotohori's gathering energy and incredible strength. Glancing to the side, she saw Nuriko, beautiful as she was in her courtly robes, also take a battle stance. But the man was not evil, she could feel it when there was something bad around. Right now there was nothing inherently evil in the immediate area, not even the man with the character on his forehead. The only thing Kagome could sense in situation right now was the hostility and tension.

She felt the instant Hotohori lost his patience,"You would speak in such a manner to me," the emperor raged as he drew his sword.

Kagome felt a slight slack in his hold on her. It was her chance and she stepped away from Hotohori's back when he brought his sword up. She came around his side, ducking underneath his raised sword arm, to stand in from of him, facing the other man. With all her strength she pulled Hotohori's arm down in front of her, breaking his stance and the hostile motion of the situation.

"PLEASE! STOP IT..."

Tamahome came out of the jealous rage at the girl's cry. The red lust that had blinded him from the moment he thought Hotohori was hiding Miaka vanished, and in it's place was a girl, in strange clothes, with black hair. She was hugging Hotohori's arm to her chest, eyes closed tight, as though waiting for the first blow to fall. He could see her shivering slightly, but was unable to ascertain more before Hotohori covered her in his embrace.

The emperor and Nuriko were stunned by Kagome's action. When she had stepped away, Hotohori thought she meant to hide, not put herself in the middle of the conflict. His surprise had turned into something else, something indescribable, almost instantaneously and his first reaction was to hold her. She was still hugging his sword arm tightly to her chest, but her shivering, a natural reaction born out of fear, had subsided.

"Why?" he whispered to the soft bundle in his arms.

Kagome raised her head and looked at him. She was nestled against his shoulder gazing into a pair of golden eyes. An image of similar golden, no amber colored eyes came into her mind, and she turned away, looking to the other man.

"Because, he's not evil. I can feel it when someone is evil."

Tamahome had to actively keep himself under control. "You sound so much like Miaka, but..." you look nothing like her. He could tell this girl was not as robust in form, nor did she seems to have that extra spark that Miaka always exhibited.

She extracted herself from Hotohori's grasp, an obvious blush on her face, and went to stand next to (hide behind) Nuriko, uncomfortable as the center of attention.

"You're shorter than Miaka.." Tamahome casually observed.

"But she's from Tokyo, from Miaka's world," Nuriko suddenly chimed in. "She doesn't know Miaka, but she came through a protal, so maybe Miaka will come back too"

"Of course she will," Tamahome stated strongly. "She promised. But, why are you here?" He had not taken his eyes off the strange girl and it was her he expected to answer.

"We have yet to fathom that out," was Hotohori's reply. He came to stand beside Kagome placing a hand on her shoulder. "Kagome, Tamahome is one of the Suzaku Seven. He was the first to find our priestess, Miaka, and to bring her to Konan."

Kagome finally looked at the man. He had piercing blue eyes and a sense of mystery about him. There was something else too, something that reminded her of Myouga, who always had an ulterior motive.

"Kagome," Tamahome's smooth voice made a song of her name. She felt Hotohori's hand tighten on her shoulder. "Did you happen to bring anything from your world that I might have?"

InuYasha finished the meal he'd stolen from the palace kitchens and lay sunning himself on the most secluded tile roof he could find. He spread his white hair out above him to dry. He'd had to take a bath every day since leaving the dungeon in order to get the blood and grime out of his kimono and other clothes. He had come to realize exactly how lucky he was too, because there was more than enough blood on him at first to have been from several people, instead of just one. There's also been a little bit of Kagome's blood too, leading him to believe initially that she was around in the area.

Taking the bathes had also given him a chance to get closer to the palace in order to look for both Kagome and Tetsusaiga. Though he had had no luck in his physical search so far, beacuse it was obvious to him now that Kagome was nowhere near this place, the sword was a different matter altogether. He could sence its presence but could not pinpoint a location. It always seemed to be moving about within the area, never staying in one palce long enough for him to catch it. He had noted that finding the blond man was easier than he'd first anticipated, but there was an aura, a very stong force, that seemed to surround and protect the man.

InuYasha's brow creased. He could not seem to get near enough to the guy without being felt. More than once he'd almost come face to face with his torturer, but each time had backed off. It was the not knowing that plagued his confidence. Before InuYasha'd always had a little insight as to what he was fighting, but this man, mortal though he may be, was definately not something to take lightly. Any wrong move and you could end up dead, he reminded himself.

Yawning, he put his worries aside and decided to relax a bit, take in the morning in proper lazy-dog style.

TOP

Part 5

Coming Soon...