A Question of Loyalty

[SimplyTurquoise]

A Question of Loyalty: Chapter One

Disclaimer: Had I owned Inuyasha and co. I would not be writing this, and placing this here. But I do own this plot, so not all is lost, yes?!!? Do pray for me... Maybe someday I shall own one of, a piece of, a part of Inuyasha and co. Someday!

NOTE: I have five other chapters of this already written and posted somewhere else, as many of you know, my updating is sporadic, but I'll be able to post a new chapter for a regular update for awhile. That is--- if you guys like this.

**

The light of his candle permeated the surrounding darkness like a knife bestowing him once last look before he headed towards his end chamber. Passing by his bed, that took up more then half the rooms space, he directed himself towards the wall that held a tapestry twice his size. He delicately drew back the heavy tapestry hanging somewhat off center to his right. Its picture now faded over time, left what looked to be a faded landscape, but if one were to guess the picture was nothing but a blob of paint spattered across the surface with no regards to forming an actual picture, he would not deny this. Once the tapestry no longer obstructed his view from the wall it hid, he cautiously brought his hand to the wall, searching for a dent that none other then himself knew of. Feeling the cold exterior, he slowly made his way across the wall with his hand, noting every indent and crack that made themselves known to his searching fingertips. His patience quickly evaporating every second it took him to find the well-known dent that should be there, he was on the edge of lighting a new candle, however dangerous it might be, when he finally came upon the dent.

Steadying himself, he used his extended finger to push the very center of the dent, which would soon enough allow his outstretched hand entrance to the treasure that lay behind. Seconds flew by before the creeping warmth of magic slid up his arm like a growing vine signaling him to what would happen next. Ignoring this, he watched as a small hole formed around where the dent had once been giving him a perfect picture of what lay inside. He watched as the candle's flame, which was firmly held in his other hand, gave view to the golden orb within. As soon as he felt the magic subside, he moved his hand inside to grasp the glittering object; it would finally be put to use after all these years. It didn't escape him that he was making a low chuckling sound, but the guards outside his room were use to lord's servant odd nature, never commenting on the sounds that made it pass his door at all hours of the night. This night was no different, and as the wall slowly remade itself, leaving behind nothing other then the dent, he moved his hand away, which in turn made the tapestry fall once again back into place.

Moving away from the wall he drew himself to the desk not far away, where papers laid themselves like a blanket upon the surface. Using his arm, he swept it across the desk, eliminating the papers, which found a new home on the floor. The desk though worn over with time, was still sturdy and functional. Laying the candle down, he moved the golden orb into the light, allowing him a better view of its outer shell. Utilizing his keen eyesight he searched for the small script that would be the password to opening the object set before him. It wasn't long before he could make out the three words of a language no longer in use. Reading them carefully, pronouncing them inside his head, he whispered with a low voice those three words. Watching, he found his eyes widening at the sight of the orb turning an almost clear color, giving him a view of the core that lay inside. The core was nothing more then a jewel of an element once lost long ago, and was therefore rare and expensive, for it also contained a magic that with the right items could be used as an instrument of great power. He knew the next few words he would need to recite by heart, having been told by his grandmother long ago when he was still a child.

Forming together all the power of magic he held within, he spoke the sentence without fault. As soon as the words left his mouth, he could feel himself being drained, leaving him feeling cold and almost lifeless if not for the warmth of the orb still strongly gripped in his hand. A white ring of light circled lazily around the core until it began to pulse and grow stronger, spinning faster, building size and moving outward. He could feel its power growing, reaching a point where he thought it would burst, explode any second. And that's exactly what it did. The circular movement of the light slowed, almost faltering, then without any warning a swathe of light filled the room, blinding him even after he closed his eyes, unconsciously bringing his arm up to shield himself. Then as fast as it had come, it left, leaving the room as if it never existed in the first place. Cautiously he brought his arm down, blinking open his eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room, except it now glowed with an abnormal light of purple, the residue of the magic that had burst forth. Looking down to the orb held in his palm, he could see the jewel changed, more a liquid then the solid it had been moments before.

He knew he was smirking, he had succeeded, everything was falling into place just as grandmother had described. But he needed to finish, and finish he would. Mobilizing his other hand, he placed it palm flat on the top of the orb, concentrating on the power inside. Only moments later did he finally hear the voice coming from the orb, filling the whole of his mind.

"What do you seek?"

Using his mind, he concentrated on the image of a girl. She was sitting like so many other times on the lid of the well, basking in the sun, head tilt allowing the flow of her hair to fall down her back, shining where the light of the sun's rays hit. Smiling, her lips slightly parted breathing in the fresh air, eyes closed, looking just as beautiful the moment he had first laid eyes on her. Clothed in her odd garments of a short skirt and blouse, the red tie strangely gone today, and her feet without her normal shoes. She leaned back, stretching her body, while still gripping the sides to keep her balance. The wind begun to pick up, moving her hair in an almost rhythmic way, the hair he secretly wished to run his hands through, to feel the silky plaits along his fingertips. The image of the girl was imprinted on his heart, like so many others of her, but this one was especially important to him. It was the last day his eyes had been allowed to gaze at the girl, before all the chaos erupted, tearing her away from him for centuries to come. He pushed this image of the girl, showing the orb with his mind what he sought.

Moments, mere seconds and a sea of colors crept into his vision, before it faded and left him with the image he had waited centuries to see. She stood smiling with her friends, looking a year or two older then the last time he had seen her, which was expected since he first found that she too still existed. His glee was evident with the smile he felt on his face, she looked so real standing there. So lifelike, that he almost believed she was standing in the room with him. He found himself reaching out with his hand, wanting to cup her face, to feel the warmth radiating off her skin. The image rippled when his hand came into contact, but he could feel her, the softness of her skin warm under the feel of his hand. She froze under his contact, eyes searching around widely for whatever came in contact with her skin, stepping away from his hand making him lose the brief contact. He felt slightly rejected by the fear in her face, but he didn't let it bother him. He would see her soon enough.

Stepping back, he closed his mind to the object of power in his hand, no longer wanting to see her face reveal that emotion. Setting the orb down upon his desk, he smiled to himself, knowing full well what was to come. Kagome would be his, and things would be as they should have been so long ago.

**

She felt cold all of sudden as she traced the spot where she thought a hand had touched. Her friends glanced at her worriedly, but she couldn't help the odd feeling building inside her. Not wanting them to fuss and worry over her, she gave them her best reassuring smile, seeing the ease that it brought them. Glancing around one last time, she noted that it was just Ami, Yuma, and herself. Nothing but her imagination acting up she surmised.

"We better get going to school, we won't want to be late like the last time." She watched as her friend's faces grimaced at the memory of last time. Knowing full well what they were thinking, as she too was thinking of the wrath of their teacher whom would punish you even if you were late two seconds after the bell rung.

"Ugh, don't remind me, my arms are still sore, who would've thought the old bat would be so mean, she seemed so nice the first day she came to our school."

They all nodded in agreement, remembering well the pleasant smile on the teachers face, the warmth she radiated, but all that quickly changed as the school year progressed. Kagome wasn't surprised, every teacher that ended up at her school seemed to mutate into the cruel creatures they were now, but the school had a reputation of being the hellhole it actually was. Teachers, for years had been warned, but they disregarded it for superstition and ended up facing the reality of her school. She herself was surprised when she entered the high school, having scored a low percent when she had taken the entrance exam into high school. The result being her current placement in this school, but she wasn't alone and so after a time she slowly felt a fondness for the rundown school she now attended.

She made her way across the street, friends in tow as they hurried off to school. Glancing one last time around the street only to find it still as empty as they had first found it. Though there was no one there, she still couldn't help but feel as if she had been watched only moments before. Sighing, she placed her vision once again to the street now in front of her, moving as fast as she could before the first bell sounded from the building only a block away from where she was.

If she were lucky, they might make it to their seats before the first bell even begun to ring.

**

Leaving his room, he passed the guards outside his door, which nodded upon his leave. He passed them, without any form of acknowledgement walking down the path that would lead to his lord's door. Moving as quickly as he could attempting to not catch the notice of the numerous servants running up and down the hall, he made his way to the outside door. Stopping before the current guard, he waited as the guard knocked twice before entering to announce his presence. Not long after did the guard finally return, nodding the approval of his lord's agreement to see him.

Walking through, he could see his lord sitting in his chair, scowling down at him for interrupting whatever he had previously been doing. He didn't let it bother him as he kneeled down awaiting his lord's command to speak.

"Well, what is it?"

"My Lord Naraku, I bring news of the girl we seek."

To Be Continued.

**

Authors Note: I know I should update The Chase, but it may be awhile--- thank you guys for your patience!!!

[Eden]

Not fair. You ended it with such a cliffhanger!!! The only thing that I can do is take solace in the fact that you said you had more chapters already done.

*Whew*

Very good so far, you have me incredibly interested to see what will happen next with this mysterious man who has such a fondness for Kagome. Could it be that Inuyasha turned bad, or is it someone else? So exciting!

I anxiously await your next chapter.

~Eden

[Nausica?]

Interesting beginning...

And I'm so confused. Who's the guy who watched Kagome? It couldn't have been Inuyasha - he wouldn't work for Naraku, right? :-? Hmm...

Well, it's okay! Like Eden, I'm also waiting for the next chapter. Plus, as much as I want to go ahead and read the chapters you have out on the net, I'm too darn lazy to go hunting for them.

Until next time...

* muah *


- Naus

[ice princess]

I need the next chapter now!!! I don't know what kind of drug you infused this with, but man, oh, man I am already addicted. I just love creepy stories, and this one promises to be a nail-biter. Update soon!!

~ice princess