Two Months to Live by Corisu Li, chapter 22, inu yasha fanfic

This is a sequel to One Month for Romance. It is complete in 27 chapters. It has a few plot twists that will shock you.I'm posting it here with the permission of the author. I found it at http://www.geocities.com/inuyashakarma . Enjoy. Tim Seltzer

Disclaimer: Corisu Li: Thought you guys might like to know, I started a new fic! *ducks the rotten fruit* ACK! That doesn't mean that I'll be abandoning this one, though! Both will be updated every Sunday! *gets whacked in the head with a cantaloupe* Ow...

Kunoichi: *sweatdrop* It's called 'Protect Me'. I'm too lazy to summarize it now, and Corisu's unconcious, so just check it out. Pleeeeease?

Kunoichi: As the originator of all of the crazy disclaimers, I'd have to say that no, we have no ideas this time.

All Chibis: GO AWAY!!!! *attack her in various ways, sending her blasting off agaaaaain...*

Aamalie: *sweatdrop* Uh, all characters belong to Takahashi-san. We own nothing!

Chapter 22: Confusion Reigns

"You didn't say anything about being SERVANTS!" she began, but Kagome cut her off.

Sango was fully intent on giving a harsh reply, but Kagome's look was too sincere to ignore. "Fine."

"Jaken will join you shortly and give you a brief tutorial on how to serve. When you bring us our midday meal, you will remain in the room, acting as if you are waiting to see if anyone needs anything." Sesshoumaru turned to Kagome and Inuyasha. "You two are to uphold the highest manners possible for heathen such as yourselves. And flatten those ears, wench."

Kagome's face flushed in anger, but she just complied, flattening her ears tightly to her head. She supposed that this was customary, a sign of reverence or something.

Right after Rin, Sango, and Miroku had scurried from the room, followed by Kirara, a booming voice made itself known from the entrance hall.

"Ah, Jaken! I see that Sesshoumaru-sama hasn't yet killed you. You are either very fortunate, or there is more to you than meets the eye." There was a muted response from Jaken, then a laugh from the deeper voice.

"Stand," Sesshoumaru hissed, "And do not take your seat again until he does. Inuyasha, I expect for you to inform your mate of normal formalities."

Kagome gave an inward sigh. She would have to allow Inuyasha only partial entrance, letting him speak to her but still hiding her 'little secret'. It would, unfortunately, take just a tad more concentration. As they stood, footsteps approached the room. It was mere seconds before he appeared.

Lord Shirokin was a very regal youkai. He had dark blue, almost navy hair, pulled up into a high ponytail. Despite the high hairstyle, the end of the ponytail still reached to the small of his back. His eyes were alert and intelligent; the glittering black orbs stared out of a wise and experienced face. Just below his left eye was a marking that resembled slash-marks. He was dressed in airy white silk robes. On the chest was his family crest, a python coiled around a sword with a golden hilt. The same sword was tied to his side. His prescence alone cast a sense of seriousness around the three. The humor that he'd experience in taunting Jaken was gone, replaced by a kingly demeanor that rivaled Sesshoumaru's.

Shirokin approached Sesshoumaru first. Bowing, he said, "My greetings and respect to Lord Sesshoumaru upon entering his lands."

As Kagome and Inuyasha watched in interest, Sesshoumaru returned the bow. "My greetings and respect to Lord Shirokin for gracing my lands with his honorable presence."

Shirokin then walked toward Inuyasha and Kagome. Sesshoumaru followed. When Shirokin stopped in front of them, Sesshoumaru reached forward and put Kagome's hand in Inuyasha's. He then placed their hands, intertwined, in Shirokin's outstetched palm.

Kagome fought the urge to stare at Sesshoumaru. She wasn't used to being addressed that way, much less by Sesshoumaru...

Shirokin looked at both of the hanyous, then gave a shallow bow. "Kindness from myself to you and yours." He addressed only Inuyasha, but this was explained as Inuyasha spoke through her newly opened link.

'Women don't speak unless spoken to. And don't make eye contact with him until he says your name for the first time.'

Kagome gave him an affirmative answer through the link. Inuyasha then bowed to Shirokin, saying, "I am grateful for your courtesy. Peace to you and yours."

Shirokin dropped Inuyasha's and Kaogme's hands, and the greeting customs were complete. Shirokin chose a cushion on Sesshoumaru's right side and sat. Once he did, Sesshoumaru sat down as well, Kagome and Inuyasha doing the same across from him.

"Now that the formalities are done with, Sesshoumaru-sama, would you like to explain why we are here?"

Sesshoumaru glanced at him. "All will be explained in due time. Perhaps after a hearty meal."

As if on cue, Rin entered the room at that moment, carrying a tray of teacups. Sango walked in behind her with the teapot. In the kitchen, Jaken had warned Sango to address the others only as 'My Lord' and 'My Lady', and had also told Rin not to speak at all, for fear that she would say something like, "Does Sesshoumaru-sama want any tea?". Servants were not meant to call their masters by name.

The small girl placed the tray on the table and scurried from the room. Sango set the teapot on the table and bowed. "Forgive my intrusion, My Lords and My Lady, but would you like tea before your meal is served?"

Kagome's head snapped up from its position. She had been staring at her hands, trying to keep herself from glancing at Shirokin. She stared at Sango, openly gaping. Luckily, Shirokin was paying more attention to Sango than to herself.

Everyone gave positive answers to Sango, who daintily poured the tea and excused herself quickly, retreating back to the kitchens for a break. It was hard keeping up such a menial facade.

"That is quite a beautiful servant that you have there, Sesshoumaru-sama. How did you ever acquire her?" Shirokin took a sip of his tea. Inuyasha and Kagome were starting to feel nonexistent, as if they were purposefully being ignored. Perhaps Sesshoumaru sensed this, and his next statement put the two in the spotlight.

"She was gift from my brother and his mate. Gifts were also made of the small child and the butterfly's mate."

"Ah, gifts, were they? You must tell me how you came about them, Lord Inuyasha."

Inuyasha blinked and nearly choked. He didn't have a story ready for THAT question! Shirokin continued to gaze at him expectantly, an eyebrow raised slightly. Inuyasha didn't have to wait long for help, however, as Kagome started to relay the story to his head.

He listened for a while, then said, "The butterfly and her mate became servants in exchange for our protection, as well as the inuyoukai youth. We had no need for such servants, since we do not live in our castle at present, so we brought them to Sesshoumaru." At a sharp glance from his brother, he hastily added, "-sama."

"You mean to say that you do not live at you own castle?" Shirokin set down his teacup and stared at Inuyasha for a second. "Are your lands not in chaos as we speak?"

Inuyasha began to look frazzled once more, but Sesshoumaru answered for him. "I have seen to it that none fight for his throne. His land is already claimed by blood."

"I see." Shirokin's demeanor relaxed, though he still stared at the hanyou couple with some suspicion.

Miroku chose that moment to enter, carrying a rather large and heavy tray. He was straining, but tried not to let it show. Such a burden would be nothing to a real youkai. He set it on the table with a rather loud thud, saying, "S- My Lord, your servants have completed the feast."

"Very well," Sesshoumaru nodded, using the inclination to give Miroku a warning look. If one were to speak his name, the entire set-up would be useless. Sango re-entered the room with a new pot of tea and began to refill the mugs... at least all but Kagome's. She hadn't taken one sip. Rin stepped in as well, and began to help Miroku set the dishes in front of everyone. When they were all served, Miroku took the tray back to the kitchen with Rin trailing behind him. Sango retreated to a far corner and sat with her back against the wall, her head bowed.

The Taiyoukai began to eat. Not a word passed anyone's lips, and it was beginning to make Kagome very nervous. She was so used to casual conversation during meals that the silence was driving her insane.

A few minutes into the meal, Miroku returned and sat beside Sango, bowing his head in the same fashion. It seemed as if Sesshoumaru had been waiting for him, because he didn't speak until Miroku was settled. "Shirokin-sama, I am sure you are aware that a mutual enemy is rising."

Shirokin's bemused eyes left his meal to settle on Sesshoumaru. "You are referring to Suikai, are you not?" When the other nodded, he continued. "I never was an admirer of the way that she does things. Spying from long distances and attacking with dirty tactics. Deplorable, at best."

"And yet, you call me here to form an alliance? Does she worry you, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Inuyasha snorted softly, and Kagome nudged him with an elbow.

"I do not fear her. Her power centers around the mind. The more minds that are present, the more difficult it is for her to focus."

"Ah, Sesshoumaru-sama. I am sure that you do not mean to imply that we are here merely to be your scapegoats!" Shirokin looked as if the very idea was completely absurd.

"No. I don't wish to expend unnecessary time and energy on such a peon. She acquired her lands through heredity, not by asserting her strength."

Sesshoumaru surpressed a growl of annoyance. "I have proven myself worthy to defend my lands."

"Of course. This is why you call for help when a war breaks out? You jest, truly."

'His strength is. Despite your mind powers, he could easily slay you given the chance.'

Sango and Miroku were sniggering in the corner, and trying in vain to hide the sounds of their mirth. When they could take no more, they respectfully excused themselves to the kitchen, where they burst into gales of laughter. Sesshoumaru, being bested in an argument! It was simply hilarious!

Inuyasha and Kagome were nowhere near as fortunate. Kagome longed to look up and see if Shirokin was poking fun or simply stating a fact, but he still had not said her name. They strained to keep their faces impassive; Inuyasha was having a much harder time than his mate, being able to see Shirokin on the verge of laughter.

Sesshoumaru was livid. 'How dare he come into my own home and degrade me so! If I were not in need of allies, I would kill him where he sits!' Even as he thought, he doubted that he'd be able to slay the Southern Lord... His power was immense, and he was much older and wiser than Sesshoumaru.

Shirokin spoke up before Sesshoumaru could vent his frustration. "I don't mean to anger you, Sesshoumaru-sama. If I should be speaking to anyone, it should be to your little half-brother, here."

Inuyasha's head snapped up from its half inclined position. Kagome's almost did as well, but she remembered not to look up at the last moment. "What do you mean by that, Shirokin-sama?" he asked, trying to look indifferent.

"Well, obviously, you are hanyou," the navy-haired Taiyoukai explained. "That makes you weak... You probably wouldn't last a moon cycle once you move into your castle."

Inuyasha's face pulled into a scowl. Kagome flushed in anger and desperately wanted to say something, but Inuyasha silenced her. 'Don't. It'd be like you're standing up for me. It's not appropriate.'

Shirokin wasn't yet done. "Is that the reason that you haven't officially claimed your lands? Do you fear prosecution?"

Inuyasha's awe at Shirokin's triumph over Sesshoumaru was being replaced by anger once that biting wit was turned on himself and his mate. "We're a powerful team. We beat Inazuma, didn't we?"

Kagome's anger was mounting. How DARE he talk about them that way! Inuyasha gave her a warning look, but she was no longer heeding him. Just one more statement would be enough to set her off...

And Shirokin supplied her with, "And with an equally weak mate, you'd be even less likely to survive. You'd be better off with the butterfly. She's better looking, too..."

Kagome stood abruptly, ignoring Inuyasha's mental pleas. Her head jerked up and she stared straight into Shirokin's eyes, anger blazing in the silver pools. "How DARE you speak to us that way! We've probably done more in our relatively short lifespans than you've EVER done! Show some respect, you pompous, arrogant, egotistical, conceited, vile, revolting excuse for a Taiyoukai!"

'Quiet. I must concentrate.' Suikai closed her eyes and began to hum in a low pitch. The sound made her other part quiver slightly. 'Purity...' she whispered.

'Huh?' the lighter one asked, sure that she had heard wrong. There was such evil in the air, there was no way that she could speak of purity...

'It will be your name. You are not me, you are only of me. You are the good that I despised so much.' Suikai's eyes remained closed.

'Purity... I like it!' The small one grinned. She was in an uncharacteristic good mood. It was time to watch the test...

As coils of energy began to rise from Suikai's humming form, Purity put a hand on her shoulder. It was the only way that she could watch as well...

"YOU FOOLISH BITCH! YOU WILL PAY FOR DEFYING ME!" Shirokin leapt up as well, his black eyes now cold and lusterless. His hand lifted to the golden hilt of his sword.

Sango and Miroku had heard the outburst from Kagome, and arrived just in time to hear Shirokin's piercing bellow. Kagome's chest was heaving. She was unbelievably angry, yet afraid at the same time. 'Oh, great! Now you've done it, idiot!' she berated herself.

She turned infuriated eyes on him and was about to tell him off when she heard a gasp from the door. In her enraged state, her conversation had wavered. The guise spells on Miroku and Sango had melted away.

Now Shirokin turned to Sesshoumaru, shaking with rage. "HUMANS?!!? Why are humans in your home! Have you become as soft as your FATHER?"

Sesshoumaru had had enough. Now that Kagome had blown everything, he saw no harm in responding. "You will not speak of my father in such a manner." He pulled Tokijin at the same time that Shirokin drew his own gold-hilted sword.

Meanwhile, Kagome was watching the scene with awe. In her amazement at just how wrong things had gone, she failed to properly conceal her mind from Inuyasha, who say a golden opportunity despite the situation...

Kagome looked at him in horror. 'Oh, no, oh, no, oh, nooo...how could I let this happen?'

Black smoke began to waft through the windows, moving like liquid and snaking along the floor. It formed into rings, and them some changed color. The final tally was four hovering black rings and five white ones. Three of the white rings zoomed from the room. The other two raced right for Sesshoumaru and Shirokin. They were too busy staring each other down to notice the danger until it was too late. When the rings connected with their bodies, they were engulfed in a whitish power field.

Kagome did a quick count and realized who the other rings were for. Her eyes widened. "RUN!"

There was no point in running, however. Before they managed to leave the room, the black rings hit Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kagome in turn. A black field surrounded them.

Once all of the rings had been absorbed into their respective bodies, the fields fell, as did the bodies of the targets. Sesshoumaru and Shirokin slumped to the ground, their swords still clenched in their hands. Sango and Miroku were in a heap by the door, while Inuyasha and Kagome were stretched out in the center of the room.

Rin, who had been eating in the kitchen, suddenly fell face-first into the table, upsetting her lunch.

And Yuya... Yuya whispered, "It's about time! I foresaw this long ago..." before falling sideways off her cushion in her chamber.

To anyone who had entered the house, it would seem as if everyone had just fallen asleep. This was only partially true. The bodies may have been lying in the castle, unmoving and peaceful...

Corisu Li: *giggles* Yeeeeeah... it was kinda mean, huh? *is whacked with a watermelon* Itai!

Kunoichi: *sigh* Ok, you guys! You know the drill! Please review! Do you guys remember how we sometimes give relief to the Evil Cliffies of DOOM!!!!! ? Review, please! And give me ideas for disclaimers! ^_____^

Alianna: Yeesh! *backs away* You flatter me... but my ears can't take the yells! Glad you enjoyed, though!

Vamps: Pocky = Japanese snack (kinda like a graham cracker or pastry) that has different flavors on it. Pocky rules! And yeah, a week may seem like a long time, but time flies...especially when you have tests to take and essays to write! *looks frazzled*

Elyndewen Startree: I knoww...I loved turning them into youkai as well! Such a shame that they didn't stay that way for long, though. I wanna be one too! *smiles, stars in her eyes*

GinHasa: Ah, yes... you've fallen to the dark side of people who are online instead of doing schoolwork. WELCOME! *throws confetti* Oh, yeah... as you can see, there IS a reason that I didn't let Inu-chan find out... *devilish smirk*

Inusapphrine: ^^ I'm sooo glad you liked it! Eep! I was in the process of reading your new fic and something exploded... I think it was a TV... and then my dog died... and I fell out of a window, breaking every bone in my body except my fingers so that I can still update... *creeps off, hoping that you didn't notice the lies* I'll get on it ASAP!

Letitia or Teesha: HIIIIIIII!!!! Grrrr...even though you probably won't read this response for another few weeks, I'm gonna go ahead and put it up. I'm glad you like my writing, and I'll never hesitate to read yours!

Heather: ACK! Crazy child! *THUD* Owww.... *mutters while unconcious* A beta is someone who proofreads your story for grammar and stuff.... I'm DOING THE BEST I CAN!!! *leaps up suddenly, catches a mallet and throws it back at you* Nyah. Take that.

Aamalie: *blink* You are soooo odd. But hey, once you said that, I couldn't help but think: Ya know, she's right.... Hooray for the strangeness!

Reillu: Thank you! I try... *ducks rotten fruit* WHAAAT? I'm not egotistical, you know!

Vampire-Elf: Grrr...No review responses... *kicks computer and the screen flashes* EEK! I'd better not do that again before I lose THESE too! And no, Chiaki has nothing to do with Yuya or Suikai... she's just a nosy little human who vani- AGH! That goes in the NEXT chapter! Stupid, stupid! *quickly shuts up*

Kitsune Bi 123: I have nooooo clue how you burn water. Ask Inu-chan. *pulls him over* Go on puppy... Inu: *growls* Shaddup... Me: *frown* Well, I guess there's no explanation for it... Fluff = well....fluffy stuff! The sweeeeet little scenes between lovers that ARE NOT lemons. For a pocky explanation, see Vamps's response.

Two Months to Live by Corisu Li
This is a sequel to One Month of Romance. It is complete in 27 chapters. It has a few plot twists that will shock you.

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Two Months to Live

Chapter Twenty-Two: Confusion Reigns

Chapter 22: Confusion Reigns