Encounters with Obakemono by tenchi no mai

Ao-nyobo

This was written in response to MontiK's challenge.

Theme:  Ao-nyobo

Due:   September 13, 2009

Required Word Count:  700

Actual Word Count:  2,103 Story Only

Universe:  Canon Universe

Rating:  M

Warnings:  Inuyasha's Language

Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz Media.   Only the plot to this story is my intellectual property.  I do not make any money from the writing of this story. 

'Italics' = thoughts 

Ao-nyobo

Kagome shifted uncomfortably on Ah-Un's saddle.  The tenbaryu's back was wide enough that she couldn't ride him astride like a horse, so she was riding in a modified side saddle position with her left leg bent so her foot was stuck under her right knee.  For the life of her she couldn't understand how Rin managed to sleep while riding the beast and not fall off.  When she shifted again, Kagome caught the quick glance in her direction from Sesshoumaru and stilled instantly. 

They had been travelling since right after breakfast this morning, and she knew they would be stopping soon for their mid-day meal.  The last thing she wanted right now was to have Sesshoumaru decide to ride on Ah-Un with her.  He had ridden with her for awhile earlier, jumping up onto the dragons back, then sitting cross-legged and pulling her into his lap.  

He had been so overprotective lately, and defended her rabidly from even the most innocuous threat.  Between his domineering attitude and the fact that he wanted her to ride Ah-Un whenever possible, Kagome was beginning to feel as though she was suffocating. 

Yes, she had been injured in the last fight with Naraku, but it couldn't have been that bad.  There were no gaping wounds or huge scars, she just had these recurring headaches and was sometimes tired.  Well, okay, often tired and somewhat weak.  Still, that was no reason to treat her like an invalid.  If she could just remember what had happened. 

Kagome's brow furrowed as she thought about what she could remember.  She could recall shooting arrows at Naraku, then being swept up by Kagura.  The next thing she recollected was waking up in Sesshoumaru's arms; she was sitting in his lap, leaning against his chest and his arms were wrapped tightly around her.  

As she opened her eyes everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then she was bombarded by questions that she couldn't answer.  It wasn't that she didn't want to answer them, she just didn't have the memories to recall to be able to provide the answers.  Finally she managed to wave them off by telling them she would try to answer their questions later, before Sesshoumaru became more upset and melted them with his dokkasou.  

Bringing herself back to the present, Kagome thought that maybe if Ah-Un had a saddle with padded seats, like the ones she had seen on elephants, maybe she would be more comfortable.  If there were seatbelts, then she may even be able to take a nap while she rode.  Giggling quietly at the thought, Kagome looked over to find Sesshoumaru watching her again with a contemplative look in his eyes. 

After a short stop to fix something to eat and take care of personal business, they were on their way again, Sesshoumaru insisting on riding with her.  When he settled her in his lap, Kagome sighed but had to admit it was more comfortable.  With her back cushioned by his mokomoko against the hard bone chest plate of his armor, Kagome fell into a suprisingly deep sleep. 

~*~ 

Inuyasha was keeping an eye on his miko and his half-brother.  He was still worried about what had happened back at the Mitsumine Shrine.  Kagome couldn't remember, and that bastard, Sesshoumaru, if he really even knew, wouldn't tell them anything. 

All he knew was that her scent had changed, and Miroku said her aura had changed also.  The adult members of the tachi had talked at length about it over the past week, but could come up with no explanation that sounded in any way, shape, or form, reasonable.  Sango had vast knowledge about demons, but almost none about Kami.  Miroku was well versed in holy knowledge, but this was something beyond even his experience. 

The only other two options, as Inuyasha saw it, was to wait until they returned to Edo and see if Kaede-baba could explain what had happened, or the next time he saw Kikyo find out if she knew anythng about this Kami. 

Dusk was approaching, and running ahead, Inuyasha found an overgrown clearing, with both a hot spring and a fresh water spring close by.  Deciding to stop there for the night, he went back to the tachi and told them to continue on to the clearing while he hunted something for dinner. 

~*~ 

While Sango and Kagome set up camp, Miroku and Shippo went in search of fire wood.  They followed a faint path towards the woods, making several trips with armloads of kindling and larger pieces to feed the fire during the night.  On the last trip, Shippo ran ahead back to the camp site, leaving Miroku to follow at a more leisurely pace.  

Stepping into the clearing, Miroku stopped dead as he was presented with a vision of an ornate palace situated behind his travelling companions, who apparently noticed nothing out of the ordinary.  Blinking a few times, the image slowly faded from sight.  Dropping the wood by the fire, Miroku hesitantly approached Kagome and the demon lord.   "Kagome-san may I borrow your flameless torch?" 

"Of course, Miroku, it's in the right side pocket of my backpack."  Kagome looked at him somewhat puzzled.  Miroku rarely asked to borrow anything, so this must be something important.  "What are you going to do with it?"

"I just want to see what is on the other side of the clearing."  Miroku was pointing behind them, where the most overgrown section of the clearing bumped into the treeline.  "I'll return it to you shortly, I won't be long." 

Kagome watched as Miroku walked off into the gathering dusk and shrugged her shoulders.  He must have noticed something over there earlier while it was still light enough to see clearly. 

Inuyasha and Miroku both arrived back at the campsite within minutes of each other.  Inuyasha had several plump chickens in his hands, already gutted, and mostly plucked, ready to go on the spit over the fire.   Miroku held out his hand to show him several eggs.  "There are quite a few nests over in the foundations of the building.  It appears that there was some type of settlement here at one time.  It looks like you may have found some of the chickens, my friend." 

"Keh, these were wandering around in the woods, scratching for Kami only knows what and squawking like mad.  I didn't want to have to listen to them all night.  Besides, I know Kagome likes chicken."  Inuyasha noticed the fox kit's ears perk up at the word chickens, and glared at him.  "Shippo, you leave the chickens alone, and if we're going to have eggs for breakfast and you know what's good for you, you will stay right here until we go to collect them in the morning!" 

Shippo sulked until Miroku gave him the eggs he had brought back with him.  "Here Shippo, you can have these, there are plenty more there for tomorrow." 

After a satisfying dinner of chicken with rice and vegetables, everyone sat around the fire for awhile chatting about nothing in particular until the children went to sleep, with most of the others following quickly. 

Kagome sat in Sesshoumaru's lap, quietly talking with him;  since she had slept for quite a few hours in the afternoon, she wasn't as tired as the rest of the tachi.  Several hours later, after she began yawning, Kagome noticed a figure on the far side of the clearing. 

Nudging Sesshoumaru with her elbow, Kagome turned her head to whisper to him.  "Someone is here."  Nodding in the direction of the lone figure, she watched closely as it slowly seemed to glide back and forth across the area where Miroku said there had once been a building.  

Sesshoumaru stood, putting the miko behind him.  He unsheathed his Tokijin as he watched the otherworldly figure pacing in the moonlight.  "It is not a someone, miko, it is a something.  A yuurei, a ghost."  Keeping an eye on it to make sure it didn't approach any closer, he barely noticed Miroku silently rise from his bedroll and begin to hesitantly walk towards the figure.  

"Sesshoumaru, what's happening?"  Kagome pulled on his sleeve trying to get his attention. 

"It must be an ao-nyobo.  They supposedly haunt the ruins of a palace.  This area may have once been the shiro of a local daimyo."  Sesshoumaru put one hand back to keep Kagome behind himself.  "I do not think it can leave the actual confines of the ruins, however you will stay where you are." 

They both noticed Miroku at the same time as he stumbled on the uneven ground.  "Monk, you will return to the campsite."  Sesshoumaru growled. 

Inuyasha jumped down from the tree he had chosen for the night, unsheathing Tessaiga which transformed into the huge fang.  "What the hell is going on here, Sesshoumaru?"  

"Inuyasha, go get Miroku!"  Kagome yelled at him.  "He must be sleepwalking, he's acting like he can't hear us." 

"Why should I go get him?  I'm sure the bitch will slap him once he asks her to bear his children!"  Inuyasha was suddenly aware that the figure in the distance was not human, and wondered what Miroku thought he was doing.  

The commotion woke up Sango, who immediately grabbed her Hiriakotsu, and watched as Kirara transformed into her fire cat form.  "Is that an ao-nyobo?  We have to rescue Miroku before she devours him and takes his soul!" 

Sango and Inuyasha, along with Kirara, ran to intercept Miroku before he could reach the ruins.  Smacking Miroku with her Hiriakotsu, Sango watched him collapse to the ground and lay there twitching, as the figure within the ruins stopped pacing to glide towards them. 

Peering at the ethereal figure closely, Sango had to admit the female yuurei was exceedingly beautiful.  She was dressed in a many layered kimono, with white tabi socks as well as geta on her feet and carried a fan.  Her hair was dressed in the style of a geisha from Gion, decorated with kushi (combs) and many various kanzashi.  Under the moonlight her makeup appeared pale blue, not white like a normal geisha, and her teeth were blackened, like court ladies of bygone days, which only served to accentuate the crimson lip paint. 

Miroku began to stir from his place on the ground, and Inuyasha moved to stand in front of him and Sango.  Sitting up and rubbing his head, Miroku winced when he felt the bump.  "My dear Sango, whatever possessed you to hit me with your Hiriakotsu in the middle of the night?  If I inadvertantly offended you, I sincerely apologize." 

"No, monk, I just didn't want you to be devoured by the ao-nyobo."  Sango motioned towards the overgrown ruins, tapping her foot on the ground, as Miroku's head swiveled back and forth between her and the yuurei. 

"Well how the fuck are we supposed to kill it if it's already dead?"  Inuyasha had lowered Tessaiga and the tip was now resting on the ground. 

"Like any other ghost, Inuyasha, with cold, hard steel.  That is the only thing that can kill a spirit, the only thing they are truly afraid of."  Sango reached for her sword, suddenly realizing it was still beside her bedroll.  "If you think you would have a problem because the ghost is a woman, I'm sure Sesshoumaru will do it for us." 

"Keh, I don't need that asshole to kill no ghost for me."  Inuyasha raised Tessaiga as the wind scar twisted around the blade.  "Wind Scar!"  The strike plowed across the ground, ripping it to pieces before obliterating the ao-nyobo.  "See, I can take care of any old ghost, I don't need that bastard." 

Miroku had gotten up from his sitting position, and walked over into the ruins following the torn up ground from the swords strike.  He picked up one single hair comb, all that was left of the tragic concubine of the daimyo.  Looking over from one side to the other side, he noticed how total the destruction of the ruins was.  He could already imagine Kagome's aggravation, it wasn't that often they were able to have her favorite food for breakfast.  Holding up some of the broken egg shells, he looked at Inuyasha.  "I can also see that you can tell Kagome what happened to the eggs for breakfast." 

Inuyasha's eyes went wide as he imagined getting "sat" several hundred times.  Turning around to look behind him, he could see Kagome still peeking out from in back of Sesshoumaru.  "Don't tell Kagome, I'll go look for some more nests over by the edge of the woods."   

~*~

Fin