~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Dousing his hand into the salty sea, Kakashi bared the pain that came with his wound.  He hand to wash out the demon’s poison somehow.  Though he never showed it, mentally he continued to scorn himself for rendering helpless against the monsters that attacked the ship.

“Kakashi-sensei!” Naruto called as he wadded out into the water next to him.  “Geez Kakashi-sensei…that looks pretty bad…” Naruto blinked as he watched his teacher thrust his knife further into his hand, attempting to drain out anymore poison that may still lay in his system.

“Good to see someone cares…” Kakashi chuckled as he slipped his knife back into his boot, “There, that should do it.  Let’s see if anyone at least has a bandage wrap I can use…”

Naruto skittered back onto the dry sand, followed by Kakashi.  His keen eyesight immediately noticed someone who may be able to help.

“Gohan!   Hey Gohan!” he shouted as he ran up to the Sayin-jin’s side.  

Gohan seemed to have wandered several yards away from the rest and now just stood at the shore’s edge, staring off into the sea.

“Hey Gohan, what’s eating you?” Naruto asked openly as he jumped up and down, trying to meet eye to eye with the taller boy.

“Naruto…chill out.” Kakashi ordered, as he placed a hand on the blonde boy’s head, ceasing his wild movement.

“She hasn’t come in yet,” Gohan finally spoke both quietly and vacantly.

Naruto blinked curiously, “Who?”

“Rae hasn’t washed in…not even a body.” Kakashi mumbled as he two looked out into the calm sea.

“WHA!?” Naruto gasped, “That’s right!” he began to scrambled about, glancing around quickly, “She’s not here!” griping his head tightly, “She must still be floating out at sea, DEA-UMF!” he mumbled upon Kakashi quickly covering the loud boy’s mouth.

“She really is gone then, isn’t she?” Gohan asked blankly, taking in a deep breath.

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck slowly as his gaze glanced down to his student.  Naruto looked up to his teacher sadly, considering the fact that they would never see the girl again. 

“Come on you guys.  Have you no faith?!” Jing called from behind.

“Do you think that is a good thing to say when they are in such a slump kid?” Kir asked, noticing the gloomy atmosphere.

Crossing his arms with a wide grin Jing merely shook his head, “There shouldn’t be a gloomy atmosphere when there is nothing to be sad about.  Gohan, you know her better than any of us here?  You should at least know about her unnatural lucky streak.”

Glancing over at the young pirate, Gohan couldn’t help but chuckle, “It is her only knack she has.”

“There we go, with that hope you know she is okay.” Jing waggled his finger in a matter-of-fact way.

Naruto squinted, as if trying to ponder the matter further, “That is a twisted sense of philosophy.”

Kakashi smiled under his mask cheerfully, “Who said anything had to be typical?”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Suisei, right?”

“Eh?” the dragon peered over his shoulder to see Duo standing behind him.  “Yes, that’s me.” He replied as he turned back to examine the palm tree that lay in front of him.

“You aren’t part of this lot of pirates are you?” Duo asked, his stern face never averting his gaze.  Clearly he was not at all pleased at being shipwrecked with a band of pirates, even if he had spent the few weeks with them.  “You are part of that Dragon group.”

“Yes…we were on a mission from Dusis to retrieve our Lord.” Suisei replied as he walked along the ‘timberline’ that separated the beach from the actual forest that lay beyond.  The teal-eyed dragon was curious to know what lay beyond the tropical foliage.

“For a bunch of royalty, you don’t seem uptight like I would expect.” Duo remarked as he leaned against one palm trunks.

“Uptight?” Suisei smiled, “No….we leave all of that to Alfeegi, he IS stress.  Our royalty is more….” He paused, pondering to himself, “I would say…laid back…in a way.”

Duo laughed, “Laid back…wow….guess I’m learning more and more about you nobles.”

Suisei looked to the braided street boy once more, “Haven’t you learned anything from Anwe-san?”  he smirked slightly, a hint of PURE EVIL in his eyes as he added, “Or have you two been doing something other than talking together.”

With a unnatural hallow ‘thunk’, Suisei had gained a newfound black-eye by a coconut that Duo happened to locate.

Wincing sheepishly, Suisei knew he deserved it, so didn’t complain.

“Next time, it’ll be more than your eye that is black and blue!” huffed Duo as he stomped off, blushing feverishly.

Watching him stalk off, Suisei sighed softly, shrugging, “Such a aggressive fellow.”

“Hey Suisei, I found some of those plants you mentioned for Yumiko!” Hayai called, emerging from the bushes with an armful of plant bulbs. 

“Good good.” Suisei nodded, “These will help ease her pain…it is truly a miracle that she is still conscience.  Tell me Chief….did you see anything…suspicious while you were in there?”

“I didn’t go far in…but no, why?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly, “Anything I should know about?”

Suisei paused, but merely shook his head, “No.” he then averted the subject quickly, “Let’s go…”

“Hey…I have to ask you something.” Hayai interrupted.

“Eh?”

“What happened to your eye?”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Rebinding his hands with bandages carefully, Sanosuke silently ranted to himself about his pathetic performance against this odd enemy.  Unlike the other, and being human, he had received more than a few wounds.

“I wish those guys would have crashed along with us.   We should have just blown THEM up.” He snorted haughtily.

“How do you suppose we do THAT?” Hiei asked smugly, “Do you have explosives we can use?”

Sanosuke gripped his fists tightly, “I didn’t see YOU doing to well with that hostage.  So I wouldn’t be talking.”

Hiei glared at him cagily, “At least I’m not as vulnerable to pain much like you.”

“Will you too cut it out?” Trunks snapped, “We are going to be here for a while, best not to kill each other over such a stupid argument.”

“What got YOU all tense?” Sanosuke asked the lavender haired pirate.  Trunks was usually a quiet one…not one to bite another’s head off.

His cool blue eyes were drawn to the edge of the forest by where they stood.  Slowly he brought his hand upwards, his knees bending slightly.

“You feel something, don’t you?” Hiei asked, recognizing his decent into a fighting stance.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Sanosuke mumbled.

“Yes…” Trunks replied, ignoring Sanosuke, “A fairly lar…”

 

He froze upon feeling a swift breeze past his face.  Hiei’s youkai instincts immediately ordered him into the air to avoid danger. 

There, in the sand, lay a long spear, its sharp head fully embedded into the ground.

 

“What the?” Sanosuke immediately shot a glare into the forest where they dared not enter.

 

Slowly emerging from the tall grass and bushes trimmed in exotic clothing of animal hide and cloth were seemingly people wearing wooden animal masks.  It was difficult to tell whether the strangers were female or male…or whether they were human or not.

“They don’t seem to be a welcoming party…” Trunks mumbled as he slowly stepped backwards as the tribal warriors drew closer.

“Well this probably is their island you idiot…” Hiei snapped, “But if it’s a fight they want…” he slowly reached for his blade that lay at his side.

 

“Nobody take offense” Sesshoumaru voice called out.  He knew that with this amount of enemies and his crew being in their current state, not many would survive. 

With a loud grunt, Hiei lowered his hand, “This…is….ridiculous!”

Everyone held their positions as they were encircled by the mysterious strangers, spears and daggers were drawn close to their backs and neck.

 

“Hey you!  Back up a few feet from her!” Duo snapped at the first person who approached Anwe.

 

“Papa…” Kalyptra looked up to him slowly as his hands were pulled sharply behind his back.

Wincing slightly, Ruwalk tried to hold back any outbursts as his daughter’s hand was fastened as well.

 

As a group, these exotic warriors only motioned orders, never once speaking a word.  It was as if it was a perfect choreographed plan to capture these intruders.

 

As one of the more muscular men approached Yumiko, Hotohori, and Sesshoumaru, he seemed to glance behind him as another figure followed him.  Quickly walking around him was a short old woman, who unlike the others wore no mask.   Her long silver hair lay in braids that fell over her shoulders.  Clutching a large staff in her hand, she eyed each of the three carefully.  She turned up to her companion and motioned to Sesshoumaru.

 

With a small nod he approached Sesshoumaru, and quickly pulled back his arms sharply behind the demon’s back.  This clearly took the Captain off guard; of course he knew he would be retained…but not so quickly….and so…..easily.  This guy clearly wasn’t human.  Sesshoumaru knew he could easily break free…but then he would be known as a hypocrite…that was the last thing he wanted.

 

Watching the old woman approach them, Hotohori held his ground.  He had a feeling that she would be of no harm…but he couldn’t let his guard down.

THWACK!

“AH!” Hotohori sneered, as he rubbed his head gingerly.  The old woman had just smacked him with her staff!  “What in the…” he sneered….”I’ think I’m bleeding…” he pouted.

“You’re in my way boy…step aside!” she growled, jabbing him with her staff.

 “Eh?” he blinked, “What are you going to do to her?!” he growled.

Sighing she shook her head slowly, “My name is Genkai…I am this village’s Shamaness and Healer.  And unless I am mistaken, your friend seems to be cradle upon the line of life and death…”

Hotohori glanced back to Yumiko.  Her cries had ceased, she was unconscious.

“YUMI-ACK!” he cried as he was bulldozed over by Genkai’s staff once more.

“Step off boy…let me do my work.” She snorted as Hotohori was drug off by two more village guards.

 

“Amazing…she is still breathing….but her skin.” Genkai mumbled as she knelt next to Yumiko.  Her hand slipped into her long tawny sleeves, pulling out a small pouch.  Reaching inside, the Shamaness dug out a handful of bright green powder.  As if whispering into the dust itself she thrusted it up into the air.

 

“An incantation?” Kurama blinked.

“She speaks like us…” Arashi also noted as she tried to wretch her grip even a little from her capture’s firm grip.

 

Gradually, the dust began to settle over Yumiko’s body.  Upon touching the cold skin, the dust morphed into a silver liquid, and as if feeling the wounds, it seep into her bleeding gashes.  Instantly, as the liquid touched her wounds and scars, the skin quickly bonded together, sealing the wounds.

 

With a sly smirk of accomplishment to herself, Genkai slowly rose to her feet and turned to Yumiko’s crew members, “Not only did I heal her, but that incantation will restore her energy in an instant.  Though after she wakes up…she may have the appetite of a hippo…” she mumbled under her breath.

            “Dare I ask what you want with us?” Hotohori asked, eyeing her warily.

            Genkai chuckled as she looked up and looked to each of the pirates squarely in the eye, “Accompany us back to our village and I will explain further.”

            “Why should we?” Sesshoumaru asked haughtily, glaring at the short woman threateningly.

            She glanced over to the demon Captain, “For the same reason you didn’t attack in the first place.  You know who has the advantage here…”

            Sesshoumaru stifled a low growl, the old hag had a point.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

If there was one thing that Rae hated more than being stranded out in the middle of the ocean on a barrel, it was being stranded out in the middle of the ocean on a barrel….with an empty stomach.

 

“Nya….” She moaned, her stomach growling in pain for the 78^th time.  “I guess this is it…this is where I shrivel up and die…”

 

The sun had raised high into the cloudless sky; it was most likely sometime around the noon period.  Rae was beginning to miss that violent storm.

 

Her body began to slide off of the barrel…but her muscles were too tired to hold on any longer.  “Guess this is where it ends…farewell cruel world.” She saluted as she slid fully off, sinking into the water once more.

Though, instead of receiving a water grave, she received a face full of sand.  She seemed to have washed up onto some sort of shore, and somehow didn’t notice.

Sputtering and spitting what sand she had left in her mouth, she raised her head slowly.

“I’m…I’m, saved?” she blinked, glancing around the deserted beach curiously.  Indeed, she was no longer in the ocean…and that was enough for her.

“Is everyone else okay?” the thought crossed her mind once more.  She felt her hand slowly lift from her side to brush through her hair.  With a small gasp, her seemingly weak and malnourished body jumped upwards, landing on her feet.

“My treasure!” she choked, “Gohan’s gift!   It’s gone!” her hands began to shake wildly.

Could it have been lost in the ocean?

Was it left on the ship?

Was it caught on the mouse’s tail that sat in front of her?

 

“Eh?” she blinked noticing the tiny creature in front of her.  “What in the…”

The mouse merely looked up to her with huge purple eyes.  It was clearly a fairly small mouse, probably the runt of the litter.  One way or another it had hitched a ride on a piece of plywood that was floating close to Rae. That didn’t matter to Rae though…it was the fact that wrapped around its body was (maybe) the only thing she had left of her pirate life.  She HAD to get it back.

“Hello there little guy…” she cooed softly as she approached the rodent who merely eyed her warily.  “I’m not going to hurt….HEY!”

Too late, the ‘little guy’ had taken of scurrying for the tropical forest that lay ahead on the island in a panic.  She would lose him for sure!

“GET BACK HERE!” she bellowed in a angry rage sprinting after him as fast as her legs could take her.  It appeared that she had regained her energy back in a hurry.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Shippou-chan….are they gone?” Rin asked meekly as she peeked out from in between her fingers and glanced to the red haired fox-demon.

He gulped slightly sneaking a look past the green leafy foliage the two had taken refuge in.  Glancing to the left, and then the right, he sighed in relief and looked back to Rin.  “I think we lost them.”

Rin wiped away the dirt from her small face with the back of her hand, “Rin doesn’t want to die…”

Shippou shuffled over to her side, patting the child on the back softly, “Don’t worry, I won’t let them sacrifice you…”

The young Kitsune was cut off as the large bush around them was torn up into the air, reveling the two children’s hiding spot.

Tossing the bush over his shoulder, the village medicine man, Gama looked down upon the children with a wicked grin.

“Thought you could run off from your own village eh?” he cackled at the sight of the horrified children.  His beady eyes then darted over to Rin who merely attempted a scream.

“As a member of this village child…you must uphold your duty in serving it…” he bent down and reached for her.

Quick as a flash, Shippou sunk his tiny fangs into the demon’s hand.

“YEEEEOOOW!” Gamma howled as he attempted to thrust the fox child off his hands.

Spinning high into the air, Shippou ran straight into one of the palm tree trunks and slid to the ground.

“Shippou-chan!” Rin cried as she quickly ran past Gama, who was at the moment tending to his wounded hand.

Shippou quickly sat up, rubbing his head gingerly.   He then grabbed a hold of Rin’s hand, “Come on, this way!” he ordered as he quickly lead Rin deeper into the forest, and further away from the mad shaman.

Licking the small trail of blood form his hands, Gama was just in time to see the two run off.

 

He needed that girl….the gods were angry, he needed a sacrifice!

 

“Get back here you damn kids!” he growled as he ran after them.

“Keep running Rin!   Don’t look back!” Shippou tried not to let go off her hand as he scampered ahead of her.

“I’m getting tired Shippou-chan.” She panted as she tried to run faster.

 

But with a slight gasp and a hard thud to the ground, Rin could feel a burning sting in her foot.  Her foot had caught in a uprooted tree root.

Feeling her hand slip from his, Shippou skidded to a stop, “Rin!”

Trying her hardest to get up quickly, Rin could feel the dark presence of Gama loom over her. 

“Get away from her!” Shippou growled as he leapt into the air, only to be smacked aside easily.

“I won’t fall for THAT again….” Gama mumbled as he reached towards Rin once again.

 

He paused slightly as a small grey mouse with a jewel tassel ran past his hand and over Rin, quickly disappearing into the bushes.

Not taking such an unusual appearance into consideration, Gama’s approach was broken by the sound of a distinct scream.

“GET BACK HERE YOU DAMN MOUSE!”

Both Gama and Rin looked up to see a black figure jump from the trees to the ground in a kneeled stance.

Vines, leaves, and twigs covered its thin body as it stood to its feet, panting heavily.

“A…a…..a forest spirit!” Gama stuttered as he stared at the figure in disbelief.

“Eh?   Forest spirit?  Where?” it asked looking around curiously, brushing some dirt off of its face.

In a pathetic attempt to shield himself from the spirit’s ‘awesome power’ Gama then noticed that this spirit was nothing more than a dirty girl.

“Ah!   People!” Rae smiled, clapping her hands happily. “Hello, my name is Rae and I have been….” She paused noticing the child in front of the scrawny demon.   The fear on Rin’s face seemed to set Rae into a whole new mind frame.

“Hey….what the heck are you doing to her?” she asked sharply.

“Who’s the one asking?   You poser.” Gama snarled as he loomed closer to the defenseless new girl.

“Poser?” Rae blinked, still not understanding.

“Oi!   You idiot!   Run, he is going to kill you!” Shippou shouted from the base of another tree, a fresh bump on his forehead.

“Another kid?” Rae blinked and looked to Gama, “You are a sick man….I can already see that.” She frowned.  “Picking on children is quite low don’t you think?”

Gama didn’t respond to her remark but merely withdrew his small knife that lay by his side and charged Rae.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Kagome wasn’t enjoying the idea of being literally handcuffed and being dragged through a steamy forest by a bunch of burly villagers.   For all she knew they could be cannibals!

“Don’t shove his Highness around like that!” Hayai snarled to the tribal guard who had sharply shoved Lykouleon forward to make him quicken his pace.

“Maybe we should put a muzzle on this one….or at least a leash.” The guard holding Hayai’s tiny wrists mumbled to his companion.

“Nah, you just gotta show em’ whose boss.” He replied with a snort as he slammed his rigid knuckles into the dragon girl’s back, catching her off guard and out of breath.

Everyone held back their tongues as they gave silent death glares to the two.

Ruwalk nearly ripped his hands off as he tried to break loose, “You heartless scumbags!” he roared.

“This your offspring?” they turned towards Ruwalk.

“You two!  Stop this nonsense.” Genkai called back to her guards.  She then eyed the crew, “Don’t waste your energy…” she ordered the pirates.

“I’m okay Papa…” Kalyptra reassured as she slowly rose to her feet as she spat out the blood that ran down her mouth.

Suisei glared over to his captain, “Chief, shouldn’t you lay low for a while?”

Lykouleon glanced over his shoulder at the young dragon girl, “You have been very faithful to me…even after I left for so long…” he smiled softly, though deeply feeling horrible for making them all worry for so long, “You are all truly family.”

“Don’t worry about it your Highness…” Kalyptra nodded, “Now that you are back in our protection…”

“What protection?!” Suisei snorted, “We are the ones in danger…OUCH!”

Kalyptra sharply trusted her foot into his shin and merely stomped along.

 

“Leggo of me, leggo now!” Naruto snarled as he tried to wretch free from his capturer’s grip.

“Calm down Naruto,” Jing advised softly, “I think we are almost to their village, I can see smoke above the trees.”

“They’re going to eat us I tell ya!” Naruto wailed, “I’ve heard of the tales, the stories.  They’ll cut open our veins and suck us dry!”

“Quite an imagination you have there, don’t you?” Anwe chuckled.

“Hey lady, you don’t know anything about the high seas and what lies beyond!” Naruto snorted.

“I think I have a basic idea kid, no need to worry there.” Anwe frowned, “Until I actually see it, I’ll keep a cool head.”

 

Looking up ahead she could see that they were seemingly approaching this mysterious village’s entrance.  It was a gigantic gateway, made entirely of palm tree wood.  Hanging from the gate walls were assortments of feathers, pottery, and even skulls.

Startled at first, Anwe gulped.  Though, upon obtaining a closer look she realized that they were merely animals skulls, none seemed human.

As the pirates were lead through the village, they kept their wits about them.  At the same time, they were in awe of such a exotic colony.

 

Large wooden cottages were scattered in the interiors of the gate walls, each of them were raised to about five feet above the ground.  There were also several smaller stands where inhabitants of the village seemed to trade or sell goods for even greater riches, such as handcrafted weapons or fine clothing.

However, it was still the early hours of the morning, it seemed that the village was still awakening.

 

“No one inside of the village are wearing masks…” Hiei pointed out softly.

“I doubt that they have to conceal their faces in their own home.” Kurama replied as he observed several natives walking past.

 

Each native had a bright paint mark on their face, each a different symbol, each most likely of different symbolism.  The men were covered in different fabrics of leather, wool, and sometimes even silk.  The colors of the women’s outfits were truly beautiful.  A lot of them had decorated their long hair with different bird feathers, beads, and sometimes even gems.

 

Those who had awoken stepped outside of their dwellings, watching the pirate crew be lead towards their most sacred shrine.  They began to whisper short messages to one another, staring and pointing at the prisoners.  Most of all, wondering why their shamaness had brought back prisoners, ALIVE.

 

Genkai, who was leading her warriors, stopped suddenly.  She glanced sharply at a smaller group of warriors who had crossed their path.  They were lead by a very skinny and sickly looking demon.  In both of his arms were two children, bound and gagged, of them were out cold.  Behind him, were two more men, hidden under large wooden masks.  They both carried between them what seemed to be a long spit, with some sort of animal hanging from it.

 

With a small frown, she addressed the captain, “Gama you imbecile, what are you doing with those two children?!” she growled.

Shuddering slightly at the disapproving tone in his shamaness’ voice he quickly tried to explain, “Well you see mam’m, I was going to use the girl f-f-for a sacrifice…in or-der to-to calm the gods, yes?”

Genkai stepped forward, obviously sick and tired of the demon’s over active superstition. 

Noticing her advancement, he quickly continued stuttering, “B-But on my chase after th-them I found this!” he quickly pointed to the creature hanging from the spit.

Everyone glanced over in his direction, including the crew.

 

“Ew…. It look dead.” Naruto grumbled.

“No…No I think its’ still breathing.” Kalyptra nodded.

“How can you tell?” asked Ruwalk.

“Can’t you here that unnatural hacking noise coming from it?” Kalyptra looked up to him.

“Okay then….its DYING!” Naruto corrected himself.

“Ah, I don’t want to see that.” Arashi shook her head, looking away.

“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..” Yumiko grumbled, slowly coming to on one of the guard’s shoulder.

 

“Creature!?  Creature!?  I’m a human Damnit!” it cried, shaking its head and sending leaves flying from its face.

 

“Oh…” Kurama blinked.

“My…” Anwe’s eyes grew larger.

“God….” Duo growled.

“Rae!” Gohan smiled, recognizing that voice and that face.  “Rae, you are alive!”

“She’s what!?” Arashi growled glaring over to Rae who laughed innocently, “Rae….when I get away from these people….I swear….I’m going to KILL YOU!”

“Geez…now I know how mush I’ve been missed.” Rae grumbled.

Kurama merely chuckled, “That is her way to show how much she cares Rae-san.”

“I’ll try and remember that….” Rae attempted to adjust her head so she wasn’t seeing everyone upside down.  “Everyone is alive!   Ha!  I knew it!   Hey Gohan, checkout Mr. Ugly there….see that cut on his face and that black eye?  That was me!” she smiled happily, proud that she was able to finally lay a hit on someone.

Gohan merely nodded, just glad to see her alive.

Genkai glanced back to Gama, “It seems they know each other…now untie her and those children.  There will be no need for sacrifices if my guess is right on THIS lot.”

“What do you mean?” he asked quietly, kneeling next to the Genkai.

She motioned him to come closer, so she could whisper into his pointed ear.

 

SMACK

 

“YEWOUCH!” he shrieked, “What was that for?!” 

“You stupidity….” She grumbled, glancing about, “Where in the world is Kieru?!”

Rubbing the fat lump on his cheek, Gama snorted, “She said she would be back by now…”

“She’ll show up eventually…” Genkai grumbled.

 

“Yumiko…Yumiko are you awake?” Hotohori whispered to the groaning Commander as she slowly raised her head from the guard’s shoulder.

“Hoto…Hotohori?” she blinked, rubbing her eyes.

“Hush now…” he whispered. “I’ll make this quick; we are currently being taken prisoner of the natives of the island we landed on.  You are the only one who has not been tied up…so I advise you….”

“Like Hell I’m staying low!” Yumiko growled as she jumped off of the guard’s shoulder and landed to the ground.  “I’m going to take everyone on!  Now that I got my strength back….hey wait a sec.” she paused, “I’m not bleeding like a stuck pig anymore!” she grinned.

Genkai held up her hand, motioning her guards to stand their ground, but not to move.

“Yes…it was my powder that healed you.” She nodded to Yumiko.

Yumiko glanced over to Genkai, “So you fixed me up eh?   You’ll soon be regretting that!  I happen to be one of the….the…” she trailed off, sinking to her knees.

“Yumiko?” Anwe asked quickly, concerned that the powder may have paralyzed her….or even poisoned her!

“Are you okay?” Kalyptra asked quickly.

“So……hungry….”she grumbled, “Can’t move….” She added.

Hotohori glared to the old woman, “What did you do to her?”

Genkai sighed, “That would be her own body’s doing….I’m guessing it has been a LONG while since any of you have eaten.”

At that precise moment, a long growl seemed to erupt from everyone’s stomachs.

“Damn…” Inuyasha cursed, “She is right…it has been four days since we’ve eaten.”

“No fair….” Yumiko whined.

 

“Genkai…” a voice interrupted from behind them.

Genkai quickly identified the voice, “Kieru, what in the world took you so long!?”

The guards pulled their hostages to the side, allowing the one called ‘Kieru’ to pass freely by.

“Ack…” Rae winced as she dropped to the ground from being cut from her spit.  She was quickly brought to her feet and her hands were tied behind her back. 

Everyone watched a young girl who was probably around Yumiko’s age, approach the Shamaness.  Her hair was decorated with several assortments of feather and beads, while she was covered in another collection of fine cloth.  Everyone could tell she must have held a higher position than most of the ‘normal’ natives.  Following her was a young man, clearly taller than her.  Unlike the other guards, he wore no mask.  His dark blue eyes scanned each of the crew members coldly as he kept close to the girl.

“Randy….I expected that you watched over her carefully?” the old woman asked him.

Glancing to Genkai, he nodded, “Yes…it is my duty to protect the shamaness with my life.”

“Very good…” she then looked to Kieru, “See these intruders Kieru?” she asked motioning to the crew.

Kieru nodded, “Yes,”

“They….may be the ones.” Genkai whispered.

Kieru’s eyes widened slightly, “How can you tell?” she asked.

“My instincts never steer me wrong…”

Genkai then turned back to the prisoners, “Bring them to the temple.”

 

“Hey!  Watch it!” growled Tasuki as he was shoved forward.

“Chill out Tasuki….you would think you would have gotten used to being ordered around for so long…” Yuusuke smirked.

“What’s that supposed to mean you little…” Tasuki growled.

“Cease…” Sesshoumaru ordered as he glared at the two men.

“Fang boy.” Yuusuke spat

“Grease monkey.” Tasuki spat back.

 

Everyone was lead into a huge building of clay and wood.  It was actually big enough to hold everyone with more than enough room for all.  For a so called ‘temple’, the room was quite plain.  There was no furniture, only a dirt floor and a large fire pit that had a fairly big fire already brewing in it.  Scattered about were random pieces of pottery, ladles, and some rather odd looking jars holding rather odd looking substance.

Glancing around curiously, Lykouleon was the first to address the old Shamaness, “Why do you bring such strangers into such a holy place?” he blinked.

Genkai looked to him and smiled, “All will be explained.”  She motioned for the guards to unwrap the ropes around their wrists and to leave, “You have really no where to run, so please do sit and listen.”

Sesshoumaru gave a sharp nod for his crew to cooperate….for now.

Everyone followed and circled around the fire, sitting on their knees.

“My Shamaness in training, Kieru, shall explain.” Genkai nodded to the young girl to come forward.

Kieru stepped forward, the fire embers light up her face as she began.

 

“Our island was created long ago by two separate forces of darkness and light, they were most like gods if you will.  The land was completely created by one source of life force in which it thrived off of.  This life force fed off of the energy that the land and its inhabitants released in small amounts so no destruction was caused.  In a sense, it was like a perfect cycle.  This Life force was sealed inside of a crystal gem where it could safely give and take energy.  If this gem was to be altered, it could drastically change this land or even destroy all that resides on it in an instant.  But for those years, neither the god of light or darkness took that into consideration.  Until the god of Darkness began to realize the crystal’s true power of destruction.  He become obsessed with the power the Life Force could become.  He desired that power above all else, even if it meant taking it for his own and disturbing the balance that was once created.  The god of light clearly realized that the force they had created was corrupting the god of Darkness.”

 

“So we get a god-to-god smack down, right?” Tasuki smirked,

SMACK!

“Ouch!  What was that for you ol’ hag!?” he growled at Genkai who ‘mysteriously’ appeared behind him.

“Quiet you.” She mumbled.

 

Kieru continued.

 

“Realizing that his dark obsession would drive him over the edge, the god of light knew he had to be done away with.  Though in that sense, with destroying the god of darkness, all would be unbalanced.  The God of light then summoned up the four matters that made up their precious land; Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth and created them physical bodies for them, making them into gods and goddess.  With their combined powers as immortals they were able to completely destroy the power-hungry Dark God.  Soon after the battle, the god of light had to throw his own life away so that the land would not be under an imbalance.  He trusted the Life Force crystal to keep the land in check, as long as it was never disturbed.  As for the elemental gods and goddess, they reverted themselves into a mortal state where they would live out a life and die.

 

But it is common knowledge that darkness never stays away for long, and so it is predicted that the God of Darkness will be reincarnated and will return, looking for the power within the life Force.  At the same time though, the god of light and the four summons are to be reincarnated as well, in order to up against the darkness.”

 

“Wow….a very interesting story.” Alfeegi whispered to Suisei.

Suisei merely yawned, “Yeah…I think my grandmother once told me the same story.”

“So what does this have to do with us?” Sesshoumaru asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Kieru looked to him, “We have reasons to believe that you maybe be the reincarnations of our gods.”

“Reincarnations?” Kalyptra blinked.

“Of gods that we have never even heard about?” Yumiko cocked her head, trying to ignore her stomach.

“It is possible…reincarnations can be chosen at random.  The gender doesn’t even have to be the same….its what is in the heart.”

“What makes you think WE are the ones then?” Yumiko frowned slightly.

“My instincts never lie!” Genkai snapped.  “Kieru, begin the unveiling….let’s see who is who.”

Kieru nodded politely, “Yes Mam’m.”

 

She slowly closed her eyes and began to softly chant a small prayer that no one could understand.  Holding her hands out, as if cupping something in her hands.

The Fire seemed to grow by a ten fold.

She turned to Yumiko, “Goddess of Fire.”

The wind began to pick up through the open windows.

She turned to Anwe, “Goddess of Wind.”

Kneeling down she picked up a handful of dirt and then glanced to Duo.

“God of Earth.”

Genkai walked over to her side, pouring a cup full of water into Kieru’s open hands.

She looked to Kalyptra, “Goddess of Water.”

 

The rest of the crew members looked to each other, dumbfounded.

 

Slowly opening her hands, she took a deep breath.  Raising her finger, she then pointed to the last ‘immortal’.

“God of Light.”

 

“HA HAHA!” Rae cackled as she jumped to her feet, “I told you I’d be great one day!  ‘Lo and Behold that I really am a great God!” she grinned to herself, glad to know that finally SHE was in charge.

“Sit down you idiot.” Yumiko snapped.  “She’s not pointing to you.”

“She isn’t?” Rae blinked.

“She is pointing at Sesshoumaru.” Anwe smiled sheepishly, feeling bad as Rae slumped back to her seat.

Sesshoumaru eyed Kieru warily, not too keen on being some random village’s god, especially of light.  He felt that it didn’t really suit him.  But he said nothing.

“You five are our gods and goddess.” Kieru began again, “Please stay, and protect us.  For if you have returned, so has the great Darkness that will try to take the Life force and destroy our land.” Kieru bowed, showing her desperate plea.

Sesshoumaru never took into consideration on pity, especially on such ‘barbarians’.  Though, they were stranded on THEIR island…using this ‘God’ cover up may not be such a bad idea….for now.  Though taking advantage of situations wasn’t quite his style…

“I suppose we can stay…” Sesshoumaru replied.

“As long as we get fed!” Yumiko added quickly.

Kieru looked back up, tears welling in her eyes, “Oh thank you, thank you all so much!” she bowed frantically.

“Are you sure this is such a good idea?” Hotohori asked softly, leaning towards Sesshoumaru.

“For now….it has to be.” Sesshoumaru replied sharply.

 

Genkai clapped her hands together, drawing their attention, “I ask for all of you to follow me…we have a ceremony to perform.”

 

Jing blinked curiously, “Ceremony?”

Jin cocked his head as well, “What kind?”

 

“We must cleanse all who enter this village from the outside.” Genkai explained ask she shuffled to the doorway.

“You mean…” Rae’s eyes widened with salty tears, “A bath?” 

Genkai stared at her blankly, “Yes…if you want to put it that way…”

“YES!  Praise the lord!” she smiled, jumping into the air.  She then hugged Gohan around the arm tightly, “A bath Gohan, a bath at last!”

Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, he merely chuckled.

“My, my, my, aren’t you a happy girl?” Anwe asked cheerfully.

Rae nodded happily, “Since Yumiko, Arashi and the others won’t tell me how they keep clean…”

“HEY!   That is a ship secret!  Not something for you to know in the first place!” Yumiko growled.

Rae merely sighed, “See what I get from these people?” though she merely smiled to Anwe to show she was kidding.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Our land offers one of the best springs this world can offer…the warms waters contain herbal salts that help your body.” Genkai explained as they neared the springs, the smell of sulfur rose to their senses.  “As I can tell by the cuts and wounds on your bodies….your going to need a good clean up.”

The path they walked on split into two, Genkai stopped on the fork in the road.

“Unfortunately we only have two of those springs I was talking about, both are fairly big.” She nodded.

“So then it should be an easy task.” Arashi pointed out, “Gentleman on one side, Ladies on another?”

“Not under these circumstances!” Genkai frowned, “Not all of you are able to bathe in the same waters as the others.”

“What do you mean?” Kouji asked.

“I mean that only one spring is for the ‘Immortals’ while the other is for….the rest of you.” Genkai explained simply.

“Hey that’s not fair!” Duo snarled.

“Don’t complain pretty boy.” Yuusuke sneered, “You get to bathe with three girls….can’t pass up that chance!” he snickered.

“Hmmm” Duo paused, taking the idea into consideration.

Anwe scowled at him, jabbing him sharply with her elbow, “Perv…” she grumbled.

“Hey!” he winced.

“Let’s Go Let’s go!   We don’t got all day!” Genkai ordered, shoving Yumiko, Kalyptra, and Anwe towards the rocky entrance of the first spring.  “You two!  Let’s go!”  she called over to Sesshoumaru and Duo.

Duo looked up to Sesshoumaru who merely growled softly, but followed the old wench.

Duo looked back to the others, giving a small wink and trotted off.

 

“THAT LOUSY!” Rae seethed, “I swear if does…”

“Umm….Rae?” Arashi poked Rae’s shoulder softly.

“What?”

“The others have already left and are getting in.  Most likely since there only two of us, they expect us to wait until they are done.” She explained.

“WHAT!?   You can’t be serious…” Rae pouted, “How many are there?  A little over ten right?  We can take em on for the bath!”

“Rae…you are getting a little out of hand now…” Arashi said sternly, holding her friend back by the shirt.

“My bath…..” she pouted.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“You’re ceremonial clothes will be made for you shortly.” Genkai bowed her head, “Enjoy your cleansing.” She quickly jumped over the rock ledge and disappeared into the trees that overlooked the large spring.

“Man….that ghoul is quick on her feet when she needs to be.” Duo blinked, trying to see if he could spot her.

Everything soon became quiet.

“Soooo” Yumiko began, glancing to Kalyptra and Anwe.

Kalyptra smiled hesitantly, “Guess we are the special ones of the bunch, ne?”

“I’m wind, I’m quite pleased.” Anwe nodded happily.  “I’ve always enjoyed the wind.”

“Fire…What’s new there.” Yumiko smirked to herself.

“Water…that’s a new one.” Kalyptra scratched her violet head.

“I guess being a land-lover and all…” Duo said, remarking on his Earth God title.

“Of course, our dear Captain is…” Yumiko began, rolling her eyes and glancing over to Sesshoumaru, “taking….off…his clothes….” She stuttered, wide eyed and confounded.

Sesshoumaru had already begun taking off his tunic and leather vest, casting them aside.  Nothing was going to keep him waiting.

“H-Hey!” Yumiko began, “That’s not fair, what about!”

“What?” Sesshoumaru asked turning towards them, bare-chest.

 

In all her years working alongside the demon, Yumiko had never seen him without a shirt.  Now that she HAD, she had to say….he looked good!

 

Kalyptra had never seen any man without a shirt, even with living on castle grounds with a mostly male administration!  The whole sight made her spine turn into a noodle, she couldn’t help but overly blush.

 

Anwe, merely looked away, shielding her eyes with the back of her hand.  Though she couldn’t help but laugh at the demon’s momentary look of innocence as he said ‘what’?

 

Duo glared at him.  I mean….it wouldn’t be so bad if it was HIM without the shirt and the girls blushing and giggling.   That was the point though, it WASN’T him.

 

“Hey Hey!   What are you trying to pull?!” Duo snorted.

“Am I supposed to wait?”  Sesshoumaru asked as he continued to unbuckle his belt.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Did you hear that?” Ruwalk blinked.

“That ear shattering scream of females?” Kakashi asked, not opening his eyes, deeply enjoying the warm water.

“Yes!”

“Nope…” he replied.

            “Sounds more like a scream of girls seeing something they didn’t want to see…” Naruto added, dunking his head under the water.

            “You don’t think….” Ruwalk paused.

            “Kalyptra is smarter than that Sir.” Suisei grumbled.  “She won’t let any men near her.” His eyes lowered as he sunk lower into the water.

            “Hey you…” Naruto glanced to him, “Girl problems?”

            He merely shrugged, “You can say that.”

 

            “Am I the only one who found leaving the girls behind a little rude?” Kurama asked, rubbing his face with the back of his hand, washing away the dirt that had clung to his face.  He felt bad leaving Arashi, Kagome and Rae behind.

            “What….and have THEM go first?” Hiei asked, sighing heavily, “please…”

            “In this situation Kurama, it’s more of a matter of ‘first come first serve’ basis.” Jin nodded, trying to find some sense in it all.

            “Yeah, and us guys over power them!” Yuusuke grinned.

            “Hey Hotohori, what’s up with the tenseness…you look nervous.” Tasuki blinked, glancing over to Hotohori who every once and a while sighed and glanced about.

            Kouji motioned Tasuki closer and whispered into his ear, “Come on boss, ya know how he is around the Yumiko-boss, right?  Now that she is off wit’ some other guys, he has to be a lil disappointed.  Especially all of tha’ trouble he went through protecting her.”

            Tasuki shoved Kouji aside, “Nah, you think way too much!”

            Inuyasha, who had over heard them, looked to Hotohori, “Oi, you shouldn’t have much to worry about when it comes to my brother…he has never looked at a woman in his life.  Though….I dunno about that Duo character” he paused, “he seems kinda shady.”

            Hotohori sighed heavily once more, not wanting to ponder over the possibilites.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

            “Rae-chan…..you shouldn’t pace around so much.” Kagome smiled hesitantly, motioning the fuming girl to sit.

            “She won’t hear you…her skull thickens when she doesn’t want to listen.” Arashi grumbled as she watched Rae walk back and forth.

            Rae stopped and quietly sat on the ground cross legged, and began to doodle in the dirt with her finger.

            Sweatdrops slowly rolled down both Arashi and Kagome’s heads.

            “You’ll get your bath my friend….you’ll get your bath.” Arashi reassured her.

           

“Did you say ‘bath’?” a voice asked from behind them, causing both Kagome and Arashi to jump away form their rock seats.

 

Panting and attempting to slow her rapid heart beat, Arashi eyed the stranger suspiciously.

 

It was nothing more than a very short and very old bald man.  His short stature was probably due to the lavender turtle shell that seemed to put him at a slouch position.  He slowly approached, being lead by a large cane to support him.

“Yes…we are waiting for our friends to finish with theirs and then…” Kagome began to explain.

“There is a smaller spring nearby,” he grinned, lowering his glasses to reveal black beady eyes under bushy white eyebrows.  “Though it is much warmer and even more soothing than the others.”

“Oh really?” Arashi asked coolly, cocking her head.

“Sounds wonderful.” Kagome smiled happily.

With a happy laugh (which sounded more like a cackle coming from the old man), he pointed his cane towards a narrower path that lead around the first spring.

“Go that way, you’ll reach it in no time.  The quicker you get there, the quicker you can get cleaned.” He nodded happily, mainly to himself, snickering gleefully at the same time.

“Ah, thank you so much!” Kagome waved as she tugged on Arashi’s arm to follow, “Rae!  This way!”

“Rae, where are you going?” Arashi called, noticing the girl wander closer towards the rugged forest edge, away from the cleared path.

 

“My senses….are tingling…” she mumbled under her breath, looking from side to side mysteriously.  “It….it is nearby.”

“Umm…” Kagome paused, “What is she talking about?”

“Forget it…” Arashi shrugged walking off, “She’ll come when she’s ready.”

Glancing back over towards the paranoid girl who was now stepping into the forest, Kagome turned to follow Arashi.

“Eh!?” she gasped.

“What’s wrong?” Arashi asked quickly.

“That old man…he’s gone.”

“Wow….so he is.  Speedy little devil.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Was it absolutely necessary to intimidate a group of girls like that?!” Duo grumbled, glancing to Sesshoumaru from the other side of the pool.

Without a response, Sesshoumaru merely closed his eyes, his head rising towards the sky as he tried to enjoy the warmth.  Hard to do so with a little boy questioning you, over and over and over!

“Not much for small talk I guess…” Duo sighed, rubbing away at the layer of dirt and rocks that covered his sore feet.  “I bet he is enjoying this WHOLE ordeal….being Captain, now being known as a god…” he grumbled, “Now he thinks he can undress wherever he feels like it….even in front of Anwe…” he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rise at the thought.   “Pervert…” he growled.

THUNK

“ACK!” Duo yelped before sinking under the water.  His eyes stung with warm water before the actual pain from his head began.  Rising to the surface, sputtering and cursing, he rubbed the fresh bump on his head.  He immediately glared at the only other occupant.

 

But Sesshoumaru hadn’t moved an inch from the last time he saw him.

 

“What in the….” Duo muttered, glancing around.

A bush rustled nearby.

His spine went rigid, fearing the worst.  A wild animal…a wolf, a tiger, a lion maybe?  Slowly he bent down for a fairly large rock that lay in the spring’s rock bed.  Cradling it in his fingers, he waited.

It rustled again.

“Take this!” Duo shouted, chucking the rock into the moving bush.

            A dark figure shot up from the bush, catching the rock quite gracefully.  Brushing his furry white hair away from his face, an seemingly older tribe member (though clearly younger than the Genkai shamaness) tossed Duo’s rock up and down in his hand.  He shot a glare to the braided boy.

            “You know…kids shouldn’t throw rocks at their elders.” 

            Flabbergasted that the old man could catch a rock THAT size going at THAT speed, Duo stuttered, “Wha….what in th…the…”

            Ignoring the stunned boy, he glanced around the spring, as if looking for something.

            “Jiraiya!” a voice called nearby.  An older man whose age closely resembled Genkai’s hobbled out of the bushes.  “Forget this place, the girls left.  But I redirected them…” he cackled readjusting his sunglasses.

            “Good man Roshi…” Jiraiya smirked as he looked back to Duo, “Sorry to bother you….now if you don’t mind, I must be off!” with a short wave he skittered off with his companion.

            Finally blinking back to reality, Duo looked to Sesshoumaru, “Who were those two?!”

            Sesshoumaru remained silent, but couldn’t help but chuckle to himself over the village perverts.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

            “It’s so good to be clean!” Anwe sighed happily, brushing back her wet hair.

            “Indeed,” Kalyptra nodded in agreement, pulling back her long violet hair so that it wouldn’t be frayed by the warm water.

            “Good thing we ran into that old guy…” Yumiko grinned, leaning her head back into the water, “This place is perfect.”

            “He must have been happy to help us.” Kalyptra pointed out, placing a finger to her chin as she pondered on the matter, “He sure was smiling a lot.”

            “Not to mention cackling…” Anwe mumbled.

            “And boy was he eyeing you two a lot.” Yumiko snickered.

            “HE DID WHAT!?” both Anwe and Kalyptra shouted.

           

            A bush rustled nearby.

 

            “What was that?” Yumiko asked quickly.

            All three girls looked around quickly, the air grew tense.

            “Y-you don’t think…”, Anwe stammered.

            “He…wouldn’t….dare….” Yumiko growled, her eyes lowering.

            “Should I throw it now?” Kalyptra asked, showing them the fairly large rock she found nearby (though, it could technically have even been classified as a boulder, size-wise).

            The rustling bushes began to sound more violently, they began to draw closer, whoever they were.

            “Gah…” Yumiko paused for a moment, pondering to herself.  She then looked to Kalyptra, “Throw it when I give the signal, okay?”

            “And I’ll be over here behind this nice big rock….” Anwe waved sheepishly from behind the safe coverage of a rock ledge.

            “NOW!” Yumiko ordered.

 

            “AH HOLD IT!” a voice cried before Kalyptra could send the rock air-borne.  “IT IS US IT IS US!”

            “A-Arashi?” Yumiko blinked, placing her hand over her rapid heart beat, “Damnit!  Come out of there!  You scared us!”

            Letting the rock she held into her hands drop into the water, Kalyptra brushed off her hands.

            “Anwe?” Kagome’s voice also spoke as both girls emerged from the high bushes.  “Is Anwe with you?”

            “Ah, Kagome!” Anwe waved happily, feeling safe to move away from her hiding spot, “What are both doing here?”

            “We didn’t want to wait for all twenty men to finish with their bath, and there was no way we were going to do anything…..drastic.” Arashi chuckled, “So we were directed to this area by a very…..erm…. interesting old man.”

            Yumiko could feel her jaw drop, “You too?”

            Arashi noticed her dazed expression, “What do you mean?”

            Slamming a fist into the water, Yumiko glared back at her, “That old perv set us up!”

            “Eh?” Everyone looked to Yumiko curiously, not quite getting what she was saying.

 

            Suddenly a soft ‘plip’ noise sounded from beside Kalyptra.  Glancing to her side she noticed the large ripples that strode across the water.   It seemed that something had dropped into the water form above.   But what?

 

            Just then, the bushes that grew along a cliff edge above their heads began to rustle.  An unnatural war cry erupted.  Though everyone by that time could recognize it a mile away, it was Rae.

            “GET BACK HERE MOU~YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAA!” her voice cried.

 

            From above?

 

            Everyone looked up just in time to see Rae tumble out of the foliage above and crash into the water below, causing a fairly large fountain of hot water to rain down on everyone.  Before anyone had time to even shield themselves, they were drenched in the mineral water of the spring.

            Sputtering and cursing,  Yumiko growled out loud, “RAE YOU IDIOT!  What makes you think you can fly?!?”

            Brushing her drenched blonde hair from her face, Anwe looked to Yumiko, “I don’t think she can hear you…”

            “Where is she?!” Yumiko snapped, looking around.

            “She better have not drowned!” Arashi growled as well as she jumped into the water, clothes and all on ready to drag Rae up by the hair if needed.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

            “Yuki-kun….. You owe me so bad.” Rae mumbled as she squeezed the rest of the water out of her hair.  With a slight sigh she glanced back to the young boy who had quickly taken refuge behind one of the large bushes.

            It seemed that the boy, cursed with the ability to transform into a mouse when hugged by the opposite sex, had retained his animal form for the last month.  He had been a member of the pirate crew when the ship had sunk; unfortunately he had been in his animal form at that time.  Luckily he had been able to cling for dear life to a floating barrel, along with the unconscious Rae.  It seemed that the two survived together.  Although by some twist of fate, her tassel had gotten hooked into his fur causing her to continually chase after him for the past day!

            She had chased him off of a small cliff for heaven’s sake!  Into a hot spring!   With girls in it! 

            Another very cruel twist of fate, his spontaneous transformation sequence decided to kick in and change him back to normal soon after hitting the water in his mouse form.

            While under water, it was then he realized he was back to his human form, naked.  He couldn’t chance resurfacing with so many women around, they hadn’t even seen his mouse form fall into the water!  

            But he hadn’t taken a deep enough breath in the first place, he was running out of air.

           

            Yuki glanced over his shoulder to the girl, “I was only lucky that you accidentally hugged me around the neck while in the water, Rae-san…” he mumbled.  When Rae had crashed into the water, her arms had drifted around his neck.  Under God’s horrible sense of humor, it must have been considered a ‘hug’, so Yuki became a small mouse once more.

            “Yes,” Rae rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, but cocked, “I did drag your mouse butt to here.  You didn’t get caught, and I even found a nice bush for you to hide behind!” she grinned.

            “Hmmm…” he sighed, feeling very embarrassed at the moment.

            Rae could hear the mortifying tone in his voice, she looked to the ground, twiddling her thumbs slowly, “Looks like I screwed something up again, ne?”

            THUNK

            “YEOUCH!” she sneered, rubbing her head.  Her fingers brushed against something that had landed on her head, it landed into her lap.  It was the tassel Gohan had given to her.

            “You really need to stop feeling sorry for yourself.” Yuki murmured a short word of advice.

            Rae didn’t answer, instead she slowly slipped the tassel back into her hair, content on having it back.  “Thank you Yuki-kun…” she whispered under her breath, though still feeling slightly miserable.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

            “Nothing is going to take my mind away form our predicament my Lord.” Alfeegi grumbled, eyeing Lykouleon warily.

            “I promise Alfeegi…..” Lykouleon began.

            “No Lykouleon….when we get back to Dusis….no IF WE GET TO DUSIS, I will make sure that you won’t even be able to go to the BATHROOM without someone there to watch you!” the teal haired dragon huffed.

            Lykouleon motioned for his cabinet member to calm, “Let’s not get to hasty my friend…”

            “Oh n o…..I’m totally calm…..” Alfeegi seethed, “I mean….what’s to worry about?  We are only a group of high class members of royalty loitering around with a group of savages…..now we are shipwrecked alongside them!” he slowly sunk into the water so that only his eyes and nose were above the surface.

            Suisei sighed heavily, “Look Alfeegi….sir.  If it counts for anything, we found our Lord.”

            Alfeegi remained silent.

            Lykouleon frowned slightly, “And for information Alfeegi, I informed the Captain that I was the Dragon Lord and he still caused no harm to me.  They treated me quite well.”

            “You were dressed in nothing but rags, Sir.” Ruwalk noted.

            “Oh yes…” Lykouleon chuckled, “I merely  did that to keep my identity hidden when you arrived.”

            “You actually did a fairly decent job this time.” Ruwalk smiled.

 

            “Gah!  Yuki!   What the hell!?” Kyou snarled, noticing the boy quickly slip into the water.  “Where the hell have you been?”

            “By the looks of it, streaking through the forest.” Yuusuke grinned.

            Yuki eyed Yuusuke warily and then glared to Kyou, “Quit yowling you stupid cat.”

            Gripping his fists tightly, Kyou bit his lip tightly, “You want to start something mouse!?”

            “Both of you!” Kurama called out sternly, “Is it absolutely necessary to start a fight in a hot spring?”

            “Indeed…” Hotohori remarked, “Can’t you both just set that aside and enjoy yourselves?”

            “NO!” both of them yelled.

 

            “EEEEEEEIIIIIIEEEE!” a loud shriek echoed.

 

            “Interesting….This whole forest is filled with female screams of horror.” Kakashi nodded to himself.

            All of the crewmates glanced to where the scream was coming from, not taking into consideration that it was of a female voice and that it was growing CLOSER!

            They quickly noticed a small figure skittering along the hot spring edge.

            “Get away Get away Get away!” the red haired girl screamed as she past around and around the water, not taking any notice of the naked men.

            “Mew!  Mew!” a soft squeak came from behind her as a small lavender cat followed the girl, close at her heels.

           

Everyone froze as they watched the girl trip over a fallen log, straight into the water.  The cat seemed to dive in after its master.  Bubbles rose to the surface, but there was no sign of either the girl or the cat resurfacing.

 

“Okay, who wants to go after her?” Jin asked quite naturally.

“Gah….great”, Naruto grumbled.  “When guys go into girls’ pools its considered perversion but when girls jump into our pools…..its not.”

“Maybe we should let her drown in her own stupidity.” Hiei suggested coldly.

“We can’t do that!” Kurama frowned, “The longer we wait, the more likely she will drown!”

“Then why don’t ya do something?” Tasuki blinked at Kurama.

“Ummmmm….” He paused, blushing faintly.

 

Suddenly the water in front of them exploded.  Panting and gasping for air was, instead of a red headed girl, was a black haired young man.  Little did the crew know was the similar braid and clothes that the boy wore to the girl they saw.

 

“Holy!” Tasuki choked.

“Hey h-how d-did ya get in ‘ere?!” Kouji stuttered.

After catching his breath, the boy glanced over to them hesitantly, rubbing the back of his head, “Well….you see.”

 

“AH!” Hotohori gasped, causing everyone’s attention to be drawn to their commander.

A young girl seemed to have her arms draped around him, her hair drenched over her face obstructing her face.  They only way the crew knew it was a girl was the fact that she had not a hint of clothing on her.

“Naruto, Jing, look away.” Gohan ordered, pulling both boys away and covering their eyes.

“You too Gohan…” Vash ordered, covering the teenage boy’s eyes.

“Ranma you promised!” she sniffled brushing away her dark purple hair.  She immediately noticed that the man she was all over was not this ‘Ranma’ person.

            “Nh Nuh…nuh….” Hotohori stumbled.

            “Geez, Hotohori you act like you have never been around girls before.” Tasuki snickered.

            “Not like this I have NEVER!” Hotohori glared to the fanged pirate.

            “You not Ranma.” She moped.

            “Oh god…” the black haired boy who had recently joined them squeaked.  “Sha-shampoo…I think its best you leave.”

            Hearing that familiar voice she quickly replaced her sulking face with a smile, “RANMA!” she cheered, throwing herself onto him.

            “Shampoo!  Enough!” Ranma ordered, trying to pry her away.

            “Ranma Ranma Ranma…” she chanted happily, snuggling close to him.

            “Geez ya two…get a room.” Yuusuke muttered.

            “There are children here too.” Vash nodded, though not at all minding the sight of a clothing-less girl.

            “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!” Ranma tried to explain.

            “Ranma and Shampoo are very much in love.” Shampoo cooed, turning towards the crew to explain.

            “Gah, no need to explain!  No need to face us!” Suisei muttered, covering his once virgin eyes.

 

            “Ranma!  Shampoo!” Genkai called out, perched on the spring’s edge.  “Can’t you give our guests some privacy?”

            “Can’t ANYONE give us some privacy!?” Naruto snorted.

            “Not a good time Naruto-kun…” Kakashi whispered, ducking the boy’s head into the water.

            “Genkai!  I swear I…” Ranma began, only to be pelted by a small rock by Genkai.

            “Stop with the chit chat and get out of there, both of you.” Genkai’s eyes lowered.

            “Yes Mam’m, come on Ranma!” Shampoo smiled tugging at his arm.  “Let’s tell Akane about our meeting of our guests!”

            “How bout not…” Ranma mumbled under his breath.

 

            As soon as the two village ‘hooligans’ had departed, Genkai addressed the pool (now red from the severe nosebleeds several of the crew were suffering from) of men.  “Did you enjoy your bath?”

            No one spoke a word, until Lykouleon piped up, “It was very interesting.” He smiled.

            Everyone groaned.

            “How can you find optimism in such things, my lord?” Alfeegi questioned.

            “Good, now everyone needs to get out so we can fit you for your garments.” Genkai ordered.

            “Garments?” Jing blinked.

            “Yes, for the continuation of our ceremony.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

            “Y-you must enjoy playing with hair, don’t you Kalyptra-chan?” Kagome giggled as Kalyptra hummed happily while brushing her ebony hair.

            “When you live part of your childhood in a castle where most of the population has hair over a foot long.  You pick up on a few things and a few fetishes.” Kalyptra explained as she carefully pulled back Kagome’s hair to the back of her head.

 

            After being thoroughly cleaned from head to toe, Shamaness Genkai had directed the girls to one of village’s large buildings.   They immediately observed that the living facilities inside the wooden ‘lodges’ had a very Middle Eastern feel to it.  Assortments of rugs and other fine silks were scattered about.

            It even made Anwe compare the similarities between such neat living conditions.  This was definitely something she wasn’t expecting.

            “I feel….weird.” Yumiko grumbled, itching at her ridiculously long robe sleeves.  She admired the red and gold trim, and she didn’t even mind the gold headpiece that was fitted into his auburn hair.  

            She only feared what her crew would think once she stepped outside…

            “But you looked so pretty!” Kalyptra smiled readjusting her intricate silver necklace that lay around her neck.

            “I’m really enjoying this outfit personally.” Anwe grinned as she twirled around, “Its so much lighter than the dresses back at home.  What’s even better is…no bloody corsets!”

            “You POOR thing.” Yumiko mumbled sarcastically at the blonde’s girl complaining.  Anwe had lived the life of luxury, she lived the life of a seaside hell.

            “Is everyone finished?” Genkai’s voice spoke form outside, “Quickly now, quickly!” she ordered.

            “Pushy isn’t she?” Yumiko cocked as she rose to her feet, “We are her superiors, right?!  We shouldn’t be ordered around!”

            “But we aren’t superiors…..we aren’t god or goddess or whatever.” Anwe noted, pulling Yumiko back to reality.  Anwe’s eyes lowered sadly, “We are just playing these people on false hope.”

            “Don’t tell me you are feeling sorry for them!   It their own fault they ASSUMED we were immortal beings!” Yumiko frowned, but merely sighed and said, “Look… El Capi’tan wants us to lay low and play along, at least until most of the crew regains their strength.”

            At that moment, a low growl erupted from everyone’s stomachs.

            “And their appetite…” Kagome murmured, clutching her abdomen.

            “We best be off everyone, come now!” Kalyptra clapped her hands, motioning for everyone to stand.

            Kagome sighed heavily, “I feel so odd around you three.” She paused looking around suspiciously, “Am I unworthy to be in your presence?”

            “Psh…” Kalyptra snorted, “Forget about that…”

            “Yeah.” Anwe nodded in agreement, grabbing her cousin’s wrist.  “You are still one of us!  A pirate!” she glanced to Yumiko with a hopeful look in her eyes. “Right?”

            With an exasperated sigh, Yumiko merely nodded, “Yeah Yeah….sure sure…”

            “See?” Erin grinned as she pushed open the tapestry that covered the doorway, releasing a cool night breeze.

            Cocking an eyebrow Rae stood from the bench that lay near the hut’s outside wall and walked over to her friends, “Well well, don’t you all look nice?” she smirked, knowing this was a first to see both Kalyptra and Yumiko in any sort of dress wear.  Seeing her commander in such an outfit was both pleasing and amusing for the cabin girl.

            “See Rae…I told you there was a plus in not having such a high title.” Arashi remarked as she joined Rae’s side, “Guess Kagome-san, you and I got lucky.”

            “You guys have to wear dresses!  Nyah nyah!” Rae beamed happily, sticking her tongue out at the three.

            With a low growl, Yumiko glared to her, “Stick your tongue back in your mouth before I rip it out!” she snarled, stomping forward before being held back by Kalyptra.

            “Finally!” Genkai’s voice interrupted once more as she slowly walked up to them, “Took all of you long enough…” she grumbled as she motioned them to follow.  “Come now…hurry up!  Things are about to start.”

            “What do you think will happen?” Yumiko whispered to Kalyptra as they followed the Shamaness.

            “I’m not really for sure…” Kalyptra replied, rubbing her head hesitantly.

           

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

            “Hey pretty boy, nice face paint!” snickered Yuusuke as he pointed out the green markings that covered Duo’s face.

            Glancing to Yuusuke Duo merely smirked, “Nice kilt hot-head…feeling a little drafty down there?”

            “Oh shut up you lousy son of a-“ Yuusuke snarled, jumping to his feet.

            “Sit down Yuusuke!” Sanosuke ordered, shoving the boy back to his knees.  “This isn’t the time, or place…”

            Yuusuke peered to the large crowd of villagers.  Several had gathered around a huge bonfire that had been created in the middle of the village.  All sat on the dirt floor, discussing and laughing and seemingly enjoying their time.

            But what had they gathered for?

            Why were they wearing such strange garments?

            “When are we getting food?!” Tasuki mumbled to Kouji who merely shrugged.

            “Calm down now…” Hotohori whispered.  It was then his ears picked up on soft giggling.  Glancing to his right he noticed a group of girls quickly look away, laughing and blushing feverishly.  Hotohori couldn’t help but get an ego boost in his beauty and overall good looks.

            “My god….did they have to paint my whole back and arm?!” Duo complained, pulling back the long sleeve of his robe to reveal even more intricate gren markings snaking up his skin.

            “Wow….” Jing blinked, poking at his arm curiously, “Are they permanent?”

            Pausing for a moment Duo blinked slowly, responding even slower, “I…..Don’t…..Know….” a look of disgust spread across his face.

            “Hey look!  Now he really is turning green!” Naruto snorted.

            Sesshoumaru glanced over to the paling boy, “Calm yourself…its colored dye.” The captain looked to his own markings that covered his arms.

            “Dye?” Duo huffed, trying to calm his racing heart, “Good…I thought that…”

 

            Suddenly, the talking amongst the villagers ceased, everything became quiet.

 

            Slowly waking out from the shadows and into the firelight, Genkai lead three girls out for the rest to see.

            Low whispers began to commence once more.

            “Is the boss wearing a dress?” Jin whispered to Hiei.

            “Does it look like I care?” Hiei snapped back.

            “This is something new…” Kurama remarked.

            “Then again….YOUR outfit isn’t totally ‘normal’ anymore.” Vash pointed out.

 

            “You know guys…we are standing right here.” Yumiko interrupted, glaring down at the seated crew.

            “AH!  SHE HAS FACE PAINT TOO!”  Yuusuke screeched in mock-horror.

            “Oh….you are sooooo dead.” Yumiko twitched, rolling up her sleeves.

 

            “Please be seated everyone!” Genkai ordered to everyone as she took her place in front of everyone.

 

            “Hey…” Naruto whispered, tugging on Anwe’s sleeve.  “Where are the others?”

            “Hm?” she blinked.

            “Where’s Kagome?” Inuyasha added, trying his absolute hardest not to look like he cared.

            Anwe glanced about, “I’m….not really for sure.”

            “Did you miss us?” asked Kagome as she snuck up behind Inuyasha, placing a hand on his shoulder.

            Pulling a twig from her hair, Arashi finally seated herself.  Exhausted and panting.

            Rae soon followed brushing the leaves from her own hair, “Sorry…we didn’t want to spoil your entrance so we took a different route through the back.” She explained with a sheepish smile.

            “She hates to admit she has a horrible sense of direction…” Arashi muttered under her breath.

            “AHEM” Genkai cleared her throat, ceasing their short conversation quickly.

            “Rae sit!” Yumiko ordered.

           

 

            “As I was saying…” Genkai continued, “My people…we have found our saviors.  The immortals!  Our Gods and Goddess whom shall protect our land from destruction have arrived, the prophecy has come!” Genkai then turned to a taller figure that stood silently next to her.

            Brushing back its hood, the young and fairly handsome face of a young man turned to the villagers. “Let us celebrate!  Feast for all and Nighka for everyone!”  he smiled, summoning for several men and woman with baskets and trays of food to come forth.

            “MEAT!  I smell meat!” Tasuki cheered.

            Looking away in disgust from the red head drooling, Hotohori watched as the young hooded man walk up to the crew, a purely fake smile plastered on his face.

            With a low, courteous bow, he addressed himself, “My Lords….my Ladies.  I am Vord, Chief of this village.  It is an honor to meet those that our have created our legends and our home.”

            “Nice to me you!” Anwe waved cheerfully.

            “A pleasure.” Kalyptra nodded her head as she seated a better spot next to Ruwalk.

            “Yo.” Yumiko nodded as she snatched a piece of bread from one of the passing baskets.

           

            “I’ve died and gone to heaven!” Vash sniffed as he laid out his dinner before him, most of it containing breads and meats.

            “Sheesh, don’t make yer’ self sick.” Kouji warned as the blonde began to stuff his face.

 

            “You look quite nice Kalyptra.” Lykouleon commented as he nibbled on his own piece of what seemed to be deer.

            Blushing slightly, she brushed one of the feathers that had been braided into her hair, away from her face, “Thank you Sire.”

            “When was the last time we saw her in a dress?” Lykouleon looked to Alfeegi and Ruwalk curiously.

            Ruwalk pondered for a moment before replying with a slight chuckle, “I believe that only Her Highness would now that…”

            “Indeed.” Alfeegi agreed.

 

            “Yo!  Chiefy!  Before you leave!” Yuusuke called out to Vord, “What is that ‘Nighka’ stuff you were talking about?”

            “It’s a drink we only hold during celebration.” Vord explained, “Made form this island’s fruits and a special liquid that…only the sea provides.”

            “Only the sea provides?” Hotohori questioned as he looked into his wooden cup at the red liquid.

            “AH HA!” Tasuki cheered as he slammed down his cup, a streaking blush appearing across his cheeks, “There be rum in this drink!  I can tell!”

            “An alcoholic drink?  On and island?!” Hotohori looked to Tasuki in bewilderment.

            “Ah!   Gohan!  No fair!” Naruto whined as Gohan snatched away his drink.

            “You are too young sport….let’s wait a few years.” Gohan nodded as he poured the liquid onto the ground.

            “Yes!  Some goodness from home!” Yumiko grinned as she drank, feeling very refreshed.

            “I have a feeling…things are going to get a little out of hand.” Kurama smiled sheepishly as a sweatdrop rolled slowly down the back of his head.