Kagome's Twist
Chapter 1
~The Beginning of Endings~
Hey guys! So I literally had this idea while having dinner the other night and, well, tell me if you think it has potential or not!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha
~~Kagome~~
I stare in horror, frozen to the spot, as one of the reptilian full-demon's poisonous spikes on its elongated tentacle aims straight for Inuyasha's back. He won't see it coming, at all. My breath catches in my throat, knowing all too well that not even a 'sit' can avoid the blood-shed about to happen.
"Inuyasha!" I scream at the top of my lungs from my hiding spot behind the rocks. I feel the center of my entire being throb with pain as the spike pierces Inuyasha's back, the purple tip poking out of his abdomen. His golden eyes widen from the shock of the attack and the shock of feeling such an immense amount of pain from that acute spot. Blood pools under his robe of the fire rat, darkening the already red cloth.
I close my eyes, unable to look at him being so injured.
If only Miroku or Sango were here…
Unfortunately, a village about three-day's travel away from Kaede's village cried for someone to vanquish a mole-demon eating their crops; Sango couldn't say no and Miroku wouldn't allow Sango to go anywhere out of his sight. So they left…
But that was two days ago. They're not even at the desolate village yet, and already their help would've been greatly appreciated.
I gather my courage and stand with bow and arrow in hand. I cry, "I will not forgive you!" The demon notices me for the first time and looks at me with greedy eyes. I suppress the chill running down my spine and, with a twitch of my fingers, my arrow flies and the fluttering remains of the reptile demon scatter over the rocky ground. I quickly sling my bag over my shoulder, bow still tight in my grasp, and run over to where Inuyasha lies. As I get closer, however, I stop and stare at him.
He's unconscious, still breathing, but the wound is still pumping out blood, the little purple spike not yet removed. Each breath he takes is labored and raspy; his hand twitches now and then. His face, since he's unconscious, reveals just how much pain he's in by the grimace scarring his usually clam features.
I feel the coarse straps of my yellow bag slide off my drooping shoulders; it 'thumps' onto the ground. Not taking my eyes off him, I walk towards his body slowly, as if I fear that at any moment his chest will fail to rise. Again I stop, kneeling next to him to further inspect the wound. I lean over his body, the metallic scent of blood filling my senses and making me slightly light-headed. I shake the feeling away and concentrate on the half-demon before me. Gingerly, I finger the edges of the hoari and carefully ease them back. I have to peel the cloth off the wound itself and the moist sound almost makes me gag.
Almost.
I look at the purple spike barely poking out his center and part of me nearly cries at what I'll have to do.
These spikes… they're just like a porcupine's. I can't get it out the way they came – not with those hooks!
My slim fingers, trembling, take hold of the one-inch handle I'm given, my fingertips pressing into his bloody flesh. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
I'll have to pull it all the way through-
I jerk it up, straight out of him. Inuyasha howls in pain, but quickly falls silent in the realm of unconsciousness. I scan his face, fearing the pain might have been too much for him, but I find his with an almost serene expression on his face. I smile.
It's kind of like he's sleeping…
I glance around to check and make sure no other demons are around. Sensing none, I ease Inuyasha into a sitting position, his head resting against my shoulder as I try to have him lean his weight onto me.
My stuff!
My eyes widen at the thought that had popped into my little head. I crane my neck to look behind me, that yellow backpack full of helpful supplies just out of my reach. While supporting the upper-half of his body, I inch my right leg out and kick the bag under the nearby bushes. There's no way I'm leaving without my bow and arrows.
Okay… Here we go…
With one last deep breath, I shuffle my feet under me and stand until the both of us are up and off the ground. The extra weight strains my muscles to the max, but I push forward. I gaze ahead of me, at the setting sun that paints the evening sky orange, and back at the long journey ahead of me. I sigh, setting my foot in front of me to initiate the first step.
Even Shippou's presence would be appreciated right about now, if he transformed…
He could easily carry Inuyasha for most of the way. But I guess I'm on my own until then…
FAST FORWARD
Luke-warm water splashes out of the now-pink bowl and makes the dusty entrance of Kaede's hut a bit muddy. I wring out the cloth, twisting out all the old blood and lay it on top of Inuyasha's stomach. A sharp hiss escapes his lips, but he un-tenses and falls back to sleep. I glance at the kistune curled up in the far corner.
Shippou, I think with a smile. I'm glad you're a deep-sleeper and we didn't wake you when we came in…
Not once during our little trek did Inuyasha wake up. Luckily, no one approached us in the woods. Dark had fallen upon the Feudal Era by the time we reached Kaede's hut, but she wasted no time to help treat the fallen half-demon.
Neither did I.
Though I'm sure it is well into the morning, I have not stopped to sleep or even to sit back and rest. I stare at Inuyasha by firelight as I clean the cloth from his sweat-drenched forehead, the flames playing upon his features, making them glow; his silver hair now bronze, the tip of his nose seems to be more pointed, his eyelids appear to be merely orange flower petals. Those lips of his don't seem to be as firmly pressed as usual. His chest is on fire with every twist and turn of the flames. His arms, the ones that always hold and protect me from danger, pulse with his demonic blood. His hands, calloused and scarred from past battles, soften under the fiery glow. Each wave of light and warmth from the fire makes Inuyasha more… Handsome.
I look away and blush in the dark.
Finally, I let out a deep sigh.
If only I could've brought my bag with me, then Inuyasha could be treated with modern medicine. I think I'd feel a heck of a lot better if I wasn't just cleansing his wounds and actually doing something!
I shake my head. The far-off sound of horses neighing and men cursing rouse me from my uneasiness and I walk outside to find three men in armor riding horses. One man with them walked on foot, going door to door to read something off a large scroll. I watch the reactions of the people they talk to: sadness, anger, hopelessness, fear.
Curious, I leave the hut and walk cautiously towards the group, stopping only when I was just within earshot. Once again, the scrawny man opened the scroll and read aloud:
"Lord Kabashi is at war with the western lord and we are recruiting all eligible men over the age of ten-"
Ten? I think to myself. That's Sota's age – he's just a boy!
The man with the long-haired ponytail tied at the nape of his neck continues:
"and transported to the Kabashi training camp to prepare for war. Be proud men, for you are about to defend the Kabashi name from shame. If there are any oppositions, we will simply take all the woman of the household to nurse future wounds and collect the cattle and other livestock for nourishment."
Without draing attention to myself, I creep back to Kaede's hut to discover that she is already up. Her eyes are tired as she tosses a mixture of freshly cut vegetables into a small pot of water over the fire.
Guess I'm not the only one who didn't sleep a wink last night
"Kaede," I say as I walk towards her. She watches me come by and sit next to her. "A war is starting: Lord Kabashi or another fighting another lorf from the west. Men are outside recruiting the village men and children over the age of ten for battle! If there's any trouble, they'll steal the women and farm animals! Is this normal?"
Her elderly eyes twinkle with knowledge, but show that the knowledge is not held in the best of light.
"Aye, child." Priestess Kaede utters as she stirs the stew. "That is quite normal for this time. But I'm glad to hear your time doth not have that same treatment. I am afraid, however Kagome, that those men will come to collect Inuyasha as well-"
"What!" I jump up. Panic fills my mind, but I suppress it to the best of my ability. "Bu-bu-but he's injured!"
"That matters not, child. He will heal, and he being a half-demon is better than ten men combined. He is a valuable asset to Lord Kabashi, but will only be treated like a slave in between battles."
"No!" I shout. I clench my hands at my sides.
There has to be a way to save them… I didn't drag his sorry rump all the way here just to get carried off by someone else!
I squeeze my eyes shut and feel my entire body shake with fury.
"Aye, Mistress Kagome, there is a way." A small voice speaks out near me. I open my eyes and look at Kaede, but she had gone back to cooking the stew. "Down here, Mistress Kagome."
I lower my gaze and, sure enough, there's the flea-youki Myoga. I crouch down to his level, now being able to see him in such detail. His straw hat is pulled back, all four arms are tucked into different sleeves of his green shirt as he sits cross-legged on the wodden floor.
"Yes, Myoga? What is it?" I ask hurriedly, hearing the horses' hoof-steps nearing the hut.
"Well," he starts, not yet meeting my gaze. "You may not like it…"
I grab him by the back of the shirt and hold him up to eye level.
"Myoga?" I start off sweetly: the tiny flea shivers. "WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ME TO BE PICKY! NOW WHAT IS IT?"
"Mistress Kagome, you'll have to take Inuyasha's place on the battlefield."
A/n: Hey, hey once again!
How is it? I originally planned on typing this chapter to be longer, but I can't stay up any longer.
*smacks forehead* why'd I have to get sick! I always get tired earlier whenever I get sick!
Till next Time!
