Hey readers I am Lynn of RoseLynnTama and I am also known as ElementalHanyou on my own personal account. This is my competetive fanfic for the competetion between Rose and I. I hope you like it:) Please read and review. If you have any questions and want me to answer them please put LYNN in the reveiw. Thank you
Disclaimer: I own dittily squat. Nada
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Prologue: Caged
Inuyasha Tetsagia sat in a large cage set back on the far wall of a dark cellar glaring at the iron bars. His arms and legs were crossed as he attempted to look indifferent and unfazed in his current situation.
He had been holed up in this joint for several months, yet he had remained unbroken by the tormentor who had imprisoned him. Hopefully he could keep it up until he found a way to get out of here and back to his home, his family, his friends and his girlfriend who he missed more than anything.
Kagome Higurashi.
She had been his best friend since the second grade and had always been the first one to comfort him when something terrible happened. She was the only one who could cool his temper when he was ready to fly into a rage and make him smile when he was really down in the dumps. So it was only natural that she became his girlfriend when they both started highschool. That had been three years ago, not including this one (seeing as he had been captured by a psycho for the last year).
He thought about her every day since he had been caged. Sometimes he could imagine her smiling face lighting up the dark room, hear her soft voice whispering encouragement or feel her small gentle hand incased in his own.
In his eyes, Kagome had no true flaws to speak of, although she was sometimes hard to predict. One moment she could be too nice and the next she could be as fiery as a hell cat, but that was beside the point. It just showed that she was truly human and real.
He knew it sounded corny and mushy and some might argue that it was just puppy love or an infatuation, but he somehow knew it was different. The more time Inuyasha spend trapped, the more he determined he became to return to her and his old normal life.
The young man clenched his fists thinking for the thousand umpteenth time how he had been imprisoned by his captor. Despite it having been so long ago he could still remember every little detail.
##########FLASH BACK##########
The forest had never been more intimidating than it did that night. The older and more decrepit trees cast strange shadows on the ground. The wind blew through the trees, creating eerie sounds that sent shivers up Inuyasha's spine. Hands inside the pockets of his jeans shook slightly, his right hand gripped a somewhat worn photograph, that he kept on his person at all times, as he tried to seek comfort. His chin dug a little deeper into his Shikon High Kendo club jacket as his almost light violet eyes shifted from side to side, nervously.
This had been a really bad idea. He should have never taken Naraku up on his dare. Now he had to travel through some creepy old forest and find some stupid "Witch's" hut. Yeah right, like such a thing existed. Those were only stories that kids told on the playground. Magical old hags weren't real and neither was the shack that was rumored being in the middle of the frigging Shikon Forest.
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(AN: This is a little background information since having a flashback within a flash back is a little confusing)
Naraku Koto had once been one of Inuyasha's closest friends, besides Kagome, but that had changed half way through the year when they attended the town's high school in grade nine. Their friendship almost faded for the first two years, but for the last few months he noticed that Naraku kept watching him and Kagome wherever they went in the school. It was strange, but it wasn't like Naraku was really doing anything and he didn't want to accuse his old friend of anything after not talking to him for so long.
Surprisingly a month ago, Naraku came up to Inuyasha and asked to hang out with him and his gang. Kagome and Miroku had readily accepted Naraku into the group, but Sango (Inuyasha's cousin on his mother's side) had a bad feeling about Naraku which she kept to herself. Something wasn't right about that boy.
Within the course of a couple weeks things started to feel like they did when they were in grade school and like in the old days Naraku and Inuyasha began challenging each other with dares. At first it seemed friendly, but they began to get far more competitive. The dare that Naraku decided to give Inuyasha went above and beyond what the two would normally do.
"There's suppose to be an old hut in the Shikon Forest that is said to be inhabited by a witch. It is said that she lures victims into her home and uses them to perform dark rituals and curses. Scary huh?" Naraku smirked as he sat at the cafeteria table with Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku. Kagome was gone that day to due to the fact that her first period class had gone on a field trip.
"It's so terrifying that I'm going to wet my pants" Sango replied in monotone with her eyebrow raised. She usually only reserved this attitude for the reddish brown eyed teen that sat as far away from her as possible.
Miroku snorted milk out of his nose at the way his girlfriend responded and joined Inuyasha in a laughing fit. The dragon-tailed youth quickly stopped laughing when he noticed that he had gotten milk all over Sango's new shirt. Uh oh. All the other kids in the cafeteria looked up as a livid Sango dragged a yelping Miroku outside.
"Naraku that was stuff the teachers told us on Halloween and when we acted up. It's just some stupid ghost story. Come on man, how can you be so blind to the fact someone's messing with ya?" Inuyasha scoffed.
Naraku folded his arms and scowled at the other boy.
"Then prove it" he spat a little more forcefully than he should have.
"Huh? Prove what?" blinked the Kendo captain.
"If you say that she doesn't really exist than why don't you prove that?"
"Keh. Is that a dare, Naraku?" smirked Inuyasha arrogantly.
"Indeed it is, Inuyasha. Tonight I dare you to go in Shikon Forest and find the witch's hut, but you can only go alone"
Inuyasha wasn't to sure about this one. He knew for a fact that Kagome would be very upset and would try everything in her power to stop him from going in the woods at night and all alone. On the other hand he had never turned down a challenge and he had his male pride to consider.
Well what Kagome didn't know wouldn't hurt her and he could always make it up to her if she did find out.
"You're on"
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(Anyway back to the original flashback)
How long had he been out wondering around? His feet ached and longed to be out of the confinement of his red sneakers. A sudden cool breeze swept up Inuyasha's shoulder length black hair, which he irritably tossed aside only to have another breeze sweep it back again.
"Stupid nature" he grumbled. Right now all he wanted was a hot shower and a steaming bowl of Ramen. Mummmm, instant noodles.
*RumbleRumble*
Inuyasha patted his empty stomach wishing he hadn't missed dinner so he could pretend that he was sick and sneak out. Tonight it had been Pork Dumplings and miso soup, not his favorite, but defiantly a mouth watering meal, especially now. Maybe he could just go back home. Indeed the thought crossed his mind several times, but each time he turned back he could practically see the smug, knowing grin of Naraku when he admitted that he had not even made it to the middle. No, turning back was not in his character.
A pinprick of light caught his eye as he stopped in mid turn. Violet eyes widened in disbelief. Could that be what he thought it was? Curiously he made his way over to a clearing that contained a small hut. A well and garden indicated that there was someone who was currently occupying the area. It sure didn't seem like a nasty old kidnaping witch lived here so maybe it was just some really antisocial hermit who liked his/her privacy.
The aroma of cooking food drifted from the hut, teasing Inuyasha's nose. His stomach gave a loud groan, begging for nutriment.
'Sounds like you haven't eaten in quite some time" stated a female voice. Whipping around Inuyasha came face to face with a young woman, whom he had not heard approach. Startled, Inuyasha fell back on his rear with a surprised yelp.
She giggled at the boy's antics and yet there was no amusement in her stone grey eyes and guarded visage. Inuyasha looked and for a moment thought that it was Kagome dressed in a traditional kimono of red and white with a woven basket tucked under her arm. That assumption was immediately squashed down when he looked again. Kagome's black hair reached just past her shoulders, while this woman's was tied in a low ponytail that draped to her knees. Kagome also had a more open and expressive face with a kind smile and warm chocolate brown eyes, the complete opposite of this girl's.
"If you are hungry there is some food already prepared in the hut. I will gladly share my meal with a handsome young man like yourself" she declared, shifting her wicket basket onto her other arm.
"I well, uhhh, I ummmm... not very hungry... thanks" Inuyasha stuttered, a little flustered at being addressed like that. Along with his 'smoothly delivered' lie, Inuyasha's stomach started to grumble again.
"Oh really?" the woman raised her eyebrow, a small frown appeared on her lips but it instantly vanished, "Then I will just have to toss out the ramen I made. Seeing as how I made way too much"
Inuyasha's face lit up at the mention of his favorite dish and his mouth suddenly lost it's dry quality. It didn't even register in his brain about how odd it was that this hermit lady could make ramen when he just happened to be around in the middle of the night. When it came to down to his precious instant noodles Inuyasha wasn't the least bit concerned on any matters at hand.
"Did I say that I wasn't hungry? I'm never full"
"Then please follow me"
The young woman led the way across her garden of various plants while beckoning Inuyasha to follow her. Stepping carefully, Inuyasha looked at the strange plant life and wondered vaguely what some of them were. If his mother were here, she would tell him seeing as how she was a garden fanatic. Lifting his head back up he caught his host glancing back at him with the corner of her eye. The way she was gazing at him sent a shiver down his spine, but before he could say or do anything the smell of beef ramen cut off his train of thought momentarily.
The entrance of the wooden structure creaked open allowing entry to it's keeper and her guest. Inuyasha looked around at all the weird objects and paintings that adorned the walls of the hut. Books and scrolls completely covered one area while bottles and boxes graced others. Inuyasha felt a little more nervous as he remembered all the stories he had been told as a child about the supposed witch of Shikon Forest. If there was ever a house that screamed 'A witch lives here!' it would be this one.
"Would you please sit down while I get the ramen?" the lady asked as she placed her basket on an available table top. Inuyasha just stood there at the doorway as if he was a deer caught in headlights.
"I ahhhhh... really to go home. I'm suppose to met my girlfriend for dinner actually" the teen said, inching backward.
"At this time of night?"
"Yeah, I had practice earlier, so..." Inuyasha trailed off.
"Oh, I'm sure she can wait. After all it isn't safe out in the forest alone during dark. Stay the night with me and you can head back in the morning," she said with a slight hint of irritation laced in her voice.
"Look lady, my girlfriend's waiting for me. I have to go" insisted Inuyasha as he turned to walk out the door.
"I don't think so" snarled the woman, waving her hand.
The door slammed shut even though no one was there and the warm lights he had seen shining through the windows turned to a sickly green. The wooden structure became stone and the windows disappeared. Strange black lines snaked across the floor and crept up the walls forming gothic symbols. The woman stood in the middle of the room with a twisted smile evident on her features as she held up her hands, a violet light emitting from her palms.
"Once entering my home you have fallen under my power, Inuyasha Tetsagia. Now you will never leave the house of Kikyou!"
With a sharp flick of her left wrist, irons bars dislodged from the rafters that hung above and surrounded her prey. Before Inuyasha could move a muscle the bars morphed into a human sized cage, effectively containing him. The woman, Kikyou, laughed cruelly when the human boy struggled to pry the metal bars off.
"What the hell!" he shouted, kicking at his confinement, face red in anger.
"Don't even try to escape that cage Inuyasha, you'll only end up disappointed" she mock pouted. Kikyou circled the cage, seizing the young man up, "I am suppose to be under strict order to rid the world of you. However... I think I can find other uses for you. Oh don't worry, it's not what you think, young one, I have no interest for such activities. I simply wish to have a new subject for my spells"
"Ok. Something is seriously wrong with you, bitch. I ain't just gonna let you believe I'll go along with whatever you say"
"Oh, but you will" she purred. Moving away from the cage, Kikyou walked over to one of the shelves and hummed as she peered at the neat labels.
"Ahhhh," she breathed, "Here it is, a Forgetfulness powder. Do you know what this little concoction can do? With the proper incantation it will clear your mind of any thoughts at the present time"
Withdrawing a pinch of white powder, Kikyou softly blew the stuff in Inuyasha's direction. The young witch murmured lowly under her breathe and smiled as Inuyasha's angry face slackened and his eyes unfocused.
Inuyasha's mind seemed to turn foggy and his limbs felt heavy, uncoordinated. What was he doing in a cage? Where was he? The more he tried to think the more things slipped from his memories. Dilated eyes could see the woman in front of him and for a moment her face was replaced with another girl's, one that he could see in mental flashes that blurred through his brain. He focused on the woman's face, not seeing her, but the one looked like her in his mind. Inuyasha knew her name, he knew he did. It was a name he could never true forget.
'Kagome'
As if some giant fan had been switched on, the haze Inuyasha had found himself in, cleared. Thoughts and memories submerged from the fog and with it came a small sense of accomplishment.
Kikyou's triumphant smirk faded as Inuyasha's violet eyes narrowed and sparked to life. She stood dumbfounded as she acknowledged the fact that her spell had somehow been countered.
"You don't look so smug now, do you bitch? Ya know, for a minute there, I was nervous? Ha some powerful witch you turned out to be. You're probably just some loner that actually thinks she can do this shit" the teenage boy taunted.
Kikyou scowled furiously and hissed like a snake.
"You'll pay for insulting me like that! I promise that I will break you and enjoy myself as I torture you slowly"
#############END OF FLASHBACK#################
And pay he did, although Kikyou had not fulfilled all of her promise. She had not broken him and she never will.
He would escape. He just needed to wait for the right moment.
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R&R
