Author's Notes: First off, thank you for reading and those of you who have taken the time to review. I truly appreciate it.
I hope not to jinx myself, but I am back in the flow of writing. I've been having a little fun - hopefully you can catch that in these past few chapters. Also, I'm going to try something new and share my song inspirations for certain scenes. I hope it can give insight and share the musical emotion I'm trying to portray as I write.
Happy reading!
Song inspiration: "The Night King" by Ramin Djawadi from GoT for the first half. (I really enjoyed that song so much! It's so morose and full of despair; it gives you this sense of hopelessness. I love music that makes me feel things so deeply!)
Chapter Nine: The Jewel of One Soul
Rated - M (for suggestive adult themes, references to some violence, and coarse language)
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Utterly confused and wary, Kagome pulled her bow from over her shoulder, not taking her eyes off the man. "What is he talking about Inuyasha?" The only response she received was the steps forward that Inuyasha took towards the man. "Wait? What are you doing?!"
Inuyasha's head had fallen in defeat and he walked slowly towards the man who called himself 'Boss'.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome called. She watched as he reached the man and fell in behind him, crouching down; his eyes aware but his face completely blank. Kagome felt dumbfounded. "What's going on?"
The old man chuckled and rubbed his chin, "Another priestess, eh? So like the last one."
'Last one?' Kagome wondered. "Who are you?" She still held the bow in her left hand but refrained from drawing an arrow from the quiver at her back. The last thing she wanted was to spook this stranger. Who knew what he was capable of. She felt pretty confident in her abilities but this was not the time. At least not yet.
"Why, I am Inu's master. He is my dog," Boss told her. He reached down and began to pat Inuyasha upon the head like a dog. With a wicked leer on his face, he leaned a little further to finger at the nenju that overlaid Inuyasha's suikan. "Even still has his collar," he declared with a little too much alacrity for Kagome's taste. She'd often wondered the origin behind the necklace but had never received a response from Inuyasha outside of a sad, faraway look.
"Collar?" Kagome tested the word softly. She then pulled an arrow out and nocked it, aiming it at the man's chest. She'd changed her mind about spooking him. "Whatever it is you came here for," and she had an inkling as to what that was, "you will be leaving empty-handed. Now leave before I lose this arrow into your heart." She could feel a soft breeze billow out strands of her hair around her face, but the tickle of those strays did not deter her. The thought of Inuyasha being commanded as an animal did.
The man chuckled and patted Inuyasha's head again. "Ye know full well what I've come for the girl. I won't be leaving without it this time." Removing his hand from Inuyasha's head, he crossed his one arm and held out an expectant hand. "Best do yerself a favor and hand it over now. I would hate to have Inu hurt his new "friend"," he emphasized the word, implying something else.
Kagome did not lower her weapon. "Inuyasha wouldn't hurt me. I know him."
"Do ye now?" the man laughed in a barking manner, spittle flying and grabbing at his sides. He laughed as though Kagome had told the greatest joke and took a moment to settle."No, I don't think you do," he told her. "Inu, fetch."
Inuyasha stood to his full height and began to walk slowly towards her. Kagome could not believe what was happening. Was he really doing this? What was happening? The thoughts whirled through her mind. Who was this man ordering Inuyasha around like a dog?
Inuyasha stood in front of her and reached his hand to Kagome's chest, where she wore the Shikon no Tama. Kagome's arms had dropped to her sides, unable to point her weapon at him, and she stared up at him in confusion. His own eyes were cold; his face blank. Kagome let out a shaky breath and steeled herself, willing her eyes not to falter. She felt anger seethe into her at this betrayal but it was washed away by a wave of calm. Calm in her knowledge that this wasn't Inuyasha, this was something else, but she still had nothing to fear from him.
His fingers stopped just inches from their prize and his hand began to tremble. Kagome's eyes flitted down to catch the movement and back up to find Inuyasha's eyes now closed in his hesitation. The old man, Boss, must have noticed, too, calling out in a growl, "Inu! Now!"
The golden eyes snapped back open but no longer looked cold. They seemed full of sorrow, yet, the resolve wavered and Inuyasha pulled the Shikon no Tama from Kagome's neck. He turned around and walked back to his master, pausing only to drop the jewel into the man's waiting hand. "Good," Boss chuckled. He brought the jewel up to his eyes, holding it between his finger and thumb. "Hmm-hmm-hmm" he continued chuckling. Without taking his eyes off the jewel he absently patted Inu's head. "Kill the girl, Inu."
Kagome's head snapped over to Boss and she instantly raised her bow, pulling an arrow taunt. "What, no! You've got what you came for!"
Boss smirked at her and her drawn bow, not seeming to worry that she could lose the arrow and end his life in a second. Yet, she hesitated, afraid that with his sudden change in behavior Inuyasha may shield the man, or more likely stop the arrow from hitting its target. "Yes, but I want ye dead as well. Seems fitting," Boss smugly replied. "Inu!" he barked.
Inuyasha hesitated again, not moving from his place by Boss's side. Boss looked over at Inu, a sneer warping his face. "Do not make me utter the command…" he warned impatiently. Inu gave a visible shudder before rising up and flexed his claws. He began to take those steps forward again. Kagome turned her aim to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha," she pleaded. "Don't do this." Her hands shook on the bow. "You don't have to listen to him. You're not an animal!"
He stalked towards her slowly, his face unreadable.
"Inuyasha!" she cried.
"Do it slowly, Inu. I am in the mood to watch her bleed," Boss called from behind. The Shikon no Tama was now hidden beneath the baboon cloak and he watched on with mirth.
Like a predator, Inuyasha circled Kagome in a slow manner. This was madness, she thought. Ultimately, she decided to lower her bow. If Inuyasha was to kill her, an arrow wouldn't stop him. Not now that he was this close. She let the bow and arrow drop to her side and land harmlessly on the ground. Again, she steeled herself. "Fight it Inuyasha. That is your name. Inuyasha. Inu-Yasha. Not Inu. You're not a dog. You're not an animal. You make your own choice."
More dark laughter erupted from the baboon-skinned old man. "No, he does not. He must do as I say. He is collared. He is a dog - my dog! And when I say KILL I mean KILL!"
Inuyasha stopped circling and raised his hands, the claws menacingly sharp. Kagome continued to entreat him, "No! You know you're not a dog. You're more than that!"
"You're right. He's worse. He's a half-blood. Beneath even the weakest of yokai and the most pathetic of humans. Cast out by both, wanted by none. Except me," Boss said. "Inu, do it now. Quick."
"I thought you wanted it slow old man!" Kagome yelled towards him. She looked back into Inuyasha's face, "He's taking advantage of you. He can't hurt you or he would have."
Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at Boss slightly. Boss caught the motion and knew his grip on Inuyasha was slipping. "Inu," he warned. "Don't make me say the word," he threatened.
Those golden eyes flashed and Kagome could see a lifetime of fear, humiliation, and subjugation written within them. She knew from Kaede that demons were long-lived, even demons whose blood had been thinned by a human's. She also knew that despite Inuyasha's youthful appearance, he had experienced several lifetimes and they had been full of nothing but pain and despair. Yet, she had seen him experience joy in her short time here in the past. She'd seen him laugh and tease. There was more to him then he had been trained to see.
"Inuyasha," she said quietly. His hands were still raised, poised to strike and he still hesitated. Before she had a chance to change her mind, she threw herself against him and wrapped her arms around him. She felt his sharp intake of breath and his body go rigid.
"Kill her now!" Boss screamed from behind them.
Kagome buried her face into Inuyasha's chest and mumbled, "you can do what you want to do..." She tensed when she felt his hands lower to her back as he returned the embrace. A breath she hadn't known she was holding escaped in an exasperated gasp.
"No," she heard from his chest. It was soft but firm.
"No?!" Boss repeated incredulously. He glowered at the pair and pulled his hood back over his head. "I will say it," he threatened again from the darkness of his hood.
She looked up to find Inuyasha's gaze settled upon her, a look in his eyes she couldn't quite put her finger on. She stepped out of his grasp and snatched her weapon back up. "You sound like a child! 'I'll say the word', 'I'll say it'" she mocked. "You can't do anything. You're not even who you say you are! Inuyasha's old master is dead. He was human. There's no way he'd be alive right now."
Inuyasha's ears piqued when he heard that declaration. He'd not pieced that together, only assuming that this man in the form of his master was exactly who he had said. Years of subjugation leading him not to question command.
"Kekekeke," the baboon-cloaked man chortled. "I still got what I was after. Even if I didn't get to have any fun."
Kagome loosed the arrow only to watch as it was plucked harmlessly from the air. The baboon-cloaked man casually chucked the arrow to the side. Kagome gasped, "Inuyasha, that's no man!"
"Keh, I know," he said, his eyes glowering with hatred.
"What? You know?" she yelled, then admonished herself. "Now-now's not the time," she said out loud, "We have to get the jewel back."
"Yeah, I know," he replied from her side before dashing towards the imposter. With his claws raised he lashed out at the demon in a swiping motion. The motions were easily dodged and Inuyasha continued to strike and miss.
"This isn't working, Inuyasha!" Kagome called. She had nocked another arrow and waited for an opportune moment to lose.
Inuyasha grunted and continued trying to land a strike on the man. "No shit!" he said through gritted teeth.
Kagome noted the interesting change in Inuyasha's demeanor but looked for her opening. She also noted that the demon was not actively fighting back, only dodging attacks. He seemed to be just as fast as Inuyasha, who was becoming aggravated with each passing second. "Stay still!" he hollered.
'There! There is my shot,' she thought, exhaling as she released an arrow charged with spirit energy. The arrow flew straight and true, puncturing the demon's baboon cloak. Kagome filled with excitement and then despair when the Shikon no Tama fell from the cloak, with the tip of the arrow lodged in it.
"No," she gasped before her legs set in motion, launching her forwards to the item she had sworn to protect.
The demon had not noticed his prize had been lost upon the ground, his attention focused on Inuyasha. Surprisingly enough, he had not noticed the arrow that had dislodged the jewel from its hiding place either. He did, however, notice her dashing forwards in an attempt to retrieve it.
Inuyasha saw this, too, and began his assault anew, hoping to kill the distracted demon. The imposter was quick, though, dodging the attack and moving to the Shikon Jewel in a swift motion. Kagome knew she wouldn't get there quick enough so she jumped forward the remaining feet and grasped for the arrow shaft, hoping to pull the jewel from the demon's grasp. But the demon was too quick and wrapped his greedy hand around the jewel just as Kagome tugged from the other side. For a split second, they seemed to play tug of war, but ultimately, the arrow gave and broke away. Kagome fell backwards with the arrow in hand. The demon gave a breathy, triumphant laugh. That was until he noticed the lump that still protruded from the arrow tip. She brought the arrow up and saw that a sliver of the jewel, a shard, had broken off from the Shikon no Tama.
Before she was able to fully register what had happened, Inuyasha sliced through the demon's middle with a clawed hand. The demon did not yell out in pain or react in surprise. The bottom half of the cape fell to the ground leaving a floating head that swiftly flew off to the north along with the majority of the Shikon no Tama.
"What...what just happened?" Kagome asked from her position on the ground. She still held the arrow in her hand, looking at the shard in disbelief.
Inuyasha seemed annoyed that the demon had not been killed and merely flew away. "He was a yokai that disguised his appearance."
She looked up at him, "I got that part. But you cut him in half and there was...nothing." He walked over to her and helped her up. Together they walked over to where the bottom half of the cloak had lain but found only dust and hair. Shaking her head, Kagome plucked the shard from the tip of the arrow and placed the shaft back into her quiver. It was a sinking feeling that finally hit her, allowing her to realize the implications of what had happened.
"So, you broke the jewel?" Inuyasha questioned, inspecting the sliver in her hand.
"What? It was an accident. I didn't mean to crack it!" she said defensively. He studied her face for a second and turned away. Kagome threw her arms together, gripping the shard in her fist and narrowed her eyes at his back. To think she had just felt sympathy for him but moments ago before he almost tried to kill her. With a sniff, she stalked back to the small garden to kill more weeds.
Only a day had passed before Miroku and Shippo returned. The monk seemed agitated and on edge when they arrived, only giving clipped answers and gripping his staff tightly. Shippo, on the other hand, was delighted to be back.
The young kitsune bounded over to Kagome with a gleeful smile adorning his face. "Kagome! We're back!" he yelled happily. "Boy, do we have some news for you!" he bragged.
Miroku did not seem as thrilled as his young companion but nodded his agreement. Before Kagome could open her mouth, Inuyasha spoke up. "What's happening? He asked. "Why is he so happy?" he questioned, pointing to Shippo.
"That still has yet to be rationed out," Miroku replied. "As for what's happening, it seems as though Naraku has reemerged."
"Naraku?" Inuyasha repeated. "That explains it…"
"Explains what?" Miroku inquired.
Kagome pulled the Shikon no Tama out and displayed it to him between her two fingers. At first, he did not register what he was seeing. "What is that?"
She gave him an urging look, a little uneasy over the situation. His eyes nearly bulged out of his head when the realization hit him. He still could not bring himself to admit it. "Is that?" he stuttered.
She confirmed with a nod and Miroku sighed, running his free hand through his hair. "How?"
Shippo came close to inspect the shard. "That's a piece of the Shikon? What happened Kagome?" He looked over at Inuyasha accusingly. "You were supposed to protect her Inuyasha!"
"What?! She broke it!" he said aggressively. "How do you know I didn't protect her?" he added.
Shippo looked from Inuyasha to Kagome. "It's written all over your face."
Inuyasha glowered and curled a fist in anger. Kagome saw his look and made an attempt to smooth things over. "He did! It's my fault it broke." She told them of the baboon-cloaked man and how he had gotten a hold of the jewel but not how Inuyasha had fallen under his command so easily. Something told her that was better left unsaid at this point.
Miroku swore. "Our plan has worked all too well. Now Naraku has most of the Jewel. All of that power. Who knows what he can do with it." He paced back and forth. "Damn."
Shippo tried his best to be helpful. "Yeah, but he doesn't have the whole thing. He can't make any wishes or nothing like that."
"The jewel has to be intact, true, but it is still capable of causing more harm than good being in the hands of that monster." Kagome returned the shard to its resting place.
The monk stopped pacing. "This exacerbates things a bit."
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha asked.
"His news…" Miroku trailed off. They waited for him to continue before Shippo jumped in. "Oh yeah! So, while we were gone, we found this demon exterminator village."
"What?" Inuyasha asked, put off by the word 'demon exterminator'.
"I said 'exterminator'. Pay attention," he chastised. "We found this village where everyone hunts and destroys Yokai."
Inuyasha blandly pointed out, "You're a demon."
Shippo growled in aggravation. "Quit interrupting. I'm nice and they liked me." He beamed in self-satisfaction. "Anyway, we found this village and talked to them and they are going to send their best warriors here to help!" he said proudly.
Kagome shook her head, the kitsune's news coming too quickly; like rapid-fire. "Slow down."
"The village is a clan of Yokai Taijiya. They are like mercenaries who specialize in yokai." Miroku explained.
Shippo began to make punching and kicking moves. "They are like ninjas!" He twirled around with a kick and accidentally hit Inuyasha near the junction of his thighs. "Dammit! Watchit!" Inuyasha snapped, issuing a punch to the Kitsune. "OW!"
"Really? Boys. Can we please not do this right now?" Kagome rubbed at her temple.
Even Miroku smirked at the scene before continuing. "I found that they know of the Shikon no Tama and were the ones who had entrusted it into the former priestess's care. They were, displeased, to say the least, when I told them that the jewel had returned and you were protecting it."
Kagome gnashed at his words. "Displeased? How so?"
He seemed reluctant to continue, somehow sensing her displeasure or merely discovering it on her features. "They entrusted it to the priestess Kikyo because of her renowned spiritual powers. They still tell stories of it 50 years later. They did not seem convinced of your...abilities...when I shared my experiences from my time here. They were even less pleased when I told them of Inuyasha."
Inuyasha did not say anything at the mention of his name, though his features did belie a hint of annoyance at Miroku's words.
Kagome crossed her arms, something she seemed to be doing a lot of lately, "Well, that seems to explain why they would send 'their best warriors' here."
Shippo jumped up, recovered from the blow he had taken from Inuyasha, "I can't wait to see the guy they send. I bet he is super strong. I want to see him fight Inuyasha!"
"In your dreams, fox. I'd rake the grass with that human," he said confidently.
"Wanna bet? I bet he wouldn't even break a sweat in a go around with you! You didn't see them!" Shippo argued, showcasing his ninja moves some more.
Kagome excused herself from the arguing pair and walked back to her dwelling. The day was growing late and her stomach urged her to feed it. She soon felt Miroku fall in step with her as they walked away from Shippo and Inuyasha.
"He seems...different," Miroku remarked.
Kagome knew that Miroku would pick up on Inuyasha's not-so-subtle change in behavior. "Yeah," she responded, "he has really made progress." She'd noticed it, too. Though, it had become much more pronounced within the past twenty-four hours.
He was no longer a sullen, withdrawn and pitiful creature. Originally, she had felt sympathy for him. Now, she recognized different traits in him that made her feel something else. Some traits that intrigued her. Some that seemed a little irritating. None of that dulled Inuyasha's natural strength or determination to persevere, which Kagome did admire.
"Did something happen between you?" Miroku asked suddenly.
A blush blossomed across her cheeks at the question. "What?! No!" she said. Turning her face she began to outpace Miroku, leaving him intrigued.
A couple more uneventful days had passed. Miroku had no reason to leave the village at this point with Naraku already successfully being drawn out. The results from that meeting had been nearly catastrophic and coupled with the loss of the complete Shikon Jewel. So, he stayed along with Shippo.
It had been decided that they would await the arrival of the Taijiya warriors and go from there. While they waited, Shippo and Inuyasha bickered and Kagome remarked on the development. She was duly surprised when Inuyasha threw in a few curses that she herself only reserved for the worst situations. When she'd asked him where he picked up such foul language, he gave her a sullen look before responding that was the least of her worries given his upbringing. Kagome could not really even chastise him for it, either, so with each new unusual mannerisms, she could only roll her eyes.
One day, when the sun was at its zenith, the Taijiya came. The bell was rung to announce their arrival. Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippo, and Kaede went to greet these warriors. There was already a small throng of villagers, curious to see the renowned Demon Slayers, congregated around them. The villagers moved aside once it was announced that Kaede - their de facto leader - had approached. Kaede led the way to assess the warriors.
When Kagome was close enough, she was sure her jaw dropped at the sight. Standing in front of her was indeed a warrior, but not one from her expectations. This warrior was clad in a dark skin-tight suit with pink armor plates over the shoulders, knees, elbows, abdomen and a huge boomerang carried over the right shoulder. It wasn't the outfit that had thrown Kagome, but the fact that beneath the skin-tight suit was that of a very attractive woman. The woman Taijiya assessed the crowd before planting her large weapon in the earth beside her with a mighty, yet graceful thrust. How much the weapon had to weigh and she handled it with practiced ease.
She turned her head back and forth, looking for someone. "Where is the Miko?"
Kaede and Kagome both stepped forward. Kagome walked behind Kaede as they approached the Taijiya. Kaede made a welcoming gesture, "Welcome to our village. I am the miko you seek, and this," she gestured to Kagome, "is my apprentice."
The woman looked them both up and down. "I am told you are in possession of the Jewel of Four Souls."
Shippo scoffed from beside Inuyasha, "Not anymore. Maybe one soul."
Her head snapped towards Shippo. "What?" she demanded.
Inuyasha gave the kitsune a kick. "Keep yer yap shut kid."
"It is not I, but Lady Kagome," Kaede gestured again to her, "that is its protector."
Kagome stepped past Kaede and offered her hand. The Taijiya woman raised a brow but gave a crisp nod of acknowledgment. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Kagome."
Eyeing her hand, Kagome quickly dropped it and gave a brief bow.
"My name is Sango," she said. "I've been sent to retrieve the Jewel of Four Souls."
