Chapter Ten: Capture the Priestess

Kikyo awoke that morning and knew at once that something was wrong. She wasn't sure what, exactly, but as she freed herself from her bedroll, she saw that Kaede was not beside her. Picking up her quiver and arrows, she stamped out the fire and looked around. Kaede was nowhere to be seen.

'Kaede,' she said, and when she received no answer, she tried again. 'Kaede!' Her voice held a note of panic.

Then she saw a notice, pinned to the ground with a stone. Removing the rock she read it.

'Your sister is safe in the hands of the Band of Seven. Bring the sacred jewel to the place we passed one another by sundown if you wish her to remain unharmed.

-Renkotsu'

Kikyo clenched her fist on the bow and rushed away. The event which she had feared for years in her heart of hearts had happened. The event that Tsubaki had warned her about, she reflected with a certain amount of spite. Kaede was in danger because of her. The Band of Seven would pay for this. These thoughts went through her mind, sped down the hill, and along the road. She went with all the speed she could muster until she reached a standing stone.

All of a sudden, a massive stone hurtled out of nowhere and smashed into the rock next to her. Kikyo turned round, notching an arrow to her bow and firing it. A monstrous giant rushed towards her, taking an arrow to the shoulder, but ignoring it. Kikyo had not had time to put any power into the arrow, so it was a regular shaft. The giant reached out for her with one hand. Kikyo leaped over the hand and climbed up the arm. Bringing her bow around the giant's neck, she pulled it back to choke him. The giant struggled, reaching for her in vain as she dodged. Inwardly she hoped her bow would hold up, and focused power through it.

He gurgled as air little by little was denied his body. Finally, he fell forward, falling unconscious on the ground. Kikyo removed her bow from around his neck and leaped off of him. Then she continued onwards without any further ado.

Kikyo rushed around a corner, an arrow on her bow, and came face to face with her sister. Renkotsu was sitting cross-legged, his hands gripping Kaede's hair. There was a knife at her jugular. Kaede had a blindfold over her face and was trembling.

'Kaede!' said Kikyo. 'Let her go this instant!'

'Hardly,' said Renkotsu, 'I've gone to too much trouble to get you in this position to give up my advantage freely.'

'Sister Kikyo-' began Kaede, hearing her voice.

'Silence!' snapped Renkotsu, jerking her hair.

'What manner of coward takes hostages?' asked Kikyo, keeping her anger in check.

'Feudal Lords do it all the time,' noted Renkotsu, 'why should I abstain? Now, drop your bow.'

Kikyo dropped her weapon. The bow and arrow clattered to the ground.

'Throw away your quiver.'

Kikyo complied.

'Give me the sacred jewel.' stated Renkotsu. 'Throw it to me. There is no need to come any closer.'

Kikyo hesitated. She had been charged with protecting the sacred jewel and was duty bound to see it kept out the hand of the wicked. She could not give it up, even for the sake of her own flesh and blood. 'The sacred jewel is false hope.' she said. 'It will not give you whatever you are seeking.'

'It is a tool to be used.' said Renkotsu as he pressed the knife closer to Kaede's neck. 'And you are making my knife hand twitch.'

At that moment, Kikyo realized Kaede was more important to her than any duty. Part of her said that nothing could be more important than protecting the jewel. Kikyo shoved it aside. She didn't care; her sister's life was at stake. She drew out the Sacred Jewel and tossed it at his feet. 'There,' said Kikyo 'now let her go.'

'One more thing,' said Renkotsu, 'take six steps backward. No need to look away from me. Do so, and I will let your sister go.'

Kikyo obeyed, slowly walking backward, and wondered what he was up to. She detected movement out of the corner of her eye. Her mind raced as she tried to think of a way to free Kaede and get back the jewel.

'Excellent,' said Renkotsu, 'don't move.'

Green gas was sprayed over Kikyo, and she gasped in shock. Her every limb felt heavy, as her eyelids drooped and she fell forward, struggling to stay awake. Renkotsu let go of Kaede's hair and removed the dagger from her neck. Kaede rushed forward, tearing off the blindfold as she did so.

'Sister Kikyo!'

Kikyo struggled to speak as Renkotsu picked up the sacred jewel. His eyes took on a terribly greedy glint as he marveled at its polished surface. 'As agreed Mukotsu, Kikyo is yours to do with as you will. You may take possession of her whenever you desire.'

'Thank you Renkotsu,' said the one called Mukotsu. 'I'll remember this.'

'Do I still get to eat her?' came a deep, growling voice.

'You tried to devour her ahead of schedule, Kyokotsu. You would have denied us both our part, why should we give you yours?' asked Renkotsu, irritation in his voice.

'But she choked me, and shot me with an arrow.' whined the giant.

'I'll leave it to Mukotsu then,' said Renkotsu with a smile. 'Ginkotsu and I will head off to meet with Bankotsu. It's probably best if he and the others never know this meeting happened.'

'Whatever you say, Big Brother.' said Mukotsu.

The one called Mukotsu came into view, a hideous dwarf clad in white. 'Out of the way girl.' He shoved Kaede aside and picked up Kikyo none too gently in a bridal fashion.

'No!' cried Kaede, pounding on his arms. 'Leave my sister alone! You got what you came for!'

'Yes I did,' said Mukotsu with a savage smile, 'Kyokotsu, devour this pest will you.'

Kikyo wanted to scream as the giant grabbed Kaede and lifted towards his sharp-toothed maw. Kaede screamed in terror as opened wide to bite her head off. Kikyo couldn't do anything, she couldn't even scream.

'Wait!' shouted Renkotsu, gaze turning from the stone.

'What?' said Kyokotsu.

'We had a deal, remember?' asked Renkotsu. 'We agreed the girl would go free. We ought to follow the spirit of our bargains, not the letter. Let her go.'

Kyokotsu grumbled and set Kaede down. She scrambled away and fled in terror, screaming for help. Kikyo watched her run from sight, and then Mukotsu carried her away. As she was dragged away to what would likely be a grisly fate, Kikyo saw a man. He was clad in a monkeys cloak, watching events play out. Then Kyokotsu passed between them, and he was gone.

Inuyasha, Bankotsu, and Jakotsu were making their way along a forest. Suddenly heard a cry for help. Looking up, Inuyasha saw a black haired girl running towards them. 'Help! Please! You've got to help my sister!'

'We're not exactly samurai errants here, kid.' noted Bankotsu, tone amused as he ruffled her hair.

'I don't have anyone else to turn to!' said the girl. 'My sister Kikyo has been kidnapped.'

'Right, and why should we care?' asked Jakotsu.

'Kidnapped by who?' asked Inuyasha kneeling down by her.

'Thank you for your support Inuyasha,' said Jakotsu in annoyance.

'It… well… I was taken hostage by a bald man. He forced my sister to throw away her weapons while a dwarf used gas to paralyze her!' said the girl. 'Please, you have to save my sister!'

Jakotsu whistled. 'Mukotsu's on a roll lately.'

Inuyasha wanted to help. Unfortunately, he realized that doing that would be betraying his group. He looked to Bankotsu before turning back to her. Her face was filled with tears. Inuyasha felt wretched with what he said next: 'I… I don't think we'll be able to-'

'Those. Bastards.' said Bankotsu in a fury.

Inuyasha looked up. 'What, did you grow a conscience when I wasn't looking?' He didn't bother keeping the sarcasm out of his voice. 'This is far from the first girl Mukotsu has-'

'I don't give a damn about the girl!' snapped Bankotsu 'I care about the timing! We're in the middle of a life or death struggle with every lord in Japan! And Mukotsu is too busy raping women to follow his damn orders! I can't believe Renkotsu let him get away with this!' He unsheathed Banryu. 'Lead the way, girl.'

Kaede stepped back, obviously surprised. Without much choice as she led Bankotsu, Inuyasha, and Jakotsu through the trees. They passed a portion of a deserted road, hemmed in on both sides by trees. The girl halted and looked to them. 'H-here is where they were.'

Inuyasha fell to the ground and began sniffing around. After a few minutes, he stood and approached Bankotsu. 'I smell Mukotsu and Renkotsu, and Ginkotsu and Kyokotsu were also here.' he halted for a moment. 'Someone else too, their scent is really pure, kind of nice.'

'Get to the point.' said Bankotsu, in no mood.

Inuyasha pressed on, and his hand closed over a bow. Bringing it up, he looked at it in surprise. He'd never seen its equal, and it was flawlessly carved and made of the best wood. Strumming its cord made a sound like music. It smelled of pure energy.

'That bow belongs to my sister.' said the girl.

Inuyasha glanced back, getting back on task. 'Renkotsu and Ginkotsu went one way further down the path.' said Inuyasha. 'While Mukotsu and Kyokotsu retraced their steps back that way.'

'Right,' said Bankotsu, 'Inuyasha, go crash Mukotsu's party. Jakotsu and I will see what Renkotsu has to say for himself.'

'Right,' said Inuyasha as he turned to the girl, 'hop on my back kid, I'll find them.'

The girl clambered up quickly and wrapped her hands around his neck. With the girl on his back, Inuyasha raced along the path, seeking his prey. Jakotsu waved goodbye behind them. 'You take care, Inuyasha!'

Bankotsu and Jakotsu made their way along the path. Out of the shadows stepped a man clad in a monkeys pelt. His face was hidden, and he greeted them with one upraised hand, though his movements were pained. 'Greetings, Bankotsu.'

'Naraku,' said Bankotsu, 'it's been awhile. What is it?'

'I thought you might wish to know something important about your second in command.' said Naraku. 'The woman he robbed was no mere traveler. She was a powerful priestess charged with protecting the sacred Shikon Jewel. Surely you've heard of it?'

'A jewel capable of granting wishes,' said Bankotsu, 'what is your point?'

'The point,' said Naraku, 'is that you're second in command wanted to gain the jewel, and subvert your authority. He made common cause with Mukotsu to do so, and offered him Kikyo to assure his loyalty.'

Bankotsu narrowed his eyes. 'I see. You can go now.'

'Of course,' said Naraku, before departing into the trees.

Jakotsu turned to Bankotsu. 'So do you think it's true?'

'It makes perfect sense,' said Bankotsu, 'given what we've seen. Renkotsu wouldn't help Mukotsu with an acquisition without reason. We'll keep this to ourselves for now. Don't tell anyone about what's going on; we just need to gather a bit more information. Let's just find Renkotsu, and then meet up with the others.'

Kikyo was brought to a simple house, and Mukotsu set her down to open the door, before looking up to Kyokotsu. 'Kyokotsu, wait here outside, don't let anyone enter, no matter who they are. I'll bring her out if things go badly.' Then he picked up Kikyo and brought her inside.

What then ensued was downright surreal, and might have even been amusing had it not been happening to her. Mukotsu dressed her in a white dress. Then went about with a two-person false wedding ceremony, and then began to dance with her, as though she were a doll. 'I've never met a woman quite as beautiful as you, Kikyo.' he said. 'Though all those who came before have rejected me because of my looks. Everyone rejects me!'

Kikyo wondered why, quite sarcastically.

It occurred to Kikyo that Tsubaki's prophecy did not require her to fall in love to be completed. Quite to the contrary, she must never allow any man to desire her, or she would meet a violent death. Well the murderous old dwarf now playing dolls with her body, desired her, which meant that Kikyo was very likely to meet a very grisly end here.

She had heard rumors in her travels of a twisted dwarf who traveled with the Band of Seven. He kidnapped young maidens and murdered them after having his way with them. She couldn't move a single inch of her body, no matter how hard she tried. Her mind was clouded so that she could not summon her powers.

A panic began overtaking her as she remained still. Kikyo didn't want to die! She felt as though she had barely lived!

Kikyo's entire life had been spent working to help others. Yet she scarcely ever had a moment to think about her desires! She wanted to decorate her lips. Or think about something entirely flippant. Anything to make her feel like she had been anything other than a statue her whole life!

Yet that wasn't going to happen. She was going to be the plaything of this wretch. He would rape and murder her, and then Kaede would be left all alone in the world. More than anything Kikyo didn't want that to happen. And yet nothing she could do could summon the strength to accomplish anything.

As the fake honeymoon continued, the dwarf seemed seized with a depression. As if he was wrestling with some inner turmoil. 'You know Kikyo,' he said, 'I don't believe you are truly worthy of being my bride after all.'

Then he reached forward and began to choke her. And Kikyo could do nothing, as the air little by little was choked from her. Her eyes began to go dark.

And then a giant body was kicked through the door to land prone on the floor. Kyokotsu lay unconscious and drooling, and Mukotsu dropped Kikyo to the floor. The Priestess landed painfully, limp as a doll as the dwarf stepped back. In the doorway stood a figure clothed in red robes, with dog ears and silver hair.

'Mukotsu,' he said, 'just what the hell do you think you are doing?' His voice was resigned, and furious.

'I… Inuyasha, we have an agreement!' snapped the dwarf. 'You know you're not allowed to interfere in my courting of woman!'

'Bankotsu gave you specific orders!' snarled Inuyasha as he advanced on him. 'You were supposed to prepare your poisons, then come back here and meet up with us! What poisons have you prepared?!'

'Well… paralysis poisons…' began Mukotsu.

'And where are they now?' asked Inuyasha.

'Well… I used them to capture Kikyo…' said Mukotsu.

'Which means that you haven't created any poisons.' surmised Inuyasha. 'The Band of Seven is fighting a war for survival against every lord in Japan. And you are too busy skirt chasing to do your damn job!' He loomed over the dwarf, claws bared.

'…It sounds bad when you say it like that.' said Mukotsu, obviously terrified.

'I'll tell you what, Mukotsu.' said Inuyasha, in a false calm tone. 'I'm a fair man. So I'll give you until Kikyo here is able to move again to make all the poisons you can carry with you. Then we'll head back to meet up with Bankotsu, and we'll let this case of disobeying orders slide.'

'But what about-'

'You aren't in love with her!' snapped Inuyasha. 'Nor have you been in love with any of the other dozen or so-'

'Several dozen.' Mukotsu corrected him.

'-several dozen or so other girls you've raped and murdered!' continued Inuyasha. 'And I'm not about to reward this disobedience by letting you give her a second dose. Kikyo is going to start moving, and then she and her sister are going to go home without any further problems. Am I clear?'

'Y-yes.' said Mukotsu, looking quite frightened.

'Good,' said Inuyasha, 'now get to work.'

Inuyasha picked up Kikyo bridal style and made his way out of the hut. As he did so, Kikyo realized that she might not be about to die, and breathed in relief. Then she realized that Inuyasha was actually exceptionally handsome. She turned her mind from such thoughts and focused on being grateful that she was still alive. The thought was petty, and she quashed it. She could still feel the indentation of his fingers on her throat, and she realized how close she had come to death. Of course, Inuyasha had only saved her because he had disobeyed orders. Not out of any moral obligation, but Kikyo was not complaining.

She was set down by Inuyasha on the ground. 'Hey kid, your sister is here.' said Inuyasha.

Kaede rushed up to kneel by Kikyo. 'Kikyo, I'm so glad your all right.' She looked up, fear in her eyes. 'Why isn't she moving?'

'She has no strength right now.' said Inuyasha. 'The poison should wear off in a couple of hours, though.'

So they sat down to wait.

Authors Note:

SURPRISE EARLY UPDATE!

Bet you weren't expecting this. And I'll bet no one was expecting Mukotsu's plan to kidnap the resident badass actually to work out. Even if Bankotsu and Inuyasha kind of ruined it at the last minute. Mukotsu's character has surprised me in how much I feature him. I was initially just going to have him be there because he was in canon. Then have all of Inuyasha's reactions be with Jakotsu Bankotsu and Renkotsu. But his status as morally depraved makes him an excellent measuring stick for how evil Inuyasha has become.

Frankly, I feel kind of bad about worfing Kikyo like this, given what a badass she was in canon. But Renkotsu had the advantage of a hostage. I'll have to do something awesome with her later, come to think of it.

Anyway, Mukotsu has lost his prize, and Inuyasha and Kikyo have now met for the first time in this timeline. It's quite a bit different from how it went in canon, I think, which is better in my mind. And of course, there is still a conflict brewing between Renkotsu and Bankotsu. And of course, Onigumo is still out there, with whatever his plan is.

By the way, some of you may be wondering why I chose to make Naraku an alter ego for Onigumo. My justification for this is that there is a scene in the Anime where Bankotsu meets Naraku in the past. When writing this fic, I realized that that scene makes the fic impossible. So I'm saying that Onigumo sometimes puts on a Monkey Cloak and calls himself Naraku.

Peace out.