** chapter revised 4/17/2010 **
~ Chapter Eleven ~
INUYASHA returned to the others, his eyes haunted, but he said nothing. Finally Miroku could take the silence no more. "Inuyasha, what did the Lady Kikyou say?"
"That's none of your damn business, monk!"
"Is she going to aid us with Kagome?" Sango asked, ignoring the hanyou's shouted exclamation.
Inuyasha only folded his arms across his chest and looked away. Miroku gave a pained sigh and removed the scroll he'd received from Ungai. He unrolled it and looked it over. "According to this scroll, the location of this shrine is only a few days travel north from where we are now."
"We cannot consider doing this," Sango said when she realized what Miroku was talking about. Her eyes stayed glued on the hanyou, glaring at his silent form.
"What choice do we have?"
This question came from Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, I do not trust this man," Sango growled.
"Like I do?! And it was you who thought we should go to him!!" If anything the pain he allowed to be revealed in his eyes grew and he turned his sullen gaze towards the fire. When he continued, his voice was low. "What else is there?"
"This is dangerous, Inuyasha. You heard what the Lady Kikyou said."
"Like I'd let someone like that Ungai jackass keep me down," he replied, strength and cockiness back in his voice.
"You're half-youkai, Inuyasha," Shippou said, joining the conversation at last. He came over from where he'd been sitting with Kirara and looked up at Inuyasha. "You could be trapped, too!"
"Or the only one trapped if Sesshoumaru proves too strong," Sango added with a nod of her head.
Inuyasha grunted at his friends, folding his arms tighter across his chest. "That Ungai said Kagome would have to be the one to trap Sesshoumaru and she wouldn't do that to me. Not Kagome."
"If this is truly the path you wish to take, Inuyasha," Miroku replied, "We had best rest and leave in the morning."
Inuyasha watched as his friends bedded down for the evening. Shippou came over to where he was sitting and curled up near him. "What do you think you're doin', runt?"
"Sleeping near you, Inuyasha," Shippou answered with a loud yawn.
Inuyasha grunted again and then looked away. His gaze turned skywards as he replayed his conversation with Kikyou over and over in his mind. Something in what she said just didn't sound right. It didn't sound like the Kikyou he knew. Then his mind filled with thoughts of Kagome and he wondered if she were thinking of him, too.
***
Kagome had not seen Sesshoumaru in what felt like days--not that she could tell time where she was--but she knew he was there. His aura hung heavily in the air each time she woke and there was always food waiting for her. With nothing to fill her time, not even the arrogant daiyoukai to argue with, Kagome had found a chalk rock and taken to doing math equations and other school work on the hard ground. Then she woke one day to find paper and ink waiting for her. Sesshoumaru was either being strangely considerate of her boredom or he didn't want her writing on the floors of her prison any more.
But why was he avoiding her?
Kagome could vaguely recall their last conversation, her body and mind had been too tired, but she knew he had tried to hurt her with words. She had enough experience with hurtful words, though, to recognize truth when she saw it. And she knew Sesshoumaru was only coming to her when she was asleep. When she'd first realized it, shivers of loathing had coursed through her. She would wake knowing he'd been there, holding her tightly against him with his lips pressed lovingly against her neck. It was almost as if he'd been taking advantage of her. Then she realized that Sesshoumaru was powerful enough that he could force her to his will, if he so desired. The fact that he had not, was not, struck a chord with her. He had merely desired her presence without her fighting him.
He no longer came to her in her dreams, either, and she was finding that strangely disconcerting. She could not even summon the power she had before to call him to her. And how she had tried!
At that thought, another shiver having nothing to do with loathing raced through her body and she knew he was thinking of her at that moment. Recently, she had been able to grasp these things, these thoughts, that were not hers, that she would never think or feel. It, too, was disconcerting. What was happening to her? Oh, yes. She knew what was happening to her. She was just still having difficulty believing it.
Wanting to take her mind away from the ever-present daiyoukai, Kagome turned her thoughts to Inuyasha and his face. She wondered where he was and what he was doing. She wondered how the others were; Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Shippou. Were they looking for her? Were they worried? Had Inuyasha survived? That last thought gave her pause and she realized the stupidity of her thoughts. Of course Inuyasha was alive! She could not imagine a world where he was not. Time and time again, the hanyou had risen against impossible odds and come out on top. This situation would be no different, she assured herself. Inuyasha would find her and life would go back to the way it was suppose to be.
Why did that thought trouble her more than any other?
Turning her mind away from thinking in general, Kagome picked up her current sheet of paper she was doodling aimlessly on. Math equations were not that interesting to her and she could only force herself to focus on them for so long. Now she preoccupied herself with trying to draw Inuyasha's face, but art had never been one of her fortes and the drawing, she realized, resembled nothing like her hanyou.
A few minutes later, Kagome set aside the drawing, resisting the urge to crumple it up and throw it into the fire. Yawning, she felt her body wanting to fall into sleep. Sleep seemed to be her only comfort in this place, the only time she felt truly at peace, and she wondered if it was because Sesshoumaru came to her then. Of course she could be finding sleep comforting because she was a naturally social person and there was no one here to talk to besides herself. And there was no way she was going to have an out loud conversation with herself again! Sesshoumaru might stumble upon her conversation once more—not that what he thought about her sanity truly mattered or anything. In fact, she wouldn't mind him thinking her insane. Wouldn't he consider that a bad sign for a mate? Oh wait, she thought almost bitterly and wondered where that had come from, he doesn't want my mind. Only my energy.
Hearing movement, Kagome stopped what she was doing. It was not Sesshoumaru coming towards her. No. This one was just as familiar, though. Wishing she was armed, wishing there was more than a simple barrier standing between her and the new arrival, she stood and readied herself. Hands at her side, face a mask so eerily resembling Sesshoumaru's, Kagome solidified her stance and stared into the darkness of the entrance. There was a faint light beyond the gloom. "I know you are there. Show yourself," she demanded in an even tone when the newcomer made no move to come forward. Her voice would have done Sesshoumaru proud.
Kikyou stepped out of the darkness, a twisted smile on her face. Her bow was notched with an arrow but not aimed at anything in particular. It was just a precaution, Kagome realized. Sesshoumaru's aura pulsed hungrily in this place even though he was not here. "Where is the youkai?" Kikyou asked, her voice as cold and flat as it usually was.
"He's not here."
"I know that, girl," Kikyou said with a hiss of anger. "But you can sense where he is. Now tell me."
"I don't know," Kagome grounded out. She was getting tired of being told what to do all the time and of having no say in her life. Really, really tired of it. "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"Do you forget what we share?"
Kagome did not gift that question with an answer. How could she ever forget what was between she and Kikyou? She had never felt quite like herself since half of her had been stolen. And that missing part of her had become so much more obvious the longer she spent with Sesshoumaru. He had said she would complete him and he her, but how could she do that when she wasn't complete herself? Her eyes narrowed as an animosity she had not known she felt rose within her. It wasn't her anger, though. It was a part of Sesshoumaru coming out through her. Shaking the anger away, knowing she did not truly feel or think that way, Kagome cleared her throat and straightened herself. "Where's Inuyasha?"
A smirk came to the dead priestess's face. She had not missed what Kagome had tried to hide. "The hanyou is preparing to give his life for you."
"What?" she breathed, her voice barely making a sound.
Kikyou ignored the shocked and worried look on Kagome's face. She continued speaking, her voice even and bland. "It is amazing what lengths love will drive someone to…even as you give yourself to another."
Give herself to another? Hardly, Kagome thought. Then she remembered what she had done with Sesshoumaru the last time she'd seen him and guilt rose swift and sure within her. She wasn't giving herself to him, but, to others, it would have appeared as if she had. But how had Kikyou known about that? "Why are you here, Kikyou?" she asked again.
The dead priestess only stood there, staring at her. Whatever thoughts circled in her mind were hidden behind her lifeless eyes. Then she stepped even closer to Sesshoumaru's barrier. His youki crackled warningly at her presence, but Kikyou made no motion to move away. "Do you wish Inuyasha to live?"
What kind of question was that?! "Of course I do," Kagome answered honestly, the strange anger within her dying away.
"Then you must go to him. Stop him."
Kagome knew, deep down within herself, that Kikyou still cared for Inuyasha. A love such as the one they shared could never be fully corrupted. But hadn't it? her mind supplied. Kagome pushed the thought aside. "I can't get out of here," she explained, a note of desperation in her tone.
Kikyou stared at her, a look similar to the one Sesshoumaru used when he looked at Inuyasha on her face. "We are stronger than this," she said at last, her superiority back in her voice.
For some reason Kikyou's normal better-than-thou attitude brought her comfort. It was probably because she hadn't spoken to anyone in so long now. The fact that Kikyou had included herself in her statement surprised her, but Kagome had other things to focus on at the moment—namely saving Inuyasha. "We may be stronger, but I don't know what to do."
"These walls," Kikyou said, looking around her. "Contain a dampening agent that is restricting your spiritual strength. If we work together, they can be overcome."
"And what of Sesshoumaru? He would find me before I got very far."
Kikyou fell silent; whether it was because she was unsure or she just didn't wish to share her thoughts, Kagome wasn't sure. Then the dead priestess raised her bow once more, aiming for the still snapping barrier. "That is your problem. Inuyasha is mine."
Kagome could only stand and watch as she felt her powers swirl around within her, growing and strengthening in intensity. This was beyond anything she had felt before. All her energy was being directed towards Kikyou's arrow as their shared spiritual powers drew together to form one. Then Kikyou released her arrow. It struck the barrier with a shower of visible sparks and shock waves. Kagome felt the waves of energy being released wash over her body and she gasped at the sensation as a mixture she recognized as hers and Sesshoumaru's raced through her veins. Then the room fell eerily quiet; the barrier destroyed.
She stared in disbelief at Kikyou, who had already notched another arrow in her bow. "He comes," she said simply and Kagome knew who she was speaking about.
"I cannot outrun him. I don't even know where to go to find Inuyasha."
"Fool," she whispered.
Kikyou moved into the room to stand a few feet away from her. Kagome looked into Kikyou's face, a face so like her own but older and colder. She had always wondered if she were destined to turn into this woman as she aged. Then the thought was banished when Kikyou's face actually took on an emotion other than anger or indifference. What it was Kagome could not place, but there was something in her eyes that held Kagome's attention. "Trust in yourself for once," Kikyou continued. "Save Inuyasha."
Kagome's eyes met hers for one last time and then she gave a sharp nod of her head. She headed towards the light Kikyou had brought with her and, as she did, Kikyou's voice carried after her. "When he takes my life, you will have your whole soul once more, Kagome. He will want you even more than he does now. Do not let him get you."
She did not need to hear this to know it as truth.
***
Inuyasha.
She was thinking of the half-breed...again. Recently her thoughts had been wavering in between himself and the hanyou. Whenever she thought of his half-brother, Sesshoumaru felt rage rise inside of him. What had the half-breed done to obtain such trust and confidence? Nothing that he knew of! A half-breed was good for nothing but groveling and death--even though Inuyasha refused to see this truth. Perhaps it was the half-breed's stubbornness that caught the miko's eye? She was surely stubborn enough herself to find this trait admirable in others.
The feeling to kill, to rend flesh from bone, rose sharply inside of him as her emotions turned warm where her thoughts of the half-breed were concerned. His clawed hand fisted ever so slightly at his side, the joints popping in readiness for a strike, but the anger, the jealously--he finally admitted to himself-- was cut short as a shock wave of power washed through him. The wave of power had shot through the mental links he shared with the miko. Then he felt small, soft hands wrap around the ever strengthening links between them. There was a slight tug, as if his miko were calling to him, and then...nothing. Nothing at all. He could sense nothing!
Sesshoumaru stopped and sniffed the air. He had been on way to see her, not being able to stay away for long anymore and feeling her body's desire to have him near. Rin and Jaken were safely stowed away, the imp's curiosity at his master's departures satisfied with unconsciousness. Ah-Un would protect Rin until the imp regained his mind and was able to take over the job.
There was nothing in the air that even hinted at her, but there was a touch of something that he had smelled before and a feral glint came to his eyes. The dead priestess. How had he forgotten about her? She was near the miko and was probably the reason for the deadening of sensation that had overcome him.
He would end this dead priestess's life, completing his miko's soul once more, and then he would find her. She could not run from him. No one could. He would track her down until the end of the earth, if necessary, and then he would make sure she understood that disobeying him was not something to be done lightly. Obviously she had not learned that valuable, life-saving lesson yet. But he would not punish her for her sins. No. He would punish those she loved the most because she seemed to care so much more for their well being than her own. Yes. That is what he would do.
At his side, Tenseiga pulsed its disagreement. The sword had been strangely silent this past week. Apparently it had approved of his sudden desire to be beside her without manipulations between them. Sesshoumaru clamped his hand down on the blade of the sword and smiled wickedly. The priestess's body was dead and the Tenseiga, while not being able to harm the living, could very easily dispatch those no longer alive. He would kill the priestess with this very sword--as a punishment to the blade since it seemed to not want this to happen. Maybe then the worthless blade would offer him the respect he deserved?
***
The black crow circled the clearing below and slowly came to land amongst the remains of an encampment. Myoga jumped down from the bird's back, his eyes searching the area. Master Inuyasha had been here, but had departed some days before. A worried look came to the old flea's eyes. He had been searching for Master Inuyasha ever since hearing of troubling whispers where the boy was concerned. He needed to speak with Master Inuyasha and prevent his Lord's son from doing something disastrous. Why Master Inuyasha had not sought his council on this matter beforehand, Myoga would never know, but he chose to ignore the insult to his person and offered wisdom. Had not the Great Dog General specifically charged him with watching over the boy? He could not let his Master's father down by not at least attempting, safely, to guard the boy.
Jumping back onto the crow, Myoga ordered the bird to take flight once more. He had a very bad feeling that the hanyou would be doing as he usually did and that would be acting rashly. Oh, he would never understand humans...or half-breeds.
***
Kagome breached the entrance and could not hold back her sigh of pleasure as she was bathed in warm sunlight. The feeling of lethargy that had been overcoming her vanished instantly. Knowing she had no time to spare, she tossed the torch aside and made her way down the steep mountain path before her. If Sesshoumaru had sensed what had happened and was coming for her, as Kikyou had said, he would take flight to reach her faster. Hopefully he would be too intent on getting to where the barrier had been to notice her smell being stronger outside the entrance. It hadn't been that long since he'd carried her through here, after all.
Her feet skidded and slid down the path. She kept her body low, hoping to attract as little attention to herself as possible, and breathed another sigh of relief as she broke into the forest below. Taking only a moment to orientate herself with her directions, she took off in as fast a run as she dared in the direction her heart told her to go. Kikyou had told her to trust herself and south was the direction her heart was lurching towards.
When the barrier had been sundered, Kagome had felt the ties she held with Sesshoumaru being ripped apart. It had been a painful sensation and she knew it had been Kikyou's doing. Kagome knew why Kikyou had done it. It was to give her more time to escape. Not wanting to waste a moment, Kagome ran through the trees, back tracking and going in circles to hopefully slow Sesshoumaru's pursuit down. She did not slow, finding strength where she hadn't known she'd held it. Her thoughts she kept centered on Inuyasha, thinking that if she stayed focused on the hanyou her mind and body would instinctively find him for her.
She had just reached a large, swiftly flowing river when something caught the attention of her senses. It was as if a spike had been driven through her, demanding she pay attention to it. Not wishing to use her miko energies because she did not want to attract attention, Kagome used only her eyes to look around her. Then she saw it; a white glowing orb shooting through the sky. The orb darted forward, coming straight towards her, and Kagome barely had time to let out a muffled cry as the orb slammed into her body with such force that it threw her backwards and into the river. She gulped in a mouthful of water before breaking the surface with a strangled cry. Warmth spread within her and Kagome closed her eyes, fighting both the sensation of completion that had been so long absent and staying afloat in the swiftly churning waters.
The waters carried her swiftly downstream, their violence keeping her from swimming towards the shore until she'd traveled several miles. Kagome finally managed to grab onto a low hanging branch and pulled herself ashore. Coughing out water and shaking from the cold, she collapsed on the sandy bank and took in deep breaths of air. She only allowed herself a moment's rest, though, before forcing herself to get to her feet once more. While falling in the water hadn't been planned, it would definitely work in her favor. Better than her last venture, for sure.
Not wanting to be lulled into a feeling of safety, Kagome closed her eyes and concentrated on Inuyasha's face again. Her entire self pulsed within her and it felt so odd. She had access to so much that she hadn't before. She felt empowered, able to take on the world if needed. She felt...sad. Yes, her soul was sad. It had taken the death of one to bring her to this point. For Kagome knew without a doubt that Sesshoumaru would have killed Kikyou the moment he saw her. He'd been thinking such thoughts recently and would not have failed to act on them. If he believed Kikyou prevented him from obtaining what he wanted, the dead priestess's life meant nothing. Feeling something wet but warm on her face, Kagome touched her cheeks and realized she was crying. Why hadn't she realized she was crying?
Kagome poured the water out of her shoes and continued to push herself southward.
***
They arrived at the place Ungai's scroll had pointed them to and found Ungai and several of his followers waiting for them in an open clearing. Not very far away the large dark mouth of a cave loomed, torches set out on either side of its opening. Miroku approached Ungai first, offering a low bow which was barely returned by the elder. "Master Ungai."
"Miroku. I see you have accepted the fact that there is no other way to save your friend."
Inuyasha, not wanting to waste time with pointless pleasantries, stepped forward, hand on the hilt of his sword. "Quit your yapping, old man. Are you gonna help us save Kagome or not?"
Ungai's eyes slid away from Miroku and landed on Inuyasha's face. The half-breed did not step down and, after a time, Ungai's gaze turned away from him, not answering. His eyes slid over the rest of the monk's companions and he remembered them all. There was the youkai slayer with her fire neko safely wrapped up in her arms. Perched on the slayer's shoulder was the young kitsune. One he expected to find among them was missing. "Where is the priestess, Kikyou?"
"The Lady Kikyou declined protection," Miroku answered.
"The young are foolish," was Ungai's only comment. Then he straightened himself and faced the group before him. "The youkai may not continue forward. Nor may you bring your weapons. This is a sacred shrine and I will not see it defiled."
Inuyasha was about to raise a protest when Sango looked down at Kirara. "Kirara. Stay here and watch over Shippou."
"Hey!" Shippou protested. "I can watch over myself!"
Kirara jumped down from Sango's arms and transformed into her larger self. Shippou jumped onto Kirara's back and watched as Sango slid her Hirakotsu off her shoulders and leaned the massive bone weapon down against a tree. An unspoken message passed between mistress and cat and Kirara gave an answering rumble. "Let us do as the priest says," Sango said to her friends.
Inuyasha was the last to leave his Tessaiga behind in the fire neko's care. Giving Shippou a knowing glare, he turned and faced Ungai. "There. Are you happy now?"
Ungai paid Inuyasha no mind, his eyes focused on Miroku. "We are ready to perform the calling, but first we need some of the half-breed's blood." Then his eyes turned to Inuyasha. "Follow me."
The three followed after Ungai as he led them to the mouth of the cave. Miroku could feel the holy wards as they walked by them and he looked to Inuyasha. The wards seemed to have no effect on the half-breed, but Miroku was given little time to wonder about that as they breached the shrine within.
***
Night had fallen and Kagome was wondering where Sesshoumaru was. She didn't dare try and search him out, feeling a slight tingle within her as their bonds slowly reformed. Hiding in a small hole at the base of a large tree, she didn't even dare try and start a fire out of fear that he'd find her sooner.
She was laying as far back as she possibly could, trying to hold her fear at bay, when something sharp and stinging bit into her flesh. Automatically, her hand slapped at the offended spot and she felt Myoga's small body flatten underneath her fingers. "Myoga?" she said questioningly into the darkness. She couldn't see anything within and very little without.
"Kagome," the flea mumbled as his body slowly reformed. "You are tasting as excellent as always. With a slightly sweeter tang to you now."
Did the flea know what had been happening? Surely he did. In the past, Myoga had always known what was going on even if he chose not to involve himself in it out of personal cowardliness. Kagome almost flattened the flea again when he began expounding upon the tastiness of her blood. "Myoga," she said to get his attention. "Do you know where Inuyasha is?"
"I was hoping you would know where the Master is," Myoga answered sadly. "I sensed you as I was flying overhead. Master Inuyasha is never far from you."
"Don't you know what's been going on?" Kagome asked, slightly surprised.
"Of course, I know!" he said indignantly. "I can easily see Lord Sesshoumaru's claim on you. Any youkai worth the blood in his veins could tell that! Of course, this might explain the Master's lack of presence around you. Lord Sesshoumaru is not one to share...easily." His little flea eyes darted fearfully about. She was sure of this even though she couldn't see him. Myoga was not the bravest youkai. "But where is Lord Sesshoumaru? Why are you not by his side?"
Kagome groaned. "I don't have time for this, Myoga! We need to find Inuyasha."
"But Lord Sesshoumaru--"
"Can't find me for as long as I can help it," Kagome finished for him. "Inuyasha is in trouble. Kikyou told me he's risking his life to save me and I have to stop him."
"Why would you need saving, Kagome? A treasure such as yourself is surely in no danger. Although, why you would be out here in the middle of nowhere without your protector is something of a mystery to me."
"I'm out here because I do not want Sesshoumaru to find me. I'm out here because I need to find Inuyasha and stop him from doing whatever it is he's going to do. And you're going to help me, Myoga."
The little flea gave an audible gulp. "I am?"
"Yes."
"But Lord Sesshoumaru--"
"Is not who you should be worrying about right now, Myoga," Kagome said, her eyes glinting with her determination and the anger that had been ever present within her recently.
The little flew gulped again. "Yes, yes," he hurried to say. "I can see that you are a formidable force, Lady Kagome, but you cannot just leave Lord Sesshoumaru."
Kagome did not want to talk about Sesshoumaru. She wanted to find Inuyasha, but the bold little flea just wouldn't leave the subject behind. And that was, in itself, slightly worrying. Myoga had always been afraid of Sesshoumaru and ran whenever the daiyoukai came anywhere near their group. "And why not?" she finally grounded out between clenched teeth.
"Don't you know?"
This time Kagome couldn't stop the scream of frustration that came out her lips. Yes, Sesshoumaru had told her much, but not everything. He'd spoken so selectively of what was going on and Kagome had no prior knowledge of what was happening, either. "I haven't been told a thing!"
The little flea's eyes widened even more, giving him a vague resemblance to Jaken. He danced back and forth worriedly on Kagome's hand. "Oh, this is not good. This is not good at all," he kept repeating over and over again.
Kagome was just about to slap her hands together to stop him from repeating himself again, when the flea fell silent. Then he stabbed his little sucking mouth back into Kagome's palm and she slapped him anyway. "What was that for?!"
When Myoga had bloated himself back to his usual size once more, he answered. "I needed another taste of you to see how far the bonding has gone, Kagome," he explained. "You must return to Lord Sesshoumaru."
"As if!"
Myoga shook his head at the human before him. He repeated to himself, once more, that he would never understand this species—especially the ones who traveled between times. "If you do not return to Lord Sesshoumaru, he will come and find you."
"Which is why I'm hiding out here right now."
"That will not stop him."
"I know," Kagome answered sullenly.
"An unfulfilled bonding already this progressed will only drive him--and yourself-- to madness."
What?"We are not progressed!" Kagome argued, rather pathetically to her own ears. "It's only been a few days."
"Your auras, your essences, are very near to a complete bonding. On a subconscious level for you, I'm sure. It's unheard of for this to have happened so quickly," Myoga quickly explained, trying to keep himself from being squashed again. Kagome's temper was almost as bad as Master Inuyasha's-- if not worse sometimes--and it seemed to be much more violent right then. "You have shared your lifeblood with him on several occasions and he with you. I can already taste it in your blood. If you do not return to his side, he will go into a state of madness and destroy everything in his way to get to you."
***