Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter Eleven
Her knock was timid, but the determination Kikyo felt was anything but. Naraku called her in on the second knock, and she took one last deep breath before pushing the heavy door of the drawing room open.
"Ah, Kikyo," Naraku greeted her warmly, waving Kagura away as she stood by to inform him of the king and queen's condition. "How kind of you to grace us with your presence!"
"Naraku," Kikyo responded, her voice far less welcoming than his.
Naraku caught on to her aloof demeanor. "Why, dear Kikyo, whatever's wrong?"
"This isn't what you promised," Kikyo said, "This isn't what we agreed on."
Instantly, Naraku's mood worsened, and he was now leveling her with a contemptuous look to rival her own. "Now is not the time for envy, Kikyo," he warned, his grip on his shakujō tightening formatively.
"I'm not envious. You lied to me, Naraku."
He scoffed humorlessly. "So I've hurt your feelings is that it?"
Kikyo shook her head. "This has to stop, Naraku. You've gone too far. You're not using the Jewel to make this kingdom a better place; you're using it for your own greed and power!"
Naraku backhanded her across the face, so suddenly, that it caused Kikyo to recoil and stumbled back a few steps. She cradled her bruised cheek, trying to channel the peace she'd meditated so long to achieve. She only had one shot at purifying the Jewel.
"Naraku, you can't do this anymore," she called out, her voice echoing off the tall walls and vaulted ceiling of the drawing room. There was an uncomfortable burning in her chest, and Kikyo began to wonder if the stress of trying to purify the Jewel was taking its toll.
Naraku seemed to catch on to her intention, and he swung his shakujō around, pointing it at her threateningly. "I wouldn't finish if I were you," he seethed.
"You will lose control," Kikyo pressed on, disregarding his threats. There was power to her words, she could feel it, though it was quickly becoming evident that it was too much for her to handle. Even so, she had to keep going.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Kikyo yelled, "You don't have power anymore—"
The strike from Naraku's shakujō was sudden, catching her directly in the chest and sending her flying several feet backwards. The wind was knocked out of her as she collided with the hard stone floor and she gasped deeply, struggling to take in gulps of air. She rolled onto her stomach laboriously, still fighting to get air into her lungs and struggling to reorient herself. Her mouth was saturated with the bitter, metallic taste of blood and Kikyo spat a clotted puddle onto the floor.
Naraku watched her struggle pitilessly before he approached her, pushing the toe of his boot painfully into her stomach, kicking her on her back once again. Her eyes swam furiously, vainly trying to focus on the intimidating traitor looming over her. She was still choking on gasping breaths of air and blood now streamed down steadily from her nose as well as seeping from both corners of her mouth.
"I don't have power?" Naraku asked pointedly, his voice low and rough with barely controlled rage. "That's quite interesting coming from someone who can't even control the basic power it takes to purify the Jewel. Now look at you." He nudged her side with his boot, raising an eyebrow at Kikyo's low groan of pain. "You'll barely last a week," he surmised cruelly, stepping over her dismissively and taking his leave of the drawing room.
Kagura tapped her fan against her chin contemplatively. Apparently, both Naraku and Kikyo had forgotten that she was in the room, the first having stomped off angrily and the latter still lying where Naraku had left her, her quiet sobs only interrupted by the gurgle of blood in the back of her throat.
By all accounts, Kikyo did indeed seem to be done for. The amount of blood collecting in her throat and continuing to stream down from her nose was obviously indicative of internal bleeding, and like Naraku said, she wasn't guaranteed to last much longer. But, Kagura noted, Kikyo herself wasn't too far off the mark either. It was true that the descendant of Midoriko was nowhere near strong enough to carry the amount of power it took to purify the Jewel, though she did have power nonetheless. Kagura realized that Naraku must've known this too, as delivering a fatal blow would not have been necessary if he himself didn't feel threatened. Furthermore, Kagura had seen it: the small glistening of pure light coming from the center of the Sacred Jewel. She may not have been able to finish the job, but thanks to Kikyo, there was light brewing in the Jewel once again.
Kagura's stomach flipped as she realized this. She wondered if there was any point to being loyal to Naraku at all anymore. But who here was strong enough to defy Naraku. . . ?
Smirking, Kagura slipped from the drawing room unnoticed. She marched resolutely towards her destination, passing right by unknowing yōkai and possessed guards. Her fingers lighter than air, she handily snatched the keys off of the door guard, unlocking and entering the guest chambers without acknowledgement.
She turned towards the unsurprised prisoner, smirking again at the sight of his bored, yet somehow superior face. Opening her fan with a quick flick of her wrist, Kagura covered her mouth coyly as she greeted him.
"Sesshomaru."
Kirara poked her head back up from the hole she'd dug on her way into the dungeon. "I'm done widening the hole on this side of the exterior wall," she informed Sango dutifully.
"Good. That's good, Kirara," Sango praised. "Thank you."
Kirara shook off the complement modestly. "Ah, I'm just doing my job." She gratefully accepted the water Rin offered her, taking a long swig. "I should have the other side completed by nightfall."
"Thank you, Kirara," Miroku said earnestly. "I can't even begin to tell you how big of a help you've been."
Blushing, Kirara shrugged off Miroku's words as well. "Like I said, it's nothing." She smiled at Sango. "I'd do anything for a descendant of Midoriko," she said devotedly before disappearing back down the hole.
Kohaku and Rin crouched down at the opening of the hole, both having taken a shine to Kirara and taking it upon themselves to entertain her while she worked. With both of their backs to Sango and Miroku, Sango took the opportunity to scowl at Miroku and slap his arm reproachfully.
"Ow!" the monk whined pitifully, rubbing his arm tenderly. "What was that for?"
Rolling her eyes, Sango shot back under her breath, "Oh come on, Miroku! I saw that!"
"Saw what?"
"Stop playing dumb. You were flirting with Kirara!"
Miroku stared at Sango momentarily before a gleeful grin broke out across his face and he unsuccessfully tried to stifle his laughter behind his hand. Rin and Kohaku turned back to the curiously at the sound of his chuckling, and Miroku shook his head at them dismissively while regaining his composure. Sango turned away and glared at nothing while Kohaku and Rin focused their attention back to Kirara.
"I wasn't flirting with her," Miroku informed Sango lightly once the suspicion had died down.
"Oh really?" She didn't sound convinced.
"Yes," he insisted, his grin widening as Sango fought against his hand trying to seek hers. "She really has done a lot for us, and I think it's important for her to know how grateful we are."
Finally, Sango gave up trying to keep her hand away from his and sighed heavily as he intertwined their fingers. "She was blushing," she huffed quietly after a short moment's pause.
"Well, I can't control how she reacts," Miroku responded logically, rubbing the back of Sango's hand soothingly with his thumb. "But I can assure you that I only meant to thank her, and nothing more."
Sango studied him for a moment before shaking her head, apparently letting the matter drop. She focused on Kohaku and Rin again, who helpfully kept the handfuls of dirt Kirara tossed behind her from frustrating her progress.
"I have to say," Miroku mused thoughtfully after a while. "I had no idea you were the jealous type, Sango. It was quite entertaining."
Sango raised an eyebrow in minute irritation. "Entertaining?"
"And flattering."
Sango scoffed. "And the fact that you derive entertainment and flattery only confirms that you are a very poor monk."
"You wound me," Miroku replied genially, scooting closer to her and putting his arm around her shoulders. "If it's any consolation, I suppose I'd be jealous if some knight came out of nowhere and tried to sweep you off your feet."
"Only suppose?"
"Alright," he confessed, "I know I'd be jealous. More than jealous, I'd be crushed." He kissed her forehead, keeping a watchful eye on Kohaku and Rin.
Sango nodded, her fingers playing with the engagement ring Miroku had given her, still hanging from the chain round her neck. "Well, I guess it's a good thing we won't have to deal with that then." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"A very good thing indeed," Miroku confirmed, planting another kiss in her hair.
Kohaku and Rin wandered back over to them after that, forcing the two of them to part and watch over Kirara's work as a group.
"She says she can smell fresh air," Rin informed them, taking a seat between Sango and Miroku and folding her knees up to her chest.
Miroku smiled at the young girl and mussed her hair in a brotherly manner. "Shouldn't be too much longer, then."
"Yeah," Kohaku said, stretching his arms above his head. "Kirara said maybe another hour or so. She says we should travel through the night to avoid being caught by yōkai."
Rin squeaked in fear at the mention of yōkai and buried her head in her arms. "I'm nervous!" she peeped, her voice muffled as she spoke into her forearms.
"Why?" Kohaku seemed baffled at her fear. After a month of imprisonment, he was restless and anxious to get out.
"It's scary to travel by night, and what if yōkai do find us?" Rin said, her eyes barely peeking over her folded arms to look at Kohaku.
"You'll be fine," Sango assured her, wrapping her arms around the huddled, nervous girl and giving her a comforting hug. "You'll have Kirara with you every step of the way, looking out for you."
"Yeah," Kohaku agreed quickly. He went a little red in the face and continued, "And, you know, I'll be there too. Watching out for you. . ."
Rin raised her head, looking at Kohaku in earnest. "Really? You'll protect me, Kohaku?"
Kohaku reddened further and looked down, playing in the dirt absentmindedly. "Yeah," he mumbled, giving a nod for emphasis.
Rin seemed overjoyed at his promise and lunged forward to give him a very eager hug. Sango and Miroku exchanged an amused look before looking back to Kirara's escape-way, listening to the sound of her continued resolute digging.
An hour and a half later, true to her word, Kirara shimmied her way out of the hole. "It's ready," she informed them proudly. She looked to Kohaku and Rin. "Let's go. It's just after sunset; we need to get a move on."
Rin looked fearful again. She looked to Sango and Miroku. "Are you sure you can't come with us?" she begged.
Miroku shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Rin. Kirara couldn't have made the hole wide enough for Sango and I to fit through without drawing attention from Kanna."
"You'll be alright, kiddo," Kirara assured her brightly. "I'll be right beside you."
"Me too," Kohaku muttered, his cheeks going red again as he offered Rin his hand. Kirara climbed out of the hole as he and Rin said good-bye to Miroku and Sango.
"I'll see you soon, Sister," Kohaku promised as he hugged Sango. He looked over to Rin, currently bidding farewell to Miroku before he turned back to his sister. "Promise me you won't get too distracted with each other while you're alone," he said lowly, nodding towards Miroku.
Sango's eyes widened. "How did you know?" She was blushing furiously, embarrassed by the fact that her younger brother would insinuate something so scandalous of her.
"I've known for a while," Kohaku admitted with a small smile. "You're kind of obvious, Sis. But don't worry, I'm okay with it." He gave Miroku a strange look. "Mostly."
Sango gave him one last hug before whispering in his ear, "Thank you."
Kohaku smiled bravely at her, taking ahold of Rin's hand again and leading her over to their escape route. He helped her climb in down in the hole before following close behind. Kirara was about to follow them when Sango grabbed her arm.
"Be careful," she implored the cat yōkai. "Watch out for them. And please hurry."
Kirara saluted Sango loyally, giving her and Miroku a confident grin. "Don't worry, we'll reach Miko's Realm in no time." She wiggled her way back into the hole; only her head and shoulders were visible. "We'll let King Higurashi and Queen Emi know," she vowed, before disappearing completely down the hole.
"Hey, Kagome!" Ayame flagged the princess down, running up to her eagerly. "Koga wants to talk to you."
"He does?" Kagome was surprised. Koga hadn't spent much time around her since she'd explained the treaty concerning her betrothal to Inuyasha to him.
"Yeah," Ayame said, taking ahold of her wrist and pulling her along. "Come on, he says it's urgent!"
Kagome allowed herself to be dragged to Koga, her mind reeling with the possibilities of why he would demand to see her so urgently. She rather hoped it was not to declare his infatuation with her once again, especially not with Ayame around. Her friendship with the Wolf Tribe princess was already so strained.
Koga had his back to the girls as they neared him, his hands folded behind him as he stared at the sunset. Kagome approached him warily, clearing her throat to alert him of her presence before she remembered that as a yōkai, he could smell when she was near.
"You wanted to see me?" she called out to him.
"Kagome!" Koga turned to greet her, his characteristic arrogant smirk playing across his lips. "There you are! Yes, we need to talk."
He sat down in front of the fire, patting the ground next to him, inviting her to sit. Kagome looked back at Ayame for reassurance, only sitting when she was waved forward.
"We need to talk about what?" Kagome asked, still on edge and guarded.
"Relax, Kagome, you're not in trouble," Ayame chided lightly, taking a spot across the fire from them. "Koga just has a proposition for you."
Kagome turned to Koga for confirmation, her curiosity growing as he nodded solemnly. "What kind of proposition?"
"About the Sacred Jewel," Koga began, then on Kagome's look, he quickly added, "No, no, nothing like that, I promise. I don't want it for myself, believe it or not." He grinned. "I want nothing more than for it to be in your possession again, Princess."
"Then what about it?" Kagome demanded, her defenses up. "What do you want me to do?"
"Nothing," Koga assured her, "Yet. That'll come later. What's important now is that I have decided that my tribe and I will personally lead you and that mangy mutt back to Inu no Taisho's castle."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes. But that's not all. We're going to help you defeat this Naraku guy. Help you take back what's yours, as it were."
Kagome smiled broadly. It all seemed too good to be true! She couldn't picture a better way out of this mess.
"Koga," she whispered overwhelmed with gratitude. She looked at Ayame, who gave her a buoyant grin. "Oh, Koga, Ayame, you'd do that for us?"
"Well, more so for you than the mutt," Koga clarified nonchalantly. "And for me."
Kagome's smile faltered. "What do you mean?"
"I don't work for free," Koga went on smugly, "Naturally, there's a price for my services."
Sighing, Kagome massaged her temples in mild frustration. "What do you want, Koga?"
"Lucky for you, I've already named my price." He exchanged a sneaky grin with Ayame. "I want an in."
"An in?" Kagome was confused.
"An in. You know, a link, a reference, a way in with the king."
"What are you going to do to him?"
Koga laughed. "Nothing. All I want is a treaty of my own. An alliance."
Kagome nodded slowly. "That's all?"
"Cross my heart."
She mulled it over a few more times, questioning Koga's intentions and innocence and finding no faults with his offer. "Okay," she agreed, offering a hand to Koga, who shook it with arrogance. "It's a deal." Her smile widened again. "Thank you so much, Koga, Ayame!" She got to her feet excitedly. "I have to go tell Inuyasha!"
She found him not too far off, getting his own campfire started as the night darkened.
"Inuyasha," she greeted cheerfully, "I have some good news!"
"Oh yeah?" He seemed suspicious. "Is that why you've been gone?"
"Yes," Kagome confirmed. "I was talking to Koga. He offered us a proposition."
Inuyasha dropped his flint in surprise. "What?" he snapped.
"A proposition," Kagome repeated patiently. "He's going to take us back to the castle and help us get the Sacred Jewel back from Naraku! All he wants in return is an alliance with your father."
Again, Inuyasha balked. "And did you accept?"
"Yes! Of course I did. Inuyasha, he's going to lead us back to the castle," she exclaimed emphatically. "We'll finally be out of this mess!"
Inuyasha stared at her with some measure of incredulity. "You accepted a deal with a yōkai?"
Kagome nodded, feeling confused and a little hurt by his lack of excitement at her news. "I trust him," she told him weakly.
He studied her intently, as if trying to search for Koga's faults through her. Evidently not finding any, he sighed in defeat. "Alright," he conceded. "We'll take the deal."
Kagome clapped her hands once in victory before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! After a month in this place, we're finally going home!"
Suddenly, she paused and pushed back on Inuyasha's shoulders to look him in the eye. She looked markedly less happy than she'd been only a few seconds ago.
"What?" Inuyasha demanded, a little flustered at her romantic display.
"It's been a month," Kagome explained mournfully. "In three days, we were supposed to be married."
Inuyasha reddened at her overly emotional state. "A-and?" he stammered.
"Well, obviously, that won't happen now. We don't know how long it'll take us to get back and . . . and—I don't know. I was so looking forward to our wedding, and all of that still seems so far away. . ."
Inuyasha wasn't quite sure what to say. He knew that he should offer her some comfort, and more importantly, he wanted to let her know that he didn't have any intention to call off their wedding.
"Hey," he said, his voice low. Kagome looked at him, her eyes fogged over with tears. "Just because it'll be a little late doesn't mean it won't happen. You know . . . we'll still get married."
Kagome hiccupped on a soft, yet happy cry. "Inuyasha," she whimpered joyfully, running her fingers through his long, silvery hair.
Groaning inwardly, Inuyasha promptly let go of all his reservations and hesitations and pushed his lips hungrily against hers. Though she was surprised, Kagome quickly responded, her hands folding behind his neck before tangling eagerly in his hair. Feeling quite victorious, Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, nipping her bottom lip with his fangs almost shyly. She allowed him to deepen the kiss happily, sighing as his tongue pushed against hers. Taking a similar initiative, she trailed one hand down to his chest, sliding it into the opening of his shirt and exploring his muscles with a fervent curiosity.
Inuyasha stiffened a little as her fingers traced lightly across his chest, before he pushed further into their embrace. His hands, already holding her hips possessively, wandered dangerously lower; his thumbs massaged the sensitive bit where her thighs met her hips. Any further, he realized, and he'd be taking a leaf out of Miroku's perverted book.
Kagome moaned lightly through his administrations, and he suddenly didn't care if it was perverted or not, so long as they both got what they wanted. . .
A sudden "Ahem!" broke them apart hastily. Ayame was there, giving them a lewd and mischievous grin.
"Hey," she said casually, "I'm sorry to interrupt; I just wanted to let you both know that it'll take us at least two days to get to the castle." She waved, signaling her departure. "Now, please, get back to what you were doing!"
Kagome blushed, her cheeks reddening further as she looked down and realized that Inuyasha had pulled her onto his lap during their kiss. She looked up at him, almost surprised to see him looking so calm. There wasn't any trace of his normal agitation after their prior moments; rather, he looked determined and very satisfied.
"Inuyasha?" She'd never seen this side of him before; she wondered if anyone had seen this side of him at all. It made her feel like he really belonged to her, and she to him. She kissed him again, trembling slightly as his hand slowly and deliberately trailed up her side, his claws scraped lightly against her neck and jaw.
"Two days," he murmured against her lips. "Two days. . ."
