The Eternal Bond, Trust Chapter 14, an inuyasha fanfic

The Eternal Bond, Trust ch14

Author's Notes: Well, well, well, this chapter is a mini introduction to the next chapter… which is going to be the big battle between Naraku and the gang. Gosh, I have two huge fight scenes to write… it's going to take all Christmas break!

Oh, and another thing, hope everyone had a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Disclaimer: I sure don't own Inuyasha, only one person has that honor and it belongs to Ms. Rumiko Takahashi

The village was unnaturally vacant, only a few wary stragglers darting around the huts in a hurried rush, their eyes alert and suspicious. For the middle of the day this was highly unusual, but then again not many people were accustomed to the strange sightings of formidable demons. Villagers would occasionally stop and glance at the oncoming group accusingly, as if they were too a part of the demon aura haunting their huts.

"These humans are so damn skittish. Why the hell are they lookin' at us like we're the problem?" Inuyasha grumbled upon receiving a glare from yet another passerby, his defenses automatically rising at this obvious show of distrust to half-demons.

"Inuyasha, you must excuse their behavior. They're merely frightened by Naraku's ominous aura that hangs rather heavily over this village." Miroku answered to Inuyasha's indirect question, as he sighed.

Once they had learned the news of Naraku's appearance, they had immediately set off, hoping to catch the slippery foe before he disappeared again. It hadn't taken long to find the neighboring village, considering it was only an hour or two long walk from Kaede's village.

Kagome, too, was being cast strange looks, and she already knew why. Her clothes were a little out of place here, seeing as they were made 500 years in the future… She paid no heed to these glances, but was a little unnerved by the barren village. These people, where they really that intimidated by nearby demons? Sure, demons were definitely a force to be reckoned with when you were human, but surely they had gotten used to having them around. After all, they grew up and resided in a world full of demon occurrences.

Sango shifted her Hiraikotsu higher up on her back and glanced to her companions. "Perhaps we should speak to the head of the village. It seems to me that these villagers aren't frightened just by the aura…"

They wandered on until they reached what appeared to be the village leader's lodgings, and were greeted by a short, stout, aging man. "Good travelers," he began politely, offering them a courteous bow, "what brings you to our village?"

"We would like to know about the demon." Miroku responded, moving forward from the group. "Has he come forth into your village?"

The head villager shuddered, and a woman walking by glanced horridly to them as she picked up on the monk's question, before quickly hurrying off. Inuyasha raised his eyebrow at this, but said nothing. "This demon has been lurking nearby our village for two moons, and earlier this morning, one of our braver men tried to go out and confront it." The man stopped, closing his eyes in respectful memory of the man as he continued, "A woman stumbled upon his corpse a short time later."

The four companions' expression's darkened. Another tragic victim fallen to the menace known as Naraku. "Is this why everyone is staying indoors?" Sango asked, her voice softened at the reopening of a fresh wound for the aging man.

"Sadly yes," he replied with a gentle sigh. "You see, everyone is scared that this same fate will befall them, so they stay inside their huts, where they feel more secure."

Miroku placed his hands together before him in a prayer position and bowed to the head villager. "Thank you for this information. Do not worry; you will soon be rid of this demon interference."

A smile slowly overtook the elderly man's wrinkled features, but was soon replaced by a somber expression. "Please beware of this demon, and a safe trip to all of you." With this he walked back hastily into the safety of his own home, leaving the group alone in the village.

Miroku stuck his holy staff persistently into the ground below, as he always did when deep in thought. His eyebrows drew together in concentration. Inuyasha, already impatient to sink his claws into Naraku for a visceral revenge, finally snapped out harshly, "Well? What are we waiting for?!"

Kagome turned to Inuyasha, her expressive eyes holding the slightest bit of concern. "You don't think this might be a trap, right? I mean, Naraku has never been so conspicuous before, he usually tries to hide himself."

"My thoughts exactly, Lady Kagome," Miroku replied, opening his violet eyes and lifting his head.

Sango frowned. "That does sound like something Naraku would do, but it's such an obvious trap. Why would he make a scheme so obvious?"

Inuyasha just snorted at their questions. Of course he had thought over the possibility of Naraku tricking them, but what could they do? "Yeah, and what do you want to do about it?" he growled out, snagging everyone's attention. "Would you rather stay here and let Naraku run off, or take the stupid risk?" He folded his arms crossly over his chest.

"Good point," Kagome commented. "I guess it would be better to just go and see what Naraku has in store for us."

Sango turned on her heel, already starting to leave the village. "Let's get a move on, then. It isn't pleasant to fight in the dark."

It isn't pleasant to fight at all, Kagome thought, but knew that attempting to talk to Naraku was one tactic that would fail. Either way you looked at it, the outcome would be one last gruesome battle to the end.

This wouldn't be the first time they had fallen into one of Naraku's traps, but with a little luck and skill it would hopefully be their last. Kagome wondered on the numerous schemes Naraku had up his sleeve this time, knowing the evil hanyou, it would involve much emotional and physical suffering for the victim. That was what Naraku preyed on, fear and emotional vulnerability. It was no wonder Inuyasha tried his best to hide all feelings that were lingering right underneath his skin.

The mention of the half-demon brought Kagome to quickly glance at Inuyasha. He was focused solely on the scraggly pathway that wound through the forest, his senses wired to the breaking point. After everything that had transpired in the past, his intent to find and destroy Naraku had intensified to a do or die conclusion. Meaning, kill or be killed.

A shiver raced down her spine at the intensity of it all, and the importance of the outcome of the battle ahead.

Inuyasha cast Kagome a sidelong glance at her sudden shiver, but she shrugged it off, and Inuyasha drew his eyes back to the surrounding area. They were nearing Naraku's lair, wherever it was hidden, and he could tell not only by the aura becoming so thick it was now perceptible, but also by the scent only he could decipher in the air: Naraku's scent. Only the half-demon mastermind held that pungent smell of lesser demons roiled together with the scent of the dead.

Anticipation thrummed in every nerve on his body, his claws cracking by a will of their own as adrenaline built up steadily in his system. He was ready now.

Almost as if on cue, a bone-chilling wind swept through the trees, rustling the leaves around and dragging a good amount of them prematurely to the ground. The purplish haze to the air thickened and became hard to see through. The group tightened together in a close circle.

Their thoughts raced as each one reminisced over memories that flashed through their head. Eerily silence hung heavy in the dense fog, the calm before the storm.

Inuyasha raised the humongous sleeve of his fire rat robe to his nose, the delicate sense being overwhelmed by the miasma. His golden eyes narrowed dangerously, as they often did in battles, and he squinted, struggling to see through the fogginess.

It was his ears that gave away the first movement though, and Inuyasha whirled to the source, alerting his companions. Vaguely, everyone was able to identify the distant dark blob approaching fast. "Demon horde," Sango whispered almost as if it were a curse.

The inhumane screams and wails of the demons reached the humans' ears, and made them cringe. Before they knew what was happening, the creatures were upon them.

Kagome immediately ducked to the ground, searching for her bow. Her fingers grasped the smooth reassuring strength that was he weapon, and she nicked an arrow from her quiver. Aiming towards the center of the mass, Kagome let loose an amazing burst of spiritual power, dissolving a number of demons in a straight line upwards.

Sango and Miroku were already busy with their own set of problems as they fought diligently alongside each other. The Hiraikotsu was a steady whiz in the air, and Miroku's staff was a deadly accompaniment to Sango's attack. Despite that, though, the number of demons attacking outnumbered the number of demons they were taking down.

"Inuyasha!" Sango shouted in despair as a particularly nasty looking centipede almost knocked down her and Miroku.

The half demon was busy tearing through body after body, but turned hastily to his friends' aid. Releasing the Tetsusaiga from his hilt threateningly, Inuyasha unleashed a Wind Scar upon the demons, obliterating more than half of the horde.

The demons began to scatter, catching onto the fact they would be destroyed if they stayed in a pack. Inuyasha threw another sword attack in their direction, but only a handful was killed as they were separated now.

Kagome fired rounds after rounds of arrows, keeping a mental check of her supply in her quiver. She had plenty, but wanted to make sure she had enough for when Naraku came around. Speaking of which…

"When do you think he'll show himself?!" she yelled over the noise, not really expecting an answer.

"Don't get worried; he'll show his ugly face any moment now!" Inuyasha shouted back in response, ripping his claws through one of the remaining demons, which was not many.

Sango sliced another one in half, and Miroku finished off the rest by sucking them in his Wind Tunnel. Luckily, it seemed Naraku's insect wasps had not made their appearance yet, as well as their master.

"Tsk, tsk," a deeper voice boomed across the clearing. "Now is that really any way to talk of me, Inuyasha? It seems as if you wish for my company… consider your wish granted." A baboon-clad figure materialized before them, his insect wasps buzzing around him in a protective wall.

"Naraku…" everyone hissed despicably from their mouths.

Author's Notes: Not much to say, except for don't miss the next chapter! I know you readers (if there are any of you left) are kind of mad at me for not updating in a while… trust me I felt super guilty about it… but I really couldn't. I had writer's block. Big time. sigh But I promise you the next chapter will be finished before my Christmas break ends, which is in about two weeks. Write to you guys then! Oh, and don't forget those reviews to show that there are still some of you out there who read my stories! Thank you!

-kikyohater92-