Getting ever closer to the end! I will be sad to finish this story, I think, but I am excited to have more free time to look into some of the other stories I have lined up. Anyway, that's still about four chapters away, so I won't get too ahead of myself. At the rate I've been going it may take me half a year to get said chapters up. DX
I haven't had a chance to proofread this, so hopefully the mistakes are minimal. I'll get around to that soon...
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Rallying Support
"Well, this is just fantastic!" Inuyasha griped, claws flexing in irritation as he paced. "As if dealing with that creep wasn't bad enough before, now we have to add this asshole to the mix?!"
Sesshomaru silently watched his brother fume, his thoughts running a similar course. With this new illusion caster involved, the final battle with their adversary would be significantly more perilous. They needed to come up with some kind of solution, and quickly. Now that Naraku knew of the jewel, he would waste no time in coming to collect it.
The miko frowned, wondering how they could get themselves out of this mess as she sat hunched upon the ground. If they couldn't find some way of avoiding or identifying Byakuya's magic, they were all sitting ducks – with the exception of Sesshomaru, perhaps. Walking into battle with Naraku and not having any way of knowing what was real and what wasn't… it was a guessing game, really, and one wrong guess could cost them their lives. While it was apparent that the illusions could be dispelled, they wouldn't have the advantage of time during their next encounter. They needed to find a way to outsmart their opponent.
'So then, how does one trick a trickster?' she pondered. Someone like Sesshomaru would likely have an easier time seeing through his deceptions, but how were the rest of them to overcome it? All it took was a single moment of hesitation, just one wrong step and the war would be lost…
It was ridiculously unfair, she decided. Their group consisted of the finest warriors this land had to offer: a fierce demon slayer, a powerful priest AND priestess, an indestructible hanyou, and an unstoppable demon lord. They had cut down everything Naraku had thrown at them, along with countless other enemies, yet now – as they stood mere inches from the finish line – the addition of a single illusion caster could end up costing them the race.
'Maybe we should see if we can rally some last minute support,' she wondered, thinking surely Sesshomaru had someone he could call on… but then… another thought struck her. 'Perhaps… all we need… is one more ally.'
She sat up, shoulders pulling back as she announced, "I think we need to call in an IOU."
Sesshomaru quirked a brow in confusion at the odd phrase.
"Whaddya mean?" Inuyasha questioned, having heard her use this expression before. She turned toward him and put on one of those big, far-too-sweet smiles of hers, and instantly his hackles were up.
"We need to fight fire with fire, and who better to pit against an illusion caster… than an illusion master?" she replied persuasively.
The hanyou growled. "No! No way in hell are we askin' that damn troublesome fox to join up!"
The sweetness was gone from her face, replaced by a firm look that brooked no further argument. "Inuyasha, we need to put personal issues aside for the time being and take the wisest course of action. If we play our cards right, we may very well end up beating Naraku at his own game!"
The half demon lowered his ears, back hunching as he pursed his lips. His golden eyes bespoke of his distaste for the situation, but he remained quiet nonetheless.
The daiyoukai scowled, though he kept his thoughts to himself, as per usual. To be in close proximity with that wily male again was not something he'd hoped to endure again for a long while. Akimitsu's obvious interest in Kagome was taxing on his patience. Hopefully he could get through this endeavor without severing any heads… one in particular…
"C'mon!" the miko exclaimed. "It's a great idea, and all of you know it! Even Sesshomaru said that he was skilled!"
Kagome turned pleading blue eyes to said youkai. "Right? You said he was strong!"
He nearly sighed, conceding, "A fox with so many tails is quite rare."
She beamed. "See?!"
Miroku cleared his throat. "As much as I… am reluctant to have another encounter with Akimitsu so soon, I must agree with Kagome. This could turn the tide in our favor."
"So…? Are we all in agreement?"
The monk, hanyou, and demon lord exchanged unenthusiastic glances before nodding in affirmation.
The priestess stood, smiling in triumph. "Good! Now, the sooner we head out the better! I doubt we have much time to waste. Can you find him again?" she inquired, turning to Sesshomaru.
"Retracing our trail will be simple enough," he replied. "Though, it would be prudent to reach him as quickly as we are able. We will go on ahead."
Kagome turned to the others in askance.
"The two of you go; we will catch up," Miroku agreed.
She nodded, turning then to the children. "I think… it would be best if they dropped you two off with Kaede."
Miroku stepped forward, agreeing, "Naraku will be on the move soon enough. It will be much safer for you in the village."
The kit looked crestfallen, but didn't argue. When the priestess knelt and opened her arms in invitation, he wasted to no time in rushing to her, throwing himself into her comforting, familiar embrace. He hugged her harder than he'd ever hugged her before, whispering into her sweet-smelling hair, "Please… please come back."
"I'll be careful," she promised, fighting off tears. She needed to be strong for Shippou. Pulling back, she told him, "Don't you fret, I've got the best protection anyone could ask for!"
He managed a watery smile, slipping out of her arms and shuffling back a step.
Rin approached her protector, peering up at him with soulful brown eyes. He placed a hand on her head, offering reassurance in that silent way of his. She smiled, understanding, and wrapped her arms around his leg in a quick, firm squeeze.
"The two of you make sure you behave for Kaede," Kagome instructed, bending to hug the inu's ward when she approached.
The children tilted their heads in compliance, watching as the daiyoukai took hold of the miko's hand and pulled her to his side.
"What about Kouga?" she asked. "How will we contact him?"
He turned, addressing his retainer, "Jaken, once the children have been delivered into the elder miko's care, you are to locate the wolves and inform their leader of our situation. Afterward, return to the village and help to safeguard the young ones."
The kappa nodded vigorously.
Sesshomaru glanced down at the priestess' head, advising, "You may wish to close your eyes. My orb is considerably faster than our previous method of flight."
Kagome nodded, squeezing her eyes shut and pressing her face into his pelt. She gripped him tightly, his arm winding securely around her waist. They rose into the sky and were enveloped in a blazing sphere of light, streaking off into the horizon like a vivid bolt of lightning, leaving the others to follow.
"Inuyasha, perhaps you'd like to ride with us?" Sango proposed as she and Miroku mounted the neko.
"I'll be fine," the hanyou insisted. "I can keep up on foot."
"Are you sure? It's quite a distance," the priest reminded him.
"My memory ain't broken, monk, I know how far it is. We don't have time for any stops, and my added weight will slow Kirara down."
"Alright," Sango yielded. "Just make sure you tell us if you're starting to tire."
The fire cat sprang into the sky with a roar, Ah-Un following closely behind. Below, Inuyasha trailed them swiftly. He knew he would likely grow weary long before they arrived, but urgency would strengthen him, fuel his pace. He couldn't afford to lag now, not with Naraku's attack so close at hand. He only hoped that his brother and Kagome would reach Akimitsu in time for it to make a difference.
The daiyoukai traced the remnants of their fading scent, clinging tightly to the priestess as he flew. The trip, having taken days before, was cut down to a couple of hours. His passenger had yet to speak a word, her face still pressed firmly into his chest, small hands gripping fistfuls of fur and silk.
As he regarded the female, his mind wandered to their upcoming battle with the spider hanyou, and her involvement in it. The thought made him uncomfortable. While he may have been confidant in his abilities as a warrior, there were no certainties in war. If something were to happen to her… His chest tightened, jaw clenching at the very notion. In truth, he would have preferred that she stay out of the entire affair, but he knew that would not be possible. Naraku would find her no matter where she was; therefore the safest place for her was with him.
Sesshomaru marvelled over his attachment to this human woman, over how it had grown during the time they'd spent together. These feelings… he had accepted them, yes, and had decided he would continue to explore them, but he had yet to truly consider what they would lead to. His fondness for her had continued to develop, to the point where the idea of being without her made him feel bereft. She made him experience things he'd never experienced before, made him feel things he never thought himself capable of feeling. He desired her nearness, though not just physically. She… meant more to him than that.
He needed to tell her, and soon, though it appeared that discussion would have to wait, as they were rapidly approaching the location in which they'd last encountered the kitsune. Sesshomaru could sense no trace of him, though memory told him it was the correct place.
'Promising,' the inu mused. The fact that this fox was able to conceal not only his scent, but also his aura from the daiyoukai… it bespoke of great skill. He would certainly prove most useful in battle, so long as they could convince him to join. Though, Sesshomaru had a hunch that he would not refuse; Kagome was irresistibly charming… and if her charm did not work, he could be very persuasive.
"We are here," he told the miko as the false cave came into view.
She peered on ahead when she felt him slow, gladdened by the prospect of being on the ground again. Travelling so quickly… had not been kind to her stomach. A little stability was precisely what she needed.
Resisting the urge to throw herself to the dirt and hug the earth, the priestess took a wobbly step away from the daiyoukai when they landed, flashing him a grateful smile when he steadied her with a strong hand.
"I must admit I am surprised to see you again so soon," spoke a friendly voice. Akimitsu stood at the entrance of the fabricated-cave, having felt the powerful dog lord's approach. A cordial smile tilted his handsome mouth as he tipped into a respectful bow. "Though, it is a most pleasant surprise! Please, do come in!"
When he made to dispel the illusion surrounding his home, Sesshomaru commanded, "Leave it in place."
The fox quirked a brow, but did as he was bid, watching with growing curiosity as the pale inu erected a barrier of his own around the property. "My, my, my… whatever is amiss?"
"I apologise for the abruptness of our arrival," Kagome began. "I'm afraid this isn't the friendly visit we were hoping for."
The kitsune hummed. "If not for pleasure, what is the purpose of your visit?"
She cleared her throat. "We've come to ask another favor of you."
"Might I inquire as to the nature of this favor?"
"Inside," Sesshomaru said, the gears of his tactician's mind already turning.
"But of course," the fox acquiesced, inviting them into his home with a welcoming sweep of the hand.
Miko and demon stepped into the cave, walking several feet before they passed through the illusion barrier. Akimitsu lead them to the same room they'd occupied during their previous stay, asking as he went, "Where are your other companions?"
"They're coming," Kagome responded. "We felt it prudent to get to you as quickly as we possibly could, so the two of us went on ahead."
He slid open the shoji, gesturing politely for his guests to enter ahead of him. "This business sounds rather urgent," he noted solemnly as they settled.
The priestess shifted onto her knees, blue eyes beseeching as they met vivid emerald. "We are approaching the end of our journey. The jewel is nearly complete, and the final confrontation with our greatest enemy is imminent. However, a recent addition to his ranks has turned the tide in his favor… and we are left at a disadvantage."
"What manner of foe could disconcert the likes of you?" Akimitsu wondered aloud, gaze shifting from miko to inu.
"An illusion caster," Sesshomaru answered.
The fox demon's eyes widened in understanding, a knowing smile twisting his lips. "Ah, I see."
"We were hoping you might lend us your aid," Kagome explained. "A demon of your skill could be the very thing we need to win this war."
The crimson-haired youkai sat quietly for a moment, seeming to ponder her plea. He reclined back against a supporting beam, expression calm and unreadable. "I am a peaceable being, and am reluctant to involve myself in such violent affairs…"
The young woman took a deep breath, fingers fiddling with the sleeves of her sweater as she divulged, "As I assumed you would be, but please, consider this before making your decision. The demon we are fighting for possession of the Shikon-no-tama… he is evil incarnate. Not a sliver of good resides within that monster, and if he should defeat us and claim the jewel's power for himself… a darkness like nothing the world has ever known will swallow this land. There will be no peace… there will be only fear, and death, and chaos. Naraku wishes to destroy this world, and everything in it."
The kitsune listened carefully, letting the gravity of her words sink in. He gave a small, humourless laugh, turning to the human female as he hummed, "That seems most troublesome, indeed."
Heart fluttering nervously, Kagome implored, "Please, Akimitsu. You may very well be the only thing that stands between all of creation and utter destruction. Will you help us?"
For what seemed an eternity he simply sat there, deep green orbs gazing at her unblinking. Finally, after a long pause, he smiled. "You have a most compelling quality about you, Lady Kagome. I see why the Western Lord fancies you so."
Her face flamed.
Sesshomaru lifted a pale brow.
Laughing at her charming expression, the kitsune inquired, "What would you have me do?"
It was the daiyoukai's turn to speak. "Naraku is treacherous and cunning, but his hubris is his greatest weakness. If we allow him to believe he has the upper hand, he will undoubtedly become careless."
"It sounds as though you have a plan," Akimitsu surmised.
"Indeed," he confirmed, looking over at the priestess. "Firstly, I will need the jewel."
"Need it?" Kagome asked, blinking. "Need it for what?"
"My possessing it will help ensure that everything goes as planned," he explained.
The miko withdrew her half of the jewel and handed it to the daiyoukai, knowing she could trust him with its protection. Out of everyone in their group, it would undoubtedly be the safest in his keep.
"Now," he went on, tucking the item away within the folds of his garb, "I need for you to make something, Akimitsu."
"You are certain, Byakuya?"
"Yes, my master," replied the demon, rising from his knees.
Naraku grinned viciously, red eyes flaring in anticipation. "I had thought I felt a stirring within the jewel, but could not be certain what it meant."
He removed his piece of the tama, staring down at the glittering half-orb as he cradled it reverently in his palm. "Excellent. Now all that remains to be done is to reunite the two halves, as well as tie up the final loose end…"
The hanyou's devilish eyes drifted to the silent figure in the corner of the room, the shard embedded within his back flaring briefly. The spider rose, demon hordes rallying at their master's command.
"It is time. Byakuya, you know your main objective?"
"Indeed I do."
Naraku clenched his hand around the pulsing jewel, feeling its power thrum eagerly through him. "She is the key, and with her, I will bring a living god to his knees."
There we have it! Lemme know what you think!
Oh, and for those of you following my little notes, you will know that part of the reason I update so infrequently has to do with the fact that I teach dance, and I thought you might like an update. Well, I'm happy to say that my team partook in their first competition at the end of February, and took home gold in their category! Yay! So proud of all my dancers! All that hard work paid off!