Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha…This is based on the Swan Princess. This time, there may be some paraphrases from the movie.
Sorry, people…if there ARE people out there still reading this. School with college courses in the mix is kinda difficult and it is not so easy for me to spew out chapters…so, anyway, enjoy!
+Previously+
Last chapter ended with Kagome passed out along with Kohaku; Inuyasha's strange and disturbing incident with Kouga; Naraku pleased with his malevolent plans; and Sesshomaru and Kagura have a go-at-it (no…NOT like that, or is it. Read the clues!).
Beauty? Is That It? -- Chapter 26 (Kagome's POV)
I wake up, remembering everything that had happened. However, I open my eyes only to see blackness; it makes me wonder whether I really am wakeful. I move my head to feel if I have a blindfold over my eyes. I don't. Just great…I'm blind.
"Actually, your eyes are functioning perfectly. You see 'blackness' because you are in a dark room."
Who is that?
"Why…I'm…oh, that's right. I don't know who I am. I was actually wondering if you could tell me."
I ponder about it, then remembering that his voice sounds familiar. Why does he suddenly have ESP? Must be what was left of Naraku in him from the incident. Tears pour out from my auburn eyes…the memory of seeing Kohaku's tortured face as Naraku stabbed Kohaku's dagger-holding hand into my chest. Just thinking about it brings back the same agonizing pain. "…This order will…temporarily silence her human form."
"Onee-san (1)?"
Before words even form in my mouth, candlelights slightly brighten up the room, which actually turns out to be a large dried-up well. Across from me is Kohaku. Both of us are hanging from the walls, arms/wings stretched out diagonally above our heads. Rusty-hinges are heard from above and we stare up only to have two figures jump down.
"A whole day has passed. Have a nice sleep, love?" Naraku sneers.
I glare at him and spit in his face. The other figure stands behind him, facing Kohaku who seems to have a confused and scared look on his face. "Onee-s-san, i-is this y-your twin?"
Huh? What is he talking about?
Naraku wipes his face and punches me in the gut, even as a swan, I still have one? I gag forward, my insides constrict and I can't keep the blood from coming out my mouth
"Don't push your luck…you don't have much of it left," he whispers as he cuffs my chin and licks the trail of blood on the side of my beak. My strength is drained suddenly and consciousness slips away slightly. I whimper at my helplessness.
"Anyway, I'd like to re-introduce you to… Kikyo."
"Wha-? Ki-ky-o?" I stare woozily as the other figure turns around, and surely enough, it is her…the lady I once admired. She's not wearing her traditional priestess clothes, but a beautiful pearl dress with off-shoulder sleeves. Her hair isn't in a loose ponytail, but left down stylishly. We do resemble each other, yet we are totally different – possibly opposites even. She is so clean and 'pure'-looking…I look down at my appearance: dirt and soot platter my head and body…I know I look like a mess, like a real animal. "W-why…are you…"
"I shall tell you the reason, Kagome," she stares at me blankly, "I am saving you from that which is not pure. I am saving you from the abominations of life. In fact, I am going to save everyone from them." Kikyo's speech is monotone, but the tone has so much conviction. "I had failed that day to destroy that wretched half-demon because of his half-blooded demon brother. This time…nothing shall stop me."
Heh, who's 'everyone'? "That makes no sense! Why would you help Naraku? HE is in that category of 'abominations'! He's a half-demon too."
"I shall use all the resources available to me. With the Shikon jewel around his neck, he is no longer half, but a demon."
So, in other words, she doesn't care as long as she accomplishes her goal. Such corrupted determination…A priestess was supposed to protect not only humans, but everyone else too if they were hurt or in danger. It seems the way of the priestess has gone awry for her…or has she taken it to the next level?
Naraku stands slightly behind her with his left arm around her waist, caressing her left cheek with his right hand. He softly rubs his face into her hair, taking in her exotic scent. She stands motionless, staring at me with her dark-onyx eyes…hiding what could be floating in her heart.
Naraku speaks again, "She will be taking your place at that precious InuKeep ball tonight." My eyes widen…so he does know about it. What am I going to do? He continues, "I've decided to finally grant what she's wished for. When the news finally breaks to Inuyasha, he and everyone else will suffer greatly…for I've chosen the two keys that will make their hearts throb and ache…swim in the flood of agony and torment."
"W-what do you mean?" We turn attention over to Kohaku. He seems so frightened yet so bewildered.
"That's right, amnesia boy…how about I finally release the seal. I think you'll know what I mean then, besides, I no longer have any use for you." Naraku raises his hand and snaps his fingers. Right then, Kohaku starts screaming in agony, the anguished memories of the day when he killed his family, of almost killing his sister, and of all the terrible things Naraku made him do. I squeeze my eyes shut, but tears gush down my face. Naraku laughs deeply and maniacally as he and Kikyo soar back up the well into the nightfall sky.
He calls out, "Enjoy yourselves." Another snap of his fingers starts water to ooze out slowly from the ground below our feet. I gasp, "Oh…no…" Inuyasha!
(Inuyasha's POV)Anticipation…
Excitement…
All the same emotions I had felt yesterday in trying to rescue Kagome, but now, they are all from waiting for her to arrive…that is, IF she comes. I pray that she does. She promised she would…
I rub my sweaty hands against my burgundy tunic as I clip a small matching cape to my top. A knock interrupts my thoughts and I turn to see my smiling mother enter my dressing room.
"How are you feeling, son?"
I sigh, "All right. How is Sesshomaru?"
"Oh! He is fine, just that his clothes were ruined – he came back half-dressed, mind you – and he had minor physical wounds, which no one notices since he heals so quickly, but he has this strange tannish-pink mark on the base of his neck that has not gone away yet. I am more troubled about his strange fatigue. That demonness most definitely got under his skin. I actually rather think he enjoys fighting that woman."
"It was weird how he never answered me when I asked if he finally killed her. He just growled and smacked me upside the head. Why are people doing that so much to me?"
She grins warmly as she fixes my shirt, "But anyway, now, don't get too excited. Remember to greet all the guests and to appeal to the princesses/possible wives."
I whine, "Mother! I don't need to 'appeal' to all of them. I already have one in mind."
Mother is thrilled, "Oh! So you've looked through all the letters and picked one?"
"Heheheh, well…" we look over to the large pile of envelopes, none of which had been opened or even touched by me. In fact, I hadn't even looked at the pile until right that moment.
"(-.-) Son!" Mother whines back, "How can you possibly have chosen a wife if you haven't looked at your choices? Don't you be wasting your mother's time! Why ARE you wasting my time? I had spent hours writing letters to the lords, dukes, and other important people about you and this ball for their daughters to meet you! Hmph, Inuyasha!"
Damn, I hate it when she uses my whine against me. Feh, being immune to my pout wasn't enough? She sounds more annoying than I do…wait, is THAT how I sound? Hmm, maybe I should stop whining around her. "You'll find out later. Mother, you should go out there and warmly welcome the guests. I'll be out there soon."
She sighs…identically to the way I had a few minutes ago, "Hm, very true. See you out there, son!" She waves as she leaves and closes the door.
"You'll see my choice, mother, the best decision I will ever make in my life," I say to myself and to mother aloud as I go to look at myself in the long mirror again. I smirk, but for some reason, the mirror's smirk is condescending and not good-naturedly, like I thought I was feeling.
Feh, have I forgotten already?
"…" My reflection is speaking to me.
She said she was only coming for old times' sake, not for me. She belongs to Naraku. She said so to my face. In fact, what makes me think she's really coming? She's under his control. I bet he's found a way to keep her from coming. I bet there's a trap. I bet this is a trap…
"Shut up!"
My reflection goes back to normal, but 'I'm right'. Those words sound weird when referring to myself. Gah, I sorta forgot about all that, all the things that happened before this. I guess I fooled myself into thinking that this was as if she's coming from her home-kingdom, not from Naraku's Valley of Souls, to this fancy ball so I can finally call her mine, all mine. I didn't exactly prove to her how I loved her during the "rescue"…I can't believe I tried to kill her; I can't believe I thought the swan was Naraku. Holy crap, I can't believe I left her back in that barrier! Fuck!
Whack! Crack!
My fists crash into the walls next to the full-length mirror.
I should've just literally swept her off her feet and out of that barrier. But then again, that would've meant putting everyone else in danger too. Heh, we can't be putting innocent people in danger now, can't we…especially when they have nothing to do with this?
Closing my eyes, a serene feeling washes over me.
"Haha, don't worry, man. I'm sure you'll get Kagome this time around. I'll make certain of that." I glare at the mirror, at Kouga who is poking his head through the door, "How long have you been standing there, wolf-slave bastard!"
"…Long enough to read your thoughts through your facial expressions, your royal pain-in-the-ass," he only chuckles as I threatened him with my angry stare of death, "C'mon, mutt, the real event is about to start. You don't wanna miss Kagome's grand entrance, right?"
"Feh," my voice is strangely lower, "The circumstances aren't the same as I had pictured them." I turn around to him, "Hey, Kouga, how do I prove to her that I love her, that she means the most to me, that her radiance is much more than her present youthful beauty?"
Kouga seems taken back by this, which isn't surprising. I'm actually having a decent conversation with this guy…more than that, I'm actually asking him for advice on how to get a girl that he probably still likes, even a little bit. He rolls his eyes and comes over…
only to whack me upside the head?
"Freakin', what was that for?"
"You are being so stupid right now, muttboy. The answer to that should be obvious! Inuyasha," he sighs exasperatingly as he wraps an arm over my shoulder…maybe he'll give me a good answer, "…it won't mean anything if I tell you. Figure it out yourself before it's too late."
-Twitch- I knew he was getting my hopes up, only for him to slam it back down and step on it. I glare at him again before I finally decide to leave the room and "join the party." Graah…Kouga sucks.
(Finally, the almighty omniscient POV)
The dark sky and nightly atmosphere are clear, yet lightning flashes and thunder clashes are seen and heard throughout the kingdom of Almaruse.
What could these ominous signs mean? Many people thought.
Outside the small moat of InuKeep stood the evil Naraku and corrupted Kikyo although the last one seems like an oxymoron. The winds blow rather fiercely. The party inside has started long ago, but Naraku insists on being "fashionably late."
"So, do you fully understand?" Naraku smirks coolly, but seems strangely impatient.
"Hm, only one last clarification; how can I possibly get close to that revolting half-demon without his catching of my actual scent?"
"Ah, yes, that is what this is for," replies Naraku as he pulls out a small vile filled with a semi-clear slushy liquid from his half-open black Zorro tunic top.
Kikyo has a questionable look on her face…an actual expression forms with one eyebrow crouched up and her lips gone flat, as if to say "what the hell is that?"
"Kagome's saliva with some of her blood." He looks over to see Kikyo as she inwardly gags, "…mixed with some nice smelling perfumes and herbs. Haha, I knew she would spit at me. I can't count the times I've gotten samples of her blood…especially that last time in the well."
Kikyo purses her lips skeptically, "You cannot possibly imply that I drink that or that it shall even work."
"Oh, pish-posh, priestess," Naraku slaps the air as he throws the vile up and down, "Don't be so naïve. How can I have you do that when all it'll do to your dead body is purify and obliterate you off the face of this world? Besides your scent mixed with Kagome's would make it worse. What we want to do is have her scent strongly overcast yours…and this is how we do it." He gleams at her, "Close your eyes."
Naraku blinks and his crimson pupils flash and shine as the bottle hovers and spins over one hand. The Shikon necklace radiates as he draws power from it, but the bright glow is duller than the last time he used the jewel…
With a soft blasting sound, the vile splits into three blazing parts, attaching itself to Kikyo. As the lights fade, three small orbs reveal themselves: one around her neck disguised as a luscious red choker ornament and the other two as mars earrings…clip-ons, of course.
"Agh, this smell is regurgitating," scoffs Kikyo as she holds her hands around her nose, "It was difficult enough to keep a straight face around her, making her believe I was that weak woman from her childhood, but only different."
She sighs after putting her hands by her sides, getting ready to go. However, before she takes one-step, Naraku grabs her hips and slams her back into his chest as he rests his face next to hers and stares at her cleavage, not covered by her pearl off-shoulder dress. You see, during her little rant, what she (or Naraku) did not know and notice is that whenever Naraku uses extreme power, he is temporarily weakened…allowing his human counterpart to rise. Just because he is more demon than he was before the Shikon necklace, it does not make him full-fledged. Nevertheless, it is Naraku and not Onigumo who is staring at her chest.
Kikyo's temper rises and she turns her head, "You sleazy –"Lips pucker against hers warmly and compassionately. She closes her eyes and kisses back, enjoying the small affection. They both open their eyes moments later, and she is surprised to see warm auburn instead of cold crimson.
"Please don't go through with this. I…I love – ", he starts, but crimson flashes back for a second, "Don't listen – go on!"
Naraku's consciousness pushes Kikyo towards InuKeep walls as he struggles with his human side on his knees, one hand holding his head in pain, the other clawing into the moist ground, his body hunched over a bit.
A confused Kikyo stumbles around, about to go check on him, but decides otherwise and runs towards the bridge. The short walk toward the castle allows her time to gather her composure, deciding to deal with that later…hopefully, there is one. Now in front of the grand double doors, fashionably late, she flips some of her hair over her shoulder, thinking that that would somehow make her more attractive. Hm, "Inuyasha", it is time to finally meet your inevitable doom, she thinks as she knocks.
From inside, her tap on the door is not heard at first…the large ballroom is filled with a sensual atmosphere, bright candlelit chandeliers, dark green drapery, harmonic orchestra music, and scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and entrées. Izayoi is busy, being a social butterfly and going from person to person/group to group in endless banter. Long since seen, Miroku and Sango laugh and dance in each other's company. Lady Kaede speaks with fellow doctors and nurses about topics of her interest. Little Rin, along with Kirara, sit at a small table, eating some food. Sesshomaru and Kouga attempt to, one way or another, fight off the dreadful hordes of young women swarming Inuyasha's personal space: Kouga, doing his job as part of security and defending Inuyasha, while Sesshomaru, playing his role as the not-so-caring older brother and endeavoring to get away. Inuyasha is NOT doing much, just the traditional "smile-and-nod-and-maybe-I-can-get-away" routine while holding his hands up as a tiny shield.
Finally, a loud knock is heard. The music halts. In fact, everything stops. Aside from her patient character, Queen Izayoi is distraught, "What on earth…who could that be?"
"I will get it, milady!" Little Rin swallows some last piece of food and prances up to the doors. She covers her ears as the pounding becomes more urgent, "Hold on!" Her small fingers press in the lock as her other hand begins to pull on one door. As it opens a crack, Rin's innocent-carefree facial nature crumbles and she gapes perplexedly at the sight. She had never seen the person before, but something about her seemed familiar. Maybe during one of Rin's visits with Kohaku?
The figure pushes through the small opening and Little Rin stumbles aside with her hands still on the doorknob. Gasps wave over the crowd. Some are confused as others become quite frightened. Kouga and Inuyasha are the only ones with positive reactions.
The figure's eyes scan the crowds and lands on the softened golden orbs of our dear hanyou. "Inuyasha…", she mouths…the words are only but a whisper, but they are as clear and tranquil as the night to Inuyasha. Shivers spike up his neck as he rubs his cold hands against his pants. You see, Kagome's essence around Kikyo's neck have changed the tone of her voice, making it identical to Kagome's. Ah, yes, Naraku has his brilliance.
As she takes graceful and authoritative strides towards the center of the dance floor, the people move aside while Inuyasha paces to meet her. When they are close enough, Inuyasha gawks at her further, his eyes telling her how absolutely dazzling she looked. Inside, she smirks malevolently…at his foolishness. Ah, she thinks, the beauty of silly men in love…they are blind. Of course, this works to my advantage.
Inuyasha pleasantly grins, "I thought you couldn't make it. I was worried."
She manages a small smile although normally incapable of showing emotions at all, even when she was still alive. "Nothing could have possibly kept me away. Shall we dance?"
He takes her hand, "Of course, anything for you…," he leans in close to whisper intensely, "Kagome." They grin as they position to waltz. The musicians have thawed from the cold fright of shock and have begun to play.
THUMP-UMP!
"Agh!" In the Valley of Souls, there is nothing pleasant. Not only were Kohaku and Kagome going to drown to death, but also Kagome's heart clenched painfully. It feels as if her lungs had stopped working for a moment and the bad feeling in the pit of her stomach worsens.
"Onee-san, what's wrong?" The water level is at their stomachs now. Kohaku had finally calmed from his sudden plop of once-repressed memories. Kagome had used something along the lines of talk therapy (actually yell therapy). Kohaku had laughed, seeing as how a talking animal was helping him. They had concluded that they needed to get out of the current dilemma, before dealing with anything else. In fact, there wouldn't have been anything else if they hadn't decided that.
"Apparently…something is wrong. My heart just started hurting, but I," she has to stop to swallow and take a breath, "don't think it's from physical pain."
"Oh! Just hang in there, Kagome-chan! Hey, Kohaku!"
They look up to see Shippo on the ridge of the well opening, seeing "salvation" in his form. He jumps down into the water, wading like a dog since he could not swim well. Grabbing onto Kohaku first, he climbs up to one of his bounded arms. Shippo had thought of simply burning the rope with his foxfire, but then he would hurt Kohaku. A thought occurs to him and he bares his fangs, latching onto the bitter-tasting rope and gnawing at it. Alas, his teeth are of better use than to simply eat food and bite people.
After the dirty rope is thin enough, Shippo yanks on it, pulling so hard that the twine breaks and causing him to fall back into the water. He surfaces in a puff of air, proceeding to free Kagome now since Kohaku begins to cut the other bind with a dagger, stashed under his clothes. Soon, both have to tread water to stay surfaced, Shippo holding onto Kagome's shoulder. Kagome seems right at home, looking as if she was comfortably floating…as a swan should.
THUMP-UP! Her heart gives her another jag.
"Oh no, we can't wait until the water gets high enough for us to climb out, and Kagome does look like she can fly out at the moment" says Kohaku, flinching worriedly at Kagome as she doubles over in grabbing her chest.
"Don't worry, you guys! Here, let me grab onto both of you."
Kohaku and Kagome stare questionably at him and each other, but still comply with his command. In a poof of smoke, Shippo transforms into a big seagull and flies up with the two hanging unto his talons to the opening of the large well. Just barely making it out, Shippo poofs back into himself as they all roll on the ground. "Owwie! You two are heavy, even you, Kagome, IN your swan form."
She stands on her webbed feet, "How have I gained weight if I hadn't eaten anything for the last two days!" Immediately when she yells, she falls over. Her head spins, making her woozy. She groans as she holds her head between her wings for a little bit. "Oi, I have to stop her."
"Stop who?" asks Shippo still rubbing his head.
"HER! KIKYO!" Kagome screams in pain as her heart is continuously stabbed. She spreads her wings, getting ready to go into the air.
"Matte (2)! You can't fly in your condition!" A scratchy voice exclaims. They all turn to find Jaken sprinting their way. When he finally reaches them, they can see that he seems to have gone through hell and back. He tries to catch his breath.
Shippo gasps at his injuries, "Jaken, what happened to you?"
Jaken glares and bops him on the head with his twin-headed staff. "What do you mean by that, little mongrel? Isn't it obvious what ensued!" A crack from his hip causes him to hunch to the side. "Ooo, that Naraku shall pay for what he did…" he says to himself aloud. "Kagome, you can't possibly get there in one piece. You are dehydrated, mal-nutritioned and exhausted. You've lost a lot of blood in the last few days. If you didn't know, your blood is what carries oxygen to your brain and muscles to function. A combination of all the factors I mentioned adds up to your chances of passing out or dying, if not treated properly and immediately!"
Kagome stares tiredly and defiantly at him. She smirks, the way Inuyasha would, "Well…I guess I'll just have to take that risk." With that, she heads into the bright night sky and onto InuKeep.
"No! Get back here, young lady!" Waving his staff, Jaken scolds her only for his other hip to give way with a snap, causing him to fall over and whine.
Shippo's lips quiver as tears rim his eyes. He sniffles, "Onii-chan (3), what are we going to do?" He scrunches his eyes, the tears dripping down his face, "I don't want Kagome-chan to die! Wahhhh!"
Kohaku curves his mouth up and lays a hand on Shippo's head, bringing him into a brotherly hug. "C'mon, believe in Onee-san. That's all we can do now."
The cruel wind spreads across her cold exhausted body, as if to deter her from going on. She breathes heavily, each inhalation becoming much more difficult than the last. The laborious and burning thumps of her heart were not aiding in her expedition.
But then, alas, the castle is now in sight. So close, just a bit further. She arrives at the wall, stopping to catch her breath as perspiration cloths her body. Her dirtied coat of feathers does not help. She flies weakly to one of the balconies and finds the doors shut tight. She goes to a window and sees the ballroom. Everyone is crowding around the ball floor.
Kagome's eyes widen tenfold as she spies Inuyasha dancing with…Kikyo, as if it were her. She is incredibly mortified. What? Inuyasha! Don't you see that she's fake? Can't you see that? Why?
Inside, all is content…except for Sesshomaru. Hmm, what does he have up his sleeve? Twirling with his hand on her hip and the other enclosed around hers, Inuyasha smiles. How long have we been waltzing? An eternity? Nah, that's just how I feel when it comes to her. I want to dance with her forever…I want… to be with her for eternity…
THUMP-UMP! THUMP-UMP…THUMP-UMP! "AAHH!" Kagome falters down into the bushes. Why does it hurt so much! Inu…yasha! Unknown to both, every time he professed his love to "her", the wrong "her", Kagome slowly dies. Her soul being ripped from her body; her heart being consumed by darkness. She groans, gathering the last of her energy to launch herself into the air again to get up to the window.
Lightning strikes close to the castle and the thunder booms loudly. The musicians abruptly discontinue. Inuyasha and Kikyo halt, his hands resting on the small of her back, her hands clamping to his chest. They grin at each other peacefully. "Inuyasha," Sesshomaru calls seriously, as he steps up. Kikyo turns her head first and eyes him daringly.
She glances slightly above him out into the window behind him and bulges her eyes to her surprise. Dread swims across her expression as Inuyasha glares at Sesshomaru. He turns to Kikyo, seeing her look. "What's wrong?" He asks as he tries to follow her gaze, she hisses, grabbing his face to look at her. Her intent stare envelops his concentration. Sesshomaru and Kagome watch in horror as Inuyasha loses himself. His golden eyes darken and become empty as his pupils of life die.
"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru goes to confront him, only to cease when Inuyasha raises a hand to silence him. "Don't get in the way! Guards, hold him down!" Strangely, Kouga and two other guards comply without question. "What in this hell world are you doing!" Sesshomaru struggles, being answered with more men coming to restrain him to the floor. He growls as they crush his arm(s) into his back, "What is wrong with them all?"
"Inuyasha…" whispers Kikyo as she wraps her arms around his elbow.
"Don't worry," murmurs Inuyasha. "Everyone! Ladies and gentlemen. Mother…" Lady Izayoi grins as she catches a tear with her finger.
"I have an announcement to make: I've found my future bride!" The crowd cheers merrily.
"No! Inuyasha! Not now…NOT to her!" cries Kagome from the outside. Sadly, her fading voice is so low. What is the reason for her inability to reach him? They had always had a connection. Until a moment ago, she could feel it. As Inuyasha's consciousness slept, so did their lovers'-link. Can't have a connection with no communication. But wait…love was supposed to conquer all.
"Please listen…All my life, I've had – wait –. When I was – hold on. Um, I had been thinking about some things ever since what had happened almost a year ago when I had messed up," Inuyasha glances at Kikyo, "in professing my love to my beloved."
Outside, more hacks are driven into Kagome's torn heart. She cries, and tears fall down along with the rain. "Agh! No! Please, Inuyasha, it hurts!"
"It's all coming together…after all the years of planning."
TBC…
Sorry, I had to keep my promise…but I have to stop here because my typing is too loud and my brothers can't sleep -.-
Hope you enjoyed it! Sorry if it sucks any T.T…Thank you for your patience! Reviews are welcomed.
Thank youArcherelf, raina, XBlackRoseX909, Cagalli-Yula-Athha and kouji who reviewed last chapter! Lovely people...
(1) – pronounced as "oh-neh-eh-san", meaning "older sister" but can be used to address close older female friends.
(2) – means "wait"…if you didn't know.
(3) – pronounced as "oh-nee-ee-san", referring to an older brother or older male person.