*takes a deep breath* GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! *coughs* sorry…I
had to get that out.
I'm really really sorry about the huge delay in getting this chapter out. I've been reeeeeeeeeeally busy these last couple of weeks, plus I just couldn't write this chapter for the life of me. I kid you not, I erased the whole thing at least three times, it was so bad. I like how it came out, but…damn it took forever. And it's still pretty out of character in parts…
*claps hands* Congratulations to Vitani FyreWolf for knowing the author of the title to my last chapter. Dylan Thomas is my all time favourite poet and I just had to use him in there somewhere. I can't give you a prize, unfortunately, as I have nothing, but you have my appreciation for knowing such a great work.
Anywho…I hope you all enjoy this long-to-get-out chapter. As always, criticism is welcome. I'm always glad to hear other people's opinions. Since this is, in the end, for other people. Enjoy and thank you all for sticking with it so far.
Where Lost Souls Meet Again
Chapter Four: To Each a New Path
Gravel crunched beneath his feet as he trod along the desolate ground. Bones littered the ground around him, lying among broken branches and rocks. Shallow ravines and streams long since run dry were submerged beneath a low-lying fog, damp and impenetrable. Nothing stirred.
Little Inuyasha stopped just as his bare feet met with the fog line. He was carrying a satchel full of rocks—but to him they were more. He toted them around as though they were a lifeline, something that could keep him from falling, from breaking down and collapsing in a heap. He even liked to pretend they could restrain him, if only he uttered the word "sit."
The fog sifted a bit as little Inuyasha sat down. He was tired. He wasn't very strong and his legs were short. No one was there to keep him going and he had very little will to do so anyhow. A brief sigh escaped him. So much for being the strong, egocentric demon he always dreamt of being. He knew where his strength lay now. Absolutely nowhere.
The boy hmphed. What am I thinking? Of course I'm strong. I'm Inuyasha! My father was a great demon; why—how could I possibly be weak? Ha! I'm not weak at all…it's those stupid humans' faults. They made me travel with them for too long and I lost my edge. Well…I'm not going to lose my strength. No, no way at all! He grinned triumphantly at the fog bank; the fog bank barely registered his existence.
"Well, fog, wouldn't you agree? I'm strong, right?" The fog simply sat there, looking foggish. Little Inuyasha growled. "Well, aren't I? Answer me, damnit! Answer me!" He chucked a fragment of bone at it, only to watch it disappear into the white clouds, small and dark. "Mocking bastard."
Without an answer from the fog, the half-demon turned to his satchel. Inside clunked some small stones, very round and shiny, worn so from his continual handling of them. Little Inuyasha smiled as he pulled some reverently from their places. They stared up at him from their place in his palms and said nothing.
"Well, what of you, stones? You held me in check for a very long time. You think I'm strong, right?" They did not speak to him. This was growing tiresome. "Come on, stones, answer me. I wore you around my neck for so long…surely you can say that I am strong. It must have taken a lot of power to hold me back like you did." Still they would not speak. The boy stared at them in horror as they continued to sit silently in his palm. "Answer me, stones. Don't be like the fog. I'm strong, right? I know I'm strong…I know I am!"
Wrapping his fingers around the stones, he stood and readied himself to fling the offending talisman into the equaling infuriating fogbank. Just as his hand was about to open, however, he stopped. Eyes wide and body trembling, he collapsed back to the ground. The stones clattered from his numb fingers and scattered around him on the dead earth. He stared at them dully.
What was he doing? Getting mad at fog…losing patience with stones? Had he fallen so far that he couldn't even keep himself sane? Am I really strong? Of course I am…of course…
Suddenly he screamed and ripped at his hair. "This is stupid!" With his small fist, the hanyou slapped the ground with a loud smack; the fog swirled. "I'm such a disgusting creature. So weak and vulnerable, just like a human. I'm not strong, I'm not powerful. I'm just as powerful as this stupid fog." Angrily, he flailed his arms around, trying to break the clouds apart. They stayed just as thick and impenetrable as though he'd never made a move. "Break, damn you! Be as weak as me! Be weak! Don't leave me alone like this!"
With a wail, he threw himself at the fog, clawing and raking with all his might. But no matter what he did, the clouds always returned to normal, neither marred nor displaced and placid as a quiet pool. They mocked him, those damned clouds. Little Inuyasha stood and glared at them, then rubbed his nose. "Stop mocking me. Stop being stronger than me! Stop showing me how weak I really am!"
Amazingly, the fogbank moved. Ever so slightly, but it moved. A shadow passed through their center, leaving the hanyou transfixed. What was moving in that denseness? It was mocking him again, surely. It was saying to him: Look at me, I'm strong enough to encase shadows and repel attacks. Look at how much stronger than you I am.
But the fogbank wasn't moving, nor was it encasing anything. As he watched, the shadow grew larger, then fainter and a body appeared. It was clouded and hard to make out at first, but as it approached the dog-demon could see that it was a person. Small, with quick movement, the shadow approached. Frightened, Little Inuyasha backed away, only to trip on a stone lying scattered on the ground; he tumbled to his bottom and waited for the creature to jump out at him. This shadow creature.
The fog made way and the shadow gained substance. Fear changed to revulsion as the half-breed watched as his most important treasure walked out and looked down at him with wide, intense eyes. Looked at his weak, pathetic self. He backed away. "Don't look at me."
"Inuyasha." Kagome knelt down beside him; he backed away some more. "Inuyasha, it's me…Kagome…"
"I said get away!"
She stared at him with eyes gone hard and bit her lower lip. "You're not Inuyasha."
The hanyou shuddered and looked up at her. "What do you mean? Of course I'm Inuyasha." He trembled. "Kagome…Kagome, it's really you." This was really Kagome, the one he'd searched for. If she came to him, surely he wasn't weak! He had no reason to back away from her. "I thought the fog sent you to taunt me. I'm so glad I get to see you again!" He lunged toward her, smiling happily. "I've missed you so much."
Kagome recoiled from him in disgust. "Don't touch me! Where's Inuyasha? What did you do to Inuyasha?"
Little Inuyasha stared at her, his heart sinking. "I'm right here, Kagome…I've been waiting for so long to see you again. I…I haven't wanted anything but to see you again. I came as soon as I could. Why can't you see me when I'm right here?"
She retreated further away, until her back was against the fogbank. "You're not Inuyasha. My Inuyasha wouldn't cringe and cry and scream like you. He wouldn't be so weak. He'd look and look and look for me and he'd never give up. Inuyasha never takes the easy path. I don't know who you are but give me my Inuyasha back!"
The dog-demon stared as she stood and turned away. "I waited so long, Kagome…why? WHY?!"
Inuyasha blinked the sleep from his eyes and stared upward at a canopy of leaves. The moon hung low in the sky, a pale sliver against the velvety blackness of night. Two or three stars twinkled brightly; the rest of the sky was only barely lit by sparsely placed spheres. It was a beautiful night.
Heh, the hanyou laughed at himself. Looks like it was just a dream. Kagome wouldn't ever really say those things. Of course she'll know me when I see her again. It'll just take a little longer, now…
A cricket chirped. Somewhere nearby, an owl hooted and night-bugs gathered. Voices whispered out from the shadows; someone was approaching. Inuyasha turned his head to see who was coming.
"Ah, priest. I see you survived."
Miroku let himself sink to the ground beside his friend's head and nodded. "So it would seem, my friend. So it would seem. I'm pleased to note that you made it out all right."
The dog-demon just laughed. Made it out, did he? He saw it more as a curse; had he died, he may have been able to see Kagome again. But then again…would she be happy to see him if he hadn't gotten rid of his bastard brother yet? Maybe that's what the dream meant. I can't go to her until I avenge her. Heh, stupid human, always making my life difficult. It's not because I'm weak…
"Anyhow," Miroku said softly, breaking into his friend's thoughts, "I wanted to see how you're doing. You took quite a beating against that demon the other day."
Other day? "How long have I been asleep, priest?"
Miroku sighed, then looked up at the sky. He studied the stars as he said: "You've been asleep for about two days now, Inuyasha. You took some serious damage fighting that creature and even your body needed time to heal. Plus…" The monk looked down at the hanyou next to him with something akin to pity in his eyes—and maybe contempt? "I don't think you wanted to wake up. It was almost as if you were trying to stay asleep forever."
Inuyasha snorted. "I haven't got a clue what the hell you're talking about, priest. And besides, it's none of your damn business, even if I didn't want to ever wake up again."
A swift kick to the head had the hanyou sitting up and glaring at his companion coldly. Miroku stared right back, his composure calm but his eyes burning with fury. His voice was deadly calm as he took Inuyasha's kimono in his hands and dragged him close. "You listen to me, you ungrateful half-breed. I don't give a damn how you're feeling since Kagome went away—wallow in self-pity and sadness for all I care. But don't you dare take the life she gave you for granted. So you want to just go to sleep? waste away and die, quiet and alone? Well that's just too damn bad, because that is not why Kagome made her wish and it sure as hell wasn't what she wished for you. Wake up and realize the truth—"
"Don't you dare tell me what to do, priest!" Inuyasha roared. He vaulted to his feet, slapping Miroku's hands away in the process. "You can spout off all you want how Kagome made that wish so that I could live, and how she wouldn't want me to feel this way, but it doesn't change a thing! You don't have a clue how I feel, you stupid damned human! Not a clue! You didn't lose the single most important person in your life, you can't comprehend how I feel right now! So don't you dare lecture me how I should feel or how I should act. You have no right."
Standing now as well, his face directly in the hanyou's, Miroku glared. With a flourish, he brought his hand up and punched Inuyasha in the jaw. The half-demon crashed to the ground, holding his chin in shaking claws. Miroku stared down at him contemptuously. "I have every right, Inuyasha. Kagome was my friend, too and I loved her dearly. You think you're the only one that took her leaving hard? Do you really think that you're the only one in pain?" He laughed harshly, then knelt and took his companion's face in his hands; the prayer beads clicked quietly together. "Grow up you incompetent fool. Grow up and realize that you're not the only one suffering and join the rest of us in the real world. Kagome wanted us to live, not live to die. But I think you're the only one that doesn't see that. Detestable half-breed. Your idiocy makes me sick."
Inuyasha could feel tears in his eyes but he didn't back down. Glare for glare, the two men stared at each other, neither giving way. Finally, the hanyou turned his face away to wipe away the liquid that pooled in his eyes. Roughly, he said: "If I die, I get to see Kagome again. You can at least understand that, can't you, priest?"
The half-demon flinched as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Miroku sighed. "I never thought I'd see you such a wreck, my friend. Whatever happened to the strong, infallible Inuyasha I knew for so very long?"
"Heh, that's a good question. Where did that bastard go?"
Miroku laughed despite himself. Slowly, he turned to go. "Find him soon, my friend. While in this world, we really need him—he's our friend. And…I'm sure that when you finally do get to see Kagome again, she'll want to welcome that Inuyasha home." And then he was gone.
For a long time, Inuyasha simply sat and stared at the ground, thinking. The priest was right; he wasn't himself at all. Ever since Kagome left, he could feel more and more of himself slipping away. It was as though her presence was a dam and now that she was gone, all the water was rushing away. I won't let the rest of her slip away, though, not anymore. If it means waiting that much longer…then I will wait until the end of time.
Maybe that's what Kagome was trying to tell me in my dream. That pitiful excuse of a boy was nothing like the me she loved…or the me that loved her. Of course she couldn't see me; I wasn't there. Miroku understood that all along. That's why I have to be strong. Otherwise she won't see me. And besides…how could I ever face her if I died a weakling? I have to find my brother and avenge her spirit. Then I can see her again—and she'll be proud of me.
Already feeling better, Inuyasha hopped to his feet. His whole body was sore from the fight and it hurt a bit to move, but he didn't care. He was Inuyasha—what were a few piddly wounds? Then again, Miroku's "advice" hadn't exactly helped his recovery any. But that was besides the point. Inuyasha was strong; he could handle anything. Kagome will be happy to see me when I meet her again. I will not be weak anymore.
So it was with a renewed attitude that the dog-demon sauntered over to where Miroku sat. A fire blazed cheerily, popping and cracking as it consumed more and more of the wood the priest continually tossed to it. Next to him, Shoukaki was staring at the flames. Her face looked pale and washed out in the red glow. Inuyasha grunted and sat down next to them.
Shoukaki gasped, then laughed and clapped her hands. "Inuyasha! I'm so glad you're back!"
The dog-demon just hmphed, eliciting another squeal from the phantom child and a smile from the priest. Miroku looked his hanyou friend over and grinned. "Welcome back, Inuyasha. You've been missed."
"Not really," he remarked, motioning sarcastically toward his jaw. "Where's the runt?"
The ghost-girl blinked, amazed at the dog-demon's sudden change, then motioned toward her back, away from the fire. A shadow moved in the darkness. "He's back there with Big Sister. He was really hurt in the fight, so she's taking care of him."
Inuyasha blinked. "'Big Sister'?"
Miroku nodded. "Sango. She's been traveling with me."
"Ah, the 'friend' you mentioned the other day before this whole mess began. Well, that's good. What happened to the runt, anyhow? I couldn't see."
Shoukaki scrunched up her face in distaste. "The soot-wolf used its fire to make some smaller fire-dart demons and they overwhelmed the little kitsune. He got burned very badly." She grew quiet. "Very, very badly…"
"He'll be fine." She looked up, aghast at how dismissive Inuyasha sounded. The half-demon didn't miss the look and only smiled. "I've known him a very long time. He's stronger than you'd think. And he'll be just fine."
She looked at him skeptically, then smiled and nodded. "I believe you, Inuyasha. Little kitsune will be fine, yes indeed he will. But I'm going to go sit with him anyhow. Have fun you two." And she floated away into the shadows to sit with her injured friend.
When she was gone, Miroku turned to Inuyasha, his eyes questioning. "What made you realize? You're back to yourself—which I am very glad for—but you were so lost…how did you find your way back so quickly?"
Inuyasha hmphed, then shook his head. Now was not the time for the tough guy act. He sighed. "What you said, for one. You were right; I'm not the only one hurting and I'm not the only one that cared for Kagome. I know Shippou cared for her a lot…I didn't realize until now why he got over her leaving so quickly."
Miroku raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "And why is that, my friend?"
The half-breed sat back and stared into the fire with his amber eyes. "He had to because I couldn't. He knew that taking care of me in my state was more important than grieving for Kagome, no matter how much he loved her. Heh, the runt knows far more than you might think he does and he's far more mature than I'll ever be. But don't tell him I said that, I do have a reputation to maintain."
The priest laughed. "Don't worry, my friend, I won't tell him. But continue, please."
For a moment, Inuyasha just watched the flames flicker. Then he spoke quietly: "I had a dream. I was just a weak child in a barren land, holding onto stones like they were jewels and growing angry at everything. I thought I was strong but I wasn't; I was a cowering mess of a creature with no sanity left. And then Kagome found me, lying weak on the ground. She was afraid of me, priest. She said that I wasn't Inuyasha and that she wanted him back. I was weak, she said, and her Inuyasha would never be like me. She loathed me, priest. She cringed away from me and ran as soon as she could, regardless of how I called to her or told her I had longed and waited to see her. I woke up thinking: why? Why can't you see me? And then you came and knocked the rest of it into me." He barked a laugh. "I'm Inuyasha—I can't be weak. So I finally figured it out. And here I am."
Miroku nodded and placed a gentle hand on his companion's shoulder. "I am pleased that you have returned, my friend. And will Kagome be happy to face you when you meet her again?"
Inuyasha smiled. "She won't be able to do anything but."
Off in the shadows, Sango smiled warmly. It had taken a long time, but her silly demon friend had finally figured himself out. Soon, she'd be able to give him the Jewel back.
Soon they would find Kagome.
Kagome stared balefully at the beautiful creature sitting across from her, drinking tea quietly. How dare he be so regal when he was such an ass? And how dare he not kill her. It wasn't fair to leave her worrying so much over when he'd snuff her out.
They sat on the edge of a far-reaching terrace above the crashing ocean. The setting sun splashed along the surf in vibrant reds and yellows and oranges, interspersed by whitecaps. Seagulls swooped and cried; some dove for fish while others alighted on the craggy beaches. A cold, crisp breeze blew over the two on the balcony as they sat in silence, drinking tea and eating a light meal. Jaken stood in the archway that led into the castle, a watchful shadow standing with him.
For the longest time, Kagome glared from lidded eyes at the demon who was holding her captive. To his credit, Sesshoumaru didn't seem to mind her dark stares at all—or at least he didn't register them. He continued to sip his tea quietly while she sat with hunched shoulders. It was like a form of torture; Kagome was positive he did it only to drive her insane.
I don't understand him, she thought darkly while studying his profile. He's been wanting to kill me for a good two years. Why is it that when he has the chance, he ignores it? The girl tapped the edge of her teacup nervously, then sighed. The suspense is killing me. Why doesn't he say anything?
A seagull landed on the terrace near Kagome's feet and pecked the ground for crumbs. Kagome reached down and sprinkled some crumbs from her plate onto the ground near the bird's beak. It squawked happily and jumped on the crumbs, then took off into the air, prize in hand. Higurashi watched the creature fly away with a little bit of envy. She wished she could just take off and get out of this place. I wish I could see everyone again…I wish I was free and could see everyone again…Inuyasha…
A terrible scream jolted her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Jaken lowering his staff with a quirky smile on his wrinkled face. Fire licked the lips of the faces embedded in the wood. With a shallow gasp, Kagome looked over toward where the seagull had flown. Feathers wafted in the still air and the smell of burnt flesh lingered all around. Smoke darkened a small patch of sky.
"You little toad!" Leaping up, Kagome readied herself to kick the offensive demon in the head when Sesshoumaru raised his hand to stop her. The girl puffed her cheeks out in anger, but lowered her foot as well. Jaken snickered. When Kagome turned to head back to her seat, she accidentally smacked the toad with the heel of her foot. His grunt made her smile.
Sesshoumaru motioned for Jaken to come closer. The wrinkled demon crept toward the table; Kagome sneered at him. When he was within range, the toad looked up and bowed to his lord. "What would you like, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
The demon lord pointed toward the entrance to the terrace. "Leave now. I am eating and I do not want you to disturb me any longer. Now go."
Toad boy quivered, then hurried away. As he left, Kagome stuck her tongue out at him and "nyah"ed. Sesshoumaru stared blandly at her, then went back to sipping tea. Silence clicked away for the longest time until the girl couldn't take it anymore and jumped up out of her seat. "Why exactly am I here?" He ignored her and drank some more. Twitching, Kagome asked again: "Hello? Why am I here?"
Another sip of tea. This was getting annoying. She leaned over to ask him to his face when Sesshoumaru suddenly set his tea down and stood. Caught off guard, Kagome lost her balance and fell backward, landing on her seat hard, then spilling off the back to land awkwardly on the ground. Well, that was graceful.
Looking up, the human was horrified to see Inuyasha's brother staring down at her with his pale and lethal eyes. Scrambling to her feet, Kagome rearranged her clothes into a semblance of order and calmly took her seat again. She took a sip of her cold tea and did her best not to make a face. Sesshoumaru continued to stare at her, then turned and headed toward the inside of the castle. As he left he said softly: "We will be leaving on a journey tomorrow morning. Have your things ready."
On her feet again, Kagome dashed after the demon lord and skidded to a halt in front of him. He stared down at her. What the hell am I doing, trying to stop Sesshoumaru like this? He could kill me in one swipe…Feeling just a tad bit self-conscious, Kagome stepped back and asked meekly: "Where are we going tomorrow…?" His eyes bored into her skull; she took a step back, then straightened. She wasn't going to cower to this bastard. "I would very much like to know, please. I mean, I will be going, so I think I have the right to know." She blanched when he kept staring. "If you don't mind."
For the longest time, the demon lord kept staring at her. Kagome held her ground, even though her legs were beginning to shake from forcing herself to stand still. She would not show weakness in front of this monster. Inuyasha would be upset if she did.
Finally, Sesshoumaru turned his eyes from her and walked toward the castle. He didn't speak a word and Kagome's questions were left unanswered.
"Why can't he be like a normal person!?!"
Another pillow soared across the room to smack ineffectually against the far wall. Jaken had long ago come in and taken out anything valuable or breakable. Sesshoumaru didn't seem pleased with his "guest's" etiquette and saw fit to remove the only pleasurable sounding things from her grasp. So she was left with soundless pillows to throw at things instead.
Tired and out of ammunition, Kagome plopped down on her littered floor and poked at the stone. She had yet to pack anything and the sun was setting, but it was so terribly frustrating not knowing why she had to pack in the first place. She hated doing things without knowing why. So she was just going to sit here until she had some answers.
The nerve of some people, not telling you anything. That soooooooooo bothers me. Inuyasha would do it, too. That stupid boy, always wanting to go this way or that. And he never asked how I was feeling…Kagome sighed and buried her face in her arms. Even so…I really miss him. He was kind and sweet and such a good friend. He meant…means…a lot to me. But I wonder if he even wants to see me now? I took away his wish; he must really be upset about that…
And Shippou…I really miss Shippou. He must be really upset, too. I wonder how he's doing? I hope him and Inuyasha aren't at each other's throats. He's probably most upset at me. Does he want to see me after I left them alone like that? I know the Jewel said I'd see them again, but…do they want to see me?
Sighing, Kagome stretched herself out on the floor and stared up at the dark ceiling. She blinked rapidly until her eyes had spots in them. She smiled. She'd pretend the spots were stars and she was outside. Sesshoumaru had had her door locked and the terrace closed off, leaving her stuck in her room until he came to get her in the morning. For which reason he hasn't decided to divulge yet, the bastard. She stared up at her "stars" and huffed. "I really wanna know where we're going tomorrow."
She blinked a few more times, adding to the amount of "stars" on the ceiling. If she squinted, they blurred together and formed images. The first image was a big fluffy cloud. She squinted a little more; the cloud blurred a little more—it looked almost like a head. Kagome giggled and tilted her head to the side. Hmmm, yes, a head. It looked a bit like a head. Keeping her eyes in this position was making them water, but she kept looking. A head…some long hair…Maybe a pair of dog ears…?
Kagome blinked rapidly and sat up, rubbing her eyes to clear away the liquid. She was letting her fantasies run away with her. All she was seeing were light speckles, anyhow. She didn't have to get her imagination going. He probably doesn't even wanna see me, anyhow. I don't care what the Jewel said…I don't think I'll be seeing Inuyasha anytime soon…anytime ever…
There was a knock at the door and scurrying of feet outside in the hall. Quickly, Kagome jumped to her feet and put on her best disgruntled face. It didn't take much, considering her foul mood and her own idiocy from a few moments before. Slowly, the door to her room creaked open and Jaken bumbled in, staff clicking the ground. He had a bag hanging from the wooden heads; it had to be twice his size. With a huff he let the staff tumble to the ground, the bag obstinately staying wrapped around the grotesque male head. Annoyed, the toad yanked the offending pack from his staff. He ended up pulling too hard; both bag and demon rolled across the room to land gracelessly at Kagome's feet.
Smiling down at her archenemy, Kagome picked her foot up and smashed it into Jaken's face. Repeatedly. When she was sure the idiot was unconscious, she leaned over and grabbed the bag from his claw-like hands. Like a whirlwind, she went about the room, grabbing anything and everything she could think of to take with her. She needed to travel light, but smart. She doubted she'd be back here anytime soon.
What incredible luck. That stupid toad just delivered my ticket out of this place! Maybe…maybe the Jewel was right! Maybe I will get to see Inuyasha again soon!
Kagome dropped the last article she felt she'd need into her bag and hoisted it up onto her shoulder. Giving the demon yet another kick or six for good measure, she hurried out of the room, careful to close the door behind her. Every second she could earn was a second closer to getting out of this cursed castle. Hahahaha…so much for going anywhere with Fluffy tomorrow. And serves him right anyhow, not telling me where we're going. I'll set off on my own path, on my own.
Behind her, a shadow detached itself from the wall and scurried away in the opposite direction.
Traveling quickly to avoid detection, Kagome headed in the general direction of the main door. She knew roughly where to go, as Sesshoumaru had made Jaken give her a tour shortly after she'd woken up in his home. He said it was: "Only proper that the woman of my brother be shown about his father's home." She didn't quite understand that, as Inuyasha hated his brother and his brother he. Neither one really admitted to having the same father and Sesshoumaru was definitely one to discredit his brother at every turn. He's just full of surprises lately, isn't he? First he keeps me alive, then he treats me like an honored guest. Of his brother's, no less. What is that bastard up to?
The hallways were dark and badly lit, but Kagome found it fairly easy to traverse. The human had none of the senses her demon companions (or captors) possessed, but even so she could carry her own in a dark passageway. "Ow! Damnit…" Well, for the most part. Even the most skilled human could still stub her toe on stone flooring with no light available.
After what seemed an eternity, light began flooding the corridor. With far more caution, Kagome trekked quietly along the hallways, keeping close to the walls and stopping often. Jaken had to have awoken by now; there were probably guards everywhere. And she was so close to the end that she didn't dare mess up now. The light was steadily getting brighter. I'm almost there…Just a little farther.
"Hello again, woman of my brother. I am pleased to see that you are ready to go."
Kagome stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. Sesshoumaru stood, tall and foreboding, in the moonlight that washed the corridor's walls. Behind him stood Jaken, a giant bruise on his face and a bump on his head. He scowled at his archenemy but didn't speak. Next to him, Kagome could have sworn she'd seen a shadow move.
Backing away slowly, the human smiled and giggled nervously. "Heheheh… Sesshoumaru…I was just leaving…" As fast as she could, Kagome turned on her heel to run. Before she could take one step, however, she felt a strong hand grab her arm. With a cry she was knocked to her knees; she looked up to see her assailant, but no one was there. That same invisible keeper spun her around—her knees got cut against the cold stones in the process—to look at Sesshoumaru, standing a few feet away. The demon lord didn't even look at her.
"Come, Jaken. Grab the girl and take her outside. We leave now to kill my brother."
Inuyasha?! Kagome stared after her captor as he slowly walked past her and out into the light. We're going to kill Inuyasha?!?
"NO!"
I'm really really sorry about the huge delay in getting this chapter out. I've been reeeeeeeeeeally busy these last couple of weeks, plus I just couldn't write this chapter for the life of me. I kid you not, I erased the whole thing at least three times, it was so bad. I like how it came out, but…damn it took forever. And it's still pretty out of character in parts…
*claps hands* Congratulations to Vitani FyreWolf for knowing the author of the title to my last chapter. Dylan Thomas is my all time favourite poet and I just had to use him in there somewhere. I can't give you a prize, unfortunately, as I have nothing, but you have my appreciation for knowing such a great work.
Anywho…I hope you all enjoy this long-to-get-out chapter. As always, criticism is welcome. I'm always glad to hear other people's opinions. Since this is, in the end, for other people. Enjoy and thank you all for sticking with it so far.
Where Lost Souls Meet Again
Chapter Four: To Each a New Path
Gravel crunched beneath his feet as he trod along the desolate ground. Bones littered the ground around him, lying among broken branches and rocks. Shallow ravines and streams long since run dry were submerged beneath a low-lying fog, damp and impenetrable. Nothing stirred.
Little Inuyasha stopped just as his bare feet met with the fog line. He was carrying a satchel full of rocks—but to him they were more. He toted them around as though they were a lifeline, something that could keep him from falling, from breaking down and collapsing in a heap. He even liked to pretend they could restrain him, if only he uttered the word "sit."
The fog sifted a bit as little Inuyasha sat down. He was tired. He wasn't very strong and his legs were short. No one was there to keep him going and he had very little will to do so anyhow. A brief sigh escaped him. So much for being the strong, egocentric demon he always dreamt of being. He knew where his strength lay now. Absolutely nowhere.
The boy hmphed. What am I thinking? Of course I'm strong. I'm Inuyasha! My father was a great demon; why—how could I possibly be weak? Ha! I'm not weak at all…it's those stupid humans' faults. They made me travel with them for too long and I lost my edge. Well…I'm not going to lose my strength. No, no way at all! He grinned triumphantly at the fog bank; the fog bank barely registered his existence.
"Well, fog, wouldn't you agree? I'm strong, right?" The fog simply sat there, looking foggish. Little Inuyasha growled. "Well, aren't I? Answer me, damnit! Answer me!" He chucked a fragment of bone at it, only to watch it disappear into the white clouds, small and dark. "Mocking bastard."
Without an answer from the fog, the half-demon turned to his satchel. Inside clunked some small stones, very round and shiny, worn so from his continual handling of them. Little Inuyasha smiled as he pulled some reverently from their places. They stared up at him from their place in his palms and said nothing.
"Well, what of you, stones? You held me in check for a very long time. You think I'm strong, right?" They did not speak to him. This was growing tiresome. "Come on, stones, answer me. I wore you around my neck for so long…surely you can say that I am strong. It must have taken a lot of power to hold me back like you did." Still they would not speak. The boy stared at them in horror as they continued to sit silently in his palm. "Answer me, stones. Don't be like the fog. I'm strong, right? I know I'm strong…I know I am!"
Wrapping his fingers around the stones, he stood and readied himself to fling the offending talisman into the equaling infuriating fogbank. Just as his hand was about to open, however, he stopped. Eyes wide and body trembling, he collapsed back to the ground. The stones clattered from his numb fingers and scattered around him on the dead earth. He stared at them dully.
What was he doing? Getting mad at fog…losing patience with stones? Had he fallen so far that he couldn't even keep himself sane? Am I really strong? Of course I am…of course…
Suddenly he screamed and ripped at his hair. "This is stupid!" With his small fist, the hanyou slapped the ground with a loud smack; the fog swirled. "I'm such a disgusting creature. So weak and vulnerable, just like a human. I'm not strong, I'm not powerful. I'm just as powerful as this stupid fog." Angrily, he flailed his arms around, trying to break the clouds apart. They stayed just as thick and impenetrable as though he'd never made a move. "Break, damn you! Be as weak as me! Be weak! Don't leave me alone like this!"
With a wail, he threw himself at the fog, clawing and raking with all his might. But no matter what he did, the clouds always returned to normal, neither marred nor displaced and placid as a quiet pool. They mocked him, those damned clouds. Little Inuyasha stood and glared at them, then rubbed his nose. "Stop mocking me. Stop being stronger than me! Stop showing me how weak I really am!"
Amazingly, the fogbank moved. Ever so slightly, but it moved. A shadow passed through their center, leaving the hanyou transfixed. What was moving in that denseness? It was mocking him again, surely. It was saying to him: Look at me, I'm strong enough to encase shadows and repel attacks. Look at how much stronger than you I am.
But the fogbank wasn't moving, nor was it encasing anything. As he watched, the shadow grew larger, then fainter and a body appeared. It was clouded and hard to make out at first, but as it approached the dog-demon could see that it was a person. Small, with quick movement, the shadow approached. Frightened, Little Inuyasha backed away, only to trip on a stone lying scattered on the ground; he tumbled to his bottom and waited for the creature to jump out at him. This shadow creature.
The fog made way and the shadow gained substance. Fear changed to revulsion as the half-breed watched as his most important treasure walked out and looked down at him with wide, intense eyes. Looked at his weak, pathetic self. He backed away. "Don't look at me."
"Inuyasha." Kagome knelt down beside him; he backed away some more. "Inuyasha, it's me…Kagome…"
"I said get away!"
She stared at him with eyes gone hard and bit her lower lip. "You're not Inuyasha."
The hanyou shuddered and looked up at her. "What do you mean? Of course I'm Inuyasha." He trembled. "Kagome…Kagome, it's really you." This was really Kagome, the one he'd searched for. If she came to him, surely he wasn't weak! He had no reason to back away from her. "I thought the fog sent you to taunt me. I'm so glad I get to see you again!" He lunged toward her, smiling happily. "I've missed you so much."
Kagome recoiled from him in disgust. "Don't touch me! Where's Inuyasha? What did you do to Inuyasha?"
Little Inuyasha stared at her, his heart sinking. "I'm right here, Kagome…I've been waiting for so long to see you again. I…I haven't wanted anything but to see you again. I came as soon as I could. Why can't you see me when I'm right here?"
She retreated further away, until her back was against the fogbank. "You're not Inuyasha. My Inuyasha wouldn't cringe and cry and scream like you. He wouldn't be so weak. He'd look and look and look for me and he'd never give up. Inuyasha never takes the easy path. I don't know who you are but give me my Inuyasha back!"
The dog-demon stared as she stood and turned away. "I waited so long, Kagome…why? WHY?!"
Inuyasha blinked the sleep from his eyes and stared upward at a canopy of leaves. The moon hung low in the sky, a pale sliver against the velvety blackness of night. Two or three stars twinkled brightly; the rest of the sky was only barely lit by sparsely placed spheres. It was a beautiful night.
Heh, the hanyou laughed at himself. Looks like it was just a dream. Kagome wouldn't ever really say those things. Of course she'll know me when I see her again. It'll just take a little longer, now…
A cricket chirped. Somewhere nearby, an owl hooted and night-bugs gathered. Voices whispered out from the shadows; someone was approaching. Inuyasha turned his head to see who was coming.
"Ah, priest. I see you survived."
Miroku let himself sink to the ground beside his friend's head and nodded. "So it would seem, my friend. So it would seem. I'm pleased to note that you made it out all right."
The dog-demon just laughed. Made it out, did he? He saw it more as a curse; had he died, he may have been able to see Kagome again. But then again…would she be happy to see him if he hadn't gotten rid of his bastard brother yet? Maybe that's what the dream meant. I can't go to her until I avenge her. Heh, stupid human, always making my life difficult. It's not because I'm weak…
"Anyhow," Miroku said softly, breaking into his friend's thoughts, "I wanted to see how you're doing. You took quite a beating against that demon the other day."
Other day? "How long have I been asleep, priest?"
Miroku sighed, then looked up at the sky. He studied the stars as he said: "You've been asleep for about two days now, Inuyasha. You took some serious damage fighting that creature and even your body needed time to heal. Plus…" The monk looked down at the hanyou next to him with something akin to pity in his eyes—and maybe contempt? "I don't think you wanted to wake up. It was almost as if you were trying to stay asleep forever."
Inuyasha snorted. "I haven't got a clue what the hell you're talking about, priest. And besides, it's none of your damn business, even if I didn't want to ever wake up again."
A swift kick to the head had the hanyou sitting up and glaring at his companion coldly. Miroku stared right back, his composure calm but his eyes burning with fury. His voice was deadly calm as he took Inuyasha's kimono in his hands and dragged him close. "You listen to me, you ungrateful half-breed. I don't give a damn how you're feeling since Kagome went away—wallow in self-pity and sadness for all I care. But don't you dare take the life she gave you for granted. So you want to just go to sleep? waste away and die, quiet and alone? Well that's just too damn bad, because that is not why Kagome made her wish and it sure as hell wasn't what she wished for you. Wake up and realize the truth—"
"Don't you dare tell me what to do, priest!" Inuyasha roared. He vaulted to his feet, slapping Miroku's hands away in the process. "You can spout off all you want how Kagome made that wish so that I could live, and how she wouldn't want me to feel this way, but it doesn't change a thing! You don't have a clue how I feel, you stupid damned human! Not a clue! You didn't lose the single most important person in your life, you can't comprehend how I feel right now! So don't you dare lecture me how I should feel or how I should act. You have no right."
Standing now as well, his face directly in the hanyou's, Miroku glared. With a flourish, he brought his hand up and punched Inuyasha in the jaw. The half-demon crashed to the ground, holding his chin in shaking claws. Miroku stared down at him contemptuously. "I have every right, Inuyasha. Kagome was my friend, too and I loved her dearly. You think you're the only one that took her leaving hard? Do you really think that you're the only one in pain?" He laughed harshly, then knelt and took his companion's face in his hands; the prayer beads clicked quietly together. "Grow up you incompetent fool. Grow up and realize that you're not the only one suffering and join the rest of us in the real world. Kagome wanted us to live, not live to die. But I think you're the only one that doesn't see that. Detestable half-breed. Your idiocy makes me sick."
Inuyasha could feel tears in his eyes but he didn't back down. Glare for glare, the two men stared at each other, neither giving way. Finally, the hanyou turned his face away to wipe away the liquid that pooled in his eyes. Roughly, he said: "If I die, I get to see Kagome again. You can at least understand that, can't you, priest?"
The half-demon flinched as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Miroku sighed. "I never thought I'd see you such a wreck, my friend. Whatever happened to the strong, infallible Inuyasha I knew for so very long?"
"Heh, that's a good question. Where did that bastard go?"
Miroku laughed despite himself. Slowly, he turned to go. "Find him soon, my friend. While in this world, we really need him—he's our friend. And…I'm sure that when you finally do get to see Kagome again, she'll want to welcome that Inuyasha home." And then he was gone.
For a long time, Inuyasha simply sat and stared at the ground, thinking. The priest was right; he wasn't himself at all. Ever since Kagome left, he could feel more and more of himself slipping away. It was as though her presence was a dam and now that she was gone, all the water was rushing away. I won't let the rest of her slip away, though, not anymore. If it means waiting that much longer…then I will wait until the end of time.
Maybe that's what Kagome was trying to tell me in my dream. That pitiful excuse of a boy was nothing like the me she loved…or the me that loved her. Of course she couldn't see me; I wasn't there. Miroku understood that all along. That's why I have to be strong. Otherwise she won't see me. And besides…how could I ever face her if I died a weakling? I have to find my brother and avenge her spirit. Then I can see her again—and she'll be proud of me.
Already feeling better, Inuyasha hopped to his feet. His whole body was sore from the fight and it hurt a bit to move, but he didn't care. He was Inuyasha—what were a few piddly wounds? Then again, Miroku's "advice" hadn't exactly helped his recovery any. But that was besides the point. Inuyasha was strong; he could handle anything. Kagome will be happy to see me when I meet her again. I will not be weak anymore.
So it was with a renewed attitude that the dog-demon sauntered over to where Miroku sat. A fire blazed cheerily, popping and cracking as it consumed more and more of the wood the priest continually tossed to it. Next to him, Shoukaki was staring at the flames. Her face looked pale and washed out in the red glow. Inuyasha grunted and sat down next to them.
Shoukaki gasped, then laughed and clapped her hands. "Inuyasha! I'm so glad you're back!"
The dog-demon just hmphed, eliciting another squeal from the phantom child and a smile from the priest. Miroku looked his hanyou friend over and grinned. "Welcome back, Inuyasha. You've been missed."
"Not really," he remarked, motioning sarcastically toward his jaw. "Where's the runt?"
The ghost-girl blinked, amazed at the dog-demon's sudden change, then motioned toward her back, away from the fire. A shadow moved in the darkness. "He's back there with Big Sister. He was really hurt in the fight, so she's taking care of him."
Inuyasha blinked. "'Big Sister'?"
Miroku nodded. "Sango. She's been traveling with me."
"Ah, the 'friend' you mentioned the other day before this whole mess began. Well, that's good. What happened to the runt, anyhow? I couldn't see."
Shoukaki scrunched up her face in distaste. "The soot-wolf used its fire to make some smaller fire-dart demons and they overwhelmed the little kitsune. He got burned very badly." She grew quiet. "Very, very badly…"
"He'll be fine." She looked up, aghast at how dismissive Inuyasha sounded. The half-demon didn't miss the look and only smiled. "I've known him a very long time. He's stronger than you'd think. And he'll be just fine."
She looked at him skeptically, then smiled and nodded. "I believe you, Inuyasha. Little kitsune will be fine, yes indeed he will. But I'm going to go sit with him anyhow. Have fun you two." And she floated away into the shadows to sit with her injured friend.
When she was gone, Miroku turned to Inuyasha, his eyes questioning. "What made you realize? You're back to yourself—which I am very glad for—but you were so lost…how did you find your way back so quickly?"
Inuyasha hmphed, then shook his head. Now was not the time for the tough guy act. He sighed. "What you said, for one. You were right; I'm not the only one hurting and I'm not the only one that cared for Kagome. I know Shippou cared for her a lot…I didn't realize until now why he got over her leaving so quickly."
Miroku raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "And why is that, my friend?"
The half-breed sat back and stared into the fire with his amber eyes. "He had to because I couldn't. He knew that taking care of me in my state was more important than grieving for Kagome, no matter how much he loved her. Heh, the runt knows far more than you might think he does and he's far more mature than I'll ever be. But don't tell him I said that, I do have a reputation to maintain."
The priest laughed. "Don't worry, my friend, I won't tell him. But continue, please."
For a moment, Inuyasha just watched the flames flicker. Then he spoke quietly: "I had a dream. I was just a weak child in a barren land, holding onto stones like they were jewels and growing angry at everything. I thought I was strong but I wasn't; I was a cowering mess of a creature with no sanity left. And then Kagome found me, lying weak on the ground. She was afraid of me, priest. She said that I wasn't Inuyasha and that she wanted him back. I was weak, she said, and her Inuyasha would never be like me. She loathed me, priest. She cringed away from me and ran as soon as she could, regardless of how I called to her or told her I had longed and waited to see her. I woke up thinking: why? Why can't you see me? And then you came and knocked the rest of it into me." He barked a laugh. "I'm Inuyasha—I can't be weak. So I finally figured it out. And here I am."
Miroku nodded and placed a gentle hand on his companion's shoulder. "I am pleased that you have returned, my friend. And will Kagome be happy to face you when you meet her again?"
Inuyasha smiled. "She won't be able to do anything but."
Off in the shadows, Sango smiled warmly. It had taken a long time, but her silly demon friend had finally figured himself out. Soon, she'd be able to give him the Jewel back.
Soon they would find Kagome.
Kagome stared balefully at the beautiful creature sitting across from her, drinking tea quietly. How dare he be so regal when he was such an ass? And how dare he not kill her. It wasn't fair to leave her worrying so much over when he'd snuff her out.
They sat on the edge of a far-reaching terrace above the crashing ocean. The setting sun splashed along the surf in vibrant reds and yellows and oranges, interspersed by whitecaps. Seagulls swooped and cried; some dove for fish while others alighted on the craggy beaches. A cold, crisp breeze blew over the two on the balcony as they sat in silence, drinking tea and eating a light meal. Jaken stood in the archway that led into the castle, a watchful shadow standing with him.
For the longest time, Kagome glared from lidded eyes at the demon who was holding her captive. To his credit, Sesshoumaru didn't seem to mind her dark stares at all—or at least he didn't register them. He continued to sip his tea quietly while she sat with hunched shoulders. It was like a form of torture; Kagome was positive he did it only to drive her insane.
I don't understand him, she thought darkly while studying his profile. He's been wanting to kill me for a good two years. Why is it that when he has the chance, he ignores it? The girl tapped the edge of her teacup nervously, then sighed. The suspense is killing me. Why doesn't he say anything?
A seagull landed on the terrace near Kagome's feet and pecked the ground for crumbs. Kagome reached down and sprinkled some crumbs from her plate onto the ground near the bird's beak. It squawked happily and jumped on the crumbs, then took off into the air, prize in hand. Higurashi watched the creature fly away with a little bit of envy. She wished she could just take off and get out of this place. I wish I could see everyone again…I wish I was free and could see everyone again…Inuyasha…
A terrible scream jolted her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Jaken lowering his staff with a quirky smile on his wrinkled face. Fire licked the lips of the faces embedded in the wood. With a shallow gasp, Kagome looked over toward where the seagull had flown. Feathers wafted in the still air and the smell of burnt flesh lingered all around. Smoke darkened a small patch of sky.
"You little toad!" Leaping up, Kagome readied herself to kick the offensive demon in the head when Sesshoumaru raised his hand to stop her. The girl puffed her cheeks out in anger, but lowered her foot as well. Jaken snickered. When Kagome turned to head back to her seat, she accidentally smacked the toad with the heel of her foot. His grunt made her smile.
Sesshoumaru motioned for Jaken to come closer. The wrinkled demon crept toward the table; Kagome sneered at him. When he was within range, the toad looked up and bowed to his lord. "What would you like, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
The demon lord pointed toward the entrance to the terrace. "Leave now. I am eating and I do not want you to disturb me any longer. Now go."
Toad boy quivered, then hurried away. As he left, Kagome stuck her tongue out at him and "nyah"ed. Sesshoumaru stared blandly at her, then went back to sipping tea. Silence clicked away for the longest time until the girl couldn't take it anymore and jumped up out of her seat. "Why exactly am I here?" He ignored her and drank some more. Twitching, Kagome asked again: "Hello? Why am I here?"
Another sip of tea. This was getting annoying. She leaned over to ask him to his face when Sesshoumaru suddenly set his tea down and stood. Caught off guard, Kagome lost her balance and fell backward, landing on her seat hard, then spilling off the back to land awkwardly on the ground. Well, that was graceful.
Looking up, the human was horrified to see Inuyasha's brother staring down at her with his pale and lethal eyes. Scrambling to her feet, Kagome rearranged her clothes into a semblance of order and calmly took her seat again. She took a sip of her cold tea and did her best not to make a face. Sesshoumaru continued to stare at her, then turned and headed toward the inside of the castle. As he left he said softly: "We will be leaving on a journey tomorrow morning. Have your things ready."
On her feet again, Kagome dashed after the demon lord and skidded to a halt in front of him. He stared down at her. What the hell am I doing, trying to stop Sesshoumaru like this? He could kill me in one swipe…Feeling just a tad bit self-conscious, Kagome stepped back and asked meekly: "Where are we going tomorrow…?" His eyes bored into her skull; she took a step back, then straightened. She wasn't going to cower to this bastard. "I would very much like to know, please. I mean, I will be going, so I think I have the right to know." She blanched when he kept staring. "If you don't mind."
For the longest time, the demon lord kept staring at her. Kagome held her ground, even though her legs were beginning to shake from forcing herself to stand still. She would not show weakness in front of this monster. Inuyasha would be upset if she did.
Finally, Sesshoumaru turned his eyes from her and walked toward the castle. He didn't speak a word and Kagome's questions were left unanswered.
"Why can't he be like a normal person!?!"
Another pillow soared across the room to smack ineffectually against the far wall. Jaken had long ago come in and taken out anything valuable or breakable. Sesshoumaru didn't seem pleased with his "guest's" etiquette and saw fit to remove the only pleasurable sounding things from her grasp. So she was left with soundless pillows to throw at things instead.
Tired and out of ammunition, Kagome plopped down on her littered floor and poked at the stone. She had yet to pack anything and the sun was setting, but it was so terribly frustrating not knowing why she had to pack in the first place. She hated doing things without knowing why. So she was just going to sit here until she had some answers.
The nerve of some people, not telling you anything. That soooooooooo bothers me. Inuyasha would do it, too. That stupid boy, always wanting to go this way or that. And he never asked how I was feeling…Kagome sighed and buried her face in her arms. Even so…I really miss him. He was kind and sweet and such a good friend. He meant…means…a lot to me. But I wonder if he even wants to see me now? I took away his wish; he must really be upset about that…
And Shippou…I really miss Shippou. He must be really upset, too. I wonder how he's doing? I hope him and Inuyasha aren't at each other's throats. He's probably most upset at me. Does he want to see me after I left them alone like that? I know the Jewel said I'd see them again, but…do they want to see me?
Sighing, Kagome stretched herself out on the floor and stared up at the dark ceiling. She blinked rapidly until her eyes had spots in them. She smiled. She'd pretend the spots were stars and she was outside. Sesshoumaru had had her door locked and the terrace closed off, leaving her stuck in her room until he came to get her in the morning. For which reason he hasn't decided to divulge yet, the bastard. She stared up at her "stars" and huffed. "I really wanna know where we're going tomorrow."
She blinked a few more times, adding to the amount of "stars" on the ceiling. If she squinted, they blurred together and formed images. The first image was a big fluffy cloud. She squinted a little more; the cloud blurred a little more—it looked almost like a head. Kagome giggled and tilted her head to the side. Hmmm, yes, a head. It looked a bit like a head. Keeping her eyes in this position was making them water, but she kept looking. A head…some long hair…Maybe a pair of dog ears…?
Kagome blinked rapidly and sat up, rubbing her eyes to clear away the liquid. She was letting her fantasies run away with her. All she was seeing were light speckles, anyhow. She didn't have to get her imagination going. He probably doesn't even wanna see me, anyhow. I don't care what the Jewel said…I don't think I'll be seeing Inuyasha anytime soon…anytime ever…
There was a knock at the door and scurrying of feet outside in the hall. Quickly, Kagome jumped to her feet and put on her best disgruntled face. It didn't take much, considering her foul mood and her own idiocy from a few moments before. Slowly, the door to her room creaked open and Jaken bumbled in, staff clicking the ground. He had a bag hanging from the wooden heads; it had to be twice his size. With a huff he let the staff tumble to the ground, the bag obstinately staying wrapped around the grotesque male head. Annoyed, the toad yanked the offending pack from his staff. He ended up pulling too hard; both bag and demon rolled across the room to land gracelessly at Kagome's feet.
Smiling down at her archenemy, Kagome picked her foot up and smashed it into Jaken's face. Repeatedly. When she was sure the idiot was unconscious, she leaned over and grabbed the bag from his claw-like hands. Like a whirlwind, she went about the room, grabbing anything and everything she could think of to take with her. She needed to travel light, but smart. She doubted she'd be back here anytime soon.
What incredible luck. That stupid toad just delivered my ticket out of this place! Maybe…maybe the Jewel was right! Maybe I will get to see Inuyasha again soon!
Kagome dropped the last article she felt she'd need into her bag and hoisted it up onto her shoulder. Giving the demon yet another kick or six for good measure, she hurried out of the room, careful to close the door behind her. Every second she could earn was a second closer to getting out of this cursed castle. Hahahaha…so much for going anywhere with Fluffy tomorrow. And serves him right anyhow, not telling me where we're going. I'll set off on my own path, on my own.
Behind her, a shadow detached itself from the wall and scurried away in the opposite direction.
Traveling quickly to avoid detection, Kagome headed in the general direction of the main door. She knew roughly where to go, as Sesshoumaru had made Jaken give her a tour shortly after she'd woken up in his home. He said it was: "Only proper that the woman of my brother be shown about his father's home." She didn't quite understand that, as Inuyasha hated his brother and his brother he. Neither one really admitted to having the same father and Sesshoumaru was definitely one to discredit his brother at every turn. He's just full of surprises lately, isn't he? First he keeps me alive, then he treats me like an honored guest. Of his brother's, no less. What is that bastard up to?
The hallways were dark and badly lit, but Kagome found it fairly easy to traverse. The human had none of the senses her demon companions (or captors) possessed, but even so she could carry her own in a dark passageway. "Ow! Damnit…" Well, for the most part. Even the most skilled human could still stub her toe on stone flooring with no light available.
After what seemed an eternity, light began flooding the corridor. With far more caution, Kagome trekked quietly along the hallways, keeping close to the walls and stopping often. Jaken had to have awoken by now; there were probably guards everywhere. And she was so close to the end that she didn't dare mess up now. The light was steadily getting brighter. I'm almost there…Just a little farther.
"Hello again, woman of my brother. I am pleased to see that you are ready to go."
Kagome stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. Sesshoumaru stood, tall and foreboding, in the moonlight that washed the corridor's walls. Behind him stood Jaken, a giant bruise on his face and a bump on his head. He scowled at his archenemy but didn't speak. Next to him, Kagome could have sworn she'd seen a shadow move.
Backing away slowly, the human smiled and giggled nervously. "Heheheh… Sesshoumaru…I was just leaving…" As fast as she could, Kagome turned on her heel to run. Before she could take one step, however, she felt a strong hand grab her arm. With a cry she was knocked to her knees; she looked up to see her assailant, but no one was there. That same invisible keeper spun her around—her knees got cut against the cold stones in the process—to look at Sesshoumaru, standing a few feet away. The demon lord didn't even look at her.
"Come, Jaken. Grab the girl and take her outside. We leave now to kill my brother."
Inuyasha?! Kagome stared after her captor as he slowly walked past her and out into the light. We're going to kill Inuyasha?!?
"NO!"