Duplicity
Detailed Summary: Kikyou believes Kagome is too weak to control her powers and has no hope of defeating Naraku. To achieve her revenge, she sets out to recombine her soul into her artificial body. With Kagome's life at stake, Inuyasha must decide whether to honor his vow to protect Kikyou. What lengths will an already damned woman go to in order to get what she wants? And more importantly, what will happen to the vibrant young miko with an unfortunate habit of sacrificing for the sake of others?
Rated for the violence, blood, and swearing that seem to find a way into everything I write. Of course, I am rather prone to happy endings too.
Chapter 1: Matters of Life and Death
She was late.
Inuyasha tapped his foot anxiously as he waited for Kagome to appear in the well. It had been three days, and that was all he had promised to give her. If she wasn't back in the next few minutes, he was going to drag her back.
She should be here, looking for jewel shards. Not over in her world, doing whatever it was she did at that stupid school of hers. Not like she ever learned anything useful.
Alright, he decided. Enough waiting. He prepared to take the leap just as that familiar blue light rushed through the well's rim. It was quickly followed by casual school-girl grumbling, involving math, the amount of dirt in the well, and impatient dog demons.
"Hi Inuyasha!" She greeted him brightly as he offered her a hand out of the well.
He scowled. "Don't 'hi Inuyasha' me! You think just because you act like nothing happened I won't notice how late you are?"
"How late I am?" Kagome said testily. "I said I'd be back today, and I am. It's not even sunset. If anything, I'm early."
He chanced a glance at the sun. It was still only mid afternoon, but she wasn't getting away with this that easily. "You waste too much time on that side of the well. Miroku and Sango and Shippou can't look for shards without you, you know."
"Ah. And I suppose you have no interest in wether I'm here or not?" Kagome inclined her head, wearing that cute half-smile of hers with her eyes sparkling as if waiting for him to say the wrong thing.
"Keh-- It's not like I miss you or anything. It's not my fault you're the only one who can see the shards."
"Oh?" She said smiling. "In that case, osuwari."
He growled as he was pulled to the ground. Stupid irritable woman. She took offense at every little thing. He looked up to see her trailing away ahead of him towards the village. At least she was back now where she belonged. He hurried to catch up to her. It was dangerous for a young woman to walk alone in this forest, after all.
Inuyasha dragged their ragtag group back together and had them back on the hunt before evening had fallen. They didn't get very far before night fell, but the group was in higher spirits since Kagome was back. Shippou was a real pain when she was gone, usually alleviating his boredom by annoying Inuyasha. Not to mention she always brought interesting food back with her.
Kagome sat next to Inuyasha, offering him a bowl of ramen. "Here," she said with a hint of humor in her voice. "I hope this makes up for me being so late." Inuyasha accepted it. It was her way of telling him she was over their little argument and forgiven him his less-than-eloquent comment.
Her every graceful movement captivated him, the way her hair shone when she tossed it away from her face, the way her fingers danced while she was eating, and her soft scent teasing his nose pleasantly. It was no wonder he missed her so much whenever she left. Her lips moved almost teasingly while she spoke to him.
"Inuyasha, are you listening at all?"
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He had been so preoccupied with watching her while pretending not to that he had barely realized she was talking. "Of course I'm listening. What did you say?"
Kagome rolled her eyes. "I said that I don't really enjoy all those tests myself, and I'd rather be here with you. I miss you too when I'm gone, you know."
She missed him? Even though she always seemed so eager to escape? "Then why go back at all?" He muttered. "Stay here." It surprised both of them when he rested his hand over hers.
She looked down at Inuyasha's clawed hand and then back up to his golden eyes. "I... I have duties there also, Inuyasha. When you don't need me anymore, I'll have to make a living for myself there."
She glanced away while Inuyasha reflected. 'When I don't need her anymore.' He couldn't conceive of not needing her. Every time she left him he went crazy waiting for her. But he couldn't say that. Not even to her, especially with Sango and Miroku there. "I... You could stay in this time after the jewel is complete. Then you wouldn't have to go back to that school right?"
Kagome just shook her head sadly and sighed. She leaned forward and rested her head on her arms folded on her knees. She knew he cared. But if he didn't care enough to stay with her for good, what was the point of giving her heart away? "After the jewel is complete... I don't think there will be anything to stay for."
He almost slipped and said 'me,' but caught himself. After all, he had promised his life to Kikyou. And he had always told Kagome he would use the jewel to become a full demon. He had become that demon several times now, and it scared him more than he would ever admit. He could never use the jewel if it meant that Kagome might be hurt or killed. She would never understand how much she really meant to him, especially because he could never swallow his pride and tell her.
But she was so close right now... it made him ache for her all the more. She was sitting here, right next to him, looking so beautiful and perfect. All he had to do was extend his hand and he could touch her... if he dared. Would Kagome mind? She looked sort of melancholy, maybe he could sooth her?
He moved a little closer to her, lifting his hand away from hers and resting on her back instead. Kagome started when she felt his clawed fingers come to rest and glanced over at him. Inuyasha was looking abashed at the ground while he gently stroked her back, his fingers sliding through her long black hair. She smiled a little and leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder. Even if he didn't love her, she was happy to be in his arms for the moment.
Her breath was teasingly warm, even through his clothing. He was sort of surprised that she hadn't objected to being so close to him. Miroku and Sango had quieted their conversation on the other side of the fire, and he could see their eyes sparkle lightly in interest towards himself and Kagome. It was to late to take his arm away without appearing flustered, so he kept it there. Not to mention she felt so nice. He cautiously slipped his hand further around her, hugging her lightly around her waist. She sighed a little against him, but didn't appear to be bothered.
He felt a familiar tug in his mind. 'Not now...' he thought fervently as he glimpsed silver-white forms glinting through the trees opposite him. Flashes of long misty insects shone between the dark shapes of the night woods.
Kagome felt him go stiff and looked up at his intense face. "Inuyasha?" She followed his gaze, her face falling as she saw Kikyou's soul stealers on the edge of their light. She bowed her head as she detached from him, curling her arms around herself protectively. Inuyasha's hand fell away from her.
He looked down at her sadly as he stood. "I'll be right back," he whispered. He was disappointed to leave her, and Miroku and Sango were giving him accusing glances. Kikyou wouldn't call him for no reason; he had to go. Kagome made him feel so guilty about it.
Kagome sniffed as a fat tear rolled down her face and caught on the edge of her lips. He had been so close for a moment, and had forgotten her so quickly. She had stayed so still while he held her, afraid that moving or speaking would break the fragile dream. It didn't matter, Kikyou had forced them both awake again.
"Kagome-sama? Are you all right?"
Kagome nodded to Miroku, not raising her head. She couldn't help but be a little embarrassed over crying in front of them, even if she knew they understood.
"It will be all right, Kagome-chan," Sango consoled. "Really. If he doesn't straighten up I'll knock some sense into him."
Kagome shook her head. "Please don't. It's not his fault either. I'm just being stupid."
He followed her shinidamachuu sullenly, his path illuminated by that strange hollow light the cast. He found her leaning against a tall tree, her head cast back against it as a sad smile emerged on her perfect white face.
"You don't seem happy to see me," she said with a sad lilt. "It becomes more pronounced every time. Tonight you seem almost angry that I summoned you."
He looked down in frustration, his fists clenching slightly. "I'm not angry. Just... what do you want, Kikyou?"
She approached him, and lifted a pale hand to brush at the long silver hair that hung over his shoulder. Her insects twisted around both of them, winding familiarly around her arms. "You are angry. Not at all like the days when you used to go to such great lengths to even catch a glimpse of me. You were always thirsty for even the slightest of affections, though you tried to hide it. But not tonight... you truly don't want to see me now. Did I interrupt something important?"
Her voice was soft and lulling, both an echo and a whisper. Even in this form, an aura of calm surrounded her. It was not as it had been when she lived and breathed, but it lingered as if it was trying to find the warm person to whom it had once belonged. Against his will, he felt himself settle under her mournful attitude.
"Kikyou..." he tried again softly. "Why did you summon me tonight?"
"Naraku has created a new offspring. It is approaching your group and will likely encounter you tomorrow."
Inuyasha acknowledged her warning with a nod. "Thank you." He wanted to return, but he also did not want to abandon Kikyou to her loneliness.
"Inuyasha... Naraku is becoming more dangerous," Kikyou said slowly. "He has to be stopped at any cost. My peace is at stake, as well as yours. Countless lives will hang in this balance. Everything he touches shrivels and dies."
"I know," he said plainly. "I will avenge you and destroy him for what he did to us fifty years ago. Then perhaps we can both be at peace."
Kikyou nodded. "That is the revenge I must achieve while I walk this earth. I will be content to die again as long as I can destroy him."
"I won't let you die again!" Inuyasha hissed. "I promised to protect you, and I will at any cost."
"Then, Inuyasha, you would cast away your life to destroy him? Or to protect me?"
Inuyasha squared himself. "I would."
"What about the jewel... would you give it up to fulfil your revenge?"
"What does it matter?" He asked uncomfortably. "Yes, I would give it up, I guess. There are more important things."
"So you are prepared to loose everything in this? Your life and mine mean little as long as our goal is achieved, we can both agree. Our lives were meant to end that day all those years ago. But I wonder... are you prepared to lose Kagome in the fight?" Kikyou asked the question softly, no hint of malice in her voice, but somehow her words chilled him to the bone.
"Leave Kagome out of this," he said in a low voice. "She has no stake in what happens, she should never have been dragged into all of this in the first place. Under no circumstances will I let her be sacrificed like you were."
"I see..." said Kikyou, her smile all but faded into a pale frown. "I wondered how deep your affections for her went. Remember, Inuyasha: it is more than just our fate that hangs on Naraku's destruction. Perhaps you should reorganize your priorities by the next time we meet."
He felt her cool hand brush against his cheek as she stepped away from him. "I'll be waiting..." she whispered sorrowfully. Inuyasha did not move as she melted away into the forest again. He stood alone, the light of the insects gone, as the weight of his heart sagged painfully between the two women he clung to.
Inuyasha returned back to camp slowly, his feet leaden. Miroku and Sango were still sitting at the camp fire, their backs to him as he returned. Neither raised their head, but continued to stare at the camp fire. He glanced glumly to where Kagome was huddled in her sleeping bag. She probably wasn't asleep yet. More likely, she just didn't want to see or talk to him. Fortunately, Shippou was asleep, or he would surly have been chewed out for hurting Kagome's feelings.
He leaped into the tree nearest to Kagome, as close as he dared to get to her. Looking down, he saw that she had in fact fallen asleep, and that tracks from her tears had dried and left faint lines on her calm sleeping face. He glanced away. Looking at her soft frown made him feel entirely too guilty. Sure, he hadn't done anything with Kikyou, but he had still left Kagome alone to go to her, and he knew how much it hurt her.
Why did Kikyou have to show up just then? It was rare when he and Kagome had a peaceful moment, and something had to come and interrupt it. Now she would be hesitant to let him closer to her again.
Damn it, didn't she know he didn't like hurting her? It wasn't his fault she was wrapped up in all of this. When it came right down to it, none of their group ever deserved to be trapped in this deadly hunt. But Kagome… this wasn't her fight. She didn't even have the experience the rest of them had.
Not to mention all the danger she was constantly in, just because she happened to be able to sense the shards of the Shikon no Tama. She was always the target their enemies seemed to go after, and the least equipped to defend herself. That's why he had to work so hard to protect her. If he allowed anything to happen to her, he would never forgive himself.
With Kikyou, however, things were different. He had sworn to protect her as well, afraid of failing her as he had fifty years ago. Some part of him still believed that his lack of trust had allowed her to be killed… that if he hadn't gone after the Shikon no Tama after Kikyou's supposed betrayal, things might have ended differently. It was insufferable to think that Naraku might destroy her again… the first woman who had ever shown him real kindness… who understood him even when he refused to talk to her.
The dark corners of his heart whispered that Kikyou was already dead, no matter what he might do. She was far more able to defend herself than Kagome, and often seemed to scorn his protection. But even if he couldn't save her life, it was his duty to bring her soul peace.
And he could never hurt a girl with that face.
Kagome had been giving him the silent treatment all morning. He thought about teasing her, just to get her to talk to him, but decided against it when he noticed her barely-concealed frustration threatening to boil over. He wasn't in the mood to be sat until he was twelve feet under. But she deserved to know what happened between Kikyou and himself last night.
"Last night…" he began hesitantly, "Kikyou wanted to tell us about one of Naraku's offspring. She said it was headed this way.."
"Did she say anything else?" Miroku asked, sparing a glance at Kagome, who was staring at her feet.
"Not really," Inuyasha muttered. Kagome continued to stand apart from him. He couldn't take this anymore. "Hey Kagome, what are you so pissed off about?"
She raised her eyes and gave him that 'I'm gonna sit you till your back breaks, you insensitive bastard' stare. "I'm not mad," she huffed.
"Yeah right. You get all angry over nothing." He ignored the voice in his head that told him it would be smart to just shut up for a while. Actually, she looked more sad than angry now. It just made him feel guilty all over again.
"Inuyasha, osuwari," she whispered. He was yanked roughly to the ground by his neck. He arrival to the ground was punctuated by a colorful stream of cursing.
"Just leave me alone for now," Kagome said softly. "I'm fine, so don't worry about it." She took a few angry steps only to stop and hesitate while Inuyasha was still prying himself off the ground. "There are shards approaching," she said. "More than one of them."
"This must be it," Miroku intoned. "At least if we defeat it, we'll get some shards out of the deal." The group prepared their weapons with a practiced calm. Inuyasha habitually stepped in front of Kagome as he felt the approaching youki.
"Stay back during the fight, ok?" he said with uncharacteristic kindness. Kagome just nodded mutely, bow and arrows in hand.
He stood with Tetsusaiga drawn, watching warily for the demon to come into sight. He was completely unprepared with the creature's youki disappeared.
"Where is it?" both he and Miroku said at the same time.
"You lost the youki, too, Miroku?"
"Yeah, can you smell it?"
He sniffed experimentally. "Nothing."
Kagome felt the pull of the Shikon no Tama change direction. "Behind us!" she yelled as the creature appeared crashing towards them, splintering trees in its path.
"Shit!" Inuyasha snagged Kagome around the waist and pulled her away just before the indistinct form came charging into them. Miroku and Sango also scrambled away from the monster, simultaneously avoiding the falling trees. After pulling Kagome and the attached Shippou to safety, Inuyasha swung his gaze back.
The creature appeared indistinct, its colors shifting in a mockery of the shades of the woods around them. It was at least three times as tall as him, but had no recognizable form. It's parts seemed to meld and reassemble, the long appendages tangling and winding like snakes. The only familiar features were long spikes on much of the grotesque body and sharp teeth where an imaginative person would claim its mouth was. Even close, it seemed to hide its smell and aura. Its speed did not seem congruous with its disgusting misshapen body, and its shifting presence made it different to predict.
"Ew…" said Kagome behind him.
"Stupid girl. It doesn't matter how it looks. Just tell me where the shards are!"
"There are three in the…um…" she struggled to find the right word, "…middle?"
"Great," he muttered. "Stay here." The creature turned towards them as Inuyasha charged forward to meet it. He knocked aside its slithering limbs, trying to reach the center of the wriggling mass where he could do some damage. He hacked his way through, only to find that its main body mass had shifted. Miroku, Sango, and Kirara appeared next to him, apparently having as little luck as himself.
"Inuyasha! To your left!" he heard Kagome yell. He swung Tetsusaiga in a long arch, the kaze no kizu slashing into the creature severing several limbs. Most of the energy failed to strike it, however, and the creature seemed to turn to charge them. He didn't see the spiked tentacle until it swung around into him, stabbing painfully into his side. He hurriedly regained his balance, angry to see he had been batted away from its body again.
Miroku and Sango had pulled back. Sango was hurling her boomerang while Miroku fended off the tentacles to give her more space.
"Is it just me," Sango shouted over the ruckus, "or do these things just keep growing back?"
Inuyasha roared in agreement as he charged forward again, swinging furiously. It was impossible to tell from this close the way the creature was moving, there were too many thick appendages in the way. He angrily hacked at them, but failed to do more than sever one at a time. He plunged his way forward, but was caught against the chest by another hard-to-see thick arm.
He grunted as he stood, knowing that those spikes had managed to cut him. He realized the creature was now sliding towards Kagome, who had drawn her bow and was standing defiantly on the small slope above the combatants.
"Inuyasha!"
Summoning all his speed, he raced in front of the girl, furiously beating the creature back with his sword. His frantic strokes began to show some signs of progress as the monstrosity slowly shrank away from Kagome and Shippou.
He cringed as a third tentacle appeared on the verge of hitting him. He raised his sword to prepare for the blow, but it never came. Two identical glowing arrows collided with the limb simultaneously from slightly different angles, disintegrating it. One of them had to have come from Kagome, almost directly behind him. In the corner of his eye Inuyasha saw Kikyou nock another arrow, her face calm and resolved. He felt a small amount of relief to know that help had arrived.
The demon seemed to decide to retreat from the two miko and half demon, swinging around to charge Sango and Miroku. In the process, one of the swinging spikes caught him across the wrist, sending his sword tumbling out of his hand.
As he grappled for his blade, he heard Kagome give a little yell as the creature seemed to stretch and pull apart into two different pieces. Now its limbs were flying back towards Kagome, as well as towards Sango and Miroku.
Kikyou stood a short distance away from Kagome, both women had their bows drawn in a perfectly identical stance. Kagome's face was filled with fear and worry as she loosed her arrow. It cut a glowing path through the tangle of limbs, bursting apart those in pursuit of her friends.
Inuyasha's fingers finally found the hilt of his sword, knowing that he didn't have time to reach Kagome. He saw her reach behind her for another arrow, at the same time scuttling backward away from the careening demon.
Kikyou stood in the same position, the cool look never leaving her face. Her bow was steadily trained on the center of the creature's body.
Kagome stumbled backward just as she managed to raise an arrow to the bow. As she fell, Inuyasha watched in horror as the spikes hit her, preying that Kikyou would shoot them away from her. He saw Kikyou's empty dark eyes follow the attack, but the other priestess made no move to shoot or shift her aim.
A swarm of spikes slammed into Kagome, sending Shippou flying into the woods and knocking Kagome down. It only took a moment for the scent of her blood to reach him. Kikyou just stood, waiting.
He was still rushing towards Kagome, every step seemed to take an hour. He breathed again when Kirara appeared in front of Kagome, batting the creature away from the fallen girl. She wasn't moving, but he couldn't see how bad it was. He finally managed to get between them, so mad he could hardly see.
"Kirara, stay with Kagome," he growled.
He lunged forward, swinging Tetsusaiga with all the power he had inside him. Blazing whips of fire and light filled the air, tearing up earth and flesh. Miroku and Sango were trying to scramble out of the path of their enraged companion. Kikyou chose this moment to finally release her arrow. Her bright light followed the wake of Inuyasha's attack, tearing through the demon's bodies.
As the monster weakened, its smell and youki permeated the air once again. The two separated parts oozed back together, sealing with a sickening slurp. It stumbled under its own weight, arms flopping weakly and without order. A final time, Inuyasha thrust his blade down into the beast, his eyes filled with bloodlust as it twitched in its death throws.
He calmed as he stood over the hissing mass of ruined flesh, realizing he had been shaking in fury. He yanked Tetsusaiga out, turning to rush back to Kagome. 'Please be ok, Kagome," he pleaded.
She had fallen on her side, her back facing him. He reached her, bending down cautiously, afraid of the blood that was collecting underneath her. He gently pulled her by her shoulder to lay her on the back.
"Kagome!" he hissed urgently. She had a gash across her stomach oozing blood and soaking her white shirt. Another cut on the side of her thigh seemed to be bleeding harder. A number of smaller cuts and bruises decorated her pale skin.
He put his hands over her two worst cuts, trying to slow the bleeding. He leaned forward, and felt her breath on the side of his face. He let out the air in his lungs that he hadn't realized he was holding.
Miroku came to his side, already tearing bandages. "She's losing a lot of blood," he said in worry. He knelt and assisted Inuyasha in binding her wounds while Sango held Kagome's head in her lap.
As soon as they had managed to secure Kagome as best as they could, Inuyasha scooped her up. "I'm taking her to help," he said hastily.
"Right," Sango nodded. "We'll find Shippou and the shards and follow as fast as we can."
He hadn't even remembered about the shards the demon had carried in his worry over Kagome. He adjusted her carefully in his arms, pressing his hand firmly over her wound on her thigh. There was little he could do until he got her back to Kaede's.
He glanced backwards as he ran from the clearing, and saw her standing there. Kikyou was on the edge of the woods, uncannily calm and aloof. He had no time to spare. He spun away from her and sprinted as fast as he could.
As he ran away through the trees, Kikyou's face did not fade from his mind. Why hadn't she acted? She could have stopped the demon from reaching Kagome. She could have gone to help her after she fell. Instead, she just stood there, looking untouchable while Kagome fought for her life. She watched it happen, and didn't lift a finger to stop it.
He ran as fast as he could, pressing his body to alleviate the pain in his soul. He was angry. He was afraid. And he had never felt this betrayed since Kikyou pinned him to the tree.
Red was seeping through Kagome's bandages as she remained unresponsive, her sleep too still to seem peaceful. Over all of his guilt and fear, one question kept rising.
"Kikyou… why?"
Yup. New fic. I hope you like it... I'm not thrilled with the beginning, but I have some fun ideas for this story.
Don't want to bore anyone with long-winded notes first chapter, so I'll leave things be. I welcome any and all criticism!
Please Review!
-Aiwendil
This chapter last updated: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
