Okay, for starters, I was really freaked out by this chapter. And I'm the author. That's scary. And I know what's gonna happen. I'll try to get another chapter up, such as to leave you in suspense as little as possible. Please keep with me. This has a happy ending, promise.
Just to answer a few questions:
Yes, the dragon's seem not to really obey the rules of culture and time (Given that they use rapiers and platemail, and such) Tyrell lived in close proximity, and that's why he has a rapier even though he lives in japan.
And to Tiger, honestly, it never once occurred to me to have Kagome see Inu and Kik together for her test. But I personally think that hers is much harder. Just read.
**
InuYasha rushed through the forest like a fury. Trees, vines, undergrowth, all fell before his flying claws. Only one thought was on his mind.
"InuYasha!" Kagome's voice rang out again, quivering with fear. His ears instantly honed in on the voice, and she turned slightly left, barreling through the underbrush like a cannonball.
His eyes glowed with fury, and his hands flexed into lethal claws.
"InuYasha! Help!" The voice cried again, raising to a bloodcurdling level.
The hanyou sped up even faster, rushing forward at unheard of speeds.
"InuYasha!" Her voice cried out again, this time screaming in pain.
Tears formed on the hanyou's eyes as the forest itself swooped down to catch him, thorns tearing at his haori, and vines seeking to wrap themselves around him.
Again and again the pain-racked voice called his name. With one final roar, he burst through the last of the underbrush, and ran into a small grassy knoll.
His eyes traced round the clearing, sensing Kagome very near.
And then he saw her.
She was hanging by her arms, tied to an overhanging branch. Her head was bowed, and she was no longer calling his name.
"Kagome!" He called, stalking towards her. Then stopped. His amber eyes widened in horror.
The front of her blouse and skirt was soaked crimson. Blood ran in little rivulets down her legs, and dropped, in miniature crimson rubies to a scarlet puddle on the ground.
The hanyou took a step back. "Kagome…" He whispered in horror.
There were arrows sticking out of her. Needling her arms, legs and torso.
Slowly, the girl's head rose. "Inu…Ya..sh.." She said softly. Her face and hair were red as well, her lips stained a deep cherry.
Then her head dropped. InuYasha screamed.
He was at her side in and instant, her bonds cut, laying her in his arms. "Kagome…" He whispered. "Kagome!" "KAGOME!"
There was a low, satisfied chuckle from across the clearing.
InuYasha's tear streaked face rose, and glanced.
"Well, InuYasha…" Kikyo said in a slow, sinister voice, drawing another arrow to her freshly used bow. "What will you do now?"
~~
Kagome fell back, fear pressing against her heart.
InuYasha stood over her, flexing his claws purposefully, his smile sadistic and twisted.
She stumbled backwards, trying to scoot back while still sitting. "InuYasha…" She whispered, fear biting into her voice.
InuYasha's shoulders moved in a silent chuckle.
She managed to put her hands up on a tree behind her, and stand herself up.
InuYasha looked at her and took a step forward. She looked at him and took three steps back.
His smile increased, and his eyes narrowed at her. "Well, the little rabbit wants to play…" He said, grinning slightly at Kagome's involuntary quiver. "Well, then, I like a good hunt."
Kagome gasped, and barely managed to duck before his claws lashed out at her. Despite the sheer protests of her aching body, she managed to duck down, and dodge behind the tree, then start running as fast as her weak legs could carry her.
There had to be some way to get away! There was a laugh from above her, and she looked up desperately. In the dim light, she could see the outline of InuYasha shadowing her every move above in the trees.
She looked back, and suddenly stopped, despite the pain in her ankles, and reversed directions, diving for the sheltering roots of a partially uprooted tree. There was a thud, and through the clinging roots she could see InuYasha playfully approach the tree, laughing to himself slightly.
"Kagome…" He said in a slight sing-song voice.
Kagome tried not to whimper as she snuck deeper into the roots, but something must have escaped, for InuYasha instantly turned towards her. She gasped in fear as his eyes glowed a brighter red, and narrowed in glee.
Fear sunk every claw it had into Kagome totally paralyzing her.
With a single swipe, the roots separating them were reduced to pieces.
Kagome fell back again, scooting back as fast as she could, until her head butted back up against the giant tree.
This is a dream! It has to be! She thought desperately, closing her eyes, trying to wake up.
She opened her eyes. They were staring right into red ones.
Her voice fled her. "Inu…" She managed to squeak. "Please…"
His grin widened horribly. Slowly, one finger reached forward.
I'm going to die!
The finger stopped.
Kagome's breath caught in her throat. Then her eyes widened in horror.
The finger dipped down, and touched the front of her blouse.
Oh, god, no!
Slowly, deliberately, the claw traced town, ripping the fabric.
No! No, he wouldn't!
No, it couldn't happen. She would wake up! She had to wake up! WAKE UP!
No!
No! Oh, God, no! no… please… no.
NO!
**
InuYasha stumbled back. "Kikyo…" He gasped, pain lancing his heart. "Kikyo, tell me you didn't do this."
The miko set a grim smile to her face, and the arrow flew, embedding itself in Kagome's corpse. "Why, InuYasha." She said, mockery thick in her voice. "I have my soul back now… I thought you'd be happy."
Slowly, one of her long, snakelike soul-gatherers flew by, depositing in her hands a burning blue flame of life.
She smiled at him. "InuYasha, we can live together now." She said. "I can be myself again. We can be happy! Come, join me."
InuYasha blinked at her, then glanced at Kagome's lifeless corpse. His youkai blood started pounding.
Kikyo smiled ecstatically, and held the soul up with both hands. Kagome's soul.
InuYasha's human blood screamed.
Kikyo clutched her right hand around the soul, preparing to absorb it.
All of InuYasha's heart, Mind, and soul screamed out in rage, in total, and complete unison. KILL!
Kikyo's arms disappeared in a spray of crimson, and InuYasha landed behind her, his claws dripping.
Kikyo turned to him, an expression of hurt betrayal on her face.
His eyes glowed a bright red, stripes running down his cheeks, his hair instantly becoming wilder, his fangs growing longer.
The miko's expression turned to one of fear.
Then she died.
InuYasha stood over her corpse, laughing insanely. It was over, all over! They were gone! Both gone! His laughter increased.
The darkness slowly came towards his consciousness, threatening to enfold him. He turned and embraced it, taking comfort in the angry storm.
Slowly, InuYasha faded away.
Only the rage remained.
InuYasha dashed away, slashing through the forest.
RageHateKillBloodSorrowGriefPainSufferLoveAngerFuryMurderDeath!
**
Okay, then. If you're like me, then you're slightly depressed after reading this. But the tests have only just begun. The real tests come next chapter. Umm, please don't flame me for this. It'll turn out happy, I promise. Just keep reading.
