Inu Yasha no Yume

Chapter 10 – Umiko

Yume kept her back to the approaching group as Inu Yasha waved them down.
"You found her!" Kagome exclaimed. "Why didn't you come back?!" She hopped off of Kirara and glared at Inu Yasha.
He starred back down. Not knowing how to answer. "Naraku attacked me," Yume whispered, surprising Inu Yasha. "He hit me with some sort of poison. Inu Yasha brought here. I'm fine now," She turned and smiled at the assembly.
Her smile was wistful and fake, something Sango saw right through, but she kept that to herself. "Glad to see you're well," She held out the green-sheathed katana. "I believe this is yours."
Yume took it gratefully. "Thank you. I was starting to miss it."
"You look pale," Sango added. "He must have really gotten you."
"That he did," Yume sighed angrily. "That he did..."
"When we learned where you'd gone," Miroku stepped forward, "we brought supplies. If you wish, we can stay the night here."
Yume nodded. "I could use the fresh air."
Miroku sat beside her and put his arm around her. "I could keep you warm for the night..."
Yume lost it. She drew her katana and whipped around on Miroku. The look of utter surprise painted on his face didn't amuse her in the slightest as she held her katana to his throat.
"Don't...touch...me..." She growled, her chest heaving with the amount of frustrated hatred churning through her. "Don't play games with me, Houshi- sama or I'll have that Kaazana give you an even earlier death."
She sat back up and moved to the other side of the fire, all eyes watching Yume. Kagome gulped and pulled her giant backpack off of Kirara, who seemed rather relieved. "Who's hungry?"

( ( O ) )

She starred. The moon was still up and glowing brightly in the west. The sand crunched under her toes and the water touched the souls of her feet from time to time.
Everyone was asleep, but nightmares kept her wide awake. Now, when she was awake he couldn't hurt her. Her mind flashed, replaying those moments of sheer terror over and over again. If she fell asleep(which she had for a short time) he could hurt her in new ways. Even now, his touch haunted her. She shuddered as she stepped into the water. She just didn't care anymore, all that mattered was cooling the burns of those wounds and water was the perfect way to do it. "I will not let him win," She whispered. "I can go on living, but whatever he's trying to achieve inside me must NOT."
Slowly, she descended into the water. She ripped a piece of cloth off of her yukata (she'd left Inu Yasha's cloak with him) and tied it to her ankle. Using the moonlight she discovered a deep part of the crystal clear lake and found a large boulder with vines growing on and around it. Quickly, she tied herself to the strongest vine and let go of all her worries.
[Good-bye, Inu Yasha.]

( ( O ) )

Sango sat up. There was a splash nearby but when she looked, there was nothing. The other thing that was missing was the person sleeping next to her.
"Yume?" She whispered. "Where are you?"
"Sango?" Kagome mumbled. "What is it?"
"Yume's gone."

"What?!" Kagome sat up on the other side of Sango. "Where'd she go?"
Sango nodded and kept her voice low. "Yes, and I don't think Naraku poisoned her, Kagome."
"What do you mean?" Kagome leaned forward.
"I..." Sango choked, "I think he rape..."
"Yume's missing?" Inu Yasha stood over Kagome.
Sango gasped and nodded to Inu Yasha as she stood up. Inu Yasha turned towards the lake, starring intensely at the water's surface. He gasped.
"What?!" Kagome tugged on his sleeve.
"She wouldn't..." He whispered.
Sango covered her mouth. "What is it, Inu Yasha?!" Kagome demanded. He stepped forward, standing in the small waves that lapped at the shore. Miroku stood next to him, trying to see what Inu Yasha's keen eyes now saw. "There!" Inu Yasha pointed out. "Bubbles!"
It was ten yards out. Inu Yasha took a step forward, ready to jump into the lake when an explosion of water sent them all back a step. Inu Yasha reached for Tettsusaiga. "What the hell was that?!"

Out where the bubbles had been was a pillar of water that swirled and shimmered crystal clear in the moonlight. At its glowing blue center was a dark shape. There was an overpowering voice that rang beautifully and painfully in everyone's ears and minds.
"Yume, you seek to rid the world of the monster that will grow inside of you?" The voice demanded, hurting everyone's ears.
Just as clear, they heard Yume's voice, but not painful like the other. "Yes. I won't let him achieve his goal!"
"You are favored, Yume. I, Umiko, guardian of this lake grant you your wish. I shall cleanse this body of yours of such an evil, but be warned that this may be more than you asked for."
"Thank you, Umiko-Sama..."
"Live, Yume. Don't let yourself fall. Not all Youkai are bad."
"I know..."
There was a pause. "So you do..." In a sudden motion, the pillar of water whisked her over the lake and set her gently on the ground before the onlookers
"Good luck, Yume," The pillar crashed into the lake with a giant splash.
Yume coughed and stumbled forward. Someone caught her and she felt dry cloth being wrapped around her as she lost consciousness.

( ( O ) )

"Don't move, you have a fever," Someone whispered from right next to her.
"Where am I?" She asked wearily.
"The castle. You've been sleeping for 2 days," Kagome's gentle face came into view through the dim light.
"I'm cold..."
"I'll get another blanket," Sango offered, getting up.
"Thanks..."
"What happened back there? Why did the lake guardian save you? Why did you try to kill yourself."
Yume starred at the ceiling. "I..." She stopped and looked towards the wall.
"If you're not ready or too tired, "Sango said as she threw on a blanket. "you don't have to. But, Kagome would like to know what's troubling you. I already think I do, but it would be wrong for me to tell without your consent."
Yume cringed, even his hands could not be washed away by a God. She looked around the room , the door was closed and they were indeed alone. "Naraku," She whispered, the lump in her throat choking her, "he..." She shook her head, "he..." Kagome sat with rapt attention. "I..." She sighed, she couldn't, "I need to go to the lake. I owe Umiko-Sama some incense."
Sango sighed as Yume crawled out of bed and began to dress.