Chapter Six: And now unto oblivion I go...
"A bolt is shot somewhere in our breast,
And a lost pulse feeling stirs again.
The eye sinks inward, and the heart lies plain,
And what we mean, we say, and what we would know,
We know." (Matthew Arnold)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Absorbed in his thoughts, Sesshoumaru failed to notice Kagura's quiet disappearance.
' Is she safe, or has Naraku already done away with her?' Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru stated aloud, "I must have faith that she is alive and unharmed, or Kagura's potential sacrifice will be in vain, and I could not bear harm being done to Rin in either case."
Suddenly, Sesshoumaru came out of his thoughts and noticed Kagura's absence,
'Where is Kagura?' He questioned silently, as he glanced furtively around the clearing. Sesshoumaru's keen eyes did not catch sight of the sorceress, but his nose catch the foul odor of his younger half-brother Inuyasha.
"What is that whelp doing here!" Sesshoumaru exclaimed, and suddenly, in his gut, grew worried for Kagura.
Indeed, Kagura could not evade Tetsuiga's blade entirely, for she felt the blade sink partially into the skin of her shoulder. She clutched the wound upon her shoulder reflexively, and stared Inuyasha straight in his golden eyes.
"I thought you were dead, bitch!" Inuyasha stated bluntly. Grinning mischievously, Kagura boasted,
"That clumsy blade of yours isn't good enough to extinguish my life! You over estimate your skill, worthless hanyou." Inuyasha growled, and tightened his grip upon Tetsuiga. Letting go of her shoulder, Kagura grasped her fan and drew it open, preparing to unleash the winds at her command.
Kagura easily countered Tetsuiga's blows and quickly pushed Inuyasha to the defensive. She felt her confidence rise as domination of the battle was likely, but Kagura was suddenly distracted from the fight as her keen ears heard the low buzz of a hell insect. Quickly, she paused and thought frantically,
'This is a set up. Yet another way to check up on Sesshoumaru's progress and avoid having to give away the location of his lair. If for that reason alone, I will not fall.'
"Kagome! Now!" Miroku exclaimed, as Kagome prepared to shoot a sacred arrow at the distracted Kagura.
Sesshoumaru increased his speed, as the instinct within his gut grew stronger. Sesshoumaru flew past the trees like they were standing still, he only hoped to arrive in time.
Realizing too late, Kagura noticed the strangely dressed miko pull back the long bow and launch the pure arrow that was almost impossible to evade. The dark winds Kagura sent, did nothing to stop the shimmering arrow's path. However, Kagura cleverly evaded the arrow, but could not evade the second arrow sent by Kagome. Kagura looked at Kagome, whose face was growing excited at the thought of killing this sorceress. The rest observed with that same eagerness, but disappointment came as Sesshoumaru, in a desperate action pushed Kagura to the ground.
Breathing in a sigh of relief, Kagura looked upon the face of her rescuer for the third time. As if Inuyasha and those who accompanied him disappeared she rose from the ground, Kagura thanked Sesshoumaru gratefully,
"Domo Arigatou, Sesshoumaru-san!" Kagura was not concerned with how this made her supposedly cold manner disappear. Upon her first rescue by Sesshoumaru, death was an escape he woke her from. Her second rescue was helpful, but not necessary. Yet, this time was different in a way Kagura was unable to comprehend. This rescue offered her a wealth of new emotions that time could only help her understand.
Sesshoumaru observed the complete graciousness of Kagura's thanks and found a gentle smile on his face from the warmth it brought to both her and him.
"Do itashimashite, Kagura-san," Sesshoumaru replied less anxiously than Kagura but within his voice he had enough friendly emotion that she was able to observe distinct affection. "Are you alright?" He then asked full of concern.
"Hai, I am alright." Kagura very uncharacteristically averted her eyes, and in the air a pause occurred. Yet to Kagura and Sesshoumaru this pause was so vivid and so loud that little else could be heard. But this growing moment was averted when Inuyasha interrupted, as he finally recovered from the shock,
"What the hell is up here!" Sesshoumaru glared coldly at his little brother but did not respond, while Kagura's hatred of that entire group only intensified as her sudden shame grew. "And what are YOU doing here, with HER!" Inuyasha now added, pointing rudely at Kagura.
"Little brother," Sesshoumaru stated in his usual mocking manner, " there is more prudence in me asking what you are doing here." Inuyasha fehed and retorted angrily continuing to point at Kagura,
"But she is an incarnation of Naraku! She even smells like him!" Kagura sighed deeply, but said nothing.
"Come on Inuyasha, it's obvious that something happened that has drastically changed the situation." Kagome said calmly, hoping that Inuyasha would follow her example.
However, Inuyasha did not follow Kagome's example and stated, clearly enraged,
"What the fuck Kagome! It's Kagura, we have to kill her, and I mean she killed Kohaku!"
"I think...that is up to Sango, Inuyasha." Inuyasha considered Kagome's words carefully, and still did not understand the logic Kagome attempted to present. But he did understand that Kagome would not understand him and grabbed Tetsuiga, drawing it toward Kagura.
"I don't care what you say Kagome! I—"Inuyasha failed to complete his sentence as Kagome impatiently pronounced the word 'sit'. Then turning to Sango, she asked,
"Do you want Kagura die? She did kill Kohaku." All eyes were on Sango as she bit her lip nervously. Inuyasha, who had recovered from his sitting, stood with his mouth and eyes wide open and shock,
"Come on Sango! Revenge always helps!" Again, Kagome sat Inuyasha, and Sango finally had her answer,
"What good would killing Kagura do? I don't know the circumstance or reason why Kagura killed him, but something has changed..." Miroku was awestruck and asked,
"You are showing the demon who killed your brother mercy!"
"Can't you sense it, Miroku? She seems different, I can't put my finger on it, but she does seem changed." Miroku nodded in agreement, as he hoisted the unconscious Inuyasha over his shoulder and walked away along with Kagome and Sango.
Naraku cursed silently as he observed Kagome, and the others walk away from his testy servant, Kagura.
'Mercy! She has been shown mercy! I knew those who followed Inuyasha were odd, but they showed Kagura, the one who killed Sango's brother, mercy! This does not work well with my plan!' Naraku's anger simmered within him as he called Kanna, 'No matter, now Kanna will finally be of some use...' Pouring himself more tea, Naraku grinned slyly. He looked at his reflection in the dark liquid, greatly despising it; Naraku sipped the tea stifling the offensive image.
After Inuyasha and the others had left, Kagura and Sesshoumaru were left alone. Silence overtook the small area surrounding them and the fireflies began to rise from the green foliage beneath their feet.
'I was shown mercy,' Kagura thought, visibly perplexed by the obscure notion, ' I slaughtered that slayer's brother mercilessly yet she spared my life...' Kagura grew absorbed in her own thoughts, for another emotion permeated her soul, mercy.
Sesshoumaru noticed Kagura's expressive face and could feel the change that was going on within her.
"Kagura-san," He asked, hoping to catch her attention.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-san?" Kagura replied as she slowly drew away from her thoughts.
"You are very fortunate your life was spared," Sesshoumaru commented, hoping to draw conversation from the silence,
"The fortune is only temporary. Naraku will send more, and continue his plotting, until he has me back and safely leashed. "Kagura's words and reply struck Sesshoumaru as he recalled the deal that Naraku had forced upon him.
flash back
"I am Naraku." Suddenly, Naraku darted towards Rin, who froze from the fear he inspired,
"Naraku!" Sesshoumaru screamed desperately, and thus attracted Naraku's attention. Naraku again turned to face Sesshoumaru, a smirk painted across his face.
"What do you want, Sesshoumaru?" Naraku enquired.
"Do not bring Rin into this feud you have with Kagura! She is innocent. You will have stooped to a new low." Sesshoumaru demanded, as he struggled to keep his temper. He gripped Tokijin tighter, but did not move. Naraku grinned,
"My name has never been associated with honor, Sesshoumaru. You have taken something of mine, and it is only right that I take something of yours. What better than this girl?" he said. Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth, and with controlled anger, he growled,
"If you wish your servant back, kidnapping Rin will not assist you. She knows nothing." Naraku's demonic grin increased and he taunted,
"Nay, but you know something..." Then, a reincarnation of Naraku appeared, his skin was pale and haunting, and he had a lean and hungry look. The reincarnation attacked Sesshoumaru viciously and without command.
While Sesshoumaru was busy with the new reincarnation, Naraku began to advance toward Rin.
"Now, my dear girl, what is your name?" he asked. Rin could not answer, she could not even scream for fear had overtaken her senses.
Flash Back ends
"So it would seem, Kagura-san." Sesshoumaru plainly stated, this moment proved to be less ordinary than he felt comfortable experiencing and the mood was broken.
"We better return to the clearing, that clumsy servant of yours may have finally disentangled himself from the wreckage," Kagura remarked sarcastically, ignoring the complacent change in the winds .For some wisps of wind are better left alone. Sesshoumaru nodded, agreeing with Kagura, and embarked to the clearing. Kagura followed him shortly afterward thinking,
' My time draws to an end here. Every step I take to Naraku's is a step closer to my doom, but I chose this path.'
From the clearing Kagura could detect the foul odor of Naraku's eternal miasma, Sesshoumaru also detected this wretched scent. He abhorred the miasma's impurities and all that it stood for, but most of all he despised the pain that struck his breast. This pain was caused by Sesshoumaru's growing guilt of sending Kagura into perpetual bondage, this rude pang made him feel weak.
'Why does my conscience ache as the deed nears completion? Kagura, as Inuyasha so bluntly stated, is of Naraku. She posses' his scent and more importantly, Kagura has Naraku's arrogant spirit. Yet, as these few days have passed, I can ascertain a difference between Kagura and Naraku. Their hearts are borne of different matter; perhaps my guilt originates from that.'
While Sesshoumaru examined his conscience Kagura began to understand hers. Kagura's thoughts discerned more than just simple mercy,
' I feel the small indifferent void within my soul shrink; I am not so small, so worthless. I, and only I can save Rin, for my current task is a noble deed that could prove to be all in vain.' As Kagura grew to understand herself worth Sesshoumaru's own struggle dissipated,
' Unless I stop deceiving Kagura I will surely never find peace.' In Sesshoumaru's own mind, he confirmed this and knew exactly what must be done.
Naraku greeted his silent and obedient servant Kanna, with a devious smirk upon his face. Standing before Naraku with the enchanted mirror held by her tiny, ghost-like hands, Kanna said quietly,
"Milord, you called?" Naraku then explained the nature of Kanna's order.
"There is a young girl, Rin, who is being held within this palace as an honored guest. Kanna I want you to take this Rin's soul and hold it within your mirror indefinitely." Kanna blinked, and silently told Naraku she understood her order. Soundlessly, Kanna departed from Naraku's inner- lair. Naraku grinned,
'My plan will soon come into fruition. Sesshoumaru leads Kagura to enslavement under my deception. The deceptions that I will be foolish enough to give Sesshoumaru Rin, whole and untouched while allowing him to live with the knowledge of my lairs location. It is as simple as killing two birds with one stone.' Naraku thought darkly. He no longer felt ill humored by his reflection in the dark cha. On the contrary he was very pleased with himself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rissi's recourse:
First of all I would like to thank all those who have read this fiction (even those who seem to not be able to find the review button). But special thanks goes to those who can find it like Zero27, Anese, 1, and Ameki No Mori (who by the way is making a doshinji of this very fiction).
Secondly, the commentary you've been awaiting. How I felt as I wrote this chapter! I felt.... confused because this fiction is like trying to get porcupines to mate or squirrels to sit still. Cya until our next meeting!
"A bolt is shot somewhere in our breast,
And a lost pulse feeling stirs again.
The eye sinks inward, and the heart lies plain,
And what we mean, we say, and what we would know,
We know." (Matthew Arnold)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Absorbed in his thoughts, Sesshoumaru failed to notice Kagura's quiet disappearance.
' Is she safe, or has Naraku already done away with her?' Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru stated aloud, "I must have faith that she is alive and unharmed, or Kagura's potential sacrifice will be in vain, and I could not bear harm being done to Rin in either case."
Suddenly, Sesshoumaru came out of his thoughts and noticed Kagura's absence,
'Where is Kagura?' He questioned silently, as he glanced furtively around the clearing. Sesshoumaru's keen eyes did not catch sight of the sorceress, but his nose catch the foul odor of his younger half-brother Inuyasha.
"What is that whelp doing here!" Sesshoumaru exclaimed, and suddenly, in his gut, grew worried for Kagura.
Indeed, Kagura could not evade Tetsuiga's blade entirely, for she felt the blade sink partially into the skin of her shoulder. She clutched the wound upon her shoulder reflexively, and stared Inuyasha straight in his golden eyes.
"I thought you were dead, bitch!" Inuyasha stated bluntly. Grinning mischievously, Kagura boasted,
"That clumsy blade of yours isn't good enough to extinguish my life! You over estimate your skill, worthless hanyou." Inuyasha growled, and tightened his grip upon Tetsuiga. Letting go of her shoulder, Kagura grasped her fan and drew it open, preparing to unleash the winds at her command.
Kagura easily countered Tetsuiga's blows and quickly pushed Inuyasha to the defensive. She felt her confidence rise as domination of the battle was likely, but Kagura was suddenly distracted from the fight as her keen ears heard the low buzz of a hell insect. Quickly, she paused and thought frantically,
'This is a set up. Yet another way to check up on Sesshoumaru's progress and avoid having to give away the location of his lair. If for that reason alone, I will not fall.'
"Kagome! Now!" Miroku exclaimed, as Kagome prepared to shoot a sacred arrow at the distracted Kagura.
Sesshoumaru increased his speed, as the instinct within his gut grew stronger. Sesshoumaru flew past the trees like they were standing still, he only hoped to arrive in time.
Realizing too late, Kagura noticed the strangely dressed miko pull back the long bow and launch the pure arrow that was almost impossible to evade. The dark winds Kagura sent, did nothing to stop the shimmering arrow's path. However, Kagura cleverly evaded the arrow, but could not evade the second arrow sent by Kagome. Kagura looked at Kagome, whose face was growing excited at the thought of killing this sorceress. The rest observed with that same eagerness, but disappointment came as Sesshoumaru, in a desperate action pushed Kagura to the ground.
Breathing in a sigh of relief, Kagura looked upon the face of her rescuer for the third time. As if Inuyasha and those who accompanied him disappeared she rose from the ground, Kagura thanked Sesshoumaru gratefully,
"Domo Arigatou, Sesshoumaru-san!" Kagura was not concerned with how this made her supposedly cold manner disappear. Upon her first rescue by Sesshoumaru, death was an escape he woke her from. Her second rescue was helpful, but not necessary. Yet, this time was different in a way Kagura was unable to comprehend. This rescue offered her a wealth of new emotions that time could only help her understand.
Sesshoumaru observed the complete graciousness of Kagura's thanks and found a gentle smile on his face from the warmth it brought to both her and him.
"Do itashimashite, Kagura-san," Sesshoumaru replied less anxiously than Kagura but within his voice he had enough friendly emotion that she was able to observe distinct affection. "Are you alright?" He then asked full of concern.
"Hai, I am alright." Kagura very uncharacteristically averted her eyes, and in the air a pause occurred. Yet to Kagura and Sesshoumaru this pause was so vivid and so loud that little else could be heard. But this growing moment was averted when Inuyasha interrupted, as he finally recovered from the shock,
"What the hell is up here!" Sesshoumaru glared coldly at his little brother but did not respond, while Kagura's hatred of that entire group only intensified as her sudden shame grew. "And what are YOU doing here, with HER!" Inuyasha now added, pointing rudely at Kagura.
"Little brother," Sesshoumaru stated in his usual mocking manner, " there is more prudence in me asking what you are doing here." Inuyasha fehed and retorted angrily continuing to point at Kagura,
"But she is an incarnation of Naraku! She even smells like him!" Kagura sighed deeply, but said nothing.
"Come on Inuyasha, it's obvious that something happened that has drastically changed the situation." Kagome said calmly, hoping that Inuyasha would follow her example.
However, Inuyasha did not follow Kagome's example and stated, clearly enraged,
"What the fuck Kagome! It's Kagura, we have to kill her, and I mean she killed Kohaku!"
"I think...that is up to Sango, Inuyasha." Inuyasha considered Kagome's words carefully, and still did not understand the logic Kagome attempted to present. But he did understand that Kagome would not understand him and grabbed Tetsuiga, drawing it toward Kagura.
"I don't care what you say Kagome! I—"Inuyasha failed to complete his sentence as Kagome impatiently pronounced the word 'sit'. Then turning to Sango, she asked,
"Do you want Kagura die? She did kill Kohaku." All eyes were on Sango as she bit her lip nervously. Inuyasha, who had recovered from his sitting, stood with his mouth and eyes wide open and shock,
"Come on Sango! Revenge always helps!" Again, Kagome sat Inuyasha, and Sango finally had her answer,
"What good would killing Kagura do? I don't know the circumstance or reason why Kagura killed him, but something has changed..." Miroku was awestruck and asked,
"You are showing the demon who killed your brother mercy!"
"Can't you sense it, Miroku? She seems different, I can't put my finger on it, but she does seem changed." Miroku nodded in agreement, as he hoisted the unconscious Inuyasha over his shoulder and walked away along with Kagome and Sango.
Naraku cursed silently as he observed Kagome, and the others walk away from his testy servant, Kagura.
'Mercy! She has been shown mercy! I knew those who followed Inuyasha were odd, but they showed Kagura, the one who killed Sango's brother, mercy! This does not work well with my plan!' Naraku's anger simmered within him as he called Kanna, 'No matter, now Kanna will finally be of some use...' Pouring himself more tea, Naraku grinned slyly. He looked at his reflection in the dark liquid, greatly despising it; Naraku sipped the tea stifling the offensive image.
After Inuyasha and the others had left, Kagura and Sesshoumaru were left alone. Silence overtook the small area surrounding them and the fireflies began to rise from the green foliage beneath their feet.
'I was shown mercy,' Kagura thought, visibly perplexed by the obscure notion, ' I slaughtered that slayer's brother mercilessly yet she spared my life...' Kagura grew absorbed in her own thoughts, for another emotion permeated her soul, mercy.
Sesshoumaru noticed Kagura's expressive face and could feel the change that was going on within her.
"Kagura-san," He asked, hoping to catch her attention.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-san?" Kagura replied as she slowly drew away from her thoughts.
"You are very fortunate your life was spared," Sesshoumaru commented, hoping to draw conversation from the silence,
"The fortune is only temporary. Naraku will send more, and continue his plotting, until he has me back and safely leashed. "Kagura's words and reply struck Sesshoumaru as he recalled the deal that Naraku had forced upon him.
flash back
"I am Naraku." Suddenly, Naraku darted towards Rin, who froze from the fear he inspired,
"Naraku!" Sesshoumaru screamed desperately, and thus attracted Naraku's attention. Naraku again turned to face Sesshoumaru, a smirk painted across his face.
"What do you want, Sesshoumaru?" Naraku enquired.
"Do not bring Rin into this feud you have with Kagura! She is innocent. You will have stooped to a new low." Sesshoumaru demanded, as he struggled to keep his temper. He gripped Tokijin tighter, but did not move. Naraku grinned,
"My name has never been associated with honor, Sesshoumaru. You have taken something of mine, and it is only right that I take something of yours. What better than this girl?" he said. Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth, and with controlled anger, he growled,
"If you wish your servant back, kidnapping Rin will not assist you. She knows nothing." Naraku's demonic grin increased and he taunted,
"Nay, but you know something..." Then, a reincarnation of Naraku appeared, his skin was pale and haunting, and he had a lean and hungry look. The reincarnation attacked Sesshoumaru viciously and without command.
While Sesshoumaru was busy with the new reincarnation, Naraku began to advance toward Rin.
"Now, my dear girl, what is your name?" he asked. Rin could not answer, she could not even scream for fear had overtaken her senses.
Flash Back ends
"So it would seem, Kagura-san." Sesshoumaru plainly stated, this moment proved to be less ordinary than he felt comfortable experiencing and the mood was broken.
"We better return to the clearing, that clumsy servant of yours may have finally disentangled himself from the wreckage," Kagura remarked sarcastically, ignoring the complacent change in the winds .For some wisps of wind are better left alone. Sesshoumaru nodded, agreeing with Kagura, and embarked to the clearing. Kagura followed him shortly afterward thinking,
' My time draws to an end here. Every step I take to Naraku's is a step closer to my doom, but I chose this path.'
From the clearing Kagura could detect the foul odor of Naraku's eternal miasma, Sesshoumaru also detected this wretched scent. He abhorred the miasma's impurities and all that it stood for, but most of all he despised the pain that struck his breast. This pain was caused by Sesshoumaru's growing guilt of sending Kagura into perpetual bondage, this rude pang made him feel weak.
'Why does my conscience ache as the deed nears completion? Kagura, as Inuyasha so bluntly stated, is of Naraku. She posses' his scent and more importantly, Kagura has Naraku's arrogant spirit. Yet, as these few days have passed, I can ascertain a difference between Kagura and Naraku. Their hearts are borne of different matter; perhaps my guilt originates from that.'
While Sesshoumaru examined his conscience Kagura began to understand hers. Kagura's thoughts discerned more than just simple mercy,
' I feel the small indifferent void within my soul shrink; I am not so small, so worthless. I, and only I can save Rin, for my current task is a noble deed that could prove to be all in vain.' As Kagura grew to understand herself worth Sesshoumaru's own struggle dissipated,
' Unless I stop deceiving Kagura I will surely never find peace.' In Sesshoumaru's own mind, he confirmed this and knew exactly what must be done.
Naraku greeted his silent and obedient servant Kanna, with a devious smirk upon his face. Standing before Naraku with the enchanted mirror held by her tiny, ghost-like hands, Kanna said quietly,
"Milord, you called?" Naraku then explained the nature of Kanna's order.
"There is a young girl, Rin, who is being held within this palace as an honored guest. Kanna I want you to take this Rin's soul and hold it within your mirror indefinitely." Kanna blinked, and silently told Naraku she understood her order. Soundlessly, Kanna departed from Naraku's inner- lair. Naraku grinned,
'My plan will soon come into fruition. Sesshoumaru leads Kagura to enslavement under my deception. The deceptions that I will be foolish enough to give Sesshoumaru Rin, whole and untouched while allowing him to live with the knowledge of my lairs location. It is as simple as killing two birds with one stone.' Naraku thought darkly. He no longer felt ill humored by his reflection in the dark cha. On the contrary he was very pleased with himself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rissi's recourse:
First of all I would like to thank all those who have read this fiction (even those who seem to not be able to find the review button). But special thanks goes to those who can find it like Zero27, Anese, 1, and Ameki No Mori (who by the way is making a doshinji of this very fiction).
Secondly, the commentary you've been awaiting. How I felt as I wrote this chapter! I felt.... confused because this fiction is like trying to get porcupines to mate or squirrels to sit still. Cya until our next meeting!