*last time…
His clawed hand continued to reach
out for her.
She concentrated, hard and long, willing the beast to make the mistake and
touch her. She would shock him and escape, but only if she could, somehow, get
the mist to release her.
His eyes lowered over her body, his clawed hand still out-stretched, then
stopped just above her neck.
No…
An evil smile appeared over his face. Sharp vines now crawled and tangled
itself around her feet, crawling up her legs and waist, and scratching her skin
as it ripped her clothing and continued along her stomach to her arms and
around her wrists.
No…
She screamed once again, as the vine wrenched her arms open, her wrists now
bound tight against the wall of the well.
Her precious cargo now floating in front of her.
No…
"Please don''t!" Her voice pleadingly escaped her throat.
His cold eyes regarded hers as he smiled and reached out for it.
No…
"Please! No!" She struggled against her bindings. "NO!"
===
By: ©Angelstars
email: angelstars@kuroi-hoshi.org
Homepage: www.kuroi-hoshi.org
Standard Disclaimer - *Inuyasha ©Rumiko Takahashi.
===
19 - Fast-Forward, Stop & Pause
-
Modern Tokyo, Sunset Shrine.
Shippo sat next to Souta as they played on his Playstation, cheering and
bouncing on the edge of the bed with excitement.
"Shippo-kun, Souta dinner!" Higurashi-san
called from the bottom of the stairs, smiling at the rustle of feet as they
fought to get out of the room.
Dinner was met as any other at the Sunset Shrine. Souta would talk non-stop
about school and his new game, while Ji-chan complained over an article in the
newspaper he has picked up to read. Mrs Higurashi merely smiled and cheerfully
offered seconds to everyone at the table.
He loved spending time at Kagome's house, with his adopted family. He was happy
and content here, especially since Inuyasha had gone. His memories of the past
still refused to reveal any true picture of his past life; all of them had been
blocked, and apparently, lost them when he suffered a terrible attack. It
wounded him to the state of denial and soon his memories became foggy and
unwanted. Inuyasha helped over come that fear of loneliness. He felt
overwhelmed when the hanyou died. Even if Kouga was still around and living
with him, but it was not the same. He looked up to Inuyasha as an older
brother, father even, he had a bond with the hanyou and when he died, Shippo's
world came tumbling down.
However, things had gotten better since Higurashi-san took him under her wing.
"Shippo-kun?"
"Huh? Oh gomen, Oba-chan! I was just daydreaming." He slid an embarrassed hand
behind his head.
She smiled and offered him a plate full of oden; he accepted it with nod of
thanks. Kagome would be jealous knowing he was having her favourite this
evening. He smiled just thinking of her, his adopted mother but was jerked out
of his thoughts as bright light poured in from the window, shining so brightly
even he had to shelter his eyes.
The well house shone with laser-like beams of light, covering the entire area
with white brilliance. After a few more minutes, the light decreased and
disappeared. Shippo was the first to recover from the initial shook and headed
outside to investigate the old well.
He slid the doors open and peeked his head through, his eyes adjusting to the
dark accordingly.
"Kagome? Inuyasha?" He queried, waiting for an answer. When none came he
entered the well house, hearing the Higurashi's crowding outside.
"Hello?" He cautiously walked down the steps toward the time-travelling
well. He neared the lip and laid his
hands onto the side, peering down its dark depths.
Searching the bottom of the well with eyes, nose and ears he gave the area a
once over until his eyes met with a small bundle of cloth. Without hesitation,
he leapt to the bottom, his nose working over time.
He kneeled down over the bundle, uncovering it slightly.
His eyes widened.
"Hey there" He softly spoke, picking the small lump off the ground. "What are
you doing here?" He asked, not really expecting an answer, but still smiling as
a small gurgle reached his ears.
"Shippo-kun?" Higrushi-san's worried voice called from above.
"Hai, I'm coming up." He replied and leaped out of the well bringing the bundle
of cloth with him. Mrs Higurashi was
the first to run to his side, soon followed by her son and father.
She gasped at the sight before her. "Was that what came through the well?" She
pondered aloud.
"I guess so." Shippo nodded and handed it over to the curious looking woman.
She reached out and took it, bringing it into her chest. "But, its just a baby"
She whispered, smiling at the small bundle sleeping peacefully in her arms.
Shippo carefully pulled the cloth away from the babies face and upper body,
making sure the child did not stir. He moved closer, taking a good look at the
markings of the child, it looked familiar.
Black locks with a hint of silver, small pointed ears and tiny markings adorned
its face and wrists. He recognised its scent immediately, wild and free with a
hint of musky flowers.
"I think it might be Kagome and Inuyasha's pup!" He raised his head and
looked at his adopted grandmother. "I
can't be sure, but it sure does smell like em!"
"This is my grandchild?" She gasped. "But, where are Kagome and
Inuyasha?" She looked up with worry.
"I called for them, but there was no answer." He pointed to the child. "Maybe
we should take it inside and wait for Inuyasha and Kagome to return."
Everyone nodded and agreed.
===
Sengoku
Jidai, Warring States.
He landed with a thud as the wind-user came about him, circling him.
"Pathetic halfbreed. You do realise you are losing?" She casually asked him,
her smile never leaving her lips.
"Shut you mouth, bitch! Who said I was giving up?!" He glared, baring his
fangs. With a single leap and bound, he was swinging the transformed sword at
her once again.
She merely clucked her tongue, "You truly are a pitiful excuse of a demon." She
chuckled, as her winds blew in front of her, protecting her from his deadly
blade.
"Shut up and fight!" Inuyasha snarled, releasing another attack.
KAZE NO KIZU!!!
The winds grew in size and whirled together, sucking the powerful thrust from
the tetsusaiga
into its depths and swallowed it with ease before bouncing back toward the now
wide-eyed hanyou.
"Shit!" He swore under his breath, and leaped out of the way. Glaring up at the
smug wind-user as she raised her hand to her head and plucked a feather, it
instantly grew in size and hovered in front of its mistress.
Inuyasha landed on the ground in front of her, his eyebrow now twitching with
irritation. He glared at her and growled, "Oi, bitch! Running off so soon?"
Kagura's smug grin turned up at the corners of her mouth. "I have no reason to
continue my advances."
"Keh! Fucking coward!" Inuyasha grunted as she turned and flew off in the other
direction.
===
The lightening crashed over two figures that violently struggled to fight off
the soaring winds. Tornado like in strength, it was slowly swallowing
everything up around it.
Sango held onto the monk and fire-kitten, her large boomerang sheltering them
from the strong winds that threatened to engulf them at any time. She looked
around her, praying that Kazaana would eventfully die down.
Miroku clutched at his wrist, clenching his teeth with some pain. The winds
were pulling and he could feel his skin stretching as the void grew in size.
"Sango! Get out of here!" He commanded, his grip slowly faltering.
"Iie!" She answered and tightened her grip around his waist. "I won't leave
you, houshi-sama!"
"Sango, the kazaana is ripping the void to an unbearable size! I don't think I
can control this very much longer!!"
Her grip strengthened, and her head nuzzled his back. "Miroku…" She breathed,
preparing to follow him no matter where.
===
Inuyasha wondered what had just happened to spook her and cause her to leave
without finishing their battle. He pondered for a moment longer before
remembering Kagome and the pups.
He leaped into the trees, his mind still wondering, but still focused on
Kagome. His ears perked as he entered the clearing, his nose catching the
distinct smell of blood.
His eyes widened.
"Shippo!?!" He barked, rushing over the fallen Kit's side. He reached out a claw
and turned the bloodied boy over, gasping at the sight of a large wound. The
blood was fresh and still flowing from his shoulder and chest. His breathing
was ragged and his heartbeat was wavering.
A small sound grabbed Inuyasha's attention, pulling him from his examination.
"Ka--kag-ome.." The Kit murmured so quietly even Inuyasha had to lean closer to
make it out.
His head whipped up, eyes and nose searched for his mate, his ears fully erect
atop of his head as they twisted and turned in all directions.
Kagome!
The cub barely even registered the hanyou clutching him tenderly to his chest,
nor the soft words of encouragements and promises as they leaped through the
forest.
===
Kagome pulled herself out of the well, her legs limp and completely covered
with blood, her clothes torn and bloodied. She dragged herself up onto her
hands and pushed up against the well. Lowering her head, as warm tears rolled
down her cheek onto the ground.
She shivered and clutched her chest as a sharp pain stabbed at her heart. Her
mouth was dry from her screams and constant sobbing; her whole body shook with
sadness.
They were gone. She lost them both.
Inuyasha leaped from tree to tree, clutching the small bundle tighter to his
chest in hopes of keeping the slowly wilting fox warm. "Hold on Shippo!" He
reassured, unconsciously rubbing his thumb over the kitsune's face.
He was nearing the village when he picked up her scent. He looked down at the
child in his arms, the blood was still thick to his nose, but he could still
pick up on a semi-strong heartbeat, albeit ragged, but still there.
He changed direction and headed toward the old well, he was there within
seconds entering the clearing and reaching her side.
"Kagome!" He cried, lowering the cub gently to the ground and picking her
up. She stirred under his touch and
looked up with teary blue depths.
"Inuyasha.." She whispered, bringing her arms around his neck and pulling her
tearstained face into his chest.
"Kagome, what happened?" He soothed back her hair, trying to coax her to look
at him. She merely balled her fists into his fire-rat robe and held onto him
tighter, her sobs choking back in her throat.
"Shhh, Koi," He whispered. "I'm here."
She pulled back slightly, keeping her eyes closed as she spoke. "Inuyasha, I
was so scared. I tried protecting them from him, really I did! But, but he was
so strong and I-"
"Kagome, take your time. Protect them from who?"
She opened her eyes, her blue orbs shinning with fresh tears.
"Naraku."
"Nani?!" He shook his head, gripping her closer to his chest. "Kagome, where
are the pups?"
"They've gone! He took them!" Her
sobbing grew in volume.
Inuyasha stared at the ground, keeping a tight hold of his mate as his growl
increased with volume and rage.
The mere thought of Naraku holding his pups… The bastard would pay and dearly.
===
Crap… angst and cliffhangers! Sheesh and top it all off this chapter took me
FOREVER to write! I am suffering major writers block at the moment! I'm so
sorry for the long wait.. Here's hoping my muse pulls her socks up and starts
nagging me to write!!
All your reviews and emails of encouragements and questions are appreciated!
Thank You.