A/N: Special thanks to Amyfushigiyugi for her help in adding flare to the N/K scene. Enjoy!
CG: VII
Sesshoumaru remained silent as he mulled over the information his charge had dispatched. This 'Kouga' must have been the same nuisance that he had met. When he returned to that God forsaken void he would confront him with his own name.
Sesshoumaru looked back down at the woman beside him, a question waiting to roll off his tongue. He nearly growled in annoyance when he saw her eyes were closed and her chest rose up and down steadily. "Woman," Sesshoumaru's icy tones demanded she awaken.
Kagome cracked a single blue-grey orb to acknowledge him.
"This Sesshoumaru does not appreciate your lack of respect."
"Forgive this lowly one oh high and mighty king," Kagome replied sarcastically as she flipped over onto her side, hoping he'd go away. She didn't care much for his attitude. She was still grieving and here he was throwing a tantrum because he didn't have her undivided attention.
Sesshoumaru made an attempt to wake her up by forcefully shaking her, but much to his displeasure his hands passed through her like a phantom.
At least the prospect of returning to the void and getting answers seemed appeasing to him. However, as he tried to will himself to the void he found that he was incapable of doing so. He then tried to return to his body at the hospital, just get away from the insufferable girl he was stuck watching over!
Some powerful entity was forcing him to stay by this slip of a girl. He glared down at her unconscious form, hoping she had nightmares as some compensation for his inconvenience. As if answering his unspoken request whispered words escaped her lips.
He leaned down close to her mouth to hear better, annoyed for some reason that his hearing wasn't more sensitive.
"Kagewaki, no, I don't understand how this could have happened. Kouga? What happened to him? Tell me! Kagewaki!" She screamed as she bolted up in her bed, panting. She was looking right through Sesshoumaru as if she couldn't see him.
The door that connected her and Naraku's rooms flew open. Naraku rushed to her side, clad in nothing but pair of simple black boxers. His chest was glistening in sweat as if he too had just awakened from a night terror. He was kneeling beside Kagome on her bed in a flash.
He took one look at her terrified face, which was completely flushed of color, and pulled her against him. His fingers ran through her hair soothingly. "It's alright baby doll. I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you." Naraku reassured the girl softly as she buried her face against his neck, fingers curled in his own dark locks that fell carelessly over his shoulder.
Sesshoumaru could feel himself growling unnaturally at the man. He tried in vain to throw him off of his charge. He was not to touch her in such an affectionate manner. He cursed when he felt the tell-tell pull of the astral plane.
"Damn it! Not now! Why can't I do anything?" He yelled in rage before finding himself standing before the pesky child. "You!" He sneered, voice laced with a venom he had never possessed before.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! You wanted to see me?" Rin asked innocently, ignoring the barbs in his tone.
"Not now damn it! I need to stop that bastard from touching what's mine!" Sesshoumaru explained as he concentrated on returning to Kagome's side to no avail.
Rin cocked her head to the side cutely. "What is yours?"
"The girl! That woman! Kagome!" Sesshoumaru ground out annoyed. "And who the hell is Kagewaki?"
"I don't understand," Rin protested with a bright, snaggle-toothed smile.
Sesshoumaru took a calming breath and allowed his calculating nature to reign dominant and mask his mounting anger before speaking. "I'm supposed to protect her so I can wake up. I just watched that man seducing her and I couldn't do a thing!" He threw his hands into the air exasperated when the child merely stared at him blankly.
"Seducing her? Maybe he actually cares about her. That's more than you can say." Rin pointed out.
Sesshoumaru crossed his arms in a fashion that reminded him of his younger brother. He remained silent.
Rin observed him and was fully aware of his stubbornness. She prodded him, "You wished to know about your dream?"
Golden eyes riveted towards her. "And what happened to the demon and miko." Sesshoumaru clarified.
Rin smiled showing her gapped teeth. "You want to know what happened to you and Kagome?" She elaborated. Sesshoumaru merely stared at her impassively. Rin giggled at him, causing his brows to furrow in confusion for a brief moment. "It's a good thing I know you too well for your scare tactics to work." Rin informed him before answering his question.
"Hundreds of years ago, you wished to become human and you two were married. You had a son and daughter and were very happy." Her brown eyes gazed past him to visualize something he couldn't see.
"Something bad happened," Sesshoumaru concluded at her continued silence.
Rin shrugged, "They were very happy together. I don't believe it is up to me to reveal everything to you."
Sesshoumaru took a few menacing steps towards her until he was standing right in front of her. "I deserve to know what happened to them."
Rin's eyes flickered up to meet his. "Of course you do. Eventually you'll remember on your own." She then waved a farewell salute and then vanished, leaving Sesshoumaru alone, again, in the void.
He allowed himself to fall heavily on the ground below him. Never had he felt more forlorn than at this exact moment.
Naraku tried to sooth the girl in his arms. He was afraid she'd have a reaction similar to this when she started to remember. That's why he didn't want to tell her much about that accursed story. He carried her into his own room when he couldn't get her to speak. He settled on his bed with the young woman on his lap.
The change of environment seemed to snap her out of the daze somewhat and her fingers uncurled and released his hair as they slid out of his midnight colored locks. Her soulful eyes searched his dark ones imploringly. "Forgive me," she apologized as she tried to extract herself form his vise- like embrace.
"No need, I'm always here for you when you need me." Naraku assured her as he released one of his hands from her waist to brush aside the bangs that fell sweat soaked into her eyes.
Kagome just stared back at the man. There was something about him nagging at the back of her memory. It was something of importance, she was certain. "Why are you doing this?" Kagome asked.
Naraku moved his hand to slide over her bangs around to cradle the back of her skull. He bent over her frame to whisper in a breathy voice in her ear. "Because, because I care about you and," he leaned back to look her directly in the eye, "and because I promise I'll take care of you."
Then he closed the distance and muffled any words that might have sprung forth from her lips with his mouth over hers. He felt her stiffen in his arms but he did not let her go. He needed this one kiss the same as he needed air to breath. He silently pleaded to the heavens or who ever would listen for her to return the kiss as he tried to deepen it.
Kagome wasn't sure she was even awake and with that thought finally relaxed a little as his tongue slid across her lips. The jolt of heat it sent through her made her gasp against him and when she did she felt his tongue slide across hers seductively. 'A dream kiss' Kagome mused keeping her eyes closed. It seemed so familiar though she knew she had never kissed him before. She could feel his warm hands caressing her, lulling her deeper into the dream.
Naraku softened the kiss realizing Kagome was no longer responding. His breathing was slightly ragged as his breath puffed across her face.
Kagome had fallen back asleep with Naraku holding her close to his heart. He shook his head at her. He had waited nearly two centuries to hold her again and she didn't have the decency to be awake?
He sighed to himself as he gently lifted her from his bed to deposit her back into her own room. She didn't need to find herself in his bed in the morning, despite the fact that he desired to keep her warm and safe through out the hours of the night. He longed to hold her in such a fashion, but didn't want to scare her off. She wouldn't even remember this night; her mind was so scrambled from her nightmare. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
As he pulled her covers up to her chin he looked upon her sadly before retreating back to his room. She was all he ever wanted and he wasn't about to risk losing her again to that damned curse. He would find a way to beat it before he allowed anything to develop in their relationship.
Sesshoumaru was staring into nothing in the void, mostly because there was nothing else to stare at. He hated this more than anything else about his state of existence. Never was he one to be idle or waste time and yet when in this situation, he could do nothing but one of those options.
He was surprised when he noticed colors entering the darkness. He assumed he would have returned to the hospital but that appeared to not be the case. The area actually started to become beautiful and serene. The smell of a fresh spring and cedar accompanied the changing landscape.
Sesshoumaru rose to his feet to investigate the area he now found himself at. He was in a forest near a small creek. There was a huge tree on the banks that had massive branches that extended over the water, shading it and helping to keep it hidden.
He heard what sounded like limbs swaying and creaking under a heavy weight. His attention was drawn in the direction and that's where he spotted one of the many thorns in his side wearing an old fashioned pair of overalls with his long dark hair in a high pony tail. Whose icy orbs were observing him closely.
"So, looks like you know my name now," Kouga commented dryly as he moved out from the far reaches of the branch towards the trunk of the great tree. He then jumped lightly onto the grass beside Sesshoumaru and grabbed his elbow to lead him to the bank of the creek. "You and I should talk."
"Yes, I want to know what is going on. And who is Kagewaki? Kagome called his name out in her sleep." Sesshoumaru informed him as he allowed himself to be led to the bank. He and Kouga sat side by side, Kouga's gaze drawn to the running water while Sesshoumaru merely stared at him impassively.
"You see this area?" Kouga gestured to their current environment, a look of longing clearly upon his handsome face. "This was my favorite place in life. If I had but one wish, it would be to return to that time and not allow myself to be manipulated. My blind trust in others is what caused my death. The only one I should have placed such faith in was her."
"Touching, what does this have to do with Kagewaki? I already understand that you and Kagome were lovers in a past life. I need information pertinent to the situation at hand," Sesshoumaru interrupted.
Kouga leaned back with his arms locked behind his head to stare at the sky above. The clouds were forming intricate designs and he would rather relax and enjoy this memory that he was sharing rather than answer to a former demon lord on a power kick.
Laughter filled their ears and Kouga sat up, a huge smile stretched across his face as he took off at a run, leaving Sesshoumaru to watch in confusion as he was abandoned. His questions about who could have caused the other man to be bursting with excitement were soon answered when he noticed Kagome, but not his Kagome, running into the woods wearing clothing from eras long ago.
"Kouga!" Kagome exclaimed as she ran into his open arms. The two passionately kissed before he swung her in the air and tossed her high, only to catch her in his arms and cradle her to his chest.
"Kagome, love, the wait has been unbearable without you at my side." Kouga declared as he walked past Sesshoumaru and settled on the forest floor at the base of the great tree.
Kagome swatted at his chest. "Do not tease; I had an awful time trying to get here this afternoon. Kagewaki spotted me at the edge of the tree line and inquired about my destination. He wanted to come as well but I got him to agree to wait a few minutes so that I could greet you in private."
Kouga leaned his face towards her neck and lightly kissed it before replying. "It's not that I don't like Kagewaki but there is something about him that I simply can not trust. The way he looks at you sometimes clearly shows that he wants you and he can not have my woman." Kouga answered the last part gravely.
Kagome pulled herself out of his arms and turned to face him. She placed a quick kiss upon the lips she loved so much before pulling back and rising to her feet. From her new height advantage she looked down at her beloved. "You overreact. He is a friend to both of us and knows quite clearly where my heart lies." She turned towards the edge of the woods where a twig snapped.
Kouga followed her gaze and sighed as he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flat against his chest. "I know he is aware of where your heart lies. That is what worries me. Not what he will do, but what the master of the plantation will do when he discovers his son is in love with you and your love belongs to a commoner."
Kagome turned to look at Kouga over her shoulder. Her hand reached up to caress his cheek in adoration. "Don't be silly love. Things like that don't happen."
A throat cleared, revealing another young man. A young man that Sesshoumaru recognized all too clearly. "Naraku," he addressed the new arrival, but like the other two occupants at the creek he too paid him no heed.
"Hello Kagewaki," Kouga greeted as he allowed Kagome to pull out of his arms. He began to climb up his tree to balance across the limb that he cherished.
"Kouga," Kagewaki answered. His eyes lit up with happiness when they fell upon Kagome. "Kagome, I was starting to miss you."
Kagome laughed easily at the plantation master's son. "Don't be a simpleton my friend. I told you I was only going to greet Kouga."
Something dark flashed across his eyes at the endearment she chose to address him as. "Yes, well as your friend, I make it my business to make sure your safety is ensured." Kagewaki answered steadily. Sesshoumaru felt himself growling once more at the rich texture of the voice he had grown to despise.
He looked up at the portion of the tree where Kouga was standing and looking at him. "I told you Kagewaki was the one you needed to watch out for," Kouga informed him before redirecting his attention to his part of the scene.
"How is your father?" Kouga asked as he continued to walk balanced along the limb. His eyes were trained on the young man but never did he lose his footing.
"He is well. He's still a bit upset about Napoleon selling this land to America, but, he's got enough to worry about." Kagewaki answered locking eyes with the commoner a frown evident upon his features.
Kagome walked towards him and lightly placed her palm across his forearm. His attention immediately snapped towards her and a small smile replaced his former frown. "Yes?"
"What do you mean; your father has enough to worry about? Is there something wrong with the plantation?" Kagome asked worriedly.
Kagewaki moved his hand to the small of her back and began to lead her towards Kouga's tree. The latter was watching the exchange with fire in his eyes but remained silent. Kagewaki and Kagome sat at the base of the tree and Kouga hopped down to sit across from them.
Kagewaki first looked Kagome in the eye and then Kouga. "You two are my closest friends. I will admit that before I had met you," he looked at Kouga, "I had hoped to make an offer for Kagome to be my wife."
Kagome shifted uneasily as she locked eyes with Kouga. He seemed to be telling her 'I told you so,' silently. "Go on," she encouraged Kagewaki as he faltered in his speech.
Kagewaki wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a friendly manner, but not one to cause alarm. "From the moment I laid eyes upon you, I wanted you for my own. But, when I met Kouga, I saw the way you two looked at one another. It was something I could not compete with, so I settled to befriend you and thereby made friends with Kouga as well."
Kouga cleared his throat, he wasn't angry with the other man. He understood and begrudgingly had to admit that he did care about him somewhat. They were tentative friends. "So your father has an issue with our friendship?" He inquired pointing to himself and Kagome.
The other man nodded his head. "Somewhat. He has been trying to promise my hand in marriage to someone with political authority. The governor's daughter would have been the perfect choice in that respect." Kagewaki explained.
"I'm sorry, but you know that my heart belongs to Kouga. Your father should allow you to live your own life. He shouldn't force you to marry for political alliance. That's so medieval. It should be for love," Kagome argued, looking sternly at her friend beside her. She pulled his arm off from around her shoulder and held his hand within her own and squeezed it encouragingly. "You should stand up to him."
Kagewaki laughed at her flippant attitude. "Kagome, baby doll, I have, trust me I have." He smiled at Kouga. "So when the two of you sail West and you need a crew be sure to enlist me, I'm pretty sure I won't be having an inheritance here unless my father has his way."
Kouga leaned over on his knees and stretched his hand towards Kagewaki. The two shook. "It would be my pleasure having a friend I could trust accompany us on our grand adventure."
The scene began to vanish before Sesshoumaru who was observing everything silently. Kagome and Kagewaki disappeared followed by the forest and creek. The only thing that remained was Kouga and his tree.
Kouga's attention was focused on the tree; his back was presented to Sesshoumaru. "I trusted Kagewaki with both my life and hers. He was a true friend to the both of us, but that blind trust was foolish on my part. On his own, he would have remained a true ally. However, in that time young men seldom had any authority over their own lives." Kouga explained.
"That man was Naraku." Sesshoumaru replied; his eyes bore into the back of Kouga, willing him to turn around and face him.
Kouga did just that, a bright smile upon his face as he began to inspect his nails once more. "So he is."
"He is the man's reincarnation? Were you reincarnated into the young man whom died in the car accident?" Sesshoumaru asked, his voice carefully restrained to mask the excitement he was feeling at unraveling the puzzle.
Kouga shook his head sadly. "I have not been reincarnated, nor do I believe I will be. I have a responsibility that does not allow that luxury. I told you before we are both victims."
"What about Kagewaki? Is Naraku his reincarnate?" Sesshoumaru demanded, taking a menacing step towards Kouga when he looked to remain silent and leave the question unanswered.
Kouga looked back at the sky, it had reappeared and storm clouds were filling the heavens. "No," Kouga answered softly. He looked back over at Sesshoumaru; sadness filled his icy eyes. The look of utter misery expressed in those orbs tugged at Sesshoumaru's heartstrings. Was this pity he felt?
"I can tell you no more. I shouldn't have shown you this, but you have given up so much for her in the past, I thought that perhaps you could save her." Kouga began to fade.
"What do you mean? Do you know about my dream that I told Rin?" Sesshoumaru asked, his voice pleading. He didn't want the mysterious Kouga to leave him with enough information to cause him to have more questions.
"It was no dream you had, but a memory. I wish that I could be the one to save her this time, but it was you who was given this chance, not I." Kouga answered solemnly, his body wavering in the dim light of the stormy sky above.
"How do I do that? How do I wake up from that damn coma? I can't do anything right now as this!" Sesshoumaru nearly shouted at the man, his fists clenched to his sides in his frustration.
Kouga's body regained its corporal state as he walked towards Sesshoumaru. He grabbed tight onto his shoulder, his fingers nearly digging into his flesh. "You must find the strength to wake up for both our sakes. If you do not, the curse will consume both her and Kagewaki. You must find a way." Then, Kouga took a step back and vanished completely.
Sesshoumaru's chin fell to his chest at the sense of abandonment he felt himself in. He finally had some questions answered, the puzzle was becoming less complex and now he had to contend with some curse. All he wanted was to be given the complete picture not this Swiss cheese rendition of things.
Next thing he knew, he found himself back at the hospital. His comatose body had yet to move and his brother was sitting at his side reading to him. Never had he known Inuyasha to be much of a reader.
Inuyasha closed the book; it was The Odyssey. He looked at his older brother; his violet eyes wet with unshed tears. "Why won't you wake up you bastard? Do you like making me feel useless? Even when you aren't trying you only seem to prove to me that I'm worthless. I can't even make you twitch a finger, much less wake up."
Inuyasha leaned back in his chair and held his hands up to his face before running them through his unruly long, black hair. Sesshoumaru could see that his eyes were bloodshot and were filled with tears but that he refused to shed them, even alone in solitude.
"Inuyasha, you fool, this is not your fault," Sesshoumaru told him, but of course his stupid brother couldn't hear him. "Stop being upset! This has nothing to do with you!" He shouted at the younger man.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Inuyasha stood up. He reached his hand over to his brother's forehead and brushed aside his bangs. "I know we act like we hate each other, but please don't die on me. You've got to wake up."
Sesshoumaru watched as his little brother slowly left the room. He turned back to his body after the door shut. He allowed his spirit to lie on his own body and become confined within his bodily shell. He tried with all his might to make some part of him move, open his eyes, anything!
It was useless. There had to be some other way to wake up. He needed to get to Kagome. That much was clear to him. He didn't have the energy to get to her now even if only in spirit. He would have to recharge, so to speak.
As he allowed his mind to rest at ease Kouga's words haunted him.
TBC