Thanks again for all of the wonderful reviews. I'm trying to update alittle more frequently, though I will be going to Georgia to visit relatives for two weeks (I leave Sun morn), So when I'm there I will have computer access, but I most likely won't be able to update much. Though I can at least guarantee one more chapter in the next two weeks.
Oh-and if anybody is interested, I may (and I stress may) make an illustrated version of this in the future (seeing how I do a lot of comic book art regardless). So if you'd like to see that-mention it in the reviews (though that will take a lot longer than a week per chapter-given the extensive detail I like to use in my art [usually 8 plus hours per page].)
Pleasantries aside, there is a story to get to : and it was just getting good too. Demon time!
Chapter 3: Sobering Disgust and Unrelenting Rage
Last time on Inuyasha: Sesshoumaru had came to confront Inuyasha about his emotional weakness and Inuyasha had to come to terms with a fact he would always deny-that all he has ever done is run away (and abandon).Realizing he cannot be with Kagome and that he could not bare to live without her-he sets off to fulfill a promise to the first woman to hold his Heart.
In her own time-Kagome fought her plaguing insecurities as Inuyasha had not yet returned. Wondering if he has given up on her or if he ever cared at all, a broken Kagome cried for hours. Feeling something was seriously wrong the moment Inuyasha decided to meet Kikyo, Kagome forced herself to the well, where she collapsed into it- hoping to find Inuyasha before whatever threat they were facing took him away from her forever.
chapter 3
A murky midnight sky shadowed the moon. A dark haze engulfing the region as a village slept a somber sleep. Their guardian-the priestess Kikyo, would be their greatest threat. Operating in the shadow of nightfall, her armada of soul stealing demons were the scourge of the town. And she would be the last suspect.
Standing boldly and valiant on the top of the highest hill, overlooking the community, Inuyasha stood. It's amazing just how far he had come in his travels with Kagome. Once selfish and self-centered, he would have had no reaction to what was essentially a stealth mass slaughter. Today he stood, his nerves on end, his stomach in knots-truly disgusted by the actions of a woman he once loved. Stiffening, his posture, his chin lifted high as he seemed to look more at the stars than at the target herself.His lungs expanded as he began to deeply inhale, preparing for what he must say.
Alone and shrouded in the light of the moon, his silver locks gave off a reflection that covered the field bordering the town. "Kikyo! You will collect no more souls today! ...or any other".
His bold proclamation was met with silence-and he continued.
"This is the end of the line-It's time for me to join you in fulfilling our destiny."
The bright gleam given off by Kikyo's hordes began to dissipate as they were in a hasty retreat. Strolling into the silvery gleam shrouding the field, was the miko herself. Walking with caution, her bow ready for conflict-the glare in her eyes and the clench of her jaw were of a woman demanding answers.
"Come with me Kikyo, I've come to tell you that you will get exactly what you want."
"Very well, but I will accept no trickery"
It was a line that would usually rouse a comeback, a witty/sarcastic remark, a reaction, something out of the hanyou. Yet he stood there, dejected and serious, forcing a voice he spoke in a soft tone and limited volume.
"Please trust me when I say that this is no trick. As of late I have been through greater hells than you could ever show me."
Tilting her head in a puzzled manner, a sympathizing frown forming on her face as her eyes gave off the soft gleam of a mother. Though made of clay, her feelings...her heart retained it's love for the arrogant half-breed. Though driven on anger and a need for vengeance throughout her second life, she was only so cold-and Inuyasha was her weakness. His sorrow shocked her and she wished to console him.
"We have an eternity Inuyasha, come."
Sitting delicately upon a large mass of granite, her miko garbs flowing over her and the her makeshift seat, her hand patted the rock and she gestured for Inuyasha to sit and join her. Leaning into a step, Inuyasha froze, confusion and shock ran across his face, unsure of his decision and unsure of the nature of this invitation. Leaning back and returning to a proper stance, Inuyasha gave Kikyo a puzzled look- and it was returned with what seemed to be loving grace. He stared at the ground and began to drag his feet forward, as he approached his former love.
"What has driven you to locate me? There was a time, where I thought my reincarnation would bind you to this plane as long as she lived. Did she.......?"
"No, she is fine and there was no reason for you to think that."
"Then what has changed?"
"Nothing's changed, and that's the problem."
Lifting her arm and laying it across Inuyasha's shoulders-Kikyo leaned in towards her former love. Bringing her face mere inches away from his face- she stared into his eyes- seeming distraught herself.
"Inuyasha, more has changed than ever should."
Looking away, Inuyasha readied himself to tell his tale. Turning, his back began to face Kikyo, He couldn't bare to face her as he told of his weakness and of his impossible love.
"I'm nothing but a lousy half-breed. Fighting Naraku seemed to be the only thing there was for me-the only role I was made to fit...that and there was Kagome. At first I was drawn to her by how closely she resembled you, but I grew to discover by force (in more ways than one-SIT!) Just how different and wonderful she was. Part of me always held on to my past-held on to you, but she cried for me and risked her life sever....."
An anger boiled within Kikyo and before Inuyasha could finish his sentence, she had cut him off.
"I died for you Inuyasha." the sound of passive aggressive fury emanated from Kikyo as she reminded the hanyou of her sacrifice.
"What I meant to say was that while she was so different, you two were alike in many ways as well. You both cared for me and I'd like to believe you both loved me...I know she at least thinks that she does. Both of you risked your lives for me, you actually died for me. I could never choose one or the other-it's hard to explain, it's like saying hello and goodbye at the same time, it's a contradiction and it couldn't happen, if it did it would just be wrong. You two are so different yet so alike. You even share a soul. But I guess in the end I drew closer and closer to Kagome. She never wanted me to change, she accepted me for who I was, what I am. But all the acceptance in the world won't make for a future. I'm just not good enough to be happy."
".......Inuyasha..."
"The other day, during our travels..........."
Kikyo stared attentively as Inuyasha gave his account of what had happened and the repercussions of it.As time passed, Inuyasha grew to be more and more emotional... revealing his past to her-beyond anything he had ever said before. As he spoke his hands echoed every sentiment with their exaggerated movements. Talking with his hands, as well as his lips, Inuyasha expressed his sorrow to Kikyo. Perhaps it was the fact she was at one time a miko, perhaps it is because she reminds him of Kagome (the only person to get him to open up so), but Kikyo was drawing more out of Inuyasha than anyone had ever before.
Time passed, and tales of sorrow became incoherent depressive ramblings, and he lunged at a defensive Kikyo.Wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her miko garbs, Inuyasha's voice echoed, as he repetitively muttered that "I just want to be happy, I just want family, I just want love."
Realizing his pain, with a clarity she had never experienced before, Kikyo began to console the shattered half-demon.
"Don't ever regret what you've done, you could never have a life with her. You just came to your senses-albeit late."
Even while consoling her love, even performing such an act of good- Kikyo's own interest were always in the forefront of her motivation. Using the opportunity, she would shatter any doubt in his mind, so that nothing would stop him from fulfilling his promise on that night.
"Kagome doesn't want a life with you, she is young and naive, she has a separate existence, where you are not even a factor. You did the right thing in letting her go, so she can live her life. Let her live...together we will die."
".......She leaves for days at a time......."
"Of course she does, you protect her, but you can only do so much. She has no grasp over her power and thus is weak. She is battered, bruised, sick- she may care for you-but how can she not despise you on some level for subjecting her to this world.Your realization shows you that your learning the value of strength, and how you can only be so much."
Forehead wrinkling and his eyebrows narrowing as his eyes expanded and his jaw began to clench. Inuyasha let go of Kikyo .Echoing through his mind was that phrase : the value of strength. A cold remembrance of his brother chilled his spine and lit a fire in his soul.
"Why don't you smack me around abit too-to get your point across?...your no worse than him"
"WHAT I'm trying to say Inuyasha, is that you no longer are diluted by delusions of grandeur and strength. You know that you have limits, and because of that-there will never come a day that you lose them, because you were too full of pride to run from a losing battle. That is all. Not everyone wants to see you suffer"- She excused herself well, covering even the coldest statement.
"You just want to see me dead"
"I as well, I want US to return to the netherworld, so that we can finally spend eternity together. And with me you will finally have a place."
Grabbing Inuyasha, Kikyo held him tight, much like the first time she attempted to bring Inuyasha to hell.
"Kagome...as innocent...as sweet as she is....is nothing more than a sadist. What love can exist between you? You are her slave, bowing to her command in fear of a reprimand. She says she accepts you as you are and deceives you. She convinces you that there will always be a place for you with her, yet that place is in a world-to which you don't belong, She knows the rejection you will face...the hardships you will have to bare-mingling in human society-a second class citizen. Yet not a problem will be faced by her-no, the trauma will be reserved for you and your children. She is truely only looking out for herself-with little regards to the happiness of anyone else...............Inuyasha, I died for you, I will care more than she ever could or ever will. I wanted to turn you into a human, so that you could live a normal happy life...so WE could live a normal and happy life."
Closing his eyes as hard as he could, a lump swelling in his throat. Kikyo's message had instilled a sense of fatality to the conversation-that while expected, never seemed to be real,For the first time since childhood, Inuyasha had truly sensed apparent death. Images flashed through Inuyasha's mind as his life was repeated before his very eyes.. Images of Kagome, smiling, tending to him, holding him, inspired a smile to creep across his face. She could never be what Kikyo made her out to be, her loving nature and selflessness were what drove Inuyasha to love. He recalled the excruciating pain of being bound to a tree and in bitter remembrance the day Kikyo explained how when the jewel was gone, she could live a normal life-with every memory Inuyasha felt a warmth in his heart as he recalled just why he had loved Kagome, and how he could not go on without her. In turn, with every memory, Kikyo's selfishness was reinforced.
"Inuyasha...let us meet eternity, I am yours and you are mine...nobody shall care for you as I have."
"Your wrong! Kagome loves me and you're the one who is truly selfish. I will not change for you and I will not give up my life for you. How could I be so wrong, your NOTHING LIKE KAGOME! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All you ever do is stand in the way of OUR happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Color flowed into the pore's of Inuyasha's face as his markings appeared, His eyes seeming at first bloodshot, darkened into deep crimson pools of rage. His canines lengthened, as did his claws. The beat of his heart sent vibrations through the air. Her mouth agape, in astonishment, the miko seemed frozen by the presence of such raw power.
Lifting his face to match hers, a fully demonic Inuyasha, threw his arms out to his sides and broke the former lover's embrace. Lowering himself into a squatting position Inuyasha began to speak...in the raspy boom of his demonic side, but could express very little.
"DIE........FOR KAGOME!"
Pouncing towards her, his arm guiding the leap,.the sharpened cuticles of his demonic hand, plunged themselves into Kikyo's throat. Pulling back and out of her body, Inuyasha stood as he watched the miko fade, struggling for air. Prior to what would be her eventual death, the demon lunged forward with intensifying speed and drew his claws across her body. From left to right in the perpetual motion of swinging and slashing, his claws had carved her body into a bleeding sinewy pile of bone and flesh...that within moments turned to merely clay.
Standing in triumph, a confused and witless demon stood. Basic instinct instructing him to maim and slaughter anyone in his way. Anyone that stood between him and Kagome. Strength wouldn't matter after all, if all threats were deceased.
Hearing the commotion, crowds of villagers from Lady Kikyo's village rose from their huts and the masses gathered into groups, that charged the outskirts of the city. She had been their protector, their healer, their friend and their loved one. Kikyo made a difference for the people of the village, and the sound of their beloved Kikyo screaming a fading scream of agony as the air faded from her body-would haunt them for the rest of their natural days- had they not been stupid enough to defend her honor, and assault the recently awakened demon in Inuyasha.
When Inuyasha started Talking to Kikyo and Kagome just arrived.
Barely able to see, alone and cold, too weak to move, functioning of emotion alone-Kagome laid on the bottom of the well. Her bones and muscles aching she moaned out the names of her companions, hoping that somebody would help her up and free her from the confines of the damp and dark bottom of the well.
"Mirokuuuuuu!!!!!! Sangooooooo!!!!!!!! Shippoooooo!!!!!!!!! Mirokuuuuuu!!!!!! Sangooooooo!!!!!!!! Shippoooooo!!!!!!!!!"
There was no reply and her screams had been met with silence.
Her eyes welling with tears once more she screamed for help again...begging the gods to deliver Inuyasha to her...to rescue her one more time.
She had returned sensing that something was wrong, and given what had happened, Inuyasha needed somebody to talk to...needed here- more than ever before. The irony was not lost on her...traveling despite her health to save the man she loved, yet doing so had left her stranded and awaiting assistance from the man she came to rescue.
' I usually climb this well easily...I don't think I'll even be able to get to Inuyasha, if I can't summon the strength to climb out of a damn well.'
Grasping onto the wall and planting her feet firmly into the groove between rocks, Kagome began to climb as she was accustomed to doing. Yet her arms grew weaker with each movement and her control was growing equally weak. Her arms felt as if they were composed of rubber, as she could support herself no longer, and fell to the bottom of the well.
It was then that the darkness of the well was driven away by an ever encompassing light. Illuminating the Bone Eaters well was an energy Kagome once knew well. Serene swirls of beautiful pastels and aquatic blue surrounded her being. A rising feeling of warmth and strength flowed through Kagome, and she knew that it was safe. Leaving herself open, relieving her tense tissue, as she welcomed the energy into her being. Once again complete, a strange sensation swept over her. She could feel that her illness had not faded, yet her body felt strong and energetic, ready to do what she must.
Braving her usual trek up the well and through the forest, Kagome moved with all the speed her body could allow. Darting through the forest and into the village, Kagome had arrived at Kaede's hut. Entering, only to be stuck in the warmth of her awe-as she saw Sango and Miroku sharing a bed,Kirara curled up next to Sango and Shippo to miroku.
'It would seem that they finally admitted their feelings for each other...either that or Miroku snuck in so he could feel her up.-either way...'
"Get up lovebirds!"
Snapping into consciousness as they leapt out of their bed and onto their feet, the couple could not fight the shades of rose that grew darker and darker on their cheeks. But it wasn't the time for flirtation or questioning, no-Kagome had business to attend to. Something was clearly not right with the feudal era.
"Guys! I came back as soon as I could. Something is definitely wrong. Kikyo's portion of my soul has returned to me and I can feel that something is wrong with Inuyasha. He's in danger, he's still feeling bad about that village, or that.....that......."
She fought her tears with a fury, as she was finishing what she had attempted to say.
"...that he may be dead.................."
Her face was riddled with tears once more. Her connection with Inuyasha had grown so strong, yet that connection was a curse as much as it was a blessing. Her love for him runs so deep, and his absence or his danger, causes her so much pain. Perhaps it was a sign they were meant to be together, perhaps her abilities as a young miko were merely growing. Reguardless of it all, it was clear that if Kagome didn't find Inuyasha soon, her desperation would consume the once joyful and optimistic schoolgirl that Inuyasha fell for in the first place.
"He should be back by know, and if what you say about Kikyo is true, he may be injured, possibly dieing."
"Miroku, do you think that somebody is behind this? If Kikyo is really dead, I am sure Inuyasha was near. If not risking himself to protect her."
Sango's statement had struck a chord within Kagome and she grew silent. Staring out into the woods, Kagome was immersed in the workings of her mind, immersed in thought.
' Inuyasha, please be ok...please don't give yourself up for her safety..............give yourself up for her?!?!?! Oh no!, Please don't go to hell with her Inuyasha.....'
"I want you to live!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Are you alright Kagome" a rather confused and concerned demon exterminator inquired as she realized that Miroku had ran off in some sort of hurry. Following, in the hopes that he had found Inuyasha, Sango and Kagome sprinted through the forest only to happen upon a clearing. In the center of the jade colored leaves and flowing pink flowers, stood Miroku and what appeared to be a messenger from another town-on horseback. The two whispered back and forth until the messenger had broken the silence. Giving the ominous warning "Be Careful!", the man rode off into the greenery.
"It would appear that finding Inuyasha won't be as hard as we imagined."
"Really!?!?" Kagome was beeming with excitement.
"Unfortunately, that is because we can follow the trail of dead bodies."
".........What............" Kagome and Sango said in unison as worry overcame their faces.
"A demon fitting Inuyasha's description was sighted several towns west. It's the best clue we have so far, and it's our only clue."
"If it is a western land, couldn't it be Sesshoumaru? Being brothers, he and Inuyasha share similar features." The exterminator was always on the ball with suggestions and fact-it seems that the her family had taught their young far more than merely fighting.
"Perhaps...but regardless, I believe we should start traveling- it should take us awhile to get there."
-Miroku could be so mature at times, yet it seemed that he was merely trying to fit the role most often filled by Inuyasha. Though skilled in his own rights, Miroku could never fill the shoes of the hanyou that seemed to lead them, and his own insecurity-drove him to be as cautious as possible-unlike Inuyasha, if Miroku failed, they wouldn't return in one piece.
Several Hours Later
Approaching the town, one could see puddles of blood, nurturing the ground. Human entrails thrown about the floor of the village, and the butchered remains of men, women, and children, were haphazardly strewn about the village. The stench was overwhelming and the sights were beyond disgusting. It seemed as if not a soul had been able to flee-for so many bodies lined the town and the walls of it's huts.
Coughing once more from her (albeit improved) condition and from the overwhelming sensation of decomposing flesh, Kagome's body heaved repeatedly as the force of her coughs brought her to her knees.
"....this....this had to be him...NO!....I know it was him...."
"Kagome....." Miroku and Sango both attempted to sooth Kagome's pain, but found their efforts to be of no avail. "If Inuyasha did this...then he must have lost his tetsuiga somewhere during his travels. We HAVE to find it and get him back to normal."
Kagome rationalized and searched for the right things to say-to tell herself there would still be some sort of happy ending, but this time it would be so much harder.
Standing on the other side of a section of huts, out of Kagome and Sango's view, the monk stood in disbelief. Calling them over, his foot began to tap nervously and he looked about frantically. Upon arriving, nothing was said by Sango nor Kagome.
And the three stood in silence as they surveyed the damages.
The ground was covered with hundreds of indentations, each leading towards a central point. Amongst the indentations were the remains of what could have possibly been at least fifteen huts. And scattered about the wreckage, were the bodies of the unfortunate. Cut cleanly and cloterized, there was no possible way that this was the work of a demon's hands.
"It would appear that we need not search for the Tetsuiga after all."
Miroku spoke, but the words were merely spoken. Not one would be heard. How could they focus? how could they even think? Paralyzed by fear they stood, surveying the damage and fearing the future.
-------This was not the work of a demon's hands...it was the work of a demon's sword.----------
And that's it for the semi-regular updating
Chapter 4 should be up somewhere during the course of the next two weeks.
Please review (and be relatively kind)
