A/N: Another chapter! I was going to update this sooner (I finished writing it almost a week ago) but always ended up forgetting. I literally have the same brain power as a goldfish. Hm, maybe that's why Goldie get along so well... cough But anyhoo, that's not the point here. The point is that I finally got around to posting this, so yay for me!
And as some of you may have noticed, the chapter titles in the scrolly thing (I am SO descriptive, XP) now have 'Blue Eyes' attached to the ends of them. That should help people understand that the chapter in the Kouga's POV. When a chapter title has 'Golden Eyes' at the end, then that part is obviously in Inuyasha's POV. If none of that made sense, then just ignore an author's useless and stupid drabble and continue reading as if you heard nothing. And don't forget to review!
Golden Eyes
Natsue Arishima
Chapter Three
My heart was pounding fiercely in my chest, jumping occasionally up into my throat and causing me to wheeze. My legs were a steady blur, bumping the side of my sword, but even for the strength of Shikon shards, I had run a considerable amount of distance. If they had broken, however, sometime during my five-hour sprint, I wouldn't even have noticed.
All I was aware of was the ache in my soul. The angry golden eyes. The throbbing of my heart.
All because of that damn hanyou.
I was cursing him again, cursing him for the uncountable time in the past several hours. My body was getting tired, but my mind was not. My fury, loneliness... they refused to leave me. Refused to even dim.
I really wanted to hate him.
The sun was casting its last remaining rays of light, of hope, over the slender mountains. The sky was mixed with blue and red, yellow and lavender. Had I not been in such an angry state, I would have paused to look. Sunset had always been my favorite time of day, after all.
But today, I barely even noticed it. The sun seemed to flicker at me before disappearing behind the hills. The long string of dazzling light gradually faded and the clouds turned to darker hues, of ebony, crimson, amethyst, and dark cobalt. Reflecting my despair.
I continued running, sprinting for all that I was worth. The wind whipping my face, clawing harshly through my hair. A dull ache ran up my legs but I ignored it, blue eyes dark and glinting, intent on the lands far off in the distance. I didn't know how far I had ran; I didn't even where I was.
But all I knew that I needed to get away from him. Fast.
The sensible part of my brain told me firmly that not even a whole demon would be able to catch up with a raving madman like me with the help of the shards, let alone Inuyasha. And yet I continued my blind escape, the remaining, bigger part of my brain in a frantic fray.
One by one, stars dotted the now black sky. Constellations formed, ones that I knew so well, ones that I knew by heart. The moon crept out of the clouds and shimmered, its ghostly white sheen almost glowing with mystery.
Eventually, as the moon rose up to its highest extent, even one as insane as myself knew that I could run no longer. I was gasping, choking on air itself, doubled over and clutching my shaking knees. I spat my hair out of my face angrily, suddenly forming a mental picture in my mind of how Hakkaku and Ginta would freak to see me like this. The thought brought a half-formed smile to my face just to prove how tired and crazy I was.
Indeed, I had totally forgotten about those two annoying faggots for who knows how long. They were probably skitting around in the dark right now, screaming in fear at a mere glance at one another and trembling with the thought of demons. Pathetic.
But I hate to admit, I was concerned for them.
God I was getting so damn weak.
When my breathing slowed, I dropped onto the cool grass, enjoying how it felt against my burning body. My eyes were dull, taking in the usual breath-taking sky with less enthusiasm. Slowly, I let my heavy lids droop shut, promising myself that I wouldn't go to sleep. Then again, sleep wouldn't be so bad...
Blackness over took me once more, so much like how it did just several days ago, except this time I wasn't weary from transforming. The last thought that entered my mind before sleep was that in the morning, I'd find Hakkaku and Ginta. We'd continue our hunt for Naraku, and then everything would be normal again.
Normal, and my life would no longer need golden eyes.
The sun was already high up in the sky by the time I woke up. Even so, I was weary and worn, with a dull pounding in my head and stabbing pains shooting up my legs and chest. I could barely even move, let alone stand, and ended up crawling on my hands and knees. My ears twitched, and took in the sound of running water. Slowly, I dragged myself off in that direction.
Unlike last night, the grass now felt rough and sharp against my skin, the quick edges cutting deep and drawing blood. I was burning hot, too hot, and panting, collapsed onto the ground again, breath rattling. What the hell was wrong with me?
My vision dimmed but I shrugged it off, cursing myself for my weakness. With a hiss, followed by a low, canine whimper, I pushed myself up onto all fours again, nails digging into the soft earth as I fought to get a hold strong enough to keep me upright, even though I was clambering on flat land.
The sound of water slowly but steadily grew closer, before the noise was roaring in my sensitive ears. Digging and limping past a strange ring of trees, I found myself in a small clearing. I was in a forest. Strange... I didn't remember seeing any pines the night before.
Shrugging the thought out of my mind, I instead focused on my surroundings. To my left, a few feet away, ran a small, glistening river. My eyes devoured it hungrily, and followed the elegant source of life as it curved down to form a large, plentiful lake in the middle of the clearing. The crystalline waters shimmered warmly to me and I suddenly struggled to my feet, my energy returning only long enough to get my body to the water's edge.
There, I fell clumsily to my feet, dropping my face to the water and lapping it like a hound. I didn't care about my manners for the first few minutes, darting out with my tongue and smiling in glee as the cool liquid ran smoothly down my throat, licking happily at the water spilling out of my mouth. Ah yes... This was heaven.
When my need for water had been quenched, I leaned back on my heels. I was still tired, and wasn't anywhere near a good fighting condition. The thought worried me.
I gazed at myself in the water and wrinkled my nose in disgust. Vainly, I attempted to fix my appearance, clawing with dirt-filled nails through tangled strands of ebony, rubbing dirt marks with life-saving water and wrinkling out my clothes. My sword I left alone, though the blade and sheath remained clear and seemingly untouched. I doubt I would have cleaned it even if the weapon had been dirty as hell.
My reflection satisfied me. It wasn't perfect, but it'd do. That done, I smiled and fell back onto the grass, shutting my eyes and marveling at my luck. But the whole forest and lake did seem a bit strange. Nature couldn't just reorganize herself in a few seconds, could she? Then again, I had been a bit out of it. Maybe I hadn't examined my surroundings properly.
Or not.
My eyes shot open, even though I forced my body to remain still. That unmistakable smell, just a few feet away.
Naraku.
So he had conjured up this illusion. But if it was merely an illusion, then why did everything feel so real? Why had I felt real water in my mouth, on my skin?
There was a crunch of twigs and I tensed, though still remained stubbornly on my back, my eyes on the sky. Naraku... he was close... My ears twitched and I sniffed the air quietly, careful not to make any sudden movements. I knew I wasn't able to fight, so I could only stick with a quick attack.
Now!
I jumped up, and spun around, fist outstretched. My powerful punch collided with metal, shattering it. My eyes widened. Naraku? Armor?
He smirked at me, those cold crimson eyes glittering underneath the wavy dark bangs. He looked almost impressive, with grand robes and intricate armor. They fanned out behind him, almost creating a bow at the small of his back. Darkness stretched around him, black and cold. I could help but shiver, my fist still on his chest. He hadn't even winced, just stood there, watching me. I suddenly felt incredibly weak.
"You seem surprised at my appearance. You obviously weren't conscious when Kikyo died..." So soft and evil.
"Bastard!" I shrieked, spinning and kicking him square in the jaw. His eyes widened slightly, but he quickly hid it, raising a hand and darting towards my face. I flipped over him, my energy draining quickly, and as my feet touched the ground, I shook and almost fell. My eyes glazed at him with hatred, even though I knew that he could kill me with a flick of his fingers. But I didn't care. His damn henchman had killed, no, slaughtered my clan.
My fingers itched for my sword, but he moved first, clamping a cool but firm grip over my wrist. "You're not going to use that, are you?" he whispered in his light and yet deadly voice. "Because then I'd have to kill you."
"I'd like to see you try," I spat bitterly, trying to pull away but failing.
He smiled again, that same cold smile. "Then again, I've never actually seen the power of your weapon. Care to show it to me?"
I froze. Naraku sent his knowing and evil gaze across my face.
"You haven't mastered it yet? Pity." His face remained neutral, and I trembled under his grip, eyeing him carefully, warily. But was too slow to move as his cold eyes suddenly jumped into life and I was sent flying backwards. I skidded across the grass, winded and shocked, and lay still, eyes on the clouds.
He neared me and knelt down at my side, robes crinkling elegantly and eyes dimming to their usual dull red. I would have rolled away if I had the strength. The man scared me. He really did.
I almost jumped as I felt a cool hand caress my cheek. My anger came to me slowly, but after a few seconds, there was a bubbling inferno of wrath in my chest. It was replaced with surprise, however, when he leaned towards me, silky strands of hair brushing my face. My heart pounded in my throat, and I shivered in disgust. What the hell? I didn't want this! I didn't want... I didn't want love anymore.
To my great relief, he stopped, face inches away from mine. I could feel his cool breath on my face, cool and fresh, which amazed me. His eyes were nicer too, from close up, almost that of a woman, scarlet against the pale skin.
"I want you to do something for me," he whispered, and I swallowed. No, I wouldn't do it. I shut my eyes, breathing deeply. He was trying to trick me, trying to get me to agreed simply by getting close to me. Well, I wasn't going to let that happen. As if he read my mind, Naraku sighed. "Refuse, and I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself..." His lips drifted lower and he ran his tongue lightly up the side of my neck. My eyes burst open and I shifted. His grip found my arms again and he held me down, eyes glinting cruelly from behind his beautiful mask.
"What do you want?" I whispered, glaring at him with pure hate.
"You're a rival of Inuyasha's, correct? Well then, the answer is simple. For five Shikon shards, I want you to..." He lowered his face again under his nose brushed mine. "Kill Inuyasha." He emphasized each word by nipping my lips.
I stared up at him, stunned. Kill... Inuyasha? What was he, insane? I wouldn't do it. WOULD NOT DO IT. To kill him, murder him... He'd be gone, forever...
However... my mind washed over the previous events and a determined glint came to my eyes. He deserved it. That fucking hanyou deserved death. Deserved pain. Suffering. I wanted to make him scream.
But to die...
Naraku eyed me slyly. "I take the silence means a no...?" he murmured in his cool voice. One of his hands wandered down to my exposed stomach, caressing the firm skin. I almost moaned but caught myself in time.
"I'll do it." A bare whisper.
"Good answer," he replied, pulling me up to my feet. I kept my distance though; I still didn't trust him. However, he quickly grabbed my arm. I was about to protest when he hissed, "Our bargain."
Pain shot through my body, so much like the time before when Kagura had placed a shard in my flesh. But this time, the pain was intensified times five, and I couldn't help it. I screamed, screamed my lungs out. There was a burning fire in my eyes, knives digging into my flesh. It hurt. Like hell.
And then it was over, and I was lying limply in Naraku's arms. For a split second, a horrifying and yet amazing second, I felt the power, the sheer burning strength in my limbs, my blood. It was energy I had never felt before. I felt like a god. Even the air I breathed in was different, stronger, purer. But then it was over, and something was wrong. Very, very wrong. And then I knew why.
I was no longer in control of my body.
It was like I was in a prison of darkness. I was bound to a metal chair, hackles around my wrists and ankles. There was an anicent, oval-shaped mirror in front of me, with vines and symbols carved on the sides, and I was watching myself through it, watching my body ignore my will. I forced myself to stand up but my limbs didn't respond. Instead, Naraku laughed, bent his head back and laughed, and the cold tingling voice was implanted in my brain.
"Your five shards, as we agreed, Kouga-kun."
How dare he call me by that name! I wanted to hit him, kill him, but... my body... damn him...
"One thing that I forgot to mention. Your body... it'll be under the shards' control. The shards that you will unpurify for me, blacken with hate for Inuyasha, and even yourself. And if you try to fight it, there is a rare chance of you surviving. So be careful, and obey quietly for your own good."
He smirked at me again, eyes glittering with something that I couldn't quite place. But it was dark, evil, and I realized with a jolt that, though I was now equiped with unbeatable strength, I was still vunerable to him. To Naraku. The shards obeyed him, and I obeyed the shards. And then I knew that it was lust in his eyes. My trapped mind, my soul, forever bound to the pitiless chair, shivered, but to my great relief, the crimson-eyed man turned away. "Kill him, Kouga-kun."
I gritted my teeth, and could only watch in despair as my body staggered up and faded away.
