Raising the Phoenix
Summary – Soon the flicker grows, and life, like fire, spreads.
Disclaimer – I own it on opposite day – but I think it's just a pity thing.
Rating - "Z"
Announcements – After several months of being uncooperative and evil, Louis, the evil counterpart of my life (Bi-polar Computer) is healed and good to write on. Yay Louis!
Chapter 8 – Though Fragile And Hurt
To be honest, he had no idea how to handle this situation.
Since Kagome had pulled out Kikyo's arrow, Inuyasha had been the one that everyone turned to. He was the guy with the big sword. He was fast and strong, always sure of himself (at least, he was when others were looking.) He carried Kagome when she couldn't move fast enough, protected her when she was in danger, and always saved her from evil when it threatened.
But then again, evil had just carted her off and he hadn't done a thing.
Which was the strangest thing in itself. What the hell is Sesshoumaru up to? He'd been sure to keep an eye on him the entire time – watching him, trying to understand what was going on in the mechanical mind of his half brother, but it wasn't working.
To him, the world was simple. Sesshoumaru is bad... he does bad things, and is generally an ass. And yet, he'd been dangerously close to civil since his arrival. Sesshoumaru hated him and made no secret of his want for his father's fang. But instead of fighting for it, or even stealing it like a coward in the night, he was polite to Kagome – a human! It was enough to make his head hurt.
Kagome perched on her rock, frozen in place. Vaguely, she registered the gentle rising of the sun. Its rays danced carelessly between the trees of the forest, but once more, she didn't see the beauty that surrounded her. Instead, her mind was caught on the parting words that Sesshoumaru had uttered as he'd left.
He was a cold man. He was a heartless killer. He was an evil, evil youkai who felt nothing for anyone – it was the Sesshoumaru that she knew. And yet... now, now it seemed he was an entirely different person. Or maybe it was that they'd only seen a part of his character, as if he'd been standing at profile and had finally turned his face toward them.
Or maybe, she thought with a grimace, he just wants something.
She sighed, cradling her head in her hands, staring off into space. Somewhere, deep down inside, she knew that the old Kagome, the one who fell down the well, would stand up and demand an answer from his arrogant self. But that was a long time ago. And that Kagome was long gone.
The sun neared its zenith bit by bit, traveling ever so slowly across the sky. Clouds like cotton candy floated lazily in the sky, and green grass, like tiny blade of emerald surrounded her, poking their heads from the forest floor in soft clumps. The trees towered around her, a living room that isolated her from her friends, from the world, and Kagome felt despair.
But this time, something was different. Not only did she feel despair, but she also had the slightest feeling of disgust. She studied it further, turning her thoughts completely inward, amazed that she could be surprised by her own emotions.
It surprised her further to find she was disgusted with herself. She'd wallowed in her own sorrow. Yes – the man she loved didn't love her in return. Yes, she was on a quest that was damn near hopeless... but not entirely. There was a chance, regardless of how small, that they would defeat Naraku. But instead of trying to fight back, instead of trying to do something about the situation, she let herself fall victim to her own fears...
Well not any more.
There was something soothing about being on the road again, hearing the heavy plodding of Rin's clumsy feet, putting distance between himself and the lunatics his brother surrounded himself with every step. It felt good.
The anger dissipated with time, settling to a simmer, barely a blip to be recognized. The miko was behind him, as well as his half cocked idea of using her. No youkai, particularly one of his standing needed the help of a mere mortal, and he was a fool to seek it. Thank kami he'd wizened up before he'd done any irreparable damage to his image.
However, his peace was not to last.
"Sesshoumaru!" The call rang loudly in his ear, jangling his nerves, and bringing his anger back to the surface. It was the insufferable miko. "Come back here right now!"
He gave her the courtesy of a backward glance, an eyebrow raised in her direction, but she was beneath him, so he turned and continued on his path. Why should he trouble himself with a broken miko?
But it seemed she would not be deterred, and his refusal to listen had irked her. So – much like his brother would, she resorted to yelling louder, "STOP!"
It was as is an invisible wind rushed past him. He would have ignored it as well, but then he felt the oddest sensation. Tessaiga was ripped from him, out of the sheath. His eyes went red in a moment, and like the wind, he pivoted to watch its path.
To her credit, the miko seemed just as surprised as he when his father's fang embedded itself at her feet, handle pointed toward her as if it awaited her grasp. But this – this was too much dishonor to bear.
Tokijin was within his hand in an instant, ready, itching and waiting to rend the miko in half. He could feel the blood lust within the sword, memories of old vendettas and lost battles surged through it, but it took only as moment to bend it to his will. All in good time – he told it, all in good time.
He stared her down, allowing her the full view of his anger, wanting her to quake with fear in front of him. He was a demon – a taiyoukai, not a dirty hanyou – he would no longer tolerate her abuse, nor would he heed her call. No – the time had come. He would end her life – now.
She hadn't really thought her game plan through when she took off to confront Inuyasha's brother. It conveniently slipped her mind that he was a murderer... that he'd tried to kill her on a number of occasions.
No, she was just trying to chase him down... get some answers, prove to herself and the world that Kagome wasn't just going to sit around and mope over her life. The consequences of her actions hadn't really hit home.
So when he turned around at the theft of his sword, she knew she was screwed. Of course she left her arrows in the clearing. No, no, no, Kagome couldn't be clear headed about her revelation. That would just be too thoughtful. Instead, she stood with a sword that doesn't kill at her feet, and a pissed taiyoukai who was just itching to do just that to her.
His eyes told the story plain enough – blood red, slitted like an animal's. Her death would come quickly, a mere flick of his wrist. But she refused to cower. Instead she kept her eyes straight on him, willing herself the courage to see her death all the way through.
He had to give her credit – she was trying to be brave. But instead, she was merely being foolish. He took a malicious glee in knowing that this irritation would soon be dead at his feet. Unconciously tightening his knuckles on the sword. Oh yes, it was time.
He charged at full speed, ready to slice her down like the weed she and her people were. He felt righteous, vengeful. Then he felt something solid, just short of his goal, sending him back sprawling.
She was glowing. The broken miko had somehow constructed a barriere around herself, protecting herself from harm. It seemed a normal enough barrier, one that he would usually have no problem piercing, and yet, he didn't move to slay her. Instead, he found himself rooted to the spot by her eyes.
They were white. All white, and power that came over him was deafening in its strength. Wildly, the thought flew through him that this could be his end, and for the first time in his life, he felt fear.
Review Responses
Silver Quick – Well I hope this chapter wasn't a disappointment. Evermore the happenings and updates and stuff. And yes, stupid boys and their fear of tampons. My fiance won't even stand next to me in Wal-Mart when I get them. IT'S A THREE INCH STICK OF COTTON – WHAT'S IT GOING TO DO, BITE YOU? ah well. Thanks for reviewing!
Kurai Koneko – Ah you deserve it, and I'm glad that the flame didn't get you down. I didn't post for a long time out of fear of those, and honestly, they still scare me. You are a far stronger soul than I to tolerate that. Anyway, longer chapter, just for you. ;)
MacDuffyGirl – Yeah, but if they just fell together, the story wouldn't e as much fun now would it?
Charroum Lady Of Death – That they do, particularly when I take a big hammer to them.
Isisoftheunderground – I'm glad – on both counts!
Gin – Sorry, I'm still getting the hang of this whole writing thing. I'm afraid while I love it, I'm not very good at it yet. Thank you so much for the cc and I tried to make changes to make it better. Thank you, thank you, thanks!
Ghost101 – Well, come on, screw womans perrogative being her ability changing her mind – its going psycho – we all do it.
Lexia Riddle – Or i could just keep him around – muah ah ah! Sesshoumaru doing my bidding. Yay! And about the review Hakuna Matata – there is no deadline for reviews – I'm happy to get any at all. Thank you!
Fluffychick15 – I tried to make this one longer for you, I hopr you like it.
Kari konoko – Thanks and will do.
Bluediamond-hime – Of course he comes back! How else am I going to have them make cute babies?
AKA Hummer – Its the oddest thing – ever since the cake incident, he's been really really nice to me... frankly I think I'm getting a taste of my own medicine and I'm getting royally creeped out. Anyway, glad I'm still entertaining!
Miss Krux – And yes, but of course! And yes, Duo is magnificent, but I think I may be too much of a Gundam Wing fangirl for my own good. (oops)
Off The Beaten Path – Ack! I love your name! That is so very very cool! Anyway, sorry about the wait, here's the update! I was a good author and made it much longer than the others.
Tokyogirl1 – Nope, no clue, he'll figure it out though.
The postive feedback I get from all of you always throws me, you guys are wonderful and I appreciate your kind words. In other words, you rule.