Putting the Damage On
Chapter 11 :: Then She Smiled…
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Author's Note: Hello everyone!! Please tell me what you think about this chapter because I'd like to know the feedback… thank you!
Warnings: Profanity and some violence.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
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Inuyasha was pacing as he and Miroku waited for Kagome to return through the well. Kirara was thrumming with energy and the need to go. Her master was in danger, and she was not there to protect to her. The fire cat growled impatiently.
"I know Kirara, I feel the same way!" Inuyasha snorted, "Stupid Kagome, always taking so long…" he mumbled to himself. Miroku was sitting propped up against the well, his legs crossed and eyes closed. He'd been trying to meditate, but the anxious energy of his companions was distracting him. Not to mention the events that would follow Kagome's arrival…
Shippo was currently at the village, preparing many talisman and wards with Kaede, who had been informed of the circumstances from Miroku long ago. The old priestess would only travel so far as the barrier, however. Shippo would have to be restrained, but considering that they planned to attack the castle full on, he'd only get in the way during battle. Miroku's face twisted up as a hand fell hard on top of his head.
Kagome poked her head out of the well and smiled brightly at both of them, "Hey guys! Ohmygod, I had so much fun in the states! Oh wait, you guys don't know what the states are… well, the states-" Kagome blinked and stopped chattering. She pulled herself out of the well and crossed her arms, sitting on the edge, "What's the matter?"
"Sango…" Miroku began, regaining himself from being smacked on the head, "She…"
"What?" Kagome asked, "Where's Sango? Is she okay? Did something happen?"
"She's… been captured… by Naraku." Miroku said slowly, not looking at Kagome's wide eyes.
"Has he hurt her?" Kagome asked, her eyes brimming with tears from the solemn expression on Miroku's face, and the fact that Inuyasha had not looked at her once, telling her the news was not good.
"Yes." Miroku said, his voice catching in his throat, "But we're going to get her back today. With Kagura's instructions, we know exactly were the castle is."
"Kagura…?" Kagome sniffled.
"She's more of an ally now than when you left…" Miroku said, "Come on, we've got to hurry."
Kagome nodded her head. She glanced at Inuyasha who had begun to follow Miroku and Kirara.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome said softly, "How did it happen?"
Inuyasha stopped and turned to her, "I don't really know! All I know is that I couldn't save her." Inuyasha growled out, "But I'm going to kill Naraku for what he's done to Sango!"
Kagome grabbed his arm when he tried to follow Miroku once again, "What do you mean, what he's done to her?" Kagome's eyes narrowed in confusion, "What did he… do to her?"
Inuyasha shook his head, "We're not positive what he's done. We're not even completely sure…" And there was no way I could have brought it up to her when we last met… Inuyasha thought to himself.
"Well what do you think he's done to her?" Kagome asked quietly, something about Inuyasha's expression was different. Very different. Kagome couldn't help feeling slightly jealous that he had yet to pay much attention to her, although she understood why… it was just that, she was so happy to see him… despite the news about Sango. Sango was strong. There was nothing that could tear her down.
"We think… Miroku said…" Inuyasha frowned, "Naraku… made Sango his woman…" He said quickly, not liking the angry feeling that surged inside his chest when he said those words.
Kagome's heart skipped a beat. And she felt very, very ashamed of herself. "Dear God…" Her bottom lip began to tremble, "Sango-chan…" She said before collapsing into Inuyasha's chest. He stared down at her. He would have hugged, comforted her, but there was no time! They had to go! Besides… who had been there to comfort Sango? She'd been alone, without them, with their greatest enemy. The bastard who had wronged them all, but Sango worst of all…
"Kagome, come on." Inuyasha said, moving away from her, "I know you're upset and angry, but save it all for him."
Kagome nodded, wiping her eyes, "You're right. We've got to go!" She grabbed his hand and began to run back towards Kaede's village.
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Earlier that morning…
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Sango paced inside of her room. She tried not to think of the night's events, flinching in pain each time she moved. He'd been so violent, so cruel… and he hadn't even allowed Kagura to give her any healing medicine. Sango bit her thumb nervously. She knew Kagura, and she knew that despite those orders, the sorceress, her friend, would have come anyway with the medicine… unless she had been unable to…
She shut her eyes and continued to walk, ending the thought where it had begun. She knew she should rest, let her body heal naturally until the assault on the castle, but…
She threw her hair up and practically jogged out of her room towards the direction of Kagura's rooms. Sango had to know if Kagura was alright.
She opened the door and gasped.
"K-k-kagura…."
One blood crusted, bruised eye opened. A small, shade of a smirk crossed her once lovely face, "D-don't look at me… like that taijiya."
Sango cursed and ran forward, falling to her knees beside Kagura, "When…"
"Early this morning… sorry I…I know you must be in pain…" Kagura lifted one finger towards the bowl sitting on her table.
It was her medicine.
Sango shut her eyes against the tears, "Oh… Kagura." She began to sob, grabbing Kagura's hand in her own, "Damn him..."
Sango sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, Kagura's blood staining her palm, "Okay… I've got to get you into bed."
"It'll… only piss him off… if you help me." Kagura said softly, closing her eyes as Sango lifted her into her arms. Sango ignored the weak protest and laid her gently down.
"This medicine should work just as good on me as you, right?" Sango asked, glancing at Kagura.
"Should…" she whispered, "Would have gotten it myself…."
"Hush." Sango said softly, "Drink this Kagura."
She did so and quickly fell asleep. Sango stared down at Kagura for a long moment, her eyes wide and blank. Seeing her friend in such a condition had made Sango's blood boil. Rage, anger, hate, murderous pain, sorrow, despair, insanity…. She had felt them all in her life, and it always seemed that he was the one behind it all.
Everything, he was responsible for it.
Her family. Her friends. Her entire village. Her entire fucking world, he had destroyed it. Torn it to shreds and kicked what remained until nothing was left. He had manipulated her brother as if he were a mere puppet with strings attached. He'd destroyed not only her life… but Kohaku's, Inuyasha's, Miroku's, and Kikyo's! He'd created Kagura as a separate being and held her heart in his possession! And Kanna's soul! And all the innocent people she'd never know, he'd murdered them ruthlessly.
Sango's blank eyes narrowed. She would kill him. There was no way around it. Either she killed him herself, or she'd never be able to move on.
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Kikyo caught hold of Sango as she exited Kagura's rooms. Sango looked at Kikyo with a startled expression, "What is it Kikyo?"
"The wind sorceress is still alive I presume?" Kikyo asked quietly. "And my dear Inuyasha and 'that' girl are due to attack the castle this evening." Kikyo shook her head, "Its too early in the game Sango, Naraku will prevail."
"Not if I can help it," Sango growled, pulling her arm from Kikyo's hands, "Will you help us?" she asked as an afterthought.
"No." Kikyo shook her head, "It would be futile."
"You wont help us?" Sango asked surprised, "Even if we don't succeed in killing Naraku, together we may be able to free each other…" Sango said softly. "I don't want to be here anymore…"
Kikyo's eyes softened, "I understand that. But this petty attack will not work. Naraku has already been warned."
Sango's eyes were wide, "From who?"
"Kanna."
Sango looked down. "She told him?"
"Yes. Why do you think he so ruthlessly beat Kagura? To punish her. I suppose he is not yet ready to cast her back into himself. I think he rather enjoys her pathetic attempt at rebellion."
"You're so… cold." Sango said suddenly and then she began to walk away. Kikyo grabbed her arm once again.
"I came to tell you something, taijiya, and it might be worthwhile to hear."
Sango stopped and looked at Kikyo.
"No matter what happens tonight, I can assure you that Naraku will not kill you. I can not say so much for the others, but I doubt he'll get Inuyasha or that girl either." Kikyo narrowed her eyes, "You and I are the same in this, girl. Naraku's affection towards us allows us to live in his prescience and still disobey him. He will let you live and he may let the sorceress live out of amusement… but there will be a consequence…"
"What sort of consequence?" Sango asked.
"I do not know yet." Kikyo answered. Her voice sounded grave and her eyes darkened in thought. "It will surely be cruel…"
Sango stared hard at the priestess's face and then she sighed, "Its too late for me to stop Inuyasha and the others… we've made this decision and we have to go through with it."
"Do not attack Naraku," Kikyo said in a serious voice, "If you don't, he will be lenient. Return to your room and have nothing to do with the attack. I will inform you when Naraku's death is at hand, until then… survive and wait."
"I could never just stand by…" Sango shook her head.
"Then you will do as you wish." Kikyo shrugged and walked away. Sango stared after her. She began walking towards the garden in haze of rushing thoughts. What were they going to do? Naraku knew! He fucking knew! He fuck- Sango tore her eyes towards the direction of the chamber she'd almost entered the other day, the one containing Kagura's heart… She narrowed her eyes. The thought in her mind was foolish. Dangerous. Completely reckless.
But it also held an element of surprise. It was her only chance, she realized. Kagura would have to be at her tops, not worrying about Naraku's power over her. She must steal the heart back before the others arrived! Naraku had not told her or Kagura (she knew Kagura would have said something about it surely) that he knew, so he probably intended to surprise them… turn the circumstances around by going about his daily business (which consisted of his absence during that precise time of day…) Sango narrowed her eyes and broke out into a run towards the room.
Sango's breath shortened as she stopped before the door. The evil pulsing from it toyed with her nerves and Sango gritted her teeth. She placed her hand on the door and swung it open.
The room was dark and silent.
Sango placed one foot inside and she stopped short. Kanna had appeared in front of her. The small, white-haired, empty-eyed girl was floating in the air, directing her mirror at Sango's chest.
"Kanna!" Sango gasped out as the mirror's powers began to work. The taijiya fell to one knee, shutting her eyes and resisting with all the teachings and trainings of her life, all the experiences and battles… she could resist this! Sango clutched her chest in pain as she felt Kanna's powers filling her body.
"Its futile, don't you know?"
Sango let out a growl and cursed. His voice…
He stepped out of the shadows and kneeled beside her. She glared at him in pain and contempt. He smirked, tracing a finger along her cheek.
"Why do you fools always try and disobey me?" He asked softly. The finger touching her face began to slide across her skin, drawing trickles of blood, "It never gets you anywhere…"
Kanna moved closer, "She is resisting, master."
"That's alright. I can tear her down enough for you," Naraku chuckled, touching the little girl's elbow in a casual way. Kanna bowed her head obediently and continued to attempt to steal Sango's soul. Her dark eyes were blank.
"Dearest Sango," Naraku whispered tauntingly, "I'm going to do something horribly nasty to you…"
"Do… your worst," Sango spit out, blood and salvia smacking Naraku on the hand resting on her cheek. She narrowd her eyes.
"Trust me," Naraku chuckled, "I will, darling, I will….but first, I would like to let you in on a little secret…"
Sango cried out as Naraku's hand began to glow and Kanna's mirror came to him. The little youkai's efforts however, did not cease but strengthen as Naraku began to pour his power into the mirror, slowly so that Sango would hear his every word.
"This rebellion has cost you something greatly, Sango-chan, though I doubt you will remember…"
Sango stared at him, not understanding the meaning behind his words.
"Actually, I'm positive you will not." He kissed her lips and she yelled loudly, using the last of her strength to slam her body against his, knocking him away and causing her to land painfully on the wood floor. Naraku stood above her and laughed. "Good grief girl, I must thank you for turning over."
And with that he pulled out a long, Japanese sword and stabbed it into her back. Sango's eyes widened in pain and blood trickled down her lips. The mirror's powers had yet to cease, and the pain from her back felt like fire. Naraku smirked, tossing the sword aside. Sango choked on the blood in her throat and gasped, her fingers clenching into fist in an attempt to sit up. Naraku placed his foot on her back and pushed her down to the floor. She busted her lip in the process and groaned.
"Will you ever learn, girl? Your body belongs to me and after today, you will most assuredly belong to me and we will never have to worry about these little attempts to kill me. How does that sound, Sango?"
Sango began to laugh. Naraku's smirk faltered. Kanna even blinked. The taijiya's chuckles died down and then she seemed to sob, "I know what you're going to do… you've done it once before…" she coughed, her eye sight beginning to dim, "But I'll kill you for it, Naraku… as long as I'm alive… I'll never stop trying to kill you..."
"How foolish." Naraku growled, pulling the almost-complete jewel shard from his robes. "Last time I only used one Sango-chan. You see, last night and this morning I was casting a spell on the shard… as I fucked you and beat that wench Kagura the shard fed on my powers… As I said before, you will completely belong to me. Body, Soul, and Heart. I will own you. But because I find your company quite pleasing… I will not steal your personality like I did your brothers… only, alter a few things…" Naraku kissed the shard before getting down to one knee and placing it into her skin. The shard began to glow and sunk into the wound. Within a matter of seconds, the skin closed up and Sango let out a gasp.
Kanna placed the mirror on the floor and bowed to her master, "It is complete, master Naraku."
Naraku ignored the girl, his eyes on Sango as she twitched slightly. He wrapped his arms around her and turned her over. Her eyes were closed but moving and her mouth moved with unspoken words. Her body was shivering.
Her eyes open then, wide and landed on his face instantly. He stared at her for a long moment, returning her gaze.
And then Sango smiled.
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Ahhhh!
Terrible, huh? Inuyasha and the others are going to get quite a surprise… And what about Kagura? Just so everyone knows, this story isn't anywhere near being finished and I have yet to introduce ALL of Sango's suitors. To be honest, I'm a little torn between two characters for her to end up with… (I cant tell anyone though!)
But, returning to the present… well, Naraku is an evil bastard… I had two ideas for the consequence… Either Sango becomes his puppet with a personality, or he kills Kohaku… but I went with the first because I just didn't want too much drama. Eh, but who knows… I might knock Kohaku off before its all over… (oooh, that sounded kinda sadistic, didn't it?) I like Kohaku, though, don't get me wrong. I feel terribly awful about him, but this IS a story full of drama and tragedy, so don't ring it out…
Well, that is all. I hope everyone enjoyed this in some way.
Oh and check out AddictedtoInuyasha's story Between the Old and the New. It involves a likable OC and contains two love triangles (Sango/Inuyasha/Kikyo and Sesshomaru/OC/Miroku.) It sort of starts off and the author does a wonderful job of explaining things in flash backs. It's a good story, but what shocked me was that it only had 1 review (3 now). I'm doing this promoting on my own, so check it out! Who knows, you might find another story to add to your favorites list. Well, bye!