Chapter 5-Cause and Effect Part 2: Mission Objective
Kagome couldn't sleep as the night rolled on. She was worried about Inuyasha since he had not returned and Kikyo had her own...private room to be in. She slowly and quietly got up and peeked outside the doorway for any guards that maybe standing guard or patrolling over the area. There were none to be seen. She slid open the rice paper door and then quietly closed it. She walked as stealthy as she could across the corridors of the castle as to not awaken anyone. She eventually found Kikyo's room and slowly opened the door to look inside only to have it open in front of her by someone on the opposite end and pull her inside. She found herself pinned to the wall next to her with a hand over her mouth as the door slid shut next to her. "You shouldn't be spying on people who don't like to be spied on," said a familiar female voice as a candle was lit next to her.
"Kikyo!" Kagome said in surprise as she found the hand over her mouth was removed.
"I was looking for...Inuyasha. He hasn't returned from his room and I thought..." said Kagome, but was interrupted by Kikyo.
"He was with me! You flatter me Kagome, but that's all you've done. Inuyasha has not once come to see me...though I'm sure he has been tempted too," said Kikyo who gave a little laugh with an almost wicked smile on her face that made Kagome feel some form of emotion towards Kikyo, but decided to contain since this was neither the appropriate time or place to release it.
"Do you know where he is?" said Kagome worriedly.
"No. But I did hear two voices talking outside near the side of the lake. Perhaps you will find your answers their," said Kikyo as she walked to a wooden screened window and looked outside to the lake area.
"Thanks! I think," said Kagome slowly and quietly walked back the door and started to slide it open.
"You should consider yourself very luck Kagome," said Kikyo as she stared out at the lake through her wooden screened window.
"Oh?" said Kagome not understanding what Kikyo meant as the dead priestess still looked out the window and putting her hand in between the holes as if trying to reach something that was almost within her grasp.
"To have someone care for you as much as Inuyasha does. Never let go of him no matter how much you do or don't want to. Understand?" said Kikyo who looked from the window to Kagome with a soft yet serious look on her face.
"Yeah...uh...I do. Well...thanks for the talk...bye!" said Kagome who opened the door quickly and then closed it just as fast.
"What a strange girl, but luck one none the less," said Kikyo who looked back outside only to find what she was looking at was now gone. "Inuyasha," she said quietly as she sank to the ground with sadness. If she could cry tears like the living...she would have.
(Back by the Lake)
"Naraku! Are you saying Naraku is the key. But...he's my enemy. I can't serve my enemy Fujita that would be a death sentence for me and the others," said Inuyasha who couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"From what you told me about Naraku and how he came to be it sounds like he is the only one who knows how to channel his demonic power at will and still keep his human side...intact," said Fujita impressively.
"He was created from a combination of multiple demons and has sent countless other powerful beings our way. And every time we get close enough to a point where we can kill him he disappears through a mist of miasma that he generates in his body. He slips away every time we've come remotely close to ending him and comes back even stronger then before," said Inuyasha as he and Fujita walked along the outer rim of the lake.
"Perhaps then there is another way for you to reach your demon potential and control it at the same time," said Fujita in a moment of thought.
"How? Said Inuyasha as he struggled to find answers when all he got were more questions that needed more answers.
"In the village near this castle there is a medium sized, but still significant group of bandits living their that came from the North after being driven out by another noble Lord. It just s happens that my Lord and the Lord to the North of here are good dear friends of one another. The bandits no this and want to make their conqueror pay for his transgressions against them. So they've decided to attempt an attack on my Lord and his son's life," said Fujita as he walked ahead of Inuyasha only to turn around and face him.
"If you know what these bandits are doing then why not have your Lord assemble an army to drive them off as his friend did in the North?" said Inuyasha curiously.
"We tried that already, but the bandits were somehow able to defeat an assembled army that was twice their numbers. Now all remaining troops we can spare that are not in the village are here protecting our Lord from a possible attack," said Fujita worriedly.
"You're assuming that the bandits have some form of new power that protected them from your troops that only I can defeat," said Inuyasha as he finally pieced everything together.
"I would have asked your brother, but I doubt he would have wanted to hear the conversation more or less want to help to begin with. You on the other hand have a kinder more merciful heart and will do things for the greater good. Right now that is what my Lord needs to protect himself and his successor. Will you help Inuyasha?" said Fujita curiously.
Inuyasha looked away from Fujita and at the lake instead with his arms crossed as he started pondering on what to do. "I don't know Fujita I feel a little uncomfortable getting involved in human affairs that aren't mine to get involved in. Plus you forget I still have mixed feeling about spilling human blood everywhere," said Inuyasha as he turned his head to look at Fujita.
"You will be generously rewarded Inuyasha for helping my Lord. I will see to it personally Inuyasha that he pays you for assisting in his protection as well as the protection of his son. Please help him as I've been helping you find your true self," said Fujita pleading with Inuyasha.
"We always seem a little short when it comes to money. (Sighing) Fine! I'll help your Lord and his son against these bandits. Where are they in the village and I'll find them?" said Inuyasha.
"Right now? In the middle of the night?" said Fujita surprisingly.
"Better now then later when their on the move. At least now at night they're all in on spot, which gives me the advantage of getting them all at once. The ones that scatter your Lords soldiers can handle when I'm done," said Inuyasha whose arms were once more crossed over his chest.
"Very well. Fortunately for you the bandits themselves are staying an Inn that is the third building on right side coming down the road that leads into the village. You can't miss it, but be careful Inuyasha. According to my information from the several of the troops who survived the attack say the bandits leader is very powerful and is still just a child," said Fujita who saw Inuyasha leave as he was talking to him.
Inuyasha stopped at the word child. "A child you say. Did he have demon slayer clothing that was black with bits and pieces of blue on he shoulders and upper chest area with a mask?" said Inuyasha.
"Yes. One of the soldiers said the men called him Kohaku," said Fujita.
"Kohaku! He's under the influence of Naraku and the only reason he's alive is because a sacred jewel shard in his back to sustain him. This changes everything Fujita," said Inuyasha who turned around to face the old man.
"How so Inuyasha?" said Fujita.
"One of my friends is related to Kohaku. I will not kill him," said Inuyasha in a very serious tone.
"You don't have to. Just take out as many of the bandits as possible then knock out Kohaku and bring back here where he will be restrained properly under your friends care," said Fujita.
"Its easier said then done Fujita you have never fought Kohaku before. I have and he will not go down without a fight. What's more is that I may accidentally free the shard in his back, which requires precision and key attacks without loosening the shard in his back," said Inuyasha.
"It must be done Inuyasha and soon. My Lord does not tolerate bandits in his lands. If you do not hurry my Lord will ask his friend from the North for assistance and cause a battle in which everyone suffers," said Fujita who now walked up to Inuyasha who had a heavy heart about the situation.
"I'll try Fujita, but I can't promise anything. Just don't tell the others where I've gone to until sun rise. By then...I should have Kohaku contained in my arms. Hopefully anyway," said Inuyasha as he started running to the direction of the town.
"Well see Inuyasha. Heheheheheh. Will see," said Fujita who now cracked a wicked smile as his blind eyes flashed a hint of red in the dead center as he disappeared into the shadows of the castle.
Moments later Kagome appeared from the opposite direction of where Inuyasha went and looked around to find him not their or anyone else for that matter. "Where's Inuyasha?" said Kagome as a now cold wind blew through sending a chill down her spine.