VII
Chapter Seven
"Will she be ready in time?"
"I-I don't know…"
"Shouldn't we tell her?"
"NO!"
"B-but sir…"
"NO! She is my daughter! I will decided when she is told!"
"I understand that sir but honestly…don't you think that she should find out from you? Rather than she finds out on her own! Don't you know what finding out something like that will do to her? She has to be prepared!"
"Silence! Do not overstep your station Kioko! You know as well as I that her sisters are there for her!"
"But they have not her power! She will be in such a state of shock…THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR HER!"
"SILENCE!"
"NO! Shigekazu I know you love her…and that you only want what is best for her, but cant you see that what you are doing will only hurt her in the future?"
"I know what is best for her! I can see that this is the best way! She will handle it smoothly when the time comes! Trust me Kioko! Trust me."
"As you say Shigekazu, so it will be…But what of this Youko Kurama?"
"A silver kitsune…I don't know…he seems to feel deeply for her…"
"Yes…but what of her? What does she feel sir?"
"She doesn't want to be hurt again…and yet, she has allowed him to charm his way into her heart. Let's just hope he doesn't break it, Kami only knows what will happen should she get her heart broken again…"
VII
"Kagome…" Youko looked down into her eyes, and she looked back into his, her eyes full of trust. This made Youko fell guilty. She had no idea what he had almost put her into. Even though he was a youkai, she had put her full trust in him.
"Yes Youko?"
"There is something I have to tell you."
"Yea?"
Youko looked away and took a small breath, for the first time in his 400 year old existence he was nervous.
"Naraku came to me in my mind, and wanted me to give you to him, in exchange for jewel shards. I agreed. He told me to met him by the well in 2 months time, that was 2 months ago. I…He will not get you. I will protect you with my life, the jewel shards mean nothing to me…" Youko finished. He turned back to Kagome.
Kagome was in a state of slight shock. Of course this was something that Naraku would have planned. But…still…the fact that Youko was a part of it. Shaking her head slightly she looked at him, his eyes were filled with regret. Kagome finally realized the second part to what he had said and gasped slightly.
"You wont give me to him?"
Youko shook his head.
"Thank you…" Kagome said not knowing what else to say. Youko nodded, and the ripping sound ensued again. In front of Kagome was a medium sized black hole. A portal.
"Will he be waiting for me there?" Kagome whispered.
Youko turned to face her, picking her up bridal style.
"If he is…he will not get to you." He replied. Kagome heard the possessiveness in his voice, and smiled. Wrapping her arm around his neck, she snuggled into him ready for the icy plunge into the black abyss that was the portal.
VII
Shippo jumped up, as a familiar scent reached his noise. Screaming a happy yelp he rushed out of Kaede's hut and towards the well, followed by a startled Sango and Miroku.
VII
Ryuko sat uninterestedly in her chair next to Kuronue. Koenma sat sucking on his pacifier, enjoying the moment.
"Well…what have you two gathered?"
"Well, it seems my ever distant partner has fallen in love." Kuronue said with slight amusement.
"Fallen hard." Ryuko put in. Kuronue nodded his agreement and smiled at her. She blushed slightly and looked intently at everything else except him. Kuronue smiled again and looked back at Koenma.
"Where is she now?"
"She has went back to the Sengoku Jidai with Youko, I suppose they would like to collect the shards, and then defeat Naraku." Ryuko answered.
"Well then! You guys will just have to join them!" Koenma said. His eyes gained a mysterious gleam as Ryuko glared death at him.
"When do we leave?" Kuronue asked.
"Now! The sooner the better!"
Kuronue nodded and stood up, putting out a hand to help Ryuko. She took it after a moments hesitation and they exited through a portal.
VII
Upon returning to the Sengoku Jidai, Youko waited until he was sure there was nobody around before he put Kagome down.
Once Kagome was on her feet again a orange ball of fur burst into the clearing and into Kagome's arms.
"Shippo!" Kagome exclaimed. She pulled him back to take a good look at him.
"Kagome! You were gone so long! I thought you were never going to come back!"
Kagome smiled softly at him.
"Of course I would come back!"
"Lady Kagome!" Miroku said as he too stepped up to her. He gave her a hug and his hands started to travel south. Youko growled low, and was about to rip him from Kagome when a large boomerang came soaring towards the monk's head, followed by a yelled:
"Hiraikotsu! Damn perverted houshi!" Sango huffed as she entered the clearing. She then smiled at Kagome and hugged her friend, stepping over the form of a twitching Miroku.
"Kagome your back!" She said. She then took a good look at her and gasped. Her friend was now wearing and outfit just like her slayer outfit, except that hers was all black. And instead of a red sash tied around her waist, there was a silver one. Strapped on her back were two black katanas with silver dragons on the scabbards. On the top of the hilts were silver kitsune foxes several tails. The hilts were encrusted with diamonds.
"Well Kagome…you sure have…changed." Sango remarked.
"Yes, Lady Kagome. The outfit is most appropriate, it suites your body most…accurately." Said a now conscious Miroku. He moved his hand again and was plucked from the ground and felt the pressure of a hand against his throat.
"Watch. Where. Your. Hands. Go. Ningen." Youko growled out menacingly while shaking Miroku with every word.
That's when everyone realized that Youko was standing there. That's when things turned chaotic. Sango had Hiraikotsu out and was aiming for Youko, Miroku was trying to release Youko's death grip, Shippo noticed Youko's scent on Kagome and had rushed over to Youko sniffing him all over, while asking if he was going to be his new daddy, Kagome was blushing furiously, Sango release Hiraikotsu, Youko dodged, Miroku fell, Shippo ran into Kagome, and Kagome screamed.
"STOP! EVERYONE STOP!" All motion stopped for the figure in black.
"Sango, don't attack Youko he is my friend. Youko don't hurt Sango she was only worried for me." The aforementioned people stopped and looked at each other suspiciously before nodding at each other.
"So! Kagome what took you so long to get back? I missed you!" Shippo said while pouting. Kagome laughed slightly at his expression and scratched his noise playfully.
"Well…first I was kidnapped by Youko here, and then I went to this place called the Makai, then I was trained by a crazy miko named Crystal, then I was trained by this blade master named Kazuo. And along the way I met these really weird princesses named Atsuko and Minity, I'm not quite sure they were sane…" Kagome finished softly. Shippo stared at her wide-eyed. He then dashed into Youko's arms and looked at him for a moment.
Youko looked down at the little fire kitsune in his arms. The little kitsune, named Shippo, looked him up and down.
"Okay Kagome! I approve of him! He's a sliver kitsune! When they take mates, they take them for life. I like you will you be my daddy?"
At this point, Shippo's innocent little comments had sent Kagome into a furious shade of red covering her whole face. Youko was looking down at the little kit in admiration.
"Shippo, I think you need a nap!" Kagome said plucking him from Youko's arms, and walking towards Kaede's village.
"Oh come on Sango and Miroku! Youko you too!" Kagome said. Her face was still red from embarrassment.
Your kit is very amusing, I like him.
Glad. Kagome thought back, sarcasm heard very clearly in Youko's head.
Upon reaching the village Kagome put down the squirming youkai child who immediately ran back to Youko.
"So! Will you be my new daddy?" He asked Youko from his position on his shoulder.
"If your mom would have me…" Youko whispered back to the kit.
"I think she likes you!"
"And why do you say this?"
"Because she got all red and giggly when I mentioned you being my dad! She did the same thing whenever her and Inuyasha being mates was mentioned." Shippo replied.
"Oh."
Smart Pup you have Kagome.
What are you guys talking about?
That's for us to know, and you soon find out.
What do you mean?
……
Kagome huffed in irritation at his lack of response. Stupid Fox.
VII
Kagome entered the village first and stopped. Something wasn't right. She tensed up. The others came up next to her, and Youko stood right behind her, his arm snaked around her waist to hold her. She felt comforted by it, but she was still tense. Something wasn't right. She looked around, the huts were all normal, smoke rising from some, the children were out playing.
The children.
Kagome snapped out of Youko's arms and stood in the middle of the small village. That was what was wrong. There were no children, there was nothing. It was silent.
"Where is everybody?" Shippo asked as he jumped onto Kagome's shoulder. Kagome ran up to a house and opened the door. There sitting in the middle of the small hut was a family. The father was standing in front of a mother holding her child protectively in her arms. He held a pitchfork out in front of him.
"What's wrong? What happened?" Kagome asked the farmer.
"It was the miko. Kikyo. Her and her demon lover, they came in here threatening to kill us all, looking for you…Kaede stood up to them, but Kikyo…she…she…she killed her." The mother sobbed slightly, and the father wrapped a comforting arm around her and his son.
Kagome felt faint. Everything was starting to dim, she felt her knees give out and would have fallen right there if Youko hadn't came to her rescue.
Lifting her up he exited the small hut, walking back into the forest, away from the village, and shook her slightly.
"Kagome…wake up…you cant go into shock…you might never wake up again…" He whispered softly in her ear.
"Why…why did he have to…why did she have to kill her? Her own sister!" Kagome began to silently cry, her tears streaming down her face, and soaking Youko's shoulder. He rubbed her back softly, and whispered soft nothings in her ear. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo all sad-eyed watched Kagome's broken face.
"Kukukukuku…What happened to our deal Youko? All you had to do was hand her over…instead you had to be weak…falling in love with a human…"
Youko snapped his head up at the sound of the voice. Naraku. Kagome jumped from his arms landing gracefully and pulling her twin katanas out all in one smooth move. Youko had taken a rose from his head and was watching the surrounding forest cautiously. Her were eyes still a little unfocused.
"Kukukukuku…you can not defeat me little miko…no one can!"
Sango came to stand next to Kagome, Hiraikotsu ready to be launched.
Naraku watched as the taijiya stepped up next to his friend. He laughed, his laughter echoing all over the forest. He released Kohaku and watched as the taijiya's hold on Hiraikotsu slackened.
Youko recognized the boy from Kagome's story. He looked over at the taijiya, Sango, and noticed that her huge boomerang was barely being held by her. She cant do this now! Youko thought.
"Sango…this isn't your brother…, Naraku is using him the same way he used you. You cant let him, save him Sango…release him…" Kagome whispered desperately to her friend. Knowing she was the only one that could do it, Kagome and Youko watched her. Kohaku released his chained sickle ((that's what it is right?)) aiming for Sango. Sango stood watching the sickle coming towards her, everything seeming to go in slow motion.
((I should end it here? Huh? Kidding!))
At the last moment Hiraikotsu was raised with amazing speed and strength, and Kohaku was thrown back as Hiraikotsu flew towards him. Sango grabbed Hiraikotsu from the air and launched it again, this time in a fatal last attack. Kohaku rose just as Hiraikotsu came towards him. At the last moment, Kohaku's eyes regained life and he said three words:
"Thank…you…sister…"
Then Hiraikotsu connected with his body for a split second before splitting him in half. Sailing over the fallen body pieces it sailed back to Sango, who caught it with heartbreaking satisfaction.
"How does it feel dear taijiya, to kill your own brother?" Naraku asked.
Sango smiled, and Kagome seriously doubted her friends sanity. Rushing over to her, Kagome put a hand on Sango's shoulder. Another hand followed shortly, this one belonging to Miroku.
"Lady Sango…how do you fair?" He asked, his hands for once staying where they should.
"He overpowered Naraku in the last moments of life… he thanked me…Naraku does not know…and he sits there thinking that he has won…" Sango laughed again.
"Naraku! You ask how I feel killing my own brother? I never killed my brother…he died a long time ago, along with the rest of my family, what I did today was kill a cheap imitation of him, and this I swear to you, I will live to see you die! Be it by my hands or another's you will die…" Sango's voice was like steel and her eyes even harder.
"Strong words for someone so inconsequential…" Naraku said.
"Oh shut it Naraku! You shouldn't use such big words, you might choke." Kagome said back.
"Your time is coming little miko…your time is coming." Naraku replied harshly.
Youko having been silent for the better part of the conversation, suddenly transformed his rose into a whip, and struck out in the forest. A flash of white, and Naraku stood in the clearing. Holding in his hands a small ball of orange fur.
"Shippo!" Kagome whispered faintly. Youko's eyes narrowed. This was low, even for Naraku.
"He has no honor." Youko whispered to himself.
It was at this time that Kagura and Kanna decided to show themselves. Kagura landed softly, prepared her fans. Kanna stood by Naraku, apparently awaiting orders.
Youko narrowed his eyes even farther and growled low.
"Cant fight your own battles Naraku?"
"Ah…but I am…they are my……children…" He finished after a slight pause.
Youko flexed his claws as Kagura raised her fans sending cutting winds in his direction. Youko picked Kagome up and dodge the winds. He sat her down by the edge of the forest, and launched at Kagura. Hundreds of lower class demons came from the edge of forest that Kagome was standing. Turning around smoothly she readied her swords.
They came at her in hordes. Kagome smoothly dealt each youkai a fatal blow before moving on to the next one. Her swords Kiyoshi, and Taka, hummed with power, each one seeming to direct her hands, instead of the other way around. Kagome, realizing that she wasn't going to kill them all with just her swords, ran to the other side of the small clearing, with her back to the forest. Turning around she faced the youkai was a grim expression. Sheathing her swords she raised both hands in front of her and waited. The youkai advanced, fifty feet, thirty, twenty-five, fifteen, ten…A ball of black energy began to form in her hands. It started to spin faster, growing bigger. Silver lines began to form horizontally, the ball began to grow bigger. Five feet.
"Die…" Kagome whispered as she released her energy ball. The swarm of youkai disintegrated into dust, and Kagome whipped sweat from her forehead.
"All in a good days work!" She smiled brightly before scanning the small battle field, searching for her friends. She spotted Miroku and Sango fighting a large demon, and nodded slightly to herself, noting that they were not hurt or injured very seriously. She then turned worried eyes to looking for Youko. She caught flashes of silver every now and then but could not tell whether he was hurt or not.
Youko?
Yes…
Are you hurt?
Not really, a few scratches and bruises, nothing I cant handle.
Arrogant Bastard. Kagome whispered in her mind. She could almost feel him smirk.
Kagome was about to join Sango and Miroku in their fight, when miasma filled her vision. She felt a tentacle wrap around her waist, and neck and grabbed at them, desperately trying to free herself. She called on her miko powers, and was just about to once again purify the tentacle to oblivion, when she felt them slipping away.
"Kukukukuku…That will be of no use to you…Kanna will zap it all away." Kagome was able to turn her head slightly and saw the emotionless face of the child, and her glowing mirror. Noo…Kagome thought in despair. She then tried her spirit energy. Once again the mirror glowed brightly and she felt them slipping away.
"Seems like I have won this battle for now…" Naraku said as he rose. Youko looked up in shock to see a struggling Kagome in his grasp. Growling low, he rushed towards her, forgetting about his battle with Kagura.
Kagura watched as the fox turned away from her trying to get to the woman-child. She shook her head in disgust. Rule number one in battle. Never turn your back from the enemy. Kagura thought as she lashed out with her winds.
Youko knew the wind witch would try something, so just as he felt the winds coming, he turned around and leashed out with his whip, catching Kagura in her right shoulder, her fans dropped momentarily as her fan hand was disabled. Youko smirked and turned back to his chase after Kagome…only to find that she wasn't there anymore. In that one instant, Naraku had gotten away.
Youko cursed like there was no tomorrow. His eyes tinged red and whipped around just in time to see Kagura flying into the air.
"You will not get away from this Youko that easily." ((Whoa kinda sounds like Sesshoumaru ne?))
Slashing out with his rose whip again he pulled the feather she was riding on back, and flipped her over. She landed on her feet and glared at him, the battle to the death ensuing.
Kagome awoke in a small slightly lit, damp cell. She opened her eyes groggily, and moved her hands to rub her eyes, only to find that she couldn't. Her hands were chained by thick manacles, that were connect to the walls. Looking down she noticed that her feet were to. Going into a momentary panic, she tried to wrench her hands free. The rusty metal cut into her wrist painfully, but she didn't care, she wanted to get free.
Kagome finally stopped when the pain was unbearable. Taking a look at her wrist she grimaced. Blood was flowing down her wrist into her hands, there were deep gashes in her wrists, she could barely see her bone, a spot of white amidst all the red, but even seen that met that her wrist were cut deep. I least I didn't cut my veins in my momentary lack of intelligence. Kagome thought bitterly.
Thinking back she tried to remember how she had fallen asleep. I was being carried by Naraku, I remember starting to try to claw at his stupid tentacles…and then…and then…((no and then sorry))…Naraku…he… The memory was foggy but she vaguely remembered his hand connecting with the side of her head…hard. Well that's going to leave a mark. Kagome thought sulkily. Hanging her head, she tried to go to sleep, knowing that it would be of no use. I need some kind of energy…
"So you have awaken little miko…" Kagome's head snapped up and she saw Naraku…the real Naraku standing before her.
"What do you what Naraku?" Kagome asked. Dumb question…dumb question!
"You know what I want." ((A little cliché ne?))
"HA! You wont get the shards Naraku…I don't have them…" She said. She gave him a cynical laugh and hung her head again, preparing for sleep.
That was until a blow connected with her chin, with enough force to send her smacking back against the cold stone wall. She could feel blood dripping down the back of her head, and down her cheek.
"Do not be so rude again, little miko. Now, Where. Are. The. Shards?" Naraku punctuated each word with a punch to her stomach. The metallic taste of blood spilled into her mouth. Oh great! Now I'm internally bleeding! This is just getting better and better… Kagome thought gloomily.
Kagome spit the blood out and onto Naraku's face. Bad move…bad move… She thought after she did. Since when do I think without acting? Oh yea…since my laugh was in the hands of a psychotic little man. Kagome gave another mad laugh, and then she started to wonder about her own sanity. Maybe he had hit her just a little too hard.
Just as she had finished her thought, she let out a piercing scream as she felt her back being sliced open. The pain was white hot, and she didn't know how long she would stay conscious. When was I release from the chains? Kagome asked herself, as she noticed that she was now laying on her stomach, instead of standing suspended in the air. Naraku stood over her.
"I always wanted to wait, and use this dagger for a special occasion." Naraku said, his eyes gleaming maniacally.
"Y-you are a sick s-sad little m-m-man…you k-know that." Kagome said, her last ounce of defiance, and strength pouring out of her. He narrowed his eyes and raised the dagger, cutting into her back three more times, each deeper than the last, leaving four vertical lines on her back, going from the top of her shoulders, to the small of her back. Kagome had passed out from pain sometime during the second one, and luckily was not awake when he started to punch and kick her, clawing at her once perfect skin, leaving her body a bloody mess.
VII
Youko held Kagura up by the throat.
"Take me to her…NOW!" He yelled while shaking her. She glared at him defiantly.
"Kill Naraku." She whispered, her throat was being squeezed so tightly she wasn't sure if she would hold up any longer.
"What do you mean bitch."
"Promise me that you will kill Naraku."
"He has already signed his death by kidnapping Kagome. If she is hurt in anyway I will kill him slow and painfully."
Kagura nodded satisfied with his answer. He released her and she rose on her feather
"Then we must hurry, if I know Naraku…she will be nothing short of dead."
Youko growled and followed Kagura.
VII
Miroku, Sango, and Shippo watched as Youko went off following Kagura.
"Do you think he will find her?"
"I believe he will Lady Sango…"
"What should we do?"
"Go back to the village…see what we can do…" He replied.
They began to walk back to the village depressed. Shippo stood rooted to the spot, watching as his adoptive daddy speed off. Please bring her back safe…
VII
Reaching the castle, Kagura opened up a small hole in the barrier allowing him to come through. Youko concealed his aura and followed Kagura as he lead him to a room. Upon opening it they found Kagome lying in the middle of the small cell like room, her armor gone, and her taijiya like outfit ripped, her was covered and blood, and her back was cut in four vertical cuts, each deeper than the last.
Youko ran into the room and picked her up gently, even so, she whimpered in her unconscious state, tightening herself in a ball as if to protect herself from the pain. She opened her mouth partially and blood spurted out.
Youko had to use all of his self-control not to go and rip Naraku apart, limb from limb.
"You must hurry. Naraku will be here any minute. If you want her to live then you need to get her to a miko fast!" Kagura whispered desperately to him. Even she was revolted at the way he had handled her.
Youko nodded slightly, and picking her up ever so carefully he exited the cell, leaving Naraku's castle and running through the forest.
VII
Reaching a small stream, two days away from Naraku's castle Youko stopped, this being only the second time he had stopped, the first to clean her wounds. Kagome had still not waken up, and she had started to shiver, and had turned a ghastly pale color. He concluded that she had a fever Kneeling by the stream, he began to rewash her wounds. He re-bandaged them and checked her fever. It is a good thing I know a lot about herbs. He thought.
"Who are you?"
Youko snapped his head up in time to see an arrow speed past him. Dodging it quickly he turned back around to see a young miko in front of him. Not caring that he had slacked enough so that he didn't sense her, he looked up at her seriously.
"I need your help miko."
"What did you do to her youkai?" She asked, her voice was steely.
"I did not do it, Naraku did, can you heal her?" He let her commanding tone go, not caring.
Once she heard the name Naraku she relaxed her bow string and stood over her.
"Oh my…"
"Can you heal her or not?"
"I can, but these marks on her back will scar, the rest shall not…" She said softly. Youko nodded happy that she could at least save her. The miko stood over her and her hands glowed a soft pick. The cuts, and bruises immediately began to fade, all except the ones on her back. They left long silvery marks, showing where Naraku had sliced her.
"She should awaken in a few hours, if not less. You should get her home…she will need to rest." The miko said while standing.
"Thank you." Youko said to her.
"Your Wel-" The miko never finished because Youko had picked her up and was gone.
VII
Arriving by the well Youko sat down with Kagome in his lap. She was starting to stir.
"Kagome…?"
"Youko? W-where am I?"
"By the well, I'm going to take you home…"
"Naraku! Where is he?"
"I rescued you from his place with the help of Kagura, found a miko and she healed most of the wounds he inflicted all except fro the ones on your back, those left a mark."
Kagome felt his muscles tense and knew he was holding back, trying to control his rage. Kagome put a hand on his cheek.
"Thank you for saving me…"
"I didn't get there soon enough…" He whispered quietly. Kagome knew he felt guilty and snuggled into him.
"If it wasn't for you…I wouldn't be alive." She looked up to see his reaction, and saw him looking down at her. His eyes were filled with regret, and…Love? Kagome was shocked for a moment, before she leaned in and kissed him softly. When she got no reaction, she prepared to pull back, but soon found Youko's arms wrapped around her pulling her back, and deepening the kiss.
"Kukukukuku…" Kagome and Youko jumped apart, and Youko put Kagome behind him.
"Show yourself coward, and fight me!" Youko growled.
"Oh no Youko…not now…I see you found the little miko…" Naraku said. His voice was coming from everywhere. Youko stood still, Kagome was tense behind him, he could fell it.
Kagome I want you to jump in the well.
And leave you here to fight him alone? No!
I will not have you taken from me again!
I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF!
NO!
Youko please…I want to-
No! Kagome…please…please…
………Fine…but I will come back in two hours tops!
Youko smiled back at her and she smiled back. She slowly stepped back and prepared to jump over.
"It seems your love has saved you from physical harm…but what about mental?" Naraku's voice cut through. Kagome stopped, frozen.
"Youko…how would you feel if the one person you loved…forgot you existed…forgot perhaps that they had loved you in return…"
Youko froze his hand in midair. He wouldn't…He cant…
"I can…and I will…" Naraku said. The wind picked up and Kagome felt rather than heard a spell being chanted…her mind went blank.
"Kagome!"
She looked up to see Youko.
"Kagome jump!"
"What?"
The wind had picked up, and she could barely hear him.
"Kagome…I love you…don't forget it…"
Kagome looked at him…Who…is he?
Kagome was looking at Youko almost like a stranger. Youko's heart broke. She doesn't remember…she doesn't remember me… Youko looked at her, his face full of sorrow.
Before she could say anything, Youko pushed her over, just as an arrow whipped in the arrow she had once been.
And for the first time in his life………………Youko cried…
VII
Waking up in a cold sweat, Kurama pushed his hand through his red hair. A tear trickled down his cheek, wiping it he focused inward.
Youko. May I inquire as to what was that?
A memory of mine… Came the sad reply. A memory of mine.
VII