Well, I hope that I got Naraku's character right... He's mostly seen as a hatefilled, evil dude so I didnt have much to work from.
I think his greater influence and appearances in the story will do it good. We needed more of him... Just wait til you guy see what's
going to happen in later chapters... heh heh heh.
Oh and I know this chapter isnt directly centered around the part with Naraku, so the title is slightly off. But that doesnt matter
much.
Anywho. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 9 - Thoughts of a Demon
"Kagome, tell us!" Shippo whined.
"Well, I'm afraid that along with the good news, comes some bad news." Kagome stated. "I'll tell you the bad news first…" She took in a deep breath. She felt her hands quivering slightly and held them together. She just couldn't bring herself to say it..
Sango moved over to her and asked, "Kagome-chan?"
"Naraku is alive." Inuyasha said.
Sango's eyes widened and involuntarily grabbed Miroku's arm. Shippo darted to Kagome, hiding under her hair. The only one who expression remained calm was Miroku.
Kagome noticed this and asked, "Miroku-sama, why don't you seemed surprised?"
"I-I didn't want to say anything, until we were all together again, but the wind tunnel has returned to my hand." He held his arm out looking at it. "I figured it had to have something to do with Naraku. I guessed he had been revived and I guess with his revival comes my curse."
"Houshi-sama!" Sango cried. Miroku smiled sadly, his hand holding Sango's.
"But who could do something like this?" Squealed Shippo.
"He wasn't revived…. He just never died. He didn't fake his death, he just became so weak he didn't have enough power to fuel any of his evil doings… Well that's what we think." Kagome told the group.
"But we do know something. I-Inuyasha." She blushed slightly and looked down. "I'm, uh, going to go with Sango to the hot spring. I'll tell her there. And, um, you can tell Miroku."
Sango and Miroku stared at them in confusion.
"No way, Kagome. You can't go. It's too dangerous..." Inuyasha said, his voice sounded worried.
Miroku looked at Sango with an expression that said What's up with those two? Sango merely shrugged.
"Inuyasha!" She said, frustrated. "I'll be fine! I can protect myself! Don't worry... We'll be back soon. Ok?"
Inuyasha paused and finally said, "H-hai."
Kagome smiled at him. She grabbed her bow and quiver.
Just in case…
She took Sango's hand and they walked towards the hot spring.
--The Hot Spring--
"So what's so important that you had to spilt us up to tell us?" Sango asked, curiously.
"Well…" Kagome replied hesitantly, "I didn't really want to be around Miroku when he found out. I was sort of afraid of his reaction, with his "questionable morals" and all. Never know what the hentai might say." Sango smirked at her, as she sat on the rocks, dipping her feet in the boiling water. Kagome took her place beside the young exterminator.
"OK, so out with the news Kagome-chan. I'm really curious as to what it is!" The taijiya smiled at her. "Does it have something to do with you and Inuyasha making up?"
"Well…" She said, biting her lip. "We, uh… did a little more than making up."
"Kagome-chan!" Sango cried, her face taking on a shocked look. "You DID NOT!"
Kagome nodded solemnly and looked at her hands that we're placed around her stomach.
"Wow… I'm so happy for you! I never thought things would be the same after… After what happened." She looked at her friend, with an expression of happiness. She was just glad that things had turned out alright. "Well…Congratulations!"
Kagome smiled sadly and shook her head.
"It's not all good. The other thing we know is… Naraku is after our child. He came to my world and was planning on killing me. When I came out he said something about a prophecy. We came here to see if Kaede-obaa-chan could help, but he had gotten to the village first. It was a massacre. She was dying by the time we found her…" Kagome choked back tears.
"Oh my god… Kagome-chan, we were there just yesterday. We only left because a traveller passing by had told us that a village to the north was being attacked by a demon. But when we arrived there was no demon at all. We were lured away!" She clenched her fists in anger. "That bastard! I bet Naraku is behind all of this…"
Tears slid down Kagome's face and she leaned her head against Sango's shoulder. It was all too much.
"Sango-chan, he swore he would kill me and the child."
"I… That evil bastard… What a burden..." Sango commented, her arm around Kagome. "Well, Kagome-chan I swear, I'll do whatever I can to protect you. No matter what. I promise. It's just… I have a strange feeling about this child.."
Kagome sniffled and pulled herself up. She asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well why would Naraku be all worked up over killing it if he didn't have a reason? I mean, he could just hate it for the fact that it is yours and Inuyasha's… But still. That seems too simple. He must know something about it that we don't." Sango smiled and added, "Kagome-chan! This child could be the downfall of Naraku!"
Kagome smiled and thought about it. Sango's point made good sense. And ever since she had found out she was pregnant, she had knew there would be something special about her child. Things were finally starting improve. Maybe the upcoming struggle against Naraku wouldn't be quite as hard as she anticipated. At least, she could hope that's how it would be.
"Well, we should probably head back. I don't want Inuyasha to get to worried." Kagome said, with a slight smile.
Poor Kagome-chan, Sango thought, sorrowfully as she stood up. She's been through so much… But, we all have. Though to think that your own child is in danger of being killed before it is even born. That's pretty awful... Well, I'll do my best to watch over them, She vowed. Turning towards Kagome something caught eye.
"Kagome-chan! Abunai!"
--At the Camp--
"INUYASHA!" Miroku howled. "You dog! No pun intended."
Inuyasha moaned and rolled his eyes at the monk.
Kagome, I'll get you for this one, he thought.
"Oh shut up Miroku." Inuyasha grumbled.
"I never thought that you… I'm impressed." Miroku patted the hanyou on the back and took his seat, beside Shippo.
"You don't understand!" Inuyasha mumbled.
"What do you mean?" enquired Shippo.
"When we were in Kagome's time, Naraku somehow found us. He swore he would kill Kagome and the child. He said it had something to do with a prophecy. We came back to find out about the prophecy and found Kaede dying and her village destroyed. I'm worried about Kagome's safety. If she dies, then so does the pup."
"Oh my…" Miroku whispered. "I'll protect her with my life."
"Me too!" Vowed Shippo.
"Arigato. You know this means a lot to me." Said Inuyasha, showing a softer side of himself, few had seen.
After a few minutes of thoughtful silence, Miroku asked, "I think I may know something about this prophecy."
"Nani?" Inuyasha half shouted. "Tell me!"
"Quiet down, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves. I'll tell you all I know. But I think we should wait until the ladies get back."
"Bouzu..." Inuyasha muttered.
Inuyasha looked toward the direction that the girls had left.Suddenly, he was struck with an overwhelming sense of fear.
Oh shit! He thought. Kagome has the jewel! He'd forgotten about it. That would definitely attract some unwanted attention. I have to find her before someone… or something else does.
"Stay here I'll be right back." Inuyasha told them, as he ran off towards the hot spring. He couldn't shake the sense that something was dreadfully wrong.
--The Hot Spring--
"Hiraikotsu!" Shouted Sango, throwing her weapon at the demon. "Kagome, move!"
Kagome dived to the ground and rolled out of the way of the demon's claws. She grabbed her bow and readied an arrow.
She looked at their enemy. It appeared to be a large wolf like creature. It had brown fur and stood about four times her height.
She released her arrow and it swiftly sped toward the demon, surrounded with a magical white aura.
It struck the demon just above the knee.
Unfortunately for Kagome, the demon's attention was drawn away from the Sango's attack, to Kagome.
"Give me the jewel, wench!" It growled, swiping at her. Kagome backed out of the way tripping over a branch. She looked up, unable to move. She closed her eyes waiting for the demon's claws to hit her.
"Kaze no Kizu!"
Kagome watched as Inuyasha brought Tetsusaiga crashing down on the demon.
He landed beside her and knelt down, asking, "Are you alright?"
"Hai…" She said, grabbing onto him.
"Hold on, I've have to finish him off. He's only knocked out."
She reluctantly let go as Sango ran over to her, with her boomerang.
"I had no idea, I did my best to keep the demon away. I just wasn't fast enough. I'm so sorry..." The girl was considerably upset. She felt as if she had failed her friend. If Inuyasha had not come when he did, she didn't even want to think about what could have happened.
"Sango-chan, it's ok. I'm fine." Kagome comforted.
"Sango, don't worry about it. It's over and done with." Inuyasha said, his eyes still on the unconscious demon.
Kagome looked away, as Inuyasha thrust Tetsusaiga through the demon. The flesh melted away and all that was left was bone.
"Kagome?" His breath came short and raspy. He looked her in the eyes, knowing that no matter what her reaction she would have to follow his request. He would force her if it came down to it.
"Hai?" She replied.
"I need you to do something for me."
"What?" She asked.
"Go home." He said simply.
"No! I will not! We just got here!" She cried, an angry look on her face.
"I don't care. You're leaving right now. You shouldn't have to live like this… You shouldn't have to deal with this horror."
"I cant leave you here! No way!" She stomped her foot on the ground for emphasis.
Inuyasha growled, and lifted his head to the sky. With a softer tone he said, "You're leaving and you're going to take Sango, Miroku and Shippo with you."
Sango's mouth fell open.
"How are we supposed to go? You two are the only ones that can travel through the well!"
"Well, I was thinking about that earlier…"
"Inuyasha? Thinking? Wow I'm impressed!" Said Miroku, walking up behind him.
"Shut up, bouzu... Anyway, as I was telling these two, anyone could travel through the well as long as they held onto either Kagome or me. And I think that's how Naraku got to Kagome's world."
Kagome's eyes widened as she realized how Naraku had gotten to her world.
"I remember now…" Kagome stuttered. "When I was leaving after you…Um… When I was at the well something touched my shoulder right before I jumped in. I looked around but there was nothing there… I understand now. That was Naraku. It was his spirit… And when we were coming back! Right before we jumped into the well, I felt something push me. I thought I had just stumbled…"
There was a moment of silence as the group pondered this. Then Inuyasha interrupted the silence.
"It's the same as when we were fighting Yura of the hair. The only reason her hair came to Kagome's world was because it was hooked on my shoulder." The others nodded, having heard the story of the fight with the hair demon Yura. "But wait… How could Naraku have the time to destroy the village if he only came back when we did?"
Kagome bit her lip and searched for an answer but Sango
"Maybe he created another incarnation of himself before he left? His incarnations have the same scent as him, right Inuyasha?" Inuyasha nodded and she continued. "That would make sense then… Oh my! And he must have gotten someone to give word of a demon in the north so we would leave the village. It all makes sense!"
"But, even if this works, what are you going to do, Inuyasha? Naraku will just follow us to Kagome-sama's world. Like he did before." Miroku said.
"I'm coming back." He said quietly. "And we'll somehow make sure when we're leaving that he isn't there… I'll just hope he'll go after me..."
"NO! I'm not letting you go back by yourself!" Kagome cried.
"You are not coming! I can't be risking your safety." He argued. "In you own world, you're more protected. You know the dangers. But here, everything is so unpredictable. Besides, you'll have Miroku and Sango to protect you."
The two nodded and Shippo jumped up to Kagome's shoulder.
"Me too!" He told her. She smiled at his act of bravery.
"So when do you think we should leave?" Sango asked.
"Now." He replied.
"Nani? No way." Kagome said, her voice racked with frustration. I feel so helpless. I can protect myself. I'm not a child, she thought.
"Go get your stuff from the camp." Inuyasha commanded.
"Fine! I don't care. I don't need you anyway!" Kagome shouted.
Inuyasha looked at her, a look of confusion on his face. She merely turned and stomped off toward the camp, her mouth still moving, as she talked to Shippo.
"Sango, please go with her." Inuyasha asked.
"Hai…" She said, looking back at Inuyasha.
--At the Camp--
"I don't need him. I can protect myself!"
"Kagome! Please don't be mad at Inuyasha. He's just trying to protect you." Sango told her. Kagome hurried around the camp gathering her things. The moon had just began to rise.
"Well I'm not a child! I can protect myself. He treats me like I'm completely helpless. Oh, you know what? Screw him. I just don't care."
Sango looked at Kagome with sympathetic eyes.
"I know you care Kagome. Why did you keep coming back if you didn't?"
"Oh man." Kagome said, collapsing to the ground. "I better just leave." She looked Shippo, who was sleeping on her bag. "I don't want to drag you guys into this too."
"No, we're coming with you!" Sango informed her. "I don't care what you say. Things are going to get pretty hectic in your life. You'll need us, trust me."
Kagome considered Sango's proposition.
After a few moments of silence, Kagome said, "Fine."
I cant leave Shippo here alone again. Poor little guy…
"Kagome, trust me this is what you need to do. And don't blame Inuyasha. He's just doing what he thinks is right, ok?"
"Alright. I guess… I guess I need to give him some more credit. Just don't tell him I said that," She said, her lips curling into a wry smile, "Or it might go to his head." This got giggles out of both girls.
"And trust me." Kagome added, "You do not want that happening." The two girls burst into laughter again, as Inuyasha and Miroku walked back.
"As if it hasn't already!" Sango said and Kagome rolled her eyes. The two laughed again.
"Well," Miroku said, leaning towards Inuyasha, "It would seem she's in a better mood. Lucky you, if you get what I mean."
"Shut up, idiot." Said Inuyasha, hitting the houshi on the head.
Inuyasha slowly walked behind Kagome, and waited a few seconds. He needed to find the right words. Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak, when suddenly he felt something push him from behind. He stumbled forward, his arms reaching out to break the fall. Unfortunately for him, his hands were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Kagome turned around, feeling something touching her backside and saw Inuyasha.
"OSUWARI!" She yelled.
Crash
"Pervert!" She screamed.
"Shit." He muttered. When the spell wore off, he was going to find the person who pushed him, and he was going to tear them to shreds.
"Why did you do that? I thought the only pervert we had to deal with Miroku-sama. What's gotten into you!" She asked. "Tell me before I sit you into hell." He was pulled into the ground again. He moaned and pulled himself up.
"I didn't do-"
"I know you did. Just tell me why!" She shouted.
Inuyasha covered his ears. "I didn't-"
"No, you did, so tell me why."
"You don't under-"
"Yes I do! Now-"
"I DIDN'T DO IT!" He yelled at her. "Somebody pushed me."
He looked around, trying to find Miroku. Finally, he spotted the monk rolling on the ground, laughing.
He stood up and walked away from Kagome.
"Inuyasha, come back here. I'm not finished with you!"
He ignored her and walked over to the monk.
"So you think that was funny, huh?" He asked. Kagome ran up beside him, Sango on her other side.
"What?" He said, trying to keep a straight face.
"Never mind. I'll get my revenge." He said, eyeing the monk with an evil glare. He turn away and went to pack up Kagome's things.
"What was that about?" Sango whispered.
"I'm not sure, but I think Miroku-sama pushed Inuyasha into me." She said quietly.
"Oh, I get it. I think we should give him some pay back." Sango said, with a grin.
"Nah, let's let Inuyasha have him."
"Fine..." The taijiya said, disappointedly. As she walked by, she stuck her hand out to help Miroku up.
"Arigato, Sango." Miroku said, reaching for it.
She pulled him halfway up before letting go.
He fell to the ground with a thump and rubbed his backside.
"Baka." She muttered, walking away.
------
Naraku sat, bathed in the moonlight that was streaming in from the window.
Things were going along as well as could be expected. The monk, taijiya, and fox demon had been lured away by the bandit Kanna had rewarded to do so. The incarnation he had created before leaving this era, had then destroyed the village and killed every being there as he had instructed. It was a bonus that they had returned so soon after the village had been destroyed.
Yes, things were going along very well.
As the evil demon lord sat within his castle, his thoughts drifted to Kikyo. He had discovered that she had given up her life soon after his 'death.' This issue had soon become a worry for him.
Kikyo was one of the strongest priestesses that had ever lived in this world. That being said, it should have been her, of all people, to realize that he was not really dead. Even though he had been using the fuyoheki to hide his presence, she still should have been able to sense something. It was only pure luck for him that his stupidity of settling on that particular mountain and having the fuyoheki taken back had all occurred after her death. If it had not, he had little doubt he would not be sitting here right now.
But to add to the mystery surrounding Kikyo's action, it was very out of character for her to give her life up only for the hanyou's happiness. On so many occasions she had showed wanting nothing more than to bring him to hell with her.
Perhaps she has changed? He thought. That still did not give reason to why she did not sense his presence. Of all the creatures who loathed and hated him, she had always stood out as the one who would eventually be his downfall.
"Possibly she knew more of this prophecy than I?" He wondered aloud. If she had seen or read something else, that he did not know of, it might have put her mind at ease, knowing that she could never defeat him.
After all, the prophecy had been written for the young girl and the hanyou, telling how to destroy him. He knew not what details of him it would give to them. He had only managed to extract the key points from Kikyo. She had resisted rather well, but he had eventually broken her.
Kikyo had told him the first few steps of this prophecy, one of which had greatly sparked his interest. The third point had been about the child. That in itself had interested him, but the next detail had sparked his curiosity. It said that the child would be a very 'special' one. What the prophecy meant by that, he did not know, but it would remain on the forefront of his mind.
As he stared into the darkness outside the castle, he pondered this issue of this special child. His earlier thought of something putting Kikyo's mind to ease began to bother him. And then he realized something.
What if Kikyo had read something within the prophecy about this child, but she had been able to conceal it from him. Whatever that was that she had read had made her believe that she was not the one chosen by fate to destroy him. Perhaps the reason this child was 'special' was because it was meant to be his destruction.
This may pose a problem… He thought.
Although, at least one good thing had come out of this entire ordeal. Kikyo had made his task that much easier by leaving this world. When he had merged back with his human heart, it had been for the reason that Kikyo was aware of it's exact location. As much as he loathed the human side of himself, he knew that it must be done. Unfortunately, he then knew that he could not kill Kikyo as he had regained his feelings for her, but it would give him time to create new plans.
However, before Naraku had time for these new plans, he had been attacked and nearly lost his life due to his stupidity. But with Kikyo gone, he no longer had to worry about his feelings and the duty of killing her, for she had done it for him!
For now though, he could content himself in the thought of regaining the completed jewel and corrupting it. He would use it to rid himself of his human heart, once and for all. Then he would be inescapable. The world would be a wasteland of devastation and death, just as it was always meant to be.
His thoughts soon wandered to the young girl, Kagome. As much as he would have enjoyed murdering the miko and her unborn child in her era, he had not had the strength then. His trip there had been meant only to scare them. Though he was considerably stronger than he had been after the battle and his trip to her world, he still had a substantial amount of strength to gain back. It would be foolish to attack them right now.
He would let them think he had gone back into hiding for the moment. It would only be a few days until he had fully regained his demonic powers. Then he would strike.
So what did you think? I hope that it was done alright.. Please review so I will know if I've done it properly.
See you on the next chapter.
-Kellai-chan-