Author's Notes: I am so sorry, everyone! Man, I'm becoming as bad as some of those authors I get annoyed with because they don't update on a regular basis. I really don't mean to fall behind, I just get busy…honest. But I really will try from now on to get back on schedule with this story, I promise.
My Christmas break is going well…how about all of you? The only wrench in the machine at this point for me is that I had my wisdom teeth out last Monday, and my mouth is still hurting pretty bad. But at least I no longer look like a deranged chipmunk or something, though my brother now calls me 'nut hunter' because my cheeks had been so swollen that he can't get over that. Oh well…brothers will be brothers…
Christmas itself was wonderful, but I'll spare you the details, and if you really want them you can check it out on my profile page where I post notes on a regular basis. And other then that, all I can say is Go Oregon State Beavers!! They're currently playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Insight Bowl Game, and they're winning! YES!!!
This chapter, I think, is full of stuff. It deals a little with the rescue crew, but more deals with Kagome, and her relationship with Kagura. I think that's an important aspect of this story, or at least will become an important aspect. So anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter, and that it proves to be worth your wait. And just so you all know, there's fluff coming soon, so be patient in waiting for that, I haven't let you all down in that department yet, right? Enjoy!
Charmed18: 'Bye Bye Birdie' eh? That should be fun. I know what you mean though about being in the middle. It's never happened to me personally because I've never had the time to do my school's musicals (though we always do dumb ones anyway) but it's happened to my friends before, and I can tell that it's frustrating. One of my guy friends was in a local production of 'West Side Story' (not at school, just in the community) and he was a part of the Jets gang, but not quite an important part. He hated it. Just keep confidence in your own abilities, and know that eventually your moment to shine will come. That's how it's been with me and my singing. Let me know how the musical goes!
Anni Chu: Thanks so much! I love hearing from new readers, and I'm really glad you like the story. This one is sort of becoming my baby (although whatever story I'm working on is sort of my baby…how does that work?), so I'm glad you like it. Thanks for the review!
Rinelwin: I think you'll get your Miroku/Sango fix for the time being in this chapter, and as I said before, the fluff for Inuyasha and Kagome is coming, I promise. Enjoy, and thanks for the review!
Hengenjizai: So…I take it you prefer Kagura with Sesshoumaru, eh? Well, I won't give you anything specific at this point, but I will say that nothing official has been decided on my part yet as to who our beloved fluffy will end up with. Of course, naturally, if I had a choice, he'd end up with me (because Inuyasha belongs solely to Kagome), but alas that's not possible, so we'll just have to see how the story works out. But I will tell you this…Kagura and Sesshoumaru will be meeting very soon, and it will be interesting. Enjoy!
Frog squisher: Well then, here's an update just for you (winks). Enjoy!
Tetsukon: I did it again…sorry…(walks away with tail between legs)
Agarwaen Lhach: I cried too! Isn't that just awful? I wanted her to right her wrongs, marry Sesshoumaru, and become a surrogate mother to Rin! We can cry together! Waah!!
Jav-chan: I guess I've always just sort of seen red highlights in his hair in the series, but that could just be me watching a TV show late at night…who knows? Either way, it seemed like a fun way to change up the description of the bad guy a little. Thanks for the review!
Title: Impossible Dreams
Author: dolphingirl0113
Chapter: Twenty
Rating: PG-13 (rated for language, violence, and implied sexual situations)
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
DEDICATION: For Ted Dorsey, the greatest coach I will ever have, the most wonderful and patient mentor I will ever know, and the best friend I could have asked for. Thank you for everything you did for me in my life.
Inuyasha and Kouga had caught a scent…one that Kouga didn't recognize, but that tingled at the back of the hanyou's memory like a bad dream that never quite faded from his heart. Inuyasha had never thought to smell that man again…he had thought that he would be cursed forever, and never given the chance to take his revenge. But now his nose was filled with the scent of Naraku, the man who killed his father and mother and cursed him, and he could think of nothing better then slicing the demon down with his bare hands…
At least, nothing better then ripping the vocal chords right out of Shippou's little throat.
The kitsune had also picked up the scent of Naraku and, logically, had made the connection that the stronger the smell became the closer they were to Kagome. Unfortunately, that meant his mood was lifting steadily by the day, so that he had taken to the nasty habit of humming ridiculous tunes, and sometimes even adding words when he felt like it.
Currently he was singing some ludicrous melody about frogs jumping lilies in a pond, and Inuyasha was at his wits end. He whirled on the small kitsune, who was currently sitting comfortably on Kouga's shoulder. "Will you shut up?!"
"Eek!" Startled as he was, Shippou found himself lying on the ground before he even knew what was going on, his tail quickly turning damp in the mud. He crossed his little fists angrily and glared, looking like an enraged puff ball where he sat. "What was that for, Inuyasha?"
The hanyou smirked. "Maybe that'll teach you to shut up when you're annoying, brat!" But before he got another word out, a fist connected with his forehead.
"Don't insult the kid, dog!" Kouga was glaring at him now too, his left had poised to strike again. "He's like a little brother to me now, and I won't take you insulting my kin. Besides, Kagome's taken a liking to him, and whoever my mate likes, I like."
That opened up a whole new can of worms, and this time Inuyaha lunged back rather then just walking away. They fell to the ground in a heap of white and black hair, and started rolling around in the mud. "For the last time, wolf," the hanyou ground out, shoving Kouga's head back with each word for emphasis, "Kagome is not your woman, and she sure as hell is not…your…mate! Got it?!"
"Inuyasha!" Sango and Miroku ran forward. "Get off of him! You're going to cause some serious harm!"
But before they could get to the pair, Kouga grimaced and growled. "Like hell he'll cause harm! He's not worthy enough to wipe my feet!"
"Take that back!"
"Not when it's true!" He shoved the hanyou away, causing Inuyasha to land on his rear. "And Kagome is my woman! She would never accept a puny half demon like you!" His lip curled up in a sneer, but this time the impact on his head came from someone other then his opponent.
"I must ask you, Kouga, not to insult my friend," Miroku stated calmly as he rubbed his fist, wincing slightly. "Ooh, that's going to leave a bruise." He chuckled. "Your head's a bit thicker then it looks."
"And what's that supposed to mean, monk?"
"Former monk, wolf breath," Inuyasha smirked. "And what do you think that meant? It means he knew you had a thick skull, but now it's even thicker then he thought!"
"Shut up, Inuyasha!"
"Ouch! Touch my head again, and I swear I'll kill you, Kouga!"
"You wouldn't want to break Kagome's heart by robbing her of the man she loves…"
"Kagome doesn't love you!"
"She said she did!"
"When the hell did she say that?"
"She didn't say it in so many words, but I know what she meant…"
"You really are a thick headed dimwit, you know that?"
"You take that back, bastard!"
"Wolf breath!"
"Dog turd!"
As the two wrestled in the mud, doing such ridiculous things as pulling on one another's legs, scratching faces, and biting fingers, Sango approached Miroku with a concerned look on her face as she looked at his hand. "Oh Miroku, does it really hurt that bad?"
The black-haired man stopped what he was doing as though he had heard the voices of angels, and looked at Sango, dressed in her exterminator garb which accented every line and curve, with stars in his eyes. "Why Sango, I never knew you cared so much about me." He took her hands.
Blushing, she looked away. "I…of course I care about you, Miroku, you've become a good friend."
Miroku stepped aside to avoid being run over by the battling duo before replying, though he couldn't avoid being slightly spattered with mud thanks to the conflict, which meant that he was now speaking with a spot of mud right in the middle of his forehead. It looked almost comical in contrast to his serious face. "Do you only care about me as a friend, my lady Sango?"
She blushed some more, but couldn't help smiling slightly. "I suppose I…" She tried to harden her eyes, with little success. "What on earth do you mean? How else would I care for you?"
He pulled her closer. "You know what I mean, Sango. You must have noticed the way I act around you. I know you must feel the same way."
His breath tinged her cold skin, and she shivered slightly, though whether it was because of the contrasting temperatures or pleasure, she couldn't be sure. Still, Sango found the smile returning to her faced and lighting up her eyes. "Oh, Miroku…are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Well," He pulled her closer still, so that she was forced to twist in his arms to avoid hitting him with her Hiraikotsu, their legs touching. "What do you think I mean, Sango?"
"I…" She blushed some more. "I don't know. I mean…I know what I want you to mean, but…" She gasped suddenly as she felt a hand on her backside, and could have exploded with rage. How dare he toy with her emotions like that, knowing full well that she had come to care for him as much more then just a friend! "Hentai!" She stepped back and brought her boomerang crashing down atop his head, sending him into the mud.
Thankfully, even though Sango was now fuming, the action of sending Miroku face-first into the mud caused Inuyasha and Kouga to stop quarreling in order to see what was going on. The hanyou stepped over and pulled his friend up to his feet, knowing exactly what had happened by the lump on Miroku's head, and shaking his head in disgust. "How many times do I have to tell you to knock it off? Seriously, you can actually be appealing when you want to be, but now…well, now you've really pissed her off. Sango won't let you near her for weeks."
"Perhaps," the young man had a starry look in his eyes as he gazed at his hand, the offensive limb which had caused so much trouble. "But Inuyasha," he grinned, "It was worth it."
"What?" The hanyou gazed closer at his friend before realizing what he meant and felt suddenly nauseous. "Oh please…"
The sun was shining, and Kagome found herself gazing out the window of her old room, the familiar mahogany dressers and canopy bed surrounding her as she sat on the windowsill, leaning against the side frame. The fields where her father grew his crops spread out before her, framed by rolling meadows which separated her home from the other plantations.
But unlike before, there were no slave quarters in sight, and no one was working the fields against their will with the marks of the whip on their backs. Instead, Kagome took pride in the knowledge that she had worked the fields herself, having rebuilt her home to its former glory.
The only thing it missed now to be complete was her parents…
With a sigh, she rose to her feet and admired herself in her mirror, noting that she was wearing a gown of fine pale blue silk, bringing out the dark color of her eyes, her hair falling down around her shoulders loosely. She had always enjoyed wearing it that way more then any other style.
Giggling, she twirled before her reflection once, twice, before stopping and sighing again in contentment.
Suddenly the sound of something clanking against her window caused Kagome to stop and turn, running back to the sill excitedly and throwing the pane open with abandon. Sticking her head through the opening, she turned about, searching for something…or, rather, someone.
"Kagome! Hey, down here!"
Stopping, Kagome looked down to find Inuyasha, dressed in his red jacket and pants, waving his arms to get her attention. She smiled widely and felt her heart leap in excitement. "Inuyasha! I knew you'd come back!"
"Of course," he smiled shyly, "I would never leave you alone. I promised to be there for you, remember?"
She grew warm. "I'll always remember what you promised me."
He threw his arms open wide. "Are you ready then?"
"Ready?"
"To come with me back to the castle, of course!"
"The castle?" She was shocked! He actually had the gall to come and assume that she would leave her home? "But, Inuyasha…I can't!"
"Can't?" The concept didn't seem to register with him.
"No! I mean, the crop needs to be harvested soon, and…"
He crossed his arms. "You don't think I would leave you here to work, do you? I want you to come and live with me!"
"Live with you?" She was stunned. "Why?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Perhaps," she met his eyes directly, "But I want you to say it."
"Kagome!"
"Say it, Inuyasha, or I swear I won't take one step."
"Fine!" He huffed. "I love you, that's why I want you to come live with me!" He sounded like he was ridiculing a child, and Kagome winced.
"Couldn't you put a little more feeling behind it?"
"That did have feeling behind it!"
"Anger, and annoyance, perhaps," She rolled her eyes dramatically, "But not love."
He huffed again and glared at her in frustration, crossing his arms. "Why do you have to make things so difficult? That's such a girly thing to do, Kagome."
She refused to be offended by what he said. "Perhaps…but then again, I am a girl, Inuyasha, so I have every right to make things complicated. As you pointed out, that's what those of my sex do."
He shook his head, and she thought she heard a slight chuckle. "You're still as stubborn as ever, you know that?"
That brought a smile to her face as well, and Kagome giggled. "But if I weren't, then I wouldn't be the woman you love. Right?"
When he looked at her, Inuyasha's eyes were suddenly soft and tender. "Right…so will you just get down here and we can go?"
She regarded him steadily for a time, feeling a breeze rustling through her hair gently, before cocking her head proudly. "Say it like you mean it, Inuyasha, and I'll come without any complaint."
Her voice was serious this time, and the hanyou seemed to realize that she needed to hear what was in his heart in order to go confidently into a new life. So, with a deep breath, he put all the tenderness within into his voice as he spoke. "I love you, Kagome Higurashi…and I want the woman I love to come and live with me for the rest of my life."
A huge grin broke out across Kagome's face, and she felt her heart pound in delight as she literally leapt from her window and into his waiting arms. He grunted slightly at her weight, and swore softly, but she just ignored him and wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing. "Oh Inuyasha, I love you too…" She touched his cheek, noting how cool it was. "Promise that you'll always let me be at your side."
"I already did," he whispered in her ear, and Kagome pulled back to gaze into his beautiful amber eyes. Leaning closer, she anticipated the warmth of his lips, shivering in delight as he drew closer to give her a loving kiss…
There was a loud crash from somewhere within the castle where she was being held prisoner, and Kagome jerked wide awake on the modest bed where she was currently curled up in a little ball. At first she couldn't quite remember where she was, but as consciousness and common sense returned, she groaned, and then blushed as she realized she was holding her pillow like she had been holding Inuyasha in her dream.
"Ugh, I'm really pathetic," she moaned, burying her head into the pillow in disgust. It wasn't that she minded dreaming of Inuyasha, it was certainly a pleasant change from the morbid nightmares of her mother and father dying, and of being trapped in burning houses, but still…
Since when had Kagome Higurashi, independent and self-reliant, taken to dreaming of ridiculous fantasies with a man who didn't love her?
Thinking back on the dream, she could almost feel Inuyasha's arms around her, and his voice rang clear and strong in her head. She chuckled as she recalled the argument, and rolled her eyes. She couldn't even dream about him without having an argument…
So why did she still love a man who insulted and belittled her all the time?
Sitting up, she looked around at the familiar room, noting the sunlight streaming through the small window high up the wall, telling her it was morning…or afternoon…she really had no idea. It was impossible to tell when you were surrounded by nothing but stone.
Kagome was growing rather annoyed with the fact that after her first visit from Naraku she had been left entirely alone for nearly a week, not receiving any signs of life from the other side of the door save for a hand that brought her three meals a day consisting of bread and cheese. You knew you were a prisoner, she thought ruefully, when you were fed bread and cheese with water.
In all honesty, Kagome knew she should have been thankful that she hadn't been forced to fulfill whatever plans Naraku clearly had, but in truth, she was finding it all terribly offensive. Did Naraku intend to use her or not? She would have much rather been with Inuyasha then stuck in such a drab, boring room of stone and mortar. And what was worse, she hated thinking that she was being used as some kind of bait.
"Inuyasha…"
Just thinking of him was enough to life her spirits somewhat. His handsome face and determined eyes framed by his flowing silver hair. She just knew he would find her, because he saw her, at the very least, as his only way of gaining the support of other demons since she was the only one who could free them from their shards. It was certainly a depressing way to think about it, that she was nothing more than Inuyasha's shard keeper, but at least that meant she could be sure that help was on the way.
Unfortunately, she didn't hold out much hope for her dream to come true, but at least she could count on him coming and getting her out of this horrible situation she found herself in.
The door started to creak open, and Kagome turned to watch, expecting a hand to put a plate of food down for her, but instead, to her surprise, the massive hinge swung all the way open to reveal none other then Kagura standing before her, a grimace turning down the corners of her mouth.
The two women stared at one another for several minutes, as though each was trying to discern what meaning caused the other to exist, before the wind sorceress finally huffed and crossed her arms impatiently. "Well come on, girl, Naraku wants to see you."
"Naraku?" Kagome blinked stupidly, still trying to get used to this change in routine. She was actually going to leave this awful room?
"That's what I said, so get to your feet and let's go."
As though to spite the woman, Kagome moved off the bed as slowly as she could without appearing to be obviously doing anything, and by the time she reached Kagura, the red-eyed woman was so irritated that she grabbed Kagome by the arm and all but threw her through the door.
Stumbling at first, Kagome found herself out in a wide open hallway tiled in polished wood and framed by stone walls that matched those in her room. Large windows were everywhere, letting in the light she had been sorely missing during her captivity, and she took a deep breath of the fresh air that trickled past her nose. God it was good to feel like she was a part of the outside world again.
"This way," Kagura commanded, leading the way, and Kagome quickly fell into step behind the older woman's swaying figure. There was only silence between them, and so Kagome took a moment to observe the woman who had been her enemy for so long.
She was attractive, there was no denying that. There was a sensual, dark sexuality about Kagura that even Kagome had to admit was enticing and full of promise. Her hair, always swept up off her neck, revealed ample amounts of pale skin which only managed to further accent her dark, almost red eyes, and, in all honesty, gave her an exotic look despite the fact that such skin usually only managed to give a person a sickly hue.
Risking getting into trouble, Kagome moved alongside the wind sorceress to get a better look at her profile, noting the sharp outline of her jaw and her well-defined, perfectly shaped nose. Unlike a lot of people, it was the perfect size for her face, her eyebrows forming high arches over her eyes, giving her a wide, intelligent look despite the fact that she always wore that cruel smirk.
Except now; now Kagura was merely scowling, as though all the confidence that usually oozed from every pore of her being had fled, leaving her with nothing but bitterness and insecurity. The thought caused Kagome to wonder how exactly such a woman of obvious intelligence and beauty had come to be under the command of such a cruel man as Naraku.
Of course, she reminded herself, not all intelligent people were good; in fact, history proved that often times it was the geniuses who caused the most damage to others. And yet, somehow, Kagome felt something within her shift upon seeing this new Kagura…this stranger so unlike the enemy she had come to hate. There was more to this story, she just knew it.
But before she could ask, Kagura halted suddenly before another large door, this one elaborately carved out of a wood that was deep red. Flicking her fan, the door opened with a large gust of wind, and the wind sorceress turned to Kagome. "He's waiting for you."
"In…there?"
Dark eyes rolled toward the ceiling in exasperation. "Yes in there, you silly girl; why else would I have brought you here?"
Kagome blushed, feeling like someone who had been chastised by an older sister, which was strange, considering the fact that it was Kagura doing the chastising. "I knew what you meant," She stammered in reply, "That came out all wrong."
"Obviously," Kagura replied before pointing through the door once more. "Now hurry up…he doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Nodding slightly, Kagome started through the door, but then turned again to look at the older woman. "Are…you coming in too?" Evil or no, Kagura was still a familiar face, and, at the moment, Kagome was willing to take even her mortal enemy if it meant giving her some small semblance of comfort.
The wind sorceress seemed surprised by the question, but quickly recovered, smirking for the first time, though for once it lacked its usual cruel aura. "Of course…"
Again she nodded, and, gathering her courage, Kagome rose to her full height, lifting her chin into the air proudly as she marched through the arched doorway.
Naraku was sitting at a small round table of stone in the center of a large rectangular room. Windows were directly behind him, causing his hair to blow about from the outside breezes, and along all the walls were swords of every shape and size. Off in the corner was a stove that looked like it had once held very hot coals, and an anvil was beside it, telling Kagome this was where Inuyasha's family had forged their weapons.
"Impressed?" The familiar dark, cool voice chuckled as Kagome blinked and blushed, bringing herself out of her reverie. Naraku rose to his feet casually, his dark hair, highlighted by red, following him as he started pacing. "I should think anyone would be impressed by so many weapons…but I wonder, did you know that there is more to these swords then just their blades?"
Stupidly, numbly, Kagome found herself shaking her head as she found her gaze sweeping the room, noting the large blades and sharp edges of all the magnificent swords. For some strange reason, her attention was caught, more so then with any of the others, by a small, ragged, beat up looking sword that was barely the width of her tiny wrist. It looked so out of place in comparison to the others.
Naraku smirked. "Each of these blades was forged from the fang of a demon lord, so that it holds his spirit and his strength." He ran a hand over a particularly large sword, which curved upward dangerously at the tip, the blade itself wider then Kagome's torso. "Such magnificent weapons."
"And no doubt you use such weapons to keep men in line now," Kagome snapped without thinking, not appreciating this misleadingly pleasant conversation.
Naraku stopped and turned, for the first time really seeming to notice her, along with Kagura, who was now leaning against the wall to Kagome's left. He chuckled. "No, Kagome Higurashi, as much as it would please you to think so…make me seem even more evil…I do not use these weapons. Though it's not because I don't want to." He frowned. "Each of these swords was made for a specific person, and was designed to recognize its owner, and obey no one else."
Growing more and more annoyed, Kagome rolled her eyes and felt her annoyance at having been cooped up for so long, combined with her longing for Inuyasha and her friends, finally snap. "Begging your pardon, but what does this have to do with me?"
That brought forth an outright laugh from the dark man, and Kagome shuddered at the sound. "It has nothing to do with you, but I figured you would desire some form of conversation after having been left alone so long."
"I am not as feeble as that," she retorted, and heard a snort from her left, knowing it was Kagura.
Naraku chuckled again. "Of course you aren't. How else would you have survived so long, after all?" He indicated a chair. "Would you like a seat?"
"No."
"Very well." He reached into a pocket of his robes and pulled something out in a tight fist, unfolding his hand and revealing a flash of pink as Kagome saw the piece of the Shikon jewel she had been carrying on her wrist. "Do you recognize this, Kagome?"
"Of course I do," her eyes were fixated on the pink jewel piece. So that's where it had gone. She'd assumed Kagura had taken it, but had not yet made the connection that it meant Naraku had it as well.
"Then perhaps you know by now what it can do if put back together again?"
"Yes," that brought Kagome's head back up to meet his dark, cruel eyes. "It could give you ultimate power. That's no doubt why you've stolen that shard from me."
"Correct. But I have more that I want of you then just your shards."
"What?" She didn't like the sound of that.
Naraku reached once more into his robes and pulled out several shards of the jewel which were still black and showed them to her in his other palm. "These shards cannot be fused together with your piece until they are purified. And there are others still out there. Now do you understand?"
She was beginning to, and she didn't like what was happening one bit. "I won't do it," she stated firmly. "I won't purify the shards and put the jewel together for you. I'd rather die."
"Oh would you now?" He chuckled. "I have no doubt about your honor and loyalty to those of your country, Kagome, however, as I said before, I would not expect you to sacrifice yourself. Rather, I fully expect that, if you refuse, you will be forced to sacrifice one of your friends."
She tensed, recalling the same threat in their previous conversation. "You can't touch any of them. They are too powerful."
He laughed. "Not nearly powerful enough, Kagome. That pathetic monk and his cursed hand don't stand a chance once I release my poison, and the exterminator is still just a moral woman."
"Kouga…"
"Is a blind fool who acts on his emotions more then he does on common sense. I've watched him battle Kagura, and it's obvious that tricking him into his own death will not be difficult."
He sounded so arrogant, and Kagome found herself clenching her fists tightly to prevent herself from doing something stupid like blindly attacking the man. "Inuyasha," she ground out, "Can beat you. He's more powerful then you could possibly imagine."
At that Naraku laughed again. "Inuyasha? Powerful? He's naught but a hanyou, whose strength comes and goes on a whim. You've seen it; all I have to do is make him angry, and he turns into a mindless demon monster who will be easy for me to slay. Or I could just wait for the new moon, and kill him then."
"The full moon…?" Kagome didn't understand. "What's so important about that?"
For once Naraku seemed genuinely surprised. "You mean you…? Inuyasha hasn't told you about his little weakness? He hasn't told you his dark little secret?"
Kagome was growing more and more frustrated. "What the hell are you talking about? What secret?"
"Inuyasha's a hanyou, as you know…"
"Yes, so what's your point? What has that got to do with the new moon?"
"He turns human on the night of every new moon."
"What?"
"Yes," Naraku smirked. "It's his darkest secret, and I only know because I have my spies. He's told the monk, and I would have thought that you would…well, I guess he doesn't feel for you what I thought he did."
"Shut up!" Kagome felt something within her flare, and a pink aura sprang to life, surrounding her body and causing both Kagura and Naraku to stiffen in shock.
"What's happening, Kagura? You never told me about this…"
The wind sorceress smirked. "I did, but apparently you don't listen to me."
"This won't do," Naraku growled and lifted his arm, pointing his hand palm out towards Kagome, and she found herself flying back towards the wall, slamming her into the stone and rattling her teeth. She fell to the ground in a pained heap, the aura fading.
Vaguely she heard Kagura's angry voice cutting through the haze of her mind. "Oh for heaven's sake, Naraku, she's no threat to you. Leave her alone."
"What I do is of no concern of yours," he snapped back, "And you would do well to remember your place. Take her away, Kagura," he commanded firmly. "We're done for today."
Kagome felt a gust of wind, and then the sensation that she was floating. Her fingers clenched something soft, and as she rolled her head to the side she realized she was atop that feather that Kagura always carried in her hair. The wind sorceress was in her line of sight too, the feather floating level with her shoulders as she walked, and Kagome had a clear view of her face and, more importantly, her eyes, which were filled with a deep-seated rage.
"Wh…why?" She rasped out, wincing at the pain in her neck and jaw as she spoke.
Kagura flicked her gaze towards Kagome, and she could have sworn, though it could have been merely a trick caused by a minor concussion, that the woman's eyes softened slightly. "I hate it when he picks on those who have done nothing to deserve his cruelty."
"But…you…m-my mother…" Kagome could barely string together two words at a time, but she understood what the other woman was saying perfectly.
Kagura seemed to think for several minutes, her lips pursed into a serious frown, before it seemed like she made up her mind to speak. "Appearances aren't everything, Kagome," she commented with a sigh, lowering her head and smiling sadly, "Though I know there will be no heaven for me when my life is over. There's far too much blood on my hands now."
"But why…?" Kagome swallowed, feeling herself returning to consciousness slowly as the pain at the base of her neck slowly faded, though the rest of her body still ached from the impact with the wall. "I don't understand, Kagura…"
"Hn," She grunted and hardened her eyes once more. "What's there to understand? I made a mistake, and now I'm paying for it with my very life."
"So…" Kagome slowly sat up on the moving feather, "You regret…"
"Every day of my life."
"Then why?"
The wind sorceress started to reply, but stopped moving suddenly, her mouth freezing in place, half open, the feather Kagome was riding stopping as well. Wondering why the sudden change, Kagome glanced curiously in the direction of the older woman's gaze, and felt a jolt run through her body.
A little girl, who looked to be about Shippou's age, or perhaps a few years older, was walking towards them dressed all in white, her skin as pale as an albino, her hair like soft snow about her face. Her eyes were dark brown, a stark contrast to the light color of everything else on her body, and she held a mirror closely to her chest with her tiny hands. Her gaze was empty, and Kagome shivered unconsciously.
Children should look happy and innocent, with eyes that were brimming with curiosity and wonder. Not like this girl. It was like…Kagome shuddered again at the thought…it was like this girl had no soul.
"Kanna…" The voice hardly sounded like Kagura's, soft and distant, causing Kagome to turn suddenly and observe the wind sorceress who had been her enemy for so long. Her expression was tense, pulled tight like the skin of a drum, and her eyes held such pain, along with a certain amount of guilt, that Kagome wanted to cry. Who was this girl…?
"Sister," the white girl spoke, her voice soft, like that of an angel from heaven, but distant too, as though she were speaking from another time and place, "You should not anger Naraku. He is displeased with you."
Sister?! Kagome blinked several times and looked between the child and the grown woman frantically, trying to decide if what she had heard was accurate. This girl…this nymph from a seemingly faraway land…was Kagura's sister?
Things were unraveling more and more, and Kagome was starting to feel overwhelmed. It had been so much easier to hate Kagura. So much easier…but at the same time, her kind heart didn't like the thought of hating someone who deserved pity instead.
"You…you're his prisoner too, aren't you?" Kagome finally whispered, more to herself then anything, but Kagura flicked her gaze in her direction anyway, looking somewhat surprised. Kagome blushed. "I mean, you're like me, aren't you? He's forcing you to do things just like he's trying to force me to complete the jewel, isn't he?"
Kagura blinked several times in surprise, stunned that the girl had made the connection so quickly, but then, for an instant, allowed a slight smile, the first genuine smile she'd had in years as she looked back at Kanna. "She's the real prisoner…I'm merely paying the price for foolish mistakes, but Kanna, she was just an innocent child."
The light from the window glinted off something on Kagura's cheek, and Kagome blinked once more in shock. A tear? Kagura, the cruel and heartless wind assassin, could cry?
"Kagura…"
The wind sorceress hardened her eyes once more. "I don't want your pity. I've brought this all upon myself. But she," she pointed at the white child, "She does deserve your pity, and your help, if you can offer it."
"How…?" Kagome was speaking now without realizing what was going on, her concern for another's welfare coming before her long-standing hate for this woman who suddenly seemed so multi-faceted, and not just the cold blooded killer she had always seen. "How can I help her?"
Kagura smirked. "Break the mirror."
"That's all?"
"The mirror holds her soul. Broken, it will be free to return to Kanna's body. But don't fool yourself, girl," her eyes were hard as she spoke, "Naraku wouldn't make it so simple. It takes a very pure person to break the mirror in just the right way, for if it's broken the wrong way, then Kanna will simply die. It's strange that it takes a pure person to free Kanna, when Naraku created the mirror, and he's so evil. Perhaps it's because only a pure spell can imprison a soul…ironic, eh?"
Kagome glanced at the mirror for several silent seconds before she suddenly went rigid, her eyes going wide. "A pure person, you say?" She glanced at Kagura excitedly. "I can purify the shards…what if I could break the mirror too?"
"You…?" Kagura was now the one who looked shocked. "You'd do that?"
"Well," Kagome blushed, "As you say, your sister Kanna is the innocent in all of this, so yes, I'd do it for her."
"Kanna…" The wind sorceress softened her eyes, but then hardened them again, though this time it was in determination. "Kanna, show me Inuyasha."
Nodding, the white child rotated the mirror slightly, and Kagome watched in awe as the mirror shimmered slightly before revealing her beloved hanyou, his face marked by a scowl as he walked with a determined stride. The picture widened, and she saw, with surprise, Kouga, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou around him, all walking with the same sure steps.
They all…were coming to save her? The thought caused tears of joy to form in her eyes. "Inuyasha…"
"He is near," Kagura commented, not seeming to hear Kagome at all. "I could help you escape, and you could take Kanna with you and free her, since it could never be done with Naraku around. He would know in an instant what was happening."
Kagome woke from her stupor to gaze in wonder at the wind sorceress who had been her enemy for so long. "Kagura…wouldn't that get you killed?"
"Hn," the older woman raised her head slightly in pride, "I won't die until I see that bastard die his own horrible death. He's put me through hell, and now he deserves to rot there!" Her voice was as hard as flint, and suddenly Kagome could also see once more the cruel assassin she'd hated for so long. This woman was like Inuyasha, with two sides to her personality…and the thought frightened her, someone who was so open and honest about her own feelings.
"So, would you come with me too?"
"No."
"But…why?"
"I would not be welcomed among your friends. However, I would possibly come with you until I was sure that Kanna was free."
Kagome nodded. "I understand. So when will this happen?"
"Not yet," The wind sorceress suddenly glanced over her shoulder in a certain amount of fear, as though expecting to see a ghost standing behind her. "Naraku would be too suspicious after what I did back in the armory room. But perhaps in a few days…" She paused and thought for a moment. "And perhaps I can steal Inuyasha's sword, and have you return that to him as well."
"Inuyasha's sword?" Kagome was lost now. She recalled, slightly, Sesshoumaru mentioning the fact that there was a sword which bottled Inuyasha's demon side, but she'd assumed that's all it did. Just how much did she not know about the man she loved?
"Yes," she seemed to suddenly make up her mind, "And I'll get Sesshoumaru's swords too. With them, the brothers can surely defeat Naraku."
This was all moving too fast for Kagome, and she was feeling her head swim with all this information, and with the realization that she no longer had the heart to hate Kagura, the woman responsible for killing her mother. It was a strange sensation, letting go of hate…like a great weight was being lifted from her heart.
She glanced back to the mirror, where she could still see Inuyasha, and felt her heart flutter, like it always, did, when she looked into his amber eyes. They were so beautiful…and he was so beautiful. God, she loved him, and missed him terribly, like there was a great ache within her soul.
When had she come to love him so much? Was it that night when he promised to always protect her? Was it when he risked his life to save her? When he told her she smelled nice? Or was it before that? Had she loved him from the first moment he'd stepped through her door, sopping wet and glaring at her?
No…she'd hated him then…right?
How strange, she thought with a wistful smile. Love could make it seem like she'd loved him forever, when in truth she'd hated the way he treated her in the beginning. And it was love that made her willing to forgive him for all he said and did, too.
Kagura was saying something, and Kagome forced herself to pull her eyes away from Inuyasha's face and focus once more on the wind sorceress.
"I'll come for you in three days," she swore softly, as though suddenly afraid that someone would hear. "I'll bring the swords, and help you and Kanna escape. I'll stay behind for a time to make sure he doesn't follow you, and then I'll join you and the others to make sure Kanna is safe."
"O…okay," Kagome could only nod at the plan unfolding before her. She'd certainly never expected this. But then again, what with everything that was happening in her life, was it really so hard to believe that her once worst enemy had now become her saving grace?
