Enchanted Orbs
Chapter 43 Decisions
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They were not as fast as the creature. Impossible. But true. Watching Darkness run was like watching night creep over the land, you know it is happening, but your eyes cannot follow the movement.
It appeared as floating; Darkness seemed unbearably slow to both Sesshoumaru and Aishi from watching his movements, and yet he continued to pull away from them no matter their speed. Eventually, Sesshoumaru was reduced to tracking his scent because he could not recognize this being's aura or power. But it was not as if Sesshoumaru was ignorant of his course.
No, Sesshoumaru knew exactly where Darkness was headed, but the taiyoukai wanted to know exactly where this thing was when he and his general arrived at the Eastern Palace.
Everything about Darkness was a mystery; his power was foreign. He had a veil of magic wrapped around him, and Sesshoumaru had yet to have a chance to test his fighting skills. It was unsettling to say the least. The taiyoukai had always made it a priority to know his enemies and their skills before he engaged them. But there was no time. This creature would reach Kagome first. Something twisted in his gut, a sickening feeling, almost like a wound caused by a poisoned blade.
Why did this concern him so? He didn't know, but his instinct told him something was wrong. Sesshoumaru was a taiyoukai, and his instinct was never wrong. His pace sped, and Aishi hastened his as well. They might not be able to catch this creature, but they could diminish the time he was given to surprise those in the Eastern Lands.
They were amidst the depths of the night, the hidden folds where even insomniacs sleep, velvet black colored any and everything around them. There was no moon to light the way. It was ominous, a sign, darkness reigning over the land. But at their pace they would reach the Eastern Estate just as night falls on the next day.
But his gut still wasn't appeased. Would he be too late?
It was a race, a race he couldn't lose. He hadn't felt panic like this in all his centuries of existence, but then again, this wretched girl had caused him many emotions he had never experienced before. Some, good, but most were bad. Panic, anxiety, discomfort, and the equivalent of emotional pain, all because of her. But, despite that, it seemed as if the good outweighed the bad. Through her, he had also experienced companionship, laughter, joy, and the love she seemed to lave upon all who let her. And that gave him a sense of inner peace which made all the bad disappear…
…But he could still give her hell about it. He imagined watching her indignant expression and the huff of air she always exhaled after he dealt a blow to her ego right before she would gather courage with the inhale to attempt to insult him in return.
No, he would not be too late.
And when this was over, when they reached the Eastern Lands, he would take her home. Back to the strange land in which she lives, the distant future.
She was a weakness, and he was not allowed weaknesses. No, that wasn't right, though that was the mindframe he tried for, the truth was, she couldn't stay.
He wanted to remember her as she is now, young and vibrant, caring and beautiful. He knew he was not strong enough to stay by her side as time slowly stripped her of her brilliance. So she would go. Besides, it was too dangerous here, and he wanted her safe. She would go back if he had to throw her over his shoulder and drop her down that infernal well.
His jaw set as he realized he had finally decided what to do with her. Actually, what he would do with both his girls. His girls…his eyes softened, and he almost smiled at that thought.
Kagome and Rin, how had those two fragile beings shattered his walls? But it would be better that way. Rin would grow up with her own kind in a time when youkai would not, could not hurt her, and Kagome would give her the unabashed love Rin so deserved.
Maybe he could even find a way to overthrow whatever fate had in store for the youkai population and see them again. Someday.
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Mokuso sat on the floor with her legs crossed in a rather un-lady-like position, but she didn't care. She was restless and anxious, and there was nothing she could do about it. Nothing she was allowed to do about it.
Only a few feet from her, Lord Dachi and Lady Nara were engaged in a tense conversation. Mokuso had heard the beginnings of the debate, but once she realized what they were discussing she didn't want to hear anything else about it. They were arguing about whether or not they should warn Kagome about certain talents of which the enemy was capable. Kagome was her friend, and Mokuso felt she would betray her lord and lady's decision if they decided against telling the miko. So Mokuso tuned out the conversation.
A nudge against her thigh brought her attention to the little youkai in front of her. The scout smiled down at the little neko.
Kirara had been left with the lord and lady despite her fighting capabilities. The little youkai had been convinced to stay and take the rulers to safety in case things went wrong. Kirara was no fool; she had survived and fought for centuries, but she also knew how very important it was that Dachi and Nara remain safe.
Her mistress, Sango, had sent her to help Kagome, but if Kagome was worried over protecting the lord and lady, she would not be able to protect herself. And Kirara was more than aware of how strong Kagome had become. She could take care of herself now; Kirara just had to make sure her selfless nature didn't interfere with the miko's sense of self preservation. If she ever had one.
But currently, Kirara was more concerned with the one called Mokuso. She seemed about ready to tear her own hair out with the tension in her muscles. So as any loyal animal would do, she tried to soothe the female.
Rubbing against her tense leg, Kirara stole Mokuso's thoughts away from the battle that could be raging around her home, away from the concern building about a certain general who was so far away from her, but yet so very near to her heart.
Mokuso tensed with the caresses at first, but finally, she gave in to the cat's persistence. Wrapping her arms around Kirara, Mokuso picked up the vicious kitten and began stroking her back and tickling her sensitive ears, causing tension to seep from the bodies of both youkai.
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A dark figure stood at the forest at the edge of the clearing waiting for the opportune moment. The creature had not expected the Eastern Lands to hold up against his army, but imagine his surprise when he found they had not even reached the castle.
There was a barrier there, one that none of the men under his control had the ability to break. It was a problem indeed; but every problem had a solution. He just had to figure out who was responsible for the obstacle and break their mind. But another problem stood posed before him. He could not find any of their minds within the shield.
Darkness called forth his livery, a creature he could create and control at will, the spider. A single black spider, though he had the ability to create hundreds at a time (one would be sufficient), appeared in his hand. He sent the arachnid out through the grass of the field; aided by magic, the spider reached his army in seconds.
The creature hidden in the trees called for his minions to cease moving their feet. They still attacked the barrier, but it would not do for his spider to be crushed.
The arachnid reached the barrier and crawled a little ways up the dome. Then with magic foreign to the lands of Japan, Darkness pushed his livery through the shield. The being was instantly aware of every mind within the castle, but he was only interested in one.
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Kagome walked slowly, as if in a trance, towards the wolf prince who was blindly kicking and punching at the barrier between them. It was beyond strange. He looked straight through her; she didn't exist to him. He lived only to obey the will of his master.
She realized her hand had reached out to the barrier, as if to caress her friend's face. There had been a time when he would pierce her with his crystal gaze and profess his undying desire for her to be his mate. But someone had stolen all his desires. Even though his persistent demands and proposals had annoyed her beyond belief then, how she longed to hear him preach to her again of his love.
What she wouldn't give to have her friend shouting insults and curses at Inuyasha.
Kagome sighed and pulled her hand back to her chest. She felt like crying; turning, she gazed past her concerned bodyguard and looked up to Inuyasha standing on the wall above her.
He and Kikyou were so close to each other, as if they were crowded together, though no one stood that close to either of their other sides. With just a tiny push of wind their sleeves would touch, but there was tension present between them. The tension of attraction, the bittersweet barrier between lovers before they confess everything, shattering that barrier.
It made her think of times gone by. It felt like such a long time ago that Inuyasha was her world, and she would have given her very life to make him happy. Kikyou was there now; she had always been there, but Kagome never really wanted to admit it. Inuyasha would never allow Kagome to be the only one in his heart. It was a hard pill to swallow, but the realization was much easier on her than it would have been a month ago.
Kagome sighed and tried to concentrate on the situation at hand. How does one fix this without hurting her friends?
Just as she thought that, she felt a bit strange. Light-headed. Tired, no, not tired…exhausted. But that wasn't all she felt, it was unsettling, as if she was not alone in her own skin. Like something was moving within her very soul, had her power manifested itself in a new way?
No, that couldn't be it because she was feeling unbearably weak. She swayed on her feet and tried to think of any reason why she should be feeling this way. But Kagome could think of none. Not one reason.
Her memory searching was interrupted by a thought. 'I can't hold the shield up. I'm too weak.'
And then she felt her shield thinning. But it wasn't right. Nothing about this situation was right. She wasn't thinking of the shield, why would it jump into her mind like that?
And why would she be too weak to hold the barrier. She was strong enough to withhold a miko's shield even in sleep; Kagome had demonstrated that point on the way to the Eastern Estate. Even in the depths of exhaustion, Kagome could hold up a shield.
This wasn't right. Wasn't right at all.
But it didn't matter because Kagome could feel the shield falling, slipping through her grasp as she tried to funnel more energy back into it. But the weakness came again. She managed to hold up the barrier, yet her knees gave out.
Kariudo was there to prevent her from falling; his strong hands gripping her arms and supporting her weight.
Kagome could feel something ruffling through her mind. It was terribly uncomfortable, and she could feel the intrigue of the creature doing such things. And now she knew. She knew without a doubt that it wasn't her thoughts convincing her of her weakness and inability to hold her shield.
But despite this knowledge, she wasn't able to cast this thing from her mind. She couldn't fight something she couldn't she. Her hands gripped her head, and she screamed.
Kagome was fighting, but something was keeping her from accessing her power. Even if she could, she didn't know what to do with it. And her shield was slipping again. Weakening, thinning into nothing.
She had the chance to scream a warning before it would fall. "Kikyou!" Kagome screamed in warning before the miko felt her barrier dissolve.
But Kikyou felt her shield slipping before Kagome shouted her warning, and had begun chanting. As soon as Kagome's barrier fell, Kikyou had another thrown into place. For that Kagome was glad, and she felt relief course through her before that thing started attacking her mind again.
She felt her memories being ripped from her, could feel it like a snake worming its way through her mind. It was searching for something within her, and she couldn't fight it. It was violating her mind in the worst way, but she had no defenses from such things.
Kagome screamed again. In a sudden shift, there was a sort of peaceful feeling amidst the chaos. Then her mind went blank.
Kariudo had been frantically searching for some breach in the barrier since Kagome had grasped her head. Something was attacking the woman he was assigned to protect, and that was not acceptable. But there was really nothing he could do to defend her against an invisible foe. Was there?
But a miko's barrier was meant to keep out any being that would cause harm to those within its protection, and something was obviously harming Kagome. Thus, there had to be something inside the shield with them. Something small and near unseen, something they could not sense.
There. Camouflaged in front of the youkai attacking the shield was a small black spider. A harmless looking creature staying absolutely still inside the barrier. He quickly released Kagome with his right hand, supporting her writhing form with his left arm now wrapped around her, and gathered youki into his hand.
Kariudo pulled his arm back to gather momentum and flung the deadly energy at the intruder just as he felt Kagome go limp in his other arm.
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Darkness felt his connection with his spider sever with its death, and he no longer controlled the girl. It was rather shocking to sift through her mind, but the creature had also learned many things. Many very intriguing things.
The dark figure within the trees could have easily sent more spiders to breach the shield, he could easily overthrow those holding up the shield. But he let them have this victory, for now the creature had a different plan. So he casually walked farther into the trees calling his minions with him.
The Eastern Forces were well prepared right now, but with the setting sun, new possibilities would present themselves. He would let the lord think the attack failed, he would let them believe he had retreated. His forces would, truly, leave the area. But…
But his form was darkness made flesh, and he was just as dangerous as the army he controlled. And though the army behind those walls was prepared for his movements, there was a certain weapon he had yet to release upon the unsuspecting defenders, a new weapon he looked forward to utilizing.
Because once the creature enters your mind, and gains control of it, it is much easier to re-enter, and he could call her to his side from miles away.
Yes, the one called Kagome would be the perfect force to tear the Eastern Manor apart. A smile lit his features. She was very powerful and beautiful; perhaps they might even rule the conquered lands together.
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"Kagome? Kagome, wake up. Can you hear me?" Inuyasha stared down at his long time friend and companion.
He was more than worried about her. Hell, everyone was. Not even a single blow to any of those who stood beneath the barrier, yet Kagome fell unconscious in Kariudo's arm. It wasn't just that she lost consciousness, it was the way she fell. Kagome was grasping her head as if she would garrote her skull with her own fingers and screaming.
Shrieking.
Even when injured by lethal youkai, Kagome had never yelled in such a manner. If she got in the way, or if he was somewhat slow to defend her, the miko would cry out, but it was only a voiced exhale of breath. Not a prolonged scream, not like he had just heard. In fact, she usually called out more when her friends were injured; she rarely paid any heed to her own pains.
But this, her voice sounded clear across the field, agonized. It almost pulled tears from his eyes. What had happened to her? And why hadn't she awakened from this state?
"Inuyasha? May I try?" Kikyou's soft voice penetrated his confused stupor.
"Huh? Oh yeah, sure." He gently set her down on the floor of the hallway.
After Kagome had fainted, Kariudo carried her to the top of the estate's defensive wall where everyone else stood. Her friends were immediately concerned with her unresponsive state, but they were also in the middle of a battle. Shouron had instructed everyone to hold their positions in case the battle began anew. The general was extremely distrusting of the sudden retreat of the invading youkai, and wished to take no chances.
But Inuyasha tore Kagome from Kariudo's arms and headed into the manor intending to take her to the infirmary. Kikyou followed him silently. But on the way to the beds of the medical wing, Kagome had shifted in his arms.
The former hanyou and his intended gazed down at Kagome as it seemed she would wake soon. But nothing had happened.
Kikyou placed her fingers on Kagome's temples and gently pushed a bit of her energy into the comatose female. She immediately shifted and moaned a bit. Kikyou softly pushed Kagome's bangs away from her face, and cradled her cheek, still letting her miko energy graze across her skin.
Kagome gasped as her eyes shot open. Blue, terror-filled eyes quickly swirled around the room, evaluating her surroundings. Resting her eyes on Inuyasha and Kikyou, she sighed and relaxed.
"Welcome back." Kikyou's soft voice greeted her.
"What the hell happened?" Inuyasha gruffly voiced his own concern.
Kagome looked from one to the other before sighing deeply. "I don't really want to talk about it right now. Can we just skip the explanation til later?" Kagome pleaded, her voice tired.
Inuyasha and Kikyou glanced at each other then looked back down at Kagome. "Take your time." Kikyou said firmly before Inuyasha could deny her request.
He huffed and glared at Kikyou, but the smile that lit Kagome's features at the statement made him back down from the demand he wished to place on her.
They helped her to her feet. Kagome's attention immediately went back to the battle. "What's happening? Is everyone alright?"
Inuyasha looked over at her. "They just left, the cowards. The youkai retreated without so much as a signal." His voice was arrogant, but both females could sense the uneasiness in his posture.
Kikyou proceeded where he left off. "As soon as you fell, the youkai halted their attacks. Shouron doesn't trust it, so the warriors are still on the wall for surveillance purposes."
Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, if you don't mind then, I think I'm going to go take a bath and rest. It is getting late." Her voice dragged with weariness, and they couldn't help but nod in agreement.
She gave them a soft smile and turned to leave. She had not gotten a proper night's sleep in too long. Between anxiety with the upcoming battles and cataclysmic dreams, which still plagued her, she was steadily feeling less and less energetic.
Reaching her room, she grabbed her night clothes, which consisted of a tank top and shorts, then picked up her bathing supplies, hugging them to her chest. Finally, she threw a robe over her shoulder. The miko did not wish to cross the castle in indecent attire after her bath, but packing the pajama pants and shirts in which she used to sleep began to take up too much room in her pack, room that could be used for food. So, shorts it is.
The room she was given to bathe was right down the hall, but she really didn't feel like climbing in the wooden vat tonight. No, she wished to visit the springs she found behind the castle. She knew this was dangerous, but Kagome needed it. She felt lost. Seeing Kouga like he was today upset her greatly.
He was an unspoken strength to her, though she would never admit it aloud. When Inuyasha degraded her and compared her to Kikyou, Kagome would keep herself sane with remembrances of the wolf prince's love. Try as she might, she couldn't return it, but Kouga had once been in her thoughts quite a bit when Naraku was still at large, and when Inuyasha was so continuously frustrated.
So she needed to get away from the manor, Kagome yearned for a small piece of the past. The hotsprings nearby would serve to calm her, and it would allow her to pretend, for just a few moments, that her life wasn't so terribly confusing.
And there was still that immortality thing. Can't forget that. Kagome's face soured a bit.
Before she left the protective walls, Kagome cast her senses out, looking for threats, but it would seem that the attacking army had truly left. They were quite a ways away and still moving further. The only youkai Kagome could sense were those of the Eastern and Western Forces within their barracks and the lookouts on the walls.
Kagome began to make her way to her intended target. Occasionally in her way, she would see a shadow from an eastern soldier fly overhead, their great wings extended, looking for any threats. But Kagome was not concerned; she had covered herself, scent, aura, and appearance, as she moved through the castle. It was not meant to deceive; she just did not feel like talking to anyone right now.
Everyone who had seen her since her fainting spell, that's what everyone had begun calling it, had asked her what had happened, and if she was alright. And though she appreciated their concern, she really did not wish to speak of it. She did not want to don a cheerful expression to try to convince others of her health because she didn't feel healthy. Kagome felt sick, but it wasn't the sickness which could be cured with medicines and rest. It was an emotional illness.
Kagome had been dealt too many shocks in too short a time period, and she needed time to cope with those things. Once she dealt with them herself, then she could be the joyous strength everyone seemed to need her to be.
She sighed, Kagome felt weary, a bone-aching exhaustion, but she was coming to the springs now. Setting her stuff down on the rocky bank, Kagome undressed after another quick scan and entered the water. The miko felt a great tension leave her body as she succumbed to the comfort nature offered her. After a few moments of simply soaking, Kagome began rinsing the grime from her person, and with it, washing away her cares.
It was therapeutic, and just what she needed right now.
As she was rinsing the last of the soap from her body, her doubts returned. She could cry right now, and no one would notice. But she would not, Kagome was strong now, and she would not. She reached over and grabbed her shaving equipment to begin the tedious process.
All the while, Kagome was debating the pros and cons of her current situation. Pro: Kouga and the others could probably be saved if the one controlling him is killed. Con: Kagome didn't know who was controlling the youkai or how long they had been under his control.
Pro: She no longer had to be as careful around youkai because she couldn't just die. Con: While her body constantly healed itself, keeping her young for…ever, her friends and family would age and die. And she would be alone. Con: she couldn't go home. She would be an outcast, not belonging anywhere, having to constantly move so no one could discover her secret, so no mad scientist would try to dissect her to find a fountain of youth.
Kagome yelped as she cut herself. The razor in her hand had slipped her mind as she delved into her problems, and for that, she gained more. She watched as the blood slowly trickled down her leg.
Dachi had told her that she held enough power to cheat death, that within her blood flowed the power gained through centuries of lifetimes. Funny, it looked like anyone's blood to her.
She set her jaw and decided that the pity party was over. With a tiny bit of power, Kagome healed the cut then rinsed the blood away. She washed her legs in the spring and reached for her towel. As she began drying her skin, she felt uneasy, as if something was wrong.
Kagome cast her senses out again; nothing was wrong. The youkai army had not returned; none was near her. But she was not calmed. She still felt something wrong, something tickling her instincts.
Then her mind was wiped blank.
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The creature smiled at his timing. He saw through her eyes; she was not in the castle. Kagome was only a mile from his location, and she was in a rather provocative situation. He looked down her body and found that it pleased him. And he was decided.
She would be his queen.
He called her to him; commanded her presence. But he was surprised when she refused; he had blanked her mind. There should be nothing left of her to fight with; granted that was only until she came to him. When she was before him, he would use the very doubts that gave him easy access to her mind to win her voluntarily to his side.
Kagome was incredibly confused; her loyalty would be easily gained.
But she still fought him; he could certainly force her, but he was curious as to what she would fight so fiercely against. Searching through her mind, he almost laughed. She was incredibly modest.
Though it would please him greatly to see her in the current situation, it was not best to start their time together with a fight over such trivial matters. The creature allowed her to clothe herself then pressed her to his will.
And she was coming.
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Ok, so not a whole lot left to the story now, two maybe three chapters left. Sorry about the late update; I was out of town a lot longer than planned. I hope to post the next chapter next week. Its almost over, and that saddens me, but my lovely reviewers are so awesome, and I have never felt so supported as when I read your comments. Thank you from the entirety of my heart, and I hope you enjoy the ending I have planned.
Syrinx
