Chapter 7
Memories
She was ready. After the nightmares and the talks, she knew she was ready to end his life. She could shoot him in the back, though there would be no honor in such a thing. Besides, she wanted him to know. No, needed him to know that she, Kagome, was the one to decide his fate.
"You monsters! How could you!" She screamed, feeling the hate for 'him' rushing through her veins, giving her power more strength. She didn't pay much attention to the others with him, feeling that when he fell, they would either run, being weak without their demon, or challenge her and die. They betrayed her, she was sure; otherwise they would not be with the murderous half-breed.
"Kagome," He spoke, but she didn't want to hear from him. He didn't deserve to speak her name, nor deserve to ask for mercy, which she was sure he was going to do.
"Be quiet you wretched creature! You don't deserve to live! With all that you've done to me, to these people! You don't deserve any last words!" The rage had her shaking, but she knew it was now or never. There was nothing left to say, nothing that could fix what he had done. Only his death, and her vengeance for herself and others that he had hurt. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and released.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Flashback (Three days earlier)
She shot up in bed, covered in sweat and shaking with fear. She put trembling fingers to her eyes, trying to keep the tears that had welled up at bay. She didn't want to think about the nightmares, they frightened her to the core, but she couldn't push them away either. She knew they were her memories, that they were important, but why were only the bad ones made known to her?
"Why can't I experience one nice memory?" She asked the heavens, knowing she would get no answer though.
"Bad dream?"
She screamed, pushed herself opposite the voice, and ended up falling off the bed. She didn't stop, though, knowing that she was in no position to fight off an attacker, and scrambled to her feet. She ran for the door, praying that someone would come, but was stopped short. The intruder wrapped his arm around her waist, and put his hand over her mouth.
Just as any girl in her position might do, she panicked. She kicked and squirmed, but the man was too strong, and held her tight against him.
"Where's Naraku? Isn't he supposed to protect me!" Her mind screamed.
"Kagome, dear, you have to calm down. It's me, Naraku."
For a moment, one she would never question herself about, she felt dread upon hearing his name. It passed too quickly to grasp a meaning.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he told her once he felt her relax a bit in his arms.
She nodded her head, still not being able to speak, to let him know she understood. Once released, she turned on him.
"WHY did you do that? I don't know who you think you are, buddy, but you don't just sit in the dark waiting for some poor, defenseless girl to wake up so you can scare her to death! What were you thinking?" She put a finger up, wagging it at him as though he was a bad dog. If the girl hadn't amused him, he might have ripped her head off and sent it to her friends for her actions.
"I promise you, dear, that isn't what I was doing. I heard you scream, so naturally I came to check on you," he smirked when he saw her anger turn to confusion.
"I screamed in my sleep?" She looked down, not wanting to meet his eyes. She felt horrible now. She yelled at the man for coming to check on her.
"Yes. Now do you want to talk about it?"
"I'm sorry, for yelling at you, it's just...you scared me, and I didn't think. It was just a nightmare, and I'm sure you don't want to talk to me now so I'll just go back to bed." Still not meeting his eyes, she made her way back to her bed.
He mentally sighed. While this girl could be amusing at times, she was frustrating more so. He made his way to his previous seat by the bed, and lit a candle for her comfort.
"Kagome, I'm not mad at you. I understand. Now, please, tell me of your nightmare."
She thought about it for a moment. She didn't think it fair to unload her burden on him, but, well, she needed to tell someone, and he was offering.
"Ok, well first off, I'm pretty sure they weren't just nightmares, but memories. Are you sure you want to hear this now? It might take a while." At his nod, she continued.
"I was walking through a forest, and I came upon this girl. She looked kind of like me, only older, and she had two snake-like demons circling her. Anyway, I started running towards her, but she shot an arrow at me. It cut my cheek, but kept going. At first I didn't think she wanted to kill me, but then her arrow made a big hole, and I fell in. I managed to grab hold of a root, but I knew I wouldn't be able to hold on long. She appeared above me, said something, and then her demons brought me up. It's weird, because I can remember thinking that her eye's looked dead and cold, but I couldn't hear anything actually said," Kagome mused for a moment before continuing.
"She took my necklace. I believe it was the Shikon No Tama, or at least part of it. Instead of saving me as I thought she would, she just let me drop. It was confusing at first because that guy with the ears saved me. That one ended there. The next started almost the same way, in a forest with the same woman. She bound me to a tree, except this time the man came and they shared a very passionate moment. I tried to get his attention, but he ignored me. At first I wondered why would I see this, but now I think I know. It, my mind, was trying to tell me they were in league with each other.
She paused, sadness over coming her. She felt he betrayed her, more then just her friendship. She shook it off after a moment and continued once more.
"It didn't end there though. The last was the worst. There was blood everywhere, bodies on the ground. 'He' was there, his own hands covered in blood. He was laughing. Three men were on their knees, begging for their lives, and he was laughing. He was going to slaughter them, without a care. I think that's when I screamed. He turned and I saw that he wasn't the same. His teeth had elongated, purple jagged stripes adorned each cheek. But his eyes were what scared me. They looked as though they were filled with blood."
She shook with the memory. She hadn't realized she had started crying, until a tear fell on her hand. She quickly wiped her eyes, and for the first time since she yelled at him, she looked at Naraku.
He sat there contemplating all that she had told him. It was wonderful, not only was she having bad memories and nightmares, but she was also beginning to open up to him. Everything was working in his favor, and he knew it.
"We must do something about him, this Inuyasha. We must kill him Kagome." He rushed as he saw a look of fear cross over her features.
"You must think of all he's has done to you, to the innocent people. It's horrible, I know, to have to take someone's life, but I believe you are the only one who can do it, and it must be done. You are a priestess with great power, and I know you can do it."
Kagome slowly nodded her head. Everything he said made sense; she knew she had to kill him.
"Ok, how do I do it, and when?"
Naraku smiled. This was a lot easier then he could have ever imagined.
"You use the bow. I'm sure you will remember once you get it in your hands. We will work together until an opportunity arises for us to take out this despicable demon. Sleep now, we start working tomorrow."
True to his word, they did start working. Everything about the bow did come back to her, and even though she started a little rusty, she got better. Naraku even had another priestess come and teach a couple of things, such as channeling her power, and how to keep a better aim. Kagome worked for two days, striving for perfection. Aided with thoughts of 'him' killing innocents, she reached her perfection, and beyond.
They were outside, she practicing with her bow, he giving advice, when a young woman rushed outside. Naraku introduced her as Kagura, a wind witch and friend of his. Kagura told them of Inuyasha attacking and killing a village full of innocents close by, and that she felt they needed help. Kagome knew she was ready, and agreed. Naraku couldn't go, as he said that he didn't wish to be rude to the lord of the home, and told them to go ahead, he would catch up after he properly said farewell to the lord.
Together she and Kagura made their way to the village. She felt a little weird on the trip because of Kagura. Naraku had only mentioned her once, and until now she had never met her. She pushed those thoughts away though, wishing to focus on the task ahead of her.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa END FLASHBACK
Inuyasha couldn't understand it. He knew he had done things to her, but he had never done anything to these people. But it was too late now, too late to try to explain, too late to tell her that he was sorry, too late to even try to save his own life. No one else would save him, every one of his friends were in shock, and he didn't know if he truly wanted to even try to save himself. He closed his eyes, and readied himself for the impact.
He waited. He had heard that sometimes when death was coming it would happen slowly, but, damn, this was way too slow. He cracked open an eye and was surprised to see his view of Kagome blocked. In front of him stood Kikyo, holding her own bow in front of her causing a shield to form around her and the group.
He stepped aside just in time to see Naraku there talking to his Kagome. He saw her nod her head, then both take off with Kagura. He'd never felt so confused in his life.
"What the hell is going on?" He wanted to know.
"Isn't it obvious Inuyasha? Your precious Kagome has turned her back on you." Kikyo turned around, wishing to face the seemingly ignorant hanyou. She knew that even though the evidence was right there in front of his face he would argue.
"My mama wouldn't do that! Naraku must have her under a spell or something. Kagome loves me, she loves all of us!" Shippo screamed at Kikyo.
He couldn't imagine his Kagome turning against them; she loved them, and hated Naraku.
"I agree Shippo, he must have a spell or some other means to have her controlled."
Sango nodded, agreeing with the sometimes-wise monk.
"Well, regardless of what you may all believe, there was no spell. Surely, as a monk, even you see that. As for other means, I doubt it. She was doing this of her own will."
Shippo was ready to launch himself towards the woman, but stopped short upon hearing Inuyasha. They all turned to him, surprised that he had stayed silent for as long as he had.
"They're here," was all he said as he pulled Tetsusaiga from its sheath.
Coming around the corner was the man they knew as Suikotsu, grinning manically, behind him followed Jakatsu, who also seemed extraordinarily happy as well.
The group got into position to fight, Kikyo drawing her arrow to help. They knew of Jakatsu's sword, and of Renkotsu's fire, whom they were sure wasn't far behind. What bothered them though, was the sound. What ever it was, it was big and loud.
"Hey puppy, happy to see me? Cause I'm really happy to see you," Jakotsu pulled his sword out, puckered his lips and blew a kiss at Inuyasha.
"You're teamed up with Naraku, aren't you? What did he do to Kagome!" he yelled, while running towards them to attack.
Jakotsu parried the plow, quickly moving out the way before replying.
"Silly pup, you shouldn't concern yourself over a stupid woman. I couldn't care less if he did anything to her, but I do know that what your friend said is true. She did everything of her own volition," he said while easily dodging Inuyasha's attacks.
"Kagome would never team up with that bastard. So stop lying!" He moved in quickly landing a blow on Jakotsu's shoulder. It cut deep, but Suikotsu quickly started attacking, allowing him time to get away.
"You're in for a surprise pup," Suikotsu teased Inuyasha.
