Summary: In a fight with Naraku, Inuyasha is placed under a curse with devastating effects. Now, it's up to Kagome and some unexpected friends to cure him. But not with Naraku crushing what little hope they have…
Pairings: Inuyasha/Kagome Miroku/Sango Sesshomaru/Rin
AN: Sorry I haven't updated, been too caught up in algebra and my other fanfictions…
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Chapter 13
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It had been a while after Inuyasha had disappeared with Kikyo. Kagome wouldn't stop crying, her mournful sobs sinking the morale of the group. Miroku kept feeling an ominous presence in the area they were in, and suggested they leave. Kouga, obviously concerned about Kagome, called off the idea immediately, leaving everyone wallowing in their thoughts.
Finally, Sango spoke.
"Hey, don't you think we should get going now?" she asked. "I mean, we need to find a way to get up to those clouds and challenge Nali for that orb."
Kagome looked shocked. "How could you say that, Sango?" she asked, "Did you not see Inuyasha just be kidnapped in front of us?"
"I agree with Sango," Miroku calmly replied. "Although Inuyasha was captured by Kikyo, we don't know his whereabouts, and it would waste too much time searching for him. Our main priority now would be to get the orb of healing from Nali, and help Nagori. Without her, our journey has been for naught."
"Don't you even care about what's happened?" Kagome asked, tears trickling down her pale face. She made no move to remove them, and leaned her head down against her knees. "I don't care. I want to find Inuyasha first thing and make sure he's alright."
"Kagome, use your common sense!" Miroku shouted harshly, startling everyone. Kagome stared, with shock and fear in her eyes as she stared up into Miroku's hard, mauve ones. "I can only imagine what you must be going through, but think for a moment about what you're saying. If we do find Inuyasha, Nagori could be dead by then, and that would be our only chance for him to return to normal!"
When Kagome merely turned her head away, Miroku became more infuriated.
"Kagome, listen," he continued, quietly, but still harsh. "It would be wiser and more constructive if we locate the orbs and have what we need to cure Inuyasha; it would save us all a great deal of work and frustration. We-" Miroku was unable to finish his sentence by Kouga, who had punched him in the face. The monk collided with a tree, a loud cracking sound echoing throughout the distance. The dazed monk groaned, not even noticing as Sango rushed to his aid. The demon slayer sent death glares at Kouga, who only glared harder, infuriated.
"How dare you speak to Kagome that way, monk," Kouga growled. "I think we all deserve a rest after that ordeal. We still have a long way to go, and even if we try flying up there again, we'll just get shocked and come falling down here!"
"Then how do you suggest we get up there?" Sango asked darkly, clutching Miroku close to her as means of protection.
Kouga defiantly crossed his arms. "I don't know. All I said was that we can't get up there now, I never said that I knew what to do."
Suddenly, to everyone's surprise, Kagome slowly stood up. Wiping away a lone tear, she lifted her face revealing a smile. "I agree with Miroku," she said cheerfully. "He's right, Kouga, so stop telling him off."
"Kagome…" Kouga and Sango said simultaneously. Miroku, although still slightly dazed, stared as well, while Sesshomaru remained his usual, quiet self. Even so, they could see through Kagome's façade. That false smile, that usually eased everyone's feelings. They knew she just wanted to renew everyone's spirits, though sacrificing hers.
"We've wasted a lot f time, now," she informed. "We need to gather more information about Nali. Do you think there'd be a village or something that would know something about her?"
"I doubt it," Kouga replied softly, thought still staring bitterly at Miroku. "But we could give it a shot." Kouga stood up straighter and walked over to Kagome. "So, which direction?"
Kagome shook her head sadly. "If it isn't too much trouble, guys…I'd like to go alone."
Everyone seemed surprised at this sudden predicament. Kagome wanted to go ALONE? With no one to protect or look after her? All she had were her arrows, and they would be no use against someone in close combat!
"That would be unwise and rather stupid of you to say, Kagome," Miroku pointed out, clumsily standing to his feet and stumbling over to Kagome. He put a hand on her shoulder and continued, "We are venturing into lands we are ignorant of. We don't know who or what could be laying in wake. Whether or not they are friendly aren't our concerns. Whether they have the information we seek is the true objective of our gain."
"Then how about Kouga come with me?" Kagome suggested, glancing up at the wolf demon. "If you don't want us attracting unwanted attention, then we shouldn't wander around in large groups. So, here's what we'll do:
"Kouga and I will go into one of the nearby villages. You," Kagome pointed to Miroku, "and Sango could check and see if any travelers could know anything. Sesshomaru, you, Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Uhn would probably attract a lot of staring, so you can do what you please. Just try not to be spotted."
"Hmph, I don't need advice from a creature below my ranks," Sesshomaru scowled. "Take heed, human. Any more remarks like that, and it may be the last thing you ever say."
As Sesshomaru stalked off, his companions loyally followed, wanting to keep up with their lord. The rest shrugged and walked off towards the directions they were scheduled in.
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After about a half hour of wandering around in the hills, Kagome and Kouga finally came across a road, which led to a rather large town. Upon entering, they noticed how thick, limestone walls surrounded the village as a barrier, and how the houses were also mostly made of the hard stone.
The villagers were all outside, happily running about or selling goods. Apparently, this town was sparsely used for anything besides trading. The markets were filled with wooden booths with all sorts of jewelry, clothes, food, fine arts, and other assorted items of interest.
Kagome glanced in awe at the many assorted colors and shapes, trying to keep in mind the reason why they were really there.
Finally, they came across an old man, who was most likely the elder of the town. His old, ragged beard went down to nearly his knees, his head nearly stripped clean of hair; he wore a robe of dull colors, and carried a large oak staff, leaning on it as if it were a cane. Kagome had to smile; he had a strange, humor-filled expression that reminded her of her grandfather back home.
"Excuse me, are you the elder of the town?" Kagome asked sweetly to the man, who only went up to about her shoulders.
"Yes, I am," he replied in an old, croaky voice that was surprisingly deep. "Is there any business you want with me?"
"Yeah, old man, could you tell us anything about the dragon, Nali?" Kouga asked arrogantly. He wanted to hurry and leave, not wait around and be polite while the old man wallowed in his amusement.
"Nali, you say?" the elder cocked an eyebrow. "Why, I have. That dragon lays up in the clouds right above our very heads. People from all over Japan come in search of her, seeking her orb of healing to cure foreign illnesses that they cannot cure themselves."
Kagome stared, confused. "Wait, I thought that the dragons liked to keep secret, so why is Nali ;living out in the open?"
The elder chuckled, amused. "Once, I asked that myself. Apparently, Nali doesn't need to hide; people underestimate her power because of her color and appearance, but when you get right down to it, she's a force to be reckoned with. People come left and right, but are all knocked down, for they cannot defeat her at her games."
"I see…" Kagome murmured, amazed at how powerful Nali could be. "Could you tell us how to get to her, if that wouldn't be too much to ask?"
"Ah, yes…to get to Nali is simple enough." the elder exclaimed. "For it's very obvious. Only a pure-blooded dragon, whether from land or from sea, may enter the clouds. Anyone riding on that dragon is welcome, but ride anything else, and her barrier will stop you."
"Hey, Kagome," Kouga whispered to Kagome, "Do you think Sesshomaru's pet is a full-blooded dragon?"
Kagome shrugged. "Let's ask him later." she whispered back. He nodded, and the two turned to face him. "That's wonderful. Thank you for sharing with us!"
"Oh, don't mention it. Besides, I don't mind seeing two lovers trying to make the best out of life," the elder guffawed, as he laughed wholeheartedly. Kagome and Kouga stared at him oddly. They were certainly not lovers, no matter how much Kouga wanted them to be.
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Meanwhile, deep in the market, a certain priestess and hanyou were wandering about.
"Yo, Kikyo, why did I have this thing anyways?" Inuyasha asked, fingering the black and tan rosary in his hands.
"An evil sorceress placed it upon you," Kikyo lied. 'Yes…' she thought. 'Believe my words, for they will lead you further and further from Kagome's heart.'
The two stopped at a store, where a merchant lazed about carelessly on his chair, staring up at them with a look that clearly read 'Finally! A customer!'
He sat up straight in his chair, and said, "Greetings! How may I help such a fine lady such as yourself?" He graciously placed her hand in his own and kissed it lightly. A vein popped out of Inuyasha's head as he glared menacingly down at the merchant.
The merchant looked up at Inuyasha. "Oh, a thousand apologies, sir. Is this your girlfriend?"
Inuyasha turned bright red, and Kikyo giggled playfully. If Inuyasha hadn't been so embarrassed, he would have seen the smug look on Kikyo's face. The façade was going perfectly on her account, all she had to do was buy that certain item.
"Hey, how much is this necklace worth?" she asked kindly, showing the merchant Inuyasha's rosary.
"Hmm?" the merchant glanced at it. "Isn't this the binding rosary priestess' use?"
Kikyo nodded cheerfully. "You really want to trade this?" he asked, almost disbelievingly, although his heart soared. Kikyo nodded once more. "Well, then, madam, you are free to take one item from this selection; any one item you like."
Kikyo pretended to stare happily at the selection, although she already had her eye on a prize. She glanced at it seductively. With this, she could complete her plans. And Kagome's hopes would fall.
"I want this," she finally declared, plucking the item from the wooden table.
"Go ahead, miss, and thanks for the rosary," the merchant chuckled.
"Thanks," Kikyo said cheerfully, walking next to Inuyasha, and moving along.
"What'd you need to get that was so important?" Inuyasha finally asked in his usual cocky attitude. "That rosary thing looked like it was probably a lot more valuable than whatever you got."
"Oh…just something we may need in the journeys ahead of us." Kikyo replied. If lies could show on the skin, Kikyo would be covered with it. But she didn't care. Oh, no, she just wanted to get Kagome out of the way for now, until the right time…
TO BE CONTINUED……