Chapter 18: Naraku's Chance
"AH-HA!" Tsuki cheered as she danced around the fountain. "I KNEW it would work!" All the other fairies had gathered to watch the battle and were totally shocked when Sesshoumaru saved Kagome, causing the chain to break. "HA!" She pointed at Haruka, who had a grin on her face.
"I will never doubt you again, Tsu." Haruka smiled.
"And I will hold you to that, forever." Tsuki sat on the edge of the fountain. The fairies who had been watching quickly disbanded, mumbling their opinions about it all. "And he sent her away to protect her." Tsuki shook her head.
"He's changed." Haruka remarked.
"She's changed." Tsuki countered.
"They've both changed." Haruka said and Tsuki nodded.
"What do you think this will mean for the task that She must complete?" Tsuki wondered out loud. "And how will this story end, now that something new has been put into play?"
"I haven't the clue. I guess we shall wait and see." Haruka sighed.
"I hate waiting." Tsuki groaned.
"Hai... me too." Haruka sighed once more.
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The group had been running for quite some time. But now Kagome no longer smiled. Pain from her wound finally caught up with her, and exhaustion from battle was making her weary. She felt new blood trickle down her ankle, seeping through the bandage. Haku had stabbed her right through her ankle, and although the needles were thin, they cut like razors, letting blood trickle from the entry wound to the exit.
Miroku looked back at Kagome and noticed her pale face. And then his eyes slid down to Kagome's wound and he immediately stopped running. "Inuyasha!" He called to his hanyou friend who turned around and looked at him. "We need to stop." Inuyasha looked at him and then Kagome who was riding on Kirara.
Kirara instinctively stopped, she could smell blood, Sango turned to see Kagome and her eyes widen with horror. Inuyasha stopped and walked over to the group.
All were looking at Kagome, all were worried. "I'm fine guys, we have to keep moving." Kagome gave a weak smile but no one moved.
"No." Inuyasha said as he looked at Kagome directly in the eyes. It had been the first time since the confrontation in the forest that he actually directly spoke to her. "You're injured and you need rest. Sango, get some more bandages, Miroku light a fire." He walked over to Kagome and reached out to pick her up.
She flinched and Inuyasha withdrew his hands, hurt from her reaction. "I only want to help you." He mumbled and Kagome sorrowfully looked at him.
"I know, I'm sorry." She mumbled back. Inuyasha reached out again and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off Kirara, he cradle her body against his, walked over to where Miroku was lighting a fire and gently set Kagome down. Unwrapping her bandages, Inuyasha set the bloody ones next to him and took the clean ones from Sango.
Ever so lightly he wrapped it around her ankle. Kagome cringed, but remained still. When Inuyasha was done he patted it lightly and met Kagome's gaze. His gaze was remorseful, sorry for what he's done. He opened his mouth to say something...
But something...no...someone snatched Kagome from her resting place. A long arm stretched from the forest and grabbed the young miko by the waist. It forcefully pulled her into the trees.
"KAGOME!" Everyone screamed with horror.
A deep chuckle could be heard from the forest. Naraku rose from the trees holding a wiggling Kagome against his chest. Instantly Inuyasha drew out his sword and sent Kaza no Kizu hurling towards Naraku. A purple bubble surrounded Naraku and Kagome, blocking the attack effortlessly.
"Foolish hanyou. You are dealing with the real Naraku this time. You're shocked?" He laughed at the portrait of shock each face was portraying. "You shouldn't be. I for one realize that the only way to get this job done is to do it myself." His arms wrapped across Kagome. "She's beautiful, isn't she Inuyasha?" His kissed her ear and Kagome threw her head back to pop him in the face. "And feisty. I like them tough."
"YOU SICK SON OF A BITCH YOU PUT HER DOWN RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!" Inuyasha roared and Naraku only chuckled in response.
"Say goodbye, my dear. We shall be leaving now." Naraku laughed and then raced across the forest.
Inuyasha desperately tried to follow him, but it was no use. Naraku had covered his scent. The location of his castle was hidden; Inuyasha didn't have a clue of where to begin.
"SHHHHHIIIIIIITTTT!" He screamed as he punched the nearest tree. He had let Kagome down. When she finally came back to him he had let her get taken by Naraku. "DAMMIT!" He cursed and then sat down in a huff. He needed to think. He had to find a way to save her.
Before Naraku hurt her, and before Sesshoumaru found out.
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Sesshoumaru's eyelids slowly opened. Everything was a blur. He blinked and things became more focused. He was sitting under a tree, his back against its hard trunk, his boa circled around him, supporting his back like a pillow, and a young girl sitting patiently next to him, staring.
"Rin?" He asked once his eyes focused.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin is so glad Sesshoumaru-sama is awake! Rin was so worried when Rin found Sesshoumaru-sama lying under the tree not moving!" Rin exclaimed.
Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru tried to remember the last thing that happened. He remembered fighting Orochimaru, and then everything went black as the Tensaiga carried him away from the burning village into safety.
Kagome...
Her name floated across his mind. He had sent her away after he saved her, after the chain broke. After that he fought every ninja around, killing them all, claiming the shikon shard.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes snapped open; Rin was staring at him sweetly. He realized he was on the outside borders of the western lands, but what made him get up so suddenly was the he remembered...
He had sent Kagome to Inuyasha.
Rising to his feet, Sesshoumaru patted Rin on the head. "Go find Jaken." He ordered and Rin nodded. Sesshoumaru then sped off into the direction of Inuyasha, his mind racing. If that damn hanyou let anything happen to Kagome, he would kill him. He would flat out kill him.
Following the boy's retched stench, it didn't take long for Sesshoumaru to come across him sitting in the middle of the forest muttering curses to himself.
Despite the wounds in his chest, Sesshoumaru sped to Inuyasha, grabbed his throat and pinned him to the nearest tree. His friends let out their usual scream, calling his name over and over again.
"Where is Kagome?" Sesshoumaru growled as Inuyasha clawed at Sesshoumaru's hand.
Sesshoumaru expected Kagome to appear behind him and tap him on the shoulder saying, "For a powerful youkai you have poor smelling. I'm right here!"
But the slight fear in Inuyasha's eyes was telling Sesshoumaru... there was something going on. Aggravated at the hanyou's silence, he squeezed harder. "Where is Kagome?" He roared.
"She's..." Inuyasha coughed. "She's...been...taken!" He wheezed out.
"By who?" Sesshoumaru asked through gritted teeth, showing off his fangs. A crimson red began to outline his golden eyes, and Inuyasha's fear was growing.
"Nar..a...ku..." Inuyasha coughed.
Not saying a word, Sesshoumaru effortlessly threw Inuyasha's body across the forest and into a tree. It snapped in half and Inuyasha limply sat at the broken trunk. Sesshoumaru turned around, his eyes a deeper red.
"I will kill you." He said coldly and began after Inuyasha when Miroku stopped him.
"Sesshoumaru! The more we stand here and fight the more time ticks away at Kagome's life! We have to find her!" Miroku shouted at Sesshoumaru who immediately stopped.
Inuyasha's death could wait. The monk was right, he needed to find Kagome. But how? Naraku's castle was hidden. His scent, aura, all hidden. How do you find something you can't see, sense, or smell? Sesshoumaru was pacing now, just like Kagome.
Kagome.
The thought of that damn hanyou touching her angered him to no end. He needed to find her, and now. If it weren't for that damn crazy ass fairy, he wouldn't be stuck here right now.
'Tsuki!' Sesshoumaru thought suddenly. She or her stupid friend, Haruka would know where to find Kagome. He would summoned that stupid wench right now.
Withdrawing the Tensegia, Sesshoumaru thrust it's blade in the ground. The group that remained silent began to gaze at each other with worry glances.
"Haruka, you wench, get your ass here now!" Sesshoumaru roared as the sword glowed blue and a beam of light surrounded it.
Haruka floated from the sword's hilt and levitated high in the air above Sesshoumaru. She crossed her arms and gave him a hard glare. "Excuse me? I expect a little more respect, Sesshoumaru." She growled.
Everyone watched the spirit with awe, only Sesshoumaru wasn't dazed by her appearance. "Cut the shit, Haruka. I need to find Kagome. Naraku took her."
Haruka's glare turned into a smile. "I still can't believe it actually worked. If you want me to help, you have to give me something to which I can use. Do you have anything of Kagome's?"
The damn backpack was at the western lands. Sesshoumaru cursed and was about to say he'll go get it when a soft voice spoke up. "All we have is this bandage that was wrapped around her ankle."
Shippou walked to the spirit and held up the bandage. Haruka's face soften as she bent down and took it. Lightly she brushed away Shippou's tears. "Thank you, this is perfect. And never fear, Sesshoumaru will find her and bring her back safe."
Standing up, she held one end of the bandage. She raised it high in the air and then her lips began to move in a silent chant. Her vision turned inward as the bandage began to twirl, faster and faster it went and then it grew in lenght.
Suddenly, the other end shot into the forest. "Follow it." Haruka commanded to Sesshoumaru. "It will lead you to her." Instantly Sesshoumaru was gone, following the flying bandage.
The gang followed but could not keep up with Sesshoumaru's demon speed.
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"Comfortable, Kagome?" Naraku crooned as he took his place leaning against the wall across from her, staring out the window at his barren land that was covered in a deep fog of purple.
"Peachy." Kagome spat. She was chained against the dungeon wall, her arms above her head. Luckily she was able to sit down. The dungeon was dark, the walls spine tingling cold.
"Must you have that sarcastic barrier?" Naraku smirked. "Of course you know that Kikyou's dead." He got right into the subject.
"Ding-dong, the witch is dead." Kagome mumbled, thinking of an English movie she once saw.
"You must have been so happy as soon as you found out that the one person who was standing in your way was finally out of picture. Of course, what you don't know is the story behind it all." Naraku's voice teased.
Kagome sighed, "And I bet you're just itchin' to tell me. Well go on Naraku, enlighten me." Kagome rolled her eyes, but in the dark Naraku couldn't see.
"As you know Kikyou was working for me. And I asked her to drag Inuyasha to hell. But what I find funny is that Inuyasha had known all along that it was a trap, and yet he still went for it." Naraku's lips twisted to an evil smile.
"Pity, the world wouldn't know what to do without his senseless noise." Kagome said flatly and Naraku chuckled.
"Inuyasha, he is an enigma." Naraku shook his head.
"Yes, as much as single-cell bacteria is." Kagome countered but Naraku paid no attention.
"It's funny, really. I've captured you twice. And the first time all I had to do was lure Inuyasha away with Kikyou, and you fell into my hands. The second time, I just...snatched you. And then took you away." Naraku's smile was darkened with lust, lust at the mental pain he was about to inflict on Kagome. He couldn't wait.
"It seems to me that Inuyasha doesn't protect you as much as he would if you were...Kikyou." His lips curved into a sadistic smile. It was time for the low blows, comparing her to Kikyou. It wouldn't be long now. "After all, who would want to devote one's heart and soul into protecting a copy?"
"Uh huh." Kagome lowered her head, no...not from any hurt, but from sheer boredom. She's heard enough of these Kikyou speeches... plus...
"If you were half the woman Kikyou was, you would be lowering yourself."
Sesshoumaru's simple phrase was ringing in her ears. She gave a soft smile as she thought of him. A light pink tint rose into her cheeks. She loved him. She loved him and hope to Kami she would be able to tell it to him.
Naraku didn't see her smile; he didn't see her blush… all he saw was her head looking downcast. He smiled, taking this as a sign to continue with his Kikyou speech.
"You look like her, smell like her, but you just aren't good enough. Inuyasha denied his friendship with you just so he wouldn't upset Kikyou. He didn't even care about your feelings." Naraku crooned. "He has never cared about you. Just the Kikyou that's inside of you."
"Face it," he continued, "You are a walking shell, holding a soul that isn't yours. You mean nothing to no one. It isn't you they want, it never has been, it's always been Kikyou. And if Inuyasha comes to rescue you, it's because you now carry the full soul of his lost love, you are his only living part now."
Kagome continued to look down, as if trying to persuade him that his words were actually working. But nothing was sinking in. She didn't care anymore.
"I'll leave you to dwell on these thoughts." Naraku rose and slowly walked out of the room. "Oh and Kagome," he turned around and looked at her sulking form, "Remember, he didn't chase after you." His voice silky, as he spoke the taunting words.
Slamming the door shut, Kagome heard his footsteps become faint, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Damn Naraku. She could really care less about Inuyasha and his issues with him wanting her to be Kikyou and that shit. Inuyasha was confused and needed therapy, but Kagome didn't care if he would never see pass the fact that she held Kikyou's soul.
Sesshoumaru did. And that's all she needed to know.
End of Chapter
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Moonchild: Whoo hoo! It's so refreshing to write a new chapter.
Kagome: Yep. I'm liking it. I'm liking that the readers are liking it.
Moonchild: OH MY GOSH I KNOW! I was so nervous when started posting this here, because I didn't know if anyone would like but... I've gotten so many reviews... I just... fall out of my chair with a happy dance.
Inuyasha: MC you shouldn't dance.
Sesshoumaru: I agree.
Moonchild: No one asked you two!
Kagome: I think you are a wonderful dancer, MC.
Moonchild: Why thank you Kagome!
Inuyasha: She's lying, I swear. MC you are the worst dancer ever. If they had a contest for the worst dancin' you would blow the other competition clear out of the water.
Moonchild: Yeah well if there was a competition... for... being the biggest bastard ever...YOU WOULD WIN!
Sesshoumaru: Nice comeback MC. (sarcasm)
Moonchild: (pouts) Whatever. Well first I want to dedicate this chapter to AkaiKurai-chan just because that girl has been with me from the get-go. Encouraging me, giving me wonderful reviews, AND she got the little link with the Tsuki name meaning Moon... AND she figured out where the shard was before I actually posted it. Kudos. She is now five for five. tehe.
Inuyasha: Oh whoopi doo for her.
Moonchild: Shut it Inuyasha. I also want to thank every single reader that has ever...read... this fanfic. I love you. I honestly do. And getting your reviews makes me write, makes me want to write because if one person likes what I've written... if I've made one person happy with this story, then I feel like... I've accomplished something.
Kagome: (wipes eyes) That is so beautiful MC!
Sesshoumaru: MC, shut it woman and close the chapter.
Moonchild: Yeah, ok... So anyways, thanks for the review please continue to send them, but no flames! Then I can't do the happy dance! By the way Single Spark is up, BUT it's "Read-Only" which means you can't post anything new. So...whatever. It'll be fixed soon.