A/N: Ohh myy godd! Wow. So many reviews! Thank you all for your support and comments! I really appreciate it! I am like, so pumped! Woot. And as a thank you, here it is…the next chapter (pretty fast, huh?)! Don don don…Now the action is starting! Please read, enjoy, and review if you wish! Let me know what you think, and what opinions you may have on the outcome of this chapter! I'm open for anything! I'm still undecided on the outcome of the story, most of my ideas come right from my fingers as I type! So don't freak out, nothing is certain when it comes to this story! Alrite, enough chat. Read read read! Enjoy enjoy enjoy! Review review review?
Disclaimer: I still own nothing…
These Hands: Living Nightmares (Chapter 5)
"Inuyasha, please!" Kagome screamed out to him; trying to bring the crazed half-demon back to his senses.
"Kagome-chan, get back!" Sango grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "He can't hear your voice, we have to get away!"
Kagome struggled to free herself from her friend's embrace. Sango held Kagome tightly, not intending on letting her best friend rush off to her death. Giving up on trying to free herself, Kagome looked up at the transformed demon, hoping by some miracle he would be returned to the half-demon she had fallen in love with.
However, his once shining, golden eyes had turned a blood red. They no longer held the emotion and softness Kagome had grown so accustomed to. Instead, they were filled with the desire to kill. His cheeks bore the purple markings of a demon and his blood-soakedclaws had grown exceptionally long. A smirk spread across his face as he slowly began to approach the group.
Sango quickly began to pull Kagome in the opposite direction, following Miroku, Kirara and Shippo. They ran, trying to escape their friend, who would surly target them next. Kagome, however, did not intend to leave Inuyasha alone in this state. 'I know I can change him back!' With one forceful tug of her arm, Kagome released Sango's hold on her and ran off towards Inuyasha.
"Lady Kagome, No!" Miroku tried to stop her, but Kagome sprinted past him, her sights set upon the smirking demon.
"Inuyasha…you have to wake up!" She continued to run, as Inuyasha approached her slowly…his claws held high. The blood which soiled them shone in the morning sun.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango tried to run forward to stop her friend, but Miroku held her back with a sturdy arm.
"No Sango, Inuyasha will spare no one, we must leave."
Sango tried to force Miroku off her; tears werebeginning to make their way down her cheeks. "But she'll be killed!"
Miroku turned his head away from the sobbing exterminator. "Sango, stop. Kagome is the only one capable of bringing him back. No matter what, we must not involve ourselves, or else, we will surly be killed at Inuyasha's hands."
Sango nodded, sniffing back her tears. "You're right." She glanced over to Kagome, who was still running with all her strength, 'Please be safe, Kagome-chan.'
"Inuyasha…you have to wake up!" Kagome spoke more firmly, never slowing her pace. The half-demon continued to smirk, mocking the way his prey had so easily come to him. Kagome thrust herself into Inuyasha at full speed, clutching his shirt, "Wake up, Inuyasha. Please come back!" She laid her head on his firm chest, clenching her fists together. Her eyes remained closed, not wanting to see him in this form.
The demon merely laughed, not hearing her words or recognizing her at all. "Foolish girl," His voice was raspy and harsh, Kagome shuddered at its sound. "You ran right into your death."
Kagome looked up into his eyes, tears running down her cheeks softly. Her heart began to beat fiercely as she saw the demon raise his clawed hands above her.
He laughed once again, cracking his fingers as he stiffened them in the air. His red eyes flashed; they were filled with the lust to kill. With a snap of his wrist, he brought his arm down...
A female scream ripped through the forest, signaling the end.
Kagome woke with a start. She rose from her sleeping bad, her arms shaking badly. Her eyes quickly scanned her surroundings; it was just a dream…only a dream. Slowly, she moved her quivering hand up to her chest. Her heart was beating fiercely as she took a deep breath. 'It was only a dream.'
Her hand made its way up to her head, wiping off the cold sweat, which dripped down her face. She shook her head, trying to forget the horrific images. 'This dream… why is it I keep having this same dream over and over again?' Her hands fell to her sides as she pushed herself out of her sleeping bag. Quietly, she tip-toed out of the hut, making sure not to wake the others.
Once outside, she let out a deep sigh. These nightmares had plagued her dreams ever since the night she had given Inuyasha the locket. Kagome sighed; she needed some reinsurance…she needed Inuyasha. Her hands continued to shake as she pushed her bangs away from her face to glance around for any sight of the sleeping half-demon, however he was nowhere to be found.
"Inuyasha?" She called out softly, looking around. 'He must be back by now, it's far past sunset.' She glanced up at the night sky and closed her eyes, "Inuyasha…" Suddenly, images of the demon Inuyasha, his claws held high, flashed through her mind. She stopped walking, and brought her hand to her chest. She shook her head, trying to dismiss her horrible thought, 'No, he would never do that. He would never hurt me…I-I just know it. But my dream…my dream just felt so real…Oh, Inuyasha…where are you?'
After seeing no sign of the half-demon anywhere, Kagome quietly retrieved her arrows from the hut, in which her companions still slept soundly. 'I'll find him before the others wake up. After all, there's no reason to disturb them.' A smile crept across her face as she turned to look at her friends sleeping soundly. Miroku and Sango were lying fairly close to each other. Maybe even a little too close for it to be accidental. Kagome laughed softly in spite of Miroku, who would probably receive a good slap from Sango, come morning. With a final glance at her friends, Kagome turned, pushing the flap of the hut away and entering the chill, brisk night. Slowly, she began to walk into the Inuyasha forest, hoping that she was somehow, heading in the right direction.
Naraku sat, his eyes closed. He focused his mind intently on the clearing, waiting for any sign of the young priestess, Kagome. "Damn..." He whispered slightly, opening his eyes. 'That wench still hasn't arrived.'
The nearly completed Shikon Jewel glowed brightly in front of him, providing the only light in the shadowed room. He narrowed his eyes, watching the jewel become lighter with each second. It was being purified. A smile spread slowly across Naraku's face as he closed his eyes once again, "She draws near."
'Where could he be?' Kagome walked briskly through the forest, her arrows slung over her back and her bow ready. The moon stood in the middle of the sky, signaling that the night was far from over. A cold wind blew, encircling Kagome and causing the leaves to rustle. She shuddered, feeling the cold air make its way through her school uniform and brush past her skin. She crossed her arms for warmth, still keeping her pace up, 'He said he'd be back by sunset and it's already the middle of the night!' She glanced around, looking for any flash of red from his fire-rat clothing. She huffed, scolding herself for letting him go off alone once again.
She continued to walk, deciding to check the clearing in which the sacred tree stood. Inuyasha could often be found perched on one of its branches, staring out over the lands, his mind buzzing about one problem or another. Kagome's heart skipped a beat when she saw a glimpse of red through the trees. She broke into a run, a wave of relief rushing over her body. "Inuyasha!" She called out to him, a small smile on her face as she approached the clearing. "Hey…Inuyasha!"
The wind blew past her fiercely, sending a chill down her spine. She wrapped her arms together tightly as she entered the clearing. "Inuyasha?" Her eyes searched the treetops for a sign of the half-demon. However, her eyes soon fell upon Inuyasha's sprawled form. He was lying facedown on the ground, motionless.
"Inuyasha!" She gasped, running over to his side and falling to her knees. She turned him onto his back, and leaned her head over his mouth, listening for his breath. Relief rushed through her body as she heard breath slowly escaping and entering his lips; his chest was rising and falling slowly.
"Oh, Inuyasha!" Kagome fell onto him, placing her head on his chest and grasping his fire-rat shirt within her hands. Tears of relief rolled off her cheeks and onto his chest, leaving tiny droplets on his shirt. He was alive.
She lifted her head to gaze at the unconscious half-demon, her eyes brimming with tears. She moved herself closer to him, laying a warm hand on his cheek. 'He's so cold.' Brushing his hair away from his face, she leaned over him, her body pressing against his. "Inuyasha…" She tucked her hair behind her ear and ran her hand over his cheek, trying to wake him. "Inuyasha…you have to wake up." Tears continued to roll off her cheeks as she nestled her head into his neck. "Please wake up."
"Kag…ome." Inuyasha stirred; his voice was soft.
Kagome raised her head quickly and placed her hand on his cheek once again, alerting him of her presence "Yes, Inuyasha, I'm here." Her glassy eyes scanned his face.
He slowly opened his golden eyes to see the distraught priestess leaning over him. Her face, etched with worry, was only inches away from his own and her body was laid down next to him. He inhaled deeply, taking in her scent. "Kagome…"
"Oh, Inuyasha." A small smile swept over her face as she pushed the loose hair off his face gently with her hand. "I was so worried." She stared into his golden eyes, trying to hold back her tears. She continued to run her hand over his face, trying desperately to warm his chilled skin.
A chill ran through Inuyasha's body, as he felt her soft hand caress his cheek lightly. He struggled to get up, and pulled Kagome into his embrace. He closed his eyes, feeling her warmth against his chest.
She never loved you…how could anyone love you?
You're just a half-breed.
Inuyasha's eyes widened as he let out a light gasp. The images came flooding back. He saw Kikyou, sealing him to the sacred tree. He saw the villagers mocking him while he was young, and his mother in tears. He saw Kagome…leaving him...forever. His head lowered slowly, feeling the pain sweep over his heart.
And once again, the voice filled his mind.
'Kill her.'
This time, he could not fight it. His heart no longer had the will or power toprotect him. His soul and mind would no longer shield him from this cold, demanding voice. For love, must've surly given up one him.
'Kill her, Inuyasha. Kill Kagome.'
Kagome, sensing something was wrong, looked up. Inuyasha's eyes were covered by his silver bangs. "Inuyasha?" She reached up to move his hair, but he grabbed her hand and pushed it away. She gasped at his sudden, harsh movement. "Inuyasha…w-what's wrong?"
He slowly got up, saying nothing, and turned away.
'Kill her.' The cold voice commanded.
With his back turned to the young girl, Inuyasha inched his arm towards his Tetsusaiga. In one swift movement, he drew the sword from the sheath.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome remained on the cold ground, her hand lightly resting on her chest. Her eyes shone, mixed with worry and confusion. 'What is he doing?' She rose to her feet slowly and moved towards Inuyasha, her hand stretching out touch his shoulder. "Please, Inuyasha. What's wrong?" She spoke softly as she set her hand lightly upon his left shoulder. She felt him freeze beneath her touch.
He muttered something lightly.
'Kill her!'
"Inu-" Before she had a chance to finish, Kagome felt herself being flung to the ground, hard. Her body trembled as she lifted her head to see Inuyasha, standing before her, the Tetsusaiga resting high above her head. "Inuyasha?" She gasped, her eyes growing wide and fearful at his appearance. His once bright, golden eyes had lost their gleam. They had lost their emotion; they had lost their depth. He merely stared at her, with clouded eyes, his face stern.
'Kill her.' The voice urged him more sternly. 'Kill her now, Inuyasha.'
With a great force, Inuyasha brought his Tetsusaiga down, barley-missing Kagome. She let out a shriek as she felt it scathe her lightly. Her chest heaved, trying to regain her breath; her lungs burned within her chest.
Before she had any chance to react, Inuyasha once again brought his sword down with another great swing. This time, Kagome managed to throw herself out of the way. She rolled, her eyes closed, to the opposite side of the clearing. Her uniform was ripped and covered in dirt and blood. Her dark, matted hair hung loosely down her back and across her face in light waves. "Inu...yasha." Her voice rang out softly as she struggled to raise her head off the ground.
"Wench…die." Inuyasha's voice was harsh and cold, nothing like his normal one. He turned slowly to face the young priestess, who was trying to regain her footing. His silver hair shone brightly as it swayed in the cold, northern wind; his grip on the Tetsusaiga was firm.
Trembling, Kagome fell back to the ground. Her eyes widened as she saw the man she loved, slowly approaching her; his eyes were emotionless. "Inuyasha…please…stop." Her voice cracked as warm tears brimmed her eyes. She shut them tightly, letting the tears flow down her cheeks. 'This can't be real…it-it has to be a dream.' She lowered her head, keeping her eyes clenched together. 'Wake up…' She told herself. 'Please…just wake up…'
