Chapter 10-Scars of pain
Several days had passed since Inuyasha told Kikyo what he felt without him realizing that Sango was their and had snuck back to her room after Inuyasha talked to Kikyo. During the passing of those several days Inuyasha was not seen or heard of by any of the group as they were asking druids, maid, and soldiers that had just arrived for his whereabouts, but they told them nothing. Even Kanna and Rin had stayed tight lipped about where Inuyasha's was and had could not look at Sango and the others in the eyes to reveal his location within the maze of a castle. Eventually Sango, Kikyo, Shippo, Kilala, Kagome, Miroku, Sesshomorru, a reluctant Koga, and even Kagura sat in a single room with two druids guarding the only door in and out of the room. "I've looked everywhere I can for Inuyasha and I can't find him," said Shippo who was worried about his father.
"Whatever happened with Inuyasha and you Kikyo must have gone wrong as you were the last person to speak to him before his...disappearance," said Sesshomorru as everyone looked at Kikyo who had her head down slightly as if she was in fact guilty.
"What happened? He couldn't make a move on you because you're dead?" said Koga who started laughing at her and Inuyasha's misfortune.
That was of course till Kilala sunk her teeth into Koga's neck while trying to gouge his eyes out with her small claws all the time in her little cat form. 'I'll teach you to mess with Inuyasha,' thought Kilala who was hissing at Koga all the while performing this punishment.
"Stop it Kilala," said Sango though as much as she wishes for her friend to continue she knows Inuyasha will have the last laugh.
Reluctantly Kilala gets off Koga's face, which was now slightly blooded from Kilala's attack and deep down Sango, Kikyo, Sesshomorru, Kagura, and Shippo mentally smiled. "I know all of you are wondering what transpired between me and Inuyasha. Though I did not do it on purpose I have caused him great pain. He has removed all romantic relationships between me and him from his heart. He is hurting inside from the repercussions of such a move as he still loves me. Wherever he has gone it is for seclusion purposes to mend his heart. All we can do is wait," said Kikyo though she wished she could be with him now to mend it right then and their.
"Well those two girls Rin and Kanna know something or they would be like this towards us when we ask where Inuyasha is. It's the same with the druids, maids, and soldiers in this place as they keep their mouths shut when you ask about Inuyasha. It's like where he is in a temple where only he can enter," said Kagura who was loosing her patients though she could bare it while being next Sesshomorru.
"Inuyasha never had a good childhood or life for that matter up till now and has always treasured love as if it was a gift if not blessing from a god. That foul thing of a rosary that was once around his neck that your reincarnation Kikyo used continuously wasn't very helpful either," said Sesshomorru glaring at the reincarnation as was everyone else except Miroku and Koga who clearly sided with her on her decision to constantly use it.
"Hey! I can use that rosary how ever I see fit. If I wanted to use it on him just because he wasn't paying attention to me I would. If he still had it on him that is (glares at Kikyo). I don't know why your making such a fuss he's just a lousy love sick dog of a half-demon. He has no business being around on his own," said Kagome acting very snobbish as if her way was the right way.
She probably would have been more snobbish had she not heard the growls coming from both Sesshomorru and Kilala for saying such words to Inuyasha. "Please we don't need this. Look why don't we try and look through all the rooms we can and see if we can't find Inuyasha," said Sango getting a reluctant agreement from everyone though everyone was reluctant for different reasons.
Kanna using her mirror with Rin by her side to overhear their conversation looked at each other with worry. If they learned of Inuyasha's forbidden training room and were to enter it they didn't want to think what would happen to them should their master have to save them. Inuyasha had been nice in his punishment, but they doubted Inuyasha would do so a second time around with his guests. "We must divert them from nearing that door," said Kanna and Rin nodded in agreement as they saw Inuyasha heading to that room with pain in eyes and a fury that would rival that of a god.
(Flashback)
Inuyasha walked silently through the corridors of his home without making a sound the entire time though the look on his face said otherwise. He wished to make a very loud howling noise that was filled with pain filled emotions that he had ripped out himself. He couldn't despite the urge to want to do something so stress relieving. However, doing so would have awoken everyone up in his home and he didn't want that in the slightest. It seemed though that fate disagreed in being left alone for the time being s he went to his 'training room' if you could call it that when Rin and Kanna appeared and hugged him. "Father! Father! We missed you are you all right?" said Rin looking worried as did Kanna.
"I'm fine. Where are Shippo and Kilala?" said Inuyasha in a silent near death type of whisper that made Rin and Kanna worry more.
"They are asleep as the whole day took its toll on them. Are you sure everything is okay father?" said Rin curiously and worried.
"I'm fine Rin I just...I had to...well it is fine now in any case. I just need be alone," said Inuyasha as tears left his eyes for what he said to Kikyo.
"Where are you going?" said Kanna as she saw the tears on Inuyasha's face as did Rin and both were starting to cry as well because their father was hurting in some way.
"I have a lot pain to sort out Kanna. Where room I am going to enter you are not allowed follow no matter what. You know the room I speak of...correct?" said Inuyasha as it was a statement and not a question.
"Yes sir," said Rin and Kanna in unison as they never wanted to enter that room again.
"That's my girls. Don't tell anyone except Voodoo and Serenity. They will know what to do with that information. Aside from that keep this between us okay?" said Inuyasha who let out a small smile.
"Yes father," said Rin and Kanna again in unison as Inuyasha gave them a hug, a kiss on each of their foreheads, and walked off without another word.
(End Flashback)
"I'll tell Voodoo you go speak to Serenity," said Kanna and Rin nodded as they split up to inform the others.
(Elsewhere)
"It took long enough for this damn blade to be fixed now I just have to find Inuyasha," said Kane as he had just finished testing his double bladed sword out in a brief practice session.
"I take it you're ready to proceed with finding and killing Inuyasha?" said a voice in the shadows that wore a baboon pelt and fur.
"Of course Master Naraku I wouldn't leave your services till I have completed my job with Inuyasha. I have unfinished business with him and a demon mercenary always takes care of unfinished business with his target," said Kane smiling showing an impressive display of pointy sharp teeth in the process.
"Indeed. However, this is a word of warning to you Kane. You have ONE more chance to kill Inuyasha and if you fail you will hand those jewel shard I gave you back," said a slightly annoyed Naraku who felt the whispers in his head again tell him Kane was out to take his jewel shards away.
"I understand Master Naraku, but just like the jewel shards you gave me Inuyasha's head will be mine!" said Kane walking away from Naraku with a new black robe covering his face and body like before.
(Back at before)
Sango had walked along the corridors of the complex only to find that no matter where she went and what room she tried to find Inuyasha he was nowhere to BE found. It was as if he had left entirely without as so much as a thank you or goodbye or a...a kiss. The last thought made Sango blush as she now wished she had approached Inuyasha after his talk with Kikyo any told him how she felt and hopefully it was her he said had fallen in love with. "Where are you Inuyasha?" said Sango out loud not expecting anyone to hear her.
To her surprise someone did in the form of a hovering robed figure that was a druid, but not just any druid as this one was Head of the Druids going by the name of Voodoo. "I see you are looking for my master once more," said Voodoo appearing behind her making her give a quick scream, but nothing too loud as to get anyone else's attention.
"Voo...Voodoo? What are you doing here? I thought you were training Kanna?" said Sango who let out an exasperated breath.
"I was...till my little prodigy snuck away and used her mirror at Rin's advice to spy on you and your little group of friends. I know you and the others are searching for Lord Inuyasha," said Voodoo making Sango nervously sweat slightly and face going pale meaning he was right.
"So? What's your point? I miss Inuyasha is that a crime? He hasn't been seen around for several days now and I'm worried. Kikyo said their conversation didn't go the way she hoped and he had figuratively ripped out his own heart when it came to Kikyo. Where is he?" said Sango with pleading eyes to the druid.
Voodoo sighed knowing he was going to regret this and have his head taken off, but it couldn't be helped seeing as they would find him eventually. "I'm going to tell you where he is Sango, but promise me that for the moment...you will not tell the others," said Voodoo who knew that secrecy was must here.
"I promise," said Sango as she wanted to hear this though she had sickening feeling in her stomach as she waited for his response.
"Very well then Sango. Kanna and Rin already went there a short time before you arrived a day or so ago and Inuyasha was not happy with them for breaking his trust. If he hadn't made them his daughters earlier that day I doubt they would have been recognizable as they are now. Inuyasha went to work off his pain in a special training room that only he may enter unless told otherwise," said Voodoo watching Sango's reaction carefully.
"Why is it special?" said Sango curiously though she wasn't sure she wanted an answer to her question.
"Because that room is locked and sealed tight with powerful demons inside of it, that eventually multiply to create a constant amount of training for him. In fact the demons are so powerful that not even I will head into that room unless absolutely necessary," said Voodoo seeing Sango gasp as her eyes widened and her heart raced with fear for beloved Inuyasha.
"But if what you say is true then he's been in that training room for days and nights on end! He could be dead! Or worse even," said Sango as she was now terrified of what horrible things could be happening to Inuyasha.
"Possibly. Maybe. I don't really know," said Voodoo as if he either didn't care or if he was confident Sano didn't know, but she knew she did care for Inuyasha and that was all that mattered to her.
"You don't know! Take me to that room I have to see him. Please!" said Sango grabbing Voodoo's druid robe with one hand in half pleading half threatening manner.
Voodoo was rather hesitant to show Sango the room as he remembered how Inuyasha was rather displeased with him for not paying more attention to Rin and Kanna. Though to be fair to Sango she was an experienced demon slayer with strength and agility that was rather impressive for a human. "All right I'll show you the room, but if we go in I want to go in with the others so you don't get yourself killed. Inuyasha would have my head for that like he almost did with Rin and Kanna," said Voodoo as he motioned Sango to follow him and she had quickly responded as she wanted to see Inuyasha.
In no time the others had been rounded up and were told by Voodoo with nods from both Rin and Kanna of what happened several days ago involving where Inuyasha was. "So you will take us to Inuyasha right?" said Shippo hopefully as he missed his new father.
"Yes I will, but you must all promise me you will not truly enter the room or do anything unless he is in mortal danger? Understand?" said Voodoo receiving nods from everyone though unbeknown to Voodoo three of them had no intention of keeping such a promise as they wanted him dead.
"I have a one question," said Kikyo surprising everyone as her voice when she spoke was timid and slightly nervous.
"Yes. What is it?" said Voodoo curiously turning to face them.
"Did...does Inuyasha hate me...at all?" said Kikyo who was afraid to even speak much less receive an answer.
"I do not know that answer, but if you wish seek it I would suggest you ask him yourself to know the truth. I will say this though when I saw the look in his eyes...it was one of pure pain, but I believe you are not the source of it at least not entirely. For now let's go see go see my master as I'm sure you would rather like to speak to him then talk about him," said Voodoo as he turned back to corridor and started heading to the training room where Inuyasha was in.
(About an hour later)
They had arrived at the door with a small group of druids at each side of the door as they had been ordered to stand guard over the room so nobody came in or out except for their Lord and Master Inuyasha. "Are you sure its wise send them down their Voodoo? Lord Inuyasha will not be pleased with this. He may actually take your head this time you know like he nearly did after what transpired with Rin and Kanna a few days ago," said one of the druid guards.
"I am well aware of that and I am prepared to face the consequences of such actions even if they are by means of death. However, you cannot deny that if he does not have those close him his heart will never heal from the painful wound he had to open twice over," said Voodoo unlocking the door and opening it before allowing himself to enter along with the others.
Another 10 minutes later they were near the bottom base of the room where one would truly enter the training room itself. Kanna and Rin had decided to stay at the top where the druids were as they dared not enter to break the trust of their father a second time. The room itself was different from what Voodoo remembered from a few days ago with the Rin and Kanna incident as there was more lighting then before. He along with the others saw hundreds if not thousands of stone pillars that were made naturally. For the moment it was clear of all living demons though that was a good thing in Voodoo's mind it was neither good as well. As was clear when they looked on the ground were hundreds if not thousands of carcasses, corpses, and a few pieces of intestine that had belonged to several demons throughout the area. "Whoa! This is intense I've never seen so many dead demons in such an enclosed area," said Sango as she didn't know whether to be impressed or horrified.
"My master is as he powerful and we all know he is powerful so that says something," said Voodoo as he looked around the large room before progressing further with the others in tow less then two feet behind.
It was then after about 2 minutes of walking they found an even larger pile or mound of dead demon bodies going in a circle around a single silver haired figure resting his back and head against a large half oval shaped stone. On the granite was writing of some sort though it was unreadable due to a particular body blocking it. The figure was none other then Inuyasha, shirtless, hair covering his eyes, and his sheathed sword behind his back resting on his neck with his arms over each side of the weapon. At the moment none of them could tell if he was even living or dead, but at least they had found him in one piece. "Inuyasha!" said Sango, Kikyo, and Shippo as they and Kilala ran to him while Sesshomorru kept watch to ensure a demon would not cause a sneak attack on them.
"Stop! You're going to attract the demons," said Voodoo who saw what Sesshomorru could not as several ghoulish like demons came out of nowhere to attack the group in front of it there aim directed straight at Sango.
Before any of them could do anything, before Sesshomorru, Voodoo, or even Kikyo could try to do anything the Inuyasha's body was their one moment and gone the next. Just as the demons were about to hit their intended target Sango was gone only to appear as quickly as she vanished right next to Voodoo stunned beyond belief as she had just been moved by an unseen force. "What? Who dares deprive of our prey?" said one of the ghoulish demons as they all looked around for the perpetrator.
"I DO!" said a voice that echoed with power, strength, viciousness that made everyone quake in fear of such a voice.
"Show yourself! Coward!" said the Ghoul demon only to be sliced in half by its unseen attacker without realizing it had been killed.
"Where's Inuyasha?" said Shippo looking over at the stone finding he was in fact gone.
"Do you have to ask such a stupid question my son," said Inuyasha's voice that echoed throughout the area just before slicing through another ghoul like demon and then finally the last two before appearing several feet away from the stone tablet he had been sitting against with his head down slightly covering his face.
"In...Inuyasha?" said Sango worriedly and for a moment was afraid that he may attack, but shook it off knowing he would never unless provoked because that was the type of demon he was.
Inuyasha suddenly got into a battle stance still facing the tablet his head raised slightly to see his red glazed eyes filled with all sorts of emotions that no one could determine what they were. "You who read this know my words hold true. Through pain you will find your passion. Through passion you will find your purpose. Through purpose you will find your strength. Through strength you will find your power. Through power you will find your victory. And in that victory...your chains are broken and you are finally free," said Inuyasha as if he were re-sighting those words only to move in the next second and sliced the massive stone tablet in two with his Tetsuigia before anyone could speak.
"That...was...incredible," said Sango who couldn't help, but have her heart flutter with praise at what had just happened.
"At last...I am free...from pain," said Inuyasha as he put his sword away and let out a heavy breath before turning to face them all.
"Papa!" said Shippo as he was the first to run and grab Inuyasha into a hug as he was happy to be in his father's presence once again.
"Hey kit. I'm a little surprised to see you here," said Inuyasha picking the kit up off the ground and put him on his shoulder.
"Inuyasha!" said Sango as she dropped her weapon and hugged him with all her strength only to realize what she was doing and let go with a blush on her face making Inuyasha laugh a true full laugh for the first time in a long time.
"It's all right Sango I didn't mind the hug at all," said Inuyasha who kissed the demon slayer right on the lips.
Sango in her own involuntary moment of bliss raised her right hand and touched his face letting her hand slowly run down his blood tattoo on his face. She traced the markings on his face to the blood tattoos on his chest before as she felt his ripped muscles on his chest before they reluctantly separated from that ever sweet moment. Inuyasha looked from the now blushing demon slayer to the now others who were clearly shocked in seeing that. 'Looks like I don't have to tell him/her as I just expressed it to him/him,' thought Sango and Inuyasha at the same time.
Some had smiles while others had scowls, but only one had a face of sorrow, which could only belong on Kikyo's face at the moment as she looked at him. "Inuyasha...I...I'm sorry I caused you so much pain for what you did," said Kikyo as she walked up to him with her head down ashamed at herself.
"Don't be. (Kikyo gasps) What I said was from my heart and though it caused me great pain it was a necessary pain. Had I not taken care of would have destroyed me later Kikyo...from the inside out. In truth I should thanking you for helping me realize the truth. I went down here to undo the damage done to my heart that I did to myself by lashing out such pain with my sword. I had to reopen the wound in order to allow it to heal properly. Thank you...Kikyo," said Inuyasha who smiled to her making her smile once more and she bowed in honor of such a thank you.
"Let's leave this master there is no point in being here any longer," said Voodoo as his voice gave no trace of fear or nervousness as it was a statement in itself.
"Yes. I hate this place and besides I'm sure Kanna and Rin are worried about their dear father and I don't want them to be worried to death," said Inuyasha as he walked with Sango by his right side, Kikyo at his left, and Shippo on his shoulder followed by the others while Miroku, Koga, and Kagome were trailing shortly behind.
"YEAH!" said Shippo throwing his fist into the air as they were all making there way to the steps Inuyasha's ear twitched as he had heard something like the sound of rope being tugged and it was then he remembered the sound as if it were yesterday.
It was the sound of a bow being tugged, tugged by fingers, fingers on an arrow, an arrow being tugged on the rope string of a bow by a certain girl from the future name Kagome. Kagome being the reincarnation of Kikyo and once like Kikyo wanted him dead only now Kagome was still acting on impulse for an entirely different reason. She wanted to kill him because she was no longer able to control him now that the rosary was removed from around his neck. 'Lousy half-demon abomination!' thought Kagome, Miroku, and Koga as two out of three smirked at the supposedly unaware half-demon who was about to be hit by Kagome's sacred arrow.
Inuyasha was aware though as he could smell Kagome's hatred for him as well as the hatred from the wolf Koga as that was understandable, but to smell it from Miroku! That had surprised him as he thought that the monk would just accept the change in the heart of the relationship between him and Sango as Inuyasha had in his heart with the demon slayer. It was then Inuyasha realized that with two people on either side of him and one on his shoulder he was limited in options to defend himself from such an attack. 'I think I'm in trouble,' thought Inuyasha as his body tensed as none of the others beside him realized that he was about to be hit from behind by a sacred arrow and he couldn't do anything about it.
He was trapped. In his own home no less. How could he get out of this?
(A/N: How will Inuyasha get out of this? I know I know I said after Tuesday I would update, but I came up with this last night and tonight and I thought this would tide you over long after the exams. Not bad for a cliffy 'ey? In any case I want to know what YOU think will happen to Inuyasha? Will he be hit by Kagome's sacred arrow? Will he get away? Will Kagome be punished if caught along with Koga and Miroku or will the three backstabbers get away? You vote and review for this. For this to work I need all past reviewer or I can't write the next chapter. That's right you heard me I need you to review and vote on the option of Inuyasha getting hit or not. Also I want you guys to find those who haven't reviewed to tell them to actually review. I know it sounds like a bit much, but I always produce my stories for you in a considerate amount of time. Please keep on reviewing and don't let me down. I depend upon you as you depend upon me. Is a symbiotic balance that I would rather not disrupt.)