While Kagome and Sango tended to my wounds and had me use the nebulizer, Hachi and the boys helped bury the remaining dead. I was asleep the entire time, but the girls nursed me back to health as best as they could. When I awoke my ears weren't working as well as they should have been and everyone, even Otoki, had been placed in graves. I sat there for the longest time, mourning the lives that were lost due to our carelessness.
Humans are such arrogant, greedy, and stubborn creatures…
Naraku knew that. He was originally human himself. Perhaps that's why he tries so hard to wipe us all out- he despises the nature of mankind.
I wore the demon slayer mask over my face when Miroku lit incense on the graces, the monk kneeling beside me and offering his prayers to the deceased. I wondered when it came to this- how trying to find my sister wound up being a journey that treaded between life-and-death, innocents getting involved and lives lost because of the heartlessness of one wretched half-demon.
Otoki…
Her voice was gone now. All the voices were. No more undead plagued my mind with their terrible thoughts, though it left me hard of hearing as a result. Kagome placed some weird medicine in my ears, but I knew if I wanted to hear properly again I would have to ask the Shikigami for help. I was just so tired- I feared that if I did so now I would wind up asleep for another day or so.
My feet were very badly cut up as well; it made walking extremely difficult. It didn't stop me from trying, but the second Sango saw me trying to move around she got protective and ordered Kirara to stay with me. The cat demon was with me now, resting on my shoulder, watching with sad red eyes as I placed flowers on the mounds of dirt.
These people… deserved better than this. Naraku was awful.
I wish I could have thanked Sesshōmaru… He disappeared before I woke up. According to Miroku, the demon lord was chasing after the Saimyōshō, heading towards Ayame Village which was up in the mountains near where Kōga and the other wolf demons lived. I wasn't exactly keen on having to hear more arguing between Inuyasha and Kōga, but I did want to know how his injuries healed up. They say Sesshōmaru is cold and ruthless, that he views humans as no more than insects...
So why did he keep me alive and protect me to the very end, even after he said our bargain was completed and that I was no longer under his protection? I think there was something else going on that the gang didn't know about- a person Sesshōmaru met that changed his opinions of humans. It was all speculation, of course, yet it was the only thing I could think of. The story of Tsukuyomaru kept coming to mind whenever I thought about the demon lord. There has to be someone… right?
Why else would he go out of his way to save all these people?
I pulled away and sighed, taking a shaky breath before attempting to stand. Kirara hopped off my shoulder and transformed, growling at me sternly as she moved over. Miroku opened his eyes and frowned, watching as I struggled to climb onto Kirara's back. "Here, let me help you." He said, reaching out to grab my waist.
"I-I'm good, thanks." I said quickly, not too keen on getting touched inappropriately. I hissed when the bottoms of my feet pressed against the ground, my attempt at jumping onto the cat demon's back ending poorly.
"You don't have to be like that." He said, frowning. "Just let me-"
Suddenly he froze, sweat beading down the sides of his face when he felt a rather malicious aura radiating behind him. I pulled myself onto Kirara's back with a grunt, watching as Sango glared at Miroku from the distance. "Thanks, but no thanks. Appreciate it, don't want it."
Deep breaths. Stay calm. Don't think about the way the people had been living so worriedly or how joyously. Don't think about the families or the samurai, or even the animals. We needed to get back to Kaede's immediately to recover, then head out afterwards for Ayame Village. A part of me foolishly hoped we would see Sesshōmaru again, if only so I could say a few words to him.
Thank you, for protecting me.
For saving the souls of the undead.
For not hurting my friends.
Thank you… for everything.
I winced and grabbed at my right shoulder, feeling the stitches pull against the flesh with my movement. My left arm was no better, cut deep in such a similar state. Even though my feet were bandaged and stitched they still bled through the white cloth, making every step a painful one. If I wasn't so used to being in such pain by now I might have started crying like usual.
I can handle physical pain a lot better now, though the emotional hurt… was something I still lacked control of. Once we all had gathered back together and eaten breakfast, which mainly consisted of the remaining junk food that Kagome had hiding in her backpack and a stray rabbit Inuyasha had found wandering into the rundown town, we took off on Hachi's back. Seeing as Kaede's was going to be a while I waited until Kagome gave the okay for me to use the Shikigami, holding out until the medicine did its job.
This way it wouldn't wear me out as bad. The worse the wound the more painful and draining it is on my body; I discovered this with Jaken and his scratches last night. So, thankfully, when I did use the Shikigami on my ears and head- and only on that- I wasn't on the verge of blacking out. I did, however, still curl up against Sango and fall asleep out of sheer desire because I was exhausted from all the events that had happened and my lungs being not too terribly happy with me.
It is what it is, but having a chronic illness was a nuisance. I really am so lucky everyone was so kind, putting up with my weakness and even making up for it. The group held itself together- not because of Kagome, not because of one single person, but because they all genuinely cared about one another. It was so nice.
I… I know I'm going to go home eventually, one way or another, but I…
I cared about these people so much, way more than I had been expecting to.
The next morning we arrived at our base village, dropping Kagome off at the Bone-Eater's well so she could return home for more supplies and whatever exams she had to take. Poor girl; I don't think she got any studying done this week. We've been so busy; it was pure chaos the past few days. What with the bat demons and the castle… I hoped she did well. Maybe the next time she comes by and has any English homework I could try to help… I'm amazed she hasn't been kicked out of the school yet due to the sheer amount of absences she has.
Actually, why hasn't the school sent any police down to check out the house or anything? They always did that whenever students were caught skipping school back when I was little. My older brother loved to get in trouble before he hit high school; then he grew up and became the white knight I've come to know him as. Always wanting to help others in need, even though it often hurt him…
I wish he could be a little selfish sometimes. He's gotten better, but still- it hurt to see him in pain. It was always the nicest people who got the short end of the stick, being treated badly because they were too kind, despite the fact that they deserved the world. Instead they were always handed an empty plate full of crumbs. It disgusted me.
And yet…
Sesshōmaru…
He was a lot like a knight, especially with how he appeared and rescued me. I could handle ghosts and demons and monsters, but zombies were the only supernatural thing that truly haunted me growing up. With his silver hair and white kimono, and those eyes that looked almost like molten pools of gold… it almost felt like I was dreaming. To have him, someone who despised humans, save me in such a helpless situation- I could hardly believe it. I was so certain I was going to die and he took care of the enemies so effortlessly. Every swing of his sword or slash of his claws looked as though he were dancing.
It had been so mesmerizing.
I really wanted to meet him again, if only to just thank him. Maybe apologize for being such a nuisance. I just… hoped that it wasn't under the same circumstances again; for both my sake and the sake of others. Too many lives were lost in that castle town and I wished more than anything that the dead being possessed like that would never happen again. If Sesshōmaru didn't appear when he did, broke the spells of the cursed when he did, or even find me… I would be dead without a doubt. Travelling like this kept getting more and more dangerous, my life getting closer to the edge of being forfeit.
I really didn't want to die.
Not before I found Maria or, at the very least, figure out what happened to her.
I took a steady breath, leaning against the wooden floor of the hut, resting my eyes and my lungs while Inuyasha sulked about Kagome going home. Sango and Miroku disappeared with Kirara and Hachi, leaving me alone with Shippō and Inuyasha. Kaede was watching over us, tending to whatever wounds we had and occasionally praying. I woke up for dinner, then went back to sleep.
Sometime during day two of our recovery Miroku, Sango, and Kirara returned. Hachi had ran off to some temple that Miroku grew up in, presumably to care for the old man that raised him. I honestly knew very little about it. Since my awakening I've been paying a lot more attention to Inuyasha, finding his relationship with his brother most curious. He really seemed to hate the demon lord.
I took a shaky breath and held Kirara close to my chest, pressing a small kiss to the kitten's forehead and cuddling her to my face. I was wearing one of Kaede's kimonos from when she was my age due to the seriousness of my injuries, that way changing clothes and tending to my wounds would be easier. She really was the wisest of us all. From what Sango said, they had all left earlier to go back to her home village- searching for supplies to make a mask. Luckily for us there were already a few half-made masks sitting around in the forge, so she used one as a base and went on from there. Miroku had been with her to exorcise the evil spirit remaining inside, so as to not attract any unwanted demons.
Now she was just adding up a few finishing touches.
I watched her polish it from my spot in the hut, the majority of the group huddled together inside. Kaede was currently off picking vegetables for lunch time. Meanwhile Inuyasha was fidgeting anxiously, tapping his sharp nails against the wooden ground with his ears constantly moving- hearing every little thing that went on.
"Can you stop that, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked as he sipped his cup of tea. "You're making me nervous."
The half-demon tensed, curling his fingers into fists as he laid on his side. I couldn't see his face, but I knew at once that he was scowling. He was easier to read than most.
Meanwhile I could hardly read Sesshōmaru at all.
My heart jumped at the thought of the stranger, recalling the intimidating way he stared at me when he was demanding answers and how mesmerizing he looked whilst battling. He was so beautiful and intense; it made me both scared and flustered just thinking about him. Frick.
Something is wrong with me, clearly.
I snapped out of my thoughts hearing Sango call out to me. "Is everything alright, Irene? Your face is red."
"Wh-What?" Was it really? That's weird. I held Kirara with one arm and raised a hand up to my face, trying to feel the heat. "I… I dunno. I was just… thinking."
"About what?"
That was such an innocent question and yet I found myself turning warm. Her eyebrows raised, surprise filling her expression. Miroku glanced at me curiously, lowering his cup. "What indeed?" He said, intrigued. "Or perhaps it would be better to ask who you are thinking about?"
I am not dealing with this right now. "I-I was just remembering some stuff at the castle. That's all." I lifted my cup up and took a drink, setting Kirara down in my lap. The cat mewed and watched, red eyes big with wonder. "Nothing to worry about."
"You're so obvious." The monk said, grinning. "Tell us who it is. Or shall I start guessing? To think even love would reach the resistant Irene's heart-"
I sputtered at that. "A-Are you kidding me right now? It's not love! I met the dude once!"
As soon as the words were out of my mouth I realized my mistake, having just accidentally given away the fact that I was thinking about a person. Frick.
"Just once?" Sango blinked. "Who- oh no. Irene, it's not Sesshōmaru is it?"
"Oh my gods." I am so done with this. "Why do you guys always find my non-existent love life so interesting? There's nothing to be interested about! I'm just trying to figure out why Inuyasha and Sesshōmaru hate each other so much, okay? There's a lot I don't know! He seemed like a decent guy, yet everyone wants to fight him for some reason!"
I heard the half-demon scoff at my words. "Decent?" Inuyasha echoed, turning to glare at me from over his shoulder. "He is far from decent. He's a fucking monster, that's what he is. You're lucky you're even alive right now!"
"He's not a monster!" I retorted, frowning. "He saved me. A monster would have just let me die."
"Keh! Whatever." Inuyasha turned away, grimacing. "I can't believe it… because of Kagome's stupid studies that bastard Sesshōmaru is gonna get to Naraku before we do! What a waste of time."
Sango sighed, shaking her head. "You know we can't do anything without her here. She's the only one who can see the jewel shards, not to mention supply Irene with the medicine she needs. We're a lost cause without her."
"Besides," Shippō spoke up, turning to look at Inuyasha from his spot beside the monk, "I doubt he'll find Naraku that easily! He showed up late, remember? I'm sure we'll be fine for three days."
Miroku nodded his head. "I agree. You need to calm down."
"I am calm!" The half-demon snapped. "It's that bastard who isn't. The hell does he think he is showing up like that? He wasn't invited to the castle! And you-!" I recoiled when he suddenly jumped up and pointed at me, glaring darkly. "What is wrong with you!? Why do you keep defending him!? Sesshōmaru is insane! Why can't you understand that?"
"Uhh… because he isn't?" He was actually rather calm and collected, not to mention greatly intelligent considering the way he battled and assessed the situations we ended up in. That person was extremely calculating, not to mention strong, and proved to be fairly merciful since he spared my life several times after I made some stupid comments.
"He tried to kill you!"
"No; he didn't." I think the fact that he kept me alive, even after learning who my friends were, proved that he was very much sane. "He never even threatened me…?"
Inuyasha stepped forward, squatting down until he was up in my face with raging amber eyes. I leaned back, scooting closer to Sango, back pressing against her right arm. Kirara's fur stuck up and she hissed, standing on my thighs and trying to get the half-demon to back away. She knew I was uncomfortable at the proximity and even more so anxious due to his yelling. "He was literally holding you hostage in front of us!" He snapped. "I bet that was the whole reason he saved you; so he could use you against us like the jerk that he is!"
Okay, wow. Inuyasha has some serious issues with Sesshōmaru that need sorted out and I swear to god if I have to be the person to do that I might flip a table or two. I sat up straighter, attempting to stand my ground as I stubbornly defended the demon lord who protected me.
"He was not using me against you! He wandered into the room I was in, killed the zombies with tenseiga because they were in the way, and just happened to save me in the process! Sesshōmaru kept me safe because we had a deal, Inuyasha! Using me as a hostage was not part of that deal."
"Do you seriously believe that? You're more stupid than I thought!"
Alright, that's enough. A fire lit in my eyes and my expression darkened, voice rising gradually as I spoke, calling him out on his behavior as I grew fed up with their treatment of Sesshōmaru. He was in no way near the kind of monster they were trying to make him out to be, nonetheless an aggressive demon like the ones we've fought before! He was powerful and intimidating, but he was also kind; that in turn made him nothing like Naraku.
Maybe it was a bit too simple to suggest that what happened between them was in the past and should stay there; I had no idea what was done to hurt Inuyasha in the way he was. But I refuse to sit there and let them badmouth the demon lord when it was so blatantly obvious that he was a different person now. He was no longer the cruel person they knew.
"You're the stupid one!" I snapped, patience tipping over the edge. "You're so blinded by your own paranoia and hatred of your brother that you can't accept the fact that he might actually have a nice side to him!"
"Wh-Whaaat!?" The half-demon reeled back, both angered and taken back. My own words startled me, especially since I had said them so clearly and without stuttering, and as thoughts of the consequences dawned on me a look of horror grew on my face. A hand flew up to my mouth and I stared at Inuyasha with big eyes, fearing that I went too far. "Y-You're joking, right?" He asked, stunned. "This is Sesshōmaru we're talking about!"
"N-No…" I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Even Kaede who had returned with her basket full of vegetables had paused to watch the scene play out. "I-I mean… you guys never really told me a whole lot about him, so… I only know what I do from the time in the castle. And he was… he was really nice to me in the castle, so… uh, In-Inuyasha?" I blinked, seeing the way he had retreated into a corner. "Are you okay?"
"I can't believe this." He muttered, curled up with his hands over his head. "She's seriously defending him... What the hell?"
Kaede stared at him for a moment before heading to the kitchen, deciding not to bother with him today. This must be a normal occurrence. Miroku, Sango, and Shippō all let out heavy sighs and hung their heads. I blinked several times, wondering if I broke the half-demon and feeling a surge of guilt and regret well up inside of me.
"Anyway!" I cleared my throat awkwardly, picking up my cup of tea again. "S-Sesshōmaru said he has a score to settle with Naraku, so… uh… y-yeah. There's that. He never said what the score was though."
Sango stared at me. "He actually spoke to you? You guys had a civil conversation?"
"Y-yeah? A little." I felt so weird. The demon lord was obviously a man of few words, but the way they tried to make it sound seemed like he was only ever threatening them. "His servant mostly answered things. Um, Sesshōmaru did say a few things though. A lot of them were mostly out of irritation towards Jaken and the other demons…"
"I see." Miroku raised a hand up to his chin, thinking deeply. "Do you remember anything else he said? Something that could give us any clue about his plans?"
"Uh…" I struggled to remember. He was so closed off and aloof. "N-No…? I asked a lot of questions and he only really answered one or two of them. Hrm. Oh! He asked if I really was the one to scar Kagura's face. Um… didn't they say something about the Saimyōshō?"
"Yes. They were heading towards Ayame Village." Miroku answered. "But I mean… anything aside from that? Perhaps any scheme to steal the tetsusaiga?"
That startled me. I eyed Miroku weirdly, not understanding why he would suggest such a thing. "No? Why on earth would Sesshōmaru want to steal Inuyasha's sword?"
"Why else?" The half-demon scoffed, giving me a dirty look from over his shoulder. "So he can have it for himself."
"What?"
"That's right… you wouldn't know anything about it, would you?" Miroku took another sip of his tea, sharing a look with Sango and Shippō. "I suppose we should explain. You know that Inuyasha and Sesshōmaru are brothers with different mothers. But unlike our dear hotheaded friend," Inuyasha scowled and shot him a look, "Sesshōmaru does not feel any compassion or warmth towards humans. In fact, he despises them- so much so that he considers Inuyasha a disgrace to their proud demon bloodline."
I lowered my head and recalled all I could about my time spent in the castle. The demon lord seemed rather irritated when I mentioned I had a half-demon friend, and when he met up with everyone he seemed a bit… oh, what's the word to describe it? I don't believe angry is the right term to use. If anything I would dare say that he was almost disappointed to see that it was indeed Inuyasha I was talking about.
It would make sense considering they didn't get along. Inuyasha was throwing insults at him left-and-right, everyone pleading with me to stop defending him and to move away. For a long time I thought they were going to fight, especially when Sesshōmaru suddenly pushed me behind him and grabbed the handle of his sword. I was so scared that they would attack each other.
"Inuyasha wielding the tetsusaiga only makes it worse!" Shippō exclaimed, frowning deeply. "He hates the fact that he has the tenseiga and wants the tetsusaiga instead!"
"H-Huh? How come?" I snapped out of my thoughts, eyes wide. "What's wrong with the tenseiga? Isn't he the only one who can use it?"
Inuyasha scoffed at that. "As if."
"What he means to say," Miroku began with a sigh, "is that the only one capable of using the tenseiga is a person who cares for others. The tenseiga is a weapon that can not cut nor kill an enemy of the living realm. Clearly it can do damage to the undead- or at the very least free the souls of the deceased, which only goes to show that is a sword of healing rather than one of conquest."
I made a face at that. They really hated the demon lord, didn't they? "But he could use it. And he's already super strong! Why would he want the tetsusaiga?"
"That's not what I meant." The monk said. My eyebrows furrowed together and my nose scrunched up, even more confused than before. "The tenseiga is a sword capable of reviving those who have died. Very much like the tetsusaiga's Wind Scar which can slay a hundred demons in a single sweep, the tenseiga can save a hundred lives in a single sweep. Sesshōmaru is not capable of saving anyone in this way because of his blackened heart."
What…? He can… bring the dead back to life?
That shouldn't be possible; are they messing with me right now? I know the demon lord was extremely powerful, but… to be able to perform necromancy? It was hard to believe. Those who have died are meant to stay that way- nothing good ever comes from trying to bring someone you've lost back from the grave. There must be some kind of limit to that power, right? Certain rules or restrictions when attempting to use it?
"The tetsusaiga and tenseiga were both made from their father's fang." Miroku told me, taking another sip of his tea. He reached over to pick up the kettle, pouring some more into his cup. "Yet Sesshōmaru feels their father favored Inuyasha and his human mother by bequeathing him such a powerful blade and leaving him with the tenseiga- a sword he considers worthless."
"Yes." Sango nodded, turning to face me. "However, Sesshōmaru is unable to wield the tetsusaiga either, even though he is able to bring out its true power. Their father had the blade designed with the purpose of protecting mortals and therefore a demon such as he who harbors hatred towards humans could not use it. A spell was put on the tetsusaiga to reject any evil demon that goes near it. He can grab the sword, but it still rejects him and badly burns his hand until he lets go."
"...I see." I pet Kirara solemnly, feeling greatly disheartened upon hearing all of this. I had ideas about what the brothers relationship was like, but I never imagined it would be so complicated and terrible. I still wanted to believe that Sesshōmaru might have changed a little since the last time the gang saw him before the castle, but… now I was uncertain. He sounded so cruel.
Yet… would someone so cruel truly help me? Or even defend me?
Was I looking at things all wrong?
"Yeah!" Shippō climbed onto Miroku's lap, trying to catch my attention. "He's a real jerk! One time before we met Sango he even teamed up with Naraku to try and kill Inuyasha and steal his sword! Miroku ended up being badly poisoned by the Saimyōshō because of it!"
Miroku closed his eyes, resting a hand on Shippō's head gently. "Yes, I remember that. It was shortly after I started travelling with you all. If I recall correctly Naraku gave Sesshōmaru a mortal arm that was embedded with a jewel shard so he could bypass tetsusaiga's barrier. If Inuyasha didn't tear it off when he did we would have surely died horrible deaths."
Oh my gods.
I picked the cat demon up, holding her close to my chest once more. I didn't like what I was hearing at all; it was so awful. "H-He… He didn't seem like a bad person when I spoke to him… all he wanted was to kill Naraku. He never even mentioned Inuyasha! I-I mean, due to some stuff that was said back when we were fighting Taigokumaru I… I assumed that he might have tried to kill him before, but…"
"But what?" Sango asked, looking at me curiously. "You didn't think he was capable of it?"
"I-I just… when I met him I…" I hesitated. Kirara mewed and pressed her cold nose to my bandaged cheek. "I-I just didn't think he was a bad person- not anymore, at least. I mean, I… I know you guys were about to fight each other in the tower inside that one room… but you didn't! Sesshōmaru backed off before there could be a battle; he decided not to hurt you! Th-That's a good thing, right? He was being nice there!"
Sango didn't look that convinced. "I suppose…"
"What makes you so certain, Irene?" Miroku questioned, staring at me with curious eyes. There was something else in that expression of his that I couldn't quite name. My eyebrows knit together as I looked at him, not understanding what he was asking. "You only met him once. Why do you trust him so?"
"Because…"
I faltered. I remembered his stone-cold gaze, those piercing golden orbs that bore into my soul and determined my sense of worth. He was always so quiet and calculating, not bothering to speak unless needed or if something truly piqued his curiosity. Sesshōmaru was incredibly strong, far more powerful than any human or demon I've met in this time period. He tolerated my rambling nonsense as much as he did his own servant's irritable personality, even going so far as to punish the imp when he became too brash or harsh with his insults.
He kept his word and protected me, even going so far to push me behind him when it seemed like he and Inuyasha might battle. I didn't think of it much then, but now it all seems like he was aiming to keep me out of the way of any crossfire- defending me even in that moment. Sesshōmaru used the tenseiga, a sword he apparently considered useless, to save Otoki and the souls of all the undead, breaking the spell on Yukimura and freeing his heartbroken spirit.
He…
A hand raised to my chest and I frowned, biting on my bottom lip, a large array of emotions conflicting inside of me.
He was wonderful.
And yet my friends were all telling me these terrible things, informing me about the monstrous deeds he has done.
"I… I have no reason as to why I shouldn't trust Sesshōmaru."
The demon lord never shown any sign or done anything to me that would warrant my distrust. All I felt towards him was immense gratitude, yet the words these people around me spoke tried to warrant fear and anxiety towards him. I didn't like it. Inuyasha's eyes became alight with rage and I flinched when he suddenly rammed a fist into the floorboard, breaking the wood and leaving a large hole in the ground.
We all watched as he stormed out of the hut, smacking the beaded hanging door so hard out of his way it fell off its strings and collapsed. The half-demon was furious… and it was because of what I said. My lips tilted downward and I turned away from everyone, cuddling Kirara close. I knew the second I voiced my opinion Inuyasha would throw a fit; I just knew it.
"And he hates me now…" I sighed, feeling the sadness creep in as I thought about how angry he was. He must feel so betrayed; the half-demon was a lot more sensitive than he tried to portray himself as. "I just… I feel like Sesshōmaru had to have changed from the last time you guys saw him. Otherwise he would have killed me, right? I-I don't know…"
An arm wrapped around my shoulders, Sango pulling me to her chest. Her brown eyes were soft as they met mine. "I think you're just too nice, Irene. You think good of just about everybody; Inuyasha will realize that soon enough. You just need to give him time to think."
She says that, but I fear my friendship with him is already over. This is why I always stayed out of arguments in high school- and when they did occur I would always play neutral. How come this felt so different from then, I wonder? Because it was over someone who literally threatened his younger brother's life in the past? It was all petty fights and arguments back where I was from; I often acted as the messenger for everyone because they stubbornly refused to just talk to each other and fix the misunderstandings.
Now… it felt like I was losing someone important.
I've been abandoned and replaced by so many people I called friends; Inuyasha and I have had a rocky relationship to begin with- our personalities weren't very compatible. He was all brash and hot-headed, and I was awkward and passive aggressive. He tried to bring out the more aggressive side of me, especially when we trained together to help me get better at using the Shikigami, but… it never really worked.
We were just too different.
And I hated that. I wanted to be friends- good friends, true friends. It was just… hard.
I thought we were finally getting somewhere too, but then Sesshōmaru had to show up and act all… strong and beautiful. He had to be aloof and nice at the same time, yet have a terrible past with the people I cared deeply about. Freaking… demon lord person. Urgh. I really needed to fix things with Inuyasha now. But how?
"Still…" Miroku spoke up, looking at me with concern, his expression completely serious. "Now that Sesshōmaru knows you're travelling with us, I fear your opinion of him will soon become corrupted. Rather than protecting you… he may just wind up hurting you in the end."
I said nothing, no longer able to have the confidence to voice my thoughts on the matter. Everything they said made sense and yet… I doubted it.
Was it because I was naive? I'm not the brightest person; I can be rather obtuse most of the time, always slow to understand things that aren't explained properly to me. Always questioning and wondering, yet unable to bring myself to ask aloud what it is I am confused about. The few times I am able to this happens- the people I care about get hurt or offended.
I was intimidated by Sesshōmaru, yes, but at least I was able to ask him things without causing him to get angry. He was so calm and serious; that man took everything in stride. It was hard to believe him and Inuyasha were related. With the way he shielded me when he was about to harm the others, even after knowing I was friends with them, would he truly aim to cause me hurt?
"Irene, come here." I heard Kaede call out to me. I winced, fearing that I might get lectured for my words, and reluctantly pulled myself away from Sango's comforting grasp. Walking hurt because of my wounded feet, but I put up with it. It could be considered my punishment for hurting someone I thought of as a friend. Kirara looked like she was about to transform, to carry me again, but Sango placed a hand on her back to stop her. How odd. Kaede pulled over a small crate, instructing for me to sit down on it. "Mince the vegetables, will you?"
"Uh… okay. Y-Yeah, sure." I sat down and picked up the knife, staring at it nervously before bringing it over to the cutting board. "I can't really cook though, so be warned."
The old priestess chuckled. "I am well aware. Consider this practice; I will teach you."
A warmth filled my chest at this and I felt terrible for the small smile that tried to form. I shouldn't be allowed to- not after what I did. I carefully held the vegetables still and began to chop them, doing it a bit slowly because of my lack of experience. Kaede observed for a moment before returning to stir the stew that was boiling in the middle of the hut, inhaling the scent before shaking her head. I had managed to dice up the radish fairly easily, but then I got to the garlic and onions and… frick.
I blinked rapidly, trying to force the tears away as I chopped them. It smelled awful.
Kaede returned shortly after and grabbed some seasoning, pouring some herbs into the pot. "Almost there. Are the vegetables ready yet, Irene?"
"Uh, y-yeah. I think?" Sango smiled at my uncertain answer, finding something about it amusing. Miroku and Shippō were trying to hide their grins with their cups, drinking their tea. "D-Do you want me to just pour them in or-?"
"Into the pan, please. With the rice."
"O-Okie dokie. Um… oh gosh." Why am I so freaked out over this? I bit my bottom lip and poured the chopped food into it, watching as Kaede came over and began to mix them together with the rice, cooking them on low. Stir-fry rice and veggies with beef stew; that seemed rather extravagant for a priestess in a small village, but there were a lot of us in this hut. She must have gotten a great deal of hunting done earlier. "Th-That good?"
She nodded. "Yes. Thank you, my child. Why don't you go and dish out the portions for everyone? I'll fetch some of the napkins dear Kagome left behind."
"R-Right." My feet seriously ached. I wondered why she was having me do this all of a sudden; it seemed so random. No one ever let me help with the cooking before back home, no matter how much I asked so I could learn, and then I would always be given grief because I didn't know how to cook. Now Kaede was having me chop vegetables without an explanation. Was it to distract me from the fight with Inuyasha or did she actually need the help? "Bowls! Where are the bowls? Th-There! Found them. Okay."
I took out several large bowls. Pouring some of the stir-fry into them I moved over and poured the soup on top. Shippō leaned over with big eyes, practically drooling at the sight. "It looks so yummy~! Yay!" He took his bowl excitedly. "I can't wait!"
"Me too." Sango hummed, accepting the food offering and grabbing a pair of chopsticks. "Ah, it looks delicious. You did a nice job cutting the vegetables, Irene. Thank you!"
"Yes. You and Kaede both." Miroku said, bringing his bowl up to his lips and sipping at some of the juice. "Mmm. Perfect. Now if only Inuyasha wasn't sulking he could have his share."
"Agreed." The demon slayer commented, taking a bite. I dished out Kaede's potion and was about to get to mine when they said that. I hesitated, glancing out at the doorway nervously. "If he expects me to bring him his bowl he has another thing coming!"
"Same here." Shippō huffed. The three were all eyeing me intently, causing me to stiffen and stare at them strangely. "I'm not doing it either. What about you, Miroku?"
"Nope. I'm going to enjoy this delicious meal."
Are… they trying to convince me to go bring him his food? Seriously? I was sort of planning on it anyway, but… still. There was no need to be so unnerving about it. I was hungry too. I grabbed two pairs of chopsticks, filled up two more bowls, and stood. "I-I'll… be back. Um. Sorry."
Frick. They're trying to stress me out, aren't they?
The bottoms of the bowls were hot and they were starting to burn my hands, but I ignored it in favor of walking outside, glancing both ways and looking up at the trees to see if the half-demon was in any of them. He tended to have a habit of hiding in high-up places. I wondered why that was? Some of the villagers saw me walking around and sent out greetings, welcoming me back from my travels with the others. I ended up asking them if they've seen Inuyasha around and they pointed me towards the outskirts of the village near the Bone-Eater's well.
Thankfully there were no demons this time waiting to attack. Inuyasha must have taken care of them this morning- he was gone until evening hit, after all. Now it was around eight. I found him near a hill, hiding in one of the branches of a very large and bulky tree. His ears twitching signaled he heard my approach and I wheezed, exhausted from all the movement. I had been walking around town so long the food had cooled some, the gashes on my feet throbbing painfully. I really need to heal those later. "In… Inuyasha! Dinner is… ready…!"
"Just leave it and go. I'll eat later."
Wow, okay. Rude. He can probably smell the blood on my feet, so he knows I hurt myself to bring him his stupid food. Is he that mad at me? "...Aren't you always hungry?"
"Just go away!"
My head lowered at that, heart sinking deeper into my stomach. My fingers tightened on the bowls, shaking so bad they threatened to spill the soup. Did he truly hate me that much? For sharing a difference in opinion? No, it wasn't just that; it was because I defended someone who had hurt him. Someone who had helped me and protected me. Someone Inuyasha felt great bitterness and disdain towards, someone who was supposed to be family. "I… I'm sorry."
I didn't know what else to say. But it seemed to have set him off the edge, the half-demon's ears twitching and eyes lighting with rage, the boy turning from his spot on the branch and glaring down at me as he shouted. "Stop with the fucking apologies! Do I have to tear your tongue out to get you to shut up!? Just get out! If you like him so damn much go travel with that bastard instead, you got that!? It's not like we really even need you here!"
...Oh. O-Oh…
The half-demon's eyes grew wide when he realized what he said, ears drooping down slightly, but he didn't take it back. He whirled back around, legs crossed and hands shoved up his kimono sleeves, the boy huffing as he turned his head away. Seeing this, my heart sunk deep into the abyss of my stomach, hope of ever making amends starting to shatter.
"I-I see." My eyes began to sting with the familiar sensation of tears, teeth momentarily tearing into my trembling bottom lip before I gave a tired smile. I really did cross the line. I finally thought we were getting somewhere, that our friendship meant something. But, just like with everything else, I was wrong. Or maybe it did mean something and my big stupid mouth just destroyed it. I'm not the brightest person. I'm not even that useful.
Miroku, Sango, Shippō… they all tried so hard to convince me that I helped them somehow. If I had, then why am I screwing up so badly right now? Can they answer me that? Child or adult, human or demon or half, they were wrong and… I was wrong. Even with this useless body, even with the spirits that are inhabiting me…
I'm still so pathetic and cowardly. I claim to try and face the consequences of my decisions, yet here am I turning tail and running away from them. How on earth am I supposed to make amends with someone who wants nothing to do with me?
"I-I'll just… leave your food here, 'kay?" I swallowed down the lump in my throat and knelt down, squeezing my eyes shut and keeping the smile on my face, setting the bowl on the grass. "Th-The others are worried about you, so just… let them know what's up when you're done. Okay?"
I was never very good at keeping friends, anyway, but this is fine.
It wasn't like it had a chance of lasting this time, anyway, not with the circumstances we were in. I'll be heading back home eventually. Taking a deep breath and ignoring the way the world seemed to slow down around me, I cradled the lone bowl to my chest and began to walk away. And as my head hung low, voice locked deep in my throat somewhere, I thought I heard the sound of a branch moving. But minutes passed and no one came, and I knew I was mistaken.
That was when the droplets fell. Splashing into the soup and against my hands, tears trickling down my face and burning my eyes. It hurt so much. My feet felt super sore, too.
I didn't even have much of an appetite anymore.
Perhaps I should have made my way back to the hut; that would have been the smart thing to do. Yet, as I mentioned I wasn't the brightest and I found myself sitting on a rock at the lake I normally bathe in, bandaged feet resting in the icy cold water, bowl of food abandoned somewhere on the ground. It's been almost thirty minutes- Sango and Miroku were probably worrying by now. Or maybe they thought Inuyasha and I had made up and were just hanging out. Who knew? I didn't really care anymore.
I just wanted to go home.
I want Maria…
I can't handle much more of this. It hurts too much. This world is so scary and cruel; I hate it. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it! Naraku, Anastasia, the incarnations, the deceased… it's terrible! Awful! Monstrous! They've murdered so many innocents, they've tried to kill me, they've tried to kill the others! So many more are still going to die; there's no end to it! Just what is the point? This endless cycle of hatred and bloodshed…
Why can't it just end? Why is trying to help people…so painful? Why is trying to survive so painful?
Why is trying to keep a friend… so difficult?
I took a deep breath, leaning my head back and wiping at my face with my sleeves, trying to work up the courage to get moving. I was just about to pull my feet out of the water and force myself to storm back up to the tree to try and talk to the half-demon one last time, when-
"Hey."
A fist bopped the top of my head lightly. My breath hitched in my throat and I choked, wheezing and whirling around to see who it was. I hadn't even heard him walk over. The teen wasn't looking me, instead seeming to stare at the ground, eyebrows furrowed together in what appeared to be frustration.
"You should… eat your food, too. Out of all of us, your health is the worst. Keep crying like that and you'll have another one of those weird breathing attacks."
"Inu… yasha?" Why was he here? I'm so confused. "When did… uh, a-aren't you mad?"
I flinched when he turned his glare to me, the teen raising his voice again. "I'm fucking pissed! You siding with that asshole…! I don't buy your story of that jerk protecting you- not for one second! He held you hostage against us, damn it! I'm even angrier that you helped him and nearly got yourself killed doing so! Another move like that and you might not wake up next time!"
...What? I blinked, stunned. He was angry… out of worry? I mean- of freaking course, that only makes sense, but… Oh, gods, I'm so dense sometimes.
Inuyasha's first instinct was to refute anything that involved Sesshōmaru, the half-demon proud and greatly independent. All he really knew how to do was spew insults when something he didn't like happened; and when he was concerned about others he had a hard time showing it. I knew he was a sensitive person, but this was way out of his comfort range and he was snapping at me because I was the one who pushed him into it.
So… I have to fix it.
But what he said… the blame wasn't entirely on me.
"You wouldn't break the barrier," I said, lips tilting into a frown," so… I did it." He tensed and glared at the water, his expression becoming even more sour and bitter. "If I didn't break it, then… all of you would have died. I-I didn't… I don't want you to die, Inuyasha."
His ear twitched. Inuyasha was staring at me with uncertain eyes, not really sure how to handle this situation.
"I don't want a-anyone else to die…"
My jaw tightened and I brought my hands together, lacing my fingers so tight my knuckles turned white.
"He saved Otoki… your brother used tenseiga a-and he saved her. He saved me. Maybe you're right; if he hadn't… if he hadn't had to come into the room I was in, chances are he would have let me die. B-But he didn't. When demons or undead attacked, he kept me behind him and… protected me. I-I don't know what happened between you; I wasn't there a-and I only know what I've been told, but…"
I glanced up at him, lips curling back as another sob tried to work its way up. Inuyasha's golden eyes met mine and his angry expression softened just a little, as if realizing just how scared I was in that moment. We've come a long way from that time I was first brought to this land; all we did was argue at the beginning. He would yell and I would shrink down, at least until he made me mad enough to retort. We've gotten so much better since then, but there was still a lot to learn.
"People, human or demon, are all capable of change. Even him."
Inuyasha huffed and folded his arms over his chest, squatting down on the rock next to me and scowling. "Do you even hear yourself right now? ...Just eat your stupid food."
Frick, frick, frick; this isn't working! Why isn't this working? I'm no good at these things! This is where we need Kagome to talk the sense into him, because I clearly can't. Growing irritated with both him and myself, I took a deep breath and stated very firmly, "No."
He blinked, looking at me in surprise. "What?"
I unlaced my fingers and set them down on my lap, grabbing at the kimono I was wearing, trying to hide how badly I was shaking. The bandages around my feet were completely soaked by this point, loose and allowing the blood to mix with the clear water, stinging my feet and only making the pain worse. I stared the teenager down, keeping my voice as steady as I possibly could, heartbreak still strong as my anxiety and annoyance won over. "You yell at me for getting myself hurt, yet the only reason I got hurt was because you refused to use your sword to break the barrier around Yukimura! Why? Because it meant "helping" Sesshōmaru. You aren't helping him, you're working together with him. To do what? To save us. To save yourselves."
Ooh, thinking back on it made me so angry. Inuyasha almost looked sheepish now, if not for the fear in his eyes. My hands flew about as I spoke, making gestures and fingers pointing in frustration to enunciate certain points in my rant. I was livid. He can't yell at me for doing stuff to get myself hurt, when the only reason I did such things was because he stubbornly refused to because of a grudge. We were in a life-and-death situation and he would have let us all die because of his hatred for his brother.
I understand not wanting to help the person you despise or feel threatened by, but when push comes to shove you have to stop acting like a bratty kid and do what's best for the group. Our survival depends on the knowledge that we can trust one another to have each other's back, that we can rely on our individual strengths and combine them, to make up for each other's weaknesses, to get through battle. If that meant using the ability of a rival or someone you didn't particularly like, so be it.
We can't defeat Naraku if we can't make it out of fights alive.
"You promised me, Inuyasha." I said, voice low and eyes narrowed. "After I took out Kagura's barrier you said you would handle the next one. You don't have to like your brother, you don't even have to get along with him! But so help me you had better learn to work together or I will smack you so hard you'd have wished Kagome told you to sit. Got that? I only got hurt because I had to act instead of you."
"Wh… Wha… I-I don't have to take this from you!" He shouted, standing up and pointing at me angrily. He was clearly flustered from the lecture. I felt exhausted, worn from so much movement and so much talking. My body was getting weaker, even with how much stronger I've gotten. My arm and shoulder ached. "You're just a sickly human! You don't know anything!"
"Oh? Don't I now?" Freaking child. I'mma hit him. "I know you're hurting because of Sesshōmaru and whatever he did to you, and whatever else happened to you, but you have to learn from those experiences! You can't let them control you!"
"I'm not letting them control me!"
"Then what do you call what happened with Yukimura, huh? Huuuh!? I-!" I broke into several coughs, fingers digging into my chest and pulling at the kimono cloth, hunching over as I struggled to breathe. Inuyasha stopped glaring immediately, eyes growing wide with alarm as he watched my skin turn several times paler, sweat starting to bead down the sides of my face as I hyperventilated and wheezed.
"I-Irene? Shit, your meds-" He looked around frantically, not quite sure what to do. I hit my chest several times, near bruising it, and as I tried to stand I ended up slipping due to my wet and injured feet. Had Inuyasha not caught me, I would have fallen into the lake. "Damn it, Irene!"
"I-I used… the Shikigami…" I forced out, making myself talk despite how hard it was. My insides felt like they were being squeezed, like there was an invisible snake coiled around my throat that reached deep into my chest, strangling me slowly. Inuyasha's arm tightened around my waist and I glared at him, hands clinging weakly to his kimono top. "I used them… because… b-because you wouldn't… do it. I-If you… If you care then…"
So dizzy.
"Then don't… go back…"
I collapsed against his chest, hair falling into my face as I fought against the urge to sleep.
"...on your promise…"
There was no describing what shone in those amber eyes. I'm not even sure Inuyasha himself knew what he was feeling at that moment. The half-demon sighed, scowling as he hoisted me up into his arms. "Keh, you're such an idiot. I'm never going to work alongside Sesshōmaru."
Yeah, I figured… it was worth a shot, though.
My head rested against his shoulder, body completely drained of energy and strength. I had a bad feeling twisting inside of my gut, fearing death more than ever as my condition grew worse with each passing day. Would we be able to defeat Naraku in time? Would we be able to get answers from Anastasia before…
No. No, I won't think like that. It's fine.
I'm going to be fine.
"But, you know somethin'?" Inuyasha's voice snapped me out of my downward spiraling thoughts and I glanced up, his amber eyes flickering to look at me, looking almost gold in the lighting. It was the gentlest expression I've ever seen him wear, a determined look burning in his gaze. I could almost see the resemblance between him and his brother then. "I won't let that bastard get in the way of me protecting everyone. Not again. You can count on that. Next time I will break the barrier- no matter who it belongs to. Got it? Just leave it to me."
I tried to brighten my tired expression at those words, a sleepy and pained grin spreading across my face. "S-So does… that mean… you're not mad anymore?"
Inuyasha came to a halt, stopping in the middle of the forest just outside the village. He huffed. "Don't get me wrong- I still hate that you like that bastard. But…" He grinned down at me, almost smirking. "...that doesn't mean I hate you, though."
"So... we're friends?"
"...Yeah." He said. "We're friends."
Inuyasha then raised his voice again, becoming irritable right quick.
"So shut the hell up so you can actually get some air into those puny lungs of yours! You're not allowed die either, you stupid idiot!"
We didn't always get along, but it wasn't impossible to make amends. Between all the battles and the time spent together, whether it be training or simple conversation, a friendship had grown. It was only to be expected. This young teen had saved my life so many times- he had been the very start of my life here in the Feudal Era.
If he hadn't found me bleeding out on the ground… I wouldn't be here with him now. He really did make me feel my age sometimes though, which was annoying. I hated being the adult of the group. I wasn't even that mentally or emotionally mature. Blegh. Still, I guess I didn't screw up too badly…
I really need to learn not to assume the worst of things.
The next few days passed without much to do aside from watching everyone carry on with their daily lives. It was so boring; I was forbidden from moving around after I had torn open my feet again. All I could do was sit there and/or sleep. Sango, Shippō, and Miroku were the ones who pushed me to talk to Inuyasha and yet proceeded to fuss when they saw the blood. Ugh. I appreciated the concern, but… it was frustrating.
I just wanted to help. It felt like I was being grounded until my feet healed.
If they didn't want me hurt they should have just let me ride on Kirara again.
Still feeling drained, it took a while before I was able to heal myself. The stitches in my shoulder and arm were removed and the Shikigami gave me their blessing, the cool blue flames running along my flesh and repairing the damage. Even my feet were better and, thanks to Kaede, my clothes were back to normal and I could wear them again. I, sadly, ended up sleeping most of the time away and when I was awake I spent the hours drawing, unable to move too terribly much, lungs aching and limbs weak. It would have been nice if I had some music to listen to, but since my phone was long gone I ended up having to hum to fill the silence.
Until this moment, I never realized just how much I missed watching anime or reading manga. I kept drawing characters from the stories I knew and becoming frustrated when I couldn't remember certain details, lacking the luxury of internet and being unable to look up their designs. Then, later, without realizing, I found myself attempting to sketch a certain lord I had encountered. Just like before I grew frustrated, having trouble recalling his armor, and it was only then that I realized what I was doing.
I promptly close my notebook at that, feeling flustered and annoyed as I remembered Miroku and Sango's accusations.
It wasn't my fault he was so inhumanely beautiful. His battling style was ridiculously elegant as well. Sue me if I want to draw pretty things or people. Yeesh. I can't let Inuyasha see it though, otherwise he will end up hating me for real. I let out a heavy sigh, wondering how I was going to get away with living here any longer or if I was even going survive long enough for us to defeat Naraku, when a loud voice suddenly caught my attention.
"-killing every demon they cross paths with!" I knew that voice. That was Hachi, wasn't it? I blinked and turned my head, staring at the hanging doorway in confusion. He sounded so scared- he was shouting. "I know I'm here early, but I didn't want to die because of some jewel shards! Please- forgive me, Master Miroku!"
I scooted closer to the door, peering outside to see the raccoon dog demon freaking out and shouting his worries to the monk. Sango and Shippō were beside them, Kirara curled up in the woman's arms. "What?" Miroku was startled. "Who are these demons, Hachi? What are you talking about? Calm down and explain."
"I told you!" The demon snapped, arms waving frantically in the air. "They're cats! Evil cat demons that are killing everyone they come across with in their search for the shards!"
Shippō made a face, shaking his head incredulously as he looked at the servant. "Am I the only one who's still confused?"
Oh, no. I am, too. The frick was going on? Evil cat demons? I blinked when Hachi suddenly fell to his knees, the raccoon dog sobbing loudly. "L-Let's just get out of here before it's too late! I-I don't wanna die!"
Kirara's fur stood on end. She hissed and looked up, pupils becoming slits as she glared up at… whatever was threatening her. Sango followed her gaze and the woman gasped. Was something on the staircase? I wish I could see. I fought a yawn, blinking several times as I tried to crane my neck and get a better look. "Miroku, up there!"
That was when I heard it; a voice, unfamiliar and almost coy in the way she spoke. To my surprise there was the barest trace of an accent, like this wasn't her first language. "Hello~ I hear there's a priestess in this village. Is that true?"
Hachi began to tremble, tears streaming down his face as he choked. He stumbled backwards, moving to hide behind Miroku. The monk held his staff in front of him, narrowing his eyes. From the corner of my vision I could make our a pair of fur-covered legs and… a tail?
"This is where she lives, is it not?"
I quickly moved back in, not wanting to be seen, and ignored the panicked racing of my heart. Kaede turned off the stove and grabbed her bow, stepping forward with a frown upon her face. She pushed the fixed hanging-door aside, staring at the stranger intensely. "What business do you have with me?"
"Whaaaat!?" The female demon exclaimed, alarmed. Feeling a bit encouraged that it was Kaede the person was after and not me I stood, moving to stand in the doorway and poke my head out once more to watch as the priestess approached the demon. "N-No! No way; you're not her! She's young and wears skimpy clothes! Like- wait a minute, you!"
"...Me?"
"Yes, you!" She stormed over. Kaede hurriedly drew her bow and stood in front of me, about to release the arrow, when the demon vanished and reappeared in front of her, shoving the elder aside and grabbing at my arm with her clawed hand. I yelped, looking up at her with big eyes. "It's not as skimpy as I imagined it would be, but… you are a priestess- aren't you? I can feel the spiritual energy coming from you!"
"Wh-What?" She wasn't going to kill me, was she? Kirara hopped out of Sango's arms, transforming in a burst of flame and growling at the demon. The person holding onto me had sharp red eyes and messy hair, skin almost as tan as the fur she wore. She was way too close and looked distinctly Chinese. "A-Are you the cat demon?"
"Cat?" She clicked her tongue, face contorting into one of distaste. "I am a panther demon, thank you. Don't lump us together with common cats… or you'll make us angry."
"It's theeeem!" Hachi wailed, curling into a ball with his paws over his head. "We're going to die! They're going to eat Irene alive!"
"Irene?" The woman hummed. I let out a terrified squeak when she pulled me even closer, the demon raising my arm up in the air to lean down and get a better look at my face, my back pressed against her chest. "Such a strange name. I never expected the young priestess to be an outsider."
"You're the outsider!" Sango growled, kicking her hiraikotsu up and catching it, lunging at the demon. "Let go of her!"
The panther demon sneered and suddenly I was being tossed in the air, slung over her shoulder as she leapt out of the way of Sango's weapon. The demon raised a hand, whistling, and several more demons appeared from the shadows. They looked far more like wildcats than the one carrying me. "Go! Find the jewel shards!"
"That's what you're after!?" Kaede shouted, pushing herself up off the ground and back onto her feet, fixing her bow and notching an arrow once more. I kicked my legs, trying to push myself out of the demon's hold. She was standing on the rooftop, but I wasn't too concerned with that at the moment. I had a better chance of surviving a fall from this height than if I went with her. "Let young Irene go!"
I yelped when the arrow zipped past us, the demon easily dodging it. "I-I don't have the jewel shards!"
In the distance several villagers and children could be heard screaming, all running to hide in their houses. Some were calling out for weapons, shouting about how they needed to protect Lady Kaede and Lady Irene, but Miroku quickly warned them to back away and hide where it was safe. Hachi continued to wail, Shippō tugging at the monk's kimono and freaking out.
"I'm aware." The female demon holding onto me said, smirking. Her gaze sent chills down my spine and I wanted nothing more than to be put down so I could hide behind Sango. "But you have the power to see the jewel shards, do you not? You will be most useful."
Hold on a moment. Did she think… Did she think that I was Kagome!? Holy frick. Perhaps it was a good thing Inuyasha left to go fetch Kagome earlier; he'll be able to protect her. If I'm the one who gets kidnapped I might be able to fool them long enough for her to be out of danger. I was going to try and use the Shikigami to get free, but… if it meant she'll be safe then this is fine. I'll deal with it one way or another.
"All we need now are the jewel shards themselves and the onmyōji priestess."
Oh. Actually, you know what? Nevermind. There's no winning. I urged the flames of the Shikigami to dance against my palms, the demon unable to see them from the way she was holding me. Taking a deep breath and willing the annoyance to fuel the fire, I pressed the hot orange flames against her back, smacking the woman as hard as I could. She let out a startled shout and loosened her grip, and using all the strength I had I reeled my leg back and kneed her hard in the abdomen.
She hadn't been expecting that, so in her surprise she had dropped me onto the rooftop. I flinched and let out several nasty coughs, wheezing and looking up at her. "J-Joke's on you, lady!" I stood, stumbling and staggering sideways. Shoulders slumped, arms dangling uselessly at my sides, I gave a weak grin. "I'm not a holy priestess."
"What?" The woman exclaimed, enraged. She patted her shoulder, panicking. She couldn't get the fire to dissipate. "What is this-!?"
Her whole body lit up in flame. It wasn't from my fire, no, it was a bright red flame, combating the orange I had burning her. Horror dawned on me as I realized very quickly if I tried the same thing again it wouldn't bother her, fire being her strength. The orange fire was snuffed out quickly as a result of this and I watched in disbelief, unable to believe what I just saw. Anastasia was the only one who had been able to overwhelm my Shikigami before, but now there was this person. I wouldn't stand a chance against her.
All fire disappeared from her body, the demoness turning and fixing me with a harsh glare. "How dare you, a human, attack me!? The mighty Karan!?"
"Because I'm daring? I guess? I can't just… let you kidnap me, can I?" I breathed, starting to grow dizzy. I needed to get out of here- quick. The others were on the ground, weren't they? Kirara must be nearby. "You want the onmyōji priestess? G-Good luck… getting me."
"You little…!" She bared her fangs and looked ready to lunge, but I didn't give her time to finish her sentence. I scrambled to edge of the rooftop, taking possibly one of the most riskiest gambles of my life, and jumped. "Don't-!"
"Kirara!" Frick, frick, frick, the ground is getting close real quick! I don't like this! Oh gods! I was mere seconds from breaking a leg or two, eyes squeezing shut as I braced myself for pain, when something slammed into me from my front and stopped my fall. I gasped, wheezing and breathing heavily, the wind knocked out of me. Fur tickled my face and I blinked several times, black spots dancing in my vision. "Ha… y-you did it! Oooh, th-thank… goodness."
The cat demon roared in response, landing near Sango. The slayer kicked at a nearby panther and moved over to stand guard over us, swinging her hiraikotsu over her shoulder. "Good job, you two! Kirara, keep Irene safe! We've got to defend the village!"
My fingers pulled at Kirara's fur as I struggled to sit up. "A-All they want… are the shards, Kagome, and me." My chest was burning so badly, it felt like my inner organs were straining themselves to keep me functioning. Like they were being weighed down, something trying to stop them from working. "A-Are you sure… we got this?"
The girl glanced back at me, expression serious and eyes determined. Yet there was worry in her gaze- a concern that left me bothered. For a moment, for just a split second, I almost wished I was back under a certain demon lord's protection. I knew if something happened to me Sango would undoubtedly rescue me, but I felt under his wing I would never be captured at all. It was selfish and the desire of a fool, but I was scared.
I've always been scared. In this world full of demons where my survival rate was gradually lowering… I wanted to do what was best for me. My cowardice was taking over. But I wasn't just going to leave my dear friends to die either. I was going to fight, no matter how badly I desired to run away. No matter how convinced I was that I was not meant for this kind of life. I bit my bottom lip, fingers tugging lightly against Kirara's fur. Sango flashed a reassuring smile. "Just stay behind me and Miroku, Irene."
"Y-Yeah…"
That was when Shippō screamed. I whirled around, startled, and watched as the fox demon ran around in a desperate attempt to escape a panther demon's attack. Hachi, who I swore was with him earlier, had dove into the small stream that flowed throughout the village, hiding beneath the wooden bridge. Miroku was slashing at a nearby enemy and, once he got the demon pushed away at a far enough distance, threw a couple sutras at some demons who were heading towards us. I yelped when that happened and almost fell backwards off of Kirara's back when she suddenly rose into the sky.
It was a good thing she did that when she did it, otherwise the two of us would have gotten buried beneath several panther demons. She roared and bit at one that got too close for her liking, and I squealed, ducking down to avoid a slash to the face. Without really thinking, mostly just panicking and acting on pure instinct by this point, I shrieked and shot a miniature ball of flame from my palm when a demon tried to snatch my arm. "N-No!"
The fire exploded against his chest, sending him flying back. I let out a breath of relief when I saw him crash against a couple of his allies that were still on the ground.
"H-Holy frick, I actually got him…" He was still alive, but I landed a pretty decent blow. I had hurt him, not matter how minuscule the damage was. I'm so proud of myself right now. Keeping one hand on Kirara's back, I awkwardly pumped the other into the air, cheering. "H-Heck yeah, take that! L-Leave me alone, you jerks!"
I could hear Miroku praise me from his spot on the ground, the monk swiping at a nearby panther with his staff. "Good one, Irene! You should do your best to stay away from the danger, though!"
Okay, well, excuse me if I'm the one they're after. I can't help it trouble keeps finding me. I'm like thirty feet up in the air; how much farther away do you want me to get!? Any higher and I won't be able to breathe due to the thin layer of oxygen! Come on, dude, you're one of the smart ones! I huffed, pouting, and ducked down against Kirara's back, arms wrapped around her neck as she flew a bit further away.
"Keep 'em back!" Sango shouted. "We can't let them get close to her!"
"F-Fox fire!" Shippō squealed, temporarily blinding an opponent as his flame had landed right into their eyes. He took that time to jump in the air, placing a leaf to his forehead. "Transform!"
And there it was- the giant rubbery pink balloon form. The panther demon leapt up and slashed with his claws and Shippō screeched, barely managing to dodge, and blinked when a sudden ball of fire clocked the panther in the side. The demon fell down, momentum lost, and Shippō turned to see me nervously grinning, hand held in the air from when I had let out the blast.
"Wh-What are you doing, Irene? Get away!"
Him, too? Jeez. I scowled and put on a sarcastic tone of voice, "Wowie, Irene, that was real helpful of ya! Thanks for saving me."
"Thanks, but you need to go! It's too dangerous! Inuyasha should be back any minute now with Kagome, so head to the well! It's- Irene!"
What?
"Mrrrow!"
My eyes went wide and I turned to look over my shoulder, hearing the sound coming from behind. There was a flash of grey and then Kirara was letting out an angered roar, hearing me scream as I was knocked off her back. It was then that Karan dashed forward, catching me with shocking speed before I could hit the ground, Sango crying out of my name. The panther demon had hit me hard in the chest with his leg and I was left to wheeze even more, coughing and struggling in Karan's hold, failing to get her hands off of me. It hurt so much.
"L… Let go…!"
She ignored me completely, calling out to her companions instead. "Back to me!" Karan demanded, jumping up several feet and landing atop the main shrine's torii gate. Any remaining wildcats that had survived the battle followed her, climbing up the staircase and sitting with great balance on either side of the gate. "The jewel shards aren't here, but we have one of the priestesses! We'll be back for the other soon enough."
"No!" Miroku dashed forward. "Don't!"
"Irene!" Shippō cried.
"I'll see you then." Karan purred.
She reached into her kimono and pulled out a handheld object, almost resembling that of a… bomb? No. No way, please tell me that isn't- no, no, no! Ignoring any and all pain, and how a numbness was slowly starting to spread throughout my body, I reeled my arm back and hit her as hard as I could. I heard a solid crack as my arm smacked her in the face, blood spilling from her nose. My legs were thrashing, heels of my feet trying as best as they could to reach her side and failing, and the look in her eyes as she recovered from the blow made my blood run cold. She was furious as all hell.
And before I knew she had tossed me into the air above her, keeping a hold of my arm, and slammed her other fist into my stomach as I descended back down. "You bitch! Wretched human- just go to sleep already!"
She said that, but her actions gave the opposite reaction. It only kept me more awake. The hiraikotsu came hurtling at her from above and Karan leapt out of the way, watching as the weapon curved around the gate and back to Sango. "Let her go!" The woman demanded, charging and kicking at any demons that got in her way. If Karan was furious, Sango was downright enraged. "I'll kill you!"
"Hmph!" Karan tossed the bomb into the air. "Good luck with that, mortal."
Dry-heaving and gasping, I blindly reached out. A pathetic attempt to grab the weapon, knowing full well it was useless, only acting on fear. Yet instead of destroying everything like I had thought it would, the bomb emitted a smoke that made it impossible to see. Karan used that distraction for her and her remaining allies to escape, heading into the forest and moving as far away from the village as possible. Their speed rivaled that of Inuyasha's.
"Damn…" Karan brought her free hand up to her face, putting her broken nose back into place with another gross crack. "You really are an annoying one."
I clawed weakly at her kimono, fingers digging into her back as I spat up bits and pieces of vomit. She really hit me hard; it was frightening thinking of how that was her holding back her strength. One isn't supposed to kill their hostage, after all, if I am even that much. "Wh… What… What do you want with… with me!?"
"I should think that would be obvious." She snarked, sneering down at me as she moved from tree to tree. "I need you and your souls to revive my master."
...Excuse me? That made no sense at all.
The world around me was threatening to become dizzy and bleak, the village becoming nothing more than a spec in the distance. "M… My souls?"
"The Shikigami." She explained, no longer looking at me and instead focusing on her task. "The spirits are attached to their current master and move on only after death. But if our master absorbs your living soul the spirits will go with it, giving him even more strength than what a dozen of mortal souls would! It would be as if we've given him the soul of a demon! You're the perfect fodder for his revival."
Oh…
Oh, frick.
That isn't good.
…
Sango's weapon dropped to the ground beside her, frustration and anger boiling within. Not only did they hurt Irene right in front of her- they stole her away. It held the same feeling as it did whenever she had to watch Kohaku fly away and disappear in order to return to Naraku; a bitter, heartbroken, angry feeling. This was the second time Irene was taken from her grasp.
"Not again…" Her voice was low and quiet, trembling with a barely restrained rage. She lurched forward, yanking the hiraikotsu out of the ground and running up the staircase with fierce eyes. "I won't let her be taken away again! Kirara!"
Hearing her name called the cat demon dashed forward, letting out a determined roar as Sango jumped onto her back. Miroku ran up shortly after, trying to keep up with them, Shippō sitting on his shoulder. "Wait for me, Sango!" The monk called and reached out, barely grabbing onto Kirara's fur in time to avoid being left behind. He pulled himself up with a grunt, positioning himself and sitting behind the girl. "Don't forget us!"
"Th-That was way too close!" Shippō exclaimed, letting out a sigh of relief. "We almost fell off…"
Miroku slid an arm around Sango's waist, his other hand keeping hold of his buddhist staff. They all felt a sense of urgency, knowing the worst could happen if Irene was taken. They had to get her back no matter what. There was no way they would let her die or be subject to some evil demon's schemes. "Do you know which way they went?"
"Kirara can still track their scent!" She responded, glaring into the distance. Her jaw tightened, the woman gripping hiraikotsu so tightly her knuckles had turned white. "The smoke was clearly just a regular smoke bomb- it doesn't distort the senses of other demons! They were using it as a cover to make their escape! That means Irene is still close by- and I won't let them get away! Faster, Kirara!"
…
Karan turned her head with a scowl, looking behind her. "That slayer friend of yours is becoming quite the nuisance." I flinched when the panther demon suddenly moved higher up the tree, leaping off of it and whirling around, palms pointing out towards the way we came. "Hyah! Take that, mortal!"
A red ball of fire shot out of her hands, heading straight towards a figure in the distance. Recognizing the shape, my eyes widened.
"S-Sango!"
The hiraikotsu came flying from the shadows, curving around the tree trunks and smacking hard against several demons. As a result they were knocked off their perches, sent sailing downwards to the ground. Kirara ducked down and swerved to avoid the fireball, the cat demon letting out a defiant growl. She flew a bit faster, the details of Sango and the others becoming a bit more prominent as they neared. "Irene! Just hold on!"
I was already clinging to Karan's kimono to avoid falling off of her shoulder, as well as trying to rid some of the discomfort from being stuck in such an awful position. Aside from the shouting and movement, and the pain in my stomach from her previous hit, this was putting so much pressure against my abdomen and caused incredible amounts of pain against my ribcage. I could barely breathe as is. "I… I am holding on!"
The demon slayer caught her boomerang as it doubled back to her and she narrowed her eyes at Karan, the panther demon grinning coyly at her. "What's the matter? Afraid to attack now that I have one of your precious priestesses?"
"You wish!" Sango snapped. "Take this!"
She spun the hiraikotsu above her head for a total of two seconds before sending it sailing towards us, dark eyes glaring daggers at Karan. I yelped when Karan jumped to move out of the way, the demon using the weapon as a springboard and going even higher up into the air. A wretched smirk was sprawled across her face and I wanted nothing more than to burn it off. So, using Sango's attack as a distraction, I made my own move. Flames danced along my fingertips and, not holding back, I smacked Karan on the back of the head.
"Let go of me!"
Karan let out a shriek and nearly dropped me as the fire turned from orange to white, but my being held hostage on her shoulder did nothing to stop her from setting her own body ablaze to counter my Shikigami. The heat was intense and so abrupt; I barely had time to process what was happening before I was screaming as loud as my lungs would allow, feeling the flame burn my flesh as I thrashed. I'm not too terribly sure what happened next, but in the end she must have lost her grip for I was then tumbling through trees, wind whipping past me so fast it just made the fire spread more.
And, as I was falling, red flames were smothered out by cool blue ones, enveloping my body even as I neared the grassy ground of the forest. I stopped screaming by this point, both physically and mentally exhausted, almost on the verge of passing out. I was certain I was going to die, too, before a familiar giant pink rubber ball caught my attention. It appeared randomly and without warning, and I found myself bouncing off of Shippō's transformed body a couple of times before I collapsed, covered in a multitude of burns, cuts, and bruises.
"Daaamn it!" Karan yelled, growling as she landed on a branch and staring at the battlefield. "They're all in the way!"
"Then leave!" Miroku demanded, ripping the beads off of his hand and extending his arm, pointing it at her. "Wind Tunneeeeel!"
Karan's eyes went wide and she hurriedly moved out of the way, watching as several of her demon allies got sucked into the cursed black hole. Karan brought a hand up and whistled a signal, and the remaining panther demons caught up with her. Miroku, seeing this, closed up his hand and wrapped the prayer beads back around it, watching with narrowed eyes as they took off.
"They're gone." He stated coldly, a deep frown on his face. "I guess they valued their lives after all…"
"Irene!" Sango called out, turning her attention to me. I was unmoving. "No, no…"
Shippō floated higher up and the woman jumped over, landing on the giant pink rubber ball that was currently the fox demon. I could feel his form shift with each step the girl took and I winced when Sango lifted me up into her lap, the woman resting a hand against my face. My skin was pale and my breathing was labored, and there were far too many spots in my vision. The world was spinning around me. "How is she!?" The fox demon asked, alarmed. "I-I can't see up there!"
"Not good." Sango answered, furrowing her eyebrows together. "We need to get back to the village immediately- before those demons come back! Miroku scared them off for now, but they might return for Irene and Kagome."
Oh, joy. That sounded lovely.
I wheezed as I was forced to sit up, leaning against Sango for support, several coughs leaving my lips. "S-Sorry…"
"Don't apologize!" She told me, eyes looking a bit misty. "They're the ones to blame. Shippō… take Irene back to the village! Miroku and I will be right behind you with Kirara."
Setting me back down as gently as she could, the girl hopped on back over to the cat demon and climbed on, sitting next to the monk. Together, the group returned to the hut where we lived and we saw Kaede, the elder priestess, pacing nervously. Her single eye widened when we came into view and her shoulders relaxed, relief washing over her. "Ye've rescued the girl! Thank goodness."
"Yes, but she's not doing well!" Shippō said, transforming back into his childish self. I grimaced as I hit the ground, coughing roughly into the dirt. He made his way over beside me, shaking me a little. "Irene, don't die on us! We'll get you your medicine, okay?"
"I… I'm fine." I cringed, struggling to push myself onto my knees. My limbs felt so numb and weak. Sango climbed off of Kirara and didn't even hesitate as she hoisted me up into her arms, carrying me a lot more delicately than Karan did. "...!"
"Kaede, where's that machine she uses? We need to get it ready!"
"This way. I'll get some herbs ready to treat her wounds."
The next half hour was spent with me tucked against the wall, the nebulizer turned on, and Kaede getting to work on rubbing some kind of green paste on the burned parts of my skin. My head was throbbing, but the pain was slowly diminishing. Miroku and Sango were speaking to each other, trying to figure out what the panther demons' plan was. It was understandable they'd want Kagome for her jewel shards and sight, and yet… they went after me. They found that most odd.
Turning off the machine I lowered the mouthpiece, slowly putting everything away with one hand. Kaede was wrapping my left hand in bandages. "There we go. A few days and it'll be all better. It was a good thing ye got away when you did- otherwise the burn would have been worse."
"Y-Yeah…" I held my wrist, thumb running across the bone anxiously. I had a pretty good feeling that it was the koi fish who saved me, the blue flame that wrapped around me during my fall through the trees having healed the worst of the burns. "Um… about me nearly being kidnapped…"
Everyone stopped talking and looked at me. I swallowed the lump in my throat, uncomfortable. I glanced up at them, seeing their stares. The expressions they wore were both serious and concerned; it felt so strange and heartwarming at the same time. No matter how much time I spent here I still found it so baffling that they cared so much about me in the short time we've known each other.
"Karan- uh, the crazy fire lady- she said…" I took a deep breath, heart still racing. "She said they wanted my soul."
"What?" Shippō was alarmed. "Your soul? Are they working with Naraku!?"
Sango brought a hand to her chin, eyebrows furrowing in concentration. "It is a possibility. Do you know why they wanted it?"
"Y-Yeah, actually." I cleared my throat, shifting my legs and crossing them. "They want to revive their master. According to them an onmyōji priestess is bonded with her spirits through soul, so… if you take the soul of the priestess the spirits go with that soul. But if the priestess dies before that can happen the spirits move on to someone else? I-I dunno, it's weird. She said that was what happened though. They want… my soul and the Shikigami to… to revive their master since it would be more effective than the souls of several humans. It would be like giving a demon as a sacrifice, I think she said."
"Hmm." Miroku frowned deeply at this. "That isn't good. If they get the souls of both you and the Shikigami, and then Kagome's jewel shards… no." He shook his head. "That won't happen. We'll have to warn Inuyasha when he comes back and send Kagome home right away. I wish we could send you back with her as well, but…"
"The well doesn't work." Shippō finished sadly. "This is really bad. What'll we do? They really seem to want Irene."
"How did they even learn of her abilities?" Kaede inquired, speaking aloud her thoughts as she packed up the remaining medicine. "She has not been here long- surely word has not spread so quickly?"
"I don't know." Sango spoke, and she watched as I laced my fingers together tightly on my lap, her brown eyes determined. "But I'm not gonna let them have her. She'll be under my watch."
"Mine as well." Miroku spoke up, dark blue orbs glittering with resolve. Shippō hopped over, climbing onto my lap, grinning.
"Don't you worry! We'll keep you safe, Irene."
There was so much warmth in their voices, barely hiding the fury they held towards the panther demons for trying to kidnap me. It wasn't just Sango who cared about me- they all did. Just as much as I cared for them. My eyes widened when I saw their smiles and fiery gazes, and as everyone's hearts and minds filled with the resolve and determination to keep me safe… I was reminded of a very heart wrenching thought.
These people… they were my friends. True friends. People I could depend on wholeheartedly. They were so very important to me.
And… I don't think I would ever be ready to leave them behind to go home.
Without Maria beside me… I feared I would be comfortable continuing to live here. We had this conversation before back in the bat demon village, after I got mad at Kagome for trying to interfere with my very lacking love life. I was already so attached to her and all of our other friends; did she really think I would be so foolish and fall for someone here when I didn't even bother with relationships back in my era? I'm such an idiot for already allowing myself to befriend everyone.
Sango, Kagome, Inuyasha, Shippō, Kaede… and even Miroku- someone whom I had been very reluctant to go near- has become dear to me. I loved them all so much.
My precious friends.
Those who've I wound up risking my life for.
I want to go home, but I also don't want to leave them behind. They tolerated all my foolishness and tears, dealt with my illness with such kindness. They worried so much about me- even when certain situations would have driven others away. Was it because of the time period or… because that was just who they were? Such generous, wonderful, amazing people who have suffered so much that they go out of their way to help others?
I can't stand it. My heart hurts so much.
The fox demon child watched with big eyes as I teared up, my lips curling back as I choked. "I-Irene? What's the matter? Do your injuries still sting?"
It took all I had not to start bawling my eyes out then and there. I reached down and picked Shippō up, holding him tight. The child wrapped his arms around my shoulders, surprised. "I-I'm just… I'm just happy to have you guys as my friends. Th… That's all…"
Kaede smiled at the sight and continued on her way, picking up the mortar, pestle, and the basket full of herbs. "As are we, my child. Now get some rest. Inuyasha has still not returned with young Kagome yet; it will be some time before the panther demons come back for you. They must regain their strength."
When she says it like that it makes me even more nervous to try and take a nap. What if they attack in my sleep?
I didn't argue though. I curled up in a ball with Shippō on one of the futons that had been laid out earlier and closed my eyes, dreading the moment that Karan would return. I yawned, becoming vaguely aware of the footsteps that neared us. Sango. The woman knelt down, resting her hand softly on my head and brushing the bangs out of my face. "Just relax, Irene. No one is stealing your soul, whether it be Anastasia or these panther demons."
Notes:
So, does anyone else just remember how Jaken took one look at Sesshomaru and was like, man, I'm gonna give up being king of the imps to become a servant to this person. He's so beautiful and strong.
And Lady Sara: Frick, this demon is so beautiful. He just slaughtered an entire army. I'm gonna fall in love with him now.
Even Kagura: Huh. Handsome, strong, could possibly kill Naraku and free me... damn. I'm in love.
I love it. XD I mean, same though. Haha. Me too. Why be king when you can serve Lord Sesshomaru?
Anyway, ignore my rambling. I just love that reasoning so much. Jaken is such a mood.
Hopefully the argument between Inuyasha and Irene made sense. She doesn't like to take sides and also doesn't want to hate on someone she personally doesn't have any qualms with as it would create only MORE drama. So she knows Sessho hurt Inuyasha, but also knows Sessho was nice to her. He may have been bad before, but he doesn't seem to be anymore. It's weird. Confusing. I dunno. I hope it made more sense in the actual chapter. Emotions are weird.
So, does anyone else just remember how Jaken took one look at Sesshomaru and was like, man, I'm gonna give up being king of the imps to become a servant to this person. He's so beautiful and strong.
And Lady Sara: Frick, this demon is so beautiful. He just slaughtered an entire army. I'm gonna fall in love with him now.
Even Kagura: Huh. Handsome, strong, could possibly kill Naraku and free me... damn. I'm in love.
I love it. XD I mean, same though. Haha. Me too. Why be king when you can serve Lord Sesshomaru?
Anyway, ignore my rambling. I just love that reasoning so much. Jaken is such a mood.
Welp, sorry for the wait! Maria's PoV of her journey should be posted up before the next part to this chapter, so things will make a bit more sense on her end, but if it takes too long then I'll just go ahead and post the second part of the Panther Arc. I'm not the one writing Maria, but I have most of the pages given to me already typed out. It's just missing like the last quarter. Hopefully the argument between Inuyasha and Irene made sense. She doesn't like to take sides and also doesn't want to hate on someone she personally doesn't have any qualms with as it would create only MORE drama. So she knows Sessho hurt Inuyasha, but also knows Sessho was nice to her. He may have been bad before, but he doesn't seem to be anymore. It's weird. Confusing. I dunno. I hope it made more sense in the actual chapter. Emotions are weird.
Read and Review! :3
