InuYuki laid on her back, her golden eyes filled with conflict and pain, her body aching with pain as her injuries reminded her of her battle against her older sister Sesshoumaru had inflicted upon her. She thought her half sister couldn't get any pettier or devious, then she went as far as to allow herself to be manipulated by Naraku, use a stolen human arm to wield Tetsuigha and then attempt to poison her in the process. She wondered how she had been so unfortunate to end up with such a selfish and cunning older sibling who wanted her dead. She would never be able to wield the sword, so long as she continued to hate humans and her half breed sister. She was so lost in her own thoughts she could sense the demonic aura approaching her hiding spot. Unaware of the approaching soul collectors sent by Kichirou to keep an eye on her, making sure his lover was still alive. He knew of all the manipulations that Naraku was capable of, his brief partnership with Sesshoumaru. Using their hatred of each other to hopefully kill them both and have less hindrance to intrude on her plans.
She was no longer adorning the robe of the fire rat, her signature armour, it was laid to the side upon some wooden poles, drying after being cleaned of the bloodstains caused by the battle. Kagami had patched it up as best as he could from the battle, though damage had been done. It would be a while before InuYuki would be able to wear it again. They would be placing their personal mission on hold until their whole team had recovered fully from their damage. She was wrapped with gauzes around her chest, arms, legs and other parts of her body, scrapes and bruises littering her skin. Wrapped in a short white inner robe that reached her upper thigh, giving her some decency. She hated the pitiful looks everyone gave her, looking at her as if she was some helpless wounded puppy. Yes her wounds were painful and severe but she would live, something like this wouldn't kill her. She had faced thousands of enemies attempting to kill her over the years since her birth, she wouldn't allow her own sister to claim the victory of her death. Kaede had become concerned and given her a blanket to make sure she wouldn't get a chill, she knew the latter was struggling with his brother being reanimated as a living corpse. Knowing his troubled soul still wandered the earth seeking revenge against Naraku, all while his reincarnation lived in another world. This couldn't have been easy for him to cope with.
Soon she sniffed the air, an otherworldly presence surrounding the hut, though it wasn't dangerous any demon was a threat to her in this condition. Soul collectors appearing through the bamboo door and approaching her, hovering above her patiently. Though she was weakened, she wasn't near death, they had no need for her soul. InuYuki cracked open her eyes hazily, exhausted from the pain and the pressure of the battle, surprises weren't something she was approving of right now. She'd had enough of them to cope for the time being, she just wanted things to be predictable for a while. The soul collectors surrounding her body protectively "S…Soul collectors…" she stammered weakly.
She already knew in her gut what this meant, this was their way of communicating with each other, his calling card. She knew Kichirou had to be nearby, waiting for her, she slowly sat up, hissing as pain shot through her in waves, but she pushed it to the back of her mind. She couldn't allow her weakness to deny her of this chance to confront him on what had happened. The spirits began to lead her out of the door patiently, waiting for the half breed to catch up with them. InuYuki gripped her Tetsuigha like a lifeline, using it to help her stand, mustering what little strength she could summon from within her "Kichirou must be somewhere nearby…." she mumbled. Sado was sleeping nearby wrapped in his kimono, sleeping peacefully. Kirara hissing angrily as she sensed the danger, perched atop her masters body protectively.
Suzu struggled bitterly as she fought against the soul collectors wrapped around her like rope, binding her from being able to escape or interfere. Her fox fire wasn't strong enough to defend herself or damage them, the spiritual influence of Kichirou weakened her. She refused to give in, knowing this had to be a trap of some kind, her friends were in danger. "Lemme go, you hear me!" she yelled defiantly, her eyes widened with panic as she noticed the figure of InuYuki staggering from the hut gripping her sword. She knew the hanyou was attempting to escape and visit her past lover, she knew they harboured a strong bond. But she was hurting Kagami by lying to him and sneaking off. Why couldn't she consider his feelings throughout this, how hard this would be for him to cope with.
"Kichirou…" she whispered weakly, she had to see him. She had to know the truth or it would continue to eat away at her. How could someone she loved so deeply, whom had been killed so tragically possibly team up with the demon responsible for his demise. It just couldn't be true, she refused to believe such a thing.
"InuYuki don't do it! He'll kill you!" Suzu pleaded anxiously, she couldn't bear to see her older sister figure killed because of her own foolishness. She needed to cast him aside and focus on the people in her life now who cared for her. This decision would end up with her being killed in her weakened state, she needed to see sense. InuYuki ignored the pleas of the frantic fox cub, continuing to follow the soul collectors towards her lover. This wasn't any of Suzu's business, this was something she had to do alone. Sometimes people made stupid decisions that made no sense, but that was how life worked, though Suzu may not have understood, she needed to respect InuYuki's decision. She gripped her sword tighter for strength, she knew the blade would protect her from danger like a talisman. Suzu's cries fading into the background as she left her hiding place behind.
The soul collectors led her up a hill into the woods, the scent of Kichirou growing stronger the further she got from the hut. She was leaving her sanctuary and heading into the open, but this was a chance she couldn't ignore. InuYuki stumbled forward, falling to her knees as pain swept through her body in waves "Kichirou…" she stammered. Her injuries screaming in complaint at her moving despite the severity of her wounds, knowing they would reopen and forming new ones that would cause her grief. She would happily listen to the others berate her later, she would take some of her mothers medicine and have some of Kaede's medicinal potion rubbed on her wounds. But she could deal with that later, as for the time being it was unimportant. InuYuki felt herself falling forward abruptly, her body being dragged towards gravity as a cliff-edge appeared before her, a yelp of surprise escaped her lips as she stumbled forward, wrapping herself up in a ball in an attempt to protect herself. Whimpering as she felt her wounds being scraped, her face being cut and reopening her injuries. Soon she reached the bottom of the cliff with a sense of relief, the pain washing through her, closing her eyes tightly as she hissed in pain and fought back her tears. It hurt so much she could barely take it, the weight of the hurt in her heart, not just her physical wounds.
Soul collectors surrounding the whimpering half breed, making sure she was unharmed, nudging her fluffy ears and taking in her appearance. Sensing she was alive but her wounds had taken the last of her energy. They then began to float towards their master, approaching Kichirou from his hiding place in a tree. Kichirou reached out a pale hand delicately to stroke the head of the demon affectionately, it had done well bidding his wishes and bringing him what he most desired. Part of him was afraid she wouldn't hear him and would never come to see him again. How he had longed to see her face again.
Kichirou lowered the barrier he had been using to remain undetected from potential enemies, he couldn't be too careful with the number of people who sought his life. His life had been more peaceful when he was alive, now he had to keep his guard up and protect himself at all times. He lowered his gaze to acknowledge his wounded lover remaining unconscious upon the ground, her energy was weak and the scent of blood filled the air like polluted smoke. He saw the bandages, bruises and blood adorning her small body and pale skin. He could see she was badly hurt, his heart aching with pain and anger, he swore he would get revenge on the person who had wounded his lover so severely. His reincarnation supposedly harboured the same affection for InuYuki as he did, yet he allowed InuYuki to be harmed like this. He kept proving his own naivety and foolishness by constantly endangering her. The teenager showed jealousy of his involvement with the half breed, yet Kichirou continued to prove he was more capable at protecting her. "InuYuki…" he called softly hoping she would hear his words, however, she didn't hear him causing him to raise his voice slightly. He no longer had to restrain his emotions as he had when he was alive, he was free to express his rage, his jealousy and his sadness. "InuYuki" he called louder, hoping she would hear his voice. He needed to know she was ok, he needed to know she would survive.
InuYuki's soft ears twitched gently, acknowledging the soft voice calling out to her in an affectionate tone, she felt as though she was in a dream. Her nose catching hold of the scent of Kichirou, twitching eagerly. She slowly lifted herself from the ground, wincing in pain, biting down a sob that wanted to escape from her lips. But she refused to cry in front of Kichirou, afraid he may mock her and call her childish for such a thing "Kichirou" she growled bitterly, she was still angry at him for betraying them.
"You're still alive I see…." He trailed off calmly, his expression gentle "I'm glad" he confessed. He knew Naraku would use any and every possible course of action that would lead to InuYuki's death, making sure it was painful. She wanted her enemy and rival to suffer, further heartache that would break her spirit and cause her to push others away. Though she was unaware of it, InuYuki was playing directly into Naraku's hands by allowing herself to be manipulated and responding with such passionate emotions.
InuYuki growled crossly, lifting herself from the ground to sit up, they had a lot to converse and she wasn't going to allow him to run away. She wanted to believe in him, but his confusing actions made it harder to do so, she just needed the truth to stop her from doubting him. "Kichirou, tell me what's going on! Please tell me you didn't give Naraku the Shikon shards you stole from Kagami!" she snapped defiantly. Why would he hand them over to the demoness responsible for her death? He hadn't been swayed and now planned on becoming their enemy did he?
Kichirou frowned his gaze averting directly to InuYuki in an intimidating manner "Indeed, I did. To cast Naraku into the oblivion" he explained coldly. He knew his plan was concocted in a conflicting manner, making it seem as though he had turned against them. Allowing Naraku to believe that he had decided to help her win. Of course Naraku was a conceited fool and failed to notice that he was playing her like a puppet.
InuYuki blinked in confusion, contemplating this newfound information, this was just too much for her to cope with. Giving him a defensive expression "What are you talking about?" she protested "…Naraku is already much stronger than she was fifty years ago, and she's managed to create two incarnations of herself, Kohaku of the wind and Kei of the void". Naraku was forming newer parts of her soul, creating new bodies to form an army to protect herself but also to rule over the land. Proving her demonic influence constantly.
InuYuki sat cross-legged gripping Tetsuigha tightly in her grasp, a blush dusting her cheeks as she realised her mild indecency. She had been so focused on finding him that she forgot her attire. Making sure she had some decency, wondering if she should have brought her blanket with her. She glared towards her old lover suspiciously, waiting for his explanation "You wanted me dead isn't that right Kichirou? Why you gave Naraku the shards of the Shikon Jewel" she argued defiantly. She knew he still hated her, believing that she was responsible for killing him that day. That she had betrayed him and wounded him in hopes of stealing the jewel when she never had. She just hoped he would have learned the truth.
Kichirou glared into the distance, his dark brown eyes filling with hatred and pain, she still believed that he hated her. The anger in his heart remembering his false accusation towards her. Now realising the depth of the tragedy that Naraku had caused them both, they would never truly know peace again "I would never allow a monster like Naraku to take your life" he responded coldly. He took a deep sigh, he would need to explain himself to her for her to better understand his methods "Listen well InuYuki, Naraku is our most bitter enemy" he warned.
Kohaku leaned against a tree, his maroon eyes gazing into the distance in boredom, if Naraku was capable of killing Kichirou and InuYuki, why didn't she just do so? Loosely gripping his fan between his fingers delicately, this conversation was tedious and he didn't know why he needed to spy on them both. "How trivial, merely keeping an eye on these two" he sighed, he had far more interesting things he could be doing. He could smell the Hanyou's blood in the air, her weakened demonic aura, it would be so easy to slay her here and now "InuYuki is close to death, she hasn't even picked up my scent" he mocked in amusement. Raising his fan to launch a surprise attack, then Naraku would finally have what she wanted and then make off with the rest of InuYuki's friends "I shall kill both Kichirou and InuYuki" he smirked.
Kichirou glared, stiffening into attack mode as he sensed the demonic aura polluting the area, they had been followed, how predictable. Was Naraku so neurotic that she felt the need to hound them just to see what they did in their spare time? Sensing the rise in Kohaku's demonic aura, his desire to attack them both, he had hoped to lure them both here together and do away with them. Kohaku began to summon his demonic wind to attack them both, in InuYuki's state he would easily kill her. Kichirou shot a spiritual arrow, aiming his body at the demon, his gaze heated with silent rage, purifying the surrounding demonic energy instantly, the arrow aiming just short of Kohaku's head, cutting his cheek shocking him. Just an inch closer and it would have decapitated his head from his body. Kichirou was indeed a formidable force, far stronger than his reincarnation ever hoped to become. Kichirou remained knelt on his tree branch, glaring into the distance, gripping his bow and arrow like a lifeline. Naraku's incarnation could consider that a warning of what was to come if he attempted such an attack towards them again. He was not to be misunderstood, for it would lead to his demise. He was prepared to launch a second arrow if necessary, he would not allow anyone to harm InuYuki, he delicately gripped another arrow from his quiver.
InuYuki sniffed the air, gripping Tetsuigha as she prepared to attack "Kohaku of the wind!" she panicked. Had he followed her from the hut? Was he planning to off her friends while she was weakened? Just what in the hell was he up to? Had Naraku sent him here or was he just bored and looking for a fight he could win?
Kichirou glared in the direction of the demon, his eyes cold and unwavering "Your head will be next" he warned. He had caused enough suffering towards InuYuki which he would pay for dearly. He was angered by the manipulation that his soul still endured, the demons that still hounded his lover and made attempts at her life. If he knew what was good for him, he would back away immediately. Kohaku summoned his feather, flying into the air to escape further attack, making his way back to Naraku to relay the message.
Kichirou's gaze remained fixated on the wind demon, watching him escape intently, though he was gone, for now, he would undoubtedly return. He was a foe that Kichirou would have to remain diligent around, his power was formidable, somewhat on parr with Naraku herself. But for now they would be able to breathe easier at least "he escaped" he scowled. He averted his gaze to InuYuki, taking in her shaken appearance, thankfully she remained unharmed. "InuYuki, Naraku will only grow stronger and stronger" he warned, she was a power hungry beast that remained unsatisfied. InuYuki's expression remained perplexed, she didn't know what the hell was going on yet she still found herself trusting him, she trusted him more than she had anyone in her life. Kichirou stared into the distance, the wind gently blowing his black hair, he hated to leave her behind for she meant so much to him. Their time together on earth had been destroyed fifty years ago, yet here they stood frozen in time stealing moments. Their hearts still bound as one, still aching with mutual love. "You mustn't allow Naraku to kill you until I can cast both Naraku and the Shikon jewel from this world" he explained.
InuYuki gazed up at him tenderly, though his words were often cryptic she always knew that she was precious to Kichirou. His gestures spoke louder than his words, showing his affections for her. He had never felt so distant to her and yet so close at the same time. She knew in his own way Kichirou was expressing his concern over her, he wanted her to know how deeply he loved her. The only person who had ever been truly able to understand him was herself. "Your life belongs to me, nobody else may have you" he explained coldly. No man, no woman, no demon, no living creature would ever be able to claim her, for they still remained bound by the red string of fate. Their hearts continued to beat as one. For that sake, if anyone would kill InuYuki, he would be the one to do so, in order for them to perish together. Using his abilities to summon his soul collectors and vanish, teleporting away and leaving her behind.
InuYuki stared up at the branch where he previously sat, her expression find as she found herself longing for his return. Wondering if they would ever know peace or happiness ever again. Loneliness filling her heart as she waited for the moment she would be able to gaze into his eyes again.
Suzu-Shippo
Kohaku-Kagura
Kei-Kanna
Sado-Sango
InuYuki-InuYasha
Kichirou-Kikyo
