Welcome to chapter II! 33 If you like it consider leaving me love, its my nectar that I thrive off of.
- CHAPTER II -
Sesshomaru watched as Jaken built a makeshift fireplace for Rin. He used dried leaves and branches. Rin skewered her fish with a long stick and drove it into the soft ground. She bent it a bit, so the fish would hang above the fire. The girl had gotten quite good at taking care of herself, Sesshomaru barely needed to do anything. He wondered where his reluctance to do so came from. He could do those things for her, but she managed well enough without him, so he didn't give it further thought.
Jaken glanced up at Sesshomaru. "What's up, Lord Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru heard his question but didn't see any use in answering it. He was thinking whether he should make use of the information Kagura had given him. If it was true, he was closer than ever to destroying Naraku. Or to find his heart at least. Besides not wanting to give in to her unspoken request, he saw no reason not to head southeast.
"What's wrong, Master Jaken?" Rin asked.
"Be quiet Rin!" Jaken said. "Can't you see that Lord Sesshomaru is thinking?"
Rin sat down at the fire and hugged her legs. She was okay with getting her own food, following Lord Sesshomaru, and doing what he needed her to do. But sometimes she felt that something was missing and it made her sad. Maybe it was the memory of her dear mother and the warmth she had embodied. It was only the spur of a moment though, never longer. Rin was always able to shake the feeling quickly and smile again.
"Watch Rin and Ah-Uhn, Jaken," Sesshomaru said.
"But..my Lord, where are you going?" Jaken asked.
"I have to check on something." Sesshomaru said. And with that, he turned around and walked southwest.
Jaken sighed and sat down next to Rin by the fire. "Oh, why does Lord Sesshomaru always need to leave me with that girl."
"Don't be sad, Master Jaken," Rin said. "I'll share my fish with you." She beamed at him with the most bright and endearing smile in the world. Jaken sighed once more.
Ginta and Hakkaku were two of the strongest wolves in the tribe. Apart from Koga, who had been an outstanding warrior, even as a kid. And with the Shikon Jewel Shards in his legs, he was now also hell-for-leather fast.
It was oftentimes to his advantage, but Ginta and Hakkaku weren't so sure if they liked it so much. Maybe they would've if they didn't have to chase Koga all the time. After he had run around for days without tiring, they finally caught up with him. Ginta based his arms on his shivering knees, panting. "Ko-Koga, finally."
"Took you long enough, slowpokes."
Koga was sat on a stone, staring at the horizon, where the sun was setting.
"Easy for you to talk," Hakkaku said. "You've got jewel shards in your legs."
"Exactly, OUR legs are tired," Ginta sat down on his butt. "We should slow down and give ourselves a few more breaks. Even you cant fight Naraku when you're burnt out from running."
Koga turned around. " me! That bastard has something coming as soon as I get my hands on him."
"Yes, of couurse," Hakkaku laid down in the grass and crossed his arms behind his head. "But don't you think you should be as fit as possible for that?"
"Keh, even if I hadn't eaten for weeks, Id take that moron down."
Kogas cracked his knuckles and made it sound like he had stepped on bones.
"Are you completely sure of that?" Hakkaku asked.
"Hah? Are you stupid? Why the hell wouldn't I be sure of that?"
Hakkaku pointed at the reddening sky. Koga followed his finger and looked up. He saw a small white feather riding the horizon. He clenched his fist. "That's Kagura!"
Ginta yawned. "Now what?"
"Stop yawning! We will follow her of course!"
"Are you sure?" Ginta asked. "I mean you didn't even pick up her trail."
"Ginta is right," Hakkaku said. "If you are that tired, you could get into serious trouble."
Koga stood up. "I don't fucking care. I'm looking for a trail since weeks! I'm not gonna miss this one."
Ginta and Hakkaku looked at each other with worry. If it was about Koga, their thoughts often resembled each other very closely.
This better not go wrong, thought Ginta, and Hakkaku nodded in agreement, his face stern.
"What are you waiting for, eh?" And with that, Koga dashed away in a whirlwind. A big cloud of dust stayed behind and engulfed his two friends.
"Look Kohaku," said Hakudoshi. "Kagura is coming back."
Kohaku obediently turned his head into the direction Hakudoshi was indicating. A white feather had appeared in the night sky. Hakudoshi grabbed his Naginata and stood up. He had once taken the weapon from a demon named Rengokuki, the former rider of the Demon Horse Entei. "And she has brought company," Hakudoshi added.
Kohaku tried not to show any apparent reaction. Was this part of Kaguras plan? He was sure she ought to have one. Earlier that day she had appealed to him to ask her just one question while Hakudoshi was around. Kohaku couldn't make sense of that request. Did she seek some kind of back up while she was gone? But why would she then come back here, where Hakudoshi was? Why was she not hiding or seeking out Naraku, who had her heart in his grasp?
Kagura landed nimbly footed on the balcony. Her hair was ruffled by the wind and Kohaku thought, that she was even more beautiful and wild like this. He could see it clearly in her eyes, she knew she didn't have much time left. Maybe that's why she had flown fast and untamed. It was probably the last time.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" she asked. She saw a little tube of red paste standing on the table and recalled the conversation overheard earlier. "What is that?"
"Taste it, if you want to know so badly. Albeit.." Hakudoshi took a step towards her. "It could end in premature death. This is the strongest poison in the world, especially against a mutt like Inuyasha. But tell me, did you spend your leisure time nicely Kagura?"
Kagura decided not to answer, why would she. Instead, she walked past Hakudoshi into the hut.
"Where have you been?" Hakudoshi insisted.
"Getting some fresh air."
"Hmm, while you were at it," he said. "It seems you've been attracting some attention to yourself." Hakudoshi followed her like a sinister shadow. "Kagura, don't tell me you haven't noticed someone following you."
She leaned against the wall. "I haven't."
The night had fallen around them. It was quiet, except for some crows screaming in trees far away. The suspicious aura had stopped moving. It was not further approaching the hut. Hakudoshi frowned. Had he been mistaken? He studied Kagura out of the corner of his eye. No. Kagura was plotting something, she always was. And she seemed particularly guilty on this day.
He rotated the Naginata in his left hand. "Kohaku, watch Kagura for me. Shes got enough air for today."
He jumped onto the balustrade, then down and vanished in the darkness.
Kagura scoffed. "That little son of a bitch."
"What are you going to do, Kagura?" Kohaku asked. "Who followed you here?"
"Are you planning to spy on me?" Kagura smiled.
"No," Kohaku rested his chin on the left knee. "I want to destroy Naraku. He made me kill my father."
"Huh," Kagura said. She hadn't had a father and she didn't know what it was like to lose one. Naraku didn't exactly make a loveworthy father figure. The feeling of love towards a parent was foreign to her. She wasn't sure if she understood the concept of love at all. Kohaku studied her. "Did you seek aid?"
"No, I made preparations," Kagura remarked.
Hakudoshi hid in a tree beneath the hut. Whoever Kaguras pursuer was, he would notice him if he came too close. Hakudoshi had a hunch anyway. His aura seemed similar to Inuyasha's, but it was also profoundly different. That only left his brother Sesshomaru, who was, opposed to Inuyasha a full-fledged demon. Was this Sesshomaru an ally of Kaguras? Or had she just given him a hint?
Why had Sesshomaru paused though? Why didn't he attack the hut? Hakudoshi smiled. What have you concocted this time, Kagura?
Sesshomaru stood at the foot of the mountain and looked up at the hut from the distance. That must be the hideout, Kagura had spoken of. He felt an aura nearby and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Hakudoshi probably knew of his presence. And Naraku's aura was nowhere to be felt. It didn't make sense, spying on Hakudoshi when he knew very well of his presence.
Kagura should have known. Why had she lured him here? There might have been the faintest chance of finding something out, but it was small. She had wanted him here for some reason.
He cast another look at the sinister mountain ridge, then turned to walk away. It had been a waste of time to come here. But maybe Kagura's information could be of use to him. After all, she hadn't just mentioned Hakudoshis hideout, but also the identity and location of Naraku's heart. And he was sure, that he kept it close to Hakudoshi and Kanna. After Goryomarus temple had been demolished, Naraku would make sure to protect the baby better.
The room the man was sitting in was tinted in black, darker than everything you couldn't see, with eyes closed. Only a faint orange-red beam lightened up his features and made Hakudoshis white hair glow.
"So Kagura roped Inuyasha's brother in for her schemes." Naraku smiled. "She is hard-headed, you have to give it to her."
"I don't understand why you let her live," Hakudoshi remarked. "Don't tell me you haven't realized that she is more of a traitor than of any use."
"Look Hakudoshi," Naraku stretched out his hand and opened it. On his palm lay a pink pulsing mass of flesh. "This is Kagura's heart. I could squash it into a lifeless clump any time and end her pathetic life."
"So why don't you?" Hakudoshi asked.
"Because she will take one last order from me."
Now Hakudoshi's lips curled into a smile once more. "I understand. And then you'll kill her?"
Naraku nodded. "She won't be of any good use after that."
"You know," Hakudoshi said. "I overheard something that might be of interest to you."
Naraku listened closely to what Hakudoshi had to say. Then he gave Kagura her last task. To guard Goryomaru with her life. She would try to betray him for sure. And if she did that, he would kill her.
Kagura leaned against the cold stone wall and watched Goryomaru. Why had Naraku put her here? This guy wasn't even trying to escape. He didn't answer any of her questions, just stared at the walls in front of him. And he didn't look dangerous either.
"Kagura." Hakudoshi had walked down the steps behind her. Kagura wasn't surprised. She hadn't expected to be alone down here for long.
"What do you want? Who is that guy?"
"Free Moryomaru, if you want to know."
Kagura stared at Hakudoshi. "What are you saying?"
Hakudoshi smiled. "Kagura, how much do you even want your freedom?"
She stared at him. What use could Hakudoshi make of a freed Goryomaru?
"You can't take your time with the decision," Hakudoshi said. He went up the stairs again and Kagura looked at him clenching her teeth. That brat also wanted to go behind Narakus back it seemed. And he wanted to use her as a tool.
"How is it?" Goryomaru asked. "What will you do?"
Kagura watched him. He didn't flinch. Hakudoshi had called him Moryomaru. Everything about this guy was similar to the one Hakudoshi had killed in that temple. But if he had died then, there ought to be a new soul in his body. Just, whose soul was that?
"Huh, what shall I do?"
Moryomaru directed his gaze towards the Arhat statues standing guard in front of his cage. Kagura pulled the fan out of her sleeve. Hakudoshi was probably right. If she watched Moryomaru as Naraku had asked, he would kill her anyway. She had a plan for this scenario, but the chances were low. It couldn't hurt to open up a few more paths.
After Moryomaru was freed, he ordered Kagura to hand out the Goryo-weapons among some bandits to get Inuyasha's attention.
"We need the jewel shard Kagome is carrying. And if we get lucky, we can get rid of her as well." Hakudoshi had said.
Kagura gazed down at the village. Why did Hakudoshi need the shards? He probably wanted to use them on Moryomaru, but why? Whose soul was within him? There was the possibility of it being Narakus infant, but Kagura couldn't be sure. She almost laughed at the thought. At this point, she couldn't afford to be sure of anything anyway. Taking a risk was unavoidable if she wanted to get out of this alive.
But she wouldn't do it at the expense of the villagers down there. Not anymore. Those humans would peacefully sleep, unknowing of the sinister fate they had avoided. Kagura looked around. Sesshomaru couldn't be too far from the place she had met him last. He was in tow with that child after all. Kagura closed her eyes. She could feel his aura, faint but strong and visible throughout all the others like the north star.
Kagura followed it for a while. She was still undecided. If she sought out Sesshomaru now, there was likely no turning back. Only luck could help her then. But did she have a choice? Only to wait, until someone else got rid of Naraku for her, that was foolish and weak.
No, it's enough, she thought, "Ill take whatever small life I have left into my own hands."
Sesshomaru halted in his step, as he felt her approaching. Kagura landed, a storm raging around her. "Hello."