I know, it is very hard to believe considering how long this story had been on hiatus, but here it is, finally. An update, and hopefully the update that marks the beginning of me updating regularly again. Regularly meaning once a month, most likely.
I'm really sorry to all of my old readers (if there are any left by now) for taking so long. I'm sure several of you were already convinced this story was dead and I don't blame you. I do selfishly hope you'll return to read this story and that you can still enjoy it. The same goes, of course, for any new readers I might get as well. Now, on to the long awaited chapter :) Hope you enjoy.
Also, since I've been gone for so long, the summary of 'what happened previously' is slightly longer and more detailed than normal ;)
ANONYMOUS REVIEWS:
Guest(s): Forgive me, but I shall lump all the unsigned anonymous reviews together. I'm sorry for disappearing again after giving you just one chapter. However, I can assure you that shall not happen again. From now on, updates will be consistent. At least I hope so. I also hope you (all) will continue to read and enjoy this story. Is that selfish of me to hope? Probably, but for once, I don't really care LOL
Neo-Crystal: I visibly failed as far as your request to 'not wait so long before posting a new chapter' *sigh* I failed spectacularly, actually. And I'm very sorry for that. I hope you can forgive me. If it means anything, though, as stated above in the my AN, I should be able to update regularly from now on. As for your wondering about whether or not Inuyasha will be back in time to get jealous, well, read on and see. As for Koga… well, you might not have to wait long for him anymore. Not that I haven't taken my sweet time with planning when exactly he'll show up LOL But he's indeed coming to appear personally soon. More or less, anyway. Look forward to it ;)
Tracks for this chapter:
Yui Makino:Tsuki no Shijima
Blood-C OST: Organization
Standard disclaimer and reader's key apply
What happened last time: Kaede's village is attacked by a horde of demons similar to the waves that had been plaguing it periodically fifty years ago while Kagome and her friends are there to rest and, in Inuyasha's case, to train. However, the attack turns out to not only be staged by Naraku, but also to be two-fold, as the village is not the only place attacked. The well leading to Inuyasha's home is as well. Though the attacks are repelled, it is not without worries as to why Naraku bothered with the path to Inuyasha's home, as well as some frictions in the group as Sango fails to understand Kagome's insistence on protecting the well over the village if she's forced to choose between them. Miroku's Kazaana is wounded during the fight, but the monk decides to keep quiet about it and leaves on his own for the temple he grew up in, where he intends t have the wound treated. However, he's caught in yet another trap of Naraku there. The rest of the group, alerted of the emergency by Hacchi, rush to his rescue and manage to save his life, although the high priest of the temple informs Kagome that ultimately, the Kazaana's wound had been treated too late and that the Air Rip had widened, shortening Miroku's life-span. The following night, shortly before sunrise, a group of bat demons is drawn to the temple by the scent of blood that remained from the gruesome battle and Kirara is poisoned by one of them. As Kagome turned human for a day, Inuyasha offers to go to a relatively nearby village where a field of herbs guarded by a demon is rumored to be, since he can go there faster than anyone else on his bike. The group agrees to let him go, although Kagome insists on accompanying him. The village in question turns out to be plagued by a vicious demon that eats human bowels. The villagers, persuaded a demon named Jinenji is the culprit, lead Inuyasha and Kagome to the herb field they've been looking for to kill him. Jinenji is the rumored 'demon guarding the field', although it turns out he's not only the actual owner of it, but also an innocent half-demon. As the villagers refuse to believe the culprit might be someone other than him, Inuyasha decides to strike a deal with them before they can raid the hanyō's home: wait until sunrise the following morning, during which time the priest and his seemingly human companion find the actual culprit of the murders. Rather than immediately set to the hunt, however, the duo splits up as Kagome insist Inuyasha should return to the others to give the healing herbs to Kirara, while she remains at Jinenji's home until sunset, by which point she believes Inuyasha should return. Their plan is to start the hunt then, when the priest returns and Kagome is a half-demon once again.
Chapter 53 – Two Half-demons, Two Life-styles
"What in the world are you doing back here, girl? I told you to leave already."
That was how Kagome was 'welcomed' back at Jinenji's field by his mother. The currently human half-demon only shrugged mentally, however, far from bothered. Physically, she behaved far more formally, bowing before the old woman briefly in greeting, even though she'd been here not full ten minutes ago.
"Indeed, you have. However, current circumstances led to me coming back," she replied to the old woman, though she wasn't quite sure if those had been the right words. After all, the circumstances that 'led' her to come back were of her own making. Or Inuyasha's, really, but it wasn't like she'd really, actively tried to stop him from doing what he had. If anything, she appreciated his desire to help out Jinenji more than she'd been willing to show. The fact that the priest was so determined to help an innocent half-demon was more important to her than she'd let on in front of him. More important than she'd let on in general, really.
"What circumstances?" the old woman asked her, her expression clearly one of suspicion. Kagome didn't blame her. After all, Jinenji's mother had no way of knowing she had another half-demon in front of her. So it was understandable she wouldn't trust Kagome easily, if at all. Heck, even if she'd known the half-dog for what she was, Kagome doubted the old woman would trust her. Just because she was a hanyō didn't mean she'd be willing to stick her neck out for another half-demon, after all. It was because of all of this that the currently-human girl smiled good-naturedly and explained what had been going on. How Inuyasha and her were about to leave when they ran into a group of villagers out for blood. How the priest had persuaded them to wait at least until the next sunrise so that he could prove Jinenji's innocence. And how, surprisingly enough, the villagers agreed, though warned they wouldn't wait until sunrise tomorrow if there was even one more victim. Once she was done explaining, the old woman frowned at her.
"Why would you stand up for Jinenji like that? You or that priest who was with you?" She asked in a low tone, one that Kagome could only possibly interpret as distrusting. Not that she was surprised. Actually, she would have been far more astonished if the old woman had taken her words at face value without giving any hint of being the least bit suspicious.
"He is innocent in all this," Kagome replied with a shrug. And he really was. She was certain of that. "Isn't that reason enough to help?"
"He is a half-demon," the woman the villagers held for a witch pointed out and Kagome frowned. Of course, she knew the reason this was used against her now. For anyone else, this would have been more than enough reason to kill the old woman's son on the spot. Or at least to not get involved when the villagers wanted to do just that. Still, it was certainly not enough reason for Kagome.
"He's a living being. A person. Human, hanyō or demon, doesn't matter. He's innocent and killing him will do nothing except create another victim," she replied earnestly, her own brows furrowing in a frown as she spoke. It wasn't an angry frown, though, but more of a determined one. Determined to make this woman see that she was really on Jinenji's side, that she wasn't pretending.
"It would matter to anyone else," Jinenji's mother pointed out accurately. "Why wouldn't it matter to you? Or that priest that was with you? Where is the young man, anyway?"
"We have our reasons," was all Kagome said in reply, habit and mistrust of her own making her impossible to admit to her own species. Not when she was currently human. Not even to the mother of another half-demon. She just couldn't admit to what she was right now. Not until sunset. At that point, they'd find out anyway, but she'd be fine with it then. "And we decided to split up. We weren't lying when we said a friend of ours needed Jinenji-san's help. So he went back to our friends to deliver the herbs we were given. He'll be back later."
"And he left you to look for the real culprit of those murders, then?" the arched eyebrow Jinenji's mother said those words with made Kagome feel insulted. Like it was implied she might not be enough to deal with the threat. Well, maybe it was, and in the old woman's defense, all she saw was a young, human girl. Sword or not, that was bound to not inspire much confidence.
"Indeed, though I will only get to it come nightfall. It's unlikely the demon's active during the day, anyway."
"And until then?" the arched eyebrow rose even higher on the old woman's forehead. Kagome replied to her stare with one of her own.
"I was thinking of staying here to make sure the villagers wouldn't go back on our deal," she replied calmly. The old woman before her blinked, as if not expecting an answer that spoke so clearly of mistrust from someone who seemed so young and naïve – which was probably what the currently human Kagome seemed like to her. Then she laughed.
"Well, well, looks like you're not as foolish as you appear. Come inside. I was just finishing up on the midday meal. There should be more than enough to fill an additional stomach," she said, walking into her hut and waving for Kagome to follow. Relaxing slightly, the half-demon-turned-human bowed again despite knowing the action wouldn't be noticed.
"Thank you for your hospitality," she said and followed the old woman into her hut. A hut which seemed much too small for its inhabitants, despite being the same size as any other hut in any village Kagome had ever seen. However, it was the first time someone the size of Jinenji lived in such a small hut, and it was painfully obvious the living conditions weren't optimal when one saw the way he was curled up on himself just to fit inside. Though the position also looked like one a child might take to protect itself if it was being hurt and no one was around to help it. Kagome sincerely hoped it was just the restriction of space. When one eye turned in her direction upon her entrance, Kagome bowed to him again. "Jinenji-san, I apologize once again for the misunderstanding earlier," she said quietly before straightening. Of course, 'misunderstanding' was putting it lightly. 'Attempt to kill him' was actually a far more fitting description of the situation.
"Ah… uhm… it's… alright, really…" the big half-demon stuttered out and Kagome could swear she saw a blush on his cheek, despite his already reddish skin color. The hanyō-turned-human replied with a soft smile before sitting down on the ground next to the fire pit, opposite Jinenji's mother. Unlike Kaede's hut, this one had no floor. No tatami mats or even a wooden elevation as protection from the cold ground. It might because such a thing would take away even more of the space Jinenji's big stature needed, but Kagome had a feeling it was more than just that.
To her right, Jinenji shifted once she sat down so that he could face the fire pit and the food hanging over it as well. He was still rather curled up, his knees drawn up to his chest and his long arms wrapped around them tightly, his entire upper body hunched forward to make himself smaller. And while the position still seemed rather defensive, it was less so than the previous one where he had a hand covering his head as if expecting to be hit. Now, Kagome could actually believe he was sitting like that because of the space restriction.
As he shifted, the fire illuminated Jinenji's skin at a different angle and something caught Kagome's eye. Blinking, she turned her head to get a better look while Jinenji's mother filled up three bowls with food. What had caught Kagome's attention in the light was scars that adorned Jinenji's arms. Eyes widening, she roamed the rest of him quickly, what she could see of his skin anyway, and quickly noticed his arms weren't the only part of his body that bore them. With wide eyes, she raised her head to meet one of Jinenji's bulging, round eyes. He was watching her, too. Gaze saddening, her eyes lowered to one of the scars again and she reached out a hand as if to touch him before quickly thinking better of it and lowering her arm again. Then she met his gaze once more.
"Those scars… is that the villager's doing?" she asked softly, though she was pretty sure she already knew the answer. The small, silent nod she got in response only drove the point home, though. She bit her lip and looked down at her knees. She knew humans could be cruel, especially to half-demons. She knew from personal experience. But this? Even she hadn't expected this.
"You seem shocked. Why? You saw how those villagers came to treat us just because Jinenji here is a hanyō," the old woman pointed out, her words making Kagome look up at her uncertainly. Well, yes, she'd seen that. And again, she knew from personal experience how bad things could get. But still, this was on a whole different level.
"Well, yes, but… half-demons don't scar easily," she said in a low tone, her gaze once again wandering to one of the scars before Jinenji covered it with one of his hands, making her look away again. Yes, half-demons didn't scar easily. She was sure of that. Maybe some didn't have quite the healing factor to work with that she did, but still, she was sure no half-demon scarred easily. Heck, she had been nearly killed in a very bloody way by Sesshōmaru several times during her life, and she didn't have a single scar to show for it now. How bad must things have been for Jinenji for it to leave scars like these? Even if he couldn't heal quite as well as her? It had to be beyond awful. Beyond the kind of awful she, as a fellow half-demon, had experienced.
Silence was the only answer for a while to Kagome's soft comment. At least until Jinenji spoke up softly, uncertainly… timidly, even.
"It's… not as bad as it looks," he said and Kagome looked up at him briefly at those words, though her gaze made it quite clear she didn't believe a word of that. Not in the way he likely wanted her to, anyway. Oh, it wasn't as bad as it looked, sure. Because Kagome was certain it was far worse. She shook her head.
"You didn't deserve that kind of treatment, Jinenji-san. No one does," she said softly, one hand rising to rub at her eyes when she felt them burn. For once, however, she didn't curse her emotionality while human. For once, her reaction felt very much appropriate. Even if she knew she wouldn't have reacted this emotionally if she were in her half-demon form. Another second of silence followed that comment, a time Kagome used to try and get her rampant emotions under control. She managed, at least in part. At the very least, she wasn't openly sobbing, though her eyes still felt a bit watery. She hated this. She had accepted it as far as she herself was concerned, but now, being faced with another half-demon who experienced the same kind of life as her, if not worse, she hated it. It just wasn't fair!
"Uhm… well… it's not… as bad as it… used to be?" It was pretty clear Jinenji wasn't exactly used to having people feel badly for him. His stuttering as he attempted (and failed miserably) to make Kagome feel better proved that. Even if he'd been able to choose his words better or to say them in a more convincing manner, it wouldn't have worked. It couldn't have because Kagome was far from foolish enough to believe such bullshit. She was living the same kind of life, after all. Only she wasn't brave enough to admit it. Old habits die hard, it would seem. She'd already drilled herself to pretend to be human during her human day when she met someone who couldn't possibly know what she actually was. And since it had saved her life more than once already, it was hard to make an exception this time.
Seeing as how his attempt at reassurance failed, Jinenji looked towards his frowning mother, although whether that was to silently ask for her support or because he decided to somewhat change the subject, Kagome couldn't be sure. Either way, the other half-demon addressed the elderly woman, next.
"But I'm still sorry, ma. It's my fault the villagers won't leave you alone."
"What are you saying, Jinenji? You did nothing wrong," the old woman responded in an instant, her frown disappearing. Kagome felt inclined to agree, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. It couldn't possibly be Jinenji's fault. All he did was be born the way he was and he could hardly be blamed that. "Your Lord Father was a magnificent and kind yōkai," the old woman went on and Kagome blinked, suddenly interested.
"Was?" she questioned softly, already knowing what that likely meant. Her inquiry, however, seemed to be too soft to be heard by the old woman she was addressing. Or maybe it was just flat out ignored, she couldn't be sure.
"How nostalgic. This was all when I was about your age," Jinenji's mother continued on, glancing briefly at the hanyō-turned-human. Kagome blinked and had to try really hard not to at least chuckle at that comment. Yeah, she definitely doubted that statement. She doubted it, because she was quite certain the woman before her was at least a century her junior, if not a little more than that. "At a time when I was in trouble because of a sprained ankle on the mountain, your Lord Father saved me," the old woman continued, her eyes moving briefly to her son, as if it wasn't obvious about whose father she was talking. "He had the appearance of a beautiful man, but I soon realized he was a yōkai. The light surrounding him gave it away. And the two of us shared a burning love together."
For a moment, Kagome could only stare, unsure how to react. Besides the way she could feel her cheeks burning, anyway. Jinenji's mother hadn't even gone into much detail, but it was still enough to embarrass her. She gulped, waiting, but that was where the story seemed to end. Which was really just as well. Taking a deep breath to calm herself and willing her blush to recede (not that it helped), Kagome dared to ask about the part that actually interested her.
"What happened to him?" she asked gently, biting her lip. "I mean… how did he die?" Considering the short story Jinenji's mother just told them, the young half-demon doubted Jinenji's father just left. So the only explanation for his absence was the same as the reason why her own father had never been with her or her mother. He had to be dead. Question was how. And when. She couldn't help being curious about that. In a way, she was already comparing her life and her family to Jinenji's. They were both Halflings. They were similar to each other. They had similar circumstances. Jinenji even reminded her of how she used to be when she was much younger. And yet at the same time, the two of them were very different, she was sure.
"He died the kind of death one would expect of a demon. Fighting one stronger than himself. Though what people wouldn't expect was that he did it because he felt it necessary to protect the people important to him," Jinenji's mother said calmly. If she was affected in any way by the memories Kagome must have dredged up with that question, she was hiding it exceptionally well. "Jinenji was but a little kid then."
"I don't really remember him. Not what he was like. But… I do kind of remember what he looked like," Jinenji spoke softly, for the first time not really stuttering, though that might be because he felt like he was talking to his mother, rather than Kagome. The black haired girl didn't mind, though, and in response to his admission, she smiled slightly. The expression was sad more than anything else, though.
"I know how that feels. I've grown up with just my mother, too. My father… he died to protect my mother and me from some enemies he made before meeting my mother. That was on the day I was born. Literally just hours after I was brought to this world. So I never knew him," she admitted softly, although she was sure the importance of that admission wouldn't become obvious to the two people she was with before sunset. Yes, her and Jinenji were really alike. Or at least their lives were. It was funny, in an ironic sort of way. Half-demons were 'proof that humans and demons could get along' as her mother had told her. It was something Kagome believed as well, or at least tried to never forget. And yet now that she met another half-demon, she was forced to realize that just like in the case of her own parents, his family's story was not just a romantic one, but a tragic one, too. As if families of demons and humans were not allowed to be happy together or something. Which, Kagome assumed, was what most people out there believed. It was, after all, most likely the humans or demons around the two lovebirds who brought on the tragic circumstances, just as it had been the case for her parents. The two races just couldn't accept that they could coexist and thus they destroyed any proof of it. Or tried to, anyway.
"I'm… sorry to hear that," Jinenji's soft voice brought her out of her musings and she looked up at him again, smiling softly.
"Don't be. It was a long time ago." It really was. A far longer time than Jinenji could possibly know, given he most certainly thought her to be human, as he had no reason to believe anything else.
XxX
When Inuyasha arrived back at Mushin's temple, he was out of breath and his legs felt like jelly. A thing to be expected considering he spent the last six hours or so on a bike with only short break in between that had been far from relaxing. And that the second set of three hours, he pushed himself to go as fast as he could have. Both in order to get the herbs to Kirara as fast as possible, and so he could go back to Kagome as soon as possible.
He found his friends easily enough, since he knew exactly where to look, and soon enough, Kirara had been provided with the needed antidote in the form of herbal tea. Currently, the little cat was sleeping peacefully, finally no longer in any kind of visible pain. Sango and Kohaku were visibly relieved at the sight. And Inuyasha had to admit he was, too. He wasn't very close with the cat demon, certainly not as close as the two taijiya or Kagome were, but she was still a companion he cared for.
With the emergency of Kirara's poisoning being taken care of, the group was quick to move onto the other important matter, namely Kagome's absence. Because it certainly hadn't went unnoticed and, as far as Shippō was concerned, it definitely wasn't something that was not worrying. The group had just collectively decided to focus on the more obvious emergency first.
"So, Inuyasha, where is Kagome-sama? Why has she not returned with you?" Miroku finally asked the question that rested on everyone's minds. The kannushi could only sigh in response.
"Back at the village we got the herbs from. Something came up," he replied evasively, though that wasn't really on purpose. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell them. Rather, he didn't know how to properly breach the subject and how to explain everything.
"Something?" Sango asked with an arched brow, clearly not satisfied with that answer. Not that anyone in the hut seemed to be. "I might not know her well, but even I can admit she likely wouldn't let you return alone if that something wasn't important. Spit it out," the slayer said in a no nonsense tone, pretty much demanding the answers out of him. Well, at least she wasn't already assuming something awful like that Kagome betrayed them or abandoned tem or something. Coming from the slayer, that had to be an improvement… right? He wasn't sure. Really, he never understood Sango's animosity towards Kagome (although after seeing what was going on in Jinenji's village he had an inkling he was starting to understand) and he understood even less why it was so difficult for the slayer to notice the half-dog wasn't anywhere near as evil as Sango seemed to think she was. Even if the girl was making progress on that front.
"Well, the village is plagued by some demon that killed the villagers there. They seemed to think they knew the culprit, too. Turned out it was an innocent, though, and the only reason they suspected him was because he was a half-demon… like Kagome," Inuyasha replied and for some reason, Sango seemed struck by that (very much shortened) version of the story because she quickly looked away. Inuyasha blinked at that before he realized what a plausible explanation for that could be. The situation he'd just described was something that hit way too close to home for Sango, because she, too, had accused a half-demon of genocide without having any proof of it except the fact that she was faced with a half-demon. "We got the herbs from him and were about to leave when we spotted the villagers planning a raid on his field. I couldn't exactly just stand by and let them do it, so I intervened. Struck a deal. They wait until tomorrow at sunrise. We have until then to find the actual culprit who did it."
"Uhm… I mean no offense Inuyasha-sama, but how exactly will you do that if you're here with us?" Kohaku asked quietly, but it wasn't Inuyasha who answered. It was Miroku, the young monk quickly figuring out the rest of the story without Inuyasha having to tell him.
"I see. Kagome-sama sent you here with the herbs so we could heal Kirara, while she remained to hunt down the demon."
"Not hunt it. To pretend I'm out doing it. She said she wasn't going to look for it until sunset," Inuyasha corrected, once again confusing everyone until they remembered what happened as soon as the sun rose. Without the currently-human hanyō there to visually remind them that this day was special for her for some reason, it was easy to forget the half-dog-demon was currently as human as any of them. With the exception of Shippō and Kirara of course.
"Makes sense. Then I assume she'll be back by tomorrow, right?" Sango said, her voice and expression calm once again. Inuyasha shot her a look.
"You make it sound like she'll have to deal with it alone and we'll just stay here and wait," he pointed out and the slayer glanced at him questioningly.
"Wasn't that the plan you and her agreed on?"
"Hell no! Now that Kirara's taken care of and out of danger, I'm going back," the kannushi bit out hotly, already moving to stand. The moment he did, however, a hand was placed on his shoulder and pushed gently. Normally, such an action shouldn't have caused any form of reaction, and yet Inuyasha's knees immediately buckled and he landed back on the ground. He glared at the one responsible, who unsurprisingly turned out to be Miroku.
"You are free to go back, Inuyasha. However, I would suggest resting up a bit first. Six hours in a horse's saddle is tiring enough and it looks like that metal contraption of yours is even more so," the houshi pointed out bluntly. Inuyasha scoffed, but couldn't actually protest given how shaky his legs felt. In all honesty, he couldn't be sure if he'd be able to advance on his bike right now. Like it or not, Miroku was right, he needed a break. Even if he hated to admit it.
"Inuyasha, mind if I ask you something?" Sango asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen over them. The kannushi in question glanced at the slayer questioningly with a raised eyebrow, but didn't say anything. The slayer clearly took that as an incentive to go on, though. "Is it true that the people of your time don't know how to handle a demon attack?"
For a moment or two, Inuyasha just stared at the taijiya in confusion. Not because the question was odd considering it came from someone who hadn't seen his home, but because he couldn't for the life of him figure out why Sango suddenly felt the need to ask such a thing. Finally, he nodded.
"Yeah. Why?"
"So, let's say a demon managed to cross through the well to your time…" Sango continued, ignoring his question, but trailed off at the end. The kannushi frowned.
"Assuming I wasn't on the other side to take care of it, it would result in a pandemonium and massive genocide before things were under control again," he deadpanned, not missing the way Sango's eyes widened in something very strongly resembling horror. What he hadn't said was that it was all assuming someone would eventually kill the demon to boot. Which wasn't necessarily the case. The longer Inuyasha spent in this time and the more demons he faced himself, the more he realized that depending on the type and strength of yōkai, it might turn out that even the army wouldn't be able to take one of these things down, guns or no guns. That was something he'd rather not ponder, though. "Why are you asking all of a sudden?"
Sango didn't answer his question. The slayer frowned and remained silent, eyes locked on her lap now that Inuyasha told her what she wanted to know. The kannushi stared at her for a moment before moving his gaze to the other occupants of the room, figuring that maybe they knew the reason for that mini-interrogation on the time he came from. Miroku was deeply in thought, though, and didn't seem to know any more than Inuyasha did. Shippō couldn't possibly know because he was just a kid and Kirara was sound asleep, recovering from the poisoning. That left only Kohaku and glancing at the boy, Inuyasha noticed he looked rather uncomfortable. Finally, the younger of the two siblings finally spoke up.
"Ane-ue? Is this about what Kagome-sama told us before? About… sometimes having to make a choice when protecting people?" he asked, causing Inuyasha to blink in confusion. Something Kagome told them about? A choice to be made when protecting people? What did that have to do with anything? As far as he was concerned, it didn't seem to have any connection to the questions whatsoever.
"What are you talking about?" the kannushi asked, genuinely curious and confused. The young boy looked at him and bit his lip, but didn't answer right away. Or rather, he didn't get to answer at all because Sango spoke up before he could.
"Never mind. It's not important," she said, and while Inuyasha lacked any of the senses Kagome usually had as help to detect lies, even he could tell that wasn't the truth. For a while longer, he stared at the slayer, willing her to talk without actually telling her to. Sango remained silent, however, and in the end, Inuyasha was left to ponder why the older of the two slayers would bring up his home all of a sudden on his own.
XxX
The meal passed in silence, as did the following hour or so. Eventually, both Jinenji and his mother left the little hut to tend to the field. Having worked in one only once or twice before, Kagome hesitated to follow and remained alone inside the small building for a while before finally deciding to come out. She spotted the other half-demon right away, since his big stature gave him away, but his mother was harder to spot. The hanyō-turned-human saw her as well not far off, though. Not that it really mattered, as instead of approaching the human woman, she went over to Jinenji instead. For a second or two, she just watched him work before carefully crouching at his side.
[T]
"Is it ok if I pull out the weeds?" she asked quietly, not really looking at the hanyō beside her. Instead, her eyes were focused on the field and the herbs it was filled with. She didn't recognize most of them, but at least she was aware which ones were weeds that needed to be rooted out. Kikyo had managed to teach her that much, at least, the few times she had helped the miko in her own, tiny in comparison, herb field.
"Ah… sure…" came the answer after a short moment of silence. A rather surprised and timid answer. Without looking at Jinenji, Kagome smiled, hoping the expression would set him at ease if he was looking at her. She couldn't be sure, though. She could kind of understand his nervousness. This was probably one of the first times he ever had some semblance of a conversation with someone other than his mother.
For a moment, both worked in silence. Kagome wasn't really sure what to say and she assumed Jinenji had a similar problem. The silence didn't really bother her all that much, though. She was used to it. Or had been until she'd met Inuyasha and the others. Admittedly, silence had become rare since she was no longer by her lonesome. She didn't mind that either, though.
"Uhm… you need to… be more careful…" Jinenji stuttered after a few minutes, breaking her out of her musings and making her look up at him with a confused 'huh?' passing her lips. His big finger pointed to the weeds she was pulling out. "You need to be more careful when pulling those out. I mean… If you pull too hard… you're snapping the roots and leaving them in the ground…"
"Right. And I'm supposed to pull the weeds out intact so there's less of them later," Kagome caught on, glancing at the weeds she'd pulled. Indeed, in most cases, there were no roots attached. It wasn't the first time, ether. When she worked in Kikyo's field, this was pretty much all the miko ever asked her to do once she realized how formidably the half-demon sucked at this kind of work. And even then, she was more exasperated with her than Kagome thought possible given the quality of what she did. She chuckled a bit at the memories. "I'm sorry. I'll try to be more careful. I'm just not used to this kind of work, I guess," she said softly, fighting back a sarcastic laugh. Not used to this kind of work? Well, wasn't that the understatement of the century.
If she thought about it, it was actually rather ironic in this situation. If someone who didn't know either of them would see the two half-demons now, they would without a doubt assume the field was Kagome's and that Jinenji was trying to help out. She was the delicate girl, after all. Not to mention currently human. Beside her, Jinenji seemed like a giant with strength to match the size of his body. One wouldn't expect him to be able to handle something as fragile as these plants with such care. And yet it was Kagome, with her small, dainty hands that was causing more harm than good right now. And that was because she was using too much force. Because she was too violent with the weeds, in a way.
Inuyasha was right. On the surface, it seemed her and Jineji were polar opposites. Where he was big and intimidating, she was small and didn't seem like much. Where he was kind and gentle, she was a warrior accustomed to battle. Where he tended to a field of medicinal herbs to heal people, she wielded a sword to wound and kill them. Yes, on the surface, they couldn't be more opposite. But deep down, they were quite similar.
They were both kind, even to people who would rather see them killed than accept their help. They just showed it in a different way. Jinenji offered his herbs to heal the wounded. Kagome took up a sword to use her strength to protect those weaker than her so that there wouldn't be any wounded in the first place. They both didn't fight the way their lives panned out, as if accepting their fate. Jinenji by visibly not fighting back when the humans tried to harm him. Kagome by taking up a solitary, nomadic life so that no one would be able to try to hurt her in the first place. They both didn't know their fathers. They both grew up with their mothers protecting them as best they could in a village that was largely unaccepting of their presence. They both thought their mothers suffering was (or had been) their fault even though they'd done nothing aside from being born.
Yes, they were quite similar and their life circumstances were similar as well. What differed was their reaction to it all. Kagome was a fighter, and so she took up her sword and decided to live like the demons of old, protecting humans. And as far as protecting herself went, she built a shell around her heart and took precautions so that no one would be able to hurt her. Jinenji, on the other hand, was a healer, and so he had a field of healing herbs, likely possessing something for any kind of sickness or injury anyone could come to him with. And as far as protecting himself went, he was just enduring, believing the hard times would eventually end. Or that was how Kagome interpreted his behavior, anyway.
The other hanyō was strong in his own way, she decided then. She knew she wouldn't have been able to live like him. To just endure and hope. She would have gone mad in less than ten human years, which wouldn't be the equivalent of even one year for her considering the difference in life-spans. The thought made her look at the hanyō beside her again, and particularly to the old scars on his arm. She bit her lip at the sight and finally decided to ask:
"Say, have you ever thought about leaving here?" In her own mind, it was a valid question. Sure, it wasn't like he would be accepted anywhere else any more than he was here. But if he left, he wouldn't have to deal with the humans' hatred day in and day out. It was part of why she decided to become a nomad herself. Aside from not having anywhere else to go once her mother died, obviously. (Or once she killed her own mother, more like, she reminded herself.) Although then again, leaving would imply possibly facing demons and that was likely worse than whatever humans could dish out. She'd know. It was how her life worked, after all.
"It's nice here… because Pa left this field behind," Jinenji replied, pausing in his work to turn his head and look at her with one of his big eyes. To anyone else, the explanation might have seemed idiotic. Who the Hell would stay rooted in a place surrounded by people who hated them just because of a field of herbs, right? But to Kagome, it made more than enough sense now. It might not have even so much as three moon cycles ago or so, but it did now. Thought she still wouldn't have used 'nice' as a word to describe the village Jinenji lived at. Still, she couldn't help but smile slightly.
"I see," was all she said before glancing back at the herbs in front of her. Spotting another weed, she grasped it and pulled gently, trying to make it come out of the soil without separating it from the roots this time. "This field… it's like a connection you have with your father despite not knowing him, isn't it. That's why it's more than enough reason to stay here, isn't it?" she asked softly when the weed gave under her pull and came out, this time with all its roots still attached. When Jinenji didn't answer her, she looked up at him, only to meet the gaze of one, big eye that clearly spoke of astonishment. It seemed he hadn't thought she'd understand what he was getting at. Again, she gave him a smile, though a very sad one. She understood because she knew the feeling, after all. Putting the weeds aside, her hand wandered to the sheathed sword at her hip, carefully pulling it out of her belt to show the other half-demon.
"I understand the feeling. What this field represents to you… I feel the same about this sword. That is all my father left to me. All I have to remember him by. Or rather, to remember he existed, as I never knew him," she said softly, looking up at Jinenji again. Whether the other half-demon was looking at her or Tessaiga however, was difficult to tell with how big his eyes were. After another moment, she slid the sword back in its place at her hip. The action seemed to bring Jinenji out of whatever trance he'd fallen into as he answered softly, hesitantly. As if unsure he had a right to ask.
"Why would he leave a sword for… well… I mean…" he stuttered and Kagome chuckled, not at all offended by what she assumed the timid boy was trying to ask.
"You don't need to hold back. Why a sword for a fragile looking girl like myself, right?" she asked lightly, although to be honest, she doubted she looked 'fragile' even as a human.
'I bet Inuyasha would have laughed his ass off if he heard me say that. Not to mention anyone else who knew me,' she couldn't help but think, knowing better than anyone just how true it was. She was not fragile and she didn't seem that way to anyone. She'd made sure of it. Sure, some stupid demon or another might consider her weak because he looked down on her because of her blood, but that wasn't the same. She gave Jinenji a soft, but knowing, look.
"You should know better than anyone else how deceiving appearances can be, Jinenji-san. Just because one is big in stature doesn't mean he's a bloodthirsty monster. And just because someone looks small and weak doesn't mean that she is," she said gently, turning her head to glance at the field again. No, this kind of peaceful setting was nothing for her. Her life was meant to be one on the road, with a blade strapped to her hip. She was a warrior. And she always would be. Jinenji, on the other hand, was anything but no matter what the villagers might think of him. "Just as this field seems like the perfect parting gift your Lord Father could have left for you, this sword is the only thing I could have possibly asked of my father to leave behind for me."
For a while, there was silence again. Feeling Jinenji's gaze on her, Kagome tried not to fidget, then ultimately gave a small sigh and turned her head to meet his eyes. He was staring at her with a look she couldn't quite decipher. She had no idea what he could be feeling or why now that she said that. But she had to admit she was curious as to where his thoughts went. She tilted her head to the side, blinking and giving him a questioning look. But she did not voice her desire for him to share his thoughts. She didn't ask anything. And soon enough, it turned out she didn't need to because he seemed to find the words he had been looking for, which was likely what he had been doing before.
"Do you… enjoy fighting, Kagome-san?" he asked her in a low tone, the question making her blink again before she frowned thoughtfully. Did she enjoy combat? Well, the answer was most likely yes, on some level, otherwise she wouldn't be doing it. There was only so far determination alone could take you when you were forcing yourself to do something you hated, after all. No, will power would not have been enough to make her stay on the road she'd chosen for herself if she didn't, in some form, enjoy it. However, that didn't mean she liked everything about fighting.
"If you ask if I enjoy killing others, or meaningless bloodshed in general, no. But I won't deny the thrill of a good fight is something I like. Even if it's a situation in which my life is on the line for every second, a part of me always enjoys it," she replied finally after mulling it over for a few seconds. Absentmindedly, her hands moved back to the field and the weeds, pulling them out again without her really realizing it. Her movements were different now, though. Brusque like before, strong, as if she wanted to rip the weeds from their roots. But at the same time, they were precise, methodic, allowing her to easily free the roots from the ground, using her applied strength to make the task easier, rather than harder. There was no gentleness in her movements, though. Yes, her approach was careful, like Jinenji's, so the roots weren't left in the ground, but it wasn't gentle. It was methodic. Following a technique she only now thought of that made up for her lack of gentleness.
"I am not a herbalist. I am not a healer. I am a warrior and I enjoy what I'm doing. However, enjoyment is not what fuels my blade when I draw it. What fuels me are my goals and my honor," she said, looking up at the hanyō beside her with a steely gaze. He didn't look away, but she did have the impression his eyes grew a bit wider then, whether because of her words or her gaze, she couldn't know. She couldn't even begin to guess the emotion behind his expression, either. It might have been shock, or fear, or maybe awe – although really, that last one seemed unlikely.
"And… what… are your goals?" the other half-demon asked quietly, his own hands stilling in his work, his focus clearly on her and only her for some reason. Maybe what she was saying was resonating with him. Or maybe not. She really couldn't tell. She wasn't capable of reading the other half-demon. At least not without the help of her demonic senses, which she wouldn't have for several hours yet.
"To protect others," she said with a kind smile, putting the weeds she'd pulled out aside. "When I draw my blade, it is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. For whatever reason. At least as long as what I wish to protect them from can be cut down with a blade."
"So… you're like a taijiya? You… slay… demons?" If at all possible, his eyes seemed to become even larger. She gave a slow nod.
"Somewhat, I suppose. Yes, I slay demons if they pose a threat to someone else. But unlike demon slayers, I do so because I want to. Not because there's money in it for me," because let's face it, no one would ever pay her for her services if she wanted it. Not unless she did it on a day like today, and even then she'd likely have to do a perfect job of it because she was not a taijiya and she was a woman to boot. However, she was more than smart enough to know that it was far safer for her to avoid combat on her human day. Sure, she trained enough that she could fight even in her human body if it was strictly necessary, but that didn't mean she should do it. In fact it was still a bad idea either way.
"Why… have you not sided with the villagers then?" At that question, she could only sigh, her shoulders sagging.
"Because you're not the one who killed the people of the village. Killing you would serve no purpose other than creating another victim. Another innocent person who died for nothing," she said, although she knew there was far more to it. She couldn't say it out loud, though. Not even to a fellow half-demon.
'I didn't side with them because you're like me. Because we're both misunderstood beings considered monsters simply because of what we are. I didn't side with them because I know exactly how you feel,' she thought, allowing herself to admit to it in her thoughts, if nothing else. Simply put, she didn't side with the humans because they were wrong and because she knew better than anyone just what their mistake was causing. To an innocent, young boy, to boot. Half-demon or not, Jinenji was nothing but a young boy. The more time she spent with him, the more persuaded she was that that was indeed the case, even if she couldn't gauge his age properly.
"…thank you," came a whispered response, one so quiet she nearly missed it. Blinking, she glanced at Jinenji once more, but he wasn't looking at her anymore. Or at least she didn't think so. With the positioning and largeness of his eyes, it was yet another thing that was hard to tell. Still, she gave him another warm smile.
"You're welcome, Jinenji-san. Though I only spoke the truth," she said. And in what was the first time in a very long while, she was actually absolutely certain she wasn't wrong despite not having her demonic senses to confirm it. "After all, you and I are more alike than it might seem at first glance."
Jinenji actually turned his head at those words and Kagome tilted her head to the side questioningly. The other half-demon didn't say anything, however, only continued to stare at her with wide, round eyes. After a few moment, the Inuyasha couldn't help blushing a bit in embarrassment in reaction to the prolonged stare and turned her head away.
Jinenji seemed to catch on to her embarrassment, not that that was difficult, and turned his head away as well. For a moment, they just sat there awkwardly and pointedly looking away from each other before Kagome finally cleared her throat and turned towards the other hanyō again.
"Well, I suppo…"
"Do you really mean that, Kagome-san?" Jinenji started speaking at the same time as her and she quickly shut up to listen before the shy Halfling decided not to finish his question. Faced with what he asked her, for a second, she could only blink before realization struck, making her bite her lip and look towards the ground again. Of course. Jinenji thought her human, so of course her implying her and him were similar, no matter how little, would be something of great importance to him. After all, she was sure no human had ever said anything even remotely resembling such a statement to him. Hell, she was sure no one had. After all, few were those who would bother to get to know a half-demon, let alone admit they weren't that different from one.
"I do," she said quietly, unable to lie, and yet feeling guilty for giving him what could only be described as false hope. After all no matter what Jinenji thought, she wasn't really human. A fact she found herself unable to admit to directly. "However, that likely doesn't mean as much as you might want it to," she finally added, hoping it would be enough to make him take her words with a grain of salt, if only a small one. She didn't want him to be disappointed come sunset once the cat was out of the bag, after all.
Jinenji didn't answer her. Looking up at him again, though, she could tell that he didn't take her warning to heart. She sighed, already angry with herself for not watching her tongue. How could she have overlooked how the other half-demon would likely interpret a statement such as the two of them being similar in such a situation? She was so stupid. Of course he'd consider it something important. She would have, too, were she in his shoes. However, at the end of the day, her words were not as life-changing as he definitely thought them to be. Of course the two of them were similar. They were both half-demons! It was too bad only one of them knew that, though. And that she didn't dare share that knowledge out of habit.
[/T]
XxX
"Are you sure it is wise to set off already?" Mirou asked for what had to be the fifth time as Inuyasha climbed onto his bike, ready to set off back towards Jinenji's village where Kagome was. At the monk's words, he turned around to face him and gave the houshi an exasperated stare.
"For the last time, yes, I'm sure," he said in a low, somewhat annoyed tone. Miroku didn't seem impressed, but then again, he never was. He met Inuyasha's stare with his own, neutral one.
"You have not rested for long, though."
"And if I rest any longer the sun will set long before I arrive at my destination," Inuyasha countered. It was a valid point to make, too. After all, even the future-born teen knew that traveling alone at night in this time would be stupid. And it was obvious that Miroku thought so as well because he frowned slightly.
"You could just stay here with us and wait for Kagome-sama to return. I am sure she would prefer that considering the circumstances."
"Yeah, well, Kagome's preferences aren't very high on my priority list right now."
"Do you not believe she can handle whatever demon is plaguing that village?"
"Of course I do. I think out of all of us, I'd know best just how strong she is. Doubting her strength or ability is not the issue here."
"Then what is? Proving to her that she can trust you to help? She already proved she did by sending you back by yourself. Proving that you don't need protection? We all know Kagome-sama is going to protect you, all of us, really, anyway. Showing her that you can take care of yourself? Not risking putting yourself in danger in the first place is more likely to achieve that."
Miroku had a point. Well several points, really, and the fact that all of them were spot on didn't help matters any. It really did boil down mostly to Inuyasha wanting to prove himself to Kagome. Although not only.
"And what about just wanting to help her? Yes, I know she can handle herself, but that doesn't mean we should leave everything to her, does it?" he bit back, frowning angrily at the monk. Just a day or so before, Miroku had tried to handle everything himself and Kagome had at first been willing to let him. Look where that had gotten Miroku. He had almost been killed because the entire thing had likely been orchestrated.
The young houshi seemed to catch on to what Inuyasha was saying because he had the decency to look away briefly and sigh. Finally, when he looked Inuyasha's way again, he gave the future-born teen a somewhat defeated look.
"Be careful on your way. And let Kagome-sama know Kirara will be fine thanks to the herbs you brought," he said quietly and Inuyasha nodded.
"Will do. And you focus less on attempts to do something perverted to Sango and more on recovering fully from your own injury," was the priest reply. Which of course earned him an absolutely fake, innocent expression from Miroku the moment an 'attempt to do something perverted' was mentioned.
"I know not what you're talking about," Miroku said, causing Inuyasha to snort.
"Sure you don't," he muttered, unconvinced, before giving one last wave and setting off back towards Jinenji's village.
He meant what he'd said to the monk, though. Not the part about being perverted (well, that too), but the part about Miroku not having fully recovered from the Air Rip being wounded. The monk might have ignored the comment, but Inuyasha wasn't blind. Nor was he stupid. A wound to the Kazaana was something he was sure was serious, even if no one was willing to verbally acknowledge that fact. And if it was serious, it would only make sense that Miroku would need a bit longer to recuperate from it than normal.
Despite all that, however, Inuyasha wasn't very worried. After all, Miroku was in the best place he could possibly be where problems of this nature were concerned. The old high priest Mushin clearly knew how to treat the Air Rip even if he was a drunkard. Besides, Sango and Kohaku were with him. There would be no repeat of what happened a day ago even if Naraku did try something, of that the priest was certain.
The ride back to Jinenji's was uneventful for the most part. It was even downright boring now that he was alone and didn't have anyone to talk to or the urgency of getting the herbs to Kirara hanging over his head. Still, he pushed himself to go fast in order to arrive back sooner, preferably before sunset.
He was about half-way there, or that's what he guessed when something brushed against his senses. The feeling of youki. The feeling of very familiar and very unwelcome youki. Eyes widening, Inuyasha skidded to a halt and quickly got off his bike, letting the contraption fall to the ground without a care as his hand reached for his sword. He looked around. He couldn't see him anywhere. But he could feel him close.
Naraku.
[T]
Frowning, Inuyasha concentrated, trying to pinpoint the feeling's location. In vain. It felt as if Naraku's youki was all around him. And that only made him feel even more on edge. He scowled.
"I know you're there!" he called out, intending to follow it up with an order for Naraku to show himself. Before he could, however, a loud laugh reverberated through the air, although just like the demon's youki, it was difficult to pinpoint where exactly it was coming from.
"Of course you do. After all, I wanted you to notice me," the spider said and Inuyasha bristled. He noticed Naraku only because the demon wanted to be noticed? Yeah, right. "But tell me, Inuyasha, why so tense? Is that any way to greet a good friend?"
"You're no friend of mine," Inuyasha spat, his grip on the hilt of his sword tightening as he looked around, still trying to pinpoint Naraku's location.
"Aren't I? It's so sad you think that way after what I've done for you. Have I not helped you before?" There was one thing Inuyasha had to admit, Naraku was a frighteningly smooth talker. If the priest hadn't know any better, he might have actually fallen for the words and the hurt tone they were said with. Thankfully, though, he did know better. He didn't reply, either, focusing instead on trying to pinpoint the demon's location. Naraku didn't seem bothered by his silence and went on instead. "Have I not given you a tool that allowed you to access your full potential? Of course, even that was not enough to bring down then hanyō-wench you fought with, but that was only because you were not strong enough to do it. I've given you the perfect tool and the perfect opportunity. What more help could I have offered you? I thought you wanted to defeat the half-demon by your own strength."
"Defeat, not kill," Inuyasha seethed upon being reminded of what had happened when he'd accepted Naraku's so-called help. That was a mistake he was definitely not going to repeat. He looked around once more, stretched out his senses, but Naraku's position still eluded him. It was as if the demon was all around him somehow. The feeling was annoying as it was unsettling and worrying. Even a bit frightening, not that the priest would ever admit that. "And that was hardly my own strength."
"It would have been had you had the strength to control the weapon I offered you," the demon responded, his voice still smooth and silky. As if he thought he could trick Inuyasha again. Although to be fair, he likely would have managed if the priest hadn't recognized his youki. He was just that good.
The priest bit his tongue to not respond this time. Responding was almost like showing Naraku that his smooth voice was working in the way the demon likely wanted it to. Responding was what the creepy bastard wanted him to do and the teen decided to stop giving him even that small satisfaction. He preferred to focus on locating him instead. And trying to kill him if possible. Why was Naraku here, anyway? What did he want? From what little Inuyasha had seen and heard of his scheming, from what he saw from its aftermath more than once, Naraku was not the type to do anything without a reason. So then he was planning something. But what? And how could Inuyasha prevent whatever Naraku was planning this time from being successful in any way?
"You won't answer? Is it because you agree with me?" the demon asked after a moment of silence and Inuyasha bristled again.
'Like Hell,' he thought angrily, but managed to remain silent. From seemingly all around him, he heard an unsettling, echoing chuckle. He frowned, teeth gritting together as his grasp on Seiryuu's hilt and scabbard tightened.
"What do you want?" He finally bit out, looking around again. "If it's to fight me, come out and face me. Quit hiding."
"Fight you? Now, why would I want that? I have no reason to fight you. You're not my enemy, nor are you a threat," Naraku replied with another laugh, making Inuyasha bristle again. Not an enemy? He begged to differ. This guy was an enemy of Kagome and Kagome was his friend. So, by extension, Naraku was Inuyasha's enemy, too. Not to mention he threatened the well, the way to Inuyasha's home and possibly said home on the other side. So yes, Naraku was definitely his enemy. It seemed only right it would be the same the other way around and Inuyasha actually felt insulted that it didn't seem to be the case. And even more insulted at not being considered a threat.
"Not a threat? Why don't you come out and test that theory, coward?" the priest bit out again, challenging the demon he knew was near but did not know the exact location of. It was a stupid thing to do, some part of him knew that, but he didn't particularly care right at that moment.
"I'll have to respectfully decline. You see, I was on my way to a more interesting place to meet more interesting people when I ran into you," came Naraku's reply. The demon visibly didn't mind being called a coward at all, although it was impossible to guess the reason. "I was thinking of going to see your friends personally, you see. You know who I speak of, right? The monk, of course. The two tayjija. The little fox. And of course, we wouldn't want to forget about the sick kitten, right?"
Inuyasha froze, a sudden feeling of deep foreboding settling in his gut. Naraku's words made it quite clear he'd been observing them, as always, otherwise he would have never known that Kirara was currently sick. What was more worrying, however, was that he intended to go to the others. And that he was admitting it to Inuyasha. After all, it would have been better if the priest had been left unaware, right? Why tell him? Why give him the chance to go back and warn the others like this? He had a feeling he didn't want to know the answer to those questions. And he was right and Naraku continued talking, proving once again that he truly never did anything without a reason. And that said reason was never good.
"But since you're here alone, that should mean our dearest Kagome is by herself right now. So I was thinking that maybe I should change my plans and go visit her instead. She'd be happy to see me, don't you think?" If possible, those words made Inuyasha tense up even more. Naraku? Go to Kagome now? But she was human! He'd kill her in an instant! And if he somehow didn't, then he'd find out about her human day, which was just as bad. No, that couldn't happen. Or at least, Naraku couldn't be allowed to catch Kagome by herself. "That's why I ensured you'd notice me. I wanted to ask your opinion, you see. Where do you think should I go? To Kagome, who is alone? Or to your other friends, most of whom can't properly fight right now? Tell me, young priest," the demon practically cooed and Inuyasha failed to suppress a shudder. He gulped, trying to stay calm, but only partially succeeding. As should have been expected, he remained silent, but Naraku soon proved he hadn't actually expected an answer.
"I suppose I should have known you wouldn't tell me. But that's just as well. I need to decide for myself. Well then, have a good day, young kannushi. And a safe journey from here on out," the demon said, his voice growing quieter, more distant. The feeling of youki followed suit and Inuyasha's eyes widened.
[/T]
"Wait! Come back here, damn it!" He yelled, but of course, Naraku didn't listen. As suddenly as his youki had assaulted Inuyasha's senses, it disappeared again and the priest knew the demon had left. What he didn't but desperately needed to know was to where. Did he go to Miroku and the others? Or to Kagome?
Inuyasha had no idea. And worse, he didn't know what would be better. On one hand, Kagome was human and Naraku finding out about that couldn't possibly be good. But on the other hand, with the others, Kirara and Miroku were recovering, which left only Sango and Kohaku to fight at full strength in case Naraku went there. That was assuming he didn't take them by surprise somehow, just like he had Inuyasha a mere couple of minutes ago, because if he did, the chances of the others being able to fight back efficiently dropped a lot. And that wasn't good either.
So on one hand was the disaster that was Naraku finding out about Kagome being human or worse, using the opportunity to kill her, as he'd already proved that that was his goal. And on the other, the possibility that the others would get killed or worse. And Inuyasha was being forced to choose which of these two he'd rather risk happening.
Needless to say, it wasn't an easy choice. In fact, he wasn't sure if it was a choice he could make at all. Although if he didn't, it would be made for him anyway because Naraku was likely already on the move.
Inuyasha was not aware of how ironic this situation was. Just two days or so before, Kagome and Sango had talked about protecting people and the half-demon had mentioned that there were times when one had to make an impossible choice. A choice between who to save and who to let die. A protector's choice, as she called it. Sango had never experienced such a situation and the idea something like that could happen had horrified her, but a part of her had likely not believed the half-demon. However, with the changes in her life, it was actually possible Sango would one day have to make such a choice herself. And yet right now, it was Inuyasha, the youngest in terms of fighting experience of the group, who was faced with such a choice, rather than the far more experienced slayer. And as one would expect, he was not ready to make that kind of choice.
'I should go back to the others. Human or not, Kagome can take care of herself. She survived this long while turning periodically human, she can survive this, too,' the priest told himself as he picked up his bike, turning to go back the way he came. Instead of getting on and going back, however, he hesitated and bit his lip. 'Then again, she likely avoided trouble as a human before. Especially trouble of Naraku's caliber. He could kill her.' That was true as well. And if Naraku killed Kagome, he'd likely focus on Miroku next. Or both Miroku and Sango. He'd already almost killed the monk once. Who was to say he wouldn't eventually succeed? They'd have better chances if Kagome was with them.
The same was true the other way around, too, though. If Naraku went after the others, he'd most likely kill them, as he had already tried to kill Miroku less than two days ago. And once he did that, he'd turn to Kagome next. The half-demon had already been almost killed by his treachery once. It could happen again. She'd have better chances if she was with the monk and taijiya siblings. And Inuyasha of course, but that went without saying.
And there lay the root of his problem. As a group, they had a better chance, all of them. That was true for the humans and the half-demon. However, the priest couldn't be in two places at once. He couldn't go back to the others *and* to Kagome to warn both of them. Either the monk and the two taijiya would have to deal with the demon and likely die, or Kagome, who was also human today, would have to do the same. If only she weren't human… then he could go back without worrying too much. He wouldn't like it, but he could admit that logically, it would be better to go back to the others. But she was human. She was. And because of that, she could die just as easily as the others, if not easier. And whichever way it went, the other group would be next and most likely far easier to finish off than if they were together.
"Damn it…" Inuyasha cursed under his breath, his knuckles turning white from the force with which he gripped the handles of the bike. He just didn't know what to do. He didn't know where to go. He didn't want any of his friends to die or be in danger and he wanted even less to abandon any of them. But he couldn't be in two places at once. He had to choose. He had to go to the temple or to Jinenji's village and risk losing whichever friend he didn't go to. And he just didn't know who to go to. He couldn't possibly know because he didn't want to lose any of them. Not even the annoying fox kit.
If Kagome knew of this dilemma, what would she tell him? Likely to forget about her and go to the others. She'd tell him she'd be alright. That she could take care of herself and that he should trust her. That the others needed him and the warning he could bring more than she did. And that was all true, for the most part. Except she was human today. She didn't have her superhuman strength or agility or her regenerative ability, let alone her impressive vitality that allowed her to brush off most wounds as 'nothing but a scratch'. She was human. A completely normal, weak by comparison to her normal self and very fragile human. It would take so little to hurt her, to kill her. To make her vanish from this world forever. And he didn't want that.
But he didn't want the others to die, either. Not Miroku, not Kohaku, not Kirara, not even Sango. And as irritating as he was, Shippō, too, didn't deserve the kind of fate Naraku likely had in store for whoever he ended up going to. Especially since the kit was nothing but a child. An old man by human standards, yes, but from a demon's perspective still a child, barely old enough to not be called a toddler.
"Damn it!" the priest screamed at himself, one hand releasing the handle of his bike to grip his bangs in his frustration. He was wasting time because of his indecision. He had to go. To the temple or to Kagome, whichever he chose, he had to go. Now. He was risking coming too late in case he was lucky and picked where Naraku had headed of, especially since he was already at a disadvantage. After all, it was unlikely he'd be able to keep up with a demon even on his bike. So he had to go now. But go where? Back to the temple? Continue on to Kagome? He didn't know. He just didn't know, he couldn't possibly decide. Not when the lives of his friends were at stake.
He had to choose, though. He'd regret it if he ended up going to the wrong place, but he knew he'd regret it even more if he went nowhere at all and just stayed here. No, staying definitely wasn't an option. He had to move. He had to decide.
With a deep breath, Inuyasha relaxed his grip on his bike, got on the saddle and took off, heading back to the temple. It was the most logical thing to do. If Naraku went there, more lives would be lost. Besides, since he didn't know Kagome was human, he had no reason to suspect he'd have an easier time with her than with the others. Unless he did. He could if he'd been spying on them since his failed attempt to kill Miroku or even just since Inuyasha separated from Kagome earlier. He could have known Kagome was human since the moment it happened if there were Saimyosho nearby when she transformed. Inuyasha didn't know whether there had been or not. He hadn't paid attention. But if there were, there was no reason why Naraku wouldn't at least know that Kagome was human. And if he did… he was more likely to go after her, the biggest threat to himself, wasn't he?
Inuyasha pressed the hand breaks, skidding to an abrupt halt as a result, when that thought entered his brain. He hadn't thought about that. But it made sense. A lot of sense. Especially since Naraku seemed interested in killing Kagome the most.
That was all only if he knew Kagome was human, though. And he didn't have to know. Yes, Naraku spied on them a lot, Inuyasha noticed it as well as anyone else in the group, but that didn't mean they were under the demon's surveillance twenty-four-seven. So Naraku didn't have to know. He likely didn't. Or at least that was what Inuyasha was trying to convince himself of as he set off again, though at a slower pace as his hesitation grew.
"I will not let Naraku or anyone else kill Inuyasha and repeat that cycle again. I'll keep him alive and protect him until Naraku's dead and the Jewel out of his hands even if it costs me my own life. That, I swear to you."
He pressed the breaks again when Kagome's voice echoed in his mind from a memory. The memory of the words she'd said to him, the oath she swore to him when they learned the history of Midoriko and the Jewel. When they realized the Jewel had a mind of its own and that it led history to repeat itself, as it already seemed to have done once with Kikyo. He hated that promise. He hated what it implied. That Kagome was willing to sacrifice herself if it meant protecting him. That one day, in some fight, she might give up her life to save his. He never wanted that to happen. He didn't want to be the reason for her death. Heck, he didn't want her to die at all, period.
That was something he could admit to himself easily. He remembered the guilt of when he thought her dead after they fought that shape shifting demon in a cave. Dead because of him, if only in part. He never wanted to go through that again. He never wanted to feel that way again.
But if Kagome died, he knew he would.
Would he feel the same about the others? About Miroku or Kohaku? Or Sango? Shippō? Well, he'd grieve them, yes. He'd feel guilty for not helping them, yes. But something told him it would be pain and guilt he'd be capable of bearing. That wasn't the case if the one to die were Kagome, for some reason.
He hesitated again. Kagome wouldn't die, though. She was strong. Human or not, she could take care of herself. She had for her entire life while protecting others, after all. This would be no different… right?
Then again, Naraku almost succeeded in killing her once already.
A memory flashed in his mind, haunting him. The memory of how she looked after they came back from the shape shifter's cave. She'd been so still. She'd had no heartbeat. No youki for him to feel. He shuddered at the mere memory, his knuckles turning white again as his grip tightened on the handles. No. He couldn't let that happen again. For any reason. He started to turn his bike around to head to Jinenji's, but stopped mid-movement again.
'Kagome will snap big time when she finds out…' he thought, but it wasn't fear of her anger that stilled his movements and made him hesitate again. It was the fact that she'd be right to get mad at him. She was a half-demon, after all. She'd lived far longer than any of them. Even as a human, she had greater chances of survival. She knew how to get by, knew how to defend herself. The others did, too, of course, but they were down two fighters because of recent injuries. They would be in far more danger if Naraku went after them than Kagome.
But what if Naraku decided to involve the villagers? Or Jineji and his mother? Kagome wouldn't be able to stand by then. Human or not, she'd get involved, even if that would mean her own death, in order to try to protect those people. And Naraku knew that, Inuyasha was sure. So no, today, against this enemy, Kagome's chances of survival weren't any higher than Miroku's or Sango's or anyone else's. However, even if Naraku knew she was human, wouldn't he go after the temple anyway? There were more people there. And he could get to Kagome by killing her friends. The fiend already proved he wanted to destroy her in any way possible before he killed her. He'd tried it with Kikyo. He'd tried it again with Inuyasha, too. He'd destroyed Sango's village and her life just to get something from Midoriko's cave and he tried to give Kagome the blame so that Sango would do the dirty work for him. Yes, the demon would want to go for the others first to break Kagome before going after her to end her. That was what logic told the priest.
But what if he didn't? What if he deemed her too much of a threat? What if he thought she needed to be removed as soon as possible? That possibility was also there…
Logic told him going back to the temple was the safer bet. It was the decision that made sense. However, Inuyasha could not shake the fear that such a logical course of action would be what Naraku would expect of him, and thus the monster would do something different. And if Kagome ended up dying because of that… no. No, that could not happen. Inuyasha would not, could not allow that.
Logic told him to go to the temple. But his feelings told him to go to Kagome. The war between brain and heart waged for all of thirty seconds before Inuyasha finally made his decision and, forcing himself to not second-guess himself again, set out as fast as he could towards one of Naraku's possible destinations, praying he chose correctly and that he would not be too late.
And that's it for this chapter. As you can see, Naraku's visibly trying to capitalize on the current situation and he's not pulling any punches. Then again, you agree that that's exactly what makes him so formidable and kind of frightening, right?
Anyway, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed. And as always, reviews are very much appreciated :)
Next chapter: A Hanyō's Kindness
See you then :D