TITLE: Cursed Twins
AUTHOR: InuYoukaiAki
DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha and Co.
Author's Notes: Sorry for the long update. I've been pretty busy but here it is. There are just three more chapters left after this one. I enjoyed writing this story. I'm beginning to plot another one but it's still vague so it might take a few more weeks. Thanks for your comments and reviews. I hope I get more cause it really makes me want to write more knowing that there are people who liked my stories. Enjoy!
Chapter 27: The Moment of Truth
"Lord Sesshoumaru," a servant timidly approached him.
He and the others were now at the dining room. He was trying to eat. It had been a whole day since Kagome had gone missing and they still had not found any clues as to who took her. He was already getting restless. What kept him from ripping Japan apart was the fact that he could still feel her calm aura from their connection. There were a few times that he could feel her fear and anxiety but there was no indication that she was in pain in any way.
They had all been more frantic in their search since they have noticed the twins getting more subdued. It was known to all youkai that pups less than three months old should not be kept away from their parents, especially their mother, for too long. They need the constant presence and reassurance of their parents. They were worried of the pups who were usually running about. Ever since Kagome went missing, Touya and Mariko were always sleepy.
He looked at the servant and inclined his head, giving him the permission to speak.
The servant fell to his knees. "I saw the Lady Kagome before she disappeared," he began.
At the servant's words, all eyes turned to them. "Speak," Sesshoumaru said with commanding authority. He felt the anticipation at the news.
"Lady Kagome was talking to someone," the servant began. "I couldn't see and hear who she was talking to but I think that whoever he was wants Lord Sesshoumaru out of the way so that he could have Lady Kagome for himself."
"Forgive my intrusion, Lord Sesshoumaru," Miroku said. Sesshoumaru nodded to give the monk permission. He turned to the servant. "Can you describe how Lady Kagome disappeared?"
The servant nodded. "One moment she was standing there," he said. "Then there was a blur of black before she disappeared completely. All traces of her gone."
"Can you identify this person?" InuTaisho asked.
"No, InuTaisho-sama." But I think Lady Kikyou can." With that cryptic word, the servant revealed the shikon fragments that were in Kagome's possession.
Sesshoumaru took the bottle. "Explain your actions," he said dangerously. The servant had in his possession the jewel fragments and knowledge that would give them a clue. He had waited this long to tell them and thus he should be punished.
"Believe me, Sesshoumaru-sama," the servant pleaded. "It was not my intention to keep the information to myself but the shikon was calling to me. I could not turn away. Fortunately, Lady Kagome had placed very strong wards on the fragments that kept me from opening it. Otherwise, I would be consumed. I had just woken up from my trance."
"Very well," Sesshoumaru said. He realized that the jewel consumes weaker youkai that it could utilize. "Now, leave."
When the servant left, Kikyou went over to Sesshoumaru. "May I?" she asked tentatively. She extended her arm and opened her palm.
Sesshoumaru dropped the bottle containing the fragments into Kikyou's waiting palm. He watched as Kikyou clasped the bottle in her two hands. Within a minute, she was glowing in a pink hue.
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Kagome sat inside the room with Rui attending to her. By now the female youkai was comfortable with her. She was busily braiding Kagome's hair when she felt something inside her. Warmth started to spread inside her, starting in her chest. She started glowing pink.
Rui's eyes widened and stepped away from her in fear. Kagome watched as the little servant girl hurried out of the room in fear. She had begun panicking again, thinking of the vengeful spirit that had almost consumed her before when she felt the presence of her twin.
"Kikyou?" she asked tentatively, hope budding inside her chest.
"Yes, Kagome," Kikyou's familiar voice sounded in her head.
Kagome closed her eyes and saw her twin. They were in a dark room, so dark that there was nothing they could see except each other. She ran to her sister and hugged her desperately.
"How? I've been trying to contact you," she asked frantically. "How are Sesshoumaru and my pups?"
Kikyou smiled at her sister. It was so like her to think of the others first when she was the one who was missing. "Everybody is fine," she soothed her twin. "But the twins are more subdued. They need you beside them. You know that, don't you?"
She nodded. "How were you able to finally contact me?" Kagome asked again.
"The Shikon no Tama," Kikyou explained. "Remember what I said about its presence still lingering inside you even when no part of it is in your person? You dropped the shards when you were taken. I used it to trace your aura. No matter how strong the barrier is, your connection with the shikon is far stronger. The jewel is part of your essence. Your aura stays with it also even if it is no longer in your presence."
"You know where I am?" Kagome asked, worried about Akitori and the other youkai in the dwelling.
Kikyou nodded. "We'll get you soon," she said.
She chewed on her lip, thinking of what she would do next. Finally, she clasped Kikyou's hands in hers. "Listen, I have to tell you something," she said. "Naraku was here. Akitori was the one who took me. Please, tell Sesshoumaru not to kill him. I know what he did was an act punishable by death in youkai standards but I don't want Sesshoumaru killing needlessly. He never intended to hurt me."
"Why don't you tell him instead?" Kikyou asked. "With the shards channeling the connection and the merging of ki, I think I can help Sesshoumaru talk to you."
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Sesshoumaru watched Kikyou who had closed her eyes. She was glowing pink as she clutched at the Shikon no Tama. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and nodded at him.
"Kagome wants to talk to you," she said calmly.
He approached the miko. Kikyou handed him the glowing shikon fragments. He expected it to at least sting him a little. Sesshoumaru was not prepared for the pleasant warmth it brought him. He closed his eyes. He found himself in the middle of blackness and yet he could see himself clearly.
"Sesshoumaru," he heard his mate whisper.
The demon lord looked up to see his mate standing there. Her eyes were misty as a smile that made his heart melt lit her face. He caught her as she threw herself to him. It was just a day since he had seen her and he already missed the feel of her in his arms.
"Are you hurt?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Kagome looked up at him. "No, I'm all right," she reassured him. "I'm going to ask you a favor, Sesshoumaru."
"What is it?" he asked, wary of Kagome's pleading tone.
"I'm going to ask you not to kill the youkai who took me," she said seriously.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You insult me," he said coldly. He watched her flinch at his tone. He had not used that tone on her ever since they mated.
She bowed down sadly. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "He never meant to hurt me. I understand that you have to do this to protect me but I can't bear the thought that someone will die because of me when I could do something to prevent it."
"Who is this youkai?" he asked dangerously.
Kagome looked up. He could see her struggle. Kagome wanted to protect this youkai from him but she could not bring herself to betray his trust. After a moment, she sighed with resignation. "It's Akitori," she whispered.
As Sesshoumaru looked at his mate, he knew that he could not do something when he knew that she would be against it. He knew she would not go against him but he also knew that she would be distressed. Sesshoumaru had realized just how compassionate she could be and killing was not really in her nature.
"I will take you back then the taiyoukai court will decide what to do with him," he conceded.
Kagome's eyes lit up as she smiled at him. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru," she said. Then her eyes closed, pain evident in her face. She fell on her knees and Sesshoumaru watched as she slowly faded. Before she disappeared completely, he heard her whisper Naraku's name.
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Kagome knew it was Naraku who was pulling her back. She could smell and feel the miasma that she can only associate with him. When she opened her eyes, she saw his black aura surrounding her, completely blocking their communication.
The black aura was suffocating her. Her air was beginning to dwindle when Akitori entered the room. She could not hear the exchange but they were obviously arguing. Just when she thought she would faint, Naraku released his hold on her and she collapsed on the floor, taking in deep ragged breaths.
"You will refrain from hurting her again," Akitori said dangerously.
Naraku smiled coldly at Kagome. "Then tell your miko that she should refrain from having contact with her sister," he said before turning to go.
Akitori looked at her when Naraku was gone. "Are you all right?" he asked worriedly.
She nodded and stayed quiet, not looking at Akitori. She backed away when he took a step toward her. He immediately understood and stopped.
"Don't try to contact them again," he said before turning to leave.
"Can you blame me?" Kagome whispered. "I want my family. My pups need me."
He stopped in his tracks. "Just don't," he said.
Kagome kept quiet and watched him leave.
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Sesshoumaru came out of the trance to see Kikyou clutching her chest. Inuyasha, Sango and Kimiko held her as she tried to catch her breath.
"It's Naraku," she gasped. "I can feel his suffocating aura around Kagome. It severed the connection."
"What is the bastard doing to Kagome?" Inuyasha demanded hotly, worry for both Kikyou and Kagome evident on his face.
Kikyou calmed down after a few minutes. "She's fine," she said finally. "Naraku just used the tainted Shikon no Tama to block the ones in our possession. We must hurry. I don't know if he already suspects that we already know their location." She was looking at Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru calmed down after hearing that Kagome was fine. However, his youkai fought to break free at the thought of Naraku even daring to harm her in any way. The knowledge of Akitori's treachery added to the fury of his inner youkai. He nodded to Kikyou. "Where are they?" he demanded.
"Far north," Kikyou answered. "Beyond the dwelling of the Taiyoukai lord. It is located underground."
InuTaisho nodded. "A fortress that could be used to hide," he said in awe. "The ability to create the void making it even more effective and safe. It makes sense to keep this ability a secret."
"I don't care if it makes sense or not," Inuyasha declared hotly. "I'm gonna make him pay. Nobody hurts a member of the Palace of the Moon and gets away with it."
"We shall leave," Sesshoumaru said. "Father, I need you to stay with the twins."
"Very well, Sesshoumaru," InuTaisho said seriously. "You need not worry about your pups. Go get your mate."
He nodded and turned to Kimiko. "I also need you to stay with the pups," he said. "My father is strong and powerful but if the situation arises, he cannot fight while keeping an eye on the twins."
"It would be an honor to protect the heirs of the Western Lands," Kimiko said deferentially.
"You have our gratitude," Sesshoumaru said before motioning the others to follow him.
End chapter