The True Holder of Shikon
Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.
Chapter 32 - Naraku's Failure
XxXxX
Naraku growled and slammed his fist down onto the table. His incarnations had once again failed to do his bidding. Not only that but Kohaku's shard was now with Inuyasha and his friends.
I do not want failure! This had better be the last time. Sango will not slip past me again!
He narrowed his crimson eyes at the image in Kanna's mirror. Sango was fast asleep, holding the little girl, Rin, in her arms.
Dammit, taiji-ya, why are you so strong? How can I defeat you?
The images shifted and showed everyone that was fast asleep. His eyes focused on Sesshoumaru. He was beyond pissed off at the Taiyoukai. He was the only one that could ruin Naraku's plans.
"Naraku, what do you want with that taiji-ya woman?" Kagura burst into the room, blood still seeping from her wounds. The hanyou turned to look at her before frowning deeply.
"Why do you question me? She has extraordinary spiritual power. Did I not explain that to you?"
"It is not just her powers you want." She glared at him. "You want her, don't you?" He growled and his eyes began glowing with his anger. She took a step back.
He wants her to become his. Well...maybe I can use this new information about her and Sesshoumaru. Naraku, you will go down.
"Get out of my sight, Kagura. Remember, I hold your life in my hands." She turned around and left to go take care of her wounds.
If only I could kill him myself...
Naraku waited until her footsteps faded before looking down into Kanna's mirror again. Did Kagura know something? He didn't care if she did or not since he could kill her if she revolted against him.
Somehow, Sango, you will become mine.
XxXxX
Sango woke up some time around dawn the next morning. She carefully slid away from her bed, since Rin was still sleeping. After going outside, she stretched and walked around. The birds chirped, brightly welcoming the arrival of the sun with their beautiful songs.
I can hardly believe that yesterday was such a big day... I never imagined that it would happen that way.
Her mahogany eyes took in all that was left of her village. It really was a shame that it looked so deserted. It had once been her pride; the place she called home.
It only took one day to destroy. It only took one day to leave me completely alone in the world. What if it happens again?
That was the one thing she was afraid of. She didn't want her friends to die. They were all she had left now. She didn't have a home and she didn't have a family. Not right then, anyway.
"Sango?" She stiffened and whirled around to see Miroku step out into the light, rubbing his eyes. He blinked tiredly at her. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Did I wake you?" He shook his head. "I'm okay, if that is what you were worried about. I wanted to get up early to go into the weapons shed and get more arrows for me and Kagome."
"I see." He flashed her a smile. She went to the shed and pushed open the doors. Her eyes went immediately to her left, where the quivers of arrows were hanging. She pulled a bigger one down then gathered more in her arms. Kagome only needed about ten to fill hers, since they had gathered whatever was dropped. But Sango felt that she needed a bigger quiver. It felt odd to her that she was using arrows more than her precious Hiraikotsu. But the sacred arrows carried more power.
"Sango!" Kagome waved to her and jumped down from the doorway of the hut she was sleeping in. The miko had her quiver in her hands. "I was just going to ask you about that. Thanks." Once they filled her quiver, they grabbed their stuff and prepared to go for a walk.
"The hot springs would be a blessing right about now." Sango said cheerfully. She had a light bounce in her step as she move ahead of her friend. Kagome turned around and noticed Miroku.
"Miroku, tell Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru where we are, okay? We'll be at the hot springs!" She knew that the houshi wouldn't do anything since they were both 'taken.' Actually, no one knew about her and Inuyasha yet but that was about to change. When they got there, Sango slipped out of her clothes, revealing the scar she still possessed. Kagome felt really bad every time she saw it. "Oh! I have some news for you." She had to change the subject before she got upset. Sango slid into the springs and looked back at her friend with a smile.
"It must be good news. Otherwise you wouldn't be telling me anything now." The young miko blushed before nodding. "Well, let's hear it." Kagome quickly set to taking off her clothes and getting in. Once she was sitting next to Sango, she took a deep breath.
"I had that talk with Inuyasha." She could hardly contain her smile. "We're together now." The taiji-ya smiled and hugged her friend.
"That's wonderful, Kagome! Does anyone else know yet?" When her friend shook her head, she pulled back and blinked. "I-I am the first one you told?"
"Yes." She felt really honored to be the first one to know. "So, how are you and Sesshoumaru? Are you two doing okay?" The miko asked curiously as she prepared to dunk herself.
"We are doing fine." The one point that came to Sango's mind was that they had hardly had a chance to speak in a while. But so much was going on that it really couldn't be helped. She sighed and decided to let herself go for the moment. The least she could do was not put a downer on her best friend's spirit. She was truly happy for the two of them.
They deserve this happiness. It is the one thing that can pull them through this mess.
XxXxX
Sesshoumaru sat in the darkness of the hut for what seemed like hours. He was getting his time alone to think. He reflected back on Sango's reactions toward Naraku. It was obvious that she was scared of him but her pride and fighter's spirit sort of made the fear fade away. He knew that, deep down, he was afraid of Naraku. It wasn't because the hanyou could kill him. There was no way he would die by the bastard's hands. It was because of Sango. The hanyou could ruin everything and take her. They had to remain cautious. If not, some careless mistake could lead to her capture.
"Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha walked in stared at his brother. "Come on out here. I want you to see something." The Taiyoukai stood and followed his hanyou brother out of the hut and toward the high gates that surrounded the village. "Look." There, at the edge, was one of Naraku's insects.
"Saimyoushou?" He questioned; his amber gaze switching to Inuyasha. "He is watching."
"No doubt about it."
"Inuyasha!" Kagome's voice called to him from the edge of the woods. She ran with Sango toward the brothers. "Can we go back to the village? I have to go home for some more supplies." The hanyou sighed.
"I guess. It wouldn't hurt to let you go home for a while." He looked up at the sky wearily.
In fact, it would be a good idea. I could go through the well since a new moon is approaching.
"We'll leave as soon as we find the others." Sango turned and narrowed her eyes toward where the insect had previously been.
I know you are watching me, Naraku. Give it up before I find you.
She turned toward Kagome.
"While you are in your era, will you bring back more stuff besides food?" The miko nodded with a grin. Sesshoumaru watched Sango closely. She knew the Saimyoushou had been there. She knew Naraku was keeping his eyes on her. "I should go and find Houshi-sama to tell him we are leaving." Inuyasha nodded.
"Good idea. I saw him earlier over by the graves."
XxXxX
The trip wasn't difficult, as they had made it many times before. Sango held onto Rin while Miroku had his staff in front of her and Jaken held onto the houshi's robes. Kirara flew fast, keeping pace with Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. Shippou was holding onto Inuyasha's hair and Kagome was positioned on the hanyou's back. Sesshoumaru traveled alone.
"Look! There's the village!" Sango cried; a smile brightening her face. She loved being there. It held two of her most favorite places. The Go-Shinboku tree and the old well. The auras around the places made her feel calmer and allowed her to think more clearly. Not too far from the village, heading east, one could see sheer cliffs that were once the home to some dangerous youkai. But now, villagers went there to see the beautiful view. The youkai had all but vanished. Sango planned on making a trip there to sit on the edge and gaze at the beauty that the view beheld.
Soon after arriving, Kagome and Inuyasha departed toward the well. The hanyou told them that he would be back in a few days, whereas Kagome would return in a week when he came to fetch her.
"We'll be back soon! Bye!" The miko waved cheerfully as she jumped into the well. Shippou didn't really mind her leaving now. He missed her but it wasn't as lonely since he had Rin to play with. Sango packed her things and strapped on her weapons.
"I am only going for a few hours. I will return before nightfall." She set out by herself, feeling better since she would be alone.
"Be careful." Sesshoumaru called after her; receiving a brief wave over her shoulder. He sighed and went back into Kaede's home.
XxXxX
"I'm home!" Kagome called before stepping foot inside her house. Inuyasha followed her, looking around at the different decorations.
"Kagome, what is all this?" She led him to the living room and then to the kitchen. Her mother turned around and smiled.
"Hello, dear." She set down two extra plates. "Welcome home."
"Mom, what is the house decorated for?" Kagome asked softly.
"Oh, that's left over from yesterday's party. The girls and I got together. Our wedding is in a few days. Are you going to stay?" The miko nodded with a grin.
"I'll be staying all week." Souta walked into the kitchen to get himself a drink. "Can I call the girls and have them sleep over tomorrow night?"
"Sure, why not? Inuyasha, will you be staying long?" He shrugged and sat down against the wall.
"It all depends on how bored I get."
XxXxX
Sango followed the path. It was very easy to see. A lot of people walked it every year. She looked around at all of the trees, scanning the shadows for any possible hint that she was being watched. That still did not put her off-guard or at ease. Her mahogany eyes narrowed ahead of her. No one was there.
I...would swear that someone is somewhere around here. Is it you...Naraku?
Still keeping her quick pace, she made certain to anticipate anything that could possibly happen. After making it to the end, she dropped her bag and the Hiraikotsu. The view was simply breath-taking. Trees of different sizes and shapes and kinds spanned out across the land as far as the eye could see. Though, she could also see fields and distant villages. She looked toward where the mountains met the azure sky. White clouds that reminded her of cotton drifted leisurely through the ocean-like sky.
"Beautiful..." She whispered softly; in complete awe. Suddenly, she looked down to see the ground cracking beneath her feet. The edge was not very far from where she was standing. It took less than one moment for the ground to give way. She screamed as loud as she could and tried to latch onto something as she began to fall. Getting a sudden idea, she pulled an arrow from her quiver and shoved it into the side of the mountain. Her fall was delayed but a moment before it snapped and she was on her way down again. The moments seemed so long and she fell further with each fearful breath she took. She closed her eyes and grunted when she hit something.
W-What? Why have I...stopped?
She opened her eyes and nearly screamed again. She had fallen into his arms, as he had planned, and they were perched on a small ledge.
"If you use your power against me, you will fall to your death." Naraku smirked down at her. He caught something in her scent that bothered him. He couldn't pinpoint it but that was the least of his worries. His crimson eyes went to where she had fallen from. "That was quite a fall, Sango." She blinked at him before putting her arms around his neck. Then she let her powers flow. He dropped her, as she knew he would. He grabbed her wrist at the last second to keep her from falling over.
"Good bye, Naraku. I'll see you...in hell." She grabbed his wrist with the arm he was holding and used her other to grab above it. Then she released as much power as she was able. He cried out with pain and let her go. She stared up and watched him vanish before her very eyes. He wasn't dead and she wasn't going to survive this fall. She closed her eyes so she didn't see how far down she was. A moment later, she was in someone's arms. But it wasn't Naraku...and she was sure of that. So, without even looking at who had caught her, she lost consciousness.
XxXxX
Sesshoumaru stood and walked outside. Dusk was approaching fast and Sango had yet to get back. He watched the sky grow slowly darker before he began going down the path. He broke into a run and felt panic settle in his mind. Sango was still out there. Naraku could have gotten to her and none of them would've known since she was alone.
Please be all right... Please be there. If Naraku...
He followed her scent all the way up the path and, when he exited the trees, he noticed no one was there. Her bag was lying right next to her large bone boomerang.
"Sango!" His call echoed two or three times and he looked down. The first thing he noticed was that there were cracks in the ground. He bent down and looked closer to see that the edge had slid right off the cliff.
If she was standing there...
He jumped over the edge and watched closely for any signs that she fell over. The first one was that there was a broken arrow with half of the shaft was missing. It was driven into the mountain. He looked down and noticed the ledge. Suddenly, the scent hit him so hard that it made him dizzy. Naraku's scent was all over it. Once he landed, he jumped off the side and continued going to the ground. It was then that he noticed that Naraku's vanished. Down on the ground, he could smell the scent of wolf. But it was as though he vanished, also. There was no doubt he was standing there but besides that, the scent was so faint that he could hardly depend on it. He looked around for any speck of Sango's blood but saw nothing. It made him feel at ease but...Naraku had been there. He jumped back up to the top and grabbed her things. All he could do was wait. He had no idea if she was with Naraku or the wolf. He knew that it was going to drive him insane.
XxXxX
Kouga looked down at the girl in his arms. She had been the one who purified the tainted shards in his legs. He was just outside a cave, having run a long way with her in his arms.
"Hey..." He had the quiver and bow strapped across his back since he couldn't very well carry her comfortably with them on her. She was still unconscious and never even stirred once during the whole trip. The sky was beginning to darken and there would be no light from the new moon so he went into the cave. He set her down on his bed of hay. "Come on..." With a sigh, he set her things down and sat on the hard rock floor of the cave. Quickly, he started a fire so that the warmth and light would offer some security.
What am I supposed to do now?
He pondered for a moment before getting up. He didn't dare the leave her alone. Naraku had wanted her, that was clear. But...what for, he had no idea.
She has powers like Kagome...only they looked stronger. That and she purified my shards. What was it that she said...? That she was Midoriko's successor?
As a youkai, the wolf prince understood. He knew and feared that name. Midoriko had been the greatest and most powerful priestess to ever walk the Earth. One thing that he knew was that he had questions.
"Dammit, girl, wake up! Priestess..." He went over and shook her gently. She opened her eyes and stared at him for a moment. Then she sat up and gasped.
"Where am I? Kouga, why am I..."
"I caught you when you fell." He said softly. "Consider us even now. I saved you and you saved me." She smiled tiredly.
"Fine, we are even. Now, can you tell me where we are?" Her voice was soft and it had a hint of fear in it.
"We're in some cave... I made myself a bed here to sleep tonight. When I went out hunting, I heard you scream." Kouga bit his lip. "I have some questions for you. Why does Naraku want you so badly? Is it because of your powers?" She looked away from him.
"N-Not so much. He wants complete control of my powers, yes, but that is not all. He wants me to be his." He tensed. "I did not understand at first but now..."
"How badly does he want you?" When she looked right into his eyes, he knew something had happened.
"Bad enough to try and rape me." She whispered. He inhaled sharply before looking away. Her mahogany eyes basically told him the whole story. "He did not succeed but he has not given up yet."
"You and Inuyasha's brother are together, aren't you?" She flushed and nodded. "Well...what are you worried about Naraku for?"
"Sesshoumaru hasn't marked me yet. He does not want to rush because it could be too dangerous for the situation." She explained. "All I want is for Naraku to die so that I can get on with my life."
"Listen, taiji-ya..." He hesitated and she smiled slightly.
"Call me Sango." She said softly. He nodded.
"Sango, I'll take you back in the morning. There isn't any light since there's a new moon." She bit her lip and looked into the flames from the fire. "Sesshoumaru is probably worried about you."
"He is... I have a feeling that he is. He probably smelled Naraku's scent when he went to find me. I hope he...does not leave the village."
"I doubt he would. He must have smelled my scent, too. If he's as smart as people say he is, then he'll stay put until I bring you back." He looked away. "I had no idea where you came from and I didn't have a lot of time to wonder."
XxXxX
So, Sango was saved by Kouga after being attacked by Naraku. Not only that but Kagome and Inuyasha are in the future for the moonless night. What will happen next in this crazy fic?
If you read the next chapter, you'll find out.