Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, okay? Although I wish terribly that I did...
A/N: Inuyasha was being stubborn...once again. When Kagome went for a walk she ran into Kikyou, but she disappeared shortly after she found her. Now Inuyasha and Kagome are going back to Kaede's village, Miroku and Sango (who were spying - shame on them!) a short distance ahead. Thanks to my reviewers again, I really appreciate it!
Chapter 4 - The Insidious Plot
Upon arriving at Kaede's hut, Kagome found Miroku and Sango sitting rather fidgety around the fire. She sat down next to them, confused at their unexplained behavior.
"Sango-chan, is something up? You guys seem nervous about something..." She paused as Inuyasha entered the hut shortly after her. He glanced at the three of them quickly before deciding what they were discussing was unimportant. He sauntered over to the corner of the hut and watched them.
Miroku looked questioningly at Kagome, pure innocence playing on his face. "Don't worry yourself over it, Kagome-sama. It's nothing."
Sango tried her best to smile and put her hands in her lap to occupy them. "It's getting late. Don't you think we should all get some sleep?"
Eager to get off the subject, Miroku nodded. Kagome glanced one more time at the taijiya disbelievingly. Standing up, she went over to her yellow backpack and pulled out her sleeping bag, unrolling it on the floor.
"You're right," she replied, letting out a yawn threatening to tear her mouth apart at the sides. "I'm exhausted." She laid her head down and closed her eyes, falling asleep instantly.
Shippou ran over to snuggle in Kagome's sleeping bag by her. Inuyasha stood up and went outside to his tree for the night. Sango and Miroku gave the sleeping Kagome one last glance before laying down themselves. Soon the hut was filled with quiet snoring, everybody's mind relaxing for the day to come.
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Inuyasha lifted his head up to gaze at the rising sun. He rubbed the remaining sleep from his eyes and yawned before climbing down the Goshinkobu. His nose perked up, and he lifted it slightly to better smell the air. There's that smell again! "Oh no, Kagome!" Not wasting another second, he started the chase to the hut. "How come I didn't notice it earlier?" It was obviously the repugnant stench from that youkai girl, Shiori.
Warm greetings were called out to the hanyou back at the village, the presence of danger not apparent to them. His sudden arrival at the hut woke the flustered Kagome. Shippou rolled over slightly to look at Inuyasha before jumping out of the sleeping bag. "Is something wrong, Inuyasha?"
Sango, her sleeping disturbed, sat up to look dazedly at Inuyasha standing in the door way. Miroku sat up as well, noting something must be wrong for Inuyasha to be here at this hour of the morning.
"That Shiori person...she's back." Inuyasha looked at Miroku, Sango, and Kagome in turn. "Sango, can you stay and watch over Kagome? I don't want her outside..." His voice slowly faded, and before Sango could respond, he raced back outside, red kimono flapping in the wind. The houshi was shortly behind him, carrying his staff at his side.
Sango changed to her battle attire and grabbed Kagome's arm. "We have to hurry, Kagome-chan. You too, Shippou." The young kitsune jumped on Kagome's shoulder as she stood up groggily.
"Shiori's back?" Kagome rubbed her eyes and grabbed her bow and quiver. "But what about Inuyasha?"
Sango sent her a sympathetic glance. "He and houshi-sama will be fine. We need to keep you safe, Kagome-chan." That said, she led the miko and Kirara outside. Her alert eyes scanned the area to be sure there was nothing around.
Kagome's thoughts were spinning and flying in her head every which way. Her head began to hurt, so she tried to shut her mind out and turned her attention to their present situation. Why is Shiori back so soon?
Having decided they were far enough away, Kirara transformed and Sango climbed on her back. She motioned for Kagome and Shippou to do the same, making sure they were secure. They ascended off the ground. The village was slowly left behind.
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Inuyasha came to a halt and stared at what lay before him, his eyes narrowing. Miroku stopped at his side, panting lightly.
"It's a barrier." Miroku went up to the barrier and touched it, only to be shocked. He gazed upwards and stared at the dome-shaped wall that kept them from trespassing. A faint purple glow was transpiring off it, as if warning them of the danger.
"We're just going to have to get rid of it," Inuyasha replied, his hand on the hilt of his Tetsusaiga. He unsheathed it and held it poised in front of him. A glow began immersing the blade, causing it to turn a blood red. He swung the blade forward and onto the ground, directing the attack on the barrier. "Red Tetsusaiga!" The blade emitted a blast of red energy aimed for the center of the glowing dome.
The barrier began to dissipate slowly, the purple glow disappearing. Inuyasha sheathed his Tetsusaiga and ran through what was left of the barrier. That was almost too easy... Miroku was shortly behind him. Upon seeing Naraku's castle, the pair stopped to glance around quickly.
"Naraku's stench is all over the place." A growl began low in Inuyasha's throat and he started running to the entryway of the castle. Before he could advance any further, Miroku put a warning hand on his shoulder.
"Don't be so rash, Inuyasha. We don't even know where Naraku is." He glanced at the castle and turned around, searching the area. "His evil aura is everywhere, so we have no idea of his whereabouts."
Inuyasha rested his arms at his side and blinked. "Whatever. Just as long as Kagome's okay..." His voice trailed off and he turned around perceptively, a low growl sounding in his throat. "That bastard...if he touches Kagome I swear I will rip his throat out!" Animosity flashed in his amber eyes and he turned his attention back to the castle. "Naraku's in there somewhere, I'm sure of it."
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Sango motioned for Kirara to lower towards the ground. Once at a safe distance, the taijiya jumped off of her back and waited for Kagome and Shippou. The only thing around them was forest..and more forest. When Kagome glanced at the sky, she guessed it was about mid-day.
"Sango-chan, do you know where Naraku is?" Worry glazed over her chocolate eyes as she gripped Shippou in her arms tightly. He looked up at her and blinked. The kitsune scurried out of her arms and onto her shoulder, watching her face closely.
"No, not right now. But we should keep going. We don't want to stay in one place too long." Sango adjusted the Hiraikotsu on her shoulder and started walking on some forgotten path. Branches from the many trees tore at her bare legs, but she ignored it. Getting to safety is a lot more important than a few scratches on your legs...especially with Naraku...
Kagome nodded. "Right." She began to follow the taijiya as Kirara changed back to her small form and chased after them. Kagome's eyes glanced around quickly and nervously. Vigilance engulfed her body as turned her head to look behind her. Sango was fully attentive and a scowl was drawn on her face. What stood before them shocked them inwardly – Shiori.
"What are you doing here?" Sango's suddenly menacing voice sliced through the tension in the air. Her Hiraikotsu was tilted at a throwing angle, prepared to throw it at any sudden movement from Shiori.
"I told you I'd be back." Shiori's eyes narrowed as she fingered a flower she had picked from her hair. "You can't hide from me, foolish mortals!" The youkai jumped high in the air, a glint of the sun in her eyes. The flower that she had pulled from her hair was glowing. The taijiya threw her boomerang, but Shiori was too quick. She dodged the Hiraikotsu easily. The flower she was holding began to glow. Her arm moved back, and was immediately thrust forward as she impelled the flower-dagger at Sango. Her chocolate eyes widened before the flower's stem stabbed the skin on her arm. Blood began to trickle to the ground as she collapsed to her knees, reaching her other arm down to steady herself. Her eyes were now blank. She pulled the flower out of her arm, wincing slightly in pain. Shiori came to collect the bloody flower off the ground and smirked, twirling it in her fingers.
"Too bad for you, this flower stem holds a poison which is now spreading through her body. She'll soon be paralyzed." Shiori glowered at Sango, now trying to stand. Kagome and Shippou had rushed to her side. The miko put a gentle hand on Sango's shoulder and coaxed her to stay still.
"I can't...move." The taijiya's voice was monotonous, the expression on her face turning from anger to confusion. After a strenuous minute of staying balanced, her arm gave out and she fell face first to the ground.
"Hey, Sango! Wake up!" Shippou started patting her face, urging her to move. "Sango?" The little kitsune clenched his hands into fists and glared defiantly at Shiori. "How dare you hurt Sango!"
Kagome grabbed her bow and positioned it, pinpointing Shiori's exact spot. "Why are you here?" she demanded quickly. The fact that she had put her friend out of commission had angered her greatly. Inuyasha, where are you? She narrowed her eyes at the youkai and growled, a noise that would make Inuyasha proud. If only he were here. She mentally slapped herself and shook that thoughts out of her head. Focus! Come on, Kagome. You can do this!
Shiori smirked, soon breaking into an insanely evil laughter. "You think you can overpower me? If Naraku didn't give me direct orders, I would kill you right now!" She was too busy laughing, however, to notice that Kagome had the arrow trained on her. When she did, it was too late. The arrow made a whoosh sound as it was released from the tension of the bow, and stabbed Shiori in the stomach.
A gasping noise was heard. Then laughing. Why is she laughing? Kagome blinked in confusion as she watched her arrow disintegrate. Shiori, once wounded, was now perfectly fine. What's going on? Any trace of a hole in the youkai's stomach had disappeared. A menacing smirk split Shiori's face. Shippou glanced up, aroused, any actions of comforting the paralyzed taijiya put aside.
"But...my arrow!" Kagome's expression became discomposed as she grabbed Sango's arms and attempted to pull her away. "Shippou, go find Inuyasha!" Her voice got through to Shippou, and he stood up cautiously.
"But what about you, and Sango?" Fear clung to his quiet voice. His green eyes were blinking rapidly.
"Just go! Hurry!" Kagome tugged again at Sango's lifeless form. She didn't have to say anymore, for Shippou was racing to find the hanyou.
Kagome gave an exasperated groan as she dropped to her knees beside Sango. I can't give up yet! I won't let her win! The girl she was referring to, however, had vanished. Kagome stood up again and anxiously glanced around. "She...disappeared." Her foot stomped to the ground in frustration, leaving an imprint in the dirt. "Please hurry Inuyasha...I don't know how much longer..."
Those were the last words that Kagome uttered before falling to the ground beside Sango. Shiori had silently made her way behind the fallen miko and stabbed her from behind with her claws. Kagome only had a glimpse at Shiori before everything went black. The angry youkai was glowering at the rendered unconscious forms of Kagome and Sango. "Pitiful humans..." She frowned and kneeled by the miko, cupping her chin and raising her pale face to meet hers. "What is it about her...that Naraku wants her dead?" As she contemplated this thought, Shiori raised her hands and, simultaneously, the two forms of the miko and taijiya was lifted off the ground. "They never stood a chance."
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An exhausted Shippou sat on the ground and crossed his arms defiantly. "Where are you Inuyasha?! Kagome and Sango are in trouble and I can't help them!" He clenched his little hands into fists and pounded at the ground. Tears splashed to the ground around him, now flowing uncontrollably from his green eyes. He soon began wailing before someone grabbed his tail and lifted him into the air. The kit was soon face-to-face with two pools of amber. "Inuyasha!"
"Yeah. Now what's this about Kagome being in trouble?" The hanyou's face loomed dangerously close to his. Miroku trudged ahead, looking for any signs of his companions.
"Shiori came back!" Shippou started pounding the air, swinging wildly in Inuyasha's grasp. "She paralyzed Sango and then took them both away!" He started wailing again, only to be punched in the head by an enraged hanyou.
"Well, where'd he take them?" Inuyasha's cracking knuckles could be heard. Shippou gulped in hesitation and timidly rubbed a rather large bump that could be found on the crown of his head. Tears again welled up in the kit's eyes before he brushed the away furiously. Now is not the time to cry!
"I'm not sure. Maybe he took them to Naraku's castle." Shippou landed on the ground with an oomph. He lay sprawled on the ground before he jumped up to look cross-eyed at Inuyasha. "What was that for?! Don't you know how to treat a kid?" A second look stopped his ranting. Inuyasha was growling quietly, nerves twitching. It seemed his anger was radiating off of him. The hanyou's head was bowed, eyes closed tightly.
"I wasn't there...to protect her..." Inuyasha's voice was cracked, and he spoke slowly. He glanced into the distance, as if trying to see through the trees. "Naraku, that bastard! Come on, Miroku. We're going back to his castle."
Miroku nodded sullenly. The pair of footsteps coming from Inuyasha and Miroku was the only thing that was heard. Shippou was jumping up and down before he realized that they had already left. "Hey! Wait for ME!" He began to run as fast as his short little kitsune legs would carry him. "Don't leave me behind!" Unfortunately, a root was sticking up out of the ground. Shippou tripped over it and went tumbling to the ground, completely a few somersaults before sitting upright. "Don't leave me behind!" the exasperated Shippou yelled, trying desperately to catch up.
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Kagome landed gruffly on the hard wooden floor, oblivious to anything around her. The deep wound in her back now felt as if it were on fire. Her uniform was stained a deep red. Great. How am I going to explain this one to mom? By the time she had barely opened her eyes, she found that Shiori had left the two of them alone. Sango was still only subconscious, but her eyes had opened.
"Ka...Kagome?" Sango uttered, well enough for Kagome to hear the soft spoken word. "Wha...what happened? Where are we?" The taijiya's eyes fluttered a bit. She let out a heavy sigh and tried to move from her current position. Laying on her stomach on a hard wooded floor wasn't very comfortable.
Kagome used her hands to push herself off the floor. A horrendous, searing pain shot through her back. Her breath came in short gasps, and she shut her eyes tightly. All I have to do is sit up... Trying her best to ignore the pain, she managed to pull herself into a kneeling position. All the over-exertion caused her to feel lightheaded. She began to swoon before she thrust both hands on the wood floor to steady herself. "I think we're in...Naraku's castle."
A quick gaze around the room didn't tell her much. There was nothing. Nothing to give them any clues of where they were or a way to get out – besides the door that Shiori had left. Somehow that doesn't seem like a very good idea. Kagome, feeling a bit flustered by now, turned her steady gaze back to Sango.
Sango, although her current state, was trying to move. Nerves in her arms twitched and wouldn't relent. She gritted her teeth and stared at Kagome with pleading eyes. "I can't...move."
Despite the wound in her back, Kagome crawled slowly next to the Sango. She was exhausted by now, and the pain in her back wouldn't go away. "That flower you were stabbed with, it paralyzed you." She glanced worriedly at the surprised and nervous face of one of her best friends. "I'm going to try and find a way out of here. I don't know how long you'll be paralyzed..."
"Kagome, you can't go by yourself. You're wounded..." Sango closed her mouth quickly when she heard footsteps.
They were walking slowly just outside of the door. The wood floor was creaking under the weight of whoever it was. The door slid open and revealed none other than Shiori.
It was Kagome's turn to glare in her direction. "Where's Naraku?" she demanded immediately. "How long until the paralyzation wears off?" Kagome's patience had worn thin. Shiori could see a faint pink glow emitting from the miko.
"It won't be long now." The mischievous look in Shiori's almost black eyes told them nothing. Her expression was unreadable. "It won't be long..."
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A/N: A cliffie, I guess. Sorry it took so long to update. What happened to my reviewers? I haven't received any reviews for this. What's up with that? Maybe I will, sometime. I love the way this story is turning out...unlike a fanfic I've done before. I'm just making it up as I go along. Hope it's not too bad.
Push the button and make me happy.