{Chapter 2 An Unexpected Hero}
So I've decided to switch up my terminology. I much prefer miko to priestess and, youkai to demon. So I'll be altering some of those.
From where they stood discussing their next move they suddenly heard a sharp cracking noise and suddenly the over-whelming stench of Naraku flooded their senses. Barely slipping through was the unmistakable scent of the little miko whom they had been searching for. Inuyasha and Shippo each whooped loudly and barreled forward.
Kirara quickly transformed and Miroku and Sango leapt on her back smiling happily at one another. The band surged forward catching sight of the cracking barrier around Naraku's castle. What surprised them all was Sesshomaru's sword once more meeting the barrier.
Quickly Inuyasha pulled out Tessaiga from its sheath and blasted away at the barrier as well. Under the combined attack the barrier quickly crumbled and the rush of dark energy swam through the air over the outsiders.
Sesshomaru barely glanced at his half-sibling rushing forward with animalistic grace, quickly following his nose to the small room that would hold the miko. Naraku's wind demoness had beaten him there and flung her attack at him, knowing Naraku was watching. Her punishment for not trying to stop the dog taiyoukai from stealing his prize would be severe. She would not suffer that again.
He easily dodged her attacks, his controlled movements bringing precise results as he flung her away from the door. Swiftly he ripped his claws through the rice paper barrier to reveal the woman inside. Dressed in a black and silver kimono she was pressed against the farthest wall her eyes wild.
"Miko." His voice was a single command and he saw a flicker of something in her eyes as she tilted her head to the side as if observing him from a different angle may make clear her confusion. It only took a moment for darkness to cloud her eyes again. She flung open the door to the courtyard outside and fled.
Sesshomaru's chest rumbled softly in irritation. This was clearly the type of irritation is deserved for trying to right his brother's wrongs towards his pack mates. He swiftly followed the woman outside only to nearly bump into her as she stood stock still her eyes fixated suspiciously on yet another miko. This one was the former wench of his brother and their fight had nothing to do with him. He would come for her when their tiff was settled. The powerful taiyoukai leapt away from the females turning instead to Kagaru who had once more been sent to fetch Kagome.
Kikyo studied Kagome noting her accusing gaze and wondered what she was remembering. Stretching her powers out she could sense Inuyasha and his band battling their way towards the two. Naraku's demons would keep them at bay for just long enough. Kikyo stretched her bow back, an arrow fixated on the other miko.
"No longer will you hold sway over Inuyasha. He belongs to me!" She screamed as she released the arrow allowing a small smile when the woman did not move fast enough to avoid being struck. Instead the holy arrow pierced her flesh, slicing through her flesh. Blood poured out and Kagome looked up in horror at the priestess who had betrayed her.
Kagome had not at first believed that Kikyo would truly lash out at her but then suddenly an arrow was invading the muscles on her left side. It took only a moment for a terrible anger to sweep through, her hands fisted at her sides and her own power now a dark purple began to seep from her pores.
She tore the arrow from her side and leapt at Kikyo, moving too fast for the other woman to follow. Suddenly she was in front of her, thrusting the arrow into her chest bringing their bodies crashing down to the earth together. Kikyo stared up at eyes filmed over with a purple haze. She had not expected this from the passive woman. Kagome who was always hesitant to battle, hesitant to harm another.
With no other option and in a vain attempt to save her own life she drained her powers and drew them around her hands to blast Kagome in the chest.
Inuyasha, Shippo, Sango, and Miroku all arrived in time to see Kagome on top of Kikyo piercing her with the arrow. The next moment Kagome was blown backwards and they all froze in horror.
Sesshomaru having succeeded in driving away Kagura turned to view the tainted miko being tossed away from the dead one. His brother seemed torn so swept behind the living girl and grabbed her waist before she fell to the ground. Immediately the others, minus the hanyou rushed forward.
Inuyasha could not help it; he dropped to his knees beside Kikyo who was struggling to free herself from the embedded arrow.
"She attacked me Inuyasha. Kill her! Kill her!"
The dead woman pleaded her eyes locked onto the amber eyes of her lover. She would not allow him to see what had truly transpired. She would not lose him again. Even as she spoke his eyes took in her wound and Kagome in his brother's arms. His fists clenched. Why did it always come to this? Why was he always being forced to choose?
As he looked back to Kagome, her eyes opened and darkened at the sight of Inuyasha kneeling beside her enemy. A low disapproving sound slipped from her throat, sounding almost like a growl. The others looked surprised and turned to see what she saw.
Kikyo cried out in fear and buried herself in Inuyasha's arms.
Sango glared at Inuyasha, she could not believe he was once again about to choose Kikyo over Kagome. "Don't you dare believe her Inuyasha! Kagome would never attack anyone who hadn't attacked her first." Her fist clenched as she stared at him, waiting for him to step away from the clay body on the ground and come to his senses.
Not knowing what to do he remained frozen on the ground. Shocked at what had just transpired. He could feel the dark energy coming off Kagome. Maybe Naraku had done something to her, that angry look in her eyes was not his miko. Sango's words pierced his mind that did not help his decision.
The others watched in shock and hurt as Inuyasha finally picked up Kikyo and sprang away up into the trees. They turned to look at Kagome just as she passed out from blood loss.
Shippo, without fear, leapt from the ground to his precious mother figure and began to shake her prone form. Keening loudly when she did not move, he buried his face into her chest as Sesshomaru held her and looked on dispassionately.
"Follow me." His words were smooth as he took off carrying the miko and the little kit.
Sesshomaru's mind wandered as he flew through the air. He had felt the need to take care of his brother's pack, unfortunately. Even though he despised the half-breed for the fool he made of himself, disgracing their common blood, it was that blood that caused these urges within him. Sesshomaru had never been one to deny those damning honor-bound instincts.
So he would take the miko back, heal her and then release her back to the care of her pack leader. Not that Inuyasha deserved the powerful woman at his disposal.
It took little time for them to reach his home, the castle's outer wall looming high above them. Soldier youkai walked the battlements, pausing only to bow their heads as Sesshomaru passed through the gates.
Servants fluttered around him taking commands as he directed them to prepare a room for healing, one near his quarters so he might keep an eye on the little miko in his arms.
"Oh Sesshomaru, you've finally found a female."
A cool feminine voice caressed the air coming from a beautiful dog youkai standing in the doorway. Humor danced in her lovely amber eyes as she observed the strange companions he brought. His expression twisted into a patronizing one directed at his mother but he said nothing as he swept past her.
Satomi was used to what her son's silences meant; she swept her elegant kimono around to follow him down the hallways. Not before gesturing to his companions to keep pace. Clearly they would have a part to share in this story.
"Alright then son, not your female. She must be Inuyasha's then. As she smells of the power of a miko and these two here of your half-brother."
Sango and Miroku exchanged glances as they hurry down the hallways unsure if the lady of the castle would be forcing them out now that she knew they were friends of her husband's second son. After all they had assumed Sesshomaru's mother had died. The loyalty of the dog youkai was great, especially to their mates. Taking another with his first still alive was strange indeed.
Sesshomaru neither confirmed nor denied anything as he continued on. Satomi sighed; she knew it had been too good to assume that her one and only son had found someone to make him happy. She knew it was partially her fault that he had turned out so cold and so silent. When he had brought Rin home while shocked, she was also thrilled he had found something to care for. Something that was not another animal or that he would be keeping as a pet. He actually showed concern for the tiny human and that gave her hope.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.
Inuyasha fled Naraku's castle. He carried Kikyo in his arms, the miko panting furiously as she tried to draw in breath that her body did not need. She had used too much energy defending herself from Kagome and she needed more souls. The tiny little soul-stealers felt her need and were beginning to return one by one, the glowing orbs held tightly in their match-stick fingers.
Inuyasha released Kikyo to the ground so that she may go to them. Swiftly she pulled the precious life energy into her body, not looking at Inuyasha as she did so. Not wanting to see the revulsion in his eyes.
He knew it kept her alive and near him but he hated the idea of what she stole in order to keep herself here. Still he knew it was not the choice she would make if she had any other, and he reminded himself of this every time those terrible creatures brought her a soul.
Finally he could sense the process was over and turned to face her. Blood still sluggishly flowed down her chest but the wound was closing now. He could smell Kagome's blood on her as well.
"What happened Kikyo, why did Kagome attack you?"
"There had to be a reason? Has she not been jealous of me since my return?"
Inuyasha sighed and stared at the woman he had once thought he knew so well. Death must change a person because he could not remember ever hearing that haughty tone from his Kikyo.
"Of course there would be a reason; Kagome doesn't just do things like attack her allies."
He had almost said friends, but he knew there was no friendship between the girls. Much as Kagome had tried to reach out to Kikyo the other woman had remained cold and indifferent.
"She wanted me out of the way. So you could be with her only. She still believes you will love her more than you love me."
Kikyo watched as Inuyasha's eyes swam with different emotions. Could it be that she had miscalculated and it was not Kagome who still harbored feelings for Inuyasha?
"You do not love her, correct? When I came to join you and your shard hunters you promised me you only kept her because she could sense the shards."
Inuyasha fought to keep himself from pressing his hand to his forehead as turmoil shot through him. He had told Kikyo those things yes, but a year ago he had believes that Kagome no longer loved him. Then again he had not been acting very deserving of her or her love.
One year ago.
"Kagome! How can you still be so useless?"
Inuyasha raged as he stood in front of the miko, drenched in the blood and gore of yet another demon believing it could steal their jewel shards.
Kagome and Miroku had been fighting from the ground as this particular toad demon had continued to spawn children from its back. They fought the smaller opponents as Sango and Inuyasha tried to avoid the lashing tongue of the frog.
When the most recent wave had been demolished, Kagome had looked up in time to see Inuyasha become pierced on the powerful tongue. She had drawn back an arrow and punctured the tongue of the demon. However it had struck close to Inuyasha who had been flung back with the force of her spiritual power. As a result the toad had spawned more young which the half-demon had to destroy before he could finally plunge his sword into the frog's brain.
As it exploded with a final croak of pain Inuyasha had rounded on Kagome. How could she have aimed that arrow so close to him?
It had resulted in the current rant during with the girl remained strangely quiet.
Finally her eyes turned up to him and he stopped in shock as tears ran down her cheeks.
"I hate..."
Her mouth snapped shut as she stared at him, he could say nothing for a moment as he stared at her. Was she really going to say she hated him?
"Ka..Kagome?" He couldn't believe the loathing in her eyes as she stared at him. Not knowing that particular emotion was directed inward. She was beating herself up for hurting the one person she thought she loved. She hated herself for hurting him.
"Kirara will you take me back to the well?"
Kagome turned away from him, her eyes still streaming. The little group stood without moving as the fire-cat stepped towards the miko and allowed her to clamber aboard.
Inuyasha could feel the panic curling in his chest as she set astride the white and red feline. It was panic that caused him to call out to her.
"Fine. Leave, see if I care. I hate you too."
He turned before he could see Kagome's shock and hurt at those words.
Sango and Miroku stared at the pair in utter shock. How could this be happening? They had always assumed that deep down the two loved each other. They did not think it was something that could be broken, despite the small secret belief that Inuyasha was not deserving of the sweet, forgiving miko.
They watched in silence, too stunned to speak as Kirara flung herself into the sky and away.
It took a week for her to come back. He had been too afraid to go get her. Too afraid she would not come back this time. She did though, smiling and hugging them all. Except him. She hadn't yelled or been angry she had merely looked at him as if she was looking at a tree or house or some other inconsequential thing.
After two weeks she had finally spoken to him. She asked him to get her water, and he had, glad to be away from their awkward silence. A week later she spoke to him again, asking him without emotion to stop hitting Shippo. Again he had complied, wondering if things would ever be the same.
Every time her eyes even passed over him it was as if something inside her shut down, he didn't think it would ever be the same.
Two months of silence later he had found Kikyo wandering close to their camp. When she had expressed want to be near him, he had leapt at the opportunity to be wanted again. Dragging her back to camp had been a hard sell, but once she had extracted a promise that Kagome meant nothing to him now she had acquiesced to his insistence. No one had been happy to see her but he didn't care. They weren't really speaking to him anyway.
After two more months normalcy had somewhat returned. Kagome would speak to him, though she never again looked at him with that happy little smile.
Present time.
So when Kikyo reminded him of what he had promised, he winced and looked almost sadly at her.
"She really is nothing to me Kikyo." Not by my choice, was the silent admission he made.
Kikyo was angry but as she was the one with Inuyasha now and Kagome far away with his brother she would let it go for now.
"Let's not talk about it anymore Inuyasha. Come we should make camp then we can go look for shards in the morning. I can sense them to you know."
He nodded blandly at her forced cheerfulness and went to gather firewood. Kikyo sunk to the ground as soon as he was out of sight. She had brought herself to harm another miko for the attentions of the hanyou who she was just now realizing would never care her for in the same way again.
What a fool.