Tari here. Another chapter done. And whew! That was an interesting one. Be prepared for some crazy things happening. I hope you enjoy it.
That same day Kagome voiced her fears that Becca would run away as soon as she acquired her jewels. The group decided that to keep Becca from running, each person would carry one of them for her.
Kagome carried Kokoro. (Heart, mind, spirit)
Shippou carried Kaiya. (Forgiveness)
Songo carried Katsumi. (Self-control)
Inuyasha carried Kutsuu. (Pain)
And Miroku carried Shi. (Death)
Becca watched as they were passed out, her gaze tightening as each hand touched them. Finally an almost silent hiss escaped her lips as Miroku grabbed Shi.
"Please give them to me," she begged quietly.
Each one looked at her but refused to return them.
Shippou was sad because he knew that the jewels rightfully belonged to her, but he didn't dare give Kaiya back to her. Inuyasha was adamant that he keep it.
Becca looked rather angry as they once again began their trek towards the village. They must find Naraku.
As they walked Becca seemed to be getting agitated. She was fidgeting more often and whenever someone spoke to her, if she answered, she answered very rudely.
When it got dark they made camp and Kagome started to cook something to eat.
When Becca was offered food, she growled angrily and stomped off.
"Inuyasha perhaps you should keep an eye on her," Kagome suggested.
Inuyasha shrugged and went after her.
Kagome looked around at the people surrounding her. They were all on edge. It seemed ever since they came in possession of the jewels they've changed slightly in personality.
Kagome's gaze stopped on Songo. The demon hunter had pulled out Katsumi and was staring at it intently. It was strange. Her eyes looked like they were trying to draw in the very essence of the jewel.
Shippou had Kaiya clenched in his fist and was rolling it around in his fingers occasionally.
Miroku kept looking around almost fearfully.
She also seemed to remember Inuyasha being unnaturally afraid.
Even Kagome felt the NEED to pull out the jewel she was carrying and just look at it. To hold it close to her.
She didn't realize but she was already holding it. Looking down at Kokoro, Kagome mused, "What are these jewels doing to us?"
Across the clearing Inuyasha was watching Becca from new eyes.
Becca was pacing back and forth talking to herself. Her hands clenching and unclenching. Her back hunched over slightly and her voice coming forth in angry whispers.
Inuyasha could hear her saying, "I must get them back. I can see the changes. Soon it will hurt them. They will feel the power they hold. I don't know what to do. What should I say? What should I do?"
A voice that seemed to come straight from the ether spoke back, "Leave them. Wait until they kill each other off and then take them back from the dead bodies. They betrayed you, they don't trust you. You have no reason to continue on this path. Let them die!"
Inuyasha clutched his stomach as he felt a wave of pain overcome him. Falling from the tree, he gasped as the pain spread through his limbs, knocking the wind out of him.
Becca was suddenly standing over him, her eyes wide with concern.
"What's happening?" Inuyasha cried out.
Becca reached out a hand, touching Inuyasha's forehead. Instantly, the pain started to dissipate.
Her eyes clouded as the pain left his body.
When it was all gone Becca winced and pulled her hand back. He held out her hand, palm up, and said, "Give me Kutsuu. That is what's causing your pain. I must get my jewels back before the power overcomes you all."
Inuyasha gave it back without a fight. It felt like a burden was lifted off his shoulders as soon as he no longer possessed it.
The two went back to camp.
Kagome was sweating as she stared at the jewel in her hand.
Shippou was rocking back and forth.
Songo had an ugly smirk on her face and she was holding the jewel at arms-length, laughing occasionally.
Miroku was…
Becca gasped, running to him. Inuyasha followed her over.
Miroku was lying on the ground, his breathing shallow.
"What's going on?" Inuyasha asked.
"Shi is killing him." Becca grabbed Miroku's hand. A shiver ran up her spine, visibly. "Miroku," Becca whispered.
"Becca?" Miroku replied quietly. His eyes were still closed and his heart beat could not be felt when a hand was placed on his chest.
"Miroku you must wake up. Fight against Shi. Shi cannot control you."
"Becca?" Miroku's breathing evened out slightly and his left hand unclenched, releasing Shi.
Becca snatched it out of his hand quickly and almost immediately Miroku bolted up right, completely fine.
Becca collapsed backwards for a moment before sitting up. The two jewels she now had were contained in a small bag wrapped around her throat.
Miroku held up his gloved hand and said, "I had a dream that my wind tunnel was consuming me."
Becca ignored him, turning to Shippou. It was easy to slip the jewel out of his small hand.
When he released it he started crying and saying, "Becca. I'm sorry. I promise I won't take it again."
Becca smiled and rubbed his neck before turning to Kagome.
Kagome flinched when her name was spoken and looked up. Her eyes were glazed as she said, "Take it. I don't think I'll be able to fight it much longer."
Becca took it back and turned, finally, to Songo.
Songo was standing though. She was watching the group furiously. "I will not give you the jewel," Songo spat at them.
"What'll it do to her?" Inuyasha asked.
Becca stepped forward, not answering the question, and said, "Songo give me the jewel. It's rightfully mine."
Songo recoiled and screamed, "I WON'T. THE JEWEL IS MINE."
Becca started to open her mouth when suddenly her body convulsed. She bent over, retching on the ground. Her mouth gaped like a fish for a moment before broken words came out, begging, "Someone. I must get the jewel back. That jewel helps me to contain my demon. That is why I had Katsumi. It helps me to keep back this demon. She's clawing her way out. Please get it back. I can't-" before she said any more her body retched again.
Inuyasha ran at Songo.
Songo, seeing the attack, quickly drew her boomerang and threw it at him.
Inuyasha dashed to the side, dodging it once. It smashed him against a tree on the way back though.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called out, running to him.
Songo drew out a small bomb and threw it at the group. It exploded and smoke filled the area. Everyone started coughing and couldn't see anything.
Miroku coughed out, "Where is everyone? I can't see anything. What's going on?"
He could hear Shippou crying and Kagome stumbling around. Inuyasha was moaning. Kirara was meowing.
Songo laughed, a mask covering her face. She turned and started to run away but stopped when she saw Becca in front of her.
Becca was on her hands and knees, coughing, but clearing out of the smoke.
Songo drew a knife and pulled back like she was going to throw it, but stopped.
Becca's eyes snapped up, red with murder. A drip of blood ran out of Becca's mouth. A claw reached up to wipe it away, but cut her lip instead. "Give it back," a twisted voice growled. "I can't stay under control without it."
Songo couldn't move. She had forgotten the jewel she still held. The only thing on her mind to escape this monster before her.
"Give it back!" Becca roared again.
Songo fell to her knees before the power Becca's was exuding.
Becca appeared in front of her, as if by magic. Her hand reached out, clasping Songo's throat, while the other grabbed for the jewel.
Songo couldn't breathe. Her lungs cried out for air as Becca's grip tightened.
A voice spoke. "Becca stop. You're killing her." Becca let go and Songo fell to the ground, blacked out.
"Can you hear me Songo? Hey! You awake!" Shippou called out the next morning.
Songo opened her eyes, gazing at his innocent face.
"Oh yay! You're awake!" he hugged her arm.
Songo put a hand to her forehead. "I've got a major headache. What happened?"
Shippou wrinkled his nose and said, "You tried to kill us. Becca tried to kill you. Miroku stopped Becca. You fell asleep. Here we are."
Songo shook her head, not being able to recall any memories from the moment she took the jewels from Inuyasha when he was passing them out. "Where is everybody?"
"Kagome is getting water. Kirara is with her. Inuyasha is getting food. Becca went off somewhere and Miroku followed. You're lying right there and I'm here helping you heal."
Songo chuckled and looked around. The clearing looked so bright and empty. Did what Shippou say really happen?
Becca, a few miles away, was crouched beside a small pond.
Miroku stood a little back from her, wondering what she was doing.
Becca tapped a single finger to the middle of the pool and then spoke. "Master? Are you there?"
Miroku crept a little closer as he heard a very fluid and smooth voice reply, "I am sorry, madam. The master is getting weaker. I wish I could tell you better news but he is dying. His time shall surely come soon."
"Can I see him? Can I speak with him?"
"No, madam. The master has not awaked since the last time we spoke."
Becca slammed a fist into the ground and snapped, "Please. Protect him. I shall come."
"Madam? You cannot come. Surely you'll-"
The voice was cut off but a rougher one. The new voice sounded like they hadn't slept in a while. "Sister?"
Miroku had to stifle a gasp.
Becca leaned closer to the pool and spoke in a soft voice, "Karen?"
"Oh my dear, sister," the voice, who Miroku assumed was Karen, replied. "Are you really coming? I am so worried about the master. You must come soon. He is dying and needs you. You must surely come."
That fluid voice from before said, "But my madam if Becca comes then she will-"
Again the voice was interrupted. This time by more force as Karen snapped, "My sister must come. Becca is the only one that came save the master. Sister please come. I need you here. The master needs you here."
When Becca spoke again, it was riddled with tears that were now freely flowing down her face, "I will come, Karen. I will come. I must. I will come for the master. I will come for you."
"Hurry, sister. Hurry." The voice faded away.
Becca fell back and buried her face in her hands. She kept crying out, "The master. Karen. Yulanda. They need me. I must go."
Miroku came forward, hoping Becca would not be angry at him for listening. "Who is the master?" he asked.
Becca sat up quickly, wiping her eyes and placing on an incomprehensible mask. "You should not be worried about it. It is not your business."
"If you are leaving then it is my business. You are part of our group now. You cannot just leave without telling us where you're going."
"I can. And I will." Becca stood, turning away from him.
"Why are you so afraid to go see your sister?" Miroku asked.
Becca's shoulders started shaking. She looked back at Miroku and said, "Karen is only my half-sister. She was born from my demon parents. Only half of me is her sister. And I'm not afraid."
"Becca what's going on?"
Becca turned and walked back to Miroku. She grabbed his hand and kissed the top of it. "Miroku thank you. Tell everyone that I'm sorry and that I will probably not return. Once I go there may be no turning back. I'm so sorry but I cannot explain. Goodbye. And thank you again."
She dropped his hand and turned. As she ran away she called back, "I'm sorry again, Miroku. Thank you."
Well, there you go. I really hope you enjoyed it. Just guess who the master is. I bet you can't wait to find out what's going to happen. Woot! I'm so excited to get this done with. I don't know how long it's gonna take but the suspense is building. Are you ready?