Miko of My Desire
By: Aurora Collins
Disclaimers: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters associated with it. I'm only borrowing the characters to amuse myself and hopefully others. ^_^
Ch. 15 Great Awakening
Itsuko was on her hands and knees and weeping like the world was ending, and for her it was. "Naraku I swear this wasn't my fault. I thought Clay would do the job and not get caught. He knew that castle inside and out…" Itsuko was cut off. "Silence! Your sniveling is not helping your situation!" Naraku yelled at her as he hit her once more. Itsuko already had bruises on her body from his previous beating and now she was lying on the floor once more. "You said I would not be disappointed, but I am beyond that now. This is the last time you will disappoint me again," Naraku declared as he hovered over her. Itsuko launched herself at Naraku's feet and pleaded with him, "Please master, don't kill me!"
Naraku kicked her away and said, "I have someone who will take your place. This person wants what I want; the jewel for the power of one wish." He then turned from her and called out, "Kikyo!" The paper door slid open and appeared a beautiful young woman with long ebony hair. She had pale skin and dark eyes. Itsuko knew this woman was dead from the stench she wafted into the air. The scent of clay and dirt invaded her nostrils to the point that she could barely breathe. "Master, she is dead," Itsuko said. Naraku smiled a crooked smile that barely passed his cheeks. "I know she is dead. Nothing more than a shell of her former self, but she has a dark soul. Don't you Kikyo?" Naraku made it more of a statement than a question. Kikyo glared at Naraku, "I merely want to live again. That doesn't make me have a dark soul. I'm willing to do anything to have it all back."
Naraku scoffed, "Even betray the ones you loved before?" Kikyo nodded, "Some sacrifices must be made." Naraku turned back to Itsuko, "She is right, some sacrifices are needed. Itsuko, I need your shard back." "But I'll die without it. I did all that you asked of me and more," Itsuko cried out. "You're nothing more then a whore who will do anything. I've heard enough," Naraku said as he swiped Itsuko with a miasma that started to eat her flesh. She screamed as her former self oozed and her bones began to show as the process finally ended her life. Her skeleton was disintegrating when Naraku came to her corpse and snatched up the jewel shard. He walked up to Kikyo and said, "You want this don't you?" "I don't need that thing anymore," She said in an irritated tone. Kikyo already had a shard inside her and she knew that in the end she would have to use it to make her wish. She would not allow Naraku to have it in the end.
"Have it your way. You know the plan of course?" Naraku said, already knowing the answer. Kikyo shot daggers at him as he asked her, "I know the plan." She turned to leave and before she did she said, "I'm not doing any of this for you, so you can get that thought out of your head Onigumo. I just want my life back." Naraku hated it when she called him Onigumo and he knew Kikyo knew it. He waved his hand to dismiss her and she disappeared from view.
"Let's get this over with," Sesshomaru said as he slid his Tokijin from its sheathing. Inuyasha unleashed the Tetsuiga and it transformed into its powerful shape. "I couldn't agree with you more!" Inuyasha snarled out. Sesshomaru glanced to the side and said to Kagome, "Remember your promise to stay out of this Kagome." Kagome nodded and she stood there anxiously. Satisfied he redirected his attention to the fight that was about to commence. Before any more could be said they launched at one another in full force. Their blades struck one another and lightening formed between them. The grass swirled around them as a wind picked up from their speed.
They were head to head and their speed was so spectacular that Kagome could barely see them as they jumped and hit one another. The clanking from the fanged swords cried out in an echo that drifted around the valley. "Get back here you bastard!" Inuyasha roared out as he missed Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru remained focused as he finally got behind Inuyasha and knocked him off balance. Inuyasha ate dirt as he skidded right past Kagome. Kagome held her kimono down as the wind followed him because Sesshomaru was going in for another attack. Sesshomaru knocked him down again and then jumped away. The dirt clouded around Inuyasha as he hit the hard Earth. Kagome held her breathe, hoping that Inuyasha wasn't hurt too badly.
The dust settled and Inuyasha used his sword to balance himself up once more. He wiped the blood that came from his mouth and spit on the side. "That was just a lucky shot!" Inuyasha spat out. "Maybe you could hit me if you shut up and concentrated," Sesshomaru said in his monotone voice. This just made Inuyasha even angrier, "You stuck up asshole!" Inuyasha was about to come at his brother once more until he heard a scream. They looked to the side and Inuyasha froze when he saw the woman that had been haunting him. "Kikyo?" he said in an unbelievable tone. Kikyo's soul collectors were entangled around Kagome and they were lifting her up from the ground.
Kikyo smiled as she saw Inuyasha's reaction, "Did you miss me?" Inuyasha couldn't talk, couldn't move. Sesshomaru was about to move when Kikyo caught his actions, "Move again dog and she'll die. They do as I command so sit still." Sesshomaru glared at her as she commanded him to do her bidding. He did as he was told because he didn't want to see anything happen to Kagome. Once Kikyo was in control of the situation once more she walked up to Inuyasha with her divinity. Inuyasha gulped down, "Kikyo…" She smiled as she came up to him and kissed him on the lips and he melted. He grabbed her and kissed her back with such passion that anyone could see they had feelings for one another. They released each another and Kikyo laughed, "As always Inuyasha, you are so gullible; but that's what I liked about you."
"Don't leave," Inuyasha murmured. Kagome heard him and instead of feeling heart break like she thought she would, she just felt relief. He did have feelings for Kikyo and that just proved everything they had been arguing about since yesterday. "Do you love her?" Kikyo asked as she glanced behind her for a moment, right at Kagome. Inuyasha gulped down and he stared at between Kagome and Kikyo. "You're twisted; caught between two loves. I wonder who you would choose in the end. Will you choose the woman who loved you first, or the woman who is merely a reincarnation of the former me? It's very complicated, right?" her voice was icy as she touched Inuyasha's face.
It slid down his cheek slowly until it came to his chest, right onto his heart. She felt it beating and wished hers would beat too. "Kikyo I…" Inuyasha didn't know how to continue. Her eyes were empty as they bore into his, "Still a pup I see." Inuyasha's ears flattened against his hair, "I care for both of you!" "Not good enough," Kikyo continued on. "I do love you very much Kikyo," he tried to explain. "You can love someone easily, but who are you IN love with? I will let you figure that out, until then," Kikyo turned her attention to Sesshomaru, "Listen Lord of the Western Lands, bring the jewel shards to Naraku and you can have her back. You'll know where to find him. You have one day to meet his demands or this miko will die."
Sesshomaru stiffened and didn't say anything. Kikyo smirked as she walked backwards and was caught by her soul collectors. Kagome and Kikyo were flown away until they were seen no more. Inuyasha could do nothing more then gaze at the empty sky whilst Sesshomaru began to move. "Inuyasha, lets go!" Sesshomaru ordered out. Inuyasha snapped his attention to his half brother and said, "It's a trap! You expect just you and me to go!" Sesshomaru shot him and angry glare, "Stay then. I can handle this on my own." Before anymore could be said there was someone shouting across the way. "Lord Sesshomaru, I brought someone," the voice came from Rui, the slave trading fox. Confused Sesshomaru asked, "What are you doing here?" Rui came to his liege lord and replied, "I quit the slaving business and in the midst of doing so I ran into this crew."
He pointed behind him and there stood Miroku, Sango, Kilala and Shippo. "These guys found my encampment and asked about Kagome. She has caused me trouble since I met her, but she also helped me make a good decision. I wish to work for you at your estate if you'll allow it," Rui offered. Sesshomaru resonated a growl and said, "I don't have time for this." Inuyasha intervened, "Kagome has been stolen by Naraku." Sesshomaru was standing next to Inuyasha and he literally shoved him into the ground, finally done with Inuyasha's crap. "Correction half breed; Kagome was stolen by your bitch," Sesshomaru said this so low that the group had to strain to hear him. "Kikyo kidnapped our Kagome?" Miroku questioned. "But we have to get her back," Shippo whined. "I already have a plan that doesn't involve all of you," Sesshomaru snapped. "We are involved. We have known Kagome longer and she means the world to us," Sango explained while her hands were on her hips.
She continued, "We came to save her from you and now we have to save her again. You both have no protection skills." Sesshomaru glared at her and Sango glared back. "Don't look at me like that. It's true. We're her friends and we would do anything for her," Sango finished in a clipped tone. Inuyasha finally got up from the ground and muttered, "Bastard." Sesshomaru didn't even glance in Inuyasha's direction but he did hear him. "Fine," Sesshomaru said as he began to walk away. The group followed him into the castle, including Rui. "What are we going to do now?" Miroku asked. "One last final battle with Naraku, and dear brother…" Sesshomaru paused once he knew he had Inuyasha's attention, "If Kikyo decides to intervene then I will kill her."
Inuyasha's face got red and he retorted, "I won't let you harm her!" Sesshomaru turned on his half brother, "You claim to love both women but the heart doesn't work like that. You came here to get Kagome and made such a big deal about taking her away from me. You even challenged me, which we will finish by the way. Then Kikyo comes in and you have a change of heart?" Inuyasha looked around and knew that he would have some explaining to do. "Kagome needs a stable relationship that isn't with you. She needs someone who will love her unconditionally and not use her as a rebound."
"Hold on a second; what are you talking about?" Sango asked. They continued walking through the estate and Sesshomaru explained everything that happened and it all seemed to fit right in on why everything was happening the way it was. "So now you have emotions just like that?" Miroku questioned. Sesshomaru didn't look back at them as he nodded, "Kagome rekindled something deep within myself and allowed me to get over my hate. It even surprised me on how little time it took. There is something about her that just…" "Captures you," Inuyasha finished. Sesshomaru didn't want to agree with him, but he was right when it came to that particular woman. "You may know her Inuyasha, but you're still torn. I will be with her and you should move on," Sesshomaru claimed.
Inuyasha was about to argue but Miroku poked in the side with his staff to shut him up. Inuyasha grunted at Miroku as they got to the armor room. On a wooden manikin there was a set of armor and Inuyasha recognized it as being his father's battle armor. Sesshomaru walked up to it and took it off the rack. "This armor was our fathers. I will don it now and wear it to battle," Sesshomaru said this as he began to take of his own shoulder spikes. He put the armor on and tied it to himself and at that moment he looked more like the great Inu Taisho then Inuyasha would have liked to admit. Inuyasha realized that he got more of his looks from his mother. Sesshomaru tightened the straps on his swords and looked at the group, "If you want anything from this armor room then take it. We will all need to be fully prepared for this."
Miroku went to the table and began to scrawl out talismans to use during the fight. Sango excused herself and donned her demon slayers uniform and had her weapon of choice; the Hirakstu. When they were ready they left the estate and headed out. Sesshomaru was on his red cloud with his brother and Sango, Miroku and Shippo were riding Kilala. Rui stayed behind on Sesshomaru's request to watch over Rin, since he did such a good job at it last time.
As the wind wisped by them Inuyasha asked, "So how do we find Naraku?" "You really are brainless. Follow the scent of miasma and you will know where they are," Sesshomaru answered Inuyasha. Inuyasha just grunted and stewed in his own anger issues.
"So we're really going in there?"
"That's the plan."
"But Sango and Miroku won't be able to handle the miasma."
"Then they can wait outside."
"I won't be able to handle it for long either."
"Then stay out of my way."
"You can't do this on your own. Naraku did this on purpose."
"I know. He did it to isolate me and it is a good plan."
"Yet you're still going."
"Yes and I'm not easy to fool or defeat."
"You're a cocky bastard."
"And you're weak."
"You know all he needs is the jewel shard you possess and he will have the completed jewel and all hell will break loose. How will you prevent this without getting Kagome killed?" Inuyasha asked out of curiosity. Sesshomaru looked down at Inuyasha and explained, "Take care of Kikyo and his poisonous wasps so that they won't get in my way. With just Naraku I can diffuse the situation. He won't get the jewel completed; I can promise you that." When Sesshomaru mentioned taking care of Kikyo he gulped down. He didn't want to take care of Kikyo in that way; he didn't want to hurt her. "I know what you're thinking, but also think about the jeopardy you will put everyone in if you screw this up. Sometimes a sacrifice is needed for the good of all," Sesshomaru proclaimed while looking forward.
Inuyasha knew that, but when you loved someone; even if they are dead, then you couldn't hurt them. You want to be with them always no matter what. You think about that person more then anyone and you want to protect them from all the evils of the world, even if that person is in the wrong. Inuyasha mulled this over in his head and he was realizing that he was hurting both women by not choosing just one. He cared for them both deeply but he recalled all the happy times he shared with Kikyo. They were going to be together in a permanent sense and Kikyo was going to go so far as giving up on being a priestess. She was going to sacrifice all for their love and in the end she died for it. Inuyasha almost went to hell with her once because he loved her so much.
His ears flicked forward and an epiphany hit him. He was IN love with Kikyo in the way that Sesshomaru was IN love with Kagome. Inuyasha loved Kagome very much in all the right ways, but he went overboard in trying to control her that he was willing to make her unhappy once more. "I really am a selfish prick aren't I?" Inuyasha muttered out. "And how did your great mind come to this obvious conclusion?" Sesshomaru just had to ask.
Inuyasha looked to the side, unwilling to make eye contact with the lord of the west. "I can't have it all. I wanted to think I could keep having the two, but I remembered all the times that Kikyo and I had our special moments. When you mentioned sacrifice I recalled when Kikyo was even going to give up being a priestess just so that she could be with me. I wasn't sacrificing anything for her and she did that for me willingly and she died," he said the last part in a whisper. "I was so in love with her that when I first met Kagome I thought she was Kikyo. I mixed those two up so much and I hurt them both a lot. I never gave Kagome the chance she deserved because whenever I saw Kikyo's soul collectors I would always run to her."
"Now what will you do younger brother?" Sesshomaru asked. "I'm going to make Kikyo see that this can be resolved," Inuyasha answered lamely. Sesshomaru scoffed, "When the jewel is complete she will die. She has a jewel shard in her and is sharing part of Kagome's soul. Before you ask how I know that; Kagome talked to me about several instances in her life." "I hadn't thought of that. Maybe we can ask the jewel to restore her life," Inuyasha tested. "Then the jewel will reincarnate and cause more havoc. No, the jewel must disappear," the lord mentioned this in a strict tone. Inuyasha blurted out, "You won't even give her a chance! I won't let you do that to her!" "There is one option that you failed to look at," Sesshomaru said in a warning tone. Inuyasha was silent as his brother continued. "My Tensuiga can resurrect her."
"That's impossible because her soul is in Kagome. Kagome would have to die if you tried to do that," Inuyasha explained. Sesshomaru actually got a shocked look on his face, "I won't let Kagome die for someone who is already dead. In the end it will be Kagome's choice on what will happen. It is her soul now." Inuyasha said no more as they were coming up on Naraku's lair. The purple cloud could be seen wafting overhead and the trees that used to be there were dead and shriveled. The land around the large building was barren with no sight of anything that was alive. Sesshomaru's red cloud settled close to the perimeter and Kilala landed close by. They all dismounted and settled into a conference of sorts.
"I want you all to stay out here and ward off Naraku's minions because the miasma is heavy within the walls of the castle. You will die if you're exposed for too long," Sesshomaru explained. "Isn't Kagome in there?" Sango asked. Sesshomaru nodded, "I know she is, but I also know that Naraku wouldn't want her to die just yet. I'm sure she is safe inside a ward of some sorts. Naraku is stupid, but not that stupid." They all nodded and agreed to the plan. Just as they made a move to go down the hillside to the castle a swarm of wasps came in and hoarded around them. Sesshomaru nodded to them has he pulled out his Tokijin and slashed through the pests to get past their wall. Kikyo was no where to be seen at the moment, but he wouldn't doubt that she would soon be on her way.
"Naraku, their here," Kikyo said coolly. "Yes, I can feel them. Now go and get your revenge. I will take care of things here," Naraku said this as he looked down at the unconscious Kagome. Kikyo narrowed her eyes at him, "You know Sesshomaru possesses the jewel and he will be the only one to get inside. How will I know that you won't double cross me again?" Naraku chuckled, "Silly woman, you forget the jewel shard that is within you. I can't complete it without that one." Kikyo said, "I know you would rip it out of me like you did to Itsuko, but I won't allow it." Naraku merely smiled to her, "I suppose you will have to trust me." Kikyo had the urge to kill the bastard where he stood, but she still needed him to complete her plans. "Don't hold your breath," she said this as she went to the paper door. She slid it open and without another word she was gone out of sight.
Once Kikyo was gone Naraku kneeled down and looked at Kagome. She did have certain physical aspects that could be compared to Kikyo, but she did have her differences as well. Naraku preferred the looks of Kikyo, which were elegance and refined chiseled looks. Naraku knew though that this was Onigumo and it irritated him to no end. Naraku touched her silken locks and thought that it was softer then Kikyo's, but not as long. He leaned on his cushions and waited for his adversary to arrive and just as he relaxed he saw the woman stir. Kagome groaned and the last thing she remembered was when she was taken away from Kikyo. At some point and time she passed out and now she was in this unfamiliar place that looked dark and dreary.
Kagome then saw Naraku and she froze in place. A fear was placed within her heart as it pumped with a wicked vengeance inside her chest. She thought for sure he could hear and she was right when a chuckle unbound itself from his lips. "You're finally awake," Naraku stated. Kagome tried to talk but nothing came out. "A loss for words. Are you really that scared of me? I thought a miko as yourself would be braver," Naraku commented. Kagome huffed out and her fear dissipated, "I'm not scared of you, but what you can do." "Alas, she speaks. I preferred your silence," Naraku said this as he saw his reflection within her eyes. They were as blue as the ocean and remarkably prettier then his Kikyo, but he would never say that aloud.
Kagome became uncomfortable under his intense gaze. She had to look away and she knew that was a sign of weakness, but his eyes were evil. Naraku got up from his spot and walked up to Kagome. Kagome felt his nearness and looked up at him. She was becoming vastly aware that he was giving her a look that was given to her before. In her head she wished that she would be saved any moment, but she also hoped that no one would come to harm. "Are you wishing that your demon were here now? Sesshomaru and his group will be defeated, but I think instead of killing you I might keep you," Naraku admitted. A shocked look ran over her face as she heard this fact from him. She said in a near whisper, "I would never allow that."
"You're just as stubborn as Kikyo, but I will break you like I will do to her. I won't be so lenient on my women and they will obey me," Naraku explained these as he got on his haunches and hooked his finger under Kagome's chin. Kagome tried to turn away but Naraku had a firm grip on her that hurt. He stared into her eyed and asked, "Do you understand me human?" Kagome glared at him, "I will never do as you say." Naraku's placid look turned to one of anger when he slapped her across the face. Kagome fell to the side and yelped and he immediately came on top of her and growled like and animal with rabies. His red eyes glowed a red hue as he forced her to once again look at him.
"I feed on your fear and I can feel you trembling, and the blood protruding from your mouth attracts me to no end. You have been a righteous woman that got under my skin and you will pay for all those times you were against me," Naraku said this as his tongue licked the blood that drizzled from her broken lip. He forced her on her back and pushed her arms over her head with enough force to nearly break her bones. Kagome cried out as he forced her legs to part with his overbearing strength. He was not going easy on her like Clay did; no he wasn't giving her the chance to fight back. Whenever she tried to conjure up her power she felt him put even more pressure on her. It felt like she was about to suffocate from his weight boring into her.
"Stop fighting me!" He yelled at her as he slapped once more on the opposite cheek with his free hand. Kagome became stunned and her vision blurring from the hit to the head she just got. The taste of copper flooded her mouth once more and the blood made her want to choke. Naraku ripped the front of her kimono and her breasts sprung forward. Her pink nipples erected from the cold air that washed over them. Naraku put his mouth over one and was so rough that his fangs were cutting at her skin. The pain gripped her as she yelled out, "Sesshomaru!" The tears flooded from her eyes and when she thought it was all over was when she heard a crash.
There standing at the door was the one demon she wanted to see more than anyone else in the world. Sesshomaru was standing there with his armor that made him look older. With a commanding voice Sesshomaru's roar reverberated throughout the room and his eyes turned red with anger. "Get off of her Naraku and fight me!" Sesshomaru demanded as his dog form began to emerge from his perfect body, causing tension within the castle. Naraku looked back at Sesshomaru and got off of Kagome with a wicked smile.