First off, Reviewers:
TerraBB4Eva: Thank you for the review! I know, I'm evil when it comes to cliffhangers, but I just can't help myself. :)
windsinger.windpainter.: Thanks for the review…I'm glad you think of me so highly! And I'm also glad that this is your favorite story. I like it too! Lol.
AN: Okay, so I know some people are mentally pummeling me due to my huge gap in installments, but I've been busy. And I'm not using the word lightly. But, here it is…and I hope that it's as good as all the anticipation made it out to be. Enjoy!
---I---
Chapter 8: Choices
Green and brown blurs flew past Inuyasha at the edges of his vision. The sun was his destination, boiling and red resting on the hills in the distance. Boiling…he felt a fresh wave of anger and hurt at the memory of what he had just learned.
How could he have been so blind? She was much to pretty to not have a husband, and her clothes gave away her rank as a higher-lady...so it was little wonder she had an intended planned and waiting for her. Still, the thought of her, with her sweet eyes and laughing mouth, in the arms of another man, made him see red. He suppressed a growl and went faster through the trees.
He jumped from a high limb and floated over the forest canopy. I must be at least three or four miles away by now, he thought to himself. Maybe it only felt farther because he had been so angry. His frown deepened. When had he become so attached to this girl?
All of his life, Inuyasha knew he had to look out for himself, and he didn't expect any one else's help. He never had any friends, and this made it easier to dislike others and distance himself from people. But Kaede had come into his life so suddenly, and made him see a side of life he hadn't known. She was so full of joy and kindness, and she was funny too. Somehow, without him knowing it, she'd come into his heart…a heart he didn't even know he had.
He landed on a tree limb and stopped, feeling his anger start to ebb away. She had lied to him, but was it really her fault? She didn't look to thrilled to know her husband-to-be was ready and waiting for her. And she had kissed him…he paused and closed his eyes at the memory. He could remember what her lips felt like, and how she had kissed him back. Would a woman who loved another man do that, kiss like that?
He shook his head and sat down against the tree, his arms and legs crossed. He titled his head back against the bark and tried to calm himself. His emotions were jumbled up, and he couldn't settle on just one. Looking out at the red and orange ball of fire glowing at the horizon, he saw a girl's face with black hair and hazel eyes, smiling.
Damn it, he thought, what have I gotten myself into?
---I---
"Inuyasha!…Inuyasha!"
Kagome cupped her hands around her mouth, calling out into the woods. She'd been walking for almost a half an hour. As soon as Kaede told her the news about her intended's death, she'd wasted no time in chasing after the white haired demon. She felt her heart twisting with regret as she ran, calling out his name over and over, but she soon had to stop running. Her calls, however, hadn't stopped, and only became more desperate with each one.
Her voice was growing hoarse, and she didn't know how much longer she could walk. The sun was set, and the darkness of the forest made it difficult to see. She'd tripped more than once on a raised root or a stray twig. Her skin was tingling with the night's warmth, but a chill still managed to snake down her back at the sounds that came from the darkness around her.
She pushed the fear away, determined to find him. Inuyasha, she thought, I will find you, no matter what it takes.
She breathed in for another cry, when a branch snapped close by to her. She stopped mid-yell and whirled around, blind and helpless. The moon provided little light, but she saw enough of the brush to know that she couldn't see anyone around her. She tried to still her racing heart, and continued onward, wary.
A few moments later, another snap issued from behind her, and she stopped walking, her feet firmly planted with fear. She felt the hairs on her neck stand up, and she had the sensation that someone was behind her, following her. She didn't know what to do. Her skin was sticky with sweat and her mind was trying hard to come up with a plan, but all she could think of was Inuyasha, and how badly she wanted to be in his arms right at that moment.
Distinct footsteps could now be heard coming toward her from behind. They were light and smooth…dangerous. With each one she didn't know whether to scream or run, or both.
"Hello?" Her voice cracked, and it was so small she was sure she hadn't spoken it, but her thoughts were contradicted when a smooth, sinister voice drawled just a few feet behind her,
"Good evening, Lady Kagome of the Southern Lands."
At the sound of her name, Kagome found the strength to turn and face her follower. She was met with the sight of a man with pale skin, smooth and perfect, with long curly hair, brown, and eyes the color of blood. He was dressed in a strange way, with dark blue colors and huge pieces of armor. His hair seemed to float around his head, making him seem unreal. In that moment she knew she was looking at a demon.
Kagome put on a face of calm, but underneath she was scared to death. "Who are you?"
The man's mouth stretched across his face in a thin smile that hooked on the end. "My name is Naraku, and I've come to take you on a little journey." His voice seemed to flow from his mouth like water, dark and smooth and venomous.
Kagome mustered up enough courage to look affronted and uninterested. "I'm afraid that's out of the question. I'm not going anywhere with you."
Naraku's smile remained on his face, but his eyes flashed with annoyance.
"You will come with me, even if I have to force you."
Kagome took a step back. She knew his threat wasn't false. He would use whatever means necessary to take her. But why? Why did he want her? And who was he anyway? The name sounded vaguely familiar, a demon lord from years past…his name was always tied to evil in her lands. But why now was he suddenly showing himself, and for her?
He seemed to sense her questions, and his grin grew wider. "If you don't want your precious Inuyasha to die, you will do what I say."
Kagome's heart jumped into her throat. He must have overheard her calling out to Inuyasha earlier on. But how did he know that they were close? She feared to think of it…but could he have been watching them during Inuyasha's entire time at the hut? She felt sick at the mere thought of it.
Kagome glowered at him, her anger for this monstrous demon growing with every breath. She hated his stupid grin and his mud colored eyes. She despised him, everything about him, and she knew that if a person were to ever serve as a the symbol of evil, it would be him.
"So, Lady, what will you choose? Your lover's life, or your freedom?"
Kagome didn't hesitate. "I will go with you."
Naraku's eyes gleamed as he reached out a hand and grabbed her arm tightly. Kagome winced when he tugged her to him. He smelled of rotting flesh and blood. The stench was enough to make her vomit.
Suddenly, she saw the earth moving away from her feet, the wind pulling her hair back. His arm was still wrapped tightly around her, like a vice.
He seemed to rise into the air, and when Kagome chanced to look down again, she saw that they were floating on a cloud of blue fire, swirling around and under her. Before she could think, she was screaming with fright. Her voice carried through the forest; it's high pitch screeching into the night air.
A pair of silver ears heard the sound.
Inuyasha jumped up from his position on the tree limb and sped off in the direction of the cry. He knew that sound. It was a sound he would never want to hear again. It was Kaede's voice, screaming out in a mixture of pain and fear. He didn't know what was wrong, or what was happening, but he knew he had to get to her. She was in danger. He just knew it.
"Kagome," he spoke as he darted through the trees, "I'm coming for you!"
AN: Again with the cliffhangers…(sigh) When will I learn? Lol…never! But, in case you want to chew me out about it anyway, do it in a handy review, neh? Thanks for reading minna!
&Niiroke&
