Love and War
Disclaimer: I do not own, or make any money from, the stories of Inuyasha.
All Inuyasha characters are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise and Viz
All original characters belong to me.
Chapter Eight
Kaede's Village - Annihilated
Kagome rushed to Kouga's side and looked back at the gathered villagers,
"You will not harm him.", she ordered, "He is already injured. He poses no threat to the village."
With Miroku's assistance, Kouga walked slowly to the back of Kagome and Inuyasha's hut, away from the stare of villagers,
"Shinta, go get my bag of bandages and medicinal herbs.", Kagome told the youngster, "Where are you hurt, Kouga?"
"I'm ... not ... sure.", he panted out, "I ... was ... hit with ... something strange. It made a loud bang."
"A gun most likely.", Kagome assumed.
She looked over Kouga's tunic and discovered where the blood was coming from,
"My gosh. You were hit in the buttocks, Kouga."
"WHAT?", Inuyasha growled, "Kagome, you ain't touching that wild animal's ass."
Kouga looked up and spotted Inuyasha,
"I wondered where you were, muttface.", Kouga growled, "Why don't you come over here and say that to my face!"
"I'd love to!", Inuyasha growled back.
Miroku intervened, "Inuyasha can't move, Kouga. He was shot also and he is paralyzed from the waist down.", he informed the wolf demon.
"MIROKU!", Inuyasha growled his displeasure at having his condition told to the wolf.
"PFFT! At least I managed to only get shot in the ass. You're pathetic, dog-shit.", Kouga shot at him.
"Why you ...", Inuyasha growled low and mean.
Kagome stood up, "Kouga, you'll stop your talk this instant, do you hear me? Or I won't work on your wound!"
"Fine by me.", Inuyasha growled.
Kouga stood up, "Oh yea, I'll kill you this time, for sure, muttface. Now that you can't run away ...", he started towards Inuyasha.
Kagome got in front of him, her anger boiling to the surface,
"KOUGA! DON'T YOU EVEN DARE ...", she started saying, stretching her hand in front of her.
They all noticed it. As a breeze fluttered by, Kagome's hand began to glow,
"Kagome!", Miroku said, awed.
"Is it?", Inuyasha wondered.
"My powers ...", Kagome noticed.
Around her hand, energy swirled. She pulled her hand closer to her face and studied it. Then she turned to Inuyasha,
"Inuyasha. Lean forward. Let me see your back."
Inuyasha did as he was told and Kagome laid her hands on his back, concentrating all her energy to his wound.
"I'm ... feeling ...my feet.", Inuyasha spoke quietly.
Kagome removed her hands from his back,
"Now we just wait and see.", she said.
"Your powers have returned, Kagome.", Miroku said.
"Let me work on Kouga, just in case.", she said, rushed.
"Just in case what?", said Miroku.
"Just in case my powers disappear again.", she informed him.
"Why do you think they will disappear?", Inuyasha asked her.
"Because, I have had this happen before."
"WHAT?", Inuyasha and Miroku chorused together.
"Why haven't you mentioned it to me before this?", Inuyasha pushed.
"And, if it's happened before, why haven't you tried to heal Inuyasha?", asked Miroku.
"Because, when it happened, I was elsewhere in the village. It was the same way, I'd get a bit angry and I would feel a breeze. Then I would feel my powers wrap around my hand. By the time I would get back to the hut, it had dissipated.", she informed them, "so, I didn't say anything."
"You would always feel that breeze, Kagome?", Inuyasha asked her.
"Yes. Kouga, that bullet may work it's way out or it may stay. Either way, you're good to go."
Kouga clasped her hands, "My thanks to you, dear Kagome."
"Watch it, wolf!", Inuyasha growled.
Kagome removed her hands from Kouga's grasp, "Kouga, I'm married to Inuyasha. He has every right to attack you if you flirt with me.", she gave the wolf a knowing look.
"HMPH! I'm too late, am I?", Kouga said to her, "Well, I'll just have to defeat him in battle, won't I? Then I'll have every right to claim you."
"DREAM ON! YOU'LL NEVER DEFEAT MY FATHER IN BATTLE!"
Everyone turned to look. Standing on the porch was a very defiant Shinta, fists on his hips. Kai stood next to him, equally defiant,
"YEA! MY DADDY'S NEVER LOST TO NO ONE!"
Kagome smiled, "Kai. Shinta. Don't worry. There won't be a battle."
"Kai? Shinta?", Kouga queried, "You named your pups after the wolf cubs?"
"Yes.", Kagome answered him, "Because we liked the names."
"Kagome?", Miroku questioned, "I've been thinking. You say you feel a breeze before you regain your powers, correct?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Could it be that Kazemaru is trying to break through whatever is holding your powers at bay? He always did show up after a wind."
"Hmmm. That's possible. Kaze does mean wind and that is how he always made his appearance. So, you think whatever is holding my powers back is working through the gods?"
"Or, somehow, stopping the gods.", Miroku mused.
"Kagome? When was the last time you felt your powers return?", asked a small voice.
"Myouga?", Inuyasha queried, "Is that you?"
"Y-y-yes, Master Inuyasha?", the flea stammered.
"Where the hell have you been all this time?", Inuyasha questioned his vassal.
"Looking for answers to Nishimura.", the flea responded.
"Keh. Nice of you to come see how I was doing, you old bastard."
Kagome interrupted the conversation, "Myouga, the last time I felt it was about a month ago."
Myouga appeared lost in thought, "A month ago, you say. Nishimura was gone from the area about a month ago. I know not where he went. He was gone for a week."
"What are you saying, Myouga, spit it out!", ordered Inuyasha.
"Nishimura just returned yesterday from being gone for about a week."
Inuyasha sighed, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Maybe it does have something to do with it, Inuyasha.", said Miroku, "Maybe, Nishimura has something to do with Kagome's powers. And the loss of some of your demonic powers. Maybe, when he disappears to wherever he goes, the gods are able to respond again."
"But, you heard Myouga, he just returned.", said Inuyasha.
"Maybe whatever it is, is so strong, that by the time they break through whatever it is, he has returned. And then the barrier, or whatever is keeping the gods away, returns.", mused the monk.
"That's why my powers don't last that long.", agreed Kagome.
"Ok. But, what about my healing abilities? They aren't 'by the gods'.", Inuyasha posed the question.
"That I haven't figured out yet.", said Miroku.
Kagome held out her hand and sighed, "They're gone.", she said, referring to her powers.
--
Kagome made a huge feast that night,
"I don't know why we have to share our food with him.", Inuyasha grunted.
"Hey, I'm injured.", the wolf growled back.
"Inuyasha, be nice for once.", Kagome admonished, "Say, Kouga, where are Ginta and Hakkaku? And Ayame?"
"I made them take refuge at Toutousai's place. It isn't safe for them alone.", Kouga responded between mouthfuls, "This is good. Really good.", he mumbled, stuffing his face full.
Kagome smiled, "Thank you."
"HMPH!", Inuyasha huffed.
"Are you going to marry Ayame?", Kagome asked.
"Uhh,", Kouga looked down at his food, "I dunno know."
"I think you should. You did promise her.", Kagome reminded him.
"You remember that, do you?", Kouga replied sheepishly.
"Kouga, I'm married to Inuyasha. You deserve to be happy, too. Marry Ayame. Then you can rule the tribe together.", Kagome gushed.
"If we survive the demon massacre in the east.", Kouga commented, "This Nishimura idiot despises demons, I've heard."
"Yes.", agreed Myouga, "He does dispise us. He didn't believe we existed, at first, but, now, he says that he will destroy all demons because his 'god' wishes him to do so."
"How do you know all this, Myouga?", asked Inuyasha.
"Because I have been spending time in his castle or following him around. Being so small I can do that without being seen.", the flea replied.
Kagome stared at her plate,
"That's right. The last time he was here, when I shot him with an arrow, he mentioned about his god. He's monotheistic."
"He's what?", asked Inuyasha. looking dazed and confused.
"Monotheistic. He believes in just one god. Shintoists are polytheistic. We believe in multiple gods.", she explained.
"So who's right and who's wrong?", questioned Kouga.
"What?", Kagome responded.
"Is there one god or many gods? Who's right? Who's wrong?", Kouga rephrased the question.
"No one knows for sure. There are literally hundreds of different religions and faiths throughout the world. Some believe in multiple gods. Many believe in just one god."
"PFFT! I don't believe in any of that horseshit!", grumbled Inuyasha.
Kagome sighed, "Then there are people like you, Inuyasha. They're called atheists. They believe in no gods whatsoever."
"Damn right! I believe in myself. I don't need to rely on any god for my power.", he exclaimed.
Kouga finished his meal and stood up,
"I'll be going, Kagome. Thank you for taking care of me and thank you for the food.", he said to her.
"Already? Are you sure you're well enough, Kouga?", Kagome asked in surprise.
"Unlike the half-breed, I'm a full demon. I'm fine. Catch ya later, Kagome."
In a flash he was gone.
"Why you ...", Inuyasha grumbled, "When I can walk again, I'll ..."
"Do nothing.", Kagome scolded him, "Just eat, Inuyasha."
--
Miroku started up the steps to Inuyasha's hut. He was greeted by the half-demon himself,
"Inuyasha!", Miroku said, surprise in his voice, "You're walking again! How wonderful!"
"Yea. 'Bout time. I've been up and around since last night.", Inuyasha informed him.
"Great. That's wonderful news.", Miroku said.
"Yea, well, my demonic healing is still slow. It's been a week since Kagome used her power.", he complained.
"Speaking of which, how is Kagome? She's due any day, isn't she?"
"Very soon. She said her labor started this morning. But, her waters haven't broken yet, so Kaede isn't here yet to assist."
"INUYASHAAA!", he heard a yell from inside the hut. Before he turned around, Kai was beside him,
"Mama says get Grammy Kaede. Her waters broke.", he informed his father.
"I'll get Kaede, Inuyasha. You go to Kagome.", Miroku said, as he left the hut.
"Yea, thanks.", Inuyasha said as he entered the hut.
Upon Kaede's arrival, she ordered Inuyasha out of the hut. He grudgingly complied,
"Don't know why I can't be with her.", he complained to Miroku.
"Men don't belong in the same room as a woman about to give birth.", Miroku explained to him, for what Miroku felt was the umpteenth time.
"PFFT! I was there when she got this way!", Inuyasha shot back, "I got her pregnant, I should be able to be with her when she gives birth. It's only right, I am the father, after all."
Miroku smiled, "Maybe someday, attitudes will change, my friend."
"Yea, right.", the half-demon replied.
Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head as Kagome's painful cries exited the hut. But, his ears perked up as soon as her cries stopped and the wails of a newborn baby filled the air,
"Congratulations, my friend.", Miroku said, slapping Inuyasha on the back.
Kaede and Sango exited the hut. They didn't even have a chance to speak before Inuyasha was past them and into the hut.
'Well?", queried Miroku.
Sango came over and kissed him, "A healthy, robust baby girl.", she announced, happily.
--
Nishimura paced the room angrily,
"My lord? What do you want us to do? The eastern demon tribes have successfully pushed our troops back. We have many casualties. And, now you are ordering us to begin a war with the western lords. We need more troops.", Ashikawa informed him.
"THEN GET MORE!", Nishimura ordered him, "ATTACK ALL OF THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES! TAKE ALL THE STRONG MEN YOU CAN GET. AND THEN BRING ALL THE VIRGINS TO ME! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! NOT BY A HORDE OF DEMONS!!"
Ashikawa nodded and bowed, "Yes my lord."
"And, Ashikawa, destroy the villages. Take all the food and valuables for your troops."
"Yes, my lord. As you command."
--
Sango hopped on Kirara,
"I'll be back soon. I'll check out these people's stories.", she said, as the demon took off.
"Miroku, do you think Nishimura would really order the destruction of all the villages?", Kagome asked, holding her week old newborn close to her protectively.
"If, as these refugees say, he needs more troops, I guess he would. We know he's capable of it."
"Yea, well, he won't destroy this village without a fight.", Inuyasha growled menacingly.
"That's right, Inuyasha.", Miroku agreed.
Kirara returned later that day with her mistress,
"Sango, what did you discover?". Miroku asked her.
"All the surrounding villages are burned to the ground. The fields are ravaged and corpses are everywhere. But, the dead are all very old or very young."
"That bastard.", Miroku spoke through clenched teeth, "We'll have to be on our guard, Sango."
"Yes!", she agreed.
--
Kagome sat up in bed, nursing her newborn pup,
"Good girl, Shiori. You were hungry, weren't you, sweetie?"
Inuyasha turned over onto his back and looked up through the window at the moonless sky. Like always, it was a sleepless night, and tonight he was filled with dread, for good reason. He closed his eyes. He prayed his dread was in vain.
"INUYASHA!", Kagome hissed.
Inuyasha's eyes flew open,
'SHIT!', his dread wasn't in vain and the sound of horses galloping hooves stated such.
Kagome laid the baby down and threw on some clothes. Inuyasha was dressed in his fire rat in seconds,
"Get the pups and get outta here.", he ordered Kagome.
"But, what about you?"
"Never mind me. Just do what I say. GET OUTTA HERE! NOW!"
Kagome grabbed the baby and woke Izayoi. Shinta and Kai were already beside her,
"Mama?", they chorused.
"Don't worry.", Kagome shushed them, "Let's go."
Kagome herded the children out the rear of the hut. This was the very reason that Inuyasha had designed the hut with a rear entrance. Should the village ever come under attack, the pups had another exit besides out into the battle.
Inuyasha ran outside. What he saw made his sick. Hundreds, literally hundreds of soldiers had entered the town. He knew there was no way, as a human, he could defeat them. The leader of the army called out,
"All men and boys over the age of ten are hearby ordered by Lord Nishimura to be recruited into his army. And, all unmarried girls are ordered to the castle."
One village man came forward,
"You'll never take my son and daughter!", he yelled.
"Imputance!", the general yelled out, slashing the man in two, causing villagers to scream.
This incident sent the soldiers into a killing frenzy. A couple soldiers rounded up eligible men while another set rounded up the girls. Inuyasha tried in vain to fight some of them off, but he realized there were just far too many.
Fighting off a few soldiers, Miroku ran over to his hut. Sango was there, with a transformed Kirara. Rin was already on Kirara's back along with Shippou and his kids,
"Sango. You get on Kirara too.", he ordered.
"No. I will fight ...", she started.
"Go ..now!"
He saw Sango's face change to a look of fear,
"KOHAKUUUU!", she screamed.
Rin looked up, "NOOO. KOHAKUUU!", she screamed.
Miroku turned and watched Kohaku being dragged away. He headed towards the soldiers and attacked. Inuyasha was beside him, slugging as many as he could. Miroku saw soldiers heading towards his hut,
"GET AWAY! NOW SANGO!", he screamed as loud as he could.
"C'mon Sango,", urged Shippou, "Let's get outta here."
Sango listened, hopping onto Kirara's back as the demon cat flew away.
Miroku turned back to his opponents, but, his distraction cost him dearly. He felt a hard hit onto his head before passing out,
"Miroku!", Inuyasha cried out.
Inuyasha soon realized he was fighting a losing battle but, he refused to give up. He heard a soldier nearby say,
"A demon! Kill him and bring his head to the lord."
Inuyasha twisted, trying to get away from the large group surrounding him. He felt something sharp in his back,
'Damn! I've been stabbed!', he thought.
He fell to his knees, blood spraying out of his wound,
'They got me good.', he realized, as he felt another stab in his back. His vision became blurry from the loss of blood. Leaning on his left hand, his eyes took in the destruction around him. Huts burning, dead villagers. Gasping for air and cursing the loss of his demonic powers, Inuyasha felt the air swirl around him and heard the soldiers' screams of pain as they fell to the ground, dead. Before passing out, Inuyasha caught a glimpse of a green whip-like vine spinning near him, as soldiers started to mount their horses and flee,
"IT'S ONLY A DEMON!", he barely heard the army leader say, "KILL IT!"
The final word Inuyasha heard before completely losing conciousness was a low, deep,
"VERMIN!"