Inuyasha: Sealed Fates Unleashed
By: Lady JenDragon
Disclaimer: You know the routine. I do NOT own Inuyasha and the characters.
Author's Notes: I will be really busy in the upcoming weeks so expect a slightly longer delay between chapters. Also, I will be allowing anonymous reviews for a short period of time, about a month. If all goes well, I'll keep it open. No spamming. Anyway, enjoy.
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Chapter Seventeen
Rin's Request
Kagome walked ahead of Inuyasha. He watched her strangely, like he knew what he had done. Why was he detecting it now? Kagome felt slightly worried about this new development. Her eyes widened. He sniffed the air around this morning. She forgot that her scent would have changed because of…their time together. Inuyasha now caught on to her change, his nose more sensitive than Miroku and Sango. A voice on the air caught her attention.
"Kagome!" Rin ran towards her. "Kagome!"
The small form ran towards Kagome, Inuyasha and the others she traveled with. Her legs tired from her journey, she continued on, determined to succeed in bringing Lord Sesshomaru necessary medical attention. Attention she knew Kagome possessed.
"Rin!" Kagome smiled, glad for the diversion.
But the girl looked fearful, even scared. Where was Sesshomaru? Why was he not with Rin? Her body shivered. Kagome did not feel strong enough emotionally to face him again. It was still too early to act like nothing happened without blushing, remembering what he did. What both of them had done, she reminded herself cursing.
"Rin?" Inuyasha eyed his brother's companion. "What are you doing here?"
"It's Lord Sesshomaru." Rin stopped in front of Kagome. "He's been severely injured in battle."
She eyed the strange girl with Kagome, Inuyasha and their friends. Though Lord Sesshomaru didn't like his brother, her master was in no position to argue with her decision. His life was in danger.
"What!" Miroku glanced over at Inuyasha.
"Lord Sesshomaru engaged in battle with an invisible opponent." Rin pulled on Kagome's hand. "Please, help! He…he could die!"
"He doesn't need help." Miroku frowned. "A powerful demon like Sesshomaru can heal himself."
"There's poison in the wounds. Jaken doesn't see that Lord Sesshomaru is dying!" Rin knew it would be difficult to convince them to help her. "Please, come!"
Rin could not help the tears streaking down her face, clutching Kagome's skirt. Yanking several times for effect, Rin watched Kagome's conflicted face, torn between her natural desire to help someone in need and the fact that person in need was Lord Sesshomaru. Rin figured the night with her master remained fresh in Kagome's mind, but that did not matter at the moment.
"Like I would ever help him?" Inuyasha turned from Rin, folding his arms across his chest.
"Wait." Kagome motioned Inuyasha to be quiet. "You said there was an invisible opponent? Why did he attack Sesshomaru?"
This was very suspicious, her tryst with Sesshomaru and Inuyasha momentarily forgotten. First the two Seals were stolen and now Sesshomaru was attacked and severely wounded. Why not kill the full dog demon out right?
"I don't know." Rin informed Kagome directly. "Apparently, there's a demon going around killing off other strong demons. Mikado of the Southern Lands was recently slain. And some demons on the continent as well."
Rin refrained from smiling. They were hooked on her story, their faces exchanged quick glances between them. Sure neither wanted to help Lord Sesshomaru, but something in her story made them curious and reconsidered her request. Had the information she gave them been useful?
"What!" Miroku felt this was related to the Seals. "What kind of demon!"
"Neither Master Jaken or Lord Sesshomaru mentioned the kind of demon."
"That's not very useful." Shippo said, folding his small arms.
"I don't agree." Miroku nodded. "If the demon responsible for slaying these other demons attacked Sesshomaru, it may be the same one that stole both the Fourth and Fifth Seals. Where is Sesshomaru now?"
Miroku, determined to discover what Sesshomaru and Jaken knew about the attacker, walked in the direction Rin had just come. If it was related to the Seals, they were closer to identifying the person behind the Night-of-Chaos. That was worth investigating.
"I'll take you to him." Rin backed the way she'd come.
Sango moved after Miroku now walking beside Rin. Their voices dropped into a pleasant conversation. Asaia left Kagome to follow behind Sango. Inuyasha eyed Kagome with concern then took a large leap to join Sango, Asaia and Shippo.
Kagome hesitated, clenching her hands into tight fists. She did not want to see Sesshomaru. But, Miroku had a point. It was a bit odd that the attack on Sesshomaru occurred so soon after the Fifth Seal went missing. Had to be the same person. Maybe Sesshomaru knew something they did not. Maybe even identify the attacker.
She began to walk after the others. Left with no other choice, she would just have to be professional the whole time. However, if like Inuyasha, he did not remember that night. Then again, he over heard her conversation with a tearful Rin, asking her if it were true. And the anger that followed only made her second-guess going with the rest. Kagome shook her head to rid herself of such immature thoughts.
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Jaken stood between the group emerging from the forest and Lord Sesshomaru. And Rin was with them! His eyes widened as Rin led them towards Lord Sesshomaru. How dare Rin fetch help! As if he could not care for his master and nurse him back to full health. He glimpsed the small child with Inuyasha wearing a shimmering blue, white and silver kimono. He'd never seen her before.
"Rin, Rin…you…you idiot!" Jaken stammered, limping over to Lord Sesshomaru. "How…how could you have brought them here?"
"Lord Sesshomaru is hurt." Rin offered.
"He doesn't look good." Miroku made a quick assessment from where he stood.
He did not think Jaken, the green demon holding a two-headed staff, fully understood that Inuyasha's brother maybe in mortal danger. If the demon got past Sesshomaru, the demon possessed qualities powered by a sorcerer. There may be more going on in the wounds than just separation of flesh.
"You cannot pass!" Jaken insisted.
"Then let him die." Inuyasha shrugged. "Doesn't matter to us."
Kagome took several steps forward, her eyes set on Jaken. The Imp lifted his chin at her, implying his determination to reject their aid. He would not win that easily. Though she did not wish to see Sesshomaru again, she could not allow him to die at the hands of a low down, mean demon. The Seals were stolen by someone who wanted to get into one of the realms. That meant something bad resided in one of the realms. And Sesshomaru may know more about it.
"Rin came to us because she's worried." Kagome spoke authoritatively.
"Kagome has medicine that can help." Rin insisted.
Jaken took several moments to think to himself, regarding Kagome with suspicion. His eyes shifted to the remainder of the group, resting lastly on Inuyasha. The younger brother did not want to be here as well. Seeing Inuyasha's hope to be refused in the amber eyes, Jaken relented. Miroku was the first to move past him, followed by Asaia, Kagome and Sango with KiRaRa, and lastly by Inuyasha carrying Shippo.
"He doesn't look very good." Shippo quipped.
"Looks half dead to me." Inuyasha put in.
He did not care whether Sesshomaru lived or died. His elder brother had been trying to kill him ever since he could remember. Just because he was born a half-demon. Convinced that his mother led his father to his death, Sesshomaru made it his duty to rid the clan of Inuyasha's presence. So far, he failed to achieve that goal.
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Moments passed in pregnant silence. Miroku, now beside Sesshomaru, carefully examined the wounds deeply tinted yellow that began to turn a sickly green color. The dog demon's kimono was removed from the waist up, his fluffy white boa laid over his right arm. The shattered armor lay in heap nearby, evidence of his fierce battle.
The gashes got worse in her absence, Rin noted. Lord Sesshomaru lay lethargic against a pile of branches, unaware of the monk's presence. Rin waited on bated breath for the analysis. Kagome eventually joined them, kneeling beside the monk. She took off her backpack, taking out the first-aid kit.
Jaken emerged from the forest, a small pile of wood in his arms. He dropped the wood out of anger, the logs falling on his feet. Pain registered, diverting his attention. He hopped around on one foot till the pain passed.
"It's indeed poison, a strong poison." Miroku used a small branch from the pile supporting Sesshomaru to touch the chest wound. "Let's do what we can."
The branch melted on contact with green-yellowish puss. He witnessed something similar a long time ago. He hoped Kagome had enough bandages in her pack for this task. Miroku turned to find Kagome was at his side, unloading the medicine from the kit.
"How do we get the poison out?" Kagome asked, taking the cap off the tube of crème.
Rin stood watching, learning what she could for the future. Miroku took out a sutra, holding his hand vertical over it. He whispered softly, blowing on it once he finished.
"The best way would be to cut it out." Miroku knew the poison was in Sesshomaru's blood, circulating throughout the demon's body. "However, I don't have any leeches and nothing solid will work."
"There's some in the pond over there." Rin pointed to the northwest. "They weren't friendly."
"Demon leeches?" Miroku asked.
"Yes." Rin nodded.
Lord Sesshomaru stirred then settled again. Rin had not realized she held her breath until she took in a long, deep breath. Her lungs ached. Would he get mad at her for bringing his brother and his friends to aid him? Rin did not want to think about it. She did what she believed the best course of action to save him. She would not apologize for making the decision.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku turned towards Sesshomaru's brother. "Take Sango, get me three!"
Inuyasha's body went rigid at the command, standing straight, his chest puffed out. As if he would do that! For Sesshomaru! What was Miroku thinking?
"What!" Inuyasha growled. "It's bad enough I have to be here!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled. "SIT BOY!"
Inuyasha's face planted into the ground, nearly missing Asaia standing nearby. The young girl stood watching Inuyasha fascinated, her hands clasped together.
"Now, go get us some demon leeches!" Kagome ordered.
"Honestly." Shippo muttered. "Can't even rely on family when you're down. Glad I'm not in his family."
Sango pulled Inuyasha off the ground, jumping onto KiRaRa's back. They pushed off the ground in the direction of the pond. Rin smiled as they disappeared over the tree line, turning her attention to Jaken slowly recovering on the ground next to her. She smiled broadly at the Imp, who grumbled something in audible. 'Lord Sesshomaru would live.'
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Sesshomaru opened his eyes, the dark evening sky greeting him. The fever was upon him, gripping his life tightly. He should be dead from the Dragon's poison. But it failed to work. Someone saved him from certain death.
The campfire burned brightly, illuminating the faces sitting around it for warmth from the chill of the evening. Sesshomaru raised his head, laying eyes on his brother, Inuyasha. Hatred could not form, he had no will to hate Inuyasha tonight. An odd effect this poison had on him.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin smiled. "You're awake!"
Rin had not been paying attention, listening to the conversation between Kagome and the others. Lord Sesshomaru had awakened finally. He was going to be all right.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken hurried over, having barely finished eating.
Miroku left the campfire to check on his patient. He smiled at Rin's apparent worry over Sesshomaru. Too bad, her affections were wasted on the Dog Demon. Still, he wondered why Inuyasha's brother allowed Rin to accompany him when he detested humans. Hardly mattered at this point, he decided. It was obvious. The kid was attached to Sesshomaru.
"Feeling better?" Miroku checked the leeches.
They had lost seven leeches so far, peeling off another dead leech. At least, they prevented the poison from spreading farther. The poison proved very potent, more so than he first thought. Jenenji's herbs came in handy tonight. Miroku glanced over at Kagome, Sango, KiRaRa, Shippo and a pouting Inuyasha around the campfire. They only came for one reason. Sesshomaru was the only person to identify the demon that attacked him.
"Why are you…here?" His voice was hoarse.
Sesshomaru would have been angry had it not been for his conidtion. His eyes glimpsed the leeches attached to his pale skin, slowly sucking the poison from his blood. Vaguely aware that it was night, he turned his attention to the dark forest. A pile of dead leeches were disposed of by the tree off to his left. Voices on the wind turned him to look at the campfire burning brightly off a short distance.
"Rin came and got us." Miroku kneeled beside Sesshomaru, keeping his distance. "She was worried you were dying."
Miroku took off another dead leech, 'eight dead leeches', replacing it with a new one. Inuyasha and Sango collected ten just in case they needed more than the three he requested. Good thing demon leeches did not think about life or death. They only looked at what food source was available. Only about a foot long, demon leeches could handle any kind of poison.
"Can you identify the demon who attacked you?" Miroku questioned, adding another leech. "It's rather important."
"Can't you see he's ill!' Jaken started.
By now, the rest of the group joined Miroku, standing around Sesshomaru, as if visiting him in the hospital. Inuyasha proceeded to pound the Imp on the head, knocking him out cold. No one bothered to try catching Jaken as he fell to the ground.
'A royal pain', Inuyasha thought.
"A dragon demon." Sesshomaru spoke hoarsely.
Then he noticed the small girl in a shimmering blue kimono, watching him closely. He stared at the girl then shifted his eyes to the monk speaking to him.
"A dragon demon?" Miroku froze.
'Of all the demons he could've said, why that one?' Miroku's whole body went tense. Of course, it made sense. A dragon demon was perfect. Its blood had a lot of uses. And one very important use was the ability to break barriers and spells. Not to mention it was very magical. The sorcerer exhibited intimate knowledge of the realms and the Seals used to keep the realms locked. Whoever sought the seals were wise enough to use such a powerful demon as a minion.
"You know of this demon?" Inuyasha put to Miroku.
Inuyasha eyed his older brother. This was the first time they were in the same place without fighting. It was odd to see Sesshomaru on his back and half undressed for that matter. His brother answered for Miroku.
"Yes." Sesshomaru answered, veering his eyes to Inuyasha. "Rare demon in these parts."
Inuyasha would never have aided him unless these others were here. Sesshomaru lowered his eyes to Jaken, unconscious on the ground. Rin sat beside him, watching his every move.
"Is it the same one that stole the Seals?" Kagome asked.
Sesshomaru lifted his head, his amber eyes on Kagome. Kagome wanted to retreat and hide under a rock. 'Damn', she cursed. Sesshomaru knew about the Seals as well.
"The Seals have been stolen?" Sesshomaru inquired quietly.
This news disturbed him. The deaths of powerful demons and the attack on him were proof enough that a most powerful demon would soon be free, if not already. With him unable to engage in battle anytime soon, the demon would conquer the world easily. Sesshomaru figured the demon a coward to use such sly tactics.
"All of them." Sango added, alarmed by Sesshomaru's eyes setting on her. "We've just been to the North Valley where the First was located."
"What are the Seals for?" Rin asked innocently.
"They seal the gateways to alternative realms." Miroku explained. "Places where other demons were locked away to keep them from other demons and humans."
"Like a prison?" Rin asked.
"Like a prison, Rin." Sesshomaru answered.
He struggled to sit up, his eyes lowered to the bandages around his chest and shoulder. Sesshomaru looked at Miroku then Kagome. Kagome turned her eyes from his, pretending to be looking for something in her backpack. They had taken care of his injuries.
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Kagome sat staring up at the moon next to the small creek. The water's soft churning soothed her restless mind. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru crept into her thoughts every night. When she closed her eyes, they were there. Both haunted her. Was it because of guilt of the pleasure she received? Kagome blushed naively at the thought. She did not understand why she constantly chided herself for that night. It was so not her fault it happened. Her hands pressed into her lap, she shifted under the blanket. The evening was warm but she felt chilly.
Her eyes noticed a tall slender woman approach her from her right. The flowing blue hair and pale skin reminded her Kaguya, the demon who consumed a celestial being to take its powers for herself. She turned to find Asaia standing beside her. Confused, Kagome looked into the water, the tall woman smiled warmly at her. She turned back to the child smiling at her.
"Asaia?" Kagome didn't know what else to say to the girl.
Asaia looked heavenly, glistening in the moonlight. Her blue hair shone around her face, making her features more angelic. Her hands hung at her sides, her head tilted to the side. Nothing like the reflection in the water.
"It is the only time I can see myself."
"See yourself?" Kagome frowned. "You mean, you're under a curse?"
"Yes." Asaia nodded. "Only in reflections may I look upon my true form. Kagome, you suffer alone." Her voice was gentle.
There was a tone of understanding to Asaia's voice. Her eyes were gentle, almost quizzical. Kagome noticed the beads around her neck again. They seemed familiar to her.
"I'm okay." Kagome returned her eyes to the moon.
"Then why do you look so sad?" Asaia sat down beside Kagome.
Asaia took Kagome's hand in hers, clasping the larger hand firmly. 'Yes, the emotions were there. Love. Yes, Kagome did love the younger brother. And there was guilt. Guilt because of the elder brother. No, Kagome did not feel love towards Sesshomaru. But that did not stop her from enjoying his experience.'
"I've got a lot on my mind." Kagome sighed.
"Inuyasha and his brother it seems."
Asaia did not need to look at Kagome to know the girl was astonished by her words. Did Kagome think no one had noticed her unusual behavior and think it odd? Shaking her head softly, Asaia sighed.
"You…you're smarter than you look." Kagome bit her lower lip.
How could Asaia know? Kagome did not want to think about this now. This was crazy, it must be apparent on her face. The way she walked, all the time she spent by herself. She just was not being herself.
"I can make you forget." Asaia looked over at her companion. "I can make you forget them both, Kagome."
"You…you can?" Kagome's eyes widened, a bit skeptical.
"Yes." Asaia smiled.
Kagome shook her head. The idea was tempting. Her shoulders sunk with the realization that only a coward would take Asaia's offer to escape the dilemma conflicting her. No, she was stronger than that.
"No, I can't accept your offer." Kagome fisted her hand. "What happened, happened. I can't forget it nor can I change it. This is something I have to get over."
"You want Inuyasha, I can tell." Asaia watched Kagome closely. "But, his brother intruded on your desire and now you are confused."
"How…how could you know that?" Kagome covered her mouth.
"I am more than human, Kagome." Asaia smiled. "I am a half breed. Just as Inuyasha is a half-breed. My father was a Celestial, my mother Human."
"A half-breed?" Kagome never heard of this before.
Celestials were like, gods and goddess, according to the mythology she read. But, it was not common for a Celestial to travel the Earth. Let alone fall in love with Humans.
"I have been banished to travel the earth until I can break the spell placed upon me by my sister." Asaia glanced around.
"The beads you wear?" Kagome's eyes stared at the beads around her neck, reminding her of Inuyasha's Beads of Benevolence.
"My spell." Asaia sighed once more. "I believe my sister is responsible for everything that has occurred. However, I did not have proof until Sesshomaru mentioned his battle with a dragon demon. She has marked him."
"Marked him?" Kagome did not understand. "How?"
"Did you not see the collar?"
"The silver thing around his neck?" Kagome vaguely remembered something glinting off Sesshomaru's neck earlier.
"You did see it?" Asaia smiled.
"We need to tell the others." Kagome lowered her eyes to the ground. "They need to know. Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"It will be safer if they do not know." Asaia looked into Kagome's eyes. "This dragon demon was following me on my way to find help when I came across you and your friends. If Atokiyada finds out we know about her, she will not rest until all of you are dead. I cannot risk your lives until I have located where she has settled."
"My friends need to know." Kagome patted Asaia on the shoulder. "Then we'll come up with a plan to get rid of her."
Asaia wanted to believe Kagome. They proved to live up to their reputation she heard about during her time in the northern lands. However, Atokiyada did not like fierce competition. That was why she used Tir to do her dirty work.
"Kagome, believe me." Asaia stared at the girl. "I want to trust you. But she is more powerful than a band of humans and demons."
Asaia turned and walked away.