Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. However, this story and created characters are mine.
Chapter 13: Phase Four- The Demon Slayer
Miroku sat quietly near the fire. His thoughts were on his beloved. Lifting his gaze from the fire, he watched Sango walk along the river. He could tell that her mind was focused on Kohaku. Once again Kohaku had fallen prey to the hand of Naraku, betraying his only sister.
"Midori," the monk murmured under his breath as his head hung low. The image of his sister flashed in his mind, accompanied by the gruesome details of her death. Naraku was the cause of much pain in so many families. Somehow, Miroku had to end Naraku's life to save everyone else's.
He watched Sango again as she approached the fire. With Kohaku gone, he tried to figure out what to say, what he could do to comfort her. Her head swayed from side to side, as if she was looking for something. Miroku followed her sudden movements from afar, not known what he was looking for. His concentration was lost as Kagome came to his side.
"Miroku, have you seen Shippo? I can't find him anywhere," the young girl said with worry in her voice and on her face. Somehow, the fox demon pup, who had become her adoptive child since they first met, had become lost.
"When did you see him last?" Miroku responded
"When we were attending Kohaku. You don't think…" Kagome's worry jumped to a whole new level.
"Now, let's not jump to conclusions," the monk comforted her, "he may just be out picking berries."
"Miroku," Sango asked, interpreting the conversation, "Have you seen Kirara?"
"Kirara is missing too." Kagome stated in a panic.
"Maybe they're together," Miroku reassured the two girls "Maybe they went into the woods and got lost."
"If that be the case, then I'll go into the woods to look for them," Sango stated as the she began to walk towards the dark unknown. Her friend was missing and now she had to find her.
"Wait Sango, I'm coming with you."
"Don't worry Miroku; I'll be fine, really," Sango reassured the monk, "They couldn't have gotten far." Her words did not comfort him, but he stayed behind, afraid of what she would do if he followed. He was just scared. Ever since his sister was engulfed by Naraku, he had been afraid of losing more people he cared for. He returned to the fire and watched his love enter the shadowy forest.
"Shippo, Kirara, Time to come home," Sango called out as she trenched through the dim-lilted woods. Her sight was failing, but her love for her pet and friend forced her to continue. She shivered as the cool breeze whizzed passed her.
"Where are they?" She asked herself, scanning the land. She sighed; there was no sign of them. The sun was beginning to set as she traveled farther into the woods. Sounds of growls and claws scraping grew rampant in her ears. Her worry grew to a new level.
Kohaku waited patiently in the branches of an enormous tree with leaves of a deep green hue. The insects gathered around him, whispering orders into his ear. His eyes shifted as the command reached his brain. As the insects left his side a girl went passed the trunk of the tree. He watched as the girl seemed to be running blindly into the forest.
"Go," he called to the creature standing behind him. It nodded, signaling its understanding. With a leap the creature left to fulfill its duty.
Kohaku returned his attention to the spot where the girl had been. There was something about that girl's face. Something he remembered, yet could not recall completely. Refusing to reflect on it anymore, he returned to the palace where his master was waiting.
"Kirara! Shippo!" Sango began running through the forest to find them. Each step took her farther from the camp, her friends, her safety. She knew she had to find them, no matter what was to happen to her.
"Mew." Sango halted at the sound of a familiar cry. She squinted her eyes in the direction of the sound. A silhouette of a young cat demon was seen through the large, splintering trees.
"Kirara, come here," Sango shouted while approaching the figure. She only traveled a few feet before the silhouette dashed away deeper into the words.
"Kirara wait!" Her heart pounded as the words escaped her lips. Something had spooked her best friend. Sprinting, the young demon slayer followed her faithful pet.
Why didn't she transform? Why did she run from me? These thoughts lightly passed her mind, as if some nagging great aunt that one only sees at the holidays. It was not her first concern, but felt as if there was some importance behind the questions. She had to make sure Kirara, and Shippo, were alright. That was her first concern. The cat demon began to fade farther into the woods as she contemplated those thoughts in her mind. A foot trail of four tiny paws was left in the dust of Kirara's path.
"Kirara," Sango cried, hoping to calm down her friend before coming to an unusual tree. Feet skidding, she slid to a stop, coming across a fairly open meadow which surrounded the tree. She saw ferns, black ones with wide branches, growing thick among the faded tall grass.
The demon slayer continued to search around the ferns and shrubs surrounding the ominous tree. Her movements hastened as panic grew inside her.
"Mew." Sango turned towards the soft cry, fearing for the worst. She found her friend lying motionless next to the trunk of the tree. Sango became so distraught that she failed to see Shippo sitting silently near the base of the tree in the same stationary state.
"Kirara," She knelt to the cat demon, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks. Stroking her head gently, Sango soothed her beaten friend.
"What happened Kirara? Who did this to you?" Her voice shook out of fear. Her hands stroked the young cat as the sun hid behind a cloud.
"Come on, we need to get you back to the camp." Sango began to stand with her friend cradled in her arms. Suddenly, pain shot through her body. She felt arms wrap around her body as she dropped her friend. Black armor surrounded the arms of her rescuer, the last thing she saw before everything went dark.
"Where is that thing?" Kagura said annoyingly to the sky. She continued to tap her fan in her hand. The young boy, unfeeling to pain or emotion sat atop a boulder, waiting for the next command.
"It will be here soon," Kohaku stated while the whispers of the Saimyosho disappeared from his ears. Kagura scowled at the thought of being left out of the plans. She was Naraku's first attempt, first success, first slave. Yet he chooses to trust this dead boy more than her.
Rustling from dying leaves was heard in the background. Kagura and Kohaku turned their heads towards the sound. The image of Sango emerged from the trees before bowing in mockery.
"The task has been complete." The shape shifter responded proudly, knowing it would annoy its older sister.
"Did you place her at the base of the tree?" Kagura said impatiently.
"Of course, I am supposed to obey Naraku's commands. Right?" The cheerfulness of her voice disgusted the wind witch.
"You enjoy following his orders?" Kagura asked sarcastically.
The creature leaned in low. It neared Kagura's ear, hoping only for her to hear.
"I am only obeying to avoid death," the creature spat quietly to the dog of Naraku, "Is that not what you are doing?"
Kagura sneered at the comment, backing away from the source. It was the truth, but she did not want Naraku to know. She stared at the Saimyosho, hoping they had not heard. The creature smiled in delight, knowing it had reached a sensitive spot in at least one of the minions.
"Let me let you in on a little secret," the shape shifter began, "Naraku is not great because of his power, although he might one day. No, it is because of how he can control people and demons." The creature smirked, knowing that what it said was true, "He has found a way to control each one of us with fear. Kagura," the creature spoke as its head cocked towards the wind witch, "You long for freedom, but your fear of death permits you to do nothing to free yourself. Naraku literally has you in the palm of his hand.
"And you," the creature's glare shifted to the taciturn boy, "You do not wish to regain those painful memories about your past, so you obey Naraku to prevent their return."
A glimmer of guilt seemed to come from the boy's eye, showing that, although he was quiet, he still knew the truth. The guilt faded, however, as soon as it appeared.
"And how are you under Naraku's control?" Kagura questioned her younger sibling. The figure of Sango smiled lightly.
"I do not want to be placed back in his body," the shape shifter replied, "If I were to defy Naraku, I would be placed back in a state of motionless flesh, inside Naraku, and I would know it for my mind would be active." The creature shuddered at the thought of once again having its mind surrounded by the flesh of the demon, with no escape.
"You are afraid of death then?" Kagura smirked, knowing its fault. The thought made her feel more secure about herself.
"No."
Kagura's eyes blinked in surprise.
"What?"
"I am not afraid of death. I fear to become one with him again. If that were to happen, I would not die until he died."
An immortal being? The thought shocked Kagura, though her expression was covered by her fan. She stared at the copycat, who was wearing the image of Sango, pondering about was it said. Staying with Naraku for eternity, a fate worse than death.
The creature looked at the boy, who seemed to refuse to participate in the conversation. A feeling of sadness overcame it, almost allowing a tear to drop. It stopped the droplet was it spoke.
"I feel that you will try to break free one day Kohaku, once you are ready to accept your memories and fate," The creature hypothesized, steering its glare away from the silent puppet, "there has already been so many times that you have been close to remembering.
"Kagura," the creature said, changing to a teasing tone, "I know that you have tried several times to free from Naraku." Kagura gasped slightly at the news. Never had the two shared a conversation on what Kagura has done in the past.
"How do you know that?"
The creature smiled devilishly.
"Surprised? I thought you knew that whosever hair I collect into my body that I get their memories too." The creature laughed aloud, making its joy obvious to the world. Kagura clenched her teeth. Anything this creature knew could be a death sentence to her in Naraku was ever made known.
"Don't worry Kagura," it hissed, regaining its composure, "I will not tell Naraku a thing, as long as you follow my commands." Silence followed. "I will take that as an agreement." The creature smiled and stared to the sky. Night was falling and the monk should be getting worried.
"It is time for the next phase, I believe. Hide into the woods until I need you."
Obeying with reluctance, Kagura left in her white feather. Kohaku, emotionally unmoved, fled with the Saimyosho.