Chapter Five: The Dark Soul
"Gekidoku" Mafuyu began venemously, "Was my brother. A poison Inu, although of a different type to Sesshoumaru. It has been very many years since I have had the misfortune of coming into contact with him. I had hoped that he had found his death in the purges that the monk Ungai perpetrated almost 500 years ago – you remember him, InuYasha." InuYasha snarled fiercely, pulling Kagome close as his Youki surged at the memory.
"Hai. I remember. That bastard slaughtered thousands before he was stopped. I will never forget how he slaughtered that orphan kit. I think it was that which finally convinced Kikyou to use the jewel against him. Damn him. He cost me the first person I could ever call friend." He shuddered, fighting his inflamed Youki as his eyes flickered crimson. He was pulled from his thoughts by a tiny hand pulling on his, and a calm, almost tender Youki entwining with his, soothing it until he was once again in full control, and his burnished gold gaze fell on the onna in his lap, looking up at him without a hint of fear at his near-transformation. Mafuyu watched, astonished at the girl. He had guessed she was something special, but to reign in another's Youki so effortlessly... He shook himself slightly and coughed.
"As I was saying..." He paused a moment to collect his train of thought "Gekidoku was... shall we say, of twisted thought. He always took a sadistic pleasure in inflicting pain, and especially in breaking innocent minds and souls. He was banished from the clan almost a millenia ago for slaying a Neko family who had applied to him for protection against some snake Youkai." both alphas shuddered at the memory. "It was... horrific. I will not tell you what he did, suffice it to say they suffered. After his banishment, no more was heard of him for almost three centuries. It was quite by chance that Tougaou and I passed through a region to the north where there was a rumour of a powerful demon which abducted youths. It piqued our interest as Youkai pups were being taken along with ningen. We tracked the demon's movements for almost a year before we discovered him. His acts against the Nekos were as nothing to what those poor children had suffered. We confronted him, left his body to rot within his den before burying the innocents. It was that incident, I believe, which prompted Tougaou to commission Tenseiga. I myself became determined to change our laws to protect all pups from that time. If he had restricted his attacks to human pups, we would have been unable to lawfully challenge him. A truly sickening situation. The next I heard of an Inu matching his description was in Ungai's scroll of the slain... I have not seen him since. It seems my hopes are doomed to be dashed. He lives." As Mafuyu had spoken, Kagome had burrowed closer and closer to InuYasha, pale and shaking as her Youki lashed out in unbridled terror. InuYasha reacted instantly, pulling her against him and rumbling softly. Tougaou shared a meaning filled glance with Mafuyu – it was obvious that the girl had not told them everything. Mafuyu moved as if to ask her, but Tougaou silenced him with a quick glance. A silent understanding formed that until she was ready to speak, no more would be said... however, Gekidoku must be found, and soon.
It was nearing midnight before InuYasha allowed his eyes to drift shut. Kagome had stayed coiled around him all afternoon, refusing to loosen her grip even to eat. Somehow he had managed to calm her, and she now lay with him curled protectively around her, an uneasy frown on her face as she slept fitfully, Youki roiling with anxiety and fear. It was not even an hour after he finally drifted into slumber that he was jolted awake by a shrill scream. Kagome writhed on the bed, sobbing, clawing at the sheets as her Youki flared to an almost feral state of despair and agony. InuYasha swore loudly, reacting quickly he tried to bring her into his arms again to comfort her... and was rewarded by tiny fangs in his arm as her claws lashed out, any contact a threat in her unconscious state. Panicked and bleeding, InuYasha ran to the phone... he couldn't cope with this, his own Youki was almost feral trying to protect her. One thought ran through his head... what the fucking hell could possibly make her this frightened?
Kagome ran, fleeing into the safety of the woods, praying to all the Kami that he hadn't seen her. She had expected danger, going to a human village, expected stones and insults... but dear Kami... Her mind replayed the scene over and over as she sobbed... The deadly silence as each bloodied, dismembered body was slowly dissolved by the mist leeching from the coil on his arm... The voiceless screams of the children, vocal chords utterly destroyed before he inflicted the most horrible tortures on them... dear Kami that laugh, that sickening, soul-dead, joyful chuckle as the blood painted the walls of the huts...That laugh that froze her in utter horror as it echoed through the woods around her... "Well, if it isn't the dear little half-blood... what a delightful surprise. I don't know why you bothered to run whelp, I could smell your stench a hundred leagues away. I will take great pleasure in your death. The pups blood was sweet, but yours... I shall treasure this day." As he moved in, she made one final, desperate struggle, before the screams began... echoing from the trees, mingling with the ghastly laughter as the blood sky darkened into stifling darkness.
Kagome awoke slowly, every memory she had fought so hard to suppress painted on the inside of her eyelids as she shuddered, whimpering. Strong arms wrapped themselves around her, and a comforting rumble filled the room, easing the soul-deep terror to merely paralysing as she felt four strong Youki wrapped tightly around hers, fierce protectiveness inflaming all four, although the last was muted, as if by a rigid, centuries old control. Everso slowly her eyes unclenched, opening to meet three pairs of concerned golden eyes, and one of guilt-ridden ice-blue. At the sight of her alpha's guilt, her eyes lowered and her voice, hoarse from screaming, forced out,
"It is not your fault, Mafuyu-sama, you could not have known he lived." All four Inus frowned slightly, surprise and confusion flitting through their Youki. It was Sesshoumaru who broke the stunned silence.
"Onna, you awake from a memory of such terror that your Youki is all but feral, and your first act is to offer comfort to another? No. In time Mafuyu-sama will realise the truth of what you say, but the first priority in this instance is not to disperse misplaced feelings of guilt, but to discover what has caused such an extreme reaction, and guard against its repeat." At this, Kagome paled, shrinking back into InuYasha's embrace as he nodded vigourously.
"Yeah. Shit 'Gome, you scared the hell outta me. I'll do whatever it takes ta make sure you get over this... and if anyone ever so much as looks at you cock-eyed again, they'll have three enraged DaiYoukai and a feral Inu-Hanyou stompin' them inta bloody puddles 'fore they can get within a mile of ya." Tougaou chuckled.
"Indeed. Whilst my son's language leaves much to be desired, the sentiment is correct. We, and our packs, are bound to protect you, now, and for as long as you live. You are Mafuyu's pack, and as such under his protection. My packs allegiance lies with his, and also with you for friendship's sake. You no longer have to face any danger alone." Kagome blinked, amazement, gratitude and something else unidentifiable lighting her gaze, bringing a brilliant smile to her face. InuYasha made a choked noise suddenly, and confusion joined the multitude of expressions on her face as she caught the humour flaring in the DaiYoukais' auras.
Many hours later, the mood had darkened considerably. The brewing storm outside only seemed to highten the tension of four almost-feral Youki. Under duress and a great deal of protestation, Kagome had finally shared the detail of her memory, leaving the men appalled, and more determined than ever to protect her. Suddenly Sesshoumaru's voice cut the laden air.
"Otouto, I have an idea."
"Spill, Sessh. Any idea is good."
"The official plans for the development of that warehouse you now own have been submitted, however, it would not be difficult to create an extra floor. A sub-basement if you will, that would serve adequately as a den for Kagome should difficulties arise. The plans need not be altered, since Sango-san is acting as architect, and Miroku-houshi shall be supervising construction. Both, despite their... unique characters... are fully trustworthy, we know this. It would be possible to prevent sound, scent and aura escaping the den, and that, combined with the concealing charm which I have no doubt Mafuyu shall present to her shortly, should provide an entirely secure retreat." InuYasha flashed a grateful grin at his brother, leaping up and heading out into the hall. The last words heard from him as his voice faded were indistinct,
"Oi 'Roku, I need to speak to Sango. Change of plans with the project..."