I don't own anything except for Alice. Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko and the basic storyline follows that of the game, that belongs to it's own rightful owners and creators. Thank you for reading.
Chapter 37: Retrace: Breakdown
Turning her head so she could see if she was still being pursued, the priestess Kikyo let her pace come to a slow, yet somewhat brisk, pace. No one was to be seen behind her, telling her that she could relax for a moment, allowing the priestess to think about her current situation.
Though her face wouldn't show it, worry for her possible soon to be companion ran through her body. It wasn't just her Naraku was after anymore - things had gotten much more complicated. The shikigami user named Alice, though strong, was inexperienced, and that could prove fatal in her fight against their deadly enemy. The thought brought up yet another question of whether Kikyo should've agreed to allow Alice to travel with her. Traveling with the priestess may prove too much for the girl to handle, regardless of her skills. Although, something about her made Kikyo come to respect her in a sense. Maybe it was the shikigami user's strong aura which shone just as bright, if not brighter, than her own; or maybe it was because she was all alone that led Kikyo into agreeing.
She will have to learn quickly if she wishes to accompany me Kikyo thought before a meek smile crossed her face, Though something tells me that she'll be just fine. After all her companions taught her well, and she's survived to where she is now.
Resting underneath a willow, Kikyo looked up to see one of her faithful soul collectors arriving with a soul in its claws. Letting go of its package, the snake-like creature swirled round and round its master as the orb of light drifted towards her. Once it made contact, Kikyo felt the all too familiar sensation of the person who had the soul last's feelings of happiness, sorrow, pain, and love run through her body. It was soothing but at the same time heart wrenching. Either way, it left with some peace that was clearly known as the person finding rest in the afterlife, something that the priestess herself envied a little.
Looking up at her faithful servant, Kikyo tilted her head in a thank-you like manner before murmuring, "Let's go. We have escaped and now all that's left is to re-group with Alice and take our leave."
A sudden pulse of energy shot through the priestess right when she finished saying the words, and her eyes widened a fraction in disbelief. Cobalt hair swaying in the wind, Kikyo turned around suddenly with her bow held firmly in her grip. Am I mistaken? This aura… It's…!"
/././././././
Inuyasha sniffed the air, searching for the scent of Kagome amidst the other scents in the village. Normally he would be able to detect her scent no matter where she was, but for some reason he couldn't find it as easily, probably due to the fact that she was sick or the overwhelming scent of flowers and plants around the hanyou masked her scent.
"Any luck Inuyasha?" Miroku asked as the monk and demon slayer beside him eyed him anxiously.
"Keh," Inuyasha huffed in frustration, walking up a few paces to sniff the air in that area.
Come on Kagome, where could you have gone? Inuyasha thought, worry ebbing at his heart. Though his face wouldn't show it, his eyes betrayed his thoughts and worries and the others standing near him caught this with a worried look of their own. Suddenly, the hanyou stiffened in recognition. He had caught a brief gush of Kagome's scent and his ears perking up alerted to the others that he had found her trail. Immediately, he began to follow the trail, narrowing his eyes in confusion as he saw it lead to the outskirts of the town.
Nonetheless, in a matter of seconds he saw the missing girl running towards him and Inuyasha instantly jumped over to where she was, "Kagome! Baka where have you been?"
"Inuyasha! I-" the young priestess stumbled, trying to catch her breath.
"Kagome, there you are! Why did you leave? You know you're unwell," Sango scolded her friend, all the while hugging the girl in relief.
"I'm sorry but-" Kagome started.
"Yeah we were so worried about you," Shippo whined, clinging onto the named's leg.
"Guys," Kagome spoke a little louder than before, slicing through her friend's worried statements, "Look, I'm fine now, really. All the walking I did helped me to work off the cold. But this isn't important now, you see Al-"
Inuyasha didn't manage to hear the last part as he stiffened at the scent in the wind. This scent… Could it really be…?
"Alice is gone, she… She just left," Kagome's voice resounded in his head as Inuyasha looked over at the young priestess with a shocked expression on his face.
"What? But why would she just leave without saying anything to us?" Shippo questioned worriedly.
"Yes, it doesn't seem in her character to leave so abruptly, especially to leave Kagome alone in her condition," Sango murmured before the named's scorched arm caught her attention, "Kagome! What happened to your arm?"
"Ah, well…" the girl trailed off as the demon slayer held her injured arm and began to inspect the burns.
"Hmm, they don't appear to be that sever, but you should keep an eye on it in case it gets worse," Miroku advised from where he looked over Sango's shoulder.
"I will, don't worry," Kagome smiled, though Inuyasha frowned at the thought that the girl had gotten hurt while he was away from her side, "But first we need to find Alice. I'm sure she couldn't have gotten too far, but it's not safe for her to be on her own, especially with Naraku and Utsugi looking for her."
"Right, then let's gather our supplies and go after her," Miroku agreed as the three began towards the inn.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through the area, tossing everyone's hair around their shoulders. Within that breeze was a faint, yet unforgettable scent that sent waves of fury through Inuyasha's veins. I knew it! He's near! the hanyou thought as he growled, giving him the curious attention of his companions.
"Change of plans," he growled as he looked over at the four, "This scent, it's-"
/././././././
"Naraku…" Alice growled as she glared up into the crimson eyes of her captor which seemed to glow in the misty surroundings.
A grin lit the man's face as he looked down at the immobile girl in his arms, "Not happy to see me? Why, I'm disappointed Alice. I thought after working for me you'd be less agitated in my presence."
"As if that would make me hate you any less," she retorted, struggling to get out of his strong grip but going nowhere, "Let go of me!"
"All in good time, dear Alice," Naraku replied smoothly as the shikigami user continued to struggle in his grasp.
I have to get out! I have to run…Run away and tell Kikyo Alice thought as she tried in vain to get free, her body still in the process of recovering from Naraku's initial blow. Suddenly a familiar feeling rushed through her body, almost like she had been in the situation before. What is this? It all seems so familiar… But I've never been here before, and especially not in this position Alice thought as the déjà vu feeling remained, causing her efforts to weaken a little in thought.
Out of nowhere, she felt a warm breath on her shoulder and let out a small gasp as she jerked her head up to see just what her captor was doing. The sight that greeted her filled her with horror as a blurry image of a shadowed figure bending over her with a sharp pair of fangs cleared to show the features of the figure to be Naraku.
It can't be! But that was all just a dream! How can it be happen-? Alice's thoughts were racing through her mind as the dark hanyou bent closer to her bare shoulder. This seemed to amplify her struggles as she trashed more violently then before to get out of his grip.
"Stop! Let go of me!" Alice yelled out with a mix of fury and fear, her head was pounding with the urge to get away as fast as she could, but her body was still numb from the hit to her stomach and outright denial of present events.
"Oh? Are you scared little one?" Naraku's voice spoke in mock sympathy as Alice stared in horror at him in the corner of her icy gaze.
"What are you-?"
Alice was cut off as she watched him close the gap between her skin and his fangs, sending a fiery wave of pain racing through her body. Her breath was cut short as she tried to scream, but nothing came out. She could feel the warmth of her own blood begin to drip down her shoulder as the intense pain was transformed into a pulse of pure agony. Her screams returned to her as agonized yells filled the misty area. Nothing could have prepared her for the amount of pain her body was currently in, as she was unable to control the tears that began to streak down her face to join the scarlet stream that now soaked the majority of her left side. All that was left in her mind was to just get away from Naraku and her body obeyed by pushing away with the remainder of her strength.
It came to a numb shock to Alice that she fell freely to the ground, but her mind soon forgot its confusion and was once again consumed by the massive pain that only seemed to worsen as time moved on. Curling into a ball, she tried in a desperate attempt to shield herself from Naraku if he were to attack again, but only got cruel laughter for a reply.
Kikyo… Inuyasha, Kagome…. Somebody… Please help me! Alice screamed inwardly as she struggled to open her eyes so she could see where Naraku was. Instead, all that she could see was the bottom of a wrecked house and a broken mirror leaning against one of its walls.
A pulse of fear went through her as she remembered the dream, as she slowly, almost reluctantly, raised her view to see her figure in the mirror. Once she could see her face, Alice snapped her eyes shut, afraid of what she would see. But the urge to see what greeted her was overpowering as she opened an eye to a slit.
In front of her was her own identical reflection, with one twist, her eyes were gleaming in a scarlet hue filled with terror. No…No! This has to be another dream! It can't be happening! Alice thought as tears streamed down her face.
In that moment, something inside her seemed to shatter as she let out a piercing scream that could be heard all over the deserted town. A strong gust of wind, decorated with debris and flames picked up around her and violently shook the area as Alice continued to scream on in horror while clutching her head.
/././././././
Kikyo stiffened in horror as she made out the sound of a person screaming in agony. Her stressed pace was then transformed into almost a run as she quickly followed the screams that lead straight to where Naraku's evil presence could be felt.
What's happening over there? The thought rushed through her mind as she suddenly realized the direction she was heading.
Her brown eyes widening in shock undistinguishable to many, Kikyo murmured, "Alice…"
The thought of the young girl facing Naraku by herself sent a wave of an emotion that Kikyo hadn't felt in years, worry. This emotion tore at her soul and briefly the priestess wondered why before another, more terrified, scream ripped through the air.
Looking up, Kikyo stared in a confined shock at the sight of a fiery whirlwind that rose up inside of the village before her. Is that Shikigami? Does that mean Alice is the cause of the sight before me? The priestess wondered before a familiar chorus of yells, followed by a small flash of red, which disappeared into the winds, caught her eye.
"Inuyasha?" Kikyo murmured as she stopped in her track to see just what the hanyou was going to do.
/././././././
Inuyasha raced along the dirt path as he followed the faint scent of Alice, mixed in with a vial smell that seemed to weave itself around it, making the hanyou growl in rage and slight worry that was hidden from his companions' view. But he didn't even have to look back to know that each and every one of them were as worried as he was when they discovered the girl was missing and currently in the area of their greatest enemy's scent.
Frowning, the hanyou glared in front of him as he tried to pinpoint the two scents but the thick mist that had formed around them made the task difficult for his sensitive nose. Damn, this fog is going to hold us back if it continues any further, and with Naraku in the area, Alice won't be able to fight him off on her own Inuyasha thought with a growl.
Feeling Kagome's grasp on his shoulder tense up, Inuyasha could tell the girl was thinking the same thing as he was and knew that they had to find the Shikigami user fast. Increasing his pace, the hanyou rushed forwards, knowing that the others on Kirara could keep up with him easily.
Just then, the rush of a sickening, yet horrifying, scent brushed his nose as Inuyasha stiffened and stopped in his tracks, surprising his companions.
"Inuyasha? What is it?" Miroku asked as he looked down at the named person, his indigo eyes tense with worry.
"Did you catch Alice's scent by any chance?" Sango added hopefully, though her expression remained serious due to the knowledge that the enemy could be nearby.
Clenching his teeth, Inuyasha growled, "Yes, but it's the scent of her blood mixed with Naraku's own stench."
Kagome gasped, "Oh no! She must be fighting him right now! We have to-"
The young priestess was cut short as a pain filled scream vibrated through the area, sending the group on end as Shippo yelled, "That sounds like Alice! She must be close!"
With a dreadful pulse flowing through his body, Inuyasha wasted no more time as he dashed towards the source of the scream. After weaving through the wrecked houses of a deserted town, he unsheathed his sword as echoes of Naraku's laughter sounded around him.
Not even a minute had passed when another scream sounded in the air, but this time instead of being filled with agony it seemed to be one overflowing with horror. With it came a sudden rush of wind that almost threw Inuyasha off of his feet, earning a startled squeal from Kagome. Bracing himself, the hanyou leaned backwards so he could avoid being sucked up into the vortex that was now adorned with debris and flames of blue fire.
Looking up, they all strained their eyes to try and see through the mess when a dark figure came into their sight. What is that? Is it the source of the vortex? Inuyasha thought as he narrowed his eyes in an attempt to sharpen his view.
Just then, a gap of clear wind flashed before the group, lasting long enough for them to identify the figure floating in the middle of the twister. Inuyasha's golden eyes widened as he made out Alice, clutching her head in what seemed like pain while her eyes were pinned shut. Her calm blue kimono was stained a reddish purple on her left side, confirming the hanyou's words from before.
"Alice!" the four behind him chorused at once as Inuyasha quickly let Kagome off his back before hurdling himself inside the wind.
Almost instantly a stab of pain rushed through his body as he glimpsed down at his hand holding onto the recently transformed Tessaiga. All along his limb lines of scarlet blood formed and Inuyasha frowned when he realized it was his own.
Turning his attention back onto the girl floating about two feet in front of him, Inuyasha stiffened as he saw tears streaming down her pale face before another, weaker yet still shrill, scream erupted from her, accompanied by a rush of flames headed straight towards him.
Swinging his sword, Inuyasha deflected the majority of the flames but a few managed to avoid his attack and landed on his arms, searing the fire rat robe he wore. Flinching at the sudden pain in his arms, the hanyou once again turned his attention upwards only to frown at the sight of a barrier of blue flames in between him and Alice.
Bracing himself, Inuyasha swung his sword in front of him to create a path through the flames, only to have it knocked clear from his hands. Growling, he landed on the top of one of the few remaining houses left standing.
What's wrong with her? Why won't she notice it's just us? Inuyasha thought before a chorus of yells sounded behind him once more.
Looking back, Inuyasha saw each of his companions struggling through the wind and flames, all covered in multiple scratches. Worry flooded through the hanyou at their reckless actions. He could easily stand to stay in the vortex for much longer but they were only humans and probably wouldn't be able to endure things much longer.
Clenching his teeth, Inuyasha glared at the fire before him, almost as if he was trying to will it away, and in an instant he jumped towards it yelling, "ALICE!"
/././././././
Birds sang loudly as Alice frowned and furrowed her eyebrows. Groaning, she rolled over onto her side, surprised that her body felt no pain whatsoever, to find a blinding light illuminating her eyelids to the point where she had no choice but to open them to the world.
When she did, a gasp escaped from Alice's throat as she jerked up to find herself under one of the Kururugi Shrine's magnificent oak trees. Stumbling to her feet, the girl looked around the area, almost terrified at the sight of her home.
"I…I'm back?" Alice murmured, looking up at the calm blue ocean in the sky, "But how…?"
"Alice?" the named person stiffened at the sound of her mother's voice and turned to see her warm face adorned with dark chocolate locks and two aqua colored eyes, "What's the matter honey? Did you forget something at school again?"
"N-no mom, I'm fine. It's just…" Alice trailed off, searching for the right words, before shaking her head, "Nothing, I guess I just fell asleep, nothing to worry about."
"Okay, but if you need anything, feel free to ask," Mrs. Kururugi smiled as she left her daughter by herself.
Alice's mind was filled to the brim with confusion, no matter what she told herself she couldn't come to a correct conclusion about what had happened to her. Think Alice, you were miles away from the well at the time, so you couldn't have come back, at least not here… But if it was all a dream then that would make sense that nothing would make sense…?
"Ugh!" Alice groaned as she ruffled her hair and shook her head, "None of this is making any sense!"
What should I do? Should I go and try to find Kagome, after all she's from this era too and maybe she can tell me what exactly is going on. But what if she doesn't know me? That would prove all of that would've been a dream… Alice thought as she looked up at the dusk sky.
"Could it really all have been just that? A dream?" she murmured as the wind blew through the present day shrine and tossed the white dress she wore around her.
Hey everyone! Happy belated Halloween! Hope you all had a wonderful one ;D
Anyways~ Sorry for the wait! Dx I've been in a writers block for months now and it seems like I've finally somewhat gotten out of it. So hopefully the next wait won't be as long ^^
Now onto this chapter, you can see that this one is based on three points of views: Alice, Kikyo and Inuyasha (though the majority of it is Inuyasha and the group's point of view) This was really to show what others were doing during the moment and to show the timeline, which is sorta messed up. Instead of a day passing, like in the game, only a couple of hours passed by since Alice left to where she ended up in this chapter. So basically, Alice running away: Early day (before noon) and chapter: near sunset. Sorry if it's confusing Dx If you need to, just imagine it as two separate days.
Moving on, so was it all a dream? Or is Alice mistaken? Well really the question should be which dream is really a dream? Where Alice is now or her experiences with Inuyasha and the others? You'll find out in the next chapter ;D
Thank you for reading,
Tally.
Please Read and Review~
