InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Commitments Made In Blood ❯ Chapter 12

Commitments Made In Blood

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or YYH no matter how much I wish otherwise.

 

 

 

Chapter 12

 

 

His voice was incredibly soothing. She knew then that it wasn't Inuyasha. He had never sounded that sensual. She leaned her head against him. A stray feeling of guilt caught up with her briefly when she noticed how his pristine white tunic was now smeared with blood. She tensed when she felt a growl reverberate through his chest. Was he angry with her? She whimpered and tried to move away from him.

 

 

Youko was brought back to himself abruptly when she weakly tried to move away from him. He cursed himself for scaring her so. He wrapped his arms around her once more, while whispering into her hair. It seemed to work for her since she immedietly ceased her movement.

 

 

“Are you an angel?”

 

If the situation wasn't so serious he would have grinned at the thought of him being an angel. He would remember to tease her about that later but for now he had other things to take care of.

 

 

“No Kagome, I am not an angel but I want to help you. Will you accept it?”

 

 

Help her? Wasn't she beyond help? And why would he want to help her? She was just happy that he was there with her so she didn't have to be alone. She started to drift off to sleep once more but Youko was determined to keep her awake. If he let her drift off he might not be able to bring her back.

 

 

“Kagome you have to stay awake. I need to know, will you accept my aid?”

 

 

She cuddled in closer to him and nodded her head. It was good enough for Youko although Shuichi was still arguing inside their heads. The girl didn't know what she was agreeing to and would be furious when she found out.

 

 

“It means I have to perform a blood bond with you. You know what that means right?”

 

 

Did she know what it meant? If she did she couldn't remember. Sango had mentioned something about it a long time ago but the knowledge eluded her at the moment. Maybe he would explain it to her.

 

 

“It means I make you my mate. We'll be bound together for the rest of our lives.”

 

 

She couldn't accept that from him, everyone she had ever cared for had their lives ruined. Several of her friends were now dead because of her. Her mistake in breaking the jewel. If she accepted this from him then he would likely be killed as well. She wished there was some other way, she still had so much to do.

 

 

“No.”

 

“If I don't then you will die Kagome. I can't let that happen!”

 

 

“Everyone I love ends up hurt or dead. Please don't. Don't leave me like the others.”

 

Youko gripped her chin lightly and turned her face towards his. His eyes stared into hers, willing her to believe what it was that he had to tell her. She had to believe him, or she would never accept what he was offering to her.

 

 

“Kagome I won't leave you. I promise, now let me help you?”

 

 

She trusted him, she didn't know why but she did. Perhaps it was the delirium that was making her want to accept what he was telling her. Somehow she doubted that even with the aid he was offering he would be able to save her. Let him try she decided. If it would make him feel better that he at least made the attempt. She just hoped he would not take it too hard when she died.

 

 

“Fine, just please don't leave me.”

 

 

Shuichi went deathly quiet inside of their head. She had given him permission to do what he wanted and now, there was no way he could hold Youko back. He just hoped that the girl wouldn't hate them too much when she recovered. If she recovered, it was extremely doubtful at this point.

Youko didn't waste a moment, afraid that she would change her mind at the last moment and that they would loose her. Working quickly he slashed his palm open with one of his claws and pressed it to one of her larger wounds. His blood flowed freely into hers, giving her much needed energy to keep her alive. He would still need to get her to shelter quickly so he could tend to her wounds. Just because he had started the first stage of the bonding process by no means meant she was out of the woods yet. However it would still be a few minutes before he would move her. He wanted to make certain enough of his blood had mingled with hers to sustain her for the trip.

 

 

After about five minutes he was satisfied that he could hold her stable enough to move her. He carefully picked her up and disappeared into the woods heading for home. Shuichi was wondering exactly when Youko intended to turn their body back over to him. Certainly they were not going to travel through the city with Youko in charge! What if someone were to see them? Especially with how torn up Kagome was, they couldn't risk drawing attention.

 

 

`Surely you think better of my skills than to allow someone to see us!'

 

 

`Youko we can't risk it, let me out. I'll take over from here.'

 

 

`Absolutely not! I am the one holding her together right now. If I were to let you in charge right now the energy I am feeding her would weaken.'

 

 

`Surely my energy would work just as well Youko. Let me out.'

 

 

`It wouldn't work as well Red. Right now I am the one that is bonded to her, not you. That will come later after we explain to her what we are.'

 

 

Shuichi was definitely not happy, but there was not much that he could do about it at the moment. He could only hope that no one saw them. Youko paused at the edge of the woods, making sure that there was no one around.

 

 

`Watch and learn Red. There are things I can do that you have yet to learn about me.'

 

 

Youko muttered something under his breath and the air around them shimmered and then settled. Then he walked out into plain view, obviously unconcerned about whoever might see them.

 

 

Crimson eyes watched the kitsune emerge from the forest, carrying a bloodied figure. He was surprised, he was unsure of how the timeline flowed between the two eras but if he wasn't mistaken this was the time she came back from the past when he had helped her. He had thought that perhaps she had already been through that and had recovered. If he had known that she hadn't gotten to that point yet he would have warned Kurama. Then he could have been ready, waiting for her to come through.

 

 

He had known how bad off she was, he seriously doubted that the fox could even help her at this point. He followed behind them but not too closely. The fact that Youko was still in charge surprised him. Knowing the obsession he had with the girl it was unwise to get too close to them at the moment. His protective instincts would have certainly come out. It was a good way to get himself attacked, and he refused to fight his friend. Especially over something so avoidable. Instead he followed behind a respectful distance and made sure that no one approached them.

 

He thought of contacting him mind to mind but a brief mental nudge produced no results, the kitsune was so focused on the Priestess. There was no reaching him at the moment. So instead he would wait. He would talk to the Fox another time.

 

 

Youko was so absorbed in the girl he failed to notice Hiei but Shuichi didn't. But he knew with Youko's frame of mind introducing him into the mix was not a good idea at the moment. He was able to think clearly, he wouldn't believe that Hiei would do this to the girl. The only reason he could see for Hiei attacking her would be if she attacked first and that simply did not fit into her character for what they knew of. Surely there had to be another explaination. However why his smell would be on her he was unsure. Perhaps he had come across her injured but in that case why hadn't he helped her?

 

 

He would find out the answers later once he was back in control. He knew how Youko felt at the moment, if he were the one to talk to Hiei there wouldn't be much in the exchange of words. It would quickly come to blows. Something he desperately wanted to avoid.

 

 

He was rather surprised at this new spell Youko had done. It effectively diverted attention away from them. It was as if they weren't even there. The few people they had seen totally ignored them, their eyes skimming over them as if they weren't even there. Hiei was helping them out as well, he guessed by using the Jagan to influence people to avoid coming near them. He was thankful for the help just incase Youko's spell broke down. He was pouring an immense amount of energy into the girl.

 

 

It wasn't long before they arrived home and Shuichi heaved an internal sigh of relief. Youko had to adjust his grip on Kagome in order to free a hand to unlock the door but she didn't protest the movement too much. She was beyond caring about the pain anymore, the realization of what had happened had begun to sink in. They were gone. Every one of her friends, dead.

 

 

Youko carefully placed the girl down on the bed, not caring about the blood getting on the linen. It could be replaced, he didn't want to waste any more time in treating her wounds. He noticed the vacant look that had settled in her eyes.

 

 

`She's going into shock Youko.'

 

 

`I can see that! We've got to pull her out of it.'

 

Shuichi's mind voice took on a gentler tone. He didn't want to upset Youko any more than he already was but he had to face the very real possibility that she was not going to make it. He didn't know how that would affect the kitsune if she were to die since he had began the bonding process.

 

 

`She might not make it Youko. I don't want you to get your hopes too high.'

 

 

`She's not going to die! I won't allow her to.'

 

 

Shuichi gave up, there was no reasoning with him right at that moment. So instead he tried something else.

 

`Call Botan, she can heal her.'

 

Youko shook his head. He was unsure of how Botan's energy would be accepted by the Miko. Holy powers were a wild card and Botan was death after all. By all rights her body should be rejecting the aid his energy that he was giving her. Under any other circumstances it would have, that is why the blood bond had been necessary. It was the only way her holy energy would tolerate the foreign demonic energy.

 

 

`That would likely kill her. We're going to have to do this the hard way. There is no other way around it.'

 

 

“Kagome can you hear me?”

 

 

The girl gave no response that she had heard him. In her mind she kept seeing the look on Inuyasha's face as he told her he loved her and then died. Never in a million years would she be able to forget that look. Why hadn't she sat him? The only reason she could figure was the drugs had confused her to the point that she had forgotten about it. It was just another thing in the long list of mistakes she had made. Perhaps it would be best if she died.

 

 

Youko gently raised her into a sitting position. He was going to need to treat her wounds and for that he would need to undress her. She had clearly retreated into her mind and was in no shape to do it herself so he set himself to the task at hand. He peeled her shirt off carefully, checking for any sign of reaction from the girl as he did so. There was none, not even a gasp of pain when the shirt stuck to her wounds and needed to be peeled carefully off. He noted the necklace she wore, it had to be the Shikon jewel. Or half of it anyway, the other half was missing. He had no interest in such a trinket, and it didn't interfere with his treatment so he left it on.

 

 

She was an absolute mess. The dried blood on her clothes had done much to conceal the amount of damage the girl had sustained. He was a bit worried when he saw that her chest had been bandaged recently, indicating older injuries than the ones he was currently seeing. He removed what was left of it but the skin was unmarred. Feeling around carefully he noted that she had injured ribs. He would need to be especially careful when moving her. Youko seethed at the numerous gashes that covered her. Hiei would pay for every drop of blood he had spilled on her, of this he was certain.

 

 

`I don't think Hiei did it Youko.'

 

 

`Oh? Then how do you explain it then?! His smell covers her! How else would his smell get on her? Unless they had sex, and her scent is not tainted in that way!'

 

 

`I'm not sure Youko but try not to jump to conclusions. I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for it.'

 

 

Youko's voice turned dark, death dripped from every word.

 

`There had better be. Or else he will regret the day he ever crossed her path. I will show him no mercy.'

 

 

Shuichi stepped back once more, thankful that at least for now Youko was willing to listen to him. He wished there was a way to do this with him in charge, he was extremely uncomfortable being in the background and once again wondered exactly how it was that Youko was able to stand it and remain sane. Youko at this point declined to answer that stray thought, instead turning his attention back to the girl.

 

 

He stripped her pants off, wincing in sympathy as the material stuck to a fairly deep gash in her hip. Still, she gave no reaction as he took her clothes off. Her undergarments needed to come off as well, they were shredded and blood-soaked. He didn't concern himself with the view, as he would if this were a normal situation. Instead he laid her back down on the bed and went into the bathroom to get the first aid kit along with a bowl of water and a washcloth.

 

 

Gently he washed the blood away from her body. The water in the bowl quickly turning a dark red. By the time he was finished washing her he had needed to change it four times. Once he was satisfied with that, he proceeded to examine the wounds. There were several he could treat himself, they would not require bandaging. He would attend to those later, it was the deeper ones that concerned him.

 

 

Carefully he ran his tongue over them, allowing the healing properties of his saliva to do its work. It wouldn't heal them totally but it would give them a good start. He then applied a paste to them. It was a mixture of Makai herbs that would prevent any infection from forming. With care he proceeded to bandage them and then moved on to the other wounds.

 

 

The smaller injuries were quickly healed using his tongue. Not even scars remained of those. Unfortunately with the larger ones there was nothing he could do to prevent them from scaring. Once he was finished he debated on whether or not he should redress her. The bandages would need to be changed frequently and it would be a hassle having to remove her clothing each time. However he knew how modest she was likely to be and he did not want her upset over the fact that she was nude. He would live with the hassle of the clothing. It was important to get their relationship started off on the right foot.

 

 

He went to the closet, all of their clothes were going to be huge on her. It couldn't be helped though, they would have to improvise until they could get some clothing for her. His hands found a set of their silk bedclothes. It would have to do, her clothing needed to be light enough that it didn't constrict her and wouldn't put any added pressure on any of the wounds.

 

 

Once she was dressed he laid her back down and watched her in silence for several long minutes. Finally he decided that she needed her rest and she wasn't going to respond to his presence. He would leave her alone for a few minutes. That way he could take a shower and clean himself of her blood that coated his body. He was thankful that they had clothing that was specifically made for him. It had only taken one time of him having to alter Shuichi's clothing for them to make that concession, even if they were rarely used. He stripped off his tunic and placed it to soak in cold water. He was doubtful that the blood would come out but it was worth a shot.

 

 

He then stepped into the shower, allowing the hot water to flow over his body. He paid special attention to his hair, making sure every last strand was cleaned and conditioned before he turned to the rest of his body. He was tired from the energy drain and the water was extremely soothing to him but he wanted to be with Kagome again. He could hear her beginning to stir in the other room and decided to cut his shower short. He was clean, that was all that mattered.

 

 

Even being trapped in her memories of what had happened Kagome had been aware of his constant presence. He was the one thing that was holding her back from completely dissolving into tears. She couldn't appear any weaker than she was in front of him. He was helping her, but she was afraid that he might decide she was unworthy of his time. She had to be strong, she had to prove to this stranger that his efforts were being put to good use. However when he left she felt her resolve crumbling. She was too drained to feel where he had disappeared to, all she knew is that he was gone.

 

He had promised he wouldn't leave her and now he wasn't there. Just like Inuyasha wasn't there, and he would never be there for her again. She felt so alone. Tears began to make their way down her face though she made no sound. Her heart was breaking and there was no one there to save it.

 

 

Youko was in the process of toweling himself dry when he caught the smell of her tears. He hurried and dressed, uncaring that his hair was still quite damp and reentered the bedroom. Her attention was immedietly caught by the sound of the door opening. She turned her head to look at him. It was her first good look at her savior. She realized that she had been mistaken about Demons existing in her time, she didn't feel any threat coming from him. It wouldn't make sense for him to help her just to want to kill her. And she still had possession of the shards. He could have easily taken them already.

 

 

She could easily see how she had mistaken him for Inuyasha at first although there were several distinct differences. Her savior was extremely tall with large pointed ears on top of his head. His damp silver hair clung to his broad shoulders. He quickly crossed the room and sat on the bed next to her. He gently wiped the tears off of her face with his thumb.

 

 

“You came back.”

 

 

She had a beautiful voice he decided. Even with how thick it was with surpressed emotion. She needed to cry, he could tell she was attempted to hold it in. It wasn't healthy for her. He gathered her into his arms and held her close. His voice was a soft whisper, caressing her senses.

 

“I told you I wouldn't leave you. I meant what I said.”

 

 

She could only nod, not trusting her voice. She could hear the truth in his words. For some reason she knew he would not lie to her. She didn't even know his name and here he was opening up his home to her, giving her the comfort she needed. She couldn't understand why he was doing this but for now she wouldn't question it. Answers would come later.

 

 

Author's Notes: Well, here's the next chapter. I hope it meets everyone's approval. I hope I'm not sending Youko out of character but he's trying to impress on her that he's not going to hurt her and that he does actually care about her. Kagome is extremely vulnerable right now and is more than willing to latch onto him for comfort. We'll deal with the bonding issue at a later time. Guilty feelings ahead.

 

 

Reviewer Responses:

 

 

Xoulblade: yep he is, hopefully though he won't completely loose it. Shuichi's going to attempt to control him anyway. I'm not laying odds on how successful he is going to be though. Five hours of sleep sounds good. Perhaps I will get it after I post this. We'll see what happens.

 

 

Kisaki: I hope by your review you meant that you liked the chapter lol

 

 

Ralina: I'm glad that I made you happy :) I'd love to be able to update the others but it's just not going to happen in the next day or two at the very least. The ones that are pushing me to update the other stories, they don't realize it's just adding pressure which makes it even harder to work on those chapters. Maybe they'll realize one day, I hope. I haven't put the one shot back up and anymore I'm not certain that I want to. This story has deviated quite a bit from it already. For instance in the one shot Kurama had no idea who Kagome was when he found her. It just wouldn't have worked for a full length fic that way so I had to change it. Eh well, I'm kinda happy with how it's turned out so far :-D And yes, Kurama is very yummy though it's going to take a while for her to accept what has happened. She won't forget Inu so easily. And the Shuichi side of Kurama isn't in love with her yet like Youko is. Interesting times ahead mwahaha

 

 

Rabid: Yep, I thought it was an interesting way for them to meet. I had fun writing that chapter anyway. And you know me, I have to describe everything in almost exhausting detail. I love Stephen King Books for that reason, he goes into insane amounts of detail. Sometimes hard to follow with how he jumps around but oh well. To your question, I don't think I want to know either. Too painful, and I would HATE to be the next travelers to come on that camp site. Although somehow someway at least Youko is going to go back although right now I am unsure if I am going to send Kagome with him. We'll see what happens.

 

 

inuyuyu_15: The confrontation is coming, I would say within the next two chapters if I can keep things on schedule.

 

 

Mandie: There will be some tension between Youko and Hiei but everything will get straightened out before too long. I love Hiei too much to cause a permanent rift between them. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

 

 

 

phoenixs_paiste: as requested, here is more. The next chapter will be out sometime tomorrow most likely in the morning/early afternoon. As for Kuwabara I will do my best to keep him in character but he probably still won't play a huge part. I'm extremely uncomfortable with writing about characters I don't have a firm handle on how they act. Once I get a chance to watch the show then he'll probably pop up more and more as I go on. Makes me wonder exactly how many chapters I plan on having in this story. Suddenly I'm very scared about the possibilities. As for other crossover fics it would depend entirely on what sort of setup and how much detail you prefer. By Any Other Name (The title has sense been changed and I can't think of the new one off the top of my head) has to be one of my favorites. In depth on detail and it has an excellent plotline. I'll try and come up with a list of my favorites and get them to you soon.

 

 

crazy-punk-gurl: Well, I'm sure Leiko could have if I hadn't asked Hiei to slaughter her. Perhaps she has a sister that can help you out with your brother. We'll have to check on that one for you. Yep, Naraku is going to make an attempt though I'm not gonna say if he will succeed or not. (Honestly I'm not entirely certain. How horrible is that?)

 

 

Arbor: it was the drugs I swear! (Ignore the fact that her sit command totally slipped my mind until you mentioned it lol) And yes, I agree with you there a silver platter would work nicely though I have to take pity on the adorable fire demon. We can't injure him too badly now although it could be fun doctoring him up. Never mind, I didn't say that *walks off whistling innocently* Oh that evil Plotbunny! I'm glad I sent that one over then, I look forward to reading the story when you post. Feel free to bounce ideas at me all you want, I'm always happy to help where I can :-)

 

 

Thanks for all the reviews! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.