InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ On The Night Of A Blood Red Moon ❯ Chapter 8

Title: On The Night Of A Blood Red Moon

Authors: Ryukotsusei and Cyntinell

Disclaimer: We own neither IY nor YYH. All we can claim ownership to is the plot. Steal it and you shall face our wrath.

 

Chapter Eight

 

She wasn't sure how long they had laid like that together, but enough time had passed for her tears to stop and for Hiei to drift off into a troubled sleep. Gently she raised her head to look at him, noticing how even in rest the torment didn't leave his features. She knew he was still in pain, bruises littered his body just as he was still covered in the blood that had been shed not long before. She was just thankful that he was still alive though she had no idea how Masakazu would take the news that he survived. She shuddered at the thought of what he was likely to do to them when he learned of Hiei's recovery. She just hoped that his death sentence hadn't been delayed, the Jewel was completely powerless now and there would be no second chances.

 

She didn't want to think about it but now that all was quiet she had no choice, she had to consider what she had sacrificed to save his life. The realization was a bitter one, she no longer had a way home. She had given it up to give him another chance at life but she couldn't bring herself to regret her actions. She'd do it over again if necessary but how were they to get through their ordeal now? Her only chance for returning home now lay in the hands of the demon who held her but the thought brought her little comfort. He had no idea that she was from the future, would he believe her if she told him? She knew that he would need to know for when they managed to escape but she was unsure how to broach the subject and there always seemed to be someone watching, waiting for an opportunity to harm them.

 

Bittersweet tears slid down her cheeks dripping down on to Hiei's face. She had done the only thing she could to save him and now they would both have to deal with the consequences of her actions. How had she come to care for this demon so much that she willingly risked her own return to happiness? She couldn't really answer that, it was something that had just happened but it didn't change things. He had brought her a few moments of peace and a chance to feel free. He had taken the assault that had been meant for her in the beginning. Suddenly the thought of leaving him when the time came for her to go became unbearable. When she left could she honestly leave him behind? Her heart ached at the thought, he had become her lifeline. She resolved herself to try and find a way to bring him with her, she would never leave him alone to face the future unless she had no choice. Somehow she had crossed time and found him, she'd be damned if they would be separated. Gently her hand went to his forehead and pushed the disheveled hair away from his face. Her light touch seemed to comfort him, he turned his face slightly into her hand. It would seem that he was coming to depend on her just as she had come to rely on him. Shock entered her eyes and she started to tremble slightly. "How am I going to explain the fact you are still alive? I can't let Masakazu attempt to kill you again." Her words were whispered so as to not wake him up but another presence picked them up all too easily.

Midoriko gazed at the two of them sensing that something was off. Her eyes widened when she realized what it was. There was no longer the presence of the Jewel in Kagome's aura. The realization was unsettling, the Jewel was only supposed to activate when it was time for the girl to go back to her own time. "What has happened here child?"

 

Kagome's head snapped up at the sound of her voice, it was one she had come to dread hearing. The ancient Priestess never had any answers for her, either she didn't know or refused to tell. Either way she had been the one to deliver her into this hellhole and for that she couldn't forgive her. She glared defiantly at the spirit, refusing to answer her question. It wouldn't do any good anyway so why bother. She had enough to worry about without Midoriko coming in to throw more vague thoughts to her.

 

Midoriko sensed the girl's resolve and came forward, she needed answers for what she sensed should not be. She rested her hand against Kagome's shoulder and forced the girl to relive the painful memory of what just happened. She didn't want to do so but she had to know. By the time she had her answers Kagome was once more in tears, tears of pain for what she and Hiei had endured, tears of hatred for Midoriko forcing her to see it once more.

Midoriko was in shock, the events of the past hours should not have occurred. Hiei's near death had not been foretold, somewhere along the line the future had been rewritten and this had been the result. The consequences for this could be disastrous but Midoriko did not have the ability to undo what had occurred. "Daughter you have done what was not possible. The Jewel should have only responded when it was time to send you home. You cannot be permitted to remain in this realm, the consequences would be catastrophic."

Kagome's eyes turned even more hateful at the nickname bestowed upon her. She was not Midoriko's daughter and for that she was thankful. A mother would have never subjected their child to such atrocities. But she forced her anger down momentarily, Midoriko's words were not sitting well with her. "Then get us out of here. Take us with you, I have no doubts you could send the both of us to my time."

Midoriko held back a sigh, at least they were growing closer to each other which was necessary but she wished it had been under different circumstances. She had no doubts that Kagome was not going to appreciate what she had to say. Seeing the look on the girl's face she knew forgiveness was no longer a possibility, Kagome had endured too much and she had been responsible. "Alas my child that is not possible. You see there are still things in this realm of time and space that needs your touch. Only once that is completed will you be able to go home."

Kagome did not miss the reference to herself, no mention had been made of Hiei. Leaving him to fend for himself in the Makai was not an option. "And what of Hiei? I refuse to leave him behind." Her eyes held a challenge in them, daring Midoriko to separate the two of them. Her powers might be bound now but that wouldn't last forever. Aside from her feuds with Kikyo she had never heard of two Miko's fighting. However there was always a first for everything.

 

The ancient Priestess however refused to rise to the bait. The girl resented her already, she'd allow her to believe the demon could come with her when the time came. She still had to try and resolve the issue of how to get her home in the first place. When that happened Kagome would have no choice in the matter, it was important that the Apparition remain in this realm. "Worry about that when the time comes Kagome, first we have to find a way to get you to the proper time to begin with and that can only happen after you've completed your appointed tasks."

 

"So you know the reason why this is happening to me? It isn't my punishment for shattering the Jewel? Tell me why I'm here!" Kagome was tired of being in the dark. Now that she knew Midoriko was aware of why this was happening she wanted answers. Masakazu had enforced her doubts about why this was happening, she needed these answers for her own peace of mind. Granted the answers given might be vague but she would work them out. She had already found out much in the brief few words that had already been spoken to her.

"Kagome this was never meant to be a punishment. There is a reason for your presence here and it is of the greatest importance that you survive. The line of the future has been shattered I no longer have any idea of events to come. I cannot guide you any longer in what you must do." Midoriko wasn't surprised that Kagome had thought such a thing, she was certain that Masakazu had only reinforced the idea to succeed in breaking her. But now that her and Hiei's fates were so intertwined, breaking the girl's spirit would be next to impossible. So long as Hiei lived she was certain the girl would get through this even if she no longer knew what was to come.

Kagome paled as she stared at the spirit. Hiei tightening his arms around her caused her to glance down at the sleeping demon, even though he was unconscious trying to heal his remaining wounds he could sense her distress. Kagome wished nothing more than to unleash her full anger at the ancient Priestess but she refrained. As it was she was shaking in fury. "You mean to tell me that you knew all of this was going to happen?"

"Yes child that I did." Midoriko waited for the condemnation to come, she knew that she deserved it but she had done what she thought was best. Only Kagome had the ability to rewrite the future and had things continued the way they were going then all would have been lost. It was a small comfort though.

"You bitch! You could have warned me!" Kagome snapped, the bracelets on her wrists glowing pink with a rage she could barely control. At the moment she was thankful for their presence, she had no desire to accidentally purify Hiei. Thankfully he was still oblivious to what was going on. She did not want to know what he would think of the situation confronted with Midoriko's presence.

Midoriko attempted to justify what she had done though it was a halfhearted attempt at best. "I could not have warned you. If I had done so you never would have attempted to help him and all would have been lost. Stop dwelling in the past and look towards the future, girl." Midoriko's words were hard but her eyes were full of pity for the girl which served to only anger her further.

Kagome could not believe that Midoriko would have thought so lowly of her. Is that what everyone thought? That she'd abandon someone who desperately needed help in order to spare herself some discomfort? "Don't presume to tell me what I would have done! I wouldn't have left him there! You could have prepared me for what was going to happen but you didn't. If you honestly think I'm so selfish of a person then to hell with you. Leave us the hell alone, we don't need you and I certainly don't need your pity!"

Midoriko nodded, accepting what Kagome had said. The future was now being rewritten and she could be of no further assistance. Had things not changed then perhaps she could redeem herself in Kagome's eyes. She had but one final piece of advice for the girl, unsure if it would still be needed. On the chance that it was then Kagome was going to need to be stronger than ever to face what was to come. "There will come a time when the flesh will become weak and you will be called upon to give an ultimate sacrifice to save the one you care for. When the time comes you will know. Remember my words."

 

Kagome watched as Midoriko disappeared from her sight. Her last warning made no sense to her, she had thought she had already given the ultimate sacrifice when she used the Jewel. Short of her life was there anything else that could be given? She didn't know but suddenly she wasn't very anxious to find out. She turned her attention to the demon who had a death grip on her waist, as if he was afraid she was going to disappear. Sighing heavily she laid down next to him once more, taking comfort in his presence.

Hiei's Dreamscape

He had long since become used to the fact that his dreams were full of pain and sorrow yet these were different. He watched as visions of his death assaulted him, too real to be nothing more than figments of his dreams. He had confronted death itself, The Guardian of the River Styx had come to ferry his soul yet Kagome had kept him alive. He wasn't sure how she had accomplished it but the fact remained that he was alive even if his body was still tormented by the pain of half healed wounds. He continued to try and make sense of what had occurred when he realized that he was not alone. He could tell who it was and decided to ignore her, he had nothing to say to her.

"Hiei I must speak with you." Midoriko's voice shattered the silence. He didn't even spare her a glance as he began to walk off but she would not be so easily dismissed. She realized as she had given Kagome the final warning that this demon would need to know as well. He would listen to what she had to say! She placed herself before him forcing Hiei to look at her. Under any other circumstances she would have exerted her powers and purified him straight to hell. The feelings of hatred were mutual and nothing would convince her that this demon had any redeemable qualities except for the fact that Kagome needed him.

"Wench I have no time for the likes of you! You are an abomination who would betray your own kind. Get out of my way." Hiei's voice was dangerously cold. He saw the anger flash across her eyes and knew that he had struck a nerve. It would seem she was not very adept at hiding her emotions.

She had no time for this, she could feel him beginning the journey towards consciousness. She had no desire to look Kagome in the face again at this time and she had yet to complete what she came here for. Time was running short. Her voice matched his in coldness. "There is much you do not understand Hiei but do not question what is. Deal with the future instead."

"And just what the fuck is that suppose to mean?" Hiei growled at her, the soon she told him what was so important the sooner she would leave. It irritated him that she could invade his mind whenever she felt like it and he was powerless to stop her. What was more irritating was the smug smile she was now wearing.

She was pleased that he was at least asking her what she was there for. He hadn't figured out yet how to cast her out of his mind which she was thankful for, it would have made things so much more difficult. She knew there would become a time where not even she would be able to break through his mental barriers but that would be far in the future. She had to wonder if these little talks she had with him would help influence his decision to have a Jagan implanted. "There will be a time soon when you will no longer be in control of your mind or body. You will wish to run, seeking an escape from the madness. You must turn to Kagome for your inner strength."

Hiei raised an eyebrow at her. He refused to lose control, it was not acceptable. He might be put in positions where he couldn't control the outcome but his own reactions would be his own and not influenced by someone else. He did not see why he would do such a thing and then need to turn to Kagome for help. She had already done enough, he refused to ask her to do more. It was his turn to watch over her. "Assuming you are correct with what you say, which I doubt, I would not need Kagome's aid in order to survive. Get the fuck out of my head. I have no use for you or your riddles. I have survived on my own this long without your aid and I plan on doing so long after you have gone."

Midoriko shook her head. He still did not realize what it was that Kagome had given up for him. Well, it was time to change that. He needed to know just how much his survival had meant to the girl. "If that was true boy then why did Kagome use the Shikon Jewel to save your life? The fact she was able to do it alone was unexpected yet she accomplished it anyway. The power in the Jewel was Kagome's only way home and she gave that up for you. Just remember that."

Hiei could not believe that the girl would do such a thing for him. Was Midoriko telling the truth? He couldn't be sure but he sensed no lie coming from her. She remained impassive while waiting for his reaction. Time however was not on his side as he was rudely pulled into wakefulness Midoriko disappeared. As consciousness came to him he realized that there was someone warm pressed up against him. He moved slightly and the slight weight that had been resting on his chest was removed. He struggled to open his eyes and realized that Kagome was the one who had been lying next to him. Reluctantly he removed his arms from her waist so she could sit up further.

 

"Why?" Hiei whispered hoarsely, his throat felt as if it had been scorched but he knew there would be no relief. There was no water anywhere in the cage and there was no telling when someone would be in to check on them. His body continued to ache but he paid it no attention, he felt surprisingly well all things considered. Perhaps Midoriko was telling the truth. His hands made their way to his chest where the blade had been driven a short time ago. To his relief he found that there was no gaping hole although the entire area was still tender. His ribs were no longer broken but he could tell there was extensive bruising. Once his healing kicked in he'd be back to normal in a day or so. He kept his gaze on Kagome who had looked down to his chest when he asked his question. She had gone strangely silent and he could feel the unease radiating off of her. He reached up and grasped her chin gently, bringing her head up so she would look him in the eyes as he asked again. "Why, Kagome?"

His gaze pierced straight through her, as if he could see directly into her soul. She knew what he wanted to know and she wasn't sure of how to answer him. She wouldn't lie to him but would the truth scare him off? Would it bother him that she desperately needed him to be there with her? Would he resent her for saving him? She didn't know if he would consider death a blessing in disguise. The thought of him hating her for keeping him alive was almost too much for her to bear. He was all that she had and he had to know even if it drove him away from her. She could not pretend to feel differently than she did, it wouldn't be fair to either of them. She stared into his crimson eyes while saying a slight prayer in hopes he would not turn from her. Eventually she found her voice although it was rough with emotion as she waited for him to pass judgment on her. "I could not bear to be alone. You've risked everything for me. From bringing me something to eat, to your attempts at making me comfortable with the blankets. Somehow Fate has brought us together and together we will find our way through it." She tried to smile at him but it was a shaky attempt at best. A flash of surprise went through his eyes at her words, she held her breath and waited.

"You knew about the blankets?" Hiei asked softly still in obvious pain speaking. He could see the fear in her eyes and knew it for what it was. She was waiting for him to reject her and he knew he needed to alleviate her fears. He sat up with some effort and leaned against the wall getting comfortable before gently pulling her next to him. She didn't fight him when his arms went around her which surprised him some. He expected her to at least flinch when he touched her but she showed no sign of being afraid of him. Perhaps given time she would be able to heal from all the emotional scars the she had acquired.

She didn't object when he moved her next to him. Instead she pressed up closer to him, grateful for the additional warmth his body gave off. She remembered times in the past when she did much the same with Inuyasha. She wondered if she would ever be able to stand the touch of another person again. She considered Hiei as being safe to be close to. He had repeatedly turned down the opportunity to hurt her, she had no fears with him. "I was half asleep but yes I remember when you brought them. Hiei I'm scared of what Masakazu is going to do to you when he returns. I'm sure he expects you to be dead."

 

Hiei wasn't sure how to explain what had happened either, it wasn't likely to be pretty when Masakazu did show up again. But there was no sense in worrying about it now, they couldn't control it anyway. "Whatever happens I'll take care of it." He hoped that would be good enough for her but it didn't look like it would be when she looked at him in concern. He decided to quickly change the subject before she could push the issue. "How did you know the Jewel would heal me?"

 

Kagome's eyes flew open wide, she hadn't know that he knew of what she had done with the Jewel and she wasn't sure how to explain it. She shook her head, she'd puzzle over it another time. "I didn't, I just tried to find a way to heal you and it responded. You should rest now Hiei, you need to heal."

Hiei thought about bringing up Midoriko's visit to her, perhaps she would be able to make sense of what she had said. "I will soon but first I need to know about some things...."

Kagome placed a finger to Hiei's lips to quiet him. Her head hurt terribly from the blows she had taken earlier. The Jewel hadn't healed her at all, instead concentrating on Hiei but she didn't mind. She wished she could sink into oblivion with him but first she needed to know that he was resting comfortably. "There will be time for that later. Just close your eyes and rest."

'How can she be so calm after losing her only way back home?' Hiei's thoughts began to wander as he tried to decipher the enigma that was curled up next to him. Her inner strength was a mystery. Her caring nature was even stranger, never before had he seen anything like it. Before he hadn't been terribly worried about what would happen after they escaped but now that he knew she was stranded he knew that she wouldn't survive for long in the Makai left to her own devices. There had to be a way for her to go home, he was positive she would still want to. She had no reason to want to stay with him for the rest of her life, he had been cast out for a reason. Even if she had been willing to overlook that temporarily, once she was free she'd want to go back to her own life. He sighed heavily and closed his eyes, pulling her just a bit closer. His thoughts on the problem and the aches it caused faded some as the blackness of sleep overcame his will to stay awake. Within moments he was once more in the confines of a deep and troublesome sleep.

Kagome listened to his breathing even out, she knew he had drifted off into the realms of sleep and waited for it to overtake her as well. "Because I care about you" Her whispered voice followed Hiei into his own dreams even though she never anticipated him hearing the words. For the first time since she had been here she slept on, no longer plagued by nightmares for as soon as one would begin a dark flame would destroy any trace of them. She wasn't sure if it was real or her imagination but it was a comforting thought to know that even in sleep she was being protected.

Their brief time of rest was interrupted by the creak of the door, jolting both of them into wakefulness. Fear took hold in Kagome, she had yet to come up with an explanation for Hiei being alive. Her body trembled as she desperately attempted to come up with some sort of plausible reason but her mind went blank. Hiei tightened his arms imperceptibly, letting her know that he was still there with her. He didn't care if Masakazu had come back, he'd fight him again if necessary even though it was likely to kill him. The door shut quickly behind the unexpected arrival to reveal a cloaked woman. Hiei feigned sleep while waiting to see what she would do. Should she prove to be a threat he'd dispose of her quickly. He knew exactly who she was but he had no idea as to why she would come here.

 

She dropped the hood of her cloak to reveal her identity which did little to assuage Kagome's apprehension. When the woman rushed towards them she tried to press herself farther into the corner they were sitting in. It made no difference that their visitor was a female. When her hand slipped into the cloak Hiei nearly growled at her and tensed ready to react. She was one of Masakazu's followers, she would die as well if she made any attempt to harm him or Kagome.

"Snap out of it girl, we haven't much time. Hurry and give him this, it should stop the bleeding." She spoke softly while holding out a flask of liquid but stopped suddenly, gasping in shock as the crimson eyes of the Fire Apparition stared coldly into hers. She could see the fire of life burning brightly within him and took note of how the blood that covered him was old. She had come as quickly as she could when Masakazu hold told her of what he had done and a vision had flashed before her showing the truth of his words. She had been afraid she would arrive too late but it would seem someone had beaten her to it. "What? How?"

"So you've come to make sure I am dead? I would have thought Masakazu would have seen to my corpse himself." Hiei's voice was accusing, this woman had done little to help him in the past and he had no reason to trust her. After all she was assisting the crow in his quest to puzzle out the prophecies. The Seer stared at him with wide eyes, she seemed appalled by the accusation which puzzled him. Was she really there to help?

 

Kagome had watched the small exchange, unsure of what was going on. She knew who it was as well based on the descriptions she had been forced to listen to when Masakazu spoke of her. She didn't trust the woman, she sure as hell wasn't going to give her any information to go running back to her master with. "Why didn't you come sooner to help?"

The Seer knew well that neither of them trusted her and with good reason. They couldn't know that she was actually trying to help them as much as she could, she had to be careful or Masakazu would slaughter her just as he had done to countless others. She offered Kagome a sad smile. "I came as soon as I could but Masakazu kept me from coming. I had a vision that showed you close to death and in need of healing. This is not possible. How were you healed?"

Hiei growled lowly at her, even he didn't fully understand how Kagome had done it but if Masakazu knew she was responsible he'd torture her until she told him what she had done. Then there was every possibility that he would kill her for using the last of the Jewel's energy in such a way. He would not allow that to happen. "A vision? Tell me what you saw in this so called vision that would bring you rushing to my aid."

Moving carefully to show that she meant no harm the woman moved to pour the contents of the flask out and then turned back to them. "My vision showed me that Masakazu had acted without thinking and he intended to kill you which would have destroyed centuries of work. I could not allow that to occur. I don't expect either of you to trust me. Given the circumstances I wouldn't either, I only ask that you hear me out before passing judgment."

Hiei started to get to his feet to put him in a better position to attack the woman. He didn't believe she had any intentions of helping them but Kagome held onto him and prevented him from standing. He looked down at her questioningly and saw a wide range of emotions flash across her eyes. Fear he was going to leave her, worry that he'd be killed if he approached the woman. There was also a small glimmer of hope that perhaps the woman was telling the truth and was there to help them. Kagome placed her head on his shoulder to whisper in his ear. "Let's hear her out Hiei. Anything we find out here is more then we knew earlier right?"

He glared at the woman who was waiting for their answer but knew that he would give into Kagome's request. She was right, if the woman was telling the truth then any knowledge she had might help them. "Fine, but know this woman. I have no reason to trust you and I won't hesitate to kill you if you prove to be worthy of death."

The Seer nodded in acknowledgment of his threat, she expected nothing less from him. Soon, very soon blood would rain down upon this place. It was only a matter of time. "I know very little of future events where the two of you are concerned. I have tried desperately to see into the future and been denied the knowledge every time. So I've looked into the past. What is long past cannot be clouded when you know where to look." She turned her attention to Kagome, if she hadn't have known better she would have mistaken her for an ordinary girl. "You are the last keeper of the Shikon no Tama. You come from a time not yet written for us."

 

Kagome gasped and looked over at Hiei to see what his reaction was to the news but his expression was completely blank as if he had already known. The Seer's gaze went over to Hiei who was far from ordinary looking but was usually overlooked as well because of his small stature. She knew of how powerful he was to become. Fate had indeed chosen wisely when it came to the two before her. "And you Hiei, you are the only Forbidden Child. Born of fire and ice, shunned by all and cast aside at birth. The question is, what has happened in the past that would bring the two of you together in this time and space? I have watched the lives you have both lead and used it to look through the writings of the Prophets. You are destined to be together throughout events that have yet to occur. These prophecies are what Masakazu seeks to unfold and I have done my best to cloud his perceptions but I can only do so much."

Kagome was puzzled, yet another person knew what was to happen while she was left in the dark. It didn't make sense though if what this woman said was true. "If what you say is supposed to happen then how could Masakazu kill Hiei?"

Even the Seer had no real answers for Kagome's question, Hiei's near death was unforeseen. It shouldn't have happened and that was what had thrown everything into Chaos. "I cannot answer that child, it was not foreseen so I can only conclude that something occurred which changes part of the future. What has happened should not have been possible, now the prophecy has a void. When Masakazu attempted to kill him it caused a paradox. That attack was never meant to happen, you were both to survive this and now that lingers in question. What is to be is now shrouded in mystery. All I do know is that somehow the two of you must survive."

If her words were meant to comfort either of them it was not working. All certainty that Kagome had begun to feel about them making through this alive was now gone. If the future had been rewritten then there was no telling what was going to happen to them. Hiei's thoughts were much the same although he was getting tired of how vague all of their answers were.

"I will tell Masakazu that I healed you. I'll also try to convince him not to act in such a rash manner though I promise nothing. It is the best that I can do for the two of you. I know that there is a reason for the two of you to be here but I have no idea as to what that reason would be. With what has happened I doubt anyone ever will know. Now can you tell me how Hiei survived such an attack with your powers being warded?"

"That is something I cannot explain even if I wanted to." Kagome answered her truthfully. She wasn't sure why the Jewel responded to her desire, it had and that was all that mattered. Knowing what had caused it would be nice, but not necessary. He was alive and well, she couldn't ask anything more. They'd work out the details for everything else later.

The Seer nodded, knowing that the girl would not have told her anyway. If she wanted she could look into the past and find out but she decided against it. The less she knew the better at this point as far as she was concerned. If she didn't know then Masakazu could not find out. "Fair enough, know that this will be the last time I will come to you. Masakazu has many eyes and ears throughout this place although not all are loyal to him. Help might come from the most unexpected of places but be wary child. The future is now unwritten."

 

No further words were needed, quickly she rose to her feet and exited the room leaving the two alone with their thoughts. As tired as Kagome was she was certain she would never get back to sleep after the Seer's visit. However Hiei's warmth and strong presence protecting her was enough that she eventually drifted off, never noticing how his gaze never left her.

 

Special thanks to my beta Mary!