InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ On The Night Of A Blood Red Moon ❯ Chapter 12

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Title: On The Night Of A Blood Red Moon
Author: Ryukotsusei and Cyntinell
Disclaimer: We do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. We do however own the plot. Steal it and you shall face our wrath.

Warnings: This chapter contains graphically detailed rape and torture in it as well as a major character death! You are warned!

Hiei kept his eyes closed as he tried to determine exactly where he was. It didn't take long, the stone floor was cold and hard while the small rocks that littered the floor dug into his skin. 'Back in the cage again. What the hell happened?' The last thing he remembered was watching Masakazu begin violating Kagome with a broken bottle before the pain from his arms finally overwhelmed him. His entire body ached but he had to get up, he needed to know if she was alright. He didn't trust the Seer's protection spell, there was no telling how much damage she had sustained.

He opened his eyes slowly growing accustomed to the dim light. His breath caught in his throat when he saw Kagome's body crumpled in the corner looking like a broken doll. If it wasn't for the fact that he could pick up the sounds of her ragged breathing he would have been certain she was no longer among the living. "Kagome?" His voice was soft so as not to startle her if she was awake. There was absolutely no indication from her that she had heard him. He called her name a bit louder. "Kagome!"

He closed his eyes briefly realizing that she either couldn't hear him or she was unable to respond. Steeling himself against the pain he began to crawl the short distance towards her. Carefully he laid her onto her back, ignoring the pain lancing up his arms. Gently he brought his hand to her face and brushed the hair away from her cheek. Her skin was cold and clammy to the touch, she needed to be warmed up. Hiei had no idea just how long he had been laying there unconscious but it was fairly obvious to him that she had been there just as long without the added benefit that his Fire Apparition blood gave him.

He quickly took stock of his own injuries. His wrists still ached horribly but he could tell that the healing was already well underway. For that level of healing to have been accomplished he had to have been unconscious for most of the night. His hand never strayed from her face, giving her silent comfort while he contemplated what he needed to do to help her. Briefly her eyelids fluttered open, her blue eyes staring at him but he could tell that she didn't know that he was there. The fire that had constantly been present in her eyes no matter what had happened was gone, not a trace of it remained. 'What has that monster done to you?' Hiei knew it would have taken more than what he had witnessed to break her in such a way. Something had to have happened afterwards but he had no way of knowing and she wasn't in any condition to tell him. Rage coursed through him as he pictured many different things that could have possibly happened to bring her into such a state.

Slowly he rose to his feet and began walking across the room. The dirty blankets weren't much but they'd offer her some warmth in addition to the body heat he would give her. But first he had to make it to the opposite corner of the room where they had been left. He didn't trust his own legs at the moment to support his weight for long but his need to help her pushed them into moving forward. He bent over to reach for the blankets but the past twenty four hours had taken it's toll on him. He lost his balance and fell to the ground roughly. He tried to catch himself before he hit the ground, his injured wrists taking the brunt of the impact. A faint grunt of pain escaped from him. The fall had managed to undo what little healing his body had managed to accomplish. He ignored the pain as he grasped the blankets edge with his fingers, barely able to hold onto it. Shakily he pulled himself off of the ground and began to return to Kagome's side, the last of his strength gave out just as he reached her and he collapsed to the floor next to her. After taking a moment to rest he spread the blanket around Kagome's naked body, pausing briefly at the sight of blood that had dried, coating her inner thighs. He knew that her body had suffered terrible damage on the inside but to what extent he was not certain.

Carefully he crawled underneath the blanket with her and wrapped his arms around her determined to get her temperature back to where it should be. Once he situated himself comfortably around her he really looked at her assessing her injuries. She was an absolute mess, blood still seeped from multiple cuts on her face and the bruising was extensive. There wasn't much he could do for her, however he cleaned her face as best as he could. His saliva helped to heal some of the minor cuts but it would do nothing for the rest of her. He was exhausted from expending what little energy he had left and now wished to do nothing more than rest. Wrapping himself around her more firmly he closed his eyes and allowed the darkness of sleep to claim him.

Hiei didn't know how long he drifted in the darkness but all too quickly he became aware that this was no normal dream. There was something out there, something unidentifiable calling to him yet it seemed familiar. He quickly scanned his surroundings while rubbing his aching wrists. They were no longer broken but the memory of the pain still echoed through to him even in this dream world. He was thankful at least that his wounds had healed, he didn't relish the thought of walking around with blood dripping from the slices that Masakazu had put in his chest. The only visible indication of what he had survived was the thin scar where Masakazu had attempted to take his life. Only the tenderness where his ribs had been broken remained.

He listened carefully for any signs of what had brought him here. This was no ordinary dream realm, something or someone had brought him here it was just a question of why. Tentatively he took a step and nearly fell. He cursed himself for being in such a weakened state. "I am here for a reason. Let's find out who summoned me here and why." He growled as he looked at his surroundings. Even in his dreams he couldn't escape the cursed place. He was still inside the cell but strangely enough the door hung open in an open invitation for him to leave. He looked around and noticed that on the ground in front of him were the rumpled blankets that he had used to cover Kagome's body in an attempt to warm her up but she was no where to be found. His eyes narrowed in determination, he would find her. There was no way he was going to allow her to go without his protection, even in this strange dream that he had found himself in. That determination gave his body the strength it needed to continue on. One way or another, he would find the girl.

Hiei cautiously walked through the open door keeping every one of his senses alert to possible attack. While this would be beyond any of Masakazu's powers there was no reason for him to believe that he couldn't have hired someone that could accomplish this very thing. He was never one that had the patience for these sort of games and the knowledge that he knew absolutely nothing about why he was here irritated him beyond belief. Time seemed to stand still around him as he reached a door at the end of the hallway. Thoughts raced through his mind as he stared at the oak door before him. It was the door to Masakazu's private chambers. His stomach twisted at the thought of Kagome once more being trapped inside with him. Unable to stop him self he turned the handle and swung it open. The creak of the wood echoing through the hall shattered the silence. He stared at the sight before him, unable to move as he watched the last few moments of what had happened to them replay itself.

Hiei's mouth went dry as he relived the terror Kagome went through, even after he had slipped into unconsciousness. He saw the heartbreaking choice that she had to make, his life or Kouga's and how the decision destroyed her. Each of her thoughts echoed through his head as clearly as if she had spoken them, yet her lips remained unmoving. He found himself able to move once more as the Crow placed Kouga's severed head on her chest and ran towards them, hoping to destroy the specter before him. Abruptly it all vanished and he was rendered immobile once more. He struggled against his invisible bonds as the room disappeared from around him. When he was able to move once more he found himself back in the hallway he had started in.

Slowly he took a step hit the wall. He pondered his next move as his thoughts remained on what he had felt from the girl. The feel of the cold stones against his skin was strangely comforting, it was one of the few things he could anchor him self to in this dream world. 'This is getting me nowhere. Damn it focus! Where is Kagome?' He slowly made his way down the corridor, occasionally bracing himself against the wall as faint echoes came to him, as if they were sounds from the real world trying to intrude upon the silence of the realm he walked in. It was better to be safe than sorry when dealing with the unknown so he hid himself within the shadows that cloaked the corridor. After what had seemed like hours he found himself in front of another wooden door, one that would lead to the main room.

With only a trace of hesitation he slowly opened the door, unsure of what to expect. As the door swung open he scanned the room quickly. It was just as it had always been, everything was just as he remembered. He breathed a faint sigh of relief, grateful that he wasn't going to relive another incident like the one in Masakazu's chambers. Perhaps it was because nothing tragic had happened here yet, he wasn't certain. The only thing missing from the scene before him was the everyday sounds that would normally reverberate off of the stone walls throughout the lair. The place was even devoid of any scents which deeply troubled him, he tried to rationalize it as being part of the dream yet he couldn't be certain. 'I've got enough to worry about as it is, I don't have time for this.'

With more confidence he searched through the entire lair and found no sign of anyone. Even when he made his way back to the site of Kouga's death there wasn't a repeat performance. It was as if every member had been called away, leaving the lair deserted. There were even plates of food still on the table, the contents only half eaten. Vainly he tried to pick up even the slightest scent of the girl yet found not even a trace. Hope of finding out exactly what the purpose of this was beginning to fade as he rounded the last corner that led to the entranceway of the lair. A large silver door barred his way. Hiei tried to rationalize this new development, nothing of this sort had ever been there before and he doubted that Masakazu would put something like it in place. Cautiously he put a hand on it, unsure of what to expect. When it was obvious is wasn't enchanted he slowly began to pull it open. A gentle breeze wafted in through the slight crack, carrying Kagome's smell although it was faint. It was more than enough to catch his attention, without hesitation yanked the door completely open.

His eyes closed against the brightness of the sunlight he had not seen in months. It was painful but he managed to quickly adjust, his desire to see the girl again was strong and would not be denied. As he opened his eyes he stared hard at his surroundings. Surely things would not have changed so drastically in the short time that he had been confined indoors! But no, this was certainly not the same as he had remembered. All around him were lush fields, seemingly untouched by humans or demons. The warmth of the sun and the sound of a distant stream teased his senses. In short it was a paradise he had never expected to see. Trees scattered liberally about the fields before him and they teamed with life. How he had longed for a place like this, to be free of the torment he had come to live with being under Masakazu's control.

Again a breeze washed over him carrying a familiar scent, belonging to the one he longed to be with. Once he found her they could return to this place, enjoying the time that they had here together, free of pain and despair. In the meantime he needed to find her. Surprisingly there was no sign of fear or blood on the wind. 'She was covered in blood and fear. Perhaps Kagome's soul has found a measure of peace in this realm.' Hiei turned and faced the wind, letting it guide him. He moved quickly, hoping to get to her soon. He needed to speak to her, to reassure her that she was not at fault for what had happened. Surely Kouga's spirit would understand that as well, she was blameless for what had happened. But he knew she wouldn't believe that herself, it would be up to him to convince her.

He ran for what seemed like hours, yet the scenery remained unchanged. He felt as if he were making absolutely no progress and stopped to rethink what he needed to do. There was no sense in exhausting himself while getting nowhere. "Kagome! Damn it Kagome where are you?" Raw emotion poured into his voice venting all of the anger and frustration that he had been holding inside. Hearing no answer to his call he slammed his fist hard into the ground. 'I refuse to give up. This fucking place will not beat me!' Once more he began to run, this time in a different direction. There was every possibility the wind was being diverted somehow. This time he seemed to be making progress as he reached the stream he had heard earlier. He paused momentarily; the crystal clear water would quench the thirst that had been plaguing him for days. He knelt down and cupped his hands filling them with the icy water. Once that problem was taken care of he began to move once more, his progress becoming more and more noticeable as time past.

Shadows began to lengthen as his disappeared deep into the tree line. Gradually the darkness blanketed the entire area making it impossible for Hiei to see what was beyond them. He paused in the shade of a large oak tree knowing that he should be able to see into the forest. Yet there was only a darkness as black as a moonless night. Moving closer he realized that he had come to the mouth of a cave. Cautiously he ventured inside, only making it a handful of yards before he was abruptly stopped. Vines covered the cavern preventing any further progress. His patience had finally snapped and he lashed out with his claws intent on destroying the obstacle in his path. They fell at his feet by the masses until there was an opening large enough for him to walk through, yet a voice stopped him before he could take a step.

"Tread carefully Hiei, for what lies beyond is what remains of the girl you have come to care for."

Hiei didn't even bother to turn around, he knew without a doubt who it was that stood behind him. A growl formed deep within his chest. "I should have known this was yet another one of your fucking games Midoriko. Tell me, did you get off seeing her raped again? Did it make your blood burn watching him fuck her with a broken bottle? Or was it when he put Kouga's bloody head on her?"

The look of hate that crossed Midoriko's face only lasted for a moment before it was replaced with a calm expression. "I assure you Hiei, this is not a game. What lies within is nothing more than a truth that you need to see if you are to help her. She is the one that called you here, even with her spirit broken she needs to feel you near her. Go to her Hiei, see for yourself."

Without another word he stepped through the vines and entered the dark passage. He knew that he was close, Kagome's scent washed over him. It was soothing, knowing that she was near yet Midoriko's words haunted him. Her spirit was broken? After what he had witnessed he wasn't surprised, truthfully he wasn't certain if even he could help her but he would try. He left the ancient Priestess behind letting her follow or not as she wished. Blackness surrounded him but he continued on, towards the faint flicker that he picked up in the distance. He reached it quickly yet even Midoriko's warning left him ill prepared for the sight that awaited him.

Kagome was locked inside a steel cage much like the one within the lair. She was completely bare, her skin pale against the darkness. Occasionally a tremble would occur which was unsurprising due to the chill in the air. Scars littered her body in testament to what she had lived through but the most disturbing aspect to the Fire Apparition was the look in her eyes. They were haunted, openly displaying the pain that surrounded her soul. Any shred of hope that she once had was gone, her spirit shattered like glass. As he moved closer to her he noticed that a wolf stood blocking the cell door. It snarled at him in rage as he approached yet he ignored it, choosing to move directly in front of the girl hoping to gain her attention. "Kagome?"

The girl barely looked up at her whispered name, only more pain flashed through her eyes as she stared through him. The urge to comfort her enveloped him once more. Quickly he made his way back to the door of the cell and confronted the wolf yet it would not let him past. He snarled in frustration knowing that he could not take the beast on unarmed. He looked at the girl once more, he wouldn't give up on her. "I will be back, Kagome, I promise." Quickly he made his way back to the entrance of the cave where he could sense Midoriko waiting. For the first time, he could see pity in the spirits eyes and he wished that she were alive so he could slay her. "Tell me what the fuck is going on here."

Midoriko sighed, she knew he wasn't likely to be accepting of what Kagome had done to herself. Yet he was the only one who could help her now. "You were correct in your assumptions. This is no dream, instead you were pulled into Kagome's soul. Out there, is her idea of paradise where she wishes that she could be. Free of all this, yet she no longer feels she deserves it after what she has done. Instead, she's taken herself and secluded it away. Her soul has been shattered, the part that still cares is what you saw within the cage. She has locked herself away because she doesn't want to be responsible for hurting anyone else. She cares for you Hiei, it is for you that she has locked herself away."

Hiei turned back towards the passageway that would take him to Kagome, unsure of what to do. "And the wolf? What does that signify?"

Midoriko allowed a faint smile to grace her face. "The wolf is a protector that she has gained. He will be the one to keep her safe while she is imprisoned here. It is up to you to draw her out."

As Hiei began to walk towards Kagome once more he wondered about the wolf. It had a different feel to it, he was certain that it was not Kouga yet who else would it be? It was only one of many questions that plagued him as he traveled through the darkness once more. Abruptly he felt his surroundings give way to the solid feel of the real world around him. It would seem his mission was about to begin he realized as he woke up once more within the cold confines of the cell in Masakazu's lair.