InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Gathered Storm ❯ The Swaggering Desparado ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
**DISCLAIMER**: I claim NO ownership to Inuyasha & Co.
I know you know every desperado
and sharp shooter in the west
you say that I can't see behind
the mask of those who call themselves
the good guys in this… who take and take
"So are you with me or not,” you say
”This time decide." ~Sweet Sangria by Tori Amos
the good guys in this… who take and take
"So are you with me or not,” you say
”This time decide." ~Sweet Sangria by Tori Amos
Chapter Two: The Swaggering Desparado
He swaggered across the countryside, a bit dazed as he always was once faced with Kikyo. The woman he once loved, or still loved? Inuyasha dropped his chin to his chest; sending his lustrous locks of silver over his squared shoulders. Damned if he really knew. Whenever he'd sense her presence nearby, he'd quickly leap up from whatever he was doing to track her down. Never having a moment to even consider the implications of his actions…
What was it that made him come to her beckon call? Truly, she was bewitching. It seemed a curious word to describe a priestess. One moment he would sense her, the next moment he would be at her side with no recollection of what exactly brought him there. And the scene that would play out only pulled him in further.
“Inuyasha,” the cold, yet sweet sounding voice would whisper into his ear. “Do you remember the promise you made to me?”
“Yes…” a distant echo from his vocal chords would sound. “Yes, I remember…”
Her frigid fingers combed through his thick mane, the icy tips of her nails grazing against his scalp. “You vowed to go even to the depths of Hell with me. Forget the foolish girl, Inuyasha. You made a promise to me first…”
His eyes would roll to the back of his head as he felt a current of energy pass from her fingernails into his mind. Visions of the past, memories shared, and the intense emotions that were felt so long ago would boil to the surface of his mind. Everything that was now was washed away with these images. He would forget about his present friends, forget the pain and frustration of finding the jewel shards, but most importantly; he would forget everything about Kagome.
Just as soon as the visions would grace his mind, they would vanish along with the fair priestess that wove her spell around him. The echoes of the memories would still pound in his mind, causing a great splitting pain. And then he would awake, lost some where along the wilderness, standing upright and extremely confused.
What did it all mean? How could he be conscious of what was happening to him, and yet have no will to stop it? Perhaps he didn't wish to stop it. When she was in his arms, it both comforted and repulsed him. Though at the moment that she would touch her fingers to his head, he lost all control of himself. Whatever power she had been graced with after resurrection, it surely had an affect on him. And enough of an effect to steal away his power of thought.
The chill of the night air wrapped around his strong form, causing the sleeves of his hakama to swirl about. He took in a deep breath through his nose and closed his eyes to the lonely world around him, trying to pick up the scent of the campsite. Within that one intake of air, sweetness swamped his senses. The essences of vanilla and spices teased at his nose, drawing him towards the north. His eyes shot open, a flicker lighting up his amber irises. That scent in itself cloaked him with warmth. The harsh wind and frigid night fled away as the memory of who carried that scent swept into his mind.
She claimed his every though when she was around him. Kagome, the incarnation of the very woman he had fallen in love with all those years ago, was unlike her predecessor in any way. She was without prejudice about his form; she saw his flaws and yet looked beyond them. In fact, she seemed to revel in the fact that he was a hanyou. Kagome had more than once stated her love for his puppy like ears that were perched upon his head. A smirk played at his lips as he remembered the feel of her warm fingertips caressing his ears.
Seeking her touch once more, he left the memory of the cold priestess behind him as he went searching for the woman that loved him with every fiber of her being.
@-------}-----------
“Kagome?” a small voice sounded from beneath a pile of blankets. A little face poked out from the pile, wide green eyes blinking a bit as he saw his dear friend sitting somewhat slumped by the fire. The kitsune had been awakened by the scent of Kagome's tears and the sweet sounding melody that drifted from her lips.
She turned from her place at the fire to gaze upon her young friend. “Oh, Shippo, sweetie… I'm sorry, did I wake you?”
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes trying to focus upon her delicate countenance. “It's alright. But why are you crying, Kagome? What happened?”
Kagome blinked, having forgotten that even her silent tears could be recognized by a young demon. She was very good at crying silently now, not wanting to trouble her friends with her foolish turmoil. A sigh slipped from her soft mouth, causing the kitsune more alarm as he hopped over to her lap.
“Kagome, did that Inuyasha say something stupid again?” Shippo's little brow scrunched slightly in annoyance. He hated whenever Inuyasha would be brash, saying words without any regard for Kagome's feelings.
Kagome merely grinned at her kitsune. “No, Shippo. He didn't say a thing.”
Shippo nibbled upon his lower lip, staring up at the woman he considered his surrogate mother. She wasn't lying, nor was she telling the entire story. He decided that it might be best just to comfort his `mama' silently. He snuggled into her welcoming arms, nuzzling her chin as if to reassure her.
She smiled inwardly as she cradled the kitsune who was steadily falling asleep in her arms. Having his warmth relaxed her a bit, letting her thoughts travel back to the events that transpired before her hanyou was ripped away from her vision.
(Flashback)
They had finally settled on a place for the night. There was a clearing half a mile away from the cliff they had scaled on their journey to find Naraku. It was perfect, nestled beneath a clearing of trees. They would be protected from the elements tonight and still be able to have a larger campfire.
Kagome had gone to the nearby pond, filling up the bottles she had carried with the crisp water. She could feel the impending weather of frost that would freeze the pond within a few weeks. The solstice was coming soon, and the harsh wind hinted that this winter was not going to be pleasant.
She heard the violent gale of wind sweep past her, but curiously, she hadn't felt it. A warmth caressed her back, causing her to jump slightly. She turned her face upwards from her kneeling position to gaze up into the fiery eyes of Inuyasha.
“Hey,” came his gruff greeting. His fangs peeked out behind his smirk as he watched her cheeks redden. “Thought you were taking too long, woman. How long does it take to fill those contraptions up?”
Kagome scrunched her nose at his comment, turning he rhead back towards the water. “Listen, Inuyasha, if you want to help me, fine. I have a lot of bottles here, you know. We mere humans need to stay hydrated.”
He rolled his golden orbs. Stooping beside her, he snatched up one of the clear bottles and filled it up with the crystal-clear liquid. Just as soon as he twisted the cap onto the bottle, he heard a growl emanate from the woman beside him.
“Did you just growl at me, woman?” he asked with an amused chuckle. He shivered a bit as he heard it again.
Her brows knitted in annoyance as her voice became gruff, “You're insufferable!” The blush upon her cheeks deepened as his smile grew wider.
“Am I, now?” Inuyasha leaned in marginally towards Kagome's slight form, enclosing the distance between him. Her scent of vanilla and spices assaulted his senses, causing his inner beast to stir slightly. Damn, how could she have such an affect on him?
Kagome took in a breath quickly as his knee brushed against her outer thigh. He was too close. And he was getting closer to her! The fire in his eyes flared as he drew her scent in. She felt his fingers graze her left forearm, slipping beneath the cloak that enveloped her lithe body. She forced herself to look back into his eyes, still frightened of what she might see. Inuyasha took her chin with his free hand, keeping her from looking away.
She could hear his heartbeat. It was practically thundering. Or, perhaps, was it her heart? The pulse of it grew quicker and louder with each breath she took. His right arm encompassed her waist, drawing her tightly against the expanse of his chest.
He demanded her. The beast within him wanted to claim this frightened, yet intriguing woman for his own. Damn, she looked luscious. His tongue snaked out from his lips, longing to taste her. He felt her breath hitch as she watched the motion of his tongue. A smug grin tugged at his lips as Inuyasha leaned in further towards the rose-tinted mouth of his miko.
She couldn't breathe! It was everything she had been dreaming about, and yet fearing at the same time. Her smoky brown eyes glimmered with conflicting emotions as the mouth of the man she desired hovered a few millimeters from her own. His gaze burned into her own, the desire and sheer need for her present in his countenance. Her breast heaved as she felt his tongue flick over her bottom lip. A deep chuckle resounded in his chest at her reaction. He dipped his face lower to capture her lips with his own and then…
The shimmer. The slightest hint of a green light winked in the distance. He saw it just beyond Kagome's visage. Inuyasha lifted his head slightly, squinting to see the flicker of jade-like light against the breeze. `Kikyo…'
Kagome felt his grasp loosen and then disappear. She blinked and he was gone, bounding off after the damn soul serpents. It only took her a moment to realize what had happened.
She grabbed one of the bottles and threw it with unimaginable force against a boulder. The plastic bottle split in half, causing the water to spring out of it in a loud splash. Her heart thundered from the passion of his touch, and now the impassioned feeling of betrayal.
(End Flashback)
Kagome held Shippo's sleeping body closer to her chest. Damn that Inuyasha. Why must she feel so much for him? She set her shoulders back, resigning to relieve herself of her pent up emotions in the next battle that would be fall the group.
A/N: Woo, another chapter in one night! This one was much longer, so I hope you enjoyed it. Also, I hope you guys can see where I'm going with this idea. I don't to reveal too much beforehand, but the conflict between Kikyo and Kagome will erupt. That's for sure.
I do aim to please! Please leave any helpful comments.
Bonne Nuit!
~Cait