InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Latent Destiny ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are created by Rumiko Takahashi, not me, but the new plots and the original characters (Akiyama, Moriko, Kajimaru, Eiko, Shoichi, Katsuo and Natsumi) are mine. This fanfiction had been written for entertainment purposes only and without intention of infringing upon any copyright.

 

A/N: A big thank you to you all for reading and reviewing the previous chapter. Here's the next one. Please enjoy!

 

 

A LatentDestiny by elle6778 - Chapter 5

 

 

Darkness permeated the forest, making it hard for her to navigate between the dense growth. Pushing aside the branches, Kagome ran as fast as she could, hoping that she was going in the right direction. It could turn out very bad if Sesshoumaru got hold of Inuyasha before she did. Who knew what might happen?

 

Then she burst out into a familiar clearing. The Goshinboku was there and the remains of the centipede demon were scattered all over, telling her that Inuyasha had managed to defeat it. But where was the hanyou now?

 

“Inuyasha!” she called out frantically. “INUYASHA!!”

 

Panicking, she dashed to the other end of the clearing. She could not see too well in the darkness, but surely Inuyasha would have responded to her if he heard her. He got the hearing level of a canine after all. Unless he was hurt. Was he hurt? He killed the centipede demon, right? So he should be alive, at least.

 

“Inuyasha! You'd better come out! I didn't release you just so that you can disappear on me!” she shrieked in frustration.

 

A rustle sounded behind her and Kagome spun around.

 

To her consternation, instead of Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru was standing there next to the Goshinboku. The toad youkai, Jaken was by his side, looking at her with large gleaming eyes. She gulped as her eyes met Sesshoumaru's icy ones across the clearing. This Sesshoumaru did not know her, she reminded herself. She had to be more careful of what she said to him.

 

“Ah… Um…” At a loss to what to say, Kagome finally faltered into silence.

 

Jaken took a step towards her. “Why are you looking for Inuyasha, human wench?” he asked rudely.

 

Shaking herself out of her stupor, Kagome glared at the diminutive youkai. “None of your business.”

 

She did not know that it was possible, but Jaken's eyes rounded further. “You will tell us, or suffer the wrath of the Lord of the Western Lands!” he threatened.

 

Kagome closed her eyes, wanting badly to just lie down and cry. This was not supposed to happen this way. She had no idea where Inuyasha was and to make it worse, Sesshoumaru and Jaken was confronting her about the hanyou. Where was the carriage carrying that demoness who pretended to be Inuyasha's mother? What happened to everything that was SUPPOSED to happen?

 

Opening her eyes slowly, Kagome replied wearily, “I don't know where he is. We got separated during the battle with the centipede demon.”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes flickered. Then he spoke for the first time. “He is unsealed?”

 

“Yes.” Her voice was dry. Wasn't it obvious?

 

“How?”

 

She threw her hands up in the air. “He's unsealed and he's out there somewhere. What does it matter?” she snapped.

 

In a blink of an eye, Sesshoumaru was right in front of her, his clawed hand snapping out. Kagome's eyes rounded in horror when his hand clamped around her neck, lifting her off the ground. Her heart began to thud erratically in her growing panic. How was she going to get out of this predicament?

 

“Such insolence from a mere human wench,” Sesshoumaru intoned coldly. “You will die for it.”

 

She flinched when his claws dug into her skin painfully, and her hands automatically snapped up to grasp his wrists. The shock of the entire situation suddenly reminded her that this was what Sesshoumaru was like before Rin got to him. He would not hesitate to kill her. Over the years, she seemed to have forgotten this little fact and was now paying the price. Would he kill her before she had the chance to fix her mistakes?

 

No! She would not think like that. Somehow, she had to get out of this alive, and it did not matter how. Fixing the future was more important and she would not let anyone, even Sesshoumaru, stand in her way.

 

“L-Let me go!” she choked out.

 

He simply stared down at her disdainfully, as one would do to an insignificant bug.

 

Her desperation grew when it looked like he had every intention of squeezing the life out of her. Black spots were already swimming in her vision, warning her that she had better stop it before her life left her.

 

There was only one thing that she knew would get through his thick skull.

 

“I-I k-know w-where… T-Tetsusaiga is,” she forced out.

 

Surprise flickered in his eyes and his grip loosened by a fraction. Not enough to struggle out of, but enough for her to draw in a lungful of air. Then his eyes narrowed with suspicion and his entire form tensed.

 

“Impossible. What does a ningen know about the great fang?” Sesshoumaru ground out derisively.

 

Irritated that he did not believe her, she hissed, “Kill me and you would never find out.”

 

His eyes flickered once again. Finally, he said flatly, “Your release in exchange for the location of the fang.”

 

“That and if I show you where it is, you won't kill Inuyasha,” she stipulated nervously.

 

As he continued to look at her thoughtfully, Kagome wondered if she would die before he made up his mind. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, he finally responded.

 

“Very well.”

 

Kagome sighed, relieved at her victory as his fingers loosened, allowing her feet to touch the ground. She would keep her promise and lead him to the tomb. He and Inuyasha were meant to face off in that place and anyway, no harm would be done since Sesshoumaru could not even hold Tetsusaiga. It was a good thing he did not know that little fact.

 

Uncomfortably aware of his piercing stare, she took a few cautious steps away from him before she spoke. “Let's find Inuyasha.”

 

Sesshoumaru's lips thinned as he flexed his claws. “What trickery is this?”

 

Kagome gulped at the hostile intent in his expression. Raising her hands in a gesture of surrender, she quickly exclaimed, “This isn't a trick. We need to find Inuyasha if you want to see where Tetsusaiga is.”

 

After subjecting her to a long nerve-wracking stare, Sesshoumaru finally nodded curtly.

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

 

Kagome supposed she should not be too surprise that within the next hour, they had found Inuyasha's trail. Sesshoumaru had a great sense of smell after all. Still, walking some distance behind the taiyoukai, she could not help but shiver at the aura of ruthlessness emanating from him. Rin had certainly changed Sesshoumaru for the better, and she could not imagine just how much more cruel could the taiyoukai be otherwise.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama. Is the hanyou close?” Jaken asked.

 

“Hn.”

 

Kagome glanced sideways at the taiyoukai. Yeah, he was never the talkative type, was he? But she could have sworn that his older self was much more vocal, seeing that he had managed to find enough words to tell her what had happened to her friends.

 

When they finally arrived at a river, Kagome's eyes rounded. Then she released a breath of relief.

 

Inuyasha was on the other side, his stance betraying his wariness as he looked from Sesshoumaru, to her and then back to Sesshoumaru again. He seemed confused, and Kagome did not blame him. After all, it was no secret that the taiyoukai despised humans. The fact that she was standing beside Sesshoumaru, alive, must be quite a sight.

 

“Inuyasha,” she called out. “Can you come over here, please?” Please let him listen to her for once, she prayed.

 

The hanyou's eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Keh! Why should I listen to you?” His gaze returned to Sesshoumaru. “And what the hell are you doing here, Sesshoumaru?”

 

A helpless groan escaped her lips.

 

“Such a disrespectful greeting, little brother,” Sesshoumaru remarked quietly, but there was no mistaking the threat in his tone.

 

Kagome swallowed hard. This could get real ugly if she was not careful. “Inuyasha. Please, come over here. We just want to… talk.”

 

“I don't even know you, wench! Why should I listen to you?” Inuyasha shot back, looking incredulous. “Especially since you're with that bastard.”

 

Anger flared within her. “Well, if you didn't just disappear on me, I wouldn't have ended up with Sesshoumaru in the first place, would I? I went back to look for you and you were gone,” she accused heatedly.

 

Inuyasha blinked. “You did?”

 

“I was worried about you, baka! I didn't know if you were alright after that fight!” she yelled. “Didn't you even think of waiting for me back there? Or at least come look for me?”

 

An odd look came across Inuyasha's features, and then he crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. “What are you getting so worked up for, wench?”

 

“Inuyasha…” she gritted out. She really had no patience for his attitude right now.

 

“Enough.” Sesshoumaru's voice was hard. Turning to her, he intoned, “Now that he's present, you will uphold your end of the bargain.”

 

Inuyasha froze. “Bargain?”

 

Kagome licked her lips nervously. “Ah… Yes. Tetsusaiga.”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. “Or perhaps you prefer death.”

 

She gulped as Sesshoumaru flexed his claws threateningly.

 

“Oi, Sesshoumaru! Leave her alone, you bastard!” Inuyasha shouted as he sprung across the river towards them, his claws raised.

 

“Foolish brother,” Sesshoumaru hissed as he swiftly deflected the attack.

 

Inuyasha landed next to her, thankfully unharmed. Turning to her, he asked incredulously, “You made a deal with Sesshoumaru?”

 

“He was going to kill me, alright?” she defended indignantly.

 

“You must have been out of your mind. Feh! I should just let him do it,” Inuyasha shot back.

 

Her eyes bugged. “WHAT!”

 

“Wench, you will disclose the location of Tetsusaiga,” Sesshoumaru interjected imperiously.

 

Inuyasha spun towards his brother. “What the hell are you talking about, Sesshoumaru? What Tetsusaiga?”

 

Kagome closed her eyes and sighed heavily. This could not be helped. One way or another, Sesshoumaru needed to get hold of the tomb's location for this entire thing to unfold. She just hated the idea of Inuyasha being hurt, but it could not be avoided. Snapping her eyes open, she took a few steps, placing herself in front of Sesshoumaru.

 

“The entrance to the tomb is a black pearl,” she began quietly.

 

Sesshoumaru instantly fixed his full attention on her. Feeling rather nervous at the intensity of his stare, Kagome took a deep breath to calm herself.

 

“The black pearl is in Inuyasha's right eye,” she finished weakly.

 

She saw Sesshoumaru blink once, and then he was gone.

 

Inuyasha yelled, “WHAT THE HELL!”

 

A battle instantly ensued. Jaken, who happened to be in the way, was flung away from the battle site when he got in the way of Inuyasha's claws. Sesshoumaru barely moved as he blocked Inuyasha's uncontrolled attacks. The taiyoukai seemed bored outwardly, but Kagome could see the gleam of intent in those golden orbs. Then Sesshoumaru's hand snapped out in a blur.

 

Kagome gasped when Inuyasha was lifted off the ground by his neck as Sesshoumaru dug his claw into the hanyou's right eye. Blood spattered and Kagome had to squeeze her eyes shut at the horrifying scene. She felt as if she had betrayed Inuyasha, causing him harm, but she knew that the hanyou would be alright. He healed so fast that he would be able to fight in no time.

 

Then the pearl was in Sesshoumaru's hands.

 

“Bastard!”

 

Dropping on the ground, Inuyasha glared at her and then at Sesshoumaru, his hand covering his bleeding right eye. Feeling guilty, Kagome averted her eyes from him and watched as Sesshoumaru brought the Staff of Two Heads down onto the pearl.

 

A bright light enveloped them.

 

Then the gate to the tomb appeared.

 

Without hesitation, Sesshoumaru stepped into the dark portal. Worried that they wouldn't make it, Kagome spun towards the hanyou on the ground and reached out to grab his hand. If they did not make it this time, Inuyasha would not have Tetsusaiga because there was no other way to get in there. At least, no other SAFE way to get in there.

 

“Come on, Inuyasha! We need to get in before it closes,” she urged.

 

He shot her an incredulous look. “What the hell are you thinking? First, you made him dig the damned thing out of my eye, then you want to follow him in there? Are you out of your mind?”

 

“Believe me, Inuyasha, you'll regret it if you don't go in. That Tetsusaiga belongs to you, not him! Do you want him to steal it from you?” she yelled, growing more frantic by the second when she noticed that the portal to the tomb was slowly closing. “Come on, Inuyasha! Just trust me for once!”

 

Inuyasha blinked at her. Then, to her utmost relief, he stood up and grabbed her sleeve to pull her to towards the diminishing portal.

 

They made it in just before the portal closed completely.

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

 

The tomb was immense, reflecting the true form of the great Inu-no-Taishou, the now deceased taiyoukai of the West. It was the resting place not only for the youkai lord, but also the sword which rumored to be capable of killing hundreds in one single slash.

 

The oppressive atmosphere of the tomb barely registered on Sesshoumaru as he continued his assault on his hanyou brother. His lips curled. Inuyasha was just as weak as ever. It seemed that in all this time, his skills had not improved at all. It was bad enough that their father had placed his tomb in the hanyou's eyes. But the fact that Tetsusaiga had rejected him so thoroughly was completely unacceptable in Sesshoumaru's mind. Inuyasha had not been able to pull it out but at least the sword did not reject him outright.

 

It did not matter. He was going to put an end to this. Inuyasha would die today.

 

The sudden flare of energy drew his attention and his claws paused just an arm's length away from Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru turned over his shoulders to find an impossible sight.

 

Tetsusaiga was released from its rock.

 

And the one who had pulled it out was not him or Inuyasha. It was the human wench. The very human wench who had led them to this place.

 

Impossible.

 

“Done fighting?” the wench snapped, her eyes flashing in obvious irritation as she stood away from them.

 

Pausing, Sesshoumaru fixed his eyes on the odd spectacle of the human wench who was holding up the sword in one hand while the other was planted on her hips. How was it possible that a mere human wench could draw the sword when neither he nor his hanyou brother could do so? Could it be possible that there was something hidden underneath that human façade? Still, she did not seem like much.

 

“Don't look at her. Look at me,” Inuyasha snarled.

 

Useless, Sesshoumaru thought derisively. At the moment, the wench was more of interest. Releasing the hanyou, he zipped towards the human. In a blink of an eye, he was staring down at her. Her brown eyes were large with fear as they met his.

 

“What are you and how did you draw the sword?” he asked levelly.

 

Her fear dissipated to be replaced by an expression of affront. “What do you mean, what am I?”

 

Inuyasha's frantic voice reached him. “Sesshoumaru, leave her alone. She's not involved in this!”

 

Flicking a glance at the hanyou, the human wench yelled, “Don't do anything, Inuyasha!” Then she turned to eye him warily. “We made an agreement, Sesshoumaru. You promised not to kill Inuyasha if I showed you where is the tomb.”

 

Unperturbed by her words, Sesshoumaru just looked at her thoughtfully before he turned his attention to Inuyasha. “For some unknown reason, I, Sesshoumaru, was unable to draw Tetsusaiga. Fortunately, you were unable to draw it either.”

 

“Not only the wench knew the location of the fang, she was also able to draw it out.” Pausing, Sesshoumaru glanced at the human. He did not like the unknown. When faced with one, he either studied it or he eliminated it. “It's obvious that she must die.”

 

“Kagome, give him the sword. There's no choice,” Inuyasha yelled, his hands clenching beside him.

 

Yes, hand this Sesshoumaru the sword, he thought. Then she would die. He had only given his word to release her and not to kill Inuyasha, but had promised nothing about killing her.

 

Her eyes flashed, but it was her words which surprised him. “No way! He couldn't pull it out and anyway it's yours, not his,” she shouted heatedly.

 

Foolish wench, Sesshoumaru thought derisively. “Both of you will die,” he declared coldly as he extended his claws.

 

The second the stream of poison shot towards her, the wench swung Tetsusaiga in front of her. Her eyes widened when the fang glowed in a bright pearlescent hue just as his poison made contact. A sizzling sound hissed through the air as her pure power neutralized the poison.

 

“Insolent wench!” Sesshoumaru snarled. The wench was a miko, he realized suddenly. A powerful one at that. He should have realized that she was probably the one who had released Inuyasha in the first place. It did not matter. He would see to it that she was taught a lesson.

 

“WAIT, SESSHOUMARU!”

 

Sesshoumaru did not know why he paused. Perhaps it was the astounding forcefulness of the tone from such a small person. Then his lips thinned in irritation as she lowered Tetsusaiga, allowing the tip to scrape the rocky ground. How dare she disrespect it so?

 

“You want Tetsusaiga? Then I want to make a deal with you.”

 

Inuyasha tensed and then his eyes widened incredulously. “WHAT? Are you out of your mind?”

 

Sesshoumaru eyed the wench critically. She had kept her words once before, but would she do the same again? Deciding that there was no harm in listening, he instructed, “Speak.”

 

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “I'll give you Tetsusaiga, if you give your word that you would help us kill Naraku.”

 

Sesshoumaru frowned. He had not heard of this Naraku.

 

“And remember that the last deal still stands, that you won't kill Inuyasha,” she added firmly.

 

His claws flexed. The offer was tempting, but he did not need it. After all, miko or not, he could easily relieve the wench of the blade. Her earlier defense had alerted him to her skill and now he was prepared. It would be a challenge. However, he would succeed. He would not allow himself any other option.

 

“I decline,” he intoned flatly just as he raised his claws.

 

He would end this now. Inuyasha would die and he would obtain their father's legacy. With that thought, he launched himself at Inuyasha, intent on sinking his claw in his brother's guts. Glaring at him, Inuyasha flexed his own claws.

 

“NO!” the miko shrieked.

 

A blue arrow streaked past him, throwing his aim. Even with that, Sesshoumaru managed to slice a wound in his brother's arm. Inuyasha's blood splashed on the rock which had housed Tetsusaiga. Disregarding it, Sesshoumaru spun around to continue his assault, only to be distracted by a bright flare of light bursting out from the rock, blinding in its intensity. Holding up his arm to shield his eyes, Sesshoumaru took a step back.

 

When he lowered his arm, his eyes widened in shock as he took in the form standing on the rock.

 

“Obaa-san…” he hissed in disbelief.

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

 

Obaa-san?

 

Kagome glanced at the wraithlike figure and then back at Sesshoumaru. The woman with flowing silver hair and white dress was Sesshoumaru's grandmother? She supposed she could see the family resemblance. The woman had a regal bearing like Sesshoumaru. The color of her eyes, her hair and the stripes on her cheeks were also obviously family traits. The only difference was that her forehead was bare.

 

“Sesshoumaru,” the woman greeted, but her voice lacked warmth. Instead, it sounded disapproving. Then she turned to Inuyasha. “I don't believe I had the pleasure of meeting my second grandson, Inuyasha.” Her tone was no longer disapproving. Instead, she sounded curious.

 

Both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha just stood staring at the regal figure of their grandmother. Kagome felt herself growing cold. What was happening? This was not supposed to happen, she thought frantically. She had obviously gone and done something wrong, hadn't she?

 

Then comprehension dawned. Kagome sucked in a sharp breath when she realized that she had not attempted to fight back using her miko powers the first time round. With an inward groan, she slumped. Why on earth did she do it?

 

Then to Kagome's surprise, the woman's attention turned to her. “So, you're the one who managed to draw the sword. How interesting.”

 

“She would not be holding it for long,” Sesshoumaru remarked quietly. “A mere human should not be wielding such a great sword.”

 

His grandmother turned around gracefully, her long white hair swirling around her. “Still, the girl was right. If you couldn't pull it out, it means that Tetsusaiga not yours, Sesshoumaru. It's Inuyasha's.”

 

The taiyoukai's expression did not change. “I will have it.”

 

“It belongs to Inuyasha,” his grandmother reiterated sternly.

 

“The hanyou is not worthy of it.”

 

Kagome watched as the woman glided over to Sesshoumaru. “You can't take Tetsusaiga from Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru. He needs it to bind his youkai blood. Did Myoga not inform you of this?” she asked with obvious annoyance.

 

Sesshoumaru glanced at Inuyasha disinterestedly before he turned back to his grandmother. “The world would be better with one less hanyou.”

 

His grandmother gasped, looking horrified. “He's your brother, Sesshoumaru! You share the same blood.”

 

“His blood is tainted.”

 

Her wise golden eyes flashed in disapproval. “That sort of narrow thinking will get you nowhere, pup.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened at his grandmother's proclamation. For some reason, it looked as if only Sesshoumaru was against humans. His grandmother certainly did not seem to have the same prejudice.

 

“I care not.” Sesshoumaru's voice was dismissive.

 

His grandmother frowned. “What happened to you in all these years? Just listen to me, Sesshoumaru. Open your heart a little. Accept Inuyasha for what he is.”

 

“No.”

 

Her frown deepened. “I am disappointed in you. And I have no doubt that your father would feel the same if he had seen you like this.”

 

A muscle in Sesshoumaru's jaw ticked. “He no longer has any say in this matter.”

 

His grandmother's eyes flared red momentarily before it turned back to into golden orbs. Kagome bit her lips. The woman looked angry. Really angry. And it was scary. Kagome's hands tightened on Tetsusaiga reflexively as she glanced at Inuyasha. Obviously confused, the hanyou was staring wordlessly at Sesshoumaru and his grandmother.

 

When the woman spoke next, her voice was low. “Sesshoumaru, you're so arrogant and cruel. You will lose your soul if you continue like this. Someone needs to teach you to behave like a decent youkai. Until you learn the meaning of compassion, you will relive the time when you're still able to see with fresh, unjaded eyes.”

 

Another blinding flash lighted the tomb and it began to shake.

 

Throwing up her hands, Kagome let out an involuntary squeak before she felt herself being pulled upwards. Hey eyes flicked around frantically. What was happening? Where was Inuyasha?

 

“Inuyasha!” she screamed desperately as she was flung further up.

 

Then everything went black.

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

 

Consciousness returned to her slowly. Kagome cracked open her eyes to find herself lying on her side on the damp grass. Groaning at the pain which shot through her body as she tried to move, Kagome wondered what she had done to deserve this.

 

Then she remembered the tomb. Anxiety coursed through her as she shot up into a sitting position, wincing at the pain in her arms and legs. A hard object was touching her leg, and she looked down to find Tetsusaiga laying on the ground beside her. Her eyes widened in alarm. No, this could not be. Inuyasha was supposed to be holding Tetsusaiga, not her!

 

Oh, Kami-sama! Nothing was turning out like it should.

 

“Inuyasha?” she called out anxiously. “Sesshoumaru?”

 

Stumbling to her feet, she looked around, spotting her pack nearby. But she saw no sign of the two brothers. Where were they?

 

“INUYASHA!” she yelled with growing desperation.

 

Maybe he did not make it out of the tomb. Or maybe he was hurt. No, please let him be alright. She did not come back all the way to relive all this to have Inuyasha dying on her so early. She would not be able to take it. Not again.

 

Then a flash of silver in the distance caught her attention. There he was, she thought in relief. Hoping that he was alright, she ran towards him, picking up her backpack along the way. As she neared him, her steps began to falter. Confusion suffused her features as she studied his form, her mind not quite comprehending what her eyes were seeing.

 

There was too much white and far too little red. And the body was too small, only about Souta's size.

 

Steps slowing, she began to approach with more caution.

 

The first thing she saw was a mop of flowing silvery hair. Curiously, her eyes took in a fluffy white mass within the folds of white silk covering the small body. Then the object of her scrutiny turned around, looking at her suspiciously with large unblinking golden eyes. The crescent moon on his forehead and the twin stripes high on his chubby cheeks were dead giveaways.

 

It could not be…

 

“Sesshoumaru?”

 

 

 

…***…***…***…

 

 

A/N: Yup, that's it for this chapter. Hehe, Kagome really made a mess out of things, but I promise that things will eventually turn out okay. Hope you've enjoyed it. Please review if you can, okay? Thanks! And while I'm here, let me wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!