InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Life in Your Eyes ❯ Separation Anxiety ( Chapter 4 )

A fourth chapter? How exciting!

Warning: Some violent content. Language

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha in any shape or form, that's Rumiko Takahashi, and The Raging Quiet belongs to Sheryl Jordan.

 

 

 

The house was so lonely without him there. Kagome felt his absence far more keenly than she had ever felt Koga's. She increased her prayers to two, three times a day in hopes that she would be protected from evil without Inuyasha there to protect her but even with the spiritual assurance her heart ached more each day he was gone. She hadn't seen him since the day in the temple and she feared for his safety. More than once she'd been tempted to go out and look for him but she usually only got as far as the road before she turned back. Even going outside frightened her now.

 

Naraku hadn't returned but Miroku told her he was staying somewhere in the village, biding his time no doubt. She avoided the village more than ever and from the looks the villagers gave her when she did come near she guessed it was better that way. Was that somewhat like what Inuyasha felt? Try as she might she couldn't stop thinking about him and the last week had been horrible for her. There was one night she could have sworn she heard him at the door but when she went to look there was nothing in sight. The houshi came by every couple of days to see if she was doing alright and to see if Inuyasha had come back yet. Both of them were concerned when nearly a week and a half had passed with no sign of him.

 

“I hope he's not hurt,” she muttered to herself as she walked into town for the first time in a few days. With her basket underarm and a bit of money to buy supplies Kagome was still in no better mood than she had been for some time. She walked through the village, a frown on her face as she noticed none of the little shops or stalls were open. As she made her way all the way to the end of the main street she heard shouting. “Oh no…” she gasped. Taking off at a dead run, her skirts hiked up to keep her legs free, she was soon in the field where she had first seen the villagers whipping Inuyasha. As she feared they had someone tied up and they were hitting them repeatedly. Kagome pushed herself faster, praying it wasn't who she thought it was. “Inuyasha!” she cried when her fears were realized. He was beaten nearly beyond recognition and there were bruises and dried blood covering the majority of his face. One eye was swollen shut and at the sound of her voice, he turned his head slowly. His one open eye looked so dead that Kagome felt her heart stop. The villagers ignored her right up until she was between them and their victim, murmurs arising at her arrival. But the people didn't matter, all that mattered was Inuyasha. The young widow knelt in front of him, their knees touching. His wrists were bound above his head as he remained on his knees. His clothes were no more than tatters clinging to the dried blood left from his injuries.

 

“Woman, get away from him. His demons will possess you too!” one man shouted only to be followed by several others shouting things at her. None of it made sense to her ears and Kagome ignored them. It took a good deal of effort but she managed to pull Inuyasha to his feet so she could begin untying his wrists. A hot lick of fiery pain across her back startled her from her task, forcing her against Inuyasha's chest as she cried out. He couldn't support her and himself and dropped to his knees against the post. They… They'd actually whipped her. Kagome was more in shock than anything but that didn't last long. “Get back woman or I'll not hesitate to strike you again.” The man's voice was deadly and serious so she did not doubt his words. But she couldn't listen, couldn't leave Inuyasha. At this rate they'd kill him. A face in the back of the crowd made her shudder as she recognized Naraku's evil smirk. He was somehow influencing these people, making them do what they would not normally. She watched his gaze go back to the man with the whip and saw the man's arm come up to bring it down on her. Again fire sliced across her skin, her arm this time, and she felt Inuyasha flinch in sympathy. He was growling again but he was helpless to stop them from hurting her unless she ran away.

 

As the whip came down a third time, Kagome turned her face into Inuyasha's chest, wishing they were far away from there. She could feel his desire to protect her and his frustration at his inability to do so. As her fear built she vaguely heard a shout that sounded very much like Miroku's voice. But it was all distant now, as if it were happening at the other end of a hallway. Another lash hit her back and something inside her refused to let it happen again. Her skin hummed with pain and a tingling sensation she recognized from when Koga tried to touch her. The awareness grew in her mind and a light shone from within her, her aura growing to create a barrier of protection. It spread in a widening circle, its diameter encompassing both her and her dear wild boy in its protective bubble.

 

The villagers scattered in fear as Naraku's power dissipated under the purifying aura Kagome was emitting. They feared both her and the mute man she protected, not even realizing they had been abusing him far more heavily than usual. The dark stranger had fled along with the townspeople, slinking off to watch from afar so he was not burned by the miko's power. The monk stood by in awe, not reacting to the people's pleas for him to protect them from “the witch.” Could they not feel the purity of the girl, the warmth that pervaded the soul as one basked in her glow? Miroku couldn't contemplate the situation further as Kagome collapsed against Inuyasha and her barrier shrunk. She had passed out. Miroku quickly moved forward to cut the abused and bloodied man down from the post, his arms instantly going around the young woman unconscious against him. “I'm sorry Inuyasha, I was in the village a few ri…” A shake of the man's head stopped his apology where it stood. The monk frowned and leaned down to help the ex-hanyou to his feet. Between the two of them a silent argument ensued over who would carry Kagome back to the temple. Miroku knew Inuyasha was far too weak to lift her let alone take her all the way across the meadow. “I'll carry her my friend. You need to save your strength so you can heal.” While Inuyasha didn't look like he was going to agree, he nodded and followed slowly after the monk as he held Kagome in his arms.

 

Waking up with a piercing headache was not what Kagome was looking forward to when she opened her eyes but that was what greeted her upon regaining consciousness. She blinked a few times then closed her eyes with a groan. She recognized where she was. It took several minutes but she was soon able to twist her head to one side and look for anyone else. As she had hoped, Inuyasha was lying next to her on another dingy futon someone in the village must have donated to the temple at one point or another. He looked much better than she had anticipated, his bruises turning yellowish green but with very few cuts marking his face. His wrists were bandaged and she could see Miroku must have placed a cold poultice on his eye to reduce the swelling. How long had she been out? His wounds looked too healed to have just happened a few hours ago. “Unh… My head,” she whined when she tried to sit up. Inuyasha's eyes shot open and he sat up too, steadying her when she tilted dangerously. Her back screamed as she accidentally pulled at the wounds the whip had left in her flesh, a whimper leaving her. Inuyasha growled deeply in response to her pain, his hand resting gently on her lower back. Kagome looked up into his eyes, a gasp leaving her at the color of his eyes. “Amber,” she whispered.

 

“I believe your powers have been having an effect on his curse this whole time,” she heard Miroku say as he walked into the room, a tray of tea and some light food in his hands. Kagome looked up at him in confusion and he smiled. “I don't believe Inuyasha wishes me to tell you that part of his story. It is his to tell.” While she didn't like the idea of being kept in the dark, Kagome allowed Miroku to check her bandages in silence, a soft growl rolling through Inuyasha the entire time. “Honestly Inuyasha, my intentions are completely honorable. You cannot check her wounds and Kagome-sama obviously cannot do it herself.” The now golden-eyed man scowled but the growl lessened in volume. Kagome stared at the man across from her as Miroku added a soothing poultice to her back. She noticed how much more vocal Inuyasha had become in the last day or so. Obviously he still didn't speak but he growled more and more often and he was using gestures to try and get his point across. “Kagome-sama, I didn't know you could create such strong barriers.” She glanced over her shoulder at the monk and raised an eyebrow.

 

“Huh?” she responded eloquently. Miroku frowned slightly.

 

“The barrier you used to protect yourself and Inuyasha…” At her perplexed look the monk realized the young widow had no idea what he was talking about. “You made a wall of your miko power to keep the villagers from attacking you or Inuyasha again. If you didn't control it, it must have been another one of those defensive reflexes.” There was no need to say it aloud, they both knew he referred to the obstacle which had kept Koga from consummating their marriage. Miroku left it at that and went back to fixing her bandages before moving on to cleaning up the surly young man sitting across from Kagome. His wounds were already healing and at her questioning look the monk explained that Inuyasha's body still retained some of its restorative powers from being a hanyou. “Though he is healing much faster than usual. Again my guess is the power of his curse is weakening.” Even with a pleading look from Kagome the houshi wouldn't say any more. Kagome was beginning to come to her own conclusions about this curse but they were not pretty and they made her heart ache.

 

In the last three weeks Kagome had learned a lot more about Inuyasha through observation. He was very set in his routines and deviating from them, while not completely unwelcome, usually threw him off. She often laughed at his frown when she tried to get him to sit and talk with her and he would get mad and walk out. She couldn't help it! His pouting was just too adorable. The few gestures they had worked out together to mean the same thing had become a little, though growing, language for the two of them but mostly the dark-haired man only stared at her as she talked to him. He stayed around more during the day and was now there for every meal. Inuyasha was also very much a free spirit and didn't like the idea of being cooped up in the house all day. Rainstorms usually led to him storming out of the house when Kagome tried to keep him in out of the downpours. `Leave me! Rain not bad,' he would always sign to her when she attempted to distract him from going outside. While she understood what he meant that didn't mean she agreed with him.

 

“Are you going to stay tonight Inuyasha?” she asked, just like every other day. She found it pleased him to be asked to stay instead of assuming he would or getting angry with him when he didn't. He looked thoughtful for a few minutes before shaking his head a little. Kagome sagged in disappointment, knowing she wouldn't sleep through the night with him gone. She hated locking the door when he stayed out in case he came back and she couldn't sleep feeling so vulnerable. “Alright. At least take the blanket with you,” she sighed softly, going back to the dress she was mending. Inuyasha knelt down beside her, looking up into her face, and gently touched her knee. “I'll be alright. I just don't want you to be cold,” she lied weakly. He didn't believe her.

 

`Lie.' Kagome looked away from him but didn't deny it. Inuyasha always knew when she lied to him and she had to admit that she'd never been a very good liar to begin with. He tapped her to get her attention again. `Come you me?'

 

“C-come with you? But I…” But she couldn't think of any reason she shouldn't. Propriety was out the window the night she first let him sleep in her home. And while she didn't really object to sleeping outside for a night, she wasn't sure she should.

 

While Inuyasha had backed off with his affectionate gestures she had somehow increased hers. The young man didn't necessarily reject her soft touches and gentle looks but he, more often than not, left soon after without looking back. Kagome was beginning to feel rebuffed and it hurt every time. Now that she finally felt something for a man he was turning her away. Koga's affection had always seemed coarse and brash and it was unwanted in any case. Inuyasha encouraged her heart to feel something for him and now he was taking it all back. `Maybe he's remembering his old love. Did she really look like me? What if he only felt something for me before because of her?' she thought fearfully all while staring into the golden gaze of her companion. His face held concern for her and she couldn't help wondering if he was seeing someone else. `You bad?' he questioned her silently, a soft growl rolling in his chest when she looked away.

 

“Maybe you should go by yourself Inuyasha,” she whispered, standing and setting her sewing aside. She could feel his eyes on her back and stifled a sob that she hadn't known resided in her throat. Already she cared so deeply for this young man and the thought that he might not care for her in return twisted a knife in her gut. She heard him move and the sound of the door banging open and then closed made her flinch. Dropping to the ground, Kagome let herself cry. She hadn't done it in a long time and though it should have been a relief to release her pent up emotions it only left her feeling drained and tired. She knew Inuyasha wouldn't be coming back for dinner that night so she made herself a small meal and went back to her sewing.

 

As she tugged the needle back and forth she tried to think of anything besides Inuyasha. In the end she was left with Miroku's strange behavior as of late. He came to visit her less frequently and he always seemed distracted. Inuyasha had tried to explain something to her about a woman at the temple but Kagome wasn't sure who it could be and the young man became too frustrated with her to keep trying. The few times she had been up to the temple Miroku had kept her talking outside and Kagome was beginning to get suspicious. Did the monk have a woman hiding in his home or was Inuyasha mistaken? While Kagome knew that Miroku had strong spiritual powers and he was a dedicated monk, he had let slip a few times that it was not the life he would have chosen for himself. His occasional flirtations with her made the point more obvious but Inuyasha had shut down his friendly contact with a glare, more recently a growl and a silent threat to hit the houshi with a shake of his fist. How likely was it that Miroku had found someone else to shower his attention on?

 

The sky slowly darkened and eventually a candle wouldn't cut through the inky blackness of her hut. Kagome went to the window to check one last time for Inuyasha before she locked the door and noticed the lack of moon. She frowned and went to the door, setting the wood plank across it and tucked the window coverings over their respective openings. The young widow lit a few candles and went about her prayers in silence. Miroku had shown her how to place more of her spiritual powers into the prayers so they had more effect and she was happy to feel the strength of her purifying aura within the walls of the house. “There,” she said with satisfaction before slipping out of her clothes and into her sleepwear.

 

Sleep didn't come, as she'd known it wouldn't, and Kagome couldn't keep herself from thinking about Inuyasha. Was he alright? Where was he exactly? `Should I have gone with him?' Nothing brought her peace and she lay awake for hours. A tapping at the door had her up in a flash, her heart racing. “Inuyasha?” she gasped hopefully as she darted to the window in hopes of catching sight of him on the doorstep. Instead she was met with the loathsome sight of her dead husband's cousin. “What do you want sir? It's the middle of the night,” she reminded him in a cold voice. Kagome sounded much braver than she felt, her knees shaking as his dark eyes turned to her. He said nothing, a small evil smile on his lips. She could feel his youki clashing with the walls of the house, the purifying aura only keeping him at bay. If she didn't think of something fast then it wouldn't be enough to keep him out indefinitely. “Leave me alone! I have nothing you want and this house is mine!” Her shouts went unheard as the man chuckled softly. His attention returned to her door and Kagome gasped. Naraku would break in if she didn't do something quickly.

 

Rushing to the door Kagome thought of all the things Miroku had tried to teach her sporadically in the last few weeks. At first she couldn't think of anything that was relevant and then an idea came upon her. If the defensive barrier in her skin could adhere to her flesh, what was to say it couldn't be imbedded in the wood of the door? This was a big risk and she had no idea if it would work but she had to try. Kagome placed her palm against the door, imagining her power sliding into it, twining with the grains of the wood to increase its strength. With satisfaction she could feel her power slipping from her and into the door and even into the walls of the house. “Damn it!” she heard Naraku mutter angrily from outside the door. “Remove the barrier at once Kagome or it will only end poorly for you,” he threatened. Kagome felt her heart try to beat out of her chest in its frantic state. She went about the house, placing her hand against certain places she felt the weakening of her defense, noting places that needed more than others.

 

Outside Naraku was becoming more and more frustrated. His cousin's wench was beginning to sorely irritate him. She was a pretty little thing but hardly worth all the effort he'd been exerting. If only it weren't necessary to have her open the old lock that kept his prize hidden away! He was beginning to doubt the worth of even this treasure if it took so much to get it. The old scroll had been vague, mentioning a pearl of great worth hidden within the darkest recesses of… somewhere. The old scribe who had written the damn thing had a shaky hand and while he and his cousins had determined the treasure resided in this area, they couldn't tell where or how to get it. A miko's power was required and a curse had to be lifted, that much he knew. There were references to Inuyasha and his miko lover of the past so it only strengthened his belief that this house held the prize he so sought. Now if only the little bitch would let him in!

 

Naraku's malevolent youki continued to batter at her barriers. Kagome wasn't sure they were going to hold and continually pushed more power into them in hopes of keeping them stable until he went away. But he didn't seem to be giving up any time soon. As time went on Kagome felt herself weakening. Her power was nearly depleted and Naraku still made no indication that he intended to leave. What was she supposed to do? Kagome wasn't ready to die like this, not without having told Inuyasha how much she cared about him, nor without having seen her family again. “What do you think to do beast?” she heard the evil youkai laugh outside her door. `Beast? Who on earth…' Dragging herself up from the floor, Kagome managed to peek out the window. Standing a ways from the house was a silhouette she recognized all too well. She wanted to yell to him to run away but as he came closer, her eyes widened in disbelief. Hair as silver as a moonbeam glowed faintly under the light of the stars. Kagome watched him approach Naraku, catching the man off guard. “You are in your true form, how unexpected,” he stated in distaste. “Your little wench is blocking me out, I have no doubt that you too will be rejected by her barrier.” Inuyasha's eyes glowed in the night as he stared silently at the youkai. Kagome gasped as a pair of silver ears twitched, nestled in his hair on the top of his head. His eyes went to where she stood in the frame of the window and he gave her a small nod of reassurance.

 

In the following moments, Kagome was not entirely sure what happened. Naraku and Inuyasha had been standing a good bit of distance from one another but suddenly they had crossed the space between them and were in a full out battle. Kagome didn't even have the strength left to scream, watching in mute horror as the two clawed, punched and kicked at each other. Somehow Inuyasha managed to flick his claws out, claws Kagome could now see, and slash the other youkai's chest. He howled in anger but the flesh knit back together without much effort. Kagome knew that Inuyasha wouldn't stand a chance if Naraku could regenerate himself. She had to help, but she didn't know how. If she went out there she would only be in the way and she was too weak to fight anyway. She could try and get past them to get Miroku but again her strength was almost completely sapped. Almost as though her prayers had been answered by the Kami a voice called, “Inuyasha!” Kagome nearly cried with relief. The monk's voice and form coming through the trees alerted her that help was on the way. Another form followed after him, a woman, and Kagome wondered if she was the one staying at the temple. `Why would he bring her into danger?' Her question was quickly answered when the woman shouted something, flinging a large weapon at Naraku.

 

Kagome felt even more helpless as Miroku tossed ofuda at the youkai, singeing his flesh with the powerful spiritual power imbedded in them. Inuyasha took a short breather to step closer to the hut, casting her a look to make sure she was alright. “I'm fine, just tired,” she whispered to him. He nodded that he'd heard and she could see the relief in his gaze. He was soon back into the swing of the battle and next it was Miroku nearest the house. “Miroku-sama! Thank you for coming.”

 

“No thanks necessary Kagome-sama,” he panted. “I need you to do something for me though. Your power, you need to take it back into yourself. We need your help.” Kagome's eyes widened and she started to shake her head. She didn't know how to do that. “Please Kagome!” he cried, dodging an attack from Naraku. “Just imagine the energy pouring into you like water.” Kagome took a deep breath and nodded. Placing her hand against the wall, she was able to feel her barrier ingrained in the walls. Slowly at first, the energy seeped in through her fingertips then more and more as it seemed to recognize her. She felt her strength returning and welcomed the power it gave her. Once all that she had used had returned to her, Kagome lifted the plank from the door and carefully stepped out. Miroku stood next to her, waiting for her to join him. “Now to make barriers like the one in the walls is simple,” he told her while tossing ofuda and fending off a tentacle that Naraku seemed to have sprouted in her inattention with his staff. “Simply think of a slip of your power making a wall to protect you.” A tentacle flew in her direction and Kagome quickly did as Miroku had instructed. A soft shimmering appeared in front of her just as the tentacle hit it, making the slimy appendage evaporate and for Naraku's attention to be drawn to her for a short moment. “Well done Kagome-sama,” Miroku complimented her.

 

“Stop teaching lessons and fight monk!” the woman Kagome didn't know called, hefting her weapon at a series of Naraku's limbs. He growled in anger and redirected his attention on both the woman and Inuyasha who were still fighting tooth and nail. “Hiraikotsu!” Kagome realized that the word the warrior woman shouted was the name of her weapon.

 

“You're beautiful when you fight Sango my love!” Miroku tossed at the woman as she caught the huge weapon on its return flight. Narrowing her eyes at the monk, Sango glowered for a moment but was too caught up in fighting to retort. Miroku ignored when Kagome gave him a confused and questioning look, instead fighting off a few more tentacles. Kagome continued to use just the small amount of power it took to make barriers in order to protect herself. But it wasn't enough. Sango's and Inuyasha's attacks only slowed Naraku down; they didn't do any real damage. Miroku's power was strong but not enough to stop the evil youkai. Hers seemed to be the only energy that made his sprouting limbs disappear. Naraku was shouting out insults and mocking comments, saying something to the woman about her dead family. Kagome could only assume that he had caused the deaths of her family members, thus inciting her wrath. “Kagome-sama, have you ever shot a bow?” With a look in her direction the monk could see she had not. He sighed but nodded anyway. He looked around for a moment then sent her inside for the broom her brother had made for her. With the cleaning implement in hand Kagome stood again at his side. “Remember putting your energy into the walls? Do the same with the broom.” Kagome felt very silly but realized now was not the time to question. She did as asked, slipping her purifying power into the handle of the broom. “Good. The next one that comes your way, hit it.”

 

Kagome waited with bated breath for her next target which came all too soon. She swung at it and missed, the tentacle wrapping around her waist. Screaming in fear, Kagome nearly dropped her broom. Inuyasha, distracted by her shout, was bowled over by a tentacle and nearly hit a tree. Kagome fought down her terror and swung again at the appendage. This time she struck it hard and it sizzled for a moment before disappearing. She dropped to the ground in an undignified heap, her body jarring at the rough landing. Quickly she was swept up into strong arms, soaring through the air. A soft growl rumbled against her side and Kagome turned her head to see serious golden eyes looking down at her. “Inuyasha,” she whispered in thanks. His arms tightened around her briefly before he set her on her feet and motioned for her to stay behind him with his hand. Biting her lip, Kagome watched him dive back into the battle, dodging Sango's Hiraikotsu and Naraku's limbs. He was beautiful. Grace and agility hardly began to describe the way he moved as he spun and leapt, his claws flashing in the night.

 

As the four continued to fight, Kagome contributing where she could, Naraku seemed to be losing his momentum. While the others looked ready to fight forever, the miko knew they had to be growing weary. In a matter of moments it didn't matter any longer. With an anguished shout, Naraku cursed them all and disappeared. Inuyasha and Sango looked shocked but Miroku only looked grim. “He's fled to recuperate no doubt.”

 

“Didn't we kill him?” Sango asked hopefully. At the shake of Miroku's head her shoulders slumped and she sunk to the ground, slamming a fist into the dirt. “Damn it!” Kagome was shocked by the woman's language but said nothing, knowing her pain ran deep. Inuyasha made his way over to her, easing her hand from the broom she clutched tightly within her grasp. His eyes were soft and concerned. Kagome stared up at him, taking in the sight of the Inuyasha she'd never seen. He was more amazing to look at than when he was human with gold eyes, his now silver hair a stark contrast to her own midnight black. “Houshi-sama, are you going to introduce me to your friend?” the warrior asked in a somewhat playful manner, drawing Kagome's attention from studying Inuyasha's face. The monk chuckled softly at the young widow's blush, introducing her to Sango. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you Kagome-san, the monk has told me much about you.”

 

“Please Sango, I have asked you to call me by my name,” Miroku whined. Tossing him a scathing look he shrunk back and Kagome giggled a little. Inuyasha only rolled his eyes at the pair, having had to experience their little arguments on many occasions past. “Let us get inside, it is rather dark out here,” the houshi stated with a sigh. Kagome quickly offered her home, leading them all inside. She bustled about to make tea and offered them some of what little food she had left. Inuyasha tried to follow her around and get her to talk to him but she shooed him off to pout in the corner. He was frustrated that she wouldn't let him explain anything but once the monk and his woman left he would have her all to himself again. Then he could tell her why he looked as he did, why he had the powers he did…

 

 

Silly Naraku, Trix are for kids! Kidding. Anyway, thanks for reading. Please review if you get the chance.