InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Pirate's Life ❯ Evarina Whereabouts ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 7: Evarina's Whereabouts

 

Evarina's eyes fluttered open with a groan when a ray of sunshine hit her face. She sat up and yawned while stretching out her small arms.

 

“Ow…” her moaned as she rubbed the back of her head, “What in the world? Why do I hear seagulls so clearly… and this smell…” Finally deciding to open her eyes, she looked around.

 

She yelped as she found herself in one of the alleys on the other side of the island. She gasped and placed a hand over her mouth to prevent from screaming. Suddenly, memories of last night flooded her mind…

 

Flash back

 

“Sota, when are we gonna buy me some toys?” asked the curious girl. She smoothed out the wrinkles on her red dress, the one she wore the day before since it was warm. She took off the black hood from her cape and let her hair tumble down. “I'm kinda hungry. Can we buy some candy?” she put on her best puppy face and pouted up at Sota when he grabbed her hand.

 

Sota laughed, “Cut it out Eve. We'll leave just as soon as me and Kohaku check out the black smith's shop. And if you're patient, I'll give you my share of candy for the week.” He squeezed her hand as a small jester of sealing his promise.

 

“What do you wanna see?” Evarina asked, her eyes lighting up. `I never mind being with these guys, if I can't be with Inu Yasha. They're the best brothers ever…' She leaned up against Sota's arm and smiled. `Though Nana or Maxwell wouldn't have been a bad choice either.'

 

“This!” Said Kohaku as he shoved his face into the window of the Black Smith's shop, “You see that sword there? They say it was forged by magic and it's almost indestructible! The black smith here supposedly found it off the coast of Australia. That thing is freakin' expensive. I wouldn't mind having it though…”

 

“Yeah, that would be cool!” said Shippo as he practically drooled on the window. He was in his human disguise that wasn't much different then his demon appearance. His ears were still pointy, but he concealed his tail and his fox feet with a small transformation spell. “Made from black magic and black metal. Sweet! It's one of three legendary swords. Inu Yasha has one, remember?”

 

“Ooh.” Evarina said as she gazed into the window herself, somehow drawn to the sword as if it was calling for her. `I feel an evil presence coming from it though.'

 

`Because it was mine…' whispered the voice. `Your time is up little girl.'

 

Evarina gasped, `Bloody… Not you again! And what do you my `time is up'?'

 

“Ok, we saw what we wanted to see guys. Let's fulfill our promise to Eve.” Sota said with a light yawn, breaking Evarina from her thoughts. “Man I'm tired.”

 

“Yeah, it's getting darker and it's best to get what we actually came for.” Kohaku said as they began to walk away.

 

Shippo walked behind them but a sound caught his attention, “Evarina? Did you hear something?” He lifted his head and closed his eyes to concentrate harder. `Sounds like a cannon going off… But my hearing isn't as good as hers and Inu Yasha's.'

 

Evarina looked at him quizzically, “No. Why?”

 

“I thought I heard a `pop', like a cannon going off. There it is again!”

 

“What are you talking about Shippo?” Kohaku said as he placed his hands on his hips. “I hear nothing!”

 

“That's because you're human!” hissed Shippo.

 

Evarina strained her ears to hear what Shippo was talking about. From the distant, she heard a crash and caught the scent of gunpowder. The demons on the island seemed to have finally picked it up too and were looking straight at the bay. Some began to run but the humans seemed to not have noticed it until something crashed into a shop just behind the children.

 

Evarina shrieked and squeezed Sota's hand in fright. “What's going on?” Her head whirled to the location the ball had come from. `To the west… I feel something… something familiar yet evil… Who is it?'

 

“What the hell?” cried Sota as he looked behind them, standing in front of Evarina so no flying pieces of wood would harm her.

 

“Guys…” Evarina said in a shaky voice, “What are those coming from the spot out at sea!?” She took a step back and pressed her shaking body closer to Sota, pointing to a cloud like formation coming toward the island.

 

The boys looked at the direction she was pointing and gasp. Their well-trained eyes spotted air demons coming for them. They quickly grabbed their swords and surrounded Evarina on all sides.

 

“RUN!” shouted Sota as the island began to get bombarded with more cannon balls. Sota held onto Evarina's hand tighter as they ran from the line of fire. Broken pieces of wood were flying in all directions. They boys ran closer to Evarina, but not so they would trip. Shippo had grabbed her hood and shoved it over her head.

 

“Keep your head down!” he commanded. Evarina nodded and bowed her head so all she could see was the floor. `Daddy!' She thought in horror, `Please be alright!'

 

A bird demon spotted them and swooped down, “Human children flesh!” it cawed while barely missing Kohaku's head.

 

“Kitsune-bi!” cried Shippo as he used his fox magic to clear a path, “Argh! Get her out of here!” his disguise fell and his bushy foxtail came out. His feet turned into small fox feet and his ears became pointier than before. The bird lashed at him, sending him crashing into a wall. When he stood on shaky legs he roared at them, “PROTCT HER!” His eyes flashed red and he began to growl.

 

Kohaku and Sota nodded and wished their small kitsune friend luck while Kohaku hoisted Evarina over his right shoulder and bolted into the crowd of shocked men and screaming women. `What the hell is going on?' his mind raced as he prayed to all the gods he knew that Shippo would make it out alive. `Please don't him die.'

 

“Shippo!” Cried Evarina, as she saw one of her brother-like figure take a hit from the large blue bird demon again, “No We have to go back! Let go Kohaku!” she cried and pounded her small fist on his back. “We can't leave him! Shippo!”

 

“No Evarina! We have to find Inu Yasha! He'd kill us if anything happened to you!” Sota said, “We have to get… AHHH!”

 

A bat demon struck him from behind and propelled him forward. In mid-air he did a flip and landed on his feet with a grunt. He placed his sword before him and motioned for Kohaku to move on with out him.

 

“It's up to you Kohaku! I'll handle this guy. Get going!”

 

The bat screeched and flew towards Sota. Sota, at the last moment dove out of the way and threw his sword and the bat's wing. The bat hissed in pain and skidded across the floor with a sickening snap of its wing.

 

“Run!” he screamed.

 

That was the last Kohaku and Evarina saw of Sota when they rounded the corner. They entered an alley and Kohaku carefully set her down. He sat on his haunches and gasped for air. He knelt by the shaken girl and put his arms around her, trying to comfort her.

 

“Listen to me Eva! I need you to hide. These bastards are attacking the island and I need you to find a safe place to hide. I'll look for you but please, be safe! Try to get to the ship but if you can't run and hide! You here me?” he wheezed, breaking the embrace so he could look her in the eyes. Brown determined eyes clashed with frighten gold. `God please don't this be the last I ever see her…'

 

“Kohaku, no! Don't leave me! Please!” she pleaded and threw herself on him again, “I don't want to be alone! Don't leave me! You can't… YOU CAN'T!” she wailed in agony. `I don't want to be alone…' Kohaku kissed her forehead affectionately, silencing the protesting child.

 

“Evarina, I'm sorry but you must get out of here! You won't be alone! I need to help Sota and Shippo. We'll come get you, I swear it! No buts! Just try to get to the ship with out getting caught. Get out of here when I've cleared an opening!” he yelled and pushed her to the side when a wolf demon appeared next to them, “RUN!” He withdrew his sword and blocked the demon's paws from crushing him and Evarina.

 

She shot out of the alley and ran for the harbor on the other side. She could hear screaming and crying all around her but she could barely see through the blur of tears before her. She yelled when another cannon ball fell down on the toyshop she was supposed to go to with the boys and dodged falling bits of wood and glass.

 

She hiked up her dress and ran as fast as her small legs would let her, forgetting about her demon speed. She gasped and wheezed her way through the burning streets of Tortuga. She tripped on a coiled rope and tumbled.

 

The sounds of running footsteps behind her alerted her and made her scurry to the nearest alleyway. She was thankful she past the fire zone but wasn't sure how much safer she'd be in a while.

 

“Daddy!” `I need to get to the ship!' she thought in panic. A boar rushed past her and she yelped in fear, stepping backwards and further into the alley. She tripped on a bottle and landed on her head with a sickening crack…

 

End of Flash Back

 

That was the last thing she remembered and she prayed to God that Inu Yasha and his ship was still there, though it was highly doubtful. She carefully poked her head out from behind the building, looking left and right. When the coast was clear, she ran to the harbor and gasped.

 

There were no ships left that could be commandeered and the beach was covered in bloody bodies of men, women, and children. She choked on a sob when she realized that Inu Yasha's ship was gone, yet happy that he was able to get away.

 

“No! Inu Yasha!” she cried in distress as she fell onto her knees. She shook from the force of her sobs and she cried in vain for Inu Yasha to come back. “You said I wouldn't be alone Kohaku! Why didn't you come back for me?”

 

`Because he didn't care for you as much as you had thought…' the unknown voice cackled. `You will always be alone. Let me out! Let me be free you retched child!'

 

Evarina clutched her head, “Shut up!”

 

“Look at this, boys… we missed one,” said a dark voice from behind her. She shrieked as she spun around. She drew out her small daggers that were strapped to her thighs.

 

“St-Stay a-away!” she said warily. `I can't fight these guys off by myself! Koga never taught me how fight, only self defense…' she though woefully.

 

The three men howled in laughter, “Look at that Nathaniel! Quite a catch, eh? I bet this `ere girl is gonna be quite a looker when she's grown up. That's if she lives long enough. Let's take `er to the Cap'n.” said a man with greasy blonde hair and pale blue eyes.

 

The man he was talking to was a tall black guy with dread lochs that reached his shoulders. Both wore a black leather vest that looked to small for them and had on black pants with boots. The blonde man however wore a black bandana over his head.

 

“I dunno Harris. Me t'was thinkin' of havin' a little fun with `er!” said a man with one eye. He drooled as he began to undress her with his eyes. Grey patches of hair poked out from underneath his blue bandana. He tugged on his obvious erection through his brown leather pants as he began to approach her. Each step he took, his bare feet sunk deeper into the sand and made Evarina take two steps back.

 

Evarina gulped and backed up farther. She tripped on a body hidden under the sand and the men laughed harder when her daggers flew away from her, and were burrowed under the sand by a small sea breeze. Evarina began to panic as tears welled up in her eyes. `What do I do? Am I going to die? By a pack of savages?'

 

“What's all of the commotion here?” said someone. Evarina's eyes bulged and her heart raced when a man with long wavy brown hair came into view. `I know him… but how?'

 

`He is my love!' cheered the voice with in her, `Tis Naraku! Back from the grave and in the flesh. Oh woe me that I am in you. A body of a bloody child!' sneered the voice in disgust.

 

Before Evarina could press the matter, the old man who was ready to rape her spoke up and broke her train of thoughts.

 

“Why Cap, we thought of givin' `er to ya and if ya don wan' `er, I'd don mind havin' a wee taste!” he snickered when Evarina flinched.

 

“That's enough Will. Escort her to my chambers. I'll be there shortly…” He pivoted and headed into what was left of the brilliant Tortuga. A smirk crept onto face as he walked along the broken down shops. A particular Black Smith's shop caught his eye.

 

He knocked down the door with one swift kick and strolled in, his hands behind his back. Up on the display case facing the street was a sword sheathed in a black scarab, glowing in a faint red hue that intensified every time Naraku took a step closer.

 

“Hello, Sou'unga. It's been awhile has it not?” Naraku chuckled darkly. The sword began to pulsate. “Do be patient love. Your mistress is here, only… she seems to be younger than the last time you saw her, being sealed and what not.”

 

The sword shook on its perch, flashing a dangerous red and pulsating like an angered heart. Naraku took it off its resting place and held it close to his face, admiring the fine detail on its scarab with demons carved into it.

 

“Your mistress will awake soon enough… and the fun will begin.”

 

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Nathaniel grabbed Evarina by the waist and hoisted her over his shoulder with ease. She shrieked and fidgeted, trying to break free. She pounded her fist on his back, clawed at him and kicked his chest.

 

“No use girl. Now it's off to Naraku's… Captain's quarters.”

 

“Hey! Let me go!” she cried. After struggling for a while she gave up and began to weep. `Inu Yasha.' She chanted in her mind as she drifted off into a deep trance.

 

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“Has he wakened up yet?” asked the worried Kagome as she juggled a bottle of Tsubaki's special ointment and thick rolls of gauzes. Miroku and she were outside Inu Yasha's room when they heard a low growl coming from his room. Kagome carefully opened the door and peered inside. “His bandages need to be changed.”

 

“I'll leave him to you but be careful Lady Kagome. He can be quite brutal when he's angry. And I'm afraid of how he will be due to the circumstances about Evarina.” He forced down the lump down his throat, “He must be going through a tough time, as us all. I'll be outside if you need me.” He wiped his eyes and gave Kagome a sad smile, `Our fears have come true. Our angel has died and gone to join God. I pray for your recovery, Captain.'

 

“Thanks for the warning.” She whispered and quietly walked into his room. She set the medicine and bandages down before clasped her own bandaged hands together as she stared intently at the hanyou before her. `I'm sorry… I never got to know Evarina like you have, but I hurt just as badly as you all.'

 

Inu Yasha was sitting on his bed looking longingly at Evarina's bed, his eyes puffy and cheeks moist from crying no doubt. He carefully picked up Evarina's favorite porcelain doll he had gotten as her first gift and gently rubbed his left cheek against it. He let out a shaggy breath and carefully set the doll down again, as if it would break if it was set down to fast.

 

His shirt was off and his chest was covered in bloody bandages, making Kagome cringe. His hair was still caked in blood though it was put into a messy braid. His pants were ripped and he was bare footed, but she could see there was not an inch on him that wasn't cut. Kagome felt her heart constrict painfully in her chest. `The worst to mend is his heart. Oh Inu Yasha…'

 

“What do you want?” he said in a low voice as he gently picked up another doll that wore a dress similar to the one Evarina had been wearing before her disappearance. `Why did you leave me, little one?' He closed his eye to block the onslaught of new tears. `I miss you so much… Why did you leave me?'

 

“I… I'm here to change your bandages… Inu Yasha.” She said in a low shaky voice. “If they're not changed, you'll risk an infection.” He grunted and moved over on the bed so she could sit down next to him. She strolled over to him and gently began to remove the bandages with great care.

 

“What happened to your hands?” he said when she had reached over to undo the wrap over his shoulder. She blushed from behind him and squeaked.

 

“I um… sorta burned them last night when I … went to save Keade and Louis. They're like grandparents to me and I couldn't leave them to die.” `But none of us were able to help your Evarina.'

 

“Oh,” he said weakly as he cringed in pain when Kagome added more of Tsubaki's special healing ointment onto his cuts. “Ouch…”

 

A few minutes past in silence for the two before Kagome spoke up, “Inu Yasha?”

 

“Hmm?” he said not really paying attention as he stared into space with dull eyes. All he could see in his mind's eyes was the cheerful girl he had called his daughter. `I couldn't protect you.'

 

“I'm sorry about Evarina. I heard what happened. She means a lot to you doesn't she?” She cursed herself for speaking about her, but it had slipped. She didn't want him to break down into an emotional mess. `He has so much to deal with already.'

 

“Yeah, she does. She was more of a daughter to me then anything else, I suppose.. She was our greatest treasure, the men and I… But…We… I… I left her. Back there, I know I did. I can't blame the young boys about losing her. They barely made it with their lives last night. What… what were those things?” he clenched his mouth shut to hold back a sob so he wouldn't make himself seem like a helpless fool. `I can't become weak. I must be strong for my men, for Evarina's sake.'

 

“I don't know. I bet Keade would know but she's asleep right now in sick bay with Louis and your young boys. Tsubaki is helping your healer… Renkotsu, is it not?” She wanted to avoid speaking about Evarina for now. `Questions will have to come later…'

 

“Yeah. My psychotic pyromaniac healer…” Inu Yasha laughed bitterly. “That guy is also a whiz in mechanics.”

 

“Maybe you should clean the dried blood from your hair.” Kagome changed the subject again, trying to easy Inu Yasha's mind as much as possible. “Then after that, you can come and eat. Kagura is working like a mad woman in your kitchen.”

 

“Oh. I guess you're right. The smell of blood is most unpleasant.” He cringed his nose in disgust. He stood on shaky legs and swatted away Kagome's hands when she tried to help him. He dragged himself to a small tub in the far corner of his room. `I can not be weak…'

 

He knelt by the tub and took one of six jugs of water by it and undid his hair before dumping the content, washing away most of the blood.

 

Kagome leaned by him and assisted him in washing his hair, for he was having trouble raising his arms. She saw a cup and carefully scooped it up. She dumped a cup of water on his head and took a comb to untangle the matted hair.

 

It took them 15 minutes to wash all the blood away. Kagome had brushed his hair out completely and placed his hair back into a braid, as well as helped him change into different clothes so he was presentable.

 

“Alright. You're all set.” Kagome smiled. Inu Yasha merely nodded his thanks.

 

The two got up and headed up to the mess hall where most of the men and women were seated, waiting for their food to be served. Inu Yasha sat at his table and grabbed a chair for Kagome. The silence was unnerving.

 

“I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Inu Yasha.” Said Bankotsu as he passed by. His head was bandages and his arm was in a sling. He had walked with a small limp and his face was grim, like all the other men in the room. One thing was on all their minds.

 

Evarina was gone. Their worst fears had come and none of them could protect her. Not one man out of fifty-six could save one small girl.

 

“Where is your friend Sango? Judging by all the mummies in this room, I say not one person has made it out un-harm.” Inu Yasha said as Kagura walked out of the kitchen and placed a plate of eggs and bacon with pancakes before him and Kagome.

 

“She's in sick bay. A pillar fell on her last night and it messed up her back. Tsubaki said she'll be able to walk once she recovers but… she'll have a nasty scar on her back.” Kagome let out a shaggy breath, “I should have never let her go back to our ship. But her Hiraikotsu is very valuable, just like the staff your first mate holds so dear.”

 

“A family heirloom from the old days when the family ran a business, eh?” Inu Yasha poked at his food, `This is what Evarina made just a few days ago.' He sighed sadly. `Will I ever be at easy?'

 

The two ate in silence along with the others in the mess hall. No one dared speak to one another; afraid of breaking the delicate balance of the peaceful waves outside and the clanking of plates and forks. They did not want to acknowledge the massacre that took place only a few hours ago.

 

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Nathaniel threw Evarina down on Naraku's bed none to gently. She yelped in surprise and was mortified when her dress slid over her legs and to her waist, giving the men an eye full of her bloomers. Will smiled a toothless perverted smile.

 

“Why should da Cap'n have all da fun? I just want a wee taste of `er is all.” He advanced toward the girl that hurriedly pulled down her dress. “Wee lil' innocents are the best, unlike them whores on the mainland. Tis be a blessed day to catch a pure.”

 

“Knock it off! Captain said to leave `er `ere and that's what we're gonna do.” Harris barked. He placed his hand over one of his eyes and sighed, “What do you see in small children anyways? It's disgusting…” He ran his hand over his oily hair, “I'ma gettin' out of `ere. I don wanna be at the receivin' end when the Captain come back.” Harris walked out of the room, quietly praying that the girl would be ok. `Such a shame to go like that for a little girl…'

 

“Suit yourself, boy!” Will snickered and placed a slimy hand on Evarina's inner left thigh. He grabbed the top part of her dress and gave it a violent tug, ripping half of her dress off. “What a mighty fine girl we gots `ere… I can taste `er now…”

 

“Let go!” she snapped as kicked him with her right foot, successfully misplacing his jaw. “Get away from me you rotten savages!” `If only I had my daggers…'she frantically thought, `maybe then I could have had a chance to survive… but where would I go? They're all over the place!'

 

`Then let me free! Let me go and you do the resting, little girl if you want a chance to survive. I know these men; they will not harm me but you are a simple little girl, a plaything. You'll most likely kill us both before Naraku comes back!'

 

“ARGH!” he hissed in pain as he slapped her and threw her against the wall. Blood oozed from his bloody lip and he glared at her. “You'll pay for that, you little bloody bitch!”

 

`Let me out or you'll have us both killed! Have you gone mad?!'

 

She stood up on shaky legs and panted while covering herself up with what was left of her dress. Blood and sweat poured down her temples. `I shall not let you go. God only knows what you are capable of. I am here, living and breathing. It is my decision of who will live and who will die. I shall stay here with my own heart guiding me until my death. You will not be free… now leave me alone!'

 

A dark laugh echoed into the room from the entrance.

 

“My, my. Ain't she a feisty one?” Naraku said coolly, “You will no longer touch her William, you hear me? I'll castrate you if you dare.”

 

“Y-yes… sir.” Will put his head down, `Bloody bastard had ta gone `n' ruin the fun.'

 

“Good. Now get out so I can get to know my new guest.” `At least the one I see before me, but her aura is no doubt my key. `Naraku smirked, `She will be liberated when the child has dropped her guard.'

 

Will and Nathaniel left and shut the door behind them. Naraku carefully looked Evarina over and noticed she was bleeding from a large gash on her lip. He took out a napkin from one of his pocket and carefully walked to the small shivering girl. `First off, I must become her friend; make her feel like I am the only one that cares.'

 

“Stay away! If you do anything else to harm me, Inu Yasha will kill you!” she hissed as she plastered herself against the wall. `That's if Inu Yasha finds me!'

 

`And he shan't!'

 

`Shut up!'

 

“But my dear, you are bleeding. Blood should not show it's self on a beautiful face such as yours.” Naraku said as he began to wipe away the blood. Evarina bit him and sunk her small fangs deep into his fingers with a warning growl.

 

Naraku chucked darkly, “Yes, feisty… indeed, but do not be frighten little lady, you are my guest. Come, join me for lunch.” He removed his finger from her small mouth and wiped away the blood with the napkin. “There much better. Now let me get you something to wear. That dress simply will not do.” Naraku grabbed her around the waist and placed her on the bed gently.

 

“I've heard about you! You're an evil man, Naraku!” She growled as she stood on her haunches. “Truly an evil man…”

 

“And you mean to tell me that you are not? We are both pirates, yes? Both of us are evil in our own ways when we pillage and plunder.” He shot back as he removed a small simple blue dress from a drawer. He threw it at her and she caught it with ease. “We are what we are. We may have different ways of going about things but we are the same… miss?”

 

Evarina sighed as she quickly slipped on the dress when Naraku looked away, “I'm…” she hesitated for a moment. `Should I?'

 

“You know who I am. It's only fair that I know your name.” Naraku grinned.

 

“E-Evarina…” She finally said after a brief pause. `No use in hiding it. I might die within the next hour…'

 

“What a lovely name. Shall we eat now?” Naraku said as he held out his hand towards the small girl. She huffed and walked ahead of him.

 

`Just what are you planning Naraku? Why haven't you killed me yet?' she thought in anger as the headed for his private dinning area when he pointed down the hall to the last door.

 

`I need you. I know you belong to that retched Hanyou, Inu Yasha. And I want his sword. The only way I can get it if I have you…' Naraku snickered to himself, `once I have it, I will obtain Tensaiga from his older half brother and finally get back my shikon and my key. You will be awakening soon…'

 

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Woo wee yes soirée Bob that was interesting… I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter! I'm so excited, especially the change of atmosphere since Evarina has left Inu Yasha's side! What do you think will happen next?