InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sealed Fate ❯ Chapter 29

He ran as fast as his feet would carry him; he had to find Kikyo. Inuyasha was in disbelief. She had taken the little kit hostage… or so he hoped. She wouldn't have… killed him…

The thought made him sick. Sure, the runt was annoying and demanding and always playing tricks on him. But that didn't mean he didn't like Shippo. Kagome babied him to the point that it was a nuisance. She wasn't aware that demons cared for their young differently than humans. Even by the villages standards she excessively doted on the child.

But he was pack. One of his own. And he would be damned if he was going to let the fox get hurt because of Kikyos jealousy.

How had she fallen so low? One thing he could always credit to her was her fondness for children. If someone had asked him who she would most likely target in the group… Shippo wouldn't have even crossed his mind.

And now the fox was in her clutches.

What was it she wanted? To drag him from the world of the living? To force Kagome and him apart?

To hurt Kagome…

No way in fucking Hell.

As much as it would crush his soul, he would run his claws through her if it meant keeping his mate safe. And as far as a separation? Fuck no. He wasn't ever going to be parted from her again.

He wanted to leave her behind, but of course, his wench could not be persuaded. She had clutched his shoulders with tears in her eyes as she commanded him to go. They had not even stopped at the hut to inform the others.

“Inuyasha… what if…”

“Don't even think it wench. We will get him back safe.”

She nodded her head. He could smell the salt of her tears and it made his gut clench. Damn Kikyo. She was always making Kagome cry. Even though this time was not his fault, he couldn't help but take ownership for her actions. She was here because of him. Because he couldn't make a choice, everyone suffered.

And now a defenseless fox kit was at her mercy.

“If… If it comes to it…”

“Kagome…”

“No, I have to say this.” She said firmly. “If it comes to it… If it's a choice between Shippo and her… Her and you…”

“It wont.”

“But if it does… I can take her soul back.”

She could feel his shoulders tense as the words sat heavy in the air. Would he be able to forgive her if she had to do the unthinkable?

That piece of her soul was taken from her. It was forcefully removed without her consent, and a clay body was animated that shaped their destiny.

And if it came to it, she would take it back with equal force to save Shippo.

She waited on baited breath for his response. It felt like an eternity before he gave a slight nod of his head.

“If it comes to that. But it won't. I'm going to save Shippo.”

“I know.” She said, with more confidence than she felt.

This was not the first time that Kikyo resorted to these methods. How many times had she put Kagomes life in danger? Risked Inuyashas safety? The hanyou might not agree, but this was completely within her character.

She tried to shake the negative thoughts from her head. Instead, she began to focus on her surroundings. The blur of the leaves, the rays of sunlight that bled through the trees…

It all came back to Shippo. His sweet face, his toothy grin… she longed to see it again. She would be damned if that bitch was going to hurt him!

Kagome buried her head into Inuyashas shoulders, silently urging him to go faster.

~.~

The found her at the clearing, her soul collectors whipping inside the barrier she had constructed. Her ink black hair was let loose, flowing past her shoulders. In the early light, she looked beautiful and frightening.

And there he was, lying unconscious by her feet, bound by sacred sutras. If the poor fox did wake, he would feel the sting of her seals.

Kagome let out of sigh of relief. He was here. He was okay.

Well, as okay as he could get in this situation.

“So, you have arrived.” Her tone was hard, as cold as the body she inhabited. “I see you have brought that nuisance with you.” She said, narrowing her eyes.

“Let him go, Kikyo.” Inuyasha said. He hoped his voice was even. He felt tense, as if teetering on the edge of something very dangerous.

“Oh, Inuyasha. So many demands! But you are not quite in the position to make them, are you?” She gestured to Shippo by her feet. “It seems I have the leverage.”

“This has nothing to do with him.” He barked out, his lip unturned in an unconscious snarl.

“Your right. He is an unfortunate bargaining chip in this nasty situation, but that does not matter to me. The only thing that is important is that I achieve my end goal.”

“And what exactly is that?” He asked, repulsion evident in his voice.

“Are you truly so dense?” She asked, seemingly surprised. “You, Inuyasha. What I have always wanted is you.” Her voice was soft, light. Fragile.

It shouldn't have, but the words took him by surprise. She was being so blunt. This was far from the first time she had said it, yet each time it always took him aback. When she looked at him like that…

It was as if he was that young hanyou from 50 years ago, all over again. As if he was alone, struggling to find a place for himself.

“Kikyo…” The harshness from earlier was gone. He felt his body sag. Whatever words he had planned to say died in his throat.

It was painful enough to tell her the first time. He knew that he had not broken the news to her in the most gentle of ways, but how many times over the last year had he made himself clear? Why couldn't she move on?

Her soul was stuck. She would not… could not… move on until she found peace.

And for her, that could only happen through Inuyasha.

That would mean sacrificing himself, leaving Kagome in the dust. He couldn't do that. If… if it took her being unable to rest, he would have to let that weigh on his conscious. He knew without a doubt what to do.

“Kikyou.” He tried again, his voice firm. “Let Shippo go.”

“I will release the demon” She said slowly, “…. When you come to me.”

“That's not possible, Kikyo.” Kagome said, moving out from behind Inuyasha. She would be damned if that clay pot spoke to Inuyasha like that! And he… as aways, found himself wavering under her demands. There was no time for this wishy washy attitude. She had had more than enough of it!

“Girl! Who are you to speak to me? Who are you to-“

“I am Inuyashas mate.” She said firmly.

A smile cracked across the mikos face.

“Mate. You mated this child?”

“Kikyo-“ He said her name like a warning.

She couldn't control the laughter that rolled over her. She held her stomach as it rippled through her slight frame.

“You mated this girl in the demon fashion. Tell me, did you rut her on the ground like an animal too?” she questioned, a frightening glee in her eyes.

“Don't-“ Kagome tried, defiance in her voice.

“Do not presume to talk to me, girl. What filth you are to lower yourself in such a way. And you are my reincarnation. How undesirable! I have seen your miko powers with my own eyes. Tell me, do they still work for you now that you have defiled your body with a seed of a demon?”

Inuyasha ground his teeth. It was more than he could take!

“I would be more than happy to test my abilities out on you.” Kagome said, a challenge in her tone. She wouldn't back down now. Not when her mate, and the kit were on the line.

If that meant dying while defending them… she was prepared to do that too.

Apparently her mate had other ideas.

“Kagome,” He pushed her behind him. “This is no time to try and be brave. Stay behind me, damn it!”

“Inuyasha!” She pleaded urgently. “I'm part of this. Im not going to let-“

“How tiresome. You will be glad of the quiet when I bring you to Hell Inuyasha.” She commanded their attention. How dare they act so familiar in front of her!

“Hes not-“

“I'm staying with Kagome.” He set his shoulders, as if bracing himself for her pain.

“You are sure of this?”

“Kikyo… Kagome is the one I was meant to be with. You… what happened between us was unfortunate… I wish it hadn't cost you your life. You need to move on and find peace. But… I belong with Kagome. She's my mate.”

“Is that so.” She said, her voice an echo. “Unfortunate. Yes.” She muttered, as if distracted. She drew in her lower lip as if contemplating.

Kagome gripped Inuyashas arm. She was scared. Kikyo, a woman who was always so composed, seemed to be unraveling.

The hanyou could sense her fear. He was torn between keeping his attention on the enemy or reassuring his mate. If he could only look over his shoulder, just to make sure his woman was okay…

That was all it took.

He never even saw the arrow coming.