InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Acceptance ❯ Capture ( Chapter 18 )

Thanks for the reviews! I decided to get started on this chapter right away, and I wanted to make it an extra long one.

 

Chapter 18: Capture

 

He pulled away when he felt her tears against his cheeks, and pulled her in close, stooping down so that she could fully embrace him. It would be very difficult to leave her, but the Southern Lord would pay for his audacity. Breathing in the scent of her hair, he kissed the top of her head and led her back into the palace.

 

He threw a smile back in her direction and waved, then was off, leaving a distraught, confused, and guilty Kagome behind.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~

Twisting her hair around her fingers, Kagome stalked back into the palace, her mind in complete inner turmoil. She should follow her heart, she knew, but was her heart right? Her heart had led her to complete despair at the hands of Inuyasha, but had also led her into the arms of Sesshomaru.

 

Clasping her arms around her, she looked out the window and felt the cool breeze give her hair life. A single tear rolled down her cheek; she had decided.

 

Rushing up to the bedroom that she had shared with Sesshomaru for all of this time, she rummaged through her armoire to find her satchel. “Ah-hah!” she exclaimed. Finding her bow and arrows as well, she laid them on the bed along with a short sword she had come across in the palace. Slipping out of her delicate silk kimono, she threw on the nearest hakamas and a haori that was slightly shorter than the one Sesshomaru wore. Both clothing items were black, making her silver hair seem ethereal and unearthly.

 

Cloaked in darkness, she slipped out of her window undetected and onto the sprawling vines that covered the adjacent wall. Clutching the Shikon no Tama to her chest, she jumped down and was frisked away by the now harsh wind, pushing her on her formidable journey.

 

Her psyche was literally at war as she began to track down Sesshomaru's scent, hoping to overrun him unnoticed so that she could get to the Southern Lord's abode. Her gut twisted as she fingered her sword, wondering if she would ever get to use it. That time was now.

 

Out of the darkness lunged a panther youkai, who easily knocking the inattentive miko off of her feet and sending her sprawling into some bushes. Breathing was a hard task for the little inuyoukai, but she quickly regained her senses and flicked her sword out of its sheath, slicing the air in front of her just in time. The stealthy assassin jumped back and landed with equal grace, eyeing its prey.

 

“What is a beautiful miko like you doing outside?” The panther snickered and started circling Kagome, trying to intimidate the equally intimidating miko. Power radiated off of her in vast and intense waves, drawing him closer and closer until she had to erect a barrier for security. He continued to taunt her, but only truly frightened her when he revealed his knowledge about her. “…pft, Lady of the Western Lands.”

 

Gasping, Kagome circled her fingers around the hilt of her sword even tighter, and prepared to shut down her barrier and launch an attack. Her breathing slowed as she concentrated her miko into her blade.

 

However, the panther youkai saw the writing on the wall and shot his hand out before she could even effectively singe a hair with her power. He was known for his speed throughout the Southern Lands, which was what made Hideki favor him as his top assassin. “By the way, little miko, I am Yaru, the assassin from the South. Pleased to meet you.”

 

Throwing her away from him, he drop kicked her before she could react and then watched as she fell unconscious in his arms. An evil smirk arose to his face. `Just wait, Hideki-sama.'

 

~~

Sesshomaru looked on at the fortifications that had been raised in order to effectively halt the oncoming Southern army. He could see his soldiers, tittering away at now mundane tasks, such as polishing their swords and armor. He could smell their anticipation for the battle, and their rising bloodlust. He had trained his army to be the very best. Ruthless, cunning, stealthy. They knew when to release their youkai and effectively overcome their prey. Now, all they had to do was wait.

 

The days grew longer as Sesshomaru spent time away from his lovely mate. He couldn't bear to see her longing eyes and solemn face as he trekked to the Southern border, but he had to deal with his responsibilities as well. She would come to understand that once she got accustomed to her important role. She would manage the household while he was away at war. The very thought made his heart swell with pride.

 

Leaping down from the formidable fortress that had been erected in the past few days, Sesshomaru sniffed out an unfamiliar scent amongst his camp and decided to see to it. No spy would go undetected in his camp. Making his way past various tents, soldiers, medics, and generals, and stopping every once in a while to drop a nonchalant greeting, he found the unwelcome guest resting on a tree stump.

 

Sesshomaru stood in front of him, commanding his attention.

 

“Who are you, and what is your business?” Sesshomaru stepped closer to sniff out any remnants of the Southern Lord on the unknown soldier, just to see if he was a spy or not. However, he smelled like the Western Lands, which made Sesshomaru relax a little.

 

“I don't expect you to know me by name, Sesshomaru-sama, but I'm from your 4th barrack division. Koichi is my name. Other days I have fought under you as one of your top infantrymen, but today I come bearing a grave message.” Koichi shifted in his boots, wondering how anyone could stand gazing into those cold golden orbs for more than 15 seconds.

 

“Go on, you tire me.” Sesshomaru bit out. He hoped that this message of his did not concern his palace, staff, or even worse, family.

 

“It is about the Lady of the Western Lands, the Sweet Kagome-sama.” Everyone who talked about the timid (but duly outspoken), beautiful, and selfless Lady of the Western Lands now added some understated adjective as a prefix to her name. It made Sesshomaru glad that his staff as well as peers were accepting the little miko that he had taken as a mate.

 

Grabbing him by his tunic collar, Sesshomaru lifted him up to his face.

 

“What is it!?” He growled out, quickly assuming his cold façade after he dropped the messenger to the ground.

 

“W-w-well the servants discovered she was missing…After stealing a bow and arrow, some provisions, as well as traveling apparel.” Koichi squeaked out to the angry youkai lord. He grew more and more frightened by the second as his lord's eyes flickered red, then regained their composure.

 

“That little…” He was interrupted when Koichi quickly stood up in front of him and exclaimed, “Please, Sesshomaru-sama…do not think lowly of Gentle Kagome-sama!”

 

Sesshomaru released his youkai again, unable to control his anger that was provoked by Kagome's disobedience and defiance.

 

“And tell this Sesshomaru why I should listen to you!”

 

“Because…we think that the Kind Lady has been abducted by the Dangerous Yaru of the South…in her quest for the battlefield.”

 

Sesshomaru froze. Dismissing the messenger, he felt an unfamiliar feeling leak into his being. Sesshomaru was frightened for his little mate…Never had he loved someone so strongly…Never had he been so devoted to someone. His eyebrows furrowed together and his claws made their way into his palms. What was Kagome doing? She was risking her life…for what?

 

Sesshomaru then realized that the prospect of going to war for his pride probably didn't sit well with her morals. He was going to wage war for her sake, and now he didn't know if she was still alive to do this.

 

Slamming his fist upon the nearest desk, he never winced or flinched as the splintered wood came in contact with his skin. With red laced eyes and a dangerous voice to match, he called for his strongest troops to assemble and prepare to cross into the Southern Lands.

 

~~

 

Kagome woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling.

 

There were no sleeping furs around her. Arms didn't encircle her tiny waist. She was cold, wet, and hungry.

 

`Ugh…what exactly did I do last night!?' She sat up and gasped at her surroundings. `A dungeon…?' Did she anger Sesshomaru? Where was she?

 

She quickly assumed a sleeping position as a guard passed her cell. `Hm…this place doesn't smell like Sesshomaru…or the Western Lands.' Quickly gathering her miko energy, she sparked some into her fingers and waited in the corner of her cell for the guard to pass by once more.

 

When the unsuspecting snake youkai passed by the bars, she stuck her miko laced finger out and touched his temple, effectively knocking him out. She `harrumphed' in triumph and made her way over to the lock. However, when she touched it she was blasted back to the opposite wall, her head coming in contact with the cold stone in a sickening crack that broke through the silence of the dungeon.

 

“Oi! Baka miko!” Kagome looked up, vertigo instantly sending her chin back down to her chest. So…these people knew she was a miko?

 

“I'm assuming you're talking to me.” Kagome was surprised at the exhaustion in her voice.

 

“Yes, my name is Hiten. I'm in the cell next to you.” His voice was deep and reminded her of Sesshomaru's. A tear made its way down her cheek as she remembered that she had betrayed him, and run off on her own accord. She really was a baka miko…if only that assassin hadn't detected her! Yoru…Yoshu? What was his name…? There was something special about him…

 

“H-hajimemashite…” Kagome sat there thinking. How would she escape when these people were out to get her? She was no doubt in the Southern Lands now, and would probably have to face the evil Southern Lord in due time. She sighed. “I'm Kagome.”

 

A silence fell between the two prisoners.

 

“Oi! Don't fall asleep, onna! I'm not done talking to you!” Hiten yelled through the little vent that connected their cells. “What are you in here for?”

 

“I…I'm the Lady of the Western Lands…” Kagome wasn't sure if she should trust this Hiten, but she had no choice in the matter. “The Southern Lord is after me…”

 

She was interrupted. “The human?!” *Sniff sniff* “You smell like an inuyoukai to me. Why does he want you?”

 

“I used to be human, but when I mated Sesshomaru, I turned into a youkai.”

 

Hiten frowned. He knew of the evil Hideki's hatred for humans and anything weak. He too had also been devoid of compassion towards humans, going through towns and taking any young, pretty girl to have his way with her, and constantly terrorizing towns…but he had changed. He had been captured because he had tried to free the humans of the Southern province before Hideki had had a mass extermination of them. He failed, though. “I see…”

 

“Why are you here?” Kagome timidly asked. Maybe she could use this person as an escape buddy. She needed to get rid of the scum that threatened the life of her mate.

 

“Because of my compassion. Look, you wanna escape? C'mere. No no no, to the vent on the left wall. You can't see it? What kind of youkai are you!? Haha, just kidding.”

 

Kagome felt her way to the vent and strained her eyes to see Hiten's red eyes staring back at her. She was sure she could trust this strange person, and didn't miss the kindness that laced his gentle voice. Sure, she would be using him and would never see him again afterwards, but he was also using her.

 

`Kirei…truly beautiful this youkai-miko is. Perhaps I can get to know her better.' Hiten thought, looking at the raven haired beauty that stared at him across the vent. He reached his hand through one of the slits and clasped hers. “Kagome-chan” he ignored all formalities, “we need to use your miko powers to blast out of here.”

 

“Demo…Hiten-san, I've already tried that. It will only repel my powers and send me into the wall again.” Kagome explained. She certainly didn't want another bump on her head.

 

“Hai, but they did not outfit my cell with the same capabilities. They only put a restraint on my thunder abilities. If you can aim your miko blast through the vent and to the lock, then I can release you with my thunder powers. Got it?” He smiled at her as she pondered whether she should help him or not. “Kagome. Please trust me. It's your only route out of here.”

 

Determination surfacing, Kagome's set countenance mimicked her answer. Standing in the opposite corner so that he wouldn't be purified, Hiten watched as Kagome's brows knit together. She didn't want her miko to accidentally harm Hiten in anyway, so this would have to be a precise shot. In an instant she flashed open her eyes and sent a blast of energy right into the keyhole of the lock, releasing the thunder demon.

 

“Sugoi! Nice one, Kagome-chan! I'll come get you now.” Hiten kicked open the door and made his way to where Kagome was. “Stand back! I'm known to get a little volatile!” Hiten smirked and tossed his braid behind his back. Pulling out a lightning shaped blade, his voice rang out. “RAIGEKIJIN!”¹ The lock on Kagome's cell snapped off and in a few seconds the entire front of the cell disintegrated. He smirked at her shocked face, then leapt in to grab her hand. “C'mon, slowpoke! We gotta get out of here before they notice us gone!”

 

~~

The two youkai skidded to a stop once they got into the inner chambers of the labyrinth-like palace.

 

“Shimatta! I thought I knew how to get out of this place…It's only taken us further underground…” Hiten paced around Kagome, trying to figure the way out of the palace before Hideki noticed that they were missing.

 

“H-Hiten…why don't we just capture one of the servants and ask them instead of frying them to a crisp?” Kagome didn't like that Hiten would completely torch anyone in his way, and hoped that they could make it out peacefully.

 

“That'll do us no good, onna…” His voice softened a bit when he considered Kagome's radiant innocence, “They'll only squeal for Hideki…We have to destroy all of them.”

 

Kagome sighed. She wished that she could just snap her fingers, return to Sesshomaru's arms, and be done with this whole fiasco…but she wanted revenge upon the one they called Hideki. The Lord of the Southern Lands had no right to drag her mate out to battle when clearly, the only problem he had was with her.

 

They continued to walk down corridors, up flights of stairs, and into twisting passages, desperately hoping that they would see a light at the end of a tunnel, or meet someone familiar…However, the person they had in mind wasn't expected.

 

Yaru, the dangerour panther, pounced down upon the lucid Hiten and scoffed at his ineptness. “Hah! This is what they give me? You should have been more alert, thunder boy!”

 

Kagome growled and launched herself at the panther, simultaneously drawing her sword. She had to remember everything that Sesshomaru and Inuyasha taught her, or Hiten and herself would wind up in another prison…or dead. Keeping her weapon in check, eye on her opponent, and miko outstretched, she began to fight with the agile cat.

 

Hiten was surprised when Kagome sprung into action, thinking that she was only a timid woman that would stand behind a man. However, she certainly paid attention to what Sesshomaru taught her, and it showed through in her swordfighting capabilities. She was also agile and sleek, making it hard for the panther to defend against her relentless miko energy and attack mercilessly. He couldn't let the Lady of the Western Lands escape…she would be bait for the bigger prey. Once the Western Lord got wind of what had happened to his precious mate, he would be here in no time.

 

Kagome ducked under Yaru's sleek blade and did an upthrust with her own, snagging on his flesh before he jumped back. “Ooh, I wonder why you didn't fight like this before, Lady.”

 

Her eyes bleeding red, Kagome somersaulted into the air over Yaru's assault, and came down with her blade poised to kill. However, he rolled out of the way in the nick of time, and also landed his blade in her free arm.

 

“Kuso!” Kagome cried out as she sunk to the ground, quickly erecting a barrier so she could properly heal herself. Still injuring, Hiten watched in terror as Yaru pounded into her shield, not letting up for a second. When she was done, she turned to face the panther, brought her blade up to defend herself, and let go of her barrier instantaneously. She flung the aggravating neko away from her, and let out a blast of miko energy that made him howl in pain.

 

Bearing his fangs, he lunged at her, catching her off guard. Pinning her down, he was about to strike when Kagome's eyes bled red, then glowed a pale blue. Screaming out in anguish, he tried to release her and flee from the blinding pain. However, she held him in place with her mind and agonizingly purified him into dust, watching as he was lifted into the air and scattered throughout the antechamber.

 

“K-Kagome-sama…That was amazing.” Hiten released a sigh of relief as Kagome made her way back to where he lay. Impressed that she wasn't the least bit tired, Hiten watched as she used probably the last of her miko energy to heal him.

 

“Daijobu desu ka, Hiten-san?” Kagome questioned as she helped him up. Once he was standing, her eyes fluttered and she collapsed into his arms.

 

“Hai hai, Kagome-sama. I'm fine, but look at you!” Kagome looked up and chuckled a bit. Hiten's eyes softened as he gazed into her exhausted, but radiant azure orbs. Kagome gasped as one of Hiten's arms laced around her waist, and brought her closer into his embrace.

 

“H-Hiten-san…” Kagome was silenced as Hiten's lips descended upon her own, and his tongue flicked across the soft flesh. Kagome tried as hard as she could to push away from him, but in her weakened state it wasn't much of a struggle. Hiten passionately conveyed his feelings for her, and was rewarded when she stopped struggling. She didn't kiss him back, but he could change that later.

 

As the two youkai shared a supposed lovers' embrace in the room, a growl erupted from an external source.

 

“…Kagome…”

 

 

 

 

WOOOO! Extra long chappy for you guys! Whoa man, I'm actually quite proud of this chapter! Yippie! *clicks heels together*

 

Okay, so I recently posted my story on fanfiction.net…and I've been getting great reviews so far! Also, thanks to my faithful Single Spark and Mediaminer crew! I love my posse:

 

AMI MIZUNO1, kagegrl, Inuy, Inugirl, Tsukiko-san, Dancing Pickle, Erena G.T. Rose, Sheenachi, TheWildWind, DragonsDaughter1, Native Wolf Club, Kage-hogosha, Theblackdemoness, i-wish-i-was-kagome, Sesshomaru's daughter, Julianofdarkland, Soverindegwin, binab86, Demonic-One, Sora's Chi AKA Kaminari, yamifan1, Megan Consoer, Mystic Hanyou, Golden Eyed Girl, Sesshomarugrl, draegon, InuyashasLoveLorn, SMO, ice princess 1185, jade, Carrisa, ash, WriterLady1031, Qiana, Enny, SesshysLuver, Vanessa, AngelAnita, *~o0 ChInEz MiKo 0o~*, angel72292, TaiYoukai, Nikolyta, Niko, Parsnip, Kayuri-chan of the redhead clan, Amber

 

Thanks again! Btw, longer chapters better? Let me know!

 

Love you guys…keep reviewing!

 

-Your humble wittle fanfic writer

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