InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Against All Odds ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 8 )

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Against All Odds

Chapter Eight

There was…life inside of her. Life was power. Life was everything. A child was more than anything. It was bright and warm. It was powerful. She could feel the subtle movements pressing against her. The familiar shape of a tiny hand, the smooth slide touching her from the inside. A tiny foot. His life merging with hers. Without her, he couldn’t survive. This child, this baby inside of her womb needed her.

Kagome’s world was vague and dull. All she knew were two things and Kagome held to them. The child in her body and him. Her mind couldn’t comprehend anyone outside of him. Naraku. Naraku, she belonged to him. That was the way of life. He was her vessel. She followed his every word and his every direction.

The world was a dull, lifeless place and the only light, the only path she had was Naraku.

Who was he? This man who cared for her? He was gentle—he was everything. She knew him. Naraku. Her mind, her very world revolved around him. But somehow…something…

She felt the clasp of his fingers on her chin, tilting her head back so that she met the black, soulless stare of his. “No.” His voice was soft and gentle—authority behind it. He brooked no argument. He was Naraku, her world and he knew everything and he knew what was best. As she stared up at him she knew no one but him.

She couldn’t think and she couldn’t know; she didn’t know. Every time her mind wandered and she tried to think, tried to see…

He moved again, his hands sliding up to cup the sides of her neck. His thumbs smoothed over the curve of her jaw. “No.” He said again, his voice soothing. This time she closed her eyes, her mind dissipating, any thoughts engraved on her mind leaving her to nothing but him. Naraku.

“Yes.” She whispered in agreement.

*~*

Inuyasha lifted his head, his nostrils flaring at the sweet, familiar scent. He was on his feet before he even realized it. That scent. Her scent. It was stronger than ever but the soft, sweet subtleness of it hadn’t changed. He would know Kagome’s scent anywhere. He stalked to the wall of Miasma and halted inches from the poison, fighting the need to force himself through the prison. “Kagome!”

Miroku lifted his head at Inuyasha’s frantic call. Even from across the room he could feel the tension rolling off of Inuyasha in waves. He could see the harsh set of his shoulders. “Inuyasha…”

Inuyasha ignored Miroku. He didn’t even hear him. His senses were focused on Kagome. She was alive! It wasn’t until that moment that he realized the fear he had been hiding. The doubt. But that scent was all Kagome. He clenched his fist, fighting the urge to slam them into the prison of miasma.

It didn’t take long for Miroku and Sango to realize what was wrong. The frantic calls that Inuyasha was spouting and the way he was trying to suck in the air through his nose—Kagome was alive. And she was coming. Inuyasha wouldn’t listen to Sango but Miroku would be damned if Inuyasha didn’t listen to him. What he had to say was grave and important. It was key to their survival. It was a miracle that Naraku hadn’t finished them off already. Miroku grasped the staff in his hand, clenching his teeth against the groan that rose up as he pulled himself to his feet. He let his weight fall onto his staff but then he felt Sango’s arm slide around his weight, her shoulder taking his weight. “Thank you.” Miroku whispered. He thanked God for Sango. Right now, he wasn’t sure he would have made it across the room.

The widened tunnel in his hand was working his strength and taking his tolerance for pain to a higher level. It was only because of Naraku that he was still alive and as much as he hated to admit, he was glad. He was only human and he did not want to die like his fore-fathers. He didn’t want to die until he was an old man with many, many children. Maybe, just maybe…with Sango.

“Don’t mention it.”

“Inuyasha…dammit…listen to me. If Kagome is really alive then we stand a chance.” A small one. Narkau was a fool to keep Kagome alive. Miroku didn’t mean that in such a horrible way but the matter of it was that Kagome, as long as she lived, could purify the Jewel. The thought was there then. Doubt. If she was alive…why hadn’t she purified the Jewel? Inuyasha didn’t so much as turn his way. Miroku cursed and shook off Sango’s hold. His staff took his weight and he reached out, catching the back of Inuyasha’s houri. “Damn you, Inuyasha, you will listen to me on this—“

“What the fuck do you want?” Inuyasha snarled.

Miroku barely restrained the urge to step back. The marks on Inuyasha’s cheeks were still faded but the edges of his eyes were bloodshot. “That’s what we need, Inuyasha.” Naraku may think he could control a full demon Inuyasha, but Miroku wasn’t so sure of that. Inuyasha didn’t know the meaning of control in his demon form. He didn’t care about anyone or anything. His demon side knew no pain. “You won’t kill us Inuyasha—“ Miroku lied, not caring if Inuyasha smelled the lie. “—if Kagome is there she will stop you. Dammit, you know she would. She will. Your demon side could finish Naraku off.” Even with the power of the Jewel and if not, at least wound him enough for the Tessaiga to finish the job.

“Yes, Inuyasha. Listen to the monk. You want to save them, don’t you?”

Inuyasha spun around, his senses high on the exotic scent that rose up, filling his nostrils. Oh God, Kagome was right there. She was right there, dammit. His golden eyes hinted red at the edges as he searched frantically. He could smell her. The scent was clear and so close. He swore if he reached out he could touch her. But he couldn’t see her. She wasn’t…there. He drew his fist back and threw it at the miasma, barely feeling the burning acid pain that seared his knuckles. “Where is she?” Inuyasha roared, the sound ringing in his ears. “Kagome! Where are you?! Dammit, answer me!” He threw himself at the wall of miasma, his shoulder butting up against it.

Naraku chuckled, the sound driving nails into his skulls and that enraged him further. How dare he? Did he think this was some kind of game? Playing with Kagome’s life like this…

“Do you want to see her, Inuyasha?” Naraku murmured, the look in his eyes amused—hiding something. Satisfied and dark. What would it take? How much longer could Inuyasha hold out before his precious hold on sanity gave out?

Inuyasha didn’t understand. Kagome was right there. She had to be. Her sent was too alluring, too close to be otherwise. He watched, snarls ripping up from him chest as he cursed Naraku. He watched as Naraku slid his hands down. At first he thought Naraku was touching his own body his hands were a small distance from his body, his hands forming over something. Naraku’s hands moved lower, almost over his own abdomen before his hands were slowly slid out and further away from his body.

Inuyasha’s chest tightened. Naraku leaned down, his chin coming to rest over a now visible forming shoulder. His breath lodged in his throat as Kagome’s body came into view, slowly forming from whatever invisibility spell Naraku had concocted.  The joy he felt was spontaneous. The relief mind-shattering. Until the rage came back right on its heels. And then he felt nothing as his eyes lowered, coming to a dead stop where Naraku’s hands rested. They cradled the swell of Kagome’s belly. Shock and disbelief filtered through him. Impossible. Impossible. His mind refused to form the time frame.  Turmoil filled him but that was nothing compared to the rage. And as Naraku spoke he could feel his mind bowing, his body tensing.

“Tell me, Inuyasha…did you know she was a virgin?”

Something inside of Inuaysha snapped.

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