InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ As A Courtesan ❯ Death by an Arrow ( Chapter 8 )

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As A Courtesan
MiserablySweet

Chapter 7- Death by an Arrow

Previously…

"Kagome, what is your father's name?" Naraku questioned quickly. Kagome looked confused at first, "Ken Higurashi, why do you ask?"

Naraku felt his blood grow cold, 'Higurashi...' By the orders of his father, He must kill all members of the Higurashi family.

Present…

 

“Naraku-sama, you seem pale, is something the matter?” Kagome reached over and grasped his hands gently. Naraku shook out of his daze and smiled softly for Kagome.

 

“No, I'm fine” the small group continued to chatter away about childhood friends and pastimes. When it was Naraku's turn he spoke very little. “Ney*, Naraku-sama, what about you? I'm sure you've had several happy moments at least?” Kagome urged her newfound friend to tell Sango and herself a story. Naraku closed his eyes, nothing. He furrowed his eyes and tried again this time, his head was struck with pain. He clawed his hands into the skin of his head, drawing tiny beads of blood.

 

“Naraku-sama!” Kagome ushered over to help Naraku. He instinctively bent over, leaning onto Kagome's lap. “Naraku-sama, you must let go of your hand for me to help you,” Kagome gently pried his hands away from his head and she began a series of massages over his temples, his forehead and around his skull. Naraku closed his eyes and sighed in peace as Kagome's administrations eased the pain greatly.

 

Sango sat by dumbfounded at what little massages can do with pain. `I've got to ask Kagome to teach me that later,' Sango scooted closer to Kagome and glanced curiously at the movements of her hand, “ so graceful” she mumbled.

 

Kagome looked up and blushed, “Sango-chan, can you do me a favor?” Sango nodded and stood up waiting for her friend's orders. After all, she is now her personal servant and she would have it no other way. “Can you bring me a small basin with warm water, a small cloth and a hair brush, please?” Sango looked at Kagome curiously and nodded and quickly strolled away to retrieve the items.

 

After a few moments of silence, Sango came back holding a bronze basin with an ivory colored cloth and a hairbrush tucked under her arm.

 

“Kagome, I have to help in the kitchen and prepare for tonight's dinner. Will you be fine alone?” Sango asked as she set the basin in front of them. Kagome nodded and smiled softly at Sango.

 

“I will be fine, Sango-chan” Sango nodded and left without another word leaving Kagome and a slightly napping Naraku in the comfortable silence. Kagome reached over the basin and dipped the cloth in the lukewarm water. `Amazing, even the wash cloths in the palace are made out of silk' Kagome marveled at how one lord can be so wealthy. She squeezed the excess water out and slowly began cleaning his face.

 

Naraku sat up abruptly and stared at Kagome in shock, “What are you doing?” Kagome giggled.

 

“Stay still Naraku-sama, I was merely cleaning your face, now come closer,” she bid. For some odd reason, Naraku obeyed and sat obediently in front of Kagome. Kagome reached over the basin once more and dipped the cloth in to begin washing Naraku's face.

 

“My Naraku-sama, your skin is very beautiful without all the dirt,” Kagome giggled. He looked down and blushed, “My sister tells me what to do. It's as if I live to serve her.” Kagome furrowed her eyebrows.

 

“No one lives to serve. You only serve if you allow her to control you, Naraku-sama you have your own life as well, and your sister has her own. She can't control you if you don't let her,” Kagome smiled as she finished cleaning his face. It was several shades lighter and the water in the basin seems somewhat darker. “Turn around, I wish to brush your hair,” Naraku did as he was told. Kagome ran her hands through his hair and marveled at their softness. They sat in silence as Kagome brushed the knots and tangles away, leaving that once wild hair and evolved into soft waves of dark ebony hair that shone brightly in the sun.

 

Kagome motioned for Naraku to sit in front of the pond; Naraku glanced down at his reflection and was in disbelief. “Is this really me?” he touched his cheeks and hair, `After all this time, my sister is the one who made everyone fear me…'

 

“This is you Naraku-sama. This is who you really are, gentle and kind” Kagome put her hands on his shoulder, “Let no one control you, live your own life as you deem fit.” Kagome smiled. Naraku closed his eyes and he felt overwhelmed, `I've met an angel…'

 

Naraku shot up from his crouching position and shielded Kagome from what he detected as an arrow. Kagome turned around in time to see the arrow glow with purification power and shoved Naraku away from danger.

 

A cry of pain sounded through the palace as Kagome dropped to her knees clutching her shoulder. Naraku raced toward the direction of the arrow but the intruder already left. Naraku squinted his eyes at the only source of evidence, a strand of crimson hair blowing softly in the wind. `There's only one being in Japan who have this color hair…' Naraku tucked the hair in his robes and sped to where Kagome laid in pain.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

Sesshoumaru jumped from his balcony in lightning speed after hearing a feminine scream, `Kagome' he prayed inwardly she was safe.

 

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at Naraku as he saw him help Kagome up.

 

“Naraku, unhand her,” Sesshoumaru landed several feet away from them. Kagome looked up through a cloud of pain, “Sesshoumaru-sama” she whispered weakly. Sesshoumaru's heart skipped another beat as he noticed the arrow embedded in her shoulder.

 

“No, she needs to treat her wounds right away,” Naraku motioned for Kagome to stand up slowly. Sesshoumaru growled as Naraku disobeyed his orders and continued to lay his hand on Kagome.

 

“You are unfit to protect her, leave NOW” Sesshoumaru roared at the intruding male, crimson seeping into his eyes and his golden pupil dilated to a blue haze. Naraku narrowed his eyes at Sesshoumaru and gently laid Kagome on the soft grass.

 

“You, are unfit to protect her as well, Sesshoumaru-sama” Naraku flexed his claws.

 

“Is that a challenge?” Sesshoumaru smirked and continued, “You are of no challenge to this Sesshoumaru, Leave NOW.” Naraku lunged at Sesshoumaru and both stopped their advances as another voice broke out in the garden.

 

“You both are unfit to protect the ones you care about,” Inu Taishou lifted Kagome in his arms carefully and walked out of the scene leaving two very unhappy youkai.

 

Inu Taishou sighed as he took another glance at the two grown pups and sped off to the infirmary. Inu Taishou barged into the room and settled Kagome on the soft futon.

 

“Yuna, where are you?” a demoness with rich brown hair and silver eyes entered the room.

 

“Inu Taishou-sama” Yuna bowed respectfully at her lord, “How may I help you?” Inu Taishou rolled his eyes, “Enough with the greetings, save this girl. She was struck by an arrow,” the Lord sat around the futon.

 

Yuna examined the wound carefully when Sesshoumaru and Naraku barged in. Yuna ignored them and continued to study the wound once more.

 

“Father, this Sesshoumaru shall take charge,” Sesshoumaru bowed to his father

 

“Over my dead body, you failed to protect her Sesshoumaru!” Naraku growled threatenly at the Inu. Sesshoumaru growled back in annoyance when his father interrupted again.

 

“You both, are unfit to protect her. If you can not ignore your challenges and attempt to save the ones you love, I doubt you both are ready to ascend the throne,” the two younger youkai bowed their heads in shame and embarrassment.

 

“Inu Taishou-sama, the arrow head seem to have been poisoned,” Yuna concluded and reached over to her medicine cabinet.

 

“What kind of poison is it?” Naraku interrupted.

 

“Human” Sesshoumaru answered for Yuna. Yuna nodded and continue to search for her antidote.

 

“How is that possible? The purification arrow was directed to me,” Naraku questioned out loud.

 

“You knew of this arrow and you did not remove her from harm?” Sesshoumaru growled dangerously. Naraku was about to reply when soft coughing sounded in the room.

 

“He's telling the truth, Sesshoumaru-sama,” Kagome coughed violently, “I noticed it was a purification arrow and I had to save him.” Sesshoumaru bent over the futon and grasped her hand in his.

“This Sesshoumaru apologize, we were unable to protect you” Sesshoumaru kissed her knuckles softly. Naraku and Inu Taishou, and Yuna stared in shock at the display of emotion from Sesshoumaru. Yuna returned from her medicine cabinet bearing awful news.

 

Yuna bowed lowly, “I apologize my lords, for I have not the antidote to this rare poison.”

 

Naraku ripped a low and dangerous growl from his throat and sped off to the being he knew did this. Inu Taishou gave no thought about Naraku and questioned Yuna.

 

“What ingredients are needed for the antidote?”

 

“Unknown” Yuna bowed lowly once more, “I am afraid, I have no power to save her.”

 

Inu Taishou sighed, Sesshoumaru clutched onto Kagome's hand, “Kagome…” he whispered. Kagome opened her eyes slowly and smiled painfully at Sesshoumaru.

 

“I'll be fine…” Kagome drifted into unconsciousness. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against her hands. “We can not lose you…”

 

Inu Taishou smiled softly at the display before him, `I have not seen my son bear any emotion since his mother died, I don't want him to lose that… there must be something I can do.' After several thoughts in silence, the Lord's eyes widen in realization.

 

“Yuna!” she appeared into the room once more, “human poison is weak compared to pure bred youkai poison, prepare a concoction for it immediately.” Yuna caught on and grabbed several herbs from the shelf and a pestle and mortar and crushed the herbs into a soft paste. She placed the paste in a porcelain cup and returned to her lord.

 

“Sesshoumaru, she will need your poison,” Inu Taishou ordered. Sesshoumaru shook his head.

 

“No.” Sesshoumaru shook his head, “What if my poison is too strong for her body to handle, she could die” Inu Taishou narrowed his eyes, “Out of all those time to be fearful, you choose now? Sesshoumaru if we don't try, she WILL die!” the Lord grasped Sesshoumaru by his kimono color and hauled him up.

 

Sesshoumaru glanced down on Kagome's face. Her face was paling by the minute; her fingernails began to tint purple and the wound touching the arrow discolored into dark purple. Sesshoumaru sighed, “Yuna, how much do you need?” Inu Taishou released his son and patted him on the back, “She will be fine.”

 

“Three drops” Yuna stretched her hand with the cup in her hands and motioned for him to proceed. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and focused carefully in liquidating his poison. Three drops of his youkai poison dripped from his forefinger.

 

“Thank You” Yuna bowed and swirled the cup, gently mixing the paste and poison together. She placed the cup aside and motioned for Sesshoumaru to come.

 

“My Prince, I need you to remove this arrow,” Sesshoumaru nodded and unnoticeably gulped. He bent down on his knees with Kagome on the futon in front of him. “Kagome, stay with us…” He grasped the arrow shaft gently and Kagome cried out in pain. Sesshoumaru released his hands, “Father we can not do it, even the slightest touch pains her,” Sesshoumaru turned his eyes away from Kagome.

 

“Whelp, if you wish to ascend the throne, prove to me you are not weak and you can protect the ones you love,” Inu Taishou backhanded his son's face and regret was written all over it, `my son, you must snap out of this idiotic self pity… I regret hitting you but this is the only way.'

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes widen, “Father you-” he started to growl but stopped and realized what his father has done, “Thank you, Father.” Sesshoumaru declined his head slight and turned to retrieve the arrow from Kagome's shoulder. Sesshoumaru bent over and gave a gentle kiss on her forehead, “We are sorry for your pain” Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

 

He clasped his hand around the arrow shaft once more, and tried to drown out Kagome's cry of pain. With one sharp tug, the arrow was released from her body. Kagome's loud scream echoed through the palace as black blood poured out from the arrow wound. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes in pain as stench of poisoned blood invaded his and his father's senses. He walked over to the other side of the futon and took Kagome's hand in this.

 

“Yuna, apply the paste” Inu Taishou commanded. Yuna shook her head.

 

“What is the meaning of this?” Sesshoumaru glanced as Yuna smeared the poisoned blood on her fingers.

 

“The poison has progressed too far, this concoction will not save her, however it'll ease her pain and slower the poison from spreading. From what this blood indicates, the poison has spread near her lungs,” Yuna winced when Kagome cried out as she applied the paste on the wound. “I predict, she will not live until tomorrow.” Yuna bowed her head in sadness,

 

“I've done all I can milord, I'm sorry.”

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

“KAGAI!” Naraku roared into the room in which his sister resides in. Kagi smirked and walked out behind the changing screen.

 

“What's wrong brother dear?” she asked innocently. Naraku growled and grasped her wrists roughly.

 

“What poison was it?” he grounded out.

 

“I have no idea what you're talking about brother,” Kagai lied and smirked into his eyes.

 

“Give me the antidote, I KNOW you have it” Kagai frowned. “Brother, cease your yelling. I am your superior.” Kagai walked over to the dresser and pulled out a large decorated box.

 

“You have failed me brother, you have befriended the whore-” Kagai was cut short from Naraku's outburst.

 

“She is no whore, sister the only whore in this palace is you!” Naraku growled out, but soon regretted it. Kagai shifted around gracefully on her chair, with a sadist smirk on her face.

 

“Brother, you have not denied me in centuries, perhaps the whore put you under a spell, I can fix that” Kagai stood up and opened the decorated wooden box and withdrew a large whip with thorns. Naraku stood in fear and he knew what came next. Kagai grabbed another piece from her box, a long rope that glowed with dark magic.

 

“Brother, stand by the futon's post” Kagai commanded. He obeyed out of fear, deciding it was best not to anger her more. He waited as she tied the dark rope around his wrists and onto the post.

 

“Now now brother, you should not have disobeyed me, you know what I can do” Kagai smirked and lifted her whip above her head and hauled it down on her brother's back. The whip crackled with dark magic and tore off the kimono on Naraku's back. The rope crackled in dark power as the whip made contact with his back. Naraku groaned in pain as he felt lash after lash mar his back. `I have to stay strong…'

 

“Sister, I need the antidote…” Kagai narrowed her eyes dangerously and crackled, “Brother, if you want that antidote, survive fifty of my whips and I'll give it to you.”

 

Naraku braced himself for the next fifty impacts, `no one survived twenty of sister's deadly whips, but I shall, for Kagome…'

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MS - Done!

:D I liked this chapter ^_^

Even though Naraku and Kagome are hurt, I liked this chapter..

Haha ^_^

BTW, "NEY" means like.. "hey". but instead of "hey" it's "ney". get it? lol i just like the sound of it!

Surprised you didn't I? Lol another reader mentioned that I always kept her on her toes because of my plot...

Anyway, someone emailed me a story challenge, which will be up by Feb. 3rd. I'm working on it, it's going to be a great story!

Modern setting, AU. I'm not a cannon writer... that's a very hard challenge for me :(

Thank you! Please review!!