InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Awakening of Fires ❯ ~ The Spark ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi does.

 

A/N: I apologize for not having updated sooner but due to technical difficulties…mainly my computer, as well as health issues, I was unable to continue at the same pace I had in mind when I started this fanfic. Please bear with me; I will try to update weekly or every other week by Saturday. Thank you to all those who have read and/or reviewed my fanfiction and I hope you continue to enjoy it; I am open to criticism whether good or bad as long as it is respectful.

 

~ * ~* ~ * ~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Awakening of Fires

 

Chapter 2: The Spark

 

******~******~

 

“Run, Run, RUN!!” Her conscience should have screamed at her because surviving was first priority, this however, was far from her initial response…on the contrary, Kagome wanted to face, no, she wanted to obliterate them to pieces, “the nerve of those lowly vassals. Did they know who they even dared to raise their swords at?”

 

“Wait, wait, I'm just Kagome and I'm not important to these soldiers why would they be subordinate to me?” She mentally corrected herself for her …arrogance?! But that was impossible, only people who have something to brag about have arrogance and she was just an average teenage girl…well with the exception of time traveling to the feudal era, she had standard insecurities that flooded every fiber of her being of which included her weak powers and battling abilities… not to mention anything concerning him.

 

The inner reflection occurred within seconds, but the irony of the situation was that the opponents that had posed such an unexpected threat, had just as unexpectedly retreated with a mere glance at their foes…or was it foe?

 

“No! Come back and kill her! She was the one responsible not me or anyone else! You are many against one…do not be threatened, she is but a mere coward hiding behind some mercenaries for hire!” the woman had screamed at the galloping horses and their masters. She needed for the extremely sought out truth to be accepted now that she had finally managed to hand it to them on a silver platter, but they had ignored her and retracted their persecution…the question was would they retract their decision to annihilate her despite her now obvious innocence?

 

“Hey! Who you callin' mercenaries for hire?” said the outraged half-demon.

 

“Whose mercenaries are we…kagome's?” chimed in Shippo as he landed on Inuyasha's shoulder.

 

“I beg to differ, but we are not anyone's men for hire, miss,” the smooth operator disguised in the robes of a celibate monk slid his way to the misguided woman and while he spoke, his ever “cursed” hand crawled dangerously into an alarming lower territory… “…forgive me for asking, but why would such a beauty as yourself, be persecuted by so many soldiers, for surely, one so endowed (he proceeded to add emphasis while his eyes wandered at the lengths and depths of her chest) such as yourself wou-…”

 

Miroku never finished his sentence because his offending hand had committed another perverted mistake and had stroked the woman's behind. What he had not counted on, however, was that he would not receive a mere outraged slap for his naughty behavior…this time the woman had swiftly taken his arm and his upper body in a chokehold while holding a threatening knife to his throat. The monk had bitten more than he could chew and there was no humor in the air.

 

“Miroku!” the group simultaneously cried in worry. Sango's heart and weapon stood ready to defend.

 

“NEVER TOUCH ME WTIHOUT MY PERMISSION, MONK” the woman said through gritted teeth and then released him.

 

“My battle is not with the likes of you, it's with that thing!” she pointed her knife toward Kagome who stood baffled not because of the woman's insults but because just as she had been called “thing” something deep within her had freed itself and had dug its claws within her spirit. It had marked its territory and declared an inner war on Kagome while it caused a crack in her mind threatening to break all her defenses…her very core. The prisoner within her had rattled its cage and managed to chip away at its cell while no one noticed…

 

“I don't even know who you are! I'm not even from around here!” she yelled defiantly as she realized with anger that she could no longer contain whatever had started to free itself within her…she saw flames and felt a thirst for revenge…but most importantly, once again that troublesome bitch was sticking her nose in affairs that did not concern her.

 

“Look, I don't know who the fuck you think you are and what you're whining about, but a fight with Kagome is a fight with me, got it?” Inuyasha stood between the woman and Kagome; he exposed his teeth in a snarl.

 

~ * ~* ~* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

“You are of no challenge to me!”

 

“But---“

“It is just too simple to beat you at your silly little game”

 

“But why then are you sweating?”

The bickering came to a quick halt at the sight of their beloved commander and his oncoming words, of which were rare and highly valued when spoken.

 

“Jaken!” Lord Sesshomaru had managed to not only call his minion to attention but his tone told of an oncoming order of utmost importance…

 

“Yes my lord?” the eager imp gave all his attention. “Oh please m'lord, no more babysitting Rin, I don't think I can withstand her annoying childish nature a moment longer…ask me to throw myself into the depths of hell, go into Naraku's lair, or even visit my lord's mother…anything but Rin! Who, for the life of me, I cannot understand why my lord has such regard for…she is just a simple, pathetic human girl after all.”

 

No such luck for the devoted servant today. The regal Sesshomaru beamed, “You are to take Rin with you to the center of the Western Lands, do not follow me.” He had given what sounded to Jaken as not only an ominous warning but perhaps his very last task.

 

“I must find the seer on my own and put a stop to this nonsense once and for all. Father, why did you place trust in some oracle, did you not think that her predictions were responsible for conceiving your early demise? The hag, however, did hold some power …but you were a fool to whole-heartedly believe…for destiny is what those who are powerful enough choose to make of it. The old crone was foolish to think her identity would remain a secret forever.”

 

The imp intruded into Sesshomaru's thoughts with his never ending need to question, “Forgive me my lord, but what of the boy, Kohaku?”

 

“He will follow me…for now,” he said while looking at the saddened Kohaku. The boy who carried everyone's hope upon his back looked hopeless… a look of resignation was imprinted on his face…he waited for death, only the hope of retribution kept him alive.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Step aside, Inuyasha” the woman warned, “all of you…Miroku, Sango, Shippou, even Kilala, why do you protect such infamy as her?”

 

Where had she found out their names, how much did she know about them exactly, and who or what had informed her?

 

“Did Naraku send you to do his dirty work for him?” Inuyasha had jumped to a reasonable conclusion but was confronted with a look of ignorance from the woman…or was it feigned?

 

“Naraku?” she paused searching for any association to him, “He is your sworn enemy is he not? No…though my desire for retribution is great…it is not so much as to ask the scum of this world for any aid. I am well aware of his “war strategies”, if backstabbing can even be called a tactic… but I prefer to call it malice…”She darted her glance towards Kagome, “You would know about that wouldn't you Kagome, if that is even your real name.”

 

The impulsive captive within Kagome…or was it newfound commander screamed inwardly, “And what if I did know…what I do know is that I'd like to drive a knife straight through your heart or perhaps through your tongue, I should put this shriveling nothing in her place…on the ground and beneath the soles of my feet.”

 

Inuyasha broke off her threatening thoughts, “Look I dunno who or what told you Kagome's responsible but I got news for you…they lied. So why don't you go back to searching for whatever or whoever is the real criminal cuz I don't wanna have to kill you but if you so much as lay a hand on Kagome, I won't hesitate to use my Tetsuiga on you and since you seem to know so much about us I'm sure you've heard… about it bein' lethal and all.”

 

In between threats, the woman looked past Inuyasha's shoulder at Kagome and found a malevolent, no, a mocking glance thrown her way! Kagome was actually smirking at her, no doubt pleased with her deceiving appearance and mischief. No other person noticed the subliminal offense…that is of course with the exception of the very cunning Kilala.

 

Miroku, the reasonable, tried to clear the confusing air, “What crimes has Kagome committed, why do you accuse her with such certainty? Surely if you've spied on us and claim to know us, you know Kagome has left our company with the only exception of leaving to her own…” he paused not wanting to divulge any information, “home.”

 

“How soundly do you sleep at night, Monk?” she shifted towards Inuyasha who stood in front of a seemingly shocked Kagome, his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. “Or what about you who prides himself in his “keen” senses…or you demon slayer, and how about your battle companion, Kilala?”

 

Come to think of it, why hadn't they seen her sneak off into the night or woken up and found her missing? She had done her research and each of the members of the reputed group was the best in their own genre. Kagome, the manipulative bitch, she must have them under a spell, in which case, the only method of revealing her true self would be to challenge her to a duel, surely being the conniving snake “Kagome” was, she knew she would disregard her disguise if it threatened her safety…

 

“I will carry out my mission with or without aid from these blind ignorant fools. She is a cold blooded murderer who has been framing me for the deaths of those villages, not to mention she is a danger to every living thing in this land… all who get in her way will confront her powers and meet a curse bloodier than that of any jewel shard. Time is of the essence and it is her blood that MUST stain the ground…One life in exchange for countless others, for both good and evil.”

 

Everyone else was baffled at her implications. Finally, she decided it was time to put the “girl” called `Kagome' to the test and what better way than to corner her. “I'll make you all a deal, you say that `Kagome' is really and truly innocent and she has nothing to do with me being persecuted then I challenge her to a duel, mind you I know she does not have hand-to-hand combat skills nor does she wield a sword let alone any other weapon that is…with the exception of her bow and arrows. The stakes are very simple, she wins: I offer my deepest apologies and withdraw my accusations along with any attacks that would have been aimed towards her or, I win: you help me bring her before a trial. That sound fair to you?”

 

The trap had been set all she had to do was simply wait for `Kagome' to take the bait...

 

“How bout I don't trust ya and I think there's something off about you so…how bout you leave or your gut is gonna duel with the end of my sword…I don't think I have to talk about stakes cuz I'm pretty sure who would win.” Inuyasha had smelled something that was subliminally underhanded and rotten in the air…and it was not Naraku.

 

“I was talking to `Kagome' not you Inuyasha, besides Kagome is her own person, is she not?” she looked at Kagome in the eye, “that is unless you let your boyfriend here make up your mind for you, I mean I had seen him fiercely protect you but I never imagined that his protection came with the price of your independence.” The woman was carefully to leave a trail of breadcrumbs hoping the pray would follow.

 

Inuyasha and the others were at first stunned by the woman's choice of words but then that was overcome by outrage at her lies. No matter. The pray was close at hand for the skilled but mysterious hunter.

 

The something that had been almost fully awakened within Kagome had discovered the trickery meant for it and had receded again into the confines of Kagome's unconscious…waiting…burning, finally the spark had been ignited…something was coming to life…and soon there would no longer be a cage to hold it in…the world itself would not be able to contain her. The thing, sensing danger, let Kagome step forward and gave her control…for now.

 

The sweat on her brow began to evaporate, “Gods what has come over me…I think I am coming down with something!” she thought but said, “Inuyasha is not my boyfriend and of course I have my own mind thank you very much! And my mind happens to think that your `duel' and its conditions are bearable…” Kagome felt indignant, how could a stranger irritate her so much, that is unless the stranger had stumbled onto some truth and was using it as a weapon. “I accept the challenge on the condition that there will be no bloodshed.”

 

There was a moment of shock accompanied by shocked faces. It was settled Kagome had decided to fight and she hoped, no, she prayed that she had made the right decision in accepting all in the hopes of opening the woman's eyes to the truth.

 

Before Kagome's protector could begin to protest, Kagome warned, “Listen Inuyasha, before you start fighting with her, let me reason with her, she is blinded just like you were…just like all of us…we have to make see that he is her enemy and not me,” Inuyasha began to interrupt and she put up a hand to stop him, “If you interfere then I will have to S-I-T you…”

 

Inuyasha looked down at the threatening rosary beads hanging from his neck and make a frustrated facial gesture.

 

“…and I know that Miroku and Sango understand.” Kagome concluded with a knowing look.

 

“Very well,” said the woman, “In that case, I believe I owe all of you an introduction, my name is Chiyo,” she glanced at the demon slayer, “Sango I believe has heard of my reputation, I am a true warrior that does not cower from death…least of all you.”

 

Chiyo took her trademark fight stance and a look of fright overtook Sango's face, for she knew of only one woman who practiced such foreign lethal skills. She wondered if she could conjure the bow and arrows like she had her other weapons in countless battles and if so, then she knew Kagome would stand little chance against her.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

The ground cried out in agony under Naraku's form, an embodiment of dark, evil and death. He was content with what he thought was his “superior” plot…for he had played the game well, using pawns, and always seeing the obvious counterattack of his enemies. He would destroy them all at once. Of course every good strategy involves a loss, for him it was his faithful incarnation, Kanna, whose destruction was of little concern. Unlike the fool Inuyasha, he was willing to sacrifice a few sheep in order to reach victory. No matter, he had laid his trap and he had Inuyasha in a checkmate. “Game over, Inuyasha never again will you have to shed tears for your beloved Kikyo at least you will be reunited…”he thought…but he took little heed of the ever true saying, “never say never”.

 

As he was bathing himself in the blood and sorrow of others, the vengeful wind introduced him to a formidable opponent, who posed him no threat…as far as his evil eyes could see. He drifted into a state of numbness and came face to face with the promise of his downfall… he slipped into a male dream of ecstasy.

 

“Naraku”

 

Was this the ever relentless Kikyo calling to him?

 

“Impossible” he reassured himself, or attempted to.

 

A woman with raven colored hair and a half masked face lulled him into a sense of false security and baited him with the intrigue surrounding her mysterious but powerful being.

 

“Naraku”

 

The heat that surged from the woman swept over him like a wave of fire, before he had noticed, the figure before him.

 

“Naraku”

 

She whispered against his cheek…as she licked his lips with her serpent-like tongue. He remained stoic as he thought, “I am immune to such weak guiles that plague the common demon or human…what does it want…hmm…interesting, she has no aura to speak of…but she is very much real…”

 

She took his neck with her fingers and squeezed. She informed him with a grin, “Let me show you the future or more specifically your mortality.” As he gasped, the shell of evil known as his body began to bleed crimson blood from newfound wounds inflicted by hands of an unknown force; he realized he could both see and feel the vision.

 

She then released him to absorb the horror of his premonition then showed him similar wounds that she had on her head, hands, legs, and chest.

 

“Together we can wipe out this threat, I care little of plots. However, I know that you have claimed your enemies' blood for yourself. Whatever is causing these unforeseen blows threatens all, both weak and powerful. The thing that intends to free itself is said to need a trigger…I know who that trigger is…I know not what it is triggering. But I know you and I have the power to stop the chain reaction, together we can stamp out visions of death by smothering the spark.”

 

She analyzed his form and noticed there was still a considerable amount of disbelief in his gaze…or was it denial of an incredible fear?

 

Just then he began to chuckle, he had answered the apparition.

 

The woman pressed her lips against his neck and then sunk her teeth …or was it fangs…into his neck. The poisonous miasma protruded from the bite and she did what no native of this world would dare do…she inhaled deeply and smiled.

 

“Do it quickly,” she added.

 

Naraku's eyes flung wide open and he smiled…the real threat was the woman in the dream…no matter…he would grant her wish and “kill” the spark.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Sango had been right in her assumption. Chiyo was now invoking her powers…a sphere of energy formed around her…they could scarcely see her figure inside it…she had been wearing ancient warrior's armor and not even the two swords that hung at either side of her legs were visible now. Chiyo began weaving her weapons out of the earth's elements…the sphere's thick smoke cleared and revealed a new bow held by Chiyo's left hand along with sharp ended arrows that hung from her back.

 

The battle field anticipated the fight…but it would not experience the struggle between the two women.

 

Kagome took her bow and took the quiver of the bow between two fingers. Chiyo explained, “The rules are simp-“

 

There was an immense demonic energy that surrounded the air…Kagome sensed it and became alarmed ….she dropped the bow and arrow and lunged herself on instinct towards Chiyo…who was caught unawares and had the frailties that accompanied a human as far as she could sense. The good of her spirit had prevailed swept past and washed over all inner flames.

 

A poisonous whip struck the ground and made a hissing sound when it struck Chiyo's bows and arrows. At Kagome's protective tackle, Chiyo had dropped her weapons….these now were being eaten by the acidic poison that dismantled them.

 

There was no doubt everyone new his presence spelled trouble and doom.

“I had no idea you were behind this,” said Inuyasha, “then again nothing is beyond you isn't it, Sesshoumaru?”

 

Sesshoumaru turned to face him “Dear little pathetic brother…this matter is beyond your understanding…step aside, that is unless you yearn for death.” All the while he and Inuyasha exchanged insults…the flame that set Kagome's core on fire began flickering lightly.

 

The lurking invader in Kagome's soul spoke. “Remember…heartbroken…a nger…revenge…”

 

*~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~*

 

“You are simply ridiculous to think yourself beautiful because another claims to love you,” said the vain man, “Underneath the fine apparel you are nothing more than a speck …a smear on this earth…to think I could not see past your feeble attempts to lure me?”

 

He had laughed, the echo of his laughter punctured her naïve heart, of course he could never love her …he loved…her…just like all the others…

 

*~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *

 

Chiyo left Kagome in a trance…or was it a flashback?... on the ground and had drawn one of her swords out of its hilt…he pointed the tip of the sword towards Sesshoumaru and greeted him…but it hadn't been the first time they had met …had it?

 

She held the sword with one hand and flexed the fingers of her other hand, “Why… are… you…. here, Lord Sesshoumaru?”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

“You are wounded…you must choose, but choose wisely…the decision my lord makes tonight goes beyond the unmistakable call of the heart. Both decisions will change the future forever…one leads to life and the ancient ways…the others leads to death.” The oracle though true to her power in every sense of the word, tried to lure him to the safest prospect but she remained faithful to the gods and their gift of free will.

Had she further hastened one decision by warning him of the nearby future? Surely he must know that with great sacrifice comes great loss. Was he prepared to accept or would he battle what the stars had written in the sky….could he defeat the hand fate had dealt him or by defying it, define a certain a defeat for himself and those he loves?

 

“What good is strength if not to withstand let alone knowledge if it does not grant power in the face of doubt?” The Lord had decided….convinced he had listened to his heart over his mind and that in so doing had given command to the strongest inner captain…his best warrior…his true self.

 

“Then it is decided…I leave you with this: The cycle of time demands equilibrium…it claims the debt of choices…regardless of nature …there are now only three immortals, time, love and hate…your blood will decide the victory among the three…” The crone foretold ominously…

 

“In regards to your other question…his name is of utmost importance…it will bring light onto those who utter it…”

 

The venerate male had a half- smile that grew from the corners of his mouth and bloomed out reaching his demon-striped cheeks as he discovered the kindness of his unborn son.

 

“…giving strength to the hopeless…and courage in the face of fear,” the seer continued, “his name will come to you when your eyes have held its most peaceful vision…the sight of him alongside his mother, Izayoi…”

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

 

Again I apologize for the long wait…thank you to all those who read my fanfic….please continue to give me feedback.

 

~daflyingarrow