InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Batsu ❯ Healing and a Chance at Redemption ( Chapter 9 )

“Why did you kiss my hands?”

 

Kouga let out a tired sigh. It hadn't even been an hour and already Inuyasha had awoken. The half-demon was obstinately refusing to sleep and it was the one thing he needed the most. He'd hoped that, in by staying with the hanyou and showing him that he really didn't have anything to be afraid of, Inuyasha would feel a little more at ease. Still, a few things didn't feel quite right to the wolf youkai. They nagged at the back of his mind but refused to name themselves. His thoughts had become muddled, and all he wanted to do was to take a nap. Something that was proving to be difficult with the silver-haired youkai.

 

`Of course, I guess I can't really blame him,' Kouga thought as he propped himself up on one elbow. `Hasn't even been a week since Naraku laid that trap for us. But he should still try and get some sleep! He's going to drop from exhaustion again and AoiAme's going to have my hide!'

 

“Don't worry about it, Inuyasha,” he murmured. “Just go back to sleep, okay?”

 

“But . . .”

 

The hanyou trailed off, his tone becoming uncertain. Kouga barely caught the troubled look in Inuyasha's eyes before they closed. Guilt stabbed at him for a reason he couldn't quite identify. Carefully, he leaned over the half-demon and kissed his cheek.

 

“It's just another way for me to apologize, Inuyasha,” he murmured. “That's all. Beyond that, I don't know why I did that. I just . . . did. Get some sleep, okay? You're exhausted.”

 

“I don't want to sleep . . .”

 

“You really should, Inuyasha,” Kouga began. “It isn't . . .”

 

“I don't want to sleep,” he whispered. “I don't want to sleep . . . Please . . .”

 

Kouga frowned at the faint hint of tears in the hanyou's voice. It was then that he noticed the slight trembling of Inuyasha's body. The scent of blood tinged the air. Concerned overrode his desire for sleep and he cradled the puppy-eared male in his arms. He had to soothe the hanyou. He simply had to . . . somehow.

 

“Shhh,” he crooned, rocking back and forth some. “Shhh . . . it's all right, Inuyasha, it's all right. You're safe. I swear to you, you're safe. No one's going to hurt you. I promise.”

 

Inuyasha's trembling only grew worse, however. After several minutes of trying to calm him and failing, Kouga knew he had to get the hanyou to AoiAme. He quickly dressed both himself and Inuyasha then scooped the silver-haired male into his arms. As carefully as he could, Kouga rose to his feet, ignoring the dull ache in his legs. The pain reminded him that he no longer had the use of the jewel shards as he took off, but he didn't care. Inuyasha was far more important than any jewel shard. In the space of moments, Kouga arrived to AoiAme's cave. The healer glanced up as he entered then frowned when she saw the state that Inuyasha was in. She raised an eyebrow at him as he set the hanyou down on a pile of fur pelts. Kouga's cheeks burned a little from embarrassment.

 

“He said he didn't want to sleep,” Kouga murmured. “Wouldn't calm down, even after I told him he was safe.”

 

AoiAme shook her head.

 

“Of course he wouldn't, Kouga,” she scolded gently, gathering the herbs she needed to make her tea. “He may be safe now but in his dreams, he isn't. What you've done to him still haunts him and will continue to haunt him. There is no complete recovery from a trauma like that.”

 

“I was afraid you were going to say that,” he sighed, sitting dejectedly next to the hanyou. Inuyasha had curled himself up into a ball, crimson rimming his eyes. The half-demon's form continued to shake and tremble. “What can I do for him?”

 

“There isn't much,” the healer admitted. “We just have to be patient with him. That's all.”

 

“Yeah,” Kouga nodded, his eyes resting on the half-demon's shivering form. “Patient.”

 

`Everything I'm not.'

 

* * *

 

Kagome gazed at the two jewel shards in her hand, still not believing that Kouga had given them to her without her asking. His words had made sense to her, a lot of sense. If one possessed a sacred jewel shard or desired it, that person became a target for Naraku's schemes. And Kouga had unwittingly fallen into the bastard's hands.

 

`So much suffering,' she thought. `There has to be a way to put an end to the jewel's curse.'

 

And that's what she felt it to be. A curse. Sure, a demon became powerful by using the Shikon no Tama but it came with a price. It always came with a price.

 

She let out a sigh and closed her eyes. Things were getting more and more complicated, and she had no idea as to how to remedy any of it. Not for the first time, Kagome felt like she was in over her head in a situation that was too great for her to truly comprehend.

 

“You should get some rest,” a soft voice commented. “You're going to make yourself crazy if you don't.”

 

“It isn't easy,” she replied, opening her eyes to gaze at Miroku. “Not with everything that's happened in the last day.”

 

“I realize this,” he smiled somewhat wanly. “But if you keep thinking about it with no rest, it'll drive you towards insanity. Besides, what's done is done. There isn't anything we can do to change it.”

 

“I know . . . how did Inuyasha seem to you when you spoke with him?” she inquired, finally putting the two jewel shards in with the others they had collected.

 

“You mean when I tried to speak with him? Not good,” the houshi sighed. “He wouldn't even look at me. He's been dealt a very serious blow to his confidence, and he kept holding his hands close to him, as if they bothered him. Makes me wonder what exactly happened to him.”

 

“Yeah . . . but we can't make him talk to us . . . he'll just clam right up. I know it. He isn't really one to talk about what's bothering him.”

 

“You would know him best, Kagome . . . maybe you should see if they'll let you talk to him. You may have more luck in getting him to talk about it than what I will,” Miroku suggested.

 

`And give me the chance to apologize for sitting him like that,' she thought. She then offered the monk a smile.

 

“Thanks, Miroku. I think I will.”

 

Kagome brushed her skirt off as she rose to her feet then she paused, frowning. A faint yet familiar tingling sensation had caught her attention. It always happened, especially when . . .

 

“I sense a sacred jewel shard approaching.”

 

* * *

 

Kagura glanced at the young boy sitting next to her then shook her head. As usual, Kohaku had a rather glazed look to his eyes and a blank expression on his face.

 

`As long as he's able to get the job done, that's all I care about,' she thought to herself as they flew towards the wolf dens.

 

Naraku had been very specific in his orders about this particular mission. Someone had to die this time. He preferred it to be Inuyasha but a death was a death. If she could bring back any jewel shards, it would be a bonus.

 

`And we're almost there. I can smell the wolves now . . .'

 

She crinkled her nose then reached into her kimono for her fan. The two of them were in for a fight. Of that she could be sure of.

 

* * *

 

Sesshomaru watched with cool eyes as the wolf tribe leader, Kouga, led his brother from the healer's cave and into the warm, summer air. Since his arrival, Inuyasha had appeared to be exhausted, though the daiyoukai had no doubts that his sibling had been out of it for many days. The extent of Inuyasha's injuries had been severe and to the point of physically crippling, though the worst had been dealt to his mind and his soul. Idly, he toyed with the idea of taking Inuyasha back to their ancestral home so that he'd be away from the one who had hurt him. However, as soon as the thought had come to him, Sesshomaru automatically dismissed it. Inuyasha had been physically weakened. The trip from the dens to the palace was a long one and harsh, especially for one in his brother's condition. And he didn't think the tribal healer would let Inuyasha out of her sight. While AoiAme was a wolf, she was also female. Females, no matter what species, tended to be more vicious than the males. They had more to lose than the males did, especially if it came to offspring.

 

`And Inuyasha feels secure with her,' he noted. `To take him away would be to do more harm than good. That doesn't mean I'm going to leave him here to the tender mercies of this clan. Not a chance in hell.'

 

Contrary to how he acted, Sesshomaru did care for his half brother. It wasn't an emotion he allowed to come out. Not very often. And the half-demon was really the only reason why he felt the need to become stronger than what he already was. His father had made him promise to care for the boy and to protect him, something Sesshomaru felt he had failed in after Izayoi had passed away. Then there had been the promise he had made to himself, the promise that, if Inuyasha were to die, it would be by his hand. It had been the final honour he felt he could do for the hanyou, and he had explained it to Inuyasha . . . before he tried to kill his brother for the first time. After that, it became a game, to prove who was the stronger of the two. A very deadly game. One that would result in Inuyasha's death should he fail to protect himself.

 

A slight wind picked up at that moment, causing his hair and his clothing to sway in the breeze. On that wind was a feminine scent that was somehow . . . familiar. Sesshomaru couldn't quite place it.

 

`And I'm not the only one,' he mused as he watched Kouga. The wolf's eyes had flashed and he began to bare his fangs. Immediately, the young leader stepped in front of Inuyasha in a defensive yet protective stance. The ningens Inuyasha traveled with ran from the cave where they'd been staying, their weapons at the ready. Deciding he didn't really want to be outdone, Sesshomaru strode towards them.

 

`I may not have the Tetsusaiga but I can still fight. My body is my weapon.'

 

Summoning up his ki, Sesshomaru took a place in front of his brother. Whoever this threat was would not live long. He would see to it.

 

* * *

 

“Dance of blades!”

 

Kagura brought her fan down one more time but it didn't have nearly enough power in it to sustain it. She had grown weary. Very weary. The battle was lasting longer than she had anticipated, and she cursed her luck, which had drastically changed since she'd last encountered Kouga and Inuyasha.

 

But then she hadn't counted on Inuyasha's companions wrestling Kohaku away from her then knocking the boy out. Before she knew it, the shard in his back had been removed then revived by none other than Sesshomaru. After that, she'd been on her own, dodging a wide arrange of attacks from the wolves, the ningens, and Sesshomaru. Inuyasha had disappeared from her sight.

 

`I need to get out of here . . . while I still can . . . but how? They're blocking off all of my escape routes.'

 

Her crimson eyes watched as the wolves scattered to avoid her attack then as they swarmed around her once more. She let out a weary sigh. This was becoming ridiculous.

 

Then she saw it. A flash of silver-white hair with hints of blue.

 

`Inuyasha.'

 

An idea came to her in her moment of desperation. An idea that would, hopefully, accomplish what she had been sent to do and to get her out of this situation. Immediately, Kagura acted upon it. She leapt into the air with the grace of a dancer, and she sent a blast of wind to knock the wolves away from her. Smiling as many of them hit the rocks, the wind demoness landed in front of the wide-eyed half-demon.

 

“Hello, Inuyasha,” she purred. “I've been looking for you. I have a message for you, from my master. Naraku. He isn't pleased by the recent turn of events, especially by your brother's demands that you be mated with the very one who raped you. Though I daresay the thought of you being pregnant has him intrigued.”

 

“How . . .” His eyes grew wider and he backed away from her.

 

“It doesn't matter,” she replied, fanning herself slightly. “He just knows. And he's growing weary of this game. No matter what he tries, you simply won't die. It displeases him. You should have died after that battle with Kouga. I'm simply here to correct that.”

 

She raised her fan one final time and brought it down, knowing that the half-demon wouldn't have any time to react and to escape. Pain erupted in her abdomen as a clawed hand ran her through, and poison seeped into her body. Before she drew her last breath and darkness claimed her, Kagura saw someone fall. Someone with dark hair and wearing a fur kilt, and crying out a single word. A name.

 

Inuyasha.

 

* * *

Sesshomaru watched as the lifeless body of the wind sorceress slumped forward then hit the ground before turning his attention to his brother . . . and the wolf leader who had his arms wrapped protectively around the hanyou. Blood streamed down to the ground from cuts and gashes on his arms, legs, sides, and back.

 

For a moment, time stood still. Then, ever so slowly, Kouga's body fell forward, Inuyasha barely able to keep the young wolf lord on his feet. A muffled cry for help came from his brother. The cry itself sparked a flurry of activity as two wolves sprang to their leader's side and everyone else crowded around. Immediately, Kouga and the other injured wolves were carried into the healer's cave. Even Inuyasha had been ushered in, and Sesshomaru had a feeling he knew why.

 

`The pup.'

 

“Sesshomaru?”

 

He turned his head to see the taijiya his brother traveled with approaching him. A strange light shimmered in her eyes and she appeared to be . . . grateful. To him. Sesshomaru tilted his head some, slightly puzzled. What had he done to make her so grateful?

 

“What is it that you want, exterminator?”

 

“I just . . . wanted to thank you . . . for what you did for Kohaku,” she stated. “You don't know how much it means to me.”

 

`The boy . . . they're family . . . interesting.'

 

“I didn't do it for you,” he stated coolly.

 

“I know,” the female murmured. “It still means a lot to have him back with me and out of Naraku's grasp. Thank you. I am in your debt.”

 

He almost told her that he didn't have a need for her services. Almost. Then he thought of the young girl that had recently began to travel with him. Rin. He knew that there would come a time when she'd need someone to help her when she started to go through her heat cycles. Unlike the strange, young miko, the taijiya at least had some decency about her.

 

`And she's strong. She could also prove useful to me.'

 

“I have no need for you,” Sesshomaru replied in the same cool tone. “Yet. When I do, however, I expect you to be ready to carry out what it is that I need you to do. Do I make myself clear?”

 

“Of course,” she bowed. “Whenever you need me.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded then returned his gaze back to the healer's cave. After a few moments, he turned around and walked away, his mission completed.

`But I'll be back, little brother,' he vowed. `I will be back to be sure that the wolf has been properly mated with you . . . do not disappoint me.'

 

* * *

 

“Let me see your hands,” AoiAme commanded. Hesitantly, Inuyasha held his arms out so the healer could have a look at them.

 

After the battle, he had been rushed into her cave along with the wounded but hadn't been tended to. Unlike the wolves, he hadn't been truly injured in the fight with the wind demoness. His wrists had started to bother him after he'd caught Kouga but that had been it. To stay out of the way, he'd curled up in a corner and watched everything with haunted eyes. Once everyone had been tended to, it had been his turn and the first thing AoiAme had done was check on the pup growing inside of him. Now she was feeling along the sides of his wrists and hands, her face scrunched up in concern. Then she let out a relieved sigh and smiled at him.

 

“You're in good health,” the healer announced, letting go of his hands. “Just please be careful with your wrists. They're not healing properly and the last thing we need is for you to be completely crippled.”

 

“Yeah,” he murmured, lowering his eyes. “Don't want that . . .”

 

`Given I won't be able to defend myself anymore anyway.'

 

“Hey,” AoiAme grasped his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Things are going to be all right. You'll see. You're one of the pack and, as a pack, we take care of each other. No matter what happens. Now get some rest. You're exhausted.”

 

She let go of his shoulder and began to clean up. Inuyasha stood there for a few moments, staring at the floor. A battle raged within him. He felt confused and angry, frustrated and hurt. Angry because he'd allowed himself to become a target once more. Frustrated because he'd been unable to defend himself against the wind sorceress and had needed both Sesshomaru and Kouga to save him. Hurt because he still hadn't been able to let go of what had happened to him and he didn't think he ever would. Hurt because Kouga had been injured on his behalf. Confused because . . . because of the hurt and the fact that, before the battle, he'd submitted to the wolf youkai once more . . . and how much he had wanted despite his memory of his violation. Instinct had driven him to be submissive, to allow himself to be touched by the very one who had assaulted him. Part of him had wanted what the wolf had offered him . . . peace of mind and a sense of security. A chance to actually be loved and to lose his fear over what had happened. But another part of him was still revolted by the wolf's touch. That part had also reminded him of what had happened. It had become a vicious cycle of thoughts, leaving the hanyou drained emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. He just wanted to get on with his life. Somehow.

 

`But Kouga said that he loved me that last time . . . was he serious? He must have been . . . he saved my life . . .'

His eyes went to the prone form of the wolf laying on one of the many piles of fur pelts. Kouga had several bandages on his arms, legs, and chest. The youkai's eyes were closed and his breathing was steady and even.

 

`He wants to make it up to me . . . he's said as much . . . Kami, what do I do?'

 

Inuyasha stood there, his eyes still watching the wolf sleep and the questions still assailing him. He had no answers.

 

And maybe . . . he never would.