InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Betrayal's Gift ❯ Chapter 38

A/N: Hi guys sorry it took so long to post this next chapter I promise I will make it up to you all by posting at least four chapters. :} My family had come down with the flu including myself. My two little kids and my husband we were all sick. We're still not 100% cured but at least I'm feeling about 95%.

 

Stay healthy and again I apologize for the long delay.

 

I also want to thank you all for reviewing the story thus far and keep them coming I love hearing what you got to say. ^__^

 

 

37

 

Sesshomaru studied the girl, sensing her powers, at the moment she seemed like a normal mortal woman. The spells that they placed on her to keep her spiritual powers at bay rendered her useless here in their dimension.

“Come.”

Hotaru frowned at his commanding tone. She was about to open her mouth and tell him he didn't have to be so rude when she felt his aura brush up against hers. She shivered. He was truly powerful and without her powers she couldn't fight him like she did before.

She looked over to Inuyasha who was standing there looking at her with no emotions on his face what's so ever.

`Thanks a lot for your comfort and support Inuyasha.'

She held her head high and walked over to the towering over lord. He tilted her head to the side to see the bite. She felt his hands touch her skin and she shivered. He was purposely radiating his power on her intimidating her. In turn it was making her mad, she didn't appreciate this from either of them. Looking once more at Inuyasha and noticing that he didn't do or say anything, not even a reassuring glance her way. She made eye contact again with the older sibling showing that he did not intimidate her in the least.

“I know not why you've survived this marking miko, however, I do not think you will live long.”

Hotaru sputtered and looked from him to Inuyasha again, her eyes rounding out bigger and bigger with each passing second that Inuyasha hadn't said anything. Turning to him she began to scream.

“Tell him that's not true Inuyasha!”

When he didn't respond she shot him a go to hell look. Then looking back at the tall regal lord in front of her she pointed her finger at him.

“Look here mister, I don't care who you are, but if your making him chose this than you're a total bastard got that! I know about you and how you wanted to kill your brother a long time ago, and I am well aware of your distaste of hanyous so if he and I got together and had babies I know what you'd think, well, who the hell do you think you are?!”

Sesshomaru looked at her and raised a delicate black eyebrow then looked at Inuyasha. Inuyasha turned red and walked over to Hotaru and grabbed her arms. She however, shrugged out of his hold.

“Don't you dare touch me you stupid son of a bitch! Your just standing there and not defending me, not saying that I will be alright because you chose me…well you can go to hell…all of you with your damn youkai rules what kind of…”

Inuyasha covered her mouth and looked apologetically at his brother.

“Inuyasha, it seems that your wench is as uncontrollable as a wild horse that needs to be tamed, do see that you break this wild spirit of hers, if she is to stay your mate, she should not dishonor our house and act as a proper lady instead of a foul mouth tavern wench or concubine.”

With that said he walked away from them leaving an enraged Hotaru starring daggers into his back. Once he was out of the room Inuyasha started to laugh making Hotaru more incensed at his behavior.

“Inuyasha you…how could…what in the hell are you laughing at?”

“Hotaru…you passed his test.”

“Well why the hell couldn't you say something to him…what passed his test, what are you talking about?”

“He's the strongest youkai in the land, even before myself, he is lord over all youkai and you were not intimidated by him, he purposely ticked you off to see if you will cower and back down or stand up for yourself as a true youkai mate.”

“But I am not a youkai, so, how then…”

“You didn't cower, which above all things he finds it honorable for someone not to show fear. He knew you were scared of him, but you held your head high and even lashed out at him, though that part was stupid, but, I stopped you before you insulted him and he'd have to kill you on the spot.”

Hotaru was still shaking now that she heard it all her legs went weak. She could've killed herself for stupidity, how noble is that? Now he got serious with her.

“Hotaru…I…well…there might not be a cure for your condition with Hitomi. Sesshomaru wants to study you more to see if…well…if we can cure you.”

“So, what you're saying is…is that I still have a chance of dying huh.”

“I'm not going to let that happen, we will find a way. He's brought his healer. Ino and Miyuki are both collaborating and trying to figure out a way, but, you might have to let Hitomi out for him to see.”

Hotaru shook her head. She didn't want Hitomi out, the last time she went under their hypnosis she found Inuyasha injured, she didn't want to cause anyone any pain and she definitely didn't want to give Sesshomaru a reason to kill her.
------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------
`Kikyo bound me to the tree and made sure I had a front row seat of Inuyasha bearing all of his feelings for her. It hurt so much to hear him say that he'll always love her and never forget her. Especially when I knew how much she hated him. He couldn't see me or hear me, but she could. I tried to tell her that it wasn't Inuyasha who had killed her but the demon Naraku. I was so scared when she tried to drag him into hell with her and…and he was willing to go. I don't know what happened but I couldn't allow him to go, something deep within me called out and I pulled the souls out of Kikyo making her weak.

When Inuyasha came too he noticed that I was there and thought to save me since he thought I was in trouble when Kikyo had asked him “Does this girl mean more to you than me?” She vanished into the night not allowing him to answer that for which I am glad because I surely didn't want to hear his response. I don't know why I cared so much it isn't like we're boyfriend or girlfriend or anything, I don't even love him so why do I feel so possessive over him?'

Hotaru closed the book at its marker and thought about what her mother had said. So far she's learned so much about Inuyasha's past than she's learned from talking to him and people from his castle. From what she was reading he was changing and becoming softer than what she first read. Even the images of him just sitting there looking up at the sky or just talking to their circle of friends he seemed to have become lighter.

`So what was it Inuyasha that made you hate all over again?'

She closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep thinking about her mother's life. She didn't understand why her mother changed so much, she had everything she would have loved to have, her mother had a circle of friends, not only here in the past but in her present as well a family who cared about her and friends who risked their lives everyday to defend her. That night she had a dream that it was she who was encircled by those friends and family instead of her mother and that she and Inuyasha were in love.
----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------

“Inuyasha, I purposely let out my powers to lure this alter ego of hers out and yet it didn't come out, are you sure that she is sick?”

“Yeah, I'm surprised too, but, Hitomi isn't dumb. She might've known that it was a trap. In fact I'm sure of it. She's very calculating.”

All of a sudden they felt a presence a dark shimmer floated into the great chamber where they sat. Both men had a chill that ran through them.

“Inuyasha…”

“Yeah, I got that feeling too. Hitomi if that's you show yourself and stop being such a damn coward.”

The dark aura circled around Sesshomaru causing him to snarl in affect, but it wasn't a snarl of disgust but rather of lust.

`Feel my power Lord Sesshomaru…you and I can make some great things happen.'

Inuyasha watched as Sesshomaru's eyes were bleeding red and it looked like he wanted to transform. He felt Sesshomaru's power rise in the room and he began to run toward his brother but Sesshomaru held out a hand to stop him.

“Who are you?”

Then they both heard the whisper.

“Hitomi, not in flesh but in spirit…Oh the naughty things that are going through my mind right now of you and your little brother…”

Sesshomaru felt the suggestive hand float across his torso and cup his manhood while he sat. He bit his lower lip and snarled lustfully.

“Why do you come here… like this?”

“Oh, do you really think I would answer that? Tsk, do you think I'm stupid?”

The dark purple energy swirled around Sesshomaru's jaw line and down his neck eating at his aura making him feel weak with carnal lust. Sesshomaru stood there portraying total control of his faculties.

“I see, so you're here just to toy with me.”

Lifting up his left hand his claws glowed green and he cut through the purple aura causing it to dissipate.

“Heed this Hitomi, I do not like being toyed with, if you wish to see me come in person.”

They could have sworn they heard a growl as the dark purple mist evaporated. Both men traveled up to Inuyasha's bedroom and opened the door. There Hotaru lay like an angel with the light of the moon shining down on her ivory heart shaped face. Both sniffed the air for any signs of Hitomi and found none.

Closing the door they stood there looking at the ground.

“So, Sesshomaru what do you think?”

“I think we should set a trap.”
---------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
`I made up my mind, I know that I can't replace Kikyo and I don't wish too, but, I do want to see Inuyasha happy. Coming home and thinking about things I realized that Kikyo and I have one thing in common, our feelings for Inuyasha. I can understand why she doesn't want to let go, for like me, she wants him in her life, though her life means going to hell. I don't wish for Inuyasha to die with her. It wasn't his fault that she died, she knows that as well, but she likes to dangle it over his head. Who am I kidding, I am jealous, I thought that he and I, well, that we were getting closer. I thought our actions toward each other was enough to let him know that I love him, yes, I love Inuyasha and I am going to let him know this, that no matter what choice he makes I want to be by his side and hopefully, I can make him change his mind about going with Kikyo.'

Hotaru held her breath, her mother loved Inuyasha at one time. For Hotaru it seemed that she was somehow following her mother's footsteps. For the past couple of days she hasn't really been out of her room. When Inuyasha asked her what was wrong she couldn't answer him. What was she supposed to say? She heard a knock on the door and quickly put the book under her pillow.

“Who is it?”

“It's me Miaka my lady.”

Miaka was the girl whom Shippo took as a wife since she was with his cub and right now she was huge. Hotaru smiled as she was fond of this girl. Miaka had a quiet nature and deep appreciation for everything that was beautiful and so did Hotaru so they had that in common. There were times that they sat there and painted some pictures or talked about the different seasons and what they liked best about each one.

“Please come in.”

Miaka was a pretty youkai, nothing extraordinary, but, she was pretty with her auburn red hair and sparkling light grey eyes.

“What brings you to visit with me? I should be visiting with you, should you even be walking around?”

Miaka laughed a melodious laugh.

“Oh a little exercise won't hurt; besides Ino thinks I've still got a few weeks left in me. However, they tell me I have to birth my cub in this form.”

“I don't understand…”

Hotaru said looking confused. Miaka smiled and waved her hand to wash away Hotaru's concern.

“Oh, it's nothing, being that if I use all of my youkai aura to transform into my original form, which isn't much, I would use a lot of my power and well with you and your alter ego well, I could make myself weak and…oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean…”

“No, it's alright I understand…I would hate to have caused you and yours any distress…”

Miaka was ready to cry.

“I'm serious I didn't mean to offend you in any way, it's the talk of everyone here in the castle, not to transform into their full selves, for some reason, they feel weakened when transformed back and it's linked to you that's all.”

Hotaru sighed no matter where she went she was a freak. She thought back to her mothers words in the journal as to how she felt lonely since she couldn't share her adventures with her friends and how great grandpa would make up such excuses as to why she wasn't at school making the kids shy away from her a little.

`It's nothing compared to my loneliness, at least she had a circle of friends here in this era. My friends here are terrified of me because I'm a freak of nature for real.'

“My lady? Have you heard a word I said?” Miaka said quietly touching Hotaru's arm.

“Huh, no, I'm sorry, I haven't been getting much sleep, I've been reading a book from my era and it's very interesting.”

“Oh, well, I came up here to tell you that your presence has been requested in the great hall. Lord Inuyasha and Lord Sesshomaru wished to speak with you.”

“Thank you Miaka, I'll go down in a moment.”

Miaka smiled.

“Wear your best Kimono, how about the white one with the soft silver lilac woven into it with the dragon flies, oh, that one would look so beautiful on you.”

Hotaru smiled warmly.

“Alright I'll wear that one just for you.”

Miaka squealed and clasped her hands together.

“Why are you so excited Miaka?”

Miaka looked at her with a funny expression.

“Lady Hotaru, don't you know what today is?”
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------
“So what does this mean for us now Myouga?”

“I'm not quite sure master Inuyasha, this has never occurred before between a youkai and a priestess, especially one as powerful as you both claim.”

“There has to be some explanation as to why the mark didn't kill her, powerful priestess or not Myouga she's mortal, father never marked Izayoi when he was with her.”

“You are right Lord Sesshomaru, your father never marked Izayoi, but what if…it was only a rumor started so long ago to keep the youkai and the mortals from mating with one another for lady Hotaru will have a unnatural long life now, she is bound to master Inuyasha until the day he dies.”

“Hey, you've got a point there Myouga.” Inuyasha chimed in; at least that explanation seemed hopeful.

“But what of the girls dual personalities, have you heard of that before Myouga?”

Sesshomaru asked as he looked out the window. The sun was shining but for him it didn't feel that way. If they couldn't come up with a way to save the girl, Inuyasha would be out of a mate and he might go back to the destructive way he's been living his life since Kagome; for tactical reasons alone did he worry about such things.

“Well, I don't know exactly but…since you told me to look into this matter I have searched several different places starting with the village to which Kikyo resided.”

“Why would you check there?” Inuyasha asked.

“Well, being that lady Hotaru is a descendent so to speak, I needed to find out their background. Looking at some of the old scrolls they have at the village I found that a specific woman a priestess to be exact fell in love with a warrior from the same village that the shikon no tama was formed.”

“So, what are you saying Myouga?” Inuyasha asked. However, it was Sesshomaru who came up with the theory.

“So, this priestess and this warrior became mated and had the woman who was called Midoriko.”

“Exactly Lord Sesshomaru, apparently when she had children their first born Midoriko was exceptional and their children after her were special beyond words, thus, centuries later Kikyo was born and so, was entrusted to guard the shikon jewel and being that Kagome was her reincarnation she too was entrusted with the jewel.”

“But the jewel was destroyed when Miroku sucked up Naraku in his wind tunnel, so why is this connected to Hotaru?”

Sesshomaru now turned around to look at the flea to see what he had to say to answer Inuyasha's question.

“Well master Inuyasha, the only thing that I can gather is this…that lady Hotaru is probably as powerful as Midoriko herself and being that some mortals are known to have some mental disorders such as dual personalities, her alter is just as powerful.”

“But that doesn't explain why the alter presence seems to be youkai.” Sesshomaru stated.

Inuyasha thought back to the time when they fought with the band of seven. There was one guy there with an alter ego and though he was so good, the other personality was extremely evil.

“You know, maybe, the other alter seems to be youkai in contrast to Hotaru's spirituality. I fought with a guy before who had a disorder. Kagome said that usually, with this type of disorder the alter can be bad, to show the character that the person hides from, or that alter protects the main personality by being wicked or mean. Usually, that second alter thinks it's stronger than the first and always wants control of the body. And from what I've learned about Hitomi is that she believes she should be the dominant personality.”

“Oh yeah, I remember that guy.” Shippo stated than he continued as if reliving the episode.

“He was the doctor, a very good hearted man, but, his alter killed everyone with his gloved claws.”

“That's right Shippo, so maybe, there is something herbal we can give Hotaru to suppress that alter ego of hers.”

“Well master Inuyasha, it appears that the alter ego wasn't as powerful when her spiritual powers were balanced.” Myouga piped up.

“Yeah you're right.” Inuyasha said cheerfully, seeing the hope in front of him.

“Inuyasha, she was still a threat even with her power balanced, as you said she killed humans as well, she cannot control her mind and thus, she is highly unpredictable and I cannot allow her to wreck havoc based on a theory of balanced powers.”

“Yeah you're right.” This time it was said dejectedly his ears flattened up against his skull.

Sesshomaru turned again toward the window he knew that Inuyasha would see it all from every angle, but, from the looks of it, there were no more angles left to see. If they cannot find a way to purge Hitomi, the lovely Hotaru will have to die.