InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bound to Tomorrow ❯ Escape ( Chapter 11 )

 

Sorry for the delay. Classes have been harder than anticipated and mechanical failure has been the name of the game for just about every freaking vehicle I step foot in. It's killed some of my creative spark. Blah!

About Samurai Wives: I forgot to mention this in my last chapter but samurai women were defenders of the home while the men were on duty. They tended to hold more authority than other women at the time and often knew how to fight. Knowing this, Sango would obviously pick them to help get everyone else out.

“Sixteen Hells”: Miroku shouts this towards the end of the chapter. I derived the phrase from the Buddhist equivalent of purgatory called “Naraka” (note that Naraku is the Japanese translation of the same thing).

Reader Question: Sorry I didn't have one for you with the last chapter but I couldn't think of any off the top of my head. Anyway, I've got one for you all this time! In my story Sango and Miroku have the twins Yuriko and Kimiko, and they also have a son and another daughter. Believe it or not, I'm terrible about picking names. I waffle on names for just about every character I make. This time around I'd like to know what names you guys think would work for their son and daughter. If you have some good ones, shoot me a review or send me e-mails/messages. Let me know what the meaning is behind the name, too. Considering everything Sango and Miroku have been through and their backgrounds (Buddhist monk and taijiya) I'd like to know your reasoning for those names. Whoever comes up with names I like will get acknowledgement in my next Author's note section and all that good stuff. Also, be aware that I'm not looking for websites with lists of Japanese baby names. I've found those easily enough on my own… but I can never just DECIDE on a single name. That's why I'm hoping for a little help from you guys! Thanks for reading!

 

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Sango hated the waiting game. A long time ago her father had once joked with her that for all her hunting talent it was wasted on her inability to wait for the prey to come to her. Hunters had to get up before the sun rose, wait out in the cold until the sun had warmed the frost to dew, wait for the youkai to make that one fatal step that left them perfectly vulnerable, and then strike. When she whined about the waiting her father had told her that youkai were physically superior in every way. That was why humans had to utilize their smarts, their spirit, to overcome the odds which tipped so easily in favor of the former. As a youth she had barely understood how tenacity could not overcome every obstacle. But now, as a mother and a seasoned warrior she knew so much better.

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She knew she was no match for a fight with the master of the youkai. He was too quick, and too deadly to take on alone. Even with the help of her small army of women they'd surely be outclassed. No, she would not risk the lives of those women for her own selfish gain. Sango loved her girls but she knew when she had a job to do and the time was rapidly approaching when she would have to play her part.

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Last night Shoko had announced that the youkai master, the bloody-eyed man, had left the cave. He took with him a large number of demons, leaving only a skeleton crew to keep an eye on and tend to the women. The first meal had just been served and now she waited for the miko to give the signal that the secondary guards had returned to their posts. The secondary guards were called in when a meal was served to make sure that no one got brave enough to attack the youkai while the gate was open. Once they were far enough away then they would make her move.

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The minutes ticked by. Sango's eyes remained locked on Shoko's face. Then, almost imperceptibly, the miko's head dipped in a tiny nod. It was time!

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Sango stood up and began untying the red sash around her middle. At the same time from across the room another woman got to her feet and began doing the same to her obi. The bulky material slid away until only the inner sash remained. All around her other women began doing the same, following the pantomimed expressions of their team leaders. Everyone else except Sango and the other woman remained seated, though most had shifted to their knees in a position that gave them the ability to get to their feet quickly.

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Sango nodded to the other woman, a samurai wife named Masako, and they began to pick their way, quickly but silently through the crowd of women to the gate. They reached it at the same time and began expertly scaling the bamboo structure. Within seconds they had reached the top of the fence and peeked over the top at their targets. The huntress was glad to learn Shoko's second sight was perfectly accurate. In the long, naturally made corridor that stretched out and away on the other side of the fence only two youkai stood at attention in front of the gate. Sango waited for a few seconds to make sure nobody was coming before signaling to the other woman that they would make their move.

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The two dropped down to the ground silently behind their oblivious targets. Sango gripped the sash wound between her fists a little tighter as she gave Masako a nod to continue. They raised their arms and then quickly brought their make-shift nooses around the heads of the two demons. Before the two youkai even had a chance to react their voices were cut off as the air was choked from them. Sango held on tight as the demon struggled in vain, clawing at his neck, until she felt the demon's airway collapse beneath the pressure of the sash. The demon groped at the air, stumbled, and fell forward with a dull thump. The huntress waited several minutes before releasing her pressure on the demon. She wanted to make good and sure he was dead. When she looked back over to Masako she saw the young woman still choking a demon that was obviously dead.

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“That is for taking me away from my husband, you bastard.” She murmured in the dead demon's ear, her voice as cold as ice.

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Sango stood and patted the woman's shoulder for her to stop. Masako looked up at her, tears barely contained on her dark lashes. She gave the woman a soft squeeze to her elbow, “You'll see him soon. Now, help me.”

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Masako nodded and the two relieved the guards of two spears and a few daggers. Sango quickly tied her sash back on and handed the dagger to the other woman. The huntress was much handier with large, blunt objects but without knowing where Hiraikotsu might be she settled for the spear. The two pushed open the heavy gate and handed the remaining weapons to the first two available team leaders.

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Some of the women started to cry excitedly but Sango and Shoko motioned for silence. They weren't out of the woods (or cave, in this case) yet. They could not risk getting caught over a few hysterical girls. The huntress and Masako allowed Shoko to take the lead as they moved through the cave. She was the only one who could sense the demons and therefore needed to stay ahead of everyone in case she found something. Fortunately, there was little resistance and the upward slope of the cave floor indicated that they were heading in the right direction towards the exit.

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During their escape they came across another set of guards. There were only two of them as Shoko indicated. When the group of angry women descended on them Sango almost felt sorry for them… almost. Hell hath no fury like a woman torn from her children, after all.

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They turned a sharp corner and everyone breathed a sigh of relief when sunlight winked in the distance. They were almost to the exit! Some women forgot themselves and broke out into a run for the exit. Sango pushed to keep up with them, trying to warn them that Shoko had sensed more demons at the exit. Still they ran until two shadows blocked the sun's rays. The demons had spotted them. The crowd of women came to a screeching halt as the formed lumbered towards them, feral growls echoed off the walls. Sango raised her spear and pushed through the throng of people along with other samurai wives but the more hysterical ones were making it difficult to get to the front.

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One of the demons grabbed a woman in his claws and she began to scream. Sango lunged forward to try and rescue her but tripped over the leg of a sobbing woman. She dropped into an awkward roll and came up right in front of the second demon. Shit! Too close! Her mind warned belatedly as the demon smacked her aside into the wall.

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She was stunned from the impact, but thankfully, not knocked out. The huntress struggled to get back on her feet as the second demon reared back to strike again.

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His fist vanished in a flash of blinding white light. The demon looked at the stump where his hand had been a moment ago, staring in disbelief. Just as he was about to howl in pain Sango ducked below him and came up suddenly driving her spear through his jaw, killing him instantly. The other demon was caught halfway in an angry snarl when he realized he had a new addition to his torso. Looking down the demon saw that a giant sword was sticking out through his middle. A gruff, yet familiar voice broke through the brief moment of stunned silent.

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“Damn, Sango, you didn't leave us practically any demons! What's the fun in that?”

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The huntress opened her mouth to speak but felt a wave of dizziness pass over her. She'd hit the wall a little harder than she thought but adrenaline had kept her ignorant to it. She stumbled a little but was instantly caught up in strong arms amidst the sound of a tinkling staff as it fell to the floor.

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“Sango!” Miroku said in a hoarse whisper as he buried his face in her hair. His hands wrapped protectively around her back.

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Kagome was upon her and fussing in a heartbeat. Sango surmised it must have been her arrow which took out the demon's hand in the first place. She also noticed Kohaku hovering just behind her; causing the huntress to smile in relief. Thank the gods he, too, is safe. She thought.

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“Hold on, Miroku, I need to make sure she's okay…” The miko tugged gently on one of his shoulders to encourage him to release her.

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Sango pushed away from her husband's embrace slowly, shaking her head. “I'm fine, really. We need to get these women out of here. They're not safe here.”

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“Where are Yuriko and Kimiko?” Miroku interrupted; having already scanned the crowd of women for his girls.

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The huntress shook her head, a glimpse of her former self reflected in her eyes. “They were taken deeper into the caves. I don't know where… or…” She would not voice her worst fears aloud, but the concern was felt all the same: or if they're still alive.

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Miroku was already making to head further into the caves when Shoko raised her voice.

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“What will happen to us?” The second miko eyed Inu Yasha warily. Sango had explained to her that he was one of the “good guys.” Still, it was hard for her to believe; especially with everything that had happened recently.

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The simple question gave the gang pause. They needed to press on into the cavern to look for the girls but the other women also needed to be escorted to safety. Sango was not sure the women would be comfortable being escorted by a hanyou but… who else would be able to track the way home? Then it dawned on her.

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“Kohaku,” She said, half announcing it, half a question, “Can you lead these women back to their homes? You were at one of the villages, correct?”

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The huntress felt her unease build when her friends and family returned reluctant, silent looks back her way. She had no way of knowing that there was no one left in any of the villages they had discovered. Inu Yasha glanced at Kagome, sensing that a delicate touch was needed to handle this new situation.

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Kagome pursed her lips together in thought as she pondered an option that would not force them to explain the bad news right away. Telling them now would most certainly cause panic among them.

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Thankfully, Kohaku had an answer. “Sister, I think it would be best to take them to Edo first. We'll need supplies from there if we're ever going to get them back to their home towns safely.”

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Shoko nodded. “That is probably for the best. I'm not sure any of us could get back home from here. I'm not certain where we are, exactly. Lady Sango, will you not come with us, too?”

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She shook her head. “No, I need to find my girls and the others. Now that everyone's here I can do that.”

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“Very well, good luck to you all.” Shoko bowed respectfully to them before turning to follow Kohaku as he led the large group away.

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“Cover your tracks, kid.” Inu Yasha called out as they were leaving. Now that he knew how to get to the cave it would be easy for the hanyou to plot his own course back home. He only needed to take a path once before the trail was burned into his memory permanently. Sango and Miroku did not wait to watch them leave. She was already leading her husband back the way she had come. On the way to the pen the huntress filled in the details of the attack on Edo, her time in the pen, and the taking of her daughters. Inu Yasha watched his wife out of the corner of his eye the entire time; watching a small, thoughtful frown turn down the corners of her lips. He had hoped she would not exhibit that look. It meant that the answers that were often so quick in coming to her were not there today. The odd behavior Sango expressed about the actions of her captors was no less bizarre to him, either. Mysteries were a bad sign on a demon hunt like this. It always meant that their small group was likely to be in even greater danger in battle before things started to make sense.

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Eventually they passed by the pen. Miroku noted that the fence erected to keep the women contained seemed rather well-made. Normally, pens were little more than a few dead logs stacked haphazardly into a clumsy enclosure. Once the prey was caught there was little reason to venture back out into the wild—food was sitting right there. Why risk watching it run away by wandering off somewhere? Hence, there was little need to make a complicated enclosure like the one they saw. The mystery was pushed to the back of everyone's minds when Sango anxiously urged them beyond the pen in the direction Shoko had indicated Yuriko and Kimiko had been taken. The walls of the cavern grew narrower as they progressed and sloped further downward. Inu Yasha grunted that he could smell sea water. Perhaps there was another exit to this cave? Miroku seemed to think it was entirely possible. Everyone lapsed into silence. The only sounds echoing off the rock walls was the quiet rustle of fabric, the metallic click of jangled weapons, and the scrape of shoes against the ground.

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Just as Kagome was beginning to wonder if they weren't on a wild goose chase the cave walls fell away into a large, open area. On the left the light of their torches reflected off slowly lapping waves of water. The miko wondered if the cave had been formed by the water and had receded over many years. Suddenly, Sango broke away from the group and headed towards the right side of the cavern. There she knelt down and touched the sandy floor.

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“Someone built a fire here.” She spoke. “It's been doused with water but I don't think it was put out too long ago. It seems fresh.”

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Inu Yasha, who had been holding the torch for the group, moved towards the huntress, bringing more light to the area. He wrinkled his nose. “Gods, this place reeks of demons. Lots of different kinds, too…” He sniffed the air, “They left pretty recently…”

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“… And in a hurry…” Miroku added; peering around at the piles of debris left behind. “Damn it, where did they go?”

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“Hmm… I could tell you, but where's the fun in that?” The male voice caused everyone to jump.

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“Over here, guys. It is so very dark in here, isn't it?” He said and gave a little wave to direct their attention to him standing no more than fifty feet away. Kagome gawped at his flagrantly casual attitude. The man acted like he was waving down some friends at a bus stop, for crying out loud!

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The miko shot her husband a look and he gave her the tiniest of shrugs to indicate that the man did not smell like a demon. His golden eyes flickered red in the torchlight, sliding in her direction. By the look on her face he could guess that she was not sensing a demon either. A little further back he caught sight of Miroku, obviously taken aback and confused. Still, the monk made no attempt to reach for one of his talisman so he sensed nothing either.

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“You…” The whispered sound of Sango's voice reached the hanyou's sensitive ears; too quiet for the others to hear. His eyes immediately turned towards her. His excellent night vision made it easy to see her slightly shaking form and the way she had clenched her fists tightly down by her sides. And her scent… she was angry, no, furious with the man about something. Instinctively his claws curled tighter around the hilt of his drawn sword, knuckles popping.

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Then someone was shrieking.

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“You took my babies!” Sango screamed, suddenly charging forward. “Where are my girls?!”

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The blonde man raised a quizzical eyebrow to the rapidly approaching and utterly infuriated mother. Inu Yasha was so stunned by the normally reserved woman that he hesitated until he realized Miroku was moving as well. One of his hands dug into the folds of his robe as he fished for a paper sutra. The hanyou looked to his wife to see if she had nocked an arrow as he bent his knees and prepared to charge. Over the years he had learned that if he waited a fraction of a second for the miko to fire an arrow he could use it to pinpoint the weakest area on an enemy youkai. Her arrows seemed drawn to youkai weak spots. Also, he did not appreciate getting caught in the resultant purifying blast. It always stung.

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To his utter shock he realized his wife was not in an attack pose at all. In face, her hands remained at her sides with the bow dangling idly by one hand. Her eyes were wide and wild; as if she could only watch her friends fight in horrified and useless fascination. Inu Yasha called her name but she did not respond. Then, just as Sango had jumped into the air intending to bring down her spear on the man's head, Kagome began to yell.

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“No, wait! Don't attack him!”

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But it was too late. A smug, satisfied smirk grew over the man's features as he reached behind his back and produced Hiraikotsu. One word left his lips: “Catch!”

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Lightning fast, the bone boomerang was launched from his fingertips, sailing in a wide loop towards her friends. Miroku and Sango dove for cover, barely missing as Hiraikotsu zipped over their heads and buried itself in a nearby wall with a loud thump. Kagome rushed towards her friends to see if they were okay while Inu Yasha dashed forward, sword held high as a ferocious snarl tore from his throat. When he was within ten feet of the man the normally-agile hanyou tripped on a large root which had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

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Without a second thought Kagome turned from where she had been checking on her friends (a little banged up but no worse for wear) and nocked an arrow to her bow. Milliseconds later the bow flashed brightly from Kagome's spiritual energy as she released it towards the man who had begun to stare at her intently. As soon as she did so she dashed towards her husband. The hanyou had already begun to push himself back up when he heard the sound of one of the miko's arrows whizzing overhead. He was forced to take another dirt dive. Kagome arrived at his side in time to hear a string of colorful cuss words.

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“Shit, Kagome, warn me next time!” He groaned as he rubbed his neck gingerly, looking about to see what had become of their enemy.

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“Interesting…” The man mumbled as he eyed the two before turning his gaze onto the shaft of Kagome's arrow poking out of his shoulder. With an annoyed “hmm” vines sprouted from the bloodless hole in his shirt. They curled around the arrow and stripped away the feathered fletching from the wood. At the same time the hole in his shoulder contorted for a moment and then pushed out the metal head of the arrow. The bare wooden shaft was then pulled into the hole in his shoulder where it filled in and sealed up, along with his clothes, as if he'd never been hit.

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“I knew it.” Kagome murmured, her eyes fixed straight ahead on the man.

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“What?” Her husband asked; more confused than ever before.

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“He's not a youkai. He's… something else. I can sense it.”

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“Well that much is obvious. So, how do we kill it?” The hanyou grumped, running a hand through his ebony hair in frustration.

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Kagome shrugged. The strange man spoke up.

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“Now, to answer your first question after I was so rudely interrupted…” He shot a withering glance in Miroku and Sango's direction. His expression, which seemed so belittling, sent Sango into another fit of rage. Her husband struggled to keep her restrained by holding onto both of her leather gauntlets. “Your girls are very safe and very well hidden.”

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“That doesn't tell me anything!” She shouted.

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“Sango…” He hissed as quietly as he could, his back was towards the man from his struggles and he hoped that whatever he was did not have good hearing like youkai. “Calm down. He's got our girls and we don't know where he's keeping them.”

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“How can you be so calm?” His wife choked out, frustrated tears filling her eyes, making Miroku's heart wrench.

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“I'm just as angry as you.” He gripped her forearms so tight that she winced. His eyes bored into hers with a concentrated intensity that proved as much. Just as quickly he un-tensed his fingers and drew a long breath to maintain his composure. “We have to be calm right now. This thing can't tell us where Yuri and Kimi are if he's dead. You know that. Think about the `what if's' please. Tell me I'm wrong.”

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Sango sucked in a deep breath as she reigned in her emotions, forcing the cold huntress mentality to return to the forefront. He had used one of her own sayings against her to do it, too. Whenever her husband came home from a particularly vicious exorcism with Inu Yasha (before Kagome had returned) she would tick off a barrage of `what if' questions: “What if you got bitten and the wound got infected? The hanyou can't properly dress your wounds! What if you broke a leg and couldn't work anymore? Would I have to start hunting again? What if you died?” He was right. She needed to be calm or else she would be worrying about all the `what if's' for a lifetime. After a few more deep breaths she regained her composure enough to give him a small nod that she would behave. Miroku gave her a soft, reassuring smile before he released her arms and turned towards the mystery man.

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“I find it difficult to believe that you would stay behind simply to taunt us.” The monk said as he kept his tone neutral and almost pleasant, though his tone implied a poisoned sweetness.

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The slender blonde smiled and replied, though he kept his ruby eyes fixed on Kagome. “You're quite the charming human. The flesh told me you were far less composed… Hmm, I suppose it shouldn't surprise me. The flesh was far too dramatic for his own good.”

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“Wait, do you know me? I can't say I remember crossing paths with you before.” Miroku's staff tinkled softly as he shifted his feet in an attempt to divert some of his growing concern away from gnawing at his mind. He needed to focus.

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“Why of course I do, Miroku.” The stranger smiled and spread his arms wide as he declared, “I know all of you: Sango, Inu Yasha, and Lady Kagome. Where is your little fox-child and that human toy the flesh lost—what was his name again?—ah, that's right, Kohaku, yes?”

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Inu Yasha gave a low growl. Kohaku wasn't some toy! He had been controlled once but that was by—oh shit.

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“Naraku.”

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Kagome could not stop the involuntary shiver at her husband's mere mention of his name. Her heart fell into her stomach. Did her wish fail? Would he haunt her feudal family forever? She watched from the corner of her eye as Miroku checked his hand for the reappearance of his air rip. Nope, it was closed, however that didn't mean anything. Naraku had been able to make it disappear temporarily before, after all. Light, tittering laughter reached her ears. The stranger spoke again.

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“Naraku? Is that what the flesh calls itself? Do you really think I'm him?”

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“Well, not when you say it in that tone of voice.” The miko muttered under her breath; her ire rising.

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“No, no. Of course not, dear woman! Oh, how rude of me! Let me introduce myself. I am Noboru. That fool flesh released me to destroy you were he to fail. Unfortunately, I've decided to take a different path than the one he provided.”

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Miroku blinked, “Path?”

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Noboru nodded absently, his voice so casually conversational. He did not answer him directly and spoke as if he was thinking more to himself aloud than anyone else. “Hmm…yes. His path was somewhat clever but so foolish. He told me everything about you and your friends with the idea that I could form some grand battle plan to kill you all. But really, what is the point? Killing you all won't bring him back, and why should I? He kept me contained for years; talking incessantly to me about how brilliant and powerful he was. Gods it was so boring! Yet, he's still dead and here you all are, still alive. He had all that power but he just could not leave you alone and he ended up getting killed over it. It's madness!”

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Kagome folded her arms across her chest. He sure did like to talk. If he did not want to kill them then it was possible he could be persuaded into telling them something that might lead them to Yuri and Kimi. The miko contemplated her choice of questions. He seemed a lot more receptive to civil questions; it probably wasn't a good idea to be so direct, either. She'd have to wait to ask about the girls just yet, at least until she had a better idea of what kind of person he was.

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A few personal questions seemed to be the safest bet, so she tried it. “So, Noboru, if you're not here to attack us then why are you here? Where are your friends?”

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He gave an imperious snort, ignoring her first question initially, “Hmph! They're not my friends, they're my toys. I do with them as I wish. Why am I here? Well to see you all, of course! I had planned to introduce myself to you later but it seems you were far more eager to take back my collection and, well, I could not pass up the lucky coincidence.”

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“…Your collection?” Kagome was almost afraid to ask.

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His smile brightened considerably as if he was about to speak of his favorite hobby. “Mmhmm. Those women should be grateful. They're helping me forge a new path.”

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“What the hell is this `path' thing? What are you doing with all those women?” Inu Yasha had lost his patience with the young man. He knew Kagome was trying to pry good information out of him, but the guy was obviously a few ramen cups short of a picnic.

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Red eyes flicked in the hanyou's direction momentarily, his smile fell into a small, irritated frown. “Now that would be telling. I see that you're just as rude as the flesh said you'd be. I, however, refuse to underestimate you.”

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Kagome was beginning to feel pressure build behind her eyes, a sign that she was becoming frustrated as well. It took some effort to keep her tone calm, “You took my friend's children and these women left families behind… please, just tell us where to find them.”

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He sighed wistfully at the miko, “I always wondered how I'd ever be able to say no to you. I'm sorry, I can't do that. It would ruin my fun…. However… I'll admit that I did not realize I had attacked your home village. I never meant to touch it. So, how about we come to an arrangement? Yes?”

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Inu Yasha immediately began to protest “Like hell—“

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“—Inu Yasha…” His wife's voice cut him off, reminding him by her warning tone that at the moment, he held all the cards. “…Let's hear him out first.”

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Noboru beamed, “I knew you would be reasonable! I know I could not ask you to forget the village women in exchange for Lady Sango's children and even if you did you would inevitably come looking for them. Therefore, I propose we play a little game. You see, Lady Kagome, you fascinate me. I would like to know more about you. If you were to permit me to see you on occasion—perhaps every few years or so, when I am not too busy—then I would be willing to give you a clue as to the location of the girls and the other women. Granted, you would have to be civil, but I would not ask for you to pretend to be nice. I just want to talk.”

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“Feh, this guy's full of shit.” The hanyou grunted, sliding a look in the direction of Sango and Miroku to see what kind of reaction they were getting to this strange development.

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“He's right. There is no reason to believe you would even follow through with this arrangement, even if she were to agree to it.” The monk added.

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The blonde nodded. “I understand your concerns, Miroku, but trust is all you will get. I have what I need for now and there is no reason for me to give it up. However, I can promise you that once I have agreed to the terms of my game that I cannot break the rules. Once I have sworn an oath I am unable to deny myself from performing them. My body will force me to act upon the terms of an oath regardless of the inconvenience.” He paused for a moment then added, “I know that this is a decision that can not be made lightly so I'll give you some time to think it over. I'll send for you in a week and meet you in the woods near your lovely town—all of you are welcome to join us of course—and you can tell me your decision then… so shall I be bound to this oath.”

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When he said those words a red light began to glow from his forehead, bathing the cavern in shades of crimson. Miroku and Kagome both sensed a sudden surge of spiritual energy; as if the very earth itself had agreed to the rite. They looked at each other for confirmation, the monk shook his head. Then just as suddenly as the light appeared it vanished, leaving the gang in complete darkness.

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“What in the sixteen hells was that?” He gasped as he instinctively reached inside his robe to retrieve another paper sutra.

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“I don't know… is everyone all right?” Kagome heard Inu Yasha exclaim.

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The miko responded at the same time Sango did that they were fine.

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“…Noboru?” Kagome queried.

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She was greeted with silence.

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Inu Yasha cursed. “Damn it, the little shit took off. I don't see him… hell, I can't smell him either. `Looks like Shippo was right about that, too…” He sighed. “Okay guys, stay where you are. I'll come to you. Let's get the hell out of here.”

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