InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Dreams ❯ Role Reversal ( Chapter 20 )

Broken Dreams

 

Chapter 20

 

Role Reversal

 

“Why so glum? You knew it was going to happen.” Youkai shook his head clear and kept trudging through the darkening forest. It had been an hour, he was almost home. Yet that same troubling thought kept racing through his head.

“I know, I know.” Youkai muttered. Kagome was going to be reunited with her mate. He had known it was going to happen over a week ago. The mating mark was one of the strongest bonds in existence, a magical force meant to have beloved mates follow one another in death so they would never be parted. Somehow, Kouga had twisted a symbol of love into a symbol of lust. The mating mark was supposed to be sacred.

“It's not that Kouga that frustrates you is it?” Youkai's thoughts mocked. Youkai growled. He was simply supposed to heal Kagome, and get her back to her mate. He wasn't meant to like the girl. But something about Kagome had entangled him. Ever since he first saw her, the seed of something new had been dug under Youkai's skin, and every second made the seed grow stronger.

“She knew you, didn't she? She'd remember you.” Youkai missed his step and stumbled, dropping the packs and putting his hand on a tree to steady him. It was something that happened more often when Kagome was around; memories. That girl made him remember. Why? What possible connection could there be? She didn't know him. He didn't know her. He didn't know anyone…except…

Youkai's eyes bulged as his shoulder flared in a flash of pain. Youkai screamed and fell to his knees. Again. Every time he remembered something…the pain…

Flash…

“You will be mine someday. I don't care how long it takes…”

Flash

“You truly think you can control him? Even you aren't that strong!”

“He may not be mine to control, but he will be mine to command, wench. He will learn to serve me…”

Flash

“These will never heal, you fool!” A red-hot knife was thrust into Youkai's sight. “Do you understand what will happen if you continue to defy me? DO YOU?!? Do you want to be a freak?

Youkai gritted his teeth and gasped as another bolt of pain shot through his shoulder. It was something that happened occasionally, even more when Kagome was around. Vague memories, flashes of words that came to Youkai. Only the briefest glimpses of faces, blurry and unrecognizable, but they came. And when they did, that exact same pain came.

Youkai reached up and rubbed his shoulder as the memories faded once again, into parts of his mind that he couldn't access. The pain faded, and Youkai shakily stood up. He hated it. Even remembering little things that those few voices hurt like hell. Remember completely? It might very well kill him. Given that choice, Youkai would rather forget.

A savage shriek from deep within the forest caught Youkai's attention. He climbed to his feet and dug his four-fingered claw into the bark of the tree. A low thump came from behind him, and Youkai looked over a his shoulder.

A jet black neko-youkai circled him, it's fangs glowing in the moonlight. Youkai winced and looked his opponent over. This one wasn't about to go on it's way. This youkai had come to fight. It's yellow eyes flashes, and it let loose another shriek into the forest. It turned, and Youkai gasped at the starburst-shaped scar on the creature's hind leg. The fur around the scar had been burnt away. There was only one type of power that Youkai knew about that could scar like that.

“Miko power.” He whispered. When Kagome had been attacked…with a third snarl, the youkai leapt and knocked Youkai to the ground. The creature didn't waste any time after that; it lowered it's fangs right towards Youkai's neck.

Youkai grunt and grabbed either of the youkai's fangs and pushed the head away. Yellow eyes flashed again as the creature bit down. Youkai jerked his hand back as streams of blood ran down his hand. Aiming a punch, Youkai landed a hit and knocked the creature back, ruby-red blood running from it's mouth. Youkai would have killed, since running wasn't an option this time; this youkai had come to vengeance. But that bout of memories had zapped his strength. Youkai wasn't walking away from this fight.

Youkai climbed to his feet and stumbled forward a few steps before a pair of sharp claws dug into his shoulders, and a hard head hit him in the back, knocking him onto his chest. The claws dug in and raked down Youkai's back, cloth and flesh ripping to shreds. Youkai screamed as the youkai above him lowered it's head to his. It breathed on the back of Youkai's head as it's fangs came to rest of the tender flesh of his throat again.

A flash of light burst out of nowhere above Youkai's head, and the claws in his back snapped away. Youkai winced and raised his head. A purity arrow glowing like some sort of shining beacon in her bow, Kagome took aim and fired again. Youkai didn't see this arrow strike. But he heard it. The youkai cried again as Kagome's arrow hit it right between the eyes. Kagome took a third arrow, and fired again. There was no scream of pain this time. Just a thump as the creature fell to the ground.

“Kagome?” Youkai gasped, climbing to his feet. Kagome dropped her weapon and ran to his side. Youkai lost his strength and collapsed, landing in Kagome's arms. His head fell onto her shoulder, and Kagome gasped. A hand gingerly touch his back, and Youkai hissed as pain erupted once again.

“Youkai, where's the cave?” Kagome asked, pulling back. Youkai slowly lifted his head and faced a pair of concerned brown eyes.

“Kagome, your mate…” He said weakly. Kagome bit her lip.

“I'll explain later, where the cave? We need to get your wounds cleaned.” Kagome replied.

“I'll be fine.” Youkai said, shaking his head.

“Youkai, you took care of me for over a week, it's my turn to take of you. Now where's the cave?” Kagome insisted. Youkai turned and looked around, pointing to a place on the mountain.

“There.” He said. Kagome nodded and pulled his arm over his shoulders, resting his weight on her. The bow and the packs forgotten, the two limped towards Youkai's cave.

 

So if Youkai is about to be unmasked, does this mean that the story is almost over? Yeah right! I figure we're maybe halfway done. I've still got to kill off Kouga and Naraku here!