InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Dreams ❯ Tallying the Shards ( Chapter 36 )

Broken Dreams

 

Chapter 36

 

Tallying the Shards

 

“I bid you good luck on your journey.” Toga said, bowing. Raijin returned the gesture, but Kagome refrained from following suit. The monk had done nothing but insult Inuyasha and make her feel generally uncomfortable during their time together. Kagome was not sad to see him go.

“Same to you, Toga.” Raijin replied. “I do hope your hatred of my kind is but a fog that will wash away from the cliffs in time.” Toga snorted and turned, walking away into the forest. Inuyasha, Kagome and Raijin watched him vanish.

“Well good riddance.” Kagome muttered. “So, what now?” Inuyasha looked down at his belt where Tetsusaiga was clipped.

“We deal with Naraku and Kouga before anything else.” He said. “Raijin, you served Naraku for a short time. Where's his castle now?” Raijin looked up at the clouds.

“I am not sure of the name of the region, but it is a mountainous area. I can lead you there, but I believe it will be a journey of several days.” He said. Inuyasha nodded.

“We'd better start moving then.” He said. He picked up his pack and started walking. Kagome's pack was being left behind. It was decided they would travel light. Between Inuyasha and Raijin, hunting would not be a problem. Fire was easy enough, especially when a member of the group could create lightning at will. The only true supplies they were taking with them were a pot for cooking, and several healing herbs and medicines. Kagome also had her quiver and bow. Raijin had nothing but his kimono, but there was really nothing else to carry. Inuyasha had offered to handle it.

“What about Kouga and the jewel shards?” Kagome asked, jogging up beside the hanyou.

“If we find him on the way to Naraku's castle…I'll kill him.” Inuyasha growled. Kagome gave him a confused look.

“I thought you said you didn't want to fight him?” She asked. Inuyasha sighed.

“I don't. But he hurt you, and I'm not going to let him get away with it.” He explained. Kagome smiled.

“Thank you.” She said. She reached out to grasp the hanyou's hand.

“As for the Shikon-no-Kakera, I'm not really concerned about it. Naraku has most of the jewel by now, I'm sure. Coupled with your shards, and Kouga's and Kohaku's, there may not be many left to find. There may even be none left, which means we just have to beat Naraku and Kouga to complete the jewel.” Kagome nodded.

“Okay. We'll defeat them both, but what then?” Inuyasha looked down at his feet. He still wasn't entirely sure. His very first plan was to use the Shikon-no-Tama to become a youkai and win standing in Sesshomaru's court, allowing him to return to the western lands, and possibly even Sesshomaru's castle. Then he had wanted to become ningen, and live with Kikyo. After Naraku turned them against each other, he had wanted to become youkai again, but had no intention of returning to Sesshomaru's court. He had proven to the taiyoukai that they were equals, even if Sesshomaru would not admit it. And he had returned to the western lands in his travels with Kagome, and also had no desire to return.

“Inuyasha, what are we going to do?” Kagome asked, snapping the hanyou from his thoughts.

“I'm not sure, Kagome. I'm really not sure.”

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

Naraku walked through the forest, his eyes trained on the creature flying above him. The place where he stood was far from his castle, and far from Inuyasha or Kouga. But he had neither the time nor patience to deal with them now. He had other plans. The creature he was hunting was surely returning to its master. And right now, Naraku's plans involved her.

The creature reached a tree and circled around it a few times before floating up. Its small talons released a glowing white soul into the body of the miko in the boughs of the tree. If one had not known better, one would think this miko was sleeping. But Naraku knew better. He stopped a few feet from the tree when the miko opened her eyes to fix an indifferent stare upon him.

“Hello, Kikyo. It has been a long time.” Naraku chuckled. Kikyo stared for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, it has, Naraku. Although it has not quite long enough for my tastes.” Kikyo slowly swung her feet to one side and slid down to the ground in one smooth movement. One thing Naraku had to compliment Kikyo on, no matter what she was doing, she always managed to maintain a sense of grace about her. Naraku quickly squashed those feelings. Damn that Onigumo. Even with his heart in another body, Naraku still felt his lust.

“Nor mine, but there is a matter of important I require your help with.” Naraku admitted. A small smile began to grace Kikyo's lips.

“No doubt you wish for me to slay Inuyasha for you.” She said. Naraku silently cursed, but attempted to hide his surprise. How Kikyo knew Inuyasha was alive, he didn't know. But he could not let his trump card be wasted.

“Slay Inuyasha? Surely you are aware he has been dead for years, Kikyo.” Naraku replied. Kikyo chuckled and shook her head sadly.

“Do you think me a fool Naraku?” She asked. One of her shinidamachu floated to her hand. Kikyo turned to it and whispered something to it before lifting her hand to send it on its way. “My shinidamachu are quite helpful when I wish to keep track of the souls that are waiting to pass to the other realm. And there are quite a few…particular souls I keep my eye one. Had Inuyasha been killed, I would have known about it when his soul became free of its body.” Kikyo explained. Naraku smirked.

“You watch many souls? Would one of them perhaps belong to a pathetic imitation of you?” He asked. Kikyo narrowed her eyes.

“I will not slay Inuyasha for you, Naraku. Nor will I slay Kagome. You had best watch your words around me. The girl is not as powerful as I, Naraku, but she is powerful nonetheless. Either of us could kill you in an instant. Why on earth would I make your task of collecting the shards of the jewel any easier by eliminating an enemy of yours?” She hissed. Naraku silently shifted his feet. Kikyo's unnerving perception of his motives, combined with Onigumo's feelings for her, was creating a rather unpleasant sensation for him. Not fear, of course, but Naraku wished to be rid of Kikyo's presence as soon as possible.

“Inuyasha and the miko both travel to me now.” Naraku growled. “The boy Kohaku is dead, his shard mine again. And the wolf Kouga is tracking them, soon they will fight, and his shards will be with Kagome one way or another. Then I shall kill her and take her shards as well. But that is not all the shards, Kikyo. Give them to me now, or I shall kill you where you stand.” Kikyo smiled.

“I am to assume that these are what you want?” Kikyo asked, reaching into her kimono. She removed a small brown sac and emptied its contents into her hand. Six glowing pink jewel shards slipped out.

“Give them to me.” Naraku demanded.

“No.” Kikyo said, placing the shards back into their sack. Naraku snarled and sent out three tentacles towards Kikyo's chest. Kikyo didn't even flinch as the tentacles flew through a shining pink barrier and crumbled to dust before her eyes. Kikyo drew her bow from her shoulder and placed an arrow on the drawstring, pulling it back.

“I will not give you the shards, and I will also not tolerate a second foolish attack, Naraku. Deal with Inuyasha and Kagome on your own, I will have no part in this. Now, leave.” She said.

“Just your barrier blocked my attack, surely my barrier would block your arrow.” Naraku laughed. Kikyo pulled the arrow back farther and aimed for Naraku's head.

“Shall we test your claim?” She asked. Naraku stared before turning to leave. Kikyo waited until he had walked several steps before releasing the string on her bow. The arrow imbedded itself in Naraku's neck and exploded with a flash of light. Kikyo lowered the weapon and walked forwards. She cursed under her breath and knelt to finger a charred clay doll. She touched it and watched as it crumbled to dust.