InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cannot Be Broken ❯ Enter Wise Monk ( Chapter 8 )

“Kagome.” Sango called.

 

A bang from her chamber door as it slammed open was her response.

 

“Kagome!”

 

She gave a slight growl and quickened her pace into her chamber.

 

“Kagome, will you please talk to me!” Sango grabbed the girl's shoulder and spun her around.

 

“What?!” Kagome yelled.

 

Sango raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.

 

“What the hell happened down there? Did he hurt you? For the love of fuck if he even touched you wrong, I'll….” Sango quickly turned to head to the door.

 

“No.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Kagome slumped dejectedly onto her bed. “No, he didn't… he didn't do anything wrong.” `At least I don't think…. I don't know.'

 

“Then what is it?” Sango moved to sit beside her.

 

“Sango… I…,” Kagome cast her gaze about and sighed. “I don't know. I think I was in the hot spring too long. I was starting to get dizzy and I think I might have been hallucinating.”

 

“Hallucinating? Kagome, what did you see?” Sango looked the girl over in concern.

 

Kagome opened her mouth, but no words could describe it, for it wasn't just what she saw, it was what she felt. It was like the whole room was alive, like she could sense the very stone talking to her.

 

She shook her head. “Oh, it was nothing really, just things were a little fuzzy.” `Not to mention InuYasha was… is….' She sighed.

 

`I thought maybe he was using me, but not after what I felt. But that's not possible. He couldn't have felt that way. And what about that strange light? Could he have made it? Could he have done something to change his aura so I would think differently of how he truly felt?' She frowned in distaste.

 

“Kagome? Did … did InuYasha… um….” Sango searched the room desperately, as if some corner would have the question or answer she was looking for.

 

Kagome cast her eyes down and lifted her legs on the bed to rest her chin on her knees. “No, he… he didn't touch me, but….”

 

“But what?”

 

“Does… Can he…?” Kagome cast her frightfully innocent eyes up at Sango. “Does InuYasha know anything about… manipulating auras?”

 

“InuYasha? Hell no! He's nothing but brawn! And luckily some brain.” Sango giggled, but seeing the nervousness in Kagome's face, she quickly sobered. “No, InuYasha has never had the capability or discipline to learn such things. The only thing he has of such power is Tetsusaiga.”

 

“Tetsusaiga?” Kagome looked up at the slayer, and fiddled with a hem of her towel.

 

“It's his sword. Goodness, I thought everyone knew about that.” Sango breathed.

 

Kagome nodded slowly. “Yes. I remember. Sesshomaru thought it was too powerful for InuYasha. But I don't know the history of it.”

 

Sango pursed her lips, wondering what information she should divulge. “Tetsusaiga was one of two swords made from the fangs of InuYasha's and Sesshomaru's father. It was ordered that each be given a sword to protect life. For so much did their father love a mortal woman, did he make sure his power lived on to protect mortality.”

 

Sango further explained. “InuYasha was given Tetsusaiga, the Steel Cleaving Fang, with the capability to destroy one hundred demons with one strike. Sesshomaru was given….”

 

“Tensaiga. The Heavenly Life Fang… the sword with the ability to revive one hundred lives.” Kagome whispered, remembering her father's sword. It was the sword he never touched, though always carried with him. Even as he stood in dead villages and battlefields, he never used the sword.

 

His soft voice echoed in her mind. `It is the folly of one's mind to believe that escaping death is escaping mortality. One may later wonder, when all they had known had gone and nothing is as it was, if life is an escape from immortality. It is but an inevitable.'

 

`Otou….' Kagome's heart lurched and she ducked her head into her knees to fight the tears wanting to form.

 

“Yes.” Sango replied, breaking her from her thoughts. “Kagome, why do you ask such things?”

 

Kagome lifted her face to study her friend. Could she bring herself to trust these people completely? She knew Sango was telling the truth, she didn't need to grace her aura to test that. It was the fact that she couldn't be convinced that InuYasha had no such power to manipulate the auras around him. Could it be that it was an uncanny coincidence that this weird light happened just when he was there?

 

If that was the case why did it happen? What was the light? What powers did it hold? And why did it look to come from him?

 

Too many questions filled her mind and she had no idea what to say or where to start. Instead she just shook her head. “No real reason. It's nothing.”

 

Kagome's trembling under her towel caught the slayer's attention. She slapped the girl's arm and giggled. “Whatever. Come on, let's get you dressed.” She stood and fought the unease she felt over the whole situation. Kagome was an enigma, but she was an innocent. There was nothing that could be said or done until the girl acted upon her instinct. Sango internally frowned. `I just hope she'll let me know when she is ready.'

 

-+-

 

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

 

A scream echoed over InuYasha's Forest. Several heads poked out of nests, lairs and dens to look towards the stone manor in fright.

 

“Kagome, calm down.” Sango winced.

 

“He can't expect me to wear any of this!” Kagome wailed.

 

Sango shook her fingers in her ears, trying to stop the ringing.

 

“Kagome,” she cringed, her voice sounding hollow in her head. “They are the most finely crafted clothing made. Any Hime would be delighted in wearing such… things.”

 

“Sango!” Kagome fumed and hefted a silken kimono that was several layers thick. “The lightest thing in here is eighty pounds.” She dropped it on the floor in haste and frustration. “Does it look like I ever wore stuff like this? Darn it, if I had I would never have left my room because I couldn't even drag my sorry ass out of it!”

 

Sango busted laughing. “I know. They are rather ridiculous.”

 

“I'll be damned if the bastard thinks I'm going to wear any of this.” The miko huffed.

 

“It's that or what you're wearing.” A guttural growl emitted from the doorway.

 

`Doesn't he ever knock?' Kagome glared at the half demon. She had put on a cotton kosode in anticipation of what her wardrobe would be. It was forest green, and barely reached her knees. But now it seems it was either wear a half-ton frilly mess, or her underwear. She sighed angrily. Well, that meant she only had one choice.

 

Kagome stalked over to the hanyou and gave him a furious glare, before she passed him beside the doorway wearing nothing but her kosode.

 

A stunned InuYasha turned and grabbed her arm. “Whoa, wait, bitch! What the fuck do you think you're doing?”

 

“What does it look like?” She ripped her arm from his grasp and headed towards the staircase on the right. “Might as well see what the kitchen is like….”

 

“Oh fuck no!” He grabbed her again, this time lifting her up and carrying her into the bedchamber. “You are not leaving this room until you get dressed!”

 

“I am dressed!” She kicked herself out of his arms and stood in front of him like a cute ball of fury. “You just said it was either this or that!” She pointed to the mess her wardrobe was in. “And I rather wear this kosode than be caught dead in whatever all that crap is! What possessed your mind to think anyone liked wearing that death trap you call clothes?”

 

InuYasha gaped, and then crossed his arms angrily. “That's the finest clothes made for someone of your status, you ingrate! But it's quite obvious you're not meant for class considering I could have heard your banshee wail all across the territory!”

 

Kagome growled at him, and made to walk to the door again.

 

“Where do you think you're going?” He growled and grabbed her arm once more, hauling her back.

 

Kagome spun around and tried to wrench her arm back but he tightened his hold. “Where do you think? Out!”

 

“You are NOT going out in THAT!”

 

“FINE!”

 

“Huh?” He let go of her arm in confusion.

 

Kagome stormed over to the bed and sat down hard, glaring daggers at him. “I see one of two options. I either remain in this room wearing what I have on now, or be STUCK in this room because I won't be able to get out wearing those!” She nodded her head to the wardrobe.

 

InuYasha closed his eyes. He felt a headache coming on. `But hanyous don't get headaches.' His brain reminded him.

 

“Fine, stay in here.” InuYasha stalked up to her, his aura fierce and hard. “And if I catch sight of you out of this room without proper clothing, I will make sure you have NOTHING to wear.” He scanned his eyes slowly up her, his chest heaving in a guttural growl. “And I would love for you to force me to that.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened before she turned her head away in distaste. “Keh.”

 

InuYasha turned and stormed out of the room, “Come on, Sango, you have your own duties to attend to. You are no longer needed here.”

 

Sango looked like she wanted to protest, but the metallic glare she got from him as he passed by made her not want to piss him off even more. She nodded and quickly gave Kagome a saddened smile before following him out.

 

The door shut hard and a faint click echoed behind it.

 

Kagome couldn't believe it. She jumped from the bed and ran to the door and struggled to open it. Just as she thought. Locked…. Well, it looks like the War of the Wills has chosen its new battlefield.

 

-+-

 

“Don't you think they're drawing this out to the extreme?” Shippou griped as he peeled some carrots. “I haven't been allowed to see her at all.”

 

“No one has, Shippou.” Sango replied gloomily. She was sitting at the table wiping down a large bone boomerang distractedly. “But InuYasha has his reasons.” `Although they are stupid, childish, not to mention down right ineffective!'

 

Both were discussing the situation in the Manor's kitchen. It was a large room with landscape windows on either side. A large doorway leading to the center gardens stood open to their right. The view from this side revealed the gardens, naturally, made up of various fruits, vegetables, herbs, as well as exotic trees and greenery. The view also held a large stone terrace, en suite the grand room, and beyond that the left wing that harboured the bath chamber. It was a cloudy morning, but flecks of sun promised a warm afternoon.

 

“Why won't she just wear those kimono things? She'd be let out then. It's just clothing.” Shippou whined.

 

“I believe it has moved on to beyond mere clothing.” A voice replied behind Sango.

 

“Miroku!” Shippou leapt up into the monk's arms as he walked in from the gardens.

 

“Houshi.” Sango did not bother to look up.

 

“Ah Sango, are you still upset with me, my love?” The monk feigned hurt.

 

Sango did not reply, but her aura shot out venom.

 

Miroku moved to stand beside her sitting form. “But I see you let me stand in your divine presence now. Perhaps you have found it within your gracious heart and peaceful soul to forgive me?”

 

Sango only shot daggers at him with her black gaze before turning back to her chore.

 

Shippou jumped out of Miroku's arms, and out of potential harm's way. The monk gulped and stepped back from the look. Okay, maybe another day will be needed.

 

“I take it Lady Kagome has still not been let out of her room?” Miroku gracefully changed the subject.

 

“No, and it's been three whole days!” The kitsune exclaimed.

 

“Both InuYasha and Lady Kagome have strong wills.” Miroku quipped.

 

“I think they are both stupidly stubborn!” The kit said while tossing some peeled potatoes into a wooden bowl.

 

“Perhaps. But as I have said before, it has moved on beyond mere clothing. It has become a challenge for dominance. Something both InuYasha and Lady Kagome want to claim.” Miroku moved to sit at the table near Sango, but changed his mind when she lifted her fist menacingly.

 

“And what knowledge have you about anything, Monk? Any dominance you have tried has ended with you having a black eye!” The hanyou growled as he entered the kitchen.

 

The monk regarded the hanyou coolly. “Perhaps, but I have also learned compromise often quells the desired needs of both parties.”

 

“So, what? You mean by touching the girl's ass you get what you want, and her hitting you is getting what she wants?” A furious Sango leapt up and jabbed the monk's chest with her finger.

 

“Ahhhh…” Miroku rubbed the back of his neck, then quickly grabbed Sango's hands. “Dearest Sango, you are so wonderful. To obviously care for me so much that you are jealous over my dire attempts to find love. But now truly seeing how you feel for me, my hands will only grace the finest….”

 

“HENTAI!” Sango swung hard and the slap echoed around the kitchen.

 

Miroku brought his hand painfully away from her ass. A red handprint began to glow fierce on his cheek.

 

“Keh, and you, Grand Sage, plan to tell me how to handle Kagome?” InuYasha sneered and crossed his arms.

 

The monk sighed and rubbed his cheek. “I wasn't about to tell you anything. I just happen to know that compromise and tact is the better course of action than locking the poor girl up in her room until she agrees to wear clothing that she quite obviously hates.”

 

“Houshi is right, InuYasha.” Sango said. “To be honest, why force the girl to wear something you both don't appreciate?”

 

“What the hell are you talking about?!” InuYasha spat.

 

“Those dresses you had made are meant for people who live a different lifestyle than what either you or Kagome had lived. Can you honestly say she should be something she is not, and foremost, do you want to dress her in something you abhor?” Miroku rationalized.

 

InuYasha looked away thoughtfully before he growled in frustration. “Miroku, go talk to Kagome.”

 

“What! Why me?” Miroku look startled.

 

“Because of three reasons. One, she will respect what you have to say because you're a monk and you're impartial. Two, Sango will obviously side with Kagome, so I will get nowhere with her there.” The hanyou rolled his eyes.

 

“Hey!” Sango crossed her arms.

 

“And three, because I said so!” InuYasha barked and cracked his claws in front of the monk's face.

 

Miroku gulped.

 

“Besides,” InuYasha crossed his arms once again and looked outside in an attempt to see the balcony of Kagome's room. “She won't talk to me.”

 

“Fine, I'll go.” Miroku walked to the corridor leading to the stairs, but then turned around. “What do you want me to say?”

 

“I don't care, just `compromise'!” The hanyou spat and quoted his fingers.

 

Miroku started up the stairs, mumbling something incoherent.

 

“Oh and Miroku?

 

The monk stopped mid-step and looked down. “What?”

 

“If you touch her, I will kill you.” InuYasha said bitingly.

 

“Not if I get to him first.” Sango vented.

 

Miroku paled and trotted quickly up the stairs.

 

-+-

 

Kagome had woken up that morning to the same four walls, the same red wood furniture, and the same damned room she had aptly called `The Standoff.”

 

She sighed and wondered if she should even bother getting out of bed. Instead, she went about her routine she had started when this whole mess began. She walked to the balcony and opened the doors to the outside. She stood and basked in the fine day that promised to be even finer.

 

She had come to memorize her surroundings now. This side was apparently the west end. The sun rose on the ocean's side, which she could no longer see since she stuck in here, and it set on this side, towards the distant mountains and her father's domain.

 

She loved this view. It was like waking up and being able to say good morning to all those she had left behind. The view on this side was also breathtaking. Below she could see the manor's vast garden, and beyond that was open lands and wild fields. Her first day locked in she noticed that the fields also harboured a small village with an active community. Over the last couple of days she had watched as horses grazed, along with cattle and sheep. She enjoyed watching the people's routine as they set about their days.

 

Beyond the fields was more colourful forest stretching far and wide. Blue traces of the mountains near her father's home also could be seen on a clear day. The sound of the ocean could be heard on the wind, and the air was always fresh. It was breathtaking and beautiful. Under different circumstances, she would have loved to call this place home.

 

Looking around, she again scoped her surroundings. To her right was the left wing that had the enclosed hot spring on the lower level and chambers on the second floor. To her left was the right wing that had the kitchen on the ground level and chambers above it as well. Below her balcony were large glassed windows of the library, and below that was the stone terrace of the grand hall. She had judged the distance down and figured it was about a hundred feet. She sighed. `Better get it over with….'

 

She opened the wardrobe to take out a hideous lime green and brown and pink mess. She felt slightly ill looking at it before pulling the folds apart. She had started this plan late last night when the idea finally pushed itself upon her and she now worked diligently to finish it.

 

A soft knocking at the door caught her attention.

 

Kagome didn't bother to glance up as she sorted through layers of the dress. “I'm not hungry. Please take it away.” She then quickly added. “But thanks anyways.”

 

An unfamiliar voice filtered through the door. “Um, my Lady? I am here as a request to speak with you in matters of said confinement.”

 

Kagome turned sharply, dropping the hideous dress in the process. “Huh?”

 

“I'm here to mediate a compromise.”

 

Kagome gasped and swept together the dress on the floor and kicked it back into the wardrobe with the others and shut the wardrobe door quickly. “Um…. Come in.”

 

A young man entered the room. He had short black hair that ended in a small ponytail. His eyes were a striking blue, but what set him off most were his black and purple robes and a staff that emanated great spiritual power.

 

“He sent a monk?” Kagome tilted her head in confusion.

 

“Yes, my Lady.” He bowed his head. “My name is Miroku and I feel very much for your predicament. Yours and the Lord InuYasha's.”

 

Kagome eyed him suspiciously. His aura was sincere, but there was something tickling the back of her mind she couldn't place.

 

“And you were sent here to do what?”

 

The monk looked her up and down, taking in her attire.

 

Kagome was wearing a kosode that was white on top and green below the waist. She blushed under his glance and felt ashamed to be wearing this in front of a man of such high moral and spiritual repute.

 

He cast his eyes to gaze intently into hers. “I have been sent by the Lord InuYasha as a mediator to relieve this angst caused on the Manor.”

 

Again, Kagome felt terrible. `Was I bringing such shame and embarrassment to the Manor in the way I am behaving?' She cast her eyes down.

 

“And what must we do, Lord Monk?” Kagome whispered in humility.

 

Miroku moved to sit on the bed and patted it for her to join him. “I believe that InuYasha now understands that you are not of such tastes as he had anticipated and is willing to redeem himself by suiting to your own pleasures.”

 

Kagome cheered up significantly at those words and moved to sit beside the monk. “And what have I to do to help this situation?”

 

“I believe asking for the wardrobe you are now wearing should right every wrong.”

 

Kagome's eyes blasted wide open by those words, and by the hand now gently squeezing her ass.

 

The room ignited in lightening blue from Kagome's fury. “YOU PERVERT!”

 

Miroku was never entirely sure what had hit him, only just sure of where, as he was kicked out of the room sporting two black eyes, a bloody nose, a possible cracked rib and a very tender groin.

 

Kagome slammed the door shut behind him and never stopped her swearing streak as she pulled the last dress from the wardrobe she had taken out earlier. Her rant seemed to fuel her rage as she began to rip it to shreds and tie the ends to various fabrics. `The nerve of that damned monk!!! The nerve of that damned hanyou!!! Thinking that sending an obviously deranged man to repulse me out of my resolve…. Well, he will get another thing coming! Finally! Finished!'

 

Miroku limped into the kitchen a long while later, namely after he gained consciousness, and grinned widely. “A truly fabulous creature! You are definitely blessed, InuYasha!”

 

Sango cried out at seeing him and ran to support the now staggering monk before he fell.

 

InuYasha gaped at him. “Holy fuck! She nearly killed you! That bitch is crazy!”

 

Both looked up at the hanyou who seemed ready to kill, but what caught their attention was what was happening beyond the doorway behind the hanyou.

 

Before he could move to the stairs to yell at the girl above them, Sango dropped Miroku unceremoniously into a nearby chair and glared hard at the dog-demon.

 

“Think about this clearly, InuYasha.” Sango fumed. “Kagome may not be reasonable at times, but she is not psychotic. Why would you think she would do something like this to Miroku?”

 

InuYasha looked at the monk who was obviously not looking at him but behind him. `As if ignoring me will save you!'

 

“I told you if you touched her I would kill you!” He roared and his claws cracked in fury.

 

Sango gaped at the door behind the hanyou and hastily stepped in front of the monk. “In… InuYasha… um… ah….” She looked around quickly for some sort of distraction, her eyes falling on the man behind her who was grinning ear to ear at what he was watching outside. She back kicked him in the shin to get him out of his stupor before continuing.

 

“Don't you think by the looks of Miroku that he has been given his just punishment? I mean, look at the Lech! He's grinning like an idiot. He may very well have a concussion!”

 

InuYasha glared at both of them before he broke out in a grin. “Yeah, she did get him good.”

 

“And don't you think you should go talk to her?” Sango quickly said.

 

“What? Why?” The hanyou looked worried.

 

“Because, though Miroku may have had the best intentions, he may have made things worse. And him going up on your behalf would definitely make her opinion of you even less! Especially after what he just did to her, whatever that may have been.” Sango shot her eyes furiously at the monk behind her.

 

InuYasha glowered at the monk. “Yeah, you're probably right.” He pointed angrily at the prone man. “If you messed this up for me, Monk, I'm sending you back to that village where I found you and let them take care of you!”

 

Miroku flicked his eyes from the door to the half-demon. He gulped and nodded quickly.

 

Hastily, InuYasha left the kitchen to make his way up to the main chamber.

 

Meanwhile, Sango and Miroku turned their faces to the open door as they watched Kagome climb the last of the kimono rope to the terrace. She looked quickly around and caught sight of them through the doorway. She grinned like the cat that just ate the canary, gave them both a devil's head hand gesture, and darted through the garden to the wilds beyond, wearing nothing but her underwear.

 

“Yes, a truly fantastic creature,” Miroku smiled, “I just hope InuYasha knows what he has gotten himself into.”

 

Sango only nodded.