InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cannot Be Broken ❯ Adversary ( Chapter 18 )

InuYasha jumped from the lip of the well and growled fiercely. He had not sensed nor smelled the creature before him. He hated being caught unaware.

 

“Who the fuck are you?” He spat.

 

“Heh, heh, heh. How rude of me. I am known as the demon Naraku.” The creature stood quietly, staring at both of them through a baboon hood mask. The only movement from him was the wind shifting his long white pelt.

 

Kagome stood frozen. That voice! I know that voice!

 

InuYasha unsheathed Tetsusaiga. “What do you want?”

 

“Why, Lord InuYasha, I have only come to introduce myself as your humble servant.”

 

Kagome felt dizzy. His aura had blasted over her, trying to sense her. She subdued herself as much as she could. Yet, she could not sense him. He had no aura, but that voice….

 

“How do you know my name?” InuYasha stood tall, looking down at the demon, trying to deduce the demon's nature.

 

“Why would I not know of the great Lord InuYasha? This land is filled with stories of your massacres against your enemies.” Still the creature did not move.

 

Kagome darted her eyes to InuYasha.

 

InuYasha's eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”

 

“To offer my services to you.” Naraku replied.

 

“I have no need for anything, now leave.” The inu demon snarled.

 

“No? Not even the power to make you a full demon?” Naraku queried.

 

InuYasha bulked. “There is no such power.”

 

“Oh?” The voice feigned surprise. “Have you not heard of the Shikon no Tama?”

 

InuYasha drew back stunned. “The one in the fairy tale?”

 

“Oh, I assure you, it is no tale. The Shikon is very much real.”

 

Kagome watched silently. Every time the creature spoke, the more she felt she had to run from him. A deadly terror filled her but her legs would not obey. All she could do was listen and try to keep her heart from beating itself to death.

 

“I see that you are a fucking moron.” InuYasha sneered. “What would possess you to believe in children's stories?”

 

“Heh heh heh.” His hand stretched out and fisted the air. “Because, I have seen the jewel, and have come close to taking it.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened. Taking it? Why does that sound so familiar?

 

“Huh?” InuYasha stepped back.

 

Naraku shifted his gaze over the hanyou. “Do you know of the legend, my lord?”

 

InuYasha scowled. “Why would I care to remember children's fables?

 

“Because,” the demon replied, “a story starts somewhere, on something. In every story, there is a basis of truth. The Shikon is one such truth.”

 

“Alright, I'll play along with your insanity.” InuYasha shift positions, trying to scent the wind. “What is the big deal about the jewel?”

 

“The jewel has the ability to grant wishes, but more importantly, can make stronger the one who possesses it.”

 

InuYasha flicked his ears. “And if the jewel is real, what of it?”

 

The demon watched him fully and chuckled. “I have come because I believe the jewel is nearby, possibly in your very lands. All I ask, is that you allow me to find it. With your help, I will be able to discover its location. And as a thank you, will give you the jewel to become what you most desire.”

 

Kagome darted her gaze from one demon to the other. She could not feel the aura of the creature called Naraku. He was either suppressing it masterfully, or he wasn't there at all. And there was something about him she hated beyond all recognition. It was the fact that she knew him, and she could not place where. But emotions of dread, fury, death and chaos were what she understood. This demon could not be trusted. She stood still, unsure of InuYasha's motives, but she could sense he was not fully paying attention to the demon's words.

 

“And what do you know of my desires?” InuYasha goaded, side stepping in an arc around the white cloaked demon.

 

“That for close to two hundred years, you have been under the dominating hand of your older half brother, Sesshomaru. I know that he took you of your rightful claim, and had fought you for the very sword you are holding now. I know that you hated being a half demon, too weak to even claim back what was yours. And now, under… special… circumstances,” Naraku turned his head to Kagome, “you finally have it back. But… for how long?”

 

InuYasha jumped back to hide Kagome from the demon's sight. His eyes burned in white hot rage. “How the fuck do you know all this?”

 

“Stories… my lord… stories.” Naraku grinned under the baboon mask.

 

Kagome paled slightly and looked hard at the back of the hanyou, willing him to hear her. Don't listen to him. Don't…. He's manipulating you. I don't know why but he knows the darkness in you. Don't listen, please. She shook but still felt unable to say anything that would make any sense to the situation. A chill settled in her soul and she felt death all around her. She cast her eyes around the glen. Everything looked dull, listless and bare, like the life was being drained from it all.

 

InuYasha looked hard at the demon. “You believe the Shikon is real and that it's here?”

 

“InuYasha?” She whispered. Don't listen!

 

He flicked his ears back to her, then forward as Naraku spoke.

 

“Yes, very real and very close.”

 

“Close?”

 

“Yes, I believe it may be in one of your villages. Possibly horded by a priest or priestess, since they have the capability of using the jewel, and masking its power.”

 

Kagome gasped. The mikos! The destroyed villages! That thing was look for a jewel?!

 

InuYasha flicked an ear back at her before stepping closer to the cloaked demon. “And why would I trust you to bring me the jewel?”

 

Naraku raised its head to settle fully on the hanyou. “Hmm. A most wise question. How could you trust me? Other than joining with me….”

 

InuYasha again walked the arc around the demon. “Join with you? Just why would I join a bastard like you?!” He leapt in the air and transformed the decrepit Tetsusaiga into a large steel fang.

 

Naraku glided quickly to the side to narrowly miss the sword's crash to the ground.

 

“Why, my lord, what ever is the matter?” The demon feigned surprise.

 

“You asshole! Do you honestly think I would not recognize your scent?! You are the one who destroyed all those villages! And for a fucking story?!” InuYasha seethed.

 

“Hmm. I forgot how perceptive the demon dog's nose was. Something I should have realized when I propositioned your brother.”

 

“Otou-san?” Kagome stepped forward, her eyes wide.

 

Naraku turned his eyes to the girl. “Ah yes, the demon lord's daughter. How intriguing that you mask your aura so. What are you hiding?”

 

Kagome stepped back as the demon lunged towards her.

 

“Oh no you don't!” InuYasha charged and swiped abruptly where the demon was heading, only for Naraku to side swipe out of the way at the last moment.

 

“So eager to protect your mate. How very tender.” Naraku laughed quietly.

 

“Fucker! You leave her out of this, your war is with me!” Again the hanyou tore the air where his adversary previously stood.

 

Naraku clucked his tongue. “InuYasha, I would have thought you of all creatures would understand. This is a chance for great power. A demon who has caused as much destruction as you have would not blink at the thought of a few small villages.”

 

Kagome looked over at InuYasha. “InuYasha.”

 

“Don't listen to him, Kagome. He's lying.” The hanyou growled.

 

“Am I? The sword you hold is proof of my words. Who has not heard of the death and mayhem that sword was responsible for.” Naraku calmly replied.

 

InuYasha seethed. “It was war.”

 

“Indeed, against the only member of your family, and over land. So many lost their lives over something so petty.”

 

InuYasha lunged again. “Bastard, I have no need to explain my actions to you!”

 

“Heh heh heh. Maybe not to me, but what of your mate. It was her people you killed, her village.”

 

Kagome paled and looked over at InuYasha. Her mouth went suddenly dry. What does he mean? My village? InuYasha was the one who destroyed my village? The demon army, my mother…oh gods, it was him?!

 

InuYasha hacked and slashed at the demon, but he was always out of reach. “I did not destroy any village.” He growled.

 

“Hmm. Amazing what a little bit of doubt can do, don't you think?” Naraku flicked his head over to Kagome.

 

InuYasha turned his head to look at Kagome. She was pale and tears flowed from her eyes. Her mouth was open in a silent question.

 

No! Kagome, don't believe!

 

InuYasha turned his head back to see a brown tendril shoot out from the cloak. He leapt out of the way and slashed the tendril, cutting it from Naraku.

 

“She makes a wonderful distraction, InuYasha.” The cloaked figure laughed.

 

“Kagome, get the fuck away from here!” InuYasha roared. Tetsusaiga glowed heavily.

 

Kagome lurched her body away from the well and towards the tree line. A tendril streaked behind her.

 

InuYasha swiped Tetsusaiga towards it, cutting off the tendril's path. Another tendril whipped from behind him and pierced through his gut, impaling him to a large tree.

 

In numbed shock, InuYasha dropped Tetsusaiga. Blood streamed down his stomach and legs in small rivulets.

 

“InuYasha!” Kagome screamed and ran towards him.

 

“Ka… gome. Run.” InuYasha's throat gurgled with blood.

 

The tendril ripped out of him and he unceremoniously dropped to the ground. A wide gaping hole filled his abdomen.

 

He lay lifeless in the snow. His eyes were hidden by blood-flecked bangs.

 

Naraku turned to Kagome. “So little girl, it's just you and me. I'll make sure to make it quick and painful.”

 

Kagome skidded to a halt meters from him. Her eyes darted from InuYasha's body to the demon before her. Her eyes narrowed in rage. A heavy pulsed echoed around her.

 

Naraku stood still, feeling a shift of power erupt in her. “What are you doing, Hime?”

 

Her storm grey eyes flashed slight crimson, then violet, and her heart began to race hard against her chest. Fury and delight in the hunt flooded her veins. She wanted blood on her hands, his blood. She stretched her hands up to her face and clawed her fingers before her. “Bring it on.” She heaved out a guttural growl, then screamed in pain as she toppled to the ground, clutching her chest and stomach.

 

Naraku sniffed the air. “How is this possible? You smell of….”

 

“Demon!”

 

Naraku turned to see InuYasha stand before him. His face was pale and violet scratches were marked on his cheeks. Blood poured from the gaping hole in his stomach, yet he stood without notice of it.

 

“You are mine.” InuYasha growled, his voice was guttural and deep. He flashed his glowing red eyes up to stare into the black hollowness of the baboon mask.

 

Naraku glided away from the full demon that stood before him. He looked at the girl behind him writhing on the ground in the corner of his eye. “How very clever. Joining the girl with your life force. I am curious how you can do that.” He moved towards the prone girl.

 

InuYasha flexed his claws. “Bastard! Stay the hell away from her!” He leapt forward.

 

Naraku focused fully on the demon before him and flit to the side. “You are a full demon now. This is surprising. No matter, it is but a small delay to your demise.”

 

Tendrils whipped out at all angles. Kagome watched as two came towards her. She gasped in pain and rolled out of the way only to see InuYasha pinned by three of the tendrils. She gripped the snow in anger and pain.

 

InuYasha tore savagely at the tendrils, ripping each off of him. He pounced at the tendrils' source, shredding his claws along the neck.

 

The head of the demon dropped to the side, laughing. “Impressive. Such strength. I will enjoy joining your power with my own.”

 

“I will have nothing to do with you except your death.” InuYasha raged. Blood flowed all around him, but he did not seem to feel it. He was driven on savage youkai strength, yet his mind was clear.

 

The body of Naraku hovered as tendrils whipped all around.

 

“So certain?” The masked head replied from the snow capped ground.

 

The inu youkai slashed his claws at each tendril that aimed for him, but was unable to pull away every one of them. Quickly, tendrils bound InuYasha. He howled in fury.

 

“InuYasha!” Kagome cried out. She blinked back the crimson sparks flooding her eyes. The pain she was feeling was too much to bear and her mind was becoming clouded.

 

InuYasha howled again, the sound of cracking bones flooded her ears. Kagome screamed in pain and convulsed on the ground.

 

“Heh heh heh. I will take the both of you at the same time it seems.” The head replied bitterly.

 

Kagome shook her head, trying to clear it. She managed to force back the pain she was absorbing to comprehend the demon's voice. “I… will not… be taken!” Biting her lips until it drew blood, she forced herself to stand. Her mind was spinning with instinctual blood lust. She wanted vengeance and death. She closed her eyes and gathered her powers inside. Suddenly, she flashed her eyes open at the demon and thrusted her hands out in front of her and away.

 

InuYasha was torn from the demon's grasp as it was hurtled across the glen.

 

InuYasha landed and rolled, catching self into a crouching position. He looked at Kagome with red eyes and growled. He sprung towards her. With wide eyes she flashed her hand out. “Down!”

 

InuYasha was pinned face first to the ground as a tendril whipped over him, narrowly impaling his neck.

 

She did not see what the inu demon saw as a stem of the demon grappled around her, lifting her high and flung her away.

 

Kagome landed in a crumpled heap. She lay still in the snow filled glen.

 

With her hold on him broken, InuYasha thrusted himself upright. His eyes darted from the spiralling demon body, to the body of the still miko. “Kagome!”

 

He ran to her side, dodging limbs as they rushed towards him. Landing by her side, he quickly picked her up and held her to his body, bunching his legs to jump to the trees and flee, but each tendril barred his escape.

 

“You cannot escape me, hanyou!” The head yelled out.

 

Kagome stirred in InuYasha's arms. “InuYasha.” She moaned. Her head was still clouded and her body was still pained by his youkai miasma.

 

The inu youkai leapt from tendril to tendril, searching desperately for any type of escape.

 

Kagome's head spun as she peered around groggily. A black mist that swirled in the centre of the body caught her attention. “InuYasha, we have to destroy the body!” She heaved.

 

“What the fuck do you think I've been trying to do!” The Inu youkai snarled and leapt to another tendril. “I can't get anywhere near it!”

 

InuYasha landed by the demon's head, holding tight to Kagome, his eyes shooting around the glen looking for a way out.

 

“Put me down! We have to destroy the black mist, where the heart should be!” Kagome pointed shakily at the chest cavity of the demon's body.

 

“Clever girl…. So you are a miko!” The head laughed in manic bliss. “No wonder he tried to hide you so fully! I will add both your powers to my own! You are mine!”

 

You are mine! Kagome's head spun to face the demon's prone head on the ground. “The voice in my dreams.” She breathed in shock.

 

InuYasha's ears swivelled between both of them, his eyes never leaving the demon's body, which now settled in an eerie calm, its tendrils floating casually.

 

“Ah… Midoriko…. I have finally found you.” The head began to laugh.

 

Kagome kicked herself out of InuYasha's arms and flung herself to the ground by the head. Her eyes flashed indigo. “I am not Midoriko!” She screamed in rage.

 

“No.” The demon chuckled. “She had rather died than face the inevitable. You, however, belong with me!”

 

“NO!” Kagome screamed in fury and crawled heavily over to pick up the head, only for it to disintegrate in her hands in a mass of colour.

 

In insane fright, she rolled to watch the body as numerous tendrils shot at them at once.

 

In a blinding flash, an arrow hurtled through the air between InuYasha and herself, landing thickly into the centre cavity of the demon's chest. In white hot light, the body disintegrated before them.

 

Kagome and InuYasha spun around quickly to see a cloaked figure stand at the edge of the glen by the very tree InuYasha was pinned against.

 

The figure lifted its hood.

 

“Kikyo!” Kagome gasped and stood to stumble shakily to the woman.

 

InuYasha leapt in front of her and grabbed her, holding her back.

 

“What the hell is going on.” He gripped his arms hard around Kagome, who shook from pain under his hold.

 

Kikyo looked at the two of them, studying them briefly before turning her eyes to the glen. “That puppet was the answer behind all your questions.” She looked at InuYasha and gave him a death filled glare. “I suggest you let her go so we can hurry. Sesshomaru is waiting. All your answers will come from him.” She turned on her heel and stalked away.

 

InuYasha growled furiously.

 

“InuYasha?” Kagome whimpered under his tight embrace, her eyes began to roll slightly and she felt she was ready to pass out. “Trust.” She whispered.

 

InuYasha's growl subdued but did not fade. He reluctantly let her go only to pick up Tetsusaiga that he dropped by the tree. Within moments, his blood rage faded and both he and Kagome slumped to the ground. InuYasha fell into unconsciousness.

 

“InuYasha!” Kagome heaved herself to his side. She could still feel the extreme pain and she yelled out as she moved towards him. She lay beside him and held him to her. Looking up she saw Kikyo walk towards them, leading a two headed reptilian steed.

 

“Ah and Un will carry us to the manor. We haven't much time. His wounds are serious and your link is too strong for you bear it. Come, he is waiting.” Kikyo helped them onto the small dragon's back.

 

InuYasha opened and then closed his eyes as the beast moved underneath him. He was comatose when they reached their destination, so was oblivious to the life that was draining out of Kagome, and into him.