InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chaos is his Middle Name ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Her head was killing her, but it was nothing compared to the throbbing pain of her back. She tried to open her eyes, to see why she was in so much pain, but her eyelids seemed to weigh a ton. She attempted to lift her arm and found that it was just as heavy. She felt a groan leave what she presumed to be her own lips. The sound was strange to her ears for it sounded too anguished. She didn’t know what was going on. She couldn’t remember anything. There was nothing but pain.

“Let her come to,” She heard a someone say as her heartbeat quickened. Why was she so afraid? “She won’t be very comfortable, but maybe we can learn who she is.” She wanted to shout, to push away from the strangers around her, but her arms wouldn’t respond to her command.

“Mom, what to we do? How can we make her pain go away?” Was that a child? Kohaku! . . . Where did that name come from? Kohaku . . . he was . . . her little brother . . . Her already fast beating heart beat faster, but for an entirely different reason. ‘Kohaku!’ her mind screamed. Concentrating on her eyelids, she wrenched them open.

At first her vision was blurry, but after blinking several times her sight started to clear. She recognized that she was lying on her stomach on a mattress. She tiresomely shifted her shoulders and realized the reason for being on her stomach. A gut-wrenching scream let loose from her throat and tears quickly flowed down her face.

“Kagome, help me steady her!” She felt two pairs of hands gently holding her shoulders down, but she didn’t want their help. She wanted to see Kohaku. Needed to see him. Ignoring the searing pain jolting through her back, she struggled against the restraining hands. “Calm down, Dear. Everything’s okay. You’re safe now.”

Safe? Safe from what? She momentarily calmed as she tried to remember what had happened to her. Fear. She remembered being afraid. She had been telling . . . Kohaku to run. From what though? . . . Her mind went blank. She tried to concentrate harder. An image of a man, but with the image no sense of fear came with it. She knew this face. His face was gentle and had loving eyes. . . . Takeda was the name that came to mind.

As if with the remembrance of his name, a tide of memories broke through her mind. Her name was Sango Taijiya and Takeda Kuranosuke was her fiancée. She and her little brother Kohaku traveled around the countryside with him in search of the perfect place to have their wedding.

She opened her eyes and for the first time looked at her surroundings. How had she gotten here? Where was Takeda and Kohaku? Sango observed the people around her. The woman on her right appeared to be middle aged and the woman to her left seemed to be in her late teens. Not too much younger than herself. She looked ahead of her and caught sight of a boy. Hope shot through and her whole being scream Kohaku. But the more she looked at the boy she realized it was not her beloved little brother. “Dear, can you hear me?” the middle aged woman asked.

Sango moved her pained gazed over to the woman. A slight feeling of fear was still in her system and Sango tried to recoil from both the presences around her. The older woman patted her on the head. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now.”

“K-Kohaku . . . Takeda . . . W-where are th-they?” Her voice sounded scratchy. What had happened to her? She watched as the two women exchanged gloomy looks. Sango felt panic take the place of fear inside her. She tried to move but the pain shot through her body again, forcing her to rethink her action. “Where . . . Where are they?”

The younger girl stepped forward and knelt down to her left. “Why don’t we talk about this when you’re feeling better.” Sango stared at the girl and knew that something was terribly wrong. Why wouldn’t she just tell her where her brother and Takeda were?

Sango started to thrash her head back and forth. She was in too much emotional pain to notice her physical ones. Her tears were now flowing like two rivers down her cheeks. “No . . . no, tell me . . . Where are they?!” she screamed as loud as she could. The girl took a step back in surprise. She looked over at the other woman uncertainly.

The girl took a deep breath then released it in the form of a sigh. “. . . When I found you . . . There were no other survivors.” Sango had thought that her tears were flowing at top speed, but when the girl said no survivors it only proved her wrong. Her tears came even faster.

No. It wasn’t true. Kohaku and Takeda were still alive. They had to be. They were her life. The girl was lying. She just hadn’t searched hard enough. They just couldn’t be . . .

Kagome watched the anguished woman before her and felt her heart break. Maybe she hadn’t looked well enough? There could be a chance that the people the woman spoke of were still alive. Valid not a good one, but at least some hope. Kagome looked over at her mother, who was trying her best to calm the woman down, and cleared her throat. “Mom, I’m going back.”

Her mother looked over at her in surprise. “You’re what?”

“I’m going back to the village. I have to see if there is anyone still alive.” She made to go gather some things, but her mother grabbed her arm. She looked over at her mother with a knowing look.

“I don’t want you out there. It’s dangerous and I won’t have you coming back with an even more serious injury. Or worse, not coming back at all.” Kagome let out a sigh. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy to convince her mother, but she had to try.

“Mom, I have to do this. Just look at her.” Kagome gestured over to the sobbing woman. “I need to know if anyone is still out there. I want to be able to tell her the truth. Why should she get false information?”

Her mother placed a hand on her forehead as she closed her eyes. “Kagome, you don’t know if that information is false. Besides, there’s little chance that there’s anyone still alive. It’s a miracle she’s still alive!”

Kagome squeezed her mother’s arm. “Let me find out. I promise I’ll be back.” She watched as her mother slightly shook her head and then sighed.

Kagome watched hopefully as she looked up at her and stared firmly. “You better come back.” Kagome smiled and rushed to give her a hug before she started to gather supplies. “Unharmed.”

She threw a couple of water bottles into the backpack she was taking and looked up at her mother. “Of course.” She then proceeded to add a bottle of pain killer into the bag. Her attention was quickly diverted to her little brother, who was standing by the wall. He had been quiet from the time the woman had awoken and Kagome knew it was because he had never seen anyone is so much pain. “Don’t worry Souta, everything will be fine.”

Her brother ran over to her and hugged her quickly. Before he ran off to his room, Kagome saw the tears in his eyes. ‘Oh Souta.’ “Is he your brother?” Kagome whipped her head around to stare at the injured woman. She still had tears streaming down her face, but she seemed to have calmed down a little. Kagome nodded in response to her question. “Kohaku . . . He was my little brother.” More tears well up in her eyes.

That was one of the names of the people she had cried out. She had lost her brother. That is, until Kagome could find him. Dead or alive was still debatable. “I’m going to go back and look for more survivors.” It was the only thing she could think of to say. The woman nodded before closing her eyes and giving into sleep. Kagome sighed as she watched the gentle rise and fall of her back. Hopefully she would be back with good news. She turned back to her mother and smiled. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

Her mother embraced her tightly. “You better.” She reluctantly left go and watched her daughter walk out the front door.

It didn’t take long to get to the destroyed village. Or, that is, what was left of it. The fires had put themselves out and the smell of decay was strong in the air. A shiver ran down her spin as looked over the desolate scene before her. She slowly walked closer to the sight and coughed as the stench got stronger. She continued walking forward as she covered her nose with her shirt once again.

She walked around checking over all the decaying corpses, trying to determine if any of them were breathing. She did this for twenty minutes before she came across the place where she had found the woman. Kagome searched the area and located two bodies. She knelt down beside the smaller, who she assumed to be Kohaku, and saw that his throat had been ripped open. And even if that wound hadn’t have been fatal his charred body wouldn’t have lasted long anyway. With tears in her eyes, she looked over at the other body and noticed that his stomach was torn open and his guts spread across the ground. Kagome brought her finger up to bite on to prevent the scream that built up in her chest.

“It seems that I have come too late.”

Kagome whorled around to find a Buddhist monk standing not too far away. He was wearing purple and black robes and was holding a staff. His hair was pulled back into a short pony tail at the back of his neck and he had the purest blue eyes Kagome had ever seen. “Excuse me?”

The monk made his way over to her and then gestured around the demolished setting. “I had heard a rumor that the king had ordered the demise of this village.” he said and then let out a sigh. “I had hoped to arrive quicker. My plan was to get here in time to slay the creature that murders people on the king’s command. It’s not safe for anyone when the king has that much control over a monster. It needs to be slain.”

Kagome gasped. He was talking about the man that had spared her life and even though she should feel resentment toward the person who had stolen these people’s lives, she couldn’t. He had made it clear that he did not enjoy what he did, so why should he have to pay with his life for the evil the king ordered him to do? She knew that it was not sane to excuse someone who had killed, but Kagome could tell that what he did tortured him. “. . . But aren’t you supposed to save lives? You are a monk, are you not?” She tried to hid the raw panic in her eyes. She did not want this monk to judge her for her decisions. “Why wouldn’t you try to save whatever is killing people? It seems to me he is the one who needs saving more than anyone.”

The monk peered at her before answering. “One that has sin as much as this cannot hope to find peace in Nirvana. By killing it, it can at least have a chance to start over.”

Maybe he wouldn’t find peace in Nirvana, but that didn’t mean he deserved to die. Everyone had a right to finish the life they started and Kagome deeply believed that if she could save him from the king he would have the chance to change. Kagome looked away from the monk and back at the brutal site before her.

She felt the monk kneel beside her. “I will offer my prayers and then will bury the dead before carrying on with my mission.” She peered over at him. He held fast to his staff with his eyes closed. His free hand was vertical with his face as he prayed.

“I-I wish to help.” Kagome stuttered. “If you’ll let me.” The monk smiled warmly at her as he stood up and held out a hand to her.

Kagome took it gratefully. “I would like that very much.” He walked over and picked up a shovel he had brought with him, then handed it her. He then proceeded to grab the extra one for himself. “My name’s Miroku, by the way. Miroku Houshi.”

“Mine’s Kagome Higurashi.”

“What a beautiful name.” Kagome blushed at his praise, but decided to stay silent. By the time the sun started to set, they only accomplished burying three bodies. “I guess I’ll have to continue tomorrow. Will you be joining me then as well?”

Kagome nodded and watched as Miroku made his way to a near by tree. “Wait!” He stopped to look over his shoulder at her. “Do you need a place to stay? I’m sure my mother wouldn’t mind if you stayed with us.”

He hesitated before answering. “If you’re sure it wouldn’t be a burden.”

“Not at all.” Kagome traveled the short way back to her home with Miroku, wondering how long it would take to bury the entire population of the village. When they reached her home, Kagome noticed that her mother was anxiously waiting outside the front door.

“Oh Kagome, you’re back. Thank Kami!” Her mother rushed to greet her and was about to take her into her arms when she noticed the monk standing beside her.

“Good evening Madam. My name is Miroku Houshi and your daughter as graciously offered me shelter for the night, but I will only except if it is alright with you.” he said before she could ask any questions.

Her mother stared at the monk for a moment before saying, “I don’t mind, but you’ll have to be mindful of the woman who will also be staying with us. She was one of the survivors from the attack today and, from the lack of people you brought back, has lost two people close to her in the incident.”

“Mom, Miroku is helping to bury the dead. I’m sure he won’t bother her.” Kagome explained. Her mother nodded and then welcomed him into her home. As they entered, Kagome saw that the woman was awake once again.

“Sango, this is my daughter Kagome. You met her earlier today.” The woman nodded in understanding. “And this monk’s name is Miroku. He’s here to bury the dead.”

Sango looked sadly at Kagome. “Did you find them?” Kagome guiltily looked away and that was all Sango needed to know. “I see. Then they were killed?” Kagome slowly nodded as Sango broke down into tears.

“I’m so sorry Sango.” Kagome whispered as Miroku swiftly walked past her to kneel in front of the crying woman.

“Madam, I promise you I that I will hunt down the monster who has caused you this much pain. I will hunt it down and slay it.” He reached forward and wiped away the tears that were running down her exposed cheek.

Sango blinked back tears as she stared at the man. “Thank you.” Was all she could manage before exhaustion over took her once again. Miroku stood and looked at Kagome.

“You’d better get some rest too. We’ll be getting up bright and early tomorrow.” She watched Miroku take a seat on the couch and then gestured for Kagome to run along.

“Oh, umm, right. Goodnight, Miroku.” Kagome said as she made her way to her bedroom. She could already tell that tomorrow was going to be a long day.

As it turned out, it took Miroku and Kagome an entire week to bury all of the dead. Towards the end of the week Sango had begun to feel better and even joined them. Though she still wasn’t well enough to help out. Instead she would sit in the shade of a nearby tree and watch. Every now and then she would join Kagome and Miroku in conversation.

Kagome learned that Miroku came from a long line of monks and that his life goal was to produce an heir to carry on the family tradition. In turn, Kagome told them about how she thought her quiet life was boring and that she longed for adventure. She also learned more about Sango. How she had been engaged and that was why they had traveled to the village in the first place. They had been in search of the perfect place to wed.

Kagome felt bad for Sango. She had lost so much in the course of a couple of hours. Nothing could be more terrifying than that. She couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to loose her mother and Souta.

Miroku let out a sigh as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “Finished.” He offered some last minute prayers and then turned to the two ladies sitting under the tree. He smiled as he walked over to join them.

“Feels great to be done, doesn’t it Miroku.” Kagome asked as he sat down.

“Indeed it does.” He looked over at Sango, who was looking off in the distance. “Is there something troubling you, Sango?” She calmly looked over and studied him.

“What do you plan to do now that you are finished here?” she asked. She was sure she knew the answer, but she wanted to make sure.

His upbeat persona turned into a very serious one. “I plan on continuing with my mission.” he replied. “I meant what I said to you Sango. I will track this creature down and kill it”

She nodded in understanding. Her assumption had been correct. “I would like to join you.” she stated trying to keep her emotions in check. “I want to be there when you kill it. To watch that monster take its last breath and maybe be of some assistance to you.”

“I don’t believe in the thought of revenge, but I will not try to stop you from joining me if that is what you wish. We‘ll leave early tomorrow morning.” Kagome looked between the two of them as she felt her eyes widen. They couldn’t kill him! She didn’t know why she was so intent on him staying alive, but she knew that she had to stop them He had spared her life, so she should as least try to make them spare his.

“I’m coming as well.”

Both pairs of eyes moved to land on her. One pair held curiosity and the other held surprise. “I don’t think that’s a wise decision,” Miroku began, “but I am curious as to why you would want to come along.”

“I’ve told you before that I want adventure.” she lied with a shrug of her shoulders. She just hoped that they wouldn’t catch on to her little ruse. “This just seems like the perfect opportunity.”

Miroku eyed her humorously. “And you believe your mother would let you go on this so called adventure with us?”

Kagome hadn’t thought up to that part of her plan. “Well, umm . . . I wasn’t really planning on telling her.” Kagome mumbled. She knew her mother would be worried about her, but she wouldn’t understand why Kagome had to do this. How could she? Kagome herself didn’t even know why.

Miroku chuckled. “And you expected me to lie to her as well? I’m sorry Kagome, but I just can’t do that.” Kagome stared at him pleadingly.

“You wouldn’t have to lie to her. You just wouldn’t have to tell her I’m coming with you.” She had to go with them. Or at least she preferred to go with them. If they decided not to let her join their group she’d set out by herself anyway. Nothing was going to stop her from getting to him. “Please Miroku. If you don’t let me then I’ll just go by myself.”

All sense of fun left Miroku’s face as he read the seriousness of Kagome’s. He had a bad feeling that her going off on her own adventure had little to do with just roaming the countryside. No. He had a sneaky suspicion that she would try to track down the monster as well. But he somehow knew that it wasn’t for the same reason as his. What could she possibly gain from finding this creature? He let out a sigh in defeat. He was no dummy. It would be better for her to travel with them than without any protection whatsoever. “Alright. You may come with us, but you are at least going to tell your mother.”

“No!” Kagome almost shouted. “She’d never let me.”

He let out another sigh. “Then at best leave a note.” Kagome nodded in agreement and then looked over at Sango, who had been watching the exchange in silence. Though her expression held no suspicion, Kagome could tell that Sango was trying to figure out why she wanted to come with them. However, Kagome did nothing to ease her questioning mind.

“Thank you Miroku.”

Dinner that night was anything, but peaceful. Her mother begged Sango and Miroku to reconsider, but Miroku just told her that it was a job that had to be done. Kagome remained silent throughout the whole ordeal. Trying to repel all attention toward her. This was one of the hardest nights Kagome had gone through and not because she wanted to get going, but because she was leaving her mother behind.

She hated to think of what state she would leave her mother. She knew she would be crushed to know that she had left, but . . . She had to.

Nightfall came faster than Kagome had thought. She knew that it was time to write her mother the short vague note she had planned out in her head. She reached under her bed and grabbed a pad of paper. She began:

Mom, I know you’re probably going out of your mind right now, but don’t because I’m fine. I’m going with Miroku and Sango. I know this probably has done nothing to ease your worries, but I just want you to trust me. This is something I have to do. Hopefully I’ll be able to explain everything a little better when I come back. And I will come back. I love you.
Until I see you again,
Kagome.

Kagome placed the letter on her bed and then quietly made her way out of the house. She saw two figures already waiting outside the front door and knew that this was the start of one hell of an adventure.