InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Light ❯ Chapter 23 ( Chapter 23 )

Chapter 23

Kagome tried in vain to understand the cryptic messages given to her in last nights meeting with the entity of light. She had awakened to a nervous looking Inu Yasha, who having been through this situation before, waited as patiently as he could for Kagome to come back from wherever it was she had gone.

She had told him everything about what the entity had said, and this morning, she had repeated the incident again, in as much detail as she could remember, to Miroku and Sango. Of course, it didn't escape Kagome's notice that those two had finally come to terms with their relationship it seemed, as they huddled around Inu Yasha's coffee table. Kagome was happy to see that her friends had finally come to terms with their feelings for each other, as she smiled warmly at a quietly blushing Sango. As for the riddles however, none of them seemed to have any idea what they could mean. What was it that brought light to a dark place? They were already stumped and not anywhere close to figuring out any of the mysteries. They had been at it all morning, tossing around ideas, but nothing seemed to click.

Hence the quick trip to the little grocery store a few blocks away. Kagome had assured everyone that she would be back as soon as she got them all some brain food. Brain food naturally being salty snacks, chips and Kagome's favorite, sour soother candies. Inu Yasha hated them. They always got stuck in his fangs, making his mouth feel pasty and gross. "That just means they'll be more for me," she smiled happily, having immensely enjoyed the quick break the walk had granted her. She had needed the fresh air and some time to think alone.

"Kagome!"

Kagome turned her head to the sound of the familiar voice and groaned inwardly when she saw who was jogging towards her. "Just great! He's got the worlds worst timing!"

Kagome smiled as sincerely as she was capable of. "Hi Hojo." She didn't want to hurt his feelings after all. Hojo had been a good friend to her, but sometimes, he just grated at her nerves and she felt horrible for feeling that way towards him at times.

"Good to see you, Kagome. I'm glad to see you're okay after that bizarre incident at the bar a few weeks ago."

"Oh yeah, I'm fine," she smiled, a pang of guilt hitting her square in the chest. She had forgotten that Hojo had been there. She'd been so preoccupied with Sango afterwards that she had completely forgotten to make sure that he had gotten out safely.

"You in a rush Kagome? I thought we might grab a coffee or something?" She could see the hope glinting in his eyes.

"Gee, I'm really sorry Hojo, but I've got to run. I've got hungry people waiting for me," she said as she pointed her head towards the bags in her hands, "maybe next time?"

"Oh yeah, sure, of course Kagome. No worries." He smiled sweetly, but Kagome could see the trace of disappointment cross his features, and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Thanks Hojo, we'll talk soon!" She attempted to wave as she began her trek back home.

"See ya, Kagome." Hojo waved as he turned to walk in the opposite direction.

Kagome sighed in relief. Thankful that she had been spared a boring coffee date with someone that just couldn't understand that she wasn't interested or available.

She turned the corner and stopped dead in her tracks. Her bags fell from her hands, their contents spilling on the street, forgotten.

A soft whisper escaped her lips at the sight before her, of a figure leaning half concealed in the shadows of an alley.

"Kikyou."

Kagome blinked and the figure was gone. But she knew what she had seen. Was it possible? Could it have really been Kikyou? Kagome hadn't thought to ask Inu Yasha if he had ever come across her, which she doubted anyways, since Inu Yasha hadn't mentioned anything to her. But what could Kikyou be doing here? Did she know? Was she plotting to hurt her or Inu Yasha again? She had to know. Without thinking, Kagome raced towards the opening of the alley, peering down its half concealed depths. Nothing. Had she been dreaming?

A flicker of dark hair, at the other end of the alley, caught her attention. No, she hadn't been dreaming.

Kagome raced down the alley as her heart pumped wildly in her chest. What could this mean? She didn't want to think of the implications of it. It was too dreadful. Kagome splashed through puddles as she weaved her way around the alley that seemed to be more of a maze then anything else. She was finally halted by the appearance of a large chain link fence. A dead end.

"What the?"

"So, you thought you could get away with it did you? But you'll never replace me!"

Kagome whirled to face the voice. There, standing above some crates, looking down at her, a scowl firmly in place, was the one person in her life that should have been there for her. The one person she should have been able to trust over 500 years ago. One of the few family members she had ever known.

"Kikyou." She uttered the name under her breath, finally realizing that she was in fact, face to face with the women that had once been part of her blood, part of her life. The woman that had betrayed them all.

Kagome fisted her hands in anger. "What do you want Kikyou!"

Kikyou quirked an eyebrow up at her. "How do you know my name?"

"What?" Kagome thought, "Doesn't she know who I am? Who she is? Then what…" The questions assaulting her mind were quickly answered.

"No matter," a small smile traced its way onto Kikyou's lips, "it's like Naraku said then. He must not have forgotten me. He must talk of me to you, for you to know my name." She hadn't been sure if Naraku had been telling her the truth, but this little incident had quieted any of her doubts.

"Who are you talking about?" Kagome wasn't surprised to discover that Naraku had gotten to Kikyou again, only that he had managed to do it without Kikyou even remembering anything of their past.

Kikyou laughed. "Who else, stupid girl. Inu Yasha, that's who!"

Kagome's jaw fell open in shock. If she didn't remember anything, then how could she know about him?

"I'm sure he's told you all about me. And I want you to know that I'm here to take him back."

Kagome began to fume in anger as understanding filtered through her mind. "Why that stupid, mangy, dog! I'm gonna kill him!!"

"Which reminds me," Kikyou's wicked smiled sent shivers down Kagome's spine, "someone would like you back as well."

Before the words had time to infiltrate Kagome's mind, two demons entered the alley from the direction she had come, one word echoing in her mind. Ambush.

Kagome looked up to hit Kikyou with a few choice words of her own, but Kikyou was already gone.

"Shit!" She swore softly, as the two demons approached her, their sinister smiles letting her know just how much fun they thought this was going to be.

"Here kitty, kitty." Cooed one of the demons that looked to be a cat demon, his whiskers and fluffy tail a dead giveaway.

"Yeah kitty, we just want to play before we take you to see our boss. He didn't say what kind of condition you needed to be in. Just alive." Kagome wasn't sure what type of demon the second one was, but he had wild looking green and orange hair. And they said Inu Yasha looked like a punker?

"Stay away from me," Kagome commanded as she instinctively took to a fighting stance, shuffling her feet as the two demons circled around her, effectively blocking her between the two of them.

The demons laughed, not impressed with her show of bravery.

"That's rich little kitty. Real rich." The punk looking youkai grinned.

"I'm warning you," Kagome backed up a little bit more, struggling to keep as much distance between herself and the two demons as possible, but she could feel one of the alley walls quickly approaching from behind as she continued to be backed towards it. "I'm mated to a dog youkai and he's got one hell of a temper!"

"A dog eh?" The cat youkai hissed. "I eat dog for breakfast."

The cat youkai suddenly lunged at her with a quickness rarely seen, but Inu Yasha was faster then most demons, and Kagome had been outrunning him for years. She lunged out of the way, rolling along the alley floor, just as she heard the cat youkai collide with the wall, followed by a string of curses. The punker demon laughed at his fallen comrade.

"I can't believe you let a girl get the better of you, Taki! That's too funny!"

"Shut up Kinto!" The cat youkai rubbed his head from his place on the alley floor. "You get her then. My head hurts."

"With pleasure." Kinto grinned as he turned to face Kagome. They were still blocking her exit out of the alley, but at least she wasn't being cornered at the moment.

Kagome thought frantically about what to do. Could she blast them with her Miko power? She felt ill at the thought. For some reason, she had been finding it difficult to use her powers in a battle environment, like at the bar. She should have been able to get herself free somehow, but the power wouldn't come. Not until she had seen Sango in danger. She hadn't even told Inu Yasha. She didn't want him to worry even more about her; he was insanely protective enough as it was.

Pushing the doubt to the back of her mind, Kagome opened her fisted hands at her side, not wanting to let the demons know what she was up too. She closed her eyes briefly to search for the core of her power. She delved within her being to pull it out, when she came across…nothing.

Her eyes snapped open as the punker youkai, Kinto, threw himself at her, causing her to crash forcefully to the ground, knocking her breath out of her in a painful gasp as Kagome's eyes blurred in a momentary haze. She felt hands grab at her shoulders, pushing her down, as Kinto straddled her hips.

Kagome squirmed beneath Kinto's iron grip, screaming at him to get off of her, as she watched Taki, the cat youkai, walk up to his partner. Taki squatted down to look her in they eye as happy glee glinted in his pale features. "Well, well, well. Looks like we've caught ourselves a little kitty. Or is it a mouse?" He snickered at his friend, who was now sitting with Kagome's arms trapped under his knees.

"Do you know what cat's do to mice?" Kinto leered at her from above.

Kagome closed her eyes. This was not happening. Where was Inu Yasha? She screamed for him through their bond. He would be here any second. He always was. As if reading her thoughts, Taki laughed in a hissing, feline way.

"Don't think your half-breed of a no-good dog is coming for you either, little mousey. He won't be able to sense you. In case you hadn't noticed already, there's a dampening spell on this little section of the alley."

Kagome groaned in her mind. No, she hadn't noticed. She had been too preoccupied chasing down Kikyou to notice. That was probably what they were counting on, and why they had used Kikyou as bait.

"So there's no one here to help you." Kinto dragged a claw softly against Kagome's cheek as she shuddered. Refusing to allow the tears to spill from her eyes.

"Don't be so sure, ASSHOLE!"

Kagome's eyes snapped open as a blur smashed into the two demons at the same time, effectively separating Kagome from her captors.

Kagome jumped to her feet as she whirled to face... "Kouga?" She couldn't believe it! But there, crouched in a fighting stance in front of her, fangs and claws barred, was none other then the wolf demon himself.

"You okay, Kagome?" Kouga called behind him, not letting his stare wander from the two youkai before him, that were still trying to regain their footing.

Kagome nodded, clutching her arms around herself. Realizing Kouga couldn't see her, she spoke up, "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."

Kouga simply nodded before letting out a war cry as he leapt towards the stunned demons. They hadn't been expecting such a ferocious attack as Kouga landed a powerful kick to the cat youkai's chest, that sent him flying back into the alley wall with a bone crushing thud, while using his claws to gouge Kinto across the shoulder. The demon collapsed to the ground, holding his torn bleeding shoulder with his remaining good hand.

Both demons cried out in furious pain.

Kouga grabbed the bleeding Kinto off the ground, the one that had been touching his Kagome, and began pummeling his fists furiously into Kinto's face, "Don't you ever fucking touch her again!!" not paying any attention to the cat demon that was trying to sneak up behind him.

"Kouga!!" Kagome yelled, noticing the danger immediately as she stepped forward, not sure how to stop the attack.

But Kouga, having sensed the demon behind him, flipped backwards and landed another kick to the demon's back, causing the battered Taki to go flying once again, while Kouga landed safely on the ground in a low crouch, one hand propped against the alley floor, as a low rumble vibrated in his throat. "Just not your day, is it?" Kouga snickered. Extending his claws, and raising his head towards the sky, a roar suddenly erupted from him the likes of which Kagome had never heard come from Kouga before. She flinched, as the sound seemed to reverberate through her core and shake the very walls of the alley.

The demons, bleeding, aching and knowing when they had been bested, took off at top speed.

"Humpf. Bunch of wimps," Kouga grumbled under his breath, "I thought they'd at least put up a better fight then that!"

The feel of Kagome throwing herself into his arms stunned Kouga, to say the least, as Kagome clung to him, sobbing her relief into his chest.

"Kagome?" He asked softly, as he hugged her gently in return. "It's okay, Kagome. They're gone now, you're fine." He reassured her in that sweet soft tone that could only belong to Kouga.

"I was so scarred." She spoke softly into his chest, allowing his comforting words to soothe her. "Th…thank-you, Kouga." She smiled as she pulled herself from his embrace to look up into his chocolate brown eyes.

Kouga's cheeks reddened at the close proximity of Kagome in his arms. "Uh… yeah, sure. Anytime."

Kagome, realizing why the wolf was stammering, blushed as she completely separated herself from his embrace. But she continued to smile warmly at him. "I thought you might have been Inu Yasha at first."

Kouga scoffed at the notion. "Please Kagome, don't compare me to dog-turd, okay?" He crossed his arms across his chest in an Inu Yasha like fashion. Kagome giggled.

"But Kouga, how did you know I was in trouble?" The dampening spell that had been cast over the alley should have prevented anyone, including her mate, from sensing her.

Kouga scratched at his head as an embarrassed look crossed his face.

"Kouga?" Kagome eyed him carefully. There was something he wasn't telling.

"To tell you the truth Kagome, I didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's kind of weird actually, but I've been seeing this wolf around for the last few weeks."

"A wolf? You mean like you?"

"No, I mean, like an actual wolf. It keeps appearing and disappearing. I thought I was loosing my mind at first. But that day I ran into you at the bar, well, I only happened by because I had been following this wolf. The same thing happened just now. I was walking along, when I saw it. It was beckoning me to follow, so I did, and that's when I saw you."

"Oh." Kagome was at a loss for words. This was all so very strange.

"Do you want to know what's weirder?" Kouga spoke in a very hush tone, as he looked around the alley, afraid that someone might hear him.

"What Kouga?' Kagome wondered if there was anything more that could happen to add to all the weirdness that was surrounding her life already.

"The wolf…well, I was following it, because… because it reminded me of a pack. Running, with a pack of wolves."

"What's wrong with that?" Kagome wasn't sure what the problem was. Kouga had always run with wolves. He had been the prince of wolves over 500 years ago.

"Kagome, I've never run with a pack of wolves before." Kagome's eyes widened in understanding.

"Heck, I don't think I've ever even spoken to an actual four-legged wolf, being here in the city and all, except maybe at the Zoo when I was younger. But there was something… familiar about it. And when I chased it down, I could remember the running as if I had done it a thousand times before."

Kouga scrunched his eyebrows in deep thought, his eyes clouding over as he thought about the phantom wolf that had been plaguing him. "And sometimes, sometimes I get these pains…in my legs." His voice had gotten soft, thoughtful. "I know it all sounds crazy, but sometimes I can run like the wind. Like my legs have a power all their own… and you…" Kagome stared wide-eyed as she listened to everything Kouga was sharing with her. He had been having fleeting memories of his past life.

"You remind me of someone…of someone I think I knew, a long time ago. Someone I think…I think I loved." Kagome fought to keep the welling of her emotions at bay. Even though Kouga and Inu Yasha had never gotten along, Kouga had always been a dear friend to Kagome. She had been so relived to discover that he too, had gained a second chance at life.

He shook his head as if to clear the muddy thoughts from his mind. "I guess that's why I give dog-shit such a hard time." He smirked as Kagome smiled at him. "I guess I didn't want to give up that feeling a second time, you know?"

Kagome could only nod, not entirely trusting her voice quite yet. "I do Kouga, believe me, I understand." She smiled warmly. "But I do love Inu Yasha. I always have."

Kouga looked down, dejected. But he understood. Somewhere, deep down, he really did. He looked back into Kagome's crystal blue eyes. "I know Kagome. I don't understand it, but I know. I guess I was too afraid to face the truth," he laughed lightly, "then again, who isn't?"

Kagome gasped as a revelation slammed itself into place.

"Kagome?" The wolf demon didn't have a chance to ask if she was okay, when he was suddenly hurled into the alley wall, his head smacking against the concrete, hard, as he fell into a heap on the floor. He groaned as he put a hand to his head to stop the spinning, while an angry, red-eyed dog demon, with curious looking marks on his face, snarled above him. A huge white sword, that struck Kouga as oddly familiar, glinted overhead.

"INU YASHA!!" Kagome screamed as she ran towards Kouga. But Inu Yasha wasn't listening. His demon side had completely overtaken him, and the fully transformed Tetsusaiga, unable to hold back the brutal force of the transformation, was heading straight for Kouga's unprotected form.

Kagome closed her eyes and leapt towards Kouga, her tiny form falling onto the stunned wolf just as the Tetsusaiga crashed mere inches off to her right, its deadly path swerving at the last moment. She looked up to see Inu Yasha's blood red eyes dripping anger at her.

"Ka…gome..." He could barely restrain his anger. His mate had thrown herself onto the wolf to protect him. It was taking every last drop of strength he had in him not to lash out at her with his demon side. Such a thing was not acceptable. Especially since he had been reacting to Kagome's cries for help that had come crashing through their bond only moments ago. The force of her distress had slammed into him, causing him to change instantly. Was she now protecting the one who had caused her such fear?

"Inu Yasha, please," Kagome rose slowly from the ground, as Kouga kept silent behind her. Something in him, told him that now was not a good time to test the hanyou's patience. Kouga's most unsettling thought being that for some impossible reason, Inu Yasha felt like a full-blooded demon at that moment. A very powerful, very pissed off, full-blooded demon.

Inu Yasha spoke through gritted teeth, his demon voice deep, husky and rough. He was clutching onto the Tetsusaiga so hard, it was cutting into his palms. "What…are you doing…Kagome?"

Kagome realized instantly what a horrible mess this was about to turn into it. Not even the Tetsusaiga had been able to revert back Inu Yasha's transformation, which could only mean that the dampening barrier around the alley had been released, and all of Kagome's fear had literally, smashed into her mate, all at once. He wouldn't have known what hit him, and he probably didn't even know who to attack, only that his demon blood demanded he protect his mate.

"Inu Yasha," she tried again in a soft, reassuring tone as she stepped confidently towards her mate. She knew any hesitation on her part would be translated into fear, and that would set him off again. She needed to be able to communicate with his demon side. "I'm okay Inu Yasha. Kouga came and saved me from the youkai."

She could see his eyes flicker as he considered her words.

"Youkai?" His demon side barely managed to grind out the word. It was like his jaw was fused together in his anger.

"Yes, the youkai." She stood directly in front of him and he growled threateningly low in his throat. Kagome quickly lowered her head, showing her submission, which instantly caused the low growl to cease. She lowered her head to his chin, as she licked him along the jaw line. His grip on Tetsusaiga loosened, as he allowed her to submit to him.

She whined softly in the back of her throat. "A cat youkai, and…and something else." She said as she continued to rub her nose against his chin, the soft whining in her throat asking him for understanding and forgiveness. Being mated to Inu Yasha in the past had insured that she knew exactly how to handle him when his demon side controlled him so completely.

Inu Yasha's demon blood began to wane as he sniffed the air, picking up the very fresh scent of a cat youkai and a wind youkai. Satisfied that his mate was indeed telling the truth, he grabbed her around the waist, allowing Tetsusaiga to fall to the floor as it transformed back to its usual battered state. Kagome threw her arms around Inu Yasha's neck as he inhaled her scent, struggling to ignore the faint scent of wolf there. He had seen them together after all. The wolf had protected his mate until he arrived.

He allowed her cherry and lotus blossom scent to wash over him, calming and soothing the anger and agitation from his blood. His demon side slowly sliding itself back into its light hibernation. The markings faded from his cheeks as the red bled from his eyes, replacing them with his molten golden pools.

"Kagome." He sighed as he held her in his embrace, the panic finally dissipating. "Are you okay?"

He could feel her nod against his chest. "What happened?"

"You let your mate get into trouble dog-shit, that's what happened!" Kouga snarled as he picked himself up off the floor, not wanting to admit to the fear that had coursed through him moments ago. Who was this guy? A hanyou that could shift into such a powerful demon? Hadn't he heard of someone like that before? The name escaped him at the moment.

Inu Yasha snarled at the wolf, ready to jump into another fight as he pushed Kagome behind him, when his head snapped up, cutting off his growl as a thought suddenly hit him. He blinked. "My mate?" Had he heard right? "You're actually admitting my claim to her, you wimpy wolf?"

Kouga crossed his arms over his chest as he snorted a response. "Don't get any ideas dog-breath. I've admitted no such thing to you." He turned to eye the hard-edged silver haired hanyou and the gentle looking, raven haired girl beside him. It was such an odd combination, and yet, it seemed to fit somehow. But why did seeing that fill him with such sorrow? A sorrow that somehow felt old and familiar. And yet, he knew… he knew that they were meant to be together, and he hated it. He turned soft eyes on Kagome. "But I do recognize Kagome's claim. And that's all that matters to me."

Kagome smiled her thanks to him, as Inu Yasha huffed. "Yeah, whatever, good riddance, and it's about time." He bent down to retrieve the Tetsusaiga, sliding it back into its sheath at his side, as it simultaneously transformed into an innocent looking pager as its own concealing spell activated. He felt Kagome elbow him in the ribs.

"Ouch, watch it wench!" He was a little surprised to see the killer daggers she was shooting at him.

"First of all, Inu Yasha," oh no, he knew that look and that tone. His ears flattened back against his head as he prepared himself for the onslaught. "Don't you dare take that tone with me!" Yup, there it was. "Especially since you didn't tell me about Kikyou!" Her angry eyes dared him to lie.

Inu Yasha swallowed. "Shit, shit, shit!" How could he explain this without digging himself a bigger hole? "K..Kagome, I can explain, honest." He threw his best, pleading, puppy dog eyes at her.

"Don't you try pulling those puppy eyes on me Inu Yasha! It won't work! But we'll talk about Kikyou later. Now I want you to apologize to Kouga!"

"What for?!" He couldn't believe it! Him, apologize to that mangy wolf? Not in this lifetime.

"What for?! He only saved my life and then you tried to kill him for it! He tried to help me and be my friend and all you can do is lash out at him!"

Inu Yasha peeked at her through his bangs. He couldn't believe it. She was going to make him apologize? Apparently this lifetime was going to be even shorter then the last. He clenched and unclenched his fists. He could practically feel the stupid wolf's smirk burning into him. Inu Yasha mumbled something incoherent.

"Inu Yasha." Kagome's tone spoke of many lonely nights on the couch if he didn't comply.

"Fine!" He yelled, as he turned his gaze to the still smirking wolf, "Thanks for using your sorry pathetic hide to protect my mate. It's about time you did something useful, you mangy wolf!" Inu Yasha turned and proceeded to walk out of the alley.

"Come on Kagome, we're leaving." He didn't look back to see if she would follow.

Kagome sighed in defeat, knowing that was the best that was going to come out of him. She looked up at Kouga who merely laughed and gave her a wink.

"Remember Kagome, I'm always here if you need me." He jumped the fence that had previously blocked Kagome's escape and disappeared from view.

"Kagome!" She heard Inu Yasha yell from the mouth of the alley.

Ah yes, that's right, she had some puppy ears to rip off.