InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Light ❯ Chapter 27 ( Chapter 27 )

Chapter 27

 

“Inu Yasha, we'll get her back.” Miroku struggled in vain to reassure his friend. Inu Yasha had spent the last hour tearing up the forest in his anger. Now the hanyou was spent. His heart, his mind, his very soul exhausted. He couldn't believe that he had lost her. That he had failed to protect his mate. It seemed the past was starting to repeat itself and it tore at him. He was shutting down inside. If the past was indeed replaying itself, then they had already lost.

 

Kouga, who had remained silent throughout the hanyou's explosive temper tantrum, watched as the emotions of anger, hurt, doubt and finally resignation played across his face. It enraged him.

 

“What the fuck's your problem dog-shit!?” Kouga stood angrily before his rival, his fists clenched in suppressed rage as he did the only thing that would snap the hanyou out of his self-pity and doubt. But Inu Yasha didn't answer. He didn't even flinch. He just continued to sit on the boulder, his elbows on his knees, his head hanging between them. His ears drooped to either side.

 

“Kouga,” Sango's voice was soft but firm, telling the wolf to back off.

 

“No!” He snapped at her, sparring her only a glance before returning his venomous stare to the eerily quiet demon. “Dog-shit here has some answering to do! What is it? Can't face up to the fact that you're a no good, worthless half-breed!?”

 

Inu Yasha remained silent. Unmoving. They didn't understand. Kagome was his whole reason for living. He couldn't even sense her. Their connection was…it was simply gone…broken…and there could only be one reason for that. Even when Kagome had been traveling with the light entities, and her soul had not been in her body, there was still always the hum, the feel of her, in his aura, in his very being. No, there could only be one reason for their connection to be so…so completely severed. So completely disconnected. He felt empty, alone. Like half of himself had been ripped from his body. He would just sit here, on this rock, and let death take him. What else did he have?

 

Kouga seemed to sense the dark thoughts turning in Inu Yasha's head. Obviously trying to bait him with anger wasn't working. Kouga didn't understand. He and Inu Yasha always went head to head over the smallest thing. Inu Yasha was always itching for an excuse to fight with the wolf. Unless…

 

Dog demons mated for life. Kouga knew that. He knew that while their mates lived, they would give everything and anything to be at their side. They would give their lives willingly and without question to protect a mate. After all, they bonded to a mate only once in a lifetime. But when their mates died, most dog-demons just withered away to nothingness. As though the very life that had died had been their own and not their mates. They became empty shells of their former selves as they retreated from the world that no longer held meaning for them. Like Inu Yasha seemed to be doing now.

 

No… it couldn't be.

 

“Inu Yasha,” Kouga kneeled next to the hanyou that was his greatest enemy, and yet, his greatest ally as well.

 

He didn't know what it was. Something in the way Kouga's voice had softly called his name. There was no anger, no frustration. Just a quiet pleading in his voice. Maybe it was the fact that he'd never heard Kouga actually say his name before, but Inu Yasha looked up and into a pair of dark eyes that trembled slightly at the edges, as if holding back a waterfall of emotions.

 

“Inu Yasha,” Kouga said again in the same pleading tone. “She's not gone Inu Yasha, she isn't. Naraku has her, that's all, and we're going to get her back.”

 

Oh gods, how Inu Yasha wanted to believe him! He sounded so sure. But how could he? “You…you don't understand wolf,” Inu Yasha's tone sounded…lost. “I can't feel her. She's…she's completely gone. Like its been…severed. Only one thing can do that.”

 

“No Inu Yasha, there's something else.”

 

Inu Yasha turned painful, yet curious eyes to him, as the briefest hint of hope flickered in his amber depths.

 

“Do you remember the other day in the alley?” He waited until Inu Yasha nodded.

 

“I only came across Kagome because of that wolf, as I'm sure she told you, because you couldn't sense or feel anything in there. There was some kind of…some kind of shield, something I've never come across before, and it blocked out everything. Why do you think you couldn't sense her until after the fight was over? That's when whatever that shield was, went down. But you were way too deep into your blood lust to notice. One second you were doing whatever the hell you were doing, not paying attention to the connection, and the next, you were hit all at once. You didn't notice that the connection was blocked because it never occurred to you that something like that could happen. And maybe its happened again, it'd make more sense. Because if Kagome was in trouble, if she was really gone, you'd know.”

 

Inu Yasha stared wide-eyed at the wolf before him. Was it possible? Could Kagome still be alive? Could this just be another one of Naraku's tricks? And why the hell was Kouga trying to help him? But he knew even before the question ran through his mind. Because for better or worse, all their differences aside, they had always been allies.

 

“Inu Yasha, I think he's right,” Sango slowly made her way to Inu Yasha, her side now wound up with a part of Miroku's ripped shirt. Thankfully the wound wasn't serious, but they didn't want to risk it getting infected until it could be properly cleaned and tended too. “After all, Naraku needs her. He wants this jewel he says exists. All we've got to do is get her back.” Her tone carried the message that there would be no more room for arguments.

 

Inu Yasha looked up at his friends. He clenched his fists as the warm welcome feeling of anger against Naraku began filtering itself through his body. Nothing got him going more quickly then the thought of smashing his fists through Naraku's face. Kagome was alive, she was okay, he had to believe that, and he would get her back. Then…then he would rip Naraku apart, piece by tiny piece.

 

“I'll get that son of a bitch if it's the last thing I do.” Inu Yasha growled as he rose from the boulder with Kouga at his side. The familiar hint of red bled momentarily into his eyes.

 

“That's right dog-shit, we will.” Kouga smirked as he slapped Inu Yasha on the back.

 

Miroku spoke hesitantly. He didn't want Inu Yasha feeling like this was going to be more difficult then it already was, but he had no choice. “Uh…just one thing guys,” he scratched sheepishly at the back of his head. “Err…how exactly are we going to find them?”

 

“Well, if you're all done mopping around, perhaps I can help you.”

 

Everyone turned mildly surprised eyes at the strange cloaked demon that appeared before them. Somehow, they all figured they'd be seeing him again, except for Kouga of course, who had never seen or heard of the mysterious demon before. What did surprise them though, Kouga most of all, was the large dark wolf that was standing at the demon's side.

 

*********

 

It was so dark and so cold. Why did she feel like she was trying to swim through tar? Her mind felt numb and something inside her didn't feel right. She itched in her skin, as a foreboding shudder ran down her spine. Her groggy mind pushed through to consciousness, struggling to burn away at the cobwebs that threatened to pull her back down into the dark, cold void.

 

Kagome moaned as traces of light began to seep in under her eyelids. Why was her skin so itchy? What had she been doing?

 

She struggled to push herself up, to gain control of her senses, of her body. That was when she felt the cold metal on her ankles and wrists biting into her exposed flesh and her eyes snapped open.

 

Naraku.

 

He had come, had finally shown himself after all this time, and somehow, somehow he had managed to get the better of them Again. Now she was in some dark room, chained to a wall by her hands and feet. Water dripped steadily from somewhere off to her side in a dark corner.

 

Kagome immediately opened her connection to her mate, to reach out for Inu Yasha, to let him know that she was okay, to help him find her. But just as the tendrils of her energy began to hum and seep from her body, they slammed back into her, causing her to pull painfully and awkwardly against the chains as the unexpected return of energy was reabsorbed within her.

 

“I wouldn't try that if I were you.”

 

Kagome's head turned in the direction of the voice as she squinted in the dim light of the cold moist room. Slowly a shape began to materialize from the darkness, combined with the sharp sound of footsteps hitting stone that edged their way closer to her.

 

Kagome's eyes hardened at the figure before her. “Kikyou.”

 

Kikyou's mouth turned up at the corners ever so slightly, giving only the briefest hint of a smile. “Hello cousin. It's been a long time.”

 

Kagome's breath caught in her throat. Did Kikyou actually remember? “You know?”

 

Kikyou's icy laugh left goose bumps flushing over her skin. “Don't be silly. I've always remembered. I knew before any of you had awakened.”

 

“But…how?”

 

“How else do you think cousin?” Kikyou's eyes narrowed in a cold, steely gaze. “With power. You see, I'm more then what anyone seems to think I am. I know more then even Naraku thinks I do. Of course, that pompous ass still thinks I'm clueless to everything that's going on, and that's just the way I like it.”

 

Kagome struggled to process everything she was hearing, but there was so much that didn't make sense. Had Kikyou known then, who she was, when she had met Inu Yasha? Was that why she had gotten so upset with him when he had rejected her?

 

Kikyou answered as if reading her thoughts. “Yes, I knew who he was when I went to see him. Well, the human part of me didn't, but I knew. I've always been here. And you can imagine my great annoyance when he still turned me away with you not even in the picture yet and him not knowing who he was. But I got over it.”

 

“By spray painting his car?” The mock tone in Kagome's voice let Kikyou know that she didn't believe a word of it.

 

“Actually, that was just for the fun of it. The human part of me wanted retribution, and who am I to deny such a thing?” Kikyou's eyes laughed with mischievous pride. “You see cousin, over the last 500 years, things have changed quite a bit. I am no longer that weakling priestess wannabe that you remember and I no longer give a shit about your half-breed bastard. Let's just say I've moved onto bigger and better things with the help of my new crowd.” The look in Kikyou's eyes spoke of a much more sordid and dark nature then anything she had ever been in her past life.

 

Kagome bristled at her words but kept a check on her rising anger. “Then why are you helping Naraku if you don't care anymore? Why keep me here? And why do you keep saying `your human part'? What's happened to you?”

 

“Silly girl, I'm not helping Naraku. I've just been playing along for my own reasons, hiding under the surface. And if you haven't been able to tell yet, cousin, I am shall we say, a little `different' this time around. I've been battling with the ignorant part of my human side for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I'm locked within this shell, unable to control anything for months at a time. The human part of me was afraid she was going nuts.” Kikyou laughed devilishly. “Ah, if only she knew. But thanks to you dear cousin, I have been able to absorb enough rampant power from you that I won't have to worry about the clueless, confused human part of me anymore. She is now buried.” The haughty look in Kikyou's eyes told Kagome enough. Whatever this creature was before her, it was the most twisted and vial version of what had once been her cousin, and Kagome's heart wept for the loss.

 

“And for as much as an ignorant, self absorbed twit Naraku is, he was right about something. You have something he wants. Something he and I both want.” Kikyou squatted down before her. Her tight, black leather pants pulling taught against her legs as she adjusted her weight to the half-seated position.

 

“But I don't…”

 

“Kagome, cousin, please.” Kikyou ran a pale, black tipped fingernail down the side of Kagome's cheek. Kagome craned her neck as far back as she could to get away from the unwelcome contact. Her touch was so cold. “You don't have to lie to me you know. I know you have the jewel, if not on you, you know where we can find it. And just between you and me cousin, I'd rather not let that pompous ass get his hands on it again. He's had his chance.”

 

Kagome's eyes burned with anger and frustration. “But I don't have the jewel! I didn't even know one existed until recently!”

 

“Ah, but if you did, would you even tell me?”

 

Kagome glared at the women before her. They both knew the answer to that question. No way in hell.

 

“No matter,” Kikyou rose from her spot as she began to walk towards what Kagome assumed was the opening of the small room. “Naraku will get the information from you, one way or another.”

 

Kagome wanted nothing more then to rip that smirk off Kikyou's twisted face.

 

“And trust me cousin,” Kikyou turned to look at Kagome over her shoulder. “Things are more dark and twisted now then they have ever been. You have no idea what lies before you if you continue walking down this path. You'll beg for nightmares, for they will seem so much safer, so much sweeter.”

 

“Why do you care!?” Kagome snapped as her anger and frustration finally got the better of her.

 

Kikyou's indifferent tone only grated at her more as she watched the twisted being before her casually toss her hair behind her shoulders, as though they were having a pleasant conversation on a street somewhere, and not in a dark damp room, with one of them chained to a wall. “I don't. Just thought you might like to know. After all, we are practically related.”

 

Kagome rolls her eyes at the comment. Since when had family ties ever mattered to Kikyou? “Oh, and before I forget, I wouldn't try reaching out to that worthless hanyou of yours, not that you'd be able to though while Naraku lives, but I'm sure you've already noticed the rather uncomfortable effects.”

 

Kagome refused to rise to the bait, not trusting herself with her voice or her emotions.

 

“It's a combination absorption and subduing spell cast into the chains. One of my more clever experiments, if I do say so myself. It keeps your Miko powers in check. And you want to know the really delicious part?” Kikyou's eyes glinted in amusement. “The more you try to use your powers, the harder back it will hit you as it repels itself off the shield. So if you're not careful, you could tear yourself apart.”

 

Shaking with violent rage, Kagome struggles against her chains. “What did you mean about Naraku!?”

 

Kikyou's laugh echoes off the walls, “You'll see. Ta, ta cousin. Naraku will be by to see you soon. Stay warm.”

 

The closing of a door somewhere in the darkness told Kagome she was finally alone. How could she possibly find her way out? How could she reach for Inu Yasha or even defend herself if she didn't have her powers? And where was this jewel everyone kept talking about?

 

Kagome screamed in frustration as she collapsed to the floor. The overwhelming stress and fear of everything going on finally washed over her as she gave into the sobs that poured from her body. Her tears sapped at her strength and made her body ache, but somehow they soothed the tattered weariness of her soul.

 

Her eyes slowly began to close from her weariness as the sobs finally give way and tears silently stream down her face. One thought, one name, echoed continuously in her heart. It was all the strength and hope she had to hold onto as she pulled the memory, the name, close to her soul and let it soothe her in the darkness.

 

“Inu Yasha”