InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed Blood ❯ The Damaged City ( Chapter 5 )

Bah, took a long time, woopsies. Enjoy!

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Cursed Blood Chapter 5 the damaged city

 

They had been traveling for a few days searching for news of the demon, Naraku. It was the night of their third day. Each one of the travelers were positioned around their blazing fire making a triangle around it. Kagome was lying on her side propped up by her elbow while Miroku and Inuyasha sat up one sitting straight up and the latter hunched forward his ears twitching sporadically listening to the sounds of the forest. Kagome sighed for about the fourth time in about twenty minutes. Inuyasha noticed this and glared at her.

“Oi, what you sighin' about?” Inuyasha growled.

“I'm bored. We've done nothing but interrogate people about Naraku. You've probably scarred that last family for life! Didn't it occur to you that they might actually be telling the truth? That they might not be lying about not knowing any demons, let alone one named Naraku?” Inuyasha growled even if he couldn't defend himself. He was just frustrated that they had no idea where this Naraku was, and if they couldn't find Naraku, he would never find the Mikaito and never get his wish. Inuyasha turned and snarled at Miroku when a pebble hit his head.

“What was that for, monk?!”

“You spaced out. We called your name like five times and you didn't even blink.” A slight blush tinged Inuyasha's cheeks. Had they really? He was glad that it was dark and they couldn't see his blush.

“Well, what's so important that you had to interrupt my thinking?” Miroku shrugged

“I was just going to suggest that we go to the Hindura village that lies in the west.”

“Why would we want to go there? Those people are assholes.” Miroku frowned at his obscenities.

“Because I've heard some strange rumors about that place and they really aren't all that bad. They have several lovely maidens residing there.” Inuyasha and Kagome rolled their eyes. Only two days with this guy and they've already seen too many accounts of his lechery.

“Leave the poor women alone, Miroku!” Kagome said, “But I agree with him, Inuyasha. It was the only thing we could get out of all those other places we've visited. Hindura is the only place where weird things are happening.” Inuyasha shrugged. He wouldn't admit it, but he didn't like going into the west. He knew a few demons there that he wouldn't regret never seeing again in his life. He looked between Kagome and Miroku who were glaring at him.

“Fine!” he yelled throwing up his hands, “We'll go to that blasted city.” Kagome and Miroku shared a smile then went back to staring at the fire. Miroku stretched his arms over his head letting his joints crack in response. He lay down on his side and wrapped his blanket around him. He waved at them from under the blankets without opening his eyes.

“I'm going to sleep. You guys should too. Hindura isn't that far away, but if this feeling in my gut is right, it'll be a long day tomorrow.” He yawned then drifted off to sleep. It wasn't long before his breathing was slow and regular. Seeing that he was asleep Kagome got up and sat next to Inuyasha. He looked at her with a quizzical stare, one eyebrow raised.

“I've been meaning to ask this” she whispered, “but does he know what you are?” Inuyasha snorted.

“Of course not! You think I go around telling everyone I meet saying `Hi there, I'm Inuyasha, a dog demon! Oh wait, scratch that, half demon. Get your torches and pitch forks ready. Here I come!' Yeah right. I wouldn't even have had you know but you just had to be miss smarty-pants and figure it all out. Jerk.” Kagome shifted uncomfortably.

“Oh…sorry `bout that. Do you think he knows though? He is a monk, after all. You'd think he'd be able to sense your demonic powers.” Inuyasha shrugged.

“As long as he doesn't go blabbin' about it to everyone, I don't really care.” Kagome nodded and stood up to go back to her previous spot. Before she lay back down to go to sleep, she looked at Inuyasha one last time.

“You know, you don't have to worry. I know I used your secret as blackmail, but really you wouldn't have let me come if I hadn't, but I promise I won't ever tell unless you wanted me to. Your secret's safe with me.” Inuyasha couldn't hide his surprise as she lay down. He watched her until he knew she had fallen asleep.

What was up with her? She was so…nice. If he had a secret of hers he'd sure as hell be blackmailing her till the day she died. And he bet that she was one of those people. The ones where promises mean something and almost nothing would break them of their oath. Inuyasha scoffed at her.

Nobility, what was the point? Most of the noble people end up becoming martyrs. How was a silly martyr going to help him find the Mikaito? According to his research the last Mikaito to be used was around ten years ago. Kagome would have been a small child. What could she remember about the Mikaito when all but one were murdered so long ago? Anyway, her old man said that they didn't even know where the Mikaito was. It didn't make any sense that she'd be the one to help him find the Mikaito.

Inuyasha growled and ran his fingers through his hair. Guess he'll just have to wait and see. He looked at Kagome one more time before propping himself up against a tree and closed his eyes for the night. His ears continued turning every now and again constantly on alert for danger.

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They had awoken just as the sun was rising. With Inuyasha pushing them along, they had eaten breakfast, packed up camp and were on their way within the hour. Miroku picked the pace giving them about four hours to go before they got to Hindura. Inuyasha kept grumbling that if he had got to pick the pace they'd be there in two. Kagome reminded him that he got to pick the pace when they first started and it had nearly killed the other two.

Inuyasha smirked remembering the two humans chasing after him with red faces and any time they finally stopped, Kagome would collapse to the ground gasping for air like a fish out of water. Kagome stuck her tongue out at him guessing his thoughts. This just made Inuyasha's smirk turn into a full blown toothy grin and had Miroku shaking his head.

When the time was almost up Inuyasha stopped them and sniffed the air. A growl emerged low in his throat as the scents of Hindura reached him. Miroku looked at him with an eyebrow raised while Kagome leaned into him looking worried.

“What is it?” Kagome whispered, his growl making the hair on her neck stand on end.

“Can't you smell it?” He asked gruffly. Kagome repressed the urge to roll her eyes.

“No, obviously.” Inuyasha looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

“I smell blood, lots of it. And something else…it stinks.” Kagome looked in the direction of Hindura.

“Oh, no. Quick!” Kagome took off with Inuyasha and Miroku right behind her. When they burst through the line of trees, Kagome gasped. She had figured there would be some destruction, but she hadn't anticipated such devastation.

Smoke was unfurling into the sky. Most of the buildings were destroyed and those that weren't had scorch marks as well as gashes torn through the wooden walls. There were large tears in the ground like a giant claw had raked through it. Blood and water drenched the ground and standing houses.

“Do…do you think anyone…survived?” Kagome whispered. Miroku walked up beside her putting a supporting hand on her shoulder.

“I don't know. And I'm not sure if I hope that some are alive or not.” Kagome looked at him with surprise.

“What do you mean?” she asked in shock. He smiled sadly.

“While I don't wish their death, I wouldn't wish them the memories of the destruction of their city or the death of their neighbors. They would have heard the screams of the murdered. No I don't think I'd wish them alive or dead.” Kagome shuddered.

“Maybe there were some who weren't here and came back later?” Inuyasha suggested.

“I don't know, but there aren't any bodies, thank Kami, so somebody has to still be alive.” Kagome interjected.

“Or the demon could have just eaten the bodies.” Miroku looked at Inuyasha.

“You're sure it's a demon?” he asked. Inuyasha glared at him.

“Yeah, I'm sure. It's a nasty one too.” He looked back at the destroyed village, “I can smell it all over this place. It's nauseating.” Kagome gripped her bow in one hand and a sword hilt in the other.

“Well, we're not going to find out anything by just standing here. Let's go see if anyone's home.” Kagome took a few tentative steps forward while Inuyasha and Miroku walked past her. She took a deep breath and proceeded into the unknown carnage.

Once they were walking down the streets, Inuyasha put his arm over his nose. The stink was almost tangible. Even Miroku and Kagome were having issues with the tainted air. They looked into windows and knocked on doors checking to see if anyone was around. They tried opening the doors as well. The ones that were locked they left alone and the ones that weren't they searched for clues.

After an hour or so they had canvassed the entire village, leaving only the market and the lord's mansion that lay on a hill that surveyed the city. Inuyasha began growling at their lack of success.

“If only I could smell something other than death. I'm sure there are some people still around here.”

“Maybe if we found some graves, or some, I don't know, remains or something?” Kagome suggested. Inuyasha shrugged.

“Do you think you could attempt to scent them out?” Miroku suggested, “What will happen if you try?” Inuyasha sneered behind his arm.

“I don't know. If the smell is too strong I'd be useless. Strong scents completely override my other senses and I can't figure out what's what.” `Huh' was all Miroku could mutter.

“Sometime you'll have to explain how smells work for you, Inuyasha.” Kagome said quietly trying to get her mind off of the ghost town. Inuyasha looked at her strangely.

“Why the hell would you want to talk to me about my sense of smell?”

“Well, I don't know!” Kagome said throwing up her arms, “You make smelling sound important. It isn't all that important for me. I'm sure I'd be fine even without my sense of smell.” Inuyasha shuddered.

“Kami, that'd be horrible.” Miroku stopped and looked at Inuyasha. Kagome and Inuyasha took a few more steps before stopping and looking back at him.

“What is it Miroku?” Kagome asked.

“Despite the demonic aura that engulfs this place, I can still feel Inuyasha like a sore thumb,” Kagome sent Inuyasha a worried look but he didn't even acknowledge her, he just stared at Miroku blankly waiting for what he wanted. Miroku sighed, “Are you a demon?” Inuyasha was about to reply when a shriek came from a house nearby. An elderly man came bursting out of his home with a pitch fork in hand.

“Ah crap.” Was all Inuyasha could mutter before the man started to yell.

“A demon! Kill it! Kill it! Everyone there's another demon! We must destroy it before it steals what's left of our children!” he yelled a battle cry then started charging at the group.

“What did I tell you about people and pitch forks?” Inuyasha said quietly to Kagome. Kagome gave a strained smile then stepped in the way of the charging man.

“That's not safe.” Whispered Miroku behind her. She ignored him and put her hands up showing she meant no harm and gave the insane man her most open smile.

“Please sir, you misheard. Inuyasha isn't a demon, in fact he's from my shrine,” The man stopped before her and stared her down with what I'm sure he thought was an intimidating look. Other people were opening their doors and windows to look at what all the disturbance was about, “What the monk was sensing was Inuyasha's strong spiritual energy. I myself am a miko, and yet my spiritual energy is nearly drowned out by Inuyasha's. Isn't that right, Miroku?” Miroku closed his eyes and held his hand out to her as if sensing a barrier around her. It was a bit too much showmanship but the man seemed to be buying it.

“Yes, you are quite right! I never noticed how strong your aura was before. Inuyasha's completely overcame yours. Astonishing!” Inuyasha shook his head at his theatrics and Kagome's eye twitched. She looked back at the man who seemed to be nodding in agreement with Miroku.

“I see, I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions, I hope there was no offense.”

“No offense, old man? You came charging out at me with a pitch fork like some fucking mob!” yelled Inuyasha. Kagome sent him a glare that would have turned fire to ice.

“Inuyasha.” She said in warning. He got the message and crossed his arms over his chest angrily. Kagome looked back at the man a warm smile on her face.

“It's alright, we understand the misconception. No harm done,” her face turned serious, “What did you mean by steal the rest of your children?” The old man cast his eyes downward and gripped his pitch fork.

“It's a sad tale miss, I wouldn't presume to darken your day with it.” Kagome touched a hand to his arm sympathy written across her face.

“Sir, we have seen your village. A demon has terrorized this place and, I think, has taken your children. Please, sir, tell me. Maybe we can help each other.” The old man nodded.

“Our lord has been acting strangely for about three months. But only until recently has he gone over the edge. He's been forcing us to send our daughters and sisters to him when he calls for them. When they get taken, they never return,” he sighed as he tried to hide the hurt in his eyes, “The last one to be taken was a girl of a prominent and dangerous family. They had originally refused to send her up there. She was an important part of their livelihood. But it was of no use.

She was whisked away in the night, and, if rumors are true, she caused quite the delay killing several of his servants and destroying much of their dignity. When her family awoke to find her gone and the carnage she left behind, they proceeded to claim war on the lord,” he motioned to the destruction of the village, “This is the repercussions of their insubordination.”

“That's terrible.” Kagome whispered. He nodded.

“The entire family was destroyed. We know not what happened to the fiery Sango that the lord had taken. She has not returned and no news of her has ventured here. We presume she is dead as are all of the young women that he has taken.” Miroku looked in the direction of the lords mansion. It was surrounded by trees and only a few corners of the roof were visible. A dark aura haunted the vegetation that surrounded the mansion. It pulsed with malice and evil.

“Your lord was probably killed long ago.” Miroku whispered, “That is a demon up there, it is no human.” Inuyasha nodded in agreement as the older man shook his head sadly.

“We had wondered. Oh Kami, what will we do? That demon will destroy us all!” He looked to Kagome desperately, “We can't leave this place! This is our home. Please, what can we do, Miko-sama?” Kagome sighed and looked up at the mansion then looked to her comrades. They each nodded to her.

“We will kill this false lord, or at the very least drive him from your village. Gather your people and hide in a protected area. Not here, though, unless you have an underground shelter. This battle may be fierce and it may journey into your village, I could not forgive myself if our war killed one of you in the process of defeating this evil.” The old man nodded to her.

“There is a large cavern not too far from here in the side of the mountain. We would be safe there.” Kagome smiled then raised her head to get a good look at the people who had gathered around them.

“Go now! Gather your most precious belongings and necessities. I don't know how long we will fight. I want you to take blankets, food, water, and anything else that you need for survival. Get to the cavern in the side of the mountain as quickly as possible. Once the demon is gone we will come for you.” The people nodded their heads and began gathering their things nervously. A taste of panic was on the air and Kagome only hoped that it stayed at bay until they had all left the city. She turned to her companions with a frown on her face.

“How bad is it?”

“The demon is very strong. He has been feeding off of the girl's energies. Depending on how strong their spirits were, this demon could be quite troublesome.” Miroku said clenching his beaded fist about his staff.

“Inuyasha?” Kagome asked looking at him.

“It has a weird smell. It seems familiar, similar to something from long ago. But I've never come across a demon like this one.” Kagome nodded.

“Ok. We should try to find an easy way in. Maybe one of the villagers know a secret passage, or at least a weak point in the mansion. I don't want to have the three of us just charge in there and get attacked by a whole horde of demons and then get cornered and butchered. What do you guys think?” The guys shrugged when a young boy came over to them.

“There is a secret way.” He whispered shyly. Kagome smiled at him and kneeled down to him so they were eye to eye.

“Where is it?” she asked kindly. He looked down with a blush.

“It's behind the mill, in the woods,” he looked up excitedly, “It's a trap door in the grass next to the big green rock! It leads into the dungeon. They say some prisoner escaped by digging it, only it leads into the main room instead of a cell.” She smiled at him and bowed a little to him.

“Thank you, you've made our job much easier. Now please, go to the cavern!” The boy nodded quickly, happy he got to help the three warriors. Kagome stood back up.

“So, you guys ready for this?” Miroku nodded and Inuyasha laughed.

“I was born ready, wench. Question is, are you?” Kagome frowned at the name.

“I'm as ready as I'll ever be with the little information we have on this demon.” Kagome gripped the longer of her two swords, “Let's go.”