InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Daughter of the Forest ❯ Chapter 15

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

a/n: hope i haven't confused you that much...

disclaimer: i don't own inuyasha cause Rumiko Takahashi does, i also don't own the book 'daughter of the forest' cause Julliet Marillier does. So i don't claim the storyline or the characters.

Chapter fifteen- The curse

Kagome didn't know how long she had been running or where in the forest she was. First of all that horse had run off ages ago afraid of the shadows and darkness of the forest but Kagome thought that was for the better, second everything had changed. The trees were thicker and more tangled and there were strange new paths not to mention Kagome couldn't stop crying.

Finally, exhausted and miserable she slumped over one of the large tree roots and wept. She wept for her family, she wept for herself and Midoriko until she couldn't cry anymore.

She knew they were there when they came. She could hear the gentle purr and her footsteps.

"I'm sorry" Said Midoriko as she sat down beside her.

Kagome didn't respond only stroked the little cat-youkia who transformed on sight.

"It had to be done for their safety and... It was the only... only thing i could think of"

Kagome turned to Midoriko, she looked sadder than usual "What? What did you do to them?" Kagome begged to know.

She was silent for a moment "They are safe, under an enchantment where they lumber in peace, deep in the heart of the forest, none would hurt them now" She smiled for a moment but it seemed fource.

"What about me?" Kagome asked

The smile fadded "Um... Naraku will come for you.... As he always has."

Kagomes eyes went wide in despair the very thought of returning to him made her quiver.

"But" She looked off into the distance "If you give something up Kilala can make it so he cannot find you"

"Like what?" Kagome was suspicous what did she have that she could give?

"As long as you never utter a single word he wont find you" Midoriko looked deep into her eyes, there was a sad understanding there as if she knew to well Kagome's shock.

"My voice?" She stood and backed away "What? Why?"

Midoriko stood as well "You will still be able to talk, but if you do..."

"But?"

"It will be okay. You are the only hope for your father and the others. Only when you are free of Naraku then they will awake." Midoriko looked at Kilala who mewwed and came to stand next to her then she whispered as if to the cat "You aren't the only one who had to sacrifice" then to Kagome "Besides i believe you know a bit of mind speech? Telepathy? From living with Kilala. so that's how you'll communicate with us"

"But where will i live?" Kagome eyes were wide. She understood everything beyond reasoning. Maybe she should have stayed with Naraku. Then she thought again, no she'd ather die then be with him, he's evil.

Midoriko pointed to something Kagome hadn't noticed, a small stream.

"It leads to the same cave. Oh, you can't talk from now on understand. Not a single word or he will know where you are in an instant." She warned

Kagome followed the stream without a word. If this was to save her family from him then so be it.

When she came to the cave it was almost the way she had left it. Except strangly there was a small bag filled with some clothes and other useful objects for Kagome. A needle and thread, a knife, some herbs and bottles and other things. There was also Sango's demon exterminator mask.

She held it in her hands as if it would break. How she wished Sango was here to help her. Maybe she had found her home already. Maybe she was living in a beautiful palace, or battling monsters in a far off land. She shook the thoughts away. That girl was dead to her now she should forget her. But she couldn't throw the mask away, just tucked it back into the bag.

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Midoriko sat at the base of her tree. It was still excactly the same as before, not growing like the ones around it. Even Kagome's little tree was now a mighty oak, so tall it would be impossible to climb.

Midoriko's closed eyes twitched as if she was dreaming. In her mind she could see him, a dark cloud, a monster killing everything in its path. But he was searching for someone, something. the demon let out a shriek of pleasure.

"Naraku knows where i am now" She cried. Stray tears of fear and sadness slipped from her eyes. "It's because i left the forest. That's what i sacrificed, i could never leave the forest or anything within the forest (Leons kingdom)..."

Kilala sat beside her 'Do not fear my friend. I am still here and he will not dare enter the forest...'

She smiled at the cat youkai.

She knew the demon was right and Midoriko would watch over Kagome, and her family deep in slumber withing the trees and she would wait for the right time. In her hand she clutched the small pink sphere, the proof of her folly.


a/n: Hope it makes some kind of sense. i'm tired and going to bed...

next chapter you get to meet a certain demon... i wonder who it is?