InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Daybreak ❯ So Close Yet So Far ( Chapter 14 )

A/N: I sincerely apologise for making you guys wait longer than usual. For the first time on this project I suffered a case of writer's block. (OMG shock horror!) I knew where I wanted to go, but it was just the case of how to get there. Anyway, it's done (finally!) And a big thanks to everyone getting the viewing stats over 5000!

 

Huge thank you to my usuals! : Laur, Silver Dog of the Snow, Angel at Risk, Lunabell, winggoddess916. Me. Love. You. All! You guys keep me writing. Seriously!

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 14- So Close Yet So Far

 

 

Kagura's eye twitched in irritation.

 

Another chore Naraku had set her do. Another one. Was she ever going to be free of this irritating routine? Naraku, the jerk, had called on her, out of blue, to go initiate the next part of his `plan'. He even had the balls to taunt her by holding out her heart embedded in his hand again, saying she worked for him and only him. As if she needed a reminder! Everyday being stuck in that stupid castle or running errands for him was another goddamned reminder!

 

Kagura closed her eyes and relished in the feel of the wind whipping in her hair. Private moments like these were precious. When she could imagine herself going wherever she wanted. When she could focus on the never ending horizon and count the increasing yards of distance she was putting between herself and her `master'. Of course that dream would always be shattered by the sinking realisation that she would have to eventually return to him.

 

At least for today she was travelling further away from him than usual. To that Totosai guy's place. So that was where that damned Housenki escaped to… Kagura wrinkled her nose in annoyance as she replayed that escapade in her mind; when she had tried to find that jewel wizard and beat the information of the time pearl out of him. She didn't know how the jerk had escaped, but when she got there, he was no where to be seen! How the hell did he manage to get away without the saimyoushou noticing? Surprisingly when she returned, Naraku didn't seem to care in the slightest that jewel youkai got away, which only made her even more pissed off! Had he sent her away and made her waste her time for nothing?! She could have been using that time for herself!

 

And then he had the nerve to say today was her chance to make up for the time she let Housenki get away! The bastard didn't even care before! Just said something like `I thought I could get all the information from another source, but I was wrong' or some sort of crap like that. But information wasn't the only reason he sent her out to that youkai blacksmith's place. No. He just wanted to mess with more minds, by showing off his newest ally.

 

Kagura shivered and looked over her shoulder at the silent girl sitting quietly at the back of her large feather. Kagome. One of the two people Naraku feared the most. Kagura felt her hairs stand on end as she watched the motionless girl out of the corner of her eye. She wasn't being controlled, she could tell that much, but she just sat there, looking down at her lap, an unreadable expression on her face. What the hell had Naraku done when he summoned her? Kagura's eyes swept down the girl's priestess robes. White top with red hakama. Probably to look just like that miko that protected the jewel fifty years ago. Naraku was a cruel bastard. If he would go to all this trouble to dress her like that…

 

Inuyasha must be at Totosai's.

 

Kagura felt a twang of pity for the girl, before shaking her head and turning her attention back to the horizon of green and blue. She was experiencing the same feeling of pity she would occasionally feel for Kohaku. `Turning fucking weak…' she grimly thought to herself. The sooner they got the location of the pearl out of Housenki, the sooner they could go and retrieve it. But then once they gave the pearl to Naraku, Kagome would only be handed over to that Onigumo freak. Perhaps, before that happened, she would be gracious enough to end the poor girl's life…

 

Kagura pushed the thoughts out of her mind and pulled out the little black glass jar from within her kimono. She twisted it within her fingers, lightly brushing over its cool smooth surface. So Naraku didn't need the glass jar made out of the fuyouheki stone anymore. Why else would he have given it to her? Maybe he gave it to her to prevent any stuff ups on this task. Kagura sniffed to herself. She could never know what that jerk-off was thinking. Oh well. At least she could find a way for it to come in handy. It would allow her to get closer to the group without them noticing.

 

She put the jar back within her robes and focused on speeding the giant feather towards their destination. At least this meeting would prove to be interesting.

 

 

*****

 

 

“Oh my… So Kagome-sama's been kidnapped…” sighed Myouga sadly.

 

Inuyasha just nodded once as he stared at the ground, his arms and legs crossed in his usual position. His bangs lightly drifted into his eyes as they swayed in the silent breeze. They sat underneath the tree on the small hill, one side over-looking the grassy field, the other side, a forest. Totosai's mountain rose immensely from the edge of the grassy plain in the distance, the only dark object that could be seen among the bright colours of green and blue. It was a beautiful day and yet Inuyasha could instantly feel everyone's moods dampen as they mentioned Kagome's disappearance.

 

Deciding they would need everyone together to discuss matters, they had sent Kirara to bring the two old youkai and the jewel wizard to the bottom of the mountain; after all, Miroku and Sango were only human and needed fresh poisonous-gas-free air to live. Again, they sat in their business-like circle, heads bowed in thought or concern. Totosai stroked his beard.

 

“Well, this is bad news,” he mumbled. “So that Onigumo boy has become quite the monster.”

 

Miroku nodded his head. “Yes, you would have thought Onigumo wouldn't have tried something like binding himself to youkai after his experience of creating Naraku.”

 

“So he has become a new being entirely?” asked Myouga, perched on Housenki's shoulder.

 

“No, he was still Onigumo!” cried Shippou, sitting next to the monk.

 

“That's just it,” said Sango. “He seemed completely conscious of his actions, like he was in complete control. It wasn't like how it was with Naraku when a new personality was made all those years ago.”

 

Myouga folded his arms and closed his eyes in thought. “Hmm… this is strange. I thought Naraku was a special case on his own; I hadn't come across any other hanyous like him. But this Onigumo now…” He opened his eyes and frowned. “The very idea of a human taking youkai to make him stronger and still remain in control-! This Onigumo is indeed a terrifying being!”

 

Totosai turned to Miroku. “So then Naraku came and took Kagome, you say?”

 

“Yes,” said Miroku solemnly. Inuyasha closed his eyes at their words and involuntarily thought back to the last time he saw her face. He was on the ground, underneath a sneering Onigumo with Kagome standing helplessly away from them. Her eyes were wide with fear, her legs poised to run to him, her mouth screaming his name. Before his torturous thoughts went any further, Inuyasha ripped his mind away from her and focused on the words coming out of Housenki's mouth.

 

“Did Naraku say why he took Kagome-san?” he asked in his gruff voice.

 

“No,” said Inuyasha, eyeing the jewel making youkai as a low growl began to rumble through his chest. “But we have an idea why.”

 

“Housenki-dono,” began Miroku. “Have you indeed given us all the information of the time pearl that you can remember?”

 

Housenki looked surprised and nodded. “Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”

 

“You sure about that?” challenged Inuyasha dangerously. A Buddhist staff landed on top of the hanyou's head with a large thwack. The said hanyou turned to glare daggers at the monk while rubbing the sore spot on his skull.

 

“Now, now Inuyasha. Let me explain it to him.” Miroku scolded before he smiled apologetically at Housenki. “We have reason to believe that the time pearl is the reason why Naraku has taken Kagome-sama.”

 

“The time pearl?!” exclaimed Myouga.

 

“Just the other day we came across an itachi youkai on our journey,” explained Miroku. “It turns out this weasel gave some very important information to Naraku about the time pearl. Of course, shortly after telling us what that was, Naraku had one of his bugs eat a hole in the weasel's chest, killing him off to cover his tracks.”

 

“What did he tell you?” asked Housenki, seemingly intrigued.

 

“He said humans can touch the pearl without getting transported back in time!” barked Inuyasha angrily. Everyone in the group stared at him, a little taken aback. Housenki blinked.

 

“Humans can touch the pearl?” he repeated.

 

“Keh!” snorted Inuyasha as he flicked his head and eyed down the large youkai. “So is it true or not?!”

 

Everyone leaned in, eager for his next words. Housenki looked down in thought before raising his eyes to the glowering hanyou.

 

“I have no idea.”

 

Inuyasha's mouth dropped, his ears flattening back, his eyes wide in shock. That wasn't the answer he was expecting. “Whaddaya mean no idea?!” he yelled.

 

“I have never heard of something like that,” explained Housenki. “Father was the only one to have used the pearls and he was a youkai. I haven't heard if he experimented on humans or not.” He stroked his chin. “Did the weasel say why humans can't use the pearls?”

 

“He said something about the youkai power not affecting humans,” said Miroku. “You really have never heard of this?”

 

“No, but now you say it, perhaps something like might happen. What do you think Myouga-sama?” he asked turning to the flea on his shoulder.

 

“It's impossible to say,” pondered Myouga. “But I wouldn't be surprised; humans sometimes have problems within intense youki.”

 

“So it is possible?” urged Shippou nervously. Sango rubbed the little kitsune's head and shushed softly to calm him down.

 

“If it's never been tried before, it could be very possible,” agreed Myouga. They were suddenly interrupted by swift, strong gale that seemed to fill the field. For a second Inuyasha thought he smelt something wonderful, but it was gone in a heartbeat before he could be certain. The leaves of their large tree rustled loudly before calming down to their usual soft sway. Totosai, looking up in confusion, scratched his head and resumed the conversation.

 

“So, you stuffed up. What you gonna do now?” he asked Inuyasha, unconcerned. The hanyou scowled at the blacksmith's tone before looking away into the distance.

 

“We find the time pearl first and get Naraku to come to us,” he growled.

 

“That's partly why we came to see you Housenki-dono,” said Miroku, bowing his head in respect. “I'm afraid we need more information if we are to find it. Are you sure you can't remember what kind of ruins you dropped the pearl in?”

 

“Yes, of course I can. They were ruins of an old abandoned castle,” Housenki stated factually. Miroku smiled weakly and lightly chuckled.

 

“I see. And why didn't you tell us this before we set out on our search?” he asked pleasantly.

 

“Oh, I didn't tell you that?” said Housenki blankly, scratching his ear.

 

Inuyasha felt a very large vein pop on the side of his head. “WHAT THE FUCK?!” he roared. “You realise we were stopping at every single fucking ruined village, shrine or temple we came across trying to find that fucking pearl and you're saying it's in a fucking castle's ruins?!!”

 

“Sorry, I guess I thought I already told you,” replied the jewel wizard. Grinding his teeth together, Inuyasha reached for his sword when the Buddhist staff cracked against his skull again. Taking the opportunity of Inuyasha's immobility (“Inuyasha, are you alright?” asked Shippou, poking an unconscious hanyou) Miroku turned back to Housenki.

 

“Can you tell us anything else, Housenki-dono? Like perhaps you've remembered roughly where these ruins are or anything else like that?”

 

“Well, it was fairly far to the west from my home,” remembered the giant youkai. “And for some reason that human royal family left the castle. I don't know if they died out or if they left it, but no one goes there anymore from what I've heard, so I thought that would be the best place to hide it. That's everything, really.”

 

“Well, if that's all, I guess we should head off and start searching every castle ruin we come across,” said Miroku standing up and dusting off his robe. Suddenly a mighty gale picked up again, blowing everyone's hair into their faces.

 

“I'm afraid that answer isn't good enough, Housenki,” said a familiar voice that seemed to surround the hilly fields. Inuyasha leapt to his feet, hand on the tessaiga and looked around trying to find the location of the voice. Miroku and Sango joined him, gripping their weapons.

 

“Come on, Housenki,” the low, smooth voice taunted. “Surely you can remember better than that.”

 

Inuyasha jumped as recognition sunk in. “Kagura!!”

 

A blur darted from above the tree line and landed, crouched in front of them, the wind circling menacingly it. “Yo,” Kagura greeted casually.

 

“What the fuck are you doing here?” snarled Inuyasha. He felt sick as he took in her repulsive stench. He couldn't stand her smell right now. Naraku's smell. For the past few days anything that reminded him of Naraku made him want to go into a blind rage. Ever since Kagome had been taken, it seemed Inuyasha's hatred for the dark hanyou had only been amplified by a hundred times over.

 

Kagura smirked and closed her fan. “Oh nothing. Just here to find the location of the pearl, that's all. It seems everyone's out to get it these days…'

 

Inuyasha's chest rumbled in a warning growl as she regarded the group of humans and youkai. Her eyes landed on Housenki and her brows furrowed. “Now are you sure you can't remember anything other than that?”

 

Housenki gulped and tried to speak strongly. “Of course! I've told them everything I know, but that wasn't meant for your ears!”

 

Kagura looked the youkai up and down. “So I suppose that's it. Oh well, I guess I could exterminate you for good measure…” she said as she raised her fan slightly.

 

“Don't even think about it!!” shouted Inuyasha as he leapt towards the sorceress, his hand spread in preparation to rip open her wind pipe. “SANKON-!!”

 

A sudden flash of light streaked from the forest line to land in front of Kagura who was watching the hanyou intently. A large explosion ripped apart the ground where the light hit, forcing Inuyasha to leap back in alarm. Kagura simply stood still, over flowing with confidence as the blast died away. Landing away from the demon woman, Inuyasha noticed the edges of his sleeves were charred with… purification power?

 

A delightful scent suddenly filled his senses, jerking his head up towards the forest line where a slender figure slowly emerged. She walked slowly and carefully, another arrow knocked in her bow. Her eyes showed nothing but the gleam of quiet determination. Inuyasha's eyes swept over her white sleeves and red hakama. He would have nearly mistaken her for Kikyou if it wasn't for her blissful scent.

 

“Kagome!” cried Shippou excitedly over Sango's gasped `Kagome-chan-!'

 

“Kagome!' Inuyasha cried with elation and worry as he took a step forward. Kagome's eyes widened and she quickly released the second arrow, exploding the ground in front of the half demon's feet. Inuyasha took a step back, surprised.

 

“Kagome? Why are you-?”

 

“You realise that nothing you say is going to have any effect,” said Kagura almost bored. Inuyasha's head snapped to her. Kagome had never aimed an arrow at him unless she was being possessed! So that had to mean-!

 

Inuyasha's face distorted in seething anger. “Why you-! How dare you use Kagome like this!” he roared.

 

“Oh relax,” said Kagura dryly. “It's not like we're controlling her.”

 

Inuyasha looked at her confused. Not controlling her? Then -? “What?” he demanded gruffly.

 

Kagura smiled and tapped her fan against her chin. “She's doing this by free choice, of course. I'm surprised they haven't told you yet.” She nodded towards Miroku and Sango.

 

A little thrown back from that comment, Inuyasha missed the pleading look Kagome sent in the monk and taijiya's direction. The hanyou quickly refocused on Kagome as she poised to release the next arrow. She looked at him with some sort of fire glowing in her face. Yeah, she definitely wasn't possessed. Her eyes were alive. She knew who he was and she was still aiming at him. He watched her hands begin to shake from stretching the bow. One slip and the arrow would hit him. He was much too close to get out of the way and he knew that Kagome had become skilled enough to hit any target within this range.

 

Unless of course, she would deliberately miss him this time like she did twice before just now…

 

“You won't shoot me, Kagome,” said Inuyasha in a commanding voice. Again her eyes widened in what seemed to be… panic? He watched as she swallowed twice and began to open her mouth.

 

“Of course she won't shoot you,” interrupted Kagura before the young miko could say anything. “That wasn't part of the deal. She's only here for the pearl.” She lowered her voice. “If you want to play with someone, I'm your lady. But you might have to wait till next time; our time is short.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed at the incarnation. “What deal?”

 

Kagura simply shrugged and raised her fan. “Perhaps you should ask your friends.”

 

A sharp wind picked up around them with such incredible force, the youkai and humans had to shield their eyes from the leaves and dust. Inuyasha pulled his sleeve away from his face to see Kagura and Kagome on the typical large feather above them.

 

“Well, it's been fun, but we've got what we came for,” called Kagura giving a small salute. “Maybe we'll see each other during the hunt sometime!”

 

“KAGOME!” shouted Inuyasha. He desperately leapt after the lightning fast feather. “KAGOME!!” Already they were miles away from him. “KAGOME, I'LL SAVE YOU! KAGOME!!” he screamed at the top of his lungs.

 

He stared helplessly as the feather disappeared on the horizon. He barely realised he was shaking with rage as he brought his trembling hand into a fist and sent it slamming into the ground. Dammit! He had finally seen her after all this time! And for such a short period! Already her scent was completely gone, driving him closer to madness again. Placing her in front of him then ripping her away was pure agony! That bitch Kagura really put all the speed she could into that getaway!

 

Inuyasha forced himself to take a deep breath. Of course, Naraku knew what this short reunion would do to him. That miko outfit that made her resemble Kikyou said it all. No doubt trying to torture him with the idea that he was about to lose another woman to that Onigumo bastard!!

 

Inuyasha turned to stare at Miroku, Sango and Shippou in a murderous glare.

 

“I think you have something you want tell me?”

 

 

*****

 

 

Kagome looked down at her trembling hands in silence and dragged in a shaking breath to calm her nerves. She had done it. She had actually managed to face off against him without crying and running back to him like a snivelling little girl. Restraining herself from doing that had been the hardest thing she'd ever had to do in her life. And boy was she glad it hadn't lasted that long!

 

On their way over here, she had tried her best to prepare herself for seeing him again. She had kept her eyes focused on her lap and tried to think of all the possible scenarios that might have taken place. She was so enrapt, the trip hadn't seemed long at all. She hadn't realised how rigid she was sitting until they had gotten off of Kagura's feather and crouched behind the trees of the forest.

 

She was a little relieved, in a strange kind of way, when she found out Miroku and Sango hadn't told Inuyasha about `the deal'. Not knowing about the choice she made meant he would be spared from that extra bit of guilt that would be added to the large pain he would probably be feeling right now. Poor Inuyasha. he looked so worried when he called out to her today and hearing him scream her name as they left made her feel sick in her stomach. He had incredible pride when it came to her protection. Of course that pride would probably be shattered now thanks to Kagura's words. No doubt he was beating the information out of Miroku right now…

 

She had almost given in when he had looked at her with that gaze again and told her she wouldn't shoot him as if it were a fact. At that moment, Kagome had frozen from fear he had figured out why she was working with Naraku. Thankfully, Kagura must have sensed her panic and intervened saving her from having to say something. Kagome paused for second before looking up to the youkai woman, who was facing towards the blue sky.

 

“Kagura?” Kagome timidly called over the wind. “Thanks for answering for me. I don't think I could have spoken back there.”

 

She watched as Kagura looked back at her out of the corner of her eye and sniffed. “Don't thank me.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/N: BTW I hope spreading the layout out has made this easier to read. I accessed one of my earlier chapters and found the squished writing to be a little difficult to read. Anyway, you guys tell me what you prefer!