InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Delusions ❯ Chapter Twenty-Three ( Chapter 23 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Author’s Notes:

 

 

 

 

Delusions

 

Chapter Twenty Three

 

Rated - M (for suggestive adult themes, references to some violence, and coarse language)

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

 

 

 

 

Kagome woke the next morning to find the futon next to her empty. Anxiety crept into her chest until her eyes caught sight of a slight movement in the pre-dawn light.

 

“I trust you slept well,” Naraku said. He had his back turned to her, seated towards the center of the room and presumably deep in thought while she still slumbered. He glanced at her and turned back to fall back into his meticulous thought process.

 

Kagome had inquired the night before what he meditated for, to which he curtly responded, “I am planning.”

 

“Yes,” she had responded. Despite the warmth of the room, she felt a shiver of cold run through her. ‘So cold,’ she thought, ‘it can’t always be like this…’. She stared at his back for a moment, pondering, before she rose. She immediately felt self-conscious of herself despite the fact that he was not even looking at her. He hadn’t touched her last night after their initial embrace and Kagome wondered if she had done something wrong. She tried to wrack her memories for happier times and found that Naraku’s affection was limited but intense and her delayed gratification was always worthwhile. The small revelation helped to set her mind at ease and she began to change out of her sleep attire into a wardrobe that she had set out the night before.

 

It was odd, as she changed she could feel a demonic taint in the air. She knew it was Naraku but she wondered how she had gotten used to it through the years for it not to bother her as it did now. As she slipped a sleeve down off her shoulder, she could feel his immediate presence behind her. His breath tickled her exposed skin and she shivered again. Grabbing her loose clothing she spun and pulled it back over her shoulder, immediately feeling awkward for having done so in front of a man she had known intimately.

 

His eyes were cold and almost lifeless as he studied her. Slowly, he pushed the fabric off of her shoulder to expose her shoulder once again. It was almost as if he did not know what he was doing, or was hesitant to make any move. He did, however, run his fingers gently along her collarbone and hesitated before leaning down to place a small kiss where there was a faded scar. The shiver undulated through her, making her feel cold down into her bones. It was immensely pleasurable and off-putting all at once. He straightened and his eyes bore back into her own, once again.

 

“I must leave you again, Lady,” he said. He had placed his hand on her waist and his other upon her still exposed shoulder. “I trust you can find something to keep yourself busy with in the meantime.”

 

“I...I think so,” she said hesitantly. He did not smile, but he lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on her lips. They, too, were cold. She thought the kiss may lead to something more but it broke off as suddenly as it had begun. He pulled away and swiftly turned on his heel to leave the room, but he stopped as he reached the door.

 

He turned his head, “I did not want to burden you with this information, but it seems that Inuyasha is searching for our location. I’m sure you know why. He has rallied aid from his brother, Sesshomaru, and others from your old group of sycophants.”

 

Her heart steeled at the name. “Of course he has,” she replied acidly. Scornful images flooded her mind as she recalled the hanyou. “I hope you have something good planned for him.”

 

A small smile broke his stoic features, “Oh, I do,” he purred before he left.

 

 

Inuyasha hated to ask this of his young ward but had no other options left. He had always had a sinking feeling that something like this may happen with Sōrin but had hoped that he would not have to be subjected to the tragedy that is Naraku.

 

He approached Sōrin who sat with his back against a tree, his head resting against the trunk tilted upwards. Inuyasha was sure that Sōrin heard him coming, but the boy just sat peacefully with his eyes closed, seemingly resigned to the knowledge that his actions may place him in danger.

 

“Are you ready?” Inuyasha asked softly.

 

Sōrin’s dark eyes popped open quickly and he stood up. “As I will ever be,” he responded. He walked over to the remains of the campfire and sat down in front of it. There was not really anything special about what he was preparing to do, but Inuyasha figured that he was getting out in the open for show. The boy really hadn’t needed to get up or move to accomplish the task at hand.

 

Inuyasha saw Sōrin’s eyes flit over to where Amaya stood. His daughter had her arms crossed and watched expectantly, though a little crease of worry marred her features. He couldn’t help but notice their eyes lock briefly before Sōrin had settled onto the ground. ‘Why is he looking at her? And why is she looking back at him?’

 

“I’ll only be but a moment,” Sōrin announced to everyone.

 

Everyone stared silently at Sōrin as he sat and stared into nothingness. Inuyasha almost thought that Sesshomaru, who stood with Rin out along the perimeter of the temporary campsite, took a step forward from intrigue, but he knew that his brother would stand idly by until he felt as though there was a direction to move forward to.

 

Minutes passed silently as Sōrin sat and stared at nothing. Inuyasha, however, could see small beads of perspiration form on his forehead and knew that he was working hard at making a mental link.

 

Suddenly the silence broke as Sōrin let out a painful scream and he brought his hands to his head, his body crunching over into itself. Sango grabbed Miroku and stepped back, while he and Amaya leaped over to where Sōrin sat.

 

“Sōrin?!” Amaya called. She placed her hand on his shoulder and made a comforting gesture. “Please stop if it hurts! You don’t have to do this anymore,” she pleaded.

 

“I see him…..and….he can see...me….” Sōrin panted, still holding his head in his hands.

 

“Where is he?” Inuyasha asked. He understood the suffering that Sōrin was experiencing but he could not let it all be in vain.

 

Sōrin tried to compose himself, took a deep breath and straightened. “Not far…” he said.

 

“I saw him and he saw me. He knows what I am, where I am, everything,” Sōrin confessed.

 

“Then we will have to strike first,” Sesshomaru said as he neared the group.

 

“My thoughts exactly,” Inuyasha said, without looking at his brother.

 

Amaya, still doing her best to comfort Sōrin, quietly asked, “So, can you lead us to my mother?”

 

His hair fell over his eyes as he ducked his head slightly, avoiding her gaze. “Yes,” he said simply.

 

Inuyasha extended a hand to Sōrin who, without looking, grabbed it and hauled him up to his feet. “How far?” Inuyasha asked.

 

It troubled him to see that Sōrin would not meet his gaze either. What did the boy have to be ashamed of? He did what was asked of him.

 

“Perhaps half a day’s ride if we are swift, more if we walk,” Sōrin responded.

 

Inuyasha turned to the kitsune who had silently stood by, “Shippo, can you hold a form long enough to transport Sango and Miroku?”

 

“You insult me by asking,” Shippo said with a wave of the hand.

 

“Good, then let’s move out,” Inuyasha yelled.

 

Miroku scratched his head, “Inuyasha, are you planning on leaving Sōrin here? He is integral to pinpointing Naraku, but you forgot to include him in your count of those who are not as light on their feet.”

 

“No, he can keep up,” Inuyasha stated matter of factly. He walked over to Amaya who still had a concerned look on her face.

 

Everyone seemed perplexed at this announcement, for as long as they had known Sōrin, he was many things, but capable of flight was not one of them. Sōrin had fully composed himself but still would not look Inuyasha in the eye. He simply moved away from everyone and launched himself into the air with downy pale feathers floating to the ground where he had once stood. Everyone looked up simultaneously to see an owl who screeched and circled overhead.

 

Inuyasha heard Sango gasp, “It can’t be?!” She charged at him, “Inuyasha! How could you keep this from us?!”

 

He only shrugged, “Why does it matter? How is it any different from what I am?”

 

“You put all of us at risk so you could make yourself feel better after Kagome left!” Sango angrily accused.

 

Miroku did not linger and grabbed Sango’s shoulders to try and restrain her, “Sango! Now is not the time. Inuyasha has done nothing wrong. Don’t let your fear cloud your judgment.”

 

Sango shrugged her husband off and took another step forward. “Don’t think for a moment that I won’t do whatever is necessary to protect my family, Inuyasha,” she said in a low menacing voice. “You put your trust in him...an incarnation of Naraku...and we all lose,” she said before she spun around and walked away, leaving Miroku standing where he was.

 

Miroku sighed deeply and shook his head. “Inuyasha…” he began.

 

Inuyasha could feel himself seething and barely bit his temper back, “Don’t!” he warned.

 

“You know how she is,” Miroku tried to say.

 

“Leave it,” Inuyasha growled and turned away. Miroku took that queue and walked away.

 

Shippo found an opportunity to chime in, “What the hell happened while you guys were gone?”

 

A glare from Inuyasha silenced any further outbursts from him and he threw up his hands in defense, jumping off to join Miroku and Sango. As he ran he shifted form into that of a large, multi-tailed fox. He lowered himself to allow his passengers easier access and was up in the air, waiting.

 

Inuyasha could almost feel the disgust washing off of his brother; the thought of Shippo allowing humans to ride him like some mere animal was a contemptuous thought. Though, Sesshomaru did not show any disdain he may have felt on his countenance. He wordlessly watched the events unfold before finally narrowing his eyes, his gesture of acknowledgment.

 

He knew that this temporary alliance with Sesshomaru was shaky, at best, and he had to be careful not to show too much in the way of dominance over it. Otherwise, Sesshomaru would head out on his own and extract what information he could from whoever crossed his path in order to locate and eliminate Naraku.

 

Sesshomaru stood by Rin, who sat atop of A-Un, waiting for him. Inuyasha gave a slight nod and set his sight on Amaya. She was waiting for him to make a move she could follow.

 

Looking up to the sky, he spotted Sorin who still flew in lazy circles. The owl suddenly swooped down over his and Amaya’s heads, the beats of his wings making their clothes and hair rustle around them. Inuyasha watched as he took off towards the north and jumped to follow; this being the queue for everyone else to follow suit.

 

As he sailed through the sky, he could feel anxiety constrict in his chest, ‘Hang on Kagome, I'm coming…’

 

 

Kagome had indeed found something to occupy her time. Though the manor was empty, save her, she was able to find a bow in a room that had a stockpile of supplies. The random Items had been haphazardly placed in the spare room as if they had been randomly accumulated. Or the items had been inherited when Naraku occupied the manor. Either way, Kagome took the bow to use for a little target practice.

 

She felt rusty, which was odd. She had the distinct memory of shooting not long ago. At least that is what Byakuya had shown her.  It took her a few shots to feel confident in her ability again. She aimed at the makeshift target she had set up several yards away and focused. Focused all of her pain and anger into the arrow so that it would fly true. After inhaling, she released and the shaft flew true, impaling the target dead center. With a satisfied smile, she took several more shots, all hitting their mark. She went to retrieve her arrows and hoped she would have a more pleasing target to release upon soon.

 

Most of the day had passed and she made her way back to her room to await the arrival of her next meal. Byakuya had delivered her midday meal to her while she practiced and she informed him that she would take this meal in her rooms.

 

Naraku had promised to return soon and Kagome hoped it would be within the day.

 

Some time had passed and Kagome had fallen asleep in the sitting room. Moonlight poured into the room from the small window and Kagome jolted awake. She could feel Naraku close by. His demonic aura permeated throughout the area. He must have returned just recently, she thought. She rose up and tried to brush away the wrinkles that sleep had left upon her skirts. Following Naraku’s aura, she made her way towards the hall.

 

It did not take her very long to locate Naraku. This close, there was nowhere he could hide from her had he chosen to. She found him outside with Byakuya. He seemed agitated, his eyes narrowed, his words clipped. She heard something about a heart and missing piece before he stopped. Byakuya’s gaze had betrayed her arrival. She paused, feeling uncertain, but shook the feeling away and approached the pair.

 

“Is something the matter?” she asked.

 

Naraku closed his eyes and Byakuya regarded her quietly, waiting for his master to respond.

 

“The missing piece of the puzzle has finally been revealed,” he said vaguely.

 

Kagome looked at him quizzically. “That does not sound like such a horrible thing?”

 

“Only that the piece is not where it was last, and it has been acquired by my enemies,” he said shortly.

 

“I see,” she said, contemplating the situation. “What do you propose we do to get that piece back?”

 

“I have something in mind,” he said. His tone implied something twisted and dark and Kagome could not help but smirk at the possibilities.

 

 

 

 

Next time on Delusions……

 

...They had travelled for hours and Amaya began to feel fatigued. It was strange; physically she felt wonderful, but mentally she was exhausted. She must have looked strained because Inuyasha, her father, called them to stop in a clearing bordering a small village.

 

She landed, grateful for the break, yet anxious to continue. Her body was at war with itself as part of her wanted to keep going and the other part needed time to gather it's bearings. The unlikely party all came to the clearing and gathered in varying degrees towards Inuyasha. Even Sesshomaru did not keep his distance.

 

“For what reason did you stop?” Sesshomaru asked. He seemed annoyed, “Give a direction and I will continue on to deal with the menace if you are no longer so inclined. I have no time for idle play.”...