InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Delusions ❯ Chapter Twenty-Four ( Chapter 24 )

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

Author’s Notes:

 

 

 

 

Delusions

 

Chapter Twenty Four

 

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

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

 

 

 

 

They had traveled 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 its bearings. The unlikely party all came to the clearing and gathered in varying degrees towards Inuyasha. Even Sesshōmaru did not keep his distance.

 

“For what reason did you stop?” Sesshōmaru 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.”

 

Amaya noted how cool tempered her new-found uncle seemed. She knew relatively nothing about him and only caught that there was a relation from some muttering she had overheard. Though the silver hair and amber eyes were hint enough. She was quite delighted to have gained another family member. However, he didn't seem to share her feelings or even care about their familial connection and she even thought she had caught him sneering at her when he did not think she was looking.

 

“Naraku has to know we are coming by now and is already planning for us,” Inuyasha said.

 

“All the more reason to make haste,” Sesshōmaru retorted.

 

“That's usually my style, but too much is at stake here.”

 

“I have nothing holding me back,” Sesshōmaru said shortly. “Stay behind and I will go on.”

 

Amaya saw Inuyasha clenched his fists together at his sides. He seemed to struggle to keep his anger in check. The words that Inuyasha spoke next seemed clipped and pained, “Please…brother.”

 

Sesshōmaru regarded him silently before giving a small nod of acquiescing. He quietly stepped towards Rin, who had slid off A-Un. She smiled at him and walked over to join the others, with Sesshōmaru hanging back and staring stoically as she walked away.

 

Amaya felt a small gust overhead and looked up only to catch a sprinkle of downy feathers in her face. Brushing the feathers off she looked to her left and saw Sōrin standing beside her. He had a small smirk, as if he was pleased with himself, that he tried to hide. “Sōrin, that was amazing!” She placed her hand on his arm, “I didn’t know you could do that.”

 

He glanced down at her gesture with unease. “No one knew.” Raising his hand to gently touch her, his fingers grazed her hand and he allowed the touch to linger for a second before removing her hand from him.

 

She felt a shock run through her and then a little shame. She hadn’t meant to make him feel uncomfortable. “Oh, I see,” her eyes turned away briefly to avoid his gaze. “So, this was your first time coming out?” she asked trying to attempt humor to mask her emotions.

 

Sōrin’s brow crumpled in confusion, “Coming out? I don’t understand.”

 

“You know, coming out as a yōkai, hanyōu, or whatever it is that you are,” she laughed and waved a hand. Sōrin cocked his head to the side a fraction as he tried to decipher her meaning. “Ne-never mind!” she laughed.

 

A half-smile appeared on his face, “You are quite the odd one. Maybe even odder than I am.” Amaya smiled at that, “Thanks, I think.”

 

“Yōkai,” Sōrin informed her, simply.

 

Together they walked over to stand by Inuyasha. He was speaking intently to Rin, Shippō, Miroku, and Sango. “None of you can let yourselves be cornered or separated. Naraku is going to try and single every one of us out. He knows our weaknesses and he will use them to his advantage.”

 

“Inuyasha, what of the jewel?” Miroku asked solemnly. He had one hand gripping his staff and the other the shoulder of his wife.

 

Amaya had not heard much of the jewel, the Shikon jewel that had pulled her mother into this world. She had nearly forgotten that the Shikon jewel was at the epicenter of everything that had happened to all of them.

Inuyasha grimaced, “What of it?” he asked through gritted teeth and narrowed eyes.

 

“Naraku must have all of the shards. We haven’t heard nor seen any sign of them in over a decade. Something, though, is stopping him from completing it,” Miroku advised.

 

Rin stepped forward, “He does not have all of the pieces yet. By my count, he is missing at least two.” She clutched at her kimono with a pained look on her face. She quickly glanced back at Sesshōmaru and he gave a small nod of assent. Everyone else looked at her as she pulled out a small pouch that thronged her neck and emptied it contents to reveal a single jewel shard.

 

There was a small gasp from Sango, “Rin! How could you keep this from us?!”

 

Rin straightened and a defiant look spread across her countenance, “I was tasked with protecting and keeping it pure from corruption as my predecessors had done.”

 

Sango glared at Inuyasha, “You knew?!”

 

“How could I not? What else were we supposed to do with it?” Inuyasha asked defensively. He threw his arms together and looked pointedly at Sango. She was tense under Miroku’s hand and Inuyasha’s gaze. Sighing, she looked away.

 

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I am on edge and I should not have lashed out.” She schooled her face into a calm demeanor and took in another deep breath. “I should have known you would keep it close, I just didn’t think it would be that close.”

 

“I couldn’t trust it to be anywhere else,” Inuyasha said simply, his arms still folded.

 

Rin quickly set the topic back on course, “I’m sure that Naraku knows that I have this shard, but he has not attempted to procure it in all of these years so he has been biding his time and waiting for another piece.”

 

“Why would he wait?” Inuyasha questioned. “It makes no sense for him to wait all this time…”

 

“Unless he had to,” Miroku said. The monk seemed to be working something out and leaned upon his staff, the links jingling softly.

 

Sango looked over at Miroku questioningly, “Unless he had to...what?”

 

“Wait,” Miroku said, eyes closed in contemplation.

 

“Monk, I don’t really see where you are going with this,” Inuyasha said with a growl. “Get to the point!”

 

“Our foe has been conveniently absent for nearly 15 years and only chooses to reappear once Kagome does. That, my friend, is not mere happenstance.” Miroku stated.

 

Inuyasha quickly worked it out, “Kagome has the last shard? That doesn’t make any sense! I would have felt it.”

 

Miroku opened his eyes and shook his head, “No, it doesn’t make much sense, but it is the only explanation for why Naraku has chosen now to reappear. And also why he took her.”

 

“Something is still missing,” Sango added in. “Naraku had every opportunity to take Rin’s shard while she was unprotected at the village.”

 

“Because he wants it to hurt.”

 

Everyone turned to Sōrin, who had remained silent until now. “He wants to destroy you, Inuyasha and bring you pain and suffering.” Sōrin clenched his fists at his side and did not look at anyone as he spoke.

 

Inuyasha scoffed, “That’s not news kid.”

 

“You think you understand, but you don’t. Not the depth of it. I saw it...in his mind.” Sōrin approached Inuyasha, his dark eyes flashing as they bored into Inuyasha’s amber ones.

 

“So, you saw what his plans are?” Inuyasha asked demurely.

 

“No,” Sōrin said simply. “I could feel him, though, and I could see what he saw; none of it good.”

 

“Did you see my mother?” Amaya finally chimed in. “Could you see her?”

 

Sōrin regarded her for a second before responding. He looked over to Inuyasha and then back to her, “No.”

 

“Oh,” she responded, wilting a little. All this talk of destruction was beginning to become a bit tedious. She looked around at all of the sullen faces...faces that were preparing for some ultimate battle where one or more of them may not return. The gravity of the situation seemed to finally weigh on her. First, she had her whole world ripped asunder and now, as she began to gain her bearings in this new situation, something worse was coming to rub salt on her fresh wounds.

 

The voice of her uncle, Sesshōmaru, pierced through her momentary despair, “Naraku has eloquently laid a trap for us and we seem to have no choice but to walk into it.” The yōkai had drawn his sword and inspected the blade absently as he spoke. With a flourish, he sheathed the weapon. “He has at the very least given us the first move. We should take full advantage of it.”

“Naraku is waiting for us to make our move, we can take time to prepare…” Inuyasha advised and gestured to the group made up of yōkai and humans.

 

“There is naught even you can prepare for that will assist in Naraku’s swift demise. If you wish for my assistance in battle then the time is nigh and we should move now.” Sesshōmaru planted his feet but refused to face Inuyasha head on, as if it were beneath him to do so, and instead regarded the hanyōu with a turned head.

 

“Dammit, I cannot risk losing them! Can’t you for once in your life pull your head out of your ass? Or is it up there for the warmth?!” Inuyasha yelled. “If we go now, I won’t be strong enough to save Kagome.” His was seething with anger and his clawed hand hovered over the hilt of Tessaiga.

 

Sesshōmaru’s normally stoic features turned into a near scowl and his eyes burned contemptuous holes into Inuyasha’s head. “I am fully aware of your weakness, hanyōu, and you are fortunate that I have deigned to grace you with my patience, but that patience has been tested long enough.”

 

Inuyasha seemed to want to test more than Sesshōmaru’s patience. A low growl started deep in his throat as he gripped the hilt of Tessaiga. Amaya could hear it clearly from her position a few feet away. She could feel the tension rise and flow off of the brothers in waves that permeated the air with demonic power. It was definitely a sight to see and one that she was quite sure she would never have the chance of encountering back in the present. The brothers were locked in a battle of will, neither one making a move, but both poised to do so at a second’s notice.

 

“If you knew then you could MAYBE understand why we should wait!” Inuyasha yelled. He still gripped his sword tightly, hesitant to draw the blade. Amaya wondered if the pair would truly battle it out. She’d heard of sibling squabbles, but this would be taking it to a whole different level than what she had been accustomed to. ‘This has gone on too far,’ she thought.

 

“That’s enough!” she called. This fight was helping no one and no one was doing anything to stop it. She thought she heard the whispered words of Sōrin, “Better stay out of it.”

 

Both Sesshōmaru and Inuyasha’s gazed darted to her and she almost shrank back from the intensity of it. The yōkai’s gaze was cold and piercing, “Do not involve yourself, hanyōu,” he said icely and turned his attention back to Inuyasha. “Hey! Don’t talk to her like that!” Inuyasha shouted.

 

Amaya could feel a tiny ‘o’ form on her mouth as a form of disbelief. She then heard a small chuckle from Sōrin’s direction. She shot him a glare that she hoped matched those which were currently being thrown around.

 

Sesshōmaru turned away from everyone and took a few steps over towards where A-Un lingered. “Come Rin,” he commanded without bothering to look her way. She still stood close to everyone else and made no move to join him. Her chin was raised defiantly; her arms crossed beneath her breasts.

 

Sesshōmaru turned and looked at Rin, his face unchanging. He said nothing but his eyes belied his disbelief as they implored her to join him. “It isn't right to leave. If you go, you go without me,” Rin said.

 

Without a second thought, he turned on his heel and strode to A-Un, ushering the dragon along.

 

Amaya saw Rin visibly wilt a little but was steadfast in her decision to stay and turned her back to his departure. No one said anything to comfort Rin. Perhaps they did not know what to say or if she would even welcome the comfort. Amaya had been under the impression that Rin was in love with Sesshōmaru, but it did not seem that the yōkai returned his affections in the fashion that she longed for. Rather than act like a significant other, Sesshōmaru acted like an overprotective father figure who was throwing up his hands at an impulsive child who would have to learn a lesson on their own, the hard way.

 

“This does not bode well for our mission,” Miroku said, massaging his temple with a pained look on his face. Sango looked fierce besides him. She seemed to have decided to put her worry behind her while she focused on defeating Naraku. Taking a step towards Rin she gave the young woman’s arm a compassionate squeeze. “It will be fine,” she said to everyone with a hidden meaning for Rin. “We’ve made it this far without him.”

 

Inuyasha waved a hand in annoyance, “I don’t need him anyway.” He dropped into a crouch and began laying out his plan. The remainder of the group settled in while Rin unpacked some supplies.  “So, we will spend the next day scouting the area. We know we are walking into a trap. At the very least we should know the layout. We may even be better off pulling back for a while since he is under the impression we are coming right now. Maybe that will give Sesshōmaru a chance to get his ass handed to him and soften Naraku up a bit…”

 

Miroku put a hand out, gesturing for Inuyasha to stop, “Inuyasha, a moment please?” he beckoned. Inuyasha scoffed, “Dammit, Monk, what is it?” Miroku stood and waited for Inuyasha to do the same. Balling his hands into fists, he pushed himself up with an annoyed sigh. “What?” he growled.

 

Miroku, staff in hand, gestured away from their assorted companions. Inuyasha stalked impatiently off out of earshot of even those with the most sensitive of hearing and Miroku followed solemnly.

 

Amaya watched as Miroku began to make his case. He did not gesture but his facial expressions, from what she could see, remained composed. Inuyasha had lost his annoyed demeanor and listened to the Monk intently, nodding his head or pausing to say a few words.

 

No one said anything while the pair conversed privately. Rin continued to lay items out in preparation for a meal, blatantly ignoring what was transpiring while everyone else gleaned what they could from the limited gestures they could make out from the distance. Sango stared at her husband, perplexity drawn on her face, so she didn't have any idea what Miroku was up to. She had stood up after they walked away and shifted from foot to foot impatiently as they all waited for them to return.

 

After a few minutes, it became apparent to Amaya that Inuyasha and Miroku may be locked into a private conversation for an indefinite period of time. She released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and it came out as a long sigh. Looking around she observed Shippō lazily playing with a spinning top, casually spinning it on his finger. She wondered where he had gotten a top or why he would even be carrying such a toy around. He was older than her, surely, but he seemed small like that of a human teenage boy; more her size. Still, he was a yōkai and Amaya could feel some of his yōki which belied his smaller frame than that of his male companions. He must have sensed her staring at him because he shot her a sly smile and thrust the top in her direction. It grew larger and larger as it spun towards and Amaya fell back and tried to shuffle away. “Aghh,” she exclaimed and then, suddenly, the top was gone. She looked around for it, expecting maybe another attack but none came. It took a moment for her to realize that it was just an illusion. Feeling rather sheepish she glanced at her companions and found nearly everyone laughing. Shippō chuckled with mirth and Rin covered her mouth as she giggled. Sango’s eyes shone with amusement but she did not laugh. Amaya’s eyes narrowed and she glanced over at Sōrin who had a smug grin plastered on his face. She wasn’t sure if she had really seen him smile much since she had met him.

 

“You seemed a little tense,” Shippō said with a laugh. “I didn’t mean to scare ya too much. Just wanted to lighten the mood a little.” He began spinning the back-to-normal-size top on a finger again. Amaya vaguely remembered that Kitsune were renowned for being tricksters. She reminded herself that her being here was an impossibility and that impossible things could and would happen. She had to be ready for anything if she was going to help save her mother.

 

Inuyasha and Miroku walked back, Inuyasha with a pained expression on his face. He didn’t mince words, “Sōrin, I want you to take Rin and Amaya back to the village. Make sure they both get home. That means back to your time, Amaya, and I need you to stay there.” Amaya’s jaw dropped in disbelief and she took in a breath.

 

Sōrin jumped up with an incredulous look, “What? No! You need me to get to Naraku!”

 

Inuyasha thrust his hands into his suikan and looked straight at Sōrin, “Yeah, I did. And now I know where he is.”

 

“This is bullshit, Inuyasha! I can fucking help just as much as anyone. If not more!” he yelled and gestured around himself as if to prove a point. Amaya felt the heat rising to her cheeks in frustration and pushed herself up. “I don’t understand...why?” she asked.

 

The hanyōu’s gaze softened a bit when he eyed his daughter. “You’ll only get in the way,” he said, his tone softened as if he were trying to be gentle about this egregious blow.

 

“Don’t treat me as if I am a helpless child!” she shouted, “I can hold my own. I’m not afraid!” She felt tears stinging her eyes, but she refused to cry. She watched as his face hardened and she felt an impulse to take a step back but pushed that feeling aside.

 

“You will do as I fucking say! I’m fucking tired of being questioned. Now get out of here while you still have enough daylight to make it back,” he snarled.

 

Sōrin placed his hand out to his side and a staff materialized. Inuyasha’s eyes widened a bit and turned into a glare, his arms still crossed. “Now’s not the time to fuck around, kid,” he said.

 

“Inuyasha, is this really necessary?” Shippō asked. The kitsune took a step forward before Inuyasha threw a hand up for him to stop. “Stay outta this,” he called. Shippō threw up his hands in a sign of defeat and stepped back. “Fine, whatever,” the Kitsune said.

 

Sōrin pointed his staff at Sango, “This is your doing isn’t it?” he snarled. “You just can’t stand what I am so you decided to try and get rid of me? Are you scared Sango? You should be...you don’t know what I am capable of!” Sango, offended, threw back, “No, Sōrin, I had nothing to do with this, but I do stand by Inuyasha’s decision.”

 

Miroku stepped in front of his wife and Sōrin’s staff remained pointed in her direction. “Why?” he barked.

 

“Because I said so, dammit!” Inuyasha said. Sōrin turned his glowering gaze back to his mentor. “That’s not a good enough reason for me,” he challenged.

 

Inuyasha drew Tessaiga slowly and in a deliberate show of prowess. He pointed the massive blade at Sōrin, “Is this enough reason?” Sōrin gripped his staff and spun it with a flourish before dissipating and reappearing next to Inuyasha in midair. The staff whooshed through the air as it came towards Inuyasha’s head. Inuyasha, expecting the attack raised Tessaiga to block the blow before it landed and he parried the staff.

 

Shippō pulled Rin out of range of this battle while Miroku and Sango took a few studious steps backward to give the warring pair some room. Amaya also hurried out of the way, though she felt an impulse to join in. “I had no idea he was capable of this,” Miroku remarked. Amaya figured he meant the techniques he was using on Inuyasha rather than the behavior given they did not bat an eyelash at the previous outburst.

 

Sōrin leaped back and brought his left arm to his chest and whipped it outwards, the move threw gleams of light towards Inuyasha at remarkable speed. Amaya wasn’t sure if they could be avoided, the move was so fast, she almost did not pick it up, but Inuyasha whipped his blade around to deflect the attack. Midnight black feathers fell to the ground, quill first, and embedded heavily into the ground. The attack had been feigned and Sōrin stood behind Inuyasha, his staff inches away from Inuyasha’s head, “Do you yield?” Sōrin asked haughtily.

 

Inuyasha whipped around and knocked the staff away, “What did I teach you about pulling blows, dumbass?” Bringing Tessaiga up he yelled, “Wind Scar!” The sword sliced through the air creating a wave of yōki energy hurtling towards Sōrin. Sōrin was in a fighting stance and glanced at the oncoming attack from over a shoulder. He held out his staff and began to spin it in front of him. The wind scar came upon him like a torrential storm. The force of the attack brought up a wind that whipped his clothing around him, but he stood still in the face of it; his staff spinning. The blow kicked up dust and dirt from the ground and plummeted towards Sōrin, obscuring him from view.

 

Amaya called out, sure that Sōrin would be wiped out where he stood with such a glance. She saw Inuyasha’s eye flash towards her and back towards where Sōrin had stood. When the dust finally cleared she could see that Sōrin stood, unscathed with a dark blue barrier formed around him. This new display elicited a small gasp from Sango. The sound made Sōrin tilt his head in her direction with a knowing smile. The display of arrogance was his undoing and Inuyasha hurtled towards the barrier-breaking it casually with Tessaiga. He slammed Sōrin into a nearby tree, causing the tree to shake, holding Tessaiga up to Sōrin’s neck and pressing down firm enough to draw blood. Sōrin’s eyes darted down to the blade held at his neck and back up to Inuyasha. He sneered up at him in response.

 

“Quit dicking around and do as you’re told. Don’t make me embarrass your dumbass more by throwing you over my knee,” Inuyasha threatened, pressing the blade a little deeper for emphasis.

 

Sōrin’s eyes widened and he grimaced; humiliated in front of everyone. He averted his gaze and looked down in shame, his staff falling from his grasp but disappearing before hitting the ground. Inuyasha released his hold and stepped back, sheathing Tessaiga. A red line was visible on Sōrin’s neck and droplets of blood began to form and slid down his neck, but he made no move to wipe it away. “Take the girls back to the village, Sōrin, and stay there.”

 

Amaya watched as Inuyasha approached her and she began to seethe. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a pained look, “You need to go,” he said. She stared at him for a moment, trying to form a coherent thought about what to say, “I...I don’t understand...I thought…” she began. His gaze softened, which it seemed to do whenever he beheld her. “I can’t risk you. You’re too...precious,” he said softly. “Go home and stay safe. I’ll bring your mother to you.” She jerked from his grasp and stalked away, pausing only long enough to pick up her things before heading towards where Sōrin sulked. Rin had gathered up her things during the exchange and said a few quick goodbyes to everyone. She shouldered a bag and walked demurely over to Sōrin and Amaya. As she passed where Inuyasha stood, he held out an awaiting hand. She pulled the throng from around her neck and passed it to him. He grabbed it and tucked it away. She continued over to the separated party members.

 

Inuyasha watched stoically as the three youths made their way back...once they were out of sight, Miroku walked over to him, “Necessary evils my friend,” he said.

 

“Yeah? Well, then why do I get the feeling that this is gonna come back and bite me in the ass?” Inuyasha asked skeptically. “Because it probably will,” Shippō offered.

 

 

 

Next time on Delusions……

 

….They walked for miles; no one speaking to the other as they trekked along. Sōrin led the way with Amaya and Rin following several feet behind him, both girls giving the sullen man his space. He absently wondered how long it would be before one of the girls broke the silence, especially because at this pace they would not make it back to the village before nightfall. Actually, at the rate they were going, it may take days, but Sorin enjoyed the peace experienced from walking and contemplating his earlier duel with Inuyasha. He felt his face tighten as anger washed over him as he remembered his humiliation.

 

As if on queue, Amaya called ahead, “Sorin, why are we wasting time like this?” He should have expected no less from the annoyingly inquisitive newcomer. He glared over his shoulder at her and kept walking. At least Rin had the sense to let him sulk, though he figured it was more a habit of her upbringing than her personality. If she were truly a companion to Sesshomaru, then she must be schooled enough not to test his temper….