InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desert Rose ❯ The Sorcerers ( Chapter 6 )

I do not own this wonderful work by Romiko Takahashi. Inuyasha isn't mine…^_^;

 

Chapter 6: The Sorcerers

 

“How?” The inability to form words was the only strength she could find.

 

“It makes sense, does it not?” Miroku replied. He cleared his throat before continuing. “Inuyasha told me he found you near the border. Assuming that you aren't from Eastern Domain, the only explanation would be that the dimensional sword brought you here from another realm. That would explain the sudden disappearance and reappearance of the sword.”

 

Kagome gave him a skeptical glance. If she had to tell the truth, she didn't want to be doubted like Inuyasha had doubted her. To have full trust is a better bridge across problems than half a bridge of trust. “How are you certain. I could be from Eastern Domain. How do you know I wasn't put there by Eastern Domain?"

 

Miroku gave her a knowing smile. “Because there is no way that someone like you could come from Eastern Domain and still smile.”

 

Kagome took in a deep breath, relief that there was someone who knew of her situation. “Miroku,” she pleaded, “do you know any way I can go home?” Her immediate answer was Miroku's pouted look, her hope shattering. “Are you that desperate to leave us, Kagome?”

 

“What?” She said frantically trying to defend herself against his upsetting accusation. “No! It's not that I want to leave you; I just came here by mistake. I shouldn't be here, in the middle of a war. And everyone back home will be worried and…and…”

 

“Kagome, I understand.” She gave him an appreciative look, but her expression changed again into a serious one. “Do you know how I can get home?”

 

“Well, yes, actually. If the Tetsusaiga was the key that brought you here, then it should be the key to getting you back to your home.” He stood in contemplation for a moment.

 

Kagome reflected on this new piece of information. She would have to get the Tetsusaiga back form Inuyasha somehow. No doubt it would be difficult. She knew he would be too stubborn to give it to her willingly, not to mention that he was probably still furious at her for slapping him. `It's hopeless.' She sulked.

 

“It's not that simple, I'm afraid.” Miroku said, jolting Kagome from her plans to steal the Tetsusaiga when Inuyasha isn't looking. She looked at him with questioning eyes. “What do you mean?”

 

“I'm certain that even if you had the blade, there is no way you know how to use it. Not only that, you would need a sorcerer that could handle the Tetsusaiga to send you back. Unfortunately, the Tetsusaiga is picky and won't take any Sorcerer to return you to your own realm. You would have to relay on the first sorcerer that you met here to send you back. And you have to be sent back the same way you came: in the same area, on the same time of day.”

 

Kagome was thunderstruck; Miroku's facts had hit her like a pile of bricks. Coming to this world was easy: just pull the sword from the ground. Returning to her home was going to be all but impossible. She would have to find the first sorcerer that she met her, somehow get the sword away from Inuyasha, and somehow arrive at the border at the same time of day without getting caught by enemy troops.

 

She sank to her knees again. How was she going to manage such a feet? An idea clicked in her head and she immediately sat back on her heels looking up at Miroku with hopeful eyes. “Miroku, you can send me back, cant you! You're a sorcerer, right? I saw you chanting the spell with Inuyasha in the caravan. You can help me get back! Now if I could just get the Tetsusiaga away from Inuyasha…” She turned her back to him, her hand on her chin, trying to find a way to get the sword back from her hanyou friend.

 

Miroku tapped her shoulder. “I'd like to help Kagome, but I cant, I'm afraid.”

 

“What!”

 

“I am not a sorcerer, I am a monk and although I carry similar powers of a sorcerer, I cannot handle the Tetsusaiga. Only the rightful owner of the Tetsusaiga can use it.”

 

Seeing her disappointed expression, Miroku added, “Cheer up, Kagome. This makes things easier for you. Not only do I already know the owner of the sword, I also know the first sorcerer you met here. I can ask him to send you back.”

“Really? Who is he?”

 

“You've already met, Kagome.”

 

“Inuyasha?” Miroku nodded, his expression quiet and somber. Hope had flown out the window and migrated north, never to return. How could she ask someone who was furious, mortally wounded, and doubtful of her to send her back? “But, how is he a sorcerer? Isn't he a hanyou?”

 

“Yes, he is. However, his mother was also a sorceress, a very powerful one at that, causing Inuyasha to be half sorcerer, though he is as powerful as a full one. Kagome, have you seen him? We were at Serpents' Pass and he was terrible injured. He used his power to get here. That was a transporting spell. Its energy zapping, only fully rested and healthy sorcerers use it as a last minute resort. In his condition, even with his demonic healing, I doubt he is all right.”

 

The horrible, stinging sensation of guilt in her chest wasn't helping her doubts about getting home. Here she was trying to get home, all she could think about was how to steal the Tetsusaiga while Inuyasha was suffering and angry with her in the golden room.

“Kagome?” Her eyes were downcast, staring at the floor with a painful expression on her face. “Kagome!”

 

Before he could reach out to disrupt her trance, she had sprinted back to the tower entrance and was bolting up the stairs in such an inhuman speed that, for a moment he thought he was part demon. Something told him not to follow her. A tap on his shoulder had him turning to face Sango.

 

()()()()()()()()()

 

Panting and heaving for breath, feet sore from stamping them on the steps while climbing, the stairs felt as thought they could go on forever. Reaching the dead end that connected to the golden room, she nearly jumped out the window to press the golden brick in. Reaching the brick, she tried not to lose time and in her attempt to quickly get back into the tower, she had lost the balance she had struggled to maintain in her sprint out the window. A whirl of colors was the only sight she had seen before she felt her hands barley grabbing the edge of the window.

 

Fighting to hold on, she looked toward the ground. Suddenly the earth looked like a bottomless pit. Clutching the slippery edge of the stone cliff, she struggled to haul herself up into the tower finding it life-threateningly difficult: her arms and legs were exhausted from sprinting up-stairs. Her mind was empty, filled the animal instinct to simply pull herself back into the ledge and maintain life. Her palms were slipping from the damp stone. Using whatever ounce of strength left, she bent her elbows hardly raising her head to the edge. Heart thumping, wind whipping, muscles aching, fingers slipping, her mind was reeling with panic. Desperately clutching the tower window, images of her past whipped through her mind.

 

Her fingers slipped from the ledge. Whirling colors, falling sensation, heartbeats stood on the air with her for that split second, time held still as she began falling. A hand shot out of the window capturing her wrist, violently pulling her into the window with enough force to knock her against the hand's owner.

 

Both bodies lay entangled against each other, wheezing heavily alongside the steps. Kagome felt as though she had a headache. She breathed in sighs of relief and thankfulness.

 

“Are you crazy, bitch! You could've gotten yourself killed! What were you doing out the window!?”

 

Her arms instinctively went around his waist, her face nuzzling his chest. “I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Inuyasha!” she breathed between pants.

 

“Hey! OW! Damb it! Let go!”

 

He looked down to see that she had fainted. All the strength she had used to keep herself from falling had taken its toll. Unhooking her hands from his waist, he took a few deep breaths before turning to head back into the golden room with the fainted body placed on his back. Wincing in pain from his torso and the extra pain caused by her weight, he toiled to reach the golden room.

 

()()()()()()()()()

 

“Miroku, where have you been? You had me worried sick, up and leaving just like that! I almost thought you had gone to see another woman!”

 

He gave her a sulking look before grabbing her hand and nuzzling the back of her palm. “Sango, my dearest, you know that I would never run off with another.”

 

She pulled her hand away from him, blushing. “You had better not.” She said. “So where were you?”

 

“At Serpents' Pass. Sesshoumaru-sama sent me there with Inuyasha to help battle in case anything happened. It seemed unnecessary to bring us back here when he was going to send us right back but, then again, sending a messenger would've been risky.”

 

“I know,” Sango cut in, “What if the enemy were to catch the messenger.”

 

“I'm sorry I can't spend more time with you. This war is not going too well, even though it's a temporary cease-fire right now. I have to help so we can end this fast and stop the epidemic from continuing.”

 

“Just promise me one thing, Miroku.”

 

“Anything.”

 

“That you will come back alive and not run off with another girl.”

 

“I promise, Sango.”

 

She gave him a skeptical stare. “I can't help worrying, Miroku.”

 

“I'll be fine, I swear. I'll come back, Sango. There's no way a war will keep me away from my wife.”

 

The kiss that came immediately after was full of the missed and forgotten affection that came from the separation. In that instant, all was forgotten, the fact that Miroku had to return to war, the fact that Sango had to stay to defend Western Domain, and the desert that lay between them.

 

()()()()()()()()

A most comfortable sleep, soft cushions, warm coverings and gentle breezes caused her to feel relaxed. Nestling closer to the cushions and warmth, she breathed in the familiar scent of the forest. Dazed by sleep and loving the feel of the softness and warmth, she ignored the sound of raspy, masculine breathing near her ear. “Mm.” She whimpered, wrapping her arm around what supposedly felt like a big soft teddy bear.

 

Opening her eyes, torpidly to the soft breathing near her ear, she noticed how shiny the room was and came face to face with her “teddy bear.”

 

“Good morning, beautiful.” He said.

 

She stared at him with a bemused face. “Inuyasha?” Looking down, she noticed how her body was pressed against his in the cushions. They were both lying on their sides, facing each other with his arms around her waist. Wiggling out of his hold, a blushed expression staring at his unaffected one as she sat with her knees curled under her on the bed. She saw the glow of the golden room.

 

“Was I here all night?” she asked more to herself than to him.

 

“Why are you so flustered? It's not like you haven't spent the night with me before.” He answered.

 

The reality of his statement didn't help her blush. Before her coming to this warring world, she had yet to go on a date or even kiss let alone staying in a man's arms all night in the same bed. This was not how she had planned starting her first relationships. Not that she hadn't enjoyed being so close to him; she was a little uncomfortable with how forward her was.

 

Seeing her worried expression he said, “Relax, I'm not the kind of person that would take advantage of someone in their sleep.” His face grew darker. “If there is one thing I hate more than anything, it's when someone is mistreated.”

 

She gaped at him. That was quite a principle. He seemed so sincere and serious about it that she assumed that he was speaking from experience.

 

“How long was I asleep?” She inquired.

 

“Two days in a row.” He said, rising into a sitting position.

 

“What! Why didn't you wake me?”

 

“You seemed so comfortable, I didn't want to disturb you.” True, he didn't want to bother her, but he was more intrigued by her scent and presence that he didn't want to wake her, afraid that she would leave.

 

“How are you feeling?”

“A lot better than I was two days ago, in fact, the wound has completely healed.” He gave her a reassuring smile.

 

For a moment, she believed him, and then she realized that there was no way that such an injury was going to heal in two days.

 

Watching her head toward him, he was startled to see her unbutton the collar of his robe. “Kagome?” he asked, baffled by her strange shift in behavior. In a flash, she yanked his robe off, throwing it behind her and pinning him on his stomach. Tearing away the remaining bandages, ready to scold him for telling her he was healed, she was amazed to find nothing but smooth skin. There was no scar. In fact, there was no indication that there had ever been a wound. She ran her fingers over the smooth, slightly tanned skin. “Amazing, no scar, no nothing.”

 

He grabbed her palm, yanking it till she feel on the mattress next to him, lying down on her belly. His gaze was intense and she wondered where this new emotion had come from.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

He was shocked when she pushed him down removing his clothes in such a manner that he assumed she was amorous. Having to feel the soft palm of her hand against his back had affected him in the worst way and his demonic side was calling out for control to take her right then.

 

He let go of her hand, taking in a deep breath to calm his nerves. What was it about this girl that affected him so?

 

“I told you I was fine.” He said gruffly before, removing himself from the bed entirely and crossing the room toward the balcony.

 

She blinked at him. Did he not like to be touched? She rose from her position on the bed to follow him onto the balcony.

 

The moon had risen and the cool, night air felt like silk against her clammy skin.

 

“Oh, Inuyasha?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I'm sorry for slapping you. I was reacting on impulse.”

 

He had forgotten about that. Her presence for the past two days had him feeling tranquil as he recovered from his injury. “Forget it.” He said, giving her the closest thing to forgiveness.

 

“I didn't mean to hit you. I didn't know that you had over-exerted yourself.”

 

“ `Over-exerted' myself? I was just stabbed.”

 

“Miroku told me you transported yourself here. Why would you use such an energy taking power when you were so terribly injured?” She scolded.

 

“So he told you, huh? I'm gonna kill that bastard for talking!”

 

“No, no. Inuyasha. He was only worried about you.” She said in Miroku's defense.

 

“That doesn't give him the right to blab about my life. What else do you know, besides me being a sorcerer?”

 

“That you're a very powerful one and that your mother was also a sorceress. Um,” curiosity was once again taking its toll, “ why don't you want people to know about yourself?”

 

“Keh, your so naïve. This is a war. I don't want anyone to know my personal information. They could leak them to the enemy.”

 

“So…you don't trust me?”

 

He turned to face her. She looked back at him with a sunken, hooded gaze.

 

“It's not that…well…”

 

She re-entered the room. “I get it. I'd feel the same way if a complete stranger wanted to know more about you.” To be honest with herself, she didn't know why she was so interested in him. He seemed to be surrounded in a haze and she wanted to clear that haze. She walked to the bed, pulling the curtains out of her way and sitting in the middle of the mattress.

 

The curtains were pulled back and Inuyasha came to sit next to her. “Sorry.” He looked away from her before she could reply.

 

“Can you tell me the real reason this war is being fought? There had to be a prize, right?”

 

“Yup, your right. There is a prize: world conquest.”

 

Seeing her confused stare, he said, “I guess I owe you an explanation. Eastern Domain wants to rule over all four countries. You saw the desert. The truth is that the desert wasn't really that big before. The sorcerers and demons of Eastern Domain have merged together to form a very powerful spell. The desert is not real: it's artificial. The enemy is spreading the small desert that separates our countries. Before, all the desert of our county was green just like this area. The only real desert is the one in their country.”

 

“Then why isn't the desert reaching this area?”

 

“Because, I've been working with my brother to suppress it but we can't hold it off forever. That was one of the reasons Sesshoumaru brought me here: to give him some of my power so he can keep the spell from spreading. The Demons of Eastern Domain are mostly Snake demons so they can easily survive in the desert. The only thing in their way is our country. The leader is afraid of Sesshoumaru and me. He wants to whip out our troops and take control of our land. To do that they have to first get rid of me and my brother. No doubt, those fucking bastards have some kind of plan kill us. Once we are out of their way, there will be no other country that can hold back the spell and the other countries are too stupid to know how to protect themselves. With us gone, they can easily take control of our world.”

 

How could she ask someone who was wanted dead by enemies to send her home? She was being selfish.

 

“I'm sorry, Inuyasha.”

 

“Sorry? You don't have anything to apologize for. It's not like you are the cause of the war. Are you?”

 

They laughed together.

 

“In the morning, I'll go down to tell Miroku that I'm fine. I bet my pain of a brother is pretty pissed.” Inuyasha said, breaking their laughter.

 

“I'll see you in the morning, then.”

 

Before Kagome could move to get off the canopy bed, his hand had shot out, grabbed her shoulder, pulled her so that her back was against his bare chest with his legs straddling her bent knees, and entangled his arms possessively around her waist. He nuzzled his head into her neck, breathing in her refreshing scent. He had been aroused since she touched his back and there was no way he would let her go now. “Stay here.” He ordered her before realizing it. Desperately trying to keep himself under control, he took a few deep breaths.

 

“I-Inuyasha?”

 

She struggled to get away but his grip on her waist tightened, pinning her in place.

 

“Inuyasha let go!”

 

“No way.”

 

“Let go!”

He nuzzled more into her neck. “No. I'm not letting go.”

 

“At least put your robe back on.”

 

“Nope, it's more comfortable this way. I may be leaving tomorrow.”

 

She stopped trying to escape and nuzzled into him, figuring that he was too stubborn to release her.

`

“Go to sleep.” He huffed in her ear.

 

“Hey, Inuyasha?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I'm coming with you.”

 

“Not in your life! You're staying here!”

 

“Your not the boss of me! I can go wherever I want.”

 

“Keh, there's no way I'd let you leave here! The last thing I need is for you to head into the war-zone I barley got you out of.”

 

She turned her head, giving him a look that stated that she didn't care. She didn't want to stay here like the other women. She wanted to be useful, not helpless. If she was going to ever get home, she needed to help Inuyasha take care of his problems first.

 

“What's with the face?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

A grumbling sound came from her belly. She blushed ten shades of red. Inuyasha laughed. She glared at him. Of course she was hungry, she was up here for two days without food.

 

“Sango and Miroku must be worried. They didn't know where you were for eight days, and now I've disappeared too.” She said.

 

“Let them worry.” He nuzzled more into her neck, rubbing his check against her jaw. Enjoying the feel of him, her eyes closed, till the temptation of sleep came over her. After he felt her resting against him, his eyes closed, joining her in sleep.