InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Divergence ❯ Chapter 3

 

 

Divergence

 

Canto III

 

“The highest Wisdom and the primal Love.

Before me there were no created things,

Only eterne, and I eternal last.

All hope abandon, ye who enter in!”

 

-The Inferno, Dante Alighieri, Canto III, Lines 6-9

 

 

They had decided to take him to Mushin's temple. Hachi had given them a ride there that had only lasted a little more than a day. Inuyasha had not stirred in all that time. While on Hachi he had slept quietly, if not slightly restlessly in Kagome's sleeping bag. When they arrived at the temple Mushin had been seated outside, sipping aged sake. When he saw them he spit out the mouthful he'd just taken in and poured the rest of the bottle all over himself.

 

Miroku just sighed and walked past him into the temple, Kouga walking behind him with an unconscious Inuyasha on his back. Mushin might have tried to say something when he saw this but the others ignored him as they entered the temple. Miroku led them around back where there were a number of small rooms for people who needed a place to stay. Kouga carefully allowed Inuyasha to slip off of his back onto the wooden floor. Kagome was instantly at his side brushing his unruly bangs back from his forehead. She swallowed when she felt the heat radiating from his too limp body. Without looking up from his face she whispered:

 

“He has a fever.”

 

 

He was passing through darkness, into darkness and out of darkness. It was him, and forever would be. His essence was uncontained, free and drifting. The barrier that skin was did not exist. The freeness scared him. There was nothing to hold on to.

 

Everything was flying apart…

 

It hurt to move, because he could not move. He could not breathe and he could not think. But here, in this place of black, only one need echoed. Bare and in its simplest form, it tickled him into a dull insanity.

 

The need to release. To be boundless. To expand until he could reach the corners of the universe at one time.

 

As his consciousness stretched to try to relieve this ache, this need, he brushed over something in the black. This thing wrapped around him, smothered him and the itch left him, if only for a little while.

 

Young one…

 

The presence wrapped around him and whispered promises of freedom to him. Freedom from those around him, freedom from himself. It sounded all too familiar and he twisted desperately in the presence's hold. But it hurt because he could not move.

 

Oh my young one…I am not him…

 

And he believed it and let himself drift again. He felt pieces of himself merging with the presence. He felt pieces of himself float away. He felt free…finally free.

 

 

The fever ravaged him for days despite his old companions' efforts to quell it. He slept deeply and silently and did not move in all that time. For Kagome, recent events left her confused. She did not understand why Kagura would suddenly become concerned over Inuyasha. When she had seen the two of them together, they had treated each other like partners in a common cause, but nothing beyond that. Their relationship reminded her much of the one that Inuyasha shared with Sesshoumaru. But instead of the coldness and disgust that the two brothers seemed to hold for one another, Inuyasha and Kagura acted with a morbid amusement and indifferent disregard for what was around them, and simply fed off of each other.

 

It was all too confusing, but Miroku and Kouga seemed convinced that a desperate Naraku was trying to pull something. Sango…not so much and Kagome…she wasn't sure of anything.

 

The young miko glanced up when Inuyasha stirred. As far as she knew, this was the first time that Inuyasha had moved at all in five days. She rushed to his side and a put a calming hand on his forehead. The next thing she knew Inuyasha had gasped, his eyes snapping open and flicking around the room wildly. His shoulders strained and he continued to look around in confusion. Kagome did her best to calm him. She placed a soothing hand on his shoulder and tried to get him to relax. He continued to pant, his eyes flicking over her. There was no recognition. At that moment he did not know her and Kagome blinked back unbidden tears.

 

Kouga peeked into the room, having heard the commotion. Kagome looked up at him pleadingly and he sighed, coming over to kneel next to her. Inuyasha's eyes flicked over him as well before continuing their frantic examination of his surroundings. Kouga frowned, recognizing the behavior. He began to growl softly and bared his fangs to the hanyou, who began to do the same. Kagome shot him a confused look but he ignored her and did not break eye contact with Inuyasha. The hanyou's growl grew softer as he began to relax. His eyelids drooped but he did not break eye contact with Kouga. Finally, the hanyou's growl died away completely and his eyes flickered closed as he slipped back off to sleep. Kagome stared up at Kouga, her face awe filled and grateful but he only made a face and stood.

 

“If he wakes again come get me.”

 

Then he slipped out of the room before Kagome could ask him what he did and why.

 

Inuyasha did not wake up again until later that day and when he did Sango was the one keeping watch over him. Perhaps this was for the best, because when Inuyasha awoke and became aware of where he was, he was not very happy about it. He didn't bother to open his eyes, but let his head loll to the side. Using his nose he began to scent the room around him and discovered Sango sitting near the door. He heard her sigh and shift and he allowed himself a small smile.

 

“Kagura's tricky,” he sang softly.

 

Sango nearly jumped out of her skin and whipped around to stare at Inuyasha's motionless body in surprise. “You're awake?”

 

“Indeed I am. I'm feeling much better,” he replied with a smile, his eyes still closed.

 

Sango crept closer but didn't get within arms reach. She wasn't sure if Inuyasha had truly come to himself yet and was hesitant. But he continued to smile and did make any move against her.

 

“Do you remember us?”

 

Inuyasha sighed and shifted slightly, getting more comfortable. “I've been asked that many times now. Have you any idea how annoying it is to remember being asked that question and also remembering that at the time I had no idea who you were.”

 

Sango's breath caught and she edged a little closer. “Is that a yes?”

 

“I thought it was.”

 

“What has Naraku done to you Inuyasha?”

 

The hanyou sighed and finally opened his eyes so he could pin Sango with an amused look. “Besides beat me up?” Sango's face darkened but if anything Inuyasha only grew more amused. “I've seen Kohaku,” he said randomly.

 

It took his words a few moments to sink in and when they did Sango's face twisted. It was an ugly expression. She somehow managed to look joyful at the news and also miserable because of what it meant.

 

“How is he?” she breathed softly, averting her eyes from Inuyasha's.

 

“Oh he's okay. A little thin though; he's not eating enough.”

 

Sango couldn't help but smile softly at that. When they had removed Inuyasha's ruined haori they had been slightly horrified at what they saw. Under the wounds, Inuyasha's body had seemed so frail looking. His already thin frame had thinned more, making him look horrendously malnourished. It seemed odd hearing a person that probably hadn't eaten for days, comment on other's similar situation.

 

“But then, I shouldn't talk. When was the last time I ate?” his voice trailed off and he sighed somewhat sadly. Then before Sango could protest he sat up and used the wall as support to get to his feet.

 

Sango rushed forward, wrapping her hands around his waist to help support him. Inuyasha frowned when he tried to lift his leg and only managed to shuffle forwards. Sango made a sad noise in her throat and began to lower Inuyasha back down onto the futon. The hanyou didn't protest.

 

“I believe that I will be here for quite a while,” he finally said, his lips pursed distastefully.

 

“Do you wish to leave us so much?” Sango asked, trying to keep the sadness from her eyes.

 

Inuyasha didn't even bother to look up at her. He turned towards the window and sighed in longing. After a while he sighed and answered. “This is a temple Sango. I don't exactly feel comfortable here.”

 

“You've stayed in temples before.”

 

“Now isn't before,” he said with another sigh. He tried to shift his legs again but barely could make them move. “And I am not as I was.”

 

A sick feel settled into Sango's stomach and she allowed herself to sag. It hurt hearing the words, but they were true weren't they? Nothing was the same and the life that she had fought so hard to keep stable was spiraling out of control. Hearing the words that no one had spoken before seemed to make it real. The man before her, who was a demon and was not demon, was not the man that she had met that day years ago. He was not the man that had prevented her from ending her brother's life. Who was this man who stared out of the window with such longing? She didn't know him and that hurt all the more.

 

“I am not as I was,” he repeated softly. He tilted his head to the side and appraised Sango with dulled amber eyes.

 

Sango couldn't hold his gaze and let her head fall forward. With a heaviness in her limps that was not meant for anyone her age she got to her feet and moved towards that door. “Kouga told us to come get him when you woke up,” she explained needlessly.

 

The hanyou turned to look at her with narrowed eyes as she left and his expression didn't lighten at all when Kouga walked into the room a few minutes later. The wolf youkai didn't look happy either. In fact, he looked rather haggard. He turned wearied eyes onto Inuyasha and gave a tired sigh as he let his head rest on his upturned palm. The two demons sat there for a bit, both of them grave until Kouga had to look away.

 

“You're not all Inuyasha,” he said bluntly. Inuyasha stared at Kouga with narrowed eyes but reveled nothing. “Do you deny it?”

 

“No,” the white haired hanyou answered sharply.

 

“What have you done to the mutt?” Kouga snapped just as sharply.

 

The hanyou's eyes widened and bled crimson, he pulled back his lips to revel his enlarged fangs as he lunged at the wolf from where he sat.

 

“You dare challenge me wolf?” he snarled.

 

Kouga jumped away and stared at Inuyasha with guarded eyes, shocked by the sudden change in mood. The hanyou's weak body could not support him for long and his knees buckled. He placed his hand on the wooden floor and growled lowly to himself. He began to tremble and the whole building seemed to shake with him. Kouga backed up against the wall and stared at Inuyasha, his stance still weary.

 

“What have you done to him?” he asked again, his voice soft.

 

“The hanyou is mine!” Inuyasha yelled loudly. He tried to get to his feet again but collapsed on his side. He began to rake his claws on the floor as his shoulders heaved. “He is mine! I am his! We are one!”

 

“Has Naraku done this!?” Kouga accused angrily coming forward to pull Inuyasha up by the throat.

 

“He is pathetic! He wishes to control us!” Inuyasha snapped back.

 

“Who are you?” Kouga hissed with narrowed eyes. He shook Inuyasha roughly and pulled his down so that their faces were inches from each others. “Who are you?” he repeated.

 

“I am…wind,” the hanyou whispered in response.

 

Kouga did not get a chance to question him further. The door to the room was thrown open and Miroku followed by Shippo and Kagome rushed inside. They halted abruptly as they took in the position the two demons were in. Kagome was the first one to recover from her shock and her whole body tensed in anger and worry.

 

“What are you doing Kouga?”

 

“What do you want?” Kouga grounded out sharply.

 

Kagome opened her mouth to demand an explanation but Miroku cut her off by placing a silencing hand on her shoulder. The miko glanced back at him and allowed herself to calm down.

 

“The sky,” the monk whispered softly. “The sky has turned red.”

 

Kouga let his eyes flick over them for a long moment before he turned back to Inuyasha. “You,” he snarled, baring his teeth. “What have you done?”

 

“It is unconscious,” Inuyasha answered dully. His body grew limp and he allowed his head to fall forward, his bangs casting deep shadows on his eyes. “He has no control over it yet. But when he does, he will be the most powerful wind-wielder there ever was.”

 

“Wind-wielder…” Kagome repeated, her voice awe filled. Kouga and Miroku turned questioning eyes on her and the young girl swallowed thickly. “The four elements, Wind, Water, Fire and Earth and the fifth man-made element, Metal.”

 

Kouga turned back to Inuyasha and gave him another hard shake. “What does that have to do with the mutt?”

 

There was a pause where the only sound that could be heard was the howling of the wind against the walls of the temple. “Everything,” he finally answered. Kouga dropped him so that he was supported by his own feet and punched him in the jaw. Inuyasha's body spun around his the impact and he landed face first on the ground, unmoving. Kagome gasped and tried to run to his side but Kouga pulled her back by her arm. The wolf youkai looked to Miroku.

 

“Bind him. Make sure he can't escape.”

 

Miroku looked from Kouga to Inuyasha's motionless body on the floor before he nodded.

 

 

The weather worsened over the next few hours. The wind screamed loudly as it ripped through everything it came upon. The sky bled red and thundered its protests.

 

It rained.

 

It snowed.

 

It haled.

 

The very earth shook.

 

And a solid form stood on a small rise, watching it all with narrowed eyes. He watched as his lands were torn apart and could only give a soft, barely there grunt. Somehow he knew that his brother had something to do with this, him and Naraku.

 

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes further when a rather violent gust of wind threatened to knock him over. But he could not be moved. Long sliver hair was blow to the right, then to the left, but still he stood there, looking over his forests as they were uprooted and up at the sky as it released its load in short infrequent torrents.

 

Then he gave a soft sigh and turned around to face Kagura as she dropped down from her feather. Sesshoumaru found himself wondering how she managed to fly in this horrible weather, but thoughts like that were meant to stay unasked. The wind-witch gave him a saucy smile and he offered her a flicker of cool ocher eyes in response. She looked around as well and her face twisted.

 

“My…you must be rather upset right now.”

 

Sesshoumaru turned away from her again and released a short huff of breath, an action so indiscernible he was sure that she hadn't noticed. And he was right. From where Kagura stood he seemed as unaffected as he usually was, even as his lands were destroyed around him.

 

“Explain why you are here, witch, or be killed.”

 

Kagura bowed her head. “I am sure that you have noticed the current situation.” Silence. “Naraku offers his hand in partnership,” she said a small smile curling her lips.

 

Sesshoumaru was silent for a long while before he spoke, his voice as cool as it always was. “He has grown desperate,” he stated dully.

 

Kagura's smile grew. “Inuyasha was of the same opinion.”

 

If this surprised Sesshoumaru, he didn't let her know. Without missing a beat he said, “How have you come to speak to the half-breed without being killed?”

 

“A few months ago Naraku acquired Inuyasha. However, he was injured recently and recaptured by those humans. I believe that that is the cause of this whole weather situation.”

 

Sesshoumaru remained silent and Kagura was sure that he would not be talking to her anymore, She was readying herself to take to the air when Sesshoumaru's voice rang out, stopping her.

 

“If Inuyasha has finally come to himself, Naraku will have little chance at defeating him.”

 

Kagura stared at Sesshoumaru's broad back and pondered whether she should ask Sesshoumaru to explain himself. But she decided not to and disappeared with a soft gust of wind. The demon lord didn't turn when he felt her presence leave. He continued to watch nature destroy his lands with new light. He understood now and with that understanding came responsibility. He turned abruptly and made his way off of the rise and onto level ground. He had a purpose and would not stop until it was carried out.

 

All hope abandon, ye who enter in!