InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ DIVINE INTERVENTION ❯ Cure ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Blanket Disclaimer:

Inuyasha, and the characters therein, are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I am in no way affiliated with Takahashi, or VIZ Productions.


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Chapter 3 - Cure



Inuyasha’s heart sank at those words. He knew Kagome was still infected with….with….whatever it was! He could smell it! She tried to smile, saying not to worry, that she was fine, but even Shippo could detect the scent of fear in her voice.

“Quick, Inuyasha!” Shippo bellowed. “Let’s get Kagome into the village!”

“Yes,” added Miroku, “the elders might know what to do.”

“Good idea.” Inuyasha mumbled, unable to think of anything beyond Kagome, I’m so sorry.

The hanyo scooped up his miko, and the gang walked hastily into the village.

“That was a pretty slick trick back there Shippo, I’m impressed.” Mused Miroku

“Yes,” Sango agreed. “Your talents are quickly improving.”

“It was nothing.” Shippo boasted proudly, but then humbly grumped at how he could only mask his scent for a minute, and that the youkai was learning who he was. But Inuyasha interjected, simply stating… “All I needed was that moment, Shippo, thank you.”

That was cause for glares of confusion from the others, had Inuyasha just said “thank you”, and to Shippo? Even the ever growing drowsier Kagome picked up on that one, and thought that he must have hit his head or something.

During the short walk, Shippo, playing innocent, asked Sango why the youkai hadn’t also wanted her. Sango blushed but it faded as she returned her concerned to Kagome’s well being.

“Now’s not the time for such questions Shippo.” Miroku lectured. “Our thoughts must be with Kagome”

“Sorry.” The kitsune quietly mumbled. He was just trying to make conversation, but in truth, he knew the answer to his own question already, they’d mated. Shippo wasn’t as naive at times as the other’s thought he was. But still, since he knew they didn’t think he was aware of such things, he’d decided to play along.

Upon arriving at the elder’s house in the village, Inuyasha burst in, Kagome still in his arms…

“I’ve taken care of that succubus problem of yours. You’re welcome. How do you undo the spell she casts on maidens? And DON’T tell me we just have to kill her, or I’ll kill YOU!”

The old monk stood calmly, and walked over to the Miko. Yes, she was definitely infected. There was only one thing that could be done now.

“Don’t worry my young friend.” The old monk said calmly. “She can be saved. It takes a full day for the youkai poison to work its way through the system. I will send for Kojin-”

Inuyasha interrupted here. “You’ll WHAT? I don’t think so… I know what he-”

Now it was the old monk’s turn to interrupt, with “I’m sorry friend, but there is no other way.”

Inuyasha “Keh”ed, but he continued. “Only the male essence can displace the female youkai’s poisonous spawn. By sunrise tomorrow, it will be too late, your friend will be dead, her spirit replaced with that of a succubus hanyou, spawn of Hisuimu, there will be no treatment for her if that happens.”

Kagome had been steadily getting more coherent throughout their travel and now this conversation, weakly, she moaned out “Inu…ya…sha…?”

“Kagome!” Inuyasha bellowed in surprise. “Don’t worry Kagome, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Then there is only one course of action to take…” The old monk interjected.

“Shut up old man!” Inuyasha shouted in disgust. “No one from this village is going to lay a hand on her.”

Joining in on the conversation, Miroku states “Inuyasha, if you require it of me, I am happy to offer my assistance in any....”

*SLAP*

Another mosquito? Shippo thought disbelievingly to himself.

“Owe, Sango….” Miroku protested. “I merely fear for the safety of our friend.”

“Um, sorry, guess I over reacted, this is serious after all…” Sango muttered apologetically.

“Forget it monk.” Inuyasha commanded. “I’m especially not letting you near her!”

“Then it’s up to you Inuyasha.” He replied calmly. “You forbid the aid of others, so do you intend to doom her to death, or save her yourself?”

Kagome, having been conscious enough throughout this conversation, had changed to several shades of darkening red. Didn’t SHE have a say in the matter?

“Um, guys, I am awake here…” She finally muttered.

The next sounds from both Miroku and Sango were a series of “er, um, uh” as they stumbled over their embarrassment, but without being fazed by the situation one bit, the wise old monk simply bent down to hear, and softly asked “Do you understand your condition child?”

“Uh, yeah,” Kagome answered, fighting against the curse with everything within her to seem more well than she was, she perked up her head, while still in Inuyasha’s arms, and asked “I have until sunrise, right?”

“Correct.” The old monk stated.

“Okay….” She mumbled half to herself, then lifting her gaze upwards, asked “Inuyasha, please put me down, I think I’m strong enough to walk now.”

The reluctant hanyou did what he was told. Still preoccupied with the terrible anxiety he felt with his pending predicament. Hmph. His predicament? It was Kagome who was poisoned, Kagome who would die, unless he….he…..he couldn’t let her die! But……

“Kind sir,” Kagome started, aimed at the old monk whose home she figured they were currently in, “originally we were seeking lodging for the night in your village, may we still do this?”

“Of course my child.” He replied with genuine kindness, perhaps mixed with sympathy, but also a great deal of gratitude. “You may stay here, I have many spare rooms.”

“Thank you.” She whispered, holding the side of her head to ward off the dizziness. Attempting to walk a few steps, she felt a little queasy, but other than that none the worse for wares. However, at the site of her slight stumble, Inuyasha insisted that he carry her to their room anyway, and she willingly agreed.

Inuyasha guided Kagome up onto his back, and flashing a quick look over to Miroku, the young monk immediately suggested to Sango that they retire to another room, at the far other end of the house, with Kirara and (especially) Shippo.

Upon entering their chamber, Inuyasha guided Kagome down onto the futon bed, and he then sat beside her, his mind still racing. Kagome noticed that Inuyasha’s face had also undergone a color change effect as he looked at her sitting on the bed. He immediately stomped up, and stood facing the wall.

“Inuyasha, I’m sorry…” She suddenly mumbled.

Inuyasha quickly whipped his head around to face her. “What do you mean YOU’RE sorry???” He snapped. “I’M SORRY, this is all MY FAULT, I couldn’t protect you!” His facial expressions changing from anger to guilt, to depression, he dared meet her eyes, and begged…. “Please, please forgive me….”

“I heard what the Monk said you know,” She started, ignoring his out burst. “I know….I know what you’re…..thinking. You don’t have to….I mean…..they have men who……I mean I don’t want to but…….” Come on Kagome! Finish the damn sentence! She berated herself mentally. “I don’t want to die!” She burst out,“So that means…I have to….”

Inuyasha cut Kagome’s broken sentence short with one of his own…..“Kagome, do you…er….would you prefer….. a man from the village?”

Kagome’s heart sank into a flood of a thousand feelings. He didn’t want her, did he? Then again, maybe he was just thinking of what she wanted, him of course not knowing what she wanted. This was all so sudden, why’d this have to happen, she’d daydreamed about Inuyasha, but never thought… and certainly not this soon! She was only 17. Though true in this era, women were married and had babies by her age, in her own world, she wasn’t even old enough to marry! Wait! Where did marriage come from? She wasn’t going to marry Inuyasha, this was just something that had to be done. But would it ruin their friendship? Then again, maybe it would bring them closer, maybe into a relationship. Oh, how she’d love to truly be in a relationship with Inuyasha. But he loves Kikyo.Kikyo Of course, that’s another problem, Inuyasha probably doesn’t want to betray Kikyo. Maybe she should just have the Monk send for Kojin…..

Inuyasha noticed that Kagome’s eyes seemed to suddenly take on that vacant look, like she was lost within her own thoughts, so, waving a hand in front of her face, he muttered “Kagome? You still with me?”

She suddenly snapped back into the present again, and gave Inuyasha a matter-of-factly look.

“No, I would not prefer some stranger from the village.” She stated plainly.

“Ok then…”

“Ok what?”

“I promised I’d protect you Kagome. I’m…I won’t…..I won’t let you die.” He sounded as brave as he possibly could, but truth be told, he was terrified. The pair looked to be challenging each other as to who’s face could turn the darkest shade of red before Kagome broke the awkward silence, with an even more awkward slip of the tongue.

Mumbling only to herself, almost unconsciously, she uttered “I never dreamt our first time would be like this…” Then quickly realizing her grave mistake, tried to rectify “….I MEAN….” But it was too late.

“WHAT?” he gulped. “You’ve imagined me, you, us…. First time? Did you imagine others????” He paused only momentarily, while Kagome guestured the afirmative by simply closing her eyes, and darting her head downwards once, in a half nod.

“Kagome what are you sa-” He tried to continue, but was cut off.

“I’m sorry!” She berated herself “I didn’t mean… it just slipped out…please don’t…please don’t hate me!”

“Hate you? Why would I hate you?” He asked with genuine curiosity, completely forgetting that not just a moment ago, he was practically begging her not to hate him.

“Because you chose Kikyo!” She suddenly bellowed, allowing the tears to fall. “You want her, not me! I know I have no business thinking…”

Inuyasha was a little irked at the woman’s name, but understood where Kagome was coming from, so he felt some clarification was in order. “Feh. Don’t bring her up, she’s not here, this has nothing to do with her.” He began, and when he saw she didn’t interrupt, he continued…. “I promised Kikyo, I promised I’d protect her, from Naraku, that I’d avenge her by slaying him, but Kikyo’s…..Kikyo’s not my mate.” He finally finished, blushing profusely.

“But you said you owed her your life for hers, that you were going to join her in hell……” Kagome whimpered.

“I said that a long time ago, things have changed since then. I wasn’t the one who caused her death, Naraku was. I owe her by avenging her death, and putting her soul to rest. But I won’t follow her to hell, Kagome, not now…..”

Kagome heard his words, and as much as she wanted to believe they were all true, one part struck her curiosity…..

“I thought you and Kikyo mated.” She whispered to herself, knowing that he’d hear her.

“Why would you think that?” He asked sincerely, no trace of hostility in his voice. Then a realization struck him. “Is that why you get so upset when I go to see her? We talk, but we don’t…” Fully ready to defend himself, she interrupted.

“No, I don’t mean now, but before, 50 years ago, before Naraku.” She clarified.

“Ah….” He paused, seeing the hurt in her eyes. He’d better tell her the truth. “No, we never mated then, either. It’s true, there was an unspoken promise that we were going to be together after using the Shikon no Tama to make myself human, but you know all too well the end of that story.”

Kagome looked a bit sad, regretting bringing up the Miko’s name. Inuyasha saw this look of sadness in her eyes, and gently lifted her chin to look straight into her tearing pools.

“The end of that story is, I met you, a beautiful young Miko, who before even knowing my name saved my life, by breaking the unbreakable curse, and so began our story.” He finished.

Kagome thought back to that head injury Inuyasha must have sustained. Had he just called her beautiful? He’s never called her beautiful! Though, she did recall one night when he had told her she smelled nice.....hmmm. Suddenly it dawned on her, if he never mated with Kikyo, and surely never even cared for anyone else earlier in his life prior to meeting the original Miko, then that meant that he also, was a virgin!

He saw that she was suddenly lost with that look of thought again, and figured she was still pondering various situations regarding himself and Kikyo. Deciding to change the subject from ex-girlfriends to a more pressing matter… he muttered…. “Um, Kagome?” Waiting for the “Yeah?” that was her reply, he continued. “I don’t mean to be abrupt, but time is of the essence.”

Should she tell him of her feelings for him? Surely he already knew, didn’t he? I mean, everyone could see it! Then again, everyone could see that he felt the same way about her! So why not say something? Then again, maybe it would be best if the rest of the night past with as little talking as possible. It was time to just be mature and do what needed to be done, in order to save her life, she was poisoned after all! This was no time for romantic thoughts! Yeah right!