InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Escape from the Pain ❯ escape ( Chapter 1 )

A young man ran through the darkened city streets, leading a small child by the hand. The child stumbled and panted, but managed to keep his pace with the older, stronger man. The streetlights began turning on one-by-one and the sounds of marching echoed off the closely pressed houses and buildings. The young man turned around and picked up the child, carrying him in his arms, than ducked into the alleys.

 

Sesshoumaru ran through the dark and dampened alleyways, clutching his baby-brother close to his chest. It was impossible for him to tell where the guards were coming from or how far they were. The sounds ricocheted off the walls and shadowy movements came from every dark corner. Inuyasha whimpered in his grasp but he held him closer. He wouldn't let Nuraku claim the last of his family!

 

Yes, it is true. His baby-brother is indeed a hanyou, the despicable creatures that were to be killed at birth. Sesshoumaru always despised humans; he hated henyous even more so. It never occurred to him in his younger years, when his father had taken on a mortal wife, that the younger sibling he desired would be the very thing he loathed. Now he ran through the darkness, filthy and covered with blood, trying his very hardest to protect all that remained of his life as a young lord. Without Inuyasha, he would have no need to continue living.

 

He was out of breath. Surely you would think that the great lord Sesshoumaru would not be so weak as to grow tired from this mere JOG, but he was exhausted from his training earlier that day, his battles with the youkai that guarded the room that his parents were in, and still in shock from witnessing their deaths at the hands of that dark hanyou!

 

He panted and stumbled, his vision becoming blurry from his blood loss, and his brother was growing heavier. The marching steps were growing closer. They were coming from ever direction. Sesshoumaru didn't know where to turn. He was growing frightened now. Not for his own life, no. He had broken no laws.

 

His father married a ningen, that was punishable by death. His step-mother gave birth to a demon's child, that was punishable by death. His brother was the spawn of a youkai and ningen. The only hanyou aloud to live was the ruler, Nuraku. No one else could possess such power… no…The life that Sesshoumaru feared for was the one belonging to the frail creature cradled in his arms.

 

Finally the shadows of the soldiers cast upon the walls by the flashlights and streetlights came into his view and he ducked behind a garbage bin. He pressed Inuyasha tightly against him, screwing his eyes shut and waiting for their steps to fade, a sign that they had passed.

 

The regiment stopped and there was quiet for a time. He held his breath, hoping that they had not been spotted. A voice came from the group, a woman's voice, barking out commands and ordering the regiment to split up and search the entire alleyways, than to move on to the next station.

 

“They couldn't have gotten too far!” The voice was agitated and low. Annoyed by something that was not evident in the words she spoke. “Damn that Nuraku, why the trouble for a single child?!”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes flew open. He new that voice…new the tone, the vile distaste radiating from the very name of the dark hanyou spoken on her full ruby lips. “Kogura…”

 

The steps receded and Sesshoumaru was once again left alone with his younger brother. He slowly rose shifting Inuyasha to a more comfortable position before turning around, and coming face to face with the dark haired woman.

 

A look of shock flickered in his eyes, but he new better than to portray it upon his face, only Inuyasha had ever seen his emotion, only his brother would ever feel the warmth of his smile. Kogura had had the chance to be with him….but now all he loved but Inuyasha truly seemed lost.

 

“How did you know?” He asked her in his usual low, emotionless voice.

 

“The utterance of my name upon your lips will always catch my ear.” It was the same line she used not two days before, when he had merely whispered her name to calm himself. She had arrived beside him in an instant, dropping from somewhere out of the sky and embracing him.

 

He stared into her deep crimson eyes, the emptiness that was there reflected the emptiness he felt. His heart was only for her and his brother, in a way, he was the halfling. Without the two he would not be whole, yet here the other half of his cold hardened soul, the one who stole his heart in place of hers, was poised. Ready to strip him of the last piece of hope he had.

 

Kogura raised her fan, ready to strike at any sign of movement, but he just stood there, gazing at her, he would not, could not, attack the woman he loved, just as he could not leave his brother in that burning house. Finally his defenses shattered, and the day's events caught up to him. A tear slid down his cheek and he collapsed to his knees. All hope was lost.

 

Kogura lowered her fan and ran to him. He did not notice, tears blurred his vision and the shouts of the soldiers running back were all he understood. He looked up only when a gentle hand caressed his face, wiping the tears away from the lovely red streaks on his cheek. Kogura pushed him back behind the trash cans and stood, her beautiful crimson eyes turning towards the men running her way.

 

“Kogura! We have not detected anyone within this vicinity; we should head down to the next station. You were at the head of the group, which direction did you witness them headed to?”

 

Kogura nodded. After a while, she gave the order to continue the search. She pointed in the direction if the south station, all the guards immediately took off.

 

After they had all left she turned her gaze back to Sesshoumaru and the crying six year old in his arms. She bent down and embraced him, letting his tears soak her shoulder as he held the child close to him. She just couldn't turn the boy over to Nuraku. He was too important to her Sesshoumaru. The thought of loosing the child, loosing him to her, had brought the mighty Sesshoumaru to tears. It was too much for her to take, and she began to weep aswell.

 

After a few moments they stood, and headed towards the north gate-station that would lead them out of the youkai domain.

 

“In a days run from hear there is a small wolf tribe led by an old enemy of mine. His name is Kouga and he despises Nuraku almost as much as you do,” Kogura began to explain. “He will give you rations and lodging for the night. The wolves are noble and strong. They are good allies Sesshoumaru, and I know Kouga would protect anyone if it would tick Nuraku off.”

 

They reached the north station and Sesshoumaru dealt with the small number of guards, the majority being at the south gate awaiting their arrival. Kogura grabbed the key and turned on the power to the large wheel that lifted the giant drawbridge like gate.

 

Sesshoumaru stood, staring over at her. “Come with us!” he called.

 

“Sesshoumaru, you know I can't…Nuraku…he has my heart. If he finds out I escaped with you I'll be killed on the spot…I'm sorry but I'm just not worth th—”

 

“Don't even say that Kogura!” He shouted to her, grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her onto her toes and up close to his face. He had to lean down a ways but he wanted her to be able to look at him clearly. “You're worth everything I have. I could have killed you back there Kogura, you know I could! But I didn't. I couldn't attack you, even though I feared loosing Inuyasha to you I couldn't bring myself to harm you.”

 

Kogura stared, shocked, into his eyes. His emotional mask gone, everything was readable, he wanted her to know the truth…and there it was…in his eyes.

 

“Kogura, Nuraku will eventually find out what happened, and even if he doesn't you may still be killed simply because he has no use for you. Kogura if you're going to die, please…please die by me.” His salty tears streamed down his cheeks as he cupped her face and pulled her closer. “Kogura, I would rather know that you died by my side than to have to worry that your being hurt here with Nuraku. I swear I will always try to come back for you. I will continue to put both myself and Inuyasha in danger. Please...Kogura, for all three of us, please…stay with—”

 

He was cut off as Kogura pressed her lips against his, grabbing him around the neck. His hands slid down around her waist and he pulled her closer, he didn't want to let go. Not ever. Smeared blood and dust that had been soaked by his tears streaked across Kogura's face as she tried desperately to deepen the kiss.

 

Inuyasha made a face, and gagged, forcing them to break apart, both breathing heavily. “Oh shut up, in about fifteen years you'll be doing the exact same thign!” Sesshoumaru sneered at his brother.

 

“EEW!” He cried and laughed as Sesshoumaru threw a rock at him, which he dodged easily.

 

Sesshoumaru turned around and held out his hand to Kogura, a beautiful smile brightened his face, a smile that only Inuyasha had seen. Kogura placed her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. A gasp was heard from behind them and they both turned around to see Kanna standing with her mirror.

 

She slowly walked towards them, Sesshoumaru immediately picked up Inuyasha.

 

“Kogura…you have betrayed…Nuraku…yes?” She slowly drawled out. `Why risk…your life…....what reasons?” She stopped in front of her younger sister, looking up at the tall wind sorceress.

 

Kogura took a step back; she was going to die now. Kanna never kept anything from Nuraku. She feared that her delaying Sesshoumaru had cost both him and Inuyasha their lives. Than…her thoughts skipped back to what Sesshoumaru had said. To him…was she really worth the trouble?

 

“Because I love him Kanna.” She stood firm, watching her elder sister. “I have lost my heart to him, and I will do what I must to keep him safe.”

 

The white emotionless youkai studied her for a moment. “Nuraku…has your heart…he can not possess it…if it is in Nuraku's grasp.” Kanna could not comprehend the deference between the physical heart and the soul that houses all emotions. She had no emotions…thus…she had no soul.

 

To Kanna, Kogura is an incarnation of Nuraku. It is her duty…her destiny to serve Nuraku, to follow his orders. To betray him is simply not possible. He is the creator…the father…But Kogura did not see servility as the only option. She fell in love…she betrayed Nuraku…she held no regards for her own safety when thinking of the two dogs behind her. What did all this mean?

 

“That's very right Kanna,” came a dark voice from the shadows on top of the gate watchtower. “…Kogura, how are you capable of giving Sesshoumaru everything you have, if you heart belongs to me?”

 

“Nuraku!” Sesshoumaru shouted, clutching the trembling Inuyasha tighter to his chest.

 

“Ku ku ku Kogura, do you want your heart back?” A red light enveloped his right hand and when he opened his palm, a beating heart lay in the center. “I will give it to you…” He squeezed his fingers shut once more and Kogura grabbed at her chest, expecting the overwhelming pain in her that meant he death.

 

She stumbled backwards and flattened her fingers over her right breast; it was there…it was beating. She could feel it pounding in her chest. It was painful…but in a good way. She breathed heavily and found Sesshoumaru was kneeing beside her, Inuyasha had his small hands wrapped around her fingers, and she grabbed them both in a giant hug.

 

Kanna watched from where she stood. She didn't understand. She had had a physical heart inside her all the time, why was her sister so overwhelmed by having such an item returned to her? Was there something more to life than just what Nuraku told her to do? Was she truly meant to follow her master's orders forever, or could she too be free like Kogura?

 

Inuyasha's ears perked up and he looked over his brother's shoulder. `LOOK OUT!” He cried, pointing at Nuraku's tentacles that now came soaring straight at them. They didn't have time to react; it was going to hit them. They were all going to die.

 

Sesshoumaru pressed himself down over Kogura, Inuyasha between them. He tried to be the shield but they all knew Nuraku would not miss. They were all going to die.

 

Kogura closed hr eyes and Inuyasha sobbed into Sesshoumaru's chest. A shriek so high pitched pierced their ears that Sesshoumaru had to cover Inuyasha's with his hands to prevent damage. Kogura looked on in horror as she watched her sister's small limp body tumble to the ground.

 

Kogura scrambled out from underneath Sesshoumaru and over to her elder sister's side. Why? Why would Kanna betray Nuraku? The shattered fragments of Kanna's mirror cut her bare feet but she ignored it. Kanna had protected her! She had protected Sesshoumaru…why/

 

As if reading her thoughts Kanna looked up at her sister. “I wanted to know…what it would be like…to die for someone…you care about…” Kanna was emotionless. She had no soul…she was the void. Yet like Kogura, she managed to bypass Nuraku's rules. She managed to love her younger sister…as more than just another creation. Kogura was Kanna's sister…she loved her.

 

Kogura cried as Kanna's now dead form turned to dust and blew away. One white flower remained, it drifted to her on the slight breeze that brushed against her.. Her brows drew together and anger boiled deep inside her newly freed heart. She grabbed her fan and tucked the delicate white flower into her bun. Her sister's spirit would be avenged. She would kill Nuraku.

 

Sesshoumaru pulled out one of his swords, the ones that he grabbed from the rack when he had run to help his family. The tetsusiaga had a barrier and it burned his flesh. It was meant for Inuyasha alone, but if he did not endure the pain than Inuyasha would never claim his gift from their powerful father. Inuyasha clung to Sesshoumaru's leg as he and Kogura positioned themselves for the battle.

 

Nuraku looked on amused. They had put on an interesting show, but the time for entertainment was over. It was time these rebellious youkai learned their place.

 

Kogura Lifted up her fans, swinging it out in front of her just as Sesshoumaru unleashed the Kaze no Kizu(SP?)

 

Nuraku raised a hand in the direction of the combination of winds descending upon him, causing a purplish smoke wall to rise and a crimson barrier to form around him. He let out a laugh as the powerful gusts raced across his shield, only to scream when the winds broke through and slashed out at him. He watched in horror, the victorious smiles upon the faced of his opponents, the crimson blade of the tetsusiaga glimmering in the darkness.

 

He released a huge mist of miasma and raced away with what was left of his body, leaving the approaching guards to take care of the troublesome trio. Kogura reached up, pulling out her feather and lifting up on the winds. She grabbed hold of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha and flew away from the youkai domains. To the northern lands…the place where the humans dwell.

 

“You know Sesshoumaru”, Kogura began as she leaned against him, the now sleeping Inuyasha cradled in her lap. “That Nuraku will eventually regain his strength and seek to conquer the human lands aswell.”

 

“Yes…I have realized that…but that is a ways away.” He stated with a heavy sigh, wrapping his arms around her and pulling both her and his young brother to his chest. “We have time to prepare…by than Inuyasha will be strong. He will aid us. And so will many others. It is time that Nuraku's enemies join against him. We will defeat him Kogura…I promise.”

 

Kogura relaxed against him. Daylight was breaking, and they would be at the wolves den soon. She could really live like this…she could be as free as the wind.

 

Flying forever…in Sesshoumaru's arms…

 

~*~*~*~*

 

Please review! It's my first one-shot and it took me all of three hours to complete it! I really like how it turned out, especially since it will be a while before I get to do anything with Sesshoumaru and Kogura in my other fanfic.

 

I fell in love with the picture I drew of Kogura Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha all flying together on the feather. Maybe I'll scan it sometime. But I soooo wish you guys could see how gorgeous Kogura looks with that white flower in her bun next to her feathers. It's just…wow. Did I really draw that?!?!?!?!?! Well…I'm off the subject…REVIEW!!!!!!

 

-Rin