InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Away ❯ Strained Friendships and Twisted Gifts ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Lynx212
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eye’s, but I had, and to say the least I was shocked but a greater part of me was quite amused.

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Action | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 09.08.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.3K | Visits: 2.4K | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter 9
(Kouga's POV)
This was not going to help ease the tensions within this group at all. If anyone had ever told me the Demon Slayer would have ever laid a hand on Kagome, I would have called him or her a lair. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own two eye's, but I had, and to say the least I was shocked but a greater part of me was quite amused. In my pack such a thing would have been greeted with shouts of agreement for the Miko surely deserved it, but this was basically a group of humans. I'm sure this was going to take a bit more to resolve.
I looked over at the Hoshi and he was shaking his head and mumbling something to Buddha. The Slayer had yet to show any signs of remorse for her actions; if anything her heaving chest and panting breath said she was still very much angry; she was radiating it in huge waves actually. A part of me wanted nothing more than to see a good girl fight, the other part that was governed by reason said that I couldn't allow that to happen. Sighing I figured I should let the monk handle this one, it was more his sort of thing anyway.
(Normal POV)
“What did you do that for?” the Miko whined as she looked up to meet the angry glare Sango was giving her.
“I would like to ask you the same thing!”
“What did I do?”
“Why did you sit him?”
“He was …was…”
“Was what Kagome? Not obeying you?”
“He was being unreasonable.”
“No he was not; his only crime was he didn't do what you wanted. So you did what you always do when he doesn't bend to your will.”
“That's not true!”
“It is! You treat him like a slave!”
“I do not!”
“What else would you call punishing some one for acting on there own free will?”
“I…I do not do that, and who are you to stick your nose where it doesn't belong.”
The exterminator was about to respond when a tan, clawed hand landed on her shoulder. She whirled around to see Inuyasha standing behind her.
“It's okay Sango you can relax now.”
“But it's not okay.”
“Really it is, I'm use to it by now.”
Sango regarded the look in the Hanyou's eyes and she noted that she couldn't recall him ever looking so defeated.
“Aren't you the least bit upset she hit me?” Kagome whined as she picked herself up off the ground and rubbed her reddening cheek.
“I wouldn't travel down that line of questioning to far if I were you Kagome.” the monk interjected.
“Well you're not me and I want answers.”
“Isn't that attitude what landed you on the ground in the first place?” He said with a barely contained smirk.
“Does anyone here know how to mind their own business?”
“We would if you knew how to handle your business.” Sango sneered.
“Will you two cut it out? If we're gonna make it to Kaede's village before sunset we need to get moving.” Inuyasha said in a stern yet calm manner that seemed foreign coming from him.
“I'm not going anywhere until you answer my questions.” Kagome yelled as she folded her arms and took a defiant stance.
“Fine.” Was the only thing Inuyasha said before he turned and began walking toward where the rest of the group has gathered.
“Come back here and talk to me this instant.”
He just kept walking.
“Don't you dare turn your back and ignore me.”
Kept walking.
“Baka Hanyou.”
That stopped him cold and a visible shiver ran over his entire body and his shoulders slumped. Shortly there after a battle cry was heard and before anyone even knew what was going on, Sango had launched herself at Kagome. She had a look on her face that screamed her inner need for vengeance, but a mere second before she would have surely flattened the Miko, a red and white blur intercepted her and whisked her away.
“Let me go!”
“Not until you calm down Sango.”
“Why did you stop me?”
“Because you would have regretted it later.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not.”
“Sango!”
“Fine then I am going to finish packing for our journey to Kaede's Village, I will leave you to two to your own devices.”
“Finally.” sighed Kagome “someone here realized how to mind their own business.”
Inuyasha simply turned on his heels to follow Sango.
“Where do you think you're going?”
“To help the others pack, we need to get moving soon it will be close to sunset when we get to Kaede's if we don't start on our way soon.”
“You haven't answered my questions yet.”
“I told you I will talk to you later Kagome and that's what I meant.”
“But…”
“Later.”
The trip to Kaede's was quiet one; no words were exchanged between the companions as they made their way through the dense forest. When they arrived at the village they saw that many of the residents were indeed busy with repairs. It wasn't long before they came upon the familiar face of the old priestess who was quick to note the tension among the group.
“What ails all of ye, my young friends?”
“It has been a long and tiresome journey Lady Kaede, might we trouble you for a place to sit and maybe a cup of tea before we chat.” asked Miroku.
“Aye that ye may.”
They all entered the hut and watched the old Priestess prepare the tea and heat some stew in silence, with the exception of Shippou who was chattering on about this thing and that like any other 8 year old that had been away from his “grandma” to long.
(Kaede's POV)
Yes there is something amiss with the usually joyous, even when battle weary, group. The tide has shifted, I noticed that the Hanyou and my sisters reincarnation got no closer than three yards to each other, and considering the size of my hut that was an impressive feat indeed. The two were usually inseparable now it seems they, or at least the Hanyou seeks distance, and if I am not mistaken the Kitsune is clinging to the exterminator instead of the Miko. The ookami arrived with the group this afternoon and has not made any moves to aggravate the Hanyou nor has he said anything about taking `his woman' back to his pack, I would even go as far as to say they are acting more like friends than rivals. The demon slayer has not said one word to the Miko and vice versa this is quite odd considering the two of them are more often than not quite chatty and giddy. I have also noted that the monk is more or less sitting back and observing them all, it is this that spurs my decision.
“Houshi-sama might you have time to take a walk with an old lady?”
“I would be honored Lady Kaede.” Was his reply, I watched as he stood and straightened his robes, but what really raised an eyebrow with me was his exchange of glances with the wolf, and the ookami's nod of reassurance before we exited the hut. We walked for a while in silence and I chose not to speak until we were well out of the earshot of our youkai companions.
“So do ye care to tell what has happened between all ye to cause so much tension?”
“It's that obvious huh?”
“Quite young Houshi, quite.”
“I don't even know where to begin.” He said as he took a seat on a fallen tree shaking his head in what looked to be a mixture of frustration, anger and confusion.
“I have always found starting at the beginning to be quite fitting.” He gave me a smile but it was weak and in no way did it make it to his eyes. Preparing myself for what was to surely come I sat down beside him and waited for him to begin.

(Back at Kaede's hut)
All had finished their tea and they were now polishing off some of the prized beef stew the old priestess had sat over the fire before she left with Miroku. Inuyasha was the first to finish and when he did he sat his bowl down and headed for the door.
“Where are you going Inuyasha?” asked Shippou
“Out to help some of the villagers in anyway I can.”
“Can I come too?”
“Only if you promise to behave runt.”
“I told you before I'm not a runt.” Shippou said while pouting.
“Come on runt I'm not going to wait here all day.”
Shippou sat there and pouted for a little while longer and suddenly a smile erupted on his face and he bounced through the hut until he landed on Inuyasha's shoulder. The Hanyou ruffled the fur on the kitsune's head and out the door they went.

(Kaede's POV)
After listening to what the monk had to say I was left rather speechless. I do not know what was more alarming: Kagome's actions, Sesshomaru's intervention, Sango's temper or Kouga's change of heart, all in all everything was quite confusing. I knew that before my sister's death at Naraku's hands she had desired that Inuyasha become an ordinary man and that it was this desire of hers that really fueled the Hanyou's dislike of not completely belonging to either world, that of mans or that of demons. I was pretty sure that Kagome was happy with him being the way he was born, the way he was intended to be, but I suppose I was mistaken and all was not what it appeared.
I know that our Inu-youkai friend has a side that he keeps hidden from the world so I am sure that Miroku's depiction of his reaction was not embellished in the least. I have seen the Hanyou sit beside the bone eaters well for days waiting for Kagome to return, I have watched him risk his life time and again for the members of this group as well as the safety of this village and many others along their way even when people would spurn him for his demon blood and I have watched him when he was not aware and I have seen the mask fall to reveal an all to pained expression that, this world that rejects him left and right, has deposited on his face and in his soul. I feared that Kagomes' place in another time and world would cause problems but as time passed she seemed to fit in here quite well, but I see her true nature has come to light and it is those who have gotten close to her that will pay the ultimate price. I must talk to her and soon if this is to be resolved in any sort of pleasant manner, I just hope that too much damage has not been done.
I look over to see that the monk was lost in thought and that he was scratching his right hand.
“Does something still bother ye child?”
“Huh?”
“I've seen you scratch at your hand off and on since ye all arrived. What ails ye?”
“Nothing really, just a phantom feeling I suppose.”
“Maybe it tis maybe it tis not.”
“We destroyed Naraku and almost as soon as he took his last breath the void closed up, end of story.”
“Then why do you still pick at your hand then Houshi-sama?”
“I…it's just…”
“Just what my child?”
“Well even though the hole is closed it is almost as if I can still feel the energy that once dwelled there, I know that sounds crazy but that's what it feels like.”
“Hummmm.”
“I didn't want to worry the others with what sounded like paranoid nonsense, so I've just kept it to myself, please do not mention this Lady Kaede I think they all have enough to worry about.”
“Indeed, but I do not believe you will have anything to much worry about.”
“So you feel, it is just a phantom feeling as well?”
“No I don't believe it is that simple either my child, I should have thought of this long ago but alas I did not.”
“Thought of what Lady Kaede?”
“Well I know that Naraku was a powerful demon, but now that I think of it, the power and scope of the curse that was placed upon your bloodline should have been beyond even his reach.”
“What are you saying?” Miroku asked, worry etched across his face like gray clouds across a foreboding sky.
“I am saying that maybe the power of the Kazanna did not come from Naraku.”
“Then from where?”
“From ye blood child.”
“I don't understand.”
“I am saying that maybe the wind tunnel was a gift that was twisted into a curse by the evil demon.”
“Huh?”
“It is difficult to place a curse with such power especially one that carries on for generations, maybe that void was meant to surface further down your line in the form of a gift you could control, instead of the curse Naraku twisted it into.” As I say this I watch the youth beside me grow pale, very pale. “What is wrong Miroku?”
“So you mean the wind tunnel, the Kazanna might still be within me, so killing Naraku has done me no good.”
“No child ye do not listen maybe this time ye will be in control of it instead of it being in control of you.”
“I don't want it back!”
“I think maybe ye were never really rid of it to begin with, it tis maybe just changed now. Different. Controllable. Have ye tried to release it since Naraku's death?” I really hate to bait him like this but denial is a dangerous thing at times.
“Why on earth would I want to let it out?”
“I was asking if ye had tried.”
“I been trying to make sure it stayed in!”
“So ye already know it is still within ye?”
“No!”
“Then what have you been making sure `stayed in'?”
I watched as many emotions played across his features, features that have matured much since I first came to adopt this group of shard hunters. He is now quite a bit taller, broader and thankfully a bit more reserved shall I say than he was when he first came around, he is easily the most level headed one among the group. I was quite thankful when he decided to travel with them he seems to have befriended our offish Hanyou and the Gods only know how much that friendship was needed, maybe even by the both of them.
“I do not mean to alarm ye child, I just wanted you to be fully aware.”
“Aware of what?” he said in a voice so low it might as well have been a whisper.
“Of yourself.”
“I guess I was just afraid that, that cursed thing would still be in control of my life.”
“Well why don't you give it a try?”
“Uh…I think I'll pass on that.”
“Think about it this way Miroku, if you can hold in and you can open it, you can close it.”
“But what if it is just one last cruel trick of Naraku's?”
“No his influence on ye has gone, the slight taint on ye aura is no more. You are now as ye were intended to be.”
“I still think I will pass on letting this thing out.”
“Better now than in a situation where ye have no choice and have had no practice.”
Miroku sighed and stood up, he stepped quite a few paces away from me before he stretched out his right arm towards the forest.
“Now what do I do?”
“Well you said you were holding it back, just try letting it go, but I would advise ye do it slowly.”
Miroku closed his eyes, whispered a prayer to Buddha and began letting go.