InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Stars ❯ Silence ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Beautifully Breathless 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Horror / Romance / Angst | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 04.08.2010 | Pages: 1 | Words: 4.4K | Visits: 243 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Horror / Romance / Angst | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 04.08.2010 | Pages: 1 | Words: 4.4K | Visits: 243 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter Two: Silence
Sesshomaru’s narrowed eyes slid over the humans sleeping in the clearing below him. The small fire smoldering in the middle of them all provided them with warmth through the night, though Sesshomaru did not approve this method. He had to admit, however, that this fire pit the strange woman made kept the flames and heat from spreading dangerously into the grass. ‘Strange woman indeed,’ Sesshomaru thought to himself as his mind tried to process some of her more ‘different’ habits. Her mind seemed to work differently from the others, more complex, maybe even advanced, although he wouldn’t give her that compliment. No human was worth a kind word from him.
“So what ARE you looking for?” Sesshomaru glared at the half demon in an adjacent tree, also surrounding the sleeping humans. He pondered letting Inuyasha in on his search, but he couldn’t afford for anyone to find out his precious human ward was taken from him. There were those that mock him for this, as if he could not protect what belonged to him. ‘No,’ he decided. “This Sesshomaru will not answer to you, half breed. Simply know that my requirement for Naraku’s whereabouts stem from the fact that he has crossed me, you need not know how.” He watched clearly as Inuyasha’s eyes narrowed, before he quickly averted his gaze to the sleeping priestess whose breathing indicated she was awakening.
The previous day had proven fruitless, much to Sesshomaru’s irritation. Each day that passed without a lead was a day longer Rin was away from him and in danger. He felt his control waning, and, not without great effort, kept his beast in check, opting to plan for today as the rest of the group woke and began preparing for the new day. The problem was that he had no leads, absolutely nothing to aide him in even the proper direction to travel. It pained his ego a great deal to do what he was about to, but unfortunately Sesshomaru had no choice but to turn to his peers. “I shall return within the hour. Be ready.” Positive that he had been acknowledged, Sesshomaru leapt from his position in the tall tree and ran for the stream he knew to be nearby.
~
Kagome had just lifted her bag to her shoulder when she felt it, no, them. Inuyasha’s growl and the way he walked over and grabbed her around the waist instantaneously told her who was coming. Just then, the whirlwind that was Kouga flew into the clearing. “Hello my lovely Kagome,” He winked, ignoring Inuyasha’s warning growl as he walked towards the girl who was still in her protector’s hold. He reached for her hand only to have Inuyasha step into his path, pushing the blushing Kagome behind him. “What are you doing here ya mangy wolf?” Inuyasha all but growled. Kouga only smiled, his fangs hanging over his lip as he surveyed the rag tag group’s surroundings.
“I trust you’ve kept my woman safe for me, half breed?” Inuyasha snarled, hand reaching for Tetsusaiga. The wolf prince stilled, expression hardening as he caught the distinct scent of yet another male who had been here quite recently, and for just as long as the shard hunters. “Sesshomaru’s been here,” Kouga lifted his chin as he tried to distinguish where the demon lord was currently located. “What’s he doing with you?” Kagome chose that moment to emerge from Inuyasha’s back, glaring at both males as she thought over what to say to Kouga. Sesshomaru had yet to tell them, his temporary companions, what he was searching for. That could mean one of two things; either he didn’t believe they were worthy of such knowledge, or what he was missing held a large enough importance that he didn’t want people to know it was gone. So, how to handle Kouga…
“Knock it off!” Was what she decided in the end, and she made sure her point was clear, hollering loud enough to harm their precious ears while stomping her foot for emphasis. “I don’t know about you Inuyasha, but I’d say your bickering is wasting precious daylight. Kouga, I’m sorry, but Sesshomaru’s business is his own. If you’re that curious about it, why don’t you wait around and ask him yourself?” At that moment the wolf demon’s gaze flew to the cluster of trees and vines surrounding the opposite ends of the clearing. Tall and proud emerged Sesshomaru, silver hair floating around his shoulders as he made his entrance, Ah-Un’s reins in hand. The beast trailed after him, coming into view almost directly behind Sesshomaru and deciding to plop down where he stood the second Sesshomaru let go of his reins.
Kagome nodded in Sesshomaru’s direction before continuing with her lecture. “Well Kouga there he is. If you’re still interested in his business, ask him, otherwise you can tell me just what it is you’re doing here.” Sesshomaru chose to ignore the three bickering adults and merely stood by Ah-Un, assumingly awaiting the group’s departure. When Kouga didn’t answer her, Kagome became irritated, still unsure herself as to what Sesshomaru’s true reason for traveling with them was, but she knew it was important. ‘And so is the jewel!’ She reminded herself. “Well, it was nice seeing you and all, but--” Kagome took one last glance at her friends, ensuring everyone’s preparedness. “Kouga I’m sorry, we really should be going, so unless you’ve heard anything about Naraku, what are you doing here?”
“Who says I can’t come by to check on my woman?” Kagome sighed, obviously expecting Kouga’s playfulness, though thoroughly wishing to avoid it.
“Wolf, if this Sesshomaru’s ears are not deceiving him, the priestess has dismissed your presence.” All eyes turned to Sesshomaru as his gaze bore into the piercing depths of Kouga’s blue eyes. Shocked into silence, he could only furrow his eyebrows together before averting his gaze, trying to catch Kagome’s warm smile before he took his leave. It seemed the fates were against him as he met the back of Kagome’s head; apparently she too was struck by the mighty lord. Frustrated by the turn of events, Kouga assumed his whirlwind and disappeared before she had the chance to turn back around. This was not over, but if she was to be traveling with Lord Sesshomaru, Kouga would have to be careful. After all, Inuyasha was easy to handle, loud, brash, and annoying. Sesshomaru on the other hand, was at the other end of the spectrum; his movements were swift and precise, he did not rush, yet was as quick as they came at the same time. Sesshomaru was silent and deadly, lethal in his methods. Kouga would have to be careful when dealing with him.
Kagome felt Kouga’s wind rustle her hair, blowing it forward and around her face. She closed her eyes, and shook her head. Sesshomaru’s involvement in her and Kouga’s conversation both intrigued and angered the young woman. The fact that he had said anything at all was an anomaly in itself, the fact that he’d said something to dismiss someone from her presence on her very own behalf, was stunning. Was he trying to help? Could he smell her discomfort and decide to lend his aide? Or did he just wish to leave and believe that Kouga was the only hindrance in that plan? ‘It could only be anxiousness.’ He was searching for something, of course he wanted to leave. There was no helpfulness in Sesshomaru, and if Kagome could read minds, she’d know that she was right. Sesshomaru was becoming more irritated by the second.
~
Being subjected to travel with a group of three humans and a half demon was the worst punishment Sesshomaru had ever known, and yet it was one he’d inflicted upon himself, if only for Rin’s sake. They were slow, awfully slow, and after traveling in one hour the distance he could have traveled alone in ten minutes, the excruciating pang of stupidity settled within the demon lord’s mighty stomach. He should have traveled alone. He knew the moment he laid eyes on the wolf demon bickering with the girl who, judging by the conversation, she could not get him to leave her alone, that this would be a very tedious affair. His internal arrangement was that he would finish out this day and the next, giving his half brother the benefit of the doubt for three whole days, after all, what else could he do?
As time dragged on, the stoic lord found himself observing the humans walking in front of him. It was obvious that the monk was a pervert, and the slayer was the object of his romantic affections. His behavior towards the priestess, apart from being somewhat perverted towards her, was more familial, almost brotherly, just as the two females behaved as sisters would, though it was clear none of them held a blood relation. Sesshomaru knew that they were all in search of Naraku for their own reasons, which was maybe the reason Sesshomaru decided to grace them with his presence for a full three days rather than leave now, as his brain kept telling his body to do. If anyone wanted to find Naraku as badly as he did, his half brother’s followers would be as close as they come.
The demon lord scented the air in front of him, picking up traces of animals roaming the forest around him intermingled within the scents of those he traveled with. He could recall why the slayer was chasing the evil half demon, if he remembered correctly; he himself had almost ended the phantom life of her dead brother. Rin had stopped him. It seemed as if Rin was either the reason or the answer behind every thought the demon lord had now. He internally sighed as she ran through his mind yet again, picking every flower in her path as she ran through the field his mind envisioned.
“You never quite know what you have until it’s gone.” The whimsical voice floated into his thoughts, distorting his vision of Rin as he registered his surroundings. The priestess had spoken to him. He let her words replay themselves, finding truth in their simplicity. And although he didn’t believe she expected one, he graced her with his usual “Hn,” and continued to seemingly stare into the distance. Though this time, his mind was not occupied by his ward, instead, he was left pondering a statement that made a little too much sense at the moment.
~
Inuyasha had yet to say a word since they left the clearing, deciding instead, to let his anger clog his mind. What right did Sesshomaru have to be demanding things of him, of his friends, of his opponent even?! Kouga would have left just as fast if he would have gotten serious with the wolf, but no! Instead, ice prick shows up, demands he leave, and Kouga runs out just like that! Who the hell wanted to do as Sesshoamru said? Inuyasha sure as shit didn’t, and he wasn’t about to either. ‘Just wait till he tries to tell me what to do, I’ll show him who’s boss around here.’ He scented the air, checking for danger as he did every few moments, there was no way, if something did come along, that he would let Sesshomaru identify the threat first. These were HIS friends, HIS humans, and though he was positive Sesshomaru wanted nothing to do with them personally, it was still HIS job to protect them, just in case.
“You never quite know what you have until it’s gone.” Inuyasha wondered who it was Kagome could be talking to when no one replied to her statement, and when he turned around to look at her she was nothing but a beautiful smile walking behind him, her raven hair fluttering about her face as she tore the petals one by one from the blue flower she held to her chest. Maybe she was talking to herself, he deducted. After all, Kagome had been known to do stranger things in the past, talking to herself wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary. Inuyasha found himself wanted to comfort her, to find out what it was she was missing so badly, and then he heard Sesshomaru’s obvious response. “Hn.”
Anger engulfed the half demon, he found himself walking faster, leaving a gap between himself and Kagome. How dare she comfort the intruder! His rational self argued that all Kagome was doing was being herself, and that was the biggest reason he loved her, because she cared about life, happiness, and hope. She herself was hope, after all, who could spend an hour with her and not believe that? Reasoning didn’t help, it seemed, Kagome attempting to offer such a heartless demon anything was more than enough reason to set him off. Besides, what did Kagome know about what Sesshomaru lost? Presumably no more than the rest of them did, so what good would her talking to him do?
“Stop.” Inuyasha froze mid-step and lifted his nose just slightly to take a whiff of the surrounding air. Blood, lots and lots of human blood. One more sniff told him everything he needed to know; there was a village nearby, and it was under attacked. Inuyasha took off at a run, berating himself for letting his thoughts wrap their hands around his senses, his anger overtaking his body as he flew through the forest, towards the god awful smell assaulting his sensitive nose. He would deal with Sesshomaru recognizing the danger first later. For now, he had to see if there were survivors, and judging by the fact that demons still rampaged through the area, he might be able to find someone hanging on to life.
Inuyasha rounded on the nearest demon, getting a good look at the monstrosity before deciding his plan of action. The beast was twice the size of the half demon, its yellowed skin spotted with what looked like dark purple bruises the size of fists. Blackened orbs sat deep within hollowed out eye sockets, glaring at Inuyasha as he reached for Tetsusaiga. He flipped neatly backwards as the beast swung, his bulky arm meeting the space the half demon had just occupied. “Iron reaver soul stealer!” In one swift movement Inuyasha beheaded the monster to come face to face with the next. This one was an exact replica of the last, its sluggish maneuvers nothing compared to the half demon’s quick reflexes and sharp claws.
One by one the monsters attacked Inuyasha, and one by one they met their end until the final offender lay at Inuyasha’s feet. Somehow, they knew he was there. The second he killed the first, they swarmed at him, stupidly even, no thought process, and no technique. It was almost as if they were controlled, and thought they were no match for him, it was easy to see why the villagers were hard put to stand a fight against them, for size and brute strength made them formidable foes against the humans that once lived here.
“Inuyashaaaa!” ‘Kagome,’ he’d welcome that sweet, concern filled voice for the rest of his days if only she’d let him. He turned to watch as she ran towards him, concern flooding her gaze as she took note of just how many and how large the creatures he’d fought were. His own anger temporarily forgotten, he watched her ebony locks swirl around her heart shaped face, sweat glistening off her for head as she finally reached him. She raised her arm both to wipe the sweat from her brow and to get the hair out of her face. Their eyes locked, blue clashed radiantly with gold…
“Lady Kagome! Inuyasha!” Miroku called to the pair as he and Sango stepped out of the forest and advanced to the small battle’s scene. “Are you hurt?” Inuyasha shook his head, and watched as Miroku let out a breath of air in relief. “Are there survivors?” Miroku and Sango had joined Kagome and himself now. He shrugged his shoulders, looking behind him towards the destruction that once was a village, full of life. “Stay with Kagome and Sango, I’ll be quick.” Inuyasha took off search of life while the others stayed to discuss what would happen next.
~
Miroku pondered the scene before him. He felt a presence only moments after Sesshomaru had ordered a halt to their travels, and judging by the distance they’d traveled to reach this village from their path in the forest, the ominous aura he felt had to have come from here, only, it wasn’t here anymore. Under normal circumstances, that would make perfect sense, those that lay dead merely feet from where he stood could offer a perfect explanation, the aura belonged to these beasts, and now that they’re dead, the aura is gone. However, when dealing with a mass, one should feel a mass of auras, but he didn’t. He distinctly remembered sensing just one aura, one large, evil, powerful aura. Whatever it was, it traveled south, and it tied in to what happened here, Miroku just had to figure out how.
“They’re eyes are black, hollow almost.” Sango observed the dead thing lying in front of her, its body was thick with muscle, and it was at least eleven feet in length, they were huge! Their yellowed skin oozed a thick puss wherever punctured, and it leaked out with no end in sight. Hesitantly, Sango pressed her index finger against its skin, watching as the oozing puss all but squirted, the puncture increasing in size as did the flow of the thick cloudy substance. “Gross.” She stated, about to back away from the body when the velvety smoothness that was Sesshomaru’s voice reached her ear.
“They are soulless creatures. You waste time here.” Sango’s eyes widened. They had no soul? She looked down at it again and watched as the skin started to lose shape and sag over the bone of the monster’s arm. Their faces looked human enough, in fact, everything about them looked human but their size; both height and strength were more than double a normal human’s stature. ‘What happened here?’
“You see, Lord Sesshomaru, we have always taken it upon ourselves to dig a resting place for those who are unfortunate enough to have no one else to do so for them.” Miroku scratched the back of his head, nervousness rolling off him in waves as he awaited Sesshomaru’s response. He knew the demon lord had enough problems traveling with them, and yet so far things had been easy. When the demon lord did not answer him right away, Miroku glanced at him and followed his line of sight towards Inuyasha, who looked even worse than when he’d left them to search around.
“Shut up Miroku, it doesn’t matter.” Flabbergasted, the monk turned his whole body towards his hot headed friend, a scowl evident in his features; he would try to reason with him. Before Miroku could get a word out, Inuyasha began again; “Ain’t anyone left here but old people, four hags and a geezer. I buried em’ already. Looks like whatever was here left with what it came for.” Miroku’s mind turned over Inuyasha’s words, but he just couldn’t make sense of it. Whatever happened, he was aware that there was a large, evil presence and it could have possibly taken everyone in the village from thin air, left the elders, and sent soulless soldiers to clean up the mess and shift the blame? He would keep his theories to himself for now, or at least until Inuyasha has some time to clean up and calm down.
“Yo, Sesshomaru,” Inuyasha yelled towards the retreated demon lord. “Where ya goin?” Sesshomaru turned his back just after Inuyasha caught a glimpse of his eyes and the pink that slowly began to seep into them. As expected, the older demon continued to walk into the forest, not a care for what Inuyasha had to say. ‘Fine by me.’ The half demon had nothing to say to his brother anyway. “Come on Miroku, let’s get going.”
~
Kagome walked silently next to Sango, chewing away on the berries she’d picked rather than survey the dead monsters with her friends. “Are you sure you don’t want one Sango? They’re juicy!” The other girl giggled lightly before refusing once again, she’d had more than enough rice that morning to last well into the afternoon. They’d been traveling four hours now, and the scene at the village had every one of them hoping for some kind of news to get their minds off things. Whatever happened back there wasn’t right, and every other village they neared was left unharmed thus far. The biggest worry on everyone’s mind, save for the demon lord’s, was that nothing about their last encounter pointed towards Naraku, and the group of Shard hunters had no time to waste what they hoped was some random attack. Though Sesshomaru knew better, he could not bring himself to ponder an unknown being stealing a human girl from him. It had to be Naraku, it just had to.
Kagome hummed softly to herself as she fingered the half completed jewel of four souls hanging loosely around her neck. Full on berries, Kagome took in the scenery around her as she moved along with her friends, listening to nature’s music as she reached to distant edges of her senses. It’d been a while since they’d collected any more shards. Naraku should surely be about through now, seeing that they had half, Kouga had two, and Kohaku carried on in his back, the jewel should be near whole. ‘It’s not though. He would come after us if he had the rest.’ Kagome’s heart wrenched as she thought about Kouga, he would go after Kouga first, alone apart from his two faithful companions Ginta and Hakaku. ‘Then he’ll come for us.’ The question remaining was who stood in his way?
Naraku knew many enemies, in fact, most everyone Naraku came into contact with apart from his incarnations were his enemies, or would become so. He held no fear, only lusted for power, and killed to attain it. Kagome sighed, Naraku’s fate was death, the more he dealt it the closer he became, yet to kill one such as he would never make up for those he’d wronged. How did so many bad things happen to good people?
“Sango,” Kagome asked waiting to continue until she had the older girl’s full attention to continue. “What do you think Naraku’s after?” Sango furrowed her eyebrows, clearly confused by Kagome’s question. Kagome watched as her eyes moved to the half completed gem around her neck, and back to meet her gaze, at a loss for words. “I mean why hasn’t he come for it yet?” Sango nodded in understanding, turning her gaze to the back of the monk walking in front of her as she tried to come up with some coherent thought.“I really don’t know Kagome.”
Kagome cleared her mind, recovering quickly from the onslaught negative thoughts and visions that entered her mind upon thinking Naraku’s name. She opted instead to think about the things she’d do once he was gone. ‘That’s right,’ Kagome glanced to the half demon at the head of their party, leading the way to the next village. ‘What will I do?’ Not wanting to bring herself down, she again abruptly changed the course of her thoughts.
~
He was disturbed by the nothingness he’d learned that first day, his mind recalled each and every time he had almost left them to partake in his own search, but how could he when his half brother had so much more experience in dealing with Naraku? Sesshomaru would not kid himself, his own tracking skills were far superior to anything his half brother would attempt to exude, Sesshomaru was better at everything! Even if there was an area where Inuyasha excelled over Sesshomaru, the older demon would never admit it, and would rectify such a situation did it ever come to be. Unfortunately, hunting a sadistic half demon that enjoyed inflicting pain upon others was something Sesshomaru had no reason for in the past. Naraku should be dealt with by those he’d wronged, and to this point, Naraku had never truly wronged Sesshomaru, not in any way that would cause the demon lord to change his daily habits, making Naraku the center of them. Inuyasha, however, had been chasing Naraku over two years now, and Inuyasha would know how to go about it.
‘Three days.’ The words were like a mantra repeating itself within the confounds of his brains, they were the words he was currently surviving on as he followed his half brother without a single clue where they were headed. ‘Were it not for Rin, this Sesshomaru would never follow another blindly, especially one such as he.’ Inuyasha disappeared into the trees above while he took off to scout the area. It was nightfall already. Nightfall, and not a single peep as to where his ward had disappeared to. No sign of Naraku, only silence. He clenched his hands at his side; maybe he wasn’t being adamant enough about the seriousness of the situation? They were wasting time here, sleeping away precious hours. No, Sesshomaru would not rest here. He would conduct his own search and take point tomorrow, the third day; the last day.
Sesshomaru’s narrowed eyes slid over the humans sleeping in the clearing below him. The small fire smoldering in the middle of them all provided them with warmth through the night, though Sesshomaru did not approve this method. He had to admit, however, that this fire pit the strange woman made kept the flames and heat from spreading dangerously into the grass. ‘Strange woman indeed,’ Sesshomaru thought to himself as his mind tried to process some of her more ‘different’ habits. Her mind seemed to work differently from the others, more complex, maybe even advanced, although he wouldn’t give her that compliment. No human was worth a kind word from him.
“So what ARE you looking for?” Sesshomaru glared at the half demon in an adjacent tree, also surrounding the sleeping humans. He pondered letting Inuyasha in on his search, but he couldn’t afford for anyone to find out his precious human ward was taken from him. There were those that mock him for this, as if he could not protect what belonged to him. ‘No,’ he decided. “This Sesshomaru will not answer to you, half breed. Simply know that my requirement for Naraku’s whereabouts stem from the fact that he has crossed me, you need not know how.” He watched clearly as Inuyasha’s eyes narrowed, before he quickly averted his gaze to the sleeping priestess whose breathing indicated she was awakening.
The previous day had proven fruitless, much to Sesshomaru’s irritation. Each day that passed without a lead was a day longer Rin was away from him and in danger. He felt his control waning, and, not without great effort, kept his beast in check, opting to plan for today as the rest of the group woke and began preparing for the new day. The problem was that he had no leads, absolutely nothing to aide him in even the proper direction to travel. It pained his ego a great deal to do what he was about to, but unfortunately Sesshomaru had no choice but to turn to his peers. “I shall return within the hour. Be ready.” Positive that he had been acknowledged, Sesshomaru leapt from his position in the tall tree and ran for the stream he knew to be nearby.
~
Kagome had just lifted her bag to her shoulder when she felt it, no, them. Inuyasha’s growl and the way he walked over and grabbed her around the waist instantaneously told her who was coming. Just then, the whirlwind that was Kouga flew into the clearing. “Hello my lovely Kagome,” He winked, ignoring Inuyasha’s warning growl as he walked towards the girl who was still in her protector’s hold. He reached for her hand only to have Inuyasha step into his path, pushing the blushing Kagome behind him. “What are you doing here ya mangy wolf?” Inuyasha all but growled. Kouga only smiled, his fangs hanging over his lip as he surveyed the rag tag group’s surroundings.
“I trust you’ve kept my woman safe for me, half breed?” Inuyasha snarled, hand reaching for Tetsusaiga. The wolf prince stilled, expression hardening as he caught the distinct scent of yet another male who had been here quite recently, and for just as long as the shard hunters. “Sesshomaru’s been here,” Kouga lifted his chin as he tried to distinguish where the demon lord was currently located. “What’s he doing with you?” Kagome chose that moment to emerge from Inuyasha’s back, glaring at both males as she thought over what to say to Kouga. Sesshomaru had yet to tell them, his temporary companions, what he was searching for. That could mean one of two things; either he didn’t believe they were worthy of such knowledge, or what he was missing held a large enough importance that he didn’t want people to know it was gone. So, how to handle Kouga…
“Knock it off!” Was what she decided in the end, and she made sure her point was clear, hollering loud enough to harm their precious ears while stomping her foot for emphasis. “I don’t know about you Inuyasha, but I’d say your bickering is wasting precious daylight. Kouga, I’m sorry, but Sesshomaru’s business is his own. If you’re that curious about it, why don’t you wait around and ask him yourself?” At that moment the wolf demon’s gaze flew to the cluster of trees and vines surrounding the opposite ends of the clearing. Tall and proud emerged Sesshomaru, silver hair floating around his shoulders as he made his entrance, Ah-Un’s reins in hand. The beast trailed after him, coming into view almost directly behind Sesshomaru and deciding to plop down where he stood the second Sesshomaru let go of his reins.
Kagome nodded in Sesshomaru’s direction before continuing with her lecture. “Well Kouga there he is. If you’re still interested in his business, ask him, otherwise you can tell me just what it is you’re doing here.” Sesshomaru chose to ignore the three bickering adults and merely stood by Ah-Un, assumingly awaiting the group’s departure. When Kouga didn’t answer her, Kagome became irritated, still unsure herself as to what Sesshomaru’s true reason for traveling with them was, but she knew it was important. ‘And so is the jewel!’ She reminded herself. “Well, it was nice seeing you and all, but--” Kagome took one last glance at her friends, ensuring everyone’s preparedness. “Kouga I’m sorry, we really should be going, so unless you’ve heard anything about Naraku, what are you doing here?”
“Who says I can’t come by to check on my woman?” Kagome sighed, obviously expecting Kouga’s playfulness, though thoroughly wishing to avoid it.
“Wolf, if this Sesshomaru’s ears are not deceiving him, the priestess has dismissed your presence.” All eyes turned to Sesshomaru as his gaze bore into the piercing depths of Kouga’s blue eyes. Shocked into silence, he could only furrow his eyebrows together before averting his gaze, trying to catch Kagome’s warm smile before he took his leave. It seemed the fates were against him as he met the back of Kagome’s head; apparently she too was struck by the mighty lord. Frustrated by the turn of events, Kouga assumed his whirlwind and disappeared before she had the chance to turn back around. This was not over, but if she was to be traveling with Lord Sesshomaru, Kouga would have to be careful. After all, Inuyasha was easy to handle, loud, brash, and annoying. Sesshomaru on the other hand, was at the other end of the spectrum; his movements were swift and precise, he did not rush, yet was as quick as they came at the same time. Sesshomaru was silent and deadly, lethal in his methods. Kouga would have to be careful when dealing with him.
Kagome felt Kouga’s wind rustle her hair, blowing it forward and around her face. She closed her eyes, and shook her head. Sesshomaru’s involvement in her and Kouga’s conversation both intrigued and angered the young woman. The fact that he had said anything at all was an anomaly in itself, the fact that he’d said something to dismiss someone from her presence on her very own behalf, was stunning. Was he trying to help? Could he smell her discomfort and decide to lend his aide? Or did he just wish to leave and believe that Kouga was the only hindrance in that plan? ‘It could only be anxiousness.’ He was searching for something, of course he wanted to leave. There was no helpfulness in Sesshomaru, and if Kagome could read minds, she’d know that she was right. Sesshomaru was becoming more irritated by the second.
~
Being subjected to travel with a group of three humans and a half demon was the worst punishment Sesshomaru had ever known, and yet it was one he’d inflicted upon himself, if only for Rin’s sake. They were slow, awfully slow, and after traveling in one hour the distance he could have traveled alone in ten minutes, the excruciating pang of stupidity settled within the demon lord’s mighty stomach. He should have traveled alone. He knew the moment he laid eyes on the wolf demon bickering with the girl who, judging by the conversation, she could not get him to leave her alone, that this would be a very tedious affair. His internal arrangement was that he would finish out this day and the next, giving his half brother the benefit of the doubt for three whole days, after all, what else could he do?
As time dragged on, the stoic lord found himself observing the humans walking in front of him. It was obvious that the monk was a pervert, and the slayer was the object of his romantic affections. His behavior towards the priestess, apart from being somewhat perverted towards her, was more familial, almost brotherly, just as the two females behaved as sisters would, though it was clear none of them held a blood relation. Sesshomaru knew that they were all in search of Naraku for their own reasons, which was maybe the reason Sesshomaru decided to grace them with his presence for a full three days rather than leave now, as his brain kept telling his body to do. If anyone wanted to find Naraku as badly as he did, his half brother’s followers would be as close as they come.
The demon lord scented the air in front of him, picking up traces of animals roaming the forest around him intermingled within the scents of those he traveled with. He could recall why the slayer was chasing the evil half demon, if he remembered correctly; he himself had almost ended the phantom life of her dead brother. Rin had stopped him. It seemed as if Rin was either the reason or the answer behind every thought the demon lord had now. He internally sighed as she ran through his mind yet again, picking every flower in her path as she ran through the field his mind envisioned.
“You never quite know what you have until it’s gone.” The whimsical voice floated into his thoughts, distorting his vision of Rin as he registered his surroundings. The priestess had spoken to him. He let her words replay themselves, finding truth in their simplicity. And although he didn’t believe she expected one, he graced her with his usual “Hn,” and continued to seemingly stare into the distance. Though this time, his mind was not occupied by his ward, instead, he was left pondering a statement that made a little too much sense at the moment.
~
Inuyasha had yet to say a word since they left the clearing, deciding instead, to let his anger clog his mind. What right did Sesshomaru have to be demanding things of him, of his friends, of his opponent even?! Kouga would have left just as fast if he would have gotten serious with the wolf, but no! Instead, ice prick shows up, demands he leave, and Kouga runs out just like that! Who the hell wanted to do as Sesshoamru said? Inuyasha sure as shit didn’t, and he wasn’t about to either. ‘Just wait till he tries to tell me what to do, I’ll show him who’s boss around here.’ He scented the air, checking for danger as he did every few moments, there was no way, if something did come along, that he would let Sesshomaru identify the threat first. These were HIS friends, HIS humans, and though he was positive Sesshomaru wanted nothing to do with them personally, it was still HIS job to protect them, just in case.
“You never quite know what you have until it’s gone.” Inuyasha wondered who it was Kagome could be talking to when no one replied to her statement, and when he turned around to look at her she was nothing but a beautiful smile walking behind him, her raven hair fluttering about her face as she tore the petals one by one from the blue flower she held to her chest. Maybe she was talking to herself, he deducted. After all, Kagome had been known to do stranger things in the past, talking to herself wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary. Inuyasha found himself wanted to comfort her, to find out what it was she was missing so badly, and then he heard Sesshomaru’s obvious response. “Hn.”
Anger engulfed the half demon, he found himself walking faster, leaving a gap between himself and Kagome. How dare she comfort the intruder! His rational self argued that all Kagome was doing was being herself, and that was the biggest reason he loved her, because she cared about life, happiness, and hope. She herself was hope, after all, who could spend an hour with her and not believe that? Reasoning didn’t help, it seemed, Kagome attempting to offer such a heartless demon anything was more than enough reason to set him off. Besides, what did Kagome know about what Sesshomaru lost? Presumably no more than the rest of them did, so what good would her talking to him do?
“Stop.” Inuyasha froze mid-step and lifted his nose just slightly to take a whiff of the surrounding air. Blood, lots and lots of human blood. One more sniff told him everything he needed to know; there was a village nearby, and it was under attacked. Inuyasha took off at a run, berating himself for letting his thoughts wrap their hands around his senses, his anger overtaking his body as he flew through the forest, towards the god awful smell assaulting his sensitive nose. He would deal with Sesshomaru recognizing the danger first later. For now, he had to see if there were survivors, and judging by the fact that demons still rampaged through the area, he might be able to find someone hanging on to life.
Inuyasha rounded on the nearest demon, getting a good look at the monstrosity before deciding his plan of action. The beast was twice the size of the half demon, its yellowed skin spotted with what looked like dark purple bruises the size of fists. Blackened orbs sat deep within hollowed out eye sockets, glaring at Inuyasha as he reached for Tetsusaiga. He flipped neatly backwards as the beast swung, his bulky arm meeting the space the half demon had just occupied. “Iron reaver soul stealer!” In one swift movement Inuyasha beheaded the monster to come face to face with the next. This one was an exact replica of the last, its sluggish maneuvers nothing compared to the half demon’s quick reflexes and sharp claws.
One by one the monsters attacked Inuyasha, and one by one they met their end until the final offender lay at Inuyasha’s feet. Somehow, they knew he was there. The second he killed the first, they swarmed at him, stupidly even, no thought process, and no technique. It was almost as if they were controlled, and thought they were no match for him, it was easy to see why the villagers were hard put to stand a fight against them, for size and brute strength made them formidable foes against the humans that once lived here.
“Inuyashaaaa!” ‘Kagome,’ he’d welcome that sweet, concern filled voice for the rest of his days if only she’d let him. He turned to watch as she ran towards him, concern flooding her gaze as she took note of just how many and how large the creatures he’d fought were. His own anger temporarily forgotten, he watched her ebony locks swirl around her heart shaped face, sweat glistening off her for head as she finally reached him. She raised her arm both to wipe the sweat from her brow and to get the hair out of her face. Their eyes locked, blue clashed radiantly with gold…
“Lady Kagome! Inuyasha!” Miroku called to the pair as he and Sango stepped out of the forest and advanced to the small battle’s scene. “Are you hurt?” Inuyasha shook his head, and watched as Miroku let out a breath of air in relief. “Are there survivors?” Miroku and Sango had joined Kagome and himself now. He shrugged his shoulders, looking behind him towards the destruction that once was a village, full of life. “Stay with Kagome and Sango, I’ll be quick.” Inuyasha took off search of life while the others stayed to discuss what would happen next.
~
Miroku pondered the scene before him. He felt a presence only moments after Sesshomaru had ordered a halt to their travels, and judging by the distance they’d traveled to reach this village from their path in the forest, the ominous aura he felt had to have come from here, only, it wasn’t here anymore. Under normal circumstances, that would make perfect sense, those that lay dead merely feet from where he stood could offer a perfect explanation, the aura belonged to these beasts, and now that they’re dead, the aura is gone. However, when dealing with a mass, one should feel a mass of auras, but he didn’t. He distinctly remembered sensing just one aura, one large, evil, powerful aura. Whatever it was, it traveled south, and it tied in to what happened here, Miroku just had to figure out how.
“They’re eyes are black, hollow almost.” Sango observed the dead thing lying in front of her, its body was thick with muscle, and it was at least eleven feet in length, they were huge! Their yellowed skin oozed a thick puss wherever punctured, and it leaked out with no end in sight. Hesitantly, Sango pressed her index finger against its skin, watching as the oozing puss all but squirted, the puncture increasing in size as did the flow of the thick cloudy substance. “Gross.” She stated, about to back away from the body when the velvety smoothness that was Sesshomaru’s voice reached her ear.
“They are soulless creatures. You waste time here.” Sango’s eyes widened. They had no soul? She looked down at it again and watched as the skin started to lose shape and sag over the bone of the monster’s arm. Their faces looked human enough, in fact, everything about them looked human but their size; both height and strength were more than double a normal human’s stature. ‘What happened here?’
“You see, Lord Sesshomaru, we have always taken it upon ourselves to dig a resting place for those who are unfortunate enough to have no one else to do so for them.” Miroku scratched the back of his head, nervousness rolling off him in waves as he awaited Sesshomaru’s response. He knew the demon lord had enough problems traveling with them, and yet so far things had been easy. When the demon lord did not answer him right away, Miroku glanced at him and followed his line of sight towards Inuyasha, who looked even worse than when he’d left them to search around.
“Shut up Miroku, it doesn’t matter.” Flabbergasted, the monk turned his whole body towards his hot headed friend, a scowl evident in his features; he would try to reason with him. Before Miroku could get a word out, Inuyasha began again; “Ain’t anyone left here but old people, four hags and a geezer. I buried em’ already. Looks like whatever was here left with what it came for.” Miroku’s mind turned over Inuyasha’s words, but he just couldn’t make sense of it. Whatever happened, he was aware that there was a large, evil presence and it could have possibly taken everyone in the village from thin air, left the elders, and sent soulless soldiers to clean up the mess and shift the blame? He would keep his theories to himself for now, or at least until Inuyasha has some time to clean up and calm down.
“Yo, Sesshomaru,” Inuyasha yelled towards the retreated demon lord. “Where ya goin?” Sesshomaru turned his back just after Inuyasha caught a glimpse of his eyes and the pink that slowly began to seep into them. As expected, the older demon continued to walk into the forest, not a care for what Inuyasha had to say. ‘Fine by me.’ The half demon had nothing to say to his brother anyway. “Come on Miroku, let’s get going.”
~
Kagome walked silently next to Sango, chewing away on the berries she’d picked rather than survey the dead monsters with her friends. “Are you sure you don’t want one Sango? They’re juicy!” The other girl giggled lightly before refusing once again, she’d had more than enough rice that morning to last well into the afternoon. They’d been traveling four hours now, and the scene at the village had every one of them hoping for some kind of news to get their minds off things. Whatever happened back there wasn’t right, and every other village they neared was left unharmed thus far. The biggest worry on everyone’s mind, save for the demon lord’s, was that nothing about their last encounter pointed towards Naraku, and the group of Shard hunters had no time to waste what they hoped was some random attack. Though Sesshomaru knew better, he could not bring himself to ponder an unknown being stealing a human girl from him. It had to be Naraku, it just had to.
Kagome hummed softly to herself as she fingered the half completed jewel of four souls hanging loosely around her neck. Full on berries, Kagome took in the scenery around her as she moved along with her friends, listening to nature’s music as she reached to distant edges of her senses. It’d been a while since they’d collected any more shards. Naraku should surely be about through now, seeing that they had half, Kouga had two, and Kohaku carried on in his back, the jewel should be near whole. ‘It’s not though. He would come after us if he had the rest.’ Kagome’s heart wrenched as she thought about Kouga, he would go after Kouga first, alone apart from his two faithful companions Ginta and Hakaku. ‘Then he’ll come for us.’ The question remaining was who stood in his way?
Naraku knew many enemies, in fact, most everyone Naraku came into contact with apart from his incarnations were his enemies, or would become so. He held no fear, only lusted for power, and killed to attain it. Kagome sighed, Naraku’s fate was death, the more he dealt it the closer he became, yet to kill one such as he would never make up for those he’d wronged. How did so many bad things happen to good people?
“Sango,” Kagome asked waiting to continue until she had the older girl’s full attention to continue. “What do you think Naraku’s after?” Sango furrowed her eyebrows, clearly confused by Kagome’s question. Kagome watched as her eyes moved to the half completed gem around her neck, and back to meet her gaze, at a loss for words. “I mean why hasn’t he come for it yet?” Sango nodded in understanding, turning her gaze to the back of the monk walking in front of her as she tried to come up with some coherent thought.“I really don’t know Kagome.”
Kagome cleared her mind, recovering quickly from the onslaught negative thoughts and visions that entered her mind upon thinking Naraku’s name. She opted instead to think about the things she’d do once he was gone. ‘That’s right,’ Kagome glanced to the half demon at the head of their party, leading the way to the next village. ‘What will I do?’ Not wanting to bring herself down, she again abruptly changed the course of her thoughts.
~
He was disturbed by the nothingness he’d learned that first day, his mind recalled each and every time he had almost left them to partake in his own search, but how could he when his half brother had so much more experience in dealing with Naraku? Sesshomaru would not kid himself, his own tracking skills were far superior to anything his half brother would attempt to exude, Sesshomaru was better at everything! Even if there was an area where Inuyasha excelled over Sesshomaru, the older demon would never admit it, and would rectify such a situation did it ever come to be. Unfortunately, hunting a sadistic half demon that enjoyed inflicting pain upon others was something Sesshomaru had no reason for in the past. Naraku should be dealt with by those he’d wronged, and to this point, Naraku had never truly wronged Sesshomaru, not in any way that would cause the demon lord to change his daily habits, making Naraku the center of them. Inuyasha, however, had been chasing Naraku over two years now, and Inuyasha would know how to go about it.
‘Three days.’ The words were like a mantra repeating itself within the confounds of his brains, they were the words he was currently surviving on as he followed his half brother without a single clue where they were headed. ‘Were it not for Rin, this Sesshomaru would never follow another blindly, especially one such as he.’ Inuyasha disappeared into the trees above while he took off to scout the area. It was nightfall already. Nightfall, and not a single peep as to where his ward had disappeared to. No sign of Naraku, only silence. He clenched his hands at his side; maybe he wasn’t being adamant enough about the seriousness of the situation? They were wasting time here, sleeping away precious hours. No, Sesshomaru would not rest here. He would conduct his own search and take point tomorrow, the third day; the last day.