InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forbidden Sanctuary ❯ "When You Walk Away" ( Chapter 8 )

[~: A/N :~]

 

Semi: Konnichi wa Minna-san! Hehe, it's been a while since I updated hasn't it? Well here's a new chapter to make up for it and to wish you all a happy new year! -hands Chibi a red envelope-

 

ChibiLee: MONEY! -snatches and looks inside to find thirty dollars- AWSOME! -dances then sobers- Semi-sama has been lazy during her work's winter schedule -sighs- And now it's going back to normal.

 

Semi: Hai, my work has been in a winter schedule for a couple of months now to keep us safe during the holidays but it's back to normal now. I'll hopefully get over this writer's block that's got Chibi all chained up lol.

 

CL: -struggles with chains- Hurry Semi-sama, CL no like these chains -pouts-

 

Semi: Hai hai Chibi-chan, I'm trying. Any who, here's the next chapter of FS! Read and enjoy ^-^

 

CL: It's time for CL's recap! In the last chapter Umeko gave the group quite a surprise! She can transform both Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga! Not only that but Umeko ran away because Naraku spoke some nasty dirty trick-some words to her! Sesshomaru went off on his own to find her. What's gonna happen next?! Read and find out! -solutes-

 

[~: Disclaimer :~] I do not own InuYasha nor do I own Beauty and the Beast, or the song “Simple & Clean” . Have a nice day.

Sanctuary

By: Youkai Semi

 

Chapter Eight: “When You Walk Away.”

 

Umeko sat upon the same boulder after an hour of thinking over the mystery man's words. They buzzed around her head like a hive of angry bees. For some reason they stun just as bad. The blind hanyo hugged herself, feeling tears ride down her cheeks and getting chilled by the breeze drying them. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't seem to stop them.

 

Her heart now told her that no one could be trusted while her mind told her t run - flee from it all. Yet a tiny voice said she had to stay. Once again she recalled the feeling that she was missing something, but for the life of her she had no clue what it was. It hurt to think on it too much so she pushed it aside again. What could she do? A blind hanyo girl who knew next to nothing.

 

The helplessness the girl felt was nearly as bad as th rest of it. She felt powerless to do anything at all, and it only added to the buzzing bees in her head. Hugging herself tighter, Umeko closed her eyes and turned her head slightly as if to deny the conflict in her mind. Without warning she suddenly stood up, her kimono creating a swishing sound to break the still silence around her.

 

No, she could do something. With her mind made up she pulled a long branch about two inches thick from the nearest tree. Next she removed the leafs and twigs, fashioning it into a staff. Once out of the forest she figured she'd need something to help her to get around . . . and it doubled as a weapon. She'd be damned if anyone ever hurt her again.

 

Umeko bound her now dry hair back into a tail with a strip of cloth then listened for anyone near. Hearing no one around, but someone quickly approaching, the hanyo turned and left the hot spring clearing. Somehow she had to get away. She did not want them knowing nor following . . . finding her own way was the only solution she could think of and to do that she had to be alone.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Sango looked once again towards the hot spring. There was just something not quite right. She couldn't put her finger on it but she knew something had happened. It wasn't like Umeko to take so long in the hot spring. The air around them spoke of an approaching storm so they needed to find shelter, and quick.

 

“Guys I'll be right back, I'm gonna check on Umeko.” San go got up and looked around before moving to the edge of the clearing. InuYasha and Sesshomaru landed near the spot she just vacated and watched her leave. For a brief moment Sesshomaru's brows knitted in concern, but it was gone the next instant.

 

“Do you think something happened?” Shippo sided up to the older Youkai with a worried tone to his voice.

 

“I . . . don't know.” InuYasha had been about to say something else but had changed his mind.

 

'If anything has . . . whoever is responsible will pay.' Sesshomaru's eyes hardened, glaring in the direction of the hot spring. 'Dearly' He finished in a deadly tone and turned slightly in the opposite direction. Normal humans could not see the dark storm clouds on the even darker horizon. The storm was approaching quickly and was about to break.

 

The demon lord watched the inky blackness seep over the mountains. They had to move quickly if they wanted to avoid getting drenched. His eyes snapped back to the spot the taijia had gone when the snap of a twig caught his attention. Sango appeared in a huff, seeming to have ran all the way back to them.

 

“She's . . . gone!” She said between breaths. Sesshomaru was instantly in front of her with an expression that could kill on his face.

 

“What did you say?!” He nearly yelled in her face but controlled himself.

 

“Umeko's gone. I couldn't find her anywhere.” Sango repeated near tears. InuYasha looked towards the hot spring.

 

“Don't worry, we'll find her. She's blind so she couldn't of gotten that far.” He concluded openly then was proceeded out of the clearing by Sesshomaru.

 

“You didn't see anything?” Miroku walked up to the taijia with Shippo in his arms and Kirara on his shoulder. Sango shook her head sadly, wringing her hands with tears in her eyes.

 

“I'll go look for her to!” Shippo exclaimed fiercely, ready to jump down and follow the Inu brothers.

 

“No Shippo, stay here. They'll be back soon.” Sango gave a weary half smile to try to persuade the kitsune pup to stay. Shippo pouted slightly but said nothing more, indicating he would listen for once. The three of them turned, watching the exit and waiting for the Inu Youkai to return in silence.

 

 

* * *

 

 

InuYasha's eyes flickered to his brother's face which was set in a surprisingly determined glare. Surprising because this was the most emotion he had seen on Sesshomaru. Perhaps it should not of been . . . after all he had been collecting hints of something between the two. Kami knew the once cold Sesshomaru had become . . . what was the word, protective? Hai, that was it. Protective of the hanyo girl. InuYasha would of snickered openly if he knew he wouldn't get his butt kicked for doing so.

 

Sesshomaru acted like nothing changed, staying aloof and distanced, but InuYasha saw the look in his eyes when they landed on Umeko. He was pretty sure the others knew as well . . . or at least guessed. However, it seemed his dear older brother was in serious denial and he wasn't the one who wanted to bring it up. He'd probably get his butt kicked for that as well, so he let it go. His majesty would figure it out eventually he was sure. If he didn't then she would.

 

It was still strange to think his brother actually had a heart. At first glance it never appeared that he did, but if you watched him long enough you'd see it. Sesshomaru didn't seem to notice it, nor the change that was gradually taking over. Then again did one ever really notice that they've changed? InuYasha thought on that and came up with a negative. They didn't see it unless they wanted to.

 

When they reached the hot spring both Inu Youkai looked around. They didn't see anything. No struggle marks, no foot prints . . . nothing. They did, however, catch a familiar scent lingering around. It didn't go into the water, but close enough for concern. Umeko's scent thankfully went the other way. Away from the other one. That didn't give them much comfort.

 

“Naraku.” InuYasha glanced at his brother as the demon lord spoke. An involuntary shiver crept down his spine at the sight of the sadistic smirk on the Taiyoukai's face. It nearly rooted him to the spot but having seen it before the hanyou shook it off. Too bad for Naraku though . . . it never boded well when Sesshomaru smiled like that. Then again InuYasha had never seen him smile any other way so . . . The hanyo shrugged it off and looked around once more.

 

“He was here all right. I wonder what he wanted with Umeko.” InuYasha went to the spot Naraku had been last in the clearing and continued to scan it for any clues.

 

“I don't know . . .” 'But he's about to lose his head . .. because I'm gonna rip it off for him.' He replied back, but finished the sentence in thought only while looking at his claws. His hand was surrounded by a green glow and the fur on his shoulder bristled.

 

“I'm gonna go tell the others. I'll meet you back at camp.” InuYasha bounded back to the group, leaving Sesshomaru alone. The Taiyoukai followed Umeko's scent to the hot spring, his eyes locking onto the path it continued to. If he hurried he might be able to catch her before the storm hit.

 

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed in suspicion. 'Where are you going Umeko? . . . and why now?' He asked himself but found no answers. Something happened between Naraku and Umeko and now she was running. He hadn't gotten close enough to do her any harm but then . . .

 

The Taiyoukai growled deeply, 'What did he SAY to her?!' If he hadn't been mad before, now he was pissed. 'So, he knows does he? Too bad for him because now he's in trouble.' He smirked again then followed Umeko's trail out of the clearing. On the way out he noticed a small pile of leafs and twigs scattered on the ground. He smiled in satisfaction.

 

'Smart girl.' Sesshomaru smirked then kicked the pile to scatter it more, glad that she had some sort of weapon with her.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Naraku watched from his perch in the trees. Smirking as the Inu brothers looked for the missing hanyo. It was too late, she was gone and he had made sure that she'd never trust anyone again. He had the jewel within his grasp once again, only this time he wouldn't let it go. NO, this time he'd finally have it and gain the power he so craved.

 

They were a lot of fools. Not one of them knew exactly who the girl was, nor did they even guess what the jewel was on her forehead could be. They had let her walk away and right into his waiting arms, oblivious to it all. Oh ti was just too much to suppress. He would have been laughing and rolling on the ground in merriment if he hadn't wanted to stay hidden. So instead he just smiled and watched the game proceed.

 

He recalled the look upon her face when he told her the fraction of truth. Shock and surprised, trusting to a fault as usual, she had fallen for his trap like a moth to flame. Oh she tried to deny what he had said, he knew that, but in the end she still fell for it. She hadn't known any better, after all - part of her remembered that fraction of truth he spoke. He didn't lie, why lie when a part of the truth worked far better.

 

'And when she finally figures it all out it'll be too late.' Naraku snickered mentally. He paused in his musings to watch the two Inus once more. They knew he had been there, but that wasn't going to help them. He smirked when InuYasha left to back, leaving Sesshomaru alone. It was a perfect time to ambush the demon lord but Naraku thought better of it. He had tried to absorb the Youkai before with disastrous results. No, he'd just watch for now. He could always get him after he had t he jewel.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Miroku watched Sango pace the clearing with a weary eye. She was dangerous when she got like this. He set Shippo down and went over to her.

 

“That wont do you an y good love. It wont be much longer till they get back.” He took her by the shoulders and forced her stop pacing.

 

“I know.” Sango looked away and blushed slightly. Miroku marveled that the blush made her even more stunning. He smiled, giving her a hug in hopes of making her better. Women were that way after all.

 

“I hope Umeko's ok.” Shippo sat down looking at the ground with teary eyes. The hanyo had become a close friend to all of them, much like 'her'.

 

“Aw, Shippo-chan I'm sure she is.” Sango picked him up and cuddled him, whipping away the single tear that slipped down his little cheek.

 

“I'm not so sure Sango. Naraku was there. It didn't look like he had gotten very close but he could of said something to set her off.” InuYasha pushed his way out of the forest then dusted himself off. Sango glared at the hanyo in a murderous glance.

 

“Ba-ka!” She snapped at him, trying to keep Shippo from crying.

 

“What? It's the truth.” InuYasha shot back, turning to Miroku. “Sesshomaru's gone after Umeko so I think wed need to go after Naraku. I don't know what he wants from her but it cant be good.” Hhe crossed his arms in tthough.

 

“Well, if anyone can find her it'll be Lord Sesshomaru. He was with her the longest after all. As for Naraku . . . I think it's time we had another confrontation.” Miroku tried to suppress the grimace, reminding himself that he'd be next to useless if the demon brought out his bugs again. Those poisonous bugs blocked his wind tunnel and poisoned him at the same time.

 

“We can probably leave the pup with Hachi.” InuYasha suggested while sitting down. Shippo stuck his tongue out at him and clung to Sango even more.

 

“He'll stay with me. If we're going up against that slime ball we're gonna need a plan.” Sango sat down near InuYasha, motioning Miroku to sit next to her. They all agreed and put their heads together so no one could eavesdrop.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Since night had fallen it had grown gradually colder. The harsh wind did nothing to help matters and the darkness was total black out. If anyone did see Umeko, it had to be between lightly strikes that lite the sky for a few seconds. She hadn't expected to run into such a storm.

 

“What did I do to gain such bad luck?” She thought despairingly. With a sigh she began walking again, tapping the ground to create vibration that aloud her to 'see'. The pattering of the rain also helped. For once she could see and others could not. That almost made her smile.

 

Pausing again she closed her eyes and turned her head to the sky. Yes it was cold and wet, but it was a pleasant change. The same pattering of the rain that aloud her to see was also calming, soothing her soul. The wind even calmed a bit, coming in short bursts rather then a constant gale. Perhaps it wasn't all bad after all.

 

When she finally brought her face back to the forest, she was surprised to find someone a short distance ahead of her. The smell coming from them was not human so she relaxed a little. Tapping her staff on the ground she could see that they weren't that far. . . a few yards at the most. Hesitantly she stepped towards them, staff firmly in hand.

 

“Who's there?” A soft voice asked almost instantly, startling Umeko. She had just been about to ask the same question. Swallowing a small lump she took another step.

 

“I'm called Umeko.”

 

[~:End of Chapter:~

 

Semi: Whoa . . .chapter 8 is finished!

 

CL: Yep, and what an ebil cliffie Semi-sama! -pouts-

 

Semi: Gomen - gomen! -laughs- It'll be worth it Chibi, you of all should know that.

 

CL: Hai . . . but CL is starting to think readers wont read anymore because of all the cliffies.

 

Semi: Well . . . maybe, but let's hope they don't - -; Any who, I hope you all enjoyed this latest edition of FS!

 

[~: Teasers for the next chapter:~]

Naraku gets his hands on Umeko, and Meyoga reveals a trap! What's to happen to Umeko and Sesshomaru now?! Tune in next time!

 

Chapter Nine: “ Falling Forever.”