InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Memory ❯ Stay Away ( Chapter 3 )

Fragments of Memory

Story © Akiko (Krystal)

Sesshoumaru x Kagome

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

 

Chapter 3 - Stay Away

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru~! We brought back the…water…” Rin barely finished as her gaze caught her lord tending to Kagome's wounds. Her blood was all over the place again, or so it seemed to the child.

 

Sesshoumaru ignored Rin and Jakken as they entered the clearing once more. His gaze stayed locked upon Kagome's wounds, currently bandaging them once more. Her blood had soaked through the first set; hopefully it would stop soon. The last thing he needed was this woman dying from loss of blood.

 

“Bring the water over here.”

 

Rin blinked and then rushed over to her lord, setting the water down beside him. She watched as he took a bit of water into his hands and washed the blood off Kagome's stomach and sides, then her arm. It amazed her, sometimes, at how kind her lord could be, and that he would be willing to show his gentle side in front of them.

 

She stumbled back though when her lord stood up suddenly and gazed off behind her and beyond Jakken. Was something coming? What could it be this late at night? She couldn't help but yawn as her tiredness finally drowned out her excitement and fear. She walked over to Kagome and lay down beside her form. It was best for her to stay right here, she knew that. It would be safe and she knew, if her lord decided to wander off, Kagome couldn't be left alone.

 

His amber gaze looked down upon the two unconscious forms upon the ground. His brother was coming and it would do no good for a fight to break out here, as one always managed to happen upon their meetings.

 

He shifted his weight and stepped back over to the two females in his company, his movements waking Rin from her light sleep. “Lord Sesshoumaru?” she questioned with a soft voice, sitting up and trying to rub the sleep from her eyes. “Is there something wrong, Lord Sesshoumaru?”

 

“No; stay here and take care to her, Rin. She's left in yours and Jakken's care as of right now.”

 

Rin nodded. “All right! We'll take good care of her, won't we, Master Jakken?”

 

“Why do I want to take care of th—“ a rock slammed into the back of Jakken's head before he could finish. Rubbing the lump and glancing at where the rock came from, he stopped, gulping. “O-Of course we'll take good care of her. N-No harm to her. Go-Got it.”

 

Sesshoumaru dropped the few other pebbles that were gathered into his hand, and stepped away from them, walking to the tree lines and vanishing.

 

[[[]]]

 

Kagome… please be all right. You have to be all right. Inuyasha tore his claws through a few annoying branches in his way, quickly chasing after Kagome's scent. It bothered him. Her scent was following and mixed in with Sesshoumaru's scent. Had his brother really taken Kagome with him?

 

He ducked under a branch, dropping to the ground and pausing. He put his nose to the air and took a sniff, closing his eyes so he could concentrate on sifting through all the smells around the forest. He was still going to the right way, good. He glanced back, making sure Sango and Miroku were still on his tail, then blinked when they passed him.

 

“HEY!”

 

“Well hurry up! Kagome-sama's in this direction, is she not, Inuyasha?”

 

Inuyasha muttered under his breath. Damn monk always being such a pain. He was waiting for the day he would end up taking his claws to that monk's neck. One day… but not right now. Kagome was more important. He pushed his feet from the ground, slipping into a fast pace run, easily catching up and passing the two on Kirara's back.

 

He didn't have time to sit and be poky about traveling and if they got a head of him. Kagome could be on the verge of death. He hoped she wasn't. There didn't seem to be a lot of her blood scent in the air, so she couldn't have bled to death…yet.

 

He shook his head. Those thoughts were not allowed. He slashed through a few more branches, and was about to slash through some more when Sesshoumaru appeared, causing him to stop dead in his tracks. His own amber eyes widened. His brother had blood on his clothes… Kagome's blood was on his clothes.

 

Sesshoumaru stood there, watching his hanyou of a brother, then his gaze shifted to the man and woman on the demonic cat, almost daring them to try and go further. He then placed his gaze back to his brother. “I have no time to deal with you, Inuyasha, so leave now.”

 

Inuyasha blinked, taking a slight step back at this, before he growled, clenching his hands into fists. “Oh yeah? Too damn bad! Where's Kagome! Why's her blood on your clothes?! I swear, if you hurt her anymore than she was already I'll truly cut you down this time, Sesshoumaru! I'll make sure Tenseiga doesn't save you this time!”

 

“Big words for a little hanyou, Inuyasha. Are you sure you can back them up? Or are you still all bark and simply no bite?”

 

Inuyasha growled, pulling Tetsusaiga from his side, the blade transforming to a fang. “Move out of my way, Sesshoumaru. I have no interest in wasting time with you right now.”

 

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. “I told you to leave, Inuyasha. You bring nothing but a threat of annoyances to my presence.” He pulled Tokijin from his side, aiming the tip towards the hanyou. The sword pulsed for a moment before a deadly energy pushed from the blade, sharp edges cutting through Inuyasha's clothing.

 

Inuyasha flinched, closing an eye, but ignored the blood that seeped down from his wounds. “Move Sesshoumaru!”

 

“Hiraikotsu!”

 

Sesshoumaru shifted his gaze, his position shifting. He jumped back into the air as the large bone boomerang came slicing through where his form had previously been. Sango landed on the ground, grabbing the strap of the weapon as it flew back towards her, black bangs sliding into her face, brown gaze threatening a fight. “Inuyasha, you go get Kagome-chan.”

 

“Sango, you're insane. If you think you can take Sesshoumaru than you're nuts!”

 

“So it's better to let Kagome-chan where she is and allow her to continue bleeding!?” the exterminator fought back.

 

“I'll deal with Sesshoumaru! You and Miroku find Kagome!” he commanded, slicing the blade of Tetsusaiga through the air, forcing a powerful yellow energy to form and rip across the earth towards Sesshoumaru. “Kaze no Kizu!”

 

[[[]]]

 

Rin's gaze shot towards where Sesshoumaru left, her small hands tightly gripping Kagome's shirt. Lord Sesshoumaru must be fighting Inuyasha…Her gaze shifted back to the girl she was attempting to protect. “We were just taking care of her, why must they fight?”

 

“Inuyasha's nothing but a pain. He always starts a fight with Lord Sesshoumaru, no matter what it's over.” Jakken huffed, kicking the ground slightly. “That bothersome hanyou is probably throwing a fight about that stupid girl's blood being on Lord Sesshoumaru's clothing.”

 

“But it doesn't matter,” Rin spoke softly, catching Jakken's attention once more. “Kagome is safe now, her wounds have stopped bleeding. Does it matter whose clothing Kagome's blood is over? She's safe, that's all that should matter, so why must Inuyasha make such a fit about it?”

 

“Inuyasha's simple minded, like he always is.”

 

Rin sighed, looking down at Kagome still. Kagome didn't even remember Inuyasha anyways, so why would she bother to go to his side when she didn't even know him?

 

Jakken watched Rin and then shook his head. The girl was young still, and rather naïve to everything that went on. It didn't surprise him when she didn't understand how stupid Inuyasha could be. He didn't even understand how Inuyasha could be so stupid; what always surprised him about the hanyou was how much more stupid he could get.

 

[[[]]]

 

“Get out of my way, Sesshoumaru!”

 

“Don't be a fool to think you could order, I Sesshoumaru, around.”

 

Sango and Miroku watched helplessly as the battle between the brother's continued. Tears dripped down the exterminator's face. “This is stupid… if this continues.. Kagome-chan… she could… she could…”

 

Miroku placed a hand upon the exterminator's shoulder, drawing her gaze to him. “Kagome-sama has always found her way back to us, be it from being kidnapped, being controlled, to even being badly wounded. She'll find her way back this time as well, just as always, Sango-chan. You mustn't forget how strong Kagome-sama can truly be.”

 

Sango gaze got ripped back to the battle.

 

“Bakuryuuha!”

 

“Souryuuha!”

 

The two attacks collided; canceling the other out, causing the brother's to go at it with blades clashing against the other. Shoving each other here and there, clashing blades some more. Sparks of energy flying from their weapons as they continued.

 

Inuyasha growled, trying to shove his brother away to launch another attack, but it wasn't working. He was just about to try shoving Sesshoumaru back once more when his brother leapt back, causing him to stumble forward a few steps, blinking, then jump back as Sango's weapon peeled through the ground.

 

His amber gaze caught Sesshoumaru's form right away, taking this chance to launch another attack at Sesshoumaru, and hoping this one hit. “Bakuryuuha!” the attack formed, slicing its way through the air towards his brother.

 

The attack caught Sesshoumaru's gaze, his golden eyes narrowing dangerous. He clenched the hilt of Tokijin tightly, but decided against it. There wasn't enough time to counter the attack. He opted for his other blade. He pulled the other sword from his side, the blade going in front of him, as it glowed a blue color.

 

Sesshoumaru took in a slight breath of air, pulling Tenseiga from the ground and placing the sword back in its holder once more, glaring upon his half brother, only to slips out of the way of the bone flying at him once more. His gaze fluttered to Sango, a soft growl trying to put its way from the back of his throat.

 

“Bakuryuuha!” Inuyasha shouted out, attacking once more. He wasn't giving up. Normally he'd shout and yell at Sango for helping, but right now, it'd help him get to Kagome faster, and that's what he was more concerned about.

 

Sesshoumaru pushed his feet off the ground, his Tokijin sparking with a blue energy before unleashing his attack, counter the wind scar once more. “Souryuuha.”

 

The energies clashed, once more canceling each other out. Sesshoumaru was about to unleash another attack before he felt a powerful wind tugging at him, causing his gaze to shift to the monk, as his swords were ripped from him by the force of the Kazaana. It was such a bother Naraku had done such a thing. It was an annoyance in this battle, currently.

 

“Bakuryuuha!” Inuyasha shouted out once more, slamming the blade downwards, causing the attack to lash out towards Sesshoumaru. “Bakuryuuha!” he shouted out once more, adding to the force of his first assault. He hoped this would get rid of Sesshoumaru, at least for now, if not permanently.

 

Sesshoumaru growled as he saw the attack coming at him, full force. He wasn't going to have time to dodge this once as the wind from the monk finally let up. Nor did he have either of his swords to protect him in the slightest.

 

[[[]]]

 

“So, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru are fighting now?” a dark voice slid through the darkness.

 

“Yes, master.” The tone was dull, emotionless. There wasn't even a cold feeling to it. Her mirror shifted slightly, the images within the mirror appearing, flowing with movements. “It appears Sesshoumaru is getting beaten.”

 

Naraku chuckled. “Amusing. Show me how Inuyasha's little priestess is doing.”

 

The images within the mirror swirled again, the image turning to Kagome. The girl was shifted. “So, she wakes up? Hm, it would seem she's in Sesshoumaru's care; I wonder why.”

 

He shook his head, waving his hand. “Give me the battle scene once more, Kanna. I find it much more interesting. I want to see if Sesshoumaru truly does meet his end.”

 

[[[]]]

 

Kagura suppressed a growl, her knuckles turning white as she tight clenched her fan. She listened as Naraku spoke. Why the hell was Sesshoumaru fighting Inuyasha over Kagome? What was so special about the girl? She couldn't comprehend any of it.

 

She had offered to have Sesshoumaru help her destroy Naraku, but yet, he had refused her; yet now, he was protecting Kagome? Now he was fighting Inuyasha to keep Kagome in his care? He had saved the girl from Kouga, why? Or was he just to prideful to hand something back over to Inuyasha?

 

She shook her head as dark strands of hair slipped into glowing ruby eyes. She never understood the way Sesshoumaru thought. It frustrated her.

 

[[[]]]

 

Kagome's hand shifted, her fingers gripping at the ground a moment before loosening. Her eyes fluttered open, catching Jakken and Rin's attention at the same time. She let out a small groan, sitting up and placing a hand to her neck. The pain killed her.

 

“Kagome, I'm glad you're up again.”

 

Her chocolate gaze locked onto the small girl and the toad for a brief moment before taking in her surroundings. Once again she must've fainted. The last thing she remembered was being held by Sesshoumaru, gripping his clothing with her hands. She sighed inwardly at not finding him anywhere. “Where's Sesshoumaru?”

 

“None of your business, woman!”

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru went off to fight, I believe,” Rin butted in, causing Jakken to scold her, but she simply ignored it like she normally did.

 

“Fight whom?”

 

Jakken sighed irritability. “Inuyasha would be the best guess considering Lord Sesshoumaru has yet to find his way back to us,” Jakken muttered. “Trouble half-breed, always getting in the way and wasting Lord Sesshoumaru's time…”

 

Kagome stood up, flinching a bit from her wounds, but ignored him. Her gaze shifted and Rin followed the direction of her gaze. “That's the way Lord Sesshoumaru went,” Rin spoke up.

 

“You two, stay here,” she told them, walking away from them and into the trees, pushing branches from her way gently.

 

“Wait you meddlesome woman! Lord Sesshoumaru said--!” Jakken couldn't finish before Kagome had vanished from his sights. He let out a deep sigh. He was the one who would pay for this, he knew it. His lord always blamed him for it.

 

[[[]]]

 

She pushed aside the branches of the trees, heading in the direction the demonic auras were coming from. She had to see for herself what was happening; she had to try and find out why.

 

She paused, coming to the end of the trees. Her gaze watched the battle as it ensued, her eyes widening in horror as she watched as Sesshoumaru was being attacked from multiple angles. She knew he was a great demon, she could tell just from his aura, but this group seemed well trained in what they were doing.

 

Her body tensed and she wiped around, gaze narrowed before she blinked with surprise. The tiny girl had followed her? Why?

 

She kneeled down once the child was closer and placed a hand to her shoulder, whispering. “I told you to stay back there. It's too dangerous here for you.”

 

Rin just nodded, but thrust something towards the older female. “I just thought I would bring you these.” It was a quiver and a bow. Her gaze shifted back to the girl, questioningly.

 

“I thought you'd like to have them, so when Lord Sesshoumaru sent us to get some water, I went a little further than need be to grab these for you.”

 

Kagome smiled and patted the child upon the head. She had to commend the girl for being so brave, despite her age. She thought deeply, but it did nothing when she couldn't understand such deep thoughts. Kagome figured Rin would make an intelligent woman when she grew older.

 

When she took the items from the child, Rin bowed and turned sharply, running back towards their camp site. Kagome figured the toad would be going insane with rage and frustration from Rin having run off.

 

After the girl was gone from her sights, Kagome turned her body around, facing the battle once more. She heard the hanyou as he yelled out his attack and watched as it ran towards Sesshoumaru, who she noted, was currently unarmed, and left defenseless.

 

Slinging the quiver over her back, she pulled an arrow from it, slipped into the bow and drew back the string. She didn't know why the idea of using a bow was so familiar to her but she didn't care right now. Sesshoumaru had helped her and she had to help him, that's all she knew right now.

 

A pink energy enwrapped the arrow as she let it fly through the air, her gaze narrowed. She watched the arrow, praying that she aimed correctly.

 

Her posture loosened slightly as the attack was interrupted by her arrow. She noted the hanyou frantically looking in her direction. She stiffened once more when she heard him call her name. How did this half-breed know her?

 

[[[]]]

 

Inuyasha stiffened when he saw the arrow, and when he saw his attack dissolve before it hit Sesshoumaru. Where? Where had the arrow come from? His amber gaze quickly shot in the direction from which the arrow flew. Was it Kikyou? Or was… was it Kagome?

 

“Kagome!?” he shouted out, his eyes frantically searching the trees for her. It couldn't have been Kikyou. She never would've bothered to interfere with something that didn't concern her; not when it was between him and his brother.

 

“Kagome!?” he shouted out once more, then snapped his attention back to his brother when he noticed movement from the corner of his amber gaze. He barely dodged a swipe from the Tokijin.

 

Damn, he had let his guard down.

 

“Stop your pathetic shouting.” Sesshoumaru commanded, his cold eyes watching Inuyasha as his brother avoided his attack. “It's an annoyance.”

 

“No one asked you!” Inuyasha shouted, sending another attack at Sesshoumaru. “Bakuryuuha!”

 

Once again the arrow appeared, shattering his attack.

 

“Kagome!”

 

Inuyasha's ears twitched when he heard Sango shout the name. His amber gaze snapped to the tree line. Sure enough, it was Kagome, and she had another arrow placed within her bow. What was she doing? Why was she protecting Sesshoumaru?

 

“Ka-Kagome?” he whispered softly, lowering his sword as he took a step towards her. “What are you doing?” He sniffed. His amber gaze looked her over. Blood stained her once pure white shirt, bandages were wrapped around her neck and once of her arms. She looked horrible. He started to walk towards her. “Kagome…”

 

Sesshoumaru placed his sword towards the ground, his own amber gaze catching Kagome's figure. He watched as his brother advanced towards the woman. He could careless what she did or what his brother did with her. All he wanted was to keep Inuyasha away from his own camp for the night.

 

Kagome backed up a step as Inuyasha walked towards her. Her gaze narrowed and she tightened the hold on the arrow and string. She released it, the arrow zipping by Inuyasha's cheek, leaving a small cut. “Stay away.” Her tone was cold, icy.

 

Inuyasha froze when the arrow zipped by. His gaze widened as he watched Kagome, a look of deep pain appearing in his eyes. “Kagome? I know I wasn't there at the well when Kouga… I'm sorry!” he pleaded with her. He tried to take a step towards her again, but stopped when another arrow flew by him.

 

“I don't know what you're talking about,” she snapped harshly. “Don't come any closer to me; if you do, you won't live to see the sun rise.” The string of her bow was taunt with another arrow in it. “The next arrow goes through your chest.”

 

“Kagome?” Inuyasha whispered. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. “What do you mean you don't know?” He walked towards her again, only to pause when he caught her about to release the arrow.

 

“Kagome-chan! Don't!”

 

“Kagome-sama! You mustn't!”

 

Inuyasha waited for the impact of the arrow, eyes on the ground. He knew the pain of an arrow to the chest. It was just what Kikyou had done to him all those years ago. He had failed her then and he had failed Kagome now. He waited a few seconds longer, then blinked. The arrow should've hit by now. He looked up, shock gripping him.

 

Sesshoumaru had an arm around her waist, her back pulled to his chest, his other hand having destroyed the arrow, it being in shambles on the ground. She wasn't fighting back against his hold, instead she seemed more calm.

 

Sesshoumaru's gaze caught Inuyasha's, locking the younger brother's eyes on the elder's.

 

“She doesn't remember you. Leave now, Inuyasha.”