InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Memory ❯ Battle Not Won By Words ( Chapter 4 )

Fragments Of Memory

Story © Akiko (Krystal)

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Sesshoumaru x Kagome

 

Chapter 4 -

Battle Not Won By Words

 

He chuckled darkly, closing his eyes. “Lost her memory? How perfect, don't you think, Kanna?”

 

The child look a like nodded softly, her voice seemingly a whisper. “Yes. She should work just fine now for the part.”

 

“I would agree, Kanna. Now, just to get our little miko…”

 

[[[]]]

 

She lowered the bow, loosening the slack on the string of it as her emotionless gaze watched the group. Her face stayed the same, as soft and expressionless as a doll's.

 

He was intelligent; she would give him that. He knew what was going on in his surroundings, despite being worn as he was. A cold smile graced her lips as she laughed to herself. It made her wonder… whom was this demon actually trying to protect? Was he trying to protect the woman in his arms? Or was he actually trying to save his younger brother?

 

It amused her as she watched them, though she still kept her bow and arrow in a ready position, in case the battle presumed once more.

 

[[[]]]

 

“Wh-what are you talking about?” Inuyasha tripped over his words as he watched his brother.

 

“She's lost all memory of you.”

 

“Th-that can't be!” Inuyasha took a step forward. “Ka-Kagome, come on, this isn't funny anymore. I'm sorry, all right?”

 

She raised her bow once more, reaching for the quiver of arrows. Her bronze gaze shot back to the tall demon holding her when his hand shot forward, pushing the bow back, his voice cold, icy, and giving off a dangerous warning.

 

“Leave, Inuyasha.”

 

“Shut up, Sesshoumaru! This is none of your damn business”

 

The elder brother narrowed his golden eyes, a frowning with irritation. “It is when you dead wench is too close by.”

 

Inuyasha stiffened and glanced out, his nose catching Kikyou's scent. What was she doing here? Why was she here? Inuyasha's gaze shot back to Sesshoumaru.

 

“Leave before you get yourself and this woman killed.”

 

“Ka-Kagome…”

 

She backed up, pushing her form closer to Sesshoumaru's, her eyes glaring death to the hanyou as he took a step towards her. He could tell she wouldn't back down if he got any closer to her. What could he do? He couldn't leave Kagome with his brother, but he couldn't get close enough to her. He could barely talk to her without her trying to kill him.

 

“Kagome-chan…” Sango whispered softly, watching her friend. She had lost her memory? She took a step forward, brushing off the monk's hand that threatened to stop her. “Sesshoumaru!”

 

She glared at the demon when his gaze shifted to her, her grasp tightening on the strap of her weapon. “How could she have lost her memory? Did you do something to her!?”

 

“Don't place me on the petty leave that Naraku would do, exterminator. Her loss of memory benefits me not in the slightest. It was the wounds and her loss of blood that most likely caused such an incident to occur.”

 

Sango's gaze shifted downwards, tears threatening to force their way to freedom. A hand on her shoulder caused her to tense up, snapping her gaze to its own; her eyes locked with Miroku's for a moment.

 

Miroku squeezed her shoulder lightly, shifting his gaze to Sesshoumaru. “Sesshoumaru, it seems as though Kagome-sama trusts you, as she is now; for the time being, will you look after her for us? It seems as though none of us will get close to her without getting harmed.”

 

“Miroku!” Inuyasha shouted, glaring back at the monk. “I'm not leaving without Kagome!”

 

“Inuyasha, this is enough. Kagome-sama is only going to attack you, there's no way for you to get in close. You're emotions towards her weaken you to do what it takes to get near her, as it does for the rest of us. It is obvious from the bandages upon her neck and arm alone that Sesshoumaru has taken care of her so far.”

 

“I'm not--!”

 

[[[]]]

 

Lost her memory? That would explain her behavior in complete. Her placid gaze continued to watch the group, her bow hanging over her back, along with her quivers. She could tell, from Sesshoumaru's last actions, that he was not about to allow that woman to attack Inuyasha.

 

Her gaze drifted to the hanyou, her eyes softening for a mere moment, before returning too normal. He was stubborn and wasn't about to give up. It was a good trait for him to possess, but it was of no use right now. It was a meaningless effort. She shook her head, shifting and starting to walk, piercing through the tree line.

 

“Inuyasha…”

 

The hanyou stopped, stiffening right away when his amber eyes rested upon her. He didn't know what to do, let alone what to say. “K-Kikyou… wh-what..?”

 

“Let her go, Inuyasha.” Her voice was soft but icy. “You will not get through by acting in such a manner; it is unbecoming to act in such a way.”

 

Inuyasha turned, facing the dead priestess. He opened his mouth to say something, but not a word slipped from his mouth; not even a sound emerged.

 

“It's meaningless to fight a battle that cannot be won by words alone; nor is this your battle to fight.”

 

“Bu-But!”

 

“Inuyasha; Kikyou is right.”

 

Amber gaze snapped to Miroku in pure shock. The monk flinched; he could see nothing but pain and fear in the hanyou's eyes, and it hurt him. “Kagome-sama is the one who has lost her memory, she is the only one who can get it back for herself. I'm afraid we can be of no service to her, Inuyasha. She is best left with Sesshoumaru; she doesn't trust us, but she does him.”

 

[[[]]]

 

Kagome blinked as she watched Kikyou emerge, freezing for a pure second at seeing someone appear that resembled herself almost completely. She brushed it away quickly though. She refused to give off any sign of shock, fear, anger, or anything to the extent.

 

She allowed her eyes to drift close. Her body was growing weak once more. She had lost too much blood from her wounds, which she still couldn't remember how she got, and she was too active for it to help her any. Her weight leaned more on the tall demon behind her. She was relying on him to keep her standing.

 

A small huff came from her as they continued to talk on like she was not present. It was rude. She hated it. She was there, and she could make her own choices. Pulling her eyes open, she glared at all of them; she opened her mouth, about to say something, but paused. The fighting was over. Rin. She had left Rin by herself.

 

“Oh no…” she breathed, catching the demon lord's attention. He looked at her in a questioning manner.

 

“I left Rin by herself…” she finished, pulling her form away from Sesshoumaru and running to the woods, pushing through the trees. “I hope she isn't in any danger now because of me.”

 

[[[]]]

 

Sesshoumaru watched her go, a slight smiling tugging at one corner of his lips, but quickly suppressed that urge. He knew Rin was in no danger, but he allowed the girl to worry about the child still.

 

[[[]]]

 

Inuyasha glanced back over towards Kagome and Sesshoumaru, only to find Kagome slipping out of Sesshoumaru's hold and running for the woods. “Ka-!”

 

“Inuyasha.” Kikyou spoke out, making the hanyou look back at her. “Let her go, there is nothing more you can do.”

 

“I can't just…leave her…”

 

“It's… the only thing we can do right now, Inuyasha. Kagome-chan has made it clear she wants nothing to do with us at the time being. We can't force it upon her; it would just make her hate us even more,” Sango whispered, forcing back the tears that were threatening to break through. A few had already, but she had quickly brushed them away.

 

Miroku watched the exterminator with a sorrowful gaze, wrapping an arm around her. “Let us go before we cause ourselves too much pain.”

 

Sango tensed fully for a moment, but buried her face into Miroku. She clung tightly to him, almost as though he was her lifeline. She had lost her little brother, and now Kagome. Who was going to be next for her to lose? Tears finally freed themselves from the damns and flooded down her cheeks. She attempted to force back sobs, to make them silent and unnoticeable, but failed.

 

Inuyasha clenched his fists, eyes looking down at the ground. He had lost her, just like he had lost Kikyou. What more was he to lose now? He glanced to see if his brother was still lingering there, only to notice him missing. He was surprised Sesshoumaru had even stayed as long as he had.

 

Amber eyes closed for a second, then found their way back to the dead priestess. “Kikyou…” he whispered. She was turning away and leaving the area. He followed after her, grabbing her upper arm once they were away from Miroku and Sango, and turning her to face him. “Kikyou.”

 

She looked up at him, her gaze still as placid as it had been since she was brought back from the dead.

 

“What were you doing there, Kikyou? Why did you come all this way?”

 

“To see the results of what had happened to that woman.”

 

“You wanted to see if she was dead? Then why were you standing there still after you had seen?!”

 

“I told you before, Inuyasha, I will not allow anyone else to kill you. She was threatening to do just that. I will not allow that copy of me to be your downfall,” she answered in a dark, harsh tone.

 

So that's what Sesshoumaru had meant when he told him to leave before Kagome got killed. It was because he knew Kikyou was ready to shoot. He glared at the woman, his gaze soon softened; he couldn't stay hating her. “Kikyou…I…”

 

He reached his arms out, pulling the miko to his body and holding her tightly. “I don't know what to say to you anymore, Kikyou. You're not as warm as you use to be. You're so full of hatred, it pains me so much to see you this way.”

 

She tensed at the sudden contact, and then sighed, just letting him hold her. “The only part of my soul I managed to keep from that girl was my hatred, Inuyasha.”

 

“But you don't feel just hatred, Kikyou… You make it seem like that's all you feel towards anyone, but there's something I see in you that says different. I don't know how to explain it; I just see it in you. Kagome…” he held her a bit tighter, trying to finish what he was saying.

 

“I'm finally free to feel what I wish, Inuyasha. I can truly express my feelings now. I may be dead, but it gives me so much more freedom than being alive ever did.” She shifted her eyes to look at him, allowing a soft look to surface. “I'm free to hate, to love, to feel anger and sorrow.”

 

Inuyasha closed his eyes, keeping the miko close to his own body. She was cold and smelled of graveyard soil. It was her scent now; the scent he knew her by. She looked like Kagome, but they were so different. Kagome was warm and always smelled of something delicious. He wondered if Kikyou could have ever been like Kagome.

 

“I'm not her, Inuyasha and I won't act like her.” Her voice turned cold; there was even a hint of warning to it, of danger. “I won't just be the replacement..” Kikyou pushed herself away from the hanyou, and almost got away before he pulled her right back.

 

“You've never been a replacement!” Inuyasha shouted, closing his eyes as he held her tight. “ Just because the two of you look alike doesn't make you a replacement for her, Kikyou! Just like she isn't a replacement for you! You have your own personality just like she does!”

 

She gently pushed away from his chest, but not trying to removing herself from his arms. She gazed up at him, a saddened look in her eyes. “But yet your heart can't choose.”

 

[[[]]]

 

Miroku watched the woman in his arms as she continued to cry. He let out a soft sigh, continuing to just hold her. He could feel her grip on his clothing tighten every once in a while, but he just kept her as close as he could, his grip tightening after hers did to give her the reassurance she needed.

 

He closed his eyes, burying his face into her hair a bit. “I won't leave you, Sango,” he whispered gently. “I'll be here for you as long as you want me by your side.”

 

He gave a gentle, but still sad, smile as he felt her grip tighten even more. He lifted his head and looked up into the sky. He wondered how much more pain she would have to endure. He couldn't stand to see her in such pain. He wanted to hold her like this, but not because she was hurting, or because she was scared of anything.

 

His fingers moved up from her lower back, sliding through her black locks of hair. She had pulled her ponytail out earlier to allow it to hide her face. The strands of her hair slipped through his fingers, and he kept moving them while making sure one arm was already around the exterminator to show he wouldn't leave. All he wanted was to see her happy once more; to see a smile brightening her face and to watch her laugh.

 

He tensed as the weight in his arms increased, but just smiled softly. He pushed her hair back from her face, brushing away the tears that were left on her cheeks. She had merely fainted, that was all. Scooping her into his arms he glanced back over at Kirara with an apologetic smile to the demon. “It seems she has fallen asleep.”

 

The demon cat just watched over and nudged her face against her owner's, giving a soft whining sound.

 

“She should be fine; she just needs rest, that's all. So much shock and action in one day is enough to make anyone tired. Would you help me get her back to the village so she can rest properly?” he questioned the creature.

 

Kirara shifted her body down low enough to allow Miroku to climb onto her back. She waited until she heard the monk was ready before taking off into the air, moving as fast as she could.

 

Miroku looked at the delicate exterminator in his arms, smiling gently. He brushed strands of hair from her face, and then held her close, in a protective manner. He managed to slip off Kirara's back without much hassle. Pushing aside the fabric hanging in front of the door of a hut, he stepped in, laying the woman's body down.

 

“Aye, what has happened?”

 

The monk looked up, placing a blanket over Sango's sleeping form. “Too much for her to take a time, it would seem, Kaede-sama.”

 

“So it would seem. What has happened and where is Inuyasha and Kagome?”

 

“The whereabouts of those two is currently unknown to me at the moment, I'm afraid.” He sighed, looking down at Sango once more before standing up, proceeding to explain the incidents that happened to the elder priestess.

 

[[[]]]

 

“Rin!” Kagome called out, shoving her way back through the trees that lead to their camp. “Rin!”

 

The small child looked to where her name was coming from, her head tilted to the side every so slightly. “Kagome? Is there something wrong?”

 

Kagome pushed her way out of the trees and let out a relieved breath of air at seeing the child unharmed. “N-No. No-nothing is wrong…” she forced out through deep breaths of air, trying to supply her body with enough oxygen to catch up.

 

The girl then jumped when she felt a demonic presence and whipped around, snapping her gaze to amber ones. This caused her to relax slowly, letting out another breath of air.

 

“You're worrying is meaningless.”

 

Kagome blinked, her gaze watching the lord in a questioning manner. “Meaningless?”

 

He merely nodded, looking back at Rin, noticing her soaking wet. “Why are you wet?”

 

The miko shifted, straightening up now that she had caught her breath. Her gaze fell upon the young girl, blinking a few times before she was able to notice the water dripping from the girl's clothing. “Nothing happened to you, did it Rin?”

 

“Ah! No! Nothing,” she smiled a bit sheepishly. “I was just trying to catch some fish for dinner, but it managed to get the better of me while getting away and knocked me into the water.” Her hand rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment.

 

“I warned her not to do it, but she wouldn't listen!” Jakken finally shouted out, waving his staff around. He paused when he caught a glare from Kagome. “What are you staring at me for, you wench?”

 

The elder female didn't even speak a word; she just walked over to the toad, pulled the staff of skulls from his hands before he knew what was going on, and then smacked him into the stream with it, tossing it to the side. “And why couldn't you help her out then?”

 

“Why should I have to do such a stupid thing!?”

 

“Why!? Aren't you resp-“ Kagome was cut off when a hand slipped over her mouth, forcing her words to be nothing but low muffled sounds. When she realized this her bronze eyes shot upwards, locking with the amber eyes of the hand's owner.

 

“I would prefer not to draw demons to this gathering. It'll be a waste of time to dispose of them.” He handed the girl back her bow. “Try to keep this with you.”

 

She blinked, a soft blush creeping to her cheeks as she gently took the bow from his hands. “So-sorry,” she muttered under her breath. She wasn't sure what was coming over her at the moment. It was a simple mistake to drop something in a panicked rush, but having him point it out to her embarrassed her.

 

Rin blinked as she watched the elder girl blush, tilting her head to the opposite side and then giggled a bit, a hand slapping itself over her mouth to hold back the sound.

 

Kagome blinked and looked at the younger girl, watching her questioningly. But once the girl sobered up from her laughing she just went back to playing merrily by herself.

 

“There's a village down the path here,” came the demon lord's voice, forcing Kagome's attention back to him. “Take Rin with you; the both of you need food and clean clothes.”

 

“Clean clothes?” Kagome blinked, then looked down at her garments. She had forgotten they were bloodstained. She sighed. The stains would never come out. She closed her eyes and hung her head in a semi-defeated manner before gaining her composure once more. “All right Rin, let's go get some food and clean clothes for me, dry ones for you.”

 

“All right!” The child smiled wide, running over to Kagome and following after her as the elder girl started to walk.

 

As they got further away from the demon lord, Kagome paused, glancing back at him. Her gaze slid over his form once more, a soft blush creeping to her cheeks. The trees hid the moon's light well enough to keep anyone from noticing the rosy tint. She was also waiting for Rin to catch up fully.

 

Once the child had caught up, Kagome tore her gaze from the lord and continued her walking, looking down at her clothes. These clothes don't fit into this time period, so where am I from? And how did I manage to end up here, in Feudal Japan? Sesshoumaru… who is he to me? Kagome clenched the fabric over her heart as it ached, her eyes fastening shut for a moment.

 

Golden eyes burned into images that flashed before her eyes, silver hair swaying in front of her as a sword knocked attacks away, protecting her. A voice calling out her name in desperation rang in her ears. Then the pain rose in her chest once more, causing her to take in a sharp breath of air. Her fingers tightened their hold on the blood stained, white shirt she wore.

 

“Kagome?”

 

Her gaze shot open, the voice pulling her from her thoughts. Raven hair slipped into her face as her eyes darted to the child standing beside her.

 

“Are you all right? Should I go and get Lord Sesshoumaru?”

 

Kagome smiled gently, placing a hand on Rin's head, letting her other hang limply at her side. “I'm fine, there's no need to worry. Come on, let's get some clothes and food before all the villagers go to sleep.” Kagome pulled away from Rin and continued the small journey.

 

Rin watched her for a moment with worry. She never had much chance to get close to Kagome, due to the fact she traveled normally traveled with Inuyasha while herself always followed after Sesshoumaru. But in the small amount of time she had gotten to spend with Kagome, she started to view the elder girl as somewhat of a sister, or mother even, in the ways she acted. It made her warm inside. She didn't want any harm to come to Kagome.

 

“Coming Rin?”

 

Rin blinked, her gaze locking on Kagome before she nodded. “Yes! I'm coming!” she shouted out, running after Kagome. The miko just smiled and took Rin's hand in her own, walking with her to the village.

 

As the two of them entered the village, Kagome's bloodstained clothing and Rin's wet clothing caught the attention of some villagers who were still wandering around in the nighttime. One ran over to them, asking if they were all right and what had happened.

 

Kagome merely explained they were attacked by a demon and barely got away, and while running Rin had fallen into the small stream just a small ways away. Rin kept close to Kagome, closing her eyes as a small yawn escaped her throat. She buried her face into Kagome's skirt gently, catching the elder girl's attention.

 

Kagome smiled softly, placing a hand on Rin's head and looked at the villager. “If you could just provide us with some clothing and a bit of food we can be on our way. We need to be getting home; that is, if you can spare some for us.”

 

“Yes, yes, come in,” the villager motioned for them to enter a small hut. She was a young looking woman, but Kagome could age would start to sink into her features soon enough. “I have a daughter about her age, so I have some clothes I can spare to the girl, but,” she looked back at Kagome. “I'm afraid I don't think mine would fit you.”

 

The woman was a bit shorter than Kagome, so it was understandable to her. “It's fine, I just want to get Rin into some dry clothing so she doesn't end up sick.”

 

“Very understandable,” the woman replied, coming back out with a small yakata for Rin, and held it out to her. “Here you are dear, you can change into these.”

 

Rin blinked, then took them, holding them close. She gave a small bow. Her voice was small, seemingly shy and somewhat scared. “Do you… have a room I may change in?”

 

“Over there, dear,” the woman pointed to a room. Her gaze locked back to Kagome once Rin was in the room. “Hm, now clothing for you. A quiver of arrows?” The woman tilted her head to the side, finally noticing the thing on Kagome's back. “You fight?”

 

“Ah, just a little. Nothing too serious, I'm afraid, enough to do the basics of protecting.”

 

“How did you end up with such wounds then?”

 

Kagome blinked. “I dropped my bow when I was attacked. The demon snuck up on us, so I didn't have time to prepare myself for the attack,” she lied. Kagome couldn't even remember how she received any of the wounds on her body or what happened.

 

“Well, if you're using a bow and arrows, I suppose a yakata wouldn't be good for you. I'll go and see the priestess we have living here. I'm sure she might have something.”

 

“Oh, you don't have to go to so much trouble..”

 

“Please, it's no trouble at all,” the woman smiled. “Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable. I'll be back in a moment.” With that she slipped out of the hut, leaving Kagome standing there.

 

Her gaze dipped back to Rin once she slipped out of the room, a smile crossing her gentle features. The child had a light pink yakata with a soft blue obi tied around her waist to keep the fabric closed. There were small flowers plastered all over the outfit in a purple tinted color. “It looks lovely on you Rin.”

 

“Thank you.” Rin smiled sheepishly. She wasn't use to having such nice clothing. She went and sat down beside Kagome when the elder girl finally seated herself. Her voice was a small whisper. “You lied pretty well.”

 

“We were attacked by demons though, and they did take us by surprise,” Kagome stated, closing her eyes. “I did manage to drop my bow, and you did fall into a stream.”

 

“But those were all incidents that happened over the day..”

 

“I pieced them together, I just didn't mention the time in between them.” Kagome whispered back to Rin, looking at the child with a small. Her gaze then snapped to the doorway as the woman entered back in.

 

“They're priestess clothing. Our priestess said that you were most likely one yourself, considering she said she felt another pure aura enter the village,” she explained, holding the clothing out to Kagome. “It's even more of an honor now to have you two as my guests.”

 

“Please, don't go to much trouble for us. I thank you kindly enough just for helping us out with new clothing.” She gave a small bow and then stood up, heading towards the room came from. “I'll go and change.”

 

The woman nodded, smiling and then looked back to Rin. “Anything certain you would like to eat?”

 

The child shook her head. “An-anything warm… if possible.”

 

“Simple enough,” the woman laughed lightly, walking to her small fire and started to prepare some food, starting to cook it by the time Kagome returned from changing. Her old, tattered and bloodstained clothing folded in her arms. She took her place beside Rin once more, her clothes lying on the ground beside her.

 

After a few moments the food was set down in front of them. “Here you go, it's warm, but simple enough. Enjoy yourselves, please.”

 

“Thank you,” Kagome said once more, giving a small nod of her head to the woman before she started to eat the food, Rin soon joining her in the small feast.