InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Memory ❯ A Deal & Deadly Consequences ( Chapter 10 )

Fragments Of Memory

Story © Akiko (Krystal)

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Sesshoumaru x Kagome

 

Chapter 10 - A Deal & Deadly Consequences

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama sure has been gone a while, what do you think is going on, Master Jakken?”

 

“She's most likely starting up another argument with Lord Sesshoumaru; I don't know why he bothers with that woman, she's nothing but a pain to deal with. She's always getting into trouble!”

 

Rin glanced at Jakken, and then placed her gaze back upon the ground, watching her toes curl and uncurl. “I'm sure she doesn't try to get into trouble, it always seems to find her. I think she's just trying to keep things normal. Well, as normal as things can get with demons always around that want to kill you for one reason or another.”

 

Jakken looked at Rin, glaring slightly, then just crossed his little arms over his chest. “Hmph!”

 

“Jakken, we're going,” commanded a cold toned voice.

 

The toad jumped, his bulged eyes shifting towards the voice. “Lo-Lord Sesshoumaru! Go-Going where, if I might ask?” He hugged his staff protectively, keeping his gaze upon the demon lord.

 

“Rin, stay here with Aun. It'll be much safer for you, and keep out of trouble.”

 

“Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin will listen and do her best until you have returned safely!”

 

The child smiled as she watched her lord head out, Jakken stumbling right behind the graceful demon. Her smile vanished as she soon realized Kagome was not with her lord, nor did she come back from the lake yet. Her gaze darted towards the direction of the lake.

 

Sesshoumaru paused, causing the toad to slam right into his calf, but ignored it. He didn't even bother to glance back at the young child when he spoke. “She will be brought back, Rin,” he assured her, seeming to sense her worry.

 

Rin looked back towards her lord, smiling and nodding. “Understood, Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin trusts you completely!”

 

With that the demon lord vanished with the toad at his heels, leaving the small child in the protection of the two-headed dragon. She laid down, curling up next to the creature and sighed. “I hope Kagome-neesan is all right, Aun. She's been so kind to all of us, even when she had her memories.”

 

The dragon glanced down upon the child, soon laying its heads around the girl, keeping her close, but staying alert.

 

[[[]]]

 

“My-My Lord Sesshoumaru, where are we go-going?”

 

“Naraku has once again dared to cross my path. He will not live.”

 

“Cr-Crossed your path?” he questioned, then blinked. “What?! You don't mean by taking that wretched woman, do you, my lord?! She is of no concern to us! She is something Inuyasha should have to deal with!”

 

“Watch your tongue Jakken, or you shall lose it.”

 

“Ye-Yes my lord.”

 

[[[]]]

 

 

“Damn! I can't pick up Kagome or Naraku's scent! How the hell are we suppose to find them this way!?” Inuyasha shouted out as he sprinted through the forest, dodging around trees and carrying Kikyou upon his back.

 

“Calm down Inuyasha. Don't rush into anything so rash,” Kikyou offered, slipping off the hanyou's back and looking around. “Naraku's barriers always give him away.”

 

“What do you mean, Kikyou? I always have a hard time finding them.”

 

“It is not so difficult for me,” she explained, closing her eyes. “I have always been able to sense them, thus knowing his whereabouts. Even now I can sense it; it's giving off a strong sensation in this direction,” she pointed out, her eyes falling back upon Inuyasha. “So calm down, all right? It should be easy for us to track him down.”

 

Inuyasha blinked as he watched Kikyou, then simply nodded and sigh. “Sorry, I guess that's another habit I'll have to break.”

 

“Don't.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Don't break it.”

 

“How come, Kikyou?”

 

“To worry about those you care for is not a habit that should be broken, Inuyasha. It is something that should be developed and kept. It is good that you worry for that girl, but when it comes to your actions, you just need to calm down and think before you act, that way you do not do anything too unbecoming.”

 

Inuyasha closed his eyes, feeling Kikyou's hand graze his cheek, and nodded. “I know.”

 

“You're temper is short Inuyasha, we'll have to see what we can do about that after we make sure Kagome is safe.”

 

He just nodded once more. “Yeah. Thanks, Kikyou.” The priestess climbed upon his back once more as he took off, running in the direction in which she had pointed out. Kagome, hang on. We're coming to save you. I promised you before I'd never let anything happen to you. Memory or not, I will keep that promise until I'm no longer able.

 

[[[]]]

 

Kagome gasped and backed up a few steps, grasping her chest as she tried to take in some air. She closed her eyes as she hit her back against the wall. “What is it you want from someone like me!?”

 

Naraku chuckled as he stood up, walking over towards the teen. “It seems you have truly forgotten your memories, Kagome. Have you even forgotten you precious feelings for Inuyasha?”

 

She snapped her eyes open, her brown eyes falling upon Naraku's crimson colored. “Precious feelings for a hanyou?”

 

Naraku walked closer, taking a few strands of the girl's hair in his hand, smirking as he gazed down on her. “A deal then? I'll let you leave here, free and unharmed, so long as you do something for me first.”

 

“Just what is it you plan on having me do for you?” Kagome questioned, her hands shaking slightly as she kept watching the demon in front of her.

 

“I need you to get rid of a few pests for me. Are you willing to do that for me, Kagome?”

 

“Pest?” she echoed, pulling away from Naraku and stumbling to the other side of the room. “Just whom do you mean by pests? Other demons that are getting in your way?”

 

“Yes, other demons.”

 

Kagome narrowed her gaze slightly, standing up straight. “And just what demons do you want me to get rid of for you?”

 

“You sure ask a lot of questions, Kagome.”

 

“I have to know before I can do anything for you, Naraku.”

 

He chuckled lightly. “You may have lost your memory, but you are still as confident as ever, Kagome.”

 

“If you don't plan to tell me, then I'm going to leave right now, Naraku!”

 

[[[]]]

 

Jakken watched his lord as they walked, clenching his staff tightly in his hands. He could somewhat understand why his lord would go after Naraku for Rin's abduction. Even he had grown fond of the girl, worrying for her safety, but now Inuyasha's wench?

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru, are we going to save that woman?” He watched his lord, expecting to hear an answer, but getting nothing, just listening to the silence between the two of them. “Lord Sesshoumaru?”

 

“Naraku's death is going to come this time, while his scent is still in the air.”

 

“What about the woman, my lord?”

 

Sesshoumaru stayed silent as they continued walking. Jakken was sure he wasn't going to get an answer from his lord. “We're going to get her back; it is that simple, Jakken.”

 

[[[]]]

 

“Hey mutt!” Kouga shouted out as he skidded to a stop, then blinked when he spotted Kikyou on his back. A growled slipped out.

 

Inuyasha skidded to a stop, blinking before letting Kikyou down. “What do you want, ya wimpy wolf?”

 

“Kagome's lost her memory and you just go off, give her to Sesshoumaru, and then go back to a dead priestess!? What the hell kinda mutt are you!? I thought you loved Kagome!”

 

Inuyasha clenched his fists as he glared at Kouga. “I did what I thought was best for her, wolf! If Id idn't think she would be safe with him I never would've left her there!”

 

Kikyou stood there, watching as the two argued and sighed softly. She stepped between the two, as they got closer to each other, placing a hand on either of the demon's chests, pushing them back slightly. “Inuyasha, you know this is no time to be arguing with him.”

 

Inuyasha blinked and then huffed. “Yeah, you're right. We gotta get goin'.”

 

“And just where are you going, mutt?”

 

“I don't recall it being any of your business, wolf!”

 

Kikyou sighed. She suddenly felt pity for Kagome, having not only been pulled into a time where she did not belong, attacked by demons for a jewel she had once been the keeper of, but Kagome even had to put up with Inuyasha arguing with this wolf demon. “Inuyasha.” Kikyou commanded. “It's time for you to be silent.” Her eyes fell to Kouga, causing the wolf demon to back up slightly. “We're going to find Kagome.”

 

“Find her!? What do you mean find her?!”

 

“Naraku has taken her, and there is a high chance he wants to take advantage of her lost memories.”

 

“I thought you said she was safe with Sesshoumaru!”

 

“He must not have been around when it happened! It's not like I planned on her being kidnapped or anything!” Inuyasha shouted right back.

 

Kikyou sighed, suddenly wishing Kagome was here and could use the command of the rosary beads to make him obey. She watched once more as the two demons went at it, walking under a tree and sitting down, closing her eyes. She might as well let them get it out of their system, and hone in more on where Naraku's barrier was.

 

[[[]]]

 

Naraku chuckled once more, taking a step closer towards the miko. “Now, now, Kagome, there is no need to stand here and make threats. I will tell you, there is no need to worry about that, my dear.” His eyes averted from Kagome towards the door. “What is it, Kanna?”

 

The young looking girl opened the door, her eyes completely void and her mirror held in her hands. “Two out of the three have found each other. They are fighting each other. The other one continues his way here without problems, Naraku.”

 

“Good.” His eyes positioned themselves back upon Kagome. He pulled a shard of the Shikon jewel from his sleeve as he moved towards the miko once more. “Now, Kagome. You're going to kill these three troublesome demons without hesitation, is that understood?”

 

“What are you talking about? I never agreed to do anything for you, Naraku,” Kagome snapped back, trying to back up another step or two, unfortunately the wall against her back stopping her from doing so.

 

“No, but you will regardless of if you agree to do it or not, Kagome. You see, I'm going to use this,” he held up the shard, “and force you to do so,” he explained, pinning Kagome against the wall before she could blink. He chuckled darkly in her ear, one hand placed to her neck. “You're going to kill Kouga, Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru for me, Kagome,” he whispered, sticking the shard into her neck.

 

Naraku watched as Kagome struggled against the tainted power of the shard, falling to her knees, and then turned his attention back towards the white clothed girl standing near the door. “Who is closer to our place, Kanna?”

 

“Sesshoumaru.”

 

Straighten, Naraku turned and grabbed a bow and a quiver of arrows, holding them out towards the girl on her knees. “Kagome, take them.”

 

She held her neck, struggling to keep control of her body and mind. Her head shook upon hearing Naraku's command, causing the hanyou to say it once more. Her mind didn't want to listen, but this time her body did. Her hands reached out, slinging the quiver over her back and holding the bow in her hand.

 

Her mind was screaming against her actions, but her body refused to respond.

 

“Now, be a good girl, Kagome, and go wait with Kagura until Sesshoumaru has arrived. He will be the first one you are to kill, understood?”

 

No! She nodded her head, turning on her feet and moving from the room to the hallway. Her feet padded against the wooden floors of the castle as she made her way towards the demonic aura coming from the front of the castle, coming from Kagura. She took her place beside the wind demon as her body waited for the lord to step into sight.

 

Stop! She continued to try and gain control of her body; all the while sensing how close Sesshoumaru was getting to the castle. Her mind continued to cry out against her body's actions. She had to fight; she couldn't, wouldn't, give up and let Naraku have control of her body.

 

Her legs gave out on her after a moment, her body falling to her knees as her mind continued to fight the battle. Tears streamed down from her eyes as her mind started to remember locked away memories; as she started to find those memories she had lost.

 

“N..no…” she barely whispered. “St…sto..stop…”

 

“Huh?” Kagura blinked and glanced down at the girl beside her. “What's wrong with you?”

 

“S…stop…”

 

“Great,” Kagura growled and started to turn around, then blinked when Naraku was already there. “Na-Naraku!”

 

“She's getting control back, isn't she?”

 

“Yes, she is!” Kagome shouted out, whipping around as she stood, firing an arrow off towards Naraku, missing by just a centimeter. “I'm not you're puppet, Naraku.” Placing her hand to her neck, the shard glowed a brilliant pink upon her purifying it.

 

“He's here, Naraku,” came Kanna's soft, dull voice. “Sesshoumaru is here.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened upon hearing Kanna's news to her master. “Sesshoumaru…” she whispered, turning around and heading for the door before Kagura could stop her. She then hit the ground with a dull thud, her fingertips almost touching the door leading outside. “Sess…hou…maru…” She gasped for air, tears slipping from her eyes as everything blurred and went dark.

 

[[[]]]

 

Kikyou snapped her eyes open, standing up and firing off an arrow between the squabbling demons. “If you two would please, we have more important matters to attend to.”

 

They both fell back, their gaze falling upon the dead miko.

 

“Kikyou?” Inuyasha questioned, up on his feet first and at the miko's side. “What's wrong Kikyou?”

 

She narrowed her eyes, then glared off in Naraku's direction. “Something's terribly wrong. Kagome's spiritual powers have weakened considerably.”

 

Both the hanyou and the wolf froze, and before Kikyou knew what was going on, she was tossed upon Inuyasha's back, being carried in Naraku's direction, Kouga running along their sides. Her fingers grasped the fabric covering Inuyasha's shoulders tightly.

 

“Priestess!” Kouga shouted as they ran, glancing over at her. “What could cause such a diminish in Kagome's powers?”

 

“Putting too much into one attack, or multiple attacks, it depends upon the situation.” She paused, her grip tightening on Inuyasha's kimono, catching the amber gaze of the hanyou.

 

“Kikyou?”

 

“Another cause is…”

 

“Is what, miko!?”

 

“Death…”

 

Both of them came to a dead stop. “Death!?” they shouted out in union.

 

“What do you mean death!? Kagome is NOT dead, miko!” Kouga shouted, clenching his fist. “I'm…I'm so sorry. I couldn't… didn't notice the… the tainted shard.” “She can't be dead.”

 

“We won't find out just standing here, Kouga,” Inuyasha whispered, looking in the direction they were headed. His grip tightened ever so slightly around Kikyou's legs. “We both know how tough Kagome really is when put in a corner.”

 

He smirked as he looked at the wolf. Kouga felt guilty for what he had done to Kagome, and Inuyasha could see it clearly through his actions and his eyes. He imaged that's how he looked when Kikyou was brought back to the living world. “Let's get going, you wimpy wolf!”

 

Inuyasha pushed off the ground, rushing right into a sprint; glancing off to the side to make sure Kouga had joined. He just nodded to himself when he saw the wolf beside him, both of the demons following Kikyou's directions on where Naraku was. He could smell it, they were close.

 

[[[]]]

 

“I'm glad you could make it, Lord Sesshoumaru,” Naraku greeted the demon lord, upon stepping outside the doors of the castle, closing them behind him. “I'm glad you could make it, but unfortunately, my plans are a bit muddled. I hope you will forgive for a rather uneventful welcome, Lord Sesshoumaru.”

 

Sesshoumaru continued to stand there for a moment before his gaze narrowed slightly. “What are you plotting this time for my visit, Naraku?”

 

He chuckled. “I was going to have you killed, but, like I explained, my plans are a bit muddled. The person was a bit more unreliable than I had first thought to be.”

 

Jakken glanced up at his lord. “Lord Sesshoumaru… surely you can smell it?”

 

“Yes, Jakken. And I will deal with it upon finishing off Naraku,” he managed to respond. There was a heavy smell of blood in the air; the smell of Kagome's blood in the air. He took a step forward, placing his hand upon the hilt of Tokijin, the blade pulled from his side.

 

“So, you came to save Kagome then, Sesshoumaru?”

 

“I came to place you in your grave, Naraku.”

 

Naraku chuckled and opened the doors, motioning for Kagura to come out. The wind demon took a step out, Kagome's body held limply in her arms, her kimonos stained with the miko's blood. She looked as though she could be sick. Killing people was fine with her, but carrying their blood soaked corpses was another matter.

 

Jakken's eyes widened upon seeing the girl's limp body then clenched his staff tightly in his hands. His eyes went up to his lord, who had the look of indifference upon his face and even in his eyes.

 

“Pitiful. The poor girl died without reason then. I could have merely let her go if I knew she did mean so little to you, Lord Sesshoumaru.” He smirked, walking over to Kagura and lifting the dead miko's face, brushing a few black strands of hair from her face. “She died speaking your name and reaching for the door to get to you.”

 

Sesshoumaru's gaze narrowed ever so slightly, but Jakken saw it. His gaze darted towards the villain standing in front of them, and he knew Naraku noticed as well, his smirk had gotten wider.