InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Gone With the Wind. ❯ Outside the box. ( Chapter 6 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Gone with the Wind
Chapter 6
Little girl… A dark and seductive voice cooed causing Keiko to open her eyes as she found herself lying in a familiar dank cell; her ankle thankfully free of its restraints. Quickly, remembering the strange spider from earlier, she pressed her body against the cold cell wall and backed herself into a corner as the darkness seemed to surround her.
Don't be afraid little girl… The deep voice drawled again.
Keiko placed a trembling hand against her bosom as her heart beat painfully in her chest. For some reason she recognized this voice, and not just because she recalled it from her previous nightmares.
“Who are you?” She questioned loudly as her eyes frantically scanned the darkness for the source of the vocalization. “What do you want?” She added, as she decided either question would be incredibly helpful given her current situation.
There is no need to fear the darkness little girl…The walls around her seemed to mutter, causing Keiko to flinch reflexively. How did this strange and yet familiar voice know that she was afraid of the dark? Had she been trembling? Kami she felt foolish.
“I'm not a little girl!” Keiko retorted angrily as her embarrassment converted her fear into rage. “And I'm not afraid.” She added flatly, obviously lying but not giving a damn how evident her deceit was.
Of course… the voice agreed in a tone that suggested it was merely being agreeable.
A woman of your years would never fear such a thing… The voice added almost tauntingly as a long figure emerged from the darkness.
Keiko's eyes stared at the shadowy figure as she attempted to solve a puzzle at the back of her mind. She huffed softly as the pieces refused to make any sense to her all ready wearied brain.
She was never any good at puzzles, and typically couldn't solve the damn things without a pair of scissors and a generous amount of scotch tape.
“Who are you?” Keiko questioned again as she narrowed her eyes at the baboon covered man before her. How could someone seem so strange and yet so familiar all at the same time? She felt as if she knew this person, and for some reason that singular thought terrified her.
“I,” The shadowy man announced as his voice no longer echoed through the chamber but flowed from his voice box, “am your father.”
Keiko blinked her eyes at the odd man before releasing a very unladylike snort. “You are not.” She countered in a tone that suggested such a claim was almost comically absurd. Silently she wondered if perhaps he had seen the same movie, and was actually attempting to be funny, before the stranger interrupted her train of thought by speaking again.
“I suppose not.” The tall man capitulated as the corner of his mouth curved upwards in the slightest of smiles. Soundlessly he approached the woman crouching in the corner, his smile broadening when she did not retreat backwards from him. “Let's just say,” The man added seductively, “I am an old friend.”
“I don't have any friends.” Keiko responded softly; her words sounding pitiful, even to her ears, the moment they left her lips. “I mean…” She corrected as she attempted to make her previous statement a tad less pathetic, “I don't need friends.”
A cruel and quite pleased-with-himself expression seemed to burn within the tall pelt-covered man's eyes. “So young and yet so wise…” The dark figure toned as he slowly brought the back of his hand to her cheek. “Tell me then…” He continued in a tone that practically dripped with sensuality. “What do you need?”
“W-what do you mean?” Keiko questioned in confusion; the feeling of the man's flesh both exciting and terrifying. Her heart had resumed its frantic rhythm and the pain was quickly becoming excruciating.
“What do you desire?” The gentleman questioned again as he slowly removed his hand and stepped to the side. Purposefully he pointed out a small barred window in the cell as he seemed to suggest the young woman's desires somehow lay on the other side.
“W-What is it?” Keiko questioned as she swore the window hadn't been there only moments before. Slowly she stepped over to the tiny opening as she peered through it with curiosity.
The world beyond the window was so green, she noted with interest, while watching the breeze lightly caress a small bed of flowers. It was almost too perfect, her mind admitted as her eyes moved over every inch of the clearing as if she could somehow drink in its beauty with her eyes. Quietly she acknowledged she didn't just want to taste the scene before her. She wanted to live it. She wanted to lie in the green grass and feel the breeze on her face. She wanted to follow the small river in the distance and find out where it ends. She wanted…
“Beautiful, isn't it?” The dark man questioned as his lips lightly brushed against the soft skin of Keiko's ear.
“Yes.” The young woman admitted as she wrapped her small hands around the bars; noting that if they hadn't been there she would have probably simply crawled through the window and left the dark character behind her alone in the dreadful little cell. “but…”
Keiko's eyes narrowed as a tall white body seemed to slowly climb the gentle slope of a green lush hill in the distance. `Who's that?' Her tired mind questioned as she leaned against the bars. `Why does he get to be outside?' Her mind added childishly as she strained her eyes in an attempt to make out the distant figure.
“Do you wish to go to him?” The dark voice inquired against the soft skin of Keiko's ear again; this time causing uncomfortable goose bumps to sprout against the young woman's lower neck.
“Yes.” She admitted softly; not really sure why she wanted to go to this man but certain she wanted outside desperately.
“That can be arranged.” The gentleman stated coyly, gaining the young woman's attention, as his words seemed to suggest such a thing was well within his power.
“How?” Keiko finally questioned as she turned to face the man behind her, her feet shuffling backwards slightly as she noted their close proximity and the painful effect it was having on her heart.
A cruel and sadistic look seemed to harden the dark man's expression as he allowed another soft smirk to curl against the corner of his lip.
“Look again.” The familiar dark stranger offered as he grasped Keiko's bicep and turned her toward the window once again.
This time however, instead of finding a window overlooking a beautiful untouched clearing, her eyes were met with her own reflection as the opening had somehow transformed into a mirror.
Keiko's hand immediately flew to her chest as her heart began to throb in a crippling sort of agony.
“No.” Keiko cried as she clutched at the odd kimono she was certain she had never worn a day in her life.
“No!” She cried again as she watched the reflection of her pained expression morph into that of a woman wearing too much eye makeup and oddly familiar red earrings.
“NO!” She cried a third time as her eyes took on an unfamiliar hue and no longer reflected any kind of emotion; the dark gentleman behind her once again grinning impishly as he seemed to swell with pleasure the more horrified she became.
“NOOO!!” Keiko screamed as all at once the mirror broke and she opened her eyes to find herself lying against the forest floor in the middle of the night.
“No no no no no no no” The young woman mumbled frantically as she tore the slightly damp clothing from her body. Vaguely she recalled that she hadn't been wearing jeans and t-shirt moments before, but tore them from her body nonetheless as she frantically pawed at her earlobes for a strange set of earrings.
“No.” Keiko sobbed into her knees as she sat in the dark and curled into a little ball; clad only in her bra and panties.
“Kami no.” The young woman moaned softly as her brain finally came to grips with the fact that she must have been dreaming. It was night, she noted with far less trepidation then usual, but at least here she felt the dark man's sickening laughter couldn't touch her. How ironic was it that her fear of the dark could only be assuaged by fear of losing her very soul?
Sesshoumaru eyed the woman speculatively as he attempted to analyze her strange and sudden behavior. She had been dreaming, he noted as he recalled her previous mumbling and body movements, but what could her subconscious possibly concoct to cause her such undeniable terror?
`At least she finally took her clothing off before you.' The great dog demons less then helpful mind offered before he silenced it with a moderate amount of irritation and continued to recline against the trunk of an unyielding tree.
“Woman.” Sesshoumaru droned flatly as he made no effort to make his voice seem soothing. “What is wrong with you?”
Keiko didn't answer as she continued to press her face into her knees. Silently she realized she was a little underdressed, but decided such things were simply unimportant considering the darkness that surrounded her.
“Woman.” The taiyoukai stated once again; this time with a moderate amount of annoyance. Whatever was wrong with her, she needed to speak up or desist immediately, he decided, because he had no intention of dealing with the scent of her fear all evening.
“I had a nightmare.” Keiko finally responded flatly; unable to keep the irritability out of her words as she attempted to concentrate on what she deemed important, namely calming down.
“Are you not conscious presently?” The taiyoukai retorted rhetorically. “Is it your understanding that a phantom of your slumbering mind can somehow cause you harm?” Maybe he was being a little terse, Sesshoumaru noted as he eyed the trembling female before him, but getting this agitated from something as trivial as a dream was simply moronic in his opinion.
“Don't be an ass.” Keiko ordered flatly as her anger once again overrode her fear. “I know perfectly well a dream can't hurt me,” she added indignantly, “its just…it's dark…and…”
`Oh Kami.' Keiko groaned.
Why in the name of all that was holy did she just say that?
“You fear the night?” Sesshoumaru questioned somewhat interestedly. Were all humans so terrified of the darkness? It would make sense, he supposed, considering the number of youkai that must inevitably rule the future world. Human eyes were no match for those of a youkai when it came to peering through the dark.
“No.” Keiko retorted as the fear in her system seemed to work better then truth serum. “Well… kinda,” she finally conceded, “I'm not really afraid the dark…” she elaborated, “but more like…..what lurks inside it.”
“You fear an attack.” Sesshoumaru stated in a tone that suggested he understood the sentiment; even if he didn't agree with it.
“I guess.” Keiko responded as she found talking to the demon lord strangely calming. Most people would have just laughed at her when they found out she was petrified of the dark, somehow she wasn't that surprised he didn't. The feeling left a strange sort of warmth inside the young woman's stomach as she continued her late night conversation with the unseen dog demon. “I mean….doesn't it bother you….not being able to see anything?” She questioned.
“The absence of light does not affect my eyes.” The great taiyoukai stated plainly as he suddenly had the woman's undivided attention.
“You can see in the dark?” Keiko questioned in disbelief.
“I can.” Sesshoumaru answer back flatly.
“How well?” The young woman countered as she suddenly wondered just how much of a peep show her new companion was getting.
“Well.” The taiyoukai offered arrogantly.
Silently Keiko's troubled mind decided such claims required further testing. After all, well wasn't exactly the most descriptive of terms and she needed to know, with some measure of expedience, whether or not she should put her clothes back on.
After going over a small mental check list of things that might draw the taiyoukai's attention, Keiko decided that a particular gesture seemed appropriate if her tall companion had been peeping on her this entire time while simply choosing not to say anything about it.
“You will explain that gesture.” Sesshoumaru demanded hotly as the woman before him once again thrust her middle digit forward as if she were awkwardly pointing at something in the heavens.
“Ack!” Keiko exclaimed with ever widening eyes as she suddenly lunged for her clothing. Quickly she wriggled into them as she did her best to obscure the great dog demons view; despite the fact she had no idea where he might be looking.
“I can't believe you didn't say anything!” The young woman finally spat as she pulled her jacket on with a defiant tug and seemingly ignored his previous question.
“Did I not just?” Sesshoumaru questioned as the strange woman seemed to release an aggravated growl that he noted was …….somewhat impressive…… for a human.
~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~
“Inu Yasha don't.” Kagome warned as she eyed her hanyou companion warily. Honestly, what was he trying to prove?
“Why not?” Inu Yasha argued as his ears seemed to alternate from laying flat against his head to standing straight up.
“Because,” The miko countered, “You've never done it before…..and frankly….I prefer to do it myself.”
“You afraid I'll fuck it up?” The brash young hanyou snorted.
“Of course not,” Kagome countered, “I'm sure you'd be very good at it,” she continued, “but I really would rather do it myself right now.”
“You let Mirkou do it.” The puppy-eared boy argued accusingly.
“That was different.” She pointed out.
“How?” Inu Yasha huffed.
“I was really tired,” the young miko scolded in aggravation, “and he was really good at it.”
“Thank you Kagome-sama, “The young monk chimed in, “It is always nice to know my skills are appreciated.
“You're welcome.” Kagome blushed as she felt rather silly for talking about Miroku in the third person when he was sitting right there. He was very good at it, the young girl noted, and if Inu Yasha wasn't standing right there, she would have probably let Miroku do it again.
“How will you know if I'm any good at it if you never let me do it?” The hanyou argued as he attempted to break the young miko's resolve with a soulful, hurt expression.
Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose in agitation as her brain began to throb
“Look Inu Yasha,” She attempted again, “You have no idea how much I appreciate the fact that you want to do it,” she reasoned, “but it's really not necessary.”
“Keh!” Inu Yasha snorted as he eyed the girl indignantly. “I'm going to do it whether you want me to or not…and pretty soon you'll be begging me to do it every night.”
“I seriously doubt that.” The young girl mumbled before she could stop herself.
“What's that supposed to mean?” The hanyou barked; causing Kagome to flinch as she realized she'd been overheard.
“It's a lot harder then it looks Inu Yasha.” She reasoned again as she attempted to stay her half-demon friend's hand. “It takes a lot of patience and attention to detail.”
“Keh!” Inu Yasha snorted again. “If Miroku can do it, I can do it.”
“Inu Yasha.” Kagome warned as she eyed her puppy companion warily. “Miroku had a lot of experience.”
“It's true,” The monk chimed in helpfully again, “I've done it more times then I could probably count…..usually for a beautiful woman.” He admitted wistfully.
“See!” She pointed.
Inu Yasha huffed as he realized he seemed to be losing the argument. “But I wanna….” He began to whine before Kagome cut him off.
“It's not like you're missing out on anything,” She finally admitted as she hoped she was finally making some sense to her hanyou companion. “It's exhausting….. and messy….and I probably wouldn't even do it if I didn't need to.”
“Fine!” Inu Yasha huffed as he turned his head in a show of arrogant stubbornness.
“Now, now Inu Yasha,” Miroku chimed in a third time as he hoped to dissipate some of the anger that easily flowed from the group, “there is no need to be angry with Kagome-sama,“ the young monk added wisely, “you should feel honored that she insists on taking on this arduous task for you.”
“I just don't see why it's okay for her to do it for me, but I can't do it for her.” The agitated puppy boy mumbled.
“Oh… Inu Yasha.” Kagome practically swooned as his unintentional admission that he wished to do something nice for her caused her heart to ache. “You just sit back and relax let me take care of everything.” She added as she placed a delicate hand on his bicep reassuringly.
“Fine.” The hanyou finally agreed as he blushed slightly. Without another word he found a comfortable looking spot on the ground as he waited for the young girl to make good on her offer.
“Now where's that spatula?” Kagome questioned as she deftly rummaged through her bright yellow pack for the rest of her cooking supplies.
“What's so funny?” Sango questioned when the group finally settled. Silently she sat next to a less then pious monk, which bore the largest and most lecherous grin on his face, as she raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Nothing,” The young monk retorted as his hand crept behind her and zeroed in on its target with the precision of a skilled archer. “I am just so happy to be surrounded with such wonderful people.” He added again as his smile grew; the inevitable twitching of Sango's eyebrow testifying to his success.
“Hentai!” The demon huntress screamed as she thoroughly beat the overly amorous monk upside the head; pausing only when she was certain he was unconscious.
“Honestly,” Sango huffed to the rest of the group as she slowly caught her breath, “where do these lecherous thoughts come from?” She questioned exasperatedly, before sighing in defeat as her friends only shrugged in her direction.
~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~
“The sun will nice rise simply because you wish it.” Sesshoumaru felt compelled to point out as Keiko seemed to stare at the horizon longingly.
“Duh.” She responded flatly as she continued to gaze into the distance.
“You still fear…” The taiyoukai began; stopping abruptly as the irritatingly strange woman seemed to talk over him.
“Yes.” Keiko admitted in a tone of annoyance. Honestly, did he think simply telling her to desist was really going to stop her from being afraid? “And,” She added as she seemed to anticipate the taiyoukai's next question, “knowing you can see in the dark….no….not comforting.”
Sesshoumaru simply remained quiet as he knew the female before him wouldn't leave it at that.
“What if someone kills you?” She questioned in a tone of concern as she finally turned to where she assumed the demon lord sat.
Sesshoumaru snorted at the thought. “Then you would surely parish.” He added plainly.
“Comforting.” She drawled out sarcastically in response as she grew completely aggravated with the way he answered everything in short declarative statements.
“There is no opponent in all of Japan that can best this Sesshoumaru.” The taiyoukai pointed out in a way that suggested she should find this information comforting.
“So you're the shit?” Keiko questioned humorously as she found his unbelievable arrogance severely comical. “You're completely unbeatable?” She added as she found the question just as humorous.
“I am.” The taiyoukai responded flatly; unsure of what being `the shit' entailed but certain that he was completely unbeatable.
“And everyone around here knows you and fears you?” Keiko added as she inwardly scoffed at the great dog demon's audacity.
“They do.” Sesshoumaru once again stated plainly as if such a fact were written upon the very wind.
“Then what happened to your arm?” Keiko questioned defiantly; the sudden silence quietly testifying to her victory.
“A miscalculation.” The great dog demon finally stated as he suddenly found his conversation with this young woman becoming entirely too tedious. If it hadn't been for tensaiga's reaction, he noted, he wouldn't even have given this wench a second glance. If he wasn't attempting to ascertain what about this woman was so important he wouldn't even be speaking with her now. If it hadn't been for brother's insistence that he speak with him he wouldn't even know this woman existed.
Damn his bloodline for consistently complicating his life.
“Comforting.” Keiko repeated again as she noted the sky above them still hadn't tinted the slightest shade of blue. Despondently she released a sigh as the demon that sat somewhere in the clearing with her once again settled into silence.
“You know what I would find VERY comforting,” Keiko began as she attempted to use her current situation to her advantage, “a cigarette.” She stated plainly as she looked in the dog youkai's direction with enormous, hopeful eyes.
“No.” The taiyoukai stated flatly as he narrowed his gaze at her dangerously.
“You're so mean.” Keiko whimpered as an invisible bead of sweat seemed to run down her face while she simultaneously wilted against the ground in an overly dramatic expression of suffering.