InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Gone With the Wind. ❯ Daddy Dearest ( Chapter 17 )

Gone With the Wind

Chapter 17

 

Keiko trembled, clutching the collar of her loosely secured kimono closed, as she stared at the dark figure known as Naraku with despondent eyes. Whether her body quaked with terror or lack of fulfillment she couldn't ascertain. The sad fact of the matter was both demons, that now inhabited the ominously quiet clearing, had a certain knack for making her body shiver, for dissimilar reasons.

 

“The great dog prince...” Naraku drawled sarcastically as he seemed to find the demon lord's title humorous. “Like father like son …is it?” He quipped lecherously as his eyes drifted from Sesshoumaru to the human female beside him. “Not quite a princess….is she now?” He continued with dark amusement.

 

Sesshoumaru snarled dangerously as, in one swift motion, he blocked the evil hanyou's gaze with his imposing body. `The retched filth comes out of hiding to comment on my choice of bed partner?' He pondered sarcastically as he shot the sorry-excuse-for-a-demon a dangerous look. It was obvious, at least to him, the evil character known as Naraku was simply attempting to mess with his mind.

 

Had they not been interrupted, Keiko would be his, the taiyoukai realized, and the very fact that Naraku was making his presence known, interrupting them at an extremely crucial moment, suggested the evil demon wished to prevent such things.

 

`We should have marked her the moment we saw her.' Sesshoumaru beast lamented as it screamed at him to protect his soon-to-be mate. The fact that he had taken her body without laying his claim by marking the young woman's neck, or completing that which they had started, grated against the great dog demon's nerves like a freshly sharpened sword against silk. It had taken a tremendous amount of effort to calm his beast after having what should have been a private, memorable moment disturbed by the god awful sound of Naraku's minions quickly advancing on their position. The entire seas of Japan didn't hold enough cold water to squelch the fire they had unwittingly unleashed, and as soon he dispatched their dark intruder, the taiyoukai mused, he fully intended on picking up exactly where they left off.

 

`We will rut over his dismembered corpse.' Sesshoumaru promised darkly, the deviant image heating his blood again, as he lowered himself into an offensive position and prepared to strike.

 

Keiko, completely oblivious to the fact that her demon lover apparently thought sex atop a recently fallen enemy was somehow erotic, found herself torn between running and throwing herself against the great taiyoukai. As strong as she knew Sesshoumaru to be, something told her the figure before him was not like the lesser beings he typically faced. Previous life experiences aside, THIS was the man that tormented her dreams. THIS was the man who knew her name even though they had never met in the waking world. As far as she was concerned, THIS ….man …..was the devil.

 

“Naraku!” A gruff petulant voice bellowed as all eyes suddenly turned toward the tree line. “I finally found you….you bastard.” Inu Yasha continued as he lowered the female who tightly clung to his back to the ground before tossing a “Stay behind me Kagome,” over his shoulder.

 

“K-Keiko?” Kagome faltered as she slowly surveyed the clearing before her; slightly surprised to spot the demon lord and extremely surprised to find the woman he escorted to the well still in this time.

 

`What is she doing here?' Kagome questioned internally, attempting to think of a more tactful way of posing her question, as she readied her bow and arrow for the upcoming battle and narrowed her eyes discerningly in the young woman's direction.

 

“Keiko?” Inu Yasha echoed as his attention swiveled momentarily between Naraku, his half-brother, and the girl who hid ineffectively behind the demon lord's back. “What the fuck is she doing here?” He snorted tactlessly, shooting his arrogant brother a glare, as he completely missed Kagome's annoyed eye roll.

 

For reasons Inu Yasha simply couldn't understand his instincts compelled him to sample the air around him, as if, some part of him, knew the answer to his question lingered softly against the breeze. A couple of quick tentative sniffs in his half-brother's direction and the red-clad hanyou's eyes suddenly grew very large.

 

“What---the---fuck?!” The astonished hanyou eloquently questioned as he stared at his arrogant half-brother in disbelief.

 

As Inu Yasha suspected Naraku's stench permeated the clearing, which wasn't unexpected, considering the foul demon stank everything around him up with his disgusting presence. Then there was the almost laughable scent of his brother's musk, which, for a brief moment, made the puppy-eared hanyou wonder if his elder brother had been unfortunate enough to be walked in on by their hated enemy as he scandalously pleasured himself in the middle of the forest. `What other explanation could there be really?' He had groused internally, `the only other female here is Keiko and she is……' he sniffed again, `was…oh hell.'

 

It was then that Inu Yasha's nose relayed, what he considered, the most disturbing piece of information regarding the occupants of the clearing. There were exactly two virgins standing in this particular area, one of course being Kagome, and the other…….Sango.

 

 

 

Keiko had apparently been …deflowered.

 

“Poor bitch.” Inu Yasha muttered in pity, shooting the young woman a quick consolatory look, before turning his attention back to Naraku. Whether his brother forced her or not, he couldn't be certain. He never thought his brother capable of such things, but then, he typically steered clear of the whole Sesshoumaru-sex subject. If he had forced her, then he would deal with the bastard after he dealt with Naraku. Right now, he had bigger fish to fry.

 

“A family reunion.” Naraku toned with fake sentimentality as all eyes, and swords, suddenly seemed to track his movements. “How touching.” He glared as his expression became more serious.

 

Inu Yasha scoffed at the implication. Maybe he and the emotionless taiyoukai shared blood, and occasionally a somewhat civil conversation, but that didn't make him family. Hell, the guy was cold-hearted, arrogant, egotistical, and now…quite possibly… a rapist.

 

“That bastard ain't family.” Inu Yasha corrected as he tightened his grip on tetsaiga and growled menacingly.

 

“No?” The dark demon grinned as a very pleased-with-himself, sadistic grin slowly twisted his lips. “Perhaps it wasn't your family I was referring to then.” He cooed gravely as his head slowly turned to the motionless dog demon to his right; locking eyes with the terrified young woman standing behind him.

 

Inu Yasha's brow furrowed as he attempted to wrap his brain around Naraku's nonsensical words. “What the fuck are you talking about?” He demanded.

 

Sesshoumaru jaw visibly tightened as he refused to give up his protective stance. Naraku was the father of lies, there was simply no way what he was saying could be true.

 

“Keiko,” The baboon-covered demon smirked as he watched her eyes widen at the use of her name, “Would you like to tell them, or should I?”

 

“I…” Keiko faltered as her voice sounded strange and raw, “I don't know what you're talking about.” She admitted as she placed a gentle hand on the taiyoukai's shoulder for support.

 

Her heart began to throb painfully as the demon lord simply shrugged free of her touch. `He…believes him?' She pondered sadly, `How…after everything…after…what we…' She couldn't finish the thought.

 

Sesshoumaru suppressed the urge to growl as he rolled his shoulder away from the burning flesh of her palm. He couldn't be near her, not like that, not yet. If he allowed her to touch him, if he allowed himself to relax even a little bit, he knew Naraku would use that moment to attack.

 

The scent of Keiko's distress over being rejected accosted his senses, making it difficult to maintain his mask of calm indifference, as he struggled to appear unaffected. `Not now.' He argued with his internal beast as it practically foamed at the mouth over his dismal of their mate. `Protect now… fuck later.' He brokenly stipulated as he successfully pacified its rage.

 

“Ah….but you don't remember?” Naraku questioned in a mocking innocent tone as he carefully dissected the scene in front of him. “You don't remember the dreams we shared?” He questioned again, smiling victoriously as a brief moment of anger flashed in the golden irises of the demon lord. “You don't remember…” He paused, savoring the moment and letting the silence in the clearing punctuate his sentence as he delivered the ominous punch line, “your father.”

 

“You are NOT my father.” Keiko spat hotly as she sidestepped the demon lord to shoot Naraku a bone chilling glare. There were few things that actually got under her skin, insulting her father, who had died tragically in car accident when she was five, was one of them. She had very little memory left of her parents, something she decided was probably for the best considering how painful it would be to relive a blissfully happy time in her childhood, as she bounced dejectedly from foster home to foster home, but she had always been told he was a good man. She knew her idealistic image of her father was probably far from the real thing, but she clung to the manufactured memory never-the-less. It was her beckon of hope, her own personal religion. Her father was a good, decent, and caring man, and if he had lived, he would have brought her life stability. She would have enjoyed a normal, a simple childhood instead of the chaotic, caught-in-the-wind existence she known growing up.

 

How DARE this demon, this CREATURE she barely knew, even suggest ….

 

“Tut, tut,” Naraku teased as he basked in the radiance of the young girl's ire, “You shouldn't speak to your elders in such a manner.” He locked his eyes to hers, and for a brief, fearful minute, Keiko actually found herself believing him.

 

“My father died…” She began as she attempted to argue her case while fighting the burning sensation at the corner of her eyes. There was simply no way … Why was he doing this to her?

 

“Get back.” Sesshoumaru growled through clenched teeth as he refrained from pushing the girl behind him to instead brandish his sword menacingly in the dark hanyou's direction. Naraku was hurting her, he realized as the scent of despair and anger wafted to his nostrils, and what's worse… she was letting him.

 

“You're human father,” Naraku corrected, a slight smirk curling against his lip, as he noted both dog demons seemed to be too engrossed in what he was saying to plan any sort of attack, “but what of your soul?” He questioned rhetorically; the scent of concern and surprise polluting the air around him.

 

“Yes.” Naraku cooed as he witnessed the slightest glimmer of understanding flash through the great taiyoukai's eyes. “Your demon lover understands…” He pointed out with dark amusement as the humans in the clearing simultaneously gasped.

 

“It wounds me that you didn't seek my blessing before taking my daughters innocence.” Naraku teased as he turned from the slightly flushed female to regard the demon lord disdainfully. “Is it not my right?” The dark demon spat contemptuously.

 

Sesshoumaru remained silent as an ugly sneer curled his normally impassive lips.

 

Inu Yasha did not.

 

“What the fuck are you talking about?” The puppy-eared hanyou questioned angrily as he became lost in the complicated expressions, scents, and body language of the bystanders around him.

 

“Kagura…” Naraku pointed out with pleasure as he pronounced the name with a sensuous roll of his tongue, “was my incarnation, my detachment….my daughter,” he explained smoothly, his dark irises creeping to the corner of his eyes as he basked in the horrified body language of the female in question. “For all intents and purposes she was a part of me.” He explained. “Which means…”

 

“No!” Keiko cried as her body sprang forward of its own accord, her heart screaming at her to stop the dark figure before he could finish seemingly truthful tirade. It couldn't be true. She wouldn't let it be. She barely knew this man and all ready she hated him with every fiber of her being. `Please don't let it be…' Her inner voice sobbed before a sudden blow to the stomach pushed all the air out of her lungs.

 

Keiko suddenly found herself dangling several feet in the air as a black, oozy tentacle held her high above the ground.

 

“You must tell me how you did it.” Naraku chuckled darkly as he beamed up at the woman with almost father-like pride. “Kagura's soul, reborn as a human!” He chanted with enthusiasm. “Imagine…” He pondered darkly, out-loud, “A whole army of human soldiers willing to do my bidding! Reinventing myself, without the threat of purification, until I can conquer the world in sheer numbers!” He thrilled.

 

Keiko sobbed pitifully as her reality suddenly became darker then any nightmare she had ever conceived. She was so high up that she couldn't even make out her protectors face any longer. If she was going to die, she decided, she would have liked to see his face, at least once more. Even if he was now disgusted by her…

 

Keiko fought the urge to heave, the slimy talon that squeezed at her middle mercilessly retracting, as it pulled the young woman up against her new found, distant relative.

 

“Kaze-no-Kiz…” Inu Yasha began as he decided the time for talking had passed.

 

“No.” Sesshoumaru growled, crossing the distance between himself and his half brother in a blinding flash, as he pushed his moronic sibling to the ground.

 

“What the hell!” Inu Yasha groused as he looked up at his brother indignantly.

 

“You might hit Keiko-sama.” Miroku pointed out from his place at the back of the group, muttering something to his demon slayer companion, as they attempted to come up with a less volatile solution.

 

“Tell me how they did it.” Naraku whispered sensuously in Keiko's ear, the dramatic exchange from their audience not escaping his attention. “Tell me how this was done.” He reiterated softly; causing the woman in his grasp to turn away in disgust.

 

“I'm from…the ….future.” Keiko admitted begrudgingly as she fought against the tentacle's hold. “They…didn't….do…..anything.” She argued as she continued to fight for her freedom. “I'm her reincarnation.” She spat hotly. “You…can't….make….more.”

 

Naraku's eyes narrowed as he let this new bit of information sink in. Kagura's soul had somehow been reborn in a human body, and then, somehow found its way back to feudal era Japan---for what purpose? Kami would not grant such a dramatic shift in fate unless there was a reason for her soul to return.

 

A dark, sadistic grin curled against Naraku's lips as he buried his face in the unruly dark mane that hung all the way past the young woman's bottom. “A human…” He whispered huskily as worked his plan out loud, “an unclaimed human.” He cooed, noting the narrowed red glare he was receiving from the obviously agitated taiyoukai.

 

“I must thank you Sesshoumaru,” Naraku stated coldly as he pressed his cold cheek against the struggling females warm temple, “for… preparing…my new bride.”

 

Keiko's eyes suddenly widened as her hands frantically clawed at the tentacle holding her in place. “But…NO!” She faltered as she attempted to argue that, only moments before, he'd been calling her daughter and that marriage was most definitely OUT OF THE QUESTION, but realized such things would only prove to bolster his claim.

 

He wasn't going to touch her, PERIOD, not as a father, not as her husband, not ever, not again!

 

“There is more then one way raise an army.” Naraku whispered darkly, wrapping a pale arm around Keiko's shoulder, as his hand pressed suggestively against her abdomen.

 

A sinuous tongue snaked out to taste the delicate skin of the young woman's neck as her body suddenly went limp in his grasp.

 

The horrific image of being raped over and over again as she was forced to bear Naraku's offspring caused something in Keiko's mind to snap as it mercifully delivered her into the abyss.

 

From the blackness of unconsciousness Keiko registered the sound of screaming as metal crashed against metal. `A fight?' Her hazy mind questioned, `I wonder whose winning.' She pondered dimly as the sounds suddenly became too muffled to make out any longer.

 

“Your highness?” A soft voice questioned as Keiko struggled against the darkness to open her eyes.

 

“Are you all right m'lady?” A gentle voice added as she awoke to find herself sitting at the head of an opulently decorated chamber.

 

“W-what?” Keiko questioned dimly as she tried to shake the odd feeling that something was very wrong with…well everything.

 

“You appear to have drifted off m'lady.” A young handsome man offered with a smile as he genuflected before her. “I would not have disturbed you,” He offered again as he instantly seemed repentant for his seemingly innocent actions, “but sleeping upright can be quite detrimental to the body, and it's quite warm…I was concerned.”

 

Keiko arched a delicate eyebrow, realizing she was in fact VERY warm, as she looked down at her attire with a quizzical expression. “Why am I dressed like this?” She mumbled quietly as her fingers ran over the fabric that practically restricted all movement.

 

“Do you wish to change m'lady?” The young man from before questioned as he looked up at her with adoring, submissive eyes.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Keiko questioned as she stared at an overly poofy ruffled sleeve. What the hell was she wearing?

 

“I apologize my queen!” He stated reproachfully. “I did not mean any offense.” He added as he cast his eyes to the floor in a show of supplication.

 

`Queen?' Keiko pondered in astonishment as she raised curious fingers above her head to verify the presence of a delicate, ornate tiara.

 

“Queen of what?” She questioned softly as she pushed herself free of the large chair that apparently was her throne.

 

“Why…of all Japan.” The cowering subject answered honestly, remembering to keep his eyes on the floor, as he now knelt before his queen repentantly.

 

She was the queen of…Japan?! That didn't seem right. How could she be the queen of anything? `If I'm the queen then, who's the king?' she quipped humorously, pausing suddenly as she realized that was probably a very good question.

 

“Boy,” Keiko commanded, feeling completely out of place, “Where is my ……husband?” Somehow the word `husband' sounded wrong to her as well.

 

“His chambers.” The boy nodded to a set of very large doors to her left.

 

Without so much as giving the kneeling teen a second glance Keiko ran, as fast as her gigantic gown would allow, to the strange entrance before pulling on one of silver handles and nudging the enormous doors open.

 

“Majesty!” A voice behind her persisted but she ignored it as she made her way into the room. She was barely able to slip between the amazingly heavy planes of wood before the doors swung closed behind her.

 

“My lord?” Keiko questioned, her heart soaring as she spotted long silver hair draping over her would-be husband's shoulder.

 

The man stood aloof, his back still towards her, as he gazed out over the adjoining balcony thoughtfully.

 

“Sess…?” Keiko attempted to question as another faint bout of screaming resonated within the chamber as if were coming from some place buried deep in the wall. “Keiko……………Inu Yasha! …………Hiraikotsu!” A conglomeration of voices echoed softly as they faded in and out through undistinguishable grunts and blows.

 

Keiko braced herself against a conveniently placed end table as a wave of dizziness suddenly overtook her. She knew these voices, understood on some level why they were screaming, and yet could not comprehend where they were coming from.

 

“My lord?” Keiko questioned again as the voices faded and she slowly regained her composure.

 

“Who let you in here?!” The tall authoritative man snapped bitterly as he seemed to suddenly acknowledge her presence. “Leave me.” He ordered distractedly.

 

“Who are you?” The young woman demanded as she eyed the snippy figure speculatively.

 

“Your husband.” The man retorted sharply, his once smooth voice sounding rough. “Now do as I say.” He commanded again, cursing brokenly as his entire body seemed to wince against an unseen force.

 

“Keiko!” A female voice echoed softly through the chamber causing the woman in question to fall to her knees.

 

“What …what is that screaming?” Keiko questioned as she held her hands over her ears to blot out the sound. “Voices…calling my name.” She murmured.

 

“Forgive my impatience, love” The gentleman at the center of the room offered apologetically, his demeanor suddenly changing, as he turned to face her with a brilliant smile. “Nothing to concern yourself with my dear.” He answered consoling as he carefully helped her to her feet.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” She questioned in disbelief as the image of her demon lover dressed in formal regal attire threatened to take her breath away. “Is everything okay?” She asked in a concern tone as she slowly rose to her feet again. “You were…you were trembling.” She pointed out as he closed the distance between them to give her a look full of longing.

 

“You have that effect on me koi.” The demon lord retorted playfully as he cupped her face in his palms, lightly stroking the swell of her cheek with his thumb.

 

Keiko smiled as she wrapped a delicate hand around his strong wrist before nuzzling back into his palm affectionately and closing her eyes. “How did we get here?” She questioned as she stared up at him with bright adoration. “They …said I was queen.”

 

A deep masculine chuckle reverberated through the room as he released her face to wrap his arms around her shoulders. “I believe that is the burden you must bear when you marry a king.” He pointed out magnanimously.

 

Her brow furrowed as she let his words drape over her like fine linen. They were married? Wouldn't she remember something like that? How had she grown so forgetful?

 

“I am glad you are here.” He cooed seductively, effectively changing the subject, as he affectionately nuzzled her earlobe; letting his hands move south to playfully knead at the flesh of her rump. “I'm afraid I have another burden that only you can bear…” He whispered suggestively as one hand moved up to lightly trace the swell of her breast through the abundant fabric that clung in layers off her body. “I require an heir.” He explained, a warm smile tilting his lips, as she moaned softly from his touch.

 

“Of course… my lo…”She began before another bout of random screaming suddenly caught her attention as she braced herself against the taiyoukai-turned-king.

 

“You will not touch her.” A fierce voice growled, followed suddenly by another bout of distressed female screaming.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” Keiko questioned as her demon lover supported her with his hands wrapped tightly around her middle.

 

It was at that moment that she realized what was wrong.

 

Hands.

 

Plural.

 

It was like being caught in a dream again.

 

“Stay away from me!” Keiko warned as she spied a decorative dagger that conveniently rested against the table she had supported herself on only moments before. `Funny,' her muddled mind mused, `why didn't I see that there before?'

 

“Have you lost your senses woman?” The demon lord demanded as he narrowed his golden eyes before taking one giant step backward. “You would threaten your husband and king?” He questioned righteously as he glared at her with angry, hurtful eyes.

 

“Who are you and what have you done with Sesshoumaru?” The distraught female questioned as she suddenly wished she wasn't wearing a large, ridiculous dress.

 

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

 

Meanwhile, in the waking world…

 

Sesshoumaru snarled as he whipped at the trickle of blood, which slowly slid down the side of his mouth, with the back of his hand. As much as he hated to admit it, Naraku's words had gotten to him.

 

`No,' He admitted solemnly. The words themselves were meaningless, hollow, there was simply no way for Naraku to carry out such a scheme and he knew it. It had been the realization that Keiko's nightmares, the images that often left her terrified and confused, were partially his fault that effectively pushed him over the edge.

 

If he had only marked her…

 

Another growl rippled through Sesshoumaru's chest as he recounted the number of times he had pushed the woman away because he was unsure of her connection to his sworn enemy. The unvoiced insinuation that he had somehow delivered his soon-to-be mate into the arms of the demon, who sought only to torment and terrify her, caused an uneasiness to roll over the great taiyoukai again.

 

“Come off it Naraku.” Inu Yasha snorted knowingly, more for his brother's benefit then anyone else's. “You know as well as anyone that you can't mark a mate by force.” He pointed out knowledgably as he added a silent, `rape, torture, mutilate, and impregnate yes…mark no' to himself. Somehow he doubted pointing out everything Naraku could do would somehow help to calm his enraged half-sibling. It had been a long time since he had seen Sesshoumaru reach this level of pissed off and despite the fact he wasn't the one on the receiving end of his brother's wrath (for once), he was in no mood to push the bastards buttons.

 

“Mark?” Kagome questioned as she turned to her hanyou companion with big, inquisitive eyes. Her arrow remained trained on Naraku.

 

“It's uh…complicated.” Inu Yasha blushed as he met the miko's interrogative gaze through the corner of his eyes. “Talk about it later.” He mumbled quietly as the young woman beside him offered up a little shrug.

 

“Oh---kay” She replied in confusion as she focused her attention on the dark hanyou before her again.

 

“No bitch in her right mind would mate with a bastard like you.” Inu Yasha added roughly as he hoped to add insult to injury.

 

“No?” Naraku teased as he pulled Keiko's limp body up against his own again. “I suppose you have a point Inu Yasha.” He accepted. “All though…..she does seem quite eager,” His lips brushed against the soft skin of the young woman's neck as he locked eyes with the infuriated demon lord again, “to mate with your brother.”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as he caught the subtle change in Keiko's scent. She was undoubtedly dreaming, the taiyoukai realized, and Naraku still held influence over her dreams. If the evil hanyou were somehow able to place his mark upon Kagura's reincarnation, there would be nothing to stop him from invading not only her unconscious mind, but possibly her waking mind as well. It was her unclaimed boy that protected her from the dark demons control over her soul. Unlike Kagura, he realized, Keiko …was not marked.

 

If he had only marked her…none of this would be happening.

 

“Naraku is deceiving her.” The taiyoukai announced to the confused onlookers as he reaffirmed his grip on tojin, “He has access to her unconscious mind.” He explained as he attempted to calm the fire burning in his veins.

 

`He intends to claim her in our stead!' Sesshoumaru beast panicked as it clawed its way to the surface yet again to defend that which it felt it possessed.

 

“You will not touch her!” The demon lord snarled as he advanced on the dark hanyou, in another wave of blindingly fast attacks.

 

“Sesshoumaru…no!” Kagome warned as she watched him lunge at Naraku with gleaming red eyes yet again.