InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Goodbye To Romance ❯ Facing Hell ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: I in no way, shape, or form own Inuyasha, or the characters within. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Entertainment.
Goodbye to Romance is a song by Ozzy Osbourne, so I don't even own that. And for thos that were wondering, yes, the Cheese Man is from a Buffy episode.

 

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The last moments of Ginta's life flashed through Kouga's memory. `That village… He said that whoever did this came from that village… What village? There must be something special about it if he didn't specify...' As Kouga looked around the wreckage of what was once his den, and the piles of bodies that were once his pack, it finally hit him. `The senseless destruction... Why do this? Who the hell kills cubs and children like this? What right does anyone have to do this? It's not like we've ever… Unless he's from that village.'

 

Kouga growled and fled the cave toward the village he had set his wolves on all those months ago. As if it wasn't enough that he lost a good portion of his pack due to an ambush of Naraku's, now he had to deal with a crazy human powered with jewel shards! Well, no matter. If he could defeat shard infused Birds Of Paradise, one puny human would be no problem. He'd just have to finish what his pack had started. He felt a small bit of remorse for what his new enemy must have felt when he returned to his home and found everything gone, but pushed it out of his head. His pack had been bored, hungry, and demoralized because of a series of losses caused by those damn birds. He had done what any good leader would do, he found a way to entertain, feed, and boost the confidence of his troops. If a random village had to fall because of it, then so be it. They were wolves, but more than that they were demons, it's what nature intended for them to do. `That bastard's going to wish he had been torn apart with the rest of his family!'

 

He followed his nose to one particular hut. In addition to the smell of death and wolf blood that hung around the place, he could smell that bastard Naraku. `Probably where he got the shards. Human's not even strong enough to get them on his own.' Kouga smirked. This was going to be easy. He sniffed around more, trying to separate the individual scents, until he had the killer's scent implanted in his memory. He followed the scent trail, determined to get his revenge and some jewel shards in one fell swoop. Kouga was determined to make what Ginta went through look like a gentle caress.

 

His search led him to a cave that had once belonged to a pack of demons that he and his tribe had run off the territory long ago. “Gotcha, you rotten son of a bitch,” he boasted to himself, as he bounded into the cave. There he saw a shrouded figure facing away from him. He pounced and shredded the man across the back, only to find an empty cloak. He heard a rumbling, and spun around, to find the entrance caving in. He rushed toward his rapidly dwindling exit, but was blocked by a glowing green barrier that threw him forcibly into a wall. He felt numb, and his attacker emerged from the shadows.

 

“Well, the Wolf Prince finally decided to show up.' The man sarcastically smirked. “I sure hope you're comfortable your majesty. You'll be here for a long time.”

 

“You!” Kouga raged. “You're the one who killed my tribe!”

 

“You started it.” The man replied. “You really disgust me, you know that? Such an immature leader. Going off for days on end, leaving your troops, the people who look to you for guidance and protection, alone for months on end. Sending them to attack defenseless, peaceful villages for your own sick entertainment. I had a leader like you once, someone who used us for entertainment, who disregarded our safety and would lead us to certain death. But unlike your people we were smart enough to get rid of him where nobody would ever find him. Just like you.”

 

“Fuck you! You don't know the first thing…” Kouga's outburst was interrupted by an invisible pressure squeezing his throat.

 

“Shut up when I'm speaking to you, demon.” The Nameless Warrior released the pressure and continued. He focused his attention on Kouga's legs. Kouga watched as his shards were ripped out and floated toward the human. They floated in the air while he continued talking. “It's amazing, isn't it? That something so small can ruin everything…” He looked as if he was in a trance for a minute, then shook it off. ”You probably don't even feel the slightest bit guilty about this, do you? You demons spend all of your time out of the womb killing, so what is a human village or two? I know mine wasn't the first, I just wonder how many you've had. Let's see whose blood is on your hands.” He absorbed the jewel shards, and said with a flourish, “ah, there's one now!”

 

A young woman with claw marks running down her face appeared. “Why?” She wailed. “I was simply looking for my son!”

 

A wolf demon came up behind her, “you should have been there, Kouga. You sent us to our deaths against those birds.”

 

Kouga's guilt started to become tangible as the cave slowly started to fill with every wolf he'd ever sent into battle and died, with every stray human he'd ever killed, with every human and demon he'd ever sent someone under his command after. And they were all saying the same things, blaming him. He growled, squeezing his eyes shut and shaking the horrible images from his head. When he reopened his eyes, everyone had gone, even the one who'd trapped him here. He knew he'd either die of starvation or thirst, or maybe suffocation if he didn't find a way out of the cave. There wasn't much do his natural dungeon. Now that the entrance had caved in, it was just one big room. Too much debris had fallen to make digging his way to the old exit practical, so he'd need to make a new one. He looked around, trying to guess where the rock would be the least thick. He pictured the outside of the cave, and came to the conclusion that the rock was thinnest on the ceiling. He looked up, and cursed his luck. ”Shit. This is gonna take forever.” He jumped and made his first slash.

 

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A somber group of shard hunters entered Kaede's hut. The elderly miko looked up and declared, “you all look like someone's died.” Seeing their downcast expressions worsen, she felt a surge of panic. “Oh no, who died? Where's Inuyasha?”

 

There was silence before Miroku decided to speak up, “nobody's died, Kaede. Inuyasha discovered the Lethe's Bramble…”

 

Shippo, who had been strangely silent for the last day, burst out, “the idiot left us! He was supposed to be our protector and he deserted us, just like that!”

 

“Shippo!” Kagome started to scold, but was interrupted by the distraught young fox.

 

“Everyone always leaves! First my parents, now Inuyasha! How long are you guys going to stick around?” He broke down in tears.

 

Kagome gathered him up into her arms, and held him close. “It's okay, Shippo. We're not going to leave you.”

 

“And I know I shouldn't blame him. And that we deserve it. But I'm mad at him, I'm mad at myself for being mad with him. I'm mad at us. I'm just so confused!” Shippo wailed.

 

“I warned you all this might happen if you didn't halt your course of action.” Kaede said wearily. “He wasn't meant to be controlled like this. I let my anger over my sister's death cloud my judgment when I recommended that herb. I fear I've been a poor teacher…”

 

“No Kaede,” Kagome interrupted. “You've been wonderful, this is all on us.”

 

Kaede laughed bitterly.“Is it? I got so caught up in this Naraku business, that I put off the talk that we should have had months ago; about our treatment of Inuyasha. Guilt has given me many sleepless nights since the binding spell on his rosary wore off. But all I could see was your feelings for each other, and your kind heart, and I figured that I was safe in never having that talk. I thought you didn't need it. And now, because of that carelessness, we've all lost a dear friend, and it might be too late to get him back.”

 

“What do you mean it might be too late?” Sango asked. “I know he's pretty angry at us now, but if he forgave me for giving Tessaiga to Naraku, I don't believe he'll be mad forever. We might never be as close as we once were, but I'm sure we'll eventually make up.”

 

“Yes, if he's alive.” Kaede explained grimly. “One of the side effects of long term exposure to Lethe's Bramble is that the body forms a dependence on it. If you suddenly cut off a demon's supply, he goes through a terrible sickness. There's nausea, vomiting, fever, hallucinations, and in most cases, death.”

 

“I refuse to believe that Inuyasha will be killed by a plant.” Miroku chimed in. “He's way too stubborn for that.”

 

“I hope you're right, young monk.” Kaede replied.

 

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Inuyasha was starting to see what Myoga had meant by strange happenings. His first clue came as soon as he stepped foot in the village where the shrine sat. The inhabitants didn't seem the least bit scared of him. Or revolted, disgusted, angered, and the many other feelings he usually experienced when encountering a new village. He didn't overhear the humans whispering behind his back like he did every other time. It was the exact opposite, they were welcoming him! Even when he interrogated them, there was no fear, no anger, nothing. Just a bunch of people who wanted to be helpful, but who were ultimately clueless. Finally, one offered to get the head priest in charge of the village, and now Inuyasha sat in the man's shrine, an honored guest.

 

An elderly man with a cane hobbled into the room. Inuyasha examined him as he slowly made his way over, the priest looked like he was a few years younger than Kaede. “So, young hanyou, I understand you've heard some wild stories about my humble village, and seek answers. Sit, eat, and we can discuss this.”

 

“I'll pass, old man. I only eat food that I've prepared myself nowadays.” Inuyasha replied.

 

The man's eyes crinkled as he smiled at the young hanyou before him. “Very well, young one. What is your name? I am called Hikari.”

 

“Inuyasha. Now, what the hell's up with your village?” Inuyasha asked, getting frustrated with this village's over-abundance of nice.

 

“I'm afraid I don't know what you mean,” the old man said, baffled. “If there's something I can do to make things more pleasant for you-“

 

“Cut the crap, Hikari. The villagers out there aren't scared, they aren't angry, they keep grinning like idiots… It's not natural.” Inuyasha exclaimed, gesturing wildly with his arms.

 

Hikari let out a hearty laugh at the youth's brazenness, “young man that is the best laugh I've had in a while. I thank you! Though I'm sure, being a hanyou that you're used to those types of reactions. But here in my village we got over such notions long ago. It seems silly to us to revile those whose only crime was they came upon the losing end of an accident of fate.”

 

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. “Don't `young man' me. I've got a lot of years on you.”

 

“I'm sure you do.” The priest said, patronizingly.

 

“I'm not an idiot, either. There's something off about this village, and especially this shrine. I'm betting that it has something to do with the jewel shards that I'm hunting. I don't care if I have to turn this place upside down, I will find what's going on.” Inuyasha said stubbornly.

 

“You're most welcome to search this shrine,” the old man said, “but I must insist that you don't harm the villagers under my protection. They've done nothing to you.”

 

“Fine, old man, I can respect that.” The hanyou replied.

 

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The group was silent as they escorted Kagome to the well. Shippo was still sniffling after his outburst and the implications of their actions hit him.

 

“It'll be okay, Shippo.” Kagome tried to comfort him. “I'll be back in a few days, and Inuyasha'll be fine. You'll see.” Shippo nodded despondently, and Kagome turned to the well, and walked wearily, as if she carried a great weight. “I just wish I knew what to tell my family. They adore Inuyasha, especially Souta.”

 

“I'm sure it'll be fine,” Sango said. “Miroku's sent for Hachi. If Inuyasha can be found, Hachi'll send word and watch over him so we can give him Kaede's medicine.”

 

Kagome nodded and disappeared down the well.

 

The group made their way back to Kaede's hut when Sango heard a small voice shout. “Lady Sango! Down here!” She looked down at her shoe, and spied Myoga. She bent down and picked him up. “Myoga! You always seem to know where Inuyasha is! Where is he?”

 

Myoga let out a heavy breath and replied, “not anymore. He no longer requires my services.”

 

“What?” Miroku, Shippo, and Sango yelled at the same time.

 

“He figured out that I was helping all of you to control him. He dismissed me. Because of that, my link to him is severed. I can no longer tell you where he is.”

 

The group looked disappointed, but Myoga continued. “I do know that as of yesterday he was a few days northeast of here, though where he was headed, I have no idea. I had heard strange rumors about a former demon slaying village and told him. That's when he fired me.”

 

“Do you think he might have gone to this village?” Miroku questioned.

 

“I think so. He might have abandoned all of you, but he still wants Naraku more than anything. And jewel shards are his best bet.” Myoga said wisely.

 

“That's a relief.” Sango said. “Kaede told us he was probably already dead from withdrawal. We need to find him so we can give him medicine that Kaede made.”

 

“He's already survived one night of it. I could taste it in his blood.” Myoga replied. “I think he'll be fine even if he doesn't get that potion. It's very rare that the withdrawal hits more than once.”

 

“We can't take any chances though. I mean, with our luck...” Miroku trailed off, letting the others to reach his point..

 

“True,” Myoga conceded.

 

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Kouga knelt on the ground, exhausted. He had been jumping and clawing, and punching at the ceiling for hours, making significant headway. He just needed to rest, the pain from his bloodied knuckles and exhaustion from this exertions were starting to get to him. `No. Can't stop. Must get out of here.' He stood and watched the blood drip from his fingers before he looked up determined at the ceiling.

 

“More blood on your hands?” Ginta popped up behind him. “It's hopeless you know. It's what he wanted.”

 

“Shut up,” Kouga muttered.

 

“You're going to die in here.” Ginta taunted. “And we're all going to be here with you,” he waved his arms gesturing to all of Kouga's victims, who were watching with interest. “You're going to go insane before you go. I thought I suffered, but you're getting the worst of it. He's going to break you before you go.”

 

“ENOUGH!” Kouga bellowed as he slashed at the image of his dead friend. “I can beat this.” He said feebly. “I can…”

 

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Inuyasha found exactly what he was looking for. The seal on the door was easy enough to break. For all his experience, it didn't appear that Hikari was all that powerful. So he now found himself in a room full of old torture devices. He could still smell the demon blood that had long ago joined with the wood. “These are strange things for the shiny, happy people of this village to have.” He thought out loud to himself.

 

“Yes, I suppose it is.” Came a voice behind him. “They're relics from our past. The history of this village resides in these devices.”

 

“Hikari.”

 

The old man came into the room, accompanied by others from the village. “Names are a powerful thing, boy. Be careful who you give them to.” Then, quick as lightening, he whipped out a dozen sutras were plastered to Inuyasha, rendering him unable to move. “I didn't get this far by giving mine to unworthy filth like you. Come, men, he can join the other one.” The mob lifted Inuyasha to their shoulders as the priest led them through a secret door. As they were heading down a long, spiraling staircase, he decided to taunt his victim. “You hanyou aren't exactly the smartest things to ever walk the Earth, are you Inuyasha?” As the priest said his name, a jolt of pain went through him. “Just like the other one, freely giving your name, never thinking what one can do with it. I made some unique charms with yours. Especially for you.” They came to a heavy wooden door with an elaborate seal on it. The priest muttered an incantation and it opened for him.

 

He led the men to a spot on the wall beside a quivering lump, across from an old statue. “Drop him here, men.” They roughly threw him on the ground, as the priest chained Inuyasha to the wall by his wrists, then planted more sutras on them to give them more power. “The other one was running dry, but I dare say, you'll be fed on for centuries, Inuyasha.”

 

Inuyasha grunted at the pain that came after his name was said. “You take a lot of pride in your work, don't you?” He ground out.

 

“Of course I do. My work is marvelous!” Hikari boasted.

 

“That kind of pride always comes before a fall. And I'm gonna be there, you twisted old fucker.” He spat out.

 

“I've dealt quite enough with your nonsense.” The old man said lightly. “It's time we left you to your fate of satisfying the spirit of this village.”

 

The old man and his followers left, closing and sealing the door behind them.

 

“Finally,:” a loud voice rang out. “I thought they'd never leave.”

 

Inuyasha looked for the source of the voice, settling his gaze on the statue. “You found me,” the disembodied voice rang out. A mist came from the statue's mouth and solidified, forming a tall man with long dark hair that reached the floor. He looked over his new prize with his black eyes and smiled, relishing the feast that was about to come. “They found me a real good one this time. Children run out so fast.” He glided over to the quivering lump, removing the blanket that covered it. “See?”

 

There was a child under it. A hanyou child. Inuyasha felt like he was looking at an eight year old version of himself, the resemblance was disturbing. The child yipped in terror and tried to burrow into the wall, trying to get away from the spirit. He looked over to Inuyasha, terror evident in his eyes and his dog ears plastered to his head. “H-help…”

 

The spirit laughed malevolently. “He's not here to help, you half-breed brat. He's my new meal.”

 

“Who are you?” Inuyasha asked the spirit angrily.

 

“I don't have a name, really. I'm just a curse. You see, years ago, even before the Great Dog Lord was born, this was a prosperous demon hunting village. But they didn't stop at mere hunting, oh no. The thrill became too much. They stopped protecting, and actively sought out trouble, capturing demons, and torturing them for days. Finally, a curse was brought down on this village. All the suffering built up and created me, a creature who feeds on all the pain. All the anger. All the negativity that your mother's kind thrives on. I'm sure you've noticed that the villagers display none of that. That's because a deal was struck long ago. They deliver me food, and I leave them alone, but those feelings that I feed on have to come through a conduit. A being that has suffered greatly. Hanyou are the best source. Even when they're young they last damn near forever, what with all that baggage they carry, not to mention what gets diverted through them because of the villagers up there. I can smell the centuries of suffering coming off you in waves. You and the brat are going to last me until the end of time, I think.”

 

“Oh hell, no.” Inuyasha growled. “I'm not gonna be food for anything.”

 

Amusement flashed in the spirit's eyes. “I think those sutras say otherwise.”

 

Inuyasha barely struggled as he snapped the chains that held him to the wall, and ripped off the sutras that remained stuck to him. He eyed the spirit, who looked surprised and genuinely afraid. “Like I said, too much damn pride. He's not nearly as powerful as he'd like to think.” Inuyasha walked over to the boy, who looked up at him with hope-filled eyes. “Where are his parents?”

 

“They came to this village looking for sanctuary. They were dead by that nightfall and their four year old son brought to me.” The spirit replied.

 

Inuyasha bent down and snapped the boy's chains. He picked the child up and carried him over to the door. He kicked it off its hinges, but was stopped by the spirit. “No!” Inuyasha's way was blocked. “The statue confines me to this room. I'm not letting you leave so I can starve.”

 

Inuyasha glared intensely for a moment then placed the child on his feet. The small boy clasped Inuyasha's legs as the older Hanyou slit his left palm. Gathering enough blood, he yelled “blades of blood!” Destroying the statue without even looking at it.

 

The curse looked like he was at a loss for words. “You'd set me loose on the humans?”

 

“Do what you want. I don't give a rat's ass about them. Not anymore.” He picked up the Hanyou child and made his way up the stairs. Already there was mass mayhem as all the suppressed emotions hit the human villagers all at once.

 

The old priest looked out at his village, which was crumbling around him. How had this happened? It was like the curse had been set free. To his horror he saw the older hanyou calmly carrying out the other hanyou. They never even looked back at the mass violence and fire that they had to walk through. He felt a cold, clammy hand on his shoulder. “The deal's off. Your village is just going to have to suffer through its punishment. You were warned that whatever you did would come back ten-fold. What do you think the hundreds of hanyou you imprisoned over the years is worth?”