InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Guilty Hero ❯ Precursor ( Chapter 51 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Greetings, one and all, to the next update of Guilty Hero!  Can you believe it's been less than a year?  I sure can't. -__-  

I'll get some quick thank yous out of the way, and then we can get on with the story.  First off, a thank you to Ai Kisugi for holding some excellent writing sessions with me that really got the creative juices flowing.  Also, a thank you goes out to Chantelligence, who has drawn some lovely fanart for GH.  I am deeply flattered. :)  Also, thank you to those who reviewed the last chapter—it's always nice to have the encouragement to keep writing.

Oh, here's a handy little disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha.  I shouldn't, considering what I do to him. :P

All right, here we go!  

Guilty Hero

Chapter 50:  Precursor


Kagome fidgeted with a nervous energy in her car.  Her fingers drummed an uneven rhythm on the steering wheel.  Sango and Miroku, occupying two other seats in the car, hardly took notice.  All three were listening intently for a signal in their earpieces.  Koga and his crew had already executed stage one of their schemes to take back the Order's headquarters, but the next team had to wait for the 'all clear' before they could move in.  And, in Kagome's opinion, they had already taken too long.

“Are we sure our equipment is working correctly?” she asked, causing both Sango and Miroku to start at the sound.

“Yes, Kagome,” Sango replied with a hint of exasperation, crossing her arms.  “We all checked our equipment back at the apartment.  You just need to calm down.  This step is going to take a little time.  Koga and his wolves have to flush out the entire first floor and the basement before we can move in.”

“Yes, but if they don’t' hurry, the demons occupying the upper levels will rally.  Or worse still, contact Naraku.  What if he were to come?”

Miroku blinked at her in surprise.  “Is that what you're worried about?  I believe we have little to fear on that account.  You yourself informed us that he was not at full power yet.  You were even able to injure him when you last met.  It is highly doubtful he will take that risk just to keep our building.  No, my dear, it is much more likely that he will send some cronies in his stead.  And, if that is the case, there are defenses we can erect around the building that will protect it.  No, Ms. Higurashi, I think our chances of succeeding today are quite good.  We just need to be on our toes.”

“Hmm.”  While Kagome wasn't entirely convinced, she had to concede that Miroku had a point.  However, she remained uneasy.  To her, this would be an open act of war against Naraku.  It was as though the Order was firing the first shot.  Though she knew it was necessary, it didn't feel right.   Quickly, she shook her head.  Thoughts of him still interrupted her daily life, no matter how hard she tried to occupy herself.  But she could not afford to be distracted today.

Suddenly, everyone in the car jumped when their ear-buds crackled.  Koga's voice came in loud and clear.

he said breathlessly

chirped Shippo from another walkie.

The trio peered out the windows of the car just in time to see Shippo and Sessho-maru emerge from the leaves of a nearby tree and make for the building.

“See?” Miroku said placidly.  “Nothing to worry about.  At least, not yet.”

They lapsed into silence, shifting only to check their weapons.  Now that Shippo and Sessho-maru were in, they needed to be ready at a moment's notice.  Time was of the essence for their team.  The sooner Miroku got to their office, the sooner they could find the Jewel.  Of course, the hard part would come after that.  Getting the Jewel to Naraku was a part of the plan they hadn't completely solidified yet.  They were all hoping the opportunity would present itself as the takeover went on.

After a few tense minutes, Shippo's cheerful voice piped up over the walkie once again

“That fox is indomitable,” Sango grumbled, rubbing her ear as they emerged from the car.

With Kagome on Miroku's left and Sango on his right, they quickly made their way to the building.  They moved in a hushed silence, stretching their senses for the slightest hint of a threat or attack.  They didn't know what awaited them but they had to be prepared for anything.

Once they arrived at the entrance, Sango stepped ahead of the other two and cracked the door open.  Slipping inside with Hiraikotsu at the ready, she scanned the reception area to make certain it was safe.  Only then did she allow Kagome and Miroku inside.

“Hey, guys,” Koga said tiredly in greeting.  He was sitting on what was formerly Rin’s desk.  However, it was currently so warped and disfigured that it was hardly reminiscent of the receptionist's tidy workspace.  His filthy shoes and bloody claws that marred the surface hardly made a difference.

“Uh...Hi,” Miroku replied faintly as the three gazed around with their mouths agape.  “What happened here?”

The place was in a stunning state of disrepair.  Papers were strewn across the scratched tile floor.  The decorative potted plants that flanked the elevator doors were overturned, with dirt spilling through the cracks and littering the ground.  Doors were hanging off their hinges, claw marks were gouged into the walls, and the lights flickered feebly from behind broken covers.  Adding to the mess were fresh pools of blood and the bodies of numerous demons, either dead or unconscious.  It was a shock to see their normally pristine building in such an abysmal condition.

“The whole place is like this,” Koga growled, waving his hand at the display.  “They practically tore it apart looking for the Jewel, but then opted to take up residence when they couldn't find it.  And those bastards made themselves right at home.”  He bared his fangs at a nearby corpse.  “We should o' done this  ago.  Assholes.”

“Your anger is duly noted,” Sango replied, putting a hand on his shoulder.  “But don't let it cloud your senses.  Our work is not done yet.  We're going to have company soon.  Get your men to every possible entrance and hold back our attackers as long as you can.  Once we're upstairs, Miroku can erect a barrier around the building.  Got it?”

Nodding stiffly, he answered, “Yes, ma'am.”

While the wolf jumped off the desk and started barking order to nearby wolves, Sango gestured at Miroku and Kagome.  Together they climbed the stairs to the next level, treading carefully around a body or two along the way.  The elevator would have been much faster, but to take it would be walking blindly into a steel trap.  And since they were unaware as to what dangers awaited them the higher they got, they opted to take the stairs instead.

Sessho-maru was waiting for their little group at the top.  His suit was slightly rumpled, and the claws on his right hand were slick with blood, but he seemed otherwise unharmed.  His expression made him appear more as though he was waiting for his catered lunch to be brought up, rather than having the look of a demon satisfying his blood-lust.

“It would seem this floor was treated with the same care as the first,” Kagome commented drily, glancing up and down the hallway.  It was in dire need of repair as well.

“Indeed.  However, those occupying this floor proved to be less of a problem.”  Shaking the excess blood from his fingers, Sessho-maru stepped smoothly over another corpse.  “There were fewer here, as well.  I have little doubt we will see a trend the higher we ascend.”  He turned boredly to the next stairwell.  “If you will excuse me.”  And in a moment he was gone, no doubt to accompany Shippo in the floor above.

“He's not one to mince words, is he?” Miroku commented wryly.

“No, but he gets the job done,” Sango retorted.  “Now, be quiet.  We need to listen for the next signal.”  Apparently, the nerves that Kagome had been afflicted with in the car were now seeding themselves in Sango.  Things were going smoothly, but that could change in a second.  They had to stay on their guard.

Shippo and Sessho-maru were able to rapidly clear the next floor and allow the trio to climb up with relative safety.  This pattern repeated itself a few more times, until at last they were only a staircase away from their goal: Sango and Miroku's office.

“So far, so good,” Miroku chimed in greeting to Sessho-maru as they reached the top of the stairs.  “You guys are working very well together.  Not an enemy in sight.  Er, alive, that is.”  He eyeballed a decapitated corpse a few feet away in disgust.

“I don't care for this,” the dog demon replied coolly.  “Something is amiss.  This has been far too simple to achieve.”

As if on cue, Shippo gave a loud squawk of surprise at that very moment from the floor above.  All four turned to the stairs, weapons raised, as the fox barreled into view.  His bottle-green eyes were as wide as dinner plates and his tail was puffed up to twice its normal size.

“Th-the body just moved!” he squeaked, pointing a quivering finger at the stairs.  “I had just killed the guy, a-and then... He got right back up and swung at me”  He interrupted himself with a shrill scream and gestured wildly behind the group.

They whirled around and came face-to-face with the decapitated ogre who, until just recently, had been imitating an ugly, smelly throw rug.

Fortunately Kagome, who had seen a moving corpse before, wasn't gripped with fear like the young fox.  Without hesitation, she fired a bolt from her crossbow right into the ogre's blood-splattered chest.  Its entire body was dissolved in the ensuing white-blue explosion.

“Guys, we got company!” Koga's voice rang through their earpieces, even before the sound of the blow died out.  “Somebody's manipulating these bodies!  We can't kill 'em!  We're getting overrun down here!”

“We copy that, Koga.  We're sending help now.”  Miroku faced the group, his relaxed demeanor long-forgotten.  “Shippo!  Once you're gotten a hold of yourself, get down there and help the wolves.  I know you can't kill them, but your fox-fire should hold them off for a while.”

Flushing from embarrassment, Shippo nodded and made to descend the stairs.

“And be careful!” Kagome added.  “There are bodies on every level.  It's likely they're all under control!”

With a terrified shudder, Shippo picked up speed and disappeared.

“Sessho-maru.”  Miroku turned to the dog demon next.  “We need you to find the source of this.  Whether it's a spell, a demon, or both, you must get rid of it.  Go!”

Pausing to give the man a withering glare, since he clearly disliked taking orders, Sessho-maru disappeared out a nearby window.

“All right.  Kagome, I need you to stay with me so I can make it upstairs in one piece.  With your holy powers you would be a great asset to Koga, but it is essential we carry out our task.  We'll get you downstairs as soon as we can.  And Sango, my dear...”  He trailed off, staring sadly at her.

She sighed heavily.  “I know, I know.  Koga needs all the help he can get.  But promise me that--”  A guttural moan interrupted her as a blood-covered imp appeared in the stairwell that Shippo had recently  vacated.  Without taking her eyes off Miroku, she fired Hiraikotsu.  The imp was blown back down the stairs from the force of being shot at such close-range.  “--you'll be .”

Miroku grinned in delight at the display.  It was always reassuring to know that the woman he loved could indeed take care of herself in a fight.  “Of course.”  Leaning close, he planted a quick kiss on her lips and murmured, “I love you, too.”

Blushing, Sango lightly pushed him away.  “Get going.  You have work to do.”  

With lingering glances at each other, they at last turned and went their separate ways.

While he loathed being given orders, Sessho-maru understood the importance of his task.  No doubt, this strange occurrence was caused by either an incredibly powerful and intricate spell, or by an offspring of Naraku, which was not one to be trifled with.  Either way, it was a delicate situation.  Of course, he was the only one of the group with the skill and capability to solve the matter quickly and efficiently.  It was clear why Miroku had chosen him.

With his pride soothed a bit by this thought, Sessho-maru focused his attention on other matters.  He had perched himself on the upper branches of an oak tree, giving him both camouflage and a look-out point.  From his position, he could see that not only were the dead bodies of the demons inside the building being manipulated, but several undead were pushing their way in from outside.  From the stench wafting up from the groaning mass, it was obvious these newcomers were not freshly killed.  Sessho-maru's eyes narrowed.  It was almost as though the bodies had been saved for this occasion.

“Hm.”  Deciding not to mention it over the walkie, as Koga had undoubtedly discovered for himself they were coming from the outside, Sessho-maru instead directed his attention upward.

A rather confusing combination of scents assaulted his keen nose.  One smelt of Naraku, but it was entwined with another odor that convinced Sessho-maru that the demon himself was not visiting the Order today.  There was a third scent highly reminiscent of Sango.  It took Sessho-maru but a moment to realize it must be her young sibling, Kohaku.  His eyebrow lifted a fraction at this realization.  It was an intriguing play on Naraku's part.

He chose to see for himself the owner of the unknown smell.  With speed, skill, and silence that could only be managed by someone with years of experience under their belt, he switched his position from the tree branch two floors below to atop the water tower on the building's roof.  His quarry never noticed his arrival, and he quickly made to keep it that way.  Pressing himself flat against the tower, he focused on the two figures below his vantage point.

One was, undoubtedly, the boy Kohaku.  Although Sessho-maru could not recall having met him before, his appearance gave him away.  Tall and lean, just like his sister, he shared many other features with her that left no question in the dog demon's mind.  

As for the other creature, the only familiarity to be found was Naraku's odor.  While Naraku was an odious, foul beast, this woman was strikingly beautiful.  Her thin frame remained unaffected by the powerful winds swirling about the roof, and only a few strands of jet-black hair broke free from the feathered tie atop her head.  In her right hand was a steel-bladed fan, while the left was outstretched.  Her eyes were closed in concentration.  It became clear to Sessho-maru that she was a wind-witch, controlling the corpses with her powers.

 He readied his right hand, seeping his claws with deadly poison.  Rather than having to break through some kind of spell to stop the undead horde, he merely needed to kill this woman.

The moment his muscles tensed in preparation to attack, the witch's eyes snapped open, revealing ruby-red orbs.  Sessho-maru froze, wondering if his presence had not gone entirely unnoticed.

“Kohaku.”  Her voice was cold and detached, like she was speaking to a total stranger.  “They have split up.  Now is your chance.  Do not delay.”

Kohaku gave a short nod, and then walked to the edge of the roofer where some climbing equipment was waiting for use.  He had the rope in his hands when the sound of his name stopped him once more.

“Kohaku.”

He looked expectantly at her.

“You would do well to heed Naraku's warning.  If you wish to survive, you must succeed.”

At those words, his eyes hardened and his face grew dark.  Sessho-maru was a bit unnerved to see such an expression on the young man’s face.  While he had never bothered himself with the trivial matters of human youths, he was fairly certain such a cold expression did not belong to one so inexperienced in the way of life.  It made him wonder as to what sort of atrocities the boy had been exposed to in Naraku’s lair.

“I am aware of what must be done, Kagura,” Kohaku replied, his voice tainted with frost.  “But really, if you were so concerned about my family, you might be a bit more helpful.”

Sessho-maru raised an eyebrow.  Clearly, there was something deeper going on here.

Kagura’s eye flashed angrily.  “My hands are chained tight, boy,” she hissed.  “You, at least, have a glimmer of freedom.  Naraku knows my every move.  Any step away from him I take is a step closer to my demise.  Forgive me for being unwilling to sacrifice myself to save your precious sister.  Now, begone.  Any moment, that fool Miroku might raise the barriers and my army will be destroyed.”

Kohaku’s gaze softened slightly in understanding.  With a silent nod, he gripped the rope once again and disappeared over the edge.

Sessho-maru felt he had spied long enough.  He knew, in the heat of battle, discerning friends from enemies was a difficult task, so he paused to whisper into his walkie, before shifting into an attack position.  However, the moment he spoke, the wind-witch whirled around.

“Who’s there?” she said haughtily, scanning the rooftop.  “There isn’t a sound to be made that my wind won’t pick up.  Show yourself!”

Sessho-maru didn’t bother to conceal himself any longer.  Unafraid, he leaped from his position on the water tower.  Before Kagura had time to react, his poisoned claws had run through her chest, and she found herself face-to-face with the stone-faced demon.

“Hmph.”  As her eyes roamed over his handsome features, she showed little, if any, surprise by the attack.  “Is that any way to greet a lady?  You’ll have to do much better than that.”

In most situations, Sessho-maru was able to focus entirely on the battle.  His attention never diverted from his prey.  However, with this woman who had withstood his powerful blow as though it were a gentle breeze, he was acutely aware of how his arm was embedded between her breasts.  So, while he did not show any sign of embarrassment, he removed his appendage a bit faster than usual.

“That’s a little better,” she quipped, taking a step away from him.  Examining the gaping hole, she fingered the edges of torn flesh that was slowly turning green.  “Hm.  Poisonous claws.  You’re a real sweetheart, aren’t you?”

Sessho-maru remained silent, studying the woman closely.  He told himself that he was merely waiting to see if his poison would affect her, but his accursed eyes kept slipping down to where her torn dress fluttered in the wind.

Kagura, who was watching him curiously, followed his gaze, and then looked back up at him.  “Ah.  I hate to disappoint, but something like this isn’t going to kill me.”

“Yes.  An offspring of Naraku can only be killed by Naraku himself.”

She raised a fine eyebrow as his deep voice rolled over her.  This man was a mystery.  Naraku had not spoken of him, and she couldn’t recall spotting him during any of her spying missions.  He did share a good many characteristics of the half- breed Inu-Yasha, but she was unaware the hanyou had any living relatives.  However, she had the opportunity to find out.  She need to buy Kohaku some time inside the building.

“You seem knowledgeable on that matter,” she replied curtly.

“I have dealt with Naraku’s reign, if not the demon himself.”  Sessho-maru was now conversing with his prey, which was yet another thing he normally never allowed himself in battle.  A fight was not the time for conversation, and yet here he was.  Of course, he needed to let the poison seep through the witch’s blood, but there was another purpose spurring his speech.  One he did not understand.

“Oh?  You survived the first Rise?” she asked, studying him curiously.

“I was not bothered with such trivial matters.  Naraku was not the only powerful demon in the world causing problems at the time.”  He took a step toward her.  “But that is of little importance.  What of the boy, Kohaku?  It would seem Naraku has taken a slight interest in him.”

Kagura’s eyes narrowed.  “How much did you hear?”
Sessho-maru remained silent, fixing her with his cold amber gaze.  She returned the look in kind, unaffected as most usually were.

However, she knew if she didn’t continue, her stalling tactic would come to a screeching halt.  So, rather unwillingly, she stated, “Kohaku is a useful tool to Naraku.  Once his usefulness runs out, I cannot say what might happen to him.”

The do demon appeared undisturbed by this information.  “And you are attempting to keep him useful, are you not?”

A touch of color rose in Kagura’s cheeks.  “I am attempting to keep  useful,” she snapped in response.  “In the employ of Naraku,  you watch your own back.  Aiding others is a request for death.”

“You do not care for your master.”  It was a simple statement, but Kagura found she could not argue.  

Reigning in her ire, she answered coolly, “I am merely following orders.  Whatever happens to Kohaku is Naraku’s choice.  Nothing I do will change that.”

She was skirting part of the truth, Sessho-maru knew.  Judging from the conversation he had eavesdropped upon, she did hold some concern for the boy.  But she was covering it up, clearly seeing it as a weakness.  That was, he quickly realized, a trait to be found in himself.

The two fell silent for a few moments, content with staring at the other.  Kagura was fascinated by this creature that was so powerful and so…  That was something she longed to be.

As for Sessho-maru, he could see a woman full of cynicism, longing for a release but certain it would never happen.  It almost dredged up a feeling of sympathy.  Almost.

He also noted that her winds were weakening.  The poison was doing its job.

“Why are you in this war?” Kagura suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

Sessho-maru seemed unfazed by the question.  “It was convenient.”  It was convenient for him because he needed to step up in his role as an older brother.  The fate of the city mattered little to him.  But he opted not to mention this.  “Why are you?”

That cold, jaded look clouded her gaze.  “I was created for it.  And no other purpose.”

Suddenly, she gasped and sank down to her knees.  The wind all but stopped.  Sessho-maru’s sensitive ears picked up the thud of dozens of bodies hitting the ground several floors below them, and he knew at last his poison had completed its task.  Kagura glared up at him, a wry smile twisting her lips.  “That was playing dirty.”

“This is a war, Kagura,” he informed her.  “One does not play in battle.”

As voices began to crackle in his ear bud, offering words of surprise and gratitude for resolving the ‘spell’ that controlled the army, he spotted the rope shifting at the edge of the roof.  Kohaku soon reappeared.  His face, which had been so dark and somber going down, was now flushed and shining.  He was struggling to hold back a smile, but he could not hide the glimmer of youth sparkling in his eyes once again.  Apparently, seeing his sister did wonders to his morale.  

However, once he spotted Sessho-maru, the joy gave way to anger and concern.  “Who are you?” he demanded, his voice strong and cold.  His scythe was gripped easily in his fist, ready to be swung at a moment’s notice.

“Don’t bother, Kohaku…” Kagura groaned, weakly waving a hand at him.  “Leave this battle be.  He’s too strong for you.”

Kohaku stared evenly at Sessho-maru.  “I highly doubt that.”

“Watch your tongue, boy.”  The human whelp hardly posed a threat, but Sessho-maru did not take such comments well.

He had been ignoring the scattered buzz of voices in his ear up until this moment, but then Miroku’s voice came through loud and clear.

“I’m about to raise the barrier now, everyone.  Prepare yourselves.”

“Wait.”  Sessho-maru’s deep voice made Kagura and Kohaku jump in surprise with its strength.  Up until now, the slight trace of boredom lined his tones, but this one word had the hint of stress.  Having not heard Miroku, they were curious to this outburst.

“Wait a moment, Miroku,” he said again.  “Hold until my signal.”  Releasing the microphone, he faced the pair.  “If you do not wish to have to flesh seared off your bones, I suggest you take your leave.  Your work here is done.”  His eyes lingered a moment on Kohaku, asking a silent question.  The boy nodded slightly in reply and placed a hand over the tiniest bump under his shirt.

“Well, then, if his Master Sessho-maru wishes it, we should go,” Kagura said acidly, dragging herself to her feet using the ledge of the roof.  Unpinning the feather from her hair, she took a deep breath and concentrated for a moment.  It took a couple of seconds, since the damning poison was slowing her powers, but the feather eventually grew large enough to ride.  Painstakingly, she climbed on, with Kohaku right behind her.  As the feather teetered slowly into the air, she called over the edge, “I hope we didn’t inconvenience you too much, Master Sessho-maru!”  And then a gust of wind carted them away.

Sessho-maru stared after them for a long while, the wind whipping his long hair.  

Sango had been sending a bullet through the head of another animated corpse when she heard Sessho-maru’s voice in her ear, saying but a few words that hit her with the force of a hammer.

“Sango, your brother has entered one of the upper floors.  Take care in whom you attack.”

Being in the midst of a battle with adrenaline pumping in her veins, a statement that normally would have rendered her immobile instead gave her the ability to turn on a dime and rush back upstairs.  Any corpse that attempted to attack was repelled with either a bullet or a powerful punch.  None of these attacks stopped them permanently, but gave her enough time to get around the and headed upward.

 She could hardly wrap her mind around the possibility.  Why on Earth had Naraku sent Kohaku, of all people, back to this place?  Was it a trick?  Was her brother being controlled?  

At the top of the stairs, she found all her questions answered when she collided headlong into another body, but this one was definitely alive.  Holding her fire with Hiraikotsu for a moment, she cried out in joy when she looked into the brown eyes of her brother.

“Kohaku!”

“Sister!”  

The two were stuck together in a crushing embrace.  Sango could only feel relief flooding through her senses, knowing her brother was alive and well.  And Kohaku, who had craved the company of  a familiar face for so long was at last able to indulge.

“Sister… we don’t have much time,” he murmured, squeezing her tighter when he felt tears soaking through his shirt.  “Are you well?  Has everyone survived this far?”

“Yes, we’re all still here.  Except Inu-Yasha.  He’s not dead, as far as we know.”

Kohaku pulled back to look at her in concern.  “As far as you know?”  She shook her head, wiping her watery eyes.  “We don’t have the time to get into that.  And you?  What have they done to you?”  She drank in the sight of his muscular build, hair that was several inches longer than when they met last, and the scars that were strewn across his flesh.

“They have trained me well,” he answered smoothly.  “Don’t worry.  I’ve survived everything Naraku has thrown my way.  I mean, I’m here, aren’t I?”
She smiled weakly at him.  “Yes!  You are!”  Pausing, she glanced around.  “Come to think of it, why are we the only ones here?  Shouldn’t we have the company of some zombies?”

“I’m wearing some repellant, created by the witch who makes the corpses dance,” Kohaku replied.  “If you stick close to me, you won’t be attacked either.  But now, sister, I have been given a task to do by Naraku.  I need your help.”  Worry laced his tone.

“What is it?”

“I have to bring back the half of the Jewel the Order is hiding.  I-I know if I do, Naraku will become the most powerful demon in the city, and will soon be able to lay waste to this place.  But if I don’t bring it back, he’s promised to kill you and Miroku and Rin and anyone I care about.”  Tears welled in his eyes, but he tried his best to keep them from falling.  “I have been trying to think of a way around this, but I just can’t find a solution.  I can’t allow you to die, Sango, I can’t!”

Sango took his hand in hers, offering him some comfort.  Clearly, this had been bothering him for quite some time.  “Don’t worry,” she said calmly, smiling in relief at him.  This declaration had solved the one problem with their plan.  “Let your big sister take care of this.”

Grabbing hold of his hand, she tugged him to his feet.  “We need to get to Kagome and Miroku.  This way!”

Together they pounded up the stairs, their progress much faster without being attacked by the undead every few steps.  It took but a few seconds before they reached the office door, which Sango threw open in her haste.

“Yikes!”  The shriek escaped when a bolt, crackling with holy energy was shoved within an inch of her nose.

“Sango!”  Kagome quickly pulled her weapon away.  “Don’t scare me like that!  Why didn’t you say you were coming over the walkies?!  I thought you were a zombie!”

Placing a hand over her pounding heart in an attempt to slow it down, Sango gasped, “I-I’m sorry!  I was just distracted by… by…”  She stepped into the room and waved Kohaku inside.  He sidled in, looking very uncomfortable and out of place.

“Um… H-hi, everyone,” he said lamely, giving a short wave.  It was so strange to see this many familiar faces.  After so many weeks living on the bridge between life and death in those caverns with no one to call a friend, it was difficult to take in so many people in such a short time.

“Kohaku!”  Miroku, who had been crouched in front of an innocent-looking filing cabinet in the corner, leaped to his feet at the sight of the boy.  “I wasn’t expecting to see you here!”  He strode over to Kohaku and embraced him, almost as relieved as Sango.  “I can’t believe Naraku allowed you to come.”

Seeing the plaintive look Kohaku gave her over his shoulder, Sango stepped in.  “It’s not that surprising, really.  Naraku threatened our lives if Kohaku didn’t come back with the Jewel shard.  Do you think we can indulge him, Miroku?”

Kagome gave a little squeak in surprise at the comment.  She knew just as well as Miroku that this was the opportunity to solve the one flaw in their plan.  This was their chance to get the Jewel in the wrong hands.

Miroku pulled away from Kohaku and smiled brightly.  “Why, what a wonderful idea, my dear!  I’ll just go fetch it now.”

Kohaku, puzzled beyond belief at everyone’s reaction to his request, followed Miroku back over to the filing cabinet against the wall.  

Crouching down, Miroku turned the key in the drawer second up from the bottom, and slid it open.  It appeared no different than any other filing cabinet, being filled with manila envelopes, various tabs, and a few random papers sticking out haphazardly.  But he seemed to know exactly where to go.

“Q…R…R…S…Ah-ha!  ‘Shikon Jewel’!”  Slipping his hand into the file, he pulled out a small phial that housed a shimmering pink stone.  With a pleased smile, he faced Kohaku and dropped it into the boy’s hands.  “Here you are, Kohaku.  One Shikon Jewel shard.”

The boy blinked once at Miroku.  Then he looked down at the phial in his hand.  And then back to Miroku again.  “…That was it?”

Miroku looked a little confused.  “Well, we don’t really have too many jewel shards floating around the place.  I’m fairly certain that’s what you’re looking for!”

Kohaku still didn’t seem to understand.  “…”  He held up the bottle.  “…Is the Shikon Jewel?  It was in a filing cabinet in your office the whole time?”

Another knowing grin flashed across Miroku’s face.  “Indeed.  No safer place.”

Kohaku frowned.  “Then how come Naraku’s demons couldn’t find it when they searched the place?”

“Ahh, now you’re thinking.”  Miroku shook his finger at the boy as he stood up.  “We didn’t want to make it obvious where it was hidden, which was why we chose the filing cabinet.  But since we didn’t want anyone stumbling across it by accident, Lady Kaede and I cast a spell on the file.  The only people who can find and retrieve the Jewel are the ones who made the spell.  For anyone else, the file doesn’t exist.  That was one of our more clever ideas.”

“Miroku.”  Kagome, who had been listening quietly from her post at the door, finally piped up.  “I hate to cut things short, but Koga and his men and still fighting downstairs.  We need to raise that barrier.”

Kohaku started at the sound of her voice.  It was like he suddenly remembered that he was on a mission.  Gripping the phial, he hurriedly tucked it into his shirt.  “Yes, I must be going.  Kagura will be anxious for my return.  We don’t want to keep Naraku waiting.”  He looked around the room at the trio, lingering on the eyes of his sister.  “Thank you all.  I… I must admit, I don’t understand why you want me to have the Jewel, but I’m going to trust that you know what you’re doing.  But please… Once Naraku gets this, he will be more powerful than you can possibly imagine.  I don’t know what’s going to happen to me once I return there, so if I can’t make it back here… Take care of yourselves.”

With a short nod, he turned and hastened out the door.  Sango quickly ran after him, catching his arm before he made it down the stairs.  “Kohaku… why don’t you just give the Jewel to this… Kagura?  Let her take it back to Naraku.  You can stay here.  Your work in the quarry is done.  I can’t risk losing you any longer.”

“Sister, you know as well as I that I have to go back.  Not only do I need to see the Jewel safely to Naraku’s hands, but I can still uncover information that may be helpful to the Order.  Plus, Naraku might come to attack you prematurely when he sees that I didn’t come back.  I don’t want to risk anything.  He’s a total nutcase.”

This last statement, stated so plainly, made Sango choke out a laugh through her tears.  Pulling him once more into her embrace, she tried to convey all of her love for him into the simple movement.  

“I’m so proud of you, Kohaku,” she murmured into his hair as he returned the hug.  “I worry about you every single day.  But to see you now, and know that you have thrived in a place like that…  I just couldn’t be more proud.”

Kohaku was saved the chance of having to reply, for which he was grateful, when the sounds of heavy thuds echoed around them.  Sango started in surprise and raised her gun, but he put his hand over it.

“Don’t worry,” he said calmly.  “I think Kagura just lost control of her army.  I have to get outta here.”  Giving her hand a squeeze, he let his gaze linger on her for a second longer before dashing out of sight.  He didn’t bother saying a farewell.  He didn’t have the proper one to give.  But all he knew was that he felt lighter, and happier than he had in countless weeks.

The feather-ride back to the quarry was far more pleasant for Kohaku than his companion.  Kagura had shortly explained the she had been poisoned by the dog-demon on the roof, but refused to say any more on the subject.  Kohaku got to enjoy the rest of the ride in silence.  His thoughts were filled of his sister, and the feeling of being embraced.  How many nights had he dreamed of seeing her again?

“Get your head out of the clouds,” Kagura snapped after several minutes had passed.  “We’re landing.”

Kohaku lightly jumped off the feather just before it shrank back to its usual size, and then offered Kagura a hand to get her on her feet.  She accepted it, reluctantly, then brushed it away when she was standing.

“I am returning to my room,” she said shortly, leaning against the stone wall of the cavern for support.  “I’m sure Naraku will be far more interested in what you have to say than I.”  She pushed herself up right and slowly staggered down the path.  Pausing to look back at him, she muttered, “Good luck with him, Kohaku.”

Surprised, and a little touched by her sentiment, Kohaku gave a careful nod.  If he showed any more emotion, it would anger her.

Passing her by, he made his way through the labyrinth alone.  With the fresh memories of his sister protecting him, the cold and the dark didn’t press in as bad as it normally would.  He strode with purpose, going eagerly to face his master and deliver the one item that would save both his sister’s hide and his own.   What was to fear?

Reaching the widest entrance to the largest cavern, Kohaku stopped.  “My Lord Naraku,” he called out, his voice strong.  “We have returned from our mission.”

After a moment, Naraku’s voice, colder and softer than usual, washed over him.  “You may approach.”

Kohaku stepped briskly up to the purple orb.  Even Naraku’s staggering aura could not steal away the warm glow in his chest.  He was still unafraid.  

“Where is Kagura?” the demon queried, though his tone implied other matters were more important.  He wanted a short answer.

“She sustained injuries in the battle, and has chosen to fend off the effects of a poison in her quarters.  I can send for her if you’d like, master.”

The demon ignored Kohaku’s offer.  “And what of your task, Kohaku?”  His voice was even softer, and far more dangerous than seconds prior.  “Did you succeed…?”

That hint of danger punctured Kohaku’s balloon of joy.  He could feel his chest deflate, only to be filled again with worry and fear.  With his fingers trembling slightly, he tugged the shard out from under his shirt.  “Here, my lord,” he said, doing his best to keep his voice even.  Naraku didn’t need to know how much control he had over Kohaku’s emotions.  “As you requested.”

A slimy, pale tentacle slid slowly out of the orb, hesitating for but a moment before wrapping itself around the phial.  It soon was swallowed by the energy field, and nothing but silence emerged for several seconds.  For those few moments Kohaku’s mind raced with crazy possibilities.  Was the shard a fake?  Would Naraku be able to tell?  Was it not the right thing?  What would he do if it wasn’t the real deal?

However, a low chuckle washed over him, quelling such thoughts and drenching Kohaku with utter terror.  “At last…” Naraku murmured, quiet, sadistic glee oozing out of each word.  “At last.  After so many years…  You… You have done well, boy.”  He sounded almost out of breath, so eager and excited he was with his prize.  “One with your abilities should be… well rewarded.”

The last thing Kohaku saw before he blacked out was a white hand reaching toward him.

And there we are.  Chapter 50.  My apologies to those whom I promised that Inu-Yasha would at last reappear in Chapter 49.  And then Chapter 50.  But this time, this time for SURE, he's coming back in chapter 51.  I was actually going to combine all of this into chapter 50, but the hour grew later, the chapter grew obscenely long, and I was starting to fade.  

But this is a good thing, really!  It means I now have five pages of chapter 51 already written up.  That means another update should be soon to follow this one.

You all have my apologies.  Now go and click on that little review button so you can yell at me about the cliffie.  

Thanks for reading!