InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hanyou's Heart ❯ Darkness ( Chapter 4 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Chevalier Mal Fet 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 11.20.2015 | Pages: 11 | Words: 7.5K | Visits: 347 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 11.20.2015 | Pages: 11 | Words: 7.5K | Visits: 347 | Status: Work In Progress
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fanfiction
Chapter Four: Darkness Episode One: Remembrances Brilliant scarlet and orange shone over the rising treetops. The Sun was newly risen, casting a radiant glow over the entire forest. Inuyasha hardly noticed. His mind was a stark contrast to the bright morning Sun. His thoughts were ever dour, ever bleak. He stared up into the branches of the sacred tree. He was drawn to this tree, though he could not truly explain it. The aged arrow still lay imbedded in the trunk. He had never been able to bring himself to remove it. He found himself before this tree everyday, staring, only dredging up painful memories. But, no matter how painful those memories were, he could not turn himself from them. His soul was damaged. He knew that. Hell, even that damned hag knew how broken he was. He had spent fifty years in this forest, fifty years living lifelessly. There had been the occasional excitement that would distract him, but not enough to save him from descending into that deep despair. Myouga, the flea, had come to him, encouraging him to seek out his father's tomb…to seek the treasure sword that his father had intended for him. It had been nearly a year after Kikyou had betrayed him, but the pain was still too fresh…still too overwhelming. Inuyasha had told the flea to go to hell. Myouga had indeed gone, but to where, Inuyasha had not heard until his reappearance some several months later. The flea had been terrified, desperately urging the hanyou to go to his father's tomb. The flea had discovered its whereabouts and told Inuyasha of the spell placing it within his eye. Of course, ripping his eye from its socket may have seemed like fun at the time, but he had still refused. He didn't give a damn about a sword…He didn't care about anything. Myouga had fled, seeing Inuyasha’s unwavering despondency. Sesshoumaru had come, then, with his little toady. Inuyasha had told him to go to hell, same as the flea, but his brother hadn't been overly fond of the invitation. They had fought, and the elder brother had quickly shown his superiority. Of course, Inuyasha hadn't really the will to fight at the time, but he had to admit, within his own head, that Sesshoumaru had been the better. Had Jaken, the bastard youkai servant, not opened his mouth and insulted Kikyou, Inuyasha would have let Sesshoumaru kill him. Once the stupid toad had uttered that slight, however, Inuyasha had leapt up, strength returned, and shredded the little bastard. Sesshoumaru had been rather surprised at his brother's sudden spirit and had been wounded slightly before he had managed to escape. Inuyasha hadn't been satisfied though, and had gone on a rampage through his forest, killing any youkai, tree, or animal that crossed his path for nearly two days. The dead, empty feeling within him had returned then, and the fires that had burned within his veins had ceased. He had almost regretted the loss of his rage. It had made him feel alive, filled him with passion. Anger had been the only emotion to burn in him since that day fifty years ago. His spirit held no fuel for any other passion. Despair and desolation did not leave much to ignite real feeling. Inuyasha smiled grimly. Anger was made him feel alive, feel the heat in his blood, and Sesshoumaru had provided it. He had been alive, no matter how briefly, no matter that his despair was all the stronger now. For a brief time he had lived again. Inuyasha found himself desiring this feeling, wishing to feel it again, to never let it leave. But something in him feared that. Something buried deeply in his tattered soul would not let him embrace the rage that he coveted. Strangely, Inuyasha found himself reflecting on the girl, Kagome. He did not understand her…didn't even understand exactly what he felt towards her. The hag, he knew, he despised. It was much the same with all of the villagers and all humans in general. But this girl wasn't the same. He didn't hate her, didn't even dislike her. Inuyasha wondered a bit. He certainly didn't like her, so there must be some neutral ground. Perhaps it was simply because she wasn't of this world. He didn't have to hate her. Still, there was that strange feeling he got when he was around her. It was a warmth, almost a glowing within his body. It was small, but to someone who was used to feeling dead within, it was startling. It was almost like being alive…nothing like the raging inferno of his rage, but more stable, almost serene. It bubble with confusion, but a soft sort of confusion. Inuyasha didn't understand it at all. He found himself thinking about it far too often. Seeing her bright smile in his mind, he felt it again. Even now, before the reminder of his betrayal, he could find himself thinking of her, feeling that warmth in his heart. What the hell was it? Inuyasha wasn't sure that he liked the idea that this girl could make him feel something he didn't understand, but he knew that he wanted to feel it again…feel it constantly. He had to feel it again. So he would stay with the girl. He would find the jewel with her after all. But now it was about more than the jewel. He had to understand. The jewel would cure his emptiness…but if he could find something else to fill the void in his heart…would he need the jewel? Once he would have immediately chosen the jewel, but he had grown a bit wiser as well as stronger over the years. Though he had actually changed very little in fifty years, save the gradual descent into darkness, he had learned a bit more patience and thought. Once he had sought only to be a youkai, but then had come his despair. Now he only sought to end his emptiness, to find life or end it. If he could truly gain his life again, without the jewel, he had no use for it. Inuyasha was strong. He had proven it by killing Sesshoumaru. He no longer needed to be a youkai, he had only thought it would help him escape his feelings, which he felt were human weaknesses. Maybe he wouldn't need to the jewel after all. If only he could understand exactly what it was he felt. What did he feel? Damn. He had no idea. Episode Two: Rumors Kagome wasn't quite certain what was different about the hanyou as she sat there, eating the small breakfast Kaede had prepared for her, but there was definitely some difference. He was as discourteous as ever, still distant, but he was no longer holding himself aloof. Inuyasha certainly wasn't inviting familiarity, but he wasn't driving her away this morning. How much could have changed in one night? Well, certainly a lot. Thinking back on how things had changed for her last night, she guessed that much might have changed for the hanyou as well. Had it been only yesterday that he had been so frightening? Had he really slain his own brother just yesterday? How could she bring herself to look at him…and how could he look at her with those brilliant golden eyes, so free of the self-loathing she knew he must have felt? Something drastic must have transpired last night. Kagome was complaining certainly, but she was still curious. The hanyou still glared at Kaede when she came into the room, but looked at Kagome with only a small twist of his face that could almost be curiosity. He certainly seemed to be interested in something, because, though he hid it well, he kept glancing at her, his eyes lingering longer than a chance look. The attention was unexpected, but not necessarily unwelcome. Kagome felt her face heat slightly as she felt his gaze upon her again. Kaede seemed to notice it too, and made a mental note, unsure what to make of it. Of course, to the neutral viewer, it would seem that Inuyasha was showing some interest in this strange girl…and from the girl's small blush it would seem she returned the interest…but Kaede was did not think that likely. Inuyasha despised humans. Even leaving that aside, she did not think that the hanyou would be so inclined towards a girl. Kaede has certainly not left behind all of her hatred for Inuyasha, but she had begun to suspect that he was not who she had believed him. Whatever was going on between these two, Kaede was certain she would find out soon enough. Inuyasha was not precisely adept at keeping things hidden…not in areas where he was so inexperienced, at least. And women was not his strongest area of knowledge. The priestess put aside her musing and turned to more important business. Inuyasha had turned his gaze elsewhere for the moment and Kagome's face was slowly losing its pink tinge. "Kagome, Inuyasha, I have news of the Shikon no Tama." This immediately brought their attention to her, though she noted that the hanyou did not seem as interested as she would have believed. He still seemed preoccupied with Kagome. Could he truly be smitten? "Well, I have rumors, at least, and they are not of the Shikon no Tama, themselves, but I recognized a reference to it. These rumors were of the Lord Naraku, the man who seems to hold dominion over many demons." "In fact, the Lord Naraku was engaged in a struggle with your late brother, Inuyasha, for dominion of the Western Lands. Now he has no major opposition in the region and will soon rule it." Inuyasha snorted, obviously uncaring. "Naraku is rumored to be a cruel monarch, with an almost spiteful contempt for all those beneath him. He has lain waste to villages, slaughtering the villagers without a second thought, and ordered executions for no more reason than that he felt like it." Kagome was aghast. Even the hanyou's eyes were narrowed somewhat, though Kaede doubted he felt all that much for the villagers. They would have spurned him, after all. Most likely, his narrowed eyes were caused by Naraku, who did so much evil and ruled, where he had done very little save exist, yet he was hated by all. Perhaps the wanton cruelty had even sparked some sense of justice in the hanyou, though Kaede wouldn't wager much on that. Inuyasha hadn't seemed much of a villain long ago, but she had never known him well. Kaede continued, gauging the reactions from her companions. "Many have wondered at how this Lord Naraku has gained such power over demons. In fact, many have asked where he came from. Naraku first appeared nearly fifty years ago as a very minor lord from a region no one knew of. He has since grown to one of the most powerful lords in the region. It is curious that Naraku allows so few to see him, but it is said that he is a young man. This could not be possible if he were truly the same Naraku from fifty years ago, save for one truth." Kaede could see Kagome holding her breath, waiting for the priestess to continue. The hanyou had crossed his arms, feigning indifference to the tale, but his ears were focused on her. "In one rumor there is a small bead that the Lord Naraku carries upon his person. He never lets it leave his possession, and he has killed several for trying to touch it. Its description matches that of the Shikon no Tama." Now Inuyasha was not even pretending to ignore her. His disturbingly piercing eyes were focused upon her completely. "Naraku has the jewel, has had it for fifty years. Somehow, he acquired it, possibly that very day that you stole it, Inuyasha. This Lord Naraku has had the jewel the entire time, and his soul is obviously dark. We must not let him keep it any longer. The jewel can not be tainted by evil hands. You must take it from him, Inuyasha…I know you are adept at that." She ignored the low growl that her comment elicited. "Then you must give the jewel to Kagome. The jewel will certainly be tainted by that evil man, and she has certain gifts within her. She will be able to purify the jewel. Even you, Inuyasha, would not want to use such a tainted magic." Kaede finished, expecting the hanyou's defiance, but was surprised to find him only staring at Kagome with open astonishment and curiosity. Oh, yes, he had not known of Kagome's abilities, and he still would not know the full truth. While he seemed to hold less than hatred for the girl, that could quickly change if he found out that she was Kikyou's reincarnation. Inuyasha stood deliberately. He strode from the hut, leaving Kaede and Kagome to ponder together. Naraku held the jewel. They had to get it, they all agreed to that, but how? Inuyasha would do most of the work, at least for the first stage. That was getting the jewel from Naraku. The second stage was keeping it from Inuyasha, and Kagome seemed to be doing very well in that already. If Inuyasha truly held feelings for her, then would he steal the jewel a second time? Even if he did try to kill Kagome as he had killed Kikyou, Kagome had her secret powers and the spell of subduing. Inuyasha would not regain the Shikon no Tama. Episode Three: Spider's Web Kagome watched as the blood-soaked sky grew ever darker. Inuyasha had finally agreed to stop for the night. They had set out fairly early in the morning, Inuyasha in a hurry to find this Lord Naraku. Kagome hadn't really been prepared for the long walking she was just realizing lay ahead. She had carried her over-filled back pack for nearly two hours before the hanyou had noticed her struggling and taken it 'so that the weak human could keep up'. Not that she had been able to keep up with the hanyou. Inuyasha had been frustrated at her apparent weakness, for she asked to stop several times so that she could rest. She was slowing him down terribly. He could have probably reached the castle by nightfall on his own, but Kaede insisted that he would need the girl. He would have left her behind anyways, save that she was helpless on her own, and she was the only human he did not absolutely despise. Besides, he wanted to study her some more…and he wanted to feel that warmth that she caused deep within. The Moon was rising in the sky, a waning sliver of silver light. Inuyasha glared up at it, causing Kagome to giggle slightly. The hanyou turned his glare on her before muttering something, a curse no doubt, under his breath and settling down at the base of a tree. Kagome stifled her giggling, but still felt shook silently with her humor. It figured that the sour hanyou would glare at the Moon too. He could hold a grudge against a stone. Kagome warmed herself near the small fire that Inuyasha had grudgingly let her build. She shivered. The night seemed to be getting quite chilly. She had brought her sleeping bag with her, but she wasn't quite ready to sleep just yet. Instead, Kagome turned to her silver-haired companion, catching him staring at her. He looked away quickly, thanking the dark which hid the slight blush on his face. Kagome blushed as well. She did not know how to take all the attention she was getting from him, nor did she understand it. Kagome was about to speak, anything to take her mind off her flaming cheeks, when a rustling caused her to freeze. Inuyasha was on his feet, eyes narrowed and ears pricked forward. Kagome inched towards him, not daring to get up and dash to safety. The hanyou growled suddenly and leapt over Kagome, snarling. Kagome was too shocked to react, at first thinking he had leapt at her. She turned to find him shaking dark blood from his claws, sending it spattering along the ground. A blurred form lay at his feet, in several pieces. At first glance it appeared to be a man, but Kagome slowly picked out some oddities in the dark. Whatever it was had a tail, and was covered in furs made to pass as clothing, but were actually part of the creature. It was definitely some kind of demon. Kagome looked up at Inuyasha questioningly, and he grimaced briefly, wiping the last of the blood in the grass. He kicked the limp form before him. "Damned wolf…not the brightest youkai, and not particularly strong. They usually fight in packs, and this isn't near their territory, so I don't know what it was doing out here. Stupid to try and attack us though…I don't see any reason for it either." Kagome looked stared at the dead wolf-demon. She shivered again, but the night didn't feel quite so cold anymore. She frowned, a strange thought coming to her. It was chilly, but not nearly so cold as she had felt so briefly before the youkai had come. Now that feeling was fading. Had it been the youkai that made her feel that? Why would that be? She had never felt that way when other youkai were about. Sesshoumaru hadn't caused chills to run down her spine…well not in quite the same way. Inuyasha leapt high into the air, landing safely in the tree he had been resting under before. Kagome was started at his sudden movement, her thoughts scattering abruptly. She glared at the hanyou, but could no longer see him in the dark. She sighed and settled down in her sleeping bag. Sleep did not come immediately as she was not used to sleeping in the wild, and she was a bit nervous, but Inuyasha’s reassuring presence above her eventually lulled her to sleep. The hanyou watched on as the girl dreamed peacefully, eventually settling against the trunk of the tree and sleeping, himself. Kagome woke to a surprised shout. It was too early…True the Sun was up, but it obviously hadn't been for long. She turned her head to yell at Inuyasha for waking her, but held her tongue as she saw what the hanyou was staring at. The form of the wolf-demon lay before him, severely mangled. It was true that Inuyasha had ripped it into several pieces, but the thing bore wounds that the hanyou obviously had not had time to do. The youkai looked as though it had been killed twice. Kagome looked at Inuyasha, but he shook his head, anticipating her question. "There is no way anything could have crept up on us. I was listening the whole night, and I would have sensed it…would have heard anything do this. It must have been like this when it attacked us." Kagome frowned in disbelief. "That's not possible, Inuyasha. Look at it. It would have been dead. It's body is twisted. Its head has a hole in it too. How could it have been alive to attack us?" Kagome turned away from the scene. Though she was rapidly becoming accustomed to such sights, the sheer grisliness of that body was too much. Nothing could have been alive and looked like that. "I don't know how it was alive Kagome, but it obviously was. Somehow it attacked us. The dead can't just walk about!" Episode Four: Lair of the Spider It had been a subdued journey since the morning when they had discovered the odd wolf-demon. Kagome's unease grew with every moment until she felt as if they were being observed, watched by unseen eyes. She told herself that she was just nervous and that it would be perfectly normal to feel a bit paranoid after such a strange encounter. But that did not calm her in the slightest. Inuyasha seemed uneasy as well, for his scowl was deeper than usual, and his ears would prick up every few minutes at the slightest sound, most of which Kagome couldn't even hear. The hanyou did not seem to be happy with the mystery they had left behind. Not only had the wolf been far out of its territory, but it had managed to survive wounds that should have killed it immediately. Inuyasha did not like things he did not understand. Now they were drawing closer to the castle that the Lord Naraku supposedly inhabited, and he was growing tenser with each step. He knew someone was watching them, he just knew it. He could feel the gaze upon him, but he could never find its source. They had been traveling for four days now, each new dawn seeming more ominous than the last. The sunrise had been particularly portentous today, a bright streak of blood across the graying sky. Inuyasha did not like to think of portents, but he could not ignore this one completely. He would never let such a superstition turn him from his goals, however, and so they continued on. They would reach the castle in late afternoon. That would be enough time to get the jewel from the human lord who held it. They would be on their way home before dusk. A vague thought tried to surface in Inuyasha’s mind, but he could not seem to grasp it. What was he forgetting? He would have ignored it normally, but it was an insistent presence, something he could not simply ignore. Something about his feeling of unease…something to do with- A crashing through the trees to their right sent Inuyasha’s thoughts scattering, and he quickly leapt to catch whatever had caused it. Kagome gasped at the sudden sound and started when Inuyasha leapt into the forest, leaving her alone. She still felt those eyes on her, but now she did not feel remotely safe. Inuyasha was gone…no one was there to protect her. A rustling to the left of the track they had been following made Kagome's heart beat wildly in her breast. She thought to call out to Inuyasha, but surely that would draw whatever it was to her. Kagome hid behind the trunk of a large tree, hoping that it would not see her. The noise drew nearer, growing ever louder. It was almost upon the path when Inuyasha came bursting from the trees behind her. "Kagome!" The hanyou was surprised to find her hiding behind a tree. "What are you doing? There is nothing to hide from." Kagome nodded, relieved. Whatever it had been had disappeared when Inuyasha had returned. Obviously it did not intend to pick a fight with such a strong opponent. "T-there was something in the forest over there. It was coming closer, but it ran away when you returned." He glanced at where she had pointed, but there was nothing there. But that did not mean that nothing had been there. Kagome was not a weak girl. She would not be so frightened over nothing. She had faced Sesshoumaru, after all. "It is long gone now, Kagome. No one would be stupid enough to mess with me!" Kagome smiled, still mostly out of sheer relief. The hanyou had a boundless ego, that was for certain. He seemed to have conveniently forgotten that not only had Sesshoumaru dared to fight him, but that wolf had as well. Admittedly both had lost, but still, they hadn't been frightened off. Thinking of the wolf-demon was not something Kagome wanted to return to so she decided to ask what Inuyasha had been chasing. "Oh, that. It was nothing." The hanyou shrugged. "It seemed to be another wolf. I still think it is strange to find them around here, but it seems that they've had to change their territory. I found a couple of them laying in a clearing, several actually, like there'd been a big fight. Maybe it was with this Lord Naraku. They say he has demons working for him, so he probably has demons fighting him as well." That seemed to make sense. If Naraku was expanding his domain, then even the youkai would likely resist as well. Hadn't Kaede even said that Naraku had been warring with Sesshoumaru? In this era, there seemed to be no end to the wars, no land that wasn't at war. Kagome's thoughts were cut off as she got the first glimpse of the towering castle that rose over the forest before them. This was where Naraku was. This was where the Shikon no Tama was. Inuyasha grunted at the sight of the fortress looming ahead. It was impressive, but human defenses were nothing to him. It would be the youkai that he would have to worry about. Not that he would allow himself to believe that he could not win easily. He was too proud to even consider defeat, not that his pride was unwarranted. Anyone who could kill Sesshoumaru deserved their ego. It was getting closer to dusk, and something urged Inuyasha to get this over as quickly as possible. He grabbed Kagome about the waist and made a quick shushing gesture before leaping over the wall of the fortress. He landed softly on the other side and gently released the girl, looking about for sentries. The castle seemed disturbingly empty. Inuyasha led Kagome into the labyrinth of corridors, heading for the central chambers. It would be best to start looking there. Kagome gasped softly and pulled at his sleeves to gain his attention. "I feel something…I feel something over there." Kagome pointed a little off-center of where the hanyou had expected, but Kaede had said that the girl could sense the jewel. It seemed she had been right. He did not want to think about how this girl had such powers, didn't want to consider what this might mean. They made their way to a large, dark chamber. The chamber was empty save a pedestal near the back. Upon the pedestal sat a small glowing bead. It was the Shikon no Tama. Episode Five: Cursed Jewel Kagome could not help but stare at the little bead that sat upon the pedestal. It glowed with an almost indigo light. She could feel it, waves of energy radiating from it. It felt…malevolent. It was almost frightening. Kaede had said that the jewel had been pure, but that it would likely have been tainted by Naraku's evils. Kagome hadn't been prepared for this much evil, however. Lord Naraku must have been a truly evil man. Inuyasha actually stepped forward to take the jewel, but Kagome's hand on his arm halted him. He remembered what Kaede had said about the jewel needing to be purified. He hadn't really cared until now. The jewel was obviously tainted. Even if he hadn't been able to see the dark glow it was giving off, he could still feel the darkness within it. He didn't see how anyone could miss such a great evil. Kagome hesitantly walked to the pedestal, watching the jewel warily, as if it would attack her, itself. She half expected it to, truthfully. She reached her hand out towards the little bead, flinching slightly as she felt the evil of its aura so close. Her hand closed upon the jewel just as a crash announced the arrival of a tall, dark-haired man. He looked on her with an expression of mild humor before turning to Inuyasha. Surprisingly, his face contorted with hatred as his eyes fell upon the hanyou. His mouth twisted in distaste. "You…hanyou. You should not have survived. That bitch should have finished you off…I guess she was too weak to kill even a pathetic half-breed. I should have known it would be you who came for the Shikon no Tama. You wanted it so badly after…so badly that they would all believe that you killed her for it." Inuyasha’s face filled with rage, quickly realizing what those words meant…what they had meant for the last fifty years. His frozen heart exploded into fire. He flung himself at the man with a wordless snarl, claws flashing to rip him in half. Something hit the hanyou hard, and he found himself pinned against the far wall by several writhing tentacles. He stared at the man in shock. It wasn't a man. It was a demon. Kagome could only stare wordlessly as she saw the human lord suddenly explode into a mass of tentacles. This had to be the Lord Naraku…but he was a demon? No one had known about this! And those things he had said, Kagome knew that he must have been talking about Kikyou. He had said that they had all believed Inuyasha had killed Kikyou…as if Naraku himself knew Inuyasha hadn't…It had all been a deception! Inuyasha hadn't really killed Kikyou all those years ago… Inuyasha was over his shock in moments, flinging the tentacles from him with the strength of his fury. Naraku would DIE! He slashed fiercely at the bastard, tearing tentacles away as if they were leaves from a tree. Inuyasha advanced on the demon, slashing and ripping his way across the room. Naraku was looking slightly worried now, realizing that he was losing the battle. Suddenly he seemed anxious to be away from the hanyou he had infuriated. Inuyasha would not stand for it, however, leaping at the fiend when he made to flee. The hanyou slashed down with all of his might, intending to cut Naraku's head from his shoulders, but the demon managed to move just in time, so that Inuyasha’s claws came down upon his left shoulder, scoring a deep wound form shoulder to opposite hip, spraying back blood over the hanyou. Naraku cried out in pain and surprise, but Inuyasha wasn't finished. He brought his arm about once more, slamming his fist into the demon's nose. There was a satisfying squishing sound, and Inuyasha knew that the nose was broken. Naraku was flung through the wall (not as impressive as it sounds, considering this is a Japanese castle), and several others, actually. Inuyasha stormed towards where the demon lay, eyes seeming to glow red. The castle around him exploded. Wind whipped around him, and he saw several small tornadoes descend upon the fortress. Debris flew into the hanyou, riddling him with bits of wood and stone. Inuyasha stumbled back towards Kagome, who was screaming soundlessly in the sudden winds. She was thrown forward as the wall behind her exploded, and Inuyasha leapt forward to catch her and shield her from the falling stones and beams. He grunted as one such wooden beam fell across his back heavily, nearly sending him sprawling. He held up, for the girl's sake, if nothing else, and dashed from the chaos of the falling castle. As he dashed away he distinctly saw the glimmer of the Shikon no Tama rolling across the floor to his right. Inuyasha ran on, cradling the small figure to his chest. He could get the jewel later. Right now he needed to get Kagome away from danger. The jewel wasn't that important anymore, anyways. Episode Six: Black Vow Naraku scowled furiously as he looked at the jewel in his hand. It was a shining pink. It had been purified. He remembered the girl who had held it so briefly in her own hands. He had ignored her, thought her unimportant. She had been human, after all. But she had purified the Shikon no Tama with a mere touch. She must have been very powerful…and she looked so much like Kikyou… The Lord Naraku angrily stared deep into the purified depths of the little bead. Now he would have to taint it all over again…and he had spent the last fifty years getting that much evil into it. He had murdered, ravaged, slaughtered, betrayed, done all in his power to defile the sacred jewel, and that one girl had undone it in a touch. Even after all of his hard work, Naraku had been unsatisfied with the jewel. It had never been fully soiled as he had hoped. If only that damned priestess had killed the filthy hanyou…then the jewel would have been completely tainted. But she had failed, and the hanyou had lived on. Now he had found the jewel, and he had grown too strong. Naraku feared that the hanyou would be too much for him. He had already killed Sesshoumaru, after all, a service to the lord, but unnerving as well. Inuyasha would have to be dealt with, killed before he could become any more of a threat. That girl was dangerous as well, with those strong powers of purification. She would have to be killed with the hanyou. Naraku grinned suddenly. It was so obvious. The girl looked just like Kikyou and was gifted with the dead priestess' skills for purification. She was Kikyou's reincarnation! It was truly obvious. And if that were the case…then Inuyasha had a weakness. Naraku's grin flourished into a wicked smile of delight. It was so perfect. He could deal with those two and finally taint the jewel to perfection. Having those two betray each other would finally complete the work he had labored on for fifty years. He would have to make certain that they loved each other, though, would even have to arrange it if necessary. But they would love each other, and they would betray each other. Then they would die, and the defiled jewel would be his. Naraku vowed that Inuyasha would help him finish the jewel, and he would die this time.
End of Chapter Four -Chevalier
Chapter Four: Darkness Episode One: Remembrances Brilliant scarlet and orange shone over the rising treetops. The Sun was newly risen, casting a radiant glow over the entire forest. Inuyasha hardly noticed. His mind was a stark contrast to the bright morning Sun. His thoughts were ever dour, ever bleak. He stared up into the branches of the sacred tree. He was drawn to this tree, though he could not truly explain it. The aged arrow still lay imbedded in the trunk. He had never been able to bring himself to remove it. He found himself before this tree everyday, staring, only dredging up painful memories. But, no matter how painful those memories were, he could not turn himself from them. His soul was damaged. He knew that. Hell, even that damned hag knew how broken he was. He had spent fifty years in this forest, fifty years living lifelessly. There had been the occasional excitement that would distract him, but not enough to save him from descending into that deep despair. Myouga, the flea, had come to him, encouraging him to seek out his father's tomb…to seek the treasure sword that his father had intended for him. It had been nearly a year after Kikyou had betrayed him, but the pain was still too fresh…still too overwhelming. Inuyasha had told the flea to go to hell. Myouga had indeed gone, but to where, Inuyasha had not heard until his reappearance some several months later. The flea had been terrified, desperately urging the hanyou to go to his father's tomb. The flea had discovered its whereabouts and told Inuyasha of the spell placing it within his eye. Of course, ripping his eye from its socket may have seemed like fun at the time, but he had still refused. He didn't give a damn about a sword…He didn't care about anything. Myouga had fled, seeing Inuyasha’s unwavering despondency. Sesshoumaru had come, then, with his little toady. Inuyasha had told him to go to hell, same as the flea, but his brother hadn't been overly fond of the invitation. They had fought, and the elder brother had quickly shown his superiority. Of course, Inuyasha hadn't really the will to fight at the time, but he had to admit, within his own head, that Sesshoumaru had been the better. Had Jaken, the bastard youkai servant, not opened his mouth and insulted Kikyou, Inuyasha would have let Sesshoumaru kill him. Once the stupid toad had uttered that slight, however, Inuyasha had leapt up, strength returned, and shredded the little bastard. Sesshoumaru had been rather surprised at his brother's sudden spirit and had been wounded slightly before he had managed to escape. Inuyasha hadn't been satisfied though, and had gone on a rampage through his forest, killing any youkai, tree, or animal that crossed his path for nearly two days. The dead, empty feeling within him had returned then, and the fires that had burned within his veins had ceased. He had almost regretted the loss of his rage. It had made him feel alive, filled him with passion. Anger had been the only emotion to burn in him since that day fifty years ago. His spirit held no fuel for any other passion. Despair and desolation did not leave much to ignite real feeling. Inuyasha smiled grimly. Anger was made him feel alive, feel the heat in his blood, and Sesshoumaru had provided it. He had been alive, no matter how briefly, no matter that his despair was all the stronger now. For a brief time he had lived again. Inuyasha found himself desiring this feeling, wishing to feel it again, to never let it leave. But something in him feared that. Something buried deeply in his tattered soul would not let him embrace the rage that he coveted. Strangely, Inuyasha found himself reflecting on the girl, Kagome. He did not understand her…didn't even understand exactly what he felt towards her. The hag, he knew, he despised. It was much the same with all of the villagers and all humans in general. But this girl wasn't the same. He didn't hate her, didn't even dislike her. Inuyasha wondered a bit. He certainly didn't like her, so there must be some neutral ground. Perhaps it was simply because she wasn't of this world. He didn't have to hate her. Still, there was that strange feeling he got when he was around her. It was a warmth, almost a glowing within his body. It was small, but to someone who was used to feeling dead within, it was startling. It was almost like being alive…nothing like the raging inferno of his rage, but more stable, almost serene. It bubble with confusion, but a soft sort of confusion. Inuyasha didn't understand it at all. He found himself thinking about it far too often. Seeing her bright smile in his mind, he felt it again. Even now, before the reminder of his betrayal, he could find himself thinking of her, feeling that warmth in his heart. What the hell was it? Inuyasha wasn't sure that he liked the idea that this girl could make him feel something he didn't understand, but he knew that he wanted to feel it again…feel it constantly. He had to feel it again. So he would stay with the girl. He would find the jewel with her after all. But now it was about more than the jewel. He had to understand. The jewel would cure his emptiness…but if he could find something else to fill the void in his heart…would he need the jewel? Once he would have immediately chosen the jewel, but he had grown a bit wiser as well as stronger over the years. Though he had actually changed very little in fifty years, save the gradual descent into darkness, he had learned a bit more patience and thought. Once he had sought only to be a youkai, but then had come his despair. Now he only sought to end his emptiness, to find life or end it. If he could truly gain his life again, without the jewel, he had no use for it. Inuyasha was strong. He had proven it by killing Sesshoumaru. He no longer needed to be a youkai, he had only thought it would help him escape his feelings, which he felt were human weaknesses. Maybe he wouldn't need to the jewel after all. If only he could understand exactly what it was he felt. What did he feel? Damn. He had no idea. Episode Two: Rumors Kagome wasn't quite certain what was different about the hanyou as she sat there, eating the small breakfast Kaede had prepared for her, but there was definitely some difference. He was as discourteous as ever, still distant, but he was no longer holding himself aloof. Inuyasha certainly wasn't inviting familiarity, but he wasn't driving her away this morning. How much could have changed in one night? Well, certainly a lot. Thinking back on how things had changed for her last night, she guessed that much might have changed for the hanyou as well. Had it been only yesterday that he had been so frightening? Had he really slain his own brother just yesterday? How could she bring herself to look at him…and how could he look at her with those brilliant golden eyes, so free of the self-loathing she knew he must have felt? Something drastic must have transpired last night. Kagome was complaining certainly, but she was still curious. The hanyou still glared at Kaede when she came into the room, but looked at Kagome with only a small twist of his face that could almost be curiosity. He certainly seemed to be interested in something, because, though he hid it well, he kept glancing at her, his eyes lingering longer than a chance look. The attention was unexpected, but not necessarily unwelcome. Kagome felt her face heat slightly as she felt his gaze upon her again. Kaede seemed to notice it too, and made a mental note, unsure what to make of it. Of course, to the neutral viewer, it would seem that Inuyasha was showing some interest in this strange girl…and from the girl's small blush it would seem she returned the interest…but Kaede was did not think that likely. Inuyasha despised humans. Even leaving that aside, she did not think that the hanyou would be so inclined towards a girl. Kaede has certainly not left behind all of her hatred for Inuyasha, but she had begun to suspect that he was not who she had believed him. Whatever was going on between these two, Kaede was certain she would find out soon enough. Inuyasha was not precisely adept at keeping things hidden…not in areas where he was so inexperienced, at least. And women was not his strongest area of knowledge. The priestess put aside her musing and turned to more important business. Inuyasha had turned his gaze elsewhere for the moment and Kagome's face was slowly losing its pink tinge. "Kagome, Inuyasha, I have news of the Shikon no Tama." This immediately brought their attention to her, though she noted that the hanyou did not seem as interested as she would have believed. He still seemed preoccupied with Kagome. Could he truly be smitten? "Well, I have rumors, at least, and they are not of the Shikon no Tama, themselves, but I recognized a reference to it. These rumors were of the Lord Naraku, the man who seems to hold dominion over many demons." "In fact, the Lord Naraku was engaged in a struggle with your late brother, Inuyasha, for dominion of the Western Lands. Now he has no major opposition in the region and will soon rule it." Inuyasha snorted, obviously uncaring. "Naraku is rumored to be a cruel monarch, with an almost spiteful contempt for all those beneath him. He has lain waste to villages, slaughtering the villagers without a second thought, and ordered executions for no more reason than that he felt like it." Kagome was aghast. Even the hanyou's eyes were narrowed somewhat, though Kaede doubted he felt all that much for the villagers. They would have spurned him, after all. Most likely, his narrowed eyes were caused by Naraku, who did so much evil and ruled, where he had done very little save exist, yet he was hated by all. Perhaps the wanton cruelty had even sparked some sense of justice in the hanyou, though Kaede wouldn't wager much on that. Inuyasha hadn't seemed much of a villain long ago, but she had never known him well. Kaede continued, gauging the reactions from her companions. "Many have wondered at how this Lord Naraku has gained such power over demons. In fact, many have asked where he came from. Naraku first appeared nearly fifty years ago as a very minor lord from a region no one knew of. He has since grown to one of the most powerful lords in the region. It is curious that Naraku allows so few to see him, but it is said that he is a young man. This could not be possible if he were truly the same Naraku from fifty years ago, save for one truth." Kaede could see Kagome holding her breath, waiting for the priestess to continue. The hanyou had crossed his arms, feigning indifference to the tale, but his ears were focused on her. "In one rumor there is a small bead that the Lord Naraku carries upon his person. He never lets it leave his possession, and he has killed several for trying to touch it. Its description matches that of the Shikon no Tama." Now Inuyasha was not even pretending to ignore her. His disturbingly piercing eyes were focused upon her completely. "Naraku has the jewel, has had it for fifty years. Somehow, he acquired it, possibly that very day that you stole it, Inuyasha. This Lord Naraku has had the jewel the entire time, and his soul is obviously dark. We must not let him keep it any longer. The jewel can not be tainted by evil hands. You must take it from him, Inuyasha…I know you are adept at that." She ignored the low growl that her comment elicited. "Then you must give the jewel to Kagome. The jewel will certainly be tainted by that evil man, and she has certain gifts within her. She will be able to purify the jewel. Even you, Inuyasha, would not want to use such a tainted magic." Kaede finished, expecting the hanyou's defiance, but was surprised to find him only staring at Kagome with open astonishment and curiosity. Oh, yes, he had not known of Kagome's abilities, and he still would not know the full truth. While he seemed to hold less than hatred for the girl, that could quickly change if he found out that she was Kikyou's reincarnation. Inuyasha stood deliberately. He strode from the hut, leaving Kaede and Kagome to ponder together. Naraku held the jewel. They had to get it, they all agreed to that, but how? Inuyasha would do most of the work, at least for the first stage. That was getting the jewel from Naraku. The second stage was keeping it from Inuyasha, and Kagome seemed to be doing very well in that already. If Inuyasha truly held feelings for her, then would he steal the jewel a second time? Even if he did try to kill Kagome as he had killed Kikyou, Kagome had her secret powers and the spell of subduing. Inuyasha would not regain the Shikon no Tama. Episode Three: Spider's Web Kagome watched as the blood-soaked sky grew ever darker. Inuyasha had finally agreed to stop for the night. They had set out fairly early in the morning, Inuyasha in a hurry to find this Lord Naraku. Kagome hadn't really been prepared for the long walking she was just realizing lay ahead. She had carried her over-filled back pack for nearly two hours before the hanyou had noticed her struggling and taken it 'so that the weak human could keep up'. Not that she had been able to keep up with the hanyou. Inuyasha had been frustrated at her apparent weakness, for she asked to stop several times so that she could rest. She was slowing him down terribly. He could have probably reached the castle by nightfall on his own, but Kaede insisted that he would need the girl. He would have left her behind anyways, save that she was helpless on her own, and she was the only human he did not absolutely despise. Besides, he wanted to study her some more…and he wanted to feel that warmth that she caused deep within. The Moon was rising in the sky, a waning sliver of silver light. Inuyasha glared up at it, causing Kagome to giggle slightly. The hanyou turned his glare on her before muttering something, a curse no doubt, under his breath and settling down at the base of a tree. Kagome stifled her giggling, but still felt shook silently with her humor. It figured that the sour hanyou would glare at the Moon too. He could hold a grudge against a stone. Kagome warmed herself near the small fire that Inuyasha had grudgingly let her build. She shivered. The night seemed to be getting quite chilly. She had brought her sleeping bag with her, but she wasn't quite ready to sleep just yet. Instead, Kagome turned to her silver-haired companion, catching him staring at her. He looked away quickly, thanking the dark which hid the slight blush on his face. Kagome blushed as well. She did not know how to take all the attention she was getting from him, nor did she understand it. Kagome was about to speak, anything to take her mind off her flaming cheeks, when a rustling caused her to freeze. Inuyasha was on his feet, eyes narrowed and ears pricked forward. Kagome inched towards him, not daring to get up and dash to safety. The hanyou growled suddenly and leapt over Kagome, snarling. Kagome was too shocked to react, at first thinking he had leapt at her. She turned to find him shaking dark blood from his claws, sending it spattering along the ground. A blurred form lay at his feet, in several pieces. At first glance it appeared to be a man, but Kagome slowly picked out some oddities in the dark. Whatever it was had a tail, and was covered in furs made to pass as clothing, but were actually part of the creature. It was definitely some kind of demon. Kagome looked up at Inuyasha questioningly, and he grimaced briefly, wiping the last of the blood in the grass. He kicked the limp form before him. "Damned wolf…not the brightest youkai, and not particularly strong. They usually fight in packs, and this isn't near their territory, so I don't know what it was doing out here. Stupid to try and attack us though…I don't see any reason for it either." Kagome looked stared at the dead wolf-demon. She shivered again, but the night didn't feel quite so cold anymore. She frowned, a strange thought coming to her. It was chilly, but not nearly so cold as she had felt so briefly before the youkai had come. Now that feeling was fading. Had it been the youkai that made her feel that? Why would that be? She had never felt that way when other youkai were about. Sesshoumaru hadn't caused chills to run down her spine…well not in quite the same way. Inuyasha leapt high into the air, landing safely in the tree he had been resting under before. Kagome was started at his sudden movement, her thoughts scattering abruptly. She glared at the hanyou, but could no longer see him in the dark. She sighed and settled down in her sleeping bag. Sleep did not come immediately as she was not used to sleeping in the wild, and she was a bit nervous, but Inuyasha’s reassuring presence above her eventually lulled her to sleep. The hanyou watched on as the girl dreamed peacefully, eventually settling against the trunk of the tree and sleeping, himself. Kagome woke to a surprised shout. It was too early…True the Sun was up, but it obviously hadn't been for long. She turned her head to yell at Inuyasha for waking her, but held her tongue as she saw what the hanyou was staring at. The form of the wolf-demon lay before him, severely mangled. It was true that Inuyasha had ripped it into several pieces, but the thing bore wounds that the hanyou obviously had not had time to do. The youkai looked as though it had been killed twice. Kagome looked at Inuyasha, but he shook his head, anticipating her question. "There is no way anything could have crept up on us. I was listening the whole night, and I would have sensed it…would have heard anything do this. It must have been like this when it attacked us." Kagome frowned in disbelief. "That's not possible, Inuyasha. Look at it. It would have been dead. It's body is twisted. Its head has a hole in it too. How could it have been alive to attack us?" Kagome turned away from the scene. Though she was rapidly becoming accustomed to such sights, the sheer grisliness of that body was too much. Nothing could have been alive and looked like that. "I don't know how it was alive Kagome, but it obviously was. Somehow it attacked us. The dead can't just walk about!" Episode Four: Lair of the Spider It had been a subdued journey since the morning when they had discovered the odd wolf-demon. Kagome's unease grew with every moment until she felt as if they were being observed, watched by unseen eyes. She told herself that she was just nervous and that it would be perfectly normal to feel a bit paranoid after such a strange encounter. But that did not calm her in the slightest. Inuyasha seemed uneasy as well, for his scowl was deeper than usual, and his ears would prick up every few minutes at the slightest sound, most of which Kagome couldn't even hear. The hanyou did not seem to be happy with the mystery they had left behind. Not only had the wolf been far out of its territory, but it had managed to survive wounds that should have killed it immediately. Inuyasha did not like things he did not understand. Now they were drawing closer to the castle that the Lord Naraku supposedly inhabited, and he was growing tenser with each step. He knew someone was watching them, he just knew it. He could feel the gaze upon him, but he could never find its source. They had been traveling for four days now, each new dawn seeming more ominous than the last. The sunrise had been particularly portentous today, a bright streak of blood across the graying sky. Inuyasha did not like to think of portents, but he could not ignore this one completely. He would never let such a superstition turn him from his goals, however, and so they continued on. They would reach the castle in late afternoon. That would be enough time to get the jewel from the human lord who held it. They would be on their way home before dusk. A vague thought tried to surface in Inuyasha’s mind, but he could not seem to grasp it. What was he forgetting? He would have ignored it normally, but it was an insistent presence, something he could not simply ignore. Something about his feeling of unease…something to do with- A crashing through the trees to their right sent Inuyasha’s thoughts scattering, and he quickly leapt to catch whatever had caused it. Kagome gasped at the sudden sound and started when Inuyasha leapt into the forest, leaving her alone. She still felt those eyes on her, but now she did not feel remotely safe. Inuyasha was gone…no one was there to protect her. A rustling to the left of the track they had been following made Kagome's heart beat wildly in her breast. She thought to call out to Inuyasha, but surely that would draw whatever it was to her. Kagome hid behind the trunk of a large tree, hoping that it would not see her. The noise drew nearer, growing ever louder. It was almost upon the path when Inuyasha came bursting from the trees behind her. "Kagome!" The hanyou was surprised to find her hiding behind a tree. "What are you doing? There is nothing to hide from." Kagome nodded, relieved. Whatever it had been had disappeared when Inuyasha had returned. Obviously it did not intend to pick a fight with such a strong opponent. "T-there was something in the forest over there. It was coming closer, but it ran away when you returned." He glanced at where she had pointed, but there was nothing there. But that did not mean that nothing had been there. Kagome was not a weak girl. She would not be so frightened over nothing. She had faced Sesshoumaru, after all. "It is long gone now, Kagome. No one would be stupid enough to mess with me!" Kagome smiled, still mostly out of sheer relief. The hanyou had a boundless ego, that was for certain. He seemed to have conveniently forgotten that not only had Sesshoumaru dared to fight him, but that wolf had as well. Admittedly both had lost, but still, they hadn't been frightened off. Thinking of the wolf-demon was not something Kagome wanted to return to so she decided to ask what Inuyasha had been chasing. "Oh, that. It was nothing." The hanyou shrugged. "It seemed to be another wolf. I still think it is strange to find them around here, but it seems that they've had to change their territory. I found a couple of them laying in a clearing, several actually, like there'd been a big fight. Maybe it was with this Lord Naraku. They say he has demons working for him, so he probably has demons fighting him as well." That seemed to make sense. If Naraku was expanding his domain, then even the youkai would likely resist as well. Hadn't Kaede even said that Naraku had been warring with Sesshoumaru? In this era, there seemed to be no end to the wars, no land that wasn't at war. Kagome's thoughts were cut off as she got the first glimpse of the towering castle that rose over the forest before them. This was where Naraku was. This was where the Shikon no Tama was. Inuyasha grunted at the sight of the fortress looming ahead. It was impressive, but human defenses were nothing to him. It would be the youkai that he would have to worry about. Not that he would allow himself to believe that he could not win easily. He was too proud to even consider defeat, not that his pride was unwarranted. Anyone who could kill Sesshoumaru deserved their ego. It was getting closer to dusk, and something urged Inuyasha to get this over as quickly as possible. He grabbed Kagome about the waist and made a quick shushing gesture before leaping over the wall of the fortress. He landed softly on the other side and gently released the girl, looking about for sentries. The castle seemed disturbingly empty. Inuyasha led Kagome into the labyrinth of corridors, heading for the central chambers. It would be best to start looking there. Kagome gasped softly and pulled at his sleeves to gain his attention. "I feel something…I feel something over there." Kagome pointed a little off-center of where the hanyou had expected, but Kaede had said that the girl could sense the jewel. It seemed she had been right. He did not want to think about how this girl had such powers, didn't want to consider what this might mean. They made their way to a large, dark chamber. The chamber was empty save a pedestal near the back. Upon the pedestal sat a small glowing bead. It was the Shikon no Tama. Episode Five: Cursed Jewel Kagome could not help but stare at the little bead that sat upon the pedestal. It glowed with an almost indigo light. She could feel it, waves of energy radiating from it. It felt…malevolent. It was almost frightening. Kaede had said that the jewel had been pure, but that it would likely have been tainted by Naraku's evils. Kagome hadn't been prepared for this much evil, however. Lord Naraku must have been a truly evil man. Inuyasha actually stepped forward to take the jewel, but Kagome's hand on his arm halted him. He remembered what Kaede had said about the jewel needing to be purified. He hadn't really cared until now. The jewel was obviously tainted. Even if he hadn't been able to see the dark glow it was giving off, he could still feel the darkness within it. He didn't see how anyone could miss such a great evil. Kagome hesitantly walked to the pedestal, watching the jewel warily, as if it would attack her, itself. She half expected it to, truthfully. She reached her hand out towards the little bead, flinching slightly as she felt the evil of its aura so close. Her hand closed upon the jewel just as a crash announced the arrival of a tall, dark-haired man. He looked on her with an expression of mild humor before turning to Inuyasha. Surprisingly, his face contorted with hatred as his eyes fell upon the hanyou. His mouth twisted in distaste. "You…hanyou. You should not have survived. That bitch should have finished you off…I guess she was too weak to kill even a pathetic half-breed. I should have known it would be you who came for the Shikon no Tama. You wanted it so badly after…so badly that they would all believe that you killed her for it." Inuyasha’s face filled with rage, quickly realizing what those words meant…what they had meant for the last fifty years. His frozen heart exploded into fire. He flung himself at the man with a wordless snarl, claws flashing to rip him in half. Something hit the hanyou hard, and he found himself pinned against the far wall by several writhing tentacles. He stared at the man in shock. It wasn't a man. It was a demon. Kagome could only stare wordlessly as she saw the human lord suddenly explode into a mass of tentacles. This had to be the Lord Naraku…but he was a demon? No one had known about this! And those things he had said, Kagome knew that he must have been talking about Kikyou. He had said that they had all believed Inuyasha had killed Kikyou…as if Naraku himself knew Inuyasha hadn't…It had all been a deception! Inuyasha hadn't really killed Kikyou all those years ago… Inuyasha was over his shock in moments, flinging the tentacles from him with the strength of his fury. Naraku would DIE! He slashed fiercely at the bastard, tearing tentacles away as if they were leaves from a tree. Inuyasha advanced on the demon, slashing and ripping his way across the room. Naraku was looking slightly worried now, realizing that he was losing the battle. Suddenly he seemed anxious to be away from the hanyou he had infuriated. Inuyasha would not stand for it, however, leaping at the fiend when he made to flee. The hanyou slashed down with all of his might, intending to cut Naraku's head from his shoulders, but the demon managed to move just in time, so that Inuyasha’s claws came down upon his left shoulder, scoring a deep wound form shoulder to opposite hip, spraying back blood over the hanyou. Naraku cried out in pain and surprise, but Inuyasha wasn't finished. He brought his arm about once more, slamming his fist into the demon's nose. There was a satisfying squishing sound, and Inuyasha knew that the nose was broken. Naraku was flung through the wall (not as impressive as it sounds, considering this is a Japanese castle), and several others, actually. Inuyasha stormed towards where the demon lay, eyes seeming to glow red. The castle around him exploded. Wind whipped around him, and he saw several small tornadoes descend upon the fortress. Debris flew into the hanyou, riddling him with bits of wood and stone. Inuyasha stumbled back towards Kagome, who was screaming soundlessly in the sudden winds. She was thrown forward as the wall behind her exploded, and Inuyasha leapt forward to catch her and shield her from the falling stones and beams. He grunted as one such wooden beam fell across his back heavily, nearly sending him sprawling. He held up, for the girl's sake, if nothing else, and dashed from the chaos of the falling castle. As he dashed away he distinctly saw the glimmer of the Shikon no Tama rolling across the floor to his right. Inuyasha ran on, cradling the small figure to his chest. He could get the jewel later. Right now he needed to get Kagome away from danger. The jewel wasn't that important anymore, anyways. Episode Six: Black Vow Naraku scowled furiously as he looked at the jewel in his hand. It was a shining pink. It had been purified. He remembered the girl who had held it so briefly in her own hands. He had ignored her, thought her unimportant. She had been human, after all. But she had purified the Shikon no Tama with a mere touch. She must have been very powerful…and she looked so much like Kikyou… The Lord Naraku angrily stared deep into the purified depths of the little bead. Now he would have to taint it all over again…and he had spent the last fifty years getting that much evil into it. He had murdered, ravaged, slaughtered, betrayed, done all in his power to defile the sacred jewel, and that one girl had undone it in a touch. Even after all of his hard work, Naraku had been unsatisfied with the jewel. It had never been fully soiled as he had hoped. If only that damned priestess had killed the filthy hanyou…then the jewel would have been completely tainted. But she had failed, and the hanyou had lived on. Now he had found the jewel, and he had grown too strong. Naraku feared that the hanyou would be too much for him. He had already killed Sesshoumaru, after all, a service to the lord, but unnerving as well. Inuyasha would have to be dealt with, killed before he could become any more of a threat. That girl was dangerous as well, with those strong powers of purification. She would have to be killed with the hanyou. Naraku grinned suddenly. It was so obvious. The girl looked just like Kikyou and was gifted with the dead priestess' skills for purification. She was Kikyou's reincarnation! It was truly obvious. And if that were the case…then Inuyasha had a weakness. Naraku's grin flourished into a wicked smile of delight. It was so perfect. He could deal with those two and finally taint the jewel to perfection. Having those two betray each other would finally complete the work he had labored on for fifty years. He would have to make certain that they loved each other, though, would even have to arrange it if necessary. But they would love each other, and they would betray each other. Then they would die, and the defiled jewel would be his. Naraku vowed that Inuyasha would help him finish the jewel, and he would die this time.
End of Chapter Four -Chevalier