InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Haunted ❯ Kikyou and Kichiro ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 10: Kikyou and Kichiro

"So... tell me. What has been happening since ye have been away?" Kaede asked, seating herself on the floor near the fire. Miroku and Sango took seats around the fire as well, enjoying the chance just to sit and do nothing.

Miroku laughed. "Where to start? These last two weeks have been completely strange." He turned towards Sango, only to find her frowning.

"Don't you think Kaede should be told about what Kikyou has done? She is her sister, after all."

"My sister, ye say? What has happened, then?" Kaede asked, beginning to frown herself.

Sango sighed. "It's kind of a long story, but here goes---" Sango spoke at length, trying not to leave anything out. "---so the long and short of it is that Kikyou summoned this guy's spirit here, and now he's after Kagome. Like Kikyou wants to take Inuyasha to hell with her, this guy wants to take Kagome with him." Sango shook her head.

"I'm sure you can imagine how Inuyasha reacted to that, and now he's furious at Kikyou because we found out that she's the one who plotted the whole thing."

Kaede sighed. "The Kikyou I knew would never have acted thus. She is conflicted, inside. Her mind tells her Inuyasha did not betray her, and so should not be made to suffer, but her heart cannot let go of the hatred. I fear she is also jealous; why should Kagome have what she could not?"

She looked into the fire, a sad expression on her face. "This battle, between her heart and mind explains her contradictory actions. One moment, she is helping against Naraku, and the next, plotting against all of ye."

Miroku nodded. "I agree. However, I don't know if, this time, the guilt that usually keeps her safe from Inuyasha will work. She has hurt herself using a spirit. She would have been better off using a demon, or other humans, because a demon, or humans, threatening Kagome's safety are dangers that Inuyasha can take care of easily, therefore, he doesn't worry about those things. But a human spirit is different. Inuyasha couldn't defend Kagome from that kind of threat, so it's made him feel helpless, and terrified of losing her. This has angered and frightened him deeply, though as usual, he will not admit it." He looked up from his contemplation of the fire after a long moment.

"She will soon find that this scheme was a fatal mistake, I'm afraid."

Kaede peered at him. "What do ye mean, Miroku?"

"Inuyasha did the only thing he could to protect Kagome in these circumstances. He took her as his mate."

Kaede sat back and nodded slowly. "I see what ye mean. With their souls bonded, this Kichiro will not be able to press his claim over Kagome, and neither will Kikyou be able to force Inuyasha's hand. In that way, they are much stronger as one being."

She looked at Sango, and then Miroku thoughtfully. "However, in another way, they are in even more danger. Now, you see, anyone desiring to kill Inuyasha, only needs to kill Kagome," she nodded, as Miroku caught what she was saying and his eyes widened. "For instance... Naraku. All he has to do is find a way to kill Kagome, and Inuyasha will also die. He would kill two birds with one stone."

Sango shoulders slumped. What are we going to do? This is terrible... Kagome will be in even moredanger now than she has ever been... and I don't think Inuyasha has even thought of this! Damn.

---sSs---

Kikyo lay back against the trunk of the tree she was sitting under. It was a truly enjoyable evening, if she had been capable of caring. I no longer care, rain, or shine, hot or cold... it all feels the same. I weary of this plane of existence. I want to return to the underworld. But I will not go until Inuyasha goes with me.

"Inuyasha," she sighed. What takes so long for Kichiro to take the girl away?

Branches snapping told her that something had entered the small clearing. Opening her eyes slowly, leisurely, like she had no care what stood before her, she locked eyes with the man standing before her.

"So, Kichiro. What has happened? Did you find that she wasn't what you wanted after all?"

Kichiro considered the woman sitting before him. He was not afraid of her, nor was he impressed. He simply felt... nothing. No emotion whatsoever. No respect. She was just someone he was temporarily associated with. He wasn't even impressed with her so-called beauty. Technically, he supposed she was beautiful... but she was cold, and he had never cared for cold. He liked warmth, and fire.

Kagome.

"Do not speak of what you do not understand, priestess, and love is something that you do not understand. Kagome will not willingly leave this life until she finishes this quest for the jewel of four souls and the defeat of Naraku. Even if I forced her now, her spirit would be unable to follow to the afterlife, because of unfinished business. I have no interest in that outcome. So I will wait 'til she is finished." He smiled coldly, then, disdain evident in his gaze.

"And you have no reason to speak to me of delays. You called me here because your hanyou, as I, prefers Kagome's warmth to your frost. He shows wisdom there... it is just unfortunate for him that he cannot have her."

Kikyou rose to her feet, a spark of anger in her eyes. "Be careful, Kichiro, I am she who summoned you... I am she who can send you back empty-handed. Cold or not, Inuyasha loves me. He does not choose your Kagome over me for loves sake. He feels obligated to protect her, and she is useful to him in searching for the shards. That is all."

Mocking laughter greeted that statement. "You forget, woman. I am also dead. You cannot fool me with your delusions, only yourself. Inuyasha does not love you. He remembers a time when he did... but that time has come and gone. And he now knows who it was that summoned me here to take Kagome. I think you will find that he is soon going to forget that he ever did love you." He turned his back to her.

"I have no affection for you, Kikyou. I have seen your memories of Kagome, you hate her, and yet she has saved you, several times. She has never harmed you. But you have harmed her. For that alone, I would see you fail in your plan to take Inuyasha to hell. He will never agree to go with you now."

"You fool! What do you know of my memories? Inuyasha is not capable of denying me. He never has been." Kikyou smiled then, a cold, hard smile. "Yes, I hate Kagome. She is alive, and I despise those who are bound to time. As I hate Inuyasha for the same reason. Mark my words, Kichiro. He will follow me."

She turned on her heel and started to walk away, closely followed by her soul collectors, then stopped, glancing over her shoulder at him. "You would do well to take Kagome as soon as you can. If you do not, I will simply kill her, and then she will not be bound to you in the afterlife."

Kichiro shrugged. "A fair warning. Now hear mine. Kagome must die either way in order to be with me in the afterlife. However, if she dies at your hand, I will destroy you. Do not doubt that I can." He looked steadily back at her, no expression crossing his face. "What you do makes no difference to me. Play with your half-demon lover. But keep Kagome out of it." Kichiro bowed mockingly to her. "Farewell, priestess." And he simply disappeared.

Kikyou turned slowly, considering the situation. He is not as useful as I thought he would be. I may have more of a fight from him than I thought. Nonetheless, he will not interfere with my purpose. Again gathering her soul collectors closely around her, she walked under the trees and was lost from sight.

Unnoticed by either of the two, a large, yellow and black banded insect hovered back behind the trees at the edge of the clearing, listening to every word that had been exchanged. Many miles away, the master of the insect stood chuckling, safe within his castle.

And so, Kikyou, you have once again unwittingly done my work for me. I do enjoy manipulating you, it is much more fun than just ordering my incarnations to do something, and you are so completely clueless.

---sSs---

Inuyasha stood at the window in Kagome's room, staring thoughtfully out at the Goshinboku. It was funny to think of how destiny worked... Kagome had spent all her growing up years staring at the tree that would someday introduce them to one another.

They were both tied to that tree, in somany ways, even when Menomaru had taken control of Kagome and made her try to kill him, and then she had come here through the well, the tree had connected them to one another across five centuries. You couldn't get any more proof than that that they were meant to be together, that truth had crossed his mind even then, although, with so much else going on he hadn't dwelled on it.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, he noticed someone coming up the stairs at the side of the shrine, walking towards the house. Opening the window, he sniffed the air, beginning to growl as he recognized that scent. This was that fool human boy he had caught trying to embrace Kagome at her 'skool', the same one that had refused to back off, and then challenged him to a duel for Kagome's affections.

Stupid boy, as if fighting me with that stupid sword of yours would make Kagome love you... she loves me!

Inuyasha jumped out the window, determined to take the fast route to confronting the damn male that was getting way too close to his mate. Even if he was outside the house, it was still too close.

"Oi, fool! What the hell are you doin' here?" Inuyasha asked, deliberately landing hard in front of the startled young man.

Hojo jumped back as he watched Inuyasha literally fall from the sky. "Um... my name is Hojo. I'm here to see Kagome, do you know if she's here?" he asked, wondering why the guy looked so familiar. And then it came to him.

"Wait! I remember you, you're the one who busted up the school auditorium during the play that time, who are you anyway? And how do you know Kagome? I've known Kagome for several years now and I'd never seen you before that day." Hojo was looking at him suspiciously now.

"And why are you wearing fake dog ears and weird clothes, in fact," he said, thoughtfully, "you're wearing the same things you were wearing that day. Just who are you?"

Boy, does this guy even stop speaking long enough to breath?

"I've got every right to be here, boy, and what do you mean fake ears?" He twitched them atop his head, smirking as the boy's jaw dropped. Kagome's gonna kill me for this, after she's spent the last several years hiding me, but I didn't do it on purpose, anyway, I just forgot the hat, so she'll just have to get over it, he thought huffily.

"Listen fool, there's a lot out there that your 'skool' doesn't teach you about... and I'm one of those things." He twitched his ears again, and grinned, letting his fangs show. "I'm a hanyou, and yes, youkai, and hanyou, are really real. You humans have always been good at hiding from the truth, but the reality is, a lot of those things that your 'skool' teaches you are flat out wrong."

Hojo was still staring, almost unable to believe what he was seeing. "Wait. If you really are what you say you are, then what are doing here? This is a shrine, holy ground, and if I remember the old stories right, youkai and hanyou can't step foot on holy ground. You should be purified."

Inuyasha laughed. "Man, you people in Kagome's time really are stupid. The only thing around here that could 'purify' me, would be Kagome herself, with her miko ki, and she ain't gonna do that," he said, loving the stupid look on the boy's face at the mention of Kagome having powers. "Yes, I said Miko powers. The stories about spiritual powers are true, and Kagome is one of the most powerful miko's that's ever lived. And you thought you knew her," he snorted.

Hojo shook himself, trying to clear the haze from his mind. "I know Kagome well enough, she is my girlfriend, after all," he started, before ending with a squeak as hands grabbed him by his shirt and yanked him forward into the face of a very pissed off hanyou. Who was growling, loudly.

"Listen up, bastard. She ain't your anything, got that? Kagome is mine. Permanently. Forever. She's, what was that human term again? Oh yeah... in your terms, Kagome's my wife. Got that?" He grinned at the horrified look on Hojo's face.

"That's not possible! You! You're lying!" Hojo yelled, trying to yank back out of Inuyasha's grip.

Just then, a tiny tornado flew up in the form of the young woman under discussion. "Inuyasha! What do you think you're doing! You know no one in my time is supposed to see you, and put Hojo down right now!" she ended on a shriek, Inuyasha's ears flattening to his head.

She turned to Hojo apologetically as Inuyasha let him go. "Hojo, I am so sorry. Please, ignore Inuyasha, he's got no manners," with another glare at the hanyou. She went to take Hojo by the arm, but jumped when Inuyasha growled.

"If you touch him, Kagome, I'll kill him. You're my mate, and Inuyoukai do not let any other males touch their mates. And don't tell me to control it," he said, shaking his head. "it's instinctual - he'd be dead before I even knew I was moving. We both have to make adjustments, wench, learning to deal with this restriction is one of them." He returned her stunned look with an unapologetic one of his own.

"Sorry, K'gome, but extreme possessiveness is a characteristic of Inu-youkai."

Kagome's eyes were wide as she listened to this speech, and her hands were frozen in mid-air. Knowing Inuyasha was deadly serious, she could feel the aggression coming through the link, she backed away from Hojo. "I'm sorry, Hojo, but for your own safety, you'd better go. I don't want you to get hurt."

"But, Kagome, what's going on? He says you're his wife," he said with anguish. "I don't understand, if this is true, why haven't you ever said anything?"

"I'm sorry, Hojo, but what did you want me to say? Inuyasha's presence here was supposed to be secret," she said with a glare behind her, "and as for the wife thing, look, the only thing I can say is that Inuyasha isn't from this time. He's from five hundred years in the past. That's where I really am when I'm missing all that school, Hojo. In the past."

She sighed, shaking her head as she looked at him regretfully. "As if life weren't complicated enough, I had to go and make it worse." She laughed at Hojo's glazed eyes. He really wasn't taking this too well. "And, yes, I am Inuyasha's mate - the youkai version of marriage. Although taking a mate is far, far more permanent than a wife. We'll be together for eternity. It's a total commitment, unlike human marriage, with divorce and all."

Sighing again, she looked at him, then away as she finally said what she should have said long ago. "I'm sorry, Hojo, but I would never have been with you in that way. I only ever saw you as a friend. Inuyasha has always had my heart and soul."

Inuyasha put his arms around her and nuzzled his face into her neck. Looking up, he caught Hojo's eyes with his, making sure the boy understood this declaration of ownership. When he felt the elbow in his stomach, he realized that Kagome also knew what he was doing. He smirked.

"But, Kagome, if this guy is from the past, then how can you be with him?" Hojo asked. "This is your world, and he'll never fit in here like I can!"

"No, Hojo," she said, smiling up at the man holding her. "This isn't my time any longer. I was born with miko ki for a reason - yes," she said, as Hojo flinched, "Inuyasha was telling the truth, I am a priestess, and wield holy reiki. And I don't need them here. I was born to go back to the past, and that's where I belong."

Hojo had just looked at her during all that, and now his face fell. He turned to leave. Stopping for a moment, he turned and looked over his shoulder. "I understand, Kagome. Just be happy, that's all." He chuckled softly, darkly. "You two certainly have changed my beliefs in the world around us, time travel, hanyou, and youkai, and miko, huh?" With that, he turned again, and continued walking away. Kagome knew she would never see him again.

She turned to her mate once the young man was out of sight, and glared up at him. "As for you, Inuyasha, I think we need to have a talk. There are some things you need to explain to me, like, are there any other little 'restrictions' I need to know about?"

Inuyasha winced at the tone of voice coming from her. Damn... this isn't going to go well. Allowing her to drag him back into the house, his ears flattened to his head at the irritation he could feel radiating from her.

Wait a minute... why am I feeling intimidated? I can't help it if I am an Inuhanyou, there are just some things that I was born with, and the instincts are a part of it. She'll just have to deal with it. He dug in his heels, looking at Kagome.

"Hey. Stop. Don't treat me like a pup that needs disciplined. I'm an adult, and your mate. That makes me the Alpha male, the leader. You're the alpha female, but I'm the dominant mate." At her glowering look, he growled.

"I know, you've told me before about the women from your time being equals with their mates. But you aren't mated to a human. Get used to it. I already give you more leeway than any other mate would, but you will still have to submit to me sometimes. Just like I've had to get used to you insisting on the whole 'skool' thing, and learning about your time, I told you, there are adjustments for both of us."

Kagome looked at him steadily. It's okay, Inuyasha. I don't mind submitting for the most part. But there are just some things...

Shaking her head, she turned and began walking back into her bedroom. Waiting 'til he had come in behind her, she shut the door, and leaning back against it, looked over at him. "Well, then, let's see. So far, I have to avoid touching any male besides you, and I also have to be submissive. Hm... does this male thing also extend to my Grandfather, Sota, or Shippo?"

Inuyasha shook his head. "No... your family's okay, and Shippo, too. You're like his mother, and I don't mind the runt." At her delighted smile he growled. "Don't you dare tell the runt that, though, or anyone else, for that matter."

Kagome, still leaning against the door, silently considered her mate. Some of these things were going to take some getting used to, but if it meant being with him, she really couldn't regret it at all. She shook her head, smiling ruefully.

I love him... so what can I do? And how many times over the last three years have I thought those same words?

"Koishii?" he said softly. "You know we need to get going, we were only here so I could speak to your mother, and to get some supplies. Sango and Miroku, and the runt, are probably getting a little impatient."

Walking over to join her, he put his hand to her cheek, and leaned down to brush his mouth over hers, smiling against her mouth when he heard her whimper, and felt her pleasure through the link. Pulling back, he looked at her eyes, loving the dazed look in them.

She can't hide her reaction to me, hell, she never could, even before we were bonded. Sighing, he pulled back. Damnit... I need to find a good time to get her alone and away from everyone, this waiting is killing me.

His original plans had included seducing his mate when they got here, after all, this was her room, but once again, those plans were foiled by all the damn people always around! There's gotta be someplace I can take her. "Come on, itoshii... grab your bag, and I'll take it downstairs. It's time to go back." He pulled her away from the door, opening it and stepping aside to allow her to precede him down the stairs.

Kagome still felt dazed. Oh, Kami, the things that man does to me! Get ahold of yourself, Kagome... you have plenty of time to worry about that later - actually, she thought, giggling to herself, we have forever to worry about that! But, wow... the man packs a punch.

'I'm glad you think so, but you'd better stop thinking those thoughts, or I might just throw you down and take you right here.' He smirked back over his shoulder at her, enjoying the red that swept her face.

"I'll get you for that, Inuyasha... just you wait!"

Inuyasha smirked at her as he swept up the bags of supplies waiting by the front entrance, and waving a cheerful goodbye to her mother, he called out, "We'll be back to visit as soon as we get a chance! Sota, take care of your mom, alright?" He reached over with his free hand and tugged on Kagome's arm.

"Move it, Kagome, you're going too slow, wench! I want to get there sometime before midnight, ya know!" And grinning back at her, he ran off as she growled playfully and made as if to chase him.

He's so much more open towards me now... in some ways it's like he's a whole new person... the person he should always have been, if life had been kinder.

---sSs---

A/N: This was originally two chapters, but they were both so short that I combined them - this is the second time I've done this, and I'll be doing it again, I'm sure. I try nowadays to keep the chapters as uniform as possible between 3 and 4 thousand words apiece, but at the time I wrote this, I wasn't really paying attention to chapter length.

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