InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Haunted ❯ A Painful Incarnation ( Chapter 19 )

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

Chapter 19: A Painful Incarnation

Sesshoumaru halted at the edge of the drop, considering the land falling away before him. He had been traveling for several days now, and was nearing the center of the disturbing sensations. No surprise, he'd started noticing his brother's youki... that, and his mate's powerful aura.

The strange thing was, her aura had gotten stronger, just in the short time since he'd last seen them. Her power was different, of course, from a youkai's, but even so, she was as strong as, or stronger than, most youkai now.

If he'd known back in the beginning, what he knew now, he'd have mated her himself, for the truth was, powerful female youkai were fairly rare, nowadays, and the Miko was more powerful than any he had met. It was true she was merely human, but power was power, and while a pup might be hanyou, still, it would be the heir to both types of power, and that would more than make up for it.

But his prejudice back then had prevented that, and now she would breed pups with his brother. However, while they might not be his, at least they carried his father's blood - they would extend the power of the Inu clan. It would have to be enough.

It was amusing, actually. Naraku was gathering himself for a final confrontation, and yet, he had no idea what he was going to be facing. He didn't stand a chance. Sesshoumaru had no doubt that Inuyasha and Kagome would easily survive any encounter with the pathetic compilation of low level demons. Even with most of the jewel, it wouldn't be enough.

I myself, also am an enemy he cannot defeat. He will be surrounded by enemies more powerful than he, and the only reason he could even dare to face any of us is because of the Shikon no Tama. Pathetic half-breed.

He smiled slightly to himself. If only Inuyasha knew; while it was true he had always despised his brother's human blood, in his mind, nothing could be as despicable as Naraku. He was created by force and hatred, while at least his father and Inuyasha's mother had chosen to be together, chosen to create life from both their bodies. There was a difference.

Of course, it couldn't be said that he had changed his mind because of a certain human girl he had found himself protecting.

Rin...

He wouldn't ever say it, but she was precious to him, this girl-child who was swiftly getting close to being a young woman. Sometimes he wondered if, deep down, she wasn't the real reason he had yet to take a mate.

Am I waiting? Waiting... for her? He suspected he was - and knew that he would wait for however long it took.

Sighing softly into the wind, he moved forward, letting his youki carry him into the sky.

---sSs---

Dawn broke slowly over the mountains, and Inuyasha watched it from his perch high in the trees. This had always been his favorite part of the day, it was so peaceful, just like he had told Kagome. And he cherished every bit of peace he could find, because, Kami knew, his life had certainly not had much of it.

It went without saying that most of the peace he had managed to find had come, ironically, when he met Kagome.

Even though her advent into his life had meant that physically, there was more fighting and trouble being encountered, the peace she brought was peace within himself. She literally brought quiet and happiness into his soul, the one place that had always been a battleground because of his divided heart.

She calmed that, taking away the storms that had raged within him. Because of that, he could never, ever, allow her to be taken away, even before he had admitted to himself that he was in love with her, he wouldn't allow anyone to take her from him.

Old habits died hard - and once jealous of a certain person, always jealous.

That's why, last night, he'd gotten so upset when he realized who Kagome was speaking to. He knew she was his. He knew. But it just didn't change things.

He sighed. Even now... lifebonded or not, I still fear losing her to another. I fear, because I don't understand why she loves me. I have no confidence when it comes to believing that I'm worth being loved.

By the same token, Koga was dead. He couldn't do anything to take her away. But still, he feared. It looked like only time would be able to cure this last, great fear that he carried.

The wonderful thing?

He had that time. After all, he had forever. He dropped down to the lowest branches of the tree, and lightly hopping to the ground, sat down near his mate.

He watched her, an ache in his heart at how innocent she looked. Truth was, she wasn't innocent. She couldn't be, not after all she'd seen and done. But even so, he suspected she'd still look that way a millennium from now. It was her.

It was just who she was.

"She has changed much, has she not? With just her presence, too." A quiet voice broke into his thoughts, and he looked over at the source of the voice.

Miroku smiled at him, speaking quietly so as not to wake the others. "When we met, I had no ambition beyond collecting the Shikon no Tama shards, and defeating Naraku. I expected to die in the endeavor, and accepted that. But after Kagome? Now - I want to live. She gave me back the will for that. And that was only the beginning of what she has done for me, what she's changed. For you, I know that the changes have been even bigger." He gestured around at the others in the clearing.

"She has affected all of us, in so many ways, and all of them positive as far as I can see. I can't imagine, now, not knowing her."

Inuyasha merely nodded. What could he say to that? It was the truth. She had affected so much just by being here... and the thought of never having met her, it terrified him to think that if one little thing had changed, he would never have known her.

'No, Inuyasha, that was never on the cards. We were meant to meet, nothing short of the world ending would have stopped it. Think about it... even time itself bent for just that purpose... us meeting. So don't think that way.'

He looked down as soon as she spoke in his mind, she was looking up at him, smiling, her heart in her eyes, calming him, soothing his fears, loving him, with no questions asked. She just... did it, as if loving him was as natural as breathing for her.

'Thats because it is, baka' her eyes laughing up at him at that thought.

Sitting up, she smiled over at Miroku. "Believe me, Miroku, I can't imagine not knowing you, either. You and Sango, Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kirara - you are all the family of my heart. I love all of you." Breaking out in a grin, she hopped up onto her feet. "However, as nice as all the love is this morning, I need to go visit the bushes before I explode, so if you all would excuse me...." she giggled as she jogged off into the bushes.

Shippo slowly opened his eyes at the chuckles echoing through the campsite. "Hey... what's so funny?" He squinted up at Inuyasha. "Where's momma? Isn't it a little early for jokes?"

"Oi, kid, it ain't that early. We'll be eating breakfast soon, so go grab a bit more wood so I can build the fire up for Kagome."

"Awww, come on Inuyasha, I don't wanna get up yet. I'm still tired!"

"Move it, runt, don't make me pound ya." Inuyasha balled up his fist and the little kit jumped to his feet.

"All right, all right! Don't get so excited, I'm goin'!"

"Feh... bout time."

Kagome smiled at the byplay between the little kitsune who was her son, and her mate. "You two won't ever stop, will you? Sheesh."

Sango woke slowly, sitting up and watching her friends getting ready for the day. She had felt tired lately, more tired than she should be, and so had been sleeping more. Even so, it never seemed to be enough.

I must be coming down with something, what great timing, she thought tiredly. "Good morning, everyone. Kagome, can I talk to you?"

"Of course, Sango!" Kagome hurried over to her best friend's side, frowning when she noticed her pale, yet fevered face. "Are you okay? You don't look well."

"Yeah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about - I feel hot, and I've been really tired lately. I ache a bit as well."

"Sounds like a touch of the flu, let me see what I've got in my bag." Walking over to her bag, she grabbed it and drug it over to Sango's bedding. Digging through it, she soon found her tylenol, and gave several to Sango. "As soon as we eat, I want you to take those. You have to wait 'til we eat, though, 'cause you can't take those on an empty stomach, and then you need to sleep some more."

Inuyasha scowled at this. "Oi, wench! We need to get moving! Or did you forget the shards and Naraku?"

"No, Inubaka, I didn't," she growled, "but we have to stay here for the time being anyway. I had planned to wait until we'd eaten to talk to you all, but since some of us are so impatient, I'll tell you now." She looked over at Inuyasha.

"I got a visitor last night. It was Koga." She closed her eyes, still pained by the whole situation, and listened to the indrawn breath's of their friends. "Or should I say, his spirit. Yes, he's dead."

Kagome opened her eyes, and everyone could see how pained they were. "He told me that the shards are, indeed, in the graveyard, still with his body. But, we can't get to them right now because of the guardians. So, Koga is going to speak with them, plead our case. He believes he can convince them," she said, frowning, "if only because it would be better for us to go in peacefully and with respect for the dead, than Naraku completely destroy the graveyard just to take the shards. And he would, too."

"Feh! So, okay, he's gonna get permission. Hooray for him." Inuyasha was angry at the mention of Koga, even though he knew it was childish, he just couldn't help it. He was still upset about her sneaking off to see that damn wolf last night.

"What's that got to do with sitting around here? It would be better if we were closer, so once he says we can go in, we are already there."

Kagome frowned at him, irritated at his jealousy. "No, Inuyasha. Ever since we got here yesterday I've been hearing, well, warnings. It's the guardians. They won't allow us to pass right now. I could fight it, but then I'd be distracted in case we were attacked, and that would just cause more trouble. Koga told me to wait here, and he'll contact me again once he's gained the guardians approval. Besides, we are in a good position right here, because if Naraku attempts to breach the graveyard for the shards, we'll already be in position to fight him off."

She glared a him when he started growling, knowing it was because she'd be talking to the wolf again. "Listen. You can growl and hiss all you want, Inuyasha, but I am NOT moving from here until we have the okay, got it? For Kami's sake! You need to get over this jealousy! It's totally ridiculous. I'm your mate, I'm not going anywhere, so stop."

Rolling her eyes at him, she grabbed food from last night's dinner that she had re-heated over the fire and took the first portion to Sango.

Sango smiled at her. "Thanks, Kagome. So then if we have to stay here and wait, it won't hurt if I sleep some more. You don't know how good that sounds."

Watching as everyone settled to eat, she walked to the edge of the clearing and looked out thoughtfully. She had the feeling that things were going to come to a head soon. Her Miko senses were practically screaming with the ominousness in the air. She knew that Inuyasha felt it too, and that it was part of the reason he was so irritable, but still - it was annoying.

She could feel a powerful youki nearby, and knew it was Sesshoumaru. If he was here, then he felt the same thing that she did. And there was something else. She had been picking up something that was disturbing. It felt like - absence. She had never felt something so strange before, and knew she wouldn't have, if she hadn't been training herself.

What she was sensing was void - Kanna.

Which meant Naraku.

They would have to deal with Kanna, probably today, but she wanted to go to the girl, she needed to keep the fight away from Sango. It would probably be best to leave Miroku here with her for protection, and just take Inuyasha with her. Nodding to herself, she turned and walked back to join the others, grabbing her food and beginning to eat. Looked like she'd need the energy.

---sSs---

Sesshoumaru waited, resting with his back against a tree. He knew that his brother and his Lady would be arriving shortly. He would be interested to see what she would have to say. He knew that it was due to her that Inuyasha was coming here - the baka wouldn't have come on his own, especially not to ask for help.

The hanyou had too much pride for his own good sometimes.

A slight smile graced his face.

Not that I have room to speak. I rarely ask for help either, and I have my own share of pride. Still, sometimes - there were times when you needed to ask, and there were circumstances that required it as well. For instance; he would definitely bend his pride to ask for help if Rin needed it. Protecting his pride was not a sufficient excuse to let her suffer.

That's about the only time his brother would ask either. For his Lady's sake.

"Little brother. Lady Kagome." He stood, silently waiting for her to speak, knowing it would be her.

"Lord Sesshoumaru," she said, bowing formally to him. "I think you know well what the land around you is saying. The earth even now clenches itself against the evil that is torturing it." Moving closer, she gestured to the south, where the land sloped gently down into foothills.

"Kanna hides in that direction. We seek to remove her, but that she is here means that she isn't alone. I believe that she has a means to defend herself that we aren't aware of yet. I would like to ask your aid in this. Since we don't know what we will be up against, I would feel safer with another powerful person as an ally."

Sesshoumaru tilted his head, considering her words, then nodded. "I see no reason to hold myself aloof in this. Naraku must be stopped, and nothing else must be allowed to keep those who would defeat him separate. We would be better suited as allies."

Inuyasha looked annoyed. "Feh - that's the only reason I agreed to this. I hate Naraku more than I hate you."

Kagome looked him with irritation, ready to sit him, but was interrupted, by an amused looking Sesshoumaru.

"Hate? You don't hate me, Inuyasha. Nor do I hate you. We don't get along, but more because we really don't know each other, rather than that we truly dislike each other."

Inuyasha opened his mouth, and Kagome cut him off. "Enough! We don't have time to be petty, Inuyasha! You might like going into fights alone, with no backup plan in case things don't go well, but I would rather deal with reality, and reality tells me that we won't always win easily. You are just too cocky sometimes!" Turning back to Sesshoumaru, she smiled. "Can you feel Kanna's presence, My Lord, or will you follow me?"

"I will follow you. I have no sense of this incarnation."

Bowing once more, she turned to Inuyasha. "Let's go, then. I'd like to get this over with as soon as possible, so when the summons to the graveyard comes, we won't be interrupted." Inuyasha bent at the knees and waited for her to climb on before leaping into the trees, heading south.

Sesshoumaru summoned his youki, and followed.

They found Kanna, sitting on some rocks, at the base of the foothills leading to the mountain stronghold of the wolves. It looked to be a good place to confront her - there was a lot of room to move.

She was seemingly alone, but there was almost a shivering in the air that spoke of something else. She still carried her mirror, but it was lying face down on the rock next to the girl, and Kagome didn't trust that fact. In all the times they had faced her, she had never let go of that mirror, let alone put it face down.

"Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, I believe that whatever she plans, it has to do with that mirror. Do NOT look in that mirror for any reason." Inuyasha just nodded, remembering the mirror - and what it had done first to Kagome, and then to him. "Also, Sesshoumaru, be careful; she can use the mirror to reflect attacks back at you."

"I see. Very well. Shall we get on with this, then?"

They stepped into Kanna's sight, Inuyasha drawing Tessaiga and watching it transform. "Well, Kanna? What're you doing lurking around here, huh? Did you bring your master with you? Or is he too afraid to come out and face us?"

Kanna didn't answer, simply reaching for her mirror, and turning it to face outward. As soon as the mirror reached the vertical, a bright light came from inside it, so bright that those standing before it had to cover their faces.

When the light faded, Inuyasha started flinging every swear word he'd ever heard.

Sesshoumaru nodded to himself. "Calm yourself, baka, remember, I warned you this would probably happen."

Kagome stood, shocked and sickened, trembling... what she was seeing was something that would linger in her nightmares probably forever. She barely heard what Sesshoumaru had said, until he moved in front of her and broke her line of vision. "You must be strong, Miko. Remember when I came to you both in the forest, I warned you of the dangers. You must not let it break you!"

Shivering, listening to Inuyasha still swearing, she finally looked at Sesshoumaru and nodded. "Right. I'll be okay. It was just - the shock." Her eyes glistened with tears, however, and he knew this would probably be the hardest fight she would ever face.

Because this monster had a familiar face. One that was targeted at her, specifically. This monster smelled of Naraku, it looked similar to Naraku, it even had the spider mark on the back. But it had another scent, and another face. A face that she would never be able to escape.

Kichiro.

Or what had once been Kichiro.