InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Haunted ❯ Unexpected Help from the Past ( Chapter 28 )

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

Chapter 28: Unexpected Help from the Past

Kagome tossed in her sleep, unable to settle.

The thoughts of what they had learned from the scroll, along with sorrow for the upset to her mate and his brother caused by Naraku's latest plan swirled through her mind over and over, leaving her tired and upset.

Finally giving in to desperation, she got up quietly from her spot on the floor and rummaged through her backpack, looking for her sleep aid. It would leave her feeling somewhat drowsy the next morning, but that was better than being exhausted by a complete lack of sleep. She would need a clear head come morning, and she knew it.

Lying back down after taking the pill, she let her mind wander where it would.

There were far too many things taking up space in her mind, and she couldn't afford the distraction at this time. The fight with Naraku was coming soon... far too soon in some ways, and not soon enough in others. And then there was the loss of her family - even though she knew she'd see them again, if she survived the final battle and the five hundred years between now and then, it was still a lot to take in.

Before, with the well still accessible, the massive amount of intervening years between here and there hadn't bothered her at all, but now, it just seemed so insurmountable - it was like staring at eternity. Her mind just didn't want to accept it, so, reluctantly, she pushed those thoughts away, and closed the door on thoughts of her family.

There was certainly time enough to worry about all that after defeating Naraku.

Unfortunately, with those thoughts locked away, it left her with thoughts of the horror that was about to descend on her mate and brother-in-law. Having to fight your own father, in what could very well turn into a fight to the death... she could only imagine the pain, and the guilt... closing her eyes, she let a few tears leak out at the knowledge of the hurt her mate would surely be feeling over this.

Damn that Naraku! I'm beginning to actively hate him...

Her thoughts trailed off as she opened her eyes, and frowned as she looked around. Where the hell am I? She found herself under the spreading branches of a huge tree, surrounded by a large, open meadow full of beautiful flowers of almost every hue.

"Don't worry, dear, there is no danger to you in this place. I would never harm the one who has given my son so much joy."

Kagome whipped around in shock, and there, standing before her, was a woman of such beauty, she immediately felt like a street urchin in comparison.

Wait, she said... her son? Is this, could this be - Lady Izayoi? Inuyasha's mother?!

The woman smiled, a gentle, sweet smile full of love, and sat seiza next to her. "Yes, my dear Kagome, I'm your mate's mother." She reached down and picked a red flower, and reaching over, tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, setting the flower there with it.

"You have made my son happy, given him more than I was beginning to think he'd ever find." She looked down, a sad expression washing across her face then.

"You have no idea how much it hurt to watch all that he has suffered over his lifetime, my daughter. It hurt, and I was unable to do anything to stop it - I could only watch. I felt so helpless... watching as his heart became heavier and darker, and then, to see him pinned to a tree for another's crimes." She raised a hand to her face and wiped a tear, then smiled at Kagome, seeing her eyes wet with those same tears.

"But, just as I thought that it was over for him, and that he would be condemned to an eternity of being locked in an unnatural sleep, you came, and woke him, and healed him. For that, you have my eternal gratitude... and as much love as I have for my son, I also have for you."

Kagome, by this time blushing a dark, cherry red, smiled shyly. "Thank you... but you know, you don't owe me gratitude, or anything else. I didn't do anything that I've done, so that others would owe me a debt - I did it all because I love Inuyasha, more than anything that has ever been created. I would give my soul for his, and my life just to see him smile."

Izayoi patted her hands, then reached over and hugged her. "I know. And that is why I, in my turn, love you. How could I not love the one who gives so much to my beloved son?" Sadness crept into her eyes then.

"I know what it is to love another as you love my Inuyasha... and the pain that I feel since he has been ripped away tells me how it would feel for you were the same thing to happen to your mate."

Kagome's eyes widened, then narrowed with justifiable anger. "Naraku! That bastard..." she trailed off, seeing the pain in her companion's eyes. "He forced your mate to return to the world of the living... tearing you apart. I'm so sorry, my Lady!"

"That's why I'm here." She waved a hand at their surroundings. "This is the place I was buried, you know. Because my mate was called back, my soul was also pulled from my sleep, but, since I have no body to return to, I'm trapped in between the living and the dead. I can, however, reach out to you this way, because of the strength of your soul. And I can help you break the control Naraku has over my mate... before our son has to fight him."

Kagome looked hopeful at that. "Really? Because, you know, it isn't just Inuyasha, but Sesshoumaru, too. He was very upset when we told him... he's changed a lot, even just since I've known him - and I could see the pain in his eyes tonight when Inu and I explained the situation to him."

Izayoi nodded. "I have seen some of the things that have happened with Sesshoumaru... it is the effect of his young ward, the little girl, Rin. She is a darling child, and even my mate's first son and heir, with his hardened heart, could not resist her. She opened his heart, as you did for my Inuyasha. I do not wish him to suffer, either, having to raise his hand to his own father."

"So what do we do, my Lady? How will we beat Naraku at his own game?"

"We turn his weapon against him, my dear. It is the last thing that Naraku will expect."

---cCc---

Kagome woke suddenly, sitting up quickly, she noticed right away that the usual groggy feeling she got after taking those sleep aid pills was completely absent for once, and she was grateful for that.

Glancing around, she noted that everyone else was still sleeping, and moving quietly, she stood and walked over to the door, pushing aside the matting and exiting the hut.

It looked to be about an hour before sunrise, and moving across the little dirt path in front of the hut, found the grass on the other side of it, and promptly sat down, drawing her knees up, and wrapping her arms around them. Setting her chin on her knees, she sighed, and closed her eyes.

She was totally aware that the meeting with Inuyasha's mother was absolutely real - it wasn't a dream. They'd come up with a very dangerous strategy, but they had both agreed that it was very likely their only chance... and because it all hinged on a split-second reaction, they had agreed that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru should not be told about it.

Kagome snorted. Like that was gonna be so easy, what with the mate bond and all. If she kept the bond closed down, he'd know something was up, so that wasn't really an option, but she couldn't let him find out, either. The only thing she could think of was to stuff it as far down in her consciousness as possible and refuse to think about it... and hope that worked.

She caught a hint of movement from the hut, and decided she'd better get a start on burying that little bit of info now, because, if she wasn't mistaken, that was her mate getting ready to come looking for her. She carefully ignored the light laugh she heard... it wouldn't do to alert her companions to the presence that only she could sense.

I wish Inuyasha could see her, or at least, sense her... I know he misses her deeply. Even though we haven't really talked about her much, whenever he's mentioned her, I could see the pained look in his eye.

"Oi, wench, you okay? You're not usually up this early without being forced... is something bothering you?"

She rolled her eyes, glancing back over her shoulder at him as he walked up behind her. "You mean, beyond the whole Naraku mess? As if that isn't enough to bother anybody, dog boy."

He snickered quietly as he plopped down next to her. "Dog boy, huh? You haven't called me that in a while, wench." He turned his head and looked at her. "Now, 'fess up. What's wrong? I mean specifically, Kagome," he said, a trace of sarcasm touching his voice.

She tilted her head up and looked at the sky, watching the light of a false dawn break over the horizon for a few moments before answering. "Just have a lot on my mind, Inuyasha, that's all." Absently twirling a blade of grass she'd picked in her fingers, she glanced over at him quizzically, then looked back up at the sky.

"How long did it take, Inuyasha," she asked, softly, eyes far away as he looked over at her, "before you got used to the absence of your mother? You know, in day to day life. I'm just wondering how long..." she trailed off, not surprised when he finished the sentence.

"... I suffered with missing her, and not knowing how to go on?" Is that what your asking?" He looked away as she nodded, frowning slightly, thoughtfully. "I still miss her, Kagome. That never goes away. But at least, I'm glad for one thing. For you, it isn't forever. You'll see her again." His voice dropped to a pained whisper. "I just wish... that I could see mine again. It's been so long..."

Kagome reached over and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Don't give up hope, Inu-chan... you also will see her again someday, and maybe - well, maybe sooner than you think. In this world, anything's possible."

Inuyasha slowly turned his head and caught her eye, wondering at the peculiar intensity that had invaded his mate's voice when she'd said that.

It's like she knows something...

Then she smiled, and the moment was gone. Squeezing his hand again before pulling her arm back around her leg, she nodded up at the sky, where the light of true dawn was beginning to show.

"We'll have to wake the others soon, Inuyasha, if we want to get everyone fed and ready for when your brother arrives. He definitely doesn't like being kept waiting, ne?"

"Keep his majesty waiting? Perish the thought," he said, an evil expression crossing his face. "That bastard thinks his time is more precious than the kami."

Kagome laughed, standing, she held out her hand and pulled her mate to his feet when he took it. Folding his hand into her own, she tugged him along behind her. "Come on, dog boy. Let's wake everyone up and start the day. I have a feeling it's gonna be a long one."

Inuyasha nodded, looking back over his shoulder at the timberline. He could feel his brother out there, already waiting, and if that wasn't bad enough, the air felt heavy, as though a storm was coming.

Keh, and it is, too. A storm called Naraku... I only hope that something's left standing when its all over.

Glancing behind him once more, he turned and followed his mate into the hut.

---cCc---

Sesshoumaru appeared promptly on time, and the Inutachi all gathered around the Western Lord to begin their planning. Much rode on what he had to say about his father's combat tactics, and what it would take to counter that, and Kagome prepared for a long day of talk.

She frowned. I hate this. Something doesn't feel right.

She looked around, unsure of what she was feeling, but nonetheless, almost sure that something was out there, watching.

Narrowing her eyes on the line of trees marching away towards the horizon, she immediately broke into the already quite lively debate going on around her. "Quiet! Now!" she snapped.

At the startled silence around her, she looked at the Western Lord. "We're being spied upon, Lord Seshoumaru, unless you want Naraku knowing our plans, I suggest you all wait until I'm able to set a soundproof barrier around us."

Sesshoumaru immediately sent his aura out, and very quickly realized that his brother's miko was correct. Back under the trees, several of Naraku's hell-bees were stationed. He cursed himself inwardly for not catching it sooner.

He caught his brother's concerned glance. "Your mate is correct. There are several saimyousho stationed under the trees. We cannot take the chance that they can hear us even from this distance."

Kagome jerked her head in the direction of the forest. "I'll put up a barrier, and go walk the perimeter. I'm not really needed in this discussion at this point, so I'll just make sure that Naraku doesn't get the chance to be nosy." An evil grin crossed her face.

"Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll get the chance to flame some of his little spies."

Inuyasha spluttered as she moved off, not sure if he really felt comfortable with her going off alone. But she gave him no chance to argue the point, because a barrier came up, and just that quick, she was gone.

Suddenly, they were all staring out at an empty field.

Sesshoumaru turned slowly and looked at his brother. "Tell, me Inuyasha. When did your mate gain the ability to move that fast?"

Inuyasha caught the eyes of Sango and Miroku on him, and shrugged helplessly.

"I have no fucking idea, Sesshoumaru. She doesn't tell me everything, you know." He waved his hand in Sango's direction. "Keh. Think about it, Sango. Look at what happened that time we went after that shard-bearing oni and it attacked us in the road. She just exploded out of nowhere with those powers of hers."

Sango nodded. "Yeah, he's right. She's developing these powers of hers left and right... and if I'm not mistaken, my Lord, you even promised to help her hone her control. She's going to be one hell of a formidable weapon, you know."

Miroku looked thoughtful as Sesshoumaru turned and gazed back out at the empty meadow.

"Maybe we should consider her as part of our tactics? My Lord, once you've worked with her a bit, you'll have a fairly good idea of what she might be capable of... and can then make plans around that. And the less Naraku knows about it..." he trailed off suggestively.

"Hn." The youkai Lord continued looking out into the field, seemingly lost in thought for a few more moments, before turning back to his companions. "Agreed. I will begin working with her tomorrow morning."

Sitting, he gestured for everyone to join him on the ground.

"Let us begin."

---cCc---

Kagome stopped as soon as she hit the tree-line, and sent her senses out around her in every direction. It was amazing - she could feel everything in all directions for miles, and quickly located every single spy in the area. She wasn't really surprised to find that the saimyousho were not the only ones out there.

That's Naraku alright. Hell, his left hand doesn't even trust his right...

Tightening her aura around herself until it almost disappeared, she moved again, hitting the first hell-wasp before it even knew she was there.

This oughta piss the bastard off - having all his little pets disappear. She snickered as she took out the second bug. Opening movements of the final battle, bastard, and I'm the one claiming them.

Darting towards her next target, she realized that the hell-born hanyou had been busy creating new slaves for himself as soon as she caught sight of her opponent.

Can't really call them incarnations... these look just like low-level youkai - except that they're controlled, and look like they were only quickly cobbled together.

These things weren't meant to see battle in any way - they're only purpose was to spy. She shook her head in disgust. This wouldn't even be worth the effort if it weren't for the chance to piss Naraku off at the loss of all the information he's after.

After taking out about fifteen assorted fake-youkai, she came to a halt just under the tree-line, and looked out at the group sitting under her barrier. She could feel Inuyasha trying to find her, but beyond letting him feel her presence, she hid her actual location, and stood back to see if he could trace her.

This should be interesting...

She could feel his youki searching, and knew he was also using his other senses... she was curious to see if she had managed to hide herself totally or not.

She grinned almost ferally as a sense of frustration seeped through the link... he wasn't having any luck finding her, and a sudden sense of elation swept through her. This gives me one hell of way of sneaking up on the sneak... Naraku, you just lost a lot of ground!

Sending out her senses once again, she quickly located the energy signature of her previous incarnation, and tightening her grip on her bow, once again disappeared from sight.

Time to go get Kikyou. Let's see if I can sneak up on her...

---cCc---

Kikyou was meditating, senses open to the world around her, but unaware of the visitor currently bearing down on her. She got about two seconds of warning before her reincarnations energy signature literally materialized right next to her, and she almost fell over in astonishment... if it had been anyone else, she'd be dead, again.

Kagome broke out in open laughter at the look on Kikyou's face, and holding her hands out in a show of peaceable intent, dropped to the ground cross-legged next to her.

"So. Anything interesting happen in the last few days?"

Kikyou gave her an ironic look. "You mean, besides you sneaking up on me just now? No, it's been very quiet - although not a comfortable quiet. I would be very interested to know what Naraku is up to at this moment."

Kagome looked over at her seriously. "He's busy making himself a new incarnation... one none of us really want to meet. Looks like we're not gonna get a choice, though," she said with a frown.

"What do you mean?"

"Naraku's using his portion of the jewel to bring back Inuyasha's father, and keep him under his control."

Kikyou gasped, eyes wide. "How do you know about this? Are you sure?!"

Kagome nodded. "Yeah. You know the monk that travels with us, right? He left us an informative little scroll to find at the shrine in my time telling us about it. It detailed the last battle."

"Did it say who would win?" she asked curiously.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Of course not, that part of the scroll was damaged. However, think about it logically. For Miroku to leave us a warning for the future tells me that we win. If we hadn't, he'd be dead. Simple."

Kikyou narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "I suppose." She stood then. "I gather, since you are here, that it's time to prepare myself, is it not?"

She smiled and tilted her head in acknowledgement. "Sure is. Oh, and by the way, just to let you know, Naraku's also been making himself new slaves. He's got his spies out in force, so be careful not to give anything away."

The older priestess rolled her eyes and glared around her at the trees, and the darkness under them.

"Figures. He always was a coward, sending others to do his dirty work."

Kagome laughed. "Yeah, but you know what? His little lower-youkai pets make really satisfying target practice, Kikyou. You should try it."

Kikyou grinned suddenly, wickedly.

"Sounds like fun, Kagome."

---cCc---

Naraku smiled at his newest incarnation, proudly circling him as he stood, snarling, in the middle of the room. He was magnificent... and almost ready for battle. He simply could not wait to see the faces of the brothers when they caught sight of who they'd be facing - everything up to this point would be worth it just for the anguish this was sure to cause.

Just a few more days, and I will tear their world apart. Those fools, thinking they could ever best me! With this one move, I will totally take their hearts from them, and leave them unable to even function.

He laughed aloud as his incarnation howled and struggled, attempting to break away from his control. It was worth it to use all of the jewel that he had to control this one... truly, he was strong - and a formidable opponent. If I had even one less shard, it would not be possible.

Laughing again, he left the room, chaining the other up with a thought. It was time to call back some of his spies... he wanted to know what his enemies were planning, not that it mattered, of course, they would lose no matter what, but it was amusing, and would provide a good way to keep himself busy while his creation finished maturing.

He was not laughing, however, when he found that his spies no longer existed.

He now had no way of knowing what the Inutachi, and their allies, had in store for him...

And he didn't like that at all.