InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Heartless ❯ Trapped ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the other characters from the anime/manga. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I suppose life would be easier if I made money by writing these stories, but unfortunately, I do not.

 

 

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Special thanks to my wonderful betas Ai Kisugi and Hedanicree for picking this story to pieces and making it a much more bearable read!

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`Thinking'

“Talking”

Dream or memories

 

 

 

Chapter 4: Trapped

 

 

 

When Sango finally returned after an hour of absence, it was already noon. The two occupants of the small room had been silent for a long time, and the silence was interrupted by the loud cries of their stomachs at the smell of food coming from the other side of the house. Miroku smiled at her red face and offered to go and check out what Sango brought for lunch.

 

The mouth-watering scent turned out to be a pot of delicious stew. While they ate, Sango informed her husband that the children had gone hunting with her brother and would not be back until the next evening. Miroku didn't look pleased at the news.

 

“They went with him again?! When will they learn to ask me before they do something?”

 

“They won't, because they know we won't let them if they ask.” She sighed tiredly and stood up to clean the small table they had been eating on. “I have no idea who they took after.”

 

Miroku rose as well and looked outside from the small window next to the door. “I have a guess.”

 

When she returned from cleaning the dishes, Sango smiled at their unwilling guest apologetically. “Those clothes must be uncomfortable for you, with the blood and all. Why don't you come inside with me? I'll give you something clean to change into.”

 

Having been the silent observer for the last hour, Kagome was taken aback when Sango addressed her. It was good to hear that she could finally get out of her wedding dress. As beautiful as it had been, it wasn't made for climbing up walls, running around or sitting on the floor. Besides, it was completely ruined now, and she didn't expect it to be repairable. She would probably have to throw it out.

 

Kagome followed Sango to one of the two rooms she hadn't seen yet in this small house and she saw that it was not very different from the one she woke up in the morning. The only futon in the room was slightly larger than the one she laid on before, and there was a chest next to the door. Sango knelt in front of the chest and took some clothes out of it. “They are not fancy, but I promise they are much more comfortable.”

 

Taking the offered clothes, she smiled at the woman. “Oh, believe me, anything to get me out of this messy dress will be fancy enough for me.” Kagome meant it. She was feeling nauseous whenever her eyes fell on her gown. Knowing whom that blood belonged to doubled her feelings. It made her remember how deadly his wound looked and how he could have died there if she hadn't come upon him.

 

“I'm sorry you can't take a bath now. We normally bathe in the river, but the soldiers are camping around the river nowadays, so we better not go there.” At her guest's crestfallen look, she added hurriedly, “But, I can take you to the hot springs later if you want.”

 

Now, that was something Kagome couldn't say no to. Her eyes brightened at the idea of a long, hot bath, and she couldn't keep the smile that formed on her lips. “Really? A hot bath?” At Sango's nod, her smile widened. “I'd love to go there with you. Thanks.”

 

Seeing the young woman hesitate to take off her clothes in front of her, Sango left the room, saying that she would check on Miroku. When Kagome was alone, she quickly took off her dress and started to examine the clothes she was given. She realized that they looked like the clothes Sango was wearing. She held up a cream colored, long sleeved shirt with no buttons and a long green skirt. After many trials, she managed to put on her clothes and got out of the room, carrying her bloody dress with her.

 

“Now that's better, isn't it? Those clothes look good on you.”

 

She smiled at Sango's compliment. ”What should I do with this dress?”

 

“I don't think it's a good idea to leave it somewhere out there. We wouldn't want the blood to attract anything. The best thing to do is just to burn it, I guess.”

 

`Attract anything? What? Are we in a wild jungle or something?' Remembering what she had been told about `magical creatures,' she decided not to question Sango's motives in fear of hearing more things that would just give her another headache. `Well, as long as the dress is out of my hands.' “Okay, let's do it then. Where do we burn it?”

 

“The front garden.” With that, Sango took a burning boulder from the fire pit in the middle of the room, and holding its cold end, she motioned Kagome to follow her out.

 

The small garden was filled with vegetables on both sides of the pathway that led to the front door. They walked to the far end of the garden, where there seemed to be the remains of an old fire. Sango took the dress from her, put it on the charred ground and threw the burning boulder on it. Within seconds, the once beautiful dress was nothing but a pile of ashes.

 

While Sango took care of the dress, Kagome was struck by the look of their surroundings. She noticed Sango and Miroku were not the only ones with simple tastes. From where she stood, she could see several small wooden houses around. `Houses? No, they are not houses. They are more like huts.'

 

Seeing her interest, Sango offered to show her the rest of the village.

 

As they walked on the dirt road among the small huts, they came upon several villagers who looked quite interested in the stranger. However, Kagome's mind was too occupied with other things to notice their interest. She was confused by the lifestyle of the villagers. The huts they lived in, the clothes they wore, the tools they used in their gardens, the buckets women carried around that were filled with water ... There was no trace of technology in this place, not even electricity was present. It was weird that there were still places in Japan without modern technology — a country that provides the world with high tech products.

 

When they came closer to the edge of the forest, she saw something that left her speechless. There was some kind of ethereal wall that separated the village from the forest. Not knowing whether she was dreaming, she looked at Sango to see if she would say something. To her relief, Sango smiled at her and started explaining what that shimmering thing was, confirming for the poor woman that at least she was not seeing things that were not there.

 

“This is the barrier that protects this village from demon attacks.”

 

“A barrier? It looks so strange. What is it made of?”

 

That obviously sounded funny, for Sango could not keep herself from laughing. After her laughter died, she continued in an amused voice, “Made of? Hmm, it's hard to explain. I guess I can say that it's made of spiritual energy. Pure spiritual energy.”

 

“Spiritual energy? How do you do that?”

 

“Well, the monks and the priestesses can do it. This one was erected by Miroku.”

 

“Miroku did this?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Wow!” `Spiritual energy?' Was it even possible to keep pure energy outdoors in such a state? Despite her confusion, she was certain of one thing: The pinkish, bubble-like wall was a sight to see. “It looks beautiful.”

 

Sango smiled at her amazement. “It doesn't look that beautiful to demons, believe me.” However, her face hardened before she continued, “Since this is a purification barrier, any demon to come in contact with it will be purified immediately.”

 

“Purified?” How many different terms was she going to hear today?

 

“Yes.” Seeing that the meaning of that word was lost to her guest, Sango added in a serious voice. “That means dead for demons.”

 

“Oh.” `Dead? She means it, doesn't she?' It was unnerving how easy these people talked about death and killing.

 

They took another path around the village on their way back. After a few minutes of silence, Kagome felt the need to say something. “Where is this hot bath you were talking about?”

 

“Oh, the hot springs? They are close by.” She raised her arm to sign the direction they came from. “That way. Just a few yards outside the barrier.”

 

“Outside the barrier? Wouldn't that be dangerous?”

 

“It's not in the protected zone, but I think we'll be okay. Since the soldiers are in the village, there will not be any demons around. Besides, the springs are too close to the barrier, and demons will not get that close. It irritates them, you know.”

 

So it was okay to be outside this barrier thingy, but stay close to it. However, there was still something that nagged at her mind. “Why are we waiting until nighttime to go there?”

 

“Because there would be nobody around then. It's usually crowded during the day.”

 

Kagome was surprised when she did not hear an explanation full of magic, demons or strange shimmering walls. `What?! That simple?' “Are you sure it will be safe?”

 

“Hey, I'll be with you. You have nothing to worry about.”

 

`I have nothing to ... What's that supposed to mean?' After hearing so many stories about the dangers lurking around since that morning, she was irritated with Sango's confidence in their safety. However, she wasn't in the mood to argue anymore. “O-okay.”

 

The path they took brought them to a sight Kagome was shocked to see. There, in front of her, stood the steps that normally led her to her home. There might be millions of steps in this world, but these were exactly the same as the ones at her shrine, which she knew to be unique.

 

Then, she realized something else. The steps, the tree, the well ... they were all in the exact same positions as in her shrine. Her head began to spin like crazy. She remembered everything she had seen since she had arrived: the people, the clothes, the village, houses, soldiers. “I haven't left the shrine at all, have I? I'm still in the shrine ... just ... just not in the ...” She trailed off, but her mind completed the thought that frightened her to the core. `... the same time.' “Gods! I'm in the past!”

 

The next instant she was half-conscious in Sango's arms. It took some time to compose herself, but in the end Kagome was able stand on her feet. Everything started to make sense now. It was funny how the craziest thing she had come to see since this morning was like a key to the world's most confusing puzzle. Demons, magic, monks, priestesses, wars — everything her grandfather had told stories about, everything he had said happened in the past. `And the strange way I came here ...'

 

Now, Kagome knew that if there was a way back home and out of this place, it was through the well.

 

 

~*~

 

 

That night, Sango took her to the hot springs just as she had promised earlier. The springs formed a small pool surrounded with large rocks just a little outside the village. It turned out that Sango was right about the springs being empty at this time of day. Obviously, the villagers were afraid to come out from the protection of the barrier once it was dark. Kagome was uncomfortable about having to undress with someone around, but once she was in the water, she was too relaxed to care about her nakedness anymore. After a few minutes of silence, she decided that this was a good chance to learn everything she could from Sango.

 

“May I ask you something, Sango?”

 

Sango turned her head to look at her, curious about what the young woman might be wondering this time. “If it is something that I can answer ...”

 

 

“Well, I'm beginning to understand all this stuff about demons. I mean, it is easier once you accept that magic exists. There is one thing I don't understand, though.” She continued uncertainly, as if she was afraid to talk about whatever it was she was going to say, “That night, with Inuyasha, something happened.”

 

Sango's eyes widened for a second, then she encouraged her to continue. “What do you mean?”

 

“When I first saw him, he looked like a normal human, and then he changed when the sun rose.”

 

“You saw that?!” Sango's voice came out so high, a few birds flew out of the trees surrounding the hot springs.

 

“Yeah, it was impossible not to notice.” Her voice turned to a whisper at the panicked expression on the other woman's face. Did she say something wrong? Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned that night at all.

 

When Sango spoke again in a low voice after a few seconds, she sounded deadly serious, “Kagome, this is very important. Did you talk to anybody else about what you saw?”

 

`What? As if these guys left me alone with anybody else all day.' “No, you're the first one I had a chance to ask.”

 

“Good.” She looked relieved, which confused Kagome even more.

 

“Why? What was that all about? You know what it was, don't you?” This woman apparently knew a lot of things, and Kagome was going to get the answers she wanted no matter what.

 

Sango appraised her for a few seconds, trying to decide whether to answer. “I'll tell you, but you have to promise me not to tell anyone, not a soul, about it. Do you understand me?”

 

`As long as I get my answers.' “O-okay, I promise I won't talk about it.”

 

Relaxing back to the water, Sango started to explain in a whispered tone after listening to their surroundings to make sure they were alone. “Well, Inuyasha is only a half-demon.”

 

“Half-demon?”

 

“Yes. His mother was a human princess, and his father was a very powerful dog demon. In fact, he was the lord of the dog demons. By nature, every half-demon becomes human at a specific time and they lose their powers. You saw him on his human night.”

 

It was amazing how interesting things could get around here. Being used to hearing such things by now, Kagome processed all the information she was given without questioning. “He had been human that night and changed into his normal self when I was with him.”

 

Sango nodded her head without looking at her. “I suppose so.”

 

“He was vulnerable because he didn't have his powers, wasn't he?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Then what the hell was the idiot doing out there? Trying to get himself killed?!” Honestly, was this guy stupid or what? Kagome felt strangely outraged at his irresponsibility. Was that even normal to feel so much concern for someone you just met?

 

Sighing Sango laid her head back against the rock she was resting against. When she spoke again, her voice was soft, “That's another story.”

 

“Well, tell me about it already! And while you're at it, why don't you tell me why you're trying to protect him? I thought he was your enemy. Why don't you want anybody to learn about his secret?” Her irritation was directed at Sango now. Kagome knew there were things this woman was not telling her. She could feel it. However, she was not expecting the heated reply Sango gave her even before she closed her mouth.

 

“Because I think it would be cowardly to corner him in his vulnerable state! I think he deserves better than that! Even if he dies, he should die with honor!”

 

Now that she had shouted what she had been thinking in her anger, Sango forced herself to calm down and continued in a soft cadence, “He was our friend ... long ago, before the war started. He wasn't always a cursed general, you know? He was a good man who had no problems with humans. In fact, he was in love with one. She was a beautiful priestess. He loved her so much, he would do anything for her ... even ...”

 

When Sango trailed off, Kagome finished her sentence without thinking. “... even give his life for her.”

 

At Sango's questioning look, she shrugged her shoulders. “I think I heard it before.” `Grandpa's story ...'

 

“Anyway, they loved each other very much, but then bad things happened, and he lost her. After a while, he changed. He became emotionless and cunning. But, on those nights when he turns human, he becomes more like the man he used to be. That's why he was out there when you met him. He loves that tree. He has a strange connection with it, I guess. He goes to that tree to feel more at ease on those nights.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened in realization. So, it was him she felt when she touched the tree at the shrine.

 

“But, he was usually more careful,” continued Sango. “He didn't leave any trails before. But that night, he was careless I guess, for he left two soldiers injured on his way and was wounded in the process. That's how the others were able to find him.”

 

When Kagome did not say anything, Sango added, “Everybody thinks that he is a heartless man. But, I don't agree with them. The fact that he goes to the tree on those nights ... It makes me think that he is still capable of love. He just needs to be reminded that it still exists.”

 

 

~*~

 

 

About ten minutes later, Sango left, saying that she couldn't stand the hot water for a long time and that she would be close by polishing her boomerang. All Kagome needed to do was call for her if she saw or heard anything strange.

 

After Sango was gone, Kagome waded into the deeper part of the small pool. It was hard to feel clean without the help of a soap or shampoo. She massaged her scalp once more and ducked into the water to clean it. She surfaced with a gasp and held her hair up with both hands to squeeze it. She froze when she felt two arms come around her waist and someone breathe on her neck. She was about to scream when she felt the same breath on her ear, but the voice she heard stopped her short.

 

“You look beautiful.”

 

She whirled around — her hands still on her head and her elbow hitting the man in the process — and came face to face with Inuyasha. He didn't seem fazed by the blow he had just received from her. Feeling as if someone would catch him if she made a noise, she whispered, “You! What the hell are you doing here? They'll kill you on sight, you idiot!”

 

Oh, gods, he had that affectionate look on his face again, and those eyes ...

 

“I'd rather die here than anywhere else.”

 

His whispering voice was a match that ignited an unseen fire in her belly. Her mouth stood agape and she let her hair go. She fisted his clothes instead, supporting herself so that she could continue standing in spite of her shaking knees.

 

He combed the few tendrils of wet hair that fell over her face. Then, he caressed her cheek with his knuckles and whispered softly, “So beautiful ...” He hooked one finger under her chin and raised her face.

 

Kagome barely caught the heated look in his eyes before their lips met in a soft kiss. He had one arm hooked around her waist, holding her impossibly close to his body, while his free hand caressed the line of her spine. She moaned into his mouth at the incredible shivers his hand sent into her, and he slipped his tongue into her mouth, making hers dance with it. As the kiss became unbearably heated, she found herself in a whirlwind of emotions. She was barely aware that she was making out with a man she'd seen only once before, completely naked in his arms. Instead, her mind was lost in the feelings erupting in her heart and in her belly like a series of fireworks. She could spend an eternity in those arms, and it would not be enough.

 

 

“Kagome?” They both froze at the sound of Sango calling her. “Aren't you done yet?” The increase in her voice indicated that she was getting closer.

 

Their eyes locked and Kagome took her face away from his. At the sound of footsteps approaching, she panicked and forced him to dive under water by putting her hand on the top of his head. She took a hold of his hair and tried to keep it under water. The silver strands were floating on the surface. Unfortunately, the position they were in forced his face against her chest under the water, and her face went beet red at the realization. However, at that moment, Sango came out of the trees, and Kagome had no choice but to bear with it.

 

“You're taking awfully long, aren't you?” asked Sango.

 

“What can I say? Habits.” Kagome gave a nervous smile. It was hard to act normal when there was a gorgeous man in her bath water, insistently lowering his hands down her waist. She gritted her teeth to keep herself from moaning when one of his hands brushed her stomach on their way south. She slowly took one hand from his hair. Careful not to let Sango know what she was doing, she caught his hand under the water and effectively ceased its movement.

 

In the meantime, Sango got closer to the springs. She stood near one of the rocks that surrounded the small pool and looked around suspiciously. “I see you're fine. I was afraid you drowned or something.”

 

“Oh, I'm perfectly fine!” Forgetting why it was under the water in her hurry to convince Sango to go away, she took the hand that was holding his in its place and waved it in the air as if to say, `See? There is nothing here.'

 

Nodding, the other woman turned back to leave. “Okay then, I'll be waiting over there. Don't take too long.”

 

“Okay.” Kagome let out a long sigh as she watched Sango walk away. Luckily, Sango did not stay long, because Kagome was not sure how much longer Inuyasha could keep his head under water.

 

After she was sure Sango was out of hearing range, the woman pulled his head up by her grip on his hair. “Tell me you didn't see anything,” she commanded.

 

“Okay, I didn't see anything.” The mischievous smile he gave her said otherwise, though. The jerk ... Before Kagome could utter another word, he was on her again, kissing her senseless. When he let her go, she was out of breath.

 

“Come with me.” His voice was almost pleading, but at the same time, demanding. As if that wasn't enough, his intense gaze was not letting her think clearly.

 

Not knowing what to say, she began to stammer whatever came to her mind, “B-but ... S-Sango and Miroku, they are t-taking me to the castle.”

 

“To the castle?!”

 

“Shush! Do you want to get caught?” Honestly, what was his problem? He was practically calling out for trouble!

 

As if it wasn't him shouting his head off a moment ago, he asked her again with the same soft tone that rendered her helpless, “Come with me.”

 

“But Miroku said his life would be at stake if he let me go.”

 

“Screw the monk. He can save his own ass. Come with me.” He kissed her again, with more ferocity this time. Then, he let her go, jumped out of the water and took her clothes, which she had left left on the rocks. He extended his hand to her and asked again, “Come.”

 

Kagome could barely stop herself from taking his hand. She fixed her gaze on the water in front of her, for looking at him was not good for her thinking ability. What would happen to Miroku and Sango if she did go with him? `Wait a minute, what do I care? As if they asked my permission to take me to this castle of theirs. Besides, it seems like I'm trapped in this world. Why not go with him when it feels so right?' She raised her head and looked him in the eye. `Gods, what was I thinking again?' She forgot where she was or who she was. Why would anything else matter if she could be with him? With a heart-stopping smile, Kagome reached toward him to take his hand.

 

Before she could touch him, she heard Sango shout behind her, “Oh, no you won't!” The next instant there was a loud wheezing sound, and she saw Inuyasha jump away. In his place stood Sango's enormous boomerang; its one end was buried in the ground.

 

“Go away, Inuyasha! Don't force me to fight you!”

 

He seemed to think about fighting for a second. Now able to see his whole body from afar, she noticed that his wound was still bleeding. Wanting to keep him from hurting himself or Sango, Kagome interfered before he decided to attack the angry woman. “Inuyasha.”

 

He looked at her with surprise written on his face, as if he hadn't expected to hear his name from her lips. “Please, don't fight, just go. Please.”

 

He growled menacingly, and for a moment, she thought he was going to attack. That turned out to be wrong, though. With a last glance at her, he turned his back and disappeared into the darkness.

 

 

~*~

 

 

The next morning, they took off from the village with the first lights of the sun. To her dismay, Sango and Miroku were not the only ones traveling with her. Sango told her that most of the soldiers she had seen earlier were not based in their village all the time. Apparently, they had been around on a mission. Now that their mission had failed, more than half of the troops were going back to the castle with them. She wondered if that mission was Inuyasha.

 

Not long after they started walking, Kagome realized that they were passing through the clearing the well was in. She looked at the soldiers around her. None of them seemed to be paying attention to her. The more careful ones were checking their surroundings to detect trouble before it came upon them, while others were talking among themselves. The married couple was arguing about something. Miroku obviously did something to anger Sango, for he was supporting a red hand print on his left cheek. She wondered if the noise she heard a few moments ago that sounded suspiciously like a slap came from the two of them.

 

Her eyes fell on the well again. It was even closer to where she stood now. She looked back at the soldiers again. It was now or never. She had to know ...

 

With the highest speed she could muster, she sprinted in the direction of the well. Within seconds, she was perched at its edge, looking down at its depths. She took a deep breath to gather her courage and let herself fall in the well without even a glance back to see whether she was followed.

 

The impact with the ground left her breathless. `For a second there, I thought I would break my leg.' Luckily, she didn't feel hurt anywhere. She looked up to see the blue sky from the well's opening. Her spirits died a little seeing that she was still in this strange world. However, she had to check to see if there was a secret passage in this hole ... and if there was, she had to find it before her captors hauled her out of it. It was easier to see inside the well in daylight. She hastily searched the ground and the walls. Nothing. There was no way out of here, except upwards. When she looked up, she was met with Miroku's amused face.

 

“If you're done here, can we go now?”

 

 

End of Chapter 4