InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ His Heart & The Only One Who Can Save Him ❯ Chapter Nine ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

It was late into the night, forming a wall of darkness around the hut due to the lack of light from the sliver of moon that was left. Kagome and Ayame had brought the two into the hut not long after they found InuYasha and Koga severely injured in the clearing. Koga had regained his consciousness not too long after they arrived to find Kagome tending to his wounds. Once she was finished, she moved onto InuYasha who was in much worse condition than Koga, seeing the look on Kagome’s worried face Koga decided to take his leave.
“Thank you Kagome,” Koga said, “but I fear that I must take my leave. Thank you for your kindness, I will see you soon.” With that Koga went out into the darkness and disappeared into the night in a strong gust of wind, followed closely behind by his wolves, Ginta and Hakaku, which had just at that moment caught up to the young wolf demon prince.
Kagome walked out of the hut after finishing InuYasha’s wounds and walked Ayame to the edge of the forest.
“Thank you so much Kagome.” Ayame thanked.
“Don’t mention it.” Kagome responded, “I just hope this all turns out for the best.”
“So do I.” Ayame said. Then she ran after the young demons who were steadily growing farther and farther away from her. “So do I”
InuYasha spend most of the night and half of the next day resting from the fight with Koga. His arm had recovered as well as his badly cut chest, now the group patiently waits for the hanyou to awake. Around mid-day, a strange man came up the dirt path from the North insisting on seeing Kaede.
“Priestess Kaede!” The man shouted as he made his way through the entrance to the small village.
He seemed to be nothing more than a simple vassal, his common kimono and sandals, lack of expensive or fancy clothing supported this as well. His short black hair in a mess as the young man frantically called for the village priestess.
Kaede, upon hearing the frantic calls of the young, foreign villager, hobbled out of the hut from which Kagome, InuYasha and the rest of the group was currently occupying. Her one good eye scanned over to the northern entrance to the village as the man hastily made his way toward her.
“Priestess Kaede?” The young man asked, frantic and hurried.
“Aye, what business do you have in this small village?” Kaede questioned, her old voice sounding wise and concerned.
“A demon has attacked my village a ways north of here, about a day’s trip.” the man began, “There was but a simple snake in the fields a few days ago and now it’s over 60 feet and growing. We saught out the assistance of a slayer but he has fallen to the demon, my lord had heard that a slayer currently is resting in this village and sent me to request their help.”
“Aye, there is a slayer present,” Kaede agreed, then called toward the hut, “Sango, there is a man here in need of your assistance.” (A/N sorry guys but I’m tryin to get this old Japanese/English type of speech right but it just is no use….if I’m doin it right lemme know but please work with me….I give lots-o-pocky points to those great writers who have achieved this great talent cuz I doubt if I ever will )
Sango gently pushed open the hanging bamboo door to greet the man outside, Kilala followed closely behind; should anything attempt to attack her companion she would protect her. Her red eyes gazing at the man suspiciously as her two tails swayed side to side.
“Yes Kaede?” Sango questioned looking between the stranger and the old miko.
“This man has asked for ye assistance in slaying a demon, its seems that it may have a jewel shard from what this man has told me.” Kaede responded.
“Well we can leave as soon as InuYasha awakes, how far is your village?” Sango asked.
“About a days trip on foot, go north from here and it’s a few miles past the river to the north east.” The stranger responded, out of breath and exhausted from his hurried trip over to gain the slayers help.
“My comrades and I will set out as soon as our friend awakes from his injuries, rest here a bit and then go and inform your lord of our answer, I’m sure he’s eagerly awaiting the reply.” Sango said as she showed the man to a near by hut and set him up to rest so he would be fit to travel and deliver the news to his lord.
“Thank you milady.” the man replied as he set up a small futon in the corner of the hut and began to rest.Artemis had followed Naraku’s instructions and returned to her task of following the party traveling to ulimatly destroy him. Upon her arrival, she noticed that InuYasha was unconscious and that he was badly wouned. She chanced a closer spot near the hut the previous night and listened in on their conversation.
She saw her cousin and oh, how she longed to be there with her and tell her that she was fine and how much she missed her company. Thinking back on her childhood, Ayame had always been there for her, even after the slaughter of her pack and family, she still offered her a place to stay and welcomed her so openly into her tribe.
“Oh Ayame, it has been too long.” Artemis whispered to herself as she watched the scene unfold. She had run into Koga a few times, but nothing note-able happened. She noticed the way Ayame looked at Koga and she smiled, “I knew she’d find someone eventually.” Artemis thought.
Waking up to see that the group had yet to leave, she sighed in relief. If she had to track them down, well it could take some time but that was not on her “to do list.” Luckily, for her the young fox demon had not noticed her sent and the cat seemed to be uninterested in her.
Seeing the young man come down the path, she quickly hid low in a near by bush and listened in on the conversation. Once the man was settled in the hut and everyone had gone back inside, she emerged and tried to comprise a plan.
“Alright…. Lets see, the new moon’s in two or three days,” Artemis thought, “If they plan on going after this demon, and I’m sure they are, and I know InuYasha won’t stay out for much longer, than I have about ½ a month, till the next full moon to get InuYasha and Kagome into the future era, perform my spell, make sure InuYasha’s demon side destroys his Human and get back. Piece of cake.” Artemis thought sacristy as her dark eyes scanned over the small village.
It made her proud to know that, with no contact with anyone on the out side for so long and no training for so long that she was still able to elude her enemies. The fox demon had yet to discover her; she was sure that the two tail had however, yet the moment InuYasha awoke and if she were up wind or too close to the hut her cover would be blown.
Retreating into a tree a ways away from the hut but still in a close range where she could still see the small building, she settled down and waited for the group to move. She had made her move, now all that was left was to patiently wait for their move and it would be her turn once again.
Kagome was settled by the sleeping hanyou, the young kitsune was curled comfortably in her lap as well and the addition to Kilala so it looked as if she had a ½ orange, ½ yellow and black ball of fuzz in her lap. Sango had entered the hut and sat near Kagome and Miroku was presently against the opposite wall from the others talking to Kaede about the jewel and debating on the four souls and what they represent. (A/N you know….can never pronounce some of em‘ but you guys know: Love, Knowledge, Friendship and Courage….I think those are it anyway on with the story)
Sango had explained the situation at the village with Kagome and Miroku who all agreed that when their companion awoke that they would all set off to aid the village.
The small orange fuzz began to stir and Shippo raised his head looking up at Kagome and sleepily said, “Kagome I’m hungry.” (A/N I‘m the same way….no good morning, nice to see you, feed me now or pay the consequences…lol)
“All right,” Kagome said, as Shippo made is way off her lap and sat down right in front of her. Kagome then carefully moved Kilala, earning a frustrated/ticked glance toward her from the small cat as if to say, “Yeah next time you’re sleeping I’ll just move you around.”
Kagome then dug through her pack and pulled out seven bowls of Ramen, one for each group member plus Kaede and a small can of tuna for Kilala as well as her bowl. Pulling out her pot/kettle she asked, “Shippo, I need to go and fill his with water, would you come with me and gather some wood?”
The young kit was proud that he could help and early accepted. The two made their way outside and returned in only a matter of a few minutes. Shippo had collected more than enough wood, however watching him try and carry it all inside made Kagome giggle as she took a few small logs for Shippo so it would be easier for him to carry. Once inside they started to prepare the Ramen.
Once the water reached boiling, Kagome careful not to burn herself poured the water into the Ramen cups and handed them to her companions. As the sent of Ramen spread throughout the hut, the sent wafted to the nose of the injured hanyou and he began to stir.
Once he awoke, he sat up and was met with the sight of the rest of the group eating their Ramen as well as a bowl that was currently cooling beside him.
“Hey, you’re up.” Kagome said, “Feeling any better?”
“Yeah, as if that mangy wolf could do any real damage to me.” InuYasha scoffed at the young woman.
“Glad you’re better.” Kagome said, trying to ignore his usual “tough-guy” act.
“So InuYasha,” Sango began, “Are you well enough to travel?”
“Course I am, why?” The hanyou responded as he picked up his bowl of Ramen and began to slurp it loudly.
“A villager came earlier and asked for our assistance in slaying a demon and Kaede thinks it may have a jewel shard.” Sango responded, finishing the last of her Ramen.
“Shouldn’t have said that.” Kagome thought as she then saw InuYasha practically swallow his bowl of Ramen in one gulp.
“You know InuYasha,” Kagome said, “one of these days you’re gonna eat your Ramen that fast and choke and I’m just going to sit back and laugh.” (A/N boy she‘s mean……TT)
InuYasha looked over at the young woman who was presently giggling hysterically at the hanyou and said, “Well next time I see someone grab you and make off with you, I’ll just laugh then, how’s that.” InuYasha retorted.
Kagome was quite after that and everyone was finished with his or her meal in about twenty minutes.
“Kagome.” Kaede said as the group headed out of the hut, on their way to slay the demon.
“Yes Kaede?” Kagome asked as she turned to look at the elderly woman.
“Take this with ye, it might be needed.” Kaede said as she handed the young miko a small satchel of herbs and a few vials.
“Thank you very much Kaede.” Kagome said with a slight bow.
The group made their way down the dirt road to the entrance of the village and stopped shortly to figure their course of action.
“Okay,” Sango started, “the villager said that the village was about a day’s trip north from here and a few miles past the river to the north east.”
“Well lets get going already, I don’t want to waste time.” InuYasha barked as he made his way to the front of the group. With that the group made their way to the next village, little did they know what they would find in little over a day’s time.
Far off in the mountains, surrounded by a thick purple miasma, a rather large castle stood heavily guarded. Naraku walked into a medium sized room, there was really nothing special about this room in particular, well, to a normal person anyway. He made his way over to a small table which sat next to a rather large collection of large jars, the contents of which occasionally moved around. Reaching down, he picked up a set of clothing, much like the ones he currently wore, only these were a steel grey color. Naraku turned his piercing red gaze to one of the first jars and then made his way over to it.
“Come Yokuro.” Naraku’s venomous voice comanded as the jar’s contents began to pulse. A figure soon emerged from the inside of the jar, once it was completely out, Naraku handed it the set of cloths which it obediently put on.
A young man stood before the evil hanyou, his hair a dark midnight black which extended a good way down his back. His piercing ice blue eyes landed on the figure of his creator and he asked, “You need my assistance”
Naraku looked at his newest incarnation and said, “Yes Yokuro, I need you to use your powers to separate the hanyou and the miko. This will make destroying them eaisyer, in two days attack them. They will be in a village north east of the river to the west, I have already sent a demon as bait. If you cross paths with a young wolf demon called Artemis, test her powers as well.” Naraku instructed.
“Hai.” and with that Yokuro disappeared in a swirl of snow and ice.
Naraku looked out the window and signaled to his insects to follow his newest incarnation, “I know your secret InuYasha,” then disappeared from the room.
Artemis had kept a close, well as close as she could get anyway, she had kept a close watch on the group as they made their way through the forest. She, now in her wolf form, stopped as night approached and saw smoke from a fire, it was close so she figured it was InuYasha and his party settling down for camp. She found herself a nice tree from which she could see partially over the trees and into the camp and settled herself for the night. She constantly had the nagging feeling that she was being watched and just couldn’t shake it. Settling on watching the travelers ahead of her, she relaxed and prepared herself for the night ahead.
Unknown to Artemis she was being followed by a pair of blue, almost white cold piercing eyes. .
After much debate and many “sit” commands, Kagome finally convinced InuYasha to stop for the night. They had found a nice clearing which wasn’t too far away from a hot spring.
“You know InuYasha, we aren’t as energetic as you all the time.” Kagome said as she gathered her and Sango’s items that they needed to bathe with.
“Well you complain when I’m too rough or fast, and when I try to slow down a bit you all complain that I’m too slow. Can’t you ever make up your mind?” InuYasha said sarcastically as he jumped into the tree he was going to rest in for the night.
“Have you ever tried to aim for something in the middle?” Kagome asked smartly as her and Sango left the camp for the springs.
“Feh,” InuYasha said under his breath, “stupid wench”“So Kagome,” Sango said, trying to start a conversation once the two were comfortable in the spring, “You know that the new moon will be here tomorrow night?”
“Yeah, I saw it was getting real close last night.” Kagome responded as she soaked.
“What do you think we should do if we don’t get that demon taken care of before night fall?” Sango asked concerned.
“I don’t know.” Kagome sighed, “InuYasha will just have to stay hidden, he can’t be seen or the demon will most likely go after him. Then …. Well I just don’t want to think about what could happen.”
“You know he likes you.” Sango stated, “I mean he protects you and saves you from almost everything, don’t you think he wouldn’t stand by while you fight a demon?”
“What are you getting at?” Kagome asked, her eyebrow raised in curiosity.
“Well why don’t you stay with InuYasha tomorrow night, that way he’ll know you’re safe and won’t have to worry about saving you.” Sango suggested.
“Fine.” Kagome agreed, “That sounds like a plan but what about you and Miroku, won’t you need help?”
“We shouldn’t but if we do we’ll call you, but only if it’s an emergency.” Sango said as she got ready to leave the spring.
“Well I think we should get going.” Kagome said as she turned to get her cloths.The next thing that Sango knew she heard a terrifying scream rip from Kagome’s throat and turned only to see the figure of a white monkey standing by the hot spring.