InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Imperfect Curse ❯ Spiderwebs ( Chapter 4 )

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*FLUFF ALERT* no sick minded happenings, sorry if you like that sort of thing… just fluff! Enjoy!

 

Glossary

Itosugi - cypress tree

 

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Chapter Four - Spiderwebs

 

Jaken agreed to show Kaia the clearing where Sesshomaru had been attacked. They were still far away from it, but even now the half demon could smell the demons' scent—their blood, their corpses. The toad could as well, and he screeched in disgust as it assaulted his sensitive nose, which was even sharper than Kaia's. Even Rin wrinkled her nose as she caught a whiff of death.

 

When they finally reached the area, Kaia realized an important fact. These demons have the same reeking stench that those eagles did. It wasn't the demons themselves that smelled the same, but the scent of their since faded aura… it was a foul odor.

 

The half demon shuddered at the memory playing in her head. The first time she had smelt this awful reek was just before her mother died. Even when she was in her human form she could detect it. On that night, similar beasts had followed both of them for some time before Kuruna's demise, and their scent was the same as these dead spider demons, just as foul and corrupt. Bitter cold shivers ran up and down the half lioness's spine as she tried to rid the memory from her aching mind.

 

“This ambush… my mother's murderer is responsible. These monsters were powered by the same sorcery… I can smell it,” Kaia seethed with loathing.

 

Jaken and Rin were familiar with the tale of Kuruna's passing.

 

“The fiends used some sort of stringy webbing to subdue my master,” Jaken offered. He waddled over to one of the larger corpses and pointed out some thick, pale greenish tinted fibers.

 

The half lioness walked over to the body and closely examined the strands. She could sense the power emanating from it; she could feel it. She wasn't certain if it was safe to touch, but she needed to know how it had trapped the lord of the Western plains.

 

Prudently, she reached out to poke the strand, only to find that nothing happened. When she picked it up, she found it to be quite sticky, but other than that—

 

Suddenly the strand wrapped its stickiness around Kaia's hand, and she could feel a faint pulsing in her arm. Though it had taken her by surprise, the web posed no threat. Her arm began to feel a little numb, so she clawed off the small entanglement.

 

Rin poked at another strand with a small stick, fascinated. It got stuck to the twig, and then unexpectedly wrapped itself around her curious fingers. She screamed in pain as it pulsed and throbbed, trying to suck the strength from her. Jaken shrieked in anger, noticing that this particular strand was still attached to a dead beast. With his two-headed scepter he blasted at the cord, snapping it. He turned and clawed the remaining web from Rin's hand. She fell to her knees, tears springing forth from her liquid brown orbs.

 

Kaia stooped behind her and examined her arm while calming her down. It was cold as ice, and white as bone. Jaken moved forward.

 

“Are you alright, Rin?” he questioned concernedly, talking to her as if she had just cheated death. His large yellow eyes were wide and extremely pale, though not nearly as pale as Rin's face. She slowly nodded and threw her arms around Jaken's tiny neck, sniffing quietly into his shoulder and trembling only slightly. Jaken was shocked, but quickly recovered and awkwardly hugged her back, patting her raven head. Kaia swore that if his skin wasn't so green, he could have blushed.

 

“I think she'll be fine, but it certainly scared her,” Kaia said, smiling slightly as the touching scene finished. It was clear that the dried up toad youkai cared for the small child more than he let on. Clearing her throat, the hanyou continued, “It obviously has an enhanced effect on humans, but it was worse anyway because of the cord still being attached to the demon.”

 

She gazed around the clearing, taking in the sight of all the mangled dead.

 

“Quick thinking, Jaken.” He bowed slightly, allowing himself to acknowledge some praise from the young woman. At this point, any boost in morale was acceptable.

 

“The webs clearly absorb power,” she mused, staring at her own previously entangled hand. She paused for a moment, and then said, “It's obvious that they need to be connected to a living spider to be able to do much to a demon, though...”

 

The hanyou had seen many special attacks from numerous kinds of demons in her travels with her mother, but nothing quite like this. That murderer must have given them this extra strength. And if the webs were used for harvesting power… what if its planning something? It could need strength for any number of reasons, but I'm guessing that it needs Sesshomaru alive, as a power source.

 

This ominous foe that had attacked Kaia on that fateful night nearly a month ago… well… she'd never actually seen it. The half lioness even wondered if her mother had seen this… thing. It had a plentiful army accompanying it, but had kept its identity hidden from them. However, during the battle, Kuruna had given it a full-force blow. In fact, the hanyou hadn't ever seen a blast so powerful. It had to have dealt the enemy a critical blow, but still… it retaliated with a strike that stole her mother's life. A voice… a terrible voice had been all that Kaia had observed of the creature. She remembered how it seemed to come from everywhere, surrounding her malevolently…

 

How am I supposed to defeat a power that I've never seen? I don't even know what the hell it is, whether it be human or demon! She painfully recalled the last moments of her mother's life, and how Kuruna had tried to convey what she knew of this monster… but she'd died before she could complete the tale. It was as if she'd figured it out during that last attack…

 

“That would explain why Lord Sesshomaru didn't transform!” Jaken shrieked, cutting into Kaia's thoughts. “The power that he unleashes during his transformation was being devoured!”

 

“It seems that way,” she replied. She gave Rin a look of reassurance and a small smile, and the child's bright, cinnamon eyes lit up with hope. “He must be alive. Besides, he holds the Tenseiga in his possession, does he not? I've heard the tale of it saving his life before.”

 

“Yes, that's true,” the toad-like demon confirmed. He gripped his staff and stood up straight, ready to continue the search. A still ashen Rin grasped his hand. I guess I am being a little paranoid, but I thought the chances of my master still living were slim. I hope Kaia is right.

 

* * *

 

The sun had nearly set before Sesshomaru's `rescue party' found anything of significance. They had entered a deep, forested valley, and the air was heavy with moisture. The scent of the spider beasts was strong in this particular area, and the area itself seemed too quiet… devoid of life.

 

Not long after they entered this unnatural vale, they found a cave. It had a wide, yawning entrance with a tunnel that ran off into the pitch darkness. Rin stared into the black oblivion with wide eyes, shivers quaking her small frame. She was frightened, but she knew this was the place. Her adopted youkai friend was in there somewhere. She turned to her new companion and looked her right in the eye.

 

Kaia stared right back. “He's here, isn't he?”

 

The human child nodded, her eyes still open and alert; they were stained with dread. Even she, being a human, could feel the evil that seeped from the hellish black void. I agree, Kaia thought to herself. She grasped Rin's tiny hand; it was cold and clammy. Poor thing.

 

Jaken let out a small sigh and gripped his strange staff. An audible gulp was heard, but then he stood up nobly and spoke.

 

“Rin, you will hide somewhere outside this cave. You have the master's fur for concealment, so you will be safe.”

 

His command was answered with a stubborn frown, and a shake of Rin's head, no. She did not want to be left behind!

 

“You know it's what Lord Sesshomaru would want! Do you think he wants to see you hurt, or even killed?” the demon prince's servant interrogated.

 

The frown on Rin's face lessened somewhat, and she broke eye contact with the small youkai.

 

Kaia spoke softly, “Yes Rin, you must hide. I promise that we will be out soon, ok?” She crouched on her haunches in front of the small child. Rin nodded and gave Kaia an unexpected, but not unappreciated hug. She then let Jaken lead her away to find a hiding spot.

 

After a few minutes, he returned alone. He nodded at the half demon, and then glared into the mouth of the cave. They were both intimidated by the unending gloom.

 

With deep breaths, they strode onward, disappearing into the dark and ghostly shadows.

 

* * *

 

Miroku lay beneath a large cypress tree on the edge of the fire's warm ring of light. Shippo was cradled in his lap, finally asleep, his breathing even and quiet. The young fox had taken Kaia's death hard. There was no way she had survived a fall like that. The rocks and strong undercurrent in that river were treacherous enough, but falling from that height into it… the monk shuddered at the thought. Even a full demon's life would have been endangered.

 

In his arms, Shippo stirred slightly in his sleep. Poor kit, he thought. He's so young, yet he's witnessed so much death and destruction. Miroku let out a small sigh and looked to Sango. She lay on her side, curled up with Kirara, her back to him. She too had been greatly saddened by Kaia's death, and all he wanted was to comfort her, to hold that beauty in his arms and make her forget her sorrow. He shut his eyes and hung his head, for he knew better. Obviously, she wanted to be alone.

 

There was something about Sango, her independent spirit was strong, and Miroku respected her. She wasn't like any other woman he'd ever known, and he wanted to be with her. Again the monk sighed, and rested his head back on the rough bark of the large itosugi.

 

As he looked up at the shining stars, Miroku said another prayer for Kaia. He noticed Inuyasha returning from a scouting of the area. The hanyou looked in his direction and shook his head, meaning there was no sign of danger or any menacing demons about. He sat down cross-legged beside Kagome, his arms folded before him.

 

The human girl was pulled from her exhausted trance, noticing her dog-eared companion. She had been staring into the glowing embers of the fire, trying to lose herself, and yet trying to be strong. Kaia, Kagome, and Sango had come to be really close friends over the past month, and suddenly...she's gone…She had a really good heart, she was a great listener, and she was so funny! Kagome's throat tightened and her eyes burned as she recalled some of their confidential conversations about Kaia's rough childhood. How could people have been so cruel and unfeeling? I wonder if Inuyasha's childhood was much different? He had very rarely revealed thoughts and feelings of his past to her, and she wished to know more. Suddenly she remembered that he was sitting beside her.

 

“Are you feeling ok, Kagome?” he asked quietly. It was clear that she was upset, just as everyone else was. She said not a word, but only let her head drop slightly, her gaze lowered to her hands. Inuyasha felt her pain, for Kaia had been his friend, too. She was a great fighter, and they had practiced their techniques together many times. It was nice to have another hanyou around…I guess. He knew that her experiences were similar to his, so he wasn't battered with questions about his past…well at least not by her, mostly just by Shippo. The enthusiastic, curious little cub could be more than annoying, he thought with an inward huff. Inuyasha snapped back to reality when Kagome's soft voice entered his thoughts. It trembled and cracked with grief and unshed tears as she murmured her next words.

 

“I think…we should look for Kaia…her body, I mean. I-I can't bear the thought of her dying alone, only to have a cold, watery grave. She deserves more than that. I mean, w-we were her only friends and she…she had no family left…” Kagome's voice, already a tiny whisper, trailed off into the night.

 

Inuyasha knew without looking at her that she had begun to cry. The salt from her tears was a very distinct scent. He sidled closer and gently placed a comforting arm around her petite shoulders. He had actually been thinking about looking for Kaia as well. They hadn't traveled any farther since the battle, only to a spot with a bit more cover.

 

“We will, first thing tomorrow,” the hanyou boy assured her. “I promise.” She let out a sigh of relief and pure exhaustion as she allowed her tired head droop onto his inviting shoulder, and he rested his head upon hers. She cuddled up to him, taking advantage of the moment to show true affection. With her slender fingers, she reached up to stroke his wonderful silver locks, so thick and slightly unruly. Her hand reached farther to find his sensitive white ears, so soft and smooth as she gently petted them. They twitched with pleasure as a low growling purr ebbed from Inuyasha's mouth, causing Kagome to smile through her still falling tears. Lightly she traced the handsome features of his face to find his eyes closed, enjoying the feelings of her feather-light touch. She traced his jaw line and neck delicately, all the way down to his collarbone, where the enchanted necklace lay. A pang of guilt hit her inside for all the times she had had to `sit' him. Kagome rested her arm on his lean chest, and felt Inuyasha's strong arms tighten around her, bringing her closer. Just before she let her jaded eyes slip closed, she noticed that she felt safer here in his arms than when she was at home in her own bed, in her own time.

 

Sango lifted her head off of Kirara's warm side and looked around. Inuyasha and Kagome were snoozing together beneath a tree close to the fire, and Shippo slept in Miroku's lap beneath another. The demon slayer pushed herself up to a sitting position, and for a moment sat tensely, the muscles in her jaw tight. She looked as if she were hanging on the edge of indecision, but suddenly got up and slowly walked over to where the monk sat, his eyes closed. When she drew nearer, the soft crunching of grass beneath her feet caused him to open his eyes.

 

Miroku's eyes widened when he saw who it was. Sango stood before him, with a shy look about her. His heart skipped a beat before thumping madly in his chest. There was a tight feeling in the pit of his stomach. He took a deep breath to try to settle himself.

 

“Can you not sleep?” he questioned softly.

 

Passively she shook her dark chestnut head and sat down tentatively beside him.

 

“How are your wounds?” she questioned, her voice quiet and uncertain.

 

“Healing well, thanks to you and Kagome,” he answered graciously.

 

After a few silent minutes she edged a bit closer. The monk smiled warmly at her, and wrapped his arm around her. He needed to remind himself not to act inappropriately—not now, when the object of his awe and affections came willingly to him. Sango sat tensely with a pretty blush fanning across her cheeks, and clearly she was also hoping that he didn't ruin the moment with any unacceptable behavior. Miroku remembered Shippo cradled in his lap, and prayed that he wouldn't wake up and spoil this precious experience.

 

Once she had relaxed, Sango wrapped her arms around his waist, minding the bandages that wrapped his wounds, and snuggled close, taking comfort in his warmth. She rested her head on his broad chest, silently pleased to hear his heart beating at an incredible pace.

 

The firelight flickered over their entwined bodies as they comforted each other in peace, and Miroku was bursting inside with a warm feeling of love. He held her close, hoping silently that this moment would last forever.

 

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There! Done another one. I decided to end off with a happier, warm note. It was sort of a filler chapter, but meh. Hope you enjoyed!

 

There was only one glossary item this chapter, but we'll see about further ones. I won't use too much to make it confusing, but a little bit of Japanese makes it more interesting, don't you think?

 

CHEERS