InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Impossible Love ❯ Chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Impossible Love
Chapter Sixteen
YuriYaoiHet_ILoveEmAll
A/N :: I've dropped the other two tajia. I can't even remember what I named them. They weren't essential to the story. I'll go back and take them out of the story completley once it's finished. Just thought I'd let you all know.
---------____________-----------__________------------- __________----------
Kagome awoke with a start. She sat up quickly and looked around her. Hinata, who had been curled up beside her, still in her full-youkai form, shifted quickly. Unlike more powerful youkai, she couldn't speak in her full youkai form.
"What is it, my Lady? What's wrong?" She asked fervently.
Kagome shook her head and buried her face in her hands. "It's nothing. It was just a dream." The last came out in a half sob.
Only a moment ago, she'd been with Inuyasha. They'd been laying beside each other surrounded by flowers. Her heart had been full of happiness. Oh, why had she had to wake up? Tears filled her eyes, spilling over. She sobbed harshly. Hinata wound her arms around her and pulled her into a hug. Kagome let her and for a time, she just cried. When she was finally able to gather herself she pulled away from the young demoness and wiped her face roughly with one of the furs on her bed.
She looked up at Hinata. "Sorry about that."
Hinata smiled at her. "It was needed. The Lady has been through so much. She cannot lock the bad away inside forever."
Kagome smiled at her, thankful for her words of understanding. She flopped back on the bed with a sigh and Hinata snuggled into her. Kagome was uncomfortable at first since Hinata hadn't shifted back into her full youkai form, but after a moment she wrapped her arms around the young demoness and tried to go back to sleep.
Her thoughts drifted back to Ayame's startling visit and the tale she'd had to tell. The red-eyed wolves were not in control of themselves, as she'd suspected when she'd killed Soura and Kimi. Remorse flooded her for the two youkai. Yes they's been mean to her, but it wasn't their fault. It wasn't even Kouga's fault. She would have a hard time letting go of her hate for the wolves' leader, but she knew she had to forgive him. The Black Queen was the one to blame.
She remembered what she'd agreed to do. How she was supposed to find out how to counteract the queen's magic was beyond her. Killing her would be the easiest way, but there was no way to tell if those she controlled would die with her. No matter what they had done while under the queen's control, they didn't deserve to die while not in their own minds. She shivered at the thought.
"Someone is coming!" Hinata hissed suddenly.
Kagome removed her arms from around her and they both jumped up. Hinata took a defensive position in front of her while Kagome grabbed her firewood club. They were both surprised when Ayame came around the corner, followed by a four more female youkai.
Ayame came to her side immediatley. "Kagome. I'm sorry. I tried to stop him!" She said desperatley.
Kagome lowered her club and reached out to her. "What's happened?"
"The Black Queen came to our chamber last night and told Kouga to hold your mating ceremony today." Kagome's heart stopped. "At noon as the sun touches the moonstone in the middle of our meeting area. It will be a public ceremony." Ayame looked torn betwen fury at Kouga and the Black Queen and concern for Kagome.
"Today?" She whispered. She sat down heavily on the side of the bed. "What do you mean by public ceremony?" She had a suspicion she already knew.
"He will mate you where the whole clan can see." She said gravely. "I tried every argument I knew to get them to postpone it a few days or at least make it private, but they wouldn't listen. Kouga threw me out of the chamber." Kagome saw tears in her eyes.
She felt numb, like she was in shock. "I won't do it. I don't care what arrangement I've made, I won't fucking do it!" Anger chased away the numbness. "He can just go fuck himself and the Black Queen can stew in a web. I don't care. They can't make me!"
"Oh, I woudn't be so sure of that, miko." An eerie voice said from the doorway. "They all spun around to see the Black Queen, Silina standing there. She'd masked her youkai energy so she could sneak up on them. Without warning, her hand shot out and a thick line of webbing flew from it, wrapping around Hinata.
"Lady Kagome!" She screamed in utter terror as Silina pulled her towards her with a swift jerk. Not a second later, she was suspended in midair by a magical web.
"Hinata!" Kagome rushed forwards. "Release her! Now!" She spat at Silina. She lifted the firewood club and rushed at her.
"Stop right there or she dies!" Silina yelled, snatching Hinata's head sideways roughly. She poised to sink her fangs into the young demoness' throat.
Kagome pulled her swing short and almost fell trying to stop her mad dash. She righted herself. "She is mine! Let her go!" Kagome screamed again.
Siliana smirked evilly. "No. I don't think I will." She ran her fingers over the now sobbing Hinata's face. "Such a fragile little thing." She slashed one claw along her cheek causing Hinata to cry out. Blood welled and began dripping towards the floor.
"Don't hurt her!" Kagome screamed. Fury pulsed through her, awakening her miko powers in a rush. She let the power pulse out to touch the Black Queen. Kagome knew It wouldn't actually hurt her without physical contact, but it would hopefully be enough.
Silina grabbed one of Hinata's arms and twisted it roughly. Hinata cried out in pain. "Stop that or I might just slip up and break her. Wouldn't want your precious pet mangled now would you?"
Ayame stepped forward. "I am Queen here! Release her!"
Siliana laughed. "You have no power over me!" She jerked her hand and Hinata's arm cracked loudly, the bones breaking. The young demoness screamed in agony and sobbed harder.
"STOP!" Kagome screamed at the top of her lungs. "Stop hurting her! What do you want?"
Siliana smiled. "Why I want you at the mating ceremony willing to give youself to Kouga." She said, dark humor giving her voice a strange lilt. Kagome gritted her teeth. "If you refuse, I'll kill your little pet and then we'll force you to do it anyway. Makes no difference to me." She licked the blood of of Hinata's cheek. "Mmm. Tastes good. I think I'd rather enjoy draining her." Hinata whimpered and tried to pull away from her tongue.
"Stop! I'll do it!" Kagome yelled.
Silina smiled evilly. "Oh, I know you will." She turned and began walking away, the web still holding Hinata floating in the air beside her.
"Wait! Give her back!" Kagome yelled, starting after her.
"Stop right there!"Silina grabbed Hinata's broken arm. "If I damage it too much more it will never heal corectly." Kagome jerked to a stop. "You can have her back after the ceremony. Just to be sure you don't try anything."
"Don't hurt her anymore!" Kagome pleaded, angry tears pricking at her eyes.
"Oh, I won't hurt her. The less damage I do now the more I get to do later if you attempt to cross me. Her death will not be swift if you try anything, let me assure you."
"Lady Kagome . . ." Hinata whimpered her name, still sobbing.
Kagome reached a hand out to her. "I'll save you, Hinata! I promise!"
Silina laughed. "Then you'd better start getting ready. The ceremony will start soon and you need to be presentable." Then she turned and walked away. Kagome met Hintata's eyes and held them until they rounded the corner of the stone corridor.
Kagome walked back into her room on shaky legs. Ayame and her four Lady's Maids were silent as she sat on the bed. She looked up at Ayame. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
Ayame sat beside her and took her hand. "You did all you could. I'm the reason she was hurt. I should have kept my mouth shut."
Kagome was shaking with fear for Hinata and for what she had to do later today. She forced herself to calm down. "What do I need to do to get ready for the ceremony?" She asked after a moment.
Ayame snapped her fingers and the Lady's Maids came forward. "They will do everything. I'll fetch you something to wear." She said heavily, getting up. "I'll be back soon." She looked at her Lady's Maids. "Treat her as if she were me." She said to them and left.
"Please stand, my Lady, so we can help you to undress." One of the Lady's Maids said.
Kagome did so. One of them began combing her hair as she was undressed. They began powdering her skin and adorning her with make-up, something she'd never worn. She stood there silently and let them work on her. Despair warred with the numbness in her soul. Oh, Inuyasha, she thought closing her eyes against the tears she felt coming. Why did it have to come to this? I love you. A tear escaped. One of the youkai wiped it away with out a word.
***** Page Break *****
Sango pulled on her still damp suit. It felt so good to be clean after months of barely being able to dab at the layers of grime on her. Killala was dozing on a rock in the sun. Her wounds were still there, but they'd healed noticably. She crouched beside her oldest freind and stroked her head. Killala awoke with a mew and purred, rubbing into Sango's hand.
"Enjoying yourself?" She asked, smiling. Killala blinked up at her and purred.
"Sango?" Miroku's voice called from the other side of a strand of bushes. He and Shippo had gone to another hotspring to give her some privacy.
"I'm dressed." She called back.
Shippo darted around the bushes and jumped towards her. She opened her arms and caught him automatically, long used to his favorite greeting of a jumping hug. "Ready to head back?" She asked him.
"Hai! There are kits there for me to play with. I haven't had anyone to play with besides Killala in so long. I hope I can remember how!"
"I'm sure you will." Miroku told him, laying a hand on his head and ruffling his hair.
Sango smiled when Shippo jumped on the monk's head and ruffled his hair too. "Hey!" Miroku called out and reached up to grab him.
Shippo jumped to the ground and faced him. He pulled the skin of his eye down and stuck out his tongue. "Too slow, Miroku!"
"I'll show you slow!" Miroku yelled, affection lacing his tone.
He lunged at Shippo. The kit squeaked in surprise and tried to jump away, but Miroku caught him by the tail and lifted him into the air. "Hey! Lemme go!" Shippo yelled, trying to wriggle out of Miroku's grasp. Miroku started tickling him with his free hand. "No! Not that!" Shippo yelled, laughing loudly.
"Who's slow now?" Miroku asked over Shippo's laughter.
"Killala! Help!" Shippo called between laughs.
The neko yawned and jumped onto Miroku's shoulder. She nipped his ear. "Ouch!" Miroku cried, dropping Shippo. "That hurt!" He growled, glaring at the neko on his shoulder. She blinked at him and purred, rubbing her face against his cheek. "Alright. I forgive you." Miroku said with mock solemity and her reached up to stroke her.
Without warning, Shippo jumped up and clung to his robe. He started tickling the monk's sides. Miroku cried out and fell to the ground, laughing. Killala jumped out of the way, her ears flattening against her head.
"How do you like it?" Shippo asked loudly.
"Shippo! Stop!" Miroku yelled between laughs.
Sango watched them play, smiling. All of them were so happy now that they were free. Then she remembered the price of their freedom and her happy mood evaporated. They had yet to save Kagome. Only then would she truly enjoy being free.
"Sango. What's wrong?" Miroku asked her. Shippo had let him up.
She sighed. "I was just thinking about Kagome."
Shippo ran to her and jumped into her arms. "She should be here with us." He stated, hugging her.
"Hai. That she should." Miroku agreed, standing up and brushing the grass from his robe. "Should we head back now?"
Sango nodded. "If you are ready. I need to train with my father's weapons before the battle tomorrow."
"Aren't his the same kind as yours were?"
"Hai, but we each modify our own weapons to suit our own personal style. My father's is much different than mine so all of my techniques may not work. It could prove fatal in battle. That and I've been out of practice for months. It will feel good to try my hand again." She stated.
Killala transformed and they mounted her. Sango wordlessly urged her to hurry. Feeling her tension, the neko lengthened her stride and flew as fast as she could towards the camp. They were all silent, lost to their own thoughts. When they reached the camp, Sango was surprised to see a training session going on. A group of inu's and a few kitsunes were facing off against what Sango assumed were illusions. Her brother seemed to be teaching other youkai some of his techniques. She was surprised again when she saw two female kitsunes practicing with makeshift double ended staffs. They landed next to her father who was surrounded by kits.
He was telling them a story. "-and then, just as we thought we'd killed them all, another group of them came out of nowhere and attacked!" He leaned forwards, lifting his hands to look like claws.
One of the kits raised their hand. Jinsea nodded at her. "Where they hiding somewhere?" She asked fervently.
"We don't know. We think it was a patrol that we missed. They had us surrounded." He noticed Sango and guestured for her to come sit beside him. She did so. " I'm telling them about the poisonous toad clan we took down two years ago. "He told her. "Sango here," He started again. "lashed out with her sword and killed one of them before they could stop her and the battle began." He looked at Sango. "Why don't you finish telling the story?"
She was surprised, but all of the kits looked at her expectantly so she started. "They outnumbered us five to one. We were already tired from killing the rest of the clan, so they had the advantage. They were stronger, faster and had their youkai abilities while we only had our weapons and skill. That didn't stop us. They opened their pores and let out poisonous gases. Thankfully, all of had our masks." She grasped her and lifted it to show them. "A few minutes in, I was cut off from the others. Three of them rushed me. I slashed. Left! Right!" She swung her arms in the air in emphasis to her words. The kits were watching her with wide eyed intrest. Shippo moved forward and sat down to listen too. "I killed one, but one of the others had gotten behind me. He kicked me forwards. The other toad opened his mouth wide." She spread her arms in the air." I was flying right for it. I just knew I was going to be eaten." She paused for amoment. "Then, out of nowhere, father was there! He killed the one who was about to eat me. Then we killed the last one together." All the kits cheered.
Her father laughed. "Alright. You'd better get some play time in before you have to hide."
They jumped up and began talking loudly. A few of them thanked her and her father for the story, before following the rest of the kits to play. Shippo joined them and she and her father watched them play for a few moments. She looked up to find Miroku and caught him staring at her.
"What?" She asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing." He sounded amused. "You're good with children. I guess I should have known by the way you treated Shippo."
She blushed. "Thank you." They held each other's gaze for a moment.
"What was it you needed, daughter?" Her father asked.
She broke the look she and Miroku were sharing and turned to him. "I was going to ask if I could train with your weapons. I'd like to test my skill with them before the battle."
"Of course." He began removing his weapons. He laid them on the ground in front of her.
"Thank you, father." She bowed her head.
He cupped her face and lifted it. "You don't have to thank me, Sango. It makes me proud to pass my weapons to you, my eldest."
"Pass?" She repeated. She was refused at his use of the word. The only time one 'passed' his weapons was when he deemed himself no longer fit for battle. "But father you're still the leader of our village. Still the top warrior."
He shook his head. "I won't be returning to the village with you. Neither will Kohaku. We can't."
She was shocked. "But, why?"
He sighed. "Do you remember the day you were taken? The day we were betrayed?"
"Hai." She let her anger at the great act of betrayal show in her voice. "I've thought of little else while I was imprisoned." The she looked back up at him. "I wanted to ask earlier, but how did you and Kohaku survive? I remember seeing you fall under that youkai . . ." Her voice trailed off.
"The thing is, Sango. I didn't survive. Neither did your brother." He said solemly.
Her heart stopped. "Then how are you sitting here now? How is Kohaku there training those youkai? How could you not have survived?" Her voice rose with her questions until she was all but screaming.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Have you ever heard of Prince Inuyasha's half brother, Prince Sesshomaru?"
Her heart was beating fast. "Hai. He has a sword that can bring back the dead." She whispered. She shook her head, trying to deny what she'd just learned. Tears sprang to her eyes.
Her father squeezed her shoulder and pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Sango. At least I got one more chance to tell you I love you. That's all that matters now."
She hugged him, crying into his chest. Her dead father was comforting her. Her head swam at the thought. "What's happened?" She heard Kohaku ask. She looked up through her tears to see him standing over them. She opened her arms and he dropped to his knees and hugged her. "What's wrong, sis?" He asked her.
"I've just told her." Their father answered.
Kohaku squeezed her tighter. "I'm so sorry, Sango. I never wanted to leave your side. You were always there for me when I needed you and I wasn't there for you. I thank Prince Sesshomaru a thousand times over for giving me the chance to tell you that. That was my last thought before I died." Sango sobbed harder at his words.
Their father moved forwards and wrapped his arms around them both, pulling his children into a hug. Sango moved one arm from around her brother so she could hug him as well. She squeezed them tightly and cried her broken heart out on her dead family's shoulders. She couldn't even begin to express how twisted that was.
After a time, she had cried herself out. She pulled back and wioed her tears away. "I'm sorry. I jus-"
Her father put a hand on her shoulder. "I cried too at the thought of loosing the two of you. Prince Sessomaru brought me back first. You were taken and Kohaku lay dead. I am not ashamed to admit it."
Kohaku nodded. "I've cried many times. For not being able to help you and for mother. I'll never see her again."
"I don't understand why you can't come back to the village. You'r here now. it doesn't matter if you died. No one has to know that." Sango told them.
Her father shook his head. "It would be unatural. I couldn't go back to the village and have your mother live with a dead husband and son. I don't think we age now. You and your mother and the rest of the villagers would age and die, while Kohaku and I lived on. I don't think I could bear it."
Sango's heart sank. "Then what are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure." He told her. "Travel the land. Help anyone I come across. Kohaku is free to do as he chooses, so long as he doesn't return home."
"I've sworn it on my honor." Her brother told her.
She sighed. "It won't be the same without you there. i don't know if I'll be able to take it." She admitted.
"You are a strong woman, Sango. You are free to do as you wish. Your mother probably thinks you dead as well so it is entirely up to you whether or not you return."
She blinked. She'd never thought of it that way. The only future she'd been able to see herself follow if she ever escaped was to take her family's and the other tajai's bodies back to the village and start over again with her mother. Were there other options open to her now? Then she shook herself. The only thing in her future at the moment was rescuing Kagome. If she survived the battle she would think about her future then.
She looked around at the camp. She knew that every youkai here had probably heard their entire conversation and smelled her tears, but they were all politley acting as if nothing was happening. None of them were even looking in their direction. She suddnely felt the urge to get away from them though. She'd never been comforatable expessing her feelings in front of anyone but her father and brother.
Her eyes fell on Miroku. He was sitting down, far enough away that he probably hadn't heard much of the conversation. He was watching the inus and kitsunes train at the far side of the clearing. Killala was curled on his lap. She'd always wondered why she had taken to him so quickly. Her father was the only male she'd ever tolerated until him. Maybe it was because she sensed he had a good heart. Miroku had his flaws, but he was a wonderful person and had become a very close freind. He knew her like no one but her father and brother did. He always seemed to know what she was going to say or do, before she did it. Always seemed to sense when something was wrong, like earlier today. Would her future have a place for him in it. She hoped so. He glanced over suddenly and caught her staring at him. She blushed and averted her eyes. After a moment she peeked back up to see him smiling at her. She couldn't help but to smile back.
"How did you meet him?" Her father asked suddenly.
She started and looked around at her father. "We were in the same prison cave. He has been my companions since he was brought in. If he hadn't come when he did, I fear I would have gone crazy." She smiled, remembering how they'd met. that had been the first time anyone had ever groped her.
"You like him." Her father stated.
Sango was surprised, but she nodded. "Hai. He's my best freind besides you two and Killala."
"It's more than that." Her brother told her, a strange twinkle in his eye. "I can see it in your eyes. You like him, like him, don't you?"
She blushed. Was it true? Did she have feelings for Miroku as something other than a freind? They only been alone together for a few days, before Shippo was brought in and she'd been afraid and still angry at him for groping her, so they hadn't really talked. She knew about his past and he knew about hers. They had no secrets from one another. He wasn't the least bit intimidated by her being a female tajai. In fact, he seemed to like that about her. She glanced up at him to find him staring at her. She studied the handsome features she'd come to know so well. She realized she'd taken their freindship for granted until now. Would she be comforatable with it if they went in deperate ways after the battle never to see one another again?
To be honest, the answer was no. She didn't want to loose him. She wanted to stay by his side if he'd let her. Her heart felt like it was swelling up and she beamed at him. A strange look croosed his face. Then he smiled back.
"I suppose I do."
Converting /tmp/phpDvfYDs to /dev/stdout
Chapter Sixteen
YuriYaoiHet_ILoveEmAll
A/N :: I've dropped the other two tajia. I can't even remember what I named them. They weren't essential to the story. I'll go back and take them out of the story completley once it's finished. Just thought I'd let you all know.
---------____________-----------__________------------- __________----------
Kagome awoke with a start. She sat up quickly and looked around her. Hinata, who had been curled up beside her, still in her full-youkai form, shifted quickly. Unlike more powerful youkai, she couldn't speak in her full youkai form.
"What is it, my Lady? What's wrong?" She asked fervently.
Kagome shook her head and buried her face in her hands. "It's nothing. It was just a dream." The last came out in a half sob.
Only a moment ago, she'd been with Inuyasha. They'd been laying beside each other surrounded by flowers. Her heart had been full of happiness. Oh, why had she had to wake up? Tears filled her eyes, spilling over. She sobbed harshly. Hinata wound her arms around her and pulled her into a hug. Kagome let her and for a time, she just cried. When she was finally able to gather herself she pulled away from the young demoness and wiped her face roughly with one of the furs on her bed.
She looked up at Hinata. "Sorry about that."
Hinata smiled at her. "It was needed. The Lady has been through so much. She cannot lock the bad away inside forever."
Kagome smiled at her, thankful for her words of understanding. She flopped back on the bed with a sigh and Hinata snuggled into her. Kagome was uncomfortable at first since Hinata hadn't shifted back into her full youkai form, but after a moment she wrapped her arms around the young demoness and tried to go back to sleep.
Her thoughts drifted back to Ayame's startling visit and the tale she'd had to tell. The red-eyed wolves were not in control of themselves, as she'd suspected when she'd killed Soura and Kimi. Remorse flooded her for the two youkai. Yes they's been mean to her, but it wasn't their fault. It wasn't even Kouga's fault. She would have a hard time letting go of her hate for the wolves' leader, but she knew she had to forgive him. The Black Queen was the one to blame.
She remembered what she'd agreed to do. How she was supposed to find out how to counteract the queen's magic was beyond her. Killing her would be the easiest way, but there was no way to tell if those she controlled would die with her. No matter what they had done while under the queen's control, they didn't deserve to die while not in their own minds. She shivered at the thought.
"Someone is coming!" Hinata hissed suddenly.
Kagome removed her arms from around her and they both jumped up. Hinata took a defensive position in front of her while Kagome grabbed her firewood club. They were both surprised when Ayame came around the corner, followed by a four more female youkai.
Ayame came to her side immediatley. "Kagome. I'm sorry. I tried to stop him!" She said desperatley.
Kagome lowered her club and reached out to her. "What's happened?"
"The Black Queen came to our chamber last night and told Kouga to hold your mating ceremony today." Kagome's heart stopped. "At noon as the sun touches the moonstone in the middle of our meeting area. It will be a public ceremony." Ayame looked torn betwen fury at Kouga and the Black Queen and concern for Kagome.
"Today?" She whispered. She sat down heavily on the side of the bed. "What do you mean by public ceremony?" She had a suspicion she already knew.
"He will mate you where the whole clan can see." She said gravely. "I tried every argument I knew to get them to postpone it a few days or at least make it private, but they wouldn't listen. Kouga threw me out of the chamber." Kagome saw tears in her eyes.
She felt numb, like she was in shock. "I won't do it. I don't care what arrangement I've made, I won't fucking do it!" Anger chased away the numbness. "He can just go fuck himself and the Black Queen can stew in a web. I don't care. They can't make me!"
"Oh, I woudn't be so sure of that, miko." An eerie voice said from the doorway. "They all spun around to see the Black Queen, Silina standing there. She'd masked her youkai energy so she could sneak up on them. Without warning, her hand shot out and a thick line of webbing flew from it, wrapping around Hinata.
"Lady Kagome!" She screamed in utter terror as Silina pulled her towards her with a swift jerk. Not a second later, she was suspended in midair by a magical web.
"Hinata!" Kagome rushed forwards. "Release her! Now!" She spat at Silina. She lifted the firewood club and rushed at her.
"Stop right there or she dies!" Silina yelled, snatching Hinata's head sideways roughly. She poised to sink her fangs into the young demoness' throat.
Kagome pulled her swing short and almost fell trying to stop her mad dash. She righted herself. "She is mine! Let her go!" Kagome screamed again.
Siliana smirked evilly. "No. I don't think I will." She ran her fingers over the now sobbing Hinata's face. "Such a fragile little thing." She slashed one claw along her cheek causing Hinata to cry out. Blood welled and began dripping towards the floor.
"Don't hurt her!" Kagome screamed. Fury pulsed through her, awakening her miko powers in a rush. She let the power pulse out to touch the Black Queen. Kagome knew It wouldn't actually hurt her without physical contact, but it would hopefully be enough.
Silina grabbed one of Hinata's arms and twisted it roughly. Hinata cried out in pain. "Stop that or I might just slip up and break her. Wouldn't want your precious pet mangled now would you?"
Ayame stepped forward. "I am Queen here! Release her!"
Siliana laughed. "You have no power over me!" She jerked her hand and Hinata's arm cracked loudly, the bones breaking. The young demoness screamed in agony and sobbed harder.
"STOP!" Kagome screamed at the top of her lungs. "Stop hurting her! What do you want?"
Siliana smiled. "Why I want you at the mating ceremony willing to give youself to Kouga." She said, dark humor giving her voice a strange lilt. Kagome gritted her teeth. "If you refuse, I'll kill your little pet and then we'll force you to do it anyway. Makes no difference to me." She licked the blood of of Hinata's cheek. "Mmm. Tastes good. I think I'd rather enjoy draining her." Hinata whimpered and tried to pull away from her tongue.
"Stop! I'll do it!" Kagome yelled.
Silina smiled evilly. "Oh, I know you will." She turned and began walking away, the web still holding Hinata floating in the air beside her.
"Wait! Give her back!" Kagome yelled, starting after her.
"Stop right there!"Silina grabbed Hinata's broken arm. "If I damage it too much more it will never heal corectly." Kagome jerked to a stop. "You can have her back after the ceremony. Just to be sure you don't try anything."
"Don't hurt her anymore!" Kagome pleaded, angry tears pricking at her eyes.
"Oh, I won't hurt her. The less damage I do now the more I get to do later if you attempt to cross me. Her death will not be swift if you try anything, let me assure you."
"Lady Kagome . . ." Hinata whimpered her name, still sobbing.
Kagome reached a hand out to her. "I'll save you, Hinata! I promise!"
Silina laughed. "Then you'd better start getting ready. The ceremony will start soon and you need to be presentable." Then she turned and walked away. Kagome met Hintata's eyes and held them until they rounded the corner of the stone corridor.
Kagome walked back into her room on shaky legs. Ayame and her four Lady's Maids were silent as she sat on the bed. She looked up at Ayame. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
Ayame sat beside her and took her hand. "You did all you could. I'm the reason she was hurt. I should have kept my mouth shut."
Kagome was shaking with fear for Hinata and for what she had to do later today. She forced herself to calm down. "What do I need to do to get ready for the ceremony?" She asked after a moment.
Ayame snapped her fingers and the Lady's Maids came forward. "They will do everything. I'll fetch you something to wear." She said heavily, getting up. "I'll be back soon." She looked at her Lady's Maids. "Treat her as if she were me." She said to them and left.
"Please stand, my Lady, so we can help you to undress." One of the Lady's Maids said.
Kagome did so. One of them began combing her hair as she was undressed. They began powdering her skin and adorning her with make-up, something she'd never worn. She stood there silently and let them work on her. Despair warred with the numbness in her soul. Oh, Inuyasha, she thought closing her eyes against the tears she felt coming. Why did it have to come to this? I love you. A tear escaped. One of the youkai wiped it away with out a word.
***** Page Break *****
Sango pulled on her still damp suit. It felt so good to be clean after months of barely being able to dab at the layers of grime on her. Killala was dozing on a rock in the sun. Her wounds were still there, but they'd healed noticably. She crouched beside her oldest freind and stroked her head. Killala awoke with a mew and purred, rubbing into Sango's hand.
"Enjoying yourself?" She asked, smiling. Killala blinked up at her and purred.
"Sango?" Miroku's voice called from the other side of a strand of bushes. He and Shippo had gone to another hotspring to give her some privacy.
"I'm dressed." She called back.
Shippo darted around the bushes and jumped towards her. She opened her arms and caught him automatically, long used to his favorite greeting of a jumping hug. "Ready to head back?" She asked him.
"Hai! There are kits there for me to play with. I haven't had anyone to play with besides Killala in so long. I hope I can remember how!"
"I'm sure you will." Miroku told him, laying a hand on his head and ruffling his hair.
Sango smiled when Shippo jumped on the monk's head and ruffled his hair too. "Hey!" Miroku called out and reached up to grab him.
Shippo jumped to the ground and faced him. He pulled the skin of his eye down and stuck out his tongue. "Too slow, Miroku!"
"I'll show you slow!" Miroku yelled, affection lacing his tone.
He lunged at Shippo. The kit squeaked in surprise and tried to jump away, but Miroku caught him by the tail and lifted him into the air. "Hey! Lemme go!" Shippo yelled, trying to wriggle out of Miroku's grasp. Miroku started tickling him with his free hand. "No! Not that!" Shippo yelled, laughing loudly.
"Who's slow now?" Miroku asked over Shippo's laughter.
"Killala! Help!" Shippo called between laughs.
The neko yawned and jumped onto Miroku's shoulder. She nipped his ear. "Ouch!" Miroku cried, dropping Shippo. "That hurt!" He growled, glaring at the neko on his shoulder. She blinked at him and purred, rubbing her face against his cheek. "Alright. I forgive you." Miroku said with mock solemity and her reached up to stroke her.
Without warning, Shippo jumped up and clung to his robe. He started tickling the monk's sides. Miroku cried out and fell to the ground, laughing. Killala jumped out of the way, her ears flattening against her head.
"How do you like it?" Shippo asked loudly.
"Shippo! Stop!" Miroku yelled between laughs.
Sango watched them play, smiling. All of them were so happy now that they were free. Then she remembered the price of their freedom and her happy mood evaporated. They had yet to save Kagome. Only then would she truly enjoy being free.
"Sango. What's wrong?" Miroku asked her. Shippo had let him up.
She sighed. "I was just thinking about Kagome."
Shippo ran to her and jumped into her arms. "She should be here with us." He stated, hugging her.
"Hai. That she should." Miroku agreed, standing up and brushing the grass from his robe. "Should we head back now?"
Sango nodded. "If you are ready. I need to train with my father's weapons before the battle tomorrow."
"Aren't his the same kind as yours were?"
"Hai, but we each modify our own weapons to suit our own personal style. My father's is much different than mine so all of my techniques may not work. It could prove fatal in battle. That and I've been out of practice for months. It will feel good to try my hand again." She stated.
Killala transformed and they mounted her. Sango wordlessly urged her to hurry. Feeling her tension, the neko lengthened her stride and flew as fast as she could towards the camp. They were all silent, lost to their own thoughts. When they reached the camp, Sango was surprised to see a training session going on. A group of inu's and a few kitsunes were facing off against what Sango assumed were illusions. Her brother seemed to be teaching other youkai some of his techniques. She was surprised again when she saw two female kitsunes practicing with makeshift double ended staffs. They landed next to her father who was surrounded by kits.
He was telling them a story. "-and then, just as we thought we'd killed them all, another group of them came out of nowhere and attacked!" He leaned forwards, lifting his hands to look like claws.
One of the kits raised their hand. Jinsea nodded at her. "Where they hiding somewhere?" She asked fervently.
"We don't know. We think it was a patrol that we missed. They had us surrounded." He noticed Sango and guestured for her to come sit beside him. She did so. " I'm telling them about the poisonous toad clan we took down two years ago. "He told her. "Sango here," He started again. "lashed out with her sword and killed one of them before they could stop her and the battle began." He looked at Sango. "Why don't you finish telling the story?"
She was surprised, but all of the kits looked at her expectantly so she started. "They outnumbered us five to one. We were already tired from killing the rest of the clan, so they had the advantage. They were stronger, faster and had their youkai abilities while we only had our weapons and skill. That didn't stop us. They opened their pores and let out poisonous gases. Thankfully, all of had our masks." She grasped her and lifted it to show them. "A few minutes in, I was cut off from the others. Three of them rushed me. I slashed. Left! Right!" She swung her arms in the air in emphasis to her words. The kits were watching her with wide eyed intrest. Shippo moved forward and sat down to listen too. "I killed one, but one of the others had gotten behind me. He kicked me forwards. The other toad opened his mouth wide." She spread her arms in the air." I was flying right for it. I just knew I was going to be eaten." She paused for amoment. "Then, out of nowhere, father was there! He killed the one who was about to eat me. Then we killed the last one together." All the kits cheered.
Her father laughed. "Alright. You'd better get some play time in before you have to hide."
They jumped up and began talking loudly. A few of them thanked her and her father for the story, before following the rest of the kits to play. Shippo joined them and she and her father watched them play for a few moments. She looked up to find Miroku and caught him staring at her.
"What?" She asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing." He sounded amused. "You're good with children. I guess I should have known by the way you treated Shippo."
She blushed. "Thank you." They held each other's gaze for a moment.
"What was it you needed, daughter?" Her father asked.
She broke the look she and Miroku were sharing and turned to him. "I was going to ask if I could train with your weapons. I'd like to test my skill with them before the battle."
"Of course." He began removing his weapons. He laid them on the ground in front of her.
"Thank you, father." She bowed her head.
He cupped her face and lifted it. "You don't have to thank me, Sango. It makes me proud to pass my weapons to you, my eldest."
"Pass?" She repeated. She was refused at his use of the word. The only time one 'passed' his weapons was when he deemed himself no longer fit for battle. "But father you're still the leader of our village. Still the top warrior."
He shook his head. "I won't be returning to the village with you. Neither will Kohaku. We can't."
She was shocked. "But, why?"
He sighed. "Do you remember the day you were taken? The day we were betrayed?"
"Hai." She let her anger at the great act of betrayal show in her voice. "I've thought of little else while I was imprisoned." The she looked back up at him. "I wanted to ask earlier, but how did you and Kohaku survive? I remember seeing you fall under that youkai . . ." Her voice trailed off.
"The thing is, Sango. I didn't survive. Neither did your brother." He said solemly.
Her heart stopped. "Then how are you sitting here now? How is Kohaku there training those youkai? How could you not have survived?" Her voice rose with her questions until she was all but screaming.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Have you ever heard of Prince Inuyasha's half brother, Prince Sesshomaru?"
Her heart was beating fast. "Hai. He has a sword that can bring back the dead." She whispered. She shook her head, trying to deny what she'd just learned. Tears sprang to her eyes.
Her father squeezed her shoulder and pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Sango. At least I got one more chance to tell you I love you. That's all that matters now."
She hugged him, crying into his chest. Her dead father was comforting her. Her head swam at the thought. "What's happened?" She heard Kohaku ask. She looked up through her tears to see him standing over them. She opened her arms and he dropped to his knees and hugged her. "What's wrong, sis?" He asked her.
"I've just told her." Their father answered.
Kohaku squeezed her tighter. "I'm so sorry, Sango. I never wanted to leave your side. You were always there for me when I needed you and I wasn't there for you. I thank Prince Sesshomaru a thousand times over for giving me the chance to tell you that. That was my last thought before I died." Sango sobbed harder at his words.
Their father moved forwards and wrapped his arms around them both, pulling his children into a hug. Sango moved one arm from around her brother so she could hug him as well. She squeezed them tightly and cried her broken heart out on her dead family's shoulders. She couldn't even begin to express how twisted that was.
After a time, she had cried herself out. She pulled back and wioed her tears away. "I'm sorry. I jus-"
Her father put a hand on her shoulder. "I cried too at the thought of loosing the two of you. Prince Sessomaru brought me back first. You were taken and Kohaku lay dead. I am not ashamed to admit it."
Kohaku nodded. "I've cried many times. For not being able to help you and for mother. I'll never see her again."
"I don't understand why you can't come back to the village. You'r here now. it doesn't matter if you died. No one has to know that." Sango told them.
Her father shook his head. "It would be unatural. I couldn't go back to the village and have your mother live with a dead husband and son. I don't think we age now. You and your mother and the rest of the villagers would age and die, while Kohaku and I lived on. I don't think I could bear it."
Sango's heart sank. "Then what are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure." He told her. "Travel the land. Help anyone I come across. Kohaku is free to do as he chooses, so long as he doesn't return home."
"I've sworn it on my honor." Her brother told her.
She sighed. "It won't be the same without you there. i don't know if I'll be able to take it." She admitted.
"You are a strong woman, Sango. You are free to do as you wish. Your mother probably thinks you dead as well so it is entirely up to you whether or not you return."
She blinked. She'd never thought of it that way. The only future she'd been able to see herself follow if she ever escaped was to take her family's and the other tajai's bodies back to the village and start over again with her mother. Were there other options open to her now? Then she shook herself. The only thing in her future at the moment was rescuing Kagome. If she survived the battle she would think about her future then.
She looked around at the camp. She knew that every youkai here had probably heard their entire conversation and smelled her tears, but they were all politley acting as if nothing was happening. None of them were even looking in their direction. She suddnely felt the urge to get away from them though. She'd never been comforatable expessing her feelings in front of anyone but her father and brother.
Her eyes fell on Miroku. He was sitting down, far enough away that he probably hadn't heard much of the conversation. He was watching the inus and kitsunes train at the far side of the clearing. Killala was curled on his lap. She'd always wondered why she had taken to him so quickly. Her father was the only male she'd ever tolerated until him. Maybe it was because she sensed he had a good heart. Miroku had his flaws, but he was a wonderful person and had become a very close freind. He knew her like no one but her father and brother did. He always seemed to know what she was going to say or do, before she did it. Always seemed to sense when something was wrong, like earlier today. Would her future have a place for him in it. She hoped so. He glanced over suddenly and caught her staring at him. She blushed and averted her eyes. After a moment she peeked back up to see him smiling at her. She couldn't help but to smile back.
"How did you meet him?" Her father asked suddenly.
She started and looked around at her father. "We were in the same prison cave. He has been my companions since he was brought in. If he hadn't come when he did, I fear I would have gone crazy." She smiled, remembering how they'd met. that had been the first time anyone had ever groped her.
"You like him." Her father stated.
Sango was surprised, but she nodded. "Hai. He's my best freind besides you two and Killala."
"It's more than that." Her brother told her, a strange twinkle in his eye. "I can see it in your eyes. You like him, like him, don't you?"
She blushed. Was it true? Did she have feelings for Miroku as something other than a freind? They only been alone together for a few days, before Shippo was brought in and she'd been afraid and still angry at him for groping her, so they hadn't really talked. She knew about his past and he knew about hers. They had no secrets from one another. He wasn't the least bit intimidated by her being a female tajai. In fact, he seemed to like that about her. She glanced up at him to find him staring at her. She studied the handsome features she'd come to know so well. She realized she'd taken their freindship for granted until now. Would she be comforatable with it if they went in deperate ways after the battle never to see one another again?
To be honest, the answer was no. She didn't want to loose him. She wanted to stay by his side if he'd let her. Her heart felt like it was swelling up and she beamed at him. A strange look croosed his face. Then he smiled back.
"I suppose I do."
Converting /tmp/phpDvfYDs to /dev/stdout