InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ The Vanishing ( Chapter 33 )

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

Chapter 33: The Vanishing

Kagome sat up in her bedding with a sigh, and looked around, noting that the camp was silent, and Sesshoumaru was out of sight.

He must be patrolling the edges of camp... I don't think he feels entirely comfortable with all these new demons here. She sighed again, a melancholy feeling sweeping through her, and she lowered her eyes from the edges of camp, to the fire that still burned steadily.

Why do I feel so sad? she wondered, with a quick shake of her head, she gathered herself and stood up, moving silently towards the edge of the camp bordering a small field.

Once she was a little away from the camp, and the people still sleeping within it, she sat down with her knees against her chest, and wrapped her arms around them. She looked up at the sky, then, staring at the almost-full moon that peered back down at her, and as it always did, the moon pulled her thoughts to Sesshoumaru.

I think I'll always equate the moon with him - full or crescent, it doesn't really matter. All the years I've known him - and yet I didn't, not really. But my heart tells me that I should have...

A slight breeze kicked up, and she lifted dainty fingers to brush a lock of hair back behind her ear.

There's so much to him. It's like looking in a mirror - he shows only one side of himself to the world - but then, you realize that it's not a mirror... and suddenly, you see the rest of him. It would take years to see it all, I think.

And he's beautiful - inside, where it counts.

Her thoughts then wandered to Sango's question earlier that evening....

"What... what's it like to be... dead?"

It was... fine, when I was dead. But when he died...

At that thought, her breath caught in her throat, and her eyes immediately filled with tears... she couldn't even bear the thought, and her hand went to her heart and clenched against her chest...

That's why I woke feeling so sad... her eyes widened as she remembered part of her dream...

Ungai wants to destroy all demons - but most of all, he wants to destroy Sesshoumaru - because Sesshoumaru defeated him before... and I dreamed that. She shook her head, then, tears glimmering like crystals flinging themselves around her. Oh... I could not bear that... to lose him - it's not something I could live with.

Not ever...

Her eyes narrowed then, and her other hand clenched as well, as her heart raced with fear - the fear of losing something that had become precious beyond anything to her.

Through the trips down memory lane that he'd taken her on, to being separated by Inuyasha's refusal to let go, to being reunited, and the battles with demons, she'd watched him, and seen his heart, and it was the most important thing to her - in this universe or any other...

She would sooner allow hell to merge with the land of the living as to ever live without him again.

I will not lose him - not to Kagura - and not to Ungai, or his followers. So how do I keep what I dreamed from happening? Not that that stupid monk could ever defeat Sesshoumaru - but an entire army of those wielding spiritual powers?

Somehow... there has to be a way to make them understand! How can all these miko, and the monks, too, not understand that they disrespect the kami everytime they randomly kill demons - just because they are demons?

The kami created demons - just as they created humans... don't they see that it's disrespectful? Every time they kill a demon for no reason, it's like they're saying that the kami made a mistake in creation! It's wrong to do that! How can they judge the kami so?

She sniffled, then, realizing that she was crying, and uncurling her fists, she wiped her eyes, a hollow chuckle breaking from her.

There has to be a way to stop an army with powers like this one - after all, the ki they wield comes from the kami...

Maybe...

If the kami gave it... the kami can take it away. My future, the one I came from... there were no demons anymore - and the world is imbalanced, dying because humans are destroying it. But...

Can I?

Her breath caught as she thought about it... it was daring, and possibly stupid... but...

It might be the only way to fix things. Because even if we somehow manage to win this time - it will only happen again.

Sesshoumaru will never allow it, so I'll have to go without telling him.

She looked down, then, at her hand, idly noting the nail marks... and the slight traces of blood from where she'd cut herself from clenching her hands so tightly.

Yes... he'll be furious...

But if I can do it...

It will be worth it.

Decision made, Kagome stared out across the field and watched the grasses bend gently before the breeze for a few moments.

Then she closed her eyes, concentrated on the path between worlds that she'd walked with her love...

And vanished from the sight of the living.

---wWw---

Sesshoumaru stopped instantly, stunned, as he felt her disappear from this plane of existence, and his eyes flashed red as he turned and immediately arced into his light form and flew back to the camp, knowing he'd find her gone.

What is it that you do, miko?! You leave me here, on this plane, and go into the other realm - for what purpose? You should know that I will not let you leave me, woman...

As he landed back in the camp in a brilliant explosion of light, the demons in camp all woke, startled at the sheer weight of the youki he was emitting - everything within miles of the group would be able to feel his displeasure.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, pissed at being woken up, and wondering what the hell had set his brother off so bad.

"Oi, bastard! What the fuck? We're trying to fucking sleep... so what the hell crawled up your ass and died, huh?" he ground out, irritation plain in his voice.

"If you would like to live to see morning, Inuyasha, I suggest that you do not anger me any further. What do you see missing from camp, half-breed?" he hissed back, his anger spiking even further.

At his words, everyone began looking around, wondering what he was talking about - until Sango cried out.

"Kagome!" Eyes wide, she looked over at Kikyou, then back at Sesshoumaru.

"Correct, slayer. My miko is not here - and I would like to know how she left... and not one person here noticed." He pinned his brother with red eyes, and Inuyasha suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"She ain't mine to protect anymore, bastard, now is she? You made sure of that when you took her away from me - so why are you lookin' at me?" he asked sullenly.

"Besides... don't you know where she is? From what I understand about this bond of yours, you should be able to tell," he snapped, voice snide.

Sesshoumaru growled, anger leaching more crimson into his eyes, and streaked forward, grabbing his brother by the throat and glaring up at him. "As should you, half-demon," he growled out, "since you saw fit to try to break our bond by forcing one of your own on her." He suddenly looked disgusted, and tossed his brother back to the ground, turning away and staring out into the night.

"I know where she is. She walks the paths between realms - but what I do not know is why."

Kikyou paled, gasping out, "She's... dead?"

Sesshoumaru glanced at her for a moment from the corner of one golden eye, then looked at his brother again. "It is pathetic, Inuyasha, that even the former dead priestess, the one who tried to kill her, shows more concern for Kagome than you - who claimed to love her. With 'love' like yours... who needs hatred?"

Looking back at Kikyou, ignoring the surprised sounds from those awake and listening to his words, he said, "No, miko, she is not dead. She merely travels the paths of the other realm. She cannot die - just as I cannot. Not unless both of us were to die at the same time - as well as Inuyasha. We, all three, are bound together - we live together, and die together."

Sango frowned, exchanging confused glances with Miroku.

Miroku nodded at her, understanding her question. Delicately, trying to be as correct as he could so as not to agitate the obviously upset demon lord any further, he asked, "What is it then, that you are concerned about, if I may ask, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

The daiyoukai closed his eyes, doing everything to regain some semblance of control, and inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, and finally, he opened his eyes, turning to look at the monk, who was relieved to see his eyes were mostly gold again.

"There are many destinations those paths may lead to, monk. I do not know what she attempts - what she is looking for. I am," here, he looked away, "unsettled with her presence so far away from me."

Miroku nodded, instantly understanding. He'd feel the same if it were Sango.

There was a stir of youki, and the water elemental from earlier, Seiichi by name, spoke up.

"So... it is true, then. The Great Lord has chosen... a human female. What makes you think she is worthy for such a place as the mate of a powerful dai?"

Inuyasha stared wide-eyed at the foolish demon, as those in camp that knew her looked insulted on her behalf.

"Are you stupid?! You're asking Sesshoumaru to justify his choice to you?" he rolled his eyes and tucked his arms into his sleeves. "You must have a death wish."

Seiichi merely stared at the demon Lord. "The question stands, Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru stared at him consideringly for several long minutes as the atmosphere in camp became uncomfortable, and even Seiichi himself began to shift uneasily, before he finally spoke.

His voice was ice, devoid of any warmth, sharp and jagged. "You have no place to question me, Seiichi, unless you mean to challenge." His knuckles cracked as his fingers began to glow green. "Is that what you are doing?"

"No, Sesshoumaru, I am not. And what's more, you know it. However... there will come others, others who will question you, and demand answers. What will you say to them?"

His fingers lost their glow as he narrowed his eyes on the water elemental, and on those who stood with him, and then he turned his back on them, unconcerned.

"I will say that they are fools to question my choices... any of them. And that they are fools to question the miko's fitness to be my mate - after all, it is she who will determine the fate of all demons..." his voice trailed off ominously for a moment.

"It is foolish to bite the hand that feeds you, is it not, Seiichi?" he asked silkily... and as silence reigned in the camp, he walked away.

"I will not be answerable to anyone. Remember that," came ghosting back from under the trees as he disappeared from the sight of everyone in camp...

Including the demons.

---wWw---

Ryozo breathed a sigh of relief as he topped the small rise, and looked down on the village he knew was Edo.

Finally... now, I can only hope they will hear me, and not turn me away.

He moved slowly down the small hill, and frowned as he noted what appeared to be a fairly large group of men practicing with weapons in a large clearing just outside of the confines of the village. The men looked rough, and yet determined.

As he approached them, one broke away and moved to confront him, holding himself warily as he stared narrow-eyed at him.

"What do you want here, monk? This village wants no trouble with you and your kind," he spat.

Eyebrow climbing into his hairline, Ryozo spread his hands, showing his peaceable intent. "I have not come looking for trouble, sir. I seek the village miko, Kaede by name, I believe?"

The man glared at him suspiciously, then turned his head and called over his shoulder, "Shunichi! Go, fetch the Lady Kaede... this monk wishes to speak with her."

The chosen male glanced at them, and then froze for a moment, also glaring at him suspiciously, before turning and running into the village, and Ryozo winced.

These men do not trust anyone that wears monks robes... and I cannot say that I blame them. Ungai and all his hatred will only turn the people against us in the end...

He nodded at the man before him, then bowed slightly. "I thank you, sir. Do you mind if I sit and rest? I have traveled far, and at a quick pace to get away from the army that marches this way."

"Army? You mean those murdering monks and the devil women that claim they are miko?" The man's voice was laden with hatred, dripping with poison, and Ryozo wasn't surprised.

"Yes, I mean them."

"So they are heading this way then." The man turned and gestured at the others that were still practicing in the field, then looked at Ryozo. "All these men you see here came from other villages - villages that that bastard Ungai destroyed... simply because we chose not to hate just because he said we should. And all of us, will fight against him when he comes."

Eyes narrowing on him, the male asked, "When the time comes, monk... what side will you fight on?"

With that, the man walked away, joining the others back in practicing with their weapons, and he stared after him for a moment, then looked towards the village as he noted the woman walking towards him wearing miko garments.

She is elderly... he sighed. It is regrettable that this trial has come to one who should only know peace in her waning years.

He bowed respectfully as she reached him and pinned him with a weighing stare, and he waited patiently for her to make her decision.

"Tell me, monk... why have ye come here?" she asked.

He sighed, then, and looked out over the field, before looking back at her. "Lady Kaede... I have traveled far, and seen much, and when I first met the monk known as Ungai, he spoke only of destroying those demons that attacked people unjustifiably. I saw that as reasonable, and joined with him for a time." He shook his head, and closed his eyes for a moment, before opening them again and looking over at her.

"But... as time went on, he became almost rabid about anything that had demon blood... or anyone that befriended such a one. And when he began attacking humans and demons alike that had done nothing to anyone... I couldn't justify it - so I left."

Kaede watched him as he spoke, and nodded, finally smiling at him. "Come, then, monk - be welcome in my village. If you follow me, I will take you to my hut - we can speak further there."

Ryozo smiled back at her, then fell into step with her as she walked slowly back towards her home.

"I came this way looking for the group that helped so many of the villages against the marauding lesser demons - I had heard that this village was their home."

"Aye, it be." She glanced sideways at him for a moment. "When they return, ye will no longer be the only monk - Miroku will be most pleased to see a brother, I think."

"It will be a welcome thing to speak to a brother that is not filled with hate," he said in agreement, as they approached a small hut set a little ways from the others. He held back the hanging mat for the elderly miko as she entered, and with a grateful smile, she gestured for him to enter and sit with her.

As he sat down, she moved to prepare tea, and he watched the small fire as he let loose a weary sigh.

"Ye traveled swiftly, young monk," she said, watching him as his shoulders slumped a bit.

"Yes... I did not want to waste time. Ungai will not stop unless he is forced - he will have to be defeated utterly, or his hatred will only spread like a disease." He tilted his head, then and met her gaze curiously.

"This group... it contains a monk, two miko, and a half-demon?"

"It does," she nodded, "but it also has grown. One of the miko is my sister, the Lady Kikyou, and the other is the shikon miko, Lady Kagome. The half-demon is Inuyasha, the half-brother of the Western Lord."
Ryozo's brow rose at that. "The Western Lord... I had heard that he had died - and also that the Lady Kagome had as well,during the defeat of Naraku."

"Ye heard correctly..." she trailed off, and chuckled.

He glanced at her, then smiled as he realized. "Oh! My apologies, Lady Kaede. My name is Ryozo."

"Ah. Ryozo, then. As I was saying, ye heard correctly. They had died... but now, they are not." She glanced at him for a moment, then looked down at the fire, a small smile crossing her face.

"I hope that ye have an open mind, Ryozo... because the group ye have sought is truly different in all ways than anything that ye have probably ever been exposed to. Whether ye can accept them remains to be seen, but if ye have any wisdom, like what ye see or not, ye will not speak against them."

Curiosity gained a foothold within him. "What do you mean, lady Kaede?
"I mean that the Lady Kagome, and the Western Lord, are betrothed, young monk. Does that disturb ye?" she asked, pinning him with a wise eye.

Ryozo's eyes opened wide, and he let out a breath, stunned. "Betrothed?"

"Aye. Betrothed... well, as we humans would see it. They call it mating, I believe."

He sat back at that, and stared at her. "And... you... approve of this coupling?"

Kaede chuckled at that, as she prepared two cups of tea, carefully handing him his when done. "It be not my place to approve or disapprove, Ryozo. Kagome is an adult, as is the Western Lord. They have chosen each other, and that is how it is. But if you ask if I accept this match, then the answer is yes, I do."

"Why?"

"Because love is greater than hate, monk - that is why."

He stared at her for a while, then looked down at his tea, and let himself ponder her words.

Love... I suppose... if more people understood that, there would be much less suffering in this world. And hatred was never taught by the buddha...

He sighed, then, deeply, and looked back up at the elderly miko, a smile crossing his face.

"In that, lady Kaede, you are correct. And that is why I left Ungai, and his army of the misguided. Because I would not see hate become stronger than it already is."

---wWw---

A/N: Things are starting to come together here... and just where did Kagome disappear to, anyway? Sesshoumaru would like to know the answer to that question, also.

Amber