InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ It is you I have loved ❯ Revenge ( Chapter 19 )

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

A/n: Ok, so school's been eating my time. The first semester is almost over and then I will have a seven week break. Although I will have a 40 hour a week job and be visiting my family for a week, I will be freer (yes, freer is a word, I checked) to write and feel inspired. So, I guess I'm suggesting that maybe after this or the next chapter, re-read the story because after the next chapter, the chapters should be coming out pretty rapid-fire and I want everyone to remember how the story started out. Thanks and enjoy yourselves

Though he was loath to the idea, Inuyasha had left Kaede's small hut. It was for a good cause but Inuyasha didn't want to not be able to see Kagome's face for any longer than it took to blink his eyes. He'd gathered what he could as quickly as he could. Making sure to gather what he thought would help her best but also making sure to make quick work of it. While returning, Inuyasha saw a very confused looking Sesshomaru. Not that Sesshomaru wore a confused expression, no. His expression was as emotionless as ever but Inuyasha could feel the confusion positively radiating off of him.

`Thought the bugger knew everything.' Inuyasha snorted at his own sarcastic remark before he returned his attention to the matter that had been plaguing him. Kagome. How had he allowed her to get hurt? Sure, Sesshomaru had been the one to cause the damage but Inuyasha was supposed to protect her. Why had he failed her? How could he ever look her in the eyes again, especially if she was permanently injured? He'd thought about it while he was fighting Sesshomaru. He would tell Kagome he loved her and wanted her to always be by his side. Whether it was as his mate, the mother of his pups, or just as a friend, he would take whatever she would give him. But, would she give him anything now? Would she even heal enough to give him anything? That last though made Inuyasha furious. Unable to control his emotions any longer, he let a snarl rip past his lips as he slammed his balled fist into the closest tree.

“Something troubling you, Inuyasha?” At the sound of the voice, Inuyasha's head whipped around, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

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Sesshomaru snarled as he realized he'd long ago passed his half-brother. Being so wrapped up in his musings, Sesshomaru had not even noticed the half-breed's passing. He didn't let the matter occupy him long though. He still needed to know what all this stuff with Kagome meant. He needed to know why she had such a hold over him. She was a human female. It was as plain and simple as that. So why was he willing to spend hours thinking and dreaming about her? Sesshomaru had asked himself this question many times and every time, though he'd never even consider it, he got the same answer. She was the first person to ever truly accept him. Sure there were those who were loyal to him but that was either out of duty or fear. Rin seemed to accept him but she was an innocent and did not understand the difference between humans and demons, nor did she know of his violent past. Jaken…well Jaken was just crazy. Kagome though, she knew him. She knew how evil he could be, she knew how easy it was for him to kill those in his way without a second thought or drop of remorse. She knew he was a demon and she was a human who could be wiped from the earth with one swift, deadly swipe of his claws…but she accepted him. His own mother had never even shown him that same courtesy. As soon as the birthing was over he'd been passed to a sucking nurse. He'd only ever seen the woman a few times before she was thrown from the kingdom for attacking Izaiyo. And that was saying something since Sesshomaru was around 70 when his mother had been banished. He'd always blamed his father and his father's human concubine for his despair but he'd always known deep down that the woman had wanted nothing to do with him. His birth was just a duty she'd performed. Kagome would never see him as just a “duty”. No, she cared about him. Just like she cared about every other stray she'd taken in. She didn't care about pasts or physical traits. Demon or human, young or old, angry or sad, she took them to herself and loved them…and he loved her in return. And he swore right then to the kamis that he would do anything to protect her and preserve the life of this goddess of kindness and love.

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Kaede shook her head at the entire situation. She'd woken up as soon as Kagome had started stirring again but had not made the fact known. Kagome seemed to want to get something across to Sesshomaru. Kaede knew that the Taiyoukai blamed himself. Granted it was his fault, but she knew it was accidental. She also knew that though it may not seem like anything to anyone else, the western lord would tear himself apart over it and there was only one person who could put an early stop to that.

Most of Kagome's injuries were superficial. Yes, they reopened and bled when she thrashed about but they would heal fully. She would be a little sore for quite a while but those injuries were not the one's Kaede was concerned about. For some reason Kagome was not returning to consciousness. That Kaede could see, the damage to Kagome's head was minimal. It was very unlikely that she'd even received a concussion. Why then did Kagome not respond to her name being called? And why exactly was Kagome's aura so weak? Kaede was now regretting her decision to stay silent. She should have questioned Kagome before she allowed her to slip back into her restless slumber.

`Where's Inuyasha gotten to with the child's food?' At that, Kaede left her little hut in search of a seemingly unreliable half-demon dog.

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Kagome awoke with a start. She'd heard voices again but this time they were much more familiar and yet that much more unfamiliar. Just before she'd woken to Sesshomaru staring at her, Kagome had felt something…break. Or rather, fracture a little. Kagome really couldn't describe it any other way. It was like something had a grip on her very soul, confusing her, causing her pain. That was right after she'd heard those voices. It was strange because she'd been in pain for a long time but she had not yet heard those voices. They told her to fight, to push through the pain. Obviously she had not pushed hard enough, as she'd fallen right back into her horrid slumber soon after that. She was fully awake now though, having pushed a little harder this time.

Immediately upon awaking, she remembered what she had come here for. But, when she looked around, she saw no sign of him. This worried her. Where was he? Was he fighting with Sesshomaru again? She had to find him and fast. She knew her fear was irrational and quite a bit presumptuous but she couldn't help that nagging feeling that something was off…very off.

Kagome didn't really need to sneak out of the hut. She had discovered very quickly that Sango, besides being the only left in the hut, was completely out so Kagome didn't waste her time creeping around.

Once she stepped over the threshold, Kagome broke out in a run. She didn't really know where he was but for some reason, she knew where she was going.

A weird energy was emanating from the spot she was walking towards. If she turned around, Kagome could probably still see Kaede's hut in the distance. The run had only taken her a few seconds. Mostly because once she got to a certain point she couldn't move any farther. It was almost like her body itself feared going any further, and just as soon as she stopped, Kagome heard a voice that made her not want to go any further either.

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“My dear, why the face? Did you not miss me?” Inuyasha stared, dumbfounded. Something about this situation wasn't right. “Ah, I see. You are too worried about your little pet. Well, you won't be so distracted soon. The girl won't be around to clog your thoughts much longer.” A cold hand was placed on Inuyasha's chest and he shuddered involuntarily, a ripple of revulsion crawling under his skin. “It's a shame she still has such a hold on-AH! Damn! She's awake!” Her aura weakened as she grabbed her chest and swore again. “Well. She is a fighter then. Not for much longer though. Soon she'll be gone, the soul she stole will go back to its rightful owner, and we can finally go to hell together.” Inuyasha finally managed to choke out his confusion, “Ki-Kikyo? What are you talking about? Her soul….OH NO! Kikyo, I swear if you so much as think about hurting-” But he was cut off as a cold pair of lips pushed onto his, her frigid arms pulling his shocked body unwillingly closer.

Inuyasha gasped. What the hell was going on!? She had just threatened Kagome, his love, and now she was kissing him!? Oh hell no! He shoved her roughly away and snarled menacingly.

“Bitc-”

“No. Don't say things you may regret later my dear.” Kikyo's voice was syrupy and sing-song. Death had morbidly twisted Kikyo's personality. Granted it only needed a little twisting as it was already corrupted, but still. And was Inuyasha mistaken or was Kikyo…smiling? Kikyo was right though. Inuyasha should watch his words. He still had no idea what Kikyo had planned with Kagome. Actually, he knew exactly what Kikyo was planning. She was going to take Kagome's soul back and kill her. The how is what Inuyasha didn't know. If he knew, maybe he could find a way to prevent it…he had to find a way to prevent it.

“Kik….Kikyo, what exactly are talking about?” Kikyo smirked. She had his full attention now. Something she had not had for quite a long time. Kikyo was convinced her plan was flawless. No one could stop her now. She had too tight a hold on Kagome. Therefore, she had no reservations about letting Inuyasha in on all the gritty details. Details to a plan that would finally allow Kikyo to exact her revenge and keep the hanyou she saw as hers-even if she didn't want him. Plus, there was no harm in letting Inuyasha think he still had the upperhand. It would be that much easier if he let his guard slip even the tiniest bit.

“Well, Inuyasha, I have to thank you and your brother first-off.” Inuyasha snarled. He wasn't exactly sure where she was going with this but he had a sick feeling that Inuyasha's own lack of protection where Kagome was concerned allowed Kagome to become involved in Kikyo's sick little games. A crooked smile pulled at Kikyo's lips.

“Had you two not injured her I would have had to wait much longer. I've already waited too long. I've spent much time, too much time, gathering what I needed. You see Inuyasha, there is a spell. Why it was brought into existence I neither know or care. The fact is, that it is exactly what I need. Coupled with Kagome's weakened state, this spell allowed me to penetrate Kagome's soul…my soul.” Kikyo's stare was deadly. “The little brat's been ruining it. But now, now I have a chance to get it back. The pain she's been feeling is not real. The hold I have on the soul that resides in part in Kagome's body is, the way her body sees it, rebelling. Because, well, it is rebelling. Her mind and body are in tremendous pain from the control I have over her soul. And the longer I control that pain, the more willing her body will be to give up her soul. This is why she has not woken yet. Her body feels pain when the soul awakens. To ease the pain, the mind shrinks back into the body, simply existing. Soon though, her body will realize that unless it rises to consciousness, it will die. To rise to consciousness it needs to rid itself of the pain, the intruder…the soul.” Inuyasha's eyes bugged. He knew exactly where Kikyo was going with this but he couldn't get his terrified mind to formulate a response. “Yes, Inuyasha. You understand now. It was so easy too. Not only did her injuries allow me into her body much easier, they were a decoy for your little troupe of do-gooders.” `Do-gooders?' Who was this person talking? It definitely wasn't the Kikyo he thought he knew. Feelings of betrayal and the need for revenge had twisted the pitiful priestess into something even more horrid than Inuyasha could have imagined. Sure, Kikyo had been a little messed up when she was still alive and now Inuyasha couldn't see what he'd seen in her, but this was just ridiculous. Kikyo continued her self-righteous speech. “No one would suspect anything other than Kagome had been more severely injured in the `accident' than previously thought. That is, until it was too late and my soul was peeled from the little thief's body and returned to where it belongs.” Inuyasha suddenly found his voice; and it was furious.

“Where it belongs? WHERE IT BELONGS!? Kagome's soul `belongs' with her. And even if your twisted self could accept a soul, you don't deserve it. The only thing you would do with it is cause more pain, more grief…ruin more lives.” Inuyasha's smirk turned bemused and somewhat sad. “One time, long ago, I was willing to give up everything to be with you, to please you. Everything that I was, that I am. Why though? You never truly loved me. You couldn't even accept me for who I was.” Inuyasha's tone turned acidic. “trust me, you don't need that soul. You could live on spite alone. Even if you did get the soul it would probably just shrivel up and die in all that darkness you've allowed to grow inside and consume you.”

Kikyo's eyes flashed dangerously for a second before narrowing, her voice cool and smooth. “Accept you? How could anyone? You're nothing but filth. A filthy mistake made by a filthy demon who took a filthy, traitorous human to his filthy bed. Who knows why I allowed myself to stay near you. Maybe I thought I was being rebellious, going against the nature of a priestess. But even I could only stand that for so long.” Inuyasha's hear t slammed and wrenched at her words. Not because she'd said them. No, he long ago gave up the idea that he'd ever truly cared about Kikyo or that she had cared for him. This pain was purely from the words themselves. Always taunting him, in the deepest recesses of his mind, carved so painfully into every single one of his memories was the knowledge that every word Kikyo said was true. He was filth. Worthless. Unlovable…unloved. “Enjoy the whore while you can. The soiled little beast only has so much time left. Then you will come with me to hell and suffer just as much as I have through what you've put me through.” Inuyasha snarled and made to lunge at Kikyo but she was gone instantly. His growl caught in his throat and he sunk to his haunches and breathed heavily. Worry suddenly swirled angrily in his mind. Kagome was in danger…she was going to die…the woman whom he cared so much for would no longer be by his side, smiling that smile that allowed him, if only for brief seconds, to believe he had worth, that he was loved.

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“And we can finally go to hell together.” Kagome's blood ran cold. It was…Kikyo. It was Kikyo and she'd just told Inuyasha that they were finally going to go to hell together. Kagome wanted to cry but she couldn't tear her eyes away long enough to let them fill with tears. Now Inuyasha was asking Kikyo something…telling her not think about…about…he'd…he'd just kissed her. Kagome ran as fast as she could away from the sight, ignoring the furious protests of her injured body. The tears did not come though. The sobs didn't show either. She wouldn't cry. She couldn't. She loved him but he didn't love her. She would have to be alright with that if she was going to be able to serve him the rest of her life…anything to be by his side. So with a small hiccup, Kagome put up the final brick. The final brick on the wall she'd been building on her emotions for so long to protect herself from harm. She would keep her feelings locked away. Locked away, never to be seen again.

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Kikyo had smirked as the girl ran away. Once Kagome had fought through the spell, Kikyo was furious. So, Kikyo figured why not give the little monster a show? She'd used Kagome's captive soul to pull her close, quickly. Then she'd put up a reverse barrier. Kagome could see in but Inuyasha could not see out. He would not be able to hear or smell her either. Kikyo had been planning on dragging out her special show just for Kagome but Inuyasha had to ruin it by threatening her. Kikyo could not have Kagome believing that he cared for Kagome. It would ruin everything. All her planning, all the time she'd spent preparing for this. It was the perfect revenge and she couldn't have anyone screwing it up. So she'd done the thing that she'd planned on doing when she first thought of hurting the girl. She pulled Inuyasha into her arms and kissed him. She shuddered. He was filth. She felt sick just touching him, but this was for a good cause. And right before Inuyasha shoved her away, Kikyo felt it, saw it. Kagome was convinced. Convinced that Inuyasha had truly fallen into the arms of the woman she was already so envious of. `This torture was well worth it,' Kikyo thought to herself as Inuyasha pushed her back.

A/N: I was not going to involve Kikyo in the story more than a mention of her name once or twice. Though, her appearance helps fill a gap I was wondering how to fill nearly perfectly for where I want this story to go.