InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kanjou no Setsuna ❯ Chapter 2

 

 

 

Kanjou no Setsuna

 

 

 

Chapter 2 - Contemplations

 

 

 

 

“Sh-She took a blow that was meant for me. It should have been me, lying on that bed. I'm so sorry. I couldn't get up…my legs wouldn't move you see…I am truly sorry. There was nothing I could do.” Kagome knew she was rambling hysterically, on the verge of tears. Tonight's ordeal was the worst yet. Rin nearly died in her place. The poor girl…it was nothing short of a miracle she survived that blow. She was still unconscious, and it was clear that she suffered a serious concussion. She might never wake up. Oh god, that was too horrible to dwell on. But she had to explain. She had to let Sesshoumaru understand that it could not be helped. Everyone had been so close to dying. If Kikyou had not arrived when she did…she shuddered uncontrollably.

 

Sango looked at her sadly, feeling for her. She had never seen Kagome this distraught before, it was disheartening to watch: she was usually so calm, so sure of herself. Trying to put a light note in her voice, she said soothingly, “Don't worry. I'm sure she's gonna be fine. She's a sturdy little girl.”

 

“She'll wake up soon enough,” Inuyasha added, nodding his head in Sesshoumaru's direction. “And besides, if she dies, he's got the power to bring her back to life, no big deal.” He said it to comfort her, but the look she gave him wasn't the least bit appeased. In fact, it made her eyes tear up even more. It was positively killing him inside seeing her like this, when it was his fault that things had come to this point. It made him so angry. He hated feeling vulnerable, powerless, useless. He would have dearly liked to envelope Kagome in his arms but he hesitated, unsure of how she would take it, she was so uncharacteristically fragile right now. Thank heavens for Kikyou's timely arrival. After her purifying arrows had pierced Hakudoushi and Menoumaru, causing the demon-child to disintegrate and retreat, she had vanished. He had turned toward the distant hills where the shots had come from, but all he saw was a glimpse of a woman's shadow against the bright wash of the moon. In the blink of an eye, she was gone…making it hard to believe she was ever there at all.

 

Sango had rushed over to the miko and wrapped her arms around her. “How can you be so insensitive? It should have been me…It should have been me…oh god,” Kagome cried wretchedly, her slender frame finally succumbing to sobs. “How could this happen? We cannot ever defeat Naraku…he's much too strong for us. We all know that even with Kikyou's help back there, we couldn't have beaten Hakudoushi. That was a deliberate retreat, so they could torment us for another day. Th-they know, they know that they could have slaughtered us right then and there!”

 

Sango's arms tightened around her. “You must not say such things…we'll think of something-we usually do.” She looked at Inuyasha worriedly over Kagome's head and he returned her look dejectedly. “We've all had quite a day. Come on, let's get you to bed.”

 

Kagome allowed the taijiya to steer her towards one of the pallets in the other room. “Rest up, you'll feel better in the morning. Don't you worry about Rin…she's in good hands now.”

 

Her eyes still glistening with tears, Kagome shook her head tiredly. “I've got a bad feeling about all this, Sango-chan,” she said in a mournful whisper. “We-We might not get out of this al-“

 

“Shush now, Kagome-chan,” Sango cut in before she could finish. “Now go to sleep. I'll be right here if you need me.” She tucked the blanket securely around the shivering girl, crawled to the pallet next to Kagome's and laid down with an exhausted sigh. Her glance was drawn to another pallet at the other end of the room, where Miroku was in a fitful slumber, his blackened arm encased in a bulky bandage. Closing her eyes tightly, she fought tears that were threatening to spill over. Oh please let us all be alright.

 

-0-0-0-

 

Sesshoumaru stood rigidly with his fist clenched at his side. A riot of nameless emotions was warring within him and he did not like it. He wanted to kill them all, to punish them for what they did. How dare they do this to his Rin? How dare they let this happen? But the truth was so clear in his mind, looming over him like a pall. Rage, remorse, fear…guilt. It was nobody's fault. It was nobody's fault…but his. He allowed this to happen to his Rin by not being there to stop it. He had no right to blame anyone else, except himself.

 

Because of his neglect his Rin was now lying deathly pale on a straw pallet, unmoving, practically lifeless. She had several broken ribs, numerous cuts and bruises and her lip was split. Inuyasha's companions had brought her here to the old miko's house after the skirmish. Kaede and Inuyasha's wench did their utmost to set her bones, and mentioned that she possibly had a concussion, though he did not know what that meant. When he arrived, he was greeted at the door by a wailing Jaken. The servant was prostrate on the floor and babbling incoherently, begging him to have mercy on him. Then Kagome came barreling out of the other room with his brother on her heels. She had grabbed at his sleeve and proceeded dragging him over to the other room, all the while explaining what had happened in a high-pitched tone.

 

He could not understand her at first, as she was obviously too distressed to talk clearly. And when he saw Rin, his heart nearly stopped. Thinking she was dead, he crossed over to where she was laid and dropped down on his knees. Her breathing was shallow, but she was alive. Relief washed over him like a flood, drowning his senses. He reached out with his remaining hand and brushed the bangs off her sweat-dampened brow. She was alive…that was all that mattered now.

 

The miko was still apologizing profusely, though he refused to heed her. And for once, his detestable brother was strangely silent. Without a glance in their direction, he rose swiftly to his feet and strode quickly from the room.

 

-0-0-0-

 

 

 

He had never harbored so much hatred in his life. It even surpassed the animosity he felt for his brother. Naraku. That bastard. This Sesshoumaru will defeat you.

 

Thinking that a walk in the woods would calm his tumultuous spirits, Sesshoumaru ventured out in the forest alone. Jaken had deigned to follow meekly behind him, but a furiously barked out order erased that intention from the toad's mind. As he sauntered over to the edge of a clearing, he was confronted by two unlikely visitors. Pausing in his tracks, he asked impassively, “What do you want?”

 

“Kikyou-sama requests you presence,” Kochou said in a no-nonsense tone.

 

Her partner Asuka nodded in confirmation, adding, “You will come with us immediately. Any questions you may have will be answered by Kikyou-sama.”

 

They spun on their heels in unison, and not turning back to see if he would acquiesce, they soared gracefully up in the air.

 

Summoning his whirlwind cloud, the demon lord rose up to follow the shikigami.

 

-0-0-0-

 

 

Whoohee! That's another chapter done! I'm still toying with several ideas right now about what's gonna happen next. Next chappie will be up in a few days.

 

Please read and review! Suggestions are welcome too…

 

Until next time, Ja ne!

 

- bungeegum -