InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kiss of a Black Rose ❯ Meetings ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Confused, Kagome awakens to the rain pouring on her back. As her memories return, she finds the feelings of worry and pain seep into her heart. Getting up, she runs into four individuals, who appear to be children at first glance. As if running into them wasn't bad enough, she ran into their enemies to! They make an escape to a tavern, only to find a new enemy, or perhaps this one is a friend? Find out and read!

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Angst / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 07.14.2005 | Updated On: 07.15.2005 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.6K | Visits: 790 | Status: Completed

Kiss of a Black Rose

Chapter One: Meetings

`It's cold, and wet.' These were the first conscious thoughts that entered Kagome's mind as her senses slowly came to. Her body ached all over, like someone used her as a punching bag, and she felt like she could just lay on the ground forever. But she knew she had to get up, so she forced her eyes open.

Grass; it was the first thing she saw. Darkness, it was the next thing she noticed. The sound of falling water finally entered her battered senses, and she realized it was raining. Drip, drop; drip, drop; the rain continued to poor.

“Wha-what happened?” Kagome mumbled out hazily as she forced her body up with shaky arms. She was soaking wet, like she had been in the rain for hours on end, her body felt like crap.

She was on her knees; her hands on the ground while her shaky arms supported her upper body. Blood, it pooled below her like a thick red paint taunting a raging bull. Her body was still wounded and battered, but how did it get this way?

Kagome looked around her surroundings. Lightning flashed before her eyes as thunder sounded in her ears. The continued drum of the rain pit pattering on the ground tormented her foggy mind as she sat there with open eyes just staring.

She was in a forest; a small steep hill was to the right of her. The cloudy sky loomed above her as the trees creaked in an eerie way do to the wind. It was pitch black out, indicating that it was late at night wherever she was.

With shaky legs Kagome stood, using the support of a tree to help balance her weight. “Now I remember,” she said as her thoughts finally organized themselves. “Naraku, the battle…then…darkness?” her eyes widened as the full blow of memories flashed before her, much like the lightning had done.

She fell to the ground in a heap, her tears mixing with the rain on her face. `Oh Inu-Yasha!' her mind screamed over and over, tormenting her very soul. What if they were all dead? What if he slowly killed them all with an evil smirk still lighting his hideous face?

Yes, now she remembered. They were battling Naraku, and he had knocked out Sango and Miroku, while also badly wounding Inu-Yasha. Shippo and Kilala were nowhere in site, and she was sent into some kind of black hole!

“This just isn't my day!” Kagome wailed while clutching her head. Things just weren't going the way she wanted them to. She only stopped her sobs when a whistling through the rainy night air caught her attention.

Quickly she jumped to the side, and by doing so she narrowly avoided an arrow that would have been implanted in her heart. Shocked that someone would just fire at something without question, Kagome looked over to where the arrow came from.

A hooded black creature riding a horse stood above on the steep hill, arrow still poised ready in attack. Its very aura was frightening and Kagome vaguely wondered why she hadn't noticed its approach before. Already she knew she was going to hate this day even more…

Suddenly, some shouts in the distance alerted her to more arrivals. They seemed frantic and frightened. Kagome thanked whatever god was listening that she still had all her weapons, such as her bow and arrows, her sword, and her hidden daggers.

Quickly, she took out her bow and notched an arrow in it while taking aim at the strange hooded creature before her. She remained low and hidden, waiting for just the right moment. Kagome figured that if the creature knew her exact location, it would have rode that nice scary looking black horse of his over to where she was.

The yells came closer, and the creature diverted its attention towards the sound. `Now.' Kagome said in her mind as she sprung up from her hiding place, arrow still poised and aimed.

A bright pink light lit the dark gloomy night as it shot like a rocket towards the strange creature. The `thing' only had time to scream before the arrow collided with it. What shocked Kagome was how it didn't dissipate, or even purify, instead it wailed and ran away badly wounded.

Suddenly Kagome was knocked to the ground by something colliding with her legs behind her. Pain seared through her body from her wounds as she hit the ground, hard. Grinding her teeth to keep from yelling out, she looked behind her only to see what appeared to be a child.

“S-sorry miss!” the `child' squeaked as it hurriedly got to its feet. Three others followed the previous one, each equally as small. Kagome wasn't fooled though; these were no children. For one, their voice was to deep, and probably the most noticeable one was their face, they were way to old!

“What are you?” Kagome accidentally blurted out. Hey, she was in a lot of pain with blood seeping out of her while sitting in the rain on wet ground! Not the best situation or place I tell you that!

The four child-like beings looked at her with slightly wide eyes. One was about to open its mouth when one of those strange hooded creatures entered the clearing above the small hill. The one who was about to speak was silenced by a hand clapping over his mouth while being told “Sh!” by the others.

Kagome motioned them towards a small gap in the hill big enough for all of them to fit in. They all nodded silently and made their way towards the gap with her. Sitting down, they listened with baited breath as the hooded creature that seemed to differ from the rest walked towards their location.

The `thing' bent down on its knees, the very spirit of it seemed to scare even the slimmest of insects, for they all started to emerge from the ground. The smell of rotting flesh was intoxicating, and the evil feel to those with spiritual powers was drowning.

Kagome started to feel light-headed. Whether it was the blood loss, or the intoxicating evil, she didn't know. All she knew was that she wasn't going to hold out much longer and if she fainted, she would give away their position.

Kagome wasn't the only one having difficulties however. One of the child-like beings was falling into some kind of spell. He seemed possessed, like something was calling him. Perhaps it was, for his hands started to edge toward a ring on a silver chain hanging about his neck. One of his fellow child-beings snapped him out of whatever he was in, thankfully.

Finally, one of the child-beings got a brilliant idea, and tossed their bag into the distance, effectively distracting the hooded creature above them. With the creature off investigating the disturbance the bag made, the five of them made a run for it through the forest.

“This way! To the river!” one of them called, it seemed to be the youngest one. They all nodded and headed towards said destination, well, the children-beings did, Kagome followed.

They took many twisting turns, over that hill, across that clearing. It seemed like forever and it was a miracle no one was separated from the group…or at least that's what Kagome had originally thought.

“Where's Frodo?” The one with straight blond hair asked. The other two shrugged as they continued running. “We have to find him!” the one with straight blond hair demanded again, this time looking more frantic.

“Sam, if we stop and look for Mr. Frodo, those creature things back there will most likely get us!” A wavy brown haired one said, looking at him with all seriousness. Sam's face fell.

“Perhaps if we continue to this river place you speak of, then we can meet up with him there? After all, your young friend was the one who suggested it.” Kagome spoke up, trying to make him feel better. Sam nodded and they all continued on to the river.

They finally made it and to their great delight, and a raft was waiting for them! They all climbed on, Kagome the more grateful one since she felt like she was about to die. They began undoing the rope when a shout was heard.

10 hooded creatures riding on black horses emerged; the one Kagome assumed to be Frodo was running for his life in front. It looked like he wasn't going to make it, despite the child-beings frantic cries.

Biting her lower lip, Kagome staggered up and off the raft, drawing her sword. She knew exactly what to do to give this Frodo fellow enough time to make it onto the boat. Focusing what little power remained into the sword, Kagome pointed it towards the hooded creatures and let the power unleash.

A blinding light lit up the night sky, when it was gone, only the hooded creatures on their horses remained. Kagome had run and picked up Frodo during the light and brought him back onto the raft, they then took off.

“Alright, since it appears I'm going to be traveling with you, what are you?” Kagome questioned, looking at them with slight suspicion, “Are you demons?” she asked, putting her hand on her chin, “No, that can't be right you don't feel like demons…” she stated, still staring at them oddly.

“Miss, where hobbits.” One of the now identified hobbits spoke up. Kagome's eyes widened slightly, “Hobbits? I heard of you guys, but only in fairy tales…” she said without thinking, the hobbits all looked at her.

Blushing, Kagome tried to cover up her mistake, “That is to say, erm, where I live hobbits aren't a common thing to see…” she trailed off, knowing she was only digging her grave deeper.

“Right, anyways. Since we told you what we are, what are you? You can't be human; humans don't have that type of power. Neither can you be elf, for not even elves have that type of power.” The wavy brown haired hobbit stated, looking at her with curiosity. Kagome's blush deepened.

“Pippin now's not the time for questions. Can't you see she's wounded?!” the curly blond haired hobbit yelled, glaring daggers at his friend Pippin.

“What, it's only fair!” Pippin tried to defend himself, but failed miserably. Kagome took pity on the poor hobbit, and tried to back him up, “He is correct though, since you told me all what you are, it is only fair that I tell you what I am. Besides, these wounds aren't that bad!” Kagome said, putting on a cheerful smile that only worked to freak the hobbits out.

“Hello, my name is Kagome Higurashi! My race is human, but I have a special gift. That's my little secret though!” Kagome stated beaming the whole time, the hobbits anime sweat dropped.

“Kagome, are you a Fournier? You have an accent we haven't heard before.” Frodo asked, looking at her with mild curiosity. Kagome looked at him and nodded, “Yes I am, I'm from a place called Japan. Where are we anyways? I'm afraid I'm a little lost!”

Sam looked a little suspicious of that statement, but spoke up anyways, “Well Kagome, we are in a place called Middle Earth. My name's Sam, the stupid one is Pippin, the one next to him is Merry, and the one who ran into you is Frodo.” Sam said, pointing to each one as he named them. Kagome gave them a warming smile and waved, “Hello!”

“Now that we're all acquainted and stuff, I think we should take care of those wounds.” Sam said with seriousness, Kagome rolled her eyes but aloud them to use their small amount of supply to fix her up, well, do a sloppy job and have her correct it. It still wasn't that great though…

But she was thankful that her wounds were now at least covered a bit. This way they wouldn't get infected. Kagome wondered how much longer she could keep the brave act up around these hobbits though, her wounds really did hurt and her fatigue was starting to engulf her.

“So this is, Middle Earth? I never heard of it before…” Kagome said, staring around the scenery before her. Perhaps she was in another time dimension where the world was only called Middle Earth? At least she knew she was still ON Earth…At least this worked to keep her mind off her current situation.

“Well we never heard of a place called Japan.” Pippin shot back, thinking Kagome was being offensive. Kagome laughed and patted him on the back, “I didn't think you would!” The rest of the boat trip went pleasant with only Pippin falling into the water once.

/ ---- /

“You guys enjoying yourselves?” Kagome asked as she watched Merry and Pippin down their fourth bottle of god knows what. They were now in a noisy pub; waiting for some person Kagome had no information of.

The only thing that was bothering her and it seemed Frodo and Sam as well, was this strange-cloaked man sitting in a corner smoking a pipe. He just kept staring at them; it was unnerving. Kagome couldn't tell if he was just curious, or wanting to jump at them and kill them.

“Y-yup!” Merry slurred a bit, having a little bit too much of whatever he was drinking. Kagome rolled her eyes and watched as Frodo went over to the bar to grab himself a drink. Something seemed wrong as she continued to watch the situation before her; it was almost like something was about to happen…

“Ah!” Frodo cried out when someone bumped into his small form, knocking him over and allowing a small object to fly into the air. Upon closer inspection, Kagome realized it was a ring, a small golden ring with a very evil aura. The same ring he tried to wear before…

Time seemed to slow down as Frodo helplessly reached for the flying ring while he plummeted towards the ground, the many oblivious people surrounding him. He hit the ground hard and jerked up a bit, but that was nothing to what happened next. The ring landed on his finger, and he disappeared. Now that got everyone's attention.

“Frodo!” Kagome yelled, racing to the spot he once was with difficulty. She could sense it, the drowning evil engulfing the room, calling something, or someone. It was blinding, smothering, so intoxicating that the room before her actually started to spin. Never had her spiritual powers been so smothered around evil, it was overwhelming.

“Frodo…” Kagome muttered weakly, blindly moving about the room as colors swarmed around her. Finally the consuming evil left the room, just as Frodo reappeared. Kagome leaned on a chair for support as she tried to catch her breath. `What was that?'

Quickly her senses returned to her, and Kagome headed towards Frodo, only to find him grabbed by the cloaked person and taken upstairs. Eye's narrowing into mere slits; she pulled out her sword and followed them quickly, silently, like a predator seeking its prey.

They entered a room, and Kagome noted how the light inside of it suddenly went out. She could here voices, one was Frodo's, and the other was deeper, male, an unknown male.

Still glaring dangerously at the door, she silently crept towards it like a crouching cat. Quietly she put her ear onto the door to listen to the conversation going on inside. The voices stopped speaking, and Kagome stiffened. Could they know she was there?

Grip tightening on the hilt of her sword, she prepared to attack. Tension and anxiety coursed through her veins as she prepared to charge through the door. She was just happy whatever the hooded figure was, it wasn't demon, otherwise they would have been able to sense her by now with her spirit power swirling about her body. Kagome only prayed that her wounds would not get the best of her.

`Now.' She voiced inside her head, and without further hesitation, she kicked down the door, sword raised in perfect stance. She met the shocked eyes of the now uncloaked figure, as well as the shocked eyes of Frodo the hobbit.

“Surrender.” Was all she said, never letting her guard down. The man with shoulder length black hair smiled a bit, his blue eyes lighting up. (I think there blue; please correct me if I'm wrong!)

“I believe miss…” he trailed off, waiting for her to give her name, Kagome's eyes narrowed, she wasn't that stupid. “Miss it is then…you are in no current position to tell me to surrender, considering your current state, I could easily defeat you.” he stated, still smiling slightly. Kagome wasn't amused.

“Do not be so quick to judge me.” She said, glaring at him harder, it wasn't until Frodo's small quivering voice broke the silence did any sound enter the room. “Kagome, he means us no harm. He wishes to protect us.” He stated quietly, shifting uncomfortably with the heavy tension in the air.

Before another word could be spoken, the rest of the hobbits, which included Merry, Pippin, and Sam, barged into the room with swords raised. It would have been a brave attempt, but it didn't take a genius to know that they were lacking the skill to wield such weapons.

“I admit, your bravery is astonishing, but bravery will not save you from the creatures of the night.” The still unidentified man spoke, looking at them all. Shaking his head he continued, “My name is Strider; I will accompany all of you to Rivendell. I'm afraid we can no longer wait for Gandalf.” He stated, and everyone nodded. “It is not safe to stay here, we must leave.” Once again, everyone nodded.

/ --- /

Nine cloaked figures entered a room; everyone was sleeping peacefully. Slowly and skillfully, they crept towards the ends of the beds, their swords raised ready to plunge. They were like black ghosts, floating, looming, just above the wooden floor, empty and heartless. Simultaneously, they plunged their swords into the beds, striking anything that was there. To their great fury, they only found pillows as they screamed out in rage.

“What are they?” Kagome asked Strider, staring at them through the safety of a different hotel window. Strider sat on the windowsill, looking unblinkingly at the creatures that had tried to kill them in the other pub.

“They were once men like you and me. They all were each given a ring of power, and each of them fell under the control and became Saruman's slave. They are not living nor are they dead, they are the Shadow Riders.” He said, still looking at them through the window. Kagome nodded, though she didn't quite understand about `Saruman' or the `rings'.

“You should get some rest; those wounds of yours are great.” Strider spoke out all of a sudden, startling Kagome a bit. She looked over to him, “They are nothing.” She said after a while, though she knew she was lying. He was right; they were starting to weigh down on her.

He chuckled slightly, “Get to bed.” This time, Kagome listened.

/ --- /

Kagome awoke with the sun like normal. Thanks to spending so much time with Inu-Yasha she was used to early mornings, she couldn't even sleep in if she wanted to! Inu-Yasha would always get them up, wanting either his precious ramen or to get an early start on jewel hunting.

Kagome sighed, she wondered if they were all dead, the thought made her heart clench painfully. Unconsciously she took out the bottle of Shikon shards still in her possession, looking to its warming aura for comfort. Of course they were all dead, why would Naraku spare them? Now all she had to do was accept that fact and try to move on with her life, wherever she was…it was going to be very difficult…

A voice in the silent room startled her out of her thoughts, “Do you always wake up with the sun?” Kagome looked over in the direction the voice came from, and wasn't surprised to see Strider staring at her. “Yes.” she answered.

“So the night went well.” Kagome stated, still looking at him. Strider arched an eyebrow at her, “You sound so sure, how can you be certain?” he asked, mildly curious of her answer. Kagome smirked, “That's my little secret!” she said in a playful way, causing him to smirk as well.

“Should we wake up the hobbits?” Kagome asked, staring at the snoring lumps around the room. Strider nodded, his face taking a serious look, “Yes, it is best we do not linger.” With that, Kagome got out of bed, still dressed in her battered up fighting outfit, to wake up the hobbits.

/ --- /

“Can we take a break, please Strider?” Pippin wined, looking hopeful at the man a head of the group. All of the hobbits looked towards him as well, waiting for his answer with baited but hopeful breath. Strider looked back and shook his head `no' while all the hobbits faces fell. Kagome only laughed at their tiered looks, she gathered they were not used to traveling much.

Frodo walked a bit faster to match Kagome's pace, he wanted to ask her something. “Kagome?” he began unsure of how he was going to put this without sounding rude. When a “hm?” answered him he continued, “Would I be to bold as to ask where you received such wounds?” he questioned timidly, looking straight ahead and avoiding eye contact.

Kagome stopped dead in her tracks, memories flowing back to her. She had been trying not to think of them, for every time she did she felt as if she would burst into tears. They had to be dead, why would Naraku not destroy them at the state they were in? Her heart wouldn't believe it but her mind already reasoned it. It just wouldn't be logical if they weren't.

Sure she had seen many people and creatures die horrible deaths, but it was her friends, her second family. It was so much harder to accept that she most likely would never see them again. This thought always made her want to die and join them.

The other's all stopped and looked to her when they noticed she was no longer walking with them. “Kagome?” Frodo asked timidly, looking nervously back at her. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to question her.

Kagome snapped out of her horrid thoughts and looked around at everyone whose soul focus was her. Blushing she spoke quickly, “Just a small battle!” before rushing a head of the group, letting her heart lead her the way she felt they were going.

Everyone looked at each other, then back at Kagome. Shrugging, they all continued, not sure what she just said or what really happened to her.

/ --- /

Kagome sat on a rocky ledge as she gazed up into the sky. Her companions she knew so little about, and yet, came to trust, lay sleeping peacefully behind her. They were all on a steep rocky cliff that had a breath-taking site of the whole land. Yet it was not the land Kagome was admiring.

“The sky here is so much like the feudal era's…” Kagome spoke her thoughts silently to the wind as she gazed upon the starry sky. Memories attacked her brain, but this time she really didn't mind them.

They were happy memories, memories of funny times, memories of playful times, and memories of unforgettable times. It's memories like these that she will always cherish inside her soul. She refused to forget her second family, just like she refused to believe they were really dead, despite the logic her brain was making.

It was her heart that told her differently then what the brain was saying. Or maybe she still hadn't crossed the path of acceptance, and this was just another stage in it? No, long ago she used to listen to what her mind used to tell her. She learned well enough that the heart never lies. It's the truest thing she has ever come to rely on, for it has never leaded her or made her believe anything but the truth.

Smiling, Kagome finally aloud her eyes to close while sleep washed over her form in waves. In mere moments, she would be joining her companions in slumber land of peaceful bliss, unless her dreams became nightmares.

/ --- /

`Something's not right.' Her mind awoke her with a jolt as she lay on the rocky ground, her body stiffening. `I can feel them again, the horrid evil only those creatures of darkness can have.' Slowly, Kagome moved her hand to where her blade lay innocently in its sheath. `Wait, I smell fire…and…food?' Kagome's eyes snapped open and she wasn't surprised to see the light of a flickering flame dance across the wall.

Looking behind her, she noted that the hobbits had started a fire and were proceeding to cook some unknown food on it. `Wait, a fire in the middle of night when creatures are seeking are lives? Idiots!'

However, before she could even say anything to the hobbits or put out the flame, Strider was already putting out the fire and scolding the hobbits. “Fools!” he whispered, “Do you have no brain? I told you not to start a fire!” he continued, glaring at them.

“It is to late, the creatures of darkness has already found us.” Kagome stated, looking to him with seriousness. Strider's eyes widened slightly and he came towards the peek of the mountain and looked across the land. Sure enough nine-cloaked figures were making their way towards the camp.

“We must run, protect Frodo and the ring!” Strider stated pulling out his sword. The hobbits all nodded and ran, but Kagome stayed put, also drawing her sword. Strider looked over to her, “Please, go with the hobbits, protect Frodo and the ring!” he stated with urgency. Grudgingly, Kagome obeyed his orders and left. `You better make it alive or I will kill you!' she screamed in her mind.

/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- /

*Bows head for forgiveness* Please please forgive me! I accidentally posted the WRONG chapter for this fic! *Smiles sheepishly* this is the real first chapter! Please forgive me and ignore the story called, “Divided Among Souls”. For the link to the chapter I put the wrong one! Anyways, this is the last chapter that I have completed, but the second official chapter is a work in progress so no worries! Well, Ja ne everyone and review if you want! Thanks to all who already did, bye!