InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lost and Found ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9

 

 

 

Climbing out of the well, Inuyasha put his hand on her arm slowing her. “I know you're in a hurry to see Kurama, but can you show us where you found him?”

 

“Over here.” Ryu, her hand still in Kagome's began walking towards a large tree.

 

Inuyasha groaned, “You've got to be kidding.”

 

Ryu cocked her head, “No, he was found under this tree. There seemed to be a pinkish pulsing light that faded quickly and a sweet, smoky smell.”

 

Kagome whispered, “Go-shinboku.”

 

Inuyasha drew Kagome close. Seeing Ryu's confusion, he explained, “This tree is the site of the worst and best things that have happened in my life.”

 

Taking up the explanation, Kagome continued. “This is the tree that he was pinned to for fifty years.”

 

Inuyasha waited. When it dawned on him that she wasn't going say anything else, he grew concerned. He lifted her face to his whispering, “And this is where I first saw my beautiful mate.”

 

“Now this is the place where Kurama was attacked.” Kagome briefly put her head against Inuyasha's shoulder. “But why? It's not making much sense.”

 

Ryu interrupted, practically begging, “Can we please get to the hut? I really need to see Kurama.”

 

“Sure thing.” Kagome started walking towards the village with her. Glancing over her shoulder she asked, “Inuyasha, are you coming?”

 

Catching up to the girls he kept glancing furtively at Kagome. Something was definitely wrong. He growled under his breath, he would have to wait to find out, but he would find out.

 

Arriving at Kaede's hut, Shippo jumped into Ryu's arms. Snuggling in he whispered, “Uncle Kurama is still asleep.” The small kit screwed up his face in an effort not to cry. “I don't know what to do to help.”

 

“Do you remember your last lesson?” At his nod, she continued, “Nothing would make Uncle prouder than knowing you've been practicing. ` Watching Shippo scamper off, she felt Kaede slip an arm around her waist. “Come in child, sit with him.”

 

Sitting inside Kaede's small hut, Ryu let the conversation flow around her. She let her gaze roam over Kurama. She desperately wanted to touch him, but was afraid to wake him. She had been so afraid for him. Giving in to temptation, she gently brushed his bangs away from his eyes. Watching him, she thought about her conversation with Genkai.

 

“You need to take him back. Each one of you has strengths that will be needed. In this circle you have an old priestess and a monk, both with great spiritual powers. Using the strengths you all possess, that is the key to helping your mate. How had she known?” Ryu wouldn't admit it out loud, but Genkai was the only person she'd ever been a little afraid of.

 

Feeling claustrophobic, she stood. “I need to get some air.” Ignoring the looks she was getting she walked out of the hut.

 

Sitting outside, she looked to the stars. Someone settled near her. Glancing over she saw it was Kagome. “Hey.”

 

“Hey yourself. How are you holding up?”

 

“As best I can.” Ryu looked closely at her friend. “Want to tell me about it?” Kagome looked confused. “What happened between you and Inuyasha back at that tree?”

 

Now Kagome looked uncomfortable. “Nothing happened.”

 

“Bull. Why did you tense up?” Seeing Kagome shake her head, Ryu continued. “This is me you're talking to. You got tense, Inuyasha got confused. I may be worried about Kurama, but I'm not blind.”

 

Kagome hung her head, unaware that her mate was not very far behind them. “It's silly now, but to me that's not really the place we met, I mean it is but….” Taking a deep breath she started over. “When I freed Inuyasha from the tree, he didn't see me. He thought I was Kikyo. When he discovered I wasn't, he came after me.”

 

“Kagome, are you still unsure of Inuyasha where Kikyo is concerned?

 

“I know I shouldn't be, but I still wonder what's going to happen the first time he sees her again.”

 

Behind the women, the half demon sat with his head in his hands. “Damn,” he thought. “I'd forgotten about thinking she was Kikyo.” Standing he said, “Kagome, may I speak to you?”

 

Ryu stood, putting her hand on Kagome's shoulder, saying “I have to get back in to Kurama.” With that she left them alone.

 

Sitting beside Kagome, Inuyasha pulled her onto his lap. Stroking her hair, he spoke softly in her ear, “I overheard. I forgot about thinking you were Kikyo. That seems so long ago. I'm sorry if that memory causes you pain.”

 

Kagome snuggled into his shoulder. “Only a little. And it IS where we first met. But my favorite memory is when you used my name for the first time.”

 

Smiling slightly, he pulled her closer. “I understand why you're still unsure of me, but I swear I love you, only you.” Stroking her hair, He said regretfully, “We need to get back.”

 

They entered the hut just as Ryu was telling them her story. “Genkai is an incredibly powerful woman. She's as tuned in to the demon world, as she is the human. She often knows things she shouldn't.” Shaking her head, she looked at Miroku and grinned. “She knows about you Monk.” Watching his eye's widen, she nodded. “That's what she told me. Bring him back here. That we all are the keys to help him.”

 

Kaede stood saying decisively, “We can do nothing until Kurama awakes. I suggest we all get some sleep. We will need to be in top form to tackle this problem.”

 

Grumbling amongst themselves, they each found a piece of the floor to call their own.

 

*************************

 

Kurama woke slowly, using his senses to explore the world before opening his eyes. He felt better than he had in awhile. The first thing his senses told him was that Ryu was lying beside him. Opening his eye's he looked over meeting her silver eyes.

 

Stroking his cheek, she asked gently, “How are you feeling fox?”

 

Smiling softly, he stretched, groaning as his muscles protested. “Better honey. What's going on?”

 

“We're going to help you.”

 

“Ah, I see you're finally awake.” Sitting up gingerly, his eyes focused on Kaede. Looking around he noticed he was the center of attention. He looked from Inuyasha and Kagome to Sango and Miroku.

 

Miroku spoke up. “Kurama we'll need to go over everything. Everything you remember, everything you feel. That's the only way to combat what's going on. Do you feel up to talking about it?”

 

Kurama quietly retold the story he had related to Inuyasha. As he finished. Miroku's eyes narrowed in speculation. Turning to Ryu and Shippo, he commanded, “Now you two tell me everything.”

 

 

Starting with the realization that Kurama was missing and finishing with finding him under the tree, they told the monk all they knew. Ryu mused, as afterthought, “The smell was familiar, but I can't place it.”

 

Kagome asked the one question that had been bothering her most. “Why Kurama? We've all walked around here unescorted. None of us has ever been attacked like that. We've dealt with demons either coming after us because Naraku sent them, or just coming after the shards. But not one of us has had to deal with this kind thing.”

 

Everyone looked at each other, perplexed. There was no answer forthcoming, but it did give them something to think about. The small group wandered outside leaving Miroku and Kaede in deep conversation.

 

Settling themselves on the grass, Sango noticed that everyone stayed pretty close together. The attack on Kurama had unsettled them all. She smiled softly as she watched Shippo walk, not scamper, to Kurama's side.

 

“Uncle, I've been practicing.”

 

Ruffling the young kit's hair, he said, “Have you shown your mama and papa what you can do?

 

Overhearing, Inuyasha said, “Let's see what you've got, runt.”

 

Grinning big, Shippo raised his arms toward Kagome and Inuyasha, vines seemingly sprouting from nowhere. They twined themselves around the couple until they were tied hopelessly together.

 

Kurama laughed at the expressions on their faces. Inuyasha was torn between pride in the kit's accomplishment and embarrassment.

 

Kagome was, predictably, thrilled at what her foster son had done. “Very good Shippo.”

 

Ryu grinned at the pride on the young foxes' face. She watched as he retracted the vines saying, “Remember you only use this against your enemies, Shippo. Not your family.” She felt Kurama run his hand slowly up her thigh as he whispered, “I seem to remember that you particularly enjoyed having them used against you.” Meeting his eyes, she noticed the humor and the desire that swirled in them. Blushing to the roots of her hair, she felt an ache settle in her lower abdomen as the memory his words evoked swam before her eyes. Her blush deepened when she heard Kurama moan quietly. She knew he had smelled her arousal.

 

Sango stood gracefully, unknowingly saving Ryu more embarrassment as she drew everyone's attention to her. She noticed that everyone was more relaxed since Shippo had performed his fox magic. “I'm going in to see if Miroku and Kaede have come up with anything.”

 

Sango's absence was barely noticed as Inuyasha pulled Kagome into his lap. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he nearly purred as he felt her lips place gentle kisses on along his jaw line. He felt her sigh as she said, “Kurama seems so much better today.”

 

Inuyasha nodded. “I think it's because he finally got some rest. He still is not the same, but he's more in control.”

 

“Do think the Kurama really dreamed of killing Ryu?” Kagome's eyes filled with tears. “He is always so gentle with her. I mean look at them.”

 

Inuyasha glanced at the two of them, noticing how tightly Kurama held her, his fingers gently threading through her hair. “I don't know, Kagome. He said he dreamed of her being HIS victim, but what if she was just A victim. A victim of someone else.”

 

Ryu, at that moment, was nearly purring herself. Kurama held her tightly, running his fingers in her hair, stroking her lip with his thumb. Enjoying the time with her mate she was startled when she heard him whisper “I'm sorry.” Pulling away from him slightly, she looked into his beautiful eyes, now clouded by guilt. “Gods,” she thought. “How am I going to help him? How are we going to fix this?”

 

Kurama tried to tighten his hold on Ryu as he felt her try and pull away. Meeting her eyes, he saw nothing but love, acceptance, and worry. He dropped his gaze when she gently asked, “Sorry for what?”

 

“For all of it. For what I've become, for Hiei.” His voice stilled as he she placed a gentle finger against his lips.

 

“Kurama, my love, my mate. No one blames you. You have not become anything. Whatever is happening inside you was forced on you, never doubt that.” She shifted position beside him, guiding his head onto her lap. Gently stroking his hair, she was rewarded when he let out a soft sigh, relaxed and closed his eyes. Looking up she met Inuyasha's eyes, smiling softly. “As for Hiei, don't worry fox, he understood.”

 

Kagome burrowed further into Inuyasha, hearing and understanding the low growl that emanated from her mate. Reaching up to gently rub his ear, she quietly reminded him, “She needs us to be strong for her, we all need to come together to help Kurama.”

 

Inuyasha nuzzle Kagome's ear, inhaling her sweet scent. “I know, it's just the worry in Ryu's eyes.” He pulled back, cupping her face in his hands. “Kagome, is this what I put you through when I transform?”

 

“You don't `put me' through anything. Yes I worry, but that's because I love you.” She reached up to gently remove his hands from her cheeks. Holding them, she placed open mouthed kisses on his palms.

 

All conversation stopped as Miroku, Sango, and Kaede emerged from the hut. Warily Kurama sat up wondering what they had come up with. Pulling Ryu to him he waited as they settled themselves onto the grass.

 

Miroku pulled Sango to him and started to speak, “Ryu, when this Genkai told you we would all have to use our strengths, I wonder if she meant your grandparents also?” Watching her eyes widen he continued, “Being fox demons they may know something we don't.”

 

 

 

Sango chimed in with, “There are herbs that when mixed together and burned can cause a demon to become complacent, easy to handle. But when mixed wrong, in the wrong amounts can cause rage.”

 

Miroku let that sink in before saying, “Here's something else to think about. Kagome's right. Why Kurama? He hasn't had time to make enemies; he hasn't been around here long enough.”

 

“So you think it's because he's part of the pack?” Kagome wanted to know.

 

“That could be. But again who would know. We haven't traveled far since our ceremony, and have fought only a handful of demons. We haven't seen Kagura; we haven't heard any rumors of Naraku.”

 

Sango continued the explanation with a question. “Kurama, do you still feel Youko? I mean is he still apart of you?”

 

Kurama nodded slowly, “Yes he's still here, I just can't get him to answer me.”

 

Kaede looked thoughtful as she said, “We think he is staying quiet until you've calmed. It may be his way of protecting you both.”

 

“That actually makes sense.” Ryu turned to Kurama as she spoke. “Think about how different things would have gone if Youko would have come out when you were angry. The outcome could have been very different.”

 

Inuyasha was just about shaking with frustration. Finally he couldn't take it anymore. “Hey Monk! I hear a lot of words, but no one is actually saying anything! What in the hell is going on with Kurama and can we fix it!?”

 

Being very used to Inuyasha's outbursts Miroku calmly replied, “You're missing the point. Not only WHY but HOW. How did anyone get to Kurama? Having battled many demons, he is a formidable opponent.”

 

Noticing the dawning looks of comprehension on the faces of those around him, the monk continued, “What we think happened is this, Kurama is attacked on his walk, he fights. The smoke that Sango mentioned is used as a sort of miasma against him, trying to turn him into a creature consumed by bloodlust.”

 

Nodding slowly as Kagome's eyes widened, he looked directly at Inuyasha. “Don't Kurama's nightmares sound familiar to you? We don't think that Kurama was the intended target of the attack. Inuyasha, we think you were.”

 

 

 

 

 

A/N : I also post on AFF