InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love, Interrupted ❯ Chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Sesshoumaru examined the bodies of his companions. Each had an arrow sticking out of them. He started to remove Tenseiga from his sheath, when he remembered his mother informing him that once someone is revive by the Tenseiga they cannot be revived again. He resheathed the sword. He started to stand up when he paused, sniffing the air,
'They're not dead. Their scent is not one of death and their breathing is shallow, but it is there.'
Sesshoumaru lifted the three bodies onto Ah-Un and then took the reins. He knew he needed to discover what was wrong with his followers. And he was pretty sure where he needed to go.
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Sango was feeling well enough to be able to sit up and eat. Miroku sat beside her.
"Sango, my dearest, Inuyasha, Kagome and I will journey tomorrow to Naraku's final resting place. I need to see if he is the cause behind what happened to you ... and the cause of my Kazaana returning."
"Miroku, no. I don't want to be left behind. I want to be with you. Please, I will journey with you too."
"Sango, you are still too weak. It is best if you stay behind with Kaede. She can continue to tend to your health."
"I won't hear of it, Miroku. I am a demon slayer. You need me. Plus, I don't want to be separated from you. I love you. Please don't leave me."
Miroku looked at Sango and smiled, "Ok, Sango. You will need your rest then. We will be leaving at first light."
Sango smiled, glad that Miroku saw things her way. Miroku leaned in and kissed her gently and she responded in kind,
"I love you, Sango." he whispered.
Sango resumed her prone position on the futon and Miroku covered her up. He sat beside her and watched over her as she fell asleep.
The morning sun streamed in through the window. Sango blinked as the sun hit her eyes. Suddenly, she bolted upright. Something was wrong! She quickly stood up, a little wobbly at first, and walked out of the empty hut. She saw Kaede tending her garden and Mushin chatting with a villager. Her friends were no where in sight.
"Kaede?" Sango asked, fear in her voice.
"They felt it better, child, for you to stay here. They left very early this morning." Kaede responded.
Sango began to cry, "No ... why Miroku?"
Mushin approached, "Lady Sango, Miroku was only looking out for you."
Sango hung her head as tears fell down her cheeks. Walking over to the fence, she faced the direction she knew they had taken,
"Miroku. Come back to me. Be careful, my friends." she whispered.
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Miroku and Shippou flew on Kirara as Inuyasha ran with Kagome on his back. They weren't far from the remains now. Soon, they would know if Naraku had been revived. Inuyasha stopped short, surprising Kagome. Kirara had to turn around to meet back up with him, as she hadn't realized he had stopped,
"What is it Inuyasha?" asked Miroku.
"DAMN!" was all Inuyasha responded.
"Huh?" said Shippou.
The sounds of barks and yips filled the air. Out of the forest, a familiar figure appeared,
"Yo! Kagome!"
"Kouga?!" she exclaimed.
"Damn you, flea bitten wolf. Outta my way!" demanded Inuyasha.
"HMPH! Well, puppy. It's time you came to your senses and brought Kagome to me. Have you finally realized I'm the only one who can protect her?" said the wolf.
Inuyasha lowered Kagome to the ground and took a protective stance in front of her,
"Give it up! You've lost! She's mine!" Inuyasha declared.
"HMPH!" Kouga responded, pushing his way past Inuyasha and clasping Kagome's hands. Ignoring the growling behind him, Kouga started,
"My dear Kagome, I'm so glad ....... AAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHH! KAGOME .... YOU ... YOU REEK OF DOG!"
Inuyasha pushed Kouga aside and responded,
"Uhh, yea ... I said you lost and I won and I meant it. I've claimed her as mine."
Kouga stared disgusted at Kagome,
"You ... let him touch you?"
"Kouga ..." Kagome started, but Kouga cut her off.
"You chose him over me, eh? What can he give you? You could have ruled a pack as a princess ... why Kagome?" he asked sadly.
"Because I didn't love you, Kouga. I never did and I never would. You were simply a friend." she replied gently.
Kouga hung his head and began to walk away, defeated. Then he turned and faced Inuyasha,
"Puppy. I will keep an eye on Kagome from afar. Should you ever bring any harm to her ... You will answer to me. Got that?" Kouga stated emphatically.
Inuyasha merely glared at his rival, growling a low, menacing growl. Kouga turned to leave,
"Wait, Kouga." called Miroku.
"Yea, what is it?" he replied.
"Have you heard anything about Naraku being revived?" asked Miroku.
"Naraku? No, I haven't heard anything like that. Why?" asked the wolf.
"My kazaana has returned. I thought maybe ... someone decided to revive him." Miroku responded.
"Well, if you find out he has, let me know. I'll gladly kill him again." Kouga said, then disappeared into the woods, followed by his pack.
The friends looked at each other. Inuyasha looked straight at Miroku, realizing for the first time that he had just declared Kagome as his mate in front of his friends. He knew he would be getting some questions from the lecherous monk, eventually. Miroku's knowing smile to his friend confirmed Inuyasha's thoughts.
The friends continued on their journey. By mid-afternoon, they arrived at the location where they had buried Naraku's remains and Miroku had sealed them up while praying for his repose. The two men began digging up the remains. After a few mounds of dirt were removed, they examined it,
"Well, it's still here." said Inuyasha.
"Yea. But, it's been disturbed. Some of the carcass is missing." responded Miroku.
"What do you think?" asked Inuyasha.
"I think we are facing a different enemy, Inuyasha. Someone who knows some of our weaknesses. They obviously used black magic to revive my kazaana."
"HMPH! I've been itching to fight! Bring'em on!" Inuyasha declared.
"Well, we need for them to reveal themselves to us. Right now, they are hiding in the shadows. Fighting like cowards. Until we know our enemy, we are at a standstill."
Inuyasha's elated face, fell. Miroku was right, until the enemy allowed themselves to be seen, they were unable to fight. He watched as Miroku pulled out a couple of spirit sutras,
"I will seal up his carcass again. Just to make sure." said Miroku.
They two covered up the remains and headed to the clearing where Kagome, Kirara and Shippou awaited their return,
"Well?" asked Kagome.
"His carcass is there. But a portion has been removed. Naraku has not been revived but someone has used his body to attack me and return the kazaana." explained Miroku.
"Any idea who did it?" asked Shippou.
"No idea." replied Miroku.
The friends just stood and stared at the ground. Kagome broke the silence,
"Let's have some lunch before we head back to Kaede's."