InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love, Interrupted ❯ Chapter 42 ( Chapter 42 )

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

The giant nekomata flew high in the air as the young fox demon and toad-like imp sat on her back searching for clues for their companions,
"Jaken, I can't believe what I'm seeing." said Shippou.
"The entire countryside is destroyed." muttered Jaken, "What happened here? Lord Sesshoumaru wouldn't have allowed such a thing to happen to his lands."
"All I see for animals are those weird things that look like wolves ... but they are't like any wolves I've ever seen." said Shippou, trembling.
"Yes. They are strange indeed. Their voices sound like they are laughing." agreed Jaken.
"I think we better head back, Jaken. At least there was some green around us. Maybe there's food there." said Shippou.
"I agree. Let's go, Kirara." said Jaken.
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Sesshoumaru walked slowly and then stopped. It was gone. The feeling he had vanished as quickly as it came. His heart held no doubt,
"Jaken."
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Kagome prepared as much of the antidote as she could carry. Storing it in a large gourd, she tied it to her waist with a sash. She packed up whatever she felt they would need on the journey and prepared to head out. As she approached Inuyasha, she adjusted the sling on her chest. Inuyasha handed her Yasuo and then Kurayami to secure in the sling. Hachi had agreed to carry the toddlers, leaving Inuyasha free to battle.
"Is that really a smart thing to do?" said a voice.
It was Akihito, the village elder and a good friend of the family. Word had traveled fast that salvation would soon be at hand and the villagers had come together to assist the young travelers.
'Why, old man?" asked Inuyasha.
"A woman and babies in battle ... that's a dangerous situation."
"I fight beside Kagome. The pups will be fine." Inuyasha tried to reassure the old man, while thinking to himself, 'You had better be right, old Totousai, this chain had better protect them or you'll be the next to die!'
Inuyasha, Kagome, Hachi and Myouga headed out from the village. Inuyasha unsheathed Tessaiga and held it in front of him as he walked,
"I can see it, Kagome." he said, "I see the air wavering. It's the illusion."
"Can you slice through the illusion? The way you can slice through a barrier?" she asked.
"I don't know. I'll give it a try." he set up for his attack, "WIND SCAR!" he cried out, as the five fire slits raced out from the sword to .... nothing.
"The wind scar won't work." Kagome said, glumly.
"At least not while the blade's purple. Lemme try the Red Tessaiga." he said.
Inuyasha held the blade aloft, its blade turning a crimson red, he screamed out his battle cry, "WIND SCAR!"
Again, nothing.
"Dammit! When the blade turned red I lost the illusion. I was sending off the wind scar blindly." said Inuyasha.
"So, we need to have the illusion seen to be able to hit it." mused Kagome.
"Are you insisting on destroying the whole country with the wind scar?" came an irritated voice.
"Sesshoumaru!" said Inuyasha.
"Sesshoumaru, we broke through the Amythyst Sphere and the Tessaiga absorbed its powers. Inuyasha can see the illusions." said Kagome, excitedly.
"I see." mused Sesshoumaru, "But, this whole region is nothing but a myriad of illusions. Are you going to attack each illusion until you find Ryouya? Or your friends?"
"Whaddya mean?" said Inuyasha, a bit angrily.
"Follow me." said Sesshoumaru.
"WHAT?" demanded Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha, just do it!" Kagome told him, "Maybe he knows something and is leading us to it."
"HMPH!" was his only response.
"Hurry up, little brother. I tire of waiting." said Sesshoumaru.
"Oh, alright." Inuyasha grumbled, as they followed the daiyoukai deeper into the western lands.
The group trudged on for what seemed like forever to Inuyasha. Finally, his brother stopped,
"There." was all he said.
Inuyasha followed Sesshoumaru's gaze and held up the Tessaiga. The air wavered in front of him,
"There's definately an illusion here. But, how do we break through it? The wind scar doesn't work." said Inuyasha.
"Anzu used an arrow from her light bow." said Sesshoumaru.
"Hmmm. So it's my turn then, huh?" said Kagome, as she notched an arrow into her bow. She stood beside Inuyasha, "I don't see anything, Inuyasha. Where do I shoot?"
"Stand right in front of me, Kagome." Inuyasha instructed her.
She did as she was told and Inuyasha held Tessaiga over her shoulder, "I see it!" said Kagome, as she fired off her shot.
The arrow glowed brightly as it flew through the air. The air crackled and sizzled and the landscape changed. What was once a beautiful, green meadow turned into a dried up, lifeless expanse.
"By the gods!" muttered Myouga.
"The land is destroyed." Kagome gasped.
"This whole area is an illusion." said Inuyasha, as he looked around.
The area where Kagome's arrow had hit was now nothing but dead terrain, but on each side, the areas still looked green and lush.
"I don't have enough arrows to destroy all of the illusions." said Kagome, sadly.
"Then we only destroy the illusions we have to." said Inuyasha.
"And how do we know which ones they are?" said an exasperated Kagome, at Inuyasha's very simpleton reply.
"This way."
"Huh?" Kagome and Inuyasha chorused together.
Sesshoumaru had started walking and they fell into step behind them. As soon as they came to the end of an area, Inuyasha would have to find the start of the next illusion. It soon became evident that the illusions were set up in a certain manner, like a maze. Sesshoumaru's nose quickly started figuring out the necessary directions as Inuyasha held Tessaiga in front of him to see the illusions and Kagome fired her scared arrows to open up the next path.
Finally, Sesshoumaru stopped. Tessaiga revealed the illusion to Inuyasha as Kagome readied her bow. Firing the shot, Inuyasha was surprised when the air crackled and fizzled but the illusion did not change,
"WHAT?" he said, shocked.
Sesshoumaru reached out his hand towards the illusion. A huge bolt of lightning attacked his hand as he pulled his hand back, smoke rising from the palm,
"It seems I can go no farther." he said.
Inuyasha stared at him and then at the illusion, "What do we do now?"
"This illusion is poisoned with a poison that even I, Sesshoumaru, cannot penetrate."
"Poison?" Inuyasha's eyes opened wide in realization, "Sesshoumaru can't go through it, but ..." he looked at his fire-rat robe, "I can."
"You can? And how is that possible, little brother?"
"I touched the Orb of Sight at Takakiko's mountain. She said that by touching it, my robe of the fire-rat will protect me and I can walk through poisoned illusions. Kagome, let's go."
"Huh?" said Kagome.
"You may be able to penetrate the illusion, Inuyasha, but your mate does not wear your robe."
"No, but I wear this!" he said, lifting up the chain, "Totousai says it will protect Kagome and the pups. But, I think it will be best if the pups stay behind on this one. Hachi, watch them. You too, Myouga."
"Yes, master. Just be careful."
"We will. Come on, Kagome." said Inuyasha.
Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's hand, "Ready?" he said to her.
"Ready." she responded back.
The two ran through the illusion as the air crackled around them. Kagome used her left arm to protect her eyes. The barrier was painful to penetrate and she felt sick to her stomach. She squeezed Inuyasha's hand tighter to keep from losing her grip. Finally, the air loosened up around them and she was able to take a deep breath in.
"We made it!" Kagome said in a relived tone.
What they saw on the other side was exactly what the illusion showed, a lush, green, landscape, except it was extremely small. The difference here was the huge, gaping cave that stood just in front of them. Inuyasha sniffed the air and quietly said,
"Here. They're here."
Kagome looked between the cave and Inuyasha,
"Let's go, Kagome. Our friends are inside."
The two entered the cave. The front of the cave was small and they had to crouch down and crawl slowly. The cave slowly began to widen until it opened into a hugane cavern. As Kagome and Inuyasha stood up, they heard their names called,
"IT'S YOU! INUYASHA! KAGOME!" squealed a tiny voice.
"SHIPPOU! You're alive!" exclaimed Kagome, as the kitsune launched himself into her arms, "I'm surprised!" she said.
"We just woke up a little while ago." said Shippou.
"All of you?" asked Inuyasha. excited.
"No." said Shippou, sadly.
"But, Shippou, you said 'we'." reminded Kagome.
"What's all this ruckus?!" came Jaken's voice, as he came into view with Kirara.
"It's just Jaken, me and Kirara that awoke." said Shippou, "All the others ... they're ... dead." he started sobbing uncontrollably.
"Shhhh Shippou, it's ok. Inuyasha and I are here now. We'll take care of it." said Kagome.
"Inuyasha ...it's you." said Jaken, "Where is Lord Sesshoumaru? Is he not with you?"
"He's on the other side of the illusion, which holds poison. He couldn't pass through it. The poison was too strong, even for him." explained Inuyasha.
"Yet, you, a mere half-breed, were able to pass through?" asked Jaken.
WHAM! BONK! SLAM!
"You deserved that." Shippou informed Jaken, who sported thee huge lumps on his head.
"Where are the others?" asked Inuyasha.
"Down in another portion of the cave. I'll show you." said Shippou.
Shippou led them down a small passageway that led to another cavern. There, laying on the floor, were Sango, Miroku, Kaede, Mushin, Kohaku, and Rin. Kagome went over to them and gasped,
"Inuyasha." she said, softly, sadly, "Shippou's right, they're not breathing. Their skin is cold and clammy."
"It doesn't matter. We have Tenseiga. We need to get them outta here, though." said Inuyasha.
"But, Inuyasha, how are we going to get them out through where we came in?" Kagome asked.
"Where did you come in?" asked Shippou.
Inuyasha took Shippou and Jaken to where he and Kagome had entered,
"Why did you enter there?" asked Shippou, "That way is alot easier."
Inuyasha followed Shippou's point up to a ledge. Jumping up easily, he followed the passageway. It was wide open all the way and led to just about the same spot they had entered. As Inuyasha looked around the outside of the cave, he realized this entrance was slightly hidden from view,
'No wonder I didn't see it.' he thought.
Re-entering the cave, Inuyasha re-joined Kagome. Shippou hopped on Kagome's shoulder,
"Where are the pups, Kagome?" he asked.
"With Hachi and Sesshoumaru." she informed him.
"Huh? Hachi and Sesshoumaru? Is that a wise idea?" inquired Shippou.
She smiled at him, "They'll be fine, Shippou."
"Kagome." said Inuyasha.
"Yes?"
"Head outside with Jaken and Shippou. Kirara and I will get everyone out." said Inuyasha, "Shippou, show her what you showed me."
"Right!" said Shippou, "Follow me, Kagome."
"Ok!" she said, as they headed out.
Inuyasha placed Kaede, Mushin, and Miroku on the enlarged demon cat, as he hefted Sango, Rin and Kohaku onto his back,
"Let's go, Kirara." he ordered the cat.
Emerging from the cave, Inuyasha lay Sango, Kohaku and Rin on the ground,
"Now, people, the question is, is the poison effective both ways." mused Inuyasha.
"Yes, how do we get them through if it is?" agreed Kagome.
"Jaken." said Inuyasha.
"Ahh, yes?" he replied.
"Touch the illusion." said Inuyasha.
"What illusion? I see nothing here." said Jaken.
Inuyasha pulled out the Tessaiga. Jaken and Shippou watched amazed as the blade turned royal purple. Inuyasha walked up to the illusion,
"Jaken, stand in front of me." Inuyasha told him.
Jaken did as he was told, "I see the air waving." he commented.
"Touch it." said Inuyasha.
Jaken reached his hand out and, "AHHHH. AHHH. AHHHHH. THAT HURT!!!!!!!!!!!!" Jaken screamed, as he was thrown through the air.
"That answers that question." mumble Inuyasha.
"You dreaded half-dog! You did that on purpose!" Jaken yelled at Inuyasha.
Inuyasha merely huffed and looked at Kagome, "Any ideas?"
Kagome searched her mind for any suggestions. She felt the gentle resonance against her back, "Huh?" she said. Turning her head, she saw an arrow glowing. Picking it up, she quickly realized it was one of the poisoned arrows. She took her bow and notched the arrow, but the glowing stopped,
"That's not what I'm supposed to do?" she looked at the arrow curiously, as she asked her question.
"Has she gone nuts?" queried Jaken quietly, but not quiet enough,
BONK! SLAM!
Inuyasha and Shippou both delivered blows to his head,
"Never insult her!" ordered both of them.
Kagome looked at the arrow. As she held it in her hand, she felt it pulse, like a heartbeat,
"Inuyasha?" she asked.
"Yea?"
"Show me the illusion." she said.
Inuyasha brought the Tessaiga over to her. Kagome saw her mark. Walking up to it, she touched the illusion with the poisones arrow. To her amazement, a huge hole opened in the illusion,
"LORD SESSHOUMARU!" Jaken screamed, as he ran to his master.
Inuyasha and Kirara exited the illusion with the humans and Shippou. Kagome was the last to exit.
"Sesshoumaru, we're too late. Please, ask Tenseiga to heal them." Kagome pleaded.
Sesshoumaru walked up to the old monk. Feeling Tenseiga's life force, he withdrew the sword from its sheath. Seeing the emissaries of the netherworld, he sliced through them, reviving the old man. Sesshoumaru proceeded down the line to Kaede, Miroku and then Sango. He stopped and resheathed Tenseiga when he came to Rin and Kohaku.
"What the heck are you doing, Sesshoumaru? What about Rin and Kohaku?" asked Inuyasha.
Kagome had run to her friends' sides to assist them when she heard Inuyasha's tirade. She looked at Sesshoumaru,
"I can do nothing for them." said his brother, "Kohaku's life was tied to the sacred jewel shard. Because of that, Tenseiga cannot revive him. When the shard was removed, my mother used the Meidou stone to revive him. Rin was already revived once by Tenseiga. Once someone is revived by Tenseiga, they can not be revived again. When Rin died a second time, my mother also used the Meidou stone to revive her. As with Tenseiga, once the Meidou stone is used, it cannot be used again."
Kagome listened to Sesshoumaru's story as she tended to the newly awakened group. Returning her gaze to Sesshoumaru, she wondered why Tenseiga was glowing. She stood up and went to Sesshoumaru,
"Sesshoumaru, may I see the Tenseiga?"
He looked at her, his eyes unreadable, "Why?"
"Your sword is glowing and I wondered why?"
'Glowing?' he thought, "I see nothing of the sort." he said, as he unsheathed the sword and handed it to the miko.
As Kagome took the sword, a bright light absorbed her and the sword, as a loud resonance was emitted from the sword's very core. Inuyasha stared wide-eyed at his mate, having never observed a spectacle as he was now seeing. Sesshoumaru's eyes also widened at what he was witnessing. Jaken, Shippou, and all eyes from the revived group were on Kagome, the sword and the bright light that surrounded both of them.
To Kagome, it only appeared as if the sword was glowing and resonating, as if telling her what needed to be done. Walking over to Kohaku, she saw the same creatures as before on Inuyasha. She felt an incredible amount of power build up inside her as she swung the sword across Kohaku's body. As if being directed in a play, Kagome felt herself drawn to Rin, where she performed the same actions. Dropping the sword, Kagome fell to her knees, gasping for air, as if she had just been in a long distance race. Inuyasha ran to her, catching her as she fell,
"Kagome!" he cried out.
To Sesshoumaru's shock, Kohaku and Rin began to stir. Sango stood up unsteadily and ran to Kohaku and hugged him. Rin smiled her huge smile, "Lord Sesshoumaru!" she called out.
Shock and happiness gave way to hunger for the revived group, as Jaken explained there was no food around. The decision was made to leave the area and get the group back to a safe location before Ryouya discovered them. As they trudged home, the group was surprised to learn that they had been gone for nearly 10 months. They were also surprised about the two newest pups,
"Won't Ryouya come after us when he finds out you have his child, Inuyasha?" asked Sango.
"He won't find out. The old witch that brought her to us sent word through the land that both the girl and the infant died and that the infant was a boy. He has no reason to look for a girl child." said Kagome.
"Still ..." said Sango.
"So what?" said Inuyasha, "If he does, I'll kill him. That's what I want anyway."
"Do you have any idea where he is, Inuyasha?" asked Miroku.
Inuyasha hung his head, "No. But, we'll find him. I promise you."
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Ryouya hung his head as he sat cross-legged on the floor. Somehow his wife had managed to run away. He had slain the guards on duty that night ... oh yes ...they had suffered greatly for their mistake ... and he had been unable to pick up any scent of her. He had sent for the old demoness, but Anzu came up empty in her search. Then word reached him that Midori's body had been found by him ... Ryouya's only real opponent ... Sesshoumaru. And the word was that she had died in childbirth and the infant son was stillborn.
And now that word was all over the western lands that Sesshoumaru was alive, he knew it was only a matter of time until Anzu betrayed him. He hauled off and put his fist through the wall. Another one close to him would have to die. She would never betray him. His eyes glowed a nasty red as he stood up and grabbed his sword ...
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Anzu paced her room nervously,
'He is alive! My brother lied to me!' she thought to herself, 'I will never forgive him!'
Anzu turned as the door slid open,
"Brother! What brings you here?"
Her eyes widened when she saw the sword and the red, evil glint in his eyes,
"No! Brother! No ... you are not yourself ..." she said, backing away, "Brother, stay away, noooooooooooooo, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh .... help meeeeeee ..."