InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Mind Reader ❯ So that's Where She Went ( Chapter 19 )

I kinda forgot I was posting this story on here as well, so you'll be getting a massive update today. Story is finished. And from here on out everything Kagome is mind reading will be in italics. Please enjoy!

 

Mind Reader

 

Chapter 16: So That's Where She Went

 

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Kagome looked up in surprise when Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, and Kouga walked into the hut. She was sure Kouga would have been gone by now. She was taken even more by surprise when Kouga walked right up to her, brought her to her feet, and enveloped her in a hug. She wasn't surprised when Inuyasha immediately yanked him off of her.

 

“Don't touch her you mangy wolf,” he snarled.

 

“And why can't I comfort her? It's obvious that you're no good with that kind of stuff.” Kouga replied.

 

Kagome held up her hands. “Hold it both of you. First off, why are you still here Kouga?” At Kouga's crestfallen face she quickly spoke again. “I don't mean it like that. It's just normally whenever the fight is over you leave, vowing to return to claim me some other time. Now I wouldn't necessarily call that pathetic display out there a fight, but it appears that whatever it was is over. So I ask again, why have you not run off yet?”

 

“I have come to save you Kagome,” replied Kouga.

 

Kagome looked puzzled at those words. “Save me? From what? Is that why you were proclaiming to comfort me?”

 

Now it was Kouga's turn to look puzzled. “From what? From Akki of course! Inuyasha told me about Akki's death move thing and that he was trying to kill you. So I have come to help you in the fight against Akki and Naraku.”

 

Kagome's eyes grew a little sullen at those words. “Oh yeah that's right. I could die if Akki looks at me again.”

 

Sango immediately rushed over to her friend's side. “Kagome, you are not going to die. There are too many people who love and care about you to allow that to happen. We are going to kill both Naraku and Akki. You will not die,” she said, almost chanting the last four words.

 

Kagome met Sango's eyes and Sango was glad to see the life returning to them. “Thanks Sango.”

 

Sango gave Kagome a quick hug in return before turning around to face the men. Her face was no longer caring but rather stern and gruff. “And you two,” she said, referring to Inuyasha and Kouga, “there will no fighting until after Naraku and Akki are dead. The last thing we need is for one of you to get hurt and then be useless in the fight against Naraku and Akki.”

 

Both Inuyasha and Kouga quickly nodded their heads in agreement. They both realized that to do otherwise would result in the wrath of an angry woman. And surprisingly they both realized that an angry woman is not a good thing to deal with.

 

“So does this mean that Kouga will be travelling with us for now on?” inquired Miroku.

 

“Unfortunately,” grumbled Inuyasha.

 

However, everyone except for Inuyasha was thrilled. Well Sesshoumaru could probably care less. But besides for the two brothers everyone was thrilled. Kouga was a stong fighter everyone realized that they needed as many strong allies as possible to win the fight. And even though Kagome was still angry at Kouga she was also pleased to hear that he would be joining them.

 

“That's good to hear,” said Kagome, earning some growls from Inuyasha, “we will be glad to have you Kouga. I'm sure that deep down even Inuyasha is happy to have you.”

 

Stupid wench. Why must you keep trying to make me sound good?

 

Yes! Kagome's no longer mad at me. She's one step closer to becoming my mate.

 

Kagome took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was getting harder and harder to keep her secret hidden from everyone. And now that Kouga was joining them it was bound to get a lot harder. But she still wasn't willing to give up her secret. She had no clue how her friends, especially Inuyasha, would react if she told them. She especially didn't want Inuyasha to know that Sesshoumaru knew about her mind reading ability. That was one bridge she hoped to never have to cross. So instead to blowing up at Kouga in what would appear to be for reason at all she grinned evilly at him. “And Kouga? Sango is right. If you and Inuyasha cannot at least pretend to get along there will be dire consequences. After all, I'm sure Kaede has another subduing charm hidden somewhere in this hut. Don't you Kaede?” asked Kagome, turning to old lady who was jerked awake from her nap.

 

“Wha…? Subduing charm? OH! Of course! I have many subduing charms!” shouted Kaede, still in the process of waking up.

 

Why must these young kids keep waking me up? Don't they realize that elderly people need a lot of sleep?

 

NO! I cannot allow myself to be sat like Inuyasha. That would be way to embarrassing for a full demon.

 

Kouga nodded dumbly. “I understand Kagome. There will be no fighting between me and Inuyasha while we are working together.”

 

Yes! This is a dream come true. I'll get Kouga so pissed at me he'll just have to lash out. And then Kagome can sit him as well.

 

“Good Kouga, we really don't need any fighting between you two.” Kagome then turned her attention to Inuyasha who nervously took a step back. “And Inuyasha? If you goad Kouga into a fight I swear I will sit you for 3 days straight. Understood?”

 

Damn, when did Kagome get so good at making threats? She's scary when she's like this.

 

Go Kagome! Between me and her these boys will be afrais to just sit down.

 

Kagome sent a surprised look to Miroku and Sango. She had momentarily forgotten agout them in her threatening of Kouga and Inuyasha. She was a little confused that their thoughts had gotten through since she was sure that she was only trying to listen to Inuyasha and Kouga. She shook it off as a momentary lapse in concentration. Her attention was swiftly brought back to Inuyasha when he responded to her.

 

“Can't you just put a charm on Kouga now?” he whined.

 

“Would you like me to start your 3 day sitting now as well?” retorted Kagome.

 

Inuyasha sent her a withering glare which she sent right back. He then deeply sighed, acting as if the words that came out of his mouth were tearing his heard apart. “Fine. I will not fight your precious wolf. But as soon as Naraku and Akki are dead I make no promises.”

 

“Good, thank you for sparing me my precious wolf,” Kagome dryly replied.

 

Ooh! I'm precious to Kagome? She'll be my mate soon!

 

Kagome inwardly groaned. She was bound to have a heart attack sooner or later with the amount of stress her friend's thoughts were putting on her. Kagome was saved from attempting to stop herself from exploding when Sesshoumaru brought back to their attention the problem they were having.

 

“So when are we going to leave to start our hunt of Akki?”

 

This was one question both Inuyasha and Kouga could agree upon fully.

 

“Now.”

 

Sango shook her head at the foolish boys. “And where exactly do you plan on going? And what do you plan on doing if we do happen to find them?”

 

“We can start off by going to where you had seen Naraku and Akki together,” suggested Inuyasha.

 

Wow, for the first time in his life my brother has had a decent idea.

 

Kagome snickered under her breath. She had to agree with Sesshoumaru. What could she say, Inuyasha wasn't known for his outstanding ideas.

 

“And once we find them we fight,” added Kouga bluntly.

 

“Except you have never fought Akki,” brought up Miroku.

 

Kouga looked confused at this remark. “And what is wrong with that?” he asked quizzickly.

 

“Let's just say Akki is not an enemy to take lightly. If he looks you in the eye you'll get a headache.”

 

Kouga scoffed at this `move.' “Is that all? The little squirrelly can give me a headache?”

 

“Will you just shut up and listen?” snapped Inuyasha.

 

“Thanks Inuyasha. Now as I was saying, Akki is not a foe to take lightly. I already mentioned the headaches, but in addition to that any party of your body that touches Akki is torn apart. And he has a shield that seems capably of blocking almost any attack. And a wind attack. Think of Kagura's attack. Now picture it 10x's faster and deadlier. That's Akki's attack. So do you still think Akki will be easy to beat?” asked Miroku brightly.

 

Kouga muttered something that sounded suspiciously like `damn stupid know-it-all monk' under his breath.

 

“Aww what's wrong? Is poor little Kouga scared of a little hell squirrel?” teased Inuyasha. “Maybe if you ask nicely Kagome will let lyou out of being her savior.”

 

Must not attack Inuyasha. Think of subduing charm. Do not want one.

 

Kouga slowly relaxed his clenched fists and was able to refrain from attacking Inuyasha. Inuyasha was sorely disappointed.

 

Dammit. But he must slip up sometime. He'll get a subduing charm yet.

 

Kouga was opening his mouth to make a snide remark to Inuyasha when both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha tensed up. In unison the two brothers slowly turned to the door of the hut. Seeing the brothers act this way scared the rest of the group.

 

“Inuyasha? Sesshoumaru? What's wrong?” asked Kagome worriedly.

 

In answer Sesshoumaru turned back to the group. “Rin, Shippo, and Kaede, stay in here. Everyone else get your weapons. We have a visitor coming,” he commanded in a voice that left no room for objection.

 

As soon as Sesshoumaru said that Inuyasha turned around, a slightly panicked expression in his eyes. “Kagome, you stay in here as well.”

 

Sesshoumaru spun to Inuyasha, his eyes blazing in anger. “You idiot, we need her!”

 

“It's Akki, isn't it?” asked Kagome.

 

“Yeah, now you know why you have to stay in the hut as well,” said Inuyasha.

 

“And as I said, we need her. She was the only one who was able to hit Akki last time you guys fought,” said Sesshoumaru urgently.

 

“I don't care about that!” yelled Inuyasha in rage. “You're not the one who could possibly die in this encounter. Kagome is!”

 

Miroku spoke up in a calm voice. “Inuyasha, anyone could die in this encounter. Akki is a foe beyond any of our powers. He could kill any of us.”

 

A split second later Inuyasha had grabbed Miroku by the front of his robe. “So you're saying that we should let Kagome fight and possibly die?” he growled in a low voice.

 

“No,” said Miroku calmly, “I also think Kagome would be better off in the hut. I do not wish to see one of my dear friends die. I was just saying that anyone could die.”

 

Inuyasha withdrew his hand from Miroku but he was still pissed off.

 

“I appreciate your guy's concern, but Sesshoumaru is right. You need my powers,” said Kagome.

 

Inuyasha faced Kagome, a pained expression on his face. “What if this is the last time that Akki can look at you? What if this time you die?”

 

“I have to take that risk.”

 

“You don't mean that!” shouted Sango.

 

“And what if one of you guys die? What if one of you die while I'm holed up in this hut? Do you think I would be able to live with myself? Just let me fight, I need to.”

 

Kouga walked up to Kagome. “I'll stay by you Kagome.”

 

“What?!” exploded Inuyasha.

 

“I can't do anything else!” shouted Kouga, “I have no weapons and I can't attack Akki head on! I'm pretty much useless in this fight.”

 

For the first time Inuyasha actually understood Kouga. And he actually felt sorry for the wolf. Kouga would be forced to watch everyone else fight, even the humans, while all he could do is sit on the sidelines. He would not be able to directly attack Akki because to do so would do him serious harm. Inuyasha wondered how much of a hit Kouga's pride would take in the upcoming battle. Inuyasha tensely nodded at Kouga. “Alright. But if anything happens to Kagome you are going to die. Agreed?”

 

Kouga narrowed his eyes at Inuyasha. “Do you honestly think I would let anything happen to Kagome while I'm around?”

 

“This is really nice of you guys to be arguing over Kagome, but we have more pressing matters at hand,” interrupted Sesshoumaru. “Mainly that Akki is getting closer to the village. We may want to intercept him before he actually gets in the village.”

 

“Then let's go,” sighed Inuyasha.

 

“Everyone ready?” asked Miroku.

 

When everyone checked in as ready they prepared to leave the hut and confront their deadliest enemy. As they started filing out of the hut a small voice piped up.

 

“Sesshoumaru? Come back. Please?” begged Rin.

 

“You better come back too Kagome! And Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, and even Kouga,” ordered Shippo.

 

“Quiet children. Your friends will all come back. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha will not let anyone die,” comforted Kaede.

 

Everyone glanced back one last time at the old lady embracing the two young kids and than somberly they left the hut. Once they got outside they started following Sesshoumaru to the border of the village. As they walked Sesshoumaru told them the plan.

 

“Me and Inuyasha will lead the attack. We will use our weapons to attack Akki.” Sesshoumaru slyly looked at Inuyasha who glared back at him.

 

“Tetsusaiga is not a weapon,” he still insisted.

 

“Whatever you'd like to believe. But while me and Inuyasha are attacking him Kagome will stay back and attempt to get a shot in on him. You may be our only chance of destroying his shield.”

 

“I'll do it. That's why I came after all, I'm the only one with purifying abilities.”

 

“Good. And Miroku and Sango will back me and Inuyasha up as long distance fighters. Miroku you can use your wind tunnel if given the chance to pull Akki off balance. You won't be able to suck Akki in but you may be able to give me and Inuyasha the advantage. And Sango, you can attempt to use your boomerang to take Akki's attentions off of me and Inuyasha for a short while. But whatever happens don't come in close. Neither of you would be able to survive Akki's close range attacks.”

 

Miroku and Sango stiffly nodded. They had thought they would be relegated to back up fighters, but then the last thing they wanted to do was die because they wanted to be heroic.

 

“And finally Kouga, if you see Akki even so much as look like he's going to look in Kagome's direction, shield her from his eyes. Don't let Akki look Kagome in the eyes again.”

 

Everyone took in what Sesshoumaru said and all were silently pleased that they had someone like him on their side. They soon reached the borders of the village and there they stopped.

 

“Akki should arrive in a couple of minutes,” informed Sesshoumaru.

 

No one said a word but all tensed up and readied their weapons. Inuyasha glanced back once to Kagome, his expression full of worry. He didn't say a word but his eyes spoke enough. As did his mind.

 

Don't you dare go and die Kagome. If you die I don't know what I'll do. Probably go insane. But everyone needs you, even I need you. Everytime I turn around you better be there.

 

Kagome gave Inuyasha a comforting smile. But one thing he had thought concerned her. “Inuyasha?” she spoke softly.

 

“Hm?”

 

“Please, don't worry about me. If you worry about me it will be easier for Akki to hurt you. Please, just trust in Kouga's and my own abilities. Promise me you'll keep all of your attention on Akki.” Kagome pleaded.

 

“I'll protect her Inuyasha. I know that we almost never agree on anything but there is one thing we agree on completely. We would both do anything to insure Kagome's safety and survival,” said Kouga.

 

Inuyasha lightly nodded in their direction. “Watch her Kouga. She tends to be pretty damn reckless when it comes to fighting.”

 

“Hey!” exclaimed Kagome.

 

“You know it's true Kagome. You don't seem to think too much during battle. You follow your heart too much,” added Sango.

 

Kouga grinned at Kagome. “So do you think it's too late to run back to the village and grab a leash?”

 

Kagome lightly jabbed Kouga in the side which made everyone smile. In the face of danger and possible death the simplest thing was able to make them smile. Everyone was a little more relaxed after the friendly banter of words. They were still scared, as the last thing any of them wanted to do was fight Akki. But after that friendly argument they all realized that they were more afraid of losing a friend than actually dying themselves. But then they also wouldn't want to fight Akki alone. Knowing that they had friends watching their back also calmed everyone down a little.

 

As the group of 6 waited for their enemy to appear they relished in the fact that none of them were alone. But as the minutes dragged on they once again started getting nervous.

 

“Where is he?” whispered Sango.

 

“Why are you whispered?” asked Miroku.

 

Sango considered giving Miroku a sarcastic reply but then she decided to against it. “I'm scared,” she answered truthfully.

 

Miroku looked at Sango in shock. It was the first time that he had ever heard Sango say she was scared. She still looked brave, stand tall with her head held high. She had one hand holding hiraikotsu and the other lightly resting on her katana's hilt. She looked like she was ready to fight whatever came out of the woods.

 

“You'll make. You're strong,” said Miroku.

 

“No, I'm not scared for me. I'm scared for you guys,” clarified Sango.

 

“We'll all make it. This isn't the battle we've been planning on so of course everyone has to make it,” said Miroku.

 

“He's here,” said Sesshoumaru in a low voice.

 

Everyone tensed up and looked towards the woods. As they watched a small form could be seen getting closer.

 

“He's tiny,” whispered Kouga increduously.

 

“Don't let his look fool you,” cautioned Miroku.

 

Kouga nodded and then jumped in surprise when he felt someone clutching his arm. He looked down to see Kagome holding onto his arm for dear life. She didn't look at Kouga as her eyes were glued to the figure getting closer. Kouga said and did nothing. If Kagome needed to clutch his arm for strength he would let her.

 

As the small figure drew closer everyone could see the form of Akki taking shape. Thirty seconds later Akki had arrived. And everyone gasped in surprise, fear, and anger. Sango fell to her knees in pain as tears sprang from her eyes. Miroku quickly knelt down beside her and drew her against him.

 

Akki simply smiled. And dropped the bloody body of Kirara at his feet.