InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Mind Reader ❯ Shippo's Revenge and Akki's Mind ( Chapter 14 )

Ahhh! I'm so sorry for taking so long! I really have to get better at frequent updates. Again, so sorry! I'll try to improve for next chapter

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Mind Reader

Chapter 11: Shippo's Revenge and Akki's Mind

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After Sango and Kagome woke they quickly prepared some ramen for breakfast, much to the dismay of Sango. After all 3 had breakfast they set about erasing all signs of their presence. Sango put out the fire and scattered the ashes around the woods, soon there was no trace that a fire had ever been there. Kagome gathered all of their equipment and packed it back up. And Sesshoumaru went off into the woods and returned a minute later with a deer.

"What is that for? We already had breakfast." Kagome remarked.

"I will use this deer to mask our scent. Since we were here all night our scent is very strong. A mangled deer corpse will cover it."

"Waaiit a minute. Are you telling me we had ramen for breakfast when we could have had deer again?" grounded out Sango between clenched teeth.

"A deer would have taken too long to cook. We cannot waste time," replied Sesshoumaru.

"Grrr."

"It's alright Sango. We'll have something good for dinner tonight. Sesshoumaru will hunt something else for us," said Kagome, attempting to comfort her distraught friend.

~ But I want the deer now! I don't wanna wait for dinner! ~

But what Sango actually said was, "Great! Then I look forward to tonight's meal!"

~ Since when did I become your personal hunter? ~

"Is all you stuff out? Can I mask our scent now?" inquired Sesshoumaru gruffly, he so hated being Kagome's slave because of his earlier blunder.

"Um yeah, but how do you plan on doing that?" Kagome still didn't understand how one deer would mask all of their scents. The deer seemed a little…small.

"I would suggest you two stand behind me."

Sango and Kagome, now both thoroughly intrigued, listened to Sesshoumaru and moved to stand behind him. They then watched as Sesshoumaru threw the deer up and as it came falling down he struck it with his claws. This caused the poor deer's body to be destroyed in mid-air and it splattered its blood and body parts all throughout the clearing.

"Ehh, lovely," commented Kagome, wrinkling her nose at the scene of destruction in front of her. But when Sesshoumaru turned around Kagome couldn't help but crack up. The great demon lord had specks of deer blood all over his face. `Oh this is gonna be great. He's gonna flip when I tell him!'

"What's your problem wench?"

"Oh nothing at all, but you may want to clean your face. It's a little dirty."

Sesshoumaru took one hand and wiped his face. When he saw that he had blood on his face he seemed unfazed. "Thank you for telling me."

"What? No reaction at all?"

"I am a demon lord. I have had blood on me countless of times before. Why would it bother me now?"

"Oh, but you also got a speck of blood on your clean clothes," responded Kagome. `Hehe, this will definitely get a reaction out of him.'

~ WHAT! I just had these clothes cleaned! Great, Rin will be furious when she finds out I messed up my clothes again! ~

This was the reaction Kagome wanted. Of course to Sango's eyes Sesshoumaru still showed no emotion. "It's ok, I was just kidding. There is no blood on your clothes."

~ You're lucky I don't kill you now. ~

Kagome rolled her eyes at Sesshoumaru. That had to have been the tenth death threat she had received from him. Needless to say she didn't take any of them seriously. "Ok, are we ready to go now?"

"Yea, I want to get this over with," answered Sango. She was getting nervous just standing around. She always felt safer when she was on the move. And the glares Sesshoumaru was sending at Kagome were also starting to concern her.

"Then let us leave." Sesshoumaru turned to lead the way when Sango grabbed him.

~ Grr, how I wish the days of them being terrified of me were back. Those were the good old days. When they were afraid to talk to me. When they were afraid to grab me. When the were afraid to look at me. ~

"No way, I'm leading today." Sango said, just daring the demon lord to say otherwise.

"Then go wench."

~ Yes, I sure do miss the good old days. ~

Happy with this response Sango left the clearing. Before Kagome followed her friend she sidled up next to Sesshoumaru. She then stared at him, grabbed his sleeve and said in a high, cheery voice, "Why Sesshoumaru, that was sooo nice of you to let Sango lead. Are you sure you're not going soft in your old age?" She then laughed hysterically and took off after Sango. She didn't make it too far when her arm was grabbed by Sesshoumaru. She laughed nervously and waited for her torture to come.

Sesshoumaru glared at the squirming girl and deeply sighed. "First, I'm not old. Second, keep your mind open. We are heading into the enemy's territory."

Kagome nodded in agreement then quickly caught up to Sango. `Wow, he didn't argue about him being nice or going soft. Only about his age. Maybe deep down he is a nice guy. Nah, that can't be it. He just doesn't want me to tell Inuyasha his little secret.'

Sesshoumaru looked around the clearing once more, and pleased with the results followed the two girls. The two girls who were sure to make his life hell. As well as who, besides for Rin, were not scared of him, and who almost seemed to trust and like him. He quickly shook off those thoughts. `Hmph, maybe she is right. Maybe I am going soft.'

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Shippo walked up to Kaede's hut and peeked in the window. What he saw made him clench his fists in anger. Inuyasha and Miroku were sitting on the floor stuffing their faces! It was one thing to abandon him to the woods all night, but it was crossing the line when they didn't tell him about breakfast. So he decided to get even. He smeared dirt all over body and stuck some twigs and leaves in his hair, he also ripped up his clothes. He then mustered up some tears and walked into the hut crying his little baby kitsune eyes out. As he walked into the hut he decided that for added tension he should collapse.

When the hut door creaked open Miroku and Inuyasha looked from their breakfast to be greeted by an awful sight. Shippo was a mess. It looked like he had been running for his life all night. His clothes were all torn up and his dirty face was streaked with tears. As they stared at the beat up kitsune Shippo gave a wail and collapsed. He then attempted to crawl over to them but only made it a few feet before giving up.

"Help me…" Shippo managed to gasp out between sobs. `Hehehe, this is awesome.'

Miroku immediately jumped up and picked up the fallen kitsune. "Shippo, what happened to you?" he asked worriedly.

"I was hiding but then a big scary youkai jumped out at me. I didn't know where you guys were so I had no choice but to run. He chased me all night. I screamed your names many times but I guess you never heard me. Please, I need food!"

"Of course, of course," said Miroku shakily. As he fed Shippo small spoonfuls of stew he glanced at Inuyasha nervously. The look in his eyes plainly said, `shit, you know Kagome's gonna kill us, right?'

Inuyasha definitely understood Miroku's look. Now he was scared to death of Kagome's return. Once she found out what happened she would sit him for all eternity. `Dammit, I was kidding when I said I wished a youkai would eat him! Do you hear me whatever god is trying to make my life miserable? I was KIDDING!'

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As the day went on Sango and Kagome grew more and more nervous. Every step they took brought them closer to the enemy. Every thought that entered Kagome's mind made her jump. She kept expecting it to be either Naraku or Akki. Sesshoumaru knew why she was so jumpy so he was able to keep his thoughts to a minimum. However, Sango knew nothing of Kagome's ability, and so was unfortunately thinking constantly. And she was just as jumpy as Kagome was.

~ Ahh! What was that? Oh it was just a squirrel eating a nut. Wait? A squirrel? Maybe it's a spy of Akki. No, no. I mustn't think crazy thoughts like that. I must keep my head. ~

Kagome wished she could tell her friend to shut up but she knew that wouldn't go over too well. After all, Sango wasn't actually saying anything.

~ What was that? Relax Sango, it's just an innocent bird. Wait! What if that that bird is a spy? After all, Naraku has bees as spies so why can't he have birds? No, no, no. STOP IT! I'm driving myself insane! I wish we could just find Naraku and be done with it. ~

Kagome thought exactly the same thing. She was afraid she or Sango would break pretty soon. `Where are the bad guys when you need them?'

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"Are you alright Shippo?" asked Miroku.

"Yes, I'm fine now. It was just exhaustion from running for so long," replied Shippo. `Haha! Suckers! Look at all the blackmail opportunities I now have!'

"Good, I'm glad," responded Miroku, relief flooding his voice.

Shippo than looked around the hut. "Where are Rin and Kaede?"

"Oh, they're out helping the villagers. Rin enjoys helping people with Kaede."

"So, um, are you gonna tell Kagome?" Inuyasha asked nervously, fear plainly written all over his face. He had to know if his future held eternal sitting. He could care less about where Rin and Kaede were.

"I'll have to. I cannot lie to her," Shippo solemnly replied.

"No! Please don't do that! Me and Inuyasha will do anything for you as long as you don't tell Kagome. Or Sango. Or Kaede. Or Sesshoumaru. Or anyone for that matter!" Miroku practically yelled.

Shippo looked at Miroku, an evil glint in his eye. "Anything?"

"Yes, anything."

Shippo then turned to Inuyasha. "How bout you Inuyasha? Anything?"

Inuyasha hesitated a bit too long and received a swift kick from Miroku. He then resigned himself to his fate. "Anything."

Shippo cackled evilly to himself and rubbed his hands together, scheming the torture of Inuyasha and Miroku. "Ok, then I want you to…"

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As Kagome continued to walk she constantly filtered through the thoughts that were constantly entering her mind. Most of them were from Sango. But she suddenly stopped when she heard an interesting one, one that definitely didn't come from her friend.

~ Hahaha, nothing can stop me now! ~

She wasn't sure if it was from Naraku or Akki but she also wasn't ruling out that possibility.

Sango continued walked as she didn't realize Kagome had stopped, but since Sesshoumaru was in the rear he noticed and stopped.

"Do you hear something?"

"I'm not sure if it's them. I'm trying to hear more thoughts."

"I'd rather be safe than sorry. We'll stop here for now. Sango! Come back!" ordered Sesshoumaru.

Sango turned around, a bit confused as to why they were stopping. She started to speak but promptly shut her mouth when Sesshoumaru held up a hand.

"Quiet, I'm trying to hear."

Kagome smiled gratefully at the demon lord. He was covering for her.

~ Inuyasha and his clan will soon fall. Nothing can stop me now that I have Akki on my side! ~

Kagome let out a gasp, fear clearly imprinted in her eyes. Her worst fears were confirmed. Naraku and Akki were together.

"What is it? What's wrong Kagome?" asked Sango, fear tinting her voice. Something had scared Kagome.

"I sense many jewel shards in one place. I think we finally found Naraku," she quickly made up. At least that lie was plausible.

Sango then turned to Sesshoumaru. "How about you? Can you hear anything yet?"

"Not yet. We are still too far away."

"What? You're not planning on going closer, are you?" Sango shrilly asked.

"Yes, we have to see them to know what is really going on. I will keep us downwind of them as well as far enough away so that they won't be able to sense us."

"And how do you know they won't be able to sense us?" Sango had now clenched her fists so tight her knuckles were turning white. She wasn't scared of a battle, after all her reason for joining Kagome in the first place was to fight and kill Naraku. What she was scared of was the unknown. They were going to attempt to spy on the two most evil and powerful creatures out there. Naraku didn't scare Sango, what really scared her was Akki. Naraku had a voice, he had a reason, no matter how sinister and evil, to attack them. Sango didn't understand Akki at all. She didn't know what drove him to attack. What drove him to team up with Naraku. She still had yet to hear his voice. Even though they had fought Akki he was still unknown to her.

Sesshoumaru turned to the demon exterminator, he could smell the fear emanating from her body. "I can't be positive if they will be able to sense us or not. But if I have the slightest thought that they may have discovered us will we run."

"You're gonna get us killed!" Sango vehemently replied.

"Sango, he's right. We have to see them to see the condition they are in. We don't know enough yet. We cannot go back until we find out more," said Kagome softly, laying a comforting hand on Sango's shoulder. She was also having a tough time hearing the thoughts. And she still hadn't heard a single thought from Akki. If she could see them then she would be able to focus her powers into reading only their minds. She had to get closer.

"Ok," replied Sango in defeat, "if you say so. I believe you Kagome."

"Thanks Sango. That means a lot to me. And don't worry, nothing bad will happen."

"Yeah right, and those just also happen to be famous last words," grumbled Sango under her breath before following her two companions.

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Miroku and Inuyasha were waiting for their torture to be named. But Shippo didn't say anything.

"Yes? You want us to…?" prodded Miroku.

"Quiet! I'm trying to think!"

"Sorry."

"Good. Alright, I want you to…play with me."

"Huh? Play what?" inquired Miroku.

"I haven't thought that far ahead yet."

At this remark both Inuyasha and Miroku fell over. They grumbled about slow kitsunes that couldn't even think of ways to torture someone as they picked themselves up.

"Well we can't just play with you! You have to tell us a game to play," argued Miroku.

"Fine, then let's play tag."

"Feh, is that it? That game's easy," scoffed Inuyasha. `Haha, with my demon speed they will never catch me!'

"Well we will play tag with one new rule," began Shippo, his evil glint back in his eye.

"And what's that?" Miroku gulped nervously, he never was into torture.

"Why I'm glad you asked Miroku," cackled Shippo evilly, once again scheming his `friends' torture.

And soon the three of them were running around the field outside of Kaede's hut playing tag. Shippo having the time of his life.

`Damn monk, he just had to ask! If Sesshoumaru came back now I would never hear the end of it!' cursed Inuyasha angrily.

`Why oh why did I have to ask? This is so degrading to a monk of my caliber!' thought Miroku woefully.

Both Inuyasha and Miroku were running around on their hands and knees like dogs. All while a psychotic kitsune pounced on them shouting cries of, "your It doggy!" and "Inuyasha I thought you would like this, after all you are part dog demon!" and finally "Miroku, don't you enjoy this? We're playing tag doggy style!"

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After an hour of silent creeping they were finally able to see Naraku and Akki. Naraku was sitting on the ground, mindlessly tossing balls of miasma around the empty field while Akki stood beside him. Sesshoumaru was able to catch tiny snippets of their conversation, which he would then relay back to Kagome and Sango.

"We will get all…shards…and…world," said Naraku.

"…don't…world," replied Akki, "I…revenge…"

"You will…friend. They…all pay."

"When…fight…"

"Soon, soon."

As Sesshoumaru filled the girls in on the conversation taking place Kagome concentrated on Naraku's mind.

~ Yes, yes yes. My plan is almost in motion. Now since I have Akki on my side nothing can go wrong. Oh yes my dear Inuyasha, you better prepare yourself. Because in a few weeks you will be meeting your worse nightmare. ~

`No, only a few weeks? We only have a few weeks to prepare?' thought Kagome nervously. She then read Naraku's mind some more but nothing of importance showed up, just a lot of stuff about him being the prettiest and strongest around. She grew far more interested in what Sesshoumaru was hearing.

"Is there…fix…eyes?" asked Naraku.

"No…damaged…repair."

"What power…still have?"

"No…death…just…headaches."

When Sesshoumaru relayed this information to Kagome and Sango they were both ecstatic.

"He doesn't have his instant death move anymore? That's great!" said Sango enthusiastically.

"Yes, wonderful. Now we just have to contend with his powerful wind attack and the fact that whatever he touches is destroyed. Oh yes, I almost forgot, don't forget about his incredibly strong shield." Sesshoumaru dryly replied.

"You jerk, you just had to go and burst my bubble," responded Sango, sticking her tongue out at him.

Kagome was happy as well but she also understood what Sesshoumaru was saying. When she and her friends fought Akki he had dropped them all except for her with his other powers. It still seemed hopeless to win against both Naraku and Akki. She quickly shook off that feeling of depression and decided to see what was going on in the evil hell squirrel's mind. As she concentrated on Akki she grew confused because her mind reading ability wasn't picking up anything. `Hmm, that can't be right.' So she then focused all of her powers on reading Akki's mind. When it still came up blank realization slowly dawned on Kagome. `Oh my god, his mind his empty. He has no thoughts. He truly is just a mindless creature bent on death on destruction. How can we win against something that is so purely evil? At least Naraku has thoughts, no matter how sick, twisted, and conceited they are.'

As Kagome started to fall into despair Sango and Sesshoumaru continued to bicker about their chances against Akki. So neither of them noticed when Akki turned his head in their direction. And neither of them noticed when Akki and Kagome made eye contact. However, they definitely noticed when Kagome suddenly blacked out.

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I'll really try to have the next chapter up in a few days. If I fail I give you guys permission to…um…let's see…call me stupid? Eh, I'm no good with this kind of stuff.

Special thanks to Hououza and Sessgirl for reviewing my previous chapter. You guys are awesome!