InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Mind Reader ❯ To Tell or Not to Tell ( Chapter 16 )

Ahh, guys, I'm so sorry for the delay! I'm bad, so very bad. I mean I have these chapters writtened, all I have to do is reedit them and post them…and yet it takes me forever. And this site always seems to slip my mind. So I finally sat down and reedited 3 chapters in a row, so they will all be up. Sigh, maybe in that way you guys won't be so angry cuz I'm taking such a long time to post anything…

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Mind Reader

Chapter 13: To Tell or Not to Tell

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Kagome slowly sat up and looked around. And gasped. She couldn't see anything. She slowly blinked and looked around again. Still nothing. She held her hand up in front of her face. When she still saw nothing tears started forming in her eyes.

`Am I blind?'

Kagome moved her arms around her and when she felt nothing she slowly stood up. "Inuyasha?" she tentatively called out while taking a few unsteady steps.

All that greeted her was a cynical cackle.

Kagome spun around wildly, arms flailing as she tried to keep her balance. "Who's out there? Answer me!" she demanded, managing to keep all wavering out of her voice.

Silence answered her. Kagome cautiously started moving through the endless black void. "Inuyasha? Sango? Miroku? Shippo? Where are you guys? Where am I?" she called out. When she heard someone breathing she stopped moving. "Inuyasha? Is that you?" As Kagome waited for an answer something brushed against her leg.

"What was that? Who's out there? Show yourself!" she frantically called out, tears now falling freely from her eyes.

Are you scared?

Kagome jumped when she heard that. It seemed to echo all around her. She strained her eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of anything.

Are you scared?

"No," she answered shakily, her voice betraying her.

You should be.

This time claws dragged across her leg causing her to yelp, not in pain but in sheer and utter fear. Kagome ran. `Inuyasha where are you? I need you,' she silently thought.

You can't escape.

Kagome shook her head in denial and pushed herself further. Her arms and legs pumped as she tried in vain to put distance between herself and whoever was with her.

You can't escape.

Kagome suddenly tripped on an unseen object in her path. She fell hard on her hands and knees and grimaced in pain. But she quickly stood up again.

Don't run.

Kagome ignored the voice and ran. This time she was stopped when her legs were suddenly bound together and her arms became trapped at her sides.

I told you not to run.

"What do you want?" screamed Kagome in rage and fright.

The voice didn't respond.

"Who are you?" asked Kagome in a weaker voice.

No response.

"Where am I?" sobbed Kagome.

No response.

"Why can't I see you? Answer me! Do…something!"

Two red eyes suddenly appeared in front of her. They stood unblinking and unfeeling before her. Kagome's blood ran cold as she stared at the cold, calculating eyes in front of her. Eyes that she knew.

I see you.

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Inuyasha was brought out of his sleep by Kagome's whimpers. She than started thrashing about wildly as tears fell out of her closed lids. Inuyasha immediately started to gently shake her awake.

"Kagome wake up. You're having a nightmare. Wake up," he whispered urgently into her ear. Inuyasha watched as Kagome stopped moving and slowly opened her eyes. She stared at him with eyes full of fear.

When Kagome was awaken from her nightmare the first thing she saw was Inuyasha's worried face. His beautiful, handsome face. It was all a dream.

"Kagome are you alright?" Inuyasha asked worriedly.

At this question Kagome broke down into tears and buried her face in his chest. As her small frame shook Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome and sat there quietly, holding the weeping girl. Inuyasha didn't say a word, and just waited patiently for the tears to run their course.

When Kagome quieted down she looked up at Inuyasha. Before he could ask she started talking. "I was scared. I was all alone. I couldn't see anything. And then something was in there with me. I think it was Akki. He was taunting me. His voice echoed all around me and then he would come up and touch my leg. And when I ran he tied me up. And his eyes appeared in front of me. All I could see were his two red and eyes surrounded by utter blackness. And then he said…he said…"

"What did he say Kagome?" prodded Inuyasha gently.

"He said `I see you.'" She replied, looking at Inuyasha fearfully.

This puzzled Inuyasha. He didn't understand why Akki telling Kagome he saw her would frighten her so much. They fought Akki, he had seen everyone. He made a mental note to ask Kaede in the morning. At the moment he had more important matters on his hand. Namely comforting the girl in his arms. "It's alright Kagome. I won't let him hurt you again. You're safe."

Kagome desperately wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe Inuyasha could protect her from Akki. But she couldn't. She knew they would fight Akki soon. And she knew no one would be able to protect her. But she didn't want to dwell on the future. She wanted to focus on the present, on the feel of Inuyasha's strong arms wrapped around her. On the comforting words he was whispering in her ear.

"Go back to sleep. Things will look better in the morning. I promise," soothed Inuyasha.

Kagome allowed the words to work. She soon drifted off again, this time into a peaceful slumber.

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The next morning Miroku was the first one up. As he yawned and stretched his arms he came across Inuyasha and Kagome. He smiled pervertedly and quietly stood up. He reached out and gently nudged Sango awake. As she opened her eyes he pressed a finger to his lips and pointed at Inuyasha. When Sango saw them a smile also lit up her face. However, her smile was one of happiness.

Kagome was curled up in Inuyasha's lap, her head resting below his shoulder. And Inuyasha's head was resting on top of her head.

"Sango, I see that sight pleases you," whispered Miroku in her ear, "if you like it so much we can assume that position tonight."

Now normally Sango knew not to make loud noises in the morning. She was a polite and courteous person and didn't like to wake people up from their sleep. But this morning Miroku's lecherous grin clouded her judgment.

"PERVERT!" she screamed while at the same time brining her fist up to meet Miroku's head. As Miroku fell to the ground Sango looked around sheepishly. Five pairs of eyes glared at her. Make that six as Sesshoumaru just opened the door and stepped in.

"And people wonder why I'm a grumpy old lady," grumbled Kaede.

"Really Sango, must you start at this time?" growled Inuyasha.

"Hey! It wasn't my fault! It was Miroku's fault!" replied Sango defensively.

"Why am I not surprised?" remarked Kagome.

Miroku sat up while rubbing his head to be greeted by a room full of angry people. "Um…good morning?" he said nervously. Then he saw Kagome still in Inuyasha's arms.

~ Yup, there will be little babies running around soon. ~

All the blood drained from Kagome's face and she quickly jumped out of Inuyasha's arms, acting as if his touch burned her.

"What's with you wench?" growled Inuyasha, already missing the feel of Kagome in his arms.

"Oh, um, I have to go pee!" she screamed in response, immediately turning and running from the hut, knocking Sesshoumaru away in the process. Sesshoumaru's growls followed Kagome out of the hut.

Inuyasha jumped up and angrily stalked over to Sesshoumaru. "Stop growling at her right now," he demanded.

Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrows at this odd request. "And why should I? She is a rude, insolent, conniving woman."

"You bastard!"

Smack

"Rin's up, watch your mouth."

"I don't care. If you don't want your precious human hearing `foul' language than let's take it outside!"

"Fine."

Inuyasha ran out of the hut and when he realized his brother didn't follow he poked his head back in. "Hey, you're suppose to be out here."

"Oh yeah." Sesshoumaru went outside.

Sango and Miroku stared at each other.

"Um, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" asked Sango.

"I believe so," replied Miroku.

"Ok, than let's go watch!" exclaimed Sango.

And Sango and Miroku left the hut to go watch the early morning fight. Shippo jumped up.

"I'm not missing this for the world!" And Shippo left the hut.

Soon only Rin and Kaede were left.

"Ms. Kaede, what's going on?"

"Sesshoumaru is egging his brother into a fight so Kagome will sit him," answered Kaede tiredly.

"Oh. Why would he do that?"

"I don't know. It must have something to do with the male ego. Would you like to help me prepare breakfast?"

"Ok!"

Outside

"You're gonna pay for what you said about Kagome!" snarled Inuyasha.

"Why? What I said was true."

"It is not!"

"Why are you defending her honor Inuyasha?"

"Because I want to!" came the response. But the truth was that Inuyasha didn't like anyone but himself putting Kagome down. Whenever someone else put her down he would get pissed. And right now he was pissed.

"Or is it because you like that pathetic human?"

"How about you stop talking and fight me?" replied Inuyasha, deliberately avoiding the question. He crouched down slightly and cracked his knuckles in anticipation of the upcoming fight.

Sesshoumaru stared at his brother and inwardly smiled. He saw Kagome out of the corner of his eye and his imaginary grin grew even wider. He looked at Inuyasha, his expression impassive. "If you want to fight so bad than why are you just standing there?"

That was all Inuyasha needed to hear to send him charging at Sesshoumaru like a mad bull. As he neared his brother he was surprised to see a hint of a smile on his face. `Hmm, I wonder why he's smiling? That's weird…'

"SIT!"

As Inuyasha crashed to the ground he silently cursed. `Damn stupid brother. Now I know why he was smiling.'

~ Haha, I will never get use to that. And I won't want o. It's too much fun! ~

Kagome sent Sesshoumaru a weird glance as the demon lord walked back into the hut. She soon forgot about him when she neared Inuyasha. She gave Inuyasha a look of death but then realized that since his face was currently implanted in the ground it had no effect on him. So she instead opted to just yell at him.

"And just what was that for? I leave for 5 minutes and you immediately try to attack Sesshoumaru? What is your problem?"

Inuyasha casually flopped over and met Kagome's eyes. He sighed deeply and jumped up to his feet in a fluid motion. "It was nothing. Don't worry about it," he called out over his shoulder as he walked back to the hut.

~ Man, I try and defend your honor and that's the thanks I get? A sitting? I feel so under appreciated. ~

Kagome stared at the retreating figure of Inuyasha, a look of awe on her face. `He was defending me?' She was snapped out of her reverie by Sango and Miroku.

"Well I guess the fun's over Sango," remarked Miroku, climbing to his feet.

"I guess. Well it was entertaining while it lasted," sighed Sango. She looked up in surprise when an outstretched hand was held in front of her.

"I'm helping you up Sango, that's all," said Miroku, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

Sango looked at the hand almost expecting it to bite her. She gingerly reached out her own hand which Miroku promptly snatched. He hauled her to her feet and than took advantage of her momentary loss of balance. His other hand slid to her butt.

"PERVERT!" screamed Sango, pushing Miroku away hard enough to knock him down. And since she was still off balance she flew the other way. Both of them landed on their backs groaning in pain. And then Kagome broke up in laughter.

"Glad we could be your source of amusement," grumbled Sango while sitting up.

"My lady Sango, I was merely trying to help you regain your balance!" said Miroku trying his best to look innocent, which failed miserably. Especially when Kagome knew exactly what was going on in his head.

~ Hmm, I'll have to use that trick more often. Help them to their feet and catch a feel of their butt. Yes, yes, I believe I am quite ingenious to come up with that. Ooh! Maybe it'll work on Kagome! Yes, I think I'll try her next. ~

By this time Kagome had heard enough. She stalked up to Miroku and yanked his ponytail.

"OW!"

~ OW! ~

Satisfied that his mind was currently out of the gutter she released him. She gave him one final glance before walking up to Sango. She offered her friend her hand which Sango thankfully accepted.

"Thanks Kagome," said Sango gratefully, rubbing her sore butt.

~ Wow, that makes me so incredibly horny. ~

"Stupid damn monk," growled Kagome under her breath, which made Sango turn to her in shock. Sango was even more surprised to see Kagome pick up a rock that was conveniently beside her feet and pelt it at Miroku. Which miraculously hit him on the head, effectively knocking him out.

"Um Kagome? Are you alright?"

Kagome gave Sango a huge grin. "Of course I am. So you wanna go get some breakfast?"

"Oh, um, sure," answered Sango reproachfully. She followed behind Kagome as they made their way to the way.

~ Since when did Kagome become a schizophrenic? ~

Kagome silently groaned and rubbed her head tiredly. `I'm beginning to wonder if this whole mind reading thing is a gift or a curse.'

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When Kagome entered the hut Kaede immediately walked up to her.

"Inuyasha has told me about your dream. It troubles me greatly. I would like to speak with you further about it," Kaede gravely said.

Kagome looked puzzled for a moment before remembering that she had told Inuyasha about her dream, or rather, nightmare. "Oh sure. What do you want to know?"

Kagome followed Kaede to a corner of the hut and sat down beside the elderly lady. Everyone else began eating breakfast but in all truth they were listening in on the conversation taking place. Before the conversation could begin Shippo wondered into the hut. Everyone stared at him, a bit confused.

"Um Shippo? Where were you?" asked Kagome.

"Oh, around," he replied.

"That's it?"

"Oh, well I saw the sitting of Inuyasha and then took a walk."

"You took a walk?"

"Uh huh."

"Well alright."

"You're weird," scoffed Inuyasha.

Shippo shrugged his shoulders and grabbed some food. So Kagome turned back to Kaede.

"What is troubling you Kaede?"

"First, can you tell me about your dream in as much detail as you can remember?"

That was easy for Kagome. She still remembered every second of her dream. She remembered the fear of being blind, of having an enemy with her, of the taunting, but most of all she remembered the eyes. She told Kaede everything, her voice only breaking in a few places. When she was done she waited for Kaede's response. "What do you make of it?" she asked.

"I think there may be a force connecting you to Akki."

This was not what Kagome was expecting and she floundered for a moment before regaining her composure. "Why do you say that?"

"Before I answer that please tell me what happened when Akki looked at you the first time. How was his move disrupted?"

"I felt like I had frozen. Even thought I wanted to I couldn't tear my eyes away from his. Then it felt like there was someone in my mind, someone that was trying to tear it apart. But then my arrow broke through his shield," replied Kagome softly, reliving the horrible memory when she thought she was going to die.

"For that brief time when you had made eye contact with him there was a strong connection between you two. That was how he was unraveling your mind. But when your arrow hit him that connection was broken. His death move was left only partially completed. But there are still remnants of that connection between you two. I'm guessing that these traces will only make themselves apparent when you two are in close proximity to each other. And then I don't know what will happen. What did it feel like when you passed out the second time?"

"It was painful. But quick. It felt like something was raking its claws across my mind."

"Did it hurt more the first or second time?"

"The fir…," Kagome slowly trailed off. She realized it wasn't the first time that hurt more. The first time was scarier but the second time hurt more. "The second time hurt more. The first time felt numbed down, like there was this protective shield around me. But the second time the pain was more real."

"Than it is a I feared."

"What? What is it Kaede?" asked Kagome, alarmed.

"Each time you come across Akki the pain will become worse. Each attack Akki does on your mind brings him one step closer to completing his death move." Kaede stared at Kagome hard. "Now Kagome, this question in important. I need you to think long and hard on the answer. Have there been any side effects to Akki's attack? Headaches, nausea, anything? This may help determine how far Akki's attack has gotten."

At this simple question Kagome was torn. There was one major side effect. Her mind reading ability. Did she want to tell Kaede about it? Did she want her new power to be known by everyone? Kagome slowly sweeped her eyes across the room and settled on Sesshoumaru. She stared at him, almost as if asking for his advice.

~ It is ultimately up to you. It is your ability. If you hide it than you may very well be hiding something that could help you but no one will know about your power. If you don't hide it than everyone will know about it and it may still not help any. Choose whatever one you like. ~

Kagome kept looking at Sesshoumaru. She wanted more than that. She wanted to know what he would do.

~ I would tell her about it. ~

Kagome slightly nodded. She valued Sesshoumaru's advice. She turned back to Kaede to tell her about her mind reading ability when all hell broke loose.

Sango stood up at the same time Miroku decided to grope her. She yelled in surprise and anger and accidentally dropped her bowl of food on Inuyasha's head. Inuyasha jumped up in surprise and turned to Sango anger clouding his eyes. She backed up nervously and stepped on Shippo's tail. Shippo shrieked and jumped on the closest person, who happened to be Miroku. Miroku jumped up in shock at having a kitsune suddenly attach itself to his head. When he jumped he ran into Sango. Sango pushed him off of her and into Inuyasha. Inuyasha growled and threw the monk into Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru stared in slight amusement and pushed the monk back into the fray. Miroku got between Inuyasha and Sango right with Inuyasha decided to charge. So Inuyasha and Miroku bonked heads. Hard. Miroku stumbled into Sango. Shippo chose at that moment to switch from Miroku's shoulder to Sango's shoulder. He jumped right when Sango was going to punch Miroku. So she punched Shippo instead. Shippo flew into Miroku who flew into Inuyasha who lost his balance and fell to the ground. As Miroku fell he kicked his legs out and accidentally hit Sango. So Sango joined the heap of flailing limbs. Who were now trying to disengage themselves from each other.

"Your ass is in my face Miroku!" yelled Inuyasha in agitation. He attempted to roll out of the mess but only succeeded in getting more tangled up. He than felt a pat on his butt. "WHO THE HELL TOUCHED MY BUTT!?"

No one answered.

~ Oh shit. That was Inuyasha's butt? I thought it was Sango's! Damn Shippo and him covering my eyes! ~

~ Why do I have this nagging feeling that it was Miroku who touched my butt? ~

~ Hanyou's and humans are such pitiful creatures. But they are always good for a laugh. ~

As Kagome watched her flailing pile of friends a grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. And when the quite entertaining thoughts started entering her mind she made up her mind. There was no way she could let the others in on her little secret. She turned back to Kaede. "Sorry Kaede, but there haven't been any side effects."

Kaede looked at the young girl with a hint of sadness in her eye. "Very well child. If anything starts happening please let me know," she replied while standing up.

"Of course."

~ Why must you lie to me child? I know something is bothering you. ~

Kagome stared sadly as Kaede bent down to retrieve some food. She hated hiding this from her but she also couldn't give up new ability so easily.

~ I thought you were smarter than that. You think this is all fun and games. It isn't. ~

Kagome stared in shock as Sesshoumaru turned and walked outside. Had she upset the demon lord by not telling Kaede? She was beginning to rethink her decision of not telling Kaede.

~ Ooh, Miroku does have a nice butt! ~

The thought of telling Kaede quickly flew out the window. `Nah, this is way too much fun.' Kagome sat back and enjoyed watching her friends attempt to stand back up. She laughed when Miroku suddenly jumped in surprise.

"Hey, did somebody just pinch my butt?"

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Heh, well, now on to the next chapter!