InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Needing It ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: Not mine yet, but I'll get there someday…

A/N: I finally updated!  Wahoo!  School finally stopped riding me ragged, so maybe I can get some more writing done.  For now enjoy the next chapter!

Void

Here lies Kagome Higurashi, daughter of Shiori and Shinji Higurashi, young miko, born on the sunrise, now in perpetual darkness.  Her eyes are glazed over, shoulders slumped, chest rising and falling with the barest of breathing.  She sits on her furrowed bed with her chin resting on her knees and arms wrapped around her, staring off into nothing.  Since she had awoken more than three days ago she had been in that position, unresponsive to anything around her.  In the absolute silence of the room her thoughts tore her heart out.  'Inuyasha…' Tears sprang at the mere mention and recollections of each beautiful, perfect detail of his figure assaulted her subconscious.  His angelic white hair and the furry white ears that peaked from beneath the bangs; fiery golden eyes so consumed with turmoil and life; his lips. Red as the fire-rat fur he wore but so thin, so straight, as if he had never smiled.  From the very first time she had seen him she had wanted to see him smile.  Little by little, this desire became a need for his mirth, his love.  When the dreams began she could not say, but Inuyasha was always there, smiling at her, hands in her hair, then cheeks, his lips on hers.  They embrace and let the heat of their bodies drive away the doubts and fears.  Even as the garments fell her eyes remained locked with his communicating all the love she felt.  Two become one on the bed, their rhythm timeless, primordial as a coil in her gut tightened more and more until with a soft sigh she would be released from her dream.  Such intimate and happy moments proved extremely helpful during any run-ins with Kikyou.  Now they were her reason not to sleep.  The love she felt wracked with the all-consuming guilt never left her.  It branded her, a hellish scarlet letter imprinted into her very soul.  A sob broke the silence as she once again replayed that night.  It all led up to the kiss.  Shame burned her cheeks at her moment of weakness.  And he had seen!  Inuyasha saw it all.  Another sob, louder than before, broke through as she imagined his face.  Her mother's dark description supplied the base and she filled in the anger, jealousy, and betrayal.  Hatred clamored to be included, but Kagome knew better.  Inuyasha could never hate her, never had any reason to.  'Until now,' she thought as she buried her face in her knees and cried.

Shiori hardly ever cried, not since Shinji's death, but tonight her tears were just as thick and unstoppable as that fateful night when she had witnessed the death of a soul.  She felt badly for striking Kagome, despite how much the young fool deserved it, but it was in the past.  All that Higurashi-sama offered now was support to the teen that seemed to have decided to remain in her room for the rest of her life, refusing all food and water.  Even when she left her room to use the restroom, Shiori could always hear a retching sound followed by a sob and the slam of a door.  She could feel Kagome's pain, but knew better than to presume its magnitude.  'She has to eat something or she'll waste away,' she thought as she balanced the young miko's dinner while going up the stairs, knowing full well that her daughter was already wasting away.  Knocking softly on the door before opening, Shiori entered the room.  A ghastly sight met her eyes.  The room itself remained as disorganized as it had been that night, right down to the wet stain by the door.  Papers lay scattered across the floor, clothing in the corner, and bed sheets crumpled.  As for its sole occupant (Buyo knew better than to disturb his mistress right now), she was a whole different matter.  Dress and shoes removed and thrown in a corner like so much dirty trash, with hair wild and tossed to and fro during the crying fits, and the black pajamas she wore painfully fitting the mood of the room.  At the sound of the door hinges and the sudden shaft of light in the otherwise dark room, the young teen turned to see.  Her eyes held no hope, glazed over with pain and memory, fueling the sadness that attacked her mercilessly, stopping her mother cold.  After moment-long eternities past a flicker of recognition raced across those orbs.

"Mama…" she said then, voice hoarse from her sobs and wails.  The tray of food fell to the floor when Shiori rushed to her broken daughter.  Too much pain, such anguish in those eyes!  And the guilt, obliterating all rationality!  Kagome did not respond immediately to her mother's tears on her shoulder or her mumbled apologies.  Nevertheless, it did not take long for her to wrap arms around Shiori and renew her sobbing.  Their collective cries mingled with the thunder as the rain continued to fall.

"I have to say that what you ask of me is strange Inuyasha," Toutousai said, holding his demonic hammer over his right shoulder.  The situation was strange indeed.  Usually whenever the hanyou came by for a visit it involved either strengthening the Tetsusaiga or a demand for secrets about the blade itself.  This time, however, all Inuyasha did was nod his head silently, eyes attuned to the flame separating them.  A foreign look assailed them, very unlike the proud and stubborn young man he had seen.  The silence continued until finally Myouga provided details, or at least the meager interpretations he could offer, since Inuyasha refused to divulge anything about the incident.  Basically, the flea only reported on the visit to Iyazoi's grave and the parting at Kaede's hut.

"As you can see, many things have occurred all at once," the old demon stated as a conclusion.  The sword smith, being of far more years and experience, already guessed the gist of the situation.  The decision was made.

"Very well Inuyasha, I shall forge the sword for you and have it sent to where you specified.  I'm sure it will be put to good use."  A shudder ran across the hanyou's skin as he released the breath he had been holding ever since he made the request.  He rustled in his haori for a second before pulling out a letter.

"Please leave this with the blade as well," he said in the same soft, dead tone of voice.  Business concluded, the hanyou stood, feeling his teeth with delicate fingers before ripping a choice fang from its gum without so much as a wince.  Myouga returned to his master's shoulder and the two left the cave.  Toutousai looked on at the retreating back with sad eyes.  'Good luck young one.  The pain is just beginning for you.'

Six days past.  Six meager little days since complete and total upheaval, the destruction of old followed by the re-creation of the older.  All constancy had vanished from his sight.  Shippou felt lost in the very field he had played in every day.  Kirara was not there, nor Miroku or Sango.  Too much like back then, he had to find a way out!  Anguished thoughts and feverish memories fueled his legs as the kitsune entered the forest.  Stop it, have to stop the storm, a tempest raging and slicing his reason with horsehide, stinging winds and tortured howling in his ears.  Tears fell from his cheeks, the only outward sign of his pain.  An occasional sniffle escaped, but Shippou always regained control in time.  Just as he took a deep breath to calm down, a well-known scent entered his nostrils, musky and male.  'Inuyasha!'  The kitsune charged through the trees, the odor leading him ultimately to the clearing, ground zero.  Instead of the tall silver-haired hanyou, however, there lay a bright shining object in the exact center.  Inching closer, Shippou soon noticed that it was a small sword sheathed in a crimson scabbard.  Golden thread crisscrossed around the handle and the same powerful youki Shippou had sensed within Inuyasha radiated from the blade.  Beside the tantou rested a letter.  On the cover was written- "For the brat's eyes only."  Shaking hands broke the seal and the kitsune read:

Not really sure how to start, so I'll just get right to it.

In your hands rests a sword from Toutousai, forged from one of my fangs.  Think of it as my way of apologizing to you for how I acted with you, even if you did deserve most of it.  Anyway, I have a task for you, cubby.  Sango and Miroku will no doubt depart soon to continue their hunt for Naraku.  When they are gone all that will be left to protect the village will be Kaede-chan, and we know how weak that old hag is…

So when they leave, Shippou, stay behind.  Protect the village and live in peace.  Without me or… your mother to tie you to danger, you might have a chance to grow up right.  There won't be prejudice, since the villagers already know you, and few attacks, seeing as there is nothing for demons to steal.  You'll be a lot better off.  You should have the opportunity to live a good life without too much pain, everyone does.

Don't get me wrong.  This is not a bribe or an excuse.  I could care less if you took the Byakkoken (that's its name) and went off to join the hunt either for Naraku or me (but you'll never find me), or if you just walk away.  The blade will transform for you anyway.  But once you choose a path, stick to it.  No use in leaving anything half-done.

Believe me, I know what you're feeling.  The pain of losing a parent is terrible, like an endless rockslide slamming against you with each breath, until your ribs ache and you just want to crawl into a dark corner and die.  Use that pain, let it make you better, stronger.  Learn from it that in the end there's only one person who matters: you.  No one else will ever fight as hard for your life than yourself.

If that doesn't work, then just remember that you are a demon.  Your mother's time is a mere five hundred years away.  That's nothing for a cub like you.  Just survive until then Shippou; so that you can see her again, feel her hug you with the same maternal love as before.  Know happiness again.

Well, I guess that's about it for me.  Time to end this.  I leave the decision of the sword's use to you.  Never forget the love of your friends, and know that you will always have someone who is proud of you.  See you around, brat.

A watery smile formed on the kitsune's face as he folded the letter and put it in the folds of his shirt.  Picking up the sheath, he found it surprisingly light.  Separating sword from scabbard, Shippou revealed a silver blade made of flawless steel.  A strange heat formed around his hand, traveled up his arm, and eventually encompassed his entire body.  Fear lasted only a second, as a deep inner voice told him quite clearly that the Byakkoken had accepted him as its master.  No sooner did he make this realization that the steel expanded outward, becoming a large falchion before the kitsune's very eyes.  Ancient kanji appeared on the blade, each depicting an honorable virtue or quality.  The final symbol, the one closest to the handle, read 'Sentaku' (choice).  The smile grew as Shippou swung the sword in every direction before returning it to its sheath tied around his waist.  With head held high he returned to the village.  Never again would the clearing see the kitsune in pain.  As Shippou reached Kaede's hut, he saw Kirara sleeping by the door, tails undulating softly.  He scratched her head fondly before entering.  Seated around the low fire were the taijiya, monk, and wizened priestess, all silent.  At his entrance they all looked at him.  He knew the drill, sit down by the fire, stay silent, and wait for the bomb to drop.  Sure enough, Miroku took a deep breath.

"Shippou, the time has come to leave the village to continue the search for Naraku.  Get ready for the journey."  The kitsune inwardly smiled at the idea of fighting alongside them with his new sword, but he had already made a promise.  So, with the conviction of a child under oath, he declined.  The silence of the hut deafened him.

Sango tried, she really did.  After all, it wasn't like Shippou was in the right state of mind, right?  With Inuyasha gone and no Kagome, the kitsune was lashing out at those around him.  Of course he wanted to go with them!  What else could he possibly do?  He didn't want to leave her too, did he?  Therein sprouted the seed, when she finally registered his refusal to travel with them.  Her eyes sharpened in an effort to find the terminal defect that had invaded her youngest charge.  Where the hell had that sword come from?

"Shippou, what is that tied to your waist," she asked in a deceptively calm tone of voice.  The kitsune did not answer.  Miroku noticed the weapon as well.  Its creator was obvious and the monk could see that a choice had been made.  So he stood and walked to the door.

"Well, it seems clear that any fears I might have had concerning the safety of this village are unwarranted.  Farewell for now, young guardian," he said with a bow before leaving.  Sango, aghast, ran after him and demanded what the hell had happened in there.  He just smiled.  "I'm sure you saw the sword, did you not Lady Sango?"

"Yeah, so what?"

"That blade could have only come from Inuyasha.  I would even bet all my yen that it was forged from his own fang."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, my dear, it means that little Shippou can finally move on from the slump he was in.  You must understand that he has lost his parents again.  Such a traumatic experience has the ability to warp a young mind.  Shippou needs something to occupy his time as well as a memory of his past and Inuyasha provided him with both."  Comprehension dawned on the taijiya.  She didn't like the fact that she would have to leave another friend behind, but it was the best course of action.  Shippou did not belong on the battlefield.  Resolute, she whistled to Kirara.  The cat transformed and waited as Sango mounted.  For a moment she and Miroku locked eyes before she reached out to help him.  Silent as the grave, the three flew off into the sky.  The new village guardian watched them go.

"KAZE NO KIZU!"  The cry echoed through the forest followed by a resounding thud.  Inuyasha sheathed Tetsusaiga as he approached the blasted remains of the hebiyoukai.  The vial in his haori pulsated faster with each step closer, forming a constant sheen of energy by the decapitated head.  Never hesitating, the hanyou slammed his fist through its skull and searched for what he knew was there.  After ten minutes of wading the brain waves, he pulled out the jewel shard.  'How the hell did he get it in there anyway,' he thought as he wiped the tissue off his entire arm and put the shard in the vial with its eight brothers.  Myouga appeared on his shoulder, ready to voice his opinion.

"Well done Inuyasha-sama.  You were able to find and destroy the demon and obtain its jewel shard."

"Yeah, after hunting for almost five days!  These damn things don't react to another shard until its right in front of it!  At this pace we'll never complete the jewel!"  Despite his angry tone and exaggerated hand gestures, the nomiyoukai could sense the desperation rising from the depths.  A slight tremble sneaked into the hanyou's hands as his rant became louder and his fists punched holes in nearby trees.  This was not good; he had to find a way to calm his master down.  That was his purpose in the end.  Myouga was useless in battle since he always ran from them and he could not cook or hunt.  But he had a link to the past, a cache of stories and memories that could soothe the savage beast within Inuyasha's soul.  Three months have come and gone since the parting and the quest for the jewel resumed anew.  And only one shard to show for it.  Times like these reminded Myouga of the immense value that Kagome's miko ability had on the journey.  She could see the shards and purify them, two skills his master did not possess.  Even as they continued walking aimlessly the nomiyoukai watched Inuyasha.  His countenance had not changed and the vial continued to pulse with a pink glow.  'So far so good,' he thought as his shoulders relaxed.  Suddenly Inuyasha stopped, clutching his chest as the soft pink glow pulsated erratically, the light shifting between pink and black.  The evil in the new shard had begun to spread to the others, just as Myouga had feared.  Without a miko's purifying abilities, his master would be unable to resist the power of the shards.  Many tense moments past as the hanyou fell to his knees and clutched his chest harder.

Overwhelming, such anger and hatred in that one shard!  It went tendrils through his chest to his heart, searching for the weakness that would render him a slave to the Jewel.  A bitter smile took the place of the grimace on his face.  Closing his eyes, he let the shard exert its full influence on him, feeling a blast of power shake him.  The tendrils he felt around his mind dissipated.  The shards shone brightly and dulled to a soft pink glow again.  'Can't control what's not there.'

Myouga sighed as his master resumed his walk.  He did not fully understand what had transpired, but it was clear Inuyasha had found a way to keep the darkness of the shard from his heart.  The quest continued on, but it became increasingly clear that without Kagome it would probably be a long time before they find another shard.  Weeks bled by until two months past before the next break literally crossed their path.

Kouga was not worried, that would be bad.  Still, he could not get over the fact that he smelled that mutt's scent and not that of his woman.  Dismissing it at first glance, since there had been times when she had gone somewhere for a while, he made a few extra sniffs.  He was alone; there was no scent of incense or womanly musk, not even kitsune or neko.  Curiosity finally got the better of him and he ran to intercept the filthy half-breed.

"Hey mutt, what are you doing around here," he demanded loudly, "And where's Kagome?"  Inuyasha said nothing but at the mention of the name the wolf demon could smell a spike in the other's scent.  The hanyou, however, just realized that he was within reach of three shards.

"What do you want you scrawny wolf?  Finally decided to hand over your jewel shards?"

"In your dreams mutt.  I asked you a question: where's Kagome?"  At that point the bravado ceased.  Inuyasha brought out Tetsusaiga and readied the Wind Scar.  The sudden change made Kouga take a step back.  For a moment he was confused but it suddenly dawned on him.  A devilish smile lit up his wolfish features.  "I get it… she finally left, didn't she?  She realized that I'm the only one for her and left your filthy self all alone!  Now all I have to do is find her and…" he could not finish because the roar of the wind slicing in half alerted him to the giant blade rushing toward him.  He leapt back, just barely missing the tip as it grazed his skin.  Another swing came immediately afterwards, faster and more powerful.  Kouga looked up at his opponent, demanding a reason for such an unprovoked attack.  His steps faltered to see the icy cold in those eyes, the utter lack of emotion.  The swings came with a precision and speed only the most powerful of demons could wield.  Were it not for the shards in his legs he would not be able to dodge.  They danced among the trees, Inuyasha swinging and Kouga evading.  Finally the wolf demon saw an opportunity and hopped to the right as the blade shot forward in a stab.  Using the hanyou's weight Kouga knocked the sword away and punched his opponent in the chest.  Inuyasha slammed into a tree and fell to his knees on the ground.  The victor snickered.  "Don't bother getting up mutt, you know you're nothing without your precious sword.

That bastard!  How dare he assume such things about Kagome!  How dare that scrawny wolf mock and scorn his pain!  A voice within begged him to remain calm, but without Tetsusaiga, control felt like such a burden.  'Let go,' a stronger voice said in a velvety tone.  'Let the anger, the bloodlust consume you.  Kill!  Kill the enemy!'  The world exploded in red before everything went black.

Myouga watched from the branch as the stripes spread across his master's cheeks.  'Kouga you fool.  You shall regret what you have done.'

Kouga snorted arrogantly as he turned to walk away.  Just as he started his trademark tornado, a strong pulse of youki made him pause.  It was coming from behind him, from the half-breed!  Turning quickly he found the spot by the tree empty.  A rustle to his left warned him too late as he felt claws pierce his skin.  Time slowed to a crawl as the fingers pushed deeper into the wolf-demon's chest before he slapped them away.  Where had that speed come from?  The scent of pure demon was everywhere.  A rush of breeze the only indication of the next slash, Kouga quickly realized beating the hanyou would not be so easy; he would have to kill him.

Rage, so much rage in his veins.  Defiler, he must kill the slandering bastard that insulted his mate.  Kill, kill, kill!  Die scrawny wolf!  No one talks about Kagome that way!

Kouga used the Shikon shards to form a tornado, propelling him into the air.  Scanning the trees he saw a glimpse of red to his right.  Throwing a punch he succeeded in knocking the hanyou back.  Unfazed, Youkai Inuyasha flipped up and resumed attacking.  The chief battle that raged now was within the wolf demon lord.  Swallow hi pride and run from the enraged hanyou, quite possibly saving his life, or stay and fight until the impertinent beast lay dead as his feet.  Ignoring his instincts to run, Kouga took the offensive.

'Die!  Die!  DIE!  The bastard defiler must die!  He made fun of Kagome!'  The rushing thoughts halted for a split second.  'Kagome?  My mate… what am I doing?'  The red haze disappeared and he was met with Kouga running toward him.  Dodging, his mind worked to remember.  That damn scrawny wolf had slandered Kagome and without his sword, his youkai blood sprang forth.  A burst of pride swelled his chest when he saw the huge gash on the wolf demon's chest.  He picked up Tetsusaiga during one of his sprints and continued to dodge, just waiting.  There was a strange tint in his opponent's scent.  It was laced with fear!  Another stroke of the ego.  'Wait for it, Inuyasha, wait for that one moment,' he told himself as he continued to elude the punches and kicks.  Suddenly, Kouga shot his fist at Inuyasha's face.  The hanyou hopped back and launched the Wind Scar point-blank range.

Kouga could feel the blast of youki slice through his fur and burning his skin.  The force of the impact sent him flying back.  As he lay on the ground struggling to stand he noticed the change in the air.  The scent of a full demon was gone, replaced by the stench of the half-breed.  As for said half-breed he studied the wolf demon warily with sword resting behind his neck.  A smile crossed his face.

"Does it hurt Ookamitaishou?  That is the taste of defeat.  Now hand over your shards or I might have to cut off the limbs they reside in," he said, the fire in his eyes clear showing his determination to do just that.  Fury pumped in Kouga's veins at the arrogance in the hanyou's tone.  Never mind that he had been beaten!  That doesn't matter anyway!  That filthy beast was not about to get his jewel shards!

"Screw you half-breed, like I would willingly turn over my shards to you!"  With that statement the proud wolf demon lord of the mountains turned and ran.  Inuyasha watched him with amused and frustrated eyes.  Truth be told, he was glad the wolf had ran because at that moment his legs gave out.  That Wind Scar had taken everything left in him.  The world blurred as he lay back to take a little nap.  From far off on a ridge, a figure in white and red watched from a ridge, a longbow across her shoulder.  She had seen the whole thing.

"What has happened to you," Kikyou's voice asked to the wind.  "Where are your band and that reincarnation of mine?  Have you forsaken them?  Are you finally ready to go to Hell with me?"  These questions the breeze could not answer, so the ageless miko decided to ask in person and she descended the cliff.

That's it for now.  Let me know what you all think.  New chapter coming soon!  Ja ne!