InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightmare's Memories ❯ Concentrate ( Chapter 12 )

Disclaimer: I don't own it, blah blah blah. . .

Author's Note: @_@ Whew! Just finished the last chapter of A Pirate's Life For Me. 41 pages long! Ack!

^_^; Anyway. . .

One: ::deep sigh:: I knew this was going to happen.

Okay, the kid in the dream from last chapter was Naraku. Through the whole thing. NO, he was NOT Onigumo or anyone else. `Kumo' was his last name- that's why the teacher called him `Mr. Kumo.'

Two: The way time moves in this story

I admit, it does work weird. Naraku seems to live in a time after everyone else- but he actually was born before them. This story isn't necessarily taking place in our world, where time runs the way we're used to it running. Sorry for the confusion. ^_^; Or you could think he used magic to travel backwards through time afterward. Whatever. Ooo! Or it could be like in the movie `Laputa: Castle in the Sky,' where technology mixes! ^_^ Your choice.

Three: ~ Heh heh heh, you don't have to call me "-san." But yeah, feel a little sorry for naraku now! I never caught what Kanna was, if you ever mentioned it. Is she just the reflection of his emptiness? What about his love? For his mother? For Amy? What about love? Does Naraku just take people at random? Once they are on the train, do the people begin to change into "freaks" or does he target people that have an underlying "freak-ish" quality? Onigumo could've definately been considered a freak with the spider thing. He had that going for him before he ever heard of Naraku. But then again, there's everyone else (excluding Shippo). Welps, anyway, just some more questions to jostle your mind. Continue, onegai!

Ja ne, Maiden of the Moon-san!

NO! Banish Kikyo! You did a good thing by leaving her out of this! You might've made her all bitchy, and I really can't stand it when people do that. She wasn't like that at all, so I don't understand how people skew her character so much. Oh well, ja!~

@_@ Woo! Good gods, Anandria! ^_^; You certainly keep me busy. ^_~

Let's see now. . . I did mention what Kanna was- she represents his held emotions and yes, his emptiness. She's all the feelings he kept silent and bottled for so many years, while Kagura is her opposite. As for why Naraku chooses who he does- he picks people interested in or are freaks, or contain freak-like qualities. Then the people sort of become one with their hidden inner freak.

It's dark magic. That's really all there is to it. ^_^;

As for Kikyo- let's not get into her. ^_^ We'll just keep it at `No. She's not going to be in the story. (And the only time I've truly turned her into a bitch is in `If The Slipper Fits' `cause she was the bad guy. In A Pirate's Life For Me she's one of the more dependable characters. ^_^)

Four: Nghi-chan:

Yes, I know my gore is corny. ^_^;;; You're so much better than me. . . ::bow bow::

I'm glad you think I'm good at sensual stuff. . . I think. . . ^_^;

As for my `If the Slipper Fits' rejection- they just sent me a form letter. No explanation or anything. ^_^; I sent it to Arthur A. Levine Books (or something like that). But I'm sending it to someone new ASAP. ^_^ And I'm also debating which fic to change into a novel next. I'm torn between `I'll Remember You Forever' and `A Pirate's Life For Me'. ^_^;;;

Yes, FF.net needs spaces for their reviews.

And okay, I'll try to read MARS. (I finally got to read a little Rurouni Kenshin! ^_^ I like it a lot so far- Kenshin's kawaii! ^_~)

Okay, I think that's all. . .

Only a few more chapters to go before this story is over!

~*~

There was once a game-

A popular game-

Where one closed their eyes and turned their backs to a friend. Poking the first in the back, the second then chanted:

"Concentrate

People are dying

Children are crying

Concentrate."

But it was just a game, right. . . ?

Keh.

No.

People *are* dying.

Children *are* crying.

Can you help them. . . ?

Try- - -

And concentrate.

~*~*~*~*~

Nightmare's Memories

~*~*~*~*~

~Chapter Twelve: Concentrate~

Chugchugchugchugchug- - -

Chug chug chug. . .

Chug. . .

Chhhhhhhhhh. . .

Kagome's eyes snapped open.

. . . ?

Blinking at the sunlight that poured through the knotholes, she took in the situation.

She was lying on her back, tangled in Inu-Yasha's limbs. Bloody gashes adorned her arms, legs, and chest, which was exposed by her torn blouse. Red liquid still seeped through her clothes and pooled up beneath the her and the hanyou, who was looking just as scarred. Slashes ran down his chest and face, silver hair now speckled with dark maroon. His haori's top had been flung aside and now resided on the floor to their left.

She felt sore and her skin stung slightly- - -

But at the same time she had never felt so good in her life.

. . . ?

It was then her fatigued mind registered something else.

The train- - -

Was no longer moving.

???

"What. . . ?" she murmured, confused.

"Shh," a rough, soft voice came from above her.

!

Quickly looking up, the girl found Inu-Yasha slowly opening his golden eyes.

"But, Inu-Yasha, why- ?"

"He's coming," he replied quietly.

With that, he carefully untangled their limbs, licking one of Kagome's still bleeding wounds as he did so. When they were finally separated- for it took a few moments- he noted that the girl was still half-naked, her hands trying vainly to cover her chest.

With a gentle growl, he picked up his red top and carefully tied it around her like a dress.

"Inu-Yasha. . ." she whispered, gently putting a hand on his cheek, looking frightened.

She didn't want him to move, for anything to happen. . .

He leaned over and kissed her cheek, canines grazing her flesh.

"I'm sorry," he murmured in her ear. "That I cannot protect you anymore. . ."

. . .

She felt it again.

That cold feeling- an odd snapping-

As if something in her heart-

Or possibly her mind-

Was breaking.

But still, she ignored it.

"It's all right," she replied, resting her forehead on his. "Don't be sorry."

He did not reply, only covered her hand with his own.

. . .

Then- - -

"Kagom- - -"

But before he could finish, his ear twitched, eyes narrowing.

Bolting upright, he got to his feet, baring his teeth towards the door of the stationary compartment.

Kagome swallowed, slowly standing as well; hiding behind Inu.

"What is it. . . ?" she whispered, but he silenced her with a shake of his head.

SHNK.

The door flew open, blinding the pair in a shower of sunlight.

"Ah, Kagome, Inu-Yasha," a smooth voice reverberated off the walls as the two threw their arms up to cover their eyes. "You're awake. Perfect timing."

The girl's eyes grew wide as a searing pain shot through her body and mind, one which she was barley able to mask.

~-ttle boy said nothing, instead choosing to walk into his classroom and read from his favorite library book-`Dark Mag-~

Naraku stepped leisurely into the car, a large grin on his face.

The pain grew.

~-ERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!" an angry male voice boomed as soon as the child entered the livi-~

"We're here."

*

Chains.

Miles and miles of chains.

Kagome swallowed hard, head still dully throbbing as she walked slowly after Inu-Yasha- chains locked around her wrists, ankles, and throat. They were bound together, the hanyou before her and Naraku before him- though the dark leader was only pulling the despised chains, not wearing them.

The little group was traveling down a dusty old road- - -

A dusty old road lined with shops and tents, all bustling with people. Children ran around underfoot, screaming and laughing with happiness.

A fair.

They were in the middle of a fair.

"What are we doing here?" Kagome asked Inu quietly, eyes locked on a group of staring kids, all who were holding balloons and whispering amongst themselves.

"I don't know," he growled softly, "but whatever *his* plan is, it's not going to be good. . ."

Silence blanketed once more as they dragged their feet into the city square, dodging merchants and townsfolk alike. Quite a few stopped and pointed, carrying on curious conversations with their neighbors about the odd people that had just walked into their home.

"You know them?"

"No. . .But they sure are weird lookin'. I don't like them."

"Kinda freaky, huh?"

"Very freaky."

"Must be for that evil-looking tent in the center of the carnival."

"The one by the butcher's tent?"

"That's the one. . ."

"Woo, I REALLY don't like `em. Not one bit."

"Freaks."

"Aye."

Neither Kagome or Inu-Yasha said anything to these people, instead they kept their heads down; eyes on their feet.

The less they involved themselves the better- - -

For who knows what they might do if provoked.

*

"Here's our tent," Naraku smirked, tugging his freaks along. "Don't bother trying to resist entering. These aren't ordinary chains around your necks."

Kagome winced, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to stop the memory she knew that was coming- - -

When a deep, throaty growl escaped the hanyou's lips, causing the dark haired man to glance back, annoyed, as the leader painfully yanking the pair into the pitch blackness of the tent.

"Don't get smart with me, dog."

"I wouldn't bother. Trying to `be smart' with a IDIOT like you would be pointless!"

- - - !!!

As the words left Inu-Yasha's mouth, so did a yelp of pain. Eyes momentarily blank, he fell to his knees, bringing Kagome down with him.

"Inu-Yasha-?!" she gasped, horror struck as the boy panted, sweat trickling down his face.

?!

"What. . . the hell. . . ?" the amber eyed male spat, glaring up at the darkly chuckling Naraku. "What the fuck is this thing?!"

"It's a Chain Reaction," he shrugged nonchalantly. "It reacts to thoughts I don't want going through your mind."

He smirked at Inu-Yasha, closing the cloth door of their booth. "So whenever you think of killing me, escaping, etc., it will shock you with my own dark magic."

"Great," the boy snarled. "Just great. . ."

"It is, isn't it?"

Turning away from the furious male, Naraku then locked eyes with Kagome, who was slowly slinking as far back as she possibly could.

The pain- - - !

~-ntless cuts on his arms, each gushing red liquid and searing with the promised pain of infection as rocks and gravel made there way insi-~

"What's wrong, Kagome. . . ?" he whispered as the chains tripped her, causing her to tumble to the shadowy ground. "Are you frightened. . . ?"

She swallowed hard, eyes filling with tears.

~-elt his skin blister and boil as his organs quivered. Red blood poured faster from his wounds, pooling into three large puddles as wis-~

`Just go away. . .'

~-hat was all he knew as his flesh began to disintegrate, his bones becoming nothing but ash- the last of his cries dyi-~

Hissing in intense suffering, she tried to keep her eyes shut, blocking out his face and the memories that were beginning to swirl faster inside her mind.

An icy laugh rung throughout the small tent.

"You are, aren't you?

Good."

*

SLAM.

She was no longer chained to Inu.

Still chained, but without him there . . .

"Now, you stay right here," Naraku chuckled as he locked the door to Kag's cell, smirking slightly.

Kagome did not reply. She simply curled into a ball in the middle of the circular confinement. It *was* an odd cell- looking as if it had been made for an incredibly large bird. Something kept it hanging a few feet in the air- probably a plank or hook of some kind. Made of cold, rough, black iron, it creaked and rocked slightly back and forth.

But she took in none of this; instead lay there with her eyes tightly shut and her hands clasped over her ears, trying and failing to block out the sound- and her own thoughts.

`The memories are back. . .

Why. . . ?

. . .

The shield of Inu-Yasha's words are breaking. . .

. . . Because he says. . . he cannot protect me. . .

. . .

I can't protect myself, either. . .'

"You leave her alone!" Inu-Yasha was snarling, eyes flashing dangerously as he tugged at his own chains.

The girl froze, own eyes flashing.

Oh, God- the pa- - -

But his own bark of pain snapped the girl out of her thoughts, alerting her to the disgusting smell of burning, crackling flesh.

The Chain Reaction.

"Inu-Yasha!" she cried, bolting to the side of her cage, trying to reach for the boy- but her hands were still locked together.

"Quiet, girl!" Naraku snapped, cracking a whip against the side of the cell.

Kagome instantly reared back, head pounding.

~-e maroon liquid slowly danced towards the sky, molding itself into the form of a hu-~

"Now," the dark haired man snarled, kicking the hanyou in the ribs as he writhed on the ground. "Get into that cell!" He pointed towards a large, square, silver one, set ten feet away from the girl's.

"Never!" the boy fought back, instantly sending him into another spasm of suffering; the chains growing white-hot with magic.

"INU-YASHA!"

`Please, God- help him- - - !'

"I SAID GET IN THE DAMN CAGE NOW, FREAK!" Naraku bellowed, whipping a gun out of his pocket.

"No! Shoot me if you feel like it!" the hanyou spat, coughing up blood as his eyes, flashed red.

Another loud pound raked through Kagome's weak form, her eyes changing momentarily maroon as- - -

~So the pain began.

The ripping, burning feel of the very essence of his body being torn to pieces- like ripping flesh off one's bones.

Screaming into the howling wind, he slammed his head against the cement; a weak attempt to distract himself from the indescribable sensation. ~

. . .

It was getting worse. . .

"I wasn't GOING to shoot you, fool!" the dark eyed man smirked maniacally, cocking the gun- - -

And turning it to point at Kagome, all in one swift movement.

The boy's amber orbs widened.

`Kagome. . . !'

"Well, boy?" the elder hissed. "You gonna get in your cage. . .?"

Glaring murderously at Naraku, Inu-Yasha slowly managed to get to his feet, wincing as he limped into the cell.

`Inu-Yasha- - - !'

The door slammed shut behind the boy as he fell back to his knees, breathing hard.

"I'm going to. . . attract a crowd," the dark haired man announced, grinning widely. "Be good little freaks while I'm gone. . ."

With that, he spun on his heel and left, the cloth flap being used as a door flapping in the wind his swift exit created.

. . .

. . .

. . .

". . . Inu. . . Yasha. . . ?" Kagome whispered, slowly crawling over to the bars of her cage and grasping them with trembling hands. "Are you. . . oka- - - ?"

"Damn him," the boy snarled, bangs covering his eyes as he, too, clenched the bars of his cell. "DAMN HIM TO HELL!"

The sizzle of the chains around Inu's neck made Kag wince, but the hanyou didn't even show he felt them.

But that wasn't the only reason Kagome winced.

She also recoiled because the pounding in her mind had greatly intensified.

And GOD IT HURT!

Shaking in pain, the girl clasped her hands to her head, tugging her hair.

`Make it stop. . .

Someone, please. . .

Make. . .

It. . .

STOP!'

SNAP!

Both Kagome and Inu-Yasha's heads shot up, looking madly above them.

Was that. . .

The frame of their tent. . . ?

. . .

It was.

The next minute, the huge black tarp covering them blew away, the wood used to keep the tent up falling quickly to the ground. All that remained were the four wooden posts that were blocking off the perimeter of their stake of land, and the two `freaks' cages. Kag's was even still hovering.

. . .

"What. . . just happened. . . ?" Inu-Yasha asked quietly, eyes wide in shock.

Kagome simply swallowed, slowly backing away to the farthest edge of her cage, whimpering softly.

*

"Someone's coming."

These simple words broke though the spell of silence that had settled over the caged pair like a knife.

Kag glanced slowly over at the hanyou, who was sniffing the air. "Who?"

"Naraku. . ." he replied quietly. "Naraku and. . . a lot of others. . ."

"Townsfolk?"

"Festival goers. The ones pointing and laughing earlier."

". . .

They're going to try and hurt us, aren't they. . . ?"

She knew they would. . .

Inu said nothing for a moment, and then-

"It'll be okay, Kagome."

She looked away, eyes filling with tears.

He was trying to be nice, to sugar coat the facts. . .

But she knew. . .

Being different wasn't tolerated- not on this Earth.

. . .

"Kagome- look at me."

. . .

Slowly turning, she did so, her eyes sparking with tears.

His serious face reflected in her stormy orbs, his amber eyes calm-

Though they held a hint of worry.

"It WILL be okay."

". . .

I hope so."

*

They were here.

And it was worse then she ever would have thought.

. . .

Please, God, make them go away. . .

Make them stop- - - !

Why? Why wouldn't they quit?

Being different isn't that bad- - -

Is it?

Why do they fear those who are not the same. . . ?

They weren't doing anything wrong!

Please, please!

Make them go away- - - !

*

"Look at them!"

"They look so- so- weird!"

"That one girl, she looks dead tired!"

"Hell- she looks almost dead!"

"Are that boy's ears real?"

"Don't poke them, Abby! They're dangerous!"

Naraku said nothing, he simply stood next to the cages and smiled calmly. He looked like he was waiting for something. . .

Kagome glanced over at Inu-Yasha.

He was at his wit's end.

On all sides, people were gawking and pointing and teasing. For the most part he sat there, trying to remain calm, taking it- - -

But when people started to touch him, throw things at him- - -

Then he began growling.

And Kagome's head began pounding once more.

"Hey, mama! Look! Look at his hair!"

The child gave it a yank.

Pounding hard. . .

"Keh! Stupid animal thing!" a man grunted, throwing a bottle against the bars. The male's friends laughed as it shattered.

So hard. . .

And then. . .

Attention turned to her, as well.

"Hey, dad! Look at that girl!"

~"Mama! Mama!" a child sobbed, running through the darkness of the woods. "Mama, I'm lost! Help. . . please. . ."~

"Keh! Seems she's having a bit of a head ache!"

~A blonde man screamed in horror as the wolf that had just torn his livestock apart lunged for him, the creature's teeth stained red in cattle blood.~

"What do you give a freak for head pains?"

~"NO!" a red haired woman cried, holding her lifeless newborn in her arms. Her first child. . . dead. . .

"No. . . !"~

"Who cares?"

~Thunder boomed loudly as lightning struck three feet before the teen girl- - - striking down her little brother.

"Tim. . ." she gaped as the boy fell, eyes wide as his skin crackled- burning him alive. "TIM!"~

"Hey, freak! You hungry?"

~"No. . . Daddy. . . Please. . . Don't leave me alone. . . !"~

Kagome clutched her head, sobbing loudly.

`No-

Please!

No more memories!'

They pelted her with bits of bread, laughing.

"Hey!" Inu-Yasha snapped, shaking the bars of his cage the best he could, trying to bring the unwanted attention back to himself. "Leave her be!"

"Oooo," one teen boy smirked, throwing bread at the hanyou as well. "He looooves the other freak."

Inu snarled.

"Good match, huh?"

"Heh heh heh."

"Too bad the girl's so weird. She's a real beauty."

"Yeah, I'd love to get her into *my* bed!"

"DON'T MAKE FUN OF HER, DAMN IT!" the hanyou bellowed, anger coursing through his veins.

Kagome's sobs came louder as the pounding in her ears grew, her blood burning in rage.

~"Ken- RUN! They're coming- - - the child fell to his knees before the robber, blood gushing from his sid- - -"Please! Don't hurt my baby! Please, n- - -whirl of wind roared over the valley, tearing up trees and animals as they ran, the whole family ran, knowing that it wouldn't help in the leas- - -~

"Hey, look- that weird red thing she's wearing- you can see under the skirt part if you lean over like this!"

"STOP IT!" Inu-Yasha roared, eyes flashing between gold and red- - -

As Kag's began flickering between colors too.

Blue.

Red.

Blue.

Red.

Stones replaced the bread that had once been thrown, insults becoming louder, ruder.

"LEAVE HER ALONE!"

His claws began lengthening, the bars he was clenching crumpling in his grasp.

Red. Red.

Gold. Blue.

Red. Red.

Gold. Blue.

Red. Red.

Red. Red.

BOOM!

Everyone screamed as the girl's cage exploded, sending hunks of sharp metal everywhere. The heavy bottom of the cell fell to the ground with a loud BAM, knocking three teasing townsfolk out cold.

- - - ?! What the hell?!

Inu-Yasha's eyes reverted back to amber in shock.

"Ka- Kagome- - - ?!"

Blinking in surprise, he looked frantically around on the ground for her, with the pieces of her cell.

But she wasn't there.

?!

Looking up he felt his jaw drop.

She was floating there, eyes blank and red, her body stiff and pale.

Like a marinate. . .

"Kagome. . . !"

?!

What the hell was wrong?!

Naraku smirked, unfazed as the screaming people began trying to run- - - but many found their legs paralyzed as the girl lifted a hand, thrusting it outward. Those who could still move tried to make for the exits, but dark red force fields erected themselves.

The mortals were trapped.

They were scared.

They were about to pay.

Perfect.

*

She saw everything through a red haze-

Reality mixing with dreams.

Fear.

Death.

Screams.

Cries.

The never ending cycle of horror.

~"PLEASE! NO! Don't take my child!"~

"Please, lady! Stop!"

"Mama!"

~"Help me, someone! I can't find my way!"~

"Get out of the way! Move!"

Her head pounded, searing as if on fire.

She wanted it to stop-

NEEDED IT TO STOP!

Lifting her arms, she watched blankly as near by tents exploded. Glass from a glassblower booth shattered, flinging sharp shards everywhere- many of which buried themselves in the flesh of those nearby.

People cried, screamed, bled.

But her pain didn't stop-

The memories didn't stop.

THEY JUST WOULDN'T STOP.

So neither would she.

*

"KAGOME!" Inu-Yasha screamed, trying and failing to pull the bars off of his cell. They'd bend, but he just couldn't get through them- - - ! "KAGOME, STOP THIS!"

The scent of fear and blood was overpowering- clinging to the earth as fires burst into life left and right. Dry grass burst into red-hot life, sending embers flying.

The carnival was in complete disarray-

Tents and booths were destroyed, the goods the merchants were once trying to sell broken and scattered. Wooden beams and glass shards flew through the air, jamming themselves into random escapees, piercing through their heart.

All the while the girl floated a few feet off the ground, watching through blank red eyes, responding to nothing- not even the screams and begs of the youngest children.

`What's wrong with her?!' Inu thought, horrified.

Wait. . .

~Her eyes slowly glazed over, their stormy color darkening to a glistening maroon as her hand, twitching, reached up- reaching for the boy's neck.

`Just want to kill the nightmares. . .

To kill. . .'

!!

What the hell was she doing- - - ?!

"Kagome! Kagome, stop!" he whispered, amber orbs shimmering in worry- but he did nothing to halt her actions.~

. . .

She. . .

She was losing her soul . . .

. . .

She was now a `freak'.

"Kagome. . ." he swallowed, trembling.

`No. . .

Not Kagome . . .'

"KAGOME!"

"Give up, Inu-Yasha!" Naraku cackled from his side, arms crossed over his torso, a look of triumph on his face as he watched the destruction. "Give it up! She cannot hear you- nor should you want her to!"

"She's becoming a monster!"

"NO, she's giving them what they deserve!" the man roared. "Finally, after years of waiting, years of sorting- searching- for the most powerful freaks I find them! And now you both shall get me my revenge! Revenge for all *they* did to me. . ."

"They're not even the ones that persecuted you!" Inu-Yasha screamed over the cries of the townsfolk. "They're innocent!"

"INNOCENT?! DID YOU NOT SEE WHAT THEY WERE DOING TO YOU?! THEY'RE ALL THE SAME!"

Knives from the near-by butcher tent began quaking in their stands. Soon, they, too, would join the wind of weapons soaring through the air, pinning people to trees, posts, and carts. . .

Inu-Yasha looked all around him, his blood turning to ice.

How could anyone think this as just?!

"KAGOME!" the hanyou cried again, ignoring Naraku and the chain that was now sending powerful jolts through his body. "KAGOME, SNAP OUT OF IT!"

Something did snap all right.

The bars of his cage.

They completely broke- flying into the tornado of sharp objects circling around the floating girl.

!

A chance!

Tearing out of the cell before the rest of it exploded, the hanyou raced forward, almost tripping over his own feet as he bolted to the girl.

He had to save her- - -

Stop her!

"KAGOME!" he screamed as he came to a stop before the girl, looking up into her blank eyes.

. . .

She slowly looked back down at him, maroon orbs acting as a mirror- doing nothing by reflecting his worried, frantic, serious face.

"Kagome, listen to me!" he cried desperately. "You have to wake up! You have to snap out of it!"

. . .

She did not reply.

She only. . .

Slowly. . .

Pointed at him.

- - - !

Instantly, boards upon boards, stones upon stones, shards upon shards came flying down at the hanyou- slicing through his clothes and skin. But he still stood his ground, oblivious to the blood now seeping through his flesh and clothing.

He *had* to get through to her!

"KAGOME!" he roared, tears slowly collecting in the corners of his eyes. "Kagome, you've got to try! Please! Try to control it!"

He took a step closer, opening his arms, lifting them towards the girl.

"I'm here to help!

I won't- - -

I won't leave you alone. . ."

`. . . I was a fool.

I was afraid.

Now I see. . .

You need me as I need you. And so. . .

I pledge to always protect you, Kagome. . .

No matter what.'

He smiled reassuringly up at her.

"You were here for me, now I'm here for you!

Fight it!"

He swallowed, a tear trickling down his cheek.

"I know you don't want to do this, Kagome- So please!

Please! Concentrate! Concentrate and fight it!"

~*~

@_@

Latly my chapters have been so long! @_@_@_@_@_@

^_^;; Well, I'm sure you're not complaining. . .

^_^ Hope you enjoyed. Last chapter should be up ASAP.

Ja ne!