InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightwalker ❯ Meetings ( Chapter 9 )

Yeah, I know fast update. I just couldn't stop. There's a lot in this chapter.

 

A few more OCs in this chapter, but these are the last ones. You will meet EVERYONE in Inuyasha's family in this chapter. Also, I'd like to point out that Narek and Fenrir will be my only other original characters. The rest are characters you know and love from the series, but I still won't tell you who the nightwalker king is. Huhuhuhuhu!

 

Also, an anonymous reviewer said that she/he really liked Narek's character. THANK YOU! Why? Well, because that I always wanted a villain who had appeal.

 

On another note, Ro0tin4Kagome snagged 100! YAY! ^_^ Congratulations! So, in honor of you getting in 100th place, this chapter is dedicated to YOU!

 

Also, 100 reviews! I so happy. T_T I DEEPLY appreciate reviews.

 

I only have one request. I already know that you like the story, otherwise why would you bother with it. Please, PLEASE, if you review don't write, “I love this story/chapter, can't wait for the next one” or something of that extent. I want to know WHAT you liked. I hate to say this, but it's really down-hearting sometimes that I don't get opinions and just “update soon,” or “I love it,” or “great chapter.” I don't want to discourage you from reviewing, but it's very upsetting for me. Thank you.

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, nor do I claim that I had the brilliance to come up with him like that of Romiko Takahashi. But Narek is MINE!!!

 

 

Part Nine: Meetings

 

She didn't know why she felt so torn, or why she was so thankful to see him. It was a member of his kind that had almost killed her earlier that night. Yet, she felt uncomfortable around her own human brethren who had offered her protection. Why did the best solace come from the very person she wanted to be free of? She hadn't moved in the seconds after he had given her his answer to her query and for the moment, she was content to rest herself against his burning skin.

 

He could smell the salt on her. “Are you okay?” He asked as she leaned her head against his shoulder. She didn't reply at first. “Kagome?” He called again.

 

“I'm fine.” He could hear the intense effort she put in keeping her voice straight.

 

“You're sure?”

 

“Yeah.” He heard something that sounded undoubtedly like a sniff.

 

“Then do you mind telling me just what happened to you?” He asked, removing one arm from her back, the other still between her shoulder blades, lifting her injured arm, and smelling the dried blood under the bandage. She didn't move. “Who attacked you?” He asked.

 

Kagome didn't say anything, not wanting to recollect the night's events. She stood silent and still, letting her eyes fill but didn't allow the water to fall. Somehow being close to him brought back the terror of the day's events. She had never felt so helpless, so scarred. Narek had been the most treacherous creature she had ever come in contact with. A part of her had already known that she couldn't stand much of a chance against the nightwalkers, but she thought she could at least defend herself, despite Inuyasha's constant warnings for her to be careful. Now the gravity of the situation set in, making her feel somewhat inept and frightened. Shaking, she gripped his shirt, hiding her face in his chest.

 

Inuyasha felt the warmth drain from her skin when he questioned about her aggressor. He never expected her to fall apart and cry, even though she was remaining silent to hide her sobs and appear tough. He didn't know what stunned him most; the fact that she was weeping in his presence or the fact that she did not seem to want to let him go. He starred at her arm, unable to identify the scent of who assaulted her. The smell had been masked well. Whoever had attacked her knew what they were doing. He was slightly angry that he had to scour the entire city for some girl, but grateful that she had not been too hurt. It would have happened eventually.

 

He knew her ankle was twisted because she walked with a slight limb. Her back was hurt also because when he ran his fingers across her spine, she tensed. It must have been pure luck that the assailant didn't cut out her heart.

 

Red surfaced in his skin and he instinctively pushed her away. Kagome struggled to regain her balance, gritting her teeth as she stood on her aching heel, and sending him a scathing, surprised look. Her expression vanished when she looked upon his posture.

 

He covered his eyes with his hand, hissing, leaning against the black brick of the alley wall. Stepping closer she called out, “Are you all right?”

 

“Stay away!” He ordered and Kagome pulled her hand back.

 

“What's wrong?” Kagome tried getting a hold of his hand so she could see his eyes.

 

“I told you to stay back.” He growled quietly, but didn't move when Kagome grabbed hold of his wrist, pulling it. “Are you all right?” She could hear him rasping as she peeled his hand away from his eye only to see a blazing, red iris stare back at her.

 

Gasping, Kagome jumped a few steps backward, her hurt foot stinging. “W-what?” His fists were clenched so much that his skin was turning white.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

“Just…give me a minute.” He took a deep breath, closing his eyes and facing the sky. It was the smell of fresh blood that came from her arm; the wound had not completely closed and it had affected him in a strong sense, since he had not nourished himself for a few days. Not to mention that the cut in her mouth carried a delicious smell in her breath. Also, there was something new about her scent.

 

“Are you okay now?” Kagome asked, patting him on the shoulder.

 

“Yeah. That aside,” he turned his eyes, gold again, to her, “how are you feeling?”

 

Kagome sent him a quizzical look. “I'm fine.”

 

“I mean your injuries: you ankle and your arm. Is there anything else?”

 

“My back a little, but that's it.”

 

“Can you give me a name?”

 

“Name?” Kagome tilted her head.

 

“Of your attacker.” Kagome blanched again. Inuyasha sighed tiredly.

 

“Then I'll ask about it later. We should get away from here.” He walked over and hooked his arm around her back.

 

 

 

“I'm glad you're not too hurt.” Rukiya came forward as Inuyasha and Kagome appeared in front of his home. Lilliana stood by Rukiya, her face pale. She looked ghostly and ill. Behind her, Sesshoumaru stood with a woman Kagome didn't recognize. She was very pretty, feathers in her black hair, with ruby eyes. Her arm was hooked affectionately around Sesshoumaru's waist. Kagome found her eyes trailing from the woman to Lilliana. Why was her expression so blank?

 

“Where's Claire?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Still with Richard. I don't think he's noticed Kagome's gone yet.” Lilliana explained, her eyes still downcast and her voice low.

 

“Are you ok-” Kagome began but Rukiya cut her off.

 

“I've got some good news.” Rukiya began. “Natalia contacted me. She's coming with Christiano, Bill, and Albier…tonight.” She added.

 

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha sent her uneasy looks. “Don't worry, their all fine.”

 

“That's good.” Lilliana puffed, looking the most grateful.

 

“So we get to introduce Kagome to the rest of the family. Speaking of which.” Sesshoumaru and the woman at his side came near, and Rukiya stepped aside.

 

“Please to meet you.” Said the ebony haired nightwalker as she extended her arm. “My name is Kagura.” They shook hands.

 

“That would be the alpha female I told you about.” Kagome turned her head to see Claire walk toward them, her earpiece drumming loudly from the music's volume. “She's Sesshoumaru's mate.”

 

“How did it go?” Kagura asked.

 

“No one has noticed Kagome's disappeared yet. Dude, it's going to be a pain when they find out she `ran away.'” Claire pulled out her earpiece, twirling it around her finger.

 

“At least she's not in their custody. The king can use his connections to find her.” Rukiya mused.

 

Lilliana looked up. Her face seemed to regain some color. She walked past all of them, staring out into the darkness. “Incoming!” She said excitedly. Before Kagome could react, Inuyasha hooked his arm around her waist and hopped a few paces backward. Claire, Rukiya, Kagura and Sesshoumaru backed away as well, but Lilliana stayed firmly in place. Ignoring his closeness, Kagome focused on what they were all looking for.

 

In the distance, a large cloud of dust formed from the ground, spiraling toward the sky as it came closer, the smell of dirt infecting the air. Kagome wiggled her nose, resisting the urge to sneeze as the dust came to a stop in front of the house's gates. Then it was gone, as fast as it came, and four figures walked gracefully into the area, coming to view under the moonlight.

 

Kagome's eyes widened. Were they all beautiful? The first that caught her attention was a woman with long, flowing, golden hair, and her brown benevolent eyes betraying her voluptuous figure. At her side stood a handsome man with grey eyes and black hair, he was well built but slender. Next to the pair was what looked like to be an eleven-year-old boy, his blue eyes and light brown hair glowing under the moon.

 

Kagome turned her eyes to the last man. He was tall, muscular and bald, yet he had this certain rugged appeal. She was slightly intimidated. He had several piercings: one on his lower lip, three on his left ear, one on his nostril, and the last at the tip of his brow. A dragon tattoo spiraling on one arm, and a tiger on the other, the first word that jumped into her mind that adequately described his looks, in her opinion, was a biker thug.

 

“Meet the rest of the family!” Claire said excitedly, coming forward. “This is Natalia.” She pointed toward the elegant, blond female, who smiled.

 

“This is her mate, Christiano.” The grey-eyed man gave her a quick, “charmed.”

 

“This is Albier.” The young boy gave her a toothy grin.

 

“And this,” Claire said happily, gesturing to the tattooed man, “is my best pal in the whole world: Bill.”

 

Kagome wriggled out of Inuyasha's grasp. “Hi.” She said uncertainly, not sure exactly how she was supposed to introduce herself to them. Natalia was the first to come forward and shake her hand.

 

“Hmm, what a strange eye color.” She remarked, looking into Kagome's eyes. Kagome blushed. “Pleased to meet you.” She muttered.

 

“The pleasure's all mine. I hate to be rude, but I'm a bit tired from the long journey. Do you mind if I retire?” She asked politely. Stuttering, Kagome mumbled her yes before Christiano followed his mate's lead, giving Kagome a short greeting then entering the house. Albier bowed and smiled again. “I thought they were kidding. You're not too bad for a human.”

 

“Uh…thanks?” Kagome muttered uncertainly.

 

“Don't mind him, he's a bit stupid.” Claire whispered to her.

 

“Look who's talking, hippie.” Albier growled.

 

“Sorry, I didn't hear that, stupid.” Claire and Albier stood nose to nose, glaring at each other. Kagome was reminded about her brother and how they would squabble when they were little. She smiled.

 

“Knock it off, both of you.” Bill came forward, separating them. Kagome was distracted by his voice for he didn't sound like she imagined. He sounded almost…brotherly.

 

Albier grumbled and gave Kagome an “excuse me” before going into the house. “I hope you've been staying out of trouble while I was gone.” Bill said to Claire.

 

“Depends on what kind of trouble.” Claire answered with a smile. Bill took off her rainbow hat and ruffled her blond hair. “I missed you, you little brat.”

 

Claire pulled back, placing her hat back on her head and saying, “Dude, don't mess with the hair!”

 

Ignoring her, Bill came to Kagome, extending his arm. Kagome hesitated for a moment, placing her small hand in his brawny one. “Hi.” She said slowly.

 

“Pleased to meet you.” Bill smiled. Claire giggled from behind.

 

“Oh don't mind him. He may look mean, but he's actually a big softie inside.”

 

Bill sent her a look. “Hey! I've got an image to keep, Claire.”

 

“What image? Being the big, mushy, softie that you already are?”

 

“Oh, I'm going to get you for that one runt!” Bill said playfully, making a grab for Claire, but she jumped out of way, taunting him by making faces.

 

“Na na! You'd have to catch me first.”

 

Kagome watched with a grin as Bill chased Claire into the house. “It's so good to have the family together again.” Rukiya's slight sarcasm was heard from behind her. Kagome turned, nodding. “I didn't know that your family was this big.” She said to Inuyasha.

 

“It was just Sesshoumaru, Kagura and I once.” He told her.

 

“So who joined the family first?” Kagome asked.

 

“Rukiya did. I was walking through America when I found her.” Sesshoumaru answered.

 

“America?” Kagome repeated, shocked. She had expected Rukiya to originate from another place. “Was Rukiya human once?” Kagome looked at the said nightwalker expectedly. To her shock, Rukiya answered.

 

“Yes I was.” She said.

 

“How long ago was this?” Kagome questioned. Rukiya raised her eyebrows, causing Kagome to stutter, “Oh, it's none of my business. Sorry.”

 

“Not at all, but you'd be surprised…I was bitten in 1853.”

 

Kagome gasped. “That long?”

 

“Yes. I was…I was a slave to a rich American family. My mother and I were taken from Africa when I was three. One day, I decided I wanted freedom more than life itself, so I risked escaping. Unfortunately, my `owners,' for lack of a better word, found me the moment I had planed to flee. I was really unlucky. I was whipped. They must have thought that I wouldn't want to run afterward, but I snuck out of the house and away with the wounds on my back. Along the way, Sesshoumaru found me. I was dying from the supreme loss of blood. He offered me a choice.”

 

“A slave. That's terrible. I'm so sorry.” Kagome said sincerely.

 

“It's all right. It's past now.”

 

“What choice did he offer you?” Kagome saw Rukiya look at Sesshoumaru. He nodded.

 

“He said, `If I offered you an alternative to death, would you take it? No matter how maimed and how painful the change will be, would you be willing to brave through it to find a new existence, a new way of life?'”

 

“What did you say?”

 

Rukiya smiled. “I said, `I'd take any life so long as I'm free.' Then the next thing I knew I was a nightwalker.”

 

“Did you ever regret it?”

 

“No. Never. I've reached a level of freedom that I had always dreamed of and I've done things that my terrible `owners' did not wish of me to.”

 

“Like what?”

 

“Well, the biggest thing was that they didn't denied me an education. I worked on their plantation for all my life and I'd see their white children come from their tutors, speaking of new things. Once I became a nightwalker, I made it my goal to learn everything I possible could.”

 

“You better believe it.” Inuyasha said from behind her. “She's the biggest brain in this family.”

 

“Wow.” Kagome said, turning back to Rukiya who was blushing at the rare complement. “I'm so happy for you.” Rukiya nodded and sent Kagome a truly appreciative look.

 

Kagura stepped forward. “It's getting a little chilly. Shall we go inside?”

 

 

 

Kagome sighed, stepping into the house. So many things in one night, she found it hard to believe that a few moments ago she had been under the mercy of Narek. For once in her life, she had been too frightened to fight back. His handsome features and his devilish presence had made her blood turn to ice. She knew that Inuyasha would question her about him again, but right now, she just wanted to go to bed, but, by the looks that she was getting from some of the people in the house, she knew that now would be the time to confess.

 

“Would you mind, stepping into the parlor with us, Kagome?” Sesshoumaru asked. Nodding, Kagome followed Kagura, her mate, Rukiya, Lilliana and Inuyasha into the room. The fireplace was lighted as she stepped in, slumping into the cushiony couch that Rukiya gestured her to get in, grateful to get off her hurt ankle. Inuyasha came to stand beside his brother where he stood near the fireplace across from her. Lilliana, still pale, leaned against the door with Rukiya and Kagura on either side of her.

 

“I've got some things to ask you.” Sesshoumaru began. Kagome nodded to show that she had his attention.

 

“From what Claire told me and from what I heard in the building, you didn't give then any information about us. In fact you denied any ties to our existence.” Rukiya said from the doorway.

 

“Clever move.” Inuyasha mumbled under his breath.

 

“So, what did the humans want to know?” Kagura whispered.

 

“They were mostly interested in my scar. They knew that I was bitten more than once and they were pegging me for any information I might have. Sango said she could use whatever I gave them in order to protect the humans.”

 

“Since it was me that bit you, that would have been useless info even if you had given it to them. Those bastards bite and kill people at random, and no one bites twice, so they won't be able to find any pattern.” Inuyasha clicked his teeth.

 

“The only thing they can do is take the humans away from the hunting ground at night and keep a guard around the city.” Sesshoumaru considered. “In any case, they would definitely be interested in Kagome in the future. It won't be long before they find her home and take her.”

 

“Does that mean that I can never return home?” Kagome screeched, rising from the chair. “What about school?”

 

“Calm down.” Rukiya placed a warm hand on her shoulder. “We don't know if they have even taken action yet.”

 

Huffing, Kagome sat back into the seat, crossing her arms. “I'd strike a deal with Richard, but that would mean giving away the connection between Kagome and me. And of course, news would spread to the king.” Inuyasha closed his eyes.

 

“What do you mean?” Kagome demanded.

 

“Are you really that naïve? There are drones in their inner working, spies.”

 

“Drones? I thought that they were like nightwalkers?”

 

“They are, but there are different types. Drones can be made from the dead bodies, or copies can be made from the living, and be used as puppets. Unfortunately, human or nightwalker drones have the same presence we do, so it's hard to tell the dummies apart from the actual bloodsuckers. Of course, humans don't see the difference at all.” Inuyasha explained.

 

“That's awful.” Kagome sighed.

 

“Indeed. We don't know if the drones' originals are being held somewhere, or if they are already dead. Also, there are more drones then nightwalkers in the city. It's quite a hassle fighting them till you find the right one.” Sesshoumaru said.

 

“What else did they want you to tell them Kagome?” Kagura asked, steering the conversation elsewhere.

 

“They wanted to know what my connections to you were. They also asked why I was attacked.”

 

“Did you answer?” Lilliana spoke for the first time, her voice weak and her eyes sad.

 

“No. I lied.”

 

A silence broke from the room, the only sound coming from the crackling fire. Kagome's eyes wandered about her questioners. Rukiya's eyes were closed and she seemed to be deep in thought. Kagura starred into the fire. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were standing completely still, and Lilliana looked tired and fretful.

 

“Let's stop this meeting for now.” Rukiya finally said. “You look tired, Kagome. Why don't you rest for the night?” Kagome sent her an appreciative look.

 

The remaining nightwalkers agreed and began to leave the room. As Inuyasha was on his way out, Kagome called him back. “Hey, can I have a word with you?”

 

He stopped by the door, turned and watched the rest of his family clear out before crossing his arms. “What is it?”

 

Kagome rose from her seat, wincing slightly at her injured ankle and strode across the room. She placed an arm's distance between then, staring up into his face. “I've got some things to ask you.” She said, her voice sounded displeased.

 

“Then ask.”

 

Kagome glared at him. “What's all this about nightwalker venom?” She demanded, pointing her neck. He didn't look surprised.

 

“So you learned about that.”

 

“Yes, you jackass! Why didn't you tell me you were sending poison into my body!” She shouted.

 

“You don't need to concern yourself with that.”

 

“The hell I do! I have a right to know what will happen to my body!”

 

Inuyasha sighed tiredly. He came closer to her, towering over her, yet not planning on frightening her in any way. “To you, it's basically harmless. It's more of a stimulant then anything.”

 

“Care to give me the details?”

 

“When we feed, we send our venom into our prey.” He pointed to her chest. “The venom causes a chain reaction in the body. It forces the body to make blood, to replace what we have taken away and quickly, that's all. That night your friend was attacked I'm guessing Sesshoumaru saved her by injecting enough venom for her to survive. For humans, nightwalker venom is completely harmless, unless they are bitten directly over the heart. The largest artery in the human body is the aorta, right above the heart. Nightwalkers only bite there when they intend to kill. Remember how I told you not to worry about running out of blood?” He asked and Kagome blushed when she recalled the circumstances of that conversation.

 

“You said `for humans' it's harmless. What about nightwalkers?” She tried changing her line of thinking, but not before catching that amused look on his face. He stopped smirking. “I'm not telling you.”

 

“Yeah, because if you did, I'd go straight to Sango and Miroku and tell them.” Kagome said sarcastically. She was also getting a feeling that there was more about venom on the human's part that he wasn't clarifying. Why did he have to keep her on such a short leash?

 

“Probably.” Kagome sent him a glare.

 

“On to serious matters, I want you to tell me who attacked you.” He could not tell who it was by scent. It was very faint and he could not derive whom it belonged to. The smell was masked by hers and mixed into her skin cleverly.

 

Kagome blushed and blanched at the same time. Her heart was beating furiously. “I was…” She began.

 

 

 

Lilliana couldn't sit still. She wished that Natalia were awake so she could talk to her. She needed to speak with her. Her heart was clenching. She grew more and more apprehensive by the day. Her fears doubled when Kagome was attacked. Would there really be no way to stop this?

 

She passed the parlor, immersed in her worries as she unwillingly caught some voices. “Tell who it was Kagome.” She heard Inuyasha say. Not particularly interested, she was about to go on her way when it came.

 

“Narek. I think that's what he called himself.”

 

Lillian's heart stopped for an instant. She burst into the room, seeing the surprise on Kagome's and the fury on Inuyasha's. Her breathing came out in heavy pants and she focused on Kagome. She was right, it was there, how could she just shrug it off, how could she not notice it!

 

Lilliana brushed past Inuyasha, rage was radiating off him, and grabbed Kagome's shoulders. “What name did you say?” She wheezed.

 

“N-Narek.”

 

“Are you sure? What did he look like?”

 

“He looked like you a little.”

 

If possible, Lilliana became paler, almost translucent. She shook, her eyes wide. “Kagome,” she said urgently, “you have to listen to me. No one is more dangerous then Narek. You have to stay away from him at all cost! You have to make sure he doesn't bite you! You don't know how deadly he is, how evil he is! He comes second to the nightwalker king himself! You're lucky you escaped with your life! Stay away from him, no matter what, please! Do you understand?”

 

Kagome had never seen Lilliana so emotional. It frightened and intrigued her. She wanted to know more about her, get closer to her. Lilliana was always reclusive and for the first time she did not send Kagome a spiteful look. Kagome looked upon her with sincere worry and fear. Why was she anxious of Narek? What was their relationship?

 

“Lilliana, just who is Narek?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to say that I love Narek. He's my best villain ever! I've always wanted a character that was beautiful yet sinister. I'd like to point out one of my themes here. I really want to emphasize the idea to not be fooled by appearances. You've got Kagome who's not the most attractive girl in the world, yet she's smart, tough, and clever. Then there's Bill who seems really scary, but he's actually one of the kindest guys in the story. And lastly, there's my favorite, Narek.

 

For one thing, he is shockingly beautiful (Who does this remind you of from the anime?). For another, he's dangerous. Sometimes when you see a handsome man, you think he's egotistic, but you never really think he's unsafe. It's not that I'm saying that everyone is untrustworthy, but I want to say, as Kagome keeps learning her lesson, don't judge a book by its cover.