InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightwalker ❯ Changes ( Chapter 15 )

MAN! That was one LONG battle. Been a little while but I'm BACK! A lot of people asked me if the fight in previous chapters was the final battle. You guys don't even know who the terrible Nightwalker King is yet! Plus, there's still a lot more to tell, I'd feel bad if I ended the story THAT early. However, this chapter marks the beginning of the middle of the story.

 

For those of you who are confused about what Lilliana said to Narek in that last chapter, I should tell you that she was speaking in Armenian. As for what she really said, well, I'll leave it to your imagination, but it's not really anything relevant.

 

Anyway, this chapter was a PAIN! Why you ask? Because there was a lot of things to write and I had to go back and do a lot of editing, like deleting scenes that don't really have relevance to the story. I also really wanted to add something (something people keep asking for in reviews) in this chapter since fifteen is my favorite number. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy, because this chapter was one of the hardest I've had yet.

 

One more thing: PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! OR DRIVE ME TO TEARS!

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, nor had the brilliance to come up with him like that of Romiko Takahashi. But Claire, Bill, Rukiya, Natalia, Albier, Fenrir, Christiano, Lilliana and Narek are mine! (Especially Narek!)

 

 

 

 

Part Fifteen: Changes

 

 

 

 

 

“What a night.” Fenrir said to herself as she walked away from the city.

 

“Indeed.” Hakudoshi agreed.

 

“Quite an accomplishment. The anti-venom and the formula for making it gone, along with our enemies and those wretched `nightwalker hunters.' Also, I collected quite a heap of corpses.” She said in a song-song voice.

 

Narek walked by without a word, and then paused to look back at her. There was a coy smirk on his face, as though he knew something she didn't.

 

“Is there something on your mind?” Hakudoshi asked him. Narek did not reply, looking beyond both of them.

 

 

 

 

 

The city was getting brighter as the sun crept closer to the east edge of the sky. By the time Kagome and the others had escaped to a safe location, the building had collapsed. Kagome had known that something was off when the ground gave and unnatural shake and the atmosphere thundered with noise. She could see orange lights flare in the distance, knowing full well that they had gotten out in the nick of time. They were lucky. “So that's what Fenrir meant when she said that we will `die along with hundreds in that building.'” Inuyasha thought aloud.

 

“They would kill off their own?” Lilliana asked, her voice shaking with awe.

 

“It's no surprise.” Inuyasha said disdainfully.

 

“All those people…” Sango said as she rested her head against Inuyasha's shoulder, her eyes closing slowly. “Hey, stay awake.” He said gruffly, shaking his shoulder to rouse her.

 

“Oh shut up, you bossy nightwalker.” Sango yawned weakly.

 

Kagome failed to suppress a giggle, earning her a look from both Lilliana and Inuyasha. Apparently, the two of them were still upset at her. At this point, Kagome couldn't really blame either of them. That wasn't a very wise choice she had made, even if she wanted to see the danger with her own eyes.

 

She was beginning to feel a similar feeling to the experience she had with Narek two nights passed. True, the deadly nightwalker had frightened her and opened her eyes to the danger that Inuyasha and his family her protecting her from, but she had held onto the tiniest shred of hope that Narek was the worst of what could hurt her. Now that she had seen what Inuyasha's enemies were capable of Kagome felt lost. Her normal life had pretty much flown out the window the night Inuyasha had bitten her for the first time. It made her angry that she was sucked into this world, sad that she knew she could never go back to the life she had.

 

Inuyasha and the others seemed to start moving again and, nervously, Kagome walked beside Lilliana with her head downcast. They had been moving slowly, so Miroku and Kagome could keep up. Both Lilliana and Inuyasha looked about, alert, ready. Kagome hoped that there were no lingering enemies for she'd had enough fighting for one night.

 

Lilliana looked ahead and pretended she didn't see Kagome looking at her from time to time. She had been angry from the moment she had caught Kagome in the building. Why was the human girl foolish enough to put herself and Inuyasha in danger by going into a battle where the odds were against them? And she had run straight into Narek no less. There was no doubt in Lilliana's mind that Narek would have killed Kagome had she not appeared before him. At least Kagome had enough sense to run away from him.

 

Lilliana felt a pang on her heart as she looked at the other human woman on Inuyasha's back. It was her fault. She knew that the family did not believe Narek had a particular hatred for her. His attack on Sango had been a warning for what he might do next. She'd seen his violence in the past and noticed how it increased when he knew she was close. Inuyasha and others were wrong. She did set Narek off.

 

The five of them moved silently through the city, hearing sirens rush to where the battleground stood a half an hour ago. The windows of Kagome's small apartment building had the lights on. It was most likely that the tenants heard the roar of the explosion and several people were standing on the street wearing nightgowns and bathrobes.

 

Inuyasha ushered them to the alley, preferring to avoid the mindless wonderings of the humans in front of the building. He told Sango to hold on tight and jumped up onto Kagome's balcony. Lilliana grabbed Miroku and Kagome by the wrists and followed. Miroku wobbled a bit when he was put down on Kagome's balcony. Seeing that the other two humans were safely on the second floor, Inuyasha took a deep breath and slid the window back, going inside.

 

“Inuyasha! Oh thank god!” Natalia stood, breathing a huge sigh of relief with her hand on her chest. “I was just about to rush there and drag you back.”

 

Inuyasha looked passed her and around Kagome's small bedroom. Claire, pale and with her eyes closed, was lying on Kagome's bed. Bill and Christiano both, bruised, beaten, and wide awake, leaned against the wall next to the balcony windows. Rukiya and Albier were not in the room. Sesshoumaru, Kagura and Natalia stood before him. The three of them were not hurt in any way.

 

Ignoring them for the moment, Inuyasha pulled Sango from his back and placed her as softly as he could in the bed beside an unmoving Claire. As he looked at his family member, he finally found his voice. “How is she?” He asked, walking around the bed. He saw Miroku walk to kneel beside Sango at the bed, but his attention was firmly on Claire.

 

There was a long pause following his question and he began fearing for the worst as he touched Claire's cold hand. “She's alive, but she's really weak.” Natalia answered finally. “We gave her the anti-venom just in time. She was fading fast. It will take a couple of days for her to open her eyes.”

 

Inuyasha let out a breath, feeling a great weight lift from his shoulders. He heard a sob that sounded undoubtedly like Lilliana. Standing, he turned toward his brother and his mate. “The others?” He asked.

 

“Bill and Christiano will be back on their feet by tomorrow night. Rukiya and Albier are already healing; they are asleep.” Kagura said.

 

“Thank goodness.” Lilliana breathed.

 

“This night was quite the cataclysm. We were fortunate to escape when we did and have enough anti-venom to treat the injured. Unfortunately, we've used the last of it. We should be more careful not to get bitten in the future.” Sesshoumaru mused before becoming grimly serious. “We leave when the sun goes down.” He said suddenly.

 

“We're leaving?” The nightwalkers turned their eyes to Kagome.

 

She flinched. Each of them was giving her an angry glare. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything. Sesshoumaru came forward, his eyes had a dim red glow in them, but his face was impassive. “That was quite a demonstration of idiocy on your part.” He said.

 

“I agree. You placed not only yourself in danger, but us as well. If you had been killed, Inuyasha would have died as well without your blood. And you don't seem to realize that we had the burden of protecting you as well as fighting to guard ourselves.” Kagura barked. Kagome cringed again, looking downward as though she were a guilt stricken, scolded child.

 

“I thought you were smarter then that Kagome.” Lilliana huffed.

 

Kagome looked back up and around. Inuyasha didn't look at her when she glanced his way. “I'm sorry.” She said in a low voice, but she knew that they had heard her. No one said a word. They overlooked her and began speaking once more. Kagome was too lost in her own foolishness to listen, but words of the conversation eventually filled her ears.

 

“Would teams from the nightwalker hunter factions come looking for them? No doubt that this would be all over the human news by midday.” She heard Kagura say and realized that the discussion was about Sango and Miroku.

 

“No it won't.” Sango spoke up from the bed.

 

“Richard's faction here was a secret operation. The nightwalker hunters will do anything to cover it up, to keep the public from knowing what really destroyed the building.” Miroku elaborated.

 

“And they won't come looking for us. In fact, I should say we are in danger because we are alive, especially since we were aided by nightwalkers. The leaders don't like having witnesses. We'd be killed to keep the organization a secret.” Sango continued.

 

Lilliana stole a glance at the head of the family. There were no words exchanged between them but somehow, Sesshoumaru knew what she had asked. “Since when did we become a babysitting service for humans? We already have enough of a handful with just one.” The disappointed look he received from Lilliana made him speak once more. “They are your responsibility.” He said. Lilliana nodded and offered him her gratitude.

 

“Thank you.” Miroku and Sango said together.

 

“So those are our options?” Christiano spoke up. “We leave at sunset, then what?”

 

“We'll decide later. We should take the time to rest for now.” Sesshoumaru replied. His family members nodded. Bill struggled to stand and walked across the room to lean against the bed next to his sister. Sesshoumaru and Kagura took a place on Kagome's carpet, resting side by side. Natalia and Christiano mimicked them. Lilliana, Sango and Miroku also seemed to drift off the sleep. Kagome's room felt so small with all these people. The only ones that were not relaxing were Inuyasha and herself.

 

“I have a bone to pick with you.” He hissed, stepping toward her. Kagome took a step back nervously. Though he hadn't raised his voice, her heart was thumping from the threatening tone he had taken.

 

He walked past her, opening her balcony doors, grabbing her wrist, and, with a violent pull, hauling down into the shaded alleyway below. Kagome's head spun when her feet touched the ground. That jump was so sudden, she thought as she rubbed her temples. “Can't you at least warn me before you do that?” She grouched.

 

He didn't reply. Losing her patience, Kagome looked up at him, but her angry comment died down in her throat before she could say anything. He was giving her the coldest stare. Kagome gulped. The way his fangs appeared in a snarl and his flaming eyes pierced through her as though just by looking at her he could rip her to pieces made Kagome's heart jump into her throat.

 

“What the fuck was running through your mind?” He said in a low voice. “Do you have a fucking death wish or are you really that fucking stupid?”

 

Kagome felt her courage return. Foolish as her decision may have been, she would not let him speak to her that way. “ I had to see for myself. I had to know if what you were saying was true.” She said proudly.

 

Inuyasha stomped his foot, looking as though he wanted to yell, but ground out lowly through clenched teeth, “And being attacked by Narek two nights ago wasn't warning enough about the dangers you are in?”

 

Kagome opened her mouth to retort but found that she couldn't argue with his logic. Inuyasha glared at her and spoke again. “I have a question Kagome. Have you ever killed someone?”

 

She paled. “What kind of question is that? Of course not.”

 

“Do you realize you would have if you had died last night?” He said harshly.

 

Kagome couldn't stop the gasp that escaped from her mouth. She went wide-eyed and held still. “Haven't you realized by now that if you put yourself in danger, you put me in danger too? Well?” He added when she didn't reply.

 

Kagome blinked a few times, breathing in and then glaring at him. “I shouldn't feel guilty for your death if something did happen to me.” She said bravely. “You're not even human! You came into my room in the middle of the night and attacked me! I can pretty much kiss a real relationship I might have had goodbye.” She faught against the blush she could feel rising in her cheeks. “And it was your fault that you developed a dependency on me. Now I'm like some kind of prisoner.” Her eyes welled up and she pushed the tears back along with the flush. “I can never go back to my normal life, especially since I have to leave my home county of twenty years and travel with you! My family, my friends, my future, I'd be leaving them all behind and not even by my own choice. How do you think that makes me feel? I kept hoping this was all some big joke. Some stupid dream that I would eventually wake up from! That's why I followed Lilliana! I still don't want to believe that this is where my life has taken me to, but I can't. I shouldn't feel the least bit sorry for you after all you've done to me!”

 

His countenance was not something she had expected. That frown of his looked like it was stained with a painful expression of remorse. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, saying, “You think I didn't know that?”

 

“Yes I did.” Kagome felt her voice break from the emotional rant she had given him. “Nothing I say or do is going to stop you from taking me with you. Am I wrong?”

 

He didn't say anything, confirming her prediction. Kagome breathed out a deep sigh and let her head drop. “Can I at least see my family before I go?” She knew the answer already.

 

“Are you planning on running?” He asked.

 

Kagome looked back up at him with shining eyes, determined. “Do you really think I could run that far and not be caught by you?”

 

He was silent for a little while before answering finally. “How far away is your family's house?”

 

Kagome looked up at him, surprise written on her face. “On the other side of town.” She mumbled.

 

 

 

 

 

September Twentieth, Sequoia Park, California

 

 

 

“I've never seen trees this huge before!” Sango said in awe as she stared at the red-barked sequoia.

 

Kagome smiled at her before looking back into the pamphlet she had been skimming through earlier that morning, her mind elsewhere. It had been five days since their last battle. When the sun had gone down that day, all she had remembered was falling asleep instantly and waking up in a cozy, wooden mansion in the middle of a forest. It shocked her at first, but then she remembered that the family was moving around again and that her life in Japan was officially over.

 

She didn't know how she had managed to get Inuyasha to let her see her family before they left, but he dropped her off in front of her home and disappeared into the shadows, telling her that he'd be back to get her before sunset. There was this odd glint in his eye but Kagome didn't have time to ponder why he had looked so distant. Her parents, grandfather and brother were surprised when she appeared on the doorstep; they asked her if her semester had ended early. She spent the day talking with her mother and father, speaking politics with her grandfather and playing a few rounds of videogames with her younger brother. It hurt her so much to say goodbye to her mother when the sun was beginning to set, not knowing when she will see her, or even the rest of her family, again.

 

Kagome pushed the tears away when Inuyasha appeared to take her back. She hated the idea of crying in front of him. He hadn't said a word to her and she hadn't seen him since she came to Sequoia five days ago. In fact, half of the family had vanished when she had awakened. Bill and Christiano were of the five that remained. They had stayed behind to help Claire recover; she had yet to open her eyes. Lilliana also stayed behind in order to keep an eye on Sango and Miroku, as was the job given to her by the head of the family. Albier also came and went. Kagome had no idea where the others were and the nightwalkers that remained were keen to keep her and the two other humans in the dark.

 

“Kagome? What's with that look?” She looked at Sango and flashed her a smile. “I was just wondering how it would feel to live as long as some of these trees.”

 

Sango didn't look convinced at her lie, but shrugged, most likely deciding to stay with lighter moods. Kagome was grateful. The first two days away from home had been tough on her; she was still wallowing in the depression of leaving her life behind. She had secretly cried for two nights. However, Sango and Miroku offered her an uplifting presence. At least she didn't feel like a sheep among a pack of wolves anymore and the three of them had become quick friends.

 

Surprisingly, for an investigative agent, Sango would have been one of the best girlfriends Kagome had ever had. She was quick to smile and laugh, but could become serious at the drop of a pin. Miroku on the other hand was pretty much fun to be around, when she didn't plant his face in the ground for groping her. He might as well be a self-proclaimed perfect; he was as good as one. Twice Lilliana threatened to “remove his ability to have children” if he dared to touch her one more time.

 

During day light hours, the three of them could come and go as they pleased, but were required to return to the house before sundown. It would have felt like a vacation if they didn't have a curfew. At first, Sango and Miroku didn't like the idea of taking orders from nightwalkers, just as Kagome had, but gradually accepted their protection since they had to lie low for a while.

 

“According to this, the Sherman tree is the largest tree, by volume, in the world.” Miroku read the plate in front of the large trunk aloud. “I wonder how heavy it is.” He said.

 

“Not half as heavy as his perversion, I bet.” Sango whispered to Kagome and joined her in quiet snickering.

 

“Hmm? Are you ladies talking about me back there?” Miroku raised his eyebrow suggestively, turning to face them.

 

“Yeah, we were saying how that your pervert-ness is bigger then all the sequoia trees in this park combined.” Sango clutched Kagome's shoulder, laughing behind her back.

 

“Good one, Kagome.”

 

“I'll have you two know that I've been on my best behavior all day, and yet you are still talking about that like there's no tomorrow.” Miroku scowled.

 

“Do you think that he's had enough Kagome?” Sango asked her, her speech breathless from laughing so much.

 

“Maybe. I mean Lilliana did threaten to cut off his balls last night, and we've been bugging him about that all day.” Kagome mused, smiling.

 

“She didn't use those words exactly.” Sango said.

 

“Well, I'm pretty sure she meant castration when she said that she'll take away his ability to have children.” Kagome replied.

 

The two girls laughed. “I think you've been around Sango way too much Kagome. Her distain for me is staring to creep in.” Miroku clicked his teeth.

 

“Oh contraire, my perverted friend. I don't distain you, I distain your wandering hands and eyes.” Sango smiled. Miroku growled and didn't reply, clearly bested.

 

Kagome ignored the two as they glared playfully at each other. She looked up between the tall trees and into the blue sky above. For being in the middle of autumn it was quite humid and warm, she thought. They had about an hour before sunset, but Kagome was reluctant to return to the house tonight, even though there would be no one there. She briefly reflected that afternoon when Albier came to tell her the news.

 

“Hey there Kags!” Kagome had blinked at the new nickname, turning from her place at the window to stare at the boy across the room.

 

“Oh, hi Al.” She said, rising from her seat, smiling at Albier. He grinned. “So what's up? It's still daylight, shouldn't you be sleeping?” Kagome asked.

 

Albier shook his head, his auburn hair swaying from side to side. “Actually I was here to give you some news.”

 

“What news?”

 

“You, Sango and Miroku will be on your own for the next forty-two hours.”

 

Kagome didn't say anything for a moment and then asked, “Why?”

 

“Tonight at twelve, the Autumn equinox will start and it's sort of dangerous for us to be around humans at this time.” Albier said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.

 

“Care to explain?” Kagome had insisted. Odd enough, it was easy to get information out of the boy because of his tendency to ramble.

 

“The Autumn equinox marks the beginning of the time of year when night is longer. Nightwalkers get the urge to bite and feast. It's kind of a celebration or ritual I guess. They go out into the forests and hunt animals instead of humans.” Albier explained.

 

“So it's not a good idea to be outside at night.” Kagome concluded.

 

“Not today or tomorrow night, after that it should be fine so long as you're not alone.” Albier said.

 

Kagome hadn't known that nightwalkers bite animals too. When she asked Albier if they killed them, he laughed and said that all they needed was blood not meat. According to him, the family didn't kill unless they had absolutely no choice. Sango and Miroku had just shrugged when they learned that they would be alone for the next two days: it didn't make much of a difference to them.

 

Aside from that, Kagome wondered when Inuyasha would have to bite her again. From her count it had been six days so she guessed that he would have to bite her soon. If she had her way, he wouldn't bite her at all. Whenever he did, she felt tired and it didn't take long for her to faint, not to mention that the entire experience was embarrassing on her part, considering what happened afterward the last time.

 

“Are you sick, Kagome?” Miroku said.

 

“No.” Kagome gave him a look. “Why?”

 

“You face was all flushed now. Maybe it's the heat.” Sango added.

 

“Maybe.” Kagome said, looking at the sky once more. “It's getting pretty late. We should start heading back.” She said quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

By the time they had reached the house, following the old trail that led them there, the sky had already turned a bloodstained orange. Upon entering, the three of them found that Lilliana, Christiano, Albier and Bill were already in the foyer, looking out and waiting for the sun to go beneath the horizon.

 

“Almost time.” Bill said. He looked over to Christiano. “Predators?” He asked.

 

“Maybe a bear, or a snake.” Christiano answered.

 

“What's taking her so long?” Lilliana huffed.

 

Kagome wrinkled her nose and walked up to them. “So when will you guys be back?” She asked.

 

“Tomorrow night, early in the morning.” Christiano explained.

 

“Man, I'm starving! I hope I catch a good de…” Albier was suddenly pushed to the ground.

 

`Claire, one hundred percent revitalized!” Claire grinned, enthusiastically. “And just in time for the hunt! Sweet!”

 

Kagome jumped at her sudden reappearance, but recovered quickly. “Claire, you're awake!”

 

“Yup and I feel better then ever!” Claire replied, making poses like a body builder.

 

“You know you really had me worried back there.” Kagome said.

 

“Me too.” Bill agreed.

 

“Sorry you Blue.” Claire said. “I'm sorry Bill, but you know, I wouldn't be `Claire' without you.” She smiled.

 

Bill gave her a kind look. “And I wouldn't be `Bill' without you.”

 

“Thanks for rescuing me.” Claire turned to Christiano with a blush.

 

“Don't worry about it.” Christiano replied, patting her on the head.

 

Albier suddenly scowled at her. “What's the bid idea, stomping on me!” He ordered.

 

Claire turned to him. “Oh, hi Al, didn't see you.” Claire smiled sheepishly.

 

Albier stamped his foot. “Yeah right you didn't see me!”

 

“It's not my fault you're so short.” Claire laughed.

 

“Me short? Look who is talking, `little hippy.'”

 

“Little?” Claire hissed. “I'll have you know I could kick your ass any day!”

 

“Language.” Bill barked behind her.

 

“I'd like to see you try, you damn pipsqueak.” Albier countered.

 

“Oh, I'm so going air juggle you ass!” Claire growled.

 

“Language!” Bill repeated.

 

“I doubt a shrimp your size will be able to try.” Albier spat.

 

“SHRIMP! That's it! You are so dead you damn-”

 

“How many times do I have to fucking tell you to watch your language!” Bill snarled.

 

“Look who's talking?” Albier and Claire said at the same time.

 

Kagome joined Lilliana, Christiano, Sango and Miroku's laughter as Bill chased after the two, promising severe punishment if they ever dared to speak another profanity. So everything was back to normal. As close as normal could be when you are abducted by nightwalker, Kagome thought.

 

“So we should expect to see you return tomorrow when the sun comes up?” Miroku asked.

 

“Yes, and I'd advise you to stay here during the night. If,” Lilliana sent a scathing look Kagome's way, “you decide to do anything funny while we are gone, we will know about it.”

 

Kagome cringed, knowing that she hadn't forgiven her, and watched as Lilliana walked by them and out the door. She felt someone put a hand on her shoulder. “Don't mind her, Kagome. By all accounts, most of us have forgiven you.” Christiano gave her a smile.

 

Kagome blushed. “Thanks.”

 

He nodded and then grabbed Albier by the scruff of his collar as he was running by with Claire and Bill hot on his tail. “Alright you, you're coming with me.” He said, lifting the boy up from the floor.

 

As he was being pulled away, Albier stuck his tongue out at Claire, who went cross-eyed and wrinkled her nose at him in return. “That's enough.” Bill scolded her, grabbing her by the hand and leading her to the door.

 

“See you later Blue!” Claire called back with a smile.

 

 

 

 

 

“Lilliana, you don't have to be so short with her.” Christiano rushed to walk beside her after the other three had rushed off to begin the hunt.

 

“She's a fool. Who's to say she won't burden us more in the future.” She answered and gave him a look that stated that she didn't want to speak of the subject anymore.

 

Christiano sighed, breathing in the crisp night air. It was dark, just the way he liked it. It would be a good equinox in a deep, tall forest with lots of animals. “I've been wondering about something.”

 

“Is this about Inuyasha?” Lilliana asked.

 

“Right on the mark as always.” Christiano smirked. “Since he probably won't hunt tonight, what do you think he'll do?”

 

Lilliana didn't answer right away, her thoughts elsewhere. “Who knows? If I were him, I'd try to find an explanation as to why he got addicted to her just by biting her once.”

 

“I've been wondering about that too. It's so impossible, and yet it happened. Maybe it had something to do with one hundred percent blood compatibility.”

 

Lilliana rolled her eyes. “Be reasonable. I don't believe in one hundred percent blood compatibility. It's so farfetched.”

 

“Then how else do you explain what's happening?”

 

Lilliana gave Christiano a serious expression. “Say if Kagome is one hundred percent blood compatible with Inuyasha, what are the chances that a nightwalker who lives so long finds the one person out of millions whose blood is perfect and built for him?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, by the pace of the story I couldn't add what I wanted for this chapter. However, now that I have set everything up, expect better things for the next chapter. I won't promise anything, but expect better things in the chapters to come. Now that the current setting of the story has been set and you know that everyone got out of that battle in one piece, everything should (well mostly) go back to being peaceful for a while.

 

On another note, I LOVE Albier and Claire's fight in this chapter. I thought you guys needed a MAJOR up-lifter after all that fighting and Kagome angst.