InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightwalker ❯ Severed ( Chapter 20 )

First of all Sovereignty, you're review made me laugh so hard! I loved it! Glad you like Clair's arson line. Also, I briefly debated making a short spoof out of what you said. Unfortunately, I can't imagine what Kagome would say if Inuyasha said, “I attacked you because I'm a horny bastard.” Plus, it wouldn't fit the story and it would be a goofy thing to do. But still, that was hilarious! It really made me feel better; I was having a bad day. So thank you for the great review!

 

Secondly, I don't believe in love at first sight. Random I know, but a lot of reviewers are a little impatient. I don't like it when the girl falls head over heals in love in a month. I prefer a long pre-relationship, but don't worry, I'm evil, and love to bother my puppets. You'll see plenty (wink, wink). You know what I mean…

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. He is the sole property of the brilliant Romiko Takahashi only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part Twenty: Severed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome stiffened. “Shit.” Inuyasha cursed, sniffing the air. Two things happened at once: a cacophony of screams and roars came from the village, and six enemy nightwalkers appeared in the clearing. Before she could even gasp, Kagome was thrown to the ground.

 

Struggling as his claws dug into her neck Kagome flung her leg, trying to knee the nightwalker in the middle, but his hold never slackened. Panicking, Kagome threw her arm into the dirt till her fingers grazed a stone. She felt like her neck was going to snap in half. Fighting against the call of closing her eyes, Kagome began to see white spots as she pushed all her strength into grasping the stone. It slipped into her hand and Kagome desperately tried to circle her fingers around it. Blackness was leaking into her the corners of her vision. Before she could think, Kagome jabbed the rock into the nightwalker's eyes.

 

He pulled back, covering his eyes as Kagome puffed air into her lungs. Suddenly, the nightwalker was lifted off her. Kagome didn't care if he retreated or if she was going to be attacked one more time. All that she thought about was getting air into her blood. When her mind cleared, her saw six dead nightwalkers in the dirt. Kagome forced the bile back down her throat; the sight was gruesome.

 

Inuyasha stood close behind her, his posture alert. He wasn't panting, yet there was this rage radiating off him, and Kagome could see that his eyes had changed to their bloodthirsty red again. He turned and helped her stand. She stood on wobbly legs. “Are you all right?”

 

She gave him a weak yes before he grabbed her hand and hauled her through the forest, toward the village. Kagome shuddered as they got closer, memories from the last battle and of her near death experiences caught up to her, making her heart pound violently.

 

Inuyasha stopped just a few steps away from the village. Kagome could hear the vicious sounds of fighting and suddenly her rationality came back full force. “Sango and Miroku are in there!” She began rushing toward the village. Inuyasha swiftly grabbed hold of her hand, pulling her back.

 

“What are you doing?” She growled, rounding on him and trying to get her wrist free. “We have to go help them!”

 

“`We?' The last time you rushed into battle, you put yourself and the rest of us in danger. I'm not letting you out of my sight. If you want to help, don't wander off!” Before Kagome could complain he pulled her forward again, but stopped when the village scene showed itself.

 

There were so many nightwalkers, Kagome couldn't tell who was who. They fought each other like wolves, tissues being torn from limbs, and body parts flying. In the midst of the war in front of them, Kagome could no longer tell the family apart from the monsters that were massacring any other nightwalker that came across their path. She gulped, her eyes scanning the terrible scene for allies.

 

“Damn.” Inuyasha hissed, his red eyes following the movements. He looked dizzy.

 

Something swished from behind them. Kagome felt her head spin as Inuyasha pushed her behind him just in time for the nightwalker to knock him into the ground. He threw his claws into Inuyasha's shoulder, and Kagome heard the shattering crack of bone before Inuyasha yelped and sliced the nightwalker's side with his claws. Ribs appeared in the creature's side.

 

Overcoming her paralysis, Kagome kicked the nightwalker hard in it's injured side. It rounded on her, charging to attack without releasing its mistake. Just as Kagome backed away, the creature fell to the floor, a hole in its chest. Inuyasha dropped the heart as he came to a stand, while Kagome covered her mouth, shacking.

 

“Thanks.” He said.

 

“You're welcome.” Kagome stuttered. “What's going on?”

 

Inuyasha looked up, sniffing the atmosphere. “I don't know. There are too many scents to tell who's who. Fuck! The others could be in danger.” He stopped, his eyes widening. “We need to find Kanna and Sesshoumaru.”

 

In that moment they were noticed and nightwalkers launched at them from every angle. Kagome let out a surprised shriek, but suddenly she was in the air and grabbing into Inuyasha for dear life. He jumped through the battle, searching for family members.

 

Kagome chanced a look toward the ground, feeling her head spin when she did. Just as her eyes caught a glimpse of a colorful figure, Inuyasha set her back on her feet. She swayed, but managed to chock out, “I saw Claire!”

 

“Where?” Inuyasha demanded, but didn't have time to search because a nightwalker flew at him from behind. Kagome jumped in place. “Look out!” Alerted by her reaction, Inuyasha caught the nightwalker by the neck, flinging him into the ground. He landed on his head with a defining crack.

 

Kagome jumped behind him as more nightwalkers came their way. Three of them fell dead as Claire appeared, ripping the middle out of a nightwalker in her path.

 

“Claire! What the hell happened?” Inuyasha demanded.

 

“I don't know!” Claire jumped out of the way when another nightwalker came forward. Inuyasha caught her and Claire pushed against him, flying toward the enemy and snapping his neck.

 

When she landed, she spoke in gasps. “One moment, everything is peaceful, the next; nightwalkers break into our house. Sesshoumaru and Kagura got Kanna out, but I don't know about anyone else. The family is stuck here. Along with Kanna's family members as well.”

 

“Find the others and take them to Sesshoumaru.” Inuyasha pushed Kagome forward. “And take her with you.” Claire grabbed Kagome's hand, pulling her closer. “But what about you?” She asked Inuyasha with wide eyes.

 

“I'll stay and ward them off. Go.” He ordered.

 

Claire left, pulling Kagome with her before she could refuse. The human sent him a nervous look and then she was gone, taking with her his restraint toward the battle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claire and Kagome hadn't gone far when Claire spotted Albier just as he was thrown against a tree, the enemy about to bite his chest. Letting go of Kagome, she flashed forward, using her momentum to knock the nightwalker away. As Claire struggled with the enemy, Kagome rushed to kneel next to Albier.

 

“Albier, can you hear me?” She asked as she patted the boy's check. He opened his eyes, blinking at her. Kagome surveyed him. His arm was cut and bleeding, and his shoulder looked out of place, but the wounds were healing. Kagome could see his body repairing itself.

 

Claire suddenly reappeared; there was blood covering her pink t-shit. “Al, are you okay? Did you get bitten?” She helped him to his feet. “No. I was about to though.” He sighed.

 

“Where are the others?” Claire asked. Albier didn't have time to answer. He threw Claire and Kagome aside, barely having a moment to get out of the way as the tree he'd been leaning against was shredded to splinters by the charging nightwalker. Recovering, Claire got back on her feet, sneaking up on the enemy while his eyes were pinned on Albier. She bit down hard on the nightwalker's neck and he collapsed to the floor.

 

“Let's go.” She told Albier and the three of them were running across the battleground, searching to their friends. Heart pounding, her legs heavy with the effort, Kagome struggled to keep up with Albier and Claire. The two young nightwalkers brawled their way through the village, guarding Kagome while frantically looking for family at the same time.

 

Kagome ran after Claire as she jumped over an enemy, knocking him down with her feet. Meanwhile, Albier was distracted by a nightwalker that was trying to sink its fangs into his neck. Kagome rushed toward, kicking the demon in the back. As he fell forward, Albier wrestled him on the floor. Kagome tried to help him but another nightwalker had appeared from her left and was hacking away at her with its claws.

 

Unable to dodge quickly enough, Kagome felt her skin sear from the scratches its claws made in her skin. Barely in the defensive, she glanced at Claire and Albier for help only to release to her horror that both of them were in near fatal circumstances. Taking advantage of Kagome's momentary weakness, the nightwalker got a hold of her wrist. Kagome jerked to get away as the enemy raised her claws to deliver the final blow.

 

Fear gripping her, Kagome sunk her nails into the nightwalker's wrist, using her other hand to twist her hand around. The demon flinched from the small sting of pain, but then held Kagome aloft by the neck, away from her body so Kagome couldn't do any damage. Once again, Kagome felt her windpipe being smashed. She kicked and squirmed, but the nightwalker's hold only tightened.

 

Her eyes felt as though they would pop and deep in her mind, Kagome felt the need to sleep. It was soothing and it promised her suffering to top. Unable to fight it, Kagome felt her eyes close. Yet somewhere in the back of her consciousness, a loud oath was heard and the sound of something dropping before pain permeated her body. Kagome opened her eyes to see Claire standing over her. Bill cast her a nervous look from above and, as Kagome's eyes adjusted, she noticed Lilliana standing at his side as well.

 

“How is she?” That husky voice belonged to Christiano. Kagome blinked, breathing in deeply.

 

“She'll be fine for now.” Albier answered and Kagome felt something heavy lift off her head.

 

“Thanks for saving us.” Claire said, standing. “Where are the others?”

 

“Rukiya is with Inuyasha. Natalia and Miroku are hurt. We need to retreat and meet the others.” Kagome felt herself being lifted, and it took her a moment for her head to clear. She released that she was resting against Bill's muscular back.

 

“And Sango?” Albier asked.

 

Kagome brought her hazy eyes to look at Christiano. His face had cuts, his hair was disheveled, and his wrist broken. “She's…never mind. You'll know later.”

 

Kagome suddenly felt her strength return. She looked up. “What's wrong? Tell me!” She gasped, her voice hoarse.

 

Lilliana looked at her with a pained expression. “She is-” Her eyes widened. Suddenly, Kagome felt Bill jump from his place. The family members rushed out of the way and Kagome heard someone yell Lilliana's name. When she gathered her wits, she noticed that Lilliana was gone.

 

“Lilly!” Claire called. She ran into the forest and Kagome felt Bill follow. She tried to keep her stomach contents in her body as Bill moved.

 

“She's gone?” Claire said, looking about, calling Lilliana.

 

“She'll be fine. We need to go, Claire.” Bill grabbed hold of his sister's hand but Claire pulled back. “We have to help her!” Claire insisted.

 

“Need I remind you that she's stronger then both of us? We have to go now!” Bill took Kagome and a rebelling Claire out of the forest and after the rest of the family as they retreated from the assault.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An ambush was not his style, especially one of this quality. Stealth was his best weapon and he preferred to fight alone, but orders were orders and leading this raid on the nightwalker village would have been his top priority if he eye had not caught sight of delicious morsel he couldn't ignore. He pulled Lilliana away from her family, distancing himself from battle.

 

Lilliana struggled in her attacker's hold till she was dropped to the floor. Ignoring the pain in her legs, she stood, searching the forest for her kidnapper, her fangs barred.

 

“Always the resistant one.” That voice made Lilliana's blood turn to ice. Her heart rate doubled as she sought the voice's owner.

 

As if right on cue, Narek walked out of the shadow of a large tree. Unharmed, his posture casual, Lilliana felt he was more of a treat then the dozens of enemy nightwalkers back at the village. “You,” She hissed out of pure hatred. “You are the one who attacked us!”

 

Narek walked around the clearing with a stoic face. “Quite contrary, I am the leader that hides while his minions do all the dirty work. The nightwalker king has known about your family's pathetic course of action for a time. And If I were to attack someone, it would be alone, like I am doing now.”

 

Lilliana felt a chill run up her spin. She resisted the urge to shudder and show fear. Narek was like a fox, sly and calculating, with the venomous bite as lethal as a cobra's; he could charge and kill her in an instant. “Did you take me for an execution?” She asked.

 

Narek paused for a moment. “I am here to offer you a choice, or should I say your last chance at survival. Join the king and I will spare your life.” His eyes darkened. “Refuse, and I will no longer hesitate to kill you, my dear. Know that I will hunt you down and bite your heart myself.”

 

“A promise or a threat?”

 

“Both. Your response?”

 

“How's this for my response!” Lilliana charged at him, swiping her fist at his face, but he stepped to the side as though he were avoiding a harmless ball. Narek grabbed hold of her wrist, twisting it behind her back.

 

“You refuse?” He asked unemotionally from behind her.

 

“Yes.” Lilliana kicked his ankle, watching him sink toward the ground, but he quickly corrected himself before she could kick him once more. He jumped away, landing with catlike grace on his feet. Lilliana panted out of frustration, but held her breath when she saw the deranged smirk on Narek's face. “Should I kill you the same way I'd planned to kill that human woman you protected?”

 

Unsure of what he meant, Lilliana wasn't prepared for his strike against her. She hunched over, holding her throat. Pain pulsed through her and she felt like every bone in her body was being crushed. She fell to her knees, curling up into a ball and screaming. The pain vanished and Lilliana weakly looked up at Narek when his attack had ended.

 

“For the time being. I'll let you live. Consider this my last warning.” He turned and disappeared into the darkness. Lilliana felt her skin crawl. She stood on jelly-like legs, hearing her name being called in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Sango!” Kagome knelt by the injured woman when they arrived at the river Sesshoumaru, Kagura, Kanna, and a few survivors from the village had hidden by. Sango was on her stomach, a large open wound on her back. She'd been stabbed. Kagome felt her eyes fill with burning tears as she gently put Sango's head in her lap.

 

“She's fine.” Christiano told her and to Kagome's relief, she felt Sango breathe. “Lilliana got to her in time.”

 

“What happened?” Kagome asked him.

 

“I don't know. Lilliana found her like that, and managed to get venom into her before she bled to death.”

 

Trying to calm herself, Kagome looked around for damages. Miroku's right hand was broken and Natalia carried a large open cut on her collarbone. Christiano went and picked her up, saying he'd take of her before wandering off. Ignoring him, Kagome noticed that members of the family weren't in the best shape either. Inuyasha wasn't there. Her stomach churned.

 

“So what now?” Claire asked.

 

“We wait.” Sesshoumaru answered.

 

“That's all we are going to do!” Albier stomped his foot. “We're not going back to help Inuyasha, Rukiya and the others? We're just going to sit and wait!”

 

“Silence.” Sesshoumaru commanded. Although, Albier closed his mouth, he still gave a furious glower.

 

“Running back into a battle when we are injured isn't the best course. For now, we will stay where we are, close to the water to hide our scent, wait out their attack and hope for survivors.” Sesshoumaru crossed his arms. The argument was over. Albier growled and stomped into the forest.

 

“Al?” Claire asked as he passed by.

“I won't go far.” He spat before disappearing from sight.

 

After a moment of silence, Claire sat down next to Bill, holding onto his arm. “Do you think Lilly is okay?” She asked.

 

Bill shook his head sadly, but said to his sister, “I think she'll be fine.”

 

Minutes turned into hours as they waited. The sky went from black to blue. The anxiety was like a heavy stone on Kagome's chest. It pushed down on her rip cage, making her heart beat hysterically. She waited for Sango to open her eyes, hoping that the next breath was not her last. She waited for Rukiya, Lilliana and Inuyasha to return. She waited for Miroku to wake. She waited for Christiano to come back with Natalia, but most of all, she waited for this nightmare to be over. She waited for a time that she wouldn't be in this kind of danger anymore.

 

The sky became orange, and Kagome could feel the moral around them dropping. She waited, hoping. The sun rose and Christiano came back with Natalia. She leaned her weight against him before he gently put her down. Kagome felt the family lighten only a little at their re-entrance. Albier returned, his face grim. As the sun rose higher, Sango finally opened her eyes, greeting Kagome weakly before she went back to rest. Kagome felt lighter, but she caught herself staring out into the forest, listening for any sounds. She felt her heart jump whenever she heard something, but then felt the anxiousness come back when nothing arrived.

 

The sunlight crept over the forest and the nightwalkers walked into the shade, but the light brought something good with it. Survivors of Kanna's family appeared. The family head rushed to them. Fourteen survivors in all, Kagome could see the pain on Kanna's face from losing more then half of the nightwalkers in the village. She watched as Kanna turned to her sister and Sesshoumaru. “You have my support.” She swore.

 

Kagura nodded in approval. “Will you help us gather more help?” She asked.

 

“Yes.” Kanna replied.

 

Rukiya entered the scene. Kagura and Claire rushed toward her before she fell to her knees out of exhaustion. “I'll be fine.” She huffed, getting to her feet.

 

“What of my brother?” Sesshoumaru asked her. Kagome felt the rock on her chest get bigger and she looked toward the forest.

 

“I'm here.” Said a voice. Inuyasha came in, his arm was covered with dried blood, but he was otherwise fine. Lilliana, pale and weak, leaned her weight against him. He let her down. She wobbled for a moment, but stayed standing. Kagome let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding at the sight of them. The rock on her heart drifted away.

 

Lilliana gazed her way. “How is Sango?”

 

“She's okay.” Kagome replied, pushing a hair out of Sango's facec.

 

“Is there anyone else?” Sesshoumaru asked.

 

Inuyasha shook his head sadly. “We somehow got away, but those bastards will be looking for us.”

 

Kagura sighed. “We need to escape from here and head to a new location.”

 

“But where do we go?” Claire asked. “We need to heal, so we can't travel far and we can't stay here. We might get caught.”

 

“We will stay until nightfall. Then we head out. Until then, we rest.” Sesshoumaru said.

 

The family exchanged ideas about what to do next. Kagome didn't pay attention anymore. She focused on Sango and Miroku. He'd finally woken and was now holding Sango close, worry etched across his face, his broken arm forgotten. Kagome hadn't protested when he took Sango away from her lap, placing her head on his thigh.

 

“Who led those bastards here?” Rukiya's voice drifted to her ear, and Kagome returned to the nightwalker's conversation.

 

“I'm not sure,” Sesshoumaru began, “I didn't catch any-”

 

“It was Narek.” Lilliana interrupted, her voice shaking. Everyone looked at her. “He led them here under orders from the king. That bastard knew we would come here for help. I don't doubt that he would send Narek after us again in the future and with his new ability, Narek is even more of a threat then before.”

 

Rukiya suddenly straightened from where she sat. “New ability? What are you talking about?”

 

Lilliana shuddered and said no more. “Tell us.” Sesshoumaru ordered. Lilliana paused, indecision in her eyes. “I think, he's able to cause pain without even touching the person.” She said.

 

Inuyasha and Kagura exchanged. Sesshoumaru widened his eyes in surprise. “What did you feel?” Sesshoumaru pressed. Lilliana became pale, but spoke in a shaky whisper. “Like all of my bones were on fire. Everywhere hurt.” She shook from her description.

 

Kagura cupped her hand in her chin. “Did you notice Narek acting strange in any way?” Lilliana paused, unsure. “He didn't speak at all when I saw him last.” She said.

 

“Odd.” Sesshoumaru mused.

 

“What is it?” Rukiya said when she noticed his thoughtful expression.

 

“Blood Bone Control. If Narek wasn't speaking, then he entered a kind of meditation. It's something natural bon nightwalkers do when they want to get stronger. How could he possible have an ability only natural born nightwalkers have?” Kagura gasped in awe.

 

“He proves himself a genius time and time again.” Sesshoumaru sighed.

 

“Damn it!” Rukiya cursed. “I wish I gotten through to that boy. This is all my fault.”

 

“Regret won't help us now. We need to decide our course of action.” Christiano reminded them. “Any ideas.”

 

Lilliana suddenly raised her hand. “We should split up for the time being. We'd be easier to catch if we stay together, and if we go off to different locations, it might be harder for us to be tracked down.” She explained.

 

“So what would be our groups?” Kagura asked Sesshoumaru. Lilliana gave a small smile that her plan was accepted.

 

“You should go with Kanna and her family to safety. Inuyasha and I will scout around for a while. If Narek was sent here with an army of the king's fighters, it would mean the king might be close by. The others will resume looking for the bloodstone.” He explained.

 

“What about the humans?” Bill asked.

 

“They need doctors.” Rukiya said. She looked at Lilliana. “I think it's time for them to blend back into human society. We can't put them in any more danger.”

 

“Yeah.” Lilliana agreed. “I will take care of them.”

 

“What about Kagome?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“I'd like to offer one more suggestion.” All eyes glanced toward Lilliana. “Kagome is already in a lot of danger. If killing her means killing you, Inuyasha, then Narek will come after her again. I might have an idea about where she would be safe.”

 

“Where?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Narek's badland.” Lilliana replied.

 

“What's a badland?” Kagome asked. The family looked at her with mild surprise, as though they had forgotten she was there.

 

“It's where a human dies and is reborn a nightwalker. Most of the time, nightwalkers never go back to their badland, since it brings back bad memories. In Narek's case, his badland should be the most terrible place he could go. I don't think he'd ever return. Kagome should be safest there.” Lilliana explained.

 

“Then it's settled. We separate at dusk.” Sesshoumaru concluded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When a shadow loomed over her, Kagome opened her eyes and sat up. She didn't remember when she had fallen asleep, but guessed that it had happened shortly after the family had decided what to do next. She rubbed her eyes, noticing that the family was awake, sitting and resting in the retreating shade. The sun was beginning to set.

 

Sango rested against Miroku's lap. Kagome pushed aside her depression when she remembered the decision was made for their departure. She tried not to think about it and she hoped she would see Sango and Miroku again. She knew they'd be all right.

 

Kagome looked about the clearing, reminded of that night a few weeks ago in her apartment, when the family had escaped from the nightwalker hunter's building. It had been horrible that night too. Kagome laughed at herself when she remembered how she'd wished that night would be the worst of it. What did she expect when she hung around bloodsuckers?

She surveyed her surroundings again. Someone was missing. Kagome got to her feet, surprised that she didn't fall, and wondered about. It didn't take long to find him. He was standing next to the river not to far away. Kagome couldn't believe that she was seeking him out on her own. He turned when he noticed her presence behind him.

 

“Hi.” Kagome said.

 

“Hey.” Inuyasha said nonchalantly. She wondered how he was able to do that. If she could pretend convincingly like nothing bothered her, she'd be a lot better off in a family that sensed emotions. Kagome hadn't thought about how she'd approach him, especially after their last strange heart to heart. She forced herself not to blush and decided it was best to mark those subjects taboo again.

 

They stared at each other without a word. Gathering her courage, Kagome spoke first. “Shouldn't you bite me before you go?”

 

He looked at her with a questioning brow raised. “I thought you didn't like it when I bite you.”

 

“I don't.” Kagome narrowed her eyes. “But If you are going to be gone for a while, I want to make sure you don't have to come back to bite me again too soon.”

 

He harrumphed with amusement before pulling her toward him. “I will admit you are some piece of work.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There you have it. Honestly, I didn't plan to update this soon, but I got a rather unfriendly letter and unfortunately, with my schedule on a weird vibe right now, I wasn't sure when I would update next. So I forced myself to finish that chapter as much as I could. I tried my best. I hope you liked it. Please review nicely. Thank you.