InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightwalker ❯ Foreboding ( Chapter 23 )

Been a while since I sat down at my computer and started writing Nightwalker again. Anyway there are some questions I need to answer.

 

@ Ivellios:

 

Are you a guy? Not that I have anything against that, but my fictions have mostly attracted girls. I didn't think my writing would attract boys. But anyway, to answer your question in that last review you gave me: the entire family can smell the mixing of Inuyasha and Kagome's scent, BUT natural born nightwalker have a stronger sense of smell. Whether or not the family really knows what Inuyasha and Kagome have done depends on how you look at it. Also, I never stated that there was a taboo against nightwalkers having sex with humans. However, I do see it as a “common occurrence,” but it seems that males are more likely to do with the females. I will say one thing though, mating with humans is not forbidden, but nightwalkers might see it in a racist view, as in they don't want to “soil” themselves with human flesh.

 

Thanks for your questions, I don't mind answering anything that confuses my readers but please keep in mind that if the question will spoil anything to come, I will not respond to it. Thank you! ^_^ Anyway, I've talked enough, on with the show!

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, nor will I claim credit for Romiko Takahashi's genius and claim that he's mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part Twenty-Three: Foreboding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“And why should we trust you? The nightwalker king is more powerful. If we are caught it will be hell to pay.” The skeptical nightwalkers echoed their agreements with grunts.

 

“The nightwalker king is formidable, yes, but against numbers he bears weakness.”

 

“How do you know that we won't report your treachery?” A nightwalker from the crowd called, a look of satisfaction on his face as though he had the upper hand.

 

She smirked. “Because then you would reveal dishonesty on your person. How do you not know the king will have complete faith that you did not think twice about my plan?”

 

Worrisome murmurs were heard from her audience. Half of the nightwalkers in her presence looked upon her with apprehension, some with intrigue, and others with respect. Flashing her fangs in victory, Fenrir beckoned to her assembly. “Fear not. I would not lead you if I did not know what I was doing.”

 

“What of Narek? Should he release our plot-”

 

“Narek?” Fenrir raised her brows and laughed. “You worry about the kings lapdog? What harm could he do. He's at the king's beck and call. He will know nothing so long as no one tells him and keeps their mind closed. Even if he did have the slightest clue, I would deal with him.”

 

The nightwalkers talked amongst themselves once more and then looked up at Fenrir. “Very well. We shall see where this leads.” They cleared out from her sight and into the forest. Satisfied, Fenrir turned to the only remaining nightwalker. He stood with his arms crossed against a tree, regarding her silently with his red eyes.

 

“Nice speech.” Hakudoshi said.

 

Fenrir would have probed into his mind if she didn't already know what he was thinking. He'd appeared at the meeting and she would have spread more suspicion on her part if she refused to let him join. Of course, she knew that he wouldn't hesitate to reveal her conspiracy to the nightwalker king. However, Fenrir was familiar with the king's methods. He would not deal with her himself, he would send Narek and, dear Narek had let his mind slip, revealing his vulnerabilities. With his most loyal slave out of the way, it would be easy to overthrow that weak monarch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kagome panted as she punched and kicked. Without much of an effort, Inuyasha dodged her attacks. It had been twenty minutes since she started her practice and she had only landed one punch to his gut, but that had been when he turned his ear toward Natalia. It didn't help her frustration that she could only land a blow when he was off guard, or that he appeared to walk away from her hits.

 

“I don't see much point in asking me to be your sparing partner.” He said as he jumped back from a kick she had directed at his middle.

 

“Hold still.” Kagome said impatiently through clenched teeth as she rushed forward.

 

“This reminds me of something.” Inuyasha teased. Hoping he wouldn't open his mouth with Natalia watching, Kagome ran toward him and slid on the marble floor, succeeding in tripping him. However he was back on his feet in a matter of seconds.

 

Kagome bent forward to rest her hands on her knees. “You're too fast.” She gasped.

 

“What part of stronger, faster and more experienced don't you understand?” Inuyasha smirked.

 

Ignoring his bragging, Kagome stood straight about brought her fists up. “The tougher the opponent the better the practice.” Kagome charged again.

 

“True,” He ducked from her punches, “but I still don't see the point of trying so hard.”

 

“If I,” she kicked his thigh and missed, “separated from the family…” She kicked his shoulder, but he grabbed her foot and shoved her back, but not hard enough to hurt her. Kagome fell on her bottom, rubbing the sore spot as she picked herself up again. “I don't want to be helpless. If I'm going down, I'm going down with a fight.”

 

“I don't think there's anything wrong with exercising self-defense.” Natalia said as she stood from her chair. She'd been silently watching them in the corner of the marble-floored living room they'd been using for the training. “Even if you think it's pointless.” She added when Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

 

Kagome shook her head at his arrogance. Though he seemed lackadaisical toward her sparing matches, Kagome knew that Inuyasha wouldn't bother training with her if he didn't want to help her. When she had first approached him with her plan, he had raised a brow but agreed to be her “punching bag” anyway. In fact, though he often hid it with sarcastic remarks and blatant teasing, Inuyasha had become more agreeable since their venture here to Moscow, Natalia's badland.

 

“Are you two finished?” Natalia asked. Kagome nodded. She'd appeared in the room with news, which had caused Inuyasha to look her way and give Kagome the chance to punch him when their match had started. However, Natalia had waited till their work out was over to convey her message.

 

“Good, because I have news fro Rukiya.”

 

“She's opened her mental link again?” Inuyasha asked. If it were a few months ago, Natalia wouldn't have said this information in front of Kagome. Since her panic attack in the woods, Inuyasha hadn't bothered to exclude her from meetings either. Perhaps he thought it would keep her alert and protect her from another meltdown. Whether his intentions were toward her welfare, or he simply didn't bother hiding things from her anymore, she wasn't sure but Kagome was glad to be included.

 

“She did send her message via mind reading, but she's speaking in riddles in Russian, just in case I suppose. From what I could analyze it sounds like the family has set up decoy trails to keep our enemies from knowing our true place and they are heading here. Maybe during five days time, or it could be seven, I'm not sure. Rukiya's message was confusing to even me, but I'm sure that I got the first portion right.” Natalia smiled proudly.

 

“Anything else?” Inuyasha pressed.

 

“Well, I do feel like we are not alone where we are now.” Natalia answered.

 

“Are you talking about what happened on the way here?” Kagome asked.

 

“Yeah. I'm a bit worried that there are enemies close.”

 

“And the corpse we found on the way here?” Inuyasha interrupted.

 

“Most likely Fenrir's work. She is a cannibal after all.” Natalia closed her eyes.

 

“If it was Fenrir, we would find more bodies.” Inuyasha sighed.

 

“Didn't you say that Fenrir leaves heaps of bodies behind? Wouldn't it be dangerous for the people here?” Kagome asked.

 

“I wish that bitch would find better ways to eat. She's such a disgrace.” Inuyasha hissed.

 

Kagome decided that she'd had enough and excuse herself. It would be New Year's soon, she thought as she walked the steps that led to her room. Kagome wished she were home, celebrating with her family. Not that she loathed staying with Inuyasha's family most of the time, even if Inuyasha seemed more talkative and approachable, but Kagome really missed her mother, father, grandfather and brother. Of course, she knew by now, thanks to Inuyasha, that if she had stayed in Tokyo, her family would have been in danger because of her.

 

Kagome sat down on her bed. She took a quick glance at the time to find that it was midnight. Kagome laughed at herself. She was beginning to become nocturnal. Maybe it was because she hung around paranormal creatures so much. And now that the family was coming back, her wakefulness at night might increase.

 

Kagome wondered if they were all safe. It had been two weeks since she'd arrived in Moscow and settled into the new house Natalia and Inuyasha had picked. Kagome wondered how they always found a mansion to reside in.

 

Standing up Kagome stretched and fell back into bed, but not before hitting her hand on the corner of her bedside table. “Ow. This is not my night.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inuyasha looked at his palm with a bemused expression. “Something wrong?” Natalia asked.

 

Inuyasha shook his head and looked down at his hand again. “It's nothing.” He said.

 

Luckily for him, Natalia didn't get the chance to press her concern because they both sensed a familiar presence. Inuyasha sighed, preparing for the grand entrance while Natalia smiled excitedly. Predictably, the sound of doors bursting open downstairs reached their ears.

 

“ANYBODY HOME!” The voice bellowed.

 

A moment later, Claire poked her head in the through the door to the room. “Nat! How are ya?” She said as she skipped into the room, giving Natalia a fierce hug.

 

“Hey gloomy, as gloomy as ever.” Claire waved at Inuyasha.

 

“As annoying as ever eh, Claire.” Inuyasha huffed.

 

“Is she anything else?” Bill said as she walked into the room.

 

“Hey.” Claire frowned.

 

Natalia and Inuyasha ignored her, welcoming Bill. “Don't ignore me!” Claire stamped her foot. A chuckle was heard behind her and Claire whirled around to find that Kagome and descended into the room after hearing her voice from upstairs.

 

“BLUE! You're here!” Claire tackled Kagome who struggled to keep herself on her feet. “I missed you SO much! After wondering around, trying to get people to join us and I thought I would go out of my mind!”

 

Kagome patted Claire on the head. “I missed you too.” She said sincerely.

 

“Nice to see you well Kagome.” Bill waved to her from across the room.

 

“Hey Bill.” Kagome greeted in return.

 

“So do you know anything about the others? Were you followed?” Natalia asked.

 

“No, there's no one behind us, unless empty space counts.” Bill joked. “As for the others, I heard from Chris last. Said he would rendezvous with Rukiya before he returned.” Natalia breathed out a sigh of relief.

 

“That means Lilliana is with Albier and Kagura and Sesshoumaru are together last I heard. At least no one is alone.” Inuyasha remarked. Kagome saw a look of relief move through his eyes. She wasn't sure if anyone else saw it.

 

“So do you want to hear what we have to say?” Bill asked.

 

Inuyasha shook his head. “I think I'll wait until the rest of family gets here.”

 

“Good, because there's something wrong with Claire that I wanted to ask you to check out.” Bill and Inuyasha turned to look at said nightwalker.

 

Claire let go of Kagome. “It's my teeth. They REALLY hurt and have been for the past few weeks. It's annoying.”

 

Inuyasha frowned as though he were thinking about something unpleasant. “I changed you in the sixties right?”

 

“1967.” Claire corrected.

 

“Then I guess it's about time.” Inuyasha came forward and kneeled so that he was eye level with Claire. “Open up.”

 

“Is something wrong?” Kagome asked as Claire opened her mouth.

 

“Nothing bad. It looks like Claire's new fangs are coming in.”

 

“You guys have baby teeth?” Kagome asked in awe.

 

“I never lost my first fangs.” Natalia remarked.

 

“The time that they change is different for each nightwalker.” In a blink of an eye Inuyasha pulled the two top canines from the Claire's mouth. “OW!” Claire whined. “Why'd you do that you big meanie!”

 

“They were supposed to come out anyway. Do you want me to pull out the bottom ones too?” Inuyasha leered at Claire.

 

“No!” Claire jumped behind Bill. “They don't hurt!” She lied. Bill grabbed her before she could run and turned her around. Claire clamped her lips closed and struggled to get away from her brother, but his hold on her shoulders was firm. Kagome was reminded of her first trip to the dentist. She bit back a laugh.

 

“Open up.” Inuyasha ordered but Claire shook her head stubbornly. “They have to come out.”

 

Natalia came forward and pinched Claire's ear. She squealed, opening her mouth just enough for Inuyasha to pull the two bottom fangs. Before Claire closed her mouth, Kagome caught a glimpse of the four tiny fangs that were already growing in. Bill put a pouting Claire down. She held her cheeks and looked like a little girl who had just dropped her ice cream in the dirt.

 

Kagome couldn't hold back her chuckle anymore. It was great to have Claire and Bill back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three more days passed. After sundown on the third day, Sesshoumaru and Kagura made their appearance. As Kagome watched the two brothers regard each other she got a sense that they were grateful too see that neither of them were harmed, even though Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru exchanged tame insults.

 

The next day Albier and Lilliana arrived. Albier couldn't resist teasing Claire about the tiny teeth that were still growing out. The resulting fight ended with Bill threatening Albier to keep his mouth shut after Claire had become teary eyed about being “a toothless old hippie.” Lilliana on the other hand had simply embraced Natalia, telling her that her mate was safe.

 

Rukiya arrived early the next morning. “Christiano went ahead to set up a false trail. He'll be joining us in a few more days.” She said when Natalia asked her where he was. Though she hid it behind a smile, Kagome could see the worry in Natalia's eyes. What must if feel like to be in love? Did Natalia think about him every moment they were separated?

 

With nearly everyone in the family present, Sesshoumaru and Kagura began the meeting. Kagome followed the family into the living room, where she slumped down next to Natalia and Lilliana. It was strange that she chose this place when she wasn't sure if she were friends with Lilliana, but neither of the two nightwalkers said anything. Sesshoumaru however spared her a glance, probably surprised by her inclusion in the meeting. Kagome blushed, but he said nothing to her and began speaking his news.

 

“Kanna and her family are working in secret, gathering allies. So far, we have pulled only three families to our cause: the one Claire and Bill convinced, Kanna's family, and the family Rukiya found in Africa.” Sesshoumaru said.

 

“With so many interruptions from Fenrir, Narek and Hakudoshi, we were lucky just to get these families to join us. We have plans to disperse again and search for more aid, but with the `three terrors' on our track, it would be just as difficult.” Kagura sighed.

 

“Not to mention that Narek has the bloodstone. Even if we threw that bastard off his throne, we'd still have to search for the true heir.” Rukiya continued.

 

“Why is the heir so important?” Kagome asked.

 

“It's said that the true heir had the right to the throne and will defeat any false leaders taking their place.” Lilliana answered. “But I guess that doesn't matter. If Narek has the stone, then we can't find the true heir. What's worse is that if he uses it to find the heir, we'd have to wait till the new heir is born in order to have an advantage.”

 

“That's not important right now.” Kagura interrupted. “Our current course is to keep searching for help. We can't find the nightwalker king if he's always guarded by lackeys.”

 

“Then what do we do?” Bill asked.

 

“We follow Christiano to Hong Kong with the trail he's setting up and speak to the nightwalker hunters there. They have some documented families that even the nightwalker king doesn't know about.” Everyone but Inuyasha, Kagura and Rukiya looked at Sesshoumaru with surprise.

 

“Ow did yo find this outh?” Claire said. She blushed when she realized her speaking was still a bit strange.

 

“You've lost your baby teeth?” Lilliana asked. Claire glared at her.

 

Sesshoumaru cleared his throat. “It never hurts to keep tabs on the nightwalker hunters. Even if their information is useless most of the time.”

 

“Humans can be helpful after all.” Inuyasha said in a low voice. Kagome gave him a quick glance but averted her eyes when he caught her staring.

 

“So when do we leave?” Rukiya asked.

 

“The day after tomorrow.” Sesshoumaru stood and left the room, which meant that the meeting was adjourned. The room emptied till only Inuyasha and Lilliana remained. As she stood to leave as well, Kagome asked Lilliana, “So did you remember anything?”

 

“No, but I did bring this with me.” She pulled out the picture with the man and his four sons. Once again, Kagome found herself staring at the eldest boy.

 

“I can't remember anything, but this boy just feels familiar to me.” Lilliana said. Inuyasha stopped leaning against the wall and looked at the picture when he passed by, pausing with a frown on his face.

 

“Do you know him?” Kagome asked when she noticed his expression.

 

“No, but something about his look reminds me of someone.” Inuyasha looked from the picture and to Lilliana. He shook his head and excused himself.

 

Kagome decided that it was time for her to take her leave as well when Lilliana tapped her shoulder. “Can I ask you something?”

 

Turning, Kagome nodded. “What is it?”

 

Lilliana hesitated for a moment. “Does Inuyasha seem…different to you?”

 

Kagome briefly reflected. He was defiantly friendlier toward her, even if it was a small degree. He spoke to her more. “Define different?” Kagome pressed.

 

“Like a physical change. Has he started to look pale, or does he seem to have problems that he just brushes off.” Lilliana explained.

 

“None that I've noticed.” Kagome replied.

 

“What about you?” Lilliana continued.

 

“What about me?”

 

“Have you been feeling anything strange?”

 

“Other then missing my family, nothing.”

 

Lilliana frowned and then shook her head. “Thanks anyway.” She flashed Kagome a weak smile and walked out of the room.

 

It wasn't her sour expression that Kagome thought about after Lilliana left. It was the fact that she actually said “thank you.” Kagome pinched her upper arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inuyasha rubbed his shoulder as he walked out of the house and onto the street. His ears picked up sounds from the houses next door to the sirens down the blocks. No city was quiet, he sighed. Walking around the house, he stepped into the alleyway where he picked up the presence of his brother.

 

“You wanted to talk to me?” He said dryly. Sesshoumaru pushed himself away from the wall he's been leaning against. He flashed Inuyasha a look and jumped up into the air. Following, Inuyasha followed Sesshoumaru to a high rooftop, away from the family home.

 

“I didn't want to alarm Kagura and the others,” Sesshoumaru began when they were safely on the top, “but I sense an anomaly.”

 

“Which is?”

 

“In their pursuit of us, Fenrir and Narek gave off a certain ambiance. I don't believe their tracking ability is so strong that they were awaiting our arrival in the locations were headed, nor do I believe that such a thing was coincidence.”

 

“Well, Fenrir is expanding her mind reading power-”

 

“No,” Sesshoumaru looked his brother gravely, “not just her, but Narek was awaiting us wherever we were headed as though he knew our destination before we even decided. And how can Fenrir read minds from such a distance? Only messages can be sent through mental links, mind reading can't be done that far.”

 

“So what are you saying? They will know our every move no matter what? Since when did Fenrir become as dangerous as Narek?”

 

“That's what I'm curious about as well. However, I believe that Fenrir has a mental connection with him. I believe, Narek has some new power that allows him to be ready for us wherever we go.”

 

“So you're saying, that he could be in Hong Kong right now, waiting for us?” Inuyasha felt nauseas.

 

“ He could be.” Sesshoumaru snarled. For him to lose his cool debonair and take on such a drastic facial expression meant that this was very serious matter.

 

“How is he doing this? Kagura said he has blood bone control? How does he have abilities of a natural born nightwalker?”

 

Sesshoumaru paused. “Perhaps he is responsible.”

 

“You think the nightwalker king is giving him these powers? That's bullshit. Why would that bastard share anything of his?”

 

“What other secret abilities does Narek have that we don't know of? I fear that now have an enemy as awesome as the king himself.”

 

Inuyasha felt a searing anger rear it's ugly head. “You don't want the others to know?”

 

“I don't a cause for unnecessary panic but…” He turned to face his younger brother.

 

“Inuyasha, it's time we dealt with Narek. If the worse case scenario does occur, you and I will have to discipline him for the last time.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It had been such a long day, she sighed as she gathered her papers off the desk. So long she'd spent with the paranormal that she'd forgotten how tiring it could be just to deal with humans. Smiling at her accomplishments, she picked up the remaining paperwork, intent on finishing it at home.

 

A knock was heard on her cubical door. “Finished?” Her partner asked as he leaning against the thin wall that separated her workspace from the others.

 

“Yeah. Shall we go?” She said as she straightened her hair. “You know, working with the supernatural is way easier then this stuff.”

 

He raised a brow. “Sango, are you saying you would rather go back to investigating nightwalkers?”

 

“Our files have been disposed of. We were never invited into the hunters and we have no memory of the nightwalkers, remember?” Sango reminded Miroku. “We wouldn't be able to return. Plus, the nightwalker hunters were a lost cause.”

 

“Oh were they?” Sango reached for her gun. Miroku glared around the room, searching for the voice.

 

“Relax.” The voice said. “I'm not here to do you harm.”

 

Sango dropped her weapon back on her belt when the nightwalker showed himself. Her jaw dropped. “Christiano? What are you doing here?” A thought clicked in her mind. “Is Kagome here?” Sango demanded. She yearned to see the girl again, to make sure she was all right.

 

“No. It's just me.” Christiano answered.

 

“Where are the others?” Miroku asked.

 

“Far away. I can't reveal much, but your help would be useful in what we a planning.” Christiano crossed his arms, waiting for the question he knew they would ask.

 

“What could we possibly help with?” Miroku frowned.

 

“How much do you know about the nightwalker hunters in Hong Kong?” Christiano asked.

 

Sango shook her head. “Very little. I was with Richard's faction and we were only sanctioned in Tokyo after the killings began happening.”

 

Christiano sighed at her news. “This is going to be harder then I thought.”

 

“I can investigate it for you.” Sango offered.

 

“What?”

 

“I'm not called a detective for nothing.” Sango assured, but Christiano scowled in doubt. “How much can you find out in your current status?”

 

“Don't worry.” Miroku reassured. “We may not be nightwalker hunters anymore, but we do know how to find them.”

 

“Very well.” Christiano nodded. “I'll leave it in your hands.”

 

“How do we contact you?” Sango asked.

 

“For your safety, I will contact you.” Before the humans could see, Christiano retreated into the darkness and out of the police station before he was noticed.

 

It was going to be difficult getting the needed documents with so many humans around. According to what he heard from the local nightwalkers, the hunters here were more…able then their former counterparts in Tokyo. At least back then, they had an agreement with Richard. If they were fortunate, they wouldn't have to deal with the leader of the nightwalker hunters in Hong Kong. Christiano ran a hand through his scalp. This was going to be quite an ordeal.

 

He stepped away from the busy streets and into the alleyways between the tall buildings. “Well, well. I expected to find the whole family, but I suppose I'll have to settle for you instead.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This chapter is not called foreboding for no reason. I dropped A LOT of clues in this chapter of what's to come, including things that many/ may not happen with Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship AND what dangers the family will have to face in the future. I really like how this chap turns out and you won't believe this: I WROTE THIS WHOLE THING IN ONE DAY! Yup: new record.

 

Anyway, please be kind enough to write more then update soon in your review.