InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightwalker ❯ Treachery ( Chapter 35 )

~IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTES! PLEASE READ!~I can never feel like this chapter is good enough so I went back and tweaked a lot of what happens in this chapter. Please read it over again! Otherwise I'm afraid the next chapter may not make sense!

 

Also, recently I found a picture on deviant art. This isn't my artwork! Props to the actual creator for making such awesome pictures! Now the moment I looked at this picture I immediately thought about Narek and Lilliana. This is as close as I can get to their appearance. If anyone wants to see the picture, I have the link below. But before you see it, I just want to point out a few differences. First off, Lilliana's hair is black, Narek's hair is shorter and wavier and his eyes are green, well one of them now. That's all. I hope you enjoy the picture as much I did.

 

http://eat01234.deviantart.com/art/vampire-114280381

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, nor will I take credit for Romiko Takahashi's genius!

 

 

Part Thirty-five: Treachery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“They've decided to run.” She said when she opened her eyes.

 

“Are they chickening out or is it a planned move? Lucy?”

 

Turning to the tall man next to her she said, “I can't tell. There's too much chaos to work through, but whatever they are planning, we have to interfere.”

 

“You're going to kill us all, sticking your nose in other people's business like that.” Said Xander. Lucy looked at him and he stared back with an angry glare of his own. “You're one to talk. Isn't `sticking your nose' in other's affairs your expertise, Xander? The difference between us is that I don't consider what I'm doing to be `business.'”

 

“Then what is it? Personal? What's your story in all this?” Xander asked again.

 

“You still don't trust me.” Lucy said in a bored tone.

 

“I trust what I can understand, and from what I know, your plan is insane. How can you possibly think I'd readily believe that bullshit story you told me?”

 

“Listen kid, you agreed to help, so stop with your antagonistic attitude. There are things going on here that even you don't understand.” Said the man next to Lucy.

 

“Don't feed me that ` things you don't understand' crap, `Chase.' And stop calling me a kid; I'm over sixty years old. I know well and good when I'm being bullshited.”

“You should open up your heart and trust more.” Lucy sighed.

 

“Yeah sure, and get my brain knocked flat.”

 

Lucy felt the urge to turn and pull Xander's voice box from his throat. Breathing in, she said. “I've told you the truth. Either you help me, or the entire scheme I've been setting up for ninety years goes to waste. Besides, I have nothing to lose. If the outcome of this battle comes out in the king's favor, you and all those on the other side will be the ones to suffer, not me.”

 

“And if the outcome of this battle comes out to your favor? What will happen to us then?” Xander challenged.

 

Lucy smirked. “We shall see.” She turned to look out into the dark street. The highway that led to Sequoia was there in front of them, waiting for them to travel along it. “Chase, get the other four. Tell them it's time for them to appear in the final act.”

 

“Gotcha.” Chase began sprinting away from the direction of the forest, disappearing into the darkness.

 

“Xander, you can run like you always do, or you can finally get your ass in gear and take action.” Lucy turned to look at the reluctant nightwalker behind her. “It's your choice.”

 

“Then I'll pick what's best for me.” Xander said before he left.

 

Running away from Lucy, he raced over the highway, his feet barely touching the ground as he dashed, toward the King's stronghold in the forest. Skidding to a stop where the highway began to merge into the mountains, Xander questioned why he was doing this? He didn't know Lucy, and he trusted no one, so why was he putting his ass on the line for a plan that seemed both implausible and ludicrous? Trying to keep his doubts from overwhelming him, he took one step on the highway and suddenly felt that he was not alone.

 

Staring straight ahead, he recognized Narek's silhouette outlined by the pale light of the moon. Xander tensed as the other nightwalker stepped closer. The air of malice and apathy that had always surrounded Narek like a layer of black smoke was gone. All that Xander could feel was an emotionless, empty shell.

 

“Are you hunting me?” Xander asked.

 

Without looking at him, his attention on the ring on his left hand, Narek said, “Not at all. I can't hunt someone who hasn't yet decided whether or not he wants to live.”

 

He was waiting for an answer. Xander hesitated. In front of them there were two options. Either he trusted Lucy and her unbelievable story, or take the path that he hoped he never would have to take. Narek closed his eyes and said stoically, “I seem to have little patience as of late. Either you say you will take my offer, or I take your silence as a refusal and kill you. I'm short on time, there are others I have to kill.”

 

Xander began to wheeze. Choose. Without thinking, he said, “I'll come with you to join the Nightwalker King.”

 

Without the slightest hint of pleasure or disappointment on his face Narek turned. “Excellent. Follow me.”

 

As he began to follow the Deathblade up the mountain trail that led to the forest where the King awaited, Xander's only thought was that he hoped he made the right decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You should know,” Kagura said to Rukiya, “the king has power over emotions. Don't trust what you feel around him. He can make you completely relaxed and blank before he kills you.”

 

Rukiya nodded. “Kanna and the others are already in position.”

 

“And Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru?”

 

“Already gone.”

 

“Good.” Kagura turned to face Kagome and Claire. “You two know what to do.”

 

Kagome and Claire nodded. “See ya on the flip side.” Claire said before she disappeared through the door that led to Kouga's club, which was now empty. Kagome scanned the empty room that was once full of nightwalkers several hours ago.

 

Noticing her hesitation, Kagura asked, “Something wrong?”

 

“What about Lilliana? She hasn't come back.” Kagome hadn't seen her since Rukiya had told them of their plan over twenty hours ago. “Were you able to connect your mind to her?” Kagome asked Rukiya.

 

Rukiya's serious face dropped. “I can't seem to reach her.”

 

Kagura's face remained calm and emotionless as she spoke. “We don't have time to compromise our plans. Lilliana knows what we are going to do and I trust she will carry it out. When she returns, I'll teach her not to leave when she's told to stay.” The growl in Kagura's voice told Kagome that Lilliana was in for quite a punishment.

 

“Would there be time to-” Kagome's nose tingled and she felt as though her entire body had been pulled as tight as a bowstring. Hissing, she spun around and brought up her fists. The nightwalker at the door only smiled at her reaction. “My, only three left? Have all the others decided to run too?”

 

Kagura and Rukiya flexed their claws. “I suppose your hunt has begun then.” Kagura bared her teeth.

 

“And I suppose you damn traitors are taking the coward's way out running.” The woman said.

 

“At least we're not murdering to get our way, you bitch.” Kagome watched the nightwalker narrow her eyes at her comment.

 

“You'll be the first to die. The name's Kohana. Remember it…because it will be the last thing you hear!” She charged. Kagome jumped to the side, kicking Kohana in the back when she missed.

 

“Go. I'll deal with her!”

 

Kagura and Rukiya leaped out the room before Kohana could regain her balance to stop them. As she began to rush toward the door, Kagome slid in front of her and flashed a punch into her jaw. Kohana fell back but a moment later, charged at Kagome with a yowl, succeeding in hitting her in the stomach. Kagome's breath escaped from her lungs and Kohana grabbed her shoulders, slamming her into the floor.

 

As she was about to slam her foot into Kagome's solar plexus, Kagome rolled and grabbed Kohana's ankle, pulling her down. Once Kohana hit the floor with her head, Kagome smashed her fist into her shin, snapping the bone underneath. As Kohana cried out, Kagome hit her again in the stomach, knocking her breath out of her. She grabbed Kohana's wrist and bit down hard on the pulse. Kohana's wails were silenced when Kagome sliced her chest, letting her blood spill and the poison infect her faster.

 

Gasping, Kagome stood and rushed out of the room without daring to look at the corpse she left behind. She skidded to a stop in the club, staring at the new nightwalker beside the table. The new enemy smiled at Kagome.

 

“And you are?”

 

“Here to kill.” Said the young girl. “You'll find that I'm not as easy to beat as that weakling.”

 

Kagome brought up her fists and waited as the girl stepped closer. “Then again, unlike that bitch, I know much more about the element of surprise.” Before Kagome could peace together what the young girl meant, something covered her mouth, slamming her against a warm body. Kagome's pressed her claws into the arm, drawing blood, but a sharp pain exploded in her spine. The arm moved to her neck, pressing hard into her neck. Kagome's throat began to bend like a garden hose. Fear gripped her and Kagome wished for something, anything that could force her captor away.

 

As her eyelids began to fall, her memory began to swim before her eyes and she cursed her captor wishing that he could feel her suffering. Then the nightwalker that was holding her struggling body let her go and stumbled backward screaming.

 

Kagome fell to her knees, gasping and trying to make sense of the strange sight she was seeing. Her vision alternated between two realities: one where she was standing in front of the nightwalker king and being beaten, and another where the large nightwalker that had attacked her was holding his head and screaming in anguish. It was his memory, Kagome realized, she was making him relive it! Make it feel real! She yelled in her mind and the nightwalker suddenly collapsed. At that moment, the other image faded from Kagome's mind.

 

Before she could celebrate, the female nightwalker had hit her in the lower back. Kagome fell to the floor with a thump. The moment she rolled onto her back the nightwalker was already standing before her, her fist flashing toward Kagome's chest. Kagome braced for the impact when suddenly a soft melody filled the air. The moment the other nightwalker heard it, she froze. In the next instant, she fell to the floor unconscious.

 

Kagome pushed herself up to lean on her elbows and searched for the owner of the voice. Lilliana ran toward her, stepping over the enemy nightwalker's body and pulling Kagome to a stand.

 

“Kagome, are you alright?” She rasped.

 

Kagome nodded, rubbing the wound in her back. As she touched the injury, warm blood coated her fingers and she winced.

 

Lilliana walked behind her and touched the wound. “It's not too bad. There's no venom. It'll heal soon.”

 

Kagome breathed out, trying her best to ignore the burning pain in her back as the skin sealed itself. “Where have you been?”

 

Lilliana looked about the room, seeing the large male nightwalker that Kagome had beaten. She squeezed Kagome's hand. “Never mind that now! Follow me!”

 

Kagome raced after Lilliana outside the club door and into the alleyway behind. Lilliana stopped and turned to her with a frantic look in her eyes.

 

“Where are the others? Have they already ran away?” Lilliana asked urgently.

 

“Yes. Inuyasha and the others have already set out. What have you been doing all this time.”

 

“That doesn't matter! We have to find-”

 

“She was coming to her senses.” Kagome felt as though she'd been doused with ice water. Turning to look at the end of the alleyway, she saw Narek lean against the wall with his arms crossed.

 

“What do you want you bastard!” Kagome growled. Narek pushed himself away from the wall and looked at Lilliana. Something in his expression made Lilliana tense.

 

“No. You can't, you said-”

 

“I'm short on time. Right now, neither of us have a choice.”

 

Kagome looked from Narek to Lilliana. “What is going on here?”

 

Narek took a step toward them. “Don't come any nearer!” Kagome warned. Narek kept his pace, ignoring her warning. “Don't hurt her.” Lilliana panted.

 

“I assure you, she won't be hurt by my hand.”

 

“Shut up!” Kagome brought up her fists, her legs shaking with anger and fear. “After everything you've put me though, you fucker, you expect me to trust that you won't hurt me?” Kagome charged at him. Narek grabbed her wrist when she aimed a punch at his face. He twisted her arm over his head and then slammed Kagome against the wall of the alley, holding her arm behind her back.

 

“Don't you dare move!” He ordered Lilliana.

 

Kagome tried to push him off by trashing and stomping on his foot, but Narek pulled her restrained arm upward and the pain that shot thought her arm made her stay still. “You…why did you ever…why are you doing this?” Kagome growled.

 

“No reason really.” Narek said as he pulled her arm tighter. Kagome felt him place his hand on her crown. Fearing that he was going to break her the same way he broke Fenrir, she jerked her head to the side.

 

“If you're going to kill me, at least tell me why you changed me!”

 

Narek laughed. “I was planning on killing you. You just got lucky that Lilliana saved you in time.”

 

“If you hate us so much, why don't you just kill us now? And why did you mark Lilliana if you want to kill her?”

 

Narek hissed. “That's none of your concern.”

 

“She's MY family. It's more my concern then it is yours.”

 

“I suggest you silence that mouth before I rip it out.” Narek snapped.

 

Kagome kicked him in the shin and his grip on her arm slackened. In the second it took for him to realize his mistake, Kagome had already broken free and landed a successful punch on his cheek. The moment Kagome fish smashed into him, something flashed through her thoughts. Thousands of images flashed through her mind and Kagome felt suddenly dizzy trying to make sense of them.

 

Narek pushed her off and raised his hands to hold both Kagome and Lilliana immobile. He breathed through clenched teeth while glaring at Kagome. “So you have it too.”

 

Before Kagome could make sense of what he said, Narek had already closed the distance between them. Two screams echoed in the alleyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru rushed between the large trees of the forest, breathing hard. Sensing danger close by, they stopped on top a giant fallen log.

 

“He's close. I can feel his disgusting aura.” Sesshoumaru's eyes reddened.

 

“It seems like the welcoming party is here too.” Inuyasha said, watching as two figures became larger in the forest's shadows. He braced himself for a battle as Jeromaru and Kageromaru appeared in the clearing.

 

“So,” Kageromaru began, “are you two committing suicide?”

 

Inuyasha growled and was about to rush forward, but Sesshoumaru sent him a look, demanding that he wait. “No, we're here to surrender.” Kageromaru glanced at his twin brother and then faced Sesshoumaru with a suspicious glare. “Surrender you say? Now why do I find that hard to believe?”

 

“You gave us two choices, surrender or die. With the king being guarded and aware of our plans, this is the only option, but I don't plan to surrender without…negotiations.”

 

“The only right you have at this point is death.” Kageromaru sneered. “That's what the king has decided for you!” He leaped toward Sesshoumaru, who jumped backward to avoid the attack. Kageromaru prepared to charge again when he stopped in his tracks, staring at Sesshoumaru with wide eyes.

 

“What? But-” He said to himself.

 

Inuyasha glanced at his brother, trying to see what Sesshoumaru had done to make Kageromaru stop but it was apparent by his brother's anticipating stance that he had done nothing. Taking advantage of Kageromaru's hesitation, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru rushed him, but were deflected by Jeromaru, who had skid in front of his brother in the last second.

 

“You bastard.” Inuyasha growled when he landed back on his feet. Before he could attack again, Kageromaru spoke.

 

“It seems you're lucky. His Majesty has decided to hear your pathetic requests. Follow us, and no funny business; I wasn't given orders to take you there alive. Jeromaru.”

 

As the twins turned to lead the way, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru exchanged a glance, nodded and followed. Feeling as though a balloon was swelling in his lungs, Inuyasha took a deep breath to pop the bubble of anger and apprehension. He saw his brother from the corner of his eye and knew that he would contact Rukiya to tell her when to move in. All the two of them had to do was get close enough to the king and hope that he had taken the bait.

 

Kageromaru led them to a house on top of a mountain. It was the same house that their family had stayed in the last time they were in Sequoia only this time there was a large crowd of enemy nightwalkers standing on the roof and around the building. They glared at Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru as they passed, but did not say anything or attack. As Kageromaru and Jeromaru neared the door, Inuyasha felt his face burn with fury. His father's scent, it filled his nose and nauseated him. His mother's blood was still mixed in with that awful smell. A low rumble came from Sesshoumaru's throat as he entered the house and followed Jeromaru and Kageromaru into a sitting room.

 

There, sitting in front of the fireless hearth, was the king, watching them with red eyes.

 

“Here they are Lord Inu no Taisho.” Kageromaru and Jeromaru bowed before stepping behind Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru as if presenting them.

 

The man sitting in the throne like couch stood. His long silver hair slipped from his shoulders and fell over his back and behind his knees. Standing well over six and half feet, the King was almost the spitting image of his two sons, except his eyes were completely red and his body radiated hatred and revulsion.

 

When the King glanced at Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, the brothers felt a fire of anger burning like lava in their chests. “How long has it been…ten years? Ten years since my own two sons almost cut my heart out.”

 

“You mean the black hole in your chest that pumps your sick blood?” Inuyasha snapped.

 

Inu no Taisho's figure became as rigid as stonewall. “You never knew when to hold your tongue.” He said with venom and stepped forward.

 

“Wait.” Sesshoumaru pleaded. The King turned his attention to his elder son, barely suppressed anger appearing in his scowl. “We're here to beg for our families' lives.”

 

“The bastards that you two have changed over the years? You honestly think I'd spare those…human born lives? Let them die with the rest of the traitors you gathered to fight me.”

 

“Please.” Inuyasha said. “At least, let the other families escape.”

 

The King gave Inuyasha a furious and incredulous stare. “Traitors need to be told their place. Do you really think that telling them to run will save them? I've already sent my drones and nightwalkers to hunt down and kill. As for you `family,' they'll be delivered here so I can cut their hearts personally.”

 

Inuyasha felt his heart flip. He tried contacting Rukiya and only had a moment to warn her before his thoughts were interrupted by Sesshoumaru's voice. “Don't. We're willing to exchange our lives for theirs.”

 

The King bared his teeth in an angry grin. “You're lives? You're betrayal was the worst act ever done by any nightwalker. There will be no mercy for you.”

 

He brought up his hand, clenching it, and instantly Inuyasha was on his knees. He wailed and coughed, blood spilling onto the stone floor. “I'll kill you first boy. I've tolerated your insolence enough.” Seeing his brother in torment, Sesshoumaru made a move, but Jeromaru and Kageromaru flashed forward, grabbed his arms and forced him to the floor, holding his legs and arms to keep him from escaping. Sesshoumaru bucked and kicked, but the twins' combined strength pinned him to the ground.

 

“What?” Inuyasha said between gasps. “It wasn't enough that you had to kill your mate, you have to kill…her son too!”

 

“ENOUGH!” The king opened his palm and Inuyasha let out a harsh cry as more blood spilled from his mouth.

 

“Damn you.” Sesshoumaru hissed.

 

Suddenly the king stopped his assault. Inuyasha gasped on all fours as he looked up to stare at the Inu no Taisho, who was now looking at Sesshoumaru. “Let that be a warning to you. I don't plan to kill either of you quickly. You'll both suffer. You're mates are waiting for you.”

 

Sesshoumaru's face became as white as his hair. “You bastard.” He kicked Jeromaru and Kageromaru trying to break free. The twins struggled to hold onto him and Inuyasha tried to rise on wobbly legs to attack the king again.

 

Inu no Taisho took leisurely steps toward his younger son and hauled him up to a stand by the hair. He glanced at Inuyasha's eyes and suddenly the boy stopped squirming and held still. He then bent and placed his palm on Sesshoumaru's chest. Blood spilled from Sesshoumaru's mouth at the contact. He rasped, glaring at Inu no Taisho with a promise of revenge.

 

“You and your family will an example of what happens to those that cross me. With you out the way, the humans will finally be under my power. It's time those cattle are properly herded. As for right now, you're to be caged.”

 

Sesshoumaru fought against the pain in his chest, using the strength of his anger to struggle against Jeromaru and Kageromaru's hold, but the wound was draining his energy. As his vision became blurry he saw someone else enter the room and stand behind the King.

“What news?” Inu no Taisho asked.

 

“The cages are ready.” Came Narek's voice.

 

“Throw these two into the cells and let them rot when the sun comes up.”

 

Sesshoumaru tried fighting again. Something hit him hard behind the neck. The last thing he saw was Narek's feet. He felt his body being dragged across the ground but couldn't move or even open his eyes no matter how hard he willed it. All he could do was listen helplessly to the two voices above him and feel the burning rancor in his chest at his own helplessness.

 

“Why doesn't he just kill them? More then half of his nightwalkers were sent to hunt down and kill all the enemies that gathered in the city. If they escape, the king wouldn't have anyone except for the few nightwalkers outside and us four to fight for him.”

 

“One day in the cage and they won't even be able to stand. Escape would be impossible.” He recognized the second voice. It was Narek.

 

“Why put them in the cage? They're already doomed. Why not just kill them and get it over with?”

 

“Don't question what the King has told you Xander. He wants them to suffer, then we must obey.”

 

Sesshoumaru felt the blood in his chest churn like wax in a boiling pot. He wanted nothing more then to move his arms and snap Xander's throat like a twig. That traitor.

 

A loud, metallic clang reached his ears before he was thrown against a dirt floor. He heard another thump next to him and then another clang of metal. The heaviness that had pressed against him suddenly lifted and he found that he could open his eyes.

 

Sesshoumaru sat and saw Inuyasha's body on the floor next to him. Narek and another man, whom he assumed was Xander, were looking down at him from behind square shaped bars.

 

“I do hope you enjoy staying in this cage I made.” Narek said.

 

“Do you really think a metal cage can hold me?” He stood with the intention of breaking the bars, but, the moment he touched them, the bars burned his finders. Flinching, Sesshoumaru pulled his hands back and stared at his steaming palms. It was as though the bars were made out of solid magma. Even standing close to them made him woozy. The scent of the bars filled his head like smoke from a wildfire. It was then that he noticed that Xander and Narek were standing several feet away from the bars.

 

“Nice isn't it. I made it specifically for the King's most hated enemies and almost killed myself in doing so. The bars are made out of solid nightwalker venom. It will more then enough to hold you. And don't try escaping. Be too close to the bars and you might die. If that doesn't kill you, the pain from the sun will.”

 

Sesshoumaru looked up. The room the cages were kept in had no roof. A black night sky loomed over them. He gave Narek a vicious snarl and grabbed hold of the bars, trying to bend them and ignoring the smoke that rose from his palms as he did.

 

“You bastard. You'd stoop this low. What did you possibly gain from betraying us and following our damn father? Is it the sheer pleasure of killing others? I'll never forgive you for this.” He barked at Narek.

 

Narek shook his head. “I'll never expect your forgiveness.”

 

Before Sesshoumaru could shout at him, the door behind Narek swung open. Kageromaru came in pushing a struggling woman in front of him. Sesshoumaru's heart filled with rage when he saw Kagura, her shoulder broken and blood dripping from her mouth, being handled by Kageromaru.

 

“Let me go, you cretin!”

 

Narek raised his hand and Sesshoumaru felt his stomach clench painfully. Stumbled back and watched Kageromaru roughly throw Kagura into the cage. She turned back and tried to hit Kageromaru but he punched her in the stomach and then threw her back in the cell. A moment later, Jeromaru came in through the door, holding a struggling Claire upside down by the ankle.

 

“Let me go you freak!” She yelled as she kicked him and hit his shins, but Jeromaru didn't even flinch and threw her into the cage as well.

 

“Narek you bastard.” Xander hissed. “That wasn't part of the plan.”

 

Claire got to her feet as the cage door slammed shut behind her. “Oh you fucker!” She pointed to Xander. “You're on his side too. I'm going to rip your throat out you asshole!”

 

Xander didn't hear her. “You said you'd let her go.”

 

“I said their lives depend on the King. He told us to let them rot by the sunlight and that's what I'll do.” Narek turned to leave the room and Xander turned to chase after him. “You bastard, you told me-”

 

“Xander!” Claire called.

 

Xander turned to face her. “I can't believe I thought there was some good in you. When I get out of here, I swear I'm going to make you suffer more pain then you'll feel in a lifetime!”

 

Xander balked and started at Claire for a moment before he ran out of the room. “Enjoy whatever time you have left.” Said Kageromaru before he and Jeromaru exited, shutting the door behind and leaving the Sesshoumaru and the others in the darkness.

 

Claire stared at he closed door for a minute before she turned her family members. Kagura had pulled Sesshoumaru so he could rest his head in her lap. He was breathing heavily and staring up at his mate with vacant eyes. Inuyasha wasn't moving. Claire rushed to kneel beside Inuyasha and placed her ear on his chest.

 

“He's alive.” Kagura said to her and Claire let out a breath. She shook his shoulders, calling his name. Finally he opened his eyes and blinked at her. “Claire?”

 

“Oh thank goodness. Relax, Inuyasha, I've got ya.” It was a lie. She wasn't sure how she could sooth him when all she felt was desolation.

 

“Kagura, what should we do?” She said frantically.

 

Kagura looked at Claire with a resigned and desperate look in her eyes. “I don't know.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This isn't what you told me! You said no one would be harmed! And now-”

 

Xander felt his anger grow when Narek didn't hear him. He strode through the halls with purpose and stopped in front of a bedroom. Xander clenched his teeth. Before Narek could open the door, he grabbed Narek by the collar and shook him. “Listen to me you fucker, I didn't join you so could go and break your promises.”

 

“I haven't broken anything.” Narek said smoothly.

 

“Don't shit me! You swore that you wouldn't harm her!”

 

“And I haven't.”

 

“But you don't mind putting her in a cage and letting her suffer?”

 

Narek slapped his hand into Xander's chest, pushing him off. “I know what I'm doing. Come tomorrow everything will fall into place and you'll have nothing to worry about.”

 

He entered the room. Xander followed inside and felt his skin crawl. Two unconscious women were lying on the beds. Narek bent and lifted one of them. He then pointed to the other bed and said, “Take her.”

 

As Xander picked up the unconscious nightwalker he said, “Let me guess, more prisoners? What are you really planning Narek?”

 

“I'm planning to put them in the cage. That will make the King happy.”

 

Xander cursed. Narek walked back out into the hall. “Who are you?” Xander said when he beside Narek in the hall.

 

Narek's natural eye turned a darker green as he said, “I'm a traitor.”

 

“Then I shouldn't be following assholes like you.” Xander warned. “If something happens to her-”

 

“You're right.” Xander cringed at Narek's words. For a moment, he thought he had misheard but that was before Narek said, “You're free to do whatever you wish.”

 

Narek led him down into the cages. As soon as they entered, Claire screamed. She ran toward the bars. “Kagome! Lilliana! You-”

 

Before she could say more, Narek raised his hand and Claire stumbled backward as though she were pushed. Before she could move forward, he opened the cage and placed Lilliana on the floor. Xander did the same with Kagome.

 

The sound of the lock woke Kagome. She sat and scanned the room, recoiling when she saw Narek on the other side of the bars. She hissed at him before Claire hugged her from behind. “Blue! You're okay!”

 

“Claire? What's going on?”

 

“That asshole locked us in here!” Claire snarled at Narek. Kagome stood, noticing Sesshoumaru, Kagura and Inuyasha on the other side. “Inuyasha!” When she knelt down next to him, he squinted open an eye to look at her. “Not you too.” He huffed.

 

“You bastard!” Came Claire's voice. Narek stared at her stoically but averted his eyes to Lilliana when she came to a stand. They stared at each other for a moment before Narek turned. Lilliana yelled at him in their native tongue and he paused. Looking at her over his shoulder, he said, “I'll be waiting then.”

 

“For what?” Xander asked.

 

Narek didn't answer. Kagome glanced at Narek's face and then to Lilliana. A swirl of images passed again in her thoughts and for a moment, Kagome thought she could understand what Lilliana had said to him, but the moment she tried to linger on the thought, it faded from her mind.

 

Narek turned his back on the cage. As he walked toward the door, Xander asked him where he was going. “Rukiya is still out there. If we don't find her, she could ruin everything.”

 

“I thought you said not to worry about the small fry?” Xander snapped.

 

“You'll never catch her!” Claire yelled. Both men exited the room but not before Xander looked at Claire one more time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was several hours before dawn when Jeromaru and Kageromaru threw an injured Rukiya into the dungeon with the rest of her family. Claire and Lilliana rushed to aid her. Rukiya's arm was broken and she was nursing a large gash over her rips.

 

“What did they do to you?” Claire said as she let the older nightwalker rest her head on her lap.

 

Rukiya grunter half her words when she spoke. “Jeromaru and Kageromaru ganged up on me when I was fighting enemy nightwalkers in the city. Before I knew it, I was injured and then dragged here. H-how are the others?”

 

“Alive for the time being.” Said Kagura.

 

“Rukiya.” Sesshoumaru called.

 

“Don't talk.” Kagura told him, brushing his bangs from his eyes. “You'll need your strength.” Kagura sighed when Sesshoumaru gave her a rebellious look.

 

“Rukiya, what's happening outside?”

 

“I don't know. I got Inuyasha's order to make all the others begin fighting back. The king's nightwalkers took the bait. They really thought that all of our allies were running away and began hunting them. I told Kanna and the other leaders to retaliate when Inuyasha connected his mind to me. I joined the fight and then…you know what happened.”

 

“So we don't know if the others survived? This plan has gone wrong. I didn't think the King would hunt all of us. We would have been able to attack him if we weren't trapped. We failed.”

 

“I don't think so.” Sesshoumaru moaned.

 

“What do you mean?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha shifted his head from her lap to hear.

 

“I overheard Xander say that more then half of the Bastard's nightwalkers have gone off after our allies. With only a few nightwalkers here to guard the king, he wouldn't be ready for an ambush.” Sesshoumaru said.

 

“But what can we do from here?” Claire sobbed. “We need a miracle. When the sun comes up-”

 

“Wait.” Rukiya closed her eyes. After several minutes she began panting and then finally, she said, “I told Kanna. Her family is still fighting off the enemy nightwalkers.”

 

“So they can't come kill him?” Claire hiccupped. “I wish Bill were here.”

 

“Can you communicate with any of the other leaders? What about Kouga?” Kagura asked. Rukiya closed her eyes again and breathed in, but this time she coughed. “I-I can't. The smell.”

 

Everyone in the cage shivered. The smell of the venom in the bars hindered their sensed. “At least, they're informed.” Kagura panted. The sky was becoming lighter with the coming of dawn. Rukiya fell asleep while Claire, Kagura and Sesshoumaru sat quietly. Lilliana began to sing. It was an emotionless song that broke whenever Lilliana took a breath, but it brought relief in a room filled with desperation and hopelessness.

 

When the first rays of the sun crept over the room, the family huddled in the shade to avoid it. Even Lilliana singing couldn't calm them when the morning light touched their skin. Screams of pain was all Kagome heard as the morning went on. The stink of their skin make her dizzy and she banged on the walls, dug into the soil and tried covering herself with the dirt, anything to relieve the pain. The scent of the bars made her head swim in smoke and burned her nostrils. It was as though she were being cooked over a stove. Her bones were like logs in a fire, pulsing painfully from the heat. Gasping and wailing, she fell unconscious like the rest of the family.

 

It was around dusk when she woke up. The burn of the sun's rays was the first thing she felt and Kagome let out a wail. Her cry echoed Claire's and Sesshoumaru's who were still awake to suffer from the heat. Kagome crawled on her hands and knees, paying no attention to anyone else in the cage until she came across another body. Inuyasha had lost his voice from all the yelling. His raspy breathing and trashing brought Kagome to her senses for only and instant. Without thinking, she flung herself over his body, shading him with her shadow. Too weak to move, he held still under her while Kagome clutched his shoulders and gritted her teeth against the pain.

 

The family only came to their senses when the sun finally moved westward far enough for shade to cover a portion of the cage. Gasping, Kagome wondered is they could even survive another day. Her entire body ached and she welcomed the cold, taking off some of her clothes to let it sink in and heal the burns she felt. It was a miracle that her skin didn't blister.

 

She looked around the cage. Holes had been dug into the floor when the family had tried digging their way out. The holes only revealed more bars at the bottom of the cage. Claire, Lilliana and Rukiya were all curled up into little balls, gasping for breath. Rukiya's wounds has reopened and Kagura's shoulder had sporting a nasty, black scab; the sun had slowed down her healing process.

 

Sesshoumaru was unconscious. Kagome shifted, looking down at Inuyasha underneath her. He was breathing heavily and sweat covered his face. When Kagome tried whipping it away with her sleeve he opened his eyes.

 

“I'm still alive?” He panted as he looked up at her.

 

“Don't die when I'm just starting to like you.” Kagome huffed.

 

“Why did you cover me?”

 

“Because you looked like you were about to die.”

 

Inuyasha turned his head to the side. “Not that it matters. One more day and we might just go crazy and kill ourselves from the pain.”

 

“Don't say stuff like that.”

 

“What do you expect me to say?”

 

“Come, we've got to stay positive.” Kagome tried to smile.

 

Inuyasha coughed. “And what good will that do?”

 

Kagome didn't know. What could they possibly do now? No contact from the outside, the family was injured and exhausted. The only reprieve they had was the nighttime, but that wouldn't last. By morning they might all be dead. There was no way to know if the other nightwalkers were winning or losing and there was no way to save themselves. Inuyasha was right: one more day and it would be over. Kagome cursed, but she couldn't keep the small ember of hope in her heart from fading.

 

“Inuyasha. Tell me about your life.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Please?” Kagome sobbed. “To distract me.”

 

Inuyasha was silent for a little while. “Here something that might surprise you.” He whispered. “I don't remember five hundred years of my life.”

 

“What? Why?”

 

“Sesshoumaru and I didn't always get along. We had different mothers. I think he was angry that our father mated with mine instead of his. Looks like the old bastard broke the rules before he became king.” Inuyasha laughed and then hacked but continued his story when his throat calmed. “We hated each other back then. I think Sesshoumaru and I might have killed each other if our father hadn't killed my mother. It's ironic, we didn't get along until after we joined forces to fight against the bastard.”

 

“But why don't you remember over half your life?” Kagome said impatiently.

 

“I'm getting to that. My mother was a human born. You can guess who changed her. I was born in Japan during the feudal era. For the first fifty years of my life I ignored all the rules and made trouble. I used to torment humans and frighten them. You asked me if there were human women I screwed over. Well I didn't ruin anyone's life like I ruined yours, but I did seduce a lot of women. That was until I met a Shinto priestess named Kikyo. Back then people still believed in demons and monsters. They treated nightwalkers like dirt, especially since they knew how to hurt us. Kikyo saved my life. Some humans ambushed me. They shot me with a venomous dart. She pulled it out and offered me some of her blood.”

 

“For sometime I guess we grew close. She was killed for befriending me and I couldn't get to change her in time. Ten days later my father killed my mother.”

 

Kagome gasped. “Oh, I'm so sorry.”

 

“I was in such a rage, I attacked him, but he injured Sesshoumaru and me. I walked around in grief. At some point I couldn't take it anymore. Kikyo's death, my mother and my father's betrayal. I fell unconscious in front of an old tree…and I didn't wake until two hundred years ago when my father started the war. I searched for Sesshoumaru and joined him and we'd been fighting since.”

 

“Is that possible? Sleeping for so long?”

 

“It's called darkness syndrome. It's like a coma but much longer.”

 

“And it seems like this time we'll be in an eternal coma.” Claire's voice interupted.

 

Kagome pulled herself off Inuyasha's body and faced Claire. “You were listening.”

 

“Kind of hard to avoid. I never knew you and Sesshoumaru were half brothers.” She told Inuyasha.

 

“It doesn't matter now.” Inuyasha said.

 

“I guess your right. Nothing matters now.” Claire sighed.

 

“That's not what the cheerful Claire I knew would say.”

 

The nightwalkers in the cage that were awake bared their teeth. Claire trembled as she stood, glaring fiercely at Xander. “What the fuck do you want you bastard.”

 

Xander raised a hand. “I'm here to help you.”

 

“Bullshit! You're with that bastard King. I always knew you were a good for nothing! I just never thought you'd stoop so low.”

 

“Listen,” Xander said in a pleading tone, “I didn't want any of this. That's why I'm here to spring you.”

 

“You'll get only me out huh? If that's the case, forget it! I'd rather die!” Claire turned her back on him. “Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

 

“Claire, please, listen.” Claire rounded on him. Using what little strength she had she flashed her hand through the bars. Her arm blistered when it touched the metal but she ignored it and grabbed Xander's neck. She pulled him till his face slammed against the bars, his skin burning from the contact, yet Xander didn't cry out or pull away.

 

“Listen to you? You son a bitch! You're in cahoots with Narek! Who in their right mind would listen to you?”

 

“If you can't believe my words, believe this.” Xander slipped a key into the lock. Lilliana got to her feet. “So the nightwalker world is breeding traitors now? They'll kill you for this.”

 

“It's all a part of the plan.” Xander said as he opened the door.

 

Claire let him go and backed away as he entered the cage. “Why are you doing this?” Kagura asked as she too got to her feet, pulling her mate to a stand with her.

 

“Because I'm free to do whatever I wish.”

 

Kagome pulled Inuyasha's arm over her shoulder and, with great effort, got to a stand. Inuyasha's weight made her sway. “Even if we did get out of this cage, we'd still be weak. There's no way you can defend us from Narek, the twins, and the few nightwalkers left guarding the king.”

 

“Does it look like I give a shit?” Xander asked.

 

Claire glared at him. “Why are you doing this? Really?”

 

Xander flashed her a smile and placed his index finger under her chin. “It's all for you babe.”

 

Claire slapped his hand. Ignoring her rejection, Xander faced the family. “I can help you get out of here, but you'll have to trust me.”

 

“And why should we?” Sesshoumaru eyed him suspiciously. “This could be another trick. And if you are a traitor, what kind of logic would permit us to place our faith in you.”

 

“Because I have a secret trick up my sleeve.”

 

“What do you mean?” Rukiya asked.

 

“Allies.” Xander turned and opened the door of the dungeon. Four nightwalkers stepped into the room. Kagura gasped. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha widened their eyes when they saw them while Lilliana, Rukiya, Claire and Kagome screamed. A woman with long, golden hair stood next to a young man with grey eyes and next to the pair was a child with sandy colored hair and a tall, bald, muscular man with several piercing and tattoos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what do you think? Lotsa stuff in this chapter and I think I might have given a few things away. O_o! By the way this is the LONGEST Nightwalker chapter yet! NINTEEN BLEEPING PAGES! I HOPE YOU APPREICATE THAT! Please review, it's been a few months and I feel rusty. I'm sorry about the spelling errors, I just really wanted to get this chapter to you!!!! I'll come back and fix them later. Thanks and PLEASE, PLEASE, PEASE REVIEW! JIAN OUT!