InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightwalker ❯ Traitor ( Chapter 36 )

I realize that I haven't answered a lot of questions about Narek and Lilliana, but don't worry, they will all be answered in the chapters to come. Just to make sure though, I'd like to know what questions all my readers have so that I can make sure to answer all of them. Well anyway, on with the show.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Part Thirty-Six: Traitor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a long pause that followed the strangers' entrance, Kagura was the first to react. With a glace at Xander she said, “Is this some kind of cruel trick?” Xander didn't reply.

 

Lilliana slowly walked toward the blond woman. The family held their breath as she brought her hand up to touch the woman's cheek. When Lilliana touched her, she smiled and said, “What is it, Lilly? Is there something on my face?”

 

Lilliana threw her arms around the woman's shoulders. “Natalia!”

 

Claire broke into a run and jumped at the bald man, who had spread his arms wide. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Bill! Please don't tell me I'm dreaming!” The man smiled, put her down on ground, took off her cap, and ruffled her hair. “Is anyone else allowed to mess up your hat hair, shrimp?” Claire embraced Bill again, sobbing into his shirt, before the boy with sandy hair pulled her back.

 

“What?” He snapped when she turned to face him. “I don't get a tearful reunion too?”

 

“Albier!” Rukiya rushed forward and joined Claire as she hugged Albier. Lilliana let go of Natalia as Kagome came forward to greet her, and embraced the young man that was at her side. “Christiano! You're okay!”

 

Inuyasha wobbled closer, blinking as though he feared that when he opened his eyes, his lost family members would have disappeared. “This is real?” He said.

 

As Kagura and Sesshoumaru came closer, the family members held still and let go of the other nightwalkers. Sesshoumaru stepped away from Kagura and walked close to Christiano. He leaned into the young man's face, staring into his eye. For a long moment, he stared at the other nightwalkers. Then he placed his hand on Christiano's shoulder and said, “Welcome back.”

 

The room erupted with cries of joy as everyone in the family wept and embraced their reunited comrades. When the greetings were over, Sesshoumaru asked, “How did you survive?”

 

Christiano smiled. “It too long of a story to tell and now is not the time.”

 

“But Narek attacked…I thought for sure you were dead.” Rukiya whispered.

 

“`When Narek is in a city, people disappear and aren't found.'” Claire mumbled.

 

“Of course, none of us actually witnessed their actual `deaths.'” Kagura said. “Christiano was away when his attack had happened. And none of us actually saw Narek kill Albier, Natalia, and Bill. We all just sensed the attack, heard it, or smelled it and then saw Narek appear after the their disappearance and assumed that he killed them. Where did you find them?” She asked Xander.

 

“The guy that saved them brought them over.” Xander said.

 

Kagome stared at Xander with narrowed eyes. “Who?”

 

“A man named Chase.” Natalia said.

 

Rukiya frowned. “Chase?”

 

“Listen. I'm happy that you're all together again, but may I remind you that we're in enemy territory and there's a war going on outside.” Xander interrupted.

 

“He's right. How are we going to get out of here? All of us are tired and Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru and Rukiya are also injured. How do we protect them if we get into a fight?”

 

“Don't worry about that, Kagome. You've got us here to guard you.” Albier smirked.

 

“We'll lead you out of here.” Natalia said. “Just stick close.”

 

“No.” Sesshoumaru told her. “We can't leave. We are so close to that bastard. We may never get another opportunity. Now is our only chance to kill him.”

 

“Don't be ridiculous. You're all weak, how do you plan to fight him, especially when he's got the twins guarding him?” Xander asked. “Be reasonable. The best thing you can do is retreat and fight another day.”

 

“No way in hell.” Inuyasha licked his fangs. “I've been waiting years to get this close. I'm already healing. I can kill the bastard.”

 

“Inuyasha, I think we should listen to him. We're all exhausted from the sunlight. I don't think we have the strength.” Kagome said.

 

“Might I suggest we get out of here and then decide?” Albier said, holding his nose. “The smell of the bars is killing me.”

 

“All right. Everyone stick close. You guys,” Xander pointed to Natalia, Christiano, Albier, and Bill, “be in circle formation around the injured and follow me.” He poked his head out the door and then gestured for the family to follow him. They rushed after Xander down the hall, pausing at the end. Xander went forward, checking down the corridor and into the empty rooms before leading the family up a staircase and into the house's kitchen.

 

Xander looked out into the living room. “Looks like his High-ass is gone. It doesn't seem like we've been noticed so far.” He said as he turned.

 

“Listen boy.” Sesshoumaru spoke. “I don't know if you're completely trust worthy, but you have reunited us with our fallen. Know that if you are leading us into a trap, I personally will not rest until I have your blood on my hands.”

 

“I'll keep that in mind.” Xander said as he checked to see if everyone in the family was present. “This way.”

 

They shuck out into the hall and down toward the foyer. Xander froze before he could open the door. He quickly turned and ordered the family to go back down the hall, but the family was unable to move. The door behind Xander was blown open; the blast caused the floor to shake, and Xander stumbled before standing protectively in front of the family. Cramped in the hallway, they all watched as the King, and the twins, blocked their way.

 

“It seems Narek was right. He really is untrustworthy.” The King stared at Xander.

 

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru growled. The King narrowed his eyes at the family. “What is this? Drones of you're fallen family members? Didn't Narek destroy them?”

 

Kagome felt Inuyasha gasp next to her. The King surveyed the group of nightwalkers before him as though they were rats that needed to be disposed from his property. Then he turned and said, “Jeromaru. Kageromaru, kill them.”

 

The Twins leapt into action, charging toward the family. Xander flashed toward them, grabbed Kageromaru by the arm, and slammed him into the floor like a hammer. Kageromaru kicked Xander in the shin and Xander flinched for a moment, which allowed Kageromaru regain his balance and start another brawl. Meanwhile Jeromaru advanced on the family. Natalia blocked a punch he had aimed as Sesshoumaru with a kick. Christiano came up to Jeromaru from behind and kicked him in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him. Jeromaru tumbled toward the floor, flipping his leg and kicking Natalia in the chest as he went down. As he spum back up, he slashed Christiano on the hip.

 

In the next second, Xander was thrown to the floor with a bite mark on his shoulder. Kageromaru picked him up to hit him again, but was greeted by Bill, Claire and Albier as the three of them charged to fight. Meanwhile, Jeromaru was still trying to kill Natalia and Christiano, who were still fighting despite having open wounds. As the twins were distracted, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru ordered the family to retreat back into the kitchen. Just as they were out of sight, Claire, Bill, Xander and Albier managed to hurl Kageromaru across the room. He hit the door to the foyer, breaking it, and landed on the marble floor. As his attackers came into the room, he stood, turned toward the front door and exited. Suddenly, Jeromaru stopped attacking Natalia and Christiano; he dashed toward the door, following his brother, and disappeared. Natalia, Christiano, Bill, Claire, Xander and Albier rushed after them. Outside the King greeted them, and behind him stood the twins and a massive crowd of the King's drones and nightwalkers. The King waved his hand and both the twins and the crowd stampeded toward them.

 

Natalia and Albier could feel their hearts pumping when they saw the crowd approaching. Suddenly more nightwalkers appeared from between the trees, entering the clearing and advancing toward the crowd. Panting, Claire and Natalia rushed forward, prepared to fight the onslaught but instead of attacking them, the new nightwalkers rounded on the King's followers. Claire let out a large battle cry as she saw Kanna leading her family forward. She jumped into the fray to finish her fight with Jeromaru.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inuyasha felt the house bang and heard the cries from the outside. There were too many scents, he could not tell what was going on outside. “What now?” Kagome asked.

 

Rukiya suddenly squeaked. “It's Kanna!” She panted.

 

Kagura's face lit up with color. “What?”

 

“She's managed fight off most of the nightwalkers in the city! She brought some of her family members here and now they are fighting the King's nightwalkers outside!”

 

Lilliana ran toward the door. “Then what are we waiting for. Now is our chance to get out of here and find a safe place for you three to rest.”

 

Sesshoumaru suddenly growled. He forced his legs to support him as he stood, glaring at Lilliana. “Get away from that door.” He snarled.

 

Lilliana jumped away when the door swung open. Rukiya snarled at the man who stood in the doorway. For a moment all was silent as the family stared at him. “So you still have the gall to show your face.” Inuyasha said.

 

Narek looked at him. “I'm not one to be ashamed of anything.”

 

Inuyasha shrugged off Kagome's hands from his shoulders and wobbled forward. “No more running away. No more cryptic threats. This time, we're going to finish what we started.”

 

“By all means.” Narek nodded.

 

Sesshoumaru stepped away from Kagura, but she held onto his arm. “Have you two gone mad? You're both weak, how do you expect to fight?”

 

Sesshoumaru gave her an empty look. “I was prepared to fight until I die and I will not let this bastard take anything else away from me.” He turned toward Narek.

 

“So you're a liar as well as a traitor.” He said.

 

Narek shrugged. “How so?”

 

“You told the King that you had killed our family members. How is it that they are still alive? Whose side are you really on?”

 

Narek ignored his question. He glimpsed at Lilliana for a moment. “Don't you dare look at her.” Inuyasha growled. Narek smirked and then charged at the brothers. Before he could reach Sesshoumaru, Kagura dashed in front of him and tried to cut his chest with her claws, but Narek jumped over her and grabbed Sesshoumaru's throat before he could defend himself.

 

“Don't move,” he ordered the other family members behind him, “unless you want to see him without his head.” Everyone in the room froze, watching apprehensively as Narek looked at Sesshoumaru.

 

“You bastard.” Sesshoumaru gasped, clawing at Narek's hand. In his weakened state, he couldn't even lift Narek off of him. Spots were appearing in his eyes and his lungs began to feel like they were full of water.

 

“I just have one question.” Narek began. “Does it make you angry? Knowing that I've been pulling the strings of your attempt to kill the King for over ninety years? Knowing that I betrayed you and that I'm still alive to torture you're family. I wonder who you hate more: me or your father.”

 

Sesshoumaru growled and smashed his forehead against Narek's face. The crunch of bone against bone had Narek pull back from him only a moment. Narek whipped off the blood on his chin with his free hand. He then placed his claws on Sesshoumaru's chest and sliced him from his neck to his stomach.

 

Kagura and Kagome charged at Narek but he used their anger to his advantage. Once they came close, he dodged and then grabbed hold of Inuyasha as well, giving him the same wound he'd given his brother. Inuyasha cried out and used what little strength he had to punch Narek in the face.

 

As Narek fell back, coughing blood onto his hands, Kagome, Kagura and Lilliana attacked him, hitting him hard in the stomach. He hunched over for just a moment before regaining his footing. When Kagome aimed a punch at him, he caught her hand with his bloodied one, his claws digging into her wrists, piercing her skin. He pushed her away from him and turned his attention toward Kagura when she kicked him in the chest. He grabbed her foot, cutting into her ankle with his claws, before he pushed her across the room, making her hit the kitchen counter. Lilliana managed to slam him against the wall in the second that he was distracted. She punched him hard in the face, cutting her knuckle on his fang. Narek grabbed hold of her shoulders and pushed her away, huffing. He prepared to charge again but then froze. Kagome and Kagura joined Lilliana to fight him again. Narek stared at the three ladies before he smirked.

 

“Well this is quite a turn.” He took a step and then cart-wheeled out the way when Kagome charged and aimed a kick at him. When he landed back on his feet, Kagura tried to swipe him with his claws. As Narek ducked, preparing to hit Kagura, he didn't notice Lilliana come up behind him. She punched him in the head and then kicked his lower back with as much force as she could muster. He went flying backward, breaking the wall of the kitchen and landing, barely, on weak feet, in the rubble that covered the floors of the hallway.

 

Narek glared and prepared to jump back into the battle but suddenly paused. His body was rigid and his voice was hoarse. “What? But…fine.” He glared at the family. “You're lucky.” Then he looked at Lilliana. “Well done.”

 

Before she could chase him, Narek vanished from the room. With him gone, Lilliana ran back to check on Rukiya. Kagura and Kagome panted before rushing toward their mates.

 

“Inuyasha! Are you okay?” Kagome placed her hands on his chest when she reached him. His shirt was covered in red blood, the fabric ripped…as Kagome searched for the wound that Narek had given him, only smooth, new skin greeted her fingers. Inuyasha seemed just as surprised.

 

He looked down, running his hand over his unharmed chest. “I'm fine. In fact, I feel great.” He squinted up at her. “What the fuck?”

 

Sesshoumaru grunted as he too looked down. There was a stain on his clothes, but no cut and no scar. “What is this?”

 

Feeling odd, Kagome looked at her wrist. The claw marks from Narek's fingers piercing her skin were gone. She suddenly realized that she felt rejuvenated. “What the hell?”

 

Kagura stared at her ankle while Lilliana stared at her hands. “What does this mean?”

 

“We don't have time for this!” Sesshoumaru growled. “If we have our strength, we should be using it to help our allies outside! We'll ponder how this happened later!”

 

“He's right.” Rukiya huffed. Lilliana placed her hand on Rukiya's shoulder. “You shouldn't talk. You're still injured.”

 

“Kagome, Lilliana. Guard her. Inuyasha, we've got twins to kill.” The brothers nodded and then rushed from the room. Before she left Kagura told Lilliana to take Rukiya somewhere safe.

 

Lilliana placed one arm under Rukiya's knees and the other around her shoulders before lifting her. Once Rukiya rested her head against Lilliana's breast, Lilliana turned to Kagome and said, “Cover me. I'll bet there are tons of demons outside.”

 

Lilliana kicked the wall of the kitchen making it crumble. Kagome followed her out the hole, ducking and dodging the nightwalkers and drones that threw themselves at them. As Lilliana jumped to the side to avoid a drone, Kagome drabbed hold of its feet and hurled it upcoming nightwalker that was coming at her from behing. Once the enemy fell to the floor, Kagome rushed after Lilliana, who ran into the safety of the trees. Through all the chaos, Kagome fought her way after Lilliana until she stopped in front of a large fallen log. Lilliana climbed over it and placed Rukiya against the trunk. When Kagome caught up, she saw that Lilliana was removing Rukiya's shirt. Once the clothes were out of the way, Lilliana began dapping the wound on Rukiya's ribs.

 

“The venom and the time we spent in the sun won't let the wound close.” Lilliana said.

 

“Don't worry about it. You should head back. I'll be fine.”

 

Lilliana glared at Rukiya. “Like I'll leave you here when you're injured. Hold still.” She ripped off the sleeves from her sweater and began to bandage Rukiya's wound.

 

“Isn't there some way we can heal it?” Kagome said as she knelt beside Lilliana.

 

“Not unless we can find some blood or raw meat. And it's too dangerous for her to go bite an enemy.”

 

Kagome sat there, watching Rukiya moan as Lilliana tied her sleeves around the cut, wishing there was something she could do to close the wound. Suddenly her head began to throb like a tidal wave had crashed into her skull. Kagome yelped and held her head; Lilliana's nervous call faded into the distance as millions of images and sounds flashed through her thoughts. Kagome felt like she'd swallowed a block of ice; her forehead began to throb.

 

“Kagome!”

 

She blinked. The pain was gone instantly. Kagome looked into Lilliana's eyes and cringed, stepping back. “You!” She hissed.

 

Lilliana stared at her with a frightened frown. “What is it?”

 

“Kagome, what's wrong?” Rukiya moaned.

 

Kagome rushed Lilliana and knocked her down. “What are you doing?” Lilliana gasped; Kagome sat on her chest and the weight knocked the breath out of her. Kagome wrapped her hands around Lilliana's neck and began to squeeze while Lilliana grabbed her fingers, trying to loosen her grip.

 

“How did you get so strong, Lilliana?” Kagome snarled, her thumbs digging into Lilliana's throat. “You weren't able to hit Narek so hard before. Why the sudden change?”

 

“Kagome…”

 

“I was wondering where you were when we were planning the attack on the King. Tell me why! Tell me why you went to him? Why did you go to find Narek?”

 

Rukiya gasped when she saw Lilliana's eyes widen. Before she could say anything Kagome growled. “I saw it. I saw it all. Narek's memory. I touched him and now I see why he let you live all those times! It's because he knew you'd join him in the end!”

 

Lilliana began to pant, her throat tightening. “Kagome, you don't understand-”

 

“Then tell me it's not true. Tell me that you went to see him so that you could find a weakness!” Tears began to roll down Kagome's eyes. “Tell me that what I'm seeing is a lie! Tell me that his memories aren't real!”

 

Lilliana swallowed. “Kagome please listen to me. Memories can't be changed. They can't be altered. Everything you see is real.”

 

Kagome prepared to smack Lilliana but her palm stopped in midair. “Then why! Why are you betraying us? Why are you helping him?”

 

Lilliana stared back at her with a pleading look. “If you've truly seen all of his memories Kagome, then you should know why.”

 

“You're wrong, I…”

 

Kagome let go of Lilliana when more pictures, thoughts and noise echoed through her mind. She screamed and held her head as she saw many things at once: a young man, probably in his teens, playing with a beautiful child in a village, a little girl brining tea for her mother and a guest, Narek speaking to a girl with black hair and red eyes, Narek dropping a book in a forest and Lilliana picking it up, and Lilliana listening to all of Narek's plans before she returned. Thoughts that weren't her own swam in her head, and suddenly Kagome heard the voice a man she had never heard before. “You're…to take all that responsibility…yourself…crazy! What if…it's a long-shot…you might…you're going to suffer Narek!”

 

Kagome rose to her feet and cried out, wishing that the assault of memories would stop. But the images didn't relent and Kagome found herself standing in an unrecognizable city in the middle of the night. A tall, well build man with dark skin stood at her side. He looked across the street. Narek stood there. “What did she say about the stone?”

 

The stranger sighed before he answered Narek's question. “She said she'll give it to you. She also said to show the king that you have it.”

 

“And what about my question about the addition. What did she say about that?”

 

The stranger shook his head. “If the second stage of the addiction has started, then they will both die soon unless someone intervenes.”

 

“How?”

 

“There's only one way.”

 

Kagome was flashed back into her body and for a moment she stared blankly at Lilliana and Rukiya. Without having words to describe what she had just seen, Kagome was certain that she understood everything. When she tried to think about it, the thought seemed ludicrous, yet Kagome knew that what she felt was true and there was no denying it.

 

“Lilliana, are you-” Three nightwalkers jumped over the log, startling Kagome. They advanced, fangs and claws ready to attack and Kagome jumped, stomping the head of the nearest one. While she was in midair, the other nightwalkers came at her from both sides and Kagome head throbbed again. She tried to fight against the memory that was coming into her thoughts but the pain prevented her, and she felt her blood run cold as the two nightwalkers came closer.

 

Something knocked one nightwalker away and Kagome felt a swish of air behind her. She landed back on the ground, her head spinning, and saw that Lilliana had taken care of the nightwalker that had rushed at her from the front. Kagome turned, and saw Rukiya shaking in fear. It didn't take long for Kagome to understand Rukiya's terror.

 

Narek stepped over a dead nightwalker's body and advanced toward Rukiya. Kagome made a move to go defend her but someone held her back. “Lilliana!” Kagome struggled against her hold. “What are you doing?”

 

“Wait.” Lilliana whispered into her ear.

 

“You traitor!” Rukiya wailed. She then turned her attention to Narek and began to crawl away as he advanced.

 

“Lilliana let go!”

 

“Stay away from me!” Rukiya cried.

 

Narek kept walking forward until he grabbed Rukiya's shoulder. The moment he touched her, Rukiya's hand shot out. Narek moved his head to the side and Rukiya only managed to slice his cheek. He whipped the blood away with his hand, ripped off the bandage on Rukiya's side and pressed his palm into Rukiya's wound. Rukiya let out a ear-stinging cry.

 

Lilliana released Kagome and she ran to Rukiya, kneeling down next to her. Narek turned and walked away while Kagome pulled Rukiya's arm over her shoulder to steady her. Rukiya frowned and looked down. She took her hand away from the cut on her ribs. The wound was gone.

 

“More nightwalkers are coming this way.” Kagome's attention snapped back to Narek. “I suggest you get back into the fight if you don't want your comrades to die.”

 

“What's going on?” Rukiya said.

 

Narek looked at her over his shoulder. “Sleep.” Rukiya suddenly went limp in Kagome's arms. Kagome held on to her and glowered at Narek.

 

“What kind of trickery are you doing now? Did you pollute my mind with your thoughts to confuse me too?”

 

Narek glanced at her expressionlessly. “Memories can't be changed, only locked away. You should know that since you have the power to see them.”

 

“So what are you Narek? Who are you fighting for? The King? Or this girl named Lucy?”

 

Narek's jaw twitched. “Did you really think that I didn't know about her? I saw your memories remember? So what is she? Is she staging a coup so she can be in power? Is that what you want? To be in control?”

 

Narek ran his tongue over his upper fangs. “Let's just say I-”

 

A tree fell down with a loud crack. Kagome, Lilliana and Narek turned toward the sound and saw Jeromaru and Kagromaru charging through the trees immersed in battle with Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. In the next second, the brothers flung themselves at the twins. Jeromaru flashed out his claws and narrowly missed slicing Inuyasha's temple while Kageromaru almost cut off Sesshoumaru's arm.

 

Then landed on their feet, scowling at each other before Kageromaru turned his head and saw Narek. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru followed Kageromaru's eyes. “Rukiya!”

 

“Well, another flawless kill. Finish those women, Narek. We could use another pair of claws to rip these two to shreds.” Kageromaru laughed.

 

“You bastard. When I'm finished with you two, he's next.” Sesshoumaru snarled.

 

Narek smiled and glanced at Lilliana. “This is an opportunity I can't possibly pass up.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLIFFHANDER! Aren't I evil! I bet I'm confusing everyone with this chapter. Well…don't hurt me! All stories make sense in the end. Anyway, it's three in the morning and I have to get up in four hours so I'm going to catch some z's. Sorry again, for the mistakes. I was just in suck a rush to finish this chapter and get it in. I'll go back and finish it later, again. I really need a beta reader…Review please? Oh and happy New Year!