InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Promises of Forever ❯ Chapter 2

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Kagome got up early to keep an eye on the great youkai lord. She had had a hard time sleeping ever since the taiyoukai had graced them with his presence. She was not sure of his intentions, and the way he had been staring at her did very little to ease her thoughts. He had been intently thinking about her, but why? What possible interest did he have?

When she first opened her eyes she was relieved not to see the taiyoukai watching her as he had the previous night. In fact, she was unable to see him anywhere near. Kagome sat up and stretched both arms above her head as she yawned. She winced when she felt the bandage that covered the gash on her arm tighten.

She could feel her cheeks drawn from her lack of sleep. She could have easily shaken it if it had only been the one sleepless night, but nightmares had been plaguing her for the past three nights. As soon as she awoke each night, they would fade from her memories, but still haunt her. She was sure they were warning her of something to come.

She shook her head momentarily trying to clear her thoughts and looked back at the still sleeping group. Her heart sank as she noticed how badly battered Sango’s body had become in the past few days. She had taken most of the weight of the battles upon herself in Inuyasha’s absence. The girl needed time to heal.

And so did Miroku. He was quietly coping with another tear in his palm. Kagome knew that he was very upset not knowing how much longer he would have before the wind tunnel overtook him.

Her gaze was drawn to the tree top above her wishing that she would look up this morning and find Inuyasha in his usual perch above her, but it was bare. ‘Why did I let him go? Why did Kikyo come back now?’


~flashback~

Two panther youkai had given them a pretty nasty fight. Sango had been the first to fall. Sango screamed in pain as the claw of the panther youkai grazed her ribs slinging her hard to the ground knocking the air from her lungs. She couldn’t get back up fast enough before the other panther was on top of her.

Kirara jumped into the panther knocking her off of Sango, but had gotten the full force of the panther instead. The fight continued for another ten minutes before Kirara had been able to kill the youkai. Blood poured from Kirara’s wounds, but the fire neko refused to transform before Inuyasha had killed the other youkai.

Once he did, Kirara ran to her mistress’s side and licked her unconscious face trying to wake her up. She mewed gently nudging the girl.

Kagome ran to take care of Sango and Kirara with her back pack in tow. She quickly began dressing their wounds and knew that they would need time to recoup before going any further.

Inuyasha sniffed the air making sure that there wasn’t any more youkai in the area before heading off to find a place that would be safe to make camp.

Kagome was working on some of the worst scratches of Kirara when Sango started to stir.

“How are you feeling, Sango?” Miroku asked. He was trying to help her sit up with as little discomfort as he could manage while still trying to apply pressure to her side.

“What happened?” Sango rubbed her head and let up a whimper.

“I think you should lie still, Sango. You might have cracked a rib from the fall you took,” Kagome said.

She grimaced as she took in a shallow breath and showed a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine”

“Yes, you will be, but do me a favor, and just relax for a bit.” Kagome smiled but made sure she had gotten her point across.

“We should set up a camp just past those trees. There is a small stream not far.” Inuyasha told them.

“OK. Can you help Sango, Inuyasha? And I’ll carry Kirara.”

“Keh. What are you carrying, Miroku?” Inuyasha smirked.

“I would be all too happy to carry Sango.” A lecherous smile came across the monk’s face.

“I’m sure you would. But I don’t need anyone carrying me.” She stood dizzily and sat back down.

“Keh!” Inuyasha continued to mutter some words about weak humans as everyone else ignored him. He quickly gathered Sango without any more arguing and made his way to the camp.

They were just getting settled when Kohaku found them.

Kagome watched as Sango’s face lit up.

“Kohaku…” Sango gasped, too excited to care about the sharp pain she felt as she inhaled.

“Ane-ue, you’re hurt…” Kohaku rushed to his sister’s side, careful not to touch her.

“I am fine.” Sango

Inuyasha looked out to the sky to see if he was able to find Kohaku’s traveling companion, Kikyo. Kohaku and Kikyo had been traveling together for he past few months at the request of the Midoriko. The Midoriko’s soul had called to the shard within the young boys back, and he was all too willing to do what it took to seek his revenge against Naraku. He would gladly give his life so that his father and the others who had died from his village would be at rest.

Kagome watched as Inuyasha was visibly disappointed not to find the one he was searching for. He could usually sense when she was close.

Kohaku located the hanyou in the tree and called to him. “Kikyo has been injured and cannot be moved. She is not sure if she will be able to stop the miasma this time. She wishes for you to come.”

Kagome looked into the frantic face of her hanyou. She knew that he had to go whether she wanted him to or not. It was clear that Kikyo would always remain in his heart even now after he had pledged his love for Kagome. She had always known that the undead miko would, but she prayed that after they had mated that chapter of his life would somehow vanish. She hated to think it, but maybe this would be the end of it this time. Kagome cringed as she gave into the thought.

“Inuyasha, you go ahead, and take care of Kikyo. She needs you.”

“Uh… Kagome, are you sure?” His face was guilt ridden. Either choice he made he knew he would pay for later, but he knew that Kagome would forgive him. After 100 or so sits anyway.

“Go. We’ll be fine. We will stay here until you return.” She forced a smile on her lips.

Kohaku gave one last look to his sister before turning to follow the hanyou away from the camp.

“Kohaku, will you be coming back?” Sango asked pleadingly as a single tear fell from her cheek.

The younger boy stilled himself for a moment not wanting to hurt his sister again. “I don’t know.”

Sango sat crying silently into the night unable to be consoled by either Miroku or Kagome.

~ end flashback~


The rest of the group still hadn’t begun to stir. She was relieved to have time to go to the stream, wash her face, and get some water for morning tea. While she was gathering her soap she sensed the great lord just beyond the tree line. A sigh came over her as she realized he had not left after all.

She hated that Inuyasha was gone but she had looked forward to getting to relax and not arguing for a few days. Now she again was feeling the tension build within her. The arrogant lord himself would now be ruling over them with an iron fist. At least with Inuyasha she could “sit” him.

She wandered briefly if she could get Sesshoumaru to wear the prayer beads. She giggled to herself as she pictured Sesshoumaru being slammed to the ground as she yelled the infamous word “SIT.”

Kagome peered beyond the trees at the taiyoukai wondering why he would take on such a menial task. He had never cared what had happened to them before.

She continued to watch him as she saw the two headed dragon flying into sight. A bright eyed Rin sat atop the large beast with the much hated toad that Sesshoumaru kept with him.

She was always fond of seeing Rin. She was such a joy, even when she became far too energetic. She could see why Sesshoumaru was fond of her. Kagome watched closer as the taiyoukai face softened as he helped her off the dragon.

Jaken was his ever infamous self, and continued griping about being left to take care of Rin. The innocent child continued laughing unphased.

Sesshoumaru walked past the little toad not listening to Jaken’s ranting while Rin took his hand and was led to the camp. His demeanor while still stoic, was quite different with the girl. She couldn’t take her eyes away from the scene.

“Spying, little miko?” His voice laced with disdain.

“No.” And with that she jerked up her bag and started to huff off to the spring.

“Miko, where do you think you are going?” He asked forcefully.

“I’m going to the stream to get water, IF it’s any of your business.” Her lack of sleep had put her in enough of a bad mood without having to deal with Inuyasha’s bastard of a brother.

“Jaken will accompany you.” She thought she sensed a smirk of amusement in his eyes as her cheeks flamed red with anger. She assured herself that he wouldn’t bother to be amused by a simple human.

“ I think I can manage by myself,” she snapped.

“See, she can manage without this Jaken.” Jaken maintained as he ran after his master.

“Jaken will give you privacy, but he will accompany you.” Sesshoumaru gave his retainer an icy stare.

“I am not a child.” She stomped her feet for effect.

“I see.” Sesshoumaru arched his brow and turned away from the tantrum. “ Jaken.”

“OOOooooo huh!” She screamed. Sango and Miroku both sprang up watching Kagome beginning to storm off toward the creek. They looked at her questioningly before looking to the taiyoukai.

“ Lord Arrogance, has decided that we humans are helpless and can’t manage without his superior presence. So he is staying until Inu Yasha returns, if I don’t purify his ass first!” And she stomped past the tree line.

Sango and Miroku sat in silence looking at one another as they listened to Jaken and Kagome continue bickering.
.

“You can’t talk about milord like that. He will have his revenge on you,” Jaken ranted.

“He already has!” Kagome fumed, clinching her fists into balls.

The taijiya turned her eyes to the taiyoukai who was now sitting in oblivion as if nothing had transpired at all.

Shippo was just waking up to the arguing was excited to see Rin. He hurriedly jumped up from his sleeping bag to run over to the young girl.

He had met the little girl a while back and had never gotten to play with her. He had very little time to play with other kids so he was very happy to know that they would be staying with them until Inuyasha returned.

“What do we our this honor?” Miroku hoped that there was something that he could assist the lord with so that he could be on his way.

The taiyoukai gave a nonchalant look through the monk instead of at him.. It was as if he was trying to figure out what breed he was instead of answering the question.

“Lord Sesshoumaru,” Sango gasped as her movement hurt her ribs.

“Lord Sesshoumaru, I mean no disrespect, but you obviously would not waste your time here with us if there wasn’t a problem.” Miroku lowered his eyes from the great lord showing respect if only to get him to answer.

“Naraku has put a bounty out on both mikos.” Sesshoumaru’s face remained solemn.

Sango gasped at the impending threat to her best friend. But still she wasn’t shocked. The attacks had become almost relentless lately. And it explained why Inu Yasha had to go to Kikyo.

“And since when do you care?” Sango was trying to stay quiet and still, but she couldn’t restrain herself any longer.

“What happens to the lot of you is none of my concern, but I tire of Naraku.” Sesshoumaru turned to the field where Shippo and Rin had run to gather flowers for Jaken’s return.

“Am I to understand that Naraku has agreed to pay money for both Kikyo’s and Kagome’s death?” Miroku asked.

“He has promised that they will not be slaughtered like he’s doing to the rest of the youkai.”

Miroku gave a gesture of understanding. Realizing that he had done well to get that much information out of the taiyoukai, the houshi knelt down beside the taijiya. It was difficult for him to see her in so much pain. Miroku didn’t like Inuyasha’s half brother but in some small way he was glad that he had decided to help the group. Although Sango was able to move around, she wasn’t able to withstand another battle.

Kagome was still arguing with Jaken when she came back.

She sighed heavily trying to focus on another way to get him to leave. “Look, Sesshoumaru, we really appreciate your helping us yesterday against Naraku, but we are fine now.”

“Fine? Hmmm…” His eyes wandered over the hurt group implying otherwise

Rin came running up between the two smiling brightly tugging on Kagome’s short skirt. “We picked some flowers to make you feel better.” She stepped back giving another beaming smile to the older girl holding up a huge bouquet of yellow and purple wild flowers for Kagome’s approval.

Kagome kneeled in front of the little girl realizing that her anger was misplaced. She smiled back at the little girl. “Thank you, Rin. They’re just beautiful.”

“Good, then they are just like you.” She giggled tucking her head down into her chest and ran off toward Shippou.

Admiring the wild flowers that she held in her hand, a sudden calmness washed over Kagome. “She is a blessing, isn’t she?”

“ I don’t think Jaken admires her as such.” Sesshoumaru smirked.

“Was that a sense of humor? I didn’t think you had one,” Kagome giggled.

Sesshoumaru studied the wench. “Miko, does this mean that you are through ranting?”

“For now.”




Sesshoumaru stood peering into the steam as if he was searching for one fish in particular beneath the surface. Kagome wasn’t sure how he would take her intrusion, but he had looked so lonely that she just wanted to comfort him.

“Sesshoumaru…I just wanted to let you know how sorry I was about Kagura. I could tell she meant quite a bit to you.” Kagome stood next to the taiyoukai with her eyes down.

“Kagura? I hardly knew her,” he said dismissively.

“You know it’s all right to admit that you care for someone,” she said softly.

He didn’t answer. She had hoped that he would, but she didn’t expect it. He was too strong and proud to admit feelings even when everyone else could see it. He was very similar to his brother in that regard.

“I just wanted to tell you,” Kagome turned away. “Oh, by the way, I’m sorry for earlier. I just hate it when Inuyasha is away.” Seeing that she could do no more to try to get him to talk, she turned to leave, once again.

“Miko…” the great lord paused unsure of his words. “This is for you.” He turned to face her pulling a small dagger from his haori.

She gasped from the sudden response for the taiyoukai.

“You might find this more useful in battle, when you are unable to use your arrows.” He stood holding out the small weapon.

She took the knife into her hand admiring it for a moment before extending it back to the stoic youkai. “Thank you, but Inuyasha always protects me.” She gave a small smile reassuringly that she didn’t need such a valuable gift.

“Why do you let him make you weak?” His tone was foreign to her ears. It rang of a softness that she had never heard cross his lips, but still the words cut.

“He doesn’t make me weak, he makes me strong.”

“Hmph.” he retorted. “ You are the most powerful miko that I have ever encountered, but yet you let everyone around you fight for you.”

“That’s not true,” Her face turned bright red with indignation.

“Miko, I am merely pointing out an observation. Your ire is not needed.” He turned back to the stream studying the water once more. “You would do well to take heed and stop endangering your friends.”

“And what do you mean by that?”

“You are strong, woman, don’t play the weak human, at the risk of your friends. The undead miko has a less impressive aura than you, but yet she is capable of taking on Naraku herself.” He felt her anger pouring off of her in waves, but couldn’t help goading her further. There was just too much sweetness in baiting the young girl. “Perhaps that is why Inuyasha still chases after her?”

Without any thought, Kagome saw her hand flying to the Lord’s face. She couldn’t take any more words from this arrogant bastard. The only reason that she had gone to speak with him at all was because she thought that she might have misjudged him. After all, she had seen him lose two women right in front of her.

She thought there had to be a heart in there somewhere, but now even if there was, she didn’t care to find it. Inu Yasha had been right, he was the same bastard that he had always been.

First, even suggesting that she willingly endangered her friends and then comparing her to Kikyo. There was no end to his audacity.

Sesshoumaru captured her wrist in one swift move. Anger welled up inside of the lord, shooting through his frame, but was forcefully vanquished by another surge in strength. Her strength. He released his hold at the shock of her sudden power.

Kagome cried out in utter despair as her entire body was overtaken by a tidal wave of emotions. Falling to her knees, as the great youkai’s repressed emotions exploded within her sending a barrage of energy around her exploding on all sides.

The great lord stood observing her in disbelief. Her sobbing grew louder while she writhed on the ground. ‘She invaded my thoughts. How?’ He took a step closer trying to comfort the girl in some way but not sure how.

Kagome cringed further away not knowing her own mind any more. She lay on the ground gasping for air as her friends came running to her aid.

“Kagome!” Sango yelled. “What happened? Are you ok?”

The miko slowed her breathing as her cheeks began to redden over the intense heat that had engorged her. Her body trembled relentlessly. ‘So much sadness hidden within anger. There is so much pain.’

Her eyes pleadingly met Sango’s for some comfort. Kagome sat silently unable to mutter anything other than a groan of anguish.

Sesshoumaru withdrew to the camp, still not believing that his brother’s wench had been able to tap into his mind. No one had ever been capable of that. It was very unnerving for a human to be able to delve into the regions of his mind that he had shut off even from himself.

Sango and Miroku watched as the lord retreated, knowing that he knew the reason that their friend lay there on the ground.Converting /tmp/phpLPEDDd to /dev/stdout