InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sesshoumaru, sit! ❯ One step closer ( Chapter 23 )

Another Step Closer

 

Please don't hate me for this chapter either. Since I'm all FREE now my next chapter will be coming much sooner.

 

I thank all who reviewed. You're the best! I thank everyone who read in general. I hope you liked it :) Thanx to Darkflameangel for telling me about Resmiranda's Kag/Sessy fic `Tales from the House of the Moon.' Such a great story. Thanx Dfa!

 

A big fat thanx to my wonderful beta-reader, FluffyDemonSheepdog! She's just too cool!

 

  

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. If I did…I guess I'd be rich.

 

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Katana: Sword.

 

Bozu: An informal way to refer to a boy, similar to the English term “kid” or “squirt”. Also an insult-version of monk.

 

Kami: God.

 

Ningen: Human.

 

Kazaana: Wind tunnel.

 

Taiyoukai: Demon lord.

 

Taijiya: Demon exterminator.

 

Onna: Woman.

 

Hiraikotsu: Sango's giant boomerang.

 

Baka: Idiot.

 

Houshi: Monk.

 

Hanyou: Half demon.

 

Youkai: demon.

 

Miko: Priestess.

 

Kitsune: Fox.

  

-San: Mr., Mrs., and Miss, Sir or madam.

 

-Sama: Used to confer great respect, like for those better in status. (Like a lord)

 

Neko: Cat.

 

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Recap from last chapter:

 

Growling furiously, he flipped on his back and sat up, quickly slicing them away from him. He jumped to a stand, but before he could begin to run again more of the white snake-like creatures looped around his feet.

 

“Don't go, Inuyasha,” ordered the miko coolly, stepping out of the bushes beside him.

 

“Kikyou! What are you doing? Kagome's in trouble. Kagura's here!”

 

More and more of her little minions were gathering around his legs, making movement difficult. “Let me go, damn it!” he roared, leaping into the air and slicing at the living bonds. But there were too many. “Kikyou!”

 

“No, Inuyasha. I was waiting for this. We all were.”

 

He froze, a clawed hand poised in the air. “What do you mean?”

 

She gave him a dead smile that looked almost regretful. “The first step, which I did not illustrate, was for Kagome to get caught.”

 

The shock of her words wore off quickly, and the hanyou's face twisted into a mask of agony. “No!”

 

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CHAPTER 23:

 

She came to slowly, taking shallow, pained gasps. She raised shaky fingers to the burning part at her chest and felt her hand sliding over the slick skin. There was blood. And she was naked.

 

She tried to open her eyes, not as shocked by the fact as she should be.

 

After several tugs they opened slightly. It hurt so much she almost closed them again, but she was sick of the dark, and forced them to stay that way.

 

With a pounding head, she took in her surroundings. She could barely see anything, but she recognized the spacious dojo she'd been brought to. Had she been lying here the whole time? And why was the pain back? Had she been close to death? Is that why she didn't feel it then, while it returned now after she was back from the edge?

 

That didn't make sense. She felt as alive now as she did then. Now it was just more painful.

 

Amaya stroke her fingers over the injured part, only to find it as smooth and undisturbed as it always was. She frowned mentally. Impossible. I know he cut me here. She felt around carefully for any bruising or scarring, finding none. Yet the ache was there, as intense as if she'd been cut in half. The blood was there…but where was the injury? Was it blood at all?

 

The thought made her eyes widen, and consequently, her head pound. She narrowed them quickly and attempted to raise her wet hand to her face. She wasn't even close before the sharp, coppery smell invaded her senses. She gagged in surprise, lowering her arm.

 

All of a sudden she felt she could smell everything. The wood under her, the blood that seemed to fill the air, and…other things she couldn't recognize. Her ears began to function too. She heard the soft breeze entering the wooden room. She could almost swear she heard birds outside, too. She felt her senses overloading. She had been deprived of feeling for some time, it seemed, and to have it back all at once made her nerves go into overdrive.

 

She cried out, both arms shooting up, her hands gripping her head tightly as she tried to block out the dozen smells and noises about her.

 

“Aw. Poor thing,” a weak voice beside her said. “You will get used to it soon.”

 

True enough, she could feel her ears and nose growing accustomed to the various odors and sounds. Even the pain in her body was fast disintegrating into a dull ache. The sharp pounding in her head was still there, but she could deal with that.

 

She was still flat on her back, facing the ceiling. Remembering the person talking to her, she turned slowly. There, on her left side, sat another figure. Slim, smiling, and as bloody as Amaya seemed to be, with a school uniform she knew well, and dark hair she saw every day. Only the eyes were unfamiliar, staring into hers unflinchingly, with a hint of ice in their depths.

 

She started to sit up, ignoring all the aches in her body. She crossed one arm over her chest, sweat dripping down her chin. The other girl gazed at her expectantly.

 

“W-what…?” Amaya's voice was nothing more than a croak. She barely recognized it.

 

“A little something Naraku thought of. I could do nothing but oblige. Sorry, my dear.” The girl next to her smirked, looking anything but sorry.

 

Was this an out-of-body experience? Was she in fact dead? But she was hurting, so that couldn't be it…

 

She looked down the other's body. The shirt was torn everywhere, splotches of crimson soaking through most of the formerly white fabric. Amaya could just see the narrow, yet deep gap in the flesh, right where she knew she was struck.

 

Something Naraku thought of…?

 

Amaya started to feel lightheaded, and her vision swam. She knew she was going to pass out at any moment. “W-who are you?”

 

Her companion smirked. “Why, you, of course.”

 

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Miroku sighed and looked up grimly at the tree where Inuyasha sat. A very grumpy, sulky, tense Inuyasha.

 

“It's my fault,” he'd hissed angrily after telling them about Kagome, and then leapt up into the tree, refusing to come down and explain things.

 

Kikyou did, however.

 

They were shocked to say the least. That was not supposed to happen. They would never have agreed to include Kikyou's help if they'd known her plan involved putting Kagome in such danger. Sango was ready to slice her head off with her katana.

 

“Inuyasha, could you come down please? We need you here,” Miroku called. What's the point? He ignored me before, and he'll probably ignore me now.

 

“Buzz off.”

 

He shook his head. “You sound miserable.”

 

Miroku could almost feel the hanyou glowering down at him. “No shit!”

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru has disappeared.”

 

There was a long pause. “So what?”

 

“He's human. He could get killed.”

 

“What about that bird of his? Isn't she protecting his ass?” he asked without any real interest.

 

Miroku frowned. “She's the one who told us about it. She can't find him.”

 

Inuyasha said nothing else.

 

“He's supposed to help us. Won't you look for him?”

 

“Like hell!”

 

“But…Very well. Kirara is searching for him at the moment. I suppose it's enough.”

 

“Whatever.”

 

“It's not your fault, you know. Kikyou was the one who planned for it.” Miroku only raised his eyebrows when the hanyou landed in front of him. Well, if I'd known saying that would get you down, I'd have said it a long time ago.

 

“What's that, bozu?” the half-demon snarled. “I was supposed to be protecting her and I got careless.”

 

“But it was part of the plan, wasn't it? You didn't know about it, but it was. Kikyou said Naraku wouldn't kill Kagome.”

 

“You still trust what she says!”

 

“Don't you? That's why you didn't rush headlong to get Kagome back.”

 

Inuyasha turned away with a disgruntled look. “Kikyou is the only one who can take the barrier down. I can't get through without her help.”

 

Miroku stood beside him and placed one hand on his shoulder -which he shrugged off. “What are you going to do?”

 

“As soon as Kikyou opens up the way I'll go find Kagome. And I don't give a shit about any plan,” he said with determination, eyes promising hell to whomever got in his way.

 

Miroku was worried. About Kagome, yes, but about their success as well. This was the point of no return; now that Kagome was taken all they could do was follow the plan through, to ensure her safety if nothing else. The monk never completely trusted the miko, but she was their best chance. Maybe sending Kagome to Naraku was the right thing to do, if it helped destroy him.

 

What if Kikyou was in fact on the evil demon's side? But that didn't seem plausible. Kikyou had always wanted Naraku gone, and the Shikon no Tama protected. Maybe that was why she gave it to him before? She said it would help to destroy him, so that justified what they thought was her betrayal at the time. Maybe Inuyasha was right to trust her so readily after all.

 

And maybe he wasn't. Could they afford to take the risk? Did they even have a choice?

 

“Inuyasha…if you act without thought you'd be putting your life -and Kagome's- in danger. I can't believe I'm saying this, but…we should go with Kikyou's plan.”

 

Inuyasha turned to him, his eyes revealing his shock. “You think I should listen to her, even after what she did?”

 

Miroku nodded after a few seconds of hesitation. “She's our best chance right now. She planned Kagome into the mess, and she probably planned her out. We can ask her to make sure.”

 

Inuyasha wore an intense look of concentration as he stared into the distance. Miroku knew the hanyou wanted to trust the undead miko, but was unsure of her loyalties after she put Kagome in the danger she was now in. True, Inuyasha cared for the miko and valued her, as a person and as a source of assistance. But Miroku knew Kagome was far more valuable to him, despite the hanyou's referring to her as a `shard detector' at times.

 

“Miroku!”

 

The monk and hanyou turned as Sango came out of the shadows. “What is it, Sango-san?” the monk asked in concern.

 

“We seem to be having plenty of company today,” she said, glancing anxiously behind her shoulder.

 

“The flea-bag!” Inuyasha growled, snapping out of his reflections.

 

In that very instant, Kouga stepped out into view behind the exterminator. He looked around the clearing before his gaze settled on the hanyou, whose eyes, similarly to his own, were full of contempt and a whole lot of dislike.

 

“Hey, dog-turd.” He smirked, ignoring the growling his opponent was emitting. He skimmed his surroundings once more. “Where's my woman?”

 

Miroku almost saw Inuyasha's hackles rise. “She's not your woman, you skimpy wolf!”

 

“Humph! She'll always be my woman, and soon, my mate. Where is she?” He sniffed the air a bit, hands on hips.

 

Tetsusaiga was drawn and ready. “That's none of your business!”

 

Kouga gave him a warning snarl. “You wanna' fight, mutt?” He took up a fighting stance, hands clawed near his sides, ready to scratch off his opponent's face.

 

“Oh, stop that.” Yashi jumped down from her place in a far off tree on the edge of the clearing. She sounded weary, like she'd been dealing with such childish, aggressive behavior for too long. “Why don't the both of you flea-bitten fur balls save all that fighting energy to get the girl back, rather than exhaust yourselves fighting over her?”

 

Kouga looked to the black attired lady with something akin to shock. “Who the hell are you?”

 

Yashi sighed, putting her hand to her forehead in a gesture of fatigue. “Yashi, crow demon, guardian of one of Lord Sesshoumaru's villages. And his ally,” she added, looking the wolf prince up and down. “And you would be Amaya's future mate?” she asked hopefully. That girl got a little too much demon attention. Luckier than I am.

 

“Amaya's…? No! I'm Kagome's-”

 

“No, you're not, asshole!” Inuyasha interrupted the wolf's incredulous exclamation.

 

“That's nice,” said Yashi, looking more than a little bored. “And you're here because…” She waited for him to finish the sentence, but he just looked back at her with a raised brow and crossed arms.

 

“Wait a minute. You're on Lord Sesshoumaru's side and mutt-butt didn't slit your throat?” Kouga turned to Inuyasha, smirking derisively. “You chicken, Inu-trasha? Or maybe you like her.”

 

Yashi looked like she was going to be sick, Inuyasha in very much the same state.

 

“Shut up! Why the hell are you here?!”

 

Sango and Miroku, who were watching the entire scene curiously, turned to the wolf-demon, as did the crow lady.

 

“To get more shards, of course. I know Naraku's here. And I'll be getting my revenge on that bitch, Kagura.” He hissed the name venomously. “I guess you're here to take care of Naraku, eh?” he asked almost scornfully. “He has Kagome's friend,” he said matter-of-factly, deducing the information from the other demon's words. He wasn't too surprised. No human was safe with the lord. He just wished that girl hadn't decided to stay with him.

 

“Yes. And Kagome,” supplied the crow aloofly.

 

“What!” Kouga whirled on the hanyou. “You stupid mutt! You lost her again?! I knew she should have stayed with me!”

 

“Shut up!” Inuyasha turned red with a mixture of rage and shame. “She would have been dead ages ago if I'd let you take her!”

 

“I should kill you!” Kouga started to lunge but Miroku intercepted him.

 

“I'm afraid that is part of the plan,” the monk told him solemnly. “To get rid of Naraku.”

 

The wolf prince looked shocked, then incredulous. He stood back, crossing his arms and sneering at the monk. “Grand plan you must have. I'm sure dog-breath thought of it.” His sneer turned into a scowl. “This is the last time I leave her with you. I'm taking her with me when I save her.”

 

Yashi materialized in front of Inuyasha, keeping him from attacking the newcomer. “Really. You two are so childish.” She rolled her eyes. “I can't believe this. My powers should not be wasted in trying to keep two brain-dead canines apart.”

 

Kouga snarled at the crow, his attention and anger redirected. “I've had just about enough of your tongue, woman. Either keep it in your mouth or I'll cut it off for you!”

 

Yashi spun around and glowered at the wolf. “What was that?! Did you just insult me, a great crow demon?!” She had her hand pressed to her puffed chest as she stared down at the wolf haughtily. “Mangy wolf.”

 

Kouga snorted, eyes hard. “Careful what you say to me, you weak bird creature. I'm prince of the wolves and I can tear you apart without breaking a sweat.”

“I don't think you can even dress yourself in the morning, much less manage to break even one of my nails.”

 

The two demons looked as angry as they came, far too close to engaging in a battle for anyone's comfort. Inuyasha didn't look like he was going to stop them. In fact his expression showed great approval, all directed at the crow lady.

 

Miroku stepped between the newly formed adversaries nervously. “Please, Prince Kouga, Lady Yashi, I ask you to put your differences aside, if only until our friends and loved ones are safely back with us.”

 

Kouga forced his muscles to unwind, standing back in a relaxed pose, arms loosely crossed, and a smirk on his face. “That's fine with me. Maybe later I'll show you the true power of a wolf prince.”

 

“I wouldn't want you to disgrace yourself in front of everyone,” Yashi threw behind her shoulder, also succeeding in calming her own rising temper as she headed back to her tree.

 

Kouga snarled. “You wish, ugly wench.”

 

The crow whirled on him. “What was that?!”

 

Sango reached the angry demon in record time, clutching her stiff shoulders comradely. “I'm sure he's just saying that, Yashi-sama. Ignore him.”

 

Kouga snorted as he watched the exterminator lead the crow away. “Where did you find that thing?”

 

Miroku looked in the crow demon's direction. “You mean Lady Yashi? She came with lord Sesshoumaru,” he supplied simply.

 

“What?!” Kouga exclaimed.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru's here?!” Ran practically leapt through the bushes, disregarding the prince's recent order to stay hidden. Tenshi followed close behind, their new snow-white fur outfits glinting in the moonlight.

 

Ginta and Hakkaku stepped out, knowing they couldn't drag their mates back out of sight if they tried. They shot the angry Kouga apologetic glances.

 

“Where?” Ran latched onto Miroku's shoulders, shaking him. “Why would he come here? Something must be wrong.”

 

Tenshi rubbed her temples in embarrassment. “Calm down. I'm sure the lord is all right.”

 

“Ah…” Miroku flexed his hand toward the bottom so close by. But he caught himself just in time.

 

Sango was amongst them now, flexing her own hand. The limb was situated just behind the -quite unsuspecting- wolf prince's backside. She gave him a sweet, two-can-play-at-this-game smile. She was obviously not going to stop him.

 

He smiled nervously and lowered his arm. The mates of the pretty ladies would probably kill him, too. Even now, the black-and-white haired one shot him warning glares. Ah, yes. Definitely infamous. He sighed mentally. He had to stop doing that anyway, groping randomly. He'd just stick to Sango.

 

The thought was enough to make him grin. But he couldn't quite manage it…Not with the female wolf shaking him the way she was.

 

He should probably tell them what happened. They just might be of some help.

 

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To Be Continued…

 

 

There was Amaya, but no Sessy. Sessyyyyyy! Oh, the Amaya part MUST have confused the heck out of you. Things will be cleared up for sure next chapter, k'?

 

So it didn't end with a cliffie, but at the same time there was a cliffie in the chapter. You know, I was gonna' make it longer, but I thought `If I do that, it'll surely end with a cliff hanger.' I value my life, people. One cliffie a chap is more than enough O.o

 

This was a usual length. Not bad. Sorry if some of you thought it was boring. I know the first part at least was probably yawn-worthy. The next chap will be better.

 

So it seems Miroku isn't as perverted as he used to be ^.^ I think It's as good as he gets. Not sure, though. If I were Sango I'd thank God for the improvement and not push my luck…but I'm not Sango. Oooh, if I were I'd go after FLUFFY!