InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sesshoumaru, sit! ❯ Deadly Circumstances ( Chapter 24 )

Deadly circumstances

 

I'm sorry everyone! I know I'm such a jerk for leaving it hanging so long. Sorru Kirie!!!!!!! I hope you're well!

 

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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 respesct, like for those better in status. (Like a lord)

 

Neko: Cat.

 

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Recap from last chapter:

 

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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CHAPTER 24: 

 

Amaya stared at something that looked a lot like her clone.

 

"You…" she choked out, not quite sure what to ask. Are you me? How did this happen? Where am I?

 

The school girl beside her smiled. No…it was more a grimace. She was clutching her middle tightly, as if trying to stem the constant blood flow from the wound. "Yes?"

 

"Am I dyeing?" she whispered, staring at the injury.

 

"Your body certainly seems to be," her clone answered a little hoarsely. "But don't worry. Naraku wouldn't let that happen. It's just a way for him to control you." She smirked. "Holding your life in his hands is a rather good way to go about that, don't you think?"

 

Amaya gasped. "No, I don't! Who are you?" she cried, startled by her own voice. It wasn't hers at all!

 

"Take a good look at yourself and you'll know." She gestured with one hand. "Although you don't know me-"

 

Amaya gasped. "Agh! I forgot I was naked!" she squeaked, trying to cover herself.

 

Her look-alike stared at her dumbly for a moment, before sighing and pointing her to a kimono beside her. "This is mine, you can have it."

 

Amaya took it without hesitation and dressed quickly.

 

"Being who you are, the barrier will allow you through. I think you should get out of here and find your friends, even though I don't expect they'll be very happy to see you at first. But stay clear of the wolf prince," she warned. "You'll be sorry you ever ran into him if he sees you. He is unlikely to keep you alive long enough to hear what you have to say."

 

Amaya stared at her, digesting what she was saying. "How do you know all this? What are you? Who are you?"

 

"Kagura, Wind User," she said finally.

 

Amaya gasped and froze in horror.

 

"I see you've heard of me from your friends." Then, "What you and I are under is a simple soul-switching. It doesn't last forever, but it's powerful. You can use it to your own advantage however. First thing for you to do is to get out of here."

 

"W-why should I trust you? You might be telling me what that Naraku wants you to say."

 

"You have no choice, my dear. But believe me, I'm on your side, and I say this so brazenly now because Naraku and his minions have their hands full at the moment."

 

She continued, "At any rate, he controls us both. He has my heart prisoner, and so at the time being, it's yours he has. But he cannot kill you. Use that!" she ended with a hiss. "Get out!"

 

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Kouga zigzagged between trees, and jumped over boulders, sniffing the air for a certain demon lord. The problem was that he was human now, and Kouga had no idea if his scent could have changed because of that.

 

The monk had asked him to look for him, even though the wolf prince preferred getting Kagome back instead. But at this point, if the undead miko's harebrained plan could get her out of danger, he was all for it.

 

His two right hand men and their maddening spouses were probably back from Kaede's by now, to get the little Kitsune. Kouga didn't think the kid could be much help in a situation this drastic, but that wasn't his problem or his concern.

 

If they wanted to get the brat killed, who was he to complain?

 

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"Shippou!" Sango greeted, smiling at the little fox demon.

 

“Sango-chaaan!” he cried, bounding up to her and Miroku. “Kagome-chan, I heard Naraku has her! What are we going to do!” He bounced in front of her a few times then leapt on her shoulder.

 

“It'll be okay. We'll get her back very soon, you'll see,” the slayer declared confidently. Even though she was fairly worried their young friend and miko might be hurt already. But she hoped beyond hope that Kikyou had planed the kidnapping knowing Naraku would keep Kagome well and alive, and not as a twisted way of getting rid of her.

 

“Just do your part, squirt, and I'll worry about getting her back.” Inuyasha came out of the shade nearby, his stance agitated and aggressive.

 

For once, Shippou didn't say anything, only staring oddly at the hanyou.

 

The snake-like soul stealers slithered into their line of vision, and they all looked at them in apprehension. Kikyou soon followed her unearthly minions, looking at each of them intently, before her eyes rested on Inuyasha.

 

“You can't leave my side, Inuyasha.” And before the hanyou could protest she added, “If you want her back safely, without a scratch, that's where you have to be. Only at the right moment can you go ahead to get her.”

 

Inuyasha was so angry he was trembling, Sango could see it. He wanted to charge on, right this moment, but he wanted to be sure Kagome would be all right. Yet he didn't know whether to trust the miko he used to follow so blindly before.

 

Sango was afraid, too. What with her insistence on keeping him by her side, the taijiya suspected she wanted him there, only so that once it was all over she could pull him to hell without delay or interruption.

 

“It's her!” Shippou pointed accusingly, glaring at Inuyasha. “You baka! Again?!”

 

“Shut up, twerp!” Inuyasha roared, fists shaking, and fangs bared at the kitsune. “I had nothing to do with it! We had no choice.”

 

“That's true, Shippou. Kikyou has a plan,” Sango hurried to confirm before the two got into a fight -which usually resulted in a wailing Shippou with a sour head. “It's very good, and you have a very important role. Do you think you can do it?” She knew that would get his attention.

 

He looked skeptical, glancing at her, and then nodded his head slowly. “Anything if Kagome will come back,” he said bravely, tears in his voice.

 

“She'll be back,” Inuyasha assured him, staring ahead. “I'll make sure of it.”

 

Sango saw Miroku nod encouragingly at him from beside her and she nodded too. Inuyasha always got their Kagome back. But would this time be any different? She had a strong feeling many things were going to be different about their battle with Naraku this time. If their allies and support was anything to go by, they had a very good chance at wiping the evil hanyou's existence.

 

But she honestly would not believe retrieving their beloved miko, and loyal friend, would go differently than before.

 

Inuyasha, after all, would make sure of it.

 

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She froze, catching a wave of…something…in the wind. She felt it more that smelled it, and it made her nervous. She had never sensed that kind of thing before…Or maybe that was the reason she was so uncomfortable. The feeling was getting stronger, and she began to hear the rapid footfall of the creature it belonged to. The thing didn't seem to be coming her way, rather passing close by.

 

It stopped. Amaya could almost see the creature turn its head in her direction, as if recognizing she was there. She heard it begin to run again, right at her.

 

Amaya nearly bolted before remembering she couldn't, and settled for praying hard, that whatever it was, wasn't dangerous. Which was very unlikely. But more than anything, she hoped the creature wasn't any of her friends. Anybody else would be ok.

 

What burst through the thick foliage ahead was proof that the world could be a very cruel place, with a very nasty sense of humor indeed.

 

“Kouga-kun!” She would have jumped back but her foot wouldn't let her.

 

The wolf snarled at her viciously, his face contorting with what Amaya knew could only be hatred. “Kagura! What a pleasant surprise!” Amaya thought he didn't look happy at all.

 

“I didn't expect you to be so close outside the barrier.” He gave an evil smirk, ignoring the wind user's pleas for him to listen. “What's wrong? You're usually so confident. Finally realized you can't beat me?” He flexed his legs and hands. “I was looking for Sesshoumaru, but I'm glad I found you instead. The lost Lord can wait.”

 

Sesshoumaru?Lost? She would have pondered his words some more but her little predicament prevented it. “I'm not K-Kagura! I only look like her!” Her brain wouldn't work fast enough, her tongue wouldn't let loose the words she so desperately wanted to tell him. I'm Amaya! Amaya!

 

She'd imagined this happening, and she'd imagined what she would tell her friends, to try to convince them of who she really was, but as she faced him now, it seemed the words didn't want to come out. She was in scared-witless mode again and her body and brain weren't responding.

 

“Amaya! I'm-”

 

He charged at her and her words ended in a shriek.

 

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Sesshoumaru ran as fast as a human could, effortlessly dodging trees and roots and managing to keep his long sleeves from snagging on anything.

 

`To the left now. Ok, to the right! No! Your other right!'

 

Other right?! He thought angrily, but he kept from snapping at her for her bad directions. It was only luck that kept him from slamming into a tree every two seconds.

 

He was worrying about other youkai intercepting him when he heard a clear, distant cry, and sped up.

 

`Good! You're almost there!'

 

For the first time in a long time, the Lord of the West began to pant in exhaustion, feeling his lungs burning.

 

`Just a little longer! I know you can last!'

 

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Amaya shrieked and jumped to the side. Unfortunately that wasn't enough; the wolf's claws dug into her side as he passed her.

 

She gasped in surprise and attempted to get up, but the prince charged again. Oh, no! Crap!

 

“I know where Amaya is!” she cried in a desperate attempt, raising her arm defensively and trying to forget that she probably had a hole near her middle.

 

She scrunched her eyes shut and waited for another blow. Instead she felt a pair of rough hands grab her shoulders and haul her upright. Amaya squeaked and bit her lip as hot pain shot through her side and ankle. She opened her eyes to find Kouga looking a lot more in-control of his temper. Still furious, but not insanely so.

 

He grabbed her neck and raised her so she was dangling in the air, keeping his eye on the fan tucked in her obi. “So you've decided to do some good before you go, huh?” He sneered when she sputtered and choked. “I'll admit, I'm surprised at how weak you are at the moment. I think I'll take advantage of that before you can fly off again.”

 

His hand tightened, and Amaya feared that he'd forgotten about her little `confession', deciding to kill her anyway. Suddenly she found herself on the floor, coughing and gasping for breath.

 

“So where is she?”

 

She looked up at him, panting, and saw him holding the demon's pink-and-white fan along with a…feather. A white one.

 

She tried to sit up properly but found she couldn't quite do it. Her waist was killing her! And she knew it was only going to get worse later.

 

“Um…OK…” She watched him struggle with the fan, clearly trying to break it and failing miserably. When he saw her staring he gave her a cold glare.

 

“Talk, Wind User!”

 

Amaya jumped and stuttered before her tongue began to function. “Um…see, Kagu…I mean, Amaya switched bodies with another demon. With Kagura. I'm actually Amayapleasedon'tkillme!” she said in one breath and cringed. After a moment of looking at the ground she decided to check on him.

 

He looked…disbelieving. “I'm Amaya I swear! This is all a trick Naraku is playing…t-to deceive you.”

 

Kouga stared at her mutely. “Amaya? You?”

 

Amaya stared on with a growing sense of dread as a small smile spread over his face. On the other hand, she felt the blood stop flowing from her wound. It doesn't even hurt as badly, she mused absently, not with a little awe. Being a demon had some pretty major benefits. Too bad she wasn't going to live long enough to enjoy them.

 

Bugger.

 

“That's new, Kagura-”

 

Well, what did she expect? He didn't seem to be the sharp type anyway. I'm sure the concept of switching bodies is too complicated for him. Naturally he wouldn't buy it. Ugh! I've got to think of a way to escape before he slices me in two…Oh! My ankle doesn't hurt any more! She let out a mental yippy before concentrating back on her current, fur covered problem.

 

“-Trying to save your skin, eh? You can't fool me! I can't believe you'd try a ridiculous trick like that.”

 

Distantly she heard him chuckle as she tried to think of a way to save her neck. A distraction! But what could be more important to him than killing her…?

 

She gasped, jumping off the ground a few inches, staring past the wolf's leg -the part of him at her eye-level.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” She sounded shocked, yet unsure.

 

“What?” Kouga turned his head partway, making sure Kagure was in his line of vision while still able to see the person behind him. The sight that greeted him required no less than a fully turned head and a gaping mouth. “Damn. No wonder the monk was worried,” he whispered to himself.

 

His midnight black hair was swaying softly behind him in the breeze. His back was bent slightly forward as he caught his breath, his chest rising and falling with every deep, tired breath he took. And his honey brown eyes nearly glinted in the darkness despite their human quality, the moon right in front of him giving the illusion that maybe one part of him was still demon. Those very eyes, with their false illumination, squinted in clear annoyance at both his shocked audience.

 

This was not what he wanted to find.

 

`That's her. Now…time for you to save the day,' Aneko said cheerfully.

 

Amaya wasn't waiting for anyone to be trying to save her, nor expecting it. She figured it was another Naraku-trick. But even if it wasn't, she wanted to get as far away from the killer wolf as possible, while he was still gawking at the oddly colored…

 

Her eyes widened impossibly and she shot up from her crumpled position. “Ack! Sesshoumaru, he turned you human!” she exclaimed passionately. Ooh. My waist doesn't hurt so bad, she observed distantly.

 

The human Lord didn't seem to be sure of what `that's her' meant. It clearly was not. Kagura was not Amaya, as Amaya was not Kagura. He had assumed it was the frustrating onna she was referring to when she babbled on about `danger', and a girl who `will be killed.' It made little sense. Why would the idiot fairy lead him to save one of Naraku's offsprings, of all things? He was required to go to Naraku, and then suddenly she urges him to change directions. For Kagura.

 

Foolish woman. Wasting my time, he told her mentally, giving his pelted shoulder an icy glare.

 

`Hey. That is her,' she told him, pouting and crossing her arms stubbornly. “Didn't you hear what she said? No honorific. Who else would dare.” She propped her chubby arms on her crossed legs and proceeded to look smug. “Think about it, muffin. See ya'!”

 

And she disappeared as unexpectedly as she had arrived, without even a puff of smoke.

 

He blinked at his now-empty shoulder in surprised confusion before dismissing the little woman's existence, at the same time going on to digest what she had said -minus the pastry comment- and then what `Kagura' had called out to him as well.

 

“What the hell happened to you?” Kouga had his eyes narrowed suspiciously. “I didn't think full demons could turn human.”

 

“Oh, God, Sesshoumaru! I don't see how that happened to you. I'm not dead! That horrible…although you do kind of deserve it, you jerk!”

 

The demon everyone thought was Kagura had started out frightened, paler than usual, ranting in panic before her face began to contort in anger so subtly the change was almost missed. Kouga and Sessoumaru stared at her, each with his own colorful expression; one with rising offense, and the other with surprise and a hint of confusion, Kouga being the latter.

 

“How could you leave me behind? Jackass!” At this point she was so red in the face she looked close to combusting. Her tightly fisted hand was shaking in the Lord's direction. “Traitor!”

 

Now Sesshoumaru had no doubt in his mind as to who that was. The confusing and sudden change in temperament could only be attributed to one person.

 

“Enough, woman,” he drawled out calmly, with an underlying current of anger.

 

Amaya would have snubbed him but a strong hand wrapped around the back of her throat, choking off her response. Fortunately, this time the wolf didn't haul her off her feet, just simply held her there, as If not knowing quite what to do with her.

 

“Le'me go, asshole!” She struggled to escape his grip, not quite over her sudden anger at remembering. She wanted to put a flea in the mutt's ear. She wanted to cry and rave and pound at his chest. She wanted to kiss him again, but only out of revenge. But first she would kill him very slowly.

 

She gasped when Kouga tightened his hold painfully, cutting off most of her air supply.

 

“Shut up! What the hell is going on here?” he growled down at her.

 

He turned in surprise to find the Lord standing next to him, one human hand wrapped around his wrist. He squeezed, and Kouga found his hold loosening involuntarily, causing Kagura to fall to her knees on the ground while she coughed convulsively.

 

Kouga snatched his hand from the other demon's grip, staring at him. A slow smirk started on his lips, one white fang showing through. “Well…even human, you're not too bad, Sesshoumaru-sama.”

 

The Lord wasn't even looking at him. His stripe free, clawless hands were tucked into his sleeves, and he was gazing down at the wind user with that light frown of his. “That is Amaya.” Kouga knew he was informing him of this, but his eyes never left the wheezing demon, nor did he move to help her. “Never touch her again.”

 

Kouga sensed the calm violence behind the warning, and it was all he could do not to take a step back.

 

“What? She…?” Kouga looked down at her in horror. “Amaya-chan?” Damn! He'd just kicked her ass!

 

She was rubbing her neck now and staring up at Sesshoumaru in shock. “You recognized me.” It was a whisper of wonder. “I…I thought it would take a lot more to get anyone to believe me. I thought they'd kill me first…” She stared at her bent knees and sighed in relief.

 

“You had only to open your mouth,” the lord told her evenly.

 

That earned him a startled glance, followed by a fierce glare. “Excuse me?”

 

“Amaya-chan,” Kouga interrupted them before an argument began…Although for the life of him, he could not imagine the Western lord giving up that many sentences -And it was odd, calling his greatest and most hated enemy by any name other than her own: Kagura, and speaking to her kindly. He knew in his mind it only looked like her, but his heart wanted to rip the image to shreds. “I'll take you back to Kagome now.”

 

Amaya looked at him in horror. “Looking like this?! No! I want to go back to the way I looked before! I can't go home this way!”

 

Kouga looked confused. “Most likely your form now is temporary,” he said. “In a few days, maybe you will return-”

 

“No. She will stay.” It was Sesshoumaru, and he sounded irritated.

 

Amaya thought that remark brought back a not-so-distant memory that made her fume. Pompous ass. “Oh? And why's that? So you can give me to Naraku again?”

 

“You gave her to Naraku?! Why?” Kouga's incredulous query was ignored, as the two were busy giving each other pointed glares. The Lord didn't glare so obviously as the girl, but his face, normally smooth and devoid of emotion, gave the impression.

 

Kouga wondered how the human had survived with her -clearly- cheeky attitude. He frowned, wondering at the kind of relationship they shared. But the real enigma was how the bond -whatever its nature- had begun.

 

“Yes.” Sesshoumaru stared at her coldly when he spoke.

 

Amaya's jaw dropped open. He was answering her question.

 

Her lips trembled for a second. “Go to hell!”

 

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“Let me out, Naraku!” Kagome shook the metal bars, kicked them, even went as far as gnawing on them noisily, but she was completely ignored. And the infected Amaya-version sitting in the corner of the dirty cell was no help either. All she did was chuckle and stare into space. Kagome figured she wasn't who she looked to be and left her alone.

 

Several times she tried to purify the bars, hoping they were made of demon youki, so they would melt in her hands. Of course they weren't. Naraku wouldn't put her there if they were and she knew it. But she didn't want to lose hope. There had to be a way out of here. She hated the idea of Inuyasha and her friends falling into one of the evil hanyou's many traps because of her. She wanted to get out and save them the trouble.

 

Kagome slumped against the bars, exhausted. “What am I going to do?” she whispered brokenly. She startled lightly at the sound of `Amaya' chuckling.

 

“I do hate that demon. But I must admit, when it comes to planning traps and ways to defeat his enemies, he's a genius; he neutralized the both of us. No, the four of us. That other human girl and western Lord are pretty important as well. All he has to do now is get rid of the hanyou.” She sighed. “I don't believe he has ever come closer to beating you all. He just might finally do it.”

 

Kagome stared at the kneeling girl from over her shoulder, still panting. “Who are you?” Kagome thought she sounded familiar. “Can you get us out of here?”

 

“Kagura. And no. If I could do that I would have broken out of here a long time ago.”

 

Kagome was facing her now, eyes round as saucers. “No! You…? But what about Amaya?! What happened to her?!” She held her head in both hands and shook it vigorously. “No! My dream! Oh, God!”

 

A sigh filled the small cell. “I don't know what you're talking about, but your friend is alive, and so far, probably well. She's not in here. Naraku released her outside the barrier.”

 

“What?! Why?” the miko asked suspiciously. He just caught her. Why would he let her go? Nothing makes sense. Nothing! Kagome thought, shaking her head mentally.

 

“So she would nearly get killed. She's in my body, and Naraku knows she has no idea how to use it.”

 

Kagome felt sick. “What does that mean, nearly killed!?”

 

“He does not want her dead, but injured so badly your friends would have to bring her back to him so she would switch bodies with me and survive. With Sesshoumaru protecting her earlier, that wasn't possible.” Kagura smirked. “That's been taking care of,” she said, referring to the Lord turning human.

 

Kagome moaned and squeezed her head between her hands. “That makes no sense! If he has her already, why would he want to do all that?”

 

Kagura, kneeling on the ground, looking exactly like her friend, yet so unlike her, leveled an intense, almost angry stare at the younger girl. “Because you'll keep coming after him, and he needs time to take her powers. You and your friends would be a constant threat to him and his plans.”

 

Kagome tensed angrily. “He wants to kill us all.” 

 

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