InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Settling the Score ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or its other characters… they belong to Takahashi

 

Reference:

“Talking”

`Thinking'

 

Settling the Score

 

Chapter six

 

When Kagome finally came to, she found herself in her bedroom. The last thing she remembered was closing her eyes and just wanting to sleep. It was dark in her room. She didn't know what time it was.

 

`I must have worked myself to exhaustion…'

 

“You're awake.”

 

Kagome looked up to her doorway. Ms. Yokuhana was leaning by the frame looking somewhat worried yet relieved. Kagome didn't answer back, not sure if the woman was a figment of her tired mind or in fact her guardian checking up on her wellbeing.

 

Kikyo closed her eyes and sighed. “Good,” was all she said. `Thank goodness you survived that spiritual burst.' Looking back at the energy drained girl, Kikyo made sure she got her message across. “I want you to just sleep for tonight. Don't worry about the shrine chores: I've had someone come in and take care of them. The barrier is still up and strong, so no need to worry about that either.” Kagome listened on, her eyes semi-closed. “Also,” Kikyo finished, “don't do anything foolish tonight.”

 

Kagome wasn't sure who she was talking to at that point. All she wanted to do was close her eyes and go to the wonderful world of sleep. Why would she do anything if she doesn't even remember what she did in the first place to be this tired?

 

Kikyo noticed the look of confusion on the girl's face, but quickly dismissed it knowing her advice would not be followed. Annoyed by that thought, Kikyo turned around to leave. “I'll lock the door on my way out.” She called back. “Good night.”

 

Kagome didn't bother to answer back. She simply snuggled deeper into her sheets and let her mind drift.

 

xXxXx

 

Kikyo wasn't sure if leaving her alone for the night was such a good idea. The girl seemed dead tired. Hopefully she drained her spiritual powers enough to not do anything idiotic tonight. Kikyo shook her head. She needed a break herself. Keeping an eye out and training such a stubborn girl wasn't exactly what she had applied for and would not have worried so much if it were anyone else. Kagome's case, however, was special.

 

The women reached her car and took one last glance at the shrine. `Please don't do anything stupid, Spirit. Kagome is not up to such challenges yet.' Kikyo opened her car door, stepped in and drove off.

 

xXxXx

 

“Damnit… We almost had her!” Bankotsu paced his living room in annoyance. If that white-haired demon hadn't interfered, the task would have been done and over with.

 

“You need to find your peace, Bankotsu.” Renkotsu, the fire-bearer of the seven, tried to calm their leader down. “If my assumption is correct,” he went on, “then the one behind the assassins will be coming after us next.”

 

Bankotsu stopped dead in his tracks and the others dropped what they were doing as well.

 

Renkotsu took in everyone's glares as calmly as ever. He needed to get the others to understand his reasoning behind his conclusion. “If this girl truly is the one behind the attacks, then she's had a pretty good look at us. She will probably try to get rid of us since we almost exposed her to the public eye, let alone tried to kill her.” Renkotsu went on, locking his eyes with their leader. “And if it wasn't her, then the assassin knows to come after us next since we almost killed an innocent in pursuit of him.”

 

Bankotsu understood now. Sometime soon, they will be attacked, therefore they should be prepared. A grin settled itself on his handsome face. “Well boys,” he turned to his fellow members. “We better get this place cleaned up. We'll be having a visitor soon!” Bankotsu glanced at his sword hanging neatly on his wall. He forgot about his little miss in the morning, his entire body impatient for a good fight. He simply couldn't wait to present the bloody murder's head on a silver platter to Naraku.

 

xXxXx

 

It took her a while to find them, but it didn't matter to her. She felt no fatigue, no hunger, no thirst. She made her way across the park, unseen like a creature of the night. Alleyways and back roads were not unfamiliar to her as she made her way through the city.

 

Her destination was located at the edge of the city. It was a beautiful house with big iron gates and lots of lights shining in every direction. `Why aren't I surprises,' she bitterly thought. These bastards: they were all the same.

 

She viewed the place, analyzing her ways of entry. She went around once and noticed the east wing was the least lighted. A smirk appeared on her delicate face. She removed her backpack and took out her rope and hook. With silent agility, she climbed the wall. Tying the rope in place, she slid down the stone fence and landed on soft lushes grass. She stuck close to the wall and scanned the landscape before her.

 

She frowned in confusion. There was something fishy about the situation. This entire section was dark, all outside lights turned off. She took one step back towards the wall, her rope and her means of escape. Her eyes scanned the area, her brain going a mile a minute. A noise to her left, she turned just in time to see three spinning objects heading straight for her head. She ducked in time and felt pieces of her rope innocently fall on her. Wide eyed, she looked up at her escape path. Three round saw blades were poking out of the stoned barricade, effectively cutting off her way out.

 

She barely had time to think when smoke took over her surrounding. She had to close her eyes against the burning toxic fumes. Acting on impulse, she pulled the scarf around her neck up to cover her nose and mouth. Her eyes still closed, she crouched on the ground and reached for her hidden weapon. She pulled a small throwing knife out and held her breath. She wasn't going down without a fight.

 

`I can't breathe…' None of her victims retaliated in such a way. Then again, none of them knew she was coming for them. She tried to stay as low as she could, considering the smoke was being carried upward instead of staying down. She couldn't see anything and couldn't hold her breath for long. Deciding to take a risk, she set off in a crawl. She had to get away from all the smoke or she'd never have a fighting chance.

 

She managed to steer clear, but was far too affected by the toxic gas to think properly. Through her ragged breathing she heard footsteps and eager laughter. That spiked her anger and hatred for these people to a higher level. Still crouched down low, she didn't dare open her eyes. At this point they weren't very useful: they were filled with unshed tears due to the toxin's effect. The walking stopped and she knew she was surrounded. The laughter, however, didn't stop at all. One voice was so terribly high pitched and annoying that she simply lost momentary control of her temper.

 

Before anyone had a chance to move, she had already made her move. She gracefully sprang forward, made a quick u-turn and let the blade fly. The laughter stopped and a heavy object connected with her back. She ineloquently fell, the body no longer able to support such abuse.

 

“Bitch.” One of the attackers kicked her in the stomach. “We'll make sure you suffer a lot before we kill you.”

 

She heard the words but did not reply. She had no time to waste: she needed to work her magic and get her body back into gear. She calmed both her mind and her soul, and started her healing process.

 

xXxXx

 

Outside was dark, quite and he was bored as hell. He couldn't sleep with his mind too full of what Sesshoumaru had told him. `Me? A secret agent?' Inuyasha snorted as the thought passed through his mind for the umpteenth time.

 

His older brother had suggested he co-work with the police and help them find the `assassin'. Inuyasha had grown mature and he seemed to enjoy getting into fights. `Or what was it Sesshoumaru used? Confronting people was-it?' Inuyasha chuckled, finding the idea of him working with the same people that wanted him back in prison a very funny thing.

 

Yet he couldn't help but wonder. That Miroku guy had more-or-less suggested the same thing, though he seemed more hesitant. Sesshoumaru did say he knew someone willing to help him ease into the police force without too much hassle from the future co-workers.

 

Inuyasha sat up in bed, too tire to toss and turn all night. Becoming an undercover cop wasn't the only issue on his mind. There was also that girl that was attacked in the morning, that same girl he almost ran over. He knew her face was familiar, but he never gave much thought to it till late afternoon. He had seen her face in the newspaper during his first week in jail. He remembered how every waking moment of his life spent away in that small cell, all he really wanted to do was watch the girl suffer a very painful death. He was never fully explained what happened or why they were putting the blame on him. All he knew was that it was her fault: Kagome Higurashi, the only survivor of the Higurashi clan.

 

Inuyasha shook his head. Three months in and he had received a gift: a notebook and a pen. She had sent a message as well, claiming she didn't think him guilty of the crime that was committed. She mentioned the book and pen were for his thoughts, and she also wished he would share them with her once he was free.

 

He thought it was a joke, one god-awful hoax. He had tore the pages apart, broke the pen in as many pieces as he could. He'd wind up with blisters on his hands and ink all over himself. He didn't stop until security came in, bound his hand and dragged him to solitary confinement. He had calmed after a couple of days in the dark room. He may be half demon, but he was still just a teen back then.

 

Inuyasha looked out his window. It was dark. The town was asleep. Making up his mind, he dressed up in a pair of sweats and walked out his door.

 

xXxXx

 

Voices. She heard distant voices, people speaking and laughing, obviously having a good time. They were either far, in another room or she was still a little out of it. She was tired, but that was the price she had to pay for healing her body. Bringing her senses back into play, she realized she was in a chair. Her arms and legs were bound, but that didn't bother her one bit.

 

Now fully conscious and in control of her physic again, she wasted no time in assessing the situation. She opened her eyes and came face to face with a handsomely silly grin.

 

“Hey there.”

 

She only blinked and sat up a little straighter.

 

“You're a smart one.” He said, still smirking. “You had everyone fooled out there. For a while I thought I was after the wrong person.”

 

This time, she smirked as well. To a certain degree it was amusing so she felt the need to play along. This was after all the first time she got caught. “You did go after the wrong person.” She went on. “Little Kagome isn't the one behind the attacks. Pure coincidence that we look-a-like is all.” The man before her frowned in confusion. “I am Moriko. It's a pleasure to meet you.” She acted as innocently as possible. She even slightly bent her head in respect.

 

Bankotsu didn't find this pleasing at all. He stood straight, as though in dismissal, with his grin back in place. He turned to walk away, but his pride got in the way. Without warning, he spun around, the back of his hand eager to come into contact with some skin. It got exactly what it wanted, but it wasn't what Bankotsu had expected.

 

Moriko had blocked his hand with her arm and sucker punched him right in his eye. Bankotsu fell backward, surprise written all over his face. The girl was standing as though nothing had happened. His eyes flew to her wrist. Both wrist smeared with blood, a clear red mark showed where the ropes had dug into her skin. He looked down to her ankles. The same thing must have happened: there were smears of something liquidish all around her pant legs, near her feet.

 

The others had gathered around her, all of them not so sure what to think. They hadn't even seen it coming. Bankotsu got up, mad as hell now. “You'll be sorry for that.” First she had the audacity to kill one of his members, and now this! He held a calculating gaze as he nodded his head once.

 

Moriko kept her watch steady on the leader while the balky one made his move. Metal strings went around her, effectively cutting off any movements she had planned. Moriko, however, still looked as unaffected as ever. Her mind was clear and patiently waiting for the answer she's been searching for.

 

The bald one moved in next. Flames ran up the wires, but they were automatically blown out before reaching an inch of her body. A pink glow surrounded her and the rope around her broke into tiny pieces, all harmlessly flying in random directions. She was free to move again. Moriko ignored the others' surprise and concentrated on the leader of the pack.

 

“I'll ask you one question. Answer me in satisfaction and I will leave in peace, spearing the rest of your clan as well.”

 

Bankotsu narrowed his eyes. This girl's spiritual energy had to be above average. Naraku must not know that if he thought she might be an easy kill. Standing up straight, a smirk back on his face, Bankotsu figure he could play along for a while. “So,” he started. “What do you want to know?”

 

Moriko smiled in satisfaction. Perhaps this group wasn't as idiotic as they looked. “Tell me who was responsible for the attack on the Higurashi Shrine.”

 

Bankotsu's eyebrows shot up in surprise. That's what she's going around killing people for? “That's a very simple question with a very simple answer.” He took in the girl's content look with amusement. “But what makes you say I'll tell you anything?”

 

Moriko's smile faded to be replaced by indifference. That wasn't the answer she was looking for. What was she to do now? She was clearly outnumbered with six to one and she still didn't have an answer to her riddle. She dropped her eyes to the floor, making her look small and fragile. Bankotsu looked a little perplexed. Was this for real? Was she already giving up? He narrowed his eyes as the girl lifted her head and locked eyes with him.

 

“That wasn't the answer I was looking for.”

 

Her voice held nothing for emotion, but it managed to chill Bankotsu to the core. He didn't like that at all. One glance at Suikotsu told his comrade he had permission to attack. Claws at the ready, Suikotsu didn't waste a second. Charging head first, he had a clear view of his target's neck and heart. It would be a piece of cake and very bloody, to his pure joy.

 

Moriko barely had a second to reach inside her left sleeve to pull out a beaded necklace. The purple beads shone bright enough to blind everyone, thus giving her the time she needed to retreat. She chanted a few words and advanced upon her attacker. Moriko threw the necklace around Suikotsu's neck and withdrew as quickly as she could. Suikotsu was faster though, having more experience in hand to hand than she ever did.

 

A scream permeated the air as the light faded into a dim purple glow. Bankotsu watched the scene unfold in horror-shock. Moriko stood back as calmly as ever. Her right sleeve was torn off and three large gashed covered her lower arm. Yet she looked unaffected. Her eyes were closed as if in a peaceful sleep and her hands were held together as though in prayer.

 

His gang member however was the real attraction of the night. Suikotsu's clothes were shredded in so many placed and deep gashes bled so freely. The other members backed away, fear of what was going on obvious in their face. Suikotsu's screams turned into chocked gurgles. Before their very own eyes, Bankotsu and the others watched as their comrade's throat was slowly being ripped apart in the same manner Suikotsu would do his prey. Another gash was being created in his chest as the man's heart was being torn out by some invisible force.

 

It took but a few agonizing seconds, but it was finally over. Suikotsu fell first to his knees, his now lifeless eyes remaining open, though still displaying the pain and fear he felt as he was slowly dying. The body fell forward, hiding the tattered throat, the bleeding heart and the frightened eyes.

 

Bankotsu finally looked up to their opponent. How did she…? How could she do something like that? What the hell was she anyways? She just couldn't be the same girl he'd attacked in the morning. That girl looked like the definition of purity, but this one… She held no innocence in her eyes.

 

It looked like pain didn't bother at all. The cut on her arm had somehow stopped bleeding. But the look in her eyes… She had opened them to view the sight before her, the repulsive mess she had created. She held no disgust, no fear and no joy at what she saw. No, Moriko looked more sad and regretful, her eyes seeming to bed the corps for pardon. The wound in her arm was ignored and she seemed to not feel the pain.

 

She took a step back and turned towards Bankotsu. She hated this more than anything, but it was necessary. Her eyes held tears as she eyed the leader. Would he attack her now in vengeance of his fallen friend? They were seven to begin with and now they were down to five. She hadn't seen the first one go down. She had acted on impulse and didn't think much of it. She looked at the corps once again. This was the first time she has seen her opponent die. In every other case, she was hidden somewhere, thus she could not see them; only hear their agony as they killed themselves.

 

Moriko could no longer hold back her tears. She hated this. If only they would just tell her what she needed to know! Anger filled her as she quickly bowed in respect. “Forgive me!” With that said, she ran. Bankotsu and the others were too traumatized to even think about following her. For that, Moriko thanked whomever was her guardian angel watching over her.

 

She made it back to her escape root without any hassle. Picking her back up from where she left it, she gathered enough spiritual energy to make the necessary jump. The rope was cut short and she needed to jump a good five feet before reaching the remaining end. She thanked to Gods for giving her a quiet night to work with. She was halfway home when here arm started to sting. Looking down, she realized for the first time that she was hurt. That explained why her healing powers were gathered in her arm back at the mansion.

 

`Whatever,' she thought. `I have to get back to the shrine or this body might give any minute now.' The fact that she could feel the pain in her arm was alarming enough. If she didn't make it to the shrine before she passes out again, who knew what would happen to them in the streets.

 

Moriko reached the park when her vision started to faze. “Shit! Not now!!” She was almost there. She just had to make it past this park and down another three blocks. She couldn't keep her eyes open for very long and she had slowed down to a jog. Her arm was in pure pain and her legs burned with fatigue. `I won't make it,' she thought as her vision blurred to an uncontrollable state. Not being able to control the body anymore, Moriko was thrown out of her hostess' body. She watched as her borrowed body fell forward and into the arms of another. Her eyes widened in dread as she recognized the face. `Oh, no! Not him!' Gathering whatever strength she had left, she reached out for the body, desperately trying to get control of it once more.

 

A bright pink barrier surrounded the couple, preventing Moriko from reaching her goal. She was thrown back with such force that Moriko herself didn't know what hit her. She sat up and helplessly watched as the man gathered the body in his arms and walked away. Her energy completely spent, she could no longer maintain her spiritual form. Moriko closed her eyes and disappeared without a trace.

 

xXxXx

xXxXx

 

A.N.

Aye! Mamamia! I've got so much going on in my life that I didn't even have time to complete this chapter. I started this damn chapter over two, yes TWO, months ago… oi…

 

Well here it is and since I've got some kind of inspiration back, hopefully the next update will NOT be in two months… Do review: that does help.

 

Until next time…. Thanks to all the readersand reviewers. Ja!

 

Btw, Moriko means forest child.