InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Simple and Clean ❯ Will of the Wind ( Chapter 25 )

Okay, I am sooooo sorry about not updating! I hope you guys don't kill me!! I've been pretty swamped lately, since I have a few big projects to finish which include school work, preparing (and finishing) for all those stupid state standardized tests and also getting ready to put on the school musical…>_< bleh. It's a wonder I even got time to write! Thank you for all of the positive comments, please keep them up, I really appreciate it!!

Recap:

How long the two of them stayed that way, wrapped in each other's arms, neither could say, but when Kagome finally had the courage to tear herself away, remembering how worried her companions would be that she was missing, it was with regret that she could not stay longer. With a final soft kiss goodbye, she disappeared back into the trees, leaving Inuyasha wondering if the entire day had just been a very sweet dream.

Chapter 25

Will of the Wind

 

Kagome sprinted back across the field in the direction of the village, hoping that Sango wouldn't strangle her because she had left so suddenly. They probably think I passed out again… Kagome grimaced at the thought of facing a very off Sango. She could already tell from the sounds of shouts from the village that they were definitely not very happy that she had run off without telling anyone.
But as she arrived in the village, she sensed something strange, a tingling that went up and down her spine and made the hairs on the back of her slender neck stand on end. There was something terribly wrong going on and she had a feeling it didn't have anything to do with her disappearance. Shielding her eyes from the mid-afternoon sun, she scanned around her for Sango, Kikyo, Rin or Miroku.

“Kagome!” A shout resonated over the many frightened voices, “Kagome, over here!” Sango, followed by Kikyo and Miroku, jogged over to her. Her face was white and strained, and her voice as she lowered it, cracked slightly. “Kagome, have you seen Rin?” A little annoyed by the fact that the others hadn't realized that she had been gone, Kagome shook her head. Puzzled, she furrowed her brow slightly, “Why?”

Sitting down on an upturned rice barrel, Sango sighed, exhaustion shadowing her face. “She disappeared after you went out for a walk-don't look at me like that, I know where you went-and we haven't seen her since.” Kagome looked away sheepishly, feeling childish.

“The young children in the village said that a beautiful woman with a maroon and white kimono and feathers in her hair came and led Rin away,” Kikyo added softly. Kagome's frown deepened. “Rin was kidnapped? Why would someone do that?” the boards of the porch creaked in protest as Miroku sat down next to Sango. Kikyo opted to stand, but Kagome suddenly began to feel very tired. Overwhelmed, she herself sat, leaning her head on Sango's shoulder.

“The headman mentioned that over the past week or so since we arrived, other children have started to disappear just like Rin.” Kikyo bit her cheek slightly, a habit she had acquired while going to law school. She would usually use the pain to keep her awake and studying, and it became sort of a comfort gesture, like how a child sucks his or her thumb. For some strange reason, Kikyo had the feeling this whole thing had something to do with that man. Naraku. Shaking the disturbing thought from her head, she excused herself, and went in to boil water for tea. Maybe a little tea and rest will cure me of these outlandish ideas.

* * *

Kagura stroked the little girl's hair in a way that would appear to someone as affectionate. But there was no warmth in her smile, nor in her hands. She wondered, as she ran her hands through the soft tendrils, what Naraku had wanted with this specific girl. For that matter, why he had wanted Kagura to retrieve the little brat herself? I am no messenger, she thought as she lowered her delicate brow into a scowl, you may be my creator but I am not your servant.

“Um, Miss,” The little girl's hair was fluttering in the wind, seemingly unfazed by the fact that she was flying, supported by a large, plume-like feather. “Where are we going?” She asked, her voice riddled with awe and curiosity. Kagura smiled frostily at the girl, “You'll see when we get there little one, you'll see.” She held back her hand as she fought back the sudden urge to dig her long nails into the girl's scalp. You'll see what awaits you, foolish child.

* * *

The man, his long curling hair hanging in chunks across his obscured face, watched as Kagura soared over the forest, little girl safely held on her kimono-laden lap. A small smile that could have easily been a sneer curled his face slightly as he fiddled with a hazy, blood-red sphere. Closing his hand slightly, he watched with satisfaction as Kagura flinched momentarily, putting her free hand to her chest. That's right Kagura, come to me, come back to your heart.

* * *

As darkness fell over the forest, a peaceful feeling began to ooze through the trees. It made Inuyasha uncomfortable, and he fidgeted, realizing that the normal sounds of the forest had stopped. There were no crickets tonight, nor owls or scavenging animals in the underbrush. Everything was quiet; distilled.

He wandered through the trees, treading softly on the fallen leaves, wincing as they crunched beneath his feet. The sound seemed to magnify and echo through the empty silence. As he walked, he thought of Kagome, her soft features in a bright smile, causing his heart to beat a little faster. It had seemed so surreal, his shambled world falling slowly into place. There she was, at the center of that world, a lighted beacon in a world of shadows.

“I wouldn't do that if I were-” CRACK. Inuyasha felt a stinging pain in his forehead as he stumbled backwards, landing awkwardly on his backside. He squinted, putting a hand to his forehead to assess his injury. Looking around, wondering who had tried to warn him, his eyes fell on Kouga. The wolf demon was leaning lightly on a tree trunk, a smile that he was only halfheartedly trying to hide spread across his sordid features. Inuyasha scowled.

“Gee, thanks for the warning,” He said sarcastically, realizing how stupid he must have looked. Kouga put a hand to his forehead in mock salute, “Anytime, dog-boy.” Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha stood up, brushing off his haori. “Feh,” He spat, glaring at Kouga. They both stood like that for a long time, staring each other down until at last Inuyasha tired of it. With one last scoff, he stalked off.

“Have fun kissing trees!” Kouga yelled after him.

“Oh yeah,” He called, not bothering to turn around, “Kagome woke up. She wanted me to let you know, since she came to see me. I guess you weren't good enough for her to come visit personally, knowing how busy she is nowadays. Guess you'll see her around sometime…” Ah, he thought, revenge is sweet.

* * *

Kagura landed softly on the porch of a large mansion, her form casting a strange shadow on the rice paper walls. She led the girl inside a small room, telling her to wait there until she came back to retrieve her. Silently, she closed the door, not bothering to lock it; there was no need to worry that anyone could escape his clutches. Not even, she thought despondently, herself. With her job finished, she padded down the hallway to a larger room. Kneeling on the floor she whispered softly, “Naraku, I have another, what would you like me to do with her?”

The voice that emitted from the room was guttural and deep, and it sent shivers down the woman's spine, the hairs on her slender, porcelain neck stood on end. “I will take over from here, Kagura. Your task is complete.” Bowing her head so low that her nose almost touched the floor, she watched as the door slid open slightly. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to calm her beating heart, she kept her head down, waiting for Naraku's footsteps. Only, there were no footsteps. He was not going anywhere.

Lifting her head slowly, fighting down the terror forcing itself up her throat, she looked at him. His cold eyes stared back at her, boring holes inside her mind. He reached a hand out and she flinched as his fingers touched her cheek. “Are you scared of me Kagura?” He asked, amusement lacing his voice. Kagura swallowed as he squatted down, his face now level with hers. His grip tightened on her face, long fingernails digging into delicate skin. His face upturned in a cold grin. “Good girl.” Then he was gone.

Kagura collapsed in a heap as she heard his footsteps fade away into the night. She could taste the bile filling her mouth and smell the fear she was emitting in waves. A soft hand brushed her shoulder, and she winced, stiffening as small warm arms wrapped around one shoulder.

“Miss?” A tear ran down her cheek as the little girl tightened her grip. Damn you Naraku. Damn you.

* * *

I'm late again, this is too short of a chapter, and I don't deserve reviews, but If you enjoyed the chapter, please, feel free to make my horrendously depressing sucky-author day a whole lot better by reviewing. ^_^

Reviews:

Kittencutie: Yeah, I feel for you. There are a few characters in other series whom everyone else seem to love, and I, for some strange reason, hate…>_< awww….it makes me feel sad. ^_^ Thanks so much for the review!

 

Kouga_Lover_3056: ^_^ Yay! Thanks so much for the review, you're so nice!!

 

 

Brandtishot: *Huggle* awww, if it's any help, I still love you!! *gets clobbered soundly on the head* I thought so… Thanks for the review ^_^

 

VampyreMistress99: *Laughs evilly* You'll just have to wait and find out!!! I know, burning questions are such a pain, no? And, yes, I enjoy writing fluff as much as everybody enjoys reading it *sigh* if only real life relationships were so simply perfect…*considers writing parody of fluff scene that includes an anvil, rampaging rhinoceros and security cameras before rabid fans strangle her mercilessly until she swears she won't think to ruin a fluff scene ever again*

 

Inuluvher151: Hey, thanks for the review! Can't wait to hear more from you!