InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sleeping with the Enemy ❯ Emotions ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter Fourteen:

Emotions

 

InuYasha sat silently on the branch of a tree watching Sango. Kirara was resting inside the hut Sango had shared with her family and the young demon slayer was now saying a prayer over the grave of her father. As he watched her, he realized he had never spent much time alone with her before. Probably because she was an exterminator and he, though only half; did hold demon blood. Not that he held her family's legacy against her. Most demons she and her family killed deserved their fates. He, himself, had done his fair share of demon killing, so who was he to judge?

 

He could smell the faint scent of tears and realized she must be crying.

 

'Feh, tears are for humans.' He scoffed and looked away. He then glanced back down at her. Sango wasn't a normal, weak human. She was every bit as strong as him, at least emotionally. Tears didn't come easy for her, not like they did for Kagome. And Sango had much more reason to shed them. He gave a heavy sigh and dropped to the ground and approached the girl.

 

"You wanna talk about somethin', Sango?" Almost out of pure instinct he braced himself before relaxing. Rarely did he use a gruff tone like that with Kagome and not meet the ground. Especially, when she was being emotional. The young girl dried her eyes, trying to hide her distress from him, still not turning to him.

 

"No, I'm fine, InuYasha. Just saying a prayer for my father."

 

The half demon's ear twitched a little at the catch in her voice.

 

"You know Sango, you don't always have to act like nothin's wrong. We know you got a lot of burdenin' you." InuYasha kept his demeanor aloof. It wasn't that he didn't care, he just didn't like showing that he cared. He had learned young that emotions only led to danger, especially for a half demon. Neither humans nor demons trusted or accepted him. He had to remain strong and as detached as possible to survive.

 

Sango looked up at him and sighed. She couldn't decide if she wanted to tell him how she was feeling or just yell at him for his hypocrisy, for he always tried to act as though nothing bothered him. Then she remembered how quickly he had moved to get them there. The smell of Kirara's blood had to have been bothering him the whole way. And once they were at the village, it had been InuYasha that bandaged the wounded demon, which surprised Sango.

 

"I'm fine, InuYasha. It's just that…" Again her eyes began to burn slightly from unshed tears. "I was scared I would lose Kirara. She's all that I have left."

 

The half demon continued watching her. He had never had a real family. His mother had died when he was very young and up until Kikyo came into his life he had no one.

 

'Is that really how she feels now? Alone?'

 

InuYasha looked out towards the hills. It really was a nice village. Or at least it had been. Coming back to it, must be very difficult for her now that it was only a shell of its former self. After a moment, he began to speak, though never looked back at her.

 

"You're not alone, Sango. None of us are alone as long as we stick together." The girl watched InuYasha as he spoke. He wouldn't look at her and she knew it was hard for him to show much emotion. She gave a slight smile and looked back down at the grave.

 

"Thank you, InuYasha."

 

"Feh,” was his only reply as he leapt back onto the tree branch.

 

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Naraku stood staring at Kagome as she slept. He needed time to decide upon a course of action. He held very little power now. Without his demons or the Shikon Jewel he knew he stood next to no chance, even in a simple battle. His beliefs had been founded when he gazed into Kanna's mirror. Kagura had been working with the demon, Hebiakui. She had fled, knowing that even in his weakened state, Naraku still held her heart and life in his control.

 

'You will suffer greatly for what you have done, Kagura. Before I take your life, you will know the meaning of pain.'

 

For now he could only wait for his body to grow stronger. Ending Kagura's life now, would be nearly impossible. She was a part of him after all. He would again be able to regenerate and restore his body, but it would take time. Then he would seek his revenge.

 

He pushed thoughts of Kagura aside and watched Kagome. She was breathing with much more ease now and he could tell her pain had lessened since he was last in the room. His memory was slightly clearer now and he vaguely remembered her speaking to him, before removing his clothing. Given her nature as a priestess, she had no doubt been looking for some injury on him.

 

'The foolish girl was trying to help me.' He thought as he watched her lick her parched lips and give a soft moan of discomfort. She was lucky the miasma hadn't ended her life.

 

Again he felt his emotions surfacing. Seeing her in pain did not set well with him, especially pain that was brought about in such a way. No being had ever done such a thing for him before. He picked up the small glass of water that Sachi had left for her to drink and sat beside Kagome. In his current state, he decided it was important she be nursed back to health. He now possessed only one jewel shard and for now he intended to keep it in the young male demon exterminator. So having the priestess alive and healthy was necessary.

 

He was beginning to notice things he had not before. The faint scent of sakura blossoms lingered on her. While he had held his demon blood, he had not notice such things. Her scent had merely been that of a fertile female. Now, it was more delicate and innocent. The dark Lord put his hand under her head and lifted it slightly before bringing the glass to her lips. She showed no sign of waking but eagerly took the water from him anyway. After she was finished he lowered her to the bed again and set the glass aside but didn't move.

 

There was something else about her that was tugging at him mind, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was. He then brushed the hair from her face and let his fingers caress her cheek softly. His actions were more out of interest than anything else. He had never touched another, including her, unless he intended them to be dead or for them to bring him pleasure.

 

'Such gestures are meaningless.' He convinced himself then pulled his hand away as though her skin had burned him. Quickly, he stood and walked towards the door.

 

'I will not allow myself to grow weak.' His actions left him angry with himself. Emotions were for weak human, not for him.

 

**********************

 

Miroku smiled kindly at the girl walking beside him. Kohana hadn't done much more than walk in silence and give him nervous glances occasionally. After nearly making it back to Mushin's Miroku turned to her.

 

"Is something troubling you?"

 

The girl looked at him for a minute then down at the ground as she walked.

"No, I was just taking heed of your friend's words." Miroku raised an eyebrow slightly.

 

"Exactly what friend do you speak of?"

 

"Hachi. He told me about you're…” there was a slight pause as she thought of a tactful way to tell him, “ways with women."

 

Miroku's eyes narrowed slightly. He would need to have a little discussion with Hachi once they returned. He was about to inquire about what she had heard, when the culprit came running towards the forest.

 

"Miroku!" The tanuki demon shouted as he ran and stumbled several times.

 

"What is it, Hachi?" The monk asked as his humble friend finally stood before him.

 

"Mushin sent me to check on you." He glanced pointedly at Kohana then back to Miroku.

 

"I assure you everything is just fine, Hachi. I thank you for your concern." Miroku replied in an even tone. The demon nodded and looked to Kohana.

 

“Will you be baring his children?” Miroku nearly twitched as the young girl turned red. For some reason he didn't want her to know of his ways. It was almost like she was family, a sister, and he had no desire for her to think poorly of him.

 

“I...um…I should get back. I have chores I need to do.” The poor girls face was still a crimson color as she stumbled for an excuse to leave. She smiled slightly at Miroku and turned to leave.

 

“Is something wrong, master?” Hachi questioned.

 

“No, Hachi, everything is fine.” He answered quickly, hoping that the demon would leave it at that, but of course he could never have such luck.

 

“I was sure she was the one. After asking hundreds of women, you would think at least one would-” The demon's words were quickly ended when the monk's staff met with his skull.

 

“Hachi! Perhaps you should find something to do with yourself.” The monk said, trying to give his friend a not so subtle hint.

 

Kohana slowed, now listening to the two of them, something that didn't go unnoticed by Miroku.

 

However, the tanuki demon still appeared clueless about the monk's distress and gave him a confused look.

 

“Have you not asked her yet?” The thought was nearly unbelievable to the gentle creature.

 

“HACHI!” Again Miroku rewarded the demon with a swift whack to the head, this one drawing a giggle from the girl that had turned to watch them.

 

“I didn't realize monks were so violent.”

 

Miroku gave a sigh then shook his head slightly.

 

“A monk only uses violence when ever other means of reason has failed.” He again glanced at Hachi, praying that he finally caught his meaning and would keep his mouth shut. Now the demon's mouth remained firmly closed as he had less than no desire to feel Miroku's staff again.

 

The monk then stepped towards Kohana and smiled. “We should get back. I have something I would like to discuss with Mushin before he retires for the night.”

 

The girl glanced at Hachi again, who still stood dumbfounded, then nodded and began walking along side her childhood friend.

 

 

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Kagura sat on the ground in front of Hebiakui. Her plan had failed. Naraku should have been dead and she should be free. But that priestess had done something to save him. Kagura had seen the young girl enter the room and chose to leave her. The miasma should have killed her. Even now, the demoness was unaware of the young girl's fate. However, she knew that Naraku had not been killed and her heart was still in his possession. When she realized Naraku was no longer in danger, she had fled the castle knowing he would kill her if she had stayed.

 

"You're task was simple, Kagura, yet you failed. Do you expect me to help you again?" She looked up at him almost bitterly. He had the jewel; of course he wouldn't help her now.

 

"I don't want your help."

 

The serpent gave her a malicious smile. "Things didn't quite work as you had planned, did they?"

 

The demoness merely glared at him.

 

"Perhaps another bargain can be struck. You know of many more shards of the Shikon Jewel. You said to me yourself that Naraku often sent you for them. You tell me the locations of these shards and I will destroy Naraku."

 

Kagura looked up again. She had less than no desire to continue to work with this demon. Something had gone wrong. Her own powers were fading. She still held some control over the wind but it was minimal.

 

Hebiakui watched her closely then took a step towards her.

 

"You are weakened. What could have caused such a thing?" Kagura looked away, refusing to speak. Whatever had saved Naraku had changed her and most likely him. She would need to find out what it was so that she could move on with her plan. She wouldn't stop until she was free.

 

"Very well, if you refuse to speak, you can simply leave. I'm sure Naraku will find you eventually and see that you are punished for your betrayal."

 

The demoness stood and looked at the serpent. "There was a priestess there. She went to him but I assumed his miasma would kill her. She must have done something."

 

Hebiakui's eyes narrowed. No priestess would be powerful enough to reverse the affect of his venom. There had to have been something else.

 

"Tell me, why was the priestess with your Lord? He did not seem the type to keep such company."

 

Kagura smirked. "She was a toy of his."

 

"I see," he said with a thoughtful look. "Until Naraku is dead and I have the rest of my jewel, you will take this." Kagura's eyes widened as he held out a shard of the jewel to her.

 

"This will restore some of your abilities so that you can help me retrieve my shards."

 

Kagura slowly reached out and took the shard. What choice did she have? She was nearly defenseless. If Naraku didn't kill her, there were certainly other demons that would try, if merely to gain revenge for something she had been ordered to do.

 

`The only way to gain my freedom from Naraku is to become indebted and enslaved to another demon.' She thought bitterly as she stared down at the pink shard. She didn't want this. She only wanted to be free, to be in control of her own life and fate.

 

“Very well,” She said and looked up at Hebiakui. “I know where we can get two shards.”

 

If this was her only means of getting her freedom, then so be it.