InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sleeping with the Enemy ❯ Hell hath no Fury ( Chapter 21 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter Nineteen:
Hell hath no fury...

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Sesshoumaru was deep in thought as he traveled through the sky. The image he'd seen in the mirror was nearly burned into his mind along with many questions. Had the image been a real one or something that Naraku's incarnate had conjured up, perhaps it was merely a desire of the dark lords. But what of the priestess? She, herself, had been quite nervous and almost frightened when he had questioned her about Naraku. What did a relationship between the two of them have to do with the missing Shikon jewel?

Suddenly a pulse from his Tenseiga caused him to slow and glance down at it. The sword's pulse was not the same as it had been when he used it to save Rin, though he recognized the pull of his sword. Moments later he saw exactly what he had suspected he would. Floating gently on the breeze where the eerily beautiful soul catchers that belonged to the undead priestess, Kikyo.

He had found the Tenseiga's reaction to the woman to be odd. It recognized her desire and will to live and wanted to grant her that. However, she was no longer meant for this world. She bared no soul of her own and the Tenseiga could not save her, no matter how desperately it wanted to.

Normally, Sesshoumaru wouldn't bother wasting his time with the priestess. But now, he wondered if speaking to her could offer him information. The soul in Kagome had belonged to the undead woman once; perhaps she could give him insight about the young girl.

He landed outside the priestess' barrier and waited patiently for her to finish with her soul collectors. The idea of surviving in such a way was appalling to the demon lord. He could already tell that she was aware of his presence, she held her bow tightly in her hand and she was deliberately keeping her back to him, most likely unaware exactly whom it was watching her, yet sensing the threat of a powerful demon.

"Why are you here, demon?" She asked without turning to face him, the chill in her voice unlike that of a most humans. He stood silently waiting until she turned to him to speak.

"I believe you know who I am," he replied simply. She watched him carefully, knowing exactly who he was and the danger he could present.

"You are InuYasha's brother," she said coldly. "Why are you here?"

Sesshoumaru remained motionless, knowing the priestess would not trust him enough to lower her barrier. Such a thing would be foolish, for she had to know that even someone as skilled as she, couldn't kill him. He could easily move faster than one of her arrows.

"I have come to find out why the priestess that possesses your soul would consort with the very person that ended your life." Kikyo stood silently for a moment letting the words sink in.

"What are you speaking of?" She asked, not fully trusting the word of a demon, especially InuYasha's half brother.

"The Shikon jewel is no longer in Naraku's possession," he began. "When I sought out my brother to learn why, the young priestess held Naraku's scent." He watched her seeing the doubt in her eyes and chose to continue. "I spoke to Naraku; it seems he desires my brother's companion."

Kikyo stood thinking over what she was hearing. It was unfathomable that her own reincarnation would associate with such a wicked demon, the very thought sent a bolt of anger through her. Kagome held her soul, the soul that she deserved to have. How could her own reincarnate work with the very demon that had caused her death? And were these desires mutual? That thought was enough to send the priestess moving towards the demon lord.

"Why would you tell me this?" She questioned suspiciously.

"I have my reasons," he replied flatly then turned and walked away. She had offered him no explanations and had no desire to remain in her presence any longer. He would simply need more time to learn of this serpent demon and figure out what needed to be done to stop him. The only thing he was certain of was that he would not allow a demon to become more powerful than him and threaten the lands that his father had reigned over.

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Miroku walked silently out to the tree where InuYasha was perched. He had yet to tell his friend about his cursed hand and knew it was best to do so sooner than later. The half demon was in an irritable mood, though it wasn't entirely a surprise. Often when Kagome went home, he stayed to himself and sulked.

“InuYasha,” he said, hoping the half demon would willingly come down from the tree.

“Whaddya want?” Asked InuYasha, not bothering to budge from his spot. The monk gave a sigh and looked up at his friend.

“I need to speak with you. My curse has... altered,” he began, and saw InuYasha looked down at him before leaping down from the tree branch.

“What do you mean, it's altered?” He asked suspiciously. The last thing they needed was Miroku's wind tunnel spreading more. That was the reason they sent him to Mushin in the first place.

“I'm not entirely certain,” Miroku began tentatively. “The void has grown smaller and less powerful. I don't know what to make of it.” The half demon watched him for a minute then smirked.

“Maybe that ol' man did somethin' right,” he said. He could tell that Miroku was bothered by the change in his curse and wasn't exactly good at offering comfort to people, so he did his best to make light of the situation and draw their attention from it.

“Perhaps, though I can't help wonder if Naraku is toying with me,” he said in a voice that told InuYasha that he had already accepted that as the truth.

“I thought you monks were supposed to be positive?” He replied. “Why would Naraku bother messin' with your wind tunnel? He's got his poisonous insects to take care of it.”

“Naraku enjoys tormenting any living creature, InuYasha, particularly those that have crossed him in the past,” he replied in his rational and soft spoken way. InuYasha nodded in silent agreement.

“I thought it would be best you find out now, rather than during a battle,” the monk said regretfully. As long as he still possessed the curse, he would at least like to be able to make use of it.

“We've gotten by without it before,” InuYasha scoffed, though he also knew that many times it had saved them as well. The monk smiled half heartedly at his friend.

“Your confidence is quite reassuring, InuYasha,” he said then looked back towards the village.

“I'll leave you to your thoughts,” he said and turned to head back to the village. He still intended to speak to Sango. She had been keeping a distance from him and it was troubling to say the least.

InuYasha watched him make his way back towards the village then leapt back into the tree. Everything around him was changing. He couldn't put his finger on what had begun the changes but they were there. Kagome was distant from him. Before she always offered him a smile and encouraging words, even when he pretended he didn't want them. Even her anger had changed. He hadn't been sat in weeks now, no matter what he said nor did, she wouldn't sit him. His eyes darkened with the realization that Kagome's change had come after Naraku had taken her.

`That bastard,' he thought to himself. What he'd done to Kagome seemed to have broken her spirit. Would she ever return to how she used to be? Then there was the jewel. How had Naraku lost it? What demon could have possibly found the dark lord and gotten it away? It had to be a serious threat if Sesshoumaru was showing concern over it.

Now there was Miroku's curse. What could that possibly mean for them? Was Naraku really toying with them, or had the demon that had taken the jewel done something that affected the curse?

Finally, he just leaned back and sighed. Thinking any more about the problems was going to drive him crazy. He would go to Kagome's era soon if she didn't return. Maybe if he tried a little harder to be understanding it would help bring back the old Kagome, the one he missed.

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Kagome stood silently in the well house, gazing at the well that would take her back to her friends. She had been home for two full days and given a lot of thought to everything that had happened over the last month. She knew it was wrong to hide it from the others, she had to tell them the truth and deal with the consequences

InuYasha would no doubt be hurt the most, Sango probably nearly as much as the half demon. She believed Miroku would initially be upset but would more than likely be the one that would come to her eventually and try to understand. For one, he was a monk. It was in his nature to be tolerant of human error and mistake, but he was also someone that more easily overlook such a betrayal, at least enough to be civil. Her hope was that after this, Miroku could help the others come to terms with what had happened. Though, she knew nothing would ever be the same between them again.

She gave a sad sigh then pulled her bag tightly to herself before descending into the magical well. There was nothing but silence when she reached the feudal era and realized that she hadn't given InuYasha a specific time for her return. He was no doubt brooding alone somewhere and would already be in a terrible mood when she returned to the village. She hadn't yet decided if that would make her confession more difficult or not.

She quickly tossed her bag over the side and lifted herself out, feeling the late afternoon sun warm her skin. She felt odd as though someone were watching her and let her eyes slide across the forest in front of her before turning to examine the scenery that was behind her.

Without any warning an excruciating pain shot through her shoulder. The force and white hot pain that was suddenly engulfing her took her breath away. Her left hand moved to her right shoulder where an arrow was now lodged, though it was no ordinary nor a sacred arrow. There didn't actually appear to be a physical wound, just some sort of energy coming from it. Unable to even touch it, she let her eyes move back up and there standing not more than twenty feet away was Kikyo.

"So it's true...you have allowed Naraku to corrupt you," she said coldly. Kagome felt herself losing all ability to move on her own, it was as though the arrow was paralyzing her.

"That arrow holds an enchantment," she continued. "It should never affect a priestess. A priestess should hold a pure soul; you have corrupted mine with the very demon that brought my death." The bitter look Kikyo was giving her terrified Kagome. She did her best to stay on her feet though realized it wouldn't last much longer. She attempted to speak, to offer some flimsy excuse, but she couldn't even find her voice.

The minutes passed like hours as Kikyo slowly made her way closer to the younger girl. Kagome's legs finally gave way and she dropped to her knees, still trying to get the arrow from her.

"This enchantment could easily end your life," Kikyo informed her. The undead woman couldn't decide if she would allow it to happen. She did wish for her own soul, but she also wanted to know how this girl could have put her trust into Naraku. How her very own reincarnation could allow herself to be used by him and she also wanted to know Naraku's reasoning. Her contemplations were ended when she heard a voice behind her.

"Kikyo..." The voice was deep and held a dangerous tone. She didn't need even need to turn to know who was standing behind her.

"Why are you here, Naraku?" She asked taking in the sight of him in his baboon pelt. Truly she loathed him. She frowned when he offered a confident chuckle and glanced in Kagome's direction.

"Surely you don't believe I would allow you to kill the only person capable of retrieving shards of the Shikon Jewel for me,” he said. Kikyo's eyes wandered to the girl as well, fully aware that she could see the shards. Had she been helping him gather the very jewel that she was bound to protect?

“Only a priestess can remove an enchantment arrow, you can do nothing to save her,” she stated coldly, knowing if it were to be removed only she could do so. Naraku's eyes narrowed slightly, realizing this as well, but said nothing to acknowledge it.

“You surprise me, Kikyo,” he said in a low voice, “risking your own soul in such a foolish way.”

The undead woman stared at the dark lord for a moment before looking back to the girl, who was now lying on the ground unable to move. She, herself, was unsure exactly what would happen to her soul if she allowed Kagome to die from the enchantment.

“The Shikon Jewel will never again be in your possession, Naraku,” she said firmly.

“We shall see, priestess,” He replied darkly. Kikyo turned and walked over to the younger girl that was now on the brink of unconsciousness and reached down for the arrow, which disappeared the instant she touched it.

“You shall live for now, but I will not allow you to further taint my soul,” she nearly whispered to Kagome then gracefully disappeared into the forest as though she had never been there.

Naraku stood motionless watching as Kikyo left then let his eyes rest on Kagome's unmoving form. He could easily leave her here and no doubt the half breed, InuYasha, would pick up her scent and come for her. The thought was tempting, he had shown enough weakness and certainly having her near would only bring more. Yet, seeing her lying on the ground brought back memories of finding her on the floor after having saved his life.

He removed the baboon mask and stood contemplating. Surely if he remained much longer, he would be forced to face InuYasha and in his current state, he would likely lose the battle. He glanced down at Kagome and then out to the forest once again considering the options. A soft whimper from the girl drew his attention back to her. The enchantment spell was slowly beginning to wear off, though he knew it would be quite some time before she could move on her own. Slowly he glanced around the calm forest. There were no signs of her comrades anywhere and his thoughts settled on Kikyo once more. He despised her and would not give her a chance to finish what she had begun.

He let his fur pelt slide off of his body then he stood over the young priestess, giving one last thought to what he would do. Finally, he picked her up, wrapping the soft pelt around her in the process. Leaving her was almost surly sentencing her to death. Even if Kikyo didn't return to use her enchantment again, she was aware of his relationship with Kagome and would no doubt make sure InuYasha was as well.

He felt her stir slightly and looked down to see her eyes flutter open in confusion. She seemed to focus on him briefly though she would soon be unconscious again.

“Naraku?” She whispered faintly.

“Yes,” he replied simply. She seemed to relax against him, which caused an odd feeling to overtake him. The idea that she seemed to feel safe with him was foreign, leaving him torn between the desire to have her fear him and a possessiveness that he didn't quite understand. Again, he wondered why someone such as her would put such trust in him.

Rather than linger on his conflict, he started back towards his castle. At the very least, he had to know what Kikyo intended to do and find a way to get the jewel back, something that the young priestess could assist him in, if she so chose.

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Author's Note: I took a little creative license with how the Tenseiga reacted to Kikyo. I know it's not “Canon” I just thought it would be interesting as she is “dead”. But before I get 50 reviews telling me I'm wrong about it, it IS fiction, something I added in to the story. Thanks everyone that's supporting me, I don't think it'll be long before the next chapters up.

Also, I'm not a Kikyo hater. I know a lot of people are, but I feel Kikyo's reaction is justified in this chapter and it's not my intent to make her the "bad guy" here.