InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sleeping with the Enemy ❯ Missing ( Chapter 24 )

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I have some good news to report. I have Hodgkin's disease, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system. We caught it really early and Hodgkin's is the most curable form of cancer. It hadn't spread much and I've had my first two chemo treatments. I'm reacting well to my chemo so writing now and then shouldn't be a problem for me. I should be in complete remission within six months, so all is going well here and I was able to get another chapter done. Since I'm home a lot more, maybe updates will come more regularly now!

 

Thank you so much for the support and positive words, they mean a LOT to me. I know I'm not as personable with my reviewers as some writers are (I'm doing good to write the chapters, let alone replies to 20 or 30 reviewers) but I do appreciate the reviews and support from each and every one of you. Thank you.

 

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Chapter Twenty One:

Missing

 

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Kagome sighed to herself and mindlessly walked through the blossoming gardens. She'd always enjoyed being outside more than in, especially when she was troubled or needed to think. She'd dozed off the night before in the very same garden she was now strolling through; sitting next to what should be one of her greatest enemies. She woke to find herself back on the futon in the room she used with the soft baboon pelt keeping her warm. She'd wondered briefly if Naraku had moved her there himself or had ordered someone else to do it, and then realized that in his own way, the pelt was his way of showing some form of affection towards her. She didn't imagine he gave his belongs to others often and the simple gesture did manage to soften her heart a little. She also didn't believe he had many, if any, servants in his castle now. He simply didn't trust them.

 

Without warning her mind began mulling over the situation once again. She cared for her friends deeply and hated the idea of hurting any of them. Deep down she knew that there was a chance she could have been forgiven for her first encounter with Naraku. It might have taken time, but each of her friends knew Naraku's ways well. They would have believed he had seduced and used her; taken advantage of her innocence. But she knew she could never explain going back with him the second time, or saving his life. And there was no way she could possibly explain her feelings towards him. She didn't hate him and she was beginning to wonder if she could continue on the quest with them...a quest that was ultimately to kill Naraku.

 

“Is something troubling you, Kagome?” The sudden voice gave her a start and she turned to see Naraku standing behind her motionlessly. She gave a nervous laugh, waiting for her heart to slow to its normal rate again before replying.

 

“You shouldn't sneak up on people,” she informed him curtly, causing him to step closer and take on a dark smirk.

 

“And you should be more careful. An untrained priestess cannot afford to be caught off guard,” he replied. At another time she would have taken his words as a threat but now she could almost see amusement in his eyes.

 

“So did you just come out here to scare me then?” She asked, not entirely sure how to react to him at the moment.

 

“I came to tell you that I will not be returning you,” he said simply. She stood there for a moment, confused by his words.

 

“You mean...today?” She asked slowly.

 

“You will be remaining here,” he said, not offering more of an explanation.

 

“What do you mean, I'll be staying here? My friends are expecting me back! They're going to notice that I'm gone, you know,” she said sarcastically and put her hands on her hips. Naraku grinned to himself. It surprised him that he found her indignation and her anger intriguing. Even now he was easily stronger than her and despite that, she didn't hold back. Others that had been close to him either obeyed or died, yet she didn't show fear which was he found interesting.

 

“Kikyo will no doubt go to InuYasha, if she hasn't already. And if not her, then InuYasha's brother,” he said rationally. Kagome looked at him helplessly for a moment. It was true that her friends might already know and be waiting for Naraku to bring her back. Was he just protecting himself? Not willing to put him self into danger?

 

“But...I still have to go home...if I don't my family will think something bad has-” she stopped talking and stared at him incredulously. She could tell by the look he was giving her that he had no intention of taking her to the well either, maybe ever again.

 

“You can't just keep me here like a prisoner! I'm not just some-,” again she stopped and watched him, remembering vaguely something she'd heard him say to Kikyo when she had nearly been unconscious. “You expect me to find the Shikon jewel for you! That's why you're keeping me here!”

 

Naraku made no effort to speak, only fueling the fire that was in her now. He watched what seemed to be a hurt look cross her features before one of pure anger took over, causing her to move closer to him.

 

“I'm not just a shard detector! Not for InuYasha and not for you!” She said and pointed at him, emphasizing her words. Without thought he grabbed her hand and gave her a harsh look.

 

“Do not compare me to InuYasha again,” he said darkly. She felt her anger subsiding to a slight fear though she didn't believe he would hurt her.

 

“You told Kikyo you wouldn't let her kill me because I'm the only person that could get the shards for you,” she began in a more calm voice. Naraku stared at her intently for a moment then released her hand.

 

“I cannot afford to show weakness to my enemies,” he replied, knowing that in his vulnerable state, he couldn't let his emotions show to anyone that might bring him harm. Kagome stood silently for a moment, thinking over what he said, knowing that someone like him would never admit any other reason to an enemy.

 

“But-” she began only to be quickly interrupted.

 

“Have I asked for your assistance?” He asked.

 

“No,” she replied slowly, trying to decide if she could trust him or not. He slowly reached out and touched her neck then pulled her necklace from under her shirt, letting his fingers slowly move to the shards that were attached to it.

 

“They're no longer protected, yet I've left them in your possession,” he stated, proving his point. Kagome glanced down at them and realized if he had wanted to, he could have taken her shards. He still held a small amount of demon blood that would have been magnified greatly if he had, yet even now he made no attempt to take them from her.

 

“I'm...sorry,” she said softly.

 

“You're friends will not be forgiving once Kikyo has gone to them,” he said darkly. There was little doubt in his mind how they would react to such a betrayal.

 

“But my family...” she said, knowing that it was quickly becoming a pointless argument.

 

“InuYasha can travel to your era, can he not?” Kagome nodded hesitantly. Would InuYasha really become angry enough to harm her? She hoped not but then again, she couldn't be sure. He wasn't always good at controlling himself when emotions where involved. Naraku could see that she was accepting the situation and watched her go from livid to devastated.

 

“If you return, I cannot protect you,” he said then turned to leave her standing alone. Kagome watched him for a moment as he walked away then felt her anger subside completely. Parts of her still didn't trust everything he said, but he could easily send her back with an expendable demon and leave her to deal with her friend's wrath. Did he truly care if she was safe and protected?

 

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InuYasha moved swiftly out of the well and peeked out the door of the Higurashi shrine before quickly making his way to the house. He always hated the smell of Kagome's world when it first hit him and couldn't wait to get inside. It was early morning and he hoped to get to Kagome before she left for school. He might not be able to get her to come right back with him but he would at least talk to her.

 

He could smell food cooking and heard water running in the bathroom. At one time the sound would have been foreign to him, but now he simply ignored it and went towards the kitchen.

 

The only person in the room was Mrs. Higurashi, who had her back to him, standing at the sink. As if sensing him, she turned and gave a smile.

 

“Did Kagome forget something?” She asked pleasantly.

 

“Forget somethin'?” He gave her a blank look, unsure why she would ask him that. He watched as the woman began putting food into bowls then sitting them onto the table.

 

“Yes, she usually doesn't come back so soon unless she's forgotten something. We're lucky if she comes back two or three times a month now,” she said while working and then offered him another friendly smile. “Are you hungry?” InuYasha looked down at the food then back to Kagome's mother.

 

“No...I...came to see Kagome,” he said. Mrs. Higurashi stopped and looked at him oddly.

 

“What do you mean? She left just after school yesterday. She said she had to get back because she had some important things to do,” Kagome's mother said slowly, watching a look of worry pass over the half demon's face. “She's alright isn't she?” InuYasha sensed the panic in her voice and nodded quickly.

 

“Kagome's fine. She took off early this morning because she forgot Shippo's pocky. Lil' runt would never stop complainin' if she didn't come get it. I was just came to hurry her up...we've got stuff to get done,” he said. He didn't normally lie, but he couldn't stand the thought of upsetting her mother at the moment. Kagome was probably fine, most likely at the village with the others. He had been avoiding most of them and had slept in the field not far from the well, so it was possible he had simply missed her when she came back. Mrs. Higurashi smiled and nodded, obviously relieved by the words.

 

“Well, you're still welcome to stay for breakfast, there's plenty to eat,” she said pleasantly.

 

“Uh...thanks but I'm gonna go get Kagome so we can get going. The others are waiting at the well for us,” he replied then shifted nervously before turning towards the door.

 

“InuYasha...” He turned when he heard his name and looked at her mother once more. “Take care of her. I worry when she's not here.”

 

“You don't have to worry `bout Kagome, I won't let anything happen to her,” he said with assurance then walked out the door and wasting no time getting back out to the well. Once in his own time he moved swiftly towards the village, growing more nervous by the moment. Her scent was strong near the well but it weakened the closer he grew to the village. Finding Miroku wasn't a feat, he was meditating silently in the field outside the village.

 

“Where's Kagome?!” The monk was startled out of his meditation by the sudden loud voice.

 

“What do you mean? She left days ago, InuYasha, she's in her own era,” Miroku said noting the frantic look in his friend's eyes.

 

“She's not here?” InuYasha asked impatiently.

 

“I've been meditating all morning, perhaps she's with Kaede if she's returned,” he replied cautiously, knowing something wasn't right by the worried look his friend held. InuYasha began sniffing the air again, noting that Kagome's scent was weak, as though she hadn't been near the village for days.

 

“I went to Kagome's era; her mom said she came back yesterday afternoon. She should be here,” Miroku quickly got to his feet, now feeling some of his friends panic.

 

“Then let's get Sango and find her.” Both quickly took off into the village, stopping at Kaede's hut. The old woman had several village girls helping her with chores, including Kohana who was taking quite well to her new life in the small village.

 

“Is Kagome here?” Miroku asked. Kaede turned to him, quickly noticing the direness of that question.

 

“I haven't seen Kagome in days, is she not in her own time?” InuYasha's patience finally broke. Rather than answer the woman, he turned to Miroku.

 

“Go get Sango and Kirara and come to the well. I'm going out to see if I can pick up her scent and see if I can tell who else was there.” Miroku nodded and headed off to get Sango who was still spending her time nursing Kirara while InuYasha rushed back into the forest without any further explanations. As soon as the well came into view he was hit with a familiar scent but it wasn't Kagome's.

 

“I've been waiting for you to return, InuYasha.” He stopped and stared for a moment then slowly moved closer to the well.

 

“Kikyo...what are you doing here?”

 

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Sesshoumaru slowed, feeling him self become disgusted by the coppery scent of human blood. He was returning to the Western lands, he had no intention to leave Rin and Jaken unattended for long with such a deadly demon destroying his and the surrounding lands. It took only a moment for him to find a small village. Normally, he paid no mind to the deaths of humans. It wasn't uncommon to find such a sight, for demons often did these sorts of things. But now he lowered to the ground and looked over the carnage. This was not done by a normal demon. It didn't seem as if the humans had even realized they were under attack, for none seemed to have made and attempt to run or hide.

 

The scent of a serpent hung in the air, along with the potent scent of venom. It was no mistake; this was the work of the demon that had taken the Shikon Jewel from Naraku. It was then he noticed the small shrine sitting at the end of the village.

 

“This village protected a shard of the jewel,” he said to himself then narrowed his eyes. He knew many of the remaining jewel shards were in the hands of humans or weak demons and would be quick work for such a demon. He stood there momentarily then began walking away from before returning to the sky. First, he had to get back to Rin and Jaken and see that they were safe. Then he would need to learn more about this demon. Such a being could not be allowed to gain the jewel and the power that would come with it and few would be strong enough to stop him.

 

Briefly his thoughts went to his father and his bravery. This was no doubt something he would have fought for, even if it meant death. Then for reasons he didn't understand, InuYasha crossed his mind. He had fought endless battles and neared death to regain this jewel while Sesshoumaru, himself, did nothing. The realization that his half demon brother possessed more of his father than he seemed to left him at odds with himself. How could someone with human blood hold that kind of honor and bravery? He shook the thoughts from his mind and continued on. For now he needed to think of what belonged to him, and then he would worry about the demon.

 

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A/N: The next chapter is in progress...it will have Kagome/Naraku fluff and a possible lemon/lime, just depends how the stuff works out. The update shouldn't take me too long.