InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sleeping with the Enemy ❯ Blackmail ( Chapter 30 )

Chapter Twenty Seven:

Blackmail

 

 

“You fool,” Kagura said and stepped closer to Kagome, doing her best to avoid Kouga's gaze. The priestess took in a breath, bracing for what was about to be said but Kagura smirked ever so slightly as she faced the girl. “I practically handed Naraku to you and you failed.”

 

“What are you talkin' about?” Kouga growled. InuYasha, too, was now listening intently, confused about what was going on. Kagura turned and offered the wolf a harsh look.

 

“I came to Kagome with an—offer,” she nearly purred. “I arranged for a demon to poison Naraku and Kagome was to take the Shikon Jewel from him.” The school girl stood dumbfounded at what was being said.

 

“Why would you give up the Shikon Jewel?” InuYasha asked skeptically. Things were getting far too complicated and he had no idea who he could and couldn't trust.

 

“Foolish half breed,” she spat at him. “I have no desire for the Shikon Jewel, I want my heart. Without the tainted jewel, there is no way Naraku could have survived Hebiakui's attack.”

 

“He—doesn't have the jewel,” Kagome said softly. How could she deny having made this pact with Kagura without admitting that she had willingly gone to Naraku for any other reason?

 

“I am aware,” Kagura nodded. “Hebiakui wanted it for himself and stole the jewel after he was finished with Naraku.” The monk, who had been listening in, was now watching Kagome and Kagura suspiciously. This was hardly the story Naraku's incarnation had told him before.

 

“Kagura, are you saying that Kagome was there to take the Shikon Jewel and purify it?” He asked. The demoness stared at the school girl for a moment, almost daring her to say otherwise and then smiled.

 

“I had believed that, with her assistance, I could gain possession of my freedom,” she replied. “In exchange for her help, I agreed to help her free the boy and allow her to take Naraku's jewel shards. Unfortunately, Hebiakui took the jewel for himself.”

 

“Kagome,” Miroku said suddenly. “What happened to Naraku? Why has my curse diminished? Why is Kagura no longer a demon?” The girl looked back to her friend and then shook her head.

 

“I don't know,” she began. “I went to him after he had been—poisoned and I purified him. Well, at least part of him. I guess it killed all of the demon's that had been poisoned and left him mostly human.” Kagura's eyes narrowed at the words.

 

'So that is why I have lost my demon blood,' she mused.

 

“Why did you lie to me?” Kouga asked Kagura dangerously.

 

“If I had told you that I was the one that put her into danger, you would have killed me,” she replied.

 

“I thought that's what you wanted?” He retorted, which caused her to smirk at him.

 

“It was...” she replied coyly. “Until I realized that I could manipulate you into giving me my freedom.”

 

“Naraku ain't dead yet,” he reminded her with a low growl. The words perked InuYasha's realization.

 

“So this means Naraku's weak now?” He suddenly asked as his hand flexed the hilt of his Tetsusaiga. Kagome recognized the tone all too well. InuYasha wanted to find Naraku now and kill him. The thought made her heart begin pounding, despite her best efforts to show no emotions.

 

“He left his castle,” she said. She was at least hoping that it was true, he had said he would be leaving.

 

“If this Hebiakui was powerful enough to take down Naraku, our first task must be finding him,” Miroku said wisely. “Thoughts of revenge must wait, InuYasha.” The half demon grunted and then reluctantly agreed. If Naraku was in that bad of shape, he wouldn't be hard to hunt down and destroy later. Kagome felt a soft sigh of relief escape her lips when everyone agreed that, at present, Naraku wasn't enough of a threat to pursue. The gesture had not gone unnoticed by Kagura and another smirk found it's way onto her face. Perhaps, there was still a chance that she could gain her freedom.

 

*

 

“How is he doing?” Miroku asked quietly as he entered the small room and gazed at the sleeping boy on the small mat. The group had finally decided that there was nothing more to gain by arguing over the dangerous nature of Kagura's plan and how foolish it had been for Kagome to go along with it.

 

InuYasha had readily accepted the story, wanting desperately to believe that Kagome's reaction to Kikyo's arrow had been due to her deception, which stupid as it had been, had been out of good intention. She had believed she could not only retrieve Kohaku but the Shikon Jewel and end Naraku's life all at the same time.

 

“He's exhausted,” Sango answered and then sighed. They had found a village and, as always, the finest inn had just happened to have ominous clouds hanging over head. After a quick exorcism, Miroku had managed to get them all good food and a place to sleep for the night.

 

“Be thankful that he's safe, Sango,” the monk said in a soothing voice. She nodded in agreement and then looked at him questioningly.

 

“Is something the matter, Sango?” He asked.

 

“I'm just wary,” she began hesitantly. “It's not like Naraku to release something from his control so easily.”

 

“If Kagura is speaking the truth then it seems that Naraku is much weaker than he has ever been before,” he answered. “Which would explain many things.” She nodded in agreement but still had a troubled looked etched on her face. The monk moved into the room and seated himself near the wall and watched as the demon slayer seemed to be trying to figure something out.

 

“Sango?” He prodded gently. She looked at him again and then away. She hated the idea that she didn't fully trust Kagome, they had been friends for a very long time. However, any time that Naraku was involved, there was no guarantee that someone wasn't being manipulated.

 

“Miroku,” she said cautiously. “According to Kouga; Kagura has been with him for quite some time. Before Kagome's encounter with Kikyo.” The words brought a dark shadow to Miroku's face as well. If Kagura was speaking the truth, then why had Naraku taken Kagome back with him after Kikyo's attack? And how had Kagome managed to get Kohaku away, unharmed, without Kagura's assistance? For that matter, why had Naraku allowed Kagome to leave him with the jewel shards still in her possession if he were truly in such a vulnerable state? Suddenly, the monk began to wonder which of Kagura's stories held more truth.

 

*

 

“InuYasha?” Kagome spoke the word quietly as she walked slowly past the outskirts of the village and found him pacing silently, apparently deep in his own thoughts.

 

“That was really stupid, you know?” He chastised as he turned to look at her. “Naraku could have killed you.”

 

“I'm sorry, InuYasha,” she said simply. She still had no idea how to talk her way out of the lies that Kagura had spun.

 

“What were you thinking?” He rattled on as if she hadn't spoken. “You know how dangerous he is. Even I haven't been able to kill Naraku.” Kagome remained silent. She knew InuYasha almost as well as she knew herself. His words and complaints where his way of saying that he had been worried about her. The realization only made her feel worse about deceiving him.

 

“If it hadn't been for Kikyo, I wouldn't have even known where you were,” he pointed out. The words cut through her like a knife.

 

“Kikyo? Kikyo?” She said, her voice raising slightly as her anger built up inside her. “Kikyo tried to kill me! She shot me with an arrow! If it hadn't been for Naraku I'd be dead right now!” The words escaped her lips before she could stop herself. There had been an enormous amount of emotion behind them. Naraku had saved her from Kikyo, while InuYasha defended the un-dead priestess; even after she had nearly been killed by her.

 

InuYasha stood in stunned silence. Had Kagome just sounded grateful to Naraku?

 

“Maybe I should just take you back then?” He asked sarcastically when his thoughts finally recollected themselves. Kagome blinked back the tears that were beginning to sting her eyes but before she could reply, he gave an annoyed grunt and took off. The last thing he wanted to do was argue with Kagome the same night she finally returned safely. But most of all, the idea of her defending Naraku, in any sense, hurt. But, perhaps, what hurt the most is that Naraku had been there to save her from Kikyo and InuYasha hadn't. He had failed her. Not only had she been vulnerable to Naraku killing her, but it was possible that Kikyo might have done the job, herself, if the dark demon hadn't shown up.

 

'I will not owe a debt to him,' InuYasha vowed. 'Even if he did save Kagome, it doesn't changed the fact that he killed Kikyo.'

 

*

 

“Is something the matter?” Kagura's voice caught up to Kagome mere moments after InuYasha had gone. The school girl turned to see the now human woman walking up to her with a self-serving smirk on her face. “Why did Naraku give you the boy?” She questioned when the girl didn't answer her.

 

“He said he didn't have use for him anymore,” she replied honestly. Kagura gave Kagome a knowing look and stepped closer to her.

 

“You don't need to lie to me, Kagome. I was there. Or have you forgotten?” Kagome winced at the words and then looked away. “I saw how terrified you looked today when InuYasha wanted to kill Naraku,” she continued mercilessly. “You have the boy and you still have your shards as well—”

 

“What do you want, Kagura?” Kagome interrupted. There was no doubt in her mind that Kagura saw something to gain from her, or she wouldn't have hesitated to tell everyone what had gone on between her and Naraku. Suddenly the demoness scrutinized the girl closely.

 

“You're in love with him,” she said, almost not believing the words that she spoke. “Foolish girl. Naraku is not capable of love.” The words were almost unbelievable to Kagome's mind as well. In love with Naraku? Was it even possible to love someone like Naraku? He was dark and evil, wasn't he? And yet, she remembered him holding her while she had been wrapped in his fur, keeping her safe from Kikyo. She recalled waking up beside him, grateful that he hadn't left her during the night. Their many walks in the garden and the way he listened to her feelings towards Kikyo and on occasion spoke openly to her about his own darkest feelings and emotions. She always had a feeling that he wanted more but fought to keep himself aloof and detached, thought it was the only thing he had ever known.

 

Silence fell between the two of them momentarily, both taking in the reality of what had just been said. Finally, Kagura shook her head slowly, as if denying something completely inconceivable.

 

“I never believed I would live to see the mighty Naraku fall victim to a petty emotions,” she said. “How pathetic.”

 

“He's not pathetic,” Kagome responded quickly. She felt the sudden urge to defend him, particularly to the person that had sent Hebiakui to kill him and left him in his vulnerable state. Kagura's eyebrows lifted slightly at the venom behind Kagome's words and another smile slid across her features.

 

“You are in love with him,” she repeated, this time realizing that there was truth to the words. Kagome felt heat rise to her face and she attempted to speak, to deny what Kagura was saying, but found no words coming out. “And,” she continued, “you are not only alive, but have the young demon slayer and jewel shards with you. It is not like Naraku to show such mercy.”

 

“Why did you lie to InuYasha?” Kagome finally asked. Kagura's coyness was beginning to get on her nerves. It was obvious that the conversation was eventually going to lead to some sort of request or demand from the former wind demoness, so there was no sense in dragging out the formalities.

 

“Naraku has never shown any feelings but hate and contempt,” Kagura replied. “He shows neither to you. Even before Hebiakui attacked him you were a weakness.” Kagome stood silently taking in what she was hearing. Was it true? Was there a possibility of real emotions in him? If he were scheming, it certainly made no sense to allow her to leave with Kohaku and the Shikon Jewel.

 

“I want my freedom and you will see that I receive it,” Kagura continued.

 

“Or what? You'll tell InuYasha the truth?” Kagome retorted. “You might be able to blackmail most people but not this girl. I'll just tell him myself.” As much as it would hurt InuYasha, Kagome wasn't sure how long she could continue to lie to him and the others. Even if it meant she had to go home and never again return to the Feudal era, she knew that she couldn't keep up lying indefinitely, especially if it meant that she would have Kagura trying to blackmail and manipulate her. Kagura gave a haughty laugh and shook her head as if she were humoring the younger girl.

 

“I have no reason to tell InuYasha anything regarding you,” she said. “Naraku has already killed the only woman that InuYasha has ever loved. I simply have to tell him where to find Naraku and perhaps mention that he had unpleasant plans for the undead priestess. I'm sure in Naraku's current state he would be no match for InuYasha, especially if he were worried about Kikyo's safety.”

 

Kagome stood there staring at her, almost in tears. Everything Kagura had said was true. InuYasha did love Kikyo and if he believed that Naraku would harm her, he would no doubt go to find them. In Naraku's current state, there was no chance he could defend himself from the half demon. If she didn't cooperate, Kagura would see that InuYasha was made angry enough that he would hunt Naraku down and kill him.

 

“What do you want me to do?” Kagome asked in a defeated voice.

 

“Simply convince Naraku to return my heart to me,” Kagura replied. “If you don't, then you can watch him die.” Again Kagura paused and then smiled maliciously.

 

“It's rather hard isn't it? You could easily lead your comrades to him and allow them to take revenge, end their suffering; avenge their loved ones and end the monk's curse. And yet, you allow your own heart to stand in the way. And for what? A monster that could never love another being?” Kagura shook her head again and then turned to walk back towards the village.

 

“You're as pathetic as he is,” she said as she walked away. Kagome stood staring at her retreating form and then started sobbing silently. Never in her life had she been so confused. She had begun to accept that InuYasha loved Kikyo and she couldn't hate him for it. Kikyo's death had been tragic and their love had been denied. But now she was stopping her best friends from having closure and ending their pain because of her own feelings for someone that she shouldn't even like. But no matter how she tried to rationalize it, she couldn't bring herself to hate Naraku and as wrong as it might be, she didn't want him to die.

 

*

 

Hebiakui stood smiling maliciously at the bloody scene that lay before him.

 

A village of mere humans had thought that they could defeat him. Granted, for humans they had been quite skilled fighters. The village was full of senshi, warriors, that were well trained with weaponry and other useful skills. Several senshi, including members from the well known Yoshida and Inoue clans, had joined in the search for the Shikon Jewel. It was quite an impressive goal for mere humans, to be sure. The idea that they would collect the jewel and see it destroyed in order to protect humanity from blood thirsty demons was laughable.

 

Hebiakui had gained enough of the jewel that even the most deadly of demons were little to no trouble for him, let alone humans. But he did have to admit that he very much enjoyed the fight. He would toy with the warriors, allow them to fight until they were near exhaustion, believing that they stood at least a small chance of defeating him, then he would mercilessly kill them. Their deaths had all been slow and excruciating. Of course, he had the ability to kill such lowly creatures instantly. But where is the fun in that? Instead, he would let them wither away from his venom which was toxic, but in small enough doses, could stay in a body for hours, slowly eating away anything that lay in it's path.

 

The senshi had been protecting over half a dozen shards of the Shikon Jewel, which fit quite nicely with his own collection. Even though there was a small amount of slivers missing, the Shikon was a deliciously beautiful sight to behold, and the power it was already bestowing up on him was unmatched.

 

Without further thought to the lives he had just taken, Hebiakui turned and smirked to himself. There were only a few shards of the jewel left and thanks to Kagura's naivety, she had not only led him to the wolf that had two of the shards, but straight to every shard that was not yet in his possession, something that he intended to remedy quite soon.

 

*

 

“Leave me, Kanna,” Naraku said darkly. The fair child nodded and slowly turned and exited the room that her master was sitting in. The dark lord's eyes gazed out across the moonlit lands from his place near the window.

 

'How dare you defy me, Kagura, and then believe that I will simply allow you to take your heart?' Naraku's eyes narrowed as he replayed the entire conversation he had just witnessed. He had been watching Kagome ever since she had left his castle. He had been unsure if she would allow InuYasha and her other comrades to believe the lie he had concocted and was also well aware the he would need to be one step ahead of the group should they choose to come looking for him, regardless of Kagome's alibi.

 

'I should have suspected you would stoop to such levels,' he mused. The fact that Kagura had decided to manipulate to get her way did not surprise him. However, her conversation with the priestess had left him almost stunned at times. Kagome had not only defended his honor to Kagura, she had brazenly revealed her gratitude towards him to InuYasha.

 

“Kagura is correct,” he said to himself. “Kagome is foolish.” The priestess had not denied being in love with him, something that he had not at all anticipated. He had actually found his chest tightening when the words were uttered by Kagura. He had expected a vehement denial from the young priestess. After all, how could any being feel such an emotion for someone such as him? It was inconceivable. When it had not come, he had been even more surprised by the warm relief that had washed over him. He didn't want weakness, yet he found that he didn't want her denying him.

 

What infuriated him the most, however, was the fact that while it had been Kagome that was given an ultimatum, it was Naraku that was being blackmailed. Either he returned Kagura's heart and freedom to her or he had to leave Kagome at her mercy and, no doubt, eventually the mercy of her comrades. Under normal circumstances there would be no question about his course of action. However, he begrudgingly admitted to himself that Kagura had not been wrong. Kagome was a weakness. He could not kill her nor take her shards from her; and he would not stand by and allow his incarnate nor the half breed, InuYasha, to harm her.

 

“Foolish girl. Naraku is not capable of love.” And then again, he pondered, perhaps Kagura had not been completely correct about everything.

 

*

 

A/N: Wow! Two chapters in a week! I'm on a roll. lol There will be a lot more action in upcoming chapters, I just needed a bit of this stuff to happen to start tying up some loose ends and such. Thanks again for reading! And sorry for the lack of "InuYasha" in this chapter. I just couldn't find a good place to fit in more of him and his thoughts, so I'll focus on him more in the next chapter when I start it. I'm also not trying to overplay the "InuYasha/Kikyo" stuff. I don't want the "Kagome runs off because she feels betrayed" scenario. I'm just trying to keep with his protectiveness of Kikyo that he has in the anime (I haven't read the manga) and his knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. lol