InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sleeping with the Enemy ❯ Dignity or Freedom ( Chapter 34 )

Chapter Thirty One:
Dignity or Freedom

 

*

 

 

“Do you think they'll ever learn to work together?” Sango questioned without any real hope in her voice. She and Miroku were both sitting in the grass watching InuYasha and Sesshoumaru attempt to gain full use of their swords. InuYasha, as was to be expected, had been grumbling and complaining almost the entire day. Every time he lifted his sword, Sesshoumaru would begin to gain control over it, however, this only seemed to infuriate the half demon and he made no progress in gaining any control over the Tenseiga. In fact, the more frustrated he became, the less control he had over his own sword.

 

“I fear that there is simply too much animosity between the two of them for this to work,” Miroku admitted.

 

“But Sesshoumaru is able to use the Tetsusaiga,” she pointed out.

 

“Even though Sesshoumaru is full demon and not our ally, he is much more level headed than InuYasha,” Miroku said.

 

“Level headed has nothing to do with it.” Both Sango and Miroku turned to see Totosai standing behind them watching the brothers.

 

“Tell me, Master Totosai,” Miroku began. “Why is it that neither brother has been told about this before?” Totosai sighed and sat down beside Sango. For a moment he watched as InuYasha again lost his temper and sheathed his sword.

 

“Their father knew that both of his pups needed to grow separately before they could learn to work together,” he explained. “If they couldn't use their own swords, they would certainly never gain power over the others.”

 

“How did Sesshoumaru learn to use the Tetsusaiga?” Sango asked.

 

“In order for Sesshoumaru to use his own sword, he had to find humanity within himself. In order for him to be able to use his brother's, he needed to find something admirable in InuYasha.” Both Miroku and Sango looked back to the demon lord questioningly.

 

“InuYasha was given his sword to protect him from Sesshoumaru and other demons that would kill him because of his human half. But for him to truly walk in his father's footsteps, he has to accept both the human and demon half of himself. Once he does, he will accept his brother,” Totosai said then sighed. “Hopefully...”

 

*

 

“Heh,” InuYasha scoffed as he unsheathed his sword again. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't have any effect over the Tenseiga. Though he had no real idea what he was supposed to do with a sword that brought people back from the dead in the first place. It wasn't as if there were any dead people lying around for him to revive.

 

Sesshoumaru stood motionlessly as he watched his brother, once again, plotting some form of an attack. Rather than beginning to overpower InuYasha's control of the sword, he waited for him to make a move toward him. Finally InuYasha grinned and charged toward his older brother at a reckless speed.

 

“Let's see if I can lop your other arm off,” he taunted. He lifted the Tetsusaiga once he was almost within striking range of Sesshoumaru; however, just as he prepared to strike, his brother swiftly pulled the Tenseiga and thrust it into the ground. There was a brilliant flash of white light and InuYasha ricocheted off of a barrier that seemed to be radiating from the Tenseiga itself. The half demon landed nearly twenty feet away with a loud thud, followed by his sword which had transformed back to it's original state.

 

“What the hell...?”

 

Sesshoumaru slowly made his way to InuYasha's side and stood watching him.

 

“Perhaps you've learned your lesson,” he said in a calm voice. The half demon quickly stood and picked up his sword.

 

“What lesson is that?” He asked sarcastically.

 

“That if you refuse to seek out the Tenseiga's powers, I will be more than happy to introduce you to them.” InuYasha glared at his brother then held out his sword so that it could transform again.

 

“This may take longer than I expected,” Totosai sighed as he watched InuYasha take his place once again.

 

*

 

Miroku tentatively stood outside the hut where Sango, Kagome and Kohana slept. Evening was beginning to descend on the village and watching InuYasha and Sesshoumaru had grown tiresome. Sango had returned to the hut moments earlier. Shippo, Kohaku and Kirara were still out in the grassy field playing a game, while Kagome watched over them. He had to assume that Sango was alone though he felt an odd sense of nervousness at the thought.

 

"Miroku." The monk turned to find Kohana smiling at him.

 

"Kohana," he said in surprise. "How have things been for you here?"

 

"I enjoy it here," she replied. "Lady Kaede is very kind." The young girl looked at the small hut he was standing near and then looked back to him. "How is your hand?"

 

"It's—fine," he said cautiously. "At least it appears to be for now." There was an awkward silence for a moment before she stepped closer to him.

 

"I do have a favor to ask of you," she began.

 

"Anything," he said, curious what she wanted. She was a very selfless person and rarely asked anyone for anything.

 

"I would like to visit Mushin again. Once everyone has safely returned from this battle, of course." Miroku smiled at the request. Truthfully, he wouldn't mind stopping to visit Mushin again himself and get his opinion on his cursed hand.

 

"Of course," he said. "I'm certain he misses you already."

 

Kohana nodded in agreement. "He missed you a great deal too. Whenever he spoke of you, it was with great pride." The words left Miroku feeling guilty. He rarely found time to visit Mushin unless he needed his help. He silently vowed to spend more time with the older man once the Shikon jewel was away from the demon that now possessed it. "I should go. I promised Kagome that I would help her." Miroku nodded then watched as his childhood friend headed out to the field with Kagome and the children.

 

Sango quickly moved away from the thin wall and made herself appear busy. She had heard both Miroku and Kohana's voices and couldn't help but wonder what they talked about while they were alone.

"Sango?" His voice entered the hut as she began to fiddle mindlessly with her hiraikotsu.

"Yes?"

Miroku slid inside quietly and watched as she sat cleaning her weapon. For a moment he said nothing, not entirely sure to speak to her without upsetting her. Finally, he seated himself on the floor near the wall. She looked over at him, wondering what it was that he wanted.

 

"Sango," he began. "I fear that this demon will be far stronger than any we have ever fought before."

 

"I'm sure it is," she agreed. "It has nearly the entire jewel." Miroku nodded and remained silent for a moment while he watched her continue to work with her weapon.

 

"Sango," he said and stopped. He almost feared that she would be angry with what he was about to say. She finally tore her eyes away from her hiraikotsu and looked to him.

 

"What is it, Miroku?"

 

"Now that we have Sesshoumaru and Kouga with us, I believe it would be best for you to remain here when we go in search of Hebiakui."

"You want me to stay here?" She asked incredulously. She was a demon exterminator. Asking her to remain behind like a helpless woman while the others fought to gain back the Shikon jewel was an insult to her and her family. She could tell that Miroku knew this so she wondered what had led him to ask that of her. "You know I can't do that."

 

"Kohaku isn't ready for battle," he pointed out. "After everything Naraku put him through, he needs you, Sango. Sometimes sacrificing ones honor isn't really a sacrifice at all." She stared at him as she took in his words. They held much truth. She was the only person left for Kohaku to turn to. He had dealt with more heartbreak than any person should ever have to, and he was still just a child. Miroku could see that she was relenting slightly so he stood and offered her a serious look.

 

"I do have more selfish reasons," he admitted. She looked at him questioningly so he smiled. "Now that Naraku won't be a challenge, I intend to end my curse and make you my wife." Sango's eyes widened as a blush settled into her cheeks. He seemed completely serious rather than lecherous as he often did. "...if you'll have me of course." She stood and stared at him, completely speechless and still blushing terribly.

 

"I—don't—I mean, I will," she stumbled over her words causing him to smile. "Is that truly what you want, Miroku?" As deeply as she cared for him, she knew that she could never agree to be his wife if he intended to continue his womanizing ways. It was something she knew she would be unable to deal with. He slowly walked over and stood staring down at her.

 

"Until recently, I've never truly believed that I would live a long life," he said. "Now that I know my curse has diminished and Naraku is no longer a threat, I can actually plan a life with a real future. I don't want to risk losing you now." Sango stared up at him trying to ignore the tears that were stinging her eyes as he spoke.

 

"I would like that," she nearly whispered. Miroku sighed in relief and then hugged her to him. For the first time in his life he truly felt as though there were real hope and happiness in his future and he would do everything in his power to keep Sango and Kohaku safe so that they could begin life as a family once the Shikon jewel was once again in the hands of good.

 

*

 

Kouga sat inside one of the vacated huts and stared down at the heart that he held in his hand. Part of him wanted to make Kagura suffer as she had made his brethren suffer but he also acknowledged that it was Naraku that had given him the heart. That meant that if he did kill Kagura, he was doing Naraku's bidding, something that didn't set well with him at all. Truthfully, if he killed Kagura, as was Naraku's wish, then he was stooping to the very level that Kagura had been when she slaughtered his kin.

 

“Kouga?” Kagome's voice lurched him from his deep thoughts as she peeked into the small hut.

 

“What is it, Kagome?”

 

“Kohana and I made dinner if you're hungry,” she said tentatively and then turned to leave.

 

“Wait,” he said sternly as he stood. She hesitated and then turned back to him. “Is that witch telling us the truth about Naraku?” Kagome was sure he would pick up on her nervousness right away. As soon as she heard the very name Naraku, her heart would begin to beat faster. At times it was out of fear of her friends finding out what had truly happened and at other times it was simply the thought of her dark lover that caused her heart rate to quicken.

 

“I did purify him,” she said honestly. “I didn't mean to.”

 

“How did it happen?” He questioned suspiciously. Kagome took in a deep breath and prepared to tell him as much truth as possible without giving away things better kept to herself.

 

“Kagura had come to get me,” she began. She hoped that he would simply assume that what Kagura said was true and the reason the demoness had come to get Kagome was so that they could plot against Naraku. “Another demon attacked him and took the jewel. When I got near Naraku, my powers purified all of his sick demons.” For a moment Kouga pondered what she said.

 

“So you weren't able to purify the human part of him?” Kagome shook her head carefully.

 

“Why did he let you leave?”

 

“I don't know,” she said softly. Honestly, she didn't. A part of her realized just how uncharacteristically he had behaved towards her. Naraku was normally merciless and didn't show that sort of weakness to anyone.

 

“Once we get the jewel from the other demon, we're going to kill him,” he said confidently. Kagome nodded, for she realized that each of them had legitimate reason to want him dead and none of them would stop until they had gained their revenge.

 

“I better go get the others,” she said politely. “Before Shippo eats everything.” Kouga nodded and sat silently when she left, still unsure what to do with the heart he'd been given. Finally, he stood and went to find the only person that might have more insight into his problem.

 

*

 

Naraku dropped to the ground noiselessly, from the tree where he had sat perched, and stared out at the world from behind his notorious baboon pelt. Kagome looked at him and then back to InuYasha, who was staring at her in confusion.

 

"What's going on?" The half demon questioned.

 

"InuYasha—” Kagome said sadly as she met his eyes. "InuYasha, I'm so sorry..."

 

The half demon took a step back and stared at Naraku incredulously. "I won't let you have Kagome!"

 

Naraku smirked as InuYasha attempted to keep his emotions under control. "Why is that, InuYasha?" He asked darkly. Kagome also looked to InuYasha, and waited for an answer.

 

"I won't let you take another woman from me," he said. "You already took Kikyo!"

 

"Is that the only reason you want me here, InuYasha?" Kagome whispered. "To replace Kikyo?" The half demon remained silent, unable to utter the words but also unable to deny them.

 

"What is it that you want, Kagome?" Naraku questioned silkily. The young girl's eyes left the half demon's and she slowly turned to face Naraku. For a moment she stared at him sadly.

 

"I—want to go with you," she said sincerely. A victorious smirk crossed his face as he watched InuYasha's heart seem to break in front of him. There was an odd amount of satisfaction in hearing Kagome choose him over her trusted companion.

 

"She doesn't mean that," InuYasha insisted gruffly. Kagome spun back to face him again.

 

"How would you know?" She questioned, tears now stinging her eyes. "No matter what I do, it'll never enough. I' will never be Kikyo!"

 

"He's a monster," he growled as he motioned towards Naraku.

 

"I love him," Kagome blurted and then covered her mouth. The very air seemed to be sucked out of the forest around them. No one dared to move or speak. Tears were now threatening to overtake InuYasha as well, as his shoulders slumped and defeat settled in.

 

Almost as soon as the words were spoken, Naraku found himself lying on his futon, alone in his castle. His heart was beating heavily and he felt completely unsettled. Never, had he found himself having such a personal dream that, in no way, involved memories from Onigumo's life. He moved from his futon to the window and stared out at the moon, as he so often did when something troubled him. Even gaining shards of the Shikon jewel had never given him such a feeling of pure satisfaction as hearing Kagome utter those words to InuYasha. Seeing the half demon defeated and broken was something he longed for, but more so, he found that simply hearing the words was satisfying in a way he had never experienced.

 

"Kanna," he said as he stared out through the thin blinds. A moment later his small incarnate came through the door, holding her mirror.

 

"Yes?"

 

He turned to face the small girl. She had yet to regain all of her demon aura but the mirror still held its power. He had begun to question how his incarnates had truly been affected by his loss of demon blood. After studying Kagura through Kanna's mirror, he came to the conclusion that she no longer contained any demon in her, though her heart continued to flow with demon blood. Just as Kagura had a part of herself that was still connected to Naraku, so to did Kanna. Rather than her heart, it was her mirror that held her demon soul.

 

"Show me Kagome," he said. The girl's mirror began to glow and the image of Kagome sitting silently in a hut appeared. He could see the female demon slayer and another human female there as well. The small fire cat was sleeping contentedly with her master and the fox cub was curled up beside Kagome, fast asleep. He could easily see that the young priestess was troubled and most likely couldn't sleep. Briefly he acknowledged that if she were with him, she would likely wander out and walk through the garden. She seemed to enjoy being outdoors, but particularly when something was bothering her.

 

His thoughts wandered back to the realm of his dream. Kagome had spoken to him on more than one occasion about her feelings towards Kikyo. Though the girl seemed incapable of actually hating the undead priestess, it was obvious that she held a not-so-hidden resentment towards her. That resentment seemed to stem from InuYasha's refusal to let Kikyo go and accept Kagome.

 

Naraku waved Kanna away then looked out towards the moon again once she had gone. He was left wondering what his purpose had become. He no longer possessed the Shikon Jewel and wasn't strong enough to gain it back for himself. His entire existence as a half demon had given him a narrow train of thought. He had been so obsessed with the jewel and vengeance that he had become blinded to everything else that existed in the world. Now he had nothing left, save for one shard and the trust of the priestess that had given it to him.

 

*

 

Kouga stepped out of the hut that he was staying in and looked up at the night sky. Since InuYasha had spent the evening training with his brother, Kouga had decided to approach Kaede and speak to her about his encounter with Naraku. Normally, he let his instincts rule him but he knew that now was not the time to behaving rashly. There was simply far too much at stake, and putting his trust into Naraku, of all people, would be foolish. He sniffed the air and then began walking to the small clearing that overlooked the nearby fields. Kagura was standing there alone, as she often did. When she heard the grass rustling behind her she glanced over her shoulder and then rolled her eyes.

 

"What do you want?" She asked impatiently as she turned her back on him again. When he didn't reply she turned to find him standing only inches from her. Instinctively, she took a step away so he reached out and grabbed her arm, effectively leaving a small cut just above her left wrist. She hissed in pain and pulled away from him then stumbled backwards as she held her wounded wrist close to her body.

 

Kouga brought his hand up and carefully smelled the blood that was on his claw, while Kagura glared at him. "If you intend to kill me, do it quickly."

 

"Your blood is human blood," he said. "There's no demon in you anymore. I can't even smell Naraku in your blood." For a moment she said nothing then she turned away.

 

"That doesn't change anything."

 

Kouga took a step closer, thinking over what he had been told by the old priestess. A human couldn't live without a heart, unlike a demon. Therefore, if Kagura no longer held demon blood, logically she had to possess a heart of her own now. For a moment, Kouga stood silently until she finally turned to face him again.

 

"Why are you just standing there?" She demanded. The moment the words met his ears he had her pinned to a tree nearly ten feet from where they had been standing. The force of it knocked the wind from her and left her disoriented momentarily.

 

"Did you enjoy killing my kin?" He asked gruffly. She stared at him defiantly but finally had to avert her eyes.

 

"If I say yes, will you kill me?"

 

"I won't give you the satisfaction until I hear the truth," he demanded. She looked back to him and then finally had to look away, though this time to prevent emotion from overtaking her.

 

"At the time I enjoyed manipulating you and InuYasha," she admitted. "But it was Naraku that enjoyed the death. I was obeying orders."

 

"Would you kill them now?" She stood contemplating the question. Would she kill them of her own whim if she had the opportunity? Could she kill Ginta and Hakaku who, bumbling as they were, treated her so kindly while she was terrified of Kouga?

 

"I have no reason," she said quietly. "I only want my freedom." Kouga could smell the scent of tears and though she refused to look at him now, he could tell that her human emotions were getting the best of her. He suddenly found himself angry at Naraku for, not only what he had done to his brethren, but for what he had done to Kagura. He realized that without Naraku forcing her to kill the wolf clan, it wouldn't have happened. He had been right in assuming that it had been Naraku, and not Kagura's choice, that had led to the deaths.

Kagura's head jerked up when she felt his hand move up her arm and then settle on her left breast. If she weren't pinned to the tree, she would have slapped him. "Release me!" She ordered in the most stern voice she could muster. Kouga smirked but said nothing as his hand moved up a bit further.

 

"You have a human heart," he finally said. She stared at him for a moment then looked down at his hand that was resting where her heart would be.

 

"That's impossible," she said.

 

"I can feel it beating," he said as he released his hold on her. He then pulled out the heart that Naraku had given him. Kagura's eyes widened as she stared at it, part of her fearing that he intended to cause her harm.

 

"Where did you get that?"

 

"Naraku," he said with a growl. "He wants me to kill you."

 

"Then why haven't you?"

 

"I want to avenge the death of my kin. If it was Naraku's doing, he's the one I want to kill." Kagura stared at the heart in his hand longingly. Kouga, too, looked down at the heart which reeked of Naraku. He had realized that by killing Kagura, he would be giving into Naraku's wants. "I talked to the old priestess about this." Kagura looked up at him, surprised that he had done that.

 

"And?"

 

Kouga stepped closer and then looked down at the heart that was black and had the look of rotting flesh. He then shoved it into Kagura's hand. "It's yours. If you keep it, you keep part of Naraku but you'll still be part demon. If you destroy it, you'll have your freedom—but you'll be human." He then turned and left her to contemplate her decision. If she accepted the demon heart, she was accepting part of Naraku, making herself his property once again. But to dispose of it, left her a mortal. She stared down at the beating heart that was in her hand, wondering if she should choose the dignity of being demon or the freedom of being human.