InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snow White and the Seven 'Dwarfs'...Sort of ❯ Striking Back ( Chapter 59 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Penthesileia 
Dun, Dun, DUN!!!!!
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Comedy / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 313 | Status: Completed
Dun, Dun, DUN!!!!!
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Comedy / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 313 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer- I do not own Snow White and I do not own Inuyasha. I am making no money off this story.
Anime Angel 05- I'm so sorry about making you wait!!! (Hope your still around...) Good news, this story is almost done. I'm 3/4's done with the final chapter. So you need to stay live to read it!!!!
Sayo124-LOL! I love that, drama-llama. Love the desk comment to. I don't think they had any desks though. Maybe she could hide under a futon?
Kagome123- Of course your highness.
Kagome
My knuckles stung, but I ignored it for the relief of stretching all the kinks out of my body and to move an irritating jewel away from my back. I looked around the mine I was in curiously. You know, there was something familiar about this place...
Inuyasha stared back at my, his jaw slaw open while a smudge of a bruise began to form on his cheek. He looked so adorable.
I cupped his cheeks hard, hesitated, before pulling his head down to meet my lips.
I purred when he grabbed me and held me tightly against him, acting completely unlike his former self.
As quickly as I grabbed him, I pushed him back, scowling darkly. “You moron! What the hell was killing me about?”
Inuyasha glowered back, “I didn’t mean to! I was under a compulsion. And I didn’t actually kill you.” his eyes softened slightly and he reached out to touch my cheek. “Thank Kami.” he added softly.
I pursed my lips, making Inuyasha’s gaze drop to them. “So what did you do to me?”
Inuyasha shrugged his focus still on my mouth. “Well, I kinda did I guess. I don’t know what Kikyo gave me, she handed me the fucking apple and set me off.” he said bitterly. “Don’t ask me why an apple either. She’s gone insane.”
“So then why am I back?” I asked, carefully taking Inuyasha’s hand from my face and lacing our fingers together.
Inuyasha’s eyes fell to our joined hands, studying them. “I don’t know.” he admitted.
I looked at him avoiding my gaze, “Why did you kiss my dead body?”
Inuyasha shuddered a bit at the word, ‘dead’. “I wanted to know what your lips felt like.” he grumbled, clearly embarrassed. “I wanted some way to show you my...my...” he swallowed, “feelings even though you were gone.”
I tried to smile, “At least you aren’t a necrophiliac.”
Inuyasha slowly shook his head, “I can’t joke about this Kag.” He reached into a pocket, and for the first time I noticed his ridiculous fancy clothing.
...AND HIS HAIR!!
Inuyasha held his hand out in front of me, a small crushed piece of metal laid quietly on his palm.
My breath caught in my throat when I realized it was the ring he had given me.
“I lied when I gave you this.” he confessed. “It wasn’t a ring to gain the respect of my army, you already had it. It’s a betrothal ring.”
My pulse went into overdrive while Inuyasha swallowed nervously. “How do I know you’re not under Kikyo’s control right now?” I asked slowly, trying not to hope.
Inuyasha scowled, starting to lose his nerve. “Because you know me!” he snapped. “Am I under Kikyo’s control right now?”
I looked into his blazing eyes, warm, molten gold pouring into my soul.
He really was Inuyasha.
I threw myself at him, his grunt in my ear when he fell back to the ground with me on top of him. “You jerk. Don’t you ever get taken over by someone ever again!”
Inuyasha hmphed. “Only you babe.”
I blushed when I remembered I was on top of him and moved to get off before his arms snapped up and held me in place.
He swallowed again. “I need to tell you...tell you...” he took a deep breath. “Iloveyou.” he said in a rush.
My eyes filled with tears and began pouring down my face like a cliche. Only Inuyasha could make that stuttering sentence sound so romantic. “I love you too Inuyasha.”
“I gave you the ring because, after all this is over, I want us to be together, forever,” he continued. “I just chickened out, I’m such a wuss.” He said, looking ashamed.
I nodded firmly, “You are.” I informed him, and grinned when he laughed.
I rested my head on his chest, so freaking happy. No wonder the others were so cheerful all the time-
I gasped and shot up. “The dwarfs!”
Inuyasha winced and let go of me. “About that...”
My fist twitched with the urge to punch him again as he explained how he delivered our friends to Kikyo and Naraku.
“What I want to know is how she’s still alive.” I muttered, after having decided against beating Inuyasha to a bloody pulp. “I watched you kill her. She should be rotting in a ground somewhere. Not alive and well...and green.”
We shared a chuckle before getting serious. “We have to save them. And kill Kikyo this time.”
Inuyasha tried to stick his hands in his sleeves only to discover they were to small. He looked at me. “You know. Maybe we should give Kikyo what she wants. Your body.”
Dun Dun DUN!!
Kikyo hummed happily as she skipped around her bedroom, lighting candles and getting things prepared for when Inuyasha came back with that bitch.
She shivered, clutching a pillow to her chest as her eyes went dreamy. She and Inuyasha could cut apart Kagome’s body, watch the execution of all her annoying little allies and make love till dawn. Then build up her army, have a few quickies in between and take over the lands of all the leaders she just killed.
Kikyo laughed. Those fools. They never should have taken a step outside their lands.
Kikyo rearranged her whips so they were just right, Naraku watching her glumly from her bed.
He pulled the covers back invitingly. “It’s too early to be up. Come back to bed.” he purred.
Kikyo waved a hand at him. “Not now. There’s so much to do before Inuyasha gets back.” She sighed, getting a little thrill from just saying his name.
Naraku fought the urge to scowl, really starting to hate the sound of that scum’s name. Inuyasha.
Fucking bastard.
Kikyo pursed her lips as she considered her clothing choices. “Black or green?” she asked.
“Black.” Naraku answered curtly back.
Kikyo frowned at him. “I think I’ll wear the green.”
“It’ll clash with your skin.” Naraku shot back, rolling onto his back to glare up at the ceiling.
He chocked, Kikyo’s slim green hands closing over his throat violently. “I think you are forgetting your place Naraku.” she told him coldly, her fingers tightening.
“I’m sorry my queen, my love!” Naraku gasped. “Forgive me.”
Kikyo sniffed and let him go, “Don’t let it happen again.” she warned, turning away to assume her previous activities.
Naraku rubbed his throat. Definitely Inuyasha’s fault.
The Dwarf’s
Rin leaned against the brick wall, making sure the guard was far away from her cell before gently tapping on the stone.
How...is...Sess? She asked Hiten through the knocking.
She waited impatiently as he ran the message down the line of cages till it reached Sesshomaru at the end of the line.
...Says...he’s...well... Hiten tapped back after an eternity of moments. Ayame...says...he...lies.
Tears burned behind her eyes, knowing whatever had been in those darts must have been bad if Sesshomaru was still under the effects.
What...time...is...it?
Must...be...past...daw n.
Rin trembled, knowing Seven would do everything possible to save them, but she wasn’t able to convince herself she wasn’t a little scared.
How’s...Kagura?
Rin leaned over and pressed her ear to the opposite wall. She didn’t hear any crying or whimpering, so she assumed she was ok. She couldn’t really be sure, considering Kagura had never learned the code they were using now.
Think...she’s...good
The patrolling guard’s boots came back down the hallway, and Rin threw herself in a heap on the floor, trying to look helpless and scared when the guard peeked through the tiny window on the door. Though considering the circumstances, it really wasn’t that hard.
Meanwhile...
Inuyasha led his horse up to the palace bridge, absently noticing the sunrise turning into a pale blue sky as he made sure Kagome’s limp body was still secured to his horse.
He handed the horse off to a stable boy and hefted Kagome over his shoulder, ignoring the chocked cries from the servants. Her body swayed as he walked, his heels nearly kicking at her long, hanging hair.
“Door.” he barked at a servant, not noticing the way the boy’s head bowed in sorrow as he sadly held the door for Inuyasha.
Inuyasha strode through; his face looking like it was carved from stone. Silence fell over the castle as the inhabitants watched Inuyasha go by with accusing eyes. Inuyasha’s heavy footfalls echoed off the walls, the sound traveling throughout the entire palace.
Inuyasha opened the door to Kikyo’s fake bedroom and dumped the body roughly on the bed for the benefit of those watching before slamming the door shut.
He sank down beside the bed and tenderly brushed a curl off her cheek. “You alright?”
Kagome blearily opened one eye, still unfocused from the herbs she had used to make it look like her body really was dead. “Peachy.” she gritted out and she grinned when the term made her remember a conversation she had with him months earlier here. “When this is all over I want peach cobbler.” she announced suddenly.
“Uh, sure.” Inuyasha said, not sure what she was talking about. “How much longer is that stuff going to last?”
She awkwardly shrugged, “Little longer.”
Inuyasha vaulted himself on to the bed and pulled the book. “Let’s get you down before Kikyo realizes then.” he suggested as the bed began to sink down into the pits of hell.
...er, Kikyo’s bedroom.
Seven
Bankotsu huddled deeper into his cloak, a cup in front of him as he sat in the gutter of a street, straining to hear the villagers conversations.
“At noon we’ve been ordered to assemble at the palace to watch the execution...”
“It’s so horrible, don’t you think?”
“Their getting what they deserve.”
“Should I jack up the price of food or do you think people will be too queasy to eat?”
Clomp, clomp, clomp.
Bankotsu coldly studied the men riding up to the town, their uniform’s dully gleaming in the thin light. They stopped in front of some of the village men, looking down at them.
“We are recruiting several men to build a gallows for the execution.” the fattest man announced, his nasally voice annoying. “Will anyone volunteer before we simply take you?”
Bankotsu subtly twitched his head, and the hidden Seven members jumped at the chance.
“I will be more then happy to assist the crown my lord.” Renkotsu called out, makeup hiding his tattoos.
“And I!” Suikotsu, Jakotsu reported, and after a glare from Bankotsu, Hojo and Sayo agreed to do so as well.
“We will take one more.” The fat man arched an eyebrow at the crowd, and anger simmered in Bankotsu at how the gesture was so similar to Sesshomaru.
Bankotsu stretched out on the street and burped, trying to draw his attention. The fat man curled his lip at Bankotsu. “We’ll take you. I’ll make you work for once you lazy pig.”
Bankotsu shakily got to his feet and gave him a mocking bow. “As my lord wishes.” he slurred, being careful to keep his satisfaction showing. He loved morons.
The man spat on the ground. “Get to it!” he ordered, already galloping back to the palace while the other two men began herding Seven up.
Bankotsu looked at Oda, disguised as a tea peddler. Oda’s eyes flickered, his only sign to Bankotsu, he knew what to do.
Relived, Bankotsu stumbled around aimlessly towards the two impatient men, careful to keep up his drunk act.
Rin was going to be so annoyed she missed this mission.
Kikyo’s Bedroom
Kikyo held two different earrings to her ears, trying to pick one. The dangling ones looked amazing against her black hair, but she was worried about getting blood on them. The jade ones were a stud, but they disappeared against the green of her skin.
She looked glumly at her reflection, wishing not for the first time Urasue hadn’t died in the battle. Really, what kind of idiot confuses green clay for white? Was she color-blind?
Her eyes scanned over Naraku sulking in a corner. And what was wrong with that wimp? She had taken other lovers before and he had hardly twitched an eyelash. What was different about this time?
Kikyo slowly put the jade studs down and picked up the long ones, inserting them carefully as she thought. Love. She was in love with Inuyasha. Just saying his name quietly in her head gave her a little thrill in her heart. She had never come close to this feeling with any of her other lovers, expect maybe Naraku. Was that why he was so pouty?
The revolving door opened seamlessly, tossing her beloved onto her bed while she got an even bigger thrill at what laid in his arms.
Kagome’s body.
She purred, sweeping forward to tenderly touch her stepdaughter’s throat.
No pulse fluttered under the cold, white skin.
She laughed gaily, finally, after so many tries, she had solid proof Kagome was dead.
Kikyo ran a loving hand down Inuyasha’s head, almost petting him. “Good boy.” she told him huskily, staring at him from over her greatest enemy’s corpse. “I can hardly wait to give you your award.”
Naraku rudely cleared his throat, earning a sharp look from Kikyo, “We have the execution of your other enemies at noon, my love.”
Kikyo frowned, wondering if she had time to do what she wanted with Inuyasha before noon. She sighed. Probably not.
She turned her attention back to the most important matter at hand. Now as for her stepdaughter’s body...
She picked up Kagome’s hand and played with her fingers. “I still want to turn her fingers into earrings.” she remarked cheerfully. “I think that will be the first thing on my list.”
Inuyasha went still. “Might I make a suggestion my queen?” Inuyasha asked after a slight pause.
Kikyo tilted her head, interested in the sudden appearance of personality from Inuyasha. “Yes?”
“It might be more amusing to watch your enemy’s reaction to the death of their friend by displaying the body in front of them. Let her carcass be the last thing they see as they die.” Inuyasha suggested, his face carefully blank.
Kikyo blinked, surprised she hadn’t thought of that, “Good idea babe.” she praised, rubbing his ears. “I like that. The perfect ending for them.” she giggled. “The woman they gave up so much for, dead.”
Inuyasha smiled slightly without any warmth. “I’m glad you approve my queen.”
Kikyo thought for a moment, before brightening. “Let’s hang her body from one of the palace turrets in front of the gallows! We can watch the show from there and manipulate the body with rope!” she said excitedly.
Inuyasha nodded solemnly. “Good idea mistress.”
Kikyo beamed at him, “Isn’t it? Come Naraku, I want to see to this myself personably.” she ordered, sweeping out of the room without looking back to see if he was following.
Naraku glared at Inuyasha, getting angrier when he got no reaction and quickly left to catch up with Kikyo.
Kagome snorted with laughter, “You actually sounded smart!” she chocked, “I didn’t know you knew words like ‘carcass’ ‘approve’ and ‘suggest’.” she dug her face into Inuyasha’s thigh, her entire frame shaking from glee.
Inuyasha scowled down at her, his ears twitching madly as if trying to get rid of the feel of Kikyo touching them. “Feh. There’s a lot you don’t know about me wench.” he snapped.
Kagome sat up, the last of the drug fading away. “Then let’s make sure I have time to find out.”
Inuyasha looked around the room, frowning. “This place is creepy.” he muttered, eyeing a whip hanging from the wall.
“After we kill Kikyo and Naraku I’ll turn this place into a kiddie pool.” Kagome told him, rolling her eyes.
Inuyasha slowly smirked. “And leave the bigger hot springs for us right?”
Kagome blushed, suddenly reminded of how she had met Inuyasha after so many years. Soaked to the bone after taking a quick fall into a pool.
“We’re coming up with a different story to tell the kids.” Kagome warned.
“Whatever you say wench.”
Kagome ignored him, “So what’s the plan now that we’re in?”
A sudden light erupted along the floor under a strange painting of two angels, illumining a crease between the wall and the floor. A white piece of paper pushed itself out from under the wall and the light disappeared
Kagome and Inuyasha stared at it. Inuyasha’s eyes narrowed as he strained to read it without getting up from his spot. “Dear Kagome-“ he began.
Kagome groaned. “Not again.”
Seven
“Little-hic up! Elephant, little elephant, hic up! You have a long, Hic Up! Nose. Yes sirrrrrr, my mother has a long Hic-Up! Nose to. Little-“
“SHUT THE HELL UP AND GET BACK TO WORK!” one of the fat man’s lackey’s screamed at Bankotsu , his face turning red.
Bankotsu looked at him, hurt while he watched Renkotsu lightly tap in nails from the corner of his eye. “But don’t you, HIC-UP! Like songs from your homeland my lord?” Bankotsu asked innocently.
The man glared at him, “Just shut your mouth, stop singing, and get back to work!”
Jakotsu made the floor uneven behind the man’s back while Suikotsu laid a small dagger under a floorboard. “Ok, so that’s not a very good song.” he admitted, “How about HIC-UP Spring Has Come?” Bankotsu suggested.
The man groaned, slapping his forehead and completely missing Hojo slipping a white powder into his drink. “Kami save me from morons.” he begged.
Bankotsu only smiled drunkenly before continuing with his song, Sayo winking over the man’s shoulder at him.
Kagome and Inuyasha
Dear Princess Kagome,
By the time you should understand I am not to be trusted. Kikyo has killed me and taken me fully under her control with Urasue’s power. I am humbly begging your help in finally releasing me. Like me, Kikyo is also dead. When Inuyasha killed Kikyo the first time, Urasue was able to pour her soul into a clay pot formed like the living Kikyo. Luckely for us, there is not enough room in the clay pot to hold both her soul, and the full extend of her power without overfilling the pot so to speak, and killing her. The devil button above is where most of Kikyo’s power is being held until she has need of it. The only way to successfully kill her is to deplete her of her power. You must purify it and slowly take it into yourself. Without her power, Kikyo will be at only a fraction of her strength and will be easily defeated. If you do not take it into yourself, it will scatter until Kikyo has the time to go back and collect it after killing you. Please Princess, save us.
-Kanna
I studied the letter carefully. “I still get the feeling there’s more we don’t know.” I mused, setting the paper down gently.
Inuyasha shrugged, glancing at the door. “We don’t get to understand everything.” he said flippantly. “Are you going to do it?”
I traced Kanna’s elegant script with my finger, trying to ignore the panicked ranting my brain was screaming out and listen to my heart. Despite everything that happened, I was learning my heart wasn’t about to fail me. “I’m going to do it.” I decided, after a pause.
Inuyasha nodded, looking unhappy. “Make it quick.” he ordered gruffly, trying not to look worried.
I leaned up and pressed a fast kiss to his lips. “Real quick.” I agreed, dodging his hands to stand in front of the painting on the wall.
I took a deep breath, feeling Inuyasha’s eyes boring themselves into the back of my neck and immediately felt at peace even with the danger surrounding us. I finally had Inuyasha. Nothing was worse then life without him.
Carefully I laid my finger on the devil’s handsome mocking face, breathing a sigh of relief when there was no backlash. I pressed down, the button giving away easily under the weight of my hand. There was a grinding sound from behind the door and slowly the wall slid away while I forced myself to stand my ground.
I felt the malevolent energy swirling furiously together before I saw the mass of black and purple power, ramming itself against a thin barrier holding it on place.
I stared at the amount of it in horror. “I have to purify this? I’ll be torn apart!”
Inuyasha suddenly wrapped his arms around me, pressing his chest into my back. “You faced down the most evil woman in Japan, you survived numerous attempts on your life and you clean up after seven dirty dwarfs.” he grinned into the back of my neck. “You can do this.” he whispered against my ear, squeezing me once before letting go and stepping back.
I shivered, warm in all the places he had touched me. I tossed my shoulders back, giving the dark power my best Sesshomaru-glare.
Firmly, I placed my hands flat on the barrier, closing my eyes and sending my power down through my arms. I recoiled at my first brush with Kikyo’s power, the amount of evil radiating off it felt like I was trying to bury my hand in a mound of snow.
Inuyasha leaned forward and pressed his lips to the top of my back, sending a lick of flame up my spine.
With the sudden burst of warmth from Inuyasha, I pushed my hands back against the barrier and opened myself up to the malicious force.
It entered me and took my breath away from the coldness of it. It felt as if someone had just replaced my blood with snow. I gritted my teeth and let a picture of Inuyasha form in my head. My heart nearly exploded from love of him, easily melting the cold away and turning the power soft and gentle. I heard Inuyasha’s sharp gasp as I started to glow, purple, black and gold covering my entire form.
The formerly dark power grew lighter, and gradually drifted softly down to the bottom of my soul where the rest of my power rested, joining it eagerly. I forced myself to go slow as I took more in at a steady pace, Inuyasha never far from my thoughts.
I have no idea how long I stood there, it could have been minutes, it could have been hours, it could have been days for all I know. I become completely unaware of everything around me expect the constant pull of power, and the feeling of Inuyasha keeping me warm. So I was unprepared when the pull become violent and started filling me more then I could handle. The dark power pushed in faster then I could purify it, crushing my soul. I shivered, cold racking my body. I couldn’t breath; it was to much to fast.
I felt like I was about to be ripped apart from the inside.
“I hope it hurts you bitch.” Kikyo hissed from behind Inuyasha and me.
I turned my head as much as I was able to see Kikyo glowing black and purple, her hands pulling back as she forced the dark power into me at a dangerous rate.
Inuyasha bared his teeth, his hand going for the sword that wasn’t there. “Kikyo! Let her go!”
Kikyo looked at him, her eyes cold, hard stones. “No.” she said simply, “And if you kill me, my power will explode and kill her.” she smiled coolly. “Though the death might be faster.” she sighed, as if regretful. “Naraku. Keep Inuyasha busy so he does not attempt to help Kagome.”
Naraku stepped out from behind Kikyo, his eyes glinting madly. “With pleasure.”
“Take your time.” Kikyo ordered. “We have a few minutes.” she told him softly, as she increased the rate of power spilling into Kagome.
The Dwarfs
“Get moving!” the guard screamed in Rin’s face, pushing her roughly out of the cell. The other dwarf’s received similar treatment from their captors, the demons getting another shot of
whatever was keeping them weak.
“Careful not to give them to much, the queen wants them still coherent.” one of the guards instructed the other as he herded the humans first back up the steps.
The other guard snorted, tossing Ayame over his shoulder as he followed them. “Seems a hell of a lot easier to just cut off their heads. I don’t understand why she’s making this such a show.”
“Shut up idiot. Don’t question the queen.”
The dwarfs were prodded through the great hall and finally out the door, leaving them squinting at the sunlight while trying to find a way out of their ropes and bonds.
Rin swallowed when the sight of the high platform hovering above the ground met her eyes and forced herself to scan the crowd, trying to find a sympathetic face. For the most part, they were blank; the townspeople too terrified to show any emotion that might be taken as threats against the queen.
All the dwarfs expect Rin were forced into cages facing the stage, then shackled to the back so they couldn’t turn away from the bloodbath that was about to take place.
Sesshomaru had been given the drug so many times, his legs were completely useless and they dangled from where their guards tied his waist to the bars of his cage.
Rin swallowed as she desperately took in her fill of him, scared this might be the last time she would ever be able to stare at him. He was still so handsome and regal, even with the dirt and filth of jail covering him, his hair in total disarray and his eyes flicking back and forth between red and gold.
“Let’s go girlie.” her guard ordered, pushing her towards the platform.
She shakily climbed the steps, a cold sweat forming over her body. She had to remember Seven wouldn’t let anything happen to her. She would be fine. They would all be fine.
Her guard held her in place in the center of the platform and let the crowd study her while a group of men sitting at a long table at the front of the audience talked among each other.
Finally, the one shrugged and they settled down into their seats.
“Aomori, Rin. You have been charged guilty in high treason and are sentenced to die. Do you have any last words?” the oldest man called up to her.
Rin held her head proudly up. “Kikyo is a maniacal tyrant. If anyone should be standing up here, it should be her.”
The old man sighed and mouthed ‘duh’ to her. “In any case, Queen Kikyo has ordered your death, and we will follow her orders like the faithful subjects we are. You will first be raped, then split open from groin to stomach.” the old man shrugged as if to say he was sorry, but he really had no choice.
The guard lifted Rin up as a table was brought up and he slammed her on it, quickly tying her down before she could even struggle.
Sesshomaru roared, his eyes fully turning red as he struggled to free himself. The dwarf’s could only stare in horror, completely helpless as Rin’s clothing was ripped and one of the guards eagerly prepared to mount her.
The old man sighed again and waved a hand. “Proceed.”
Anime Angel 05- I'm so sorry about making you wait!!! (Hope your still around...) Good news, this story is almost done. I'm 3/4's done with the final chapter. So you need to stay live to read it!!!!
Sayo124-LOL! I love that, drama-llama. Love the desk comment to. I don't think they had any desks though. Maybe she could hide under a futon?
Kagome123- Of course your highness.
Kagome
My knuckles stung, but I ignored it for the relief of stretching all the kinks out of my body and to move an irritating jewel away from my back. I looked around the mine I was in curiously. You know, there was something familiar about this place...
Inuyasha stared back at my, his jaw slaw open while a smudge of a bruise began to form on his cheek. He looked so adorable.
I cupped his cheeks hard, hesitated, before pulling his head down to meet my lips.
I purred when he grabbed me and held me tightly against him, acting completely unlike his former self.
As quickly as I grabbed him, I pushed him back, scowling darkly. “You moron! What the hell was killing me about?”
Inuyasha glowered back, “I didn’t mean to! I was under a compulsion. And I didn’t actually kill you.” his eyes softened slightly and he reached out to touch my cheek. “Thank Kami.” he added softly.
I pursed my lips, making Inuyasha’s gaze drop to them. “So what did you do to me?”
Inuyasha shrugged his focus still on my mouth. “Well, I kinda did I guess. I don’t know what Kikyo gave me, she handed me the fucking apple and set me off.” he said bitterly. “Don’t ask me why an apple either. She’s gone insane.”
“So then why am I back?” I asked, carefully taking Inuyasha’s hand from my face and lacing our fingers together.
Inuyasha’s eyes fell to our joined hands, studying them. “I don’t know.” he admitted.
I looked at him avoiding my gaze, “Why did you kiss my dead body?”
Inuyasha shuddered a bit at the word, ‘dead’. “I wanted to know what your lips felt like.” he grumbled, clearly embarrassed. “I wanted some way to show you my...my...” he swallowed, “feelings even though you were gone.”
I tried to smile, “At least you aren’t a necrophiliac.”
Inuyasha slowly shook his head, “I can’t joke about this Kag.” He reached into a pocket, and for the first time I noticed his ridiculous fancy clothing.
...AND HIS HAIR!!
Inuyasha held his hand out in front of me, a small crushed piece of metal laid quietly on his palm.
My breath caught in my throat when I realized it was the ring he had given me.
“I lied when I gave you this.” he confessed. “It wasn’t a ring to gain the respect of my army, you already had it. It’s a betrothal ring.”
My pulse went into overdrive while Inuyasha swallowed nervously. “How do I know you’re not under Kikyo’s control right now?” I asked slowly, trying not to hope.
Inuyasha scowled, starting to lose his nerve. “Because you know me!” he snapped. “Am I under Kikyo’s control right now?”
I looked into his blazing eyes, warm, molten gold pouring into my soul.
He really was Inuyasha.
I threw myself at him, his grunt in my ear when he fell back to the ground with me on top of him. “You jerk. Don’t you ever get taken over by someone ever again!”
Inuyasha hmphed. “Only you babe.”
I blushed when I remembered I was on top of him and moved to get off before his arms snapped up and held me in place.
He swallowed again. “I need to tell you...tell you...” he took a deep breath. “Iloveyou.” he said in a rush.
My eyes filled with tears and began pouring down my face like a cliche. Only Inuyasha could make that stuttering sentence sound so romantic. “I love you too Inuyasha.”
“I gave you the ring because, after all this is over, I want us to be together, forever,” he continued. “I just chickened out, I’m such a wuss.” He said, looking ashamed.
I nodded firmly, “You are.” I informed him, and grinned when he laughed.
I rested my head on his chest, so freaking happy. No wonder the others were so cheerful all the time-
I gasped and shot up. “The dwarfs!”
Inuyasha winced and let go of me. “About that...”
My fist twitched with the urge to punch him again as he explained how he delivered our friends to Kikyo and Naraku.
“What I want to know is how she’s still alive.” I muttered, after having decided against beating Inuyasha to a bloody pulp. “I watched you kill her. She should be rotting in a ground somewhere. Not alive and well...and green.”
We shared a chuckle before getting serious. “We have to save them. And kill Kikyo this time.”
Inuyasha tried to stick his hands in his sleeves only to discover they were to small. He looked at me. “You know. Maybe we should give Kikyo what she wants. Your body.”
Dun Dun DUN!!
Kikyo hummed happily as she skipped around her bedroom, lighting candles and getting things prepared for when Inuyasha came back with that bitch.
She shivered, clutching a pillow to her chest as her eyes went dreamy. She and Inuyasha could cut apart Kagome’s body, watch the execution of all her annoying little allies and make love till dawn. Then build up her army, have a few quickies in between and take over the lands of all the leaders she just killed.
Kikyo laughed. Those fools. They never should have taken a step outside their lands.
Kikyo rearranged her whips so they were just right, Naraku watching her glumly from her bed.
He pulled the covers back invitingly. “It’s too early to be up. Come back to bed.” he purred.
Kikyo waved a hand at him. “Not now. There’s so much to do before Inuyasha gets back.” She sighed, getting a little thrill from just saying his name.
Naraku fought the urge to scowl, really starting to hate the sound of that scum’s name. Inuyasha.
Fucking bastard.
Kikyo pursed her lips as she considered her clothing choices. “Black or green?” she asked.
“Black.” Naraku answered curtly back.
Kikyo frowned at him. “I think I’ll wear the green.”
“It’ll clash with your skin.” Naraku shot back, rolling onto his back to glare up at the ceiling.
He chocked, Kikyo’s slim green hands closing over his throat violently. “I think you are forgetting your place Naraku.” she told him coldly, her fingers tightening.
“I’m sorry my queen, my love!” Naraku gasped. “Forgive me.”
Kikyo sniffed and let him go, “Don’t let it happen again.” she warned, turning away to assume her previous activities.
Naraku rubbed his throat. Definitely Inuyasha’s fault.
The Dwarf’s
Rin leaned against the brick wall, making sure the guard was far away from her cell before gently tapping on the stone.
How...is...Sess? She asked Hiten through the knocking.
She waited impatiently as he ran the message down the line of cages till it reached Sesshomaru at the end of the line.
...Says...he’s...well... Hiten tapped back after an eternity of moments. Ayame...says...he...lies.
Tears burned behind her eyes, knowing whatever had been in those darts must have been bad if Sesshomaru was still under the effects.
What...time...is...it?
Must...be...past...daw n.
Rin trembled, knowing Seven would do everything possible to save them, but she wasn’t able to convince herself she wasn’t a little scared.
How’s...Kagura?
Rin leaned over and pressed her ear to the opposite wall. She didn’t hear any crying or whimpering, so she assumed she was ok. She couldn’t really be sure, considering Kagura had never learned the code they were using now.
Think...she’s...good
The patrolling guard’s boots came back down the hallway, and Rin threw herself in a heap on the floor, trying to look helpless and scared when the guard peeked through the tiny window on the door. Though considering the circumstances, it really wasn’t that hard.
Meanwhile...
Inuyasha led his horse up to the palace bridge, absently noticing the sunrise turning into a pale blue sky as he made sure Kagome’s limp body was still secured to his horse.
He handed the horse off to a stable boy and hefted Kagome over his shoulder, ignoring the chocked cries from the servants. Her body swayed as he walked, his heels nearly kicking at her long, hanging hair.
“Door.” he barked at a servant, not noticing the way the boy’s head bowed in sorrow as he sadly held the door for Inuyasha.
Inuyasha strode through; his face looking like it was carved from stone. Silence fell over the castle as the inhabitants watched Inuyasha go by with accusing eyes. Inuyasha’s heavy footfalls echoed off the walls, the sound traveling throughout the entire palace.
Inuyasha opened the door to Kikyo’s fake bedroom and dumped the body roughly on the bed for the benefit of those watching before slamming the door shut.
He sank down beside the bed and tenderly brushed a curl off her cheek. “You alright?”
Kagome blearily opened one eye, still unfocused from the herbs she had used to make it look like her body really was dead. “Peachy.” she gritted out and she grinned when the term made her remember a conversation she had with him months earlier here. “When this is all over I want peach cobbler.” she announced suddenly.
“Uh, sure.” Inuyasha said, not sure what she was talking about. “How much longer is that stuff going to last?”
She awkwardly shrugged, “Little longer.”
Inuyasha vaulted himself on to the bed and pulled the book. “Let’s get you down before Kikyo realizes then.” he suggested as the bed began to sink down into the pits of hell.
...er, Kikyo’s bedroom.
Seven
Bankotsu huddled deeper into his cloak, a cup in front of him as he sat in the gutter of a street, straining to hear the villagers conversations.
“At noon we’ve been ordered to assemble at the palace to watch the execution...”
“It’s so horrible, don’t you think?”
“Their getting what they deserve.”
“Should I jack up the price of food or do you think people will be too queasy to eat?”
Clomp, clomp, clomp.
Bankotsu coldly studied the men riding up to the town, their uniform’s dully gleaming in the thin light. They stopped in front of some of the village men, looking down at them.
“We are recruiting several men to build a gallows for the execution.” the fattest man announced, his nasally voice annoying. “Will anyone volunteer before we simply take you?”
Bankotsu subtly twitched his head, and the hidden Seven members jumped at the chance.
“I will be more then happy to assist the crown my lord.” Renkotsu called out, makeup hiding his tattoos.
“And I!” Suikotsu, Jakotsu reported, and after a glare from Bankotsu, Hojo and Sayo agreed to do so as well.
“We will take one more.” The fat man arched an eyebrow at the crowd, and anger simmered in Bankotsu at how the gesture was so similar to Sesshomaru.
Bankotsu stretched out on the street and burped, trying to draw his attention. The fat man curled his lip at Bankotsu. “We’ll take you. I’ll make you work for once you lazy pig.”
Bankotsu shakily got to his feet and gave him a mocking bow. “As my lord wishes.” he slurred, being careful to keep his satisfaction showing. He loved morons.
The man spat on the ground. “Get to it!” he ordered, already galloping back to the palace while the other two men began herding Seven up.
Bankotsu looked at Oda, disguised as a tea peddler. Oda’s eyes flickered, his only sign to Bankotsu, he knew what to do.
Relived, Bankotsu stumbled around aimlessly towards the two impatient men, careful to keep up his drunk act.
Rin was going to be so annoyed she missed this mission.
Kikyo’s Bedroom
Kikyo held two different earrings to her ears, trying to pick one. The dangling ones looked amazing against her black hair, but she was worried about getting blood on them. The jade ones were a stud, but they disappeared against the green of her skin.
She looked glumly at her reflection, wishing not for the first time Urasue hadn’t died in the battle. Really, what kind of idiot confuses green clay for white? Was she color-blind?
Her eyes scanned over Naraku sulking in a corner. And what was wrong with that wimp? She had taken other lovers before and he had hardly twitched an eyelash. What was different about this time?
Kikyo slowly put the jade studs down and picked up the long ones, inserting them carefully as she thought. Love. She was in love with Inuyasha. Just saying his name quietly in her head gave her a little thrill in her heart. She had never come close to this feeling with any of her other lovers, expect maybe Naraku. Was that why he was so pouty?
The revolving door opened seamlessly, tossing her beloved onto her bed while she got an even bigger thrill at what laid in his arms.
Kagome’s body.
She purred, sweeping forward to tenderly touch her stepdaughter’s throat.
No pulse fluttered under the cold, white skin.
She laughed gaily, finally, after so many tries, she had solid proof Kagome was dead.
Kikyo ran a loving hand down Inuyasha’s head, almost petting him. “Good boy.” she told him huskily, staring at him from over her greatest enemy’s corpse. “I can hardly wait to give you your award.”
Naraku rudely cleared his throat, earning a sharp look from Kikyo, “We have the execution of your other enemies at noon, my love.”
Kikyo frowned, wondering if she had time to do what she wanted with Inuyasha before noon. She sighed. Probably not.
She turned her attention back to the most important matter at hand. Now as for her stepdaughter’s body...
She picked up Kagome’s hand and played with her fingers. “I still want to turn her fingers into earrings.” she remarked cheerfully. “I think that will be the first thing on my list.”
Inuyasha went still. “Might I make a suggestion my queen?” Inuyasha asked after a slight pause.
Kikyo tilted her head, interested in the sudden appearance of personality from Inuyasha. “Yes?”
“It might be more amusing to watch your enemy’s reaction to the death of their friend by displaying the body in front of them. Let her carcass be the last thing they see as they die.” Inuyasha suggested, his face carefully blank.
Kikyo blinked, surprised she hadn’t thought of that, “Good idea babe.” she praised, rubbing his ears. “I like that. The perfect ending for them.” she giggled. “The woman they gave up so much for, dead.”
Inuyasha smiled slightly without any warmth. “I’m glad you approve my queen.”
Kikyo thought for a moment, before brightening. “Let’s hang her body from one of the palace turrets in front of the gallows! We can watch the show from there and manipulate the body with rope!” she said excitedly.
Inuyasha nodded solemnly. “Good idea mistress.”
Kikyo beamed at him, “Isn’t it? Come Naraku, I want to see to this myself personably.” she ordered, sweeping out of the room without looking back to see if he was following.
Naraku glared at Inuyasha, getting angrier when he got no reaction and quickly left to catch up with Kikyo.
Kagome snorted with laughter, “You actually sounded smart!” she chocked, “I didn’t know you knew words like ‘carcass’ ‘approve’ and ‘suggest’.” she dug her face into Inuyasha’s thigh, her entire frame shaking from glee.
Inuyasha scowled down at her, his ears twitching madly as if trying to get rid of the feel of Kikyo touching them. “Feh. There’s a lot you don’t know about me wench.” he snapped.
Kagome sat up, the last of the drug fading away. “Then let’s make sure I have time to find out.”
Inuyasha looked around the room, frowning. “This place is creepy.” he muttered, eyeing a whip hanging from the wall.
“After we kill Kikyo and Naraku I’ll turn this place into a kiddie pool.” Kagome told him, rolling her eyes.
Inuyasha slowly smirked. “And leave the bigger hot springs for us right?”
Kagome blushed, suddenly reminded of how she had met Inuyasha after so many years. Soaked to the bone after taking a quick fall into a pool.
“We’re coming up with a different story to tell the kids.” Kagome warned.
“Whatever you say wench.”
Kagome ignored him, “So what’s the plan now that we’re in?”
A sudden light erupted along the floor under a strange painting of two angels, illumining a crease between the wall and the floor. A white piece of paper pushed itself out from under the wall and the light disappeared
Kagome and Inuyasha stared at it. Inuyasha’s eyes narrowed as he strained to read it without getting up from his spot. “Dear Kagome-“ he began.
Kagome groaned. “Not again.”
Seven
“Little-hic up! Elephant, little elephant, hic up! You have a long, Hic Up! Nose. Yes sirrrrrr, my mother has a long Hic-Up! Nose to. Little-“
“SHUT THE HELL UP AND GET BACK TO WORK!” one of the fat man’s lackey’s screamed at Bankotsu , his face turning red.
Bankotsu looked at him, hurt while he watched Renkotsu lightly tap in nails from the corner of his eye. “But don’t you, HIC-UP! Like songs from your homeland my lord?” Bankotsu asked innocently.
The man glared at him, “Just shut your mouth, stop singing, and get back to work!”
Jakotsu made the floor uneven behind the man’s back while Suikotsu laid a small dagger under a floorboard. “Ok, so that’s not a very good song.” he admitted, “How about HIC-UP Spring Has Come?” Bankotsu suggested.
The man groaned, slapping his forehead and completely missing Hojo slipping a white powder into his drink. “Kami save me from morons.” he begged.
Bankotsu only smiled drunkenly before continuing with his song, Sayo winking over the man’s shoulder at him.
Kagome and Inuyasha
Dear Princess Kagome,
By the time you should understand I am not to be trusted. Kikyo has killed me and taken me fully under her control with Urasue’s power. I am humbly begging your help in finally releasing me. Like me, Kikyo is also dead. When Inuyasha killed Kikyo the first time, Urasue was able to pour her soul into a clay pot formed like the living Kikyo. Luckely for us, there is not enough room in the clay pot to hold both her soul, and the full extend of her power without overfilling the pot so to speak, and killing her. The devil button above is where most of Kikyo’s power is being held until she has need of it. The only way to successfully kill her is to deplete her of her power. You must purify it and slowly take it into yourself. Without her power, Kikyo will be at only a fraction of her strength and will be easily defeated. If you do not take it into yourself, it will scatter until Kikyo has the time to go back and collect it after killing you. Please Princess, save us.
-Kanna
I studied the letter carefully. “I still get the feeling there’s more we don’t know.” I mused, setting the paper down gently.
Inuyasha shrugged, glancing at the door. “We don’t get to understand everything.” he said flippantly. “Are you going to do it?”
I traced Kanna’s elegant script with my finger, trying to ignore the panicked ranting my brain was screaming out and listen to my heart. Despite everything that happened, I was learning my heart wasn’t about to fail me. “I’m going to do it.” I decided, after a pause.
Inuyasha nodded, looking unhappy. “Make it quick.” he ordered gruffly, trying not to look worried.
I leaned up and pressed a fast kiss to his lips. “Real quick.” I agreed, dodging his hands to stand in front of the painting on the wall.
I took a deep breath, feeling Inuyasha’s eyes boring themselves into the back of my neck and immediately felt at peace even with the danger surrounding us. I finally had Inuyasha. Nothing was worse then life without him.
Carefully I laid my finger on the devil’s handsome mocking face, breathing a sigh of relief when there was no backlash. I pressed down, the button giving away easily under the weight of my hand. There was a grinding sound from behind the door and slowly the wall slid away while I forced myself to stand my ground.
I felt the malevolent energy swirling furiously together before I saw the mass of black and purple power, ramming itself against a thin barrier holding it on place.
I stared at the amount of it in horror. “I have to purify this? I’ll be torn apart!”
Inuyasha suddenly wrapped his arms around me, pressing his chest into my back. “You faced down the most evil woman in Japan, you survived numerous attempts on your life and you clean up after seven dirty dwarfs.” he grinned into the back of my neck. “You can do this.” he whispered against my ear, squeezing me once before letting go and stepping back.
I shivered, warm in all the places he had touched me. I tossed my shoulders back, giving the dark power my best Sesshomaru-glare.
Firmly, I placed my hands flat on the barrier, closing my eyes and sending my power down through my arms. I recoiled at my first brush with Kikyo’s power, the amount of evil radiating off it felt like I was trying to bury my hand in a mound of snow.
Inuyasha leaned forward and pressed his lips to the top of my back, sending a lick of flame up my spine.
With the sudden burst of warmth from Inuyasha, I pushed my hands back against the barrier and opened myself up to the malicious force.
It entered me and took my breath away from the coldness of it. It felt as if someone had just replaced my blood with snow. I gritted my teeth and let a picture of Inuyasha form in my head. My heart nearly exploded from love of him, easily melting the cold away and turning the power soft and gentle. I heard Inuyasha’s sharp gasp as I started to glow, purple, black and gold covering my entire form.
The formerly dark power grew lighter, and gradually drifted softly down to the bottom of my soul where the rest of my power rested, joining it eagerly. I forced myself to go slow as I took more in at a steady pace, Inuyasha never far from my thoughts.
I have no idea how long I stood there, it could have been minutes, it could have been hours, it could have been days for all I know. I become completely unaware of everything around me expect the constant pull of power, and the feeling of Inuyasha keeping me warm. So I was unprepared when the pull become violent and started filling me more then I could handle. The dark power pushed in faster then I could purify it, crushing my soul. I shivered, cold racking my body. I couldn’t breath; it was to much to fast.
I felt like I was about to be ripped apart from the inside.
“I hope it hurts you bitch.” Kikyo hissed from behind Inuyasha and me.
I turned my head as much as I was able to see Kikyo glowing black and purple, her hands pulling back as she forced the dark power into me at a dangerous rate.
Inuyasha bared his teeth, his hand going for the sword that wasn’t there. “Kikyo! Let her go!”
Kikyo looked at him, her eyes cold, hard stones. “No.” she said simply, “And if you kill me, my power will explode and kill her.” she smiled coolly. “Though the death might be faster.” she sighed, as if regretful. “Naraku. Keep Inuyasha busy so he does not attempt to help Kagome.”
Naraku stepped out from behind Kikyo, his eyes glinting madly. “With pleasure.”
“Take your time.” Kikyo ordered. “We have a few minutes.” she told him softly, as she increased the rate of power spilling into Kagome.
The Dwarfs
“Get moving!” the guard screamed in Rin’s face, pushing her roughly out of the cell. The other dwarf’s received similar treatment from their captors, the demons getting another shot of
whatever was keeping them weak.
“Careful not to give them to much, the queen wants them still coherent.” one of the guards instructed the other as he herded the humans first back up the steps.
The other guard snorted, tossing Ayame over his shoulder as he followed them. “Seems a hell of a lot easier to just cut off their heads. I don’t understand why she’s making this such a show.”
“Shut up idiot. Don’t question the queen.”
The dwarfs were prodded through the great hall and finally out the door, leaving them squinting at the sunlight while trying to find a way out of their ropes and bonds.
Rin swallowed when the sight of the high platform hovering above the ground met her eyes and forced herself to scan the crowd, trying to find a sympathetic face. For the most part, they were blank; the townspeople too terrified to show any emotion that might be taken as threats against the queen.
All the dwarfs expect Rin were forced into cages facing the stage, then shackled to the back so they couldn’t turn away from the bloodbath that was about to take place.
Sesshomaru had been given the drug so many times, his legs were completely useless and they dangled from where their guards tied his waist to the bars of his cage.
Rin swallowed as she desperately took in her fill of him, scared this might be the last time she would ever be able to stare at him. He was still so handsome and regal, even with the dirt and filth of jail covering him, his hair in total disarray and his eyes flicking back and forth between red and gold.
“Let’s go girlie.” her guard ordered, pushing her towards the platform.
She shakily climbed the steps, a cold sweat forming over her body. She had to remember Seven wouldn’t let anything happen to her. She would be fine. They would all be fine.
Her guard held her in place in the center of the platform and let the crowd study her while a group of men sitting at a long table at the front of the audience talked among each other.
Finally, the one shrugged and they settled down into their seats.
“Aomori, Rin. You have been charged guilty in high treason and are sentenced to die. Do you have any last words?” the oldest man called up to her.
Rin held her head proudly up. “Kikyo is a maniacal tyrant. If anyone should be standing up here, it should be her.”
The old man sighed and mouthed ‘duh’ to her. “In any case, Queen Kikyo has ordered your death, and we will follow her orders like the faithful subjects we are. You will first be raped, then split open from groin to stomach.” the old man shrugged as if to say he was sorry, but he really had no choice.
The guard lifted Rin up as a table was brought up and he slammed her on it, quickly tying her down before she could even struggle.
Sesshomaru roared, his eyes fully turning red as he struggled to free himself. The dwarf’s could only stare in horror, completely helpless as Rin’s clothing was ripped and one of the guards eagerly prepared to mount her.
The old man sighed again and waved a hand. “Proceed.”