InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Stealing Shadows ❯ The Shining Light ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Never before had he felt such rage, it was numbing. What greeted him upon breaking through the barrier was kindling for the fire that burned inside. The dark oni had his precious miko pinned beneath him. Inuyasha roared in fury. His youki took full control, boosting his aura to unprecedented proportions.

His menacing growl ripped through the cavern, bouncing off the walls and shaking the entire room. What filth had dared to violate Kagome? The vision of her–clothing torn and bloody threatened his control on his inner beast. The scent of her panic and pain flooded his senses and pushed him into action. In less than a second he found himself at her feet. Clawed hands sunk into the flesh of his enemy, pulling the oni from her body.

“You will die a slow death bastard. The girl is MINE!” Inuyasha snarled. The force of his attack threw the unsuspecting oni into the jagged rock beside him.

He wanted to check Kagome but his opponent was still too potent a threat for Inuyasha to turn his back on. Instead he braced himself between her and the shadow oni. Tetsusaiga pulsed wildly in his hands as he anxiously awaited the battle to come. He tensed when a laughter came from the darkness beyond him.

“A little too late hanyou! The miko has sealed her fate. I own her soul!” Chitose grinned as he confidently emerged from the obscurity of his hideout.

“Bastard. Kagome will never be yours!”

“A few more moments and I would have settled deeply into her flesh! Such a sweet tasting creature.” The oni's eyes narrowed as he unsheathed his sword. “You are standing between me and the future mother of my child. Move NOW!”

Inuyasha barely had time to react before the enemies sword was upon him. He raised Tetsusaiga above him, blocking the force of the blade that hammered down on him. Gritting his teeth he pushed back, releasing his killing aura with the untamed roar that ripped from his throat. His enemies words made him nearly blind with rage.

Kagome watched in utter disbelief as an apparently fully transformed hanyou burst onto the scene. How, in the youkai and anger induced state, he was able to wield Tetsusaiga she was uncertain. His eyes were flooded red and the aura that flowed from him was incredibly intense. Kagome had never seen him so powerful and in control at the same time.

Shuffling up against a wall she watch in horror as the battle unfolded. Both opponents seemed equally matched in strength and agility. It was hard to keep up as the pair sped around the small enclosure in a vibrant display of steel, skill and anger. Inuyasha was holding nothing back as he sought the death of their enemy.

Battle cries and curses resounded of the rock walls sending shivers down her spine. Even their fights with Naraku seemed to pale in comparison to the one she was witnessing now. Inuyasha and Chitose were like wild animals, viscously attacking one another in morbid blood lust. Her eyes widened in horror when Inuyasha jumped to avoid a skillfully wielded blade, the rock beneath his feet crumbling when he landed. As he fell backwards, Chitose's long blade carved a deep gash across his chest. Inuyasha dropped to the ground with a sickening thud. The shadow oni launching down on top of her hanyou, his blade burying in Inuyasha's stomach.

“INUYASHA!” She screamed, eyes riveted on his unmoving body. The wound was debilitating but what worried her more was the fact that her hanyou had yet to move.

Chitose threw his head back in a victory cry. His evil glance fixating upon her once more. She struggled to stand; her hands flying in front of her in desperate attempt to summon her reiki forth. The action was in vain for a only a tiny orb materialized in front of her before it fizzled out.

“You bastard!” Kagome sobbed, infuriated that he had harmed her loved one. Reaching out for her katana she thought to charge the beast. Just as she grasped the blade she heard a deep rumble behind her.

Turning, she watched in utter disbelief as Inuyasha's hand flew up with lightening speed, his clawed hand gripping around the oni's throat.

“I'm not done with you yet asshole!” He growled. His burning red eyes turned to lock with Kagome's shimmering blue. “You sit down and let me finish this scum off.”

Gasping Kagome collapsed. He was alive! Thank kami he was alive! She couldn't help but sob as she watched him pull Chitose's blade from his body, his other hand never faltering from its death grip on the shadow oni's neck. With a malicious snarl he pushed his opponent away.

Tetsusaiga blocked and repelled Chitose's wicked advances with renewed vigor. Kagome thought it looked as though Inuyasha was enjoying himself. His eyes glistened with murderous intent and a crooked smile had formed on his lips. Seconds after the battle had resumed, Inuyasha landed his first blow.

“I'm gonna have a little fun with you now.” Tetsusaiga raised above him as he moved once again. “Now you will know what fear feels like.”

Inuyasha felt energized after the first scent of the shadow oni's blood floated to his nose. His mind recalled the images of the village men; their tortured forms and dishonored deaths. The women who looked broken as they emerged from behind the barrier. Finally, the most motivating image for his hatred, Kagome lying helpless beneath the oni's disgusting form.

He relished the look in his enemies eyes as he landed each blow. Little by little he was carving up the oni. Each time his blade touched flesh he twisted, inflicting pain and punishment on the being. Being confident in his own abilities, perhaps overly so, he missed the warning signs in the oni's aura. Suddenly his opponents aura flared, pushing him back.

“Fear you say? What would a pup like you possibly know about fear?” Chitose grinned before vanishing. He reappeared behind Kagome, pulling her roughly against him. The tip off his blade came to rest against the tender flesh of her neck.

“Kagome!” Inuyasha yelled, still trying to process how the oni had pulled such a tactic against him.

“You've been fun to play with but I have better things to do!” Chitose released the full power of his aki. The surge blasted Inuyasha, littering his body with burns and lacerations.

Groaning Inuyasha hauled himself up once more. He had seriously underestimated this oni. The true power behind the beast was finally emerging. How was he going to tackle this new problem? The shadow oni was looking no worse for wear and worse yet, Kagome was now tangled in his grasp. Things weren't going as well as he had hoped.

“I've been around far too long to fall to your pathetic attempts. I've survived for hundreds of years. Conquered more ambitious youkai than you could ever count. Devoured more humans than what populates these lands in totality now. You have provided me with some entertainment but it is time I finish this. I am anxious to start my family!”

“I won't let you have her!” Inuyasha growled, Tetsusaiga once again vibrating in his hands.

“You don't have a choice in the matter.”

“Like hell I don't!” Spitting the blood from his mouth he readied Tetsusaiga. The last thing he was going to allow was some low life like this oni to harm Kagome. It was enough that she already sported a wound on her leg and was physically exhausted.

“As you wish. It would have been easier on you if you would have just given up the miko.” Chitose brought one hand up to his face, holding his thumb just away from his nose and staring blindly past the appendage he began to chant.

Inuyasha prepared to step forward and suddenly found himself frozen in place. The shadow oni's chant became more frenzied, his strange words amplified in the underground caverns. Try as he might he could not budge and Inuyasha was having trouble focusing on his enemy. Kagome was becoming blurry; her image merging with multiple illusions of shadows.

Inuyasha soon found himself trapped in a darkened expanse. Seemingly there was no beginning and no end to the realm of apparitions he found himself imprisoned in. All around him, the dead taunted him. He found himself wandering in a sea of specters. Every face hauntingly familiar. It dawned on him that these were the faces of every human and youkai that he had every dispatched from the world. They pulled at him, cursed him and jeered from the sidelines. The odd time he would spot the shadow oni watching him from the security of the masses. As soon as Inuyasha would push through the crowd, the oni would disappear.

Silently he waited, knowing what the oni was trying to accomplish. Inuyasha was not about to succumb to fear. His body was still in the cavern. All he had to do was break through this mental attack and he would be able to finish this.

We'll see who's the last one standing when I use Dragon-scaled Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha closed his eyes effectively blocking the twisted faces of his haunting. A faint light shimmered in the distance. He felt the warm and comforting aura being projected from it. It called out to him, beckoning him closer.

Kagome.

She struggled in the arms of her captor. Chitose was manipulating Inuyasha. The chanting had frozen the hanyou and she was certain that Inuyasha was lost somewhere in a pit of dark illusions. How could she aid him? It came to her at long last. The miko stilled. Calling out to her last remaining reiki she sent out an intimate cry to him. A silent summoning on a wavelength that only he would be able to hear. Every ounce of her surviving strength poured into her efforts. She would sacrifice everything just to keep him safe. When she felt his soul brush against hers she let go, plunging into the blissful rest of nothingness.

Following Kagome's shining light he burst forth from his mental cell. When his red eyes fixed on the unconscious form of the tiny miko, he let loose a feral roar. Tetsusaiga pulsed wildly, the blade becoming dappled with the telltale scales of a dragon. Scenting the air carefully Inuyasha searched for the real location of the oni's aki. All around him where odors, rich in the stench of the beast. Only one would finish this though. One more deep breath and he found it.

“Gotcha!” Spinning he lashed out, his war cry deafening in the darkness. Tetsusaiga's powerful attack absorbed the intense aki of the ancient oni's youkestu. Before him the oni began to wilt. Inuyasha attacked again quickly he sliced through his nemesis, careful to avoid the precious girl in the oni's grasp.

Chitose's eyes widened when he realized that the hanyou had succeeded. Even as his body began to dissolve he stared unbelieving at his killer.

“It's not possible.” His whisper floated.

“I told you bastard. The girl is MINE!”

Tenderly Inuyasha scooped up Kagome. He was mindful of her leg as he rushed them out of the shadows. She was so pale and lifeless that he worried how and if she would recover. To Inuyasha it was obvious just how far she had pushed herself, for when he had first arrived she was already exhausted. The woman from the village had told him of the events that had passed in this hellish domain. From the way Kagome had protected the women with a barrier to the gruesome tales of his miko's sword battle. The little fire cat in his arms had put her very soul into saving the villager's.

His heart swelled with pride at how strong she had become. What she had accomplished was a feat for any human, spiritual powers or not. Kagome was the light in the dark. The glimmering hope to all she took under her wings. She had done everything in her power to save the women and then finally him. Kagome had struggled to reach him. He had felt how weak she was when she called to him. When her light snuffed out he had found his own strength to break the oni's hold on his mind. Kagome after all was his true inner strength.

As he emerged into the vast wilderness surrounding Chitose's lair he was welcomed by the warmth of a morning sun. His inner beast becoming calmer the farther away from the caverns he got. It wasn't until he was on the verge of the forsaken village that his youkai surrendered control once more. His concern grew with the shallowness of Kagome's breaths.

“Kagome-sama!” A feminine voice called out as he entered the village. Inuyasha noticed instantly that the dark aura that had clung to this area was gone. Replaced only with great sadness that was emanating from the returned women.


His sharp eyes landed on the form of the young woman from before. She was frantic over the sleeping woman in his arms.

“Oh kami!” Yume weeped. Kagome had sacrificed for them. It was evident by her ripped and blood stained clothing. As her eyes swept over the youkai who held the fragile human, she noted that he looked rather worse for wear as well. The pair had obviously been through an epic battle. The only question that remained was if they had succeeded or simply escaped.

“He's dead.” He stated simply as he was certain of the thoughts running through the battered villager's mind.

“May the Kami bless you!” Yume smiled. “What of Kagome-sama? We should take her into the village and treat her wounds. The other women and I spent the night cleaning some of our huts. I will send someone for clean water and clothing.”

Inuyasha only nodded and followed the woman to the edge of the village. His eyes shifted to take in the battered appearance of the ruined remains of the headman's home. The scent of blood and decay was the strongest from that direction. Clearly the women had been unable to deal with the horror that was hidden behind those doors.

“My name is Yume.” The woman declared after she gave her orders to another villager and motioned him to enter the clean hut.

“Hn.” Inuyasha grumbled in response as he carried Kagome inside. Gently he settled her on the sleeping mat. When he had her settled he turned his attention to Yume. “I'm Inuyasha.”

“Inuyasha-sama.” Yume bowed curtly. “You have saved us all. Let me repay you by tending to Kagome-sama's and your wounds. I owe her my life as well.”

Yume focused on stoking the cooking fire in preparation for heating the water that had just been deposited outside the hut. When it was heating she took to ripping thin strips of cloth to dress her patients. Though she should have felt threatened by the golden eyes that bore down on her with such intensity, she found herself comfortable. She pondered about what kind of youkai would bind itself with such devotion to a miko. Only after she began cleaning Kagome's wounds did she notice the two fury triangles on his head.

“Hanyou!” She breathed mostly to herself in her own surprise. The comment did not go unnoticed by her lively companion.

“Feh! What's it to you?” He growled.

Yume simply smiled back at him, unfazed by his gruff nature. “'Tis nothing. Obviously you have a very kind heart Inuyasha-sama. I was curious how a youkai had come to have such a strong connection to a miko. You have a human heart don't you.”

Inuyasha didn't respond. He was unsure of where the woman was going with this. So what if he was half human, that didn't make him any less an imposing figure.

“Was your father youkai and your mother human or the other way around.” Yume inquired boldly as she carefully cleaned the long cut on Kagome's leg.

“The first.”

“Your mother must have been a remarkable woman. I can tell even after knowing you for such a short time that you are an amazing man. I think she would be very proud of you.”

“Hn.”

Though he remained for the most part silent, Yume could tell by the faint emotion in his eyes that she had been correct. Knowing the life a hanyou would have endured she thought highly of the mother of such a creature. Her thoughts dipped to her own self. What would happen if she was pregnant now and some how managed to carry Chitose's child to full term. She truly hoped that Chitose was wrong and the women had miscarried merely because of the brutal treatment the were subjected to. Babies were born as innocents were they not? Evil was taught and learned, not instinctive. Or so she hoped.

“Why are you so interested in a hanyou's mother?” Inuyasha broke the silence at long last. He had been carefully watching the young woman's face while she bandaged his miko's leg. The mixed emotions that passed over Yume's face were confusing.

“I merely was thinking that it would be nice to learn from a mother such as yours.” Yume finished dressing Kagome's wounds and turned fear laced eyes on the hanyou. “You know... in case I birth a child such as you.”

Inuyasha's brows furrowed and he had to look away. What could he say to the girl? He knew what she had been put through. The rape and terror. Kagome would know what to say. How to reassure the broken soul that knelt before him.

“You next.” Yume stated suddenly.

“Feh! I don't need your help. I'm not as weak as humans. Besides I have things I need to do.” He grinned at her as he revealed an smooth arm that had formerly been riddled with cuts.

“I understand Inuyasha-sama. There is a hot spring nearby if you would like to wash the blood off. I will watch over Kagome-sama while you go.” Yume offered a shy smile back. “I will start on a meal for you both as well.”

Inuyasha nodded and after taking in a long look at his resting miko he disappeared out he door and into the mid morning light.

Yume worried her bottom lip as night fell. The miko at her side had yet to wake and Inuyasha had not returned. She knew it was silly now to fear the dark but she could help but watch the door with apprehension. Chitose was gone though the impact he had on her refused to die with him.

She screamed when the door flap suddenly flew open and a tall, dark figure entered.

“Yume! It's just me.” A gentle voice called out.

“My apologies Inuyasha-sama. You startled me.” Yume breathed a sigh of relief and the familiar red robes and white hair of the miko's companion.

“You're still wet, did you have trouble finding the springs?” She asked when she noticed his clothing was still damp.

“No. I had a few things to do before I cleaned up.”

Yume breathed in again and noticed something acrid on the breeze. The scent was familiar and sent her racing to the door. Pushing her way outside she had to gasp at what she saw. The headmaster's hut was a raging inferno. The light of the blaze illuminating the village around her.

“It couldn't be saved.” Inuyasha's voice came behind her.

“But the men...” Yume began before she was cut off by the deep voice.

“Are all buried in the meadow behind village.”

“Arigato Inuyasha-sama.” Yume cried. “You have brought them great honor.”

“Feh. No body deserves to die like that. They can rest in peace now. So can the rest of the village.”

“Arigato.”

“Where are the other women?” Inuyasha had noticed the village was empty when he had first left Yume's hut.

“They went down to the coast to inform the neighboring village of what has gone on here. They hope to bring back some men to help with harvest. I imagine some of them will choose to stay there.” Yume turned and went back to the safety of her fire inside.

“What of you?” Inuyasha settled beside Kagome. He lovingly swept a strand of hair that had fallen across her face.

“I guess I'll stay. I have nowhere else to go. No family to speak of anyway. All my family was here. Besides, this is my home. With Chitose gone I am free to live my life as I wish. Perhaps I will meet a nice man from the next village and help rebuild this place.”

“You sure you can stay here? I mean, won't it be difficult?”

“Yes, I imagine it will be. After watching Kagome-sama though, I know I will get through this. I will not throw away the second chance she gave me.” Yume set her jaw with determination.

Inuyasha nodded to her in understanding. He could respect her choice. It took a stronger person to stay than it took to leave. Yume was obviously a vary strong woman not to have cracked in Chitose's living hell. If anyone could rebuild this broken village it would be her.


With the evil aura of Chitose out of the area, Kagome had finally seen why the location had been settled in the first place. The fields that had been cleared were capable of creating a bounty of crops. The area was naturally protected in the bottom of a beautiful valley. High cliffs on both sides blocked the harsh winds and weather that some other mountainside locations endured. The valley was full of beautiful wildflowers and abundant wildlife. Yume's home was perhaps one of the most enchanting places Kagome had ever been.

Kagome raised her hand in farewell at the bright eyed woman in the distance. In the short month of her recovery, she had formed a deep bond with Yume. The miko was happy to finally see a sparkle in the formerly haunted eyes of the woman. Better yet was the fact that Yume now had the emotional support of a young man who had come to settle in the desolate village. Kane was a skilled rounin samurai who had given up his wandering ways after a severe injury. Despite still being a capable warrior, he found that he preferred the simpler lifestyle of a farmer. What had begun as a helping hand from a neighboring village had turned into a blossoming love. Yume was well on her way on her own path to recovery all thanks to the newest addition to the hidden paradise. Kagome felt better leaving her in the hands of the caring and gentle Kane.

Feeling the insistent tug of Inuyasha at her side she gave one final wave before turning and following her beloved hanyou. The path would be difficult and with her still tired from her trauma, the road would be long. She felt inspired and her energy somewhat renewed when she thought about where they were going.

Home.

Kami it was good to be finally going home. Anxious she was to see her friends. Sango and Miroku surely had their hands full with their growing family. Kaede would be needing help to get the fall harvest of herbs off in another few months. Their home would be bustling with activity as everyone enjoyed the heat of the summer sun.

She wondered how the young Kiyoshi was recovering and adapting to the quiet lifestyle in her home. The bubbly Rin had surely worked her own healing powers on the lost boy that had survived the massacre in the village. Would Kiyoshi wish to return to the hidden village? Kagome had spoke to Yume about the child and the kindly woman had offered Kiyoshi a home if he decided to return. The miko doubted though that the child would wish to return to the place that likely caused him nightmares. He would be welcome to stay in Kagome's home as well. Either way she knew he was in good hands and would be properly cared for.

Shippo would likely be home after his training with elder kitsune's. Kagome was curious how much her surrogate child had grown. Her hands practically itched to hold him in her arms once again. Suddenly she was upset with herself for forgetting to bring the young youkai a treat from the future. Shippo absolutely loved his sweets. Perhaps he was getting to old for such things.

“Kagome, you sure you don't want me to carry you?” Inuyasha asked, breaking her thoughts of her friends and the small village that would one day become Tokyo.

“For the last time Inuyasha, I'm fine. The exercise will do me good. You can't keep babying me.” Kagome groaned.

“Don't blame me when you can't move tomorrow.” Inuyasha scowled back. He didn't like how independent she had become. Her wounds had healed quickly but it had taken a long time for her strength to recover. Using all of her reiki had completely drained her. Two days had past before she had even regained consciousness. Who cared if she thought him overbearing! His job was to keep her safe and healthy.

“Fine, I'll let you know when I start getting tired.” Kagome rolled her eyes at the overly protective hanyou. She had spent days in bed while Yume and Inuyasha nursed her back to health. Never had she felt so exhausted in all her life. The strain of forcing her body to the limits and depleting her reiki had left her limbs lethargic. It felt good to stretch her muscles and instantly her spirits had lifted.

“We'd get home so much sooner if you would just let me carry you.” Inuyasha was trying his best to be patient but he was eager to get his miko back to the safety of his own village.

“I'm fine, really!” Kagome smiled in an attempt to reassure the hanyou. “I hope Yume and Kane do well and the village recovers.”

“They'll be fine. Stop worrying about them. Kane's strong. He won't let anything happen to her.”

“Hmmm, I suppose. I wonder if they will start a family? It was such a relief to find out that Yume wasn't pregnant with Chitose's child.”

“Yeah.”

“I wonder how many children Sango and Miroku will have?”

“Who knows with that lecher. Ten or twenty, it's anyone's guess.” Inuyasha shook his head thinking of his friend.

“Must be nice, you know, the whole family thing. Sango sure looks happy.” Kagome said wistfully.

Inuyasha hadn't missed the look of longing that had crossed her face. He couldn't deny that the thought had crossed his mind in the years of her absence. Watching Miroku and Sango as they started a family had created a tiny spark of longing withing his own soul. A dream he had wondered would ever come true.

“You miss your family don't you.” He whispered softly, grasping her hand and forcing her to stop.

“I'd be lying if I said I didn't.” Kagome smiled sadly back. “It was a sacrifice I was willing to make though. I had their full support when I left and that's enough for me.”

Pulling her against him, he tilted her head up and looked deeply in her eyes. Perhaps the time had finally come.

“Family is important to you isn't it.” He breathed against her lips.

“Of course.” Her blue eyes filled with confusion as they stared up at deep amber.

Inuyasha gave her a brief kiss before pulling back. He hesitated before questioning her again, blushing deep crimson as the words left his mouth. “Do you want a family?”

“Inuyasha?” Kagome whispered, hope filling her chest with the suspicion of where the conversation was heading.

“You know, if–” he paused trying to gather the right words. How damn difficult could it possibly be to just ask her?

“What are you trying to say?”

“You came back Kagome. I waited for three years and Kami knows I would have waited five centuries if I had to. I begin to tell you how amazing it felt to scent you and see you after so long. You gave up everything to come back here and I want to make sure it was worth it.” Inuyasha embraced her tightly, resting his chin on top of her head.

“You are worth it Inuyasha. I had to come back. I love you.” Her muffled voice came from the folds of his fire rat.

“What do you say Kagome, wanna give Sango and Miroku a run for their money?” Inuyasha smirked as he lifted the unsuspecting miko in his arms. Grinning wildly as he spun her around. Kagome laughed happily as she was twirled in the warm summer air.

“I thought you'd never ask!” Squealing she braced his face with her hands and kissed him deeply. He rewarded her with a hearty growl.

Setting her down he squatted and offered his back to her. When she looked as if she was going to protest the quicker method of travel he cut in, “Get on already. I can't have my bride and the future mother of my children exhausted by the time we reach Edo.”

He flexed his hands around her thighs when she reluctantly climbed on.

“Besides, I can't have you tired out. You're gonna need that energy when we get home.”

His devilish grin sparkled in the sunlight as he sped off towards home.

Yume and Kane where just returning to their work when Kagome's embarrassed scream floated on the breeze to them.

“HENTAI!”


A/N: Thank you again Kokoronagumo for taking this adventure with more. Your time and knowledge is most appreciated.

All my reviewers – I am honored by the comments you have left for me. Each review has offered inspiration and always left a smile on my face. I cherish each one I receive! Thank you for taking the time to send me your thoughts about my writing.