InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sublimation ❯ Part One: Sublimation of the Body ( Chapter 1 )

AN: So first things first: I've never posted anything here before…so be gentle! I've taken an extended break from writing anything in the hopes that I could mature and grow as an author. I hope the time away has improved whatever skills I may have possessed. I hope you enjoy this 3-parter and I look forward to hearing from you in your reviews!

 

Disclaimer: I asked for the rights of Inuyasha for Christmas, but Santa told me that too many others wanted the same thing. Thus, he still belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Alas…my broken heart.

 

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Part One: Sublimation of the Body

 

* * *

 

Sublimation - verb: Psychology, to divert the energy of a biological impulse from its immediate goal to one of a more acceptable social, moral or aesthetic nature or use.

 

* * *

 

Truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, it remains the same.

 

- Sir Winston Churchill

 

* * *

 

The sunsets in the Sengoku Jidai were like no other.

 

The colors were vivid and expertly painted across the sky with a perfect smattering of multi-hued clouds. Without the dull haze of pollution that seemed to cover everything in her own era, the receding radiance seemed to touch everything beneath the sinking sun, lighting the very sky on fire and splashing the surrounding foliage with a vibrant mixture of crimson, orange and blue.

 

Swaying gently in the evening breeze, the trees stood just as tall as any skyscraper in the modern era. Unlike their massive steel and glass counterparts, however, the ancient timbers caressed the fading light, filtering it through its limbs to create a dazzling kaleidoscope of color upon the forest floor.

 

Kagome sighed as the last of the sun sank behind the crest of a distant hill, plunging the forest into darkness and significantly lowering the temperature. The sunsets in this era always took her breath away and she watched the beautiful display every chance she could. Lately, it seemed to be the only time she found any peace at all.

 

Grimacing slightly, she placed a hand over the ache in her heart and closed her eyes. It had been nearly six months since that day. Six months since everyone's life had changed forever. Although the progress had been slow - tediously slow at times and riddled with setbacks - the others seemed to be healing and accepting toward their new lives. The pains of the past faded a little more everyday.

 

Kagome winced and drew a sharp breath as another twinge of pain blossomed in her chest. Lately, the sudden aches seemed to increase in their intensity. Sighing softly, she dropped her hand and continued on with her silent reverie. While their pains may have slowly faded with time, Kagome was left with a constant physical reminder of that terrible day.

 

It had started as a normal day; at least as normal as her days were: an early morning start, several grumpy travel companions, a quick breakfast, an angry `sit', shouted curses followed by another angry `sit' before settling in for yet another search for more Shikon fragments…all in all, it had been as typical as ever. Soon, however, it had become the worst day of their lives when they had encountered Naraku, fought him and his evil creations…and forfeited Kohaku's life.

 

Kagome sighed despondently as she brushed a stray tear from her cheek. They had lost Kikyou only weeks before that fateful battle and the young miko had suddenly found herself solely responsible for the purity of the last fragment - Kohaku's fragment. Though she had been scared and wholly derisory as a miko, she had put her entire heart into the hopeless endeavor and gave it everything she possessed.

 

Unfortunately, it hadn't been enough.

 

A thick and greasy tentacle, full of miasma and malice, had pierced the taiji-ya boy's chest before any of them could react. Kohaku had died in his sister's arms just as Kagome purified the disgusting limb and regained the stolen Shikon fragment. Kagome would never forget the mournful wails and the heart-wrenching sobs that still haunted her dreams to this day. All of them had been too distracted by the young slayer's death and Sango's grief to notice that Naraku had made his escape. Kagome had been left to wallow in a pit of her own guilt, clutching the last fragment in her fist and wishing that she could perform a miracle.

 

Lifting her hand in front of her face, Kagome watched as a pink glow blossomed in her palm and swirled around her fingers like tiny florescent fireflies.

 

Not long after that devastating battle, Kaede had told her of a way to keep the last fragment safe and out of Naraku's reach. The older miko had heard of a similar ritual to guard precious information or sacred items from evil. Like Kohaku, Kagome was to bind herself to the Shikon fragment, taking it into her heart. Since Naraku did not control her as he had the young slayer, he would not be able to confiscate the shard unless it was freely given. The last fragment would be protected, kept pure and enhance the young woman's own spiritual powers significantly.

 

Prior to considering the consequences and wallowing in her own grief and shame, Kagome had readily agreed to the ritual. Before anyone in the group could voice their concerns or attempt to stop her, the miko had taken the final fragment into her heart, binding her to the Shikon no Tama until the day she could complete the jewel and banish it from existence.

 

Curling her fingers into a loose fist, she watched as the light brightened and surrounded her hand, feeling the power course through her veins. She was stronger now and had a better grasp on her spiritual abilities. Aside from her companions' distress, the only other negative outcome of the entire ordeal had been the constant twinges of pain when the shard drew from her powers to purify itself. Inuyasha had been furious with her for taking such a risk. The others had been just as upset but Kagome had remained convinced she had done the right thing.

 

“If you are to do this, Kagome, you must remain constant and vigilant. Never let your heart falter or the Shikon fragment within it will become tainted and you will find yourself vulnerable. You must give yourself fully to this binding or you will fail, just as my sister did over fifty years ago.”

 

Kaede had warned her about Kikyou's `curse'.

 

The older miko had taken her duty seriously and guarded the Shikon no Tama with her life. However, toward the end, Kikyou had begun to question her commitment. She had longed for an ordinary life as an ordinary woman and eventually, her doubt had been her downfall. Her heart had tainted in the smallest way and the evil within the Shikon no Tama had taken advantage of that tiny speck of darkness and destroyed her.

 

A half a year later, Kagome was beginning to understand Kikyou's uncertainty all those years ago.

 

Kagome had been such a naïve and silly girl. She had thought that she could take on anything and change the world with her bright eyes and infectious laugh. Now she knew that the burden of carrying such a responsibility was more then she could bear.

 

She was tired of the pain, death, sickness and grief. Even more, she missed her family, friends and the normal, modern life she had left behind. The well had closed soon after the ritual had been performed. By taking the Shikon fragment into her heart, she had bound herself to the Sengoku Jidai until she could destroy the jewel. Even after its destruction she was unsure if she could return home. Though she tried to stay strong and courageous, her heart ached and with every passing day, she stared out at the sinking sun and longed.

 

Another twinge of discomfort blossomed in her breast and she unconsciously lifted a hand to soothe the tiny ache.

 

“Are you in pain?”

 

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to be lulled by Inuyasha's gentle baritone. “No,” she answered as she dropped her hand to rest in her lap. “I'm fine.”

 

He stared at her for several silent moments in the rapidly fading light. She had long abandoned her traditional school uniform since she could no longer pass through the well. Now, clothed in the customary garb of a village priestess with a look of despair and desolation upon her face, she seemed to resemble a certain past miko more then ever. Inuyasha could literally see history repeating itself and it scared the hell out of him.

 

The hanyou hated what had become of his best friend. She had once been so happy and carefree; a little naïve at times but in a refreshing sort of way. Everything seemed new again when he experienced it with Kagome. She had always been the one to see the good in others and accept them fully without question. She had been the one to take in their troubles and ease their aching hearts. Though he would never admit it out loud, he would never have gotten this far without her.

 

Ever since that damned ritual she had been different. He had tried to stop her; practically begged her not to go through with it, but typical Kagome, she just had to single-handedly save the world. He knew the moment Kaede had said this was a sure-fire way to keep the shard from Naraku's hands that Kagome would not even hesitate. It never mattered to her the danger it would pose for herself. Inuyasha could never hate her but sometimes, he hated her big heart and her constant selflessness. Just once, he wished she would do something selfish. It was his job to protect her, damn it! This burden was not hers to carry alone.

 

A small movement distracted him from his internal struggle and he focused once more upon her upturned face. The lines of her mouth tightened in a tiny way as she tried to hide the grimace of pain. Had he not been studying her so intently, Inuyasha would have missed the fleeting sign. She could not, however, contain the shiver that ran the length of her spine from the chilly evening air.

 

Kagome opened her eyes as she felt the soft warmth of Inuyasha's suikan draped across her shoulders. Blushing slightly, the hanyou avoided her soft gaze and focused his attention over the hillside toward their camp. She knew he was concerned for her. It was impossible to not to feel the distress radiating off him in thick waves. She searched for something comforting to say; something to ease the tension and said the first thing that came to her lips, “I miss them.” Her eyes widened in surprise as the words reached her own ears. It certainly wasn't what she had intended to say.

 

Her whispered utterance had been so soft that his acute hearing nearly failed to catch it. And though she had not expressed just who exactly she missed, Inuyasha knew.

 

Ears twitching, he nodded. “They miss you as well.”

 

For several minutes more, neither spoke a word. All that needed to be said was voiced in the companionable quiet. They were as close as two people could get. They shared a connection unlike anything else. Listening to the sounds of the twilight, Kagome could hear everything that Inuyasha wasn't saying. Releasing a small breath, Kagome leaned against his shoulder and spoke with her silence and her heart.

 

“You didn't have to do this,” his silence said.

 

Hers replied, “I know. I wanted to because I care for you.”

 

“It hurts me to see in you pain,” his heart cried.

 

Her heart answered, “It would destroy me to see you suffer because of my faults.”

 

“Let me protect you,” he silently pleaded.

 

Smiling softly, Kagome knew what Inuyasha felt. She had heard everything that he had failed to give voice to. He wanted to save her, protect her, shelter her… Straightening her spine, she slowly shook her head. The only thing she wanted from him was the one thing he couldn't give completely.

 

She wanted Inuyasha to love her.

 

He stiffened as she rose to her feet. Turning his head to look up at her, his hands twitched as though they wanted to pull her back into his arms. “Kagome-” he began.

 

“It's getting late,” she interrupted, gracing him with a sad smile as she slipped off the fire-robe. He stared at it soundlessly as she draped it across his lap. “We should get back.” She knew that he could never give her his heart and she hated putting him in an uncomfortable position. Inuyasha knew how she felt about him but it seemed he would never get over his inner turmoil. She had long since abandoned the hope that he would return her feelings. Every time she looked into his eyes, she saw his pain and in turn, her heart ached all the more for it. Perhaps it was better to continue to pretend that everything was normal.

 

She felt his eyes follow her as she made her way through the thick vegetation. Despite what he wanted, it was too late to take back her decision. She had made a vow to protect the last shard with her life and even though she had begun to doubt her pledge, she refused to falter in her duty. Ignoring the tiny ache that had blossomed in her chest, Kagome slipped through the shadows and was swallowed by the night.

 

* * *

 

Not far from where the group had made camp, another entourage was plotting under the cover of the darkness. It had infuriated Naraku when he had learned how Kagome went to such lengths to ensure the safety of the fragment. For the first time, he actually feared he might not be able to complete the Shikon no Tama. Unless she willingly gave up the shard in her heart, he could not touch or taint it.

 

“They are close,” Byakuya interrupted his musings as he slipped to the ground from his giant paper crane. “Only a short walk from here.”

 

Naraku nodded and concentrated once more on the object in his hand, saturating it with his jyaki and blood. He had to get it right this time, for it would be his best and possibly last shot at obtaining the last fragment of the Shikon no Tama.

 

“What are you doing?” Byakuya asked, placing the shrunken origami into a pocket of his suikan. “Is that an arrow?”

 

Nodding once more, Naraku grinned and held the blackened tip up for the young youkai to see. He ignored the bewildered look upon his minion's face and returned his concentration to the projectile. “I've devised a way to get Kagome to give me the last fragment.”

 

“Really,” Byakuya snorted, amused. “And how is that?”

 

“I'm going to attack her mind.”

 

The puzzled expression on his face deepened as he shifted his crimson eyes from the arrow to stare at his maker. “Her mind?”

 

“Come, Shashu,” Naraku hissed, his grin widening as a shadowy figure emerged from the doorway to kneel at his feet. The youkai was one of his most impressive incarnations to date; a perfect hunter in every way. It was a shame he would not live to see the fruits of his labor. Handing off the poisoned arrow, Naraku returned his attention to Byakuya. “Shashu is your youngest brother,” he chuckled softly. “His sole purpose in this life is to shoot Kagome with that tainted arrow.”

 

“You plan to kill her with a mere arrow?” Byakuya folded his arms across his chest and regarded the new youkai skeptically. “I don't understand how that will destroy her mind.”

 

“I don't want Shashu to kill her,” Naraku scoffed. “I only want to injure her.”

 

“And after this mission?” Byakuya asked hesitantly.

 

Shrugging slightly, Naraku pulled the baboon pelt over his head to conceal his face. “I'm afraid that while Shashu is a master archer, he is lacking in all other areas of combat. I have no doubt Inuyasha will destroy him.”

 

Slightly horrified, Byakuya turned his eyes toward the emotionless youkai still kneeling on the ground. Though he had undoubtedly heard of his terrible fate, he showed no signs of distress or fear. That bastard, Byakuya fumed silently. He creates minions and uses them with no regard to their well-being. Is my fate also to serve a purpose, only to be destroyed once my usefulness is no longer required? Will he murder me as he did Kagura?

 

“What concerns you?” Naraku suddenly asked, commanding his attention. Lifting his eyes, Byakuya was a bit stunned to see Naraku staring directly at him, standing only a few inches away.

 

Startled, the younger youkai took a stumbling step backward. “I…” he stammered slightly. “Nothing.” Ashamed of his cowardice, Byakuya lowered his eyes. “How are you going to attack Kagome's mind?”

 

“Do you ask because you doubt my ability?” Naraku's tone was dangerous.

 

Yes, he thought with a sneer though he remained silent. You have never been successful in the past.

 

Although Byakuya did not utter a single word, Naraku knew exactly what he had been thinking. With a sneer of his own, Naraku crossed his arms and stared down at the placid youkai. “Kagome has always seen through my strategies because she is different from the others somehow.” Closing his eyes, Naraku allowed the memories of his past failures to assault him. “Now that she has intimately bonded with the Shikon fragment, she has essentially bonded with the Shikon no Tama.”

 

“So you can strike at her with the help of the jewel?” Byakuya asked curiously.

 

“In a way,” Naraku responded as he opened his eyes. “Because she took in the fragment of her own free will, it can not be stolen. She must give it away. I cannot harm her through the Shikon no Tama, but with my jyaki and a little blood, I can blend our consciousnesses.”

 

“I don't-”

 

“I will be able to see into her mind,” he snapped impatiently. “I can use her own knowledge to create an environment that she will believe in. Then, I will persuade her to give me the Shikon shard.”

 

“Persuade?” Byakuya shook his head in confusion.

 

“The events will become clearer as they progress,” Naraku replied curtly, turning from his creations. “Come. We have much to do. I want you to take a kugutsu and Shashu to attack Inuyasha's group. ” He paused slightly as he approached the kneeling youkai. “Don't fail me, Shashu.”

 

Shashu bowed his head as Naraku passed. “Understood, Naraku-sama,” he said.

 

Byakuya waited until Naraku had disappeared from sight before he turned toward the kneeling archer. “Does it not disturb you that he holds such little regard for your life?” he asked as he crouched to the youkai's level. “Do you have no desire for preservation?”

 

Silently, Shashu stood to his full height and stared down at his elder brother. “I was created to aid in the destruction of the miko,” he said slowly. “My life is insignificant.” Placing the tainted arrow in his quiver, Shashu nodded and turned away.

 

It doesn't matter anyway, Byakuya mused silently as he watched the archer walk away. Whenever one of his children shows signs of independence, they are sacrificed. I suppose it is better to die with no regrets then to live in fear.

 

* * *

 

Sango and Miroku both smiled as Kagome handed them each a cooked fish on a stick. Lowering her eyes, her cheeks flushed with shame at their eager expressions. “I'm afraid it's far from a bowl of ramen,” she sighed in a voice full of regret.

 

Attempting to ease her troubled heart, Miroku shook his head and enthusiastically bit into his fish. “It doesn't matter what you cook, Kagome-sama,” he said through a mouthful of food. “It always tastes exquisite.”

 

Kagome smiled at the effort to cheer her. Ever since she had performed the ritual, everyone was exceeding gentle with her. Even Inuyasha did his best to maintain her good mood. Though she knew he missed it terribly, the hanyou never spoke a word about the absence of his favorite meal. Besides that, he and Shippou rarely argued or fought over anything anymore. Kagome almost missed their endless banter - almost.

 

Though Sango was devastated over the loss of her brother, she recognized the intense guilt Kagome carried from that same incident. It was in her shame that the young miko made such a rash decision without thinking it through. Now Kagome was in constant pain, both physically and emotionally. It was bad enough that she had sacrificed the well, her family and friends, but the group never realized how much they had come to take the modern era for granted. The instant food and cooking supplies that seemed so `normal', were now a precious and desired commodity. Simple medicines and bandages were no longer available in endless supply and bathing aids were a thing of the past.

 

A soft clatter drew the others' attention as Kagome discarded her meal and swiftly stood, grasping her bow.

 

“Kagome-sama,” Miroku began. “What do you -?”

 

“Jyaki,” she shuddered as her grip tightened on her weapon. “It's Naraku.”

 

Chuckling darkly, the baboon-shrouded hanyou stepped into the soft glow of the firelight followed by Byakuya. “You're spiritual abilities are becoming quite the nuisance,” he growled from under the baboon pelt. “You felt me even before the hanyou scented my miasma.”

 

The miko held up her hand as Inuyasha stood and cracked his knuckles. “Don't get too worked up,” she scowled. Her bow began to glow with spiritual radiance. “It's only a kugutsu.”

 

“Right again,” Naraku laughed. “Impressive.”

 

Growling menacingly, Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga and readied himself for the impending battle. “What do you want?” he bit out impatiently as Miroku and Sango abandoned their meals to stand at his side.

 

“Oh?” Naraku grinned and tilted his head. “Since when do you ask questions first?”

 

Inuyasha growled angrily, but made no attempt to move. Narrowing her eyes, Kagome studied the kugutsu curiously. She knew that Naraku was baiting them just as she knew he wanted to obtain the last piece of the Shikon no Tama. What she didn't know, was what the sneaky bastard was up to now. Notching a faintly glowing arrow into her bow, Kagome glared at their enemy as she prepared for battle. “I won't give it up,” she said softly, standing readily with her weapon. “I know that is the only way you can get it.”

 

“It isn't the only way,” Naraku snarled as Byakuya drew a katana from the sheath at his back. “I could kill you and rip the fragment from your beating heart!”

 

Kagome stumbled back in shock as tentacles burst from Naraku's baboon pelt and flew toward her. “Not a chance!” Inuyasha shouted as he leapt into the fray and swung Tetsusaiga with all his strength. “Kaze no Kizu!”

 

Byakuya dove for safety as the kugutsu was destroyed by the full force of Inuyasha's attack. Rolling to the side, he scrambled to his feet and quickly turned to face the others. Stunned, he slowly lowered his katana as he stared down the length of one of Kagome's brightly glowing arrows. It was no use. He was trapped.

 

“What does Naraku have planned now?” she asked, pulling back on the line with all her strength. “He normally doesn't give up that easily.”

 

“Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to say,” Byakuya shrugged nonchalantly. “Perhaps you should ask Naraku yourself.”

 

Gritting her teeth in fury, Kagome's muscles twitched as she tried to find the will to release the arrow. Byakuya was one of Naraku's minions and she had vowed to destroy Naraku and everything associated with him. Thoughts of Kagura assaulted her suddenly and she grimaced as pain blossomed within her chest. The fragment is purifying itself, she thought sadly. Does it mean that I am tainting its purity with my thoughts and actions? Kagura wasn't evil. In the end, she just wanted to be free…

 

The others watched in bewilderment as Kagome slowly lowered her weapon.

 

“Kagome-chan,” Sango called as she took a small step forward. “What are -!?”

 

Shippou screamed just as a sharp twang cracked through the clearing and Kagome immediately crumpled to the ground. The coppery stench of fresh blood bombarded Inuyasha's sensitive nose and Tetsusaiga wavered in his grasp as he stood in complete horror. He barely noticed as Sango and Miroku leapt onto Kirara's back and disappeared in pursuit of the unseen enemy.

 

“Kagome,” he rasped as he sank to her side and pressed a hand next to the protruding shaft in her soft stomach. His claws found a long tear in the fabric of her haori and he fought the urge to gag as he felt her warm blood flow over his fingers. Where had this arrow come from?

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome gasped as she pressed her own hand against Inuyasha's. “I'm okay.”

 

“Who shot you?” he asked shakily as he added pressure to the wound.

 

Gritting her teeth against the pain, Kagome shook her head. “I didn't see.”

 

“It was another youkai,” Shippou announced loudly, pointing toward a small cluster of brush. “He was standing over there. Sango and Miroku went after him.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed angrily as he studied the fletching of the arrow. He knew how Naraku operated and if the bastard had something to do with this, it worried him. His expression softened instantly as Kagome pushed lightly against his shoulder. “Go after them,” she whispered urgently. “Please.”

 

“But I can't -”

 

“I'm okay,” Kagome said with a humorless smile. “It's just a flesh wound.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she gripped the shaft of the arrow and pleaded with the distraught hanyou. “Please make sure that Miroku-sama and Sango-chan are safe.”

 

Torn by indecision, Inuyasha was unable to move. Part of him wanted to rip Kagome's attacker apart with his bare hands until the bastard's blood had sufficiently fertilized the grass. On the other hand, he was terrified the unseen youkai was still hiding in the trees, just waiting for a second chance to finish what he had started. What if Sango and Miroku had been mistaken? What if he was still out there?

 

“I'll be fine,” Kagome said forcefully. “I'll erect a barrier as soon as you are gone and Shippou-chan will be here to protect me.” She smiled as the kit's chest puffed in pride.

 

Nodding uncertainly, Inuyasha stood and rushed in the direction of his companions' scent. His heart pounded in his ears as the cloying fragrance of Kagome's blood continued to assault his sensitive nose. Concentrating on calming his stomach, Inuyasha stumbled in surprise when he burst from trees in time to see Sango release Hiraikotsu in a deadly throw.

 

The new youkai turned as Sango's attack just barely passed his left shoulder. To their astonishment, the archer moved into Hiraikotsu's direct path as it curved back toward its wielder. They didn't have time to shout so much as a warning before the curved weapon impacted and completely obliterated their enemy.

 

Stunned, Sango scarcely caught Hiraikotsu as it whistled past her outstretched hand. “Did you see…?” she whispered to whoever was listening, staring at the disintegrating remains of the archer youkai.

 

“It would seem as though he destroyed himself,” Miroku commented. “That was…disturbing.”

 

Inuyasha stood over the remains of the archer youkai and tested the air lightly. There was no doubt he had been in league with Naraku, he fairly reeked of the despicable bastard. Just what was he planning now? His blood froze as a shrill scream ripped through the air.

 

“Kagome-chan!” Sango cried, leaping onto Kirara's back. Miroku barely had time to scramble aboard before the feline streaked in the direction of the miko's pained cry.

 

Inuyasha was gone the moment Kagome's voice had sounded through the trees. With every ragged breath, he cursed himself for leaving her behind and with no protection. How could he have been so stupid!? Silently pleading with the kamis that she was safe, he pushed himself to leap further and cover more ground, focusing intently on the nauseating scent of fresh blood. Inuyasha slid to a stop as he reached the edge of Kagome's barrier and watched as it pulsed one last time before dissolving.

 

“Kagome!” he shouted, rushing to kneel at her side. To his immense relief, she was sitting up, though her face was white with pain and she was tightly clutching her wound.

 

“I really am fine,” she reassured him through tightly clenched teeth, blushing furiously as his hands sought for the information on their own. Her blush darkened as Sango and Miroku appeared; their deep concern evident in their expressions. “The wound is deep, but not life-threatening.”

 

“We heard you scream…” Miroku said shakily, his own relief written plainly upon his face. “We thought the worst…”

 

Nervously, Shippou stepped forward with a bloody arrow in his grasp. “Kagome asked me to pull it out,” he said. His eyes widened in fear when Inuyasha turned an angry glower toward him. “I didn't want to!!”

 

“I'm fine, Inuyasha,” Kagome reassured them all. “Shippou-chan did just fine. I guess it was in deeper then I had thought.”

 

Studying the wound thoroughly, Inuyasha nodded and sat back on his heels in satisfaction. If it had just been a little more to the left… He shook his head to rid himself of the terrible image.

 

Kagome fell silent as she stared up at the rustling leaves. Had the youkai merely missed his target? Why had it been so easy to destroy Naraku's kugutsu and his creation? Normally, the vile hanyou would put up more of a fight. And what had happened to Byakuya? Her unease grew as she glanced around at her friends. It was obvious that similar questions were plaguing the others.

 

What is Naraku up to now?

 

* * *

 

“Are you sure that you are okay, Kagome-chan?” Sango's voice drew the young miko from her muddied thoughts. “You've been awfully quiet tonight.”

 

Lifting a hand from the steaming water, Kagome closed her eyes and rubbed the tightly tensed muscles in the back of her neck. “I'm fine,” she reassured the taiji-ya. In truth, she had felt a little off ever since Naraku's most recent attack. Kagome knew, however, that everyone was concerned about her and she didn't want to worry them further. Perhaps it was just the beginning of a cold or something similar.

 

“You smell funny,” Shippou broke in.

 

Chuckling softly, Kagome opened her eyes and allowed her hand to fall back into the warmth of the onsen. “That's why we're bathing, Shippou-chan.”

 

The kitsune wrinkled his brow and took another tentative sniff of the evening air. “It isn't that,” he pondered aloud. “You don't smell dirty, but you smell different…”

 

“Are you sure you're feeling all right, Kagome-chan?” Sango questioned yet again.

 

A heavy sigh escaped her lips. “Shippou-chan, could you go back a little early? I'd like to speak to Sango-chan alone for a little while.”

 

Shippou nodded, though he did nothing to hide the slightly hurt expression on his face. He loved Kagome just as much as the rest of them did and he wanted to know what was bothering her. However, he also loved her enough to respect her wishes and without a trace of hesitation, he took off toward their camp. Whatever was wrong with his favorite miko, she was sure to tell him later. He just needed to be patient.

 

“Kagome-chan?” Sango asked when Shippou's form had finally disappeared from sight. “What is it?”

 

“I…” The miko shook her head as her mouth went dry and a wave of dizziness washed over her. “I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

 

Now it was Sango's turn to look away. It still hurt to think of Kohaku and she didn't think she was ready to expose those wounds just yet. “I'm fine,” she answered flatly. “Thank you for your concern.” A small splash drew her attention back to the young miko and her brow wrinkled in concern at the sight of Kagome's pale face as she clutched her chest in pain. “What is it?” she demanded.

 

Kagome's eyes went wide with fear as a searing pain burned through her lungs and clenched around her tender heart. “Something…something's wrong!”

 

* * *

 

“Oi, runt,” Inuyasha barked as Shippou stepped into the clearing. “What are you doing back so soon?”

 

“They wanted to be alone for a little while.”

 

A lascivious light glinted in Miroku's dark eyes. “Perhaps we should check on them?” he asked hopefully.

 

“Sit down, lecher,” Inuyasha threatened. “Or I'll break your legs to help you control your wandering thoughts.”

 

Grimacing, Miroku nodded his understanding. “Of course,” he sighed. “I only wish for their safety.”

 

“And more,” Shippou snickered, dodging Miroku's playful slap.

 

Inuyasha watched the two as his thoughts drifted back to Kagome. He couldn't explain it but suddenly he felt a sense of dread settle over his chest.

 

* * *

 

“Kagome-chan!?”

 

Inuyasha… “I'm okay,” she tried to calm the panicking taiji-ya. Stepping out of the onsen, Kagome quickly dried herself and dressed in the oversized miko garb that had been handed down from Kaede's supplies. She barely took another step before a crippling bolt of pain brought her to rest a trembling hand against a nearby tree for support.

 

Scared, Sango also stepped from the onsen and dressed. “Something is wrong! Why didn't you tell us that you were in pain?”

 

Inuyasha! Kagome's heart was pounding as she tried to regulate her breathing. “I didn't want to worry you,” she answered, followed by a soft whimper. “I'm really fine. I think I just need to -!!” Another wave ripped through her and she gasped in response.

 

“That's it!” Sango said as she stared down at the miko. “I'm calling the others.”

 

Standing, Kagome shook her head. “I think it has passed,” she said, taking another small step. “Let's just -­” Kagome crumpled as pain hammered through her with the force of a lightening bolt. Just before she lost consciousness and collided with the hard ground, her heart screamed for the one person that made her feel safe and content.

 

INUYASHA!!

 

* * *

 

Groaning softly, Kagome struggled to pull her consciousness from the murky haze of slumber. The sunlight was blinding and uncomfortable even with her eyes tightly closed and her cranium felt as thought it had been used as a bass drum in a heavy metal concert. Turning her head to the side, she lifted a hand to soothe the pounding ache at her temple. To her shock, her arm would only move a few inches before something bit painfully into her wrist.

 

What the-!?

 

Forcing her eyes open against the harsh glare, she blinked rapidly to adjust to the bright light. Nothing appeared in her line of sight at first and she began to fear that she had gone blind. Strange... She had always thought that the blind only saw darkness. All she could see was white. It took several minutes more before she realized that everything around her was white. The floor, the walls, the bed, the restraints-

 

The restraints!?

 

Whimpering in distress, Kagome clenched her lids together tightly and willed herself to wake up. Opening her eyes once more, she had only succeeded in bringing the room into sharper focus. Her miko garments were gone and in their place she now wore a set of white hospital scrubs. She was loosely bound to a large bed by her wrists and ankles with white Velcro straps in the middle of a small padded room. The sunlight streamed through a small barred window and beyond the tiny square she could make out blue skies and a few fluffy-looking clouds.

 

Kagome took a deep breath to quell the rising panic in her heart and tried to concentrate on what had happened to her. The last thing she remembered was being in the onsen with Sango and suddenly feeling sharp pains in her chest. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Surely she was far too young to have suffered a heart attack!?

 

Taking a deep breath, Kagome focused on working back through what she could recall. She remembered waking that morning and fixing a quick breakfast of nuts and berries for herself and her friends. After cleaning up their camp, the group had agreed to continue east and they had walked most of the morning before coming upon a deserted village. Another meal of cooked fish and then not long after that, Naraku had attacked and she had been hit with that strange arrow.

 

The arrow, she thought, her eyes widening slightly. Could that have had something to do with what is happening now? Where are the others!? Where is Inuyasha!? Where the hell am I!? “Hello?” she called tentatively, pulling lightly at the restraints. “Can anyone hear me? Hello!?”

 

* * *

 

 

“Hello? Can anyone hear me? Hello!?”

 

Naraku chuckled as he watched Kagome struggle against her bonds in the mirror's reflection. What an interesting little mind the young miko possessed! He had known that by melding their consciousness together it would literally open up a door between their memories and thoughts. However, nothing could have prepared him for the onslaught of sights and sounds that flooded his mind the moment he had connected with the strange girl.

 

She was from the future. The unusual mannerisms and clothing she possessed made so much more sense now that he had discovered her origins. Probing further, he was annoyed to find that the lone fragment within her was blocking his efforts to gain more information. It was also regrettable that the mind-meld was a two-way door. Kagome could just as easily see into his thoughts and that would do him no good if she were to discover his plan. Closing his mind from her own, he was no longer able to scour through her strange and intriguing memories. No matter. He had enough to manipulate this scenario within her mind and make it convincing. Any more useful information could still be gleaned by other methods.

 

“What are you going to do now?” Byakuya asked, watching the young miko test her bonds once more before sinking dejectedly into the strange pallet.

 

Grinning, Naraku removed the nearly completed Shikon no Tama from his pelt. “We're going to play out this little drama and see where it takes us.” Using one, razor sharp nail, he extracted a shard from the sphere and handed it to the startled youkai. “Inuyasha and the others don't know what has happened yet but if they find out, I'll need you to keep them distracted. I will be unable to concentrate fully on the outside world while I am within Kagome's mind.”

 

Byakuya stared at the tiny fragment in his hand with barely suppressed shock. “What do you expect me to do?”

 

“Sadly, nothing,” Naraku sighed in annoyance. “I expected that you would be far too incompetent to be effective.”

 

Scowling bitterly, he clenched his fist around the tainted shard as Naraku motioned toward the shadows.

 

“Take Inbijiburu,” Naraku said softly, chuckling at the confused expression on Byakuya's face as he waved at nothing. “He has many talents.”

 

“Inbijiburu?” Byakuya whispered hesitantly. Was there yet another incarnation who would become the next youkai for the slaughter? Did Naraku truly not care about the lives of his `children'? “I don't understand -”

 

“You don't need to understand anything,” Naraku hissed. “Just lead Inbijiburu to Inuyasha and give him the Shikon fragment when he needs it.”

 

Kanna stepped forward in that moment and raised her mirror to eye-level, showing him Kagome's fruitless attempts to break the restraints. Sparing Byakuya one last scathing, warning glare, he concentrated fully on the image of the miko and felt his consciousness slowly slipping away.

 

For several seconds, Byakuya merely stared at his master as his body became rigid and his face devoid of emotion. Interest piqued, Byakuya wanted to watch the drama unfold just under the surface of the mirror but Naraku's threat had been all too clear. Glancing warily to his side, he lifted his hand to prod tentatively at the air. Something snatched his wrist in a crushing grip and he gasped in shock as he ripped his hand away. There's nothing there!!

 

With a heavy sigh, he plucked the origami from its place inside his intricately decorated suikan. “Duty calls,” he snorted sarcastically. “I hope you can keep up.” Shrugging at the invisible youkai, he leapt onto his crane and disappeared in a flurry of wind of and leaves.

 

* * *

 

“Hello! Is anyone out there!?” Kami! Kagome thought angrily, pulling her already chaffed wrists against the rough Velcro. What does it take to get a little attention around here!?

 

She froze as a soft sound broke the eerie silence and despite the terrible pounding in her head, she twisted around find the source. A small crack appeared in the lumpy padding covering the wall behind her and to her relief, a door seemed to magically open from the outside. Hope swelled within her breast as the door swung wide, giving her a view of the hallway beyond. She knew, without a doubt, that whatever mistake had been made was about to be rectified.

 

Her heart simultaneously leapt for joy and stuttered in fear as two figures moved through the aperture and into the small white room. Stunned silent, she barely noted how oddly it was to see them both clad in such strange clothing before the shock of who they were registered in her mind.

 

Inuyasha and…Naraku!?

 

She didn't know what was more confusing: the fact that she was apparently in a hospital; Inuyasha and Naraku were standing side by side without trying to kill each other; they were dressed as doctors; Inuyasha was human… Unable to form a single coherent thought let alone a word, Kagome merely whimpered and shied away from their anxious gazes. Unconsciously, she began tugging once more at her unbreakable bonds.

 

“It is such a relief to see you awake and alert once more, Higurashi-san,” Naraku spoke softly, pulling a stethoscope from around his neck and placing the rubber earpieces in his ears. “I want to listen to your heart for just a moment before we discuss your case.”

 

Panicking as her most hated enemy slowly approached, Kagome released an earsplitting scream and arched from the bed, thrashing as wildly as her restraints allowed.

 

“Damn it!” Naraku shouted, ripping the stethoscope from his head and tossing it aside. Grabbing her ankles, he shot a menacing glare at Inuyasha. “Hold her!”

 

Nodding, Inuyasha grasped her chaffed and swollen wrists, forcing them down to the soft mattress. “Nurse!” he cried, grunting with the effort to control the flailing girl. “I need 2 ccs of nimetazepam right away!”

 

Kagome's eyes widened in horror as Kagura seemed to suddenly materialize at Inuyasha's side with a cotton pad and a large syringe filled with clear liquid. Impossible!! she thought wildly. She's…she's dead!

 

With renewed strength, the miko thrashed against the bonds and the iron grips of the two doctors, determined to make whatever they planned to do difficult for them. Kagura released a small sound of frustration as Kagome repeatedly jerked her arm from under the threat of the needle.

 

“If she doesn't hold still, I'm afraid I'm going to break the damn thing off in her arm!” the dead wind-witched-turned-nurse huffed, swabbing Kagome's flushed skin once more with the alcohol soaked pad. “At least her struggles have made the vein pop up. If you could just hold her steady-”

 

Kagome smelled the alcohol and screamed anew, absolutely refusing to go peacefully as she writhed and twisted in the doctors' grasp. Her screams gave way to choking sobs of terror as she began to exhaust herself and her struggles gradually lost strength. With a tiny moan of defeat, Kagome felt the needle slip into her arm and the crushing weight on her wrists and ankles eased.

 

“Its okay, Higurashi-san,” a familiar baritone crooned in her ear, filtering through the drowsy affects of the drug. Her glassy eyes slid toward Inuyasha and she struggled to bring his handsome face into focus. “Relax and rest. We'll be back later once you've gotten some sleep.”

 

Before he could pull his hands from her wrists, Kagome snagged the long sleeve of his lab coat in her trembling hand. “Inuyasha,” she whispered shakily as her eyes fluttered closed. Her grip slackened and her arm fell limply back to the mattress. “Please…help me…”

 

* * *

 

Inuyasha!

 

The hanyou's ears flicked as his eyes narrowed and he silently studied the surrounding forest. He had heard his name as clearly as if Kagome had just spoken in his ear. His ears swiveled once more before they stilled. There was nothing out there. Perhaps it had merely been his imagination.

 

He couldn't help the anxious feeling that overcame him. It had only been a few hours since that sudden and unexpected attack by Naraku. Inuyasha shivered involuntarily as he thought of the arrow that had narrowly taken Kagome's life. It had been sheer luck that caused the youkai to miss his target. He swallowed hard as he recalled the terror he had felt at the first scent of her blood. Never before in his entire existence had he suffered such pain in his heart; not even the day Kikyou had died. The revelation had stunned him but he had quickly dismissed the feeling once he discovered that Kagome was alive.

 

Inuyasha!

 

Startled, the hanyou drew his arms from beneath his capacious sleeves. One clawed hand deftly found Tetsusaiga's hilt as he tensed in anticipation. If it had only been once, he could have dismissed the call. Twice, however…

 

“Is something wrong?” Miroku asked, his brow wrinkling in concern.

 

“No.” Inuyasha relaxed slightly, easing his muscles and settling into his former position. “I thought I heard something.”

 

“The girls?” The monk's eyes gleamed with perverse amusement.

 

“No,” Inuyasha barked sharply, feeling guilty as Miroku flinched. Sighing, he shrugged, “I thought I heard Kagome calling for me.”

 

“Really?” The gleam brightened.

 

Ignoring the insinuation from the corrupt houshi, Inuyasha waged an internal war. Although he knew she was with Sango at the onsen, he couldn't help the sudden feeling of dread that overcame him. They had been gone for a long time. Perhaps he should check on them.

 

INUYASHA!

 

He heard his name shouted in his consciousness merely seconds before Sango's shrill scream resonated through the crisp night air. Ignoring the twin startled looks from Miroku and Shippou, he leapt to his feet and raced toward the onsen as fast as his hanyou abilities allowed. He ignored his companion's confused shouts and focused completely on the aura he could feel radiating distress and fear.

 

Kagome!

 

Though he ran as rapidly as he could, it seemed to take an eternity to reach the thick line of trees. Before he'd even cleared the outer perimeter of the camp he knew something terrible had happened. Gritting his teeth against the cold fingers of terror that crept down his spine, Inuyasha pushed himself harder, mentally chanting her name with ever step like a soothing mantra.

 

Kagome, Kagome, Kagome, Kagome!

 

“Oh, Kami!” Sango cried out from somewhere directly in front of him. “Someone, please! Inuyasha, Houshi-sama! Anyone!”

 

Rising above the taiji-ya's pleas were Kagome's tortured screams. Each one tore through his chest like a knife and he could feel his claws lengthening in response to her pain. Inuyasha exploded through the thick shrubs in time to see the young miko thrash violently in a fit of terror. Sango's eyes were wide with panic as she clutched Kagome to her chest, flinching with every blow the girl unintentionally inflicted upon her.

 

“She's burning up! I can't…I don't…” the slayer sputtered helplessly. “Kami - what is happening to her!?”

 

Seconds later, Kirara, Miroku and Shippou burst onto the path and their anxious stares landed instantly on the disturbing scene. Shippou immediately began to sob as Kagome shrieked in horror and pain, twisting in Sango's grasp and striking blindly at an invisible assailant. Miroku scooped the kitsune into his arms, shielding him from the view as Inuyasha stepped forward to aid with the miko's convulsions.

 

He could feel Kagome's utter terror and confusion radiating through her aura as he grasped her shoulders and hauled her to her feet. Almost at once, as though reacting from his touch, she sagged against him and Inuyasha had to lift her in his arms to keep her from crumpling to the ground. Her head rested heavily upon his shoulder and his concern grew as the skin under his hands felt clammy and damp with sweat. Beneath her lids, her eyes were rapidly darting back and forth making the hanyou dizzy just from watching her.

 

“Kagome?” he whispered in alarm as one of her trembling hands reach toward his face to tightly grasp a forelock of his hair. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she whimpered pitifully against his shoulder and it took everything within Inuyasha to keep his youkai blood at bay.

 

“Inuyasha,” she choked out as she shuddered against his chest. His ears perked forward at the sound of his name but her eyes remained tightly closed. She appeared to be dreaming. “Please…help me…”

 

“Kagome!” he called sharply, lightly shaking the miko in his arms. It was no use. Something had caused her to fall into a deep but restless sleep and it seemed that no outside stimuli would awaken her. He tightened his hold as another tremor coursed through her and her breathing became rapid and uneven.

 

“What's going on?” Shippou asked as he sniffled in Miroku's embrace. “Is Kagome gonna be all right?”

 

Nodding grimly, Inuyasha turned his gaze toward the shaken taiji-ya. “Sango,” he said softly, “take Kirara and go for help. It's too far to take Kagome to Kaede-babaa but maybe the next village has a healer or a miko or something.”

 

Taking a deep, calming breath, Sango nodded unsteadily and climbed atop the gently mewling fire-cat. “I'll be back soon,” she promised before the two sped away.

 

“What about us?” Shippou's voice was full of concern. “What are we going to do?”

 

Inuyasha had never felt as helpless as he did in that moment. Kagome's scent was saturated with fear and exhaustion. It mingled unpleasantly with the sour odor of Miroku and Shippou's rising anxiety. He felt angry and scared himself as more of her hot tears soaked through his suikan and she shivered in his arms. She had asked for his help but how could he fight what he couldn't even see?

 

Kagome's hand fell limply from his hair and hung lifelessly toward the ground. If he had not been able to hear her heartbeat or her shallow inhalations, he would have thought her dead. The sudden pain in his heart at the mere inclination nearly brought him to his knees.

 

“Inuyasha?” Miroku prodded gently, his own eyes betraying his fear and concern.

 

“Let's go back,” the hanyou replied, tightening his hold on the precious cargo in his arms. “We'll just have to wait until Sango brings help.”

 

He didn't protest when Shippou leapt onto his shoulder and gently lowered his body to snuggle beneath the miko's other arm. Inuyasha knew that the kit needed to be sure that Kagome was still alive and warm. Careful not to jostle her in fear that it might cause her undue pain, Inuyasha and Miroku slowly walked into the trees.

 

* * *