InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Tangled Ambitions ❯ Cheerless Reunion ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer- I do not own InuYasha or any of the original characters; they are the property of the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi. This story is an individual creation for personal and shared enjoyment of true InuYasha fans that I hope is up to the quality of the real series. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Chapter 7: Cheerless Reunion

The afternoon is steadily making it's way toward evening and the noises that drift up from the village are as sporadic as the intermittent breeze that only teases of cooler temperatures to come.

One of the two men standing guard at the gates of the Castle sighs with boredom and leans on his spear, drawing his fellow guard's attention. The shorter of the two looks at his lethargic friend, pushes his helmet back a bit and says, "Oi, Torai."

Torai's eyes flick at the shorter man disinterestedly, "Hmm?"

He smiles at him, "Did you see the new girl in the kitchen?"

Torai straightens and turns more, a smile coming to his face, "Hai, Norito…very pretty."

Norito leans closer and drops his voice conspiratorially, "I hear she's not married or promised to anyone," he frowns, "But I didn't catch her name…"

Torai raises his eyebrows, "It's Kyumi."

Norito turns with mock-surprise on his face and says archly, "Ooohh! Been asking, have you?" He chuckles good-naturedly at his friend's discomfort.

Torai flushes and turns away only to stiffen at the sound of jingling. He looks down the path to see two people approaching and shushes the shorter man. "Quiet, someone's coming."

They both grip their spears and step forward to challenge the newcomers; a Monk carrying a jingling staff and followed by a woman, dressed and armed like a warrior with hard eyes over a mask covering the lower half of her face.

The Monk bows, "I am Miroku." He waves a hand behind him and the woman likewise bows, "and this is my bodyguard…pay her no mind." He ignores the fleeting glare she shoots at him and continues importantly, "I have come with urgent news for Lord Narushi." His voice drops dramatically, "A most dire warning and one I must not delay in delivering!"

Torai and Norito glance at each other and the shorter speaks up, "The Lord Narushi is occupied. You should come back tomorrow."

The Monk pounds his staff in emphasis, frowning at the two men, "I do not think that you understand the importance of my information." He looks from one to the other, "Lord Narushi is in great peril and my intervention may very well save his life!"

The shorter man looks uncertain and the taller speaks up, "We have our orders. Now-"

Miroku cuts him off, "Your Lord did not know of my arrival," he stares hard at the tall guard and makes a negating hand-motion, "so how can your `orders' apply?"

His reasonable words and absolute confidence makes the man waver, "But-"

"But nothing!" The Monk's strident tones are very convincing, "The events that have been set in motion by the actions of another have only one chance of being stopped! My sources have never been wrong and they're not wrong now!"

Miroku wraps both hands around his staff, changes his tactics and shakes his head sorrowfully. "If you turn me away and something happens that could have been prevented…" He shrugs and sighs, "I am not to blame." He hangs his head and turns his back on them.

Norito looks worried, "Wait, Houshi-sama…"

Torai bends close to his partner and whispers, "Are you sure? You know what Sakutaro said…"

Norito whispers back, "Hai, but what choice do we have?" He straightens and says aloud, "Please, Houshi-sama, follow me. I will take you to see Lord Narushi."

Miroku gives a smug smile and wink to Sango before turning with a sober face to bow to the two guards, "Ah, may all your days be guided by such wisdom as is today."

The gates are opened, Miroku and Sango are led through, with a small, unseen twin-tailed shadow slipping in after them just as they are shut once more.

"One more thing…"

The Monk's words stop Norito and he looks back, "Hai, Houshi-sama?"

"There is one other that must hear me…"

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Shippo is leaning against the side of the wide chair that Lord Narushi is sitting in, his mind spinning with unanswered questions. The small bit of hope that he had felt when he heard the unmistakable sounds of InuYasha fighting, had shattered upon seeing the Hanyou beset by Youkai in the monstrous cage instead of coming to the rescue as he had first thought.

`No way!' He shakes his shaggy head in disbelief, `How…?' He creeps forward to peek again and sees the way Akunin is holding Kagome and the hateful glares InuYasha throws toward the twisted Taijiya every chance he gets.

Shippo moves back and plops down, his little shoulders slumped in despair. He closes his eyes and tries to block out the sounds of rattling, slamming doors, the death cries of youkai echoing in the long columned hall, and the close murmur of voices followed by abhorrent laughter and applause.

The nearer double doors opening and rapid footsteps approaching catches the Kitsune's attention. He moves as far as the leash allows and looks around the back of the chair to see a young guardsman bow and whisper something to that uppity Sakutaro that he had seen when he was first brought here.

The curious Shippo watches Sakutaro wave the man away, who then bows and leaves the way he came. Sakutaro steps close to whisper in Lord Narushi's ear and the leery Kitsune shrinks back out of sight.

Strain as he might, he can't hear what is being said. He is listening so hard that he jumps and almost bites his tongue when the Lord's voice rings out.

"Akunin!" Narushi stands gaining the attention of all, including the bearers of yet another cage holding a snarling youkai that had just entered at the far end. They set it down to listen.

The dark Taijiya releases Kagome's waist but retains his hold on her arm, turning her with him and forcing her to bow as he does before answering, "Narushi-sama?"

"Come." Narushi tugs on the leash, sending Shippo tumbling forward before he catches himself whereupon he looks up and sees Kagome looking at him in shock. He stares at her for a moment before a second tug has him trotting after Narushi with his head hung down in shame.

Lord Narushi walks toward the doors, "It seems that you and I have visitors." He pauses and turns to face Akunin, waving a negligent hand, "leave your plaything and come." Fully expecting his command to be obeyed, Narushi exits the room followed by the rest of the group.

`Damn pompous ass!' Akunin's hand tightens on the girl's arm as he glares after the retreating gathering. `Just wait until I have no more use for you…'

Kagome's shock at seeing Shippo turns to fleeting joy that he is alive. `Thank God!' But it quickly turns to anger as she realizes his humiliating predicament. The sudden painful squeezing on her arm causes her to gasp and she quickly looks at the slit-eyed look on Akunin's face and shudders.

She turns away and notices that InuYasha, surrounded by dozens of dead youkai and down on one knee with one hand braced on the ground and the other clinched tightly, was breathing heavily and staring back at her. `Hang on…please, hang on…'

Akunin motions to Kazuha, the main caretaker of the menagerie, to come over.

Kazuha hurries over, "Hai, Taijiya-san?"

"Here," he pushes Kagome into the other man's arms and snarls, "Keep her here and Don't let her out of your sight!" Akunin waits for his affirmative reply before turning on his heel and striding after the Lord's party.

It grows quiet in the cavernous room except for wailing of the caged youkai, which grows more hysterical until finally Kazuha yells over to the handlers to take it back. The other handlers and assistants talk quietly among themselves, many with quizzical expressions and puzzled gestures.

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Sango stands in a richly appointed room feeling a little vulnerable without her Hiraikotsu in its accustomed place on her back; Kagome's bow and quiver did little to give her the comfort that her favorite weapon did. She and the Monk standing next to her had earlier decided that it would be more hindrance than helpful this time and she had hidden it safely until they could retrieve it later.

`No,' she wraps her hand around the hilt of her sword in its sheath at her side, `I will not be able to use it this time.' She glances at her handsome companion and then away, shifting her shoulders to ease the tension, `I wish…' She pushes the thought away along with her impatience, calling on her training and remembering her father's words before an engagement or during training. `Breathe,' he would say and smile before poking her forehead playfully with a finger, `and think. Your mind is your best weapon.'

Sango takes a deep breath and closes her eyes as she lets it out slowly. `Hai, Father…I remember.' Her eyes open with renewed calm, `I can do this.' She tells herself and lifts her head proudly, `I must.'

At the sound of people entering across the room, Miroku looks at Sango, she nods at him and he nods back. They turn and watch Lord Narushi, followed by various other personages, walk to a lone seat and stand in front of it to address them. "Greetings, Lord Monk. I am Narushi," and he sits. "I am told you have some information that is crucial?"

The sight of the Lord's pet is unexpected and Miroku feels Sango's hand grab a handful of cloth on his back to give a slight tug. He gives a slight nod, imperceptible to anyone not close. He bows low, Sango mirroring him, and straightens to step closer, "Hai, Narushi-sama. I am Miroku, a wandering Monk." He pauses and peruses the others in the room and says in puzzlement, "but this information is also for your man; the Taijiya, Akunin."

Narushi looks to the side, "Akunin! Come forward! You will have them spreading rumors that we have no manners here."

The scarred man steps out of the shadows where he had concealed himself to observe for his own reasons. He stops by Lord Narushi's side and bows contemptuously, his eyes glued to the masked woman dressed similarly as he and standing behind the Monk. He straightens with his thoughts in chaos and smiles in honest amazement at her, ignoring the Monk. "Well, well, well…I had hoped..." He takes a step forward but stops at the hatred blazing in those dark eyes, his smile changing to a smirk. "Two years and as beautiful as ever." He spreads his arms wide and says mockingly, "Why, Sango! No greeting?"

She steps around Miroku, rips off her mask and hands it to the confused Monk. She looks away to bow and speak directly to Lord Narushi, "Narushi-sama, this creature-" she points to Akunin who raises an amused brow, "-is a traitor to my people-"

Akunin cuts in annoyingly, "-who are dead and gone-"

She ignores him and continues, "-who has corrupted all we stand for and stained the Honor of all Taijiya-"

Akunin cuts in yet again, "-I repeat, who are dead and gone-"

She grits her teeth, "-who's life is forfeit by our laws-"

Akunin sighs and shakes his head, "-laws of a people who no longer exist-"

Sango finally looks back at him, "even so," she disagrees, "I am here…and I exist…and they through me."

Narushi looks from one Taijiya to the other in befuddlement, "What is this about?"

At the same time she hears a whisper from behind, "Sango…what are you doing?"

Akunin half-turns to answer his lord, never taking his eyes off of the accusing woman, "Nothing to worry about, Narushi-sama. Just ancient history-"

"Akunin!" Sango steps forward and raises her arm to point at his amused face. "All that aside, there is still the debt YOU owe ME!" She drops her arm and shakes off the hand on her shoulder, determined to not be distracted from her chosen course. "I intend to collect on it!" She narrows her eyes at him and demands, "Do you deny me that right?!"

He stares at her, one hand coming up to stroke a finger along the puckered scar across his left cheek that pulled his mouth up on that side, and shakes his head bemusedly, "No…I cannot deny you that right."

Sakutaro was bent over, whispering in his Lord's ear when Narushi jumps up and exclaims, "Akunin! Does this mean you are accepting her challenge? You will fight this woman?"

Akunin nods and bows mockingly at her, "It is our way."

"Excellent!" Narushi begins rubbing his hands together with childish glee. "Shall you use the Arena?"

He looks at the excited Lord with painful surprise, "Thank you for the offer, Narushi-sama, but I believe the courtyard will do." He turns with a lewd look to the young woman, "I remember how you love the outdoors."

Just as she was about to answer back, `Breathe, Sango…and think.' She could almost feel that fond touch and managed to remain silent.

Lord Narushi calls for everyone to go to the courtyard and, dragging a reluctant Shippo, he heads for the door leading to the outside with Akunin and the rest of the gathering not far behind.

Sango turns to follow and is stopped by a hand on her arm. She looks back at the usually loquacious Miroku struggling for words.

"Sango…" He pauses and feels a tug at his robes, distracting him. Kirara `mews' up at him, takes a few steps in the opposite direction and looks back to `mew' again. Waiting.

"Houshi-sama."

He faces her as she gently removes his hand and takes bow and quiver of arrows from off her shoulder..

"Hurry." She gives them to him and nods at the impatient cat, "She's saying she knows where they are."

He glances at the cat, who takes a few more steps and stops again to stare at him, before looking back into the young woman's calm face. "I…"

She gives him a tiny push, "Go, I'll keep him here as long as I can," she promises. Then she turns around to follow the others through the doorway.

Miroku is torn. The cat is tugging him in one direction while his heart is pulling him in another. He suddenly frowns, `…as long as I can?' His eyes widen, `She knows she can't win!' He takes a step in her direction and stops with many clamorous thoughts rushing through his head, all the pros and cons... "DAMN!!" Spinning around, he trots after his twin-tailed guide.

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A man comes running into the Arena Hall through the same doors where the Lord and his party had exited, probably a servant by the plainness of his clothing. He stops at the edge of the wooden platform, out of breath, and yells across to where the handlers were grouped, "Shinri!"

One of handlers steps away from the rest and waves an arm to acknowledge the caller, "What is it?"

The panting man calls out excitedly, "The Taijiya-san is going to fight another Taijiya in the courtyard! Come on!"

Kagome was glaring daggers at her present captor and had only glanced at the hurried man when he appeared, but he now has her complete attention. `Another Taijiya?'

The one called Shinri calls back, "Why should I? I see plenty of fighting in here!"

"Ha!" His friend laughs, "I bet you've never seen a Woman fight!"

`Sango!' Kagome glances at InuYasha who is still kneeling with his head down, and bites her lip to keep from calling out to him, `If Sango is here, so to must Miroku! Hold on…just a little longer…'

One of the other men scoffs loudly, "What are you talking about? What woman?"

"The other Taijiya is a woman! And she challenged Akunin!" He looks at them and shakes his head, "I'm not waiting! Come or not!" The servant turns and runs back out the way he came.

The group of men look to each other in amazement and, almost as one, they dash around the Cage, startling InuYasha into alertness with claws and fangs bared, past a shocked Kazuha and his charge to disappear through the doorway.

Kazuha stares enviously at the doorway then looks around the cavernous room, empty save for himself, the girl and the Hanyou glaring at him from behind the bars of the Cage.

InuYasha turns his attention to the bars of his prison and narrows his eyes with intent, `Let's see just how strong they are.' He walks up to them and reaches out both hands, only to have them repulsed before he could touch them with a bright flash, the various charms and ofuda glowing brightly for a moment then fading.

The sudden light blinds Kazuha for a moment. He tries to blink away the after images still blurring his vision and tightens his hold on the girl.

Kagome ignores him, watching the glow fade and realizing that they weren't just decorations or fakes covering the Cage. She watches InuYasha step back, look down at his hands and snarl audibly.

Kazuha is also watching and he gives a short laugh, "Is he trying to fry himself?"

Kagome glances at him and tries to yank her arm out of his grip, "Let me go!"

He is still watching as the Hanyou reaches for the bars again and says unconcernedly while shaking his head, "It won't work…"

She looks back at the Cage and sees InuYasha grit his teeth and quickly grab onto the bars causing the wards to flare again, the brightness growing the longer he holds on.

The two humans squint at the glare, barely able to see the stubborn Hanyou as he continues to strain and growl with the effort of pulling on the bars, enduring the jolting energy that grows with each second.

Finally, with one last burst, InuYasha is knocked back and several of the wards go up in flames to fall smoldering on the ground.

Kagome pulls against the hold on her, "InuYasha!" When she can't break free, she turns on him, clawing at the hand on her arm, "Damn you! Let me go!"

"Hey!" His free hand grabs her other wrist, "Knock it off!

InuYasha sits up, shakes his head to clear the ringing in his ears and sees the struggle between the two. He climbs unsteadily to his feet, his eyes locked on them, and watches Kagome free one arm and twist around to elbow her opponent in the stomach, followed by a vicious stomp on his foot.

Kazuha yelps and loses his hold on her, stumbling back a step from the hard shove she gives him before she turns to run towards the Cage. He immediately lurches after her and grabs hold of her hair, yanking her to a stop and flinging her to the ground, causing her to cry out.

InuYasha, between one heartbeat and the next, leaps for the metal barrier with a feral snarl exposing fangs and with eyes glowing dangerously…his tenuous control broken.

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The courtyard is ringed with spectators, richly-garbed nobles and curious workers mixed with well-armed guards. The low murmur of voices is a minor irritant compared to the smug confidence on Akunin's face.

Sango draws her sword and prepares herself, her eyes focused on a person she'd hoped to never see again…and one she meant to kill if she could. `…Father…guide me…'

Akunin takes a sweeping glance at their audience and puts his hand on his sword still in its sheath. He looks at her and asks, "My original offer still stands Sango. We could forget all this nonsense and-"

She spits out, "I would kill myself first!" She grips her sword tighter, eyes narrowing, and she points at his face with the sword-tip, "At least my little gift has made your outside as ugly as your inside!"

He frowns, his smile disappearing, his gaze turning dark and intense, "Maybe I should return the favor." His sword hisses out of its sheath to glint in the sunlight, "Don't expect me to hold back."

"I won't," she assumes a fighting stance and takes a deep breath, bringing her sword into position, "and neither will I!"

With a yell, Sango leaps forward to meet Akunin's slashing blade with her own, the resounding clang and slide of metal on metal silencing the watching crowd. She spins as she passes to block another blow aimed at her and dances out of reach, her hair whipping tail-like in her wake.

Akunin whirls and follows with a rapid series of blows, each on caught on her blade and met with a returning frenzy of strikes equally parried by his weapon before they separate.

He smiles in admiration from his side of yard and dips his sword in salute. "Good," he laughs briefly, "but not good enough."

She grips her sword with both hands and assumes a different stance, raising an eyebrow to ask, "You're sure about that?"

He pauses with a frown, looks down at the sluggishly bleeding cut on his right arm and then back up at her, grinning. "You've been practicing…" and he leaps forward again.

She steps into the killing zone and deflects blow after blow before ducking a wide sweep and rolling on the ground into a crouch, aiming a low strike at his legs. He jumps back, inverts his momentum and comes back with a crushing blow from overhead. She rises, twists her left wrist popping out the hidden blade along her forearm and diverts his blade with this, knocking it aside and angling her own blade to graze his ribcage before he pivots out of reach.

They both stand panting; she determined and ready, he still grinning. He puts his free hand to the shallow gash showing through his clothing and holds it up to look at the blood. His smile turns menacing and he wipes the blood on his leg before straightening and assuming a stance of his own. "I think I'm through playing now."

Sango makes a scoffing noise, "Humph! Good! I would hate to think that that's the best you can do!"

His eyes narrow even more and his blade winks in the late afternoon as it moves to parallel the ground. "You asked for it!" And he flings himself at her.

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