InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The 2 Great Swords ❯ Set-Back ( Chapter 29 )

“…Kaede was a great and wise woman…” Inuyasha couldn't listen very well to Miroku's makeshift eulogy. He had never felt so utterly weak. He had to be protected by a woman, an old woman at that. Regardless of whether or not she was a priestess, she had to step in to save him.

 

`If only I had been stronger… She wouldn't have …' He thought painfully. The area reeked with sadness and tears. Coupled with Miroku's mournful voice he could barely take it.

 

“…may she find peace in the hereafter.” Miroku finished. `It wasn't much Kaede. I had no body, no gravesite, no family… But it was better than nothing.' He thought sadly.

 

Inuyasha got up sharply and left the campground where they would spend the night. He had to do something to get rid of his tension. The other members of the group saw him go, but only one took any real notice.

 

“Poor Inuyasha… He must be taking this the worst.” Kagome said quietly as he faded from view.

 

“Yeah, she was like a grandmother to him. We only knew her for a month but he knew her since he was a child.” Sango agreed.

 

“Maybe I should go talk to him…” Kagome said standing up. “He could use some company.”

 

Miroku nodded. “He could definitely use some cheering up. That much is for sure.” Shippo leapt up, also concerned for the half-demon.

 

“I'll come—” Shippo began but was cut off by Miroku's hand covering his mouth.

 

“Shippo, how about we let her handle this?” he suggested smiling. “Besides, I could use some help with the campsite.” Shippo narrowed his eyes at the monk showing silently what he thought of the idea. “Well, that's too bad.” Miroku said simply and hauled him off to help.

 

 

“Shit…” Kouga thought as he peeled himself off the ground. “What in the hell happened?” He looked with unfocused eyes at his surroundings. He was in the middle of the priestess' village.

 

As his vision sharpened he saw the head priestess on the ground in front of him. With a sniff, he determined she was dead and shakily got up. `Shit… What the hell happened?'

 

Images came back to him in pieces, he remembered fighting the mutt, taking an injury and then… `Goddamn sword must've taken over me again.' He thought. `Then… how come I didn't have to fight for control?'

 

He looked down at the priestess. `No wounds? Did she do something?' He shook his head around. `Who cares? The main thing is I'm in control.' He took a step and fell straight to the ground.

 

“Damn… I'm hurt pretty bad…” He said quietly to himself as he faded from consciousness hearing the footsteps of his approaching men.

 

“Lord Kouga!” One of his soldiers called as he saw him hit the ground. He stepped out of the way as medics rushed in and knelt down at his side.

 

“He's alive.” One of them said and motioned for a stretcher. “Looks like the leader got him pretty badly. We've got to get him some treatment!” The medic team got him on the stretcher and left quickly.

 

From a short distance among the ruined buildings, another had been watching. Kohaku turned and began to walk out of the ruined village.

 

The East's army had suffered considerable damage which had been expected. The priestess' village was in no way a pushover. However, with the sealing of the sword and the wounds given to Kouga, Naraku would be displeased.

 

He cleared the village and took off at a jump through the trees towards Naraku's stronghold. The only thought in his mind was to return quickly and give his report.

 

“SHIT!” Inuyasha roared as he rammed his fist into the ground. “Damn it!” He hit it again. “Why the fuck did that happen?!” He roared and slammed his fist into a nearby tree, sending it flying.

 

`I've never felt so…useless…' He thought angrily. `What the fuck am I supposed to do?!' A movement in the bushes near him stopped his thoughts. “Who's there?” He growled.

 

Kagome slowly and timidly crept out of the bushes. “Sorry…” She muttered so quietly he almost missed it.

 

“What do you want?” He asked sharply.

 

“I just thought… you could use some… company.” She said cringing slightly at his tone.

 

He was silent for a few seconds before grunting. “Do what you want.” She nodded and walked over to him.

 

“The stars are beautiful tonight, aren't they?” She asked trying to break the silence. He didn't answer. “Inuyasha? Are you ok?”

 

“I'm fine.” He barked. Kagome sighed.

 

“I know how you feel. Kaede was like a grandparent to you wasn't she?” She asked.

 

“Keh! I'm not some emotional human, I couldn't care less.” He snapped angrily.

 

Kagome looked at him solemnly. “You don't have to keep it bottled up inside you. It's alright to be sad.” She said softly.

He snorted and turned away. “I'm perfectly fine.”

 

She narrowed her eyes. “So…throttling trees is your idea of fine?” She asked accusingly.

 

“Keh! It had it coming.” He snarled looking at the fallen tree, now standing with its roots in the air.

 

Kagome smiled slightly and moved towards him. “Go back to the camp, you need your sleep you weak—” He was cut off by Kagome hugging him firmly from behind.

 

“You're not alone, Inuyasha.” She said squeezing him. “It's ok to be upset because you're not alone anymore.” Inuyasha stood perfectly still, any retort to her concern non-existent.

 

She released him and walked around him. She smiled up at his dumbstruck expression and took his hand. “Come on, everyone's going to wonder where we are.” With that, the pair returned to camp both feeling much better.

 

 

Naraku was livid. It had all been going so well. He had foreseen losses in this attack. He had known it was absolutely necessary to take the village down before it caused trouble. He had not predicted his best weapon would suddenly be broken.

 

He stared at the wall, cursing furiously under his breath. `Now what?' He thought. `I can't take the West down without Muramasa. So I have to break this damn seal.' Unfortunately he had no idea how to do that.

 

He had to focus. Muramasa came to him sealed. It had broken because of leaving the village in the hands of one of his thieves. He couldn't do that again, Kouga would never allow that.

 

“Damn that Kouga.” He muttered. He was too strong willed. He didn't seem to want what Muramasa offered making things difficult. He didn't want power or wealth, he had a lot of that already.

 

His eyes lit up in revelation. “Of course…” He said aloud. “That bitch is still alive.” He grinned maliciously. He had been trying to kill her all this time… it turned out to be a good thing that she was still breathing.

 

He turned and walked down his corridors to his lab. Once inside, the numerous cages in the room rattled and shook as his guinea pigs tried to get at him. He chuckled to himself and crossed the room to a lone cage.

 

The figure inside stiffened as Naraku drew closer. Its eyes lit up in hatred as he spoke, “What do you want?” Naraku stopped just out of reach and answered.

 

“Is that how you speak to your loving father?” The figure leapt up.

 

“Shut your mouth, you filth! You robbed me of everything I had!” He roared. “You too away my family!” Naraku smiled. This one had his memories erased although he was not an emotionless pawn like Kohaku. He had no trouble killing when “asked” to.

 

“You have no need of those things.” He said. “However, I have something here you won't be able to live without.” He said holding out a vial of clear liquid. “Do you know what this is?”

 

The figure froze. “You bastard…” It was the life-sustaining liquid they received on a daily basis. Through extensive testing of Naraku's various poisons and drugs, they became dependent on a certain ingredient that was universal throughout all they were exposed to. Without it, they would go into an excruciating withdrawal ending with death.

 

“I will give you a two week supply of this, with it you shall leave this place and track down a group that has been making trouble. With them you shall find a girl called Kagome. Kill her.” He said.

 

The man inside the cage gulped and nodded knowing he couldn't refuse this. “Good. You leave tomorrow.” Naraku said and turned away. “But remember this, disobey me and I will have you begging for death.” With that he left swiftly from the room.