InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Battle of Heart and Land ❯ Why? ( Chapter 10 )

A/N: This fic has pretty much failed on this site, but it's a big hit on two others, so I keep forgetting to update it on here. Thank you, inuluvrshae for reminding me!

WARNING: There is some grotesque death and a bit of described rape in this chapter. I'll mark it.

-MissKatt

DISCLAIMER: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!

The Battle of Heart and Land

By MissKatt

Chapter Ten: Why?

He inhaled deeply and his amber eyes widened more. But this scent; it didn't lie.

"K-Kikyou…"

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Yes, Inuyasha, I am back.” Kikyou said and turned her eyes up at him, a smile playing on her lips. He put his hands on her shoulders and gently pulled her back.

“B-but how? You died in my arms after fighting Naraku…” He said slowly. He recalled the moment very well. He had cradled her in his arms after she had been wounded, he knew she was dying. Before she departed from the world, again, they had shared a kiss. He felt his heart cringe at the thought.

“Are you not happy to see me?” She asked softly, sadness filling her eyes.

“Yes!” He said a little too quickly. Of course he was happy to see her. He missed her. It had been five years since she died and it had felt like forever. The first time she died, he had already been sealed to the tree. When Kagome had awoken him, it felt like no time at all had passed. So when she had died in his arms, it had shattered his heart. Plus, with Kagome around and aging, she continued to remind him of her predecessor, which made him distance himself from the girl.

“The man that had turned us against each other, caused us to despise one another, is now dead. We had both found out the truth of his actions and came to terms with it. Now we can be together, finally, like we were always meant to be. Do you still want me, Inuyasha?” She said and drew herself close to him again. This time he didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her. His love for her overwhelmed him and he buried his face in her soaking hair.

“Yes, always…”

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Hold on!” Taku shouted to her as they fell back towards the ground. Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck tightly as he tried to maneuverer around the ground spike. She heard him grunt before he barely managed to jump back up before more wooden stakes appeared from the mud.

Sesshoumaru swept down towards the hunched over youkai and lashed his light whip at them, slicing off the hands of the one's creating the wooden traps. They howled in pain, the sound making Kagome flinch. The toppled over, clutching their hands to their chests, their wails mixing in with the rain.

She felt that they were descending back towards the ground, but was glad there were no stakes of doom waiting for them. She felt him touch down, but he stumbled and fell to the side, send her sprawling into the mud with him. The priestess sat up and wiped the mud off of her face before looking down at Taku. His white hair was now brown from the mud and his feather was stained just the same.

“Gomen, Miko-sama. Please forgive my clumsiness.” He said solemnly before glancing down at his leg. She followed his glance and let out a little gasp. His hamaka was ripped and under the fabric was badly torn skin on his calf. Blood was steadily oozing it out of it.

“Taku-san! Your leg!” She exclaimed. There was too much blood leaving him. Inuyoukai or not, it was bad. She had to fix it. “Sesshoumaru!” She called, looking up at the lord as he rose back into the sky, his sword in his hand. When he glanced down at her and Taku, she continued speaking. “Keep them busy for a little!”

“Hn,” He said to himself. His commander was injured and the miko was going to help him, leaving him by himself to fight the nekoyoukai. Did he mind? No. He did not need their help in the first place. He could have defeated them all without anyone else's support, but why waste the energy?

“The last of you better make yourselves useful!” Hekai shouted at his minions.

The Western prince watched as Hekai began to hiss orders at the remainder of his group, which was a pathetic group of 10. He had hoped that Inuyasha had already defeated the small group that had gotten away. If not, he would personally kill the half-breed if the nekos had reached his kingdom. If he could not defeat a small group of cats on his own, then he was indeed a true disgrace to the inu race.

He readied his sword as the neko general waved his hand at the disgusting creatures he called “demons”. He watched as half of them began to throw their heads back much like the first attack they had released on them. The miasma bubbles began to form at their mouths.

“Miko,” His voice shot through the rain to her ears. She was in the process of ripping another part of her sleeve off when he had spoken. She looked up at him and then over to where the nekos were beginning to form their miasma wave. She bit her lip before looking back up at Sesshoumaru.

“I'm almost done!” She then tied the last piece of fabric around Taku's wound, binding it shut. He winced ever so slightly as she pulled it tight. “Sorry, but it'll help it heel. Can you stand?” She asked softly. He nodded mutely and struggled to get up. She helped him and felt her stomach drop. She felt horrible. It was her fault that he was injured. If he hadn't been so concerned with saving her he would have been fine. Because of her, he had gashed open his leg trying to avoid landing on a spike.

“Miko.” Sesshoumaru said more sternly as the wave began to move towards them. The rain pouring down from the rain seemed to just intensify the size. She turned around and let out a small gasp a she saw the approaching wave. She grabbed her bow off of the ground a reached for an arrow only to find her quiver was empty.

`No, no, no! It can't be empty! I only fired two arrows!' She thought and then looked around at the ground. She found her arrows lying in a puddle of mud across the way from her. She ran over to them, nearly slipping as her boots slid against the slick grass, and grabbed one. She quickly nocked it and aimed at the wave as it reached closer and closer to Sesshoumaru. In order to get rid of it, she would have to shoot dangerously close to him since he apparently wasn't going to move.

The demon lord kept his golden eyes pinned on the wave as it came. He heard the arrow before he felt it slice the air right by his ear. The purifying arrow zipped past his shoulder and disappeared into the miasma, the purple-black and pink aura colliding. The black was quickly evaporated by the force and Sesshoumaru's sensitive ears picked up the general's cursing. He took the opportunity to fly down towards the remaining youkai and swing his blade at them, destroying the miasma demons in one swing. He turned towards the remaining mangled creatures and saw that four of them were already facing him. He heard the priestess's yell before he understood what they were doing. One of the nekos was crouched down behind the four, his fist in the ground. He glanced over at where the human and his general were and saw that one of the wooden arms had come up and wrapped around the priestess tightly, causing her to cry out.

Kagome struggled against the wood, but it was no use; she was secured tight. She felt her breath get caught in her throat, the branches making it difficult to breathe. She looked over at Taku as he swung his sword at the other oversized wooden thorns coming from the ground, hacking them to pieces as they tried to get at him. She could see the pain on his face every time he took a step. Now she felt worse that he couldn't protect himself properly.

Sesshoumaru was growing bored of it all. It was time to end it. With a swift swipe of his powerful blade he decapitated the remaining nekoyoukai. Their heads fell to the soaked grass, rolling for a moment before laying still; blood mixing with the water as it seeped out. The branches that were attacking Taku ceased, freezing in their spots.

“Umm..?” Kagome said softly and gave him a rather awkward smile when he looked over towards her. “Do you think you could get me down?” She watched him as he stumbled over towards her. He swung his blade at the large roots holding her and they split under the pressure, freeing her from her prison. She nearly fell to her knees at the sudden rush of air that filled her lungs once her diaphragm was released. She felt a tingling in her temples and knew she would soon have a headache.

“Arigato, Taku-san.” She said and pushed her wet bangs from her face, trying to get them out of her eyes, but it didn't help with the rain still pouring down on them. She looked at Sesshoumaru as he walked over to them.

“What of Hekai?” Taku asked, clenching his hands at his sides. Since he was injured, he had lost chance to kill the male this time around, but he would avenge his family next time. The memory of the foul creature still rung throughout his mind.

“Onii-chan.”

“Shh, Tekkan-chan.”A very young Taku said to his twin brother. He pressed his face back to the closet door. He had slid it open just barely enough so that he could glance down the corridor. There was someone in their home. He knew it. His mother would not tell them the truth, she simply told them to go and hide and not make a sound; but he knew. He felt a tug at his haori and turned to look at his twin. His crystal blue eyes mirrored his own, only his were full of fearful tears. He furrowed his brows and put his hand on his brother's snow white head, rubbing it gently to sooth Tekkan. He was terrified and he knew it.

“It is okay, Tekkan. I am sure father will be back soon.” He cooed to his twin pup. This was nature of their brotherhood. He was the brave, strong one; Tekkan the gentle one that relied on others. Taku took after his father, his brother like his mother. True, they were only 6 autumns old, but still.

Tekkan curled up closer to his twin, finding comfort in his words. Taku let his eyes stay on his brother for a moment longer before drifting back to the slit in the door. For a while he saw nothing, didn't even hear a sound, which really set his nerves on alert. Where was their mother? It wasn't long until her scream reached his ears, the scent of her blood filling his nose.

An ear shattering scream bounced off the walls of the hallway. Taku tensed as he heard it and then gently shoved his brother back deeper into the closet as he heard the heavy patter of feet heading towards them. A loud crash was heard and he put his light blue eye to the slit again and had to bite down on his tongue to prevent himself from calling out to his mother as she fell to the floor in front of him, three deep, bloody cuts along her cheek. Her long blonde hair fanned out beneath her, no longer in its perfect low ponytail decorated with her favorite white feathers.

[[WARNING START] ]

She was quickly pounced on by the nekoyoukai before he started tearing at her clothes. He untied his obi and pulled out his throbbing manhood, ready to put it in a place it most certainly did not belong. She struggled under him and tried to fight him off, but he was just too strong for her wounded body. She cried out and screamed for help, but they both knew none would come. Father was away, traveling to the Southern lands with the great Inutaisho.

“Oka” Taku quickly turned around and slapped his hand over his brother's mouth before he could finish calling to their mother. They had to stay quiet. They had to stay hidden. They had to tell their father what had happened and had to survive for him. He looked at his brother as tears puddled into his eyes once more, spilling down his cheeks. Taku put his finger to own lips to gesture his brother to remain quite. The second born simply nodded his head, fangs digging into his bottom lip.

Taku turned back towards the door when he heard his mother let out a painful howl. He furrowed his brows in revulsion as the neko defiled his mother in front of him. He had just forced his self into her, pushing his erection deep into his mother's unsuspecting cavern. She squirmed with disgust under him, trying with all her might to fight him off as he began to thrust in and out of her dry womanhood. His grunting began to echo in the hall way, her cries of pain soon mixing with them. He saw her head turn to the side, eyes squeezed shut. He knew his mother was a strong person, but not this strong. She could try to fight her tears, but he knew they would come. She opened her grey blue eyes and they focused on the hidden Taku. Something flashed in her eyes and it was then that the tears began to fall. Shame, he sensed. She was ashamed that he had to witness this happening to her.

Just when the inu pup thought it was bad enough, the demon withdrew a small dagger from his haori. He stabbed the blade above her breast; pressing hard enough into the creamy flesh to cut the skin and muscle, but not to kill her. With great slowness, he painfully dragged the blade down her breast, over the nipple, and to the ribcage; slicing the soft mass in half. Blood instantly began to pour out of the wound before he moved to other side to do the same thing. The blood, pain, and her tears did it for the neko. He began to move faster, pounding harder into the semi-conscious woman, his hips ramming against her. The pain was so great and the blackness was coming too fast, causing all cries to die in her throat.

It wasn't fair.

Taku clenched his hands tightly, his claws digging into the flesh of his palms causing them to bleed. It took every fiber in him not to lash out and attack the demon tainting his precious mother, but he couldn't endanger Tekkan. He had to protect him. He finally tore his eyes away from his mother's as the cat released a loud hiss, his body shaking as he released his seed into her. He withdrew from her raw walls and stood up, pulling his hakama back up and tying his obi to hold it in place.

“You have served your purpose for I, Hekai son of Yukito, ever faithful servant of the lord of the Eastern Lands. You will at least die knowing your killer.” With that he drew the sword that he had discarded when he had removed his closed and sharply swung the blade down. The metal sliced through his mother's neck and spinal cord. Her headless body convulsed exactly four times, he counted, before it lay still in a pool of blood.

The neko adjusted himself before walking forward, his right foot making contact with her head, sending it rolling towards the closet, making a soft thump as it hit the wooden door. Taku stared down in horror at his mother's head, her grey blue eyes staring back up at him.

[[END WARNING]]

“Taku-san?” His head snapped up when he felt someone touch his arm, the wet clothing pressing again his burning skin. His eyes came in contact with the priestess' deep blue eyes. He then turned his eyes to his Lord, who was gazing at him expectantly.

“My apologies, Sesshoumaru-sama. What did you say?” He asked. Sesshoumaru raised a brow at him.

“I do not repeat myself. You cannot walk. We will fly back to the castle.” The Killing Perfection stated before forming his whisking cloud beneath him, spreading it out to Kagome and his General.

Kagome steadied herself as they lifted up and began to soar through the dark sky, the rain slapping against her face from the force of the wind. She turned her head to the side to try and shield away from it, only to have her eyes focus on the troubled General. He had been so lost in his own thoughts. Was he thinking about Hekai? Why did the two of them have such a hatred for each other anyways? She sighed softly and then looked at Sesshoumaru. His soaking wet, white hair gleamed in the illuminated dark sky. She looked down at herself and saw that she was clad in mud. Even her beautiful onyx colored hair was matted from a mixture of the mud and rain.

How was he so clean? Either way, they were still alive because of him. She glanced back at Taku, or rather, Taku's leg, and bit her lip. She turned her eyes onto her hands and inspected them. She felt so useless. Her hands had been in constant battles, the scars and callouses were enough proof, but she felt like a hindrance to everyone today. Twice she had to be saved and the General of the army was injured because of her. She had to do something. She had to get stronger and master her new power.

The priestess raised her eyes from her hands and ran her eyes over the ground beneath them as they flew, watching the forest fly by. She saw a clearing coming up ahead of them and squinted her eyes to get a better look.

“Sesshoumaru!”

“I am aware.” The lord didn't need the miko to point out what he had already sensed. Plus, his eyes were keener than hers so he had already seen the circle of neko youkai surrounding Inuyasha. He was also aware that his half-brother was not alone in the center.

“Let's go help him!” She exclaimed, brows furrowed as the clearing came in closer view, eyes still narrowed to get a better view. Wait, was there someone with him?

“I am not going to help him, Miko. I am going to rid my lands of these annoying felines.” He said coldly and led the group down a couple feet from the clearing. Sesshoumaru evaporated his cloud a few feet above the ground and landed elegantly on the floor, his feet not making a single splash in the rain puddle.

Kagome tripped over her own feet as she landed, but managed to stay vertical, which was more than she could say for Taku. She once again felt the stab in her heart from causing him the hindrance. She raised her head as Sesshoumaru began to walk towards the clearing. She chased after him, though she was technically weaponless, desperately wanting to help Inuyasha.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Kikyou pulled away from Inuyasha ever so slightly when she felt a very strong demonic aura, not to mention a very annoyingly familiar holy aura, heading their way. She looked up at him with saddened blue eyes, knowing her time with him was running out. She had to get him to understand her. Had to get him to want to be with her again.

“Inuyasha…our time seems to be running out.” She breathed. She reached up and pushed away his wet bangs, moving them from his golden eyes. They widened at her and his grip on her tightened.

“What do you mean? You just came back! You can't leave again!” He said quickly, furrowing his brows. No, after they had been separated for so long, he wasn't ready for her to leave. He watched as her lips curved up into a small smile.

“Do not fret, Inuyasha. I am not leaving for good, but I cannot stay here.” She replied and sighed. “You see, I am forced to stay in the Eastern lands.”

His brows furrowed deeper. “What do you mean?” He repeated. “Why do you have to stay there? Stay here with me!”

“I cannot. Juto has given me life once again; therefore I am indebted to him…” She trailed off and looked to the side.

“But, we're at war with them. Stay with me and I'll protect you, Kikyou. I promise! I won't let anything happen to you, not again!” He pulled her close to his chest again and she smirked as she wound his arms around his neck. She quickly replaced her smirk with a kind smile when he pulled his head back a bit. She reached up and pressed her cold lips against his. He quickly reciprocated the action and ran his hands up her soaking back.

“I-Inu…yasha…”

Inuyasha froze. He slightly pulled back from Kikyou and turned his head to the left. His eyes instantly fell on the stunned miko. Before any of them could say anything, Kikyou pulled away from him and stepped back.

“I will see you soon, Inuyasha. If I do not find you, you know where to find me.” She said and then walked over to one of the nekoyoukai. The demon picked her up looked at the others. All of the creatures hissed in unison and sprouted black bat wings from their backs. With a horrendous screech, they took off, leaving the hanyou and the miko.

Inuyasha turned and looked at Kagome again; his heart instantly burned at the sight.

Kagome stood there, staring at him with wide, blue, hurting eyes. Her soaking, ebony black hair was clinging to her body and face. Mud was caked on her clothes and creamy skin, the rain only making it dance down her flesh in a light brown swirl. He noticed her sleeve was ripped, but he couldn't form any words to ask what had happened.

“Kago…me. I-”

“Why?” She cut him off, her head now lowered and her saturated hair falling over her shoulder, water dripping onto the ground.

“I was just-”

“Why!” The miko asked more sternly, grinding her teeth. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails biting into her flesh.

“We were just-”

“WHY?!” She shouted this time and her power surged within her. She felt the familiar feeling of it clawing in her veins, stinging within her to get out.

Inuyasha watched as her pink light began to swirl slowly around her. He took a step forward and reached his hand out to her, only to be shocked with one of her purple sparks. He flinched and brought his hand back to his side. He knew what he had done. He knew he had caused her so much pain: AGAIN.

“Kagome…” He said softly, his white ears flattening against his wet hair.

“Inuyasha.” The hanyou turned his attention to his half-brother. He hadn't realized he had been standing to the side of the girl. “I suggest you leave.”

“But-”

“Leave.” Sesshoumaru commanded, his pools of gold narrowing in annoyance. His brother continued to upset the miko, which caused her powers to come out. He had just defeated the neko troop and was soaking wet. He did not feel like dealing with this right now.

Inuyasha looked from Sesshoumaru to Kagome, then back to his brother. “Yeah. Okay...” He muttered and then turned away. He muttered a `sorry' before taking off into the forest. He had to get away from her. Had to get away from the pain he had caused her again.

The Western price walked over to the sulking priestess and stood in front of her.

His shining, snowy sunset light told her it was him. She opened her eyes and looked up at him.

“Why am I not good enough?”

The great lord was slightly taken aback. Her purple tinted blue eyes were gleaming up at him, tears only moments from spilling over. Her bottom lip quivered ever so slightly, her eyebrows knitted together from sadness. He had never seen anyone look so fragile before. He wondered if she would truly shatter in his hands if he were to touch her. Before he could stop his hand, he reached out and brushed off a clump of mud that had stuck to her cheek.

He did not quite understand what happened next. She had taken a step towards him and pressed her face to his chest, her hands gripping his haori. Her power disappeared as quickly as it came and she began to sob into his chest, her shoulders shaking as she did.

As he had stated before, a very pestering human indeed. Yet, he made no move to remove her.

A/N: Bahaha, didn't say it was our main character's flashback :) Still, I feel bad for my twins :(! Review please!

-MissKatt