InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Centre ❯ Stalking the Hunter ( Chapter 34 )

Sorry, I finally got this fixed. Here is the missing part you all have been asking about. I'm not sure how I ended up skipping this….must have been a blonde moment. It's not very long so I must have written it, thought I was done and forgotten to post it.

Chapter 33: Knock Knock…..

Sesshoumaru did not bat an eye as Sango, Miroku and Kohaku arrived. Rin was temporarily overjoyed.

"You made it! Fabulous! We're stuck until we can figure out how to open this gate."

"Can't we just push?" Sango asked dryly. Rin pointed to the statue behind her in response. The demon slayer involuntarily stepped back as stone eyes rotated toward her.

"Stony and Rockie take their job a little too seriously," Rin explained. "Apparently only Inuyasha knows a way in."

"Uh…if he comes we'll have problems worse than sealed doors," Sango said.

"Don't not think I cannot handle my little brother, even at his worst," Sesshoumaru growled. "Powerful, yes, but also very untrained."

"I'd hate to see what he'd be like trained," Sango said with a shutter.

"He'd be another Sess," Rin supplied cheerfully, blatantly ignoring the glare a certain youkai gave her at that statement. "But since he can't control his youkai blood well enough his father had Tetsusaiga made so he wouldn't get out of control."

"Father should have had it welded into his damn hide," Sesshoumaru snarled.

"So what do we know about the gate?" Sango asked.

"The guards never sleep, eat, rest or stop guarding these gates. They respond only when you enter their range and will only talk to the master or former masters. I cannot, however, command them."

"Who does that?" Rin asked.

"Whoever holds the secret to their existence. My father knew it…I assume since they are here Naraku knows it."

"The secret to their existence? What is this, some sort of sci-fi?" Sango scoffed.

"These are no ordinary statues, but they must be linked to something in order to function the way they do," the inu-youkai pointed out, his golden eyes looking down his aristocratic nose at Sango who muttered an annoyed grumble.

"So Inuyasha knows the secret?" Kohaku piped up cheerfully.

"What secret?" a light voice farther back asked. All heads, except Sesshoumaru's, turned in surprise. Inuyasha stepped into the light, a bloody bundle with black hair in his arms. He looked tense, guilty and fiercely protective. Rin inhaled sharply as Sango let out a horrified gasp.

The bloody bundle was Kagome.

"It looks worse than it is," she said calmly. "I'm fine. Most of it isn't mine anyway."

"What happened!?" Sango demanded, giving Inuyasha a deadly look that promised much pain, suffering and general torture when they got out of here.

"It smells like she rolled on a dead demon," Sesshoumaru said with his nose curling upward. "You need a bath wench."

"Shut up!" Inuyasha snarled at his brother, his eyes flickering red. Sesshoumaru's golden orbs narrowed slightly, focusing on his brother with mild interest.

"Your blood is restless at the delay in mating," the full demon mused, a small smirk crossing his lips. "You are slowly going insane each day she holds off on you."

"Doesn't every man?" Miroku asked, pulling himself into an upright position. "Much as this family bonding is good for you two, can we get back to the task at hand? I'd like to have some chance of living through the night if you don't mind."

Sesshoumaru gave him a glare most upperclass people give to someone they consider a cockroach not worth stepping on.

"Oh quit with the big bad demon routine. Whether I die from this poison or die from your claws…either way it's a nasty painful death. I already have one lined up right now, take a number," Miroku snapped.

There were several ways Sesshoumaru could have handled that situation. He chose to ignore it as if it had never happened. Behind him Rin gave a sigh and rolled her eyes.

"Inuyasha, do you remember what father told you about this gate?"

"Gate? What gate?"

Everyone gave him an exasperated look and pointed. Inuyasha looked at it for a second and shook his head.

"Never seen it before."

"It was the gate to the great hall," Sesshoumaru supplied, patience wearing thin.

"Which I never saw you idiot!" the Hanyou hissed. "You were the one raised in the great palace, remember? Not me!"

"But father told you of it!"

"I never met Father!" Inuyasha snapped, his ears flattened against his head as his eyes glowed intense gold. He was already growling, ready to fight his brother any second when a gentle hand touched his cheek.

"He's not worth it," Kagome said softly. "Sesshoumaru, perhaps if you clarified when you think he heard this great secret?" she offered, steel edging her voice to warn the older demon what she thought of his antagonistic behavior.

"The day you got Tetsusaiga," Sesshoumaru said through clenched teeth.

"That wasn't father," Inuyasha said with a snort. "Just a spell to explain the sword when I picked it up. It said I got Tetsusaiga and you got Tenseiga."

"And?"

"And what? Tetsusaiga was the sword to protect, Tenseiga was the sword to restore. All living would fear the Fang, but none but the dead shall fear its brother."

"Spells are always so criptic," Rin said with a sigh. "Hey Rockie! Stony! Any clues from that?" Stone eyes turned to her, but the statues did not answer.

"We need to get through those doors," Sango said. "Souta, any ideas?" she asked into the radio.

"Uh…knock knock?"

"Very funny," she replied.

"Hey, I'm only fifteen! I can't have all the answers all the time!" the boy retorted.

Sesshoumaru stepped forward, away from the group. Only Rin turned to watch him as he approached the statues. They moved to block the door from him, weapons ready to crush him without a second thought.

Tenseiga pulsed as demon claws wrapped around the hilt and drew it from its sheath. The statues each took a step back, stone eyes widening.

"The weapon not of this world," one said.

"We yield to you, master," the other added.

"Open the gate," Sesshoumaru demanded.

"Hey guys," Rin said, gaining everyone's attention. They all looked up in time to see the guards kneeling before Sesshoumaru, the heavy stone doors groaning as they began to swing open inwardly.

"Great," Inuyasha mumbled. "He's going to be more of an arrogant ass."

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"Naraku!" Kagura called out, breathless. "They've passed the gate."

"Took them longer than expected….and here I had such high hopes for them," the man in the shadows said calmly.

"You…you're not concerned?" she asked. "They mean to kill us! Everyone else is dead and-"

Kagura was cut off as a hand viciously backhanded her across the floor. Sliding into an opposing wall with a painful thud she looked up, a thin line of blood dribbling down her chin.

"You are weak, Kagura. I have little use for the weak." A strong hand wrapped around her throat, lifting her off the ground so that her toes dangled. Stars began to dance in her vision as her air supply was cut off. She tried to pull the hand off, but it was too strong, her feeble attempts all in vain.

And suddenly she was released, dropping to the floor in a crumpled heap as she coughed and sharply inhaled air into her deprived lungs. She reached up to rub her neck, but another object blocked her way. A metal object, all the way around her neck.

He had collared her. His own daughter. Horrified she looked up at him, fear and betrayal in her eyes.

"Don't tell me you didn't see it coming," he mocked. "Now go greet our guests while I get ready."

She felt her body respond without her will, sharp pain tingling up her spine when she fought against it. It was humiliating beyond belief. Now she understood what those prisoners went through.

Pity crept into her heart…ever so slowly.

`I will find a way,' she thought to herself. `I will find a way to destroy you!'

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Kouga inhaled deeply, recognizing Kagome's scent with Inuyasha's. There were several other scents, some of which he recognized and some he did not. Those didn't matter to him now. All that mattered was getting Kagome away from that filthy half-breed, then getting the hell out of this place.

The mark on his shoulder throbbed, painful to be away from the one who had marked him not long ago. He would have clawed at it if it would dull the pain, but the only way to dull it was to be close to the one who gave it to him.

Ayame.

He snarled as he thought of her. Such a princess, such an alpha bitch…such a pain in his ass. Why did the old laws let the women get away with everything?

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Chapter 34: Stalking the Hunter

"Uh…Ayame," Ginta said quietly as the new clan leader stopped to rest the pack. She inhaled the free air with great satisfaction, her nostrils wide to welcome scents she'd long forgotten.

"Yeah?" she snapped, annoyed at the intrusion upon her moment of peace.

"Are we really just going to leave Kouga?"

"He left us, remember?" she snarled. Ginta cringed, but another wolf stepped up, whining.

"But we never leave one of the pack. Kouga always made them come back," he whined. Several others began to step up too, surrounding her with their heartbroken looks.

"He's been with us for centuries. He even braved the typhoon to save the cubs ten summers ago," another brought up.

Ayame took a small step back. She had not realized how precarious her position was. By law they were to obey her, but centuries of loyalty left them bound to Kouga….and loyalty was slowly winning them over. She even caught several glares and half snarls as her eyes flicked through the pack.

She risked a mutiny if she did not comply.

"Perhaps a pack vote?" Ginta offered quietly for her ears only.

"Pack vote?" she asked, uncertain of the foreign term.

"Aye, pack vote," another shouted. "If we truly did not wish to do what Kouga wanted he let the pack outweigh his decision."

Ayame blinked in confusion. Since when did a leader allow the followers to make decisions? This was not the way she had been taught. Wolves were to obey a command. Her pack…wherever they were, never questioned or balked at even the stupidest idea she'd had. Wolves had died because of her inexperience as a youngster, but time had strengthened her and the pack.

And there was no elder wolf to aid her in maintaining authority. If the entire pack went against her she would not hold her own.

"Pack vote then," she said, clearly enough for the pack to hear her. Inside she was fighting the urge to tremble. Relinquishing control made her weak and uncertain, but if she let that show they would all smell it and pounce upon her weakness.

Ginta pulled out a small bag and stood next to Ayame. He handed her two pebbles, one dark and one light.

"Light, we keep going with Princess Ayame," Ginta called out, "Dark, we go back and get Kouga."

Stones? They were making decisions with stones? Ayame thought in disbelief. As Ginta held out the bag she dropped her light pebble in. The darkness of the bag made it impossible to tell what colors were dropped in, but one by one Ginta collected them all.

A deadly silence hung over the pack as Ginta cleared a small space and dumped the bag totally on the ground. Ayame's jaw dropped in shock.

A small mountain of dark pebbles supported the one light pebble. As she watched the light pebble teetered to one side, sliding down to roll off to the side away from the others. She looked up at the wolves, amazed to see satisfied faces nodding to each other in solemn agreement.

"Much better than trying to do Jun Ken Po with everyone," one wolf said to the other.

"Yeah, this idea was so much better. Jun Ken took so much longer and then the last person always wanted to cower half an hour before giving his decision."

"Not to mention the bribe attempts!" a third said and they laughed.

Ayame stood there, still in shock. This was how Kouga ran his pack? Was he mad? Or genius?

"Princess?" Ginta asked quietly. "Will you be coming with us?"

"Of course," she replied, trying to act as if this had been her idea all along. Ginta gave her a quick smile. "Everyone! Let's go!"

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"Wow," Kagome said, her echo filling the great hall.

"Yeah," Sango said in agreement, supporting Miroku with one arm and Hiraikotsu with the other. The two girls had stopped in amazement, their eyes trailing over the fine decorations above.

"Uh," Inuyasha began, waving hands in front of their faces. "It's a ceiling. Have you guys forgotten why we are here?"

"That's not just a ceiling," Kagome said, exhaling like she'd been holding her breath.

"I'd say late 2nd century architecture, ne?" Sango said.

"Perhaps early 3rd," Kagome responded. "Gods! I've only heard of such places! I don't care if Naraku is in here, we can't level this historic site!"

"Fools," Sesshoumaru commented offhandedly. He waved his claws, ripping through something. Suddenly the walls and ceiling were gone, leaving a bare stone substitution. Both girls gasped, looking around frantically.

"Illusion," Rin said happily. "Sorry to burst your bubble. If Naraku is capable of that we need to watch our backs. A mouse could be deadly."

"Pity Jaken isn't here," Inuyasha said with a grin. "He's terrified of mice."

"Inuyasha! That's mean," Kagome said. "Just because some people are scared of-"

"Shut up," Sesshoumaru said calmly, but with enough force that everyone went silent. "Rin, take my left. Miko, take my right. Bastard, take the far right next to the Miko. The rest of you stay behind us and keep a sharp eye."

"We have names you asshole," Inuyasha snarled. Kagome stopped him with a gentle shake of her head and the hanyou went stalking off to his side, Tetsusaiga drawn and ready.

"You know," Rin said quietly. "One day you might want to try NOT antagonizing him." Sesshoumaru gave her a look that suggested he would not entertain such a thought. "Alright, but if Kagome purifies you I am not going to stand in the way."

"I would not expect you to," he said dryly, his stoic face devoid of emotion.

"I promise to bring flowers to your grave and drape my panties on your alter." Rin watched in amusement as the corner of his mouth gave a very slight twitch.

"What makes you think I want your panties on my alter?" he asked softly. Rin stifled her giggle.

"How else are you going to remember me?" she teased.

Farther behind Miroku struggled to walk while leaning on Sango. Sweat was pouring down his face as the fever burned within him. Taking short gasps of air he pushed himself forward. Sango kept a close eye on him while watching the perimeter. Kohaku had his sickle in hand and was covering her back. Even in the darkness she could still see the collar around his neck.

"Even I would not ask you to put panties on my alter," Miroku joked, but Sango wasn't paying attention. She was looking at Kohaku, her eyes widening. "What?"

"Kohaku's collar-" she began, then pushed Miroku away from her. He fell back, hitting his head upon the hard stone with a thud as he heard metal hit the large bone boomerang.

Kohaku was holding the chain to his sickle, the end dug into Hiraikotsu as Sango held it up as a shield.

"We forgot to uncollar Kohaku!" she said loud enough for everyone focus on them. Kagome's jaw dropped in shock as Inuyasha stepped forward to protect her.

"Pathetic," Sesshoumaru said. One second he was standing there, the next he held Kohaku by the neck, a poisoned claw wrapped around the boy's neck. Dead panned eyes looked down at him with no emotion.

`He…wants to die,' Sesshoumaru thought, eyes narrowing a fraction.

"NO!" Sango yelled. "He's my brother!"

"Sesshoumaru, don't!" Inuyasha snarled. "Just let Kagome undo the collar and Naraku can't control him anymore."

The great demon gave a sigh and held the boy out for Kagome, clearly annoyed at not being able to solve the problem his way. Beneath his fingers he felt the boy's muscles contract just as Kagome's fingers reached up.

Thunk.

"Goddammit!" Inuyasha swore, clutching his sword arm.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome gasped. The sickle was sticking out of his right bicep, blood dripping upon the stone floor. He had deflected the last second attack aimed at her.

"Now you're even more useless," Sesshoumaru commented, dropping the boy like a rock. Kohaku dropped to his knees, exhaling a sharp whimper of pain as he rubbed his throat.

"Are you ok?" Sango asked, hugging her brother close while glaring at the unmoved demon. "Bastard," she cursed.

"Actually, I'm the legitimate one," he commented. "He's the bastard." Inuyasha snarled at his brother's insults.

"Can we try and leave the quarrels until after we kill Naraku?" Kagome asked, quickly wrapping Inuyasha's arm. "It's a wonder he hasn't just blown us up or something."

"Where would be the fun in that?" a voice from above asked.

The group all looked at one another. None of them had said that.

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Kagura lay upon the cold floor of her cell, vengeance burning in her eyes. One hundred years she'd served him loyally. And this was how he repaid her. Collared like some breeding bitch. Not that any male would get his hands on her. Her wind would make sure of that. Naraku could control her, but not her power.

The door to her cell opened and she looked up. Kanna stood impassive at the doorway.

"Are you ready," the girl stated, as if she already knew the answer to the question. Not like Kagura had a choice.

"For what?"

"Naraku has a job for you," Kanna said, not elaborating as she turned. Assuming the open doorway meant for her to follow Kagura stood and followed her little sister.

What the devil did he want with her now?

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"Fuck!" Kouga swore, hitting another dead end. Frustrated he slammed his fist against the wall. Bits of the wall began to crumble, covering him with a light coat of dust.

Thoughts of Kagome with that dog turd filled his mind in a blind rage. Why was she with HIM? What could dog turd do that he could not? And the mark-

"Fucking mutt should learn his place," Kouga seethed. "The only good hanyou is a dead one."

He began making his way back, claws scrapping along the walls he could not see. At the next crossing he took the only path he had not taken….at least he thought he had not taken it. Thoughts of dog turd holding Kagome…kissing her….it sent his mind in turmoil of rage, confusion and uncertainty.

"It's only because of that damn sword. Probably compensating for his tiny-"

"KOUGA!" a familiar voice shouted. Ginta came sprinting up and flung himself at the prince.

"ACK! Get off me!" Kouga snarled, not in the mood for male bonding. More of the pack began to show up, some carrying torches. He looked around in wonderment.

"We voted and decided to come back," Ginta said. "Even Princess Ayame agreed!"

The woman in question was not looking up, her gaze resting on her feet as she pretended to ignore everyone around her. Kouga gave a satisfied snort. So the bitch couldn't control his pack huh? Showed her who's boss.

"Now that we found you," Ginta said, still catching his breath. "Let's go."

"Huh?" Kouga responded, blinking at his second in command.

"We came back to get you. Let's get out of here. Just like you always did. Go back and get the pack member, no matter what. If we have to we'll carry you out."

Kouga regarded his pack with astonishment. They thought to control HIM?! Ayame also looked shocked. Apparently she had no knowledge of this either. Damn pack…they always twisted things. That's why they needed a strong leader. To untangle the messes they managed to put themselves in.

"I told you," he said with a dark growl, his aura rising to dangerous levels. The wolves around him took a step back. If there was one thing he had Ayame didn't, it was respect among the pack…laced with fear. They knew he could take several on at a time and none of them wanted to those lucky few. "I am going to kill Kagura and take Kagome back with me!" His fist shot out and hit the wall with a heavy thud, shaking the entire hall around them. Wolves began to whimper.

A bright beam of sunlight hit Kouga's armor, reflecting onto Ginta's face. The wolf looked at the wall curiously.

The wall was deeply cracked from the force of Kouga's anger. Pieces of the wall began to crumble and fall away, larger chunks hitting the floor and shattering. Ginta pressed a finger to the wall and pushed.

More of the wall collapsed, revealing a beautiful garden beyond.

"See?" Kouga said confidently, as if he knew of the garden on the other side. "We'll just follow dog-turd's stench!"

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Mwahahaha, another cliffie after so long! Sorry, but I usually keep to about 5 pages then stop till the next chapter. Anyway, I have mandatory training session to attend in a city an hour away for the next few days so please be patient. I may go to visit my boyfriend after that (dude, I haven't seen him since December so cut me some slack!) so if it is a week until the next update please don't kill me. I'm just a very busy puppy….with spaces of nothing to do at times. Never fear, the story shall not die. In the meantime thank you for the patience you have shown for the last two months. I was only sort of flamed once for not posting, and I read it in good humor rather than getting mad.