InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Centre ❯ Master of Deception ( Chapter 48 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
I apologize for the delay. I did warn you. We had graduation here and right now is end of term in Japan, so yes, I am very busy. Not to mention I've been planning a trip to Kyoto for spring break for myself and 2 friends, neither of whom have been to Kyoto OR speak enough Japanese to get by with everything. Since one friend wasn't even sure until 2 days ago if she could even go, it's been a rough ride. Luckily, now things are all set!
So, this week I'll be working hard to pack etc for that, but hopefully I will be able to get this story done. Otherwise, look for an update on March 31 (a day I will be home and off). Two more chapters! How will it pan out? You'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, thank you to all who reviewed. I am always amazed by the responses I get. Almost makes me want to become a writer for a living….but for now I have a very nice job and won't worry about the future until it gets here.
On a side note, Rumiko Takahashi has written over 400 chapters of Inuyasha and said in the last chapter that she is planning on at least 500 if not more, so still more real Inuyasha to come! I get the comics here in Japan sometimes, and of course buy the volumes when they come out. 39 is out so I gotta hit the bookstore soon and pick that up. Goody!!
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Chapter 48: Master of Deception
The council building looked like any other building would among a downtown street of any large metropolis. It had the tall walls that suggested power, huge windows with dark tinting that suggested money, and an overwhelming sheer presence that were just plain intimidating. Anyone walking past it felt the weight of centuries bare down upon them in harsh scrutiny.
Which was probably why it looked completely out of place stuck out in the middle of the small village. It was a short drive to a city, but not close enough to make sense. And it certainly made mornings a pain with all the traffic going into the council parking lot….and then out again every evening. Few council building workers would actually willingly reside in the tiny, sleepy town. What would their peers think?!
“Souta, how's the radio working?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha was beside her, his arms crossed in an effort to not punch something, like the wall to someone's house.
“Like a bell….a good one that is,” the youth responded. “You're aura reading is a bit weird…but we could probably write that off as an effect of the bond.”
“Rin, you in position?”
“This is Deathcon Demon 1 checking in with D2 group. We are clear, I repeat, clear for go.”
A long silence followed as Kagome blinked several times in confusion.
“Gotta keep Rin away from Souta's video games,” Inuyasha grumbled.
“Oh all right!” Rin's somewhat distant voice could be heard over the radio. “Sess says affirmative. Honestly…no sense of humor, the lot of you.”
“Sango?” Kagome asked, shaking her head in amazement. Rin was quite a character…that was for sure.
“Kirara and I are ready when you are….oh, have I forgotten how much I enjoyed flying!”
Flying?? Kagome wasn't sure what she was talking about, but hopefully she was still sane. She wasn't sure how much good that little demon cat was going to do, but if Inuyasha and Sango trusted it, so would she.
“Miroku?”
“In ten seconds I'll be flirting with the parking lot guard,” came the reply. A low growl could be heard over the radio. Inuyasha looked up at Kagome with a startled look that suggested it wasn't him.
“Sango, love, no worries,” Miroku said calmly, already knowing who it was. “It's a guy…who just happens to be gay. If you think I'd choose him over you…well have I got a surprise for you tonight.”
Muffled laughter could be heard from Sango along with a catlike snarl and a thud.
“Sango?” Kagome asked, worried.
“Sorry…I dropped Hiraikotsu on Kirara's paw…sorry honey.”
Kagome gave a deep sigh, leaning her forehead on Inuyasha's shoulder.
“You'd think at a time like this everyone could be serious for a change.”
“Keh.”
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Kagura wearily lifted her eyelids, the world slowly spinning in place where she lay chained against the wall. Her robe was torn, dark streaks upon it smelling distinctly of blood and worse. Her head throbbed as her neck muscles resisted orders to hold her high enough to make anything out.
The room was dark, but not pitch black as small strands of sunlight peaked through heavy curtains in the solitary window. A deep musty smell filled the room, dust itching her sensitive skin along with the greater desire to have a bath. A very long, hot bath. Even the air felt heavy with dirt, like no one had freshened the air for months. It was downright suffocating.
Pain shot across her lower abdomen, causing all other muscles to go lax in response to the last of her energy traveling to one place. As the pain subsided, deep gasps of air filled her lungs, polluting her body as well as helping it. She looked down at herself in wonderment. What was going on?
Across the room something shifted and popped a joint that had long been stiff. Frozen in fear, Kagura's eyes scanned the room, willing her muscles to comply to her request. Across the room a large shape shifted slightly, growling a bit before returning to sleep.
Then she remembered. And wished she hadn't. She had a very good guess as to why her abdomen hurt. For now the creature slept. She could only hope she would pass out again before it woke up.
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“I still say you shouldn't go alone. We're mates now. I wouldn't go alone and neither should you,” Inuyasha grumbled. Kagome didn't believe that last part for a second, but didn't argue the matter.
“Stop worrying. I'm not going alone.”
“Midoriko doesn't count,” he retorted with a pout as an unpleasant smell crossed his olfactory senses.
“Did you forget your mate is a powerful miko, mutt face?” Kouga asked as he strutted up, wolves falling in behind him. “A proper mate wouldn't forget important facts about his woman.”
“So when's Ayame's birthday?” Inuyasha retorted. Kouga opened his mouth but no reply came out.
“When's Kagome's?” Ayame asked, flexing her claws in annoyance.
The two males were now at a loss for words.
“I'm inside. Whenever you are ready, Kagome-sama,” Miroku's voice broke over the radio quietly. “Nice quiet corner here.”
“Now are you going to trust me and wait in the lobby?” Kagome asked her mate, the fuming hanyou.
He didn't really give an intelligible response, but did give a nod of his head and followed her into the building.
“Higurashi,” the receptionist said with a smile. “Been a while hasn't it. How's your leprosy doing? I hear it's not contagious.”
Kagome faltered in her step and would have nearly fallen if Inuyasha had not caught her.
“Careful now, don't faint on me again,” he said all too cheerfully.
“Ah, the dog hanyou, what was your name again?” the receptionist asked, oblivious to the anger burning in his eyes. “Oh yeah,” the woman said before he could answer. “You're wanted on the 7th floor, Higurashi. The top lady wants to see you…immediately. That can't be good.”
Inuyasha let out a deep growl, nearly vibrating the entire desk.
“Please let her know I'm on my way,” Kagome said with a smile.
Inuyasha's eyes watched her all the way to the elevator, his ears pinned back in anger with a dark frown on his face. Her brown eyes briefly met his, giving him a quick wink as the doors closed.
“DAMMIT!” Inuyasha swore, his fist slamming down on the hard marble reception desk. The receptionist didn't even blink…as if this sort of thing happened all the time.
“He doesn't know, does he?” Ayame whispered to Kouga.
“I think she's counting on that.”
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The light above the door began to rise as the elevator ascended.
“You ready Miroku?” she asked quietly.
“Whenever you are,” came his response. “Inuyasha won't be happy about this at all. I hope you know what you are doing.”
“It's the only way for now.”
“Do you have it?” he asked. Reaching into her pocket, Kagome felt the rustle of thin paper against her hand. She took a deep breath. It was now or never. If there was any other way to do this, she was out of ideas.
:Don't worry so much. It's not like you'll be in any immediate danger: Midoriko pointed out. :At least….I don't think you will: The warrior miko didn't sound so certain though, and that scared Kagome a bit. If someone centuries old didn't know the answer…who did?
“I got it. Start now.”
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“So we wait,” Ayame said, sitting across from the reception desk. Inuyasha was pacing in front of the desk, low growls emitted from his throat. He could feel Kagome getting farther away from him, the bond stretching with ease, but his chest constricting with worry. He shouldn't have let her simply tell him everything would be fine. However, by instinct, half of him argued he was to bow to the judgment of the alpha female. The other half argued the damn woman wasn't worried enough and was underestimating the situation. She was only twenty. She hadn't lived though the horrors of Naraku's twisted mind. He and the others had.
She had no idea the horrific monstrosities Naraku was capable of. She'd only really seen a tip of the ice burg. Naraku thrived on pain, suffering and the degradation of others. He especially loved the despair that circled around broken mates.
`The damn bastard skinned my father alive…just because the bastard wouldn't tell him where my mother was. In turn, she killed herself. And they weren't even mates…' he thought, stopping in his tirade of pacing to gaze at the offending elevator. Steel doors gave him no answer. They merely gleamed back in pristine perfection, mocking him to find any evil within their purity.
“A lack of trust in a bond isn't going to help them,” Kouga commented. Inuyasha's whirled.
“I trust my mate,” he snarled. “It's Naraku I don't trust!”
“She will call you when she needs you,” Ayame said offhandedly. “Do not think she would hesitate when the time comes.”
Inuyasha growled and turned to ignore the now highly intimate wolves. There wasn't the love or deep chemistry he had with Kagome, but it was beginning to build. Loyalty and devotion were between them. The rest would come with time. A lifetime of intimacy did have that effect.
`She will call me when she needs me….I just hope she has enough time and sense to know when she needs me.' He thought, finally stopping to sit down, Tetsusaiga resting on his knee. The sword gave a slight pulse in response. `I haven't even begun to tap into the true power of Tetsusaiga. Will what I know be enough?'
Tetsusaiga pulsed again. This time, the bond within him answered, responding to the power deep within the blade. Inuyasha trailed his claws along the wrapped hilt, looking down at his inheritance with a deep appreciation.
`You would no more abandon me in my time of need than she would,' he thought while gazing at the sword. `Why did my father send you to me? Why didn't he protect himself and mother with you?'
The blade gave no answer, resting against his knee quietly.
“If we poke him, do you think he'll move?” Ayame asked her mate. Kouga gave a quick grin. The hanyou was looking down at his sword, deep in thought. It wasn't often an expression one saw on his face. It also left him wide open.
Sango was flying over the building when a bellow of rage was followed by the smashing of glass. Looking below, she saw Kouga laying spread eagle in front of a broken glass door, Ayame rushing to his side.
“Now what did the fool do?” she asked. Kirara didn't answer and continued to circle the building, keeping an eye on the skies.
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The elevator doors opened with a delightful `ding' and Kagome stepped out into the open area, all too grateful to be away from the elevator music. Whoever thought of turning popular hard rock songs into symphony pieces?
It was strangely quiet in the lobby area. No one was around, not even at the large desk across the way. A golden plaque hung upon the double solid oak doors, marking the office as the High Councilor's office. She looked down and checked her hands.
Nothing seemed amiss.
Taking a deep breath, Kagome stretched out to feel the space around her. All the councilors were gone, as were their secretaries and staff. The entire floor seemed empty, save for one slight presence. The High Councilor in her office. She seemed way too reserved in power though. As if she were either highly drained…or highly unused. That was rather odd since most miko's were using purification powers on a regular basis. And the highest miko should have been a whirlwind of power.
Unless the old bat was drying up. She was how old now?
Walking cautiously across the lobby area, Kagome made her way to the large doors, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. Wasn't this how horror movies started? Lone girl, nearly empty building….horrific monster in the shadows. The door resisted being opened, a barrier in her path. The barrier reeked of evil, attempting to harm any who came within its range.
Kagome's fingers purified it upon contact, the dark energy immediately brightening and dissipating before her eyes. It wasn't a good omen though. Power flickering at her fingertips, she carefully opened one door and looked into the office.
Her first shock was the state of the office. A High Councilor should have an office full of rather expensive, luxury items. She expected couches, desks of rare wood, and entertainment center, plush carpet and a drink bar. However, the office was completely bare. No furniture, no carpet and no drink bar.
Her second shock was the older woman tied to a radiator in a corner under the big shiny windows. From the way she was slumped over, Kagome wasn't even sure the woman was alive. The power she'd been holding vanished and Kagome rushed to the old woman's aid, trying to undo the dark bonds around her wrists. Angry welts and caked blood was under the miasma binding. Her purification destroyed the binding, but none of her power could heal the damage done. By the look of her hands, the old woman would probably never be able to hold anything properly again.
“Can you hear me?” Kagome asked, gently laying the woman on the floor. Bones and muscles creaked at being moved to a position they had not held for so long. The old woman's eyes fluttered a bit, then cautiously opened.
“My dear child….” the woman said, dry throat cracking.
“It's ok, I'll get help. The elevator works. Do you think you can stand?”
“I can,” the woman said and coughed a bit. Kagome supported her head so she wouldn't hit it upon the hard marble floor. A steel cold grip fastened around her arm. Kagome looked down at the old woman in shock. She should not have been able to grab her. The old woman's mouth turned into a rather creepy smile.
“Sad that you humans always fall for such easy tricks,” came a voice much different from the old woman's. “Your compassion is the easiest weakness to exploit.”
The hand that held her shimmered, then changed. Now a dark tentacle was wrapped around her, another one securing around her waist as the body of the old woman rose, changing into a large, more complex demon that began to fill the room. Miasma surrounded her, seeping from his very pores as he finished shedding the illusion.
Kagome's eyes locked with dark ones above. From the torso up he looked human and could even be considered attractive with the black hair and flawless shin. However, the dark smile that graced his face and the mass of various demon parts below him only gave Kagome a sickened feeling. He radiated evil as if he were the very source of it, a master of darkness.
This was the true Naraku.
“Compassion is no more a weakness than any other emotion,” Kagome said calmly. “And any emotion can be exploited.” She pulled purification from within herself, the miasma hissing in protest as it swirled around her. The tentacle around her wrist, however, wasn't affected in the slightest. In fast, it seemed to pull the energy from her…as if absorbing it.
“Don't think I've spent over a hundred years here and not perfected a technique against purification,” Naraku said as his smile broadened. “You miko's are surprisingly like demons. Your power can be absorbed and utilized as well. I bet Midoriko didn't know that little fun fact.”
:Bastard: came the reply in her head. Kagome almost cracked a smile at that.
“Now give me what I want, little miko, and I might think about letting you live.”
“And what is it you want?” Kagome asked.
“The Jewel of Four Souls,” he said calmly.
“There is no jewel,” she replied.
“Wrong answer miko.”
Dark power hit Kagome like a freight train, blind siding her as the air was practically crushed from her lungs. She was immobilized, cold and powerless.
:Damn demon is trying to absorbed you, but for now he'll just hold you: came Midoriko within her head.
Kagome tried to reach out to the bond she knew was there. Time to call Inuyasha. Except, a cold barrier stood between her and the bond.
“You cannot call your mate,” Naraku's voice echoed in the darkness around her. “Nor will he sense anything is wrong. You will sit there until I have killed him and your little friends. Can't have loose ends roaming around, can I? Perhaps you would like to continue our discussion when I return with their heads.”
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Miroku bit back a swear as Kagome collapsed against him. The spell around him wavered ever so slightly as he anchored the staff and propped the young woman against the wall behind him.
“Inuyasha, go now!” he ordered in the ear piece. A string of curses, growls and what sounded like Tetsusaiga blowing something apart relayed back. The hanyou was on his way…leaving behind a path of destruction of course.
Miroku continued to hold the spell, but his worries were on the woman beside him. If anything had happened, Kagome should have simply returned to herself, not fallen unconscious. It was as if her mind was somewhere else. Unless…Naraku was holding her immobile, but had not attacked her outright.
“Hold on, Kagome,” he said quietly. “You need to figure out how to help Inuyasha when he gets there.”
At this point all he could do was trust both she and the hanyou knew what they were doing.
And where the devil were Rin and Sesshoumaru?
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“Ok, I'll need you to fill out these forms, please,” the guard said. Rin calmly handed the clip board to the demon behind her.
“This Sesshoumaru is no guest,” Sesshoumaru snarled.
“You know, it's not wise to piss off Councilors,” Rin suggested.
“Yeah, sure buddy. I know all the councilors personally and you ain't one of them. Now, do you have any weapons, explosives or other dangerous items to check in?”
Rin opened her long coat. Along the length of it was a collection worthy of a small armory. The guard simply rolled his eyes.
“You know one day you're going to go all Matrix on me and I'm gonna shit my pants. Just have the demon sign his name in the guest book,” he said and turned to grab the book from behind him.
Rin leaned forward and hit the guard in the back of the neck, rendering him unconscious.
“Guest book indeed,” Sesshoumaru scoffed. “As if I need to sign in to my own damn building.”
“They tend to forget little details like that. I doubt he was even a dirty thought in his daddy's head when your father was High Councilor.”
“That is why youkai should be in charge of security.”
“Are you saying I can't do my job?” she asked, a slight tone of anger in her voice.
“You know very well you are an exception.”
“One day you aren't going to talk yourself out of something and we are going to get in a big fight.”
“This Sesshoumaru looks forward to it.”