InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Darkangel ❯ Healing ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

AN: Hehe...This chapter's gonna be fun! Yup! That's right, folks! A new character will be introduced in this chapter. Can you guess who? This is a character that you all know and love...and I'm not gonna tell you!!! You're gonna have to read this whole damn chapter to find out!! ^-^

Oh yes, and "lyon" is suppose to be spelt like that. So yeah it was on purpose. It makes it more special that way. ^^

Now! On with this chapter that I'm very excited about writing!

The people of the Hikari no Ya all wore loose, and of what Kagome could thought was religious attire. The women wore white haoris and red hakamas. Most of them either had their hair tied up in loose horsetails or braids; or in some way that it would not get in the way. Most men wore dark colored inner robes with kesas of different colors; Kagome figured it probably determined rank. They all carried long, knobbed walking staffs, shakujous, bow and arrows, katanas, or some sort of weapon that had a religious symbol on it. They only owned a few possessions. Kagome realized that they were all a train of mikos and monks. What she also noticed was that they were all at least in their thirties or under; she saw no elders.

[AN: "Hikari no Ya" is suppose to mean "Light of Purity." I'm probably wrong though. Oh well...

kesa: the outer part of the attire of a Buddhist monk, a length of cloth that is wrapped over the inner robe.

katana: the Japanese long sword, upward of 2 ft in length.

shakujou: the staff of a wandering Buddhist monk. The jangling metal rings that top the staff are meant to warn all living creatures of the monk's approach so that he will not accidentally step on even the tiniest of insects. ]

They had taken away her torn and bloodied kimono and gave her one of their own garments. When she was clear-headed enough, she realized that she was in a tent, a medical tent from what it seemed with the many empty futons and medicine jars that surrounded her.

Oboro, their leader - a tall, middle-aged woman, entered the tent. She kneel down next to Kagome and asked, "How are you doing?"

"I'm a bit tired," Kagome answered. "And sore."

Oboro nodded and replied, "Rest, then."

As Kagome slept through the day, Oboro came in occasionally to tend her wound with poultices and herbal broths. As night approached, Kagome woke to find her strength slowly returning. When she slowly made her way out of the tent, she saw that they had settled in an oasis.

Kagome looked around her and saw mikos and monks all making themselves busy. Some were weaving baskets, making medicines, cooking, or playing games. A majority of them were combat training with practice weapons or watching the practice fights.

The sun was warm on her skin as she stepped away from the tent and stretched out her arms. Oboro saw her and smiled as she made her way to Kagome.

"Are you well?" she asked.

Kagome nodded. "I feel fine. My neck's a bit sore, but other than that, I'm feeling fine." Kagome looked around her. "Oboro? Are all these people mikos and monks?"

Oboro smiled. "Ah, so you have noticed. Yes, they are."

Kagome looked at her. "Well, I was just wondering, why are they all young? I don't see any old ones..."

Oboro laughed. "Why, you are quite an observer, aren't you? Well, I guess I should explain from the beginning for you to fully understand. All these people here," She gestured her arm at all the people that surrounded them. "have been hurt by Naraku. He's a powerful demon whose been terrorizing our world for years," explained Oboro when she saw Kagome's puzzled face.

"Wait, Naraku? I thought he was only a character in stories meant to scare children." said Kagome with wide eyes.

Oboro shook her head. "No, he's real. Very real. Everyone here has been cursed by the curses Naraku has cast on their ancestors or had families that Naraku had killed. Everyone here is an enemy of Naraku and wants their revenge from him. Everyone here is training for battle for when the time comes, we'll be ready to fight him. The generation before us was killed by Naraku when they attempted to destroy him. The most of the ones you see here are their daughters and sons. After that attempt 40 years ago, the generation after them was gathered from nearby lands and was raised here in the desert. That's why the ones you see here are no older than forty."

Kagome nodded, finally understanding. "But why the desert?" she asked. "Isn't it harder to live here."

Oboro smiled. "Yes, the weather is harsh and it makes you dependent on yourself and the people around, but it makes you stronger; and we need to be stronger in order to defeat Naraku. And it's easier to work around here with the Pendarlon to guard us."

"Pendarlon?" asked Kagome, perplexed. "Who's that?"

Oboro gave a throaty laugh; her wise brown eyes danced. "Why, he's the one who rescued of course!"

Kagome looked at her, surprised. "The lyon?" Oboro nodded. Kagome had heard the people of her village occasionally used the expression, "By the Pendarlon," but she had never used it herself. "What does it mean?" she asked at last.

"Pendar-lon," Oboro explained. "It means 'Warden of Pendar' or 'Guardian of Pendar.' She had no rancor in her voice so Kagome questioned further.

"And where is Pendar?"

Oboro looked at her with surprise. "Why, all that you see about you to the horizon and beyond."

Kagome frowned. "But I thought that Pendar was a great land of cities and ancient wisdom. Myouga said that the Ancient Ones lived in Pendar."

Oboro nodded sadly. "That's true. They once did. But their glory is all laid waste now. The Old Ones are few and far between. They are growing afraid of the outside - most of them hide in their domed cities now, far from each other, shut off from the world. They seldom ever come out now so most people think they all died out years ago." She shook her head.

Changing back to the original subject, Kagome inquired. "So what does the Pendarlon do?"

Oboro grinned. "Well, he patrols the land. He guards the borders and looks after the safety of his people. It's good thing, too. We can worry about training for Naraku instead of icari wandering into our land. The Pendarlon worries about that for us."

"Who are his people?"

"Why, everyone you see around you. The creatures that live here is his people. Every living thing within his borders are his people."

"So he's your ruler?"

Oboro shook her head. "No, no one can rules us. No one can rule anyone who does not agree to ruling. One must ruled oneself. The Pendarlon is our warden and our guide. Everyone is free."

"But, what about the Hikari no Ya? Don't you rule them?" asked Kagome, not fully understanding.

"I lead them. They follow only so long as they choose."

"What about me? Am I one of his people?"

"No," the chieftess replied, "you still belong to Avaric. But you're the lyon's guest and under his protection now."

"So who's the Warden of Avaric?" asked Kagome. She had never heard of him.

"The Starhorse," Oboro replied, straightening.

"The Starhorse," exclaimed Kagome, "I'm --"

"Yes, I know. The Pendarlon told me. He will return to aid you."

Inconspicuous by the two, a young man was approaching them. Kagome jumped in surprise when she heard him speak.

"Oboro-sama," he said with a big smile, "How are you today? Ah, what's this? a guest?" The young man was looking at Kagome with a mischievous gleam in his eye. Kagome blushed slightly. The youth was quite good-looking. He was a young sharp face and violet eyes. His short hair was pulled back in a horsetail and he held a shakujou.

"Yes," said Oboro, looking at him warily. "The Pendarlon left her with us to care for."

"Really?" said the young man, his grin growing bigger.

"Now don't you try to do anything funny, Mir--"

He held up a hand to stop her. "Now, now, Oboro-sama. What would I ever do to this attractive young lady?" he said, indignant. Oboro snorted as Kagome blushed. She never thought of herself attractive. Ever. If he thought she was attractive, then he should see Renko, thought Kagome.

The youth took Kagome's hands in his and gently kissed them. "Pardon me, young miss for being so rude. I am Miroku. May I ask what you are called, Miss?"

"Uh, K-Kagome," she stammered, staring at her hands which were being held in his.

"Kagome? Why, that's such a beautiful name! May I ask you a question, Kagome-san?"

"Miroku..." said Oboro with warning in her tone.

Miroku ignored her and was now looking at Kagome intently. "Uh, sure, I guess." said Kagome, uncertainly.

Miroku looked at Kagome straight in the eye and asked. "Will you bear my child?"

"..."

Kagome stood there, dumbstruck. Her eyes were wide as saucers and she couldn't talk. She merely managed to make an inarticulate sound from her throat. "Eh."

Oboro growled as she rapped her staff on Miroku's head. "Nonsense, Miroku! I understand that you are trying to have descendents to carry out your quest to kill Naraku in case you die. But by the Pendarlon, you're only sixteen!"

Miroku released Kagome's hands to rub his head and smiled sheepishly, "Well, you never know what might happen."

Oboro pointed towards the practice grounds, "Go to practice grounds, Miroku. I'll meet up with you later."

"But they hit so hard..." said Miroku. But after taking a look at Oboro's dangerous glare, he turned to go; but before he turned away, he winked at Kagome and made his way to the practice grounds.

Kagome broke out of her frozen state, and covered her cheeks with her hands to hide the blush.

Noticing Kagome's blush, Oboro said with a cocked eyebrow. "Don't be too flattered. He asked the same thing to all the seventy women here."

Kagome dropped her hands down back on her sides as her blush faded. "Really? And...what happened?"

"He got seventy slaps in return," Oboro answered simply.

"Oh..."

"Do try not to lead him on. He happens to get the wrong idea a lot." Oboro said, smiling.

Kagome cleared her throat. "Um, so when will the Pendarlon return?"

"When you are fully healed," she answered. "Now, I must go work on a new walking stick I'm carving. Don't disturb the medicine on your neck." Oboro turned to leave.

"How long?" Kagome asked.

Oboro paused and turned. "He didn't say how long. Rest now, little one, and patience. You must wait."

So Kagome waited. The Hikari no Ya moved by day and stopped briefly for rests and water. When night came the Hikari no Ya would make camp and would tell stories, sing songs, wove, or mended tools.

During these times, Kagome usually talk with Oboro or had pleasant conversations with Miroku. Yet, those pleasant conversations sometimes ended shortly when his hand wandered and touched her rear. In the end, Kagome would be across the fire away from him and next to Oboro, sending occasional wary glances at an innocent-looking Miroku.

Then the nights would pass and the Hikari no Ya took up their wandering again. The wound on Kagome's neck had healed over into a smooth white scar and she found herself able to walk with the train without tiring. Oboro gave her a walking stick and taught her how to stalk the cautious desert creatures: hares and deer.

Soon Kagome could throw deftly enough to fell quarry at 60 feet; giving her staff, when she threw it, that peculiar flick of the wrist, which Oboro had shown her. The flick caused the arcing shaft to reverse itself with a snap in mid-flight, bringing its heavy, knotted crown down in a hard, swift stroke. After that, Kagome brought what game she could to the cook fires and no longer held back when sharing in her hosts' food.

It had been six days while Kagome remained with the Hikari no Ya. The days were long as the nights were cool and pleasant. A change had overtaken her in the desert where everything was patience and peace. She felt fitter, freer, stronger, and surer. Her body was losing some of its youthful boniness. For the first time, she felt she was beginning to resemble a maid beneath her clothes, and not a stick-doll made of spindle twigs.

There were other changes, too. Once Oboro had commented her on her skin. "Why, Kagome-chan," Oboro had taken a liking in her. "Your skin is growing tanner."

Kagome's hands flew to her face. "Really? It has always been dull and..."

Oboro shook her head, laughing. "No, little one. The sun is burning your skin richer."

There was another time when Miroku mentioned to Kagome about her. "Kagome-san! You're growing taller!" Then, he would dramatized it by stretching out with his toes, as if trying to stand taller than she (even though he was already taller than her).

Time was flying past fast and Kagome had been with the Hikari no Ya for more than seven days. In another two, the icarus would fly to find his final bride. The day finally came when Kagome hear the padding of paws in the sand while she walked with Oboro with the rest of her train. She turned as the Pendarlon bounded up beside her.

"Why did you take so long to come?" Kagome asked as he fell into walking slowly beside her. "My wound healed three days ago."

"It wasn't only that wound that you were healing, Kagome," the lyon replied. "But you are fully rested now, I will take you to the Avarclon."

Kagome nodded and turned to Oboro. Oboro smiled and gave Kagome a swift hug. "Travel safely, Kagome-chan. I hope to see you again."

Kagome smiled and nodded. Miroku walked up next to Kagome and ruffled her hair. "It was fun while you were here, Kagome-san. Don't get yourself killed or anything, okay?"

Kagome smiled at him and said, "Stay out of trouble, Houshi-sama." Kagome heard a snort in the background and heard Oboro mutter, "That's unlikely."

Kagome started to turn when Miroku gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. He winked at her and ducked when Oboro swung her staff at him.

"What did I say about hitting on girls that are too good for you?" Kagome heard Oboro shout. "That's an extra hour of combat practicing, young man!"

In the castle in Avaric, a young half-vampyre paced the castle restlessly. One of his wings hung uselessly and he was slightly limping.

After the dreams had gone, he couldn't stop thinking of the maiden that escaped him (yeah, that's right, he still doesn't know her name). He wanted to get back at her for giving him those horrible dreams. They terrorize him and he hated them. He hated them as much as he hated her. If that lyon had not interfered, he'd probably succeeded in capturing her back. She belonged to him and only him.

That bite he had given her was only meant to slow her down, not to kill her. Now he couldn't help but wonder whether she was dead or not. He hoped that she wasn't because he needed someone to weave a wedding kimono for his final bride. He needed her back.

But was that the only reason? A small voice in his head asked. Was that the only reason he wanted her back? Didn't he miss her company? Her funny stories and ridiculous descriptions of magical creatures? The vampyre had to admit though, he did miss her company a bit. She was actually the best tirewoman he had ever had. She never complained about her errands and she actually cared about what she did. She entertained him and kept him company. Once she had came to his castle, he didn't feel lonely anymore.

Now he really hoped that the bite he had given her didn't kill her. He now really hoped that she was still alive and well. He now regretted even giving her that bite. He was such a fool! Now she was probably dead now because of him!

But even if she was still alive, would she come back? He didn't know whether she liked being in the castle; being with him. After all that has happened to her, would she come back to him if she was still alive? The icarus shook his head. No way, he thought. She'd never come back. Not after all that he had done to her and her life. But then, why did he care? Why did he care whether she was alive or not? Whether she'd come back or not?

Because you're in love with her.

Love? He love...her?

"I love her?" the vampyre wondered out loud.

The word "love" sounded strange on his lips, yet...pleasant. Then he stopped himself. No, he didn't love her. He couldn't. He was a vampyre. Vampyres don't love. They don't feel anything. Why was he feeling like the way he was? He wasn't suppose to know love. He wasn't suppose to know it. He wasn't suppose to live it. He was taught to forget it.

You can't forget about love

The vampyre's pale arms flew to his head. No, he thought. Shut up. Shut up! No! He didn't love her. He didn't know what love was. He wasn't suppose to. He was supposed to know hate; and only hate. He hated her. Not love. He hated her. She made him feel all these things that he wasn't suppose to feel. But then it seemed wrong. Hating her seemed wrong. It just wasn't right.

The darkangel's arms dropped back to his sides and his hands clenched into fists. He never felt so confused so far. But he wasn't suppose to feel confuse. He wasn't suppose to feel anything! Especially not love!

The darkangel growled and then yelled out in outrage to the nothingness around him. "I don't love her! I hate her! I HATE HER!!!"

He had to say it out loud. He had to declare it so he could feel content. But the problem was, he didn't. He didn't feel satisfied at all. Instead, he felt even more confused and that saying that he hated her was all the more wrong.

He snarled and screamed out in fury. He stalked out of the balcony he was on, looking for something to vent his anger on. He saw a bat fly past him and reached to grab it. He knew now. He'd kill it. Painfully and slowly. That way, he wouldn't feel anything anymore. The girl hated it when he tortured the bats. If he killed it, he wouldn't feel anything anymore. Ignoring the bat's frantic squeaking, he held it, ready to snap its wings. Then her face appeared in front of his eyes. Her sweet, caring face.

No. This wasn't suppose to happen! He was suppose to feel hate towards her! Why wasn't he feeling any hate? He let go of the bat and staggered to the ground. Why?

He slowly stood up and wandered down the empty halls. He stopped when he found himself in a small windowless room. He frowned. Something was familiar about this room. But there was nothing in it. Then he saw something moved. That was when he realized he was in the wraiths' room. The reason he didn't see them before was that they were so thin, it was nearly impossible to see them. One of them wailed and cowered back to the wall.

The darkangel scrunched up his face in disgust. That was when one of the wraiths stood and approached him. He recognized her as his latest bride since she wasn't as thin as the others.

"What the matter?" she asked in a hollow voice. "Don't like what you see?"

The darkangel scowled. "Get away from me, you ugly wench."

"Ugly? We weren't like this before. You know that. You made us what we are now. It's your fault that we're like this now. You made us look like this." The wraith approached him closer.

"Don't come any closer!" he shouted.

The wraith paused. "Why? Scare of your own wife?"

"You..You're so hideous."

The wraith snorted. "So is your soul."

The vampyre snarled. "You have no right to say that to me! I am the master here! You obey me."

"Then why are you afraid of me?"

The vampyre stared at her. He growled and stalked out of the room.

The other wraiths approached their sister wraith hesitantly.

"A coward, isn't he?" said one of the wraiths.

"Not to mention stupid."

"Do you think it was wise to do that?" asked another wraith to the one who had spoken to the darkangel.

"He needed to be talked to," she answered, "It was about time that someone said something."

"But he is more powerful."

"He's too afraid to 'dirty' his hands on us."

"But when he gets his final bride..."

"No, Kagome will come back. She will save us. She won't let the vampyre win."

The other wraith shifted hesitantly and sighed.

"I hope you're right. I really hope you are, Renko."

End of Chapter 9

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AN: Okay, well, the darkangel sure has some issues...Well now you know which one of the wraiths is Renko. The one that's the biggest and thickest, which still is pretty thin...

If you're wondering why Kagome didn't notice this is well, she's human. Her eyes aren't as keen as the darkangel's and she isn't Nancy Drew or anything.

Wow. This chapter is really long. The whole part with the vampyre and his issues wasn't really suppose to be there. A reviewer (don't remember who) suggested that I should do something like that for this chapter. So I did, and it made it really long. And the Miroku was kinda obvious, wasn't it? I guess the beginning quotes thing was kinda a big clue. Swell.

*sigh* Poor Kagome though, the darkangel doesn't even know her name. What an idiot...Isn't knowing the person's name one of the first things you do when meeting someone? Especially since Kagome and the darkangel are stuck with each other of over a half a year. But then again, I'm the one writing this...but that's not the point...

Well anyways, my website's up. But there isn't really anything there. My stories are on there, but other then that...so art's not up, media's not up, links' not up...But not to worry! They will when I have the time! So just wait...a very long time...and everything will be up in no time! Well I like my layout so check it out. It's: http://www.geocities.com/shinakozberu

Well, remember to sign my guestbook!

Next Chapter: "Eclipse"

Why "Eclipse?"....Um, because it sounds pretty?