InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Devil Within ❯ Friend or Foe ( Chapter 5 )

The Devil Within

 

 

Disclamer: I own nothing :(

 

 

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Chapter 5: Friend or Foe

 

The moment they reached the other side, Inuyasha jumped out of the well dragging a bewildered Kagome with him.

 

“Hurry up!”

 

He had only let go when they landed safely near her bag. He let go one of her arms to grad the bag and walked off, pulling her behind him. Using her other hand, Kagome got him to fully release her, but that didn't stop him from growling and yelling at her, warning her not to lag behind.

 

Inuyasha had made sure to go through the well first. When he had emerged in his time, a new unnerving odor filled his system. Someone had jumped down into the well and he didn't recognize the scent. It wasn't fresh, but it wasn't old either. Whatever it was, it must have tried to follow after him sometime in the morning. He had sat on the edge of the well to take in his surrounding. Deeming it safe enough for Kagome he'd jumped back. Just as he guessed, she looked too stumped by his recent actions to follow him right away.

 

`The sooner we get to the village, the better.' That was his main concern when he leaped through time. However, now he wasn't so sure he wanted to take the girl there. The closer they got, the fresher and stronger that scent would get.

 

Reaching the edge of his forest, he took a few minutes to evaluate how safe the surroundings were. None of the houses held any damage and the villagers looked like they normally did. They were going about their business like nothing happened. But he still didn't allow himself to relax: humans were easy to manipulate, far too easy. They could very well be under some sort of spell, or he could be exaggerating things and was simply far too paranoid for his own good.

 

Kagome reached his side, but unlike him she didn't stop. She kept her pace, ignoring Inuyasha's tense pose and steady gaze. She didn't go far, though.

 

He caught her by her upper arm and pulled her back. She stumbled a couple of steps, coming to a stop slightly behind him. Even though he knew she was out of harm's way, he kept his strong grip on the girl.

 

Kagome tried to pull free yet again, but that only served to tighten his grip, his nails easily cutting through her sleeves and digging into her skin.

 

“Inuyasha!” Now she was getting worried and a little agitated; he could easily smell the change in her attitude. “Inuyasha, let me go!”

 

In response, said hanyo growled deep and low, menacingly, silently telling her to remain quiet. It didn't help cool his temper when a gust of wind brought a fresh trail of that scent to his nose. He knew exactly where it was coming from now.

 

Kaede's hut.

 

A few people were also gathered there. They would stay for a while, then leave and a few more would replace them. Some would remain, when others would lose interest. Eventually, his sight to the hut's entrance and only window was blocked by a bunch of young women and a very few young men. Whoever it was, he or she definitely caught the villagers' attention.

 

“What the hell is going on?!?”

 

He wasn't talking to anyone in particular and he was more or less ignoring the young miko struggling to get his hand off her.

 

He couldn't exactly wait there until whomever it was to come out. He just had to go and find out on his own who this intruder was. Inuyasha took slow measured steps away from his forest, unconsciously dragging Kagome behind himself. Every five or so steps, he would stop and sniff the air, looking for any signs of threat. What he did sense was the distress in the girl behind him. As they approached the edge of the village, that distress was replaced by annoyance and something similar to anger.

 

None of that fazed him, though. His full concentration was on the new scent.

 

He was about to take another step when the gathered humans moved aside, making some sort of pathway. An orange furry fuzz ball came running out from between the villagers' legs far before they cleared out, and it was coming straight for them.

 

“KAGOME!!”

 

Immediately, the kit jumped into the young girl's one outstretched arm.

 

“Kagome-sama, Inuyasha. You're back just in time.”

 

Both half-demon and miko turned their head towards the owner of the voice, knowing their friends would be standing there.

 

Inuyasha quickly tensed, now able to put a physical image to the smell.

 

***

 

Tall, handsome, sophisticated, well-mannered… Kagome couldn't remember the last time she actually thought of all these characteristics for a guy at the same time. She definitely understood why most young women were gathered by the Kaede's hut.

 

The stranger walked around Miroku and Sango, making his way towards Inuyasha and herself. “Good evening.” He bowed low and long.

 

Kagome marveled at his good manners and good looks, but Inuyasha was another story all together.

 

“Who the hell are you?” He growled out, tightening his hold on the miko's arm.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome could not take this anymore. She hit him across his chest to get his attention. “Be nice!” Inuyasha's growl wasn't what she was expecting.

 

`What's wrong with him?' she thought, before putting all her strength in her free hand to pray his fingers off her. “Inuyasha! Let me go!”

 

On the contrary, he tightened his grip to the point were she was starting to lose feeling in her right arm. She couldn't exactly sit him; with such strong grip she was afraid he might not let go in time and instead drag her down along with him.

 

Shippo, long forgotten in his position on Kagome's shoulder understood most of what Inuyasha was doing. He was demanding submission and obedience from the female. What he didn't understand was why.

 

“Do not be alarmed hanyo.” Apparently Shippo wasn't the only one who comprehended the half-demon's tactics. “I'm not here to take what is yours. I was simply passing by.”

 

“Then tell me what you were doing in the well.”

 

That definitely caught everyone's attention. Kagome stopped squirming, Shippo held on tighter to his surrogate mother, Sango and Miroku took a step back and all eyes turned to the visitor.

 

However, the visitor didn't let that faze him one bit. Keeping the same smile and not wavering one bit, he answered. “I saw you jump in and was merely curious to know what one could be doing down a well.”

 

The monk and the demon slayer relaxed their stands as he continued.

 

“I was not expecting an empty, dried out well. I am curious to know as to where you went.”

 

“Keh! That's none of your damn business.”

 

Before anyone could comment anymore, lady Kaede stood in between Inuyasha and the stranger. “Come now Inuyasha. Ye wouldn't want to make a scene.” She motioned the people around to disperse and go about their business. “There is nothing to see. Now,” she turned her attention to her hut and started walking. “Shall we continue this inside?”

 

The new demon gestured politely for the old miko to take lead while he followed close behind. Sango, along with Miroku and Kirara, took up the rear.

 

Kagome had stopped struggling long ago, confused at Inuyasha's attitude and curious to find out who this new guy was. She felt his grip lighten, but he never let go. She was pulled closer to him and he slightly bent down to whisper for her ears only.

 

“Stay close. I don't trust this creep.”

 

Kagome didn't have much time to formulate a question with how quick he was walking towards the hut, pulling her along.

 

***

 

It was obvious and he wasn't trying to hide it either: Inuyasha didn't like this new guy. It isn't his short cut, spiky-banked hair; it wasn't his orangish-red eyes or his fangless teeth; it wasn't the diagonally placed half-moon on his forehead; it wasn't his unusually long pointed ears on the side of his head; nor was it the strange layered kimono he was wearing. The other's blunt nails or cheap looking sandals at his feet didn't bother him one bit.

 

No, there was nothing physical about him that got on Inuyasha's nerves. It was the demon's attitude.

 

Pure demons always ridiculed half-breeds, calling them undeserving or filthy. Even Shippo bugged him at first, but now the kit knows his place. As for Kirara: she's lived and fought along side humans for so long, she had no right to mock his human blood

 

This demon however, this Zanite as he called himself, he had every right by demon law to mistreat the hanyo's being.

 

The thing that bothered Inuyasha the most about the new guy was the respectful attitude towards him.

 

As though reading his mind, Zanite spoke up, “Please Inuyasha-sama. I have told you once I'm not here to take your place or your possessions.”

 

Inuyasha simply narrowed his eyes at the other youkai.

 

“Will you please calm down? I have not come here to argue, or to fight.”

 

Kagome tugged on Inuyasha's sleeve, annoyed confusion visible on her face. “What's wrong with you? Anyone would be curious about the well and he's been kind and patient enough to say please.”

 

He wasn't about to take this from a girl. “Keh!” His instincts told him to be on guard and his guts were usually right about things like this. He really couldn't do much though. They were four humans and two demons against his intuition, and Kagome would sit him the moment he got too close to breaking the other's neck.

 

For now, he'd rather talk then be sat. “So why are you here?”

 

“I heard of the Shikon no Tama being brought back and shattered. I am merely collecting the broken pieces.”

 

Immediately, Inuyasha was his feet, right hand on the hilt of his sword. “What!?!”

 

Zanite quickly put up his hand in a placating gesture. “Oh! No, no! Do not take this the wrong way!”

 

Kagome had also gotten up, placing a reassuring hand on Inuyasha's tense arm. But not once did she remove her eyes from the strange demon as he continued.

 

“I heard rumors that the miko guarding the shards lived here. And so, I passed by, hoping to give her these…” He dug his hand in his outfit. Bringing it out from the hidden depths of his shirt, he opened his fist for all to see.

 

On his palm were five shards. Everyone gasped and Kagome took an uneasy step back. But, “Those can't be Shikon shards.” She captured everyone's attention. “They can't be because I don't sense anything.”

 

Zanite smiled, making both hanyo and miko tense more than necessary. He closed his eyes and waved his free hand over the jewel shards. A colorful sphere surrounded his hand as he chanted a few words in some foreign language. Within seconds, the orb like shield dispersed.

 

The shards' aura hit Kagome like a ton of bricks. Her eyes open wide, she gripped Inuyasha's kariginu and gasped.

 

Zanite was the first to break the silence. “I know if these were to fall in the wrong hands they could cause great chaos. That is why I placed a concealing protection barrier.” Looking back at the miko's flabbergasting visage, he smiled. “I am pleased to know it was strong enough to escape even your detection, young miko.”

 

With a bow, he stood up and approached the shock stricken pair before him. Inuyasha got into defense pose, while Kagome took half a step back. Zanite stretched out his shard holing hand to Kagome. “I believe these are yours.”

 

Before she could react, Inuyasha took a step forward, standing between her and the demon. He snatched the Shikon shards form his opponent, but didn't budge from his spot. This guy knew how to put up barriers that block out auras. He definitely couldn't be trusted.

 

“Now that you've given us the shards you can leave.” He stated as politely as he could. “Go back to wherever the hell you came from.”

 

“Inuyasha,” Miroku had to interfere. He realized that Zanite had kept the shards hidden from them till now, but he couldn't let a possible good ally go just because Inuyasha didn't like him. “Perhaps we could show him some hospitality towards his kindness. He is giving us his shards after all.”

 

“I would appreciate a place to stay for the night.” Zanite quickly cut in.

 

Kaede playing the part of the kind miko, then offered, “If it's to your liking, ye can stay here.”

 

“No!” Inuyasha growled out. “He can find himself a place to sleep elsewhere.”

”Inuyasha, Osuwari.”

 

Kagome's patience had run thin again. What was wrong with him, she couldn't tell and right now she was too tired to think straight.

 

Kaede was also running out of patience at the hanyo's tactics. “If ye are not pleased Inuyasha, ye can sleep outside. This is my home; therefore it is up to me to offer a place to whomever I wish.” She looked the half-demon straight in the eyes, daring him to say otherwise.

 

“Keh. I ain't going anywhere, not while he's still around.”

 

“Do not worry much,” Zanite interfered. “I shall leave at day break if it's alright with you Kaede-sama.”

 

Kaede of course couldn't refuse. Once the sleeping arrangements where finished, all four humans along with the kitsune and the neko-youkai quickly fell asleep. Zanite also appeared to be sleeping. However, Inuyasha refused to sleep. He'd stay awake all night if he had to.

 

Unfortunately for him, he couldn't keep his eyes open for long. His eye lids felt incredibly heavy and dream land seemed to have a strong grip on him. He couldn't explain it and his mind was too foggy for him to make out much. His vision blurred and he knew no more.

 

***

 

He didn't know when it happened, but the hanyo had finally fallen at the hands of slumber. The demon was resilient. Maybe it was because he was incredibly stubborn. Either way the spell had taken it's affects upon Inuyasha.

 

The enchantment he used affects all surrounding the spell caster, including himself, but it's a small price to pay. Demons and humans would quickly succumb to the spell. He however, had nothing to worry about for his kin were immune to most magic.

 

Zanite had eventually gotten up once positive everyone was sound asleep. Now was his time. He took out the orb from its pouch and peered into its depth, awaiting his next set of orders.

 

***

 

Groggy.

 

Everything was groggy. His head was spinning, or was it just him? His muscles were stiff and a tingly sensation crawled all over his skin.

 

He felt so horribly tired. He's never been this worn out of shape or fatigued before. So why now?

 

`Did I get knocked out in a fight? Was I badly injured?' He kept inquiring himself. `No… That can't be right. I don't remember fighting anything.'

 

Inuyasha…

 

A voice.

 

Someone was calling him from within the darkness surrounding him. But it was so distant and barely above a whisper. It was a wonder how he even caught it, whatever that was, and he didn't let it go. No, he wouldn't let go. He didn't know why, but it was important for him to hold on and not let go.

 

Inuyasha.

 

“Who… Who are you? Where are you??”

 

You must wake Inuyasha.

 

A woman's voice. That much he figured out, but he didn't recognize it. “Who are you?” he asked again.

 

You must wake!

 

“Why? What for??”

 

For the sake of your friends. The voice insisted once more, you must wake and refrain from sleeping. Please! You must wake!! Her voice was strong and urgent, demanding him not to argue and do as she says.

 

Inuyasha felt the need to listen and comply. It didn't matter he had no clue as to whom she might be. The fact is she's right. If he was indeed sleeping, he had to wake up. And the woman said something about his friends. So it was important for him to see them alive and well.

 

Hurry and wake Inuyasha, before it's too late…

 

The dark that surrounded him didn't seem endless anymore. A speck of light shone before him. At first so small it was insignificant. But the dot grew. It expanded and increased in size.

 

Inuyasha…

 

Again a voice. However, he knew the owner this time. It was her; it was Kagome.

 

Inuyasha.

 

Her voice was a whisper, but to him it didn't matter. She sounded frightened. What was going on?!?

 

Inuyasha!

 

As the light shone brighter and stronger, her voice became louder and clearer.

 

Inuyasha! Wake up!

 

Now he was shaking and the light that was still so far away and small grew exponentially in size, engulfing his entire being. His eyes were blinded, his other senses put out of use as well. Pain erupted through his chest and he felt himself lose the battle between this strange world of blinding light and the ever consuming darkness lurking about.

 

Inuyasha!

 

When he could take it no more he blindly reached out, afraid to lose himself to the unknown.

 

Inuyasha!

 

The pain subsided, the black patch fully disappearing. He dared not open his eyes now closed tight, and he refused to let go of whatever his hands were able to catch. His entire body relaxed.

 

It seemed like hours before he found the courage to open his eyes. He considered that the biggest mistake of his unconscious life! The light was too strong for him to see and before he knew it, he was falling into the blinding abyss.

 

***

 

Kagome was filled with panic. She didn't know what to do anymore.

 

They all woke up hours ago. After breakfast was prepared, it took practically forever to wake both Shippo and Kirara. They looked extremely tired and weak, but at least they were awake.

 

Inuyasha on the other hand hadn't woken up at all. He was in some weird deep slumber. Kagome even sat him, thinking that with his body slamming into the ground, he just had to wake. However, he looked much deader to the world then before.

 

She tried all she knew, from shaking and hitting him to yelling and crying. She knew he hated the scent of her tears, but when that didn't work, she turned to her friends.

 

Shippo bit him and kicked him; he used fox fire and yelled in Inuyasha's ears. But that didn't work.

 

Kirara took him for a ride on her back thinking a bit of fresh air might work; Inuyasha slept on.

 

Kaede tried some magic; it had no effect what-so-ever.

 

Miroku bopped him on the head with his staff, a tad of his spiritual powers backing him up. When that didn't work he yelled in his most urgent of voices that Naraku was attacking the village; Inuyasha didn't budge.

 

Sango gathered some herbs, mixed them together and set it ablaze. Everyone in the hut ran out even though they were wearing masks. After a while, they walked in, bracing themselves for a good yelling. However, the half-dog-demon hadn't even flinched.

 

Zanite made a potion and with the help of the others, fed it to the sleeping hanyo; it didn't wake him, but his ears twitched as though searching for sound.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

Kagome held her breath, hoping they finally got through to him. Still it was of no use. His ears stopped their movement and once more Inuyasha lay motionless. She couldn't take it anymore.

 

What happened?

 

Why wasn't he waking up?

 

Her tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

 

“Inuyasha…” It was but a low whisper meant for the inu-hanyo's ears alone. She was sat by his side, watching him intently. She altered between looking at his chest rise and fall with each breath, and his face for any signs of waking up.

 

Staring at his chest once more, her eyes widened in panic: seconds had passed and his torso hadn't risen like it normally should.

 

“Inuyasha!” Dread and pure fright overtook all her senses and blocked everything else out.

 

“Inuyasha!! Wake up!”

 

Her throat was dry, it hurt to talk, but it couldn't be helped. She had to get threw to him. Oblivious to her surrounding, her tears flooded her eyes again. In desperation for some sort of response, she grabbed the front of his white kimono and started shaking him with all her might.

 

“Inuyasha!!”

 

His name was the only word available to her as she kept crying and shaking, hoping for some kind of reaction. And a reaction is exactly what she got! To everyone's surprise, Inuyasha reached out with both hands and caught Kagome's arms.

 

Shell shocked, she gasped, “Inuyasha!?!”

 

Not once did his grip loosen. On the contrary, it tightened to the point of drawing blood. Kagome didn't care though, for she held on to him and wasn't about to let go.

 

She waited and waited, pushing her pain aside. Each second seemed like an eternity and she dared not move. His nails seem to dig further in, causing her to hiss. She shut her eyes and held on even tighter than she thought possible.

 

She felt the muscles in her chest constrict and a sharp pain fill her entire being. Her eyes snapped open just as Inuyasha gasped for air. In one fluid motion he sat up, his hands tightened their hold on whatever they had gripped.

 

Inuyasha had nothing but spots in his vision, effectively blocking his sight. Although his vision was rendered useless at the present time, his nose could not be fooled. He slowed his ragged breathing, his hold relaxing. With his senses slightly out of commission, he quietly sniffed the air. The familiar coppery scent filled his nostrils. He immediately recognized it and its owner. Growling low and threatening, his vice-like grip tightened more as fear also mingled into her peaceful flowery scent.

 

“Inuyasha!”

 

Far in the distant, he heard his friends' voices, all of them sounding panicked. He paid no heed to them, though. Instead he concentrated on getting his vision back. He had to find her. And what the hell was he holding on to anyway?

 

A liquid goo ran down his fingers. He closed his eyes and shook his head, wanting to get rid of the heavy fog covering his senses. His ears picked up her unsteady breathing as well as her delicate whispered demand by simply saying his name. She sounded so close, but that wasn't right. Not unless…

 

His eyes snapped open, his sight no longer dazed, the fog no longer visible. In his view was the girl he was looking for. Her pierced sleeves were bloody as the hot fluid slid down, covering more of the white shirt. The torn area covered his drenched fingers.

 

His eyes opened wide in horror. So desperate was he to let go, to remove his hands, to undo what has been done. But knowing, feeling how deep his nails were dug within her, he was afraid of causing more pain with the slightest of movements. He completely froze.

 

Kagome also couldn't move, she too afraid of the scorching pain she knew would travel through her arms. However, that didn't stop her from keeping a firm grip on his inner kimono. No matter how much it hurt, she couldn't bring herself to let him go. She'd tighten her own hold to the point where her knuckles turned white.

 

“Inu-ya-sha…” She couldn't even formulate a proper word, her dry throat preventing normal speech.

 

That one word was enough, though. Inuyasha recovered from his momentary shock, immediately releasing her. “Kagome!”

 

The girl in question slumped forward and his arms automatically reached around her. Still holding on, her forehead resting on his chest, Kagome allowed herself to relax. She gasped heavily and trembled a little, but she knew she was safe, held in his arms, his weight supporting hers.

 

The hut was quiet and she was grateful. The tension in her muscles eased out of her, her grip loosening as time went by.

 

Inuyasha, on the other hand, didn't loosen up, not one bit. He held Kagome as close as he could, trying not to hurt her anymore than he already has. Only an insignificant fraction of tension vanished when her fingers slowing eased out of their death grip. Her breathing had evened and she stopped trembling.

 

It took a while, but Kagome eventually moved her head and she looked at him through her bangs. In response, he looked down at her, his eyes filled with regret and worry, asking her forgiveness.

 

Kagome smiled. It wasn't her usual I'm-so-full-of-life smile, but still a genuine smile. “Inuyasha.” Her voice was but a soft blown whisper. His ears, however, as well as all other possible senses were trained on her. Her features saddened when she continued. “You scared us… When you wouldn't wake up… Don't ever do that again!” She ended her statement with a scold.

 

Inuyasha could only shake his head up and down. He had hurt her, but she didn't seem to care as she was scolding him for oversleeping.

 

For a long time they just sat there, unmoving and not saying a word. He knew she was still bleeding, but he was at a lost for both words and action. Kagome, on her part either didn't notice or simply ignored the pain and the blood. Their moment however, was cut short.

 

“Inuyasha-sama,” Zanite spoke first. “Perhaps it would be wise to let someone attend to Kagome-sama's wounds?”

 

Both the hanyo's and the miko's cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink. Sango and Miroku had approached the pair wanting to help. Inuyasha put his hands on Kagome's shoulders and started to push her back and into Sango's care. Kagome wouldn't have it.

 

She bunched up the inu-hanyo's kimono once more in her grasp. Her eyes shut tight and a hiss escaped her lips as her own sudden movement caused a burning sensation to run up her arms.

 

Panicked, Inuyasha sat rigid and brought his hands up in the air in a surrender type gesture. Zanite jumped into action, his nails growing in length. He reached out a finger and lightly pressed into the back of Kagome's neck. Her eyes widened at the surprise pinch, but almost immediately slumped forward, unconscious onto Inuyasha.

 

Still in his panicked state, the half-demon caught the girl with ease, his arms going around her protectively. He stared at Zanite wide-eyed and alert.

 

“What'd you do to her!?” It came out more as a growl than disbelieve, and his shock slowly edged towards anger. But he wasn't the only one in that state. Kaede had backed a little, distancing herself from the possible threat. Miroku and Sango had taken up a slightly defensive pose beside the hanyo and their injured friend. Shippo was too scared to think straight and Kirara stood before the intruder, ready to charge if need be.

 

Zanite took in all their reaction and slowly took a step back. `I shouldn't have done that,' he loosely thought. Then he attempted an explanation. “I haven't harmed her.” He placed both hands before himself in a placating gesture. “She is simply asleep. She feels no more pain. At least not until she awakens.” Everyone relaxed, their gaze turning towards the lump that is Kagome.

 

Inuyasha however, wasn't included in that group of `everyone'. He had remained tense, if not tenser, and not once did he remove his eyes from the other demon.

 

“She will wake, Inuyasha-sama. Know that I would never hurt Kagome-sama in any way.” Seeing the half-demon's skeptical look, Zanite urged on. “I will even swear it upon my father's head.”

 

Inuyasha did not loosen up. He refused to relax while that creature was anywhere within sight, sound or smelling distance.

 

Zanite sighed in defeat and made to stand. “With your permission, I shall take my leave.” Sango looked up from Kagome's arm and Miroku from the medical pack. Zanite was already at the entrance and glanced one last time at the strange group of friends. He knew he made a mistake and he had to fix it. But not right now. For now he had to leave.

 

“Goodbye.” He bowed once and left.

 

 

***

***

 

 

Jap vocab:

Kariginu: A wide-sleeved samurai hunting jacket. I read in a story (Fallen Souls by Cassandra) that this is the right turn to use for Inuyasha's top. If there is a problem with the definition of this Japanese word, please do inform me. I am not Japanese and only know as much as I read or hear.

 

 

A.N.:

Well, I had this chapter written down a long while ago and I figured it wouldn't hurt to post it. So here it is. I think it's my longest chapter. It took me a while to type it up too, but I did it. I hope it's not too sappy or to long or too boring and please, do give me feedback. Thanks a bunch!

 

Shout-outs:

 

Remora29: Thanks for the review. I'm glad at least one person thought of reviewing this fic. LOL! I'm glad you enjoyed reading it.

 

Thank you to those who have taken the time to read. C-ya ^_^