InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Evil Eye, The Serpent's Tongue ❯ The Temptaion of Kagome ( Chapter 30 )

Everyone was tense of Ryu and Neko walked to the front of the group, looking at the would-be heroes. Ryu planted his sword in the ground and leaned on it, while Neko merely smirked, her arms over her chest.

 

“Ryu and Neko.” Kagome said, stepping forward. “We have come her to demand you release Sango and Kirara from your grasp, return them to normal, and end this war. If you agree to this, we will hold no grudge, nor will we bring harm to you. You may keep all the property of Naraku as your prize for ridding this land of him.” She paused “We also need the return of the jewel shards, so that we may complete the Jewel of 4 souls.”

 

Neko smiled softly. “Pretty speech, did you practice it all night?”

 

“Now Neko.” Ryu said, stroking her neck. “They have come all this way to speak with us, we might as well address their demands.” He glanced at Kagome. “Sorry about her…she is a feline, it is her nature to be catty. Do you mind if I tell you what I think of your demands?”

 

Kagome shook her head. “Say what you will.”

 

Ryu nodded. “First, I will ask Sango and Kirara if they wish to be free.” He turned and glanced at the two.

 

“I'd rather be dead then go back to being human.” Sango said. Kirara roared in agreement.

 

“That settles that. Now, about this war, that is out of our hands. You are the ones that come to my lands with weapons, demanding things. I offered you peace, and the offer still stands.”

 

Kagome didn't say a word.

 

“Still thinking it over? Well, then let us move on.” He rolled his neck. “I am glad to keep Naraku's goods and castles, though they will not be mine. When I am done, they will be given to those that served us, and those that can't be will be tore down, their supplies used to build new demon villages.”

 

Neko smiled softly. “We will keep this one though, right? It would be wrong for them to take your home” Ryu nodded and she clapped her hands.

 

“Your home? Then it is true.” Inuyasha asked.

 

Ryu smiled at Sesshomaru. “Allow me to tell you a short story hanyou. Once upon a time, the Dragons ruled the eastern lands. That is, until uprisings threatened us. My mother, the head youkai of the east, sent out a plea to her youkai allies. You brother betrayed us.”

 

“This Sesshomaru never betrayed you. I will not deal war from afar when my own home is under attack!”

 

Ryu growled. “Had you asked, my mother would have sent me and our two kingdoms could have joined and helped fight back our enemies. But no, you allowed the dragons to fall, leaving only me, the heir of the east, to wander the forests.”

 

Inuyasha shrugged. “Don't take it personal. He did the same to me. And I'm his freaking brother.”

 

“Now, back to your demands. That last comment bothers me Kagome.” Ryu looked at her, his eyes deep and penetrating, making her squirm. “I think it is quite unfair to consider my use of the jewel shards as evil, and demanding I return them. Do you not yourself have that woman, Rin, with a jewel shard in her palm.”

 

“You didn't put it in me though.” Rin said.

 

`Ah, but if they want to complete the jewel, they must remove the shard.” He smirked. “Or had you not thought of that.”

 

Rin growled. She had forgotten, and she didn't like the idea of returning to her 5 year old form.

 

“More so, what of your friend Kouga, who refused my offer of an alliance. Does he not have 2 jewel shards in his legs?”

 

“That's different! He has those to help him…” kagome froze, and said the words as Ryu mouthed it. “…Defeat Naraku.”

 

“And I have done the same with my jewel shard.”

 

“You killed people!” Inuyasha said.

 

“As did you!” Sango shot back. “Do I need to call Kikyo, countless samurai, and the villages your destroyed in your rage come here and have her remind you?”

 

Inuyasha growled and lowered his eyes.

 

Ryu sighed. “It seems to me Kagome that your definition of evil and abuse are very abstract. You are right now fighting with Sesshomaru, who you would define as evil. He has done things that match things I have done. Yet, because he dislikes me, you allow him to live.”

 

All of them shifted. Ryu's tongue was working wonders on them, and he knew it.

 

“What do you want to use this jewel of 4 souls for Kagome?”

 

“For peace.” She said, regretting the comment as Ryu nodded.

 

“And did I not say I wanted the same thing?”

 

“Ryu…what you want…is to kill off people for your peace! That isn't right!” kagome looked at him. “I can see you want the same thing we want…you are just going about it wrong. Please…why can't we work together?”

 

“Have you not killed demons off, even if their only crime was living in the woods and having a jewel in their neck?” He watched them, and turned to Kagura and Sango. “Am I wrong?”

 

“No.” Kagura said. “I have seen them do it.”

 

“And I helped them.” Sango continued.

 

“All we want is peace Kagome…same as you. Only…my way is different from yours, that is all.”

 

Neko purred as she watched Kagome wish she were very far away. “And what of your friends? Will you kill Shippo for being a demon? Or Inuyasha? Does he not want the jewel to become a full demon?”

 

“And where do we stop?” Ryu said. “What about humans that you don't agree with? You may not like Miroku's groping…should he die?” He threw a glance at Sango to prevent her from shouting yes.

 

“I…I don't know!” Kagome said, her face twisted in confusion. The others moved in to come comfort her, but Sango, Kirara and Kagura headed her off, blocking them. Neko leaned down and looked at Kagome.

 

“Kagome…our plan is easier. By simply changing into a demon, everyone is given a second chance. Those that would chose to fight a chance for peace…what would you call them?”

 

“…Evil.” Kagome said, her voice hollow. “They…would be fighting peace.”

 

“Kagome! Stop listening to them!” Inuyasha said, no longer able to bite his tongue. “They are brainwashing you like Sango…” Sango hissed. “…Oh shut up!”

 

Kagome looked at the two demons. “I'm…so confused…everything seemed so simple…”

 

Neko nodded. “There is one way to make all these ill thoughts go away.” Ryu held out his hand, and watched Kagome take the jewel shard. “One press…and you will be free. You can help us make a better world…a brighter, grander world.”

 

“Kagome!” Miroku shouted. “Remember what you pledged! Remember who you are!”

 

Shippo nodded. “Come on kagome, snap out of it!”

 

“Even I agree with them woman!” Sesshomaru said. “The demon is a tricky one, playing on your weak mind…”

 

“SHUT UP!” Kagome screamed. All of them grew quit as she turned, her eyes closed. She trembled, and held up the shard. “I remember my pledge…for peace. But why should I believe my way is the answer?”

 

And with that, Kagome shoved the shard into her forehead.

 

“KAGOME!” Inuyasha screamed, breaking past the line and charging to stop her. Ryu drew his sword and stopped him.

 

“You are too late Inuyasha! Your time is over...join us…or die!”

 

Neko growled. “ATTACK!”