InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The ill-Fated Lovers ❯ Setsuyo's heartache, Inuyasha's silent vow and Kikyo's rescue mission ( Chapter 3 )

 

 

 

 

He couldn't sleep at all that night. Knowing that Setsuyo was within the same castle as he with his ruthless older brother and blood thirsty comrades upset him. He was thinking about her best interest when he brought her here but was it the right choice? He had to see Setsuyo, assure himself that she was safe. He rose from his bed and left his room. Knowing his brother, he put Setsuyo in the room closest to where the other demons had rested, for if she were to attempt fleeing, they would devour her. Inuyasha shook the thought of the beautiful woman being touched by the dirty lot of demons and entered her room. It was dark but he could hear her. She wasn't asleep, she was curled up against the wall behind the bed. “Setsuyo.”

 

“Please don't hurt me.”

 

“Quiet. I'm not here to hurt you. If you keep up with the noises then Sesshomaru will hurt you. Now, come from out of that corner.”

 

Setsuyo rose from the corner and off the bed. Using her hands as a guide, she searched for Inuyasha and grabbed onto his forearms. Once she had a hold on him, she buried her face into his chest and began to weep. The hanyou's heart began to soften as he heard her sobs. He wanted to soothe her fears until they vanished but it was too much of a risk. They couldn't be seen together. “Enough tears princess, you have to get some sleep for the upcoming day. I don't know what plans are in store for you but you'd better get some rest.” Inuyasha suggested. Setsuyo looked up at Inuyasha and frowned at him through the darkness. “Why…who are you? You're a half demon aren't you?” She asked as she backed away. “Setsuyo-”

 

“No you tell me the truth you filthy bastard.”

 

Inuyasha grabbed Setsuyo by the arm and yanked her forward. “Don't talk to me like that human!” He growled. His anger didn't scare Setsuyo to Inuyasha's surprise. She had retaliated to his grab with a slap to his face. At that moment, anger had consumed Inuyasha wholly and he hit her back. Setsuyo fell to the floor with a hard thud, holding her face. When Inuyasha had realized what he had done, he knelt down to help her up. “Get off of me!”

 

“Inuyasha, what's going on?”

 

The room was lit up by the torch Sesshomaru held in his hand. “She's causing trouble so early?” He asked. Inuyasha looked at Setsuyo then to his brother. If he played his hand right, he could save her. “Yeah, she was trying to escape but I caught her. I'll keep the bitch in my room tonight.” Inuyasha pulled Setsuyo up, threw her over his shoulder and carried her down the hall. “He'd better not let her escape.” Sesshomaru said as he watched his younger brother.

 

When Inuyasha arrived in his room he laid Setsuyo on his bed and went to retrieve a wash cloth for her face. When he returned with it, he settled down beside her and tried to wash her damp cheeks but she flinched. Sighing, he tried again and she moved. “You hit me then try to cleanse me? What kind of foolish half breed are you?”

 

“What kind of princess doesn't accept hospitality from others?”

 

“The sensible type that doesn't stand for cruelty. Give me the cloth I'll wash myself.”

 

Setsuyo snatched away the cloth and began to wash her own face with it. As she did, tears slide from her eyes and down her cheeks. Inuyasha noticed this and took her into his arms. “Setsuyo…”

 

“I want to go home. My father and my fiancé are both coming back for me very soon. When they find out that I am here they will be very displeased. They will blame Kikyo and her village for my death and-”

 

“You are not going to die Setsuyo. I swear that to you. No matter what happens I…you will live.”

 

Inuyasha gritted his teeth and swore inwardly at himself. He almost said “I'll protect you.” That would have given away his secret affections for Setsuyo. He couldn't let her know, not now. “Inuyasha, what are you?”

 

“Me? A…a half demon. Sesshomaru and I are brothers. He and I started up this band of demons years ago and have been raiding Japan ever since. Now we're at battle with Hakuoh. We thought that if we could steal the sacred jewel we could become stronger to defeat Hakuoh. It still looks like the priestess Kikyo still has it. Tomorrow we attack again and you will be our key to success.”

 

Inuyasha looked down at Setsuyo who had fallen asleep while listening to his plan. He sighed and carried Setsuyo to his bed and laid her down. She'd have to be well rested if the plan is to be carried out successfully. He took one look at the black haired woman and sighed. How could anyone want to hurt such beauty? This lovely human had captured his heart and didn't even know it. She was gentle and kind while he was a ruthless half breed. No human could ever love a half breed, nor could a demon. But his brother and comrades understood and they were all he need. Kneeling down beside her, he brushed aside her hair and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. ::: I wish I could touch more than just your cheek with my lips. Setsuyo…I will protect you. :::

 

It was as if she had only slept for a limited amount of time, for when Inuyasha woke her, she was still half asleep. She washed and clothed herself, then was escorted by Inuyasha down the halls. When they arrived outside, Inuyasha and Setsuyo were greeted by another woman with black hair, red eyes and carrying a fan. “Good morning lord Inuyasha. I see Rin was right, she is a pretty girl. I'm quite sure Hiten will enjoy devouring her.” She sneered. Setsuyo cringed in fear but Inuyasha held tightly onto her arm. “He will do no such thing. This woman is free to go once we have what we attacked for. Where's Sesshomaru?”

 

Sesshomaru walked towards Inuyasha with Naraku at his side and Hiten following close behind. Hiten was the first to greet them. “Good morning Inuyasha, I hope you didn't beat me to sampling that little vixen beside you.” He teased.

 

“You'll be sampling my claws if you don't shut up. Sesshomaru, are we ready to go?”

 

Sesshomaru nodded and Naraku grinned. “I'll have the pleasure of ripping the sacred jewel from Kikyo's hands. Kagura, you'll come with me.”

 

“Not so fast! Lord Sesshomaru!”

 

A path was cleared for Rin as she ran toward the demonic leaders of the band. She stopped to catch her breath then tried to explain in between breaths. “I…I was playing…with Jaken in the woods…and we saw him. The demon Hakuoh…he's coming. He's coming for Setsuyo.” Rin explained. Sesshomaru smirked at Inuyasha. “Take the girl with you to Kikyo's village, get the sacred jewel and return here.” He ordered. Inuyasha picked up Setsuyo and raced in the direction of Kikyo's village. When they arrived, the village was quiet. Setsuyo ran toward the village and entered. There was not one person outside, no sounds, it was as if she had walked into a ghost town. “Where is everyone? There's no one here.” She whispered. Setsuyo continued to walk until she came to the shrine of the Shikon Jewel. ::: Kikyo wouldn't just leave it here. Please…don't let it be here. :::

 

Setsuyo walked to the shrine and slowly began to slide open the door. When she had opened it partially, an arrow shot out at her. “Ah!!”

 

“Setsuyo!”

 

Blood trickled onto the ground where Setsuyo stood. She felt her heart stop with fear, the blood had coated the sleeve of her kimono. Slowly she lifted her hand up to touch the arrow that had pierced Inuyasha's arm. ::: Inuyasha saved me. :::

 

“Setsuyo, are you ok? Please, forgive me for attacking you. I would never attack my beloved wife.”

 

Inuyasha looked at the brown haired man inside the shrine while holding his bow. He wore an armor and a cape with a sword on his back. “Prince Aoki, husband…”

 

Elsewhere, Kikyo and a group of male villagers came close to Sesshomaru's castle. She had her arrow ready to shoot down any demon they came across, or half demon. Running quickly, they headed for the castle and hid amongst the trees. There, they could see Sesshomaru, Hiten, Kagura and Hakuoh preparing to battle.

 

“Hakuoh, you're quite foolish to come here on your own. Do you want to die that badly?” Sesshomaru questioned. Instead of answering, Hakuoh chuckled. “You make me laugh you know that. You don't have the sacred jewel and you still can't defeat me Sesshomaru. Not you, your half ass brother or your companions.” Hakuoh said. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and snorted at Hakuoh. “Perhaps my brother didn't take you out but that human woman did.”

 

“Rubbish.”

 

“I think so. I heard that you were to be purified by her arrows.”

 

With rage coursing through him, Hakuoh darted out at Sesshomaru. That was their chance, while the two demons fought, Kikyo and her companions entered Sesshomaru's castle, searching for Setsuyo. “Check every room, avoid the demons and return with her.” Kikyo said. They split up and searched the rooms looking for the kidnapped princess but neither of them knew that she was not present within the fortress. She and her fiancé were gazing deeply into each other's eyes.

 

“Aoki what are you doing here? I thought you were fighting the war with my father. You can't stay here you have to go back. Fight alongside him and win this war so we can go home.” Setsuyo said as she pulled his arm. Aoki stood up but didn't come with her. His eyes remained at the ground and he was silent. “Aoki, what's wrong? There isn't anything wrong is there?”

 

“Princess Setsuyo…I'm sorry. I should be fighting the war with your father but I can't. Our ally has fallen.”

 

Setsuyo felt a tightening feeling in her heart as she released Aoki's hand and back away. Forgetting Inuyasha was standing behind her. He gripped her shoulders to stop her from proceeding backward. “Your father is dead princess. Hakuoh slaughtered your father and his army.”

 

“Father…th-this can't be.”

 

Back at Sesshomaru's castle, Kikyo and her group hadn't found Setsuyo. Though they had followed Kikyo's instructions to avoid demon contact, there were still no traces of the missing woman. Confused and secretly angry, Kikyo regrouped with her allies. “We have to leave now before someone sees us.”

 

“Why leave so soon? You've but only arrived priestess.”

 

Kikyo aimed her arrow at Kagura. Before she could release it, Kagura had trapped Kikyo within a whirlwind. Backing against each other, the group tried to think of ways to escape Kagura's assault but there was no way. Her laughter was heard from over the raging winds. “Hahaha, there is no way for you to escape now Kikyo! You and your pathetic bunch will die right here and now. Once it's over, lord Sesshomaru will have the sacred jewel!”

 

::: I can't let this demon defeat me. I have to get out of this castle…Alive. :::

 

 

Lil Lovely Angel: This could be the end of Kikyo and her friends. Read the next chap to see what happens. PLZ REVIEW PPL!!!!