InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Old Switch-eroo ❯ Empty Hope ( Chapter 10 )

REMEMBER: When I say `Inuyasha' I mean Sesshoumaru is Inuyasha's body. When I say `Sesshoumaru' I mean Inuyasha in Sesshoumaru's body. So when I write `Sesshoumaru growled.' It's really Inuyasha in Sesshoumaru's body growling. Got it?

 

The Old Switcheroo

Chapter 10: Empty Hope

 

:---:

 

Inuyasha staggered backwards, the pain from Sesshoumaru's punch - which had hit him squarely in the jaw - made purple spots dance before his eyes. “You fucking bastard!” The demon ground out in anguish as he continued the assault. Blood splattered, poison sprayed. “You let him take her! You let Naraku take HER!” Another hit. Inuyasha was slipping into unconsciousness.

 

Sesshoumaru knocked away the monk who struggled to calm him, roughly pushed away the demon slayer, and slammed the demon cat into the ground. He ached, he hurt. Crimson lanced his vision. The normally smooth markings on his cheeks became more distinct and jagged. “How could you?!”

 

The half demon gave an inaudible moan from the ground. He couldn't remember ever hurting so much - emotionally or physically. The priestess had placed her entire faith in him. He was her only hope, and he'd just stood there. He'd just stood there and watched Naraku drag her away in a swirl of miasma. Inuyasha closed his eyes, vaguely recalling a phrase he had heard once in the past…

 

`How the mighty have fallen'. Yes. That seemed to be it. A dog demon of terrible prowess and skill reduced to a disheveled, bleeding - perhaps insane? - Dirty half-breed. It was sort of ironic, if you pondered it. He had always taunted the poor hanyou about what he was, and now he was one himself. Perhaps, I've misjudged my half-brother? Sesshoumaru mused.

 

Another hit. He couldn't be sure where he had landed.

 

“Inuyasha!” A kitsune's voice rang out desperately. “Use Tessaiga! FIGHT BACK!”

 

Sesshoumaru's lips pulled back into a snarl. He gave another feral growl. Kagome. Kagome, he let him take you. I need to find you before- before- A kick. More poison. I can't stop. I need the blood, I want to save you Kagome, but I need the blood now. He was losing the internal battle wit his instincts. A beast clawed at his insides turning any reasonable thought left vicious.

 

And just before he lost control, a tug; a tug at his sleeve a moment before he was ready to strike again. His head whipped back, crimson hues narrowed and fangs protruding over his lower lip. He looked more animal than anything human now. Brown eyes, soft, concerned, pleading. So much like Kagome's. “Sesshoumaru-sama,” A tiny voice murmured. “Please stop.”

 

Stop. Rin wanted him to stop. He wanted to stop too, didn't he? The pounding in his head dulled. Sesshoumaru's eyes faded back to that inhuman amber. His eyes wondered to Inuyasha - his true body - and were greeted by a red and sliver mess of blood and mud. The hanyou was alive, but made no move to show it. I almost killed myself. I lost control. Kagome. I'll save Kagome now.

 

“Wait,” Inuyasha barked. Crimson smoldered his breath. A silent river of blood worked its way down his chin and pooled near his collarbone.

 

Wait, The real Inuyasha thought, Sesshoumaru wants me to wait.

 

“Save her and come back…” he paused for a shallow breath, “…or I'll take your body into hell with me.”

 

He's going to die.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama?” Rin whispered quietly. Her voice was strained. Tears stung her eyes.

 

“Sango, Miroku. Stay here and keep him alive…”

 

“But, Sesshou-”

 

“Stay,” he growled. The pair exchanged bewildered, sad glances and bowed their heads. With one lingering look around at the pairs of eyes locked on him, Sesshoumaru leapt into the skies.

 

Jaken sputtered.

 

Ah-Uhn groaned.

 

Rin sobbed.

 

Shippou fought a lump in his throat.

 

Sango, Kirara, and Miroku stood helplessly over their friend.

 

Inuyasha's heart gave one last, pathetic beat.

 

And he died.

 

:---:

 

“You don't have your shard.” Naraku hissed angrily. “Where is it?”

 

The chains binding her to the wall burned her wrists and arms and ankles and legs. The air burned her lungs, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. The smells of rotting human flesh pervaded her senses. It was hard to think. Kagome couldn't scream if she wanted too. Her spirit had shattered to the winds. Inuyasha hadn't made a move to save her. He wants me gone. He wants me gone to be with Kikyou.

 

Naraku slapped her across the face. “Where is it?” He ground out through tightly clenched teeth. Her head hung low. Dark, raven bangs shielded her eyes from his view. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks. I'm so stupid. So, so stupid. Kagome waited while Naraku disappeared. She dangled limply from the wall.

 

He returned, and the air thickened with his presence. With him was the soulless incarnation Kanna standing quietly with her mirror. Blank eyes looked Kagome over soundlessly. Naraku grabbed her chin and jerked her head up. Kagome shuddered involuntarily in disgust at his touch. “Look, Kagome,” he commanded. She hated the sound of her name on his lips.

 

The scene made what was left of her heart crumble into oblivion. Her eyes darkened. It was Inuyasha, lying still and dead in a puddle of his blood. Her friends gathered about him helplessly. “What did you do to him?” She whimpered pathetically.

 

“I did nothing. It was Sesshoumaru who killed him…”

 

“You're lying.”

 

“I have no reason to lie,” he spat.

 

Kagome cringed. Her body shook with violent tremors. “No one will come for you,” he said coolly. “Inuyasha is dead. Your friends are weak. So why not tell me where the last shard is and I'll make it worth your while.”

 

“No,” She sobbed, “I could never do that to them. Not for you.”

 

“Never.” Kagome whispered darkly. She felt something pulling on her. Thick tendrils of power coiled themselves around her. The force constricting her was too much. She let out an anguished cry, and the castle went up in smoke.

 

:---:

 

Sesshoumaru searched the shield around the castle frantically. He could catch Kagome's depressed, saddened scent on the wind. Long silver hair billowed behind him, claws flexed. He jumped, hit the barrier, and was thrown back. His attempts caused only a ripple in the barrier. The castle beyond it flickered in and out of his sight. He frowned. Her scent was becoming distressed and pained. White, hot terror burned and clawed at his insides. He leapt again.

 

And instead of hitting anything, he fell through the air and landed in a heap on the ground. A gust of energy swept overhead, and the castle was gone. In its place was a fiery inferno. Breathing labored, heart pounding, he rushed forward. “KAGOME!” She was alive. She had to be…

 

:---:

 

Short. I know. Stupid, I know. DON'T WORRY. I promise everything will get better. Maybe. ::Dark laughter:: Oh, no worries. I wouldn't do that to you guys. ::Hugs:: Well, get me at least 5 reviews and I won't. No time to go over this chapter sorry. School sucks that way.