InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Perfect Standoff ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I don't own Inuyasha or any Other Characters either excluding the ones I create.

Chapter 2:

The next morning Kagome got up at dawn to go find Inuyasha. I hope he's not still mad. She didn't want to wake the others and got up as quietly as possible. She almost stepped on Shippo on her way out the door. She went to the spot that she had watched Inuyasha from and tried to remember where he was when he ran off and in which direction he had gone. About fifteen minutes later she found his tracks in a bit of damp dirt next to a puddle. Using this as her guideline she walked in the direction the tracks pointed. After walking through the forest in for half an hour she found where he had bathed. The rocks were still wet and there was a large wet spot where she assumed he'd left his cloths. Kagome followed his footprints until they disappeared at a pair of particularly deep ones. He must have taken to the trees, she thought. She decided to go wait by the well after another hour of fruitless searching. If he wanted to talk with her he could find her, beside if he didn't want to be found he couldn't be.

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Inuyasha woke up just after sun-up he sat there wondering whether or not to go to the hut or not. His conscience wouldn't shut up, nagging him to go talk to her. He wanted to, but he was still mad at her. First the sits and then she had laughed at him, laughed of all things, and walked away, no sorry or look of concern, only laughter. You idiot, grumped his conscience, if you won't go for you, then go and talk to her so you can hurry up and kill Naraku. Sheish! If nothing else go for that or else you'll never get your hands on the Shikon Jewel! Good god your thick.

This sparked Inuyasha's anger, You bastard leave me alone, I'll go when I'm ready, so stop pushing.

Fine, you win, pouted his conscience.

Inuyasha finally decided to go talk to Kaede, Sango, and Miroku. Shippo wouldn't be much help, he'd just yell at him for some stupid whatever about Kagome. Maybe he could get some advice or maybe even talk to Kagome if she was there. He didn't feel any hurry, and while he walked along he reflected on how angry he had been last night. It didn't strike him until he passed where he had washed as to how stupid the whole thing had been. He'd have to apologize to Kagome for it. She probably didn't even miss me though. He walked over to see if any one else had been there since he left last night. The first thing that hit him though was the scent of…well…Kagome. He checked again…yep she was here. He saw Kagome's tracks there too. “She was looking for me?” he voiced to no one in particular, “I guess she's over it…or else hunting me.” He added almost as an afterthought, despair etching his face again. His shoulders slumped from their former position as he continued trudging his way back to the village through the thick forest.

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Miroku and Sango were conversing quietly about the previous nights events when Shippo woke up to find Kagome missing. Beating their heads together as best he could, due to his small size, he tried to get them to spill something, but to no avail.

“Where's Kagome” he balled at them furiously throwing weak, relentless punches at them until he collapsed from exhaustion.

“She went up to the well to wait for Inuyasha.” Sango told him. “They looked like they were really mad at each other though.”

“I was more under the impression that Inuyasha felt hurt because Kagome had laughed at him.” Miroku said with an expression on his face that looked like he was thinking about something besides Sango's bottom. “I could be wrong, but that is probably what's going.”

“Were you actually thinking about something besides Sango's butt, Miroku?” Shippo had a shocked expression on his face. “I mean that's really thoughtful of you, Miroku.” Shippo tried to cover his mouth but didn't make it. Dodging Miroku's staff Shippo ran and hid behind Sango's hidicoatsu before Miroku could hit him with his staff.

“I doubt it,” Sango sighed, “he's probably just learned to multi-task.”

Miroku tried his best to look offended. “Well I suppose I can learn new tricks.” He joked as he wandered over to the door, “After all, who says that I cant think and stare at thaaaa…” he stopped realizing he had just sealed his fate. “Oh look!” he said quickly looking around for something to divert attention to, other than the fact that he was stalling. He heard the `WOOSH' as the hidicoatsu accelerated toward his skull. “Its Inuyasha.” He blurted out hoping he really was there. Buddha, I promise to never touch another woman's bottom again…he tried not to flinch as the hidicoatsu sailed past his head. Except Sango's or that of my wife. He added hastily as an after thought.

He watched as Shippo hopped out side looking around, “Where is he I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind for making Kagome feel like that!”

“Relax Shippo,” Miroku said trying to distance himself from Sango. “I just saw him a second a go”

“No need to look guys I'm right here.” Inuyasha said walking down the steps from the shrine, “though honestly Miroku how did you see…” Miroku gave him a look that meant some thing along the lines of `Shut up cause if I get out of this alive I'll kill you if you say another word.' “Oh that again.” He looked around, “Where's Kaede?”

“I'll show you,” Miroku said eager to escape Sango's wrath, only to have Sango to grab his ear.

“She is up by the well gathering herbs before they go bad, I think Kagome is with her.” Sango said politely as she glared at the monk she held by the ear. “Shippo why don't you help me here.” She said giving Inuyasha a small wink before dragging Miroku into the hut to exact her wrath on him. “Come on Shippo.” Shippo glared at Inuyasha as he followed Sango in side the hut.

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“Kaede?” Kagome asked, “do you think I over did it yesterday?” she looked over at Kaede.

“Inuyasha is strong, do ye think ye injured him?” Kaede returned placing more herbs in the basket.

“Well, no. Not like that anyway.” Kagome hung her head. “Its just that…that…”

Kaede paused and looked at Kagome. “Come child what is the meaning of this? Why do ye cry so?” Kaede got up from her knees and walked over to her. “Do ye wish he were here?”

“N-no,” Kagome was sobbing harder now.

“Come child,” Kaede said sternly, “ye cannot heal the wound ye have inflicted on ye hearts if ye don't speak with him.” Kagome was trying to rally herself, “I cannot help ye in these matters. Ye must do it on ye own.”

Kagome managed to calm herself. “O-ok.” She sniffed, “when do you think he'll be here.” She looked around when there wasn't a response; Kaede was already walking toward the village with a full basket.

I hope that all turns out well for ye child. Ye need to learn these things on ye own. Inuyasha will come; he will come because he cares about ye.

Inuyasha slowly walked toward the well. Trying to think of how to explain it to her. He couldn't tell her about how much he liked her...that was just ridiculous. Besides, he thought, she probably doesn't even like me. For all I know she hates my guts. No one ever likes a half-demon, not even Kikyo. He paused when he saw Kaede walking towards him with a basket full of herbs. He hurried up to meet her. “I thought Kagome was with you?” he asked quickly, “Where is she?”

“The poor child is still by the well waiting for you Inuyasha. I think it would be best for ye to go and talk to her.” Kaede said. She didn't even stop, leaving Inuyasha behind, blinking after her, ears flattened. He stood there for a second before remembering what he was supposed to be doing. She's waiting for me! His heart was racing.

I knew this was going to happen. His conscience stated, this is the way you two always work.

“Feh.” No you didn't. He retorted trying to figure out how to slap his conscience stupid. He leapt out above the trees, speeding toward the clearing, he didn't want to be surprised by anything. As he hit the ground he stopped as quietly as he could. The clearing was silent. He could see Kagome sitting on the edge of the well, Lost in thought. “Kagome?” he cautiously stepped out into the clearing, “Are you alright?” he was nervous, he had al most reached her when she shuttered. He crossed in front of her and knelt down trying to see her face. He watched a tear fall onto her lap. “What's up? What'd I do?” he was getting scared that he had done some thing wrong.

Suddenly she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him burring her face in his shoulder, crying harder than ever now. He didn't know what to do. He just sat down cross-legged and pulled her up onto his lap. She didn't seem to notice. He couldn't think of what else to do so he just held her softly stroking her hair. “I'm s-s-s-so s-s-s-sorry, Inuyasha.” She choked.

“For what?”

“Sitting you so mu-mu-much.” Kagome sobbed even harder. He couldn't even feel mad at her anymore. He wanted to comfort her, he didn't know why.

“Please stop,” he was starting to choke up himself “I'm not mad.” She squeezed him tighter and he held her closer resting his chin on her shoulder. This feels so right, holding her close…

I told you, Admit it. Come on just admit it. I was right. His conscience nagged at him.

If you shut up I will, now leave me alone. He snarled at it.

Close enough. His conscience sounded satisfied as it disappeared.

It was getting toward late afternoon when Inuyasha and Kagome finally decided to go back to the village. They had sat there next to the well talking quietly for several hours. Inuyasha had cradled Kagome until her sobs had subsided. She had been a wreck for most of the time they had been there. Both she and Inuyasha had said sorry each for what had happened yesterday. Kagome couldn't even look at him. He is really such a nice guy, why didn't he ever let on before now. Is it because he was afraid of being hurt? Well that would explain the tough guy attitude…and the way he acted yesterday. She grinned at him.

“What?” he snapped when he saw her grin. After a moment his scowl softened and he grinned back. Damn, these things are contagious. The two stood up grinning stupidly at each other as they started toward the village.

But in a good way, stated his conscience.

You know Inuyasha mentally scolded his conscience; I'm going to have to name you if you don't shut up, and you wouldn't like that.

Moot point, I'll shut up now. Kagome reached over and grabbed his hand. Oh, well look at that. Inuyasha looked at her in surprise. She giggled.

Inuyasha and Kagome walked past the tree they were sitting in the previous evening in silence and kept on going until they reached the hut where Sango had the monk lashed to a pole facing a blank wall. “Hey Inuyasha, would you mind untying me?” Miroku wriggled a bit as he tried to face them, but to no avail. Sango had tied him up too well for that. She had even tied his head in place.

“No can do Monk” Inuyasha replied, “I feel like staying alive this week.” Inuyasha smirked and put his arm around Kagome's shoulders, pulling her closer.

“Aww, come on, Please. Ok if not then how about you cut some of them, just the ropes on my head.”

“Nope.”

“What about loosening a cord or two then, no harm there either.”

“Come on Kagome lets go talk to Sango.” Inuyasha said, “we need to figure out our priorities for tomorrow.” With that Inuyasha and Kagome walked inside to talk with Sango.

_Naraku's Castle_

Hakudoshi sat cross-legged inside his barrier eyeing Naraku carefully. He seemed to be deep in thought. Kagura sat by the window next to that creepy, soulless child, Kanna. Both were staring off into the distance as if waiting for something. “Hakudoshi,” Naraku said his eyes snapping open, “It is time. Kagura, Kanna, go and take the shards of Koga and Kohaku. Kill them if you so desire, but remember the plan.” The two demons got up to leave. “One more thing…” the two turned at the door, “don't be late.”

Kagura nodded and followed Kanna out the door. The stench of rotting flesh became stronger as they approached the gates. Naraku's miasthma had killed the former occupants of the castle when they had rushed to the walls to defend it as best they could. Kagura and Kanna paused just past the gate. Kagura could not stand it. I am a wind sorceress, I am the wind yet I am chained down and cannot move for Naraku holds my heart in his grasp. She knew what must be done. We must kill the boy, kohaku, and betray Naraku then we will have our freedom and a jewel shard. Kagura thought. Koga is against Naraku and will not easily surrender his shards. If I am to take his shards Kanna and I will not have time to see Sessomaru and separate the bonds between our selves from Naraku.

“Kagura,” Kanna said, “Sessomaru wields the tensaiga does he not?”

“Yes he does sister.”

“Then the plan will only fail if Sessomaru does not help, or…” Kanna paused, “if our plan is discovered before we are free.”

Kagura and Kanna wasted no time in removing the shard from Kohaku's back. The young boy screamed as it was torn from his body, but his cries of agony quickly faded as his body turned to dust. “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.” Kanna said placing the shard into a small leather bag. “This is the fate of all things good and evil.” Kagura nodded before conjuring another feather and commanded the winds to carry them away in search of Sessomaru.

Sessomaru sniffed at the air. Kagura and her sister Kanna are coming what do they want with me I wonder. “Jaken, take Rin and Ah-Un and hide yourselves.”

“Yes, Milord.” Jaken turned to hurry the small human girl and two-headed dragon and hurried them to shelter. I wonder what is come over lord Sessomaru this time. Thought the toad demon, I hope Naraku has not come. For Lord Sessomaru barely made it through his last encounter with Naraku, even with the help of his half-demon brother, Inuyasha.

Sessomaru walked out to the clearing on the edge of a cliff. He watched, as an apparently small feather grew larger as a low wind picked up around him. The feather touched down as Kagura and Kanna stood. “What do you want?” demanded Sessomaru. “I am not in the mood for the likes of you.”

“Please,” Kagura said, “we are not here for battle, but rather for peace.” Sessomaru lowered his tokijen listening. “We believe that if you were to kill us that you may be able to resurrect us as well.”

“And why should I not leave you dead?” inquired Sessomaru, “that would be easier upon my part.”

“Lord Sessomaru,” Kanna stepped forward her eyes unfocused and stating straight ahead, “I believe that if you strike us down and then resurrect us before the simyosho return our bodies to Naraku that we would be freed from him.”

“And if not?”

“Then you will have to fight Naraku after he has reabsorbed us into his body.” Kanna explained, “He will not take kindly to our betrayal.”

“Very well, who shall I `free' first.” Sessomaru raised his tokijen.

“Free Kanna,” said Kagura. Kanna looked at her sister, “Naraku will know if it works and try to kill me by squeezing the life from my heart before I can be freed.”

Sessomaru nodded once before he sliced Kanna in two. Instantly siamyosho began to fly out of the woods toward the body. Sessomaru raised the tensaiga with-in milliseconds and narrowed his eyes. He slashed at the air above the body a blue arc hovered above the body of Kanna as the sword seemed to connect with something. Kanna lay there for a moment as the buzzing symyosho paused and turned away from the body retreating away from the area. Kanna coughed and sat up blinking and looking around. She stood up and nodded to Kagura. Kagura touched her sister's neck, it was warm and she felt the steady beating of her heart pumping blood through her veins. She stepped away from Kanna and toward Sessomaru. Suddenly she gasped and clutched her “heart” “Do it now,” she was gasping from the pain. “He knows.”

Sessomaru ran her through before she even finished and whipped out the tensaiga slashing at the air around her leaving blue streaks before she even hit the ground. Her body hit the ground with a thud. And Kanna was at her side instantly. Kagura sat up a moment later putting her hand to her chest feeling a heart beat the smiled softly at Kanna “We're alive and free.” She said pulling Kanna into a loving embrace, whispering, “We did it.”

“Sessomaru,” she said standing up to thank him only to find him walking away into the trees.

Naraku opened his eyes, something felt different. He glanced over at the jars holding the jars containing the hearts of his incarnations just in time to see Kanna's turn black. So she has been killed. He reached over to infuse some energy into it, not much just enough to keep her alive. It flashed red and began to beat again. What's this? He thought, as it turned gray and continued to beat. He took down the jar and watched as it turned to dust. Then he felt it; Kanna had freed herself from him. Kagura will pay. He grabbed the jar that contained her heart, and removed it. He watched it beat in his hand for a moment before starting to squeeze the life out of it, sinking his claws into it. Horrified, it to turned black and then to dust almost instantly. Hakudoshi walked in and noticed the jars, the dust in one, and the dust that was slipping through Naraku's fingers. So they managed to free themselves, he thought, well that means that I'm able to as well. “Naraku, shall I go kill the traitors?” Hakudoshi inquired.

“No,” Naraku grinned as tentacles shot out of him and gored Hakudoshi, “I need to make use of your powers.” Hakudoshi screamed and tried to break free but Naraku overpowered him and silenced him as he was reabsorbed into his creator.

Naraku grimaced; it looks as though I must reabsorb my own heart. What a pity, and after all that hard work too. He crossed the room and picked up the sleeping infant he had housed his heart in and held it to his chest. It made no disturbances and seemed to welcome the experience. It looks like I'm going to have to make my move before Inuyasha makes his move, especially if Kagura tells him about my heart.

[A/N: Well, there's chapter two. I'm going to useitalicsto write thoughts. I hope I'm doing a better job on these. Go ahead and Review I'd love to get some feed back on this. And If I misspelled any thing let me know. Thanks]