InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Poison of Erised! ❯ Chapter Eight - Answers that Bring More Questions! ( Chapter 8 )

The Poison of Erised!

by Vyncent

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::This story contains GRAPHIC violence, sexual content! You are WARNED::

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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor any of the associated characters. But it ain't because I don't want or wish to do so.

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Once again, she seemed to feel like she was someone's specimen under a microscope. Or in this case, under everyone's scrutiny. Why did everyone seem to think that there was something wrong with her? Why did they all want to stare at her? What had she done wrong again? Why was she bundled up in a blanket like a child, and sitting in a tree with Inuyasha?

Hell, she didn't even know what she had done wrong the last time, yet! She felt fine. In fact, she never felt better. The air was sweet, the breeze wonderful, the sun shining beautifully. She was hungry enough to eat a cow, and anxious to get started on their continuing search for the jewel shards. But everyone simply sat and stared at her, like she had some kind of disease.

It was not that she minded being held by the hanyou, but it was certainly not his normal behavior. She had often dreamed of him holding her, but she had long ago given up on that hope, knowing that she could not compete with her long dead rival. Her cheerful mood rapidly faded to be replaced by confusion, shame, and fear.

As she squirmed a bit, Inuyasha easily leaped down from the tree that he had been resting in, bringing Kagome to the ground with ease. He set her on her feet, and was just about to hand Sango the blanket that she had been wrapped in, when just as the last time, her muscles seemed to suddenly turn to jelly, and she collapsed. His hanyou reflexes were all that kept her from hitting the ground, as he eased her down to a sitting position near the fire.

The sudden collapse scared her more than anything. She remembered the last time this had happened, and the argument that she had with Inuyasha at the time. In shame, she hung her head, realizing that there must indeed be something wrong with her for such a thing to happen again.

"Kagome-sama," spoke up Miroku, trying to break the awkward silence that had suddenly filled the air, "are you feeling alright? Is there any pain?"

She frowned at the question, not sure how to answer. Was she really sick? How much time had she lost this time? Was something happening to her, and if so what? Why didn't she feel any pain or discomfort? What was going on?

"I feel okay," she replied honestly. "I don't feel any pain."

"Why did you fall?" asked Shippou.

"I-I don't know," she replied, it obvious that she was confused and scared, "my muscles just seemed to turn to jelly, and I could not stand."

Inuyasha eased her back to her feet again, holding her until she seemed steady. When he let her go, she was able to stand and even walk, though at first a bit unsteady on her feet. Sango took the time to check her over for fever, and found none, much to everyone's relief. At the suggestion of a quick bath before they got underway Kagome cheered, as Shippou gathered her bath supplies, and joined her and Sango as they headed for the shelter of some nearby boulders at the water's edge.

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Knowing that with the girls bathing nearby, and that Miroku would be doing his level best to live down to his usual hentai nature, Inuyasha chose to distract him with conversation. Perhaps they could come up with some more ideas or information on what was wrong with Kagome. It was more than obvious that something was happening, or had happened to the young onna, but what was still the question. Was it this Potion that the houshi and the Taijiya had mentioned? If it was as difficult to obtain as Miroku implied, how had anyone gotten hold of it? Why? Why Kagome? Were they after her, or was there something more to this than was seen on the surface? What did the culprit hope to gain? Most importantly, who was behind this whole thing?

"I wonder how this Potion will affect Kagome," spoke the hanyou thoughtfully, although not so deep in thought as to not keep an eye out on the antics of the wayward hentai, "I mean, so far all we have really noticed are these unexplained periods of her being asleep. How does this kind of Potion work, anyway?"

The houshi paused in thought for a moment, considering their theory and rummaging through his considerable knowledge to dredge up any information that might shed some understanding on what they now suspected. It was not as much as he would like for it to be, but even a little was better than none at all. He was fairly sure, from the little information that Inuyasha and Shippou had been able to determine from Kagome's scent that Sango was right about what had happened to Kagome. That, however, only opened up a whole knew list of questions.

"Most of what I know is almost more myth and rumour," he began carefully, "than fact. From what skill and knowledge that I have of Potions, this particular one would be meant to bind her by blood, to whomever it was that gave her the Potion. It would be a very tricky Potion to make. Such strong magic is rare, and for it to bind one person to another in this way, it would have to be very complicated. That also would mean that it would be highly dangerous, too."

At those words, Inuyasha felt a cold chill run down his spine. Dangerous? Did Miroku mean that it could harm Kagome, or worse, kill her?

"How dangerous?" he forced himself to ask. "In what ways?"

"Binding spells are not uncommon," Miroku began, "especially where dark forces or evil is used or intended. But they are easily broken, if the victim knows of the spell or learns of it. Some use simple charms, or talismans. But once they are located, and destroyed, the spell is broken and the victim is free."

He paused for a moment to think, "Even Naraku's binding spells are not complex. Powerful, yes. But that is because he possesses some of the shards of the Sacred Jewel. Still, as we have seen, his spells can be broken. He still has to hold threat of her heart over Kagura, and we have seen that his control of Kohaku has weakened enough for him to have regained at least some, if not all of his memories, and be able to work to some degree against Naraku."

"You mean like Tsubaki did with Kagome," spoke up Inuyasha as he grasped what Miroku was saying. "She tried to control Kagome with the tainted shards that she had, but Kagome was able to break through it and regain herself."

"Hai! That is a perfect example," spoke up the houshi. "Once Kagome was able to remember who she was, Tsubaki was no longer able to control her as she had initially done."

"How does this differ now?" asked Inuyasha.

"For a Potion of this type to be effective," spoke up Miroku, "it has to make use of not only the person's physical being, but their mental and emotional state, as well. One of the reasons that most prefer to use charms, talismans, or just magic, is that it is easier to over take the mind of their victim. But this is only worth the effort if the mind is not strong of will. Potions like this are better at the binding, but will not work against a person's nature."

"You mean," spoke up Inuyasha, "that this Potion could not make Kagome want to kill someone, unless that was something she really wanted to do, right?"

"Hai! You must keep in mind," answered Miroku, "that this is only true if while she is under the influence of the Potion, absolutely nothing unexpected goes wrong. If the witch that Sango spoke of, was not aware of some of Kagome's special abilities, or who and what she is, then it is possible that any number of things could go wrong. I doubt that it would make her want to kill someone, but it could cause any number of other odd things to occur."

Inuyasha sat pondering the houshi's words. It was all confusing, but he did understand it nonetheless. But he could not get it out of his head that if this Potion worked on the mental and emotion state of the person it was given to. Did that mean.....?

Before he could consider the rest of what was beginning to crowd his mind, the girls arrived back from having taken their baths. He noticed that Kagome seemed to be very upset, and it occurred to him that Sango must have told her what they suspected. He could not even begin to understand what Kagome must feel like, knowing that someone had claimed her, and her not even knowing who it was that may have taken her innocence, or even when it had been taken. Why? Who? When? With What? They were all questions screaming for answers and those were few and even more confusing.

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Kagome and Sango didn't linger at their bath, as was their normal want. As it was early in the day, Kagome was afraid to drag things out any longer than necessary. Inuyasha was already upset about her unexpected collapse of the other day, kami only knew how angry he was with her for this time. She didn't feel like aggravating him further, and figured that if she hurried, then he would have that much less to be pissed off about. Although, knowing Inuyasha, he would still be upset about even a few minutes.

Sango could tell that Kagome was once more depressed and knew that the young onna was probably feeling the same uselessness and shame that she had before. Inuyasha could be such an unthinking and uncaring jerk. If there was any shame, it was in that he always seemed inclined to go out of his way to hurt Kagome's feelings, rather than try to understand what was going on. Sango decided right then that she would put a stop to Inuyasha saying anything to Kagome that would make the girl feel worse than she already did. It was more important to focus on what was happening to her, not the value of her presence in the group.

"Are you feeling better Kagome?" Sango asked, with obvious concern.

Kagome knew what Sango was really asking, but chose to pretend that she didn't understand. "I feel fine Sango. Arigato, for asking."

"Kagome, you have no reason to feel shame," said Sango reassuringly. "It is not like you asked for whatever this maybe. We are not even sure what it is, although we have a theory."

"Well," sighed a depressed Kagome, "that is certainly more than I have. I do not even feel that anything is wrong. All I remember is going to sleep and then waking up. Sure, I fell when I tried to stand, although I do not know why, but I do not feel sick. In fact, I feel better than ever."

Again, she sighed, "Yet, all of you tell me that I was unconscious again. This time, longer than the last. Everyone says that I had a fever, yet I do not even feel tired, nor do I have any pain. The only thing that even lets me know that you are all right, is that I can't account for the time I seem to have lost. What is wrong with me, Sango? What is happening to me?"

"You need to understand that we are not completely sure of this," Sango began. She felt that it was important for Kagome to know what they suspected, but this would not be easy to either tell her, or to explain. Still, she would not lie to Kagome, and it would be better for her to tell her, rather than hear it for Miroku or, kami forbid, Inuyasha. "Shippou and Inuyasha said that they could pick up the faint traces of some unusual scent on you. More like in you, as it seems to be something that is in your blood."

"In my blood?" asked Kagome, confused.

Sango sighed. She paused for a moment trying to choose her words carefully. "It seems that you may have been given some kind of a Potion. At least we suspect that is what has happened. Apparently it was mixed with your blood, and the blood of whoever gave you the Potion."

"Their blood?" Kagome asked, still confused, but also a bit scared, "Why would anyone want to give me their blood? Who would do this? What kind of Potion?"

"You must understand," Sango answered, "the information that I have is limited. I am only going on what Inuyasha and Shippou could smell, and things that I remember from my father's stories. How correct I am, I can't say. But, at least so far, it seems to fit what we know."

"Shippou, being a full blood youkai," continued the Taijiya, "helped us to confirm what Inuyasha said he could smell coming from you. It seems that there is the faintest scent of something that combines a number of herbs, with blood, and it has bound itself to your blood. From what little I know, it sounds like a rare and difficult to obtain Potion that I once heard my father speak of. It was created centuries ago, by an old witch. It was said that she had created a Potion that one could give to anyone, causing the other individual to desire the person who mixed their own blood with some of the blood of their victim with the Potion, just prior to giving it to them."

The Taijiya continued, "The giver, could then call to the mind of the given, causing them to come to them, wherever they might be any time of the day or night. It is said that no one that has been given this Potion, can refuse the call of the giver. If they even try to not answer the call, they suffer excruciating pain, or even death."

Kagome shivered at this news. It was frightening to think that someone had that kind of control over her, and could call to her at any time, from any where. And what did Sango mean when she said that this Potion made the given desire the person that the Potion bound them to? Surely she was not suggesting....!

"Sango," she asked, her voice barely a whisper as the shock of what Sango was suggesting began to connect. "What do you mean... 'make me desire'? Exactly what are you saying?"

"Kagome," Sango began, paused to find the words and force them out, "Kagome, it is possible and I hope that I am wrong that someone gave you a special and rare Potion. One that is designed to bond you...heart, body, blood, and soul, to the person who gave you the Potion. Whoever it is that may have done this, must have desired you for a long time. Desired you so much that they took over a year to plan this, and obtain the ingredients to make the Potion."

Again she paused and sighed. There was just no easy way to say this. "Kagome, it is very likely that your innocence has been taken. If I had to guess, I would say it was probably that night after your collapse from the heat. But it would seem, if my facts are correct that someone has taken you to their bed, and because of the Potion, you willingly gave yourself to them."

Kagome suddenly felt light-headed. Seeing that she looked faint, Sango quickly grabbed her, and helped her back to shore. Quickly they got dressed, and then sat down for a bit to let Kagome try to wrap her head around the news she had just been handed.

"You mean that someone," she began, the fear and uncertainty in her voice more than evident to the Taijiya, "has...has....m-m-ade....has d-d-one...has....did that to me? Did that and I don't even remember when, or know who did it? Iie...iie...iie! It can't be true....onegai...tell me this is not true!"

She started sobbing, her fear almost too much to bear. She didn't know what to do, or to think, or to even believe. Why would she willingly go to someone, and let them do such an thing to her? Why could she not remember? Who wanted her so badly? What kind of person were they?

Sango, understanding some of the things that must be running through her 'sister's mind, just hugged her and let her cry. She knew that if it was her, she would either being screaming, or worse, trying to tear anything within reach down and demolishing it. To think that someone had taken your innocence, and not even being able to remember it having been done, or who it was that had done this. Even she found it hard to grasp such a thing. It was almost too horrible to think of.

After a bit, Kagome calmed down, and at Sango's urging, she washed her face in the cool water of the stream. With that done, the two made their way back to camp. They still had much to consider and many things to question. Many things that offered not nearly enough answers for the satisfaction of all present.

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As everyone sat around the campfire, innumerable questions seemed to crowd their heads. It was finally sinking in just how serious this matter was. Who was it that had gone to such lengths? Why? What was their goal? Was it just to claim Kagome, or something more? Was it a plot to get revenge on any one or all of them? How long had they been planning for this, and when would they show themselves? How much danger was Kagome in? How many times had she been called to whoever it was that had given her what they now were sure was this Potion that Sango spoke of? Why could Inuyasha, Shippou, and Kirara not smell the scent of whoever this was? Of even greater concern, was the question of whether or not Kagome was with child?

Seeing that she had been obviously crying and the apparent fear and sadness that haunted her face, Inuyasha was quick to grab her and hold her in his lap as they sat trying to consider the situation and find answers to their many questions.

"Sango," began Miroku, as they all politely ignored the hanyou's unexpected show of concern for the Miko. She needed all of the comfort that their little group could offer, and if Inuyasha was for once, being kind to her, so much the better. No one wanted to do something that might cause him to do otherwise.

"What more can you recall from your father's stories," he asked, "and teachings about this witch and the Potion you spoke of?"

"I am not sure how much I can recall, or how accurately," she began, "as I heard this so long ago, and even at that my understanding of it was that the story was almost folklore, handed down for many generations and passed from mouth to mouth over a long period of time. I remember it mostly, because I recall my father saying that this witch was a most remarkable and unique onna."

"How so?" Inuyasha asked.

"It was said," returned the Taijiya, "that she was, at least by appearance, only a ningen. Some of the old stories that I have heard, say that she is almost a thousand years old. No one that I have spoken to, could recall anyone that they knew who had ever seen her. So for many years, her story has almost been lost in history and is now thought to almost be a myth."

"Feh! How could a ningen possibly live so long?" spoke up the hanyou in a disbelieving tone. "Are you sure you are not thinking of a youkai?"

"I supposed it is possible Inuyasha," said Sango, this thoughtfully, "but remember Tsubaki. She sold her soul to a youkai and in so doing, managed to not only retain the beauty that she was so afraid of losing, but also extended her life considerably. It we had not defeated her, who knows how long she might have lived?"

"You have a point there," Miroku replied, "maybe that is what happened here. What else do you know?"

"Not as much as I would like," she returned, an obvious note of frustration in her tone. "The story goes that many centuries ago, a young woman fell deeply in love with a youkai. She was so desperate for his affections that she began to delve into the mystical arts to try to find some means to get him to notice her, and return her love."

"I take it from what you have said so far," spoke up Miroku, "that she delved into the dark arts?"

"Hai," replied Sango, "some of the darkest arts known to the time. She studied every scroll she could find, and traveled far and wide for any and all information that she could get her hands on. Every rumour of a potential love Potion she would follow up on. She was willing to do anything to find the means to make the youkai of her heart, return her love."

Sango paused briefly, "Eventually, she learned that none of the magics or Potions that she found were ever quite right. Some would have bound him to her bodily, but not his mind. Some his mind, but she would not have his mind of his own free will. Some would have given her everything, but at a price that meant that eventually one or both of them would die. Nothing seemed to fit what she most needed and wanted. Him to return her love of his own free will."

"What did she eventually do?" asked Kagome quietly. In spite of her plight, she found the tale intriguing. It was sad, and lonely. Not unlike her. "What did she finally come up with?"

"Eventually, she decided that the only way that she was going to have him," the Taijiya continued, as she stared into the small blaze of their campfire, "was if she came up with a Potion herself. One that fulfilled all of the things that she felt was the most important. She worked long and hard on the Potion. Studied every herb, mineral, and essence she could find. Collected the ingredients in different ways, some fresh, some dried, some picked only on certain nights during the full moon, others on nights of the new moon. Some things were obtained with a knife bathed in the blood of newly killed innocents, others at specific times of the year, during specific times of the day, at precisely chosen minutes of the hour. She studied and experimented for years, until she finally came up with what she believed to be the perfect Potion."

"She gained a wealth of knowledge about herbs, healing, and more," she continued, "unmatched by anyone, even to this day. With more patience than anyone can imagine, she finally took the recipe that she had created herself, and spent an entire year making it. The herbs had to be obtained not only at exactly the right time, and picked precisely in certain ways, but she had to make sure the each one was added at exactly the right time to her Potion. It had to be cooked for just so long, and then cooled to exactly the right temperature for the next ingredient, or taken to the mountains and frozen for a precise amount of time in the ice. So many days left in the dark, and so many days exposed to the sun. Every step had to be perfectly carried out, or the Potion would be useless, or worse deadly."

"That seems like a lot of work," spoke up Shippou, "for a Potion."

"It was and is," spoke up Miroku, "but she must have wanted this youkai very badly to go through all of that trouble."

"She did," said Sango. "According to the tales that my father recounted, she could not pass a single day without thoughts of the youkai that she loved. It was said that he was the most beautiful, and regal of beings, and almost as powerful as the Great Inu no Taisho Sugimi-sama, Inuyasha's father. He was tall, not unlike Sesshoumaru, but sported hair so dark that the deepest ebony was put to shame for the black of his tresses. His claws were the colour of blood, and so sharp as to be able to cut through rock. He eyes were like twin blood red rubies that could see into the deepest corner of one's soul. His skin like alabaster, and his body well built and in perfect form."

"Over the centuries, it had been lost as to what kind of youkai he was," she told them, "All that is truly known for sure, was that the onna would rather have died, than live without his love. Eventually, her hard work, long patience, and immense knowledge paid off, and her Potion was complete. All that remained, was for the final two ingredients to be added to the Potion, and then a drop or two given to the youkai."

"That has to be a very powerful Potion," spoke up Inuyasha, "for only a drop or two to work so completely. What were the last two ingredients?"

"It is said," Sango looked at them all, "that to complete the Potion, a couple of drops of the blood of the person who possesses the Potion, and a drop or two of the blood of the victim, must be added to the Potion just before the first drop it given. This is what ultimately gives the Potion its power. The strength of the Potion is based on which of the two people involved are the stronger."

"So then," spoke up Miroku, "whichever of the two has the more powerful nature, determines the power of the Potion. I imagine that the effects would very greatly depending upon where the greater strengths lie. A Potion such as this could effect the strength of the blood, the power of the mind, the physical abilities of the body, or even the desires of the soul?"

"It would seem logical that is does," spoke up Sango, "but I am not sure exactly how. It was never something that seemed to come up with the story. All I know for sure, is that something a happened after she gave the youkai the Potion. Whatever it was, it resulted in his death. Afterwards, she swore never to give the Potion willingly to another or to let anyone else give it to anyone. It might be that it had something to do with how he died, but as far as I can tell, no one knows or ever heard about what transpired."

"Kaede-baa-chan or Myouga might know or be able to obtain more information regarding that," spoke up Kagome. The story was very intriguing, but at that same time, it only added to her fears.

"Hai," agreed Inuyasha, "We should get going while we still have some daylight. I think that we should continue to the village. It is best that we talk to the old baba about this as soon as we can."

Everyone agreed with that decision, although as Kagome seemed to be fine at the moment, they did not continue the journey at the rushed pace that they had previously set. It was easier in the long run on everyone, and with the push that they had already made, they were about ten days away from home.

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Dictionary

Baka - Idiot

Chikushou - Damn

Doushite - Why

Fujo - Witch

Hanyou - Half Demon

Hiraikotsu - actually translates as 'Come Flying Skills' and is the name of Sango's boomerang

Houshi - Monk

Inu - Dog

Kazaana - Wind Void/Tunnel - Miroku's curse from Naraku

Kitsune - Fox Demon

Miko - Shrine Maiden

Mononoke - Animal Spirit - Kirara would be considered an mononoke as she has no human form

Neko - Cat

Okaa-san - Mother

Onee - Older Sister

Onna - Woman

Sama - Lady or Lord - respectively

Shakoju - Staff - the one that Miroku carries and wields

Shikon no Kakera - Shikon Shards

Shikon no Tama - Jewel of Four Souls

Shishi - Lion

Taijiya - Demon Exterminator

Taiyoukai - Demon Lord

Tenshi - Angel

Tenseiga - Sacred Life Fang

Tetsusaiga - Iron Pulverizing Fang

Youkai - Demon

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