InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price of Freedom ❯ Fourteen ( Chapter 14 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

A/N: Thank you for all the reviewers who have stuck with this story thus far despite the fast pacing. This was originally supposed to be a one-shot, but my imagination got the best of me Things should simmer to a steady boil from this point on, so I hope that makes up for something. Please keep your reviews, questions, and concerns coming. Cheers! :)

Kaede staggered out of her hut after a disturbing dream caused her to startle and a deep uneasiness manifested as an ache in her bones. Her brows knitted together as she pulled on her cloak, and wound her way out of her hut with only a paper lantern to guide her in the darkness.

Ever since she was a girl, the old woman had premonitions accompanied by trepidation that wouldn't go away until what she dreamed had come to pass. Women would come to her with their dreams and all manner of troubles, while the men treated her with a modicum of respect, but their wariness bordered on suspicion for all things that they did not understand.

Kaede had learned from an early age that to be a priestess meant a life of sacrifice at the expense of her own happiness and her feelings would always be secondary to her duty.

In her dream, the old woman was swallowed by a smoky, primordial darkness until she stumbled on a glistening cocoon caught in a spider's web. The closer she got the more she could make out the distinct weeping of a child, and her natural instincts warred with her heroic desires. her hand hovered briefly but before she could make any attempts to help the poor, frightened thing, the silky thread suddenly erupted in bright blue flames, and the old women shot awake as a searing pain caused her to cry out to the gods.

The strongholds walls bore down on her like an old familiar friend and some of her discomfort eased. Groaning ever so slightly, she hefted herself up the wooden ladder that would bring her to her favorite place to get away from the bustle of village life where she could meditate without someone barging in on her at all hours demanding her time and attention.

"Ho, woman. What do you think you're doing up here?" It was one of the soldiers from the newly trained cadets, who glared down at her, before he staggered towards her and she caught a whiff of rum on his breath. Kaede tusked disapprovingly as she shook her head, it was harder and harder to find reliable men these days.

"The hell do you think you're looking at me like that, you old witch!" The soldier spat, nearly missing her foot. Kaede took that moment to pull her hood from her robe, as the young man's face paled and he cursed softly.

"Lady Priestess! I-…" The young soldiers face drained of all color, as Kaede's brow crinkled and she sighed to the heavens.

"Enough, get out of here you scoundrel. Did our forefathers risk their lives for you to throw it all away? " Kaede cut in coldly, as she remembered the seasons where sleep was a luxury, and when the dreadful sound of the clamoring bells was as commonplace as the rising sun.

The old woman watched with little satisfaction as the young soldier, stiffly nodded, and clumsily made his way down the stronghold's walls.

"Those young fools will be the death of us, Goddess please preserve us and keep us from destruction. We cannot afford to fall asleep in the midst of this dreadful hour." Kaede fervently prayed, as she tried to collect her peace. She was no longer in the mood to meditate and decipher her dreams, and she turned to follow the foolish soldier, but something brushed against her awareness causing her to still.

A chill of foreboding caused her to hobble over to the crudely propped up telescope, as she leaned over the best she could. Kaede scoped out the clear night sky and frantically scanned the horizon. The old woman sighed in relief when no wretched devil or blood thirsty ghoul appeared up in view, but just as she was about to pull back she caught the first glimpse of an unmistakable shadowy figure near the southern region of the forest edge approaching swiftly on horseback.

"By the gods, what manner of evil approaches at this hour?" Kaede groaned, as a tremor shot through her arm and caused the instrument to slip precariously in her hands. Her first instinct was to dive for the bells, to warn the village of an impending attack but suddenly her focus dramatically came into sharp view, and she could see clearly a man and a woman, both deceptively human.

Kaede strained her good eye as a fluttering feeling caused her heart to start, and she swore by the gods that moonlight shone like a bright beacon on the pair, casting the woman in an other worldly glow. She could make out a shock of wild dark hair, distinguishable priestess robes, and a painfully familiar face, not unlike those ivory statues of the saints.

"What on earth?" The old woman murmured to herself, as she heard a small still voice urging her to open the gates, carried by an errant breeze.

"Do my eyes deceive me? Surely this old woman has not gone mad?" Kaede, pulled the telescope away, as she began trembling all over like something hollow and flimsy.

The old woman felt her intuition leap in the pit of her stomach and filled the gaps of her rational mind.

"It can't be. Our lady has returned to us, by the gods." Kaede raised her face to the heavens, as a choked sound escaped from her lips, and she realized that she was laughing with tears burning down her cheeks. It was a wholesome and joyful sound that made her gasp in between breaths. Her mind raced between prophecies forged in mythology, and dreams of saviors who would come and take away her burdens and for the first time in ages, the old woman felt hope as delicate as a new born babe.

Trembling, Kaede made her way towards rusted pulley, deeply compelled that she had just encountered something other worldly.

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Miroku rode through the wilderness like a man possessed. The woman was slumped over like a straw dummy in his lap, and he gathered the reigns with one hand, while applying pressure to her abdomen. He was many things, but the young monk was no murderer. His early upbringing had taught him to show mercy to strangers and to never prey on the weak.

"Don't you die on me, woman." Miroku muttered under his breath, he knew that while there was blood on his hands at least on the other side of this was his freedom. He was making his way back to camp, where he would deliver the girl to his lord, and he would get what was promised to him in exchange.

If he kept her alive, his reward would be double than what he was promised, and Miroku was never one to pass up on a bargain. His lip curled in distaste when he thought about the wretched Lord, who had given him his orders and sent him on a wild goose chase to find a stone that could grant a man anything that he desired.

Miroku knew that he was a cursed man, and where he should've felt some modicum of shame over his actions and bitterness, he only felt the cold pit in his stomach where his rage once lived. He was simply doing what any other man would do if he were in his place

Miroku took a moment to caress the jewel perched safely in the front of his robe, comforted by its sturdy weight. The young monk's scowl softened into a frown as he fought of the nasty feeling of foreboding causing the hairs on his forearms to rise, as he recalled too many accounts of power-hungry men who trifled with the wrong things and upset the natural order.

Mist wet their lungs, with the smell of enchanted wood as they raced past boulders balanced like the heads of statues and maneuvered through purple coned spruce and rhododendrons as big as trees. This land was as familiar to him as an old friend.

This was the land of his father. He felt his blood come alive as he raced through the memories that were clamoring for his attention. Miroku could remember the news of the war reaching his father's humble monastery. His father had been enlisted to fight for a foolish cause, and even now, Miroku could remember his fathers back as he walked into an uncertain future.

In the midst of the wilderness, Miroku finally understood those unspoken things that his father could never muster to say out loud. He understood duty, and sacrifices that could not be washed clean or scrubbed away in the river. Miroku understood generational curses, and how such a thing could make mockeries of men.

He had no home now, there would be no homecomings here. Father if only you could see me now. Miroku thought as his eyes shone bright with a feverish glow.

 “It’ll be over soon and I’ll make this all right.You’ll see." The monk muttered aloud, more to himself, than his companion weaving in and out of consciousness.

Miroku's lips thinned as he refocused his attention on the sound of his horses' hooves beating into the ground. Every so often Kagome would cry out for a someone, and Miroku could not quite make out the rough syllables. He glanced down at her quickly and winced at the grayish tint to her skin.

She's not going to make it back to camp, damn. He made a snap decision, as he sighed at his own weakness and brought his horse to a halt. Miroku pulled a frayed map and squinted at the roughly drawn approximations.

He reached back in his memory where he recalled a healer from his childhood, who would frequent the monasteries during the harsh winter seasons. Miroku hoped for the young woman's sake that the old witch was still alive. He gripped the reigns in one hand while keeping a steady hand on the priestess but before he could nudge his horse, pain shot up his left arm and tiny sparks of light exploded behind his eyelids, throwing him off balance and he landed hard on his shoulder.

Miroku grunted in pain and slowly gathered his bearings as the awful smell of decay mixed with the rotting earth caused his gut to clench as he looked down at his hand in horror. He had lost his rosary in the fall, which had served to bind the rough bandages, and now he could see as clear as day the gaping black hole punched in the middle of his mottled palm as a super natural gale swept up, causing his horse to startle and run off into the thick foliage with his cargo dangled precariously on the saddle.

Miroku gritted his teeth and closed his fist, as a hissing sound issued from the fissure and he grasped around in the dirt for his rosary. Relief flooded in his chest when he found the prayer beads and hastily fixed the bandages, before wounding the beads securely in place.

"Damn you." Miroku cursed himself softly, ashamed at his own weakening body, and he knew that it would only get worse. Such was the nature of his curse. Only for a fraction of a second did he feel an invisible thread of fate closing in on him, and he knew without a doubt that he was running out of time. The young monk furiously swiped away at the bead of blood that trickled from his nose, as he went after his horse and the woman.

He tracked his horse who was grazing by a nearby stream and before he mounted the beast, he checked on the priestess and raised his hand to her mouth, and sighed when he could feel her warm breath on the back of his palm.

Miroku clenched the reigns until his knuckles turned white, and he refused to dwell on old things or to feel sorry for himself. He had already vowed that he would never become a victim to his peculiar circumstance.

To the healer we go." He said with false cheer, squeezing the back of his reins. His horse lurched into a steady gallop as he wondered briefly if he was making the right decision.

"Ho." Miroku muttered to his horse, as yanked the bit of his steed. In the distance, he could make out a stone wall, and he squinted in suspicion. He could see from his vantage point that the gates were uncannily lowered, and his jaw clenched in reflex.

Miroku rode into the village, and he wasn't surprised when a circle of men surrounded him, with an old woman headed at the center. He kept one hand on the girl, as he raised his hand to signal that he meant no harm.

"Peace, brothers. I am just a humble monk, in need of dire medical attention for my charge." Miroku tried his diplomatic approach, as his eyes roved over each worn, wrinkled face and felt their hatred mingled in with their fear until his eyes landed on a familiar face, hardened with age.

"Halt, state your business monk." A middle-aged man, who had the bearings of a farmer addressed him, and the men began to whisper amongst themselves and an internal conflict broke out.

"Where do I know that mug from?" He heard one voice quip up, and Miroku felt his heart start in his chest.

"Look at the grade of that horse, I reckon that's one of Kagewaki's goons." At the mention of the human lord's name, Miroku's back stiffened and he knew that he would have to play dirty if he wanted to get what he wanted. Before he could clear his throat, someone had picked up a rock, and chucked it at him with alarming accuracy.

Miroku's reflexes kicked in, and he tried to defend himself he hissed as the rock connected with his shoulder.

"You're making a mistake." Miroku gritted between clenched teeth, as the men begin cursing, and goading each other on. Someone took it upon themselves to chuck another rock, and this time the monk narrowly dodged it as he tried to appeal to reason. "Please, just help the girl!"

"Hasn't that Kagewaki bastard done enough?" A young boy with startling red hair, stared him down with equally shocking green eyes. But the men begin to grunt in agreement, as another voice quipped up.

"That wretch has taken half of our supply of grain and has left us defenseless in these trying times, My family is on the threat of starvation, and he has done nothing but demand more and more for his armies. Where is the justice?" Another angry voice joined in.

Miroku's head begin to pound, as he gingerly wiped the side of his mouth, where the red headed brat had knocked him good. Slowly he made eye contact with the old woman again, she stared in shock as a thrill of recognition caused the monk to smile tightly.

"Peace, men." Kaede said slowly, as she held up her hand and the murmurings slowly died down. She did not have time to tell the villages of the good news for fear of their reactions. Kaede decided to let the miracle reveal itself, and she suppressed her pleasure as she stepped closer to the monk.

"Your grievances are not with this man, and I will not stand by and watch an innocent man be stoned because of the actions of another." "Kaede stood stiffly before men, who ceased their speculative side conversation.

"Bull. He's as guilty as the whole lot of them, you know that, we all do."The red haired youth, snarled and Miroku eyed the strange boy, and finally felt a prickle of yoki. He wondered why it took him so long to notice that the brat was a demon, and he vaguely wondered what a demon was doing in the midst of a human village.

"That's enough Shippo, you will stand your ground young man. Now take this monk's horse to the stable, and you will escort him to his sleeping quarters for tonight."Kaede said sternly, and Miroku sighed with relief, as he began to slide off the horse, and he slowly pulled the woman he had risked his hide for and cradled her in his arms.

"By the gods…" Someone whispered, and Miroku felt brow twitch in irritation as a flurry of speculative whispers began anew, but his jaw slowly slackened as the men, began to kneel at his feet like lowly servants. Miroku looked to the old woman for an explanation as the spirited demon shot a panicked look to Kaede, who wore a strangely peaceful expression on her face.

"Well I'm glad that I've won you all over to reason, but please this is too much for a humble man like me." Miroku tried to joke lightly, whirling around as he heard a prayer go up in the distance, and he wondered what he had walked into.

"Lady Midoriko has returned to us!" An old man began to weep into his handkerchief, as another man broke out in prayer, joining the chorus of shouts.

Kaede beamed as some of the younger men looked to her for confirmation,and she nodded sagely.

A cry went out in the night, as Miroku was suddenly accosted on all sides, grimy hands tugged at the woman robes, someone snatched the sandals from her feet, and tugged on her hair.

"You must be mistaken!" Miroku began to panic, but he was quickly cut off, as the women and children slowly came pouring out of their huts once they realized that their village wasn't under attack.

"Stop, stop it all of you. Can't you see that she's in dire need of medical attention!" Miroku shouted, as he tried to back up.

"You lot, relieve the monk and bring her to my quarters. We will hold all celebrations until Our Lady is well again." Kaede interjected.

Miroku could only watch dumbly, as Kagome was plucked from his arms by another man. The men procured a makeshift bed from thin air, in which they gingerly placed the woman on, and followed the old woman back to her hut.

"What just happened?" Miroku asked himself, staring down at his empty hands as he smoothed a palm over his face before staring off at the retreating backs of the men, who seemed to be in jovial spirits.

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Miroku sat resting against the walls, regarding an old frayed scroll on his lap, as he looked up impassively ever now and again.

Miroku had refused to leave the young priestess side, after she had been bought to Kaede's hut. The old woman was bent over the unconscious girl, muttering a spell that was foreign to him. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught the old woman with a weepy expression, that Miroku could not even begin to decipher.

"I'll fix you up, good as new. Then you can see what we have done for ourselves, in your absence." Kaede murmured, and Miroku shifted uncomfortably knowing that the old woman wasn't talking to him. He had begun to get a bad feeling, and he wasn't quite sure how to break the news to the villagers that the young priestess wasn't here to stay.

"Thank you for what you did back there." Miroku offered gently. Kaede startled as if she had forgotten that someone else was in the room with her, and she averted her eyes as she finished up her handiwork.

"I didn't do it for you, young man. In a way, I should be thanking you. You have no idea what these men have experienced in these trying times. Some of them have lost all hope." Kaede sighed, as she placed a hand on the ghastly wound, and a warm blue light emitted from her palm, causing Kagome to startle, and lurch.

"Quick, help me hold her down. She has to remain still for the spell to bind." Kaede ordered, and Miroku leapt up and did as he was told.

Kaede gasped, as deadened black eyes flew open and seemed to pass through them.

"Inu'sha." Kagome fell forward and gripped Miroku's arms, leaning in so close that his heart involuntarily slammed in its cage as she fixed her gaze on him and before he could help her to lay down,she clutched the front of his robes and kissed the monk, before she slumped into his arms.

"Oh my, my spells have never had that effect on people before" Kaede remarked, once the shock wore of.

"What manner of magic is that." Miroku asked stiffly as he gathered his bearings and shifted uncomfortably and licked his lips despite himself.

"Old magic." Kaede said simply, as she gently wiped the sweat from the young woman's brow. "She's lucky that you brought her when you did, I'm afraid that if you waited a hour too late, I wouldn't be able to help. Now, how did you say she got these wounds?"

He was afraid that the old woman would ask too many questions, if she knew what was good for her, she would simply do what she was good at, and leave her curiosity at the door. Miroku's expression closed and for a moment he paused before answering.

"We were ambushed by bandits, I was too far away to get to her before one of them struck her with a deadly blow. She hit her head, and has lost consciousness after that. I fear that she may have lost some of her memories." Miroku lied easily between his teeth.

Kaede raised an imperceptive brow, but chose not to remark on the young monks tale.

"You're still the same adventurous brat that you always were."

"You remember?"

"How could I ever forget? You were a rambunctious young boy, I don't know how your father managed to keep you still. Your father was a very good man." Kaede's smile faded as she remembered the tragedy that followed, and the small little boy, who was terrified and didn't know what was happening.

A heavy expression aged the young priest as he tweaked a set of prayer beads out of habit.

That's all in the past now. But listen, I appreciate all of your help, but there's something that you need to know."

"Whatever it is, it can wait till morning. I'm afraid that spell pulled more from me that I thought." Kaede felt her joints crack in protest, as she stood up to retire.

"She's a fighter, and I know after a couple days of rest, she'll be up and running." Kaede nodded to herself, as she busied herself with cleaning up, and she began to hum.

Miroku sighed, and fought internally with himself, before he settled on the truth.

"No, you need to listen to me, and hear me clearly. That woman is not your Lady Midoriko. She's not whoever you think she is and we'll be on our way out as soon as she's well enough to travel."

"I always knew that you had a loose tongue, but I never took you for a liar." Kaede's voice hardened and she stood between the cot and the monk, with her arms crossed over her chest and a stern expression set on her countenance.

Miroku groaned internally as he tried to gather his patience and his eyes flitted about the room and he seemed to debate something his mind.

"Forgive me Lady Kaede, you've been nothing but kind to me and I believe that I've spoken out of turn." Miroku bowed stiffly, he would retreat for now. In his rage, he let his mouth run and get the best of him."Thank you for your help but don't say I didn't warn you."

Kaede flinched, as he picked up his scrolls and made his way out of the hut and bid her good night.

She looked back down at the cot and admired her handiwork, before she studied the young woman's peaceful countenance and frowned.

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When he was alone, his amicable mask slipped away and he felt an old rage rivaling his excitement as he strode through the compound, he was not surprised when he was met with soldiers at every turn.

This was Kagewaki's territory, and Miroku bought a hand to his chin where he was sure a bruise was forming as he remembered how he was almost stoned on the spot for the mans misdeeds. He scowled blackly and cursed the day that his descendants had ever met the wretch.

The young monk paused at a bridge, as he took in the quiet beauty around him, and he reached the edge of the forest. Miroku reached down in the front of his robes and slowly procured his prize as he stared in rapt fascination at the clear stone that would buy him his freedom. His jaw slackened when right before his eyes, its coloring churned, changing and deepening into a murky brown. A faint voiced tickled at the back of his conscience and he whirled around, in fear that someone had followed him, but the monk was completely alone.

Miroku chalked it up to the events that unfolded for the day, as he sighed and found a sturdy tree to lean against so he could meditate.

But a slight prickle caused him to tense as he stood to his full height, he had spent enough time in the wilderness to recognize that feeling and he knew that trouble was near and approaching, swiftly.

"Show yourself!" He commanded, and something putrid slithered from the bush. He raised an arm to his nose to block out the smell of decay, as a serpent-like demon rose on its belly and hissed menacingly.

"I sssense the ssshiki jewel, give it to me and I'll let you live." The demon ordered in a gravely voice, and Miroku he gritted his teeth, grimacing.

Miroku's mind went cold, as red eyes glinted with hunger and malice, and the demon lunged for him as he narrowly dodged and used his staff to guard against the serpents tail, that tried to trap him in its grasp. Miroku reached for his ofuda, but came up against emptiness and he cursed as he realized that he must've left his charms at the old woman's hut. The demon struck again, this time knocking his staff from his hands as he staggered backwards.

"What would you want with such a thing?" Miroku asked, trying to buy some time, as he slowly edged towards his staff that was a couple feet away from him.

The demon lunged, aiming for his head and he spun around running towards his only weapon buried in the dirt, with its hot breath hot on his trail. Miroku yanked his staff from the ground, and whirled, catching the beast off guard as it clamped down on metal, trying to dislodge the monks only defense.

Suddenly, something shot from the darkness, and pierced through the demons skull, who gave a surprised screech, before succumbing to its untimely demise.

Miroku inhaled sharply, and slowly gathered his bearings.

He winced at the pain that shot up his arm, but schooled his features as a shadowy figure weaved in and out of the darkness,breaking through the bushes and revealing herself, and Miroku tensed, getting ready to face his new adversary but a the familiar, although unwelcomed face greeted him. The monk released a breath that he didn't know he was holding.

"Yo. I thought you needed some help, you looked like you were struggling, " The woman coolly greeted him, as she gingerly plucked the metal hair clip from the demons skull, and grimaced at the ruined ornament before throwing it away, "but you owe me a new ornament, monk."

"Kagura." Miroku said coldly, "How long have you been following me?"

"When you say it like that, you make me sound like a creep. But you know the business we're in, his orders not mine." She paused, and took in his feverish eyes, and disheveled appearance as she sniffed lightly at wrinkled her nose at the smell of sickness and rot clinging to him like a second skin. "You look like hell monk, and you could use a bath."

But Miroku didn't take the bait, his stony expression hardened, and she flashed a small smile. Slowly her expression congealed like ice and she scanned the perimeter of the field, and made a small sound of disapproval.

"Is the girl still alive?" She asked, cutting to the chase.

"Yes." Miroku replied thinly.

"Well, aren't you a good fellow. You almost make me wish I had a heart." Kagura snorted, as she didn't bother to hide her contempt."You're late, Kagewaki wants you back at the fortress by tomorrow eve."

Her piercing ruby red eyes danced with open amusement, and he clenched his jaw and looked away.

"I can't leave tomorrow. The girl, she's alive, but something has come up." At the mention of Kagewaki's name his head began to pound in earnest and he just wanted the demoness to go away. Miroku quickly told her about the new developments, and Kagura rolled her eyes as she began to study her perfectly manicured nails.

"What are those moronic humans on about anyway? And why are you telling me this?" Kagura asked impatiently.

" You don't understand human religion or the significance of Midoriko, do you? Kagura, the jewel was inside the woman's body and in the legends they said that it would be so. "

"Okay...and?" Kagura crossed her arms over her chest as Miroku hastily unfurled his scrolls.

"Look." Miroku said, trying to suppress his own excitement, while Kagura raised a sculpted brow.

"Am I supposed to read that chicken scratch?" Kagura sniffed lightly.

"I believe that we're dealing with a direct descent of Midoriko, and this woman might be the reincarnation of the priestess of legend."

"Ugh, spare the history lesson for someone who cares. You're boring me monk, and I couldn't care less if the wench was a reincarnation of the Buddha. Let the fools have their day, but you know what must be done so just do it." Kagura stretched languidly, as Miroku sighed in defeat.

Behind them a pair of soldiers choose that time to parole the edge of the territory and Kagura tensed as Miroku acted on his first instinct.

He grabbed the front of the demoness robes and kissed her, taking liberty to dart his tongue to get a taste of her.

"Look at that lecherous monk, it's a shame we couldn't get so lucky tonight." The paroling soldiers joked, as they passed the bridge and diapered into into the foggy night. When they were gone, Kagura had the good grace to look scandalized as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and she cocked her fist and punched him so hard that he momentarily saw stars.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, lech!" She hissed, as he blinked until his vision steadied and wiped the blood his nose and tried in vain not to crack a smile.

"Saving our hide. Kagura you're presence alone would cause a uproar. I did what any rational man would do." Miroku said weakly.

"Save the bull for another day, monk. If you ever try that again, you'll lose a lot more than a little blood. I'll let him know, but you'll better watch your back from here on out." She said cryptically, as she reached in her sleeve for a feather and charged it with her yoki,until it grew ten times in size, and she hopped on her feathery ride.

"Kagura wait!" He had on more thing on his mind. She paused, and frowned down at him from her perch.

"How is he?" Miroku hoped that he didn't sound too desperate, but Kagura rose a sharp brow, searching her memory for what he could possibly be going on about now, before a knowing smile curved her lips.

"That old drunk? Hmph, he's fine as long as you keep up your end of the bargain, monk."