InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Shikon no Tama ❯ Chapter Twelve ( Chapter 12 )

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

Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned any part of Inuyasha or his world. This is a work of fanfiction made entirely for the fans of Inuyasha to enjoy. This story is based off of Inuyasha characters that I do not own.

This is also a work of fiction. Any simularities to any real person, dead or alive, is completely coincidental.


Author's Note: Special thanks to BlueMoonCrescent and LadyObsidian who have helped me with this chapter. Also, BMC, for helping me figure out what the hell I'm doing! Love ya both! To see works done by these two wonderful ladies, visit bluemooncrescent.deviantart.com and ravenwindspirit.deviantart.com



Chapter Twelve:

The moment Sesshomaru set her down, Kagome began running to the wolf's den. She found Hakkaku and ran up to him. "Where's Koga?" she demanded.

The wolf looked to the priestess in shock. Then, he realized who it was. "Little sister!" he cried. Sobbing, he pointed to the cave entrance. "He's lying on the straw. I think he's dead."

I hope that's not true, she thought as she held back her tears and dived into the cave. She knew Sesshomaru was following her and quickly told the guards that it was alright.

She approached the wolf prince timidly. Kagome had been in the Feudal Era for well over two years now. She had seen entire villages destoryed and had witnessed, and played a part in, more battle than she could count. Nothing could prepare her for what she saw before her.

Her legs gave out from under her and she fell to the dusty floor. Tears streamed down her eyes unchecked and she had to gasp for breath. She could feel her heart breaking at the sight before her.

There was so much blood. Koga wore only a lioncloth, so Kagome could see the circular, jagged hole in his chest. His skin was almost white in colour and he looked extremely cold. Gently, Kagome touched his forehead and hissed, "Why isn't there a fire in this place? Can't you idiots see he's cold? Start a fire and bring me some blankets. Now!"

The wolves tripped and fell over themselves as they all rushed as one to do the priestess's bidding. She looked around her and found a bowl with some water and a rag in it. Thank goodness the wolves thought of that. She dipped her hand in the cool water and took the rag out. She squeezed the rag and then used it to wipe the wolf prince's brow. "Oh, Koga," she whispered, tears threatening to fall again.

Sesshomaru was shocked and amazed by what he was witnessing. This girl, this human girl, was crying over a demon! Never had he witnessed such an act. To him, there were demons and there were humans. Sure, he took care of Rin, who was a human, but that didn't mean he actually cared for the girl. Nor did he expect Rin to ever weep over him. The two beings were far too different. Or were they?

Questions began swimming in Sesshomaru's mind. He knew the priestess belonged to his brother. So, why, then, was she weeping over this wolf demon? If demons and humans were so different, why would Kagome care so much for one? Why would she risk everything to help one? What world did this young miko live in?

He watched as she wiped the wolf's brow. So much care. So much devotion. It was far beyond Sesshomaru's understanding. The demon lord made a mental note to watch the woman more closely.

"It's a bullet wound," Kagome whispered as she touched the side of the hole.

Bullet wound? Sesshomaru gave her an inquisitive look.

As if she could read his thoughts, she replied, "From a gun. Grant it, the type of gun that did this is not common in Japan. But, that's what this is, nonetheless."

He tilted his head. He knew what guns were and how dangerous they were to humans. He looked down at the wolf. That prince wasn't human, but a demon. So, how could such an ignorant human weapon do this sort of damage to a demon? Especially a powerful demon?

"This wasn't done by a normal gun," the priestess said, again guessing the lord's thoughts.

Sesshomaru growled softly. He did not like how she kept answering questions he hadn't spoken aloud.

She dropped the rag back into the water and looked closer at the wounds. "Perhaps, I could purify them," she thought aloud.

She touched the hole and closed her eyes. She focused on the wound until she felt a warmth under her fingertips. Slowly, she opened her eyes and gasped, "Miasma!"

"Ka..Kago...me," the sound of the wolf prince's voice startled the priestess.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "I'm right here, Koga," she whispered.

He opened his eyes and looked around. "Wha..What happened? How did you..." he stopped to let out a grunt of pain.

She pressed her fingers to his lips. "Nevermind that," she hushed. "You've been shot."

He raised an eyebrow and tried to get up. Pain shot through his body and he whithered from it. "Stupid human weapons," he cursed. "Why haven't my wounds healed yet?"

Kagome cringed. "It's filled with miasma. I don't know how Naraku did it," she told him.

"Can you heal me?" Koga asked.

She looked at the wound that seemed to cover his flesh. "I can try," she told him.

She held her hands palm down over the wolf prince. She then closed her eyes and focused on the wound. She pressed on his flesh and felt the warmth beneath her palms. Ever so slowly, the bullet popped out and the flesh began to heal itself. Smoke from the miasma rose like a snake over them.

Sesshomaru was even more amazed. He had witnessed the healing powers of the priestess, but this was incredible. Not only had she healed the wolf, but had purified the miasma without incidently purifying the demon. How did she do it? Did this mean she really could give him back his arm?

Kagome carefully picked up the bullet and handed it to Koga. "Well? What do you think?" she asked.

He sniffed at it and confirmed, "It's miasma, alright."

"Hmm," Kagome thought aloud. "That's probably why you wouldn't heal. The miasma was poisoning you."

The prince handed her the bullet back. "So, what do we do now?" he asked. "How do we defend ourselves against this? If Naraku can take such idiotic weapons and turn them lethal..."

"There's no telling what else he's capable of," she finished for him. Then, she realized what he had said. "Hey! Guns are lethal!"

Sesshomaru huffed, "Only to puny humans."

"But, I am a..."

"What's he doing here?!" Koga demanded, drawing his sword.

Still holding the bullet, Kagome placed her fisted hands on her hips. "He came with me," she snapped, before wheeling on Sesshomaru. "I'll have you know..."

"Where's dog-boy Inutrasha? I thought he was supposed to be protecting you," the prince interrupted again.

Kagome yelled, "Don't make me get you a collar like Inuyasha has! Just listen for a sec, ok?"

She paused for a moment to ensure she had both males' attention. The look on her face dared either of them to say anything. When she was confident there wouldn't be another outburst, she held out her hand with the pellets. "As a normal bullet," she explained as calmly as possible, "I suppose it wouldn't be as harmful to demons as it is to humans. However, by Naraku putting his miasma into it, it's become lethal to all.

Koga sighed, "So, I ask again. How do we defend ourselves?"

The miko shook her head. "I don't know."

~~~

The gang found the den in the evening two days later. Inuyasha was livid.

"I can't believe you left with him!" he shouted at Kagome.

The miko had been doing her best to keep her cool. Which, was extremely hard for her to do. As it was, if he yelled at her one more time...

"Do you have any idea what he could've done to you?!" the hanyou snarled. "This is Sesshomaru, not 'Fluffy'! He doesn't like humans. How many times has he tried to kill you already?"

"Inuyasha! Sit, boy!" Kagome screamed.

As Inuyasha fell face first to the ground, the young miko stood in front of him. Her face was the colour of crimson as she growled, "Koga was dying, Inuyasha! I couldn't just sit around and wait to get here. By the time we would've gotten here, he would've been dead. I had to ask Sesshomaru to bring me."

Miroku and Sango watched the couple. The monk shook his head. "What happened?" he asked. "How would Koga have died?"

Kagome, fury gone, sighed as she popped another meaty morsel in her mouth. They were sitting at a camp inside the wolf den. Hakkaku had given them a dead boar in honour of Kagome's healing of Koga. Though the miko had screamed at first, the others had been quik to gut, and cook the dead beast.

She then described to them the extent of Koga's wound and the miasma filled bullet she had found. Their eyes widened in surprise. "I wonder where Naraku learned that trick..." Sango said aloud.

Miroku thought about it for a moment. His head was bowed. "You said the bullet didn't seem like it was from a gun created in Japan," he said to Kagome. "It is not common to find guns of any kind here. Our kind have not forgotten the old ways. If Naraku is getting guns, he has to be getting them from somewhere else."

"Do you think he's been in trade with the mainland?" Sango asked.

"It's possible," Miroku answered. "Though, if he is, I wonder what he's giving in return."

As Inuyasha slowly picked himself up, Kagome thought over what the monk was saying. The idea of Naraku trading with the mainland did seem plausible, but it made no sense. What could he be offering?

Inuyasha huffed, "I don't care what he's planning. If Naraku thinks a few stupid bullets are going to stop us, he's got another thing coming."

"Inuyasha, this is not something to use brute force against," Miroku reprimanded. He stood up and approached the hanyou. Then, without warning, he smacked the hanyou on the head repeatedly with his staff. "Would. you. just. listen. to. the. words. we. are. saying. without. making. rash. comments!"

Once Miroku lifted his staff, Inuyasha jumped to his feet. "You'll pay for that, you stupid monk!" he snarled.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome's warning voice sounded.

For once, the hanyou calmed down. He took a spot next to the miko and sat cross legged. He put his hands within his kimono and bowed his head. The group looked at him curiously.

"How are we going to find out his plans?" Kagome asked. She seemed persistant.

The monk shrugged. "I could suggest sending in a spy, but who could we trust enough? Who could Naraku trust?"

"Hm," Kagome thought. There was no answer to that question. At least, none that she knew of. Everyone who was on their side were obvious enemies of Naraku. And vice versa.

They were at a loss as to what their next move should be. "What about other people?" Shippo piped in.

They stared at the kitsune, so he elaborated, "If Naraku is getting other demons to join his cause, shouldn't we be looking into other people? Humans and possibly whatever demons there could be? We can't be the only demons in this entire country who don't agree with Naraku. I'm sure there are plenty of demons who would like to see Naraku gone."

Kagome smiled as Inuyasha lifted his head. "Then it's settled," Inuyasha told the others. "Starting tomorrow, we'll begin combing the country to see who's on our side."

"And you'll talk to Kikyo," Kagome blurted, giving the hanyou a stern look. "And I do mean that. We need her on our side, and you will get her there."