InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Soul Within ❯ To Hurt ( Chapter 10 )

Quote of the day (from a bumper sticker): “I break for........................OH SHIT NO BRAKES!!!”

 

A/N: If anybody has a quote that they would like me to use, by all means, submit it. Thanks for your patience! Enjoy the chapter.

 

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The Soul Within

Chapter Ten

 

Kagome opened her eyes to be greeted by a dim light coming from the small, boarded-up window. She sighed. She would probably never get used to sleeping while the sun was up. However, judging by how faint the window light was, it would be sunset soon.

 

“Happy Eighteenth Birthday, Kagome,” she said softly to herself. Then she shuddered when she realized what her birthday meant.

 

If she had been home right now…she would be living with Naraku as his wife. Her body jolted in disgust, imagining what would have been expected of her at that very moment.

 

Kagome sat up and stretched. She rubbed her eyes and looked over at Sango, Miroku and Shippo's sleeping forms. Why did she wake up and why did she feel restless all of a sudden? She couldn't blame it on the sad excuse for light coming from the window…so what was it?

 

Kagome glanced at her sleeping friends and saw that Miroku's body had stiffened. Very slowly and deliberately, he sat up. All at once, Kagome felt ripple of anxiousness possess her body.

 

Miroku turned and locked eyes with her. “You feel it too, don't you.” It was a statement, not a question.

 

Kagome nodded slowly. “It's not a demonic aura…it's just…I feel very unsettled.”

 

“That's how I feel too. Something is not right.”

 

Sango rolled over and opened her eyes sleepily. “What's going on you two?” she said an exhausted voice.

 

“Something is not right,” Kagome said, echoing Miroku's earlier statement. “And I intend to go and find out what is wrong,” she said, standing up decisively.

 

“That's not a good idea,” said Miroku calmly. “In case you have forgotten, Inuyasha's youkai side is awake right now.”

 

“I don't care!” Kagome declared. “I'm not afraid of Inuyasha!” She lowered her voice and looked into Miroku's eyes. “Please Miroku? I really, really want to know what is happening,” she pleaded.

 

Miroku said nothing for a minute before he let loose a sigh. “Very well, but I will accompany you.”

 

Kagome eyes lit up and she smiled at her friend. “Thanks Miroku!”

 

Miroku returned her smile before turning to Sango and taking her hands into his. “Sango, dearest, would be so kind as to look after Shippo while Kagome and I investigate what is happening outside this room?”

 

For a minute, Sango looked like she was going to refuse. However, she surprisingly agreed. “I'll be out soon, it won't be long till it is dark,” she added.

 

Miroku nodded and turned toward the door, where an impatient Kagome was waiting for him.

 

“Oh and Kagome?” Sango called. Kagome looked back at her. “Happy Birthday.”

 

Kagome smiled while Miroku repeated the sentiment. “Thanks.”

 

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Kagome and Miroku walked cautiously down the hallway. There was no sign of Inuyasha anywhere. Kagome let out a small sigh of relief.

 

“Outside,” Kagome whispered. “I want to look outside.” Miroku nodded.

 

As they walked toward the doors of the castle, they suddenly heard a defining bang on the large, heavy doors. Wide-eyed and without thinking, Kagome quickly opened it to keep the visitor from making any more noise.

 

“Hello, we are here on behalf of - Lady Kagome?” said one man in shock.

 

The man stepped out of the shadows and Kagome gasped. “Daisuke?” Kagome asked in surprise. “What are you doing here?” she asked in amazement. Daisuke was a man from her village and, looking behind him, Kagome could see two other men with him.

 

Daisuke sunk into a deep bow before returning to his normal height. He looked into her eyes. “Lady Kagome, we have come to bring you back home. Are you hurt?” he asked in concern.

 

Involuntarily, she looked down at her arm and the man followed her gaze. “Lady Kagome!” one of the men said in shock. “You're injured! We must take you back with us!”

 

Miroku, who had been silent the whole time, nodded slowly. “He's right, Kagome. You would be much safer in your own village.” It could've been Kagome's imagination (or perhaps her wishful thinking) but she was sure that Miroku's statement sounded halfhearted.

 

“Lord Naraku is most anxious for your return,” said Daisuke.

 

It was that simple report that caused Kagome to fall backwards. She would have hit the floor if Miroku hadn't caught her. She gave him a grateful smile as he helped her to stand back up.

 

“Kagome…,” he said, “You know what I think you should do…but I'll let you make your own decision.”

 

“Miroku…”

 

He smiled at her and gave her a quick, friendly hug. “If you decide to stay, you know where you can find me.” Without another word, he disappeared into the shadows.

 

Kagome paused. “Daisuke…” she said, turning back to the men from her village. “I'm afraid I can't-”

 

“She's not going anywhere,” said a low, even voice.

 

Kagome's eyes widened as she locked her orbs on the newcomer's. “I-Inuyasha…” He was…a youkai. Just like when she had first arrived at the castle. She quickly glanced outside and could see a faint golden light disappearing beneath the horizon.

 

Come on Inuyasha…just keep your control for a few more minutes!

 

Inuyasha didn't even look at her. “So…you thought that you could just barge into my castle?” he asked menacingly.

 

One of the men looked frightened. “W-We have come for Lady Kagome. We are here to return her to Lord Naraku!” he declared bravely.

 

Inuyasha smirked darkly. “Good luck doing that with a dead body.”

 

Suddenly, he lunged at the man and swiped his razor-sharp claws across his chest. With an agonized scream, the man slumped forward. Inuyasha turned to the next man and shoved his fist through his abdomen.

 

Kagome knew that she should do something to help them…but she couldn't move. She was in shock. Unable to run or help the villagers, she could only close her eyes and wait for it to be over. A few seconds later, she heard Daisuke's yell of pain as he too met his end.

 

Kagome! Snap out of it! Open your eyes, girl!

 

Kagome slowly opened her eyes and saw that Inuyasha was walking toward her. His eyes were malicious and his lips were curved upward in a taunting smile. Abruptly, he seized her arms and roughly pinned her to the wall.

 

Kagome knew that she had to use her powers to protect herself but…her mind seemed to be working in slow motion. All at once, she felt like a beginner miko that was struggling to learn how to use the power within.

 

Inuyasha's eyes glinted wickedly. “You should have gone home when I told you to, Ka-go-me. No Miroku to save you this time.”

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome whispered. “Don't.” She shut her eyes and braced herself, ignoring the pain that he was generating by gripping her injured arm.

 

Three…two…one and a half…one and a quarter…

 

Kagome tentatively opened her eyes and was met with obscurity. Through the darkness, she could faintly make out Inuyasha's shadowy form.

 

“Kagome?” asked a bewildered voice.

 

Kagome nearly collapsed in relief. He was back. The human voice that she knew so well was back. Slowly, the grip loosened on his arm.

 

Just as Kagome exhaled, Inuyasha exploded. “Are you insane! What are you doing out here! Are you trying to get yourself killed! I told you to go home! Do you know what could have-!” He came to a halt.

 

Kagome looked up to see what had his attention and stiffened. He was looking at…the slaughtered villagers.

 

“I did that.” Inuyasha said flatly. It wasn't a question.

 

“I-Inuyasha, you weren't yourself.”

 

His eyes hardened. “You don't get it. That monster…is me.” Without another word, he vanished through the castle doors.

 

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A/N: Be very happy. I was GOING to leave a cliffhanger. Well…this is kind of a cliffy since I am continuing this scene next chapter, but it wasn't an evil one.

 

Another reason to be happy: I posted this. I am so stressed out that it is not even funny. I was thinking. “Screw the two-week limit, I have work to do!” But, true to my word, I posted this on time. Do I get a review for my efforts? Lol. Expect fluff next chapter.

 

Now, it's back to making myself sick with stress.

 

Love,

Angel