InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Sweetest Sacrifice ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

The Sweetest Sacrifice

 

Chapter Five:

 

Sango awoke to the crackling of a fire somewhere on her left. Groaning as every one of her muscles protested her movement, she pulled herself to a sitting position, looking around. The first thing she noticed was Miroku stoking the fire and roasting two wild bunnies on the open flame. Beyond him were the thick woods, disappearing into the night. Confused, she wracked her brain to remember how she'd ended up in such a place. “Houshi-sama?”

 

“Sango-san!” He jumped at the unexpected intrusion on the quiet. Immediately leaving his place by the fire, he approached her cautiously. “How are you feeling? I could find no obvious injuries on your person, but I may have been mistaken, and overlooked something.” He asked, crouching down beside her.

 

“Aside from great fatigue and muscle aches, I feel perfectly fine.” Sango answered honestly. “What happened? Why are we out here and not at… the…” Memories crashed over her like waves in a tsunami. The attack on the village. The battle with the youkai. Her best friend being slain in combat. Saving her family from being killed. Her brother's betrayal… “Houshi-sama?”

 

The way she looked up at Miroku made him cringe. Her eyes were so confused, desperate, hurt. She looked so lost in that moment, as she realised what had happened, refusing to believe it until it was confirmed. With a rueful sigh, Miroku placed a hand on her shoulder. Now was not the time for lecherous acts; even he knew that. “I am sorry, Sango-san. The barrier I erected over the women and children was to keep out demonic peoples. I did not know that someone would possess your brethren and attack the rest of us. I barely managed to escape with my life.”

 

“E-everyone's… dead?” Sango whispered, her heart wrenching. At Miroku's solemn nod, she buried her face into her hands, silently shaking. “Kirara!” She called desperately, pushing Miroku away. The twintail transformed into her larger form once again, wrapping herself around her mistress as she cried.

 

OoOoOoOoOoO

 

Kagome's feet hurt.

 

She had walked before, but never this long in one direction without a break. Inuyasha was always a few paces ahead, on the lookout for an ambush. He hadn't even explained to her why he was dragging her along with him, despite her many queries. Every time she would question him, he'd bark at her to shut up and hurry her ass up unless she wanted to be a youkai's dinner. Scowling darkly, Kagome glared at the back of Inuyasha's head. Shippou, from his perch on Kagome's shoulder, could smell the irritation coming off both of them in waves.

 

Inuyasha could feel Kagome's eyes in the back of his head. As grateful to her as he was for saving him, he wished that he could have just left her behind with a clear conscience. But, heaven forbid if Kaede found out. She'd have his ears hanging from the wall while she served his ass for dinner. Shuddering at the mental imagery, he slowed down a little as she started to complain again. He was so close to stopping and shoving her tabi in her mouth and whacking the kit across the head with her geta.

 

“Fine!” He suddenly burst out, hearing her open her mouth and take a deep breath to speak. “We'll stop by the river for the night! Just stop fucking complaining!” He shouted as he crashed toward the stream to set up camp.

 

Kagome said nothing, but beamed on the inside. It was almost dark, after all, and she was tired. She watched as Inuyasha collected firewood and deposited it in front of her, with a flint from within his haori's hidden pockets. Kagome wondered where he'd gotten it from, but reasoned that he'd picked it up at some point along the way while he'd scoured the woods during his stay.

 

Starting a small fire, Kagome cuddled with Shippou. She was worried. They'd set out two days ago, and it had been too quiet. The only breaks they'd had were to eat and only one to sleep, before Inuyasha woke them at dawn and forced them to keep going. She wondered what had him so spooked, but he refused to talk about it. Setting the bow and arrows that Inuyasha had shown up with that morning at her side, she set herself to building up the fire before Inuyasha came back with food. She had a sneaking suspicion that tonight it would be fish, from the splashing sounds that she could hear in the river.

 

Briefly considering asking Inuyasha for time to bathe, she inwardly scoffed at herself. However, she hadn't have the chance to bathe properly since the rain started, and she was starting to feel rather dirty. Her yukata could've also used a wash, but she wasn't so sure she wanted to do that. She didn't have a change of clothes, for one, and she didn't exactly relish the thought of asking for the time, for another. Inuyasha would likely snap at her, she admitted to herself, but if she really pleaded… well… he could only say no.

 

Right?

 

It was with this thought in mind that she skewered the fish that Inuyasha had brought to her onto sticks that Shippou had cleaned off in the river. Setting them into the fire to cook, Kagome thought of her plan of attack. She would butter him up, maybe feed him first and give him the largest two. Maybe she should give him half of one of hers? She could go without a little for a night; it wouldn't kill her. And heaven knew that he could easily put it away.

 

When the fish were done, Shippou whined that Kagome had given Inuyasha the best fish. Silencing the kitsune with a slight hand gesture behind her back, she began picking at her own food. Inuyasha watched her warily, not exactly trusting that she wasn't up to something, smelling the scent of determination on her. He wasn't so sure he was going to like where this was going. He knew he wasn't going to like where this was going when she offered him half of her fish. He took it anyway, but he knew she was up to something.

 

“Say… Inuyasha…” she began, “…do you mind if I bathe and wash out my clothes in the river? Its still fairly warm, and my clothes should dry by morning.”

 

Wait… that was it?

 

Eyeing her distrustfully, he ever so tactfully pointed out one little flaw in her plan. “And what the fuck are you supposed to wear?” He barked. “I ain't having you wander around the forest naked, wench.”

 

Kagome winced, having forgotten that little bit of information. With a sigh, she shook her head, realising that he was right. Who knew what might come after her in the dark? She should have known it was a stupid idea. In fact, hadn't she thought that before she'd asked him? Damn near smacking herself in the head, her surprise was infinite when a bright red obstructed her vision.

 

“I washed it earlier.” He blushed. “I need to wash my kosode to get the blood from yesterday's fight out though. You can wear my haori until your clothes dry.”

 

So happy that she was being allowed to bathe, she jumped in surprise, a large smile adorning her face. “Thank you!” She chirped. “If you like, I can wash your kosode for you while we're down there.” She offered, totally ignorant of Inuyasha's discomfort. Nevertheless, he shed his upper garment, holding it out to her hesitantly. Taking the white-stained-red fabric from him, she skipped down toward the water, calling out to Shippou to be good.

 

“Don't go too far, woman!” Inuyasha called, still in reasonable discomfort. He couldn't even tell why he was so uncomfortable; he just was.

 

“I wont, but don't you dare peek!” She called back through the bushes, undoing the ties on the yukata. She had it halfway undone by this point, when his next words stunned her;

 

“Like there's anything there that interests me!”

 

Anger like she'd never known erupted within her. It wasn't that she wanted him to look, but he'd just as well as called her ugly! Kagome had never been a vain person, knowing that looks faded with age, but it was still maddening to hear someone say that you didn't meet their `standards'. Rage pouring off her in waves, she failed to notice the effect it had on a certain hanyou at the campfire.

 

What did I say? Inuyasha thought to himself, cringing away from the source of the smell.

 

Kagome sighed as she laid the garments for washing by the riverside as she sunk in. It was actually quite a bit deeper than it looked, reaching up to the middle of her chest, but the current wasn't strong. Dunking her head in the cool water, she smiled as she ran her hands through her hair. She'd needed this. She was all dusty and dirty from trekking through the woods for two days straight.

 

Running her hands over her body to dislodge the grime from travelling, Kagome allowed a small smile to grace her lips. This was heaven. It had been a hot day, so it was great to relax in the water like this. She let her muscles unwind as the tension disappeared. Once she was satisfied that she was good and clean, she reached out for the clothing on the riverbank. Scrubbing them over a rock, she climbed out of the water, allowing herself to drip dry for a moment in the warm night air before pulling Inuyasha's red haori on over her damp skin, pulling her hair out from underneath as she took the dripping clothing toward the fire to wring them out.

 

Hanging them on some low tree branches close to their campsite, Kagome returned to her previous place by the fire, a large lump in her throat that refused to be dislodged. Her parents had always taught her that it was inappropriate to show so much skin around a man that you weren't wedded to. It was one thing when he was injured and in need of medical attention, but seeing him half-naked now was rather embarrassing; he seemed to think the same thing. Biting her lip, she resolved to get through this one night of awkwardness, and things would be back to normal in the morning.

 

She hoped.

 

OoOoOoOoOoO

 

Naraku was not pleased.

 

“Kagura!”

 

“Yes, Naraku-sama?” Kagura's voice was weak.

 

“Explain!”

 

Kagura bit her lip, not liking this one bit. “The hanyou arrived before I could take the girl. As I was about to escape with her, she used some strange power… I could not keep a grip on her.” She flinched as her master's laugh rumbled around the mansion.

 

“Do not worry, Kagura.” Naraku's voice was smooth and deadly. “I do not blame you. A miko is usually unable to focus her powers through her bare hands. It is a mere setback. Next time I shall send Kanna with you to drain her of her soul. You shall not have such difficulties thereafter. Now, I want you to assume control of the soulless taijiya that Kanna brought with her. I shall have use for them, in time.”

 

“Yes, Naraku-sama.”

 

Kagura left the room brusquely, sensing that she'd been dismissed. Stepping outside into the cool breeze, she allowed herself the luxury of a small smile. Her life may have been far fro perfect, but as least she had a life; at least she had emotions to feel, thoughts to think, opinions to voice. She pitied her elder sister, who was nothing but an empty shell, good for only completing tasks set to her by their master.

 

Perhaps, Kagura mused to herself, that may have been a better life. To be completely detached; not to have the complications of emotions holding her back. Kagura did not like to kill; she knew it was necessary to kill, but that did not mean she liked it. She acted tough and scary on the outside, but truly, she detested killing; even if it was based on the idea that it was her master that had ordered her to kill.

 

Sighing, she turned to the right, the bodies of countless soulless taijiya littering the bleak castle grounds. With a simple flick of her ornamental fan, the men slowly stumbled to their feet, the multiple flesh wounds on them slowly knitting closed. Kagura grimaced at the sight. All of the men were alive and fighting fit, merely lacking their souls. They had been victims to Kanna's mirror as the battle at the taijiya fortress wore on.

 

“There, are you?”

 

She turned to see her sister in the doorway, her mirror in her grasp. “There is one more… Naraku-sama would not have me steal his soul.” Kanna's attention turned to a closed door on the right of the compound.

 

Curious, Kagura blinked. “I see… no doubt he wished a reasonably cognizant leader for the rest of them, eh?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Humph.” Kagura snorted her disdain. “Whatever. So long as I don't have to continually baby-sit them.” She said airily as she walked off nonchalantly.

 

Kanna's empty eyes followed her, ever watchful.

 

OoOoOoOoOoO

 

Kaede was much loved by her people.

 

Though she was getting on in years, she still performed many duties for her village. She was the village Priestess, healer, and midwife, as well as a mediator in disputes. She kept the peace in her area, and, in return, the villagers bestowed upon her every kindness that they could afford. She received extra rice in the winter months, when the harvests had been plentiful in other seasons; she received many flowers and herbs from the women and children of the village; she was treated with extreme fondness and treated everyone in kind.

 

But, she was still getting older.

 

Kaede had yet to take on an apprentice for more than a moon, not having yet found anyone that fit the criteria to become a miko. She needed someone with spiritual powers, first and foremost; she also desired an apprentice who was kind and gentle and eager to learn. After all, a miko was like a mother to her village; she nurtured them and helped them grow and keep hope, even through the toughest of times. It was a miko's strength and kindness that helped the villagers look toward a brighter tomorrow.

 

It was no secret that Kaede had high expectations of the apprentice that she would one day take permanently. Many young women had approached her in order to test themselves. So far, none had seemed to satisfy her expectations, and were told as gently as possible that they may, one day, make fine miko, but would not do so in her village. It had caused many tears and upset, particularly when a girl had gained the favour of the villagers, but they trusted Kaede's judgement, and had often sent an escort with the young women on their way back to their homes.

 

She knew that somewhere, out there, there was the perfect woman. She could feel it in her bones. Her late sister had been such a woman; why would there not be another? So far, the girls that had come to her possessed most of the qualities that he had been seeking, bar one. She wanted a girl that could look into the heart of an individual, be they human or youkai, or neither, and see that the physical self did not rule the soul of the individual. She wanted an apprentice that knew the difference between a good person and a bad person, and did not judge a person merely on their species.

 

Was that too much to ask for?

 

Kaede did not blame the young women that sought her out. Many had had tragic pasts involving youkai, and were conditioned to hate the species as a whole. Looking into the cooking fire, she remembered the tale that her last apprentice had told her. Her father had been murdered by youkai little more than a year ago, and she had come to fear them. She had positively fainted when Inuyasha had appeared in the doorway to speak to Kaede, nearly purifying him as soon as she got over her shock. Inuyasha had refused to return to the hut until she was gone.

 

Sighing, Kaede set back to her work. Sorting herbs was tedious, as even the smallest amount of the wrong herb could spoil a medicinal potion. She had every confidence that she would one day find her perfect apprentice.

 

OoOoOoOoOoO

 

Delyina had never been more afraid.

 

She had no idea where she was; the room was dark, with no windows, the walls were made of earth, and only the tiniest amount of light came into the room through a bamboo pipe in the roof. There was a small doorway in one corner of the room, small enough for a hand to push food plates in and out, but too small for an escape.

 

Delyina had been over every inch of the walls and ground, being too small to reach the ceiling. He had concluded that she was, perhaps, underground, in some kind of pit. How she got in was a mystery, as there were no entry or exit points. She's tried calling out to see if anyone could perhaps hear her aboveground; she'd heard activity and voices above, but could not distinguish what was happening.

 

She was as good as blink and deaf in that place. Curling up into a ball, she did not wonder why this had happened to her; she knew precisely why she had been taken; the inuhanyou, Inuyasha, had explained her… unique circumstances to her when they had first met. She still bitterly wished that her grandfather had not overheard the two of them and chased the hanyou out of the village. She knew that, had she gone with him silently into the night, this whole thing could have been avoided.

 

But it was not meant to be. If this was her fate, then she would bear it, she had decided. Do your worst, she mentally challenged her captors, Inuyasha will thwart your plans for the other three; I am sure of it!