InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ This Wasn't In The Job Description ❯ Trapped ( Chapter 67 )

Chapter 67

 

Trapped

 

As they neared the cave, the path in the forest widened. It was well worn here, and other smaller paths met up with it. InuYasha put up a cautious hand as the astonishingly inconspicuous cave came into view. The entrance was irregular, and taller than it was wide. Light could be seen flickering off the walls inside.

 

“Let me go in first. The rest of you follow can behind me after I have entered - Miroku first and you girls last,” InuYasha said.

 

Sango, her hands on her hips and Kirara on her shoulder, looked a bit annoyed with the arrangement. Before InuYasha could turn away, she cleared her throat pointedly. He glanced back at her with an impatient air.

 

“Why can't we all go together?” Sango said. “I am as good a fighter as Miroku, and Kagome is no slouch. If there is danger, we should present a concerted front.”

 

“Sango, I don't doubt your fighting skills,” InuYasha replied. “But I trust no one I don't know, even if Totosai recommends them. Believe me, this is the safest way to proceed.”

 

“There is another plus side to this order,” Kagome chimed in. “If you go in behind Miroku, he won't be able to grope you.”

 

The agent's eyes went round and sad, and his chagrin broke the tension, making everyone laugh. Kagome winked at InuYasha and he shook his head, smiling. The remark took the wind out of Sango's sails.

 

“Good one, Kagome,” Sango said. “Carry on, fearless leader.”

 

They waited until InuYasha disappeared into the cave, the sun dappled silver and red of him slipping into shadow. Miroku went next, followed by Sango with Kagome bringing up the rear. The cave was surprisingly warm and dry, and it opened up the further back they went. There was a sleeping pallet in back, some pillows for sitting on the floor, and many strange objects and jars in carved-out niches in the walls. Kagome saw InuYasha facing a youkai over a low table. He could only be Kenmeimaru. The youkai was of medium height and slender build, with pointed ears, crimson eyes, and long, flowing red hair. He wore silks in muted greens and blues, of similar design as she remembered Sesshomaru to wear. Kenmeimaru regarded them mildly, hands folded before him.

 

“So, what is it you seek?” Kenmeimaru inquired, his voice soft and deep.

 

“We were told by Totosai that you could help us,” InuYasha replied. “Kagome, show him the tooth.”

 

Digging in her pocket, Kagome pulled out the tooth and held it out on the palm of her hand for Kenmeimaru to inspect. He peered at it a moment, then looked up at InuYasha.

 

“I take it this is your tooth?” Kenmeimaru said. “And what do you expect me to do with it?”

 

“We need to use it to fix my sword, Tessaiga,” InuYasha replied. “Only….it is not good enough.”

 

“Because you are hanyou,” Kenmeimaru said, nodding.

 

That is when InuYasha caught something out of the corner of his eye. It was small and round, with wings, and whizzed past them on the way out the cave entrance. The hanyou went for his nonexistent sword, and cursed. It had to be some kind of spy, and it reeked of Naraku. But was their host somehow involved? He turned, growling, to face Kenmeimaru, but he was not there.

 

“Where did he go?” InuYasha barked.

 

“One minute he was there, the next minute gone!” Kagome exclaimed.

 

An ominous rumbling was heard by all, and they spun around. A vibration shook the cave. It was coming from behind them. Kenmeimaru was nowhere to be found. Things began to fall from the niches and crash on the floor. InuYasha lunged for Kagome, and then everything went black…

 

~*~

 

The golem deposited his wriggling captive on the tatami mats of Naraku's stronghold. Kikyou glared up at her red-eyed, smirking captor. Carefully, she picked herself up off the floor, never taking her eyes off him. He crossed his arms, gloating.

 

“So show me, how have you been tracking InuYasha?” Naraku de3manded, getting right to the point.

 

Kikyou stood there mutely staring at him, chin held high. Naraku narrowed his eyes.

 

“She was holding this box when we found her,” Kanna said, holding out the nanotech detection device to him.

 

Quickly, Kikyou grabbed it from her, and threw it out the open door. Naraku barked for one of his lower youkai in attendance to retrieve it, but it could be heard crashing. The youkai scampered after it, and returned cringing, the device broken open and dripping pieces of circuitry. Naraku took it from him, and looked daggers at Kikyou.

 

“Fix it,” Naraku commanded

 

“Never!” Kikyou spat back.

 

“Master, we have intruders,” Kanna interrupted in a small, emotionless voice. “Sesshomaru's forces have been spotted massing on our eastern border…”

 

“Gather our troops and move to intercept them,” Naraku said. “And bring Kikyou with us.”

 

The golem grabbed Kikyou by her arms, and hauled her after Naraku and Kanna. The evil hanyou wondered where his spy had got to. Where was Byakuya? It was annoying, but it could not be helped. He needed to be at the command of his youkai forces whether he had the Shikon no Tama formula or not. It was past time to put Sesshomaru in his place. Besides, he had Midoriko's head lab assistant...he could always force all she knew out of her. Maybe it would be enough…

 

Kikyou gave up struggling, and began to think furiously. Her eyes darted here and there as she tried to figure a way to escape as they headed out of the mansion. A horde of slavering youkai, awaiting their master's command, stretched before them like a sea of nightmare monsters, their roaring like crashing waves. The seething mass calmed to listen as Naraku stood at the top of the stairs and gave his commands. When he was finished, the army turned and began to lumber out to engage the enemy in battle.

 

Naraku raised his hand, and a huge, winged, serpentine youkai came and landed before them. It tucked in its wings and positioned itself to be mounted.

 

“Tie her up,” Naraku said to Kanna, pointing at Kikyou. “We will fly out to a hill overlooking the battlefield. Place her on our transport, she is coming with us.”

 

The golem took Kikyou's wrists roughly and tied them behind her back, then tied her legs. She had still not devised a way to escape. If only she could reach in her pack, maybe there was something she could use. But that was a futile idea now, her bindings were far too tight. She hung her head down, her hair covering her face, so she would not have to look at Naraku's smirk of triumph and let him see her weakness. Although she loathed the idea, she had to admit having InuYasha around right now would be helpful to her…

 

~*~

 

The rubble stopped falling, and the cloud of dust settled. The winged eye perched in the tree watched and reported. Byakuya was satisfied that his trap had worked, and called his spy back. It buzzed out of the tree and flew back to its owner, positioned a mile away on a hill. Naraku's new minion opened his hand and it settled on his palm. The wings disappeared and he popped the eye back in his head. Unfolding his legs, Byakuya produced an origami crane, which grew to accommodate him. Climbing aboard, he flew back to his master's stronghold to report.