InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time Goes By; Life Goes On ❯ Evil Among Us ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five: Evil Among Us

Kagura just stood there gaping at the void of the chamber’s wall.
‘Where did that bastard go?’
She thought about following him, but decided to take things into her own hands. She did not know where the portal led to; all she knew was that if Naraku went there was sure to be devastation.
‘Kanna. Yes Kanna will know.’
Kagura fled out the door not bothering to close it. She had to find out just what was going on and Kanna was the only one she knew who would.
Kagura was just out of the castle when another pulse hit her, and the man she loathed once again controlled her life force. ‘Damn him!’ Her thoughts full of poison.
“Kanna,” Kagura whispered, “do you have any idea what Naraku is up to?”
Kanna did not turn to face Kagura instead; she held her stance and stared toward the forest.
“Kagura,” Kanna replied softly, “He will know.”
“Know what?”
“That you wish to betray him.”
“Kanna, did you not feel it? Did you not feel our hearts beating in our chest?”
“Yes, Kagura I did.”
“Then why deny our freedom. It seems when he goes through that portal our lives are returned to us once again. Why not take what is ours?”
“Kagura, Naraku will have you killed.”
Kagura started to respond when she felt the pulse and her heart beat once again, “Kanna I don’t have time for this. I will have my freedom you wait and see.”
“Kagura,” Kanna said as Kagura jumped on her feather and took to the sky.
“I will find Inuyasha and I will finally be free!”
Kagura looked behind her to watch as Kanna disappeared behind the trees.
‘Inuyasha is the only that can help.’
*~
Morning did not come soon enough for Inuyasha. He was up most of the night pacing the forest. Sometime during the night, Inuyasha had wandered into a small clearing. That is when he had picked up a slight smell of Naraku. He knew he was close but not that close. His arms covered in goose bumps and his hair stood on end. He could feel the end coming. He knew their final battle was approaching and the outcome depended on them.
“Inuyasha don’t you think it is too early to break camp?” Miroku asked in exasperation. He knew Inuyasha wanted to get to the village but leaving before daybreak was not normal.
“Feh, the sooner we get to village the sooner we can leave and find Naraku,” Inuyasha scowled, “Besides what else do we have to do?” He did not want to tell them about Naraku being close. He wanted this time to think of an attack. If he learned anything from Kagome, it was to be patient, and not run head first into battle. That is unless of course you wanted to become a demons lunch. Though he had told her that he was stronger than she was, but he was thankful just the same for her insight and because of her, he was a much better fighter.
Sango sighed, this was beginning to take a toll on her, and she wished she had the power to make him sit. They were all anxious, but there was no reason to huff from village to village.
They had come more than half way to the next village and they finally talked Inuyasha into stopping long enough to get a bite to eat. No one said a word as the meal cooked.
Miroku could see Inuyasha's hackles rise with the breeze and his face distort with contempt.
“What is it Inuyasha?” Miroku asked.
“I don’t know. I can smell him but I can’t feel him.”
“Feel who Inuyasha?” Sango asked this time. She shot a glance at Miroku.
“Naraku,” Inuyasha whispered. He did not want to tell them, but they knew something was wrong by his demeanor and that he could not hide.
“Naraku!” Miroku and Sango cried in unison.
“Yeah, I caught his scent last night in the forest. I can tell he is nearby. Can you feel his aurora?” Inuyasha asked as he looked along the oaks and the pines. The forest was dim due to the thick canopy the trees made. His eyes narrowed as they jutted from shadow to shadow. He just knew that vile creature was there-somewhere.
Miroku closed his eyes. He had felt some auras when they stopped to eat but they were that of the lesser demons. Try as he might he could not pick up the slightest hint of Naraku. He opened his eyes and glanced at Sango who was also trying to find a demonic aurora.
“Inuyasha the only auras I feel are those of the demons that inhabit this part of the forest. Are you sure it was Naraku you smelled?”
“Of course it is Naraku! I would know that scent anywhere!” Inuyasha roared sending the perching birds into flight. He could not believe after all this time they deny his nose. With a low growl, Inuyasha took off to the tree tops.
“Shall we?” Miroku stood putting out a hand to help Sango.
She accepted with a nod and let him help her to her feet. Once again, they had to run to catch up to the despondent hanyou.
*~
The time had come for Kagome to be discharged with strict orders to stay on bed rest for the remainder of her term. Although she did not like the fact that she had to stay in bed for two more months, she was still happy to be going home.
Her mom offered to stay with her until the baby was born but Kagome refused. She did not want to put her mother out just because she had to stay in bed. She did however agree to daily visits, and soon the baby will be here and she will be free to move about again. That time however, was farther away than she wanted.
The drive home was uneventful. Kagome sat in the passenger seat and watched the hustle and bustle of Tokyo whiz by, and she thought about how much she loved the city. The lights, the crowds, and the traffic made it home. It was all she ever knew and when she found out she was pregnant she could not wait to show her child all the things she loved. She also could not wait to show him the place where she met his father.
The Goshinboku.
As they pulled into the parking lot of Kagome's complex, she let out a sad sigh. It has been almost four months since she had seen them, and she wondered what they were doing. Though a part of her tried to keep out such memories and thoughts her, she just could not help it. She loved them all like family and it was natural to worry about them. Her brows creased and her eyes slid shut trapping the unshed tears in their barrier. She would not cry.
She got out of the car with her mother’s help and headed into her wonderful apartment. She loved this place; it was her small palace, her humble abode.
She was about to climb into bed when a wave of fear washed over her, and vanished before she could comprehend what was going on. She shrugged it off and climbed into bed stripping off her maternity jeans as she did.
“Kagome do you need anything?” Her mother asked from the kitchen.
“No mom I am just going to lie down for a little while.” Kagome answered stifling back a yawn. Even after all the sleep she received at the hospital, she was still tired.
Before her eyes could drift closed another wave of fear coursed through her veins causing her to bolt upright. Her mouth opened in a silent scream and her face contoured with pure terror.
‘I know this feeling. But how?’
Kagome flew from the bed and throwing the comforter to a heap on the floor and hurried through the house to the balcony. She could feel him. He was in her time. ‘Damn.’
“Kagome what is it?” Her mom asked. She watched her daughter dash through the house like the devil was at her heels. There was something terribly wrong and she knew her daughter could feel it.
“I don’t know mom, but I don’t like it,” Kagome whispered. Her mind was reeling with answers. She knew what she felt but she could not figure out why she felt it.
*~
Naraku found himself in a strange place with huge buildings. He never seen anything like it and the stench was so bad it made his eyes water and his nose burn.
‘Where in the hell am I?’
He glanced back at the portal and decided to go back to his time. To the place, he knew and for a split second, he did not think he could go back to that horrid place. However, he did just that and found himself once again in modern Tokyo.
He had no idea where to start his search as he rose to the skies. The sea of buildings seemed to stretch on forever and his victim was amongst them.
‘Damn, this is going to be much harder than I thought. This horrid smell of humans and… what in the hell is that smell?’
Naraku decided to stay in the small patch of woods and gain his bearings once again. He knew he had time to find her and plan his attack, but for now he had to find away to blend in.
*~
Kagura searched for Inuyasha all the way to the forest of Inuyasha with no luck. His aurora was not as strong as that of a full youkai and she was having a hard time locating him. Even with the strong aurora of the monk, they still eluded her.
She had all but given up when she reached the bone eater’s well. She knew what that well was and about the power that used to exude from it. That is until Naraku decided to take the power for himself.
She could still smell Inuyasha's scent as well as that of Kagome around the area. Even after four months, they were as strong as they were the day Kagome was forced back to her time.
Kagura surveyed the small clearing in hopes of finding something. Her eyes darted from the dry cracked wood of the well to the surrounding trees, but came up with nothing. That was until she saw the red and white robes of a priestess.
‘Ah, a priestess maybe she can help me.’
Kagura did not know what to expect when she saw the old feeble woman emerge from the west side of the clearing. She could feel a strong power around the old woman and knew in an instant that she was one not to fool with.
“Demon,” Kaede greeted, “Why ye are here at the bone eater’s well?”
“I am here to find Inuyasha,” Kagura replied never taking her eyes off the woman.
“Ye will not find him here. He has not been around these parts in months.”
“Do you know where I can find him old woman?”
“Aye, but you will not get anything from me if your intentions are that of an enemy.”
“Ha, old woman do you think I would want to hurt a weak half-demon?” Kagura asked with conviction.
“I be not sure of your intentions, but I can tell by your aura that you are evil.”
Kagura let out a defiant laugh. She would hate to have to kill this old woman but if she did not shut her mouth, she would do what she deemed necessary, “Look priestess, if that is indeed what you are. I just want to know where Inuyasha is. I have no more than a favor to ask of him.”
Kaede eyed her with a wary eye before telling the wind sorceress of Inuyasha's whereabouts. It was with a heavy heart that she sent this evil being to the aid of her friends.
*~
Once again they trio did not get the information they needed. After fighting the hundreds of demons that swarmed above the small village and the invasion of Naraku’s scent. They left empty handed.
“I just knew Naraku was here. His scent covered the place. Why do you think that is?”
“I don’t have an answer, but maybe it was because all the demons Naraku possessed. They were probably the reason his scent was so strong. I mean there were hundreds of them.” Miroku stated with a despondent voice. He knew they were quickly running out of time.
“Whatever, let’s go,” Inuyasha ordered, “We have more work to do.”
Miroku and Sango were thankful Inuyasha did not run off. Even though words were scarce between the friends, it was still comforting to walk together to their next destination.
As they walked deeper into the forest the path they were own seemed to disappear into the underbrush. They soon found themselves heading to the main road to the next village.
Sango wearily walked behind Miroku; there was an uneasiness that racked her body. She could not tell what was coming but it was definitely not good.
She scoured the sky and the forest as they walked. She knew Inuyasha must sense it as well, but if he did, he hid it rather well. Miroku slowed and placed a hand on her shoulder in reassurance.
“I feel it to,” he whispered in her ear. He wanted her to know he was with her always and even though his lecherous ways seem to take hold, he wanted her to know that he was always hers.
“Inuyasha, do you feel it too?” Miroku asked taking his hand off Sango's shoulder. He noticed Inuyasha become rigid and his stride became more deliberate.
“Yeah I feel it, and it is close,” Inuyasha said unsheathing Tessaiga.
“Inuyasha we meet again,” Kagura spit.
Miroku's eyes grew as he watched Naraku’s incarnation land on the ground.
“Kagura what in the hell do you want?”
“Don’t worry half breed I did not come here to fight. I actually came to ask for your assistance.”
“Is your brain broke. What makes you think I will help you?”
“I have something you want. Something you have been searching for.”
“You bitch! You have Kagome! Where in the hell is she?”
“No Inuyasha I have something better. Something that you need. Promise to help me and I will take you to it.”
“Inuyasha this has to be a trap,” Sango said with conviciton, “She can’t be trusted.”
“I know that, but what other choice do we have. She is the only one that can lead us to Naraku and Kagome,” Inuyasha's voice trailed with her name.
“Inuyasha?” Miroku asked seeing the look in his dear friend’s eye.
“Miroku we have to,” Inuyasha stated looking back at Kagura, “Okay Kagura we will help, but one slight misstep and I will not hesitate to kill you.”
“I knew you would see it my way. Now come with me.” Kagura stated jumping back on the transformed leaf.
“C’mon lets go.” Inuyasha took off after her.
“My dear Sango I believe this is it. The battle we have all been waiting for,” Miroku said pulling her into a tight embrace, “And if I am to perish during this I want you to know that I love you and always will.”
Sango was speechless and her eyes began to water. She had never expected him to admit these feelings and now that he did, she did not know what to do. So she pulled him tighter, “I love you too Miroku, I always have.”
They reluctantly pulled apart and followed Inuyasha into a blind battle.