InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Be Cursed ❯ Chapter Ten ( Chapter 10 )

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Shippou sat next to Kagome, holding her hand tightly between his small hands and willing her with every bone in his tiny body to wake up. After being brought back to the Taiyoukai's campsite, she had slept through the entire night and the next day. Now he waited - rather impatiently by now - for her to awaken. Shippou well knew what day it was as well as being the only person who knew what said day meant. With Kagome sleeping, she was defenseless and he was scared beyond belief that he would lose her.

 

Miroku and Sango sat off to the side of the clearing watching the miko and kit with heavy hearts. Seeing as how Kagome had been healed completely from the battle three days previous, she should have been awake long ago. Neither one had any clues as to why she had yet to return to the land of the waking; they were worried that maybe something hadn't gone right.

 

Rin had been spending time picking flowers for Kagome to keep her mind off of how upset she was. Sesshoumaru-sama had left with Jaken the night he returned with the miko to see to things at his palace and he had yet to return. Therefore, he had no knowledge on how badly Kagome was doing. Rin worried for the wonderful woman who was so kind to everyone; she wanted her to wake up and smile like she always did.

 

Inuyasha had yet to show himself and when Miroku had gone to see if he was still around, he found the hanyou in the same place as he had been left with the sutra holding strong. Normally, the half-demon would have been able to break through the ofuda if he struggled enough but apparently he hadn't even tried to get loose. He was also chalking his continued binding up to the fact that it was the day of the new moon and the hanyou's strength always started waning at least two days prior to his human night.

 

It seemed as though Kikyou had disappeared, though Shippou knew better. He could still smell her and he knew that if Lord Sesshoumaru didn't return to camp soon, Kagome would surely die. The kit started suddenly when he could detect his mother's heartbeat speeding up. Finally, she was waking up.

 

Kagome's eyes snapped open suddenly and she sat straight up in her sleeping bag, her face contorted in agony and a silent scream upon her lips before she crumpled back upon her bedding. Her blue-grey eyes were wide with pain and fear and the entirety of her tiny frame shuttered and trembled in distress. Shippou grabbed a hold of her hand once again and held it tightly while one small paw patted her cheek gently, “Momma…momma are you okay?”

 

No response came from the writhing girl except another terrible convulsion that twisted her body at awkward angles. Sango, Miroku and Rin were by her side in an instant; the adults trying to hold her down and Rin keeping a tight grip on her unoccupied hand, whispering small words of comfort into the distraught miko's ears.

 

“Miroku what's wrong with her?” Sango cried, tears welling in her mahogany eyes as she tried to hold Kagome's shoulders down.

 

The houshi shook his head as he strengthened his hold on the miko's legs, “I don't know Lady Sango. I think…I think we need Lord Sesshoumaru.”

 

As if summoned, the pristine form of the Demon Lord swept into camp and was at the struggling miko's side in an instant. The worried eyes of his ward, the kit and the two humans regarded him mournfully as if pleading with him to help in some way.

 

“What is happening here?” He queried in clipped tones, his face remaining passive as always while inside he was just as worried as the rest. When he had left to return to his castle, the priestess had been sleeping peacefully and he had fully expected her to be up and smiling upon his return. However, when he had come within a mile of his campsite, he could smell strong fear in the air and could feel the ricocheting aura of Kagome.

 

“We don't know. She just woke up and started acting like this. I've never seen her behave this way.” Miroku replied, still fighting to hold down the young woman. Even though she was rather petite in build, Kagome had always held fire and she would never go down without a fight. Apparently, the same held true in this case.

 

“I know what's wrong but momma made me promise not to tell,” Shippou said, his voice soft and choked with tears.

 

Sango looked at the kit with questioning eyes, “Please Shippou! We can't help if we don't know what's wrong!”

 

His head tilted down so his bangs shadowed his eyes and the tears that slowly leaked from his emerald orbs. “It's Kikyou,” he whispered, “every month around the new moon it gets worse. Kikyou is constantly trying to take what is left of momma's soul and the pull is always hardest now.”

 

Horror quickly replaced the looks of worry in the eyes of the humans and even Sesshoumaru's eyes widened a fraction. Rin didn't quite understand what was going on but she could easily tell from the people around her that something was very, very wrong.

 

The Taiyoukai regarded the kit closely for a moment before turning his hardened gaze to the miko's companions, “Slayer, I need you to take the fire neko and go to the village you traveled through to get the miko some new clothes. Monk, put up a barrier. I don't care what kind; just make sure that the undead wench cannot continue.”

 

Sango nodded and caught the small bag of coins that Sesshoumaru threw at her and saddled up on the already transformed Kirara. Miroku began walking around the outskirts of the clearing, chanting quickly and placing sutras around the entire area.

 

Looking back to the two young ones, Sesshoumaru spoke in gentle but firm tones, “You two need to go the stream nearby and fetch some water.” Both nodded without hesitation and - after retrieving some bottles from Kagome's pack - were taking off in the direction of water, Shippou taking the lead.

 

Sesshoumaru sat down next to the thrashing miko and plucked her from the ground with his arm and tail to situate her in his lap. Once she was in place, he secured her form with his tail and slowly rubbed circles into her back. “Kagome you need to fight this. The houshi is setting up a barrier.”

 

Pained sapphire orbs opened and Kagome tilted her head back to look at the Demon Lord. “It…it hurts…Kami it hurts!”

 

Inside the stoic Taiyoukai, a war was raging. So many emotions were generated simply due to the tiny miko in his lap and the only ones that were recognizable were pure rage and sorrow. If he had wanted to end that wretched creature's miserable life before, the feeling was at least double now. Hadn't she caused enough trouble in the previous battle?

 

Looking into those agony ridden eyes, Sesshoumaru felt his heart twist. Kagome had been through quite a lot that he knew of and just the thought that his younger sibling would stand by and even let that corpse within range of Kagome made him see red. Could the whelp not even realize how much power and love was held within the small frame of the futuristic miko? How could he so easily throw her away for that vile representation of a priestess?

 

The soft rustle of cloth next to him brought him out of his internal war and he turned his regal head slightly to the side to regard the now seated houshi. “Is it done?”

 

Miroku nodded his head, “Yes. I have it set up so that no one wishing to do anyone within the barrier harm will be allowed entrance. It should stop whatever it is that Kikyou is doing.”

 

A curt nod from the silver-haired Demon Lord was his cue and Miroku closed his eyes for a brief moment. There was a slight tingle in the air before a barely audible `pop' was made as the barrier came down around the clearing and Miroku stood and walked to the middle of camp to restock the fire. The reaction from the miko was immediate as she slumped tiredly against Sesshoumaru's chest. The ministrations to her back never slowed and soon her breathing and heart rate were back to normal.

 

Kagome lifted her head up tiredly and looked at Sesshoumaru for a long moment as if trying to gain a handle on everything. Soon, her eyes widened, a blush burst across her cheeks and she made a squeak of surprise and embarrassment before burying her head against the Demon Lord's solid chest. “Lord Sesshoumaru I am so, so sorry for the trouble I've caused.”

 

She jumped slightly when she felt his warm, claw-tipped fingers grasping her chin gently and turning her face up to look at his. Expecting his eyes to look like amber ice chips, she was rather shocked to see them nearly glowing, looking like warm honey. “There is nothing for you to be sorry for. Inuyasha is a disgrace to my father's blood and since you are part of his pack, you are part of mine.” His voice was soft and - dare she say - tender? He sounded understanding and compassionate; so not like the stoic Taiyoukai she had come to know.

 

Although she had always been sure there was far more to him than met the eye, she hadn't really expected to ever see it. There was a reason, she knew, as to why he kept his emotions locked away with an iron will and it made her feel special somehow to be able to see another side of him. His liquid golden eyes were still locked with her midnight orbs and the sheer intensity of his gaze was enough to melt her insides.

 

As she sat there completely entranced at the marvelous change in his eyes alone, a very peculiar thing happened. It was as if someone was super-imposing a picture of Sugimi over Sesshoumaru; two magenta stripes became one indigo stripe, the crescent moon faded and the lips titled into a warm smile. Blinking several times only served to do away with the haunting - and somehow comforting - image; however it left behind some very unusual feelings in its wake.

 

The warmth from his hard body against hers soaked in through her skin and gravitated towards her soul before spreading outward and wrapping around her. Twin suns of burnished gold seemed to glow against alabaster skin and Kagome felt as though she was drowning in their intensity. His strong hand was rubbing patterns against her back and his tail was wrapped tightly around her, lending her body the warmth it seemed to be starving for.

 

She was completely exhausted and wanted to simply sleep her life away but she knew she needed a bath and she briefly wondered how the Taiyoukai was even able to stand being around her, let alone holding her in his lap. A roar in the distance startled her back into reality and she turned her head away, a warm rosy blush tinting her cheeks. “Lord Sesshoumaru, forgive me for staring at you.”

 

Inwardly, he smirked. The color that had flooded her cheeks gave her an adorable quality that he found endearing. He was pleased that he had such an effect on her and decided to toy with her a bit.

 

“Only if you forgive me for doing the same to you,” he whispered against the soft shell of her ear, his voice dipping low and taking on a husky quality he hadn't planned. In order for his words to only be met by her ears, he had to lean into her. Leaning into her had caused her delightful scent to waft gently into his nose and it did unspeakable things to his body.

 

Somehow, she had still gotten the better of him.

 

Kagome made a sound suspiciously like a squeak in the back of her throat before she pushed against his chest and slid from his grasp onto the ground. Chancing a sidelong glance at Sesshoumaru, she saw mirth flicker in his eyes and the corners of his lips twitched. He had done that on purpose!

 

Tearing her gaze away from the Demon Lord, Kagome tilted her head towards Kirara and watched Sango slide off the neko's back. As soon as their eyes met, Sango ran towards the miko and dropped to her knees in front of the woman, grabbing her up in a bone crushing hug.

 

“Thank Kami!” The taijiya cried into the younger woman's hair, “I thought we were going to lose you!”

 

The miko hugged her friend back just as tightly, tears gathering in her eyes. Even if Inuyasha never would love her - never had loved her - her friends still did. “I didn't think I would make it this time.”

 

Sango tore out of the embrace, holding Kagome at arms length and glaring at her, “Why in Kami-sama's name didn't you tell us that this sort of thing happened?!”

 

Miroku sat down next to the two women and pinned his violet-eyed gaze on the miko. “Yes Kagome-sama…why did you never mention it? How long has this been going on?”

 

A light blush stole across her cheeks and she averted her gaze. “I'm sorry,” she whispered, “It's just…there was always so many more important things. The Shikon shards and Naraku…and Kikyou was never really around during the hardest times so I thought it better to keep it to myself.”

 

Placing a comforting hand on Kagome's shoulder, Miroku looked at her with warm eyes, “But you are our dearest friend Lady Kagome. If we had known we would have been more on our guard.”

 

Lifting her eyes from the ground, she met the steady gaze of the houshi. “I know Miroku…but it's my battle. I have her soul and she wants it back; it's been happening since she was resurrected. I've never been hurt so badly and in such close proximity to her at the same time so I wasn't worried about it. Even after…even after Inuyasha invited her to travel with us…I wasn't planning on telling anyone.”

 

Shippou jumped into her lap and cuddled against her stomach, the smell of her blood still making him slightly nauseous. “But momma…we all could have helped. Maybe if you had told Inuyasha he wouldn't have invited her along.”

 

“Told me what?” A gruff voice sounded from just inside the barrier.

 

All eyes turned towards the red-clad figure, wide with incomprehension, worry and anger. It was Sango who chose to inform the dense hanyou. Jumping up from her sitting position in fluid grace, she snapped Hiraikotsu from her back and brandished it at the half-demon, her mahogany eyes blazing in righteous anger.

 

“You selfish, arrogant, prickish bastard! Ever since your miko bitch was brought back to this world she has been trying to steal Kagome's soul! If she would've have died from that attack by the badger, Kikyou wouldn't have hesitated to steal her soul away! The only reason Kagome is even alive right now is because of Lord Sesshoumaru!”

 

The slayer's eyes were sparking dangerously and her chest heaved with the force of her rage. How could he be so damned dense? How was it even possible that he and Sesshoumaru were related?

 

The hanyou's golden eyes flashed angrily and he stared down the Taijiya. “Kikyou isn't a bitch and it was her soul first! If you think I'll believe that my cold-hearted bastard brother would have revived that wench just because he wanted to then you are just another stupid human!”

 

Miroku stood from the ground slowly, walking to stand next to Sango and completely obstructing the hanyou's view of Kagome. “He might seem cold-hearted to every single being on this Earth Inuyasha but he has more honor in his claw than you seem to have in your entire body. I have stood behind you through your confusion between Kikyou and Kagome-sama because I knew that your heart was torn. However, throwing away Kagome's life to `save' someone who is no longer even living is the lowest thing you have ever done.”

 

“Fuck you monk! What the hell do you know about it anyway?! You are the biggest pervert I have ever known and you want to lecture me about women? Now, move your sorry asses. There are shards to find and I am not waiting around here anymore.” Inuyasha snarled, glaring daggers at everyone present.

 

Kagome seethed, “Inuyasha, sit boy!'

 

Standing shakily from the ground, Kagome walked to Miroku and put a small hand on his shoulder. “Miroku-sama? I need your help. I have to take a bath and there is no way I can leave this barrier until my strength returns.”

 

For once, no hentai thoughts were present in his mind. The monk knew the time and place for such things and this situation was neither at the moment. Turning his gaze to the still pale priestess, he nodded, “Very well Kagome-sama. You know I can make a barrier with my staff and I can walk with you to the nearest water source. Before I take you there, I will go and erect a barrier around the area so you are safe when you bathe.”

 

He looked at the Demon Lord and questioned, “Lord Sesshoumaru is there perhaps a hot spring nearby? I am sure it would do much more for Kagome-sama's wellbeing than a cold stream.” The Taiyoukai gave a slight nod of his head and pointed off to the west. “Thank you Sesshoumaru-sama.” That said, he turned and left the clearing, hearing the half-dog demon rant as he walked away.

 

Jumping up from the ground once the subduing spell weakened, Inuyasha growled “You're not going anywhere wench! Especially not to take a bath with that lecher around! Just put some clean clothes on…Kikyou is waiting for us.”

 

If it were possible, Kagome thought she saw steam leave Sango's ears. Her face grew red with the force of her rage and she snarled at the half-demon, “Baka! You want her to go around that clay doll now? When she is trying to steal her soul?!”

 

Inuyasha returned the glare and the snarl, “Kikyou wouldn't do something like that stupid!”

 

Finally, Kagome had taken all she could take and she was going to put a stop to this once and for all so she could take her bath. “Really Inuyasha?” Kagome spoke softly, startling the two verbally sparring. Looking straight into his eyes for a moment in time, she walked straight for the edge of the barrier. She heard the sharp gasps from Sango, Shippou and Rin and she could feel Sesshoumaru's eyes on her back. It didn't matter…she had to do this.

 

Without slowing or even looking back at the hanyou, she walked right through the sparkling blue barrier…

 

…and stood stock still for a frozen moment in time before crumbling to the forest floor in agony.

 

The slayer wasted no time in darting across the small expanse of meadow and through the barrier. Once she was by the miko's side, she bent down and lifted an arm across her shoulders and settled her own arm around the younger woman's waist. Standing up, she sidled Kagome against her side and brought her back inside the safety of the houshi's barrier.

 

Leading her to her sleeping bag, she lowered her body and set Kagome down gently before whirling on the hanyou. His golden eyes were wide with shock and his mouth hung slightly open. “Did you see that? Do you understand now? If she tries to leave this area right now without any protection she'll die…do you really hate her so much that you would force her to leave the only thing that keeps her soul in her body?”

 

Golden eyes blinked several times before settling on a glare as his mouth snapped shut. His gaze flitted between a still recovering Kagome and an angry as hell Sango. “Fine!”

 

Miroku returned just then to see the woman who held his heart and the companion he was growing to feel distaste for glaring daggers at one another and Kagome trembling slightly on her bedding. Choosing to bypass the heated staring session for now, he made a beeline for the pale-faced miko and knelt down next to her.

 

“Kagome-sama?” He said softly as he touched her shoulder, “Are you alright?”

 

Taking a deep, shuddering breath she looked up into the monk's worried violet eyes, “I'll be fine Miroku. How about that bath? I can even smell the blood all over me.”

 

Giving her a grin and a slight bow, he said with a twinkle in his eyes, “Of course my beautiful lady! Right this way!”

 

Kagome returned the grin with one of her own and a sparkle of gratitude in her eyes as she accepted the offered hand up. Despite his lecherous tendencies, Miroku always knew how to diffuse a situation and make her feel better. Once she was standing and stable, she walked to Sango and placed a hand on her arm.

 

Blazing mahogany eyes turned towards her and softened at seeing her friend. “Sango-chan would you mind going to the hot springs with Shippou while I gather my things?”

 

Although she wasn't nearly ready to give up her point to the half-demon Sango could see the weariness in her sister's eyes and knew she had to concede. It would do Kagome no good to see her best friend and first love tear one another to shreds and although she was sure she could inflict some serious damage on Inuyasha before he did her in, she really liked her head attached to her body.

 

She nodded her head in answer and walked to Kirara to scoop her up from the ground and place her on her shoulder.

 

Kagome had just turned from her friend to gather up her clothes and bathing necessities when she felt a gentle tug on the sleeve of her tattered kimono. Looking down, she was met with sparkling sable eyes and a wide, gap-toothed grin. “Kagome-chan I have a present for you!”

 

Smiling at the beautiful child, Kagome knelt down in front of her and pulled her backpack to her side. “Really Rin-chan? Because I have a present for you too.”

 

Pure joy danced in the little girls' eyes and she giggled happily, “Really? Can I see?”

 

Nodding her head, Kagome opened up her bag and dug through it for a moment before letting a small cry of triumph leave her lips. “Ah-ha! Here you go Rin!”

 

Brown eyes widened and her smile got even bigger as Rin reached out and tentatively took a hold of a beautiful doll. It had black hair and brown eyes just like her and it even wore a pretty little kimono. Clutching the toy to her chest with one hand - as the other was behind her back - she gave Kagome the happiest smile she could. “Thank you so much Kagome! It is beautiful. Here is your present.”

 

Now, it was the miko's turn to have her eyes widen…only her face registered utter shock. In Rin's small, dainty hand was a beautiful bow made of white oak and laminated front and back with bamboo. There was an accompanying quiver of arrows that were just as beautiful as the bow and Kagome wondered where the little girl could get such a thing. She knew from her time how much money such a bow was worth - both in her era and the feudal one - and she briefly thought about declining taking it.

 

However, that idea was thoroughly trampled at the waiting look on Rin's face. How could she turn down such a wonderful gift from such a wonderful little girl? The answer was simple: she couldn't. So, Kagome gave the young female a brilliant smile and pulled her into a hug.

 

“It is just lovely Rin! Where did you ever find such a wonderfully crafted bow?” Kagome gushed as tears of happiness gathered in the corners of her eyes. How long had it been since someone had given her something - anything - just because they thought she would like it? She couldn't even remember. Sure, her mom always made sure the necessities were stocked at home so she could load her backpack and that was great…but…it never made her feel special. Oh she knew she was thought of, obviously, but special? Not really; that is, not until Sesshoumaru and Rin had come around.

 

Shaking her head to relieve her mind of that train of thought, Kagome gave the bundle in her arms another squeeze and placed a sweet kiss on her forehead as she pulled away. Rin looked up at her with her heart in her eyes, obviously happy that she had made the miko smile. “I got it from Sesshoumaru-sama's ar-armory? …yes that's it. From the armory.” She leaned into the priestess, her lips stopping a breath away from her ear, “Sesshoumaru-sama said it would be perfect for you and I agreed.”

 

A small gasp escaped her lips and she looked wide-eyed at the pretty little girl who merely smiled and bounced away. Her eyes followed the little form as she ran to said Demon Lord and then widened even more when she noticed he was watching her, a small smirk tilting chiseled lips. Warmth rose high on her cheeks and she bit her lip. Forcefully, she stuffed the rest of her belongings into her backpack and walked off to get that bath.

 

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