InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Perish Once More ❯ Chapter Five: Penance ( Chapter 5 )

To Perish Once More: Chapter 5: Penance

-Jasmine Fields

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"Kohaku."

Kagura breathed a sigh of relief. It was her first big break in almost eight months.

Naraku really was a slave driver when it came to getting his way. He was never fair - always cruel in all his filthy endeavors….Not even when he takes me to his bed. She almost gagged.

She really was fed up with belonging to his lordship.

"Come."

Although the summer sun still was high, there was finally a break in this humidity that allowed any being to breathe more freely. She was not excluded from the desire to have a sense a carefree normalcy - apart from the stench of death and wicked twines of Naraku's ferocious methods of…persuasion.

I refuse to think of that bastard today.

She was determined that no kind of ruin would kill her spirits during such friendly daylight. It was rare when either of her masters trusted her to a private moment and she sure wasn't intentionally about to screw up her chances of getting another day like this - especially on a beautifully peaceful day such as today.

Kohaku was definitely preferred company - more so than that Hakudoushi or Naraku. She groaned.

I definitely need to refuse harder.

"Kagura."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. Her body had taken quite the beating this week and she really just wanted to relax.

"Do you think…" he didn't finish his thought.

She peered-open one of her eyes at him, suspicious about what he had wanted but had not asked. Well, since his company was more enjoyable, she determined that perhaps she ought to try to talk to the boy.

"What? Do you want something?" She was concerned. Perhaps it wasn't very motherly concern, but nevertheless….

The boy was in a similar predicament as she was - without an escape.

Maybe he's starting to come around. Comas don't last forever, do they? Naraku can't have a hold on him for an eternity, could he?

"Could we stop by and see that girl?"

Girl? What girl?

"What are you talking about?"

"The little one. The girl who travels with that ugly toad."

Ahh. The one Naraku has abducted before.

"Why? Does Naraku want anything to do with her again?"

Damn. I really didn't want to be involved in any schemes of his today. What did I ever do to become so wretchedly cursed by Creation?

"No. He doesn't want her."

"Oh?"

"I want to…want…" He was stuttering.

Did he remember something?

She was patient…after all, he was only a boy…and gods did she understand fear and destitution. She waited for his sluggish response.

"I want to visit her today."

Hmmm.

She really hoped Sesshoumaru was feeling generous today.

But then again...

She would rather confront his wrath then to accept a reward any day from either of her evil rulers. In spite of her smug façade, all her lessons from Naraku only taught her that unless she ever did anything of her own accord - regardless of the repercussions - she would never feel a sense of independence…of freedom.

I am the wind…

"Let's go."

***

He couldn't believe his good fortune today. The warmth of the sun and the light breeze absorbed his lost soul as a welcome ally to his aching heart. Kagura was in high spirits.

Probably from his - no, their - master's allowance for a vacation.

If he could, then he would have taken a sabbatical to refresh his mind and ease the nausea that gripped his stomach on a now daily basis.

All he genuinely desired was release. He wanted his freedom…much like Kagura, he mused.

Except I…

There he was - stumbling over his words again…even though the words were lost in his mind instead of dead on his tongue.

I want permanent freedom…

He didn't want anymore death caused by his own hands or by any of Naraku's conspiracies.

No more.

No more destruction.

No more tears. Not his…not sister's. No more.

Seeing Rin live was only a small piece of his intentions….He wanted to talk to her and beg his forgiveness - on his knees, before that stupid toad…before his lordship, Sesshoumaru…yes, before Kagura. He would, indeed, risk Naraku learning that his memory had returned permanently.

He couldn't think of any other way. He didn't want to see Sango cry over his atrocities anymore. He didn't want to recall the bloodshed….

He had only struck besides Rin and Sister - without hurting her.

What was her name again?

I hear she is respectable.

Perhaps if…

It really was wishful thinking.

Perhaps if Rin and Sango do not forgive me…

She had the power to forgive, right?

What is her name?

Ah, yes. Kagome. I will ask her if the others do not let me ask to atone of my sins.

It was the least he could do - albeit only something trifle.

***