InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Turn Around ❯ Chpt 21: Harsh Truth ( Chapter 21 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Turn Around:
By: AngelAnita

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE STARTING THE STORY:

I do not own any of these characters in this FanFic. -Sigh- Although I wish I could, especially Sesshomaru...-giggle-

All lettering in ITALICS means the person is having these thoughts in their head. They are not spoken out loud.

Word Key: (Translation)

Arigatou - Thank You
Kami - God
Gomen ne/Gomen nasai - Sorry/Very Sorry
Baka - Idiot
Doushite - Why
Iie - No
Hai - Yes
Honto ne - Really
Onegai - Please
Doragon - Dragon
Gami - Toad
Ningen - Human
Nan desu ka - What is it?
Genki - Fine
Kudasai - Please
Yameru - Enough
Iku - Go
Nani- What?
Naze desu ka - Why?
Domo arigato gozuimasu - Thank you very much!
Matte - Wait
Ima Yameru - Stop it now!
Chikusho - Damn it!
Anata-no namae wa- What is your name?
Watashi no namae wa desu - My name is...
Do itashi mashite - You're welcome!
Damare - Shut up!
Ogaa-san - Mother
Otou-san - Father
Warawa nai - Don't laugh!
Masaka - It Can't Be!
Wakaranai - I don't understand
Bakayarou - Stupid Bastard
Kiesare - Get out of here!
Ano - Umm…
Oi - Hey
Chikusho - Damn it! OR Shit!

TO ALL: PLEASE NOTE!The Word Key will slowly be updated as the story moves along.

OKAY, let the reading commence! Enjoy!

XxXxXx

THIS CHAPTER HAS NO ORIGINAL REFERENCE TO THE ORIGINAL INU YASHA SERIES. THIS IS SOMETHING I ADDED MYSELF. Please take note of these changes.

XxXxXx

Chapter 20 re-cap:

Kagura looked down at her form, and nearly cried at what she saw. Her soul was leaving her body, although slowly. By estimate, she only had a few hours to live, if she was lucky.

Kanna's was doing the same, and neither knew what to do.

After a minute of thinking, they looked at one another, and had already decided their course of action.

Kagome.

XxXxXx

Chapter 21: Harsh Truth

Kohaku stood in the castle, staring blankly out the window. He saw the full blown attack from Sesshomaru hit Naraku as if he was nothing, and then see his "Master" crumple to the floor.

For some odd reason, his body felt different now that he was gone. It was as if the heavy ropes that had been tying him down were gone, and he was once agian, a free spirit.

Despite his new found free-ness, all of the heavy burdens about killing his family long ago washed over him in a flash, knocking him to his knees. Unwillingly, the salty drops fell from his eyes. The pain and sorrows flew through his head as if it were only yesterday, and his self hate was more than apparent.

He raked his hands through his hair with as much force as he could manage. His body was weak, the jewel that was holding him together had fallen out, and lay on the floor behind him. With interest, Kohaku picked up the blackened purple shard, and stared at it with distaste.

He hated the damn thing that made him kill most of his family.

Closing his eyes and lying on the floor, visions of the past unrelentingly reminded him of his previous actions. It hurt, seeing it over and over. The worst part was he didn't even know what he had done, not until after the massacre, when it was too late to save anyone.

The past was over and done with, and no matter how hard it would be, he would have to get over it. Naturally, large amounts of time would heal his mental scarring greatly, but the thing that would help the most was his sister.

Sango had always been there for him, and seeing the way she fought Naraku for him and for their previously slain village, he realized that she loved him more than anyone else in the world.

Too exhausted to even protest his past thoughts out-loud, he fell into a light slumber, never having slept like this in so long. Nightmares would plague his fitful sleep, but he knew when he awoke, things would finally be on the brighter side for him.

That's if he everdid wake up.

XxXxXx

Kikyo looked down at herself, eying her hands critically before leaning heavily against the tree trunk. She'd seen the whole thing; Inu Yasha fighting for Kagome, the love shining clearly in his eyes.

It was obvious; she really was nothing except a cold, useless corpse.

Flicking her eyes heavenwards, she angrily questioned the unholy and unseen being above out-loud.

"WHY? Why did this happen to me? Why was our love torn away from us? Did I truly deserve this? Must my pain be never-ending?"

Not expecting a response, she sighed audibly.

For the first time in her undead life, Kikyo felt emotions. They weren't the ones she wanted to feel, but she felt something nonetheless.

Sadness. Loss. Confusion. Anger.

She no longer belonged with him, or the living. She'd lost him, ever since she had died...but her love for him had never left her cold, dead heart.

Anguish filled her, and her cold eyes became wet. Kikyo looked down into the palm of her hand, seeing a tiny water droplet.

It wasn't raining, so what was this appalling drop of water?

Tears. Ah yes, those useless things weaker human beings allowed themselves when they were sad.

Silently, she continued walking the unknown forest path, head hanging towards the ground as she did so, in deep thought.

The strange miko, Kagome, although looking like Kikyo, proved they weren't at all the same. Her cheery moods, smiles, and energy showed her love for life. Always selfless, genuine, and caring...everything Kikyo was not. One day, long ago, she may have been like the girl...but it was too long ago to recall.

Perhaps that's why he loves her, and not me...

Wandering to a stream, she looked down into her reflection. Her eyes now streaming, she crouched down into the water and frowned at her appearance. Her hair was a mess, eyes slightly red now from the new tears, and her normally perfect posture had been completely thrown off.

Was this what depression did? Made you look as horrible as you felt?

It doesn't even matter...who do I have to look good for anymore...

A voice in her head rang out the harsh truth.

No one.

Who cared for her now? Inu Yasha wouldn't, Kagome certainly wouldn't, why would she? Kikyo had shown nothing but hatred towards the girl ever since she had met her. Suddenly regretting her actions, the miko inhaled deeply. There was only one thing she could do before moving on.

Walking a new path, she followed her way to Inu Yasha's forest, where Kagome would be.

She had a few things to say, before she left.

XxXxXx

Inu Yasha dumped Kagome on the tatami mat on the ground, while then laying Rin beside her. Kaede, hearing all the sudden racket, came out ready to scold the hanyou.

The sight that met her eyes made her forget all thought, and her jaw gaped open.

"Well, ye really have done it this time, Inu Yasha..."

He breathed in an exasperated breath, showing his worry for the girls.

"Can't you do something, you old hag?"

Ignoring his crude comment, she ran off to her small cabinet to retrieve her herbs. Knowing these would help the energy-less women, she started making the thick consistency ailment.

After pouring the green and awful smelling mixture into two cups, she then proceeded to make another concoction.

Inu Yasha wrinkled his nose at the contents in the cups, but said nothing when Kaede ran off to get a bowl.

The old miko seemingly making something else, Inu Yasha allowed himself to sit down on the floor in-between the girls. With caution, he rested his hand in Kagome's limp one, hoping for her to be all right.

At this point in time, there was nothing else he could do. He'd brought them here, and hoped like hell Kaede would be able to do something.

Thank kami she wasn't a useless old hag.

His lips quirked upwards in a slight smile, despite the peril they were in.

No matter how much he made it seem so, he didn't hate the old woman. She proved to be of much use over the time they had known her, and always offered wise advice. Not only that, but she had a remedy for almost everything, and that proved to be resourceful over their long and dangerous travels. It was too bad she couldn't travel with them; she would be a walking-talking healing machine of sorts.

She was one of the few people he looked up to, but hell if he would ever tell her that. It would blow his pride.

Reassuring himself of the girls' condition, he allowed a flat palm to fall over their hearts, letting out a held in breath of assurance when their hearts were still pumping the blood through their veins.

Visually, he looked over their physical state of health.

Kagome had minor cuts and bruises all over her body, some minimally bleeding in a few places, but it was nothing to get worried about.

Rin, on the other hand, was a disaster.

The wound below her chest had been pouring nonstop, and the only thing he had done was tie clothing around it to slow the blood flow.

What else could he have done? Called upon some inner power that would instantly heal her and Kagome? Not likely.

Other than her lower chest wound, she had many other varying degree wounds. Jagged slits which still bleed almost completely covered her body; many of her nails had been smashed in, leaving the tender skin below exposed and bleeding; one of her ankles was badly sprained and swelling more and more by the minute.

Even her beautiful face was marred with the ugly markings, her upper lip bleeding, and several purple bruises covered her cheek and forehead. Her head had suffered a wound at one point, and it bled too, but only a little. Rin's clothes had long ago been soaked with her own (and most likely, Naraku's) blood, the original colours now unknown.

To be honest, it looked like she had been in a train wreck.

When she awoke, if she didn't immediately start crying from all the pain, he would be shocked to no end. He would probably cry if he was in her position, for Christ's sakes.

Leaving their side temporarily, he went and fetched the somewhat rusty bucket from the back of the hut. Using his demonic speed, he raced to the stream nearby the village and filled it with the cold water. Running back, he tore off a small piece of his fire rat haori, and used it as a rag.

After dipping it in the water, he gently dragged it across Kagome to clean off all of the blood.

Nodding his head in satisfaction twenty minutes later when he could now see her skin colour and not the dried, caked blood, he went to start working on Rin.

A noise from the door stopped him from doing so.

Seeing Sesshomaru, he froze in place, his eyes locking with his half brother's.

Sesshomaru took Rin in his eyesight for the first time in so long. His once beautiful and innocent girl was barely recognizable. Covered from head to toe, literally, in wounds, a noise left his throat, voicing his distress.

Kaede conveniently appeared, the black thick goo in her bowl finally made.

"Lord Sesshomaru", she said respectfully, bowing as low as she could for the demon.

"Kaede." His eyes floated to the concoction in the bowl, but he said nothing.

Slowly, as if to not wake the girls, he walked over to Rin and crouched down to her.

Never seeing this sort of behaviour from his brother before, Inu Yasha watched intriguingly. Silence washed over him; he was speechless.

His brother, mister high-and-mighty, was going on his knees to a human girl? Never in his lifetime did Inu Yasha think he would see his brother do something so...out of character. Deciding it was best to not question it, he got up and left the hut, waiting for the others to arrive.

Kagome was fine for the time being, and as far as he could tell, Sesshomaru wanted alone time with Rin. Not that he could blame him; he hadn't seen her in so long.

Glancing at Kaede, he frowned slightly, his brows drawn tightly together in anxiety.

He had to give his brother credit, though; Not only had he brought the girls back in one piece, Inu Yasha had enough brains to tie Rin's major stab wound, temporarily stopping the flow.

Reaching his clawed hand down, he brushed the bangs from her face. He critically studied the gashes, bruises, and swelling, but breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that these would all heal over time.

All he cared was that she lived healthily, and kept her happy, energetic spirit. That was all he ever cared about, wasn't it? He just wanted her to be herself...

No, that wasn't true. There was something else he had always wanted, but didn't realize it until as of recent.

Her love.

Scoffing at the idea of love, he turned his head to where Kaede watched them silently.

"Would you like me to put this on Rin, or would you rather do it?"

His answer didn't surprise him.

"I'll do it," he said without a moments hesitation.

"Very well. Make sure to apply it thickly and evenly all over her exposed body, where the wounds are present. It is to stay on for half a day, and then washed off. Then a new layer is put on, and this process continues twice a day every day until the wounds are almost completely healed."

Sesshomaru nodded his head numbly, still being in shock at seeing Rin again. Warily accepting the bowl from the aged miko, he grabbed her hand before she had a chance to leave.

"Thank you," he said in a deep voice, bowing his head.

The miko merely gave a small smile, a showing of her appreciation in return as she left them alone.

Taking a deep breath, he began the process of putting on the mixture with his clawed hands, completely tuned out from the world around him.

All of his concentration was on Rin, and her slow healing process.

XxXxXx

Inu Yasha exasperatedly explain the situation to them outside, as to why they couldn't go in the hut.

Miroku nodded his head in acceptance, and sat down against the nearest tree, thankful for its presence. Gazing at his now kazanna-free hand, he smiled.

The curse is gone, and I will no longer be burdened.

Sango seemingly knew what he was smiling about, and joined him beside the tree. Sitting closely together, they entered an embrace that held so much feeling that nothing could break it. Stifling the urge to cry happy tears, Sango wiped her eyes quickly.

Although it was a happy time for Miroku and herself, she unfortunately couldn't say the same for her companions that were inside the hut.

To be honest, she didn't even know what sort of condition they were in; during the battle, she didn't have much time to look at herself, never mind their condition.

She sighed heavily, her head weighing down on Miroku's shoulder. He was her emotional support right now, and he gave it to her willingly. She smiled a smile of thanks up at him, and closed her eyes against his chest, inhaling his natural scent.

Inu Yasha made a "Keh!" sound, and trotted off to the riverbank.

Staring out into its deep blue depths, he could see something fast approaching. Not knowing what it was, or rather, what they were, he withdrew tetsuiga and stood in a battle stance.

Oh good god, not another battle...Do I even have the strength for this right now?

Mentally chiding himself about his weakness, he prepared for what was to come.

XxXxXx

"Hmmm...should I stop now, and be really mean?"

"Hears screams of "If you stop right now, ""I'll hate you forever, you cliff-hanger-maker-BITCH!"""

"O.O;;"

"Sweat drop"

"Ok ok! You win! I'll keep going! Sheesh..."

XxXxXx

He visibly relaxed when the silhouettes of Kagura and Kanna entered his sights. It was only the girls. Now that Naraku was gone, they were completely worthless in physical strength. After all, Naraku was keeping them alive, but now that he was gone...

Looking in their direction suspiciously again, his eyes widened at what he saw. Their spirits were being drained! Slowly, but still visible to his eyes, they were becoming more and more invisible with each second that passed.

They only had a day, two maximum, until they died.

Waiting patiently for them to touch ground, he looked at their distressed faces.

"Where...-pant- is Kagome?"

"Yes, we need to speak to Kagome!"

Kanna's voice was no longer monotone and dead, it had a sound of its own. Somewhat pleasant and higher pitched; a frightened look on her porcelain-like face. She had a soul and emotions now; what a shame that with each passing moment they were being drained from her.

"Kagome...she isn't even conscious...the last time she was conscious was during the battle."

"But that was over five hours ago!" Kagura was worried for their lives; now they were free, but they were dieing. What a sad irony.

"There is nothing you can do except sit, and wait, just like the rest of us."

He didn't mean for his voice to sound so cold, truly; but he was just so god damned upset at the moment.

The demon females flinched at his tone, but walked away from him and towards the hut.

"Oi! Where are you going?"

"To the hut!" They exclaimed together, jogging over, despite the pain in their bodies.

The closer they were to the hut, the closer to her they would be when she woke up.

XxXxXx

Author's Note:

Ahh...I won't sit here and give lame reasons why it took so god damn long to update. I hope it was a good chapter, even though it took so long...and I swear I tried not to make it a cliffy this time.

I even made it longer than usual to make up for the long wait!

Pardon my spelling and grammar errors for this chapter; I was so hurried to get this chapter posted that I didn't get time to re-read it. I'll edit it after.

Or, if there are any questions, comments, etc. about this (or other chapters) feel free to mention them in your review! (and I'll respond with a reviewer response at the beginning of the next chapter.)

Thanks everyone so much!

AngelAnita

.