InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Circumstances ❯ Death Threat ( Chapter 19 )

Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! I know there are not that many people interested in this story, but it is my pride and joy and to know that there are even a few people reading means a lot to me. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

 

And thank you Sunset Miko for being my beta! (I guess I was the comma queen in this chapter)

 

 

CHAPTER NINETEEN- DEATH THREAT

 

 

Naraku sat back against the wall and pursed his lips in agitation. Inuyasha and his group of miscreants had made it far too close to his stronghold for his liking; he was certain that had he not sent Kagura to them, they would have indeed made it to him.

 

“Curses,” he hissed in the darkness. He was not quite ready to face off against his enemies. His time of regeneration was well upon him and he felt weak and unstable while absorbing lesser demons for his benefit. To make matters worse, out of three of his newest incarnations, only one was left alive and he was reluctant to send him off to battle. It was the being with four different personalities with four different names: Hukio, Ikkaku, Hiagi, and Ruki. The creature was highly unstable with his split personalities which made it hard to determine how well he would do in the midst of battle. If he could find a way to make one become four, then he would have a very strong little army of incarnations. The last personality could be dealt with accordingly. Naraku had no use for gentle minions; it would die as soon as the other personalities were made separate.

 

He hated being in this state; he was weak and vulnerable and it would take nearly nothing for one of his enemies to cut him down if they found him. Naraku could only pray that Inuyasha and his group would keep themselves busy enough to forget him, even if just for a moment. Trying to make one being with four different personalities into four completely individual things was going to be a lot of work, so his energy resources needed to be at full capacity. He had been resting for nearly over a month and a half and he could feel himself growing stronger.

 

Naraku flexed a taught muscle on his forearm and smirked. It would not be much longer now. Forget the massive failure that was the battle where he rounded up demon upon demon; he knew when to cut his losses. No, now he had an even better plan that would require less outside help. The remaining sacred jewel shards that were constantly held around the priestess's neck would soon be his, and then the jewel would finally be complete.

 

Naraku leaned forward and intertwined his fingers in thought. It had been over a week since he had checked in on his newest helper, Takahiro, and the last that he had heard there was little progress with him taking care of the young priestess. Naraku was waiting rather impatiently for Inuyasha and his group to get to the small village that temporarily housed Kagome. As soon as Inuyasha saw with his own eyes that a budding relationship had formed between Kagome and Sesshoumaru, a demon that Inuyasha could stand little more than Naraku himself, there was sure to be a clashing of swords, and with any luck, one or both of the brothers would wind up dead.

 

Thinking back to his reluctant helper, Takahiro, Naraku began formulating a small plan to perhaps speed things along. The death of the young priestess would surely be more than any of her close friends would bear to handle. Hell, they had almost fallen apart the first time he had been so close to being rid of her for good.

 

“Perhaps it's time to check up on my young Takahiro and his dear wife?” Naraku said to himself. “No doubt he would be glad to see me.”

 

 

****

 

 

It was late in the afternoon when Kagome finished her training with Megumi. They had been working studiously on aura recognition and tracking for the past few days and Kagome, come to find, was a natural. The old priestess had been so excited about Kagome's ability that she kept her late into the day merely to come up with test after test to watch her work. Kagome was able to discern one person's aura from another's and also tell what kind of energy was around them, be it peaceful or otherwise.

 

Megumi would bring in a few people from the village as volunteers and Kagome would study them for a short time before they hid somewhere around the shrine. The old priestess would tell the villagers to either think of something happy, sad, something that made them angry, or to just relax and try to think of nothing at all. Kagome was then to find them without moving from her spot and identify their emotions based on what she read of their aura. She was quite successful in doing so, and Megumi was more than happy to keep her busy.

 

“Brilliant girl, simply brilliant! Why, in all my years I have never seen anything quite like this! You have picked up this skill so easily…now if only you could do that with the rest of your training,” Megumi complimented her.

 

Kagome went to massage her temples but was stopped by a sharp wrap to the back of her hand by Megumi's old fingers.

 

“Ow! What was that for?” Kagome asked stunned.

 

“We will have none of that missy!” Megumi told her sternly. “Your flailing emotions are going to get the better of you one day.”

 

“I thought that priestesses were supposed to be emotional creatures,” Kagome relayed.

 

Megumi nodded her head a couple of times and stroked her chin thoughtfully. “No,” the old priestess said while shaking her head. At Kagome's raised eyebrow, Megumi explained herself more clearly. “Well, yes, but no. Girl, priestesses work day in and day out healing and comforting those in need of our abilities. It would not do to let them see you weary for they would just become discouraged. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes, I understand,” Kagome said, absently rubbing the back of her hand where Megumi struck her. “Um, if that's all for today, I really need to get to my training with Takahiro.”

 

“Yes, yes,” the old priestess said while waving her hands about. “Be here bright and early tomorrow morning, and don't forget the pails of water.”

 

“How could I forget?” Kagome mumbled with a frown on her face.

 

“What was that girl?”

 

“Nothing Megumi! I'll see you in the morning!” Kagome said as she left the shrine. She made her way down the steps and walked towards the surrounding woods to the clearing that had been dubbed her training ground. The shrine was at the edge of the village and so it sat right up against the surrounding forest. The entire village looked as though it was behind a wall of trees, which in effect, it sort of was. They were blocked off from view from any travelers, and were only indicated by the smoke from the fireplaces in the huts. It was a very secluded place that Kagome was slowly starting to get attached to.

 

Kagome continued her walk to the small clearing where she saw Takahiro patiently awaiting her arrival. Kagome jogged the rest of the way to him and she was quick to apologize for her tardiness.

 

“I'm so sorry Takahiro, Megumi kept me late. But I'm here now!” Kagome said with a bright smile.

 

Takahiro shifted nervously but shook his head to clear his mind. “It's okay Kagome…um, where is the dem- I mean, Lord Sesshoumaru today?” Kagome heard the accidental slip, but smiled lightly at his attempt to fix it. It was going to take a while for the villagers to completely let go of their years of discriminations, but it was a start.

 

“He had some things that needed his attention, but he'll be back later,” Kagome informed him. This morning when Kagome woke up, Sesshoumaru was up and dressed pristinely, although there was no surprise there. But for the last week or so he had removed his armor when he slept, so she was almost used to seeing him without it in the mornings. When she had questioned him on it, discretely mind you, Sesshoumaru told her that he needed to check on the welfare of his ward and retainer, but that he would be back before sunset. “Shall we start my training?”

 

Takahiro's stance visibly relaxed at the mention of Sesshoumaru being away, but Kagome took no notice of it. She did a couple of stretches and a few jumping jacks to get her blood pumping and then got set in her stance to await Takahiro's instruction. He took up his own stance and readied his sword. “Alright Kagome, come at me.”

 

Doing as she was told, Kagome charged for him. Their swords crossed and hit many times, the sound echoing through the clearing and making birds scatter every now and again. During her training she had strengthened exponentially and while she was still not as strong as Takahiro, she gave him quite a workout. He could no longer push her back with little effort; she in fact was the one to push him back more often than not now.

 

Takahiro swung his blade around, trying to dislodge the handle of his sword from that of her own. It left a wide enough opening and Kagome took it, tapping him on his side with her steel. He nodded and told her `good' before they continued on with the training exercise.

 

An hour past by and Kagome was feeling the effects of the arduous training with the aching of her limbs. The sun was starting to set over the horizon and Kagome panted with exertion each time she struck out at Takahiro. His movements were also slowing, but he was still the better off. He could see her having a hard time lifting her sword so he held up his hand finally for her to stop. “Kagome…I uh, I think that's enough for today.”

 

Kagome nodded in thankful relief and sat down on the ground beneath her. With her sword still loosely in her grip she laid back on the ground to catch her breath. Takahiro worked her especially hard today, though she was not sure if that was because he felt more liberated since Sesshoumaru was not around, or if he just felt she was not doing as well as she could be. “If I didn't know any better Takahiro, I'd say you were trying to kill me,” Kagome breathed out, still panting for air.

 

Takahiro's eyes widened marginally and he nervously scratched the back of his neck. “Nonsense Kagome I was…just…trying to measure the uh, level of your progress,” he quickly told her. He waited with bated breath while Kagome remained laying on her back; he didn't know if she could sense his apprehension or not, but he hoped that she didn't. After a couple of tense moments for him Kagome sighed again and smiled at him.

 

“So? How am I doing?” she asked curiously.

 

Takahiro breathed out finally and gave her an uneasy smile. “You're doing very well Kagome. You're picking up sword play quickly and you seem to have a natural talent for it.”

 

“Really?” Kagome asked. At Takahiro's nod she smiled again and then closed her eyes. “Funny, I seem to be getting that a lot today.” She sighed deeply then sat up to wrap her arms around her knees. The day was proving to be very successful for her and she couldn't wait to tell Sesshoumaru what both Megumi and Takahiro had said of her abilities.

 

“Um, I'll be going now,” Takahiro told her as he gathered his few belongings. “Have a good night.” He waved and within seconds he was out of sight and on his way back to the village.

 

“I guess he's not much of a talker anymore,” Kagome mumbled to herself tiredly. She shrugged and stretched her arms over her head before making a move to get up. She tensed when at the edge she felt the presence of unwelcome visitors. Straightening her back and collecting her sword Kagome shut her eyes to help her concentrate on the feeling. The small hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and goose bumps started to form on her skin. Her training on recognizing auras was put into use and Kagome's heartbeat sped up at what she discovered. She was alone, and there were five discernable demons with malicious intent coming straight for her.

 

“Well this just sucks...”

 

 

****

 

 

Still another week away from Kagome and the small village, Inuyasha and his group carried themselves through the thick underbrush of the surrounding forest with little patience. As per usual, Inuyasha was in the lead of the small group, walking side by side with the undead priestess, and followed by Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Kirara. Sango's lips were pursed and her hands clenched and unclenched into fists while they continued walking. Miroku inspected her out of the corner of his eye, trying best to decide how to placate the demon slayer without ending up the focus of her wrath

 

“Ahem…Sango my love?” Miroku attempted. In return he got a low feminine growl and an icy glare from the woman. Miroku grabbed a hold of the collar on his robes and gave it a tug to pull it away from his neck; Sango was very intimidating when she was angry.

 

“Sango dear, I'm sure she didn't mean it the way it came ou-”

 

“Can it monk! Don't stick up for her! She clearly insulted me and it is in my right to want to see her off to the afterlife,” Sango hissed out. Shippou cringed and decided it would be safer to hitch a ride on the shoulder of the now retreating form of Miroku as he slowed his pace to get out of Sango's line of sight.

 

Shippou leaned over to whisper into Miroku's ear. “Why is Sango so upset? You didn't grope her did you?”

 

Miroku dropped his head sadly before answering. “Unfortunately Shippou, I haven't had the pleasure of filling my hand with…er…never mind. Sango is upset at something Kikyo said to her today. It would be best not to mention anything.”

 

“But I want to know,” the little fox kit whined.

 

Miroku scratched his head in thought for a moment before he decided to enlighten Shippou. “Kikyo, however lightly she said it, in essence told Sango she believed that her slayer's uniform was restricting her movements because it was excessively snug. She then went on to give her a suggestion that Sango should be more careful about her food consumption, so that her uniform would once again fit.”

 

Shippou cringed yet again after Miroku's divulgence. “Kagome told me you're never supposed to talk about a woman's eating habits,” he said proudly while shaking his head.

 

“Indeed,” Miroku replied while wearily eyeing Sango's large boomerang and her set view of Kikyo's back. “Perhaps I should try and dispel her anger towards Kikyo before she does something that will upset Inuyasha. Buddha knows that we do not need more hostility from him.” Shippou nodded in agreement and patted Miroku on the head.

 

“I'm behind you Miroku, you can count on me!” the kit told him while puffing out his chest.

 

Miroku smiled at Shippou in appreciation. “Then I hope you still have that cold compress Kagome gave you, because I'll need it after the hit I'm about to receive.” Miroku sauntered up stealthily towards Sango who was still glaring at the back of Kikyo's head. He came up right behind her and took a deep breath before grabbing Sango's hips and pulling her back into him.

 

Sango blushed at first at the contact, but quickly gained her bearings when she felt his hands slip to her thighs and give a gentle squeeze. `Why do you make me do this to you monk?' Sango thought to herself just before she whirled on him and landed a blow to his head that left him debilitated on the ground. “Pervert!”

 

Shippou lightly tapped Miroku on his cheeks to get his eyes to focus. Having heard all the commotion behind them, Inuyasha and Kikyo stopped their advances and retraced their steps back to the rest of the group.

 

“You're an idiot, you know that Miroku?” Inuyasha told the half-conscious monk. “I guess we'll stop here for the night. You guys make a fire and I'll go get some food. Try not to grope anyone while I'm gone, will ya monk?”

 

With Shippou nursing a battered Miroku back to health, Kikyo and Sango were left to set up camp. Together. Sango scowled but started to pick up some firewood while Kikyo did the same. Neither of them talked, but Sango occasionally shot glares in Kikyo's direction when she moved a bit too close for her liking. Kikyo was doing her best not to think much on Sango's glares, but it was hard to do so when it felt as if they were trying their hardest to burn a hole in your head.

 

“Think I'm fat do ya?” Sango grumbled to herself while she bent over to pick up another stick for the fire. “Well I think you're pasty and need a personality.”

 

 

****

 

 

Kagome looked around the clearing as the demons emerged from their hiding places to stalk up to her. She remained cool and collected on the outside and, while not completely freaking out on the inside, she was still nervous as they closed in on her. Since she was in the middle of the clearing, it also put her conveniently in the middle of the small mob of demons as they circled her. Convenient for who still had yet to be determined.

 

“Lookie here boys,” one of the demons, with an exceptionally long feather sticking from the top of his head said. “Looks like we got ourselves an early evening snack.” The other demons laughed like morons in agreement and Kagome fought back the urge to roll her eyes in front of them. She was anxious yes, but she also knew that she hadn't been training with Megumi, Takahiro, and Sesshoumaru for nothing. Although, she was still pretty beat from her training with Takahiro earlier.

 

“I don't want to have to hurt you,” Kagome told them strongly, “but don't think I'll hold back on your sakes if you decide to attack.” The demons' steps hesitated only for a moment, but that was enough for Kagome to know that they were wary of her. She lifted her sword and dropped into her battle stance to prepare for an attack.

 

“I like `em feisty,” the obvious leader of the group said. He gave Kagome a nice leer that made her skin crawl and then licked his dry parched lips in anticipation. “You know our orders boys…get her!”

 

The group of demons was on her fast but Kagome held her ground. The first one moved to strike her with his sword waving precariously in the air and Kagome ducked out of the way just in time before it could graze her skin. While in a crouched position she took her opportunity to charge her sword with her holy powers and easily sliced through the demon's leg. He howled in pain as his right leg was severed just below the knee and toppled to the ground, but managed to kick Kagome's sword from her hand with his remaining lower limb on his way down.

 

She rose quickly and dashed for her blade when a second demon grabbed her from behind and held her arms to her sides to keep her from striking out. A third demon charged at her fast while she was being held, but Kagome had already formulated her plan. The demon holding her tightened his already strong grip and Kagome choked for air. Seeing that the charging demon was near, she pushed up off the ground with her feet and kicked the oncoming demon as hard as she could before using her newfound leverage to bend forward and flip the demon holding her over her shoulders and onto the ground.

 

Kagome swiftly reached her sword and somersaulted to get her back into the defensive mode. She looked around the clearing and took a quick inventory of the damage: one demon with a severed leg that was no longer a threat, two demons that were nursing slight wounds, but were back on their feet, and two more who had yet to take a turn at her. Kagome was mentally cursing Sesshoumaru for his bad timing in leaving, but decided that later would be a better time to dwell on that.

 

The four demons that remained were once again encircling her, and Kagome rapidly scanned them in an attempt to determine which would advance first. Without closing her eyes as she had done during training with Megumi, Kagome read their auras carefully. She waited until she could feel a higher energy that would signal attack. Finally one of them made their move and Kagome swung her sword at him with practiced ease. The demon thrust his blade at her and she dodged then took her own stab at him. The steel went through the demon's left side and Kagome gave it a nice twist before pulling it out to stab him one more time in the other side, this time with her blade charged with holy energy. The demon screeched and clutched both of his sides as if hugging him self before he was reduced to ash. Now she was down to three and Kagome stepped back to increase the distance between her opponents and her self.

 

“You think you're pretty clever, don't cha girlie?” the ringleader taunted her while shaking his head. “We've been way too nice with you and look what we get in return,” he continued while pointing towards his fallen comrades. He glanced to the side at the two who remained and motioned to them with a quick tilt of his head. Both demons charged simultaneously with weapons drawn and ready.

 

Kagome swung her sword to meet with the first demon's blade and the clang of metal on metal rang throughout the clearing. She pushed the demon back with all her might and he stumbled enough to give her time to turn and strike at the demon who had tried to get in a cheap shot while her back was turned. They crossed swords and he overpowered her tiny frame, quickly pushing her back to throw her off balance. With her sword stuck on the demon's own, Kagome used whatever means necessary to insure her survival. She quickly with as much force as possible lifted her knee into the demon's groin and sent him doubling over in pain. A quick uppercut, her fist filled with her holy energy made quick work of the foe.

 

She could feel her strength giving out on her, but knew she had to stay strong or she would not live to see tomorrow. She panted heavily, trying to catch her breath and brought her sword back up in front of her. The two demons smirked when they saw that she was tiring and holding her weapon a lot lower that previously. “Getting tired little priestess?” the wretched pseudo-leader teased her.

 

Kagome narrowed her eyes at him, giving the best Sesshoumaru glare that she could muster. The demon only grinned wider at this. “Don't worry little priestess, you can come with me and lay in my bed. I'll take good care of you.” She felt the bile rise in her throat at his remark but kept her impassive façade.

 

With no warning, the two demons lunged for her from both sides. Kagome once again took up her sword against her enemies and did her best to ward them off. As much as she feared for her life, she was more afraid of the demons making their way to the village. She did not know what their intent was; only that it was malicious and deadly. She was finding her self torn between being happy that Takahiro had gone home early, for that meant he was safe, and being upset that she had no one to help her in this fight. If she were to die, then the small village which had been tucked away from the ravages of war and battle for so long would suffer at the hands of these beings.

 

Kagome lunged but the demon dodged her easily. The other that was behind her did not waste time in striking her back, but luckily only cut through her clothes and left a small scratch. He hit her firmly on the back of the head with the butt of his sword handle to try and provoke her more. However, the blow was enough to throw her off balance and she cringed when she felt her body hitting the cold ground and almost cried when she saw her sword being thrown away from her. It was like seeing her own fate flash before her eyes as she landed on her stomach with a `thud'. She had fought bravely and strongly, but with no sword and at a disadvantage with being on the ground, it was hard to stay positive and believe that she would come out the victor.

 

It felt like an eternity as she lay there on her stomach, looking forlornly at her sword, before she was nudged with a hard foot and rolled over onto her back. She opened her eyes slowly to find both demons leaning over her with murder in their eyes. Her mind felt as if it were in a fog and running in slow motion. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears. Kagome was certain the demon above her was saying something but she could not hear him over the rushing of her blood.

 

The demon that had been the only one to speak to her at all clicked his tongue at her in mock disappointment. “Oh little priestess, I'm afraid that we've disarmed you.” He nodded once at the other demon and soon her hands were over her head, her wrists being held by or pair of large hands. The leader, who was currently the bane of Kagome's existence, stood above her smugly with his sword pointed at her. He dragged the blade down her front, tearing little slits in her priestess garb and nicking her skin every now and then.

 

He finished his trail and brought the blade up to his mouth to taste the little bit of blood clinging to the razor sharp edge. “Mmm, your blood is very tasty little priestess. Is the rest of you as enjoyable, hm?” Kagome snarled at him and he laughed amusedly at her. “Quite the spitfire, aren't you?”

 

Living up to her new nickname, Kagome held back while he kneeled down at her side and brought his head in close before she effectively spit in his face. He seemed stunned at first but then to Kagome's dismay he began laughing again before he quickly straddled her hips and put all his weight down on her. “No doubt you will be very tasty!” he said while continuing to laugh. “I'll have my fun and then kill you! I don't think I could imagine a more pleasing day.”

 

Kagome struggled to free her arms with no success then switched maneuvers and tried to buck off the one sitting on her. Again it was a failed attempt and Kagome felt her first bout of panic set in. “Get off of me!!!” she screamed at him. He brought his fingers down to caress her lips and Kagome bit him. Hard. Let it never be said that she had no outlet for her priestess powers for her teeth were quite effective.

 

“Fuck! You bitch! You just bit my fucking finger off!” To add dramatic effect, Kagome spit out the nub of his finger so that it hit him on the forehead before leveling him with a disgusted look.

 

“Can't say that you're all that tasty you bastard.” She knew she had it coming, but it still didn't prepare her for the harsh backhand that landed on her cheek. The force made her teeth cut into her own lip and it was now bleeding freely. Kagome turned her head to look at him and closed her eyes once again in preparation for the anticipated second blow. It never hit.

 

She opened her tired eyes and the sight that met her made her want to cry in joy. A green whip of acid cut the demon straddling her in half, and a second crack of the same whip decapitated the one holding her arms. Kagome turned her head to where the whip had come from and saw Sesshoumaru standing a couple yards away from her with a dispassionate look on his face.

 

“Sesshou-”

 

“Get up and clean your self,” the demon lord told her harshly. “When you have finished I expect you at your hut.”

 

A quick sweep of his surroundings ensured him that there were no lingering threats and he then left Kagome lying in the clearing. He could not stop those words from coming out abrasively, he had been gone for less than a day and already the priestess had managed to get herself into trouble. The emotion that he had felt when he saw the lowly cur about to strike Kagome made his stomach twist. It was something he had felt for only one other person-Rin-and the ramifications that came with having those feelings were something that he was not sure he was prepared to deal with at the moment.

 

Kagome sighed and gathered her bearings to stand. As grateful as she was to Sesshoumaru, his aggressiveness towards her had thrown her off guard and she couldn't help but feel let down. She swayed a little on her feet, but was soon headed back towards the village. The horrible event still fresh in her mind made her wince, sending her tired muscles into agony. She could see the lights of the small fires in the village and her shoulders dropped wearily. The only thing she wanted to do now was sleep for the next three to five days and then maybe she would consider getting up.

 

Kagome saw a figure running towards her so she stopped to wait for it. Takahiro soon made it to her side and he looked her over quickly. “Kagome, are you okay? What happened? I ran into the demon lord and asked if he'd seen you and he told me `she is alive' and that's all I could get out of him!”

 

Kagome smiled wearily at him but put her hands up pleadingly. “Takahiro please, I'm fine. I just had an accident, I'll be okay. I'd really just like to get to my hut, please don't think I'm being rude…”

 

“No, no of course! Take care of yourself.” Kagome nodded and continued her way to her small home. Takahiro watched her leave from his place at the edge of the forest. He gulped and ran a hand through his hair as he watched her disappear behind the bamboo curtain blocking the entrance to her hut.

 

“Quite a fighter is she not?” a voice sounded from behind him. Takahiro nearly jumped out of his skin and turned around to face a figure clad in a white baboon pelt. “It seems you shall have work a little harder next time. Even with your strenuous training session she still managed to defeat the demons. Don't fail me again Takahiro. The next time you do will be your last.”

 

Takahiro remained silent as he watched the figure in front of him disappear into thin air. Every time that…thing left, it seemed to take another piece of his soul with him. “Next time,” Takahiro said with a depreciating laugh. “The girl is too strong for the likes of Naraku to get the better of. The next time I may just find myself in an early grave.”

 

With one last glance back at where Naraku had been, Takahiro returned to his own home. He wasn't sure when the next chance to kill the girl would present itself, so he had to be ready with a plan. Unfortunately for Takahiro, he was coming to realize that he was easily expendable. Once his usefulness was over he would be over; Naraku would see to that.

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