InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unforgiven ❯ The Deal ( Chapter 8 )

DISCLAIMER: My life is over! What do you mean, Inuyasha isn't mine?! Oh wait…I already knew that. This message is just so you know that.

A/N: Well, here it is. A new chapter! Wheeee! Well I'm glad you guys are enjoying this. This chapter brings a nice new turn, as we find out what Miroku is going to say to Inuyasha and Kagome…and how Inuyasha reacts to a smooth-talking, high-ranking soldier in Naraku's army.

P.S. cookies to tayla for identifying who Roy Mustang is XD

"Unforgiven"

Chapter 8: The Deal

Miroku's eyes began to water from the smell. It drenched his lungs and made him feel a bit dizzy. He was at the door of the dungeon, the better part of him wondering what kind of place this prison really was. All he could smell was death and rottenness, and it was enough to deter any man from entering.

But, sucking in a sharp breath, he crouched down to hook a boot onto the first rung of the metal ladder on the inside. He swung his entire body into the hole, and slowly descended the rungs, the bottoms of his boots colliding with a loud `clink' on the heavy metal. Contrasting sharply to the brilliant sunlight of the world outside, the caverns below were nearly pitch black, a few streams of light poking out here and there. He winced a little, hearing an echoing moan of pain drift from deeper in the cells.

He saw before him a single guard, stationed right next to the entrance. The guard looked him up and down, noticing the gold insignia of a ranking officer on his lapels and cap. "What is your reason for being here?" The guard asked, slightly suspicious, fingering the hilt of the sword at his side. Ever since a certain frightening dog demon had come to visit the jail, he had been on the lookout for further trouble. Kouga didn't want any more head injuries.

"Naraku sent me on business of interrogation." Miroku's deep voice commanded respect, and his rigid body showed that he did mean business.

Kouga nodded, as he rolled his response back with his normal cockiness. "Well, don't spend too much time with the prisoners. Who knows when one might decide to murder a visitor. Those bars don't always hold." He smirked, trying to scare the pretty-boy officer.

Miroku didn't even react to the warning. "I can handle myself just fine."

"Who are you here for?" The wolf demon reseated himself at the metal chair he had been sitting at before Miroku had arrived.

"A demon and a priestess. I believe they're locked up together."

Kouga snorted, hiding his surprise. "Kagome and Inuyasha, eh? They're on the bottom floor…the only ones there, in fact. Everyone else is top floor. I warn you…he's not really a talker."

Miroku made his eyes harden effectively, hoping his voice sounded as merciless as he meant it to be. "By the time I'm through with him, he'll talk."

Kouga shrugged in dismissal, not really caring what happened to the half demon. He handed over a long, thick candle and a book of matches with clawed fingers. "You'll need these." Miroku took them without another word, and headed towards the staircase at the right.

He sighed to himself, his shoulders relaxing a little. What would these prisoners be like- a human priestess, and a half demon? They had obviously committed some horrendous act against Naraku. That could be a good thing for Miroku and Sango, or a bad thing. If they were just insane killers or were not willing to help him, he would be back at square one.

Sango had begged Miroku to let her come along. She said she also wanted to see the prisoners to speak to them about the best way to go about murdering Naraku. Miroku had flatly refused, putting his foot down in the matter, which was abnormal in their partnership. Walking down the stairs in the gloom and the dark, with only shifting candlelight to guide him, Miroku wished he had Sango to brighten the experience…but, for her to come along was far too dangerous. It was a job as an officer, only he alone could accomplish without suspicion. If two of them went to the prison alone, Naraku would have more reason to suspect foul play. Plus, he knew that if anything dangerous were to happen, he would never forgive himself if she were hurt.

He reached the bottom floor soon enough, feeling a tiny shiver at the aura of death that seemed to hang in the air. Miroku, as a soldier, had seen death all his life…but the atmosphere here was like hell itself. The light of the candle only spread a small circle of light around his feet. He wondered where the two prisoners would be. His boots echoed with every step he took, and he for a moment considered that they would not know if he was a friend or enemy.

Suddenly, he knew without question that the next cell was the one he had looking for. There were noises coming from it…murmuring, as if the two were talking. Two empty food bowls sat near the sets of bars. As the candlelight flickered over the bars, the sounds stopped, and the cell became dead silent. Drawing in a deep breath, Miroku stepped in front of the bars, peering in.

Inuyasha and Kagome looked up, seeing with surprise the visitor that had come to them. Part of him was covered in shadow, but from what Kagome could see, he was tall, stern-looking, and dressed in a soldier's uniform. Inuyasha looked the man up and down, confusion and disgust written on his face. The last person that had visited them since Kouga was Sesshomaru….he was noticing a pattern that the only people that came to see them were the ones he disliked the most.

Inuyasha didn't try to prevent a threatening growl from rising from his throat at the sight of the officer. "Who the hell are you?"

Miroku's face remained unchanged, as he looked back and forth between the girl and demon. She looked fairly young, probably Sango's age, and, had she been in full health, she might have been gorgeous. Her skin was a little pale and her limbs were thinning. She looked at him with the unwavering strength that he had often seen in the eyes of the soldier's wives. The demon looked completely hostile, gold eyes flashing dangerously beneath dark eyebrows, as he growled menacingly at Miroku.

"I'm the Commissioner of the Palace Guard," Miroku explained, not revealing yet his true intentions.

Inuyasha looked displeased. "So, you've finally come to execute me? What took you so long?" A shallow smirk moved his lips. His voice was naturally deep and rough.

Miroku sent back a smirk of his own. "And, what if I were here to kill you? Would you plead the innocence of yourself and of the lady?"

The half-demon looked like he was ready to spit at Miroku's feet as he considered the question in silence for a moment. "I have nothing to say to anyone associated with Naraku! Are you going to kill me, or are you just here to be sadistic?"

The soldier didn't speak for what seemed like an eternity to Kagome, as his dark eyes moved from one prisoner to the other, as if weighing them in his mind. She puzzled over the reason a soldier would have any business with them, besides execution. All the information they could have wanted was already in Naraku's hands.

And, then, he spoke, his voice clearer than anything in the murky dungeon. His tone had changed, though. His voice was almost a cool whisper, now, and he dropped some of his previous formality.

"I am here to speak things….that a soldier should never say when in the command of a leader such as Naraku." Was the slight pleading in his voice an act…or did it mean something different? Kagome's mind began to dawn on a new realization of what the man was saying.

Inuyasha looked stunned for a second, and then resumed his hostility. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Kagome began to watch the soldier's movements, trying to find an explanation for who he was exactly, or what he was planning. The soldier took a furtive look over his shoulder, though this floor of the prison was known to be empty. They then watched as he crouched towards the ground, his heavy boots scraping on the gravelly floor.

"There are things I need to know." His voice was now hushed, and Kagome moved forward slightly so she could hear him better. "I don't know how to say this…but, what are your feelings for Naraku?" His eyes darted back and forth between the girl and the demon, staying sharp and wary, but he also seemed frantic underneath his calmed exterior. He looked almost ghostly in the flickering candlelight.

Inuyasha growled. "You come in a place like this and ask two people who have been locked up for months in these conditions what our FEELINGS are for Naraku? You've got some nerve! Feelings….more like fucking wanting to-"

Kagome raised a hand to effectively shush him, leaning closer so that she was facing Miroku through the bars. "We would do anything to get out of this place, and anything to stop Naraku from doing any more unspeakable acts."

Inuyasha spoke up again, this time not paying any heed to Kagome's glare. "Kagome, don't tell him anything! He's Naraku's dog, that's all! It's just an act!" Anger coursing through him, Inuyasha's strong hand shot through the bars until his shoulder could push no further, and grasped on tightly to Miroku's throat. His claws edged dangerously close to the sensitive parts of his neck.

"I won't trust anybody wearing that uniform!" He tried to clench down to bring the man pain, but, before he knew it, Miroku had escaped the hold by wrenching Inuyasha's arm quickly, curling it painfully around one of the metal bars.

The soldier now looked slightly infuriated. "I am not going to hold your reactions against you…" he whispered, fiercely. "But, right now, I am your last and only hope. Who knows when Naraku will decide to kill you. You have absolutely nothing to lose at this point by trusting me."

Inuyasha cringed at the jolt of pain that ran up the nerves of his arm, as he drew it back from between the bars.

"Then, tell us quickly why you are here. I realize we don't have any other options." Kagome looked pleadingly towards Miroku.

He sighed gratefully. "Thank you, Honored Priestess." He bowed in deference as he balanced the candle in one hand, and Kagome blushed. She hadn't been acknowledged as anything but criminal for what seemed like a lifetime. Her life as a priestess had ended when Naraku had come to power. "Seven years ago, Naraku murdered my father in the most brutal fashion, along with countless other men along the countryside. I swore revenge on him that day, and I plan to carry it out." His face shone with sincerity. "I was recently promoted to Commissioner of the Guard and now my…partner….Sango and I…we live in the castle.

"We need information of Naraku's weaknesses…and, most importantly, we need strong allies." He stopped speaking, waiting with bated breath for an answer from the two prisoners.

Inuyasha pouted, though he looked interested in the words Miroku spoke. Kagome looked hopeful, and Miroku again saw the covered beauty that he had noticed in her at first glance.

"I don't know much about Naraku's weakness.." Inuyasha began, quietly. "I only fought against him once. He is one of the most powerful men I have ever battled….and he has plenty of demons on his side. He always has a strong evil energy surrounding him, although he has human attributes…." He looked pensive and sullen as he curled his arms into his wide sleeves.

Kagome sighed. "I know as little as Inuyasha…I only was confronted by his soldiers….I've never actually seen him in person before. But, I will be your ally, if we can trust you."

Miroku smiled a little at her kindness. "Thank you very much, Lady Kagome."

Inuyasha snorted. "So, if you have a partner, why the hell isn't she with you?" He fixed Miroku with a pointed glare.

Miroku's face darkened slightly. "I think you, spending so much time with this lovely lady here, would have such knowledge. I am protecting her from the things that I can't control. If I am to be charged with betrayal of Naraku, I don't want her involved."

Kagome smiled despite the seriousness of the situation. "I'm sure she is glad of your protection."

Miroku's saddened grin was lopsided. "Yes…well, she's a little headstrong…"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at the sentimental talk. "Now that you've asked your questions, I have one for you. When the hell can you break us out of this hellhole?"

"I will do my best to get you out as fast and as safely as possible." He sighed apologetically. "That is the only answer I can give you."

Suddenly, an resonating "snap" echoed from the end of the hall. Miroku's whole body ran rigid, and fear of the unknown shivered up Kagome's spine. Had someone been there? Could someone have heard them? The urgency returned to the Commissioner's face, as he turned back to them. "I can't stay here any longer…if I am found out, we have all lost our chance!"

He leapt to his feet, thrusting out the candle to see if there was anyone nearby. The hall was empty. "I must go….!"

Kagome clung to the bars, willing that the man could stay just a little longer. "When will we see you again?"

He looked back at them regretfully. "As soon as possible. I will come back very soon to speak to you again. I will not forget the trust you have put in me."

"…Your name?"

"My name is Miroku!" And then, he was moving swiftly away from them, down the hall, and up the stairs. Inuyasha and Kagome were left in silence, both pondering what had just happened.

Inuyasha glowered to himself. "I don't know if I trust him…"

Kagome bit her lip. "I don't think we have any choice…" In her heart, she did not believe that Miroku's words were lies…but Kagome knew she was often too quick to trust others.

As the two deliberated in their cell, another figure listened intently. After realizing that the conversation was over, and that Miroku was long gone, Kagura stepped silently from the shadows, her fan held tightly in her fist. Inuyasha's nose had obviously suffered the consequences of the stench-ridden jail. He had not sensed her presence.

Now, it was her job to report back to Naraku.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Rin had been walking behind Sesshomaru for a day now, and she had decided that it was the strangest experience she had ever had. The demon was vicious yet beautiful, and she was admiring of his movements. He, on the other hand, had not even paid one glance to her since they had left her cave. She had been nervous, at first, to tempt fate so much by playing with the volatility of a strong demon, but then she noticed that he had another companion. The little green demon was like an ugly little pest that buzzed around your ears with the most annoying whine.

Sesshomaru did not seem to react to the little demon's foolish antics, so she assumed that he was either some kind of ally for Sesshomaru, or a barnacle that he had failed to shake free for years. She, on the other hand, was intrigued by the direction in which the demon was traveling. He was walking due West, heading straight in the direction of Naraku's citadel. Was he going to take revenge for being tricked, or had he simply wanted to go West?

He had stopped walking, and was standing on a raised part of ground, his bright eyes swerving over the landscape, even as his body did not move. The changing winds blew his white clothing around him, making him look like a magnificent product of a snowstorm.

His vassal, who she had learned to be called Jaken, had stopped walking too, and was eyeing his master with excitement.

"What is he doing?" She got up the nerve to whisper to Jaken.

Jaken looked up at her sharply, his eyes bugging out of his head. "You! A human girl! Why are you even in the presence of such a power as Lord Sesshomaru? You are not worthy of his presence!" His voice was screechy.

Rin bit her lip, unabashedly looking back up at Sesshomaru. "Because I…I want answers."

Jaken tutted to himself, angrily, not understanding quite why Sesshomaru had not killed her the first time around. A human girl was a nuisance, and definitely not someone that was suited to the presence of Lord Sesshomaru.

"Shut up, you two." Sesshomaru, in a rare show of words, clipped off their conversation with his rumbling voice.

"Yes, Master Sesshomaru!" Jaken bowed profusely, looking a little afraid for his life, and wondered why the foolish woman had not done the same.

Sesshomaru looked on towards the West, a new valley spread out before him. His mind was sorting through possibilities, as the new scent was carried on the wind towards his nose.

He frowned deeply. This scent….he recognized it as the same scent that the cloaked wanderer at Toutousai's cave had carried.

Had the human girl been correct about Naraku setting him up?

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

A/N: Well, hope you guys enjoyed it. You can let me know what you think if you choose, and if you don't, I have now way of being able to track you down and ask you what you think XD