InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Untold Secrets ❯ 18 - Into the Miasma ( Chapter 22 )

*last time…

The fog gathered and twisted around the old hut, intertwining itself all around it, enveloping it. Red eyes gleamed from its depths, regarding the quaint village with an even smile.

His arm reached out, as the miasma climbed up his arm and circled his hand. A ball of energy now hummed between his fingertips, glowing into a sphere of purple and black.

It has begun…


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Untold Secrets

By: ©Angelstars
email: angtanuk@yahoo.co.uk
Homepage: www.kuroi-hoshi.org
Standard Disclaimer - *Inuyasha ©Rumiko Takahashi.


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18 - Into the Miasma


Upon waking, Kagome sat cradling two small bundles in her arms as she rocked and hummed happily. Inuyasha held on to her from behind, a chin on her shoulder and a content smile plastered across his face.

One week had long from past, Kagome and Inuyasha had settled into a new routine, as Sango and Miroku continued to scout the land upon Kirara. Shippo, at first, had been very demanding, certain jealous spats between he and the babes happened, as he too sort for Kagome's attention.

Inuyasha had set him straight, finally putting the cub at peace as he announced the Kit was a part of his pack and wasn't going anywhere without he or Kagome. Shippo was happy to have been told of his status and had calmed his frustrations and attention seeking to when the pups slept.

Kagome laid her head against her mates' strong embrace as she happily regarded her new family. She had no idea she were having twins at first, until Kaede announced another arrival on the way. She remembered sitting Inuyasha on numerous occasions during the event and had apologised sometime after.

First, to be born was a perfect little boy, Ichiru. His name meaning `A ray of silver', which was very fitting, as the youngin' had been born with a perfect mop of black hair with a single streak of silver adorning it. His eyes had opened not long after the sunset the following day, revealing a perfect shade of burnt amber along with two pairs of triangular shaped ears upon his head (also black in colour).

Kagome had then went on to explain that human children rarely developed any characteristics until the later stagers of growth, proving the boy were more demon than human-meaning he were hanyou, like his father.

Second, to be born was a tiny little girl, Sokai. Her name meaning `Cherished hope', given to her by Kaede, as the older woman sensed strong potential of miko blood within her. She too had jet-black hair with two streaks of silver bangs. Her eyes, however, were more grey/blue in colour and, unlike her brother; she had human-looking ears, but pointed slightly at the ends, a single blue, opal-like shape, marked her forehead-making her look more demon-like than hanyou.

Inuyasha had also went on to explain that demon/hanyou pups developed earlier in life and would soon start to show their own potential-he had hoped both pups would look more like their mother, for personal reasons, but were happy with the pups progress.

These developments surprised Kagome and Sango; she remembered they squealed with delight at the kawaii-ness of the two babies causing the hanyou and houshi to leave the room not long after they started cooing.

Her smile hadn't left her lips since, her thoughts soon focussing on the hanyou behind her. He had admitted his feelings for her that night the twins were born. It came as a shook at first, the hanyou rarely spoke of his inner thoughts and feelings and it had made the whole thing worth while 10x.

The day of the twins' birth would remain the happiest day of her life.

"What are you smilin' about?" Inuyasha broke her thoughts, bringing her awareness back from pleasant memories.

She snuggled her back against his chest and sighed contently. "I was just thinking how happy I am," she uttered, looking up to him.

"Keh," He playfully smiled as he lowered his lips to her forehead, admiring her thoughtfully before kissing her gently.

--

Meanwhile, Sango jumped down from the fully formed fire-neko, dismounting with ease as she pulled the over sized boomerang off her shoulders, her eyes set upon his.

Miroku sidestepped to allow her room, "What? Why have we stopped?"

"Ok, so we both know there is something wrong. I want you to tell me what happened and what you thought you saw, houshi-sama." Sango began, resting her hands upon her hips. "You've been quiet all this week, and I know when you're up to something or keeping something from us!"

"Sango, do you remember the night Kagome-sama gave birth?" He bowed his head slightly, sighing slightly.

"Of course I remember!" Sango scoffed, "What's this got to do with you acting strangely?"

His head rose to look at her with worried eyes.

"I-I think we need to talk…"

The taijiya looked at the monk with confusion and followed him as he walked on ahead, resting under a large tree.

"Houshi-sama?" Her voice pierced his thoughts.

He sighed and leaned against his staff, bringing his back up against the bark of the tree trunk.

"That night, some of Naraku's Samiyoushou showed up, hovering over the hut. I managed to kill one while the other lured me into the forest."

"That's why I found Shippo alone on the porch?" Sango pondered quietly.

"Hai, I left him there to rid us of the insects. As I took the last of the bees down, a thought struck me." He continued, watching Sango from the corner of his eye.

"Why would those bees show up now? There would be no reason to have been there…" Sango asked.

"Exactly, unless Naraku is not dead." Miroku replied, his voice even and one-toned.

"Nani?!" Sango gasped. "That's impossible, Naraku is dead! Inuyasha killed him!"

"I sensed an extreme amount of jyaki coming from the village. When I got closer, I could see only mist and Lady Kaede's hut was of the center of it. I moved closer when I saw him."

"Miroku, you said all you could see was the hut and mist-maybe you were just seeing things?" Sango pressed on.

He shook his head.

"Iie, it were him and he were very much alive." His eyes sort out hers as he looked up at her.

"If you say so-" She nodded. "Demo, what about Kazaana?"

"I do not know why Kazaana has disappeared, I can only assume that Naraku is plotting something and wishes to remain dead for the remainder of it, therefore hiding all evidence of his existence-that includes Kazaana."

Sango gazed into his eyes, and took a hold of his hand.

"Sango, we need to keep this to ourselves for now." The monk quietly stated.

"Agreed, Inuyasha would do something stupid if he knew Naraku still lived."

"Aa, It would not be wise to tell Inuyasha of my vision." The houshi nodded.


"We should at least inform Keade of our suspicions." Sango added.

Miroku sat in silence for a while, nodding as he rose a hand to his chin.

"Kaede-sama can keep them as close as she can for us. We will find Naraku ourselves."

"All right! We owe Inuyasha this much. Beside, Kagome-chan needs him more than ever and won't be safe if he leaves her to seek out Naraku once more."

"Hai"

--

A smile curled upon his lips as he observed the monk and demon-huntress.

"Perfect, the monk and taijiya won't interfere with my plans." His head rose to meet a ghostly looking girl, holding a mirror.

"Kana, show me Inuyasha," He commanded as the girl nodded and allowed the mirror to merge an image of the hanyou.

Perfect…

Everything would go according to plan; with the monk and slayer out of the way, he could concentrate on his sole purpose. His smile grew, as thoughts of the perfect revenge played his mind.

"Kagura," He turned his head toward the lounging wind-user. "You and Kohaku know what you have to do?"

The wind-user lifted her startling red eyes and nodded, her fan resting upon her lips as she smiled her confirmation.

He nodded, "Go"

With that, she plucked a feather from her hair, enlarging to take her weight, as she took off with the boy, Kohaku.

He looked back toward the mirror, watching as the hanyou and miko ventured the woods, away from the safety of the village and straight into his trap.

--

"Oh! Oh! Can we stop here and eat!" A small, excited voice chirped in the hanyou's ear.

"Give it a rest already, brat!" The dog-demon growled and took a swipe toward the furry creature.

"Bully!" The Kitsune pouted and leaped off toward his surrogate mother. "Kagome, can we eat now?"

"Once Inuyasha finds us a nice spot to rest, yes, we may eat then." She replied, smiling down at the Kit.

"Keh!" Inuyasha grumbled and looked behind, keeping an eye with his senses as they followed the path of the forest.

Meanwhile, Sango and Miroku landed along with Kirara in front of the old hut.

"Kaede-sama!" Miroku called for the elder. She emerged not long after, an arm behind her back and the other holding the woven door to the side.

"Ye are back early," she started, bowing slightly as the monk dismounted the fire-neko.

"Kaede-sama, where is Inuyasha and Kagome-sama?"

"Why? Ye have gone with thy youngin's, houshi-dono." She replied with a smile.

"Lady Kaede, we need you to keep an eye on them while we attend to some business away for a while." Sango spoke from upon Kirara.

The elder looked up with her good eye and nodded. "Ye have found another shard?"

"Something like that, Kaede-sama. We must be going now. Please, do not alarm Inuyasha as to our purpose."

"Hai, I will inform him of ye short trip. Is something amiss, Houshi-dono?"

"Let us just say, we have our suspicions Naraku may still be alive." Miroku murmured quietly.

"Nani?!" She gasped, "This cannot be, have ye any proof?"

The monk shook his head, "Only that of a shadow, that is why we wish to sort out the truth ourselves."

"Please, Kaede, do not tell Inuyasha." Sango pleaded.

The old miko bowed her head, "Be careful."

The monk nodded and bowed, before leaping back upon Kirara. The fire-cat now taking off into the sky with both humans.

Inuyasha pushed away another branch and allowed Kagome, the twins and Shippo to scramble underneath him to get to the other side of the sheltered growth. Kagome gazed with awe at the view.

"Oh this is perfect," she sighed and turned toward the proud hanyou behind her. "We're here?" she asked, he nodded and raised an eyebrow.

"You like?"

"Very much so," she replied with a smile as Shippo happily snaked down her to get to the ground with a contented sigh.

"Can we eat now?" He jumped up and down in front of the hanyou. "Please, Inuyasha?"

The hanyou rolled his eyes and lowered the food basket from his shoulders. "Urasi! We eat when Kagome and the pups are settled," he gave the Kitsune a knowing glare as he huffed and sulked.

"Demo, Inuyasha-"

"You heard me." Inuyasha growled under his breath. The Kitsune crossed his arms over his chest with a pout and nodded.

Kagome settled herself and the twins under a large tree and looked up at the two glaring demons. "Inuyasha? Shippo? Are you coming over here?"

Both youkai grunted in response and kneeled beside her, the cub now looking at the food hamper the whole time while Kagome unpacked it.

--

Sango circled the skies once more, sighing with worry. The houshi appeared through trees and over growth as he ran beside her.

"Houshi-sama let us rest now." She yelled over her shoulder. "We have been travelling none stop since early!"

The monk nodded in reply and slowed, allowing the fully transformed neko to land beside him.

Sango dismounted as the fire-cat shrank to its kitten form, with a small mew. She looked up at the downcast monk beside her and smiled.

"Something doesn't bode well, Sango… I can feel it." Miroku sighed.

The taijiya lowered her eyes, and leaned against his chest. With a small blush adorning her cheeks, she looked up with understanding.

He smiled down at her and brushed his hand through her hair. Leaning down slightly as he kissed her forehead affectionately.

A soft breeze blew against her, causing her to involuntary shiver and burry herself deeper into his hold.

Thunder rumbled overhead, a distant flash followed as the pair held onto one another, seeking warmth and comfort from their worries.

A sudden rain cloud darkened the skies as the first drops of rain began to fall; another rumble of thunder awoke the distance between them and they soon found themselves seeking shelter. Miroku held tightly onto the girl, burying her deeper within his robes as the rain poured.

Another flash, another crack.

Her head sheltered, as his arms wrapped around her shivering body. He closed his eyes and lowered his cheek to rest upon her head, relaxing within her warmth.

A lowland fog soon began to envelope around the unaware pair, circling around their feet as it snaked and twisted their legs.

Miroku felt a shift in the air and opened his eyes to thick, black fog. His arms ached as he tightened his hold upon Sango, bringing her closer to his chest.

"Houshi-sama?" her small voice gasped as she held onto both he and her kitten youkai.

Another flash of lightning lit the dark skies as a shadow of a figure emerged in front of them.

His laughter rumbled between the sparks of lightning and clamps of thunder, his evil gleam tainting the air as a hand reached out.

Miroku's eyes widened with fear and whirled the girl behind him, stepping in front of her protectively. Suddenly, a vine-shaped tentacle whipped out in front of him, as his hand came up to shelter himself.

It pierced his hand, burying itself into his palm.

He cried out with pain and gripped his wrist, clenching his eyes tight as the pain ripped his insides.

"Houshi-sama!" Sango's cries echoed the evil laughter as the houshi's hand formed a black hole, ripping at his skin as it enlarged.

A perfectly shaped circle, black and void formed his palm; winds blew all around him, sucking in loose leaves and branches.

Sango held onto her neko as she felt her feet rise from the ground, and her eyes widened with realisation.

"Kazaana…"

--

The wind was now picking up as the happy family ate under a wilting tree. Kagome smiled down at her newborns, before picking her gaze up upon the two demons beside her.

Inuyasha and Shippo fought over the last piece of meat, chopsticks meeting chopsticks as they argued.

Another gust of wind blew around her, her hair now swept above her head. She gripped onto the twins tight as it passed.

Inuyasha's ears perked with attention, just as his head shot up toward the other side of the overgrowth.

The Kitsune now happily munched on the prize as Kagome voiced her concerns.

"Inuyasha, what is it?"

Inuyasha felt his hackles rise, and a deep growl now rumbled his chest. "Kagome, stay here." His voice stern and commanding.

Shippo picked up on what the hanyou had smelt and scurried under the shelter of his mother.

Inuyasha rose to his feet, a hand now resting upon the hilt of the Tetsusaiga. Kagome looked up with worry and held onto all three children, motherly soothing the frightened cub.

The sky darkened overhead as rain clouds now hung with rain.

Inuyasha, at first, kept still. His ears now twisting back and forth as his nose worked the area, searching for whatever presence. Without a say-so, he leaped away from Kagome and into the trees, leaving the miko alone.

It would be his first mistake…

--

Inuyasha followed his nose, leaping the trees. His senses now picking up on the impossible.

There was no doubt about it… there was no way Naraku were still alive?!

He growled low in his chest. How could this be possible? He killed Naraku, and now he could smell his disgusting stench near.

A flash of lightning awoke his eyes as he diverted his gaze upon a figure. The wind blew around them as they stared the other down.

"You came…" The voice from the shadow figure sounded surprised.

"Keh, it's just you Kagura?" Inuyasha snorted and unsheathed his sword, transforming immediately as he held it out before him.

"Come to avenge Naraku then?"

The wind user smiled and raised her fan to her face, "Naraku? Why would I waste my time?"

"Feh!" Inuyasha growled and gripped the fang tighter.

"It does not concern you why I am here!" She swung the fan out in front of her, as blades of blue power swept toward the hanyou.

Inuyasha leaped out of the way and brought the huge sword up above his head, bringing it down with one full swoop.

Kagura dodged the attack and whipped her fan out once more. "Fuujin no Mai!"

Another wave of blue energy neared the dog-demon, as he barely dodged it and rolled out of its line of fire.

Kagura smiled once more and with another swipe of her magical fan she chanted her next attack.

"Ryuuiji no Mai!"

Winds twisted into a tornado and whirled around the hanyou, merging him within as he swore loudly and swung the fang to no avail.

Meanwhile, back in the forest, the winds grew and whistled around Kagome and the little ones. She tightly held onto all three and buried her head deeper into her chest, covering them from the gusting breeze.

A flash of lightning blindly lit the area as the thunder crashed with great anger. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt the presence of a single shard of the jewel. Her head rose to meet the owner.

"Kohaku-kun?" Her voice shakily asked.

The boy neared her; no emotion adorned his features as he raised his weapon above his head.

The Kitsune's eyes widened with fear as he sprung from Kagome's grasp. "Kitsune Bi!"

A blast of blue fire whirled from his palm as it enveloped the possessed boy.

"Shippo-chan!"

He heard Kagome's cry as the fire blazed, but did not stop the boy from attacking. The blade pierced his skin and drew blood, his hearing picking up on the gasps of his surrogate mother, the smell of her tears now plaguing his senses.

"K-Kagome, run!" His voice pleaded as he gathered his wounded self up from the floor and protected her with another blast of Fox Fire.

"Shippo-chan!"

"RUN!"

A flash of light, a crack of thunder. The wind and rain hissed against her face, soaking her thoroughly as she ran through the forest, leading her way back toward the broken old well. Her breathing came in pants as she slid to a halt near the wells lip.

She had to get them away from him; she had to protect them both. She hoisted herself over the edge of the well, readying herself to fall into its depths, her precious packages tightly held in her arms.

Another flash of thunder followed her overhead as the rain continued to thrash against her. She swallowed sharply and looked back toward the darkened forest, a flash overhead lit its shadowy shelter.

Slick soil of mist enveloped around her, as her eyes widened with fear.

He was here. She had felt his presence and panicked instantly. She knew what he had come for…

She panicked, pushing herself off the edge but going nowhere as she was pulled out of its safe darkness. She screamed as the grey fog circled around her, pinning her against the old wells' wall, vines and nettles stinging at her bare skin.

She thrashed and kicked her legs, gritting her teeth and eyes tight as the mist squeezed the breath out of her.

He appeared above her, hovering overhead, lilac-red eyes piercing through the fogginess. Her eyes widened with fear as she tightened her hold, praying silently for help.

She felt the mist slacken around her as he levitated beside her, his clawed hand reaching out to touch her.

She growled with agitation and spat at him.

"Don't even think about it!"

His clawed hand continued to reach out for her.

She concentrated, hard and long, willing the beast to make the mistake and touch her. She would shock him and escape, but only if she could, somehow, get the mist to release her.

His eyes lowered over her body, his clawed hand still out-stretched, then stopped just above her neck.

No…

An evil smile appeared over his face. Sharp vines now crawled and tangled itself around her feet, crawling up her legs and waist, and scratching her skin as it ripped her clothing and continued along her stomach to her arms and around her wrists.

No…

She screamed once again, as the vine wrenched her arms open, her wrists now bound tight against the wall of the well.

Her precious cargo now floating in front of her.

No…

"Please don''t!" Her voice pleadingly escaped her throat.

His cold eyes reached hers as he smiled and reached out for it.

No…

"Please! No!" She struggled against her bindings. "NO!"




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Auth or Notes: Oh and another cliffhanger :P Sorry about that folks! I know most of you asked for no more cliffies… HA as if?!

Well now, it looks like Naraku is finally back from the dead? And it looks like he's going ahead with his threat!

Stay tuned for the next chapter: 19: Fast-Forward, Stop & Pause

Future Tokyo: Shippo of the future starts to gain his memories and searches for his sister and brother. Sesshoumaru arrives in town.

Sengoku Jidai: Naraku seeks the ultimate revenge, while Kagome and Inuyasha find it hard to come to terms with their loss…

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Notes on the puppies: I know Kigai won the second vote, but I needed a girl-ish name and Sokai came in third so I used that one instead!
Ichiru - Looks hanyou like Inuyasha, his power will somewhat be the same as his sire.
Sokai - Looks demon like her Uncle Sesshy, BUT is NOT full-demon, her looks are deceiving as she is more like her mother and has more miko blood than human or hanyou.

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Happy Birthday Bex-chan!