InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Yesterday's Pain ❯ Cat and Mouse ( Chapter 3 )

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~~~~Chapter 3~~~~

~~~~Cat and Mouse~~~~

 

 

Song Title: Cat and Mouse

 

Artist: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

 

Album: Don't You Fake It

 

 

“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.”

-Japanese Proverb

 

 

 

***

 

Kagome awoke in a dark cellar. It was dark, cold, and clammy. Shivering, she noticed that she was in the middle of the room so she crawled to a corner to try and contain her body heat. `Inuyasha… where are you? Please… help me'

 

She was lonely, and scared. The faces of her smiling friends etched in her mind. She had to get out of here!

 

She looked around the room for a way out. She tried tugging on the door but no good. She stepped back and tried to shoot out spiritual power from her hand like Kikyou used to do. But when she spread her hands out and gathered her spiritual power like she did with her arrows, all she got for her efforts were a feeble spark and a backlash of energy in her body, that now had no way of getting out. After that she swore not to try anything spiritual. She tried to bash the door with her shoulder, receiving nothing but a bruise.

 

She scowled. She was trapped, trapped like a rat.

 

Her lack of moving around made her grow cold once again. So she huddled in the corner once more gathering her knees in her arms, forcing them to her chest, trying to keep warm.

 

The door creaked open and light flooded the room. Kagome looked up to see Byakuya standing there with a smirk on his face, “So you have awoken”

 

Kagome tried to scoot away from him but she was already in the corner, “What do you want,” she asked nervously.

 

Byakuya took a step forward and looked at her and smiled maliciously. “What do I want?”

 

She nodded

 

“There are many things that I desire young miko.” he replied “I desire power… glory… but most of all… life”

 

“What do you want from me?”

 

Byakuya grinned, causing a fang to pop out of his mouth. She didn't find it cute, like when Shippo or Inuyasha did it, she found it terrifying. “Just four simple things” he responded.

 

Byakuya took two more steps before continuing, “Your cooperation…”

 

Another step

 

“Your sorrow…”

 

Another step

 

“Your fear…”

 

Another step, he was almost standing directly above her.

 

“And your soul,” he whispered.

 

Kagome pressed her back against the wall, “Yeah well, you're not getting any one of those things so you can just back off!!” she bellowed. Byakuya chuckled a bit before getting that gleam in his eyes again. “I expected that miko, you have guts and I truly respect that”

 

“I'm flattered,” Kagome spat sarcastically in reply.

 

Byakuya laughed again, “Just like that miko, just like that! You aren't going to let me have these things are you?

 

Kagome nodded defiantly. “Which is why…” Byakuya said holding her face in his hands.

 

“… You'll just have to give them to someone else”

 

Kagome looked him directly in the eyes and said, “What are you—” Before she could finish she was swept away in a whirlwind of illusionary nightmares.

 

She saw it… Lived it… Living it once again… Every single time her heart had ached, she was forced to relive it all…

 

She saw Kikyou extendning her lips to Inuyasha's, wishing they were hers, wishing it was her who was being held like that… She saw Inuyasha swearing to protect her… She was above the pit once again watching Kikyou steal her piece of the sacred jewel, falling into the dark abyss wondering if Inuyasha would care… She watched as Inuyasha held Kikyou vowing to protect her in the clearing of the forest…

 

I'm the only one who can protect you, Kikyou

 

She saw him stare at her with that look in his eyes, as she ran away knowing that she wasn't good enough, knowing she never would be… She was back under the sacred tree, crying her eyes out as she realized that she loved him…

 

Remembering everything… things that weren't even that sad seemed to explode in her chest… pain she couldn't describe ripped through her body…

 

She saw herself staring at Inuyasha's dormant form as he peacefully slept… She saw his adorable dog ears twitch at a stray sound in the forest… She heard his arrogant voice that always soothed her… She saw the charming smirk he wore on his face… She saw him standing on a cliff, standing stoic and proud, his hair blowing in the gentle breeze.

 

Watching… as all the wonderful times she ever spent with Inuyasha… every time he laughed with her… every time he smiled at her… every time he held her… slowly drift away…

 

 

 

~

Softly we tremble tonight

 

Picture perfect fading smiles are all that's left in sight

 

I said I'd never leave, you'll never change

 

I'm not satisfied with where I'm at in life….

 

 

 

 

Her knees hit the ground eyes shut tight, with her hands on her head, tears streaming from her eyes, “MAKE IT STOP!!” she screamed. She only heard Byakuya's cruel laughter as a response.

 

She heard Tsubaki's voice telling her that she was a cheap imitation of Kikyou, as she now started to believe… She watched Inuyasha run away, determined to find Kikyou, though she told him to, one solitary tear slowly ran down her face… The horrible feeling of her soul being gripped, tugging at her emotions until she was forced to submit… She heard the infants terrible words echo in her head…

 

“It is obvious that he has chosen Kikyou and not you, don't you see that no matter if she's dead or alive; Inuyasha's heart will always belong to Kikyou”

 

She watched Kikyou and Inuyasha stare at each other for what felt like an eternity in a field that once held countless man-eating rats… She watched Inuyasha run to her time after time as she lay here forgotten in this torturous land of painful memories.

 

 

 

~

Am I supposed to be happy?

 

With all I ever wanted, it comes with a price.

 

Am I supposed to be happy?

 

With all I ever wanted, it comes with a price.

 

You said… You said that you would die for me…

 

 

 

 

She was lying on her side now, curled up in a tight ball trying to protect herself from this pain. But to no avail…

 

Images of Inuyasha and herself appeared before her… she saw Inuyasha talking with her friends in his bandanna… she saw his instincts take control as he leapt after the stick she had thrown… she saw him laughing with her at Miroku as Sango clubbed him with Hiiraikotsu for letting his hand wander… she saw him give her a smile that he reserved for her, the smile that made her feel special…

 

The images flipped through her mind as if they were photos in a very special album… She understood now that happiness was something that only lasted for a short time… The happiness she should have cherished while she still had it… Photos that should have brought her joy, only brought the pain of remembering what was lost… it was the end… There was nothing she could do about it, no matter how much she wanted to… She knew that no matter what, there would always be that part of him that belonged to Kikyou…

 

She saw smiles that were once full of life, now seeming to fade into eternal darkness… She heard laughter that was once so easy to achieve, now seemed so far away… unreachable… In the end, through all the things that they had been through together, she was just playing a hopeless game of cat and mouse… Crying helplessly she watched as every single photo from her special album of happy memories burned in the flames of sorrow and regret…

 

 

 

~

We made plans to grow old.

 

Believe me, there was truth in all those stories that I told

 

Lost in a simple game, cat and mouse.

 

Are we the same people as before this came to light?

 

 

 

 

She was in the spider web infested hut again… the memory of Kikyou and Inuyasha together that brought about realizations that she had no place in his heart… She faced the illusions of Mt. Azusa once again… she saw Kikyou tell Inuyasha that she didn't intend to save her, trapped in the spider webs, unaware that it was an illusion… She saw herself dangling from the edge of a cliff while the illusion Kikyou taunted her into near submitting to the darkness of her heart… But when she made her `brave declaration' her words sounded hollow and false…

 

She continued to cry helplessly as the sad song of romantic tragedy played its treacherous tune…

 

 

 

~

Am I supposed to be happy?

 

With all I ever wanted, it comes with a price.

 

Am I supposed to be happy?

 

With all I ever wanted, it comes with a price.

 

You said… You said that you would die for me…

 

You must live for me too…

 

 

 

 

The dream… The dreadful, horrible, terrifying nightmare became the big finale… The spider webs… The golden eyes, the eyes she loved full of hatred directed towards her… “I hate you”

 

The voice was different… from what she was used too… This voice didn't hold the arrogant tone that she had grown to love… it held only malice…

 

“No! Inuyasha please d-don't hurt me!” she begged, “I didn't ask for this! I never wanted this to —” her voice was cut off as a hand closed tightly around her throat.

 

“Then what did you want?” he growled.  Hands tightening, his eyes turning crimson, she could practically feel the anger rolling off of him.

 

“P-p-please…” she whimpered, the tears were falling fast now.  Never did she imagine such sorrow.  Simply looking at the way he stared at her, knowing that he hated her.  It was all too much to bear.  And the worst part was, is that she still loved him!  Even if he really did —

 

And then she felt it, the terrifying pain of a fatal wound.  More tears spilled down her face as she continued to look at the face of the man that had brought about the ending of her... the face of the man she still loved.  "I never loved you" he whispered as he twisted his hand inside of her stomach, causing her to cry out in pain, “You were nothing but a tool to me, a pitiful reminder of what I lost.  What you took away!”  His hands tightened again, his claws drew blood.

 

“Y-you said th-that you would protect me, Inuyasha!” she sobbed, “You p-pr-promised!  Please don't hate me, Inuyasha this i-isn't what I wanted.”

 

“THEN WHAT DID YOU WANT BITCH?!” he roared again.  When she didn't answer he growled and threw her unceremoniously to the ground.

 

`A-all I wanted was for you to h-hold me like you held her…' she sobbed inside her head, `All I w-wanted was for you to kiss me l-like you kissed her…  All I wanted was t-to know what it was like to be… loved…'  The ominous clouds of death blurred her vision.  She only had seconds left...

 

`I just wanted to be happy...  Is that so wrong?'

 

 

 

~

Am I supposed to be happy?

 

If all I ever wanted, it comes with a price

 

Am I supposed to be happy?

 

If all I ever wanted, it comes with a price.

 

You said...  You said that you would die for me…

 

 

 

 

 

`I just thought that maybe… …'

 

 

 

~

You said that you would die for me…

 

 

 

 

`I could be someone who could be there for you…'

 

 

~

You said that you would die for me…

 

 

 

`I just thought that I was important enough…'

 

 

 

~

You said that you would die for me

 

 

 

`But I was wrong'

 

*** 

 

Inuyasha bounded through the tree tops after Byakuya.  His movements were smooth, calculated, precise.  The over-sized crane flew through the air at a speed only the hanyou could overtake, the others lagged behind.

 

“I really hate it when stuff like this happens” growled Sango, as she urged the fire-cat beneath her to go faster.  Inuyasha was growing more irate by the minute.

 

`Kagome, just hold on!  Don't you die on me!'  Grunting he flexed his legs again for a powerful bound.  `I swear Byakuya; I'm going to rip that cocky mouth right off of your face!  All I have to do is wait for you to make one mistake, and then your ass is mine!' 

 

It was strange however, the way he had been acting.  It was as though he had no idea of where he wanted to go.  Sometimes they would go east, and then go west, north, back to east.  Sometimes he would go in circles; it was like he was trying to shake him off.  Inuyasha snorted at that.  Even if he lost sight of him all he had to do was catch his or Kagome's scent, and he would be right back on track.  No, Byakuya was many things, sinister, cunning, and evil maybe, but he was not a fool.  There had to be something more to this.  Was it a trap?

 

Inuyasha shook his head of all these thoughts.  Even if it was a trap, it didn't make any difference.  Kagome was more important.  Something as stupid as a trap was going to stop him.  Images flashed through his mind of Kikyou dying in his arms.  He couldn't let that happen to Kagome, he wouldn't.  All thoughts were dispelled as he heard Sango's voice.

 

“Inuyasha, look!” she yelled.

 

Inuyasha looked in the direction of which her finger was pointing and for a minute he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.  Byakuya was… slowing down?

 

***

 

Naraku looked on as Kagome writhed on the floor in pure agony.  Whether it was physical or emotional he didn't know.  Nor did he very much care.  For every minute that went by, the center of the jewel had grown more and more tainted.

 

He and Byakuya were both able to see the pain she was going through.  The dreams broadcasted on the stone wall like the T.V. that neither of them knew would exist five hundred in the future.  The nightmare was at its conclusion; she had just been stabbed by the illusionary Inuyasha.  Soon she would succumb; it was only a matter of time.

 

Moments later Byakuya emerged from the room.  Kagome had calmed now, her breathing and heart rate were off the charts, but otherwise she looked as though she were sleeping.  "It is done" said Byakuya, who looked rather pleased with himself.  Naraku looked down at the Shikon No Tama, and sure enough the jewel was black as night.

 

Naraku looked at his incarnation with his signature smirk.  “Byakuya… It is time”

 

***

 

Inuyasha raced through the trees, landing on a particularly springy branch, propelling him towards his enemy.  “This is the end Byakuya!” he bellowed as he outstretched five razor-sharp claws.  Byakuya only had time to gasp.

 

“Iron Reaper Soul Stealer!”

 

The result was not what he expected.  Smoke came out of nowhere and enveloped Inuyasha.  Temporarily blinded, Inuyasha fell; landing none too gracefully on his rump.  Looking up he saw something floating down to him through the fading smoke.  Catching it easily, he examined it and after a moment of investigation he cursed foully.

 

“What's wrong?” asked a curious Shippo.  The others had caught up.

 

Inuyasha held up the leaf for all to see.  Shippo squinted at the leaf noticing that there was writing there.  Miroku took a closer look and read the single word that was inscribed upon the leaf.

  

“`Baka'”

  

Even Shippo cursed after Miroku read the taunting words of Byakuya.  “It was an illusion this whole time” remarked Miroku, still staring at the leaf as though it would give him answers if he continued to look at it.  “Oi runt!” said Inuyasha, who looked outraged, “Why didn't you tell us it was an illusion!  We didn't have to waste all this time ya know!”

 

“In case you didn't notice baka, I was the one who was unconscious this whole time!” retorted an equally maddened Shippo. 

 

“In any case we are even further away from finding Kagome” mused Sango, who — until now — had stayed quiet this whole time.

 

“THIS GUY THINKS ITS FUNNY!” bellowed Shippo, “YOU BETTER TEACH THIS GUY A LESSON, INUYASHA OR I'LL —” INUYASHA OR I'LL--"  He got no further because at that exact moment Inuyasha had forced his head down.

 

A deafening crash echoed through the forest as Inuyasha and the others took cover.  Trees toppled over like bowling pins and a flash of tainted light reflected off the familiar barrier that had suddenly been cast around them.  "Inuyasha,” came a cold voice “Surrender to me and I will make your death quick”

 

“Keh,” came his reply “Just who the hell are you, and what do you want with me?”  The black light was still bouncing around the barrier, ensuring death to anything it touched.  But none were in particular danger… for now.  He noticed that she stayed hidden in the shadows so he couldn't see her face.  The shape of her body looked familiar though he couldn't place it.

 

“One who will bring about the end of you,” she answered as she drew an arrow and shot it with pin-point accuracy.  Inuyasha cursed under his breath as he leaped out of the arrow's path at the last second. Setting his sights on the mystery woman, he prepared his counter-attack. 

 

And that's when the wind changed directions, blowing a familiar scent his way.

 

Not quite believing what his nose was telling him he whispered, “Kagome?”

 

The air grew seemingly thick with tension at the mention of their missing comrade.  Shippo was jumping up and down to get a better look.  Kirara looked from Inuyasha to Kagome; she had caught her scent as well and was trying to identify the enemy, seeing as they were both were her friends.  Miroku was sweating a bit, trying to make sense of what was happening.  Sango's jaw could not have dropped any lower; her eyes could go no wider.  The word 'shock' was not nearly enough to describe the look on her face.   

 

Inuyasha stood their impassive, not saying a single word.  He couldn't.  The on tool that had never failed him before had just told him something that simply didn't make any sense.  The cold voice that was so familiar, yet so unfamiliar returned. 

 

“Your silence irks me, half-breed” she said “Or are you preparing for the silence of death that will soon claim you?  In that case...” she drew another arrow.  "...I shall give you a little nudge over the edge!” she screamed as she released the arrow.

 

The arrow flew faster than the human eye could follow.  Inuyasha sidestepped the deadly projectile but not before it ripped a chunk of his shoulder.  Inuyasha gave a short yelp of surprise and pain.

 

`This can't be Kagome!' he thought frantically, `She's moving at a speed only a demon possesses!'  But as he ducked out of the way of yet another arrow his mind was convinced that it was really Kagome; even if his heart wasn't able to admit it.  Noses don't lie.

 

The arrows kept coming, and coming.  He ducked, dived, sidestepped, everything, but she was relentless.  He had managed to avoid a lot of the arrows, even if some of them caught a snatch of his skin.  Still, he had not been dealt a fatal blow… yet.

 

After a few moments of evading the arrows, Kirara had decided her allegiance and pounced on the mystery woman.  But not before Inuyasha screamed his objection at the neko-youkai.  “STOP KIRARA DON'T HUR —” his words were cut short.  He had dropped his guard for a split second, and it had cost him dearly.  The arrow shot straight through his chest, knocking him down as he screamed in pain.  He collapsed onto the hard surface of the forest where he lay still.

 

 

“INUYAHSA!!” screamed Sango as she drew her Hiiraikotsu.  But as she did a barrier was cast around her and the others, making it impossible to aid their fallen comrade.

 

“No need to rush woman” cooed the woman who still remained hidden in the shadows, “Your turn will come shortly, and if you're good I shall do you in next.”

 

Inuyasha groaned with pain.  “You can't move can you?” the woman asked, “That arrow held massive amounts of spiritual powers, tainted or not. It has left you completely immobile.  I should just kill you right now, but because of the entertainment that you gave me, I shall let you look upon my face as your reward.”  With that, she stepped out of the shadows to finally reveal her identity.

 

It was Kagome alright.  But she looked different; her school clothes had been replaced by garbs that resembled the Abi, except it was midnight blue, with streaks of black running through it.  Her posture was more rigid, like a trained soldier, all senses on high alert at all times.  An evil aura surrounded her form, glowing bright violet.  Her lips were pulled into an uncanny sneer.  But what really intrigued all of them were her eyes.

 

Her eyes were cold and distant, a stunning contrast to the chocolate brown orbs that were once so warm and full of life.  But what was running from her eyes seemed to be the main attraction.  Tears were running down her face in thick masses, though her face and attitude held no sadness. 

 

But those tears were far from ordinary, and yet they held a frighteningly familiar color.

 

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