Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Pursuit of Power ❯ A Bitter Taste ( Chapter 14 )

Quick AN To MM readers: I had encountered a problem when uploading Chapter Five, and am still not successful in posting it. I will be attempting to put it up after I upload this chapter, but if I am not successful (again), Chapter Five's content can also be found on FF.net, I'll be giving a link to it at the bottom of this chapter.

 

Disclaimer: -sigh- I own neither Ranma nor Inuyasha. Darn it…I do own this story I suppose, better not disclaim away everything…

 

 

The Pursuit of Power

Chapter Fourteen - A bitter taste

 

 

 

Choking on fumes, Kagura kept a firm hand on her feather and one on the unconscious girl. The sun had risen over the horizon as she sped away from the girl's home. The hand on the girl was also to enforce the invisibility spell. It just wouldn't do for some random human to look up and see a girl floating in the air.

 

The lack of demonic energy in this world had left Kagura feeling cold and very much alone. Yet a contradictory emotion had begun to take hold of her. This world, dirty, loud and noisy as it was still offered her the one thing that she so desperately wanted.

 

Freedom.

 

However that dream was still as far out of her reach as on that day when she was first born into a life of servitude to a creature she despised. An answering pulse radiated from where Kagura had hidden the girl's charm. Pulling it out, Kagura studied the shiny charm on the silvery chain. A glint caught her eye and Kagura held it up to the meagre light which caught the shine of the shard embedded in the charm.

 

Power.

 

So innocent, so small, so seemingly insignificant. Yet these small pieces of what looked like glass held more power then anything Kagura could dream of. It was what she needed to free herself from Naraku's insidious grasp.

 

As she contemplated a life free from Naraku, Kagura felt the familiar tight, painful band clamp down on her chest. The hole where Naraku had torn her heart out ached and left her gasping in pain.

 

Naraku must be getting anxious. Kagura frowned as she looked down on the peaceful face of the human girl. Too bad she wasn't going to be that peaceful ever again.

 

Guiding the feather downwards, they landed next to the small wooden hut that enclosed the portal back to the Sengoku Jidai. Who could've imagined that something so ordinary, so fragile could be that important? Lips twisting in a bitter smile, Kagura realized she really should've known better.

 

Grabbing hold of the girl, Kagura dragged her down the steps and heaved her over the edge of the well. Dumping the girl unceremoniously into the well, Kagura saw the brief flash of the time portal engulf the girl's form.

 

Technically, her mission was now accomplished. The girl was now within Naraku's grasp, if he was bothered to stir from the dank hole he called his palace. Glancing over her shoulder, Kagura once again wondered if escape was a feasible thing.

 

The painful constriction around her chest returned with a fierce twist that brought the wind sorceress to her knees. Her breath coming out in shallow pants, Kagura grimaced. Naraku was beyond anxious if he was keeping this close an eye on her.

 

With a sigh, she stepped onto the lip of the well, pausing for a brief moment before jumping in.

 

 

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Stirring from the warmth of her sleeping bag, Kagome was reluctant to open her eyes despite the insistent pressing of the morning light on her lids. The events of the night before had left her drained. She felt as if they had walked through all of Japan…oh yeah, they did.

 

The fish had been burnt beyond what anyone could conceivably eat. Reluctant to send Inuyasha fishing again, Kagome had offered the instant ramen. Inuyasha had been ecstatic at the thought of eating his favourite food twice in one day and had quickly set about boiling the water for it.

 

The tension between Inuyasha and Ranma had not abated, they just weren't tearing each other apart and that could only be a good thing in Kagome's mind.

 

The press of the sunlight was beginning to annoy her and with a heavy sigh, Kagome sat up. Shippou was merrily bustling around the campsite. The kitsune headed towards the dying embers of their campfire and after piling on more deadwood, fired it up again with his kitsune-bi.

 

A quick glance around the camp and Kagome found Inuyasha, sitting cross-legged and leaning against a tree.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

Lazily cracking open one eye, Inuyasha didn't show any signs of stirring from his post.

 

“Good morning Kagome!” Shippou chirped, seeing her awake he bounded over to her. “Ranma said he was going to go fishing for our breakfast.”

 

“Keh.”

 

Kagome could've sworn that Inuyasha had muttered something more under his breath but she couldn't quite make out what he had said.

 

Rising from her sleeping bag, she turned to see Akane, setting down a kettle over the fire. Akane was already dressed and it was clear that Kagome was the last one to wake. She was surprised that Inuyasha hadn't shaken her awake before now. Patience was not a virtue that Inuyasha was at all familiar with. Retrieving her wash cloth from her bag, Kagome headed towards the river to clean up.

 

Hearing the splashing of water, Kagome soon found the river and Ranma.

 

Her pants rolled up to her knees, Ranma had waded out into the water and was standing perfectly still.

 

Kagome was about to call out a greeting, when Ranma waved at her. Taking the gesture to mean to keep quiet, Kagome inched closer to the riverbank.

 

Her hands moving in a blur, Ranma suddenly reached into the water. With a blink, Kagome soon found five fishes flopping on the ground beside her. Astonished, she looked up at Ranma who had made her way onto dry land.

 

The redhead grinned at her, quickly stringing the fish to hoist them over one shoulder. “Morning Kagome! Hope you don't mind some grilled fish for breakfast.”

 

Kagome shook her head, smiling, “Don't mind at all…so, gonna teach me that trick?”

 

“What? The Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken? Liked that huh? Well maybe later on ne?”

 

Kagome laughed, wondering what chestnuts had to do with anything, she leaned forward to dip her cloth into the water. At that moment her eyes landed on Ranma's slim leg.

 

There were deep gashes along one calf and it was clear that the teen had done little to treat it.

 

“Ranma! Your leg…”

 

Ranma peered down at her leg, then snorted, “Ah, that's nothing Kagome. Don't worry about it.”

 

“It can get infected, let me at least bandage it for you.” Glaring reprovingly at her sensei, Kagome stood and grabbed hold of Ranma's hand.

 

Dragging the protesting redhead behind her, Kagome marched back into the camp and headed straight for her bag and first aid kit.

 

Forcing a still protesting Ranma to sit on her sleeping bag, Kagome opened the kit, practised hands reaching for the necessary supplies.

 

She could feel heated golden eyes staring at her, sending a shiver down her spine, but she steadfastly ignored Inuyasha's hostility. If he dared say a word, she was going to sit him into oblivion.

 

Quickly and efficiently, Kagome had Ranma's wounds cleaned and bandaged within moments.

 

A low whistle escaped Ranma's lips as she surveyed Kagome's handiwork. “Wow, you definitely know what you're doing.”

 

Standing and offering a hand to Ranma, Kagome shrugged, “Yeah, cuts and bruises seem to be the norm around here.”

 

Pulling Ranma up, Kagome was disconcerted to find that her sensei, who stood a good head taller then her when male was actually a bit shorter in his female form. The redhead was now rolling her pant legs down as she chatted animatedly of the injuries she had received from various fights.

 

“…and of course she pulled out that mallet of hers…” Ranma paused when the person she had been talking about approached with the kettle. “Oh, thanks Akane…owww! Hot water stupid, not boiling!”

 

Akane dumped the empty kettle at Ranma's feet, glaring down at her fiancé who had steam rising from dripping jet black hair.

 

Kagome glanced around the campsite, but couldn't see Inuyasha, “Umm, Akane where did…”

 

Before she could finish the sentence, the hanyou had returned, with the pot they usually cooked their rice in. Without saying a word, he placed it over the fire. Blinking, Kagome tried to think of the last time Inuyasha had voluntarily helped with the food…

 

She tried…and tried.

 

Nope, she couldn't think of a single instance when Inuyasha had helped with breakfast without her asking (yelling).

 

Shippou had also noted the change in Inuyasha's pattern and wasted no time on climbing onto the hanyou's shoulder and proceeded to barrage him with questions.

 

“What's gotten into you Inuyasha? Are you sick or something? Maybe your stomach is doing weird things? That happened to me once, Kagome said that I ate too much pocky, but I didn't believe her.” A light dawned in Shippou's eyes. “You haven't been eating my pocky have you Inuyasha? Inuyasha?”

 

Shippou drew in a lungful of air, probably preparing to screech out for his adoptive mother right in Inuyasha's ear, when a clawed hand reached out to clamp firmly on his mouth.

 

“I didn't eat your damn pocky runt.” Inuyasha finally growled out. With a fluid move, he plucked the kitsune off his shoulder and hurtled him away from him.

 

Shaking his head at the impact, Shippou deftly rolled over, his eyes shining with a light and knowledge that belied his innocence. “Oh I get it.”

 

Kagome watched as the tense set of Inuyasha's shoulders stiffened even more. An image of a toy Inuyasha, wound up too tight suddenly exploding from the tension, quickly flashed in Kagome's mind and she had to clamp a hand over her own mouth to prevent the giggles from erupting.

 

“Ranma knocked you around too much huh?”

 

It was the wrong, or perhaps right, thing to say at that moment. Kagome thought wryly that Shippou was too good at pushing Inuyasha's buttons.

 

The anger that had been simmering just below the surface suddenly exploded. With an inarticulate bellow, Inuyasha leapt for Shippou.

 

Squeaking, the kitsune bolted straight for the one thing that meant safety - Kagome.

 

Bracing herself, Kagome held her hands out to the approaching child who leapt into her arms with practised ease. Cradling Shippou to her, Kagome turned slightly so that he was out of Inuyasha's line of sight.

 

Skidding to a stop just before he barrelled into her, Inuyasha continued to glare at the shaking ball of fur that was doing his very best to mould his body to Kagome's.

 

Without meeting her eyes, Inuyasha turned away. “You better hurry up and eat. We still got a long way to go.”

 

She watched his retreating back. He was still angry at her, at Ranma, at everything. Setting Shippou down, Kagome made a mental note to talk to Inuyasha as soon as it was feasible. Things just couldn't carry on like this.

 

 

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Ryoga Hibiki was a nice guy. He often wondered if he was too nice. Such a thought crossed his mind often, like the time Ranma, weakened by some trick of Happosai's, had asked, no, begged him to attack him. Ryoga had refused.

 

It was perhaps due to this innate kindness that Ryoga found himself in situations like this one.

 

Ryoga was wandering around the village after breakfast. He remembered Ukyou's advice to keep someone familiar always in sight. He had no desire to go wandering off through the Sengoku Jidai only to find himself lost. He had an inkling that getting lost here would be a thousand times worse then getting lost in modern-day Tokyo. A quick glance at his surroundings revealed fields of velvety grass that seemed to stretch out endlessly. There weren't any landmarks.

 

It had started innocent enough. He spotted an elderly man who was dragging what looked like a very heavy cart behind him. Instinctively, Ryoga had offered his help. The man had looked up, all smiles at the offer and promptly dropped the weight on Ryoga's waiting hands. Unprepared for the sudden move, Ryoga had nearly staggered under the load, but soon straightened.

 

Ryoga had brushed aside the man's thanks but gingerly accepted the drink of water the man's granddaughter offered. The girl had stared at him with wide brown eyes, giggling inanely when Ryoga thanked her.

 

The man had praised his strength and before he knew it, Ryoga had been roped into helping some the village youths erect a hut for a newly married couple.

 

Ryoga didn't mind helping at all, it gave him something to do, prevented him from wandering too far from the village and more importantly prevented him from worrying about things he could do nothing about - like what Ranma and Akane were doing.

 

Yes it was all innocent enough.

 

Yet somehow Ryoga found himself pushing a very large boulder, up a very steep hill. He tried to recall how this had happened, but was coming up blank.

 

Finally reaching the summit, Ryoga leaned heavily against the boulder, panting slightly from his exertions.

 

“Oh thank you my boy! That boulder will just be perfect right where it is!”

 

Wearily opening one eye, Ryoga watched as the simpering elderly lady picked up what looked like a fluffy orange and black striped cat and placed it on the boulder.

 

“My little darling just loves this boulder. I'm just so lucky to have a wonderful, strong boy like you move it for me so my darling can be closer to home.”

 

It took a while for the old woman's words to penetrate through Ryoga's exhausted brain but when they finally did, he could only splutter incoherently before slumping down on the ground.

 

The old lady had offered Ryoga some food and a drink for his exertions, but since he wasn't feeling too kindly towards her, Ryoga declined and headed back down the hill. As the strength returned to his body, Ryoga's mind was free to dwell on other unpleasant things. Like precisely what Ranma was doing with Akane at that very moment.

 

The boy-sometimes-girl had more of a head start on him that he was comfortable with. Kami only knew what that pervert was doing with his virtuous Akane.

 

The thought of the dark-haired girl sent Ryoga into another one of his frequent daydreams. In this one, Akane was pressing her lithe form into his body, her eyes sparkling with tears as she pleaded to be rescued from the horrible arrangements her cruel father had demanded of her. Ryoga manfully held his beloved to his chest as he declared her safe from all the harms of the world. He was rewarded by the shining light of love in Akane's bluer-then-blue eyes as she stood on the tips of her toes to press a passionate kiss on his…

 

Suddenly and without knowing how, Ryoga tripped. It was a very steep hill and it wasn't long before the young martial artist was hurtling down it at an alarming speed.

 

Landing at the base, Ryoga groaned as he staggered to his feet. Disorientated from the fall, Ryoga had no idea of the danger before it was too late and he found himself feet first in a bucket of icy cold spring water.

 

With a grunt of dismay, Ryoga struggled out of the bucket, his hooves scratching in a futile attempt to free himself from its depths. With another grunt, Ryoga managed to push the bucket down and he harmlessly rolled out of it.

 

Sighing to himself, he wondered, not for the first time, precisely what horrible thing he had done in a past life for the gods to punish him so. It was at that moment, when Ryoga was beginning to wallow in the depths of his despair, that he heard a very soft feminine chuckle.

 

With a feeling of foreboding, Ryoga looked up into kindly brown eyes.

 

Sango.

 

Her name was Sango, the lovely taijiya who had been so hospitable to them. Ryoga wondered if she was going to put a pink collar on him and call him by some ridiculous name.

 

“I should've known. So tell me. Aside from Ranma, Genma and that Mousse, who else turns into something they shouldn't hmm?”

 

Surprised, Ryoga blinked as Sango simply smiled at him, then gestured for him to follow. She didn't pick him up, cuddle him and didn't call him George…or Maryanne…or even P-chan. Ryoga trotted after her happily.

 

Reaching the hut, Sango pulled the mat back for him before grabbing the kettle of water that was sitting on the flames.

 

“It seems we should have one of these handy all the time ne?” Sango chuckled again as the sometimes-pig morphed before her very eyes.

 

Embarrassed, Ryoga shook the droplets of water from his eyes. “I'm sorry that we are such an inconvenience to you Sango-san. I must say you're handling all of this rather well.”

 

Sango shrugged and handed him a cloth to dry off with. “I've seen stranger things in my life Ryoga-san. Besides, concepts of halves aren't all that alien to me.”

 

She smiled at him, before exiting the hut. “Just take care not to fall into too many buckets.”

 

Following her out, Ryoga nodded happily, a loud noise distracting him from replying.

 

There were times when he wondered if maybe he should have been born a female. Ryoga couldn't help but shake his head as he watched Mousse and Kuno. Mousse had been strangely quiet since he had been rescued from being parboiled the night before. He had been sitting quietly, his cloudy eyes following Shampoo's every move. However the quiet Chinese martial artist had gotten to his feet and was now loudly arguing with Kuno.

 

Kuno apparently had spent the morning well. He did not look as if the entire village had decided to use him as some sort of ox, but was instead surrounded by a bevy of young girls, all looking at him with stars in their eyes.

 

But he was now brandishing his bokken at Mousse who was fingering the cloth of his sleeve. Kodachi and Shampoo stood to one side, Kodachi was sneering while Shampoo merely looked bored.

 

Beside him, he heard Sango sigh.

 

Ryoga bowed his head in shame. Why couldn't his companions act with more restraint? They had to wait three days. Three very long days.

 

 

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Sucking the fresh air into her lungs with almost forceful vengeance, Kagura paused at the bottom of the well, leaning limply against the wall. The trip had not been that long, over the course of a day and night, but the journey had taken its toll on her senses. She was still reeling from the fumes that she had been forced to breathe in and was not sure if she could now extinguish from her lungs. Was there enough fresh air in the world for that?

 

She had dropped the girl unceremoniously at her feet. Kagura was certain that the human was going to wake up with bruises all over her pale skin. The effects of the potion should be wearing off soon.

 

With a sigh, she sent her blades of wind dancing up from the well. The signal she had been instructed to send as soon as she arrived. Just a little bit of waiting now…

 

 

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Sango pressed her fingers hard against her aching temple. The headache had started early that morning as the girls squabbled over the foh-toh of Ranma. It had steadily escalated, spiking when she spotted Miroku laughing with the young cook.

 

The pain at her temples had ebbed a bit when she helped poor Ryoga out. She had turned the corner just in time to see the young man step into that bucket of water. She had seen him shrink into the bucket only to emerge as the cutest little black piglet she had ever seen. The poor thing had shaken his head and had projected such a strong sense of dismay that Sango just had to help him out.

 

She just couldn't imagine what it would be like if one's form was dictated by something so trivial as water.

 

She thought it had been bad when the girls were squabbling among themselves. She realised it was ten times worse for the young men to be at each other's throats. Sheesh - and she thought the Kagome-Inuyasha-Kikyou triangle was complicated.

 

Sango was just about to step forward to break up the argument when a cold chill raced down her spine. She looked around for any ominous signs and caught sight of something large swooping over the village, casting it into momentary darkness.

 

Slipping into the hut, Sango silently slipped out of her yukata, her hand reaching automatically for her weapon. Stepping out, she saw Kirara bounding towards her. She turned and caught sight of Miroku, clutching his staff in a tight, white-knuckled grasp.

 

Miroku barely acknowledged her presence at his side, just nodding at her as his hand reached for an ofuda.

 

“Wait.” Quietly she grabbed hold of his sleeve, “What about them?”

 

Miroku stopped and glanced in the direction of her nod. He sighed and stepped towards Mousse and Kuno who were still squabbling. “I really suggest that you try to keep it down.”

 

But before Miroku had a chance to complete his sentence, both Mousse and Kuno had stilled.

 

Sango shivered suddenly, something was wrong, very wrong.

 

Before she could get a better grip on her Hiraikotsu, a loud shriek drew her attention.

 

Spinning, she jerked the massive weapon clear from its bindings, holding it loosely in one hand, prepared to launch it. Eyes fixed on the sky, she watched as something large swooped over the village again. Villagers screamed as they ran for cover.

 

Before she could raise her voice to call for her faithful companion, with a swirl of flames Kirara transformed beside her. Catching hold of the fire cat's mane, Sango, swung herself with practised ease on Kirara's back. With a squeeze of her knees, Kirara was soaring through the air. With a flick of her wrist, she sent Hiraikotsu soaring through the air. Her aim was true, the weapon effectively slicing the creature in half. Sango braced herself for her weapon's return, catching it as it wheeled back to her.

 

Guiding Kirara downwards, she watched as Miroku opened his Kazaana, effectively ridding the village of the demon's remains.

 

“What was that?” Sango asked.

 

Miroku looked up and was about to answer when his features tightened in a frown. Seeing the monk's look of apprehension, Sango turned to look behind her before he could open his mouth.

 

What she saw chilled her blood.

 

Waves of demons were surging in and over the village. The vanguard consisted of flying demons of varying sizes, all screeching their battle cries.

 

Whipping around, her eyes seeking Miroku, she saw that he had broken into a run to the forefront of the village, his hand closed tight over the prayer beads that sealed the curse.

 

“Kuso.” Sango muttered under her breath, looking back to the group of teenagers. She watched as Ryoga stepped forward and she urged Kirara down to the ground again.

 

“Sango-san, are those…”

 

“Demons. They're after the well. Kaede warned us they would come, but I didn't expect this.” Sango cursed again, as she watched Miroku open his Kazaana once again. “Look, you guys should take cover…”

 

Before she could finish her warning, Ryoga had run forward. “Ryoga! No!”

 

The youth let out a might bellow, his hand out. She watched as he extended one finger, jumping into the air. His body hurtling back down to the ground, Ryoga drove his finger downwards.

 

The earth shattered beneath his touch, causing the wave of smaller demons to fall into the hole that Ryoga had created.

 

“Don't worry about us sugar.” Ukyou touched Sango's shoulder briefly. Confused, Sango looked back and saw that the young girl had drawn her own weapon, a predatory gleam in her chocolate brown eyes. “We can take care of ourselves.”

 

Gulping, Sango was about to reply but she heard Miroku call out her name. Whirling around she saw Naraku's poisonous insects emerge. With a frustrated groan, Sango hoisted herself up on Kirara once again, her hand on Hiraikotsu.

 

 

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With a grunt, Kagura dropped the girl on the ground. Spying her sister, Kagura made her way to the girl with the mirror.

 

Kanna turned milky eyes to her. She held her mirror outwards and Kagura paused to look over the scene.

 

She saw the monk at the front, throwing his ofuda on each unfortunate demon which crossed his path. The demon slayer was soaring through the air on her demon cat, slicing through the hoards. There seemed to be no sign of the inu hanyou or the miko.

 

“They have some more help.” Kanna whispered, anticipating Kagura's question.

 

Looking again, Kagura spotted a young man pounding the ground beneath him, turning everything he touched into dust. Another young man with long black hair leapt into the air, blades flying from him and pinning several demons with his attack. A young woman with chestnut brown hair, swung her weapon with deadly accuracy. Further afield, a purple haired girl attacked the demons with frenzied energy.

 

“I wonder where they came from…” Kagura mused.

 

Kanna turned her mirror slightly, Kagura sighed and nodded towards the girl who lay not far from them.

 

“Tell Naraku I'm on my way.”

 

Kanna didn't look like she had heard her sister, but Kagura knew that Naraku got the message regardless.

 

Turning from the bloodshed, Kagura made her way back to the girl, conjuring her feather. Hopefully, Naraku's distraction would work and neither the demon slayer or the monk would spot her carrying away one girl.

 

 

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Ryoga paused to wipe beads of sweat from his forehead. The creatures were stronger then anything he had ever come up against and fighting them was beginning to draw on his energy.

 

Stumbling backwards from the fighting, he felt a shiver race down his spine. Looking up, he saw a woman on a feather rise out from the cover of trees. He watched as the feather dipped uncertainly and he caught sight of a familiar face.

 

No, it couldn't be. Was that…

 

The feather dipped again and he watched as the woman bent forwards to haul her captive more securely on the feather and Ryoga saw her face again.

 

Kasumi.

 

Deathly pale, lips tinged a worrisome blue, Kasumi Tendou lay unconscious on a giant feather.

 

With a cry, Ryoga surged forward, barrelling through several demons in his frantic attempt to reach Akane's eldest sister.

 

”Kasumi!” Ryoga bellowed as a wave of stronger demons descended on him, engulfing him and holding him back. With an angered cry, Ryoga kicked and punched. Breaking free from the demons, his eyes scanned the air but they were gone.

 

“No…Akane…I failed you…” Ryoga sank to his knees.

 

 

 

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AN: I had a really hard time writing this, battle scenes just don't come naturally to me. Blech. I had actually written this several days ago, but just kinda sat on it. Thanks again to those who reviewed - you made my day! -does Snoopy dance- How do you all like it so far? It's going to get a little darker from here on in. I finally found the plot! There is still a substantial bit to get through before we're done. Let me know if you like where this is going.

 

For those interested, Chapter Five - Secrets can be found on FF(dot)net until I figure out what I'm doing wrong! (Please remove spaces)

 

http:/ /www. fanfiction. net / s / 2762610 / 5 /