Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Changed Miko ❯ Memories ( Chapter 12 )

A heavy sigh sounded out against the silence of the clearing where a silver-haired hanyou was currently being held. He had woken up tied to this Kami forsaken tree two days ago and was immediately confused as to why. The last thing Inuyasha remembered was going to Kagome's time and finding her in a rather `tender' moment with another youkai.

 

He strained against his bonds for the thousandth time since he had been awake, only to find that they still held as tight as they had been. Inuyasha was sore all over, he was hungry and the entire clearing reeked of Kagome's blood and something else he couldn't quite name. The whole situation made his stomach turn and he had to fight back the bile that rose from his stomach.

 

The hanyou coughed and sputtered as he forced the putrid liquid back down his sore throat. He desperately needed a drink and his body ached to be stretched. Inuyasha had spent countless hours screaming at the top of his lungs in an attempt to get someone, anyone to come into the clearing, but it was all to no avail. No one ever came.

 

The more time that he spent awake, the more his predicament started to bother him. Not because he was uncomfortable, he was, and not because he was pissed beyond belief, that went without saying. He was uncomfortable because he couldn't remember what had transpired. All that he could bring to mind was being in Kagome's era and then awakening to find himself restrained to a tree by some very powerful vines in a clearing that reeked of the miko's blood.

 

Searching the area of his imprisonment yet again, his golden eyes caught something they had missed before. A strip of cloth lay out in the middle of the clearing. He focused a little more and realized what it was. It was from Kagome's shirt! The one she had been wearing two days ago….

 

…and that was when it hit him. Everything that he had done to the little miko from the future came flooding back and crashed against him in waves. Tears coursed down his cheeks and he wretched when a sob broke free and forced the smell of the clearing to assault his nose. `Kami…what have I done?'

 

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Kagome awoke with a start and found herself staring up at the ceiling that could only be the one in Kaede's hut. Her entire body ached and when she tried to move, her muscles screamed in protest. “Kaede?” she said from her place on the futon, though it only came out as a harsh, yet quiet whisper. Her throat felt positively raw and she badly needed a drink. It was obvious that she couldn't get up to get a drink and apparently, her voice wouldn't work either.

 

Taking one more look around the room and finding it empty, Kagome decided to try the telepathic link she had with Hiei. She knew he was just outside the hut. His presence had been calming to her while she was tossed about in the darkness. The miko wasn't sure how long she had been out or the details as to why; all she knew was that she had felt the fire demon in her mind and it had soothed her.

 

She took a deep breathe and closed her eyes. `Hiei, what happened?' Kagome could feel Hiei jump at the sound of her voice and hoped she hadn't upset him by barging in on his mental status. She had just begun to berate herself for her intrusion when someone slipped a warm hand into hers.

 

Hiei looked down at the miko on the futon, her soft voice still ringing in his mind. He absentmindedly snuck his hand into hers and hoped she would be able to handle what he was about to tell her. He knew she remembered next to nothing of what had transpired because it was his own doing.

 

Throughout the time he had been working to heal her mind, he had set up a few barriers to hold back the memories of Inuyasha's attack. He had left enough feelings present so Kagome would know that something rather unpleasant had happened, but not enough to give it away and not so much that it would scare her beyond repair. Hiei knew she would take the ordeal hard and was doing his best to make sure it wouldn't shatter her.

 

He had been so caught up in thinking about how to explain things to her that he didn't notice Kagome turn her head to let her stormy blue orbs fall upon him. She lightly squeezed his hand and said `Hiei, what happened? I remember being at my house with you and the others when Inuyasha took me. I remember him bringing me back to the Feudal Era….and then I woke up here. I have a terrible feeling though. Something bad happened, didn't it?'

 

Letting a heavy sigh escape his lips, Hiei nodded his head and stood up. He sat down on the bed next to her, still holding her hand, and began to inform the confused miko. “Kagome, you don't remember what happened because I blocked it from you.”

 

Kagome arched an eyebrow in silent question and he continued. “When Inuyasha took you, we went back to the Reikai and had Koenma transport us here. Kurama and I followed your scent to a clearing. That damn dog had torn you up, Kagome. The entire area smelled of your blood. We got there just in time to stop him from taking your innocence. You have been unconscious for two days.”

 

All time seemed to come to a screeching halt. `Inuyasha? Tore me up? That is why my body hurts so much. Wait….taking my innocence?!' Kagome's body began shaking violently as all the memories came tumbling back.

 

~*~ Flashback~*~

 

Inuyasha chuckled, sending shivers down the miko's spine. “What I mean, my dear Kagome, is that I am going to take you, right here and right now and when I am finished with you, I will leave you for dead for betraying me. If you die, then so be it. You will be better off. If you live, you will be tainted. No one will ever want you; not that they would have in the first place.”

 

~*~ End Flashback ~*~

 

Hiei watched Kagome carefully as what he had told her sank in. At first, she seemed to still not remember, and then he noticed a haunted look cross her eyes. He knew at that moment that she was experiencing it all over again. Seeing Kagome's body start to tremble and tears run down her cheeks, Hiei momentarily panicked. He knew she was in a fragile state of mind and had to do something to help sooth her.

 

So, he did the only thing he could think of. He got up from his spot next to her on the bed and gently pulled her into a sitting position. Holding her gently, but firmly, Hiei climbed onto the futon behind her and wrapped his arms around her body, pulling her back to his chest. Slowly, he began to stroke her raven hair. `It's just as soft as I thought it would be.'

 

Kagome's body cried out when she was pulled up from her laying place and she tensed when Hiei climbed behind her and wrapped her up in his arms. Her mind swirled with all the events that had happened and she felt as though she were losing her grip on sanity. Just as a strong feeling of anxiety crawled across her skin, Kagome felt his hand gently running through her hair. She stilled for a moment and began to relax into his touch. It felt so good to just be held.

 

“Kagome, I know you have been through so much but all of your friends are here to help you. The monk and taijiya arrived earlier today and are outside now talking with Kurama. I am here for you too. I promise I won't let anything happen to you again.” Hiei said in a gentle whisper, knowing she would hear him. `Wait…what? Why did I say that? Do I really want to make that kind of promise to a human? Yes you do.'

 

All doubts were thrown away when he felt her sobs stop altogether. `Sango and Miroku are here? Am I well enough to get up? I could really use a bath; I am hungry and so thirsty.'

 

A small smile started forming at the corners of the fire demons mouth. “Yes they are here and all your wounds have healed, so you can do whatever you like. Just take it easy; you have been out for awhile and your muscles might not like too much movement.”

 

Kagome nodded in understanding and was about to ask him if he could help her stand when she remembered something. She wanted to know what had happened to Inuyasha. `Hiei. What happened to Inuyasha? Did you….kill him?' After she asked, she almost didn't want to know. Kagome knew that if they had killed him, it was because he deserved it, but that didn't mean she wouldn't mourn him.

 

The koorime just sighed. He had been waiting for her to ask about the hanyou. “No Kagome. We didn't kill him, though it was hard not to. He is being ….restrained in the woods as of right now. We all thought it best that you be conscious enough to make a decision on his fate. Though, I think your slayer friend might very well be itching to rip him limb from limb.”

 

The thought of Sango and her temper made the miko laugh slightly. She couldn't wait to make it outside and see her sister, even though she was rather enjoying the warmth of the body behind her. `Bad Kagome! What are you thinking? Inuyasha was right…no one will want me. Especially not a full youkai.'

 

Hearing a small tinkling of laughter coming from the girl in his arms startled Hiei at first. She seemed to be taking this far better than he thought she would. Then, he felt her stiffen and smelt the salt of her tears again. “Kagome….are you alright? Why are you crying?”

 

The miko sniffed and wiped at her tears. `Way to show another how weak you are.' `I'm sorry Hiei. I know I am weak and worthless. You don't have to stay here with me anymore. Please, can you get Sango for me?'

 

Hiei was floored. How could she think so little of herself? She had just survived something horrendous and here she was degrading herself to him? `Stupid hanyou. How could he break down such a beautiful soul?' He was just about to voice his questions when he heard her.

 

“Kagome?”

 

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Sango had been sitting listening to Miroku and the Spirit Detectives talking about what to do with Inuyasha and Kagome. It had just been suggested that Kagome be returned to her time to recuperate when Hiei had gotten up and walked into the hut that housed the fallen miko.

 

The slayer had seen the flash of emotion cross the fire youkai's red eyes more than once while talking about her friend. It was obvious that Kagome held a place in Hiei's heart and she wondered if he knew something about her he wasn't telling.

 

Seeing as how the guys were busy discussing punishment for the traitorous hanyou, Sango stood up and quietly made her way inside the hut. She stood silently and listened as Hiei told Kagome about what had happened. Her own heart nearly broke when she heard her friend sobbing and decided to make her presence known.

 

“Kagome?” Sango said into the darkness of the room, waiting for her eyes to adjust. She caught movement from in front of her and focused her attention on it. She saw Hiei sitting on the futon holding a distraught Kagome to his chest.

 

“Slayer, I was just about to come and find you. Kagome would like to take a bath. I trust you can help her? I will have some food ready for her when she returns.” Hiei said as he stood and helped the miko to her feet. She stood shakily, but Hiei held her fast to make sure she didn't fall.

 

Sango rushed forward and wrapped her strong arm around Kagome's waist, letting the girls' weight rest against her side. “Of course. Make sure that hentai houshi stays here.”

 

Hiei nodded and left the women.

 

“Oh Kagome! I - we - were so worried about you! I am so happy to see you awake. Kurama was worried that there may have been too much damage done for you to wake up. Well, that doesn't matter. You are awake now and we are going to go have a nice bath.” Sango said with a genuine smile as she gathered the necessary bathing supplies, supporting Kagome the entire time.

 

“Sango.…water….please….” Kagome managed to choke out. Her throat hurt badly and she really wanted to be able to talk to Sango. Sure, her entire body was aflame with pain, but she knew that would go away as soon as she got into the hot springs.

 

“Sure thing Kagome.” Sango handed the girl a cup of cool water and helped lift it to her lips. Kagome finished the water in one drink and still looked thirsty. “More?” As Kagome nodded, Sango chuckled.

 

Kagome was back and that was all that mattered.