Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Evolution ❯ Separated ( Chapter 11 )

Evolution

 

OooooO

 

For a few minutes, Kagome rested in darkness. It was the sort of thing where you're half awake, but you don't want to get up yet. And so she rested with her eyes shut, her meager human hearing taking in all she could. Evidently, there was a person reading a book in the room with her. She could hear a page turning every now and then. Kagome was on a very comfortable bed, covered in thick, warm furs. Slowly, Kagome opened her eyes. `How strange. It didn't feel like I was in a cave.' Indeed, Kagome was staring up at the roof of a cave, if the rock above her was any clue. Kagome tried to sit up, but winced when she did so.

 

“ Ah…” Kagome grasped her side.

 

“ I wouldn't do that if I were you. That was a nasty fall you had,” someone said. `That's right…the explosion…and that rock hit me in my side…I knew I felt my ribs break.' Kagome turned her head and saw the most beautiful woman she ever saw. She had long, silky looking silver hair, or maybe platinum? It had a bluish tint to it. Her skin was pale, but not so that she looked as if she were a corpse. There were no markings or blemishes on her face, leaving only pale smoothness. A thick, fluffy pelt was curled around her shoulder. Even when she was lazily lounging in the chair, one leg crossed over the other, she looked intimidating. If her long legs were anything to go by, she was definitely tall. She had an ample bust, but not overly so, and her clothing didn't accentuate it. In fact, she was dressed as a man. Her clothes were all white, except for the blue sash that looked as if its ends had been dipped in silver. Her top was a short sleeved tunic that ended at mid-thigh. She wore black flat shoes, the only other thing on her person that wasn't white. She had long, slender hands, tipped with dainty, but deadly claws. Said hands gripped the book she was reading. The woman's sheer beauty made Kagome turn green. `So much silver and white…it's almost like looking at the moon…'

 

“ So you're finally awake. You've been asleep for about two days. I may not know much about human health, but that can't be good,” she said. The woman looked at Kagome. Kagome gasped inaudibly. At first she thought the woman was blind, but as she studied her eyes, Kagome found her eyes were merely silver, and she was not blind.

 

“ Who are you?” Kagome asked. The woman marked her page and set the book on a shelf behind her that Kagome had not noticed.

 

“ I am called Seiryoku. I am one of two of Youko Kurama's partners,” she said. `Seiryoku…such a strong name…'

 

“ I see. I am Kagome,” Kagome replied.

 

“ Mmhm. Kuronue found you lying in the forest. He said that he was coming home and you fell right in front of him. He hung around for a bit, and said that since no one appeared to be looking for you, and since nobody was with you, he might as well bring you here. It was a good thing I wasn't out too. I'm the only one in this entire clan who really knows how to take care of anyone injured. Still, I'm no healer. You're bow is over there. You were clutching it like a lifeline,” Seiryoku pointed to her bow, which was resting against the wall. It looked battered, and the string was missing.

 

“ Your string broke when you fell down. Don't worry, we can get you another one,” Seiryoku said. The youkai stood, and proved Kagome's suspicions correct. Seiryoku stood at about 5'11, nearly six foot tall.

 

“ I'm going to get Youko now. He wants to speak with you,” Seiryoku told Kagome. The human girl nodded. Kagome reclined back on the pillows, feeling sleep pulling on her eyes. `I've been asleep two days and I'm still tired?' Kagome had just began to doze when she heard the whisper of clothing and a powerful presence enter the room. Her eyes snapped open.

 

“ You look awful,” Youko said. His cool golden eyes regarded her with indifference. `What is with this guy? First he makes moves on me, then he acts all frigid…he's weird.'

 

“ Well, you sure know how to make a girl feel nice,” Kagome snapped. The fox youkai arched an eyebrow. `He looks like Sesshoumaru when he does that…'

 

“ That's quite a mood you're in,” He replied blandly. Kagome gritted her teeth. `Ugh, he's so frustrating!' Kagome rolled up her sleeve, and thrust her arm in his face, showing him the green mark.

 

“ Tell me what this is. Now,” Kagome demanded. Youko gently pushed her arm from his face.

 

“ No, I don't think I will. I'll leave that for some other time,” Youko said. Kagome glared, but decided to change the subject.

 

“ Fine then. Don't tell me. I'll find out on my own. Where am I anyway?” Kagome asked. Youko grabbed the chair Seiryoku had been sitting in and dragged it over to Kagome's bedside where he sat down.

 

“ You are currently residing in the place my clan calls home. This is Seiryoku's bedroom. As she is the only female in the clan, it is only appropriate you would sleep here,” Youko answered.

 

“ I see…” Kagome pursed her lips. `So I'm with Youko's clan of thieves? What have I gotten myself into?' Kagome turned to look back at Youko, who was still looking at her, a strange look in his golden eyes.

 

“ Seiryoku-san said that you wanted to talk to me about something,” Kagome prompted the youkai. Youko shifted silently, leaning backwards in the chair.

 

“ I seem to recall you claiming to be a healer,” Youko began. Kagome's eyes went wide. `Oh my gosh, he actually believed me? I'd better set him straight before I get into something I can't handle…'

 

“ You do know I was lying when I said that, right? I mean, that guy was dying, plus, that other guy looked like he really wanted to rip out my throat! I did that because I had suspected that I could get away without getting beat up or chased around in the forests at night by a group of youkai,” Kagome said. `Or killed.' She added mentally in her head. Youko smirked at her.

 

“ I am well aware you were lying. You don't look old enough to be an accomplished healer, not for a human. However, for all that you lied, you did your job well. As Seiryoku probably mentioned to you, she is the only one in my clan with some skills in healing, but even that is not enough in some cases. Other times Seiryoku isn't even here to tend to the injured men. Since you are here and have proved yourself capable, you will be our healer,” Youko told Kagome. The girl in question felt the familiar bubbling of fury. `Who does he think he is?! I'm not gonna just up and do everything he says!'

 

“ What makes you think I'm going to stick around and heal your men when they get injured?” Kagome snapped.

 

“ What makes you think I gave you a choice?” Youko replied. Kagome glared. However, she couldn't work up the nerve to say anything back to him. There was a strange, almost dangerous glint in his gold eyes that told her she would agree unless she wanted to die a slow and painful death. `It's just like that very first time I saw him, and I couldn't look away…' The revelation startled Kagome, and she pinched herself back into reality. As Kagome's eyes refocused, she noted the odd look in Youko's eyes.

 

“ Look, I appreciate you helping me, but I really need to find my friends,” Kagome said. Youko stood, his face set.

 

“ I have given you my answer. Perhaps you will realize why I will not allow you to leave at a later time. You will stay here until I decide you can go,” his voice sounded almost possessive. Kagome suppressed a shiver. She glared balefully at the male and could see the smirk tugging at his lips.

 

“ You should rest. If Kuronue is to be believed, that was a terrible fall you had,” and with that, Youko left in a swirl of white cloth. Kagome stared after his form, shocked. `How can this be? Staying here? How long will I be away from everyone? I need to get back…but I can't just go against Youko, who knows what he'll do…' Kagome fell back on the bed, mindful of the break her ribs had suffered. As thoughts whirled around in her head, Kagome felt tears of frustration gather in the corners of her eyes. And as plans of escape formed in her mind, Kagome slowly drifted asleep.

 

OooooO

 

When Kagome awoke again, she felt much better. The room was empty, but there was a feeling of lingering warmth beside Kagome. `Someone was sleeping next to me, or at least lying down…' Kagome decided to disregard that for the moment. Except for her previous injuries, Kagome remained unharmed, and that's all she really cared about, that and getting back to her friends. While Kagome regained her bearings, she realized she had no idea where she was, or what time it was. All she knew was that she was in Youko's lair, Seiryoku's room to be specific. Kagome sighed. `With my ribs broken, I might as well be a cripple. I'll just have to wait here until someone comes to check up on me…' Kagome thought grimly. She carefully pushed herself in a sitting position and looked around the room, checking for any details she might've missed. Besides the book shelf and chair, there was also a small bedside table and a small desk by the shelf, where a candle lantern sat. A few books were neatly stacked on the desk, along with a worn journal. In the corner of the desk was a simple but elegant calligraphy set. There were a few large chests pushed against the far wall of the cave-room, which Kagome guessed held all of Seiryoku's clothes. There was only one way out of the room, and as Kagome peered down the hall, she could see several brightly burning torches jammed into the wall. Her inspection of all that she could see done, Kagome looked at the clothes she was dressed in.

 

It was a simple, plain, white silk yukata. End of story. The sleeves were a bit big, and went past Kagome's hands, but Kagome was sufficiently covered. If this was Seiryoku's clothing, which Kagome was willing to bet it was, when Kagome stood, the yukata would be trailing on the floor.

 

Kagome sighed. There was no one around, at least, not that she could tell, and it was getting awful boring, just staring at the walls. `It'd be so nice if someone came in to talk to me…I can't exactly get up with broken ribs.' The would-be priestess reclined back and strained her eyes to read the titles on the book shelf.

 

She had just gotten to reading the third to last shelf when she heard light footsteps coming down the hall. Kagome perked up and glanced down the hallway eagerly. Seiryoku entered the room, her face contorted in amused annoyance. `That's like an oxymoron…' Kagome thought wryly.

 

“ Ummm…” Kagome began hesitantly. Seiryoku's eyes focused.

 

“ Oh, you're awake. How are you feeling?” the she-demon asked.

 

“ Really dirty,” Kagome stated flatly. Seiryoku smirked.

 

“ I thought you might feel that way,” replied Seiryoku. Kagome stared at the dog youkai expectantly. The silver haired female glided over to Kagome's bedside. Carefully, Seiryoku scooped up Kagome, holding her bridal style. Kagome winced when the smooth action jarred her ribs.

 

“ There's a hotspring in the back of the caves. The clan doesn't typically go back there, so you should be able to bathe in peace,” Seiryoku told Kagome. Seiryoku walked out of the bedroom and down the hall, only to have it connect with another hallway. This tunnel was also lit with burning torches. Seiryoku turned right and walked down the tunnel. As they walked, Kagome could see different hallways branching off from the main one.

 

“ Don't ever come down here without someone with you. It's easy to get lost,” Seiryoku said. Kagome nodded silently. `A person could be trapped for forever down here without a guide…'

 

“ Has a person ever gotten out?” Kagome asked. A wicked grin spread across Seiryoku's face.

 

“ No,” she replied. Kagome suppressed a shiver. `It's almost like that movie I saw once, Labyrinth. Once you get to the center, you'll never get out again…'

 

“ We're almost there,” Seiryoku said after about seven minutes. Sure enough, Seiryoku took another right, and went down a tunnel that was much more twisted and winding than the one before. The she-demon took a few more turns, before they came upon a cave with a steaming spring in the center. In a careful movement, Seiryoku gently placed Kagome on her feet. Kagome braced herself for any oncoming pain, but there was none. As the yukata straightened around Kagome's body, she saw that the silk was so long it left a train behind her.

 

“ Those are the hair soaps, and that's the body soap,” Seiryoku paused, “ I'm going to get you some towels and something else to wear. Can you get in by yourself?” Kagome nodded.

 

“ Very well. I'll return in a moment. Be careful you don't drown,” Seiryoku turned on her heel and left. When Kagome couldn't hear her footsteps anymore, she untied the yukata and let it pool on the floor around her feet. Kagome was shocked to see the state of her body. There were several bandages around her legs and arms, and a brace had been created from sturdy branches and cloth to render her ribs immobile while they healed. Several bruises had also marred her skin, turning it into a mottled color of purples, blacks, blues, and yellows. Kagome carefully stripped herself of the bandages, but left the primitive cast on her ribs. Moving carefully, Kagome slid her body into the pool of water. As the liquid caressed her body, the would-be priestess sighed in bliss.

 

After relaxing for a while in the warm waters, Kagome stretched out a small arm to grasp some of the hair soap. Kagome stared at it for a moment. It was just powder. Red powder. Pursing her lips, Kagome drizzled some of the water on the powder. It clumped together quickly and Kagome rubbed the gritty stuff between her hands until it dissolved into a thick lather. Kagome then proceeded to clean herself. She was just rinsing her hair for the second time when Seiryoku walked in. Making sure her hair was thoroughly clean, Kagome turned to Seiryoku.

 

“ I'm sorry about the mess I made, but I didn't know where to put anything,” Kagome said, refering to the yukata and bandages. Seiryoky waved it off.

 

“ Don't worry about it. I've got some more bandages, by the way,” she said. Kagome nodded and returned to cleaning herself. Then she stopped for a moment.

 

“ Umm, I think my cast is coming loose. I need you to remake it again after I come out,” Kagome said sheepishly. Seiryoku smirked.

 

“ I think I can do that,”

 

OooooO

 

Inuyasha growled low in his throat. This was not good. Definitely not good. Because of his damn stupidity, he had gone and gotten everyone blown up. Except for himself and Shippo, who was sleeping, nestled in Inuyasha's side. He been thrown so far away he had yet to find the battleground. He could find everyone from there. Inuyasha frowned. He didn't want to know what shape Kagome might be in when he found her again. Inuyasha prayed no one with bad intentions had found her. If that was the case, Kagome would be better off dead. Inuyasha could think of a million things that were ocurring to Kagome this moment, each one worse than the last. Torture, rape, slavery. Inuyasha shuddered at the thought. Most slaves, especially human ones, didn't make it to freedom. Those that did had broken spirits. Or their souls had been tortured for so long that they only lived for revenge. Inuyasha didn't want to see a Kagome with broken eyes, or eyes that burned with hate. He wanted the Kagome with bright, happy eyes. Thinking of slavery made Inuyasha look down at the rosary. He wondered if Kagome knew what the beaded necklace really symbolized.

 

It was an old form of slavery, which wasn't as powerful as some of the newer “collars”, as most youkai put it. The rosary didn't contain Inuyasha's powers, like all of the newer collars did, but as Kagome had demonstrated many times before, Inuyasha was incapable of doing something she didn't like without paying the consequences. And she didn't even realize it. The rosary also made it so that only a person with much power, like Kagome, could have a hold on him. Most humans today could get one of those collars and control a youkai, whether or not they had holy magic. It stung each time a full youkai seen the rosary around Inuyasha's neck and sneered, knowing what station he had. And Kagome didn't even know.

 

But the real kicker was that Inuyasha's soul was tied with Kagome's. It didn't offer any of that sensing each other's emotions bullshit that a lot people thought it did. But there was an irrevocable tie that was dangerously intimate. For most youkai, a mating meant tying souls together. And this rosary did just that. In the very beginning, Inuyasha had felt violated, that something so personal had happened, and he didn't want it. But for all of the things Inuyasha's had done, Kagome hadn't punished him. She didn't abuse him to the point where he followed behind her with his head down like some sort of woman. But she wouldn't take the damn thing off him either. He hated that. It was bad enough that he was a hanyou, but for everyone to think him a hanyou in slavery? Another growl escaped Inuyasha, but he stopped when a whimper came from the ball attached to his side.

 

“ You miss Kagome too, don't you, you runt,” Inuyasha said with a touch of affection. Shippo burrowed deeper into Inuyasha's side, still whimpering slightly. The hanyou frowned. `He really wants Kagome…' Inuyasha snorted. There was no way in hell he could imitate Kagome's voice enough to comfort Shippo, but there was something else he could do, maybe. `How was I comforted, when I was little?' A beautiful feminine face flickered in Inuyasha's mind, set with silver eyes and framed with silver hair. `That's right…Lord Tsukimi, the most beautiful female in all of the clan. They said that when you looked at her, it was like viewing the moon in all its glory…' In the beginning, she had treated Inuyasha fairly, with respect. But then she betrayed Inuyasha and his mother by delivering them into the hands of the humans that would slaughter her and leave Inuyasha an orphan. But when the other youkai children used to try to beat up Inuyasha, Lord Tsukimi was there, and afterwards, she always comforted him with a deep throated purr-like growl that only mothers and fathers used with their children.

 

Inuyasha glanced down at Shippo, who was still whimpering. Inuyasha released a growl, but it was so threatening that Shippo trembled violently and cried out softly in his sleep. Inuyasha swore under his breath, and tried again. Only a slight croak left his mouth, but Inuyasha could feel the gentle rumbling beginning in his chest. `Dammit…well, Kagome always said third time's the charm…' Inuyasha tried again. This time, something so tender, so affectionate, so close to a purr escaped him that Inuyasha cut himself off with surprise. `I made that noise? I didn't think I was capable…of something like that…surely all that violence in my life ruined me for gentleness…' Inuyasha shook himself and ignored his thoughts. Now that he knew how to make that comforting sound from his childhood, Inuyasha rumbled softly next to Shippo, growing pleased as the fox kit calmed and his sleep became restful. Inuyasha smiled slightly. `I'd always wondered…what it'd be like to have my own family…' Images of Sango, Miroku, Kirara, Shippo, and Kagome flashed through Inuyasha's mind. `But I guess I already know, because I have my own family now…' Inuyasha's eyes narrowed as he looked at the horizon. `And I'm gonna kick their asses when I see them again. But first, I'm going to shred the bastard who took Kagome to pieces and make him eat it, one by one…'

 

OooooO

 

Youko glanced up as Seiryoku entered his room. `How odd. She doesn't normally venture in here…'

 

“ How nice to see you, Seiryoku. I'm surprised you came here. Youko and I could have been doing other…things,” Kuronue said suggestively. Seiryoku rolled her eyes.

 

“ I would've been able to tell if you two were copulating…again,” Seiryoku said.

 

“ You couldn't last time…” Kuronue smirked. Seiryoku scowled.

 

“ That's because we were being attacked by one of the clans. I didn't think you two would be engaged in your activities,” Seiryoku snapped. Youko watched them argue back and forth. While it was amusing, Youko knew Seiryoku had come for a reason.

 

“ Seiryoku. Kuronue,” Youko said. Both of the youkai paused in their bickering, focusing their attention on Youko.

 

“ Youko, what is the meaning of placing your mark on that girl, Kagome? Surely she cannot be a potential mate for you,” Seiryoku said. Youko leaned back in his chair. `Ah yes, my mark…'

 

“ Besides, I thought you were preoccupied with Kuronue,” Seiryoku glanced at the bat youkai.

 

“ Kuronue also plans to mark the girl,” Youko spoke. Kuronue nodded. Seiryoku's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

 

“ Oh? So what is so special about this girl that you both are willing to mark her?”

 

“ She slapped me,” Kuronue said, a touch of annoyance entering his voice. Seiryoku smirked.

 

“ And I'm sure you deserved it,” Seiryoku's eyes shifted to Youko. “ Well?”

 

“ She is interesting. She has resisted my power. She claims she has not yet been trained to be a priestess, yet she has holy magic. She lied when she said she was a healer, but she healed Ryuuza. A human only lies when they have something to protect. People, objects…and secrets. And a human only has secrets on one occasion…when said human is entangled in the affairs of youkai,” Youko told Seiryoku. Seiryoku's eyes glinted.

 

“ And you want to know how she is connected to youkai, besides you two,” Seiryoku concluded. Youko nodded.

 

“ Besides, she must be connected to youkai for a reason. Either because she is powerful, has something they want, or both. It would be beneficial to have one or both on our side, or at the least, put the girl's trust and loyalty in us. In that case, if a noble has their claws into her, she won't be inclined to attack us at their word,” Kuronue added. Seiryoku smirked.

 

“ I see you two have thought this through quite thoroughly. I wish you luck. However…” Seiryoku's smirk faded. “ You both know my feelings regarding males, and how males treat females. You will treat Kagome with respect, as you do me. I will not allow this otherwise.” Youko's eyes narrowed.

 

“ You will not allow? Seiryoku, you are beginning to act as if you are my mother, which you are not. Remember who is in power here,” Youko said dangerously. Seiryoku growled, the sound echoing in the cave.

 

“ I bow to no one, Youko Kurama, especially not a man. I only follow you, for you are a good leader, and you give me respect. Do not think to give me orders,” Seiryoku replied, her voice carrying a dark tone.

 

“ I will treat you as you treat me,” Youko said. Seiryoku paused, and abruptly the power waves rolling off her form stopped. Youko relaxed slightly. She was mollified, for now. Youko did not wish to get in a fight with the dog youkai. She was abnormally strong, and especially powerful for the females of her kind, as males did were particular about their females growing strong. Dealing with her was tricky. Youko did not dare to give Seiryoku orders, because depending on her mood, there was a definite chance of her reacting poorly and getting a row with Youko. Youko knew that while he might be able to defeat Seiryoku in a true battle to the death, Seiryoku would probably leave him crippled for his life, or most likely leave him with wounds that would cause him to die later on.

 

“ Fogive me, then. I did not mean to give you orders,” Seiryoku said, her smooth tone returning. Youko nodded. Acknowledging Kuronue, she turned on her heel and left. Kuronue released his breath.

 

“ Damn. That's one hell of a female,” Kuronue said. “ I'd hate to have to get on the wrong end of her fists.” He glanced at Youko, who was staring absently after Seiryoku.

 

“ How do you keep her under control?” Youko's eyes narrowed when he heard Kuronue's question.

 

“ I don't. It is as she said. She follows me only because she wishes to,” Youko replied. “ I am not worried about Seiryoku betraying me. I am worried that Seiryoku will get angry with me.” Kuronue raised his brow.

 

“ Women. They're dangerous,” said Kuronue. Youko nodded.

 

“ It is a good thing that Seiryoku is on our side then, is it not?”

 

OooOooOooOooOooOoo

 

So, it's dreadfully short, compared to the last one, but I wasn't up to typing seven pages, so I only did six. If that sounds short, I type in 10 font, so it's actually a bit long. I was too lazy to put this at the top of the page, but Lord Tsukimi is mine, and yes, she is a girl. The “lord” is there on purpose.

 

Someone mentioned in the reviews about how they were glad Youko and Kuronue were not homosexual or bi or whatever. I thought I had put in enough hints previously that yes, they did have a relationship. I hope this chapter cleared that up, as it becomes quite clear, at least to me, that Youko and Kuronue do have a relationship. And no, I'm not going to apologize, because I wanted my story this way. Someone also asked why Kagome was laughing after she fell. When people have bad injuries, sometimes they go into hysterics, like laughing. I do it, and someone else I know does it as well. Other people cry, or don't do anything. It's a reaction from the shock and pain you get when you are injured. I think that was it for questions. For some reason, updating seems to be going kind of slow, so don't plan on seeing anything before March. Honestly, it should not have taken me four weeks to write this, but somehow, it did. Sorry about that. HerG