Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Life's Prison: A Thief's Goal ❯ Getting to Know You ( Chapter 7 )

Translations:

 

Wakizashi- traditional Japanese sword with a shoto blade between 12 and 24 inches

Ya- arrow

Hami-Yumi- sacred longbow

Hamaya- purity arrows

Okinawa- fruit bat

 

 

 

Getting to Know You

 

 

 

“Talking”

 

`Thinking'

 

Memories

 

Stressed

 

 

 

It had been more than a few days since Kuronue had come to her village. He had been there for a full week. Kagome would notice that he would come visit the parts of the village that Kagome would be in. He had been true to his word on not to steal or harm anyone. He had also managed to avoid the Taijiya. Now he was near the Taijiya village where Inuyasha and Kohaku's bodies had been laid to rest. He studied the grave markings and noticed that only these two were here. All the other bodies or ashes were buried outside of the village.

 

So, now he stood studying the two graves with a curiosity Youko would be proud of. He had heard the name Inuyasha muttered by Kagome and a few villagers. When he traveled the country he had heard the name Inuyasha whispered in fear by Youkai. His ears picked up faint footsteps coming towards him. He could smell the human and knew that they wouldn't attack him. It wasn't like these villagers to be hostile; they all seemed to live in peace.

 

“I see your curiosity has led you here,” Miroku whispered as he whispered a short prayer.

 

“I was wondering why these two weren't buried with the others,” Kuronue admitted.

 

“One was the brother of my wife and the other is Inuyasha,” Miroku said as if it explained Inuyasha.

 

“Indeed,” Kuronue growled at the vagueness of the answer.

 

“You seem to intelligent for that simple answer,” Miroku acknowledged.

 

“I know that this was Inuyasha…but I am curious as to who he was,” Kuronue pointed out.

 

“All I can tell you is that he was a friend, brother, father figure, loved one that died in honor. The rest is a story that only Kagome can tell,” Miroku answered.

 

“You seem far less aggressive then your wife,” Kuronue mentioned.

 

“Sango has her reasons, and once you know the story you'll figure it out,” Miroku answered as he turned around to leave.

 

Kuronue turned his head to watch the Houshi vanish into the distance. His bangs gently covered his indigo eyes when the wind caressed his form. Kuronue soon left the area and decided to go search out Kagome. He took to the air and scanned the village. He came across her talking to an elder Miko. He landed a few feet away in case the old woman scared easily. She turned her eye to the Youkai before she went talking to Kagome again.

 

“Are you sure you'll stay for the festival?” Kaede inquired.

 

“I'm sure…those emotions are in the past,” Kagome calmly assured.

 

“I do not wish for ye to become overwhelmed,” Kaede voiced in concern.

 

“I think it would do good to stay for this festival,” Kagome said.

 

“Very well,” Kaede sighed before she hobbled off.

 

“What festival?” Kuronue asked as soon as Kaede was gone. Kagome smiled at him and turned around.

 

“For the last five years they have celebrated the defeat of Naraku on the first harvest,” Kagome answered.

 

“Really?” He asked.

 

“Yes…it has become a tradition that they have faithfully kept track of,” Kagome answered.

 

“What do they do?” Kuronue asked.

 

“The men and woman will hold a play and towards sunset there will be a bomb fire. At this fire they will each take a rice paper balls the size of the actual Tama and make a wish. They will then toss it into the fire so it can be sent to the heavens,” Kagome explained.

 

“Why wouldn't that elder Miko want you present?” Kuronue asked.

 

“She doesn't want old memories to be refreshed,” Kagome sighed.

 

“Memories?” Kuronue ventured.

 

“Yes, memories. The battle with Naraku was not pleasant,” Kagome assured.

 

“You fought in the battle?” Kuronue asked in surprise.

 

“I was the Miko that traveled with Inuyasha,” Kagome said.

 

“I don't mean to intrude,” Kuronue said.

 

“Lets go to the river…there will be more privacy,” Kagome said as she began to walk away. Kuronue followed her in anticipation. Here he was finally going to find the answers to his questions. When they arrived Kagome removed her sandals and let her feet dangle in the cool rushing water.

 

“You don't have to tell me,” Kuronue offered as he bit his own tongue. Kagome smiled at him before her face took on a calm tone.

 

“The Shikon no Tama is not just a story of power, but a story of trust, love, and betrayal,” she began. Kuronue leaned in closer to her as she told about how she came from the well and met Inuyasha. She told him of her first encounter with Shippo to her soul being sucked out of her body. She explained Naraku and Onigumo. She weaved the perfect fairytale in place as she described her ventures with Sesshoumaru and Kouga. She told of how Naraku had managed to separate his heart from his body and create another powerful incarnation.

 

Kagome then explained her meeting with the Houshi and Taijiya. She told of Midoriko's cave and the creation of the jewel. Finally coming to the battle of Naraku she paused and bit back her tears. She began to think that Kaede was right about the memories still being fresh. With a firmly nod of the head she continued her story.

 

 

 

The sky was darkening in the middle of the afternoon. Inuyasha discreetly sniffed the air as they approached the village. Miroku tensed as Kirara transformed into her battled form. Growling she ran ahead. Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat as they followed. It was then they could have ever imagined. A light mist of miasma covered the village leaving fields rotten and homes destroyed. Kagome covered her gasp of horror and held back her tears. The hell insects buzzed around the area as if searching for survivors.

 

“Is everyone-”

 

“I can't tell,” Inuyasha, answered Kagome's unspoken question.

 

Cautiously they ventured deeper into the sure trap knowing that there was no other way to go. Sango held her Hiraikotsu ready to attack. Miroku whispered prayers to any Kami that would listen as they walked past a few corpses. Inuyasha began to growl as a dark laughter echoed across the village. Stopping in their tracks they watched as Naraku approached the group in full confidence. He wore his dark blue kimono with the armor similar to Sesshoumaru's.

 

“I see your back early…oh well the surprise isn't totally ruined,” Naraku said with a mocking glare.

 

“How could you do this to a village that never wronged you?” Kagome demanded as the spark in her eyes grew. Naraku laughed at her before he stared back.

 

“I was bored,” Naraku answered. Kagome quickly noched a ya and let her Hamaya sail through the air. Naraku side stepped the arrow and felt the explosion it let off when it hit the tree.

 

“Why try and hit me?” Naraku mocked.

 

“I was bored,” Kagome growled back as she noched another arrow.

 

Inuyasha charged and released the wind scar as Naraku laughed and held a barrier. Inuyasha quickly broke the barrier to Naraku's shock. Sango launched her Hiraikotsu only to have it take out a few hell insects. Catching her weapon she heard footsteps approach her. Her brown eyes turned to Kohaku who merely stared through her. He soon charged her with own weapon readied for attack.

 

Miroku charged at Naraku and managed to break off a few tentacles. Inuyasha whacked through the tentacles making sure they didn't reach Kagome. Kagome fired another Hamaya and took off Naraku's arm. Naraku growled and quickly grew the appendage back. Inuyasha frowned at this and Kagome saw the black aura of the Shikon no Tama. It was located where his heart should have been. Miroku paused in his attack when he heard a grunt of pain. Sango held her bleeding arm as she fell to her knees.

 

Miroku rushed to her side as Kohaku aimed his Katana for her head. Jumping in-between the attack Miroku braced himself. Sango let her tears fall as she watched Miroku become impaled. Kohaku pulled the katana out as his eyes came to life. He began to cry as he fell down dead. The shard fell out of his back and into Naraku's hand. Sango held the monk in her lap as she let the tears hit his face.

 

“No,” Kagome whispered as she watched the couple.

 

The wind began to pick up and Kagome ran out from behind Inuyasha as she took aim at the feather. Kagome watched as Kagura nodded her head and held up the baby. It was the incarnation that carried Naraku's heart, if that was destroyed then Naraku would be destroyed.

 

“Kagome!” Inuyasha yelled as he hugged her from behind. Her eyes widened in realization, she had left herself unguarded. She felt Inuyasha tense before he fell to his knees. Afraid to turn around she caught him as he fell. He grunted in pain as she laid him down. He had been attacked from behind, his back was broken enough to leave him alive for a few seconds.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome sobbed as she wiped the blood from his mouth.

 

“Ka…Kagome, run away,” Inuyasha whispered.

 

“No, I'll fight to the end,” Kagome whispered to him.

 

“I've always had chosen you,” he whispered as the life in his eyes faded.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome whispered as she noched a ya and pointed it at Naraku.

 

“How touching, but your Hamaya did nothing to me,” Naraku laughed at her.

 

“It will this time,” Kagome promised as she fired the Hamaya into the air.

 

“You missed you pathetic girl!” Naraku laughed.

 

“No…I didn't,” Kagome angrily whispered.

 

Naraku turned around and growled as the Hamaya pierced his baby. Yelling he fell to his knees. An explosion of purifying energy engulfed the baby. When the light cleared nothing was left. Naraku's body turned to nothing but a skeleton and blood. Kagome dropped her Hami-Yumi to the ground as she surveyed the damage in tears.

 

 

 

Kuronue was shocked; even then that word didn't cover it. He was left speechless. There was nothing he could say at this moment. He chose to remain silent and watched the solemn Miko from the corner of his eye. She let one tear fall free as she ducked her head away. He turned her face towards him and wiped her tear away with a firm look.

 

“It's okay to cry, you need to,” Kuronue whispered.

 

“The battle wasn't supposed to turn out that way,” Kagome whispered.

 

“What do you mean?” He asked.

 

“Inuyasha should be alive. He didn't deserve death,” Kagome argued with herself.

 

“He saved your life,” Kuronue said.

 

“I should be the one in the grave…not him. It wasn't…no isn't right or fair,” Kagome cried. Kuronue picked up the Miko and placed her in his lap as he began to rock her.

 

“He chose his decision not you, if you were meant to be in that grave then you'd be there,” Kuronue explained as she began to quiet.

 

“He was wronged all his life and just deserved to live life,” Kagome whispered.

 

“He did live life, you taught him life,” Kuronue argued.

 

“I still can't help but blame myself,” Kagome said.

 

“Why didn't you use the Tama to bring him back?” Kuronue asked.

 

“I would have…but it would have been corrupted by the selfishness of the wish,” Kagome explained.

 

“All you can do now is live,” Kuronue suggested.

 

“That's what I've been doing,” Kagome said.

 

“No, you hide yourself in your Miko duties,” Kuronue pointed out.

 

“I guess your right,” Kagome mumbled.

 

“When was the last time you went out and had fun?” Kuronue challenged.

 

“It's not like I can date…I'm a Miko,” Kagome argued.

 

“It didn't stop you with Inuyasha,” Kuronue pointed out. Kagome blushed as she dropped her head in her hands. “The way you mention his name I could tell that you love him.”

 

“Loved,” Kagome whispered.

 

“What?” Kuronue asked.

 

“Loved, I can't love a memory,” Kagome whispered.

 

“I want to stay for this festival and I would like it if you would accompany me,” Kuronue stated. Kagome raised an eyebrow.

 

“No fear of purification?” Kagome asked.

 

“Should there be?” Kuronue challenged.

 

“Is it a date?” Kagome asked.

 

“It could be a mating ceremony,” Kuronue suggested.

 

“Hentai no Okinawa,” Kagome laughed.

 

“I'm not a fruit bat,” Kuronue huffed.

 

“What about a pervert?” Kagome asked as she pushed off his lap only to be pulled back.

 

“I'm not denying that,” Kuronue said with a hint of pride and mischief. Kagome only shook her head and laughed.