The Town Beyond The Horizon
Chapter Three
Unwilling
Inuyasha opened one eye. It was weird, because the cave was shaking. Trembling as if there were an earthquake – jolting, even. The movements of the ground beneath him told him that he wasn't in a cave, or in the forest. He was in some kind of room that seemed to be rolling.
Startled, he sat bolt upright and looked around. He was right. The room was dark, highlighted slightly by a laddering light that crept up one wall. It came from slits in the wall – where the room hadn't been built properly. And, as Inuyasha got used to his surroundings, he realised he wasn't in a room, after all. He was in a carriage.
He looked down. Kagome was fast asleep on his lap, shivering in her sleep. She looked frightened, as if the present world was seeping into her dreams as a nightmare. Her lips were puckered, her eyebrows knotted together in confusion. But at least she knew that when she woke up she would be safe in a cove…
Inuyasha knew that that thought would be shattered when she awoke. They weren't in a cove – so how the hell did they get here?
Inuyasha frowned and gently placed Kagome on the wooden floor before turning around and pressing two hands against the cart walls. It would be easy to get out; he could feel the weak spots in the walls beneath his palms.
One good punch here and the whole cart would collapse like a pack of cards…
Inuyasha would've smiled at the easiness of it, had he not the overwhelming feeling of fear that someone had snuck up on them in their sleep.
His instincts and senses – they'd failed him. The damn storm had blocked all scents, all sounds from him.
We could've been killed… he realised, feeling a wave of nausea slap at him. But he let the feeling go. Don't be stupid, we're alive – Kagome's safe – and that's all that matters. Now, to get out of this cart…
Inuyasha pitched forward suddenly, his forehead smacking against the wooden wall. He let out a cry of shock, and then all was silent. He raised a hand to rub his forehead and frowned, looking around. The carriage had stopped. The world was no longer shaking and bouncing around, everything was still.
Inuyasha took a deep breath and stared through a slit in the wall. What he saw turned his blood to ice water. He physically froze. Instinctively, a hand went searching around him until it found another.
He squeezed Kagome's hand, swallowing thickly.
Outside was a bunch of scouts – demon scouts. He knew them well; they had chased him when he'd been a kid. And he especially knew the guy who was sat straight-backed atop a large lizard-type beast.
"Gornyu," Inuyasha whispered, scowling as he watched the general outside.
He knew then, or at least thought he did. He knew that Gornyu and the Crusaders had captured him for being a half-breed.
After all, that was Gornyu's job; to rid the world of half-breeds and demon/human couples. Even though everyone knew that he had tried to marry a human himself once.
Inuyasha got into a more comfortable position and continued to watch the scouts outside. But instead of guarding the cart, which they should have been doing if they'd caught him, they were addressing the person steering it.
It was Gornyu who spoke.
"Lady Warren," he titled his head at the driver Inuyasha couldn't see – a woman apparently. A smile spread across Gornyu's face, showing jagged, razor sharp teeth.
Gornyu was a bat-demon. He had a long mane of black hair that ran down to his waist, and beady eyes that were cold and malicious. A pair of wings claimed the air behind him, quivering slightly in the morning breeze. His skin was a pale violet, his armour the colour of obsidian.
Where his elbows and shoulders were, his bones sharpened to points that resembled thorns.
Gornyu continued to grin; it was apparently infectious since his whole army was grinning like idiots.
The driver of the carriage made a noise that was almost a 'humph'.
"Gornyu," the woman said in a thick voice. Inuyasha could tell by her voice that she was old, and he wondered whether she was a friend of Kaede's. Why would an old woman kidnap them? And how the hell could she manage it alone?
It made Inuyasha even angrier with himself.
But Inuyasha didn't think of that long. Gornyu was talking again, his profile dark against the forest backdrop. He chuckled. "Warren, I was wondering whether you had the girl. We were called to… take care of her," He said softly.
Inuyasha froze up. A girl? He turned to look at Kagome, and then a furious growl escaped his throat before he could help himself. Gornyu's idea of taking care of someone was killing them. After all, that was how he had dealt with the only girl he'd ever loved…
Inuyasha pulled Kagome closer to him, defensively. He would kill that over grown bat before–
The driver, Lady Warren, laughed almost flirtatiously. "Gornyu, I did not buy the child. I'm afraid you're looking for her in the wrong place."
Inuyasha frowned. A child?
Gornyu's eyes darkened. "You can't hide her, Warren. She's a baby, she's no use to you. I assure you, she will not suffer,"
A baby, Inuyasha reasoned, relief washing over him. They don't want Kagome, they want a baby…
Just like they wanted me.
"I'm telling the truth, General. I do not have her. Now, if ye don't mind, I'd like to continue home."
Gornyu was getting frustrated. Instead of snapping at the old woman, he grimaced. "What's in the carriage, old woman?"
Inuyasha froze, then snuck back away from the slit in the wall. He gathered Kagome up in his arms and sat defensively on the balls of his feet, preparing to leap out as soon as the cart's door was opened.
He gritted his teeth in concentration, listening out for footsteps.
Warren let out another chuckle. "Why don't ye check for yourself, Gornyu?" she challenged.
Inuyasha bit back another growl. He got a hold on Kagome, readying himself.
Gornyu was laughing. There was the sound of clinking metal as he slipped off of his lizard's back, the footholds on the saddle clanking against his boots.
Footsteps. Closer and closer as Gornyu made his way to the cart. Inuyasha straightened, ready to leap– and then the strangest thing happened. Gornyu touched the side of the cart – and screamed.
He started hissing, roaring, spitting in protest. "Warren!" he cursed. "You put bloody spells on this cart, didn't you!" he yelled, furious.
Warren's voice was flat when she spoke. "I did," she agreed. "Farewell, Gornyu,"
He's going to kill her, Inuyasha realised. Neither demon nor human has ever spoken to Gornyu like that, ever!
He didn't know whether to feel bad or not. He didn't actually know if the woman atop the cart was kidnapping them for good reason or not. Was she protecting them? From people like Gornyu?
It appeared that way. She'd prevented Gornyu from getting inside by a 'spell'. And had gotten them out of the cove before Gornyu could have chanced upon them. Because Gornyu would've spotted them, there was no doubt about it.
Gornyu was hissing, his voice low. "Warren…" he growled.
The cart began to roll again, and the world was thrown back into jolting mode. Inuyasha's eyes widened and he went to look through the crack in the wood again.
Gornyu was standing by, watching the cart move away. He didn't make any action to stop it, didn't tell his men to get in the way. He didn't do anything except watch. And Inuyasha wondered why. He certainly could stop Warren with ease, it would be simple – he could do it alone.
Then why doesn't he? Why is he just watching?
Inuyasha kept on watching the bat-demon, wondering what the hell was going on. Then it happened – his eyes met with Gornyu's.
Inuyasha froze beneath the glare of those dark eyes. But even then, even when Gornyu had realised who was in the cart – recognised him from the past – he didn't move.
He raised his head and stared at Inuyasha. The slit in the wood was big enough for Gornyu to see curious amber eyes and strands of white hair, but even without that he could feel the boy's presence. He knew who it was – if he'd have just filtered the air for it's scents he would've known…
"Boy," he smiled, speaking so quietly that only Inuyasha could hear. "You're dead,"
He flashed a grin and went over to his lizard-beast, getting ready to mount it.
Inuyasha felt the tendrils of fear wrap around his heart. He couldn't help it. Gornyu was the only person he was afraid of – the only person. It wasn't because he was creepy – it was because Gornyu hated him, and had tried to kill him so many times. It was a psychological thing. Inuyasha had only been a kid when Gornyu had been on his tail.
The fear had stuck with him. And now he felt sick. Because he knew he couldn't hide anymore. When he was a kid, he could hide in tree trunks or in bushes. He could get shelter with sympathising human families. Not anymore. He stuck out like a sore thumb.
He could run, but he couldn't hide. Gornyu was going to get him, and he was going to get him good.
It was night by the time the cart stopped again. Inuyasha had stayed awake watching Kagome, making sure she was all right. Now, he looked out of the crack in the wall. The cart was resting in some sort of field. He could hear horses neighing, and someone climbing down from the top of the cart.
Warren.
Inuyasha wondered why Kagome wouldn't wake up. Surely she'd had enough sleep by now… The door opened before Inuyasha could react.
He tried to stand up, but the ceiling was too low – he could only crouch. Inuyasha felt like a trapped animal, and now someone was coming to take him away… take Kagome away…
Moonlight haloed the woman before him. She was old and withered, her face a mass of wrinkles. She had her hair in a single plait that rested lightly on her shoulder. Her eyes were a soft blue, making her seem sickly and pale alongside her grey hair.
"It's alright, boy. I won't hurt ye," she croaked, holding a hand out.
Inuyasha stared at her, his gaze unblinking. He refused to speak, and instead he just watched her.
Warren tilted her head, staring back at him. Her eyes were tired, yet she still seemed curious. "Boy? My name is Lady Warren Raven; I am a healer and a witch. You're safe with me,"
Inuyasha frowned, and then sat back – slightly away from her. Warren seemed patient. She sat on the edge of the cart opening, surveying him with her eyes. Then Inuyasha spoke. "What village are you from?" he asked.
Warren smiled. "Not a village, boy," she said slowly. "I am from the 'Town Beyond the Horizon'."
Inuyasha choked. He'd been letting out a breath but somehow it had gotten swallowed back and he found that he couldn't breathe. He froze.
"S-Sanctuary…?" he whispered.
Warren chuckled. "Yes, boy, I'm sure you've heard of it. I could not let ye alone in the forest. Not with Gornyu and the Crusaders scouting like that."
Inuyasha's throat hurt. Slowly, he inclined his head. "I guess I should say thank you, but did you really have to carry us away like this?"
Warren smiled. "I'm sorry, child. Upon seeing ye, I thought you were a bad 'un, but I should know not to judge appearances. I be taking you with me. To Sanctuary,"
Inuyasha's eyes widened. He felt dazed and confused, and then felt as if he were mentally collapsing. Everything seemed distant. "W-What? Why?"
Warren sighed. "It be safer than any town for you and her. You'd be able to belong…"
"'Me and her'?" Inuyasha interrupted. "Listen, lady, me and Kagome… w-we're not together. We're just friends, we–"
Warren grimaced. "Who are you trying to convince, child. Me or yourself?"
Inuyasha stopped blabbering at the sound of her voice, because her words rang true. He tensed up, uncertain, and then he caved in on himself – defeated. He felt numb and cold, if not a little dizzy.
Sanctuary was for tainted couples. The perfect town for hanyous and demon/human couples to live in peace. It was invisible to all but the people who lived there, and once you went in you were never coming out.
Inuyasha bowed his head, wrapping his arms around his hunched up knees. He sat like that for a while, thinking, before saying: "But our friends. We didn't even say goodbye – they don't know where we are…"
Warren frowned. She slipped off of her perch and pondered that for a minute. Then she simply smiled. "We'll send a messenger when we reach Sanctuary."
"And what if I don't wanna come?" Inuyasha scowled. "What if I wanna turn back now?" he challenged.
Warren shook her head. "You don't understand, boy. There's nowhere to turn back to."
She stepped back away from the door, and Inuyasha frowned. He crept forward, poking his head out of the exit. They weren't in a field after all. They were surrounded by tents, huts and other such buildings – including a temple and some stalls.
Everything looked peaceful, serene and quiet. No one was around. The moon cast a silver glow over everything, making it seem beautiful. Inuyasha knew that everything would be bright and colourful in the morning. The perfect town…
Inuyasha blinked furiously – he was sure this hadn't been there before. He stared at Warren for an explanation.
Warren just smiled crookedly and waved an arm to introduce him to his surroundings.
"Welcome to Sanctuary, boy," she smiled.