Ten years was a much longer period of time that he had anticipated. But now, as he watched the intruder enter his territory, Inu-Yasha found himself struck with the reality that things were simply not the same as they had been.
Perhaps if he visited Sango and Miroku more often, the steady flow of time would have been more apparent to the hanyou. But the two lovebirds had settled down in the remains of Sango's village and were apparently repopulating the place by themselves. When he had last visited, maybe four, no five years ago (kami, had it really been that long?), they had two sons and a daughter. No doubt the number had increased since then; Sango seemed to like being pregnant for whatever reason, and Miroku certainly didn't mind getting her that way. Bozo. But who was he to talk? They were happy, which was more that Inu-Yasha could say.
It was hard not to envy them. But Inu-Yasha found his sanity in a promise he had made years ago. Protecting this village where it had all began, where he had first met Kikyou in a vengeful search for the jewel.
Who could have guessed that things would turn out the way they had? It had seemed like such a long time ago that he had been so sure of his love for Kikyou. Then Kagome had appeared to turn his life into chaos before she left him. And now she was back again.
Inu-Yasha was having a very hard time getting beyond that fact and onto the next logical question: why exactly she was back. But he had dreamed about this moment, yearned for it in his waking moments. Visions of Kagome throwing herself into his arms with a joyful cry danced in his head as he leapt down from the God tree.
Only, he was fooling himself. Utterly. This wasn't the Kagome he had loved, and it only took a glance to realize that. He snatched away his treacherous hand and covered his lapse with a gruff, "What are you doing here?"
"Inu-Yasha." He was stuck by the formality in her tone. Kagome had never been formal with him; from the moment they had met she had acted as though they had known each other all their lives. "I need your help." She looked him in the eyes, and all Inu-Yasha wanted to do was grab her and whisper that everything would be all right. But he held back, because those eyes were completely free of any emotion.
A sudden anger filled him, whether at himself or Kagome, he wasn't sure, but it was better than feeling hurt so he grabbed it. "Feh. What happened? Your precious Sesshoumaru run out on you?" The instant the words left his mouth, he knew they had been a mistake.
But Kagome merely narrowed her eyes in warning. "Inu-Yasha, whatever else we may or may not have been, you are my friend. You have always been my friend. And I am asking you as a friend: will you help me?" She sighed and let down her defenses, suddenly reminiscent of the girl he once knew. "I need your help, Inu-Yasha. You are the only one I can trust."
The hanyou gaped, even while he fought the instinct to go comfort her. "You trust me?"
"I have always trusted you." It didn't take a genius to see that Kagome was sincere; even Inu-Yasha could see it.
But he faltered, "I can't. I promised Kaede that I would protect the village; I can't just leave it."
"The village will keep for a few days. If we cannot accomplish our task by then, there is no point in you staying." A touch of desperation crept into her voice with these words. Inu-Yasha looked in the direction of the village for a moment, considering.
"Very well," he said finally. The relief that flooded her features made it all worth it.
Kagome bowed, and her words came from the heart. "I thank you, Inu-Yasha."
***
Inu-Yasha found himself impressed with Kagome's speed. She wasn't as fast as Sesshoumaru, granted, but the hanyou found himself pushing to keep up with her. However, she seemed to be pushing herself to the extent of her abilities, driven by an unseen force at her heels. As a result, it didn't take that long to reach the castle, though it was well into the night by the time they did.
The guards at the gate seemed surprised at the arrival of their lady, almost like they expected her to be inside the castle, but they let them through after a few sharp words from Kagome in the demon language. Inu-Yasha only knew a little of the language, but even so, it was obvious she wasn't complimenting them.
The hanyou had only vague memories of this castle, his best one was a blur of color as he had raced through in a last, desperate attempt to get Kagome back. As she led him through the castle, preceded by bowing servants, Inu-Yasha became very certain of one thing.
Fate hated him.
Or perhaps, fate really, really liked him, but was just an evil sadist.
While Inu-Yasha tried to drown himself in self-pity, a young human woman, about eighteen or nineteen, appeared through a doorway to the side. Who is that? She was dressed too well to be a servant, that much was obvious, and her bow was more a greeting than a sign of respect.
"Kagome-sama, you're back! Where did you…?" She trailed off suddenly, having caught sight of Inu-Yasha. Without warning, her cheeks flamed red, and she dropped into a bow perhaps lower than etiquette demanded to hide her face.
Inu-Yasha blinked at the reaction. Women really were weird. He turned to glance at Kagome for some explanation, only to find a smile teasing the corner of her lips.
"Rin," she said as the girl straightened, "This is my old friend Inu-Yasha. He's Sesshoumaru-sama's half-brother." Rin was careful to avoid eye contact as she dipped into another small bow. Kagome turned to Inu-Yasha, "This is Sesshoumaru's ward, Rin. You probably remember her."
Wait. Was she that little kid who had always been following his brother around? "Umm, nice to meet you … again. Sorta," he mumbled. For some strange reason, Rin smiled brightly at that.
"Shall I bring some tea?" she asked Kagome.
Kagome looked at Inu-Yasha, who realized he was expected to answer and shook his head. "I think not, Rin. But you can have someone prepare a guest room for Inu-Yasha-san." The girl nodded and, with a polite good-bye, turned away. Kagome caught her shoulder, and whispered something that Inu-Yasha had to strain to hear. "And get some sleep."
"Yes ma'am." And then Rin was gone.
Inu-Yasha turned to Kagome. "So are you going to tell me what's going on now?"
The woman fidgeted, startlingly reminiscent of the girl who had first fallen through the well. "Where should I start?" she asked, but her voice held none of the uncertainty of her actions.
"Where's Sesshoumaru?"
The woman nodded, no doubt having expected that question, and seemed to come to a decision. "Come with me." Something in her tone allowed no argument, so Inu-Yasha followed silently.
She led him into an entirely different section of the castle. It was positioned so that it seemed secluded from the busier parts of Sesshoumaru's home. And it was very close to where he had last seen Kagome.
The growl came the moment that she slid open the door. Out of instinct, Inu-Yasha tightened his hand around the hilt of his sword as Kagome ushered him inside. What happened next was almost too fast for him to follow.
Sesshoumaru attacked the moment he set foot in the room. Because he wasn't entirely sure that he wanted to do his brother any harm, not to mention that Kagome would probably kill him, he hesitated. Just when he was sure that a very pissed and red-eyed brother of his was going to tear him to pieces, Sesshoumaru stopped. Quite suddenly. Which looked very painful.
And apparently the confusion was causing him to shut down. Ok, focus Inu-Yasha. What just happened?
Sesshoumaru was sitting on a futon in what looked to be his bedroom. Growling. And generally spitting mad. It did not escape Inu-Yasha's notice that this was all extremely out of character for his brother.
"He's growling at me," Kagome said suddenly. The hanyou turned to look at her and try and decide if she was crazy or not. The woman was pressed tightly against the now closed door, her hands behind her, no doubt gripping the handle, and watching her mate with a slightly saddened expression.
"Why?" was all he could come up with, when he really wanted to grab her and take her as far away from her source of distress as possible. On an impulse, he turned back to his brother, who didn't appear to have understood a word they had said.
"Three months ago, he attacked me and our children without reason," she explained, pressing herself closer to the door as Sesshoumaru's growling became louder. "I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't snap him out of it. So I sealed him to the bed while I looked for a cure. But…" Inu-Yasha nodded. Knowing Kagome, she had done little else for the past three months. If she hadn't found anything by now, then it was unlikely she would.
"It's some sort of spell," he said, thinking aloud.
Kagome nodded, "I don't even know what kind, or how it was cast upon him. I've never seen anything like this before. He hasn't said a word since, only growled."
"And he's trying to kill everyone?"
"Not everyone. He was only after me and the children; that much was obvious. But the only one he will let near him is Rin."
Inu-Yasha blinked, thinking of the timid, well-mannered young woman. "Why Rin?"
"I don't know. But Inu-Yasha," Kagome turned and took the hanyou's hand, "this must never get out, you understand? If our enemies were to find out that Sesshoumaru had gone mad, they wouldn't hesitate to attack at once."
"No one will hear from me," Inu-Yasha replied, squeezing her hand lightly. He glanced back at the still growling Sesshoumaru, "Let's get out of here, huh?" And without waiting for her reply, he opened the door and led her through. They were halfway down the hall before Kagome gathered herself and stopped.
"This is your room," she said, gesturing toward the door. "I'm sure you'd like to get some sleep…"
Inu-Yasha swept her into a fierce hug suddenly. "Let me help Kagome." The woman nodded as best she could while being squashed against his chest, politely ignoring the fact that she had asked him for help in the first place. "I bet I can snap Sesshoumaru out of that spell if you give me a little time."
Kagome stepped back, wide-eyed and looking very vulnerable. "Do you really think you can?"
"I can try. Besides, I'm his brother; if anyone can do it then I can." Inu-Yasha was a touch confused as he had assumed that this was why Kagome had brought him here in the first place.
She was silent; her head hung down, bangs obscuring her face. It was quiet, in the wee hours of the morning. Almost like Inu-Yasha and Kagome were alone. Carefully, the hanyou slid a hand under her chin and tilted her head upwards. She was crying, silent tears slid down her cheeks like silver streams reflecting the moonlight.
Without a word, he wiped her cheeks with a gentle clawed finger. "Inu-Yasha," she whispered, wistfully, so softly that he could barely hear. The hanyou lowered his head down, until their lips were almost touching. He could smell her scent; it was spicier, laden so heavily with the tang of magic that he could barely recognize it. But just barely there, underneath the spice, was the smell of Kagome. The smell that had woken him from death all those years ago.
He closed his eyes, leaning closer.
Down the hall, Sesshoumaru barked suddenly, the echo racing back and fourth down the hall. Kagome jerked, and pulled herself away from him, wide-eyed. "I'm sorry, Inu-Yasha, but…"
"I know." He didn't want to hear her say it. He didn't want to hear that she loved his brother, a fact that had haunted him for ten years.
There was nothing else to say. Kagome walked away.
And he let her.
***
"So how long is Inu-Yasha-sama going to be staying?" Rin asked the next morning at breakfast.
Kagome willed herself not to choke and set down her tea before answering. "I'm not sure." She turned slightly to look at the girl, who was very intent on her food. "Why do you ask?"
Rin turned redder than a beet and fiddled with her chopsticks. "Umm, well, he seems nice and all, and … stop laughing, Kagome-mama!"
"You've got a crush on him," the woman cackled.
"I do not!"
Kagome put a solemn hand on the girl's shoulder. "Yes you do. Trust me. After all, he's cute, and …well, not exactly charming…"
Rin moaned, burying her face in her hands, "Sesshoumaru-sama is going to be so mad."
"Now what makes you say that?" Kagome asked kindly. Granted, it was true. When Sesshoumaru got back to normal, he was going to be furious.
Kagome paused. When… Yea, when Sesshou got better.
"Oh please, Kagome. He totally flipped when he found out I was seeing Akito-kun, and he didn't even have anything against him." Rin groaned again, "Besides, I'm not even sure that Inu-Yasha feels the same way."
Kagome smiled. That part was easy enough. "Sure he does; he just doesn't realize it yet," she winked at Rin just as the object of their discussion walked in yawning. "Good morning Inu-Yasha."
"Mmph." Inu-Yasha never had been a morning person, but she didn't miss the uncomfortable look he shot her. Kagome smiled and stood. Rin shot her a frantic glance.
"I'm just gonna go change. I'll see you after breakfast, Inu-Yasha." With a wink at Rin, Kagome left. Kagome, you naughty matchmaker you. The woman smiled to herself. Bringing Inu-Yasha here might have been a better idea than she had thought.
***
"I thought you were going to change," Inu-Yasha asked later after he had fully woken up (and scarfed down enough food too feed a small village).
Kagome blinked, "I did. Can't you tell?" Apparently deciding that the subtleties of women's fashion were way beyond his comprehension, the hanyou let it go.
"You said you wanted to talk," was all he said in reply.
Kagome sighed. "I didn't get a chance to tell you the whole story last night," she began hesitantly. When she looked up at him, Inu-Yasha was listening patiently. Encouraged, she continued. "My youngest, Zanka, has been kidnapped. The kidnappers want a trade: Sesshoumaru for my daughter. But with Sesshoumaru in his condition…" she trailed off as Inu-Yasha tensed, watching a nearby servant warily.
Kagome laughed lightly, "You need not worry about the servants, Inu-Yasha. They are voluntarily mute."
The hanyou looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"Voluntarily mute." Kagome's eyes sparkled dangerously as she spoke, "They keep their mouths shut, lest they become mute for real. How else do you think we have managed to keep Sesshoumaru's condition a secret for so long?"
Inu-Yasha looked disturbed. "You changed, Kagome."
"You haven't." Kagome smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "This is the demon world, Inu-Yasha; it is much different. I had to change, if only to survive, and to teach my children to do the same."
Inu-Yasha nodded; it made sense, even if it didn't quite sit well. It was harder here, tougher to survive. He knew that there were those who waited for the chance to jump on the weak, more so that among the humans, and that was saying something. The hanyou cleared his throat, "So why did you bring me here, Kagome?"
"I want you to take Sesshoumaru's place. If you can't get him back."
The hanyou considered it. There was no room for argument in Kagome's tone, and he wouldn't let hatred for his brother risk Kagome's daughter's life. "How long do we have?"
"Three days."
Inu-Yasha nodded grimly. "Then I'd better get to work."
***
"This is a dangerous game, Neishin. I hope you know what you are doing."
"Don't worry Uncle. Sesshoumaru's time is up."
"You should kill the girl now. We both know that Sesshoumaru will not be able to fulfill the terms of the ransom."
The demon turned swiftly to the enchanted mirror that served as a communication portal. "I did not ask for your advice!" he hissed. "The plan is flawless. No matter what Kagome does, she cannot bring Sesshoumaru to me in time."
"You underestimate the Lady."
A sudden crash heralded the shattering of the mirror as the demon stomped away.
*
Neishin - traitor
*
Sesshy: *fuming* Rin! I wanna talk to you RIGHT NOW!
LL: Rin's not here, hun.
J0rge: Actually... *eight-year-old Rin pops in*
Rin: *glomps Sesshy* Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin found you! Rin was worried, cause you've been gone a million billion years!!
Sesshy: Rin, please tell me that you do not like my brother.
Rin: Who?
LL: *pulls out picture* This cute - if obnoxious - hunk of dog boy.
Rin: Ewww, boys have cooties!
Okies, really important stuff:
I've started a website http:// www.geocities.com/ landladyoftheuniverse (sans spaces, cause FFN is anal about URLs), called Better Writing, containing advice on how to write better fanfics (as if you hadn't already figured that out). It's still a work in progress, but check it out anyway, and let me know what you think so far. ^_^
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