InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ ForgetMeNot ❯ Let Your Instincts Guide You ( Chapter 20 )

Forget-Me-Not

By: Youkai Yume

Yume: Whoa! I'm back, everybody! You honestly didn't think I'd leave you all hanging for like two months with the worst cliffy possible, would you?

CF: {busts into the room driving a giant truck filled with chocolate and giggling madly} HEHEHEHE! It's mine! ALL MINE!

Yume: {walks over to truck and reaches for a Hershey's bar} Ooooh, sugar, just what I need!

CF: {slaps hand away and throws herself possessively over the mounds of chocolate} NOOOOO! MY CHOCOLATE!

Yume: >blink< Why you little brat! Half of that's mine!

CF: No it's not, CF ate your half. . .this is CF's half!

Yume: {falls over} I think I need a separate chocolate account. Here's the next chapter. Now excuse me as I go and beat some manners into a certain sugar-high muse.

Disclaimer: I own Inuyasha! The world has come to an end! Naraku's giving away all of his jewel shards for charity and Miroku just announced that he's gay!

Chapter 20: Let Your Instincts Guide You

`It's so cold,' her mind seemed to wriggle out that one thought as she came out of her dark haze. Slowly opening her eyes, she blinked several times to clear up the fog that blurred her vision. When she finally took in her surroundings, she found that she was in a very dark room---a dungeon most likely. A white, searing pain shot through her entire body, and a mind-blowing headache fell on her like a ton of bricks.

She wanted to bring a hand up to clutch her throbbing head, but found that her hands-as well as her whole body, was bound in cold chains.

"H-Hey! What gives?!" Kagome struggled against the chains, but found that whoever tied her up did a VERY good job on it. Her blood ran cold when she heard a spine tingling chuckle echo off of the prison walls.

"Like the chains, miko? I had then custom made just for you," Naraku's looming figure stepped from the shadows, his crimson eyes glinting malevolently with satisfaction. Kagome glared at him, and her bound hands clenched into tight fists behind her back.

"Naraku. . ." she began, "What are you planning to do with me? If it's the Shikon shards you want, you're not getting them!" His smile grew wider, making her shudder.

"My dear, I'm not interested in the shards today." he replied, and Kagome widened her eyes in confusion.

"Then what. . ."

"Miko, you are merely the bait," Naraku waved his hand, and the prison door opened for him. As he stepped inside the dark cell, she instinctively flattened herself against the wall. He kneeled down so that they were at eye level, and ran a finger down her cheek. Kagome jerked away and gave him a look of pure resentment.

"Don't touch me," she spat. Naraku froze for a second before letting out a malicious laugh.

"When you look at me like that, when you speak as you do. . ." he went on, and his hand shot out to grasp her chin firmly so that she was forced to look at him. "you remind me of Kikyo. . ." Kagome's anger suddenly flared ten fold and in an instant her body began to glow in a bright, pink light. A hot, searing white pain shot up Naraku's hand, causing him to release her chin.

The chains bound on her body began crackling with black electricity, causing her to scream out in pain. Just as quickly the pinkish light died away, and Kagome curled up into a ball on the cold, hard ground. Her whole body felt like flames were licking at it, and all thoughts were erased as she could only focus on the immense pain that flooded her body.

"Wench," he snarled, cradling his scarred hand. "I thought you might try something like that. That's what those chains are for. Their forged to contain your powers, and I imagine you must feel quite tortured at the moment."

"What is it that you're planning?" She managed to choke out as the waves of pain were finally dying. He glared at her, and loomed over her curled body.

"YOU," he growled, "Are in my way." Slowly, Kagome managed to get into a sitting position once more. She winced as the chains dug deep into her flesh as she did so.

"So, you're trying to get rid of me. . .and at the same time get rid of Inuyasha," He chuckled at her, and shook his head in an amused manner.

"It's quite more complicated than THAT! My dear, Kagome, your hanyou poses no real threat to me ALONE. But with you. . ." He approached her again, "Why break your body, when I can break your spirit? That is what your miko powers feed off of."

He sneered at her before getting up to leave. She watched him leave the dungeon, and her tears began to prick at her eyes. She shut them tight, willing herself not to cry. Would Inuyasha come to save her? She feared for his safety, and what did he mean by breaking her spirit?

A silver vision suddenly flashed in her mind. `Inuyasha?' A sudden feeling of warmth and longing seeped in when she realized who it was that crossed her mind. The feeling of safety that she felt when she was in his arms, and how she wished to be there now.

"Sesshomaru. . ." she whispered into the darkened dungeon.

Naraku closed the shoji door that lead to the prisons, smirking to himself as she was left alone with her thoughts.

"So, how is my reincarnation?" He turned his head to look at the priestess leaning against the wall, shadows cloaking half of her body. He smiled and held out a hand for her, which she took.

"She will be broken soon enough, koi. Such a waste though, she had such fire. . ." Kikyo narrowed his eyes at him.

"The whole point of this is to put that fire out. . .Once she's gone nothing will stand in the way of what we want," Naraku nodded, bringing her cold hands to his lips for a kiss.

"It won't be long now."

~ ^_^ ~

His eyes remained glued straight ahead, his silver hair bellowing behind him like a silk cape, and all of his thoughts remained on her, `Kagome.' Below his whispy cloud, he spotted his half-brother from the corner of his eye, leaping from tree to tree. A growl formed in the back of his throat and his fists clenched in anger.

Sesshomaru would've killed him for his carelessness if only he hadn't known that Kagome would probably hate him for it. But that did not stop the growing rage and hatred that grew each second as they continued their pursuit. He had left his precious Kagome in Inuyasha's care, trusted---yes trusted him to protect her, and the next thing he knew she's in the hands of Naraku.

His whole being ached to see her once more, to hold her in his arms just to know that she was safe. He knew he couldn't blame it all entirely on Inuyasha, because according to the group's retelling of the story, it seems that Naraku had left her with no other choice. She had willingly given herself up to save her friends---to save Inuyasha.

How his blood boiled over in anger at that thought. His half-brother was completely undeserving of her loyalty. . .her love. No, Sesshomaru took back what he thought earlier. It WAS all Inuyasha's fault. If only Kagome wasn't such a loyal, unselfish person. . .but then again, it were those attributes along with others that caused him to respect her.

"Kagome. . .gomen. . ." Sesshomaru heard his brother muttering from below, and his ears could catch the regret and guilt written in his voice. He looked to the quickly darkening sky and couldn't help but think of the same thing. `Kagome, gomen. . .'

It was silent, everything was deathly silent. Save for the sound of the wind and the rustling of the trees that signified each of Inuyasha's leaps. It was just the two of them going after Naraku. The others were too wounded to follow, and had been left behind at Kaede's hut. `A good thing too, they would've merely slowed us down.'

"Hey, Sesshomaru!" The demon lord sent a glaring gaze in the Inuyasha's direction, but the hanyou paid no heed to it and continued. "Why do you care so much about Kagome's safety anyway?" He asked, still jumping from the treetops to keep up with him. He had to know what was his motivation, why his brother's eyes bled crimson when he found out of Kagome's predicament. And why he was helping him rush to retrieve her this very instant.

Sesshomaru averted his golden eyes to the scene ahead of him. Did he dare tell Inuyasha the truth? That he was in love with the miko? That he was in love with Kagome? His brother could not possibly understand, and quite possibly might use this as an excuse to break off their alliance. And right now, no matter how much he despised the idea, Inuyasha might be useful in Naraku's downfall and Kagome's rescue. He would stomach his brother for her sake.

Finding that he was answered with nothing but silence, Inuyasha growled in impatience and called out to Sesshomaru again.

"Answer me!" Still, he didn't even spare a glance back at him, but instead remained silent. After a moment however, he decided to break it.

"She is a friend, and a valuable ally," he said stoically. The hanyou narrowed his eyes at him, he could tell there was more to it than that. Otherwise he wouldn't have gotten so angry.

"Is that all?" Again, silence. The streaks of silver cloud continued to whisp behind them, and as the sky looked as if it were bleeding from the light of the barely visible crimson moon, Sesshomaru whispered in a barely audible voice devoid of his usual ice.

"I vowed to protect her as well, little brother." Those were the last words exchanged between the two half-brothers before the looming castle and thick miasma of Naraku came into view.

Getting ever closer, they went back to their deathly silence, finding that it was far more comfortable. And as Inuyasha watched the Taiyoukai fly overhead, he couldn't help but feel that he DID respect his brother on some level. But at the same time, a deep loathing grew inside of him. It screamed with jealousy and the unshakable thought of Sesshomaru possibly and most likely having feelings for his Kagome.

~ ^_^ ~

It was suffocating being here. The mere fact that she was in Naraku's grasp. . .it was too much. This whole castle held his stench, and she didn't have to be a demon to sense that. The whole atmosphere was just so heavily permeated with a melancholy yet malevolent aura that it was-again, suffocating.

She hated feeling so helpless, feeling as if she needed saving all the time. But she had no choice, she was bound with chains that suppressed her powers, and Inuyasha. . .she hoped he was alright. But he was wounded when she had last saw him. Who was there left?

"Do not worry," A feminine voice called out from the shadows. Kagome's eyes darted around the dark room and her sapphire pools rested on a shadow she recognized to be. . .

"Kagura. . ." The wind sorceress revealed herself to the miko, a look of seriousness on her face.

"He will come for you," she said cryptically. Kagome looked questioningly at her, and just by her mere presence, her aura, she could tell she didn't mean any harm.

"Who?" She asked meekly. Kagura stepped closer to her, and a small smile graced her lips.

"I can see why he chose you. . .Kagome." The demoness stared at her in an almost friendly way, and her silky red eyes softened when Kagome still gave her a confused look.

"Who chose me? Who's coming?" She waited with anticipation for the answer, and as Kagura closed her eyes, smile still firmly in place, she whispered so that only she could hear.

"Your demon lord."

Kagome's eyes widened with shock. `Sesshomaru?'

"H-how? How do you know?" She only gave her an amused look, and shook her head. Her bangs covered her eyes, and she said nothing as she opened the door to her cell. Helping her to her feet, It was then that the miko realized what Kagura meant.

"Thank you, Kagura," she said softly. The demoness paused for a while, staring into the dark abyss.

"No matter what Naraku tries, you must not let your spirit break." With those last words, she pulled Kagome to her feet, and held onto her arm as they left the dungeon. Confused, Kagome could only follow.

"Where are we going?" Kagura stared at her, a dark look coming over her face.

"He is here for you. And now it begins. Do not forget what I have told you, miko." Swallowing, she nodded as she was being lead closer and closer to Naraku's chambers. Just before entering, Kagura leaned in close to whisper in her ear, "Please, set me and my sister free."

The shoji door opened, revealing Naraku and someone else beside him. Kagome gasped when she realized who it was.

"K-Kikyo?"

~ ^_^ ~

This was it, they were finally here, and the arena was set. Sesshomaru saw Naraku waiting patiently outside in his courtyard, cloaked in his usual baboon pelt. A hair-raising laugh escaped his lips and as the two inu-brothers landed, his smile grew wider.

"Ah, Sesshomaru-sama. I did not realize that you would be here as well. . ." He greeted with a disgustingly pleasant voice. The demon lord only responded with a low growl, his hand rested readily on Tokijin.

"NARAKU!" Inuyasha ran several paces ahead drawing Tetsusaiga and pointing it threateningly at the hanyou. "GIVE ME BACK KAGOME!" Naraku laughed at his demand, as if it were positively ludicrous.

"You'll have to come and find her. . ." With that, Naraku released his poison fumes and with it, his multiple tentacles lashed out at them.

"YOU BASTARD!" Inuyasha screamed at him, slashing out at the tentacles. They fell one by one, blood raining the ground, but it seemed futile as they only regenerated themselves. Both of them gorwled.

"Filthy scum," Sesshomaru spat, "I have no times for your games!" He pulled out his youkai whip, and lashed all of his tentacles away, even going as far as hitting Naraku's body himself. The hanyou grimaced in pain, his eyes glittering madly at the demon lord.

"Such ferocity, and all of this for a lowlife human?" Sesshomaru's eyes bled crimson at this, and his fangs were bared threateningly. Taking Tokijin from his sash, he swung once at Naraku, sending millions of electric daggers pelting straight at the sneering hanyou.

"That `lowlife human' is worth more than you ever will in a thousand lifetimes!" Sesshomare bit out. Inuyasha watched in a shocked state at the anger that flared in his brother's eyes, and he was even more surprised at how much damage he did to Naraku on that one statement alone.

Naraku let out a painful cry as the daggers tore at his flesh, and in an instant, another poison miasma fogged the arena. Sesshomaru growled deeply as he held his sleeve to his nose, glancing over to Inuyasha to see that he had done the same. Squinting his eyes, he searched the haze for the any sign of the hanyou.

A malicious cackle soon echoed in the atmosphere, and both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha averted their gaze to the sky to see Naraku flying into the forest. Cursing and growling, they both took off, following him as he went deeper and deeper.

"Where the hell is he taking us?" Inuyasha asked through clenched teeth. They watched as he finally descended to what seemed like a clearing that led to a cliff just outside his castle. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed and a deep frown graced his lips when he saw someone else was waiting for them.

"He's taken us to Kagome," He said emotionlessly. Inuyasha smirked when he heard this, it was going to be easier than he thought. Sesshomaru on the other hand, wasn't as thrilled to see her as he thought he would be. It was too easy. Something is wrong. . .and he knew Naraku must be up to something.

They landed, glaring dangerously at the hanyou.

"Is she what you're looking for?" He sneered, and gestured for Kagura to bring Kagome for the two brothers to see.

Kagome whimpered as her chains yanked her into view, and she gave a fearful look at them. Sesshomaru failed to suppress his growl when he saw her chained up like she was, and sniffing the air he could tell they were cast with some sort of spell-probably to contain her miko powers.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, and at her words, Sesshomaru wanted nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and whisper that she had nothing to be sorry for.

"Let her go, Naraku!" Inuyasha yelled out, his amber eyes glittering in anger. Naraku only raised an eyebrow at them, smirking as he realized that the demon lord was flexing his hand in equal rage.

"Oh it's not as simple as that," He snapped his finger and a tiger youkai appeared, also holding a chain with another prisoner. Inuyasha widened his eyes in shock and his whole body became numb as his the unmistakable form of the undead priestess came into view.

"I-Inuyasha. . ." She whispered, looking at him with a sense of helplessness and fear. Sesshomaru was shocked as well, but his mask stayed in place. He had anticipated this happening, Kagura had warned him about it. He glanced over to where she stood with Kagome, and her crimson eyes flashed for a second before nodding. The entire outcome was to be decided by his brother. He prayed that he would make the right choice, for Kagome's sake.

"Kikyo. . .what the hell is this, Naraku?!" Inuyasha's whole body began to shake with fury, causing Naraku to smile amusedly.

"I have to commend you on being such a worthy opponent. And because I am not entirely selfish. . ." He took both Kagome's and Kikyos' chains into his own hands, and dragged their resisting bodies over to the side of the cliff. Both of them watched in rage as Naraku held them over the cliff. "I will allow for one, and only one of them to live."

Sesshomaru wanted to rip out the hanyou's throat then and there. But he knew he couldn't-Kagome's life was at his mercy, and if he did, then the matter with Kikyo would never be settled. This was the moment of truth.

"Inuyasha! Don't fall for it! Kikyo's not---" Kagome was cut short as the chains around her glowed black and she winced in pain.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha ran towards her, but at the same time Kikyo cried out as well, as HER chains began crackling also with black electricity. He stood there, torn and the battle raged inside his heart. `Which one?' Naraku laughed in pure satisfaction and malice at seeing the conflict inside him.

"It is time for you to choose, Inuyasha. So who will it be?"

"I-I. . ." Sesshomaru placed a hand on his shoulder, staring sternly at him, and his eyes furrowed together to show worry.

"Inuyasha. . .choose wisely," he advised, and hoped against hope that his brother would choose life over death. But despite those words, he still looked lost, his eyes darting from Kagome to Kikyo. Naraku was growing impatient, and decided to speed the process along.

"I'll let your instincts guide you. . ." He smirked, and in the blink of an eye, he had let go of both their chains, sending Kagome and Kikyo plummeting to the earth.

"NOOO! KIKYO!!!!!" Inuyasha cried out, and quicker than lightning, he raced towards her.

As Kagome felt the air rushing past her, her eyes blurred over with tears at hearing Inuyasha calling out for not her, but the dead priestess. Staring blankly up at the sky, she saw Inuyasha's form carrying an unconscious Kikyo back over the cliff.

`Inuyasha. . .I really mean nothing to you. . .don't I?' Her tears escaped her eyes, scattering to the wind as she accepted death, her whole soul felt empty now, and her heart felt like it was being twisted and torn apart. She knew it was the feeling of her heart breaking, and she thought it had broken before. . .but never like this.

Before her sapphire depths were completely shut, she caught a glimpse of a giant silver dog leaping over the cliff, and reaching for her.

End Chapter ^_^

CF: (gasp) That bastard!

Yume: Go and wash your mouth with soup this minute young lady!

CF: B-but, Inuyasha was such an asshole! And the worst part is, he doesn't even know that she's been screwing around with-

Yume: YES! WE KNOW! Don't remind me (shudders) Gee, I wonder what'll happen next. . .

CF: Shouldn't Yume know? Yume-sama's the author!

Yume: (engine sputtering) Must think! (eye twitching as brain breaks down) I got nothing. Well, we'll see if I'll come up with a decent chapter next week, and if not, it might take longer. But I got a pretty good idea of what's going to come next. (twitch) Lemon soon! But probably not on fanfiction.net.

CF: Review! No flames pweeze!

Review Responses:

~Fanfiction.net

Zhoujen, Ume, Happosai-sama, SesshyLWL, VicFan, fluffyduck, Mags, elle, Seungmina1991, Namesake, Tsykyamma, K-chan16, sakura chan 5000, Drudes Cliagna, DemonMaiden, Orchidacae, -------, MoonlightPrincess, Ryoko3600, ami, digitude, Kagome loves Inuyasha, Blue-Saiyan-Angel, Noir12, TigerPrincess1, Ledophole, tessa3, FanficWriter, Bookworm12, duchesscarml, Darkness Gaurdian, Sanosuke Hidane, flare2, Celena2, wolf, Shippou_Kagome_chan, SesshoMaru's Lover, Ling-xiao, Silver-Blue-Eyes, Defafaeth Mechqua, Meiko Kazuke, kitsune-chan3, Kaela, the Tiger Demoness, Sweetcece, anonymous, SlytherinSilverPrince, Silver fox16, Rin 6, Vixen Jinxie-chan, Sesshomaru lov you, dreamcatcher5, Katani Masaya, DarkFire77, Fluffy's Gurl, ayanna24, THANKS AND I'M COMING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! CF THANKS YOU ALL FOR THE CHOCOLATE!

AnImEfReAk81: Thanks for the compliment! If it was bad for you, think of how sick I felt when I actually had to write it! Yuck!

Amyfushigiyugi: (sniffles) So honored! Yes, either way in the end, Sesshy gets Kag. ^_^

SessyArrigato1: AAAAAAAH! Please no! No teletubbies! I'll be good and update (runs offstage to type up the next chapter)

Heikaru: lolz. It's okay, Kero. I still love you.

Hot_anime_babe: Thanks for the compliments. And yes! My goal is to hit the 1000 reviews mark! And as for the jewel, I don't know what he'll do with it. Hmmmm.

Familia-Ficz: (drools) I love that image. . .I kinda liked the way I shaped Kagura's character too. ^_^ And hentai minds are always welcome here!

Lady Shippo: That IS entertainment. And CF's glomping you for thinking she's cute. Many find her to be sarcastic, and so not cute. (sobs) But that's what I originally wanted her to be. I hated Algebra. . .but I'd gladly trade my Math Analysis class for it now!

Noeru: (bows) Thanks! I try to include almost everyone in this story! ^_^

Perro: Ah, my favorite reader. . .Videogames rule the western world! Babble on about them all you want, cuz I love artwork as well. Yes, always the little details. I'm sorry I left everyone at such an evil cliffy, but I'm glad you liked it anyway! But was this what you were expecting to happen? Hmmmm. Falling out fo your chair is not necessary, I was going to update this morning, but I had to go to China Town with my parents.

Kiwi93089: Really? Do I deserve every review? (blushes) Wait. . .(glares at her) even the flames?!

The Fallen Angel of Death: Yes, I'm a gay guy. . .no, I'm pretty sure I'm a girl. . .or AM I? (dun, dun, DUN!) lolz.

Dark-angel-destiny: Thanks again for the info on the other site, and see? I updated here! ^_^

~Mediaminer.org

Cresent Moon 22000, silver1, Fluffysgirl4ever, KatrinaXaten, lil sesshi, powerpuffbarbie, melmo, tonia, Kitsune Bi, ice princess 1185, strawberry shortcake, THANKS AND I'M COMING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

LadeEk!$z : Thanks for your support! I only made Kikyo a bitch because SHE IS A BITCH!

Awaikage: Thanks for the chocolate, though I don't think it mattered if you gave it to me or CF because she ate ALL of it. . .damn muses. Oh well, I needed to go on a diet anyway.

Kyana: Thanks, I try to keep the story interesting. ^_^

Sweetapple: I don't know if he kicked anyone's ass, but I'd say it was fairly close to it.

Wackoramaco87: Well would you look at that. . .it's been a week! ^_^

END NOTE!

Yume: It seems next chapter should be interesting, but given under the circumstances, I can't guarantee that the next chapter will be out by next week. Gomen! But I'll try!

CF: BTW! Yume-sama has a new fic out called "Whispered Dreams!" Please read and review for that, pweeze!

Yume: Oh, and if you do send us chocolate, send them all to me and not CF.

CF: DON'T LISTEN TO HER! SHE'S TRYING TO CONTROL YOU!

Ja Ne! ^_~