InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love is a Fickle Thing ❯ Loyalties ( Chapter 11 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Love is a Fickle Thing
Chapter 11
Loyalties
“Kagura of the Wind, Kanna of the Void, and now Kagemusha of the Flame.” Miroku muttered. “Naraku's incarnations get even more powerful as he collects more and more shards of the jewel.” Miroku was usually put out, and not as a result of being rejected for the ump-teenth time by a woman. When they had reached the village just as dusk was setting in, he had sensed an evil aura, conveniently enough, around the inn. However, Kouga, not knowing about Miroku's tricks, had sniffed and claimed that the house was fine, right in front of the innkeeper himself. Miroku had reluctantly paid for the rooms for the first time in a while.
“Kagemusha also got Kagome's jewel shards.” Kouga muttered. “That's another five. Who knows what manner of destruction he'll use now.”
“At least everyone got out of the fight alive.” Inuyasha whispered. Kagome looked up from bandaging his hand, and tried to make eye contact. But no, his head and tipped back, eyes closed. True, everyone had lived, but Kouga and Inuyasha were hurt. Kouga had a large bandage around his stomach, and Inuyasha's hand was in the process of healing.
“Will this heal alright?” Kagome asked him. Inuyasha lifted his head forward to answer. Kagome was hopeful, it would have been the first time he had talked to her that day. It seemed that his returning attitude was just a result of the battle. When Kouga had brought her back from the forest, in his arms bridal style, the downcast look was back.
“He may be hanyou, but he's still at least half youkai.” Kouga told her before Inuyasha could. “He'll be fine by tomorrow.” Kagome tensed as Inuyasha's head went back again. He was going to speak, dammit! She had nearly broken through to him.
“Down.” Kagome snapped. Kouga went….well, down.
“What did I do now?” he sputtered.
“I needed someone to subdue. I was thrown through the air earlier today.” Kagome replied, reaching into her pack.
“Well the mutt isn't the one with the singed stomach, subdue him.” Kouga said, getting up.
“But he's been subdued a lot more then you as well.”
“It's also his fault that you were thrown.” Kouga said. Inuyasha looked at him.
“What do you mean?” he murmured.
“Kagemusha threw you into me. If you hadn't gotten in the way, I would have killed him easily.” Kouga snapped.
“That's enough.” Miroku cut in. “All of Naraku's recent incarnations have been easily dispatched. We were not prepared for Kagemusha to wield such strength. He overpowered all of us.”
“Yeah, cause I was busy getting buried by the mutt!” Kouga insisted, jumping to his feet. “Listen up mutt. Here's how it's going to be; just back off and stay out of my way. I can protect Kagome fine, you stick to marking trees.” With her face safely buried in her pack, Kagome's jaw dropped. He was mad because Inuyasha tried to protect her? She looked over her shoulder as Inuyasha's shoulders tensed, and Kagome got ready to sit him. Then, not for the first time, he slumped.
“Whatever.” He muttered. He stood up and left the house. Kagome fully turned around and glared at Kouga.
“Kouga, that was really mean. Inuyasha was just trying to protect me.” She told the wolf. Kouga snorted.
“I'm full youkai, and I have jewel shards. I can protect you better then him Kagome. The mutt needs to learn when he isn't wanted. Which is most of the time.” Kagome let it drop, but was still mad at Kouga for the rest of the night. Especially when Inuyasha didn't come back, even as she fell asleep. Kouga waited until she fell asleep, then lay beside her, tenderly rubbing the small red mark on her shoulder blade.
- - - - - - - - - -
Kagemusha flapped his wings again, and flew farther into the mountains. He soared over the cliffs and found the site; a plateau with a large castle on it. It was so remote, no human could live up here. But that wasn't a problem. Humans didn't live at this castle. Or at least, not living ones. Several undead corpses patrolled the grounds.
Kagemusha swooped and landed in the courtyard. He tucked his wings in and entered the castle. He slid the shoji back and entered the deepest part of the castle.
“Kagemusha, you have returned. Tell me, what has become of Inuyasha and his miko?” Naraku asked. Kagemusha kneeled and bowed his head.
“My master, the hanyou and the miko live, as does the wolf.”
“So you failed to dispose of them. I am displeased Kagemusha.” Naraku held out his hand, and a glowing green orb appeared. “I do not like being displeased.” He grated. He tightened his grip on the green orb, and Kagemusha choked.
“I was unable to defeat them, master. But I have not returned without compensation.” Kagemusha gasped. He reached into his kimono, and held the vial of Shikon shards out to Naraku. Naraku pursed his lips and took the vial. He smiled and released his hold on Kagemusha's heart.
“Five more shards. This will do very nicely, but I still desire a death.” He said. Kagemusha nodded.
“Say the name, and you shall have their blood.” He promised.
“The hanyou Inuyasha and the miko Kagome. They are both strong, but their weakness is in each other. And the seeds of mistrust have been planted. I do not have any reason to fear them. But the wolf Kouga is another matter. He is attempting to court the miko, even take her as his mate, if she will allow it.”
“Then what are we to do with him?” Kagemusha chuckled in anticipation.
“Tonight, go to the wolf. And return by morning with his head.”
- - - - - - - - - -
Kagemusha walked into the courtyard and looked into the sky. The wolf's blood would run tonight. Kagemusha had failed. His master had desired the shards, but he had also desired the death of Inuyasha. He would not fail again. He was to kill the wolf, but perhaps he would also kill the hanyou as further compensation for his earlier failure.
“So Naraku has asked you to kill Kouga.” A silky voice behind him whispered. Kagemusha narrowed his eyes and turned to face Kagura.
“I do not see how my orders are any of your concern, Kagura.” He replied.
“The wolf has made it his duty to slay me. I slaughtered his wolves.” Kagura said with a half-smile.
“And I do not see how that is any of my concern. Why do you insist on delaying my Kagura?” Kagemusha asked. Kagura cocked her head.
“I saw you and Naraku. You gave him five shards of the jewel. Why?”
“Because he is my master. I was given an order, and I carried it out.”
“Doesn't it bother you that Naraku is sending you into battle so recklessly?”
“I am only his servant, his incarnation. He may do with me as he wishes.”
“Why do you not fight him? You are at least as strong as him, and if you had kept the shards of the jewel, your strength would have increased.” Kagura persisted.
“They were not mine to take.” Kagemusha growled.
“Of course they were. Whose powers burned the fur of Naraku's enemies? Who was attacked? Who fought? It was not Naraku.”
“Naraku created me. I owe my life, my existence to him. And as such, I am expected to fight for him. Anything gained in battle is his.”
“Naraku created you to fight only because he is too cowardly to fight on his own. And as you know Kagemusha, he cared nothing for us. We owe him nothing.” Kagura hissed. Kagemusha chuckled.
“Kagura, have you given any thought to the possibility that this is why Naraku barely trusts you?” he asked. When Kagura didn't answer, he flapped his wings and flew to the village. He had a wolf to kill.