InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sesshomarus Revenge ❯ The Rescue ( Chapter 20 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Chapter 20
The Rescue
Inu-Yasha was bored. He stood with crossed arms, tapping one claw-tipped foot on the ground. One eye on Shippou who was playing nearby with the village's children, he half listened to Miroku as he made his pitch to a local landlord. Why did I agree to this? He thought. A half-sigh, half-growl escaped his lips, and he focused his mind inward where he pictured the image of Kagome. Suddenly the image in his mind of a smiling, sparkly-eyed Kagaome changed to one of her injured and in extremis. It hit him like a cold shower, and he made a loud, involuntary gasp.
When Miroku heard Inu-Yasha gasp it was such an uncharacteristic sound that he stopped in the middle of his sentence. He turned to see what had had such a forceful affect on the hanyou. Inu-Yasha was bristling, his eyes wide with emotion, he looked like he was going to topple over in shock.
“I have to go back,” said Inu-Yasha to no one in particular, “she needs me, she's in danger!”
Shippou's sensitive ears picked up what Inu-Yasha had said and he came running over.
“Is it Kagome?” said the kitsune, “Is she in trouble?”
“I'm leaving!” said Inu-Yasha and bounded off.
“Hey, wait for me!” cried Shippou and just managed to leap in time to land on the hanyou's shoulder.
This all happened so fast Miroku had not had time to react. His mind swirling in confusion and heart clenched in sudden anxiety, he made some hasty excuses to the spluttering landlord and followed in Inu-Yasha's wake.
Kanna walked through the forest. Behind her were the three villagers she had possessed carrying the unconscious body of Kagome. She was annoyed. This was not the way she had expected to travel. The raptor was supposed to carry them, her and the two young women, back to Naraku's mansion if they did not have the shards on them. Instead it had taken off with the demon exterminator and left the rest of them behind. And her sister, Kagura, had been sent off on another errand and was not available to fly them back either. What a nuisance.
So lost was she in thought that Kanna was taken by surprise when Inu-Yasha crashed through the trees and slammed into Kagome's bearers.
“Attack him!” she commanded, knowing that they were useless against the hanyou.
But as they feebly struggled with the powerful half demon, Kanna made her escape. She used what sorcery she could muster to cover her tracks, anxious to get away but dreading the reaction of Naraku when she returned empty handed.
The enslaved villagers soon lay strewn about, unconscious. Inu-Yasha let Kanna slip away for the moment because he was too concerned about the condition of the battered and bruised Kagome who lay unconscious in his arms. He cradled her tenderly, brushing the hair out of her face, unsure how to proceed.
“Kagome, Kagome, wake up!” he said in an urgent whisper.
To his relief, her eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up at him with a dazed look. Suddenly she took a sharp breath and gripped his arm spasmodically, her expression one of panic.
“Where is Sango?” she said hoarsely.
“She's not here, I only found you.” He said.
Kagome struggled to sit up but gasped in pain and collapsed back in his arms.
“The raptor, the raptor,” was all she managed to say, her teeth gritted in pain.
“Where?” He replied, looking around in alarm.
“Before,” she gasped out, “when we were attacked a raptor got Sango.”
“I did not see a raptor when I found you.”
“We have to find her!” she said in obvious anguish.
“You certainly aren't going anywhere in your current condition.” Said Inu-Yasha, but kept his tone soft to lessen the blow of his words. He did not want to agitate her further.
Just then Miroku appeared with Shippou. The kitsune was fuming because Inu-Yasha had shaken him off and told him to wait for Miroku. The two of them exclaimed in alarm and gathered around Inu-Yasha and Kagome.
“What happened?”said Miroku.
They listened patiently as Kagome choked out the story of the attack in the forest and what had led up to it. When she got to the part about how she saw the raptor go for Sango, Miroku blanched.
“Inu-Yasha, you and Shippou should get Kagome to Kaede,” he said, standing up. “I have to go get Sango.”
“But Miroku, you can't go up against Naraku alone!” said Kagomre in dismay.
“Do we have a choice?” said Miroku, “You're injured and won't be able to leave the forest unassisted. I'm afraid of what might happen to her if we wait too long.”
Reluctantly Kagome had to agree with him. Miroku decided to leave right there and then on the off chance he could intercept the raptor, although that was a slim hope. Carefully Inu-Yasha lifted Kagome and he and Shippou headed for the village while Miroku headed for Naraku's mansion. Kagome laid her head against Inu-Yashas shoulder, quietly drenching it in tears of pain and anxiety.
A/N: Just to let you know, Naraku and his gang are kinda OOC in this fic, I believe, but you decide for yourselves when you read the next chapters. Hey, blame it on my muse!