The Spell That Binds Us

A/N: Okay, as you know I didn't use any quotations for thoughts. I could always change that if I have enough people that they would rather have it that way. I just didn't want my story to be to cliché.

Warnings: Character Death. Please read and review.

Chapter 2
A Midnight Killing


The southern lord sat on his horse in the night sky; he listened to his soldiers becoming restless on the coming hours. He knew he was stepping on dangerous territory, when he headed into Princes' realm. A smile placed his usually unemotional face. To see the brothers’ fall by my hands will be all too easy. He thought while his once stone cold face, busted out into a grizzly mirth.

His men quickly quieted down, once they heard their lord laugh, it had sent shivers to their very bones how evil there Lord and Master truly was. Once their lord stopped his laughter, they continued on their prior conversation of the day’s events in the village, as they entertained themselves; telling stories of the previous slaughter hours before.

A rider approached the small group. He dismounted his horse and kneeled before his Master. “Lord Naraku, I have found a small hut with an old woman inside it would appear that she is all by herself. Her farm is rich with food.” The man said humbly before him. He did not dare look up at his lord, and continued to kneel before him until otherwise.

Naraku was garbed in a black tunic with silver armor and in the middle was a black spider, surrounded by skulls. He to also wore a cape; hiding away is jet-black hair and those menacing brown eyes.


Naraku brought is rough hands to his face, rubbing his rounded chin. A malicious grin appeared on his face. “Kill her!” He demanded; rubbing his long slender hands together then grabbed his reigns of the black beast. “Men move out.” He said while riding away.

Kaede sat by her small fire, worrying over Kagome. She should be back by now. She considered while stirring the soup; that hanged in a black kettle over the red coals. With a long iron latch, she took the soup and removed it from the flame, although it was still to hot to eat, she set it aside so it cooled by the time Kagome returned.


With her troubled face, she decided to go out and find her. She placed her long gray hair into a bun and grabbed her bow and arrows. Walking out the front door, she heard what sounded like groups of horses were approaching her quickly. She notched an arrow and readied her defense. With a silent prayer to keep Kagome safe, she awaited her fate.


Naraku led his men over the small hill; he looked into the clearing ahead and saw a soft orange glow coming from the hut. He could see the elderly woman clearly. Tall trees camouflaged him safely during the moonlit glow. Dismounting his horse, he led his horse down to the withered hut. Meanwhile he pointed to his men to go around, coming in from behind.

Kaede heard someone coming, however her eyesight weakened by her age, and could barley make out her surroundings. “Who goes there?” She cried out into the night.


A tall black haired man walked out into the clearing. “I’m sorry to intrude, however my family was attacked by a vicious monster, and I nearly escaped with my life. Would it be too much to ask if I may rest with you until my horse and I are well enough to travel?” He asked cunningly, staring at her with his callous eyes.


She lowered her arrow. “Yes, ye may rest here until ye are well enough for your travels. I’m deeply sorry for your loss.” She said, and then she turned her back and saw two other men in front of her.


Kaede did not have time to react, she felt a sharp object dig into her stomach, and she fell to her knees holding her gushing wound. She could not scream, nor move, she fell to her side as her breaths became shallow, and her vision blurred; she took in her last breath, letting the eternal darkness consume her.


Naraku smiled. “Foolish woman! Men take what you can then burn the hut down.” He ordered. InuYasha I promise you that this is just a taste of what I am really going to do you and your family. He smiled cruelly at the thought, watching his men scurrying grabbing their rewards.


One of the men came out of the hut with a green skirt and a white sailor shirt, and quickly ran up to Naraku. “My lord! My lord!” The man said in and out of breath, approaching his lord with his head lowered.

Naraku looked down on the simpleton, seeing in his hands another set of clothing. He grabbed it out of his roughly and brought it up to his face smelling the fabrics of another girl. He felt his arousal in his pants stir, inhaling the pleasant scent of fine ripe mead. “Is that all?” He demanded, looking at the filth before him.

“Yes mi lord.” The man said respectfully.

“Good, then leave me, and tell the men to hurry.” Naraku retorted venomously, returning to his horse with the clothing in his clawed hands. He quickly mounted the massive beast. Watching his, men grab the animals and then burned down the hut. He laughed in the darkness while retreating, the scene of the crime.

Who is this woman? I have to have her. He thought, keeping the fabric of his desire close to him. A menacing scowl appeared on his face; if she refuses my offer! He smiled, that will not be a problem. Well I guess I could conjure up a spell. The evil sorcerer laughed; black magic was his specialty, and he would make sure to find his goods before the night was over.


InuYasha continued following Kagome when he smelled smoke. He stopped, lifting his head up further to taking in the volatile air. That is a fire I smell, but where is it coming from? He quickly ran up to the young woman and hoisted her up. His voice reassured her, as he sprinted toward the awful stench.

With her tightly in his arms, he quickly came across Kaede’s hut. Horror struck both their faces as they watched helplessly as the fire quickly consumed the hut. He could also smell blood and death in the air. He lowered his head trying to hide the pain of his long time friend. He quickly turned around not wanting him or herself to see anymore of the carnage before them.


Kagome fell into a state of shock; she just lost the next closest person besides her mom. She held him tighter and cried into his cloak. She did not need to ask, if her friend was alive. She just knew. She paused her crying, then looked into his saddened eyes. “What happens to me now? Where am I going to go?” She inquired, however, not wanting to accept the fact that Kaede had indeed died. She still needed a place to live, and the woods could be cruel at night.

His heart sunk further listening to the somber girl in his arms. “ I will take you to my palace, you will stay with me. That is not a request that is an order!” He growled, carefully he brought his clawed finger to her tear stained face. Gently removing the tear, that trickled down the side of her now redden face.


She gave a half smile. “Thank you, your highness, however you can put me down now, I think I’m okay to walk.” She assured, not wanting to be in his arms any longer. She wanted to wander and not think upon this night. However, the thoughts were uncontainable. Unanswered questions began stirring around in her head. Who would do this to Kaede? In addition, did InuYasha just growl? Come on girl do not be ridiculous. But, what was it about those ears on the top of his head? Oh my god! She suddenly remembered when his cloak was off, what quick sight she did see, she new he was not normal. She began squirming franticly from his grip. Her heart raced in her chest rapidly; she started beating on his chest with her fists. “Let me go!” She demanded.


Confusion spread across his face like a plague. He felt her thrashing in his arms. “What is the matter with you?” He inquired with bewilderment. Letting go of the trembling girl in his arms, she fell on the ground with a loud thump. Feeling bad that she fell, he knelt down reaching his hand out to her, trying to help her up.

“Get away from me you monster!” Kagome hissed. As she, desperately scooted backwards while watching him approach her.

“Who are you calling a monster? Figures a weak human, such as you would think of me as much! Stay here for all I care you are not worth my time or energy.” He stated coldly, and then ran off in the direction of the dense woods.

“Good! I did not want to go with you anyway!” She cried out in the night, then brought her knees up to her chest, and whimpered. Good going girl, you sure know how to make mess out the matter. She sighed. I need to go and apologize; I was such a jerk. Wiping away the current flow of tears from her face with her dirty palms, she stood up dusting the dirt off her skirt. Looking around the surrounding area, she felt scared and alone. Her backpack was missing her friend was lying on the ground dead and she was officially homeless--chasing off the only hope of her survival. She headed towards Kaede’s; not knowing why but she needed to see her one last time.


The hut was now a red glow; she could still feel the intense heat as she approached her friend. She knelt down next to her and sobbed. “I’m so sorry Kaede; I was not here to help you. Please forgive me.” She said sadly bringing an onslaught of tears once more. She knelt down to her friend crying on her, while her nails dug into the ground. Drawing her hand up to her face, she needed to be strong; she would have wanted that.

Standing up she decided to walk around the hut, she found Kaede’s hoe, which lay lying on the ground of her once beautiful garden. Now it was ash, due to the intensity of the blaze. She carefully touched the garden utensil to see if it was not to hot to the touch.

InuYasha ran through the forest slashing any tree that was in his way. He was angry that the girl saw him as a monster, angry that his friend lay murdered, and that he was not able to protect his kingdom! When he sniffed the surrounding area, he could not smell any one, only the smoke, and the blood. Who could do something so cold; I am defiantly going to find out. Who am I kidding I cannot leave her behind, and then I would be a monster especially if the real one is lurking around still. He stopped suddenly; quickly he swiped one more maple sapling. Turning around he headed back to Kaede’s to retrieve the girl. I hope I make it back before sunrise, or half the kingdom will be looking for me. Silver hair once again escaped his hood, his ears stood erect. His legs carried him with stride and grace. Effortlessly he avoided fallen logs or thick vegetation that came across his path.

Bringing the hoe back over she started digging the hardened earth like a shovel she found it to be extremely difficult. Tiresome and angry that she now having this burden to burry her friend. Taking a break, she looked down at her now raw hands. Tears ran down her cheek; she was tired and hungry. “I’m sorry Kaede; I don’t think I will be able to put you to rest properly.” She said looking at her now bloody hands. Wishing she had a shovel.


She stood up shakily and walked back over to Kaede, she rolled her over, she could see the puncture wound in her abdomen, the wetness of blood still oozing out of the stab wound. She noticed that Kaede still held her bow in her arm, but could see no arrows. That’s strange. She pondered. Where are her arrows? Who would leave just the bow? Walking around the body, she carefully avoided the blood on the ground. She grimaced at the very sight of the crimson puddle. She carefully pried the bow out of Kaede’s arm. She would have to wait until morning to see if other items were salvageable, for her journey to his Palace.


She knew she could not stay near what was left of her home; scavengers would mostly come out dew to the smell of blood. Picking up her bow, she would return in the morning to find the missing arrows. Reminiscing back to times, her and Kaede talked, while walking away heading towards the old well. Kaede never brought up the hidden dangers of the forest, she told me that their where things, monsters that lived beyond the safety of her home, but nothing like InuYasha. They weren’t real, however she soon found out just how bona fide they were. She would never admit that she had no concept of using a bow and arrow, but too have it with or without arrows gave her a sense of security. God, if only mom could see me now. She deliberated dryly.

Naraku was having the time of his life, every village that would come across his path he would destroy, without anyone to inform the kingdom. He would find out by morning. I think I have one more trip before I return to my own territory. Lifting up the fabric to his sensitive noise, he drowned himself in her essence. I wonder should I return to where I found these odd clothes; to see if its rightful owner has returned. He smiled grabbing the reins tighter, he continued to listing to the horrendous screams plaguing the background with death and destruction. “Hurry up men! That will be all tonight.” He ordered his men his eyes gleamed at the carnage around him, he watched his men butcher, men, women and children, hearing their terrifying screams in the night as they where abruptly awoken.

InuYasha ran through the forest, he could smell the lingering smoke in the distance and knew that he was close. Coming out of the clearing, he could still see an orange glow in the remoteness. However, it was not as bright as before. Still he could see it plain as day. Looking around he noticed a silhouetted figure heading towards the old well.


When Kagome made it back to the well, she saw her yellow bag. A small smile escaped her face. “Well at least I have my backpack.” She said mournfully. Looking at the bag, she cursed the moon for not being bright enough. It was too dark to find her matches, and any leftover snacks she slowly savored.

Kagome has always been a strong person, but now she was alone, afraid and frustrated she couldn’t even start a fire, she approached the sill of the well and sat down, her hands covering her face in sudden defeat. Don’t you dare cry; she thought holding back the forming tears. Unfortunately, for her, the tears would not comply and slowly ran down her face.


“Are you ok?” A recognizable voice asked softly, and then placed his hand on her shoulders feeling her tense. “Please stop crying it will be ok.” InuYasha said reassuringly, removing his hands and placing them under her chin, so he could look into her saddened eyes.


“Your Highness!” She said with astonishment. Why would he come back, after all I called him a monster? She inquired. Looking up she could see his bright amber eyes, as the moon reflected off his orbs, making him look like a Greek Adonis. She could not stop looking into his eyes. She mentally scolded herself for the prejudice judgment she bestowed upon him earlier. She could feel her body start to desire the unusual man before her. Stupid girl, how could you think he was a monster? He is gorgeous, and those ears. Wait what am I saying; he is arrogant, probably spoiled since his is a prince. She fought with herself attempting to lose her gaze upon him, unfortunately, she could not, and her body would not allow her.

Brining a single claw up to her skin, he removed the falling tear, sliding down her flawless face. Glad to see she had stopped crying, he could not help but want to touch her even if it was a fallen tear. He saw her as she looked up at him as gold and hazel collided and could not separate. His heart sank into his chest as he imbibed on her angelic beauty. As a sudden breeze whipped by, her long black hairs that glisten in the moonlight cascaded around her rounded face. Even with her eyes being puffy, her beauty was flawless, and the redness in her cheeks enhanced her features further more. He could see a sudden flash of caution in her eyes but soon returned to a bedroom eye look. A large grin appeared on his face when the smell of her sultry scent arose to his sensitive nose. He could not take it anymore; he descended his lips down on hers.

She could see him moving closer, but like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car, she could not move. Paralyzed with curiosity, fear, and desire. She welcomed him.

Lips collided soft at first then turning into a fiery passion. Tongues battled for dominance. InuYasha brought her closer to his body, while her arms locked around his neck.

She stopped the kiss, slowly backing away from him; she was trying to find her strength in her legs. She looked around the surrounding area desperately trying to avoid his hypnotic stare that promised to be back in his arms once again. Emotions plagued her face, while thoughts evaded her mind. Reaching her hand up to her swollen lips, she traced the sensation, with her finger. That was my first kiss.

Then she frowned, shame hitting her hard. How could I be so thoughtless, Kaede just died and here I’m kissing a prince? Oh Kaede, I am so sorry I must shame you. She could feel the tears reappear. Her legs became flaccid as she crashed on her knees; her hands were on both sides of her cheeks. “Oh Kaede I’m so sorry.” She wailed out into the night. “I was not there to protect you.” She continued to confess her guilt and shame.

InuYasha was in a world by himself, he felt light, his stomach fluttered. He glowed, with an exuberant amount of happiness. Then it crashed when he could her sudden pleas of forgiveness. “I’m so sorry.” He said while approaching her. He lifted her up, brought her into his chest, and just held her. He caressed her back soothingly.

“I knew Kaede, she was a friend of mine, you could not have helped her, please don’t burden yourself with guilt; they would have done far worse to you. As far as the kiss, she would have wanted you too be happy. I can assure you, I will find those who are responsible for the crime committed today. It will not be denied and death will not be merciful!” He growled with conviction.


Kagome listened to him, and felt comforted, protected, and concern. She could not believe he been friends with her. Sadness filled her once again; Wish she would have told me? That continued, unanswered question. Dwelling on the past, would not help a wounded heart. She knew she needed to move on with her life, she smiled; Kaede would have wanted it that way.

He could hear her breathing slow, as she was coming around once again. She looked up at him and smiled. His kind words seemed to soothe her inner turmoil. He could not believe that someone like her would actually accept him for being a half demon. “What is your name Fair Maiden? Who has stolen my heart with one look?” He asked. InuYasha could not believe that information was not reveled to him sooner, and mentally smacked himself. I guess with everything that happened I did not even think about her name, the siren before me, has completely caught me off guard.

She suddenly felt embarrassed, her face darkened with a bright crimson glow. The man kissed me and does not know my name. “My name is Higurashi, Kagome.” She said innocently, while trying hard to get rid of the burning sensation adorning her cheeks.

“Well come Higurashi, Kagome, we must be heading back now, I really do not want to have a panic spread out in my palace.” He said calmly, he carefully carried her bridal style as he ran towards the Palace.

“Wait your highness, what about Kaede? I can’t leave her there to be eaten by animals. We have to burry her and give her a proper funeral.”

He looked down on her funny, “I am a prince not a pauper I don’t burry the dead”

Kagome growled, “Fine then take me back and I will do it.”

“Mi lady have you lost your mind, and what are you going to use?”

“I will use my hands, if I have too, or there is a hoe I can use.”

InuYasha grabbed her hands and looked at them with a scowl. “Higurashi Kagome you will not use your hands further damaging them.”

“Its just Kagome and yes I will. I told you, I’m of my own free will, and you don’t own me.”

InuYasha growled, “I’m rule these lands and yes I do own you. Now stop arguing with me, or I will lock you away in the dungeons never to see the light of day.” Of course, he would never actually lock her away; it was a good enough threat to stop her persistent struggles. “I will have someone here by morning to burry the dead.”

Turning around he once again, he headed back towards his Kingdom in the Eastern domain.