Through Blood and Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. He belongs the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi!


Chapter 20: Naraku Returns

Later, that night, when Sesshoumaru and Taki had returned, InuYasha and Nico were still down by the river. Nico had fallen asleep in InuYasha’s arms and he was too content holding her to wake her. He eventually fell asleep as well as was now being shaken awake by Kouga.

“Hey dog boy wake up!” he said in a loud whisper.
“What the...?”
“InuYasha, wake up already,” Kouga said a little louder.
“What are you doing here wolf boy?”
“I was looking for Nico. Kagome is worried sick and it’s driving me crazy.”
“Well she’s okay. She’s with me.”
“I see that.”

Kouga gave InuYasha a raised brow as he saw Nico stinuggnuggled up tightly to InuYasha, her arms still wrapped around his neck. his armstingting at her waist. InuYasha just gave a low growl to Kouga and sat up, waking Nico up in the process.

“Huh? Where am I?”
“You fell asleep, Nico,” said InuYasha.
“Oh.”
“Hey, Nico. Kagome is losing it because you haven’t come back yet. I told her I’d come look for you.”
“Oh no! Is she really freakin’ out, Kouga?”

Kouga just looked at Nico and rolled his eyes. Nico jumped off the rock and headed back towards the village. InuYasha got down and stnextnext to Kouga.

“So, InuYasha? What were you and Nico up to, huh?” Kouga gave InuYasha a nudge with his elbow.
“None of your business, wolf boy.”
“You two looked pretty comfy.”
“Shut up.”
“Well if you ask me, I think you kinda like her.”
“Well nobody asked you.”

InuYasha stomped off, embarrassed that he had been caught in a vulnerable moment with Kouga right on is heels.
When Nico got to the village, Kagome nearly took her head off.

“Where have you been?!”
“I was down by the river with InuYasha.”
“This whole time?!”
“Yes. Kagome please calm down. Everything is okay.”
“No it’s, Ni, Nico. I was worried sick!”
“Kagome, please stop yelling. If you were going to be like this, maybe I should have gone back home instead of staying here with you guys.”
“WHAT!”
“Wait, Nico. She’s just being overprotective,” rushed in Taki.
“Yeah, please don’t go,” came Sango.

Both girls held Kagome back and tried desperately to keep her quiet. Nico just stood there, quietly waiting for Kagome to calm down. By this time, though, Miroku, Kaede, Shippou, and Sesshoumaru came out side. InuYasha and Kouga, too, had walked up in time to hear Taki and Sango try and reason with Kagome.

“I don’t want to go but if I can’t even go and sit by the river with InuYasha for a time without Kagome go psycho, then maybe I should leave. I mean she treats me like I’m some kind of breakable child or something.”

Nico crossed her arms in front of her and Kagome stood up and looked Nico dead in the eye.

“Well then maybe you should just go home, Nico.”

Everyone’s jaws dropped as their eyes grew wide. Kagome jerked her arms away from Sango and Taki, turned on her heel and stormed off in the direction of Kaede’s hut. Nico continued to just stand there. Everyone else was glued to where they stood. Nico finally gave out an exasperated sigh. She let her arms drop to her side and began walking towards Kaede’s hut.

“Nico, what are you doing?” asked Kouga.
“To go and talk to Kagome.”
“But she’s really mad,” said Sango.
“Yeah and if there’s one thing we’ve learned it’s to let Kagome blow off some steam whenever she gets mad,” added Shippou.
“Yeah, well, I can feel Kagome has calmed down. She is just being Kagome and I kind of overreacted as well. Trust me. Everything will be fine.”
“Your not going to leave are you?” asked Taki.
“No, I’m staying right here.”

With that, Nico walked over to Kaede’s and into the hut. There was no screaming or yelling so everyone just decided to let them be. Kouga and Miroku went off to the hut where the guys slept with Shippou right behind them. Taki and Sango went and sat on the porch of Kaede’s hut, hoping to hear the conversation inside.
Sesshoumaru walked over to InuYasha and stood next to him. When he spoke to InuYasha, he kept his eyes on the hut, never even turning his head.

“You are pushing this, dear brother. I don’t know what happened at the river and I don’t want to know, but her scent is all over you.”
“I did nothing wrong. Once again she sought me out.”
“I do not understand why she has this affect on me, but whenever I think of her with you, I become extremely angry.”
“Oh.”
“Yes. You should know the feeling.”
“I do.”
“This is becoming very difficult.”
“Yes it is.”

Both brothers continued to stand there, neither moving an inch. It had only been five days since they met Nico and already they were fighting over her like a couple of pups in heat. What was even worse was, Sesshoumaru expected this kind of behavior from InuYasha, but not from him. Especially over a human or any girl for that matter. InuYasha walked off towards the hut Miroku and Kouga were in while Sesshoumaru still stood there. Everything was confusing him and he did not like to be confused. Why is she able to do this to me? What is wrong with me? She’s just a human girl. What does it matter if InuYasha takes her? Sesshoumaru decided to go for a walk to try and clear his head.
Taki and Sango had seen the brothers arguing but only Taki could hear what it was about. She smiled inwardly. So InuYasha and Sesshoumaru had it bad for Nico.

“Come on Sango, lets go inside and see if everything is okay.”
“Alright, Taki.”

Both girls got up and walked inside the hut, hoping that their sisters had worked everything out, Taki still grinning over what she had heard. When they stepped inside, they saw Nico and Kagome, calmly sitting across from each other.

“I just don’t want to lose, Ni, Nico,” said Kagome.
“I know, but things will happen and every now and then I will want some time alone. Or with my new family members. I can’t be by your side all the time,” replied Nico.
“I just worry. Your all I have left. No one understands that.”
“I do. Your all I have left. But you and I will always be connected somehow, you know that.”
“I’ll try to be a little less psycho every time I can’t find you, but promise you won’t just up and disappear without so much as a word.”
“I promise.”

Both girls hugged and Sango and Taki joined them. They soon laid down to bed.

The next morning, Kagome announced to everyone that she was going back through the well to tell her mom she and Nico were over here and to get supplies. Kagome and Nico had made up that night and Kagome had agreed to slack up a bit. While she was away, Nico helped the gang make ready to start their journey for the rest of the jewel shards. A few hours later, when Kagome had returned, everyone was ready to go. They all gathered everything they would need, waved goodbye to Kaede and made their way east.
Kouga and Miroku started in the lead. The girls followed behind them, Shippou, who kept jumping back and forth between Kagome and Nico, had finally settled and snuggled close to Nico. All four girls were talking animatedly about nothing in particular. Sesshoumaru and InuYasha, still not speaking to each other, were bringing up the rear. They had now been traveling, non-stop, for about seven hours and had not once come across a demon or jewel shard. Finally, Taki spoke up.

“Hey guys. Do you think maybe we could take a break or something?”
“Yeah, I guess,” said Kouga.
“My feet are beginning to ache a little,” stated Miroku.

With that, the group took a break, sitting here and there among rocks and fallen trees. Kagome took out her water bottle and passed it around. By the time it made it back, it was completely empty.

“Guess we’ll have to find a cool spring soon or else we’re all gonna be really thirsty. This was my last full bottle.”
“I smell water coming from the direction,” Kouga pointed off to his right.
“It is only a small ways from here,” said Sesshoumaru.
“I’m gonna go fill up these bottles,” said Kagome.
“I’ll come help,”stated Nico.
“I’ll come, too,” chirped Taki.

The trio got up and gathered Kagome’s bag and the water bottles. They then made their way towards where the others had said the river was. They walked for only about five minutes when they came upon the small stream. They dropped their supplies on the bank and began filling up the water bottles.
“Kagome, don’t you think it’s weird we haven’t come across any jewel shards or demons for that matter?” asked Taki
“Yes but I think we should be thankful. I hate fighting,” replied Kagome.
“What kind of demons would we come across?” asked Nico.
“All kinds,” said Kagome.
“Yeah, but there not all a threat. There are just a few who would pose a real....”

Taki stopped her train of speech when she saw Nico. She and Kagome had gone still and were both pale. Then it hit her. A scent that reeked so much of evil and death that it turned her heart cold. A black fog settled around the three girls and began to grow thicker. Out of nowhere, a disembodied laugh filled their ears. Instantly, Kagome ran over to Nico and took a protective stance beside her. Taki dropped her bottle and unsheathed Tenketsaiga and jumped in front of her two sisters. Suddenly, before the trio, Naraku appeared.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”
“We have no jewel shards, Naraku,” said Taki.
“Jewel shards are not what I want.”
“Well what do you want you creep!?” shouted Kagome.
“You know what I want. You have something that I think belongs to me.”
“We have nothing of yours, Naraku,” stated Taki.
“Oh really?”

Taki let out a low guttural grremeremembering Naraku’s last attack and his threat to come back for Nico. She prepared for an attack. Kagome grabbed Nico’s hand and made ready to make a break for the group as soon as Taki made her move. But Naraku was too fast. He dashed off to the side and Taki tried to keep up. He jd ovd over her and knocked her to the ground, smashing her head into a large boulder. Kagome took off for the group with Nico in tow. Naraku caught up with them easily. He grabbed Nico around the waist and pulled her to him, throwing Kagome into the trees. Nico let out a deafening scream as Naraku squeezed her to him.

Back at the camp, everyone else began to get that eerie feeling. They all became uneasy and then something brought fear into all their hearts. A scrof pof pure terror and fear broke through the trees and sent the small pack into the woods after the girls. InuYasha, Sesshoumaru and Kouga took off, weapons drawn, ready for anything. Miroku and Sango, along with Shippou, were on the back of Kirara, not too far behind.
When they got to the stream, what they saw made their stomachs turn. Kagome lay on the ground, her upper half hidden by some brush, not moving. Taki was struggling to stand, leaning heavily on Tenketsaiga, blood pouring from her head. There, in front of the stream, was Naraku, with a death grip on Nico, one arm around her waist, the other, forcing her head to the side, trailing kisses down her neck to her collar bone, where he began to gently suck and scrape with his fangs.
Kouga ran to Kagome’s side, lifting his mate into his arms. Hee a e a sigh of relief when Kagome gave a moan and rolled her head towards him. He picked her up and brought her over to Sango who knelt beside her on the ground, trying to see what injuries she had suffered. Taki had now managed to get to her feet and had raised her sword, ready for another go.
At the sight of Naraku’s intimacies with Nico, Sesshoumaru and InuYasha’s eyes began to turn red. InuYasha was the first to make his attack. He went in, Tetsusaiga raised. Naraku made to leap out of his way, but Taki caught him from behind and managed to knock him back down. Sesshoumaru ran, with demon speed, towards Naraku and actually managed to get a strike in. Kagura had appeared and was keeping Kouga, Miroku and Sango busy with her wind blades. Naraku, even though getting hit from Sesshoumaru, still held on tightly to Nico.

“I will have this girl!”
“Over my dead body!” shouted InuYasha.
“It can be arranged, half-breed,” stated Naraku simply.
“Naraku, you will die before you take our mate,” stated Sesshoumaru cooly.

Once again he was surrounded by the three inus. He looked around him. I will not giver he up this time, he thought. Taki charged Naraku which caused enough of a distraction for InuYasha and Sesshoumaru to make there moves. He easily threw Taki back and tried dodging Tetsusaiga. But InuYasha tore a gash into Naraku’s back, making Naraku throw one arm back and moving the other, still holding Nico, to his side. This allowed Sesshoumaru an opening. He threw all his weight behind Toukijin, and drove the blade into Naraku. Naraku turned just in time to drive his poison claws into Sesshoumaru. Neither demon moved but kept his weapon firmly lodged in the other. InuYasha quickly swung Tetsusaiga at Naraku, piercing through his back, the blade nearly touching Sesshoumaru’s shoulder.
Sango’s boomerang had been thrown off by Kagura’s wind blades but Kouga managed to take come from behind her and slice off her arm as Miroku sucked in the last of her wind blades with his wind tunnel. Sango quickly withdrew her kitana and pierced Kagura through her abdomen. Knowing when she was beaten, Kagura retreated and took to the skies on her giant feather. With Kagura gone, Kouga took a semi-conscious Kagome into his arms. Miroku helped Sango to stand and they started towards the stream to try and help their pack mates. They all saw Naraku, who’s claws were still dug deeply into Sesshoumaru’s abdomen, Sesshoumaru still holding Toukijin in place inside Naraku. Naraku’s other arm was still tightly wrapped around Nico. InuYasha was still holding Tetsusaiga, protruding through Naraku’s shoulder, dripping with Naraku’s blood and Taki, standing the best she could, holding Tenketsaiga towards Naraku’s head. Everyone was still. Nico looked at each of her friends, lingering on Sesshoumaru and InuYasha.

“Please, Lord Naraku, do not hurt my family.”
“I will not leave without you. I told you I would come for you again.”
“Yest I t I must beg of you. Please do not hurt my family. I will do anything you want.”
“WHAT! No Nico,” shouted a now, distressed InuYasha.
“Really, now. You will come with me then and I will spare your family,” stated Naraku.
“I will rip out your guts, you vile beast, before I allow you to take her away from me!” shouted Sesshoumaru.
“I have had enough of this.”

Naraku sent out a blast of pure energy, knocking everyone from their feet, sending the Tetsusaiga and Toukijin flying. He then began to float up while emitting a black fog, like before. Nico looked down at her friends, who were trying to recover from the attack. They didn’t know what to do. InuYasha, in a moment of urgency, jumped up trying to attack, but Naraku sent him hurling to the ground. When Sesshoumaru attempted an attack, he, too, was sent back down. Kagome, who had finally recovered, was now aware of what was going on. She pushed herself from Kouga and ran towards Naraku and Nico.

“Kagome, NO!” screamed Kouga.
“NARAKU! YOU LET HER GO!” shouKagoKagome.
“Shut up you filthy human,” seethed Naraku.
“If you take her from me, I will find you and I will kill you. So help me by the gods I will destroy you!”

He was beginning to form an energy blast and directed it straight at Kagome. He put as much force as he could behind it and sent to the defenseless miko. Kouga and Sango tried to get Kagome from harms way but it was too late. The energy blast hit Kagome head on. Everyone watched in horror as Naraku sent another blast at Kagome. Nico felt the tears come to the back of her eyes, but stopped them. She could sense Kagome was alive. Sure enough, when the light faded and the dust had cleared, there stood Kagome, a bright fire engulfing her, but not harming her. She just stood there, not knowing what was going on. She looked down and saw her father’s black flame pendant glowing silver. It was hot against her skin. The fire that surrounded her felt cool and refreshing. She didn’t know where it had come from, but she was glad it had appeared. Naraku stared dumbfounded. Shippou ran to Kagome only to find that the fire did burn those on the outside. He jumped back, scalded by the blaze.
Kagome looked to Nico and caught her gaze. Nico couldn’t believe what was happening. Then suddenly, she felt a burning sensation on her chest. It was her father’s pendant, now glowing a bright silver as well. Then, her hands began to glow softly and a burning overcame them. She wasn’t sure what to do, but her instincts told her to place them on Naraku and he would let her go. She did just that and the sizzle of his skin could be heard for miles as well as his unearthly howl of pain. He dropped Nico instantly, who then ran to Kagome’s side.
Naraku looked at Nico. What in the seven hells did she do to me?! He looked down at the wound and saw not only was he badly burned but it was not healing at all. He had felt such a strong surge of power, like none he had ever felt before. First from that miko when he attempted to destroy her, then from Nico when she wounded him. He looked back up at Nico.

“I am not finished with you yet, Nico. I will come back for you and you will be mine!” he shouted. With that, he encircled himself with his thick, black cloud and disappeared.

Everyone now looked upon Nico and Kagome, who in turn just looked at each other. Kagome was still surrounded by the blaze and both girl’s pendants were still glowing fiercely. No one knew what to do. They just stood where the battle had left them. Nico reached her hand out towards Kagome, coming dangerously close to the fire surrounding her cousin. Kagome reached for Nico, the fire blazing her unmarred and unburned flesh. What happened next, shocked everyone.