Nightingale

Nightingale

Chapter Three – Blood

…

Two days before the rise of the new moon, a sudden explosion rocked the foundations of the citadel, made the circular room that housed Kagome’s prison tremble and shake. She instantly dashed to the thick golden bars, hoping to hear something that told her what was going on. Another explosion and dread was curling up her spine. Kagome stared up at the only window that allowed her a glimpse of the outside world but all she saw was the indigo of the night sky.

Shouts and screams. She could hear them all. Clashes of metal and sharp weapons. Rage. Power. Her heart was racing and she could hear her blood pounding in her ears. ‘What was going on out there?

The door suddenly burst open followed by quick running footsteps.

“Ban! What’s happening?!”

“We have to get out of here. The citadel’s under attack.” He sliced his palm open with a dagger and grabbing hold of one of the bars, felt it pulse once and then disintegrate into dust. He held out his hand towards her, eyes sharp and alert. “This is your only chance to escape Kagome.”

Now or never. She grasped his hand and held tight, crossed through the bars of her golden cage and out of the circular room and into a battle-strewn hallway. Blood marred the walls, bodies lay lifeless on the ground as they sprinted through the chaos.

But no sooner had they rounded a sharp corner, her long robes snagged on dull armor and Kagome was brought to the ground with a harsh thud of pain. Bankotsu insistently tugged on her arm before dodging a flying arrow and then a downward swing from the enemy. Quickly grabbing a fallen spear, he sent a swift kick to his opponent’s middle rapidly followed by the sharp end of his weapon. A gasp left Kagome’s lips as she fumbled with the heavy material with one free hand. Finally able to claw it off and left only in a thin purple yukata, she let Ban pull her quickly to her feet and they took off once again.

Left. Right. They weaved through the masses and hallways. Her breath came short and her side ached. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her mind cluttered and overwhelmed with all that was happening around her.

“Don’t let go of me Kagome! Whatever you do, don’t let go!”

That was the only warning she got before Bankotsu burst through the large windows to their left, dangerous shards of glass flying through the air and all around them. She covered her head, couldn’t find the voice to scream because everything was happening so fast, like a whirlwind that was sweeping her off her booted feet. She didn’t register the pain of glass cutting into her skin, only that she couldn’t let go. Her body was suddenly pulled into his and she could feel the bitter cold kiss her skin, instant gooseflesh rising in the drastic change in temperature.

The impact was hard. Using his body, Ban shielded Kagome from the brunt of the fall as they rolled in the snow, dotting it with red as they tumbled along. But they didn’t have time to waste, no matter the aches, cuts, and bruises.

“Can you still run?” He asked hurriedly as he pulled her disheveled form to her feet.

“I don’t think I have a choice.” She panted and winced as a sharp pain shot up her arm.

“I’m sorry but we can’t waste any more time.” He said apologetically and they were once again running, Ban still clutching her hand as the snow crunched beneath their feet.

“We’re in the eastern side of the citadel right now, fast approaching the north end where the main battle is taking place, where Naraku is currently. You can only get out through the main gates. No matter what, you cannot let him see you Kagome. But if he does, run and don’t stop.”

“What about you?” She asked, panic slowly spreading through her chest.

“Don’t worry about me Kagome. Just run when I tell you to.” He glanced back at her, threw her one of his charming smiles she always found adorable and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

They rounded the corner and true to his word, the main battle was all chaos and blood and death. Soldiers fought for their lives, running swords through bodies and falling to the ground painted with red. A third explosion in the south end shook the ground but the bloodshed was relentless.

Kagome looked frantically around her as she tried not to lose Ban in the maelstrom as he cut down those blocking their path. She tried to block out the screams of pain and the looks of hell on faces. She tried to ignore the biting cold nipping at her skin and the panic and dread and fear rising in her throat. A bright pulse within her and a sharp inhalation caused her to nearly trip on a body riddled with arrows, but she quickly regained her balance. No…not yet. Kagome could feel it though, the frantic rush flooding her senses, sparking right beneath her skin.

Kagome…

“We’re almost there!” Bankotsu shouted but Kagome didn’t seem to hear him as a sudden sliver of mind numbing fear snaked down her spine, effectively smothering the sweet call of surrender and the temptation of overwhelming power within her.

Turning her head to the left, black disheveled hair swinging every which way, she caught sight of Naraku engaged in fierce battle with a silver haired demon. But all time seemed to freeze when his furious vermillion eyes locked with hers. She saw his eyes widen for a fraction of a second before unadulterated fury contorted his features, before she felt his darkness burst forth and encompass everything.

“BANKOTSU!” Naraku roared, voice dripping with venom and the intent to kill.

She saw dozens of tentacles suddenly emerge and shoot from his body in an angry wave. She saw his opponent fluidly dodge and let his sword streak across the space and slice easily through the ebony mass. But still they came, swept passed and even tore through fighting bodies, coming directly for them.

“Ban!” She yelled and he deftly pulled her behind him, sliced through Naraku’s black extensions of himself with a madness all consuming.

“Run Kagome!” Bankotsu pushed her forward, urging her to get away from this hell and carnage.

“But—”

“Go!”

She wiped at her flowing tears, felt her heart break as she stepped back and further away. But before she had the chance to turn around, a black tentacle pierced through Bankotsu’s chest from behind, let rain his blood on the white snow before her, color her world in the darkest crimson she’d ever seen.

Stumbling back, vision blurred by tears, Kagome turned her back on all the death, the scent of blood and pain, ran from her golden cage, and through the main gates, out into the blanket of white that led to somewhere…anywhere but here.

…to be continued…