The Mysterious Stranger

Title: The Sacrifice pt3

Author: Kimisan/Aoshis_toy

Community: 30_Breathtakes

Theme: #8 You're good at what you do

Warnings: Extreme Violence

The Honky Tonk sign was glowing brightly as Kagome pulled along the sidewalk. The yellow car pulled up behind her and their lights turned off. Anxiety filled her as she turned the car off. The headlights still blazing from her car was focused on the three men standing outside the place. The blonde from earlier and two older males. One of them had blonde hair, very well built and handsome. Was that him? Could it be possible that the man had sired her? Was that the man her mother was still in love with?


Fear reared it’s ugly head as the man got off the building. Could she really step out of the car and do this. The urge to crank it and step on the gas was too tempting. Her hand clutched the steering wheel. She almost felt like crying when the man caught her eyes. She couldn’t do this, what had she been thinking? This was going to shatter the illusion of her real father. The man stopped before opening the door. Was he just as nervous as she?


Taking a deep she tried to calm her nerves. Her mother had asked her to give the man a chance. She’d do it, if only for her mom. Blue eyes narrowed in apprehension as a strong pulse began along her spine. The feeling came on strong and fast. Swearing she mashed the trunk button. The blonde man was smiling and took the time to greet her as she stepped out the car. Panic made her shove the door open so it bounced on the hinges. She should have known this would happen. Any use of the power and they’d come running like starving dogs to a steak.


“SHIT!” She couldn’t help the swearing as she ran to the trunk to find the spare tire sitting on her only means of defense. She was so going to kill Souta if she lost an eye because of this. Seconds ticked by as she grabbed the thick rubber wheel and tossed it behind her. The sound of it slamming on metal went ignored as she reached for the bow and quiver. Thankfully, Gramps had made sure she’d come prepared. Her mother had said there was no need but the old man had even packed her a few wards.


“What, come on we can talk about this. I’m sure he had his reasons, no need to resort to violence.” Ginji tried to plead with the girl as she reached into the stack of arrows. Anger was clearly visible in her face. Ban looked peeved that she’d just hit his car. A large dent was forming where the spare lay. Akabane looked amused as the girl notched the arrow. He couldn’t let the girl kill the man. Even if he had walked away from her.


“Idiot.” Kagome was appalled that the boy believed she’d shoot the man. Ginji put himself in front of the taller man, preparing to take the shot. The urge to roll her eyes was strong but she had bigger problems, about a dozen of them if she was correct. She walked around her car and stood in the now empty street. Nothing moved for several seconds except for the man in the trench coat. He merely moved closer to watch, a hand on the brim of his hat. The large gust of wind came as the first one flew past. She ducked the talons aiming to take her head.


“What the hell was that Ban?” Ginji covered his ears as a piercing noise filled the street. The wind was blowing strong but there was no storm. His eyes widened seeing Masaki walk out into the road ignoring the danger.


“Where is it?” He looked down at the girl that appeared to be concentrating. He doubted she’d be able to kill it with that thing. The flapping of wings was heard from the left. He blinked in time to see her spin and fire. A bright streak of light crossed the open night. A shriek was heard as a large blast of energy turned the thing to ash. What had that old codger been teaching the girl?


“Gone,” Kagome notched another arrow. Feeling several more coming but they were on foot. A reassuring hand landed on her shoulder. A blush crept up her cheeks when the man in the trench coat appeared at her other side. The view gave her a good profile of him. He was a tad pale but cute. The violet eyes were stunning right down to his firm lips. She mentally scolded herself for checking him out while she was in danger. “This isn’t your fight, it’s me they’re after.”


“Perhaps,” Akabane narrowed his eyes seeing movement out the corner of his eye. The red scalpels hit the creature in the chest sending it to the ground. Interesting, he’d never seen anything like them before. The girl fired in the distance, lighting up the sky once more. The aim was dead-on as it slammed into a man’s eye. “Perfect.”


“Actually, I was aiming for his chest.” Kagome blushed at the admission. Whoops, that made him laugh. Okay, she still wasn’t as good as Kikyou but she still hit what she aimed for. Considering that she couldn’t hit the broad side of Kaede’s ass when she’d started out, she’d improved a lot over the years. It was harder when your target was moving at a fast pace.


“I applaud you girl. You are just as I remember you. I didn’t dare hope that it’d be you. I see you’ve got quiet the little rat pack don’t you. My my, to have so many people surrounding you. All trying to protect you, you really haven’t changed. When will you start relying on your own strength instead of others. After all, that is why you are here, is it not? Why you were not chosen over my most hated foe. Yes, you were never as good as she.” The voice came from above and landed ten feet away from her current position. The youkai was female in appearance and looked familiar. The long white hair flowed behind her. Half of her face was covered in scales. “Come now, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me my dear Kagome.”


“Tsubaki, my apologies, had I’d known I’d have greeted you in a more familiar manner. Bad memory and all that.” The half that still looked human was clearly the dark miko. What had she combined with this time? Better yet, why wasn’t she dead. Couldn’t Inuyasha kill anyone right? No, he liked to keep them mostly dead and pissed. That way they could return and bite her in the ass. “I’d like to say time has been kind but I don’t like to lie.”


“Hmph, say what you will girl. I had to wait for decades to repair the damage done by that bastard. By the time I regained my power you had already fled. I was upset learning that Kikyou had died once more by the hands of Naraku. I had wanted to tear that woman apart. But more so I wanted to feed off your dead flesh. You did this to me! Fate has been kind, it has brought me the chance for revenge. Centuries of waiting have paid off, I will take the jewel you stole from me. It should have been mine. Those in charge want you but I’m afraid I can’t comply with their wishes. Oh no, I can’t kill Kikyou but I will destroy her reincarnation. This time you don’t have your pathetic hanyou to protect you. Are you ready to die?”


“I don’t need Inuyasha. If I remember correctly I didn’t need him then. Even back then I was strong enough to fight off your curse, you weren’t strong enough to kill me. The only thing that has changed in the last five centuries is that you’ve gotten uglier and twisted by your jealousy. You or no one else will get the jewel.” Kagome felt pain at her words but would not let them break her. She didn’t need Inuyasha to protect her. Nor any of the people here, she could fend for herself.


“You bitch! I will kill you in front of your new lap dogs. Nothing but a bunch of weak pathetic human trash. You shall all die,” Tsubaki snapped her jaw shut seeing the miko tense. She hadn’t lived this long, allowing her soul to be feasted on to die. Revenge would be her for the position that had been rightfully stolen by Kikyou. That woman had started it all by trying to be better. A smile creased her face seeing the girl pale. Yes, she should fear death. Searing pain consumed her and she blinked. “What?!”


“Bloody Sword.” Akabane watched the woman’s face twist as she stumbled back. The other girl gasped as the body slid apart mid-chest. The upper half fell to the concrete as growling came from the side. The others moved as shadows came alive. He wasn’t sure what all the talk was about, it made no sense to him. “You talk too much.”


Kagome fired the arrow hitting the large snake heading towards the man. His head turned but only gave a brief nod. She didn’t want to see what he was going to do to the other miko. Turning around she saw the other blonde fighting against a large youkai. The man was emitting lightning from his hands. A brow lifted when the guy with shades took out his opponent with one punch. Even Masaki was taking one on without any difficulty. Was this a breeding ground for super-humans or was she just lucky?


Akabane saw the top of the woman try to crawl away from him and towards the unaware girl. Black smoke came out of the woman’s mouth as the image of a snake. It crossed the distance aiming for the female. Leaping to the side the girl was pushed aside to hit the ground. The strange smoke impacted with his stomach. The pain was unbearable but he kept a straight face as everyone turned towards him.


“Fool, heh another man that will die for you.” Tsubaki chuckled looking into the man’s soul. “You’ll have to let me know if it was worth it when we meet again in hell. The curse cannot contaminate a soul that is already black. You will slowly die from the inside out. The pain will soon consume you until you long for death. Will you further condemn your soul by taking your own life? There is no saving you now. You have just died for that girl. I doubt she cares enough about you to dirty her own soul to spare you.”


Kagome saw the man’s tight features confirming the words. He’d taken that hit meant for her. Most likely he hadn’t known the danger he’d just placed himself in. But he’d acted without thinking. “No, what makes you think I wouldn’t? If there is a way I’ll do it. I won’t let you win.”


“Oh, are you ready to give up your innocence? I see by your face the answer. Yes, you know what that means don’t you. The curse has entered his blood stream. Since he is human you can’t cure him like you did Kikyou and shove your hands in his chest. The only way to break the curse is to purify another way. You will have to watch him die. Do nothing and watch him die. Save him and take the chance of tainting your retched soul. It is I who will get the last laugh, Kagome.” The woman fell silent, a faint chuckle the last sound she made.


Kagome stared at the ground. The urge to go kick the woman was strong. That curse had been meant for her. If he hadn’t stepped in the way she’d be in his shoes. She’d be cursed to either die or take the chance of tainting her soul. Could she allow the man to die? The others went to the man as he fell to his knees. Why would he do it? Things had just taken a dramatic turn for the worse.

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Next chapter: Kagome's decision.