Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

The Centre
By : Kyattochan
Category: InuYasha > General
Views: 13377 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.
Chapter List
- 38
- 39
- 40
Happy New Year everyone! I'm writing this while kicking back with some udon noodles, coca-cola and watching the most famous show on Japanese TV (a singing contest between a red and white team which includes all the popular artists!!). And I figured out how to work my VCR so I'm recording it too!!

Much as I hate NHK cause they send these guys around to collect money (you have to pay a TV tax if you own a TV�.even if you don't watch it), I do enjoy this show every year. I don't think I'll be paying that $20 something a month just for it though. You in shock? Yeah�I am a bad person. I pretend not to be home when the NHK guy comes around. Just like all of my coworkers.

*** ***

Chapter 39: Midoriko's Will
Midoriko was a woman with a very commanding presence. Even when simply standing before them, her eyes held a sharp intensity and intelligence only true leaders possessed in a time when strength was most needed. Her very stance suggested a woman of careful, but effective action, quite capable of making executable decisions even in the moment of chaos. She also had the wisdom of the ages in her dark eyes, pinning them where they stood.

"Now, just what in the nine gates of Hell do you think you all are doing?" she demanded, much like a mother who'd found her kids playing in the mud whilst in their best Sunday clothes. No one answered her�partially because they were not sure what exactly she was referring to. Midoriko did not press for an answer as she looked over them all.

"Where is the demon and weapon master?" she asked. No one met her eye. Kagome bowed her head in shame as Inuyasha cross his arms over his chest and found an interesting speck on the wall. Sango and Miroku were trying their best to look very interested in the floor as Souta inched farther and farther behind his sister. Only Shippou and Shiori looked unaffected.

"This is getting us nowhere. I have little time�.Naraku will know my power is draining fast. He comes to test my barrier everyday now."

Inuyasha's head swung around at that.

"He was here right before you guys showed up," Souta said. "He kept talking about some jewel�"

"Which is why I have little time. Kagome," Midoriko said, turning her attention to the young miko. Kagome suddenly felt a very heavy weight rest upon her shoulders�yet nothing touched her. Midoriko gave a sigh, her eyes softening ever so slightly. Kagome wasn't sure if that was a good thing�but she did feel a little less like she should run far away.

"I know the burden you bear, young one. I know it well. I came in a time when our powers were not well understood and greatly feared. They are still feared, and not just by those who suffer punishment from it." Kagome frowned, not quite understanding her meaning.

"You all must find and defeat Naraku. He grows stronger with every day and now he is dangerously close to achieving his goal."

"Keh, what do you think we've been trying to do?" Inuyasha scoffed. Midoriko's eyes flashed in warning.

"Watch your tongue, Hanyou pup. I accept disrespect from no one."

"But Naraku never did get an offspring from Sesshoumaru," Sango said.

"Which means he's found another way," Miroku supplied.

"Quite right monk," the miko warrior said with a smile.

"Why does everyone keep calling me a monk?" Miroku asked Sango. "I know I had some training as a kid, but one would think you guys would notice I'm no holy man."

"Don't I know it," Sango said sarcastically. She got a charming smile and a mischievous glint from him.

"You would know best, sweetheart," he said and suddenly she felt a rather firm hand rubbing her butt in an appreciative way. Miroku soon found himself with a red hand print on his face.

"If I may continue?" Midoriko said dryly to the couple who murmured a quick apology and looked away from each other.

"It's not that we haven't been trying," Kagome began. Midoriko's eyes hardened.

"Trying? TRYING? You call blowing up buildings, nearly getting killed and break an ancient, sacred bow trying? So far all YOU'VE been able to do it speed up Naraku's goals by narrowing his options. I'd have to say your TRYING has been very TRYING indeed!" the warrior snapped.

Kagome felt the weight on her shoulders increase as tears stung her eyes. She dropped to a knee as her shoulders began to shake, tears spilling onto the ground.

"Listen you samurai wannabe dead wench," Inuyasha said cracking his knuckles. Midoriko didn't even turn her head as her hand flung out in a dismissive manner. Inuyasha didn't even have time to blink as he was suddenly flung upward and expelled from the cave, dropped just beyond the barrier.

"I told him not to insult me," she said harshly. "Kagome, your tears will not solve this problem. I am not being cruel for the fun of it. You've been denied the truth too long and without it you will die. Forgive the harshness of my words, but there is no time to draw this out."

Kagome sniffled a little and looked up, willing the tears to stop. She felt like a failure ten times over, but the threat of her life brought her back to a sharp reality. The invisible weight upon her shoulders was too much for her to stand. Drawing her hand across her tear streaked face she looked up into the face of the warrior miko who had helped her so much already.

"Control, Kagome," Midoriko said harshly. "You need it, so get it."

"Not like she hasn't been trying for years," Souta scoffed.

"You want a one way ticket out of here too?" Midoriko asked the boy and he quickly shut his mouth.

"I have tried everything the Council has asked me to do�.I seem to be incapable of controlling my powers," Kagome said, bitterness creeping into her voice and more tears fell down her cheeks. "I'm sorry�you need a better miko."

"It doesn't matter what I need. It matters what I have and what I have is you. You have control, Kagome. You just don't know it. The pathetic excuse for control the Council wants you to exercise isn't your control. It's theirs. They seek to control all their mikos just as Naraku seeks to control all those under him. That is why they are after him. They cannot control him and that scares them."

Kagome looked up in wonderment. The Council being like Naraku? Surely that was blasphemous!

"You scare them as well, young miko," Midoriko said. "Just as I scared them centuries ago. You blew away Hakudoushi's defenses even with a broken bow. That sort of power isn't untamed. If you truly had no control you would not be able to do that. If you had no control, you would not have been able to take Tetsusaiga's power and mold it with your own, multiplying the effect. In fact�even with control you should not have been able to do that, but the demon blade is an unidentified power all its own. How did you know it would work?"

"I didn't�.I just did it."

"Well there you are. Stop thinking so much. It's not like you can just stare at a candle and think about lighting it. Power is like an appendage. Thinking about it won't move it. Only doing the action will get it done."

"I understand," Kagome said. It didn't mean she was any closer to what she needed to do�.but at least she understood more.

"The only limits are the ones you put on yourself, young one. Kikyou was the same�and she did not learn her lesson in time." Kagome felt her chest clench at the name of the miko who had died at her hands. "However, you have come much father, much faster than she�and I am out of time. Therefore, I must pass on what has been in my keeping these past centuries."

Midoriko stepped back, holding her hand to her heart. Her hand began to glow as her eyes closed in concentration. When her hand had reached a brilliant shade of white she reached in through her own armor into her heart, pulling out a light so bright they all shielded their eyes. All buy Kagome who found it painless to watch.

Holding out her hand Midoriko's black eyes opened and looked at Kagome, a tired sadness creeping into her eyes.

"A long time ago Naraku sought to control my power. The only way to escape him was through my own death. Three of his demons tried to stop me and were pulled in as well. Four souls in one. In a way I had to thank him. Because of these demons I have been able to maintain my power even past death. Ironic isn't it? His demons did keep me from death�but not the way he would have liked. If I had a choice�.I would not pass this burden on to you. Forgive me," she said gently, smiling down upon the young woman with a gentle warmth. Reaching out her hand stopped directly over Kagome's heart, the glow increasing, then fading. Kagome gasped as she realized Midoriko's figure was not as solid as it had been. She watched in horror as the miko began to fade.

"Be careful," Midoriko said. "Demons will be drawn to your power. Few will be able to resist the temptation you know represent. Both demon and miko power�."

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked, fearing the worst.

"Trust no demon. Not even the ones closest to you," Midoriko said sadly.

`Inuyasha' Kagome thought sadly. `Shippou...'

"But-" Kagome tried to say.

Midoriko was gone.
***************************************

"Sess," Rin said, sitting upright. Golden eyes cracked open and looked at her from the pillow. "Did you feel�.?"

"Yes. There has been a shift in power."

"Then Midoriko�"

"Is gone, yes. Naraku will not be happy. Let us hope he does not realize who she has passed her power on to."

"Kagome," Rin whispered in a fearful voice. "We have to protect her at all costs, Sess!"

"As incompetent as my bastard half-brother is, he can handle that one by himself," the demon commented.

"Won't he be tempted by the power now?"

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes now flew open and held hers with a darkly intense stare. Rin gulped as she shrunk from that gaze. It was the gaze Jaken got when he'd done something incredibly stupid.

"Do not think my father's blood is so weak," he said icily. "Even with half the blood of a weak human our blood would not give in to such carnal desires unless�."

"Unless?" she asked carefully.

"Unless he had a desire greater than his desire to protect the miko."
************************************

"Kouga! Wait up!" Ginta cried as the pack struggled to keep up with the wolf prince.

"I smell her! Hurry up!" he shouted back. Only Ayame wasn't complaining at the pace they were keeping. She actually looked rather refreshed from the run, unlike the rest of the wolves who looked about ready to drop. In fact, Ayame was quite attractive with her chest heaving, eyes sparking and hair tussled. Kouga quickly dismissed the thoughts invading his head.

A wave of something else suddenly passed over him. Surprised, he merely stood there for a second trying to decipher what it was he felt. The other wolves felt it as well. Some were whining while others let out small barks and howls.

"A shift in power," Ayame said beside him. "You ok?" she asked as he shook his head clear. The desires that had gripped his conscious slowly let go as he took a deep breath, clearing his mind.

"Fine," he said a little rougher than he intended. She made no further comment, but he noticed her green eyes had flashed in annoyance. "How come you weren't affected?"

"Because, silly, the power calls to those who desire to use it more than anything else. I do not desire such power. You were tempted, but shrugged it off."

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Inuyasha asked from the side of a large cave opening, flexing his claws as his eyes narrowed on Kouga.

"None of your goddamn business dog-turd. Where's my woman?" Kouga demanded.

"She's not yours, pansy-prince!" Inuyasha snarled back, his eyes flashing dangerously red. Ayame took a step back in surprise, but Kouga was too pissed off to care about the warning.

"You can't even handle your own blood, dog-shit," Kouga taunted, his own claws lengthening.

Inuyasha's eyes turned a deep shade of red and purple streaks adorned his cheeks. Fangs lengthened in his mouth as he gave Kouga a sadistic look promising much pain.
*******

Kagome walked out of the cave on shaky legs, flanked by her friends and a very worried sibling. She could feel the power within her. It was fighting her, refusing to settle under her command. It was like walking while holding the reins to wild horses desperate to be free. And it called to the demons. Called to say she was weak�that she was fragile.

"WHY WON'T YOU FUCKING DIE!" she heard. She stopped in shock, Souta running into the back of her as they narrowly missed two male demons tearing each other apart.

Inuyasha had long scratches down his chest, but was heedless of them as he slammed into Kouga's body, sending the wolf crashing into a tree. His breath was ragged as he approached the wolf, murderous eyes intent on finishing the wolf prince. Kouga's blood coated his long claws, flecks of the red stuff all along his sleeve and arm.

"Now whose blood is stronger?" Inuyasha sneered as Kouga struggled to rise.

"Don't just stand there!" Ayame snapped at Kagome. "DO SOMETHING!"

`Me? Intercede in a demon fight? Tetsusaiga�.it's not containing Inuyasha's blood? Is he uncontrollable because of me?' she thought, a tear falling down her cheek. Angrily she brushed it off her face, her jaw locking in stubborn determination.

"Say hello to the elders for me," Inuyasha said, cracking his knuckles while looking down at the half risen wolf demon.

"ENOUGH!" Kagome shouted, the power resounding in her voice. The power wanted a way out, well, she would give it one. Through her will. If Midoriko could control the power, then so could she. So what if the miko had a few hundred years on her? She had to start at some point.

Inuyasha was pulled back by an invisible power and slammed into a large nearby tree, pinned halfway between the towering branches and ground. He growled, but had nothing to fight. Kouga looked up with a smirk.

"Looks like she doesn't approve of your worthless shit for brains," he snarled, only to find himself also lifted and pinned against another tree.

"Sango," Miroku said behind the miko who had two demons immobilized as lightening flew from her fingertips in sparks. "Is she supposed to be glowing like that?"

"How the hell should I know? What part of demon slayer suggests I'm an expert on mikos?"

"Well you sort of have similar career paths�." He said and shut up when he earned a glare from her.

"I tire of your lack of cooperation," Kagome said, her voice deeper than normal.

"She looks like Midoriko," Shippou said, shivering in Souta's arms.

"I think the souls are battling within her for dominance," Miroku stated with a frown. "Let us hope Kagome is the one to win."

`Why?' Kagome asked herself. `Why must it be this way? Why use force?'

`Because it is the only way,' a voice answered her.

`Oh no,' she thought. `Number one, I am NOT listening to a damn voice in my head! And number two, there is ALWAYS another way!'

Ayame looked at the miko whose power was leaking out in dangerous amounts, barely contained within her tiny frame. She seemed to be struggling with the power, but determined to keep it under her control. The wolf princess watched in amazement as the miko's eyes closed in deep concentration, intent on something�.

`Stop' Kagome thought simply. `You are going to stop this stupidity right now.'

The power seemed to pause its assault. She wasn't forcing it to submit�but she wasn't letting it go either.

Kagome took the lack of resistance to mean she'd won. Looking at Kouga she felt the power heed her command and drop the wolf prince.

"Get him out of here," she told Ayame gently. "I will deal with Inuyasha."

Needing no further prompting Ayame hoisted the injured wolf's arm over her shoulder and began dragging him away. Kouga was too far in shock to protest as he was dragged away to the safety and care of the pack.

"Inuyasha," Kagome called as she looked up at the demon. Red eyes regarded her from their lofty position with a harsh arrogance. "Is this really necessary?" she asked, eyes softening. He growled, baring his fangs at her in defiance. She gave a sigh and looked at the sword at his hip. It hummed in response.

"I guess if you won't cooperate this is the only way." Kagome closed her eyes, feeling the power calm. Tetsusaiga hummed in response to the power, gently pulling from it. She could hear the sword's heartbeat, pulsing as it pulled at the demon blood it was meant to tame.

Sango and Miroku watched in amazement as Inuyasha's eyes turned back to gold, the stripes disappeared and his dog ears reappearing. It didn't stop there though. His silvery tresses began turning black and the dog ears disappeared again.

"Kagome," a human Inuyasha whispered before his eyes rolled back and his body slumped against the invisible bonds. Kagome gently lowered him to the ground, but made no move to touch him.

"Take care of him�" she said, looking back at Sango and Miroku. Sango's jaw closed with an audible click. "And don't let him know where I am."

"But-" Miroku began, but was stopped as Kagome gave him one last sad glance.

"I don't want to do this, but I can't be near demons until this is over. I know now�.with this power comes a dangerous burden. Please�.just keep him away. It's for his own safety."

Miroku gave a light nod, kneeling beside the unconscious human. Kagome gave Shippou a light kiss on the forehead and left them standing by the cave. Sango watched her go with a heavy heart, unsure of how to proceed from there. Kagome had always been the one to hold them together and now she was letting them fall apart.

"Damn is he heavier than he looks," Miroku swore as he tried to lift Inuyasha's body.

"Wuss," Sango said, trying to help him.

"See?"

"All that damn youkai muscle."

"I bet half this weight is his damn long hair," Miroku swore.

"You're just jealous cause he can pull off long hair and you can't," Sango mused.

"Jealous? Inuyasha doesn't have anything I'd want."

"Really?" she said, holding up half the unconscious human. "Then why'd you grope him when you were unconscious?" Miroku tipped, but regained his footing before dropping his share of the load.

"I did no such thing!"

"Oh yes you did. He refused to carry you after that. Your ass is just as heavy as his!" Miroku looked a shade paler than usual as they began walking back. Souta and the others followed, not knowing what else to do.

"You're kidding, right?"

Sango didn't answer.

"Right Sango?"

"No, she isn't," Souta said. "She would have smiled by now if she was."

Miroku dropped the side of Inuyasha he was holding and went running behind a tree, cupping his mouth. As Sango struggled to hold the human hanyou up she could hear retching and had to smile. Did she know how to call it or did she know how to call it.

"Since Miroku seems to be incapable of carrying on and you opened your lovely mouth, you can take his place," Sango said to the smug looking teenager. Souta puffed up his chest and attempted to help drag the dead weight.

`I don't know what's funnier,' Sango thought to herself. `Miroku retching or Souta trying to impress Shiori.'
***************************************************************

Yep, another plot twist. But just think�now Naraku will want to come after Kagome himself. No more chasing him! But how will Kagome and Inuyasha figure things out between them? And what kind of mood will Inuyasha be in when he wakes up?

We're in the home stretch of the story. How will I end it? Only time shall tell!
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The Centre	By : Kyattochan Category: InuYasha > General Views: 13377 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

The Centre