Untamed by criticat

Chapter 81

This drabble was written for The Lovely Miko’s Prompts and Quotes challenge.

Standard disclaimer applies. I do not own Inuyasha.

Prompt: Lies

“Lady Kagome!”

Lifting the limp girl to rest on his knees, Miroku shook her gently, letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding when she stirred. Sooty eyelashes fluttering weakly, she opened her eyes and shrank away, stilling when she recognised the man to be a friend. With some help, the petite girl pushed herself up and slightly away from the pious pervert as she observed the room she was in, glad that Bankotsu seemed to be out cold even if he too was somewhat immune to the poison.

Moistening her lips absentmindedly, she spoke, Miroku noting that colour was slowly but surely coming back to her pale cheeks.

“Where are others?”

“They are fighting the guards but I am afraid they will not last long. Can you walk?”

“Yes, take the scroll.”

“What? But lady Kagome, shouldn’t we..”

Cutting him off with a heated glare, Kagome raised herself, using the wall as support, one hand sliding up the cool surface whilst the other extended to point at a low decorative table.

“It is the smaller one.”

Complying blindly, Miroku reached out for it, dark eyes widening as he felt his hand be burnt by the protective barrier erected around the object. With a mild curse, he forced his hand further. Fingers clasping the seemingly frail parchment, he felt his skin cool, protective power seizing to exist.

Smirking as the man handed the thing to her, slender fingers closing around the ancient artefact, Kagome allowed herself a moment of feeling victorious as once again she succeeded in foiling his plans. Oh yes, everything was going just the way she hoped and perhaps better.

Hearing a grunt as the vile man stirred she cursed, taking a step towards the arched entryway. Stumbling, she nearly fell, strong hands gripping her shoulders, Miroku sliding an arm around her waist for support.

“Miroku! Remove the damn thing!”

“Kagome, what are you...”

“The collar, not the hand! I cannot do it myself.”

As the metal lock unclasped Kagome took a deep breath, straightening her back as she felt what was dormant and hidden rise to the surface. To hell with the warnings. The intricate chain of lies so artfully woven, the one she couldn’t help but get caught in, could not be the cause of demise of those she cared about. Consequences be damned, she was not going to watch as others battled for her safety.

Tearing at her outer robe, Kagome slipped the frayed strip of cloth tightly around her eyes, her world becoming dark enough to build the concentration to the level required, light unable to find its way around. Putting her still tremulous hands together, Kagome pressed them to her forehead, kneeling as she mumbled.  Miroku watched as she stilled, the monk fidgeting visibly as minutes trickled by, acutely aware of how little time their friends had left and of their foe gaining consciousness.

“Kagome? Don’t you think we should go?”

She said nothing, her voice getting quieter and quieter,the gentle murmurs coming to an abrupt cessation as silence spread. Suddenly, the girl pushed her body down, a small hand shooting up to tug at Miroku's billowing trouser leg.

“Lie down and close your eyes!”

The monk did as he was told, for once not rising to the challenge of twisting her words inappropriately.