Descent Into Darkness by Lady Kirara

Walking a Fine Line

Disclaimer: Inu and Co. belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I own nothing but the ideas and voices in my head. :3

Author Note: I will say this one time, and one time only. This will be a romance. It’s taking the scenic route. Oh, and there’s quite a bit of darkness towards the end of the chapter. You’ve been warned.

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Walking a Fine Line

This is wrong on every level she can think of, but she doesn’t want to stop – she can’t. Tonight you will pay for your mistake, my Lord. Tonight, she will reclaim what you took from her. One way or another, she will have her revenge.

Two shadows streaked through the trees with ease. Somewhere in the growing darkness they could hear the hushed whispers of the officers giving commands. Kagome smirked when she thought about how stupid they were being. She gave a signal to her companion and the two headed straight for the growing noise.

Her movement was effortless. The slayers outfit she wore clung to her like a second skin. Her raven hair was braided tightly atop her head, making no sound as she ran. Her cerulean eyes were wide and alert, looking for any movement among the trees. Sango was crouched not far from her, dressed in much the same outfit. Anyone who looked would see nothing, but Kagome saw it all.

The two of them had volunteered as soon as they’d been briefed on the mission. Two individuals could blend in far better than any one army, they’d argued. Their father hadn’t been pleased, but he let them go. This is what they had been trained for. This is what they were good at.

General Shin paced back and forth in his quarters waiting for his daughters to arrive. Voices outside alerted him to their presence and he called them in.

Kagome and Sango entered the small space and waited for instructions. The guards send to escort them were quickly ushered away as their superior spoke, “I have an assignment for you and your troops. We’ve located the enemy’s territory, and we need to strike before they move camp again. From what my scouts have told me, the reigning Lord is currently away, leaving his territory vulnerable. And your newest assignment will be hidden there as well.”

Shin handed Kagome a scroll and she quickly read and passed it to Sango. “The target is to be taken care of in the usual manner then?”

Their father nodded his head and Kagome looked to her sister for confirmation. “It’s settled then. Sango and I will leave within the hour. Tell us what we need to know.”

“You will not go alone! This mission is far too important for you to go off on one of your heroic quests.”

Sango chose then to step in and intervene, “No disrespect sir, but Kagome is right. We cannot hope to take an entire garrison into their encampment and make it to our target, sight unseen, and back out without suspicions. It would be far more advantageous if we you were to allow us to go on our own.”

The General seemed to think it over long and hard before finally agreeing to let them have their way. Ushering them to his table he poured himself over the map laid out. “Here is your best option to get into the camp. The target will be stationed here, inside the intercity; Hard to reach, but not impossible.”

Kagome let Sango look it over. Of the two of them Sango was better with handling the strategies. Kagome was better suited for other purposes. “What do you think Sango?”

Her dark brown hair, in it’s usually ponytail, was slung over her shoulder, obscuring Sango’s face from her view. “It’s definitely doable, but it’s far more risky than we’re used to.”

Kagome looked over the marked path again, “What if we take this route instead, across the back of the camp.” Kagome motioned to her father, “If we send troops through this pass here, they can create a diversion long enough for us to get in and finish our mission before anyone notices we’re even there.”

Sango raised a questioning eyebrow at her younger sibling. “Deception to cover their deception? I like it.”

Kagome smirked. “It’s settled then sir. We’ll be gone within the hour. It shouldn’t take us long to reach our entry point.” Kagome’s usual elegant penmanship was less legible now that she was hastily writing down instructions. “Give this to the men you’re sending to the pass and let them know we’ll be waiting for the signal.”

Without waiting for an answer Kagome turned on her heel and left the room, Sango following silently at her side.

Something in the wind shifted above them and shouting broke out in the camp beside them. Sango turned to Kagome and waited for her move. Kagome didn’t move, instead watching the passage to the south. Several things happened all at once. Red flames licked at the sky above them, momentarily stunning the enemy. Kagome and Sango remained unfazed; this was what they had been waiting for. Together the two of them streaked across the open field, using the enemy’s distraction to remain relatively invisible.

Sango reached their destination first with Kagome trailing just behind her. Sango held out a hand from the ledge she’d jumped on seconds before, intending to pull Kagome up behind her,  but a shadow behind Kagome made her pause. The second of hesitation on Sango’s part was all it took for Kagome to stumble. “Kagome, look out!”

Kagome turned and saw the red eyes of the youkai gaining on her. As soon as he knew she’d seen him he’d opened his mouth to call out for reinforcements. Twirling the katana at her hip without hesitation she raised it to his chest just as he collided with her. His cry for help died on his lips as he was purified right before her eyes. Her blade still held the faint glow of reiki when she re-sheathed it and turned back to the task at hand.

“We don’t have much time. Let’s get going.” Sango didn’t argue as she pulled her over the ledge.

“Don’t be rash, Kagome. You don’t want to come this far only to fail. What kind of message would that send?”

Kagome gave her a tight lipped smile and nodded. “Lead the way.”

Kagome’s feet crunched lightly on the gravel pavement beneath them. The hard look didn’t leave her face as she made a beeline for their private quarters. The guards waiting for the two outside the tent assembled without a word and trailed behind the two.

Sango gave her a cautionary glance. “Are you alright, Kagome?”

Kagome spared her a short glance and then her eyes caught the trail ahead of them. “We’ve been trailing that son of a bitch for six years Sango. It’s hard to believe we’ve finally cornered him.”

Her composure didn’t crack, but Sango knew her well enough to note the small defeated tone her voice took. “We’ll get him this time Kagome. He’ll pay for what he did to you.”

“So close, yet so far…” Kagome absentmindedly rubbed the scar on her neck. “Yes he will Sango, yes he will.”

Though the passages they wandered looked deserted Kagome and Sango didn’t let their guard down for anything. Sango had been right; Kagome didn’t want to come this far only to fail in the end. She had worked far too hard to let everything slip through her fingers now.

Sango led the way, her ponytail swishing behind her. “It should be just up here.” She took a corner and held up a hand for Kagome to wait. “The target has guards.”

Kagome rolled her eyes. “Of course she does. I’ll take care of it.”

Sango felt the all too familiar surge of Kagome’s reiki. “They’re coming.”

Kagome braced herself for the impact. Two inu youkai headed straight for her, claws poised to kill. Kagome would have laughed if the situation hadn’t been so serious. It would take more than claws to kill her. The larger of the two lunged for her and she let her reiki flow through her with ease. When his claw caught skin she was stunned. No youkai she’d come against had been able to overpower her, except for one.

Doubling her efforts she let the full force of her powers go. The youkai doubled over in pain; until finally there was no evidence that’d he’d ever been there at all. Kagome saw Sango taking care of the second without much issue.

Once both youkai had been taken care of the two women walked with purpose straight for the door at the end of the hall. The heavy stone proved hard to move, but with their combined efforts the two of them were able to move it enough to slip through the opening.

In one corner a small candle burned giving off light to the rest of the room. The room was mediocre and there was no place for anyone inside to hide, so Kagome didn’t fear there might be more lying in wait for them. As her eyes scanned along the walls she was surprised to see two terrified chocolate eyes staring back at her.

This couldn’t be right. Her target was supposed to be youkai. The Lord’s possession… what youkai would travel with a human? “Look Sango.”

“I see her.” Sango replied from her place beside Kagome. One of the reasons Sango was generally more sough after than Kagome to get things done was that she never hesitated. But this situation was no longer just another mission.

“You’re positive we’re in the right place?” Kagome asked, never taking her eyes from the ones staring back at her.

“Absolutely,” Sango confirmed.

Kagome couldn’t look at her anymore. She turned her head away and whispered, “She’s human. We can’t.”

Sango put a hand on Kagome’s shoulder in comfort, “We have no choice Kagome. It was an order.”

“She is a child!” Kagome’s voice caught in her throat and the girl huddled closer to the wall, as impossible as it seemed, trying to make herself disappear.

“Leave the room. I will do it.” Sango unsheathed a dagger from her boot and ushered Kagome outside. In a voice low enough that the child couldn’t overhear her, “I will make it quick.” She vowed.

Kagome couldn’t move. It wouldn’t have been her first life taken; in actuality she’d killed hundreds of people. No, that’s a lie. Youkai weren’t people. They weren’t human. This girl was human. How could they expect her to carry out the task of killing one of her own?

Sango was back inside the stone room. Kagome could hear the whimpers of the girl. ‘Please don’t hurt me. My lord will give you whatever you want. Just please don’t hurt me.’

Sango sighed, ‘No child- your Lord cannot give me what I want. He cannot give back what he took from my little sister. And now you will pay the price for his mistake.’

This was wrong. Wrong on every level she could think of. But she didn’t want to stop – she couldn’t.

The little girl sobbed into her hands. ‘Please just leave me alone,’ she begged.

Kagome fought against her captor, crying out in pain when the beast pulled her up by her hair. They had entered her sacred space, attacked her family, and killed her mother. They said they’d come on behalf of their Lord. They’d come for her because she was special. Her mother had refused and they’d cut her down like she was nothing but an insect. Maybe to them she had been.

 “What do you want with me? Release me!” Her fists were relentless, trying to make contact with anything she could reach. The youkai laughed in her face. Anything she did only seemed to amuse him. She wasn’t very strong, what child would be? Sango hadn’t left home to train until she was eighteen. Kagome didn’t know how to protect herself yet.

“Shut up you stupid girl. We’re taking you to our Lord. You will be his new pet.”

“No!” She knew he wasn’t lying. He had no reason to lie to her. With a renewed sense of resolve she continued to fight harder.

“Enough!” The youkai was growing impatient with her. Behind them were others like him. They didn’t move to help her. They took joy in her panic.

“Please, please just leave me alone. Let me go.” She’d cried. He backhanded her hard enough to draw blood.

“Speak again and I’ll fill your mouth with something other than my fist.”

She whimpered in pain but didn’t speak again. When they entered what seemed to be their camp the youkai threw her roughly against the solid ground. “Tie her up. The Lord should be arriving sometime later tonight.”

Kagome’s hands and feet were bound so she was unable to move. For the most part the youkai around her ignored her, but some openly leered at her. She hated being here. She wished she’d gone with Sango last year, even if she was a year too young. Maybe then she wouldn’t have found herself in this situation.

As the night wore on the youkai grew rowdy. Kagome tried to remain invisible to them, and she’s succeeded up until one of the drunker men pointed in her direction. “Hey boss. Why don’t we have a look at that merchandise? Make sure the Lord is getting his monies worth.”

Without waiting for an answer the brute stalked over to her and lifted her by the neck. She couldn’t fight back when he tore at her clothing. Grabbing one of her breasts roughly he squeezed until he drew blood. He laughed when Kagome cried out in pain. “Looks like she’s a little damaged now, I don’t think the Lord will care one way or the other.”

“Don’t do anything stupid you fool. She’s not to be touched, especially by the likes of you.”

He threw her down and she gasped for breath. When the youkai who’d first captured her moved to get closer to her she seethed, “Don’t you come near me!”

“I thought I told you not to speak. I guess we’ll have to teach you some manners.”

She tried to block out what was happening to her, but they seemed intent on having her remember. She thought for sure she was going to die. Shortly after they began their assault she thankfully passed out.

When she came to she couldn’t move. Looking around she realized she was alone. Covered in blood and on the edge of consciousness she noticed someone coming towards her. His eyes were the color of rubies. She whimpered in pain. It wasn’t the same youkai from earlier, but she could tell he was naked above her. One more in the long line of them who’d had their way with her. She hadn’t been conscious for it, but she knew enough to know what happened.

“Please. Just leave me alone.” She begged once more. He ignored her.

As he hovered above her she was able to make out one detail about the youkai who was ready to begin his assault on her battered body. A blue crescent moon fluttered before her eyes. Teeth found their way to her neck and then there was insurmountable pain and the darkness welcomed her within its embrace.

Kagome blinked away the tears. She hadn’t thought about that night in almost five years. The next time she’d awoke she was alone, alive and completely healed. The only evidence of that night was the scar on her neck that she still had to this day.

Ever since that night, six long years ago, she’d been searching for the youkai she’d remembered. She’d begged him to leave her be. To let her die with whatever dignity she could manage to scrape up. He’d ignored her, taken her against her will… just like all those others before her. And left her there… for what? To prove that her life was inconsequential; to prove that he could do whatever he pleased with whomever he wanted?

Kagome had been prepared to extract her revenge once and for all, by taking the life of someone whom he valued. The one he held dear. He had taken her life from her; she would respond by taking his heart.

She had prepared herself for killing someone who’d done her no wrong. Someone who simply meant far too much to the wrong person, but even in her wildest dreams, she wouldn’t have guessed that person would be a human child.

Faced with that reality, Kagome didn’t know if she could live with herself if she did. Mind made up, Kagome spun around and slipped through the doorway. Sango held the crying girl close, ready to slide the blade home against her throat. Quick and painless, she’d promised.

“Stop,” Kagome demanded.

Sango looked up in confusion at Kagome. “You know that I can’t do that, little sister.”

“You can. And you will. The punishment is mine to extract."

Sango narrowed her eyes. “Make it quick.”

Kagome knelt before the terrified girl, “What is your name little one?”

The girl peeked up at her, uneager to speak, but willing to stall as long as possible, “Rin is Rin.”

“My name is Kagome, Rin.” Rin looked so terrified she could only nod in acknowledgement. “Rin, I think you’ve realized that my sister Sango and I were sent here to kill you. Do you understand that?” Another nod, “I wonder Rin, if I promise you that we won’t kill you, will you come with us quietly, without a fight.”

“Kagome you know we can-“

“Enough! This is my call. Do not interrupt me again Sango.” Kagome left no room for arguments.

Rin watched the two in fascination. She didn’t want to go with them, she wanted to wait here for her Lord to return, but she didn’t think that was much of an option at this point. She nodded once to show Kagome she would come quietly.

“If you try to escape, I will find you. I won’t be very happy with you, do you understand?”

Again she nodded. “Good. Then let’s get out of here, shall we?” Kagome flashed Rin a small smile hoping to put the girl at ease. Extending her hand she waited for Rin to stand and take it before leading her out of the room and back the way they came.

“Kagome, do you know what you’re doing? They’ll kill us if they find out we failed.”

The smile she wore faded and her voice was even, “I know exactly what I’m doing Sango. I’m stealing Sesshoumaru’s heart. I’m going to train her myself, and someday, I’m going to use her to take revenge on the youkai who stole everything from me and cursed me with this immortal body.”

Sango said nothing as she watched Kagome go.

What kind of hell are you digging yourself into this time, little sister?

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AN: What the hell did I just write? I didn't even know I could write something like that. Well, there you have it, the first chapter of a real attempt at a chapter story. We'll see how it goes.

Review for me? Yes?