The Darkest Hour-- Part V

Kagome gasped at the cold water hit her. She sat up, disoriented by the rude awakening and the unfamiliar surroundings. The light told her that it was daylight again.

“Get up.”

She turned to the voice, rising to her feet. The figure in the doorway wasn’t Hantako. The creature was feline-like in its posture and watched her with glowing yellow eyes.

“Follow me.”

She fought the urge to shiver as she followed the demon through corridor after corridor. They walked and walked. Just when Kagome thought they would never reach their destination, they reached a set of doors.

“Go in.”

She stared at the doors, a million thoughts racing through her mind. Why was she still there? Why hadn’t Inuyasha and the others rescued her yet? Why was she being summoned? Was it Hantako on the other side of the door or was it something else?

Something worse?

“Go in,” the creature repeated. There was almost annoyance in its voice.

A glance at its claws prompted Kagome into action. She opened one of the doors and entered the room. She tried not to gasp as the door slammed closed behind her.

She then found herself face to face with Hantako. The girl took a step back only to bump against the doors. Her fear had her captor smiling.

“We have a lot to discuss, Kagome. Why don’t we get started?”

* * * * *

The mood in Kaede’s hut was tense, but the old priestess seemed not to notice it. She was constantly moving, preparing food or treating injuries. Inuyasha, due to his demon blood, was already improved. Yet, Sango and Miroku were a different story.

“When is that demon going to give us Kagome back?” Shippo whined as he continued to watch the forest. “She has to know that Kagome doesn’t have the shards by now.”

Miroku sighed. “We have to be patient.”

“We should be out there finding her!” Inuyasha bellowed.

“You couldn’t handle this demon by yourself yesterday. What would make today any different?” The priest rose stiffly to his feet, locking eyes with Inuyasha. “Sango and I aren’t in any condition to help you in battle.”

“Who says I want your help!”

“Enough!” Sango was glaring at them with such intensity that both stepped back from her. “Inuyasha, if you go rushing into battle, you will waste whatever chance we have to save Kagome. And Miroku, if we don’t hear from Hantako soon, we are going to have to go after her. We can’t wait forever and leave our friends in the hands of a demon.”

“Wise words,” Kaede murmuring, nodding to herself as she stirred a pot.

Inuyasha scoffed. “Whatever, hag. I’m going outside.”

“Stay close, Inuyasha,” the old priestess advised.

“Yeah, sure.” He didn’t even look at them as he left the hut.

“We’re going to get Kagome back, right?” Shippo asked, breaking the silence.

Sango smiled. “Of course we are, Shippo.”

Miroku watched her face fall as the fox pup turned back to the forest. Apparently, Sango had doubts about their chances of success. If he was honest, he did, too.

* * * * *

“Where are the shards!”

Kagome could only gasp at the pain. Her throat was too raw from screaming to produce a louder sound. That didn’t seem to affect Hantako at all.

“I know you had them! I sensed them on you, but they’re not there now!”

The rest of the demon’s words didn’t make into her brain as the pain intensified. Each time she thought that it couldn’t get worse, there was some new torture. Was it ever going to stop?

Hantako stepped back, letting the girl fall to the floor. She showed no emotion other than frustration as the girl curled into a ball. “You are running out my patience.”

The demon began to pace. “All I want is the shards. You can stop all this if you will tell me where they are.”

She dropped to her knees by the girl. She stroked Kagome’s hair, smiling as the girl flinched. “Tell me where they are, Kagome.”

The girl shook her head.

Hantako wrapped her fist in the girl’s head and gave a savage jerk. “Tell me!”

“No,” Kagome rasped. The girl made a strangled scream as pain tore through her once more. She didn’t even try to hide her tears from the demon. “I won’t.”

Hantako rose to her feet. She called and a creature appeared in the room. “Take her back.”

The feline creature jerked the girl to her feet. The girl and demon locked eyes as Kagome was carried out. Hantako’s smile made her blood run cold.

“We’re not done here, Kagome.”


Part V Kagome gasped at the cold water hit her. She sat up, disoriented by the rude awakening and the unfamiliar surroundings. The light told her that it was daylight again. “Get up.” She turned to the voice, rising to her feet. The figure in the doorway wasn’t Hantako. The creature was feline-like in its posture and watched her with glowing yellow eyes. “Follow me.” She fought the urge to shiver as she followed the demon through corridor after corridor. They walked and walked. Just when Kagome thought they would never reach their destination, they reached a set of doors. “Go in.” She stared at the doors, a million thoughts racing through her mind. Why was she still there? Why hadn’t Inuyasha and the others rescued her yet? Why was she being summoned? Was it Hantako on the other side of the door or was it something else? Something worse? “Go in,” the creature repeated. There was almost annoyance in its voice. A glance at its claws prompted Kagome into action. She opened one of the doors and entered the room. She tried not to gasp as the door slammed closed behind her. She then found herself face to face with Hantako. The girl took a step back only to bump against the doors. Her fear had her captor smiling. “We have a lot to discuss, Kagome. Why don’t we get started?” * * * * * The mood in Kaede’s hut was tense, but the old priestess seemed not to notice it. She was constantly moving, preparing food or treating injuries. Inuyasha, due to his demon blood, was already improved. Yet, Sango and Miroku were a different story. “When is that demon going to give us Kagome back?” Shippo whined as he continued to watch the forest. “She has to know that Kagome doesn’t have the shards by now.” Miroku sighed. “We have to be patient.” “We should be out there finding her!” Inuyasha bellowed. “You couldn’t handle this demon by yourself yesterday. What would make today any different?” The priest rose stiffly to his feet, locking eyes with Inuyasha. “Sango and I aren’t in any condition to help you in battle.” “Who says I want your help!” “Enough!” Sango was glaring at them with such intensity that both stepped back from her. “Inuyasha, if you go rushing into battle, you will waste whatever chance we have to save Kagome. And Miroku, if we don’t hear from Hantako soon, we are going to have to go after her. We can’t wait forever and leave our friends in the hands of a demon.” “Wise words,” Kaede murmuring, nodding to herself as she stirred a pot. Inuyasha scoffed. “Whatever, hag. I’m going outside.” “Stay close, Inuyasha,” the old priestess advised. “Yeah, sure.” He didn’t even look at them as he left the hut. “We’re going to get Kagome back, right?” Shippo asked, breaking the silence. Sango smiled. “Of course we are, Shippo.” Miroku watched her face fall as the fox pup turned back to the forest. Apparently, Sango had doubts about their chances of success. If he was honest, he did, too. * * * * * “Where are the shards!” Kagome could only gasp at the pain. Her throat was too raw from screaming to produce a louder sound. That didn’t seem to affect Hantako at all. “I know you had them! I sensed them on you, but they’re not there now!” The rest of the demon’s words didn’t make into her brain as the pain intensified. Each time she thought that it couldn’t get worse, there was some new torture. Was it ever going to stop? Hantako stepped back, letting the girl fall to the floor. She showed no emotion other than frustration as the girl curled into a ball. “You are running out my patience.” The demon began to pace. “All I want is the shards. You can stop all this if you will tell me where they are.” She dropped to her knees by the girl. She stroked Kagome’s hair, smiling as the girl flinched. “Tell me where they are, Kagome.” The girl shook her head. Hantako wrapped her fist in the girl’s head and gave a savage jerk. “Tell me!” “No,” Kagome rasped. The girl made a strangled scream as pain tore through her once more. She didn’t even try to hide her tears from the demon. “I won’t.” Hantako rose to her feet. She called and a creature appeared in the room. “Take her back.” The feline creature jerked the girl to her feet. The girl and demon locked eyes as Kagome was carried out. Hantako’s smile made her blood run cold. “We’re not done here, Kagome.”


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