kirin85 | Bend and Don't Break

Title: Bend and Don't Break

Author:

Fandom: Inuyasha

Rating: T/PG-13

Characters/Pairings: Higurashi Kagome, Inuyasha, Kikyou, Onigumo, Inuyasha x Kagome, Onigumo/Naraku > Kikyou (unrequited), Akitoki Hojo > Kagome (unrequited), past Inu no Taishou x Izayoi, male OC x male OC, female OC x female OC

Genres: Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Drama, Romance

Content warnings: Canon-level violence (Inuyasha), major character death, swearing, body horror, psychological horror, torture, sexual intimidation, physical abuse of minors, psychological abuse of minors, mentions of death and injury to minors, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, bigotry and prejudice

Word count: 48,459 (so far)

Summary: Fifty years have passed since the Avatar’s disappearance. Fifty years since the war between nations came to a bitter end. A new world has risen from the ashes of tragedy. Yet the embers of war threaten to rekindle. Faced with a precarious future, a simple Water Tribe girl seeks to restore balance to the world.

Chapter preview:

The rest of the island had paid surprisingly little mind to her absence. There was a festival to be had, after all. The whole temple was wrapped up in the preparations. Even the Avatar was only a passing distraction. Her return brought her no more than a few waves, smiles and glances.

That was a relief, if nothing else. No one would question an extra training session with Kaede. Especially not when there were games and songs and dances to be had elsewhere. Strange how the festival's bustle was almost relaxing after the tunnel's closeness. Then again, she'd take any relief she could get after that meeting.

Of course, it was all too short. As her escort skirted the corner of the main courtyard, she was met by a rush of voices.

"Kagome!"

Her friends burst through the crowd. They skidded to a breathless halt before the guards' spears. She waved them down.

"It's okay, guys. They're my friends."

The guards lowered their spears a fraction. They still kept them at a good length.

Eri was the first to break the awkward silence. "It's Akitoki."

This chapter is available on:

FF.net | Ao3

First time readers can find the prologue here (FF.net) and here (Ao3)

Bend and Don't Break - Chapter 12