A.N. Hey y'all. A new, fresh fanfic for all to read is now here. This is my coming out of retirement fic, so please, be gentle. I haven't written in about 5 years, so I may be a little rusty. Any comments or constructive criticism is welcome.
Legal Stuff: I don't own Inu Yasha, sole property rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Prelude
Three beings huddled in the dark cave around a small campfire. A driving rain fell outside, pelting everything that it came into contact with. The figures stood as another form appeared out of the somber rain, the black cloak it was wearing draping heavily around it. "Tanuki," one of the beings greeted with a nod. The one called Tanuki nodded in response, then glanced around the cave.
"I see that you have all come at my request. I thank you for that. I have some troubling news to report."
"What is this news, that you would call for us in the middle of the rainy season? It must be troubling indeed," another voice sounded, coming from an old man.
"Yes, Satoushi, this news is indeed grave. It concerns the actions of our old priestess, Urasue."
All grew quiet at this; a foreboding silence fell on the small group. They knew of the actions of their old priestess, all too well of them. She had thrown the balance of life and death into chaos, and they knew that eventually it would be up to them to fix it.
A younger, female voice broke the silence. "So it is time, then. Time to heal the mistakes that she caused?"
"Yes, Yatoni, we must begin the ritual."
"So soon?" the fourth and final voice spoke up. "What makes you think this?"
Tanuki bowed her head, her dark hair spilling out of her hood. "A fortnight ago, as I looked into my scrying bowl, I saw the incarnation begin the signs of the Rectification. She has become very unstable, I fear. We cannot wait any longer, or both shall die, and the Shikon no Tama will never be healed."
"You should have figured that much out by her summons, Ryko," Yatoni grumbled irritably. Ryko shot her a sharp look, piercing her with his black eyes. Yatoni refrained from making any further comment.
"My children," Tanuki said, trying to ease the tension, "We must put behind us any past indiscretions if we hope to heal this unfortunate situation. I fear that while our preparations will take some time, convincing our young mikos will take even longer. We all need to work together to accomplish this. If we do not, then the Fates will have our souls."
All nodded in agreement, and Tanuki motioned for them to go while saying, "We shall meet back here in three days to begin the ritual. Please begin your purifications in preparation."
All nodded to the current priestess and left the cave, each pulling their hooded cloaks close to their bodies to keep the wind at bay.
"I just hope that we can fix the situation," Tanuki thought as she, too, left the cave. "If we don't, then the world itself will be in jeopardy."
End Part