The Right Wish
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 1 – The Secret of the Curse
Sesshomaru was soaring over the vast expanses of land, his eyes searching for a familiar mountain.
It had irritated him that no matter how many or how severe wounds Naraku received, he always managed to escape. He always… lived on. It was tiring to watch that arrogant face again and again. Even if he is torn into pieces, he is able to regenerate himself.
There had to be some answer. Some way which could get rid of Naraku once and for all.
He stopped and descended on a rough terrain. There was a huge rock in front of him. It didn't seem any different from all the other rocks surrounding it. But Sesshomaru knew the person he was looking for was just behind this rock.
He knocked. There was no answer. He knocked once more. Again there was no answer. He then used his poison whip and shattered it to pieces.
A person came out from an inner chamber, limping and mumbling, "Who dares… Who dares to disturb Hakimbo's sleep?" He was wearing white robes (which were somewhat dirty) and held a stick. He was half as tall as Sesshomaru and had to crane his head to see his face.
Hakimbo: You are… Are you my old friend, Inu Taisho's eldest son, Sesshomaru?
Sesshomaru: Yes, I am.
Hakimbo: My, my. You sure have grown. The last time I saw you, you were merely –
Sesshomaru cut in.
Sesshomaru: I have come here in search of some answers. You say that there is nothing in the world about which you do not know…
Hakimbo: Yes, yes, that's true. I can read the stars. And stars are present everywhere, all the time. Even if you cannot see them in daylight, they are still there. And these stars inform me of everything, yes.
Sesshomaru: Then you must know of a demon called Naraku.
Hakimbo: Yes, yes. I know of Naraku. He used to be a human called Onigumo, but then he offered his body to –
Sesshomaru (cutting in again): I wish to know whether there's a way to destroy him.
Hakimbo: A way to destroy him, you say? Let's see…
He closed his eyes and started pacing up and down.
Hakimbo: There is a way… Yes, a curse…
Sesshomaru: A curse? You mean if a curse is put on him, he will die?
Hakimbo (mysteriously): No, no… (His voice dropped down to a whisper) The curse has already been cast upon him. If the conditions of the curse are fulfilled, that would lead to Naraku's destruction.
Sesshomaru: And what exactly are the conditions of the curse?
Hakimbo: I don't' know.
Sesshomaru: You said you know everything.
Hakimbo: You mean you actually believed me?
Sesshomaru was losing his patience.
Sesshomaru: Who cast the curse?
Hakimbo: A priestess called Sakumo.
Sesshomaru: Where will I find her?
Hakimbo: She is dead. (Seeing the angry expression on Sesshomaru's face) You see, Naraku had wounded her badly. She used the last of her spiritual powers to cast the curse on him and then she died.
Sesshomaru: Which means the secret of the curse went with her. Apparently, my visit here was futile.
He turned to go.
Hakimbo: I never said that there isn't any way to know the secret of the curse.
Sesshomaru turned back and looked at him.
Hakimbo: Sakumo knew that the curse would have no use if its knowledge is not passed on to someone. And so, she made arrangements so that this knowledge will be given to the first-born daughter of the family. So, according to my presumptions, the secret of the curse is with Sakumo's grand-daughter.
Sesshomaru: And where exactly will I find this grand-daughter?
Hakimbo: In the kingdom of Toran.
* * * * *
Sesshomaru was again flying over the lands. He wondered whether it was right to depend on Hakimbo's information. He had grown old. And he also had a knack of making up mysterious stories. Even as he was pondering about it, the skies darkened. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. 'Naraku…' he thought.
Sure enough, Naraku descended from the skies.
Naraku: So you know about the curse, Lord Sesshomaru?
Sesshomaru: I wasn't sure whether to believe it or not. But now seeing your worried expression…
Naraku: I cannot let you meet the girl.
He attacked with his snake-like limbs. Sesshomaru was, however, able to dodge them easily. He then moved quickly and swiped Naraku with his Tokijin. Naraku vanished and a cracked wooden doll fell.
Sesshomaru sheathed his sword and continued on his search for the kingdom of Toran, now satisfied that he had taken the right decision.