A/N: This story is the first in the series, Legend of The Demon Killer, which will become an amalgamation of crossovers from different universes, including but not limited to: Black Butler, Harry Potter, Fushigi Yugi, and Vampire Game.
Prologue
The sun was setting, casting dark and imposing shadows that ran the length of his castle, a gentle wind tousling the dark green leaves and whisking them up into the air. The Legendary Dog Demon stood before the looming castle, his yellow eyes filled with malice. Tonight was the night they would end it; another centuries' long installment of their perpetual struggle coming to a close. Bakusaiga in hand, the demon moved forward, determination wracking his features. They would be along soon; he knew they would, for this was inevitable. The light breeze billowed his snow-white locks behind him in a graceful arc.
Taking one more step forward, the grand dog demon felt the heavy and dense pressure of his enemy's aura. "It has to end here," he declared, his low tenor resonating through the thick, miasma-filled air.
Almost immediately, a disturbing cackle assaulted his eardrums, slithering a slimy path down the canals. The white-haired demon's eyes narrowed as he shifted into a battle stance. Their struggle will temporarily cease and allow them much needed recuperation for the next time around. There was enough damage and suffering inflicted in this life. It had to end, for now.
"Ah, so you've come at last," the demented spider demon crowed from within the depths of the putrid miasma. "I was concerned that you wouldn't have the courage to face me man-to-man, or that, perhaps, you would be too busy mourning the loss of your dearest companion to find the time."
The dog demon's eyes flashed a bright blood red, anger and hatred seeping viscerally from every pore in his body. How this demon had taken so much from him… from everyone. Steeling his resolve, he tightened his fingers around the hilt of his sword and summoned forth a set of five phantom Bakusaigas that came to rest and hovered menacingly behind his rigid form. From within the depths of the castle, a horde of screeching demons thundered into view, shaking the very foundation. "You will know the will of my sword," the dog demon muttered, sending his phantoms careening into the onslaught of vermin. Dashing forward, he plundered through the congregation, slicing multiple demons along the way. Raising Bakusaiga high, he shouted with vehemence, "Shuurajo!"
Manifesting amidst the brawl, the spider demon met his opponent's attack with unrestrained glee. "Ketsueki!"
Tendrils clashed against steel as the two battled, the roars of the vermin echoing all around them. They pulled back before dashing at one another once more, each feeling the impact of the other's strike. Ketsueki cleaved off a tendril and Shuurajo slashed into the dog demon's side. Feeling his vulnerable veins pulsing with deadly poison, he collapsed onto one knee, attempting to get his labored breathing under control. Shuurajo turned, a hideous smirk and wild red eyes boring into the back of his opponent.
"An impressive show, but this battle was always mine!" The spider proclaimed, laughing as he raised an arm in dictation. The army charged ahead, closing in on all sides of the dying dog demon.
Ketsueki weakly looked up as two shadows appeared, flanking both sides of his failing body. Trembling, he managed to stand, feeling the gaze of his bonded brothers. "You will never laugh again, fiend." Together, the panther demon and the half-dragon placed their hands upon Bakusaiga as Ketsueki lifted the blade into the air.
As the last of the sun's glow reflected off the blade, Bakusaiga came crashing down, sending charged waves of greenish energy outward. The army was quickly destroyed, leaving not a single particle behind. The moon steadily rose up into the night, casting a faint glow upon the wreckage. Nothing of the battle remained but the sword, jutting up from the cracked earth.
"I'll be back soon, guys," Kagome explained from her seated perch upon the Bone Eater's Well. "Just gotta take a few tests, I'll only be a week or so."
"Just hurry back," Inuyasha grumbled, crossing his arms. "Every time you leave, you give Naraku an advantage. He's got most of the jewel already."
"I know, Inuyasha," said Kagome, despondently. "I promise it won't take longer than a week. My life in my own world is just as important to me as what goes on in this one."
"We understand, Kagome," Miroku mediated. "Don't worry about us here, we'll be fine. Naraku's still missing, we have time."
"Not if you keep wasting it," Inuyasha muttered quietly. Kagome gave him a warning glare and it was returned whole heartedly. "I'm right though, and you know it."
Kagome sighed. "Yeah. I'll see you in a week." She hopped into the well and disappeared. Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Inuyasha trekked back to Kaede's village.
Once the fifteen-year-old reappeared on the other side, she clamored out and hurried into her home, greeting her mother, grandfather, and brother as she did. After heading upstairs to her bedroom, she threw herself down onto her bed and pulled out her math textbook. She studied for a couple of hours before being called down for dinner.
"So, how are things over there?" Kagome's mother asked her daughter, chopsticks cutting into her portion of baked fish. "Going well?"
"Sort of," Kagome sighed. "Naraku went into hiding a while back and hasn't resurfaced yet. To be honest, I shouldn't be here right now; I should still be back there helping my friends gather the rest of the jewel shards."
"You have important business here too, you know," Kagome's grandfather mentioned. "High school entrance exams are coming up and you've missed so much school. You may be held back."
Kagome looked horrified at this prospect. "No way! I don't think I could handle the shame! I'm trying to study as much as I can over there, but it's difficult. That's why I decided to spend some extra time at home, but I suppose just a week won't cut it, right?"
Kagome's grandfather nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so, Kagome. You know how much time you should be putting into school. Be lucky you aren't also saddled with a part-time job like I was at your age."
Kagome slumped in her chair, miserably nibbling on her portion of rice. "What can I do? I can't just leave them and stay here…"
"It's either you stay here and get through your entrance exams or keep playing the hero in the Feudal Era and be held back for a year," Kagome's mother explained, feeling nevertheless sympathetic to her daughter's plight.
"You should stay here, Kagome," Sota offered. "This is where you belong, anyway. Inuyasha can handle himself."
"You don't understand," Kagome muttered. "They need me to see the jewel shards." Would Inuyasha be able to do it without me? I'm hardly relieved by that prospect, although I suppose that's selfish of me. They shouldn't have me dragging them down all the time. Maybe I should—
"Do what you feel is right, Kagome," said Kagome's mother, smiling. "We'll support you in whatever you decide."
"That's right," Kagome's grandfather agreed. "As preferable as it may be that you finish school as quickly as possible, we won't stand in the way of heroism. I'm proud of you for doing what you're doing, Kagome."
Kagome smiled. "Thanks, Gramps."
"I don't think I can stand any more waiting around," Inuyasha complained, watching their dinner cook. "Naraku won't be gone forever."
"If only," Miroku lamented. "But you have a point. Kagome's life in her world is just as important though."
"Hardly!" Inuyasha growled. "All she has to worry about are those stupid 'tests'. Meanwhile, the rest of us are just sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, while our only chance at exacting revenge and killing Naraku slips through our grasp!"
"Inuyasha, we aren't losing our chance," Sango placated. "Naraku hasn't been sighted yet, like Miroku said, we still have time."
"And if he's getting the last of the jewel shards while we're just sitting around, blissfully unaware of him sneaking around right in front of our noses?" Inuyasha challenged. "We can't afford to waste any time! I can't believe you guys aren't taking this more seriously!"
"We are taking this seriously, Inuyasha," said Miroku, sternly. "We're concerned about losing time, just as you are, but what other choice do we have?"
"Other than dragging Kagome back here and forbidding her from going back home until we've destroyed Naraku?" Inuyasha suggested, menacingly. "Or maybe we should find another jewel-seeing priestess?"
"You don't mean that, Inuyasha," said Sango, firmly. "We'll talk to Kagome when she returns, but you have to remember that this isn't all about you. Whatever's going on in her life is just as important."
"Feh, fine!" Inuyasha surrendered angrily. "But she has to understand what's at stake here."
"I'm sure she does," said Miroku. "Rather I think, you need to understand that the world doesn't revolve around you and your problems."
"What's that?!"
"He's right, Inuyasha!" Shippo chimed in. "It isn't always about you, you know!"
"Why, you little—!"
"Inuyasha, knock it off," Miroku sighed, smacking his friend on the head with his staff. "You and Sesshomaru dealt Naraku a lot of damage that last time you faced him. He'll be out for a while, just relax and wait for Kagome to return."
Inuyasha growled at the rough but necessary treatment. "Alright, alright, I get it! Yeah, we banged him up pretty good after he took Sesshomaru's friend. Speaking of which, did I ever tell you that Rin's some little human girl?"
Miroku, Sango, and Shippo shook their heads.
"She is! I can't believe my human-hating brother has a human kid travelling with him!"
"That is pretty surprising," Miroku murmured. "Does Rin actually follow him willingly?"
"Yup. Just as shocking, frankly."
"Interesting."
"Alright, we're good!" shouted the sound editor.
"Excellent," echoed the producer. "Great job, Naraku!"
Swathed in a suave Armani outfit consisting of a white button-up shirt, light grey vest, black slacks, dark grey trench coat, diagonally striped light and dark purple tie, and shiny black shoes, Naraku stepped out of the sound booth, smirking. "Naturally, Ogata. It's me, remember?"
Ogata and the sound editor chuckled. "Indeed, indeed. Well, you're free to go, I'll call to let you know when you'll need to come back for additional edits."
Naraku saluted with two fingers. "You got it."
"This next album's going to be another big hit," Ogata promised, grinning from ear to ear. "As usual, your singing's a force to be reckoned with."
"Of course. I'll see you next time."
"Take care now."
Naraku exited the recording studio and rode the granite elevator to the lobby. Stepping out of the building, he pulled on a pair of dark Prada sunglasses and got into the driver's seat of his custom painted, dark purple Lamborghini. He quickly lit up a cigarette before turning the key in the ignition and practically burning rubber as he expertly maneuvered out of the parking lot. Cruising at just above the speed limit, Naraku headed for his penthouse suite.
Thirty-five minutes and another ride in a granite elevator later, the half spider demon reached his luxurious abode. He went into his bedroom and disrobed down to his dark purple boxers. Standing in the middle of his room for a moment, he stared out the large wall-sized window that overlooked Tokyo. Perhaps I could just remain here for the rest of my life, Naraku thought to himself. I have a good life here, I don't need to go back… back to all that pain. Naraku turned from the window and eyed the partial sacred jewel laying innocently on his bedside table. Nonsense, I can rid myself of this pain if I eliminate the cause. I will still come back here, but I'll have the pleasure of knowing that I've made my life that much easier.
Having made his decision, Naraku turned in for the night, fully intending to return to the Feudal Era in the morning.
After school the next day, Kagome was accompanying her friends to WacDonald's. Once they procured a booth right next to the window, Kagome's friends began eagerly discussing the upcoming album of their favorite Japanese artist.
"I'm so excited!" Eri exclaimed. "I love his music so much!"
"I know right?" Yuka agreed. "It's so dynamic and emotional! I get swept away with every song of his!"
"Who are you talking about?" Kagome inquired.
"Naraku Kagesaki—he's been on the music scene for quite a while now," Ayumi explained. "Most of his songs easily top the charts and can stay there for weeks."
"He does hard rock and alternative metal," said Yuka. "His first album came out three years ago, but we only just discovered him a few months ago."
"We wanted to tell you about him but you've been gravely ill," said Eri, sympathetically. "But since you're feeling better, here," she passed Kagome a couple of CDs from her bag. "You can borrow these."
Kagome's heart sped up after hearing the name of the artist and she stared in horror at the name imprinted on the CD cover: Naraku Kagesaki. How is this possible?! Can it really be the same Naraku from the Feudal Era?!
After a moment of staring at the CD cover, Kagome flipped it over and looked at the back. There was a list of songs and all of them had interesting titles: Letter to Pain; I Will Not Break; and You, I'm Without. Kagome, visibly confused, turned the CD over again and placed it on the table. Her eyes met those of her friends, caution imbedded deep in her irises.
"Is this guy, oh, I don't know, tall? With dark, unruly hair, piercing red eyes, and blue eyeshadow?"
"Yeah! How did you know?" Ayumi exclaimed with glee.
"So, you haven't been totally out of the loop then, eh Kagome?" Yuka teased.
"Just a lucky guess!" Kagome laughed nervously, rubbing a hand behind her head. No. I've got to see this for myself. I need to find out for sure if it's the same Naraku. I mean, what if it's just a coincidence? I have to know, and if it's true, then how did he get here?
A/N: The songs listed are parodies of Breaking Benjamin songs.
