I do not own Inuyasha and if you think I do then you need to have the crap kicked out of you...I do how ever claim the characters I've created. R&R please.
The sound of ruffling paper and scrolls echoed through the room as candlelight bounced happily on the walls, teasing the shadows playfully. "Where," he questioned, "where is it?" Outside this seemingly small wooden and stone hut, the wind raged and howled for attention, shaking the heavy boughs of the few trees that littered the mountain top.
The young man jerked his head up from the heavily cluttered desk to a small window which was forced open by a strong gust of wind. Cursing silently to himself, he rushed to the window, latching it shut just as another gust of wind whistled through the hut, scattering several pieces of paper and scrolls to the floor. The young man bowed his clean-shaven head to offer up a quick and silent prayer to Buddha and the gods for any poor soul who had the misfortune to be outside in the harsh wind.
He pressed his face to the window, gazing out into the night at the pale milky blue moon. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief at the full moon. 'Thank the gods for small miracles,' he thought. Just as he was about to turn and tend to his duties, he caught a second glimpse of the moon. His jaw dropped slightly and his heart nearly stopped as he watched the moon begin to bleed red. A stream of curses touched his lips as he hurried back to the desk. In his haste, he accidentally knocked a pile of scrolls over the edge of the desk to join the collection of papers and scrolls on the floor.
He laid his shaky hands on the desk top. Closing his eyes, he took a shaky deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. "Relax, damn it," he said to himself, "this isn't the first time." After a few brief moments, he opened his eyes to begin his search for the scroll his master was in need of. "Ah, here it is." With scroll in hand, he flew down a set of stairs that led to the room where his master, The Matchmaker, was in.
The room was dark, save for a large bundle of glowing swirls of enchanted cord, suspended midair in the center of the room. This cord, which was used to tie destined mates together, was invisible to the mortal eye, or at least those without the proper training. The glowing mass of silken cord illuminated the sparsely decorated room as well as an old man who was sitting in an old woven bamboo chair. His long white beard came low on his chest, his dark brown eyes twinkling in the blue mystic light. In his hands he grasped cord, similar to that woven into the mass in the center of the room. His aged fingers worked the bits of silk, straightening them so they would be ready for use. "You have something for me Keitaro," the old man asked his young servant.
The young man bowed and stepped into the room. "Yes, Master Yue-Lao, the scroll you asked for." Keitaro moved to stand by his master, handing him the scroll. "The moon has turned crimson again."
"I see," replied the old man. He set aside the parchment and replaced the cord in his brown leather bag he used to carry it in and slowly stood with the help of his servant. The years had not been kind to him and soon he would be in need of a replacement. Yue Xai Lao Ren was his name and with it comes the title, Matchmaker, and the job of determining all mortal marriages. He had hopes of Keitaro being his successor and taking on the name of Yue-Lao, but he lacks the discipline and patience needed. He hoped though, that Keitaro might pull through in his studies. The old man walked slowly to the bundle of silken cord and with a wave of his hand, a single red cord surfaced. "Ah, here is our problem."
"What will you do Master Yue-Lao?"
The old man pulled on the string with his index finger. 'Maybe this was what Keitaro needed to prove himself,' he thought. "How would you like the opportunity for a field run, young Keitaro?"
The young man's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes, Master, I would like that very much."
"Good, then find the couple this belongs to," he said pulling out the red string and giving it to the young man he hoped would be next inline as Matchmaker.