Disclaimer: I don't own the series Inuyasha or take credit for anything to do with the main story. Nikari, my other characters and the arc are the only thing I claim. This is simply a fanfiction based on a series I've grown on. Inuyasha belongs rightfully to Rumiko Takahashi.
Rated M for: Violence, gore, adult language and possible lemons. You've been warned.
Chatper 1, Introduciton
Mis-matched eyes glared down at the ground. Not only had she lost the chance at succeeding her farther, her pride was also shattered. They laughed, mocked her and spit in her face. Any confidence that remained in her was flung to the ground and stepped on. What made him so great? What did her being a female have to do with her being a good leader? Grumbling and throwing curse words under her breath, Nikari slashed at a tree that just so happened to be in her way. It cracked and fell with a loud thud, sending splinters out as it went. The sudden movement shot a sharp pain up her side and she grabbed it with a whimper. Leaning back against a tree for support she shut her eyes tightly and waited for the pain to subside.
The forest around her was surprisingly calm, the only noises being her heart and labored breath. Even after the pain died down she continued to remain where she was, the serene atmosphere calming down her nerves. Every now and then a bird would sing or a bug chirped only seeming to add to the peace. It was like the forest was singing a lullaby for her and only her. A light smile tugged at the corner of her lips as the wind picked up and kissed her skin gently. Slowly her eyes opened gazing up at the blue sky that peeked through the canopy of green above which seemed to dance with the breeze until it died down.
A twig snapping pierced the silence and immediately Nikari tensed getting in a fighting stance. Eyes scanned about the surroundings as she reached down to grab the knife strapped to her thigh. Before her fingers even managed to touch the blade a figure jumped in front of her in a blur of white. Side stepping swiftly putting distance between herself and the cloaked figure a growl built in her throat.
"Who the hell are you?" demanding an answer she curled her lip some revealing milk white fangs. The figure appeared to be in what seemed some sort of white animal pelt, a baboon maybe. There was no response only silence and it agitated Nikari further. "Speak now fool or I'll gash your throat open." the seriousness of the threat was clear with fire burning in her eyes
"I can be an ally of yours.." finally an answer came, the words cold sending chills down her spine.
"That's not what I asked!" growling, claws extended further as her deadly gaze never left the stranger "I'm not in the mood for games today."
"Naraku.." the hood fell revealing a man, black hair spilling out and over. "You're a neko demon, yes? And from the looks of it one from the North.."
The fur on her ears and tail bristled as the growl built steadily in her throat. "So, why do you care?"
"So you're a Lynx then. From my knowledge they tend to stay close to their territory. May I ask what you're doing out here by yourself..?"
"Why should I waste my breath answering your questions?"
"Oh you're a feisty one aren't you princess? No wait.. That's no longer your title anymore. Am I right?"
In one swift motion she pulled the knife from her leg and swung it downward quickly. At that moment in transformed into a much longer silver sword that appeared to be in segments. Nikari hissed and swung the weapon; the segments coming apart almost whip like and slashed at the strange man. He sidestepped quickly out of the way and only chuckled.
"What the hell are you laughing at?" she hissed swinging the whip again to curl tightly around his body, tearing the cloak.
"Tsk. Tsk. I thought your kind had more manners then this.. No matter. I've come with a proposition for you."
"Get to the point."
"My aren't we impatient.." Naraku smirked and continued "I'd like to offer you the chance to regain your pride and status within your clan."
The grip the sword-whip had on him began to lessen and Nikari eyed him curiously. "Go on.. Continue."
"I can make you stronger, faster and better.. And help you to defeat your brother and claim your rightful place as leader."
"What's the catch..?" she asked
"What makes you think there's a catch?"
"There's always some sort of catch in return.. especially for something like this. You don't appear to be the type who'd try and help someone with the kindness of your heart." the last bit dripped with sarcasm.
This only caused Narku to chuckle, it sounded almost sinister, deep and hoarse. "Well, you're smart; guess there's more than meets the eye." Nikari rolled her eyes, her lips straightening, obviously getting tired of this game. "In return, I'd like for you to help me track down the remaining shards of the Shikon no Tama."
She blinked and remained silent a minute, still gripping onto her sword. Finally she spoke, questioning "That's.. it?"
"Yes. It's a rather easy task, for what you'd be getting in return. Don't you agree?"
"Kagome, did you bring the right flavor this time?"
"Is that all you care about? Seesh." the teen sighed and lifted herself up out of the well. The wood snagging her skirt slightly, but she only grumbled and fiddled to free herself.
"Well?" A rather anxious looking half-demon added eyeing the human girl.
"Ugh I can't believe you. I don't even get a hello.."
By now he was growing impatient, his lips curing into a frown. "I don't see what the big deal-"
"Sit boy!" With that the hanyou did a face plant into the ground, leaving an imprint. "Hmph, serves you right!"
"Ka-gome.." he whimpered eyeing her to only see her form retreating off towards the village.
Before she even had time to enter the village, a small figure rushed up to her beaming excitedly. "Yay Kagome's back!"
She smiled bending down to ruffle his orangeish hair and pick him up in a hug. "Yup, I'm glad to see you too Shippo." Kagome laughed lightly then paused watching the tiny fox demon squirm a bit and look up at her excitedly. "Where are Miroku and Sango at?"
"Oh, they had to go off and help a village nearby with a demon."
"That's odd.. why didn't Inuya-"
"They requested for only Miroku, but Sango insisted on going along with him."
"Ah, I see."
"Hmph, if you ask me they're just off wasting time." An annoyed voice grumbled coming up behind the pair. The red material of his kimono wrinkled and stained with dirt.
She sighed and shook her head "Inuyasha.."
"Wow what happened to you?" The youth piped in as he eyed the half-demon curiously. "It looks like you were rolling around in the dirt!"
"Why you little-"
Glancing between the two she shook her head and waved off Inuyasha "Now calm down guys. Shippo, behave yourself." She turned her attention down to the fox demon, but before more was said footsteps reached their ears and soon the group of three were met by the familiar, aged face of Kaede.
"Kagome," the words were calm, yet something lingered in those eyes that told the young priestess it was more and possibly grave. "I need to have a word with you-" She glanced to the other two and gave a knowing nod. They'd want to tag along too, even if she had said otherwise. What was the point in trying to reason with someone as dense and stubborn as Inuyasha?
Uneasiness grew in her belly but she followed along none-the-less, Shippo still cradled in her arms. The weight of the overstuffed bag on her back was taking its tow. As if reading her thoughts the white haired hanyou grabbed the strap and lifted it from her back. A wave of relief swam over her and Kagome turned to thank him, but only saw him digging in the back pack.
Catching her gaze he looked up at her "What? I'm making sure you brought the right kind of ramen this time."
"Whatever." With a huff she spun back around and slipped into the hut. 'Should've known better then to think he actually cared.'
Not my first fan fiction, but the first I'm posting here and publically. I hope you guys like this frst chapter and the story that continues on after it. Being my first story to really offer publically, I'd appreciate all the feedback, critiques or anything else you'd like to throw at me. It'll give me motivation to keep writting and continuing this series. :3
Heh.. seems I popped my Fanfiction accounts cherry. Only took me a year xD Spot any typos? Tell me, sometimes spell check misses them. :c