Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha so don't sue me.
Warning: This story does contain some form of Shounen-ai so if you are uncomfortable with that please go back and don't read this story. Everyone else proceed on.
Chapter 1 DoublegangerA large orange glow lit up the night sky as blood-curling screams were shout beneath it. What was once a large and magnificent castle is now a massive pile or burning wood. Bodies lay stacked on top of each other; the air was polluted with the stench of blood. Amused blue eyes scanned the castle ground, trying to find any last trace of living beings.
"Well that was a fun night," the figure chuckled.
Suddenly, the figure whirled around and swiped its claws through a nearby tree branch. A dark blur jumped from the branch and landed a safe distance away just as the whole tree collapsed from the force of the attack.
"I must say, I'm quite impress with your power," Naraku said as he stepped into the light of the fire.
"Just who are you," the figure questioned. In an instant, the figure was behind Naraku, claws at his throat and ready to strike, "hanyou?"
Not in the least bit fazed, Naraku grabbed the offending claws and pushed them aside.
"My name is Naraku, I would like to ask for your services in certain matters," Naraku stated calmly. "I wish for you to get rid of two people for me."
"Ooh?" the figure mused. "And just who might these people be?"
"Their names are Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. If you complete this task for me, I will you give you this." Naraku held out one hand and in it laid the almost complete Shikon no Tama.
"You seem to possess great powers, why ask for help from someone like me?" the demon has a smirk on his face as he sensed the irritation coming from Naraku.
"You're much too modest," Naraku spoke, his voice sounding the very opposite of what he feels. "Every demon knows of the great phoenix assassin. I myself have heard great things about you and now that I have seen you at work, I must say that I find the rumors quite true."
"Why I'm flattered. Though I must wonder, why give me the Shikon Jewel after you work so hard just to get it?"
"I must admit that with the jewel, my powers can be raised to the highest of levels, however, I still cannot defeat Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha if they are together. If they are destroy, there will be none to challenge me and so therefore I will no longer need the jewel." Naraku gave a fair answer, though not very convincing to the demon.
"Ooh of course. Besides, you can always get the jewel from me after they're defeated right?" the figure gave an amused glance as Naraku's face darkened slightly. The figure chuckled, "Oh relax Naraku, I was not serious. I trust that you won't go back on this deal of ours, correct?"
"You have my words," Naraku assured the demon.
"Very well Naraku, you have yourself a deal," beautiful silver wings sprouted from its back as soon as the figure stopped speaking.
In an instant, the figure was above the ground inches away from Naraku. A smile graced the figure's fair face as its lips brushed over Naraku's. Winking, the figure raised itself high into the sky.
"Rest assured Naraku, their heads will be placed upon you soon enough," was the figure's last words before its form disappeared from eye-view.
Naraku's eyes narrowed slightly as he used the sleeve of his haori to wipe his mouth. He quickly made his ways back to the cave where Hakudoushi and Kagura resided.
The next morning
Inuyasha was the first to wake up, an occurrence that rarely happen. His nose had picked up a strange scent and it demanded that he seek out the source of the scent. Something was injured, he just didn't know what. The scent didn't belong to a human that he knows for sure; however, to say that it belong to a demon wouldn't quite match either. Well whatever it was, he has to make sure that it isn't a source of danger to his comrades.
It didn't took him very long to reach his destination as it was only about 30 feet away from where they had made camp the previous night. His eyes fell on a man propped up against a large tree. The man's eyes were closed and he has a large gash from his left shoulder to his right chest. He looked to be around Sesshoumaru's age and judging from his appearance, he is indeed a demon. As he prepares to turn and return to the others, Kagome and Kirara landed near him.
"Inuyasha! There you are! Why did you…" Kagome stopped mid-sentence as her eyes roam over the injured person behind Inuyasha. "Who is…"
She brushed past Inuyasha as she made her way toward the man.
"Hey!" Inuyasha grabbed her arm. "Don't go walking up to every injured things you see, this could be a trap set up by Naraku."
"But Inuyasha, this man needs our help, we can't just leave him here. What if this isn't a trap? He might die if we don't help him now." Kagome retaliated, pulling her arm from Inuyasha's grasp.
Inuyasha open his mouth to speak but a slight groan made him shut it back. As if to stop the two from further arguments, the man's eyes flutter open.
"You two…" he began but winced as the pain on his chest made itself known.
"Don't worry, we're not here to harm you. We can try to help you if you'd let us," Kagome offered with a friendly smile.
"I thank you kind human. As soon as my wound heals, I will repay you for your help today," he return Kagome's smile with one of his own.
"Oh you don't have to, it's no problem for us. Isn't that right Inuyasha?" Kagome shot Inuyasha a look that seems to say, 'you know what happens if you disagree.'
Inuyasha gave his signature "feh" as he made his way back to camp. Kagome helped the man up onto Kirara and they also returned to camp. By the time they all made it back, Sango, Miroku and Shippou were all awake and eating breakfast. Sango was the first to noticed the strange person that accompanied Kagome back. Soon everyone else was up and around the priestess and her guest.
"Lady Kagome, who is this you've brought back with you?" Miroku asked nodding towards the strange demon.
"This is…" Kagome trailed off, realizing that she herself did not know his name.
"Oh forgive me, my name is Taro," the man gave a curt bow. "I was recently injured in a battle with a few local demons and this kind maiden here offered to help treat my injuries."
Shippou at the time was already in the arms of Kagome and inspected his new companion. The young fox sniffed at the strange demon before him.
"Shippou! What are you doing?" Kagome said to the fox in her embrace.
"He gives off a really strange scent so I was just trying to see what kind of demon he was," the young cub wiggled his nose slightly. "Though…I still can't tell what he is."
Taro chuckled, "Well I'd be surprised if you could, Shippou. My race is rather rare to run into."
"Feh," Inuyasha said from his usual branch high in a tree nearby. "You're just a half-breed like I am, nothing's rare about that."
"So you're a hanyou too Taro?" Kagome questioned, now interested in meeting another half demon.
"I suppose that is a correct for one such as myself. I'm actually quite surprised that you were able to figure me out so quickly," Taro commented towards Inuyasha. "Yes it is true that I was born between two different species. My mother is a phoenix demon that dwells at the mountain on the very tip of the earth."
"So your father was the human?" Kagome asked. "But if that's the case, how can he have made it all the way to the arctic? It's supposed to be extremely cold there isn't it?"
"It is correct, the temperature there is very cold, no mere mortal can survive there for long," Taro paused. "However, I am not a hanyou conceived by a demon and a human. I am the offspring of a demon and an angel."
"Wow an angel? Really?" Kagome exclaimed. "That's amazing!"
"Yes that's right but…I am a full demon by strength and instincts. Phoenixes such my mother is able to choose the race of their child so I am by standards a phoenix. The only reason that anyone can detect my other blood is before of my open wound, that is the only time my father's blood will make itself known," Taro explained to the group of people who listened so intently.
"That must be wonderful to be part angel," Kagome commented. "Oh let me introduce you to my friends. This is Shippou," Kagome rubbed Shippou's hair, "The monk over there is name Miroku and the demon slayer is Sango. The cute cat demon that you rode on earlier is named Kirara. Oh and you already know Inuyasha."
"Nice to meet you Taro," Sango said cheerfully while Miroku echoes it.
"Why don't you take a seat over there and I'll help bandage your wound," Kagome spoke while rummaging through her backpack.
While Kagome and Sango help to bandage up Taro's wounds, Inuyasha was feeling rather uneasy about their new travel companion. There was something about the demon that made his fur stands on end but he can't place his fingers on it. If he tries to get rid of the guy, Kagome will no doubt be angry and his back will be out for a week. If he allows this stranger to stay, he might be putting them all in danger. He ran his claws over the bruise he received during his last argument with Kagome concerning her "tests" the previous nights. Even though he is a demon, the bruise still hasn't healed completely, only shrunk in size. Shaking off his feeling of paranoia, he hopped down from his branch and made his way toward the pot of Ramen placed over the campfire.
That evening
The setting sun dipped low behind the west hills cast rays of yellow and orange across the Inu Daiyoukai's beautiful garden. He however was not there to enjoy such a magnificent sight. The youkai was seated in his study, looking at a paper he picked from a rather large stack on his desk. Rin sighed as she retreated from his door and walked back to the garden. She found a large flat rock to sit on while she remembered the days when her lord allowed her to travel with him outside the castle. Ever since she was kidnapped, Sesshoumaru had been more cautious and rarely allowed her to accompany him. Rin had loved his castle at first but as the days drifted by, she was growing ever more bored with the place. Everyone has no expression on their faces and never spoke to her without her first trying to talk to them. Even then, they did not stay around her for long but merely leave to do "duties" as they put it.
She slipped off the rock and went to sit by the violets that perfumed the area. She desperately wanted to go outside and play with other children or at least have someone to keep her company. Just as she was about to be bored out of her mind, an idea came to her. With a cheery smile on her face, Rin skipped off to find the dragon that always follows Sesshoumaru around. She found it in a stall chewing on bits of raw meat given to it by one of Sesshoumaru's servant. She tiptoed up to the beast, gently petting his mane. Aun stopped its eating and curiously gazed at Rin.
"Ssh, it's alright," she assured the dragon. "I just want you to take me to a nearby place for a few moments is all."
Aun pulled back slightly and gave her a stare that seems to say, "we'll get in trouble". Rin had to pull on its rein for a good couple of minutes before the dragon reluctantly followed her. They made their way behind a secluded area where Rin climbed on Aun and it took her into the sky. Rin's eyes dance with glee as the objects on the ground became smaller and smaller with each passing moment. Aun made its way downward and landed smoothly in a clearing just below the mountain that Sesshoumaru's castle resided. Rin slid off the dragon and was at a nearby stream watching colorful assortment of wildlife around her. There were several animals having a drink and some were blissfully sleeping under various trees. Careful not to scare them away, Rin chose to sit a fair distance away and watch a few rabbits hopping to the stream.
Aun lay down and closed its eyes when it sensed that there were no sign of any demons nearby. It was strangely tired; perhaps it was getting old it thought with a slight smirk. Rin smile happily as she continue to observe the animals who were free to do whatever they wish. Sometimes she imagines what it would be to have that kind of freedom. Ever since bandits killed her entire family, she spends all her time trying to survive. After Sesshoumaru had taken her in, she was to behave like a young lady and restricted to associates with other people.
At that moment, something snapped her away from her thoughts and back to reality. The animals around her were still, their eyes wide and ears twitch. Then in an instant, they all ran away at amazing speed. Some hid underneath various trees, some ran far away from the place, others dig holes to escape or just fly away. In a matter or seconds, the clearing was void of animals and sounds. Now Rin was confused, what had caused the animals such fears? Quickly, she ran back to the spot where Aun lay resting and shook the dragon roughly. However, the dragon remained unmoving. The only sign of it being alive was its calm, rhythmic breathing. Rin gulped as the darkness that came with the night settled over her surroundings. She scooted herself as close to Aun as she can manage to and shifted her eyes back and forth over every movement that she thought she sensed.
For a long while nothing happened. Rin begun to relax a little as the adrenaline running through her moments before took the toll on her small body. Just when her eyes were about to close itself, a bright yellow pair of eyes snapped her attention right back. Then the eyes became larger as they move closer to her, slowly, a face, body, and claws became attached to those eyes. Rin's eyes open wide with terror as a tall reptilian demon with hideous scales and sharp fangs appear before her. The young girl trembled in fear for a few moments before her mind kicked in and she ran for it. She didn't know where she was heading but she just kept going. It was better to be lost than to be eaten her mind told her.
For what seems like hours to her, she ran in the dark forest. Only when she believed that she lost the demon did she stop for a break. Every muscles and bones in her body seems to be aching and screaming at her to rest. Rin hugged her leg close to her body as she often did when she was scared; she tried to think of a way to return to Sesshoumaru safely. Her eyelids drooped slowly as the events of the day force her body to regain some of its strength.
Rin slept peacefully that is until something wet stroked her cheek. She raised one hand to grab the offending object and found something that would only be described as a smooth rope. Her eyes open warily as she inspected the item in her grasp. It was pink, smooth, wet, separated into two at one end, and connect to a giant lizard at the other. Suddenly realized what was in her hand, she screamed and ran like mad, still holding onto the now identified tongue. The demon also shrieked in pain as its tongue was pulled harshly and almost ripped off. To stop the scared child, it released a dark green gas from its mouth that slowed Rin's movement in a flash. The child's eyes went blank and she collapsed on the ground as the poison stopped all her thoughts. The last thing she remembered seeing was the lizard demon advancing toward her with a hungered look in its eyes. After that, everything faded to absolute blackness.
Sesshoumaru sat at his desk; something was out of place, the lord noted. Rin hasn't come in to ask him to go play with her all day and no one had seen her. The Daiyoukai stood up from his chair, knowing he wouldn't be able to concentrate on the boring parchments even if he wanted to. With that decided, Sesshoumaru summoned up his demonic cloud and took to the sky, eyes scanning the ground for any sign of the little girl. Her scent was very faint, only traces of it could be found lingering in the air. His eyes showed the slightest trace of annoyance as his eyes rested on the unconscious dragon in the clearing. He jumped and landed gracefully on the ground next to Aun as he tried to determine the location of Rin. That's when the stench of a lizard demon hit his nose. Frowning in distaste at the demon's lack of hygiene, Sesshoumaru was gone from the clearing in a flash.
When Sesshoumaru came to a darker part of the forest about one and a half mile away, he found the carcass of the lizard demon on the ground. His attention was immediately drawn to a light figure that hovered over Rin's lithe form about 10 feet away. He sensed no hostility from the person but kept his guard up. The person was female, he judged looking at her form, and she was definitely a demon, a strong one at that. His face shows nothing of what he is thinking as he advanced toward the stranger.
"Good evening Lord Sesshoumaru," the demon said, still turned away. "I believe this little girl belong to you?"
"Your assumptions are correct," Sesshoumaru stated calmly.
"You should be more careful with her then," the demon turned to face him. "She was hurt tonight, that demon's poisonous vapors have blinded her."
Sesshoumaru's eyes showed no hint of worries though inside, he did feel a twinge of concern for the girl's well being. He noted that the person had silver wings that sprouted from her back so she definitely isn't a local demon.
"This Sesshoumaru will hire the best medics to treat her wounds," he stated but the demon just shook her head once.
"There is no need, I have already tended to her. Normal doctors won't be able to get rid of this kind of poison," the demon confirmed to him. "If you allow me to treat her for just a while longer, I will be able to return her eyesight to her."
"Why do you want to do this?" Sesshoumaru questioned, no emotion laced his voice.
The female chuckled, "Every physician knows that they have to help anyone if they are able to. This girl is too young to live without sight for the rest of her life."
Sesshoumaru remained unmoving for a few moments then nod his head in approval. He kneeled down to pick up Rin then summoned his demonic cloud and took off. The demon was by his side at once, her large wings outstretched and a smile was on her face.
"You can call me Akina," she said, her blue eyes closed as she enjoyed the night breeze.
The Inu paid little attention to her as they flew, he'd run into her kind before and none of them were in the least bit to his likings. That one homosexual phoenix (Kyoura was it?) that thought of himself as a god back on Houraijima gave him enough trouble as it was. Now he was supposed to allow another one to just stay in his own home? He shrugged off his last thought as he looked down to the little girl in his arm. Yes, he has to, for Rin's sake. With that tucked away in his mind, the two landed on the main entrance to his castle.
End of Chapter 1
A/N: Well there you have it, the first chapter of many more to come of my story. Now just who is the assassin that Naraku hired to kill the two brothers? Can you guess? I'll try to update the story as frequently as I can but with so many problems with my computer, I can make no promises. Please excuse any grammar or spelling mistakes I have made in the story for English is my second language. I'm still trying to learn it…. --; Reviews are greatly appreciated though not necessarily needed for me to update but they will help boost my spirit and make me write a lot faster. ) I feel a little bad for making poor Rin-chan blind but don't worry! It's only temporary! She'll be back to her happy-seeing self in no time! Meanwhile, how will these two strangers affect our two favorite Inus? Who knows? You'll just have to read more to find out!
Little Silver-Chan