A/N: Greetings. It is with the encouragement of friends that I have decided to make a submission to this site. This story began as a winter's diversion, but I had more fun writing it than I would have expected. I hope it will prove entertaining. ;)
Disclaimer: The characters of the anime InuYasha are the property of Takahashi Rumiko/Shogakukan and Yomiuri TV Sunrise 2000. The original characters (and you'll know who they are) are the result of my quirky imagination.
Spoiler Warning: This story takes place shortly after the events in the 3rd InuYasha Movie: Swords of An Honourable Ruler, and references are made to those events and characters. So, if you haven't seen the movie, you have been warned! Highly recommend it, btw -- very good film.
Prologue:
To the ragtag band of ronin, it had seemed like the ideal location – a part of the mountainous Japanese countryside which was dotted with caves. This particular cave, the mercenaries had been told, was always dry. Thus, it was perfect for storing the precious 'black powder' and firearms they had finally managed to acquire. The site could always be identified, too, as four thick parallel lines, roughly one metre in length, marked the rock above the cave's mouth. The soldiers for hire thought themselves fortunate indeed.
It was evening and the promise of rain was rumbling in the distance by the time they had finished stacking all of the powder barrels and rifles at the back of the low-ceilinged cave. Then, they made their first, and last, mistake with black powder.
The ronin camped just outside the cave that night and celebrated their good fortune – several flasks of cheap, potent liquor were rapidly consumed as they lounged about their large campfire. Unfortunately, though the action of gunpowder had been explained to them by the merchant at the port, they had either failed to appreciate its volatility or they were simply too drunk to take care. As the wind came up, pitch-filled pine branches someone had placed on the fire began to snap and pop. Hot sparks flew from the flames and into the cave mouth, where a pool of spilled powder near the entrance trailed back to the small barrels
A huge orange and black cloud shot straight up into the air as the explosion blew the roof from the cave. The only survivor of the hapless band of ronin was their youngest member, who had been delegated the boring task of watching the horses. He was thrown flat on his back as the hillside ruptured into a ball of fire. The picket line broke as the animals reared and plunged in fright. When the sentry awoke, his ears were ringing, the horses had vanished and only carnage remained of his fellows.
He approached the former campsite in shock and disbelief, gorge rising in his throat when he saw what remained of the other men. The ground was scorched black, littered with broken rock and the charred remains of trees. A forest fire would surely have resulted from the explosion if not for the heavy rain that had begun to fall.
The floor of the cave, he saw, had opened into another chamber that continued deep into the earth. A breeze seemed to be coming from the new cavern – for a moment, it circled him, then died so quickly he thought that he might have imagined it. Then, he shivered, having the distinct feeling of being watched. Who knew what creatures might be drawn to the smell of blood and flesh? He turned and ran, determined to locate at least one of the horses and put leagues between himself and the cavern, and all memories of black powder. As far as the young soldier was concerned, he never wanted to see the stuff again.
Deep within the cavern, a long-dormant presence stirred. Sealed away for almost a millennium, away from the light and from its purpose, it eagerly sought the outside. Lacking a corporeal form, it extended tendrils of thought and psychic energy to investigate the human male approaching its prison. It learned then that an old enchantment was still in place. Fortunately for the young ronin, the unseen entity was barred from consuming humans – its true prey was much more powerful, much more important.
To its further frustration, it discovered that it wasstill bound to the cavern. Its only option was to extend its consciousness to its limits and wait for a suitable pawn to come within its range. Ultimately, its patience was rewarded – it had found a slow, bestial mind, living only to hunt, kill and eat. A perfect scout. Soon to become a perfect bait... for a very old trap...