Hello lovely readers! It is I OtAkU ChU! And I would like to thank you for reading the first chapter of Iris! I put a lot of time and effort into this chapter so I hope you guys like it! Reviews are appreciated!- Love OtaChu

It was a bright, moon that hung in the sky; illuminating every living thing, good or evil. The solo planet cast eerie shadows across the dark valley blanketed over with a thick layer of snow. Through all the sounds of the forest, only one distinct howl could be heard in the distance. It was a pledge of justice, betrayal, and heartbroken love.

A demon's love, although it is rare….can invoke all the rage of a lost lover and overpower the most powerful of enemies. This is the story of two demons…who started a forbidden love with a human; and discovered that no matter how much fate pushes against you…there's always a way to break that cycle and find a miracle in a world full of hostility and discrimination.

"I'll never let you go, even if it kills me."

Prologue: Invoked! Jisuromaru's Pledge of Wrath!

The thick, knotted trees of the forest creaked and groaned at the sight of the large demonic army that was tearing their way through its stubborn greenery. Forest animals and lesser demons scampered away in fear, trying to find the nearest shelter they could find to hide from the menacing demons racing through the forest.

One demon in particular, sat atop a cliff; watching as his own ruthless army plundered the thickets, villages, and snow-covered mountain sides to find their enemy.

His long crystalline blue hair reached mid way down his back and was tied in a small string. The armor he donned was a seashell white, but his cruel smirk was foreboding just like his red eyes that scanned over the burning villages in the distance.

"Lord Jisuromaru."

The demon ripped his wandering gaze away from the mass of demons below him and focused on the warrior currently standing next to him. He had a deep frown set on his face, highlighting the small wrinkles that had begun to form around his cheekbones. Those blind, white eyes focused on his own red ones.

"Miyoru, I thought I sent you on ahead with the front squadron, what are you doing here?" He grunted, irritated that the mage demon hadn't followed orders. Miyoru blinked soundlessly, as if he hadn't heard a word Jisuromaru had said.

But he knew better, this demon had been the general in the fight for China at least three centuries ago. He had conquered countless lands, and mercilessly slain well over a thousand men and demons. Jisuromaru snorted, and popped his shoulder. The pressure of his Burinken-made armor had severely affected his performance with this blade lately. If he were to find the wolf-demon and hanyou he was searching for, he'd have to be in top form to kill both of those maggots.

"Jisuromaru, you know better than I that finding the wolf demon and hanyou will prove to be challenging task." Miyoru's starch white hair fluttered softly in the wind, and he sighed. The black robes he wore billowed around his lean body, allowing Jisuromaru to wonder if the ageing demon were weak or strong.

He studied him carefully, wondering how much pent-up power he had in those war-known hands of his. Miyoru squared his shoulders, and continued. "Even without the jewel shards they possess, fighting them could very well take out half our army. Is it really wise to continue pursuing them?" He watched as Miyoru's blind eyes raked over the frozen, cold landscape. Despite the fact that it was winter, and the snow was up to their knees; the forbidden forest's trees were green as ever. It only made the wide terrain more frightening, which was prone to scare humans off. It wasn't a surprise that there were only a few villages in its rich greenery. How the humans managed to survive such harsh temperatures, Jisuromaru would never know.

"Even if I have to lose every one of my men, I'm prepared to find those two wretched bastards and put their heads on a stick." He growled and gripped the deadly, sharp sword that hung at his waist. It's hilt was stitched with gold and purple lining, creating the effect of a colorful winter kimono. Hyotsega was given to him by his father, and he never let it leave his sight. Even the sheath itself was more important than his own life.

Hyotsega extended past his calves and dug into the ground; leaving the grass to suffer to it's felt poison and rot at the mere touch of it's blade. "They killed my Arimia and took her shards." Jisuromaru clenched his fists angrily; fingers biting into the rough leather of his belt holding Hyotsega. "She couldn't live without them, and they just slaughtered her like human cattle. I'll make them suffer, until they beg for me to end their pathetic lives." He bit out snarkly.

Miyoru's serious eyes rested on his own, and Jisuromaru flinched at the sheer tenacity in them. He'd lost his sight more than twenty years ago, yet his overbearing nature collided with Jisuromaru's stubbornness. They weren't exactly on a friendly basis, but the conquering of the Shinto Region in Japan would prove to be a great victory for the Chinese Demon Faction. He wasn't happy with the truce for now, but he would somehow find a way to eliminate Miyoru once the battle was over. After all, there was only room for one emperor in China.

"I can see your mind is set on this. So be it then." Miyoru turned abruptly and left Jisuromaru to his spot on the cliff. "I know you're angry about Arimia's death, but you're letting rage cloud your judgement." He stopped, and glanced over his shoulder. Those blind eyes sent a shiver down his spine, but he remained calm and listened to Miyoru's antics. The man seemed to speak a bit of gibberish here and there, but sometimes his information was actually useful.

"Perhaps," Miyoru's said thoughtfully, "You should stop and really look at the big picture of Arimia's passing. I believe there is more to this story than what's being told."

Jisuromaru narrowed his eyes, and crossed his arms. The man was speaking traitorous words again. "And I believe that I've been put in charge of this mission Miyoru. My decisions have nothing to do with your opinions, nor do you have the authority to question my leadership."

His firm answer cause Miyoru to chuckle, but behind those white catalyst eyes of his something sparked. That made Jisuromaru more suspicious of him than ever. "I suppose so. But Jisuromaru…" He slowly made his way towards the opening of the thick trees. The black robes glided behind him, creating an appearance of Death himself walking on a cloud of smoke. Miyoru's eyes scanned the surrounding area, making sure none of the other demons were around to hear their conversation.

"You've been keeping a secret from both your men and superiors. Am I correct?"

He flinched at Miyoru's words, hoping the demon hadn't gauged his reaction.

"You really are getting crazier in your old age demon. I have nothing to hide from the upper factions." He bit out roughly. This geezer was really starting to get on his nerves, just where in the hell was he getting all this crap from?

Miyoru turned and faced his penetrating gaze head on. "I'm sure you know what I'm talking about boy. I must admit you've hidden it very well from our lords in China, but things like this really don't seem to get past me." He smiled sarcastically, and waved his finger around in the air. Small petals appeared from the inside of his robes and were swept away into the valley by the harsh wind.

"Flowers are such beautiful life forms. But they are fleeting and die very easily." Miyoru whispered melancholy. "In a way, the flowers are just like humans." He turned to Jisuromaru's frozen form and smiled gently. "Just like your Arimia, am I correct?"

Jisuromaru tightened his grip and carefully reached for his Hyotsega. "So what of it? Arimia was human, what does it matter?" He growled. Miyoru simply smiled and gestured towards the snowy valley down below. "I'm not one to spill secrets Jisuromaru, so put your fangs away."

He bristled at Miyoru's orders, but released the blade back into the sheath.

"There will always be an opponent that is stronger than you. I'm sure you know that just as well as I. But whether you decide to face the truth or let brash foolishness overcome your senses is your choice. The consequences will be dire either way."

Miyoru turned to take his leave, letting his long black robes lift him up several inches off the ground. "I suggest you don't let Arimia's death affect you in such a way. Rage is a powerful emotion, and if not reined in properly….it will cost you your life." He ordered. "Arimia is dead now; you need to forget about that woman. It will only cause you trouble in the future."

Jisuromaru snarled and reached for his Hyotsega. Drawing it from it's sheath he held the hilt and slashed unmercilessly at Miyoru's wavering form. "Damn you Miyoru! You have no right to talk to me like that!" He yelled furiously, and focused Hyotsega's power at the riptide of demonic aura between Miyoru and himself.

Thick, ancient trees fell easily as they were shredded to pieces by Hyotsega's thousand blade attack. It fell to the ground; jagged bark and sawdust were kicked up after the blast. Jisuromaru squinted through the settling dust and blinked in surprise as he watched Miyoru emerge proudly. Not a single scratch felled his body, and Jisuromaru trembled furiously.

"You bastard! Damn you!" He slung Hyotsega behind his back, preparing for another attack. Miyoru flung his robes back and smiled. "Very good Jisuromaru, no wonder you were put in charge! You're learning to control your power. However, I have more important things to attend to, so I wish you the best." And before he could deliver another blow to destroy the mage demon, Miyoru disappeared in a black cloud of smoke. It's remains were blown down the mountain and swallowed up by the wind; leaving Jisuromaru alone in the wide expanse of snowy forest.

He scowled in frustration and sheathed Hyotsega, leaving the trees to mourn for their fallen brothers on the forest floor. The only person Jisuromaru had ever loved was gone. Arimia was trapped in a deadly slumber for the rest of eternity, and he would never see her again. For his reign as a demon was in hell, and Arimia's was surely in heaven.

"A demon must never love a human." He whispered hoarsely, repeating his father's last words. "They fade away and leave you nothing but sorrow." To Jisuromaru's displeasure he finally after all these years, had to agree with his father. Humans were nothing but a pestilence. They weakened demons with their ideals of love. He would never forgive Arimia for weakening him, and then dying. Jisuromaru clenched his fist and pounded it into the ground; not caring whether it shattered all the bones in his hand.

"I'll never forgive you! You hypnotizing wench!" He cried, heaving back heavy sobs of despair. Every crack against the rock created a devastating strike through the snowy mountainside. He kept hitting the hardened rock till his hands bled freely, staining the grainy soil with his demonic blood.

The shards were supposed to protect her! They were supposed to be invincible! But they only hastened her death in an ironic twist. The very barriers he set up to protect her had killed her, and sent her to a place where he would never see or hear her again.

The sudden realization hit him hard and shattered the cliff in two. It's broken surface gave way beneath the split he had caused and shuttered. Boulders flew down the mountain, crushing animals, demons, and anything in it's way.

"Why?" He sobbed, and brought his bleeding hands to his trembling frame. Why did she have to die? Couldn't fate have been more cruel and had killed him instead? The invincible demon who declared not to fear anything?

No, it never worked that way. It always hit close to home.

It invoked any wrath it could get, because it loved the struggle to get past impossible barriers. Jisuromaru gripped Hyotsega's hilt and unsheathed it. Looking into the blade, he froze when he saw Arimia's deep blue eyes staring back at him.

"Will you always continue to haunt me until I die?" He whispered back to the blade. She blinked, her eyes fading and changing to a golden hue. The color of one of Arimia's killers.

He let a deafening roar erupt from his throat. It screeched across the valley like a grieving falcon and most likely reached his demon brethren. Jisuromaru stood up from his position and gripped the hilt of his Hyotsega. He held it out in front of him, watching as the small dancing snowflakes coated it's sharp surface.

"Inuyasha and Koga." He snarled.

"When I find you, I will murder you both and take Arimia back. Even if it costs my very soul to do it!" He yelled, honoring his father's pledge of demonic oath. His promise echoed throughout the silent valley, leaving the smaller demons to cower in fear. That pledge was a death pledge known to every demon. It could never be taken back.

At the cost of Jisuromaru's soul, Koga- the leader of the Southern Wolf Clan, and Inuyasha- the hanyou who wielded Tetsusaiga were in for the fight of their lives.

"Be ready you filthy bastards." Jisuromaru threatened.

"Because I'm coming for both you and that precious miko you both treasure so much."