Chapter One: The One Who Travels The Path Of Supreme Conquest
Sesshomaru had been traveling for quite some time hot on Naraku's trail now. But, he'd always just missed him when he arrived where he thought Naraku might be hiding. It was about time he'd invested some thought into the man who seemed to be troubling everyone's life. Not that he cared about other people's problems, but if he was as much of a nuisance as everyone claimed he was; he might make for a decent opponent. If, that is he was indeed a powerful demon. And, he must know by now that Sesshomaru sought him.
Sesshomaru sighed with impatience as he listened to the noisy pair behind him. Although Jaken was loyal Sesshomaru still despised the Imp, and little Rin wasn't so little anymore. She is seven-teen years old, and she looks more beautiful every day. From her long silky black hair, to her beautiful round face, and large brown eyes that looked to none other than Sesshomaru himself for comfort, and protection. She had grown into a beautiful woman, who Sesshomaru looked at as his daughter. As much as Sesshomaru hated to admit it, he loved her.
"Lord Sesshomaru why only now have you taken such an interest in Naraku?" Jaken speaks boldly. "Do you wish to slay the man who troubles your impudent brother?" he finishes.
"No such thing." Sesshomaru replies annoyed. "Naraku has quite a title over his head. I'm simply going to see if it was well earned."
"I only ask because Rin was curious My Lord." Jaken lies.
"You know Imp; I do tire of your lies." Rin remarks.
"What?! You bold child!" Jaken scolds. "How dare you accuse such a thing!" he finishes.
"Oh, you've got nerve. You know you should be grateful Lord Sesshomaru doesn't do away with you!" Rin retorts.
"Why you ungrateful-"
"-Quiet you two. We wouldn't get anywhere near Naraku with you two going on like that." Sesshomaru interrupts sternly.
"Sorry My Lord." Rin and Jaken both reply. Although Rin had a point; the only reason Sesshomaru allowed Jaken to stay was he knew he could always rely on him to take care of Rin when he wasn't there, or in battle. Not that Rin needed much taking care of now. She'd become quite a skilled marksmen with a bow. He had no doubt that she could pick up another weapon and learn it within a matter of days. He was just familiar with Jaken.
It was a quiet night besides the earlier bickering of those two. Sesshomaru much preferred the night, as opposed to day. Everything was more quiet and serene, and gave him time to plan out his next course of action. As opposed to day where Rin and Jaken constantly insisted on stopping to eat, and such. Besides night was when a lot of demons decided to attack. It'd been a peaceful night though, quiet and undisturbed. He was getting impatient however, if Naraku was as strong as everyone claimed, why did he keep running away?
"I suppose we'll make camp here tonight." Sesshomaru said breaking the silence that had grown between them.
"My Lord?" Jaken says surprised. Very rarely was Lord Seshomaru the one to decide when to make camp. It usually took Jaken or Rin complaining for hours before he'd call it a day.
"You'll need your strength if you are to keep up with me in the morning." Sesshomaru says casually.
"Yes." Jaken answers, and runs off to gather firewood.
"I think I'll bathe in the hot springs not too far from here My Lord." Rin says gathering a few clothes.
"Should I send Jaken to keep guard?" Sesshomaru asks.
"Hardly necessary My Lord. I am well capable; for you have taught me well." Rin says grabbing her bow and arrows.
"Very well." Sesshomaru says. "Be back before the fire is made." He finishes. Rin smiles in agreement and heads towards the spring.
Rin walked silently through the woods. Careful with her step as she'd grown used to the forests terrain. She'd been walking for about a mile or so, and was approaching the springs when she heard voices coming from the spring. She hid herself behind the tree closest to the spring to see who the intruders were. When she saw who they were she recognized them at once. Sango the demon slayer, Kagome the priestess, and Shippo the fox demon. Kagome had aged since the last time Rin had seen her, but then again Rin wasn't a child anymore herself. Instead of walking out to greet the group she decided to stay hidden, and listen to see if Inuyasha had any leads on Naraku. Any information was helpful at this point.
"So why do you still put up with him Kagome?" Sango asks.
"I dunno. I guess I just like being like this. As much as I'd like for him to grow up it just wouldn't be the same. Although, I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish to meet a mature, sophisticated man who's willing to take the next step." Kagome sighs. " Not to mention it feels like we're never going to find the rest of the shards." Kagome complains.
"It does seem that way doesn't it?" Sango agrees.
"Oh, Sango you're so lucky that Miroku finally shaped up." Kagome changes the subject.
"Yeah, but it took me forever to get him this way." Sango agrees.
"But, you're having his baby. That must be nice." Kagome says.
"Yes, I am very excited about it too." Sango says rubbing her extended stomach.
"Got any names picked out?" Kagome questions.
"We've got a few." Sango admits. " If it's a girl she will be named Tsubaki, and for a boy; Kieran." Sango smiles delightfully.
"Oh, those are beautiful names Sango!" Kagome squeals.
"Thank you Kagome." Sango says. In the distance there is a rustle of leaves. Both women shriek.
"Who's there?!" Kagome yells into the darkness.
"Are you guys ever gonna get out of there?!" Inuyasha complains. The women relax as they recognize his voice.
"Inuyasha, sit boy." Kagome says casually. A loud thud indicated the spell had taken its effect. The women exit the springs and grab a strange piece of cloth to cover themselves.
"What the hell was that for Kagome?!" Inuyasha shouts recovering from the spell.
"You should learn to be more patient, and stay away from the springs while women are bathing." Kagome smirks as she passes him.
"Well, if you guys didn't take forever-" Inuyashas voice fades into the darkness as he follows them. Rin steps out from the tree and listens closely to see if she could hear anymore approaching footsteps. When she did not she sighed a breath of relief, and began to undress. That group was always strange. Inuyasha who had seemed like a jerk to her since childhood was their leader? He seemed to immature for the role. I mean he was bossy, rude, inconsiderate, and jealous. Why did Kagome put up with that? If that were her she'd show him a piece of her mind.
Rin relaxed as her body slid into the warm liquid. Every aching tense muscle was put to ease. As Rin sank further into the inviting liquid she wondered, "I wonder if I'll ever find a man that loves me as much to have my children?" Rin quickly opens her eyes. "What am I thinking? That's sissy talk!" she scolds herself. She did not have time for the likes of love. It was a pathetic feeling. Only for those who are weak. Rin cups her hands to make a small bowl, dips it into the water, and pours the contents over her head. Warm water rushes down her body, as she does it a few more times. She sighs before readying herself to get out. She looks for clothes and spots another strange cloth lying on the rocks. Kagome must've forgotten it. She looks around to make sure no one is coming. When she sees that the coast is clear she exits, and retrieves the strange cloth. Now how did they get it to stay wrapped around their bodies? Rin attempts to fold it, and wrap it in many ways before she got it to stay in a sloppy mess on her body. Covering only the minimum of what it needed. Satisfied with that she begins to pick up her clothes. When she hears a noise in the distance. She rushes to her bow and arrows and has it ready, and aimed before Kagome steps into the clearing.
"Oh," Kagome gasps. "Rin? Is that you?" Kagome says peering through the darkness. Rin sighs another breath of relief as she lowers her weapon.
"Kagome, you scared me. I thought you were that perverted half breed." Rin sighs. Kagome chuckles.
"My, how you've grown." Kagome says examining Rins' older appearance.
"Speak for yourself." Rin teases.
"Has it really been so long since we last spoke?" Kagome wonders aloud.
"We've been busy." Rin explains.
"It would seem that way. And, I see you've found the towel I left here." Kagome points out.
"Is that what it's called? Do you want it back?" Rin asks beginning to tug at the already loose cloth.
"No, by all means keep it. I've got plenty." Kagome reassures.
"Oh, alright." Rin smiles. Kagome smiles in return.
"Well, I better be going. You know how Inuyasha gets when away for too long." Kagome giggles.
"Yeah." Rin agrees. Kagome waves enthusiastically good-bye, and leaves Rin to dress in privacy.
Rin was sure Sesshomaru would be upset if she didn't hurry back. She'd been at the spring too long already. So, she hurried back to camp where she found Jaken sleeping, and Sesshomaru sitting quietly on a hill staring into the heavens. Rin crept up behind Sesshomaru and tossed the "towel" aside. She sighs as she sets beside him.
"What's that?" Sesshomaru asks referring to the item she'd tossed aside.
"I think Kagome said it was called a towel." Rin says casually.
"Kagome?" Sesshomaru says stoically.
"Yeah, I ran into the gang. Well,…eavesdropped on the women at the springs before I bathed myself." Rin explains. "Anyway, she left her towel there, and then came back for it. She told me to keep it." She finishes.
"That girl is so strange. From another time." Sesshomaru ponders aloud. "Did you run across my half breed brother?" Sesshomaru asks.
"No." Rin lies. Unnecessary battle was pointless at this hour.
"Fine then. Any intel on Naraku?"
"They're clueless my Lord."
"You should get some rest Rin." Sesshomaru says standing to his feet.
"My Lord?" Rin questions.
"I'm going out. I'll be back before dawn." Sesshomaru says, and turns silently to leave. Rin watches as the darkness swallows her Lord. She lies shortly after next to the sleeping Imp, and quickly falls into slumber.
Sesshomaru knew something was up with Naraku. He'd been so close to finding him before, but now, there was absolutely no sign of him anywhere.
Meanwhile, Naraku has summoned Kagura.
"What is it Naraku?" Why have you summoned me at such an hour?" Kagura complains.
"Why? Do you tire Kagura?" Naraku grins smugly. Kagura grunts in annoyance. "It seems we've had another member take some interest in me. I guess I should feel honored." Naraku smiles.
"Heh. Why is that?" Kagura says cockily.
"It's not often the great Lord Sesshomaru takes interest in demons like me." Naraku retorts.
"Sesshomaru?" Kagura gasps.
"Yes, intriguing isn't it?" Naraku hisses.
"What would Lord Sesshomaru want with you?" Kagura questions.
"I'm not sure, but it would be troublesome if I were to meet Sesshomaru in battle." Naraku says. "That's why I'm sending you; Kagura, to dispose of him until I am capable of handling the issue myself." He finishes.
"Me? I'm hardly a candidate to take on Sesshomaru." Kagura says.
"Oh, you won't engage him in battle, because you would surely die." Naraku says. "You must contain him in the mirror that Kana possess." He explains.
"Kana?" Kagura asks in confusion. "How do you know she has the power?"
"Mirrors are doors to other dimensions. You know this, as well as I do." Naraku growls.
"What if I refuse this request?" Kagura smirks.
"Oh, this isn't a request." Naraku smiles as Kagura takes notice to her still beating heart resting in his palm.
In an instant Kagura feels all hope for the desire to be "free as the wind" diminish within her. On one hand, she could refuse Naraku's demand, and watch as the man she loathed so much crush the life within her with his hand. On the other, she could face Sesshomaru and hope he didn't do the deed himself. But, she would die ten times happier if her last vision was that of the great Lord Sesshomaru. To die by Naraku's hand would surely put her name to shame, and curse her in the afterlife as she had been in the living. To let Naraku be the one to end her life is like giving up. Kagura would not let Naraku get the satisfaction of seeing her fall to her knees and take her last breath. He had controlled every move she'd made for most of her adulthood. No, Kagura would decide for herself when she would die. Not that evil man.
"Kagura?" Naraku growls pulling her out of her reverie.
"I accept." Kagura smiles. Naraku smiles in return.
"I thought you might." He says smugly. "And, while we're at it we may as well put the Priestess girl in there with him." He seethes.
"What does she have to do with this?" Kagura inquires.
"I imagine that Keade woman has been teaching her. It's been almost three years since I met Inuyasha's group in battle, and considering how powerful she was before training, I really think the two of them together would be quite annoying."
"Annoying huh? I think you just don't like the idea of fighting someone who resembles Kikyo so much." Kagura gleams.
"This has nothing to do with Kikyo!" Naraku roars. "Now away with you!" he yells. Kagura turns to leave, but turns back to see a distraught Naraku claim flight into the night.
"So, there is some part of you that is still human. Hehe." Kagura smirks before taking flight herself.
She'd have to find Kana before they could go off in search of Sesshomaru. Kana liked hiding in strange places, but this time Kagura found her not too far from the Goshinboku tree. As always; Kana seemed to know exactly what the plan was before Kagura even told her. Kana walks some distance ahead of Kagura before she addresses her.
"Kagura?" Kana's timid voice barely reaches her.
"What is it Kana?" Kagura asks.
"What is it you plan to do after I capture Lord Sesshomaru?"
"What does it matter?" Kagura grunts. Kana's silence is a silent demand. "I suppose I'll allow Naraku to have his fun?" Kagura finally finishes.
"What is it; I wonder that Naraku wants to get out of all this?" Kana ponders aloud.
"Honestly Kana, why should we care?" Kagura shrugs.
"Just something to ponder." Kana grins.
"Perhaps he wishes to dispose of the brothers individually." Kagura suggests.
"Perhaps…" Kana agrees.
"Shall we go then?" Kagura says.
"No need to be in such a hurry Kagura. Sesshomaru isn't far." Kana says matter-of-factly. Kagura gains ground quickly, to stand in unison with miniature Kana.
With Kana leading the way they wander into the night in search of the son of the Great Dog Demon. Kagura was left to wonder her next step of action once Sesshomaru was captured. As Kana had grew silent as to allow her to do so. Then again; who was to say for sure that they would indeed capture him?
Sesshomaru hadn't traveled too far when he felt a familiar presence approaching. There was no need to prepare for battle. As the presence was not one that invoked much, if any fear at all.
"Why are you here Kagura?" Sesshomaru says calmly. Kagura sighs as she emerges from the trees.
Kagura berated herself as she stepped into the clearing for not coming up with a way to approach Sesshomaru. If she came at him with a confrontational approach he would surely attack her. Which, would make it more difficult for Kana to begin the ritual. Kana; who was some hundred yards away with a clear view on a cliff would need to chant her spell while pointing the mirror directly at Sesshomaru. She needed a stationary victim. But, how was she going to get Sesshomaru to hold still long enough for Kana to begin the ritual without giving away any clues that it was a trap? She wished she'd thought of all this before she'd approached Sesshomaru.
Clinging to her instincts, and merely doing the first thing that popped into her head, she flips open her fan. Sesshomaru's eyes grow wary, and he takes a threatening step forward. Kagura holds the fan in front of her face, covering all but her eyes. While her other hand reaches for the sticks holding her hair up, and pulls them out. Her long black hair cascades down her back.
Sesshomaru freezes. He wasn't quite sure what was happening , but decided Kagura was not a threat. However, he'd never seen any being human or demon do something like this. His interest was piqued. He stared at her in confusion, but she seemed confident in each gesture. He wondered what had made the woman act erratically. Then her Kimono fell off her shoulders.
"What are you doing?" Sesshomaru asks curiously.
Kagura could feel a blush threatening to paint her cheeks, as she held onto her Kimono keeping it from exposing her the rest of the way. Not that she was at all exposed right now, but Sesshomaru had his share of cleavage to look at. She just hoped she looked more confident than she felt.
This was by far the most she'd ever given any man. Kagura did not answer Sesshomaru's question. Not because silence was what she sought, but simply because she could not get her tongue to form the words. Instead, she moved gracefully, almost as if she'd floated towards Sesshomaru. What started out as a gentle stroke on Sesshomaru's shoulder became a dance around Sesshomaru. Running her fingers through his long silver hair as she did so. As she floated in a circle around him he'd locked his confused gaze on her assured eyes.
Kagura felt a lump create in her throat and did her damnedest to swallow it behind Sesshomaru's back. As she turned into his sight once more she stopped, and slipped her arms around him. The mirror behind him a few hundred yards away had begun to glow. Signaling that Kana was near finished. Seemed Sesshomaru hadn't noticed Kana, much less Kagura's trick in her seduction.
"I'm sorry…" Kagura whispers on Sesshomaru's shoulder. Sesshomaru's eyes widen in realization. But, by the time he'd begun to look around a white light engulfs him, and in a flash he is gone. Kagura is left hugging nothing but air, and then she falls to her knees.
"I'll come back for you." She whispers to herself.
Kagura had regained her composure by the time Kana met her in the field. She'd pulled her Kimono back in place, and had begun to tie her hair back up.
"Now, it's time for the Priestess." Kagura says brushing off the front of her Kimono.