Thanks to my two reviewers:
1. Yuti-Chan
2. PhsycoticPlatypus
I really appreciate it...
Here's another chapter - Hope u enjoy!
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Chapter 4 – Sakura's Tale
Sakura was falling head-long towards the ground with a lot of momentum. The people below began to shout as they realized that the falling figure was actually that of Princess Sakura.
A moment later, Sesshomaru darted after her.
A woman below: Oh, no! The princess is going to hit the ground.
Sesshomaru increased his speed. In the next moment he had caught Sakura. However, there was not enough time for him to straighten up and land on his feet. Instead he swooped upwards and started flying in the skies again.
A man: He did it!
Everyone looked up as Sesshomaru majestically circled the skies like an eagle. Gradually, he slackened his speed and finally landed on the ground, Sakura safely in his arm.
* * * * *
A few hours had passed. Sesshomaru was in his room in the castle. He was observing the Tensaiga. The sword was indeed a mystery. Every time he looked at the sword, he felt that it was challenging him to unveil the secrets hidden in its centuries-old blade.
A little later, there was a knock on the door.
Sesshomaru: Enter.
It was one of the princess's attendants.
Attendant: Princess Sakura has regained consciousness and has requested you to meet her.
Sesshomaru stood up and followed her to Sakura's room.
Sakura was sitting on her bed. She stood up as Sesshomaru entered.
Sakura (smiling): You won the battle. So, as promised, I will tell you the secret. I should warn you, however, that it is a long story.
Sesshomaru: Then perhaps you can cut it short.
Sakura laughed.
Sakura: I'm afraid that's not possible. I have to begin at… well, the beginning. (She paused) It all started about fifty years ago. That is about the time Naraku was came to power. You must have heard about Kikyo. She and my grandmother, Sakumo, were very good friends. They lived in the same village and they had refined their priestess talents together. (Her face grew somber) A few years later, grandmother left the village and came here, to Toran, at the insistence of some people who were being troubled by a demon. Here, she won the heart of the king of Toran. They married. A few years later, the news of Kikyo's death reached her. She was very angry. Despite repeated protests from grandfather, she went back to the village. She soon found out about Naraku and decided to avenge Kikyo's death. But Naraku was cunning, as evil as anyone could ever be. (She waited a little before continuing) Naraku is a shape-shifter. He managed to trick grandmother. He attacked her when she was least prepared and severely wounded her. (Sakura smiled ruefully) He didn't, however, take the effort to kill her immediately. He simply left her to die. That was Naraku's mistake. My grandmother used the last of her powers and strength to cast a curse on Naraku; a curse, that she knew, will, one day, be the reason for Naraku's death.
Sesshomaru: What was the curse?
Sakura: On the slopes of the Sacred Mountain to the north of the country will bloom the Flower of True Forms on the night of the full-moon in the seventh month. We have to smear the blade of the sword with its nectar, so that it can imbibe the magic of the flower. The sword must me brought to contact with Naraku's blood.
Sesshomaru: And…
Sakura: Naraku is a half-demon. He was originally a human. Unlike other half-demons, he can choose the time when he changes into a human. If, the sword is touched with Naraku's blood, he will be forced to transform into his original self, that is, a human.
Sesshomaru: You mean Naraku will turn into a mere human?
Sakura: That's right. But there are a few complications…
Sesshomaru: Complications?
Sakura: Yes. You see, my grandmother channeled the curse through her sacred talisman. It consisted of six white pearls and a crystal. It seems that after her death, some robbers had stolen it. When I came to know about it, we announced all around the kingdom that whoever recovers those will be awarded. All that we got back were these.
She picked up something from the bed and showed it to Sesshomaru. On her palm rested three shining pearls.
Sakura: After all these years, the curse has got inactive. We have to restore the talisman fully to bring the curse out of its dormant state.
Sesshomaru: I see.
Sakura: You see, we haven't got limitless time to secure the pearls and the crystal. The Flower of True Forms blooms just once in every year and if we lose this opportunity, we will have to wait for another year. So, we must start immediately.
Sesshomaru: 'We'? If you are thinking of accompanying me, then it is futile. I work alone.
Sakura smiled.
Sakura: I have heard that you always want to play a lone hand at doing whatever you want to. It's because of your high self-esteem, isn't it? But, this time you have to compromise a little, I'm afraid. You see, the Sacred Mountain, is protected by a barrier. It means that a full-demon, such as you, will not be able to find the mountain. So, you have to have someone who can lead you to the mountain. So, now, can I accompany you?
Sesshomaru didn't say anything.
Sakura: I'll take that as a 'yes'. (She took a deep breath) There's another problem…
Sesshomaru: What is it?
Sakura: I told you that the nectar of the flower has to be smeared on a sword, didn't I? Well, that sword can't be just any ordinary one…
Sesshomaru: I figured as much.
Sakura: The sword should be one that does not belong to this world.
(She paused. She seemed to be in deep thought.) I just can't figure it out. How can we get a sword that doesn't belong to this world? It's indeed a mystery.
The word 'mystery' echoed through Sesshomaru's mind. Just then, the Tensaiga quivered. He unsheathed it. Sakura first looked at Sesshomaru and then at the Tensaiga and then back at Sesshomaru. She hurried to Sesshomaru and ran her finger over the sword.
Sakura: This sword…
Sesshomaru: It's called the Tensaiga.
Sakura: Tensaiga… Who gave it to you?
Sesshomaru: My father.
Sakura: It is different from any sword that I have ever laid eyes on. I think this sword might solve our problem. Can I see it?
Sesshomaru handed the Tensaiga to Sakura. She took it and closed her eyes. After some time, Tensaiga started to glow. Sakura opened her eyes and the sword stopped glowing.
Sakura: This is it! This is the sword! We can use it on Naraku!
Sesshomaru: I don't think it will work…
Sakura: Why not?
Sesshomaru: This sword, it cannot kill. It is used to revive the dead.
Sakura: And that is the reason it does not belong to this world! And we don't have to kill Naraku with it; we just have to use it to induce the nectar into his body. (She paused) That solves the sword problem. But before we head for the mountain, we must find the remaining pearls and the crystal…
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I know I set too many conditions, but that's just going to make it more adventurous.
The next update might take time as I'm in the middle of exams, and wen they end, ther er going to be practicals and then exams again.
But I'm definitely going to complete the story.
