CHAPTER 6
The night was calm and quiet as Kagome walked, no destination in mind, simply the need to think, process. She glanced to the south where she could still faintly feel InuYasha's aura, growing more and more faint the further he went. With his youkai speed, she would never be able to catch up, and it seemed that he wanted it that way. So focused on InuYasha' receding presence, it took Kagome a moment to realize where her feet had taken her.
It had become a favorite spot for her and her friends. A beautiful hill overlooking the forest below, a small meadow coasting along the treeline. They would spend calm evenings gazing up at the stars above, enjoying just a few moments of calm and peace. She crested the hill, freezing when she realized she was not the only one at this spot.
Silent he stood, tall and proud, his back to her, long silver locks shimmering in the moonlight. His hankimono and hakama's gave off an ethereal glow, creating a faint halo around his figure. Where a normal man would have been dull and grey, he was pure light and luminescent, nearly as bright as the moon above. He gave no indication he sensed she stood just above him, but she knew that he was aware of her. She hesitated briefly, wondering if perhaps she was intruding upon him, an unwanted guest in his intent for solitude.
"Approach miko, I sensed you long ago." His deep baritone voice came suddenly, crisp and clear in the silent night around them. Surprised that he had opted to speak first, she approached him warily, not sure what to expect.
"I didn't mean to intrude," she began softly. "I was just coming here to think and didn't realize you were already here." She stopped at his side, keeping a good three feet between them. No matter how much Rin insisted he held "feelings" for her, this was still Sesshoumaru, dangerous unpredictable Sesshoumaru.
He did not look at her as she reached his side, instead keeping his gaze locked on the moon above. If he looked ethereal from the back, it was nothing compared to what the moon did to his front. He all but glowed, his pale skin almost the color of cream in the moonlight, his markings on his face stark against his white skin. His white brows and lashes were almost silver in the light, further enhancing the rose around his eyes, bringing greater definition to his golden eyes. The color was still just as brilliant as it was during the day, and just as piercing.
Realizing she was openly staring Kagome quickly looked away, blushing, and not sure why she was. Her reactions and responses to the handsome Daiyoukai were alarming and baffling. She was suddenly becoming more aware of him, and she couldn't figure out why it brought on the response it did. InuYasha's words from earlier came rushing up, and she flushed. Embarrassed and annoyed, she forced herself to look anywhere but at him, willing her cheeks to cool and heart rate to ease. "We seem to keep running into each other, don't we?"
A quick flick of gold aimed at her and gone was her only response. Swallowing thickly, she took a small step back. "I can leave if you wish to be alone," she offered faintly. "I can go someplace else."
"The visit from the monk's has you on edge," he stated, jerking her to a halt in surprise. "And you are concerned."
Stunned that he was even conversing with her, Kagome was unable to form a coherent response for a moment. "Yes and no. Ugh, it's confusing. I am worried though and angry; all in one." Glancing briefly in his direction and finding his gaze still locked on the moon, she dropped her gaze to her hands once more. "They came looking for the Guardian of the Shikon No Tama, Kikyo more precise, and upon learning of her demise sought Kaede for some…direction."
Her hands fisted as she recalled their purpose for coming to the village. "They are seeking the strongest and most powerful miko's and monks across the land to build an army of sorts with the intent to take on and destroy every youkai in existence. Even cubs. And they knew that Kikyo was the strongest one out there and so had hoped to enlist her aid. They were disappointed to learn that she was dead, and her replacement wanted nothing to do with their goals"
Chancing a quick peek at the Daiyoukai, she gulped when she found his gaze zeroed in on her. Looking away, she continued her tale. "They thought I had been cursed or beguiled by the youkai I had fought with and when that theory was shot, chocked it up to simple manipulation. They left angry that I was defending youkai, and promised that they would succeed in their efforts."
"They will fail in their attempt," Sesshoumaru stated, no hint of boasting in his tone. To him it was simply a matter of fact. "It has been attempted before."
"Inuyasha said the same thing," she grumbled. "But I'm still worried. What about those that can't fight back, who are too weak or young to defend themselves? Or refuse because they don't believe in fighting?" She thought of Jinenji and sighed. "Those are the ones I worry about. Plus, one shouldn't simply kill something because of what it is."
"Perhaps," he glanced down at her, eyeing her lowered face and dark lashes that covered eyes the color of midnight. "But many humans do not see anything good in youkai. You should know that better than anyone."
She frowned. "And the same could be said for youkai," she pointed out not unkindly. "Youkai refuse to see the good in humans too. I mean, take you for example, the old Sesshoumaru wouldn't be standing here talking to me, a human. Instead you would have most likely killed me for even daring to look upon you."
"Hm." His tone gave no indication of whether or not he concurred or disagreed with her statement.
"But here we stand, a human and a youkai, talking to one another, amicably even." She flashed him a brief smile, her eyes not quite meeting his. "And not just any youkai, a Daiyoukai at that."
"Indeed," he intoned, eyeing her thoughtfully.
"So, it is possible," she continued, almost hopeful in her tone. "Possible for youkai and humans to get along, right? If you and I can, two creatures destined to be bitter enemies by what we are. If we can do it, then the rest could. I have made so many friends that are youkai, other people could do it too, right? They would be able to see what I see?"
"And what do you see?" he asked curiously, turning so he faced her fully. Having his full attention was a little daunting and she took a small step back, such close proximity to him doing strange things to her insides suddenly. However, knowing he sought a true honest answer, she locked her gaze with his so he could see the sincerity in her eyes.
"I see beings who are fiercely loyal, protective, devoted and kind. Beings who have hearts as big as any humans, who love, grieve, suffer, laugh and find joy in simple daily moments, just like humans do. I see beings that give their all for those that are fortunate enough to earn their affections and who fight with everything they have to keep their lands, their families and friends safe. They work hard, suffer loss, and learn and adapt to changing situations. Maybe humans and youkai look different physically, but they experience similar experiences and their hearts are the same.
"When I see youkai, I don't see blood thirsty, mindless, power hungry creatures, living on pure instinct and lust, but beings who feel greatly, show great intelligence and wisdom that rival many humans. Yes, there are horribly wicked and cruel youkai out there, but the same could be said for humans. Where I come from there have been many men and women who have done horrible and cruel things, unspeakable things that no one should have to experience. Devastating tragedies that cost many people their lives, homes, freedoms, and loved ones."
She paused to look up at him. "We aren't that different when you think about it, really."
"Youkai are cruel, heartless and power hungry," he said, stepping closer to invade her personal space. "We are to be feared. That is how it has always been." He raised a clawed hand to her eye level, the tips glowing a faint green as he activated his poison. "With this claw I could render you to pieces without blinking an eye. Yet, you still insist we are kind and good?"
She kept her gaze locked on his as he spoke, and her eyes didn't waver or change. "Yes," she declared. "Even you."
"Then you are a fool," he scoffed, flexing his claws for good measure.
"A lot of people say that," she chuckled humorously. "And maybe I am, but it won't change how I feel or think." With daring actions that surprised both of them, she lifted a hand to touch his forearm, avoiding the glowing poison. "Rin insists there is more to you than you let on, and I am starting to see what she says. If you were as heartless and unfeeling as you claim, you would never have saved her life, or mine for that matter. Multiple times, I might add. You protected me when you didn't have to. You could have left me to the mercy of those who were attacking me, and yet you didn't." She laughed again. "If you really wanted to kill me, you could, but you won't."
With daring calm she brought his hand closer to her person, just inches from her throat. His fingers still glowed, and she could feel the heat of his acidic poison hidden just under the surface of his skin. Her eyes locked with his in silent challenge, matching the fire in his eyes with her own. "I stand here, defenseless, weaponless, and there is no Inuyasha. Nothing would stop you or prevent you from killing me if you so truly desired. But, the Sesshoumaru I am starting to see won't."
She saw his eyes narrow, the fire intensifying to near boiling in his eyes. She found herself getting lost in his gaze, something calling to her and something in her responding. She didn't know what she was doing or why she was acting in such a way, but she was and she didn't stop. She could feel the heat of his skin under her fingers, the large hands oddly soft and smooth under her own rough ones. Her hand twitched slightly as they locked gazes, and neither was aware of the sparks of light and power radiating off their bodies as they gazed at one another. The air was growing oppressive, thick with tension and anticipation as two eyes locked on one another waiting for each other to make a move.
"It would be so easy," he breathed softly, gaze dropping to her long slender neck. "Like snapping a mere twig." With a life of its own his hand reached up to wrap around her throat, the glow of poison dying just before skin touched skin. His touch was neither stifling nor hard, instead it was soft and gentle, and she only knew his hand was there from the heat of his touch. Molten eyes rose to meet hers, the intensity and heat of his gaze freezing the air in her throat. His hand tightened just barely on her skin, not choking or uncomfortable, but a silent reminder of what power lay beneath the surface. Each found the other unconsciously leaning close to one another, when suddenly he dropped his hand and leaned away, effectively breaking the spell. He turned away, the hand that had been around her throat fisted at his side. Kagome blinked dazedly as if waking from a dream, and looked up at him with clouded eyes.
"Killing you would accomplish nothing," he said coolly, face void of emotion and once more the calm and cold-stoned exterior.
Raising a dazed hand to her throat, Kagome swallowed thickly trying to gauge what had just transpired between them. The tension was so thick it could have been cut with a sword. But it wasn't angry tension, but something else she couldn't name or decipher. Her pulse still beat a rapid staccato in her chest, and breathing felt difficult.
"I…I…" at a loss for words she simply met his gaze helplessly, silently begging for an answer to a question she couldn't even name. And no response was found in the very stiff and cold Daiyoukai before her. Shaking her head to clear her foggy and dazed thoughts, she shook her head. "I guess that makes my point," she joked, not even sure what the point was.
"Hm."
Forcing her hand down from her throat where his touch still tingled on her skin, Kagome took deep even breaths trying to get her heart rate to slow to a normal pace. Her cheeks felt hot and she raised a hand to press against it, looking down at the valley below as a means to distract herself. Her breath caught on the sight below, and her lips parted in a wide smile as she took in the vision below.
Fireflies, hundreds of them, danced across the horizon. Like little crystal diamonds they drifted on the air, an intricate dance only nature could create. Kagome raced down the hill coming to a halt just mere feet from where the little creatures floated. Slowly, silently, she walked toward them, the dance of nature opening to let her in and continuing around and above her. Laughing in pure delight, she raised her hands watching as a few brave bugs coasted close to her fingers, brushing the tips before losing their courage and buzzing away. With childlike innocence, she laughed in glee spinning in various circles trying to catch each and every firefly in her sight, not wanting to miss a single movement or pattern their little lights made.
Above, a silent Daiyoukai watched her dance among the fireflies, her laughter like tinkling bells echoing in the night. At his sides, his hands fisted tighter almost breaking the skin as he watched the girl before him. Inner battles warred within, the urge to go to her and bask in more that was this strange human or turn and walk away before he dove deeper into the web he now found himself tangled in. Once more her laughter breezed by his ears, and he nearly closed his eyes at the beautiful sound of it.
Her simple pleasures in life are what made her so unique, so special, so…fascinating. She never took anything for granted and always found the bright side to every dark moment. Where one would find a mere nuisance, she found beauty. Little annoying pests that created a strange light on their tails, and she found them magical. Another tinkling laugh caressed his ears, squealing giddily as one daring firefly coasted close to her nose. Her hands ghosted around each firefly by her, rapture and joy bright on her face as she watched them dance.
Under the moon with hundreds of lights gliding around her, she appeared like an angel that had landed to earth. She fairly glowed with light, joy and happiness, the lights sparkling in her eyes bringing such radiance to the deep depths. Her long hair weaved and danced along behind her, a wooden nymph of light and magic that reveled in the beauty of nature. And suddenly she too was dancing, swaying and gliding across the meadow with the creatures, moving to music only she could hear and feel. With grace and fluidity she moved, the fireflies gliding around her and creating a reaction of light and dark that was enthralling, and he could not look away, no matter how much he wanted to.
She was unaware of her motions or where her steps led her, lost to the moment of light and motion. And with each step the fireflies followed her, almost like magical dust flowing behind and around her, caught in her spell just as much as the silent spectre above. He watched her draw ever closer, still lost to the dance and beauty of the fireflies, and the dance only came to a halt when strong hands caught her before she collided with the sharp cold armor at his chest.
With a small 'oaf' glazed eyes rose to his, cheeks flushed from her dance, mouth wide with happiness. So lost in her own world it took Kagome a moment to realize she now leaned against a very tall silent Daiyoukai. The heat from his body surrounded her, a strange but alluring scent tickling her nose. Blinking to clear the haze from her eyes, she smiled weakly and apologetically at Sesshoumaru.
Looking up she saw the little bugs drifting off into the night, the trance and moment fading just like their lights. She realized her hands were braced against his chest armor, going out in pure instinct to halt her sudden fall. With hot cheeks she slowly straightened up, backing away from his hands. And he released her, although she was not aware how hard he fought to force his hands to let go.
Blushing, she nervously tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, looking down at her feet. "Thanks for catching me," she whispered. "And sorry for bumping in to you like that. I guess I got lost in the moment."
"Indeed." There nothing in his tone to indicate what he was thinking or feeling at the moment, and Kagome flushed even more.
"I must have looked so silly to you, like a little kid or something," she mumbled. "It was so beautiful. I don't know what came over me."
Looking back over her shoulder, a wistful smile fluttered across her lips. "I hope I see something like that again, it was so beautiful." Without warning, she plopped to the ground by his feet, leaning back so her feet faced downhill, gazing up at the sky. "This is what I missed the most in my era. The sights and sounds of nature that are everywhere you look and everywhere you walk. The moon is bigger, the stars brighter, and fireflies fly in droves like we just saw."
Sighing wistfully she glanced up him, the odd angle still doing nothing to diminish the beauty and grace that was Sesshoumaru. "Where I am from, there is too much artificial light. It makes it difficult to see the stars at the brilliance we get here. Here we can see billions of them, twinkling above our heads like little crystals. There, we only see the bright ones that manage to muster through the pollution and lights. And while beautiful, the moon never looks so bright, so colorful, so…BIG. It just leaves me in awe."
He shifted slightly to look down at the miko. She lay on her back, feet straight with her ankles crossed over one another. Her hands were behind her head cushioning it from the rougher ground beneath. Her enraptured gaze was focused on the sky above, the scenery reflecting in her eyes.
"You do not regret your decision to return then?" he asked curiously.
She cocked her head to look back up at him, blinking at him in surprise at his question. "Regret?" she echoed. "No, I don't regret it one bit. Like I told Sango, I will miss my family and friends, but the thought of missing this, everyone here, was harder to accept. When the opportunity presented itself, I only hesitated for a moment, I guess seeking my Mom's approval before I made the leap. And I haven't regretted it since. Too many people that I love are here, and I can't imagine growing up without them." She sighed. "If I am able to prevent the youkai from being killed, I had hoped that maybe those that live to my time will be able to visit my mom, and tell them about my life here. What I did and stuff. That I was happy and hopefully lived to a very old age."
"Old age?" he asked sharply, something flashing in his eyes. "You anticipate you will age?"
"It's usually what happens to us frail humans, Sesshoumaru," she teased, grinning up at him. "We aren't blessed with the longevity of you mighty youkai."
"Then you are not aware-"
Whatever he had been about to say was cut off as Inuyasha suddenly landed next to Sesshoumaru, face rigid with anger. Kagome sat up quickly, very aware of the anger rolling off the hanyou.
"Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru greeted coolly, turning so he faced the hanyou fully.
Eyes blazing, chest heaving, Inuyasha growled low in his throat. "What are you doing here, Sesshoumaru?"
"Merely enjoying the view dear brother," he replied mockingly, waving a hand in the air to indicate the surroundings. "Nothing more."
"Nothing more my rear," he snapped. "What do you want with Kagome? Why are you always nosing around her?"
"He wasn't Inuyasha," Kagome protested, scrambling to her feet. "He was here first, and we just talked."
"Talked?" he asked disbelievingly. "HIM and you talking?!"
"Is that so hard to believe?" Sesshoumaru mocked, a sneer on his lips.
"Don't screw with me Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha warned, hand on the hilt of his sword. "And I'll only ask once more; what do you want with Kagome?"
"What occurs with the miko is between her and I, I owe you no explanation," Sesshoumaru stated coldly, snubbing him as he turned his back on the seething hanyou and began to walk away.
"Don't turn your back on me," Inuyasha snarled, preparing to draw tessaiga.
"OSUWARI!"
And like that his face was in the dirt, effectively subdued. Although he was unable to move, muted grumbling could be heard from the hanyou. An exasperated Kagome looked from the floored hanyou to the silent Daiyoukai whose gaze rose from the prone hanyou to hers with a mockingly arched brow. She shrugged back in response and with a slight nod of the head he turned and disappeared into the night. By the time the spell had released the hanyou, Sesshoumaru's aura and presence had completely vanished.
"Oi, get back here," Inuyasha yelled into the night, leaping to his feet once free of the spell. "I wasn't done with you." Only a cricket chirping was the seething hanyou's response.
Sighing, Kagome casually dusted off the grass and dirt from her attire, merely waiting. She counted down in her head silently. 3…2…and 1.
"Kagome, what the heck is going on? Why do I keep finding you two together?" Just as predicted when no answers were forthcoming from the Daiyoukai, Inuyasha whirled on her. Folding her arms, she leveled him with a glare.
"I already told you, we were talking. Just talking." Her conscience pricked at her a little bit with those words, remembering their argument earlier. Paired with that and what had just transpired, she didn't know what to call what had happened. "I came out here to think and just happened to come upon him here on the hill. That's all."
"Talking?" he asked doubtfully, arms folded, foot tapping.
"Yes, talking," she emphasized. "You know that concept where two people open their mouths and words come out and they communicate with each other? Talking."
"Why would you waste time talking to that?!" he gestured in the direction Sesshoumaru had disappeared to. "What could you two possibly have to say to one another?"
"You'd be surprised," she said airily, nose in the air. "He is actually enjoyable to talk to. But we mainly just talked about Chiko and Aoshi's visit and why they were there."
"That doesn't have anything to do with him," Inuyasha grumbled. "So why bother telling him?"
Kagome shrugged. "He could tell it bothered me, and we talked about it. You'd be surprised to know he shares the sentiment as you, in that they will not get far in their attempt to eliminate youkai."
"Huh, probably the only thing we agree on," he muttered, glaring at the horizon. "And you worry too much. Nothing is going to happen and youkai will roam around just as they always do."
"You're forgetting one crucial detail Inuyasha," she reminded him, raising a finger to emphasize her point. "In my time youkai are not to be found, remember. They don't exist anymore. None. So, something is going to happen to wipe out the youkai, and if not this situation with the monks, something else will. I want to do everything I can to stop that from happening."
"You can't change the world Kagome," he admonished harshly. "So don't bother trying."
"One person can change the world, and even if it isn't me who does it, someone will." A wave of exhaustion suddenly hit her, and she found herself muffling a large yawn. "But, enough interrogation from you, I'm tired and I'm going to bed."
"Now wait just a minute," he protested. "We aren't done here. Something is going on between Ice Pick and you and I want to know what."
"Nothing is going on," she ground out. "We're just getting to know each other, becoming friends. That's it."
"Kagome," he warned trailing behind her.
"Inuyasha," she mimicked back. "Stop worrying. Sesshoumaru won't hurt me, trust me."
"He is capable of anything Kagome, and killing is his specialty, or have you forgotten what his name means."
"Killing perfection, I know," she sighed. "And he lives up to his name, but he isn't the same Daiyoukai he was before that he is now."
"Naivety like that is going to end up getting you killed, Kagome," he said worriedly. "Don't put your trust in his loyalties."
"I'm not sure of his "loyalties" as you so put it, but I do trust him," she said. "I really think he wants to become friends as much as I do."
A very indecent snort was the response from the hanyou.
"Why is that so hard to believe?" she asked sharply, stopping to face him.
He halted just before colliding with her, not expecting her to do so, ears flat and brows lowered. "This is Sesshoumaru we're talking about Kagome. How many times do I have to tell you that?" He grabbed her upper arms, shaking her slightly. "Can't you see that I'm worried about you?"
Placing a soothing hand over his, Kagome smiled gently. "I know Inuyasha, but you have to trust that I know what I am doing, that I can take care of myself." She placed her other hand on the side of his cheek. "As hard as it is for you to hear, you can't always be there to protect me, and I have to be allowed to make my own choices and follow what I feel I should do."
"And watch you get killed in the process?" he choked out. "You think too much with your heart and not enough with your head."
"Maybe," she shrugged. "But it is who I am, and you have to accept that. I promise to not act recklessly or impulsively, but you have to trust that I can take care of myself."
"Not against opponents like Sesshoumaru," he persisted, his grip tightening on her arms, nearly piercing the flesh. "He would and could cut you to ribbons in seconds, and then 'POOF' no more Kagome."
"But he won't," she insisted. "I know he won't."
"I promised I would protect you, stay by your side," he ground out. "And I…care for you, deeply. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you. You are the one who brightens my day and brings the light in a dark world. I can't see that light snuffed out."
"Inuyasha," she soothed gently, a deep sadness entering her eyes. "I'm going to die someday, as hard as it is for you to hear. Someday I will grow old and die, there is no way to avoid that. And I don't want to go through life living in hiding or fear because of what is out in the world. There is evil and wickedness, no argument there, but there is also so much good. So much light and kindness, and I want to do all I can to encourage and feed that goodness, and watch as others do the same."
"You'll die sooner than that if you keep acting as recklessly as you do," he ground out, something wild flashing in his eyes. "You have had too many close calls as it is, and standing so close to the deadliest of them all is stupid."
Memories of a large warm hand pressed against her throat flashed through her mind, and she unconsciously raised a hand to her throat. "Sesshoumaru won't hurt me Inuyasha, trust me when I say that. Not only will he not hurt me, I don't think he can. Not anymore anyway."
"What do you mean, he can't?! What the heck does that mean?"
Kagome shook her head a strange smile on her face. "Simply what I said Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru can't kill me. His heart has changed too much for him to do such a thing."
Eyeing her incredulously, he growled. "What is with you lately? You're not the same Kagome anymore. Not since you came back."
Locking her eyes on him, she shook her head. "I'm still the same Kagome, Inuyasha, but people always change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. We can never stay the same, especially when events in our lives bring about change. I will always be Kagome, but I am not the same person either. And neither are you and neither is Sesshoumaru. We all change and grow."
"Something is wrong with you," he growled, bringing his face closer as if staring at closer range would reveal whatever he looked for. "Being around that Ice Prick is doing weird things to your brain."
"Believe me, Sesshoumaru is not the one responsible for me being who I am now," she laughed. Not directly anyway, she added to herself. "I am me, and that is what matters. Now, as I said before, I am tired and I want to go to bed. We have a lot to cover and discuss with Sango and Miroku and I want to be clear headed when we talk. Can you let go now?"
Realizing he still gripped her arms, Inuyasha snatched his hands away, his claws creating small tears in her sleeves. Frowning, Kagome fingered one snare before looking up at the hanyou reproachfully. He shrugged in apology, and with a roll of her eyes, she turned and resumed her walk to her hut.
Rubbing at her arms to ease the tenderness from his grip, she made a furtive glance in the direction Sesshoumaru had trekked, smiling faintly. No matter what Inuyasha said, Sesshoumaru's actions and words tonight had proven that while maybe not to the extent she would like to see, his views and opinions of her were changing. And she was anticipating their next encounter quite happily. Who knew what the morrow would bring, but whatever lay ahead, she felt renewed vigor to meet it head on
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Miles away, deep in a forest black as night and dense as fog, a lone figure made its way through the thick brush and twigs, cursing and muttering as they trekked. No light from the moon above filtered through the trees to the forest floor, limiting visibility to just mere feet and the figure cursed again when they tripped on a particular nasty branch, nearly falling flat on their face. Picking themselves up and dusting off their clothing, they resumed their march, anxious to reach their destination and escape the oppressively dark forest. Even for a forest at night, the sounds of nature were sparse and limited, muffled and eerie in the calls.
A frog's call came out long, low and guttural, an owl's chittering sounded more like snarls and snaps, and a boar's growl was low and feral. A sudden snarl to the figures left had him yelping in fear and surprise, clutching at their chest that panted with labored breathing.
The figure stood waiting, tense and silent, and when nothing more happened continued their trek. Their pace was quicker than before, almost a run, their labored breathing echoing harshly in the dense foliage. More sounds seemed to surround and echo around the figure, and they gave a choked sob of terror, stumbling more and more in their rush to get to their destination. A guttural roar of some dark creature had the poor person screaming in terror, breaking out into a dead run. They ran blindly, no longer heeding where they ran or if they were in the right direction. Escape, safety, those were the only words they could utter and focus on as they ran.
Head lowered, body leaning forward to propel themselves faster they were not looking where they were heading , and so were not prepared for the harsh impact to some invisible wall that knocked them right off their feet. Their grunt of pain and dull thunk of a body hitting something solid rang through the air followed by pained cursing. The figure groaned in pain, a hand held to their head. They attempted to stand and swayed dangerously before falling to their rump. They plopped back onto the ground in exhaustion and defeat, hands pressed to their head to ease the pain.
"Rise you fool and enter my domain," a dark voice rang through the clearing, coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. "You are late in your arrival and I am impatient for news. Come quickly."
With a small hiss, like the sound of a waterfall heard in the distance, the invisible wall crumbled away, revealing a dirt path that led into a large cropping of trees. With a groan of pain, the figure stood, wobbling just a moment before they were able to right themselves and stagger into the opening revealed before them. Once they had crossed through, the opening sealed once more, giving no indication or sign that an opening had been there to begin with.
Inside the wall, the figure made their way up a small path that widened into a larger path, the dirt slowly fading away to be replaced with stone steps. But instead of leading up, they led down, down, down, down; into an underground cavern that was faintly light by dozens of torches of a long hallway that ended with two large double doors. Upon reaching the doors, and before they could even touch it, they opened of their own accord, beckoning them in. The figure did, walking briskly and intently. They were more confident and sure in their steps now that they were away from the horrors of the dark forest, and all that were its inhabitants. The hall they were in widened to a sort of waiting room, which the figure bypassed, continuing toward another set of double doors, larger than the last ones and much more ornate, with strange carvings of creatures in grotesque poses and features. Like the others before them, they opened on their own once the figure drew near, gliding on silent hinges to reveal a large throne room beyond. Like the caverns beyond and the forest above, the room was dark and dimly lit with torches hanging from clasps attached to large pillars. Save for the pillars and a small raised platform where a dark figure on a throne sat, the room was empty. The visitor made their way quickly to the throne, dropping to a prone bow once they reached the edge of the platform.
The figure on the throne was indiscernible, merely a dark looming shadow in the dim room. But their eyes reflected the lights from the torches, almost gleaming in the dim light, zeroed on the figure at their feet.
"You bring news, I presume," the deep baritone voice boomed, echoing in the large room. The figure flinched, keeping their head lowered avoiding eye contact.
"Y-Yes, my lord," the figure rasped. "Great news, I assure you."
"Then speak," the dark shadow commanded.
"The monks are on the move my lord," the messenger declared glancing up to only the shadows feet before looking away fearfully. "They have begun their quest of youkai elimination."
Unseen by the figure crouched on the floor, the dark figure's eyes narrowed, a wide mouth opening into a malicious grin.
"Excellent."
