Chapter Seven: To Visit Momiji
Story: Knots of Fate
By: Sky
The sky was a brilliant blue, and not a cloud smeared the color of it. A bright sun splayed warm rays onto the earth, and for many it was a day to celibrate; for children to play outside for a bit before chores for the storm had stopped, and the ground was finally drying. Work crews of men were scattered around houses and along village roads, continuing to clean up the damage that the storm had wrought. Some things would never be healed again. An old tree had been torn from its roots and lay across the main road of a nearby village, its girth so wide that the men knew it would take weeks if not months to finally cut it through, though the wood would not to waste. Bark was already being removed to repair buildings, and the smaller branches piled to the side to dry before winter set in. Even with the large giant laying across the road, men still chatted with high spirits, glad to be back out into the sunshine and back to work. They did not notice a small band of demons and humans pass by their village, a dark cloud hanging over them even on this fine day.
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Kagome tucked Shippo a little more into the crook of her arm, keeping the sun out of the sleeping kids eyes. She rode astride Kirara, not feeling well enough yet to walk on her own feet. Her neck was stiff and sore, and she could feel the depths of the wounds. She would probably bear another scar now, and that thought drew her eyes down to her wrist. It had seemed so long ago that she had gained that scar, fleeing from the large velkir that had been attacking she and Yasha, before they had been rescued. Her eyes turned to the boy she was thinking of, watching him sleep as he lay across Guthrows back, and her mind wondered.
She couldn't remember much from her attack. She remembered the pain, and she remembered clumsy fingers as someone worked to bind the wounds inflicted on her neck. After that she remembered awakening laying sprawled on Kirara's back, mud and blood staining her creamy fur. There was a sound of digging, and she had turned her head to see Guthrow throwing dirt back into a whole that he had dug, blood foaming around his mouth as he breathed heavily with the effort of digging, and most of him covered in thick wet mud. She hadn't had the sense to ask what was happening, and trusted that her companions would care for her as she slipped back into unconsciousness. Now, she wished she had paid more attention. As she had been told later, they had traveled back to the camp only to find it plagued with flies. When Yasha and Guthrow had finally started paying attention to their surroundings, they had pushed off their pain, heading straight for the source of the flies, and had come across two corpses.
Haruki, or what was left of him, lay huddled over his mate. The skin and flesh looked to have been stripped from him, and spread a bit around the clearing. His spine and the back of his ribcage were clean of skin and muscle, the bones were still dyed red with blood. His neck appeared to have been broken. Aveatre was in a little better condition underneath, though that could only be accounted for by the protection her mate had given her. Her back was still stripped to bloody remains though, and she looked as though she had been protecting something. And that something proved its life as a muffled wail could be heard. Yasha, on unsteady feet, had made his way to the side, trying to reach under the corpses of his two kitsune friends to remove what they had given their life to protect. With one good arm though, it was nigh impossible, and he cursed softly, trying to save his breath for the effort. It was only as Sango gently moved Haruki that Yasha had enough access to pull the small kit from his mothers arms. Shippo had cried in fear and shock as Yasha had pulled the bloody kit free. A small eartip was missing, and a piece of flesh on his upper arm, but other then that the kit was fine. The blood that covered him had been his parents.
As his rescue was completed, the energy and strength that Yasha had found left him completely, and he could do no more then to sit hard upon the ground, then fall backwards into a sprawl, breathing heavily in reaction and pain. Sweat rolled steadily from his brow, and Sango was sure that it wasn't just effort that had caused him to sweat. It looked as though his fever was rising. Sango headed off with Shippo to clean the kit up and take care of his wounds before they festered, while Miroku looked to Yasha, finding the boy already burning to the touch. He knew they had some medicines in the bag under their camp tree, and quickly made his way other to the bag, bringing it back with him along with the other supplies that had been left. As he returned, he paused for a moment beside a tree to watch Guthrow dig slowly at the ground, throwing mud in great wet globs between his hind legs and into the forest. As he noticed the other watching, Guthrow stopped to turn a dull gaze to him, allowing Miroku pass with no fear of being hit by flying mud. Miroku quickly passed, setting the gear nearby as Guthrow resumed digging, the blood in his mouth turning to foam on his muzzle as he fought to breath as he dug.
They had left the camp after all was cared for, knowing that predators and all kinds of demons would come to the scent of blood and death. Kagome had stayed sprawled on Kirara until the next morning, when she had finally awoken. That had given her time to learn the fates of two of her fathers closest friends, and that of their kit. She had wept dearly for them, soaking Kirara's shoulder with her tears before falling back into an exhausted sleep. That night she dreamed of when she was little, of always being underfoot of Hiruki and Aveatre. Of Aveatre giving her sweet meats and candy, and Hiruki complaining good-naturedly about her trying to trip him and break his neck. They had been hear teachers once as well. Aveatre with her infinite patience and skill teaching Kagome how to read and write, how to dress herself in pretty colors, how to brush and comb her hair, and how to play pranks on her much older brother. She had been almost like a second mother when Kagome had lost hers, and now, she had lost her mother again. Her dream was broken by the cries of confusion from Shippo, and Kagome had immediately asked for the kit. She could still take care of their kit, who needed a mother now like she had needed one. She could do that for her friends. Since then, he had never left her side. She made sure to feed him, and bathe him, and he always slept curled against her at night, blanketed by the warmth of her body.
Sango and Miroku regularly checked her bandages, nodding to her to let her know what she was mending well. They liberally spread a poultice on her wounds to make sure that they stayed moist and were free of infection. Demons could live though much, but they didn't want to take a chance, and neither did she. Guthrow had been forced to drink something, which he had tried to spit out but the Exterminator pair had held his muzzle until he had swallowed. It did help reduce the pain he had felt, and soon enough the blisters had closed and healed, and he hungrily tore into the deer that he had caught when he felt well enough to eat. They had been healing well, but Yasha had taken extra care.
Kagome had been conscious to watch as Yasha burned alive for four days after the battle. No cloth stayed cool the moment it touched his brow, and he had writhed in agony, muttering unintelligible things. Several times Kagome caught a worried look from Miroku, and a grim look from Sango that she knew meant that they were loosing him. The bite on his arm oozed, and the flesh around it was a deep red, with veins of blue that started from the bite wounds. Once even, out of desperation to cool him off, Miroku had taken him into a river, submersing the boy up to his neck in the icy water, and held him there. Yasha had struggled for a few moments before relaxing completely, something he hadn't done since his fever had started. They had been at that camp two day when the river had finally washed the fever from him, and Yasha finally began to recover. He was absolutely delirious when he had awoken the first time, but somehow he had managed to talk Miroku and Sango into heading north, back to the village he wanted to see so badly. Maybe it was because she thought he was going to die that she had agreed to go.
Now they slowly made their way north, with Guthrow normally carrying the semi-conscious Yasha on his back. Many times a day he would slip into unconciousness, and Kagome had turned to look at Miroku and Sango, sure that something was wrong.
"It's his body healing," Miroku had finally explained on day. "It takes a lot of energy to heal itself. It's actually good that his is resting to much. It means that he will recover faster."
"But I've seen demons injured, and they never sleep nearly so much." Miroku chuckled.
"No, demons are different. They heal differently. But even they, if badly wounded, will rest as often as possible. Much like yourself." She had no response for him, for he was right. She had spent the beginning of the journey mainly unconscious on Kirara's back.
They continued their journey slowly through the woods, passing easily from the western lands into the northern. It had been several weeks since the attack, and though with the demons they could have made much better time, the group found no need to hurry on their journey. Kagome walked easily alongside Kirara, with baby Shippo toddling ahead of her. Last week, he had begun walking. He'd only managed a few steps around the camp before, landing heavily many times and crying not from pain, but from frustration. He had seen the adults moving so easily, but he couldn't match their grace. Kagome would always pick him up and coo to him, murmuring sweet nothings to the kit. He would respond in kind, babbling to her in small sounds, normally wrapping a small fist into either her hair or her clothing. He loved his mother Kagome, and it was obvious that she was just as much in love with him. Then she would set him down for him to try again. Guthrow was usually located somewhere around Yasha, with the boy either leaning against him or sitting on him. They had found better material for the sling, and now his arm was strapped against his chest, making sure it wouldn't move if he had to run. His arm healed slowly, but at least the angry red was gone from the edges of the wounds.
He walked now as well most of the time, leaving Gurthow to pad easily beside him. Some nights, he would retain a human shape and spar with Yasha, trying to keep the youth physically in shape. Even if their sparring didn't last for more then a few moments. Other times, he would take his turn checking on the wound, using his senses to smell if there was any lingering infection. Most of the time when he changed though, it was to do some camp duty; either gathering firewood or starting the fire. Kirara always provided the flames to light the tinder. The demons had no need for the fire, but the humans found the nights growing cool enough that they had needed to buy extra provisions to keep them warm at night. The funds had come from Sango and Miroku exterminating several demons that had been terrorizing villages along the path. Some villages gave them supplies, others gave them money. In the end they were well provisioned for the colder climate of the north, and for the approaching winter.
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Sesshomaru had lost the trail of his prey nearly a week ago, and it burned him that that had happened. How could the creature hide its scent from him. How had he, the son of InuTaisho and heir to the Western Lands, lost the trail of some filthy demon. He paused momentarily in an open meadow, turning a gaze up to the full moon rising over the trees. He found his thoughts momentarily turning to his sister. He wondered how her own quest was going, and hoped she had turned back already, how unlikely that was. She was the Daughter of InuTaisho, and had the same stubborn streak as both her father and her mother. She had truly been a beauty, even for a dog demon, their mother had been. Long velvet hair, liquid silver eyes. She never fancied long silk dresses, and was often found wearing short ones with slacks beneath, hair bound back in a long ponytail. A crescent moon had adorned her brow, and she also had a pair of magenta stripes along her cheeks; the markings that she had passed down to her only son. She could be as gentle as a summer breeze, or as violent as a storm. She was firm yet compassionate, and an old emotion stirred in the dark pit of his heart, and emotion he had buried the day she had died.
He shook his head, dispelling the thoughts that had found their way there. Why had those emerged? He had no time for them. He was on a hunt. Kagome could take care of herself. She was his sister. He did not approve of her journey, but she could care for herself. A light scent came to him on the shifting breeze, and he understood now why his sister had entered his mind. He could smell her now, and it was laced with blood. Golden eyes widened as he caught another scent, one that belonged to his prey. He made his way quickly into the breeze, using his demonic speed to try and arrive before the ambush was sprung. But as he found the source of the scents, he stopped dead; looking down into the dried and caked mud on the forest floor. He was already too late. The ground here reeked of blood.
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The trees were in full change by the time Yasha began recognizing the surrounding area. This was his home territory, where the Exterminators of Momiji came to train in the forest. He was surprised when they had not encountered any patrols or guards, but he had not been back to Momiji for some time, so maybe they hadn't been needed. Or maybe they were recognized and allowed entrance into the lands without challenge. It wouldn't be the first time it had happened.
"I was here for two years training," Yasha explained as they continued heading towards the village. By his estimate, they should be there a little before nightfall, which was fine with him. "Then a few friends and I decided that we should go hunting on our own. So we did." Guthrow snickered beside him, and Yasha tuned a glowering eye on the demon. "What's so funny?"
"I remember well what you were hunting Yasha," as all Guthrow said, his eyes blazing with mirth. It was then that Yasha remembered the knocking out of the dog-demon guards and the capturing of Kagome. He looked out of the corner of his eyes, hoping he hadn't offended her, to find her trying to hide a smile. So they thought it was funny huh? strongly
"Keh," he replied vehemently, turning his attention away from the pair. Before he could lather himself too much as their enjoyment, Kagome diffused the situation momentarily.
"It was a different time Yasha. And I would like to meet these boys again…. When they're not trying to kidnap me." Yasha cursed and Guthrow silently cackled beside him. Point to Kagome.
Yasha walked in silence for the rest of the journey, lost in his thoughts. There was a distinctive chill to the air now, and he would rather spend the night indoors then outside again. His mind then wondered to his fellow Exterminators.
He wondered if Hashba was still telling his stories; if Yoshi was still ordering around the boys; if Sachio and Ichiro were still getting in trouble by sneaking into the bar and stealing drinks. If Ken'ichi every finally improved his sword work, of if Nathru ever mastered the bow like he always wanted. He hadn't seen them since they had split up to travel on separate paths back to Momiji. Wouldn't they be surprised to see him now, especially traveling with their prey. He could imagine what they would say, and he couldn't help but smile slightly at their memories of warmth and open friendship. After he had proven to them that he was a true Exterminator, he had been welcomed in with open arms to their ranks. With his previous experience, he had risen high in the trainees status, and found himself often cornered by those who wanted to hear stories of his adventures. The Exterminator Trainees had gotten him over much of his shyness, and reclusiveness, and he owned them much thanks. Not that he would ever tell –them- that.
The path to the village was well-maintained, but something didn't feel right. Something was different about his home. He turned to find Sango's expression closed, and her lips pressed. She was not happy about being here. He continued walking, stubborn pride keeping him from stopping and telling the others to go back. As he made his way to the gate, with the others keeping close, the sense of unease intensified. It all looked the same though. There were a few more marks on the wooden gate, but that wasn't something new. Maybe someone was practicing and their weapon slipped. Or a demon attacked the village. The new timbers around the gate could mean that they had been damaged in a storm. That had happened to. Though as much as he tried to rationalize the slight changes in the gate, his sense of unease did not lessen. When Yasha had finally decided to tell Kagome to go wait somewhere until he was sure of the village, a small side-door opened up by the main gate. Yasha started in surprised to see a cat-eared individual standing there with a covered lantern, gazing at him with critical green eyes.
"Are you Exterminators?" the cat-girl asked, and Yasha dumbly nodded. She looked like she could be a half-demon. What was a half-demon doing in an Exterminators village? And opening the side gate to boot. She still looked as though she didn't believe him, when the lamplight flickered, and she was able to see the rest of the group.
"Hiraikotsu," the girl murmured upon seeing the large boomerang on Sango's back. Then her gaze flickered to the miniature Kirara resting on her shoulder. "And Kirara. You must be who you say, come in. It will be too cold for you soon." The cat-girl stood aside, allowing the group entrance into the village. They were not far past the wall though, when Yasha came to a dead stop. Kagome was also surprised by what she saw, for she had never heard of a place like this. Sango and Miroku's eyes widened as well at the site. The entire village was filled with half-demons and humans.
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He sat with his back against the palace wall, smiling a cruel smile at the dim interior. It had been so easy to acquire this place. Just a little skin-stealing, and he had the servants quaking if they even thought he had passed. There were rumors that servants had been disappearing, and even the palace guard was wary. Of course, the rumors were true. The remains of one lay in the middle of the room. He had had fun with her before devouring her. Fear and sex always did flavor the meat how he liked it. He left the rest for another of his demon experiments to clean up. This one hadn't gone nearly so well, and he wasn't very pleased with it. But it did clean up the messes and he was content to leave it as long as it remained useful.
Tonight, he was eager to see the results of another experiment. He had worked hard on it, and though his plan had hit a snag, the results would hopefully come out the same. In the corner of the room lay Musouka. Her sides moved slowly as she stilled her breath, effecting the change. He found that he too waited with baited breath.
Slowly, very slowly, the fir started to recede into her body, and pale pink flesh was left behind. As her fir receded, her joints dislocated and rearranged themselves, causing her legs to lengthen and become more slender. Her front legs also changed, shortening a bit, the toes extending outwards to become delicate fingers. Her tail pulled back into her body, and her wings folded themselves down tightly, then folded into the skin of her back, leaving it smooth and unbroken. The fur on the back of her head lengthened into long tresses. Her ears moved down the side of her head, ending as pale pink objects with a slight point to the tips. Her muzzle pulled back into her face, and her fangs shortened themselves to fit inside her now smaller mouth.
Musouka lay there panting as the change completed. It had hurt, but as she continued to change, that would not remain the problem. And even if it did continue to hurt, she had still been bestowed a great gift by her master. She rolled onto her belly, and forced herself onto unfamiliar legs, standing slowly to keep her balance. And appreciative snarl greeted her ears, and she turned slowly to face the man she wished more then anything to please. He looked at her like a predator to prey, and she felt herself grin slightly with excitement and pleasure. As Naraku rose from his seat, she licked her lips in anticipation. As he placed a hand on her new shape, she whimpered with need, eliciting from him a dark chuckle.
"Perfect," he crooned, yanking her head back by the hair to expose her throat a bit more to him. He wasted no time sinking his fangs into her shoulder, tasting her. She gasped in pleasure, her hands opening and closing as she felt the need to taste him as well, though knew it would be overstepping her bounds. So she stood, letting him drink of her, while a small crimson rivulet made its way slowly down her chest. When he had gotten his fill, he pulled his fangs from her and walked before her, taking a finger and tracing a pattern on her cheek with her own blood.
"You are almost a perfect copy Musouka. I have no doubt the precious Kagome would look much like you when she matures." He gave a dark chuckle again. "Though you are ten times more of a demon then she could ever be in 1000 lifetimes. What shall we call you while you are like this? Wearing your own disguise of flesh." He thought for a moment, his finger now reaching down to smear the rivulet of blood on her chest, then bringing his fingers to his lips to taste her again. "I know. I shall call you Kikyo."
Hey everyone. I can't beleive how long it's been since I last wrote on this. My creativity took a turn for art instead of writing, and writing something was like pulling teeth. But it looks as though it's turning back this way again, so the next chapter is already started. xD Hopefully it won't take nearly so long to place up on the site. oh, I have a writing job now! it's not much but it's a start. I'm writing for a 'Learn to Read' program. Wow, I didn't realize how much detail went into those stories. I never thought about them before, but believe me, now I am. Woof!!! Anyway, sorry again that it took so long. I may rewrite, or change it up a bit, but I'll let you know if I do. Until then, take care!!!
Chapter Seven: To Visit Momij
