Here's chapter 8, lovelies. Feel free to write a review, they inspire me a lot to write. :3 I'm so happy to tell you that I have finally found a theme song to this fanfiction. It does sound cheesy but a song keeps me on track and reminds me how the story flows. I won't truly reveal that song for now. Maybe a few chapters or so? Well, let's get to Chapter 8~
Chapter 8: Journey
I adjusted the katana rested upon my hip. The black hakama that Kaede had so kindly lent me. I stretched my arms over head, happy that the sleeves of the cream kimono top rested only upon the bend of my arms. I really would hate if they went as long as my arms, the sleeves would be a hamper in the fights.
I've went ahead and bought some durable looking waraji or straw sandals that would last in our travels. I've taken note that Kagome likes to wear her uniform in this era. I wouldn't though, the outfit is too skimpy for this time's modesty.
I took a piece of apple we bought earlier that morning into a cloth pack that Kagome gave me, I slung the cloth pack across my shoulders, it held some more supplies and some extra clothing. I could wash the dirt off from the streams we'll pass by anyways. I eyed my gym bag but opted to leave it here in Kaede's village.
"So where to?" I asked them once I exited the hut. "We're going to Takayama village. There've been some rumors about demons getting into the castle. Maybe we can find some information about that dream crafter too." I nodded at Kagome's reply.
"It's going to be a rough travel, so I better not hear you whining!" Inuyasha spoke in smug tone. I crossed my arms and smirked, "I've lived off on rough travel most of my life, like you need to worry."
Yeahp, it was going to be a long journey.
The dirt road we walked along was not too off from the asphalt pavements I'd commonly see back in my time. The amount of foliage in this era delighted me, I miss the tall trees and preferred them from the tall buildings that Tokyo had.
The sky was much bluer on this side of the world. The air much much fresher from the smog and the various stuff that modern world has to offer. I do miss the internet though but I think I can survive...for now.
The trek wasn't any different from the travels and camping I've done as a child. The long walk made me reminiscent and helped me get my bearings straight. I tend to be quiet, letting the others have idle chatter. I enjoyed looking around at the view. I noticed Kagome slowing down and walking beside me.
"You all right, Rei?" She inquired and everyone else was pretty much listening in on us. "I'm fine, just enjoying the scenery for some odd reason. It's different from Tokyo." I looked around, a small smile on my lips.
"It is a nice view. Just that demons do make it a bad picture." My smile fell and eventually, I can't help wondering just how many demons are there lurking in the forests? Now that I am unable to get back to my world, well, for the meantime, I should try my best to defend myself from whatever beast that might come my way. Even Miroku himself.
The trip was cut short as we were nearing a small village. I look past some trees and there were rice paddies here and there with some people hunch over planting the rice sprouts, hoping to get a good harvest. I followed the group as they made their way along the dirt road of the wooden houses.
A large structure jutted out from the numerous houses in the village, placed upon a stone wall like pedestal, the only castle in the village gained most of the sun's brilliance but it held a very ominous air at the moment. No villagers seemed to talk about the castle and this was where our investigation started.
I looked at a random shop, they were selling some trinkets such as combs and elaborate hair ornaments. A kind old woman was looking from behind the display, a small smile upon her face, "Do buy one for me, dearie." I looked around and my eyes landed on an elaborate kanzashi. I picked up the hair piece, my eyes shone in appreciation. "I'm sorry gram, I'm quite short at the moment but maybe I'll get back to you someday." Her eyes shone disappointment but she shrugged it off.
It had a black wooden rod that glowed in the warm yellow sun. At the tip of the rod was a silver plum blossom made out of a thin sheet of silver. There was a small silver ball dangling along with pink sakura flowers shaped from a soft pink cloth. It look quite expensive since the beauty was detailed and elaborate. I eyed it closely but shrugged off, this was too much of a luxury for me. I eyed it a bit more, letting the object committing it to my memory.
Settling it back into the display, I sighed and made my way back to Inuyasha and company. Maybe I can get one of those when I get back to the future. "There's been some gossip that the local lord might have been possesed by a demon." Kagome told everyone. I wasn't at all surprised.
The whole affair seemed like what you'd watch on television where the most cliche things happen but oh well. I listened to them talk about the plan, I was merely an accessory in there. "Rei-chan, I know you can fend off for yourself but can you please go with Sango."
As reluctant as I was, I nodded. I was not yet so familiar with this world and Sango being an experienced fighter than me, I think its best if we stick together. I ran my hand along the tsuka of Kyokotsu. She hasn't tasted any blood at all but I doubt it would be an easy task.
"Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's get this down with so we can go back to getting the Shikon shards!" The silver haired male exclaimed and we made our way to the castle.
Each step towards the ominous structure gave me the creeps and I couldn't shake off the foreboding feeling that was settling over me. I tried to rub off the goosebumps settling on my skin. There was a purple-like smoke coming from the structure and I was tempted to touch it.
"The youki is so strong, it's so clear to the naked eye." Miroku spoke in a terse voice and I immediately shied away from the wisps of youki. There was sickly looking guard who was slumped against the entrance's wall. His eyes were sunken and his mouth agape. His robes looked dirty and his spear lay in a heap beside him.
We immediately rushed to the man, Kagome edged closer but Inuyasha stopped her. "He's dead, Kagome." The youki enveloped the man, like sucking the very life out of him. I eyed the corpse and unto the building. There really was something inside.
Inuyasha made his way forward and slashed the wooden doors down with his nails. The hall in front of us was empty and there were remnants of struggle. There were some splotches of blood on the wall but that was it. The silence hung heavy and the stench of rotting flesh permeated. I have to cover my nose to keep breathing easily.
Despite the scent, we made our way into the hall. There were scratching sounds and the sudden fall of an object from here and there. It spooked me but we needed to continue on. We spotted another body, this time a woman in a simple kimono. A maid, most likely. She laid in a pool of her own drying blood. I almost retched but I held it in.
I turned to Inuyasha, his nose must be real sensitive. I'd hate to be in his place in this situation. We continued onwards, not a single one talking in fear of inhaling the youki laced air. The castle became more derelict. Broken shoji doors and blood pooling on the tatami mat. It was an internal conflict, carefully hidden to the village.
There were strange noises coming from the walls, of long nails scratching the wooden beams but they vanish before we could even investigate. Inuyasha kicked down some of the Shoji doors and they revealed some rooms littered with bloodied floors, broken ornaments, and corpses here and there. There were some blood marks on the floor for corpses being dragged to where, we can't really tell.
This pretty much is a great setting for those feudal horror movies. The set-up was really well though of. "Ouji-sama..." The dismebodied voice of a man pierced the air. "Ouji-sama"
"Ouji-sama, intruders...Ouji-sama" The wall beside us exploded and five bloody men rushed towards us. Spears aimed at our hearts. Kagome pulled me aside as Inuyasha hoisted us up. Kirara has immediately transformed and brought Sango up on her back. Miroku was dragged by his robes behind Sango.
The zombie -like creatures slashed at the air. The rusted metal blades swung here and there. It was nerve wrecking as Inuyasha kept evading all the attacks. Sango threw her Hiraikotsu at the bloody men, two were thrown off but the other three staggered to the side. Some of their spears fell but they were easily picked up from the ground.
"I can smell Naraku on them." Inuyasha spoke. I gulped down the bile rising in my throat. Everywhere there was a touch of Naraku, it was frustrating. Inuyasha dropped the both of us and I stumbled a bit on my feet. My hand landed on the hilt of my sword.
"Ouji-sama…." They moaned and made their way towards us. Purple mist started to seep from the walls. "Miasma!" Kagome cried out and I knew this was something bad. Real bad.
"My, my, Inuyasha." A cold voice erupted the moaning. I looked at the ceiling, it seemed to come from their. "Bringing the miko and that girl with you. How nice of you."
I cast a glance at Inuyasha, the silver haired hanyou was gritting his teeth with Tessaiga drawn. When did he unsheath it? I hardly noticed the gargantuan sword's transformation but that wasn't important now.
More of the purple mist seeped into the hallway and I was getting a really bad feeling. The floorboards beneath our feet began to rattle and I gripped on Inuyasha's sleeve to maintain my footing.
"You're doing me quite a favor " No sooner, tentacles burst out of the floor boards. Two thick brown tentacles burst out of the ground and gripped my ankles. The appendages pulled me down and I was falling on my back. "Rei!" Kagome cried out as more tentacles burst out of the floor boards.
I tried to grab hold of Inuyasha but some of the tentacles wrapped themselves on my arm preventing me from holding on. "Kagome!" I cried, grimacing as a tentacle wrapped around my neck. More slithered upon my body. Inuyasha's Tessaiga was aimed at me along with Kagome's holy arrow aimed towards me. Unfortunately, I know they can't save me, I'd die before the tentacles would be able to let me go.
Damn this Naraku. I struggled to free myself, unfortunately the pressure on their grip heightened and it was almost hard to breathe. I was forced to take a gulp of the miasma, the poison immediately coursing in my veins.
"Rei-chan!"Sango's voice pierced through the heated struggle in my mind. The spike of poison in my veins was dulling my senses and I feel my arms turning to lead. No! I can't go down like this!
As a child I had always thought I could go down like one of those epic heroes or save a loved one. Not as pathetic as having tentacles wrapped around you and inhaling poison. It was like one of those odd tentacle hentai you see in Akiba from time to time.
No! It can't end like this.
"Don't go!"My eyes widened as the words pierced through the thick haze in my mind. I struggled to fight off the constricting appendages,"Don't go away like this!"
I tried to fight off the tentacles wrapped around my arms, wanting to cut them off with Kyokotsu. Freedom, I wanted that freedom.
"Don't go Hana!" My hand reached towards the hilt. Almost there. I can just cut these damned things off.
Black spots started to appear in my vision. The pain hardly registered in my mind, the sheer illusion of accomplishing my task was doing that. I just need a few more inches. I can do this!
Unfortunately, another set of tentacles burst out of the ground, wrapping me around my abdomen and constricting the air out of me. They pulled on my arms and at the mere shock, I was limp in their tight grasp.
I gasped in more of the poison and I could feel my body weakening. No! No! No!
Not like this! The tentacles pulled me down with them. My hand futile as it is, reaching out towards Kagome's hand. Her hand seemed farther now. The darkness much closer on me and the next thing I knew, darkness had consumed me.
Pain. Always and forever, it seems to ebb in my veins.
Kanzashi - hair ornament, similar to the ones geishas wear
Ouji - prince
