Leaning against the stone wall of the dark and gloomy manor Ryuu continued to run the events of the past two weeks through his mind.
Since "allying" himself with Naraku, he had obtained the third Soul Tablet, killed a castle lord along with his personal guard, retrieved several jewel shards and fought against Inuyasha.
"I can only pray I find the last tablet soon, I can't stand working with this guy" Ryuu said angrily before pushing off the wall and walking towards the main part of the manor. After entering the manor Ryuu walked down the left hand hall and continued until he was on the opposite side of the mansion.
Looking further down the hall he saw a little girl in a white dress sitting in the window sill, she was holding a small mirror in her hands.
Walking over to her Ryuu leaned his back against the window and placed his left arm against its sill for support "We haven't met yet my name's Ryuu what's yours?" he asked her after donning a friendly smile.
The girl looked down at her mirror and said in a faint voice "Kanna".
Ryuu gave in to curiosity and leaned back further to look at the mirror. Just as his eyes made contact with his reflection a strange feeling overcame him forcing him to look away from it. "That's quite a mirror you have there" he said rubbing his eyes and trying to calm his nerves.
Ryuu stayed silent while looking out of the window and scanning the surrounding grounds before letting out a hard sigh…"I hate this place".
Just as he pushed himself away from the windowsill a single Saimyosho appeared next to him and hovered in front of his face. "What now?" Ryuu said waving the insect away from him.
"He wants to see you" Kanna said in the same faint voice before disappearing.
"Of course he does" Ryuu said as he followed the Saimyosho to Naraku's room.
Stopping in front of the large door to Naraku's room Ryuu smiled pleasantly as he greeted Kagura before sliding the door open and entering the room. "Hello dark and creepy" he said dropping his smile, but maintaining he cool tone "You need something?"
Naraku remained behind the thin veil in his room, but his dark voice easily carried as if he were sitting right next to Ryuu and Kagura "You've been a great help to me in the past three weeks young Ryuu. And as promised I've managed to locate the fourth and final soul tablet for your quest. Also as promised I will be sending Kagura along with you while you go to collect it".
Ryuu forced a small confident smile "Well it looks like our partnership is coming to an end then. Guess I'd better get going before this becomes too emotional". After he finished speaking Ryuu placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly while keeping his eyes on Naraku "See ya around then Naraku, if I find any jewel shards out there I'll be sure to bring them back to you as extra payment".
With that said Ryuu backed out of the room and made a sharp turn walking out of the manor with Kagura a few steps behind him. After they made it outside Kagura took one of the feathers from her hair and threw it to the sky transforming it into her personal carrier. Once Ryuu hopped on they took off to the east heading for the small village that contained the last soul tablet. Once Naraku's castle was out of view Ryuu scanned the area to make sure they weren't being followed by his insects before he turned to Kagura "I've got a plan to deal with Naraku, but its going to require some aid on your part for it to work".
Quickly turning her head to look at him Kagura gave him a very unsure look before returning her attention in front of them "What do I have to do?" she asked.
Ryuu began explaining his plan to her and the importance that she joins the fight at the right time otherwise they'd both be killed. After he finished explaining his plan Ryuu looked up at the sky and chuckled "He won't know what hit him".
"Are you sure this will work?" Kagura asked him with uncertainty "What makes you think he'll fight you? Naraku never dirties his own hands".
Ryuu laughed again "I've put that into consideration and trust me when I say this. He won't have a choice, but to fight me head on and he will lose".
Kagura closed her eyes for a second before she responded "You've got a lot of guts I'll give you that much, but taking Naraku on like that is foolish, he'll kill you". After Kagura finished speaking she realized that her words were accompanied by a tone of concern and began to wonder why she felt so strongly about Ryuu's safety.
Ryuu placed his hands behind his head and laid back on the feather letting his left leg hang over the side "He can't kill me" he said closing his eyes "Of course I don't have the power to kill him either, but he can't kill me. He still needs me for a bigger plan".
Kagura gave him another quick look and asked what he meant as he sat back up. Ryuu gave her a cocky smile as he tapped his right index finger against his temple several times "Naraku is predictable, and I know he's got something bigger planned for me so he needs me alive. He won't kill me because he knows he can't yet".
For the rest of the trip both of them remained silent, Ryuu had laid back down and closed his eyes as he waited for them to reach their destination. Kagura however couldn't stop thinking about Ryuu and what he said after they set off on their first mission together "I'll help you get your heart back from Naraku…I swear it".
"Why is he going through all this for me? He's just going to get himself killed" Kagura looked over her shoulder at Ryuu who was still lying there with his eyes closed "Why does he even care what happens to me? He's just a human after all…It's not like he could ever see something in m…" Kagura snapped out of her train of thought a snapped "Whatever. Its not that I care"
Startled Ryuu shot up to a sitting position and looked at her "What's going on? Is something wrong?"
Kagura made the feather descend and land just outside the village border before turning it back into a normal feather and placing it in her hair. Turning to glare at Ryuu she demanded that he tell her why he's so persistent in helping her with Naraku.
Ryuu sighed as he took in what she just demanded from him before looking into her eyes "When I fist started 'working' with you I liked you from the start, but after being with you for this long it only confirms what I thought when I first met you" Ryuu paused to take a silent breath he could tell by the look in Kagura's eyes that she knew what he was going to say, but she still didn't understand it.
"I'm in love with you Kagura" he finally said before looking away. "At first I just wanted to help you get away from Naraku, but that feeling became stronger and I didn't realize what it was until a few days ago".
Kagura and Ryuu both remained silent for what seemed to be an eternity before Kagura finally spoke up "You're wasting your time with me" she said turning her back to him "Such feelings are wasted on one such as me. I am a demon born of Naraku and nothing more so what could you possibly see in me".
Kagura tried to make her words sound cold and harsh, but Ryuu could sense the pain in them and he could even sense a faint affection from her, she wouldn't admit it, but she did care for him even if just a little.
Ryuu sighed as he turned his head back to her and walked over to her "You were born of Naraku, but that doesn't mean you're not yourself. Listen Kagura, after I get your heart back from Naraku you'll find out that the only thing that's changed is your freedom. The only link you have to Naraku isn't that you were spawned from him it's that he controls your fate right now. Trust me when I say that".
Kagura was more confused now after hearing what Ryuu told her. She didn't know why, but she began feeling different the closer he got to her she could feel herself blushing slightly. The more she thought on her situation the angrier she got. Eventually she snapped and yelled "Let's just get this over with. I can't stand being around you much longer".
Ryuu knew why she was acting so hard and silently gave a smug grunt as he smiled "I really hope there is a chance for her and me" he said quietly as he followed her into the town.
After entering the small village Ryuu looked around at each of the villagers as they walked by and headed for the shrine at the center. Each villager they passed gave them a curious look before returning to what they were doing all, but one who continued to stare at them from the door of his house. He was an elderly man with balding gray hair and intense wrinkles running across his face his dark brown eyes were intense, but calm telling a story of a great tragedy that he had manage to make peace with.
After reaching the shrine Ryuu got an uneasy feeling and swiftly turned around on his heels. Both he and Kagura were surrounded by the villagers all of which had blank expressions on their faces except the old man that was watching them. The old man stepped forward and asked them why they were here.
Ryuu looked the man dead in his eyes and explained that he was the reincarnation of the dragon master and that he had come to claim the last tablet before setting off to the sage village.
The old man looked over to Kagura and held his hand out to her and snapped his fingers.
Kagura was immediately imprisoned inside a transparent field of dark magic. Looking on each side of her she knew she was trapped and demanded that the old man set her free.
Ryuu stepped forward and said "We mean none of you any harm. I just need the tablet and we can leave there's no need for any hostility between us".
The old man looked to Ryuu and pointed at the shrine which began emanating the same dark aura as the cage that held Kagura "The tablet's power is all that keeps us here. If you take it we will all die which is something I cannot allow without undeniable proof that you are who you claim to be".
Ryuu looked at the old man and then to Kagura "She's not in any danger" the old man said "She's being held for her own protection. Until we can determine if you are worthy of taking the object that keeps us here. Should you fail however you will both die here".
Ryuu looked back at the old man and slowly kneeled before him "Please sir. She's not a part of this. Release her and allow her to leave. Keep me if you wish until you've made your decision".
The old man glared at Ryuu as he replied "I'm afraid that won't work. For me to see clearly into your soul I need you to be in such a situation. When the previous dragon master was still alive he had fallen in love with a priestess that could control the wind, because he cared for this priestess so deeply he allowed himself to fall victim to the dark one's curse which cost the three of them their lives and their souls".
The old men looked at the shrine and then to Kagura before returning his attention to Ryuu who had gotten back to his feet "Now tell me. If we were to allow you to take the tablet and confront the dark one you would be placed in the same situation this much is for certain. The only way for the dark one to be truly defeated is to forego temptations such as protecting the ones you care about and leave him to die along with them. Would you be willing to sacrifice this woman to save the lives of countless others?"
Ryuu made a short glance at Kagura who had a mixed expression on her face "No" he said firmly "I will not sacrifice Kagura and allow her to die".
The old man lowered his head in disappointment "If that is your decision then I cannot allow you to take the tablet nor can I allow you to leave here. Prepare yourself for my judgment".
The old man held his arm out to Ryuu the same way he did Kagura, but before he could snap his fingers Ryuu drew his sword and pointed it at him "Enough" he roared causing the blade of his sword to become engulfed in flames "Stand down now and I will spare your life. I don't want to harm any of you, but you're forcing my hand if it becomes my only option I will kill you".
The old man shook his head "Such blindness, such stubbornness. Mindless slaughter will only make you an easier victim for the dark one and with such feelings running through you will end only with your death".
"Then so be it" Ryuu yelled. "If my death brings about the end to the dark one then I will accept it. I will give up my life with no hesitation if it means all the people I love survive. And I will do it regardless of if I have to cut you down to get there, now stand down and release Kagura".
The old man lowered his hand and sighed "I should have expected as much. You young people have no idea what sacrifice means. And you have no idea at how much your body and soul will have to endure when you confront the dark one. His very presence will be enough to bring you to your knees. Take the tablet and leave here, and remember these words boy. If you fail, if you do not banish the deity forever we will return to tear your very soul apart"
With those words the old man, the villagers and the village itself disappeared around them. The dark energy holding Kagura faded releasing her and the aura around the shrine vanished as well as the small door to the shrine opened revealing the fourth and final soul tablet.
Ryuu ignored the shrine and walked over to Kagura frantically making sure she was unharmed "I'm sorry about that" he said sadly after helping her to her feet.
"Stop worrying about me" she said in an annoyed voice as she pulled her arm away from him.
Ryuu looked at the ground with a heavy heart without another word he turned around to collect the tablet which vanished in his hands.
"Thank you" Kagura said as she stood behind him. Ryuu turned around and looked into her dark red eyes and nodded slowly. "I'm sorry for what I've said" she continued which surprised Ryuu.
Kagura's tone had changed to one that was calm and regretful with a faint sense of longing "I'm just not used to such treatment. This entire time you've been…nice to me and I've tried to push you away. My heart may not be with me, but I can still feel it. It's like a faint pulse echoing throughout my body. I…I don't know why, but the more I think of you the more painful that pulse becomes".
Kagura suddenly fell silent and Ryuu could sense what was bothering her. She did care for him, but it wasn't the fact that she didn't understand why. It was because she was afraid of getting close to him. Ryuu took a single step forward and gently placed his hands around Kagura's arms and held her to him as he stood behind her.
Kagura was surprised, but she didn't want to fight against it she wanted to stay next to him for as long as possible.
A/N. I apologize for the wait. I continue to say I would be updating within the next two weeks, but its becoming increasingly difficult to stay on that deadline.
I probably won't be updating until a few days after Christmas. I hope those of you that have read along so far have enjoyed it as much as I have writing them.