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ABC Thought

- Behind this mirror of soul, I see a version of myself that I don't even recognize -

Chapter 34

30 minutes before the incident.

Inside an old shrine at the bottom of the sacred mountain.

"Kyuubi no Kitsune? I thought they're only just a myth?!"

Inuyasha and the others had gathered up inside the guess room of the shrine, listening to the old monk's story. "Unfortunately, it's not."

"This shrine we are staying at right now, was originally belong to Kasenada-sama thousands of years ago. And when he's gone due to old age, it's passed down to us – his apprentices– to continue our job guarding the Kyuubi no Kitsune's soul in this mountain."

Now that they mentioned about the Kyuubi no Kitsune's tale, Shippou recalled. "My father was used to tell us about the story of a powerful white Kyuubi no Kitsune who ruled over the western lands ages ago. So it wasn't simply a bed time story after all…"

"This fox creature we're talking about must be really strong to be able to rule over the whole western lands." Kagome tilted her head, trying to catch up with the whole mysterious fox stuff and Shippou nodded to confirm. "Indeed, it is said that the Kyuubi no Kitsune's considered to be undefeatable at that time"

"Undefeatable?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at the words.

"Up until now, there's still no fox has trained enough nor the ability to become the second Kyuubi no Kitsune, it's nearly impossible."

Still somewhat confused about the fate of this so-called-undefeatable-Daiyoukai, Inuyasha asked. "And what happened to that Kitsune? If it is that powerful then why it is now guarded by some human monks?"

"The legend said that due to no longer withstand the great hatred that the Kyuubi no Kitsune bestowed toward the human race throughout such a long time. An Inu Daiyoukai who called himself Inu no Taishio one day appeared and decided to challenge the fox in hope to stop its evil doings." The old monk explained, taking a sip into his cup of tea.

Inu no Taisho?! My old man?! Inuyasha's heart skipped a beat once hearing his father's name was mentioned in the story and the old man added. "And with the help of Kasenada-sama, they successfully destroyed the fox's body and trapped its soul inside a magical chest. Completely wiped Kyuubi no Kitsune's existence off this world and brought back peace to us all."

"Therefore, the chest is now protected at the top of this mountain. To keep it away from the hands of evil who want to releases Kyuubi no Kitsune into life once more."

"Will the Kyuubi no Kitsune be revived once its soul is released?" Miroku asked him and the monk shook his head. "Not quite, the Kyuubi no Kitsune wouldn't have the real body to return to. As well as not having a chance to fully recover its power to cause chaos like it was before."

"However that doesn't mean we can be relax about it. Since no one at the moment is certain about what the fox's planning with its twisted mind nor whoever desires to own its soul for their evil intentions. That's why, it would be best if Kyuubi no Kitsune's soul remains locked forever."

Just as the old monk finished talking, the bell which was hanged on the wall behind him started to move rapidly. "Ring! Ring! Ring!" Causing him, together with the other monks who were presence in the shrine gasped in horror. "W-What?! It can't be!"

"What's wrong? Why is everyone panicking?" Confused about everyone's reaction, Kagome asked the head monk. Watching him stepped outside of the room in a hurry as he could not hide the fear in his eyes. "The gate! Someone has opened the gate to that fox's soul!"

Could not believe that there actually someone who was trying to release the Daiyoukai, a younger monk speaks up. "But who's crazy enough to want to free it?!"

"There's no time to discuss! We have to stop them before it's too late!"

"Please leave this matter to us, since we can get up there faster and perhaps have enough power to confront its soul." Miroku offered to help and the old monk bowed to him in appreciation. "Then please H-Houshi-sama, we all shall be counting on you!"

Back to the present…

"Who are you calling yourself Western Lord?! Know your place, woman! There will be only one lord in this land and that is Sesshomaru-sama!" Can't no longer stand her arrogant attitude and ridiculous statement, Jaken yells. "The one who should be bow down is you, not him!"

Finding the little servant's stubbornness quite entertaining, Sora can help but laughs out loud. "Really…Then allow me to wake you up from that lovely fantasy of yours. The title which you are so proudly being called by a bunch of brainless creatures, was originally mine."

Taken aback by her words, Jaken's jaw drops. "Wha…What?!"

"However…Some imbecile dog called himself Inu no Taisho appeared out of nowhere and stole my rightful place with his dirty scheme. Then for what? Getting himself killed miserably in the end just to save a measly, weakling human girl. What a disappointment. Even tainted the Western Lord title which I've spent so much time and effort to create."

Hearing her full story of what happened in the past long before he's born, Inuyasha's face immediately darkens in anger and charges forward with Tessaiga in his hands. "I don't give a sh*t about what you say to that damn deceased old man! But don't you ever dare insulting my mother!"

"Inuyasha!" Both Kagome and Rin call out for him. "Please don't hurt onee-chan! Inuyasha onii-sama!"

But to no avail as his sword's failed to harm Sora due to an orange colored barrier surrounds her body, negating every single one of his attack. "What the?! A barrier?!"

"Hmm? Is that all you've got, half-breed?" Sora smirks and reaches out her hand to grab his neck, lifting him up into the air. "My… Feeling this mixed blood of those two disgusting races running through your vein right now indeed sends me an urge just to snap this pretty little neck."

"Damn it!" Inuyasha curses, struggling to get free and gasping for air.

Taking the chance that Sora's attention is still on his younger brother, Sesshomaru swiftly approaches from behind and call for her name. Hoping that the girl will eventually awake and turn back to normal. As he does no wish to engage into a fight with her. "Shiomi!"

The fox raises an eyebrow by how friendly the older dog addresses her before throwing Inuyasha at him. "What? Who are you calling Shiomi? Open your eyes wide and see for yourself! There's only I, the Kyuubi no Kitsune, standing here!"

Only to have Inuyasha's back hits the hard wall since Sesshomaru has dodged his body to the side instead of catching. A second later and Sora has already approaches him and about to land a hit to his face. Leaving Sesshomaru with no choice but to grabs the woman's right arm to stop her.

"Hmph! You do realize that my left arm is still here, right?" She mocks and punches right at his chest, pushing him some feet away from her and Sesshomaru curses, feeling the sharp pain going through his bones. "Tch!"

"Onee-chan! Please stop this!" Rin tries to run up to her and Jaken quickly yanks the girl backwards. "You idiot! She's going to kill you!"

As Inuyasha's about to launch forward for a strike. Sora casts multiple of blue fireballs toward him. "Kitsunebi!" And tosses some of it to the empty chest lying on the ground to destroys it. Soon, the whole room is engulfed in blue flame and they gradually crawling to where Kagome and the others are standing, burning everything it touches.

"Damn it!" Inuyasha quickly turn to the entrance to escape but it's also get caught on by the magical fire. Since the flame is getting closer and covering every corner, they have no choice but to gather up into one spot in the middle of the room. "She's trying to burn us all alive!"

"Jaken-sama," Rin hides behind Jaken's back in fear and he murmurs, his body trembling by the thought of being grilled like a fish they usually eat for lunch. "D-Don't worry! S-Sesshomaru-sama will find a way to get us out of here!"

"Right? Sesshomaru-sama?!" Jaken looks at him, hoping for a respond and yet Sesshomaru remains silent, his eyes are still not leaving Sora even for a second and he groans.

Remember that the Fire-Rat armor is resistance to fire, Kagome suggests. "Inuyasha! Your robe is fireproof right? Can you take Rin outside first?"

Knowing that Rin's being rescued without him, Jaken shouts in despair. "Wait! What about me?!"

"But…Sessshomaru-sama." Even so Rin hesitated, not wanting to leave Jaken and her lord behind. And it's not until Sesshomaru orders her himself that the girl has no choice but to oblige. "Go."

"Bah! Fine then, let's get you out of this hell-hole first so I can finish her." Inuyasha scoffs and picks up the little girl into his arms. Attempts to go through the wall of flame up ahead and get to the exit. However, only a few steps forward and he yelps in pain by the heat, having no choice but to retreat. "Ouch! Hot!"

Cannot believe what is happening, Kagome to gasp in surprise. "What?! The Robe of Fire-Rat is not working?!"

"If you think that lame robe of yours can save you from this fire. Then you've underestimated my power too much." Watching their plan failed, Sora smirks viciously.

"Kazaana!" Trying to use another tactic, Miroku unseal his right palm and activates the black hole. Hoping to suck in the fire in and clear the area and yet, only one-third of them get through while the rest warp his arm and burn him.

"Houshi-sama! Are you okay?!" Sango asks him, her eyes widened when seeing smoke coming out from his right arm and he nods to ensure her. "Y-Yeah…I'm fine"

"Miroku-sama! Will your barrier be able to withstand her fire?!" Kagome suggest another solution.

"I'm not sure but I'll try!" However once the barrier is built, the fire easily passes right through and continuously crawling to their feet. Now that they are only some inches away, Jaken whines. "Nope! Not working either!"

Figures that their demises are coming close and inevitable, Sora laughs. Watching the pitiful creatures clinging onto each other in hope to survive. "Ha ha, Inu no Taisho…You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment. Witnessing your adorable sons burn themselves to death! Such a beautiful sight!"

"Senpai! I know you're still in there! Please wake up!" Kagome shout to Shiomi within the fire. Praying that she will snap back to normal before everything is too late.

"Hmph! It's useless calling out for her, little girl. She's no longer here." Sora scoffs and all of sudden, a giant circle craved in ancient symbols appears just below the feet of both Inuyasha's and Sesshomaru's groups. Shining a bright blue light and within the next second, everyone vanishes into the thin air right before Sora's eyes. "What?!"

On the top of an empty hill not too far away.

Being saved from the dangerous situation without consent, everyone looks around the area in confusion. "W-What happened? We're outside, but how?!"

"It was I who had cast the teleportation spell to bring you all to this place." Just then a man in high ranked monk outfit appears right behind them, causing every to spin around and eyes widen in surprise. "Huh?!"

"You are…" Believes that this long black haired man must be a powerful and important figure, Miroku asks for who he is and Inuyasha speaks up. "This guy, I don't smell anything on him. Could it be that he's a spirit?!"

"A Spirit?!" Both Jaken and Shippou ask out loud.

Kasenada nods, "Precisely. I am the soul of Kasenada, had been known as the guardian of the cursed chest. The monk who had sealed the Kyuubi no Kitsune's soul thousands of years ago. It's was not until the chest's barrier was unlocked that my spiritual power was able to activate and I became visible to you all."

"What?!" Inuyasha's group gasp in shock. "You are Kasenada?!"

Inside Shiomi's dream

Starting to regain my consciousness, I snap my eyes open and the first thing appears before my eyes is total darkness. Somewhat is confused why I'm being brought into this place once again, my head tilts. "This is…"

"You're awake?" Sora's voice is heard right behind my shoulder and I quickly get up, turning around to face her. Cannot help but gaps in surprise once seeing the girl's new appearance, straight long white hair down to her feet, nine fluffy white tails on her lower back and some specific youkai's features such as long nails, fangs and red stripes on each cheek. "Wow, Sora…you've changed!"

However, she's still naked as usual and Sora calmly responds. "No, I have not. What you are seeing right now is the real me, what I was really look like in the past."

"I see…" I nod in understanding and stare back to myself curiously. Would that mean I too, will become like that someday? "By the way Sora, why am I here? That orange light just now, what happened?"

Sora explains and looks away. "The orange light you saw was the youkai power which was sealed within the chest. However, it had knocked you out cold right at the spot because the energy was too much for you to handle."

Seems reasonable enough I guess. "What am I going to do next after I wake up? Is there anything important that I need to note down?"

"What to do next, you asked?" Suddenly she grins. "It's pretty simple, all you have to do is to be a good girl and spend your time in this place for the eternity."

What the heck, did she just tell me to stay here forever? Am I hearing things wrong? "Wha-What did you say? Do I have to be what and be where?!"

Amused by the girl's hilarious reaction as always, Sora chuckles. "This has never been a dream, Shiomi. Where your feet are standing on at the moment is your soul realm. All the things that had happened in here were reality. And it's also a reality that your souls, your own awareness will forever remain in this place. Although you can consider it as your resting place if you wish. It's quite peaceful and quiet I may say."

"My soul realm?! Resting place?! But why am I here?!"

"That's because you've lost your body, Shiomi. It's now mine to control."

"What with all this, Sora?! I don't understand you at all!" Getting confused even more, I ask her to explain more clearly and she sighs. "Then let's us start from the very beginning, shall we?"

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am known as Kyuubi no Kitsune, whose life as a normal, happy little Kitsune wasn't last too long thanks to those filthy human that killed my parents terribly right before my very own eyes. Days, months and years passed, the only thing that had been keeping me alive in this cruel world was my hatred on them."

Sora gently slides her hair away from her shoulder. "It encouraged me to become strong, just for the day I could return to wipe this disgusting human race off the face of the earth. And the apperance of mine you are seeing right now was the result of storing a huge amount of energy inside my body for too long. Thus turning myself into a fearful Daiyoukai and finally be able to rule all over the western lands."

"Everything was gone directly under my commands. Everyone was afraid of my power. It was I, the legendary Kyuubi no Kitsune, well-known as a ruthless ruler throughout this era! I was perfect, I was undefeatable…"

Sora then cringes her fangs, her eyes fill with disguted once recalling to some certain people in the past. "Until that one destined day, a bastard human stole half of my regeneration ability and most of my magic away, into such a tiny little box. Leaving that imbecile Inu no Taishio a chance to destroy my body with its stupid poison when I was in my weak state!"

"However in that very last moment, my soul was fortunate enough to carry the remaining of my power and escaped before getting sucked into the damn cursed chest…Hah! And those ignorant fools actually thought that they had successfully sealed all of me. I laughed on their biggest failure!"

Inu no Taisho?! She was killed by Sesshomaru's father?! I flinch at the familiar name as she continues with her story, caressing her long white hair. "Years after years I was yearning for the day to be revived, to take my revenge and to be king once again. And the long wait had finally paid off by the moment you were brought into life, Shiomi, or should I say…"

"My reincarnation?" Sora emphasizes the word as her red eyes stares into mine.

I gasp, cannot believe in my own ears of what I just have heard. "What?! Your reincarnation?! Me?!"

"Unfortunately, you was only born to be such a fragile and powerless human girl… There would not be any chance for this body of yours would be able to survive in my world and of course, I could never let this very chance to get slipped away that easily. That's why in order to keep you alive, I transferred the very last of my regeneration power into you. And that was when the car accident came into use. By doing so, your blood was mixed with a little of my youkai's blood, leaving your body in the state of not even half-youkai nor a full human."

"While my raw strength, which was hidden within me, waiting for day I sneaked inside your body and activated it. Using the little free time I had to master this new vessel I was going to possess."

"Car accident? Did you mean by that car accident 10 years ago?! You were there?!" My eyes widened in shock once hearing her mentioned about it and her head tilts in mockery. "Heh heh heh…Everything had run smoothly according to my plan."

Her plan?! I'm frozen on my spot by the sudden realization. "Could it be that the car and traffic light…Was it all your doing?!"

"You should give a little credit to your lovely sister too, my dear. It's because of her that my plan had become much more real and natural." The fox lady snickers, recalling to the moment she used her magic to turn the traffic light into red and watched the little Shiomi being killed by the vehicle in one single hit.

"Now that this human shell has turned into a full-fledged youkai and my power has been fully recovered, taking control over your body completely is only a piece of cake. And let me tell you something even more interesting, remember those lame talismans on the chest? They are not being neutralized just simply being touched by any full-fledged youkai's blood."

My eyes widen in surprise and Sora adds, doesn't stop giggling. "You see that lowly monk, the one who sealed the chest himself, had chanted a spell on them so that they could only to be broken by the life energy of Inu no Taisho's bloodline…"

"Inu no Taisho's bloodline?!"

"Now can you guess which one of them is alive, alone with no attachment feeling?"

"You were aiming for Sesshomaru all along?!" Finally figure out her master plan, I point out and Sora raises an eyebrow at me. "What? Did you seriously believe that it was that easy to find Rin? Did you think all the kidnapping in the beginning was for nothing? You're wrong. Everything I had done was just to gain Sesshomaru's attention to you, Shiomi."

"Enough for that pathetic little dog to have feeling for you and agree to shred its dirty blood without any doubt. On top of all, that cute little confession of yours some days ago did contribute a lot for the job to be done perfectly."

Distressed and flustered, I approach Sora and grab her shoulder. Hands and limbs are trembling in disbelief. "Everything you did, even guiding me all the way back in time and feeding me up with lies. Just for the sake of taking your revenge?! How could you trick me, Sora?! I've trusted you!"

"Tricked? Did you think a little too highly of yourself there? Up to this moment you are nothing but a silly puppet for me to pull the strings." Disgusted by the sudden physical contact, Sora pushes me away and smirks as I fall onto the floor. "Beside, I've never once calming about myself being a good person, have I? Life is cruel, little girl. You've got to learn to deal with it."

"Stop this madness, Sora! Give me back my body!" I quickly stand up on my feet, attempt to charge at her again but failed once feeling something grabs my legs from below and stops me from going. Confused, my eyes shift back to the ground and widen in shock at the sight of multiple of red hands rising up from the blood sea. Gripping all over my body to starting to pull me down.

"What is this?! Let go of me!" With all the strength left, I try to break free from those hands. Yet only to have them appearing even more, continuously dragging me down with them a second later. Half my body has already sunk under the floor as Sora watches me struggle in much pleasure. "It's useless no matter how much you try, Shiomi. Better give up."

"No…! Mhhff…!" And now those hands have reached to my face and gradually cover my vision. As an act of desperation, I reach out my arm to the blurry image of her before being completely engulfed into the nothingness. Feeling the heavy pressure invading, I shut my eyes and think of him one last time before being completely taken over. Sesshomaru…I'm… sorry…

"Good night, sleep tight." Sora squats down and stares at the unconscious Shiomi floating deep inside the soul realm. "I am going to miss you a lot, honey… Just maybe."

Back to Sesshomaru's and Inuyasha's groups.

"There's something that I don't understand. But how does senpai know about this sealed place to begin with?" Confused after hearing that the route up to the cursed chest is prohibited and only known between the guardians of the mountain, Kagome asks Kasenada.

"My best guess would be the Kyuubi no Kitsune. Its soul must have found a way to interact with the girl and guided her here."

"What? How could that damn fox lead them here while being trapped?!" Inuyasha growls by the lacking of logic in his answer.

"Because what contains inside the chest since the beginning was not Kyuubi no Kitsune's soul, but a part of its power."

"You mean Kyuubi no Kitsune's soul has been free all along?!" Everyone gasps in shock.

The man pauses for a short moment and sighs. "I… Failed to capture its soul at the very last moment, it was my fault. That's why instead of passing on, I decided to stay behind as the spirit to guard the chest. Waiting for the day the Kitsune's soul to come retrieving its power and ends everything."

"However… I never expected that the fox would have brought both of its reincarnation and Inu no Taisho's descendant into this place. I tried my hardest to make myself visible before them but couldn't. No one could hear me from within the chest!" Kasenada grips his hands into fists, trembling.

"Reincarnation?! Are you saying that senpai is Kyuubi no Kitsune's reincarnation?!" Surprised by the unbelievable information, Kagome gasps out loud.

"Precisely. By using a mysterious method that I have not yet known, the fox has successfully gotten the girl into this world from the future and used her body to synchronize with the sealed power. Results in bringing back Kyuubi no Kitsune to its full state like when it's still being alive."

"But what about the Inu no Taisho's descendants part? What exactly does Sesshomaru-sama have to do with this?" Annoyed, Jaken asks out loud and Kasenada's eyes shift to the green little youkai below. "When sealing the chest, Inu no Taisho had offered me his blood as a special material to strengthen my talismans. Therefore, it will be only be the blood of his bloodline alone in order for the chest to be unlocked."

"And since Inu no Taisho has been long gone…" Kasenada stops in mid way and Inuyasha continues his words, "That will be leaving mine and Sesshomaru's left…"

Finally understand what is going on, Jaken stomps his feet and yells. "That wicked woman! She has planned everything since the beginning! How dare she used Sesshomaru-sama for her evil scheme?!"

It's the Bone-Eaters well! That's how the fox got into the future and brought senpai back to meet Sesshomaru! The well's image immediately comes into Kagome's mind and her eyes widen. Recalling to the time both of them were confused why Shiomi was dragged into the feudal era in the beginning for no reason.

"But what about onee-chan?! What will happen to her?!" Rin asks the monk and the man frowns in distress. He turns to the silver haired Daiyoukai, who is watching him closely and speaks. "I can't be for sure but… There is a high chance you will never be able to see that human girl, who was sharing her body with Kyuubi no Kitsune, ever again."

"What?! Why?!" Hearing his answer, both Kagome and Rin gasp in horror. While Sesshomaru's eyes widened.

"Because she's only a young human girl who has lived no more than 20 years. Her soul is not strong enough to stand against the fox's soul, who has been living over several of millenniums."

"But there must be a way to save her! Right?"

"About that… I require more time to figure out another way to seal the fox again without harming the girl. However, I will not guarantee if the method's going to work perfectly." Kasenada shakes his head. "I recommend you all to prepare for the worst possibility, which means that we will have no choice but to eliminate both Kyuubi no Kitsune and her."

In instant Rin protests at the insane idea. "No! You can't do it! Rin won't let you kill Onee-chan!"

"Killing senpai?! But I…" Kagome eyes widened in horror, cannot imagine that there is a day she will have to confront Shiomi. And now they are talking about ending her life, it is such an impossible task that even both of Kagome's physical and mentality cannot handle.

The atmosphere is getting heavier between the two groups and Sesshomaru, without a single word, takes off into the air and swiftly flies away. Leaving his companions behind as Jaken shout to him from the ground helpleslly. "Ah! Sesshomaru-sama! Please wait for me!"

"Feh! That bastard's definitely going to look for her now." Inuyasha huffs and the little youkai falls onto his knees, whining. "Sesshomaru-sama…"

Sesshomaru… What will you do when the time come? Kasenada stares into the sky, watching the silver haired lord who has carried to much feeling for their greatest enemy, vanishing into the white clouds above. Would you be willing to accept this cruel fate and set her free by your own hands?

[THE END OF PART 1]