Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. Nor do I own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
He felt the power as he lashed out with his Dokkaso (Poison Whip), causing loud pained cries to arise from the front line of the demons rushing them. He saw that there was a mix of various types ranging from weak little imps, weasels, and rats to outright powerful ones like Cats, wolves, bears, and a small dragon, which was rather intriguing as Dragons tend to be self-absorbed with their power not needing anything else. Then again, the woman was unique and could be seen as a treasure of sorts.
It was when he heard a deep rumbling voice that almost had him pausing as he pulled Bakusaiga from his side. The voice sounded beyond familiar, and he refused to believe it was who he thought it could be. Then there was the power that crashed over him; only it was stronger than his mind recalled. But even with that, he refused to believe it as he tore into another group of invading demons. This was not a battle they could win.
He was spinning as he flicked out his Dokkaso again. Sesshomaru came to a halt on the battlefield at what he was seeing. And from the way the others had come to a standstill as the demons began to scream in agony as poison mist flowed around the clearing, literally dissolving trees, grass, rocks, even the dirt, on top of the demons who couldn't get away quick enough, Sesshomaru let out a low growl — drawing the attention of what could only be the woman's newest spirit, Canis Major.
He growled again when all the spirit did smile at him. A smugness in golden-colored eyes like his own. Though the markings were more significant, more jagged on the face that looked like a young boy. As the long white ponytail fluttered behind armor that was splattered with the blood that also coated strong, yet delicate hands and dripped to the ground.
"Well, hello to you to pup," the spirit said, the smile on its face getting wider, showing more fang.
Sesshomaru said nothing as he stared at the man who was a mixed image of himself and Inuyasha. They'd encountered his spirit only once before when he, himself, had attempted for the sword that was now hanging at the spirits side. There was no mistaking the sword of Hell. There was only one master it would obey. He had tried and failed.
"Dad?"
At the single word, Sesshomaru swung Bakusaiga out, flicking the blood from it before sheathing it back on his hip. Then stood there, arms at his side watching as the spirit turned to look at his younger brother. Who was all moony-eyed? Of course, it was to be expected, since he had grown up with the man before him. To teach him the ways of the Inu Demons.
Her world swam as she fought off the effects of Magic Depletion. It sucked, but if there was one thing anyone could say about Lucy was that she was tenacious. So, as the battle raged around her as a large group of demons, both small and large, all from different species, she guessed by looks attacked. Her mind was already sorting out what she was seeing not just her new spirits abilities but those of the small groups.
Each was effective in their manner. And Lucy noted it and put it in its file in her mind. Then once she felt like she got her second wind, Lucy readied herself to join the fray. Stopping as her body locked up as a familiar voice, a powerful voice boomed in the back of her head. Knocking the breath straight from her lungs and causing her to drop to her knees with glazed eyes.
"You shall not join this battle, Little Friend. Watch and learn what happens. For you have given back an ancient friend of mine, for which I am grateful."
She whimpered in the back of her throat as she tried to formulate a reply. The presence of the Spirit King didn't recede from her mind or body. It was a hefty burden, making that new spirit she just summoned look like a pittance in her two magical containers. Though the soul with his bare hands quickly demolished some of the larger ones who showed real fear before they tried to escape. Then a green mist that eroded at the plants and ground surrounded them.
Lucy was stunned as the world went from being in semi-slow motion to fast forward as the spirit spoke directly to Sesshomaru, who had openly growled at the spirit — causing anger to fill her person because she didn't tolerate anyone or anything messing with her friends and family even if she hadn't entered into a contract with the spirit yet. Though the amusement she felt roll off the spirit as it addressed Sesshomaru as a pup made her want to laugh, though instinct had her keeping quiet.
It was when Inuyasha spoke up, calling the spirit dad that Lucy did a double-take. Looking from the spirit to the two white-haired males in her group. Eyes were going impossibly wide at seeing him be a good blend between the two. It had her head swimming as she tried to suck in desperate breaths, drawing the attention of the spirit back to her.
"Oh, I think the poor lass has had a bit too much excitement," he said, his lips quirking up in a grin that had Loke's paling considerably.
She could feel Loke pouring through their bond, but it was not in a bad manner. As the spirit walked towards her, she shrank back a bit. Her mind was buzzing with how the Hell a Celestial Spirit could be the father of an Inu Demon and his half brother, how the Hell had his broken key been put into this world. And when the Hell would Stache-face release her from his power. It was suffocating and making it hard to function.
When the man, no spirit, stopped before her, he knelt and frowned at her. She was sure it was because she shrank back from him. Though he didn't reach out to touch her, he did lift an elegant eyebrow above beautiful, reflective golden eyes. That had her finding it hard to look away. That was when Lucy noticed that the spirit didn't have the Crescent moon-like Sesshomaru.
With a deep, rumbling chuckle, Lucy blinked at the spirit before her. "Of all the things your mind can focus on, it is what I lack. Besides, he gets that from his mother," the spirit said before he furrowed his brows. "Now, Sei-roo, if you'd be so kind to withdraw your power from the poor Mage, I will explain things to not just her, but everyone."
It was in that instant Lucy felt her lungs expand, making her severely lightheaded. Her limbs were no longer being constricted, but they still felt more or less numb. Meaning in a few minutes that annoying, painful tingle of pinpricks would be happening.
"I am Toga, the spirit of the Jade Key, Canis Major. Originally I was a silver key in the world you lived in, Earthland. But to save me and a few others, our owner shattered out keys in a major war that was taking place due to a Dragon Slayer going Berserk," he explained.
His words had Lucy's eyes going wide. She knew the Dragon Slayer in question, since he was now called the Dragon of Apocalypse, Acnologia. So, the stories of when the key had been shattered were very authentic. But it didn't explain how the key had gotten to this place where magic didn't seem to exist, and Demons were very commonplace. Though disliked, or out right hated, like they were in Earthland. But traveling to another world was no biggie; she did that to Edolas.
The soft laugh that drew her from her headspace had her face flushed darkly as she looked at the spirit, no Toga. That was his name, and she would call him by that.
"To answer your question, a magical door was used. Information was given to several Celestial Mages, including one that looked almost like you. My owner shattered our keys to keep them from the hands of corrupt Celestial Mages, knowing they'd not make it past the door, or the eclipse gate being opened, which was a plea to protect the future. The Gods took pity upon us broken keys and sent us here," he explained.
Sesshomaru listened to his father to explain things to the girl. He had no clue who this Sei-roo person was. But he had felt the extreme power keeping the woman on the ground. But it had vanished after his father had spoken. His mind recalled the tales his father had told him of strong mages and the fight against dragons. How many sacrifices were made to protect the land that the mages lived in? Hard choices made.
Even as a small pup, he had sensed no lie in his father's words. Now, he was learning the truth his father was from another world. Was a spirit of the heavens. But it left so many questions. One of his pride would make him refuse to ask because that would show his curiosity, concern for the whole situation.
"If… you're a spirit, Great Lord Inu no Taisho, then how are you classified as a demon?" Miroku asked.
This had his father shifting and sitting cross-legged in the grass. And it bothered him that his father never took his eyes from the woman.
"Think about it, monk. Demons are considered fallen spirits. Whether it be of the underworld, an angry animal spirit after death, or of a human's make," Toga said. "And when my key was shattered, along with my companions and sent through the gate. The gods gave us a physical form. But we were warned, once our physical bodies expired we would return to our keys. Though we were not informed that our keys were no longer silver."
Sesshomaru looked at the back of his father's head. Trying to guess at what his endgame was. There was almost always an outcome where his father was concerned. And he would not be some willing pawn in it again. Not that he had hoped to defeat his father, not with the amount of raw power just unconsciously rolling from him.
Lucy was stunned. The fact that Toga told her all this was astounding. It had her heart soaring in her chest. That meant her earlier guess that this was the start of an adventure. Smiling, she looked at him, eyes narrowing. Already she knew he could hear her thoughts. A bit worrisome since they had no contract, to begin with.
"Will you enter into a contract with me then, Toga?" she asked.
The way he jerked back and blinked at her. His clawed hand was coming up and pointing at the key she held, which she raised for him to look at.
"By holding that Key, I am now bound to you and your descendants if they are born with the aptitude," he stated. "It is a lot different than before. And though I have been kept from the rest of the Celestial Realm, when I entered into the key and the Holy Man who was there the night my mate and wife died took me and put me here, you can say I got a crash course on everything I was missing in that world and this one."
"Oh… so what are your wants and needs?" Lucy asked. This earned a disdainful sniff from Sesshomaru and a whine from Inuyasha.
"While normal restrictions don't apply to me, or any of us that came through the gate… I would like to ask that when you use me, you do not call me for at least a day or two. While you have your second origin, it is not enough. They need to be expanded and your third opened. As for my needs, seeing my sons and being able to stretch my body about is good enough for me," Toga said. "And I can come and go on my power now. But if you need me, just think of me, don't bother calling out, and touch my key."
She nodded, memorizing all he said. Her eyes were darting to both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. She had a feeling that life was about to get even more hectic and crazy. But that was par for the course. At least she wasn't going to be bored without her teammates, or guild members. Smiling, she thrust her hand out to him and watching as he looked at her and took her hands in his own and gave it two quick, prompt shakes.
"There are contracts is now set," Lucy said, just as her eyes fluttered, and she fell asleep. Leaving everyone, including Toga, stunned as she instantly curled up in his arms as he caught her.
TBC!
