So I guess I have a job now. Not a cool job like Agent Willow who gets to work at a flower shop (I wonder if there are four hot assassins working there as well...) but it still pays good money. Forty hours a week at eight an hour, so yeah, I'm happy enough. But guess what I found out today that my bank account is now more evil than the one I have at college! I thought Fleet was the devil, but at least they didn't lull me into their confidences before giving me hidden fees! Evil! Okay, enough with my mundane whining...I'm going to see Nickelback this Saturday! Woohoo!
*****
Fate's Reversal
Part 6
*****
"Master, you seem restless. Shall I entertain you?" Kanna's hand drifted to the obi holding her kimono closed.
"Kanna, don't be so single minded." Naraku sighed at his servant, standing from the chair he was resting in. "It's repulsive."
"I apologize, my Master." Kanna bowed her head, holding her hands properly in front of her. "I meant no harm."
"I realize that, Kanna." Naraku walked to a window and looked out at the slightly hazy view of the forest beyond his palace. The surrounding area was slightly distorted by the barrier surrounding his castle. "I hate this view."
"I'm sorry, my Master. Perhaps a different window would please you more?" Kanna asked. Naraku rolled his eyes at the overly subservient woman. She was an amusing plaything, and was intriguing at times, but he was not in the mood for her unquestioning compliance at the moment.
"Perhaps I need a distraction." Naraku turned from the window and looked back toward his servant. She was blushing, obviously thinking that he was considering her as a worthwhile distraction, but his eyes were on the mirror she carried. "Show me the mirror."
"The mirror? As my Master wishes." Kanna's expression wavered, but she was obviously pleased to be able to entertain her Master in any way whatsoever. She carefully removed the enchanted glass from where it was tied to her obi, holding it before her in both hands and waiting for Naraku to instruct her further.
"Let us see what pain I have wrought." Naraku smiled, nodding toward Kanna to indicate that she had some part in said pain. "Show me the dog demon and his ilk."
"Yes, my Master." Kanna concentrated until the mirror showed an image of Inuyasha, looking just as Naraku remembered him. But the white haired hanyou was laying under blankets, and his chest was covered with the head and arms of a sobbing woman with black hair. She lifted her head after some time, and it was clearly Kagome, but she was obviously a grown woman now.
"Ah, the poor miko seems a bit distressed." Naraku laughed lightly. "She has aged quite a bit, hasn't she, Kanna?"
"She is merely a human." Kanna reminded him. "Not ageless like you, my Master."
"Indeed she is." Naraku agreed. "Look now, someone is coming into the room. Move it so that I can see who it is." Naraku ordered his servant, who only nodded in compliance before adjusting the view of her mirror to show the person who had joined Inuyasha and Kagome. It was a black haired woman who seemed to be about as old as the miko, trailed by a full grown fox youkai. "Is that...the little kitsune whelp? I have been gone for some time, Kanna."
"Yes, my Master. The woman you see is Sango, the youkai exterminator." Kanna added. Naraku nodded, but glared at Kanna.
"I could tell that for myself, Kanna." he informed her icily.
"I apologize, my Master." she lowered her head again.
"Look how they try to comfort her." Naraku laughed again at the scene before him. "Ridiculously sentimental idiots. But the demon killer doesn't seem quite as distressed as the miko. Perhaps she isn't aware that I hold her boys?"
"That is her mistake, Master, for underestimating you." Kanna was soon to jump on the chance to praise Naraku.
"Yes, obviously." Naraku agreed, narrowing his eyes at the people in the mirror. "Now, where could that monk be, I wonder? Out looking for my castle, is he?"
"I doubt it, my Master. They all think you are long dead." Kanna smiled softly at him as the scene dissolved and she showed him a picture of Miroku flying over a forest on Kirara's back.
"I see they still have their little pet, eh?" Naraku laughed, finding all of this very amusing. "Look how his face is set so seriously, as though he can do anything about all of this. Now, where could he be headed in such a hurry?"
"Let us see..." Kanna let the scene zoom out further and further to show the area Miroku was heading for. "This forest seems vaguely familiar. Do you know which it is, Master?"
"Yes, of course." Naraku nodded. "It seems he is in the forest surrounding the palace that holds the ruler of the Western Lands. Is it still that idiot dog's brother?"
"Sesshoumaru? Yes, he is still Lord of the West." Kanna confirmed.
"But as I recall, Inuyasha and his brother were never on very good terms." Naraku rubbed his chin in curiosity. "Why would the monk be heading to visit Sesshoumaru by himself?"
"Perhaps he thinks that Sesshoumaru is to blame for all that has occurred." Kanna supposed.
"Highly amusing, yes." Naraku laughed at this idea. "Wonderful. Now, show me your sister Kagura."
"Yes, my Master." Kanna complied, the scene in the mirror fading for a few moments before focusing on the youkai woman lying under blankets in a small den, a man curled up at her side, his arms wrapped around her.
"That man...Kagura's mate?" Naraku asked, leaning closer to get a better view of the man.
"Kouga, the leader of the nearby pack of wolf youkai." Kanna explained.
"Him? But he had hated Kagura when I died! What could have shifted their hearts so much?" Naraku wanted to know.
"The answer eludes me, my Master. I don't understand such things." Kanna admitted.
"I never did understand Kagura well. A mistake, she was." Naraku grumbled. "Not like you, Kanna. You do not disappoint me."
"My...Master is too kind." Kanna sounded a bit breathless, her cheeks becoming slightly less pale than usual as she blushed.
"So...it seems we are in no danger of being discovered any time soon. That is good, because tonight I will become weak." Naraku told Kanna, gesturing that she could put her mirror away. "The barrier will be weak as well, and we will be at risk of discovery. But it seems that our only enemies are...indisposed." Naraku laughed for some time, but then cut off suddenly, grabbing Kanna's shoulders and pulling her close. She gasped in surprise, but did not struggle in his grip. "We still have time before the sun sets. Shall we retire to my chamber?"
"As my Master wishes." Kanna answered, a small smile flitting across her emotionless face.
----------
"Run, Keshiki! He'll get you!" Kokoro squealed in delight as Seishin ran after their sister.
"Help me!" Keshiki ran straight for Yoru, grabbing his hand in her own and letting him run ahead, leading her along.
"You better go faster than that Seishin!" Yoru turned back to smile at the tiring eleven-year old. "You'll never catch us!"
"I'll get Mottomo though!" Seishin swiftly shifted course to the nearby pale headed young one. Mottomo's purple eyes widened in shock and he turned to run, but tripped and was slowed down enough that Seishin was able to tag him. "Ha! You're it!"
"No fair!" Mottomo protested before running after Seishin, trying to right the wrong that had been done to him. "I'll get you back! You just--"
The sudden stop of Mottomo's voice caught the attention of all the children, and they turned to the boy who looked so much like his father, collapsed on the ground and panting heavily. "Mottomo!" Yoru let go of Keshiki's hand finally to race to his brother's side. "What is it?"
"I...don't know. I felt really weak all the sudden." Mottomo let Yoru help him up to shaky feet. "I'm sorry, you guys. I still feel a little weird."
"Maybe you're just tired." Yoru suggested, letting Mottomo take a moment to gain his balance before urging him back toward the dwelling of Sango and Miroku. "Let's just go inside for a bit, okay?"
"Sounds good, thanks." Mottomo stumbled again just as Shippo and Kaede exited the house.
"Mottomo! For the love of the gods!" Kaede seemed highly alarmed, hurrying old legs over to the brothers. "What happened to you?"
"Kaede-baachan?" Mottomo arched an eyebrow in question as she stood very close to him, her eyes going over him critically.
"Your aura...for a moment it faded away. It was very strange. I've never seen something like that happen to a perfectly healthy person." Kaede finished her inspection. "But I can see no problems now. I shall have to think about this development." Kaede and Shippo went back inside with the two brothers, leaving Sango and Miroku's three youngest children to look at each other in confusion.
----------
Yuki eyed the barrier that stood only inches from him questioningly. It didn't seem terribly strong, and he could vaguely see the hazy form of a castle within the barrier, but he wasn't sure what would happen when he touched it. I can't just stare at it all day though, Yuki thought tossing a rock which went through the barrier as though it did not exist. Strange that this barrier only fades the appearance of that castle. Why wouldn't they just make it disappear altogether? He wondered, tossing another rock. The most pressing matter was the smell that was coming from the castle, though. That smell that he'd chased in an almost straight line to this spot, was practically rolling off the castle in great waves. Whoever did that to mother, they're in this castle, and I'll find them Yuki balled up his fists, gathering his courage as he strode straight into the barrier. It offered resistance, and he pushed forward harder, eventually breaking through.
On the other side of the barrier, the castle was as clear as day, but now the surrounding forest was blurry and distorted as the castle had been just moments before. Yuki crept toward the castle, deciding that it would be best to sneak in undetected through a low window rather than trying to enter through the main door. I still don't really know what I'm facing here. I don't want to get taken by surprise and captured. He thought, or have whatever attacked mother come after me. Yuki scowled at the thought of the nameless scent all around him, the only way he knew how to identify his assailant. As he pulled himself up and inside a low window, Yuki looked up and down the halls for anyone that might alert his enemy of his presence. Seeing no one, he continued down the hall, not really knowing what to do other than to look in each room. The scent of his enemy was so strong here that he couldn't separate one scent trail from another.
Yuki sighed silently after opening every door on the ground floor and finding not one living soul in any of them. What the hell is with this place? What kind of freak lives all alone in a huge castle guarded by some damn barrier? Yuki wondered as he decided to check the lower levels of the castle before going upstairs. The scent of the enemy was strong and recent here just like it seemed to be all over the palace, so he didn't see any problem with starting at the bottom and working his way up. After all, Yuki had never been to familiar with castles, so he was unsure as to where the lord of such a place would most likely be. All he could do was check every room until he found someone.
As he hit the bottom of the stairs, Yuki noticed a faint scent which was very familiar, and yet different from that of his enemy. He followed the strengthening scent to a large, heavy door, curious as to who else could be in this castle with the youkai who had stolen his mother's soul. Peaking through the tiny barred window, Yuki could see that he was at the entrance to a small dungeon. And that familiar smell hit him again. It was hard to tell what it was exactly, as it was mixed with other smells, that of his enemy, and a few others he was unsure of. But somehow, the smell reminded him of home. Maybe there's someone in those cells. Maybe someone I know? Yuki wondered as he fiddled with the lock mechanism on the door. He wasn't sure who was in there, but he was becoming increasingly hopeful that it might be two members of his tribe that had gone missing shortly before his mother was attacked. Amai and Nigai...I hope it's them!
----------
"Are you...um, are you okay?" Sekatsu asked the youkai girl that was huddled in one corner of the cell, crying miserably. He might be a bit of a mischief maker, and he'd been in all kinds of trouble, but if there was one thing Sekatsu couldn't handle, it was a girl crying. And this girl had been crying since he woke up in the cell with her.
"Her name is Amai." the boy in the cell across from his informed Sekatsu, standing up and moving until he was pressed against the bars. "She's upset right now. I can take care of it."
"Yeah, Sekatsu, leave her alone. She's only twelve years old. Too young for you." Haruka's voice addressed him from the cell next to his. He couldn't see her, but he could hear her voice. He'd been very excited when he first realized that Tsuyo and him had indeed found her, but that excitement had been short lived, as he was trapped in a dungeon with an endlessly sobbing girl. He could tell from the fact that she had a tail and pointed ears that this Amai was a youkai like Shippo. Also like Shippo, she didn't seem to be very dangerous. In fact, she reminded him of his sisters, Keshiki and Kokoro.
"Sorry you guys, I was just trying to help." Sekatsu grumbled, backing away from the girl.
"She's my sister, stay away from her." the boy across from Sekatsu spoke up again.
"And what's your name?" Sekatsu asked.
"His name is Nigai." Amai looked up from where her head had been resting in her arms, sniffling slightly. "He's my brother."
"She talked!" Tsuyo, who was in a cell diagonal from Sekatsu's, exclaimed. "I was starting to think this would be like one of Kokoro's tantrums, where she just cries and cries and won't shut up."
"You shut up." Haruka growled at him. "She's only a little girl."
"Who's...that guy?" Amai looked up at Sekatsu and pointed at the cell diagonal from them. "He...looks just like you."
"He's Tsuyo, my twin brother." Sekatsu answered, not really sure what had caused Amai to stop crying, but not wanting the spell of peace to break.
"Nigai's my twin brother, too." Amai told him, wiping her eyes slightly and then pointing to the boy glaring angrily at Sekatsu.
"Really? I guess you two do look alike, now that I think about it, but I didn't know there could be twins that looked different. I mean, you're a girl..." Sekatsu began.
"They're fraternal twins, you idiot." Haruka told him.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I didn't know that." Sekatsu grumbled.
"Haruka's mean sometimes, don't worry." Amai reassured him. "I think it's cause she's older than all of us. She made Nigai really mad before."
"I am not mean!" Haruka shot out.
"I know what you mean. You should have seen the black eye she gave me once." Sekatsu told Amai, ignoring Haruka's anger.
"She beat you up? A girl?" Nigai laughed, sure that his sister could handle anyone a girl beat up. "What a vicious temper she must have."
"I thought girls weren't supposed to fight." Amai pointed out.
"They can fight whenever they want!" Haruka argued. "And the only reason I hit him was because he grabbed me! I don't have a vicious temper, Nigai. That boy is just a pervert."
"What?" Nigai's eyes bulged in alarm. "You! Get away from my sister! I can see you in there, you know!"
"I'm not even near her!" Sekatsu objected.
"Shush! Someone's coming." Haruka alerted them all. Nigai shot one more glare at Sekatsu before moving to the back of his cell. Everyone else moved to the back of their cells as well, trying to avoid notice. They had met Naraku yesterday, the man who was apparently keeping them captive. Kanna had been present as well, informing them all that this was to be their "master." After that meeting, all of them had agreed that Naraku and Kanna both were exceedingly creepy and disturbing, and that they'd rather not draw the attention of either.
The door to the dungeon opened slowly, and Amai felt restless waiting for their strange captor to come and go. She knew that she didn't want Naraku to pay any attention to her, she had seen the cruelty in his eyes. But it was difficult, laying at the back of the cell and pretending to sleep, not being able to open your eyes to see how long you'd have to wait to get up again.
"Amai! Nigai! It is you!" At the sound of the exclamation, Amai's eyes flew open and she leapt to her feet, running to the bars of her cell.
"Yuki! You came for us!" She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, and even though she felt a bit ashamed of all the crying she'd been doing lately, Amai couldn't help it. She was so happy to see Yuki, to know that she'd soon be free to go home and see the rest of her friends and family again.
"Yuki! You're here!" Nigai was across the hall, pressed against his bars as well. "How'd you find us? I thought no one was coming."
"I came after mother was attacked." Yuki explained, already working at the lock to Amai's cell with a thin metal pick he'd found outside the dungeons.
"Mother? She...is she okay?" Amai looked ready to shift from happy to sad again, and Yuki cursed his stupidity for mentioning such a thing in front of her.
"She'll be okay, I know." Yuki told them. "Except I have to find the person who stole her soul."
"Stole her soul?" Nigai's eyes bugged out. "I know who!"
"Yes, it was me." Kanna finished, her calm and quiet voice raising a panic among the prisoners.
"Shit! She's here!" Haruka cursed from her cell. She had thought for a moment that she would be freed, but then that damn creepy Kanna had to come back.
"I thought I sensed a disturbance. I am pleased to meet you, my nephew." She made a twisting of lips that somewhat resembled a cruel smile. "But I won't have you running around like that, it won't do at all." Kanna reached for her mirror, and Nigai became more panicky than before.
"Watch it! That mirror, get away from it or it'll take your soul!" he warned his older brother.
"You did it then! And what do you mean, calling me your nephew?" Yuki ignored the advice, and right after the question left his lips, a bright, glowing form left his body and entered the mirror, leaving him to collapse on the ground.
"Just that. Kagura was my sister." Kanna informed the unconscious boy. Nigai was, as usual, in a rage.
"My mom, your sister? What the hell are you, anyway? You're a twisted fuck, that's what!" he screamed at her as she used a barrier to hold back Haruka as she placed the unmoving Yuki in her cell.
"Perhaps you think that, but you are in there, and I am out here. A good day to you." Kanna curtsied and left.
----------
"Please, Lord Sesshoumaru, I need to talk to you. It is extremely urgent." Miroku bowed slightly before the elegant man looking down at him. Sesshoumaru blinked down at the dark head and then glanced at his apologetic looking servant before waving the frightened young youkai away. He turned his attention back to Miroku as they were left alone in his private throne room.
"I know you." he spoke to the other man. "You are my brother's friend. The monk..."
"Miroku." the monk supplied.
"Yes, that's it." Sesshoumaru waved a hand lightly, which showed how little he cared to remember such things as well as indicating that Miroku need not continue his bow. "I have not seen Inuyasha for some time now. How is he?"
"That is precisely the reason I have come, Lord Sesshoumaru." Miroku made another slight bow.
"By your extreme politeness, I take it that you want something from me." Sesshoumaru almost smiled at the surprise on the monk's face. "Tell me, what trouble has my brother caused you now?"
"Inuyasha...he's hurt." Miroku admitted. "It seems that his soul was taken from him."
"His soul? That's foolish. Why wouldn't he just be killed?" Naraku asked.
"Whoever took it, we think they wanted the Shikon no Tama." Miroku explained.
"What do I have to do with all this?" Sesshoumaru demanded after a moment of silence.
"We were hoping that somehow...Tensusaiga might bring his soul back." Miroku explained, feeling a little foolish under the critical gaze.
"That's not what Tensusaiga was meant for. Inuyasha's not dead, and so there's nothing I can do." Sesshoumaru told the monk.
"Well...we just thought that perhaps the sword would call back his soul." Miroku elaborated. "Isn't that how it brings people back to life?"
"I'm not sure." Sesshoumaru touched the hilt of the blade he rarely used. "I never bothered with how it worked."
"I understand." Miroku bowed slightly once more. "Perhaps you'd be willing to try?"
"I am needed here. I cannot leave my palace." Sesshoumaru told the man.
"Please, Lord Sesshoumaru, I know that Inuyasha and yourself were not close brothers in the past, but I know that you reconciled and I had hoped that he would be important enough that you might consider at least attempting to save him." Miroku entreated.
"I understand what you are saying, monk." Sesshoumaru sighed. "I do care for my brother, and this news does distress me, whatever you may believe my reaction to be. But I speak the truth when I say I am needed here. I have others who look to me, and I cannot abandon them."
"Sesshoumaru, please." a soft, female voice interrupted them, and Miroku turned just as Sesshoumaru stood from his throne, rushing to the side of the woman with shining black hair and large grey blue eyes who stood at the entrance to the room. "I can take care of myself."
"No, Rin, you are my responsibility." Sesshoumaru insisted.
"He is your brother." she shook her head, but allowed his arms to support her frail, delicate figure. Miroku hadn't noticed when he first saw her, but Rin did look very weak. He remembered a young, lively girl, always at Sesshoumaru's side. She had grown into a lovely woman, but it distressed Miroku to see how her health had deteriorated. And from the way Sesshoumaru, usually devoid of all emotion, looked at her, Miroku wasn't surprised at all that he hesitated to leave the woman's side even for the sake of his only brother.
"But Rin, you are not well. When you are better, then perhaps--" he began, but the woman shook her head, cutting him off.
"Sesshoumaru, I haven't been well for a long time now, and I'm not going to be getting better anytime soon." Rin assured him, though obviously it wasn't what the youkai lord wanted to hear. "I may be a bit weak, but I assure you, I'll be fine on my own until you get back. Besides, Fuyu and Natsu should be back by tonight, and they're more than capable of watching over me."
"Rin..." Sesshoumaru looked torn between expressing feelings for the woman in his arms or remaining reasonably detached in the presence of Miroku.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, if I may say..." Miroku hated to use this sort of trick, but Inuyasha needed help, and if this worked, then it would be worth it. "You do remember the Lady Kagome? Inuyasha's wife?"
"Kagome! Oh, it's been so long since I last saw her." Rin smiled at Miroku and at Sesshoumaru. "I was so young back then, do you remember, Sesshoumaru? How is she doing, may I ask?"
"She is not well, I fear." Miroku shook his head. "You see, one of her children has gone missing, and now that Inuyasha's life is hanging on by such a thin thread...she's in a state of constant grief."
"I...do remember her. She was a very kind woman, as I recall." Sesshoumaru glanced back down at Rin, obviously reminded of her. "I regret to hear that she is in such a sad state."
"Yes, that is also why I came. It is bad enough with Inuyasha's life threatened, but Kagome and him love each other so deeply, I fear that his death would lead to her own demise." Miroku told the lord.
"No! This is simply terrible! Sesshoumaru, please go!" Rin urged him.
"But...what if it doesn't work?" he asked her, obviously already conceding to her demand.
"All we can do is try, isn't it?" she asked him. "You will try your best, won't you?"
"Rin...I will be gone shortly." Sesshoumaru whispered something further into her ear, and she kissed his cheek softly before excusing herself from the room. Sesshoumaru turned to Miroku, looking rather determined. "All right then, let's go."
*****
The End (Of Part 6, That Is)
*****
Fate's Reversal
Part 6
*****
"Master, you seem restless. Shall I entertain you?" Kanna's hand drifted to the obi holding her kimono closed.
"Kanna, don't be so single minded." Naraku sighed at his servant, standing from the chair he was resting in. "It's repulsive."
"I apologize, my Master." Kanna bowed her head, holding her hands properly in front of her. "I meant no harm."
"I realize that, Kanna." Naraku walked to a window and looked out at the slightly hazy view of the forest beyond his palace. The surrounding area was slightly distorted by the barrier surrounding his castle. "I hate this view."
"I'm sorry, my Master. Perhaps a different window would please you more?" Kanna asked. Naraku rolled his eyes at the overly subservient woman. She was an amusing plaything, and was intriguing at times, but he was not in the mood for her unquestioning compliance at the moment.
"Perhaps I need a distraction." Naraku turned from the window and looked back toward his servant. She was blushing, obviously thinking that he was considering her as a worthwhile distraction, but his eyes were on the mirror she carried. "Show me the mirror."
"The mirror? As my Master wishes." Kanna's expression wavered, but she was obviously pleased to be able to entertain her Master in any way whatsoever. She carefully removed the enchanted glass from where it was tied to her obi, holding it before her in both hands and waiting for Naraku to instruct her further.
"Let us see what pain I have wrought." Naraku smiled, nodding toward Kanna to indicate that she had some part in said pain. "Show me the dog demon and his ilk."
"Yes, my Master." Kanna concentrated until the mirror showed an image of Inuyasha, looking just as Naraku remembered him. But the white haired hanyou was laying under blankets, and his chest was covered with the head and arms of a sobbing woman with black hair. She lifted her head after some time, and it was clearly Kagome, but she was obviously a grown woman now.
"Ah, the poor miko seems a bit distressed." Naraku laughed lightly. "She has aged quite a bit, hasn't she, Kanna?"
"She is merely a human." Kanna reminded him. "Not ageless like you, my Master."
"Indeed she is." Naraku agreed. "Look now, someone is coming into the room. Move it so that I can see who it is." Naraku ordered his servant, who only nodded in compliance before adjusting the view of her mirror to show the person who had joined Inuyasha and Kagome. It was a black haired woman who seemed to be about as old as the miko, trailed by a full grown fox youkai. "Is that...the little kitsune whelp? I have been gone for some time, Kanna."
"Yes, my Master. The woman you see is Sango, the youkai exterminator." Kanna added. Naraku nodded, but glared at Kanna.
"I could tell that for myself, Kanna." he informed her icily.
"I apologize, my Master." she lowered her head again.
"Look how they try to comfort her." Naraku laughed again at the scene before him. "Ridiculously sentimental idiots. But the demon killer doesn't seem quite as distressed as the miko. Perhaps she isn't aware that I hold her boys?"
"That is her mistake, Master, for underestimating you." Kanna was soon to jump on the chance to praise Naraku.
"Yes, obviously." Naraku agreed, narrowing his eyes at the people in the mirror. "Now, where could that monk be, I wonder? Out looking for my castle, is he?"
"I doubt it, my Master. They all think you are long dead." Kanna smiled softly at him as the scene dissolved and she showed him a picture of Miroku flying over a forest on Kirara's back.
"I see they still have their little pet, eh?" Naraku laughed, finding all of this very amusing. "Look how his face is set so seriously, as though he can do anything about all of this. Now, where could he be headed in such a hurry?"
"Let us see..." Kanna let the scene zoom out further and further to show the area Miroku was heading for. "This forest seems vaguely familiar. Do you know which it is, Master?"
"Yes, of course." Naraku nodded. "It seems he is in the forest surrounding the palace that holds the ruler of the Western Lands. Is it still that idiot dog's brother?"
"Sesshoumaru? Yes, he is still Lord of the West." Kanna confirmed.
"But as I recall, Inuyasha and his brother were never on very good terms." Naraku rubbed his chin in curiosity. "Why would the monk be heading to visit Sesshoumaru by himself?"
"Perhaps he thinks that Sesshoumaru is to blame for all that has occurred." Kanna supposed.
"Highly amusing, yes." Naraku laughed at this idea. "Wonderful. Now, show me your sister Kagura."
"Yes, my Master." Kanna complied, the scene in the mirror fading for a few moments before focusing on the youkai woman lying under blankets in a small den, a man curled up at her side, his arms wrapped around her.
"That man...Kagura's mate?" Naraku asked, leaning closer to get a better view of the man.
"Kouga, the leader of the nearby pack of wolf youkai." Kanna explained.
"Him? But he had hated Kagura when I died! What could have shifted their hearts so much?" Naraku wanted to know.
"The answer eludes me, my Master. I don't understand such things." Kanna admitted.
"I never did understand Kagura well. A mistake, she was." Naraku grumbled. "Not like you, Kanna. You do not disappoint me."
"My...Master is too kind." Kanna sounded a bit breathless, her cheeks becoming slightly less pale than usual as she blushed.
"So...it seems we are in no danger of being discovered any time soon. That is good, because tonight I will become weak." Naraku told Kanna, gesturing that she could put her mirror away. "The barrier will be weak as well, and we will be at risk of discovery. But it seems that our only enemies are...indisposed." Naraku laughed for some time, but then cut off suddenly, grabbing Kanna's shoulders and pulling her close. She gasped in surprise, but did not struggle in his grip. "We still have time before the sun sets. Shall we retire to my chamber?"
"As my Master wishes." Kanna answered, a small smile flitting across her emotionless face.
----------
"Run, Keshiki! He'll get you!" Kokoro squealed in delight as Seishin ran after their sister.
"Help me!" Keshiki ran straight for Yoru, grabbing his hand in her own and letting him run ahead, leading her along.
"You better go faster than that Seishin!" Yoru turned back to smile at the tiring eleven-year old. "You'll never catch us!"
"I'll get Mottomo though!" Seishin swiftly shifted course to the nearby pale headed young one. Mottomo's purple eyes widened in shock and he turned to run, but tripped and was slowed down enough that Seishin was able to tag him. "Ha! You're it!"
"No fair!" Mottomo protested before running after Seishin, trying to right the wrong that had been done to him. "I'll get you back! You just--"
The sudden stop of Mottomo's voice caught the attention of all the children, and they turned to the boy who looked so much like his father, collapsed on the ground and panting heavily. "Mottomo!" Yoru let go of Keshiki's hand finally to race to his brother's side. "What is it?"
"I...don't know. I felt really weak all the sudden." Mottomo let Yoru help him up to shaky feet. "I'm sorry, you guys. I still feel a little weird."
"Maybe you're just tired." Yoru suggested, letting Mottomo take a moment to gain his balance before urging him back toward the dwelling of Sango and Miroku. "Let's just go inside for a bit, okay?"
"Sounds good, thanks." Mottomo stumbled again just as Shippo and Kaede exited the house.
"Mottomo! For the love of the gods!" Kaede seemed highly alarmed, hurrying old legs over to the brothers. "What happened to you?"
"Kaede-baachan?" Mottomo arched an eyebrow in question as she stood very close to him, her eyes going over him critically.
"Your aura...for a moment it faded away. It was very strange. I've never seen something like that happen to a perfectly healthy person." Kaede finished her inspection. "But I can see no problems now. I shall have to think about this development." Kaede and Shippo went back inside with the two brothers, leaving Sango and Miroku's three youngest children to look at each other in confusion.
----------
Yuki eyed the barrier that stood only inches from him questioningly. It didn't seem terribly strong, and he could vaguely see the hazy form of a castle within the barrier, but he wasn't sure what would happen when he touched it. I can't just stare at it all day though, Yuki thought tossing a rock which went through the barrier as though it did not exist. Strange that this barrier only fades the appearance of that castle. Why wouldn't they just make it disappear altogether? He wondered, tossing another rock. The most pressing matter was the smell that was coming from the castle, though. That smell that he'd chased in an almost straight line to this spot, was practically rolling off the castle in great waves. Whoever did that to mother, they're in this castle, and I'll find them Yuki balled up his fists, gathering his courage as he strode straight into the barrier. It offered resistance, and he pushed forward harder, eventually breaking through.
On the other side of the barrier, the castle was as clear as day, but now the surrounding forest was blurry and distorted as the castle had been just moments before. Yuki crept toward the castle, deciding that it would be best to sneak in undetected through a low window rather than trying to enter through the main door. I still don't really know what I'm facing here. I don't want to get taken by surprise and captured. He thought, or have whatever attacked mother come after me. Yuki scowled at the thought of the nameless scent all around him, the only way he knew how to identify his assailant. As he pulled himself up and inside a low window, Yuki looked up and down the halls for anyone that might alert his enemy of his presence. Seeing no one, he continued down the hall, not really knowing what to do other than to look in each room. The scent of his enemy was so strong here that he couldn't separate one scent trail from another.
Yuki sighed silently after opening every door on the ground floor and finding not one living soul in any of them. What the hell is with this place? What kind of freak lives all alone in a huge castle guarded by some damn barrier? Yuki wondered as he decided to check the lower levels of the castle before going upstairs. The scent of the enemy was strong and recent here just like it seemed to be all over the palace, so he didn't see any problem with starting at the bottom and working his way up. After all, Yuki had never been to familiar with castles, so he was unsure as to where the lord of such a place would most likely be. All he could do was check every room until he found someone.
As he hit the bottom of the stairs, Yuki noticed a faint scent which was very familiar, and yet different from that of his enemy. He followed the strengthening scent to a large, heavy door, curious as to who else could be in this castle with the youkai who had stolen his mother's soul. Peaking through the tiny barred window, Yuki could see that he was at the entrance to a small dungeon. And that familiar smell hit him again. It was hard to tell what it was exactly, as it was mixed with other smells, that of his enemy, and a few others he was unsure of. But somehow, the smell reminded him of home. Maybe there's someone in those cells. Maybe someone I know? Yuki wondered as he fiddled with the lock mechanism on the door. He wasn't sure who was in there, but he was becoming increasingly hopeful that it might be two members of his tribe that had gone missing shortly before his mother was attacked. Amai and Nigai...I hope it's them!
----------
"Are you...um, are you okay?" Sekatsu asked the youkai girl that was huddled in one corner of the cell, crying miserably. He might be a bit of a mischief maker, and he'd been in all kinds of trouble, but if there was one thing Sekatsu couldn't handle, it was a girl crying. And this girl had been crying since he woke up in the cell with her.
"Her name is Amai." the boy in the cell across from his informed Sekatsu, standing up and moving until he was pressed against the bars. "She's upset right now. I can take care of it."
"Yeah, Sekatsu, leave her alone. She's only twelve years old. Too young for you." Haruka's voice addressed him from the cell next to his. He couldn't see her, but he could hear her voice. He'd been very excited when he first realized that Tsuyo and him had indeed found her, but that excitement had been short lived, as he was trapped in a dungeon with an endlessly sobbing girl. He could tell from the fact that she had a tail and pointed ears that this Amai was a youkai like Shippo. Also like Shippo, she didn't seem to be very dangerous. In fact, she reminded him of his sisters, Keshiki and Kokoro.
"Sorry you guys, I was just trying to help." Sekatsu grumbled, backing away from the girl.
"She's my sister, stay away from her." the boy across from Sekatsu spoke up again.
"And what's your name?" Sekatsu asked.
"His name is Nigai." Amai looked up from where her head had been resting in her arms, sniffling slightly. "He's my brother."
"She talked!" Tsuyo, who was in a cell diagonal from Sekatsu's, exclaimed. "I was starting to think this would be like one of Kokoro's tantrums, where she just cries and cries and won't shut up."
"You shut up." Haruka growled at him. "She's only a little girl."
"Who's...that guy?" Amai looked up at Sekatsu and pointed at the cell diagonal from them. "He...looks just like you."
"He's Tsuyo, my twin brother." Sekatsu answered, not really sure what had caused Amai to stop crying, but not wanting the spell of peace to break.
"Nigai's my twin brother, too." Amai told him, wiping her eyes slightly and then pointing to the boy glaring angrily at Sekatsu.
"Really? I guess you two do look alike, now that I think about it, but I didn't know there could be twins that looked different. I mean, you're a girl..." Sekatsu began.
"They're fraternal twins, you idiot." Haruka told him.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I didn't know that." Sekatsu grumbled.
"Haruka's mean sometimes, don't worry." Amai reassured him. "I think it's cause she's older than all of us. She made Nigai really mad before."
"I am not mean!" Haruka shot out.
"I know what you mean. You should have seen the black eye she gave me once." Sekatsu told Amai, ignoring Haruka's anger.
"She beat you up? A girl?" Nigai laughed, sure that his sister could handle anyone a girl beat up. "What a vicious temper she must have."
"I thought girls weren't supposed to fight." Amai pointed out.
"They can fight whenever they want!" Haruka argued. "And the only reason I hit him was because he grabbed me! I don't have a vicious temper, Nigai. That boy is just a pervert."
"What?" Nigai's eyes bulged in alarm. "You! Get away from my sister! I can see you in there, you know!"
"I'm not even near her!" Sekatsu objected.
"Shush! Someone's coming." Haruka alerted them all. Nigai shot one more glare at Sekatsu before moving to the back of his cell. Everyone else moved to the back of their cells as well, trying to avoid notice. They had met Naraku yesterday, the man who was apparently keeping them captive. Kanna had been present as well, informing them all that this was to be their "master." After that meeting, all of them had agreed that Naraku and Kanna both were exceedingly creepy and disturbing, and that they'd rather not draw the attention of either.
The door to the dungeon opened slowly, and Amai felt restless waiting for their strange captor to come and go. She knew that she didn't want Naraku to pay any attention to her, she had seen the cruelty in his eyes. But it was difficult, laying at the back of the cell and pretending to sleep, not being able to open your eyes to see how long you'd have to wait to get up again.
"Amai! Nigai! It is you!" At the sound of the exclamation, Amai's eyes flew open and she leapt to her feet, running to the bars of her cell.
"Yuki! You came for us!" She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, and even though she felt a bit ashamed of all the crying she'd been doing lately, Amai couldn't help it. She was so happy to see Yuki, to know that she'd soon be free to go home and see the rest of her friends and family again.
"Yuki! You're here!" Nigai was across the hall, pressed against his bars as well. "How'd you find us? I thought no one was coming."
"I came after mother was attacked." Yuki explained, already working at the lock to Amai's cell with a thin metal pick he'd found outside the dungeons.
"Mother? She...is she okay?" Amai looked ready to shift from happy to sad again, and Yuki cursed his stupidity for mentioning such a thing in front of her.
"She'll be okay, I know." Yuki told them. "Except I have to find the person who stole her soul."
"Stole her soul?" Nigai's eyes bugged out. "I know who!"
"Yes, it was me." Kanna finished, her calm and quiet voice raising a panic among the prisoners.
"Shit! She's here!" Haruka cursed from her cell. She had thought for a moment that she would be freed, but then that damn creepy Kanna had to come back.
"I thought I sensed a disturbance. I am pleased to meet you, my nephew." She made a twisting of lips that somewhat resembled a cruel smile. "But I won't have you running around like that, it won't do at all." Kanna reached for her mirror, and Nigai became more panicky than before.
"Watch it! That mirror, get away from it or it'll take your soul!" he warned his older brother.
"You did it then! And what do you mean, calling me your nephew?" Yuki ignored the advice, and right after the question left his lips, a bright, glowing form left his body and entered the mirror, leaving him to collapse on the ground.
"Just that. Kagura was my sister." Kanna informed the unconscious boy. Nigai was, as usual, in a rage.
"My mom, your sister? What the hell are you, anyway? You're a twisted fuck, that's what!" he screamed at her as she used a barrier to hold back Haruka as she placed the unmoving Yuki in her cell.
"Perhaps you think that, but you are in there, and I am out here. A good day to you." Kanna curtsied and left.
----------
"Please, Lord Sesshoumaru, I need to talk to you. It is extremely urgent." Miroku bowed slightly before the elegant man looking down at him. Sesshoumaru blinked down at the dark head and then glanced at his apologetic looking servant before waving the frightened young youkai away. He turned his attention back to Miroku as they were left alone in his private throne room.
"I know you." he spoke to the other man. "You are my brother's friend. The monk..."
"Miroku." the monk supplied.
"Yes, that's it." Sesshoumaru waved a hand lightly, which showed how little he cared to remember such things as well as indicating that Miroku need not continue his bow. "I have not seen Inuyasha for some time now. How is he?"
"That is precisely the reason I have come, Lord Sesshoumaru." Miroku made another slight bow.
"By your extreme politeness, I take it that you want something from me." Sesshoumaru almost smiled at the surprise on the monk's face. "Tell me, what trouble has my brother caused you now?"
"Inuyasha...he's hurt." Miroku admitted. "It seems that his soul was taken from him."
"His soul? That's foolish. Why wouldn't he just be killed?" Naraku asked.
"Whoever took it, we think they wanted the Shikon no Tama." Miroku explained.
"What do I have to do with all this?" Sesshoumaru demanded after a moment of silence.
"We were hoping that somehow...Tensusaiga might bring his soul back." Miroku explained, feeling a little foolish under the critical gaze.
"That's not what Tensusaiga was meant for. Inuyasha's not dead, and so there's nothing I can do." Sesshoumaru told the monk.
"Well...we just thought that perhaps the sword would call back his soul." Miroku elaborated. "Isn't that how it brings people back to life?"
"I'm not sure." Sesshoumaru touched the hilt of the blade he rarely used. "I never bothered with how it worked."
"I understand." Miroku bowed slightly once more. "Perhaps you'd be willing to try?"
"I am needed here. I cannot leave my palace." Sesshoumaru told the man.
"Please, Lord Sesshoumaru, I know that Inuyasha and yourself were not close brothers in the past, but I know that you reconciled and I had hoped that he would be important enough that you might consider at least attempting to save him." Miroku entreated.
"I understand what you are saying, monk." Sesshoumaru sighed. "I do care for my brother, and this news does distress me, whatever you may believe my reaction to be. But I speak the truth when I say I am needed here. I have others who look to me, and I cannot abandon them."
"Sesshoumaru, please." a soft, female voice interrupted them, and Miroku turned just as Sesshoumaru stood from his throne, rushing to the side of the woman with shining black hair and large grey blue eyes who stood at the entrance to the room. "I can take care of myself."
"No, Rin, you are my responsibility." Sesshoumaru insisted.
"He is your brother." she shook her head, but allowed his arms to support her frail, delicate figure. Miroku hadn't noticed when he first saw her, but Rin did look very weak. He remembered a young, lively girl, always at Sesshoumaru's side. She had grown into a lovely woman, but it distressed Miroku to see how her health had deteriorated. And from the way Sesshoumaru, usually devoid of all emotion, looked at her, Miroku wasn't surprised at all that he hesitated to leave the woman's side even for the sake of his only brother.
"But Rin, you are not well. When you are better, then perhaps--" he began, but the woman shook her head, cutting him off.
"Sesshoumaru, I haven't been well for a long time now, and I'm not going to be getting better anytime soon." Rin assured him, though obviously it wasn't what the youkai lord wanted to hear. "I may be a bit weak, but I assure you, I'll be fine on my own until you get back. Besides, Fuyu and Natsu should be back by tonight, and they're more than capable of watching over me."
"Rin..." Sesshoumaru looked torn between expressing feelings for the woman in his arms or remaining reasonably detached in the presence of Miroku.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, if I may say..." Miroku hated to use this sort of trick, but Inuyasha needed help, and if this worked, then it would be worth it. "You do remember the Lady Kagome? Inuyasha's wife?"
"Kagome! Oh, it's been so long since I last saw her." Rin smiled at Miroku and at Sesshoumaru. "I was so young back then, do you remember, Sesshoumaru? How is she doing, may I ask?"
"She is not well, I fear." Miroku shook his head. "You see, one of her children has gone missing, and now that Inuyasha's life is hanging on by such a thin thread...she's in a state of constant grief."
"I...do remember her. She was a very kind woman, as I recall." Sesshoumaru glanced back down at Rin, obviously reminded of her. "I regret to hear that she is in such a sad state."
"Yes, that is also why I came. It is bad enough with Inuyasha's life threatened, but Kagome and him love each other so deeply, I fear that his death would lead to her own demise." Miroku told the lord.
"No! This is simply terrible! Sesshoumaru, please go!" Rin urged him.
"But...what if it doesn't work?" he asked her, obviously already conceding to her demand.
"All we can do is try, isn't it?" she asked him. "You will try your best, won't you?"
"Rin...I will be gone shortly." Sesshoumaru whispered something further into her ear, and she kissed his cheek softly before excusing herself from the room. Sesshoumaru turned to Miroku, looking rather determined. "All right then, let's go."
*****
The End (Of Part 6, That Is)