Times of Change
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all of its characters don't belong to me. Neither does Kurama (he's from the cast of Yu Yu Hakusho). I do claim all original characters though, even the bad ones. Well that about wraps it up, let me know what you think at the end!
Learian Words and their translated/loosely translated meanings:
Kreelie- idiot
Tione- sister
Tionto- brother
Eliree- lover
Lireeh-tionto- Heart-brother
Lireeh-tione- Heart-sister
Lonii- Son
Lanii- Daughter
Ceriee- Mother
Cireen- Father
Chapter 14: Entering the Darkness"And the tall, strong, mighty, handsome warrior ravaged the mouth of his meek and beautiful beloved… A man had to write this!" Destiny muttered and stopped reading the scroll and tossed it back to the vender. "What a waste of ink and paper." She added mournfully and grinned sassily at her companions.
Kagome and Sango both just laughed. They were doing what all girls, in any time, loved to do; shopping. Destiny and Sango had both seemed to become very set on one item, or a couple of items, that had to do with Kagome. They were going to buy her a few articles of clothing to help her blend in better. However, it was mostly boy's clothing with a bit of a feminine slash Learian slash modern twist. She now wore a pair of dark fitted pants that were actually very comfortable. Then came the shirts. As Destiny and Kagome were both from more modern times neither of them were overly fond of the large sleeves as everyday wear and either had the sleeves cut off completely or modified. Shoes, they left the same although Destiny did find a soft-soled pair of boots that fit Kagome perfectly.
"What are these for?" Kagome asked as she pulled on her new boots.
"Stealth, they make less noise than hard soled shoes." Destiny and answered absently as she studied the two girls in her charge. She was having enjoying herself immensely and hoped that Sango and Kagome were enjoying themselves as well. "Is there anything else you two would like to do?" She asked.
"Why don't we get something to eat?" Kagome suggested, besides, there was something she wanted to talk to Destiny about.
"That's a good idea. Destiny, are you hungry?" Sango replied.
"Not till later but that's okay. Let's see if we can go find something edible." She answered good-naturedly.
Although small, the village did have a little restaurant and the girls went there to eat. After a serving maid brought their meal Destiny pulled her harp out from her pack and began to play softly so that she wouldn't disturb any of the other customers. "You do like to play that don't you?" Sango teased her.
"I'm afraid so. You'd be amazed at the songs and tunes you can pick up over a lifetime." Destiny answered and blushed a little in embarrassment, she wasn't used to her playing being commented upon.
"Hey Destiny, why can't you and Kurama be married until you're twenty-three?"
"My heart-father, Silvon, requested it." She answered.
Kagome narrowed her eyes slightly at the bland answered and decided to go for the more direct approach. "Yes, but why?"
Destiny let out a mock groan and sighed dramatically. "I really should be a history teacher." She said and even managed to give a tiny sniffle before her face broke into a large grin. "Learians mature physically at the same pace humans do, and mentally a little faster, but our powers do not. As children Learians need to be kept close to either their parents or guardians for protection as we are our most vulnerable then until we turn thirteen. Our powers begin to grow then and we are more able to care for ourselves. All throughout our teenage years our powers grow very rapidly, almost as if trying to make up for being nearly nonexistent in our younger years. The rapid growth doesn't slow down until our twenty-first year and over the next two years it settles down into a more settled growth pattern. Also our bodies change slightly over the years to accommodate the power growing within us."
"But has that got to do with you and Kurama mating?" Sango asked, curious now as well.
"This is were things get a bit more complicated." Destiny said before continuing on. "While Kurama is very strong for a demon, he would be considered weak compared to an average Learian. Unfortunately because of our blood, Shad and I are very high above average; a fact that has gained us as many enemies as it has friends. When we bond with someone we literally cannot live for very long without them. Until Kurama is more up to our level he and I cannot bond because of the fear that someone would kill him to get to Shadow and I. The other reason why we cannot is that is we mate while my powers are still growing rapidly then both of our powers would grow too rapidly for our bodies to adjust with the end result being death."
For a moment none of them said anything and the only noise was the sound of Destiny's harp. Kagome stared down sadly at her food. Destiny and Shadow's lives were fated from the very beginning to be rough, yet despite all the tragedies they'd be forced through they had come out strong but still managed to remain kind. There was a certain type of innocence about the two of them that had managed to survive as well. The belief that tomorrow would be better and a hope for all the different people in the universe. The strange thing is, I doubt either one of them realize it. She thought to herself. But that's okay. It's just another part of who they are. "So Sango, did you see anything that you wanted?" Kagome asked casually. And the girls launched into a more easy conversation.
Far below, in a world that knew no sunlight a being stirred from it's slumber. Day and night held no meaning for it unless it was dealing with its minions. It was hungry again, it could sense its food crawling around above it. Such delicious power. I wonder how it's flesh will taste. The beast thought and the sounds of movement could be heard in the inky darkness. Soon I will feed again…
Meanwhile, when four o'clock rolled around the two groups met back up together and Destiny and Kurama retired to the inn so that Destiny could sleep. Shippo said that he wasn't tired and Shad volunteered to look after his nephew. After the two parted from the group with strict instructions for Shad not to lose their son, things calmed down a bit. However, Shad was most unhappy. If Inuyasha and Kagome's relationship moved along any slower he just might actually become an old man before they sped up, and it would take centuries for him to get old.
But what to do? He wondered silently. This wasn't exactly a romantic little village and truth be told, he'd rather not have either of them wondering about just by themselves. Call him overprotective but this place just gave him the creeps. That and it reminded him too much of a planet he and Destiny had visited one time, now there was a race full of strange people. They would kill one of their own every month and sacrifice their heart to their god while the people eat the flesh of the victim. But that was this and this is now. So what to do? They couldn't be like Destiny and Kurama could they? Those two were a pair that fairly sizzled from the get-go. Hmm… I wonder if Inuyasha is holding back his attraction for Kagome and if he's doing that I wonder if Kagome is feeling well like a fish out of water I guess. After all, how many humans actually fall in love with temperamental half-demons? He thought in amusement and looked at the couple with the same affection that a brother would.
Speaking of which, why was it so horrible to be a hanyou? The only really intelligent youkai that he'd met so far in this dimension was Sess, now in Kurama's dimension that was a whole different ball game as many of the demons there were highly intelligent, but even they accepted half demons with the same respect given to full blooded ones. And depending on whom you talked to, humans were either awarded the same respect or seen as food.
Hmm… Destiny and my birthday is in four days. What if I sent Kagome to buy something for her from me and sent Inuyasha along with her to help argue over the price. Hah! I'm a genius, now. How do I keep the others from tagging along? Sess is no real problem but Shippo, Sango, and Miroku may or may not be. Oh well, better roll the dice and hope for the best. He decided. And of course no time was like the present.
"Kagome, may I request a favor of you and Inuyasha?" He asked a bit formally, slipping back into the speech patterns that Silvon had taught them.
"Of course." She answered with a friendly smile.
Such a sweet personality. She has a kindness that goes all the way to her soul and shines just as brightly as her compassion, I congratulate you Inuyasha. He thought with a grin and then turned his attention back to his request. "I'm not sure if you knew this but Destiny and I both turn eighteen in four days and I really haven't a clue of what to get her. So since you're from a more modern time I was thinking that maybe you would have some idea of what she might like. And Inuyasha could help you barter for a good price as he knows his own time better than you or I." He stated politely. Please take the bait. Please take the bait.
"I'd be glad to help you Shad. Come on Inuyasha!" Kagome said happily and pulled the hanyou along with her.
"I'm coming." Inuyasha said with a false grumble and looked up in surprise when Shadow stopped him briefly and presses a small pouch into his hand.
"The price isn't important." He said softly and then walked back to the others, his usual grin in place.
"Shadow." Sesshoumaru said calmly.
"You are quite possibly the trickiest bastard I've ever met." He stated in the same calm, cool, and collected voice.
Shad grinned wickedly and said, "I know."
Inuyasha had the strangest feeling that he'd been set up by the Learian. Not that he was complaining or anything, he'd let Shad manipulate him anytime if it meant he got to be alone with Kagome. His Kagome. He thought a bit possessively and smiled when he looked over at her and watched as she tried to decide what Destiny would like for her birthday. He wanted to hold her close all of a sudden and since he didn't really see anything wrong with that he gave in to the sudden impulse.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried out in surprise but she was smiling as she turned in his arms so that she could look at him.
"That's my name." He said teasingly and leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers lightly.
"You're in a good mood today." She noted and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing them even closer together.
"Why wouldn't I be?" He asked and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I've got you." He added and was pleased to see her blush.
"Inuyasha, you-" She started to speak but Inuyasha interrupted her by kissing her again. He was slowly getting bolder with her and this time he nibbled very delicately on her bottom lip before soothing away any pain that he may have invariably caused with his tongue. When Kagome opened her mouth under his, he moved one hand up to her neck and gently caressed the soft skin as his tongue delicately dipped into her mouth to taste her…
"Excuse me sir, madam, but perhaps you could continue this elsewhere?" Suggested a very nervous looking vendor.
Inuyasha broke off the kiss with Kagome and glared at the vendor who dared to interrupt them. Kagome, knowing how they must have looked to the vendor, giggled and rubbed her face against Inuyasha's chest happily. "It's okay Inuyasha. Besides, he's kinda right." She said softly and blushed yet again. I hope I don't do this all the time! She thought in embarrassment. She hated blushing, it made her look like a tomato, or so she thought.
He, on the other hand, thought she looked beautiful. "Kagome?" He asked quietly, focusing his attention back on her.
"We need to talk soon."
She smiled up at him and nodded. "Okay."
Satisfied, Inuyasha let her get back to her shopping except this time he had his arm around her waist and she settled comfortably against him as they talked idly about what Destiny might like.
"Stupid mortal." Shad growled in annoyance and probably would have walked up to the man and snarled at him when Inuyasha put his arm around Kagome. Hmm… Well better than nothing I suppose. He thought to himself and turned around to see Shippo, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo staring at him in surprise. "What?" He asked innocently, going over anything he had just said or did. And came up with…nothing. He didn't know why they were looking at him so oddly.
"Why'd you call the vendor mortal?" Miroku asked.
"That's what all of you are looking at me so strangely for?" He asked in disbelief and looked up at the sky in exasperation. "Why me, Lord? What have I done?" He asked and looked back at them. "It's just a term of speech that I say when I'm annoyed. Just ignore it." He said and grinned at them. "Say, who's hungry?"
Later that night, after they had all eaten the meal that the inn provided they all retired to their rooms. Shad placed Shippo in Destiny and Kurama's room at the young kitsune's request and smiled a bit when both his heart-sister and Kurama woke up immediately only to relax again when they recognized him. Destiny was laying snuggly against Kurama's chest and he had one arm about her waist but they both looked up at the sleepy kit welcomingly as Shad placed him next to Destiny's stomach.
Thank you. Kurama said in mind-speech to him.
My pleasure brother. Shad answered and studied the picture in front of him for a moment and turned to walk out when he stopped at the door and added privately to Kurama, I like having a large family. It's… comforting, knowing that someone is there for you.
I know. Kurama answered him and Shad nodded his head once in acknowledgement and then left to seek his own room. Kurama was happy and pleased with the way things were going and he shifted his hold on Destiny so that his mate and son were both in his embrace. Once he had told Destiny that he saw her in his tomorrows, now he was starting to include Shippo in that picture. How are we supposed to leave him behind? He wondered but knew that answer wouldn't be found until much later and so he settled back down to sleep.
Had they managed not to go to sleep or woken a little bit earlier, they might have been able to stop the nightmare that happened next.
When Destiny woke she was surprised to see that Kurama was gone. Usually she managed to wake before him and she looked around for him. Kurama? She called out softy in mind-speech and began to get worried when he did not answer. Shad? She tried for her heart-brother the next time and when she received nothing but silence she felt a cold fear grip her heart.
Quietly, so as not to wake Shippo, she climbed out of the bed and changed from her light colored everyday clothes and into a set of form-fitting clothes that were a brown so dark that they were close to black. Most amateurs believed that black was the best color to go creeping around the night in, that was true only if there was no light about. For if you wore a black that was darker than the area around you, you would stand out just as clearly as if you had lighter colors on. Dark brown and gray allowed one to actually seep into the night. And Destiny was no amateur. She pulled on a pair of soft soled boots that were as dark as her clothes but dulled so that they didn't reflect any light, they were a lot like the ones she'd gotten for Kagome, except they were designed to hold boot knives that were made from a dull black metal. Just as she was changing her clothes so was she changing her identity for this night and becoming Death's Angel. A name that in one dimension was still spoken in fear by some of the more unsavory characters that lived in a life of shadows. It was a codename that had been given to her when she was ten, but by that time death was so common it seemed like a friend.
Using her senses she found that Sango, Kirara, Miroku, and Sess were the only ones besides herself and Shippo that remained. After placing all of her knives in their proper place she pulled on a cloak that matched the color of her clothes and pulled the hood up to hide her hair. Finally she very gently gathered Shippo in her arms and walked into Sango's room. She woke the girl quietly and explained that Inuyasha, Kurama, Shad, and Kagome were missing. Just as quietly she told her to watch after Shippo and go to Miroku's room and stay alert in case of trouble.
"What are you going to do?" Sango whispered as she held Shippo in her arms.
Destiny smiled humorlessly and answered, "Sess and I are going to get them back." And with that she walked silently from the room.
"Sess." Destiny said quietly, hoping that the youkai would just wake up. However, whatever had made them all sleep so deeply must still be affecting him because he didn't even stir. She sighed a little irritated and walked over to the youkai, after she used some of her power to pin his hand down so that when he awoke he couldn't slice her with his claws. "Sess." She said again and this time she shook his shoulder. As predicted he jerked awake and very probably would have sliced at her but he couldn't move his arm.
"What do you want?" He growled, after recognizing her scent; and she released his hand when she saw that he was awake.
"For you to get up." She answered and flicked the covers off of him. Underneath the concealing covering Sesshoumaru had been completely nude and he stood up angrily to give the immodest wench a scathingly let down. However she didn't even blink and just looked at him in pure boredom.
"Save it. Nudity doesn't bother me, now get dressed." She interrupted and went to go stand by the door. "No armor, wear nothing that can reflect light, no light clothing, and… Hell, Sess, all you have is white clothing." She remembered and shook her head.
"Very astute of you to remember." He said dryly. "Now what is going on?"
"Kurama, Shad, Inuyasha, and Kagome have been taken; and you and I are going to get them back." She stated calmly.
"Why should I help you?" He asked coolly and pulled on his pants and his undershirt.
"Because I know you really don't hate Inuyasha, you respect and like my heart-mate and Shad as well." She answered. "No, don't put on anything else; all of your clothes will make too much noise." She explained and placed her hands lightly on his clothing, to his disbelief, the once white clothing turned the very same color as her.
"How did you-?"
"Magic." She interrupted and tossed him a cloak that was like hers, except large enough to fit him. "Don't forget to give that back as it's Kurama's." She said and smiled slightly and pulled her hood back up and concealed her hair.
"Why must I wear this?" He asked.
"Because you and I share the same problem of having very light hair that reflects light especially well. Not good for sneaking in somewhere." She explained patiently.
For a long moment Sesshoumaru just stared at her before he picked up his sword and placed it at his side. "You assume much."
"That's because I need your help, brother." She answered seriously. "I need someone to watch my back and help me. If you can't do that Sess then it's better if I go alone." She added.
"And how do you propose we find out where they are?" He asked.
"The innkeeper."
"Do you require my help in extracting this information from him?"
"No."
"Then I will wait outside for you… sister." He said and left almost as quietly as Destiny had come in. She smiled faintly and then her eyes almost seemed to glow as the silver flecks in her eyes became streaks and she went to go find the innkeeper.
They're in the caves below. Destiny called as she ran up to him without a sound.
Do you know how to get there? He asked, also using mind-speech for the sake of silence.
Yes, follow me. She answered and broke into a run. Sesshoumaru has surprised that he actually had to work if he wanted to keep up with her. Finally, after about five minutes of running they came upon the entrance to a very dark and looming cave. Sesshoumaru could smell old death and old blood rising from the very depths of the foul place.
So many screams. There has been many atrocities done here, all bathed in blood. Destiny said and shook her head to clear it.
What's wrong with you?
I can hear them; the innocent ones who were murdered here. They're crying for justice. She answered and shook her head again and he gripped her arm to steady her. During those brief seconds before she managed to put up her mental guards he was able to hear the same cries as she. The cries of children numbered in hundreds and they all cried for justice. He let go of her immediately and said unconsciously, Rin could be one of those children.
But she's not. Destiny said softly and touched his arm in reassurance. Come, we need to go. She said and disappeared into the cave. After a moment Sesshoumaru followed her and they were both swallowed by the death-like darkness.
*Shad looks over at S.D. who has stopped typing*
Shad – Aren't you going to continue?
S.D. – Not unless you want one extremely long, long chapter.
Shad – You're not going to kill anyone are you? Apart from the bad guys?
S.D. - *rolls eyes and yawns* Maybe just you. Ugh. Two chapters in one day and still another to write.
Shad – And another.
S.D. – You're right about that fuzz ball.
Shad – I have a question; are we going to take Shippo with us when we leave?
S.D. – I don't know, maybe the reviewers will have some ideas on that.
Shad - *looks at reviewers* What do you guys think? Should Shippo come? Should he not? Should we stay or shouldn't we? *looks back at S.D.* Must everything be so complicated for us?
S.D. – I'm afraid so. *reaches over and rubs his ears before turning back to the keyboard* Believe it or not Shad and I actually do get along sometimes. Right now we're both in a series mood because of the ending of this chapter.
Shad – So why are you making Sess and Destiny work together?
S.D. – Because Sess can't intimidate her. Example, him trying to make her embarrassed by the fact that he sleeps with no clothes. And likewise she can't intimidate him because he doesn't believe that she's really all that dangerous.
Shad - I see. Why are you mortals so worried about your clothes all the time?
S.D. – Various reasons, modesty is the most important though. But if your not satisfied with that answer maybe the reviewers will express some of their ideas.
Shad - But I really hate waiting. *sighs* Never mind.
S.D. – Now to get to the reviews, Twin Star of Suzaku, I'm glad that everyone is happy that Shippo was adopted by Kurama and Destiny, I'll admit I wasn't sure how everyone would take to that. As for Kagome and Inuyasha, *grins and pulls a stack of notes that Shad was reading away* They're coming, I was going to put more interaction between the two of them in this chapter but then it would have been really long so it's in the next one instead! *smiles apologetically*
Shad - I would just like to say… Slice, how could you! Kouga?! Had that pup lived thousands of years ago when my world was still here we could not have held the title of a wolf! *growls and glares at her but calms back down* But since you apologized I'll forgive you.
S.D. – How do you know about Kouga?
Shad - Inuyasha told me about him. *looks at her in disbelief* I sincerely hope that there are other wolf tribes besides his. It is insulting to think that a wolf would require, or want, beads or in this case shards, to make himself stronger.
S.D. – Well you know not everyone is as strong as you or as fast as Destiny…
Shad – So what? Improve upon what you do have then and your weaknesses. Taking the easy way out is only a temporary answer anyway.
S.D. – I would try to explain this better but if I do it'll turn into a full blown debate so next on our list is?
Shad – *grins* Niasdreams, I'm not an ego maniac-
S.D. - *starts laughing and Shad glares at her*
Shad - As I was saying, I'm not an ego maniac *grins wickedly* I just know my own value.
S.D. – Two pennies?
Shad - Hey!
S.D. – You left that one wide open, now get back to Niasdreams.
Shad - *looks down at S.D. regally and returns his attention to niasdreams* Now then, I'm curious as to why you'd want to be a Learian. Personally I think you humans are very fascinating creatures. So much creativity and willpower placed in one race! It's amazing! But to answer you're questions. Why Sess has a true dog form he is usually in his humanoid from unless very angry and it battle. I on the other hand, am usually as I'm meant to be. And I can't really picture myself with a human… *shakes head* Nope, not coming. Now if there was a youkai of some sort who was a wolf and could change to a human I might be interested… *glares over at S.D.* But not if they were related to Kouga. Intelligence is a requirement.
S.D. – *laughs* Settle down. So far I've got nothing romantically planned, as you're so picky.
Shad – Thank you. And as for me liking Sango, of course I do! I like her so much that I'm even training her future mate for her so that he isn't so lecherous. *smiles innocently*
S.D. – The innocent look doesn't work for you.
Shad – Sure it does.
S.D. - *sighs and shakes her head* Again, I'm really pleased at the way everyone likes Shippo being adopted. I'm glad that you liked Destiny's transformation, although she probably won't use it much, and don't worry. We'll look for you next chapter!
Shad - Bub Bye!
S.D. – Don't say that.
Shad - Why not?
S.D. - You sound like my five year old sister.
Shad - I know.? *grins evilly* Oh yeah, hey don't forget to review! Thanks!
