Twisted Well
An Inu-Yasha / Sorcerer Hunters fan fiction by Iapetus
Disclaimer: I don't own either IY or SH. That's the same old thing, but now I have something new. If you can guess where I got some of the fighting elements or character elements, I'll post your name up in my A.N. before a chapter. E-mail if you think you have the answer. (If no one gets it, I'll tell you when a certain weapon appears.)
A.N. I need to get back in the swing of things. I haven't written anything for a week, due to stress.
Well, I'm back, so maybe my chapters will be posted regularly again. * Sigh *
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Chapter 8: Discovery
The girl had never changed so quickly in her whole life, not even when she prepared to leave Lemon. This was different, though: she was _ meeting _ a goddess. Never in her wildest dreams did Maye actually think Saint Mama would hear her request directly.
There are some gods and goddesses in stories and are omnipiptent, but Saint Mama is not among them. She was even able to forgive her not knowing of her situation. Why am I here in the first place? It was to TELL her. Saint Mama's a busy woman, so some things slip her mind.
The only thing the gardening left her with was dirty hands. From years of practice, the girl was content to notice that no dirt was under her nails. It was short work to clean off the dirt from her hands, and in five minutes- she looked like the woman who prayed at the altar once more.
Maye left her room as quickly as grace allowed, trying to think of what to say. It was obvious that she was nervous. She wanted the walk to speed up, yet take forever at the same time. The first prevailed, even though she kept the same speed. Father Ossowo was smiling as she walked up.
"My Lady, we have just re-established the connection. If you will just come this way…" he led her back into the shrine. The orb from the pedestal was taken down, but another was in the room. It was in the hands of a winged girl.
The girl's reaction to Maye was immediate. "Hello!" she shouted happily. "My name is Daughter! This is Maye, right Big Momma?"
Big Momma? Well, the title did make since, the projection of the goddess was huge. She couldn't decide whose eyes to take off of, Daughter's or the goddess's.
Mother used to tell stories about people like that girl… before she could stop herself, her thoughts became words. "Are you one of the Winged People?"
"One of the last," answered the goddess.
"Momma took care of me since I was a baby," Daughter smiled. "So, she's like my real mother."
Maye smiled at the statement, but at the same time fought back tears of her own late mother. It had brought her back to her senses, at least. Composing herself from the surprise, she gave a deep curtsey to the projection.
"Forgive me, Saint Mama, for being so blunt-" she began.
"Nonsense. Honesty is something I value highly. I'd only be mad if you offended Daughter. Were you offended?" she looked down at the winged girl.
"Should I be?" Daughter responded, a puzzled look on her face.
"Then it's not a problem." The goddess smiled. "Maye, you traveled a long way to get here, and the risk to yourself was enormous.
"And… you may call me Big Momma." Daughter gasped, but kept her mouth shut. Father Ossowo's eyes widened. Maye herself didn't know what it exactly meant, but knew it was something big. It's almost like her informal title… oh my gosh!
"Sai- um, Big Momma," she paused, unsure of her use of the title despite permission. "I had to do something for the town. They're counting on me to help live against the Count."
"How long have you been helping them?"
"Ever since the plague. With so few people left, and all my family gone, I had to step up in their place. My cousin Chili did the same in Orange." Somehow, her nerves were disappearing as she talked to the deity. "She is the second child, first daughter, of the Bean family."
"Do you have any idea why there was such a sudden change in the Count's personality?
"I knew the Pepper family well, and they were one of the few Sorcerer families who were still good. I thought they could be resilient to temptation."
"Mama, they're still human," the Priest put in.
"Yes," Momma looked downcast. Then, she was back to her normal self. "Ossowo, I am sorry, but I need you to leave now. I need to talk to Maye in private."
"I understand, your holiness." He bowed and left quickly.
"Maye?" The girl's head snapped back towards the projection. She had followed the priest's exit with her eyes.
"Maye? I need to know if you are willing to do something for me."
"Sa- Big Momma, you are sending me NINE Sorcerer Hunters. My town's only hope was in a legend which we had no idea to be true. I asked for only one.
"If there was anything I can do to help, I will."
"In that case…" she looked off into the shadows. "Basil, please come out."
The man with short brown hair and blonde highlights stepped into the light. He was young, only about three years her senior, Maye estimated.
"This is Basil. He is one of the Sorcerer Hunters who will be helping you." The lady gave the hunter a polite curtsey. "The other eight hunters will be here soon. They are coming from another mission, and should be here soon."
Not only is she giving me nine hunters, but also it looks like a rush job, Maye thought.
"The situation is more than it seems, and there is something only you can do." Seeing no hesitation in her attitude, Momma continued. "You spent your whole life in Lemon?" She nodded. Momma indicated Basil to continue.
"Momma had assigned for me to investigate the area surrounding Citrus Valley." His voice was rich, she noted, like a trained tenor. "I tried to get through, but there is some sort-of magical barrier that is preventing me from doing so. I had been attempting to enter the Valley for the past week, but with no avail. When you left, you obviously knew a way out."
It was beginning to come clear to her now. "Well, no matter how hard Pep- I mean the Count tries, he cannot use his magic on any of our lands. Only near the manor is such a feat possible.
"The starter of my family line, Month the Great (Month I), invoked a special power to be held by all members of his family. No Sorcerer's magic could touch the house as long as one of us were alive. As long as I live, he has a hole in his shield."
Basil's eyebrows rose. Is the Citrus Valley really so secluded that even I didn't know about it?
"How is that possible? You are the daughter of a Lord- not a Count or a Vassal," he asked.
"Basil, it delves into the power of chi," Momma remarked. "The only way a Parsoner was able to outrank another Sorcerer was to have an amazing fighting talent. Yes, Maye, I know you're a fighter. No dress expensive enough can hide your fighting spirit." The girl looked disappointed.
"Big Momma," she didn't trip over the words this time, "I was always raised – as other girls – that fighting was for men only. The fact that my father trained me was a huge breech in protocol, and my Uncle Taco did the same thing with Chili. For a lady of my station, I should NOT do such things."
"My child," the goddess replied warmly, "That was a compliment. I know the hardships of a female fighter," she paused, looking nostalgic. Giving her head a little shake to clear whatever image she saw, she continued. "However, you have all the grace and properness of a lady. Your mother trained you well, and for someone who could NOT feel your chi, they would never know.
"Now anyways, back to business. Can you sneak in nine people into the Valley?"
"It will be hard, because the Count is sure to have a full guard around my house. But, it can be done." She grinned. "I know EVERY secret passage in my house, and the town of Lemon."
"Do you know your way around the Count's manor?" Basil asked.
"Yes. Black, the Count's son was a playmate of mine when I was young. I know his house as well as my own."
Mention of the son brought up Basil's other point. "There is a good chance that, if Count Pepper has turned evil, so has his son. Could you deal with that?"
"Black has changed for the worse the past three years. Ever since he realized I'm a girl, everything changed. He isn't the same person anymore, and I will punish ANYONE who hurt my people." She crossed her arms across her chest, and looked out into space.
"Maye, will you lead this expedition?" the question had finally come out, and she looked up at the goddess who was waiting for her answer.
"Yes."
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Every muscle in her body tensed. Chili didn't like how things were going in the first place, and the fact that Black brought her the food himself suggested something was up. While their fathers had taught them how to fight, her brother and cousins taught them how to be street smart. There was _ no way _ either Maye or herself were going to grow up ignorant. She blessed the memory of her older brother as she narrowed her eyes.
"Oh, why the expression? We used to be such good friends!" he put the tray down on the table. There was food for two. "It's almost as if you don't trust me."
"Why should I?" she demanded. "Your father has barred in this room, and bewitched by magic. I am a prisoner, and I don't even know what happened to the others in my party.
"As for being friends? Well, you were closer to Maye anyhow. And when you hit puberty and noticed our gender, you changed for the worst. We didn't like it, so we left."
"That's an unfair statement, Chili, and you know it," Black commented.
"How so?" she shot back.
"Sit down, and let's discuss it while we eat," he pointed out her dish.
"I'm not hungry," she proclaimed. I may have to eat food here to keep my strength up, but it doesn't mean I have to do it with him around. Her stomach growled.
"Yeah, sure you aren't," the young sorcerer made a gesture with his hand, and Chili was forced into her seat. He noticed some small marks on the side of the tall table. "I see you tried to break off a leg to use as a Bo. When did you discover the magical enchantment on the furniture?" he wondered inquisitively.
"Five minutes after being thrown in here." Chili liked this questioning session less and less. He was trying to trap her on something.
"I know you have something to say, so say it and get out," she had never remembered being so mad in her life. He was playing with her, as a cat does to a mouse. "Your chi is not what it used to be."
There was something nagging at her conscience, trying to warn her – something was gong to be said that would change everything.
"Of course. Ever since I found this," he held up a beautiful sliver of jewel, "I have had anything my heart desired. I got rid of the troublemakers – those stupid parsoners in a week. Those who survived were strong enough to work forever for me."
Chili's eyes wanted to bug out, but he held her icy stare. It was a one-week time period in which everyone died. But 'me?' What about his father?
"Father was too weak. When we found this little jewel on the side of the road, he forbade me to touch it, saying it would grant me my greatest desire at the sacrifice of my soul." The cold laughter filled the room, and gave the girl goose bumps. "I didn't know that he'd actually die from the plague, but it all worked out in the end."
Count Pepper is dead? All this talk of his bad deeds was a cover for Black to do what he wanted. Sons get more freedom than a Count does. Chili always knew he was power-hungry, but not that desperate. The Count was good, it's his son…
"The survivors were either strong enough to fight it off, or those I gave immunity to. You would have died if it weren't for me."
"I'd like to see you try. I don't give up easy."
"Your father did." The remark only made her madder. "I don't have time for your complaining. I'll make it simple. Where's Maye?"
"Do you think I'd tell YOU?" Oh, what Chili wouldn't give for a Bo right now. She tried to stand in defiance, but found out that his magic was still controlling her body.
"I know there are at least fifty more parsoners in Lemon and Orange combined that are still free. Where did you hide them?"
"In the sky." She rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'd tell you? I'm not saying anything. You can kill me, and I still won't say a word."
"I can't kill you, Baka, or how will Maye come for you?"
Huh? Shock filled her body, and her mind began to race. Realization hit her like a sledgehammer. No, Maye: if you get help, don't come yourself. Oh please, don't come yourself…
"When Maye is finally my wife, we will set out to conquer Lime, Pineapple, Grapefruit, and Kiwi. Lemon and Orange was just a test."
"Lemon and Orange were also the biggest cities!" she protested.
"Which means taking the others will be a cinch. My father" here he spat at the name, "thought it was good to spread out the power between the Lords. Imagine- lords having power! It is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. It means I would have less!"
"That is the point, _ Baka _. You were never good in school," Chili snickered. "Don't you remember the stories about what power does to a person? And what eventually happened to them?" the Count said nothing.
"They gained power, but also enemies. If you went into that position, your "friends" would be just flatterers, and there'd be so many assassination attempts on your life, it would make your head spin. Eventually, you would only be a figurehead, all power taken away and given to your advisors." She smiled evilly; he _ hadn't _ remembered. "Emperor Famille is a perfect example."
"It won't happen to me," for being shot down, his voice still sounded strong. "I am not like him, for I am not a fool. He shouldn't have done the things he did. Now his son only looks the part of the ruler – and he lies dead.
"But, with you and Maye on my side, how can I loose? The Bean and Juune family were the most well respected Lord Families in all of Spooner. Even sorcerers didn't mess with them."
"Your wrong, Black. You don't have either of us." His face started to fill with anger. "Maye won't let this rest. Do you really think she will want to marry you, after all this? She didn't want to in the first place."
That was the last straw. The young Count was red in the face, and had a crazed look in his eyes.
"Chili, watch your tongue. You'll regret what you say, one day." With that, he stormed out of her room and slammed the door.
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She had just closed the connection link when she heard it chirp questionably again. Daughter was surprised; Big Momma _ never _ received calls so close to each other. The winged girl looked at her adoptive mother to see if she should go. When the goddess nodded, she concentrated on the origin in question – and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
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Chili hadn't expected the pleasantries to last long. She and Maye were the main targets, because they were the ringleaders of the survivors.
Heh, she smirked. Maye was right. It is funny that they are afraid of two teenagers. Again, she tried to struggle out of the vines that wrapped around her body. They pinned her to the wall, unable to move. The itch in her muscles to wipe that all-knowing grin off Black's face was beginning to drive her nuts. He knew something she didn't, and it was bothering her.
I can't believe it was Black the whole time, she thought. He made it appear like he was the victim. A wave of pain shot through her body. HE had entered the room again.
This time, there were two guards following behind him. They dragged an old man with them. For a terrifying moment, Chili thought it was Sorrel. If he got caught, then it would mean everyone was caught. However, she noticed the man was frail, and wasted on his bones. Sorrel looked like he was forty years old, except for the white hair. He was stronger than many twenty year olds, and a day in the prison wouldn't have done THAT much to him.
Worry for the hidden was replaced with compassion for the old man. Finally seeing his face, she realized it was Vejo, the oldest man in Orange. He had taken care of Chili while her parents were away on work when she and her siblings were young, and was now retired. He was a hard worker, though, and she brought him with her the day she had been captured.
His face was covered in bruises, and she could see the welts of whip marks on his back. The sigil from the cuts on his back was shaped in the symbol of torture – which means he went through one of the worst torture techniques possible: Iron Spike. She shuddered as she recalled what it signified. It was too horrible to think about, and concentrated on composing herself.
The old man spoke up. "Lady…" his voice was weak. "Lady…Chili…"
One of the guards hit him atop the head with his staff. It was a miracle he didn't die on impact, or even get knocked out. The dazed look in his eyes lingered, and couldn't speak.
"This piece of trash tells me there is a secret hideout under the city," triumph was spread across the young Count's face. "The Iron Spike only brings out the truth, so don't try to deny it."
Relief flooded her mind. They don't know about the GU yet… "Why have you come to me then?" she challenged.
"He seems to resist telling us the entrance. Something about a password…
"And he won't even tell us where it exactly is."
"I gather you searched the streets already?" Chili laughed at his silence. "Of course you have. But, you can't go where you're not wanted. As long as Maye's alive, you can't find the entrance without someone leading you in."
He raised his hand, and another shock hit her body. She kept her mouth shut, not giving him the pleasure of her scream. This was fun, egging him on, even if it did cause her body to suffer.
"Every Single Person had their eyes covered as we neared any secret entrance." It was purely common sense. The CU and GU were closely kept secrets of the Juune family. Even she didn't know about it until Maye took her there.
"Stop your taunting, or your servant will pay the price." He knew how to shut her up. "That's the problem with the both of you. You're too compassionate."
The old man seemed to snap out of his knocked-daze. Trying to discern what was going on, his eyes fell upon his lady.
"Lady Chili…" he began, "…please forgive me. I did not mean… to tell them about the … safe house." His breath was coming is gasps, as he struggled to form the words.
"I… couldn't take it anymore… I'm too … weak." He looked in danger of passing out again, and Chili had a feeling he would not wake up. She had to speak now, to comfort him.
"Vejo, how could I ever stay mad at you? You did so much for my brothers and sisters and I. You are wrong." He focused his dazed eyes on hers in surprise. "Lesser men would have submitted long ago, and given more information." Correct, anyways. "They may know now, but they still can't get in – not while the Lady Maye is still alive."
Relief swept over the beaten face. "Oh, _thank you _, Lady Chili! Thank-"
Vejo never got to finish what he was saying. His body lay on the floor, and his head a few feet away. Black's hand still glowed slightly from the magic he conjured for the job.
"Stupid old man," he laughed.
Chili did her best to hide the shock on her face. It didn't work. Vejo meant too much to her, and the death of any innocent person ate at her soul.
"Tell me where the entrance is," he propositioned, "or more of your followers will die." There was no questioning the ice in his voice. He really would.
"Come," he called to the two guards. "Clean this up, and let's leave. The girl has enough to think about." He headed to the door, his guards carrying the frail body and head of the old man. As the guards exited, he turned around.
"I suggest you hurry with your decision."
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Character Note: the reason I'm referring to Black as Count is because he was heir to the estate when his father died. He may have killed his father, but he still gets his inheritance. (C'mon, it's something you see all the time in history.) So, he's the NEW Count Pepper.
A.N. Sorry for the monopolization of the fan fiction characters. At least I gave you Big Momma and Daughter (even if Daughter's part was kind of small - * sweat drop *) I had to write a lot with Black in it, because I didn't want him to become a "throwaway enemy" – as in, he's here today and gone tomorrow.) This chapter came out shorter than usual because the next one is going to be LONG. Also, it will have a LOT of the Sorcerer Hunters and Inu-Yasha and company. Events are beginning to get set in motion, and it is taking me longer than I thought. Either way, I hope you liked this chapter.
Until chapter nine, which should be a lot sooner than recently (today is the last day of the show), see-ya later!
