Twisted Well

An Inu-Yasha / Sorcerer Hunters fan fiction by Iapetus

Disclaimer:  Um, do I REALLY have to say this each chapter? * rolls eyes *

Ok, onward to the next chapter!  Lucky for you guys my labtop stopped acting funny, otherwise I wouldn't've been able to start chapter 12 at all. ^_^ ;;

Oh, and that reminds me!  I recently got my labtop fixed!  Before, I had typed all the 11 other chapters on my mom's labtop.  (Well, that and free time in the computer lab in school.)  So, I don't have to worry too much about what goes on the labtop anymore, because I'M the only one whose going to see it! ;P

Ok, on with the story.  At the end, I'll have some of my thoughts on how the story is going so far... :)

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Chapter 12:  Morning Glory

            "I sense it..." a deep voice echoed from within the forest.  "A fragment is near."

            "Master," a small snake slithered by a shadowy figure, "I think I sense the chi of the brat who killed my brothers..."

            "Baka, how often do I have to tell you?" the voice replied.  "They are a part of me, just as much as you are.  When they are injured, they will heal back to their original selves."

            "But master," the snake said worridly, "Why did they not come back to me and tell me they were ok?"

            The voice chuckled.  "Because they went back into me to heal quicker.  The brat is powerful, and if we are to take the fragment, it will take all the cunning I possess."

            Realization hit the little snake.  "I see.  When shall we strike?" he asked eagerly.

            Although the light was dim a smile could be seen to creep up on the shadowed face.  "We cannot go too close, for fear of stepping into the Church grounds."  Suddenly, both figures pointed their heads north.

            "She's leaving the barrier, Master!  We can strike her now!" the snake said enthusiastically.

            "No, Baka, not yet.  Wait until she gets to the field.  No one will be able to hear her screams from there."

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            The morning had finally come.  Despite her aprehention on meeting the Legends she grew up knowing, Maye had actually had a good night's sleep.

            Despite how her life changed in the last 6 months, some things remainded the same.  Her body still woke itself up right before dawn, in prepreration for a hard day's work.  Usually, she'd be out training, or working on some gardening project with Septembre and Dicimbrina.

That reminds me, she thought.  Before I go, I should leave some Morning Glories on the altar.  The Morning Glory was the sacred flower to travelers in the Stella church, for they represented God's blessing.  One who wanted a safe journey should pick a bouquet, and leave it in the church.  After the person left, the priests would dry the flowers, and hang them up in a special room.  Her father had been in this room only once before, but he remembered fondly of how the plants seemed to whisper the adventures of the many travelers that stopped by.

            Maye wanted to leave her story there too.

            So, without waking anyone (or so she knew), she snuck out of her room and quickly went to a feild at the edge of town.

            No one stirred in the Church, except a man who couldn't sleep.  Basil had gotten out of bed to get himself a cup of warm milk, when he saw Maye creep out of the sleeping area.  Curious to see what she was to do, he followed.

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            The climb had been worth it.  At the top of the hill, Maye looked down into the large field filled with sleeping Morning Glories.  All at once, the sun came over the horizon, and the area was awash in a wave of soft blue.  The fragarance was sweet, and calming to the senses.

            Wading through the thousands of flowers, she searched for the perfect specimins.  Nothing but the best would do for her offering.  Nostalgia washed over her, as she remembered the other meaning of these flowers.  Morning Glories were for all travelers, even those who had lost their lives.  It was not a surprise to see many parsoners adorn the graves of loved ones with bouquet after bouquet of them.

            For fear of her life, as well as those of the survivors, she had not been able to honor the dead like she wanted to.  The mounds had a stone in front of them, marking forever their resting place.  Yet, a Morning Glory didn't seem enough for them.  As soon as it was safe, she'd allow her people free visitation to the hilly graveyard.  The responcibility as the leader showed her that she needed to do more.

            If it takes me my whole life, Maye thought, I'm going to make sure I leave something for all those lost.

            For now, the tribute for her return home was finished.  Not one flower was bent, or a petal out of place.  Satasfied, she decided to return back to the church.

            Suddenly, as if an explosioin took place, Basil felt dozens of chi creeping around the perimiter of the meadow.  Somehow, though, they felt connected.  He knew they were getting ready to strike.  The tactics could suggest nothing else.

            How had he not noticed it earlier?  It had been obvious that they had been disguising their chi, but he should have been able to sense their disturbance of the grass and trees through gaeis.  Then again, he WAS keeping watch over Maye - and that was fascinating enough for anyone to get distracted by.

            Shaking his head in frustration, he got himself back to subject.  He'd have to sort out his feelings later, even though they slowly grew more intense.  Searching the young Lady's face, he tried to discern if she knew of the threat.

            Why did I even bother? he thought to himself.  Allowing a quick smile, he observed her as she grew stiff, and her eyes dart all around her.  Walking over to the single tree in the field, she climbed up until Basil couldn't see her.

            What is she doing? he thought worriedly.  That'll only put her into a corner when they attack.  His worries were dissapated when she jumped out and landed on her feet.  The bouquet wasn't in her hand.  Walking quickly, she headed away from the tree.  It seemed like she was trying to draw them away from it.

            Basil was again impressed by the girl's faith.  If she was going to fight, she wasn't going to ruin the Offering for Safe Travels.  He'd definitly have to tell that to Big Momma when he talked to her again.

            Maye put on her hat, and unshouldered her bow.  Getting an arrow out, she was ready to let it fly.  He could see that she also had her hunting knife and three throwing knives on her.  The girl was prepared, that was for sure.

            Shattering the uncomfortable silence was the shrieking of a large snake.  It stood fifteen feet high, ot loomed in front of Maye - posed to strike.

            There wasn't any hesitation in her reaction.  Aiming, she fired the first arrow, which sturck the monster below the jaw.  It screeched in pain, but did not fall.  At first, there seemed to be an uneazy stillness between the foes, but not any more.  It moved at an amazing speed for such a large demon, too fast for most mortals.  Large mouth open, it's glistening white fangs seemed to be a half a foot long.

            Another strike, and it missed her by an inch.  Basil grew more anxious.  Why wern't the other monsters attacking?  Maye shot the snake in the eye, and more shrieks pierced the early dawn.  Well, I'll just dispatch them before they attack.

            He tried to leap out of his tree, but realize there was a small snake coiled around his leg.  Jeez, I'm really out of touch today... Moving to unravel it, he tried to dispose of it quickly.  But, in the blink of an eye, the snake struck.

            Pain seemed to sear through his whole body in an instant.  He was sure it was poison, but positive of what type.  Gaeis would keep him alive, but he could not heal his own body like he did others.  There were rules to how you work the energy, and one did not just use it for their own purposes.

            He fell to the ground, unable to keep good balance.  Despite the pain, Basil knew he had to come to Maye's aid.  No matter how good she was, there was no way she could win against an army of demon snakes.  However, as he moved to get up, he realized there was no feeling in his legs.

            No!  Not paralysis!

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            As if on cue, seven other monstorous snakes made a lunge towards Maye.  Her eyes remained cool - as if calculating.  Then, they seemed to smile.  Jumping into the air, two snakes plowed into each other, sending body parts in each direction.

            She had managed to land outside the circle of snakes, which gave her some time to regroup.  Scanning the area in her mind for more enemies, she realized a friend was among them.

            Basil! she thought worriedly, What is he doing here?  She could tell he was currently out of commision.

            Whatever happened to him, it had to be bad.  But, why did they leave him?  The demon's logic didn't make sense.

            As the fight drew on, Maye felt as if she was begining to loose focus.  She may have had the upper hand, but she could feel her instints take over.

            NO! she screamed to herself, I'm not going to let that happen!  I am the eldest daughter of the two strongest family lines in all of Citrus Valley...  yet, she could feel a distinct craving inside her.  It was a small voice that she had repressed for years.

            ^Use the shard you possess,^ it whispered.

            ^NO!^ Maye shouted back, ^I will not bring myself to that level.^

            The voice laughed.  ^The power within it is what you are craving.  Fufill your desire, slay the demon, and save your friend!^

            ^They aren't attacking him,^ she pointed out, ^and I will slay this demon by my own power.^

            There was a long silence.  The snakes seemed to try to regroup and heal.  The voice in her head wouldn't stop talking.

            ^It has a shard of the jewel.  It will not die until you remove it.^

            ^Don't you think I know that?!^ Maye said scathingly back.  ^I just can't figure out where it is.^

            ^If you used that shard of yours, this would be over in two seconds,^ it tempted.

            ^If I used the shard, I wouldn't be able to go back into the church,^ she shot back.  ^I must make my sacrifice, and be there when the Sorcerer Hunters come.  I have to get Basil-san back there.^

            ^Jeez, you're stubborn...^ the voice laughed.

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            Carrot was rubbing his hands.  They were still sore from Inu-Yasha's claws from the game of Five-Star.  It was now the morning, and a good night's sleep didn't seem to help at all.

            They were finally on the road to Dorado.  And, to some people, the sooner they got there the better.  No one had ever seen Inu-Yasha or Carrot so mad at someone before.  They needed something to distract their attention, but their comanions had no success in that department.

            Inu-Yasha had been quiet all morning, but it wasn't his frustration over Carrot.  Something was eating at the back of his mind.  By the looks of it, he was not the only one as well.

            Demons are gathering ahead of us, he noted.  It was strange, because of the large number.

            Wait, it is all one demon! he realized.  His mind was racing.  Does that mean it could be...  No, that was ridiculous.  HE was no where near the well when they went through.

            It isn't the same youki, anyway.  But, who else could pull off that trick?      

            Something else was there as well.  Something like him, but not exactly.

            Someone whose demonic power sleeps?  As quickly as he sensed it, the feeling was gone.

            His worrying didn't end there.

            "I sense two Shikon shards ahead of us!" Kagome reported.

            NANI?!

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Ok, I'm sorry if this chapter is too short for some of you, but it took all I had to get this out.  I promise the next chapter will be longer, for something VERY important is going to happen:  Maye will finally meet the Sorcerer Hunters and the Inu-Yasha gumi (crew)!

Sorry for the long wait, but this story has gotten harder and harder to write.  Not to mention, I have four other stories that I'm writing, and I want to start some others.  (However, to protect my sanity, I think I'm going to temporairly suspend some of them.)  Don't worry, Twisted Well won't be included in that list.

Ja ne,

-Iapetus