Sero Hour
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. See, if I did I wouldn't have to write fanfiction to pass the time. I'd just make episodes. :P
Raynin: u didn't do anything wrong. Tim just has no anger management control, so he's gotta blow off steam somehow. Don't take it personally.
Homecoming
MOUNTAINSIDE
Ginta and Haggaku rushed down the side of the mountain astride the waterfall. They stopped briefly to look over a ledge and into the churning mass of crushing water.
"He's dead. No way a human could survive that," Haggaku said.
"That should make his body easy to find." And they were off.
When the two of them reached the bottom of the waterfall, they searched the area around where the water met land, but found nothing. Not to be discouraged, they waded into the water up to their waist and returned to their search. The silence was shattered by Ginta's yelling.
"AHH! SOMETHING'S GOT MY LEG! SOMETHING'S GOT MY-" With that, Ginta was pulled beneath the water.
"Ginta! GINTA! Where are you?!?"
Haggaku ran to where his friend was, yelling his name. Suddenly, Ginta stood up out of the water a small distance from where he started. Haggaku ran to his friend, but Ginta tried to tell him to get away.
"BACK OFF! WATCH OUT! HE'S HERE SOMEWH-"
Ghost leapt up out of the water and kicked Ginta aside before pouncing on Haggaku with a loud war cry.
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Sero awoke lying on a bed in what seemed to be a hospital. He lethargically looked to his left to see Kouga sitting on a chair watching him. "Morning." Sero stared at him for a little longer before his brain regestered what Kouga had said.
"How long have I been out?"
"About a day, that's it. That Ashley girl wouldn't leave your bed. I had to threaten her to make her get some sleep." Kouga saw Sero's eyes wander around the room in wonder. "We are inside one of the mountains. Some of these mountains have cities built right into them by us."
"Ah." Sero said, not really listening. "I got a question. Who was that Maleficent guy?"
Kouga leaned back in his chair to a more realxing position before beginning his story. "Maleficent was the guardian of a shrine dedicated to a powerful and kind demon that lived while your dad was alive. The demon had the ability to create strong barriers, and used them to protect humans from dangerous demons. One day, the demon sacrificed his life to maintain his barrier against a powerful attack from an army of Oni. A shrine was constructed for him and his heart was placed there, and it created a powerful barrier that protected Tokyo from Oni. A guardian was created to defend the shrine by use of powerful barriers: Maleficent. Recently, someone visited the shrine, but did not find Maleficent, but they found the demon's heart. It was melted by radiation. It seemed as though Naraku defiled the place, and in doing so warped the mind of Maleficent."
"That sucks." Sero's remark was quiet and bored. "Well," he said taking a breath, "if your done talking I'd like to see my friends."
Sero sat up in the hospital bed and pulled the sheets away before getting on his feet. Kouga opened the door for him and led him out of the room and into a white hallway. Kouga then led him down the hallway until they reached a small waiting room where they found Miroku, Sango, and Ashley waiting. The moment they walking in, Ashley saw them and jumped to her feet.
"Sero!" Ashley ran to him at full speed and gave him a huge hug that sent him off balance. "I was worried about you! You were bleeding pretty bad!"
Sero looked down at her with a stunned and uneasy expression on his face from being jumped so suddenly. His face sofened before returning the hug, and looked up at his two other friends.
"Sero, glad to see your okay! I was worried when that weird guy smashed you against the wall, but now it seems that you're okay," Sango said with a smile. Then the hippie walked over.
"Well would you look at that," Miroku said as he crossed his arms with a smile. "Two aspiring lovebirds in a passionate hug! When can I expect the children?"
It was at that moment Ashley realized what she was doing and released Sero, blushing madly. 'Damn,' Sero thought. 'And I was just beginning to enjoy that.'
"Glad to see your okay," Miroku continued. "How are your ribs?"
"I'll live."
Just then the doors at one end of the room opened and a female wolf demon walked swiftly to Kouga.
"Sir, Ginta and Haggaku have returned," she said solemly, getting Kouga's attention.
"Did they catch him?"
"In a manner of speaking… come and see."
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Kouga stood over Haggaku, who lay in a hospital bed. According to Ginta, Ghost had mercilessly beaten Haggaku into submission before throwing him into a tree. It looked more like a truck had hit him, then backed up over him for good measure. He had a broken arm, three broken ribs, a broken leg, and his skull wasn't looking good either.
The good news was that he was alive, and they were pretty sure he'd stay that way. Sero had no clue how they had that idea. One look at Haggaku's condition made him sick to the stomache. He had suggested that Ashley not see him, but she did anyway. Ginta had gotten off easy with nothing majorly hurt on him, but he did end up with a killer bruise.
Later that day, Haggaku amazingly regained conciousness long enough for everyone to talk to him. Aparently he would pull through, but it would take a while even for his demon integrity to regenerate his body. He also thanked Ginta to no end for carrying him back.
"I'll hunt that bastard until the day I die for this," Kouga muttered to himself, his fist shaking with anger.
"Unless you have a rocket launcher, don't bother. That guy is too strong to even be a demon."
"Thanks Sero, I'll remember that incredible advice," Kouga snapped.
Everyone left to prepare for their trip back to Tokyo, but Kouga remained by Haggaku's side.
About two days later, the group readied for their inevitable journey back home. Kouga caught up to them on their way out.
"Hey, Sero! You didn't even say goodbye!"
"Feh! I don't like goodbyes. They always lead into crying and sad talk, which pisses me off," Sero said crossly.
"Sero! You told us that Kouga had left to look for Ghost and that he was nowhere in sight!" Ashley looked at Sero disbelievingly as she yelled at him.
"Well I lied, okay! And anyway- WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT?!?!"
Kouga was rolling around on the ground clutching his stomache laughing. Eventually he was able to stand up but continued to chuckle.
"Ha ha ha, what did you just say?"
"That I don't like goodbye-"
"Befrore that!"
"Feh?"
This made Kouga breake out into hysterical laughter again. This was making Sero uncomfortable, and he began to edge away from Kouga looking fearful. Eventually Kouga was able to stand up by supressing his laughter.
"Your father used to say that. Brings back memories."
"Riiiiiiiiiight. Okay, we'll be going now."
Everyone said their goodbyes to Kouga and began to part ways.
"I'll see you again someday, Sero!"
"Hopefully not, but we probably will!"
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Nothing significant happened on their return journey home. It was mostly quiet, the silence shattered here and now by the sound of Sero's falling out of trees as he ran atop them. He was by no means as graceful as his father. Eventually, they found that Tokyo was in sight, and they rushed to it. When they reached the Gate Ashley called up to the guard keeping watch.
"Heeeeeey! We're back from our journey!"
"Ashley! It's good to see you again! Your father was anxious for your return home, as was your uncle, Sero. I'll let you in right away!"
The gate opened and they stepped through. They decided to go to Ashley's home first and see her father. On their way everyone was saying hello and asking how their adventure went. Finally they made it to Ashey's house, and she ran in at light-speed.
"DAD!"
"Ashley! You're back! How was your little journey?"
"It was cool," Ashely said as the other three entered the house.
"Ah, Sero, Sango, and Miroku! How was it?"
"Well, this wasn't anything new to me and Sango," he replied in a suave tone. "But Sero learned a few new tricks."
"So, Sero. You learned a thing or two, did you?"
"You could say that."
"Really. Was your adventure as boring as sitting in your tree? It's been vacant for some time now."
"All that's gonna change. The last couple of weeks were interesting, but not relaxing. I need a nap."
"No you don't," Sango was quick to reply. "Sure you vege out a little, but you need to practice your swordsmanship a little. That way you won't end up with so many wounds everytime you get into a fight."
"You can't make me," Sero said with a smile. That smile went away as Sango gripped her boomerang closer to her body and narrowed her eyes. He knew she was kidding, but he knew what that thing could do to Miroku, so he stayed away from it as much as he could.
"Well, you might want to go see your uncle. In fact, you should have seen him first," Nobunaga said. "He asked that upon your return that me and Miroku come with you to see him."
"Okay. Ashley, I'll be back in a little," Sero said, putting on a serious face.
"My dearest Sango," Miroku said, getting down on one knee and holding her hand. "I promise swift return to you!"
*WHAM*
Once again, Sero had to drag Miroku somewhere. This wasn't always pleasant. If he was in a good mood he would carry him. If he was in a bad mood he would just drag him across the ground. Right now he was dragging him because he was tired of carrying him, and this always woke Miroku up quickly. Aside from getting his face very dirty, Miroku was uninjured, and continued to walk by foot.
Sesshoumaru's office was in a small three floor building. Sesshoumaru's office itself was on the third flood, so they took the elevator to the third floor and entered a lavish office. Miroku had to restrain himself from laughing at Sesshoumaru at a desk job. Sesshoumaru noticed this and looked at him with a questionable face when he noticed how dirty Miroku's face was from being dragged across the ground.
"What are you laughing at, monk. And what happened to your face?"
Miroku opened his mouth to respond, but Sero beat him to it.
"Don't worry about it. Now what did you call me for-"
"Sit."
Sesshoumaru had cut him off and pointed at three chairs. Sero rolled his eyes and sat down. Then he opened his mout but Sesshoumaru cut him off again.
"How was your little journey?"
"I learned a few stuff here and there, so it was worth it."
"Good. I hoped that your lazy ass wouldn't get in the way of your training."
"Well, it didn't. Now, what did you call me here for and tell us not to bring Ashley or Sango?"
"That, my boy, is confidential information," a new voice said. They looked to the corner of the room and saw a person lurking in the shadows. When he stepped out, they saw that it was Totousai. "But if you can keep a secret, so can I!"
"I doubt that," Sero snapped. "You have an incredibly bad memory for these things. And what the hell were you doing standing back there in the shadows? That's just fucking creepy!"
Toutousai just stared at him for a couple of minutes before saying, "Who?"
"Awww, screw it! Wierdo…."
At this, Totousai sat down next to Sesshoumaru, who said, "I told you not tbring Ashley because what I want to talk to you about concerns her. I left the exterminator with her because I thought she would be lonely, and I thought that you, Nobunaga, would want to hear this."
"You see," Totousai continued, "we think that Ashley is the reincarnation of your mother's soul, Sero."
Sero stared at them blankly for a minute or so before concluding, "Your full of bullshit."
"Think about it," Totousai continued. "Miroku, how were you released from Naraku's barrier?
"It was… Ashley. She broke the barrier, and when she did so I mistook her for Kagome. Yo, wait a second… YOU REMEMBERED MY NAME-"
"And Sero," Totousai turned to Sero. "When you fell into the blast crater, how did Ashley come to save you? Mikos have always had a stong link to demons."
"So what your saying," Nobunaga said. "is that my daughter is the reincarnation of a priestess who was the reincarnation of a priestss, and who's soul was cut in half to ressurrect the latter priestess but was eventually returned to the former priestess?"
Everyone stared at him for a minute or so.
"Yeah… I guess. That is, if you mean to say that she is the reincarnation of Kagome."
"Yeah, I said that."
"Oh, okay then…. Yeah, you pretty much have it."
Miroku bowed his head in prayer. "Will her restless soul EVER find peace!?!?"
"That said," replied Totousai. "I may have another mission for you in the future."
Sero groaned.
"Good to see your enthusiasum." Totousai continued. "You see, there exists a machine that can detect who a person's soul previously belonged to. Very cool piece of hardware, wouldn't mind playing around with it a little myself. *ahem*, anyway, we could probably use it to see who's soul Ashley's is."
"Buuuuuuuut…?"
"Well, I have no idea where to find the blasted thing. But the moment I do, I'll give you a call."
"Just one more question. How the hell did you know all about these events involving Ashley?"
"Shut up, punk."
They concluded their meeting and set off to Ashley's house. They filled Sango in privately later that night, but the moment they entered the door Ashley pestered them to tell them what Sesshoumaru had said.
"Don't worry about it," Sero had said, but that didn't shut her up.
Eventually, Sero grabbed a sweater and went to his tree to sleep. For some reason he couldn't get Ashley out of his mind. Oh well, at least those thoughts would help him get to sleep….
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tim: That was it? That took you a MONTH?
El: Stuff it. You havent updated your fic in 3 months. It's got 1 chapter!
Tim: Yeah, well… shut up.
El: Oh, yeah. Very mature.
Tim: Sorry for the feeble insult, I've been doing too much research.
El: You mean you've been watching anime and calling it research.
Tim: Yeah.....
Sorry it took a month to update. I've been doing some important stuff, and haven't had a lot of time to myself. I'll update soon, though.
-RandomUnit02
Stay tuned.