~Disclaimer: It remains the same. Inu Yasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi
and Viz. So there.~
~Chapter Three: Hatsue the Demon Controlling Witch
The night air formed a thick fog in the forest. Demons awoke, one after another, and roamed for souls to feast upon. A lone figure stood at the top of a high hill, watching the awakenings. "Yes that's it,"a female voice purred. "Arise and come to me, you pathetic lost souls." She released an orange stone and it shot into the darkened trees, finding itself a victim. Some lowly demon for it to control. The moon shone for a minute on the figure. She laughed and in an instant was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sesshoumaru had been wandering aimlessly for a few days now. Rin,Jaken......Hideki. They were all gone. He wondered if he would ever find Rin and Jaken again. They had been hopelessly devoted to him. He was their idol and hero, time and time again. He was also their punisher and provider. Sometimes he wished he could find Hideki again. It was hard to accept her death, the terms of it. Whatever had possessed him to do such a thing, he didn't know. Some force other than his own nature, he knew that much. The weather was turning cold. Not like it mattered. All he did was wonder around his lands, hoping for some sort of an answer. He felt a strangeness the night before, almost like he could feel Hideki's presence. Certainly it was a ridiculous wanting that caused him to feel that way. He had snorted at the idea. It was sad really that he, Sesshoumaru, would want something so bad that he would even recognize human emotion of want...and love. After her death he pushed most of them aside, spare what little bit he held for Rin and yes, even Jaken. He sighed deeply, almost remorsely and settled down under a tree to rest awhile. Looking up at the sky, he then realized where he had unconsciously sat. Under a cherry tree. Just like when she was alive....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kagome stirred restlessly. Inu Yasha had been silent most of the evening, ever since they had returned from the forest. It disturbed her to see him so...upset. She had never seen him like this, his whole being in turmoil over what was right and what was crossing the line. He had let go of his hatred of his brother and killing him wasn't right. He knew. But...helping avenge a senseless death seemed right. But was it? What course of action should they take? She tossed and turned, debating it all. "Kagome." She sat up, looked over her shoulder. Inu Yasha was awake. He sat staring into the dying embers of the fire, his face emotionless. Impassive. Slowly she moved towards him, sitting only inches away.
"Inu Yasha," she murmured, reaching out for him. He pulled away and shook his head. "I know what your thinking, and the answer is no." "No? I..." "You were thinking what WE should do. Right?"
She sat silently. He nodded.
"I thought as much. Only...this time it isn't about us. Its about me, my brother, and my dearest friend. I can't let you interfere. It isn't your place. I'm not going to put you in danger any longer."
Kagome stared at him, knowing she would upset him with what she had to say. He looked at her now and smiled. "I know what your going to say too. How we've done so much together and you wouldn't be in harms way. But...Kagome...this really isn't your fight to fight." They both sat in the growing darkness, neither moving or speaking. After a long time, he heard a small sniffle. It tore at his heart and he reached for her, wrapping her in his arms. Her body shook as she cried silent tears. She knew he was right and couldn't find the words to say how she felt. All she could do was cry into his haori and mutter that she would respect his wishes. He pressed his mouth to her hair and whispered a thank you. They stayed like that well into the early morning hours. Kagome fell asleep and Inu Yasha laid her on her mat. He sat then, watching her sleep, hoping she truly did understand and maybe would go home for awhile.
Hideki lay in an adjoining room, keeping utterly still. She had heard what they had said and hoped Inu Yasha's words held truth. Hoping Kagome would yield to them. She didn't need to risk herself. Not when Inu Yasha loved her so much. Who knew what Sesshoumaru would do to them. She sighed softly and tears stung her eyes. Angrily she blinked at them, trying to block the memory that was invading her conscious. The first time she met him...she had been fighting a larger demon, trying to keep from becoming his bride. The demon had her in his mouth and she was struggling to keep his jaws open. Then came Sesshoumaru. He had been amused. She, not thinking that it was funny, began cursing at him angrily. "Your next, you son of a bitch!!" she had growled. He shook his head. "Do you wish for help or not?" he had asked. And she had said yes. In a matter of seconds he had cut the beast down and freed her from it's sticky jaws. To her chagrin, she was soaked in spit. Yet...Sesshoumaru had smiled and asked her name. She told him and he started to leave. "Hey wait!!Whats yours?" "Sesshoumaru. The lord of the Western lands." He smiled and in that moment, something inside her boiled and she knew she would love him endlessly. And she did. Even now...despite all her harbored hatred and anger, she loved him endlessly without doubt. And it was driving her mad, trying to decide if vengeance was really that important. All she really wanted was a reason...there had to be a reason. She wiped at the tears in frustration. How weak...crying over such simple memories. But then...she had always been that way. Easy to cry. Sometimes she had cursed herself for showing weakness. But he had told her it wasn't a weakness. "Its an emotion that you happen to have a lot of." He smiled at her in his simple way. She sighed softly and rolled over, keeping quiet. She could sense Kagome's breathing pattern...she was asleep. Inu Yasha, however, was awake. She listened carefully as he laid Kagome down and moved to sit by the wall. She closed her eyes. "Inu Yasha..."she murmured softly.
He lifted his head, his ears twitched. Hideki was awake. He should have known. Quickly he stood and moved silently into her room. In the soft morning light he saw her, curled into a fetal position. "Hideki?" She lifted her head and smiled. "Yes, I am awake. Come here for a moment...please?" He nodded and sat at the edge of the mat, careful of her feet. She sighed and rolled over, staring at the ceiling. "Inu Yasha...did you mean it? Everything you said?" she asked in a soft voice. He nodded, "Yes, I did." In the dark she smiled and looked at him.
"I'm glad, Kagome should be too." "Why should she be glad? She wants to help and I just...it isn't the place for her to be," he sighed heavily. Hideki nodded slowly. She knew what he meant. Two youkai and a hanyou, settling unfinished business. It was no place for a human. She didn't want Kagome to get hurt either, or to see what might be the outcome. If Inu Yasha were to get hurt, how would Kagome deal with it? The room grew lighter as the sun began climbing over the horizon and the two of them sat lost in their own thoughts. Soon she would set out to retrieve Oni. They had left her in the words, neither knowing that the blade was so important. A bad feeling was forming in her stomach. Inu Yasha was watching her. She could tell. "What is it?" she asked softly. He shook his head. He knew she would go for Oni. It was her blade, her protector. Her only tangible thing from her mother. Her destiny. Just as Tetsusaiga was his. "I was just thinking. Maybe I should go with you to get Oni. I know you haven't given it much thought but...with it being unguarded at the moment, it's possible several youkai are seeking it."
She nodded. "Yes I know," she murmured. She smiled. "I appreciate your concern, but it isn't necessary to go with me. I can defend myself." With that said she lay down and closed her eyes. Just a little sleep then she would go.
Inu Yasha frowned but knew she meant what she said. She wouldn't listen to reason either. 'I'll just have to follow her,' he thought and silently moved back to Kagome's side, waiting for Hideki to go.
They woke later that morning and Hideki promptly dressed and set out into the forest. Inu Yasha followed at a safe distance. She walked further, sniffing and looking until she found the spot. "Ah. Finally my dear trusted friend. I have returned to you," she whispered. Her hand closed around the hilt and a soft light glowed around her. He stayed hidden behind the trees. Hideki's power surged from the blade back into her body in wild waves of light, her hair flowing around her. Inu Yasha felt something bump his side and he turned slightly, only to find an awe struck Kagome. "Damn it. What are you doing?" he hissed. She turned to him and crouched lower. "I had a feeling," she said softly. He started to yell at her but the light faded and Hideki was watching them. They stared at her embarrassed for following her. Nobody said anything. As they sat there, a cold chill passed over them. "I don't like that," Hideki said slowly and turned, looking around in the foliage. The sky grew dark and a low chuckle was heard. Inu Yasha stood, claws extended.
"Just who the hell are you and what do you want?" he growled. "Show yourself!!" Kagome scooted further behind a tree and watched in anticipation. Hideki stood beside Inu Yasha, her sword tilted in her hand.
"Yes, show yourself." she said in a cold voice. Things remained silenty. Then a swirl of wind surrounded them and a woman in long black robes appeared. On her robes was a design in deep blue and edged in gold. Her black hair was braided many times and tied with pale blue silk scarves. Her eyes were a deep green, her lips a small red pout, smooth white skin and she wore a lot of gold jewelry. Beside her was a small girl in a similar black robe, only the designs on the childs were a fiery orange color. Her hair was piled in two neat buns and many beads hung in loops from her head. The child's eyes held a blank stare. Kagome stared at her and gasped. It was Rin, the little human that Sesshoumaru had shown compassion to. She couldn't believe it. The woman smiled and lifted one hand out.
"Give me that blade child," she murmured. "I don't wish to see you suffer."
Hideki snarled. Who did this woman think she was? She pointed the blade at her. "I think not," she growled. "This blade is mine and is not meant for anyone else. You shan't have it."
The woman shrugged and chuckled again.
"Have it your way," she said softly. "I can destroy you easily enough."
Inu Yasha stepped forward and glared at the woman.
"Who are you?" he demanded. "Tell me! I will kill you myself." The woman looked at him and thought for a moment before backing away. In a blinding flash, she and the child disappeared.
"I am Hatsue, controller of demons. Remember that for I will return one day."
And with that she was gone. The three stood in a strange silence. A demon controller? What could she want? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sesshoumaru snapped awake. He could feel it again. Hideki's presence. Could it be possible? In any form, he must find her. If she existed in this realm, he would find her. Ask her forgiveness for something he could not control. She must understand. He loved her and he couldn't have killed her with such little remorse. Slowly he stood and began walking. 'I'll find you,' he thought. 'No matter what it takes.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well thats chapter three. I am begining to form brain freeze and it sucks so...please dont be to harsh.
~Chapter Three: Hatsue the Demon Controlling Witch
The night air formed a thick fog in the forest. Demons awoke, one after another, and roamed for souls to feast upon. A lone figure stood at the top of a high hill, watching the awakenings. "Yes that's it,"a female voice purred. "Arise and come to me, you pathetic lost souls." She released an orange stone and it shot into the darkened trees, finding itself a victim. Some lowly demon for it to control. The moon shone for a minute on the figure. She laughed and in an instant was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sesshoumaru had been wandering aimlessly for a few days now. Rin,Jaken......Hideki. They were all gone. He wondered if he would ever find Rin and Jaken again. They had been hopelessly devoted to him. He was their idol and hero, time and time again. He was also their punisher and provider. Sometimes he wished he could find Hideki again. It was hard to accept her death, the terms of it. Whatever had possessed him to do such a thing, he didn't know. Some force other than his own nature, he knew that much. The weather was turning cold. Not like it mattered. All he did was wonder around his lands, hoping for some sort of an answer. He felt a strangeness the night before, almost like he could feel Hideki's presence. Certainly it was a ridiculous wanting that caused him to feel that way. He had snorted at the idea. It was sad really that he, Sesshoumaru, would want something so bad that he would even recognize human emotion of want...and love. After her death he pushed most of them aside, spare what little bit he held for Rin and yes, even Jaken. He sighed deeply, almost remorsely and settled down under a tree to rest awhile. Looking up at the sky, he then realized where he had unconsciously sat. Under a cherry tree. Just like when she was alive....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kagome stirred restlessly. Inu Yasha had been silent most of the evening, ever since they had returned from the forest. It disturbed her to see him so...upset. She had never seen him like this, his whole being in turmoil over what was right and what was crossing the line. He had let go of his hatred of his brother and killing him wasn't right. He knew. But...helping avenge a senseless death seemed right. But was it? What course of action should they take? She tossed and turned, debating it all. "Kagome." She sat up, looked over her shoulder. Inu Yasha was awake. He sat staring into the dying embers of the fire, his face emotionless. Impassive. Slowly she moved towards him, sitting only inches away.
"Inu Yasha," she murmured, reaching out for him. He pulled away and shook his head. "I know what your thinking, and the answer is no." "No? I..." "You were thinking what WE should do. Right?"
She sat silently. He nodded.
"I thought as much. Only...this time it isn't about us. Its about me, my brother, and my dearest friend. I can't let you interfere. It isn't your place. I'm not going to put you in danger any longer."
Kagome stared at him, knowing she would upset him with what she had to say. He looked at her now and smiled. "I know what your going to say too. How we've done so much together and you wouldn't be in harms way. But...Kagome...this really isn't your fight to fight." They both sat in the growing darkness, neither moving or speaking. After a long time, he heard a small sniffle. It tore at his heart and he reached for her, wrapping her in his arms. Her body shook as she cried silent tears. She knew he was right and couldn't find the words to say how she felt. All she could do was cry into his haori and mutter that she would respect his wishes. He pressed his mouth to her hair and whispered a thank you. They stayed like that well into the early morning hours. Kagome fell asleep and Inu Yasha laid her on her mat. He sat then, watching her sleep, hoping she truly did understand and maybe would go home for awhile.
Hideki lay in an adjoining room, keeping utterly still. She had heard what they had said and hoped Inu Yasha's words held truth. Hoping Kagome would yield to them. She didn't need to risk herself. Not when Inu Yasha loved her so much. Who knew what Sesshoumaru would do to them. She sighed softly and tears stung her eyes. Angrily she blinked at them, trying to block the memory that was invading her conscious. The first time she met him...she had been fighting a larger demon, trying to keep from becoming his bride. The demon had her in his mouth and she was struggling to keep his jaws open. Then came Sesshoumaru. He had been amused. She, not thinking that it was funny, began cursing at him angrily. "Your next, you son of a bitch!!" she had growled. He shook his head. "Do you wish for help or not?" he had asked. And she had said yes. In a matter of seconds he had cut the beast down and freed her from it's sticky jaws. To her chagrin, she was soaked in spit. Yet...Sesshoumaru had smiled and asked her name. She told him and he started to leave. "Hey wait!!Whats yours?" "Sesshoumaru. The lord of the Western lands." He smiled and in that moment, something inside her boiled and she knew she would love him endlessly. And she did. Even now...despite all her harbored hatred and anger, she loved him endlessly without doubt. And it was driving her mad, trying to decide if vengeance was really that important. All she really wanted was a reason...there had to be a reason. She wiped at the tears in frustration. How weak...crying over such simple memories. But then...she had always been that way. Easy to cry. Sometimes she had cursed herself for showing weakness. But he had told her it wasn't a weakness. "Its an emotion that you happen to have a lot of." He smiled at her in his simple way. She sighed softly and rolled over, keeping quiet. She could sense Kagome's breathing pattern...she was asleep. Inu Yasha, however, was awake. She listened carefully as he laid Kagome down and moved to sit by the wall. She closed her eyes. "Inu Yasha..."she murmured softly.
He lifted his head, his ears twitched. Hideki was awake. He should have known. Quickly he stood and moved silently into her room. In the soft morning light he saw her, curled into a fetal position. "Hideki?" She lifted her head and smiled. "Yes, I am awake. Come here for a moment...please?" He nodded and sat at the edge of the mat, careful of her feet. She sighed and rolled over, staring at the ceiling. "Inu Yasha...did you mean it? Everything you said?" she asked in a soft voice. He nodded, "Yes, I did." In the dark she smiled and looked at him.
"I'm glad, Kagome should be too." "Why should she be glad? She wants to help and I just...it isn't the place for her to be," he sighed heavily. Hideki nodded slowly. She knew what he meant. Two youkai and a hanyou, settling unfinished business. It was no place for a human. She didn't want Kagome to get hurt either, or to see what might be the outcome. If Inu Yasha were to get hurt, how would Kagome deal with it? The room grew lighter as the sun began climbing over the horizon and the two of them sat lost in their own thoughts. Soon she would set out to retrieve Oni. They had left her in the words, neither knowing that the blade was so important. A bad feeling was forming in her stomach. Inu Yasha was watching her. She could tell. "What is it?" she asked softly. He shook his head. He knew she would go for Oni. It was her blade, her protector. Her only tangible thing from her mother. Her destiny. Just as Tetsusaiga was his. "I was just thinking. Maybe I should go with you to get Oni. I know you haven't given it much thought but...with it being unguarded at the moment, it's possible several youkai are seeking it."
She nodded. "Yes I know," she murmured. She smiled. "I appreciate your concern, but it isn't necessary to go with me. I can defend myself." With that said she lay down and closed her eyes. Just a little sleep then she would go.
Inu Yasha frowned but knew she meant what she said. She wouldn't listen to reason either. 'I'll just have to follow her,' he thought and silently moved back to Kagome's side, waiting for Hideki to go.
They woke later that morning and Hideki promptly dressed and set out into the forest. Inu Yasha followed at a safe distance. She walked further, sniffing and looking until she found the spot. "Ah. Finally my dear trusted friend. I have returned to you," she whispered. Her hand closed around the hilt and a soft light glowed around her. He stayed hidden behind the trees. Hideki's power surged from the blade back into her body in wild waves of light, her hair flowing around her. Inu Yasha felt something bump his side and he turned slightly, only to find an awe struck Kagome. "Damn it. What are you doing?" he hissed. She turned to him and crouched lower. "I had a feeling," she said softly. He started to yell at her but the light faded and Hideki was watching them. They stared at her embarrassed for following her. Nobody said anything. As they sat there, a cold chill passed over them. "I don't like that," Hideki said slowly and turned, looking around in the foliage. The sky grew dark and a low chuckle was heard. Inu Yasha stood, claws extended.
"Just who the hell are you and what do you want?" he growled. "Show yourself!!" Kagome scooted further behind a tree and watched in anticipation. Hideki stood beside Inu Yasha, her sword tilted in her hand.
"Yes, show yourself." she said in a cold voice. Things remained silenty. Then a swirl of wind surrounded them and a woman in long black robes appeared. On her robes was a design in deep blue and edged in gold. Her black hair was braided many times and tied with pale blue silk scarves. Her eyes were a deep green, her lips a small red pout, smooth white skin and she wore a lot of gold jewelry. Beside her was a small girl in a similar black robe, only the designs on the childs were a fiery orange color. Her hair was piled in two neat buns and many beads hung in loops from her head. The child's eyes held a blank stare. Kagome stared at her and gasped. It was Rin, the little human that Sesshoumaru had shown compassion to. She couldn't believe it. The woman smiled and lifted one hand out.
"Give me that blade child," she murmured. "I don't wish to see you suffer."
Hideki snarled. Who did this woman think she was? She pointed the blade at her. "I think not," she growled. "This blade is mine and is not meant for anyone else. You shan't have it."
The woman shrugged and chuckled again.
"Have it your way," she said softly. "I can destroy you easily enough."
Inu Yasha stepped forward and glared at the woman.
"Who are you?" he demanded. "Tell me! I will kill you myself." The woman looked at him and thought for a moment before backing away. In a blinding flash, she and the child disappeared.
"I am Hatsue, controller of demons. Remember that for I will return one day."
And with that she was gone. The three stood in a strange silence. A demon controller? What could she want? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sesshoumaru snapped awake. He could feel it again. Hideki's presence. Could it be possible? In any form, he must find her. If she existed in this realm, he would find her. Ask her forgiveness for something he could not control. She must understand. He loved her and he couldn't have killed her with such little remorse. Slowly he stood and began walking. 'I'll find you,' he thought. 'No matter what it takes.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well thats chapter three. I am begining to form brain freeze and it sucks so...please dont be to harsh.