Here we go. On to part four. Here we meet the coyote demon tribe and see
what Senjeta and another villain are planning for Shippo. Read on.
-Randall Flagg2
Welcome to the hotel California. Such a lovely place, such a lovely face. -The Eagles
The devil can take a pleasing form. -Old saying
Thank you for loving me. -Bon Jovi
The night was empty, save for a single figure in a black cloak. His face could not be seen under the hood. He was tall, about a little over six feet and his only his hands could be seen through his billowing cloak. The cloaked figure sniffed the air. Senjeta was back and from the smell of it he had someone else with him. The smell was not of the dead, proving that Senjeta probably did not want it eaten. In the blink of an eye, Senjeta was in front of him. The figure saw that the person Senjeta had brought with him was a young fox demon who was sleeping quietly on his shoulder.. He smiled beneath his hood. He couldn't help it. He had a weakness for small children. He didn't know why, but he did. Maybe it was their innocence, or perhaps their sweet nature and ability to accept things as they come. He didn't know what it was, nor did he care.
"Ah, Inarki I see you have been on guard." Senjeta said.
"Yes my lord. Nothing much is new here. We sent some of our hunters out earlier and they found some fresh kill nearby. It's yours if you want it."
"Thanks, but I think I'll save if for tomorrow. I've already eaten my fill." Senjeta said, patting his stomach. "Take a bite of it yourself if you wish."
"Thank you sir." Inarki replied. "I'm not really very hungry though."
"Very well then. You may rest if you wish." Senjeta walked on, only to be stopped by Inarki.
"Pardon me sir, but who may I ask is he?"
"He is a boy named Shippo whom I am taking into my care. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious my lord. I thought for a moment he was more food." Inarki said.
Senjeta laughed heartily. "Oh, I promise you he's not food. He will be very useful to us when the time comes." Inarki grinned. He knew what Senjeta meant by "useful". Senjeta walked up a small hill and overlooked his kingdom. Spread around below the hill were various huts and small temples. Patrolling the area was a pair of coyotes. They looked up at Senjeta and wagged their tails at him. Senjeta smiled. It was good to be home. He walked down the pathway towards a large hut at the end of the pathway. The one of the coyotes sniffed Senjeta's leg, inspecting the new scent he had brought with him.
"He is not food. He is a member of our tribe now so back off!" Senjeta hissed. The mangy canine whined and shrank away. It may have been an animal, but it knew better then to entice its master's wrath. Senjeta walked down towards the large hut and stepped into it. He went into an antechamber and set Shippo down on a bed of hay. He smiled again. He looked so innocent like that. What a shame all that innocence would soon be shredded by the boy's own hatred. Senjeta's warm smile became an unpleasant grin. Tomorrow the boy's training would begin.
The next morning...
Shippo awoke to something sniffing at his face. He couldn't see what it was, it was so close. All he could see was a bit of brownish fur and a large black snout. The kitsune yelped and jumped back. The creature, which Shippo now saw was a large coyote, yelped and jumped away as well. It bristled and growled softly at him. Shippo whimpered and scooted away from the animal. For a moment the coyote looked like it was going to pounce when a hand descended on its back.
"Don't. Senjeta-sama specifically forbid anybody to hurt him unless he gives them permission." The coyote's fur went back down and its front lips went with it. Now it just stood there staring at Shippo impassively. Shippo relaxed and looked up to look at the figure which had calmed it. The figure was tall and slender. He wore a black cloak which entirely concealed his body. Only his hands were visible. But what fascinated Shippo the most was the person's face which could not be seen, but seemed to be rippling and contracting as if it really had no form at all.
"Your up I see. Did you enjoy your rest?" he asked.
"Um, I guess so." Shippo said. "Who are you?"
"My name is Inarki, second in command to Senjeta-sama."
"Senjeta? He brought me here?"
"Normally I'd punish you for such disrespect, but he forbade me too for the time being. But if you must know, yes it was him who brought you here. You are in the village of the coyote demon tribe." Shippo's ears perked up at that. He had heard of the coyote demons from his father long before. According to his father, the coyotes were similar to the wolf demon tribe in the way they both wanted land, but with one difference. Whereas the wolves took land from other demons, the coyote's only looked for land that was unoccupied. If they could find it, they would take it. But just like the wolves they would defend their territory mercilessly and anybody who dared to trespass on their land was quickly killed. Shippo himself had never met a coyote demon before, but now all that had changed.
"What is he going to do with me?"
"He has taken you in as one of us. In simpler terms, you're going to be living with us from now on." Inarki replied. Shippo gasped in shock. Him, living with a tribe of coyotes? It couldn't be. But still, it was quite nice. After all, had it not been for Kagome, Inuyasha most certainly would not have taken him in. But now he had been freely taken in and there had been no hassle or anything. No requirements, no nothing. It had been just like that. Shippo stood there for a moment, then flung himself into Inarki's cloak and began to cry with absolute joy over finally being accepted. No he wasn't just crying. He was wailing. All of his happiness exploded out of him in horrible screams and loud cries. He had finally gotten back what he had lost: Somebody who would love him and not abuse him. Inarki hugged him.
"Just let it out. It will make things easier." he whispered. After a few minutes, Shippo's cries went down to sniffles and whimpers. He looked up at Inarki with red eyes.
"I'm sorry Inarki-sama, I'm just so happy." he whispered. Had Inarki had a face, he would have smiled. He rubbed Shippo's back.
"You don't have to worry about respecting me kiddo. I'm glad to have you with us too." Inarki soothed. That brought on another spasm of weeping, this time not as harsh, and Shippo dampened Inarki's cloak even more. After a few more minutes he stopped crying and wiped his eyes.
"Come on. I'll introduce you to some of the villagers. Would you like that?" Shippo nodded. Inarki took his hand and took him outside the hut to introduce him to the tribe's inhabitants.
Upstairs, Senjeta slowly reclined on his bed. Everything was going as he had intended it to so far. Now he only had to keep it up for a time and the sacred jewel would be his. He looked outside the window and saw Inarki leading Shippo into another hut. "He's going to meet some of my people." he remarked. "Maybe he'll make some friends." Senjeta sighed happily. Once his plan was complete, all he had to do was confront Inuyasha and his numbfuck friends for the sacred jewel and he would become the most powerful demon in the world. It would be simple once he gained full control of that boy Shippo. Senjeta and his comrade Inarki were very sensitive to human and demon emotions, and that made it all the more easy to control people. He had always enjoyed using people for these strange purposes. He had taken in abused people, male and female alike and always found a way to appeal to them. He normally left the emotion reading to Inarki, since he could sniff out any emotion just by looking at a person, but he still took his part in it. It was quite simple really. You took in the outcast, appealed to them, built up their inner rage, and then when they were angry enough, you used coyote magic on them and then the fun would really begin. It was so simple and so fun. Senjeta grinned. This Shippo child would be the perfect specimen for him to use against Inuyasha. Deep below the boy's innocence lurked a dark power that Senjeta thought he could awaken with some time. Once he did, Shippo would be the ultimate tool of destruction for him to use on Inuyasha and his friends. For the time being, he would train the boy in the art of fighting and continue to appeal to his interests and even more, his hatred for Inuyasha. Then he would have no problem claiming the sacred jewel. But for now, he would bide his time.
"Inuyasha, you fool," Senjeta said to nobody in particular, "you will soon rue the day you took in this boy!" He began to laugh.
Review Responses
Raven Demon: Well I had to make him go alone in the woods or this stuff would never have happened. Thanks for the reviews. Your character is here too (it's Inarki).
Maru-sha: Yeah, I agree. Inuyasha can be a major jerk sometimes. Don't worry though. Things will work out for Shippo somehow.
Out4Sesshomaru'sHead: You think it's that good? Thanks a lot! Hope you read the rest of it when it comes up.
There's part four. Next chapter will focus more on Inuyasha and company. Rest assured, Senjeta has a trap set for them. See ya! -Randall Flagg2
Welcome to the hotel California. Such a lovely place, such a lovely face. -The Eagles
The devil can take a pleasing form. -Old saying
Thank you for loving me. -Bon Jovi
The night was empty, save for a single figure in a black cloak. His face could not be seen under the hood. He was tall, about a little over six feet and his only his hands could be seen through his billowing cloak. The cloaked figure sniffed the air. Senjeta was back and from the smell of it he had someone else with him. The smell was not of the dead, proving that Senjeta probably did not want it eaten. In the blink of an eye, Senjeta was in front of him. The figure saw that the person Senjeta had brought with him was a young fox demon who was sleeping quietly on his shoulder.. He smiled beneath his hood. He couldn't help it. He had a weakness for small children. He didn't know why, but he did. Maybe it was their innocence, or perhaps their sweet nature and ability to accept things as they come. He didn't know what it was, nor did he care.
"Ah, Inarki I see you have been on guard." Senjeta said.
"Yes my lord. Nothing much is new here. We sent some of our hunters out earlier and they found some fresh kill nearby. It's yours if you want it."
"Thanks, but I think I'll save if for tomorrow. I've already eaten my fill." Senjeta said, patting his stomach. "Take a bite of it yourself if you wish."
"Thank you sir." Inarki replied. "I'm not really very hungry though."
"Very well then. You may rest if you wish." Senjeta walked on, only to be stopped by Inarki.
"Pardon me sir, but who may I ask is he?"
"He is a boy named Shippo whom I am taking into my care. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious my lord. I thought for a moment he was more food." Inarki said.
Senjeta laughed heartily. "Oh, I promise you he's not food. He will be very useful to us when the time comes." Inarki grinned. He knew what Senjeta meant by "useful". Senjeta walked up a small hill and overlooked his kingdom. Spread around below the hill were various huts and small temples. Patrolling the area was a pair of coyotes. They looked up at Senjeta and wagged their tails at him. Senjeta smiled. It was good to be home. He walked down the pathway towards a large hut at the end of the pathway. The one of the coyotes sniffed Senjeta's leg, inspecting the new scent he had brought with him.
"He is not food. He is a member of our tribe now so back off!" Senjeta hissed. The mangy canine whined and shrank away. It may have been an animal, but it knew better then to entice its master's wrath. Senjeta walked down towards the large hut and stepped into it. He went into an antechamber and set Shippo down on a bed of hay. He smiled again. He looked so innocent like that. What a shame all that innocence would soon be shredded by the boy's own hatred. Senjeta's warm smile became an unpleasant grin. Tomorrow the boy's training would begin.
The next morning...
Shippo awoke to something sniffing at his face. He couldn't see what it was, it was so close. All he could see was a bit of brownish fur and a large black snout. The kitsune yelped and jumped back. The creature, which Shippo now saw was a large coyote, yelped and jumped away as well. It bristled and growled softly at him. Shippo whimpered and scooted away from the animal. For a moment the coyote looked like it was going to pounce when a hand descended on its back.
"Don't. Senjeta-sama specifically forbid anybody to hurt him unless he gives them permission." The coyote's fur went back down and its front lips went with it. Now it just stood there staring at Shippo impassively. Shippo relaxed and looked up to look at the figure which had calmed it. The figure was tall and slender. He wore a black cloak which entirely concealed his body. Only his hands were visible. But what fascinated Shippo the most was the person's face which could not be seen, but seemed to be rippling and contracting as if it really had no form at all.
"Your up I see. Did you enjoy your rest?" he asked.
"Um, I guess so." Shippo said. "Who are you?"
"My name is Inarki, second in command to Senjeta-sama."
"Senjeta? He brought me here?"
"Normally I'd punish you for such disrespect, but he forbade me too for the time being. But if you must know, yes it was him who brought you here. You are in the village of the coyote demon tribe." Shippo's ears perked up at that. He had heard of the coyote demons from his father long before. According to his father, the coyotes were similar to the wolf demon tribe in the way they both wanted land, but with one difference. Whereas the wolves took land from other demons, the coyote's only looked for land that was unoccupied. If they could find it, they would take it. But just like the wolves they would defend their territory mercilessly and anybody who dared to trespass on their land was quickly killed. Shippo himself had never met a coyote demon before, but now all that had changed.
"What is he going to do with me?"
"He has taken you in as one of us. In simpler terms, you're going to be living with us from now on." Inarki replied. Shippo gasped in shock. Him, living with a tribe of coyotes? It couldn't be. But still, it was quite nice. After all, had it not been for Kagome, Inuyasha most certainly would not have taken him in. But now he had been freely taken in and there had been no hassle or anything. No requirements, no nothing. It had been just like that. Shippo stood there for a moment, then flung himself into Inarki's cloak and began to cry with absolute joy over finally being accepted. No he wasn't just crying. He was wailing. All of his happiness exploded out of him in horrible screams and loud cries. He had finally gotten back what he had lost: Somebody who would love him and not abuse him. Inarki hugged him.
"Just let it out. It will make things easier." he whispered. After a few minutes, Shippo's cries went down to sniffles and whimpers. He looked up at Inarki with red eyes.
"I'm sorry Inarki-sama, I'm just so happy." he whispered. Had Inarki had a face, he would have smiled. He rubbed Shippo's back.
"You don't have to worry about respecting me kiddo. I'm glad to have you with us too." Inarki soothed. That brought on another spasm of weeping, this time not as harsh, and Shippo dampened Inarki's cloak even more. After a few more minutes he stopped crying and wiped his eyes.
"Come on. I'll introduce you to some of the villagers. Would you like that?" Shippo nodded. Inarki took his hand and took him outside the hut to introduce him to the tribe's inhabitants.
Upstairs, Senjeta slowly reclined on his bed. Everything was going as he had intended it to so far. Now he only had to keep it up for a time and the sacred jewel would be his. He looked outside the window and saw Inarki leading Shippo into another hut. "He's going to meet some of my people." he remarked. "Maybe he'll make some friends." Senjeta sighed happily. Once his plan was complete, all he had to do was confront Inuyasha and his numbfuck friends for the sacred jewel and he would become the most powerful demon in the world. It would be simple once he gained full control of that boy Shippo. Senjeta and his comrade Inarki were very sensitive to human and demon emotions, and that made it all the more easy to control people. He had always enjoyed using people for these strange purposes. He had taken in abused people, male and female alike and always found a way to appeal to them. He normally left the emotion reading to Inarki, since he could sniff out any emotion just by looking at a person, but he still took his part in it. It was quite simple really. You took in the outcast, appealed to them, built up their inner rage, and then when they were angry enough, you used coyote magic on them and then the fun would really begin. It was so simple and so fun. Senjeta grinned. This Shippo child would be the perfect specimen for him to use against Inuyasha. Deep below the boy's innocence lurked a dark power that Senjeta thought he could awaken with some time. Once he did, Shippo would be the ultimate tool of destruction for him to use on Inuyasha and his friends. For the time being, he would train the boy in the art of fighting and continue to appeal to his interests and even more, his hatred for Inuyasha. Then he would have no problem claiming the sacred jewel. But for now, he would bide his time.
"Inuyasha, you fool," Senjeta said to nobody in particular, "you will soon rue the day you took in this boy!" He began to laugh.
Review Responses
Raven Demon: Well I had to make him go alone in the woods or this stuff would never have happened. Thanks for the reviews. Your character is here too (it's Inarki).
Maru-sha: Yeah, I agree. Inuyasha can be a major jerk sometimes. Don't worry though. Things will work out for Shippo somehow.
Out4Sesshomaru'sHead: You think it's that good? Thanks a lot! Hope you read the rest of it when it comes up.
There's part four. Next chapter will focus more on Inuyasha and company. Rest assured, Senjeta has a trap set for them. See ya! -Randall Flagg2