WARNING!!! WARNING!!!! MUST READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO ON TO PART FIVE!!!
It should be known that two authors, Hiei'sFireyGurl52890 and Maru-sha have
requested that their own characters be put into the story. I don't own
either but I have they have given me permission to use them in my story.
On your mark... get set... READ!!
-Randall Flagg2
I wouldn't listen. I learned how to fight. I opened up my mind to treason. -Ozzy Osbourne
Hey-ho, let's go. -The Ramones
Somehwhere in the forest, a girl sat in a tree. She was young, about nine years old, and had long silver hair. Jutting out of her head wore a pair of white dog ears. She had a brown, furry foxtail and wore pink kimono pants and a matching kimono shirt. On her back, she wore a slash sickle. The girl's name was Serenity and she was growing more and more bored. "I wish there was something to keep me entertained." she muttered. "Being alone in the woods is so boring." Then a scent caught the young hanyou's nose. Serenity sniffed the air and smiled. "Inuyasha is here. Maybe I'll drop by and see what their up to." she giggled. Serenity jumped up and ran off towards the scent.
"Kagome, where the hell are we?" Inuyasha demanded as he stopped to rest.
"How should I know? You said you smelled Shippo and the coyote going this way, so we chose to go in this direction. If we're lost, blame yourself!"
"Oh sure! Blame it on me like always!" the hanyou snorted.
"I only blame you because it is your fault most of the time!"
"Settle down you two." Miroku said, interrupting the squabble. "We must keep ourselves focused on finding Shippo and we must hurry or something could happen to him." At that, the two of them settled down and continued walking on. For a bit it was silent. Then Kagome's angry voice broke the silence.
"If it wasn't for you we wouldn't be doing this!" she growled.
"Oh shut up. I said I was sorry already. Why can't you just let bygones be bygones?!"
"I would if you hadn't made Shippo run away! How do you manage to live with yourself anyway?! Sometimes I think you're as bad as Sesshomaru!" Kagome retorted. Had Inuyasha been anymore short tempered then he already was, he might have slapped her for that. Thankfully he was not and restrained himself from doing something so heinous. Nevertheless for a moment he considered doing it not because of his temper but because of how relieving it would be. He had taken a lot from her just as Shippo had from him. But unlike Shippo, he had no interest in repaying her. After all, when she was mad at him or sat him, it was for a good reason. That was what had held him back. Thank heaven it had. He did not want anymore trouble.
"Kagome?" he asked.
"What?"
"I'm sorry." he said. Kagome froze. Had he just apologized to her? Surely not. Inuyasha never apologized for anything. He was as shameless as shameless could get. Still, she was somehow able to believe that her ears were not deceiving her. Kagome opened her mouth and said two words.
"Thank you." Her voice was so quiet as to be but a mere whisper. All was silent. Then suddenly Inuyasha unsheathed Tetsusaiga.
"What is it?" Sango asked.
"Something's coming. I think it's a coyote!" Inuyasha gasped. Suddenly in front of them, a figure materialized. Inuyasha's fear turned to annoyance at the sight of who it was.
"What do you want Serenity?" Inuyasha growled.
"Just wanted to see you." Serenity said.
"Yeah, and make my life a living hell! Why do you incessantly have to bother me?!"
Serenity pouted. "C'mon Inuyasha! I just wanted to say hi and help you with whatever it is you guys are up too!" At that, Inuyasha smacked her on the head.
"Be quiet! What we're doing is none of your business, so stay out of it!" he scolded.
Serenity rubbed her head and whined, "Hmph! Well if that's the way it's going to be I'll just go then!" Serenity started to walk off when Kagome stopped her.
"Wait Serenity. I don't know who you are, but you should just ignore Inuyasha."
"Oh I do already! I'm his younger sister!" Serenity exclaimed. Kagome widened her eyes. She had no idea Inuyasha had a younger sister! She turned to her friend.
"You never told me you had siblings Inuyasha!"
"We knew all along Kagome." said Miroku. "Serenity has visited us on more then one occasion. She's only come when you're not around though, so it's no surprise you don't know her."
"So what if I didn't tell Kagome about her? Kids as bratty as her shouldn't be mentioned!" At that Serenity started to cry a little bit.
"All I wanted was to be with you guys and this is how I'm greeted?" Serenity sobbed. "Fine then! I don't need you anyway!" She began to storm off but Inuyasha grabbed her up by her tail. "Let me go!" she shouted as she thrashed madly in Inuyasha's grasp. The dog demon hugged her tightly to his shoulder. Serenity struggled for a few minutes, then gave in and hugged back. She was still crying a little bit, but not as much as before.
"I'm sorry. Inuyasha whispered. "I didn't mean it that way."
"I'm alright." she whispered. Inuyasha failed to notice Serenity was reaching into her pocket for something. When her hand came out, she was holding a small firecracker. She struck it against a tree trunk creating a small spark, lighting it. She then proceeded to put it in the shoulder of Inuyasha's kimono shirt. Kagome cringed. She knew what was going to happen next.
POW!! With a mighty pop, the firecracker ignited and Inuyasha was suddenly screaming and jumping around as gunpowder flew out of his shoulder. Serenity fell to the ground laughing her head off. When the flames had died down, Inuyasha grabbed Serenity up by her tail and gave her the iciest glare he had ever given.
Serenity giggled nervously. "It was just a joke Inuyasha! Don't you have a sense of humor?" Instead of answering, Inuyasha drew back his fist to strike her. Serenity cringed and waited for him to start whaling on her, but he did not because at that precise moment, Serenity heard Kagome call out the command Inuyasha dreaded so much and she was suddenly dropped as Inuyasha was hurled into the ground. She got up, dusted herself off and walked behind Kagome. Inuyasha got up and glared bitterly at his younger sister.
"I told you she was a brat Kagome!!" he yelled.
"You wouldn't really have hurt little old me, would you?" Serenity asked cutely.
"I would have if the queen of the wenches hadn't interfered!!!" Inuyasha roared.
"Please!!" Sango interrupted. "May we please put this aside and continue to look for Shippo?" At that, Serenity's ears perked up.
"Why? What happened to Shippo?" Serenity asked.
"Nothing!" Inuyasha said quickly. "We're just... uh, playing hide and seek with him!"
"Don't lie Inuyasha." Kagome said sternly. She kneeled down to Serenity's level. "Serenity, the truth is Inuyasha drove him off. He said some really mean things to him and it got to Shippo, making him run away."
"Like what?" Serenity asked.
"He said Shippo was a burden on us and slowed us down, that he was useless, and that we should have let Hiten and Manten kill him when we first found him. Now we've found out a coyote demon has taken him in and we have to rescue him. That's what's really going on." Serenity looked at Inuyasha with quivering lips. She could not believe Inuyasha had done that to Shippo.
"How could you be so mean Inuyasha?" Serenity whispered shakily. "How could you do that to him?" Serenity broke down and began to sob. Kagome hugged her as she wept. Inuyasha really felt guilty now. He didn't want to make her cry. He sighed and put a hand on her shoulder, but Serenity swatted it away.
"Leave me alone you big jerk!" Serenity wept. "I don't want to have to look at you!" For a few minutes Serenity just stood there weeping into Kagome's shoulder. Then at last her cries became hiccups and whimpers and she stopped. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and looked at Inuyasha coldly.
"Inuyasha! If we don't find him I'll make you wish you'd never met me!"
"Don't threaten me you little brat!! I can make you wish you had never been born!" Inuyasha growled.
"ENOUGH!!" Sango roared. The demon hunter had finally tired of the endless bickering and had decided somebody needed to stop it. At the tone of Sango's voice, everybody quieted down. "Can we please stop fighting for just one minute and get back to what we were doing?!"
"Sango's right. We need to find Shippo before something happens to him." Kagome walked off in the direction they had been originally been going in, closely followed by the others. Serenity pulled on Inuyasha's kimono shirt.
"I want to come too!" she said.
"No Serenity. It could be dangerous and I don't want you getting hurt. You'll have to stay behind."
Serenity pouted and made her eyes get big and teary. "Please Inuyasha- sama?" she asked.
"No way. Don't think for a minute that your sympathy act will wo-"
"Waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!" Serenity broke into hysterical wails. "You don't like me Inuyasha!!!!" she shrieked.
"ALRIGHT!!!!" Inuyasha roared. "We'll take you along for the ride, but if you get hurt, don't say I didn't warn you." The tears stopped immediately.
"Thank you Inuyasha-sama!" Serenity giggled. Inuyasha knew she wasn't really respecting him, but he decided to let her have her way for the time being. They walked off further, Serenity tagging along behind them. None of them were aware of a shadowy figure that flitted away as they left.
Back in the tribe of the coyotes, Shippo was standing in a large hut with Inarki. Also with them was a young coyote demon who seemed to be only a few years older then Shippo. The boy was tall and well muscled. His hair hazel brown hair was tied back in a jaunty ponytail that bounced every time he moved. Both Shippo and the boy held large bamboo poles in their hands.
"What is the purpose of this again?" Shippo asked.
"To teach you how to fight and defend yourself boy." Inarki replied. "Senjeta-sama has requested that you be taught swordsmanship while you live in our village. Rest assured it is for your benefit." Inarki smiled inwardly, knowing that the boy's hatred could be built up by this which would complete phase one of Senjeta's master plan.
The boy smiled at Shippo. "Don't think I'll go easy on you." he sneered. Shippo tensed and raised the pole like a sword. Inarki snapped his fingers. The boy sprinted at Shippo and sent him flying with one savage swing of his weapon. Shippo moaned and got back up.
"Impressive Sato. You are getting better." Inarki remarked.
"Thank you Inarki-san." Sato remarked. Sato charged again with the speed of a charging bull and swung. Shippo blocked the swing, only to be hurled across the room again by the boy's foot. Shippo got up again with a bit more difficulty this time. The kick had hurt quite a bit. He saw Sato rushing at him again. Shippo swung his pole and much to his surprise it connected with the boy's chest. It didn't hurt, but it made Sato take a few steps back. Before Shippo could swing his pole again, Sato kicked out both of his feet and knocked Shippo down again. This time he did not get up, he was in such pain. Above him, Sato grinned.
"I lost again." Shippo thought to himself. "Oh well. I kind of figured I would."
"Of course it was expected runt!" came a voice in the back of his head. "You're weak and stupid and I'm not surprised you lost!" Shippo froze. Was that Inuyasha's voice he had heard? No it couldn't have been. It must have been his mind or something. Then it came again.
"Why do you even bother trying this? You'll just lose again like you always do!" Now Shippo was sure it was Inuyasha's voice he was hearing. He began to feel a dark anger rising in him. All the memories of the numerous insults and countless beatings began to flow through his mind. But instead of hopeless despair, Shippo felt his anger grow greater and greater as the memories flooded his mind. All at once the steel in him rose up and practically screamed at him to stand up and be strong. Then it was swallowed by a burning rage.
"Shut up!" Shippo muttered. "Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!" With a furious scream he jumped to his feet. Sato raised his pole again.
"So you want more? Well then I'll-" But that was all the young coyote got out before Shippo jumped into the air and brought his pole down in a vertical swing. Startled by the boy's change of pace, Sato raised his pole to block it. Shippo's swung with such force that Sato's pole broke like a dry and brittle twig. And that was not the end of it. Shippo's bamboo pole came crashing down on Sato's forehead with a sickening, loud crack. Sato staggered back, then fell down in an unconscious heap. Shippo stood there panting harshly. Inarki's unseen eyes widened behind his cloak. The boy was only trying for the first time and already he had beaten Sato? It couldn't be. Nevertheless, he could not deny the sight before him. Then Inarki smiled. The boy had let his anger take over and then it had been automatic. Inarki knew that pattern well. Calmness became annoyance, annoyance to anger, anger to rage, and finally rage to wrath. Once the cycle was complete, anything could happen.
"Nice going boy." Inarku said. "I didn't think you could win." Shippo did not hear him. He was busy looking at Sato's body. What he saw was not the young coyote demon. He saw Inuyasha lying on the ground, unconscious from the blow with the pole instead of Sato. He was not aware that he was grinning.
"Got you." Shippo muttered through his grin. Inarki smiled even more. The boy had just demonstrated his hatred for Inuyasha. "I got you, you son of a bitch I go you."
A powerful hand fell on Shippo's shoulder. He looked up to see Inarki looking down at him. Before Shippo could ask what he wanted, Inarki spoke.
"Nice job Shippo. I didn't think you could beat him. If I may ask, how did you do it?"
"Well, all my thoughts about Inuyasha just started coming into my head and I felt this surge of energy go through me. That's about it."
"I'm not surprised. It must e difficult living with somebody like that who doesn't think you have the right to be treated fairly and regards you as something to vent on." Inarki remarked. Shippo felt his anger begin to bubble again. He was most certainly not something for people to vent on and he would not allow himself to be one. For a moment a thought ran through his mind, and then it was gone. That thought was "Kill him". Kill who? Inarki? Certainly not. Senjeta? Out of the question. He knew who that thought was directed at though. For a moment he was tempted to carry it out, but he wisely decided against it. Inuyasha was capable of beating him to death with his fingers and fighting him hand to hand would be dangerous. Shippo knew how Inuyasha could be with his hands from personal experience. Still, that thought was a tempting one. Shippo shrugged and walked out of the hut and back to Senjeta's place. He found a bed of hay, lied down, and fell asleep.
Outside the hut, Inarki was busily talking with Senjeta. "You can't really mean that they are coming for us!!" he exclaimed. "It's too early for us! If they get Shippo now, we'll never be able to bring out his full potential and claim the sacred jewel!"
"Calm down Inarki. I'm sure there is a way to stop them. The only question is how." Senjeta replied.
"If you want sir I could destroy them myself."
"No. That would be disastrous. I can't take a chance that my best fighter will be killed. It's not that I don't have confidence in you Inarki. It's just that I don't want to lose you too early in the game. I need you because you can read emotions in the blink of an eye and I'll need that to bring out the boy's full potential. Once we do that, Inuyasha and his friends will be all ours for the taking. And don't forget I promised you a piece of the shikon jewel."
"Very well sir. I will remain here for the time being." Just as he finished speaking, a thought entered his head. That word "time" rang in his mind. Of course! They could use that! Why hadn't he thought of this before?
"May I propose an idea Senjeta-sama?"
"Very well. Tell me your idea." Inarki leaned over and whispered something in Senjeta's ear. The coyote demon began to smile. "That just might work!" he said. "Send the elites of the coyote tribe on it. That should stir things up a bit!"
"Yes Senjeta-sama." Inarki replied. He went off to find the elites.
Back in the forest, Inuyasha and company were still hiking when Inuyasha sniffed the air and brandished his sword. "Who's there?!" he called. In a puff of smoke, a tall cloaked figure stood before them. Inuyasha's dog ears flattened against his head.
"Who are you?!" he demanded.
"My name is Inarki. I come from the coyote tribe of the south under the orders of Senjeta-sama." Inuyasha gasped. He knew that name. It was the name of the coyote demon who had beaten him last night.
"You work for him?! What did you do with Shippo?!"
"Oh we haven't done anything with him yet. I promise you though, he will be very useful to us in the future!" Serenity suddenly jumped forward, brandishing her slash sickle.
"I'll teach you to kidnap one of my friends!" the girl screamed. Serenity swung her weapon, but Inarki jumped to one side. Before Serenity could react, Inarki backhanded her and sent her flying to the ground.
"I admire your courage little girl, but you do not have the fighting experience I have." Serenity rubbed her stinging cheek. As she did, Inarki brought his foot up in a vertical kick and sent her flying back towards Inuyasha and company. Inuyasha picked up his sister and dusted her off.
"Are you okay Serenity?" he asked.
"I'm alright" Serenity moaned. Inuyasha bared his teeth at Inarki and charged, tetsusaiga drawn. Nobody hit his sister and lived to tell about it. Inarki focused his energy and read Inuyasha's emotions. Thundering rage, the urge to kill, and somewhere deep down, slight fear. Inarki smiled. These emotions meant he was acting on instinct and would not be fighting with his brains. Inarki charged energy into his hands, then thrust them outward creating a massive black hole. Inuyasha stopped and tried to flee, but the void began to suck in air and soon he was struggling to escape. Everybody else was too. Inarki smiled and began to speak.
"The vortex I have created is a portal to a different dimension in which time is slowed down. A few seconds in there will be a few hours out here. That will give us all the time we need to bring out Shippo's full potential. The only way to escape is to fight what is inside and I don't think you'll be prepared for what is inside so I guess this is goodbye!" Inarki charged more energy into his hands and threw out an energy ball. The explosion knocked everybody off their feet and sent them flying into the black vortex. Inarki laughed sadistically. The elites would finish them in a matter of minutes, which in this time would be a matter of hours. With another puff of smoke, he vanished.
As the vortex began to disappear, a tall female figure by the name of Kiyashi stepped forward. She had golden eyes and long brown hair. Kiyashi wore a black tank top, camouflage pants, and she had fish nets on her arms. She looked like something out of Kagome's time period. There was an earring in her right ear and she had sharp nails and ca like ears. On her back was a katana. "Strange clothes that future girl had." she remarked. "It's a good thing she wasn't watching her bag when I found these." she said. Kiyashi looked at the portal. She knew what she had to do. "Against the elites of the coyote tribe they'll need all the help they can get." she said. Running as fast as she could, Kiyashi jumped into the portal just as it disappeared.
Review responses
Rushyuo: He is because he is. If it wasn't for that, this would never have happened. Hope you like this chapter.
Nehokia Nazaumi: If you think he's being used now, just wait until Senjeta uses his magic on him. I think you'll be surprised.
Maru-sha: I hope I got Serenity's character well enough. If you post a review, tell me what you think in it. You know, if I did anything wrong or what should be done differently? Just wondering.
That's part five. Next chapter we meet the five elites of the coyote tribe and the battle to save Shippo begins. And even more, Shippo is becoming something much colder then he was before.
I wouldn't listen. I learned how to fight. I opened up my mind to treason. -Ozzy Osbourne
Hey-ho, let's go. -The Ramones
Somehwhere in the forest, a girl sat in a tree. She was young, about nine years old, and had long silver hair. Jutting out of her head wore a pair of white dog ears. She had a brown, furry foxtail and wore pink kimono pants and a matching kimono shirt. On her back, she wore a slash sickle. The girl's name was Serenity and she was growing more and more bored. "I wish there was something to keep me entertained." she muttered. "Being alone in the woods is so boring." Then a scent caught the young hanyou's nose. Serenity sniffed the air and smiled. "Inuyasha is here. Maybe I'll drop by and see what their up to." she giggled. Serenity jumped up and ran off towards the scent.
"Kagome, where the hell are we?" Inuyasha demanded as he stopped to rest.
"How should I know? You said you smelled Shippo and the coyote going this way, so we chose to go in this direction. If we're lost, blame yourself!"
"Oh sure! Blame it on me like always!" the hanyou snorted.
"I only blame you because it is your fault most of the time!"
"Settle down you two." Miroku said, interrupting the squabble. "We must keep ourselves focused on finding Shippo and we must hurry or something could happen to him." At that, the two of them settled down and continued walking on. For a bit it was silent. Then Kagome's angry voice broke the silence.
"If it wasn't for you we wouldn't be doing this!" she growled.
"Oh shut up. I said I was sorry already. Why can't you just let bygones be bygones?!"
"I would if you hadn't made Shippo run away! How do you manage to live with yourself anyway?! Sometimes I think you're as bad as Sesshomaru!" Kagome retorted. Had Inuyasha been anymore short tempered then he already was, he might have slapped her for that. Thankfully he was not and restrained himself from doing something so heinous. Nevertheless for a moment he considered doing it not because of his temper but because of how relieving it would be. He had taken a lot from her just as Shippo had from him. But unlike Shippo, he had no interest in repaying her. After all, when she was mad at him or sat him, it was for a good reason. That was what had held him back. Thank heaven it had. He did not want anymore trouble.
"Kagome?" he asked.
"What?"
"I'm sorry." he said. Kagome froze. Had he just apologized to her? Surely not. Inuyasha never apologized for anything. He was as shameless as shameless could get. Still, she was somehow able to believe that her ears were not deceiving her. Kagome opened her mouth and said two words.
"Thank you." Her voice was so quiet as to be but a mere whisper. All was silent. Then suddenly Inuyasha unsheathed Tetsusaiga.
"What is it?" Sango asked.
"Something's coming. I think it's a coyote!" Inuyasha gasped. Suddenly in front of them, a figure materialized. Inuyasha's fear turned to annoyance at the sight of who it was.
"What do you want Serenity?" Inuyasha growled.
"Just wanted to see you." Serenity said.
"Yeah, and make my life a living hell! Why do you incessantly have to bother me?!"
Serenity pouted. "C'mon Inuyasha! I just wanted to say hi and help you with whatever it is you guys are up too!" At that, Inuyasha smacked her on the head.
"Be quiet! What we're doing is none of your business, so stay out of it!" he scolded.
Serenity rubbed her head and whined, "Hmph! Well if that's the way it's going to be I'll just go then!" Serenity started to walk off when Kagome stopped her.
"Wait Serenity. I don't know who you are, but you should just ignore Inuyasha."
"Oh I do already! I'm his younger sister!" Serenity exclaimed. Kagome widened her eyes. She had no idea Inuyasha had a younger sister! She turned to her friend.
"You never told me you had siblings Inuyasha!"
"We knew all along Kagome." said Miroku. "Serenity has visited us on more then one occasion. She's only come when you're not around though, so it's no surprise you don't know her."
"So what if I didn't tell Kagome about her? Kids as bratty as her shouldn't be mentioned!" At that Serenity started to cry a little bit.
"All I wanted was to be with you guys and this is how I'm greeted?" Serenity sobbed. "Fine then! I don't need you anyway!" She began to storm off but Inuyasha grabbed her up by her tail. "Let me go!" she shouted as she thrashed madly in Inuyasha's grasp. The dog demon hugged her tightly to his shoulder. Serenity struggled for a few minutes, then gave in and hugged back. She was still crying a little bit, but not as much as before.
"I'm sorry. Inuyasha whispered. "I didn't mean it that way."
"I'm alright." she whispered. Inuyasha failed to notice Serenity was reaching into her pocket for something. When her hand came out, she was holding a small firecracker. She struck it against a tree trunk creating a small spark, lighting it. She then proceeded to put it in the shoulder of Inuyasha's kimono shirt. Kagome cringed. She knew what was going to happen next.
POW!! With a mighty pop, the firecracker ignited and Inuyasha was suddenly screaming and jumping around as gunpowder flew out of his shoulder. Serenity fell to the ground laughing her head off. When the flames had died down, Inuyasha grabbed Serenity up by her tail and gave her the iciest glare he had ever given.
Serenity giggled nervously. "It was just a joke Inuyasha! Don't you have a sense of humor?" Instead of answering, Inuyasha drew back his fist to strike her. Serenity cringed and waited for him to start whaling on her, but he did not because at that precise moment, Serenity heard Kagome call out the command Inuyasha dreaded so much and she was suddenly dropped as Inuyasha was hurled into the ground. She got up, dusted herself off and walked behind Kagome. Inuyasha got up and glared bitterly at his younger sister.
"I told you she was a brat Kagome!!" he yelled.
"You wouldn't really have hurt little old me, would you?" Serenity asked cutely.
"I would have if the queen of the wenches hadn't interfered!!!" Inuyasha roared.
"Please!!" Sango interrupted. "May we please put this aside and continue to look for Shippo?" At that, Serenity's ears perked up.
"Why? What happened to Shippo?" Serenity asked.
"Nothing!" Inuyasha said quickly. "We're just... uh, playing hide and seek with him!"
"Don't lie Inuyasha." Kagome said sternly. She kneeled down to Serenity's level. "Serenity, the truth is Inuyasha drove him off. He said some really mean things to him and it got to Shippo, making him run away."
"Like what?" Serenity asked.
"He said Shippo was a burden on us and slowed us down, that he was useless, and that we should have let Hiten and Manten kill him when we first found him. Now we've found out a coyote demon has taken him in and we have to rescue him. That's what's really going on." Serenity looked at Inuyasha with quivering lips. She could not believe Inuyasha had done that to Shippo.
"How could you be so mean Inuyasha?" Serenity whispered shakily. "How could you do that to him?" Serenity broke down and began to sob. Kagome hugged her as she wept. Inuyasha really felt guilty now. He didn't want to make her cry. He sighed and put a hand on her shoulder, but Serenity swatted it away.
"Leave me alone you big jerk!" Serenity wept. "I don't want to have to look at you!" For a few minutes Serenity just stood there weeping into Kagome's shoulder. Then at last her cries became hiccups and whimpers and she stopped. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and looked at Inuyasha coldly.
"Inuyasha! If we don't find him I'll make you wish you'd never met me!"
"Don't threaten me you little brat!! I can make you wish you had never been born!" Inuyasha growled.
"ENOUGH!!" Sango roared. The demon hunter had finally tired of the endless bickering and had decided somebody needed to stop it. At the tone of Sango's voice, everybody quieted down. "Can we please stop fighting for just one minute and get back to what we were doing?!"
"Sango's right. We need to find Shippo before something happens to him." Kagome walked off in the direction they had been originally been going in, closely followed by the others. Serenity pulled on Inuyasha's kimono shirt.
"I want to come too!" she said.
"No Serenity. It could be dangerous and I don't want you getting hurt. You'll have to stay behind."
Serenity pouted and made her eyes get big and teary. "Please Inuyasha- sama?" she asked.
"No way. Don't think for a minute that your sympathy act will wo-"
"Waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!" Serenity broke into hysterical wails. "You don't like me Inuyasha!!!!" she shrieked.
"ALRIGHT!!!!" Inuyasha roared. "We'll take you along for the ride, but if you get hurt, don't say I didn't warn you." The tears stopped immediately.
"Thank you Inuyasha-sama!" Serenity giggled. Inuyasha knew she wasn't really respecting him, but he decided to let her have her way for the time being. They walked off further, Serenity tagging along behind them. None of them were aware of a shadowy figure that flitted away as they left.
Back in the tribe of the coyotes, Shippo was standing in a large hut with Inarki. Also with them was a young coyote demon who seemed to be only a few years older then Shippo. The boy was tall and well muscled. His hair hazel brown hair was tied back in a jaunty ponytail that bounced every time he moved. Both Shippo and the boy held large bamboo poles in their hands.
"What is the purpose of this again?" Shippo asked.
"To teach you how to fight and defend yourself boy." Inarki replied. "Senjeta-sama has requested that you be taught swordsmanship while you live in our village. Rest assured it is for your benefit." Inarki smiled inwardly, knowing that the boy's hatred could be built up by this which would complete phase one of Senjeta's master plan.
The boy smiled at Shippo. "Don't think I'll go easy on you." he sneered. Shippo tensed and raised the pole like a sword. Inarki snapped his fingers. The boy sprinted at Shippo and sent him flying with one savage swing of his weapon. Shippo moaned and got back up.
"Impressive Sato. You are getting better." Inarki remarked.
"Thank you Inarki-san." Sato remarked. Sato charged again with the speed of a charging bull and swung. Shippo blocked the swing, only to be hurled across the room again by the boy's foot. Shippo got up again with a bit more difficulty this time. The kick had hurt quite a bit. He saw Sato rushing at him again. Shippo swung his pole and much to his surprise it connected with the boy's chest. It didn't hurt, but it made Sato take a few steps back. Before Shippo could swing his pole again, Sato kicked out both of his feet and knocked Shippo down again. This time he did not get up, he was in such pain. Above him, Sato grinned.
"I lost again." Shippo thought to himself. "Oh well. I kind of figured I would."
"Of course it was expected runt!" came a voice in the back of his head. "You're weak and stupid and I'm not surprised you lost!" Shippo froze. Was that Inuyasha's voice he had heard? No it couldn't have been. It must have been his mind or something. Then it came again.
"Why do you even bother trying this? You'll just lose again like you always do!" Now Shippo was sure it was Inuyasha's voice he was hearing. He began to feel a dark anger rising in him. All the memories of the numerous insults and countless beatings began to flow through his mind. But instead of hopeless despair, Shippo felt his anger grow greater and greater as the memories flooded his mind. All at once the steel in him rose up and practically screamed at him to stand up and be strong. Then it was swallowed by a burning rage.
"Shut up!" Shippo muttered. "Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!" With a furious scream he jumped to his feet. Sato raised his pole again.
"So you want more? Well then I'll-" But that was all the young coyote got out before Shippo jumped into the air and brought his pole down in a vertical swing. Startled by the boy's change of pace, Sato raised his pole to block it. Shippo's swung with such force that Sato's pole broke like a dry and brittle twig. And that was not the end of it. Shippo's bamboo pole came crashing down on Sato's forehead with a sickening, loud crack. Sato staggered back, then fell down in an unconscious heap. Shippo stood there panting harshly. Inarki's unseen eyes widened behind his cloak. The boy was only trying for the first time and already he had beaten Sato? It couldn't be. Nevertheless, he could not deny the sight before him. Then Inarki smiled. The boy had let his anger take over and then it had been automatic. Inarki knew that pattern well. Calmness became annoyance, annoyance to anger, anger to rage, and finally rage to wrath. Once the cycle was complete, anything could happen.
"Nice going boy." Inarku said. "I didn't think you could win." Shippo did not hear him. He was busy looking at Sato's body. What he saw was not the young coyote demon. He saw Inuyasha lying on the ground, unconscious from the blow with the pole instead of Sato. He was not aware that he was grinning.
"Got you." Shippo muttered through his grin. Inarki smiled even more. The boy had just demonstrated his hatred for Inuyasha. "I got you, you son of a bitch I go you."
A powerful hand fell on Shippo's shoulder. He looked up to see Inarki looking down at him. Before Shippo could ask what he wanted, Inarki spoke.
"Nice job Shippo. I didn't think you could beat him. If I may ask, how did you do it?"
"Well, all my thoughts about Inuyasha just started coming into my head and I felt this surge of energy go through me. That's about it."
"I'm not surprised. It must e difficult living with somebody like that who doesn't think you have the right to be treated fairly and regards you as something to vent on." Inarki remarked. Shippo felt his anger begin to bubble again. He was most certainly not something for people to vent on and he would not allow himself to be one. For a moment a thought ran through his mind, and then it was gone. That thought was "Kill him". Kill who? Inarki? Certainly not. Senjeta? Out of the question. He knew who that thought was directed at though. For a moment he was tempted to carry it out, but he wisely decided against it. Inuyasha was capable of beating him to death with his fingers and fighting him hand to hand would be dangerous. Shippo knew how Inuyasha could be with his hands from personal experience. Still, that thought was a tempting one. Shippo shrugged and walked out of the hut and back to Senjeta's place. He found a bed of hay, lied down, and fell asleep.
Outside the hut, Inarki was busily talking with Senjeta. "You can't really mean that they are coming for us!!" he exclaimed. "It's too early for us! If they get Shippo now, we'll never be able to bring out his full potential and claim the sacred jewel!"
"Calm down Inarki. I'm sure there is a way to stop them. The only question is how." Senjeta replied.
"If you want sir I could destroy them myself."
"No. That would be disastrous. I can't take a chance that my best fighter will be killed. It's not that I don't have confidence in you Inarki. It's just that I don't want to lose you too early in the game. I need you because you can read emotions in the blink of an eye and I'll need that to bring out the boy's full potential. Once we do that, Inuyasha and his friends will be all ours for the taking. And don't forget I promised you a piece of the shikon jewel."
"Very well sir. I will remain here for the time being." Just as he finished speaking, a thought entered his head. That word "time" rang in his mind. Of course! They could use that! Why hadn't he thought of this before?
"May I propose an idea Senjeta-sama?"
"Very well. Tell me your idea." Inarki leaned over and whispered something in Senjeta's ear. The coyote demon began to smile. "That just might work!" he said. "Send the elites of the coyote tribe on it. That should stir things up a bit!"
"Yes Senjeta-sama." Inarki replied. He went off to find the elites.
Back in the forest, Inuyasha and company were still hiking when Inuyasha sniffed the air and brandished his sword. "Who's there?!" he called. In a puff of smoke, a tall cloaked figure stood before them. Inuyasha's dog ears flattened against his head.
"Who are you?!" he demanded.
"My name is Inarki. I come from the coyote tribe of the south under the orders of Senjeta-sama." Inuyasha gasped. He knew that name. It was the name of the coyote demon who had beaten him last night.
"You work for him?! What did you do with Shippo?!"
"Oh we haven't done anything with him yet. I promise you though, he will be very useful to us in the future!" Serenity suddenly jumped forward, brandishing her slash sickle.
"I'll teach you to kidnap one of my friends!" the girl screamed. Serenity swung her weapon, but Inarki jumped to one side. Before Serenity could react, Inarki backhanded her and sent her flying to the ground.
"I admire your courage little girl, but you do not have the fighting experience I have." Serenity rubbed her stinging cheek. As she did, Inarki brought his foot up in a vertical kick and sent her flying back towards Inuyasha and company. Inuyasha picked up his sister and dusted her off.
"Are you okay Serenity?" he asked.
"I'm alright" Serenity moaned. Inuyasha bared his teeth at Inarki and charged, tetsusaiga drawn. Nobody hit his sister and lived to tell about it. Inarki focused his energy and read Inuyasha's emotions. Thundering rage, the urge to kill, and somewhere deep down, slight fear. Inarki smiled. These emotions meant he was acting on instinct and would not be fighting with his brains. Inarki charged energy into his hands, then thrust them outward creating a massive black hole. Inuyasha stopped and tried to flee, but the void began to suck in air and soon he was struggling to escape. Everybody else was too. Inarki smiled and began to speak.
"The vortex I have created is a portal to a different dimension in which time is slowed down. A few seconds in there will be a few hours out here. That will give us all the time we need to bring out Shippo's full potential. The only way to escape is to fight what is inside and I don't think you'll be prepared for what is inside so I guess this is goodbye!" Inarki charged more energy into his hands and threw out an energy ball. The explosion knocked everybody off their feet and sent them flying into the black vortex. Inarki laughed sadistically. The elites would finish them in a matter of minutes, which in this time would be a matter of hours. With another puff of smoke, he vanished.
As the vortex began to disappear, a tall female figure by the name of Kiyashi stepped forward. She had golden eyes and long brown hair. Kiyashi wore a black tank top, camouflage pants, and she had fish nets on her arms. She looked like something out of Kagome's time period. There was an earring in her right ear and she had sharp nails and ca like ears. On her back was a katana. "Strange clothes that future girl had." she remarked. "It's a good thing she wasn't watching her bag when I found these." she said. Kiyashi looked at the portal. She knew what she had to do. "Against the elites of the coyote tribe they'll need all the help they can get." she said. Running as fast as she could, Kiyashi jumped into the portal just as it disappeared.
Review responses
Rushyuo: He is because he is. If it wasn't for that, this would never have happened. Hope you like this chapter.
Nehokia Nazaumi: If you think he's being used now, just wait until Senjeta uses his magic on him. I think you'll be surprised.
Maru-sha: I hope I got Serenity's character well enough. If you post a review, tell me what you think in it. You know, if I did anything wrong or what should be done differently? Just wondering.
That's part five. Next chapter we meet the five elites of the coyote tribe and the battle to save Shippo begins. And even more, Shippo is becoming something much colder then he was before.