The God of the Demons
The Great Demon Inuyasha: Part 3
By B.C.
Annoying Secrets
Inuyasha stared blankly at Azumanera's brightly lit face. His mind was calculating the possibility of her telling the truth, but in the end the odds were against him. "What? Are you serious? You better not be messing with me."
"I do not lie, Inuyasha. I am very capable." she replied. Inuyasha was stunned. He didn't believe it. It just seemed too easy, too convenient.
"Inuyasha" she continued "I have existed as a ghost for hundreds of years now, and my sorrow grows stronger every day. It consumes me. If I don't free my son soon, It will only be a matter of time before I become a mindless specter whose only purpose is to haunt all who come near." There was a pause. Images of the boy's ghost flashed through Inuyasha's mind. He then recalled how she said he attacked without warning. He wondered if the boy's ghost attacked because he is an angry spirit or if that was the unpredictable beast who was in control. That could be me one day, he thought. If I somehow lost Tessaiga, I would be doomed to transform every time my life was threatened. That is, if I could come back from it to transform again.
"I will give you two days, Inuyasha, to decide. However, if you should decide sooner, please do not hesitate to come, but be warned. I can often lose myself in my sadness, and I may not immediately recognize you." She smiled as she said this. Inuyasha wondered how she could be emitting such strong somber emotions and yet appear so magnanimous and pleased. Inuyasha wondered if simply talking to a Hanyou was able to allow her to suppress her depression. But, before he could finish his thought, Azumanera grew brighter. Her entire body turned into a ball of spiraling light, and began to return to the mound of glowing earth.
Amidst the loud wind and the flares of light and color, Inuyasha could see a small thin figure standing near the mound. "Is that the boy," he thought.
Nearby, high in the sky, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Myoga were riding Kirara's back through the air.
"This is no good. The light has vanished." said Miroku with one hand over his eyes as though he were blocking the sun so he could search (it is night, mind you). While doing this he snuck the other arm around Sango's waist. This was a little too close for Sango. She immediately blushed and quickly turned and gave Miroku the cheek treatment.
"Inuyasha! Why would he run off like this?" Said Shippo, but then something caught his eye. "Hey Kirara, fly closer over there." Kirara dipped down to a grassy field where, not too far from a log hut, Inuyasha and Kagome were sleeping on top of each other. Kirara landed near them, and everyone dismounted. Miroku walked closer to the pair.
"Ahhh, I see now." Miroku said with a hand on his chin. "Inuyasha wanted to get away with Kagome. So that means the light was Kagome having her first…" SLAP!
"That's enough!" screamed Sango.
"First what?" asked Shippo. Kagome began to stir. She slowly opened her eyes, and saw that she was laying on Inuyasha. With her face red, she flew up right only to see her friend's judgmental glares.
"What?" she asked. They only stared. "Now wait a second. We weren't doing anything. It's not what it looks like." Kagome pleaded. Inuyasha the began to wake up, and he quickly jumped to his feet.
"Azumanera!" he yelled. He scanned the field for her, but saw nothing. There wasn't even hint of her light. Then the was a slow cold breeze, but it too quickly faded. He then turned and saw everyone else. "When did you guys get here?"
"Who is Azumanera?" Kagome asked in a suspicious tone of voice.
"What do you mean "who? She's the Tennyo!" Inuyasha suddenly remembered Kagome passing out.
"A Tennyo?" Miroku quickly looked in every direction. "Where? Was she beautiful?" Miroku asked. Sango's veins were bulging with jealousy.
"She was." Inuyasha quietly replied. Now Kagome's veins were bulging too. Was I asleep, thought Inuyasha. Did I dream it?
"Kagome, you remember the voice, right?"
"Yes, but I don't remember much after that. I know she didn't sound like a Tennyo; more like an evil spirit." Kagome shivered at the memory of that eerie voice, and vigorously rubbed her shoulders. Miroku walked closer to Inuyasha who was still scanning the field.
"Inuyasha, what happened?" Miroku asked, but Inuyasha didn't respond. For a moment they all stood in silence. Until finally…
"Nothing." Inuyasha reluctantly responded, but then showed a smile. "Heh, she talked nonsense, and I took care of her with Tessaiga. I guess I passed out in the explosion." He gave an even bigger fake smile. "Now look," he continued "it's already getting close to morning. Let's go get some food. I'm starving." With a smile on his face he put his hands behind his head, and started walking back to their camp site. Everyone was kind of confused. They all looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and followed Inuyasha. Only Kagome was suspicious.
The next morning carried on as usual. They headed back, as they decided from the night before, and since they weren't following a mysterious shard, they moved much faster. They were back at the shack, and decided it was time for food. Just a small ways east was a small river. They found a nice flat place to eat near the bend of the stream just under a large tree. Lunch was being cooked, and its smell was filling the air. Yet it was missing one ingredient; fish, and they were quite a ways from the thick of the stream were any would be.
"There aren't any here Kagome." said Shippo as he scanned the river.
"Well, then someone is going to have to go down stream and get some." she replied. Inuyasha saw this as the perfect opportunity to get away.
"I'll go. The stream thickens quite a ways southeast of here. If I go by myself I can be back in just few moments." said Inuyasha as he stood by the tree.
"I'll go with you." said Kagome, and she began to rise. "I also need some…" but by the time she spoke her words, Inuyasha was gone. Once again, all were confused, and only Kagome was suspicious.
Inuyasha cut through the woods as quickly as his Hanyou legs would allow. Inuyasha caught his scent earlier while they were setting up for lunch, and he hoped he would still be in the area. Where are you Sesshoumaru? Why can I never find you when I need you? Finally he locked on to his scent. Inuyasha followed it through dense trees and bushes. He then came to a small clearing were he could see him. Sesshoumaru was alone, standing and staring at Inuyasha as he approached. Inuyasha knew that Sesshoumaru never leaves Rin alone unless he thinks he will battle. He knew I was coming. How does he always know? Inuyasha landed on the ground, and stood up facing Sesshoumaru. There was a small staring contest. Who ever flinched first was the one in need. Finally Inuyasha spoke in a serious voice.
"Hey, we need to talk." Sesshoumaru smiled at Inuyasha's words. "I'm serious" Inuyasha continued "I didn't come here to fight."
"Then speak quickly and leave." This riled up Inuyasha. He hates the way Sesshoumaru acts so smug and indifferent. Inuyasha wanted to say "You wanna fight, then let's go punk," but he contained himself. Right now he needs to know something. So he tried civil conversation again.
"Have you ever heard of Azumanera?" Sesshoumaru didn't respond. There was a long pause of silence.
"How do you know that name, Inuyasha?"
"That's none of your damn business! Just answer my question!" There was another pause of silence, only much longer this time. Then Sesshoumaru turned and started walking away. "Hey! Where the hell are you going?" Sesshoumaru didn't stop walking. "Heeeey!" Then his scent disappeared. "Damn it!"
Inuyasha, full of frustration, headed back to the shack. Damn Sesshoumaru. He knew that name. I could tell despite his ugly poker face. He never tells me anything! I couldn't help being sealed away for fifty years! That's all Naraku's fault! Grrr! I'm getting pissed just thinking about it. He probably knows something. He has to! Inuyasha arrived at the shack to find everyone finishing their meals. He walked over to the base of the tree and sat on the ground next to Kagome with his arms and legs crossed. Everyone stared at him with sweat-drops.
"Uh, Inuyasha?" asked Kagome in a low voice.
"Yes?" replied Inuyasha without looking up.
"Where are the fish?" Inuyasha tensed in frustration. "You've been gone for a half an hour and caught no fish?" More sweat-drops for everyone. Inuyasha turned so he was facing away from everyone.
"Inuyasha," Miroku said as he inched closer to him "you wouldn't have gone to see that Tennyo without me did you?" WACK! Sango smacked Miroku with his own staff, because she couldn't reach. Kagome was upset by these words and stood up, turned and went stomping towards the shack.
"Where did you go, Inuyasha?" Now Myoga-jiji was asking. Inuyasha was deep in thought. Then it dawned on him.
"Come with me." he said to Myoga. Inuyasha stood up and headed to the forest. Myoga, a little surprised at first, then began to followed. Once out of sight Miroku, Sango, and Shippo all gave each other a sneaky look.
Deeper in the forest Inuyasha sat at the base of a large tree. The sun was shining, and it was breaking between the leaves of the trees creating little spots of sunlight on the grass. The sound of Cicada's seemed to echo from everywhere.
"Inuyasha, what troubles you?" Myoga asked as he hopped closer.
"Myoga, have you ever heard of a Tennyo named Azumanera?" Myoga broke into a small sweat.
"I…Inuyasha…where did you hear that name?" A pause. "Was that the name of the Tennyo you saw last night?"
"I just said it was!" Inuyasha yelled in frustration. Myoga gave Inuyasha a smile, turned and started to hop away.
"Oh no you don't!" Inuyasha reached out and snatched Myoga from the air. He opened his hand and hung Myoga by his kimono from his two finger nails. "I'm tired of people avoiding that question! Now who is she?!" Myoga crossed his four arms and sighed.
"Who else did you ask that question to?"
"What does that matter?!" Inuyasha was growing impatient.
"I just hope it wasn't the person I think it is."
"And who do you think it is." Inuyasha said in a taunting voice.
"Sesshoumaru." said Myoga. Inuyasha flinched and clenched his teeth. Myoga only sighed.
"I was afraid of that. I'm sorry Inuyasha, but I really can't help you."
"What?!"
"Do to me what you wish, but I can not tell you anything." Inuyasha did as he wished, and then walked away from Myoga's beaten and bruised body.
"Inuyasha, you are so mean!" Myoga moaned in a frail weak voice. "That's it!" Inuyasha growled to himself and he began to run into the forest. "To hell with him. To hell with them all! Tomorrow I am going to see this Tennyo and I'm going to find out if she really can make me a true Youkai, and then I'm gunna beat the answers out of Sesshoumaru my self, right after I take his sword."
To Be Continued…