AN: A quick suggestion, if anyone reading this have either the ROTK or Last Samurai soundtracks, you might want to play them during a few moments in this chapter.
P.S. We own nothing!!!!!
Chapter Three: To Go Beyond
Bakura awoke in a hazy, fog shrouded wood where no light passed from the stars to the ground. Even the moon was eclipsed by the mists. He suddenly realized that he could not move and that his arms and legs, though not bound by anything he could see, were like lead weights holding him down.
"Where am I?" He wondered as he tried to move his head to see.
"You are my prisoner now." Said Li Zhou as he floated in on the wind. "My prisoner at last."
"I was always your prisoner, though you were the one sealed away, I was the one who was trapped by you." Bakura stated.
"True enough I suspect, from your point of view at least, but we have more urgent matters to discuss. You and I have more in common than simply being prisoners of one another. We both possess the abilities to control the same Millennium Item." He looked down at the Ring still dangling from Bakura's neck.
"Can it really be anymore use to you now that you've taken your true demon form?" Bakura asked.
"It is mine, for I have bought it with great pains, and now I want it back." He said, taking it from around his prisoner's neck. "The Millennium Ring is mine as it always was meant to be since the day that Shadi imprisoned me inside of it." Li Zhou held the ring in his hands and it glowed brightly as he once again placed a piece of himself within it's hidden confines. "There, now it is mine forever, and you will be too as long as I exist. This Millennium Ring shall carry me wherever it goes and wherever you go." He placed it back around Bakura's neck and then it glowed again as that piece of Li Zhou took control of Bakura's mind again.
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"Let's get going." Kagome told the gang as she lowered her backpack down into the well. It had taken most of the night to remove the debris from over the devastated well house. Now all of them had assembled there at the shrine with their backpacks, overnight bags, and other paraphernalia. They were about to mount an expedition deep into the Feuding States Era to find Naraku and Li Zhou and stop them from doing whatever it is that they have planned.
"Naraku is probably planning on consuming his younger self to make himself more powerful." Inu-yasha said as he readied the Tetsaiga for battle.
"If that is the case, then we're probably going to have to be ready to face even more insidious incarnation of Naraku." Miroku said.
"Don't forget that they have my dear Bakura." Songo reminded them. "We must rescue him."
"Don't worry, we will." Yugi/Yami said to her. He was sure that Bakura was alive, but he couldn't be sure of why. Surely the Spirit of the Millennium Ring had wanted him dead for keeping him imprisoned for all these years.
"This is going to be a really hard fight." Shippo said hopping around the excited group of adventurers. "I wonder if I'll get a chance to use my deck again."
"Just incase you have to, here's a little card to help you out of a jam." Joey said and handed Shippo his Wolf Axe-wielder
'Thanks." Shippo said tucking the card away in his pouch with the rest of his deck.
"Well, I'm ready to go." Ayumi said as she slung her overweight backpack down on the ground. They all looked at her in shock and dismay.
"Who said that you were going?" Tristan asked her.
"I did, so let's hustle. What, you don't think that I'm going let you leave me behind here, do you?" She asked them.
"It's not that." Kagome said, "It's just that you're pretty new to this, we don't want you to get hurt."
"She won't get hurt," Serenity said, shouldering her backpack, "Because I'm going to protect her."
"Oh no you're not," Joey said, pulling her backpack off her shoulder. "You're just as inexperienced as she is at this. You ain't goin."
"You need my Necklace," Serenity said.
"We've got Mai's Eye," Joey said.
"That's right," said Mai, tapping the spot in her forehead where she'd imbedded the Eye- but was now as smooth as ever- "I can see as much with this Eye as you can with that Necklace."
"The Eye only shows what's going on a the moment," Serenity argued, "The Necklace shows what's going to happen in the future."
"There are too many people coming with us anyway!" Inu-yasha yelled. "I ain't a baby sitter! Some of you will have to stay behind!"
"Surely you don't mean me," Setto Kaiba said, sauntering up to the well.
"Oh no," Inu-yasha said, "Not more hero-wannabe's."
"Oh I'm no hero," Kaiba said, "And I really wouldn't care if you most of you came back or not, but I know you need my services."
"What services?" Joey said, eyeing Kaiba coldly.
Kaiba opened his jacket, and revealed his Millennium Item. He held it in his hand, and as it glowed, Joey started to lift off the ground, and spin around in the air.
"Oh how wonderful," Inu-yasha mocked, "more magic tricks."
"That's not all," Kaiba said. He opened up the brief case he carried with his overnight bag, and handed out mini Duel Disks. "I've infused these with the power of my Millennium Rod. They can summon monsters as powerful and real as anything with Shadow Powers can conjure."
"This will come in handy," Ayumi said, slipping it on her arm. "I just need to borrow a deck and…"
"You're not going," Kagome argued with her friend, again.
"You're nothing more than Demon Bait, back there ," Inu-yasha added.
"Demon Bait, huh?" Ayumi said. She whipped out the Wind Fan- none had known what happened to it till now- gave it a twirl, and sliced down a tree. "It seemed to work pretty well against you last night, Dog-boy. I'm going."
"Well if you insist on going, take this deck," Kagome said, handing Ayumi a pack of cards. "I made it from a bunch of cards we got from that weird Island of the Rare Hunters a few weeks back."
"ANd I'll teach you how to play," Trsitan said.
"Yeah, yeah enough standing around," Inu-yasha said, feeling antsy, "We've got a demon to kill."
They all threw their packs down the well, and the new-be's stared down it. "So how does this thing work?" Kaiba asked. "Is there a cosmic 'on switch', or do you say a magic chant."
"Do you have your Millennium Item?" Kagome said through her gritted teeth.
"Of course," Kaiba replied.
"Then just hop in!" Kagome said, pushing him back down the well. He screamed with shock as he and the packs disappeared without a trace.
"He…He vanished!" Serenity gasped.
"Don't worry," Joey said to his sister. "He's ok. Worse he'll get is a bump in head."
"Or bones dropped on him." Duke said.
"Bones?!" Serenity and Ayumi gasped.
"Yeah, " Kagome said, "It's 'The Bone Eater's Well'. Duh."
"Fine then, let's go," Inu-yasha said as he jumped down the well. A few seconds later, he was followed by the rest of their motley crew. They drifted inside the bright, magic time portal for a minute, and landed softly on top of their bags on the other side.
"Wow," Serenity said in awe.
"Smooth a ride as ever," Kagome bragged.
"So where's Kaiba?" Tristan asked, looking up at the top of the well.
"Probably already up at the top." Yugi said.
"Hey!" Tea cried up to the top of the well. "Little Help!?"
"Kaiba!" Duke called. "You there?"
"No…" Kaiba's voice groaned from under them all. "I'm down here, you imbeciles…" They all looked down, and under the bags, which they sat on, was Setto Kaiba, flat on his back, and obviously in a lot of pain.
"Get off of me!" He moaned.
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Old Keade, the head priestess of the little village outside the forest of Inu-yasha, came along the hidden path to the Bone Eater's Well. She'd sensed a great disturbance in the cosmic and spiritual balances a few nights ago, and felt it again just moments ago. She and the flea, Myoga, now came to investigate.
"No doubt Lord Inu-yasha has brought King Yami back," Myoga stated.
"Aye but why," Keade questioned. "Does he not know how dangerous it be for him to travel in these times of war? Rumors abound of foreign armies, come to conquer our lands, and King Yami, though a boy, is powerful and would be thought a threat to any warlord." As the two approached the well, Keade heard the mutterings, shouts, and groanings of many people from within.
"It seems King Yami has brought an army of his own," Keade remarked as she and Myoga looked down the well at the outlandish sight.
"Quit pushing!" came voices from the well.
"Move over, rich boy!"
"You move."
"Everyone calm down! We need to make a human ladder!"
"Someone's on my foot!"
"Someone's on MY foot!"
"Someone's hand is on my butt, and he doesn't move it, he's one dead monk!"
"Sorry," said several male voices.
"What happened to the rope ladder!?!" Kagome shouted in aggravation.
"Need ye any help?" old Keade asked.
"Keade!" Kagome said relieved, "Can you throw down a rope or something?"
"Aye, the rope ladder is right here, by why be it rolled up?" Keade pondered.
"We'll think about that later," Kagome said. "Right now, we need out of here! NOW!"
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After the last of them climbed from the well, Keade looked over the new comers with a contemplative eye. She stepped up to them. "What is your name, child," she asked Serenity.
"Serenity Wheeler," she said kindly. "I'm Joey's sister."
"Ah, Serenity. That is a fine name," Keade said, smiling, "and it suits ye well. I feel a sense of serenity and calm radiating from you. You are a fine young lady." Keade then turned to Ayumi. Her old face went serious.
"Um…hello," Ayumi said timidly. "I'm Kagome's friend, Ayumi"
"Hmmm," Keade deliberated. "You seem ordinary enough, but something about ye does not quite fit. Your spirit does not suit your face, or perhaps the other way around? Ah. No matter. You are kind hearted. That is enough." Then, the old priestess laid eyes on Setto Kaiba. She frowned immediately.
"What are you staring at?" Kaiba asked her callously. Keade grabbed his chin, and pulled him down.
"Let me have a look at ye," Keade said. Her frown deepened as she turned his head this way and that. "I do not like ye." she stated. "You have a selfish eye, and stony face. You are not prone to acts of charity. But you hide a good heart inside a dwelling of stone and ashes. You act like a cruel man."
"Are you done?" Kaiba asked rudely, jerking away from her.
"I see ye are ill mannered as well. I see why Inu-yasha would have you as a companion, but why King Yami has you in his presence, I know not."
"So," Kaiba said, turning to Yugi/Yami. "They call you King Yami here?"
"Why not," Yugi/Yami answered. "It is my name and rightful title."
From Keade's shoulder, Myoga gasped. "All my nightmares have come true!" the flea cried, jumping to the ground in front of Kaiba. The rest of the group looked at the flea and businessman.
"What are you?" Kaiba asked the speck in front of him.
"Please don't hurt me, oh mighty and powerful Wizard of the Burning Sands!" Myoga beseeched. "I am not more than a flea! Do not punish me for keep the secret of the Pharaoh's tomb from you, deserting your dungeons to serve a disinherited dog!!"
"You little coward!" Inu-yasha shouted. He ran over to the flea, and promptly squashed him under his foot. As Myoga popped back up from being squished flat, Kagome stepped up beside Inu-yasha.
"Uh, Reality check, Myoga," Kagome said. "That's only Kaiba."
"What?" Myoga asked, looking up. "You mean..He's not the Wizard of the Burning Sands who tried to overthrow Egypt's king?"
"Oh brother," Kaiba said, "Not that story again. If that's all you're going to believe , then yes, I am."
"No he's not," Kagome countered. "He's just a spoiled brat with too much money."
"Either way, he's an imposing figure!" Myoga quivered, jumping up to Yugi/Yami's shoulder. "Protect me, Sire!"
"I am tempted to squash you myself for treachery," Yugi/Yami said, his face set in stone. Myoga choked with fear.
"Aww, the poor thing," Serenity said. "Don't be such bullies to him." Myoga hopped to her shoulder at once.
"At least this young lady knows pitiful soul when she sees one." Myoga said, with a sigh of relief.
"Yeah you're pitiful alright," Inu-yash shaid, turning and walking towards the trees and the village, "A pitiful excuse for a blood a sucking vermin." The rest of the company picked up their bags, and followed Inu-yasha and Keade to the village. But when they emerged through the tress, they noticed two of their companions missing.
"Where is Songo and Kirara?" Miroku asked, looking around for them.
"Huh? That's weird," Tea said. "They were right here."
"Well we don't have time to go looking for them," Inu-yasha said. "We've got to rally the villagers. The only way we're going to beat Naraku is by strength of arms."
"What makes you think that will work?" Duke asked. "Haven't armies fought against this Naraku guy before? If he's beaten trained warriors, then he shouldn't have a problem cutting down a bunch of inexperienced farmers and kids."
"You're forgetting our new weapons," Kaiba said slapping his deck in his disk. "With this you can summon monsters as real as flesh, bone, and blood. "
"Well don't summon any now," Shippo said. "We need to ask these people for help. They won't fight with us if they're scared of us."
"Keade, gather all the village's best archers," Inu-yasha ordered the old priestess. She looked up at him to scold him for ordering her around, but she stopped. She saw the determination and anger in his face. This was not a good time to argue with him. And she also saw that his face was not that of an insolent young boy with a hot temper. He seemed to her now to be a young nobleman, readying do defend his people. She simply nodded, and went behind her hut, where her horse grazed. She climbed up on the back of the steed, and galloped off. This village, though small to some, was in fact quite large, with holdings scattered out for many leagues. And she knew of many who were once great samurai. She would ride the width and breadth of her familiar countryside.
She raised a call, "To arms! To arms! All ye who hate the demon Naraku, to arms at once!" t her call, men old and young came from their huts, and stared at the old Priestess as she rode from house to house, summoning archers, summoning spearmen, summoning warriors. They each gathered up his or his father's or his uncle's or brother's armor and weapons where they lay collecting dust. When Keade at last turned around to return to the village, the men who came followed her. They rode upon horses and donkeys, rode on carts once used for plowing, or even ran on their own two feet.
"To where, Priestess Keade?" they asked.
"To the village of the shrine!" Keade would reply. "And the forest of Inu-yash. King Yami and Lord Inu-yasha ride to war against Naraku!"
"To the old Shrine!" the men cried.
They ran on…even on to the night.
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Meanwhile, during the day Keade had been gone, the others waited an readied themselves fro battle. Around lunch time, as Kagome handed out cups of noodles, tea, soda, and freeze-dried packets to everyone, Shippo looked up, and said, "It's Kirara! And Songo! And they're hauling a cart behind them!" He ran on all fours th where Kirara and Songo landed. The rest of them soon followed.
"Where have you been?" Kagome asked her. "We've been worried."
"I went back to my village," Songo said. "If this is indeed the day of Naraku's final judgement, then it is befitting that my new comrades wear the armor of the fallen warriors of my clan." She went to the back of the cart, and one by one, presented armor, swords, and daggers to each of them, even the young ladies.
"Yami," Songo said, "This was my brother's spare suit of armor. I fear it is all I could find that might fit you."
"It is an honor," Yugi/Yami said as he accepted the black and aqua armor.
"Inu-yasha," Songo said, "I know your Fire rat kimono can stand up to just about anything, but I still would consider it a great honor to wear my grandfather's armor."
"Huh?" Inu-yasha asked.
"Inu-yasha," Kagome scolded, "Accept the armor."
"Oh fine," he huffed. "What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked as he put it on over his kimono. It was an old suit of red armor, one that a high lord or a samurai warrior might have worn. As he clipped the Tetsaiga to his belt, everyone gasped.
"Inu-yasha," Kagome said, "You look like…."
"What?" Inu-yasha barked. He stood before them tall, no longer a pup.
"Oh, Lord Inu-yasha," Myoga said, wiping a tear from his eye, "You are the spitting image of your great father. Oh, I need a tissue!" he sobbed.
"You clean up good, dog breath," Joey commented.
"You look so cool!" Ayumi, Serenity, and Tea said together.
"Now I know we've come back in time," Kaiba said. "Only anidiot from the past would wear such an antiquated piece of junk."
"You're just jealous," Tristan muttered.
"He's the one who looks like an idiot," Duke added.
"Everyone shut up!" Inu-yasha shouted, taking the armor off, and returning to his grouchy old self. "Is there any more Ramen?" He stormed back into the hut, and sat down next to the cooking fire.
Kagome sighed, "So much for our living legend."
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That night, the little group of heroes prepared to rest. Keade had not yet returned from gathering the villagers.
"Old crone probably got lost," Inu-yasha said yawning. "Maybe she'll find her way back in the morning."
"I haven't broken in this suit of armor," Yugi/Yami said. "I'll think I'll go for a walk."
"Should I come with you?" Tea asked.
"No, you stay here," he said. "Get some rest. We have a long day ahead tomorrow."
"Well," Joey said, falling back to sleep on a bed of his green armor, using the helm for a pillow. "Good night."
"Just don't wake us up with your snoring," Tristan said.
"I don't snore!" Joey disagreed.
"Both of you be quiet," Kaiba said crossly.
"Go to sleep!" Duke seconded. Yugi/Yami lifted the flap in the door, and walked out of the hut. The night air was crisp and cool. He walked along the forest edge, looking at the stars above.
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Kikyo stepped from the trees. She had felt the approaching storm coming. It was not a storm of rain or lightening, but still dark and thunderous. As she looked out on the village of her youth, she heard foot steps coming. She turned, and saw King Yami before her, dressed in Aqua and black armor.
"King Yami," she said curtly.
"Lady Kikyo," Yami said in turn.
"So, the great king and his army rides to war?" Kikyo asked.
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"We are no army," Yugi/Yami responded. "We are a hand full of people who are too young for war."
"The rumors would contest that," said Kikyo. "The wind itself says that King Yami and Lord Inu-yasha ride with a great army to war against Naraku. I myself have seen my sister leading a great host of men to this village. They will arrive at dawn."
"Then why are you here?" Yugi/Yami asked. He had never trusted Kikyo. He always felt she had ulterior motives when she contacted them.
"I come to wish you good fortune," Kikyo said, "For I hacve heard also that there are now tow of that most hated monster."
"Those are true," Yugi/Yami said.
"Then know that I and my servants are at your disposal, should you need us."
"Do you know where he has gone?"
"He has gone away into the East to find himself. That is all I know." SHe turned to go, but stopped before she entered the shadows of the forest. "Take care of them." she said.
"What?" Yugi/Yami asked.
"The two I care for most," Kikyo said. "Protect them. For they are always on my mind, and in my heart."
"Your heart is cold." Yugi/Yami said. She simply smiled at him, making his blood freeze in his veins, and she walked away into the mists of night.
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AN: Daily floggings will continue for those who don't review! Do it NOW! I command you!!!
Real Author: Zim, get the heck out of here!
Zim: NEVER! I have invaded this athorship I the name of-!
Real Co-author: Oh shut up! - kicks little green jerk out of office -
Real Author: Sorry everyone. I won't flog people, but please, do review. =)
P.S. We own nothing!!!!!
Chapter Three: To Go Beyond
Bakura awoke in a hazy, fog shrouded wood where no light passed from the stars to the ground. Even the moon was eclipsed by the mists. He suddenly realized that he could not move and that his arms and legs, though not bound by anything he could see, were like lead weights holding him down.
"Where am I?" He wondered as he tried to move his head to see.
"You are my prisoner now." Said Li Zhou as he floated in on the wind. "My prisoner at last."
"I was always your prisoner, though you were the one sealed away, I was the one who was trapped by you." Bakura stated.
"True enough I suspect, from your point of view at least, but we have more urgent matters to discuss. You and I have more in common than simply being prisoners of one another. We both possess the abilities to control the same Millennium Item." He looked down at the Ring still dangling from Bakura's neck.
"Can it really be anymore use to you now that you've taken your true demon form?" Bakura asked.
"It is mine, for I have bought it with great pains, and now I want it back." He said, taking it from around his prisoner's neck. "The Millennium Ring is mine as it always was meant to be since the day that Shadi imprisoned me inside of it." Li Zhou held the ring in his hands and it glowed brightly as he once again placed a piece of himself within it's hidden confines. "There, now it is mine forever, and you will be too as long as I exist. This Millennium Ring shall carry me wherever it goes and wherever you go." He placed it back around Bakura's neck and then it glowed again as that piece of Li Zhou took control of Bakura's mind again.
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"Let's get going." Kagome told the gang as she lowered her backpack down into the well. It had taken most of the night to remove the debris from over the devastated well house. Now all of them had assembled there at the shrine with their backpacks, overnight bags, and other paraphernalia. They were about to mount an expedition deep into the Feuding States Era to find Naraku and Li Zhou and stop them from doing whatever it is that they have planned.
"Naraku is probably planning on consuming his younger self to make himself more powerful." Inu-yasha said as he readied the Tetsaiga for battle.
"If that is the case, then we're probably going to have to be ready to face even more insidious incarnation of Naraku." Miroku said.
"Don't forget that they have my dear Bakura." Songo reminded them. "We must rescue him."
"Don't worry, we will." Yugi/Yami said to her. He was sure that Bakura was alive, but he couldn't be sure of why. Surely the Spirit of the Millennium Ring had wanted him dead for keeping him imprisoned for all these years.
"This is going to be a really hard fight." Shippo said hopping around the excited group of adventurers. "I wonder if I'll get a chance to use my deck again."
"Just incase you have to, here's a little card to help you out of a jam." Joey said and handed Shippo his Wolf Axe-wielder
'Thanks." Shippo said tucking the card away in his pouch with the rest of his deck.
"Well, I'm ready to go." Ayumi said as she slung her overweight backpack down on the ground. They all looked at her in shock and dismay.
"Who said that you were going?" Tristan asked her.
"I did, so let's hustle. What, you don't think that I'm going let you leave me behind here, do you?" She asked them.
"It's not that." Kagome said, "It's just that you're pretty new to this, we don't want you to get hurt."
"She won't get hurt," Serenity said, shouldering her backpack, "Because I'm going to protect her."
"Oh no you're not," Joey said, pulling her backpack off her shoulder. "You're just as inexperienced as she is at this. You ain't goin."
"You need my Necklace," Serenity said.
"We've got Mai's Eye," Joey said.
"That's right," said Mai, tapping the spot in her forehead where she'd imbedded the Eye- but was now as smooth as ever- "I can see as much with this Eye as you can with that Necklace."
"The Eye only shows what's going on a the moment," Serenity argued, "The Necklace shows what's going to happen in the future."
"There are too many people coming with us anyway!" Inu-yasha yelled. "I ain't a baby sitter! Some of you will have to stay behind!"
"Surely you don't mean me," Setto Kaiba said, sauntering up to the well.
"Oh no," Inu-yasha said, "Not more hero-wannabe's."
"Oh I'm no hero," Kaiba said, "And I really wouldn't care if you most of you came back or not, but I know you need my services."
"What services?" Joey said, eyeing Kaiba coldly.
Kaiba opened his jacket, and revealed his Millennium Item. He held it in his hand, and as it glowed, Joey started to lift off the ground, and spin around in the air.
"Oh how wonderful," Inu-yasha mocked, "more magic tricks."
"That's not all," Kaiba said. He opened up the brief case he carried with his overnight bag, and handed out mini Duel Disks. "I've infused these with the power of my Millennium Rod. They can summon monsters as powerful and real as anything with Shadow Powers can conjure."
"This will come in handy," Ayumi said, slipping it on her arm. "I just need to borrow a deck and…"
"You're not going," Kagome argued with her friend, again.
"You're nothing more than Demon Bait, back there ," Inu-yasha added.
"Demon Bait, huh?" Ayumi said. She whipped out the Wind Fan- none had known what happened to it till now- gave it a twirl, and sliced down a tree. "It seemed to work pretty well against you last night, Dog-boy. I'm going."
"Well if you insist on going, take this deck," Kagome said, handing Ayumi a pack of cards. "I made it from a bunch of cards we got from that weird Island of the Rare Hunters a few weeks back."
"ANd I'll teach you how to play," Trsitan said.
"Yeah, yeah enough standing around," Inu-yasha said, feeling antsy, "We've got a demon to kill."
They all threw their packs down the well, and the new-be's stared down it. "So how does this thing work?" Kaiba asked. "Is there a cosmic 'on switch', or do you say a magic chant."
"Do you have your Millennium Item?" Kagome said through her gritted teeth.
"Of course," Kaiba replied.
"Then just hop in!" Kagome said, pushing him back down the well. He screamed with shock as he and the packs disappeared without a trace.
"He…He vanished!" Serenity gasped.
"Don't worry," Joey said to his sister. "He's ok. Worse he'll get is a bump in head."
"Or bones dropped on him." Duke said.
"Bones?!" Serenity and Ayumi gasped.
"Yeah, " Kagome said, "It's 'The Bone Eater's Well'. Duh."
"Fine then, let's go," Inu-yasha said as he jumped down the well. A few seconds later, he was followed by the rest of their motley crew. They drifted inside the bright, magic time portal for a minute, and landed softly on top of their bags on the other side.
"Wow," Serenity said in awe.
"Smooth a ride as ever," Kagome bragged.
"So where's Kaiba?" Tristan asked, looking up at the top of the well.
"Probably already up at the top." Yugi said.
"Hey!" Tea cried up to the top of the well. "Little Help!?"
"Kaiba!" Duke called. "You there?"
"No…" Kaiba's voice groaned from under them all. "I'm down here, you imbeciles…" They all looked down, and under the bags, which they sat on, was Setto Kaiba, flat on his back, and obviously in a lot of pain.
"Get off of me!" He moaned.
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Old Keade, the head priestess of the little village outside the forest of Inu-yasha, came along the hidden path to the Bone Eater's Well. She'd sensed a great disturbance in the cosmic and spiritual balances a few nights ago, and felt it again just moments ago. She and the flea, Myoga, now came to investigate.
"No doubt Lord Inu-yasha has brought King Yami back," Myoga stated.
"Aye but why," Keade questioned. "Does he not know how dangerous it be for him to travel in these times of war? Rumors abound of foreign armies, come to conquer our lands, and King Yami, though a boy, is powerful and would be thought a threat to any warlord." As the two approached the well, Keade heard the mutterings, shouts, and groanings of many people from within.
"It seems King Yami has brought an army of his own," Keade remarked as she and Myoga looked down the well at the outlandish sight.
"Quit pushing!" came voices from the well.
"Move over, rich boy!"
"You move."
"Everyone calm down! We need to make a human ladder!"
"Someone's on my foot!"
"Someone's on MY foot!"
"Someone's hand is on my butt, and he doesn't move it, he's one dead monk!"
"Sorry," said several male voices.
"What happened to the rope ladder!?!" Kagome shouted in aggravation.
"Need ye any help?" old Keade asked.
"Keade!" Kagome said relieved, "Can you throw down a rope or something?"
"Aye, the rope ladder is right here, by why be it rolled up?" Keade pondered.
"We'll think about that later," Kagome said. "Right now, we need out of here! NOW!"
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After the last of them climbed from the well, Keade looked over the new comers with a contemplative eye. She stepped up to them. "What is your name, child," she asked Serenity.
"Serenity Wheeler," she said kindly. "I'm Joey's sister."
"Ah, Serenity. That is a fine name," Keade said, smiling, "and it suits ye well. I feel a sense of serenity and calm radiating from you. You are a fine young lady." Keade then turned to Ayumi. Her old face went serious.
"Um…hello," Ayumi said timidly. "I'm Kagome's friend, Ayumi"
"Hmmm," Keade deliberated. "You seem ordinary enough, but something about ye does not quite fit. Your spirit does not suit your face, or perhaps the other way around? Ah. No matter. You are kind hearted. That is enough." Then, the old priestess laid eyes on Setto Kaiba. She frowned immediately.
"What are you staring at?" Kaiba asked her callously. Keade grabbed his chin, and pulled him down.
"Let me have a look at ye," Keade said. Her frown deepened as she turned his head this way and that. "I do not like ye." she stated. "You have a selfish eye, and stony face. You are not prone to acts of charity. But you hide a good heart inside a dwelling of stone and ashes. You act like a cruel man."
"Are you done?" Kaiba asked rudely, jerking away from her.
"I see ye are ill mannered as well. I see why Inu-yasha would have you as a companion, but why King Yami has you in his presence, I know not."
"So," Kaiba said, turning to Yugi/Yami. "They call you King Yami here?"
"Why not," Yugi/Yami answered. "It is my name and rightful title."
From Keade's shoulder, Myoga gasped. "All my nightmares have come true!" the flea cried, jumping to the ground in front of Kaiba. The rest of the group looked at the flea and businessman.
"What are you?" Kaiba asked the speck in front of him.
"Please don't hurt me, oh mighty and powerful Wizard of the Burning Sands!" Myoga beseeched. "I am not more than a flea! Do not punish me for keep the secret of the Pharaoh's tomb from you, deserting your dungeons to serve a disinherited dog!!"
"You little coward!" Inu-yasha shouted. He ran over to the flea, and promptly squashed him under his foot. As Myoga popped back up from being squished flat, Kagome stepped up beside Inu-yasha.
"Uh, Reality check, Myoga," Kagome said. "That's only Kaiba."
"What?" Myoga asked, looking up. "You mean..He's not the Wizard of the Burning Sands who tried to overthrow Egypt's king?"
"Oh brother," Kaiba said, "Not that story again. If that's all you're going to believe , then yes, I am."
"No he's not," Kagome countered. "He's just a spoiled brat with too much money."
"Either way, he's an imposing figure!" Myoga quivered, jumping up to Yugi/Yami's shoulder. "Protect me, Sire!"
"I am tempted to squash you myself for treachery," Yugi/Yami said, his face set in stone. Myoga choked with fear.
"Aww, the poor thing," Serenity said. "Don't be such bullies to him." Myoga hopped to her shoulder at once.
"At least this young lady knows pitiful soul when she sees one." Myoga said, with a sigh of relief.
"Yeah you're pitiful alright," Inu-yash shaid, turning and walking towards the trees and the village, "A pitiful excuse for a blood a sucking vermin." The rest of the company picked up their bags, and followed Inu-yasha and Keade to the village. But when they emerged through the tress, they noticed two of their companions missing.
"Where is Songo and Kirara?" Miroku asked, looking around for them.
"Huh? That's weird," Tea said. "They were right here."
"Well we don't have time to go looking for them," Inu-yasha said. "We've got to rally the villagers. The only way we're going to beat Naraku is by strength of arms."
"What makes you think that will work?" Duke asked. "Haven't armies fought against this Naraku guy before? If he's beaten trained warriors, then he shouldn't have a problem cutting down a bunch of inexperienced farmers and kids."
"You're forgetting our new weapons," Kaiba said slapping his deck in his disk. "With this you can summon monsters as real as flesh, bone, and blood. "
"Well don't summon any now," Shippo said. "We need to ask these people for help. They won't fight with us if they're scared of us."
"Keade, gather all the village's best archers," Inu-yasha ordered the old priestess. She looked up at him to scold him for ordering her around, but she stopped. She saw the determination and anger in his face. This was not a good time to argue with him. And she also saw that his face was not that of an insolent young boy with a hot temper. He seemed to her now to be a young nobleman, readying do defend his people. She simply nodded, and went behind her hut, where her horse grazed. She climbed up on the back of the steed, and galloped off. This village, though small to some, was in fact quite large, with holdings scattered out for many leagues. And she knew of many who were once great samurai. She would ride the width and breadth of her familiar countryside.
She raised a call, "To arms! To arms! All ye who hate the demon Naraku, to arms at once!" t her call, men old and young came from their huts, and stared at the old Priestess as she rode from house to house, summoning archers, summoning spearmen, summoning warriors. They each gathered up his or his father's or his uncle's or brother's armor and weapons where they lay collecting dust. When Keade at last turned around to return to the village, the men who came followed her. They rode upon horses and donkeys, rode on carts once used for plowing, or even ran on their own two feet.
"To where, Priestess Keade?" they asked.
"To the village of the shrine!" Keade would reply. "And the forest of Inu-yash. King Yami and Lord Inu-yasha ride to war against Naraku!"
"To the old Shrine!" the men cried.
They ran on…even on to the night.
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Meanwhile, during the day Keade had been gone, the others waited an readied themselves fro battle. Around lunch time, as Kagome handed out cups of noodles, tea, soda, and freeze-dried packets to everyone, Shippo looked up, and said, "It's Kirara! And Songo! And they're hauling a cart behind them!" He ran on all fours th where Kirara and Songo landed. The rest of them soon followed.
"Where have you been?" Kagome asked her. "We've been worried."
"I went back to my village," Songo said. "If this is indeed the day of Naraku's final judgement, then it is befitting that my new comrades wear the armor of the fallen warriors of my clan." She went to the back of the cart, and one by one, presented armor, swords, and daggers to each of them, even the young ladies.
"Yami," Songo said, "This was my brother's spare suit of armor. I fear it is all I could find that might fit you."
"It is an honor," Yugi/Yami said as he accepted the black and aqua armor.
"Inu-yasha," Songo said, "I know your Fire rat kimono can stand up to just about anything, but I still would consider it a great honor to wear my grandfather's armor."
"Huh?" Inu-yasha asked.
"Inu-yasha," Kagome scolded, "Accept the armor."
"Oh fine," he huffed. "What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked as he put it on over his kimono. It was an old suit of red armor, one that a high lord or a samurai warrior might have worn. As he clipped the Tetsaiga to his belt, everyone gasped.
"Inu-yasha," Kagome said, "You look like…."
"What?" Inu-yasha barked. He stood before them tall, no longer a pup.
"Oh, Lord Inu-yasha," Myoga said, wiping a tear from his eye, "You are the spitting image of your great father. Oh, I need a tissue!" he sobbed.
"You clean up good, dog breath," Joey commented.
"You look so cool!" Ayumi, Serenity, and Tea said together.
"Now I know we've come back in time," Kaiba said. "Only anidiot from the past would wear such an antiquated piece of junk."
"You're just jealous," Tristan muttered.
"He's the one who looks like an idiot," Duke added.
"Everyone shut up!" Inu-yasha shouted, taking the armor off, and returning to his grouchy old self. "Is there any more Ramen?" He stormed back into the hut, and sat down next to the cooking fire.
Kagome sighed, "So much for our living legend."
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That night, the little group of heroes prepared to rest. Keade had not yet returned from gathering the villagers.
"Old crone probably got lost," Inu-yasha said yawning. "Maybe she'll find her way back in the morning."
"I haven't broken in this suit of armor," Yugi/Yami said. "I'll think I'll go for a walk."
"Should I come with you?" Tea asked.
"No, you stay here," he said. "Get some rest. We have a long day ahead tomorrow."
"Well," Joey said, falling back to sleep on a bed of his green armor, using the helm for a pillow. "Good night."
"Just don't wake us up with your snoring," Tristan said.
"I don't snore!" Joey disagreed.
"Both of you be quiet," Kaiba said crossly.
"Go to sleep!" Duke seconded. Yugi/Yami lifted the flap in the door, and walked out of the hut. The night air was crisp and cool. He walked along the forest edge, looking at the stars above.
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Kikyo stepped from the trees. She had felt the approaching storm coming. It was not a storm of rain or lightening, but still dark and thunderous. As she looked out on the village of her youth, she heard foot steps coming. She turned, and saw King Yami before her, dressed in Aqua and black armor.
"King Yami," she said curtly.
"Lady Kikyo," Yami said in turn.
"So, the great king and his army rides to war?" Kikyo asked.
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"We are no army," Yugi/Yami responded. "We are a hand full of people who are too young for war."
"The rumors would contest that," said Kikyo. "The wind itself says that King Yami and Lord Inu-yasha ride with a great army to war against Naraku. I myself have seen my sister leading a great host of men to this village. They will arrive at dawn."
"Then why are you here?" Yugi/Yami asked. He had never trusted Kikyo. He always felt she had ulterior motives when she contacted them.
"I come to wish you good fortune," Kikyo said, "For I hacve heard also that there are now tow of that most hated monster."
"Those are true," Yugi/Yami said.
"Then know that I and my servants are at your disposal, should you need us."
"Do you know where he has gone?"
"He has gone away into the East to find himself. That is all I know." SHe turned to go, but stopped before she entered the shadows of the forest. "Take care of them." she said.
"What?" Yugi/Yami asked.
"The two I care for most," Kikyo said. "Protect them. For they are always on my mind, and in my heart."
"Your heart is cold." Yugi/Yami said. She simply smiled at him, making his blood freeze in his veins, and she walked away into the mists of night.
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AN: Daily floggings will continue for those who don't review! Do it NOW! I command you!!!
Real Author: Zim, get the heck out of here!
Zim: NEVER! I have invaded this athorship I the name of-!
Real Co-author: Oh shut up! - kicks little green jerk out of office -
Real Author: Sorry everyone. I won't flog people, but please, do review. =)