Greetings. Sorry if I gave you false hopes of once-a-week updating...my schedule will just not allow it. I'm growing closer to exams, and I can't brook any interference with my studying. Those among you of school and college age, I'm sure, will sympathize with my plight.
Right. I've been mulling over suggestions for the title of the last chapter, and I've come up with: nothing. Nothing seems to fit it. I'll just leave it blank. You gotta throw your readers a curve ball every once in a while.
This chapter, however, was much easier to title. It was quite direct, really. Not the happiest of chapters, not that my last few have been all sunshine and daisies, but you have to have the bad along with the good.
Anyway, a lot of revelations in this chapter, bla bla bla, just read the damn thing if you want to know about it. I'm not the kind of guy who writes a good summary.
REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!
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Kai19: (Chapter 55): I know JUST how you feel. * There are strange forces at work here. I'm definitely not saying she's Maria's reincarnation (that would be just, you know, stupid) but eh, things might be revealed in due time. * He already separated them once, maybe he'll try it again? Who knows? Except me, of course. HAHAHAHAHAHA * Well, read the next chapter, I guess. I forgot to mention anything about it...they'll find time to ask.
(Chapter 56): It might...ah, hell, I'll just go and say it. Remember what Toutousai said a few chapters back, about Tetsusaiga being a counter to the Three? This is one of the effects he was talking about. * Tobias hasn't figured it out yet. Give him a little time. * Yeah, they'll be doing that a lot recently.
Thief of Baghdad: Say...you're not the thief from The Thief and the Cobbler, are you? I loved that guy! * I doubt I could catch a thief in the building, but you'd be hard-pressed to find out any details, as I haven't written much past what I've posted.
Valdimarian: Some like short and fast, some like long and slow. (Get your mind out of the gutter.) If I write short chapters, it goes faster. If I write longer chapters, it goes slower. That's pretty much the size of it. * If Sesshomaru got his hands on the General's sword? That's an interesting scenario right there, isn't it?
Chi Master: I'm not really responding to each chapter title suggestion, seeing as I didn't pick any of them. But thanks for your input.
Ryguy5387: More about the swords? There'll be another bit of information about them in a little while...
Silver Warrior: Surprisingly perceptive. But I'd say it's more of a case where Maria was the only person he ever cared about, and after going for so long pining after her, he's rather shocked to see her (almost) again.
Kitsy: Great!
Rushyuo: Technically, their swords never touched. Think about that for a while.
Mitsuki-kun: The question really is, "Does the General know that Toutousai made the Three and Tetsusaiga?" * It might. It might yet. * You weren't, eh? So you SAY... * Sorry, no can do.
Kegger007: The cowbell bit always cracks me up for some reason. * Why could Inuyasha stand? Because he's a friggin' brute, that's why. * Quite a lot of blood is needed for a splash. Which is why he ain't getting up for a while.
Celestra: Obviously a demon is going to go all-out to stop his mate from being harmed. Other animals do it, why not demons? * You're not the only one who's noticed that. But he has a fairly good reason for it. * If he DID know how troubled the General was, he'd probably feel a little better. Which is why the General is keeping this from everyone.
Jeanne-chan56: Did that...have anything...to do with the story? Ah, who cares. It's fun to read insane babblings and rantings, too.
japanime-01: It WAS harsh. That's the point. Hopefully I won't drag this out so much that I can pull a SECOND April Fool's Day joke...that'd take an awful lot of time between updates.
Lunar Inuyasha: See, I can't do summaries. You can. That makes things easier on me.
gaylen: How come he hasn't used the Wind Scar? Kaze no Kizu? The General is HUMAN, remember. There's no demonic aura to affect. * I will finish. Don't worry about THAT.
hersheykiss1012: Kagome can't just curl up and die every time something bad happens. She'd be in the nuthouse by now.
draca8u: Funny story about that, actually. Look up at the top to see it.
Mechant Guy: I'm glad you liked it.
Queen of Roses: Okay. *cracks knuckles* FF.Net does not have the highest caliber of authors on it. Sure, there are many good ones, but I'd say the majority are...uhh...not worthy of publication. Like this one. * That simile is more interesting than a two-legged armadillo on a hot Arkansas road trying to cross...to get to the chicken...man, I'm no good with similes. * You thought agonizing torture is the best part? Okay... *shakes head* * An original story? Maaaaaybe. But then all the Inuyasha fans would be disappointed that I'm not doing another Inuyasha fic. * 1. Yes. They're depressing. I have enough depressing things in my life without immersing myself in them voluntarily. 2. Since March 25, 2003. So just over thirteen months. I was planning it for some months beforehand, though. 3. I got an idea for a really cool OC, and decided to shape a story around him. Little did I predict that it would balloon into this behemoth you now read. 4. Almost certainly, yes. 5. Yep. Saves the formatting. 6. Well, it IS fun to watch a bunch of angry fangirls bellowing about how I hurt "Sesshy-chan", but mostly it's part of the story. 7. I'll check it out as soon as I have five minutes to myself. Which means in about forty years. * I don't understand that shock and awe thing...explain it again?
Bidaaaaa!: I'm partial to peanuts, myself. And insanity is always fun. Except when you kill yourself. But as long as you don't kill ME, we will all be fine.
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STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Chapter 57: The Prophecy
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Three days had passed. Inuyasha was healed enough to travel, but he would clearly rip himself open if he tried to fight again.
Tobias was brooding. He seemed to have fallen into a deep, dark depression; and it was all the rest of them could do to get a few words out of him. Most of the time he stared into the distance, into the forests around them, avoiding eye contact.
In the rare occasions that he did speak, it was usually a quarrel between him and Inuyasha. Inuyasha would roar that Tobias had no confidence and was a coward, Tobias would counter that Inuyasha was ignorant of the General's abilities and had never stood a chance in the first place.
During one such exchange, the two of them were violently arguing in a field of grass just outside of the forest. The sound of their shouts echoed all the way back to the camp, where Kagome was making dinner. They had agreed that it was important to ration the packaged food that she had with her, seeing that their supplies were limited and they couldn't go back to get more. So Kagome cooked some fish and rice over the small campfire.
"Sango, would you watch this for a second while I try to get them?" said Kagome, jerking her thumb in the direction of the yells. Sango nodded with a baleful glance in their direction, then bent over the pan.
As Kagome approached the feuding friends, she began to hear the actual words that they were saying.
"...can't believe that you think you have even a CHANCE against him!!!"
"I'd have more than a chance if you weren't such a damn pussy and actually stood up to that bastard for once!"
"You think I haven't tried that before?! I've fought him many, many times, Inuyasha; it never does any good! All that happens is the people I care about get hurt or killed!"
"Feh. You told me YOURSELF that you nearly killed him back at your home city, what's-its-name."
"Alarion; and yeah, I hurt him, but he just got back up again and nearly killed me. Did I somehow forget to mention that he KILLED EVERYONE IN THE CITY? This wasn't a tiny village with a few huts made of straw. This was a massive city spanning miles. He killed them all!!"
"No shit he killed them all. I figured that out already. Maybe YOU'RE not strong enough to beat him by yourself, but I keep telling you that if we join up, we can kill him!"
"No, we can't!!!"
"Yes, we fucking can! Grow a goddamn backbone, you-" Inuyasha's tirade was interrupted by the Kagome walking into the clearing, cringing a little at Inuyasha's fierce tone.
The anger around both of them seemed to dissipate, and they turned to Kagome with slightly concerned expressions.
"Yeah?" said Tobias. There was no rage in his voice.
"What is it, Kagome?" Inuyasha said. He took a step forward. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's fine...I just wanted to say that dinner will be ready soon, so...you know..." Kagome gestured toward the camp, then began to back away slowly.
"Okay. We'll be there in a few minutes." Tobias's gaze turned back to Inuyasha, and his features hardened. "I just have to tell this idiot here a thing or two about power."
"Idiot, am I?!" And they continued to yell at each other as Kagome walked back to the camp, shaking her head.
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They traveled quickly the next day, Inuyasha and Tobias staying as far away from each other as possible while still being in the group.
About midday, they found themselves near a largish village; that, thankfully, the General had not reached yet. They stopped outside of town, debating whether to go in or press on.
"I need to repair my armor," said Sango. "I require a leatherworker to patch it up again...your needle and thread aren't strong enough, Kagome."
"I need some more supplies to make my sutras," added Miroku.
"I wonder if they have cigarettes in this era," mused Tobias.
"Feh. If you're gonna go, then go. I'm staying out here," said Inuyasha.
"Come on, Inuyasha...come with me?" asked Kagome quietly. Inuyasha scowled, but he took Kagome's hand and walked into the town with her.
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"So where are we going, then?" groused Inuyasha as they walked through town. "You didn't say you had anything to do..."
"I don't," answered Kagome. "I just want to look around...and talk to some people..." She stopped. Something was...different...here.
"Kagome?" She didn't answer. Instinctively, Kagome reached out with her powers and sought the aura of this mysterious disturbance. She glanced over a nondescript building and paused. Yes...this was definitely it.
"Kagome? What is it?"
"It's just...I...I want to see what this place is, Inuyasha," said Kagome, a little confused. Inuyasha shrugged and went with her.
It was cluttered inside the building. Stacks of parchment teetered perilously on the tops of bookshelves, which themselves were crammed with moldering old tomes. Several strings of garlic and dried herbs hung from the ceiling; and the entire place had an odd, spicy smell to it.
A young girl was sorting some parchment at a desk in the corner. Kagome recognized her as a miko. As they approached, she looked up.
"Excuse me...what sort of place is this?" asked Kagome, a little hesitantly.
The girl smiled slightly. "Are you Kagome, the reincarnation of Kikyo?"
"Y-yes..."
"Ah. So the rumors were true, then." She glanced over Kagome's shoulder to Inuyasha's sullen visage. "It is a rare thing, indeed, for a miko to be mated to a demon."
"Oh. Umm...he's only half-demon..." said Kagome, a little affronted.
"Rarer still." Inuyasha growled slightly. "But I am forgetting my manners," the girl said quickly. "I am Yumi, disciple of the Seer within."
"The Seer?" said Inuyasha, puzzled.
"A powerful miko who possesses the unique ability of sight beyond sight. She can peer into the future and read what outcomes may occur." Yumi glanced behind her at a door that was closed. "But she is meditating now, and cannot be disturbed. Perhaps you could come back later?"
"No, we'll wait," said Kagome quickly. Inuyasha stared at her.
"We'll wait?" Inuyasha started edging toward the door. "I'm not sticking around this place any more than I have to...it creeps me out." He paused. "Why are you so manic about coming here anyway?"
"I don't know...There's just something about this place, about this woman, that...well, she seems important. I want to hear what she has to say."
"A wise decision indeed," affirmed Yumi. "The Seer has changed many lives with her sooth-saying abilities...have a seat. She will be with you when she is ready."
Kagome sat. Inuyasha jerked his head toward the door, beckoning for Kagome to follow him. She did, but only to just outside the building.
"I'm gonna leave...people are giving me funny looks. And I know what that leads to," finished Inuyasha with a low growl. "Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?"
"Inuyasha, I'm not made of glass. I'll be fine."
"Kagome..." Inuyasha pulled her close to him, so their faces were almost touching. "I love you, and I care about you. I just want to make sure you're safe." Inuyasha dipped his head and kissed Kagome, bringing her to him in an embrace.
They broke apart after a few seconds, Kagome panting slightly. "Inuyasha..." she murmured. "I love you too." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll be fine. I should be done in a few minutes." Reluctantly, he let her go, and she disappeared into the shop. Inuyasha smiled, then left.
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Kagome checked her watch again, thanking the gods for the hundredth time that she had remembered to bring it with her. It had been over an hour, and the Seer showed no signs of coming out. She was beginning to get impatient.
The door creaked open, and Tobias walked in. "Is this where they sell..." He glanced around and spotted Kagome. "Oh, Kagome, you're here. I was wondering where you'd gotten off to." He looked around again. "Where's Inuyasha?"
"Inuyasha's off by himself somewhere. He says he doesn't like this place."
"Judging by all the miko stuff here, I'm not surprised." Tobias sat next to Kagome. "What is this place, anyway?"
"It's the home of a soothsayer, a strong miko, who I was hoping to talk to."
"Ah. Makes sense enough. Well, I'm done with my errand, so I'll just wait here with you, I guess." Tobias had scarcely finished speaking when Miroku walked in.
"Excuse me, have you seen – Kagome, you're here. I've been looking for you." He came into the shop. "Sango is off getting her armor fixed, and I purchased what I needed for my sutras..." He sat next to Tobias. "What is this place, anyway?"
"The home of a fortune-teller, a Seer, who I wanted to talk to."
"I've heard stories about these seers," said Miroku. "The things they say can be both great and terrible, but there are many false soothsayers around..." He trailed off under Yumi's glare.
About five minutes later, Sango stuck her head in, with Shippo crouched on her shoulder.
"Miroku?" She saw him sitting. "Someone said they saw you come in here..."
"Kagome!" said Shippo. He leaped from Sango's shoulder and ran to Kagome.
"Hi, Shippo," said Kagome, with as much cheer as she could muster.
"Do you mind if I wait here? My armor is still being repaired..." She took the last seat on the row. "Why are you here? What sort of shop is this?" Sighing slightly, Kagome started to explain again.
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The General lay in bed. He was asleep. A rare thing indeed, for the General, but the witch and the miko had determined that it was the best thing for him, to allow his body to heal. The General didn't like the idea; he thought it left him vulnerable. But it was either that or several more days bedridden. So, drinking several potions, the General had nodded off.
But as he slept, the General dreamt, dreamt as he had not in millennia...
He was in a city, a city he recognized well. Massive stone buildings stood high on the ground, and a great river flowed into a vast lake. Yes, he knew this place...
Alarion.
But it was deserted. Not a single person besides him was in this miles-wide metropolis. Thoroughly puzzled, he glanced around him.
It was darkness, all around. He could barely see the capital building in the distance; indeed, could hardly see the tree next to him, in the gloom. The moon was not out, nor were the stars. And yet...
He wasn't alone. He heard a noise.
From the blackness leaped a creature like he had never seen before. It didn't even seem to have a physical form, it appeared to be crafted from shadow and smoke. He caught a brief glimpse of razor claws and blood-drenched fangs before it vanished into the dark.
He drew his sword. It glowed a faint blue, but the darkness was unabated.
Suddenly, from behind him, the creature leaped! He whirled and slashed at it with his sword; a telling blow, he knew.
But there was no impact. When the sword touched it, it simply dissolved into mist.
From another angle, it attacked him again, and again he struck out with his blade. And again it exploded into a thousand wisps of vapor.
Around him – he couldn't tell from where – the creature, whatever it was, laughed; a hideous, growling laugh that filled him with fear. It was like nothing he had ever heard before, and he silently wished he would never hear it again.
All at once, it charged him from the front. He raised his sword to defend, but it was suddenly gone from his hands. He barely had time to glance around for it when the creature roared, raising a mighty blade, glowing red, straight towards him...and straight down on him.
The General awoke. He sat up, his eyes wide, and took a couple of quick breaths. His eye twitched slightly as this caused his wound to ache. Regaining his usual composure, he lifted his left hand and looked at it.
His sword was in it. As always.
He didn't have time to ponder this much, as immediately after this, a demon knocked on the thick wooden door. The General blinked, then laid back down.
"Come in," he said calmly. The demon walked in and saluted.
"Sir. News from our scouts in the Western Lands," he said briskly.
"Tell me, Lieutenant."
"The reports say that the leader of that province, Lord Sesshomaru, is assembling a vast army of humans and demons to assault the citadel."
"What?" The General lifted his head.
The demon cringed at even the tiny amount of emotion in the General's voice, something he was not used to hearing. "S-sir, I said that Lord Sesshomaru is c-creating an army with the intention of attacking us."
"How large? What are their numbers?" said the General, calm once again.
The demon relaxed a little at hearing things go back to normal. "Roughly ten thousand strong, sir."
"Ten thousand." The General closed his eyes. "And I have but two thousand under my command, and am in no condition to do battle..."
"Sir?" The General looked at the demon. "Our scouts also say that the army is not yet mobilized, and may take as much as two weeks to arrive here."
"Two weeks." The General released the small amount of tension he had in him. "That is more then sufficient time for our plans to be finalized. I believe the witch said eleven more days?"
"Yes, sir. Eleven days until the final seal is broken."
"Good. Very good. You are dismissed."
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Another half-hour had passed. Kagome was growing increasingly bored, and was mulling over thoughts of just leaving. Before she could finish, her train of thought was interrupted by Inuyasha barging in.
"What the hell is taking so long?" he demanded. "And why is everyone here?" Kagome started to answer, but before she began, the door opened.
There was a girl in the doorway, younger than Yumi, barely older than Kagome. She wore traditional miko robes, but they had elaborate patterns and intricate designs stitched on them. Her hair was pure white, and reached her knees. She had a warm smile on her face, and her eyes sparkled with merriment.
"Someone here to see me, Yumi?" she giggled. "Lots of people, it looks like. Are you all here for little old me?"
Everyone except for the Seer and Yumi sweatdropped. Okay, I wasn't expecting THIS... thought Kagome, bewildered. She's so young! How can anyone this young be a seer?
The Seer's gaze fell on Kagome. "Ah, Kagome! I've been expecting you around here." She clapped her hands together. "We have a lot to talk about."
"How did you know she was coming?" said Inuyasha warily.
"I would be a pretty rotten Seer if I didn't know, right, Inuyasha?" She smiled cheerily at him. "And Miroku, Sango, and Shippo! So good of you all to turn up."
"I'm not entirely convinced," said Tobias. "They might have come through here before, or something. I've never been around here. So, Ms. Seer, tell me my name, if you would be so bold."
She looked right at Tobias and said in a clear voice, "Tobias son of Antwelm son of Tiberius son of Claudius, of the last dynasty of the kingdom of Alarion." Her face lit up. "Am I right? Tell me I'm right."
Tobias was stunned. "That's...right..." he said slowly. "How..."
"If it makes you feel better, you can just pretend I'm making it all up. Doesn't matter to me either way. 'Cause you're not the one who's here to see me. That person would be you, Kagome."
"Yes," said Kagome clearly. The Seer beckoned Kagome into her room, and they went in and shut the door. The room was even messier than the previous one had been, with voodoo dolls and paper slips with arcane markings and glowing trinkets scattered about.
"I've been redecorating," said the Seer carelessly, flinging a hand out to indicate the sloppy state of the place. She flopped into a huge stuffed pouf. Kagome sat in a wooden chair.
"Now tell me," said the Seer, leaning forward with her chin in her hands, "what do you want me to tell you?"
"You don't know that already?"
The Seer laughed. "I don't know EVERYTHING. I can just tell certain things about the past and future, that's all. I'm not a mind-reader." She sat up. "So what is it you want me to predict?"
Kagome thought. I want to know what's going to happen when we finally confront the General, she thought almost at once. I want to know what the outcome of the battle will be. "Tell me...tell me what will happen when we fight the General, finally."
"Oh, I've heard of him. He's a real nasty guy, he is. I don't like him at all. Now let's see..." The Seer closed her eyes. She was perfectly still.
For about five solid minutes, she said nothing, and moved not a hair. Kagome fidgeted. This was a bit awkward. She was mulling over stepping outside and letting her wait it out, when suddenly, the Seer spoke.
Her voice was vastly different. The cheery, lilting soprano was replaced by a steady baritone that seemed to echo through the tiny room. Her eyes did not open.
"The fallen general of Alarion shall make his move, in eleven days time...he will summon something that has not been seen for millennia, something believed destroyed long ago..."
Kagome leaned closer in. This was important. He was going to summon something?
"With it, he shall challenge the last prince of Alarion...the prince will have many allies on the field of battle, some foreseen, some unexpected...they shall fight for many hours..."
The Seer paused. For two more minutes, she said nothing at all. Kagome, however, had given up all thoughts of leaving. She had to hear the rest of this. Kagome was leaning forward, eyes locked on the Seer, focused only on her.
"But in the end, the alliance shall be in vain...for the general shall prevail, and strike down the prince...his allies..." Kagome's eyes grew wide.
"They shall all die."
Kagome felt the bottom fall out of her stomach at those words. She began to focus on the Seer's aura, trying to block out everything else, trying to forget the words she had just heard. But the images she sought in the Seer's mind confirmed the grisly truth.
There lay Tobias, sprawled at an unnatural angle, covered in blood.
Then it was Miroku, whose broken body lay on a stone floor, surrounded by shards of ice.
Then Sango, who was barely recognizable for the blood and entrails surrounding her. Her severed hand still clutched Hiraikotsu.
Then one she did not recognize, similarly dead. She strove to see, but the image was stolen from her in favor of another.
Then...then...
She saw just his face. His white hair matted with blood. His golden eyes, blank and lifeless. His mouth, hanging open, blood trickling from one of his fangs.
Then the image grew clearer, and she could see...
He had no neck. Just Inuyasha's severed head.
With a burst of will, Kagome pulled herself from the Seer's mind. The Seer was blinking and seemed to be coming out of the trance she was in. Hot tears ran from Kagome's eyes and down her cheeks.
Her mouth moved soundlessly, striving to form words. Slowly, her numb lips produced sound.
"No..." she whispered. "It...can't be. No." She stood up, backing away from the girl. The Seer also rose. She reached toward Kagome and said something, but Kagome didn't even hear her.
"It can't be true. It just can't! It won't!" Kagome turned and bolted out the door.
Inuyasha was already on his feet as Kagome entered the main room. She dashed to him, his arms wrapping around her in a surprised embrace. The others rose likewise.
"Kagome...what...?" said Inuyasha, completely confused.
"Nothing." Kagome's eyes were red and watery, but her voice held firm. "Let's go." She started to walk towards the door, pulling Inuyasha with her.
"But...what happened in-?" Tobias was silenced by a glare from Kagome.
"Nothing. She's just a fraud who made a few lucky guesses. Let's just go." And with that, she walked right out.
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Oooooh...is it true? Is it a prophecy or a fever dream? Only time will tell. But kind of a biggie, ne? REVIEW!