Akida-Look I finally updated! Rejoice! The earth has finally shifted, and this lazy author has gotten off the couch to type more of this story!......Well, actually I wasn't going to continue with this story....but for some reason it kept bugging me that I would be abandoning this perfectly good patch of plot. Also, I was a little more preoccupied with my other work....that I kind of....let this one go for a while. O.o
Now then, onward with the saga!
-:-Disclaimer-:- Fine.....I don't own Inuyasha or any of its characters......but I do have a plan to abduct a certain silver haired dog-demon lord....my plan is fool proof, fool proof I say!
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By: Akida
Meetings and Partings
Dawn broke to an overcast layer of gray, and its light filtered weakly through the haze. Dew drops plunged noiselessly onto a carpet of green, and small creatures ventured cautiously from their dwellings.
Inuyasha faintly made out the sorrowful call of a Mourning dove and shifted groggily. Suddenly coming full awake clutching his injured side, and gasping at the quick stabs of pain issuing from it. Memories of the previous day flooded back all too quickly. He grimaced as he prodded his ribs gently, then turned his attention to the sleeping figures of his companions.
He rubbed at his ear and looked over the mist laden clearing, letting the memory of yesterday's events wash over him. Recalling the pain of suffocation, the helpless mind set that had come over him. He forced the idea at what could have become of him had the feeling not passed, and rubbed at his arms feeling cold and stiff.
Whatever the hell that was.....its gone.....
He forced his aching muscles to lift his body from the ground, feeling a chilled morning breeze brush against his chest. Realizing that the clothing on his upper body had vanished, he began searching for his thick fire-rat robe.
He found it, and dressed slowly staring around him, searching with his senses of the stench of any other demon in the area. He found none, and let himself relax some.
Walking towards the towering oak he ran a clawed finger in an aged jagged scar, most likely from a large demons claws or a sword slash from a battle long ago. He turned sharply at a noise coming behind him, and let tension ease away as Kagome lumbered drowsily over to him.
She stood beside him, yawned and said: "Good morning you....sleep well?"
She got a shallow grunt for a response.
She smiled stifling a yawn. "Well I'm going to make some ramen for breakfast....if you want some....you'll have to grovel for a few minutes," she said giving him a playful shove.
He followed her progress and watched as she dug through her bottomless bag, searching for enough ramen to feed a few demons and two humans who ate like demons. He wondered how she found anything in there, he sure as hell couldn't make anything of the jumbled mess.
The dog demon watched her for a moment longer, letting a thin smile crease his lips at the content, and cheery scent she gave off. He couldn't help but admire the human girl for feeling happy in this dangerous time of life. He felt a bit envious of how easily emotions flowed from her, while he had to put some serious effort into being sincere about anything.
Then again, he thought glumly, that was how he had survived up until this point. By shutting off emotions, he could deal with any situation. More over, no one could hurt him if he had no emotional weaknesses. Making himself a mental wall of cold steel was the only thing keeping his sanity. Without that, he was no better than a sniveling, lost, confused child.
He took one last look up at the tree, grumbling darkly at the thought of his ordeal the day before. Yawning absently he made his way over to the familiar smell of cooked noodles, and sat near a small fire that Sango feed now and then. He noticed the fire gave off little smoke, and silently commended the exterminator for accomplishing that.
Miroku emerged from the edge of the forest foliage with Shippo in tow. The monk wiped a sleeve over his damp face and toke a seat next to Inuyasha. He still looked like he needed more sleep, as did the rest of the group.
He remained silent staring at the flames of the small fire, and listening absently to its crackling mingle with that of the voices of their female companions. At length he turned slightly to his snowy haired friend.
"So.....now what do we do."
Inuyasha stared at him frowning.
"What do you mean 'now what do we do'?"
"Well...we'll have to be moving onward soon, so where are we going to next?"
Inuyasha nodded and closed his eyes sighing irritably. Their destinations where solely dependant upon following rumors of Shikon Jewel shards in various areas, but there hadn't been any indication as to where another one had turned up. He growled leaning back on an arm.
"Where are we going, how the hell should I know? You know as well as I do we've got no leads, so there isn't anywhere to go."
Miroku cast a sidelong glance to his friend, said: "Well....it wouldn't hurt to spend the next night in a nice establishment....have a hot meal.....look over the local village women.....sleep in a bed instead of on wet grass," he said stopping to accept a bowl of warm noodles, and inhaled deeply taking a long draught of the warm broth. "But I guess I should just, shut up and count my blessings. It could be worse, we could be running for our lives for the Nth time."
Inuyasha raised his eyebrows taking in the logic of that statement, took a bowl from Kagome, and wolfed down its contents fixing his gaze on a patch of grass at his feet.
Miroku was right, it could have been worse, and he knew in his condition fighting would be more bothersome unless he let himself heal.
"Well start looking for the nearest village as soon as were done here," he said gruffly finishing off the last of his ramen, and thrust it under Kagome's nose indicating he wanted more. She huffed and shot him an icy glare, snatched it from him, and refilled it emptying the last of the noodles into his bowl. It always happened. He always seemed to end up being the only one capable of weaseling in seconds.
They broke camp, gathered their belongings, and set off on a western course through the thick knot of trees and shrubs. Remnants of their battle area were present in the form of gashed trees, uprooted shrubs, and large areas of charred rubbish.
Four days after leaving the oak tree clearing they finally broke through the seemingly endless forest, and made their way to the top of a hill on the outskirts of the woodland. Spreading out to scan the lands around them for a settlement, Inuyasha flinched at an irritation at the base of his neck, scratched at it, and resumed his search.
Shippo, perched on Sango's shoulder, pointed out the tell tale columns of smoke northwest of them. Setting a course for the columns, the group lumbered slowly down the hill and onward towards a beaten path just ahead of them.
As they traveled Inuyasha picked up a familiar scent amongst those of the many travelers that had passed through here on the path, but it was days old and had been covered up by the trails of other scents. And yet...
Why do I feel I should know this smell? Its so familiar and yet I can't pick out who or what it is.....
"Inuyasha?" Kagome said interrupting his thoughts. He turned to her and could read what she was thinking, without her saying a word.
"There's a scent somewhere on this path that I've encountered before, its a bit worn out but I know I've smelt it before.....numerous times I think," he said bluntly studying the faces of his companions.
"Could it be Naraku?" Miroku said shifting his weight.
"No," the dog-demon replied casting the monk a sidelong glance. "But it's definitely a demons scent no doubt about that."
"If its a demon then it could have been through here to that village," Sango said with a start as the group toke in the truth in those words.
With a decisive nod Inuyasha took off towards the settlement saying: "It better not be anyone I know 'cause it won't be pretty if that place is in shambles, and they've got the gall to stick around."
Inuyasha didn't mention it but he had a pretty good idea
it was the smell of an inu-youkai, and there was only one inu-youkai he knew of
who'd pull a slaughter fest on a human village. But what he couldn't figure out
was why that familiar scent was so different. Something about it didn't sit well
with him, and he was more concerned about figuring out that oddity than getting
to that village in time.
--------------------**))(( 3 Days Prior ))((**--------------------
Sesshomaru sat in a corner of his study amongst towers of paper piled in an organization only he could understand, fingers laced loosely together, starring at the wall to the right of the door. Light filtered weakly through a window on his left, and drew out the platinum highlights in his hair which was tied neatly at the base of his neck.
An old stained bookcase on his left held a multitude of books equal to the age of the case they rested in. They were arranged according to color, as his father had placed them in, and records of events and notes were placed towards the middle.
Sesshomaru closed his eyes recalling the small conference he had had with the messenger...
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"Greetings Lord of the Western Lands, I am a mere nameless messenger sent from the eastern lands on an errand of great urgency. If you will allow it I would like very much to speak with you in private....or have I come at a time inconvenient for you?"
"Time is all I have," Sesshomaru replied taking in the man at a glance.
Unlike most errand men, who were thin and light built, this particular one was as heavily set as a wall of bricks, and looked to be in his late 30's. Medium length brown hair, and sharp features with a few scars, gave the demon lord the impression that he'd seen more than his share of battles. Piercing yellow eyes, the trait of a beast taking human form, regarded him with a level of scrutiny not usually expressed to someone of his stature.
Keeping his aloof expression, Sesshomaru motioned to the messenger to follow him. Traveling down a long hallway rich in deep colored wood, he entered a room to his left and strode to the center of the room. He turned quickly to face his visitor, the long kimono of blue and green gathering around him.
They sat facing each other, and the demon lord noticed the tension in his messengers body language. The way he sat was stiff, and straight backed, as if forcing himself to be calm. He couldn't discern if he was agitated at being within his presence, but remained silent as he monitored him with his usual unwavering gaze. After a moment he grinned inwardly as his guest fidgeted and coughed nervously under his stare.
"Ahem....May I say that you are one of the first to receive the message I bring to you, but I must warn you it is only because you are the closest to harm my Lord."
"Oh..." Sesshomaru replied feigning a look of minor shock. "I'm in harms way. I suppose your going to inform of the nature of this....threat."
The messenger frowned and tilted his head and said: "My Lord this is no joking matter, I advise that you take this quite seriously. Many demon lords have died at the hands of this unknown menace, and although they were only minor losses, we thought it best to inform those of high profile."
Sesshomaru clenched his fist. The nerve of this man speaking to him as if he were a child! He had a right mind to reach over and throttle him, but instead kept his composure and vented his annoyance by tearing a small hole in the sleeve of his kimono. It just wouldn't do to have something that trivial ruffle his feathers, after all he did have an image to keep up...
"Hn. Then if its really that pressing perhaps you'd better get to the point and tell me," he replied.
With a nod he began: "Not too long ago, there have been sightings of strange demon activity in a few areas. Its hard to say if its concentrated in a particular spot, but what is know is that most of the trouble seems to be targeting demon lords. Upon investigation of one area, ash black feathers were found all over the castle grounds, and a thick smoke-like substance lingered in the air around the castle.--"
The first thought that came to Sesshomaru's mind was of Naraku, but then he couldn't explain the feathers, and from what he knew Naraku didn't seem like the kind of person that would go around killing demon lords. His specialty was mind-games.
"--Also, we are still unable to determine how the victims were killed. Most appeared as if they'd died in their sleep, no sign of a struggle, poison, or any other evidence of foul play."
He paused to look over at the demon lord, who's expression remained the same: detached.
"But, we have found a pattern in these killings. Not only were the demon lords killed, but also those very close to them such as a wife, a son or daughter. Both were usually found dead around the same time, and faded markings were found on similar parts of their bodies. They appeared to be tattoos, no, more like imprinted runes upon the skin of the victims. Other than this that is all that is known, and messengers like myself have been sent to those who may be in possible danger of the same fate."
Finishing his report he let himself relax somewhat, and let out a light sigh.
Sesshomaru kneaded the fabric of his clothing, sponging in the information he'd just received. Looking across at his messenger, he rose and walked towards the door without speaking to him. When he heard the heavy footfalls of the messenger catch up to him, he spoke:
"I suppose I should appreciate being cautioned of a possible threat to my life, but it is not necessary and I do not intend to follow any means of increasing protection to myself."
"But!" The messenger began but was sharply cut off.
"Don't confuse me with such weaklings! I didn't become who I am today by being afraid of every little threat that ventured my way!" He snapped turning his head slightly. "There is nothing that can stand in my way, nothing stands in the way of the Lord of the Western lands!"
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Sesshomaru had left the study after the air space seemed to be pressing in on him, and he now wandered through the garden Rin had lovingly tended to. He stopped and caught a cherry blossom as it made its descent, glanced at it momentarily, then released it as the wind carried it from his hand.
Reaching up to rub at a bothersome area on the side of his neck, he stopped as his fingers encountered the raised irritated section that had caused most of his moodiness. He had first noticed it one night while combing out a lock of hair, and his mind immediately went to the words the messenger had spoken.
"They appeared to be tattoos, no, more like imprinted runes upon the skin...."
"Not only were the demon lords killed, but also those very close to them such as a wife, a son or daughter..."
He fingered the area which for now was a small raised circle, and paced through the gardens in a trance. Although she wasn't a son, a daughter or a wife, Rin was still someone who was closer to him than anyone else, and the thought that she too might be tangled in a mess like this made him sick. She didn't deserve to be dragged into this, and he slowly realized what he had to do.
A familiar voice sang out his name, cutting off his thoughts, and a knot formed in his chest:
"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin called out as she rounded a towering tree. She wore the same plum colored kimono, and braided hair with its loosely tied red ribbon. Catching sight of him her face lit up instantly and she jogged over to him.
"Ma! So here's where you've been hiding," she said. "I was worried about you, you know. You haven't really been yourself lately, and....well....after that messenger left you've been.......a little distant."
Sesshomaru's cold expression faltered and showed guilt and sorrow twisting at his. He knew what she was thinking, she'd shown this concern more than once. She was rethinking her place as his companion, that maybe he wouldn't want a human around him anymore. That he'd disappear one day.
What hurt more was that that was what he intended to do; disappear. For her sake he would fade away only to protect her from a death that hung over his head, an inevitable fate that had somehow against all odds found its way to him. It was only a matter of time before he too was taken, and when that happened Rin would be alone again....
Without thinking he closed the distance between them, and enveloped her slender startled body in his strong arms, burying his nose in her russet locks breathing deeply the scent of Jasmine that intoxicated his senses. He never wanted to forget her scent, for soon it may be the only thing that he'd remember her by.
Rin nearly forgot to breath as she was pressed against the one she'd adored her entire life. Her face flushed as warm air graced close to her ear, and felt lightheadedness turn the world fuzzy.
"Sesshoma-..... Ano-....anata-.....ehh....." She stuttered as the power of speech left her, and her heart hammered against her chest threatening to burst through her rib cage.
"Rin, there is no need to worry yourself so much, it doesn't suit someone like you. I'll be going away for a while and I regret that I can't take you with me this time-"
"Neh?! Doshite?!-" Rin began protesting but was silenced as Sesshomaru placed two fingers over her lips, causing her to turn a different shade of red as she found herself entranced by piercing amber orbs.
"I don't know when I'll return but I want you to do something for me in my absence. I want you to smile Rin. Smile each and every day that your alive. Just keep smiling Rin, just keep smiling.....for me if no one else. "
Breaking his embrace he turned and strode towards the line of forest that skirted the grounds about 40 yards away, and he kept walking eyes trained forward as his throat tightened. He didn't look back, he didn't want to see her face streaked with confused tears as he left.
He was running away, running away like a dog with its tail between its legs, yet that was all he could do. He felt somewhere inside him that by leaving, Rin may escape this threat unharmed since it targeted demon lords in general, it was possible that by some spark of luck it would only claim his life.
With golden eyes fixed on the lands before him he leapt into the air vanishing into the foliage of the woodlands heading to the east, and thus the Lord of the Western Lands disappeared and was never seen or heard from thereafter. All save one witnessed his retreat, one human girl dressed in lavender.
--------------------**))(( Returning to the Present ))((**--------------------
Walking through the village was doing a number on Inuyasha's nerves. Not only was their no sign of a demon attack, but the village looked virtually untouched as if it hadn't passed by here. The people crowded the streets and cast their usual wary glances as he passed, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary. He turned as Sango returned from her small scout of the area.
"Nothing," Sango began catching her breath. "Not one missing person. Either our demon was blind or it left the path far before it came to this place."
Inuyasha shook his head, said: "No that's not possible, that scent is at least a few days old and it doesn't divert from the path to this village." His eyes shifted and he continued: "Either our demon really was blind, or it just didn't feel like slaughtering anyone."
"On the contrary Inuyasha," Miroku added in as he came from the opposite direction Sango had come. "I've spoken to a few of these people and they say a demon has passed through here.....and is still here as we speak."
Inuyasha stiffened. Kagome cast a glance at his obvious display of tension and said to Miroku: "Did they say where the demon is? What it looks like?"
Miroku hesitated and looked over the faces of his companions, then replied: "They've described this demon to have a cold expression, golden eyes, and platinum hair...."
"Its Sesshomaru!" Shippo gasped. "What the heck is he doing here, in a place full of humans?! Why hasn't he done anything like kill them or...or something?!"
Clenching his fists and letting a low growl escape saying: "I don't know what the hell he's doing here, but I swear I'll tear him to shreds when I see him! He can't be trusted in a place like this, not with all these people around!"
"Miroku," he snapped. "Where is he! Take me to him!"
"I'm way ahead of you," the monk replied as he motioned the group to follow him.
He toke them through a series of dirt streets, and they pushed and jostled people out of the way, ignoring their shouts and curses. After passing through a maze of paths the area around them began to look shabbier, as they wound up in a string of alleys and tightly packed dwellings. Miroku slowed his pace and tried to recall the location of their adversary, from the fragmented bits of information he'd gathered.
He stopped in front of a tiny dwelling that could have been mistaken for a mid-sized shack, turned to the group with his eyes locked with Inuyasha's, and nodded towards the dilapidated wooden door.
Pacing over to it, the unmistakable rain and lilac scent of his half-brother hanging heavily in the air, he gripped the gap between the door and its frame. Taking a breath and waiting for the cluster of people behind him to ready their weapons, he slide the door open and squinted into the thick darkness, broken by the small square of light he'd allowed inside.
He waited momentarily before stepping inside and searched for any sign of life in that deathly still room. Movement to his left made him start and a hand instinctively grasped the hilt of his sword, he shook his head as his friends began to take up their places beside him.
The light outside shifted as a cloud removed itself from obscuring the suns light, and a window next to the door poured light on an occupied section of the wall Inuyasha faced. A figure dressed in a plain blue robe sat on a rush mat with a head of silver silk, and demonic ambers eyes placed in a pale porcelain face. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes as he found the blue crescent moon on his forehead and elfin ears hiding amongst the platinum cascade of hair.
"Inuyasha what a surprise to see you here," Sesshomaru began coolly as he centered his focus on his half-breed brother. "I had a feeling we'd meet again very soon."
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Akida- Lookie lookie! I finally finished the second chapter and darn did it seem long to me......but then again it always seems longer when I'm actually typing it out. Yeah, well stuff came up and I was unable to get on with the more fun part of my life, but here I is! Please review for meh folks, it boosts my self-esteem by about 4 points!
