The Miko with White Hair
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Warning: This fic is rated R for violence, course language, and sexual content.
Scroll Three: Blue pill or red pill/Choice and Consequence
Naraku's secret lair...
Naraku sat on his Blackwood throne with a bemused expression upon his face. Of course, none would have been able to see it. He was wearing a conical-shaped black mask, along with a set of black robes. In fact, all those assembled into the great hall were dressed as such. This was the regalia worn of a member of the Order of Death. None of the members were to see each other's faces, nor were their names to be known by each other, since without an identity Death couldn't find them.
This was an Order obsessed with Death. Naraku himself found Death fascinating. It was almost a hobby of his--Death. He would spend hours musing on Death and how grand it was.
All those gathered in the great hall seemed to be waiting for something. The hall was darkly decorated with thick black curtains adorning the walls. Along the hall's walls torches were hung casting a dim glow. Black candles lined the walls as well. Several of the Order's members were just milling around and speaking to each other in low, whispering tones. Everyone could feel that the moment was drawing near.
For his guests' entertainment Naraku had set up his two favorite love slaves to dance for all assembled in two golden cages that hung from the high ceiling. The cages resembled giant birdcages. And there inside the cages were two very lovely youkai women. One was dressed in a red and black outfit, which nicely brought out her bloodred eyes. The other younger woman was dressed in colors of white and black.
"Dance for us, my pretties." Naraku drawled with a wave of his hand and the two young women complied. There was a pole set up inside the cages for dancing and the two girls used it in their performance.
Sliding her hands down the pole and wrapping her legs around it Kagura danced while trying to hide the look of pure hatred from her features from Naraku. How she loathed him for subjecting her to this. Her hate for him had only grown during this last ten years. But now she wasn't alone...Kagura looked over to the cage that was hanging next to her where Kana, a now teenaged-looking girl was dancing. She had changed dramatically in the last ten years and unfortunately Naraku had taken notice of the girl's beauty and had made her his love slave as well.
Kana had certainly grown in beauty. In fact, the girl was far more beautiful than she Kagura reluctantly admitted to herself. Kana's long silvery-white hair cascaded down to her ankles and her eyes were the color of a lake's dark waters under a moonlit night sky. Kana, youkai of the void, and Kagura, youkai of the wind, were nothing but prisoners, pawns, slaves, to the evil hanyou Naraku. It was a cursed existence but there was nothing neither Kagura nor Kana could do about it as long as Naraku held their hearts in his hands, literally.
Ten years...and nothing had changed. Kagura still loathed her master and he still didn't trust her. She was still in shackles and there seemed like there would be no escape. She wondered whatever had happened to Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older brother. She was certain that if anyone could defeat her Master it would be the cold-hearted taiyoukai. Kagura prayed silently that she would one day see him again, and that on that day it would mean that death of Naraku.
Kana was almost as stoic as the taiyoukai Kagura decided as she watched her sister dance with an emotionless expression on her face. It almost seemed like she didn't care but Kagura knew that deep down she did care and probably hated Naraku almost as much as she did. Was their hope for them? Was there perhaps some sin they had committed in their past lives that they were now paying for Kagura wondered with a frown marring her otherwise lovely face. Kagura sighed thinking she would probably never know.
When Naraku had seen enough he decided it was time and motioned for the two girls to stop their entertainment. He then nodded in the direction of one member, who was standing next to a large wooden platform, in front of which hung a thick velvet curtain. At Naraku's nod the member pulled on a silken cord and the curtain was drawn backwards to reveal five figures dressed in black with bags over their heads. Three of which were already dead, hanging there with a noose about their neck. The other two were still very much alive, but also had nooses about their necks awaiting certain death.
"The moment has come to have certain questions answered," Naraku informed those gathered before him. "As you all know those at death's door can part the veils of the future and can answer any question put to them. Now, I will ask of these youkai what I must do in order to gain the power of a God, power over Death, and immortality. With this power I shall lead our Order in the conquest of the Four Lands! Our enemies will cower in fear before our power over Death and bow before us!"
An uproar of cheers followed Naraku's words.
"Proceed." Naraku ordered the same masked and cloaked member and he pulled another silken cord causing one of the bottoms of the scaffold to drop and one of the youkai to become hung. As he was being strangled and suffocating to death Naraku posed his question. "Youkai, tell me what I must do if I am to become as powerful as a God, have control over Death, gain immortality, and take over this world!"
"You...must first gather the rest of the shards of the Shikon no Tama." The youkai responded as his voice came out in a strangled gasp. "With them you can make your wish come true, and your god-like power and immortality shall be granted. But...even if you do succeed there shall be a force more powerful than your own that shall oppose and defeat you!"
"What?" Naraku growled. "What force is this?!"
The youkai coughed and wheezed and struggled to speak. "The most powerful miko in all of existence shall unite with the most powerful youkai and together they shall defeat you!!!"
"Who are they?!" Naraku demanded clenching his fists and causing his nails to dig into his flesh and draw blood.
"They are...they are..." The youkai however was unable to finish and died.
"Dammit!" Naraku hissed and motioned to the executioner to go on to the next victim. He had to have his answers. If there was truly a force in this world powerful enough to oppose a God he had to know who these two were. If not it could mean his downfall.
The executioner nodded and pulled the next silken cord. The next youkai fell through and was hung, his neck was not snapped, and so Naraku posed his next question as this youkai struggled against the hold death had upon him. "Youkai, reveal to me the ones that shall unite and defeat me!"
"A miko..." The youkai wheezed. "And a powerful taiyoukai."
"Be more specific!" Naraku ordered. "I want names!" Naraku held up his fist before him adamantly.
"The Miko with White Hair..." The youkai coughed up blood. "And the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands!" And with those final parting words the youkai died.
Naraku blinked back in shock, glad that no one was able to see his confounded expression. 'The Miko with White Hair is non other than Kagome...now a Dark Priestess and a Succubus. How could one no longer able to purify demons be any threat to me? And as for the taiyoukai of the Western Lands that is Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older brother. So...if those two unite they shall become a force powerful enough to defeat me even when I have gained the powers of a god, and have immortality in my grasp! Ludicrous! However...I cannot discount the information gathered at death's door. I shall make sure those two never unite while I draw breath in this body.'
Meanwhile somewhere in the Fuji mountains...
Inuyasha watched with baited breath as a small silvery-green seedling emerged from the chill earth. In mere moments the Rose of Healing would blossom and Inuyasha could use it to save Kagome's soul. Inuyasha continued to watch as the seedling grew before his very eyes. It was almost time...
Suddenly, Inuyasha sensed something and diving out of the way just barely missed being stabbed through the middle with a giant icicle.
"You're pretty fast, for a human." Came a cold voice.
Inuyasha turned around to see an ice elemental youkai. He had pale skin, long flowing blue hair, and piercing red eyes. He was dressed in a blue haori and matching navy blue hakama. He didn't appear to be wielding a weapon, however, he was in his element, and Inuyasha knew he was completely at a disadvantage.
"Feh," Inuyasha scoffed. "I've had practice dodging death blows that's all. There's always someone out to get me. So...what the hell do you want?"
"I'm here for the Rose of Healing." The ice youkai explained in a chill tone. "Now, you will get out of my way or die."
Inuyasha laughed and placed both hands on his hips. "Yea, right. Like I'm going to give up the Rose of Healing that easily. I have a very good reason for wanting the rose so if you want it you'll have to go through me first!"
"A very good reason you say." The ice youkai raised an eyebrow. "I doubt that it is as good as mine. No matter, it seems I have no choice. Prepare to die stubborn human!" The ice youkai declared and summoning his ice elemental energy materialized a blade of solid ice that surrounded his hand. The ice youkai slashed his new blade testing its weight and feel. He smiled; this human would be impaled on the end of his blade in seconds.
The ice youkai then lunged at Inuyasha prepared to run him through. Inuyasha simply leapt out of the way deftly and landed a few feet away. Inuyasha may have been human but that didn't mean he still wasn't skilled in the art of fighting. Inuyasha then unsheathed a normal sword, and brought his blade up just in time to block a downward slash from the ice youkai.
"Impressive, for a human." The ice elemental youkai smiled. "My name is Nu Glacier, may I ask the name of my somewhat formidable opponent?"
"It's Inuyasha."
"That's a strange name to have for a human." Nu sounded amused.
"Feh," Inuyasha growled. "I wasn't always this pathetic."
"Oh? How interesting! Then I won't hold back ex-youkai!" Nu dissipated his ice blade and prepared to use another one of his attacks. Summoning his ice elemental energy he pointed his hand at Inuyasha he then unleashed a barrage of icicle darts at the former inuyoukai. Inuyasha ran as fast as he could while trying to avoid getting hit with the deadly darts. He had to roll out of the way as one barrage nearly had him. Inuyasha's breath was becoming ragged from the strain the fight and the weather were having on his frail human body.
"Kuso!!!" Inuyasha swore dodging yet another attack of ice darts as he realized he wouldn't last much longer at the hands of this highly skilled youkai. If only he still had his sword. If only Inuyasha wasn't cursed to being a human now. So much for becoming a full demon. Inuyasha sighed. "This sucks! If I were a hanyou you would so be dead!"
"Oh really? Then I guess I'm lucky you're just a pathetic but highly amusing human." Nu laughed. He was thoroughly enjoying himself. This human was turning out to be a fun opponent. Time after time Inuyasha surprised him with his uncanny agility and speed--for a human. Many youkai would have already fallen and it was impressive that this human still had not. "I think I'll use one of my special techniques on you. After all, you've earned it."
"Oh great, just great." Inuyasha ran a hand through his slightly frosted hair. "Why don't I feel like that's a good thing?" Suddenly Inuyasha felt something icy cold creeping up his legs. Inuyasha looked down at his legs in shock seeing that they were being covered in ice. "This is not good. Why do bad things always have to happen to me! Dammit all to hell! I can't lose! Not like this!" Inuyasha continued to struggle as the ice continued to creep it way up Inuyasha's body and begin to trap his human body in ice. The ice was extremely cold and it felt like little knives were pricking Inuyash's skin. To say the least it was not a pleasant experience.
But Inuyasha did not give up. He continued to struggle even as the ice made its way up to his chin. He glared defiantly at the one known as Nu Glacier and before the ice covered his mouth: "No! I have to save Kagome!" And then silence.
Nu raised an eyebrow at what Inuyasha's last words had been and wondered. Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed that during their fight the Rose of Healing had blossomed. It was a beautiful flower indeed--with blood red petals speckled with silver and a silvery green stalk and petals. It was delicate yet deadly with its thorns. It was also beautiful yet powerful with its extensive restorative capabilities. Nu smiled; at last the legendary Rose of Healing was his.
Stronghold of the Sisterhood of Darkness...
Kagome's dream, Kikyou's memory...
Kikyou staggered her way through the dense forest. She was weakening with every step she took. She needed more souls. She could feel her undead body deteriorating. Souls. She must have souls!
But the only souls that Kikyou could use were those of innocent maidens. Where could she find one soon enough? Lately, the miko found such souls were in sort supply. What was the world coming to? Kikyou sensed that there was a village somewhere up ahead and quickened her pace.
Peering out from the trees at the edge of the village Kikyou noticed that the village seemed to be celebrating something. Upon further inspection Kikyou saw a young couple that was surrounded by a crowd. They appeared to be newly weds. The bride was young, and beautiful with soft brown eyes and long brown hair. She was dressed in a stunning, white wedding kimono and her groom was no less beautiful than she. He had dark blue eyes and midnight colored hair. They made a lovely couple Kikyou mused.
And then she sensed the purity of his bride. Yes, she was pure, a virgin, a true maiden. Her soul would do nicely.
Kikyou hid herself until she knew the time would be right. The bride was to be made ready to receive her husband for the first time and he was to wait until she was ready. It was the perfect time for her to strike. Quietly, Kikyou made her way to the maiden's room. The bride was dressed in a silken robe and was brushing her long, brown tresses with a brush while humming to herself and peering at her reflection in her dressing table's mirror. The smile on her face was one that only a young girl in love could have...
Suddenly the maiden sensed that someone was behind her. The brush dropped to the floor as the young girl met Kikyou's unforgiving eyes.
Without saying a word Kikyou summoned one of her soul-stealers and the monstrous creature attacked. The maiden was too afraid to move or scream and remained petrified to her spot as the soul-stealer began to suck the innocent soul from her untainted body.
The lifeless body of the bride dropped to the floor with a dull thud.
The soul-stealer returned to Kikyou and placed the soul in her body. Kikyou sighed as her body began to heal itself. She felt much better.
Without a backwards glance Kikyou left the dead bride there.
As she was leaving the village she remembered hearing...
"It's horrible poor Benji found Yoko dead and killed himself! It's just so horrible that something like this could happen to ones so young!"
A small merciless smile formed on Kikyou's lips. 'They're better off dead anyways. Love...just causes more pain than happiness.'
And with that she was gone...
Kikyou looked over her shoulder nervously. She was sure that she was being followed--but by whom?
There were many that wanted her dead but for some reason Kikyou could not sense their life force energy. Whatever it was that was plaguing her was following her as mercilessly as her own shadow. It was beginning to get on Kikyou's nerves. It was also making her feel guilty for some reason.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Kikyou demanded spinning around when she felt a chilling touch on her shoulder.
Finally, the being that had been following Kikyou for weeks revealed herself. Kikyou gasped in shock at the sight before her...it was a ghost.
The wraith was dressed in a wedding kimono and from her lusterless eyes blood tears were streaming down her pale face.
It was the maiden she had stolen the soul from those many moons ago.
Kikyou simply laughed with a hand upraised in front of her mouth. "Oh it's you. Come to get revenge on my ruining your marriage night! You know, it's all I ever wanted...to be an ordinary woman, to get married, have a family, a life of my own. But it was not meant to be! I had to be a priestess; my powers wouldn't have it any other way. And so I was cursed to live my life alone, a life without love. You could say I envied you. But no more. Look who has the last laugh now! Begone spirit!" Kikyou continued to laugh and using one of her sacred arrows purified the wraith into nothingness.
Kagome gasped as she realized she had allowed herself to fall asleep while in the baths. In the mountain domain of the Sisterhood of Darkness they were blessed with a natural hot springs deep within the caves that made up their stronghold. It was here that the sisters bathed together, and came to talk and relax in the warm waters.
Kagome sighed. She enjoyed soaking in the hot springs but for some reason bad memories always seemed to visit her in the baths. To be more exact they were Kikyou's memories that were now being assimilated into Kagome's mind. Ever since Kagome had killed Kikyou and stolen her soul Kagome had been cursed with the bloodguilt from Kikyou's past actions. She and the undead miko had now become one. It had been inevitable. They were the same person all along. But even so Kagome found she hated Kikyou as if she were someone else.
Kagome was disgusted by Kikyou's past actions. It made her sick that the miko had been capable of such foul acts.
"Out damn spot out!" Kagome muttered to herself as she tried to rub away the bloodstains from her hand. She was sure her hands were covered in blood, stained in the blood of those innocent lives she had taken by use of her soul-gatherers. She could see her tainted skin and wondered if it mirrored her now tainted soul. The Blood...it was everywhere...she was covered in it! Kagome picked up a sponge and began scrubbing her skin as hard as she could until she rubbed it raw. But the blood still wouldn't go away. "Dammit! Go away! Just go away and leave me alone!"
"Mistress?" One of her sisters questioned hesitantly.
Kagome blinked back at her. And then looked down at her stain free hands. A fit of madness? Kagome laughed in a stricken manner. "Oh I see...there never was any blood."
"Blood?" The sister neared Kagome and placed a hand comfortingly on her shoulder. "Are you alright Mistress Kagome? Perhaps you have a fever?" The sister put a hand to Kagome's forehead and frowned, it was a bit warm. "Perhaps, you should get out of the hot springs early Mistress."
Kagome shook her head back and forth as her white tresses swished with the motion. "No...I'm alright. At least, as alright as I ever will be. Thank you, Sazuka."
"No need to thank me, Mistress." Sazuka smiled. "Where would I be without you after all? Still under the thumb of that bastard husband of mine I'm sure! I remember his beatings as if they were only yesterday. He had seemed so nice at first...but it had all been a trick. I remember the first day it started. We were having an argument when suddenly it was just like he snapped. He hit me, again and again. I cried out for him to stop but it only seemed to spur him on. I thought I was going to die. I asked him why and he said because he was stronger than me. He told me that it was just the way it was, men were stronger than women, men were better than women, and women should know their place. Well I sure showed him didn't I Mistress!"
"You sure did," Kagome smiled remembering. She remembered how she had found Sazuka wounded and alone in the middle of the forest. Sazuka had decided to run away that night from her husband after a very severe beating. One that probably would have proved fatal had Kagome not found her there half-bleeding to death. The blood was also attracting demons and Kagome had barely made it in time to slay the demons using her phasing powers to good use--ripping their hearts out, and saving the young girl from peril.
Sazuka almost immediately was taken with Kagome--her savior. She joined the Sisterhood and soon got her revenge. Kagome was happy for her. That she was finally free from her husband. But that freedom had come with a price. Sure she was free but she would never forget...and there were also reminders...
Kagome's eyes trailed over Sazuka's silky skin and took in the sight of an ugly scar on the woman's stomach.
"I will never forgive him for making me loose the life of my child." Sazuka sighed placing a hand over her scar. "If he wasn't dead already I would kill him all over again. Most men...well...I would think he would have been happy to be a father. I tried to protect my child..." Hot tears began to stream down Sazuka's face as she remembered. "But he noticed and targeted my stomach all the more...and then he used a knife." Sazuka could no longer continue to talk as sobs wracked her body.
Kagome came behind her and wrapped her arms around the trembling form of her sister. "There, there, Sazuka. It's alright now. You're safe, and free. Nothing bad will happen to you anymore. No more innocents shall be harmed. I promise you, my sister, because I love you, I love all of you. You are my family now."
"Kagome..." Sazuka sighed relaxing in Kagome's embrace and leaning against her.
"Sazuka..." Kagome murmured in her ear. She had missed the feeling of a warm body being pressed against her. She leaned over and started placing hot kisses along Sazuka's collarbone.
Sazuka moaned at the feeling of being this close to her beloved sister. Being like this, in Kagome's arms, Sazuka felt safe, and warm, she felt loved. She was surprised she didn't need a man's embrace to feel loved. It was a liberating feeling.
"Kagome!" Came a shrill young voice.
Kagome startled and let go of Sazuka. "Keiko-chan? What's wrong?" She asked noticing the expression on her little sister's face.
"A man is demanding to be allowed to see you! He claims if he's turned away he'll suck up our entire stronghold into his Kazaana!" Keiko exclaimed.
"Kazaana?" Kagome frowned. 'Miroku what do you want...?' "Tell the others I'll be right there. I'm sorry Sazuka, perhaps some other time." Kagome winked at her sister before getting out of the bath and wrapping a white towel around her.
Once fully dressed Kagome quickly made her way towards the entrance of their strong hold and was surprised to see a stricken-faced Miroku with the body of an unconscious Sango within his arms.
Upon seeing Kagome approach his eyes lit up with hope. "Kagome!" Miroku walked towards her with swift strides only to be immediately blocked by two women stepping in front of him and crossing two staffs before him.
"Miroku." Kagome acknowledged in a dull tone. Her eyes traveled to the limp form of Sango in his arms. "What have you done to her houshi?"
Miroku's face fell. "I didn't do anything Kagome. This is all your fault. You placed some sort of curse on Sango and now she's dying from it! Kagome...you have to remove your curse and save Sango!"
"If what you're saying is true then she has betrayed this Sisterhood and her life is no longer any concern of ours." Kagome said with coldness.
"How can you say that?!" Miroku looked shocked. "Sango is your friend. I am your friend Kagome. This isn't like you. The old Kagome would have helped Sango without a second thought!"
"Well I'm not the 'old Kagome' anymore." Kagome's eyes narrowed threateningly. "And it would be best to remember that. I should kill you for coming here. But if you leave now I'll spare your life just this once. For the sake of our past friendship."
Miroku sunk to his knees in despair. "You mean you won't help her?"
"No." Kagome said with little emotion.
"Then just kill me." Miroku said and Kagome heard the two women that were barring his way gasp in surprise. "Without Sango I have nothing to live for. When Sango dies...I die. Sango means everything to me; Sango is my reason for living. Without her I am nothing, without her I cease to exist. So kill me! So at least I may join Sango in the next life! I couldn't bare to be without a second longer than I have to!"
Kagome's eyes widened in surprise but she remained unfazed. "You claim she means so much to you, but if she really did why would you have betrayed her heart?"
Miroku looked back at Kagome with eyes shimmering with unshed tears, "I was a fool. I'm only human Kagome, I'm not perfect, and I make mistakes. I was stupid. I just wanted to be with Sango but when she turned me away I decided to try and replace her. I know it was wrong to cheat on her but I did. But I realized the night Sango came to me in the guise of Reina that Sango could never be replaced. That there was only one Sango, one woman for me to love. But I had realized it too late. Because now Sango is dying and its because of me! I drove her to this! So just kill me Kagome! I deserve to die! I'm so sorry." Miroku hung his head in shame and defeat, his last words directed at the unconscious woman in his arms.
Kagome glared at one of her sisters, who now had unshed tears shimmering in her own eyes, and she quickly composed herself. Kagome then turned her attention back to Miroku and sighed a heavy sigh. "You're sorry! He's sorry! Do you really think that telling Sango you're sorry will make everything alright?! You broke her heart Miroku. For that alone you should die. But if I were to save Sango and kill you, well, I'm sure Sango would follow soon after. You two are a lot of trouble did you know that! I can't believe I'm doing this!"
Miroku looked back up at Kagome in surprise. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Was Kagome really going to save Sango!
Kagome came to kneel by Sango's side and lowered her face to Sango's. She then pressed her lips up against the demon slayer's and using her tongue parted Sango's mouth. Kagome then summoned her life force energy and began to feed Sango her energy through her mouth--giving Sango the Kiss of Life.
Miroku watched in awe as the glowing golden energy was being transferred to his beloved Sango in a kiss. If it hadn't been a life or death situation the houshi was sure he would have made a comment, a snide remark, and probably would have been drooling, but as it was he used all his will-power to stay composed. He would continue to do so--for Sango. Anything for his Sango.
Soon Sango's eyes fluttered open and she seemed confused to find hot lips pressed up against hers. She was even more surprised when she realized just whose lips they were. Her eyes widened as Kagome noticed that her friend was awake. Kagome smiled against Sango's lips and deepened her kiss startling Sango, who surprisingly found herself giving into the kiss. At least her old friend was showing her affection once more Sango mused to herself. Miroku blinked back at the two in shock and Kagome finally, albeit reluctantly, pulled away from the Taijiya.
Sango looked up at Miroku confusedly. "She saved your life." Miroku explained with a smirk. "And what a way to have one's life saved. I'm almost praying for a near death experience if that's how you'll save me, my Sango."
SLAP.
"Will you ever learn, you lecherous houshi?" Sango said harshly but she was smiling.
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "I take it things are back to normal. Or at least as normal as things can be in this Wonderland."
Sango and Miroku just smiled. Sango then furrowed her brow in thought. Kagome had chosen to spare her life even after her betrayal to the Sisterhood AND her Miroku was still alive. Did that mean that their Kagome had come back to them? with us." Sango pleaded to her one time best friend, and sister.
Kagome shook her head, "Sorry Alice, but I think I'm going to stay here and see just how deep the rabbit hole goes. As if things couldn't get any weirder...first Sesshomaru shows up out of the blue and now you two. Damn, sometimes I think I should have taken the blue pill! I can't believe I'm letting a male leave this place alive! I really must be losing it. You two better get out of here before I change my mind."
"Sesshomaru?" Miroku and Sango looked at each other.
"It's a long story." Kagome said with a wave of her hand.
"I bet." Sango smiled. "We'll miss you Kagome...and thank you."
"Yea, yea," Kagome hmphed turning her back to them. "Go on get out of here."
Sango and Miroku nodded and got up to leave. With one last look they left the cave entrance through the waterfall and were once again out of Kagome's life.
As soon as Kagome sensed they were gone she sunk to her knees and tears began to stream down her face. "My friends...forgive me for what I have become."
Meanwhile in the Western Lands...
Sesshomaru's long, silvery white locks of hair blew in the harsh wind as he watched the battle that was happening on the grounds below him from his vantage point on a cliff. He tucked a stray hair behind his ear and frowned. The battle against the Northern Lands wasn't going so well. And Sesshomaru couldn't understand why.
The Northern Lands had had the audacity to defy him once before and they had nearly been obliterated. But now...they seemed to be holding their own quite well against Sesshomaru's own formidable army. Sesshomaru's keen eyes narrowed as he took in the odd appearance of the enemy forces. There was something not quite right about them. What was it lately with all the weird twists and turns his life was taking? First, he had that strange encounter with his brother's wench Kagome and now the once quiet Northern Lands had decided to renew their hostilities against him and the West.
Sesshomaru sighed. Peace never did last very long.
"Master Sesshomaru!" Came the voice of Sesshomaru's retainer, the toad youkai. Jaken's breath was short and he took a deep breath before continuing. "Master we are being pushed back by the enemy. We are losing ground and many men are being killed. We are losing my lord! Should I issue a retreat!?"
"Losing?" Sesshomaru questioned in a steely tone. "That is an impossibility. My army cannot lose to those weaklings that make up the Northern Lands' armed forces. Explain yourself toad."
"It's their army...they're invincible. No matter how many times we kill them they won't stay dead! They seemingly come back to life! I know it sounds crazy my Lord but the army your men are fighting are not...normal!"
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at this. "They won't die you say? Ridiculous. Are you saying that the army we are facing is immortal? No being has the power to cheat death. I'm tired of watching the incompetence of my army continue. I shall show them how to properly deal death." Sesshomaru then summoned his youki and created a circular energy field about himself before descending upon the battlefield.
In the heat of the battlefield Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. Up close and personal with the approaching army he was able to see them for what they truly were--twisted, grotesque, phantasmagoric monsters. The army was youkai but looked like youkai that Sesshomaru had never seen before as if they came from a warped reality. Something had happened to these youkai to make them the way there were now. Sesshomaru wondered what could possibly have the power great enough to do this.
A rider on a demented looking horse--black with red eyes that was frothing at the mouth, attacked Sesshomaru head on. Sesshomaru, wearing his ever-present cool, mask of indifference, simply raised his sword Toukijin and cut down the rider and the strange horse in one blow. Sesshomaru didn't look back thinking the job was done but then was thoroughly surprised to catch movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning around just in the nick of time Sesshomaru blocked a blow from a gigantic mace that had been aimed for his back with his sword.
Sparks flew through the air from the impact of the two warrior's powerful weapons. Sesshomaru looked at the warrior before him with an almost bored expression on his face not showing his surprise that one of such small stature was able to wield such an impressively sized weapon. It just didn't fit. The creature before him was also warped and twisted in appearance. There was the blow that Sesshomaru had delivered him cutting down from his shoulder and to the creature's hip. Sesshomaru hadn't missed. The gash was wide open, bleeding blood and oozing gore, the wound was a fatal one, and yet the creature was still moving.
It was an impossibility indeed and yet the youkai was still coming at him. Now Sesshomaru knew what Jaken had meant. But even if these creatures were seemingly invincible that didn't necessarily mean they couldn't be destroyed. Sesshomaru got into a fighting stance and the demented youkai charged. Sesshomaru easily disarmed the monster and brought his sword in a fast horizontal slash aiming for its head. Sesshomaru was met with no resistance and the creature's head fell off its wounded body and landed on the ground. Sesshomaru stared at the creature's two separated halves as if expecting for it to move and was pleased that it did not. So, at least beheading was one way to defeat these monstrosities.
"Men! Hold your positions! These creatures can be defeated! They are not invincible nor are they immortal! Behead them! They shall remain fallen!" Sesshomaru commanded and attacked several approaching demented youkai as they rushed at him. Using the same technique Sesshomaru turned and slashed beheading two demented youkai in one stroke of his sword. He then changed tactics and summoning a large energy ball of youki let it lose at one of the creatures and was pleased to see that it was obliterated. Invincible army indeed. "If you cannot behead your enemy obliterate them into nothingness using your youki!" Sesshomaru bellowed as his voice carried across the battlefield.
His men listened and soon the strange army was being pushed back albeit slowly. Sesshomaru's men were skilled and fierce warriors and now that they knew how to face their odd enemy wasted no time in making up for lost time. The Northern Lands forces were finally beginning to fall and stay that way. Sesshomaru's men were also heartened that their Lord had come to their aid and were instilled with renewed vigor to fight. This was just as Sesshomaru had suspected would be the case. He commanded his men's loyalty to a T and his mere presence alone was enough to re-motivate his army.
He would not allow his army to be defeated. His pride would not allow it. He would come out of this battle victorious even if it cost him his life. He would not lose to this warped army that was making a mockery of true battle. This was a farce; true battle was not to be fought against such unnatural foes. There was no honor in this kind of fighting, no true skill involved, no real challenge, it was a cruel joke. Sesshomaru remembered one dark hanyou who loved such trickery and wondered...
Sesshomaru noted that the forces of the Northern Lands were bearing two standards that day. One--their usual symbol of a snake with its tail in its mouth, and the other standard a bearing the image of a horned skull with demonic wings and fangs. It was this second standard that slightly worried Sesshomaru. Who was this new enemy that dared openly defy his claim on the Western Lands? Who had the Northern youkai united with to ensure their victory on this now all out war? Who thought they could cheat death? Who indeed.
Sesshomaru clenched his fists in anger. Whoever was responsible for this would die a slow, painful death at his hands.
'I wonder what that strange little Miko is up to right now...perhaps I shall pay her a visit to see what has become of my brother's sword. It could come in handy against an undead army such as this.'
To be continued...
AN: Those of you who would like an email update for when I post a new chapter simply submit your email in a review!
A big thanks goes out to those who have reviewed this story so far! Thanks!!!! Those reviews have motivated me to kick this story up a notch or two in quality and complexity. Tell me what you think! I'm trying to write a Kagome/Sesshomaru fic that's a bit different from all the other ones out there that are beginning to become repetitive no matter how well done they are. You can expect a LOT of Kag/Sess romance in this fic. It'll get really mushy in a few chapters lol! And there will be more Kag/Sess interaction in the next chapter. That's a promise! Comments, Suggestions, and Questions, are welcome!