Disclaimer: I do not own Wolf's Rain or Inuyasha.
I had this ready to update yesterday,but the site to upload stories was disabled to make repairs to the site in general. Now then, this was going to be a great chapter with all sorts of neat things, but it got cut short. Istarted to feel guilty I hadn't updated yet and was very tired and battling the dreaded WRITERS BLOCK,soI decided to put up what I had. I will probably update tomorrow though.After this I promise the story will get better and become faster paced, PROMISE!! Also, do I need to change the rating? What do you think? I had two requests for the Tsume/Luna bit, so that has been added to the last chapter so don't forget to read that and tell me what you think! It's really short, but it's there.
Just a note to any readers who do not know a whole lot about Inuyasha, Rin was Sesshomaru's human ward. He brought her back to life with the tenseiga after she was killed by wolves and took care of her after that. She was an adorable girl who had a big grin that showed off all of her missing teeth (she's like 6 or 7) and big brown eyes.
Thank you for the reviews! Here are the responses…
Hekele Masuyo: lol! Thanks so much! Luna and Aurora? Ok, we'll see. Hmmmmm… Origionally Tsume and Aurora were supposed to end up a couple and Toboe and Luna were going to be another, but you can see how that turned out. Thank you! Happy endings are nice, so maybe I will keep Aurora as well. Thanks again!
Anima Cutie: Thanks!
Kagome 1015: Kagome had a husband in my story. I know who it was sense it is a WR story, but the question now is, what happened to him and what happens now. So basically I'm torn between Kouga (guess who he was! And disappeared from all records too, I really should figure out what happened to him) or Inuyasha. I was considering Tsume for a minute or two. Ya know, maybe Luna's too young… I'd appreciate some opinions on the matter!
Nikkler: Thanks, I've missed 2 days of school because of this flu thing. That's what I was thinking, just have everyone get out of the castle and then go their separate ways. We'll see. Thanks for liking it! I feel so loved and always know I can count on at least your review. Thanks!
i love athrun: Thanks.
XLoneWolfX: Another request for the Tsume Luna bit in. Okee Dokee. I'm sorry my OCs are confusing! It's so hard to find something to do with them! Thank you!
blueeyedblackwolf: LOL! I'm glad you liked my story! You are a hoot! I'm afraid I can't relate to the sister thing, only child, and I can't wait to hear what else you have to say about my stories! Thanks!
Jimsessouni-Kudokenshin: Thanks a lot!
Thanks for these reviews! I always look forward to them and check every day! Plus, I listen to what you have to say, so if you have questions, comments, or suggestions,please feel free to review me and tell me! Now, onto the story.
(Last time I'm putting this, you are inteligent readers, you can figure it out on your own) "speach", 'thought', telepathic communication
Chapter 9: Ice and Shadows
Two burning torches were placed like fiery sentinels on either side of the wooden door at the bottom of the stairs. A great dragon surrounded by chains and dog demons was crudely and simply carved into the door, the dancing lights of the torches making the carvings seem to move. Toboe was amazed by this little optical illusion and just stood there staring at the door with his mouth hanging open. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes at the pup and watched for the others.
'He is so much like Rin. I wonder whatever became of her? She would be dead by now of course, but, what happened to her between sending her to play with Jaken and her death? Perhaps she escaped. I- I would like to think that. I would like to think that she escaped and married some young man just as full of life as she. Perhaps, someday I will know the truth, but until then, I think I do.' That was when Sesshomaru felt something he had not felt in centuries, not since his mother had died. He reached up and brushed away the offending tears he found slipping down his face. He turned around and found Toboe was no longer watching the door, but rather, he had his large brown, soulful eyes trained on the demon lord. Toboe smiled a big toothy grin and went back to watching the door.
'Rin…'
"You know, sometimes it helps to talk about what's bothering you," Toboe hinted. Sesshomaru remained silent. "It always helps me," Toboe continued hopefully. Again, silence. "May-"
"I do not wish to share with you my problems," Sesshomaru snapped. Toboe's shoulders slumped and face fell. Then he screwed up his face in an angry pout and crossed his arms.
"I was only trying to help," he muttered, turning back to the door.
It was at this time that Kiba and the others caught up.
"Is this it?" asked Hige. Manch walked up to the door and ran his hand along it, curving his fingers around the curves and tracing his nails along the grooves. He was fascinated by the complex simplicity of it all.
"Yes, that door leads into the lower dungeons," Sesshomaru answered Hige.
"Then what are we doing standing out here? Let's go!" said Aurora impatiently as she pushed her way to the door.
"Before we go in there you should be warned. There are many things locked away in there, things my father locked in there that I am sure are still alive that would be more than willing to devour anything that happened into its cell. You have been warned, now let's go."
"Cheza, do you feel it? Can you feel the jewel?" the Noble asked Cheza.
"This one does not sense anything."
"Fine. We have been at this for over an hour and you cannot sense it. I don't know why I thought you might be useful. Simple enough though. Guards! Feed her to Nauraku…"
The wolves and Sesshomaru quickly and quietly slipped through the door into the lower dungeons. They found themselves in a long, dark corridor with doors scattered along the way. On either side of each door hung a torch, yet the further down the hall they got the darker the torches seemed to be, until the hall was consumed by the darkness.
"Please tell me the cell we're looking for isn't down there," Hige whined, not liking the pitch black at all. Sesshomaru didn't say a word, just kept walking. Mizu and Manch looked at each other then started to hum the funeral march. Aurora walked up between them and elbowed them both and kept walking. Kiba took down a torch from next to the first door, realizing that even with eyes like theirs, the wolves were going to have difficulty seeing up ahead. Whatever was in the first cell obviously disliked the removal of its torch. The door began to rattle and shake, grunts, roars and growls could be heard emitting from the cell. Kiba stared at the door, uncertain as to what to do. Toboe pressed himself into the opposite wall and stared in sheer terror at the door. He just noticed the wood on the door beginning to splinter when there was a white blur and Sesshomaru stood in front of the door. He raised his hand inches away from the door, never even flinching when the creature inside hit the door particularly hard. A blue marbled glow emanated from Sesshomaru's fingers and covered the door.
"What's in there?" Hige asked.
"I do not know," said Sesshomaru.
"What do you mean you don't know?!" he exclaimed.
"My father locked it in there."
"Um, how long ago was that?" asked Manch. Sesshomaru was silent a moment with a blank look on his face.
"About 700 years ago." All jaws hit the ground.
"Come on, lets get moving," said Kiba.
The pack slowly walked down the hall towards the darkness. The air itself seemed to become oppressive, blistering hot in one place and feezing cold the next.
"Is it me, or is that torch getting dimmer?" Blue asked. Everyone turned to the torch. The flame was indeed smaller and somewhat dimmer.
"Is it going to go out?" Tobeo asked meekly, eyes the size of dinner plates.
"I bet it is," said Aurora. Mizu sneaked up behind the poor, frightened pup and grabbed his sides, making him jump and yelp. Mizu laughed until he felt the death-glares being sent his way. He gulped and slunk away to the edge of the group.
"Wolves can see in the dark," Kiba reminded Toboe.
"Yeah, but that dark?" Toboe asked. No one answered, successfully answering his question and causing the poor pup to whimper. They all looked down the hallway.
"Come on," said Kiba again, getting tired of the constant stopping and starting.
"What could survive in this darkness?" asked Aurora.
"Monsters."
"Tsume, is that you?"
"Is what me?"
"Is that you breathing down my neck?"
"Breathing down your neck? No, I don't think so."
"Then, what is?" Tsume tightened his grip on Luna and braced himself for her to be ripped from his grasp. Whatever it was though did not go for Luna however, but Tsume. A cold, slimey tentacle wrapped itself around his neck and what felt like knives were driven into his back. Tsume could feel the strength being drained from his body. His stomach started to churn as though he was dizzy and his head throbbed. Luna grabbed the tentacles around Tsume's neck and sang her song. Before Tsume slipped into a state of unconsciousness, he thought he could see the faintest glow coming from where Luna's hand were and smell the slightest hint of Lunar flowers. Then Tsume's eyes slid closed and he succumbed to sleep.
The torch's light had been reduced to a candle's glow as the wolves stood behind Sesshomaru in front of a forbidding door at the end of the hall. This end of the hall was pitch black, save for the torch, and a crippling chill filled the air.
"Be careful. Behind this door lies Naraku's spirit. He will devour every soul he can get to until he is strong enough to conquer the world. If Luna and your friends were truly sent here, I doubt they are still alive. Do not get too excited. Now, stand back while I unseal the door," Sesshomaru warned. He then extended a single claw, dripping with poison, and ran it over the cracks of the door. The door slowly eased open and an even deeper darkness awaited them. The air warmed up slightly.
"This feeling of dread, is that Naraku?" asked Toboe, staring into the darkness.
"Yes. Come on, stay close," said Sesshomaru, stepping into the room.
"Hello? Is someone there?" asked a small voice in the darkness.
"Luna?!" Aurora asked the darkness.
"Aurora! Please, you must help him, I don't know what exactly happened and I can't see so I don't know what to do!" Luna implored of her big sister, desperate to help Tsume.
"Allow me," said Sesshomaru, stepping forward. For a moment nothing happened. Suddenly there was a burst of light emanating from the demon and flowed through the cell, illuminating the cell. The ceiling remained dark and forbidding, but what scared everyone was the sight in the middle of the room. There was Tsume with his head in Luna's lap and blood pooling around him.
I hope someone liked thischapter besides me.I know, it's very cheezy and it needs a lot of work. Instead of promising the next one will be better however, I will just promise to give you my best and may it be good. OK, now I need you to tell me some things. First, what do you think, second do you think I need to change the rating, what you think of the paragraph in chapter 8, and read my response to Kagome 1015's comment on Kagome's having a love interest and tell me what you think! I need some help in that department. And of course, as always I want any other questions, comments or suggestions you may have for me. Thank you so much, now please take the time to review, it will make me very happy. THANKS! Love you all!
-A naughty mouse