centerPart 22 Breaking the spell/center
"Who are you and why are you here," a voice said behind her.
Atria just stood there.. She didn't resist when he drug her down to the village. He threw her in a hut. Atria turned and saw a monk standing there. She didn't bother to pick herself up. She just lay there like a thrown doll.
"What are you," the monk asked
"Worthless," She said
The monk dropped his staff. He just stood there surprised. She just lay there. Her senses were dulled so she didn't have to waste energy ignoring them. She fell asleep there.
She was shaken awake. She opened her eyes and saw the monk in front of her. He was worried, although she couldn't figure out why.
"You sleep like your dead," he said
Atria just stared at him. He released her.
"Now will you tell me who you are," the monk asked
"Doesn't matter," Atria said
"How can you not matter. You can become fully human at will. That's powerful," He said
"Good. Then destroy me," She said
"Why would I," the monk said startled
He stopped speaking when he saw her lifeless eyes. He frowned and left. Atria figured there was nothing else to do but sleep so she did. Once again she was shaken awake. This time by Inuyasha.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean it. I'm just so used to kagome I didn't think about what I said," Inuyasha said
Atria just looked at the wall. Inuyasha sighed and sat down.
"Will you forgive me?" he asked
"For what?" She said, "For telling me the truth or for saying it so late."
"It's not the truth. Please remember before when we played together," Inuyasha said
Atria just laid there. She closed her eyes
"Please don't ignore me," Inuyasha said
Her eyes opened. She still would not look at him. Sesshomaru came in.
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself," Sesshomaru said
Atria just laid there. Inuyasha picked up on what Sesshomaru was doing.
'trying to get her angry,' he thought
"You know by acting this way you're agreeing with Naraku," Inuyasha said
"And by agreeing with Naraku you're allying yourself with him," Sesshomaru said
"Thus we need to destroy you," Inuyasha said
Hope hit Inuyasha's eyes when she sat up. Instead of doing anything useful she pulled another shard out of her wrist.
"Take this first," She said
She laid back down. Inuyasha was actually angry no.
"You know I'm not sure we share the same father. Your to weak for your father to be ours. He must've been a Hanyou, too. Not a demon," Inuyasha said
"You give up to easily for you to even be remotely related to me," Inuyasha yelled
Sesshomaru saw some life come back into her eyes. She frowned as Inuyasha continued
"And your mother was no great priestess. Probably just a lowly farmer. No affiliation to anything but dirt," Inuyasha said
Inuyasha emphasized the word dirt. then he got hit.
"Oof," Inuyasha said
It was Sesshomaru who punched him. Sesshomaru tsked at him saying he had gone to far. Inuyasha saw Atria crying. She got up and hugged him.
"Thank you," She whispered in his ear
"I did nothing," Inuyasha said
"you brought me back," She said
Sesshomaru left them to tell the others.
Baal wandered around the town. As a kitsune he kinda stuck out, but he had long since gotten over it. Shippo was on his shoulder. Shippo was telling Baal about how he wound up with Kagome.
"And then she said I could stay with her," Shippo finished
"Seems I owe Kagome a debt of gratitude," Baal said
"Yeah I guess," Shippo said
Sesshomaru walked past them and mumbled something.
"What?" Baal asked
"he said Atria's Back," Shippo said
"All that from 'Mm Mmm Mm'?" Baal asked
Shippo shrugged. Baal ruffled his hair. Then set him on the ground.
"you should go see her," Baal said
"Kay," Shippo said
Shippo ran towards the hut where Atria and Inuyasha were. Baal went to find kagome. She was sitting with Sango by a pond just on the edge of town
"Kagome," Baal called
"Hmm," She answered
"I would like to thank you for taking care of Shippo," He said
"No problem," kagome said
"If you don't mind may I join your group?" Baal asked
"Sure. Shippo would love that," Kagome said
"Thank you. Now that I've found him I wish not to let him go," Baal said as he nodded his appreciation.
Atria had asked to be alone. Inuyasha stayed close by though.
'Not sure if she could do a relapse,' He thought
He stayed outside the door. He heard her talking. At one point he peeked in and saw her talking to herself
'Hm,' Inuyasha thought
He settled back in
Atria was trying to figure out what to do. How could she fool Naraku again.
"Who is Baal? Where the heck did they find the other guy?" She asked
"Well lets see. Baal said something about finding Inuyasha. He doesn't help Naraku but he is a demon. So he might be after the jewel, But .....agh it doesn't make sense," She said
She paced back and forth. Inuyasha poked his head in.
"I'm fine," She said without looking
He went back to his post. Atria continued as her ears twitched.
"so he's not with Naraku but he's not exactly after the jewel shards. Darn it where does it fit," She growled
There was a knock on the wall by the door.
"Yes," Atria said
Shippo bound in, Hugged her and then left
"Eh?" Atria said
"Anyway, why doesn't ... wait a second. Hey Baal looks like....Oh. God I'm so stupid. Why didn't I see it before," Atria said
She stuck her head out the door.
"Shelani!" Atria yelled startling Inuyasha
She smiled at him and went back inside. Shelani came in a minute later followed by Epic. He immediately hugged her.
"Eh?" Atria said, "What are you doing?"
Epic released her
"nothing why," he asked
"Good go away," Atria said
He looked hurt, but he left. Atria looked at Shelani and picked her up.
"well I do believe you know what I need," Atria said
Shelani nodded. She jumped down and left. A second later she was back with the flute.
"Thank you," Atria said
"Now I need to figure out how I'm going do this. I have to fool him and everyone else. Hmmm... Oh I know. Shelani come here," Atria said
Atria picked up Shelani and whispered in her ear.
"Got it?" Atria asked
Shelani nodded
"Good let's go," Atria said
Inuyasha was knocked over when atria ran past him.
"Hey wait a minute," Inuyasha yelled
Atria stopped a few yards away.
"What," Atria said impatiently
"Where are you going," Inuyasha said
"I'm going to get back at Naraku," Atria said
"What??" He said
"Yeah it's a simple plane," Atria said
'but you won't like it,' she thought
"Shelani will stay with you while I go get what I need okay. I wanted you to tell everyone else, okay," Atria said, "be back."
Before Inuyasha could answer she headed off. Inuyasha grumbled something and walked back to the villager.
As she ran she ran through the plan in her head.
'Okay I need to find him and convince him to at least give me a tainted shard. Then he'll hopefully be confident enough to let me bring them to him. Then I'll....," She thought
She couldn't finish the plan because she ran into a barrier.
"ouch," She said rubbing her nose
She looked around
"What the heck," she said quietly
"Your trapped," A voice said
Atria whirled around to see Kikyo standing there.
"What did I ever do to you?" Atria asked
Kikyo didn't answer. Atria sighed and sat down
"It's Inuyasha isn't it," Atria said
The look on Kikyo's face answered Atria.
"Fine. what's gonna happen now," Atria said
"I will be rid of you," Kikyo said
Atria shrugged and continued with her plan.
'Then I'll... what will I do then? I guess just go with the flow. I should be fine with the jewel shard as long as I don't change to full demon. Which hopefully won't be soon. Since I've been to the future the whole cycle has been messed up,' she thought
She heard a noise somewhere behind her. She utterly ignored it, because of the barrier she could do nothing about it. She continued to contemplate her plan.
"Well, have you given up so easily," A voice behind her said
"no, but I have decided to join you," She said, "If you'll have me."
She faced Naraku. She forced herself to hide her disappointment. She could tell it was a puppet. From the corner of her eye Atria saw Kikyo look at her in shock. Kikyo quickly regained her composure and then left. The barrier faded then broke. Atria looked at Naraku
"So," she said
"Turn," Was his command
She obliged and felt the familiar sharp pain in the middle of her back. Then a wave of energy washed over her. She turned and knelt before him.
"your orders, mast," She said
He just examined her with a slight smile. He turned his back to her and she had to fight the urge to kill him now.
"If I may master," She said rising
When Naraku looked at her she continued.
"I know exactly where they are and they trust me so..." Atria began.
"So you can bring them hare and Betray Naraku," Kagura said behind her.
Atria stood there silently trying to contain her utter hatred. When she was sure it wouldn't show in her voice she continued.
"SO I could lead them here to be destroyed," She said ignoring Kagura
Naraku turned back to her.
"And you would destroy them?" Naraku said
"If I could gladly," She said
At Naraku's expression she continued.
"I hold no Illusions of what I'm capable of. Even with jewel shards I am not powerful enough to defeat four demons and a Hanyou. By myself anyway."
Kagura laughed behind her. Atria ignored her.
"very well. you will lure them to a cavern while Kagura rounds up a large group of demons as aides. Kagura you will fight beside her," Naraku said
At Kagura's sound of protest Atria turned to her.
"I will need help. I am not capable of defeating them all. not by myself. With your aid I am sure we can," Atria said
Kagura perked up at the thought that she was more powerful than Atria.
"Very well. I will aid you," Kagura said as she left
"Well done," Naraku said after she had left
"I learn from the best, master," Atria said
With a bow he left running towards the village and imminent doom if all was not going as planned.
Inuyasha was exasperated at the little beast that Atria had left behind.
"You should've told us her plan earlier," He yelled
Shelani's ears went back and she growled at him. Then she turned her attention to her paws.
"Don't worry Shelani. He's just worried about her. that's all," Shippo said to her quietly.
He was answered by a lick on the nose. He rubbed it as he laughed. Inuyasha faced him.
"This is no laughing matter. The last time we found her with Naraku she was barely alive!" he shouted
"I believe it ended a little differently this time," Atria said as she came out from behind a building.
Inuyasha did a thorough examination of her.
"She has a shard," kagome said
Atria didn't look surprised
"Yes and that's the reason he now trusts me," Atria said
"Your creature is being difficult," Inuyasha said
"She was supposed to be," Atria said flatly
Inuyasha just ignored her statement then started to tie into her.
"What do you think you were doing," Inuyasha said when he was done
At first Atria just stood there dazed from the massive reprimand she had just received then she waved him off.
"There is not much time. I'm to lead you to a cavern to be destroyed," She paused as she held a hand up to stop protests, " You won't, but not because you'll know about it, but because Kagura is a poor judge of character," She finished
"Huh," Miroku asked
"She is entrusted with finding enough demons to defeat you. Because I gave her an inflated sense of importantly she won't bring many thinking she's enough.
"Oh, okay," Miroku said still confused
Atria sighed. She looked at the sky as if to ask 'why?'.
"never mind just remember one thing. This shard can not be removed," she muttered something else then continued, "SO it's tainted and staying that way till I think it's safe to remove. So from this point on I am not completely trust worthy," She said
After they had all nodded their understanding she took a deep breath and forced herself to say the next part.
"If I should happen to begin my change to demon," She started catching their attention, "You will have to be very careful.
She almost lost her control on her emotions but they stayed as she continued.
"I will not know you. I will be...," She paused
"What?" kagome asked
"It would be best if you just killed me at that point," Atria said turning away.
She started to walk away then stopped and she turned.
"you all know the plan. I'm the only glitch. I've told you how to fix it if it happens. now time is up let's go," She said
Inuyasha was the last to follow. He was the last to get over the shock of what she'd said.
'Unfortunately I'd never be able to carry it out,' he thought
He'd never be able to kill her. He hoped he wasn't faced with that choice.
They reached the cavern shortly after Kagura did. As Atria expected she'd brought fewer demons then she should've. Atria saw Naraku on a ledge over looking the big flat surface of the cavern. She choose that moment to abandon the group. She jumped up and landed next to Naraku. She turned and saw surprise on their faces slowly turn to anger.
'Good acting,' She thought
She felt a twinge in her stomach. She tried to ignore it thinking it was nerves. She turned and knelt next to Naraku.
"I have delivered them," she said
"Very well. Now destroy them," He said
She nodded ad did a back flip off the ledge. Halfway down she felt another twinge. She landed and smiled at Inuyasha evilly.
'Don't give it away! Do not let him know what's happening! And dear god don't let that mean what I think it does,' She thought
She strode up to Kagura with confidence she didn't feel. Her face was calm which she wasn't. She nodded at Kagura and turned back towards Inuyasha. She smirked.
'Okay Inuyasha don't over do it,' She thought
Inuyasha had a hurt look in his eyes. His face, though, showed anger
"What's this about," Kouga said
When Atria looked at Kagura the wind sorceress started to explain.
"You see. your Friend here, has decided to be smart," At that Atria's stomach twisted again, "And join the winning side. She has lead you to your deaths," Kagura said
The look of pain in Inuyasha's eyes was a little too real and Atria found it hard to speak.
"Who are you and why are you here," a voice said behind her.
Atria just stood there.. She didn't resist when he drug her down to the village. He threw her in a hut. Atria turned and saw a monk standing there. She didn't bother to pick herself up. She just lay there like a thrown doll.
"What are you," the monk asked
"Worthless," She said
The monk dropped his staff. He just stood there surprised. She just lay there. Her senses were dulled so she didn't have to waste energy ignoring them. She fell asleep there.
She was shaken awake. She opened her eyes and saw the monk in front of her. He was worried, although she couldn't figure out why.
"You sleep like your dead," he said
Atria just stared at him. He released her.
"Now will you tell me who you are," the monk asked
"Doesn't matter," Atria said
"How can you not matter. You can become fully human at will. That's powerful," He said
"Good. Then destroy me," She said
"Why would I," the monk said startled
He stopped speaking when he saw her lifeless eyes. He frowned and left. Atria figured there was nothing else to do but sleep so she did. Once again she was shaken awake. This time by Inuyasha.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean it. I'm just so used to kagome I didn't think about what I said," Inuyasha said
Atria just looked at the wall. Inuyasha sighed and sat down.
"Will you forgive me?" he asked
"For what?" She said, "For telling me the truth or for saying it so late."
"It's not the truth. Please remember before when we played together," Inuyasha said
Atria just laid there. She closed her eyes
"Please don't ignore me," Inuyasha said
Her eyes opened. She still would not look at him. Sesshomaru came in.
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself," Sesshomaru said
Atria just laid there. Inuyasha picked up on what Sesshomaru was doing.
'trying to get her angry,' he thought
"You know by acting this way you're agreeing with Naraku," Inuyasha said
"And by agreeing with Naraku you're allying yourself with him," Sesshomaru said
"Thus we need to destroy you," Inuyasha said
Hope hit Inuyasha's eyes when she sat up. Instead of doing anything useful she pulled another shard out of her wrist.
"Take this first," She said
She laid back down. Inuyasha was actually angry no.
"You know I'm not sure we share the same father. Your to weak for your father to be ours. He must've been a Hanyou, too. Not a demon," Inuyasha said
"You give up to easily for you to even be remotely related to me," Inuyasha yelled
Sesshomaru saw some life come back into her eyes. She frowned as Inuyasha continued
"And your mother was no great priestess. Probably just a lowly farmer. No affiliation to anything but dirt," Inuyasha said
Inuyasha emphasized the word dirt. then he got hit.
"Oof," Inuyasha said
It was Sesshomaru who punched him. Sesshomaru tsked at him saying he had gone to far. Inuyasha saw Atria crying. She got up and hugged him.
"Thank you," She whispered in his ear
"I did nothing," Inuyasha said
"you brought me back," She said
Sesshomaru left them to tell the others.
Baal wandered around the town. As a kitsune he kinda stuck out, but he had long since gotten over it. Shippo was on his shoulder. Shippo was telling Baal about how he wound up with Kagome.
"And then she said I could stay with her," Shippo finished
"Seems I owe Kagome a debt of gratitude," Baal said
"Yeah I guess," Shippo said
Sesshomaru walked past them and mumbled something.
"What?" Baal asked
"he said Atria's Back," Shippo said
"All that from 'Mm Mmm Mm'?" Baal asked
Shippo shrugged. Baal ruffled his hair. Then set him on the ground.
"you should go see her," Baal said
"Kay," Shippo said
Shippo ran towards the hut where Atria and Inuyasha were. Baal went to find kagome. She was sitting with Sango by a pond just on the edge of town
"Kagome," Baal called
"Hmm," She answered
"I would like to thank you for taking care of Shippo," He said
"No problem," kagome said
"If you don't mind may I join your group?" Baal asked
"Sure. Shippo would love that," Kagome said
"Thank you. Now that I've found him I wish not to let him go," Baal said as he nodded his appreciation.
Atria had asked to be alone. Inuyasha stayed close by though.
'Not sure if she could do a relapse,' He thought
He stayed outside the door. He heard her talking. At one point he peeked in and saw her talking to herself
'Hm,' Inuyasha thought
He settled back in
Atria was trying to figure out what to do. How could she fool Naraku again.
"Who is Baal? Where the heck did they find the other guy?" She asked
"Well lets see. Baal said something about finding Inuyasha. He doesn't help Naraku but he is a demon. So he might be after the jewel, But .....agh it doesn't make sense," She said
She paced back and forth. Inuyasha poked his head in.
"I'm fine," She said without looking
He went back to his post. Atria continued as her ears twitched.
"so he's not with Naraku but he's not exactly after the jewel shards. Darn it where does it fit," She growled
There was a knock on the wall by the door.
"Yes," Atria said
Shippo bound in, Hugged her and then left
"Eh?" Atria said
"Anyway, why doesn't ... wait a second. Hey Baal looks like....Oh. God I'm so stupid. Why didn't I see it before," Atria said
She stuck her head out the door.
"Shelani!" Atria yelled startling Inuyasha
She smiled at him and went back inside. Shelani came in a minute later followed by Epic. He immediately hugged her.
"Eh?" Atria said, "What are you doing?"
Epic released her
"nothing why," he asked
"Good go away," Atria said
He looked hurt, but he left. Atria looked at Shelani and picked her up.
"well I do believe you know what I need," Atria said
Shelani nodded. She jumped down and left. A second later she was back with the flute.
"Thank you," Atria said
"Now I need to figure out how I'm going do this. I have to fool him and everyone else. Hmmm... Oh I know. Shelani come here," Atria said
Atria picked up Shelani and whispered in her ear.
"Got it?" Atria asked
Shelani nodded
"Good let's go," Atria said
Inuyasha was knocked over when atria ran past him.
"Hey wait a minute," Inuyasha yelled
Atria stopped a few yards away.
"What," Atria said impatiently
"Where are you going," Inuyasha said
"I'm going to get back at Naraku," Atria said
"What??" He said
"Yeah it's a simple plane," Atria said
'but you won't like it,' she thought
"Shelani will stay with you while I go get what I need okay. I wanted you to tell everyone else, okay," Atria said, "be back."
Before Inuyasha could answer she headed off. Inuyasha grumbled something and walked back to the villager.
As she ran she ran through the plan in her head.
'Okay I need to find him and convince him to at least give me a tainted shard. Then he'll hopefully be confident enough to let me bring them to him. Then I'll....," She thought
She couldn't finish the plan because she ran into a barrier.
"ouch," She said rubbing her nose
She looked around
"What the heck," she said quietly
"Your trapped," A voice said
Atria whirled around to see Kikyo standing there.
"What did I ever do to you?" Atria asked
Kikyo didn't answer. Atria sighed and sat down
"It's Inuyasha isn't it," Atria said
The look on Kikyo's face answered Atria.
"Fine. what's gonna happen now," Atria said
"I will be rid of you," Kikyo said
Atria shrugged and continued with her plan.
'Then I'll... what will I do then? I guess just go with the flow. I should be fine with the jewel shard as long as I don't change to full demon. Which hopefully won't be soon. Since I've been to the future the whole cycle has been messed up,' she thought
She heard a noise somewhere behind her. She utterly ignored it, because of the barrier she could do nothing about it. She continued to contemplate her plan.
"Well, have you given up so easily," A voice behind her said
"no, but I have decided to join you," She said, "If you'll have me."
She faced Naraku. She forced herself to hide her disappointment. She could tell it was a puppet. From the corner of her eye Atria saw Kikyo look at her in shock. Kikyo quickly regained her composure and then left. The barrier faded then broke. Atria looked at Naraku
"So," she said
"Turn," Was his command
She obliged and felt the familiar sharp pain in the middle of her back. Then a wave of energy washed over her. She turned and knelt before him.
"your orders, mast," She said
He just examined her with a slight smile. He turned his back to her and she had to fight the urge to kill him now.
"If I may master," She said rising
When Naraku looked at her she continued.
"I know exactly where they are and they trust me so..." Atria began.
"So you can bring them hare and Betray Naraku," Kagura said behind her.
Atria stood there silently trying to contain her utter hatred. When she was sure it wouldn't show in her voice she continued.
"SO I could lead them here to be destroyed," She said ignoring Kagura
Naraku turned back to her.
"And you would destroy them?" Naraku said
"If I could gladly," She said
At Naraku's expression she continued.
"I hold no Illusions of what I'm capable of. Even with jewel shards I am not powerful enough to defeat four demons and a Hanyou. By myself anyway."
Kagura laughed behind her. Atria ignored her.
"very well. you will lure them to a cavern while Kagura rounds up a large group of demons as aides. Kagura you will fight beside her," Naraku said
At Kagura's sound of protest Atria turned to her.
"I will need help. I am not capable of defeating them all. not by myself. With your aid I am sure we can," Atria said
Kagura perked up at the thought that she was more powerful than Atria.
"Very well. I will aid you," Kagura said as she left
"Well done," Naraku said after she had left
"I learn from the best, master," Atria said
With a bow he left running towards the village and imminent doom if all was not going as planned.
Inuyasha was exasperated at the little beast that Atria had left behind.
"You should've told us her plan earlier," He yelled
Shelani's ears went back and she growled at him. Then she turned her attention to her paws.
"Don't worry Shelani. He's just worried about her. that's all," Shippo said to her quietly.
He was answered by a lick on the nose. He rubbed it as he laughed. Inuyasha faced him.
"This is no laughing matter. The last time we found her with Naraku she was barely alive!" he shouted
"I believe it ended a little differently this time," Atria said as she came out from behind a building.
Inuyasha did a thorough examination of her.
"She has a shard," kagome said
Atria didn't look surprised
"Yes and that's the reason he now trusts me," Atria said
"Your creature is being difficult," Inuyasha said
"She was supposed to be," Atria said flatly
Inuyasha just ignored her statement then started to tie into her.
"What do you think you were doing," Inuyasha said when he was done
At first Atria just stood there dazed from the massive reprimand she had just received then she waved him off.
"There is not much time. I'm to lead you to a cavern to be destroyed," She paused as she held a hand up to stop protests, " You won't, but not because you'll know about it, but because Kagura is a poor judge of character," She finished
"Huh," Miroku asked
"She is entrusted with finding enough demons to defeat you. Because I gave her an inflated sense of importantly she won't bring many thinking she's enough.
"Oh, okay," Miroku said still confused
Atria sighed. She looked at the sky as if to ask 'why?'.
"never mind just remember one thing. This shard can not be removed," she muttered something else then continued, "SO it's tainted and staying that way till I think it's safe to remove. So from this point on I am not completely trust worthy," She said
After they had all nodded their understanding she took a deep breath and forced herself to say the next part.
"If I should happen to begin my change to demon," She started catching their attention, "You will have to be very careful.
She almost lost her control on her emotions but they stayed as she continued.
"I will not know you. I will be...," She paused
"What?" kagome asked
"It would be best if you just killed me at that point," Atria said turning away.
She started to walk away then stopped and she turned.
"you all know the plan. I'm the only glitch. I've told you how to fix it if it happens. now time is up let's go," She said
Inuyasha was the last to follow. He was the last to get over the shock of what she'd said.
'Unfortunately I'd never be able to carry it out,' he thought
He'd never be able to kill her. He hoped he wasn't faced with that choice.
They reached the cavern shortly after Kagura did. As Atria expected she'd brought fewer demons then she should've. Atria saw Naraku on a ledge over looking the big flat surface of the cavern. She choose that moment to abandon the group. She jumped up and landed next to Naraku. She turned and saw surprise on their faces slowly turn to anger.
'Good acting,' She thought
She felt a twinge in her stomach. She tried to ignore it thinking it was nerves. She turned and knelt next to Naraku.
"I have delivered them," she said
"Very well. Now destroy them," He said
She nodded ad did a back flip off the ledge. Halfway down she felt another twinge. She landed and smiled at Inuyasha evilly.
'Don't give it away! Do not let him know what's happening! And dear god don't let that mean what I think it does,' She thought
She strode up to Kagura with confidence she didn't feel. Her face was calm which she wasn't. She nodded at Kagura and turned back towards Inuyasha. She smirked.
'Okay Inuyasha don't over do it,' She thought
Inuyasha had a hurt look in his eyes. His face, though, showed anger
"What's this about," Kouga said
When Atria looked at Kagura the wind sorceress started to explain.
"You see. your Friend here, has decided to be smart," At that Atria's stomach twisted again, "And join the winning side. She has lead you to your deaths," Kagura said
The look of pain in Inuyasha's eyes was a little too real and Atria found it hard to speak.