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Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha
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Strange Interlude
Chapter 14
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Nestled between the high craggy outface of a mountain and a dark dense forest surrounding it was a large Japanese-style mansion. The great house, because it lay across many acres, had a vast expanse of layered tiled roof , which gave the one-story building the illusion that it was much taller. A short distance from the mysterious mansion was a village that was dwarfed in comparison to the mighty castle. The villagers knew of the existence of the large mansion, but never felt any ill will toward it. It was the home of their wise and benevolent elder lord and the lord's handsome and promising son.
Just a few days ago the lord's adviser announced to the village people that the lord's young son had grown deathly ill. The village people worried for the health of their next king and flocked by the dozens to local shrines to pray for his safe recovery. It was also announced that very same day that the elder lord had adopted a small wandering orphan from the town out of pity and kindness as a gift to his son. His thinking was that a new sister might cheer his son's dreary spirits. The villagers had never known of the poor orphan girl the announcer claimed had lived in the streets of the village, but this did not matter to them; they trusted their king.
But unbeknownst to them was that a horrible demon had taken the place of their promising young lord and was furtively controlling the entire castle staff, including the king. He was a malevolent demon born from a human corpse and the small orphan child was a bewitched maiden from another place and era. In the grand opera that the demon had created in his castle, he played the all-important role of Great King and the little girl, with whom the future of the world lay, was his princess.
The past few days had been peaceful enough. The civility spell had worked well, and as far a s anyone could tell, she looked and acted like any five-year-old would. Jennifer had been completely transformed—her body as well as her mind were that of a five-year-old. She was completely obedient and followed Naraku around as if he were her parent.
The day after Jennifer's capture, when the guards went to check on 'Prince Kagawaki's' illness, she was sitting by the disguised demon's side, comforting him, her ailing master. When they left, Jennifer asked of Naraku, "Uncle, you aren't really sick, are you?"
Naraku smiled and gave a chuckle. How easily she, too, could not see through his guise.
"Sadly, it is true. I am very weak now, but I will get better. Do not worry your little head."
He then stood from his bed and without even a limp or heavy breath he strode through the halls to the interior of his castle. Jennifer, confused, immediately jumped up and trailed after him.
"Naraku! Aren't you sick?"
"Suddenly child," he said with a smirk looking down at her, "I'm feeling much better." He placed a hand onto her curly head. Flashing a big, dimple-less smile, she voiced her relief and continued to follow him about the castle on his daily routines.
***
It remained as thus for several days and the fifth day was no different. The bubbly, attention-seeking kindergarten-aged girl adored her guardian, and had completely forgotten about her home in America, her trip to Japan, including her leap into the Feudal Era, and her stay with Sesshomaru.
That evening, on the fifth day, was to be Prince Kagawaki's first appearance in front of village since his 'horrible illness', and Jennifer was to come along. For so special an occasion, the proper attire was necessary. After Kagawaki's vassals dressed a weak-acting Naraku, they moved to dress the girl. But Naraku stopped them. He demanded that he had enough strength to dress his own sister. And they left him.
Naraku, quickly quitting his front once the guards had left, stood up and escorted the girl to the inner workings of his lair. Walking into her recently assigned bedroom, Jennifer bounced lightly onto her bed, while Naraku headed to the closet.
"So, what do I have to wear to the party, Uncle?" she asked running to the window, her freckles becoming more prominent now that she was in the sun. It was a beautiful day, and Jennifer had never been outside before, so this meeting with the villagers was a special one.
"We will dress you in the best robes of the kingdom!" he responded, a smile on his face. "Now, come on over here, so we can get you dressed."
"Yay!" she exclaimed.
She bounded away from the window and jumped onto the kneeling mat near the bureau.
Naraku was currently searching the small, shelved closet for what he dubbed, the 'perfect outfit'. Looking through the piles of dresses, robes, and then some, he came across the dirty, tattered pair of clothing the girl had been wearing the day she was kidnapped. By the smell that still lingered in the threads of the fabric, she could tell that the pair belonged to Sesshomaru. Naraku's eyes narrowed. Even after the spell had set, and her memory was wiped clean, she screamed and cried when he had tried to dispose of this last evidence of her former life. He scowled at the ripped and bloody robes, and threw them violently back into the standing wardrobe.
Naraku continued to rummage for a pair of suitable clothing for the ceremony. He finally pulled out a folded pair of clothes and turned to kneel in front of her. After having done so, he laid the clothes next to him, on his right. Jennifer raised her arms above her head, so Naraku could reach behind her and untie the sash from her clothes.
As the demon smiled and reached around the human girl, he started to loosen the tie that held her shirt in place. But then Jennifer's normally carefree demeanor suddenly changed. It was as if something in her mind finally gave way. Her eyes changed from excitement to extreme terror and confusion. Suddenly the view of Naraku, the evil molester, reaching his tentacles around her waist did not sit well with her. And as if she had become a whole different person, she suddenly despised him, and slapping him across the face, she ran screaming from the room.
She ran down the long, echoing hallway, screaming profanities the whole way. As she turned corners she ran into side tables, knocking them over or accidentally breaking something.
Naraku burst through the beaded doorway into the hall. His eyes were bright and aflame, and his thick smoky hair was flowing behind him like a tangle of sinister web. The spider's prey had escaped his web, and he was livid; it was time to recapture her. He charged through the hallways, determined to find the girl.
{That human! How dare she! If she wasn't so necessary to my plans, I wouldn't even be wasting my time on her. How is it that even under the obedience spell she has free will. She is still repelling my sorcery. Something must be done about her if my plan is to succeed.}
But he soon lowered his temper. She was but a little human girl. He would just have to use stronger magic on her. Even if it meant his body would wear out faster, the pain and annoyance of absorbing more demons dwarfed in comparison to the benefits his Ultima Weapon could bring him.
He strolled down the hall in the direction he assumed Jennifer had run. The prophecy must be fulfilled.
+++Jennifer's POV+++
And I ran. This was all too much.
{I'm so scared. I wish I my mommy were here.}
No! Stop! My own thoughts were betraying me. What was happening to me? I kept acting like a little girl. I had no idea what was going on or where I was. The past few days were like a dream to me. I thought I had only dreamed of a visit to "Uncle" Naraku's house. Warily aware, I watched myself communicate and interact with Naraku as if he actually were an uncle. Only when I felt myself "wake" from the dream, did I realize I wasn't dreaming. The kidnapping was real. This little girl's body was real. I knew within my heart of hearts that Naraku had done this to me, but exactly how and why he did it was still a mystery to me. My memory was blurry, and I couldn't remember exactly what had happened between the bird's huge cracked talons and the grinning face of the black-haired demon reaching around my body.
So now I was running. Running to where, I suppose? I had no idea. This maze of a place probably led nowhere. I was running in circles with no place to go. I ran blindly, constantly bumping into corners, crying the entire way.
My tiny body was soon at a strain, and could run no more. I saw an open door, and ran inside the empty room. Sliding the door shut behind me, I ran into the farthest corner and curled up, chin to knees, weeping. What was this nightmare?
There was a full-length mirror in the room. I stared at the piece of glass held by the intricate iron frame as if it too was evil. After a few seconds of silent staring, I rubbed my eyes and crept over to the thing. I stood in front of the mirror of gilded edges and gazed into its polished, unblemished surface. In the mirror stood a small girl, probably no less than four. Her soft dark hair hung in ringlets and that clung to her temples with sweat. Her deep brown eyes were swollen with tears and glistened in the light of the room. The girl's freckled cheeks were both pale and reddened at the same time. The fright of her situation and the exhaustion of her recent run through the Labyrinth caused this anomaly of expression.
Who was this girl, standing in the mirror so sad and alone?
I watched a silent tear roll down the girl's rounded cheeks, and I raised my hand to touch the mirror's surface to try to wipe the girl's tear away. The girl in the mirror did likewise and our hands met at the mirror's surface.
What was really going on? Why was I now in the body of a little girl? Not just any little girl. It was me. I had been returned to the body of my younger self. But why? And if this was my body, if it was me, then why couldn't I control it? The actions my body took over the last few days were not my own. It wasn't me who had comforted and cuddled next to the dying Naraku that first day. It wasn't me who followed him around like a duckling every winking moment. And it couldn't have been me who was on the hard wood floor crying my eyes out.
It was someone else—some other consciousness within my mind. And the mind slips I was experiencing were proof of it. Was my giddy and sad five- year-old self brought back along with this body? Poor soul... What other tortures must she endure?
I say this because my life at age five was not a pleasant one. It was the year my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and was falling sick. That was also the year I had the lead in the kindergarten play, and none of my family came to watch. And that was the year my parents got a divorce, and my father moved away.
Maybe that was why I couldn't stop crying. The resurgence of my adult consciousness also brought back the painful memories of my childhood up to that point, and now she...er...I was crying.
The door to the room suddenly slid open, interrupting our tears. There the beast stood. The heartless creature that transformed me into the figure of my former self and had subjected my younger consciousness to such pain stood in the doorway and had fake grin plastered across his face. In the demon's right hand was the pair of clothes he was going to put on me before I ran away. His face held the demeanor of a loving yet irritated parent.
He tried to coax me with the gentle words a parent might use, "Why, whatever is the matter, dear sweet child? You scared Uncle by running off so suddenly."
I forced myself to the front of my childish mind and spoke, "Naraku! You vile monster! What have you done to me?!"
Naraku, not at all taken aback by my accusation and question, instead smiled even wider and continued his pathetic charade.
"Whatever do you mean, small one?"
"Me! This body!" I shouted in a surge of emotion, "Just what do you have planned, you perverse pedophile?"
"Poor Xiao3 gu1er2, you must be feeling feverish. Hao3 yi2han4. You do not know yourself."
This was crazy! What was he going on about?
"What is my true self?" I asked, hoping to pry some answer from the lying creep.
And once I did, his eyes locked with mine. His gaze became serious and malicious, and I felt a force of power like the wind flow from him, hitting and paralyzing me. Fear overtook my being as my entire body froze in front of him; I couldn't even breathe. His expression was unchanging as he stared deep into my eyes. I could tell he feel my fear for he lips upturned to that of a wry smile. But he continued to stare as if he was still searching for something within them.
A few seconds later, Naraku quit his gaze in a pale sweat, and in a pant answered, "...As you are now."
And with that I felt my body become limp and I fell to the ground unconscious.
***
+++Naraku+++
Walking down the dim hallways, I could hear the muffled tears of the human named Jennifer. She was nearby; I could feel her spirit through the walls.
The hypnotism I put on her wore off quicker than I thought it would. She hadn't aged enough to create the desired effect, so now I would have to use something else. Perhaps I was too weak at the time to properly set both the age-reversal and amnesia spell at the same time. Overestimating my magical capabilities? Not likely. I know I am capable of so much more...but just not right now.
Because her amnesia wore off so quickly, did that mean the reverse- aging spell would too? So she will re-age much quicker. Hmm...that actually might be more beneficial to me than before.
I grinned at the thought of my plan, the prophecy, being fulfilled. What sweet victory. I arrived at the door from where the tiny whimpers and sniffles were coming from. I pressed my ear to the door to make sure the room was the right one. Silly though it seemed, it was wise of me to take every precaution. I did not want to be embarrassed or ambushed. Even I didn't know what she was capable of.
Only when I was certain that was really her in the room and not some hologram, I slid open the door.
Ah, it was then that my eyes beheld the red-eyed, snot-nosed baby that somehow held the key of the world. The girl, startled at my appearance, looked up at me, her watery brown eyes clouded with emotion. Light from the candle in the room reflected off of her flushed, tear-stained cheeks. A dribble of snot threatened to fall from her nose. She looked so utterly sad and pathetic.
In a feigned caring tone I asked her what was the matter. I half expected her eyes to tear up and for her to gasp with a frightful response, but surprisingly her eyes and voice held no fear—only anger.
"Naraku! You vile monster! What have you done to me?!"
Ah, so the woman truly has been revived within the girl. This will require a lot more work to subdue her consciousness again.
"Whatever do you mean, small one?"
"Me! This body! Just what do you have planned, you perverse pedophile?"
Hearing such harsh language from so young a mouth made me want to laugh, but however much I wanted to come out with a large evil laugh, I restrained myself and maintained my façade of the oblivious, loving parent.
"Poor Xiao3 gu1er2, you must be feeling feverish. Hao3 yi2han4. You do not know yourself."
The other ironic thing was that I didn't give a damn about her state of being. She was only important so long as she was useful. As long as the prophecy was fulfilled with me on the receiving end, then the girl could live. But should the plan fail, then she cannot be left alive. If I could not have her, then no one could.
Then she asked, "What is my true self?"
That certainly was the question of the hour. My attempts at making her a soulless automaton had failed miserably. Not only did her soul endure, it was fighting back. Her true self, as she so aptly phrased it, was that remarkable soul—so full of fire and emotion. But this soul was not meant to be. This creature's body was for the sole purpose of—
But...she is so...Hmmp! Was I actually feeling regret for what I was about to do? Impossible!
Without another thought, I became affirmed in my decision and set the spell in motion. Temporarily stunning the girl from movement, I sent myself into her mind to find the Switch of Souls.
Not a physical switch, mind you, but there is a small area of the brain that serves as a link between the personality of the human soul and the bodily functions. Severing this bridge between the two dimensions of mind will make her the developmental shell of a human I want her to be.
This was my goal, so it was my search. Delving deep into her mind I felt rising fear and insecurities. Though I had no ability to read the girl's mind, as I searched for that all too important link of consciousness, I found a recent sadness with showed me the true depth of her soul.
I had never known so many emotions could exist in one body. No only was there a wide spectrum of cunning and malicious natures, not unlike my own, but there were also a plethora of shades of sadness, joy, love, and embarrassment.
This find only deterred me a moment as I soon found the Tie of Minds. All the information of her past, her present, her thoughts, her very soul was flowing through this inter-dimensional passage. Cutting, even blocking the flow would cut off the soul from the body forever, and she would be but a moldable teachable puppet—perfect for the use I have in mind for her.
At the brink of success, I felt myself hesitate. Something within the swirls of emotion and spirit was preventing me from "pulling the plug". How could the mind of a single human be so strong? No matter, she was but a spirit, soon now to be disconnected.
So long, my fiery dove.
*SNAP*
*static*
~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*() _+~!@#$%^&*()_+
A/N: Ah, finally finished. Two weeks ago I gave myself the goal of finishing and posting this chapter, but OBVIOUSLY that didn't happen.
A quick note: A note on the Chinese toward the end of the chapter. Yes, that was not English, and I'm sure you don't know what it means. Not unless you were Clear Shadow, or some other cool person like that! (! But when Naraku calls Jennifer a "Xiao3 gu1er2", he is calling her a "little orphan" because that is how she was known to Prince Kagawaki's guards and the village. The next snippet of Chinese is in the same sentence: "Hao3 yi2han4. You do not know yourself." This is simply a popular Chinese phrase that means: "What a pity." If you haven't heard a true Chinese person say that, then chances are they aren't Chinese/been to China. Don't quote me on that...it's just that when I was in China, I heard that A LOT. I put these little Chinese plugs in the chapter because I don't know Japanese. I do not claim to know Japanese. Ok so maybe Jennifer in the story does, but that's because it's necessary...But I do know Chinese...or a lot of it anyway, and a lot of fanfiction writers use Japanese terms like 'kimono' or grammar stuff like 'hentai no baka' and the like without really knowing what it means or if it's in the correct usage. I don't mean to say that every fanfiction author who uses Japanese words to complement their stories are using them incorrectly, but I know I have, and my sister DOES know Japanese and she HATES it when people use Japanese without really knowing it. Okay, so stuff like youkai or hanyou, that stuff deals with the characters—in my book it's fine. But she's hammered me plenty of times about "trying to learn Japanese through fanfiction" and how bad it all is, so she's spread this passion onto me. So instead of fake-ly using Japanese like my sister hates, I might use some Chinese now and again, (if it serves the story) because I'm learning the language and no little to nothing about Japanese. Hope you weren't scared when you saw this HUGE 'blip' of an Author's Note...I know it's frighteningly long...but I thought I better tell you guys about it, before people start freaking out and putting the Chinese query in the reviews...Not that I don't mind...ANYWAY!
Well, I don't want to violate the "no-chatting" rule ff.net has placed too much do we'll move on to the Q & A segment of this chapter's Author's Note.
Dork In Training: No, Jennifer did not turn into Rin. I didn't even think of that, but Naraku just put Age-Reversal Spell on her. Why in the HFIL would he do that, you ask? ALL will be explained in the next chapter. Trust me.
Gaeamaker13/c'est moi: WHOA!! That's a hella lot of reviews. Don't you think you went a little too far? But hey...I did get over 100 reviews...even if it was from only 3 people. ((good job, Haley! *wink, wink*))
FranceGamble: I don't know how far the fic will get by mid-May. I'll try to get the next chapter out (the mega-explanation chapter) and maybe I can send you the basic plotline of the rest of the story. Yes, no... maybe? Would you like that?
Okay, enough of that. I'm violating the rule, just don't report me and we'll all be good. (I know some of you do it too! *Points a blaming finger at DIT* You too, Vegetachanlover! All of YOU! I know your secrets!
MUHWAHWAHWAHWA!
Just Kidding folks! Please send a review!
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Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha
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Strange Interlude
Chapter 14
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Nestled between the high craggy outface of a mountain and a dark dense forest surrounding it was a large Japanese-style mansion. The great house, because it lay across many acres, had a vast expanse of layered tiled roof , which gave the one-story building the illusion that it was much taller. A short distance from the mysterious mansion was a village that was dwarfed in comparison to the mighty castle. The villagers knew of the existence of the large mansion, but never felt any ill will toward it. It was the home of their wise and benevolent elder lord and the lord's handsome and promising son.
Just a few days ago the lord's adviser announced to the village people that the lord's young son had grown deathly ill. The village people worried for the health of their next king and flocked by the dozens to local shrines to pray for his safe recovery. It was also announced that very same day that the elder lord had adopted a small wandering orphan from the town out of pity and kindness as a gift to his son. His thinking was that a new sister might cheer his son's dreary spirits. The villagers had never known of the poor orphan girl the announcer claimed had lived in the streets of the village, but this did not matter to them; they trusted their king.
But unbeknownst to them was that a horrible demon had taken the place of their promising young lord and was furtively controlling the entire castle staff, including the king. He was a malevolent demon born from a human corpse and the small orphan child was a bewitched maiden from another place and era. In the grand opera that the demon had created in his castle, he played the all-important role of Great King and the little girl, with whom the future of the world lay, was his princess.
The past few days had been peaceful enough. The civility spell had worked well, and as far a s anyone could tell, she looked and acted like any five-year-old would. Jennifer had been completely transformed—her body as well as her mind were that of a five-year-old. She was completely obedient and followed Naraku around as if he were her parent.
The day after Jennifer's capture, when the guards went to check on 'Prince Kagawaki's' illness, she was sitting by the disguised demon's side, comforting him, her ailing master. When they left, Jennifer asked of Naraku, "Uncle, you aren't really sick, are you?"
Naraku smiled and gave a chuckle. How easily she, too, could not see through his guise.
"Sadly, it is true. I am very weak now, but I will get better. Do not worry your little head."
He then stood from his bed and without even a limp or heavy breath he strode through the halls to the interior of his castle. Jennifer, confused, immediately jumped up and trailed after him.
"Naraku! Aren't you sick?"
"Suddenly child," he said with a smirk looking down at her, "I'm feeling much better." He placed a hand onto her curly head. Flashing a big, dimple-less smile, she voiced her relief and continued to follow him about the castle on his daily routines.
***
It remained as thus for several days and the fifth day was no different. The bubbly, attention-seeking kindergarten-aged girl adored her guardian, and had completely forgotten about her home in America, her trip to Japan, including her leap into the Feudal Era, and her stay with Sesshomaru.
That evening, on the fifth day, was to be Prince Kagawaki's first appearance in front of village since his 'horrible illness', and Jennifer was to come along. For so special an occasion, the proper attire was necessary. After Kagawaki's vassals dressed a weak-acting Naraku, they moved to dress the girl. But Naraku stopped them. He demanded that he had enough strength to dress his own sister. And they left him.
Naraku, quickly quitting his front once the guards had left, stood up and escorted the girl to the inner workings of his lair. Walking into her recently assigned bedroom, Jennifer bounced lightly onto her bed, while Naraku headed to the closet.
"So, what do I have to wear to the party, Uncle?" she asked running to the window, her freckles becoming more prominent now that she was in the sun. It was a beautiful day, and Jennifer had never been outside before, so this meeting with the villagers was a special one.
"We will dress you in the best robes of the kingdom!" he responded, a smile on his face. "Now, come on over here, so we can get you dressed."
"Yay!" she exclaimed.
She bounded away from the window and jumped onto the kneeling mat near the bureau.
Naraku was currently searching the small, shelved closet for what he dubbed, the 'perfect outfit'. Looking through the piles of dresses, robes, and then some, he came across the dirty, tattered pair of clothing the girl had been wearing the day she was kidnapped. By the smell that still lingered in the threads of the fabric, she could tell that the pair belonged to Sesshomaru. Naraku's eyes narrowed. Even after the spell had set, and her memory was wiped clean, she screamed and cried when he had tried to dispose of this last evidence of her former life. He scowled at the ripped and bloody robes, and threw them violently back into the standing wardrobe.
Naraku continued to rummage for a pair of suitable clothing for the ceremony. He finally pulled out a folded pair of clothes and turned to kneel in front of her. After having done so, he laid the clothes next to him, on his right. Jennifer raised her arms above her head, so Naraku could reach behind her and untie the sash from her clothes.
As the demon smiled and reached around the human girl, he started to loosen the tie that held her shirt in place. But then Jennifer's normally carefree demeanor suddenly changed. It was as if something in her mind finally gave way. Her eyes changed from excitement to extreme terror and confusion. Suddenly the view of Naraku, the evil molester, reaching his tentacles around her waist did not sit well with her. And as if she had become a whole different person, she suddenly despised him, and slapping him across the face, she ran screaming from the room.
She ran down the long, echoing hallway, screaming profanities the whole way. As she turned corners she ran into side tables, knocking them over or accidentally breaking something.
Naraku burst through the beaded doorway into the hall. His eyes were bright and aflame, and his thick smoky hair was flowing behind him like a tangle of sinister web. The spider's prey had escaped his web, and he was livid; it was time to recapture her. He charged through the hallways, determined to find the girl.
{That human! How dare she! If she wasn't so necessary to my plans, I wouldn't even be wasting my time on her. How is it that even under the obedience spell she has free will. She is still repelling my sorcery. Something must be done about her if my plan is to succeed.}
But he soon lowered his temper. She was but a little human girl. He would just have to use stronger magic on her. Even if it meant his body would wear out faster, the pain and annoyance of absorbing more demons dwarfed in comparison to the benefits his Ultima Weapon could bring him.
He strolled down the hall in the direction he assumed Jennifer had run. The prophecy must be fulfilled.
+++Jennifer's POV+++
And I ran. This was all too much.
{I'm so scared. I wish I my mommy were here.}
No! Stop! My own thoughts were betraying me. What was happening to me? I kept acting like a little girl. I had no idea what was going on or where I was. The past few days were like a dream to me. I thought I had only dreamed of a visit to "Uncle" Naraku's house. Warily aware, I watched myself communicate and interact with Naraku as if he actually were an uncle. Only when I felt myself "wake" from the dream, did I realize I wasn't dreaming. The kidnapping was real. This little girl's body was real. I knew within my heart of hearts that Naraku had done this to me, but exactly how and why he did it was still a mystery to me. My memory was blurry, and I couldn't remember exactly what had happened between the bird's huge cracked talons and the grinning face of the black-haired demon reaching around my body.
So now I was running. Running to where, I suppose? I had no idea. This maze of a place probably led nowhere. I was running in circles with no place to go. I ran blindly, constantly bumping into corners, crying the entire way.
My tiny body was soon at a strain, and could run no more. I saw an open door, and ran inside the empty room. Sliding the door shut behind me, I ran into the farthest corner and curled up, chin to knees, weeping. What was this nightmare?
There was a full-length mirror in the room. I stared at the piece of glass held by the intricate iron frame as if it too was evil. After a few seconds of silent staring, I rubbed my eyes and crept over to the thing. I stood in front of the mirror of gilded edges and gazed into its polished, unblemished surface. In the mirror stood a small girl, probably no less than four. Her soft dark hair hung in ringlets and that clung to her temples with sweat. Her deep brown eyes were swollen with tears and glistened in the light of the room. The girl's freckled cheeks were both pale and reddened at the same time. The fright of her situation and the exhaustion of her recent run through the Labyrinth caused this anomaly of expression.
Who was this girl, standing in the mirror so sad and alone?
I watched a silent tear roll down the girl's rounded cheeks, and I raised my hand to touch the mirror's surface to try to wipe the girl's tear away. The girl in the mirror did likewise and our hands met at the mirror's surface.
What was really going on? Why was I now in the body of a little girl? Not just any little girl. It was me. I had been returned to the body of my younger self. But why? And if this was my body, if it was me, then why couldn't I control it? The actions my body took over the last few days were not my own. It wasn't me who had comforted and cuddled next to the dying Naraku that first day. It wasn't me who followed him around like a duckling every winking moment. And it couldn't have been me who was on the hard wood floor crying my eyes out.
It was someone else—some other consciousness within my mind. And the mind slips I was experiencing were proof of it. Was my giddy and sad five- year-old self brought back along with this body? Poor soul... What other tortures must she endure?
I say this because my life at age five was not a pleasant one. It was the year my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and was falling sick. That was also the year I had the lead in the kindergarten play, and none of my family came to watch. And that was the year my parents got a divorce, and my father moved away.
Maybe that was why I couldn't stop crying. The resurgence of my adult consciousness also brought back the painful memories of my childhood up to that point, and now she...er...I was crying.
The door to the room suddenly slid open, interrupting our tears. There the beast stood. The heartless creature that transformed me into the figure of my former self and had subjected my younger consciousness to such pain stood in the doorway and had fake grin plastered across his face. In the demon's right hand was the pair of clothes he was going to put on me before I ran away. His face held the demeanor of a loving yet irritated parent.
He tried to coax me with the gentle words a parent might use, "Why, whatever is the matter, dear sweet child? You scared Uncle by running off so suddenly."
I forced myself to the front of my childish mind and spoke, "Naraku! You vile monster! What have you done to me?!"
Naraku, not at all taken aback by my accusation and question, instead smiled even wider and continued his pathetic charade.
"Whatever do you mean, small one?"
"Me! This body!" I shouted in a surge of emotion, "Just what do you have planned, you perverse pedophile?"
"Poor Xiao3 gu1er2, you must be feeling feverish. Hao3 yi2han4. You do not know yourself."
This was crazy! What was he going on about?
"What is my true self?" I asked, hoping to pry some answer from the lying creep.
And once I did, his eyes locked with mine. His gaze became serious and malicious, and I felt a force of power like the wind flow from him, hitting and paralyzing me. Fear overtook my being as my entire body froze in front of him; I couldn't even breathe. His expression was unchanging as he stared deep into my eyes. I could tell he feel my fear for he lips upturned to that of a wry smile. But he continued to stare as if he was still searching for something within them.
A few seconds later, Naraku quit his gaze in a pale sweat, and in a pant answered, "...As you are now."
And with that I felt my body become limp and I fell to the ground unconscious.
***
+++Naraku+++
Walking down the dim hallways, I could hear the muffled tears of the human named Jennifer. She was nearby; I could feel her spirit through the walls.
The hypnotism I put on her wore off quicker than I thought it would. She hadn't aged enough to create the desired effect, so now I would have to use something else. Perhaps I was too weak at the time to properly set both the age-reversal and amnesia spell at the same time. Overestimating my magical capabilities? Not likely. I know I am capable of so much more...but just not right now.
Because her amnesia wore off so quickly, did that mean the reverse- aging spell would too? So she will re-age much quicker. Hmm...that actually might be more beneficial to me than before.
I grinned at the thought of my plan, the prophecy, being fulfilled. What sweet victory. I arrived at the door from where the tiny whimpers and sniffles were coming from. I pressed my ear to the door to make sure the room was the right one. Silly though it seemed, it was wise of me to take every precaution. I did not want to be embarrassed or ambushed. Even I didn't know what she was capable of.
Only when I was certain that was really her in the room and not some hologram, I slid open the door.
Ah, it was then that my eyes beheld the red-eyed, snot-nosed baby that somehow held the key of the world. The girl, startled at my appearance, looked up at me, her watery brown eyes clouded with emotion. Light from the candle in the room reflected off of her flushed, tear-stained cheeks. A dribble of snot threatened to fall from her nose. She looked so utterly sad and pathetic.
In a feigned caring tone I asked her what was the matter. I half expected her eyes to tear up and for her to gasp with a frightful response, but surprisingly her eyes and voice held no fear—only anger.
"Naraku! You vile monster! What have you done to me?!"
Ah, so the woman truly has been revived within the girl. This will require a lot more work to subdue her consciousness again.
"Whatever do you mean, small one?"
"Me! This body! Just what do you have planned, you perverse pedophile?"
Hearing such harsh language from so young a mouth made me want to laugh, but however much I wanted to come out with a large evil laugh, I restrained myself and maintained my façade of the oblivious, loving parent.
"Poor Xiao3 gu1er2, you must be feeling feverish. Hao3 yi2han4. You do not know yourself."
The other ironic thing was that I didn't give a damn about her state of being. She was only important so long as she was useful. As long as the prophecy was fulfilled with me on the receiving end, then the girl could live. But should the plan fail, then she cannot be left alive. If I could not have her, then no one could.
Then she asked, "What is my true self?"
That certainly was the question of the hour. My attempts at making her a soulless automaton had failed miserably. Not only did her soul endure, it was fighting back. Her true self, as she so aptly phrased it, was that remarkable soul—so full of fire and emotion. But this soul was not meant to be. This creature's body was for the sole purpose of—
But...she is so...Hmmp! Was I actually feeling regret for what I was about to do? Impossible!
Without another thought, I became affirmed in my decision and set the spell in motion. Temporarily stunning the girl from movement, I sent myself into her mind to find the Switch of Souls.
Not a physical switch, mind you, but there is a small area of the brain that serves as a link between the personality of the human soul and the bodily functions. Severing this bridge between the two dimensions of mind will make her the developmental shell of a human I want her to be.
This was my goal, so it was my search. Delving deep into her mind I felt rising fear and insecurities. Though I had no ability to read the girl's mind, as I searched for that all too important link of consciousness, I found a recent sadness with showed me the true depth of her soul.
I had never known so many emotions could exist in one body. No only was there a wide spectrum of cunning and malicious natures, not unlike my own, but there were also a plethora of shades of sadness, joy, love, and embarrassment.
This find only deterred me a moment as I soon found the Tie of Minds. All the information of her past, her present, her thoughts, her very soul was flowing through this inter-dimensional passage. Cutting, even blocking the flow would cut off the soul from the body forever, and she would be but a moldable teachable puppet—perfect for the use I have in mind for her.
At the brink of success, I felt myself hesitate. Something within the swirls of emotion and spirit was preventing me from "pulling the plug". How could the mind of a single human be so strong? No matter, she was but a spirit, soon now to be disconnected.
So long, my fiery dove.
*SNAP*
*static*
~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*()_+~!@#$%^&*() _+~!@#$%^&*()_+
A/N: Ah, finally finished. Two weeks ago I gave myself the goal of finishing and posting this chapter, but OBVIOUSLY that didn't happen.
A quick note: A note on the Chinese toward the end of the chapter. Yes, that was not English, and I'm sure you don't know what it means. Not unless you were Clear Shadow, or some other cool person like that! (! But when Naraku calls Jennifer a "Xiao3 gu1er2", he is calling her a "little orphan" because that is how she was known to Prince Kagawaki's guards and the village. The next snippet of Chinese is in the same sentence: "Hao3 yi2han4. You do not know yourself." This is simply a popular Chinese phrase that means: "What a pity." If you haven't heard a true Chinese person say that, then chances are they aren't Chinese/been to China. Don't quote me on that...it's just that when I was in China, I heard that A LOT. I put these little Chinese plugs in the chapter because I don't know Japanese. I do not claim to know Japanese. Ok so maybe Jennifer in the story does, but that's because it's necessary...But I do know Chinese...or a lot of it anyway, and a lot of fanfiction writers use Japanese terms like 'kimono' or grammar stuff like 'hentai no baka' and the like without really knowing what it means or if it's in the correct usage. I don't mean to say that every fanfiction author who uses Japanese words to complement their stories are using them incorrectly, but I know I have, and my sister DOES know Japanese and she HATES it when people use Japanese without really knowing it. Okay, so stuff like youkai or hanyou, that stuff deals with the characters—in my book it's fine. But she's hammered me plenty of times about "trying to learn Japanese through fanfiction" and how bad it all is, so she's spread this passion onto me. So instead of fake-ly using Japanese like my sister hates, I might use some Chinese now and again, (if it serves the story) because I'm learning the language and no little to nothing about Japanese. Hope you weren't scared when you saw this HUGE 'blip' of an Author's Note...I know it's frighteningly long...but I thought I better tell you guys about it, before people start freaking out and putting the Chinese query in the reviews...Not that I don't mind...ANYWAY!
Well, I don't want to violate the "no-chatting" rule ff.net has placed too much do we'll move on to the Q & A segment of this chapter's Author's Note.
Dork In Training: No, Jennifer did not turn into Rin. I didn't even think of that, but Naraku just put Age-Reversal Spell on her. Why in the HFIL would he do that, you ask? ALL will be explained in the next chapter. Trust me.
Gaeamaker13/c'est moi: WHOA!! That's a hella lot of reviews. Don't you think you went a little too far? But hey...I did get over 100 reviews...even if it was from only 3 people. ((good job, Haley! *wink, wink*))
FranceGamble: I don't know how far the fic will get by mid-May. I'll try to get the next chapter out (the mega-explanation chapter) and maybe I can send you the basic plotline of the rest of the story. Yes, no... maybe? Would you like that?
Okay, enough of that. I'm violating the rule, just don't report me and we'll all be good. (I know some of you do it too! *Points a blaming finger at DIT* You too, Vegetachanlover! All of YOU! I know your secrets!
MUHWAHWAHWAHWA!
Just Kidding folks! Please send a review!
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