Chapter V – Behind the smile –
Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha, the characters, the plot, etc., but I own Koe.
A.N.: Welcome to the second half and sorry for updating so late.
"Welcome, my old friend." His voice echoed through the cave's tunnels, getting even louder and more dangerous. It seemed to merge with the air like a veil of toxic – slowly weakening it's victim. "I'm glad you've accepted my invitation."
"Invitation?" Sesshomaru sounded angry, but his face stayed the same. "You didn't invite me, you told me to come here because you needed my help. And honestly I don't have that much time, so please hurry... old friend." A small grin crept across Kumori's face. "So moody today, Sesshomaru? You've always been taciturn, but this time I'm hurt."
Faint crackling filled the room, as Kumori finally stood up. His skin looked as pale as the fog outside his cave, as pale and almost as shapeless. A strange tone laid in his voice as he finally continued. "I don't have that much time either. You may have noticed that I look a bit different than last time." He showed his hand, indicating the spot where his fingers should have been, but only a tangle of fog could be seen. "This isn't fog covering my hand, Sesshomaru, this IS my hand." Jaken's face got paler with every second, while his master didn't even seem to care. He seemed to be used to such a sight, but Kumori's face taught him better. "You probably think it's only an old trick, but I assure you it's not." He turned to the ground at his feet, unwilling to face his guests' eyes. "Whatever I say now, just keep it for yourself, you hear me."
"Kumori..." an amused giggle left Sesshomaru's mouth. "Since when does Kumori, master of fog and nightmare of all northern humans hide his face like a timid child?" The sarcasm within his voice vanished, when he spoke of the child. 'Sounds familiar somehow.' He thought with a grin.
"It was a mortal who did this to me." Kumori answered while trying to ignore what had just been said. Yes, he was one of the tengu, the fog demons whom even the strongest demon slayers were afraid of. Defeated – defeated by one single human. "It was my fault."
"Your fault?" Sesshomaru's giggle almost turned into laughter. "Shame on you, Kumori. You're bad for our reputation." He returned to his usual serious manner. "Who? And how?"
"I awoke her from the dead. Not more than a month ago."
"Her?" A strange expression covered Sesshomaru's face. "You are not going to tell me that one single, weak, human woman did that to you."
"I'm afraid I have to." The tengu replied hesitantly. "We had a deal. I was to help her find and kill her murderers and she was to become a servant of mine."
"But she didn't."
"Damned little traitor!" Heavy shivers went through the cave's walls, just like Kumori, quaking with anger. "But a clever one I have to admit. She had noticed that I had had to gather all my power at one single point in order to awake her."
"And that point was the katana you always carry around with yourself, right?" He sighed slightly as he noticed Kumori nodding in agreement. With another sigh he turned to leave the cave, his servant following him quite irritated. "And don't forget: You owe me something."
"But be careful! She may have a beautiful smile, but it only covers her telltale soul."
"Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken's voice was a mix of fear and confusion, as they finally reached the cave's exit. After Kumori had told them about his "problem", his master had left the cave as fast as possible, without any further information. "Shouldn't we at least have asked him more about that woman? How shall we find her without even knowing what she looks like?"
"Jaken..." 'Not that sarcastic tone again' the green demon thought. "She has been awoken from the dead, only a month ago, has killed her murderers and she is beautiful, but tricky and unscrupulous – I'm sure she knew he would slowly dissolve if she steals that katana. Who does all that remind you of, Jaken?"
For a few moments, all was silent again, both in- and outside Jaken's head, but then a dreadful idea occurred to him. "Wait, Sesshomaru-sama! You are not thinking of Koe, are you?"
"Who else?" His master replied in his usual tone again. "Do you know anyone else who fits the description? You don't see so many risen-from-the-dead-humans nowadays."
"No but..." Jaken's face was pale from shock. Did that mean they had to... "So you are really going to kill Rin's sister?" A short smile crept across Sesshomaru's face. "Who says I'll do anything? Kumori has always been one of the few people who could become a real danger for me, and Koe has only taken her chances. Why should I kill her for doing me a favour?" Another shock hit Jaken. His master had to be joking. On the other hand... he had never made jokes and the plan itself was quite logical. They would just have to wait a bit and everything would be fine.
"So we are leaving that valley like nothing has happened?" His voice was a mix of relief and scepticism, which joined in, when he saw his master absently facing a certain spot in front of them. Carefully, the green demon's gaze searched through his surroundings, but he could only make out fog and trees – the clearing where they had left... Another shock...
"Where's Rin?"
A.N.: Hope that chapter wasn't too long and boring.
