Demon Tenshi: I must warn you about this chapter. It will be a little different from the others; well…I hope that it is ok… AHHH! I'm going crazy! A long chapter, it has a lot of moving and talking than the other chapters in the past.
A Twisted Fairy Tale
CH 8: Momentary Childhood
The morning had been restless as she now leaned back against the tree and observed everyone in her little group. On front of her, a few meters away with a sword clenched in his hands, stood the hanyou. He was slicing and trying to practice, as he mumbled on some nonsense on how disgusting it was to find a male in his bedroom instead of a human female. She, being disgusted, did not want to find out what he was talking about. It wasn't as though she cared if he sleeps with another, it was the thought that made her insecure that she might have to give him something more...for her to control him.
She had already gotten rid of the human female that Inuyasha had rutted with a few days ago. And with that thought crossing her mind, she nearly hissed. No male had ever done this to her, now here was one. She didn't exactly know how to punished him, so she guessed that she'll just have to end his life in a much more painful manner in the forthcoming future. Never had she expected this to be done to her. However, she guessed that the hanyou could not control his self, after all.
Kagome kept quiet about it, never mentioning to the hanyou that she had seen him rutted with another - a human, no less. But, she knew that if she were to follow her plans, then she would need him...in some ways to the future.
Feeling the warmth of the sunlight hit her skin; she looked towards the sky, while leaning her back against the tree in a much comfortable way, her hands to her side. Then, her eyes travelled to her young ward, Shippou. He was still playing with his sword. The sword that had helped her ended his father's life. The happy face he always had on never ceased to amaze her. He was such a young kit. Even when violence had come to him, he always seemed to be ready to be facing the truth and looking to the bright side. Maybe that is what she found so amazing about him. He was so sweet, so young, so innocent, but smart all at the same time. Well, maybe not the smartest, for he believed her, trust her and would lay his life for her.
When she was a child, was she like this as well? She couldn't remember much...it was as though the memory of her past was always been kept in darkness. She wasn't even sure if the happy memories that had happened are really real. The smiles she had given her father, were they also real? Or had they have been a dream that no longer exist after her father's death? And who was the fault of this? Her eyes wondered of to the demon lord. His back leaned against another tree, his eyes closed; his head bowed, his hands across his chest, as though he was on a deep thought. She guessed that he was in a deep thought. She didn't know what he was thinking and for now, she didn't care. She knew and believed that after this battle with the Great Yukero is done and over, she will end the life of his family - his whole bloodline.
The demon lord has done so many wrongs, and one fact remained: he still possessed the Shikon no Tama in his grasped. It was the least important matters, but it still remained a strong point as to why hate the demon lord. For once, he always stood with arrogance, and acts as if he was better than her. And she will never forget the day he had defeated her...never. She hated him, hated him with all that she had ever lived. No, unfortunately, he was not flawed like his incredibly stupid brother, but that is also one of the reasons why she hated him.
Being so deep in her thoughts, Kagome had failed to notice a scent of blood nearing. However, Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open, while Inuyasha's rambling about disgusting ninjas stopped and Shippou's sword playing ceased. All three males stood up, and looked towards the Deep Forest of Judgement's entrance. They had decided a while back that they had wild take a break, for if they entered the Deep Forest of Judgement, they knew that it would be dangerous if they do not have their full strength.
The Southern lands was full of forests, however, a forest like the Deep Forest of Judgement was something that not much knew about even Kagome or Sesshoumaru.
When the scent of blood overpowered the surrounding, that was when the Princess calmly turned her eyes towards where the scent was the strongest. Standing gracefully, she walked towards the entrance, eyeing the forest suspiciously. The entrance was dark, even a demon's eyes could not see through the spell that was cast around the forest for the shadows covered it, making the forest more the unknown for many who plans upon entering it.
Then, out of nowhere, just as Kagome took a step closer to the entrance with the three males behind her, cautious of the disgusting smell of blood, a bloodied hand stretched out of the shadows and gripped her anklet's, making her growl in disgust.
Instantly, Kagome's voice was heard. "Unhand me, human." She ordered, disgust lacing with her tone.
Then, a voice called out, tired, exhausted, and laced with fear and rough. "Please, please, help!" The hand grasping her anklets still held it's gripped, as though if he let go, he will lose his life. "Help!"
Sneering in more disgust, she grasped her sword, only to feel a hand fell on her shoulder. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes narrowed. It was the demon lord. "Do not harm him." He ordered, his voice not leaving any room for argument.
"Please!" The hand's gripped on her anklet tightened, as the human tried to pull himself out of the Deep Forest of Judgement.
Shippou quickly ran to the human, pulling him out of the forest and into the light for everyone to see. Blood covered the human male, arrows had been stabbed on his legs and several sword cuts on his chest. From the look of his clothes, anyone would have been able to tell he was a monk. And from the look of his body, it almost seemed impossible that he was still alive and was able to get here.
The young kitsune youkai leaned beside him, observing him. The monk was pretty young, most likely the age of 19 or no older. Fear still laced his scent as he struggled to sit, while he murmured the words. "He has...arrived, the Great Yukero."
Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru and Kagome stared at him, as Shippou tried to calm him down, saying that he was at the presence of the Princess. Making Kagome raised an eyebrow at this, she was sure that the human would die, with all those injuries, surely, he would not survived. So why bother trying to calm the creature? Almost instantly, after the thought cross her mind, an order came from the demon lord.
"Lady Kagome, heal him." His voice was cold and powerful, clearly telling her that there was no point for argues. But she refused; she would not heal a pitiful human, for just his sake. Then, as if answering her questions why she should heal the creature, he added. "He knows of the Great Yukero's path."
The Princess still did not moved, simply stating that she did not care. But a voice broke through the air. It was Shippou's. "Please, Princess, heal him. I know he is only human, but he still deserve to live a second chance."
Without a word, amazingly, the princess walked towards the body, as purple light engulfed her form. She kneeled down beside the human, her hands glowing with purple energy, and she pressed it on his chest. Instantly, the human's body started to heal, the purple energy closing his wounds, the arrows stabbing his legs pulling away from his legs to leave a no sign that it was ever stabbed there. The Princess stood, her eyes settled on the ground, they were as dominant and piecing as ever, but deep within them, there was one emotion that could hardly be traced...confusion.
They all watched, except the hanyou who eyed the Princess, as the man started to move again, this time his movements did not brought any pain to him. He looked up, his eyes the colour of brown, with a tinge of purple. "W-who are you?" He stammered, amazed by the many demons that surrounded him. He looked at each one of them, but his eyes remained on the beautiful demoness. "P-Princess...?" He asked, surprised and hope, glistening in his eyes. "Is that really...you? Princess Kagome?"
Her eyes held his, as she walked towards him, stretching her hand out for him to take, so he can stand up. He took it shakily, surprised that she would try to help him, a mere monk. He stood up, smiling at the Princess and surprised that his body felt no pain whatsoever, only great tiredness.
"Tell me of the Great Yukero." The demon lord said, snapping the monk's thoughts away.
With great pain in his eyes, he looked down towards the ground. "He attacked us...our village. I was lucky enough to escaped with others, however, he hunted us down, not wishing any of us to report it to you..." His eyes looked straight at the Princess's. "...Princess Kagome. I only thank you for saving my life, or for even letting me live, when I, a monk should have been able to protect the village at least..."
As if her voice was used for the first time, she talked to him. "Tell me of your name, human."
"My name, Princess Kagome, is Miroku." He answered, his voice polite and gentlemen like.
"Tell me, where do you think the Great Yukero stands."
"I believe that he is still inside the Deep Forest, hunting for others who have escaped. They are not many of them, but they were all very strong. Even humans were powerful, especially with their great skills in sorcery." Miroku answered. "I believe that they are about fifty, but all very powerful. My village was small..."
Silence overwhelmed over the place, as strategies where made in both Princess Kagome's and Lord Sesshoumaru's minds. Both knew that if the Great Yukero only held a few comrades, then maybe...this war can be finish faster than what they had intended. For they knew that the Great Yukero was still trying to gather more of his armies, but if they are to end his life, then no big battle is to happen.
The Princess and Lord Sesshoumaru gave a looked to each other, their eyes meeting, as they nodded to each other, their nods hardly detectable. They knew what the other thought. It wasn't like they were very alike, they just knew. However, the hanyou didn't. He looked suspiciously between Kagome and Sesshoumaru, eyeing both with a glare, for he didn't get it.
Kagome turned to face Shippou. "I have to leave, Shippou. But I will return, for now you will remain here with..." She gave a looked at the human, giving him an instant order. "...Miroku."
Shippou shook his head viciously, "I don't want too!" He cried desperately. "I can take care of myself. Please, Princess Kagome."
"Not this time, Shippou."
"Please!" He begged, seeing the demon lord send a glare at him.
She kneeled down beside him, her eyes narrowed, but not with fury, but with something else...something that made him feel warm. And it made him want to come more with her, help her, want to make her understand that he wanted to protect her life and that he would die for her. Her eyes told a story, a deep twisted story, for what Shippou can see now. They were dark emeralds, and only when you look deeply in them that you will find something else...something warm, like an energy light. She reached her hand out, and patted him on his head.
With a hypnotic voice, "Are you my ward, Shippou?" It sounded like a statement, not a question. "Do not defy me, Shippou." With that said, she stood up, and started to walk away, followed by an emotionless demon lord and an annoyed hanyou. He tried to run after her, but was held back by what she had said.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
The afternoon was not going as he had planned. There was no sign of the Great Yukero. Could it be that the human male had lied to him? But he did not smell any deceit, but there was still the chance that he might have blocked it. However, there was no big risk, he believe. The Princess who walked beside him was quiet, she was in a deep thought. However, the hanyou was nosy, for he kept on bragging of his skills. He bragged about how he will, at all cost, would protect his Princess. But the Princess kept to herself, seemingly showing no interest in the subject whatsoever.
Then, as they walked on deeper, many animal sounds could be heard. However, it meant nothing to Sesshoumaru. Then, as they walked on deeper, to Sesshoumaru's ears, these animal noses were becoming something else - something almost sounding like a bunch of males...human males. He held out his hands to the side, stopping Lady Kagome and the hanyou from continuing with their walk.
The hanyou's ears twitched, "I hear them." He said, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. He got a glare from his brother, telling him to keep quiet. "Oh, the hell with you." He said this time his voice lower.
The demon lord turned away, not wishing to argue with his brother for now and ruin this chance of ending the war before it begins. Quietly, the three forms descended on the trees, all three of them quiet and graceful with their movements. That is when they saw it, on the ground, they could see nothing, for the forest was high on many tall trees for them to see, and too much noses lingered for them to hear quite clearly. But now, they could see them. They were about 50 to 60 men. Some youkais and some humans. They were all happy, singing and dancing. It would seem that they were having a celebration.
As Sesshoumaru observed the place where they camped, he could see that from the very corner of this camp, was a tent. There was a symbol on the opening of the tent; the sun with the crescent moon inside it. It was the symbol of the Great Yukero, he guessed. With that settled, he looked towards Lady Kagome. She was looking at him, her eyes agreeing with his idea. With that, Kagome jumped down on the ground and walked towards where the enemy camped.
Inuyasha's eyes widened, "Are you crazy?" He cried after her, and prepared to jump, only to be stopped.
"Let her be." His brother said calmly. "We have a plan."
"A plan?" The hanyou asked, surprised laced with his voice. "You haven't even spoken a word to each other!"
"Quiet. It would seem that your brain is merely a part of your body to keep you alive." The demon lord said, annoyance clearly written on his voice. "You do not deserve to be a ruler of any land..." He added, his voice making it clear that he had hated the idea.
The hanyou shut his mouth, annoyed that his half brother and his Princess could make such communications without having to speak a word. He pushed the thoughts away and quickly turned to see what was it that his brother and his Princess had in plan. He watched as the Princess, with all her grace and beauty, walked towards the group pf people. He had to narrow his eyes, to see that the Princess had the same beautiful smile she gave him on her face. She was smiling at them! What was she thinking? Smiling at the enemy? The hanyou, physically, had to claw the ground, as to not go down there and interrupt.
"Hello," Kagome greeted, her voice sweet and smooth, as she observed the group, while giving them all a seductive smile.
All the human males and demon males turned to her, all of them surprised by her beauty and by her grace. Then, a man from the very behind spoke up. "Who are you, sweet lady? Are you lost? How long have you been here? Are you...from any of the village?"
"No, I'm sorry... But I seem to have forgotten who I am, why I am here or where I had come from. I had...just woken and found myself here." She lied, quickly using some of her miko powers to hide her scent of deceit from the male youkai's noise.
They all gave a grin, but one man, older than the others quickly spoke. "I see," he said, "then you shall meet our leader, the Great Yukero."
"Thank you." She said, inside, relieved that she did not have to seduce any of these males to enter. Nearly all of them gave her a smile, though some eyed her suspiciously. Instantly, a human male stepped out of the tent.
"You may enter." He said, smiling at her.
Nodding, she made her way towards the tent, careful not to act so suspicious, as she tried to give every one of them a smile. A man opened the tent for her, giving her a grin, as he almost violently pushed her in. But that was the least of her worries, for before she knew, she found herself in the arms of her current, most, worst enemy.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
"I can't stay here..." A young voice said, annoyed that he was left behind. He paced around, thinking through things.
A sigh escaped the older man's voice. "Yes you can...she ordered us, remember?"
"Yeah... But, I know she will need my help!"
"No...She won't."
The kitsune youkai turned to face the monk, his eyes narrowing by the minute. "How did you know it was her anyway? How did you know she was the Princess? I mean, not everyone knows of her appearance, only of her great beauty..."
"I'm sorry..."
"What?"
"I'm sorry."
"W-Why?" The young kitsune's voice quivered. It couldn't mean that...that this was all planned out, couldn't it? No…it couldn't. But then, something deeper within him made him realize, as he stared at the monk's genuine face, he saw something that he hoped he did not see. But, he did. "You!" Cried Shippou, terrified, angered and concerned. "You...tricked us! Your own Princess!" He jumped on the monk and ended up in a position with his sword pointed on the monk's throat. "She saved your life!"
Fear swapped over his face, "You don't...understand."
"What not understand? I should have known you were a traitor!" The Princess's sword burned a hole on the monk's throat.
"Kill me, then. My life would be nothing anyway."
Shippou, with all he could handle, pushed the sword down on his throat, blood starting to cover its tip. But then, before he could inflict a major damage he stopped, his eyes widening. Was this really the way he would kill his first victim? Through lost of temper? Through the same lost of temper his father had faced? He stopped, firstly; annoyed by his weakness, second; wishing he could die himself, and third; wishing that he was more than just a child. "I...can't." He stumbled backwards and tears started to roll down his cheeks. "I...I'm...useless."
Seeing the demon boy in front of him, the man drew in a breath. The demon boy had spared his life, the Princess had saved his life and he repaid them with his selfishness...and for what? For what he knew he would never have. The one he love was already dead. Yet, he didn't want to face it, wishing that he could bring her back to life, hoping that doing what the Great Yukero wished for him to do would really cause her back to life. But, everything would never be the same. She was dead - he was still alive.
However, he couldn't let this happen, for even how much he wished that he would just die and live in the other world with her, he couldn't - not yet. The Princess had saved his life and he must return her the favour. Then, he will die...and meet his love, Sango.
He stood up, "I know where they are..."
The young demon looked up at him, his eyes red from the tears he had shed.
"We are going to be too late..."
"We will arrive there in time."
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
It has been longer than two minutes, but he knew he must give her time. Enough time for her to murder the Great Yukero and then give them symbol that he was dead. He believed that she could do it, for if she was able to kill Lord Kouga, why not the Great Yukero? He was only a demon sorcerer... But as the minutes passed, he wondered how many minutes she would need. Everything was quiet, everything was...too quiet.
Then, after deciding that something was wrong, Sesshoumaru stood up on the tree. "Something is not right."
"Haven't you realized that before?" Fumed the hanyou. "She is taking way too long. I mean, hell, what the hell do you think she's doing in there?" He said in an accusing tone. "She better not be..." He didn't want to finish.
The demon lord hissed, "Your nonsense is too predictable of you, hanyou." Then, he jumped down, gracefully landing on the ground. "Monk, kitsune, come out." Sesshoumaru ordered, as he narrowed his eyes on the tree, as both the monk and the kitsune youkai appeared. "Lady Kagome has told for you both to stay outside the forest."
The kitsune youkai's eyes defiantly turned to glare at the demon lord. "Lord Sesshoumaru, my Princess is in there and she's in trouble! Please, let's help her. We need to help her, she's in trouble."
"I have sensed a problem, but what of you speak, how do you know?"
Then, with a large intake of air, the monk replied softly. "It was all a trap." He was prepared for death to claim him, for death to stare at him on the face, when he only felt gripped around the neck and his form lifted up. It wasn't who he had expected. It was the demon lord.
"You dare to deceive this Sesshoumaru?" The demon lord asked, his voice was threatening.
From behind Sesshoumaru, a figure landed. His eyes were slightly turning the colour shade of crimson. It was the hanyou. "Sesshoumaru, there is no time for this, lets get her." He said, behind Sesshoumaru, who then threw the monk to land against the tree, his bones made cracking sounds.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
Her eyes narrowed as she saw him give her an evil smile. His face was one that he had never suspected to belong to him. She has never met him, and he her, yet, as he held her in his arms, she knew one thing: he knows that she is he Princess of the three lands. She wanted to murder that human monk, but she guessed that now, she had a much more...difficult situation.
For someone that was known for his old age, she had not suspected a face like the one he had. She had expected someone wrinkled with lines on his face, someone ugly, and someone old and disgusting. But what she had not suspected was someone, who seems to appear no older than her, someone who almost looked her age. However, she was now an immortal demon and would not age, but he, the Great Yukero should still age. He was neither the most powerful nor immortal.
He had icy, blue-sea colour eyes, his hair was black, almost as long as hers, but tied to a low ponytail and on his forehead, was the symbol that was in front of the tent, the sun with the crescent moon inside it.
She held her breath, wanting to be free of his grasp. She didn't like this...she was trapped and he knew it. She had fallen into a trap... Not being able to control her anger, Kagome, with all her might, pushed him away, unlocking his arms around her. When she was free, she looked up at him, while he still remained to give her that evil smile.
Finally, one broke the great silence. "I'm surprised that the wise daughter of Queen Kanashi had fallen to my trap." He said, as he walked towards the futon and sat on it. "I guess...human males can make great deceivers after all. Especially if they believe their lover would return from the dead." He gave a fake sigh, seeing the Princess before him glare at him marvellously. "Such beauty, such power, such desire many holds for you."
"Reflecting on my qualities as a ruler will do you nothing." The Princess said, her form defiant and daringly brave.
"And such courage..." He added, smirking at her. "Just think, if you and I are to join, every land would be mine and yours to rule, to own, to gain, to control, to treasure, to destroy and to play with. You will never have to be...under the influence of your mother, Kanashi."
Now knowing his intentions, "And what you suppose? That I, Princess, should rule every single land with someone like you? You contain no royal blood and I do not need a male to rule with me. My mother is more appropriate to be by my side as I rule these forsaken lands."
A chuckle rose from his lips. "Yes, I do not have any royal blood, but who really cares? You remain more powerful, but not as wise in magic. However, your mother… Indeed, you are the one who seem not to know any of your mother's past." Another chuckle rose from his lips. "Did you know that the name she uses is not the one she was born with? Did you know that your mother was not always wise, not always as deceiving as she is now? - Of course not.
"Your mother..." He paused, licking his lips. "Was someone who had tasted good for many years, but someone who will not remain desirable." His eyes locked with hers, her eyes reminding him of her mother, but he could see that she was much harder to charm. "I know your mother for what she really is. Her name, Kanashi?" He chuckled again. "Nonsense, her real name was Yasashi. Ask her yourself. You have always trusted your mother to tell you the truth." He stood up, and walked towards her. "She always told you not to trust because she herself had trusted me.
"She had lived in lies for years, I believe. But going so far as to make her own daughter like this..." He said as his voice turned hypnotic, his body getting near hers, and his lips glowing an unusual red colour, closing in on her ears, whispering words. "She lied to you... She didn't trust you with her past." Then, he grabbed her shoulders, "See your mother for what she really is..."
It all had happened at once, images and memories all went through her mind. Her mother's smile, laughs, memories and the feeling of love that her mother had felt for the Great Yukero. Kagome's eyes widened. No, this could not be true...it couldn't. This was not her mother, not the mother she was born to live with...this couldn't be true.
The Great Yukero leaned closer, "She was born with many of her family loving her, and she was born surrounded with love...only for her to give you limits-"
A sword ripped through the tent, as a hanyou with red eyes stood before them. "Let. Her. Go." He said, his voice rough and frank. But before the Great Yukero could do anything else, the hanyou charged forward, instantly making the Great Yukero jumped up for his life, letting go of the Princess.
Inuyasha catch her, as she nearly fell on the ground. "Hey, you ok?" He asked, worried clearly on his tone. Her eyes were wide open, and then they narrowed.
She stood up, by herself. "I am fine." She said, her voice frighteningly scary. She looked up at the Great Yukero, her eyes showing fury. "You dare to make me believed that such illusions will trick I, Princess of the three lands?" But before she could attack, a cry from a afar caught her ears. Her head snapped to turned to the left and she saw Shippou's bruised body while battling, five youkais surrounding him. He was...protecting her. But now, it would only seem to her that he was...going to die. Without thinking, she ran to his side.
Inuyasha however, kept his attacks on the Great Yukero, blows after blows. "You'll never touch her again, you bastard!" He yelled, jealousy showing on his voice.
The Great Yukero laughed at this, as he used his coat to shield himself from the hanyou's attacks. He looked around, everyone in his little army was dead, dying or about to die.
"Such nuisance," said the Great Yukero. "Sometimes, great sorcery cannot be denied." He pushed Inuyasha back with a force of red magic. The hanyou landed on his back, above him the Great Yukero, growing red, and with a great magic held upon his hands, the Great Yukero released it all.
The red light covered the little battlefield. The demon lord was busy battling when he looked towards the hanyou, who lay on his back. Then, it all happened, a bright red flash of light appeared and he felt...strange as his eyes shut.
A few meters away, Kagome also saw the bright red flash, only for her eyes to shut, as the message of the Great Yukero was said into her head, his voice held a humour in it - she could somehow tell.
'They say little children learn faster than adults. Then, let's see if you can learn, then the spell will be broken.' Everyone of the group, Kagome, Sesshoumaru, Shippou, Inuyasha and Miroku, all fell asleep.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
"Great Yukero, what do you think we should do to them?" Asked a demon, his arm was cut, but he did not even bother to complain. For he knew that this was just the beginning of the real battle.
The demon sorcerer chuckled once again. "What a sight this is, don't you think?" He asked the demon, his voice amused, "I wish I could stay here until they open their eyes. But sadly, I cannot."
The soldier gave a curious look. "Are we not going to take them with us?"
"No, there are only few of us, and though my magic is powerful...I cannot risk the chance of them finding our base. And let us not forget, before I take the privilege of ending their lives, I wish to fool around with it a little longer. Remember, this world is a place of twisted games being played, where wars are everything that you, soldiers, live for. So...don't you think that ending this little game is ending it too fast? That's not all; I haven't gotten the chance for them to know all of their lies. I want every single truth out." Chuckling once again, he gave one looked at the small group. "Indeed, I want every single truth out."
"You're right, master."
"I'm always right."
They started to walk away, leaving the groups of sleeping demons, a half-breed and a human monk. However, there was something now very wrong with them...something very wrong with each of them.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
"Queen Kanashi, the Western army has arrived." Kachiro said to Kanashi.
She nodded, simply knowing that her daughter could do it. Now, all they needed was a plan to take down Yukero. Her tragedies, Naraku, should be able to think of one. For even though, she never really trusted him, she knew that he wanted someone that she controlled, her daughter. No, she was not going to let him touch her, but she will let him do favours for her.
Standing up, Kanashi walked out of the tent, and as she looked straight forward, she was amazed at what she saw. For what seems like thousands of youkais gathered, most of them being inu youkais. With this army, how could she not win?
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
Deep in the Forest of Judgement, four forms lay on the cold hard ground. The animals surrounding them, not daring to come any closer, while the sun had started to set and darkness begins to take over. All of them remain to sleep, all of them not knowing to what has happened. Then, as the minute began to turn to hours, and the night sky has completely taken over, a cry broken their faithful sleep. It was Shippou who woke first.
His eyes shut tightly; clearly, he didn't want to wake up. For he felt tired, exhausted and somehow...he felt a bit bigger. But, what about the enemies? As if realising that thought was strange, his eyes snapped open, he sat up and quickly looked around for enemies. There were no enemies, not a single one. Lazily, he stood up, using his fully-grown hand with claws to stand up, to see his friends. Fully grown hands...with claws? Without another thought about his surroundings, Shippou quickly ran to what he smelt, a little pond nearby, with his long slender legs.
He kneeled down beside it, his eyes widening in shock at the reflection that stared back at him. This demon could not be him. For the demon that stared back at him, was a full fledge demon, hundreds and hundreds of years older than he, but in human age at least 20 years older. The demon's eyes were green, just like his old ones, his hair the same colour and shape. But it couldn't be him...could it? He was far younger... He moved to the side, checking if what the reflection is true. He sticked his tongue out and watched, as the reflection does every same move.
With the great realisation dawning on him, Shippou jumped up and looked towards his group. "Everyone!" He cried, this time his voice was one of an adult, deeper, but always holding that same Shippou tone. "Everyone, wake up!" He ran towards them, to the people he thought were the group. But as his eyes wonder to them, as he observed them... "Oh shit," he whispered, his eyes surprised and felt like burning up by the image that lay before him. For what lay on the ground as the group he was in, had also changed. However, this time, Shippou could only guess it was for the worst.
What lay before him was impossible, but he was looking at it now, the group. There, on the ground laid were two children, a baby and a very, very, very old man. He walked towards them and stared at the girl youkai. This couldn't be the Princess, could it? But everything that the Princess was, this little youkai girl also held. The Princess appearance and the way she slept was also like the Princess, always calm. However, her features were much cuter, childish and Shippou did not fail to notice that her head was also bigger in shape compare to her small body.
Beside the Princess lay another form; it was a little boy, not much older than the Princess. He had long silver white hair that surrounded him, the two stripes on the side of his face. However, his hair appeared shorter and the stripes on his face were also a bit little and did not go as long as the older version of this young demon. There was also the same crescent moon on his forehead and the serious face he held, gave no doubts to Shippou to exactly know who he was. And his head, as Shippou noticed, were larger compare to his body. It was the demon lord, Lord Sesshoumaru.
There was only two forms left to observed, that being a little baby hanyou, who lay on the grass uncomfortably, with his little hands trying to grip the sword beside him, and a very, very old human male, who seems to be having a bad dream.
How could this happen? Who made this happen? But before he could figure out, an insect landed on the baby's noise, and the baby's voice broke through the air, as he started to cry, making a loud baby voice that Shippou had to cover his ears from hearing the highly, irritating sound. And before he could get near the baby to making it shut up, all the other sleeping forms started to move.
Instantly, Shippou found him self looking at the now very alert demon girl, who by now had stood up, a sword in her hands, her eyes narrowed as she looked for more enemies. Then another form was up quickly. It was the demon boy, with his hair a little tangled up and some dirt on his face. However, as Shippou tried to look closely at those two figures, he noticed that they were both still wearing the same clothes they had left with, but now it was their size.
When the young princess was sure that there was no enemy, he watched as her eyes travelled to him. But unlike before, instead of her head bend down to look at him, her head was bending up, to look up at him. Her eyes widen slightly, as she quickly snapped herself up to look down at her hands. Her hands immediately dropped her sword and flew towards her head to feel it. "W-What...?" She whispered, unsure whose hands and head she was feeling, only to flinched straight forward at her young voice. It's still sounded as melodic as ever, but it sounded younger, cuter and nicer...with no power traced any in it at all.
Beside her, the demon lord looked incredibly annoyed. For unlike the princess, it would seem that he had already realised what has happened. His hands were clenched at his side. It was strange to look at the two most powerful figures like this. They both looked like young little children, the age of 10 for the Princess and 12 for the demon lord.
"No," the demon lord said, his voice deep for a young boy, but still younger and weaker than his older one. "This is a mistake..." He quickly looked up at Shippou, his eyes narrowing. "Tell me, kit, why am I in this age?" He demanded, however, his little demand sounded young, sounded like a young child was telling Shippou that he wanted some food.
Then another stood, it was the old monk. "I think I know...it's the Great Yukero's power." The old man said, his voice old, rough and cracked.
A growl was heard from the demon lord, who tried to stand with all his dignity. "This cannot be." His growl however, was something that even Shippou, being now an adult, found pathetically childish.
Silent overwhelmed the place, until another cry out from the baby hanyou was produced. And from the corner of his eyes, Shippou watched as the young inu youkai walked towards it, followed by the princess, who now was calmed. "Inuyasha...?" The princess whispered, once again, flinching at the sound of her voice. "Everyone is affected." She whispered, looking over at everyone, as a childish sigh escaped her lips.
"Stop this infuriating hanyou, or I, Sesshoumaru, will dare not to hesitate..."
With another childish sigh, "You, Lord Sesshoumaru, also won't shut your mouth." The young princess retorted, annoyed that the hanyou really won't shut up.
A glare was given to the young Princess from the young inu youkai, "You cannot order I, Lord Sesshoumaru, around." He walked dangerously towards her, his eyes narrowed, but his child form, only manage to get a roused a laugh from Kagome's lips.
"I do not fear you,"
"Then it is time for you to fear me."
"Never,"
Extending his small, clawed hand, he let poisoned surround it, as it grew a yucky green colour. "Then, I'll show you..." He could see the young princess ready herself for his attack as she picked her sword up. He ran towards her with his great speed, only for him to feel something pulling him from behind. He looked over his shoulder, and saw the kitsune youkai simply pulling him by his clothes, as if he weighed nothing. "Let go, kit." He warned.
The kitsune youkai bent down, his eyes narrowed. "You won't hurt Princess Kagome." He said, with a dangerous tone. When he was young, it might have sounded pathetic or a nothing-threat, but now, his voice was laced with a lot of threats. Threats, who even the lord of the Western Lands, at his current age, found intimidating.
A mocking chuckle escaped the Princess's lips. "I knew you were weak, Lord Sesshoumaru." Kagome said, knowing that this was she chanced to inflict a major damage on his ego.
The demon lord clenched his teeth, "You..."
"Are, what?" Taunted the Princess, enjoying the fact that he cannot attack her. "Are beautiful? Smart? Intelligent...?"
"That is enough," an old voice said, and caught the attention of everyone, only for their eyes to land on a very, very old human male. "I know that this situation was something that we had not expected, but I believed that the curse of the Great Yukero will break in time. For I, as a monk, know that not even the Great Yukero with great power could not make such a curse last for long." A sigh escaped his withered old lips. "For now, I guess we have to remain this way."
He remain to stand, annoyance radiating off of his form. "I, Lord Sesshoumaru, refuse to remain one such as this..." He said with great distaste, still not able to move because of the kitsune's hold on his clothing.
"With all do respect, Lord Sesshoumaru, we need to travel to the Southern lands and inform everyone of the Great Yukero's magic." The old man said, wielding himself to behave with respect for the seemingly not very scary Lord of the Western Lands.
The young demon lord turned to glance at the baby hanyou, only for his eyes to lock with the Princess, as she, with all her freedom, gave him a taunting smile. "What of the hanyou?" He asked, glaring at the Princess, but asking the old human male.
Miroku glanced at the baby hanyou. "One will have to carry him," he said, "I cannot for my bones are old and weary, too old for carrying babies."
"Humans," said the young inu youkai, as he resisted rolling his eyes. He then glared at the Princess, the side of his lips curving upwards. "You will carry him."
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
Shippou sighed as he walked on, beside him on the right, his now very young Princess, on his left, the young demon lord. They had been nearly walking all night, and with the old human male as their companion, Shippou knew it was going to take longer than the whole night to reached the castle, especially if the young Princess and the young lord kept on going with their insults on each other.
It amazed Shippou, at how old he really felt, at how he felt that he should be acting older for he was older. Also, it surprised him that even though, both the Princess Kagome and Lord Sesshoumaru are young, they still remained to use their superior way of speaking. Their voice and their age, however, made their threats seem very childish. As though, these threats are mere threats that will not happen. And then, there was also the fact that even though, both of them tried to remain superior, they still could not help to let a few childish nonsense out of their mouths.
Disappointedly, he looked down at the baby cradled in his arms. The baby hanyou seemed uncomfortable, however, the baby hanyou did not let go of his sword. The baby hanyou kept it with him all the way, that even now, Shippou had to carry it with him. He never really knew how to care for someone so young, so the unlucky hanyou had to suffer.
The Princess had refused earlier to carry the hanyou, saying that she does not need to care for other's half-breed brothers. Surely, she knew she was insulting the hanyou, but at that time, she seemed not to care. She said that the hanyou's older brother should carry his brother, in his sweet, wonderful and brotherly, love arms. Then Shippou could remember that was when the demon lord was able to set himself free, walked towards the baby hanyou and grabbed the baby by his leg, as he started to walk towards a certain direction. Because of the current height of the demon lord, the hanyou's head (which unfortunately and amazingly stayed on) touched the ground as his brother carelessly dragged the baby hanyou, its baby head bumping on the small rocks. The baby hanyou cried out so loud, that the young demon lord got so annoyed; he unceremoniously threw the baby hanyou towards Shippou. "You! Take him!" Were the demon lord's words.
Shippou sighed at the memory as he settled his eyes on the young princess, who mocked the demon lord of his appearance.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, I never knew you for one who had such a big head...literally." That would be the Princess.
"To say the least, Lady Kagome, a girl with such a weak form and body, should not be carrying a big sword, don't you think?" That would be Lord Sesshoumaru's childish reply.
The Princess walked faster than usual and stood in front of Shippou and Sesshoumaru. "Care to test my strengths with swords, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
A smirk crossed the young demon lord's face as he drew out his sword. "I thought you'd never ask..." With that said, the young demon lord again gained on the Princess, only to be held back (again) by Shippou's much older and much powerful-clawed hands holding him back by his clothes. Looking over his shoulder, "Let. Go." He warned, annoyed that this kit was really protecting the Princess, he so desired to kill.
Kagome chuckled, "Never once but twice you have tried to attack me, Lord Sesshoumaru."
"Princess Kagome...?" Shippou stared at the Princess. "Do you really wish to fight with Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Kagome stared at her older ward, only for her to look down at the ground with huge distaste and concerned. "Let us go." Without so much of a word, she started to walk away.
Seeing her reaction, the demon lord's eyes widened a little, as a realisation came to hit upon him. A smirked crossed his face, as he calmly started to walk away, following the Princess's path.
Shippou eyed them both, surprised by both of their change of mood.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
The group of different ages decided to stop to make camp. The strange thing was, however, was that they were all quiet. No one spoke a word, and the only sounds that could be heard were their almost, silent footsteps and the little, cute noises the baby hanyou made. No one understood why everyone was so quiet, and no one bothered to try and understand.
The young demon lord cautiously eyed at the Princess, knowing why she was quiet, well, he thought he had an idea. It was obvious to him, at how she tried everything to not show her weakness, but they were obvious. The simple words she would say, how her voice would be kinder or nicer, how her eyes would soften, and how she would try her best to save the now grown-up kitsune youkai's life.
Finally, when the young lord of the west had gotten his chance to inform her of what he had witnessed or realised, he couldn't tell why he couldn't move to inform her at all. The group was a little far away and would not hear them here, where he stood behind her.
It was night; the animals in the daylight now are preparing to tuck their young to sleep. But the sounds of nightly predators are just rousing from their daylight sleep, getting ready for their nightly hunt. On front of him, the young Princess's form sat, her back turned towards him, as her hands gracefully touch the water on the pond with her reflection shown on it. He could not see her face, but it was obvious she was not aware of his presence, most likely because of her young body's less awareness of her surroundings. The moon light's reflection made her - even in her young form - looked exquisite, beautiful and unbearably...different from the other female's he had known.
Somehow, as he stood behind her, he realised that somehow the forest was different now. The forest didn't seem as dangerous and unknown as it should be. Now, it felt as though the forest was a place where to over romanticize things. For as he stood behind her, she looked different somehow...not like the annoying princess he had wanted to seriously murder a few hours ago. Maybe it was the fireflies that flew around her, lighting up the place for him to get a better view, maybe the moonlight that made her look so beautiful, or maybe the way she just sat their, without her knowing he was behind her, seeing her in a different but somehow accepted sight. He didn't know.
She was a problem - his problem.
"What is it that you want, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
The young voice snapped him out off his thoughts as he looked towards her, her eyes still looking down at her form on the water. He could not see her reflection, but knew of what it should show. He walked towards her and stopped standing beside her as he looked down at the water, that should now show his and the young Princess's reflection. What showed on the water however, was what he had not expected. Instead of seeing the young reflection of a girl and boy youkai, he saw them: Princess Kagome and he, Lord Sesshoumaru, in their full-fledged youkai form.
It was plain to know, the Deep Forest of Judgement had always had a task, whether it was to bring two lovers closer together, or whether to separate one from the other. However, no one knew that neither spell nor curse could prevent one from seeing the other, if the forest wanted this one to see the other in her true self. It was the forest that had wanted the demon lord to see the reflection, to show the Princess's deeper self. The one who she had kept so tucked away in herself, even from her mother's knowledge. This was inevitable to happen, for nothing - not even a curse or a hanyou - could stop the forest's wish for both Princess Kagome and Lord Sesshoumaru.
As he stared at the image on the pond, he could not help but feel as though the image had meant something more, or was showing something more in the future. It was beautiful...acceptable. It was only now that he realised how much the demoness beside his full-fledged demon form matched him in every single way. In beauty, in grace, in elegance, in power, in intelligence and in...
"Lord Sesshoumaru... What is it?"
The voice snapped him out of his thoughts, as he looked to the side. The reflection of the beautiful demoness and the proud demon on the pond turned into their current childish forms.
He observed her face a little longer, before replying. "You mother your ward." He stated, knowing that it will anger her, but the important: it will anger her because it was true.
She stood up with a speed he knew not many female at her current age should have. "I do not need your imputation on something so improbable."
"Your mother Princess Kagome, what is she like?"
She eyed at him, wondering why he be interested. "Similar to I."
"Then, she also must had seen you as her weakness."
She turned her eyes away from him, her gaze focussing on her now child form. "If what the Great Yukero said were true, then maybe...she did." She whispered, wishing inside that she had not. But as soon as the words had come out, blue light engulfed both Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
In a few minutes, both Princess Kagome and Sesshoumaru stood, both in their full-fledged youkai bodies faced each other. They stared at each other, as the blue light faded off. As if a tranced, both Kagome and Sesshoumaru walked closer towards each other. Both gaze's on the other, not realising the hanyou who stared at them from afar.
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
Inuyasha, in his real age and hanyou body, paced around on the camp. Though the others didn't know he knew what happened around him when he was a baby. His mind was working properly but his body (being a baby) couldn't do much. He had heard the conversation that had erupted when he was a baby, and even witnessed the great attraction between his Princess and his brother. He would not deny it, for as soon as he had turned into his normal age, he raced towards his brother and his Princess quietly, only to find them both lost in each other's gaze. What more proof did he need?
He saw them, yet he didn't disturb them. He didn't want to be lied to once again. And though, maybe, this time his Princess did not kissed nor touched his brother, he knew that there was something between them. There must be. But he couldn't let this happen, not after all the planning he had been doing. He would make the Princess his own and only his. No brother of his was going to stand on his way.
Hearing the footsteps of his brother and his Princess arriving, he looked towards them both, eyeing Kagome. He inhaled the air secretly, trying to tell if she is still untouched. He was assured then and there that this was his chance, and he should and would take this chance at hand.
Walking towards his Princess, he pulled her into an embraced, sensing her immediate confusion. "I-Inuyasha...?" Her sweet voice whispered, confusion and surprised lacing with it.
From the corner of his eyes, he could see his brother narrowed his eyes at him, only for his brother to look away. Smirking inside, he pulled away a little bit with great gentleness; he looked down towards her, his eyes soft. "You said your heart belongs to me, didn't you?"
She nodded.
Then, he said it. Inuyasha said the words that would bind he and Kagome together if her words of love were true. He had said the words that had made the monk, Miroku, drop his staff to the ground and choke on the food that he was chewing, also making Shippou's little eye balls nearly roll out of his eyes and drop his Princess's sword to the ground with a large thud, and the Lord Sesshoumaru's ears to twitched as he glared towards at his brother.
"I want you to be my mate."
END OF CH 8 - A Twisted Fairy Tale
Demon Tenshi: I don't want to make any comments on this chapter... I am too scared. Maybe it's too long? My friend likes it long, but maybe not many do... Don't worry; the next chapter will be shorter... I don't like making chapters too long anyway, it'll take too much time for me to update.
KellyLuvsInu- Thanks, that was so nice of you. I mean I cannot deny the fact that my grammar does suck, but thank you for the compliment. I guess you can say that I am not really sure if I made the right choices in my chapters, you know? That probably being why I didn't like the chapters… Anyway, thank you.
INUYASHAANDKAGOMEALLTHEWA- What a beautiful review! After this chapter, do you think you know whom Kagome is going to end up with? I think that you might be able to guess.
Windprincess342- My friend also thinks that Sesshoumaru is jealous. However, I don't really know. (How stupid of me, ne? I mean...I'm the author!) I didn't say much about Kikyou in this chapter. And anyway, she's not going to be a major character, only a little sidetrack - nothing more. Also, as a FanFic reader, I know what it is like having to wait for a FanFic to be updated, so I don't want to take long. Anyway, great review!
Death-resurrected- Heh, heh... Sorry about the grammatical errors. Wow...how many times have I said sorry to that? Well, don't mind me... And this Fic being different from the canon is the exact thing I want. I guess I wanted to have something different from everyone else, not something too similar that everyone has probably read from the other FanFics, you know? Thanks for the review.
Inucrazy4life- you really think that it's that good? Wow...thank you for the review included.
Poptart- Imao is a shape shifting ninja? I never knew that, I should have asked my Japanese friend! Thanks for reviewing.
Angel of Darkness and Death- Yeah...violence is sweet. Thank you!
Death is only a phase- Your funny, but I guess Inuyasha did screw a guy...eww.
Punkchickykagome- LOL I thought the last chapter gross as well, but I guess I found it more...amusing. And I will finish this FanFic as soon as I can. Thank you for the review.
InuDemonKagome14- Thank you for your great review.
Vi3t Babii- I hope your internet starts to work. I mean, I'd think I'd go a little crazy without internet, but there is always the school and library! Well...anyway, thank you for reviewing!
Sticky-Honey- You don't have to say sorry, I mean some people don't even review at all. Your review is soo nice and smart! Yeah, I like the part were they compete with each other and do little seductive things to each other... However, in this chapter, I don't know if any of them both got any point at all. I will finish this FanFic, though I am sorry when I take a little longer than usual to update.
Teh One- Well, it isn't how you thought was gonna end like is it? LOL Well, I hope PK doesn't read anymore.
RoxyBunny- I like the way I made Kagome also...and as for Inuyasha...well, too bad...I'm the author for him! hehehe... Thanks for reviewing.
