I don't own any of the characters from the Inuyasha anime series; Rumiko Takahashi does. I just own Yume. Constructive criticism welcomed bashers ignored! Got it? Good!
Translations:
Matte - Stop
Oi - Hey
Hanyou - Half demon
Youkai - Demon
Honto ni - Really, trully
Miko - Priestess
Baka - Moron, idiot
Gomen ne - I'm sorry
Kitsune - Fox demon
Haori - Shirt top (Originally worn in Japan)
Domo arigatou - Thank you (Respectful)
Do itashi mashite - Your welcome
Chan - Refers to someone younger then you (can be used on friendly terms amongst good friends)
Hai - Yes
Damare - Shut up
Gaki - Punk
Ojisan - Grandpa (Respectful)
Jisan - Gramps (Rude)
Sama - Lord, Master
Wakatta onna desu ka - Understand woman?
Ano - Um...
Ja ne - See ya, bye
Taiyoukai - Ultimate demon, high ranking demon
Chapter 10
As the light from the sun's rays shone brightly on Kaede's Village every sleeping being came to wake. Although today appeared to be another peaceful day; still Inuyasha and his friends remained aware of any possible threat from a wandering youkai or more importantly Naraku and his newest ally the incomparable dream guardian Yume.
"Another boring day with nothing to do…" Inuyasha mumbled as he walked around Kaede's village with Kagome by his side.
"Maybe…" She began; admiring the half formed Shikon Jewel in the palm of her hand. "But at least we have time to practice."
"Practice?" He looked at Kagome with baffled eyes. "You…? You mean you don't mind? You wanna practice?"
"How else will I get better?" She replied as she grabbed the hanyou by his hand and led him into an open field. As they neared the path the first thing to catch Inuyasha's eyes was the red bull's eye stripes on the nearby tree.
"Matte… when did you do that?"
"Not too long ago." Kagome smiled as she playfully pushed Inuyasha to the ground.
"Oi! What are you doing?" He complained; as he fell back on his butt.
"Just watch!" She smiled as she placed the half formed jewel next to the hanyou.
In seconds she was in her stance with her cross bow and arrow in hand. Trying to align herself with the target; before the hanyou could speak he watched as her arrow hit just an inch below the center of her target.
"Darn it…" Kagome muttered; slowly lowering her bow as she realized where her arrow went.
"Nice shot." Inuyasha smirked.
"Sit boy!"
"Yeow! Inuyasha growled as his head hit the ground. "I was just kidding…!" Inuyasha whined as he picked his head up from off the imprint in the ground.
"Honto ni? It didn't sound like it!" Kagome snapped as she pulled her arrow out of the tree.
"Well I was." He snapped back; folding his arms in his haori as he turned his nose up at the young miko.
"Right…" She muttered; rolling her eyes.
"You don't need to practice. You won't get any better." He replied as he sat back down next to the half formed jewel of four souls. Acknowledging his last comment with a "Hmph" as her only response she did nothing else but returned to her spot and back to her practice with the bow and arrow.
As she did her best to hit the mark Inuyasha continued to watch her in silence. He would never admit it but he really did believe she could never get any better; because she was already good enough.
After a few more hits to the tree; two of them hitting above the center target and one actually being less then an inch from the center target Kagome turned to face the hanyou and frowned.
"What?" He asked; a clueless look on his face.
"Good enough for you 'Mr. I'm better then everyone else because I have a big sword'?"
"Oh Kagome…" He muttered in annoyance as he stood up and walked over to the Miko.
"Wha? Wha? Inuyasha?" She stuttered; a little confused by what the hanyou was doing behind her.
She blushed as she felt the hanyou fix himself behind her so he could help her position the arrow properly.
He noticed her red cheeks and after taking in the flowery scent of her hair he reacted in the same way.
"Hey…! C'mon Kagome…I…I'm only trying to help you!" He answered as he gripped her arm and slowly lowered it to what he thought might be the best position to shoot the arrow.
"What do you know about shooting arrows?" She asked as she regained a bit of her composure and tried to focus on the center target.
"I've been shot by them…" He answered in a monotonous tone; staring into her eyes with a serious expression on his face.
"Inu…yasha…" She muttered weekly starting to lose her grip on the arrow. "…Twice." With that said Kagome let the arrow fly and in that instant it hit the center target.
"I…I did it!" She beamed.
"Of course you did." Inuyasha smirked; folding his arms in satisfaction at they're fine work.
Slowly lowering her bow to her side she smiled as she took in the moment. In battle she usually did end up hitting the enemy but never at the center. With this though; she knew now that she could actually hit the center of her intended target. Happy with her practice she sighed and laid down next to the hanyou who was currently palming the nearly formed Shikon Jewel. She stiffened up as she heard him growl. He had cut himself on the half formed jewel as she had done earlier.
"Inuyasha…" Her eyes softening to his reaction.
"It's just a scratch…" He mumbled as he sucked on his wounded index finger. Smiling softly at the hanyou she gently gripped his wrist and got him to pull the wounded finger from out of his mouth.
"Kagome…" He muttered; almost in a child like tone from her motherly behavior.
"You shouldn't suck on it like that…" She muttered as she pulled a bandage out of her pocket and began to wrap his finger. As she tended to his little wound she watched him as he studied the jewel; pondering his thoughts.
"Do you still want to become a full blooded demon Inuyasha?" She questioned; her innocent eyes gazing up into his golden ones as she finished wrapping the finger.
"Kagome…I…" He began; having trouble figuring out what he could say to his friend as he studied his bandaged finger. "…I don't know…"
"Huh? What do you mean Inuyasha? You don't wanna become a full blooded Youkai anymore?"
"I'm keeping my promise to you Kagome."
Kagome turned bright red; remembering that time; the time at the Dream Castle and the fight against Princess Kaguya.
"I'm gonna stay a hanyou…" He replied in a sincere tone of voice. "For you…" He smiled.
Kagome returned the smile and began rubbing his ears. "Good boy." She jeered as she wiggled them back and forth.
"Must you always treat me like a dog?" He growled.
"Well…you are…" She teased.
"I'm a half dog baka! Not a full one!" He yelled; ruining the moment. "Do I wear a leash, bark like a dog and don a stupid collar!"
"Well…you have the ears." Kagome replied. Inuyasha just sucked his teeth at the miko; he was going to lose this fight VERY quickly…especially since they're friends overheard the conversation and were coming they're way.
You are ALWAYS yelling at me!" Shippou added; not helping but to overhear the conversation as he entered Kagome's secret training spot.
"Shippou…" Inuyasha growled; almost sounding like an angered Inu as he eyed the cute little kitsune.
"AND you wear the Rosary Beads of Subjection around your neck that is cursed with a spell that allows Kagome-sama to discipline you when you act out of order." Miroku added as he entered behind the Kitsune with Sango and a purring Kilala.
In seconds Inuyasha's rage overcame him and in an instant the hanyou was off. Chasing after the mischievous Kitsune and the devious Monk. "Get back here you traitors!" He roared as he chased after them on all fours.
"Bad dog!" Shippou teased; throwing a transformed fox fire bone at Inuyasha's face; hitting the hanyou on the head as he pursued the little demon.
"Damn it Shippou! Wait till I get my hands on you!" He yelled as he went back on the chase.
Now seeing that Inuyasha was interested only in napping Shippou; Miroku settled himself down on the ground near the seated Miko and the demon exterminator.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome sighed as she watched her hanyou chase after her two friends.
"He'll grow tiered of this soon enough milady." Miroku replied in a reassuring tone of voice; his cursed right hand resting on Sango's. Blushing she immediately retracted her hand from under his but at the same moment she turned to look away from the Monk she felt that same hand maneuvering itself up her rear. Growling in frustration with the lecherous monk the chase between the hanyou and the kitsune came to a brief halt when they heard the SLAP and then the blatant sigh of the perverted monk.
"He'll never learn…" Inuyasha muttered. "Once a perverted Monk…ALWAYS a perverted monk." Shippou added. Saying they're peace and rolling they're eyes at the pathetic sight the two demons resumed the chase.
"Someday I hope you'll tier of this…" Sango replied; now ignoring the monk as she began to pet Kilala on her head. "I would like to learn more of this demonic dream wench and what we shall do in case she decides to change her battle tactics.
"Inuyasha doesn't think she's tough but I think Myoga had a point about this demon being a threat." Kagome added.
"Yeah! If she can't control her powers then that means she's almost as dangerous as Inuyasha." Sango answered.
"You guys are talking about me again?" The hanyou growled; stretching the cheeks of his kitsune friend in his claws as he came up to the seated group.
"Well…" Kagome began; interrupted by Shippous whining. "Stop it Inuyasha!"
"Apologize for calling me a dog first!" The hanyou protested.
"Gomen ne Inuyasha!" Shippou answered quickly. "NOW will you put me down?" He pleaded.
"Not good enough." He answered toughly; tightening the hold he hand on the back of the kitsune's haori.
"Ohhhh…." Shippou whined. Kagome and sat up on her knees and looked into the big, welled up, green puppy like eyes staring back at her pleadingly as if asking for her assistance.
"Inuyasha…" She growled; the same irritated tone she'd have in her voice before she would "SIT" Inuyasha for his bad behavior. Inuyasha mumbled something incoherent under his breath and immediately dropped the little kitsune to the ground.
Running up to Kagome he wrapped his little arms around her waist and hugged her. "Domo arigatou "Kagome-chan!" He beamed. "You saved me!"
"Do itashi mashite Shippou-chan." She answered back; patting the little kitsune on his head.
"Hmph…gaki!" Inuyasha mumbled as he sat next to Kagome. "Now why did you mention my name Kagome?" His attention now on the girls.
"We were talking about that Dream demon; Yume." Kagome replied.
"Comparing her to me?" Inuyasha asked; focusing his gaze on Sango.
"Only in the case of your demon blood." She fired back.
"Hmph…" Was his response. "What about my demon blood? I know I can't control it without Tetsuagia." He grumbled. "I'm not asking you to rub it in."
"I'm not trying too! It's just Myoga had a point about her instability."
"I don't follow."
"That is because you are stubborn and don't listen to reason." Myoga muttered as he quenched his thirst at Inuyasha's expense.
"Damare ojisan…" Inuyasha muttered as he smacked the spot where Myoga sat sipping at his neck.
"Squished again…" Myoga mumbled as he fell to the ground like a feather.
"Myoga-jisan…" Kagome smiled as she placed her hand down at his level so he could jump into her palm.
"Arigatou." He muttered as he sat down in her palm and began to talk. "What Sango meant in the case of instability Inuyasha was how you are when you lose Tetsuaiga and are forced to rely on your uncontrollable demon blood. You are a dangerous creature to contend with when you are caught without Tetsuaiga…"
Inuyasha listened in silence; he nodded acknowledging the old flea demon's words.
"In the case of this young demonness and her powers it is almost the same."
"Almost?" Inuyasha questioned.
"There is a difference…and ONLY one difference." He muttered as he took in a breath. "As you all know…when Inuyasha is without his Tetsuaiga and is on the verge of dying his demonic blood automatically burns up inside of him. Forcing him to change and fight and act as an all powerful youkai."
The group nods. All remaining silent; especially Kagome and Inuyasha; as they are the two people affected by the transformation most. They remain to keep all focus on Myoga and their emotions to themselves. "Unlike Inuyasha who's instability is provoked in terms of keeping him alive; Yume's instability is brought on by raw emotion."
"WHAT!" The group yells in unison.
"So you mean to tell me…that her powers are driven by outbursts of emotion?" Inuyasha asked.
"Hai."
"Femininity…what a wondrous fate you are to tempt me the way you do…" Miroku replied gleefully; his happy moment broken in two when Sango slapped him in the face.
"Snap out of it Monk! This a demon we are dealing with!" She yelled; trying to scold the monk for his male stupidity.
"I know…" The monk moaned; rubbing his cheek; now bearing Sango's hand print.
"So what are we to do about this temperamental demon?" Kagome sighed; looking to Inuyasha who now wore the "I know when I'm beat" look on his face.
"Hmph…guess she really won't be that easy to deal with huh, Myoga?"
"Good. You're starting to understand Inuyasha-sama."
"Then I guess we had better not make her too angry then…" Shippou replied anxiously. "I don't wanna know what she's really like if her instability is anything like Inuyasha's…"
"Coward." Inuyasha teased. "I am not a coward!" Shippou protested. "Keh…yeah right." Inuyasha replied. The little kitsune just rolled his eyes at the hanyou and ignored him.
"Well…the girls might be able to explain it better." The flea replied in a questionable tone that earned him a suspicious look from both Sango and Kagome.
"What's that suppose to mean gramps?" Kagome growled; raising an eyebrow to the little flea.
"Ehh…well…it's kinda of a…girl thing…her anger…ano…" He mutters as he puts on his hat and jumps out of Kagome's palm.
"Wakatta onna desu ka?" He asks the girls as he lands to the ground. With no response from the ladies he takes off into the bushes. "Ja ne!"
The demon exterminator and the miko glance at the fleeing flea then at each other and then after hearing the snicker from the lecherous monk they figure out what the little flea demon meant by Yume's emotional instability being a "girl thing". Suddenly the scent of anger in both Kagome and Sango becomes overwhelming for Inuyasha and he backs up in fear.
"Inuyasha?" The monk utters; seeing the angered look in Sango's eyes as she cracks her knuckles and looks menacingly in his direction with an angered miko right behind her. "Just…run…!" The hanyou yells as he starts to take off.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku calls to the fleeing half dog.
"Monk…!" Sango growls; her eyes flaming red with anger as she makes him the target of her frustration.
"Inuyasha!" Shippou cries as he runs after the half dog.
"Wait for us Inuyasha!" Shippou and Miroku cry out after the hanyou as they anxiously follow the hanyou's reaction and duck as the two girls begin to wail on them.
Meanwhile; back at Naraku's Castle; Naraku sits quietly on the steps of his castle in deep thought.
"Damn this…" He muttered under his breath; Kanna creeping up behind him stops as she senses the stress in his voice.
"Master Naraku?"
"Kanna…" He waves his hand as a jester for her to come over to him. "How are Yume and Kagura doing? What have the two of them been up to?"
"My sister is doing her best to put up with Yume…it seems as though the guardian of the subconscious mind is getting on her last nerve."
"No surprise…she is young…whereas Kagura is a bit too mature to handle such a delinquent demonness.
"Perhaps she is jealous of her?" Kanna suggests.
The evil half demon only smirks at the youkai child. Imagine that! Kagura jealous? And of such a young and inexperienced demon at that. Doing his best to hold back a laugh at the thought of his attachment showing such worthless emotion he only places a hand atop Kanna's head and smirks evilly.
"Amusing Kanna…" He smiled as he took a good look into Kanna's mirror. The mirror showed Kagura and Yume. Both at opposite ends of the chamber within the castle.
"Yume claims that her plan is about to be put into action and will be a success." She replied informatively.
"Is that right?"
"She plans to manipulate Sesshomaru's human girl…"
"Has Rin obtained the Shikon Jewel yet?"
"Not yet." She answered; waving her hand over the mirror to show Naraku where the girl was now. "Lord Sesshomaru, his retainer and the human girl are still close by to where Inuyasha and his friends remain." Waving her hand over the mirror again she reveals Yume's plan in the form of a reenactment. "When Rin gets a hold of the jewel…through Yume's influence she will then make her wish."
"A wish?" He snickered. "How cliché. As if it were the real Shikon Jewel."
"Yume intends on turning Rin against Sesshomaru."
"How so? She is merely a ningen."
"As soon as Rin makes her wish she will transform into an adult with God like powers."
"Really? How interesting."
"She will remember nothing of her times with Sesshomaru; she will think like Yume and find him as her enemy and will sought out nothing but to take his life."
"Kanna…" Yume muttered as she appeared through the shadows. Dressed in her usual red and black attire. "You naughty little girl. Telling Naraku of my plans?"
Kanna says nothing. With her neutral facial expression she only looks at her master and then into her mirror.
"Go on child. I know you desire to tell him of the tainted fake don't you?"
"No need." Naraku answered. "I already knew of that."
Chuckling she holds her staff to her side as she walks up to Naraku. "Of course you did."
"Tainting the fake jewel with the blood of that despicable half dog Inuyasha and the reincarnation of Kikyo…" He scowled; detesting them as much as he did.
"You forgot someone…" She smiled.
"Hmmm…?" He mused to himself. "Another has touched the jewel and bleed to it?"
"Not quite my Lord." She began.
"Heh…Sesshomaru…right? The moment your monster snapped at him you stole whatever amount of fleeing fluid you could get your hands on didn't you?"
"My Lord…you are quite the intellect." She smiled; showing Naraku the blood samples of the fake jewel's victims.
"Clever…" Naraku muttered as he observed the blood on her fingers.
"So, she reaches out from the jewel when someone touches it and cuts they're finger?" Kagura mutters as she makes her way down the stairs. "How cute."
"Green suits you well Lady Kagura…it's covers up the hideous features of your demonic face." She scowled.
"You insolent bitch!" Kagura roared as she gripped her fan and opened it wide. "I've had just about enough of you! She yelled.
"Really now…" She smiled as she drove her staff into the ground.
"Dance of Blades!" Several silvery blades of wind fly off the fan and in Yume's direction.
"You dare to hit me while your Lord and sister are near?" A strong demonic aura rising around her as the wind blades come at her. "No…this can't happen again…" Kagura muttered weekly as she saw the wind blades bounce off the barrier and attack her back.
"You have no shame…and you lack skill…as well as intelligence."
As the demonness of the winds fell flat on her back; with her eyes fading into the back of her head she watched as the demonic barrier fell and Yume's demonic aura calmed.
"You didn't think I'd let you hit me?" Yume asked as she stood above Kagura; gripping the collar of her Kimono as she got her to her feet. "Did you wench?" The blade of her staff pressing up against Kagura's jugular.
"Yume…" Naraku muttered; his hand on her shoulder. "She's not worth it." He answered and with that Yume got his message and dropped her to the floor.
"Will she awake? Or have you killed her?" Kanna asked in her monotonous voice.
"She got hit with her own move…she will awaken…not to worry." She smiled as she left the lifeless body to the ground and stood near Naraku and Kanna.
"Whoever said I was?" Kanna answered as she returned her attention to her mirror.
Naraku stares sternly back into the devious demonness' eyes. As naive as she was she was still VERY useful to him. "Your plan?"
"It comes into action tonight."
"Tonight?"
"At the stroke of midnight…Rin will make her wish upon the Shikon Jewel and become my apprentice."
Naraku only nods his head in approval; but scoffs at her.
"I know what you are thinking my Lord…" She began. "How can a worthless ningen serve a Taiyoukai such as myself?"
Taiyoukai? Her…? She appeared more confident then she looked thought Naraku as he heard her speak of herself being an ultimate Youkai. "Hmph…" Naraku smirked.
"You tainted the fake jewel with the blood of both Inu-taiso's sons as well as the priestess…"
"The Legend my Lord…" She smiled.
Naraku looked up at her and smirked. The legend of the jewel of darkness; a jewel forged only by Guardians of the Subconscious Realm was coming into play at this guardian's very expense.
"…So it is true then?"
"You shall soon see. Just be patient and you will soon see the greatness of my powers."
"Be careful." He muttered as he took her by her tainted hand; licking the blood from her finger.
"M-my Lord…" She uttered in surprise.
Chuckling; Naraku backed off and put on his stern facial expression. "You are still new to your powers…are you not?"
"…Yes…" She admitted somewhat shamefully.
"Don't allow your emotions to get the best of you…or you will be staring death in it's face." He muttered as he disappeared into the darkness.
"…Death…yeah right." She mumbled confidently. "I am an un-killable taiyoukai…I have no need to fear death…" She muttered. Sensing her confidence she soon heard Naraku speak to her from within her mind.
"I want your plan to be carried out successfully Yume. If you fail I think you would be much happier dying by your lack of respect for your emotional powers then by my merciless hands."
"Yume…?"
Upon hearing Kanna call to her Yume shakes off her thought of Naraku punishing her or her losing to Sesshomaru and company and looks towards the white haired child youkai and frowns.
"What is it?"
"You should proceed with your plan…the sun has already started to set." Kanna replied informatively.
"Hai." She muttered as she disappeared into the shadows.
