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!
Translations:
Fushigi no Mori - Forest of Mystery
Shi'ne - Die
Abunai - Dangerous
Amai - Sweet
Baka yarou - Stupid bastard
Gomen nasai - I'm sorry
Sama - Master, Lord
Youkai - Demon
Togire no Tenshi - Broken Angels
Yume - Dream
Honto ni - Really?
Nani - What?
Hai - Yes
Shibito - Dead person (Ex: Kikyo)
Mochiron - Of course
Ningen - Human
Miko - Priestess
Jaki - Evil energy
Onegai - Please
Nani no jigoku wa kore - What the hell is this?
Iie - No
Sayonara - Good bye
Chapter 14
Deep in the Fushigi no Mori lied Dark Lady. Demonstrating her power to the forces that surrounded her.
"Shi'ne..." Not letting a little rain shower bother her as she remained focused on each target. "Too easy..." Every moving and non moving thing expendable as she lashed out with her Dark Energy Claws.
"Abunai..." Kagura thought to herself as she studied Dark Lady's crafty attack techniques. Each one more deceiving and precise then the rest.
Pointing her open palm at a nearbye log. "Shiro Inazuma!" A jolt of white light trashing it into a million pieces.
"Not bad..." Kagura muttered as she watched Dark Lady recover from her attack.
"...I can do better..." She muttered as she began to spin around like a ballerina; blue volts of electricity surrounding her as she twirled in place. "Watch me." Smiling seductively as she directed a ball of concentrated energy at a small bird like demon that bathed in the lake.
"Amai..." Smiling as she admired the blood that spewed out of the dead bird demon. "The blood of the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands will be just as sweet." Placing her hand on the ground in front of her and lighting a circle around her.
"I am impressed." Commented Kagura in a nonchalant manner.
"You don't sound like it." Her long black hair flowing around her as she spun around doing a spin kick to the open air.
"Why do you follow Yume?" Her eyes on Dark Lady as she knelt downward and began glowing.
"She has promised revenge against the one who has oppressed me." Her arm glowing blue as she came up with an uppercut.
"You know she can't be trusted." Brown eyes shifting towards the wind demon. "Why do you say that?" Unsheathing her claws.
"Hmph." A frown forming. "She's a conniving creep."
"You're opinion..." Slashing at a tree.
Rolling her eyes. "Whatever kid." Her fan arm falling to her side. "You will find out soon enough."
Ignoring Kagura as she continued her assault on the tree. "She's as a bad as Naraku." Her claws digging into the bark as she slashed continuously.
"Using a prized warrior of his choosing to achieve a goal..." Her claws cutting at the center of the Cheery Blossom tree. "...And then throwing them away if they fail." The tree splitting a bit as Dark Lady backed up.
"You have failed many times..." Ignoring the annoyed look on the wind demon's face. "Where'd you hear that?"
"Damn you..." The wind demon's voice sounding bitter. "...Yume..."
"Yet you are still here."
Turining around with a temper in her tone. "...What are you trying to say Dark Lady?"
"It is none of my concern as to what may happen to my Master..." Whipping her wet bangs out of her face. "Whatever demise might befall her I assure you Kagura that it won't happen to me."
"Glad you are so confident." Crossing her arms.
"I know you don't like her."
"Got a problem with that?"
"Like I said..." Looking at her claws. "I could care less." Proceeding to slash at the air for more practice.
"What an individual." Watching as she jumped around. "I like individualists."
Dark Lady hardly noting Kagura's presence as she continued to practice.
"You believe that practicing in preparation for your battle with Sesshomaru will help you?" Leaning against a tree opposite to the one Yume clawed; fanning herself.
"Of course."
"Do you think you could defeat him?"
"Hai." Swiping upward with her claws.
"How confident."-"But I'd rather fight him with the Sword of Nature." Ending her practice.
"Think that the sword will grant you enough power?" Crossing her arms in boredom.
"More then enough." She answered; Yume entering from darkness as the girls finished their conversation.
Walking past Kagura and Kanna she looked to Dark Lady. "Are you ready?"
Meanwhile at Sesshomaru's Castle the crying and whimpering of the Taiyoukai's retainer; Jaken could be heard throughout the halls as he struggled to make his Master see reason in his intent.
"Must you do this my Lord?" Cried Jaken as he followed his master down the path that he knew would lead him to Yume, Naraku, and HIS Rin. "Dark Lady is dangerous!"
"I insist that you…!"- "You will insist nothing Jaken." He answered sternly; his neutral facial expression never changing as he walked on down the path towards the Field of Ignorance.
"But…!"-"Silence…" His tone sending fear into his meek body.
The scent of Dark Lady and Yume growing stronger as he neared them.
Shaking in his little kimono Jaken quietly followed his Master; fearing for his life as well as his Master's.
"This girl has possessed my Lord…" Jaken thought fearfully. "Even when drenched in darkness she seems to appeal to him…"
"I will bring her to her senses Jaken…"
His eyes wilding at Sesshomaru's comment.
"Tokijin shall feast on her flesh then?" Jaken asked with a slick smile.
Stopping in his place; Jaken found himself bumping into Sesshomaru.
"M-my Lord?"
And then a second later found himself flying in midair as his eyes caught sight of Sesshomaru's right arm extended outward.
"Baka yarou…" He growled as he turned away from the flying toad demon. With his hand falling to his side he remained silent as he awaited the great thud of his advisor hitting the ground.
"Uuuuuuggghhhh…." Was all Sesshomaru heard after the thud.
"Hmph…" He muttered as he looked away from the disheveled toad demon that crawled back to him.
"Gomen nasai Sesshomaru-sama."
Rolling his eyes he walked on.
"Wait!" Don't leave me!"
"She will not be allowed to get away with the same stunt she pulled on me twice." He growled; remembering the confrontation between himself and Rin.
"Her once pure soul now reeking of that bitch…" Sesshomaru mumbled. The angered tone in his voice sending fear as well as shock into Jaken's heart as he listened on to his Master.
"Onegai…" The voice of maturity and darkness ringing throughout his head as he replayed the image of her pressing a lethal hand at his chest. "…shi'ne…" Basting him away from her sight in an attempt to put an end to his existence.
"Sesshomaru-sama…?" Jaken whisped in a low voice, now fully afraid of his Lord.
Remaining silent he sighed and then looked back at his faithful advisor.
"Ignore me…"
"Huh?"
"My mind is plagued by anger…"
"You? Bothered by such an emotion?" He asked clulesly. "How could that be...?"
Rolling his eyes he gripped Tokijin and swiped at Jaken who jumped at first glance of the blade's gleam.
"My Lord?" His face illustrating shock at his Master's reaction.
"Good…you remembered…" He replied as he sheathed Tokijin and continued down the path.
Regaining his composure Jaken sat up and stared at his Master in amazement.
"Get up Jaken." He replied. "I'm not going to wait for you."
"Y-yes my Lord. I'm coming." He replied frantically as he chased after Sesshomaru. "He was serious when he said he'd lunge at me with Tokijin without hesitation…"
Looking up at Sesshomaru; with his beautiful silver hair flowing in the wind as he walked on Jaken swallowed his heart as he contemplated his Lord's own heart. "He must really be concerned for Rin…"
Walking in darkness along the Togire no Tenshi path that lead straight to the Field of Ignorance with her teacher and Naraku's two female children Dark Lady remained silent as she remembered her confrontation with the Lord of the Western Lands.
The way his cold eyes gazed into hers.
The way it felt for her to gaze back into his without fear.
And then for her to strike out at him without shame…
"All too easy…" She muttered in low voice.
As they came into the field of endless flowers; looking towards her Yume raised an eyebrow at her follower and smiled.
"Something the matter Dark Lady?" Her light weight black tasels tied into a bow flowing freely as she walked.
"Hmph…" A frown meeting her stoic face as she crossed her arms. "It's nothing...just awaiting the confrontation between myself and Lord Sesshomaru."
"Of course." She replied; keeping her eyes on the dark path. "I can't wait either…" She replied softly.
As the group of Kanna, Kagura, Dark Lady and Yume continued through the field of Forget me Nots, Carnations, and Dandilions an overwhelming aura over came them.
"What the hell are we doing here Yume?" Kagura growled. "Naraku sent you after Kikyo! Not us!"
"Complaining again Kagura?" Yume asked; rolling her eyes as she spoke down to the demon of the wind.
"Shut up and answer me you second rate demon!" She yelled; stomping her foot into the ground.
"For someone who was born of a great half demon and to only be that of a mere woman who commands the breeze shouldn't talk." She snapped; almost laughing as she answered Kagura.
"Damn you!" Kagura growled; forcing herself to remain under restraint. "Answer me…"
Yume stopping in the center of the Field of Ignorance.
"To cure what ails you I will say this…" Yume replied as she folded her arms across her breasts. "Naraku's desire to have Kikyo's head is of nothing for me to be concerned about."
"So…" Kanna began. "You aren't going to do as Naraku requested?"
"I never said that." The devious demon answered calmly as she drove her staff into the ground. Causing the flowers to open up and release their pollen and for the ground it to split.
"What the?" Kagura growled; eyes wide with her fan gripped tightly in her hand.
"I just have plans that must be handled now instead of later…" Yume replied calmly as she removed her staff from the earth; watching as the millions of golden crystals released from the buds of the flowers seperated and rained down in front of them.
"I sense an overwhelmingly powerful energy coming towards us." Kanna replied.
With her sensing the over bearing aura; looking around frantically Kagura glared fiercely at Yume.
"Trying to use us for another one of your sick games Yume?" Throwing her fan arm out threateningly at the demon.
"How foolish are you?" Her eyes glaring an angered red as she forced Kagura and Kanna back with her immense power.
Getting to her feet as she recovered from the powerful shockwave Kagura stood up and began to yell.
"If you think I'll die so easily by your hands then your…!"-"ENOUGH!" Yelled Dark Lady as she let out a fierce volt of energy at the feuding youkai.
As the electric volt came in contact with Kagura and Yume the two were lucky enough to evade the attack with just a minor shock.
"How dare you…!" Growled Kagura as she got to her feet.
"Do as I command…" She replied in a stern voice; her finger nails glowing a mysterious gold color. "Unless you want to die before your time." Her voice sounding more God like as the eminent force neared.
"What the hell is going on Yume…?" The wind demon roared; watching as Yume carefully got to her feet.
"It is nothing more…" A smile gracing her lips as she wiped sweat from her brow. "Then a test of her strength."
Giving Yume a disgusted look; before Kagura could speak another word of her frustration to the careless demon her eyes soon met with the eyes of a great beast.
"Dark Lady…meet your first obstacle towards gaining your primary weapon…" Dark Lady's unbothered facial expression remaining the same as she stared up at the beautiful creature.
"Who are you?" Dark Lady asked as she approached the creature.
Long flowing black hair with dark gray eyes the creature reeked of dark energy. Dressed in a white haori and a blue hakama with brown chest armor the creature spoke up.
"My name is Midoriko…"
"Honto ni…?" Dark Lady questioned sarcastically.
"You don't believe me…" Her red lips curling up to a smile as she eyed the young woman.
"You look like nothing more then the legendary guardian's shadow…"
"…Shadow…?" She questioned innocently. I Midoriko…guardian of the Shikon Jewel stands before you in nothing but the physical."
"Midoriko protected the sacred Shikon Jewel almost a thousand years ago…" Dark Lady Rin's eyes narrowed upon the great Miko. "...She is dead." A frown adorning Midoriko's face at Dark Lady's comment. "And has been for the longest."
"Yes! YES!" The creature smiled as white wings sprouted from her back. "She has!" Laughing maniacally as she swiped at Dark Lady and missed with her sickle scythe like weapon.
Dark Lady Rin frowned as she got into a battle ready stance as she lunged out at the shibito with her energy whip.
"You are right! I am nothing more then the dead priestesses' haunting spirit." Withdrawing her retaliating claw like whip from Midoriko; Dark Lady got to her feet.
"Nothing more then a show of my Master's power no less…" Dark Lady replied as she stared at Yume out the corner of her eye. Seeing the smile followed by the nod of approval by her Master.
"Beautiful…and intellignet..." Midoriko replied in a sensual tone of voice.
"Don't you dare make a mockery of me shibito." Dark Lady growled threateningly as she readied to attack Midoriko with her golden claws.
"Calm yourself Dark Lady…or else you won't benefit from this battle."
Sheathing her claws back into her fingers she stood up straight and pierced the shibito with her stern gaze.
"Why do you bother to appear before me?" Her dark brown eyes glowing gold as she raised her hands high above her head ready to attack. "Do you wish to die again?"
"She is your test Dark Lady." Yume answered assuringly to her battle ready apprentice.
"Mochiron…" She muttered; staring back at Yume suspiciously.
"This is what you desire...is it not?" The possessed spirit of Midoriko smiled as she revealed what looked to be a silver bladed katana; with a red rose wrapped around it's black handle.
Her eyes widening with a sense of impression as she caught sight of the amazing looking weapon.
"The Bloody Rose…" Her gaze instantly leaving the prized sword as the ghost of priestess Midoriko spoke.
The wind blowing as if it sensed the tention between Dark Lady and the possessed spirit of the maker and guardian of the Shikon Jewel.
"Hai." She replied proudly as she threw the sword down in front of Dark Lady; the white petals of the other flowers flying upward as the blade cut threw them.
"Why did she throw it in front of Dark Lady like that?" Kagura asked as she looked at her sister.
"This is a test of the mind as well as the body Kagura." Kanna answered calmly. "Shibito Midoriko is doing what she is doing for a reason..."
Nodding her head she stared back at the ghost of the legendary priestess and Dark Lady.
"Let's see if she will pass." Kagura muttered.
"She will…" Yume replied confidently.
"How do you know?" Kagura questioned as the powerful ningen and the shibito got ready for battle.
"The desire of a ningen is much stronger then that of any demon..." The skys getting darker as the wind from the field grew colder. "Her wish to defeat Lord Sesshomaru is what is motivating her..." Smiling as she watched Dark Lady Rin go toe to toe with the undead Miko without stop.
"...Hmph...your so confident in this new Rin's loyalty..." Kagura muttered; her statement ignored by Yume who of which was already captivated by the battle.
"Draw the sword ningen…"An immense wave of blue and green energy spiraling off the two battlers.
"...How kind...so we demons get discredited..." Kagura growled in annoyance from no recognization.
"When your mind is fixated on one goal…" The wicked demonness began up again. "No matter who you are..."
A sword forming in the hand of the charging ghost as Dark Lady's brown eyes began to glow a battle ready red color.
"Nothing can stop you from getting what you want."
A huge blade covered in a swirl of dark energy coming down on Dark Lady's head as the battle went on.
"Please..." Dark Lady scoffed as she dodged that attack. Sending a thunder jolt at the ghostly priesstess. The attack missing; reflecting off of her huge sword as Midoriko countered.
"Shi'ne!" Midoriko yelled as she threw the huge blade like a boomerang at Dark Lady. The sword coming for her with such velocity as she narrowly dodged it as it came at her head.
"You had better be right…" Kagura replied as she stood back and watch the fight between the undead miko and the jaki drenched ningen.
Meanwhile Inuyasha and his friends found themselves pursuing another monster that might be in possession of a Shikon jewel fragment.
"I can sense it!" Kagome replied seriously as she held on tightly to Inuyasha.
"Why do I even bother to do this?" Inuyasha wondered as he leapt from hill top to hill top with Kagome on his back chasing after his group in the direction of a formidable beast.
"Come on Inuyasha!" Shippou yelled. "Keep up!"
"Shut up Shippou!" Inuyasha yelled; his ears open to the kitsune's voice. "Sango could push you off of Kilala if she wanted too!"
"She won't!" Shippou protested as he held on to Kilala.
"I would if I was her!" Inuyasha snapped; talking back to his cute but annoying friend.
"Well you aren't!"
"Shut the hell up you stupid little...!"-"Enough Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled as she lightly popped him on the head.
"Owww! Kagome?" The hanyou complained as he rubbed his sore head.
"I didn't hit you that hard!"
"You hit me hard enough!" He snapped as he continued hopping from one hill to the next.
Rolling her eyes at the hanyou she pointed out at the opening towards their destination."I can sense a huge jewel fragment! Don't loose it's scent all for the sake of an argument!"
Rolling his eyes he growled under his breath.
"She's right Inuyasha!" Sango replied as she road above him with Kilala, Shippou and Miroku. "Don't allow yourself to be distracted."
"Right…" Mirkou muttered as he allowed his covered hand to fall from Sango's waist to her sensitive spot.
"PERVERTED MONK!" Screamed Sango as the sound of her hand coming in contact with Miroku's face was heard.
"The heck?" Inuyasha blurted out as he looked above him; seeing Miroku laying on his stomach with a ditsy looking smile on his face and Sango's hand print on his left cheek.
"I think Miroku should take Sango's advice…" Inuyasha muttered as he sped off in the direction heading towards the path of Broken Angels.
"Oh no!" Cried Miroku as he woke up out of his daze and spotted the figure ahead of them.
"It can't be!" Kagome cried; she too was shocked by the figure that stood in they're way.
"Sesshomaru…!" The hanyou growled as he muttered his brother's name.
With sword clashing against mystical whips of crytalized magic the battle between the Ghost of the legendary creator and protector of the Shikon Jewel; Priesstess Midoriko and the formidanle apprentice; Dark Lady went on.
"Funny how this place is known as the Realm of Broken Dreams & of sheer Idiocy huh?" The ghost of Midoriko commented as she came at Rin with another sword slash only to be countered by her gleaming whips.
"It's nothing more then a sacred field of flowers!" She answered as she swung at the undead pirestess with her whips. "Speak no more of it!"
"How touchy you are..." Midoriko teased as she swiped at the nimble ningen. "This field holds so many secrets..." A shockwave of energy flying right off the weapon as Dark Lady came to attack. "The hell are you talking about..." Dark Lady growled as she held her ground and blocked the attack.
"Dreams broken in the mist of pure beauty and innosence." Her sword batting off Dark Lady's crystalized whips once more as she spoke."Kind of like yours..." A smile reaching her lips as she came down hard on Dark Lady with an over head swing.
"I'll break you!" Her whip cracking as it came in contact with the earth. Pulling up weeds and dirt.
"What happened to your sense of humor Dark Lady?" Midoriko teased; holding herself as her sword got tangled in Dark Lady's whips.
"Died…" She growled; her eyes glowing as she began to spin around in her place and lunge out with extended arms. A windmill barrage of sparkling whips coming for the ghost as she danced. "Like my trusting heart..." She thought as she launched her attack.
"Nani...!" She cried as the crystalized whips slammed themselves against her frail body and her sword flew out of her hand directly in the dirt in front of The Bloody Rose sword.
As the huge sword found itself a sheathe in the dirt Dark Lady lunged forward with her flashy extensions that grew from the base of her wrists.
"Doshite...!" The crystallized whips sparkling as they came in contact with the physical frame of the undead Midoriko as Dark Lady launched her combo attack.
"Amazing…" Yume replied to Kanna and Kagura as she watched Dark Lady's decorated attack. "Without a weapon she is still a very formidable opponent."
"Abunai is more like it…" Kagura replied; impressed as she watched Yume's apprentice whip and slash at the armless shibitio.
"You sounded honest just now…" Yume replied in a calm tone of voice.
"I can't give you an honest opinion?" Kagura questioned as she stood by Yume's side.
"We've never been on good terms Kagura…" Yume began in an annoyed tone. "Why so assuring all of a sudden?"
"I know you don't want to work with Naraku." She replied as she rested a hand on Yume's shoulder.
"Is that what you think?" Smiling as she slapped Kagura's pale, demonic hand off of her shoulder.
"I know it." She answered confidently. "And neither does Dark Lady." Her arms folded across her chest as she continued. "You both have your own intentions."
As Dark Lady finished off her combo attack with a wide spread slash attack with her crystallized whip she extended her left hand forward as an overwhelming torrent of blue energy surrounded her.
"Why do you say that..." A questionable look in her eyes as she stared back into the evil eyes of the wind demon.
"It's like you said…" Kagura began; the ground shaking from Dark Lady's preparation.
A beam of light flowing from her hand as it went right through the Bloody Rose Sword, Midoriko's sword and Midorkiko.
"When one is fixated on their goal…"
"Nani no jigoku wa kore?" The ghost's pupils fading into black as the white light came in contact with her. Dark Lady rushing through the light as she gripped the Bloody Rose Sword that was once sheathed in the firm dirt.
"Iie…" Midoriko muttered as she felt the sacred blade of Roses slice through her mid section.
"Nothing can stop you from getting what you want."
"…How can this be…!" Her voice echoing throughout the field as her body shattered into a million pieces.
Kagura's eyes narrowed angrilly upon Yume. "YOU want nothing then Sesshomaru's head..." Her tone of voice sounding more disgusted then surprised.
"Sayonara." Her wings falling from the sky as Rin stood in her position; sword in hand and her eyes focused on the path ahead of her.
Smiling the treacherous demon turned around to face Kagura. "Something that you and everyone else that hunts him desires…"
