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
Iie - No
Miko - Priestess
Kitsune - Fox demon
Hanyou - Half demon
Youkai - Demon
Ningen - Human
Matte - Wait
Chotto matte kudasai wa sama - Please wait my Lord
Etoh - Umm…
Wakkatta - Understand
Sama - Lord
Taiyoukai - Ultimate demon
Sayonara - Good bye
Sou na - Can't be!
Owari - The end
Danderu - Dumbass
Nani wa sore - What is this?
Shibito - Dead person
Honto ima - Honto ima
Kore no anata owari - This is your end
Onegai - Please
Ikinasai - Go away
Shikata ga nai! - No need for it
Chan - Little
Genki - Fine
Kuso - Shit
Chapter 16
With her gaze centered on the starry night sky she sighed as she breathed the freshly scented air of the night. "I've come so far..." Dark Lady whispered. "...And yet..." Lazily resting on a tree log that hung a few inches in the air from the stream that sparkled below her. "...Something is bothering me..." Her right hand resting in the water as her left hand gripped the handle of her Bloody Rose Sword.
"What could it...?" Closing her eyes.
The shadowed image of what looked to be a child going deeper into water.
Not moving...
Just falling into the depths of the pool. "No! Stop it! She's only a child!"
"It all went by so fast..." Placing a hand over her forehead as different voices rang thoughout her mind.
"I want to get out of here!" Cringing at the fear striken voice she heard crying inside of her. "...Something I want..." Shivering as the grip she had on the handle of her sword tightened. "Do you want to die…"
"Iie..." The word muttered in a soft whisper as she gently clutched the handle of Bloody Rose.
"Dark Lady!" Her eyes snapping open. "Stay here in the Mysterious Forest!" Her brown eyes narrowing upon her master. "I have something I MUST do!"
Nodding to her enraged master Dark Lady just looked up at the Cresent Moon in the night sky & sighed. "I won't die." Getting to her feet doing her best to forget the harsh words Sesshomaru had spoken to her. Her gaze focused downward into the primary weapon og choice as gripped it in her left hand. "...Not at your hands." A trail of green crystals falling from her blade & lighting up the water below her adding to the serenity.
"What a night…" Shippou sighed as he fell into Kagome's lap.
"Poor Sesshomaru…" Kagome mumbled in sad tone of voice; hugging Shippou.
"Kagome…" The hanyou's concerned eyes on his miko. "Why him..." The hanyou muttered in a bothered tone.
"He came so close to waking her from this horrendous nightmare and looked what happened for his kind efforts…"
"You really see some good in my brother…" His tone sounding earnest. "Don't you..."
Nodding her head. "Like I see in you…" Red flowing to his cheeks as he felt Kagome scratch him behind his ears. "Inuyasha." Rubbing his head once then laying her head down on his right shoulder.
"…Kagome…" He whispered in a soft voice, overcome by her kindness as he laid his head on hers.
"Impossible sounding…doesn't it?" Miroku questioned.
"Yes…it is." Myoga answered; perched on Miroku's shoulder. "But it must be true."
"It takes a heart of goodness to break the curse of the Bloody Rose." Replied Hachi. "And for Sesshomaru to have come as close as you guys said he did to bringing Rin back to her senses proves that he is the one and the ONLY one to liberate Rin from the evil Yume's grasp."
"My brother isn't good you guys…" The hanyou growled. "He is too cold to bear his real feeling for someone IF he had any."
"True…but he defends Rin like you defend Kagome." Sango began. "The only way for him to break the spell would be to get Rin to understand he'd risk life and limb for her."
"...Keh..." Inuyasha muttered; rolling his eyes.
"Under this spell the possessed one sees the opposite of what they saw in the person they respected. If Sesshomaru can swallow his pride and reveal his feelings to Rin then she will be freed of the evil curse." Myoga replied.
"You think he knows how to be emotional?" Shippou questioned; looking at Inuyasha. "He is YOUR brother after all."
"What is that suppose to mean?" Raising an eyebrow at the little kitsune.
"Nothing…" Shippou replied coyly. "Just wondering if the apple of selfishness doesn't fall far too from the same tree."
"WHAT…!" Inuyasha growled as his fist landed atop Shippou's small head
"WHHHAAAAAHHHAAHAAA!" Shippou cried as a big, pink knot formed on his little head.
"Sesshomaru is very capable of admitting his feelings to Rin." Sango began, staring at the lecherous monk. "Unlike some people." Fear reaching his eyes as he realized Sango was onto him.
"Yes, I believe he can do it." Myoga answered. "He must prove how much he values her, if not we all will suffer."
"What do you mean suffer?" The hanyou's glare centered on the little flea demon.
"Being controlled by Yume, it is Rin's duty to slay Sesshomaru. Whether she accomplishes this goal or not depends on whether or not our world will face certain judgment."
"The hell are you talking about Myoga?" Unsheathing his katana. "I can kill Yume with Tetsuaiga!"
"If you get involved now Master Inuyasha I promise you that you will not survive…"
Inuyasha's glare turned suspicious as the flea demon went on.
"Rin and the sword of Nature have already bonded with eachother...it is with the sword being an extention of her own body along with her knowledge of nature itself she becomes a truly powerful and dangerous opponent..."
"Go on…"
"Knowing this, as long as she holds the sword of Nature she is unstopable."
"Then we will take it from her." Inuyasha replied stubbornly.
"You still don't get it…" Hachi sighed.
"What's that berry breath?" Inuyasha growled as he got in Hachi's face with his katana.
"No violence Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled as she took Tetsuaiga out of Inuyasha's hand and forced him back down into a seating position.
"You must understand Inuyasha…the Bloody Rose Sword is a sword crafted by the power of Mother Nature. It's power can be used for good or evil and in the hands of one so in tune with her surroundings while being unsure of her own intent makes the situation even more life threatening and dangerous."
Sighing the hanyou rested his hands in his lap. "So then…we have no choice…"
"We have no choice but to leave this to Sesshomaru." Myoga answered.
"I don't like the idea of my brother deciding the fate of our era Myoga."
"You must trust him Inuyasha." Myoga replied.
"I don't…" Inuyasha began in annoyed tone.
"Inuyasha-sama..."-"You are saying we must depend on whether or not Sesshomaru can reveal to a possessed ningen how he loves her in hopes of us surviving judgment from a sword forged by Mother Nature…?"
His tone sounding even more irate. "I can't!" Calming as he felt Kagome wrap her arms around him. "…I just can't…"
"You must have faith in your brother Inuyasha…" Kaede began.
"After what he has done…having faith in someone as conniving and as revolting as him is difficult…" Folding his arms in his haori.
"Listen to me…" The wise old priestess replied. "He may appear to be a cold hearted demon with a dark heart…" Kaede began. "But for a little girl to be able to shine light into his dark soul should be more then enough proof of how good he could possibly be."
"Maybe…" Inuyasha muttered in an unconvinced tone as he took in to Kaede's wise thought.
The dark, angered eyes of evil stared into a mirror that revealed a battle between a great priestess and an evil mind controlling demon. "Enough..." He thought annoyingly as he watched the fight.
"She's gains much enjoyment in tourchering you my Lord." Kanna replied; she too watching the fight.
"I tier of this..." Naraku growled as he watched his new follower attempt to take out the one woman he detests even more then his hated rival. "Kill her now."
With dark volts of energy surging though the sky battling against dashing purity arrows it seemed as though the confrontation between the undead priestess and the arrogant guardian of dreams had yet to come to an end.
"Suffer in hell priestess!" Yume yelled as she blasted the vacant area with her dark energy.
Smirking at her enemy's words. "You first." Kikyo replied as her purity arrow flew through the air & headed straight for Yume.
The agile demon narrowly escaping the arrow as she knelt down to touch the cold earth.
"You will pay for this!" Still angered by the mark Kikyo's sacred arrow left across her once flawless face as she blasted more dark energy at the strategic priestess.
"You will get no where with that attitude." The undead miko replied as she dodged the third energy blast; countering with a barrage of purity arrows.
"Not yet…" Yume growled as she twirled her staff like a baton; deflecting the oncoming rain of sacred arrows.
"Hmph..." Kikyo replied. "...not bad…" a smirk crossing her lips as she pulled out another arrow.
"Is that the best you can do priestess?" Yume teased as she lunged forward with her sword. Missing as she noticed the undead miko standing right behind her with her bow and arrows ready. "Now you die…" Shooting an arrow directly in her face.
With dark mist surrounding her body it was no surprise to Kikyo when she saw Yume's Shadow sword slicing her arrow in half.
"I told you I wouldn't allow you a second chance at that." She smiled; thrusting the sword at Kikyo's chest.
"Nor will I…" She replied as she backed away from the attack. "...Allow that...!" Blocking as a wave of dark energy came at her.
"Dodge this!" Yume yelled excitedly; watching as the enormous wave of dark matter headed straight for Kikyo.
Smiling she pulled out her bow and as the beam of dark energy came at her Yume found herself going into shock when she saw the priestess twirl the bow in the same manner as she would her staff and deflect the dark attack back at her.
"Damn it!" Yume yelled as she teleported a safe distance away from the priestess; narrowly avoiding the countered blast.
"Leaving so soon?" A sense of satisfaction surging through her as she saw the annoyed look on Yume's face.
"You will be destroyed Kikyo, you and that miserable Taiyoukai!"
"You will have no such luck with that." She replied as she shot another purity arrow at the demonness; piercing her in the leg and causing her to fall from out of the tree.
"You bitch…!" She coughed as her head came in contact with the ground.
"I'm glad you feel that way about me." She replied; her smile fading as she approached Yume with her weapon. "The feeling is mutual." Drawing another purity arrow.
"Now foul demon…" She replied as she pulled back on the bow.
Holistic energy forming into the arrow as Kikyo attacked. "Be gone!" Releasing the purity arrow; only to be countered and sent back into a tree for her efforts.
"Sou na…!" Her eyes widening as she caught sight of Dark Lady.
"As if I'd really allow myself to fall pray to such a dangerous confrontation without the assistance of my faithful apprentice." Smiling at the sight of the battle ready ningen dressed in blue with the Sword of Nature in her grasp.
"Cowardice…" Kikyo commented as she got to her feet. "Bringing this innocent soul as your back up..."
"Call me what you want priestess…" Getting to her feet as dark energy surged throughout her body "…but today is they day that I will make everyone suffer!" A blast of dark energy flowing out of her and at Kikyo.
"You won't win." Kikyo growled as she shielded her eyes.
Back at Sesshomaru's Castle it is after hours of searching for him that he found his master; Sesshomaru. Peeking through the crack in the door he found his Master involved in a certain book pertaining to magic spells and curses.
"He must be busy…" Jaken muttered to himself as he began to make his leave.
"Jaken." His stern voice shocking the toad demon into the air. "M-my Lord!"
Standing in front of the open door to his library Sesshomaru looked at the toad demon curiously.
"I am sorry to disturb you my Lord but we must talk about Rin and the Bloody Rose curse."
"Fine." He replied as he walked back to his seat. "I have been meaning to talk with you about that."
"He has?" His eyes widening. "He wants my advice!" He thought happily.
"Sit." He answered as he opened up the book of Spells and Curses.
"Yes my Lord!" Taking his seat on Sesshomaru's foot stool.
"After doing some research I have come to realize that there are only but so many ways for me to put an end to the Bloody Rose Curse."
Nodding his head in interest the toad demon looked up with enthusiastic eyes. "I am sure that what ever solution there is to breaking the spell you will choose wisely."-"There is only one solution to breaking this curse Jaken…" Sesshomaru interrupted. "...And without self distraction it remains obvious to me that I am the only one who can break it."
"Of course!" Jaken replied enthusiastically. "It is focused on your suffering after all…"
Changing the subject of his statement as he saw the suspicious glare in Sesshomaru's eyes. "But you can never feel such a silly emotion! So this will be simple…eh heh heh…yes?" He spoke up nervously.
Rolling his eyes at Jaken's stupidity Sesshomaru sighed and took a pause as he thought.
"My Lord?"
"I will save Rin by telling her the truth." He answered as he closed the book of Spells and Curses and got out of his seat.
Shock and confusion overcoming the toad demon as he took in his master's intention.
"Wha?" He asked dumbfounded. "He isn't going to…" He thought anxiously as he fell off the stool. "Matte!" Rapidly getting to his feet to pursue his Master. "Chotto matte kudasai wa sama!"
"Don't interfere unless you want to be slain by me or Dark Lady." Sesshomaru answered; heading towards the steps.
"Etoh…" He muttered as he followed ahead of his Lord down stairs.
"Wakkatta Jaken?" He asked as he proceeded out the door.
"I um…heh heh…" Anxiousness flowing through his bones as he stared up at his Master. "...Don't quiet follow." He answered.
"Of course you dont." He mummbled as he walked down the stairs.
"Sesshomaru-sama!" Walking down the stairs Jaken found himself flying as Sesshomaru kicked him like a ball.
"Why do you treat Jaken so badly!" He cried in his mind as he tumbled down an endless flight of stairs.
"Danderu…" Sesshomaru muttered as he made his way down to the last set of stairs.
Unimpressed by a beat up Jaken who laid ditsy on the floor with numerous bumps and scratches on his head.
"Sesshomaru-sama?" He whined.
"I suggest you stay here…unless you like being my personal doormat." He replied nonchalantly as he stepped on Jaken's head and then mounted AhUn.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken cried as he called out to his master. "LORD SESSHOMARU!" The taiyoukai disappearing into the gray sky as he went in search for Dark Lady and Yume.
"My Lord…!" Sighing heavily as he ignored Jaken.
"You are coming back to me…" He thought defiantly; wanting nothing more but then to sweep Rin off her feet and away from her controller." And after I have you I will make that mind controlling whore suffer…" His demonic aura rising off him a little at the thought of him piercing Yume's heart with Tokijin.
"Pathetic..." Dark Lady thought as she watched her teacher and the undead miko battle it out.
"Shine, miko! SHINE!" Yelled Yume as she sent waves of thunderbolts at the evading Priestess.
"Persistent..." Kikyo muttered as she shot another arrow at her target.
"As are you!" Yume yelled; batting the arrow away from her as she charged. "Begone!" The arrow piercing Yume in the thigh.
"Will this ever end?" A chill flying up her spine as a cold wind surged though the area. "Something's not right." Gripping Bloody Rose as she looked around for the wrong. "...Sesshomaru-sama..." She muttered softly as she stared up into the sky. "You've come for me..."
His eyes widening as he heard her speak his name.
"AhUn…" Gripping the reins as he forced the two headed dragon to stop in mid-flight.
"Damn it!" Yume growled as she felt the pain in her right thigh.
"Hurts doesn't it?" Teased the miko; preparing another arrow for her opponent. "Dark Lady!" Calling upon her student to help defend.
"Doesn't she ever get tiered of calling on me?" The ningen wondered as she dove onto the scene; coming right for the undead miko.
"What a strong scent…" Sesshomaru muttered; his nose detecting the scent of his human pup near the Fukai Mori.
"Not you..." Kikyo thought sadly as she pointed the arrow at the woman.
"Disappear!" Yelled Dark Lady as she shot a barrage of blue thunder bolts at Kikyo.
"Fighting another one's battle…" He growled; notecing as Dark Lady attacked the undead priestess. "How pitiful…" Heading towards the ground as he leapt off his demonic horse.
"Sesshomaru...!" Her angered eyes widening in surprise to see the Taiyoukai so soon. "Who asked you?" Yume growled; blasting Sesshomaru on sight with her dark energy.
"Die..." Tokijin's gleam flashing as it came in contact with the Shadow Blade.
Angered as she saw the attack missed. "Lord Sesshomaru!" Yelled the vengeful demon as she came at Sesshomaru with her blade.
Growled as he unsheathed Tokijin and lunged after her, not stopping to breathe as he slashed at his enemy.
"…So persistent my Lord…" Dark Lady thought to herself as she sensed the Taiyoukai.
"Sayonara." The undead miko muttered as she realeased another purity arrow unto her foe.
"Darn it...!" Waking up from her pause as she caught sight of Kikyo's purity arrows heading for her. "The nerve!" Dodging she leapt up into the air and slashed violently sending several energy beams in all direction.
"Hmmm..." Muttered Kikyo; seeing as the attack missed standing in a tree unharmed.
"Damn shibitio…" She growled as she saw her avoiding the attacks. "You can't run forever!" She yelled as she chased after the fleeing miko.
"I don't intend to." She replied stopping in her place to shoot her arrows.
Feeling dismay overwhelm her as she saw the arrows dissipating through the light of Dark Lady's energy attack.
"…Honto ima…!" Kikyo coughed as she felt herself falling off balance in her attempt to avoid getting hit.
"Kore no anata owari…" Dark Lady muttered in an eerie tone as she slashed once in Kikyo's direction, allowing another wave of energy to fly off her sword.
"Enough…!" Kikyo thought as she dodged the attack and shot a purity arrow. Her eyes widening as she watched Dark Lady bat the arrow right back at her. "…She almost…" Aggravated by the thought of Sesshomaru's human friend almost killing her with her own arrow. "Is that your best?" Kikyo teased as she evaded the attack.
"It's just enough." Dark Lady smiled; seeing the look of shock paint itself on Kikyo's face as the undead miko realized her dilemma.
"Nani wa sore?" She coughed; not being able to move as a blue barrier engulfed her entire body.
"Owari…" Placing her sword at her side as she extended her arm.
"What will you get out of this Dark Lady?" Clinching her bow.
"Nothing…" She replied coldly; a ball of dark blue energy forming in her open palm. "…Not until I have Sesshomaru and everyone else at my mercy!" Launching her attack at the undead Miko.
"Ain't gonna happen!" Kagome yelled as she shot a purity arrow at the oncoming attack.
"Kagome…" Kikyo muttered to herself as she saw the reincarnation's purity arrow piercing the hilt of Dark Lady's sword.
"WIND SCAR!" Yelled the confidant hanyou as he sent a wild ball of wind energy at Dark Lady.
Breaking Dark Lady's concentration and the barrier. "…And Inuyasha…"
"Hey, Kikyo!" The hanyou's gaze set on the undead Miko.
"Stay out of my way!" Kikyo yelled as she shot an arrow at Inuyasha and then at Kagome.
"Kikyo…!" Inuyasha growled; backing away in time from the attack.
"We are only trying to help you!" Kagome yelled as she avoided the other arrow.
"No need for that…" Kikyo's angered glare focused on Kagome. "I don't want your help."
"Sounds familiar…" Inuyasha replied sarcastically as he got to Kagome's side.
"The half breed and his pale virgin…" Dark Lady thought in disgust at the sight of them as she leapt out of the way.
"You don't know what you are getting into." Kikyo muttered coldly as she eyed the Miko and the Hanyou.
"You got that right." Dark Lady's eyes glowing a feirce red as she gazed up at Kagome.
"...Rin-chan..." Quivering as she felt Dark Lady's overwhelming power being concentrated into her sword.
"Stay away Kagome!" Pointing the Bloody Rose at the miko with concentrated energy flowing from out the tip. "Or you will die!"
"Onegai Rin-chan!" Aiming her arrow at Dark Lady in defense. "Inuyasha and I just want to help you!"
"Ikinasai! Shikata ga nai!" Dark energy streaming forward.
"Duck Kagome!" The hanyou yelled as he grabbed the miko and shoved her out of the tree. "Don't make me tell you again!" She yelled; blasting Kagome with her dark energy.
"Are you okay?" The hanyou questioned as he got her to her feet. "Genki." She replied as she gripped his clawed hand and ran.
"Fools..." Kikyo muttered as she teleported in front of them and shot another arrow at Dark Lady.
"Forget about me?" An angered Yume yelled as she shot out at Kikyo, Kagome and Inuyasha with her dark powers.
"The hell?" Inuyasha growled as he fell on his back.
"I'm sick of seeing your face Inuyasha." A bright blue light coming for Inuyasha. "Inuyasha!" Yelled Kagome.
"Kuso!" The hanyou muttered through gritted teeth as he just avoided Sesshomaru's Dragon Strike attack. "Where'd you come from?" Taking out Tetsuaiga as he regained his composure.
"Getting involved again I see." Sesshomaru growled as he walked towards the half demon and his friends; Tokijin glowing a fierce blue color.
"Damn you…!" Inuyasha snapped; gripping Tetsuaiga fervently.
"Refrain your selfish persona Lord Sesshomaru." Kikyo replied sternly as she held her bow and arrow towards the ground. "This battle concerns all of us."
Sighing with slight aggravation for the undead Miko. "You just have nothing better to do." He muttered; his gaze focused on Yume.
"INUYASHA!" Yelled Miroku as he, Sango and Kilala entered the battle.
"Great..." Sesshomaru thought as he caught sight of the rest of Inuyasha's friends.
"The cavalry is all here!" Inuyasha replied excitedly as he got to his feet and unsheathed Tetsuaiga.
"Stay out of my way Inuyasha." Sesshomaru growled; Tokijin blocking the hanyou's path.
"I'm not here to help you…believe me…" Inuyasha replied; holding Tetsuaiga.
"Then why do you bother to get involved?" His gaze now focused on Dark Lady as he held his sword against his brother's.
"Dark Lady and your old acquaintance wants to screw up this world…" His Tetsuaiga turning red. "And I won't have it."
"And what makes you think you can survive the fight between Nature and Darkness?" His voice sounding full of suspicion as he clashed swords with his brother.
"Pha..." The hanyou smirked. "What makes you think you can reveal your true feelings to that battle hungry ningen?" Yellow and Blue sparks coming off the swords. "Are you afraid?"
"...What...?" Dark Lady's serious gaze faltering to curiosity as she watched the group. "What does he mean by that?" Yume's smile turning into a frown as she felt her hold on Dark Lady weakening.
"What's wrong dream wench?" Teased Naraku; the pressure to succeed making Yume cringe as she heard the suspicious tone in her master's voice.
"I fear nothing..." Inuyasha's gaze full of conviction as he held his own against his brother. "Neither do I."
"Time to end this..." Yume thought; her energy spiraling all around her.
"Hmph…" Replacing his sword in Yume's direction. "...Big bark you have there Inuyasha…"
The hanyou rolling his eyes at the comment. "Can you back it up?"
"Now suffer!" Yume yelled; laughing fervently as the gray sky turned black and red thunder bolts touched down.
"I know I can." Smirking as massive bolts of lightening began to rain down on him and his group. All while pointing the Red Tetsuiga at the violent and battle active guardian of the subconscious realm.
