Ohayo minna! Look! I wrote another fic… Hope you like it. Lately, I've been having a lot of ideas and this one has been lingering in my brain for, I don't know… weeks? Months? Dunno. Well pleaz review and Enjoy!
Hope: An Angel & A Hanyou
Ch.2
"So… where are we going again?" Shippo looked to Spyrite from the basket in front of Kagome's bicycle. Spyrite looked down at the small kitsune.
"We're going to a priestess that I knew from childhood," said Spyrite, for the near thousandth time that morning.
"What's her name?" Shippo asked, blinking in curiosity. He stared hard at Spyrite, awaiting an answer from her.
"Her name is Maylu. Priestess Maylu, that is," replied Spyrite, smiling at the memories holding that name. Maylu was her teacher in the fine arts of twin blade sword fighting. The priestess was most probably the best in region, or even the country. She could dance for hours, discovering new techniques and dances with her perfectly honed abilities and whirling blades.
"How old is she?" Shippo piped up again. She waited and was about to give the answer when Inuyasha growled his irritation.
"Stop asking questions you runt! Or I'll kick your ass!" bellowed Inuyasha, sliding his sleeve up his muscled yet lean arm. He growled louder, growing in menace.
"Inuyasha… Sit boy!" Kagome shook her head. Inuyasha dropped unceremoniously face first into the ground. His head was firmly implanted, making a rather large indent in the hard soil. He cursed into the ground, muttering to himself.
"I see you have been disciplined ungracefully once again, brother." Sesshoumaru appeared out of nowhere, smirking at the struggling Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru turned to his mate, Kagome, and hugged her tightly.
"Mate…" Everyone looked at him weirdly. They had never seen Sesshoumaru show any emotion or affection towards Kagome in public or even in front of them, for that matter. Kagome peered at her mate incredulously.
"Are you ok, mate?" Kagome asked, nervously fidgeting in Sesshoumaru's strong arms.
"Of course… Let's go." Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome after him, heading back the way they came. Sango and Miroku looked on quizzically while Inuyasha eyed his half-brother suspiciously but kept it to himself. Even since Sesshoumaru had mated with his beloved, he still had his silent mask. He showed his inner self only to Kagome and no one else. Never. Spyrite's wins bristled and stretched out to its full length, sensing something out of place.
"Don't move or I'll kill you… Kaern," threatened Spyrite. "You go any further and I'll make sure you get what you deserved from the last time we met."
The supposed Sesshoumaru stopped abruptly and turned around making Kagome bump into him lightly. Kaern grinned, showing his lengthening fangs. His facial features changed. His long silver hair turned black and shortened to about halfback. His eyes changed from gold to orange-red and his claws lengthened too. His ear turned into bat ears.
"Ha… I knew you'd figure soon enough. But sorry I can't let her go. I've got orders from Vrykile. I have to bring her to him for his destroying the world thing. She's one of the many ingredients to his devious and very evil plans," said Kaern, sneering.
Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango got into their fighting stances while Kirara transformed into her larger cat form. Shippo jumped onto Kirara's big back and hid. Spyrite walked closer to Kaern and his captive but Kaern quickly seeing the rapprochement unsheathed a hidden poisoned dagger.
"Don't come any closer or I'll kill her," said Kaern, threateningly. Spyrite smiled.
"You can't. You need to bring her to Vrykile alive, remember? I know what he needs, I'm not as stupid as Vrykile thinks I am. Tell me Kaern, what's in it for you? Insurmountable power? Infinite riches? What Kaern?" asked Spyrite, calm and determined for the answer.
"I'm doing this because he promised me both and a high position about all of you worthless beings, when he is in reign. I will be powerful, more powerful than you," Kaern spat, tightening his hold on Kagome's neck. "Death ghosts! Attack!"
Kaern motioned to someone behind him. But nothing came out, only a small rustle from a bush. Inuyasha sniggered.
"Where are your allies? Huh, stupid? Let go of Kagome and I'll give you a swift death," said Inuyasha, transforming Tetsusaiga to its larger form.
Suddenly Kirara flew backwards, hit by something that was not there. Inuyasha's ears swiveled around and he heard something coming towards him. He didn't know which way though. Inuyasha turned his head and was instantly hit in the stomach, sending him to his knees.
"Shit… What the hell? Where are you? How come I can't see them?" asked Inuyasha, gasping in much needed air. Spyrite turned to him.
"They are invisible warriors. He has at least five of them, if not more. Be c…"
Spyrite was sent head over heels, slamming painfully into a tree. She slumped to the ground. Kaern grinned menacingly.
"What can you do with a broken arm, angel? You can't even defend yourself properly, let alone advise the pitiful hanyou. What will you do?"
Spyrite grinned, scaring the already doubtful demon.
"Who said my arm was broken now? My arms healed, thank you very much. And of course, I can defend myself, better than you ever will."
Spyrite stood and flexed her left arm. She pulled the two feathers from her silver hair and they transformed into shimmering scimitars. She approached Kaern warily, who stepped backwards slowly, one step at a time.
"Ghost come here and defend me!" yelled Kaern, breaking out in a cold sweat.
A swift wind bypassed Kaern and quickly went towards a ready Spyrite. She quickly looked back, seeing Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and Kirara trying desperately to fight the invisible attackers. She turned back and readied her scimitars.
"Do me good, Icefyre, Wyndwar. Serve me well…"
The warrior swiped at her with an invisible sword but Spyrite sensed the attack but the blade bit onto her cheek, leaving a wide gash. She focused on a spell mentally. A blue flame encircled the invisible warrior's form. The invisible warrior, thinking that the flame would burn him, squirmed and twisted, frightened. He was too distracted to notice Spyrite charging at him. She neatly beheaded the Ghost and turned to her struggling friends. She recounted the spell and all of the warriors were encircled with a mighty blue flame. Her friends stepped back a bit in shock but regained their confidence quickly and defeated their opponents. Kaern watched all of this with great alarm and fear. He turned to run with Kagome but a lady with dark brown hair and shining grey eyes was there before him. She chanted a spell, which made him lose hold on Kagome, and another spell which threw him into the air. He hit a tree roughly, and vanished into the air in a puff of smoke.
"Priestess Maylu! You're here?"
Maylu turned to face her student and was followed by a hug. She patted her back gently.
"Hello dear. Come now we must tend to the wounds of your friends," said Maylu turning around towards the forest.
"But…"
"Hurry now. I've made stew. We can talk afterwards," interrupted the Priestess.
Spyrite nodded and helped Kagome to her feet. The others quickly followed the swift Priestess and talked silently.
"Thanks so much for saving me, Spyrite. I know I wouldn't have liked being someone's 'ingredient' or whatever," said Kagome, thankfully.
Spyrite reddened a bit.
"Aww… It's ok. It was nothing," Spyrite mumbled.
The group arrived to a big shrine, which was overwhelmed by many taller trees. Maylu gestured for them to follow her into the main shrine building. They settled into the building and sat, tending to their wounds.
"Here, take a bowl. If you want more then help yourselves," instructed Maylu, pouring stew into wooden bowls.
Each took their own, savouring the rich stew. They ate silently while Spyrite and the Priestess whispered amongst themselves.
"Priestess, were you there the whole time?" whispered Spyrite inquiringly, quirking an eyebrow.
"Of course… I know what you want to know. I will tell you later, when you have refreshed from your journey. Oh… And we must have a quick practice round like old times. I can still feel the defeat of the last round, pup," said Maylu. "I need to regain my winning advantage."
Spyrite guffawed. Everyone looked at her like she was crazy or weird. She quickly stopped and turned back to her teacher.
"Yeah right. I can still beat you like the old days, big time."
Maylu nodded skeptically.
"Don't get too confident, pup. If you do, you will lose," reprimanded Maylu.
Inuyasha cleared his throat.
"Are you two finished with your reunion? I want to know why that idiot wanted to kidnap Kagome, now," said Inuyasha, growling slightly.
"You should be more respectful to your elders, pup. You listen here. First all of you are going to take a bath and rest. Tomorrow morning, we will talk further about this problem. My student and I have to have some time to ourselves. It has been a long time since we have practiced…"
Kagome nodded enthusiastically. She grabbed Sango's arm and stood.
"Come on Sango. Let's go to the hot spring," suggested Kagome eagerly, "It's been ages since we've taken a bath."
Kagome and Sango were about to exit the shrine building when Kagome stopped sharply, making Sango trip up. Kagome scratched her head and blushed.
"Uhh… Where's the hot spring again?" asked Kagome, stuttering with embarrassment. The priestess and Spyrite smiled knowingly while Inuyasha smirked.
"It's behind the east wing. Be careful, there is a dragon there. Tell her that I sent you to bathe there. The password is Phoenixbane," said Maylu.
"Thank you!" Kagome and Sango raced out to the east wing, searching for their prized destination. Priestess Maylu turned to the remainder of the group.
"What will you do? Kirara and Shippo can stay in the shrine. Where will you go monk, Inuyasha?" asked Maylu, courteously. Miroku settled himself comfortably.
"If I may, I would like to stay here and meditate. It would be a relaxing rest," said Miroku. Maylu nodded.
"You may stay here monk. What of you, Inuyasha? Would you like to stay here also?" asked Maylu, once again.
"Keh! I'll stay here…"
"Very well. Come now pup, we must catch up on old times." Maylu and Spyrite got up, stretching. Spyrite walked out of the shrine, followed closely by her mentor, who did not close the sliding shrine doors.
"Get ready pup. You're going to get kicked badly," said Maylu, smiling mischievously. Spyrite eyed her mentor, preferring not to encourage an insult exchange. She looked her up and down, figuring out her opponent's weaknesses and strengths.
The priestess had a lean and strong body, even though she was in her late thirties or even mid-forties. Maylu could whirl her blades at an amazing speed and probably manage to out run her because of her demonic loss. Damn… I wish I still had my demonic abilities. Then, at least, I'd have an advantage in speed…
Maylu unsheathed her blades. Her blades were simple enough, yet deadly. It was a shade of silvery-grey with a complex handle and double-edged blades. No jewels, gems, no decorations or carvings, just a blade and a hilt.
Spyrite plucked the two feathers in her hair, transforming them. She grinned confidently.
"Any rules mum?" she asked, rolling her shoulders in preparation. Maylu nodded her head.
"Same old, same old. No magic, no tricks and obviously, no killing," said Maylu, brandishing her swords. "Prepare to be humiliated pup."
Spyrite rolled her eyes and charged at her mentor, sidestepping quickly before Maylu impaled her. In her sidestep momentum, she thrust her right hand blade, Icefyre, and parried a blow with her left, Wyndwar.
Maylu started with a series of double thrusts and single cuts, trying to put her student into a defensive posture. Spyrite knew her teacher's methods, so she refrained herself from falling into her defensive position. Instead she exchanged cuts for slashes and blows for jabs.
Miroku looked on with amazement. All he could see was a flurry of movement and flashes from the metal of the dancing blades.
"This is extraordinary! I have never seen anything like this before…" whispered Miroku, completely overcome by awe.
"Keh! So what?" Inuyasha opened an eye and watched the two opponents, silently admiring the wonderful swordsmanship from the priestess and the angel. But he watched Spyrite intently.
Spyrite countered with a cross chop, managing to slash deeply into Maylu's arm. But the priestess ignored the wound, drawn into the battle lust. Maylu thrust once, then twice. The second time, instead of dodging, Spyrite used the downward cross, trapping the blade between her two.
"I told you! There isn't a counter for the abdominal thrust! We're trapped," said Spyrite, panting.
"Tsk, tsk, pup. There is a counter for every attack." Maylu flicked her wrist and she disarmed Spyrite, leaving her entirely vulnerable. Maylu was about to give the final blow when Spyrite smirked.
"I don't think so. Icefyre! Wyndwar!" The two blades flew from the ground and into Spyrite's awaiting hands. She parried the attack, sending the priestess stepping back.
"Where is your honour pup?" asked Maylu, getting into position again.
"You said demons have no honour when it comes to fighting, and my heart hasn't changed yet!" said Spyrite, smiling ruefully, "I'm still half-demon in heart and soul."
"But not in body and mind!" Maylu charged at her with all of her speed. She twisted and tripped Spyrite before she could manage to pivot in a downward sweep. Spyrite landed on the ground, sprawled into an exposed position. Spyrite felt the cold bite of the metal blade on her throat.
"Ok. Ok! You win. But I have to say, if I still had my demonic powers, I would send you head over heels," said Spyrite, getting up.
"Whatever you say pup. Come, we need to talk about just that."
During the fight. Sango and Kagome…
Sango and Kagome were gasping for breath by the time they were in front of the wooden gates of the pretty large hot spring. They were running around the east side of the shrine grounds like mad beasts.
"Finally! God, I'm gong to soak in real good when I get in," panted Kagome, clutching her chest. Sango nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I'm going stay in there until I wrinkle like a prune…"
"Intruders! I will kill you for intruding on the domain of Silverstar, Dragon of Priestess Maylu!" cried a deep voice, from the inside of the hot spring. Kagome and Sango turned around to the gates and saw a truck-sized silver dragon, which towered over the gates considerably. The dragon, Silverstar, was about to pour flames onto them when Sango waved her hands wildly.
"Wait, wait!" she cried, desperately trying to gain a bit of time, "Priestess Maylu sent us here to bathe!" Silverstar blinked skeptically.
"What is the password, puny human?" asked Silverstar, preparing to burn the humans who dare lie to her.
"It is… Phoenixbane!" said Kagome, thinking carefully. "That's it! Phoenixbane!" The dragon roared her disappointment.
"Fine! Come now. I will heat the pool, small humans. You smell like the dirt on the forest floors… What have you been doing?" asked Silverstar, scrunching her big nose in honest disgust.
"We have been traveling for weeks without taking a bath because Inuyasha wanted to keep looking for a new quest… or so he tells us," explained Sango. Silverstar let the two into the hot spring grounds, sniffing them. Sango and Kagome entered eagerly. Silverstar lead them away, making the Earth shake a bit when she walked.
"Is Spyrite here? Did she bring you here? How is she? It has been a long time since I have seen her. The last time I have seen her was before she died. Tell me," said Silverstar, still thumping on the ground.
Sango answered, "Well, yes Spyrite is here. She led us here for some reason or another. Probably to find out more about Vrykile, is it?" Silverstar started growling deep in her chest when she heard the scorned name.
"He's back? I know Spyrite will be powerful enough to destroy him. Though I must admit, he is strong also. He knows magics that are unknown to Spyrite. She was never the priestess or sorceress type. No, no. She is a warrior in and out," said Silverstar. "Tell me more, please."
This time Kagome answered, "Spyrite is very strong, she demonstrated her strength when she beat off Vrykile the first time we met him." Silverstar's expression didn't change.
"He will be back. He always finds a way to come to the Earth or find her," remarked Silverstar, leading the two girls to the poolside.
"Here you go. I will leave if you want," announced Silverstar, starting off.
"Wait!" said Kagome, "Can you tell us more of Spyrite? We would like to know." Silverstar stopped and considered her words.
"I guess I can tell you some things about her. But really, you should ask her for more personal things, like family and most of her life before she was killed. I will reveal some for your insatiable curiosity. What would you like to know?" Kagome and Sango thought for a moment, getting into the warm spring.
"What about how she met Priestess Maylu?" asked Kagome, thoughtfully. Silverstar looked t the clear yet darkening sky.
"Where to start? Ahh… Well, Spyrite came here when she was nothing but a pup. She was on the brink of despair because her older sister was ill with an unknown and incurable disease. She was bent on killing herself because she was too weak to protect her sister from the illness and too scared of the poaching villagers.
"Priestess Maylu brought her in under her care, as if Spyrite was her own. She taught her how to defend herself with her favoured weapons, the scimitars and she also taught her the methods of a priestess. But she wasn't a priestess or a sorceress at heart, as I have told you already…
"Spyrite and I would always talk when she came to bathe. We became great friends. There was and always will be an enormous gap in the difference of our ages, but it didn't matter. I was centuries old and she was only ten, a mere pup. Yet, we had much to tell each other.
"But she was killed in battle with the demon who slew her mother. But not before she managed to pierce him in the heart with her wicked ice blade. The demon was a powerful one. The priestess was grief-stricken when she saw her dead body, poisoned with the demon's deadly blood splattered all over her. Maylu prayed to the Gods for a safe journey to the Heavens above and that she become a fallen to protect the Earth she loved dearly. And so, Kami has granted her humble wish and now she is here to defend the world with her superior scimitar skills from the likes of Vrykile. That is all I could tell you. She will tell you the rest when she is ready to tell," relayed Silverstar, warily.
"That is amazing… Such a life of tragedy and fear, yet she looks like she has been through a life of hope and happiness. She is truly an angel if she is able to relinquish any doubt. Quite extraordinary," said Sango, eyes wide.
Kagome glanced at the dark night sky.
"I think we should get out now. It's already night! Wow. Come on Sango." Sango and Kagome got out of the spring and reached for their clothes.
"Do not put those filthy clothes on. Leave them there so I can wash them." Silverstar thrust her head towards the other end of the spring at a bench. "Dress yourselves in a kimono of your choice for tonight."
Sango and Kagome ran to the other bench in the cool air of night and grabbed the kimono. They quickly put them on for fear of getting sick with a cold. Silverstar stood on her four legs and motioned for them to follow her. Kagome and Sango followed the dragon obediently. When they reached the gates, Silverstar turned away.
"Send my greetings to Spyrite. Tell her that I will be waiting for her in my humble home within the spring grounds like always. If she doesn't come then I will cut down the Haven tree," said Silverstar, walking slowly back to the springs in the direction of her homey cave. Sango and Kagome ran to the shrine building and knocked.
"Come in. We were waiting for you before we went to bed," said a voice within the shrine. Kagome opened the door and went in, followed by Sango. Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, Maylu and Spyrite awaited in the shrine. And to Kagome's surprise, Sesshoumaru also sat against a wall, waiting for the long awaited appearance of his mate.
"Sesshoumaru! You're here!" Kagome ran to Sesshoumaru, her mate and hugged him tightly, not ever wanting to le go.
"Greetings, mate. We must go, I have long sensed a formidable danger. Come, Rin is waiting." Sesshoumaru walked out the door to Ah and Un (sp?) and waited patiently.
"Bye guys… See you later I guess. I'll miss you. Come on Shippo, we have to go. Bye Spyrite and thank you Priestess Maylu for the hospitality." Kagome bowed quickly and waved. She jogged out the door of the shrine and leaped onto Ah and Un. The two mates were on their way, back to the Western Castle.
Miroku got up and yawned.
"I think I will rest for the night. Where will our rooms be situated?" asked Miroku, yawning again.
"In the northern wing of the shrine. A room to each. Good night, monk," said Maylu, smiling tiredly.
"I will leave to, if you don't mind," yawned Sango, standing up to follow Miroku to the Northern wing. Maylu nodded. The two and Kirara left silently, leaving Inuyasha, Spyrite and Maylu alone in the shrine building.
"You may go Inuyasha to your rooms, if you'd like. Or you could eavesdrop on us," said Maylu, cheerfully tired.
"Keh!" Inuyasha settled himself into a more comfortable manner, lying down on his side, propped up on his right arm.
"Now where were we… Ahh, yes. About the demonic powers. I might be able to restore your old hanyou self but you will still have the angel characteristics, of course. Not that that would be a problem," said Maylu, matter-of-factly. Spyrite almost fell face forwards.
"Really? You could do that! Why didn't you tell me before! I could have my demonic abilities back…" said Spyrite, in joy.
"Yes but you will have to give up two things. Your ability to fly and communicate with your mother and sister." Spyrite opened her mouth to say something when Maylu interrupted her.
"When you become a hanyou, you will have your wings, yes but, you will not fly. Instead, you will be able to put up a barrier strong enough to deflect or absorb any attack, even Inuyasha's Windscar," she added. "You will not be able to communicate with your family because you have sinned when you were a hanyou. You cannot talk to anyone or even go back to Heaven. It will be impossible. Your spirit will waste away, but that is inevitable even when you are an angel, for you are fallen."
Inuyasha huffed. "No one can defeat my Windscar! Especially when I drained the blood of the bat demon!" Maylu shook her head.
"Even with the blood, she will be able to deflect it. Her wings are powerful and they will stay like that. It is the gift of God," retorted Maylu. Spyrite remained clueless. Should she give up the only way to contact her family? The barrier thing sounded good but, her family. She nodded her head in determination.
I have to do it for the sake of Earth. My family's is already in peace, in Heaven. Father will take great care of them for me… "I will do it, Maylu. I want to be hanyou again…"
Maylu nodded. "I will need your scimitars. Give them to me, I must draw power from them to complete the spell." Spyrite unsheathed Icefyre and Wyndwar and gave hem to Maylu reluctantly.
"Don't worry, they'll be fine. It is yourself that you have to worry about. You will be unconscious for a day to a week. One last chance to turn back." Spyrite shook her head, not wanting her certainty to melt into cowardice. Inuyasha looked on in curiosity. Why did she want to be a hanyou again? Surely he wouldn't if he had the choice. Wouldn't he? He shook his head. The spell started. Maylu chanted the spell in some unknown language. A yellow halo started to rim the outline of Spyrite's body, turning brighter and brighter until you couldn't even open your eyes. An explosion sounded and everything went dead quiet. The swords were steaming from the immense power while Maylu panted. Spyrite lay on the ground, unconscious like Maylu said she would be. Her claws started to lengthen but it was a long way before all of her features changes.
"Come Inuyasha. Help an old woman to lift her up." Inuyasha grunted but got up submissively. He picked Spyrte's light body up and awaited further instruction.
"We will go to the West end. To her old room. I guess you could sleep in the same room as her. It is very big, able to fit at least a dozen. You could stay on the far side," said Maylu, leading the way.
When they got into the room, Maylu spread the comforters and futons and Inuyasha gently laid her down onto the floor. Maylu quickly laid more comforters and futons on the far side for Inuyasha.
"There. I will be down the hall in the last quarters. Good night, Inuyasha. I will inform you of Vrykile tomorrow when I am less drowsy and tired." Maylu left the room and closed the sldiing doors.
"Keh." He shifted the futons a bit but didn't lie down on them. Instead, he leaned heavily against the wall with Tetsusaiga nestled in his lap protectively. He glanced at Spyrite's still form unconsciously tender. He shook his ehad when he noticed his tenderness. Fuck… I must be going soft or something. But she is peaceful… Inuyasha drifted off to sleep, tired from the day's many adventures.
Well… How'd you like it? Review! I'll get ch3 up as soon as possible. I have to finish my damn homework first and study… Well, gtg! Ja ne… :P
