I'm back now! Finally, I decided to update since I have just finished my term test. Oh and I would also like to thank Carmen, parsnip and xXx for reviewing. Thanks a lot, and this chapter is for you guys.
Disclaimer: I don't own inuyasha , but I wish I do…
P.S : please pardon the grammer and spelling. My English suxs.
Kicking the tiny pebbles across the dusty path, the boy laughed as it hit his brother sharply upon his shoulder. Frowning, the older boy gave chase as his brother ran off, heading deeper and deeper into the forest.
Upon reaching the other side, both boys were staring in awe at the huge cave that loomed before them, the dark entrance obscuring and threatening. Many a time they had heard from their parents and elders back at the village about the fearsome demon that rest within this very cave itself. They had been told many times never to wander nor go near this part of the forest, but this time, curiosity got the better of them.
Edging closer, the brothers could see nothing but sense the eeriness of the surrounding darkness within the cave itself. And then they froze. Glowing dangerously in the dark, were a pair of crimson red eyes. They were eyes that resembled nothing to that of a human, and above all, a flicker of malice could be seen, once.
Screaming with all they had, both boys retreated, flailing their arms and legs as they scrambled off into the forest, back to the comfort and safety of their village….
----
'Kagome..'
Turning towards the voice, Kagome smiled as she waited for old priestess Kaede to catch up.
The wind was a gentle billow, causing the long sleeves of her clothes to flap softly against the gust.
' Kagome, take these… It will aid you in your travels….'
It was a packet of herbs and assortment of many interesting 'products', in which Kaede had kindly prepared for her. Strange as it may seem, but Kagome had known her for two days, staying over at her village temporarily before she continued on her journey to wander the lands.
Thinking that the 'products' may come into good use for future needs, she thanked her, bowing her head slightly, before she turn to leave.
Watching the back of the Miko growing smaller into the distance, Kaede sighed as she shook her head. Kagome reminded her of her long lost sister. They both had the same eyes, both were mikos, powerful ones, and they were both able to shoot purifying arrows. The only difference, was that Kagome seemed to be more open-hearted and cheerful, unlike her sister, who chose to bottle her feelings deep within her heart.
Her sister… looking up into the azure blue sky, Kaede wondered if she was still alive. Her sister had been a very powerful and accomplished miko, allowing her to double or even triple her lifespan to that of an ordinary human, so it was highly impossible for her to have died. Still she prayed, hoping that someday, she would return…
-- -- --
Half the day had past.
Looking out over the darkening horizon, she could see a spiral trail of smoke lingering in the air. Deciding that she would spend the night at the village, she turned down the path, stopping only when she saw the stranger, his back facing her.
Somehow, his presence had gone undetected, how was this possible? Shaking off the thought, the silence was broken by his remark. ' A demon resides nearby..'
Knitting her brows together, Kagome gave a frown in acknowledgment. Why is he telling me this? Motioning herself forward, she could see the messy tangles of hair flowing freely against the wind. The stranger was tall, and he stood unmoving, his voice concentrated and confident.
' Once, a powerful demon hankered after a powerful sacred jewel. Unfortunately for him, he was sealed inside a cave, deep within the forests by a mysterious miko, and to this day, he remains there.'
Raising an eyebrow, Kagome could merely guess the stranger's intention. ' You wish for me to help?'
' A lowly demon does not deserve the honour to exist together with such a precious jewel. He would one day break free, and bring much trouble to this world with the aid of that jewel..'
Turning around, Kagome rested her sighted upon the peaceful village that nestled below hills. All her life, she had dedicated herself to helping the weak, subduing troublesome youkais, earning herself quite a reputation amongst the villages. Her gifts would not go to waste, as she would see to it, and she decided that she would have to do something, about this demon.
Turning back, the stranger had disappeared. Searching the area for traces of him, she soon gave up, trudging off towards the village as a pair of brown orbs observed her actions from somewhere within the trees.
-- -- --
' … Many a times this village has trembled and shake under the fiery and wrath of the restless youkai that lies beyond the forest……'
' … The demon was horrifying!! Thank the gods it has been sealed away inside the cave, and yet I fear the day it may break loose…'
' … The youkai attacked my children, they saw it with their very own eyes!! My boys will not lie.. The demon will escape very soon!!'
The endless fearful prattle by the villages were continuous. Kagome knew that they were afraid and fearful for their lives, but still, she couldn't help but feel that they were exaggerating. Should the youkai be free, this village would have been torn apart. Despite the claims of having seen the youkai roaming the forest, the villages were unable to give a vivid description on the appearance of the demon. All they could identity was how bloodthirsty the youkai's eyes had exemplified.
Readying her bow and arrow, Kagome decided that it was time she investigated. The legend of the sacred jewels had once reached her ears. According to the legend, it had been bestowed upon the earth every since the beginning of time. Due to the immense amount of power it contained, many creatures, both men and youkai have tried to enslave it, using its powers to do their bidding, causing the lands to be in such turmoil and trouble.
Eager to test the existence of such a legend, Kagome was ready as the cave which held the demon captive now loomed before her. The amount of youki emitted was tremendous. Never had she sensed such a strong amount of it. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on her own miko powers and held her hand in front.
As her fingers began to glow a bright pinkish hue, she eased forward towards the entrance of the cave. Upon contact, the air around her flickered as an electric current began to run pass an invisible barrier. So there is a barrier surrounding the entrance..
Once inside, she headed towards the direction where the youki energy was the strongest, knowing that she would find her quarry soon.
The cave was dark and dank. The jagged areas around the surface were rough and swiped clean. Claw marks could be seen on almost every inch of the wall. Some were just superficial, and some were deep, as if that area had been scraped repeatedly, indicating just how desperate the youkai had been to escape.
As the cave began to widen, it soon led her to a large clearing. The place was dimly lit with candles, floating high above the grounds. The youki seemed to be getting stronger, but there was no sign of the youkai. Instead, her attention was shifted to the magically orb that lay at the very back of middle of this very huge cave.
It's powers were calling out to her, beckoning to her to own it. She could see her desires and wishes floating enchantedly along the surface of the polished orb-like pearl. Blocking out the calls, Kagome knew that the legend was true – she was now staring at the sacred jewel.
A sudden swirl of youki entered the atmosphere, causing her skin to prickle as she sensed something behind her. Turning around, she stared back to the other half of the legend – the demon who possessed the jewel.
The demon was an enormous, giant white dog, with eyes the colour of blood and paws the size of rice fields. As it growled and glowered at her, gnashing its gleaming sharp teeth, Kagome could only gasp in shock as she took a small step back.
She had been expecting a snake demon, or a bat demon, but never in her wildest dreams, would she suspect that it would be an inu youkai. Somehow, the number of dog demons were extremely small in numbers, except for the wolf and fox demons, which were much more capable of breeding.
' Miko…' The inu youkai growled. ' I see that you have returned, now release me this instance, or face my wrath!'
Stunned, Kagome could only issue a confuse look as she stared back into the face of the angry dog demon. Preparing an arrow over her bow, she decided that she had better subdue the youkai, lest it kills her first before she get her answers.
' Returned? You are very much mistaken, but I can see why you are trapped here, let this be a lesson to you in case you decide to steal the jewel again..'
Snarling and baring its teeth, the youkai was seething, as it began to bark ' I know nothing about stealing the jewel, and I care less for what it can give me as I do not wish to lower myself to that state. But for you… I will end your miserable life… now!'
And with that, the dog demon leaped, swatting its giant paws right into her face as Kagome ducked and rolled safely out of its reach. Her mind was racing with what the demon had said. Is he telling the truth? Does he not desire for the jewel?
Releasing her arrow, it hit the demon squarely upon the shoulder. As he yelped in pain at the purifying energy, it only aggravated him more, turning his eyes a burning red now. The crescent moon upon its forehead was glowing beneath the shady light. Gnashing its teeth, the demon began to salivate, causing a highly toxic gas to be emitted into the atmosphere.
Covering her mouth with the sleeves of her clothes, Kagome shot out a few arrows, purifying the air as she did. Crouching into a tiny human size hole, she lay there to catch her breath as the infuriated dog demon scratched and dug at the wall surrounding her, growling menacingly as it did. ' Bitch… come out this instance…'
Digging into her clothes, she fished out the packet that Kaede had given her earlier that day. Pouring out the contents, she grabbed a tiny bottle, and prepared her arrow, a plan now formulating inside her head.
Scooting out from the corner, she took a careful aim, and shot the demon near the eye. As the youkai yelped at the intense pain, it brushed its body heavily against the graveled stone walls, teetering off-balance as it scrunched up its face in sheer agony.
Making full use of the distraction, Kagome ran up bravely towards the youkai, avoiding the falling siege of rocks as she uncorked the bottle and flung its contents right into the youkai's nose.
The pellets exploded, clogging the air with its horrible stench as the inu youkai cried out in shock at the sudden blast of foul smelling odor. Reeling its head back in disgust, it began to sneeze and wheeze, coughing out the obnoxious stench its sensitive nose had picked up.
' What kind of foul magic is this ?!'
The smell was in fact too over powering and the giant dog could no longer withstand its effects. Growling aloud, it fell onto its side, defeated as it began to paw its nose, sniffling and wheezing as it did.
Kagome felt victorious. She had single-handedly subdued the incredible demon, and she felt sure the sacred jewel would now be safe, or so she thinks.
' Muwahahaha…' As the evil laughter drew nearer, a long purple tentacle grabbed her by the waist, flinging her hard against the stony wall.
As Kagome looked up weakly, her eyes flashed in recognition. That voice, that hair… it was the stranger…
' I must thank you .. Miko, first, for clearing the barrier so that I could enter, and also, for dealing with the dog demon. He was the guardian of this one and only jewel..'
Kagome's eyes widened as she drank in the truth.. So he was protecting the jewel… I have been used… how foolish of me..
As if he had read her mind, the demon spat ' yes, I have made use of you, saved me a lot of trouble and I must thank you for that..' without batting an eyelid, it picked up the jewel, watching and feeling its powers as the jewel began to swirl an ugly black colour.
' Damn…'
As the inu youkai began to stir, a low growl escaped its throat. He may have been unwillingly to protect the jewel, but still, he could sense the jaki and evilness within this… this half-demon. No way was he not going down without a fight.
Drawing himself to his feet, he staggered a bit and bared his fangs before he lunged forwards, claws outstretched.
For a moment, a huge explosion could be heard as the half-demon brought the jewel forward, eager to test its new powers.
Covering her eyes, Kagome felt the tentacles around her wrist disintegrating as she was finally free, falling to the ground. Looking up into the brightness surrounding both demons, an ear-splitting crack could be heard before the mesh of energy collided, separating the two demons.
Cursing out loud, the half-demon withdrew, its voice bellowing in the distance ' This isn't over yet… soon, the whole jewel will be mine.. and by then, you will all fear me.. Naraku..'
When the blast had dispersed, and the enemy gone, Kagome peeked out through the debris of rocks and soil. Lying in a bloody heap, was now a man, his kimono a crimson red colour, and half a sacred jewel laying safely upon the palm of his hand….
For your information, sess did not turn into a human… just to clarify things.. this chapter took me quite a while to type. I suddenly realised that I did not use sesshoumaru's name in this chapter.. well, I'll use it in the next I guess.. please review.. thank you..