---- PLEASE REVIEW ---
Thanks for taking interest in my Fanfic, even if you don't read it, any support is encouraging. I'll work hard on updating and keeping things worth your time reading! I'll take your critisim into thought if it actually provides tips and suggestions for my story and/or writing style. I'm always looking for ways to improve my technique!
Disclaimer
I don't own any of the InuYasha characters, or anything related to the series for that matter. Several of the characters you're about to read about, are my creation however, so I suppose I have credit for them. Additionally, this story was also my idea.
Chapter One
The Curse upon Akebi Village
Morning had already gone by, and as the sun took its seat high above the Eastern Horizon, it was lunchtime. Under the shade of a tall, bushy tree, InuYasha and his companions had their mid-day meal.
Shippo was perched on one of the many branches, nibbling contently on a ripe red apple. He listened to Kagome and InuYasha squabble, and watched as Miroku was slugged by Sango for being a 'Perv'. Of course, this was their daily ritual, so instead of pondering it over, Shippo paid no mind and ate his simple lunch.
Out of the corner of his eye, the little fox demon saw a figure coming towards them. Shippo cocked his head, and found it to be a young looking man, dressed in farmer's clothes. Perhaps a local villager?
InuYasha was the next to notice him, and after just losing an argument with Kagome, wasn't in a particularly good mood. He stood up, setting aside his empty cup of ramen, and with a sour face, said, "What do you want?"
The man jumped a little. "P-pardon the intrusion, but you all look so strong, and well…" The man stuttered.
"Let me guess… you want us to slay a demon? Feh." InuYasha snarled.
"Y-yes. Exactly… you see-"
"Heh. Well, we have our own problems so-"
"InuYasha!" Kagome scolded looking at him bitterly.
"What! We can't help every person we meet with their problems! We have to look for more jewel shards and that damned Naraku!"
"It's all about you! You! You! You! Well…"
"Hmm… this might be a while, tell us your story in the meantime." Miroku said sighing.
"I live in a village not far from here, called 'Akebi Village'. Lately, this demon has been terrorizing us. When chickens and crops first began disappearing, we assumed it was the work of a thief or wild animal, but the other day a demon was spotted stealing some food… we sent some men after it, but after an hour or so, only a few returned. The rest were killed. Worse still, something is making my village ill. The water… the air… something is plaging upon Akebi. I wouldn't normally ask the assistance of strangers, but I wish to save my wife and daughter before…"
"SIT INUYASHA!" Kagome bellowed.
"Daughter you say?" Miroku asked, suddenly becoming interested, ignoring the sound of InuYasha crashing into the ground just behind him.
"Y-Yes. She's about your age. Her name's Yumi, and –"
"Sir, we would be grateful to assist your village. Such a demon must be rid of before anyone else is killed."
"Miroku…" Sango said with a sigh. "Well, it sounds like the work of a shikon shard… it could be worth investigating."
"Now that you mention it… its very, very faint… but… I think I sense a shikon shard close by…" Kagome replied.
"…?" The man remained quiet.
"W-why didn't you say so earlier! W-what are we waiting for! Let's go already! Not that this d-demon will be hard to kill." InuYasha struggled to say as he wobbling back up.
Women and power… is that all InuYasha and Miroku think about? Shippo thought to himself continuing to munch on his apple.
The man introduced himself as 'Kousuke'. Kousuke had a thin frame, and appeared more delicate than most women his age, and his eyes revealed a very gentle character… or… in the eyes of InuYasha – a wimpy one.
Kousuke lead them down a trail that wound and bended all around Akebi Forest, until they finally reached their destination.
The hillsides and plains were covered top to bottom with fields of crops that appeared to be able to feed even the largest of armies and have enough for seconds. Simple wooden huts were dotted around, and with the little children playing their games of make-believe and the women and men doing various chores… it all appeared very tranquil – hardly a demon infested village.
It was at that point, that two men could be seen carrying a corpse down the road, covered with only a straw mat to hide the unfortunate soul's lifeless body.
"So… another one…" Kousuke said softly, bowing his head in respect. Miroku did a silent pray as well.
"Oh, father! You've returned!" Exclaimed a woman's voice. A raven haired maiden was running towards Kousuke, eyes wide revealing them to be a brilliant emerald green. It was at the moment an odd smile crossed Miroku's face. "Huh? Who are these strangers father?"
"Oh, this is Yumi, my beloved daughter. This, Yumi, are the people who've come to kill the demon." Kousuke gestured.
"R-Really? Oh! Do be careful! I'd hate to have such kind people be killed so unnecessarily. You're forever in our debt!" Yumi said with a bow.
"That won't be necessary Miss Yumi." Miroku said smiling. He grasped her hands. "Yumi… will be bear my chil…"
WHAP! "Can it Miroku! You're so depreived!" Sango exclaimed, bashing him hard on the head with her Hiraikotsu.
Yumi and Kousuke bowed several times, and said thank you a hundred times more as InuYasha, Sango, Miroku, Kagome, Kirara, and little Shippo all headed up the headman's house.
The headman himself was elderly, and his worn face looked tired and miserable, he didn't appear to be sleeping well. He bowed his head. "Who are you?"
"We've come to exterminate your demon." Sango said throwing her Hiraikotsu over her shoulder.
The headman nodded slowly, "We are in your debt. I'll have beds laid out for your stay."
"Let's cut right to it – where is this demon?" InuYasha asked raising an eyebrow.
"We're not quite sure… since the incident… it hasn't appeared, but in it's place a horrible illness is killing one innocent villager after another. It's in the forest though, deep within the forest. You might best wait till tomorrow…"
Chapter 1 - The Curse upon Akebi Village END
How was that? I hope you enjoyed chapter one! Okay… so it wasn't 'thrilling', but I like to begin my stories with a little introduction, laying out the setting and all that jazz. Next chapter things will begin to pick up as I finally introduce an important character for this story.
Next Chapter…
Chapter 2
Maeko