Conversations with the Dead
It had been two hours since Inuyasha left for his patrol ever since that unusual aura was felt close to the village. Kagome was beginning to worry about his where abouts. Normally he would take the whole crew when it came to investigating such evil presence assuming that it was Naraku that was the generating force behind it. However the very fact that this new presence made Inuyasha nervous did not give her a good feeling, plus the fact that Inuyasha kept saying that the aura that was felt was not Naraku's, but maybe something worst than him or any of his carnations certainly gave her a very unsettling feeling deep with her. She even had to admit there was something sickening about this new threat what ever it was. It was beyond creepy to her.
Deciding to keep herself busy she was preparing the food that she had brought back to from her time, it helped kept her mind somewhat at ease. To further ease her she began humming a tune from her time as she continued with her task. Behind her, Shippo was setting wood in the center of the hut's fireplace preparing a fire as the evening began to get cold. He also appeared to be uneasy; then again Shippo was always the nervous type and was always easily startled, regardless of his courageous soul. She probably figured that he busying himself for the very same reason.
"When do you think Inuyasha will be back?" Shippo asked trying to hide his fear. "He's been gone for quite some time; do you think he's alright?"
"I'm sure he's fine Shippo, he's just making sure there no signs of danger. That's all." Kagome said trying to reassure the young fox demon as she reached in her age worn yellow backpack for something that she would hope ease him further. "Here, I thought you might want this." She said as she handed him over a chocolate bar. Seeing his eyes light up at the sight of the treat brought joy to Kagome.
"Thanks Kagome, you're the greatest!" He chirped as he began to unwrap his prize. He broke a piece of and gave it to her before he went off out side to give some to Sango and Miroku. Kagome ate her piece before she went off to her task again.
Out side the monk and the exterminator were deep in their own thoughts, they too could help but wonder about the new aura that was felt. In their experiences they never felt anything like it. Even though Inuyasha said it was not Naraku, they had their doubts about that. More than once has the deceiver tricked them and more than once it had nearly cost one or all of their lives. Still, the thought that something worse than Naraku could be lingering did not bring them comfort and the last thing they needed was another evil force as powerful as him to complicate things.
Things were complicated enough. They didn't need any more.
Miroku noticed that Kirara was more nervous than usual as the neko youkai cuddled closely to Sango shivering from what seemed fear.
"Kirara seems quite nervous" Miroku noticed as he saw the small demon on Sango's lap
"It must have something with what happened earlier today. Did you see the way she acted?" Sango said as she stroked Kirara soft fur trying to calm her. Earlier when the presence was felt Kirara ran of into Keades hut, as if there was a predator after her. The cat never did such an act before, as far as Sango was aware of.
"Do you think Inuyasha is right about this new presence, about it not being Naraku?" Sango Asked
" I don't know, Inuyasha couldn't pick up any type of sent from whatever this thing happens to be, it could very well be him since he is capable of disguising his presence, however there was something that Inuyasha did say that gives me doubts that it is Naraku." as Miroku served the clearing in front of the hut. "He said that it was a feeling of malice unlike he ever felt before, an almost ancient form of evil, nothing like Naraku."
"Ancient?" Sango questioned, confused to what Miroku had just said "Naraku has been around for nearly 60 years, that's barely ancient."
"Indeed. That is what gives him doubt, however I wouldn't put it past Naraku to try to deceive us with a new ploy." Miroku agreed as he took a seat next to Sango.
Just then Shippo came out with the Chocolate bar and began to offer a piece to each of them.
"Hey guys look at what Kagome brought, want some?" Shippo offered the sweet delectable hoping that it cheered them up as it did for him. Sango and Miroku graciously took offering, and began to consume their piece "Hey what's with the long faces? Does it have to with strange aura?" He asked saw the expression given by Sango and Miroku. They looked at each other and then gave a reassuring smile to Shippo.
"We were just thinking, that's all, nothing to worry about." Sango said not to alarm Shippo as she ate her piece of the chocolate.
"Really, are you sure? I mean if Inuyasha seemed worried about this then maybe something really bad is coming!" Shippo looked at the demon slayer with a questioned expression.
"Maybe, right now there no sense in pondering over it. We'll wait for Inuyasha's return, until then its best if we rest." Miroku said finishing the last bite of the candy.
Kagome came out with some bowls filled with something that smelled wonderful "Hey guy's food is done." Offering each a plate as she sat down with the rest of the group, for the longest time no one spoke as they ate. They were all bothered by dark thoughts harboring their minds. There was one word to describe the environment around them.
Depressing!
Unable to take the silence any more Kagome put her bowl down began to speak. "Come on guys! We've dealt many demons that have given us a run for our money and we've always came out ahead!" trying to be optimistic as always "So there's a new threat, its not like we have fought new threats before, so we just have to face when it come our way and give it our 150! That's all!" Finishing her motivational speech, hoping that it would be enough stop them from moping around.
Staring at Kagome, they found some truth in what she said. Yes. They have faced against many enemies that were out to get them and the Jewel Shards, and yes the fact that a new evil would arise should be nothing new to them, so why were they on edge?
"Your right, Kagome, maybe we're all just under a lot of stress. It seems that fighting has been non stop lately." Miroku agreed as he put down his empty food bowl. "Thanks for the meal, it was quite delicious. What is it?"
"Chicken and eggplant Parmesans, It's fresh. My mom made it just before I left." Happy to see a satisfied costumer
"Miroku is right it is good." Sango complemented putting her bowl down and then stretching her tense muscles. "I don't know about you but I can use a good soaking over at the Hot Springs"
"Yeah. Me too, let's clean up before we head off" Kagome stood picking up the empty bowls and heading of into the hut.
"Wait!" Miroku protested "Are you sure this is a good idea, I mean you will be stripped of your clothes and weapons, what if something comes out and attacks you. You both will be venerable. You shouldn't go alone."
Giving the monk a suspicious look, Sango and Kagome new exactly where this was going. "Really, and what do you suggest? Stand guard over us while we bathe?" Sango questioned seeing past Miroku's worried facade.
"Now that you mentioned it, someone should keep watch, make sure nothing happens. I will make the selfless sacrifice and gladly put my very life in harms way to protect you two." Miroku walked over to Sango grasping her hands close to his body trying to sound as sincere as possible. Sango, on the other hand new that Miroku was using his lecherous ways to get a sneak peek as they bathed. Seeing that his so called sincerity was having no affect on her "Do you really think that I would stoop so low to as use such a grave situation to try to get a glimpse while you bathe with Kagome?" bringing himself closer to her.
"The thought had crossed my mind," Sango replied, ever so suspicious of his actions
"Yeah, considering your track record" Kagome added in. 'If I had a dollar for every time he does pulls these stunts I'd be richer than Donald Trump!'
"Kagome is right Miroku, you can't be trusted, at least in this matter. Besides the springs are not very far from here, I think we'll be fine." Sango replied in snappy tone.
"Ladies. Trust me, I have more integrity than you think" Miroku assured them as grasp Sango's hands into his. "I just want to make sure you two are safe, that's all. I'll be behind some trees, I promise I won't peek. You have my word. I swear on my honor" Miroku offered with genuine sincerity.
Giving it some thought about what he was saying Sango broke down. "Well, maybe just this once."
"Sango!" Kagome was shocked. "How can you agree to this!"
Turning to face Kagome "I know, I know. But I think under the circumstances it wouldn't hurt. Just this once"
"You won't regret this I promise." Miroku reassured them. He promised after all. 'Maybe just this once it won't hurt to show a little restraint' he silently thought to himself. Of course that only lasted for a brief second until his eyes fell on Sango's perfectly round behind. 'No, I gave my word to Sango and Kagome that I wouldn't try anything……… But then again that was for only when they bathed at the hot springs……. One stroke won't hurt.'
So much for the self control.
Suddenly, as she was trying to convince Kagome, Sango felt the all too familiar sensation of a hand caressing her bottom as if it was grand prize of the year. "HUH!" Sango grew wide eyed. 'THAT LECH! After what he just promised he goes right ahead and feels me up!' she thought as every vein on her head pulsed in fury. "You jerk! Just for once. ONCE! Keep your hands to yourself and your mind out of the TRASH!" Sango raved at the monk.
Kagome and Shippo knew exactly was going to happen next.
BAM, BOOM! "AAH YOUCH!"
The earth shook and the animals were awakened from their peaceful slumber at the commotion in the village as the all too familiar sound of Sango's giant boomerang cracking Miroku's skull was heard through out the region.
Again!
Holding her weapon Sango began to walk to the hotsprings, still fuming. "On second thought Miroku we really don't need you to Baby-sit us. Kagome and I can look after ourselves just fine. But thanks for you generous offer!" Sango spat on as she walked away from the perverted monk that she just knocked senseless.
"Can't say I didn't warn her" Kagome said staring down at Miroku, who was laying face down sprawled out on the floor as a large bump grew out of his hair. Kagome walked towards Sango's direction heading to the hotsprings
As Miroku laid there with stars swirling around his growing bump on his crown, only one thought formed in little Shippo's head "Will Miroku ever learn?" as he slapped his hand on his head and shaking it from side, witnessing a second bump forming on the senseless Monks head. After all these years Miroku's lecherous behavior never ceased to amaze him
"Did I do something wrong?" Miroku innocently slurred out. He sounded as if had just one to many sake.
Shippo and Kirara fell face forward at his foolish remark.
"I guess that's a no." Shippo said in disbelief
Inuyasha was returning to the village after he finished his brief patrol around the area nearby, other than the usual night creatures and lesser demons that wisely remain hidden or just minding their own business, there really wasn't anything suspicious going on. And that's what scared him! The aura he felt earlier today was powerful, very powerful, unlike anything he ever felt before. His mind just kept repeating the events earlier that day.
FLASHBACK
It was your typical fall afternoon, and all the villagers were either busy harvesting their crops or preparing their stocks and homes for the up coming winter. It seemed typical enough, an average peaceful day in Feudal Japan, except for the racket coming from the Old Priestess Kaede's hut.
"SHIPPO! GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE BASTARD!" Inuyasha roared out from the hut as Shippo scurried out with dust behind his feet in a mad dash to run as far away from enraged hanyou.
Knowing that Inuyasha would be only a few leaps away before capturing him and giving another whooping, the little fox demon began to beg for mercy in a vain attempt to appeal the half demons limited good senses. "I'm sorry Inuyasha! Really, it was just an innocent little joke; I didn't mean to offend you. Honest!"
"Well in that case this is only going to be an innocent little ass kicking!"
Very limited indeed!
From the hut a trio of humans and a two tailed cat demon watched the show with very bored expressions on their faces as Inuyasha closed in on Shippo. Each contemplating whether or not to interfere in the latest little bout between the two them, they could ask Inuyasha to just stop, but they all new better. Inuyasha rarely listen to reason, especially if he was in a bad mood. The only way they could stop this was using the rosary around Inuyasha's neck; unfortunately the only person with the power to use it was away visiting family.
"What should we do?" Sango asked with a dull expression as she continued to polish her giant boomerang. It was more of a comment than question, she new very well that there was really nothing they could do.
As to reinforce what she already knew "There's nothing we can do at all; besides, Shippo should know better than to tease Inuyasha when he is in a foul mood." Miroku stated. Sango had to agree, Shippo was just asking for it.
"I guess disguising himself as Kagome with a bowl of worms disguised as Ramen wasn't such a smart move." Sango admitted, though it was amusing to watch Inuyasha consuming the worms happily, thinking that they were noodles. That is until Shippo dropped the illusion because he lost his concentration when began to burst into laughter at Inuyasha's expense.
"True, but you have to admit that Inuyasha should known better himself."
"How so?"
"I think the large fluffy tail was an obvious clue."
"Good point." Sango said as she continued to prime up her weapon. Miroku was right Inuyasha always fell for Shippo's jokes.
"I thought it was quite entertaining!" The old woman said as she leaned heavily on her metal cane that was given to her by Kagome. To Miroku's and Sango's surprised, she had a delightful look to her face. Usually Kaede would fine these antics disturbing?
"You find this amusing, Kaede?" Miroku asked
"Indeed. It gives Inuyasha something else to do other than whining that Kagome has not returned" She said. As she continued watching "So long as they do not disturb the villagers work on preparing for the winter. I see no harm in letting them continue their childish behavior, besides Inuyasha as well as all of ye all has been frustrated for quite sometime with the little progress with Naraku." She concluded
Who can argue with that kind of logic, as old as the priestess was, she was still proven to be wise. Maybe allowing Inuyasha to vent was ok.
For now.
Unfortunately poor Shippo was to take the brunt of Inuyasha's ventilation.
Oh well!
So there they were; watching the pair of demons running back and forth and around in circles until Inuyasha took a leap, landing in front of Shippo, little fox demon crashing at the hanyou feet. Shippo looked to see one pissed of looking half demon and made an about face to run away from him, unfortunately the he only got two steps away before he felt himself being hoisted up from his tail. Before he knew it he was facing two angry yellow eyes.
"Inuyasha………….Hi!" Shippo innocently said. He only heard a growl. "I'm sorry, really. Please don't beat me up again." pleading as best as he could.
"Give….Me….. One….. Good….. Reason…." Inuyasha said through gritted teeth. Thinking as fast as he could, he tried to come with something to stop his assault.
"Because…… Because…….." 'Come think Shippo think! I know!' "Kagome will be coming soon and what if she catches you again! You'll know what'll happen?" Shippo said. Giving it some thought, Inuyasha mentally debated the scenario. True if he was caught, she would definitely sit him, there was no doubt about it, and she always took Shippo's side. On the other hand it would be worth the pain for some payback. He still had the taste of those nasty worms in his mouth. In fact, he still had some munched up tiny gooey pieces roaming in his mouth. The thought of that trick made his blood boil…….. Again.
"No way runt; this time you crossed the line. You should have thought twice before playing such sick joke! I'm going to kick your ass too the state." Inuyasha said as Shippo began to squirm out of Inuyasha's grasp. No Luck!
"I said I was sorry, I didn't think you were stupid enough to eat half bowl!" Shippo blurted out the obvious, forgetting he was already in hot water.
"WHAT!" Inuyasha began cracking his free hand, preparing to give the squirming demon the beating of life.
Screaming for his life, Shippo flayed his arms and legs even more as he knew what was going to happen next. 'Oh shit, now he's pissed.' He thought to himself as closed his eyes and waited for what he expected would be a world of pain, only to be dropped to ground. 'Aw man he going to stomp his big foot on me again!' After a few seconds he looked up only to see Inuyasha looking into the forest a few more seconds passed before Shippo gathered enough nerves to find out why Inuyasha stopped. "What's the meaning of this, why'd ya stop?" Not that he wasn't thankful for is brief moment of reprieve; however the only reason that Inuyasha would ever stop if there was danger nearby. He suddenly felt what Inuyasha was feeling an aura that was so strong, he felt in the pit of his stomach. "What is it?" Shippo asked
"I don't know." Inuyasha said as he felt aura. What ever it was it was powerful and it was evil. Very evil. He took a sniff of the air to try to track down the culprit, only find out that there was no sent. Just as he was about to give Shippo his just desserts, he felt this powerful force emerge, what ever it was it wasn't shy about its power. Inuyasha wasn't the only one who felt the presence.
Over at the hut the amused trio was witness Shippo's inevitable ass kicking when they noticed that Inuyasha suddenly dropped Shippo on the ground making the little fox demon land on his face. Just as they thought Inuyasha had a rare change of thought, they felt a very strong presence nearby. "Do feel that?" Miroku being the first to speak up as stood to walk over to Inuyasha's direction. Feeling the presence as well, Sango and Kaede followed Miroku.
"A demonic aura?" Sango said as she walked to where Inuyasha and Shippo were. "And a strong one at that." She concluded
"AY Child, but it's of one I have never felt before." Kaede said as she hobbled behind Sango. "Inuyasha! Can ye detect what it is?" Asking the hanyou hopping that its keen senses would pick what it was.
"If your asking if I can pick up a smell, then no!" continuing to sniff the air " Keh.. What ever it is it seems to have grown shy." Inuyasha said scanning the area.
"If so shy, then why only hide it's sent and not its aura, seems quite unusual." Miroku observed "And this aura feels as if it's not far from here, its hard to tell though."
Inuyasha only had one name that crossed his mind "Naraku!" but there was some thing in the back of his head that was telling him other wise.
"It seems that he is at it again, I knew this time of peace wouldn't last long" Miroku said
"When did Naraku suddenly obtained this amount of power? It feels overwhelming!" Sango said with spite in her voice feeling as she felt the intense power. Over the years she has grown quite bitter over the fact the Naraku was growing more difficult to defeat, plus his growth in power. "I never felt anything like it! Its… Sickening."
Suddenly bird of all kinds that were residing in the local trees nearby began flocking away as if a predator was after them, squawking and chirping in fear they took to the sky for salvation, and they weren't the only ones. The Forest animals also appeared to be doing the very same thing.
Over to where the fields were at the villagers were trying calm several Ox that were suddenly in a panic, a couple of them broke free from the carts they was pulling and ran of in the same direction the birds and other forest creatures fled. The horses were also frightened as they tried to break few from the stables they were in, attempting to stampede of to safety. More alarming was Kirara behavior.
For the first time Kirara ran away in a panic, as the birds and other animals began to run she stated hissing and growling with her hairs standing straight, normally, fearless and brave, the neko youkai always stood her ground and would always transform to giant form in the presence of danger, instead this time, she began to back away growling in way she never did before she bolted in a fright she had never displayed before. They only saw a tiny white cat running for safety. "Kirara, Kirara? Come back, KIRARA!" Sango shouted for her companion to return, but she neko wouldn't listed as she run hysterically to Kaede's hut. "What's going on? She's never done that before." Sango had never seen such fear in Kirara as she entered Kaede's hut. She started feeling a sickening chill about the situation, they all did.
"Is it me or did it just get cold?" Shippo said as he began to shiver.
"Nay, the temperature did drop!" Kaede spoke noticing the steam coming from her breath.
"What hell is this" Inuyasha said, he too felt the drastic drop in temperature.
"This feels nothing like a winter chill" Sango said as she started walking towards the hut that Kirara ran into. "I'm going to check on Kirara, see if she's ok."
"LADY KAEDE, LADY KAEDE!" A group of villagers ran towards the group in frantic "My lady, the animals are acting strange there all in a panic, we can't calm them down" One of the young men said
"Ay, we are very aware of the situation the animals" Kaede assured them, however she wasn't prepared to what they showed her next.
Hold in there hands was a few stalk of rains grain rotting in front of their eyes "We harvested these out earlier today and they were fine we pulled them out of the fields" he said handing her the grain "And that is not all, the eggs and milk that was collected earlier today have spoiled"
"Take me there at once, I wish to see this for me self" She asked the farmer in front of her, before she left she asked the hanyou again "Inuyasha, what else can you feel?"
"Nothing else really except……… Well…… ther… there's something weird about this aura, I… I don't think its Naraku." Inuyasha said with doubt in his voice
"Are you sure?" Miroku asked "How can you tell?"
"I'm not sure, this is different; it feels nothing like Naraku." Inuyasha said as he continued to sense and smell the area trying to get a clear picture of what he was feeling " There something definitely different about this" He said " It don't feel like anything I ever felt. I don't know how to explain this, but this feels……… Old, an ancient kinda old."
"Ancient?" Miroku said with surprise "I'd hardly call Naraku ancient, in fact by demon standards, he would be considered quite young."
"I know" Inuyasha agreed " That's what make it weird, but what ever it is, it don't feel anything like Naraku" As he felt the chills penetrating his skin "What can you sense?" Asking the monk in hopes that maybe he might be in better tune with own spiritual powers.
Focusing on his own spiritual powers Miroku was trying to locate the aura of this new demon, he was hoping he would have better luck that Inuyasha as he was waved his staff around until he got a vague location. "There" he said pointing to a familiar location "I'm not sure, but I think it's close to The Bone Eaters Well"
Kagome……. Everyone knew she was returning soon.
That was all Inuyasha needed "I'm going over there to make sure everything's ok." He said as he took off towards the well to wait for Kagome's return, leaving the others behind to investigate the villager's stories.
END FLASH BACK
He was relieved when he saw Kagome coming out of the well and heading towards the Village safely. By that time the aura dissipated and everything went back to normal. Maybe he was a little rough with her, but had to get her away as fast as he could. He did feel bad for being so rough with her, but better to have her pissed at him then to let Naraku to get his clutches on her again. Naraku used her before, Inuyasha wouldn't put it pass him to use her again. But at the same time he could stop his self debate, was Naraku or was it something else.
The same two thoughts constantly spun around his head.
Is it Naraku? Was he planning something again? If it was him then how did he become so powerful and did he get it? That thought irritated him to no end! That bastard always would find away increase his power either by using what he had of the Shikon No Tama or by absorbing other powerful demons that may have fallen victim to him, making him more difficult to defeat him each and ever time.
Or
Was it something else?
What if there was another more powerful demon that was looming around with that kind of power with its own agenda and its own ambitions to appease. What if this new menace was more powerful Naraku, it was a very unsettling thought that he couldn't get out of his mind. They always had there fare share of fights with other demons outside of Naraku's circle, many as just as powerful and just as conniving to deal with. He and his friends always managed to defeat them somehow. ' Keh just another unfortunate bastard to taste the power of my sword.' At least that's what his more arrogant side was telling him, it was just another pain the ass to deal with. And if it was Naraku there was nothing to worry about… Right? And if it was Naraku then why was he feeling so uneasy about this situation, why were his senses telling him the complete opposite of what he was hoping. Then he stopped dead in his tracks as his mind drifted towards the events earlier that day the way the animals reacted, the way Kirara reacted when the presence appeared. The sickening feeling he felt as he was heading to meet Kagome.
"It's not Naraku." He said to himself. He couldn't figure how he came to that conclusion, it could very well be, but his gut was telling him otherwise. He could feel deep down with in him, that sensation within the pit off his stomach. It grew as he realized the situation more and more. There was no mistaking it now!
'GRRRR'. There definitely was no mistaking it now. He placed a hand on his stomach as it growled loud enough to alert anybody within 20 yards from where he was. Just as he was about to dismiss it he felt it growl even louder and more intensely than before. 'GGRRRLLL'
It was official, he was hungry!
"Damn!" he cursed "I was so worried with what happened I didn't even have a chance to have anything to eat." He said quietly to himself as continued on ward to the village. "Keh, Kagome better have my ramen ready if she knows what's good for her" only to get another growl for his famished stomach. At least he hoped she had some ramen for him. His mouth watered at the very idea woofing down a nice big bowl of noodles. However as comforting as that thought was it still didn't take any of his worries away and other than his tummy alerting him of its need for food there was still that all to familiar feeling that he always got when shit was about to happen.
Suddenly from nowhere a wall of mist and fog surrounded him, he was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. He looked around to try to get his bearing but saw only thick coating of grey mist. The fog was so thick that he barely saw the anything around him and everything around went dead silent. Instinctively Inuyasha put his hand on the hilt of his sword, readying himself for a possible ambush, but, there was nothing. "Weird." He said as he took a whiff of the air to see if there was anyone nearby. After a few sniffs, the only thing he was able to pick up was a scent of sulfur and mineral rich water. He was near the local hot springs, he new he was pretty close to the village. The only problem that he didn't know where the village was, the fog was so thick that he last all sense of direction. Using his keen sense of hearing he managed to home in flow of water from the rivers where the hot springs flowed out of as well as the bubbling of the water. "Perfect. I'll follow that and I should be at the village I no time." Using his enhanced senses he continued walking towards that direction through the thick fog that showed no signs of easing up.
As continued to his towards his destination he heard a rustling sound coming from the bushes nearby, he stopped and tunes his pointy white ears towards the sound and took another sniff of the air. Nothing, no new scents and he didn't even sense any danger or anyone for that matter. 'Keh, probably just hearin things.' He thought, just as he was about to dismiss it and go about his business he heard the sound again only to accompanied by a faint moaning sound. He defentatly did not imagine that! "Who ever you are show yourself!" he warned as he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"wwho's there?" said a very weak voice of man.
"Huh?" Someone was in trouble. Inuyasha began to walk towards the voice through the thick veil of gray to investigate the source of the voice "Hey! Who ever you are, tell me where yer at?" Inuyasha asked as he kept searching for the owner of the voice. He smelled the air again to get his bearings and all he was able to smell was the foliage of the forest, and the hot springs close by. As much as he tried he could pick the person's scent.
"I'm here………. near a few trees." The voice said again.
"Well of course your gonna be next to some trees! That's obvious, where the middle of the forest!"
"You asked where I was, I told you. Ca can't you find me?" questioned the possibly injured stranger.
"Hey! In case ya haven't noticed there's some misty crap lingering around here. I can't see shit!"
"I suppose that's my fault?" came an irritated retort.
"Right." muttered frustrated to the response he got. However, he was more frustrated that he was having a difficult time find whoever it was. He kept walking to source of the voice in hopes to find this person, as he moved on wads the fog was beginning to lighten up a bit an he was able to see silhouettes of the trees ahead of him. As he got closer to the cluster of trees he saw another silhouette appear in the shape of a person. "I see ya, don't move, I'll be right over there." He said approaching the figure ahead.
Once he got there he was greeted by a very unusual and sorry sight as his eyes fell on a young man unlike he'd ever seen before. The person before him appeared to be not much older than Miroku, underneath all the blood and dirt he had fair but rough looking skin that was adorned with some scratches, blood and dirt, his hair was wavy and was the length of his shoulders with a the color of deep gold that was quite unique for a human. He also had quite a bit of thick facial hair that covered the bottom half of his face giving him a very rugged look, yet well maintained and which was also the same color of his hair. Most human males he knew never grew hairs until they became elders and was normally worn on the top lip. Obviously, he wasn't from around these parts.
The style of his clothing was also as unusual as his appearance. The armor alone was different; unlike the traditional samurai armor which was light and made of cloth and bamboo with very little steel giving them a very elegant look, this one was constructed completely out of metal covering his chest back arms and part of his legs and looked much heavier and bulkier than any samurai armor he'd seen, the hatori and hakamas also appeared different. The hatori sleeves looked to be made of small interloping chains and the black hakamas were not lose; like his own, but tight and appeared to hug the young mans legs. He wore sandals that reached to his knees and were tied in the back.
The young man was barely standing and despite the impressive looking armor he had on, it appeared that it didn't protect him very well judging by the huge gashes on his stomach and chest with red blood flowing out and dropping on the ground creating a large red pool at his feet. Clutched in his bloody hand was a sword that he considered to be to large for any human to carry and by the looks of it, he was using it more to hold himself up.
Inuyasha ran over to the stranger who looked as he was ready to collapse "Hey are you alright?" Inuyasha asked as he approached the stranger. 'Funny. I still can't pick up scent from him?'
"I.. Ive seen b..better days my dear demon lad" the man said with relief as he gave a Inuyasha a thankful smile. "I have been searching for you."
"Looking for me! Who the hell are you? How'd ya know about me!" Inuyasha ask suspiciously as he placed his hand on the Tetsaiga.
"T..th.there is no need to be hostile lad, I mean you no harm. As you can well see I am in no condition to be any threat to person such as yourself. My name is Bowen."
"What the hell happened to you" Inuyasha asked Bowen, giving him a chance, yet still keeping his guard in case this was a trap.
"I was captured by a group a vicious vampires while on my way to London, used to lure and murder the last of the Slayers, that is why I was sent here." He said weakly. "The evil that we have feared for many thousands of years as returned."
Inuyasha figured that he was in delirious babble "What the hell are you talking about! Beside what kind of an idiot sends someone as injured as you to deliver a message!"
"The Powers That Be gave me this great privilege, I could not have turned my back to them." Said Bowen whose eyes looked as lifeless as the dead. "You must listen to me, the great evil that we have feared has………………." Inuyasha cut him off before he finished.
"Ya went through that part already. What kind of evil are ya talking about?" Inuyasha asked.
"A demon, a demon beyond evil, who has no contempt for life, whose power is beyond imagination." Bowen said with dread in his voice.
"Look man you don't have to worry, I have had my fair share of demons who think their great and powerful and they all fell under the power of my fang. This demon that you just described doesn't sound any different to me" Inuyasha assured him as he put is hand on the wounded mans shoulders "We need to get you to the village."
"That's doesn't matter, my fate has been decided long before I came." Bowen said placing his hand around Inuyasha's wrist "Trust me my friend this threat that has decided to plague it self upon your lands is like nothing you have dealt with before, and you are not prepared for what is about to come. Your current enemy and those from before are mere child's play compare to this thing." Bowen said with distain in his voice. "As we speak its making its move right now, its dark priest's, its harborages of death have been watching you and your companion for weeks ughg……..." Bowen collapsed to the ground in great pain. Inuyasha was about to lift him when Bowen stopped him. "No…………Please you must listen."
Inuyasha looked at him straight in the eyes. "Look man yer hurt pretty bad and losing a shit load of blood. If I don't get to Kagome or Kaede you'll die!" Inuyasha said.
"I….I am already dead, there is nothing you can do except to listen to what I have to say." Inuyasha saw all the life gone from his eyes. Bowen looked into to the hanyou's eyes "Felt it today, didn't you. A presence that was nothing like you felt"
"Yeah….. I did, never felt anything like before." Now he had the hanyou's complete attention. "What is it?"
"It has many.. many names. F..fro…from be…beneath the ground i..it d..d…..devours..
"What is it!"
"I…It is he.. here yet n..nnowhere, it is every…everybody and no no one at once."
"Come on man stay with me" Inuyasha said aggressively
"Try Trying t..t.to open the mou… mo.. mouth of h..hell"
"What is it….. come on don't die" Inuyasha didn't know what to do. This man was dying in front him, and there was nothing Inuyasha could except watch and try and get the information that this man wanted to tell him. "What is this thing, come on tell me. What is it?"
With his very last effort, Bowen only managed to say one thing in a whisper as he drew his last breath. "The th..the..t the fff.ffi…..fir….fir…. fifir…… th.. the….f….ir…the ffhhhhhhhh……" and with that the man before Inuyasha was dead.
"The fur? The first what? Hey come on wake…. Tell me the fur what. Hey Bowen… Bowen." Inuyasha was shaking the dead man hoping he would wake up. After a few minuetes passed Inuyasha gave up and closed the mans dead open eyes. "Rest in peace man."
Just then right before his eyes the man who he briefly met, began dissolve into the very mist that was surrounding them. "What the hell is this?" Inuyasha said mostly to himself as the form who was Bowen disappeared in to the mist that blanketed both of them. "Was I talking to a ghost the whole time?" That would explain why the man had no scent at all. Inuyasha was puzzled everything that would have shown as evidence that an injured man was there was gone. Even the stains of blood on the ground where gone.
Inuyasha stood looking down where this Bowen fellow was at and was wondering why a dying………… Ghost would come to warn him, was this person linked to the strange events that occurred. He noticed that the shroud of fog was beginning to lighten up enough for him to further off into the road as well as the far off demons.
He started to walk off in towards the village as a nagging feeling in his gut began to stir about again.
This time it wasn't telling he was hungry.
Hey there,
Sorry for the lack up updates. I have been very busy with school and work that I haven't had time to do any writing. Please review this story. I would love feed back from my readers whether it is good or bad…. Though I would prefer positive reviews. But hey anyone is free to their opinions. I will try my best to get the next chapter up as soon as possible.
Later…………….