Disclaimers Notice: Yah...of course...I...do...n't
Authors Beginning Note: Tadaa! Sorry for it being late, but I had writers block! Evil blank mind! Well, anyways, this chapter is a bit different. Not too much action, but in the next chapter things should really begin to start going, including a fight with...okay I won't tell you'll have to read it when I get it posted (he he) ****
Chapter 30
Inuyasha's Dealings
****
Kanna stopped at the crest of a tall hill that overlooked a valley containing a small village. The sun had just reached its peak in the sky and bore down upon those mercilessly as it shone for one of the few last times of the season. No clouds were to be seen.
"Three more days. But there is also another that seeks to share the knowledge of the end that may come to pass. I will arrive nearly at the same time maybe later. Hmmm. Three more days, and only until this new moon to prepare. Each day more secures the death that may come." She said, her words whipped away in the wind. Blurry figures and images swirled in her mirror, then suddenly stopped and only showed a steely reflection of the valley below. The girl slowly began her journey again. Her revenge nearly completed.
***
"Come out Masuyo. I wish to speak with you." Sesshoumaru commanded, standing in the middle of the forest seemingly alone, waiting for his three companions to catch up. Soon a small little bird like creatures with flashy blue colors and an orange feather crown on its head, appeared on a low branch or a bush, eye level with its caller.
"What is it my Lord that would be so important as to wish to speak with a lowly servant such as I?"
"I need you to round up every demon, half demon, and human that you can and as fast as your wings can carry you. This calling is not to be taken lightly."
"My Lord, even though you are most respected and honorable, I do not think that many will bide to your request." It said in aw-struck dumbness at the large task given.
"Then tell them that Naraku's war is impending upon us, and will have let loose by the morning of the new moon. Soon, if not enough warriors are at the valley in the Southern territory, where the Miko Keade lives, than all will fall and die at Naraku's hands."
"But surely, you can fight with ease against..."
"Silence." The intimidating commanded with strength and authority.
"I-I am sorry to have questioned my Lords request. Please forgive me." The bird said trying as it might to control its sudden urge to stutter.
"Take this message as far as it can be spread. This is a matter of dire importance." Sesshoumaru said taking advantage of his servant's unquenchable fear. The bird bowed and flew off without so much as a twitter.
"My Lord! My Lord!" Yelled Jakan as soon as he caught up. He stopped and panted until he could speak.
"I thought you had surely abandoned us!" He cried out, his eyes getting misty. Rin, Ah and Un soon appeared right behind them.
"Who is it that you were talking to Sesshoumaru?" She said inquisitively. Sesshoumaru smiled a dangerous wicked smile.
"A little bird." Jakan quickly began to panic at his Lords uncharacteristic grin, but was forced to resign only to follow without a word, after having been...forcefully negotiated with. Rin giggled.
***
"Inuyasha." Inuyasha barely took notice of Miroku as he came and sat underneath the branch that he was perched on.
"Hm." Was his reply. Miroku left a moment of silence before clearing his throat and biding his answer to come.
"Inuyasha, I have noticed that you have been...how shall we say distant in mind and scarce in sight."
"Feh."
"It is not good to keep things bottled up you know." Inuyasha glared down at the monk but didn't say anything or move for that matter. Instead his gaze wondered to the rising sun. The smell of smoke just beginning to come about as the village women were just starting breakfasts over fires. It was a brisk, clear morning. Everything seemed to come in focus. And the suns rays were sharp and friendly. A beautiful morning, but soon to be turned into yet another miserable rainy day if the storm in the distant horizon did not change, which it more than likely wouldn't.
"Is it about Kikyo?" Miroku asked softly. Inuyasha's attention snapped back to Miroku. He growled.
"Why is it when ever there is a big problem everyone assumes it's about Kikyo?"
"Because it usually is."
"What do you know? You're just a lecher.
"Inuyasha..."
"No! It's not! Now will you quit bugging me!"? He yelled down at Miroku who looked scared at his friend's sudden aggressive response, but quickly calmed as soon as Inuyasha leaned back against the tree trunk with his eyes closed.
"Than Kagome?"
"Keh."
"The combination of the two?" Something hard hit his head. Miroku looked down at the ground, while rubbing the top of his head, and saw a rather large acorn that had 'mysteriously' fallen from the tree. Miroku sighed. He was not getting anywhere too fast, but he was not to be persuaded by any acorns, no matter how big.
"Then about the incident a few days ago. The fight." Miroku said.
"Dammit! Will you just leave me alone!"?
"No." Another Acorn.
"That's real mature." Soon Inuyasha appeared with an acorn...a big acorn...a Really REALLY big acorn. An acorn larger than Inuyasha. Miroku stared at it, his eyes wide open. 'There is no possible way that that is an actual acorn' he thought as he took off into the forest. Forgetting about his vow to not run away no matter the size of the acorn. Inuyasha smirked and jumped back into the tree, leaving the acorn on the ground. And Inuyasha to his thoughts.
` ` ` ~*~*~Flash~*~*~
"Inuyasha..."
"What do you want?" Inuyasha was eating on his own that morning while Kagome had slept and the others were helping the villagers.
"I wish to speak with ye." Keade said patiently.
"What about. Can't you see I'm eating?"
"I can very well see that, but none the less."
"I'm healed, so you can't nag me about my wounds. There conversation over."
"No, Inuyasha. I wish to speak with ye about the incident that happened." Keade said still with a serious calm. Her voice level, though not demeaning. She had batted away her questions for several days now, and wanted them answered, and sensing that no one was volunteering, she would have to ask. Inuyasha choked on his food for a moment and looked straight at Keade and turned his head.
"Feh."
"If ye will not tell me, than maybe it would be wise to ask Kagome first." Inuyasha stood up menacingly and stared right in Keade's eyes.
"You will NOT ask her anything. Not Kagome." Keade smiled inside. Inuyasha was being exceptionally protective of Kagome. Though he might show at times more aggressively or passively, he still shows it. Though Inuyasha won't always let everyone know. Just staying within hearing range, is good enough for him.
"Fine, I'll talk, but if I don't feel like answering anything, than you will just have to deal with it."
"Hai."
~*~*~Back~*~*~ ` ` `
Inuyasha felt the warm sun creep over his skin and relished the feeling for a moment. It seemed like a long time for him since he felt this calm alone. The sun was much clearer, and everything smelt much sweeter. ` ` ` ~*~*~* Flashing~*~*~
They settled underneath a separate tree than Inuyasha had been sitting under. Thunder clapped overhead. It was going to rain soon, but that had gone unnoticed by the two.
"Inuyasha, tell me of the events that happened after you two began fighting." Inuyasha was silent, choosing his words carefully and spoke monotone. No emotions. He recounted impossible to remember details, every blow received, every blow struck, every word said, every smell, and every drop of blood spilled. Keade sat there calmly, though feeling like she was going to retch. No wonder Inuyasha was so reluctant to tell.
"And you say that the bracelet broke?"
"Are you deaf or something? Yes, I do remember saying that."
"Hmmm. I had been wondering how Kikyo had entered Kagome's body as such. I should have realized it. Crystals like that are powerful and very effective for these kind of possessions."
"That wasn't Kikyo." Inuyasha hissed through his teeth. Keade looked up. Her features softened.
"Hai Inuyasha. So I see you have come to realize the truth of the dead corpse that had walked among us. An old monk used to ask, 'tis it better to live with painful truth, or illusionary lies?' I believe you are faced with exactly that."
"Keade."
"Hai."
"Do you know what that light from the arrow was? I assumed it was Kagome's magic, but the more I think of it the less sense it makes. Of course, not that I care or anything." Inuyasha quickly recovered, for his uncharacteristic like question.
"No, it was not Kagome's. It was you." Inuyasha looked puzzled at the old woman.
"Think of it as a harsh concentration of your powers like when you use your Hijin Ketsuso. It was exactly the same, excepting the usual form of the red blades you're used to; it took the form of banishing energy at the end of the arrow. It's a sign of getting stronger." Keade said. Inuyasha stood up. He was tired of talking. He left.
~*~*~Back~*~*~ ` ` ` ~
~
~
That battle...it was worse than when I was pinned to the tree... I actually had to kill her this time, and not just Kikyo, but Kagome too... I had to or else, too many would die... The only thing that helped me was the fact that if I didn't, she would keep killing and I knew...that Kagome that was still there would...I know. It was not Kikyo... At least not completely... She looked like Kikyo...she smelled just like Kikyo...she was almost exactly lie Kikyo...But she was cold...on the inside and outside...she was...a fragment... A clay pot given a small bitter fragment of what Kikyo once was... Kikyo would never...never...have done something like...that...not the Kikyo I knew...not the warm, loving, scared, confused, strong Kikyo I knew...she died...over 50 years ago now...and Kagome is Kagome... She is not Kikyo... I knew that a long time ago...I just...it took me...a long time...to realize the truth of it...it wasn't until she had seen us the first time together...and accused me of thinking of her as just a shard detector...that I knew the truth of it...it's like I was hit by a force...and that was just the beginning of a huge wave... ~ ~ ~
Inuyasha's thoughts flashed to small moments of times he had been with Kagome, and Kikyo, battles, words, small precious, scary gruesome, unforgettable, and tender moments.
Inuyasha's head snapped up as a small whisper of wind came his way. He shivered at the warning it was bringing. Cold rain was coming, and he had a visitor.
***************
Authors Ending Note: Well, Now that Inuyasha has his head on straight, things should be less complicated, right? Right? And what about this visitor? Who is he, and what business does he have with Inuyasha?
Authors Beginning Note: Tadaa! Sorry for it being late, but I had writers block! Evil blank mind! Well, anyways, this chapter is a bit different. Not too much action, but in the next chapter things should really begin to start going, including a fight with...okay I won't tell you'll have to read it when I get it posted (he he) ****
Chapter 30
Inuyasha's Dealings
****
Kanna stopped at the crest of a tall hill that overlooked a valley containing a small village. The sun had just reached its peak in the sky and bore down upon those mercilessly as it shone for one of the few last times of the season. No clouds were to be seen.
"Three more days. But there is also another that seeks to share the knowledge of the end that may come to pass. I will arrive nearly at the same time maybe later. Hmmm. Three more days, and only until this new moon to prepare. Each day more secures the death that may come." She said, her words whipped away in the wind. Blurry figures and images swirled in her mirror, then suddenly stopped and only showed a steely reflection of the valley below. The girl slowly began her journey again. Her revenge nearly completed.
***
"Come out Masuyo. I wish to speak with you." Sesshoumaru commanded, standing in the middle of the forest seemingly alone, waiting for his three companions to catch up. Soon a small little bird like creatures with flashy blue colors and an orange feather crown on its head, appeared on a low branch or a bush, eye level with its caller.
"What is it my Lord that would be so important as to wish to speak with a lowly servant such as I?"
"I need you to round up every demon, half demon, and human that you can and as fast as your wings can carry you. This calling is not to be taken lightly."
"My Lord, even though you are most respected and honorable, I do not think that many will bide to your request." It said in aw-struck dumbness at the large task given.
"Then tell them that Naraku's war is impending upon us, and will have let loose by the morning of the new moon. Soon, if not enough warriors are at the valley in the Southern territory, where the Miko Keade lives, than all will fall and die at Naraku's hands."
"But surely, you can fight with ease against..."
"Silence." The intimidating commanded with strength and authority.
"I-I am sorry to have questioned my Lords request. Please forgive me." The bird said trying as it might to control its sudden urge to stutter.
"Take this message as far as it can be spread. This is a matter of dire importance." Sesshoumaru said taking advantage of his servant's unquenchable fear. The bird bowed and flew off without so much as a twitter.
"My Lord! My Lord!" Yelled Jakan as soon as he caught up. He stopped and panted until he could speak.
"I thought you had surely abandoned us!" He cried out, his eyes getting misty. Rin, Ah and Un soon appeared right behind them.
"Who is it that you were talking to Sesshoumaru?" She said inquisitively. Sesshoumaru smiled a dangerous wicked smile.
"A little bird." Jakan quickly began to panic at his Lords uncharacteristic grin, but was forced to resign only to follow without a word, after having been...forcefully negotiated with. Rin giggled.
***
"Inuyasha." Inuyasha barely took notice of Miroku as he came and sat underneath the branch that he was perched on.
"Hm." Was his reply. Miroku left a moment of silence before clearing his throat and biding his answer to come.
"Inuyasha, I have noticed that you have been...how shall we say distant in mind and scarce in sight."
"Feh."
"It is not good to keep things bottled up you know." Inuyasha glared down at the monk but didn't say anything or move for that matter. Instead his gaze wondered to the rising sun. The smell of smoke just beginning to come about as the village women were just starting breakfasts over fires. It was a brisk, clear morning. Everything seemed to come in focus. And the suns rays were sharp and friendly. A beautiful morning, but soon to be turned into yet another miserable rainy day if the storm in the distant horizon did not change, which it more than likely wouldn't.
"Is it about Kikyo?" Miroku asked softly. Inuyasha's attention snapped back to Miroku. He growled.
"Why is it when ever there is a big problem everyone assumes it's about Kikyo?"
"Because it usually is."
"What do you know? You're just a lecher.
"Inuyasha..."
"No! It's not! Now will you quit bugging me!"? He yelled down at Miroku who looked scared at his friend's sudden aggressive response, but quickly calmed as soon as Inuyasha leaned back against the tree trunk with his eyes closed.
"Than Kagome?"
"Keh."
"The combination of the two?" Something hard hit his head. Miroku looked down at the ground, while rubbing the top of his head, and saw a rather large acorn that had 'mysteriously' fallen from the tree. Miroku sighed. He was not getting anywhere too fast, but he was not to be persuaded by any acorns, no matter how big.
"Then about the incident a few days ago. The fight." Miroku said.
"Dammit! Will you just leave me alone!"?
"No." Another Acorn.
"That's real mature." Soon Inuyasha appeared with an acorn...a big acorn...a Really REALLY big acorn. An acorn larger than Inuyasha. Miroku stared at it, his eyes wide open. 'There is no possible way that that is an actual acorn' he thought as he took off into the forest. Forgetting about his vow to not run away no matter the size of the acorn. Inuyasha smirked and jumped back into the tree, leaving the acorn on the ground. And Inuyasha to his thoughts.
` ` ` ~*~*~Flash~*~*~
"Inuyasha..."
"What do you want?" Inuyasha was eating on his own that morning while Kagome had slept and the others were helping the villagers.
"I wish to speak with ye." Keade said patiently.
"What about. Can't you see I'm eating?"
"I can very well see that, but none the less."
"I'm healed, so you can't nag me about my wounds. There conversation over."
"No, Inuyasha. I wish to speak with ye about the incident that happened." Keade said still with a serious calm. Her voice level, though not demeaning. She had batted away her questions for several days now, and wanted them answered, and sensing that no one was volunteering, she would have to ask. Inuyasha choked on his food for a moment and looked straight at Keade and turned his head.
"Feh."
"If ye will not tell me, than maybe it would be wise to ask Kagome first." Inuyasha stood up menacingly and stared right in Keade's eyes.
"You will NOT ask her anything. Not Kagome." Keade smiled inside. Inuyasha was being exceptionally protective of Kagome. Though he might show at times more aggressively or passively, he still shows it. Though Inuyasha won't always let everyone know. Just staying within hearing range, is good enough for him.
"Fine, I'll talk, but if I don't feel like answering anything, than you will just have to deal with it."
"Hai."
~*~*~Back~*~*~ ` ` `
Inuyasha felt the warm sun creep over his skin and relished the feeling for a moment. It seemed like a long time for him since he felt this calm alone. The sun was much clearer, and everything smelt much sweeter. ` ` ` ~*~*~* Flashing~*~*~
They settled underneath a separate tree than Inuyasha had been sitting under. Thunder clapped overhead. It was going to rain soon, but that had gone unnoticed by the two.
"Inuyasha, tell me of the events that happened after you two began fighting." Inuyasha was silent, choosing his words carefully and spoke monotone. No emotions. He recounted impossible to remember details, every blow received, every blow struck, every word said, every smell, and every drop of blood spilled. Keade sat there calmly, though feeling like she was going to retch. No wonder Inuyasha was so reluctant to tell.
"And you say that the bracelet broke?"
"Are you deaf or something? Yes, I do remember saying that."
"Hmmm. I had been wondering how Kikyo had entered Kagome's body as such. I should have realized it. Crystals like that are powerful and very effective for these kind of possessions."
"That wasn't Kikyo." Inuyasha hissed through his teeth. Keade looked up. Her features softened.
"Hai Inuyasha. So I see you have come to realize the truth of the dead corpse that had walked among us. An old monk used to ask, 'tis it better to live with painful truth, or illusionary lies?' I believe you are faced with exactly that."
"Keade."
"Hai."
"Do you know what that light from the arrow was? I assumed it was Kagome's magic, but the more I think of it the less sense it makes. Of course, not that I care or anything." Inuyasha quickly recovered, for his uncharacteristic like question.
"No, it was not Kagome's. It was you." Inuyasha looked puzzled at the old woman.
"Think of it as a harsh concentration of your powers like when you use your Hijin Ketsuso. It was exactly the same, excepting the usual form of the red blades you're used to; it took the form of banishing energy at the end of the arrow. It's a sign of getting stronger." Keade said. Inuyasha stood up. He was tired of talking. He left.
~*~*~Back~*~*~ ` ` ` ~
~
~
That battle...it was worse than when I was pinned to the tree... I actually had to kill her this time, and not just Kikyo, but Kagome too... I had to or else, too many would die... The only thing that helped me was the fact that if I didn't, she would keep killing and I knew...that Kagome that was still there would...I know. It was not Kikyo... At least not completely... She looked like Kikyo...she smelled just like Kikyo...she was almost exactly lie Kikyo...But she was cold...on the inside and outside...she was...a fragment... A clay pot given a small bitter fragment of what Kikyo once was... Kikyo would never...never...have done something like...that...not the Kikyo I knew...not the warm, loving, scared, confused, strong Kikyo I knew...she died...over 50 years ago now...and Kagome is Kagome... She is not Kikyo... I knew that a long time ago...I just...it took me...a long time...to realize the truth of it...it wasn't until she had seen us the first time together...and accused me of thinking of her as just a shard detector...that I knew the truth of it...it's like I was hit by a force...and that was just the beginning of a huge wave... ~ ~ ~
Inuyasha's thoughts flashed to small moments of times he had been with Kagome, and Kikyo, battles, words, small precious, scary gruesome, unforgettable, and tender moments.
Inuyasha's head snapped up as a small whisper of wind came his way. He shivered at the warning it was bringing. Cold rain was coming, and he had a visitor.
***************
Authors Ending Note: Well, Now that Inuyasha has his head on straight, things should be less complicated, right? Right? And what about this visitor? Who is he, and what business does he have with Inuyasha?