A/N: All Inuyasha characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

The Long Awaited Adventure

By Ivaliny

Chapter 3

"Evils Beware"

Kagome lay in her cold, damp cell ontop of dirty, moldy straw, crying softly to herself. A week she had been captured by Warrik, and she thought Inuyasha would have rescued her by now, but no, she was still there, being tortured for information she knew nothing about. Actually, she was a bit surprised she was still there. Yes, she believed in the Chosen One, but usually Inuyasha was ten steps behind her, ready to rescue her in even the toughest situations.

Remembering what Warrik has said about Efeu being destroyed, a sting of worry stopped her heart. Was everyone destroyed, was even Inuyasha destroyed as well? She wondered.

Warrik stood in a dark room overlooking the only source of light when a tall, muscular man walked in confidently inside with his head raised high. His eyes were a deep burgundy red while his hair, jet black, stoop up in tall spikes.

"Ah, Torent, come over and look at this," Warrik said, motioning towards the source of light.

Torent bowed, flashing a pointy, devilish smile,"Of course, milord," and walked over towards his master. Standing besides Warrik, he looked down into a still, glowing pool of water with images moving inside.

"I now know who that white haired boy is, Torent. This changes everything. Inuyasha is his name, the general of the Efeu army," Warrik chuckled,"and he has the sword."

Torent watched in amazement. Warrik's magic always fascinated him. "Forgive my ignorance, milord, but how do you know that weak dog boy has the sword?"

"Because the pool knows and sees all. This pool is connected directly with the two swords of Tenoh."

Torent laughed," Tenoh? Those are just legends told by the human peasants. Besides, there is only one legendary sword."

Warrik shook his head with disappointment," That's where you're wrong, my lizard friend, do you not see the pool? This pool was created by the same magic as everything else in this castle, including Tenoh's two swords."

"This castle was Tenoh the Great's?" Torent asked in bewilderment.

"Yes..." Warrik turned to Torent with and amused, maniacal smile," But I took it from him. I wanted everything that he had, leaving him with nothing, not even his life. He's somewhere dead, a pile of bones and dust, in a dusty cavern, and I took it from him, his trusted apprentice. Now I have his castle, his magic, and power." He balled his fists with an angry scowl,"Everything buy those damn swords. Those swords will determine my victory, and our general Inuyasha will help me."

"But I don't understand, milord, there is only one sword," Torent asked his master, still thinking about the two swords.

"No, there are two. One has the power to destroy anything in it's path with just one swing, and the other can bring the dead back to life from the grave." Warrik sighed, thinking of all the things he could accomplish with both swords."Just think, I will be able to summon any monster or being from the dead, and I will be able to destroy everything in my path, even the powerful Mondlicht kingdom."

Torent nodded, knowing fully the capacities his master would go to get anything he wanted. He looked back down into the pool, pointing at the figures moving about. "Who are those two?" he asked.

Warrik waved away the question,"Some stupid peasants who follow him around. They're nothing to be worried about, if that's what you're asking."

Rin leaned against Frednicio with a smile. The two had become closer and closer, and soon they were the best of friends. Everyday they would fly off into the sky and find a quiet, peaceful place to be alone, away from the constant talk of the war. The long she had stayed, the more she felt a great dark presence lingering over them all. More monsters had come to attack the almost defenseless Efeu, but each time Inuyasha and his small army of men destroyed them all. She enjoyed the rides, wanting to shrug off the dooming presence she felt around her. They were care free and exciting.

She has seen Miroku one day, before she went on another flying adventure with Frednicio, and noticed he seemed terribly bored. She offered for him to join their picnic that afternoon, and accepted with an eager, happy smile. Flying across the forest, Rin occasionally moving Miroku's hands off her backside, Frednicio spotted Inuyasha, a tiny white spot in the dense trees. She was amazed at how well his eyesight was, noting that he probably needed such excellent sight for spotting his next meal.

Inuyasha was sitting alone beside a path of wild flowers, gazing into the late morning sky, lost in his thoughts. His hair began to flow in the currents of the dragon's large wings.

"Inuyasha!" Miroku yelled.

"Miroku?" he asked, confusion hinting in his voice,"How did you know where I was?"

"Frednicio saw you through the trees, and we decided to ask if you wanted to join our picnic."

Inuyasha looked at Rin and Frednicio, who were grinning from ear to ear, and shook his head,"I don't think so."

Miroku quirked an eyebrow, hiding his hurt,"And why not?"

"Yeah, we'd really like you to join us. It'll be fun!" Rin piped.

After more persuading, he finally consented to Rin. She situated the picnic next to another path of wild flowers, and soon everyone was situated, surrounding the basket, as Frednicio poked his nose in between for a waft of the food. Every one was soon eating, and Frednicio was nibbling on the steak Rin had prepared for him.

"This is good," Miroku said between bites of the homemade breath."Do I smell pie?"

Rin smiled,"Yes, it was hard to find the ingredients, but eventually found them in the castle."

Inuyasha looked at her with surprise,"You were in the castle?"

"I didn't steal anything if that's what you're asking."

Ignoring the comment, Inuyasha went on eating. It didn't take long before all the food was gone, and everyone had full bellies, except for Frednicio, because it's very hard to keep a dragon full. They sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Rin stared at Miroku, who was becoming more and more fidgety.

"Is something wrong, Miroku? You've been acting strange ever since we'd left Efeu."

"Oh, I just...do you feel like we're being watched?"

Inuyasha shifted his weight,"I know what you're talking about. I've felt it, too."

Rin shook her head,"I don't feel anything but the nice breeze."

He sighed,"That's what I'm afraid of."

Confused, Rin waited for him to explain. "Afraid of what?"

"Someone's trying to probe our minds, and that someone is probably Warrik."

"Warrik?" Inuyasha asked, ready for a fight," Where is he?"

He gave a hopeless sigh," I don't know, but he's definitely watching us."

"Where is he!" Inuyasha asked desperately with a growl.

"I have a theory. I think he's hiding in Tenoh's castle."

"No one knows where that is," Inuyasha growled with annoyance.

"I do," Miroku announced,"or at least I used to."

Inuyasha was ready to hit Miroku."What the hell are you talking about?" he roared.

Miroku looked from Inuyasha to Rin and gave an exasperated groan. "I guess I have been avoiding the subject for too long. I'm sick and tired of seeing everyone I know and the land I love suffer. I should have told someone the truth sooner, but I was scared it would jeopardize everything I've worked for."

"What are you talking about," Rin asked, giving her new friend a confused, but intrigued expression.

Inuyasha growled with impatience,"The truth? What have been keeping from us, Miroku?"

He rubbed the back of his neck and blushed,"It's pretty unbelievable."

Rin frowned,"Try me. I believe in the unbelievable."

Miroku chuckled,"I know, that's why I'm so sure of what I'm going to tell you, although I know Inuyasha wont believe me." He took in a deep breath and began.

"You know how many people believe that Tenoh Tihomirov is the 'Chosen One'?"

Inuyasha nodded,"Yeah, Kagome believes that will all of her heart."

Miroku nodded solemnly,"Well, she and every one else who believe that are wrong, because I am Tenoh."

Inuyasha's eye began to twitch,"Stop fooling around, jerk, Tenoh is old, and you're definitely not old."

Clearing his throat, Miroku took a sip of tea,"Maybe I should start from the beginning. Inuyasha, I am indeed a very, very old man. When I was way younger, in the prime time of my sorcery, I was cockey and arrogant, I truly believed the prophecy of the 'Chosen One' to be trued, because I believed I was he. But one day my mind set changed when I was defeated and almost killed in a battle against my apprentice, whom I taught everything I knew, maybe I taught him too much. He left me to die, stealing my powers and everything I had, in an old cavern. Weakened, and barely able to move, I lay there remembering an alternate universe I had discovered one day in my seeking pool. This place intrigued me when I first discovered it, and I decided to travel there, to regain my strength I had lost in the battle." He looked over at Rin. "The place was large, new and beautiful. I lived off the land and grew to love my new home. Soon people began to settle and times changed. Several wars broke out between the men in the country and surrounding countries, and then about a hundred years ago, I settled into a quiet farming town that reminded me of Efeu. I set up my own business and became one of the wealthiest men in town, but the town reminded me so much of Efeu, that twenty years ago, I disguised myself as a young main, painted a magical painting for the portal between both worlds, and crossed through as Miroku."

Inuyasha rolled over on the blanket, laughing,"Now you're just being stupid!" he hooted.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't believe me, Inuyasha," he added with a disappointed frown,"I guess under the circumstances I'll have to show you."

Right before their eyes, Miroku's young, smooth skin, and jet black hair turned wrinkly and gray. Rin brought a hand to her mouth in surprise. Miroku was indeed Tenoh Tihomirov, her boss. It all made sense now. That's why old Mr. Tihomirov never aged, it's because he has magical power. Inuyasha looked at his friend in shock and disbelief.

"You mean to tell me you're really that old?"

The old man in front of them gave a nervous laugh,"Heh, I guess so, but does age really matter?"

Inuyasha began to laugh again,"Wait till Sango finds out that the man who hits on her is an ancient, decrepit, worthless, old man!"

"No!" he said desperately as he changed back into Miroku."You can't tell anyone!"

"It's just a little shocking, that's all. Actually this explains why no one has seen you that much these past few years. You've been traveling back and forth through worlds, haven't you? But I don't understand why."

Miroku nodded,"I was coming to that. It's actually the reason why I told you both this ,although, it was mostly for Rin's benefit. When I first came back to Efeu twenty years ago, I had noticed how dark it had become. A normal person probably couldn't have noticed the change, but I did. There was a dark aura bubbling up over the countryside, and I knew I had to do something, but there was nothing I could do. That last battle wiped out most of my memory. I had no idea how to get back to my castle where my secrets were kept. So I spent more and more time in Efeu trying to get answers as to where the castle was located. I knew my powers would not return to me in time, if at all, so I also began looking for a new apprentice here in Efeu to teach everything I knew to, again. I knew it was risky because of what happened last time, but there was no other way. I had to teach someone my methods."

"Oh, so you found someone?" Rin asked curiously.

Miroku smiled and nodded, opening his jaw in a response, but was interrupted by a shrill obnoxious voice wobbling towards them.

"Inuyasha!" it said, obviously extremely annoyed, with his eyes narrowed.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow,"Yeah, what do you want, toad?"

"Milord, Sesshoumaru," he said smugly,"wants to see you immediately."

"What?" Inuyasha asked with annoyance at the servant, grumbling curses to himself, remembering his brother's arrangement.

"Fine!" he said,"tell that jerk I'll be there as soon as I can in a few days."

The servant grew impatient with anger, his little toady hands shook his staff violently at Inuyasha,"You insolent half breed! Lord Sesshoumaru wants you there by tonight!"

"Tonight! How the hell am I supposed to get there by tonight? It's two days away!"

"Inuyasha," Miroku interrupted,"Isn't Sesshoumaru your brother, you know, the really powerful one?"

Inuyasha's eyes twitched,"Yeah, what of it?"

Sesshoumaru? Rin pondered, he was that man Inuyasha was fighting with when I first arrived here. She frowned, he was so rude and arrogant! I already hate him

"We will accompany you," Miroku stated,"Perhaps Frednicio will give us a lift." Frednicio nodded his consent at the suggestion.

Inuyasha flailed his arms about in protest,"No way! This is between me and my brother!"

"But we could help you."

Inuyasha huffed in aggravation,"Help me? How? You're a decrepit has been wizard!"

"You're right, that's why Rin will help you."

"What?" Rin blinked in shock at hearing her name. "How can I help? I'm just a clumsy girl."

Miroku just stared unblinkingly, and expressionless until she finally caught onto what he was saying Rin laughed in response.

"Me? I'm your apprentice?" She shook her head still in disbelief and laughing," But why? I know nothing about magic."

"You may not know now, but you will, maybe not all of it, but you will." Rin gave him a blank stare. "When Inuyasha saves Kagome, he'll mostly likely have to fight Warrik."

Inuyasha crossed his arms,"So what, I can defeat him!"

Miroku shook a disapproving finger at him,"You may be good with a sword, but is skilled in sorcery you know nothing about. You will need someone with powers to match him."

Rin began to panic,"What? I have to fight against Warrik? But he defeated you! You're sending me to my death, Miroku!"

He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulders," You'll be fine, Rin. I have complete faith in you." He looked over at Inuyasha,"We should be going, Inuyasha, it's almost noon."

"Hey! I didn't say you were going!" Inuyasha yelled, stamping his foot childishly.

Miroku helped Rin up on Frednicio's back and hopped on behind her. "How else will you get there before nightfall?"

Inuyasha's jaw dropped in defeat and slumped his shoulders as he looked over at Frednicio's smug smile, and moodily hopped on the dragon's back as well. Soon they were soaring the air towards the West. A look of dread on Rin's face as she wondered exactly what she was doing soaring in the air with her new friends heading closer to an almost certain dangerous, possibly deadly, adventure.

I wanted an adventure, now I've got it, and I'm going to die! She mentally kicked herself, And, I have to see that pompous Sesshoumaru! She let out a painfully deep sigh.

"Just my luck," she muttered bitterly under her breath.

A/N: Welp, that's Chapter 3 dances. I hoped you all liked it. It was a long, somewhat dull chapter to write, but I liked it nonetheless. Chapter 4 will be typed soon. Yay! Finally Sesshoumaru will be in the picture! boogie boogie! Please leave reviews! I want to see what you all have thought of this story so far! Thanks!