The Barbaric Traders and Their Mysterious Power

"Your lordship, I think that it would be in the best interest of your clan, and yourself, if you were to purchase our weapons."

"That is your claim."

"It is a very wise claim."

"Once again, that is your claim. I still remain dubious as to powerful your 'guns' really are."

"Your lordship, have you so easily forgotten the breastplate?"

"No, I have not forgotten."

"Then, I do not comprehend your reluctance."

"Of course you do not understand, you don't know what I want."

"Which is?"

"Demons."

"Demons, your lordship?"

"Yes. Demons are a constant plague within my lands. No weapon in my armories has ever been able to kill demons, except one. Powerful arrows, enchanted by wise priests and priestesses, are the only things that have protected my lands from the menace of evil demons.

"If you wish to sell me your gaijin guns, then you need to prove their real strength. If they are powerful enough to pierce armor, as well as kill demons, I will gladly consider a purchase. Now, that is all I wish to say."

The well-mannered Englishman was greatly flustered by all this. He refused to let any customer slip through his fingers.

"Very well, your lordship, I will try to sway your sentiments, by your terms. Thank you for your audience."

The English trader bowed and turned, walking toward the doorway.

"By the way, Marlowe," the refined nobleman called after the exiting guest, "happy hunting."

Marlowe only broke his stride for a moment. He didn't bother to turn and face the great warlord; he didn't feel the obligation. After absorbing the sting, he resumed his pace. His lordship smiled.

It was thusly that Richard Marlowe had found his crew a new assignment: a hunting trip. Now and again, he would ask himself why he would allow himself to be so abused by his bizarre clientele. But, he knew that circumstances, not the clerk's wishes dictated business matters. If he failed to sell his merchandise, in order to attain trading rights in a local domain, scheming Papists would gladly step in to capitalize on his blunder.

A pragmatic man in everything, Marlowe's resolve was up to the objective presented to him: find and kill a "demon". What a preposterous goal…

Then again, it fitted the superstitious little people on the edge of the world. So as to find a simple solution to satiate his lordship's impulse, Marlowe determined that he would find and kill a ferocious, yet stupid, bear, or some other lumbering beast, and present it as a "demon".

The small expedition had been on its mission for the better part of the day now, with nothing to show for its efforts. This only served to multiply the Englishmen's frustrations.

"Ah, to the devil with this!"

"Now, now, Mister Crick, there's no need for raving."

"Sorry. Begging Captain's pardon."

Simon Crick, like Marlowe and so many others employed by the Company, was a type of man hoping to advance himself through the world of business. But, being of lowborn status and poor education, Crick's only high point appeared to be in the post of first mate in Marlowe's crew. Ineptitude and sloth had left him a fat little man who loved a position, no matter how small, that allowed him to control the affairs of others. It was Crick's dislike of overexertion, his worst flaw, which had led to his familiar outburst.

"Mister Crick, we mustn't allow ourselves to become dispirited too easily."

"Sorry Cap'n, but isn't this the most daft thing we've had to do?"

"Indeed it is. But, as long as his lordship pays well, we'll follow his instructions, even if he is fit for an asylum."

This having been said, the hunt continued.

"Another beautiful day," Kagome declared.

The assessment wasn't a foolish statement. It was a gorgeous day late in spring. The cold of winter had gone, and the rainy season was still some time away. The sun shone brightly as a cool breeze blew against their backs. The good weather, along with a healthy breakfast brightened the spirits of everyone present. Well, almost everyone.

Inuyasha grunted.

"Oh," Kagome chirped, "Don't tell me you don't think the weather's nice."

In a characteristically gruff tone Inuyasha flatly stated, "I don't give a damn about the weather. What you should be more focused on is finding Naraku."

Though he was reluctant to do it, Miroku decided to say something. In his most serene voice, which few of the group actually trusted, the youthful monk counseled Inuyasha.

"You shouldn't let yourself get so uptight Inuyasha. It would be less stressful and more beneficial for you if you just enjoyed the nice day we're having."

Inuyasha snorted, "That's awfully soft talk. Idle yammering about the weather is pretty pointless. Our mission to destroy Naraku should be foremost in everybody's mind."

Sango cast her eyes to the ground and though to herself. Doesn't he know when to quit being so combative?

Riding in the basket mounted on Kagome's bicycle, Shippo thought similarly. Come on Inuyasha. Miroku is trying to give you a chance. Why didn't you take it?

Everyone but Inuyasha knew what was going to happen if he let his notoriously bad temper go for much longer. All Kagome had to do was yank her invisible choke chain and he'd be forced to "heel". Regardless, the half-demon thundered on with his self-destructive lecturing.

"Naraku is far more important than any shiny day. Sleet, rain, snow… I'd follow Naraku through it all. As a matter of fact, I'd go into the depths of Hell to make sure that he would never escape."

Taking her fill of all this, Kagome spoke, "Okay, I've heard enough!"

The small group stopped in its tracks, awaiting the expected command. For all of his bravery and machismo, Inuyasha yelped, wincing at the pain to come. Kagome came up alongside her unruly partner.

"Inuyasha," she menacingly intoned, "you should learn to be a better traveling companion and quit being so snippy all the time."

Inuyasha opened his left eye to notice he was still upright. Further investigation revealed that Kagome had already gone ahead. A sigh of relief eased out of the warrior's mouth.

"Oh, and one more thing," Kagome's voice called back, attracting Inuyasha's attention. "Sit boy!"

Inuyasha's body tensed as his rosary began to glow. Helplessly, painfully, he was swept off his feet and slammed into the earth. The "naughty spaniel" had had his nose rubbed in his own mess, his words.

Miroku and Sango stood next to the fallen orator. Though unlikely to agree on much, the two synchronically shook their heads in disgust.

"Guys," Kagome's voice resumed, less wrathful than before. "Did anyone hear that noise?"

Lifting himself from his hands and knees, Inuyasha retorted first. In spite of his flogging, he remained surly, "What noise? The one my back made when I got flattened?"

"No…"

Before Kagome could begin another argument, a unique interruption burst forth. Off in the distance, a sharp noise rumbled through the sky. That which pierced the air caused a flock of birds to take flight in a terrible panic. The usual, unnecessary, bickering was effectively postponed.

"It sounds like thunder," Shippo meekly asserted.

"In the middle of a sunny day?" Inuyasha dryly quipped.

Aside from the fear-filled screeching in the air, silence reigned amongst the pack of adventurers.

"Perhaps we should investigate?"

Miroku's question got a rise out of Inuyasha, "Why? It's probably nothing."

"Maybe," Kagome ventured. "But, it could be a lead to find Naraku."

Inuyasha exhaled his defeat in a grumbling sigh, "Fine. Let's go."

Going ahead, Inuyasha began hoping that he might win a real fight against a different opponent. Within moments the group was off the trail and had entered the forest.