Title: The Jigsaw Puzzle
A/N: Muahaha..One chapter done and….:thinks:…a gazillion more to go:clears throat: AHEM…sorry. It's thanksgiving eve and I have nothing better to do so I might as well write chapter 2. Not only that, but is being an ass so it won't let me post my story. Meanie. :cries: Aw, man! I have to wait until "November 26" so that I could post this. I don't know how this story will do once it's out there for others to read, but I'll just hope for the best. I promise I'll try to make it have a bit of fun and action and not just 'ah-you-broke-my-heart-now-go-to-hell :sob:' parts. But hey..I'm a newbie..a rookie…whatever you call someone who's just starting out so what can you expect from me? Having said that, I must go and plot the upcoming events that were left unsolved from the previous chapter! Dun dun dun! Ahh! Please don't kill meh!
Jessiez
Disclaimer: Again, as said in Chapter 1, I am not the rightful owner nor am I the proud creator of Inuyasha. I wish I was both, but unfortunately, I was not blessed with talents that the amazing creator, Rumiko Takahashi, possesses. Therefore, don't sue me!
Symbols (what they mean)
Italic Text – either flashback, or what the person is thinking
Bold text – something important is being said/emphasize something
Normal text – currently speaking
Anything with : - action/something's being done
anything with ' ' - thoughts
anything with " " – currently being said
Chapter 2
(A/N: By the way, most of this chapter's going to be flashback, but don't worry, it's part of the plot. It makes everything come together. Trust me. .)
She didn't know where she was going; Kagome just let her feet take her to wherever it was compelled to. She didn't care where, as long as she was away from Inuyasha. She didn't want to be anywhere near him and she just wanted space; a big space to just calm down and let her emotions flow.
As she made her way through, she did not notice two pairs of eyes watching her every move as she made her way through thickets past tree roots and bushes. One of the owner of the two began to speak:
"Naomi, are you sure she's up for this? She looks so vulnerable and weak at this point"
The owner of the voice was met with dead silence; the owner knew what that usually meant.
A few moments later, a smack was heard and was abruptly followed by a growl.
"You bitch" said Maira, the other being that was next to the one who gave the 'wake-up!' call. "What the hell was that for? I was merely rethinking this little plot of yours, Naomi"
"Yeah, well, quit your whining and answer my damn question" replied Naomi. "You think we should go and approach her? She's just had another lecture from that bastard hanyou."
After recovering from the not-so-pleasant distraction from Naomi, Maira focused himself to the subject. "Hmm…..I don't know, Omi. She could just attack us both and kill us if we went to her now. She is a very powerful miko and she has not learned to control her powers at all. If we pull at her strings even more, she'll go ballistic, send her unleashed powers towards us, and fry us both under the sun." He takes a deep breath after he said that all in one breath. He was scared regardless of the fact that he was a god. He continued on. "I think we should give it a few days."
"Oh wow, I never knew you could make wise decisions, Maira. Usually you would be too dumbstruck to even say a word" said Naomi, chuckling in the process.
Maira gave Naomi an evil eye that clearly said 'you'll pay for that remark later'. Naomi, in return, gave a nervous gulp and started to ease his tension.
"Jeez, Maira. Calm down. I was kidding, you know. Someone's high-strung today" said Naomi, as she rolled her eyes.
"I-am-not-high-strung" came the reply from him. He was, in all truth and honesty, anxious about Naomi's little plan that involves this miko and a certain youkai lord. He really didn't know how it would end up and if it would actually work. He just prayed to Kami that Naomi's 'plan' would not fail which would end up killing them both if it did. Not only that, but if something went wrong, they would have to answer to the other gods and goddesses, and the almighty kami as well.
"You really should not lie. You suck at it" said Naomi, who was holding her laughter at the sight of her companion reacting to her comment as if he'd been caught stealing a cookie from the cookie jar.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Tell me, how are you going to get Lord Sesshoumaru and this miko to work together again?" inquired Maira, hoping to change the subject from focusing on him to the current task at hand.
"It's simple! I would place them in front of 'the gate' and alter the coding so that they are sent off to different worlds, but before they leave, I shall give them a jigsaw puzzle and tell them what they have to do. If they are both desperate to return to this land, then they must work together to find the little pieces to this jigsaw puzzle. Once all of it is completed, then they have to figure out the code to the final gate, and voila! They should be back here in no time!" explained an ecstatic Naomi. There was more to it, but she didn't think all the other details were necessary. She had been planning this all along. Let's just say it was her payback for having the taiyoukai treat her with no respect when she asked him for his help. She needed to give him a lesson; a lesson in compassion and respect for others that he would never forget. She started to doze off as she recalled the events of that day.
:Flashback:
Naomi was in need of help for she was injured during a battle with a strong demon. She ended up killing the unruly demon, but managed to get slashed from the demon's claws. She was bleeding profusely and she could not tend to her wounds for she was weak. Angry at herself for letting her guard down, she couldn't believe that the demon had underestimated her. Despite her anger, she was still content for she was able to slay the demon.
As night was approaching, Naomi could feel herself getting weaker, making her prone to any attack. Luckily, she was able to detect another youki around the clearing as she summoned all her powers to attract attention. Soon, she was face-to-face with none other than Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands and one of the strongest demons known to exist.
She couldn't help but gawk at his ethereal beauty. He was like a god, just like her, so perfect in every way. His hair swayed along with the voices of the wind, and the light emitted by the moon illuminated him, making him more heavenly than ever. She thought the gods were answering her prayers when her hero came when the damsel was in distress. Oh how she was so utterly wrong at her prediction, as she was soon to find out moments later.
As she began open her mouth to let her speak, she found that she could not utter one single word. Damn! It must've been the poison that seeped its way to her open wound from the remains of the demon. Although the youkai ceased to exist, its poison was still strong and could kill anyone in an instant.
Sesshoumaru looked at this creature before him with disgust. How could something so weak fool him into thinking it was a powerful youkai to get his hands on and have it screaming bloody murder. He saw how she was struggling to find her voice, yet found none. It made her seem more helpless and weak. Sesshoumaru felt no pity for this creature, nonetheless, this human being. Little did he know that she was indeed a goddess under human disguise to learn more about both humans and youkais that lived in this world. The way Sesshoumaru was acting sure did not give this goddess a good first impression of youkais, more specifically taiyoukais who look so noble and strong.
Annoyed at having his time wasted over nothing, Sesshoumaru decided to speak up first and engage their so-called 'conversation'. "What brings you to my lands, human wench? Don't you know that a filthy human like you should not be anywhere this far off my lands, nonetheless be this close to this Sesshoumaru?" he said with malice dripping from his voice like venom.
Finally, after moments of subduing the poison, Naomi was finally able to speak up. "I mean no harm. I simply ask of you to assist me in tending to my wounds for I have been injured in a severe fight against a neko youkai. If you concede to this, I assure you your reward once I get back to where I originally come from."
"Do you think this Sesshoumaru has interest in this reward you speak of by helping you recover? This Sesshoumaru does not stoop low to help a filthy, worthless human bitch like you so if you think that you will see the light of day, you better say your prayers to whatever gods there are out there to let them take your soul to the eternal place when I rid of you once and for all." Sesshoumaru responded, making his hatred and disgust seem more obvious than the stars twinkling above.
A look of utmost shock and displeasure was etched across the goddess' face. She was not expecting such rude behavior coming from someone so grand and noble. She had thought that he would assist her with no problem and she was true to her word that he would be rewarded, but no. He simply looked down upon her like she was some piece of garbage smothered with maggots and flies.
'Ah, so you seem to have a disliking with human beings, eh Lord Sesshoumaru?' thought Naomi. She had no idea as to why he would hate such creatures when here he was, standing right in front of her, possessing almost the same features, but only having a few markings here and there which distinguished him as different from the humans. 'I wonder if he's going to say more. He seemed to be contemplating on something, according to that stoic, arrogant, pompous face of his!' she pondered.
Indeed, he did proceed to berate her like she was some imp, confirming Naomi's previous thoughts. He spoke in a deadly, menacing tone "Tell me, human wench. Why should I aid you in recovery when you haven't proven any worth to this Sesshoumaru. You simply present yourself to the Lord of the Western Lands as a weak mortal, unable to defend yourself from the battles you fight with weak youkais. You are not worth of my time nor my healing powers therefore I shall take my leave and leave you to rot in this place. I'm sure the carnivorous creatures that lurk within these woods would take a liking in you for you present yourself as a healthy meal in which they could enjoy having. I am not warning you with the dangers of the forest, wench, but rather to feed your fear. This Sesshoumaru shouldn't worry about cleaning up for these creatures within my forest are more than willing to do the work. They will salvage your body like there was no tomorrow and before you know it, nothing would be left of you." Sesshoumaru then did something that put the already surprised goddess by having an evil smirk plastered upon his lips.
Naomi was boiling up with anger at this arrogant demon lord. She was not accustomed to being treated this low and his sneering remarks were making her mad to no end. She would teach this son-of-a-bitch-no-good-excuse-for-a-demon-lord bastard how to treat others other than his kind to treat them with compassion and respect.
Seeing the reaction that the girl displayed, Sesshoumaru was pleased that his words brought such fear in her. He went about his way, but stopped as he gave the injured ningen a quick glance and sent her one of his most death-inviting smirks. 'The look on her face is priceless' thought Sesshoumaru. Just as he was about to step back into the forest, he heard the ningen call out to him.
"Lord Sesshoumaru. Taiyoukai and Lord of the Western Lands. It's a shame how you bow down so low as to insult those not of your kind. You are one of Inutaishio's sons, and the elder of that, if I recall correctly. I am so utterly shocked and highly disappointed by your display of attitude. I expected you to be as kind-hearted and compassionate as your father yet you are nothing like your father. You aren't even as close to how he was when it comes to strength. You have surely disgraced yourself and your entire bloodline in front of me by talking in such manner. Do you even have the highest clue as to whom you are speaking with?" said Naomi with such bitterness that could match the ones the youkai had previously used with his tone of voice. She was pissed off to no end at his rude behavior and she wasn't going to let him walk away simply like that. Oh no, Naomi had plans for him.
Sesshoumaru came to a complete stop at the mention of his father. 'How did this wench know of my father?' thought Sesshoumaru. He was also angered by her reference to him in comparison to his deceased father. 'How dare that wench talk about this Sesshoumaru that way! I shall not spare her life any longer. This Sesshoumaru will make sure of that.' However, he was caught off-guard by her last question. 'Do I know who she is? Is this Sesshoumaru missing something? She's clearly out of her mind. I've had enough of her nonsense.' And with that, he flexed his hand, revealing elongated claws that started to ooze green poison and lunged at the girl, unaware of the changes taking place right in front of his eyes.
Sesshoumaru was paralyzed to his spot once he turned around. He did not believe what he was seeing. Right in front of him was no longer that weak, injured, helpless ningen, but rather an angelic figure that floated above the ground. She was in all ways breath-taking. Long, golden hair flowed from her head down her shoulders to her waist. Her skin had a creamy ivory look to it which made it seem soft to the touch. Her eyes were not the same, dark colored ones, but were now as green as jade with a mixture of golden gray lining her pupils. Her dress was made of golden silk, simple yet absolutely stunning. She had markings along the sides of her eyes that made her look like a fairy, when in reality; she was even revered more than a fairy would. Her neck was adorned with a gold necklace which hung a sun with all the rays spreading out toward her collarbone. Standing in front of Sesshoumaru was the ever-beautiful Naomi, goddess of light and salvation.
When Naomi was fully transformed, there was no sign of her wound anywhere. She had healed herself and got rid of the blood stains while she was transforming. Now that she had finished, she made sure she had the full attention of the demon lord. After seeing the paralyzed form of the once arrogant bastard, she was pleased to see the shock written all over his face. Now it was her turn to smirk, but not evilly like Sesshoumaru had.
"I am sure you are wondering as to how I acquired that information about your father. Well, let me inform you, Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands; I am Naomi, goddess of light and salvation. I am the goddess in which many, both human and youkai alike, turn to when they are in the utmost need of my guide and protection. I also determine whether the crimes they've commited in their past lives were grave and whether they shall be forgiven on judgment day. I am one of the main authorities that determine whether one should be permitted into heaven or not. Your previous actions clearly show that you have no remorse whatsoever and you are an arrogant, heartless, lame excuse for a noble youkai bastard who are not worthy of my time or attention. You have proven yourself to be useless and deserved to be sent to the pits of hell where you shall never see the light of day. On top of that, I shall make your living days a nightmare by bestowing no light on you and your kingdom, leaving you vulnerable to the attacks of anyone who intends to claim your title, your land, and your life. So you see, you have tempered with the wrong person at the wrong time." Naomi said in a matter-of-fact way.
Naomi wasn't finished berating this insolent little pup. "One day, that arrogance of yours is going to get you killed. I can assure you we shall meet when that day comes and I am not going to change my mind about your well being unless……." Naomi trailed off.
'Hm….maybe this will be a good way to make him learn and understand compassion and respect. Nice one, Naomi!' Naomi complimented herself at her plan.
The goddess' silence brought Sesshoumaru back to his current situation. He was contemplating on what this woman in front of him just revealed about his fate and the fate of his kingdom. He could not believe his ears. He refused to believe what she was saying. One part of his mind is screaming 'danger! You bastard, you see? Now you're doomed' while the other said 'relax. She's probably just using this threat of hers to scare you. You can get around this.' However, as much as he wanted to believe his other side that told him that everything would be fine, he knew the latter made more sense and he was, indeed, doomed.
However, he managed to get his full attention on her when she said 'unless'. Maybe she was thinking of an alternative, or a way to reverse it, or an escape from this fate. She had to have some type of kind heart; afterall, she is the goddess of light and compassion so maybe she'll compensate him? It was unknown to Sesshoumaru and he was dying to find out.
"Unless?" Sesshoumaru repeated. He wanted this wen—ahh—goddess to spit it out already.
Naomi was brought back from her musings. She's got it! She wasn't exactly sure how she'll go about it, but at least she has a plan. Hearing the youkai lord ask her inquisitively, she once again reviewed her plan and prepared herself to tell him. He was such an impatient dog.
"Unless" Naomi began. "Unless you can prove to me that you are not this cold, arrogant, jerk-ass inu youkai, then maybe I can reverse the spell and give your life plenty of blessings and light."
"What must this Sesshoumaru do to acquire such fate?" asked Sesshoumaru.
"First, you must learn how to be compassionate and respect those other than your kind. You must learn how to treat them equally and tend to their needs if ever needed. And to help you do this, I have selected that a human must help you learn, since you have such disdain towards their being." Naomi saw the grimacing face Sesshoumaru gave her as she said the last part. However, she ignored his musings and continued on. "I cannot tell you how it will be done or who that human is, but you will know when you see her by using this." Naomi hands him a talisman of some sort. Sesshoumaru takes the talisman, examines it, and looks back at Naomi, confusion clearly etched on his features. Naomi held her hand out to explain. "This talisman will help tell you whether you have found her. It will glow a blue-ish color when she is around you." Sesshoumaru eyed the apparatus. It looked like crap and was about to crumble on his palm. How was he to use this object when it looks as if it will barely survive a day?
'With the numerous amount of ningens walking this earth, how in the heaven's name am I supposed to find her?' Sesshoumaru thought with annoyance. This was much harder than he had originally thought. However, he didn't have to wait long to have his question answered when Naomi said "I am aware that there are a great deal of human females walking about this earth, but I'll give you one clue. She is a very powerful miko and is truly one-of-a-kind. She is grieving for one she loves who does not give his love to her in return. You have to make her overcome that and you must work together to complete this puzzle or else not only will you suffer the consequences ten fold, but she will too. Now mark my word, Sesshoumaru. I am not called the goddess of light and salvation for nothing. If I see a change in you, then this whole curse will be lifted off. I am giving you another chance to compensate so that you may be pardoned from your wrongdoings. I hope you do not take this for granted and use it to your advantage. I wish you well, dear Lord of the Western Lands." And with that said, she vanished right before his eyes, only leaving sparkles and a gush of wind.
And so the great Taiyoukai of the West still stood in his spot, perplexity clearly seen on his handsome face.
"Helllllooooooooooooo?" Maira said while waving his open palm in front of Naomi's face.
Naomi snapped out of her reverie and quickly slapped his hand away. It was beginning to irk her. "What do you want now, Maira?" asked Naomi irritated.
"You were out of it, and I asked you whether you are going to approach the girl or not. How about…..are you even going to interfere?" asked a very impatient Maira.
"That, is my business, and my business alone. However, I shall answer one of your questions. No, I am not going to approach the girl. She will know soon enough." replied Naomi. She really didn't need to get involved. Everything was set. It was like an obstacle course. All she needed to do was instruct them on what to do and off they go! She just hoped the youkai lord wasn't a stupid dimwit like his half-brother and actually figure out the clues she left him that night. Speaking of that night, she felt she was a bit too harsh on the taiyoukai, but her argument was that he deserved it. She was not doing this to gain something from it, but rather, just to teach the taiyoukai a lesson. With that said, she told her companion that they were leaving and soon both disappeared under the sun's rays.
That's Chapter 2 done! Whew! This is proving to be harder than I thought! Hm….read and review, please! I wanna see what comments this story gets to determine where it goes. Sayonara!
Jessssssss