1Hey, folks. Sorry, Long time no write. Anyways this is the third chapter for Eternal Shadow. It may seem awkward, but I'm going to keep making transitions between the two different time periods until every one is together. Cloud has basically explained to the group (after they rested) the events of Shattered Skies. So now, it's mid-afternoon in Inuyasha's era. And now for the disclaimer (ha, you thought I was done). Don't own Cloud or affiliations of Cloud, Square does; don't own Inuyasha and gang, Rumiko Takahashi does. Now on with the story.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER IS VERY EXPLICIT (VIOLENCE, PROFANITY, SEXUAL REFERENCE, ETC.) IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM STAYING COMPOSED WITH THESE, RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1.)SKIP CHAPTER AND E-MAIL ME FOR SUMMARY.
2.) SKIP THE SECTION WITH THE POST "WARNING" AT THE FRONT AND END.
3.) TOUGH IT OUT.
Chapter 3: Sorrow
"Wow, what an amazing story," Shippo said, "Did all this really happen, Inuyasha?"
"Yes," Inuyasha sighed, "that's how it happened."
"I wonder how all these events came to be." Sango stated, "How come the time machine never interfered with these trips to the well before? Had it been recently been created?"
"No," Cloud replied, "it's been around for some time."
"Then I wonder," Miroku asked, "how did all these events transpire?"
"Who cares," Inuyasha blurted at last, "look, Cloud, I know you didn't come simply to tell sad stories. What is it you're really here about?"
Cloud merely chuckled, then became very serious, "I came to warn you. This shikon jewel you seek, is also being sought by the Shinra Corporation."
"You mean that group that you were trying to get information from?" Inuyasha asked.
Cloud nodded. "Well, then I have to ask," Inuyasha replied, "how did they find out about the jewel? And why should I care? They're no threat, I can easily defeat them."
"Well, the reason you should care and how they found out are actually one in the same," Cloud stated, "apparently Naraku gave them the lead."
Inuyasha and the rest of the group suddenly winced at that very statement.
"Damn him," Inuyasha jumped up, "how much should we worry, Cloud? How powerful is this army?"
"They're coming in thousands," Cloud replied, "as I told Kaede, Naraku will also probably be in their ranks, assisting them. The village doesn't stand a chance."
"Like hell it doesn't," Inuyasha retorted, "I'll rip this army to shreds. They'll regret the day they ever met me."
"How much time do we have Cloud?" Miroku asked.
Suddenly blistering gun shot sounds pierced the tranquility and were quickly followed by shouts of 'The village is under attack.'
"I'd say our time is about up," Cloud said, "grab your weapons and essential gear. We must retreat and escape from the village."
"The only place we're heading is TOWARDS the village," Inuyasha stated, "we have to make a stand here and now."
"Are you really that incompetent," Cloud asked, "are you that ignorant? You're really willing to throw your life away so recklessly? Even Kaede's going to have the villagers fall back."
"Fine," Inuyasha said, "do what you will. I'm going."
And like that, Inuaysha ran out of the hut and towards the village, despite the 'Wait, Inuyasha!' shouts coming from behind him.
'The fool,' Cloud thought, 'I have to save him.'
"Kaede," Cloud finally broke the silence, "get the villagers to fall back."
And like that, Cloud followed after Inuyasha.
Once Cloud had gone outside the hut, he got to see the village very vividly, though much of it was enshrouded in smoke. He tried to see where Inuyasha was from slightly above, but it was hard for Cloud to distinguish between the Shinra soldiers and the rest of the villagers due to the smoke, so Cloud went down to the village. He searched from street to street in the hope that he would find Inuyasha.
"Fall back," an old, familiar raspy voice called to the villagers, "get out of the village, fall back!"
'Good,' Cloud thought, 'Kaede gave the command, that should make things a bit easier.'
Cloud turned the corner to see about fifty soldiers waiting for him.
"Hold it right there!" one of the soldiers shouted.
"Surrender," another said, "put your hands up!"
"Oh boy," Cloud sighed, "I don't have time to play around with you guys."
He held one hand out, mumbled a gibberish-like chant, and then shouted, "Come to me, King of Dragons."
Suddenly, a vortex formed in the sky, and in an instant, Bahumut had descended in front of Cloud, and spat out an energy that engulfed all of the soldiers in an instant. And, as quickly as he had come, Bahumut ascended back into the heavens.
'Now to find Inuyasha.' Cloud said.
Suddenly he heard tears from a nearby hut. He went into the hut next to him to find Inuyasha with his back to Cloud, holding a little girl.
"There you are," Cloud puffed out in relief, "we have to leave."
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Inuyasha growled.
"Huh?" Cloud approached Inuyasha. Suddenly Inuyasha rotated around and punched Cloud in the face.
WARNING BEGINNING
"What the hell's your prob–..." Cloud stopped as he saw that Inuyasha was in tears; the little girl he was holding in his hands was dead, her throat slit, and it was very evident she had been raped.
"Those bastards..." Inuyasha choked out through his tears, his voice strained, "What makes them so goddamn callous? They're fucking cruel and sadistic!"
A subtle tear rolled down Cloud's cheek, 'Oh, no,' Cloud thought, 'this is all my fault. What would have motivated them to do this?'
Then it popped into Cloud's head, 'It must have been the Turks. But even this is a all-time low for them.'
WARNING END
"Amazing, isn't it?" Cloud finally broke the silence, "That even though technology advances, humans don't. It's really quite sad. And if you must know, I honestly thought we had more time. Guess that's not a good excuse."
Inuyasha said nothing.
"Come on, Inuyasha," Cloud said, "we have to retreat."
Inuyasha got up, and the duo went out of the village. But Inuyasha was still haunted by what the girl had written in her own blood:
'Is this world doomed for all eternity to be engulfed by sorrow?'
That's the chapter. Reviews please.