Chapter 8: The Bringer of Death, Kennomaru
Slowly, the lord of all things evil stood, his dark, oily hair moving like a thousand live snakes down his back. Why must he somehow best every one of my plots? The creature known as Naraku wondered. He sat in his captured castle, the former resident's carcasses piled up in the corners. Is it because of my servants, and their incompetence? Or maybe it is just because of simple luck that helps that dog-eared mutt escape. He glanced over at a Saimyosho that was hovering over a body, searching for a hunk of decaying tissue, it's mandibles quivering in delight. He glared, and simply flicked a finger. The wasp burst into flame, and died in an instant. He walked over to the burnt remains. Maybe I should use him to hold them at bay, and test his true power. For the first time in ages, a sneer crossed the demon's face, and he let out a booming, evil laugh that stirred the Saimyosho outside into flight.
I slowly blinked, and brought the greenish tea to my lips. Somehow within the past few hours, Inuyasha and I had switched back into our own bodies. Because Inuyasha was able to rip the dimensions apart, our souls had burst out violently and switched back into our normal bodies.Suddenly, I hearda couple of voices outside the hut.
"He was at the bottom of the Bone Eater's Well, with a hole in his chest, same as what happened to Inuyasha." The person was saying. I finally realized that the speaker was Sango. "Most humans would have died from that wound, but he still clings to life." I heard a mumbled reply, then the speakers moved off. I grabbed a plain white sheet that had been covering me, and examined myself. There was a large bandage on my chest, with a large bloodstain on it. I slowly removed the bandage, and found to my surprise there was no wound left.
"Surprised?" someone whispered in my ear. My reflexes kicked in, and I instantly reached back to grab the speaker's throat, only to have my hand caught by his hand, the calluses and slightly long, sharp fingernails giving away his identity. "Hey, kid!" Inuyasha said. "Don't use too much energy. Besides, I just got this body back. I want to keep it in good condition for a while." he slowly walked around, and stood in front of me. "So, how the heck did you switch our bodies like that?" he said, a perplexed look on his face.
" Wait one minute," I said slowly, "Shouldn't you be angry? Since when can you ask questions without getting angry?" He smirked at me.
"Look, I only care because I need to know how the hell this happened. Now, tell me, do you know anything about what has happened? Like who did it?" He laid one of his hands on my shoulder roughly. I took a deep breath, and told him everything I knew.
Naraku's slow stride took him to the chamber that housed his newest incarnation. The door to the chamber was sealed with the blood of a Saimyosho, locking out all but Naraku. He opened the door slowly, and the stench of decaying flesh came in a wave. He slowly stepped into the darkened room. The creature was meditating on the far side, one hand holding it up above the ground. The creature's skin was mottled, and it looked like one of the corpses from the halls had just decided to live once more. It realized it was not alone, and jumped towards Naraku, the blades in his arms flashing towards his throat. Naraku put up his arm, and the creature stopped, suspended in midair. The monstrosity was clad in the uniform of a ninja, wearing only black silk. It's cold, glittering eyes focused on it's captor, trying to force it's way closer.
This incarnation will certainly test them. Naraku thought, his cold eyes glittering in delight. He leaned closer, and whispered into the creature's ear, telling it what to do. The monster squealed in delight, and dropped to the ground, it's small mind focused on the task ahead.
"Run, my Ansatsu, run!" Naraku whispered to the night.
I awoke with a start, and looked around the hut. It was night already, and I was feeling much stronger. My eyes fell upon a Haori sitting folded to the right of the bed, it's soft black color attractive to the eye. I slowly put it on, and located my weapons. After strapping them on, I stepped out of the small hut, and took a breath of the cool, night air. I heard a rustling in the bushes beside the hut. I dropped low into a combat stance, looking for the source. Suddenly, Shippou and Kirara came out of the growth, Shippou carrying a few sticks in a bundle. He looked up, and saw me standing there, with both hands near my undrawn sword, and smiled politely.
"You're finally awake." he stated politely. He looked at me closely. "Wait a minute, you're skin is really pale, and your eyes look kind of funny. Where are you from?" I came out of the combat stance, resting my hands on my hips.
"A land far away from here." I said wryly. He looked at me, puzzled at this odd person.
"What's your name, stranger?" He asked me. I thought for a second, thinking up a name appropriate for the era.
"My name is Sanosuke Himoura." I answered, thinking of another of my favorite mangas.
"Ah. My name is Shippou, and this is Kirara. She's a Nekomanta demon. C'mon, let's meet the others." he said in a rush, obviously wanting to get dinner. He ran off, deeper into the village. Kirara stayed for a moment, sniffing me. She recognizes my scent! I realized. She mewed at me, and ran off in the same direction that Shippou disappeared towards. I walked slowly in that direction, heading towards the smell of fish.
I quickly arrived at the center of the village, where the rest of the group sat around a small fire. Shippou pounced on Kagome's lap.
"He woke up, and he's right here!" He exclaimed . Suddenly, everyone turned and looked at me, their laughter dissolving into curiosity. I sighed, and waited for the eventual bombardment of questions that undoubtedly would come. Instead, Kagome suddenly piped up.
"Hello there! You must be awfully hungry. Why don't you sit down here next to me and eat some food."
After introductions, everyone sat down and started to eat again. The story I had used, because it was the one Inuyasha and I had agreed upon earlier, was that I was a Rouroni that was attacked by a demon, who left me for dead, after dropping me into the well. All of the group seemed to accept it, except for Kagome, who knew, and Kaede, who stared at me solemnly.
"So," Sango said slowly, "What brings a Rouroni like you out this far?" I opened my mouth to answer when a shuriken hit the ground near the fire, dousing the flame. I jumped up, and drew my sword, it's long steel blade humming with anticipation. A sudden movement came from my right, and I threw a kazuka, hitting the would-be assassin directly in the chest. He stumbled forwards into the dim moonlight, and I saw that this was not a human. His skin was mottled, and in some spots there was no skin at all, showing off slowly decaying muscle and bone. His eyes darted back and forth like an animals. He pulled the small blade from his chest, a cloud of decaying flesh erupting from the wound. The hole slowly closed, and he cackled crazily.
"I am the demon Kennomaru, bringer of death, incarnation of Naraku. I am here to kill you all!" he yelled.
"How like a ninja," Inuyasha jeered. "All talk, no play." Kennomaru suddenly charged, a long blade extending from his forearm. I ran towards him, sword back, ready to cut him in half. Inuyasha ran up beside me, taking point position, ready to attack him in a pincer move. We both nodded at each other, and each knew what the other was planning. Inuyasha leapt high in the air, the Tetsusaiga extended above his head. I dashed in at the side, knowing the ninja could not block us both. He laughed suddenly, and a crack formed down his middle. Suddenly, there were TWO ninjas. They deftly blocked both attacks, and jumped back . I stared at the demon, and realized that this would be one helluva fight!
END Chapter 8! Chapter 9 should be soon!