When Night Falls
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha but(insert funny comment here).
Okay, I'm sorry to say this is a rather short chapter, but the story picks up in action major from this point onwards.
Now for reviews!
ninalee-chan- ah, thanks, I'm glad that made up for it!
Veglma- Have I ever told you that you are one of the most random people ever? No? Heehee...
Medlii- Okay, okay, simple mistake. I hate that though, I always do that. And you're not a grammar nazi... (shifty eyes)
Moonyme- Uh thanks... I had to read through your review a bout ten times just to understand it. But it's cool, thanks for the words of support!
xxxroxyxxx- Intense, eh? Sweet.
Vanima Nwalmaer- Ooo... thankee!
AngelofMusic516- Yes, Miroku ish very awesome.
Thanks for all the uber-kind reviews! I luvs yous alls!
Chapter 7:Enter the Elemental Mages!
Miroku stepped lightly through the grass, the rings of his shakujou jingling gently with every footfall.
"Where am I?" he wondered. He had certainly never been to this place before. The plains around him seemed to stretch out forever in each direction. Runnng his fingers through the hair he fell backwards so that he was lying face up on the ground, staring up at the bluest sky he had ever seen. "Am I dreaming?"
"One could say that," came another voice. Miroku shot up instantly.
"Who's there?" he asked.
"You are a monk of Buddha, are you not?" the voice laughed, "Then you should be able to find me."
Somehow knowing what to do Miroku closed his eyes and focused. There's something here that isn't right, something out of place. Feeling a disturbance in the energy of his dream he turned around to see a giant tree appear right before his eyes. Under the tree a lone figure sat, apparently in the middle of prayer. Walking towards the tree he approached the figure, the something hit him. Whoever…whatever, this thing was, it was a demon.
"Hello Monk Miroku," the figure said, raising his elegant eyes to look into Miroku's.
"Who are you?" Miroku asked.
"Tell me, who do you think I am?"
Miroku snorted. "You're not human, that much I'm sure of."
"Very keen of you," the demon laughed. "Please, sit down," he said, patting the ground next to him.
Miroku eyes the newcomer suspiciously, but sensing no malevolence he took a seat. "Were you praying?" he asked.
"Yes, I was," the demon answered.
"What for?" he asked.
"Well, the same reason you or anyone else would pray, to draw ourselves closer to Buddha and eventually reach Nirvana."
Miroku's eyes widened, "Are you saying that you follow the ways of Buddha?"
"Yes I am. And I wouldn't suppose you're suggesting demons cannot?"
"No, no, not at all. I've just… never met one who did. Well, except perhaps Shippo, but I suppose that is Kagome's influence…"
"Ah yes, the Kitsune. A little annoying might I say, but quite a loyal companion."
"Wha… how do you know about him?"
"Oh, I know about all of them, the miko, the hanyou, and yes, the taijiya, who you seem to have quite a fancy for. You see, Miroku, I have been with you for a long time. A lot longer than you realize. I've been with you since you were a boy, I've followed you as you first set off to fight Naraku, and when you met Inuyasha and Kagome."
"If you've been with more for that long, how come I'm only seeing you now?"
"For the longest time I have been locked away in this deepest corners of your mind, it as only yesterday that I first was released," he said, giving Miroku a smile that clearly meant he wanted him to figure out the rest of the story.
Miroku sighed and leaned his head back on the trunk of the tree. "So am I to assume that that power yesterday… was you?"
The demon grinned, nodding his head with a look of pride.
"Then I owe you my gratitude, I'd be dead now if it weren't for you."
"You don't need to thank me. If you die, I die, so by protecting you," he put his hand to Miroku's chest, "I'm protecting myself," he said as he moved it to his own.
Miroku's eyes narrowed, "But you saved Sango too."
The demon gave another toothy grin. "I guess I did."
They sat in silence for a long time before a voice rang out over the plain.
"Houshi-sama… Houshi-sama, wake up."
"That's Sango," Miroku said, looking at the sky.
"Yes," said the demon. He pushed himself to his feet using the tree, "and I really must be going."
"Wait," said Miroku, also rising to his feet, "Please, tell me, who are you, really?"
The demon walked up to him. "All will be revealed in due time, Monk Miroku. But now you need to wake up."
He tapped Miroku on the forehead, and the plains that surrounded Miroku disappeared. As he was dragged out of his dreams the demon's voice rang out once more, "If you ever find yourself, or any of your friends, in danger, just call on me and I'll be there to help". Miroku nodded.
That morning Miroku woke up to the most beautiful sight he had ever seen, Sango's smiling face looking over him.
And so, Inuyasha and Co. set off again. They took the demon's tunnel northward to wolf territory, and from there continued in the darkness towards their destination. Miroku was still rather weak, and was carried on the back of a transformed Kirara.
"Damn it," cursed Inuyasha, "Just how far north is this thing?"
"It's supposed to be on one of the northern islands," said Miroku weakly.
"Do you know how long that's gonna take?" asked Inuyasha.
"A week, considering there are no hold-ups," said Sango, "and we don't even know how long we have…"
"That would be a handy piece of information," Kagome spoke up, "we could have a years, or even ten minutes for all we know…"
"We just have to keep our hopes up," Miroku responded, "and the sooner we get there the better."
The others only nodded.
"Say," said Inuyasha, "how do you suppose we're gonna cross the ocean when we get to the north?"
No one had an answer.
"I guess we'll just have to think of that when we get there," Kagome smiled optimistically.
Meanwhile, in a cave not to far to the north, four figures sat, awaiting their moment to rise.
"So, master revived us because he wanted us to destroy this threat?" asked a small figure in the corner of the cave.
"Yes, those were our orders," another figure answered.
"I don't see the importance of this…" yet another one grunted, "master is great enough to take on any threat.
"That may be true…" All three figures that sat in the cave turned to the one that had just entered, "But until his power is fully restored, he must concentrate all his energy on regaining it. For now, it is our duty to ensure that that goal is reached." The newcomer held himself with an air of confidence that signified leadership.
"You find out where they are boss?" asked the smallest figure.
Their leader smiled, revealing a long, pointed fang, "Yes, they are quite near. It would appear, brother, that it is your turn to shine, if, that is, you think you can handle it."
"Oh… I doubt you need to worry about that," he chuckled, "I'm sure they'll fall over with the slightest breeze." And in a gust of wind, the smallest figure had disappeared.
Kagome yawned and stretched her arms as she woke up. Inuyasha and co. had found another empty village to spend the night in, and for the first time since they had set off on their northward expedition, they had been able to sleep undisturbed. Miroku seemed to have regained quite a bit of his energy back, as he now walked for himself, though not without the occasional stumble, to which Sango would quickly be there to catch his fall. Inuyasha walked at a quick pace in front of them all, eager to get over this threat and get back to the hunt for Naraku.
"Would you slow down Inuyasha?" yelled Kagome, "We can't walk as fast as you, and with Miroku…"
"I'm sorry about all this," Miroku said from behind.
"Don't worry, it's not your fault," Kagome comforted.
From his place far in front of them Inuyasha grumbled, and slowed down, waiting for them to catch up. A slow, cool breeze picked up, causing Kagome to shiver. But it was not like the breeze that came with the darkness, whatever was the cause of the wind was definitely demonic. As it whipped lightly at Inuyasha's long, silver hair, his frown disappeared from his face, and was replaced with a look of confusion.
"Something's coming," he said.
"What?" asked Kagome who was still catching up.
"Somethng's coming!" he repeated louder. As he said this the wind began to pick up. Kagome's hair whipped wildly around her face and she tied it back in a ponytail to keep it out of her mouth and eyes.
"Kagura?" Sango yelled over the roaring wind.
"No, not even Kagura is this powerful." Halfway through his sentence the wind abruptly stopped, and he finished it in a much louder voice then necessary.
"Now, now, there's no need for shouting," came a new voice.
Inuyasha and co. suddenly became ware of a newcomer in their ranks. Inuyasha slowly turned around, only to be met with a shot of wind that sent him flying ten feet back.
"Inuyasha!" yelled Kagome, running up next to him. "Are you okay?"
"Fine," he muttered. Getting up, he brushed off his pants and sent a death glare at his attacker. "Just who the hell are you?"
The new figure, stood silent for a moment, allowing Kagome to get a good look at him. He was very short, and seem to be clad mostly in green. He had long black hair that fell down to his feet, and most of his face was covered by the raised neck of his cloak.
"Did you hear me?" growled Inuyasha, "I asked who you were!"
"Well that's a toughy there," the demon said, "I don't have a name per se… but if you must call me something, I guess Kaze will do… after all, I control the winds."
"Well, Kaze," spat Inuyasha, "I would greatly appreciate it if you got out of our way."
"Unfortunately, that is one thing I cannot do," said Kaze. "Now, if you would gladly pull out that little sword of yours, I would like to begin the process of eliminating you."
"Why you little," muttered Inuyasha, "I'll show you! Kaze no Kizu!" He whipped out the Tetsusaiga and swung it forward with a mighty arc.
As the five rays of energy sped towards Kaze he merely shook his head. With a flick of his wrist, the Kaze no Kizu was flying back towards Inuyasha.
"Gah!" Inuyasha yelled as he grabbed Kagome and jumped over his deflected attack.
"Are you retarded or something?" sighed Kaze, "I just finish telling you I control the wind, and you attack me with a wind based attack? Now that's not very smart."
"Shit…" growled Inuyasha, "This guy is really beginning to bug me…"
"Now that that moment of stupidity is over," laughed Kaze, "let's continue with our little battle shall we?"
End Chapter 7
Dun dun dun... and the battle with Kaze, the wind mage, begins! Will Inuyasha and co. be able to hold up against this formidable opponent? Or will the world really end? And will Miroku call upon his newfound ally for help? Review and I'll hurry up with the next chapter!