Resist And Conquer:
Let's Save The World!
They slowly ascended the hill in a nice peaceful silence of birds and wildlife singing. Kagome reveled in the nice cool breeze that blew, for the moment things were so normal she was beginning to think that Inuyasha's problem wasn't as major as she had first thought. 'Perhaps the others were just overreacting?' But she didn't want to bring it up despite how it killed her not to know what had caused the behavior change in the first place. Still, it was well worth just walking in this lovely setting.
Inuyasha and Miroku stayed in the front while the girls trailed a few steps behind. "Inuyasha, do you not wish her to know? I think it's a mistake to leave her in the dark." He whispered moving a little closer to his closed-up friend.
The hanyou sighed mentally and shut his eyes, "Miroku I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let's focus on what's important; finding and killing Naraku." He replied with no sound of debate present. Miroku sighed openly and nodded slightly.
'There's too much on our plate right now. I don't need Kagome feeling sorry for me. I'd rather keep on track with hunting down Naraku.'
Rin kicked her feet back and forth as she sat patiently on Ah-Un's back, humming a little tune. Jaken sat down beside the great dragon-horses' legs mumbling some jibberish about the little girl above. The two were there for a while just sitting until Rin caught glimpse of her savior-slash-master, "Lord Sesshomaru!" She exclaimed happily, jumping off and running up to him. Jaken stood and followed.
Sesshomaru stared at the gentle flowing river and nodded. "Jaken, go with Rin to find some food. We are leaving as soon as you eat something." He said directing the last part to Rin of course.
She smiled and grabbed Jaken by the hand. "Let's go Jaken." He laughed running into the water.
"So, Rischen has been killed. I imagined such a thing coming to pass. After all, he was foolish enough to challenge Sesshomaru in the first place. Tell me Kagura are you ready to carry out the plan I discussed with you?" He smirked and turned to face her solemn and moody expression, "Or have you not learned your lesson?" He questioned intriguingly.
She inwardly scowled but bowed halfway to her master, "Of I will not betray you again, Lord Naraku. I will do what your will of me is." She answered with a clear sincere voice. 'I'll be your damn slave until someone kills you.'
He knew how she detests him and yet he relished in the fact she had no choice unless she wanted to return to his body. It was an intriguing fear that plagued her face when he held her heart straight in front of her. "Good. Now go, they will be reaching the village in no time."
"Of course." Kagura soon disappeared from sight in a burst of wind.
Kanna reflected the mirror to Naraku, revealing a kitsune approaching the village of the Priestess Kaede. "He is looking for Inuyasha's scent. He has come from the village that Inuyasha, in his demonic state, demolished whilst battling with my brother Rischen." She softly informed.
Naraku laughed lightly. "It's almost too easy to set the hanyou up. If only he went full-demon more often. I wonder what I can do with this pathetic fool." The sinister leer of pleasure was too apparent on his pale features.
"There's a village up ahead. Come and let us see if we can find us some information." Kagome said pointing in the direction.
Sango put her arm in front of her to halt her movement, the two in front of them also stopped. "Hang on Kagome. There is the aura of demonic energy in the air." She said, tightening the grip on her Hiraikotsu. Miroku nodded and tensed.
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed as he confirmed the danger with a nod. "I can smell human blood and death as well. But it's strange that there seems to be no damage to the houses though, let's check it out." He ordered, already taking off in a run. Miroku, Sango and Kagome followed after as fast as they could. 'Damn. Doesn't evil ever get tired of causing death?' He fumed. Right before Inuyasha landed in the village he halted and froze at the gates. 'I sense a powerful barrier or something.' He put his hand on the gate but quickly jumped back as it burned his clawed hand.
Miroku caught up with him and stared. "What happened Inuyasha?"
"What kind of barrier is on this place?" Inuyasha asked him holding on to his singed hand.
"Oh." Miroku approached the door just as Sango and Kagome reached them. He put his finger to his chin and touched the door with his hand and nothing happened. "I see. It appears to be a barrier to repel forces that aren't human. However it's a different kind of barrier that feels a lot different than any other I've felt before." He answered, sounding a bit intrigued.
Inuyasha glared, "Are you saying that I can't get in?" He asked.
"Not unless someone lifts the barrier on this village." He sighed and shook his head, "But we need to get in and check the people out in this place. They could be all dead for all we know." Miroku knocked on the wooden gates and waited for a response. At first there was nothing and he knocked again.
"Who is there?"
Sango sighed in relief at the sound of an old man. Miroku smiled, "Excuse me my good sir. We are travelers and we wish to gain entry into this lovely village of yours. We feel a grave danger here and we'd like to find the cause of this."
"Who are ye stranger?" The voice asked curiously opening a small 'window' in the gate.
"I am a monk sir. And these are my friends; a demon slayer, a priestess, and our friend-"
"That one is no human. It is a demon!" The old man cried out in fear. "You a monk would travel with evil? You have no permission to enter our sacred village!" He put the block back in the window.
Inuyasha frowned and approached as close to the door as he could, "Hey open up old man. I have no intention of causing any harm to your damn village!" He defended folding his arms across his chest.
Miroku laughed nervously, "Sir, please understand that this one is only half-demon. He is also half-human and is not evil." He further explained but there was only silence at the door. The group began to give up hope of getting inside until the small window was opened up again. "Can you please let us inside?" He asked turning on all his charm.
"The leader of our village has decided to meet with the hanyou and pass judgment on his soul personally. Let it be known that as you are allowed within, at any moment we can eradicate your evil if you cause an act of evil."
Inuyasha sighed. "Yeah whatever, just let us in." He ordered and the gates slowly opened. Kagome exhaled deeply in relief and walked up to the side of Inuyasha. It was then that Inuyasha noticed how quiet she was being. 'She didn't say a word to the Gate Keeper before.'
The young 'priestess' eyed the village curiously as the gate closed behind them. It looked well built and organized. She looked straight ahead and noticed a house bigger than the rest and realized that must be where the 'leader' resides. "I've never seen such a well kept place before. It feels strange." She muttered more to herself but Inuyasha's sensitive ears picked up the uncertainty.
"I agree. I feel the holy spirits burning my demonic blood but it feels tainted somehow to me." He replied with a nod as the two met gazes. Inuyasha looked ahead with a small smile and pointed, "I guess we just need to be extra careful." The group was surrounded by many men dressed in priest clothing; long white robes with blue yellow and red flowers cascading on the fabric.
"We will now lead you to our Leader. Follow me." A man with long black hair commanded, signaling the group of priests to lower their swords. 'Priests with swords… Heh.' "Forgive the erratic actions of our men. We were in the woods nearby when a demon with incredible speed and no aura attacked us whilst we were gathering firewood and water. We brought the injured back here and I assume this where you picked up the scent of blood and demonic aura." As they walked he pointed to houses with many doctors and priests rushing in and out. "We've had a few die and others scarred into a blank state of the hectic scene." He further explained.
Sango frowned, "That's awful. I can understand your hesitation at the door."
"Indeed. Such a tragic event can cause a panic and fear especially since its so close to home. Is this why you have placed the barrier?" Miroku asked.
"Yes. It is designed to allow only humans to knock at our door. Though we know not all humans are trustworthy either. But with humans at least we can protect ourselves. With demons, as you can see, we can't necessarily stop them without losing people. But a half-demon traveling with a monk and priestess and demon-slayer no less, has to be a good-hearted one. This is why my Leader is interested in meeting you face to face."
Kagome nodded. "I see." She smiled, seemingly forgetting her earlier concerns of the holy land. Miroku and Sango nodded at one another and joined Kagome in a warm smile of safety and peace.
Inuyasha faked a peaceful stare but he wasn't starry-eyed and smiling dopily like his friends. The place reeked of some underlining disgust that he couldn't shake from his soul. But neither Miroku nor Sango seemed to notice it. He thought Kagome had felt it but now she was nothing but totally at peace with the place.
"Well now, here it is. Please walk up the stairs and enter inside. Her servants will bring you to our Great Leader." He informed with a warm, kind, innocent smile. The group did as told and entered the big house.
"Greetings. Our Leader is ready to see you now. This way." Said a lovely servant dressed in a light blue gown. Inuyasha trailed a little behind the rest of them, feeling more and more uneasy.
Sesshomaru stared at the small village down the hills. 'This village. It's that of the Priestess Inuyasha foolishly was pinned to the tree by. Interesting how I was led here by the scent of the demonic side of Inuyasha. He is no longer here however.' He turned direction and began walking with Jaken, Ah-Un and Rin right behind. The scent of another demon within the village wasn't any of his concern. If it wasn't Naraku, then it was not important.
But down in the village it was a different feeling. The kitsune demon named Brandichi froze as the scent of a powerful dog demon caught his nose. Priestess Kaede returned with another bundle of medical herbs and handed them to the slightly distracted demon. "Thank you." He replied with a bow. "I am grateful that you have given me your trust, My Lady."
"As a priestess, sensing an evil presence is part of our ability to protect what we must. Ye are demon but possess a strong true heart. But word of caution young kitsune; you need not take this matter into your hands. I assure you that the demon who has harmed that village no longer will do so and never meant to do anything but good."
Brandichi bowed but shook his head, "I'm sorry but the brutality there was not from someone who needs to be forgiven. It was a massacre of old men and sweet children. I know that this demon has been here, I smell his scent but strangely it is weaker and barely amounts to the one I smelt in that village. What kind of trickery is this that he can mask his own scent like so?"
Kaede sighed and shook her head. "Ye are leading down a dangerous path that is an unnecessary one. Ye will not gain any help from me, I'm afraid."
He nodded and sighed. "As you wish Priestess Kaede. I will track him down on my own. Thank you for the medicine." He strapped the bundles on his back and took off just to the outskirts of the village. Kaede watched him leave and sighed sadly. 'Inuyasha, wherever you are, be warned of the actions you take.'
Brandichi ran a distance into the trees but stopped and stared in the direction of the Demonic aura of a Great Dog Demon in the air. He questioned whether or not it was the same; it smelt and he could tell it was almost a match but it was different. "They need their medicines but if this demon knows something or is the perpetrator then I can't just let him get away."
"What a perplexing situation."
The kitsune turned to the cool, raspy voice. "Who are you, stranger?" He instantly tensed at the stranger's demonic scent.
"I couldn't help but overhear your troubles with that poor village and this evil beast named Inuyasha."
Brandichi gasped. "You know his name?" his curiosity piqued. "Who are you and how do you know this guy?"
"My name is Naraku. I know Inuyasha because he is a merciless murderer." Naraku smirked evilly underneath that white baboon skin he wore.