The Heart Within Hakudoushi
Inuyasha wears red, Kagome wears green. I don't own this manga, So
Please don't be mean!
Key:
is a flashback
not a flashback,
just so you know
Chapter One
The Deal
A light snow fell atop the green grasses and the trees in a small
Japanese village. Everyone had been stuck inside, not being able to
escape or work in such weather. Snow began to load atop houses. Men had
been at least able to trudge through the snow to talk to others about
what they would do after this. Women sat at home preparing dinner and
hot meals for them when they would reach home. The children on the
other hand played.
Picking up snowballs they ran about in joy, chasing each other,
tackling, throwing snow, and kicking. Their laughter could be heard
from miles and miles away. However...far away in a small hut, one
child was not laughing...
A five year old girl lay down upon a mat, coughing up blood and looking
quite pale. Above her a man and another girl, worried. The younger had
tears forming in her eyes as she watched her sister suffer. " Why did
she not listen papa? ", she asked. " I know she loves the
naginata...but...why'd she practice today? ", she continued.
The man sighed holding back all emotion. A young baby began to cry as
if mourning for her sister's death before it even happened. He stood
and stared at his younger daughter. " Take care of Chiyo while I am
gone...I will try to find herbs for Kumiko...hopefully she will get
better ", he said walking out of the house.
The man walked for several minutes till he reached the forest, thinking
of his precious daughter and the few memories he had before she was
taken into their house, sick and bleeding.
Kumiko had swung her blade quickly as she blocked her father's attack.
The man sighed and began to laugh softly as she tried to attack him
back. " What have I told you Kumiko...after my attack you hit me from
above, not to the side! ", he said shaking his head. The little girl
pouted and grabbed the wooden handle on her blade. Coughing slightly
she raised her head and pointed the weapon at him.
" HA! ", she said running forward. The man slowly stepped to the side
as she fell. " Do not be foolish Kumiko...we must rest now...you are
beginning to tire...and there is nothing worse than a weak samurai in
battle ", he said. The girl did not get up..." Kumiko...", he asked
questioningly. The girl began to cough, blood pouring from her mouth. "
KUMIKO! ", he yelled picking her up. A small girl ran outside. " SARA!
HELP! HURRY! ", he had yelled.
It had been a horrible scene for him. Sara had helped him bring Kumiko
inside and they had rested her on the mat. At the same time Chiyo had
awoken and made quite a fuss. He thought over all this and smiled. "
Well...at...least...I can sustain her for now...", he whispered.
Suddenly he fell to his knees. Weeping in despair the proud samurai had
lost his battle with his emotions. Tormented by the thought of loosing
his daughter he cried out . " PLEASE! SOMEONE SAVE HER!...I WILL GIVE
ANYTHING...". A cloaked figure appeared behind him..."
Anything...", he asked.
Kumiko swung her naginata proudly with great speed. The man she had
been sparring with fell to his knees. " I win again father! ", she
laughed her brown hair bobbing with her head, and her red clothing
flowing with the light. The man smiled and laughed. " Yes...you
have...", he said. The girl's brown eyes sparkled. " Does this mean I
may finally wield the naginata...a true samurai! ", she asked. The
man's bright smile turned to a frown. Staring at the girl he nodded
slightly. " I suppose so...", he said.
Leaping into the air the girl gave a shout of joy! She smiled. Ever
since she had turned three her father had taught her how to fight. He
had pushed her, made her work hard, and even had her go through days
with no supper when she wined. But, now it had all paid off. She was
nine now and an expert at the naginata. She lost track at the many
times she had beat her father.
A lot had changed in her features. Her brown hair had grown longer. Her
eyes became more bright. And her traditional dress changed from white
to red. She knew that she would become a samurai soon when that
happened. This day she had dreamt about since she was three. She had
saw her father training in a field with another man. When she told him
she wanted to do that too, he seemed suprised. Normally it was uncalled
for for a woman to be a samurai. But, he moved his house and they
practiced.
Running towards the house the girl smiled. " Fish tonight father? I do
feel like the waters are churning with them! ", she chirped happily.
The man smiled. " Yes...fish tonight would be swell...and oh- take
Sara and Chiyo with you!...they have been cooped up in the hut for
quite some time now...they need the excitement and fresh air. I don't
want any grief about me not giving them enough exercise. ", he smiled.
Atop a large tall mountain a single castle stood. Surrounded by a
purple miasma, it seemed that nothing could be still living deep
within...yet...something was...It's wooden floors groaned with the
pressure of small yet graceful feet as a young boy around the age of
ten walked. His mind was upon nothing but the call he had received from
his master. Stepping into a single room he met the gaze of what
appeared to be a young lord.
The man turned smiling at the boy. " Ah...Hakudoushi...you've
come...", he said. The boy grinned nodding and sitting down. " What is
it that you want...is there something that I should do...", he
asked. Inside his mind the boy thought of all the reasons naraku would
summon him. He wanted something done, killed or brought to him. But,
what Naraku would tell him would have never crossed his mind.
"Hakudoushi...I am going to tell a story...that you have never known
before...even though you are a part of me...", naraku said grinning
with the slightest bit of humor in his tone. The boy nodded turning his
head to one side. " What story is it...", he asked.
Naraku smiled. " A long time ago...I came upon a valley seeking a
shard of the shikon jewel...". He turned to the boy. " Of
course...that was four years ago...", he said grinning.
Naraku turned to the man. " Anything...?", he asked again. The man
simply stared. " Who are you! ", he declared. " Why...I am simply a
man who wants to help your daughter...I do have the cure...", naraku
continued. The man stood staring at the ground. " though I thank you
for your kindness...I do believe that my daughter is out of your
reach...of help that is...", he said clenching his teeth.
Naraku looked back at the hut. " I see...no matter...there are ways
for her to live...", he replied grinning. The man looked up at him
glaring. " If this is some kind of joke...it is not funny at all! ",
he cried out. Naraku simply shook his head. " No...no joke...this is
real...I have the ability to bring back your daughter even if she
dies...and if she hasn't make her well again...but...I will need
something in return..."
The man stared. " Tell me...what is so important that I posses that
you would actually want! ", he asked his voice raising a little. Naraku
smiled. " Your daughter is a strong fighter...I will need her in the
future...If I bring her back to life, I will take her away in four
years from now...", he said. The man gasped and stepped away. " NO I
WILL NEVER LET YOU TAKE HER FROM ME! ", he cried. Naraku glared. "
Would you rather have her die? ", he asked.
The man looked away...he thought over much, about his daughter, about
her future. Could he trust this man? Why did he want Kumiko...and how
did he even know about her in the first place...He shook his head in
thought. Naraku sighed...he would come back later if they buried the
body, but it seemed that the man was stubborn. As he began to walk away
he heard a small cry.
" Wait!...I...I will give her to you...please...do not let her
die "
Naraku smiled upon finishing his story. " Hakudoushi...do you not see
how important that mortal girl is...", he asked. The boy looked at his
master strangely. " No...I am afraid I do not...though It is fun
watching others suffer...I must ask...why do you need her...she is
but one out of a thousand others...", he said. Naraku simply smiled
and laughed. " When I came into that area I had noticed a strange
aura...that girl...has a similar aura like kikyou...", he said the
name ringing throughout the palace.
Looking at Hakudoushi he smirked. " That girl does have great
power...and like you she wont look an age past ten...considering what
happened when I went there...the fool that man was...the girl was
already dead when we returned. ", he said. Chuckling to himself he
returned his gaze to Hakudoushi. " You will marry this girl ...", he
said narrowing his eyes at the shock on Hakudoushi's face. " Do not
worry...love is simply out of the question...it is simply the fact to
make her father suffer that I do it...", he smirked. " Think of it...as
a small treat for you...", he said.
Hakudoushi turned to Naraku with a grin. " I understand now...", he
said. Naraku nodded his head. " When you have retrieved the girl she is
to stay with you always. With such power you two seem
invincible...besides the fact that she similar powers to kikyou...she
is great at wielding the naginata...you two will make...", he said
stopping, then speaking again with humor in his voice. " Quite a happy
couple..."
Sitting on the inside of his hut, the old man sighed. Training with his
daughter was starting to get tireing...though she wouldn't have to
train for long. The sad feeling of loosing his daughter once again
clouded his mind. It had been four years since Kumiko had been brought
back to life and the deal with the strange man had been made. Taking a
cup of sake he downed it staring at the ceiling...remembering the
moment like it had just happened.
Naraku had been brought to the house. Looking over the girl he frowned
slightly. " Hmmmm she is gone ", he mumbled to himself at the lifeless
girl. Picking her up he stared at her. Her brown hair had fallen in wet
clumps by her ears. Her eyes were half open and lifeless, all the light
brown cheer flushed away. A small trail of blood trickled down her
white shirt. He paused glancing quickly at the man hurriedly running
around taking care of the crying baby and the other sister. He looked
at the girl and smiled. " This wont take long...", he grinned placing
a hand over the girl's head. Her breathing started up again as she let
out a small sound of sleepiness.
Seeing his daughter wake again the man flung himself upon her body. "
Thank you sir! Thank you! ", he cried his tears washing all the remains
of blood away. Naraku's eyes narrowed as he stared at him. " Oh...do
not thank me yet...you must remember what will happen in four
years...A deal is a deal...", he said...
Staring at naraku again the man begged. " Please...anything! I love my
daughter- ", he said. " Four years...", naraku interrupted...and with
that...he was gone.
The girls had gone through much trouble all their life. The man had had
a wonderful wife named Mikki. Kumiko had been the first born. Soon
after Chiyo was born. Unfortunately when Sara was born Mikki suffered a
terrible illness. She died shortly after going through coughing
drama's. He worried that it had passed down to his daughters.
After the one incident with Kumiko he knew his worries were true.
Though Sara and Chiyo never were affected, he still worried and
protected them all he could. Though Chiyo and Sara did not want to
wield the nagintata, Kumiko would not stay still. She was determined to
wield and practice it, and nothing would get in the way of her dreams.
The man had not realized it, but he had fallen asleep. Turning to one
side he sighed thinking over the horrible scene that passed that day.
Opening his eyes he was shocked to see feet. Puzzled he suddenly felt a
pain in his stomach. Wincing he looked up and saw the figure of a young
boy. A weapon clutched in his hand and a smirk on his face. " Get
up...", the boy said not even blinking.
The man slowly got to his feet. Overcome by fear he stared at the boy.
The smirk on his face was so familiar to one he had seen before and his
eyes...oh those eyes..." What are you doing in my house...what is
your name!...Why do you wound me? ", he asked. The boy simply
laughed. His silver hair moved gracefully with his body and his purple
eyes pounded into his. He did seem quite formal by the strange
decorations that adorned his clothing.
" My name is Hakudoushi ", the boy began. " I wound you because you
have been lazy, not even giving a formal introduction to the one who is
to retrieve your daughter ", he said. The man gasped. "
But...But...You are just a boy...what happened to the young man I
saw four years ago. ", he asked. The boy simply laughed again. " I am a
part of him...at least...but, now that we are on the subject...where
is Kumiko...", he asked.
The man stuttered. " Ku...Kumiko...? she...she is not here! ", he cried
out trying to protect his daughter. Hakudoushi frowned. " Then where is
she...", he asked again. " She is dead! ", the man tried. Hakudoushi
glared at the man. " Do not lie to me fool, before I left I saw In my
sister's mirror that she was alive and well...", he continued.
Staring outside the man gasped. It was too late to rescue her. His
daughter was walking up the hill, a fish in her hands. With a turn
Hakudoushi saw her. " Oh, is that her now? ", he asked grinning. The
man glared. " You and the other will pay for this...this pain you
cause me...", he said. Hakudoushi laughed. " Oh...the worst is yet to
come..."
Kumiko walked into the hut a puzzled look in her eyes. Her naginata
perched on her shoulder as she stared at the two. " Father Chiyo and
Sara are by the rive and will not come until you bring
them-...Hello...there...um...father who is this...", she asked
looking at Hakudoushi. The young boy smiled looking at her father. The
man stared at her with pain in his eyes. " He...He is...going to take
you away...Kumiko...", he uttered sadly. Kumiko's eyes widened. " take
me away...wh...what are you talking about father! ", she asked
quickly.
With a sigh the man spoke again. " Kumiko...a long time ago...you
fell quite ill...I...I couldn't bare the thought of you
dying...so...I found a man...Kumiko he...he helped you get
better but...he did want something in return. ", he said...Taking a
deep breath he continued. " You...now...are in his
services...I...I am sorry...", he said. Kumiko looked
shocked..." Why...did you not tell me this...wh-...I do not
understand. "
Growing bored Hakudoushi sighed. " Let...me assist...", he said.
Placing a hand over top the girl's head he smiled at the man. The
memories flooded back into her brain like an arrow being shot at her by
the finest archer. The memories of practice, sickness...and death ".
With a cry of despair she fell to the ground weeping. " It is true
then!...it is all true...your...deal...it...it is...finished...",
she said.
The man winced in pain. " I...I. am sorry...Kumi- " " NO...", the
girl shouted glaring at the man. He seemed suprised. Even Hakudoushi
showed the slightest bit of curiosity. " You lied to me! You lied to me
about everything these last four years! Now it is time! You made a
deal...and you might as well keep it...being with another family
is much more better than here with a traitor...", she cried.
Pain caressed her father's face. " Then...it is done...", he said.
Hakudoushi grinned. It had been quite a show. Leading the girl outside
he stepped towards a cloud in the distance. It would take them to the
castle. " Wait! ", a voice called out from the hut. The man looked at
Kumiko longingly. " May...I at least embrace my daughter...one last
time? ", he asked. Hakudoushi groaned and nodded.
Running over to his daughter he hugged her. Weeping as he spoke he
stared at her. " I am sorry Kumiko...but...please know that...I love
you...", he said. The girl simply smiled. " Thank you father...I
will...see you again...", she replied.The man looked up. " What is
to become of my daughter boy...what will she do...", he asked.
Hakudoushi smiled. This was his moment for attack. A silver ring
appeared on Kumiko's finger. " What...", Kumiko uttered. Attempting to
pull the ring off she let out a sound of disappointment. " What is
this? ", her father asked staring at the ring. Hakudoushi smirked. "
Your daughter is now married to myself...orders of Naraku ", he
chuckled. The man's eyes grew fierce and angry and Kumiko looked
alarmed. " WHAT! ", he screamed in rage.
Hakudoushi laughed. " What I said is true...and cannot be changed...as
long as that ring is dormant on her finger she is my bride ". With a
quick movement, he was by Kumiko and with another far away from the
man. Hugging Kumiko tightly he smirked. " Do not worry...I will take
good care of your daughter...she is after all my love is she not? ",
he asked.
Without warning the man ran towards the boy. " BRAT! ", he screamed. "
I WILL KILL YOU! " The boy sighed. He did not want to go through any
trouble at this point. Kumiko wriggled trying to get away. " Stop it!
", she yelled. Hakudoushi glared at her. " Hold your tongue...you are
my wife now and what I say goes. " Turning towards the man again he
simply flicked his hand at him. A silver dagger pierced his heart,
driving through flesh and bone.
With a cry of pain the man fell to the ground. He looked up one last
time at his daughter...then died. Kumiko stared at the man. With a
scream she tried to run towards him. Hakudoushi had a death grip on her
waist though. " LET ME GO YOU...YOU BAKA! ", she yelled attempting to
slap him. Instead he simply grabbed her hand. " A deal is a deal
Kumiko...you are my wife...and will stay in that position till the
end of time...a deal...is a deal...he said smirking.
END OF CHAPTA ONE!
Olive: HAHAHAHAHA! HOW CRUEL!
Kumiko: You suck...
Naraku: no...she did give me quite the part.
Inuyasha: and did not even mention my name
Miroku: or mine
Kagome: or mine
Kikyou: or mine-
olive: HEY I DID TOO!
Kikyou: fine... pouts
olive: well hey the title does say THE HEART WITHIN HAKUDOUSHI! what
did you expect! it would all be about ...MIROKU!
Miroku:...yes...
Olive: TT
Kouga: HAHAHAHA
olive: marfs kouga and haku ah...the greatest people in the
story...and...oh um,...
Hakudoushi:...sigh...she wants you to review...
END