Chapter 6-Rights of Passage: Blood Rituals
Kanna and Rin were very worried when they saw the three arrows lodged in Inuyasha's chest that made up his unconscious form. "I can't pull on the arrows because of what I am Rin. You will have to try to pull the arrows out while I take care of blood loss from his wounds afterwards," said Kanna as she knew that Rin would agree in order to help Inuyasha.
"Okay, but you better help Rin pull by grabbing onto me so we can get them out sooner," said Rin as she took hold of all three arrows at once causing blood to already to leave his body as Kanna put her arms around Rin's waist to get ready to pull with her.
"Ready! On the count of 3! 1...2...3!" said Kanna as she and Rin pulled hard to remove the arrows from Inuyasha's body.
The arrows however, would not go so easily has Kanna and Rin had hoped they would as it almost seemed the tips of the arrows had bonded with Inuyasha's flesh. Still they knew that had to continue to persevere to save Inuyasha in his unconscious state as they pulled with all the strength their little bodies could muster. They were now on their third attempt and by this time Inuyasha had come out of his unconsciousness just as some of his flesh was starting to tear. "AHHHHHHHHHH!" yelled Inuyasha as he screamed in pain from what the two girls were doing causing both Kanna and Rin to let go in surprise.
"Inuyasha! Inuyasha! Were so sorry Kanna and Rin thought if we could remove the three arrows then everything would be all right," said Rin who then ran to Inuyasha's side with Kanna soon following.
"Please forgive us master," said Kanna as she bowed her head in shame and Rin seeing this did the same as to not stir any possible wrath from Inuyasha.
Inuyasha gave of a growl in his throat as it was the only thing he could do with the pain he was feeling from this. However, he knew that he could not hold it against Rin as well as Kanna as they were doing this to help him with his pain. "I want both of you listen to me very carefully. Rin! Kanna! There is nothing to forgive...as you have done nothing wrong as you were doing what you felt what was needed to be done to help me. For that I thank you both. Now why don't you both help me get these damn arrows out so we can get to our destination?" said Inuyasha smiling kissing both girls on the forehead as if they were his children.
"Yes Inuyasha," said both girls at the same time as all three of them got ready to pull the arrows out of his chest.
Ready? 1...2...3! PULL NOW!" said Inuyasha as covered Rin's hands to help her with his own strength while Kanna once more had wrapped her arms around Rin's waist and had started to pull like before.
Inuyasha held back his screams of pain as they would do nothing more then scare the two girls that were helping him now. He could feel the muscles and skin tissue in him tearing around the arrows and blood was flowing out of the wound. He ignored the pain and he ignored the betrayal of the one who did this to him as he had a pretty good idea who and it wasn't Kikyo. Rather it was her reincarnation who had ironically followed in Kikyo's footsteps in trying to kill him only this time Kagome was intent on killing him painfully and not having him being dead in an endless sleep that had been quiet and peaceful. How could she? I was nice to her. I cared for her. Hell at one point I loved her! Now I have nothing, but hatred in my heart for her. Damn that girl! She will pay for this!' thought Inuyasha as his anger rose to the service making the pain he was receiving all the more painful, yet bearable at the same time.
It was finally after one long pull from Rin and Kana as well as a push from Inuyasha all three arrows left Inuyasha's body causing a dam of blood to leave the half-demon body. When Rin saw the arrows she threw them away and had to shield her eyes from the blood that flowed like a river from Inuyasha's body. Kanna approached Inuyasha's chest and put her hands on it and focused her powers on the wound creating a healing like light around it. Naraku had created her for more then being just a spy, shield, and above all else a servant when she was once loyal to the monster. 'I have to focus on the wound,' thought Kanna as she felt the wound clot and stopped being a river of blood.
After Naraku had got injured severely after the first two times by both Inuyasha and that reincarnation of Kikyo named Kagome, Naraku had created Kanna. She was given the power to heal wounds no matter how deadly they may look incase Naraku found himself in the same situation as a third time. Now she would use this very same power that the monster that was Naraku had given her and use it on her former master's enemy that was now her master. When she was done she stepped back to let Inuyasha stand on his own two feet and he did moments after she backed away with a shocked expression on his face as did Rin. "Incredible. Yay for Kanna for healing Inuyasha!" said Rin as she now jumped up and down cheering for Kanna as Inuyasha just stared at the slightly fidgeting girl who had healed his wounds.
"Thank you Kanna. As of right now you have my respect and trust, which is not easily won," said Inuyasha leaning down and kissing her hair covered forehead again making the said girl fidget even more.
"You...are...welcome...Inuyasha," said Kanna who was more then happy that her new master was pleased with her, but she was so new to these feeling of happiness that she didn't know how to express them and that had frightened her as part of her still expected Inuyasha to slay her then and their.
"You are nervous Kanna. (Kanna gasps) I can see, hear, and even smell it. I know you are new to feeling emotions as you have always tuned them out. That and you still think that I would possibly strike you down regardless for what you have done for me. Do not be afraid of these emotions Kanna as they are apart of you and always have been. As for me killing you...I would never do that to someone who has helped me in my time of need. You have nothing to fear from my sweet Kanna," said Inuyasha as Rin came up to them and nodded to Rin to confirm what Inuyasha had just said.
"Come on Inuyasha lets go to the secret place you were talking about," said Rin as she grabbed both Inuyasha and Rin's hand and ran in the direction they were heading getting the two people she was dragging to get their feet going barely giving Kanna time to get her mirror.
"All right Rin slow down. (Rin stops) Now that I'm not crippled anymore I can get us all there faster with you both on my shoulder," said Inuyasha as he quickly picked them both up and ran as fast as he could with both girls clinging to his neck to stay on his shoulders though Rin gave out a 'WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!' as he jumped high into the trees before dropping back down.
That made Inuyasha smile despite his right dog ear going numb from her loud squeal of excitement as they headed towards the cave. 'Almost their,' thought Inuyasha as he went even faster burning grass as he ran.
(Meanwhile)
"Did you guys hear something?" said Shippo as his ear perked up at the sound of what sounded like a girl squealing.
"Don't know and don't care," said Kagome as she walked lazily in front of the little fox demon almost stepping on his paw.
Just then a small tornado of a gust came and low and behold Kagome now squealed in excitement as Koga appeared with a smile on his face. "Hey Kagome how's my mate doing?" said Koga who was met by a strong hug from Kagome.
"Oh Koga I missed you," said Kagome as she wrapped her arms around his neck planting kisses on his cheek.
"Where's that mutt Inuyasha?" said Koga finally after receiving his affection from the girl he had marked as his.
"Oh some demon tried to kill him near a waterfall and he got separated from us with a girl named Rin that normally follows Sesshomorru around," said Kagome explaining everything, but kept the part of her trying to kill Inuyasha out.
"Oh well if that's the case I'll stay with you guys to help find the mutt and at the same protect my mate from any harm should this Kane guy come back," said Koga boastfully filling his ego and pride to the point of swelling.
'I hope Kane does come and kills Koga,' thought Shippo, Sango, Kikyo, and Kilala who were ready to beat the holy hell out of the wolf demon.
(Moments Later-Back with Inuyasha)
In front of them stood a cave that echoed fear and possibly death to all those who would dare to enter it. "Is this it? What's in their Lord Inuyasha?" said Rin who felt cold all of a sudden and now shivered from the mere look of the cave.
"Yes Rin this is the destination. In this cave both of you will find sanctuary here to rest and for you to gather your strength. Meanwhile I have some business to attend to in the lower area of the cave that requires my undivided attention," said Inuyasha his voice went slightly more serious then he would have liked it to be, but it got the point across.
"What business master Inuyasha?" said Kanna who couldn't help, but let her curiosity get the better of her.
"Personal business Kanna that only I must see to alone. Personal business that will cause me great physical, mental, and spiritual pain. Should both of you hear any screams come from where I am I want you to ignore them for they are apart of what I must do. Do you both understand?" said Inuyasha who became even more serious as he looked at them with a serious face to match his voice.
"Yes Lord Inuyasha," said Rin and Kanna at the same time bowing slightly knowing it was very important to obey Inuyasha when he was serious.
"Good. Follow me. When this is over I will explain everything," said Inuyasha as he, Rin, and Kanna entered the dark and scary looking as well as feeling cave.
The cave itself was dark, but thanks to Kanna's mirror she was able to generate a light for all of them to see. Though in truth it was mainly for the two girls as Inuyasha could have seen clearly without it the light from Kanna's mirror. They soon entered a large circular room that had four doors counting the one they had just used to enter the room. Inside the room was ancient writing on the wall and different marking that neither Rin, Inuyasha, nor Kanna had ever seen before. 'Step into the center to summon the druids,' thought the ancient Inuyasha in his head to guide his half-demon reincarnation to through the process.
"You two stay here. Don't move," said Inuyasha as he walked to the center of the room and stopped dead center waiting for something to happen.
Something did happen as Inuyasha stood their as the writing and designs along the floor, walls, and ceiling turned red sparking a form of red lightning around him. "Lord Inuyasha what's happening here in the room?" yelled Rin her voice filled with worried though she dared not take a step forward per her protector's orders.
'Everything is fine Rin. Trust me!" said Inuyasha as he closed his eyes and let the energy around the room feeling it circulate around him.
Finally the room stopped sending out red lightning and only the ancient words, designs, and symbols remained red lighting the room. Almost instantly after all the red lightning stopped beings in robes floated towards Inuyasha from the corners of the walls with each bowing before Inuyasha after they all encircled him. "Who are they?" said Rin afraid of the scary things that came out of the corner of the shadowy walls.
"They are druids Rin. They will not harm me or either of you two unless I wish it, which I don't and never will," said Inuyasha in an attempt to soothe the trembling children though Kanna hid her fear well as both girls came to Inuyasha's side.
"So it was written you have returned to us Lord Inuyasha," said one of the druids who had a now approached the half-demon lord.
"Yes. I have returned as per told in the prophecy set forth by my ancestor whose spirit resides in me and being absorbed into me as we speak. I wish you to take me to the lower levels where I must be for some time. During that time of seclusion you are in charge of protecting Rin and Kanna here. While I go through the blood ritual to truly show I have become my ancestor's descendant I need all of you to try and gather all those loyal to my ancestor who are still alive to this cave to protect it. I want this place protected as it was when my demon ancestor had been around. Is that clear?" said Inuyasha who had an air of command and obedience around him that did not go unnoticed by Rin, Kanna, and of course the druids most of all.
"Yes my Lord. Please follow me we have much to discuss during your trip to the lower levels. I am the head druid known as Voodoo and I am pleased to see that your body is indeed a healthy one Lord Inuyasha," said Voodoo as he floated down the cave like path leading Inuyasha to the lower levels leaving Rin and Kanna with the other druids.
"Make sure that Kanna and Rin have their own rooms. I want them to be treated as if they were my own children and anything less will mean I will have your heads," said Inuyasha before he faded out of Rin and Kanna's sight who were relieved that Inuyasha did not forget about them.
"Yes sir. Come along you two we must make sure you are well taken care of as to not provoke Lord Inuyasha," said one druid who guided them to another path area to the right of where Inuyasha went.
(With Inuyasha)
"Tell me Lord Inuyasha. What exactly have you been doing all this time if I may be so bold to ask?" said Voodoo as he and Inuyasha took a right turn down the corridor that was now wood instead of dirt.
"Oh the usual Voodoo. Fighting demons and enemies, killing demons and enemies, and of course being betrayed by someone you once loved," said Inuyasha as the last one hit home in his heart.
"I see. Well you do not have to worry about this place my Lord. This cave is actually a very large complex that is a natural and well hidden fortress with many air tunnel pipes you ancestor invented to allow air to flow through here. When you stepped into the center of the circle back their you sent off a single to everyone of your ancestor's loyal friends who are still alive. There families are on their way here to protect it as well with once seemingly wild dogs that roamed the landscape now serving you my Lord. This place has had many maids, servants, soldiers living within it during your ancestors rein here and we have no doubt it will be like that with you," said Voodoo as his red eyes that were the only thing that could be seen though the druids hood looked at Inuyasha before stopping at the room Inuyasha was looking for.
"Will you wait outside?" said Inuyasha knowing that he would feel better if someone was waiting for him outside.
"Of course my Lord. However, during the ritual I cannot nor anyone else interfere with this right of passage. The only advice I can give you is to brace yourself for the pain that is to come," said Voodoo who opened the door and bowed to Inuyasha as the half-demon entered, but not before returning the bow with a nod to the head druid that was Voodoo.
"I will keep that in mind," said Inuyasha as he had now entered the room and Voodoo closed the door behind his Lord.
Inuyasha walked into the darkened room that almost instantly became lit as the torches around the walls came alive with a red fire he had never seen before. "As you can see I had an infatuation with red just as you do," said a voice of a form that Inuyasha instantly recognized as the ancient Inuyasha of the past.
"Clearly. Wait! How you not in my head anymore?" said Inuyasha as it took him a brief moment to realize what had happened.
"Oh this room lets me create a temporary form allowing me to help you perform the ritual needed to become me...or in truth the real you," said the ancient Inuyasha.
"What exactly does this ritual involve exactly besides the usual pain and suffering?" said Inuyasha as he now was in the center of the room with his ancestor's temporary body.
"Besides the additional screams of agony? Blood," said the ancient Inuyasha as he patted the half-demon form on the shoulder.
What do I have to do?" said Inuyasha knowing this was going to really hurt.
Remove your upper fire rat clothing and stand right their. I do everything else," said the spirit seeing Inuyasha's shocked reaction.
"That's it?" said Inuyasha who thought there was more to it then standing in the center of the room bare-chested.
"It's not that simple Inuyasha. You see the dark red tattoos on my face and right upper body? (Inuyasha gives a quick nod) They are what are known as blood tattoos that prove you are from a certain clan of dog demons. Think of it like Sesshomorru's crescent moon birthmark on his forehead that he got from his mother's side of the family. However, do to your half-demon status I have to do the deed of creating the blood tattoos myself with my temporary body and in doing so will cause you great pain," said the spirit in a serious voice.
"What happens after that?" said Inuyasha nervously.
"Well if you don't die from constant pain...then your body will mold itself and transform completely into what my body was like 1200 years ago. Then when this is complete my 1200 year old spirit can completely merge with yours. Still want to try?" said the spirit with curiosity.
"Hell yeah," said Inuyasha as he quickly removed the upper part of the fire rat clothing and threw it aside.
"Here we go," said the ancient Inuyasha as his claws on his first two fingers on his right hand extended slightly and glowed red as he placed them less then an inch from the half-demon's head and a little over an inch above Inuyasha's right eye...before tips of glowing red finger into the flesh.
For over six hours screams were heard echoing from the room to other areas of the cave as the 1200 year old spirit performed the blood ritual. He had slowly started marked the half-demon that was his reincarnations face with delicate grace that one could only find in an artist. As he was giving the right side of the half-demon's face and upper body with the marking of his clan he couldn't help, but feel guilty about the pain that Inuyasha was going through. In fact the ritual process was so painful that red like energy ropes were summoned by the spirit and tied around Inuyasha's wrist and ankles to hold the half-demon in place in order to stop Inuyasha from moving his body during the ritual. After all he only had one shot to get this right since these marking could not be removed once made so they had to be perfect down to the last piece of tattooed skin. 'Don't die on me,' thought the ancient Inuyasha as his reincarnation tried fight from screaming out in pain multiple times however, Inuyasha only succeeded in half of those attempts.
Kanna and Rin could hear his screams and were frightened for his safety as they were taken to a room where they were given a meal. "Rin is worried," said Rin as she ate her meal only to look up after hearing another more powerful scream come from Inuyasha.
Kanna had looked to, but was slowly getting use to it so she didn't look as long as Rin did to where the source of the echoing scream came. "Inuyasha is strong. I know he can and will endure this," said Kanna as she continued to eat her food that the druids brought over for her and Rin.
"Do not worry little ones. Soon Inuyasha will be more powerful then either of you could possibly imagine. He has the spirit of his 1200 year old ancestor performing and helping him with this ritual," said the druid as he floated in front of the two looking down at them with its blood red eyes that had no pupils.
It was then that they all noticed something druids included as they listened and heard only silence. They all knew what it meant. The ritual was over. Their Lord and Master Inuyasha whose spirit had entered it half-demon reincarnation had completed the ritual and had returned to them in the merger. "The prophecy is half way complete," said one of the other druids.
(A/N: Hey guys I just thought I'd leave another Authors Note and I know you guys are sick of them so I'll be brief. I've noticed I'm not getting anymore reviews except for an elite few. Why? Do you not like the story anymore? If so then say it in a review. Write me something. ANYTHING! I need reviews and votes. After this chapter I will tally up the votes (not that there were many) and turn this into an Inuyashax? fic depending on the winner. So far Sango is winning with 3 votes, Kilala has 1, and Kikyo has 1. I know there are Kikyo and Kilala lovers out their. I know you don't think it's possible for them to be with Inuyasha, but I assure they can and could if you VOTE! Please vote or review or both just respond. I need your votes they are the stories life force. You're starving my story! HELP ME!)