Chapter 7-Setting into Motion
(A/N: WE HAVE A WINNER! The votes are in and are all counted. Here are the scores for the one who gets to fall in love with Inuyasha. As stands Kilala received 2 votes, while Kikyo has also received 2 votes, and the winner (Insert Drum Roll) with an astounding 4 votes the winner is (though its not you didn't know)...SANGO! That is right ladies and gentlemen Sango is the winner! And now...on with the show...while I take a nap. Oh FYI I almost got writer's block on this one because of the reviewer name Defying Reality. YOU NEARLY THREW OFF MY WRITING MOJO! However, I cannot blame you as technically you were reviewing my story...you bastard. Fortunately, after listening to Godsmack's Serenity and Voodoo I got it back for this chapter. If you don't know those songs you should listen to them. As a result of this Authors Note the chapter will be longer then usual to make up for this. Enjoy!)
Hours had passed in the silence of the cave after the ritual was done and after Voodoo had explained to everyone that he had placed Inuyasha in his private room. Naturally Rin and Kanna wanted to be by his side when he awoke, but Voodoo had forbidden such a thing. He stated that even though it would be a great deal of moral support his blood tattoos that he had were still quite fresh and the slightest disruption could cause them to reopen and he could possibly bleed to death. That made Rin and Kanna pale to the horror of such news happening to Inuyasha especially after all he had done for them. Of course it didn't take long for them to wait as they were till he recovered from the ordeal. "Do not worry you two I know for a fact that Inuyasha will be up and around in no time," said Voodoo who would have smiled to them had even had a face behind his druid hood that they could see.
The two girls could only nod and the next best thing for them in seeing Inuyasha was Kanna's mirror, but even then it wasn't enough as they felt distant in one of the other rooms that was away from Inuyasha's. "What do Kanna and Rin do now?" said Rin as she didn't want to feel useless with Inuyasha temporarily out of commission.
"Fortunately, Inuyasha left some instructions to me on what he wants you each to do and he wants you Rin to be taught in the library. He wants you to study and have that head of yours filled with knowledge. So the Head Maid named Serenity will be your teacher on many subjects," said Voodoo and no long after she said that a maid wearing the Head of Maid's uniform that was a sparkly silver with red lines on the sides of her kimono as she came up to Rin and bowed her head, which Rin returned.
"Hello Rin my name is Serenity and like Voodoo who is Head of the Druids I am Head of the Maids here. I will be instructing you on speaking properly, etiquette, proper manners, and various other types of things that relate to demon cultures," said Serenity in a sweet voice as she looked at Rin with dark blue eyes.
"Thank you Mistress Serenity Rin will be on Rin's best behavior," said Rin bowing her head before letting Serenity take her hand to follow her to the Library.
"Now now Rin you don't say your name if your speaking about yourself. You use words other then your name that tell people you are talking to you and not another person. Like 'I' and 'me' that tell people you are talking about yourself," said Serenity as their talking was echoing through the cave before it was gone.
"What about me?" said Kanna who felt left out as she was not human nor had the highly optimistic personality of Rin thus making her feel left out.
"When Inuyasha is awakened you are to be by his side as he will have important tasks for you to help him with," said Voodoo seeing Kanna's sulky depressed look become turn into a shocked and happy one.
"I look forward to serving Master Inuyasha," said Kanna as she left the room with a smile on her face knowing she would be by her master's side soon.
(Meanwhile...)
"Shippo! Kilala! Are you sure his trails leads this way?" said Sango as she walked along with Kilala who like Shippo was sniffing the trail in front of them to find Inuyasha and Rin.
"Trust me Sango when you have a fox and fire cat demon on the hunting trail there is no way we could lose Inuyasha's scent," said Shippo with Kilala growling in agreement as they continued following Inuyasha's scent along the trail.
"Yeah I mean considering that mutt stinks of dog crap he shouldn't be THAT hard to find him despite the bath he took in the water," said Koga who saw Kagome try to not laugh at Inuyasha's expense while Sango glared horribly at Koga wishing she could slay him for his insolence.
Of course she would have to get in line as Kikyo, Sesshomorru, Kilala, and Shippo all wanted to make the wolf demon suffer. "Why are you even here Koga? If it's to bad mouth Inuyasha you are clearly in the minority of this little group so keep your opinions to yourself," said Sango as she adjusted her giant demon slaying boomerang as a silent warning that the wolf demon was asking for it.
"Hey don't you bad mouth Koga. He can say anything he wants to," said Kagome who felt she had to stick up for Koga as no one else would.
"Just like you would let Inuyasha say anything he wants too? Oh wait! You DIDN'T! In fact you never did so shut up," said Sango even more madder as she gave Kagome an even meaner glare then she did at Koga.
"Inuyasha is different. He is a lousy half-demon dog that deserves to be put down," said Kagome though that happened to be the worst thing she could ever say to people close to Inuyasha.
The demons of the group that were Sesshomorru, Kilala, and Shippo let out a growl of anger as they had all the deepest respect for Inuyasha as he was far from lousy. Kikyo had raised a bow with an arrow in it and pointed it at Kagome while Sango readied her demon slaying weapon as all of them had angry looks on their faces. Only Miroku didn't say anything as he felt he was torn between loyalties of Kagome and Koga, and the others who he greatly respected, but could not side with. "That is not exactly something you say around us Kagome. Especially when that person that you speak ill of has saved your life more times then I wish he did as friends that are all around you," said Kikyo so wanted to hit her target has Koga not blocked her view of the target.
The moment Koga heard the growl from his demon companions and the pull of the strong from Kikyo's bow he immediately stepped in to defend his mate the best he could. "Hey guys easy now. What would Inuyasha say if he saw you like this?" said Koga who was rather uneasy as he was outnumbered, outclassed, and out maneuvered 100:1.
By fate or luck Sesshomorru took his attention of the two fools and saw a twinkle of something on the grass slightly up ahead of them in a small open part of the field. "What is that?" said Sesshomorru as he pointed to the shining thing hat was bowing light from the sun at them.
"Let's check it out," said Shippo, but he had lost none of his anger towards Kagome.
(Back at the Cave)
After four hours of constant sleep and seeing all of the endless dreams of is ancestor's memories had awoken him from his slumber. He slowly rose and saw a full size mirror in his room that he looked into as he stopped right in front of it. His eyes were still amber, but they had a thick line of red around each of them and the center within the amber eyes had greenish color in them where the pupil was. His face had lost what little baby fat was on his face giving him a more matured chiseled look while his blood tattoos made the whole looking mature thing complete.
He looked at his upper body and realized it had a lot more muscle on it then he thought it originally did. His arms had a significant amount more muscle then when he came into the cave. Finally the last two things he noticed was he had gotten taller and the silver hair on his head was longer and slightly whiter then before giving it a sense of purity when he looked at it. "Well...I can't say it's not an improvement because if I did it would be a lie," said Inuyasha out loud and after he said that a maid came in bowing her head respectfully without crumpling the clothing she was caring.
"Forgive me for the intrusion Lord Inuyasha, but I thought you would be up by now as per Voodoo's assessment of your condition. He wanted me to inform you that he would like for you to sit on your throne after you have changed...clothes," said the maid who took one look at Inuyasha and blushed after seeing the sheer physic of a god in front of her.
"I take it you approve of my new look? (the maid nods) Well thank you for informing me of this information. Please leave the clothing near my bed as I shall change shortly and tell Voodoo to bring Rin and Kanna to my throne room. I want them to see the new me," said Inuyasha smiling giving the maid a wink making her blush and think several impure thoughts about her master as she placed the clothing down and proceeded to leave.
"Yes Lord Inuyasha I will," said the maid as she shut the sliding door shut and walked in a slight daze as a winking Inuyasha replayed over in her mind.
"I still got the magic touch," said Inuyasha smiling into the mirror before he walked over to this new clothing, which consisted of the colors silver, red (obviously), and bronze all around in a nice design that only a prestige's Lord could wear.
Within moments he was dressed in the clothing of his ancestor and for a brief moment he felt complete as if he were born for this role as a mighty Demon Lord. Inuyasha felt much like his old man of a father and all those before him who had taken this particular role. At that moment he knew that he felt like he knew he found his place on the world and was complete. And yet...he was missing something. No! Not something someone. A person. A friend. A lover. A mate. But who? He had an idea, but would she love him in return as he wanted to love her? He would have to find out and knew how to do it. 'Time to set my plans into motion,' thought Inuyasha as he then left the room and proceeded to walk to the throne room as he knew where it was by memory courtesy of a certain 1200 year old demon spirit that was now merged with him.
(Meanwhile...)
"This is what was twinkling in the sun light," said Shippo holding 3 blood tip covered arrows from the grass as it had been slightly hidden from view.
"3 arrows," said Sango while Kilala, Kikyo, and Sesshomorru thought along those lines knowing who fired them.
"Yeah! From the way they were found it looked like they had been removed all at once and with someone who had had help," said Shippo as he sniffed the arrows as did Kilala to determine the scent on the arrows.
"So what do you smell on the arrows besides the one who shot them," said Kikyo who sent a very hostile glare at Kagome that the said girl returned only to find Sango and the others were giving her as well before Shippo spoke.
"Yeah. It has Inuyasha's blood all over it with Rin's scent on it as well. But their...?" said Shippo who like Kilala was slightly confused as they realized that there was a third scent on the arrows, but was faint as if it had been near the arrows, but had not touched them.
"But what?" said Sango who like the others were interested at the two demons confused looks as they sniffed the arrows more trying to identify the third scent.
"There is a third scent around the arrow, but it's so faint we can't determine who or what was near them," said Shippo and Kilala nodded agreeing with Shippo's assessment.
"If that's the case then they could have been ambushed by one of Naraku's incarnation like Kagura, Kanna, or even that demon mercenary known as Kane," said Sesshomorru who hoped nothing bad had happened to Rin.
(Back at the Cave-Throne room)
Inuyasha sat down slowly on his throne as he wanted to savior this moment knowing he may not get another chance to sit down and relax in it. 'It's good to be me. At least now it is,' thought Inuyasha as he let out a relaxing sigh before letting a small chuckle escape his throat.
It was then that the door to the throne room opened up as Rin and Kanna came running down the long room towards Inuyasha smiling and laughing. "Lord Inuyasha!" they said as they saw him rising up from his throne with a smile on his face as he then hugged both of them.
"Hey you two how are my lovely daughters today?" said Inuyasha getting who smiled at seeing the slightly startled reaction from the two girls.
"Daughters?" said both Rin and Kanna who didn't know why Inuyasha said that to them.
"Why of course! As of this moment I declare you both my daughters and anyone who says differently will have to answer to me," said Inuyasha briefly kissing both girls on the forehead as only a father could.
It was then that Voodoo suddenly appeared before Inuyasha bowing his head respectfully to his Lord and Master. "Pardon me Lord Inuyasha, but we have small situation that only Kanna's mirror can show," said Voodoo in whisper gesturing slightly to Kanna and by the tone of his voice Inuyasha nodded knowing it was important.
"Rin I need to take care of some business so for the mean time I need you to go to the hot springs here to bath. Then afterwards with new clean clothes I need you to return to your studies with Serenity in the library," said Inuyasha as he remembered Voodoo reminding him of Rin being taught many things by Serenity.
"Okay! What about Kanna?" said Rin happily yet curiously as she felt she was being left out of something that was important.
"Kanna has to help me with a problem that both she and I are both experienced with so I need her help with it. I assure you Rin if this matter did concern you I would have let you stay with me to help. For now the best way you can help me is returning to your studies, said Inuyasha giving Rin another hug while Rin returned it smiling as she knew that her surrogate father that was Inuyasha would not lie to her about this.
When a happy Rin left with an also smiling Serenity who was waiting at the door that she shut Inuyasha turned to Kanna who held her mirror proudly in front of Inuyasha. He then watched as she showed him what the Head of the Druids that was Voodoo told him was the problem. In Kanna's mirror he saw Sango, Kikyo, Kilala, Shippo, Miroku, a slightly and surprisingly concerned Sesshomorru ('possibly over Rin'), Koga (growls), and of course Kagome (more growling) were in the area where Inuyasha had pried the arrows out with the help of Rin and Kanna. "What do we do about them Inuyasha?" said Kanna who really didn't want to meet them and Inuyasha could see it in her eyes.
"I know of your concern Kanna however, I think they should be brought here to meet me and to understand what has happened since my absence," said Inuyasha much to the very surprised look on Kanna's face.
"But what if...?" said Kanna who if worry were tears would have created a river with hers as she looked down at the mirror.
"They try to attack you? (Kanna nods) Well if they do! Know this my daughter...that any attack they try to deliver to you will have to go through me. And I promise you...should they try they will have seen their last day or night alive here," said Inuyasha as he cupped Kanna's chin and looked into her doll like eyes with his green pupil filled amber encased in red eyes.
"Thank you...father," said Kanna as she hugged Inuyasha and cried though it wasn't tears of sadness of no these tears were tears of happiness.
"You're welcome Kanna. Now let us set the plan into motion shall we? (Kanna nods happily) Good. Voodoo! (Voodoo appears) Send out one of the dog packs...preferably Fang's pack as they are the best to handle this type of situation. However, I want Fang's pack of to escort them the long way around so they get here at most...2-3 days," said a slightly smiling Inuyasha.
"What will you do in that time my Lord?" said Voodoo curiously as he headed to leave the throne room to the rooms within the caves that held the once wild dog packs in the area.
"My body is rusty Voodoo and I'm heading to train in...'THAT' room," said Inuyasha as he now rose from his chair.
"THAT room! Lord Inuyasha is that wise?" said Voodoo who had checked to make sure that 'THAT' particular room was still sealed.
"Yes Voodoo 'THAT' room that you fear oh so much. If it makes you feel better I will let several druids be placed outside the door as to ensure nothing escapes," said Inuyasha who gracefully took his Tetsuigia from a nearby druid who was holding it for him.
"It has been a little over 1200 years since your ancestor went down there to train in that room Lord Inuyasha. The number of mindless demons that have infested it have been in their have multiplied many times over," said Voodoo still worried for Inuyasha's life.
"The more the merrier Voodoo you know that. We all know what they say my friend about facing such odds...the bigger, the badder...the better," said Inuyasha as he set out for 'THAT' room.
'I hope so,' thought Voodoo as he made his way to the room where the dog packs were lying in wait for an assignment.
When the door opened the dog packs rose on their four legs at attention knowing this could be it and they were right when they saw Voodoo looking at them with is red eyes. "Voodoo! We have an assignment?" said one big dog in a dark voice with grey whitish hair and dark eyes that showed anxiousness in them.
"Yes Fang. Inuyasha sent me here personally to give you and your pack an assignment. You are to find, escort, and deliver a group of people here. They are Inuyasha's old and dear friends however; we don't want them to know who it is they are going to meet. You must be discreet on this as he wants to see their surprised faces. Make sure you have them follow you along the LONG way with the path that leads here and tell them it's the long, but safe route to meet the master. He wants you to get them here in 2-3 days no more 3 and no less 2," said Voodoo as he saw Fang's pack step forward to take the assignment.
"How will we bait them to follow us?" said Fang curiously at Voodoo as if there was more to say from the Head of Druids.
"Use this and be careful Fang for they are quite skilled and very powerful," said Voodoo handing Fang a folded slightly dirty, covered in blood, and slightly torn kimono that was normally worn by a child.
It was Rin's kimono. "What happens should we engage them out of self defense?" said Fang who didn't want his pack slaughtered by any surprises.
"Retreat and head back here, but let them follow you along the long way. Should you be backed into a corner you are authorized to fight to the death. Now go!" said Voodoo pointing to the area leading to the exit.
Fang merely howled as did his pack as they ran through and to the cave entrance/exit rumbling like a stampede towards their objective. 'All right an assignment from the big guy himself. If we get payment I hope it's in the form of fresh meat on bone' thought Fang as the thought of payment drove him and his pack of eight very impressive large looking nearly white dogs to their destination.
(Moment later back with the others...)
"Where could they have gone?" said Sango as she felt more worried now then ever as she was sitting down with her back to a tree with Kilala in her little form resting on her lap as they were tired from their walking and decided it was necessary to rest.
"You certainly are concerned for Inuyasha Sango," said Miroku as he sat down next to her, but kept his normal lecherous part at bay knowing that Kilala would probably bite him for anything he might try to do.
Sango was taken back by this lightly, but when she thought about it Miroku did have a point as she was slowly being absorbed into her thoughts involving Inuyasha. It was then that Sango couldn't really explain it even to herself as she felt these feelings for Inuyasha were strange yet familiar, but at the same time different. "He's my friend Miroku like he with you and the other...except Kagome and Koga," said Sango as she said those two names with disgust as if they were poison being spit out.
"I'm not so sure Kagome is at fault here Sango," said Miroku as he became serious and he his eyebrows creased down in a frown.
"What do you mean?" said Sango not believing he just heard Miroku right as his words got the attention of Kilala now who wanted to hear this conversation now that it involved Inuyasha.
"Well...in my opinion in regards to Inuyasha is a half-demon dog created by a human and full blood dog demon. Sango it is my belief that half-demons don't really have a place in this world and the only logical thing that Kagome can do to give Inuyasha a purpose is to treat him like she does," said Miroku earning a shock then glare from both her and Kilala who hissed at Miroku shortly after glaring.
"Are you saying that Inuyasha deserves to be and should be treated like this? I just can't believe you Miroku! After all Inuyasha has done for me, Kilala, Shippo, and let us not forget YOU the lecherous monk you want to see him forever bound to that girl like he was her pet?" said Sango who was angry going on furious now.
"At least he has a purpose Sango. Besides Sango, Inuyasha in my type of profession is considered an unholy creature in terms of a species like half-demons. They are against all things good and are abominations throughout the land," said Miroku calmly as if he was talking about the weather.
At this point Miroku should have known to keep his mouth shut as he received several solid punches and kicks to the face and body. It was then followed up by scratching and clawing from the little form of Kilala who hated the way Miroku spoke about Inuyasha. "So you think Inuyasha is evil huh? Well then if he's evil then I don't want to be good," said Sango as she smashed her weapon against the back of his skull.
She would have probably done worse had not for divine intervention or perhaps in this case ironically (depending on your point of view) a demonic intervention. A very loud rumbling could be heard coming closer and everyone went on full alert at this as it could possibly be a demon sent by Naraku. They were surprised when they saw it was not, but instead a pack of big mean looking dogs that were about the same size as Kilala when she transformed in to her attack form for battle. "You are the ones we seek," said the leader (Fang) of the pack in human tongue surprising everyone as the leader threw something from his mouth in front of them that was fold, but clearly torn and dirty.
"What this?" said Shippo as he picked it up and smelled it.
"Our master sent us here to retrieve you all. He wishes to meet and speak with you and refusing is out of the question," said the leader as his dog pack slowly encircled the group around them.
"Th...is...this...," said Shippo as he suddenly dropped it backing away from the clothing as if it were diseased.
"What is it Shippo?" Sango curiously as she unfolded the child size kimono completely only for Sesshomorru to speak where Shippo could not.
"That kimono belonged to Rin," said Sesshomorru seeing small blood stain as the demon lord feared the worst and drew Tokijin from his waist.
"What?" said Sango as she readied herself as did Kilala for a possible attack from this dog pack.
"As I said before follow us to see him and all will be explained," said the leader as he started walking the way he and his pack came.
"Is Inuyasha all right?" said Sango as she knew the others with the exception of Miroku, Koga, and Kagome were wondering that too.
"Follow us to find out," said the leader as he, his pack, and the reluctant group he was escorting followed through the path they were taking not realizing that above them someone on a giant feather was watching them from the air just high enough not to be detected by those who could.
'This should be interesting,' thought Kagura as she smiled as she watched them heading to an unknown destination.
(Next Chapter: Surprises, fights, and love)