Kiba's Note: Inside this chapter you will find a (1) after a name, which is simply a marker to tell you that I'm going to explain it at the end of the chapter. Just skip over it, its merely telling you that if you wish you can get more information about it at the bottom.
The third addition to 'The Bound Youkai Series'
Title: An Ice Filled Heart
Subtitle: Birth to the Hanyou Inuyasha
Author: Kiba/KibaSin
Warning: Language/Violence/Character Death
Summary: With the birth to a bastard hanyou child, Sesshoumaru turns cold to the world, shoving his memories of the years before into the back of his mind. Meanwhile, the bound demoness watches with interest, knowing still that she cannot help with this change.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters. This chapter will have a few pieces taken from the third movie: "Swords of an Honorable Ruler", which I do not own.
Rating: PG-13/T
Genre: General
Hours turned into days. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Time flew by for the Prince of the Western Lands, his mind forever pondering what might happen if he ever fell back into the place where the bound female, Kagome, resided. Time seemed to speed forward at certain moments of the day, causing day to turn to night, yet at other times it seemed not to move at all until he finally opened his eyes and allowed it to continue around him. Time, it seemed, was a very strange thing; it was something that would never be fully understandable by any type of man.
He might not have understood time completely, but he was not ignorant to the rumors that continued to fly around the lands, literally. His father might have been off with his little whore, but his messengers and spies were still within the castle walls. Many times they would go out to send a message of great importance to the Lord of the West—one which had traveled to the House of the Moon first, the one place he never seemed to be anymore. Most of the messengers were tori-youkai, none of them as interesting as the phoenix youkai he'd met, but good enough to deliver something quickly. Many times these youkai returned with rumors that had been spread along the small estate of the hime's home. Within days of their return it had spread over the entire House of the Moon and began breaking through its walls, traveling over the lands -
Most of them were little things: "…They say that Lord Touga is trying to sire another child! A hanyou within the Western Line! He is going to ruin the lands…"
"…The maids talk of sickness running throughout the estates, yet their hime, Izayoi, never catches anything. They believe that Lord Touga has already marked her, curing her of any ningen illness…"
"…A man, one of the guards, is said to be in love with hime Izayoi. It is said that their love was the greatest anyone had ever seen before Lord Touga stepped onto the grounds. Now, they say he is trying to find a way to kill Lord Touga and stop a babe from being born…"
"…They talk of rebellion…"
"…Weakness within the Western Line…"
- Most of it he knew was over stretched. His father, the Great Dog General, trying to sire a hanyou child, that was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard the birds talk of. Yes, they traveled to many places, talked of many things, thinking it would never reach his or his father's ears, but most of it had been changed to sound more interesting. After all, they were merely trying to get attention from someone. They were all the same, power-hungry youkai who merely wanted the rumors to be true so that when his father committed the crime they could try to kill him before taking over the West. After all, the West was the richest and most plentiful between the four current sections.
Of course, most of it was merely what he remembered. There were many more floating around their home, but most of them were not important enough for him to truly remember. After all, why should he, a prince among youkai, listen to such rubbish, when most of it was probably just their over active imaginations at work. They were, after all, said to be very… overreaching when it came to the actual truth. In this case, he was probably right to follow his judgement on the situation. Besides, it was his father's mistake, not his –
- Though, he was destined to also meet the other half of Kagome… The demoness, her other half since her soul had been split in two, had said she'd never told anyone that her other half was destined to be a ningen woman, a miko most of the time. Why had she told him this if he was not destined to be some major part of that piece's life? Whatever form she took he knew her name would be Kagome, so she would not be hard to find. True, among ningen she might be difficult to track down, but he was sure that within a matter of years, or whenever he was fated to meet her, he would know who she was. After all, he'd met her other half and if she was anything like her then she was going to have an attitude, think she could control those around her—alright, the demoness could—, and she would probably love the nature that surrounded her. For a miko… wasn't that normal?
Sighing, he told himself he did not know. Yes, throughout his years he had met a few mikos', but most of which were on his father's command. The others, he didn't think there were any others. He wasn't positive about these things when it came to a miko. The only thing he was truly sure of when it came to a priestess was this fact: they could purify a demon straight to Hell.
Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru changed his subject of topic to think upon. Mikos', demonesses' who were bound to darkness, and rumors were not the things he wished to think upon anyway. No, he had far more important things he could be going over… he just… well, he couldn't think of anything at the moment. However, he managed to turn his thoughts to the time, about three weeks ago, when his father returned to the House of the Moon for the first time since he last saw him leave, after their conversation within the library. He turned his thoughts not to his father upon return, but the weapons that his father took with him when he left once more.
In fact, he, himself, had not even noticed that his father had not taken his weapons with him. No, they'd been stored in the Lord's Room, one, probably the most powerful, placed within a magically sealed box. However, even he lusted for the power of two of those swords. The third, well, it was from the fang of his father and he just did not feel the need to bring people back from the dead. That was what the Tenseiga did, though some might have thought nothing could ever do such a thing.
Tetsusaiga was the Sword to Protect Man—yes, the sword that was meant to protect those between Heaven and Hell, those who resided and lived upon the soils of Nihon. This sword, however, was also made from his father's fang, which would make it an honor to wield. He wanted this sword, not only because it was one of the most powerful weapons he'd ever seen, but because of the respect he would earn by wielding it before his enemies and allies. His father had once showed him the Kaze no Kizu, but often told him that the Tetsusaiga had so much more potential, and one day he might be the one to unleash it. He wanted to be that person, that youkai! He wanted to prove to his father that he could protect the land that would someday belong to him.
Tenseiga was also a sword made from his father's fang; they called it the Sword of Heaven. The name itself might have proved that it could indeed bring a person back to life, but this sword, according to his father, could not be wielded by just anyone. Only one who cared for someone else with their heart could bring back their soul from the chains of Hell or drag it back from Heaven.
Sighing once more, he placed his head within his hand, wondering why he hadn't thought of it sooner… or at least when the event took place. His father always said that a soul, once completely taken, could not be brought back, but perhaps his mother's soul had fought to stay in the mortal world. Perhaps he'd buried her when he could have used the Tenseiga to bring her back from the dead. He was such a baka for not thinking of it then… No, his father was the baka because he had not taken anything but Sou'unga with him when he went to take out the youkai who'd slaughtered a piece of their life. He did not wish to think on the subject for long, knowing that he might begin whimpering soon because of the pain he still felt at the memory of his mother, a beautiful woman by the name of Sakura. So, he turned his thoughts back to the swords his father carried.
The final sword, a weapon capable of calling forth a dragon from the pits of the underworld, was known was Sou'unga, the Sword of Hell. His father had always been reluctant to tell him about this one and only sword. After all, his father was the youkai who'd finally gotten the evil inside it to calm and reside, allowing him to wield it without controlling his mind to the brink of insanity. Sou'unga's goal, from what he'd heard, was to take over the mind of someone powerful and destroy everything within its path, making the person the Supreme Ruler of the Land. Still, the Dragon Twister, Sou'unga's mightiest attack, was just as dazzling as the chaos it caused. He knew for he'd seen his father use it once, but after that his father had told him that Sou'unga was a deadly weapon and if used correctly could destroy everything they knew.
Sighing to himself, Sesshoumaru shook away the memory of his father walking out the gates once more. Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga had been placed at his side, both sheathed yet, giving off an ounce of the power they held. Sou'unga had been placed on his back, its hilt adjusted so it was just a little higher than his father's head. It had been a bit saddening to watch his father walk out of his life once more, his heart feeling like it had been smacked into the dirt, telling him his father cared more for this new woman then his only son. He would have thought that after eight months his father would have gotten tired of this ningen hime, yet he continued to spend large amounts of time with her.
He didn't understand it, since ningen were usually frightened of youkai unless they saved them, either on purpose or on accident. Surely this ningen hime, Izayoi as he learned her name was, had been frightened of his father when she first saw him. Apparently, though, his father had done something to make the little ningen's heart be placed in his hand. Why he would want the heart of a ningen, the adoration that she probably gazed at him with each day, was beyond his young mind. After all, his father was always said to be a strange inuyoukai, and he was starting to see why.
Hopefully, he, Sesshoumaru, would not follow him his footsteps. They might have said, 'like father, like son' but he was nothing like his father. His father liked to show emotions, while he liked to guard them from his enemies. He was sure that would be his father's downfall—he would not suffer the same fate if he could help it. His heart belonged to him and him alone.
oOo
Her eyes had changed from a dark blue to shimmering lavender as she watched the outside world through her powers. She usually wouldn't use this ability when she could help it, but she had this sinking feeling that usually told her of an evil that would begin rising within a few years. She was searching the lands, her ability to see over the Northern Lands and a bit of the Western Lands looking into even the smallest crack to find the creature she wished to destroy. However, her ability was not enough for even after a week of searching she had not found a thing. Probably because the evil had moved when she had to deal with a wandering soul.
Sighing to herself, Kagome allowed her eyes to close, her vision of the outside world disconnecting from her. She no longer needed to see the outside. She had felt something else, something that had stirred within the Western Lands—a death would take place, one that would change the Western Lands, changing it either for the good of the lands, or perhaps destroying them. It did not matter much to her, for she knew that the Prince Sesshoumaru would live. After all, her other half was still searching for a womb to place herself within.
It was strange she knew this, but she did. She had always guessed it to be her instincts, but she knew when her other half was going to place itself inside a woman's womb, becoming a child once again. She knew when it strayed off its fate, for it was brought before her. She knew when it died, for she felt the anger it felt at times, knowing it could die easily, while its other half lived forever—or as long as Midoriko wished it.
Something else caused chaos within her mind, though. She'd always known that her other half held something that could be dangerous to the world inside her body each time she was born. However, she'd seen something inside her mind, something that she had not noticed when she looked into the future before. It had been glowing a light purple in color, it had round, and she had a funny feeling Midoriko was apart of her other half as well. As if when she split her soul, Midoriko had split her own to watch them both. Why would she do that, though? Still, it had to be the only explanation, for what she saw was the Shikon no Tama, slightly tainted.
There couldn't be two, because she was apart of the Shikon, Midoriko was one with her. So, Midoriko must have thought forward in time, trying to play with fate. That was confusing to her, since she knew that Midoriko liked to allow a person to decide their own fate, to see if they were willing to continue on the path they were destined for, instead of trying to do something completely different.
Midoriko was always trying to find the most perfect of people within the world.
Still, her eyes gazed ahead of her when she saw the outline of a soul coming toward her. It was not strange to see, but it was strange that she had not felt it coming. It was as if she had suddenly felt her prison slacken on her, and she felt the need to grin. Perhaps Midoriko was finally starting to see that she could not live this way, she needed to be free to truly show that she was worthy of watching over the Shikon no Tama. After all, it wasn't like she was going to make the same mistake twice—she would never love again if Midoriko just let her free.
The soul came closer, until she saw it come before her. The womanly figure stood before her, the obviously ningen woman staring around in fright. Almost instantly Kagome felt her powers kick in, her mind telling her the woman had had a hanyou child, and tried to drown it so she could live alone in a village without anyone trying to kill them. Though the story was slightly disturbing, Kagome kept her face blank, her eyes staring through her hair. However, the story continued, telling her that the father of the child had come before she could completely drown the child, smacking her away, and taking the child. Now, the woman was heartbroken because though she'd wanted to destroy the youkai within the hanyou she had loved her child, but now she merely wished to die because she did not know that within a few weeks the father would return for her, taking her back to his cave where they'd live together for many years.
It was a woman, though. She'd need to take a little different approach when it came to her. "Hello," she began, gaining the woman's attention, "tell me, dear wanderer, what crime do you think you have committed?"
The woman stared up at her, before saying, "Crime?" Her eyes turned hard, "You're the one who's committing a crime, wandering around naked as the day you were born! Have you no modesty youkai?"
Snorting, Kagome turned her head away. She hadn't realized this woman would suddenly turn her anger onto her. She'd have to be hard, instead of soft when it came to this woman. So, she turned back toward her, smirking, showing off her pointed fangs, "You, ningen, are within my home. Only those who have gone across the borderline of their fate come here. Besides, I am youkai; I do not need to be modest like you pathetic ningen women. Unlike you, I would walk through an entire forest without clothing if I could, but as you can see, it is clear I cannot."
The woman broke down into sobs, "I have done nothing wrong, baka-youkai. It is he who has taken my child who should be here. Not I."
"Do you not know the name of the father of your child, woman?" she asked, her smirk growing a bit larger. It was always fun to play with the souls of people. Though, most forgot everything except the final words she gave them, usually the final farewell. Still, this woman was most amusing. Well, besides the tears she was currently allowing to flood from her eyes—the smell of salt assaulting her nose. Salt was always something she hated smelling when she first became a youkai and it seemed that even now she didn't like the smell lifting into her nostrils.
The woman sniffled, before beginning to shake a little. "I do, demoness. Unfortunately, I do. However, that bastard youkai does not deserve a name!" Her sobs seemed to lodge themselves in her throat as she gave off only half a sob each time, each seeming to be cut in half as they rose from her lungs.
"Oh," Kagome replied, raising an eyebrow the woman could not see. "Hm… tell me, Abi, why you tried to drown your child? Tell me your thoughts at that moment."
Abi glanced up at the demoness in surprise, saying, "You… you know that I tried to drown her? But how could you possibly know that I tried to take Oto's(1)life?" Her eyes held deeper confusion as she said, "How, demoness, did you even know my name?"
Sighing, Kagome said, "I told you, Abi, that you are in my domain, my home, the place I control. I help those who come here, those who cannot draw themselves away from the darkness that has begun to surround them; those who have strayed from the path they were chosen to take. I know all about the souls that come here, and since you are here, Abi, I know all about you." She did not understand how the woman did not realize this, but it could be just because her mind was more on her child, this Oto. Or perhaps the woman was not educated enough to understand that, or at least put the pieces together enough to realize it.
Abi was still confused, and asked, "What are you? Surely you are an immortal goddess to have such power over the souls of others?" Awe filled her eyes suddenly, as if she were looking upon the place known as Takamagahara—The High Plain of Heaven. She gazed at Kagome as if she truly were a goddess that was trapped on the Earth, and though she did not know it, Kagome at that moment felt like she truly was.
Now that sounded more intelligent, Kagome thought. She allowed her smirk to fade, before saying, "All youkai are immortal unless killed, Abi. I am bound here for reasons that you may not understand. Tell me, Abi, have you ever heard of the Shikon no Tama?"
"The Shikon no Tama?" Abi said. "Oh, yes, I have heard of the jewel that can grant any wish desired, but only a pure wish will allow it to leave the plains of the existence. I've heard this tale since I was a child. The tale of the Shikon Miko, the one who disappeared along with the jewel, has been passed on through my village for many years."
Bowing her head further, Kagome began righting the woman, telling her that if she merely went back to her village and lived the life of a normal woman her life would take a turn for the better. Though the woman was a little reluctant to do this at first, Kagome finally convinced her that within a few years her child could come searching for her, and she'd need to be in the same place for Oto to find her. She knew that the father would come within a few weeks, perhaps a month from that very moment, but within an hour she allowed the soul to return to its body with a, "Farewell, Abi. Live long."
Though she lowered her head until her chin was resting against her chest, she did not realize that a powerful youkai was going to say nearly the same thing to another ningen woman. What she did not know, since she could not see much of the Western Lands, was that the Prince Sesshoumaru was soon going to become Lord of the West. Her vision from when he had visited her had long since faded, new and wonderful things filling her head, causing envy to swell within her for those who could walk away from the edge of her forest and live a life she could only hope for.
oOo
His nose twitched at the scent of blood. His father's blood. He'd remembered sending out a challenge for the title of Lord to his father while he was with his ningen whore, and it appeared that his father had actually gone to battle with the dragon known as Ryuukotsusei. The scent of blood told him that the battle had been almost more then his father could take, and it surprised him. His father was the most powerful youkai in the land; he shouldn't smell like he'd been up against twenty different opponents, each one near to his strength. Another thing that began haunting his mind was why his father had even took up the challenge, unless… the dragon threatened the life of Touga's ningen hime. He knew his father—he would protect what he cared for, no matter what their blood and heritage made them.
Looking through the window toward the dusking sun, he saw that his father wasn't coming toward the House of the Moon at all. No, his father was beginning to move toward the beach that laid about four miles away from the palace. It was the fastest way to Izayoi's Keep, and he had this feeling that something much larger than simply a challenge to be Lord of the Western Lands was happening around them. Perhaps the dragon had gained an alliance with the people inside the hime's estate, and had told his father that there was going to be nothing left when he returned to his precious lady's side. It would not surprise him, since the fastest way to target someone, to make them blind with rage, was to go after something they held close to their heart.
His father's dark form left behind trails of blood, but Sesshoumaru turned from the window. He'd go to his father, for something told him that this might be the last time he ever saw the youkai. It slightly disturbed him, but he felt the need to put on a new kimono, since the one he normally wore was covered in the blood of a youkai who'd come to the House of the Moon thinking that the Prince of the Western Lands would be a weak opponent. His father had taught him well, however, and he had learned everything he could from him, making him near to his father's strength.
The sun had disappeared beneath the western horizon by the time he'd been changed completely by the servants. However, he sensed that his father was still waiting for him, and simply rose on his demonic cloud into the sky to meet the old bastard. Wind fought against him as he traveled, his eyes turning toward the sky as it began filling with stars, before the clouds began moving in, snow falling lightly. Truly it would have been beautiful if he did not feel his heart begin to turn cold, much like when he felt his mother was not going to return from her battle. However, he promised himself he would not return to the demoness Kagome, and he was going to keep that promise no matter what, which meant he was not going to allow him thoughts to turn to darkness.
The trip was short, and within a matter of moments he saw his father's form standing on the edge of the sea. The water was up to his father's feet upon the shore, but the tide quickly receded back into the sea's great expanse before shifting its direction and returning to the tip of his father's boots. What surprised him, though, was the blood still dripping from his father's wounds, and even from the distance he could hear his father talking with his small retainer, Myouga. What he heard only deepened the feelings he was currently having.
Landing on the snow covered sand, Sesshoumaru began walking forward, realizing finally just how long his father had been gone. When he stood twenty or so feet away from his father's form, he stopped, listening to the sound of the wind as it picked up his loose clothing, boa, and hair. His eyes, however, watched his father as the Great Dog General lifted his head toward the sky for a moment, before looking down to watch as the tide caught a crab within its grip and drug it back out into the ocean of saltwater.
Sesshoumaru felt like he was being surrounded in a tomb of ice for a moment. His heart seemed to harden, then bleed, before hardening again. Something about this told him that his father was not going to survive whatever he was going to face, but something else hit him. The smell… the smell that told him his father had succeeded in creating a hanyou child. The smell that caused his thoughts of conquest to return to the forefront of his mind, while telling him the reason why his father had gone into battle with the dragon Ryuukotsusei—the dragon had threatened the life of his bastard half-sibling.
He watched as the tides rolled higher, each larger then the last. His hardening eyes took in the blood that dropped from his father's hand and onto the snow below them. It had been so long since his father had returned to the House of the Moon, and now he, Sesshoumaru, was certain that his father was going to save that hime, Izayoi, from death. That meant his father was always going to save the half-breed they'd created. The words that formed on his lips were not what he expected, but Sesshoumaru also did not expect for his heart to begin freezing over so quickly.
"Father, do you insist on going?" he said. He wasn't even sure if his father was going, but what the taiyoukai said confirmed that he was. Thus, Sesshoumaru's thoughts turned to the swords his father was carrying. His eyes touched each of them for a moment, as his father continued to gaze out toward the sea.
His father's voice was as firm as always, when he said, "Do you intend to stop me, Sesshoumaru?" He never turned, he knew that his son was becoming the kind of ruler he would one day be. Even he, Touga, knew that he would not return from this trip. No, but Izayoi's life was much more important then his own, besides he felt that his life should have past on long before this moment.
Snow continued to fall, the wind seeming to be endless, as Sesshoumaru replied, "I will not stand in your way. However, before you go, you must entrust the swords' Sou'unga and Tetsusaiga to me." His eyes dragged over his father's bloodied clothing as he said this, knowing that the Lord of the Western Lands would not survive another battle, even if it were against an army of ningen soldiers. The swords', though, were something that should not be simply handed into an unworthy human's hand.
"And if I refuse, will you kill me, your own father?" Touga asked. He felt the wind drag his high ponytail to the right, but he paid little attention to it as he gazed out at the sea. He knew what he must do, he had to protect Izayoi, and in doing so he would give up his life.
Listening to the sound of the tide, Touga lowered his head a bit, ashamed that his son had returned to this state. Even with his low amount of visits he had felt that his son would be a kind ruler, yet it appeared that Sesshoumaru would protect the lands with an iron fist, allowing those who lived within the Western Borders to have freedom, yet destroying those who stood in his path for conquest. It was what caused him to sigh, saying, "Do you desire power so much?" Once more he asked his son, "Why do you seek power, my son?"
Feeling his heart completely ice over his with father's words, Sesshoumaru shoved his memories into the back of his mind, only conquest firm in his grasp. "The path I walk is the way of supreme conquest," he began, "and it is power that will reveal the way for me."
Touga took in a deep breath, his eyes saddened by his son's words. He knew that what he was doing was causing this sudden change within Sesshoumaru, but perhaps it was for the best. However, he would not simply hand the swords' to his son. No, Sesshoumaru had to earn the right to have them within his grasp. He needed something more then he already had to even control either of the swords' he wanted. Tilting his head a little lower, Touga repeated, "Supreme conquest" as if it were the lowest thing he could speak of.
His head raised a little, his deep voice replying to his son, "Tell me, Sesshoumaru, have you someone to protect?" The wind continued to howl in his ears, but he sealed Sesshoumaru's fate when it came to the Sou'unga and Tetsusaiga when he finally replied. After all, he was sure that one day Sesshoumaru would understand what he meant when he said this. For now, however, his son would be left in the dark… or as close to it as he was willing to get.
His son could not fool him. He'd walked off his path once, meeting the beautiful and enchanting first mate of Lord Sai. It was before he'd met his dearest Sakura. It was before he'd sired Sesshoumaru. However, the phoenix youkai had not fooled him, for he'd met her twice before, once when she was a ningen holding the Shikon no Tama, when he'd protected her from a band of youkai who'd ganged up on her, trying to get the jewel hanging around her neck, and again when she looked so saddened yet, at the same time she looked so happy to be with the deer Sai. It had been strange to find out later that they were one and the same, but still his son could not fool him when he returned to the House of the Moon. It was obvious who'd turned his son away from destroying villages, and beginning to slide into the bittersweet life of insanity. Kagome had done wonders for the boy, but it seemed now that Sesshoumaru was beginning to turn back to the boy he knew before his mother's death.
"Protect?" Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, before saying, "The answer is 'no', I, Sesshoumaru, have no need of such." His right arm moved out horizontally to his side. He knew his father's thoughts before a magical wind picked up around him, suddenly transforming him into the large white inu that he truly was. He braced himself, thinking for a moment his father was going to attack him, but as his father let out a canine roar he flew into the sky, blood continuing to fall from his wounds. Instantly, Sesshoumaru knew that his father had denied his demand, and was never going to allow him to have Tetsusaiga or Sou'unga until he had this person to protect.
The words continued to plague his mind for a moment, "…have you someone to protect…?" However, his memories were already fading, and he merely said, "Why would I need to waste my time protecting someone? Ridiculous." He knew, though, that if his father had not decided to go kill himself for that blasted ningen hime then he would not feel this way. No, for even though his mother would be gone his father would still be at his side. Now, though, he was not.
Giving a huff, Sesshoumaru knew that he would not see his father again, and turned to return to the House of the Moon. He would be Lord soon, and the challengers who came to try and take the Western Throne from him would soon learn that he was Sesshoumaru, Son of the Great Dog General, Touga, Lord of the Western Lands, Prince of Dogs, and a male who would not allow anyone to take his birthright from him.
oOo
Touga flew through the sky, his wounds ripping open a bit further as he allowed his paws to pace as if he were running, pushing him forward. He was massive in size even when he wasn't in full form, the largest ever known inuyoukai, he knew, but he was not concerned about that. Even as he cleared the large space keeping him from reaching the forest outside Izayoi's estate, he merely landed with a soft impact, the ground sinking a bit beneath him, before he shot off again.
His paws crunched against the snow, but he paid little attention to it, his eyes focused ahead of him. He was traveling at a great pace, the forest zipping by him as his thoughts continued to think of Izayoi's health. He knew that she was in birthing, but he had this nagging feeling that Tenseiga would soon be needed. Unlike his son he knew how to love, and how to care for another, which would allow him to use the Tenseiga when he wished it, instead of the sword pulsing when it wanted to save a soul.
Myouga clung to his fur next to his ear, continuing to plead about his rash behavior. However, Touga merely listened as the flea begged him to reconsider, to think about his unhealed wounds from his battle with that blasted Ryuukotsusei. The dragon had put up a strong fight, but he'd finally, in his true form, managed to place a seal on him, locking him in place on the side of a mountain. Now was not the time to think of that, though, as he turned his attention to Myouga. His red eyes shifted back, trying to see his small retainer, before saying, "That does not matter, I cannot afford to lose her!"
"Please, my lord," Myouga begged. He crawled closer to Touga's eye to see him shift back toward his surrounding, before they narrowed.
Continuing, Touga said, "Besides, I am not long for this world."
Shaking his head, feeling the great dog pace beneath him, Myouga cried, "Master!"
Touga paid little attention, though. The feeling he had continued, until he was racing at breakneck speed toward the estate. Izayoi needed him! Besides, he did not trust that bastard Takemaru. He'd long since heard that the guard had fallen in love with Izayoi, and even as he raced up the side of the mountain just toward the east of the estates, he brought his head back and let out his canine roar once more, just as the lunar eclipse took full form, and the moon disappeared behind total darkness.
Izayoi, I'm coming for you, he thought. With another mighty roar, he leapt from his perch, and landed in front of the gates to the main building, returning to his humanoid appearance. He heard the faint cry of an infant inside, and pulled Tetsusaiga from its sheath, raising it with both hands above his head, and calling out, "Kaze no Kizu!" While the dust and soil that had gathered around him on his impact covered the main blast, he watched as it cut through it, taking out most of the ningen's in his way.
It blasted the gates apart, and he began rushing forward as he saw more soldiers come through to stop him. He paid little heed as even the archers pulled back their bowstrings and launched a band of arrows upon him. No, Touga paid no attention to this, merely allowing most of them to hit him, before twisting into a sudden circle and allowing the 'Kaze no Kizu' to once more be unleashed from his mighty weapon.
The armed guards were taken out with ease, each one of them flying away from the completely destroyed wall. Most of them probably died on impact, but Touga continued forward, his mindset on one thing and one thing only. Izayoi. As he ran through the gates he even called out her name a few times, before allowing his feet to rush forward.
It was then that bastard Takemaru decided to come forward. Touga paid barely any attention as the man said, "At last you've come youkai. I'm afraid you're a little late though." This was what made Touga turn his attention to the bastard standing on a platform above him. Asking him what he meant, Touga listened as Takemaru continued, "Lady Izayoi is beyond your reach now. I dispatched her myself."
Growling, Touga bared his fangs a little, saying, "Damn you, you fool!" Touga ran forward, watching in slight amusement as Takemaru pulled his sword from its sheath. However, even as he watched the man come at him, before removing him of his arm, Touga continued into the building, which had suddenly been assaulted with flaming arrows assuming that it was Takemaru who'd told them to set the place ablaze. It was a good thing he'd gone to an old friend before even passing the House of the Moon, or he would not be carrying the haori made from the Fur of the Fire Rat with him.
However, Touga raced toward the sound of an infants cry. His second born son needed its mother, which was why he sheathed Tetsusaiga, and went straight through a burning doorway. He gazed at the burning screen, before moving forward quickly to push it to the side and out of the way. He called out to Izayoi once to see if her soul was still within the mortal world, but when he got no reply from the blood soaked woman he whispered, "Izayoi" once again. Without hesitation he drew Tenseiga from his side, and said, "Carry out my will, Tenseiga" when the youkai of Hell appeared before his eyes. He slashed through them and watched as Izayoi's form was suddenly healed of all wounds, her eyes turning up toward him.
Sheathing the sword he pulled the haori from his side, and draped it over Izayoi's head and shoulders. It was then he heard the sound of footsteps coming toward the door, and the smell of Takemaru overpowered the smell of burning wood as the bastard dare step into the room. Takemaru was breathing heavily as he stood at Izayoi's side, knowing that she was currently gazing up at him. However, his eyes were set on his opponent.
His hand reached up, pulling Sou'unga from its sheath, before bringing it down in an arch at his side. As he heard Izayoi stand behind him, he listened to the sound of the infant's cries, before gripping Sou'unga's hilt with both hands. He had heard what Takemaru said, and he planned on taking the bastard to Hell with him when he died. Before he did anything, though, he said, "Live long."
Izayoi gasped, saying, "My dearest." Her heart ached, knowing by his words that he would not be coming out with her alive. However, she would do as he told her. Live long. Yes, she would live long is that's what he wished. Touga, her dearest youkai, held her heart tightly, after all.
The building began to collapse around them, as Touga said, "Inuyasha."
Confusion was written clear on Takemaru's face, as he said, "What is that?"
Smirking a little, Touga said, "The infant's name. The child shall be called Inuyasha." He heard Izayoi give a small sigh, before whispering the name herself. However, he faced off with Takemaru, before growling, "Now, go!"
Izayoi gave a small nod to his back, before replying, "H—Yes!" She moved toward the exit, easily getting out without being burned. She knew it was because of the haori draped over her, but her heart continued to ache as she let tears of loss pour from her eyes. She raced up the hillside, away from the battle, knowing that inside her dearest Touga was giving his life for her and her child.
Touga clashed swords with Takemaru, after calling forth the power of Sou'unga. He knew what it would cause, and he was not surprised when the entire building crashed down around them, his life suddenly fading away. His body would turn to ashes, but he knew that his retainer, and dearest friend would take care of his three swords'. Still, he held no regrets for giving his life to save Izayoi's and Inuyasha's. That, after all, was what made him stronger.
oOo
Deep within a place unknown a wicked soul twisted and turned. It screamed in agony as a change continued to take place within it. However, power seemed to flood within its very being, as it moved throughout the world. Though a mortal man could not find the place it resided, it continued to search for what it needed. What it wanted in order to live in the continuously changing world. Power continued to flood into its body, and it had a feeling that soon, very soon, it would obtain what it wanted to live within the mortal world once more. Still, it had to be perfect, perfectly evil, or it would not take form, for it wanted to wreak havoc on the Earth.
Midoriko had sealed what she thought was the more evil half, yet what she did not realize was that after many years, rolling the information about why he had been thrust into another body the first time yet with the memories of his past life, he'd decided that the next time he was reincarnated he would find Kagome's ningen half and he would destroy her. Every time she returned to the Earth he would search her out and kill her, thus taking out his anger he felt on the being that should have given him ultimate power when he mated with her.
That bitch lied to him! She would pay for that!
As it waited, though, it was rewarded for it finally found what it wanted. A man who had began giving his soul to the weaker youkai around him. A man known as Onigumo, a bandit who had fallen in love with a miko by the name of Yumi—that same miko had been taking care of him, but she was in love with a full-blooded youkai, and Onigumo resented that. Onigumo wanted the miko for himself, yet every time he saw her leave the cave he was lying in the youkai she loved came to her side, sneering toward the bandit, before taking the miko away from his sight.
When the bandit gave his soul away, it took its chance and became one with the bandit. Though the ningen man did not know it, when he transformed into a hanyou of pure evil, another being was born within him. A being that could have been more evil than even the hanyou was born within him, the soul that would be his forever more. True, the hanyou might think that he was the one who devised all his evil plots, or put thoughts of chaos into his own mind, but truly it would be him!
He, Sai, half a soul—once a deer mated to the tori-youkai named Kagome. A male who'd turned completely evil while serving his punishment. Now, however, he was no longer Sai. No, now he was something much, much worse. True, he'd once been full youkai, and now he was merely half, but if he could obtain the Shikon no Tama from the twin half of his once beloved demoness, then he could transform himself into a force of mass destruction. Into the evilest youkai to have ever been created when fate missed a beat.
1. Oto – I got this name from a Japanese Folk/Fairy Tale known as 'The Young Urashima'. If you've never heard this tale, Oto was known as the 'Dragon Princess.' Here, if you've never heard the tale, then I'll tell it to you in a shorter version then it actually is:
Urashima was a young fisher-boy of a village known as Mizunoe, in the province of Tango. One day he found a circle of children playing a turtle as if it were a drum, after he returned from fishing. When he saved the turtle by paying the children, since they would not leave unless he did, the turtle invited him to the palace of the Dragon Princess, three to four days later—a palace that was located under the sea. You see, the turtle was one the Princess's chief retainers, and had told her how Urashima saved him from the children and she wanted to thank him personally.
After meeting the Princess, Urashima was shown the palace, and was delighted and enchanted to find that when you looked through each window, one in the north, one in the east, one in the south, and one in the west, to find that the season was different. He stayed for months, yet he did not care for each day he found something new to delight him, such things that brought him pleasure. You see Urashima did not care about anything while he was there, but quite suddenly thoughts of his parents began to trouble him and he changed from a happy youth he had been to a sad and distance person.
The Dragon Princess, Oto, noticed this change and one day gently asked, "Urashima-sama, why are you so sad and distant from me? Can we no longer give you pleasure?" Urashima simply turned his face away and did not answer.
The Princess, each and everyday tried to please him, but nothing helped. For the longest time, though she continued to ask him, Urashima would not tell her of his troubles, until one day he finally told her of his troubling thoughts. The Princess understood, even though she was grief sicken to have him leave, but she gave him what they called a "sayonara gift" which held a treasure of untold value, but told him not to look upon the contents, which Urashima promised not to do. They were both sad to leave each other's side, but at last Urashima mounted the back of the retainer and returned to the surface.
Urashima's happiness to be on the surface did not last, however. After he came to the village he thought was his own, yet everything was different and strange, Urashima spoke with an old woman. When she finally recalled his name, she said, "Urashima! Urashima! That was a name I heard as a child, I believe. Was he not the boy who went over the sea on a big turtle's back and never returned? Wasn't that the boy of legend? It is said he was taken to the Dragon Palace and there he remained a prisoner. But I don't know. It all happened so long ago. I heard the story as a child, as I said, and the story goes that it all happened over three hundred years ago."
Urashima wept bitterly, for he had thought he had only been inside the palace under the sea for three years. However, for every year he dreamed a hundred had passed, which was why the village had completely changed, his home was in ruins, and his parents were dead. His thought turned back to the palace and the Dragon Princess, and he ran back to the beach, searching for the turtle, but even as he called the turtle did not come.
It was then Urashima's thoughts turned to the gift the Princess had given him. So, forgetting his dear Princess's warning, Urashima began to eagerly untie the tassels and with trembling hands lifted the lid. What he did not expect was for a cloud of purple mist to rise from the box and envelope him in folds. As the mist cleared away, to Urashima's horror, he began to feel a terrible change come over him. Years began to come over him, years that had been enclosed inside the box. He changed to the age he truly was, right on that very beach.
As the change continued, Urashima gazed out into the sea that seemed to cry in sorrow with him, saying, "Oh! What have I done? What have I done? I forgot your words, my dear princess, and rashly opened the box. Now I know why you warned me. You sealed my youth into this box and I alone have lost it. Now all is gone, all is gone." Tears streamed down his cheeks, and through his near sightless eyes he gazed out at the sea, but there was nothing to be seen.
Thank you for reading,
Kiba