Disclaimer: The characters of the anime InuYasha are the property of Takahashi Rumiko/Shogakukan and Yomiuri TV Sunrise 2000. I do lay claim, however, to Aine and Lon... and one other...

Add.: Edited as of Apr. 1/13 - Correction made to eliminate Tokijin. This story takes place after Tokijin's destruction.

Add.: Edited as of May 25/14 - A minor addition to clarify the timeline further; this chapter takes place between the group's encounter with the Demon Promotion Exam and InuYasha's visit to Totosai to learn about Dakki.


Chapter Three: More Shadow Than Substance

'Get out of my way, Miroku!'

'Now, now, InuYasha – be reasonable...'

The only response the monk got to this comment was a low, threatening growl. Miroku sighed and looked out of the corner of his eye at Shippo. The young fox-demon or kitsune had sought refuge on his shoulder; however, as InuYasha's expression became more menacing, Shippo quickly shifted position to cling to Miroku's back. The monk was rapidly getting tired of the stand-off, especially since the fox-child's claws were digging painfully into his scalp.

Of course, Miroku thought, he could hardly blame InuYasha for being angry. Having awoken from a much-needed sleep, the dog-eared hanyo had made his way to the nearby river to quench his thirst. As the still drowsy InuYasha had bent over the water, he had seen his reflection...

His outraged yell had shattered the tranquillity of the summer morning, and had woken his companions.

'It... it'll wash off, InuYasha,' squeaked a now very nervous Shippo. 'Just go stick your head in the water...'

'How about I stick your head in the water!'

With this threat, InuYasha lunged. Shippo uttered a frantic scream as he sprang away from his perch (causing Miroku to mutter a robust oath as he felt some hair detach) and bolted across the clearing. The furious half-demon's kimono and long hair became a red and white blur as he followed in hot pursuit.

With a loud pop, the little fox demon transformed into something that resembled a large, pink balloon. His aim was to float safely out of the hanyo's reach. However, unfortunately for Shippo, this was not to be – his ascension into the air was a fraction too slow and, with a triumphant growl, InuYasha managed to grab one of the balloon's four vestigial 'limbs'. Before the transformed Shippo could try to carry him up into the sky, the hanyo's fist had made contact.

When the stars cleared from his vision, the little fox demon found himself upside-down, his leg in InuYasha's firm grasp, and his face only inches from the half-demon's. As Shippo looked into those glaring, yellow eyes which, thanks to him, were so artistically surrounded by broad bands and circles of black ink, he knew that the aching lump that now graced his pate would be but the first of many.

'This had better not be another dumb competition!' InuYasha half-muttered, half-growled, his face flushed red beneath the black ink adorning it. Just a few days earlier, the group had found themselves entangled in the middle of a frenetic kitsune promotion exam. By pranking InuYasha, Shippo had rapidly attained a considerable number of points during the test, jumping from thirtieth to twenty-fourth rank. The hanyo's pride was still smarting from having been used as the little demon's personal gull.

'Tsk. Put him down, InuYasha.'

The order came from the pretty, teenage girl kneeling near the remains of a small campfire. Higurashi Kagome hardly looked threatening, absorbed as she was in rummaging through a large, yellow knapsack. However, InuYasha had caught the underlying tone in her voice, and knew that he might regret doing the kitsune any further physical harm. As a product of a world five hundred years in the future, Kagome had a more independent outlook than her counterparts in the Feudal Era, and the hanyo's temper did not intimidate her. And, as the reincarnation of a priestess, she had certain spiritual abilities, including power over the beads of subjugation about InuYasha's neck. The half-demon realised that a 'Sit!' command, and a face-first meeting with the rocky soil, was not far away.

Still, as the injured party, he felt he was at least entitled to protest his case.

'You know he's got it coming to him, Kagome,' he said, looking now at Shippo with narrowed eyes, though he withheld further pummelling. No one else, he knew, would have played such a prank on him; the young demon's flight had only confirmed his guilt. 'He made me look like Hachi!'

Miroku began to cough as he desperately tried to not laugh at this statement. The black mask decorating InuYasha was certainly much like the one sported by the raccoon-dog yokai who was the monk's sometime servant. When he saw that InuYasha had noticed his reaction, and was not amused by it, the monk diplomatically retreated a few metres farther along the river bank, murmuring (between coughs) that he felt the sudden need to meditate.

The third human member of the little group was also keeping well out of the argument. As she set about rekindling the campfire, Sango made a very pretty domestic picture and, watching her from his vantage point downstream, Miroku felt his heart skip a beat... and his hand begin to itch. The young monk sighed and decided it was just as well he was at a distance. Close proximity to Sango made his hands go where they shouldn't – usually resulting in a painful reprisal from his lovely, but highly skilled, demon-slayer.

Meanwhile, Shippo – realising he had an ally in Kagome – had begun to glare back at InuYasha. 'Put me down, InuYasha!' the fox demon demanded. 'I don't know what the big deal is! Those colouring sticks Kagome brought back from her home all wash away with water.

'This won't,' answered InuYasha through clenched teeth while pointing at his face with his free hand. 'I – already – tried.' In fact, the half-demon had scrubbed frantically at his face as soon as he had seen the black mask – to no avail.

On hearing this, Shippo's new-found bravado faded; the fox demon threw Kagome a frantic look, hoping she could get him out of this mess.

'That's because that marker wasn't one of the ones I brought back for Shippo... ah, there it is!' With a satisfied grin, Kagome pulled a first-aid kit out of her knapsack. 'You might as well drop him, InuYasha,' said Kagome. 'I'm sure he's sorry. Aren't you, Shippo?' The kitsune nodded frantically.

Kagome felt partially responsible for the whole scenario (though she had to struggle not to laugh while looking at poor InuYasha's face). The last time she had seen the offending black marker, it had been on her desk at home, when she had used it for a poster project for school. The broad nib had made it perfect for writing kanji calligraphy – and, apparently, also lent itself well to decorating the face of a sleeping half-demon. Kagome now explained to her dog-eared friend that she must have accidentally packed it with the 'washable' children's markers she had bought for Shippo on her last trip back to the modern era.

Then, her expression became perplexed. 'I'm surprised you didn't notice the smell, InuYasha – it's fairly strong.'

This remark caused the half-demon to again look sharply at the kitsune. He held out his hand. 'Give it,' he commanded. Trembling, Shippo reached into his vest and pulled out the marker. InuYasha snatched it from him – with the flick of a claw, he popped off the cap and sniffed. His nose wrinkled at the foreign odour. 'I think someone used fox magic...' he said speculatively.

Shippo swallowed. He had noticed that the ink smelt differently – and he had muted the scent with a charm – but the little fox demon honestly hadn't entertained the notion that it wouldn't wash away like the other pens Kagome had given him. Somehow, he doubted InuYasha would believe him.

Kagome sighed. 'Please, InuYasha... Come here. I can clean the ink off with this,' she said, holding up the white bottle she had removed from her first aid kit.

Grumbling, the hanyo complied, dropping a much- relieved Shippo none to gently.

InuYasha sat cross-legged on the ground beside Kagome, and tucked his hands into his sleeves. He looked suspiciously at the container in her hands. 'Are you sure that will clean it off?' he asked.

'I'm sure,' answered the girl, giving him an encouraging smile. 'But... you'll need to hold your breath,' she added as she opened the bottle of rubbing alcohol and poured a generous amount onto a wad of cotton wool. The half-demon blanched when his sensitive nose caught a whiff of the strong fumes. Then, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes tightly, he nodded for her to proceed.

As Kagome rapidly wiped away Shippo's artwork (all the while giving silent thanks that the alcohol actually did work), she noticed that Sango had stood and was looking about the clearing.

'I wonder where Kirara could be?' the demon-slayer asked, frowning slightly with puzzlement. Because she had been distracted by the drama between InuYasha and Shippo, the young woman had just realised that her little two-tailed firecat, Kirara, was absent. Kirara had been her companion since childhood and, though Sango knew it wasn't unusual for the small yokai to occasionally go off to hunt, she hadn't expected her to do so this morning. They were only a half day's walk from the village of the Bone Eater's Well, and Kirara would have known they had planned an early start in order to reach their home base by afternoon.

'I'll go find her!' volunteered Shippo.

Before anyone else could comment, the fox demon's brush had disappeared into the woods. Shippo was only too glad to pounce on an excuse to stay out of InuYasha's sight for a while. However, as the young kitsune began to follow Kirara's scent through the woodland, he, too, became curious. Even if the firecat had gone off to hunt, what had delayed her return?

As Shippo exited the forest and entered a rolling meadow, the trail he had been following abruptly ended. Seeing the scorch marks on the ground before him, he realised exactly what had happened.

'Great,' he muttered to himself. 'Why did she transform and fly away? Which way do I go now?'

The deep roar which suddenly came from the far side of the meadow answered his question.


The warmth of the summer morning could not be felt within the dank caverns which honeycombed an isolated mountain range. Deep in this labyrinth, packs of serpentine yokai undulated and slithered, unharmed by the rank miasma which had infiltrated their tunnels. The creatures held little demonic power – although, if they had been possessed of sufficient intelligence to unite against a threat, they would have been a formidable force indeed. However, these demons were little more than beasts, and thus the one who had assumed control of their lair easily held them in thrall.

Food was limited in the caves, and the weaker often fell to the strong. Therefore, the scent of blood and raw flesh which now permeated the tunnels was not in itself unusual. Yet, it was not a recent kill that had drawn a significant number of the creatures to the largest of the caverns. Well-honed survival instincts kept them from approaching the faintly-lit centre of the chamber. Instead, the long snake-like demons moved slowly about the dark periphery, their eyes glowing red as they kept silent vigil.

Naraku regarded the knot of intertwined tentacles and flesh which lay before him on the floor of the cavern, taking note of how much it had evolved since he had ejected it from his own body some time ago. His eyes moved slowly over the large mound of tissue – then, his gaze came to rest on its pulsating centre. 'Finally,' he murmured as he reached into the mass and pulled forth a small object. For a moment, it rested in his hand; then, it melted into his palm, vanishing from sight.

'You would do well to remember this,' he said, and the mass before him ceased its writhing and remained very still, as if it were listening. 'Yes,' continued Naraku, his voice a silky purr. 'Very good. I see you understand.'

The evil hanyo looked up. He barely took note of the many lesser demons encircling the chamber. They would not come any closer – not without his permission. His attention was instead focussed on the solitary figure who had just entered the cavern.

The serpentine yokai moved away from the opening to the chamber, making way for the small, pale incarnation of Naraku who embodied 'nothingness'. Kanna silently crossed the open space to come to a halt before her creator. She held out her mirror.

'They have succeeded,' she said, her soft voice sounding unusually loud within the cave.

Naraku took the mirror and regarded its reflective surface for a moment. Then, he raised his other hand, and a round jewel suddenly rested on its palm. His eyes darkened briefly with anger as he regarded the scar that marred one side of the orb – every time he looked at it, it annoyed him to think that the lack of such a small portion of the Shikon Jewel should limit his power. Still, even if he could not yet use the jewel to make himself fully yokai, he could employ its strength in... other ways. With this thought, he held the jewel up to the mirror.

Its aura should have been a pure and brilliant light. Instead, the power that came from the Shikon Jewel was dark, tainted by the malevolence that was Naraku. The lesser demons at the edge of the chamber began to move about in a more agitated manner; the Jewel of the Four Souls was beckoning to them, inviting them to partake of its great power. Yet, they kept back. Naraku held the magical artefact... its power was his, and thus, his will overpowered their own instinctual desire for the gem.

The reflection of Shikon Jewel dimmed as the mirror's glassy surface suddenly became duller. Nodding, Naraku looked down at the silent Kanna. 'Now,' he ordered. This, he thought smugly, will be the last time.

Kanna was well used to what would follow, having experienced the procedure several times already. She calmly extended one finger to touch the jewel her master held out to her. Then, she knelt by the mound of tentacles and pressed both of her palms against it. In response, tendrils extended from the obscene mass to wrap about the pale girl's arms. As both Kanna and the mound of flesh began to shimmer with a dark energy, Naraku held up the Shikon Jewel and smiled, pleased that the process would soon be complete.

Perfect...


Everything had occurred just as Naraku had told her it would.

Kanna blankly regarded the hands now gripping her wrists. They were pallid; what little colour they had was more blue than flesh-toned. When her solemn gaze moved to the face of the one who clung to her, she saw eyes as dark as her own – however, these eyes held emotion. Their expression was bewildered as their owner took his first true breaths. Then, as understanding finally took hold, those dark eyes held a gleam of red... and a cold cunning.

When her master's latest incarnation suddenly released her and sat up, she beheld the large, spider-shaped scar marring the smooth, blue-tinted skin of his back. However, the grotesque mark evoked no reaction from the imperturbable Kanna. After all, all of those derived from Naraku bore this brand.

Slowly and carefully, the newcomer raised his hand... and his long fingers briefly brushed over his face. Then, he noticed a faint glimmer on the surface of his left palm, and saw that in the centre of his hand was a small, round mirror; though the light in the cavern was dim, the newly-created being could easily see his reflection within it. He smiled as he examined fine, angular features... small, pointed ears... straight, white hair falling smoothly past bare shoulders... Naraku's latest creation decided that he was not displeased with his face. Nor, with this body, was his next thought, as he looked down at his svelte, leanly-muscled physique and perceived within himself an ability for tremendous freedom of movement.

Meanwhile, Naraku was regarding his most recent 'offspring' with sardonic interest. He had 'borrowed' from one incarnation to create another and, for the time being, he was satisfied with the result. It had, he believed, opened up an avenue he could further explore... later. For now, however, this particular progeny had an important task to fulfill.

'Stand, Kakusamaru,' said Naraku.

The male incarnation glanced up in an almost casual manner at the armoured figure standing over him. His lips form a smirk which was reminiscent of his creator. 'So,' he answered, his voice a soft, sibilant whisper, 'that is my name?' Then, seeing the scowl which had just formed on Naraku's face, Kakusamaru decided that compliance would be in his favour. He stood.

Though he was not as tall as Naraku, Kakusamaru saw that he towered over the female beside him. She, however, had paid little attention to him since he had released her – her gaze was instead on the dark surface of the mirror their master had just placed in her hands. He thought it strange that she would ignore him, considering the role she had played in his creation. As he looked at her with curiosity, Naraku spoke again.

'Kanna will instruct you.'

'Kanna...' murmured Kakusamaru, his eyes still upon the small, white-clad girl. 'So, you and I are alike?'

Kanna made no answer to this question. However, Naraku produced a brief, humourless chuckle in response. 'Not... quite, Kakusamaru,' said the hanyo. 'Your abilities are but a shadow of your older sister's. In fact,' Naraku added, with a sinister smile, 'in many ways, you are more shadow than substance.'

Kakusamaru met the armoured half-demon's gaze on hearing this comment. The new incarnation had heard the hidden implication in those words – that his status was lower than that of the little female – and he did not like it.

Seeing this hint of defiance, Naraku was reminded of Kagura, the wind sorceress whom he had created shortly after Kanna. It was just as well, he now reflected, that she was not a part of the plans he had for Kakusamaru. Still, even without Kagura's rebellious nature to influence him, his new 'child' was obviously intelligent and ambitious – a shadow not only of Kanna, but of Naraku himself. And, just as obviously, he needed to learn the same lessons as Kagura.

Naraku held out his hand. Instead of the Shikon Jewel, a small, pulsing ball of muscle now rested in his palm. 'Kakusamaru You are a shadow – a copy. Except for this part of you.'

'You would do well to remember this.' The words echoed in Kakusamaru's mind just as Naraku's grip tightened around the heart he had taken from his incarnation.

Waves of pain enveloped Kakusamaru's chest, robbing him of his strength and dropping him to his knees. He would have screamed, but his lungs were empty of air. Then, just as suddenly, the intense pressure in his chest eased and he drew in a frantic, shuddering breath. 'I exist only to serve Naraku,' he managed to gasp, desperate to avoid further punishment.

With an expression of cruel indifference, Naraku watched his subordinate's distress. 'Indeed,' he said, as he turned his back on what he knew was now a most repentant Kakusamaru. 'Instruct your brother, Kanna,' the half-demon ordered.

The lesser demons rapidly withdrew from his path as Naraku exited the chamber.


Well before dawn that same day, dozens of serpent demons had left the subterranean caverns, bent on completing a task which had been fixed within their limited minds by their new master. Tirelessly, they had sped through an ancient system of burrows that linked their nest to the outside world. By the time they emerged onto the surface, they were leagues distant from Naraku's lair. The demons took to the air, fanning across the early morning sky as they flew high above a dark, mountain lake, then continued eastward, intent on their search.

The creatures' passage went unnoticed by the residents of the small village which lay just beyond the lake – with one exception. An old man in tattered robes sat by the edge of a ravine, mumbling softly. His mutterings made little sense to any who heard them, for he had been lost in his own mind for many years. One of his few comforts was to immerse himself in the noise of the river which ran through the deep gorge.

Still, mad though he was, Taro was able to recognise the danger represented by the swarm of yokai crossing the pale horizon. The sight sent him bolting toward the village, not stopping until he had reached the hovel which he called home. There, he collapsed on its dirt floor and, whimpering with fear, buried his face in his arms.

Normally, a remote human settlement would have been an attractive prospect for the pack. This morning, however, they did not pause to feed. Fortunately for Mad Taro, and for his village, the serpents' instincts were no match for the dark compulsion that had been placed upon them.

Just as Naraku was seizing a newly formed heart from the mass of flesh which would become Kakusamaru, the snake demons had found what they sought – the powerful jaki of a taiyokai. Once again, the beasts ignored their instincts and, following the directive that had been planted firmly in their minds, they flew toward the rising sun... and death.


Rin hummed happily to herself as she walked through the grasses and reeds which bordered a large marsh. Even though it was still early morning, the dew glinting on the feathered grasses was already evaporating, promising a hot day to come. For now, however, the temperature was comfortable, and the little girl was enjoying herself as she followed the large, two-headed dragon yokai along the narrow trail.

Her eyes shone with delight as she looked about her, taking in the natural beauty of the surrounding marshland. A pair of dragonflies swooped and circled before her. Enchanted by the pretty sight, Rin watched them as they carried their dance over the smooth water, their wings shining iridescent in the early morning sunshine.

A deep voice broke through the child's brief daydream: 'Do not lag behind, Rin.'

Sesshoumaru glanced briefly over his shoulder as he spoke. Then, he continued along the path, confident that the little girl would obey him.

'I won't, my lord,' she called as she trotted to catch up with Ah-Un. She moved past the dragon to walk beside the fourth member of group. 'Do you think there are any fish in the water, Master Jaken?' she asked.

The kappa, who was leading the dragon by its reins, threw the girl an exasperated look. 'More likely leeches,' he grumbled. 'Be sure you do not wander from the path, Rin.' The little demon knew how deceptive such marshy terrain could be. The last thing he needed, he thought to himself, would be for Rin to stumble into a sinkhole while trying to catch a fish. Human children are so... rambunctious! he thought.

In all fairness to Rin, Jaken's admonishment that she stay close was unnecessary, for the child was extremely obedient and wasn't in the habit of straying while they were travelling. The reprimand had not upset the girl, however. Well used to the kappa's crankiness, she merely smiled and cheerfully reassured him that she would stay close.

Suddenly, Sesshoumaru stopped. Both child and kappa fell silent as they and the dragon halted just behind their master. The dog demon said nothing as he stared intently toward a distant line of forested hills to the west.

'Lord Sesshoumaru...?' asked Jaken, wondering what his master had sensed. To his frustration, he himself could see little over the tall grass. Then, he saw the taiyokai's expression.

Jaken immediately felt a sense of foreboding.

As soon as he had seen the dark cloud that had appeared in the western sky, Sesshoumaru had known it was unnatural. Thus, he was hardly surprised when, as it drew nearer, it resolved into a mass of serpent yokai. The dog demon's eyes narrowed as he considered this sight. It was unusual, he knew, for such creatures to be abroad during the day. Then, they swerved and flew directly toward his position.

Sesshoumaru frowned. So... Such vermin would approach me?

The combined yoki of the snake-like demons produced a strong wind which gusted ahead of the pack. As the marsh grasses were blown flat about him, Jaken suddenly had an excellent view of what had caught his lord's attention. The kappa issued a startled squawk.

'What can this mean, my lord?!'

Jaken's astonishment was fully justified. Serpent yokai were among the weakest of demons. It didn't make sense that they would approach a demon as powerful as Lord Sesshoumaru, even in such large numbers. It was then that the little kappa realised the wind carried a familiar scent. Can it be? thought a wide-eyed, incredulous Jaken. The audacity! Lord Sesshoumaru will be furious!

The little demon knew his master well, and his assumption was not far off the mark. Sesshoumaru's frown had deepened considerably. The inu yokai had also identified the stench that mixed with the lesser demons' own foul odour; his yoki now rose in response to his own outrage. 'Rin,' he said. 'Take cover now.'

The little girl nodded and hurried to hide herself behind Ah-Un. From this sheltered spot, she stared wide-eyed at the huge serpents who now dove straight at them.

Sesshoumaru had already dismissed the idea of using the Tenseiga against the approaching pack. The sword's meido – it's new ability to create a gateway to the Netherworld – was still but a narrow crescent. Too narrow, he knew, to deal efficiently with the writhing pack of serpents. He briefly considered how Tokijin would have made short work of the serpents. However, the lethal yokai sword which had been his primary weapon was no more, its usefulness having ended when it had broken while battling Naraku's most powerful incarnation, Moryomaru.

A mere inconvenience, thought the powerful dog demon, eyeing the swirling mass of serpents with disdain.

After all, the Lord of the Western Lands did not need a blade to dispense with such lowly demons.

With an elegant grace, Sesshoumaru leapt into the air; his arm swept before him in a broad arc and a green-yellow glow appeared about his hand as he silently summoned his dokkaso. Corrosive acid flared from his fingertips as his 'poison flower claw' blossomed. The deadly spray flared wide, blasting into the descending horde and liquefying anything solid in its path.

The centre of the pack caught the brunt of the taiyokai's strike; as the majority of the creatures disintegrated, their fellows on either side rapidly veered away. The scattered serpents should have fled then, but, unbelievably, they began to regroup for another strike. Sesshoumaru frowned in annoyance and flexed his fingers as he again raised his hand.

At this, Jaken stepped forward and called out, 'Lord Sesshoumaru!' The kappa bowed low when the hovering (and obviously irate) dog demon looked down at him. 'Please allow me to finish this,' he said. 'These yokai are not worthy of your attention.'

Knowing Jaken was fully capable of carrying out this task, and fully agreeing that such rabble were beneath him, Sesshoumaru nodded. Landing smoothly on the ground, he watched impassively as his retainer raised the carved wooden staff and, pointing it toward the serpent demons, cried out dramatically, 'Feel the power of the Staff of Two Heads!' On this command, the head of the old man opened its mouth wide and spewed forth searing flames which rapidly engulfed the remaining serpents.

Rin covered her face with her hands and coughed as the reek of scorched demon filled the air. Most of the beasts had died in the flames. The few that had not had scattered to the four winds – now that their task had been accomplished, their survival instincts were once more in place. The beasts wanted nothing more than to escape.

Jaken looked at his handy-work with a satisfied smirk. 'That showed them,' he muttered. Then, a frown of puzzlement crossed the kappa's unattractive face. What, he wondered, had been the purpose of the attack? He turned to ask his master, but any questions he had died in his throat when he saw the anger in the dog demon's eyes. Even though that ire was not directed at him, it was obvious to Jaken that now was not the time to disturb his lord's thoughts.

Sesshoumaru watched the injured demons retreat. He knew that pursuing them would be a waste of his time – each had gone in a separate direction, so there was no way to determine which might be returning to the source of the foul miasma which had clung to them.

If they even return at all...

The taiyokai had little doubt that the one who had compelled the snakes to attempt such a suicidal attack would have ensured that their origin could not be so easily traced.

There had been two obvious goals within the lesser demons' attack. It had been intended both as an insult, and as a challenge. Yet, the one who had orchestrated the manoeuvre was never obvious.

What else, Naraku? What are you planning now?

With this thought, Sesshoumaru continued along the marshland path, his small entourage rapidly falling into step behind him.

The serpents had originally come from the hills to the west. Therefore, the dog demon decided, he would accept his prey's 'invitation' and begin his search there. If Naraku wished to be obvious, then he, Sesshoumaru, would respond in kind.

For now.


A/N: Hope this appealed...

Btw, the name 'Kakusamaru' does have a meaning. ;p