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, Kakusamaru.
Chapter Five: Good Samaritans
Shippo sped toward the sound of the Kirara's angry roar. The firecat only sounded like that when she was ready to fight, and the fox demon, as small as he was, was not going to abandon his feline friend. He had to see what had happened to her, and to try to help her if he could. Panting, he crested a low hill, and discovered a battleground.
Kirara had a massive snake-like demon pinned to the ground, her jaws clamped firmly behind its ugly head in a stranglehold. Huge divots of sod and gouged turf marked the path of their struggle. The creature was trying to ensnare the firecat in its coils, but Kirara continued to manoeuvre out of its grasp. A wide-eyed Shippo heard a low snarl of pain escape his friend's throat, however, as the thrashing tail-end of the lesser yokai managed to slam against her ribs.
It was then that the little fox demon saw two men cowering several metres away, and he came to a rapid and accurate conclusion: this was a rescue.
Both humans looked terrified as they watched the battle between the two demons. One man was on his knees and clutching a bleeding arm against his body. Shippo could hear him yelling at his companion to leave him and run for his life. However, the second human, a teenage boy, persisted in trying to help the exhausted older man to his feet. Then, Shippo saw a sight which made him heartily wish his other friends were with him.
Another serpent demon had just appeared over a nearby forest... and it was flying toward them.
Shippo yelled a warning to his friend. 'Look out, Kirara! There's another one coming!'
The fox demon knew there was no time for him to return to the campsite and fetch help. But, he also knew that the firecat was strong – he had seen her take down more impressive demons than these serpents. Shippo was convinced Kirara could win, as long as she didn't have to focus on protecting the humans as well. That, the fox child decided, would have to be his job.
He took another quick glance at the rapidly approaching demon and began to tremble. Then, swallowing hard, the small kitsune struck his palm with his clenched fist and, dropping to all fours, ran toward the fight.
Complete asphyxiation had finally taken its toll on the first snake yokai. Kirara dropped its carcase with a satisfied growl. She had heard Shippo's warning, and she now watched the fox demon as he ran down the grassy slope – if she felt any scepticism about his ability to help, she didn't show it. As Shippo made for the humans, the large feline turned to face her new foe and roared a challenge.
I gotta keep it together... I gotta keep it together... came the kitsune's frantic thoughts. His brush was standing on end as he took up a defensive stance in front of two mortals. 'Stay down,' he said, his voice trembling only slightly. 'I'll protect you.'
The man and boy, who were, in fact, father and son, exchanged dumfounded looks. Both were exhausted. They had run far with the giant serpent slithering in pursuit behind them. Then, just when they had been sure they were about to be killed by the beast, the horse-sized, two-tailed cat had appeared. It had never occurred to either that the feline was their saviour – they had believed that the victor of the battle would devour them.
And, now, a child-like being with the hind feet and tail of a fox stood before them, offering his protection. It was just too unbelievable.
'What... who are you?' the youth asked. Then, he gasped and, grasping his father's shoulder, pointed at the sky and the danger that approached.
'I'm a fox demon,' answered Shippo, with a hint of pride in his high-pitched voice. 'Don't worry,' he then said, in what he sincerely believed was a confident tone. 'Kirara and I won't let it get you.' Any more brave words died in his throat as he again looked toward the oncoming demon.
A second huge snake had joined it.
The older man took in the sight of the two serpents flying toward them, and that of the massive cat demon straddling the corpse of their first attacker – then, he looked down at the tiny kitsune who had said he was their protector.
'We're doomed,' he moaned.
The two serpents flying toward the battle-torn meadow began to snarl in anticipation as they scented fresh blood. They had come across each other accidentally, both having fled toward the west after the blast of fire had decimated their pack. At first, they had tried to return to their nest. Yet, what should have been an easy task had proved impossible, for neither creature could scent the burrows which led back to their underground lair. When they had detected the cross-country trail left by a more severely injured pack-mate, hunger had over-ridden all other desires.
All three beasts had suffered damage from the flames. But, these two had escaped with only minor burns. Unlike the serpent yokai who lay dead on the grass below, their wounds had not grounded them. Now, ravenous for food, they charged toward the carcase and the new prey near it.
Flames erupting about her feet and tail, Kirara leapt into the air to meet the snake yokai in their own element. However, as she soared toward the serpents, they split up. She roared a warning to Shippo as one of the demons went in his direction. She was about to pursue it – then, the other beast turned sharply toward her, its jaws snapping furiously.
The snake demon who had veered away from Kirara picked up speed when it saw the two humans and the little kitsune on the ground before it. A hissing roar escaped its throat as it marked what it was certain would be easy prey.
Oh no, oh no, oh no... Shippo's fear was fully justified as he watched the wide, fang-filled maw come toward him. Then, a determined frown formed on his little face as, instinctively, he called upon his favourite defence. 'Fox fire!' he cried, sweeping his arms wide.
A huge spiral of shimmering, blue flames shot toward the serpent yokai... and had a remarkable effect. Like most fox magic, the flames were pure illusion – they emitted no heat, and would have done the demon no damage. Shippo had merely hoped to slow the creature and give himself some extra time to get the humans (and himself) out of harm's way. However, when the huge snake saw a wall of fire coming toward it for the second time that morning, it did a rapid about-face.
The kitsune was astonished that the fox fire had worked so well. 'Whew!' he exhaled, then he grinned at the two humans with relief. 'Those snake demons must be really dumb!'
Speechless, the man and boy could only gape at him.
In the meantime, Kirara had agilely avoided the other demon's attack. Growling furiously, the cat swooped toward the huge yokai. The creature hissed when it saw the flames flickering about its adversary's paws and tail, but, unlike its pack-mate, it wasn't deterred. It curved its long body around the feline, seeking to get its head behind her and strike at a vulnerable flank. However, Kirara had battled more intelligent beings than this lesser demon. Again, she dodged its fangs. Then, her hind claws finding purchase on the beast's back, she pivoted... and went for the throat.
Kirara's jaws clamped tightly over the serpent yokai's airway as she bore the writhing mass to the ground. Still, like its pack-mate before it, the creature continued to struggle. As the firecat hung on desperately, she saw that the other snake demon was returning to the fray. Kirara tried to realign her grip in the hope of finishing off her foe more quickly. Shippo, she knew, was going to need help.
The fox child, meanwhile, had been trying to get the humans to run for cover in the nearby woodland, but the man could not go many steps without stumbling. The kitsune began to panic – even if he shape-shifted into an oversized hawk or gull, he knew he would never get the running start he needed to take to the air, not with the weight of two people on his back. And, how could he leave one behind? Shippo looked over his shoulder, and yelled aloud in fright as the serpent yokai again descended toward him.
He realised that he would have to try the fox fire again. I hope it didn't get any smarter...
Before he could cast the illusion, however, he heard a very welcome cry.
'Hiraikotsu!'
Shippo collapsed to the ground in relief as the massive, demon-bone boomerang spun through the air above him and clove the serpentin half. Then, he called out to the slim, young woman who was striding toward him. 'Am I glad to see you!'
Sango deftly caught the huge weapon as it returned to her and shot the kitsune a grim smile.
The demon-slayer had decided that Shippo had been taking far too long to find Kirara, and had decided to look for both demons herself. An able tracker, the young woman had had no trouble in following their trails. Then, the sound of the battle had hurried her pace, and had, thankfully, resulted in her timely arrival.
After Sango and Kirara made short work of the remaining lesser yokai, the demon-slayer set about reassuring two thoroughly panicked humans that they were indeed finally safe.
Sango winced when she examined the older man's arm, for the snake demon's fang had left a deep wound, and the poor fellow had evidently lost blood. Although she knew this particular type of serpent yokai was not poisonous, she had no doubt that the wound would fester if it wasn't cleaned immediately. And, she thought to herself, she doubted this man could handle a serious infection. Both he and his son were too thin for her liking. They had obviously fallen on hard times.
She looked at the man's ashen face and decided that he shouldn't be moved right away. 'Shippo,' she said, 'I want you to go with Kirara back to camp and get the others – explain what happened. I'll stay here and look after these men.'
'I'm on it,' answered Shippo, springing onto the firecat's back.
As the two flew out of sight, the demon-slayer gazed contemplatively at the three serpent demon carcases. This, she thought, with a worried frown, makes no sense at all. Sango's knowledge of demons and their habits was considerable. While she was not surprised that these particular yokai had attacked humans, she was amazed that they had done so in daylight.
'Naraku?'
As he spoke, Miroku stared at the dead snake yokai, a puzzled frown furrowing his forehead. 'What possible purpose could he have with these creatures?'
'How the hell should I know?' responded InuYasha, shrugging angrily. 'But, there's a miasma clinging to these things that reeks of him.' The half-demon scowled furiously as he adamantly stated that he would never mistake stench of his most-hated enemy.
Miroku was not surprised when his friend then declared his intent to backtrack the serpent's trail of broken brush and trees. Naraku's manipulations to possess the Shikon Jewel had had tragic consequences for the dog-eared hanyo; InuYasha would never stop searching for the evil creature – not until either he or his enemy was dead.
Then, the young monk couldn't help glancing toward the demon-slayer, who was examining the snake-demon's carcase. Her expression had become grim on hearing InuYasha's words. Sango was equally justified in her own wish to see an end to Naraku, for his desire for the Jewel of the Four Souls had cost the demon-slayer dearly. Her entire village had been destroyed, her father slain and her brother...
Miroku sighed inwardly – Sango rarely spoke of her little brother, but when she did, the pain in her eyes cut him to the quick.
Of course, the monk also longed for the evil half-demon's destruction. The wind tunnel contained within Miroku's right palm was a formidable weapon, but he knew that one day it would expand and he himself would drawn into its empty void, as had his father and grandfather before him. The curse had been inflicted on Miroku's grandfather almost fifty years ago, and only Naraku's death would end it.
'I agree, InuYasha,' the monk said then. 'Although, first...' Miroku looked to where the two strangers sat with Kagome and Shippo. Kagome had once again opened her first-aid kit and was doing her best to clean and bandage the older man's wound. 'First, we should see to those fellows.'
Sango finished her examination of the demon and joined them. Kirara, who was once more the size of a house-cat, was perched on her shoulder and purring contentedly as the demon-slayer stroked her head.
'The man's name is Kenji,' said the demon-slayer, as they walked toward the strangers. 'His son is Jiro. They told me they were well up in the foothills when the snake-demon attacked. I can only say they were lucky it was already crippled – otherwise, they would never have managed to outrun it.' She gestured over her shoulder to the huge carcase. 'All three demons show burns, but the damage to that one is severe.'
InuYasha grunted as he glanced at the two strangers. He, too, was glad that Kirara had been able to rescue the humans, but, having discovered that the serpents were somehow connected to Naraku, he was impatient to investigate the matter further. 'Well, they're safe enough now. They should be able to make it to the village. Kaede'll look after them.'
'It's... not quite that simple, InuYasha,' answered Sango. 'There's a reason they were on their own in the wilderness.'
Kagome knew something was wrong as soon as she saw InuYahsa's angry expression. She also knew from the glare he directed at Kenji and his son that he wasn't going to discuss whatever had put that scowl on his face in front of strangers. Seeing the two men flinch at the sight of the hanyo's dark countenance, Kagome forced a reassuring smile.
'There,' she said to the older man, as she packed away the bandages and antibiotic ointment. 'That should protect the wound for now. But, the bandage will have to be changed later.'
'Thank you, miss,' said the man called Kenji, with a brief, tired smile. 'You're very kind.'
The youth, who had hovered concernedly while Kagome had treated his father's wound, was obviously still shaky from their close call – he started as his father reached over to pat his arm. 'I'm fine, Jiro... we'll make it back. You'll see.'
'Back where?' InuYasha asked sharply, still focussed on tracing the origin of the serpents.
The man looked at the glowering dog-eared being, and swallowed with apprehension. Miroku then sat beside the nervous man and held out his flask of water. 'Here,' he murmured kindly. 'You must be thirsty after running so far.'
The flask was accepted hesitantly, as the man's glance continued to flicker toward the half-demon. Miroku sighed, then put a pleasant smile on his face. 'Don't worry about my friend here,' he then said, gesturing to InuYasha.
'Yep,' chirped Shippo. 'InuYasha's bark is worse than his bite.'
I'll show you a bite, runt, thought the hanyo, throwing the kitsune a glare fierce enough to make the fox child move quickly behind Kagome. Nevertheless, he realised the effect he was having on the strangers and lapsed into silence. Better, the half-demon decided, to let Miroku coax information from the frightened humans.
Which was exactly what the monk intended to do. 'You told Sango that you are strangers to this area, and that you're seeking help.' Again, he smiled kindly. 'Perhaps we may be of some assistance...?'
'I... I hope someone can, Master Monk,'said Kenji. To their surprise, the man's voice suddenly broke. Then, seeing his father's distress, Jiro spoke.
'Pa's worried about my mother,' the teenage boy murmured, as he sat on the ground by his father. 'We were travelling through the foothills when she hurt her leg, and couldn't go any farther. We went on ahead, to see if we could get a handcart... or bring someone back to help her. My brother and sisters are with her, but...' – a slight blush coloured his cheeks – '...she's 'expecting', you see, and... she hasn't an easy time of it.' He coughed then, and tried to clear his throat.
Kagome passed him a drink of water, which he accepted with a grateful bow of his head. They must be refugees, she thought, well aware that the wars of the Feudal Era had displaced many people. No wonder that man's so upset – he must be frantic about his wife, especially after running into those serpent demons.
'Have you been travelling long?' Miroku asked then.
'A few days.' Jiro's voice became more confident as he continued. He told them of how a crop failure had forced them to leave their village, a rather isolated, mountain community. Their progress had been slow, as they had been on foot and one child was quite young.
'Usually, the neighbouring nobles don't take much notice of us,' said Jiro. 'But, last month,' he added angrily, 'a daimyo 'commandeered' what was left of the village's stores for his army. Then, when our family's crop failed...'
'We even thought to fish the lake,' his father interjected softly. Kenji had composed himself, although his hand clenched in a fist as he spoke. He uttered a brief, bitter laugh. 'A wasted effort, that.'
'We knew it would be useless,' said Jiro, in response to the others' puzzled looks. 'No one has caught a fish in those haunted waters for generations.'
'"Haunted waters"?' asked Miroku. 'Do you mean a spirit prevents the lake from being fished?'
'Oh, you can cast a net in the Lake of Tears,' said the older man. 'But, you'll get no fish.' He sighed. 'I didn't want to leave, but... we weren't the only ones – three other families left last month. When more than half of my fields either didn't sprout... or just withered...' His face then flushed with shame. 'Our neighbours tried to help us – but, we're a poor village. No one has much to spare, even in a good year.'
'Please...' the man asked. 'Please, can you help us? I have to get back to my family. If there are more of those demons around...'
Kagome felt tears smart in her eyes. She realised that the story these travellers told was not an unusual one. Nevertheless, the teenage girl raised in modern Tokyo knew she would never get used to hearing of such hardships.
She looked at her friends. Miroku, Sango and Shippo nodded, while InuYasha's resigned sigh indicated he, too, agreed with what she was about to say.
'We'll help you.'
'Damnú air!'
Aine heard Lon's startled curse. But, before she herself could react, her friend suddenly backed out of the cave gripping a wooden staff in both hands.
The púca's reflexes had proved faster than those of his would-be attacker. He had caught the staff before its swing was completed. Now, with a quick jerk of his arms, he pulled back on it... and unceremoniously hauled its wielder out of the cave. A boy who looked no more than eleven went tumbling to the ground. Then, before he could scramble to his feet, Lon had him by the collar.
The boy yelped and struck out – to no avail. His feet and fists were meeting only empty air. The slender stranger, he realised, had a grip like iron, and was effortlessly holding him at arms length. 'Let me go!' he yelled, tears of frustration and fear brimming in his eyes.
'Whist, little mannie,' said Lon. 'I'm not harming you. Calm yourself, and I'll release you.' He then spoke quickly to Aine in their own language. 'There's three more mortals in yon cave, lass... and one looks in need of your services.'
Since Lon had not drawn his dagger, nor shape-shifted, Aine had known that they were in not danger, and she had not warded. Nevertheless, the púca sounded worried. Within moments, she discovered why.
A peasant woman appeared at the narrow entrance to the cave. She was limping, and being supported by a girl who was not much older than the still-flailing boy Lon held in check, while a small child, another girl, clung tightly to her skirt. She was also obviously pregnant.
'Please,' the woman said, 'let Ryu go. We've nothing of value...' Then, she winced, holding her belly.
'Be at peace.' The healer held up both hands, palms out, to show the woman that she held no weapon. She approached slowly, understanding how frightened these people were. 'My dear,' she said softly, 'we'll not hurt you. I may even be able to help.'
Meanwhile, Lon's 'attacker' had ceased thrashing at the sight of the woman's distress, and the púca released him – though he prudently kept hold of the staff. 'Tis no more than a rough walking stick, he realised, and was surprised the scrawny child had been able to swing it. He watched silently as the boy placed himself between the woman and themselves. Brave little lad, thought Lon, with a grudging admiration. Then, he crossed his arms and waited patiently for Aine to take the situation in hand.
The peasant woman looked up as her latest pain passed. She had never seen such people as these two. They're so... unusual,she thought with trepidation. Then, she realised that the one who had hauled Ryu out of the cave was only a youth himself, of an age with her older son, and the expression on the tall lady's face showed only concern – and, she was offering help. She desperately wanted to believe her. 'Who are you?' she asked hesitantly, as she tried to straighten.
'Only travellers – like yourselves,' answered the Dé Danann woman, smiling gently.
Aine was, in fact, quite worried by the mortal woman's appearance. She's too pale, she thought. And, too thin. 'I'm a healer by trade,' she said then, 'And, I've delivered many a little one. I'd be glad to help you.'
Hearing these words, the woman's face crumpled and, sinking to her knees, she began to weep. Her daughter spoke then, looking frantically from Aine to Lon as she and her brother continued to support their mother. 'It's too soon,' the girl said. 'It's much too soon, and... and Papa's gone. He and my brother went to get help because Mama fell and hurt her leg. The pains started after they left.'
Aine knelt in front of them and reached out to gently take the woman's face between her hands. Warm green eyes looked into frightened brown ones. 'Well then, a stór...' said the healer, in a kind but firm manner, 'let's see if we can't be convincing that baby to stay put.'
Farther into the mountains, within one of the burrows leading back to the serpent demons' nest, a slim shadow separated from the surrounding darkness and moved toward the tunnel's exit. Stepping into the dappled shade beneath the large trees surrounding the opening, Kakusamaru viewed the outside world for the first time.
A soft, warm breeze wafted about him. It carried with it the green scents of summer as it rippled the long sleeves of the ornate, black kimono which now garbed his lean form. However, Kakusamaru was unmoved by the beauty of the sunlit afternoon. Instead, his thoughts were focussed on the task set before him by his creator and master.
Thus far, his first day of life had led him to draw two conclusions: he did not trust Naraku and... he had no choice but to obey him.
Kakusamaru looked down at his hand, noticing how, even to his own eyes, it looked almost translucent where the shadows touched it. Crossing his arms, he turned to the pale slip of a girl who stood beside him. He saw that she still held her mirror, though she had ceased to look into it.
'Tell me... why do you carry that thing around if it now only shows you darkness?' he asked. His tone was sarcastic. However, the knowledge that the mirror had diminished in strength as a result of his 'birth' had left him with a feeling of disquiet. Naraku, he was sure, would not lightly give up such a powerful tool. As he again regarded the smaller mirror embedded in his palm, Kakusamaru wondered... once his purpose was complete, would Naraku want that strength returned to Kanna's mirror And, if so, what would then happen to his latest incarnation?
He was not surprised when Kanna did not answer him.
At that moment, a Saimyosho swooped out of the tunnel. The wasp-like yokai hovered near Kanna, then disappeared back into the darkness. Kanna turned to Kakusamaru. 'You must be at the Lake of Tears before sunset,' she said, in her soft, impassive voice.
Kakusamaru sincerely doubted that reminding him of such a mundane point had been the only purpose of Naraku's messenger. No, he realised, it is a reminder that he is watching. He felt a surge of resentment at this thought.
'But, of course,' murmured the blue-skinned demon. 'What better time for a shadow to meet a shade.' He then frowned down at the silent Kanna 'I do not forget so easily, my little 'mother' – you have explained my task well.'
Saying this, Kakusamaru leapt into the branches of the nearest tree. Springing lightly from tree to tree, he sped silently away, leaving Kanna to stand alone by the tunnel entrance.
A thrill of anticipation went through him as he darted through the mountain forest. Oh yes... he would collect what was needed. The first target awaited. The rest would follow... until the final goal was achieved.
He would prove his value to Naraku.
A/N: Next... Old friends meet.
