Chapter 4: Welcome to the Past!
Ash looked around as the Demon Hunters gathered around him; few could sense or smell his presence so he had to guess they were adept at what they did based on the equipment they carried. The three girls looked around as the hunters all got into positions. "You three get back!" A male with a scar across his nose said as he pulled out a kusarigama which Ash noted looked to be made of bone. "Lady Kaede please get back. That man is dangerous..." he said, stepping forward even though unlike his allies he wasn't armored.
The elderly woman with an eyepatch nodded. "No need to warn me Kohaku. I am keenly aware of what a demon feels like...that man however may be too much for you to handle, he feels close to par with Sesshōmaru." She says. Kohaku narrows his eyes and swallows some spit at this; he knew full well how powerful Sesshōmaru was and if this person was close to or on par...
"Hunters! Get ready!" He yells out. He can't risk that being so close to the village.
Ash sighs as he grabs the Yamato's handle. "Truly what a warm welcome. Great guests with this respect all the time?" He asks looking up to the man known as Kohaku.
Towa runs forward just as the Hunter Chief was about to give the order to attack. "Stop! He's with us!" She says. Setsuna walks up to Kohaku and begins to explain what happened while Moroha sits with her overly full bag. Ash was about to relax when suddenly the white haired girl hit him on the head with her broken sword's sheath. "Idiot! What were you gonna do, attack them?!" She asks as the Hunters watch the display, letting their guard down slightly to be confused. Some even laugh at the ridiculous display of a young girl hitting a Great Demon.
Ash rubbed his head. "Sorry? I was simply going to defend myself. It was their choice if they attacked or not." He says earning only a few more hits before she was stopped by the voice of Kaede.
"I recognize Setsuna and Moroha, but who are you young lady?" She asks approaching now that the situation was explained.
Towa straightened up a bit. "Nice to meet you, I'm Towa...I'm Setsuna's older sister." She says.
Kaede seems to have a moment of realization as she hears her name. "Towa...alright then. And you? What is a Great Demon like yourself doing here and with those three?" She asks.
Ash looks her over and senses some spiritual powers from her. To top that off her age gives her the experience and knowledge of a lot, in this time she must have been regarded highly. "I am Ash. Any more must be answered in private." He says bowing to her and walking toward the village. Some hunters get in his way, not having orders from their chief to stand down just yet, and point their pole weapons at him. He stops and sighs, deciding to not make this any more difficult he quickly unsheathes the Yamato, dashed forward, and resheathed it. A second later and their weapons broke. "Can you kindly point me in the direction of where I may wait to speak with you?" He asks the elderly woman agin who points to a small hit in the village. He nods and heads on his way.
A few minutes pass and eventually Kaede and Kohaku come into the hut along with two other Hunters. "While our greeting earlier was brief I hope you understand the caution Ash." Kaede says as she sits before him, a fire between them. "It ain't everyday a portal opens and spits out three young girls, two of which have been missing for a few days now, and another portal seemingly cuts open from thin air to let a Great Demon out of it." She says as she pulls out three cups and some tea, pouring it for herself, Kohaku, and her guest.
Ash accepts the cup, and nods. "I understand this very well. However I am typically not one who takes a liking to those who...threaten me." He says sipping on the tea while eyeing Kohaku. "I heard your names earlier, I assume you are a Chief of demon hunters correct?" He asks Kohaku as he leans back a bit and rests on his hand, Yamato only a fingertip in length away from him.
Kohaku nods at this. "Yes, we are the Demon Hunters. We've been active for generations." He says drinking his tea a bit. "If it's to protect this village we will do what we must."
Ash smirks and chuckles at this. "I like the determination, but there's an issue. I'm no Demon. I myself am a Devil. Something your group probably hasn't handled before. It's a whole different area of expertise." He says. "Anyhow, you wished for answers, correct Kaede? I'll give them, just ask your questions." Ash states looking at her again.
Kaede nods. "Thank you. First: why did you come with those three?" Kaede asks as she pours more tea for herself.
Ash looks up at the ceiling, noting just how low it was. He wouldn't hit his head on it and doubtless anyone would, they'd have to be way taller than the average human especially for this time. "Where to begin...I guess mainly because I made a promise to protect Towa. However that doesn't stop me from protecting all of them." He says looking back down and swiping the tea in his cup. He notices the taste of it and the little ground flakes, clever, but wouldn't work on a Devil. He looks up and locks eyes with Kaede.
"I see you noticed that." She says smirking with her one eye closed. "A herb blend that just minorly weakens a Demon but has no effect on humans; this leads into my next question: you state you are not a Demon but a Devil, and I see it did nothing to you. Even for a Great Demon it would be repulsive to drink but you casually sip at it as if it's nothing. What is a Devil?" She asks.
Ash leans forward off his hand and crosses his legs, setting the cup down. "A Devil...the best way to explain it is Devil's are typically high ranking creatures in the Underworld. The ones that pull the strings and rule, the ones who handle the politics of it all. Believe it or not there is society there; Demons however are simply evil entities that wish to cause destruction and mayhem. Aside from this: Demons are weak to spiritual arts, normal weaponry, holy elements, and blends of herbs apparently." He says raising his cup to her before downing the rest of the tea. "Devils meanwhile have no such weakness to most of these, sure you can fight us with normal weapons but depending on the person's strength they may not even cut the Devil. We are susceptible to holy elements but anything less then a pure holy element from the likes of a great shrine maiden would just burn a bit." He tells them, thinking it hilarious that one of the two who came to guard them was taking notes on this while standing behind them.
Kohaku speaks now. "You mentioned that Devils are high-ranking members of Hell; what is your rank then? And do all Devils have weapons such as yours? It alone feels like another 'Great Devil' as you call yourself." He asks.
Ash looks down at his blade of a partner, it's been with him for two lifetimes now. He pays the sheath carefully. "This is a special sword; nothing or no one else will have something that can compare, at least in this world. The Yamato is a weapon powerful enough to cut through dimensions- that's how I got here to begin with after the three girls killed the demon Root Head while I was still in the tree." He says carefully moving it closer now that he was upright. "And as for my rank...well that requires some more explaining that would be very annoying to get into with details; so I'll give a summary. In one of my missions I killed a Duke of Hell, I did not know this at the time but doing so automatically made me take his role as Duke. The 'law of the underworld' as it were."
The two Hunters in the back quirked their eyes. One raised their hand. "Excuse my intrusion, but why does it sound like you were not receptive to this role?" They asked getting their notepad back up.
Ash smirked and chuckled. "That's easy. I didn't want anything to do with that; but I had to take the role and they wouldn't take no for an answer. I could maybe beat a few, but if the Kings or Great Dukes got involved…we'll it wouldn't end well for any of us. They wouldn't let me pay Duke since it was more a formality but hey, I had my own sections of Hell and no one questioned what I did or cared since I was a low-tier Duke. So long as I didn't step on anyone's tails or toes of course." He finishes, the Hunter writing everything down. Of course, he embellished quite a bit. The fact he isn't from that timeline or this world at all in fact is being left out, and how at one point he was qualified to jump straight to King when he was 'split' in that world. An issue he no longer faces now that he is a full Devil.
Kaede thinks for a moment, before seeming to settle on her next question. "For now, my last question. You say you came on a promise to protect one of the Half Demons and it extends to Setsuna and Moroha, does this mean it will extend to the likes of those associated with them? Say, such as this village?" She asks. He smirks internally seeing what she was doing. Loopholes galore ain't it?
"If you would like additional aid from me all you have to do is ask Towa, I am to look after her after all. If she deems it necessary I will protect every last man woman and child in here. I say promise but…it's a bit more." He says raising his shirt to his chest to show a glowing ash grey magic circle, his family crest of a rose at the center. "It is a pact. One I willingly took because I trusted the man and would have done it anyway but he wanted the utmost reassurance. The person I made the deal with was her father. I cannot break this pact otherwise I will feel unimaginable pain and agony straight to my very core, my soul. Damage to the soul can rarely be undone."
Kaede's eye widened for hopefully the last time on seeing the crest. "A pact…I've heard myths of such things, I assume the rose is your family crest…you'd go so far for that one?" She asks seriously, knowing just how emotions can cause clouds of judgment for a person.
Ash nods. "I would. Her family is the closest thing I've had to my own in my time. I don't know who my parents are or were, if they're dead, and since acting as a human and integrating into their society I was helped by her family. If she says Setsuna is her sister that just is another person to look out for and keep safe." He says.
Kaede nods and sighs, decoding now what to do. "Kohaku, I believe Ash will not be an issue for us. He is allowed to freely wander the village as he pleases." She tells the man.
Kohaku however doesn't move his eyes from Ash. "I cannot accept this Lady Kaede. I apologize but he is a dangerous individual and if something were to happen…I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing this. At least let us keep watch over him."
Ash stands and stretches. "Kid, you couldn't keep me under control even if you wanted to. You think if I planned to cause any issues I'd reveal all I just did? Sit here and play house with you?" The Hunters behind their chief tensed as the two stare down each other without breaking eye contact. "But…do as you like." He says holding his arm out long with his hand open and palm down, the Yamato flying up to it with a red glow. He walked out and left the four humans to discuss whatever they chose to.
"Kohaku, you don't trust him? Or the judgment of Setsuna, one of your Hunters?" Kaede asks, glancing to him as he stands now.
"It's not that I don't trust her judgment, but he is powerful. Even if he doesn't do anything he may attract unwanted visitors to the village; I believe the best course of action should be to have him leave…but I know you won't." He says getting a nod from the elder. "I will follow your choice Lady Kaede, but please allow us to watch him. If not for keeping him in check to at least give peace of mind."
Kaede sighed and looks to her tea. "Very well. I feel I cannot stop you even if I wanted to, do as you wish." Kohaku nods and leaves the hut now, followed by the two Hunters who bow to the elder and leave. Kaede sighs and looks to the hut's ceiling. "Sister…please provide me the strength to face this power once more. The power of feelings and emotions." She says, having recognized the look on Towa's face when she slept the Devil. It looked like that of Kagome when she'd yell 'sit' to that Inuyasha.
Outside Ash had already gotten a bit away, stopping at the tree and placing a hand on it. "Kill two people…easy enough but what isn't is finding them." He says to himself as he starts to think. His thoughts are interrupted as a pat on the back brings him back to reality and he sees the white haired girl he followed here. "Oh Towa, you good? This isn't our time period so if you need something just ask." He says.
She nods. "Ok, just wanted to see what you were doing and…say sorry for earlier. I know you were only defending yourself but I still was aggressive about it." She says.
Ash chuckles and ruffles her hair looking back to the tree. "It's all fine. No harm anyway was done." He tells her, thinking on what he promised the tree and the pact with her father. 'Best to keep those under wraps…I am trying to kill her biological father after all and am directly tied to protecting her.' He thought to himself as he noticed an indent on the tree from an arrowhead. "Everything is settled now and I'm free to wonder. Although that Hunter Chief is gonna stick eyes on me." He says as she gets away from his hand on her head.
"Well where are you staying? They stick me in a hut, Setsuna stays with the Demon Hunters and Moroha is…somewhere." She asks.
Ash shrugs. "I have no place designated for me. I'll stay outside for now, keep an eye on things." He says getting a nod from her.
They stay there in a moment of silence before she speaks again. "Thanks for coming with me. I know Papa Sōta couldn't force you to come, so thanks." She says to him.
He internally chuckles at that, technically he couldn't without the pact…but that is a different story assuming Ash didn't want to help out. "Don't mention it. It's getting late, best get to bed before you don't wake up tomorrow to start looking around for the Dream Butterfly you spoke of and to get knowledge of our surroundings." He says. They part with some good night wishes and he stays staring there for another ten minutes. "I'll keep it under wraps. At least most of it, if she doesn't know about the pact then it can cause unnecessary harm." He mutters to himself walking off. He notices Kaede walking with Towa, seeming like she rather have the young woman close by to keep a lookout for her.
Ash looked around before spotting a young man in the Hunter's armor, green in color. He had a resemblance to Kohaku. "Great Demon, as per the Chief's order I'm going to keep an eye on you while you stay in this village." He says.
Ash pays him no mind as he sees a small watchtower. He climbs the ladder and settles in. "Devil. Not Demon. Do as you wish." He called down to the man. "What is your name?" He asks.
The green-armored Hunter keeps a stone face from below as he looks up to Ash. "Why does that matter to you?" He asks.
Ash chuckles and leans back looking past the tower's roof and to the clean night sky filled with stars. "It doesn't. Though I'd like to know the name of the human who thinks he can keep an eye on me. Could even offer you to come up with me instead of staying down there."
The man thinks for a second before sighing. "I am Hisui." He says.
"Well Hisui, come on up, let's talk a bit at least."
The night ended with Ash and Hisui talking, Ash's way of gathering information to help his cause in this world. The two weren't paying too much attention and eventually fell asleep talking and exchanging stories and information.
Somewhere else in the feudal age however, upon a bridge, a young man was using his power to rip out the skeleton of a human and toss it to a cart. "You'll be revived soon…father." He says as he moves on and disappears into the mist.
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Reviews:
Gry25 on August 18th- Got some time, idk just yet about her stopping him as there is a while before that.
heart on August 19th- That is the intention, the first part. Setsuna I can easily say wouldn't stand a chance. Sesshōmeru probably would, since he did the whole test of courage thing, forgot what it was called exactly. That match is still up in the air as far as I'm concerned. I feel he would be able to go against Yamato but to what extent idk exactly just yet.
Guest on August 20th- Rion is a my bad situation, SPOILERS!!! She is sealed in Mount Musubi and is a Great Demon. Kirinmaru is her pops, I just looked up a list of Great Demons and the names placed at the end of last chapter were the ones still alive in the world after the Inuyasha series. I didn't do too much research and figure even in her sealed state she'd feel something like the Yamato and a Devil stepping foot into their time.
Tenma Kirin on September 3rd- Continued.
Gry25 on October 10th- I wouldn't know. After watching an intro to an anime the first time I skip it until a new one appears, then same process watch it once and then skip till the new one. I don't normally envision my characters in the intros but if you wanna write something up and PM it to me I wouldn't mind, just has to make sense.
Thanks for leaving reviews and reading! Hope to see ya'll around more! Have a good day!
