Alright- first off I do NOT own Inuyasha or Fairy Tail, I only own my OCs and plot twists.
But first, thank you my readers for continuing to read this story: I haven't given up on it, but I have other stories to update as well. So there will be lag between the chapters (hopefully less than four months next time T.T). Ugh, unlucky chapter thirteen.
Now, a couple things to establish: there will be gore/swearing/fighting. Next, expect divergence from the main plot! I know it's scary, but my logic is if there is someone from Fairy Tail around, then why would ANYTHING go to plan? Now, on with the show!
Country: Japan, World: Earth
"No luck, huh?" Sango sighs.
Miroku shakes his head, his expression grave.
"No one has seen a tall black-haired woman with tattoos in the area."
Inuyasha growls in annoyance, crossing his arms.
"Where the hell did that witch go?! It's not like she'd fall to Naraku or something!"
The group collectively stares at Inuyasha in mute surprise. He notices everyone's stares and his ears flatten defensively.
"What?!"
Shippo grins wickedly, seizing his opportunity to tease the hanyo.
"Wow that was like you professing undying admiration and friendship for Jade! Looks like you can look pass your own swollen ego!" He taunts before scampering on top of Soren, out of reach.
Inuyasha huffs in vexation and endeavors to ignore him.
Stupid Shippo!
The others exchange knowing glances; Inuyasha, at some point, had accepted Jade as a friend. Mavis smiles at Shippo's antics but grows distant as her thoughts stray to the wayward Dragon Slayer.
I need to learn more of this world's magics: how they operate, what can counter them, ANYTHING. Then perhaps I can revisit that battlefield and reverse summon Jade from where-ever this Naraku character sent her.
Nodding to herself, Mavis focuses on the road ahead of them, musing over the recent events. The entire mess with the Ogre Bats had given her cause to be wary of Inuyasha. He was ready to kill a young hanyo girl in exchange to slice through magic shields! But despite his originally dubious intentions, Inuyasha had spared Shiori after all.
Mavis swings her feet, smiling nostalgically.
He saw a different way, one not paved with innocent blood- a mark of growth for him. But I am happy that Shiori allowed us to take the Blood Coral with us… perhaps studying the remnant yoki will be fruitful!
The group trudges onwards, seeking traces of Naraku and Jade. Meanwhile, with a certain daiyoukai's party…
"Mister Jaken! Rin can eat these melons?!" She exclaims happily, staring wide-eyed at the watermelons.
Jaken huffs but nods grumpily.
"Yes, you silly girl! Now hurry up!" He snaps.
"Okay, Mister Jaken!" Rin chirps.
Jaken sighs as his mortal charge hums, collecting the inferior human food needed for her survival. His yellow eyes flicker over her arm where faint scars are still visible. He winces at the memory of that wizard woman, Jade.
What a brute! Not the least bit respectful! He grouses mentally.
The breeze picks up, ruffling his clothes and the leaves of the surrounding trees. Jaken blinks and scans the field warily; a prickle on his internal radar makes him scramble for Rin.
"Rin!" He yells, waving his staff frantically for her attention.
Rin looks up and starts to speak when Kagura drops from the sky. She smirks at Jaken, sweeps up Rin and jumps aboard her feather before Jaken can roast her.
"Mister Jaken!" Rin cries, struggling in Kagura's hold.
"Rin!" Jaken cries in despair, slumping on the ground.
He mourns the anticipated end of his life, furious that Rin had been kidnapped on his watch. The imp eventually masters himself and retreats to his lord's side to relay the news. As the sun begins to set, something stirs beneath the ground, curious of the tangle of scents it found. Eyes narrow as she processes the smells; all of them are familiar even if she doesn't remember the details.
One is like water, fresh and clean with a hint of demon. For some reason that one annoys her. The next is of a girl-child, young and smelling of blossoming flowers but the scent is marred by fear. Her blood boils at the sickening scent- how dare a hatchling be put into danger! But it is the last one stokes her rage to fever heights; the one whom smells of demon, corpses and fresh air.
The one that stole from her and took the hatchling too.
Hissing, the dragoness frees herself from her comfortable home in the earth, casting her head back and forth to track her enemy's scent. Lips curl away from savage fangs in a grin of pleasure.
Her prey is near.
She starts to pursue her enemy but a whiff of the hatchling's scent makes her pause. The fear niggles at her, pulling at her instincts to protect the helpless hatchling. With a low snarl she leaps into the air, soaring into the heavens. She hesitates again, longing to tear apart the thief's delicate flesh- but the hatchling's distress is the trail she ultimately follows.
Meanwhile…
Sesshomaru conceals a frown as Naraku falls to pieces once again before his Tokijin. Their battle- not that Sesshomaru would deign to call it that, quickly whittles away at his patience. Kagura watches from a safe distance as Naraku starts to attach more of himself onto the daiyoukai.
This is tiresome. Sesshomaru thinks, unleashing his yoki to blast off the fragments of Naraku. He swings Tokijin again, raking the earth with lightning and tearing Naraku's tendrils apart. Naraku chuckles as he reassembles himself, pleased by his progress.
I will have you, Lord Sesshomaru- as a part of me!
Sesshomaru stays calm as Naraku latches onto him in a sick parody of a devoted lover, his tendrils slowly constricting around him.
"Foolishness." Sesshomaru says flatly.
Naraku frowns as yoki begins to build once more and mercilessly rips apart his body. Sesshomaru deliberately steps forward and crushes a piece of Naraku's flesh beneath his boot. Kagura feels a flicker of hope and admiration for the daiyoukai grow.
Sesshomaru is the only one that can kill Naraku. She thinks, staying back as the conflicting yoki clashes again.
In another location…
Rin huddles in an old hut with the boy, Kohaku, wondering when Lord Sesshomaru would come for her. To pass the time she pulls out one of her treasures- a small crystal from the cave Jade-onee-chan had hidden Jaken and herself. She holds it up to the light, playing with the reflections it creates on the hut walls. Kohaku doesn't notice at first then watches Rin play out of the corner of his eye.
It was only the color difference and the shape of the crystal that convinced him it was not a jewel shard. An odd transparent grey, it reminds Kohaku of smoke and idly he wonders if it is crystalized smoke. Since it keeps Rin occupied, Kohaku has no issues with her playing with it. The hisses of the demon hoard guarding them outside grows louder and more frenzied.
Kohaku frowns and slides the door partly open, wondering what has them stirred up. He sees them all staring in one direction, tense and wary. Suddenly something swipes at the demons, cutting them apart. The remainder howl and charge, only to bounce off of green scales with shrieks of surprise. Scales move and Kohaku can clearly see a massive clawed foot crushing the final demons.
A low menacing rumble builds in the air and the creature stalks forward- Kohaku freezes, his mind trying to understand what he is seeing. About the size of a medium castle, the dragoness wraps her tail around the hut, heedlessly pushing over trees to make room. Her green-gold eyes narrow when they land on him- she pulls her lips back into a fearsome snarl, revealing vicious fangs. Kohaku staggers back into the relative safety of the hut, his instincts demanding he hide. But despite his fear, Kohaku cannot help but sneak another glance at the dragon.
Fur follows the ridge of her spine, a silvery green color, forming a fluffy mane behind her horns and a long tuft on the tip of her tail. Her emerald scales shift from nearly black on her spine to lighter greens on her belly and throat, a deadly camouflage in the woods. Wings are tightly furled and tucked away, unneeded on the ground. A set of heavy horns crown her brow, twisting back along her skull for greater protection while a tiny pair spurs off of them and angles forwards.
Rin watches Kohaku curiously then decides to peek herself- she gasps in amazement, fully pulling aside the curtain to better look at the dragon. Their spying does not go unnoticed. The dragoness shoves her head against the side of the hut, staring at them. Kohaku trembles as he readies his chain scythe- but Rin doesn't share his misgivings. She stands up and bows politely, the way Jaken had shown her.
"Hello!" She chirps, beaming.
The dragoness blinks then forces her muzzle into the hut, sniffing Rin. Her eyes brighten with recognition and she unleashes a rumbling purr, bumping Rin's torso gently. Rin laughs and shyly touches her scales- the dragoness' eyes slit lazily. Kohaku gapes in surprise then tries to regain control of the situation.
"Rin-chan, that's not safe!" He whispers harshly.
Rin and her new (well, not new but they don't know that) friend simultaneously glare at Kohaku. Rin puffs up her cheeks and crosses her arms.
"Miss Dragon is being very nice!" She argues back.
Kohaku gapes at her.
"Rin-chan, that's a dragon! They eat people!"
The dragoness takes offense and hisses- the hut creaks ominously as she tightens her tail subconsciously. Rin, being Rin, doesn't notice the potential danger and continues to argue for her new friend.
"She hasn't done anything bad!" Rin declares.
Kohaku doesn't know what to do; he had been ordered to protect Rin until- no, don't remember that, don't think about that! His eyes blank and a partially forgotten order comes to the fore.
Do not let the girl escape or be rescued.
His hands lift and the chain sickle snaps out, aiming for Rin's throat. It never connects. The dragoness forces her head between Kohaku and Rin, the weapon bouncing harmlessly off her armored body. With an ear-shattering roar, Kohaku is torn out of the hut and crushed beneath a clawed foot before he has time to react. Rin gasps in horror as the dragoness starts to apply pressure, Kohaku gasping faintly for air as he tries to fend her off.
"Stop! Miss Dragon, please stop!" Rin begs.
Golden-green eyes flicker towards her and narrow in confusion.
"… enemy…" She rebukes, flexing her claws.
Kohaku lets out a strangled scream as one punctures his leg, but the dragoness keeps her eyes on Rin. Rin shakes her head, eyes wide.
"No, Miss Dragon! He did protect me! So please let him go!" She begs, staring up at draconic beast.
The dragoness considers her request, eyeing Kohaku then Rin. Then she lifts her foot clear of Kohaku, who coughs at the sudden abundance of air. He rolls onto his side, unable to do more than try to get his breathe back, much less attack. Hissing in annoyance, the dragoness carefully grabs Rin with her front paws and rears, opening her wings. Kohaku has to shield his eyes as the pair leave the ground and soar into the skies, well out of his reach. Around him the Saimyosho buzz before retreating to tell Naraku of this unexpected development.
Meanwhile, nearby…
"What the hell is that?!" Inuyasha gapes as they all hear an earth-splitting roar in the distance.
Mavis' eyes widen in disbelief.
"No… that's not possible!" She gasps, standing on Soren's back.
Kagome twists to look at her.
"Mavis-san? What is it?"
Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and Shippo pause at Kagome's question- they all know about Mavis but it's still concerning to watch Kagome talk to thin air.
"Kagome, what's the matter with Mavis?" Sango inquires, shifting her boomerang bone uneasily.
Kagome glance at Sango worriedly.
"I don't know, but she said 'no, that's not possible'."
Miroku frowns.
"What is she speaking of?"
Mavis refocuses at the question and Kagome blanches at the fear on Mavis' face.
"A dragon."
Kagome relays Mavis' words and Inuyasha scoffs.
"What's there to be scared of? We've fought dragons before and won!"
Mavis shakes her head, looking directing into Kagome's eyes.
"Not one like this- I have heard a similar roar before, but I heard it in my home world. The dragons that exist there could only be slain by another dragon or a Dragon Slayer- they are simply that powerful!" She answers, trying to make them understand the dangers.
Inwardly, Mavis feels despair settle into her heart- because if her memory is correct then they may be already too late for Jade. Inuyasha scowls, annoyed by the implication he is not strong enough.
"We'll see about that!" He snaps, stalking onwards.
Mavis worries at her lip, scanning the skies for the haunting silhouette of a dragon in full-flight. A shout from Inuyasha catches the rests' attention as he dashes forward, smelling Naraku at last! Soren clip-clops after them, watchful and restless.
Back with Rin…
Rin watches, awed, as the earth blurs beneath them in a muted array of greens, browns and greys. The claws that hold her are warm, despite the scales and cold upper air. Above her, Miss Dragon sniffs the wind and banks, correcting her heading. Rin glances up at her new friend, still amazed by how majestic Miss Dragon is.
I wonder where we're going- we're very far away now!
As if sensing her thoughts, they suddenly dive. Rin yelps in shock as the ground, so indistinct before, becomes very vivid with details and ohnoarewegoingtostopintime?! She screws her eyes tightly shut and braces for impact.
It never comes.
Rin hears a rustling sound and peeks from between her fingers. Miss Dragon had landed softly, folded her wings and staring down at her quizzically. Rin blushes and staggers when Miss Dragon releases her back onto the ground. She hastily stand up straight and bows to her.
"Thank you, Miss Dragon- but Rin thinks Rin is very far away from Lord Sesshomaru and Mister Jaken." She explains.
Miss Dragon huffs and turns away towards a cliff-face. She grasps a large boulder and drags it to the side, revealing a hidden crevice. Rin covers her mouth with her hands in shock, because she knows that crevice. Miss Dragon pauses, cocking her head at Rin's peculiar behavior.
"… safe…" Her voice rumbles, vibrating deeply inside Rin's chest.
Rin meets her strange two-tone eyes and an idea begins to take root inside her mind.
"Miss Dragon… have you meet Rin before?"
The dragoness stills then lowers her head to Rin's level, examining her closely. She inhales, tasting Rin's scent and frowns.
"… Don't… know… but… must protect… hatchling." The dragoness says with a slight slur, as if not completely sure of how to vocalize the sounds.
She nudges Rin towards the cave entrance. Rin takes a few steps and stops.
"Miss Dragon, how will you fit inside?" She asks.
The dragoness' eyes crinkle in amusement: then she starts to sink into the ground! Rin's jaw drops in shock.
"AHHH! Miss Dragon is sinking!" She screams, racing forward and tugging frantically at the dragoness' leg.
She merely huffs, picks up Rin by the back of her kimono and sets her aside next to the crevice.
"In!" Miss Dragon orders before vanishing altogether.
Rin bites her lip, worried beyond belief- but the part of her that always listens to Lord Sesshomaru prompts her to enter the cave. She drags her feet, her stomach churning, as she enters the main cavern with all its dazzling crystals. Her eyes scan the room frantically for a sign of her friend and nearly despairs when she couldn't spot her. Then Rin notices the ground shaking slightly and Miss Dragon appears!
The dragoness tosses her head and pulls herself completely free of the soil before looking at Rin. Her eyes crinkle and she purrs, curling herself around the tiny girl.
"Safe. Hatchling safe."
Rin frowns in confusion then yawns, the events of the day catching up to her. Miss Dragon nudges her against her warm scales and Rin gratefully cuddles close, already half-asleep. When Rin's breathing evens out, the dragoness unfurls one wing to cover the hatchling from prying eyes.
Meanwhile, with Sir Fluffy…
Sesshomaru inwardly frowns as he studies the clearing where Rin's scent had lead him. Beside him, Jaken gawks at the bloody massacre and crushed hut.
"What in the seven hells did this?!" Jaken yelps, clutching his staff tightly.
Sesshomaru doesn't answer, striding forward to examine an impression in the hard ground. Many demons are crushed, not slashed or pierced, within the impression. The shape of it tugs at his memory as he estimates the size of the being that created it.
It would have to be near this Sesshomaru's size in true form… He realizes, concealing his concern.
Jaken putters around the scene, poking at the dead and making gruesome faces at them.
"Heh! Serves them right! The fools!" Jaken sneers, kicking one demon's head aside.
Sesshomaru ignores him, closing his eyes and inhaling to see what the scents of this place can tell him- not that he had outstanding hopes, considering the spilled blood.
Demons, Rin, blood, old wood, leaves, earth, human, dragon- His body tenses.
"…" He scans the clearing and spots places where trees were crushed out of the way, gouges from massive claws and then he spots it. A tuff of silvery-green fur, caught on a branch near the hut. Sesshomaru carefully pulls it free and sniffs it. A powerful combination of dragon, demon and Rin tickles his nose, but he frowns.
The scent is… muddled is the best word for it. There is something else under the dragon and demon overtones but it's so faint he cannot make it out. Suppressing a sigh, Sesshomaru lifts his face to the sky and takes off, following the dragon's- and Rin's combined scent trail. Jaken wails as he frantically readies A-Un to follow him. Sesshomaru ignores him and focuses on his hunt.
Naraku's castle…
"A dragon?" Naraku says incredulously.
Kohaku nods from the futon he is laying on- the wound in his leg was dangerous enough that Naraku knew the human could die. Kagura leans against the doorjamb, intrigued by the conversation.
"Describe it- what it looks like, how it acted, where it went. Everything." Naraku orders.
Kohaku nods.
"Yes, my lord. It was the size of a medium castle with four legs, wings and a set of fearsome horns. There was fur running down its' spine from head to tail. Its' scales were dark green to a lighter green-"
Naraku waves away his description, narrowing his red eyes.
"What did it do?"
Kohaku doesn't blink at the interruption.
"It killed all the demons surrounding the hut- they had no effect on it when they attacked. Then it heard us and came closer, inspecting us through the doorway. Rin had no fear of it and the dragon seemed- pleased? Yes, it was pleased to see her. It disliked me, especially when I tried to prevent Rin's escape. The dragon removed me from the hut and pinned me down, stabbing my leg. I believe it would have killed me if Rin hadn't pleaded mercy."
Naraku listens intently, scowling.
"It listened to a mere human child?"
Kohaku nods.
"Very well- what did it do after Rin succeeded pleading mercy?" Naraku demands.
"It grabbed her and flew away, roaring."
"…"
Naraku's scowl deepens as he considers this new outlier. Kagura slips away, wondering how she can use this new information. As she travels through the castle hallways, Kagura notices Kanna sitting in a corner, focused on her mirror.
"Kanna? What are you doing?" Kagura inquires cautiously.
Kanna meets the Wind Sorceress's searching gaze with her emotionless one.
"… She is still fighting."
Kagura blinks and tilts her head.
"Who is?"
"Jade."
Kagura's face pales as all the blood drains from it.
"You mean- that woman's soul is-!"
"Resisting." Kanna confirms, staring down at the gleaming mirror's surface.
Kagura glances both directions before leaning down.
"Can you control her?" She hisses urgently.
Kanna glances at her then back at the mirror.
"… unclear. She knows what happened to her and she is furious."
Kagura bites her lip then tentatively voices one of her fears.
"Kanna… if you can't control her- won't she kill all of us for what we did?"
Kanna considers the question before answering.
"Most likely."
Kagura shivers and quickly walks away from her older sister, failing to hide her terror.
Okay, that's a wrap. Yes, this is a shorter chapter, but it has a decent stopping point. Quick thing- Jade's transformation is not going to be an easy fix~ ;P Many shenanigans will ensue! Please review and tell me what you think!