DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: This author has no financial or non-financial relation nor do they possess any right to "Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale" franchise. Full ownership of all characters is the sole intellectual property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 2
Foreshadowing
Groaning softly, Inuyasha closed his eyes and tried to slow the ground spinning out from under him. As it turned out, training to fight in a controlled setting was absolutely different in a real life battle scenario. Sure, at the end of the day, he'd "won" but at what cost? Bruised, battered and bloody it was all he could do to get to what seemed like a safe place to pass out.
But he couldn't even do that much. That bastard had brothers who were now stalking him like the prey he clearly was and it would honestly be a miracle if he lived through the night. Couldn't run. Couldn't hide the scent of his blood. This stupid cave he'd cornered himself in was quite possibly the dumbest place to hide and yet he didn't have the strength to move...
Maybe this whole pseudo-banishment was really just his father's way to get rid of him. After mother died, there'd been a few decades where the Great Dog Demon couldn't even stand to be in the same room as the son who shared her face. Always gone on some epic battle to save the world or some bullshit. Would've been nice to not have to grieve alone surrounded by a bunch of assholes who were glad the human was gone. Free to speak their minds without worrying that their lord and savior might hear. Knowing that the "brat" could do nothing about it because his father never even talked with him anymore.
Hissing, Inuyasha tried to adjust himself into a more comfortable position and pressed his hand more firmly against his stomach in an attempt to quell the bleeding. First aid seemed like something his handlers should've trained him on and the fact that they didn't only furthered Inuyasha's belief that his father knowingly sent him out in the world to die. After all, why would The Great Dog Demon care about the spare? He had his heir. The mighty lord Sesshomaru who had a rod shoved so far up his own ass that he couldn't turn his head and a superiority complex that was only ever encouraged. God the number of times he'd mouthed off to the wannabe daiyoukai and got punished for it….
And now he was gunna die because they were right. They were all right. He was weak. Useless. Served no purpose.
All he'd ever wanted was to be treated as an equal and all it took was one battle with a stupid ogre to prove how far beneath everyone else's feet he truly was.
There had to be a quick easy way to catch up. A potion. A witch. Magical mushroom…
Something.
"Ah fuck," Inuyasha breathed as his consciousness began to ebb. This stupid flesh wound wasn't even that bad, right? Not that he'd looked closely at it but that bastard had only gotten one or two swipes of his sickle in before…
"Is this what has become of the son of InuNoTaisho?" a chilly male voice crooned from the darkness and Inuyasha let out a long defeated sigh.
"If you're here to kill me, get on with it," Inuyasha scoffed miserably, "Couldn't stop you even if I tried."
"I want nothing of the sort," the voice continued and inhaling deeply, Inuyasha groaned as he placed a name to the scent.
"Did my father send you then?" Inuyasha asked miserably, "Or…"
"Quite the contrary. The Lord had instructed all his vassals and servants to never mention your existence within the palace walls. Word is he has disowned you," the voice continued and Inuyasha's heart sank to the bottom of his stomach.
"So you're simply the messenger…"
"No. Simply a concerned citizen who found the punishment…excessive," the demon continued, "Especially considering the lord for the Eastern lands simply laughed when the situation was explained to him. I delivered the formal apology himself," the demon explained as he finally stepped into view - his pristine baboon pelt glowing unnaturally in the moonlight, "Apparently he has a foolhardy son as well who has done the same on many occasions. Then again, his son isn't a half-breed…"
"So they sent a half-breed to apologize for one," Inuyasha whispered hoarsely and the messenger hummed.
"We are both expendable it would seem," the man chuckled in such a way that a chill rushed over Inuyasha's abused skin, "To those in power in any case."
Setting his jaw, Inuyasha tried to clear the black from his mind as his wounds throbbed painfully.
"Your father, our Lord, mentioned in passing to one of his immediate council members that he could smell your blood. I overheard and decided to investigate myself seeing as how no one else was willing to render aid…."
"Just shut up Naraku. Why are you really here?" Inuyasha clipped in between short panting breaths, "There's no way he already knew. You had to have been following…oh fuck…"
Eyelids fluttering, Inuyasha vaguely registered something wet and coarse against his cheek before the world went black.
One day on his own and he had to go and die….
Such…
Bullshit…
As it turned out, however, he didn't die. And given that his wounds were magically bound and a cold cloth was on his head, that slimy bastard had tried to care for him. Why Inuyasha could hardly imagine. If there was ever a traitor in the court, it would've been this asshole. Ever since he showed up fifty years ago, Naraku had been trying to muscle his way into influence and power. Eavesdropping and showing up to council meetings uninvited. Trying to make friends and influence people. Spreading rumors. Disappearing for days on end only to show back up reeking of blood. There was always some valiant excuse. Protecting the land. Saving someone. No one ever questioned it…
"Are you feeling any better?" the slimy bottom feeder asked and amber eyes slowly blinked open.
"What do you want from me?" Inuyasha managed - his voice strangely gravely like he hadn't used those muscles in a while. How long had he been out?
"Nothing of consequence," the demon chuckled and Inuyasha shivered at the tone, "But I have something to request. When you do return to take your rightful place, I ask to be spared in the inevitable slaughter."
"Well prepare to be disappointed. I couldn't even take down an…"
"There are ways to gain the power necessary to challenge the daiyoukai," Naraku interrupted quietly, "But the most reliable path to power has been missing for fifty years or so."
Inuyasha turned his head to look at the man who could not be trusted and furrowed his brow.
"Come again?"
"For many years I chased after a legend. Five hundred years or so ago, a priestess created a jewel. Supposedly it infuses the holder with near limitless power," Naraku offered, "I thought it would win me favor in the court."
Inuyasha snorted and shook his head.
"What type of idiot do you take me for? You didn't chase it hoping to give the damn thing away for a hope and a prayer…"
Naraku chuckled again and the thought briefly crossed Inuyasha's mind that anyone who laughed this much or like that couldn't be trusted.
"When I beat my old man, I wanna do it on my own power," Inuyasha mumbled tiredly, "Anything worth doing takes time."
"You want wait hundreds of years to exact your revenge?" Naraku asked in a weirdly cruel croon, "Your father's power simply grows. You will never match him on your own."
Cracking one eye open, Inuyasha scowled before deciding arguing wouldn't get him anywhere with this bastard. Especially since the bastard was right. Defeating his father was a pipe dream and given everything that happened, the Great Dog Demon probably knew everything that happened quite literally ever. How else did that…that asshole know he accidentally crossed the barrier? Inuyasha sure as hell didn't tell anyone but the second he'd gotten back home he'd been summoned and next thing he knew he was kicked out of the only home he'd ever known. And if what Naraku said was true - and that was a big if - the Eastern lord didn't even care.
The bitch of it all was that, even with this first blunder that nearly killed him dead, Inuyasha didn't want to go back to his prison. Maybe he could find a place out here. Yeah, it might be lonely and not…not what he thought the future held but it could be okay.
Like his mother had always said when he felt like an outcast in his childhood, there would always be a special place for him in the world. Even if he was the only one in it. He would just need to forge it for himself. At the time, that statement had been dismissed and led to a lot of angst down the road but maybe she knew that one day he'd be in this situation.
Maybe she knew something else as well. Something that seemed obvious in hindsight. His father did have a habit of abandoning or cutting off loved ones on a whim. His first wife being the most notable offense. After he left that first wife, Sesshomaru got ghosted more often than not and as a result, spent more of his time plotting against his father from the shadows. For the leader of an entire realm, the InuNoTaisho did have a tendency to piss people off.
Probably genetic seeing as how both of his sons had that tendency too.
While defeating his father was probably out of the question, a little power boost to help carve out his own place in the world wouldn't hurt. And who knew? Maybe one day he'd somehow get powerful enough to exact his revenge.
"Fine. Where is this stupid rock?" Inuyasha sighed heavily as he pushed himself up into a sitting position with a wince, "You wouldn't be mentioning it without knowing where it is."
"It was last in the possession fo a priestess who met an…unfortunate end," Naraku hummed sadly and Inuyasha subtly rolled his eyes. He could read between the lines there. Bastard probably killed her.
"The jewel vanished shortly after her demise," Naraku continued - an undeniably bite under his tone, "A pointless demise at that. Quite avoidable."
Giving the untrustworthy man a withering side-eyes glare, Inuyasha let out a long sigh and gestured for the sketchy demon to continue.
"Yes, of course," Naraku chuckled again and Inuyasha barely checked his cringe, "There is a village in the Kanto region where the priestess Kikyo once resided. Identifiable by a bone-eaters well and a shrine. Perhaps you can start there and see what you can learn. My understanding is that the current priestess has some respect for your father's position in this world."
Inuyasha seriously doubted a priestess would listen to anything he had to say but took note of it nonetheless.
"The demon slayers village may also be of interest to you in learning the origins of the jewel itself," Naraku suggested a little too thoughtfully, "It's possible the jewel is being held there but it's formidable and under your father's protection. Myoga frequents the headman."
Inuyasha nodded and sighed at this less dangerous alternative. He'd seen the headman and his children a few times in recent years over strange attacks in the region. Seen but never met because his father never let him meet anyone. Had to keep the half-demon under wraps. But the demon slayers might be friendly at least. Unlike the unknown priestess who probably associated demons with whatever undoubtedly heinous thing Naraku had done all those years ago.
"Well thanks for the information I guess," Inuyasha sighed heavily as he got to his feet and tried to stretch the lingering soreness out of his body, "And for tending to my wounds. Appreciate it."
"Not at all. It was my pleasure," Naraku hummed as he too got to his feet, "I wish you only the best of luck My Lord."
"Whatever," Inuyasha huffed as he crouched - ready to take off, "I'll be seeing you I imagine?"
The spider half-demon nodded once with a cruel smile that made Inuyasha endlessly uneasy. Just before he took off, the snake in the grass made a strange sound before kneeling down himself.
"You're forgetting your weapon sir," Naraku offered as he produced the sword and Inuyasha let out a low groan.
"Right. Thanks," he grumbled as he straightened up and accepted the useless piece of shit that refused to transform when he'd needed it earlier, "Can't lose that."
Naraku bowed as Inuyasha took it off his hands and tied the hilt to his waist.
"Best of luck my lord," Naraku crooned respectfully before smirking to himself when the miserable little child launched into the trees without another word. Decades of trying to convince the council of looking into the Sacred Jewel, of trying to lay seeds of fear into the demon slayers concerning their precious item…
All it took a few minutes and now someone had finally taken the bait.
The perfect candidate in fact. Weak. Foolhardy. Sheltered.
In many ways, Naraku felt fortunate to have witnessed the little prince's mistake. A mistake that, naturally, had to be reported to the highest authority in the land.
Quite fortunate indeed.
Toga sighed heavily as he continued pacing about his private quarters while his three closest vassals watched on wearily.
"Izayoi would disapprove I know," the daiyoukai sighed exasperatedly, "Would say I was overreacting but Inuyasha crossed the line. Quite literally. He should've known better."
"Your late wife would've had your balls over this. That's for certain," Totosai opined as he dug one finger in his ear and pulled out some earwax to inspect, "Inuyasha is also stupid enough to seek revenge for this so you made another enemy today. Congratulations."
"Inuyasha will understand in time," Toga countered irritably, "He wanted to be out in the world and now he is. When he comes back, he'll appreciate what I've done for him."
"If that impulsive moron makes it back in the first place," Totosai scoffed, "Every sword I made him was wasted. Never had the patience or the right mental attitude. Too selfish to see past himself."
"Inuyasha..."
"This is what comes from poor parenting," Totosai chided knowingly and for a brief moment, Toga's eyes flashed red.
"I beg your pardon? You want to rephrase that?"
"Sesshomaru is out for your head. Now Inuyasha too if he survives," Totosai pointed out while the small flea and ghostly phantom not-so-subtly moved to create some distance, "You chose to run a realm and ignore your own children..."
Hand twitched up towards one of his swords, Toga's nostrils flared and his body shook with rage, "You're out of line old man."
The old man looked completely non-plussed by the obvious threat.
"Your father and your father's father told me the same many a time. By all means, attack me and you'll see why I'm still around," Totosai challenged as he once again dug a finger in his ear and tried to get the ever elusive earwax, "I'm not just a blacksmith you know."
"Of course Not. You're senile too. How could I forget," Toga clipped before running his hand over his face, "If you're so wise, what should I have done?"
"Given the boy a place at the table long ago. When Sesshomaru one day attacks, you would've had a trusty ally," Totosai sighed thoughtfully, "And at least trained him with the Tessaiga. You know he'll need it eventually and yet you just threw him to the wolves without explaining anything. I doubt it'll even transform."
Lowering his hand, the Great Dog Demon had enough grace to look slightly ashamed and guilty, "It will. He has a good heart."
"Good. Not good. You know what his heart might be doesn't matter. He'll need something to protect. He has nothing now," Totosai sighed, "What a mess you've made."
Toga set his jaw before deciding that since he did ask for an honest opinion, he needed to just swallow this opinion.
"Myoga what are your thoughts," the daiyoukai sighed and the flea squeaked at having been singled out.
"I d-defer to your wisdom, of course," Myoga stuttered earning an eye roll from Totosai and a long sigh from the ghostly apparition.
"Well. That was useless," Toga grunted before turning to the final member of his strange little friend group, "And you Saya? Anything to add?"
"I would suggest that one of us explain the nature of Tessaiga to the young lord," Saya offered as he stroked his translucent chin, "And why he needs it. Inuyasha is impulsive and might very well discard Tessaiga if he believe it's useless."
Toga nodded his begrudging agreement before turning to Myoga and raising a single brow.
"I trust this task to you Myoga," the daiyoukai ordered and Myoga instantly bowed low before hopping off to perform his task with the upmost expediency.
"Well now that the loose tongue is gone. I have another request," Toga sighed heavily - glancing at the door and inhaling deeply like he expected someone to find someone eavesdropping before continuing, "This Naraku fellow. I want you to revisit his background. I find it odd that he reported Inuyasha's transgression. I believe it means he had been watching my son too closely. See if anything has changed since he arrived in the court and report back."
"As you remember, rumor had it he killed some poor girl and came here seeking sanctuary," Totosai scoffed and Toga rolled his eyes.
"I've killed many humans in my time. That wasn't damning," Toga countered and Totosai shrugged.
"Maybe not. I'll see what I can find out," the old man sighed, "But seeing as how you want me watching the border, an investigation won't happen as quickly as you want."
"Saya has the time. Between the two of you, get it done," Toga sighed wearily before running his claws over his scalp and casting Totosai a slightly defeated look.
"You really thought I was too harsh?"
"Yup. It's a fine mess you've made. Can't see how you'll get out of it..."
The legend of the sacred well. She'd heard these stories all her life and she'd never believed a word of it.
But her little brother, Sota, always did and wouldn't go near the well house for fear that some stupid demon might pop out of it and drag him to hell. He had always been rather skittish.
"I'm leaving!" Kagome called out to her mother as she headed out to school on this the day of her 15th birthday. It might seem weird to most but birthdays had never really been that important to her and for the most part, she avoided celebrating them. Maybe because her own father had died just before 5th birthday and there was always a negative association as a result. Her friends were absolutely determined to force her to celebrate today though. Wanted to take her to…
Slowing down, Kagome noticed her little brother standing in the open well house door.
"Hey. What are you doing?"
"Nothing…" Sota mumbled guiltily and Kagome gave the little coward a condescending look.
"You're not supposed to play in there," she reminded him - which seemed stupid given that he never played in there but more and more recently the little urchin was trying to force himself to get over his own fears so…
"I'm not. It's the cat…"
Sighing heavily, Kagome knew what that meant. Sota was too afraid to go in himself to retrieve the tubby calico.
"Did he go down to the well?"
"Buuuyooo," Sota called out shakily before glancing at his sister, "I don't know where else he could be."
Kagome rolled her eyes at this excuse, "So go down."
"But why do I gotta be the one…"
'Oh you little coward ,' Kagome thought dourly even as she countered, "Because you're the one looking for him."
A sudden scratch sound echoed around the safe yet musty well house.
"AHHH! SOMETHING IS DOWN THERE!"
"Uh, yeah, the cat," Kagome clipped exasperatedly before realizing she was going to be late for school if this continued. With a soft huff, she got to her feet and began walking down the creaky stairs. The scratching sound only got more intense and for once, she understood why this stupid well house scared the daylights out of her little brother. It did have a creepiness to…
Screaming softly when something fluffy brushed up against her legs, Kagome's heart raced as she saw that it wasn't a rat or something awful but rather the dumb cat.
"YOU MAKE FUN OF ME BECAUSE I'M SCARED AND THEN YOU'RE LIKE 'AHHH!' Sota mocked hoarsely and Kagome rolled her eyes as she reached down to pick up the dumb cat.
"Ugh, look who's talking Mr. 'why do I have to go'?"
It took about thirty seconds for this mundane normal conversation between siblings to turn into a nightmare. One second Kagome was facing her brother with a cat in her arms, the next she was being dragged through the well by something with far too many arms.
