Chapter 11: Murasaki no Raikō (紫の雷光)
In the forest he sets Avalon down in front of Lord Kagewaki. "Ah Ava, I am pleased to see you. You were not harmed by my friend here?"
Avalon shakes her head no.
"Good. This is Naraku. His is a trusted advisor and he will be accompanying us back to my castle. Do you know how to ride?" Kagewaki points to the 3 horses waiting for them.
Avalon finally finds her voice, "Hai, I do."
Kagewaki smiles at her grabbing her hand, leading her to the horse, he wraps his hands around her waist lifting her to place her on the horse. Avalon grabs the reins. Kagewaki jumps up on his horse and Naraku gets up on his.
Lord Kagewaki says, "Come on."
Avalon follows Kagewaki, while Naraku trails behind her. She thinks back to how the Lord tricked Sango. Why hadn't she realized sooner, not that it would do any good but at least she knew her instincts were right not to trust the man. Avalon remains silent, thinking, not really sure what to say or do. She just hopes Jaken can find Sesshomaru quickly and that he will decide to save her. Avalon lowers her head following. Kagewaki sees her down trodden appearance and wants to get her to open up. He has to get her trust. He slows his horse to ride beside Avalon. "Ava." Avalon looks up and to the left hearing her name. "Hai Lord Kagewaki."
"Please just call me Kagewaki."
"Very well."
"Ava what is wrong."
"I am unsure of why I am here."
"You need not worry. You will like life at the castle. You will be treated like a queen."
Avalon laughs "And why would that be?"
"Because I will have you treated that way."
"Does that mean you intent to marry me?"
Kagewaki laughs with humor. "That, I cannot say but I do want your company. You are a most interesting and beautiful woman."
Avalon shakes her head. She just needs to bide her time and not piss him off and hope Sesshomaru will come.
"Ava tell me about yourself?"
"What do you want to know, Kagewaki?"
"Where are you from?"
"Not here."
"You don't want to share?"
"Forgive me, but I don't know you very well Kagewaki so I am hesitant to share my history with you."
Kagewaki nods his head, "Wise of you. Perhaps I will tell you about myself and then you can tell me about yourself."
"Perhaps."
For the next few hours Kagewaki tells her of his childhood, his family and other interesting stories. Kagewaki eyes widen suddenly flinging his hand out to block Avalon, "Ava get back!" Naraku rushes to position himself beside Kagewaki and in front of Avalon. The ground shakes as two large ogres run out of the woods heading straight for them. Naraku pulls his sword out and Kagewaki raises his blade as well. They rush forward to meet the approaching ogres and slash them, cutting deep into their sides. The ogres scream as they clutch their sides and Naraku and Kagewaki move to behead them as they bend over, quickly dispatching them. Avalon watches them while keeping herself out of the way. Once Kagewaki and Naraku return, Kagewaki could tell something was bothering her. "Ava what is the matter?"
"I do not like being so useless. I want to be able to kill yokai."
Kagewaki hums in agreement and consideration. "I might have a solution for you."
Avalon lifts her eyebrow at him. "Oh?" 'Could I use it to escape Naraku or at least buy some time for Sesshomaru to find me?'
"There is a temple not far from here that has a sword. If you are worthy of it, the sword is very powerful. Perhaps you are the one who will wield it."
"I don't see why it would be meant for me."
"There is only one way to find out. Come, we will arrive by sunrise."
"But Kagewaki…"
"No buts Ava. You are going to try to collect the sword. It will not harm you to try."
Avalon presses her lips together, 'but what will it cost for me to wield it? And why do you want me to have it Naraku?'
Kagewaki thinks to himself, 'If she can obtain the sword I will make her fall for me and do my bidding.' An evil smirk crosses Kagewaki's face but Avalon cannot see it as he leads her along trying to make small talk but she isn't saying anything worth knowing.
It frustrates Naraku that she keeps her secrets and would not open up but he figures in time he will gain her trust as Kagewaki is the perfect vessel. 'He's handsome and a Lord, what onna wouldn't fall for his charm.' Avalon sees a large stone square structure. As they draw closer she sees a stair case. Four monks with shaved heads wearing black and brown robes set out to greet their visitors. "Have you come to attempt to claim the sword?"
"Hai, this onna will be the one," Kagewaki exclaimes.
"Is she prepared?"
"Hai."
"Then enter to see if you are worthy of Murasaki no Raikō (紫の雷光 Purple Lightning)." Kagewaki rounds on Avalon grasping her hands. "Ava, we will wait out here for you. I have faith in you." He bends and kisses her hands.
Avalon nods and slides off her horse, tying it's reins to a tree. Avalon slowly steps up to the stairs. 8 steps for luck. She follows the monks inside. In the middle of the floor is a slab with a katana with purple streaks going along the blade. The hilt is wrapped in black cloth with a gold tsuba and kashira. In front of the slab is a large red cushion the size of a human. Avalon finds the set up odd.
"So I just grab the sword?
"Hai." One of the monks spoke.
Avalon steps onto the cushion and grabs the hilt. Her hand locks on the tsuka as she falls down screaming in agony. The monks watch with amazement as the sword comes out of the slab. "Now will she go mad?" The other 3 monks nod knowing the question was all too valid. Not only would she confront her sins but she would experience every battle and death the blade has been in as if she was the wielder.
Meanwhile Hikari wakes in the morning then goes to ride the dragon to visit Avalon. She's surprised when she sees Jaken outside asleep. She slides of the dragon shaking him. "JAKEN-SAMA WAKE UP!"
Jaken wakes, remembering what happened. "Avalon's been abducted!" He quickly gets out of Hikari's grasp and goes into the hut to wake Kaede. He shakes her and screams, "Wake up Miko, Avalon has been abducted!" Kaede wakes gradually, she is too groggy. Something isn't right, she had slept too soundly but she cannot figure out what. Jaken leaves the hut and rushes over to the dragon finding Hikari on the dragon waiting for him. "Get off silly girl, I must find Sesshomaru-sama!"
"I'm coming with, we have to save Avalon."
"Ie, you stay here silly girl."
"Master Jaken we don't have time to argue! Let's go!"
Jaken gripes but sits in front of the girl. "We must find Sesshomaru-sama! Quickly beast! We do not know what danger she is in." The dragon growls in agitation jumping into the air flying towards the scent of Sesshomaru. They soon come upon the dai yokai overlooking a cliff. They land right next to him. Hikari looks at him in awe of his presence. She has never been this close and being this close, she can see the unnatural beauty he possesses. 'No wonder Avalon's so taken with him.'
Sesshomaru looks at the group disinterestedly but he is wondering why the girl is there. "Sesshomaru-sama! Avalon has been kidnapped!"
Hikari bows her head. "Please save her and keep her safe Sesshomaru-sama."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrow at the news, "What happened?"
"Last night a yokai came and grabbed her."
"And you failed to protect her?"
"Hai my Lord, I tried to save her but the yokai produced a strong miasma that knocked me unconscious."
Sesshomaru nods his head. "Jaken you will come with me, girl, head back to the village."
Hikari looks up. "You will save her and keep her safe right?"
Sesshomaru nods and takes off. Jaken jumps on Sesshomaru's pelt. The dragon takes to the sky heading to Kaede's village.
Avalon's agonizing screams fill the temple as she is faced with killing Brandon. She never told anyone of her rape and when she returns to school, he is acting as if everything is fine.
She resolved to kill him. She runs in his social circle and flirts with him even more than before. She joins a martial arts class to gain strength and skill. After several months she comes up with the perfect plan.
She has Brandon meet her at 11pm a local lake that many of the teens swim at. They strip to their bathing suits and wrestle on the pier. To anyone watching it looks like two teens having a good time.
Avalon shifts her weight causing Brandon's head to collide with a pole and then she pushes him over and falls with him into the water laughing as if it was a great time but Brandon is out cold. He quickly sinks as Avalon comes up wiping her face. She looks around. "Brandon?"
She swims in a circle not seeing him, her cry becomes more strained, "Brandon?!"
She takes a deep breath and dives under to find his body. She quickly locates him and checks his pulse under water. She smiles to herself as there isn't one. Holding her breath as long as she can, she comes back up leaving him at the bottom. She takes a deep breath once she breaches the surface and screams. "BRANDON!"
Taking a few more deep breaths she dives down. Again finding his body she rechecks his pulse pleased to find there is none. She comes back up. "HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE! OH GOD BRANDON!" She dives down again finally dragging him from the depths of the water.
"HELP! SOMEONE! ANYONE! BRANDON WAKE UP! PLEASE WAKE UP!" She looks at his pale face. She rushes to her bag grabbing her cell phone and dials 9-1-1.
"911 what's the location of your emergency?"
"Shabbona Lake. Oh God he isn't breathing!"
"Miss I need you to remain calm. I need you to tell me what happened."
"I... we... the pier and the water and I couldn't find him."
"Slow down, 'he'? Did he drown?"
"Yesss." The voice is agonizingly painful.
"Can you feel a pulse?"
"Nnnooo."
"Do you know CPR?"
"I do."
"I need you to put the phone on speakerphone and start performing CPR on him."
"Okay."
Avalon starts to pump his heart with forceful thrusts, breaking a rib. She smiles inside.
"Oh GOD something broke. Should I stop? What do I do?"
"No, you are doing a good job Miss. Keep going."
"Oh okay." She says unsurely
She pumps her arms over his chest using no force to simply look like she is doing what she needs to.
"Tell me your name Miss."
"Avalon. Why won't he start breathing?"
"Avalon I need you to focus. How many times have you pumped his chest?"
"I lost count."
"I want you to give him two breaths."
Avalon leans down pushing his head back and places her finger and thumb over his nose. Breathing two breaths. She goes back to pumping his chest.
"Are you by the camp store or bait shop?"
"The camp store."
"The ambulance will be there soon to help you but remain on the line with me until they arrive."
"Okay." Tears fill her eyes and her voice is thick with grief. Soon Avalon sees the red and blue flashing lights.
"They're here. Oh thank God. They have to save him."
Several paramedics rush to Avalon's side pushing her away so they can take over.
"Avalon, you can hang up the phone now if you wish."
"Oh okay."
The paramedics work on him for several minutes and the police interview Avalon to figure out what happened. She explains how they were playing around on the pier and how they fell in and she couldn't find him until she went under several times and finally dragged him out and called 9-1-1. The officers believe her story, it seemed plausible.
When the paramedics lose hope of saving the boy and step away, Avalon runs to them screaming, "NO!"
The officers stop her. She sobs into one officers chest, sobbing that he couldn't be dead.
Life goes on.
A funeral is held.
It was thought of as a horrible, tragic accident in fact fellow students apologized to Avalon for the loss. They knew how close she had become to Brandon and she was there to witness the whole thing. No one really blamed her.
The memory plays over and over again in Avalon's head as the guilt weighs down on her. After she killed him she acted like everything was normal but she always felt a heavy weight. She tortured herself with his deathly image. She couldn't understand how she could have afterwards. She knew it was wrong and she was a murder, plain and simple never to be forgiven for her sin.
The memory finally stops when Avalon finally realizes she needed to forgive herself.
Then the battles start to play before her eyes and the deaths of the previous owners of the sword.
Ava lays unconscious screaming in anguish. Naraku smiles hearing the tormented screams. He knows that meant Ava had taken possession of the sword. 'She is so close to being in my grasp, a miko with the power of Murasaki no Raikō.' As he is thinking this, he feels a powerful demonic aura approaching quickly. It writhes with fury. Naraku doesn't know the meaning of it but doesn't want to face it, so he flees with his horse and his puppet in tow.
Sesshomaru comes flying towards the temple with Jaken on his fur pelt. He stops at the entrance to kick Jaken off. He enters seeing Avalon's prone form laying with a sword in hand, screaming with tears streaming down her face. He goes to her side.
"Do not approach." one of the monks warns.
Sesshomaru ignores him and moves to grab Avalon hitting a purple barrier that sends him back several feet. Sesshomaru comes close again cautiously. "How long has she been like this?"
"Several hours." one monk offers.
He looks at her tormented face. "How much longer?"
'We do not know."
"Make it stop."
"We can not." One monk speaks.
"It is a trial." Another monk says.
"She must pass." A third monk says.
Sesshomaru hums. "She will pass." He watches her suffering, hearing her screams as the hours pass. Jaken joins his Master listening to the unending screams.
Avalon stands in the woods surrounded by 5 large oni.
"You cannot kill us all Akira." The green one sneers
"You may have killed our younger brother but he was weak." The red one taunts.
"I will enjoy feasting on your flesh." The brown one says as his hands clasp together.
"Can I keep the sword brothers?" The blue one asks. He is the smallest of the group.
"Of course, we don't want it." The other brown one says
The oni converge on her. She slashes cutting the red one in half. She quickly turns to intercept the green one and stabs him through but then her back feels like it explodes as she looks down there is a blue hand through her chest. The blood pours out as pain and life fade away.
Avalon holds a barrier up using the sword, with blood dripping down her right arm that is grasping the sword. She looks at her arm and sees it is a man's arm. She/he is surrounded by hundreds of yokai. They each approach and are repealed by the barrier. The blood keeps coming, she realizes that an artery is punctured but she doesn't have any control over what is happening. She again watches as her/his life fades away, when she/he is too weak to hold the sword, the barrier drops and the yokai swoop in and start eating her/him alive. She/he screams each time one bites into her/his flesh until life fades away.
Avalon wakes suddenly sitting up gasping for breath, sensing Sesshomaru next to her. She sees the sword in her hand, then turns to see Sesshomaru looking at her concerned. She drops the sword on the cushion she is laying on in the temple. "You came?"
He eyes her curiously. "Why did you try to take the sword?"
"I am tired of being defenseless"
"The demon who led you here was evil and you knew it. Did you plan on betraying me?"
"Why would that have to do with me betraying you? I only meant to acquire the sword to escape him."
He stalks towards her, eyes aflame taking her by the chin. "What will you do with this sword?"
"Use it to fight my enemies, your enemies. I would never use it to harm you."
He laughs. "Such a desperate human to please this Sesshomaru. Do you think nothing of yourself? Nothing of the home you left behind? Do you understand the evil you will face if you stay here?" He closes the distance making her heart flutter.
"I don't know how to get back, so why not accept where I am at? I want to be by your side Sesshomaru."
"Why? Is this a crush?" he speaks quietly.
Avalon shakes her head. "I don't know what this is, but I know I would follow you to the ends of the earth if you allowed me to."
His thumbs slides along her chin as he rests his forehead against hers. "Then follow me and leave the blade, we will not need it." Sesshomaru rises up and walks to the temple door exiting.
Avalon gets up and looks down at her blade lying on the cushion for a moment then leaves it there and rushes out after him.
Sesshomaru turns around to watch as Avalon runs through the temple doors. He allows her to embrace him and holds her in his arms as he creates his yoki cloud, flying off. Avalon clings to him finally feeling safe in his embrace. After a little while, he sets down by an exquisite grotto and leads her into the cave around the water. He unties his obi and removes his pelt and armor. "Avalon, how are you feeling?"
"I'm alright, now that I'm here with you." Avalon snuggles into his chest, smelling his familiar scent and can't help but sigh contently, 'He's here.' She looks up into his golden orbs and her heart melts. She can't help but be thrilled to be here with him. "I never wanted to leave you."
"I know." Sesshomaru cups Avalon's face and brings it up to meet his lips. The kiss is sweet at first but becomes more demanding. Avalon presses her lips harder into his, welcoming the feel. She opens her mouth to allow him entrance, he slips his tongue in to explore and taste. His hands move along her body as her hand moves to his shoulders pushing under the fabric to feel his skin. Sesshomaru breaks the kiss and backs away to look at her face.
"Avalon if this continues, I don't think I will be able to stop myself."
"Then don't." She rushes up to meet his lips in a fierce kiss. She had missed him and all her body and mind want is him. He grabs at her obi to undo it and pushes her kimono and juban down exposing her shoulders and breasts. He pushes her down on her back giving her hot open mouth kisses on her neck, then moves down to her collar bone and then to her right breast. He takes her hardened nipple into his mouth and sucks, flicking the nub with his tongue. Avalon gasps and pants at the way it feels. It is amazing and her desire only grows as his hand gives her other breast a squeeze. He pulls away from the right breast and quickly takes her left breast into his wanting mouth, giving it the same attention. He slides his hand down her abdomen along her hip. He brushes the pad of his thumb over her hard clit rubbing circles. Avalon bucks into his hand. By the gods, she wants more. She spreads her legs to allow him better access.
He slides two fingers into her, pumping them in and out. Each time he goes in, he pushes on her clit with his thumb, dragging it backwards as he pulls out.
Avalon bucks and pushes her hips into his hand. She whines out of breath, "Sesshomaru I want all of you, please!"
"Are you sure Avalon?"
She nods her head. Sesshomaru pulls his fingers from her bringing them to his lips, licking them clean. Avalon watches intently at the way his tongue moves over them. He pulls his hakama off. He moves to line himself up and thrusts into her, burying himself to the hilt in her folds. Avalon gasps in pain and pleasure. He stays still to allow her to adjust to his large size.
She brings her legs up to get more comfortable and wraps her arms around his shoulders.
Sesshomaru can feel her open more to him as she relaxes accommodating him.
"Are you ready to continue?"
Avalon nods and Sesshomaru pulls out almost completely then thrusts back in again. Avalon gasps at the force he uses because of the pain. He pulls out again slamming into her. "Ahh."
He does it once again, using even more force. It jolts her body but he holds her shoulders keeping her firmly in place. "Sesshomaru not so rough."
"Hmm." He covers her mouth to kiss her as he pushes himself in and out of her more gently but he soon uses more force, kissing her to swallow her gasps of pain. He speeds up slamming into her over and over again.
Avalon screams but it is muffled by him kissing her. He finally releases her mouth as he pounds into her at an inhuman speed. She screams. "Please! Stop Sesshomaru!"
He brings his mouth down to her shoulder biting down drawing blood and claws into her back leaving deep gouges. Avalon looks over and sees his markings have become jagged and his eyes are red. Her eyes widen in fear seeing him transforming before her. He laps at the blood from her shoulder as she screams in agony and he pounds into her flesh. She can feel her opening being torn apart. She can feel her pelvic bone being crushed by Sesshomaru's thrusts.
He drags his fingers through the flesh of her back. When the blood stops flowing freely and clots on her shoulder, he bites down again to let the blood bloom in droves. He is merciless as he pounds away.
Her screams eventually cease but her tears still flow. She lays looking at the ceiling of the cave waiting for him to finish. Finally, with one last thrust she feels his seed fill her and he grunts his release.
He stands up looking down at her and flicks his fingers clean of her blood speaking in a patronizing tone "You wanted a demon lover. Is it too much for your pathetic ningen body?"
Avalon doesn't respond, she hears what he says and can see a teary image of him standing over her.
"You know, you look so tempting, I think I will have another go with you."
Avalon's eyes harden and she holds out her hand trying to summon the sword like she learned from the many battles she witnessed. It taught her how to use the sword.
"Are you trying to summon Murasaki no Raikō?" His voice drips with arrogance, "Do you think you are worthy of such a blade? You are pathetic Avalon. You are a whore, look how easy it was for me to have you spread your legs."
Avalon's rage seethes. She has had enough. He assaults her in the throws of passion and now has the nerve to belittle her. She knows the sword chose her for a reason. She doesn't know exactly why, but it means she is worthy of calling it to aid her.
Sesshomaru continues with his verbal assault, "You will never amount to anything but a bringer of death. You enjoyed causing Brandon's death Avalon. His blood is on your hands and you reveled in it. Your soul is polluted and your life is meaningless. I will have my fill of you and be done with you. You are nothing to me."
Her rage stops as her guilt consumes her. "I am so sorry for killing him. If I could go back I would. I'm sorry." Her tears flow.
"No you wouldn't. You would kill him again. You enjoy killing. You're a murder."
"I am a murder, but I don't want to be one! You're wrong! I wish I could change it."
"Do you? I doubt that. He raped you, why would you care?"
"It was in the past, I had no right to end his life. I was a foolish teenager. I can never take it back but I can move forward. God I'm so sorry Brandon, you were just a teenager too." She tilts her head back.
"You killed the one who raped you when you came here."
"That was different, I had no choice that was self defense. That's not murder!" Then it occurs to her this isn't her Sesshomaru. 'How did he know I killed Brandon? I never told anyone!' With her gaze hardened she calls, "Murasaki no Raikō!"
The screams stop but the tears still pour down Avalon's face. With a final cry of Murasaki no Raikō. Avalon comes back to reality sensing a powerful demonic aura to her right. In her disoriented state she reacts on instinct, rolling over onto her knees and swiping up with her blade. Sesshomaru jumps back but not in time. She strikes his pauldron and cuirass shattering them.
Avalon opens her eyes and stares incredulously. "Sesshomaru?" She lowers her sword, out of breath. "Are you real?"
Jaken is shocked that Avalon struck his Lord and on top of that destroyed his armor.
"What are you talking about?" Sesshomaru maintains his distance, touching his chest where she breached his armor.
"You...I...we...didn't...I mean..." Avalon stumbles over he words, shaking her head. "This is real right?"
"Put the sword down," he says, not wanting to take another hit from it.
"Why should I? So you can call me a worthless whore again and a murderer?" She starts to sob, shakily holding the blade in her hand
He only shakes his head. "Do as you please. Jaken," he calls to his servant. "Escort her back to the village."
"You bastard." She drops the blade. "You really are him."
"Who else would I be?" He snorts, tired of her antics.
"HIM, the vision of you."
"Should I be surprised you were dreaming of this Sesshomaru?" He turns circling her. "Tell me, was I your lap dog. Did I give you what you wanted? You think I don't know how you feel about me? That you think I will become your tame lover, your fool."
"Tame lover, if you consider rape and breaking my body tame sure that was my vision of you. What a sweet, sweet dream," her voice drips with sarcasm
"Don't fool yourself Avalon. You expect something of this Sesshomaru I will not give you. Now get up. You're going back to the village. Along the way, you will tell me who it was that took you and why."
"I don't expect anything Sesshomaru. I may want things but I don't ever expect anything," she spat bitterly.
"Who was he? Why did he want you?"
"Will you believe what I tell you? Or will you doubt me?"
He points at his nose looking at her like she is crazy.
"Then you will know that I won't lie, good. Then heed me, it would be disastrous to take me back to the village. Whatever he wants with me can't be good. He was the reason I didn't want to be in that village to begin with."
Sesshomaru stalks to her and lifts her by her shoulders, "You have already lied. You know who it was and you know what he wanted. And if you knew it, you hid it from this Sesshomaru. Is this more of your games? Your attempts to manipulate me?"
"Hardly, you were set on leaving me there no matter what I said."
"It is not the fault of this Sesshomaru, if you withhold information."
Avalon huffs, "As if it would have mattered. Let's leave this temple and I will tell you what I know of him"
"You will tell me now, I am not your dog to order as you see fit."
Avalon's eyes slid towards the monks. "There are things that should not be spoken of in the presence of others."
Sesshomaru's eyes follow Avalon's. He nods his head to the entrance of the temple for her to follow him. He releases her shoulders and she slumps to the floor. She tries to get up but her body is so weak. Avalon tries again gritting her teeth and growling. The monks rush to her side. "Leave me be."
Sesshomaru seeing her struggling to stand and tiring of waiting, grabs Avalon by her right arm and hauls her out of the temple setting her down under a tree. "You will tell me who is the one that took you and why you thought it beneficial to keep it from this Sesshomaru. If you lie Avalon," he kneels holding a claw under her chin, "or attempt to 'control' what you reveal. I will kill you."
"You don't need to threaten me Sesshomaru, have you thought maybe I'd be happy to reveal stuff without the death threat?"
"As if you have revealed anything of use, while you guard what you think you know and attempt to manipulate it at your own expense. Speak."
"Jaken should leave. You promised me."
Sesshomaru grows frustrated with her demands but he did promise her that. "Jaken leave us." Once Jaken is out of view and away Avalon says, "Let's see, he goes by many names and many faces. His original name was Onigumo. He goes by the name Naraku now and uses the guise of Lord Kagewaki. That is how he approached the village as Lord Kagewaki. He wants chaos as far as I can tell. He enjoys hurting everyone. He doesn't know this but the jewel will be returning to this world and then he will want the jewel above all else."
"Jewel?"
"Shikon no Tama. Once he learns it's back, he will want it to increase his powers."
"Another pathetic hanyou seeking power but it was destroyed when Inuyasha foolishly gave his heart to a mortal woman. How will it return?"
"It was burned with the miko's body but she is reborn. The jewel is in the reincarnation. She will release your half-brother and return the jewel to this world."
He becomes pensive. He never saw a need for the jewel, strength is achieved by patience and practice not by magic, but Inuyasha would have wanted it to become like him. "Why would Naraku want you?"
"I honestly don't know. It worries me greatly. I was so scared when I was his captive. He treated me kindly like he wanted to gain my trust."
"Will he target this Sesshomaru?"
"He will want your body eventually for the power you have. He will want to fuse it to himself."
"How will he take it?"
"When you confront him, you will slice him to pieces but those pieces will gather around you and reanimate to constrict around your body and lock you in place while he absorbs you."
He shakes his head. "Foolishness. A body that is severed dies."
Avalon says in a serious tone. "Not his. He is a conglomeration of demons."
"He will seek my power and if I destroy him, he will reform," he thinks to himself. "You're hiding something else. If you think you know my future so well, how do I defeat him?"
"You won't like the answer. Are you sure you want to know?"
"You think I am afraid?"
She shakes her head and smiles. "No, I don't think you are afraid. You do not defeat him alone. You will have the help of Inuyasha and 3 ningen"
"Inuyasha?" he growls out the name. "But if what you say is true, even he will not have the strength to defeat this Naraku. How do I kill him Avalon?"
Avalon looks down. "Right now there is a chance to kill him with the help of a miko's powers but he will get stronger and stronger. I honestly don't know if you can kill him alone Sesshomaru."
"You're lying. You came here thinking you can manipulate me, manipulate time itself and now you are scared because you understand it is not a game. How do I defeat him?"
"You would need to destroy his heart and I didn't come here by choice."
"In order to do that I would need a weapon to destroy his body and something tells me, you know exactly where I will find it."
Avalon looks at him, scooting closer and puts her right hand over his heart. "Here."
"That's an organ not a weapon. Where do I find this weapon?"
"You must find it within."
"Within what?"
"Yourself."
"Myself? Weapons are forged by strength not feelings. What are you hiding?"
She shakes her head. "Sesshomaru, you are not ready yet."
The monks hearing the argument rush out to aid the new wielder of Murasaki no Raikō.
"Are you ready to die then?" He wraps his fingers around her throat. "An unknown evil will threaten my life and you claim loyalty to this Sesshomaru and refuse to speak plainly." He tightens his grip until she wheezes. "You will tell me where this weapon is and how I will get it."
"Release the Miko or we will be forced to take action." One of the monks raises his hand holding a sutra.
Avalon grabs Sesshomaru's hand. "I can't talk if you're choking me. Let me go and I will tell you. There is no need for this."
"Tell them to leave," he loosens his grip, "or I will kill them."
Avalon screams, "Go now! I do not need your assistance!"
"Lady Miko please allow us to assist."
"I said leave. Do so now. This is a private conversation."
The monks look at each other as if debating.
"Go!"
They nod and head back into the temple.
"You will tell me the truth?" He releases her throat.
"I have never lied to you."
"No, you just thought you could control this Sesshomaru like a lap dog. Speak."
Avalon levels a glare. "More like surviving and trying to get the best outcome for you so you can get the weapon you need to defeat Naraku faster."
"I said speak, what is this weapon's name? How will I get it?" he hisses out between clenched teeth, anger rising.
"The name is Bakusaiga. You will manifest the weapon of your own power. To do this, first you need to forget about Tetsusaiga. Next you need to have the desire to protect loved ones and you need compassion."
"Lies."
"You would know if I lied."
Rage courses through him. "Loved ones? What loved ones? You? Manipulations!" Sesshomaru grabs Avalons throat.
"It's not me, it's a little girl."
"What little girl?" his voice rises in desperation
"Rin."
"Who is she?"
"A little village orphan."
"Why would I care about an orphan? She would be even more useless to me than you have been!"
"She tends you when you are gravely injured."
"By who? Naraku?" He slams her back first into the trunk of a tree. "Why should I believe this? Love, compassion? Weakness!"
Hikari arrives on the back of the dragon after convincing him to go back to check on Avalon and Sesshomaru. Seeing Avalon slammed into the tree, she gets off the dragon ignoring the pain surging through her injured foot as she rushes to help Avalon.
Avalon summons her sword to create a barrier. She raises it to her side when Sesshomaru knocks it from her hand.
"I was not ready the first time." He gloats over her inability to properly use her sword. "I will never care about something so vile as a ningen! I will kill him myself when I find Tetsusaiga. And you...I am through with you. It was a mistake to believe you could ever offer more than a body for pleasure."
"You don't even know where to look and you have yet to have the pleasure of my body. All you have done is abuse me such a strong yokai"
His hands clamp down on her neck as her face begins to change colors. "Who's choice is it to allow it? To chase me like a cat in heat? I will…"
"Stop Sesshomaru-sama please don't hurt Avalon-onēsan! You promised to protect her." Hikari jumps up to grab Sesshomaru's arm just as a monk lets loose an arrow striking Hikari in the back. The arrow goes through her body protruding from the breastplate. Hikari falls lifeless to the ground.
Avalon cries in desperation, "HIKARI!"
Sesshomaru releases his grasp as Avalon dives to cradle Hikari's fallen body. She presses her fingers to her throat and feels no pulse. "Sesshomaru!" The sadness was palpable. "She's gone. Sesshomaru, please bring her back, only you can do it." Avalon cradles the girl crying into her hair.
He's seen death many times, but there is something different about this little girl who had already suffered so much. Silently Tenseiga pulses by his side as if it were calling to him. He remembers Hikari's words, what she said about the men who hurt her, her mother who sacrificed herself for her.
"Set her down."
Avalon sets the girl down and steps back.
He leans over and breaks the arrow head from the shaft with one hand while releasing his whip and killing the monk who fired the shot with the other. It wraps around the monk's neck breaking it. Sesshomaru can't breathe, this child, Hikari...light. He tugs the arrow out from her breast and whispers quietly in her ear, too quietly for anyone else to hear, "You did not deserve this."
He draws his sword, and then he sees them, green frog-like minions from the underworld. 'I can see them'. He raises his katana and strikes them down, then kneels next to the child, waiting.
Avalon kneels down bring the girl up to her chest. She looks up into Sesshomaru's face with hope and joy, she knows that Hikari will live again, "Sesshomaru-sama I can never express my gratitude for this." She thinks for a moment, then gives him what he wanted. "A pearl in Inuyasha's right eye. That's the gateway."
He remains silent, storing the information away but focusing intently on Hikari, waiting until Hikari's heart begins to beat. The sound both shocks and gladdens him. He touches the girl's shoulder only for her to recoil when her eyes open.
"No!" She throws her arms around Avalon. "He tried to kill you! He's just like them!"
"Hikari." Avalon cradles her as she nuzzles into her chest. "He saved you." Avalon looks over at Sesshomaru helpless to tell him what she feels.
"No! He's just like them! I hate him!"
Those words stab at his chest, he can't breathe. He needs to escape. If he had not been strangling Avalon, Hikari wouldn't have gotten in the way. "You're no better than the Samurais who raped me." The child fumes at him and he runs, like a coward because he can't face the sorrow of a child.
"Sesshomaru you need to know Tenseiga can only bring someone back once." Avalon calls as loud as she can hoping he hears as he flees.
He heard her. 'Only once?' He needs answers.
Below Hikari cries against Avalon. "I told you he was evil! Why did you let him hurt you!" She sobs holding her ankle. "Why? Please don't let him," she can't control her breathing. It's obvious she's going into a full blown panic attack.
"Hikari I need you to focus on me. I need you to breath with me."
She shakes her head refusing. "No!" She covers her ears.
"Hikari." Avalon says in a more commanding tone, "Focus. You remember the exercises I taught you? the breathing ones."
"Yeah," she whimpers rubbing her eyes. "Please, make it stop!"
"What do you want me to stop?"
It was one after another and another. Six times and then again until her mother helped her escape. "They have Ka-chan!" she screams. "They won't let her go! Let her go!"
"Hikari you are safe. No one will harm you."
"Is he gone?" she breathes more calmly but still cries.
"Hai, he is gone." Avalon pets her hair trying to soothe the poor young girl.
She hiccups finally calming down. "Don't let him hurt you again," she says firmly. "Please? Don't let him hurt you?"
"Hikari, I don't intend to let him hurt me ever again."
She wipes her nose and sits up. "He gave me the puppy. He said not to tell you. Why is he so sweet and then so mean?"
Avalon smiles down at Hikari, "Because he acts on his desires without considering all the consequences. He is very, very, complicated."
"You're going to go back to him, aren't you?"
"I'm not going to seek him out, that's for sure." Avalon stares in the direction he ran.
The three monks go over to Avalon and Hikari . "Lady Miko are you okay?"
Avalon looks at the monks incredulously. She knew it was not their intent to harm the girl but because of them Hikari had died. "I am fine. I told you to leave me be, why did you not listen?"
"We would happily give our lives to protect the Murasaki no Raikō Miko."
"Why do you keep calling me a Miko?"
"Only one with spiritual power is fit to wield Murasaki no Raikō. Were you not trained?"
Avalon shakes her head. All three monks turn to look at each other and then look at Avalon in shock. "You should have never attempted this without formal training but the fact you have survived shows how much the sword is truly yours."
Avalon looks at the monk who spoke and shrieks, "SURVIVED, like I could have died?"
Hikari looks up at Avalon in alarm.
A/N I want to thank all my followers. It makes my heart soar knowing people have been enjoying my story. I want to thank Elohiniar for her constant support and helping co-author my story. This is my first fanfic ever so please leave me a review it lets me know what you all are thinking and how well I am doing. Thanks again for reading.
ASJS- Thanks for the review and yup Naraku got her but she is free now.
Lexicon63738- Thanks for the review I hope you enjoyed this update.