I do not own InuYasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.
A/N Sorry it took so long for this next part, but I really wanted it to be perfect for you guys. Enjoy!
The Mysterious Thief - Part Eleven
In the lab, Hideaki was almost finished with his potions. He paused a moment to think about his current situation. He had agreed to work with Naraku because Airi's powers would help him further his work; by gaining the power to induce a state of cryogenic preservation. And he needed the power of the jewel shard to absorb it.
Naraku had offered him a shard with two conditions: to eliminate the people traveling with her and to give him, her alterable scent ability. Hideaki himself, hadn't found a particular interest in that ability so he readily agreed. Plus his other request could be carried out quite easily and provide some amusement, as well.
He picked up a glass flask containing the black and silver hairs. They moved freely in a golden liquid. He observed how the two hairs struggled against each other. Neither wanting to give way to the other, an endless circle of distrust and need for control. He poured in the final ingredient, which was a fluorescent blue liquid. The two hairs fused together and then dissolved.
Hideaki had designed the potion to duplicate those same dissonant feelings in whoever drinks it. The demon set it down next to a flask with a golden orange liquid. One potion to release Airi's full power and the other to infuse her with all the discord built up between Kikyo and Inuyasha.
But the key was to have her drink it by her own free will. Otherwise, the effects would reverse and cause her to feel longing for Inuyasha.
Hideaki was thrilled. Not only was he about to get what he'd be wanting for so many countless years, but he was going to thoroughly enjoy ripping the young girl's power from her. It would be like killing her mother all over again.
The demon's eyes flashed from pink to fluorescent green, as he remembered how he failed to absorb Ikue's powers. It was a truly menacing look that would've stopped Airi from having any trust in him. But alas, he calmed his bloodlust and disabled the surveillance part of his control network moments before the ape entered.
He turned around and leaned against the desk.
"Hello again," he greeted Airi with a dashing smile. "Welcome to my lab," he went on, not waiting for her reply. "I trust you slept well enough to be refreshed and now I would like to sit and talk with you. I'm sure you've had a moment to overlook your mother's portrait," he paused for a reaction, but she didn't falter, "I know it can come as quite a shock to find out you're a half demon," he continued, "and I'd like to answer your questions and explain what comes next...if you're willing, that is."
This was the second time that she heard him call her a half demon. The first time she hadn't believed him, but after seeing a portrait of her mother, she knew it was true. The thought of being a little bit like Inuyasha made her smile to herself. She bowed her head to display a more coy like smile towards Hideaki and nodded. He already knew enough about her, and her feelings for Inuyasha didn't need to be one of them.
He gestured towards a table with two chairs and she chose the seat facing the exit. She took note that there seemed to only be the one exit, which was guarded by the ape.
"So what would you like to know first?" he prompted her, leaning back against his chair.
Not wanting to dilly dally, she jumped right to the chase, "So you mentioned that you needed me to do something once my demonic energy is released. What is it, exactly?"
"You are indeed your mother's daughter, asking the most important question first," he remarked.
She knew he was trying to bait her with stories about her mother, but she knew she couldn't get distracted about what was really going on. She was a prisoner, who was negotiating her release. She regarded him coolly and waited for his answer.
Hideaki knew she would be difficult to manage, but he was on a time schedule. If it was freedom she wanted then he would play along. "I need you to get rid of someone for me," he said bluntly. "And like I said, once your power is released, it won't be a problem for you.
She was quiet for a moment, because his answer didn't make sense. He was a demon with a rather capable bodyguard. Why would he need her to dispose of someone. She pushed these thoughts aside, because she doubted he would give her a truthful answer. "Alright then, what kind of powers do I actually have?" she asked.
"One power, you already know of," he said, leaning on the table, "and that's your scent. And the other power you're aware of, but it's much greater than you think. For example, your hands," he paused and placed his palm face up, on her side of the table. She reluctantly placed hers on top of his. He gently curled his fingers to feel her soft palm. "They are normally cold," he continued, "but with your full powers, you can freeze things with just the touch of your finger."
"I'm not sure if I completely understand?" Airi questioned, lifting her hand away from his and placing it in her lap.
"Your body runs at a colder temperature, in general, because your power allows you to extend it outside of your body. By making contact with anything, you can cover it in ice. It is your strongest weapon."
Airi wasn't sure what to say about this power or if she even wanted something so destructive. First, she couldn't get close to people because of her scent and now physical contact would be a challenge. And then a terrible thought crossed her mind. "Can I kill someone, just by touching them?" she blurted out.
"The simple answer is yes," he confirmed.
The girl's shoulders slumped slightly, making it clear that she didn't care for that kind of power.
"But whether that happens or not, is your choice. You control it," Hideaki attempted to push her skepticism away. "It's not much different than when you take a life with your axes," he pointed out, his eyes staring into hers.
She looked away from him. His gaze made her uncomfortable and she shifted in her seat. She propped her elbow up on the table and leaned forward, resting her head in her hand. Her eyes narrowed and flashed back to Hideaki.
"What if I refuse?" she asked boldly.
"Like I said, Airi, I won't force you to fulfill my request. But this is, believe it or not, in your best inter…"
She sat upright, "How can you determine what's in my best interest?" she interrupted, her face darkening.
He responded to her aggression with his typical cool composure, "Because if he gets a hold of you, he'll kill you," he explained.
"He? Who is he?" she asked alarmed.
"There is a demon who has been watching your every move. I'm not sure why he's so interested in you, but he's definitely up to no good. I've heard plenty of other, shall we say, non-pleasant stories about him. That's why I took you. And I apologize for my less than graceful methods, but it was the least I could do, knowing your mother and all. At least I can give you a fighting chance to live," he said genuinely.
She glanced to the side as she thought everything through:
With new powers, I live and without them I don't have a chance to survive. The likelihood of Inuyasha coming to my rescue is almost laughable. But Kagome, she hugged me without hesitation, without precaution. Wait, what am I thinking? I've always been on my own and on my own I'll survive.
"Alright, I'll do it," she said leaning forward, "But I have one more question.
Her fingers went to her neck and pulled the orange chain towards Hideaki, "How exactly does this necklace suppress my powers?"
The demon smiled wickedly, "How about I show you instead?"
In the underground caverns Inuyasha and the gang were getting closer to Airi's location. The half demon leapt to an abrupt stop and waited for the rest of them to catch up.
"Inuyasha, what is it?" Sango asked.
"I can smell Naraku this way," he said, jerking his head towards the right. "This is probably where Kagura came after she fled," he spat.
"You mean, after you let her get away," Shippou mumbled.
"What was that?! You little runt!" the half demon barked back.
Shippou shrieked and hid behind Kagome's leg, causing the girl to roll her eyes.
"Well, at least we know your nose still works," the young girl said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Inuyasha demanded.
"Well, don't you think it's strange that you haven't smelled Airi all this way?" she replied, thinking about how far they had ventured without any clues to Airi's whereabouts.
The half demon flinched at her words, "Well, ya i...it is weird." He could feel himself beginning to blush and turned his back to her. He hadn't told anyone else about Airi's changing scent. And he wasn't about to tell Kagome how he knew that or why he could only smell Kagome's scent from her.
But he was saved from further questioning when the ground began to rumble beneath their feet and small rocks tumbled down the sides of the corridor.
The half demon and the monk exchanged glances. They could sense a rising youkai. "I've got a bad feeling about this," he said.
"We're going on up ahead," Miroku announced and the two ran off towards the source of the growing demonic energy.
Sango and Kagome could also feel the growing youkai. They nodded at each, "Kirara, let's go," the demon slayer prompted. The cat demon transformed and Sango, Kagome and Shippou hopped onto her back and flew after Inuyasha and Miroku.