The attack Medusa's Touch is an attack I thought up from the depths of my twisted mind.
/Sesshomaru's thoughts/
Well, it might be a while before chapter 14 comes out. i mean, i haven't even started on that chapter yet. I should have it up in no less than two weeks if not shorter.
Chapter 13
Sesshomaru and his two followers were in Greece. They had heard of a creature called a Gorgon that turned people to stone. Rin asked about the creature but no one knew exactly where to find it. Rin asked around and was told by some patrons in the local inn that three witches called the Gray Women would know where to find the beast. So, they followed the locals directions but unfortnately they got lost. Asking some travelers they met along the way, they finally arrived at a black mountain. Sesshomaru looked up at the smooth surface of the onxy colored mountain. There was no way they could climb it, and from what he could see of the entrance only the three of them could enter. Un and Ah would have to remain outside. Hopping on the back of two-headed dragon, they flew up to the entrance and the three of them entered the cave.
They stepped into a cluttered, small cavern. Rin covered her nose and Jaken gagged from the foul stench inside the cave. However, the stench did not affect Sesshomaru. He let his sharp golden eyes scan the filth laden room. There were shelves crowded with wooden bowls, ragged clothing. Rats scurried about knocking things from the shelf. The bones of humans and demons littered the cavern floor. In the center of the cavern were three old withered women stirring a foul smelling green liquid in a huge black pot. Sesshomaru had found them tolook like gray birds in the wavering light, for they had the shape of swans. However, their heads were human and beneath their wings, they had arms and hands. One witch had a single eye in the center of her forehead with a nose and a mouth. The other two witches had no eyes only a mouth and nose.
As soon as they stepped into the cavern, the witches smelt them and turned their attention in the direction of their visitors. The witches began to argue and grabbed at the witch that had an eye. Sesshomaru stood back as Rin stepped forward to speak with the witches. He watched the proceedings with disgust as the crone with the eye touched Rin on the cheek. The girl slapped the hand away and spoke in a harsh tone at the women. The one with the single eye in its head turned her stare on the demon. It smiled showing its ragged, yellow stained teeth. It licked its lips at him and said something to the others, for they began to argue again. The one with the eye said something inanger and raised a hand to its eye. Sesshomaru arched a delicate brow as the witch plucked the eye from its head. Realizing that this maybe his chance of getting some information from them. He moved with incredible speed and snatch the eye from the hag. There was a shriek as the witch yelled something. The other two witches became enraged as they fell to the floor searching for the eye.
"Rin, tell them that I have their precious eye," said Sesshomaru, "and if they want it back. They will tell me where to find the creature called a Gorgon."
Rin immediately began to translate the message to the witches. "They refuse, my lord," said Rin frowning.
"Tell them if they don't give me the information. I will destroy the eye and they shall remain blind."
Rin told them. The witches quickly began to tell them where the creature was. Sesshomaru returned the eye and they left.
After leaving, they had sat up camp far away from the witches cave near a river. Rin wanting to be rid of the stench of the cave and the witch's touch, went to the river and began to scrub her body clean. Once she was satisfied that the smell no longer lingered on her skin. She returned to her companions and turned in for the night. Ah and Un were on watch. Although the creature was lying down it was very much awaken listening for trouble.
At daybreak they set off in search of someone that might be able to help them. Around midday they arrived at a small village and someone offered to led, them part of the way. The farmer led them to a dark road and told them the road led to the underworld. They continued down the path until they came to a river with water as black as ink. Sesshomaru crinkled his delicate nose at the dark water. The scent was atrocious. It was like nothing he could hope to describe or would want to.
"My lord, look," said Jaken pointing out across the river. In the distance, they saw a boat coming towards them. As the boat came up on shore, the boatman was an ancientbeing with skin that looked like cracked leather stretched over a skeleton. And the eyes were as dark as the the foul smelling river. It had no mouth or nose and a patch of dry unruly brown hair partially covered its wrinkled skull.
"Stay here," said Sesshomaru.
"No my lord, we shall go with you," said Rin.
Sesshomaru said nothing as he got into the boat followed by the other two. The ancient boatman opened his withered hand. The demon glared at the figure.
"You have to pay him my lord," said Rin. "Three gold coins, remember."
The dog demon growled and pulled out a silk purse. Opening it, he took out three gold coins and narrowed his eyes at the boatman. "Return for us within the hour and I shall give you three more gold coins. Tell him Rin." But before the girl could open her mouth, the boatman nodded its head. Sesshomaru raised a brow at this and sat down in the boat.
They made their way across the murky river to the island where the Gorgon known as Medusa lived. Once there, they trudged across the dark island making their way to some ruins. "I want you two to stay here," said Sesshomaru not turning to face them. Then he went to look around. He was half way around the partiallydecaying building when he heard Rin scream. Running back at top speed he came to a skidding halt. What he saw made his blood run cold. It was Rin and Jaken. Both held a look of total horror on their faces, and both had been turned to stone. He growled in anger. Raising his nose into the breeze, he sniffed out the foul stench of the creature that did this.
Following the scent, he came to an abrupt halt. He stared in shock as he looked over a garden of human and demon warriors that had all been turned to stone. This was truly a monster. Making his way through the stone bodies, Sesshomaru came upon a clearing far away from the ruins. Then he saw it. Standing before a stone altar that was nerly covered with vines and grass was the creature with its back to him. /Hmm, so you are the monster called Medusa./ Even with its back to him, he knew that this was a horrible creature to behold. Its body was long and sinewy like a snake and it had long writhing snakes for hair. Remembering whatRin told him the witchessaid about the creature,Sesshomaru knew that he could not fight this creature using his eyes. It was time for him to use all his training and skills to fight this creature.
Just then, the creature turned and Sesshomaru quickly closed his eyes. Remembering his lessons Master Kei had taught him about not putting all your trust in seeing things. He began to use his other senses to track the Gorgon as the creature circled him. Sesshomaru took a deep breath to calm himself as he open his ears to listen to all the different sounds around. Then he blocked out all the sounds except for that of the hissing and slithering of Medusa. Hearing the snake woman inching closer to him. He let his nose follow her stench as well. There was no mistaken its smell. It was like the rotten corpses on a battlefield during summer after baking in the sun. Suddenly he felt the sudden shift in the air current as the Gorgon tried to take his head off with its talon like claws. He ducked swiftly and drew Tokijin aiming for the creature's chest.It was fast to his surprise. /Well, it is a snake after all./ Such creatures are quick to strike. He prepared himself for another attack.Again, it tried to spear him on its talons. Sesshomaru dodged but its claws raked across the stump of his severed arm. The young demon growled in rage. He slashed his sword upward sending a blast of the swords power at it. Medusa easily avoid it. Sesshomaru listen as she dodged to the left and that's when he struck. While Medusa was watching the blast Sesshomaru using his superior speed appeared behind the Gorgon and severed its head from its body. He opened his eyes just in time to see the headless body fall to the ground. Remembering the witches telling him that even if Medusa was beheaded. She could still turned you into stone. He made sure to stay behind the head. Holding up his severed arm to look at his wounds. He nodded in satisfaction when saw the claw marks healing up. But he swore as he glared at the damage done to the sleeve of his expensive kimono.
Suddenly Tokijin began to pulse and tremble in his hand forcing his arm down. The sword plunged itself into the head of the Gorgon. Sesshomaru raised a single brow as the sword seemed to devour the head of Medusa. The young demon looked on in amazement as the sword turned to stone and returned to normal a second later. However, it continued to pulsate. Once again, his arm moved in a downward slashing motion and a hugewhite arc of power erupted from the blade. It tore across the ground turning what little vegetation on the island as well as the ground itself into stone.
"Well, that's new Tokijin," he said. "I guess I'll call that Medusa's Touch." He sheathed his sword and turned to leave.
Once Medusa was dead Rin, and Jaken as well as all the other young and seasoned warriors were returned to normal.
xxxxx
Afterwards as they stood on the shore and watched the boatman row away. Sesshomaru turned to his two companions. "It is time," he stated simply.
"Time my lord? For what?" asked Rinfrowning. Shewas now a beautiful young twenty-one year-old woman with long black hair she kept in a single braid. Although Sesshomaru was twenty-seven, he looked no older than Rin.
"It's time for us to go home." That was all he said as he began to walk away from them. And as always both Jaken and Rin followed obediently behind him.
The next morning they left Greece on their way back to Japan. Finally, Sesshomaru felt that it was time for him to face the dragon.
xxxxx
It took them nearly five months to return home. Stepping off the boats at the docks in Hokkaido, the young lord inhaled a deep breath of air. It was so good to finally be back in his homeland. Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at the beautiful young demon. Knowing who he was, they all knelt before the young lord.
Walking up to meet Sesshomaru was Yoko and four other soldiers. They knelt before him. "My lord, we have come to escort you home." Yoko stared at the scar that still marred his forehead.
He nodded. "How is mother doing?" He just ignored the stare.
"She's better," said Yoko tearing his eyes away from the mark. He and the other soldiers stood up. Sesshomaru began walking in the direction of the Forest of Lost Souls. Yoko walked along side him and continued telling him about Izayoi. "When Master Rei returned telling us about you killing one of the dragons that killed Prince Inuyasha. Lady Izayoi began to come out of her grief. She has waited a long time for you to return. Once we received your message saying you were returning. The Lady has been excited every since."
"When Master Rei was there did he tell her anything about . .. Inuyasha?" He dearly hoped his master did not tell her abouthalf brotherbeing alive. It would tear his heart out to tell her that her baby was truly dead.
"About Prince Inuyasha?" the fox demon frowned. "No my lord, he said nothing about him. Why?"
Ignoring the question, Sesshomaru sighed inwardly glad that the old dog demon had the foresight not to tell her about Inuyasha.
xxxxx
Upon arriving at thesmall palace, they were met by Izayoi standing by the gate. She ran to her stepson and encased him in her arms. Although she had aged, Sesshomaru thought his stepmother was still beautiful.
"My son," she said with tears in her eyes. Her eyes widened in shock as she hesitantly raised her hand to touch the scar across the crescent moon on his forehead. "What happened?"
But before she could touch it. He grabbed her hand gently and lowered it.
"How have you been, mother?" he asked in his indifferent tone refusing to answer her.
Izayoi pulled away from him to stare into his eyes. In those golden pools, she saw . . .nothing. His eyes were blank and emotionless. His voice was chilling and void. What happened to her sweet elder son who use to laugh and sing. The Sesshomaru she knew and love was gone. All that remained was this empty shell.
"I'm doing much better now that you have finally come home." She embraced him again before finally releasing him. "You must be hungry. I'llhavethe servants fix us a nice lunch." She gasped as she just notice Rin standing a ways from them with Jaken.
Izayoi smiled. "How have you been fairing Jaken?"
"Very well my Lady," said the imp bowing to her.
"And who are you two?" She looked at Rin and the two head dragon that stood behind her.
"My name is Rin." She bowed to the Izayoi. "This is my friend, Ah and Un. I am lord Sesshomaru's translator and bodyguard."
The guards grumbled incredulously while Yoko arched a disbelieving brow at the human woman. "Surely you jest," scoffed the fox demon. "You're just a human. How. . . "
Before he could finish his sentence, Rin leaped into action. Unsheathing her sais, she had the blades cris-crossed and pressed against the fox demon's throat. Yoko arched a brow impressed with the human's skills. "Very good, girl but you could not have won. For although you are skilled, I am still a demon much stronger than you."
"True enough," said Rin conceding to this fact, but then she smirked at the demon, "but before you push me away my sais would have sliced through your throat severing your juggler. You maybe a demon but that is one wound you would not heal from." And to emphasize her point, she pressed the blades deeper into his throat piercing the skin. A thin trail of blood trickled down his neck.
"Rin, that's enough," said the stoic young lord.
"Of course, my lord." Rin released Yoko still holding her smirk. He growled at the human clutching his blooded, healedthroat.
"Yoko."
The fox demon turned to face his lord. "Yes my lord."
"Do not worry about Rin. She has proven herself capable of defeating some strong demons." Then Sesshomaru turn his gaze back to his stepmother. "I am tired. I shall rest now. Yoko wake me in three hours. We must make plans to rescue father and our lands from Ryuukotsusei." Before Yoko could even respond, the young lord was walking toward the mini palace.
Izayoi watch the frigid form of her stepson walk away. Then she turned to face Rin and Jaken. "Jaken, what has happened to him? He has changed. He seems so cold and empty. I can see it in his eyes." Then she looked at Rin. "It's as though his heart has turned to ice. What happened to him on his journey?"
Both Rin and Jaken looked away nervously. They were silent for a long while until Rin spoke. "It is not our place to tell you," said Rin staring down at the ground. "His journey to gain experience and strength has been very . . . hard on him. The only thing he has thought of over these pass ten years I have been with him is saving his father." She glanced at the rapidly retreating form of her lord and sighed.
Izayoi knew the young woman was hiding something else from her but she did not want to force the issue. She could wait until Sesshomaru tells her. Or if he doesn't, she could corner Jaken and get the information out of him. Izayoi smiled at Rin and held a hand out to the young woman. "Come, you must be tired from your long journey. I will have a room prepared for you to rest. And afterwards, you can tell me how you came to be in the service of my stepson."
Rin took Izayoi's hand and the elder woman was walking away when she called over her shoulder to Jaken. "Aren't you coming Jaken. I have made sure to keep your room just as you left it."
"Thank you, my lady," said Jaken running to catch up with the two females and the two headed dragon.
xxxxx
That night at dinner, Izayoi told Sesshomaru of everything that happened in his absence. Shippo's entire clan was wiped out by two demons calling themselves the Thunder Brothers. Sango was a full-fledged demon slayer and her people left a jewel called the Shikon no Toma in Kikyou's care. Kikyou had become a powerful priestess but she was killed by a foul demon called Naraku. And Miroku was cursed by that same demon.
"Cursed? How so?" asked Rin curiously.
"He has a hole in the palm of his right hand that sucks anything into it," said Izayoi. "His father said that the child was so terrified that he nearly got himself swallowed into his own hole." She smiled.
"What's so funny?" asked Sesshomaru.
"I know you won't believe this but Miroku has become a monk." Izayoi burst out laughing as she remembered the monk as a child. He was always running behind the girls and they were always running away from him.
"You're right. I don't believe it." Was all the stoic lord said while he continued to eat.
Izayoi sighed. She was hoping to get some kind of reaction other than this icy emptiness out of him. It was no good. She could tell. Her stepson still suffered from the death of his brother.
"Tell me mother. Who is this Naraku?" Sesshomaru asked after everyone was silent for a while.
"No one knows. He just appeared one day, attacked the village, injured Kikyou's sister Kaeda, killed Kikyou and took the jewel," she said. "It was horrible. He had senta horde ofdemons to attack the village while he killed Kikyou. Then he did the same thing to Sango's village. She was the only one along with her brother to survive that massacre."
"I see. What does this Naraku look like?"
"He has long black hair, red eyes and he wears a white baboon pelt. He is a half demon that, according to Kaeda, wanted the jewel so he could become a full fledge demon."
"So, has he become a full blooded demon?"
"Yes," said Izayoi. "He had challenged Ryuukotsusei a few years ago and lost. I guess the dragon was impressed with his ruthlessness that he joined forces with Naraku. Now, the two of them seems to be unstoppable. They rule the west with an iron fist."
"And father?"
"No word." Izayoi looked away. "We don't know if he's still alive or dead."
"Well, there's no need to worry mother," Sesshomaru said in a chilling tone. "I will get him back this time. Send for my commander." He told one of the servants.
A while later the fox demon, Yoko walked into the room. "My lord, you sent for me?"
"Yes. Yoko, I want you to send word out to all who would follow me, to meet me at the bottom of the cliff on the other side of the forest." He turned those icy golden eyes upon his commander. "It is time that the west was returned to our family. My subjects have suffered long enough under that filthy dragon's reign."
"I shall send out messengers right away," said Yoko bowing and hurrying to carry out his duty.
The next day Yoko sent out messengers to villages near and far asking for their aid in the upcoming battle against the dragon. It had been two days and already many have come to join Sesshomaru in the fight against Ryuukotsusei and his minions. He was surprised to see a large number of humans in the mist of demons. What surprised him more was when he saw Inuyasha's friends. What were their names again. Sango the demon slayer. Miroku the monk and the fox demon, Shippo, that looked to be no taller than an eleven-year-old human. Wasn't there another. Sesshomaru racked his brain for the name. His stepmother had just told him the girl's name just the other night. Yes, the priestess Kikyou, she was killed by the half demon turned demon called Naraku. He watched the three walk up to him.
"Greetings Lord Sesshomaru," said Miroku bowing and the other followed his lead. "I'm not sure if you remember us."
"I remember you. You are . . .friends . . ." His heart began to hurt from looking at them. They were a reminder of his little Inuyasha, of all the good times they shared. His heart felt as though it was shattering all over again but more ice began to form around it numbing the ache sealing it from any pain. "I remember you all."
"Well, we heard your message and are here to join you in battle against that murderous dragon," said Shippo clenching his hands into fist. "We're going to make him pay for what he did to Inuyasha."
"Don't forget Naraku," said Miroku. "That bastard killed Kikyou, ordered the massacre of Sango's village and cursed me with this hole in my hand."
"What can you tell me about this Naraku?" asked Sesshomaru.
"Nothing much," said Sango. "He just appeared one day and attacked Kikyou's village, killed her and took the Shikon no Tama. Once he turned himself into a full-blooded demon. He went up against Ryuukotsusei and lost. Although he lost, Naraku merged his forces with that of the dragon and they are quite powerful."
"Sango is right but it's not so much the demons Naraku control that is the threat. It is Naraku himself and the wind demoness Kagura that is the real threat," said Miroku.
"Don't forget Kanna," piped up Shippo.
"What's so special about this Kanna?"
"Nothing really," said Sango. "But it is the mirror that she carries with her. It can suck your soul into it and turn your own attack against you. Also, it can be used to spy on the enemy."
"So, you are saying that for all we know. Ryuukotsusei already know of my plans to attack him," said Sesshomaru frowning in thought.
"That's not all. Kagura uses her fan to turn the wind into blades that can cut you to ribbons," said Shippo. "And she can also use them to control the dead."
"The witch does not concern me. What concerns me is that mirror." The young lord walked away and they followed him.
"There is something more," said Miroku. His words stopping Sesshomaru. The demon turned to face them. "Naraku is power hungry and deceitful. He may not tell Ryuukotsusei about our attack in hopes of both sides destroying each other. With everyone on both sides dead. . ."
"This Naraku could take over with no problems at all," said Sesshomaru finishing the monk's sentence.
Miroku nodded his head.
"I must think about all the information you have given me," said the young lord deep in thought. "Thank you." He turned and walked away.
xxxxx
For three days, demons and humans arrived from all over Japan to join Sesshomaru in his fight to defeat Ryuukotsusei and his minions. Among the throng was Shirow and Master Rei. Sesshomaru pulled the two demons aside to talk to them.
"I'm glad to see you're back," said Master Rei. "How was your journey?"
"It was helpful." He responded in his emotionless tone. "I had fought many strong and dangerous demons."
The old dog demon frown. "So, where is . . ." Before he could ask his young lord about Inuyasha. Sesshomaru cut him off.
"Inuyasha is . . . dead. Shirow here saw him drown in the sea." He turned to the other demon. Then he turned back to face the elder demon. "I haven't told anyone not even mother that Inuyasha was still alive when we all thought he was dead. It would only destroy her more if I told her about him and then turn around only to tell her that he was dead again."
"I see your point," said Shirow.
"A wise decision," said Rei. "It's a good thing I didn't tell her. I wanted it to be your surprise to her when you brought Inuyasha home."
"So, what now?" Shirow turned to face the massive army gathering under Sesshomaru command.
"Now, we free my father and take back the west from that filthy dragon."
"It will be difficult," said Master Rei. "Not only does he have this demon Naraku and his minions. Two demons called the Thunder Brothers are among them. Also, The panther demon tribe has joined them."
"It figure those cats would join the dragon." Snorted Shirow. "Well well well, look at what the cat dragged in." He smiled as three young wolf demons along with a pack of wolves walked into camp.
The young wolf walked up to Sesshomaru and bowed. "I am Koga leader of the wolf demon tribe of the south. I have come to offer our aid in your fight against the dragon." He tossed his long black ponytail over his shoulder.
"I thought Lord Keiji was leader," said Sesshomaru.
"My father along with several of our pack was killed by that monster Naraku a year ago." Anger radiated from the young wolf lord as he remembered that awful day. "I and several others had just returned from a hunt when we came upon what was left of our warriors. And standing in the mist of that deathbed was Naraku. He still held the lifeless body of my father in his vile hands. I swore . . . I swore on that day that I would kill Naraku for what he did." The young wolf claws had dug into his palms drawing blood. One of the wolves sensing its masters distress nuzzled his nose against the young demon's fist. Koga looked down and smiled. Unclenching his fist, he began to scratch the animal behind the ear and turned his attention back to the dog demon lord.
"I heard about Keiji. I grieve for your lost," said Rei. "Did he destroy the entire pack?"
"No, the younger wolves like myself were out hunting and the females were at another cave far away from where the massacre took place," said Koga.
"At least it wasn't a complete lost," said Sesshomaru. Then he straightened raising his chin slightly to stare into those determined brown eyes of the young wolf. /He's so young. He seems to be around the same age as Inu . . . / While in thought his icy facade had slipped but at the mere mentioning of his little brother's name.
He could feel an ache in his heart. Refortifying his wall around his heart and settling his mask of impassiveness on his face, he nodded his head. "I accept your help Wolf Prince Koga and welcome."
"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru." Koga bowed.
"So Wolf Prince Koga, where is the rest of your pack?" asked Rei.
"They are waiting in the woods," said Koga. "If we were not allowed to join you. We would have attacked the dragon ourselves."
"That is a fools mission," said Shirow frowning.
"I know but we just had to take our revenge."
"You needn't worry about facing them alone," said Rei placing a strong hand on the young wolf's shoulder. "Only by all of us working together can we hope to defeat those villains."
xxxxx
Sitting next to an opened window a demon with long flowing black hair sat watching the army through a magic mirror that was being held by a young girl with white hair and empty dark eyes. Her skin was so pale it seem to glow in the dim light of the room. "So, that is the great Sesshomaru," said the crimson-eyed man staring with lust filled eyes at the silver haired demon.
"Yes," said a young woman with black hair she had up in a bun. She gently tapped a fan against her lips. "He is the eldest son of Inutaisho. Sesshomaru."
"So why haven't I ever seen him before, Kagura?"
"Maybe because he has been gone these past ten years," said the demon female Kagura.
"Explain."
"According to what I've heard. He left about a year ago after Ryuukotsusei killed the hanyou son and defeat his father."
"I see," said the dark hair demon smirking as he leered at the Inuyoukai. "Well, I guess I should go introduce myself and welcome this Sesshomaru back home."
xxxxx
On the docks at Nagasaki four mysterious figures disembarked from one of the cargo ship. Everyone on the docks stopped what they were doing to stare at the strangers. They were dressed in white tunics over white woolen trousers that was cut full for comfort and tucked into the tops of shiny black leather riding boots. Over the tunic and trousers they wore long black robes that brushed the ground, the flowing sleeves covered their arms to the elbow. A black woolen sash girdled their waists. Black facemasks worn with a turban like haiks covered their faces leaving only the eyes visible. Two of the strangers went into town and returned a few minutes later with a cart and two oxen. They loaded several barrels onto the cart and tossed their belongings in back also. One of the strangers pointed inland and began walking. The other three followed closely pulling the ox driven cart along with them.