Sesshomaru snarled as he lunged into the cave, the light was quickly dispersing around him and Naraku was no where to be seen but his mocking laughter seemed to echo all around the furious Tai Youkai. But the man's laughter died with the fading light until finally Sesshomaru was left in the dark silence of the cave. The powerful demon fell to his knees as he slammed his right fist into the floor sending chips of rock flying at the intensity of the blow.
The red haze left his eyes as he remained stuck to the spot, he was completely drained both mentally and physically, maybe that was partially why he didn't sense the strange presence that was watching him silently from the shadows.
"… He sure pulled one over on you didn't he?" A feminine voice asked, Sesshomaru's eyes shot up and his fangs bared menacingly, but he quickly found there was no reason to become so alert. It was a spirit if anything, quite and odd looking spirit at that. Her wild mane of light blue hair was a shocking difference to the dark walls of the cave that lie behind her.
Composing himself the demon rose to his full height and regarded her coolly, "What is it to you wench? It would seem you are in no position to talk to this Sesshomaru in such a manner…" It had dawned on him that the female demon was sealed away in this cave; in a way not much different than the way his own half brother had been sealed about a year ago.
She flinched at his words but remained silent for a moment, "Well, aren't you an ungrateful bastard? And to think I was willing to help you." She growled her amber eyes flashing as she spat the words out venomously, she may have already been sealed for two hundred years but that didn't mean her temper was any better than it had been prior to her sealing.
He remained emotionless to her great annoyance, she hated people like this, they were so damn aloof. "The reason that foul creature you were after got through… Was because of the Shikon Jewel shards he possessed, you couldn't pass through because you don't have any on you're being. I'm not sure exactly where he went, but with a little of my energy I can send you after him, and of course I'll have to lend you this." She said pulling a red spherical earring from her ear; Sesshomaru inspected it from where he stood still not all that trusting of the she demon before him.
"Do you take me for a fool woman? That is no Shikon Shard, I know not what it is but I know very well what it is not. And I've no clue what you are thinking but I will not be so easily tricked into taking your place in this prison of yours." He growled the red tint once again beginning to form over his tired eyes, she sighed with an exasperated tone.
"You idiot, I wouldn't need you to take my place… And only someone who possesses the sword that defeated me can release me from this cave, the jewel I have here is only a copy of one of three that I should possess… When combined they're far more powerful than that damn Shikon jewel, and even though this is a copy I'm sure that with a little of my energy I can send you through just the same way he went." She corrected him her eyes narrowed into a scowl, "But, if you don't want my help then that's fine with me."
Sesshomaru contemplated her words for a minute, if he was right this cave was like the well his brother's wench so often used to return to her world. And if that was true, then Naraku had gone to her time. And Inuyasha and his group with their shards could very easily go through the well and follow after the vile half breed. The mere thought of his brother defeating his enemy in his place made Sesshomaru's normally calm blood rise to a boil.
"This Sesshomaru accepts you offer, and you'll want something in return?" He growled, he still wasn't all that thrilled in the fact that he was dependent on the aid of a sealed female to capture Naraku but he was willing to take the small blow to his ego to take the opportunity to kill his foe. He'd guessed right, her face lit up as she figured out she would get something for her aiding him.
"Oh my you're a quick learner! If you could be so kind as to release me from my prison I would love you long time!" Her voice had now taken on a cheerful and almost seductive tone, but after she noticed his expression darken she chuckled nervously extending her hand as she floated towards him. He took the small orb from her his lips drawn into a tight line.
"This Sesshomaru will see what he can do." He said in a monotone voice before glaring at her expectantly, she blinked before nervously chuckling once again.
"Oh, yeah right. Close your eyes and focus your energy into the gem," He did as he was told and tried to refrain from clawing her arms off as she gently laid her fingertips onto his shoulders. He could feel a warm sensation fill him before he felt a vortex like pressure pulling him back towards the entrance of the cavern, "Don't forget about me you tight assed bastard!" Ryoko's voice was almost lost amongst the rushing wind that filled Sesshomaru's sharp ears but he couldn't deny hearing it even over the din, then suddenly all sound seemed to silence itself but the pressure was still to immense for him to even attempt to open his eyes.
The Tai Youkai let out a low grunt as he collided with something hard, his amber eyes opened slowly to see the cavern ceiling above him once again but this time there was a light glinting off of the stone walls, he sat up slowly hissing as he aggravated his wound. The small jewel was still glowing softly in the reddish light that was entering from the mouth of the cave just behind him; he noticed a rusty gate sealing the deeper sections of the cave probably to keep any curious humans out. Suddenly a familiar smell assaulted the demon's sharp senses and his eyes flashed crimson before he jumped up and ran into the forest to seek out the still fleeing Naraku.
Ryoko sighed softly as the warm water caressed her tired muscles; Washu sat soaking not far from them, a bucket with used sake cups floated lazily between the two women. "Aaahh, this feels so nice, and to think that body wash was the one I've been using! No wonder I can't get Tenchi in the sac!" She joked, she had been using a very generic brand of body wash that had a rather bland scent to it, but Washu had lent her a bottle of her own body wash that she'd received last Christmas that she'd never really used.
The two women had enjoyed a relaxing two hours or so in the onsen, and Washu was quite pleased with her choice to skip the physical that day. Ryoko was in a great mood now that all her senses were unlocked; she guessed it was also partially that her daughter now felt more normal. In all honesty it made sense for Kagato to have sealed everything that he had; all of the things he had cut off would only lead to Ryoko becoming distracted and feeling human. She had no reason to eat, no reason to feel love, and no connections between herself and anyone 'normal'. Of course back then she had had little to no emotions to begin with which probably made her even easier to control, these thoughts made Washu's stomach churn as she remembered feeling the pain and guilt her daughter felt towards her actions in the past. She was about to say something when suddenly a large energy force seemed to appear out of no where, and muffled cries could be heard from around the shrine house.
"What the hell?!" Ryoko cried teleporting into her clothing her hair and body instantly dry as she hovered above the onsen, Washu watched her from where she sat in the water a bit disappointed by the sudden interruption.
'Go on, check it out, I'll be over in a few minutes alright?' Washu told her daughter through their mental link, the younger woman nodded before hurtling towards the sudden chaos.
She could hear the sound of swords clashing and angry growls and cries coming from just through the trees, half expecting Tenchi and Katsuhito to be training she came to a harsh stop as her eyes fell upon the scene below her.
A crumpled and hissing baboon pelt lay right by the shrine steps, a green acid eating through the white fur. Not far from it Tenchi was locking swords with a furious and horribly injured man. His long white hair was clotted with dirt and blood, he seemed oddly familiar but with his back to her it was hard for her to place him.
"Lord Tenchi! What's going on?!" Aeka cried as she ran up the steps towards the fight making sure to carefully maneuver around the baboon pelt as she made her way passed the stairs. The man turned to acknowledge Aeka who shivered as their eyes met, the chilling red eyes resembled the eyes that had long haunted her dreams. They looked so much like Ryoko's had when she'd attacked Jurai so many years ago; Katsuhito caught her eye and shook his head as she tried to intervene.
Ryoko grit her teeth as Tenchi cried out in agony as the man's sharp claws met his arm the wounds instantly taking on a green hue as the acidic poison began to infect the newly severed flesh. "Hey! Asshole up here, get away from my Tenchi!" She growled her energy sword flashing into existence as she lunged towards him, Sesshomaru turned on her instantly deflecting her blade with his sharp reflexes. Even in his fatigue his swords skills vastly out matched her own and she could tell this at the moment their blades met, jumping back she glared at her opponent.
Suddenly her eyes widened as recognition slowly dawned on her, this was the same man she'd talked to while imprisoned in the Masaki Shrines cave. But his aura was completely different from that night so many years earlier; his eyes were so much like her own had been before she'd been imprisoned. The whites tinted red and his usually golden orbs where an empty greenish black. It was if she was looking into her own eyes… It was as if she was fighting herself. Unable to stare into his eyes any longer she averted her own, taking notice to the purplish tones around his wound.
Tenchi's eyes widened as he saw Ryoko dissipate her weapon, "What are you doing?! He'll kill you! Ryoko!!" Aeka held him back as he tried to run to the aide of the other woman, his usually tan face was pale and sickly as the demon's acidic poison continued to degrade his chi and eat through the flesh on his ailing limb.
"Lord Tenchi! You can't… You're arm…" She said trying not to aggravate his wound further as she held him in place, the young prince struggled against her grip the Tenchi-ken had already snuffed itself out his energy had faded much to much to produce the blue blade from the hilt.
"… Your name is Sesshomaru, right? Listen, I know you aren't yourself, I can see it in your eyes…. Calm yourself, I don't want to have to kill you." She said calmly, her voice level as she approached the enraged demon. He snarled threateningly as she drew even closer, her hands extended towards him in a welcoming manner.
Ryoko hissed as he caught her by the wrists the poison burning her soft skin but she smiled all the same, "Shhhh, its ok, we won't hurt you anymore…" She soothed, as she said this she created a doppelganger of herself, the second Ryoko moved in silently from behind Sesshomaru who in his current state of mind could only focus on the woman before him.
Ryoko watched as her shadow examined the large gash before quickly snapping her fingers into the wound and extracting a small black shard from the inflamed flesh of the now howling demon lord. The doppelganger faded and the blackened crystal fell to the stone courtyard where it glowed ominously a black light seeping from its core. Ryoko cried out as the poison burning her wrists became more focused before Sesshomaru slumped to the ground unable to support himself without the Shikon Shards power.
Katsuhito caught her as her own knees went weak, "Well done Ryoko, you handled yourself very well. Aeka, help Tenchi to the house awhile, Ryoko and I will be down shortly." The Princess nodded and tugged on Tenchi gently though she couldn't help but feel her heart sink slightly as she noticed Tenchi's jealous expression as the injured Ryoko still attempted to fuss over the unconscious stranger.
"My god, what the hell happened up here?" Washu asked as she finally appeared on the scene, "I just passed Tenchi and Aeka, and now you're injured too Ryoko?" She stared at the man on the ground and then glanced over towards the remains of the pelt that she'd just passed. "Katsuhito, I'll be back up with something to take him down to my lab, will you keep an eye on him till I get back? Ryoko come with me, now, I need to check you're wounds out as well." Washu said sternly, the younger woman nodded but cast a glance at Sesshomaru's weakened form.
"Alright but we need to get him help soon…" She said before allowing Washu to lead her back towards the house, the two of them returned to chaos.
Mihoshi, Kiyone, Sasami and Ryo-Ohki were questioning Aeka and fussing over the now nearly unconscious Tenchi. Kiyone was the first to notice Ryoko and Washu entering the back doors, "Not you too Ryoko! How did this happen?" The Galaxy Police officer asked in a worried tone, Ryoko laughed slightly.
"No biggie, sorry you won't have to write up any reports about this one Kiyone and least not that I know of…" The ex pirate huffed; she didn't realize how Tenchi could take the poison if even her body was reacting badly to the effects.
Seeing the condition Tenchi had fallen into Washu had Mihoshi and Kiyone assist Aeka into moving him into her lab where she placed him in a regenerative machine, the clear glass allowed the girl's to see him as he healed, a breathing mask was placed over his nose and mouth in case he needed any assistance.
"Alright… I need to stay here with Ryoko and Tenchi-dono, Kiyone, Mihoshi, I want you to go up with that hover stretcher over there and get our other patient. Let Katsuhito know I'll be up in a little while to clean up the mess, and tell him not to touch anything. Alright? That goes for you two as well and please be careful when handling that man… I'm not quite sure who he is and he doesn't seem to trust us to well yet…. Ok come on now girl's hurry please!" The two galaxy police officers nodded before grabbing the hover stretcher and running off towards the exit of the lab, Washu cast a glance over at Ryoko.
"Come here, let me take a look at you now…" She said gently as Ryoko showed her mother her wrists without a word, Aeka was staring down at Tenchi through her tear filled eyes. She couldn't help it but she could feel a deep resentment burning in her chest for the ex pirate, this one was strong and true unlike the small rivalry she often felt for the other woman.
"…How could you?" She said suddenly surprising both Ryoko and Washu, "How could you save that man?!" The Princess shrieked her voice cracking with emotion as she glared at the spiky haired woman before her. "Did you feel pity for him because he's a blood thirsty monster like yourself?!" She cried her Jurai energy beginning to gather around her as she lost control of her own emotions, Ryoko's eyes widened and a pained look crossed her already pale features.
Washu glared at the enraged Princess, "Out now." She said her brow furrowed as the Princess suddenly froze her pink eyes widening, she instantly calmed and lowered her head before rushing out of the lab leaving the mother and daughter in dismal silence.
Several minutes later Mihoshi and Kiyone returned with the injured Sesshomaru their faces grim, it didn't look good for the demon, his vital signs were barely registering even on Washu's delicate equipment once she'd connected him to a machine similar to the one Tenchi was already lying in. Kiyone glanced over at Ryoko who looked completely lost; her body was dirty and covered with blood and grime, "Ryoko? Would you like to take a bath with Mihoshi and me? I know you and Washu bathed earlier, but I think you need some time to relax…" Washu nodded at this, speaking up for her daughter.
"Yes that sounds like a good idea, thank you Kiyone, why don't you go Ryoko?" The scientist soothed rubbing Ryoko's back with a small hand, the woman nodded never raising her eyes from the floor as she did so. Mihoshi smiled softly and grabbed her hand leading her towards the laboratory door; Washu caught Kiyone's attention before she could follow the other two.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but would you mind keeping an eye on her for a little while? I'm going to be stuck in here till at least the same time tomorrow working on these two and well… Lady Aeka isn't taking this whole thing very well and seems to be blaming Ryoko for it." Kiyone looked shocked but Washu silenced her before she could question the scientist about it further.
"I'm not really sure what's going on myself, so please if you could just keep her company for now… In my place." She said quietly, Kiyone smiled softly, it was true that she had once disliked Ryoko very much, but it was usually the space pirate who kept her sane when Mihoshi ground down her nerves too much.
"I'll do my best little Washu." Kiyone assured before turning and heading towards where Mihoshi and Ryoko were waiting by the door, Washu sighed and glanced towards the two men that had been left behind.
"Its gonna be a long night…"
Bwahahahaha! (is tempted to throw in steamy Kiyone and Ryoko make out scene) Naw, I won't hahaha, but that is the only Yuri pairing I like lol So yeah chapta 2! And our other little saying was…. "Aeka all over…." (get it? I-ache- a?) Just ignore me... Anyway, please review, hope you enjoyed and daaaaamn, that Princess must be PMSin'!