Inuyasha: Sealed Fates Unleashed
By: Lady JenDragon
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha and its characters:( There are a few I've created for this story…so those are mine.
Author's Notes: About my chapter length, someone made a comment on long they were. I do not write with a specific length in mind nor try to. The story writes itself, I'm nothing but the medium. I hate being left hanging as a reader too. But it's been hectic lately, so I haven't had time to really prepare any chapters for uploading. Okay, now we're getting into the good parts of the story.
Chapter Six
Night of Chaos - Plight
Long fingers slowly connected at the tips as dark eyes stared into the watery depths of the bowl before her. The plan was going well. Every priest and miko pit against demons fought to prevent the possession they faced if their efforts failed. Humans eventually weakened, their physical forms far too weak to sustain serious battle over long periods. And then the demons would have their way.
Sex was the simplest diversion. Even with demons. Most demons acted on instinct and without thought during copulation, except those human-form demons that followed the old traditions. She accounted there may be several demons of considerable power in the area, two as far as she could locate. They were not spared her plan. In fact, if all went well, they would rid the world of their presence during their inevitable battle.
'Chaos, chaos everywhere.' With so many battles taking place, this left her minions free to scurry about with their mission. Tonight, many demons would die. 'All the better', she smiled. The stronger demons would soon join the battle, her spell taking longer to take effect, and eliminate the weak.
Atokiyida waved a hand over her shallow water bowl once more. Inuyasha's red-clad form appeared, his body bent over the Bone-Eater's well edge. His amber eyes were partly closed as he sniffed the air around him. 'He has caught her scent. Yes…seek her out! You will not fail, Inuyasha.' Inuyasha quickly lifted his head from the well and into the evening breeze, sniffing. He turned towards the village nearby. Kaede's, sister of Kikyo, village where his target had run for safety.
"Tonight." Atokiyida smiled, keeping her eyes on Inuyasha's reflection as he ran. "You will become a man, half-ling. I have made sure of that."
The water shimmered then changed once more. Kagome ran to join her monk and demonslayer friends. No amount of help would save the miko from Inuyasha tonight. Unsure why the miko wore such an odd sort of kimono, Atokiyida leaned in closer to the water's surface. 'And the miko becomes a woman. So easy to play amongst these mortals.'
She waved her hand over the water bowl once more. It went black then the water disappeared. Atokiyida needed to be ready once her minions possessed the final seal and released her from this prison. She wanted to take her time to prepare for her arrival into the world she had been forcefully separated from for over hundred thousand years.
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Miroku skidded to a halt in mid-swing, his eyes wide with shock and fear. Both hands gripped his staff tighter, suddenly unsure what to do next. He could not believe his eyes. Kagome ran towards them at full speed. He was seeing things. 'They sent her back home!'
"Miroku!" Kagome waved at the group fighting off the demons swirling around them.
Sango ducked several demons attacking her, catching her weapon, sliding to a stop. She froze in place. 'Why was Kagome back? Was there something wrong with the well?' A number of demons broke off and headed straight for Kagome.
"HERYCOTES!" Sango yelled.
Sango threw her weapon hard once more. It spun in a tight spiral, dissecting the mass of demons just before reaching Kagome. Her arm felt like the jelly substance Kagome brought along with her on occasion.
Kagome ducked as Sango's weapon sliced the air above her head. She blinked as demon parts rained down upon her, covering her head with her arms at the last minute. She flinched, remembering the demons had been after her. 'Whoo! That was too close.'
"Thanks for that." Kagome closed the distance to Sango.
"Kagome, what happened?" Sango did not know what they would do now. "You're supposed to be at home!"
Why the well not sent her home? Sango felt fear for her friend. There was no other way to protect Kagome. All the demons in the area would need to be destroyed. The demons would be determined to get to Kagome. What a time for this to happen. Especially since Inuyasha was not part of the defense.
"I don't know." Kagome shrugged. "The well wouldn't let me return home."
"Someone placed a spell on the well to prevent you from going home." Miroku surmised.
"But it's the Bone Eaters well?" Sango questioned. "No one can put a 'spell' on it, Miroku. That's impossible."
"Normally I would agree with you. But that is the only logical conclusion, Sango." Miroku shook his head. "Someone has plans for you, Kagome."
Kagome wanted to cringe. This was not the time to act like a true girl. She needed to be strong and stand with her friends if she wanted to stay safe. If the demons wanted her…like that, they had to fight. They weren't going to get her without a fight to the death.
"Why am I so weirded out by everything's that's going on?" Kagome winced at the idea. "I really need to stop creeping myself out."
Needing a distraction, Kagome ran into the hut. She quickly scanned the wall near the door finding what she wanted. Exiting the hut, she moved to stand beside Sango with her bow and arrow. 'No one's going to get me!' She took aim and shot three demons with a single arrow. They disintegrated on contact.
Miroku frowned, preparing to use his wind-tunnel on the new mass of demons heading their way over the tree tops. He figured they were placed in this chaos on purpose. It was the only logical conclusion. If they survived the night, they would have to figure out who was behind it. He seriously doubted Naraku was the culprit.
Kaede turned to retrieve another arrow. Her eyes widened, finding Kagome standing with Sango and Miroku. No wonder more demons arrived.
"Kagome!" Kaede set her eye on Kagome. "I thought ye were sent home!"
"So did I!" Kagome took aim again and fired. "The well didn't work!"
Sango turned to face Kagome. Her eyes widened at the sight behind Kagome. A mass of demons had gotten hold of Kagome's priestess scent, amalgamating into a large group. They began their charge at full speed above the tree line. Miroku turned to see Sango's expression then looked in Kagome's direction.
"Kagome, duck!" Miroku yelled.
He removed the sacred beads from his right wrist, eyes half closed. Miroku knew he needed to be careful tonight. Over working his curse could cause it to widen and that would help no one. 'Where is Inuyasha? Is he affected by all of this?'
"WIND TUNNEL!" He thrust his right hand forward.
All demons over the village were pulled into Miroku's right hand. The black hole sucked up everything upon its opening. Kagome felt the pull on her body, hitting the ground as a large demon swept past her, its claws outstretched in a last attempt to steal the prize. Suddenly, the high wind stopped.
"Miroku!" Kagome warned. "Watch where you point that thing!"
Miroku replaced the sacred beads over his wrist, sealing the wind tunnel. Another victorious battle and it was accomplished without Inuyasha. He allowed himself to smile for a quick second then turned his attention to Kagome.
"Wow." Kagome got onto her feet on shaky knees. "That was scary."
Kaede moved around the maimed remains of the demons slain earlier in the battle. Her eye searched each one for signs of tampering or jewel infliction. None could be found. There would be more demons later, some species replicated better than others. The evening was not over yet. Not by a long shot.
"Do you sense anything from them, Kaede?" Miroku joined the priestess by her side.
"No." Kaede turned towards the horizon. "That's what worries me most of all."
Someone was going through a lot of trouble to keep everyone preoccupied for a long period of time. Or was this the chaos they intended to wreak upon demons and humans alike?
"Whoever is doing this has covered their tracks well." Sango shouldered her weapon. "Is it a demon?"
Sango found Kaede was not listening. The priestess was thinking inwardly, searching for answers through the many memories she retained from experience and age. There had been no clues as to the identity of the source of tonight's anarchy. Typically, there were tell-tale signs.
Miroku barely had time to react. A small mass of demons on the attack were approaching their location fast. They moved swiftly through the air, their eyes wide with only one thought. 'Not again!' He removed the sacred beads from his wrist and took aim once more.
"WIND TUNNEL!" Miroku opened his right hand for a second time.
All the demons disappeared within seconds.
Sango blinked. All night she wondered why the demons kept attacking after Kagome was thought to have been sent home. Now it occurred to her that Miroku was a priest equivalent though called a monk. They were the same profession really. 'I doubt he even figured it out that he's a target himself tonight. Clueless. Just like him.' Sango thought and began giggling. Kagome walked over to her to find out what she was laughing about.
Miroku frowned when Kagome began to laugh along with Sango after the whispering between them ceased. What were those two women talking about now? He shook them off his mind, turning to Kaede. The priestess was still in thought, she appeared overly worried.
No one saw the shadow sitting on the top stair of the shrine. Its black feathers glistened in the moonlight. An oil-slick eye watched the foursome below with calm reserve, waiting to strike at an opportune time. Its round head narrowed into a flat beak that narrowed to a dull point. With a single beat of its powerful wings, it flew into the sky then swooped down towards Kagome.
Sango's eyes widened at the creature suddenly heading for Kagome. There was no time to get between Kagome and that creature. She acted out of instinct, hoping it would be enough.
"Kagome!" Sango pointed towards Kagome. "Look out!"
Kagome turned in time to see the sickly black bird swoop down towards her from the shrine. She put her hands up in defense, throwing herself to the side. It adjusted its wings, drifting to the right. Its claws clasped around her waist as she fell parallel to the ground. With a jerk and pull, she was airborne.
"Kagome!" Kaede yelled.
All she could do was watch in horror. Kaede was helpless to stop the creature from taking Kagome. She never saw that demon before. The black of its wings reflected the light of the moon, not reflecting the light but giving the appearance of reflection. Through actual color of the feathers. It was an empty demon, a shell. It was sent for a specific purpose. 'To take capture me, separate me from Miroku and Sango. But where is it going?'
"MIROKU! SANGO!" Kagome screamed.
Its claws crushed her, Kagome could barely breathe. She stretched out both hands, reaching towards Miroku running in an attempt to lock a grip on her ankle. His fingers just missed Kagome's shoe, falling to the ground. He landed on his back, slightly dazed from the fall. Sango helped Miroku back onto his feet, handing his staff to him. He launched a blast towards the creature. It was easily avoided, the large bird disappeared over the trees.
"It's headed towards the well!" Sango stated.
"Come on!" Miroku broke into a fast run.
Kaede was left behind, too old to follow so quickly. She'd have to let the monk and the demonslayer save Kagome. There were other people in the village to protect.
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The ground grew distant beneath her feet. The black bird gained altitude fast. Fear rose within Kagome as the village disappeared behind the trees. Wait, the creature was heading for the well! Not that it would work. She felt a bit relieved. If it dropped her, she knew where to run. There were a number of caves around the well to keep the demons at bay.
"Hey!" Kagome tried to free herself of one claw.
'Damn.' The bird's claws were tight around her. She blinked at the layer of fog over the forest. When had that formed? The bird swooped low, opening its claws. It was still too high for her not to break anything when she landed. Kagome felt herself fall. She knew there was nothing she could do. 'Oh god! I'm going to die!'
"Aaaaauuuuuggggggghhhhhhhh!"
Kagome screamed so hard, her lungs hurt. Fear was definitely charging the ear-piercing scream that came from her. She did not know she could scream that way.
Suddenly, Kagome felt something catch her, its arm firm around her waist. Her body jerked sideways as the creature flew through the air, landing softly on the ground. She failed to see anything through the dense fog. As quick as the thing saved her, it disappeared into the forest and fog. She squinted her eyes, forcing herself to concentrate. At first, she thought it was Inuyasha but the creature did not stay. She was being silly hoping he would show up at the last second and save her again. It was not Inuyasha, she would have known it was him by his red kimono.
'So now what?' Whoever her savior had been obviously, it did not want to harm her. Kagome turned in a circle to get her bearings. But, the fog was so thick, she could not get a landmark to begin her journey back towards the village anyways. Why had the bird demon brought her here? And who was the creature that caught her?
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Rin climbed over the log, determined not to let her loneliness get to her. She followed Lord Sesshomaru in complete disrespect of his request for her to remain where he left her. Good thing he walked in straight line. She had little trouble tracking of him. She stopped when she heard a voice. It was a woman's. Peeking through the vegetation, she got a glimpse of a priestess woman in white and red. The woman felt familiar to her yet not familiar all at the same time. This woman looked a lot like…Kagome? The girl who showed her tenderness when she'd been abducted by Kagura?
No, this woman was not Kagome. Whoever she was, she did not appear happy to see Lord Sesshomaru. Perhaps he was angry with the woman. Had she betrayed his trust in the past? Oh yes, the priestess he mentioned some time in the past. Did they not meet up with her once before? Rin could not remember her name, only that she was dead.
"What do you want here, Sesshomaru?" The woman reiterated.
Rin held her breath. She never saw Lord Sesshomaru so wild-like before. His amber eyes were rimmed by crimson. This was very unlike him, Rin chewed on her lower lip knowing she was helpless. His purple stripes on his face grew jagged and rough. His eyes, now, glowed fully red, a growl low and deep verberated from his throat. Seconds passed before he answered the woman through gritted teeth, his fangs bared.
"You already know." He paused. "Kikyo."
Rin watched anxiously, fisting her hands nervously. The woman did not show her inner emotions around Lord Sesshomaru. In fact, she was overly confident with the arrow aimed at her master's heart. What should she do? Interfere? Protect Sesshomaru from this woman? She was only a child. Plus, Lord Sesshomaru did not need protecting. He was strong and capable all on his own.
"I will never submit to a demon!"
"The vessel matters not."
Lord Sesshomaru took several steps towards the woman. The woman fired her arrow. Rin placed her hands over her mouth.
Author Notes: Hope I have you hanging. Got a few more ideas for the next chapter before I upload it…probably in two weeks.