Inuyasha: Sealed Fates Unleashed
By: Lady JenDragon
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha and characters. I have to say this so I don't get sued. One can dream though.
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Chapter Sixteen
Freedom
The cave appeared burned out. It resembled the cave of the Fifth Seal only the walls and rock had been blown out. Scars in the rock were deep, gashed in long straight lines. Boulders and dead or dying plants were shifted to the side, clearing a twelve foot wide path from the mouth of the cave. The wide path led all the way to the First Seal pedestal.
Inuyasha touched one scar in the rock, amazed at the freshness of it. Miroku squatted beside him, a lantern in his hand, both eyes focused on the ground. He studied the scars on the ground around the pedestal, touching the sharp edges. The rock was gray on the interior gashes and the soil returned to its brown color less than an inch below the burned surface.
Kagome eyed the pedestal where the First Seal once resided. It remained upright in its original position. The once white color gave way to black. Asaia kept close contact, never leaving her side. She glanced around nervously at the shadows. Sango stood beside KiRaRa in full demon cat form holding a large lantern.
"Miroku?" Inuyasha asked quietly.
This was disconcerting to him. That did not happen often to him. Inuyasha liked to believe he was invincible with Tetsusaiga by his side. Now, his confidence wavered slightly. His Backlash Wave could not have destroyed all the spells protecting the Fifth Seal in one swing. Would the Backlash Wave even work against spells? Whatever this was, the First seal had no hope of staying safe.
"It's a mess, Inuyasha." Miroku glanced around the cave with awe. "There were more spells protecting the Fourth Seal than what Kaede used for the Fifth Seal. The amount of power required to extract the Fourth Seal was amazing. Whoever it was, it was extremely powerful and knowledgeable."
"A demon not a sorcerer then?" Sango asked.
"No, a demon. I'm almost positive. But this damage wasn't caused by a demon alone." Miroku stood up. "Perhaps a demon sorcerer, a messy one at that. It was acting on orders."
"How can you tell?" Shippo inquired.
"If it was a sorcerer…" Miroku rubbed his chin. "It would've known to leave the cave untouched to avoid discovery so soon after the diversion was eliminated. But, whoever did this used one blast to accomplish its task."
Miroku would not have confirmation of his theory until the person responsible showed themselves. If the Night-of-Chaos was any indication, they had been singled out by the person and kept busy to keep them from reaching the cave of the Fifth Seal.
"The Fifth Seal cave was also damaged, though not to this extent. They did a better job." Kagome reminded Miroku. "So, it's the same person then?"
"Yes." Miroku nodded. "Now we must let Kaede know what we've found."
"And the search for the culprit begins." Inuyasha growled.
Kagome sighed, unaware of Asaia watching her closely then smiling. Asaia shifted her eyes to Inuyasha then back to Kagome. She turned to look at Sango then Miroku. An interesting group indeed, she concluded.
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Rin had to move fast. She brought some medicinal herbs back to Lord Sesshomaru, snubbed by Master Jaken when she offered to make a paste. Lord Sesshomaru's wounds were looking worse than before. His pale face turned yellowish.
"Master Jakken." Rin offered. "There is poison in the wound."
"I know that stupid girl!" Jaken spit at her. "Quit stating the obvious! Now, go away!"
Rin kept her hurt inward. Her eyes set on Lord Sesshomaru. His pale face was tinged with yellow and bit of green. His eyes leaked a light green color, staining his beautiful face. Lord Sesshomaru grew worse despite Jaken's constant denials. The last resort was clearly her only option. She walked off knowing Master Jaken would not miss her.
Lord Sesshomaru was no longer aware of his surroundings. And delusions were beginning to set in, she realized. Her master kept attempting to scratch at his neck, his nails pointed into his skin. Jaken would have to watch Lord Sesshomaru closely until she got back. Without another word, Rin ran quietly from the camp. She had a good idea where to find her salvation.
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Inuyasha woke, the air around him intoxicated with a sweet scent. His eyes looked around, sniffing silently to detect the direction of the scent. Sitting next to the window, he raised his nose, finding the incoming air tainted with the freshness of the forest. The source wasn't out there. It was from inside the hut he shared with the others.
His eyes surveyed each sleeping form, settling on Kagome near him. He leaned forward, liking the scent coming off her. But, it was more than that. The scent was mixed with a smell he knew all too well. The medicinal crème Kagome brought with her from home. Moving closer to her, Kagome used it plenty of times to heal their wounds. But, where was the scent coming from?
Afraid to wake her, Inuyasha got down on all fours, sniffing quietly around Kagome. He could just make out the scent of blood. A wound? The wound was on her shoulder, close to the neck. He was drawn to it. A feeling of deja-vous came over him. What was this?
Kagome shifted in her bed, rolling over towards him. Inuyasha held his breath, his eyes wide as her face shifted towards him. She settled quickly again and Inuyasha allowed himself to breathe. Kagome's lips were so close to his. His eyes focused on her closed lids, the shining moon on her face. He wanted her. His eyes widened. 'Want?'
Frowning, Inuyasha jerked his head away. He backed from Kagome, sitting against the wall. The feelings he had were confusing. Inuyasha did not know what to make of them. He looked up, Miroku watched him with quiet concern. He, too, showed curiosity about what Inuyasha discovered. He waved the monk back to bed, leaning against the wall again, closing his eyes. He needed to confront Kagome tomorrow about what really happened.
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Atokiyada watched in her water bowl as Tir placed the last and final Seal into place in the center of the circle on the forest floor. Darkness fell across the land as the spell released from the realm that imprisoned her.
Suddenly, her inner world shook violently. Her eyes veered to glance up and round her home for the last ten-thousand years. Pieces of dark gray rock shattered and collapsed around her, breaking apart on impact. A broad smile crossed her lips. Bright light pierced the darkness of her world. She turned from the light, shielding her eyes from the source.
'I'm free!'
An opening appeared to her left, the bright light growing wider. Standing, Atokiyada waited for the opening to finish its liquidus transformation. Walking slowly towards the dark green outline of the forest, she hesitated before putting her foot through the gateway. Tir waited until she propelled herself through the gateway between the worlds before bowing his green scaly head.
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Tir waited as Atokiyida placed her foot, taking the first of a few steps outside of her prison. His eyes focused on her small feet taking their first steps of freedom. The length of her blue and silver kimono shimmered in the evening moon.
"Tir, you have done well." Atokiyada tapped the Dragon demon on the head. "I shall reward you for such devoted service."
"Sesshomaru has been taken care of."
"Excellent!" She smiled down at Tir.
The great Sesshomaru would soon be kept under control and would not pose a risk to her anymore. She went to great lengths to subdue the Dog Demon rather than kill him out right. She wanted to make him pay for what his family did to her. His power could alter her plans and she wanted no interference.
Inuyasha and the miko were out of time, Kagome, power was reduced to nothing and the more powerful demons of the land were eliminated. Her plans were going well. She walked off into the forest, taking in a deep breath. Tir followed obediently.
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Asaia woke, startled from the dream that haunted her. Covering her mouth with both hands, she opened her eyes. She sat up, afraid that someone would wake if she made any sound during her dreaming. Her fears relented finding no one awake in the hut she shared with Inuyasha and the others. They continued sleeping.
Her eyes shifted to the small window where the silver moon poured light into the hut. Light bounced off the walls and floor on the far side, highlighting Inuyasha's silver hair. His head hung low on his chest, his back against the wall. He slept peacefully tonight. Asaia smiled, tilting her head slightly sideways.
"Atokiyada." Asaia whispered almost inaudibly.
Flicking off her covers and getting to her feet quickly, Asaia exited the hut.
The forest seemed very quiet as she ran towards the nearest stream, one they passed over shortly before stopping for the night. Her bare feet did not flinch as she ran over rocks, grass and hills to reach her destination. It was most important that she know.
She could hear the running water in its small banks. The larger rocks in the bed changed the waters path, widening the stream here. Asaia skidded to a halt at its bank, her eyes searching for any signs that her fears were justified.
Under the bright moon, Asaia looked down in the water at the shining reflection. Though a child, her reflection smiled back in the form of a young woman, no more than 19, wearing the same blue kimono and bead necklace. She squeezed both hands into tight fists.
Asaia glanced up at the moon then back down at the water. It shimmered then changed to show Atokiyada exiting from her prison. Her breath left her, both legs quivering.
"She's escaped her prison." Her mouth gaped. "I'm too late."
Asaia lowered her head, her reflection returning to normal. She turned back towards the hut. Their job had just become harder. With Atokiyada free, the world would see its future threatened. And quite possibly end.
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Kagome lay in a large bed covered in white lace. The thin sheet hugged her form, accentuating her nude form hidden beneath, just covering her bosom. She sat up slightly dazed, clutching the covers with one arm. Inuyasha slept bared-chested beside her, his face hidden beneath his hair, seemingly peaceful. She hesitated before glancing to her other side. Her eyes widened.
Sesshomaru rested in his kimono, armor, swords and sash on his back…but only his bones remained of him. His long white hair fanned the pillow beneath his head. The gentle breeze blew over the bed, blowing away the ashes that remained.
'What is this!' Kagome covered her mouth to keep from screaming out.
She immediately shook Inuyasha's shoulder. But he did not wake. She tried again. Nothing. She yanked hard, pulling on Inuyasha until he fell over on his back. A gaping wound in his chest and the dead amber eyes told her was dead.
Kagome threw her head back and screamed. But no sound echoed.
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Kagome sat up with a muffled scream, shivering and sweating, covering herself as if she was nude beneath her covers. She opened her eyes, finding everyone awake, their eyes wide and fearful. Even Shippo and KiRaRa appeared affected.
"What's going on?" Sango spoke first. "I just dreamed I killed Kohaku with my bare hands."
"I saw my father's death over and over again." Shippo rubbed his eyes sleepily, crying.
Miroku kept quiet, his dream too much to think about let alone tell the rest of the group. Never in all of his years had he thought of such things. He could never do that to anyone let alone a woman. He shivered at the fresh memory.
Only Inuyasha appeared unaffected, eyeing everyone suspiciously.
"What are you talking about?"
"Didn't you have a bad dream too?" Shippo asked sleepily. "Like the world was going to end?"
"Nah." Inuyasha growled, folding his arms. "I was dreaming of killing Sesshomaru in a fair battle. Hardly a nightmare."
"We all had bad dreams?" Kagome asked everyone softly.
She got nods from everyone except Inuyasha. Sighing deeply, Kagome felt the cold shiver sliding down her spine. Every nerve tingled with apprehension. Folding her arms, she rubbed them to warm her skin. Then she noticed someone was missing.
"Where's Asaia?" Kagome asked suddenly worried.
Sango looked to where the little girl had laid, her bed abandoned. She looked up and met Miroku's curious stare. He, too, was suspicious of the girl upon their meeting.
"Better go find her and make sure she's okay." Sango moved first.
The others grudgingly joined her not wanting to go back to bed immediately. Bad dreams often kept many from returning to sleep. Miroku lifted Shippo onto his shoulder as KiRaRa jumped into Sango's arm. Kagome paused before getting to her own feet. Inuyasha disappeared out the door already.