Chapter 12
Very slowly all heads turned in the direction Matyeo was looking. Beyond the barrier, perched comfortably on a rock was a devious looking crow. The bird was unusually large for its species, with glittering silver talons, sapphire eyes, and an eerie demonic stare. The creature screamed, as crows so often do; however its voice was much higher, sounding almost like a human wail. Then suddenly, the creature took on a strange aura.
As the glow around it grew brighter, the creature's body started to grow and manipulate, its frame becoming distinctly feminine. The animal's beak and feathers were gradually replaced by flesh scantly cloaked in black leather, and it gained distinctly demon features: elf-like ears, pointed horns, clawed fingertips, and haunting slitted eyes. When fully reverted the, demon bore no resemblance to a bird at all, save for the large pair of jet-black, feathered wings, which stretched elegantly from her shoulders.
Curiously the group watched as the winged demon stepped from the rock with a semi-seductive gate.
"Well well …look what I've caught," she chortled in a rich, flowing tone "It isn't every day demons of royal blood venture so far." There was a pause as the new demon glanced over the large, diverse group lingering in her barrier trap. Her gaze paused when it fell upon the familiar striped face of the western dog ruler. "Sesshomaru…." Now the demon's face twisted into a sly grimace "What a…pleasant surprise…"
Sesshomaru meanwhile just stared at the female demon with a casual, almost uninterested expression.
"Mura," he at last remarked dryly "I see you have fared well."
"Yes, that I have," came she she-demon's flowing reply as she proceeded to look him over more carefully. Her sight lingered for an instant upon Sesshomaru's missing left arm, then the witch demon coyly tucked a lock of her ebony hair behind her ear and continued with a note of arrogance "Can't say the same for you. What happened? Did you enter the wrong battle? Or perhaps…you weren't capable of taming the sword you sought so desperately?" The statement came as a shock to everyone, save for Sesshomaru who twitched an eyebrow in annoyance but said nothing. The great monarch's silence only broadened the witch's devious smile. "I see…how very ironic…"
Now Sesshomaru was mumbling and his normally calm face harbored distinct lines of suppressed anger but still he kept quiet. Inuyasha meanwhile, had become impatient with the situation and voiced his confusion angrily.
"What is she talking about?" Beside the half demon, Matyeo also cleared his throat to address the white haired monarch, though when he finally did so his manners were distinctly better.
"It is very odd. If you don't mind me asking…. have you two met before?"
In response, Sesshomaru cast a momentary glance over his shoulder. Under any other circumstances he would have refused to answer.
"Once." He finally mumbled gruffly. The reply was vague at best but Matyeo caught on immediately.
"Oh…I see…" the dragon murmured quietly as a blush crept across his cheeks. Then Matyeo turned and scratched behind his head in embarrassment "wow…. this is really awkward…." The dragon's discomfort didn't go unnoticed, and gradually Inuyasha and his friends also picked up on dog monarch's cue.
"No way," blurted Inuyasha as he stared back and forth between his brother and the witch Mura. They seemed as unlikely a pair as night and day, and yet they still…. Inuyasha wrinkled his nose in disgust. The mere thought was as unbelievable as it was sickening. This black-winged, witch demon before them…. was Shura's mother!
"Sesshomaru…." The half demon gawked in his sibling's direction "What were you thinking???"
Beyond the barrier, Mura sneered at Inuyasha's remark, but Sesshomaru surprisingly kept his wits about him.
"It was a bargain," he at last replied coldly "A sad attempt by a failing matriarch to keep her rank among her clan." That answer met with Mura's immediate resistance. Glaring savagely and spreading her wings the witch stormed a few steps closer to the barriers edge.
"Silence! Vile creature!" she hissed, "It was you who sought my help…to find your fathers tomb and the demon slaying blade he hid there!" There was a pause and the she-demon's expression grew even more angry and bitter "I carried through with my half of the deal…but what did I get in return? Nothing but a mutt! A filthy, savage creature no better then the mangy dog who sired her!"
The insults burned in everyone's ears, but no one dared make a move. Sesshomaru himself was no less perturbed, but he managed to contain it for the sake of his own dignity. Inuyasha remained still also, but only because he was still trying to absorb the contents of the argument. As for Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Shippo, none of them were very anxious to piss off either of the feuding demons and so kept their opinions to themselves. In the end the only one with the nerve to butt in was Jaken, and as usual he was none to subtle about it.
"Why you!" snapped the infuriated little imp as he stormed to his master's side and shook an angry fist in Mura's direction "How dare you speak to Lord Sesshomaru like that!" To Jaken's surprise an answer did not come from Mura, but instead from the demon lord beside him.
"Don't waste your breath Jaken," Sesshomaru ordered, "There is no sense in even talking to a pathetic coward like her."
"I beg your pardon!" snapped Mura with eyes shining hatefully. Sesshomaru held his ground and kept his still annoyed expression steady.
"You sensed her power even as a baby and feared she'd overthrow your rein when that strength manifested. But rather then risk ruining your clan dignity by killing the child yourself, you sent a messenger to throw her at my feet like a sacrifice." There was a long, unsettling silence, and in that time Sesshomaru never moved his eyes "The only thing more spineless than that, Mura" the monarch continued "is the fact that you were too fearful to see if I actually carried out your bloody intentions."
Everyone faces fell in shock, but not even Inuyasha's horrified gape could compare with the stunned expression Mura had plastered across her face.
"Sesshomaru…." The witch's tone had turned hard and serious "are you telling me that you let that creature live!" Now it was the monarch who glared with hate.
"And why wouldn't I?" he snapped, "If you ask me you were a fool to ever think I'd murder my own heiress." The great demon's statement met with no verbal reply, only Mura's expression as it altered and faint traces of nervousness replaced confusion. It was exactly the cue Sesshomaru had been looking for. "Tell me," the monarch's voice had lowered and it carried with it the distinct notes of authority Sesshomaru so often used when he knew he had gained the upper hand "does this news frighten you?"
The witch's face twitched faintly before hardening into a stern mask of bold anger.
"No," she promptly answered.
"It should…" Sesshomaru advised in a tone that bordered between a threat and an order. His confidence enraged the witch demon. Swiftly she stepped forward, her previous expression of fear rapidly shifting to a dangerous ire.
"I'll show you who should be afraid!!" she roared.
Everyone watched anxiously as the she-demon radiated a strange, glowing aura. Then from out of nowhere, a long wooden staff sporting a glowing magenta orb on top appeared in her grasp. The orb was held securely in place by means of a carved three-fingered demon hand, the claws of which were wrapped tightly overtop the glowing object. It was not so much the witch's weapon that gained everyone's interest however, but rather the three crystalline objects that flickered faintly from within the orb.
"Shikon Jewel shards!" Kagome thought to herself when she saw them "Three of them, in that ball on her staff…" the girls comment ended there, for in the next instant a strong, sonic like pulse radiated from Mura's body, making everyone brace. The force of the telepathic energy seemed to make the entire forest shudder, but despite it's potential for damage, the attack settled on one mind…only one.
Sesshomaru gripped his head in agony as the black witch's ice-cold mental signature seeped into his mind. The power Mura was harnessing from the sacred jewel shards had amplified her natural telepathic abilities almost one hundred fold, and now she was using all that strength on him! Wincing hard Sesshomaru tried with all his might to shield his mind, but even his extensive training and Matyeo's assisting telepathic block was not enough. Mura's grip was so unbearable…he could barely breathe…