Disclaimer: I don't own Lady Death or Inuyasha. I do own this story. Some of you familiar with Lady Death's story might notice some discrepancies with continuity and/or objects. Some things were changed in order to bring this story into being.
NOTE: future chapters will contain spoilers from the 3rd movie. Enjoy!
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Chapter 8
Of Shards and Sorceress"That explains the rift—the wave of energy we felt before we met you, then." Inuyasha said.
Kagome was confused. Could she have been responsible for the barrier in the well also?
"It must have been sent out from you when you first set foot upon the ground," Miroku rubbed his chin and continued, "and seeing as how it packed a punch, it would go to say that anything, or anyone, within a certain range would feel it also."
"That might explain why a rather large snake found me and tried to kill me." Lady Death thought.
"A snake? How big was it? What did it look like?" Shippo inquired. He didn't like snakes very much.
"It was big. Twice as tall as I. Its eyes were glowing red. No real threat to me, and I was able to dispatch it easily with my touch." Lady Death raised an enclosed fist to reenact her hand around its throat.
"Glowing red eyes? A snakeyoukai." Sango looked around at Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo, who all agreed.
"Snake yoo-kye?" Lady Death looked at Sango quizzically.
"Yes. A demon. A minor one, but a demon all the more. What would it want with you I wonder?" Sango gazed off into nothing, internally searching her knowledge of demons and their habits.
"I do not know, but after I sent it into oblivion, this fell to the ground at my feet. I assume it came from within the snake's body." Lady Death held out her hand from within her cloak after retrieving something. It was her trinket.
"That's a jewel shard!" Kagome exclaimed.
"A what?" Lady Death looked at her.
"Oh no—that changes everything." Sango looked worried. She looked at Miroku, who nodded in agreement.
"What has changed?" Lady Death's eyes darting around. This did not look good.
"Great—that's all I need now! When I can't do anything about it, being human right now either! Naraku!" Inuyasha ranted in disgust. He shook his head and muttered something under his breath.
"Nuh-raw-who?" Lady Death was getting annoyed now. She wanted answers and no one was explaining.
"Why didn't I sense the shard before?" from Kagome. Everyone now voiced his or her concerns faster than Lady Death could keep up.
"It might have something to do with her unique energies…" Miroku theorized.
"My what?" Lady Death was lost now.
"If the snake felt her aura, that means not only Naraku, but my rat-bastard brother Sesshoumaru most likely felt her as well! That's all I need is his Holier-than-thou ass sniffing around too!" Inuyasha huffed.
"Sessho—by the Abyss! Will someone explain to me who, and what, is going on? What is this 'jewel shard', this Nuh-raw-koo, this Ses-show-mare-oo… and how in my realm does this change anything?" Lady Death's blue-white aura raised around her, crackling with small bolts.
"Whoa…" Inuyasha was bedazzled, his eyes wide. Silence ensued. Only the sound of Shippo's dropping chopsticks broke it. The jewel shard was glowing with a lavender aura. It pulsed like a thing alive, unlike any of the shards they had gathered.
Kagome was transfixed. So this is what happens when the shard reacts to someone! Is it being tainted, or purified?
A few moments passed by. Kaede had heard enough. She put down her bowl, grabbed her teacup, poured in some tea leaves and hot water, and took a sip. She eyed this white-maned fury with a Shikon shard, clearly unaware of what it was doing to her, or her to it. It was time to tell the history.
"Lady Death, since ye are unknown, and unlike another in our world, I shall tell ye what that is you hold in your hand. That is a piece of a sacred jewel, the Shikon no Tama, the Jewel of Four Souls. No one knows for certain who, if anyone, created it. Legend holds however that it was thrust from the body of a warrior miko named Midoriko during her last, and ultimately, her final battle. She sealed the demon she battled, along with herself, into a powerful spell. The spell's power was so great that it shook the ground and enclosed the two of them, forever entwined, into the cave where they fought. Many centuries passed, until the servants of a local lord unsealed it. When they entered the cave, there they found Midoriko, the demon, and a mysterious jewel that was settled in her hands. The lord decided that such a thing that came from this scene must be sacred and must therefore be protected from harm. It was be his decree that it be given to the Holy Shrine, where no evil could come to it. The lord entrusted this task to none other than the Demon Slayers—Sango's ancestors. It stayed in the possession of the Shrine for many years, each generation a new priest or priestess being given the task of guarding the jewel. But not just anyone could become a guardian. Only those who were dedicated to the task in their training and who were possessing a pure heart, mind, and soul were considered. Such was my older sister, Kikyou. It seemed like only yesterday when she showed me the Jewel, when it was whole. I was but a girl of nine years. It was very beautiful, and she said it would remain as such so long as one of purity guarded it. But if it ever were to fall into the wrong hands, it would become corrupt, and we would be doomed. I realized that Kikyou was the right person to do such a task."
Kagome glanced at Inuyasha, who appeared solemn, almost sad, while Kaede continued.
"Kikyou fought many demons and evil men seeking the jewel with not a care for herself. I worried that she would forever lead a lonely life, bound to her duty to protect the jewel. Then she met Inuyasha. He was, at first, like everything else, trying to take the jewel. He had heard the stories of how the Jewel could give power to those who possessed it. But no matter how many times he tried, he couldn't bring himself to take it any more than Kikyou could to kill him. They became friends eventually, Inuyasha lending his skills in demon slaying by her side."
"Demon slaying?" Lady Death was taken aback. There was, indeed, more to him than she had thought. She glanced briefly at him, a quizzical look on her face before turning back to Kaede.
Inuyasha let out a sigh, a very long sigh. He got up, and went outside, unable to bear the reminding memories of what might have been.
Hours past by as Kagome half-listened to the rest of Kaede's tale to Lady Death; of trust building between Kikyou and Inuyasha, of the greedy and twisted Onigumo, whom Kikyou took pity on when he was left for dead, and of his lust for her that eventually led to the creation of Naraku. Lady Death learned of Inuyasha's desire to become a full demon thru use of the Shikon Jewel, but after meeting Kikyou, things changed. Lady Death learned as well when Kikyou told Inuyasha that if the Jewel was used for good, it might have been possible for him to become human. Human like her, human to live, and to love, like her. With her.
But, Lady Death also learned sometimes happiness could have a price. It can have betrayal, when you have lust and jealousy in the mix. The lust of Onigumo for Kikyou, and the jealousy he had over her possession of the Jewel. The betrayal of her trust in him in his moment of need. The betrayal of her trust in Inuyasha, whom Naraku posed as to seize the Jewel from her. The betrayal of Inuyasha's trust and his love of Kikyou, when he tried to save her from danger. And finally, of death. Kikyou's death—her body ripped open by Naraku in the guise of Inuyasha while seizing the Jewel. Of Inuyasha's death, but not literally—the death of a sealing spell—placed upon him by Kikyou thru her arrows upon a tree. Sealing him into sleep for the next 50 years...
It all made sense to Lady Death now, what the visions she saw from her trinket were telling her back at the stream. The Red Boy she had seen was none other than Inuyasha. The first warrior maiden must have been this "Midoriko". The second, Kikyou. And the third… possibly Kagome?
When Lady Death learned what the Four Souls of the Jewel were—Courage, Friendship, Wisdom, and Love—it mattered not to Kagome. She felt alone, empty. As alone and empty as perhaps Inuyasha did. She also realized that she was very tired. What time is it? She glanced at her watch, which read 3:30 in the morning. Yawn. She went outside to join him. She saw him standing in the darkness, his back towards her.
"Inuyasha…" she said in a concerned manner, trying to stifle back another yawn.
"Kagome", he answered softly, turning around. He was a little surprised to see that she had followed him outside. He sighed, glancing back towards the forest that held the tree upon which he was sealed by Kikyou, letting his mind wander.
"You know, it's almost bittersweet," he said.
"What is?" Kagome asked, her gaze wavering from lack of sleep.
"All those times I was around Kikyou… and she never once saw me as 'human' like I am now. You were the first one. The first one who didn't shy away or try to kill me. The first one whom I eventually learned to trust as a friend again. The first one who I knew I could count on when I needed them. It seems so unfair."
He turned to look at her, when something in the sky caught his eyes. His face twisted in hatred as his eyes flashed.
"Kagura!"
Kagome's eyes widened. She was wide awake now!
Inuyasha's hand automatically went to his side where Tetsusaiga would be; only to remember that is was inside the shack by the door. He looked down in slight shock, but before he could do anything, Kagome was pushing him inside.
"Stop shoving, would ya!" He said, resisting for all he was worth.
"Get your ass in there before she—AAA!"
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Energy bolts crashed to the ground shortly behind her. Kagome shoved Inuyasha inside in the nick of time. A great rush of wind blew, and then all was still.
Kagura, the Wind Sorceress, had paid them a visit.
Miroku and Sango ran outside to protect Kagome. Sango had the hiraikotsu at the ready, Miroku's left hand over the prayer beads on his right arm, ready to release the Wind Tunnel.
"Miroku, stop! She's not alone, look!" Kagome pointed towards a swarm. A group of the poisonous insects followed Kagura.
"That's right, monk! Go ahead—release your Wind Tunnel! You'll find a painful death in no time!" Kagura taunted.
Miroku lowered his arm while resecuring the beads. He glanced at Sango and Kagome, then narrowed his gaze towards Kagura.
"What do you want, Kagura?"
"Why, the jewel shards, of course. And Inuyasha's head! Where is he? Since I don't see him around, am I to assume that he's struck out on his own? No bother. He will meet his demise in time."
A wicked smile crossed her lips. Slowly, she brought her fan to a close.
"But I'm not here for that, unfortunately for me. Naraku sent me to investigate a… rift. So I followed it, and look where it led me. Now my question: what are you hiding?" She pointed her closed fan at the trio.
Kagome had slowly backed up towards the entrance of the shack. If I can just reach inside and grab my arrows, I might be able to get a clean shot. She reached her left arm inside the shack, slowly working its way up to the bow and quiver, keeping her eyes on Kagura. Just a little bit higher. Suddenly, something grabbed her wrist.
"Auh!" She startled slightly.
Shifting just her eyes towards the opening, Kagome saw Lady Death's hand on her wrist. Lady Death said not a word, but silently shook her head and motioned with her eyes for Kagome to return to her original place. Kagome looked a bit past the steely gaze. There, just passed the place where they were sitting for dinner, was Inuyasha. He was… what? Inuyasha was behind some type of barrier. He pounded his fists against it, and appeared to be yelling, though all he could do was mouth the words.
Kagome realized that Lady Death had a plan at that point. She met the steely eyes again and nodded slightly, slowly withdrawing her hand.
Miroku tried to stall. "Inuyasha's not here, Kagura, and we don't know what caused the energy wave."
He never said who caused the wave, and Inuyasha was, in truth, not there. From a certain point of view.
Kagura, however, wasn't buying it. She brought her fan towards her face and let it unfold. She was going to strike.
"I'll ask you again. What are you hiding?"
Kagome didn't know what exactly was Lady Death's plan, but she had a feeling it was going to happen soon. She cleared herself from the doorway, hoping Kagura wasn't paying attention. It was not like the Wind Sorceress to not be after the jewel shards. Kagome decided to play that hand in hopes of giving Lady Death the time needed.
"Kagura, since when are you not after the jewel shards? You jump anytime Naraku says 'boo'! We're not hiding anything." In truth, again, from a certain point of view.
The wicked smile crossed Kagura's lips again. Her eyes sparked slightly as she drew back her arm.
"Oops, I guess I've been found out. There's only one thing left then—your deaths!"
She thrust out her unfolded fan. Circular blades of energy flew tot heir targets. Miroku and Sango scattered in opposite directions, but Kagome did not have time. The blades came right towards her, while the poisonous insects swarmed to the others. Sango threw the hiraikotsu, but it missed them completely. WHAT? She gasped.
The hiraikotsu had bounced against a barrier; the poisonous insects slammed against it on the inside, dead. Kagura's blades also connected with the barrier, exploding in a flash of white, leaving Kagome unscathed. After the energy had disappeared, the figure of Lady Death stood between the group and Kagura.
Kagura took a startled step back. "Wha—who the Hell are you?"
"Hell, indeed!" replied Lady Death, standing at the ready with Apocalypse at her side. Miroku and Sango ran towards Kagome and quickly moved her towards the door, out of the way. Kagome protested, she did not want to miss a good ass whipping at Kagura's expense.
"Who I am is of no concern to you, and if it is a fight you seek, try your skills with a more worthy opponent, and not the young."
Lady Death raised her sword arm, clenching her fist as her energy cracked around it.
Kagura narrowed her red eyes. Who is this pale woman, and why does she pulse with a demonic aura? She brought her fan to a close and thrust it to the left side.
"You are either very bold, or very stupid. In either case, I accept your challenge! DANCE OF BLADES!"
Kagura's arm shot forward, opening the fan at the same time. The energy exerted from shooting open her fan became a barrage of energy blades, more concentrated than her first attack. The blades were too many to count as they approached their target—Lady Death. But it mattered not to the Queen of Hell. She raised her arms upwards, extending her fingers as far as they could. Lightning bolts of blue-white shot out from her fingertips, surrounding her all around. Kagura's blades made contact, and quickly exploded into harmless sparks one by one.
The Wind Sorceress was stunned. No one is left undamaged in the least from that attack… her power seems to match mine. Her eyes blazing with a fierce disbelief, she decided to pull out all her power. A smug grin slowly formed.
"Impressive, White Mane, but can you handle this?"
Kagura's hand at her side was brought up in a circular motion around her head. Her fan spread, massive energy torrents gathering in a cyclonic motion above her. When the fan was closed, Kagura shot the energy forward again.
"DANCE OF THE DRAGON!"
The huge swirling torrents roared forward, their sound unnerving.
Lady Death wasn't fazed. It was time to feed her blade. Gripping the hilt of Apocalypse, she pulled the sword from its scabbard. Holding it horizontally, the barrage of wind torrents connected.
Kagura's grin widened as she watched the Dragon Wind roar at Lady Death. She has no barrier up this time. Does she really think her simple sword will stop me? The Dragon Wind blasted against Apocalypse. A deafening roar was combined with what could be described as the sound of nails on a chalkboard. Gold energy bolts issued forth from the blade as they danced around the Dragon Wind, surrounding it, penetrating it, absorbing it.
Kagome, Miroku, and Sango all gasped. They each raised their arms towards their eyes, shielding themselves from the blast of connecting energies. At first nothing could be seen but the Wind and the gold bolts. The silhouetted figure of lady Death came into view. Lady Death's hair and cloak violently whipped around, but her stance didn't faulter.
"Look… at… that!" Miroku exclaimed, awe struck.
Kagome and Sango both lowered their arms to gaze in wonder as the colliding energies dispelled. Apocalypse's energy bolts were like the tongue of a child as it savored its favorite treat, making sure not to miss a single bit. When the last gold finger retreated into the blade, Lady Death admired it. The actual blade itself was forged into pointed waves along the sides. If one stared down it from the tip, it was neither flat nor rounded. It was triangular. As the blade met the handle, in its center was a skull. Three arrow-like protrusions cam out on either side of the skull. The handle was black as obsidian and tipped in a point at the end. Looking at the sword as a whole, it was the epitome of Chaos itself: eight points of energy in motion, from a single point, radiating out towards eternity.
Like ripples in a pond from a dropped stone.
Lady Death lifted her gaze at Kagura. The Wind Sorceress was speechless. She quickly closed her fan and stepped back.
Lady Death smiled. "Is that all you possess? My turn now…"
She let her words draw off slowly as she brought her blade level with her center. She squared her stance, readying herself to unleash Apocalypse's power. Her power built up again, a blue-white tempest of lightning surrounding her. She brought Apocalypse above her head in one swift motion, her offside hand clenched in a fist of concentrated power, all the while staring into the eyes of Kagura.
From the safety of the shack, Kaede, Shippo, and Inuyasha were in a state of speechlessness. Even though he was behind a barrier that rendered him silent, Inuyasha managed to mouth the words "holy shit". He especially wished that he wasn't behind this damn barrier so he could have front-and-center seats to the Ass-Kicking of the Century. Shippo, perched atop Kaede's shoulder as they observed out the window, shook with excitement and fear combined. Lightning was an all-too-familiar reminder to him of terrible things, but he liked Lady Death and knew she was protecting them. Kilala had made herself scarce a while ago; animals always know when things could be detrimental to them.
Lady Death's power began to pulse thru her sword like a heartbeat. Apocalypse responded by heating up with a gold glow that steadily turned to brilliant white with each pulse. Every 'beat' of the energy emitted a sound as it thrust up from the hilt and out thru the tip. It grew louder and higher as it intensified.
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
The sound grew until it reached its peak. An extremely high pitched 'scream' was ushered from the blade as the very heart of Chaos energy was honed. It was so high that everyone covered their ears, wincing and praying that it would not get higher. All around Lady Death was white. She could not bee seen except for a faint outline.
Kagura panicked. This is no ordinary demon, even though her energy imprint is, nor is she human as her appearance betrays. I'm in over my head—she plans to obliterate me! Quickly, Kagura yanked a feather from her hair and tossed it skyward. The Wind Sorceress fled for her very existence. She was not a moment too soon as Lady Death released the Chaos Incarnate power at her target. She thrust Apocalypse towards Kagura, Chaos in full motion shot out in a rush of white from the tip of the blade. It narrowly missed Kagura as she dodged it in an uncontrolled dive. She flew like never before, towards anywhere but here. Fear gripped her center in a way she hadn't expected. She feared Naraku, but after coming face to face with the epitome of Chaos Incarnate, he was a minor threat now. She glanced nervously over her shoulder when she was certain she was far away, or a t least a safe distance.
"Shit—that was close!" She finally breathed.
Lady Death cocked her head slightly as she watched the Chaos Incarnate wave continue on. She snapped her fingers, and the energy disappeared into nothing. She then looked in the direction of the fleeing Wind Sorceress.
"Yes, Kagura, it was. And I know all I need to about Naraku now. You will carry my message well."