Yes, I'm back with another chapter for all my eager minions! (grins) This one is a bit bigger than the last, with lots more explanations, a bit of action, and a slight hint of lust thrown in for good measure. "When is Lady Death going to meet Sesshoumaru?", I can hear some of you say... Soon, but not just yet. Maybe in Chapter 13, or even 14. Haven't gotten that far, and I need more Pocky(tm) for my Muses to be in the right frame of mind for me to write him in! But I'm getting to that point in my head. It's just a matter of time.
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DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha or Lady Death. Inuyasha is owned by his respected creator, Rumiko Takahashi, and her people; as Lady Death is owned by Avatar Comics and created by Brian Pulido. This story, however, is owned by me. I am not receiving payment of any monetary form from anyone. My payment is your reviews, which I gladly devour. The more I get, the faster I'm inspired, and the faster I write and post. As always, you might notice some discrepancies in Lady Death's story, though I have kept it "true to the original" as I can. Some things were changed to bring this into being. ENJOY!
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Chapter 12
Training: part 1
Of Body and Mind
When the pair had reached the hot spring, the others were already enjoying it. Kagome and Sango on one side with Inuyasha, Miroku, and Shippou on the other, and a crag of rocks as a natural partition between them.
Inuyasha normally would have been the first one in, at least into the general area, to check things out first. But since he was a dried mess of sweat, Ramen, and dirt, his mind was torn between stripping down completely, or just going in with clothes on. The clothing needed to be washed anyways—it had not seen soap in Kami knew how long.
Kagome had brought along her "strange yellow bag" that contained the essential cleaning supplies, which she was sharing with Sango, the two of them taking turns using the scented shampoo and conditioner. The items were floral scented—jasmine? Lady Death was pretty certain, but there was another underlying scent that was barely discernable amongst the other smells within the bag.
Earthy, and a bit musky.
She glanced at her charge, thinking to herself that he—being half dog demon, surely smelled it as well—only to find him staring back in an embarrassed fashion, halfway removing his robe. She blinked at him and cocked her head slightly, as if to silently signal to him the strange smell.
"Umm…" he stammered. "Could you turn around while I disrobe?" He blushed madly, which brought a giggle from Miroku, and a roll of Shippou's eyes.
"Inuyasha, what's your problem? It's not like we haven't seen your naked chest before…" piped Shippou.
"Shut up, brat! I know you haven't, but she hasn't!" He scowled while pointing to his Sensei. Lady Death lowered a brow and gave him her sideways glare. Despite his outwardly gruff demeanor, he was inwardly a shy and sweet, and dare she say—scared—boy.
"Poppet, you do not possess anything that I have not seen before." She let her words slowly drift out and settle.
"WHA???" said the pair of girls in unison. Not missing a beat, the White Goddess slowly quirked a grin while staring at her charge. He was now matching the color of his robe, and was promptly looking for a hole in the ground to crawl into. She turned to the girls and explained.
"I have been with men in… intimate situations before."
No details were necessary, as she knew that at least two of the group would understand the implication: Kagome, and of course, Miroku. Maybe Sango, who had offered up an "Oh my", then blushed furiously at the sudden realization that she mistakenly gave a verbal notion of the entertaining visuals in her head.
"Sango?" Kagome lowered her voice, hoping that the boys didn't hear. Hoping, at least that Miroku wouldn't, Inuyasha and Shippou's hearing was acute no matter what. That, she thought, was shikata ga nai. It could not be helped.
Canines and their hearing…
Lady Death knew, what was going thru the demon slayer's mind. She turned a knowing smile at Sango, and Inuyasha took the chance to strip quickly and step in. He eased in with a long sigh as the slightly hot water worked its magic. Miroku was reclining against a smoothed placed in the rock, gazing off into the mist floating off of the water. Shippou had learned to float on his back recently, and was using this to his advantage.
Satisfied that the area and its energies were peaceful, Lady Death removed her sword, resting it beside Inuyasha's, and reclined against the tree along with the others' weapons. She absently propped her arm on to Kagome's backpack. It felt strange to her, the fabric brushing against her skin as well as looked strange, but it contained such items that must be magical from Kagome's time.
Like the white box with a red "X" on it. At least it looked like an X… or was it actually a cross? Whatever the symbol, it was a visual reminder that medicines were inside.
That wasn't the only item in the "strange yellow bag". Several articles of clothing, a spare bag (made of 'plastic') for soiled clothing, two containers of a material Kagome called 'plastic' that were labeled shampoo and conditioner (these were used to clean the hair, which she and Sango now partook of). At least those had a pleasing smell to them.
There were also "personal items" that Kagome would go into detail about other than she "would need them in a few days"; two brushes, one for the hair and… one for the teeth? How odd…
And paste that smelled like sweet Dragon's Blood for cleaning the teeth? I must sample this some day… What else? She dug a bit deeper and found the candy bites Kagome had stashed for Shippou.
Chocolate Nuggets? It smells like… ambrosia? How wondrous! The White Goddess pulled out the bag of candy and inhaled the aroma. It brought back memories again of her childhood in the castle. One of the cooks would give her small portions of the item called ambrosia that came from the New World around the time of Yule. The traders brought back such wondrous things…
But the most intriguing thing in Kagome's magical bag was a book. A book labeled "history". History? Interesting. I wonder…
"Mistress Kagome, might I read this, historic book of yours?" she inquired.
"Huh? My historic book? You mean the one that says history?" Kagome had turned around from her hair washing to see the Goddess had become like a curious cat with her backpack.
Lady Death nodded, casting her gaze into the bag and then to Kagome. Kagome fidgeted a bit, wondering just what consequences a person from a past time would obtain from reading a book that not only contained events pertaining to the Goddess' time, but of things that had yet to happen in "their future"?
What paradoxes would occur? Should she, Kagome, as a friend tell her, this person from unknown pasts?
Or should she, as the Goddess of Death, know those things that were yet to come, in order to be prepared, should she decide to stay in this time?
Whose time would be altered, or would it be altered at all?
Kagome breathed deep. "Yeah, sure… but there are some things you may find hard to believe in there."
The Goddess of Death cast her a questioning look. Tilting her chin, she asked, "How so?"
"Well… uhh… there are some things from… uhh, the future in there. My present, but your future. I'm not too certain whether or not you should know about that, whether or not any paradoxes would happen."
Kagome trailed off. She dipped below the water's edge to rinse the conditioner out. She called over to Inuyasha for him to throw over his clothes so she could wash them, only to have him yell back,
"Whattaya nuts? I'm buck-naked right now, wench! I wouldn't even get out for Naraku!"
Kagome rolled her eyes. "I'm not asking you to get out, just throw them over the rocks to me! Who cares if they hit the water? They need to be wet in order to get clean!"
A flying mass of red followed by items of black, purple, and a smaller set of hakama and haori flew over the rocks, landing in the water. He had thrown everyone's clothes over the crag.
"Hey! All of these need to be cleaned? I'll be here forever now, and I'll look like a prune…" she whined.
"PTAH! Quit griping, will ya? They need to be cleaned right? Might as well do them all." He reasoned with his side of the crag.
"I swear to Kami, if I didn't have such a good nature, or chocolate right now, I'd sit you halfway to China…"
Oops… sorry—oh, no…
SPLASH! "HEY! What the hell? What gives? What are you being a snippy bitch for?"
"Snippy bitch?!?! SIT!"
SPLASH! "You're the one who's being snippy, Inuyasha! What's gotten into you?"
Lady Death had in the meantime drawn out the history book and began to turn its pages, eager to devour the knowledge. She shook her head slightly at the verbal combat.
He is being rude to her again, and she is delivering justice.
A few moments passed in silence. Inuyasha said just barely above the level of audible voice, "You smell different…"
"What?" Kagome wasn't sure if she heard it correctly.
"Poppet states that you smell different, mistress." Lady Death said, not looking up from the book. She didn't have to, to know the effect of what was said was having on Kagome. Kagome clapped her hand over her mouth to hide her gaping shock, eyes wide at Lady Death.
The Goddess glanced up, and quietly started to hum a tune. Placing her finger to her lips in the sign for silence, she took her left hand and drew an invisible barrier between the boys and girls in an arc away from her. Then she looked at the two girls.
"They will not be able to hear what we shall discuss now. The only thing that they will hear is the sound of my humming. Mistress Kagome, your Moon flow is fast approaching, aye?" she asked.
"My moon flow? Nani?"
"I think Nozomi is asking when was your last female time, Kagome." Sango clarified.
"My female ti—oh crap! That's why I'm snippy! That's why he's being a jerk! Arrrgh!" Kagome smacked her forehead. Then she gazed at Lady Death with astonishment. "You can smell it, too?"
"Nay, smell it strongly, I cannot. My sense of smell is not like that of Poppet's who is, for all intents, half-dog. But the change in the color of your aura I do see to know what it is. You are coming into your heat cycle. Every female animal does, and human females are no different. Females, on the whole, exhibit the same color when such events occur. That color being the color of mating—bright red. Your color, how'er, is that of bright pink. Over the past days, it has gotten brighter, and glows." she explained.
"Uhh… and should I be worried? What about you, does the same thing happen to you?" Kagome blushed.
"Nay, it does not, for I have no need to reproduce. If I find a male suitable and worthy of becoming my mate, events may change. For the present, it is not needed." Lady Death withdrew the arc shielding their talk, and resumed reading the book.
Kagome and Sango looked at each other's faces with matching displays. Both of them had forgotten that Inuyasha's sense of smell was very acute, so it was only natural for him to be reacting the way that he was. They both silently thanked Kami that neither of them had to worry about Shippou just yet. He was still too young.
Lady Death resumed answering Kagome's question about reading the history book. "As to your warning of a paradox, I heed it mistress. How'er, I did not obtain the title Queen of Hell nor am I the Goddess of Death for mere trifles. I shall take my chances with this knowledge as well, if they come true as foretold."
"IF they come true? You speak as if you have been… no, you couldn't have." Kagome shook her head, not wanting to believe in her thought.
"As if I have been there before, and know what will happen?" Lady Death offered.
Both girls stared, eyes wide. Miroku was now alert from his gaze, and sat up to listen in. Inuyasha and Shippou as well noticed something had been said that was of importance and glided thru the water to the edge nearest the Goddess.
"But you couldn't… have… wait… a… minute…" Kagome's mind was reeling with the possibilities.
"You forget of my telling about the Nexus of All Things? How it is a gateway of all possibilities?" the Goddess asked. Kagome nodded.
"I have thought about that very same thought that now dances in your mind as well, mistress, and there cannot be another more logical explanation. The Nexus is a strange object, floating right above Hell's skies, and to ponder just what it is, let alone how it works, would be to go insane. Yet, if one ventures thru any of the portals, not only will they be transported thru to a where, but also a when. Likened to you stepping to the side of what you know to be your 'real world', and into another dimension of it. Or, of another time."
Miroku was aghast. "Great Buddha! Is such a thing truly possible?"
Lady Death affirmed. "I can assure, it is. When I first came thru the other side, into here, I did not know what had transpired. I remember more now, the more time I have in clear thought. In 'my time', after I hurled Lucifer thru Heaven's Gate, and went on my journeys that led me away from Hell to Asgard, my sisters, my future as to who I am and my destiny, I returned to Hell, only to find it 'coming undone'. Hell was a thing that Lucifer made in his image, and without Lucifer, it would not sustain."
"So then, what had happened in your time?" Sango asked.
"To make this tale as short as possible: everything that I knew as 'my home world' was no more; I battled more enemies that claimed my leaving the throne open was the cause of Hell undoing itself, one of which was able to turn me into the mortal woman I once was as punishment. The Assassins of Heaven came for my head then. I fought them off fiercely and won, but it cost me my humanity yet again when the Archangel Michael came to Hell with an offer he thought I could not refuse: The Scythe of Death. The same scythe that is the mantle as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."
She let that sink in, knowing that Kagome and Miroku both would know of what she spoke. Kagome rubbed her cheek like she had been in shock and someone slapped her awake.
"Archangel Michael? Scythe of Death? Wait—THE Four Horsemen?"
The White Goddess nodded. "None other than. But I am no puppet to be mastered, and forfeited my hold on the scythe and riding with them."
She glared fiercely at the now captive audience, her hand drawing out a final line in the air.
"I bow to no one, let alone to their rules. I had seen that I could return here to Earth and touch the ground, but for me to be a Rider, I could not. So a battle with them ensued as well. I survived and conquered. I was home on Earth and finally had obtained the peace I so deserved, or so I thought. Lucifer had returned somehow, and had laid claim to Earth, making it into Hell again. Literally, Hell on Earth.
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed at the visual. The only Hell he could, or had, a picture of was what was shared in their minds eye when the subject of Sou'unga came up.
The White Goddess continued. "So before the melee' with him began again, I felt the tainted presence of someone from my past many leagues away, and sought out his death. None other than the very priest from my village who sentenced me to burn at the stake. Little did I know that he was responsible for the safety of the Seventh Seal. A talisman containing both trumpeters of Heaven and of Hell. When it broke, it would signal the Judgment War."
"Oh crap! You mean a world battle? All over?" Inuyasha asked.
"More than a world battle, Poppet. Picture if you will, a battle between the forces of purity and the forces of corruption—likened to what Lady Kaede has told me of the Shikon no Tama—with the outcome being uncertain that there would be survivors left…."
"Those aren't very promising odds. What did you do?" from Sango.
Lady Death looked at her with the most chilling look on her face—like ice flowed in her blood.
"I was approached by both sides to fight for one or the either. I refused. They wished me on their respective sides on their terms, and as I stated, I am no puppet. Judgment War they feared? I showed them what 'judgment' was, as well as 'war'."
She smiled that 'run in fear' smile. To see this smile form on her face was to know that your end was near.
But then, she softened a bit.
"Death Himself had come to me, and had already claimed me as his Avatar. My responsibility was, and is, to collect the souls of the departed to be sown in the Fields of Mystery by him. But that was the least of my worries, besides conquering both forces of Heaven and Hell. A far more ancient power had been released from its prison on the far reaches of the known universe…"
There was an uneasy pause, and she straightened as the vivid memory came into view.
"Armageddon. The Father of Fear, and the Embodiment of Complete Undoing."
"Undoing? As in the world undoing?" asked Miroku.
"Aye. The world in which I knew is no more. In its place is another, but it is not the only one. Armageddon was a Chaos Lord of pure entropy—anti matter—the same matter that gives my sword Apocalypse its life. Ironically, Apocalypse was one of various things that destroyed him in the end, but not before he had managed to ravage the world to its undoing. The last thing I recall was a brilliant flash of white, and I found myself in Hell once again, at the height of my reign, like nothing had changed."
Her eyes narrowed as she glanced sideways, off into nothingness.
"But something within my very essence told me that this was not the Hell I had known. This was not the Hell that had unraveled. Some things stayed the same, while others had changed."
"You didn't have this sword while in Hell before, did you?" Inuyasha motioned to Apocalypse. His mind displayed her memories as if he was there himself. Was that due to her teachings?
"Nay, this is my third sword. My first was named Darkness, which was shattered in the battle of Asgard. Pieces of it were recovered and it was reforged into another one, named Nightmare. That sword had spells so arcane placed upon it as to have it demand blood. It fed off not only the victims, but of my own life-force as well. It became an addiction to me. I managed to rid myself of it successfully, and it is now in the possession of 'someone more suiting'. Apocalypse was forged during the Judgment War, and with it, I finally cleaved out the black heart of Lucifer for good."
She picked up Apocalypse, withdrawing it from the scabbard, and gazed at it fondly, the sunlight gliding off its blade like liquid fire.
"This sword, in the wrong hands, can bring about complete destruction of all known life. To wield it, is to carry a great responsibility."
"No wonder you want to obtain Sou'unga…" Inuyasha whispered. It made perfect sense now to him, not only because it was the Sword of Hell, but because she could be the only one since his father to wield it with no repercussions to her, as she had the blood and mantle of Hell in her as well.
She may not be a great demon like his father, but she had demonic blood. She had demon blood—youkai blood, but in a different form. That and she understood what the great burden would be of possessing such a blade. Sou'unga demanded respect, much like Apocalypse did, and would take no prisoners if it were not met.
"So, my tale ends here with answering your questions of how I know what will happen in 'the future'?"
Her captive audience all nodded.
"I do not know for certain how this one world will end, only that I know it will, and that it has happened before. Hence why, I am not afraid of reading a book containing history that has not been written yet from my 'timeline'. Time is a linear concept. I am the Avatar of He Who Reaps. I transcend all times, in all places. It will be, and is, my responsibility to collect the souls of this world as well, and to maintain the balance."
She looked directly at Inuyasha when she spoke. His breath hitched slightly, and she knew he understood who it was she had spoke to in the forest after they had come back from their 'lesson' at the stream. The shared image of Kikyou was in their minds. Inuyasha shook his head, forcing his eyes shut.
He didn't want to believe it. His Kikyou would never die in his eyes. Not at the hands of another, not if he could help it. But he could not deny that she was truthful in what she had told. Lady Death was truly an immortal, with immense powers that had an even more immense burden to carry. That being ending the lives of people she possibly cared for as well.
"Do you miss your home, Nozomi?" Shippou asked.
"Aye, very much so. But it no longer exits, and I have learned to accept 'home' in other places, if only a temporary means." She nodded slightly at the young kitsune.
"But," she started after a pause, "that is neither here nor there. We have a lot to discuss, and a lot to prepare for. You, especially Poppet, must begin your undoing now."
"My what? Undoing?" His eye went wide, the term 'undoing' she had used to describe her sword just now…
"You will know in time, and it is not what you think. I am your Sensei, not your Executioner." She clarified.
"If you are finished with your bathing, there are fish to be caught, water to be gathered, and trees that will need to be cut for firewood. We are staying here for at least two weeks, and must pull our weight to as not be a burden on our host Lady Nanoka. I will show you how to effectively do such, as it is different from what you are used to."
She closed the history book and returned it to Kagome's strange yellow bag. Kagome had started scrubbing the boys' clothing while listening to her tale, but dreaded that it would not dry quickly enough for them to wear.
"We might have to get a fire going sooner than expected, or these clothes will never be dry to wear before nightfall." she stated.
She set Shippou's clothes on top of the small pile near the edge after wringing them free of water. She straightened up, and grabbed a towel to dry off and come out. No sooner had she turned around to offer Sango a towel as well, that an astonished gasp escaped the demon slayer's mouth. Kagome started as well, looking into the wide eyes of Sango quickly, noticing they were focused on something behind them. Kagome whipped her head back around to find the pile of clothes levitating in midair and… glowing?
The White Goddess was directing a small thread of energy in, on, and around the pile of clothes. It smoked, or did it steam? It was hard to tell, but it was entrancing to watch. The pile came undone, one by one, as if each article was attached to an invisible body, flattened out, and laid back down onto the grass, a bit away from the edge of the water.
"Oh wow…" Kagome exclaimed.
"H-how… how are you able to do that?" Inuyasha's expression had a furrowed brow and wide eyes.
"I am capable of many things, Poppet. Levitation is but a small thing that I can do. It is really no effort when one understands simple energy conduct and transference." Smiling once again, her trademark grin.
"Energy conduct? Transference?" Miroku's mind was now a barrage of images. The terms were unfamiliar to him, but the idea wasn't.
The Goddess grinned his way. "Meditation, my lord monk, as you have already experienced, opens your mind as well as your body. Your energy is no different…"
"No different from the other energies around you, just a different manifestation is all." Inuyasha finished for her, a 'see-what-I-know-now' smirk on his face.
"Indeed, Poppet? Then by all means, show us all how easy it is." Lady Death offered him the stage with a wave of her hand. She found a leaf on the forest floor, and picked it up into her palm.
"Levitate this above my hand."
He stared wide-eyed. What is she talking about? Oh crap—I've been challenged, and can't follow thru!
He focused his gaze upon the leaf, trying hard to imagine it flying above her palm in midair, but soon found a headache forming in the center of his forehead.
"I… I can't." He gave in. It had only been a few heartbeats, but to him it seemed like longer.
She closed her hand. "That is because you do not possess the knowledge needed to do so. Not yet." She raised her brows for emphasis. He glanced up at her.
"But you will. That will be one of many things that you will learn, depending on how you learn, and how fast you imprint."
She stood up, gathered the dried clothes, and eyed the owners. Shippou was not embarrassed to get out 'as is' to fetch his clothes. He marveled at how they smelled once they were back on his body.
"Mmmmmm—oranges! How did you know? That I liked oranges?" He beamed up at the Goddess.
"Your aura is naturally orange. Now that your clothing is clean, it has been renewed. Likened to a cleaning of a castle of old items and dirt and washing the floors clean. Does it not smell and feel 'new' after?" she asked.
"Yeah… huh. I guess I never thought of it that way." Shippou shook his head free of the water and plopped down under the tree, waiting patiently for Kagome to brush out his hair. An after-bath ritual they shared. He turned around and started fluffing his tail.
Miroku had grabbed his underclothing while still in the water waist deep. He didn't care if it got wet again, so long as it was now clean. He waded out and reapplied the robe, careful to not loosen the rosary around his hand. The Goddess watched him carefully do this with a question in her mind.
What are those, and for what purpose? There is a destructive energy behind the cloth that covers it, and I can hear the roar of a wind…
Inuyasha was still in the water, pondering, no doubt, whether to follow as Miroku did, or ask for privacy while he got out and quickly wrapped his clothes on. He wasn't really worried now about his naked chest, as his Sensei had seen it when he came closer to the edge during her tale. But he still carried a nasty scar on his back…
He absently had turned around to show said scar to the world, to which the Goddess noticed right away.
"That is an impressive battle remnant, Poppet. Who left their mark upon you?"
He flinched and grimaced. Kagome gasped—she had forgotten all about that scar as well.
In a low voice, he answered. "My half-brother, Sesshoumaru."
"Sword?" she asked.
"No. His fist." He replied. He hadn't told her about Sesshoumaru much other than him being his older half-brother. It was a touchy subject enough with him.
He turned around and grabbed his haori. To Hell with it getting wet—at least it's clean and doesn't stink of Ramen now.
He got out and began wrapping the Fire Rat around him, and resecuring his hakama. He noticed that things seemed a bit tense again, and as he turned around he had noticed right.
She was eyeing him again with her lowered gaze. The one that could pull the thoughts from your mind.
"We will speak of this later. Right now, you and I will start on our tasks that need to be done. We will need a few long reeds for fishing poles, a water-catcher, bucket, and an axe."
"Water-catcher? Wha…?" He blinked.
"It's a type of small bucket, Inuyasha. I'll go back to the village for those and the axe." Kagome clarified, now redressed.
"Can I help catch fish too?" Shippou bounced up.
"Of course, you can, and I think me that you will catch the most!" the Goddess smiled.
"I can help Inuyasha chop trees for wood, or gather the water, or…" Miroku offered.
The Goddess thought a moment. He carries a bow staff of sorts, so he is already used to the maneuvers for fighting with it… hmm.
"Whichever you desire, lord monk. Just be wary of your hand." She inclined her head.
He quizzically looked at her. She said nothing, but gave him the impression that she could see the impending destruction that would one day claim his life.
"You… know?" he asked in a low voice, protectively fumbling the rosary.
"I do not have to know, to know what will happen." Her voice and gaze held a tint of sadness. She turned to Sango, who had now dressed as well.
"Mistress Sango, you as well carry a battle mark. It was your brother who marked your back, nay?"
Sango was stopped dead in resecuring her kimono front. She looked up with a scared expression. The scar must have Kohaku's energy imprint still in it, how else would she know that it was him who did it?
"It is a burden, to know that he betrayed us all, but to also know that he is more a prisoner now under Naraku's control. He is dead, and yet he still lives on. He also carries a jewel shard—in his back. Without it, he will die. It is torture, and I regret that I must be the one to remove the shard when the final battle comes, if he survives, as no one else can." Sango's eyes were as heavy as her heart.
"Remove the shard, or end his life?" Lady Death didn't want to ask, she had to ask. Sango's gaze lowered. She couldn't look the Goddess in the eyes and not see what she knew would happen.
Death.
"There may be another way." The Goddess divulged, but did not clarify.
Inuyasha resecured Tetsusaiga to his side and placed his hands inside the sleeves of the robe. He waited patiently for her next instruction.
Kagome had returned with the items from the village. She went to the spring's edge where some reeds grew and proceeded to try and cut them. They were more durable than she had previously thought, and it was a struggle for her to cut thru.
"Come on! Will. You. CUT!" Frustratingly, she forced the edge of the axe thru a handful. The reeds finally gave way with a snap, causing Kagome to step back a bit.
"You're weak." Inuyasha teased.
"Inuyasha, remember. All I have to do is utter a simple word. You think I'm snippy now…" she warned.
He flinched. Kami, I might as well just shut up until IT passes. At least I have a way to take my frustration out. I need a righteous sparing now.
He could feel his blood stirring with a primal need.
"Well, what do I do first?" Eyes hopeful at his Sensei.
The Goddess had picked up one of the reeds. Yanking out a strand of her hair, she wound it around the thicker part of the reed, then split a bit of the top with her sword. She took the length of hair and secured it thru the split to dangle off freely. She had now a makeshift fishing pole.
"You make a fishing pole like this. When you are done, follow me." She waited for him to follow suit.
Inuyasha grabbed a section of his hair from behind his head where it was the longest. He had a bit of a hard time due to the fact that it was a tangled mess from the bath. Kagome stifled a giggle and grabbed her brush from her bag.
"Wait a minute. Here," she said, "it'll be much easier if you get rid of those knots first." Approaching, he flinched a bit.
"I can do it. Gimme that." He held out his hand for the brush, but she wouldn't let him have it.
"Ut uhh. No can do. I'm going to brush out your hair." She smiled and pointed to the ground, hoping he'd get the visual hint and lower himself. Kneel or sit, it didn't matter.
"Hell no! You'll yank it out! You know how sensitive I am about my hair being pulled!" Please don't come closer—I don't think I can stand it any longer…
Her scent had diminished from the bath a little, but it was still there. It was driving him crazy, stirring a strange feeling in him, and making the blood rush to his groin. He could feel the beast within becoming awake…
"Poppet, you do not wish her to say the word again, do you? You would be wise to heed her request." Lady Death noted.
He balked, and she could see his aura changing. It had become bright red, and she noticed that his breath was coming in short pants, though it was unnoticed to the others. He was doing his damnest to keep under control. He gazed back at her with a look that conveyed his feelings.
A different course of action was taken then. The Goddess set her pole down and stood with her hand upon the handle of Apocalypse, eyeing her charge.
"We will forgo fishing for the moment. You—follow me. Now."
He shot back a look of astonishment. N-Nani? Is she angry? What did I do?
He followed her as instructed. She led him to a clearing not far away from the spring. Turning around, she cast a look similar to that of what his brother does. Cold. Unemotional. Unreadable.
"Draw your sword."
"What? Why—are you angry? What did I do?" He stammered.
"No more questions! Prepare to defend yourself! HIYA!!" She drew Apocalypse and charged him.
He barely had enough time to release Tetsusaiga before she was on him. His sword blazed to life, transforming at the call to protect against demon energies.
CLANG!
The two swords met with a barrage of energies. Apocalypse was dwarfed blade-wise against Tetsusaiga, but its energies could not be matched. Inuyasha braced himself against her attack, caught off balance at first. Then he pushed back against her blade, bringing them down in front of their gazes. Tetsusaiga's energies flared to meet that of Apocalypse.
"What are you doing?" He was confused. What brought this about?
"What needs to be done, right now." she returned. She pushed forward and her blade responded, its energy rising against the opponent.
The clashing of both energies rose in a scream. Gold lightning from Apocalypse crackled around Tetsusaiga, and Inuyasha's hands shook. He fought back with all his might, until he couldn't stand it anymore. He let go of the sword lock, and staggered back.
"What the Hell???"
She rushed him again, one handed, her free hand raising her energy for a blast. He swung his sword to meet hers, but couldn't block her free hand. She swung at his jaw and he ducked in the nick or time. He backed off again.
They stopped for a few heartbeats. The others had come to watch was had transpired, equally confused, but keeping a safe distance.
"Is that all you have? Is that the length of your abilities? Pathetic!" she mocked him.
He started. Lowering his sword, he stared at her wide-eyed. What is she talking about?
Lady Death shot her sword forward towards him. A gold blast ripped from the blade and connected. He was caught off guard and hit hard. Flying thru the air, he landed with a crash on his back, sword still in hand.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed.
Lady Death walked towards him, her gaze on him just like before at Kaede's village, but slightly different.
Sango was confused. She had her hand on hiraikotsu, ready to swing if needed. Miroku stood with hands upon his staff, surveying the scene. When he noticed Kagome starting to make a run to Inuyasha, he stopped her.
"Hold on. I don't think her intent is to hurt him." He stated.
Indeed, it was not. The Goddess approached her charge. Stopping a few feet away, she readied her stance again.
"Get up! Fight!"
Inuyasha sat there, panting with the tip of his sword in the ground. His mind was a whir as he tried to process what was going on. He stood again and readied himself. Unsure of what would happen next, he would do his best to block her at least.
The Goddess motioned with one hand for him to come at her, her sword-arm holding Apocalypse high.
I get it now. She wants to see about my abilities! Finally! Ok, you asked for it.
He held Tetsusaiga aloft and charged her. Before their blades connected again, she leaped into the air and somersaulting to land behind him and thrust forward. He barely saw the move to turn in enough time to block it.
"Haha! Good! You caught that at the last moment." She taunted.
Inuyasha turned around with sword blocking hers. She let loose a series of blows so fast that he couldn't keep up.
CLANG! CRASH! BAM! ZZZZZZRACK!
She had strength he had not anticipated at all. The blades locked again, and he thought she'd break first. But instead, she whipped the two swords around in a circle, forcing his wrists against each other. He fought back the pain but it was too much.
His grip loosened and Tetsusaiga flew into the air from his hands. Out of the corner of his eye he tried to see where it landed, but the point of her blade was at his throat again.
Oh shit…
He raised his arms and stared her in the eyes. She bored into him with her stare and he lowered to his knees.
"I concede."
Her next move he had not seen. He half expected her to smack the top of his head.
"You were unwise to lower your defenses. Hence why, you have been unarmed. You matched my blade in the best manner you could, but your fire diminished. I am disappointed. I now know what you need to strengthen your skills."
She sheathed her sword into its scabbard and offered her hand again. He stared back, confused.
"Rise, and retrieve your sword."
He did as instructed and was thankful that no shared vision happened this time. He trudged over to his sword in a defeated manner. When he had his sword into its scabbard and returned to her side, his look had not changed.
"Do not look so defeated, Poppet. You did what was expected of you. I am not disappointed in that fact. You must be stripped down of what you know now in order to learn anew, remember?" She offered a smile at him.
"Hai." His gaze lowered at her, and his ears flattened a bit against his head. He had been defeated thru simple moves, and it hurt his pride.
They walked to the group and returned to the side of the spring to start their tasks. Inuyasha plopped in front of the tree, looking depressed. Kagome knelt by him and reassured him.
"You did good. I've never seen you fight so fast and quick before. And she was fast!"
PTAH! He huffed, and fidgeted with her being so close. At least his reaction from her smell had subsided now, and his adrenaline had been spent on the sparring.
"I didn't even have the chance to show her the Wind Scar at least. Damnit!" He scowled.
"Oh, forget that right now. Here, can I brush your hair out?" She had the brush back in her hand. He complied by tilting his head to her. She started on the bottom first, working out the knots as she went towards the top. It was relaxing and he was getting used to her being in close proximity. Her scent was calming to him, and his eyes closed halfway.
"I'd bet that if she ever comes across Sesshoumaru, she'd beat him." Kagome offered.
Inuyasha uttered a low growl. "I'd give both canine teeth to see that. To see his ass whipped—by a woman! Ha! What would he do?"
He opened his eyes fully while watching his Sensei show Shippou how to use the fishing pole he had just made. Miroku had already cast his and caught a fish right off. Sango had a bit of a struggle securing her hair to her pole, while Kilala just waded in and used her paws.
When Kagome was satisfied that she had loosened the hair knots, she rose, placing the brush back into her bag and grabbed her pole to start fishing. Inuyasha rose, yanked a long strand of hair and strode over to do as well. The Goddess glanced at him, and noted that he was back to normal.
Mistress Kagome has quite the effect on him. But does he realize it…
"Ok, how do I do this?" he asked.
"Start like so: over your head, to the left, then to the right. Then alternate the moves. Use both hands upon the pole at first, then one-handed."
She showed him by casting her line in long strokes above her head, to her left, then to her right, letting the motion follow thru. She didn't leave much time in between casts for any fish to bite, he noticed.
"Aren't we supposed to be catching fish? You're not leaving any time for them to bite."
"If they are hungry, they will bite." She replied. The hot spring itself stayed in the crags of rocks with the thermal heat warming it, but a regular temperate stream containing fish flowed from it. Lady Death went to the side of the stream and dug around into the soft mud at the edge until she found a few worms. She offered him one and secured hers to her hair strand, tying it around the worm. She raised her arms above, and let the line fly. The worm landed with a plop in the water and she waited.
Inuyasha did the same. She watched, but noticed that his cast was a bit short, and he did not put his energy into it.
"Nay not, Poppet. Follow thru with your cast. Put your energy into it." She cast over her head again for him to observe. He noticed there was a slight snap at the end of her cast, and a small glimpse of her energy came forth.
He followed her example perfectly, his own aura shooting a bit out and down the reed.
"Good. Now to the sides." She asked and he complied, watching as his aura and muscles responded to new moves. She was able to count to three before he would cast another way, and noticed his breathing was matching his casts.
At least I do not have to teach him about breathing, she thought.
When his breathing labored a bit, he started using one hand. The casts came quicker and with more ease, but his energy was faltering.
"Try alternating your arms." She noticed one arm was in need of balance. If he could learn to use both arms effectively with the sword, he could keep his opponents off guard.
"How long do I have to do this?" he asked.
"When you have successfully caught three fish per casting, per arm. You should have caught eighteen fish when you are done."
"Eighteen! I'll be here forever doing that!" he whined.
"Only if you think that, then you will." She clarified. He was learning the lesson of patience in conjunction with this first lesson of sword moves. The two would strengthen his mind and body without him knowing it. All was going according to her plans.
"Oh—I got one!" Kagome screamed as she pulled her pole in.
It was a catfish, fairly big, and fairly ugly. But very tasty. Inuyasha scowled. Lucky shot.
"Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!" Shippou's line was being pulled hard as he ran with it to get better ground and reel in. Sango caught him from having another bath and he reeled in the catch. Another catfish, just as big.
"Huzzah for you, young kit!" the Goddess praised. She looked over to Inuyasha, who was fully frustrated now, and determined to catch just one. His aura blazed again in red, and his casts had more follow thru.
"Hya!" He uttered slightly as he cast while small energy waves rippled down the reed length. The Goddess wasn't certain if he saw them or not, but she did. He had reached where and what she wanted him to achieve in moves, but now he had to combine that with patience.
He waited, forcing himself to breath evenly. His aura stretched out thru the line and made contact.
SNAG!
"Yes! A-ha!" Inuyasha shouted as he pulled in the line. He scowled at the face of what was the ugliest thing he had seen. Finally!
"Nozomi, how much fish should we catch?" Miroku inquired. He had caught five so far.
"Enough to last past the full moon, but if you tire, then rest a bit." She offered a wave of her hand towards the shade of the tree. Miroku came forward towards her and whispered.
"It is not my business, but this is a lesson for him, right?" nodding towards Inuyasha. The Goddess merely grinned sideways, confirming his guess. Miroku nodded his head in return and went to the tree to rest.
Sango and Kilala had caught between them a total of eleven. Kagome and Shippou each had caught three. Inuyasha had yet to catch more than the first. He looked over at the others who were enjoying the cool of the shade, and stopped. The sun was hot as it beat down upon him, as it was now close to the first days of summer.
He grumbled to himself about 'what was the purpose of having a bath when I'm getting sweaty again?' to himself. He opted for removing his robe and haori, to Hell with exposing his bare chest—he was sweating and needed relief.
He secured another worm and focused again on his casting. Overhead, wait. To the left, wait. To the right, wait. Switch arms. Start again.
BAM! One more fish caught. Another worm, another cast. SNAG! WHIP! Two more.
Kagome watched him in earnest, wondering as she watched his muscles flexing as he cast again. The sunlight glared on his biceps while thin traces of sweat trickled down his chest, languidly rolling over the muscles on his abdomen. Oh, my…
She found herself staring more intently before Sango's giggling broke her out of her staring. She blushed.
The giggling broke Inuyasha's concentration. He glared back briefly, and then continued.
He is completely focused now. Small distractions do not have him falter. The Goddess noted.
SNAG! WHIP! WHAP! Three more fish, but then…
SNAP! The hair used as a line broke. Damn! No matter, I'll just use another.
He reached at the top of his head and yanked out another hair. He looked as his small pile. I have only seven? Aww shit! Eleven more to go…
He cursed silently as he secured the line and cast again. One handed. Smooth follow thru. Energy shot out and down.
Perfect. At least I think so…
The Goddess saw it as well. Excellent! Now, you must imprint it. Remember…
BAM! WHIP! WHAP! BAM! BAM! SNAG! Fourteen down…
He breathed in and out deeply, and closed his eyes. With both hands, he cast his line. He could feel his energy humming thru his veins. The Goddess heard it as well as saw it. She sat upright and leaned forward slightly.
Hmm… I did not anticipate that.
Inuyasha's aura not only was bright red, but it was surrounding him, traveling the length of the reed, down the hair, and into the water. He let go of one hand. The surface of the water rippled. He waited.
"Do you hear and see what I do as well?" Miroku leaned into the ear of the Goddess.
"If you see Poppet surrounded in an aura of red that leads into the water, aye. His energy hums. He is imprinting." She stated while watching intently.
Inuyasha waited for three beats of his heart. Suddenly his eyes snapped open, his muscles flexed, and one handedly he drew back.
WHACK! The last four catfish were caught in one swipe.
"Wow—he did it! He caught four fish in one!" Shippou marveled.
Inuyasha wiped the sweat off of him and resecuring his clothes, gathered his pile of fish and walked over to the others. He dropped them on top of the other gathered pile and huffed.
"I supposed you want me to cook the sons-of-bitches as well?"
"If you are offering, but only after the firewood has been cut." The Goddess kidded.
"WHAT?!" he said incredulously.
"I jest with you. Be at your ease." She motioned for him to sit in the shade. She noticed that he was still humming as he sat, though it was subdued.
He noticed Tetsusaiga rattling. What the…?
"Tetsusaiga's rattling—what does that mean?" he said under breath, but she answered him.
"Your sword is imprinting your energy. But there is more for you to do."
"Imprinting? Is that what happened? Is that what I was doing?" It wasn't clicking, not quite yet.
"When you started to breath in controlled breaths, your mind opened. When your mind opened, your body responded. What did you feel?" she asked.
"Like I was in the water. No, like I was part of the water. Like I was willing the fish to come to me, all at once." He clarified.
"Precisely. Excellent, Poppet." He has taken the first step, and the body and mind will follow now.
"But how does catching fish relate to me learning sword techniques?" he asked.
"In due time, you will be told. Again, there is more for you to do." Very eager, but will he imprint as such?
"Come. Let us cut the wood." She stood and grabbed the axe. Walking over to a good-sized tree, she placed her hand upon it and closed her eyes briefly. A small blue glow came from her hand and went into the tree. She opened her eyes and handed the axe to him then.
"Hold the axe with both hands. You will be using side strokes—like this." She swung an imaginary axe to the left side, to the middle, then to the right. But indeed, there was more to it. He noticed there were slight deviations in the strokes. One stroke was up and down, one was down and up. The center cut cleared away sections of wood.
She was switching her stance back and forth as well, balancing all of her weight on one foot at a time.
Right side—up and down. Left side—down and up. Cut in the center. Switch.
Right side—down and up. Left side—up and down. Center cut. She breathed in and out in rhythmic pattern too, feeding her muscles with oxygen before each cut.
She stopped and motioned to him to start. He looked at her quizzically again.
"What did you do to the tree beforehand?"
"Energy transference" was all she said. She motioned again for him to start, announcing that she would help clean the fish before gathering the water, and it would be the same amount of time spent on that then it would be for him to do his task.
He huffed again. Energy transference? What IS this? This isn't training—what the Hell?
He started hacking away at the tree in ragged strokes and breaths. The Goddess shook her head at him as she returned to clean the fish. Shikata ga nai, she thought. He will learn.
Inuyasha soon tired of the fast hacking he was doing. His breath labored in his chest and it soon became hard for him to raise the axe. It didn't help being out in the blazing sun with sweat running down him again; it was now threatening to drip into his eyes. He had to remove his robe and haori again, shook his head free of sweat and continued.
Damned. Annoying. Piss. Me. OFF!
He was halfway thru the tree without noticing. He stopped and breathed deep, in and out again, then looked at where he had cut. He was amazed it hadn't fallen yet. He breathed in again, and his energy shot out with his downward cut. He switched sides and shifted his stance. Breathe in, cut!
His energy responded in a flare. He saw it that time. What the…?
He tried it again with an upward cut. Breathe, cut! There it was again! A ha! Now I'm getting somewhere!
His breathing became controlled again and his mind and body responded to the new task at hand. With each breath he made, his energy readied. With each cut he made and with each exhale, it flared and shot out.
Finally there was a crack heard from the tree. It wavered before giving way.
"Look out everyone!" he warned. The tree swayed and buckled, then snapped at the cuts and fell.
From her viewing spot, the Goddess smiled. Faster than I thought, though that was an easy task.
Inuyasha crouched low and steadied his breath. He rested one hand on his hip with the other still gripping the axe. Again, Tetsusaiga responded. It pulsed. Does it want to be drawn? What's going on?
The Goddess got up once again from her view spot and approached him. He stood up slowly, now spent from using his arms in ways he hadn't before.
"Go. Sit under the shade and regain yourself. I will cut the rest." She drew out her sword and smiled.
He gathered up his haori and robe top, looking at her like she was insane. She'll tear up that blade for sure if she's going to use it on the tree!
Use it on the tree she was, but not in the matter he thought of. He strode wearily over to the shade and collapsed, letting out a huge sigh of relief. Tetsusaiga's pulsing had yet to cease.
The sound of lightning connecting with wood made him bolt upright.
"Yikes!" Everyone shouted in unison.
The Goddess' sword had pierced the tree at its trunk. She floated above it, directing the energy from trunk to top as she went. It split pretty evenly down the center. She proceeded to cut it in half again, but not with the same move. She hovered above the tree's center with sword held high. The gold lightning crackled forth and split into many forks, shattering the tree into the needed amounts with nary a loose piece. Like the tree had been previously marked out to cut in a perfect manner.
She landed and sheathed the sword. The group stared at her as she went over to the stump of the tree and placed her hands over it. Her blue glow of energy came out and into the tree. The trunk moaned and sloughed away its bark to reveal newly green bark. At the top, a small strip had begun to grow already in place.
"Poppet, release your sword. It seeks your new energies." She called over her shoulder to Inuyasha.
He stood up and grabbed the handle of Tetsusaiga. The power surged back into him from the sword as he drew it forth. When it transformed for him, he felt a small pull from it, and it sang like a tuning fork. Though he didn't understand why it had transformed—there was no need for him to protect right now…
Huh? What is this?
"Are you rested now?" The Goddess asked. He nodded absently, entranced by his sword. He held it out, one-handed, in front and drew a figure eight in the air. It whistled in a melodious pitch. He stared back at his Sensei, who merely grinned the all-knowing grin.
"The water still needs to be gathered as well." She said. He nodded absently again, still entranced.
"What… did you do… to the… tree? And what's going on…" he trailed off, not sure how to ask his questions.
"Energy transference. Like what and how I did to the clothing to dry it? Conduct is the knowing of how the energy flows. Transference is the knowing of what to do with it. These things you have had a taste already today, hence why your sword pulsed. It sensed your new energies, and wished to be connected to them. That is conduct. When you drew the sword, you released your stored energy into the blade by the simple act of holding it. It acted by transforming, thus absorbing all that it could in its full form. That is transference."
She smiled, knowing that it was all clicking like electrical shocks in his mind.
He recalled how he felt himself hum, like he was part of the water while fishing. He knew when the fish would bite, yet he couldn't explain it. It was like… an instinct.
He remembered that same feeling when he was cutting the tree properly; for he had seen the small surges come from him and connect to the cuts in the tree. His own youki flowed from him and aided him in his task.
But he could not explain just how, or why, he felt so drained of energy afterwards when simple things like such shouldn't do that. Fishing and cutting wood shouldn't drain you.
"Why do I feel so drained?" He asked, sheathing Tetsusaiga back.
"Energy transference is give-and-take. What you give will be taken, and given back to you in a different form. Remember: same energy, different form. There is a meditative technique I will show you on how to receive this at will, so as to not drain you beforehand." She walked towards him. He was still dumbfounded, but was starting to understand a bit more.
"What is left to do before I begin training?" He crooked his eyebrow at her.
It has not settled in deep, not yet. Good. But he understands now. It is a start, and he learns fast. Two experienced so far…
"The water has to be gathered, and the fish are almost prepared. Come, and I will show you how to do such as well." She bent low to grab the water-catcher and bucket, winking at Miroku, whose glint in his eye conveyed the sly thoughts to her.
He would have trained Inuyasha in the same manner, if he had her patience.
The two approached the stream where they had caught the fish before. Lady Death took the water-catcher into both of her hands while standing off to the side. She scooped up some water into the catcher and deposited into the bucket. Then, she shifted to the other side, repeating the move.
Her actions were long smooth moves, from the ground and up towards the head. But she didn't raise the move up all the way. She stopped about halfway, letting her wrists flip over the catcher in a quick motion to have the water drop into the bucket. Inuyasha watched very closely, it had seemed really simple to him at first, but there was more to it. The subtleties of it he almost missed.
He watched more intently as he saw it unfold clearly. She held the handle of the water-catcher with her sword arm on top until she got to the halfway mark. Then, she flipped her wrists over, offside wrist on top while the water dropped into the bucket. When she switched sides, the opposing move was done. The offside wrist was on top. When flipped, the sword wrist was dominant.
The more he watched, the more he saw. The action was a push-pull. The wrist on top pulled, while the one below pushed. Each maneuver conveyed an equal amount of energy, so no one side was receiving more of a work over the other.
She handed over the catcher to him. "Now, collect the water. Do not worry about spilling any. The action of filling is more important than what spills or not." She hinted just a bit at what this was all about.
She returned to the shade and found all of the fish were now ready to be cooked and eaten. The firewood could be carried by all of them, or better yet, they could enlist the help of the Island children. Yes, she would do that, as they would be staying at the elder's house, and this was their way of thanks to Nanoka for such hospitality. The fish, wood, and water would be shared amongst them all for the duration of their stay.
If we run low, we all know how to fish 'properly' now, she thought to herself.
"How long do you plan to have him do these things?" Miroku asked the Goddess quietly so Inuyasha couldn't hear him.
"Until he tires of the same moves or asks how it is related to training again. There are a total of seven techniques I plan to teach him, along with meditating. You can assist in that, if you desire." She turned slightly to see her charge following her example in smoothly executed manners.
"One thing is for certain…" Miroku noted. The Goddess tilted her head at him questioningly.
"He will tire easily until he gets used to all of this. His way of doing things until now has been nothing but charge headlong first and deal with whatever happens afterwards. No thinking a thing thru before an action is taken. I can see already a change in him. I commend you on your patience." He bowed slightly in respect.
She returned his thanks with a nod. Inuyasha returned carrying a full bucket of water and the catcher, beaming like he knew what was going on. Perhaps he did, but…
The Goddess acknowledged Miroku while looking at her charge. He had stripped his mind open and his body was learning new ways now.
"There is more to come."