~Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters (including Sesshomaru and Rin), I do own Shiawase,Onryō, Fushoujiki, Persephone who is loosely based in the poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne The Garden of Proserpine , Amatsu and the rest of the demon lords. I do not make any money from this fan fiction!
~My apologies for having taken so long to update, I was suffering from a really bad writers block!
~I thank all of my readers who are following and reading my story it really means a lot to me!
~ATTENTION- This chapter starts before the events of Hoshi No Hikari Revenge with a short special chapter and is followed by the events of the chapter 8!
~~HNH~~
One Thousand Years Ago
Humming happily the great queen was tending her garden, a beautiful vast field covered in poppy flowers, given to her as a present by her one true love and soul mate because she loved flowers so much. The flowers were bright red and emitted a crimson glow that attracted the wandering souls that had perished in sacrifices made for love. At the top of a mountain in the field there was a Wasurenagusa (Forget Me Not) flower that would shine in its entire blue splendor and it was the only one that didn't match in the perfect garden that Persephone so tenderly cared.
Back in the shadows a black figure was watching the blissful queen with envy, hatred for her having rejected him. One of the skeletons guarding the entrance of the garden noticed the dark intent of the dark cloaked figure in the shadows and made haste to alert the queen. Persephone now looking bewildered at the guardian turned her gaze to the back of the garden and stood up. Smiling brightly, "Amatsu!", Persephone ran happily towards her friend and guardian, "I am so glad you have arrived and Hadesu has he arrived too?"
"No"
Amatsu despised Hadesu so much for being the King of the Underworld but most of all for having the love of Persephone. To make Amatsu's life more dreadful Hadesu gave her as a gift the Yomi-no-kuni jewel which should have belonged to him, now that jewel hangs around carelessly from her neck glowing red.
"Amatsu why are you pouting!", Persephone asked giggling.
"Persephone, don't you ever get tired of being alone here? Hadesu is barely ever here you are like his prisoner"
"Sometimes, but then I think about the moments when he is here with me and I can't help but feel so happy and loved"
Amatsu sat exhaustingly in the ground staring at the stream and noticed the blue glow at the top of the mountain, "Persephone what is that glow?"
"Oh, would you like to see?", Persephone ran towards Amatsu and stretched her hand to help him up, smiling warmly "Come on!"
When they reached the top of the hill, Amatsu saw the flower and looked disgusted, "It doesn't match the rest"
"It's called the Wasurenagusa flower it means true love, Hadesu and I made a promise with this flower that our love would remain eternally"
Amatsu was even more repelled by that promise; he needed to do something to end this loathsome romance once and for all.
~~HNH~~
"For a thousand years I waited for someone who harbored as much hate as me and would free me from this abyss"
Deep down in the gates of the underworld Amatsu guardian of the Queen of the Underworld and keeper of the gates, silently waited for the day when he could finally be free and carry out his revenge.
A demon lord wondered in search for a weapon only heard in legends but he was desperate enough to believe such tales. It took him a year to reach the final place where certain souls would wander for all eternity and now there he was aimlessly walking in a cave that neither demon nor human had ever returned from.
The narrow passage led to a clearing and ahead an immense iron gate, the wind roared against the gate, making the chains holding it clank. The demon barely managed to move forward due to his utter shock, "It is real, the entrance to the underworld, the legends!"
In the darkest pit of the cave, Amatsu was standing intrigued; silently watching the foolish demon standing in front of the gates. When the demon lord tried to break the chains holding the gates Amatsu was even more amused, "Hah! That demon is quite the fool thinking that with his bare hands he can open the gates"
In a swift maneuver Amatsu materialized behind the demon and with a black sword attacked him, making a scarlet line gush out from his shoulder. Amatsu was about to strike the demon lord once more, "Waiit!" Breathing loudly "I am sure that we can work this out…" the demon lord said cautiously.
Amatsu studying carefully the demon took a step back, "You have one minute before I finish you", threatening the demon now with a double edge sword.
The demon lord stared at the figure, "His weapon changed…how could it be? Wait, that must be the weapon from the legend!" and half smiled, "You Fool!", the demon withdrew his sword and made aim to pierce the heart of that being attacking him but when his sword was about to reach his chest, the figure vanished.
"What…", the demon lord shifted his gaze nervously from one corner to the other until he heard a voice echo from the cave but the man was nowhere in sight, "Why have you come here?"
The demon laughed, "Come out, wherever you are! Don't be such a coward fight me!"
Smiling confident the demon made a turn to look at the gates but when he turned there was Amatsu who stroke the demon in his chest with the double edge sword.
"Any last wish demon?"
The demon lord letting his sword fall to the ground and now looking defeated, retreated slowly, tumbling but not leaving his gaze from the formidable opponent, "I don't have any wishes; I will only leave this world full of regrets"
"Then allow me to cease your misery", Amatsu moved his weapon to give the finishing strike.
"Before I die would you tell me why are you doing this?"
"It is my duty"
"Such a strong opponent as you being captive here by the sense of duty instead of taking over the world"
"Explain", said Amatsu curious.
"Haven't you ever wondered how your life would be if you ever left this place? I have been in search of strength and glory taking chances with you because I have also asked myself, what would it be?"
Amatsu smiled wickedly "It seems like the fates have finally taken notice of me, I can finally break free and do my will", "What is your name demon?"
"Akihito"
"Free me and I will assist you"
"H-How can I do that?" Lord Akihito asked with the sensation of fear crawling up to his being but he had nothing else to lose.
"Make a contract with me but know that if you do I will use your strength and life force while I am at your service and once your will is completed I will no longer serve you"
Lord Akihito bewildered by this turn of events took a second to think about it "Deal…defeat those who oppose me"
Amatsu materialized a raven colored dagger and pierced the palm of his right hand, drawing a thin red line that dripped the ground. The demon lord astounded stared at the blood and before he could ask the dagger was extended to him, "Seal the contract". Akihito took a deep breath and drew the piercing dagger to the palm of his right hand, "Deal".
Pressing their right hands the contract was made, unknown to the beings that roamed the vast lanes of the underworld.
~~HNH~~
Her kimono was dyed red by the crimson colored pool in the ground, her hands trembling as they were holding the body of her love. Through her blurred sight, she tried squinting her eyes to capture the image of her soul mate. "Hadesu", that name came as a soft whisper although it managed to alert the withering man. "Persephone", with effort he extended his arm to touch the face of her beloved, "You must be careful of Amatsu…", he took her soft hand from his face, "This is the only way of ever defeating him" , Persephone saw a bright silver light in her hand and when she was about to ask about it, her love was already disintegrating into thousands of shimmering lights.
Starring at her now empty hands, she couldn't believe what had transpired; now sorrowful souls and her garden would be her company in these vast lands. Amatsu appeared and walked slowly towards the consumed in grieve Persephone. The subtle steps alerted Persephone, breathing deeply to find her composure, "Why ?"
Amatsu humored said maliciously "Why you ask? You always rejected me and never noticed how miserable I was, now I can finally rule and have power"
Something had broken inside of her at the sound of such words"Power? …", she gasped, "You killed your brother for that…"
With rage boiling in her veins, she stood up from the grass and looked firmly at Amatsu, "My pain is the bursting molten steel that will forge the blade of your demise! Remember my words Amatsu, I shall not be denied of my vengeance!"
"Oh Persephone, I shall be waiting though I doubt you will ever be able to", with those last words Amatsu vanished, leaving the desolate queen to plot her revenge.
Chapter 8
~~HNH~~
Hiding in the bushes up in a hill at the entrance of Lord Ahihito's domain were several members of Renritsu along with Rin.
In a whisper Nozomi spoke, "Rin look! The demon lords are entering the castle"
"Hai, but we have to wait for the signal", Rin's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Lord Sesshomaru, he was wearing his usual attire but this time it was all black, for Rin it looked very formal but he looked so handsome that it made her heart melt and then as quickly it sank when she saw a demoness running to catch up and the holding arms with him, "They look like a couple…that must be Lady Zen…"
Everything was planned out for Renritsu, they had managed to infiltrate spies into the domain and some of the soldiers that worked personally with Lord Akihito were also bringing them information, the Lord of the South had more enemies than what he was aware of.
Today's plan was simple they were to infiltrate the palace and find the scrolls with the locations of all of Lord Akihito's armies and the next places where they would attack. Rin's job would be to distract Amatsu who had cordially invited her to the gathering; Nozomi would wear the black cloak and pretend to be Rin in order to buy the group more time. Persephone had warned Rin about Amatsu when she told her what he said on their first encounter.
Now all that was left is to wait for the signal, that everything was clear and the plan could proceed. When the marching guards left the entrance, a silver haired figure could be seen moving swiftly towards a torch near the entrance and lighting it. "Inuyasha…", Rin was glad to have found her friends two days ago and was surprised that after explaining everything that had happened they were more than happy to help.
"That's our signal, let's move!" Rin ran towards the entrance and looked at Inuyasha with a bright smile, "Thank You"
Inuyasha had a smile on his face which was quickly replaced by a frown, "Keh, let's get this over with".
The halls were garish, covered in fine furnishings and tapestries that lined the floor, Sesshomaru along with Lady Zen and the Lords of the North and East with their respective mates followed one demon who to the their disturbance seemed like a puppet tripping against tables and even bumping into the wall while he was leading them to Amatsu.
They stopped in front of a grand door where their guide bowed respectfully and opened the door. Once inside there were several guests sitting but what was striking about them is that they all seemed to be in some sort of trance. None of them spoke or even moved, they just lay in their chairs.
"Ah, The Lords have finally decided to join us!" said Amatsu who was sitting at the head of the table said in a merry tone.
Sesshomaru cautiously looked at his surroundings and sat in the chair opposite to Amatsu much to Lady Zen's dismay who wanted to sit next to him. The rest of the lords with their mates scattered and sat in the empty chairs.
Amatsu who was the only one gleaming happily in the table quickly looked at Sesshomaru, "Lord Sesshomaru I can't express how glad I am that you didn't refuse my invitation, you see today is a very special day, isn't it?"
When Amatsu said "isn't it?" many of the guests answered monotonously in a chorus, "Yes Lord Amatsu", this scene shocked the lords of the North and East. On the other hand Sesshomaru was deeply irritated but still kept his composure, "What's the purpose of this meaningless reunion?"
"Ahh anxious aren't we? Well then I simply want us to make a treaty you see…", Sesshomaru stood up, "I will not be wasting my time". One of the servants interrupted "Sir we have captured them".
Amatsu smiled wickedly and switched his gaze towards Sesshomaru, "I believe that you will find that my offer is quite favorable Lord of theWest" Amatsu stood up, "Would all my guests be so kind as to follow me?" The rest of the guests stood up and followed Amatsu into the hall where a few soldiers were holding a group of what appeared to be demon hunters.
"You puppet let us go!", one of the hunters shouted and another soldier entered the hall holding a struggling girl covered with a black cloak.
Amatsu walked next to the girl and stared at Sesshomaru, "Lord of the West, I think you will be quite pleased with what I have found", in a swift movement Amatsu lowered the hood of the cloak to reveal the face of the girl. Sesshomaru looked annoyed at Amatsu but at the same time uncaring.
Amatsu confused by the reaction of the stoic demon lord stared at the girl and was surprised when the young woman was not who he was expecting, in his anger he materialized his weapon to destroy the girl but was halted when he felt the edge of what seemed to be a sword against his neck, "Amatsu is this how you welcome your guests?"
Sesshomaru could not believe his eyes, it was his precious Rin…, "Impossible, It can't be, I can't even catch her scent and that weapon…" ,for the first time in his life he felt at a loss for words.
Amatsu still in her grasp said still in a happy tone, "Rin you have surprised me", and turned to attack Rin with his weapon but was shocked when she was not there,to his surprise Rin appeared in front of him smiling brightly.
Rin was about to speak when she felt a pair of arms grasp her shoulders and turn her around abruptly, when she found herself looking directly at those golden eyes, she felt her legs go numb and her heartbeat change to unsteady beats. Sesshomaru's hands moved to caress her delicate face; he kept staring at her and stroking her cheeks gently as if he couldn't believe what his eyes were beholding.
"Rin", Sesshomaru couldn't manage to snap out of his shock, this had never happened to him but he was sure of one thing he was not going to let her go, an explanation was in order.
The clapping sounds brought Sesshomaru back from his daze, "What a nice reunion but I'm afraid that we have a treaty to discuss so…" Amatsu made a signal for the guards to attack but none of them moved, now distraught, "What is happening here?"
The CLANK sounds from the swords could be heard at the entrance of the domain which alerted Amatsu, now starring venomously at Rin with a hint of red in his eyes he spat, "Well Rin I have certainly misjudged you"
Amatsu vanished from his spot and reappeared up in the air with his black sword without giving Rin a chance to react. The attack was blocked by the hands of an enraged demon lord with glowing crimson eyes and squishing Amatsu's hand with the intent to crush it, Sesshomaru took an impulse and sent Amatsu flying towards one of the tables.
Sesshomaru walking calmly towards the collapsed table noticed that Amatsu was not there anymore, feeling the stabbing pain in his back he turned abruptly and with his claws pierced Amatsu's face.
Amatsu laughing hysterically started to walk backwards hiding the three gushing lines with his right hand, "This has turned into quite the party, but I'm afraid it's time to wrap it up". Rin horrified at Sesshomaru's wound did not notice that Amatsu had disappeared and to her surprise a hand was pressing lightly against her neck. "Rin you have turned to be quite amusing so I will not kill you now, we will meet again", with those last words Amatsu made his leave.
The turmoil at the entrance had seized and now the sound of running footsteps could be heard, Inuyasha was the first one to arrive and took a look at Sesshomaru "Whoah! It seems that I have missed the best part"
Rin was running towards Sesshomaru but stopped in her tracks when she saw Lady Zen hugging Lord Sesshomaru. "Aww Lord Sesshomaru, I was so worried!" said Lady Zen while looking at Rin smiling. Sesshomaru deeply irritated broke free from the grasp of the demoness and walked steadily towards Rin, who in exchange took several steps backwards with teary eyes.
The Lord of the North came towards the Lord of the West, "My Lord, what are we going to do now with this situation?". The Lord of the East was trembling while hugging his mate and didn't dare to approach Sesshomaru. The rest of the crowd were in a daze and only stood petrified in complete silence.
Inuyasha taking advantage of the situation ran towards Rin and took her by the arm, "You brat! What do you think you are doing? We have to go now!"
Sesshomaru confused by the situation shared a look towards his half-brother and now even more angered, "INUYASHA!"
Inuyasha ran with Rin more faster towards the entrance when he heard the shout of his brother, "Really this is bad! Rin run faster, we have to go!" Rin was shocked by everything that had happened and couldn't speak, there were no words to describe the pain in her heart when she saw Lady Zen clinging like that to Sesshomaru.
Once they were out of the palace, Rin saw many guards on the ground defeated and her group waiting at the top of the mountain. Inuyasha ran faster with Rin but stopped when he saw a certain demon lord with crimson eyes ahead of the road, Sesshomaru had his sword in hand ready to destroy his half-brother, when he saw Rin who moved in front of Inuyasha.
Sesshomaru walked until he was face to face with Rin, it pained him to see her tears rolling down her cheeks but at the same time he felt furious with the girl that had disappeared for a month and now there she was before his eyes dressed up as a demon hunter with a strange weapon and even worst with no trace of her scent.
"Rin", with that word Rin understood that her lord wanted an explanation and she was not going to deny him one.
Breathing deeply and looking directly at his golden eyes with determination, "Lord Sesshomaru, we need to talk"
The group saw the silver haired demon in front of Rin and made haste towards the girl with their weapons in hand.
Sesshomaru saw the angry group running down towards him, "I will not allow any more disturbances", he thought angrily. Approaching Rin hastily he took her in his arms and flew up in the air. Rin was caught by surprise, she was not expecting this from Lord Sesshomaru, "Let me Go!". Sesshomaru did not answer her request; he just pressed her tightly against him and ignored the angry shouts from his half-brother, " GET BACK HERE YOU BASTARD!"
~~HNH~~
Washing his wounds in a waterfall between the mountains of the South-West, "I feel the hand of Persephone in that girl". Submerging his face under the water and gasping for air, " Persephone" there were many memories of her that haunted him daily, "It was a smart move from Persephone to use that girl, she had me fooled".
Three soldiers approached the waterfall, "Sir, the base of that group is currently defenseless it is the perfect chance to strike"
Amatsu kept looking at his reflection in the water; the slashes in his face were beginning to fade, "I need that jewel in order to restore my full power, until then I won't be able to defeat that Lord of the West as for Rin , she can be of some use…"
"Very well, we shall attack now"
~~HNH~~
Shiawase ran out of a cottage in the woods with many scrolls in a bag and looking at both sides, she made sure that she was not being watched. She took a lit torch in front of the small hut and threw it against the wood of the small cottage, taking several steps back as the hut burned she turned and ran deep into the woods.
"I have to escape before Onryō comes back"