The woman watched as the brothers fought some more. 'What spell should I use? Should it be a bewitched one? Time casting? Body changing? Sealing? The bewitched one takes too much magic, the time casting one is just plain complicated and the sealing one...I don't have anything to seal them into. So, I suppose that just leaves the body changing one!' She grinned. 'First of all, I suppose I should subdue them so that I can get close enough to put the spell on, stupid body changing magic needs short range casting.'
She reached into her layered haori and brought out two sutras, one for each of them.
The white demon was about to strike the other from the sky, so she had to work fast. She quickly spoke the incantation that allowed the sutras to work their magic, her first one would be on the one about to attack since he was promptly the most deadly of the two.
Her one sutra started to glow. The symbols started to dispatch off the paper, they did a little spin and glowed magnificently.
She looked up at her work, the light that came from the sutra flew at the one in the sky, he immediately stopped his flight towards the one on the ground and then he fell, his feet planted, he stood unmoving and shocked, probably due to the fact that he didnt expect to be paralyzed unexpectedly like so.
She quickly took the other sutra as the other one had started his charge at the immobilized youkai. She did her incantation and the new sutra glowed as did the other. The light from the sutra extracted itself and flew at the one who was about to slice the other's head off, the magic the sutra had immediately froze the one in red, he too also looked very shocked.
And just in time too, his sword was a few scant feet from the others neck.
"Phew", she said and wiped her forehead of imaginary sweat. She stepped into the light to confront the two paralyzed youkai.
--
Sesshoumaru stood totally unaware of what was happening, one second he was up in the sky about to finish the battle and the next he was engulfed in light, paralyzed and on the ground. The surprise was all over his face.
And then Inuyasha is running at him, sword raised to finish him. He being immobilized, couldn't do a thing about it. He was sure that Inuyasha would kill him right then and there.
Before yet again the light engulfed Inuyasha --lucky him--, his sword was perilously close to his neck too.
The two brothers stood there, looked at each other with un-blinking eyes, shock on both their faces.
Then the next thing that happens is that an old hag appears out of the corner of Sesshoumaru's eye, he was un-allowed to shift his eyes to look at her.
Inuyasha is just as confused, Sesshoumaru was half a second to being a dead corpse baking in the hot sun when out of nowhere a light comes and then he can't move! As much as he tires he couldn't.
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, stood there, unable to move away or towards.
The hag kept her pace towards the two. Inuyasha watched as she came up from behind the direction of Sesshoumarus right, he imagined that Sesshoumaru couldn't see her fully because she was at a bad angle for him, but he could see her clearly. She kept on walking until she was about seven or so feet from the brothers. Inuyasha would have said, 'What the hell is going on hag?!' were it not for his paralysis.
Sesshoumaru would have said the same thing, at the expence of his vocabulary though. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and this situation would probably count as a desperate time.
The old woman frowned at the two and said as if she were talking to disobedient children, "How do people like you end up like this? If you two are indeed brothers, this is not the way to be acting!" A shadow passed over her face.
'What the hell is going on?,' thought Sesshoumaru. He, personally, was having a very bad time, being lectured by a human?! And not having the ability to slice it's head off?!
Inuyasha himself was thinking basically the same thing except with more swearing and rashness.
The woman shook her head in hopelessness. "I suppose you two will have to learn," she looked at both of them,"over time". She leisurely reached into her kimono to draw out about a handful of sutras, "Stupid spell always takes so much sutras," she sighed. "I hope you two are worth it!"
If Sesshoumaru could, he would kill her in an instant, or in his present state, give her a death glare. Unfortunately he couldn't. So, his only choice was to just stand there and wait till the hag lifted her spell on his body.
Inuyasha, however, was trying his very hardest to escape the spell, even though it was futile. The old woman brought the bunch of sutras in front of her face and begun the enchantment to start the spell.
The papers started to glow as her rekai seeped into them. She smiled and announced, "They're ready," then looked at them, "Now to prepare you two."
He did not know what she meant by that. But was answered as she walked up to Inuyasha and reached up to place one of the many sutras on his forehead. Then turned and tried her best to reach up with another one to place it on Sesshoumaru.
"By god you're tall," she complained as she strained herself. She made one little jump and finally managed to stick it to his forehead, covering his crescent moon.
She slumped down and sighed, "There." Then looked up at Sesshoumaru and said, "You won't be as tall when you're in his body," and indicated to Inuyasha with her thumb while still looking at him.
Both the brother's tried to move and tear the papers stuck to their heads, but was still a waste of energy. 'Dammit!' thought Inuyasha.
The hag raised her hand that helt the sutras and started her incantation once again.
Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha tried their best to watch as she worked.
A blinding light engulfed the trio and the clearing, the sutras now circling the two at an alarming speed that lasted a few seconds before the light started to fade away.
As soon as that happened the two paralyzed beings felt themselves skip a beat or two. Then everything got dizzy.
The old woman chuckled and spoke one more time, "It's only a body-switching spell, dont worry. Oh yeah. You might feel a little nauseous and dizzy. But don't fret, its only a side effect and will pass soon enough. When the whole thing is done you will only find pain if you try to tell of this spell so I suggest you don't try to tell anyone. Oh! And it will only go away if the two of you can find co-operation and fondness of sorts, unaided!" She grinned.
The two brothers looked at each other before the paralysis wore off and both of them simultaneously wobbled a bit before falling to their knees and then to the ground. Each sprawled about two or so feet from each other, a little too close for some, but could not be helped as both felt a dizzying effect cover their minds, their eyes closed and then everything went blank.
The woman watched as the two wobbled a moment after her paralyzing sutra wore off on both and they fell to the ground. She smiled and said, "You'll thank me later," turned around and started to walk away, back into the woods.
'That spell will only be vanquished when they realize brotherly love towards the other. Or something like that. I can't quite remember. But they'll have to work together.'
She looked over her shoulder at the two unconscious youkai, "Good luck!" She said with a smile and turned back to disappear into the forest.
--
Kagome looked down the path that Inuyasha left to. He has been gone a long time, she desperately hoped that he was alright.
The others sat near a tree, both Sango and Miroku were leaning on it while Shippo and Kirara sat at the base. But Kagome was standing on the side of the path waiting for Inuyasha to emerge from the darkness.
Sesshoumaru had always been the tougher and stronger of the two, but Inuyasha usually came out on top. She hoped that Sesshoumaru hadn't finally gotten Inuyasha for good. She always hated it when the two fought, it was foolish and ridiculous, brothers of the same blood shouldn't be fighting with each other as the two often did.
She hoped that one day they would over come their differences. 'Inuyasha...'
"Dont worry Kagome-chan, I'm sure Inuyasha is just fine," Sango said from her place at the tree. She smiled at her and Kagome gave an unassured, weary smile back. "Inuyasha is probably winning," said the voice of Shippo.
Kagome sighed. 'Please come back to me soon, Inuyasha.'
--
Sesshoumaru was the first to awaken.
The sun high above was hot on his face that he turned around on his side as so the sun wasn't blinding him.
He sat up slowly from his place on the baking ground. He wondered how long he had been out in the sun and unconscious.
His head was spinning so fast, he wiped the sweat away that lay on his forehead with the sleeve of his haori. 'Funny, I don't remember sweating before, unless it's caused to that damned sun.' But, what shocked him the most out of everything that had occurred that day was that his haori sleeve was red
He quickly brought his arm back up to his face and sure enough, it was red! It wasn't white! He quickly looked down at the rest of his kimono, it looked exactly like the fashion Inuyasha wore. 'What the...' His entire wardrobe was red except for the thinner yakata which was white as usual.
'Red?' Sesshoumaru looked over to Inuyasha. His eyes widened with shock, total utter shock. Over to his left lay himHe was laying right next to him. His silver hair lay strewn over his body, his armour in place, his sword at his side and tokijin on the ground. Who was this person?
He looked down at his side, to his complete shock, on the ground next to him lay Tetsusaiga! The one sword that he use to covet, but now he had Tokijin, he wasn't after Tetsusaiga any longer.
He reached a hesitant hand out towards the rusted blade. 'These are not my claws.' He still reached out for it. 'Damn witch!'
Sesshoumaru's first guess was that the old hag had indeed did what she did; a body changing spell. That would explain why he reeked like Inuyasha.
He grasped the handle. It didn't reject him. He lifted it off the ground and up to his face. The blade was nicked and scratched everywhere, the handle was frayed, but that was Tetsusaiga.
Sesshoumaru stood up in Inuyasha's body, the blood quickly fled his head, leaving him fairly dizzy.
He quickly steadied himself, not wanting to fall from his feet. Once again he cursed the sun.
He put the sword back in it sheath at his side, not wanting to use it at the moment, all he really wanted was to get into the shade of the trees.
He started to walk over to the edge of the clearing leaving Inuyasha...or...him out in the sun, he guessed he'd be waking up soon enough anyways.
He basically crashed into the trunk with his back, he wasn't in the mood at the time to be gracious, his head still felt like it would explode and he didn't feel up to it. He closed his eyes and waited for...him to wake up.
He also noted that the scratch he had previously given Inuyasha was now basically searing his skin with a white-hot burning sensation.
--
Inuyasha soon woke up from his long sleep. As soon as he opened his eyes he was immediately blinded, "Shit," he turned his face so it didn't face the sun.
But, when he turned his head, he saw...himself? He was sitting in the shade of the trees at the edge of the clearing, his eyes were closed. "Huh?"
He was still facing him as he slowly began to sit up, the sudden rush of blood made his head spin. He grabbed his head with his free hand, the other busy holding himself up off the ground which by the way was fairly hot.
Then, his eyes widened with shock as he caught the sight of a white sleeve? He sat up as fast as he could, which wasn't the best thing, but he over looked that and grabbed his sleeve. It was white and red!
He looked back to the duplicate of himself. He shouted at him, "Hey!"
The other slowly opened his eyes and said, "Finally up?" Inuyasha growled at...him.
Sesshoumaru was wondering when Inuyasha would awaken. He had been quietly recouping in the shade. He wanted answers. Like how was this even possible? The two needed to sort things out.
He had been as Inuyasha was now; confused.
He wasn't sure when he woke up. The one next to him might have been an impostor.
Inuyasha in Sesshoumaru's body stood up to face his other counter part. "Tell me! Who the hell are you? Where did Sesshoumaru go?" Sesshoumaru sighed. "Don't be a fool Inuyasha."
Inuyasha was confused, this person in the shade looked and sounded just like him! Yet different, the attitude was all wrong. If he was going to impersonate someone, he'd try to at least act like that someone.
"Wha--What are you talking about? Tell me!"
The one in the shade stood up slowly from his place on the ground. He looked up at Inuyasha, a shadow passed over his face. Inuyasha was...shocked? The look the other gave him was...familiar. Then the other started to walk towards him.
Inuyasha wanted nothing to do with this person who looked like him, but when he reached down towards his sword, he felt a different one.
He looked down at this hand, it rested on...Tenseiga? Why was Tenseiga at his waist? Where was Tetsusaiga?! And Tokijin too which layed on the ground? He lifted his elbows up to inspect the rest of his body. Armour? Sword? Long silver hair? Obi? Pelt? White clothing? He had no idea what this was.
The other was close to him. Inuyasha hesitantly kneeled down and reached for the hilt of Tokijin, very unsure if this was some kind of trick but he had to use something to protect him.
Once he grabbed the handle he immediately felt an unmatchable power and evil travel up and down his arm. It burned, it burned alot
He was struggling to keep the power in place, but it was quickly taking over.
Kill him... A voice said in his head. It was very intimidating, that dark sound.
'What--whats going on?'Kill him...!
Then out of no where a hand reached out and grabbed his wrist and ripped it away from Tokijin's handle. Once his hand came out of contact with the sword his mind was clear and free once again.
"What in hell do you think your doing?!" said the one who grabbed his arm.
Inuyasha looked wide-eyed at him and said, inexplicibly in the voice of Sesshoumaru, "Wha--what happened?"
Inuyasha said totally uncertain of what was happening and about to happen. The other threw his arm away and looked down at him. "Tokijin is not for hands like yours."
Inuyasha was quickly outraged, "What is that suppose to mean?! I could handle Sesshoumaru's stupid sword anytime, anywhere!"
The other was on his way back to where he previously sat, but stopped, turned around and nearly shouted with Inuyasha's voice, "First of all, you don't have the experience to wield it! Second, even if you did you wouldn't be able to handle Tokijin's power," the other crossed his arms and continued, "you have the power to hold it, but not the mind. You would only be possessed by it's jaki. Keep in mind Inuyasha, the sword has an eternal hatred towards you." Then he once again began to turn around.
As he walked back to his tree he said, "I suggest you don't touch it." Inuyasha didn't quite know what happened here, but he wanted to ask this duplicate some questions so he followed after him and left Tokijin on the ground, taking the other's advice to not touch it.
--
Sesshoumaru could hear Inuyasha following him. For the better he supposed; he also wanted answers.
Once he got back to the tree he had been sitting at before, he turned around to face Inuyasha.
They stared at each other for a moment before Sesshoumaru lowered his eyes and sat down, his back to the trunk once again leaning on it. Inuyasha followed suit, but sat about seven or so feet away, not in or out of the shade the tree provided, but in between.
And as always, Inuyasha was right to the point, "Ok you freak! Tell me why you look like me!" Sesshoumaru took a deep breath working on what to tell him. "It would seem Inuyasha that the two of us have been...placed under some kind of spell. Due to that old woman." Sesshoumaru looked away and to his left into the forest.
"What?! Under a spell?! What kind of spell?! How do we get rid of it?"
Sesshoumaru lazily looked back to Inuyasha and spoke as to point out the obvious, "Is it not obvious for your eyes Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha ignored Sesshoumaru's tone and replied, "I don't want to stay looking like this for the rest of my life!"
Sesshoumaru glared at Inuyasha, "Nor do I want to stay looking like you of all people." Inuyasha grimaced.
Sesshoumaru thought about it for a few moments before he barely whispered to himself, "Body changing huh? With Inuyasha none the less."
He looked up at the blue sky and thought, 'Co-operation and fondness...? ...Unaided? Can't be as hard as it sounds...can it? I don't plan to stay in this hanyou body forever.'
