Chapter 3. The Coming Storm
Kagura awoke to the howling wind of the night, the stars shining brightly over her in the expanse. Her hair smelled of wet flowers. She moved her fingers through the damp bed of grass that cradled her as she looked up into the glowing heavens. How long had she been here, lying here like this? What had she been doing before . . . before . . .
Then, like a wave crashing down, it all came rushing back to her. That strange temple and the demon who guarded it, Naraku and Kanna, and that demon in the void.
She sat up slowly and only then did she notice the ghostly pale figure sitting three feet from her.
"Aah!"
Kanna looked at her sister listlessly.
"What's wrong, Kagura?"
She placed a hand on her empty chest and breathed a sigh of relief that it was indeed Kanna's voice.
"You-You don't remember do you?", Kagura asked.
Kanna shook her head.
"It figures he'd erase anything that might help me. The bastard."
Suddenly Kanna stood up and started off northward.
"Where are you going now?"
"We must hurry Kagura."
Kagura grabbed her shoulder, frustrated and angry.
"We aren't going anywhere until I get some answers! What is Naraku after and why did he free that demon?"
Kanna merely shook her head and stared down at the ground.
"We must hurry.", She whispered.
Kagura sighed and released her.
"Can you at least tell me where we're going?"
Kanna pointed into the distance and it was then that Kagura saw it. In the distance she could just barely see the peak of a mountain.
"The sacred Mt. Hakurei.", Said Kanna as they made their way across the grassy plain, "We must hurry before sunrise."
"And what the hell happens if we don't?"
"You die . . ."
Rin and Jaken sat on the edge of the river feasting on the bounty of roasting fish they had caught that day. Ah-Un slept peacefully next to Rin, their scaly tail wrapped around her. She kicked her tiny feet back and forth in the water, letting it sooth her.
Sesshomaru had come across an abandoned hut and was resting there. She'd known her master long enough to know when not to disturb him. So here she sat quietly under the starry night sky with the only people she'd been able to call a family in a very long time. Jaken on the other hand was not so content.
"I'm sick of this!", he shrieked, jumping up.
Rin smiled at the silly little imp.
"Stop that!", he demanded, "There's nothing funny here, young lady! I was almost eaten, Lord Sesshomaru has been humiliated and is in terrible shape, and you-you just sit there with that stupid smile on your face!"
Rin turned her attention from the hysterical Jaken to the sky.
"Shh. Listen, Master Jaken.", She said.
Jaken through down his staff and started jumping up and down.
"You listen here! Don't you shh me. I'm . . . "-"Look.", She said, turning his head to see what she saw.
A sphere of light rocketed down from the sky, headed straight for them.
Grasping Rin with their mouth and forcefully grabbing Jaken, Ah-Un leaped out of the path of the strange light as it crashed violently onto the riverbed. Dirt and water rained down on them as a tall youkai wrapped in a white kimono and spiked armor stepped out from the smoke. His silver hair was braided neatly in the front and hung well past his waist in the back. A long flowing trail of fur was curled around his shoulder much like that of Sesshomaru's. Unlike Sesshomaru, however, his beaming appearance was marred by a singular and menacing flaw, a scar running the length of his face. He looked at the three with a single gleaming hazel eye and smiled.
Jaken turned to Rin.
"Should we run for it?"
She nodded and without thinking twice they leaped up and ran down river. Ah-Un let out ferocious snarls as they prepared to combat this new foe. The demon walked on undaunted by the dragon-like demons' fury.
Rin and Jaken came flying through the screen door of the hut and started screaming at the top of their lungs. Sesshomaru looked down at them, mildly annoyed.
"Calm yourselves. What's this about?"
Jaken almost jumped through the roof in fear.
"He's huge, with claws and fangs and . . . !"-
Sesshomaru stood up, ignoring his vassal as he prepared to leave.
"Rin, stay here. Jaken, watch over her."
He exited the hut and made his way back toward the camp. He saw Ah-Un about to strike and called out. "Stand down!"
His steed backed away at the sound of his voice and there stood the other.
"You . . . ," He said in surprise.
The demon turned to him and smiled.
"Cousin Sesshomaru, it has been far too long."
Sesshomaru's eyes widened in shock.
"Kimaryu?"
The demon laughed aloud, but it was a cold and empty laugh.
"After all this time you still remember me? I'm honored."
Sesshomaru's look of surprise quickly became a scowl.
"I thought you were dead."
"You say that with such . . .hate. I love it."
Rin peered out from the hut as her master and this strange new demon conversed.
"What's happening Rin? Let me see!", Jaken demanded.
She pushed his head down to shut him up.
"How is Lord Inutaisho?", Kimaryu inquired.
Sesshomaru starred at the man in anger.
"He's been dead for the past 200 years."
Kimaryu nearly stumbled at this revelation. Inutaisho, the glorious leader of the dog demons, dead? No, it couldn't be. He looked into Sesshomaru's eyes, searching for any sign of untruth. There was none.
"What of his army, our people?", he asked, feigning concern.
"Scattered to the winds."
"And the Tetsusaiga?"
Sesshomaru grinned at his line of questioning.
"So that's what you're after is it? Well not that it will do you any good but the legacy sword was not passed on to it's rightful owner."
Kimaryu's wore a puzzled expression.
"If not you than who?"
Sesshomaru's brows straightened, his eyes flickered violently as he said, "My brother."
Kimaryu turned towards the river, a wicked smile lining his face.
"A brother you say . . . "-"A half-demon.", Sesshomaru interjected.
Kimaryu could hardly hide his amusement at this latest development. A half-demon, brother to Sesshomaru? It was too good to be true. He couldn't have asked for an easier fool from which to obtain Tetsusaiga.
He dipped his into the water and stood up. The water levitated in midair and formed a liquid sphere.
"It's funny how even in death one can still reach out and betray those most dear to him."
"How do you mean?", asked Sesshomaru.
"You sound so surprised. Do you really have to ask? Just look at us, Sesshomaru. You, broken humiliated by the very sword that should have been yours. Humiliated by a loathsome half-breed. You his firstborn the rightful heir made to look on as the name of our people is dishonored!"
The ball of water froze over and shattered in his palm.
"We've done nothing but slave for him and how did he repay us? By turning his back on us for humans!"
Sesshomaru laughed silently at his kin's anger for he knew the feeling all too well. He knew the disappointment of being second place to a someone he hardly even knew.
"What will you do, Kimaryu? Surely you realize the sword's power has increased exponentially."
Kimaryu turned abruptly and bowed at Sesshomaru's feet.
"I will destroy the half-breed on my honor and restore the Tetsusaiga to its rightful owner.", he said, " I ask but one thing of you dear cousin, the jewel you hold in your possession."
Sesshomaru reached in his kimono and pulled out the glowing shard dropping it without so much as a second thought.
"Do as you wish with it, but I warn you, the girl traveling with Inuyasha holds sway over him. Her spiritual powers are a bother at best but if unchecked could serve to be your undoing."
Kimaryu laughed as the jewel sank into his flesh.
"Worry not. Her fate will be the same as the half-demon's."
And yours . . .
A lot shorter than the original version which called for a scene between Kikyo and Kagome. I'm trying to keep her out of this for reasons yet to be explained. I think Kagome will have another voice of reason as the story progresses.