Chapter 2: Surprise, Surprise
Inuyasha and Kouga walked shoulder to shoulder, grinning from ear to ear as they entered the gates to Kouga's village. To their surprise, Ginta and Hakakku were there eagerly awaiting their return.
"Hey, there back!" Ginta yelled, running towards them.
"Kouga, Inuyasha!" Hakakku also yelled, running beside Ginta.
"Hey, you two. Believe it or not I'm actually glad to see you two. How'd you guys know we would be here?" Kouga asked.
"It's the night of the new moon tomorrow, you guys always come back before then." Ginta replied.
"You know…he's right actually." Inuyasha stated, realizing the truth behind what Ginta said.
"Well it's getting late," Kouga said noticing that the sun had set and the stars began to shine. "I think we should all turn in for the night."
"You're right, c'mon. Let's go to bed." Inuyasha agreed.
"All right. I'll walk you to your room. Ginta and Hakakku, wait here. I wanna talk to you guys about something." Kouga said to them as he escorted Inuyasha to his room.
"All right, Kouga." They replied in unison.
Kouga walked Inuyasha to his chambers. When they got there, Inuyasha dove onto the bed while Kouga began to put away his belongings.
"why don't you get some sleep…" Kouga said as he turned around, only to discover that Inuyasha had done just that. He was sleeping like a baby.
"He must be exhausted." Kouga thought to himself as he left the room to meet Ginta and Hakakku.
"Kouga's back." Ginta said upon his leader's arrival.
"I need to talk to you two," the wolf prince told them.
"What's up," they asked curiously.
"It's about Inuyasha. He hasn't been himself lately. I want to do something special for him. You know, something that'll lift his spirits."
An idea popped into Ginta's head, "I've got it!"
"What are you thinking?" Kouga inquired, his curiosity picked.
The three of them huddled together and Ginta explained his idea.
"That's a brilliant idea! There really is a brain in that thick skull, huh?" Kouga teased, happy with the idea that Ginta came up with. "I'll leave the details to you two. I'll keep him busy tomorrow while you guys get everything ready."
"You can count on us, Kouga!" Kakakku insured his leader.
"Good, I'm going to bed now. See you guys tomorrow." Kouga told the two.
They told each other good night and returned to their rooms to rest up for the big day ahead of them.
Meanwhile:
Once again, the dark figure sat upon his crystal throne as he watched Kouga, Ginta, and Hakakku discuss their plans for Inuyasha's surprise. A second figure entered the room and stood next to his master.
"It seems that there's some sort of surprise in the works for Inuyasha," the figure stated.
"It appears so, master," the second figure said to the first.
"Well, if Inuyasha wants a surprise then we'll give him one he'll remember for a lifetime," the figure smiled devilishly. "I think it's time I make my debut, wouldn't you agree?" the figure asked, turning to his underling.
"I do, sire. Shall we?"
"We shall."
The two shared a bone chilling chuckle as they vanished faster than one could blink.
Back at the village:
"Wake up, Inuyasha." Kouga whispered, lightly shaking the half demon as not to startle him.
"Still…sleeping," Inuyasha replied between yawns.
"C'mon get up. I thought you might go on patrol around the borders with me. You know, like we always do."
Inuyasha peeked over the covers and looked out of the hole in the cave that served as a window and noticed that the sun hadn't completely risen yet.
"Are you crazy? The sun isn't even out yet. Go away." Inuyasha snarled.
"All right. I tried to be nice and do things the easy way but I guess I'm gonna have to get a little rough. You've got 'til the count of three to get out of bed."
Inuyasha ignored him of course.
"Fine, have it your way."
Kouga walked over to Inuyasha's bed, grabbed the furs off of him, and tossed them to the floor.
"What the hell do think you're doing Kouga?"
"Oh nothing," he replied with a smirk.
Kouga then grabbed Inuyasha by his ankles and literally dragged him out of bed and onto the floor.
"Let go you flea bag!" Inuyasha yelled, kicking his feet.
"At least I don't have worms, you filthy mutt!" Kouga shouted back at Inuyasha. "Now get up and get dressed so we can leave. I'd like to be done by sundown."
"I'm gonna get you back for this," Inuyasha threatened.
"Love you, too best buddy," Kouga chuckled as he walked out of the cave.
Inuyasha got dressed and followed Kouga to the village gates.
"You ready, Inuyasha?" Kouga asked.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's get on with it," he replied, irritated by Kouga's little stunt.
"Let's go then."
The two of them took off running, ready for a full day of patrolling …well, Kouga was ready at least. Inuyasha wasn't even fully awake.
"Are they gone?" Ginta asked, peeking over the village walls from one of the watch towers.
"Yeah, they're gone. Let's get to work!" Hakakku replied crouching next to him.
With that said, the two of them immediately went to work getting their surprise for Inuyasha ready. It was sure to be a night to remember.
Later that day…
"We've been out here all day and haven't seen anything. I think we should head back now," Inuyasha complained.
"You know, you're right. The sun's going down. We should get you back before nightfall," Kouga responded.
It was the night of the full moon and Inuyasha would soon become human. He could already feel his powers begin to weaken.
"I'll carry you so you won't get tired on the way back," Kouga proposed.
"I'm fine, I'll make it."
Kouga gave Inuyasha a stern look, letting him know that he was going to be carried whether he wanted to or not.
"Fine," Inuyasha pouted, climbing onto Kouga's back.
Kouga carried his best friend all the way back to the village. By the time they got back, the sun had gone down and Inuyasha had reverted to his human form.
"Stupid new moon," Inuyasha growled, feeling depressed by being in his weakend state.
"Hey, I know what'll cheer you up," Kouga stated with confidence, excited to see his friend's face when he saw what was waiting for him behind the gates to the village.
"And what's that?"
Kouga grinned and pushed open the village gates.
"Surprise!!!"
"What the…?" Inuyasha stood in shock.
The entire tribe stood at the village gates waiting for them to return. Ginta and Hakakku informed everyone in the village of their idea and they were all eager to help. As soon as Kouga and Inuyasha left, they went to work decorating, cooking, and baking. It took them nearl the entire day to set up.
"You guys planned a party? For me?" Inuyasha asked as he stood in awe of how beautiful the decorations were and, of course, how good the food smelled.
"You bet! Nothing but the best for my best friend," Kouga answered with a huge smile plasterd across his face.
"Well I guess there's only one thing to do…let's party!!!" Inuyasha said with his spirits instantly lifted.
"Party!!!" the entire village yelled in unison.
Everyone immediately headed towards the center of the village and went into full party mode. Cheerful music filled the air, people stuffed their faces at the large buffet table, and cups were filled to the brim with the finest of sake. The party lasted well into the night with no end in sight. Things couldn't get any better but little did they all know, things were about to become far worse than any of them could ever imagine.
Inuyasha was sitting at a long table across from Kouga, eating and drinking and having a good time like everyone else when all of a sudden he was overcome by a strange feeling.
"Kouga…"
"Yeah, Inuyasha?" Kouga answered, noticing that Inuyasha's mood had changed and he had a look of worry on his face. "What's wrong?"
"Something doesn't feel right…"
During that exact moment, everyone in the village, including Inuyasha and Kouga were overcome by a strange and sinister presence.
"What…is this? I…I can't…move," Inuyasha spoke through clenched teeth, trying to fight the strange pressure he felt but was unsuccessful due to the lack of his demonic power.
He looked around and noticed that no one else was moving either. It felt as though gravity had intensified one hundred fold. Then, suddenly, Inuyasha heard and unfamiliar voice.
"My, my, you all threw a party and didn't invite me?" a dark figure spoke as it abruptly appeared as if from thin air.
The figure spoke again "tsk, tsk. You look a little under the weather, Inuyasha," he said, standing before the half demon.
Inuyasha couldn't do anything but release a muffled growl in his current state.
"You have something I want, Inuyasha," the figure said to the hanyou as he reached down and grabbed him by the wrist as he lifted him to his feet. Some of the pressure had been relieved but he still couldn't move.
"Who…are you?" Inuyasha managed to speak.
"Ah, of course. I haven't properly introduced myself. I am King Yaris, ruler of the underlands…and the bringer of your untimely demise. But don't worry, I haven't come t do away with you…yet."
With that said, he removed a small crystal dagger with a pearl hilt from a sheath hanging from his wais.
"What…are you…gonna do?" Inuyasha inquired, fearing for his safety. Yaris gave no answer. Before he tried asking again, he felt a sharp, intense pain in his wrist. Yaris had slit his wrist with the dagger.
"Inuyasha!" Kouga managed to scream. He refused to stand by and watch while his friend was suffering. A surge of energy began to flow through Kouga's body allowing him to move despite the immense pressure he felt. He slowly, but surely, rose to his feet and made his way towards Yaris.
"Hmph. Your will is admirable young prince. However, I won't allow you to interfere," Yaris declared to the wolf before he spoke again, "Rukaan!"
A second figure appeared beside Yaris.
"Yes, majesty?"
"Rukaan, keep the wolf busy until business is done."
"As you wish."
Rukaan disappeared then reappeared behind Kouga, taking him by surprise. He then proceeded to wrap his arm around Kouga's neck, placing him in a choke hold.
"Don't bother the man while he's conducting business," Rukaan whispered into Kouga's ear.
Yaris returned his attention to inuyasha. After slicing Inuyasha's wrist, he licked the blood from his dagger before sheathing it.
"Mmm. You taste delicious. No wonder he dreams about you."
"Wha…?" Inuyasha was confused by Yaris's statement.
"You'll understand soon enough. Now back to business." Yaris took out a sun shaped vial and placed it under Inuyasha's wrist. He then squeezed the half demon's wrist, causing the blood to run out and into the vial. Once it was full he released Inuyasha and he fell to the ground.
"Thank you for your cooperation, little one. Rukaan, we're done here. Let's go." Yaris called to his servant who then released his grip on Kouga. "You'll see me again, Inuyasha. Until then, I bid you farewell."
Both Yaris and Rukaan disappeared as swiftly and mysteriously as they came. What should have been a night of fun ended up becoming a nightmare. Something Inuyasha knew all too well. This would certainly be a night he would remember, whether he wanted to or not.
Lovely yes? lol. Sesshy appears next chapter, promise. REVIEWS PLEASE!!!!