Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha...I checked.
Chapter 5
Brothers
Kagome woke with the sun to prepare breakfast. After scolding Inuyasha for staying up the entire night, Kagome traveled to the herb garden at the edge of the forest, a basket tucked under her arm. A circle of children soon joined her, singing songs and prancing in the tall grass.
"Lady Kagome, what does this do?" asked Hikari, showing Kagome an olive-green plant with a soft, slender stalk and fuzzy leaves.
"We grind up the stalk and leaves and mix it into a baby's food to help with indigestion," replied Kagome.
Kagome peered into the early morning sun as a man-shaped shadow passed. Sesshomaru, in all his arrogant beauty, shimmered as he darted past, Jaken attached to his mokomoko. Sesshomaru glanced down to acknowledge her presence, then plunged down towards the village, undoubtedly to visit Rin. The village children stared in awe at the startlingly beautiful demon, who they had accepted as a weekly visitor to their village.
Hikari held up another plant, this one with dark, broad leaves and a shorter stem.
"We brew the leaves," replied Kagome, rubbing the slightly waxy leaf. "They're wonderful for a sore throat."
Hikari nodded eagerly and placed the herb into a little basket by her side. "Lady Kagome, Hikari wishes to become a master of herbs!"
Kagome smiled affectionately at the little girl. "Then it's best that you accompany me when I come to the herb garden to learn, Hikari."
Hikari's face split into a wide grin and she nodded eagerly. The children that had been playing in the grasses closer to the forest returned as the sun climbed higher into the sky. Kagome picked up her basket, now laden with neat bundles of herbs and called the children. The children were still singing merrily, running ahead in bursts of energy then flopping over into the grass to wait for the rest of the group.
Kagome tensed as a pinpoint of demonic aura appeared in the horizon. In the next second, the demonic aura had shot forward, its intensity growing. Kagome clutched the children close to her, creating a barrier.
"Don't leave the barrier," she whispered to the children.
Beyond her barrier, she could sense an intense, evil demonic aura. She tightened with fear as she realized that this demonic aura was far stronger than any other she had witnessed-even Naraku's. The demon materialized before her, a sinister replica of Jikansei. This demon too, had flawless blonde hair that reached his waist and marble skin. The only differences were that this demon's eyes were blood red and he held a golden hourglass that glittered gold to his chest. His cold, sinister eyes passed over Kagome and the children.
Cursing herself for leaving her bow in Kaede's hut, Kagome held the frightened children and prayed that Inuyasha would come to her aid.
"Hello, Priestess," said the demon. "I am the master of time, Jirou."
"Master Jirou," said Kagome, bowing. "Please, before we continue, allow me to send the children back to the village. Whatever requests you may have of me, the children need not be present."
The demon cocked his head curiously. "The children stay."
Kagome flinched. "Whatever is your wish, Master Jirou."
"Why the formalities, Priestess? Will you not try to purify me? That you can maintain a barrier when I am so close testifies to your immense spiritual power."
Kagome forced a laugh. "I am no fool, Master of Time. I know when a battle is lost."
"Intelligent you are, Priestess." The demon laughed. "Are you the only priestess of this human village?"
"No," she replied evenly.
"But surely, you must have chanced upon a demon similar in appearance to me?"
Kagome looked him squarely in the eye. "I have."
"Then you are as strange as you are intelligent. My elder brother was surely in a weakened state…why did you not purify him?"
"His demonic aura was pure. For as long as one means no harm to this village, I shall not use my spiritual powers against him, demon or human."
"Kagome!"
Kagome sighed with relief as she saw Inuyasha running towards them.
"A half-demon dares intrude?" roared Jirou, his eyes flashing.
Inuyasha raised Tessaiga, livid with rage. "Don't you dare hurt her!"
In the moment Jirou turned to fend off Inuyasha's attack, Kagome instructed the children to stick together and run to the village. She smiled at the crying children, wiping their tears and reassuring them. Kagome erected a barrier around the children, one that would follow them into the village. The children began to run, holding hands. Inuyasha was attacking Jirou relentlessly, his fangs bared. Kagome watched anxiously as the children grew smaller and smaller. Suddenly, one of the children fell-Hikari. Jirou turned sharply to the group of children, finally noticing that they were escaping.
"I said…the children stay!" roared Jirou.
A bolt of jagged red energy shot out of his body, towards Hikari. The rest of the children gave up on saving their fallen friend and began to run again, leaving with the barrier. Horrified, Kagome ran towards Hikari. Hikari had ceased to cry, her eyes only widening with horror as she realized that she could not possibly escape the red bolts. Kagome launched herself at Hikari, her body glowing intensely as she wrapped her arms around the little girl. She could hear Inuyasha screaming her name, but only faintly. She closed her eyes, pouring all the spiritual energy she had into her barrier. She screamed in pain as the red energy shattered her barrier and plunged into her body. She could hear Inuyasha howling with rage, and a flash of silver streaked through her vision.
The world turned black.
Kagome regained consciousness several days later.
"Kagome!" cried Shippo, his green eyes tearing up. "Oh, Kagome, you're awake! I was so worried!"
"Shippo," she said faintly.
Inuyasha was also standing over her.
"Inuyasha," she whispered, lifting her arms.
"Don't move, Kagome, you must be in pain," he said tenderly.
She shook her head. "I want you to hold me."
Inuyasha looked even more miserable as he gently helped her sit up, then arranged himself around her.
"What…happened?"
Inuyasha closed his eyes, and shuddered.
Inuyasha watched in horror as the barrier shattered. Most of Jirou's attack had been absorbed by the barrier, but what remained of the powerful attack was sent straight to Kagome. Her piercing cries echoed in his ears…in his heart. Enraged, he howled and tackled Jirou, punching blindly at the demon. Suddenly, a pale white hand plunged in from behind him and threw him aside.
Inuyasha's eyes were dangerously red as his demon blood threatened to take over.
Sesshomaru glanced at an almost-demon Inuyasha. "If you interfere, I will not hesitate to strike you down."
Sesshomaru drew Bakusaiga. Jirou sensed the danger that was about to befall him and maneuvered out of the deadly sword's way.
"That weapon," he hissed. "What is it?"
"What business could you have in this human village?" he asked coolly, ignoring him.
Jirou could not answer, for a fully demon Inuyasha had tackled him to the floor and was flailing wildly at his throat.
"My, my, what a transformation!" said Jirou mildly, tossing Inuyasha off.
Inuyasha only bared his teeth and leaped at Jirou again.
"The priestess was of some importance to the half-demon, I suppose…" Jirou sounded nearly bored he shoved Inuyasha off. "Judging by your scents, the half-demon is your brother, no?"
"I've never considered that pathetic half-demon to be a brother of mine," responded Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha was still snarling and attacking Jirou, no matter how many times he was thrown off. Sesshomaru growled softly, annoyed with Inuyasha's lack of ability to control himself. He darted towards him, knocking Inuyasha back to his senses with a single punch.
Jirou cackled. "A ruthless older brother you are, Sesshomaru. Not a moment of hesitation."
Sesshomaru did not hear him. He turned his attention sharply towards the village as he heard Rin's voice. She was still out of sight, but she was approaching quickly. He groaned inwardly; Rin would be more than just upset once she saw Kagome unconscious.
He glanced back at Jirou, who was standing ever so serenely, his blonde hair waving in the breeze and a sinister smile curving his lips.
Rin soon arrived at the scene, panting from running up the hill. "Lord Sesshomaru," she panted. "Why did you leave so suddenly?" She froze as she took in the scene. "Lady Kagome!"
"I told you to stay in the village, Rin." There was the slightest note if distress in Sesshomaru's icy voice.
"What happened to Lady Kagome?" exclaimed Rin. She kneeled by her side.
The moment Rin touched Kagome's hand, she went rigid and collapsed on top of Kagome. Sesshomaru was upon Jirou in moments.
"What happened to her?" he snarled, Bakusaiga at Jirou's throat.
"Don't think your attacks are the only one that can be transferred through touch," said Jirou, amusement twinkling in his eyes. "I must say though, I am rather impressed by the spiritual power of that priestess. Her barrier absorbed most of it. She managed to purify most of the energy that went into her body, on top of that…the little girl would have died instantaneously, had she absorbed the entirety of the attack in the priestess."
"I'll kill you," growled Sesshomaru, his eyes red, on the verge of transforming.
Jirou laughed. "Another transformation? It must run in the family."
Sesshomaru pressed the blade harder into Jirou's throat, his eyes wild with rage.
"I'm afraid I won't be present for the remainder of the transformation…" Jirou melted away, his voice fading with his body.
Kaede and Jikansei soon appeared. Jikansei knelt by Kagome and Rin, his brow furrowed.
"My brother has committed a foul deed against you, Priestess," he murmured, placing his hand on her. When he withdrew his hand, the remainder of the red energy dissipated into the air. He then placed his hand over the little girl, who had fallen on top of Kagome. "The Priestess managed to purify most of the energy before Rin touched her…the full attack would have killed her. Still, such an attack must have been excruciating for a little girl."
Sesshomaru's usually emotionless eyes flashed with anger and worry.
"What's going to happen to them?" Inuyasha was kneeling by Kagome, her head cradled in his arms.
"Eventually, they will recover," sighed Jikansei. "But it may take some time for them to awaken…they still did absorb intense demonic energy."
Kaede observed Inuyasha and Sesshomaru from a distance, her wise, old eyes passing over their nearly symmetric faces. She had never realized how similar they really were, not until they stood side by side, teeth clenched in frustration, fists curled in, golden eyes full of agony and resentment.
Inuyasha held Kagome closer as he relived the terror of the incident.
"So where's Rin? Is she okay?"
"Worry about yourself for once, would you?" growled Inuyasha. "In Kaede's hut. Sesshomaru's been sitting there the entire time…she hasn't woken up yet."
So that's why he's on edge…she thought as she moved her arms and legs experimentally. She felt hopelessly weak. Everything ached; she grimaced as she stood up, swaying unsteadily.
"Inuyasha, take me to Kaede's hut."
"Why? I told you, Sesshomaru's there."
"He won't attack me. Inuyasha, quickly," she said, almost impatiently.
He muttered incomprehensibly before kneeling so that Kagome could climb onto his back. They soon arrived at Kaede's hut and Kagome entered alone, Inuyasha still grumbling about Sesshomaru as he paced nervously outside the hut.
Jikansei was sitting in a corner, his eyes closed. Sesshomaru was sitting next to Rin, Jaken kneeling faithfully by his side. He looked absolutely tortured. Rin lay beneath blankets; she looked as if she was merely sleeping. Kagome stumbled as she moved towards the little girl.
"You're still in pain," noted Sesshomaru.
Kagome smiled tensely at him. "Not much."
Sesshomaru knew she was lying, but remained silent. Kagome placed her hand on Rin's face, and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"I'm so sorry, Rin. I did this to you…if only I could have purified all of the energy before you touched me…"
"No, Priestess…do not torture yourself with such thoughts," murmured Jikansei. "It is your purification that saved the little girl, not condemned her. If it was truly you that inflicted such pain on her, would the demon lord be so passive towards you?" Jikansei smiled wryly, glancing at the demon lord.
Kagome wiped her tears. "Jikansei, when will she awake?"
"In due time, Priestess." Jikansei paused. "Inuyasha, please come in."
Inuyasha was still grumbling as he ducked into the hut.
"I understand now, why my father wanted me to come to this portal before all others."
"What is this portal you speak of?" asked Sesshomaru flatly.
Inuyasha complained under his breath as Jikansei explained the Bone-Eater's Well, the seven portals and the Sunadokei to Sesshomaru.
"As I am the true successor of the Sunadokei, it is still connected to me although it is physically in Jirou's possession. Through it, I learned of Jirou's evil plan. The Sunadokei is fueled by the combined demonic energy of the seven demon spirits, each of which presides over a portal of time. If all seven demon spirits were to turn against the Sunadokei's will, all at once, the Sunadokei would be rendered useless. It must be, however, all seven. If even one of the demon spirits refuse, the Sunadokei will hold power over the other demon spirits."
Inuyasha nodded, his eyes trained on Jikansei. The slight trembling in his arms warned of his intense anger and desire for revenge.
"And Jirou plans on doing just that. For as long as I am alive, no matter how weak or close to death, the Sunadokei remains a part of me. But should the seven demon spirits rise against it, the Sunadokei would be powerless and Jirou could eventually steal that power, claim it for himself. The seven demon spirits agreed to be under the power of the Sunadokei for one reason, that they were unable to control the brawls that occasionally broke out among themselves. When the entire world was in shambles, the seven demon spirits agreed that the chaos must stop. They created the Sunadokei, then pledged their loyalty to the wielder. The only way this pact of loyalty can be broken is if all seven demon spirits agree that the wielder is not suited for the Sunadokei…Jirou plans on convincing each of the demon spirits to rise against the Sunadokei and break the pact. Once the pact is broken, he will reunite the seven demon spirits and use them as his slaves…"
"So then…why did your old man want you to go to the Bone-Eater's Well first?"
"The demon spirit of the Bone-Eater's Well is the most powerful of the seven demon spirits. Jirou originally hoped to convince the most powerful one first, then use the Bone-Eater's Well to convince the other demon spirits. Now, he plans on convincing the other six demon spirits, then using them to convince the spirit of the Bone-Eater's Well…I suppose Father knew this would be Jirou's plan, and instructed me to come to the Bone-Eater's Well first."
"Then I'll kill him before he gets to the other demon spirits," said Inuyasha, his hand on Tessaiga. "He hurt Kagome…I'll never forgive him for that."
Jikansei looked at Inuyasha, then glanced at Sesshomaru before closing his eyes. He too, could see that the two brothers were mirror images of each other.
The Sunadokei showed me one more thing, half-demon and demon lord. The threads of fate, binding together two brothers full of enmity…just as I am bound to Jirou, you are bound to your brother. I pray that your fates are not as wretched as Jirou's and mine, but whether you will learn to turn this bitterness into trust, or whether one will kill the other…must be determined by you two alone…
He cracked his eye open as he heard the delighted gasp of the Priestess, who hovered over the little girl, tears of joy streaming down her pale cheeks. The demon lord too, had risen from the space he had refused to leave for the past few days as the girl awakened. The little girl smiled, and slipped one hand into the demon lord's, and one hand into the Priestess's hand. The priestess grasped the half-demon's hand as well, turning to him with happiness radiating off her body.
He looked upon the strange arrangement of linked hands: the demon lord holding the little girl, the little girl holding the priestess, the priestess holding the half-demon. He smiled to himself.
Or perhaps it will be determined…with the help of the two human girls.
Hi guys!
I never realized that the three dashes that are supposed to separate some parts from others don't show up when I upload the document...:/
I'll go back and fix them when I'm not overburdened with school work xD
This chapter was a lot longer than my other ones :O Hope you enjoyed it!
Now that Inu&Sess know what Jirou is up to, they better learn to cooperate!
SHOUTOUTS:
StoriedFabric: I can't thank you enough for your continued support! I promise that future chapters will include tons of SessXRin ;)
00Zero: We learned a little more about the Sunadokei in this chapter. It's still a little unclear what exactly it can do, but I don't want to spoil the rest of the story just yet!
To all you invisible readers out there...please leave me some reviews! They're what motivate me to keep on writing despite the mountain loads of school work I have.