Although liked to think he possessed self-discipline and the ability to delay gratification, he found his patience wearing thin. Wei had failed to anticipate that those he was tracking would not necessarily make a speedy return to the present and could in fact stay in the past for days; possibly the entire week. Consequently he was in a foul mood as he waited for their inevitable return. The only sources of relief to his agitation were the books he had purchased detailing the legends of the Shrine.
While the second Wei, his doppelganger, kept watch over the shrine, the original Wei had occupied himself by studying the history of the shrine. The author, Wei grudgingly conceded, had done a superb job in the retelling and offering of in-depth analysis for the characters actions and their motivations. Wei had found the compendium of weapons and attacks to be the most interesting and wondered if he would be witness to any of them while in the past. Or perhaps in the present since something not human keeps traveling back and forth...
Whatever other thoughts Wei may have had ground to a sudden halt as an invisible ripple washed over him.
His quarry had returned.
Unaware that there were observers to their actions, the odd band of youkai and humans emerged from the dark interior of the well house and into the streaming sunshine.
"Ughh! What is that smell?"
"Shippou," Sesshoumaru said as he turned to observe the kitsune crinkling his nose. "I should have mentioned that the air in this time smells much worse. It's because of all the pollution; you'll get used to it though."
Shippou looked at him unhappily. "I thought the future would smell nicer; like Kagome does."
At the sound of her name Kagome decided to add her own commentary motioning to follow her to the house. "It could be much worse Shippou. If this were an industrial zone in China, you would be practically chipping your teeth on the amount of pollutants in the air."
Wei smiled grimly to himself as he watched the odd assortment of creatures before him. The books he had bought turned out to be not just a useful way to kill time but a wise investment overall. Now he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the identity and nature of the one whom he'd been sensing. It was Sesshoumaru, the Inuyoukai Lord of the Western Lands, the heir to the great Inutaisho.
Life is just full of surprises, isn't it? It would appear that rumors of Lord Sesshoumaru's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Can't believe everything you read though, unfortunately. Wei fastened his attention on a raven faired woman next to Sesshoumaru. That woman, Kagome if I heard correctly, she would most likely be the one I need. The 'priestess from another world who was born with the Shikon no Tama within her.' For this to work, I must hold off Sesshoumaru while I take her.
Wei did not need to expend conscious effort to summon the extension to him or to give him instructions; indeed they were both Wei and their wills were indivisible. The identity of Wei, being shared between the two current bodies, knew that the lesser body would need power transferred to it to delay Seshoumaru while the other subdued Kagome.
Wei turned to look himself in the eyes. The recently created extension, lifted its shirt to reveal its bronze skin. Wei made a reverse knife-hand and focused his power, redirecting it to the tips of his fingers. A second later, and Wei's hand shot forward, plunging deep into the other's gut and breaking the skin like wet paper mache. Blood poured out of the wound and started a descent towards the earth, but only for a moment. The laws of gravity found themselves strangely impotent against the crimson fluid as the blood reversed its flow back toward the wound and pooled concentrically around it.
Searing power born of hate and vengeance flowed into the body, taking fully half of all that was available.
Sesshoumaru, narrowed his eyes. A vague sense of unease that silently urged him to leave had come over him. "Rin, we told Souta that you would be arriving today. Kagome and I need to get something from my residence here; we'll be back shortly."
Rin nodded and led Shippou and Kohaku inside while chattering away about showers.
Underneath Sesshoumaru, a large white cloud formed which caused Kagome to look at him questioningly. He rarely if ever used his powers in this era and their use now signified that something was bothering him. Gripping Kagome to him, Sesshoumaru did not bother to give an answer to her unspoken question and instead lifted into the sky overhead, atop the cloud.
Wei cursed silently in his native tongue as his key to the past floated away with that damned creature. Although he possessed incredible gifts, flight was not one of them. The most he could do would be to give chase by leaping from rooftop to rooftop and he was uncertain about the viability of that option. On the other hand he couldn't afford to chase them in a more conventional manner; a car just wasn't suitable for the task Which really only leaves me with the first option. When the fox is hunting the hare, stealth is essential. Now I must be just as stealthy and not give warning of my presence.
