Itachi – Yeah, the block came back, long story short, life has be busy. I worked really hard on this one, so yes, a lot of stuff will be happening in this chapter, leading up to (finally) the end in the next chapter!
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Joker… Chapter 11
"Wander into the woods at night, and he will steal your heart." That had been told to wanderers to keep them from the surrounding wooded area, but, when a lone girl finds herself lost and in the midst of a storm, she stumbles upon an empty castle, staying for just the night, she soon learns the legend had been real…for the acceptation of his utter laziness.
…Re-Make the Ends (Part II)...
"I will be the one ending this story, by any means I so wish."
"Blood…! Blood – It's everywhere, damn dog!" The Jester ran through the wooded forest, holding the wide open wound on his side tightly, it did nothing to stop his blood from pooling to the ground as it continued to gush out. It showed little signs of healing, "Wh..o knew the dog had it in him at – gah!, to attack so brutally?" He coughed up more of the red substance, momentarily leaning on the nearest tree, before sensing the oncoming danger and pushing off to run again, "He really wants to…kill me, eh?" The red eyed demon sloshed through a small muddy stream, his ivory locks scratching at his neck.
He lifted his nose to scent the air.
He was an hour or so away from the main street of Old Country. Humans with regrets, humans wanting vengeance, all those humans with some type of bone to pick with the Infamous NightWalker, families destroyed, children left alone, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers all still crying out for some type of justice. "Oh…" Naraku gave a great smile as he made his way out the water, "I know what would make for an even better ending! Tragedy strikes the Night Walker himself! The Joker; too agonized by what he'd done in the past won't try to fight back as the humans; out for vengeance upon his evil deeds, take it upon themselves to deliver revenge!"
He hurried on, " I could smell how well this tale will be rendered, the 'Tale of the Night Walker' will soon be unforgettable!" Quickly clearing his way into the trees, with a sinister grin locked onto his face.
In little time, he came closer and closer to the main street of Old Country. The candle-lit lights sprawled out a peaceful, dim warmth. He stood hidden by the dense trees in the forest, watching as the humans made their way to and fro, going into shops, coming out of inns, "Well now, this is just all too perfect," The Jester looked almost dissappointed - then winced as he recalled his current situation. Blood loudlyspattered on the shards of grass covered in midnight dew. The 'Joker' sure did a number on him. All his pent- up rage, his anger of being used, his anger of knowing that his entire family had been torn apart becasue of the storytelling demon of Olden - Jester.
The one who caused the sickness? It was he, the Jester.
The one who initiated Sesshomaru's laziness? It was he, the Jester.
By now, the Night Walker had probability figured that out. Meaning it was time for Naraku to bring a start to his ploy.
..
…Joker…
..
"Where'd he go?" The Night Walker's eyes bleed red with a rage wanting to be unleashed. He was barely holding back his want for revenge...for all those years of sadness and grieving he was forced to endue, it was time he pied the Jester back in full. Sesshomaru had been trailing Naraku through the dense woods merely by the scent of his blood but...the scent seemed to be everywhere.
It smelt like a trap.
Usually, he would follow his instincts that were screaming at him not to go any further, but today he wanted to end it. He wanted to end the story that had kept him prisoner for so, very long. And this may as well have been his only chance to do so.
He trekked ahead.
..
…Joker…
..
At the castle, Touga still withered in guilt. He still couldn't believe the truth that had been reveled to him.
"...But know that it was I who has made this story, from the birth of your misfortunes caused by your laziness, Night Walker, to the runaway little brother who was too scared to comfort his elder, all the way to making this little doggie as fussy and stubborn as he is!"
He knew it was true, but still could not believe that through his blindness, he'd been tricked so easily by such a cunning demon. He knew little of the man - Naraku. When he was first approached by said demon, he was sure that cursing his son to be the Night Walker was the right choice and that he'd have every right to make his eldest suffer as he did.
...Every right to make him suffer.
Every...right, didn't he? It was his son who's laziness ultimately caused him the loss of his lover - "Naraku, just what have you made me?" It was Naraku who'd pulled the strings, but...Sesshomaru, his son, should still pay...or should he not? Was the laziness his fault, or was it induced by the Storyteller?
"That demon has clawed his way into my brain," Kagome walked behind Touga as he spoke aloud - not too close, and still quite wary of the father who'd once made it seem as if he took enjoyment in trying to kill her, "Even my morals have become fogged by the misery he's made me feel,"
Oddly, she wondered which 'he' he referred to.
"My oldest son was forced to slay so many in hopes of keeping you alive. You may be wondering how I would be able to kill you if he'd gone one night without eating the heart of an innocent, are you?" Annoyed at the silence, Touga asked once more, "Do you wish to hear?"
Kagome fidgeted nervously, still walking quite a ways behind him, honestly, she just wanted to see if Sesshomaru was well. He ran off and attacked Naraku - though she didn't doubt his ability, something was telling her that things elsewhere were...wrong.
"I'd- I'd like to know," The older demon showed no sign of surprise. Of course she'd want to know.
"If he'd went without eating a heart for a single night, I would have found from Naraku, and hunted you myself."
Oh. Seeing as he wasn't already very particular about her, she was sure his words weren't a bluff.
"If it doesn't bother you, can I ask where were heading?"
"You hope that we will encounter Sesshomaru?" He tilted his head to see her nod, "Give up, we are going to the C-"
"I've been having a bad feeling!" She spat out the words finally gaining Touga's full attention as he stopped to turn around, "Just...a feeling as if somethings going wrong..."
"Like what?"
"I'm not sure."
The older demon gave quick thought to the matter. She was the closest to his son; as far as matters were, and he was sure they'd been together. Than he'd remebered, his son had yet to return, and Naraku's scent was still fresh on the breeze. Naraku was not yet dead. Sending a look to the girl before walking to her side, Touga shook back his silver hair before grabbing her hand as Kagome held back slight panic, "We are going to the Castle now, you will stay with Inuyasha."
"B-But Sesshoma-"
"I will find my son, you will stay with Inuyasha." The great demons words were final, and the two warped in front of the Black Castle - surprizing the unexpecting Inuyasha while startling the; now crying buddle in his arms.
"O-Oi! Rin!" The older Inu gave a sigh, messing his bangs back, looking on as his youngest son did everything in his power to keep the sniffling baby calm. He almost wanted to question why his son was carrying the brat.
Why would... - Oh.
It was because of his curse on Sesshomaru. It was likely that the baby's mother was a victim of the Night Walker...a victim of the Curse of Fathers Time. The child was now alone, it seemed. Here, this Black Castle that was once a place of loneliness, punishment and ruin would soon be lively once more.
His sons. Kagome. The child. They would soon find a new happiness.
A happiness he sought for, in a place where he would not exist in.
Before he was able to take his leave, an almost gentle hold took his hand. Looking to his side, he saw it to be Kagome, the one he was once so ready to kill, "You asked me, how to remake your life," Kagome took a nervous breath as Inuyasha watched silently from behind, recalling the letter that his father had sent to her, "I think – I think I may have found your answer."
Without a second glance did Touga shake her hand away, moving quickly into the forest before disappearing completely.
Before he did; though, Kagome swore she saw a smile on his face.
..
…Joker…
..
"So…you've finally arrived," Naraku stood at the center of a large crowd of poorly armed humans, but all eyes were on the man standing in the center, "Night Walker, You have such great timing."
"Naraku, what have you done to these people?"
"Nothing, nothing at all!" The spider grabbed his bloody arm, squeezing it tight as the almost agonizing pain shot through to his shoulder, "I just told these here villagers about you dropping by! Isn't that right?" He gestured his hand over them, "Oh 'dear' villagers?"
"Naraku what did you-!"
"You killed my daughter!"
"My wife…she's dead, she's dead thanks to you!"
"I wasn't even able to say goodbye to my sister!"
"Bring her back, you demon!"
The chants of the humans continued to ring out, and it was then that Sesshomaru found that Naraku was telling the truth. As the crowd let out their sorrows, Sesshomaru found himself faltering. Naraku was right there. Only steps away. But he couldn't find it in himself to take a single step forwards, towards the pack of scared, screaming humans who were all hurt and grieving.
The unmistakable truth was now starring him down. And it stung.
"It is my doing," From his side, came Touga, walking to meet between the villagers and his eldest, he felt that in his heart, admitting his wrongdoings in front of the son he'd abandoned and left to die alone was the least he could do to make up for his crimes, "Your loved one's died because of me..." Though he was at fault, he wouldn't take the full brunt of the blame, "...Because of me trusting him."
He pointed a clawed finger to Naraku, who in turn, smiled.
"Aw, shoot. Looks like you caught me," He raised both hands up in surrender, as the crowd around him started backing away slowly, "I give up! I surrender oh powerful Night Walker and his oh' so powerful father!" Before any could react, Naraku swept up the closest human in his range - grabbing a young boy from the arms of his mother, before jumping to perch himself on the roof of Inuyasha's Inn. The crowd gasped as the mother screamed, Sesshomaru; having enough of his antic's was ready to jump when his father stopped him.
"What?!" Now was not the time for his father to halt him-
"Calm yourself and take a look, Sesshomaru," And look he did. At the scared boys neck was a cruelly curved claw, pinching down softly, "He'll kill the child if we move."
"So damn perceptive Touga!" Naraku sat down, with the trembling boy on his lap, "You see, i've grown quite tired of you two, your love especially, Night Walker, she always kept you on your feet, always giving you hope…so I've come to propose a deal. I'll trade you the life of your mother, for the heart of your love."
"What do you mean, Naraku?!"
"Oh, what's wrong Touga?" Naraku smirked loudly, snickering as Sesshomaru and Touga growled loudly, "Can't take a joke?"
"Please give him back!" A woman cried loudly from the crowd, "My son! Please don't-"
"Don't convince me, convince him!" The spider pointed down to Sesshomaru, "Joker, bring that girl here, eat her heart, this innocent little boy goes free. Easy right?" Naraku was just a little dissappointed by the humans - he was really looking forward to ending the tale with Night Walkers death, all well. Too Bad.
"So humans, it looks like the tables have flipped once again! The very monster who's taken so much away from you is now your only hope for this little boy as well as the rest of your lives," The crowd fell dead silent, starring at the one who'd flipped on their wounded pride, "What? You'd thought I'd let you live?"
"Y-yyyou lied to u-"
"Shut up!" Naraku was now annoyed to no bounds, "Of course I deceived you - too engrossed with anger, but you couldn't even pull out a single act against the one who caused you so much pain, you all are weak. That is why it was so easy to use you all," He than addressed Sesshomaru, wanting to know how to get into his head even further, "You know, Night Walker, you could easily attack me and kill this boy - than everything will be over. You and your love will both be able to live happily-"
"I refuse!"
"It's just one more innocent death! Nothing more to add onto the long list of people you've killed...or should I say people he made you kill, hm?" He gestured to Touga, who in turn threw a glare at the red eyed jester.
"So, what will it be?" Naraku started on again, "Will you bring Kagome here? Or will I have to force her to come here?"
Little did Naraku know that Sesshomaru had been planning on him influencing Kagome to come to the very village they stood in from the Black Castle. He was sure she would make her way to them someway or another - it was a gamble. But he did have a plan.
He just had to wait.
Joker… Chapter 11
End
T.B.C
Itachi – Well, well, well! That chapter was pretty impressive wasn't it? I'm proud of that one, and I hope you are too! Review!
