Akuokaesu's guards took Inuhime, Rin, and Akihiko down to the dungeon.
"Let go of me! I can walk, you know," Rin yelled.
The guard, who had Rin's arm took a glance at her. She looked familiar somehow. He just didn't know where he'd seen her.
Akihiko and Inuhime walked in silence. The walked seemed to take forever. Mother and son just took glances at each other as they walked.
Akihiko thought, "There's no doubt. This is my mother. She's very beautiful. I can see that she has regret and guilt in her aura. Perhaps, even rage. I don't blame her at all."
The guard, who was leading them stopped.
"Here we are. You're lucky that my lords let you stay in this room. Most cells down here are damp and smelly. This part of the dungeon are only reserved for political or special beings as much like yourself, my lady."
He opened the door to their cell. He was honest about this cell being more comfortable than the other cells, but not by much. The other guards pushed them inside, which made them land on the cold hard floor.
"Damn, bastards! You should at least let us walk in here, instead of pushing us inside like we are common criminals!"
"Pup, you should be thankful that your brother hadn't kill you or your mother, yet."
The guards back up from the cell and then closed and locked the door.
Silence filled the air once more. Rin wasn't as uncomfortable being around her abductor like she would had thought. Regardless of the situation, she was happy to see her auntie again.
Rin instantly ran up to Inuhime and gave her a hug.
"It's alright, auntie. Father will come for us. He will. He always will."
Inuhime can't help, but smiled at her niece being optimistic.
"He would probably coming just for you, Rin. What me and mine did could probably not be forgiven by your father."
Akihiko said in a meek voice, "I am sorry, Rin. I wish that I could change what I did. I just wanted to see my mother."
Inuhime looked and smiled at her pup. "What's your name, pup?"
Akihiko looked at his mother and then looked down. "I was never named. Naraku said that I don't deserved a name."
Inuhime growled. "That bastard, will pay for what he has done."
Rin said, "That's terrible... uh... what named did they called you?"
"Like I said, I received no name, but everyone who was around me called me 'Pup'."
Inuhime said, "Well, that changes now. I shall name you... Akihiko. It means, 'bright prince' because you shine so bright in my life and that you are a prince. Not just any prince, but the prince of the West or at least one of them."
"How could I be a prince, if Naraku is the most evil demon out there?"
"First of all, you are MY son. Regardless who or what your father was, you are a prince. My brother knows that I have a son."
"But, 'father' would tell him that..."
"Even if Naraku does tells my brother that Akuokaesu is my son, he would know by scent."
"Scent?"
Inuhime chuckled. "I supposed that Naraku never told you what demon you are, hmm?"
"No, that bastard... NEVER really talked to me about anything. He always tried to make me be like him. I can't believe that I admired that bastard."
Akihiko had a tear rolling down his cheek. Inuhime maternal instinct kicked in. She embraced him as she made soft purr-like growls.
"Tell me, what made admiration turned into malice?"
"It started when I was five. I had these disturbing dreams... or nightmares. It always happened on my birthday. Each year it continued where it left off until this year I saw that I was ripped from my mother's womb. I remembered that she was pleading to 'father' that you wanted to see me, but he denied your request. That would be it. I thought that you'd died until 'father' mentioned to me about three years ago that you were still alive and if I wanted to see you that I had to do what he'd said."
"Yeah, that sounds like Naraku. Always the manipulator. Do you... did you... what did you do for him?"
"I abducted Rin. I really didn't want to, but if I wanted to see you. Then I had too. I am sorry."
Inuhime looked at Rin. Rin looked at her. She nodded to Inuhime like they made an unspoken agreement.
"My son, it wasn't your fault. Naraku is vile. All he is an evil, manipulative bastard. Where had you been all these years?"
"I was with Akuokaesu, most of the time until earlier this year. He placed me in a cave. He had one of his supporters made a barrier at the entrance. So that I won't be able to escape. However before that I was with Naraku. He was training me in all sorts of things like dark magic and such. Anyways, what kind of demon am I?"
"Well... you are half silver inuyoukai and half kumoyoukai. Your uncle will recognize you as his nephew by scent. Your scent is exactly like mine. Thank the Kami because I don't believe I could stand the scent of Naraku. I believe my reiki must had purified the malice from Naraku's seed, when you were conceived."
"Naraku had complained that I must had taken after you because my heart wasn't dark like his. That's why he created Akuokaesu to replace me. I hate him. He thinks that I am inferior to him. Naraku calls him 'Zekkoujinan*', when no other people are around."
It became silent after that. All to their own little world or thoughts. Suddenly, a door slammed that awoken them to reality.
"Well. Well. Well, it seems that all of you have made yourself comfortable. Mother, father wants to speak to you."
"Tell him, GO. TO. HELL! I don't want to speak to him."
"He figured that you'll say something like that. I am here to tell you that if you don't come to him. Your son and Rin will die. So, mother, what will you do? It's your choice. The pups' fates are in your clawed hands."
Akuokaesu was going to leave until...
"Wait! I'll go as long as the pups are safe."
"They will be as long as you do what father says."
Inuhime turned around and knelt down to their eye level.
"Mother, please don't go. He will force you to do something that you wouldn't want to do."
"I know, but I have a plan and if the Kami is willingly, it will go into affect very soon."
Inuhime stood up and follow Akuokaesu as he left the cell.
Akihiko whispered a little prayer, "Please, if there's any Kami listening. Please have someone save us before my mother dies."
Rin heard his prayer. "So, you know that auntie is dying."
"Yeah, I knew... *he sighed*... I know that she's suffering from a blood curse that will eventually kill her. The more fighting or even meditating will deplete her power, then she'll die. Naraku has no intention reversing it. He may be evil, but he isn't stupid...*he turned to Rin*... Rin I believe Naraku will force my mother to fight to the death. I hope that won't come true."
"Could you foresee events like your mother could?"
"Yes, but not always."
"Well, don't worry, Akihiko because my father has this sword that could bring back the dead. This Rin knows that her father will return Aunt Inuki back to life. This Rin knows because this one is the living proof of it."
"Really? I hope you're right, Rin, because we just found each other. It would be terrible if we were suddenly forced apart again."
In the throne room, Akuokaesu with Inuhime walked inside. Akira and Naraku were siting on their cushions. However, Naraku was sitting in the middle, where the lord of the South would sit at. Akuokaesu didn't even say a word about it.
Inuhime thought, "Interesting. Naraku is sitting in the Lord of the South's cushion. Also Akuokaesu didn't even make a fuss. Hmm, perhaps, this 'son' is only the face while Naraku rules behind the scenes. That's scary even the thought of it."
Her thoughts were interrupted by Naraku's vile, yet smooth voice, "If you are wondering why I am sitting on the lord's throne cushion. It is rather simple. You see... *he stood up and walked towards her*... I am the Lord of the South. You really thought that I would let someone like my son take the throne. Soon and very soon... *he was walking around her*... I will take the West and then the rest. I'll be this land's first emperor. Afterwards, I will take on the world."
"You, actually, believe that, don't you? You really think that you could take the West down. Pfft, not in your life, Naraku."
Akira said, "Shut up, you bitch! I can't wait to see the look on Sesshomaru's face when..."
"Quiet Akira!"
"Forgive me, my lord mate."
Inuhime was confused and who wouldn't be. "Oh, I see that you are confused. Let me enlighten you. To the court, she's Akuokaesu's mate, but to everyone else, she's mine as are you."
"Bastard, I was NEVER your mate to begin with!"
"Oh, the court believes it. Why don't you?"
"Why don't I? Really? I rather die than to be your mate."
"Are you sure about that? Because you and I have a young son to take care of. If you die then who would protect the pup."
There was silence in the throne room. "What do you want, Naraku?"
He gave her a smile that send chills throughout Inuhime's body.
She thought, "This isn't good."
"I want you to... *he stabbed her deeply in the stomach, where the mark of the curse is, and then pulled out the dagger*... die."
She put on hand on her stomach as if she was putting pressure on it. However, she knew that it was in vain. The blood was overflowing like floodwater, when it inundates the riverbanks. She had a tear rolling down her cheek as she dropped down to her knees and fell backwards.
"Why," she asked with a shaky voice.
"Why, you asked? Well, I guess it won't hurt to tell you. You see, I have Kanna. She'd shown me that I would fail in my quest and it will be because of you, Inuhime." His voice was harsh.
Inuhime was thinking about her son as she took her last breathe.
-
Meanwhile, there were two guards going towards the dungeon, where Rin and Akihiko were.
"Lets get this over with."
"Yes, lets..."
When the guard unlock the door and stepped in, the other one was behind him.
"We have terrible news for you. It seems your mother overstepped her boundaries and died."
Rin and Akihiko said in unison, "What?!"
"We were ordered to put you, two, out of your misery."
As one of the guards was going to strike at one of the pups, the other guard knocked him out with his own weapon.
"If you want to be free, then come with me."
Both pups looked at each other then nodded at the strange guard.
"Alright then, come and be silent. No matter what you hear and see, ignore it."
The guard led them out from another passage that would led them outside of the palace. It was an emergency passage used by the noble family in times of war, if their enemies were surrounding the palace. They would have a way to escape to safety, whenever it would occurred.
They heard some people celebrating, but they were eager to get out of there as soon as possible. Fortunately, everyone were in the throne room to witness the horrid event. When the guard knew that they were almost out...
"Hurry! We are near the exit."
They picked up their pace. Rin for being human could walk about as fast as a youkai could. All those days and sometimes nights walking and/or running were paying off greatly. Akihiko, of course, had no problem walking faster. At first, he was worried about Rin, for she was human, however he was surprised that she could keep up with them. He wanted so badly go to his mother, but he knew that she was gone because he felt a little pain in his heart.
Kagura was waiting outside for them holding the reins of two horses. Surprisingly, she wasn't nervous about getting caught because... well she didn't care if she did. To her: death was a better gift then being alive and being tortured by Naraku, Akira, and Akuokaesu. When she'd seen them, she waved at them to come towards her.
Akihiko and Rin stopped in their tracks. The guard looked over his shoulder and then looked back at Kagura.
"What's the matter?"
"What is SHE doing here," asked Akihiko.
"SHE is helping us. Now move it before we do get caught. Do you want to redeem yourself for abducting Rin?"
"Of... of course, I do but..."
"No buts! Kagura, Kanna, and Hakudoshi are helping us. Now come on, Akihiko!"
Akihiko was surprised that she said his newly given name. However, right now, isn't time to think about that. He would ask him later.
So, Akihiko grabbed Rin's hand and pulled her along with him to them.
"Kagura, thank you," said Rin.
"No problem, girl. You three better go while you still can."
"What about you," asked Akihiko.
"Well, I... I am redeeming myself. If I happened to die for this, then so be it. Now go!"
The guard helped Akihiko get on the horse first.
"Do you know how to ride, Akihiko?"
"Yes."
"Good. Come, Rin. I'll put you in front of him so that you won't fall off, okay."
Rin nodded before the guard helped her get settle in front of Akihiko. Then the guard gave the reins to Akihiko. He went to his horse, but before he and them left.
He said, "Kagura, the Kami forgives you, Kanna, and Hakudoshi. When you die, know this; you will die quickly and your heart is free of guilt."
"Thank you, Zokushi."
"You're welcome, Kagura. You best return into the palace."
Kagura then turned around and left to go to the palace.
"Well, we best get a move on."
Then they rode their horses as fast as they could run to get to a safe place before nightfall.
-
When Kagura, Kanna, and Hakudoshi went into the throne room.
"Ah, Kagura... Kanna... Hakudoshi. I am glad that you are here. Do you see who is at your feet?"
Hakudoshi said, "So, what of it?"
Naraku chuckled. "I am not ignorant of your fondness towards Inuhime and that bastard pup of mine."
They remained as indifferent, but in the inside they were feeling sadness, but yet happiness as well. It was because they knew that they would die very soon.
Suddenly, time seemed to stop, when they saw a beautiful woman wearing a black kimono coming towards them with a smile on her face.
When she stopped in front of them, she looked at Inuhime. Then she looked at Naraku, Akira, and Akuokaesu with a wicked smirk on her beautiful face. She, then, looked at them.
"So, my children... I am going to ask you one last thing before I take you home."
They nodded as to let her know that she had their attention. "Good. Are you willing to give your lives to Inuhime? A life for a life, usually, I deal mostly with human souls than I do with youkai. However a soul is a soul, no matter what you are. Now, I need your answer."
They looked at Inuhime and then looked at her.
Kanna asked, "Before we answer, who are you?"
"Ha! You don't know who I am! That's interesting because most humans knew who I was before they'd died. Ironic, isn't it? Because youkai should recognize a god when they see one. Well, in my case, a goddess."
"We knew that you were a goddess. We hadn't know what aspect of life that you govern."
"Oh, then I apologized for my misunderstanding. I am the goddess of creation, death, and the underworld, Izanami."
"Well, yes, we will trade our lives for hers. She'd brought light into our dark hearts."
"Good. Any minute now, Inuhime will turn into ash. Don't worry that is normal."
"We know because Inuhime told us that this may happen sooner or later."
Kagura added, "She'd told us after she'd woke her up from after Naraku rapped her for trying to bring out darkness from within her. Yes, it did showed, but not to his liking."
They all chuckled darkly.
"Yes, karma will get him one day. It will be unexpected."
Izanami resumed time as Naraku unexpectedly killed all three of them... well it was unexpected for them. However, it wasn't for the goddess. Inuhime turned into ash. Izanami blow upon the ashes that made it looked like the wind had took them away. She teleport herself and the three who just died into the spirit world, where Inuhime was waiting.
Inuhime said, "Thank you for helping Zokushi and the pups escape. Thank you for offering your lives for me."
"Are you going to go home and see your family now?"
"No, now isn't the time, but it will come. Thank you. I'll see you later. Hopefully, for a long, long, long time from now."
Inuhime turned and went through a passageway that led her to the living world. She would to stay hidden until the opportune time, however, there's something she must do before she could ever made any sort of an appearance. First, she needed to meet a friend.
She thought as she walked into the dark forest, "Hmm, I wonder how my old friend is doing now days."
Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi
Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari