Chapter Seventeen : Time Stands Still
"Tell me Boksuno... " Naraku commanded, " How can I get to her if she's 500 years in the future?!"
"The demon keeper of time... Karisa the time demon... She is a 800,000 year old demon who will not be easy to defeat... She will be a tough adversary to beat... She can speed up time, or rewind time... She can pause time completely... Be aware, if she fastwards time around you, you could be aged hundreds of centuries... The result will be you turning into dust... " Boksuno warned.
"where can I find her?" Naraku asked...
"She lives in the crystal caves far to the east... The forest surrounding her caves are full of creatures she made from her own body, along with various poisonous plants of her own creation... She is also a skilled archer... Her arrows are always covered with the poison of her plants... If you can absorb her powers, she will be rendered an ordinary demon... " Boksuno said, "Your task has now begun... "
Naraku nodded and headed east to the lair of the demon keeper of time... Karisa... The sooner he completed his task... The sooner he could meet the woman who haunted his dreams...
Meanwhile Koga and inuyasha were back at Kaede's village, filling Sango and Miroku in on what had happened to Kagome when Kikyo suddenly appeared...
"Inuyasha... " Kikyo said, "I must speak with you... It's about Naraku... "
All four of them jumped at the sound of Naraku's name...
"Lady Kikyo, what about Naraku?!" Miroku asked. " Do you know his whereabouts?! "
"Indeed... I ran into him a while ago... " Kikyo said thinking, "He seemed... Different though... "
"How do you mean?!" Sango asked.
"Where any other time he's seen me, he tried to take my life? This time... He told me he did not wish to fight... " Kikyo said, her confusion clearly showing on her face...
"Are you serious?!" Inuyasha asked in surprise, "Why would he change all of a sudden?!"
"I know not the reason... " Kikyo said softly, "But his aura is also changing... There is no longer a malevolent energy around him... I simply cannot understand the reason... "
Then, without another word, Kikyo vanished...
Meanwhile, traveling east, Naraku continued his travels when he came across the strong stench of human blood and smoke... Not understanding why he would have such a strange reaction, Naraku raced to the village when her heard children screaming... When he got there, a giant diary beast was terrorizing the village... It looked almost like a hell hound, it firey main catching everything on fire as it walked... It was easily the size of three hits combined and towered over Naraku as he neared it... Naraku took a deep breath and began to speak to the beast...
"Why do you terrorize these people unprovoked?" Naraku asked, "What have they done?"
"It gives me great joy to terrorize humans, my mistress told me to find myself some food, and roasted human flesh suits me just fine... " the demon growled hungrily.
"There are plenty of animals for you to eat. You will leave this village alone... " Naraku commanded...
The beast laughed and roared, making all the humans cower in fear...
"Your scent is that of a powerful demon! Why would you want to protect them?! " the beast said laughing, "Your a beast the same as me!"
The beast suddenly roared and lunged at Naraku, who swiftly, using only his claws, tore the demon to shreds in an instant! The villagers all cheered and cried out in joy as the demons flames were extinguished with it demise...
'What compelled me to do such a thing as to save a human village?!' Naraku thought to himself in surprise...
Suddenly, a vision flashed in his mind...
'Your not a monster... ' the woman's voice said proudly, 'I believe there's good in you... '
The woman's voice echoed in Naraku's mind as he slowly sank to the ground... What on earth could be happening to him? Suddenly, a little girl ran over to Naraku and plopped down in his lap, Naraku stared at the child in utter shock and looked at the small girl smiling brightly up at him...
"Do you not fear me little one?!" Naraku asked in astonishment, "I'm a demon... Just as that beast that attacked your village was... "
"That thing was a monster... " the little girl said scrunching up her nose in a cute way, "But your not a monster... You saved us! And I like you a lot!"
'This little human... She likes me?!' Naraku thought in surprise, 'Thats so strange... Why do I feel so warm... '
" Tell me, what is your name little one?" Naraku asked.
"My name is Kiisa, " Kiisa said smiling, " What's yours?"
"Naraku... " Naraku said suddenly tired.
"Come on Naraku, my daddy is the head of the village, we can talk to him so you can stay here for the night!" Kiisa said grabbing Naraku's hand and standing.
Naraku sighed and smiled at the little girl, the feeling of her hand in his warming his heart a bit more... Kiisa took Naraku to a very large house and went in with out knocking. Naraku could hear voices inside before a kindly middle aged man about in his forties opened the door...
"Ah... So you are the man all the women in the village are swooning over eh?! My name is Baedo, I'm the lord of this village. " Baedo said extending his hand, when Naraku shook his hand, he continued speaking, "It is an honor to meet the man who saved us from that beast... Our village has long been plagued by that beast... And many others like it... We are forever in your debt... "
"You honor me with your praise... But I am also a demon... How can you trust me so easily?" Naraku asked.
"Because if you were an evil demon, Kiisa wouldn't have gone anywhere near you... My little girl is a special one... When she was two years old, she fell in to the river and drowned... Our whole village mourned her, such a sweet innocent little life cut short so suddenly... In our village, it's tradition to wait for days before burying our dead... For three days, Kiisa was dead... " Baedo said smiling, " But on the fourth day, we went to lay her to rest... And she was gone! We search the entire village when my wife found her in the woods nearby picking flowers! Dead three days! And then suddenly her heart started beating again! Buts that's not the most amazing thing of all! She told her mother and I that she saw how sad the village was that she left and a beautiful female demon asked her if she wanted to stay or go home... And my little Kiisa... She asked to go home and the demon granted her wish! She came back to us!"
"Did Kiisa say what the demon's name was?" Naraku asked amazed.
"Kiisa said her name was Krinna... And that she was very kind to her... She started telling us about how the villagers that passed away were happy and at peace and how Krinna watched over and protected them... She said it was the most beautiful place she'd ever been to, and even the demon's that were there were friendly and kind... Then as more and more people came to our village, she developed a strange new power... " Baedo said remembering, "She could see auras... She could tell weather a person was good or bad... "
As if Kiisa new they were talking about her, she came running to her daddy and jumped up into his arms...
"Hi daddy!" Kiisa said happily, "Mommy said to tell you and the honorabable Naraku that dinner was ready!"
"Alright little one, we'll be there shortly. " Baedo said kissing his daughters cheek and sending her on her way...
When Kiissa was out of sight, Naraku spoke.
"I've heard legends about a beautiful demon guardian who looks after the souks of the departed long ago, I never thought she would be real... The legendary Krinna... Flesh and blood real... " Naraku said in wonder...
"Amazing isn't it?" Baedo said pleasantly.
"It certainly is... " Naraku said giving a small rare smile...
Later that evening, after supper was done, Baedo's wife, Raina, was beyond talkative... Bombarding Naraku with all sorts of questions...
"So, where are you heading after you leave our village, Naraku?" Raina asked pleasantly.
Naraku was silent as he tried to politely avoid the question... Seeing this, Baedo gave Raina a love tap on her rear and squeezed.
"Baedo!" Raina squealed, swatting him upside the head, "We have a guest!"
"Well, quit asking so many questions then Raina dearest, or you might frighten him away!" Baedo said playfully, "Will you stay with us a few days, please Naraku? Kiisa has taken quite a liking to you.. "
"Ah... Yes, I'll admit I've gotten attached to her as well... I'm afraid I can't stay for more then a day... Two at the most perhaps... " Naraku said, "I have something that I need to take care of... "
"Ah... " Baedo said in understanding, " Well, I'd love to know what it is, but alas, it is not my business... Perhaps at least, you'll acknowledge us as your friends when we say farewell day after tomorrow?"
"I'd be glad to be your friends... And I shall leave a gift with you the day I leave to ensure the safety of your village until I return... " Naraku said smiling.
Suddenly, Kiisa came flying into the room and flung herself into Naraku's arms, tears pouring down her cheeks and burying her face in his robes...
"I don't want you to leave!" Kiisa said crying in despair, "Your my friend!"
Naraku gently untangled her small hands from his robes and held her close...
"Come now, little one... I'm not planning on staying gone forever... I have some things I need to take care of, then I have all intentions of coming back and taking all of you to my castle with me... " Naraku said holding the child...
"Really?! We get to live in a castle?!" Kiisa asked innocently.
"Yes indeed... And I want you to keep something for me until I get back... " Naraku said gently setting her down and standing...
Holding up his hands, he summoned his demon powers and a small white wand formed with a glowing blue crystal on top of it...
"This wand was created with my demonic aura, " Naraku said handing the wand to Kiisa, "If you see or sense any bad people coming towards the village, all you have to do is close your eye and say no interence and the wand will instantly project a protective barrier around your village... That way you'll stay safe until I return... "
"It's pretty!" Kiisa said smiling.
Naraku smiled, then turned away as his thoughts traveled to the woman he had yet to find...
'I hope you stay safe as well... Whoever you are... ' Naraku thought closing his eyes...
Feeling a small hand tug on his kimono sleeve, Naraku knelt down in front of Kiisa...
"What is it little one... " Naraku asked.
"Don't be sad!" Kiisa said giving Naraku a kiss on the cheek, "You'll find that nice lady soon!"
Naraku gasped and stared at the human child in his arms...
"What lady Kissa? " Baedo asked, a bit concerned with Naraku's reaction...
"The lady that Naraku's been dreaming of... " Kiisa said sadly, "He's trying to find her because she dies in his dream... "
"Kiisa!" Raina scolded, "Don't speak of such horrible things!"
"No... " Naraku said beconing Kiisa to come to him, "Kiisa... How did you know about my dreams?!"
"Am I in trouble?!" Kiisa asked innocently.
"No dear, I just wondered how you knew about the woman in my dreams?!" Naraku said kindly.
"I knew you were coming... " Kiisa said shrugging her shoulders.
"What?!" Baedo asked in amazement, " How could you possibly know that?!"
"I started having nightmares about that big firey monster hurting a bunch of people in our village several weeks ago... Then in my dream, Naraku came and got rid of that mean old monster... I dreamed it over and over again... Some times two or three times in a row each night for about a week... Then I started having another dream, I only had this one twice, the lady died in your arms and you changed... You didn't turn mean or anything, you got a whole bunch stronger!" kiisa said smiling.
"Then what happened?!" Naraku asked in amazement.
"You saved her life... Then a few days after I had that dream for a while, I started dreaming about you and her... You two were so happy together, you reminded me of my mommy and daddy... " Kiisa said hugging Naraku again.
"You... You mean?" Naraku asked.
"Your going to be really happy soon... " Kiisa said yawning, "I'm sleepy, will you tuck me in please Naraku?"
At a loss for words, Naraku silently carried the sleepy child to her bed chambers and tucked her in snug and warm among her many pillows and blankets and patted her on the head affectionately...
"Thank you for what you've told me little one, I feel much better now... Goodnight. " Naraku said rising, still in awe of how meeting this child and her village had changed him so...
"Goodnight Naraku... Love you... " Kiisa said smiling sleepily before going off to dream land...
'I think I've grown to love you as well... My little friend... ' Naraku thought with a smile...
This village had shown him so much kindness and love, he wished he could just simply stay, but he new he had to find the woman, especially now that he knew he could save her...
Two days later Naraku left the village, much everyone's despair, but none took it harder then little Kiisa... She cried and begged Naraku to stay, but he simply hugged her small form close for a bit before setting her back down.. She sniffled and looked up at Naraku with big sad eyes..
"I will be back... I promise... " Naraku said gently.
As Naraku walked away from the village, he felt as if he were walking through quicksand... With each step he took, it became harder to breath... He was sad... Honestly and sad! He wanted so badly to stay, where he was wanted and loved, but according to what Kiisa saw in her dreams, that human woman was destined to be more then what he originally thought...
'Could this human female I've been dreaming about... Could she be meant to be my mate?!' Naraku thought in awe...
Naraku wondered east until he came across a dark foreboding forest looming in front of him...
"This must be Karisa's forest... I must be close... " Naraku said to himself.
Suddenly, three arrows whizzed by Naraku, landing in the ground and turning it blackish purple...
"That was a warning shot... State your business here demon... " A haughty female voice demanded.
"Naraku... I've come to challenge Karisa for her time keeper powers... " Naraku said smiling.
"Ha, many demons have challenged me over the centuries and not one of them have been able to defeat me... I am Karisa... The keeper of time... Choose your weapon and attack me Naraku... We shall see who will emerge victorious... " Karisa said haughtily.
"How can you expect me to battle when I know not where you are?!" Naraku asked angrily...
"Temper temper dear Naraku... What's your hurry?!" Karisa asked in a mocking tone.
Naraku growled as his whites of his eyes turned black as night...
"Oh alright... Boy your an impatient one... " Karisa said haughtily.
Suddenly, a demon with blood red hair with pink highlights down to her hips, black lips, black eye markings, black scroll markings on her face, arms and legs, and a black and pink sleeveless kimono on appeared in front of Naraku... Her kimono was even more revealing then the priestess Kagome's! It had a deep v that slit all the way down the middle of her kimono to the obi, and while all the way to her ankles, there was a split up to her hips on each side of her kimono...
"What's the matter, Naraku?!" Karisa cooed sweetly, "Too entranced by my beauty to take me on?!"
Naraku growled and lunged at her, a sword made from his bones appearing in his hand... The battle had begun, the clash of bone and metal echoing throughout the forest... Swords clanging together ferociously, Naraku and Karisa battled fiercely for several hours... Even though Karisa was indeed an ancient legendary demon, her battle tactics had diminished greatly, for her last battle was well over 200,000 years ago... She was starting to become fearful as Naraku's speed and ferocity became faster and faster! Karisa suddenly leapt into the air, bringing her sword down deep into Naraku's shoulder... He roared in pain and knocked her to the ground...
"Roar and growl all you want Naraku... I've coated that sword with three of my most fatal poisons.. " Karisa said laughing darkly, "You'll be dead before you get the chance to kill me!"
"I don't need to kill you to get what I want... " Naraku snarled darkly, " All I need... Is to get you in my grasp!"
Suddenly, Naraku shot several branch like tentacles out from his body, grabbing Karisa and holding her firmly in front of him...
"Wha?! What the hell is this?!" Karisa cried in terror...
"I won... " Naraku growled...
Wrapping his demonic aura around her, Naraku drained her power of time and tossed her to the ground...
"Now I have what I need... Never forget this act of kindness, for next time we meet, should you get in my way, I won't hesitate to kill you... " Naraku said darkly...
But just as he was about to leave, Karisa delivered an ominous warning...
"You will be alone Naraku... Forced to walk the world forever lost in your despair... I swear to you... I will destroy your happiness... If it's the last thing I do... " Karisa said bitterly, "You will regret ever being born when I'm done with you!"
"Empty threats don't scare me from pathetic little girls... Enjoy the rest of you existence... " Naraku sneared.
Then... He vanished...
End Chapter...
