Takamuku's Final Message
Men,
In the event of my death, I don't want you to cremate me. Death will complete my transformation. Being honored seals my fate as hell's soldier. I don't know what I will become, but the House of Inu, Shinju o Tateru, and the Mujina Woodlands are going to be hell's territories soon and I am being forced to potentially protect them. There are others like me. Demons and halflings have been lured into this cavern of jewels and silks. We are treated kindly and prepared for feasting before these masked creatures come to us. They bite us, drain our yoki, and steal pleasure from our bodies. When they have had their fill, they close our wounds by freezing drain points. They continue to do this until we are empty husks. I have been trapped in the queen's dungeon for several days after I left the village to assist Lord Sesshomaru in the investigation. His involvement with the people of Shinju o Tateru confused me. There was a human joro he was with while we were there. She wore a crown of tassels and trinkets and was often with children. They seemed to be friendly with each other. She could be an ally of his, but I couldn't tell. I was captured after I spotted them in town. You may have to inquire about her for information.
If you find this letter in time, you have to find Ambassador Norihisa's wife quickly. Norihisa did something to her. He claimed he made her into his servant and wishes to keep her in hell. This woman that I had the displeasure of finding plans to avenge a nurikabe, or wall, demon that once served her. She's been instigating the situation in the Mujina Woodlands so that she can capture more demons to serve her in the living world. She's looking for the murderer of the nurikabe, and I fear she's after the House of Inu because one of us was involved in the murder. I don't want to believe that Lord Sesshomaru had something to do with it, but I'm not entirely sure. I don't know the extent of this woman's and the nurikabe's relationship beyond a master and servant, but she is powerful and swift. Her attack pattern matches the one that's been killing the demons in the woodlands. Norihisa is a traitor! He purposely brought us to Shinju o Tateru to offer a few of the soldiers to his queen to feed her!
I don't know how much longer I will survive the feeding, but this woman intends to keep me. I will make haste in trying to escape her clutches and save Lord Sesshomaru, but, if I don't survive, stop her from capturing the House of Inu. Shinju o Tateru might already be hers. The Mujina Woodlands will be hers as well if Lord Sesshomaru doesn't stop the rally from turning into a war. He may confront this woman, but I fear she'll feed off him the way she's been feeding off me. My only wish... no, my last wish, is for him to be safe from this creature. If you find me dead, relay this to him for me.
Lord Sesshomaru, it was my honor to fight at your side against the Panther Tribe. It filled me with great pride to see you rebel against customs. The others may not have believed in you, but I did. The reason I do is tied to your sensei, our sensei. When I trained under him before you took up the sword, he mentioned that the court wasn't always like it is now. I didn't understand him at first - hell, no one does, honestly - but I think you showed me what he meant in our talks. Your speech was moving during your ceremony. I want to tell you this because I know in my heart that no one else will. The court hid away a sword that our sensei said belonged to the true ruler of the inu line. Your mother was supposed to receive it, but something happened to her when she was fairly young, and she denounced the inherited weapon. I fear that this vampire queen might try to claim it for herself. I don't know much about the weapon, but sensei does and he might help in stopping her. I believe you should be the one to do it, however. Something in me truly thinks that the sword will help you in ruling over the House of Inu the way you truly wanted to before you had undergone the ceremonial punishment for your father's actions. Regardless, I will do all I can to serve the House of Inu by protecting you on my last breath. I wish we could have been friends, but it seems my fate will be spent elsewhere. I will protect you, Lord Sesshomaru, at the very least from this creature who has been killing me.
With honor,
Takamuku
Fondest Memory of a Fallen Soldier
Several hundred years ago...
Only three dojos belonged to the House of Inu. Shared equally between the eastern and western territories, the children of inu warriors were trained under a master in the art of two different combat styles: Janpu Sura Kiba ("the Jumping Fang") belonging to the east, and Yasei no Kiba ("the Wild Fang") belonging to the west, but the dojo dedicated to only the most elite of students could teach two other styles of high distinction. These styles were the Hikkake Rareta Kiba ("the Hooked Fang") for high-ranking soldiers in the army units and Ikari no Kiba ("the Fury Fang") for specialized soldiers acting as guards to the lords. The location of each dojo was as grand as the opportunity to learn of each style.
Yaban'na Tsume, home of the Wild Fang style, was hidden underneath a magical waterfall. It was said that this school generated the flowing waters using an equal, fractionated amount of yoki energy from its students. Failure to produce a predetermined amount earned one a punishment and brought great shame to the family throughout the punishment. The punishment could be as small as picking river stones worth their weight in several hundred kan using a miso soup spoon or as harsh as catching the waters from the bottom of the waterfall while standing on sharp stones picked by every member of the dojo without bending your knees.
Hayai Unagi, home of the Jumping Fang style, was hidden inside a catacomb of caves. The labyrinth had magical doorways powered by the yoki energy of the graduating students. Failure to produce an expected amount of yoki energy earned public punishment. On a good day, one may only have to pick rice using chopsticks for the graduates of the dojo. The harshest punishments came from the sensei.
Shuji Toboe, home of the elite fighting styles, was hidden in the most sacred of places. Entry to this dojo required a young inu to have strong immunity against purification. A floating hinoki tree with a hole at its base held a great conflict of power within its gate. Yoki energy from the strongest student in the dojo's history and divine energy from the strongest priest, priestess, and/or relic of the human world formed this gate. The divine energies changed often due to the brevity of human life, but they could be equally as deadly to a young inu. If a young inu could not pass the gate, they could not become an elite soldier despite his or her power. The harshest punishment for an inu student is the mental anguish one puts oneself through should he fail to pass through the gate, but the gate alone can bring great harm. Beyond the entryway are the most beautiful gardens and hunting grounds by far! Floating islands create this dojo. Islands that can suspend prey in the air or use yoki energy to change the very seasons themselves.
"Students! Lunch!" a voice called out.
"Lunchtime!" another voice called out.
Takamuku, a boy no older than eleven by appearance, had run off with the other students to eat. The training wasn't nearly as hard today, and he was going to be graduating from Yaban'na Tsume within two inu years! It was almost over! Running through the forest on his left, he hustled his way across the floating soribashi bridge and through a tunnel leading up to his favorite lunch spot. Not too many people knew about the old training place where the founding fathers of the House of Inu first became war heroes, so he could enjoy the quiet as he ate and marvel at the history surrounding him. With a bright smile on his face, Takamuku hopped over glowing mushrooms and bugs athletically until he saw the bright light of the sun. He chuckled to himself before he caught the scent of someone. Slowing down his walk, he cautiously took steps to the tunnel exit. His eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed, and a low growl escaped him. There was no fear in him, but he was in the presence of someone unfamiliar. Coming out of the tunnel exit, he saw another boy narrowing his eyes and emitting a low growl himself. Oh, it was another student! Takamuku recognized that floppy white to silvery hair dancing on the boy's shoulders and stopped being on the defensive for a moment.
"Oh, I know you!" Takamuku said, stopping the other boy's growling. "You're in the class under me. Hiya doin', kouhai?"
The boy didn't say anything, but he seemed to be displeased with the nickname. He huffed at Takamuku's smiling face before his attention had been gained by a pair of fairy pittas chirping at each other. Undeterred and lightly blushing, Takamuku ran over to a rock and reached behind it to retrieve a feed bag. The birds heard the shaking of the small bag and looked in Takamuku's direction with some anticipation. The quiet, white-haired boy blinked cutely then turned to his peer. He simply watched his senpai set up a small table and placed a bag of earthworms onto it. The boy chirped an "eh?" before he tilted his head with curiosity and watched the fairy pittas swiftly fly over to Takamuku's offering. The quiet kouhai could only marvel at the gentleness his senpai had with such small, colorful creatures.
"I haven't given these guys names yet," Takamuku said, smiling at the happy birds. "But they love their wiggly lunches. Hope ya don't mind if I eat in the tree you were looking at. The best view in the world is up there!"
"Of what?" the boy asked quietly.
"Our history, kouhai!" Takamuku replied innocently, smiling at the boy. He dashed at the boy, took his hand without warning, and then said, "C'mon, I'll show you!"
Unable to protest, the white-haired kouhai let out a yelp after Takamuku high-jumped into the elm tree. Once they landed, the quiet kouhai tried to slap Takamuku in the back of the head but the sneaky senpai laughed and hopped away. Only he made the branch they were on shake and bend violently, startling his kouhai and making him cling to the branch to stop from falling. When Takamuku stopped his teasing, he climbed onto a different branch and ate his lunch. The fairy pitta birds returned to Takamuku's side with curiosity and some fondness for the boy.
"Are they your pets?" the quiet kouhai asked.
"Hm?" Takamuku responded, turning to his peer. He was looking at him with wonder in his eyes. Takamuku caught sight of a beetle, plucked it from the tree trunk, and placed it in his kouhai's hands. Confused, the boy only stared at the bug with a scrunched-up nose and tilt of his head. That was until his senpai held out a hand for one of the birds to come to him, waited for one of them to hop onto his outstretched fingers, and guided the smaller creature to his kouhai. "No, just friends. Keep still."
Obeying the instruction, the white-haired boy looked up with widened eyes as Takamuku tapped at the beetle to gain the bird's attention and let it hop onto his kouhai's hand to snatch the bug out of his palm. The boy's eyes swelled up with amazement before a small smile appeared.
"How long have you been trying to be friendly to the birds?" Takamuku asked, earning a gasp and then some blushing. Not receiving a direct response, Takamuku merely said with a gentle chuckle, "It's okay, kouhai. You don't have to tell me if it's too embarrassing for you. Sides, I don't think it matters anyway. They like you now. You're quiet and still like this elm tree. Just remember to be yourself and they'll come to you in no time."
With that, the boy let out a soft laugh and a bright smile that rivaled the sun. Takamuku could only guess that his kouhai wanted to hold one of the birds for some time, but the fairy pitta couldn't have been a more perfect bird to represent the promise he made to himself to befriend the white-haired, shy boy. It wasn't going to be until much later that his promise would evolve into protection...
Sesshomaru sensed something off as he and Jaken had gotten closer to their target location. He turned in the direction of the somewhat familiar presence and then snatched Jaken out of his walking stride to dodge a fireball attack. Abruptly, a tawny-colored inu demon swiped at the trees and brush leading to the hidden rendezvous point before firing another oral blast at Sesshomaru.
"You dare betray me, coward!" Sesshomaru hissed, placing Jaken down.
"No..." the inu replied, shuddering and trying to regain control of himself. "Lord Sesshomaru... y-y-you h-have t-to leave. D-don't go there!"
"My lord, do you know of this man?" Jaken asked.
The inu shook violently before letting out a roar. Ice was beginning to cover his paws, and his eyes were losing their color. He was being possessed! A sinister laugh bubbled up from the brush. The air was suddenly far colder than normal, and the scent of the Netherworld's burn was potent. A woman walked out from the shadows dressed in a silver, laced bodysuit, the silver Crown of Victory, and silver attachments on her claws. Her lips were a plum color and her eyes an ethereal blue. She was a vision of sadistic beauty.
"What a gorgeous boy," the woman complimented, lowering her eyelids to marvel at Sesshomaru's beauty. "What could an inu lord want with me?"
"Who are you, woman?" Jaken demanded, narrowing his bulbous eyes at the woman.
She smiled a bit, flashing a set of fangs, before answering, "My name is Rakuyama."
"You are from the Netherworld. Why are you here?" Sesshomaru asked.
"I seek retribution for the loss of my comrade. Nothing more, nothing less," Rakuyama answered, snapping her fingers. The inu demon yelped in agony before it was covered in more ice and shot a blast at the Mujina Woodlands, setting the area on fire. "I believe a few territories in the living world are enough compensation. Perhaps a few more servants would also suffice. Would you and your imp like to join me?"
"Lord Sesshomaru would never join the likes of you!" Jaken argued. "Why are you attacking the Mujina Woodlands?"
"To purify it, of course. If I'm going to take it over, I need it to feel more like home," Rakuyama replied. "My comrade wanted land of his own. No one in the living world should have been able to defeat him. He was too unique, too powerful, too cunning. The woodlands are a perfect place to hold a memorial in his honor. He perished in the woods. You, and this inu, both reek of that disgusting hinoki tree that bound him, but you have delicious amounts of yoki energy within you. Your stronghold must have more warriors like this. I believe I'll add your territory as well. Before I do..."
Rakuyama lifted a glowing hand and threw a small snowflake in the direction of the woodlands. The possessed inu shot a blast at the Mujina Woodlands and set the village housing the rival clans ablaze. She locked eyes with Sesshomaru and smiled wildly and widely. Using her other free hand, she untwisted her spire of ice from her crown and generated a high amount of power to form a barrier made of sharp snowflakes and turbulent wind around the spire. Rushing at the demon lord, she slashed at his armor and then went to punch him, but the possessed inu was able to shake out of her control and leaped in front of Sesshomaru to shield him. He swiped at the woman before hitting her with a tail whip attack.
"Go, my lord!" the inu ordered, unleashing a bite attack. "Get the villagers to a safe place!"
Diffusing the Rally
Frightened villagers were all running in a panic as their world was covered in flame. Women and children were trying to hustle in their escape, but the fires were strengthening from the damaged wood of the sudden snowfall. It was harder to find an exit. Soldiers from the rival clans took this opportunity to declare war. Weapons were drawn, battle cries had sounded, and fear danced throughout the territory. Sesshomaru and Jaken managed to arrive in time. Without having to order him, Jaken leaped off Moko Moko and immediately started searching for an exit.
When he found one, he took a villager by the hand and said, "There's an escape route through there! Quickly!"
"An imp? How do you know where to go?"
"Do you want to live or not?" Jaken questioned, firm in his decision.
"Jaken, take who you can to the doctor's estate near here," Sesshomaru ordered, narrowing his eyes. "It should be unoccupied. It'll be safest there."
"An inu?" a child questioned.
"Yes, me lord!" Jaken responded with a nod.
"That's... Lord Sesshomaru?" An older Bake-danuki male questioned in disbelief.
Everyone seemed confused by his actions, but they had a right to be so. Sesshomaru rarely ever bothered himself with the affairs of others. If it had nothing to do with his quest for power as the rumor explained it, then their peril shouldn't have entered his radar. These were typically the actions of Lord Toga. Jaken went about his mission to save the villagers and Sesshomaru went to stop the rally. It wasn't a difficult thing to do with the lesser-ranked soldiers of the Anaguma clan, but the Bake-danuki clan soldiers were surprisingly more stubborn. As a vanguard was battling between arguments, Sesshomaru unsheathed Tokijin and released a frightening amount of yoki energy to gain both vanguards' attention. He struck between two soldiers who were clashing and startled them.
"L-Lord Sesshomaru? Wha - ?"
"Get out of this place now. Your homes are on fire because of another demon's attack. You've been tricked," Sesshomaru explained briefly. He sheathed Tensaiga as the soldiers gasped and lowered their weapons and narrowed his eyes at what could only be the clan leaders arguing in the distance. "Go. Now!"
Crossing the Bridge to Safety
Jaken led his first group of villagers to the doctor's estate. They were taken aback by the sheer beauty of its location. Flowers, trees, lodging, a lovely stream? Lord Sesshomaru was blessing them with such gifts? Why? Right as one of the elder demons was going to ask Jaken the reason behind Sesshomaru's kindness, he had already left to get the next group of villagers. The doctor's estate wasn't going to be able to house everyone, but it was a perfect haven for them right now.
Rakuyama and Takamuku were unleashing one attack after another, but the inu soldier was losing strength fast. His only ounce of power left was from pure devotion to ensure Sesshomaru was safe and able to get the villagers to safety. It was his last act at convincing the House of Inu to give his kouhai another chance.
"Do you honestly believe he'll remember you for this?" Rakuyama asked, gaining the soldier's attention. "Do you not remember what separated you from him in the first place?"
"I... will always... remember... him," Takamuku said through pants. "He doesn't have to remember or honor me. He doesn't have to forgive me. I only want him to be himself again. I want him to smile again, to cause trouble again, to love again, to laugh again. He may have been shy when I met him, but he was not without love. If he remembers... the day he held a fairy pitta in his hands... then he will remember the day someone called him a friend. That's what you can never give me. You can't give him anything in hell worth keeping."
Rakuyama only smiled at him and said, "Is that so? Then, we'll have to find something of great importance that is worth keeping. I'll be having you help me find it."
Author's Footnotes: Hello all! The villain for this movie is of Thai influence and she is wearing the Crown of Victory. I've always been fascinated by the Thai crown. It's such a grandiose item and makes an interesting weapon with the detachable spire of ice.