A/N: Slowly but surely, the chapters are being cranked out… :)
Some scenes in this chapter tie back to Sesshoumaru's ponderings at the beginning of this story. And, no, your don't have to re-read Chapter One to understand. There is also an overlap with events which took place my short story, Blood Ties. Again, you don't need to read that story to understand… although, I'd be delighted to see it getting a bit of attention again, lol! ;)
As usual, an Irish lesson for those interested: Mo bhrón (mo vrōn) means 'My sorrow'; Damnú air! (dam-noo air) means 'Damn it!'; Tá brón orm (tah brōn ur-um) means 'I'm sorry' (literally: 'Sadness is on me').
Disclaimer: The characters of the anime InuYasha are the property of Takahashi Rumiko/Shogakukan and Yomiuri TV Sunrise 2000. I do lay claim, however, to Aine and Lon. And, Kakusamaru.
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Lake of Tears
Yugao hovered above the Lake of Tears, staring solemnly at the massive, black dome of demonic energy. It was so large that it covered what remained of her beloved's mansion and its gardens.
They were so lovely...
The grounds had been dark and desolate for two centuries, but Yugao remembered...
The House of Flowers.
Pathways winding between scented shrubs and moss-covered stones... the perfume of roses... gentle breezes teasing the maple trees... orchards, their trees full of their promise...
Moonflowers opening to greet the night sky...
Oh, Ryunosuke...
The spirit had felt her sister's power rise with the nightfall and, from its sheer strength, had known what it had meant.
Takako was hunting.
Dismayed at the thought that the kind-hearted, little priestess might have ignored her warning after all, Yugao had manifested at the lake – only to find that, this time, things were very different.
This time, she did not feel another soul crying out in terror. Although there was indeed a second soul within her sister's barrier... it was not one which resonated with fear.
Far from it.
Her gaze flickered over the unnatural blanket of clouds laying above Takako's darkness. This was a puzzle to her. She could not fathom how it had been created (certainly, she knew, not by Takako) but she quickly realised its purpose as the light of the newly risen moon reflected back from its surface.
Yugao could have crossed the barrier to intervene, but... she would not. There was no need.
However, she would bear witness.
Then, suddenly, someone else arrived at the lakeshore; she moved closer to investigate.
She frowned as she drew near the newcomer. Whatever this being was, it was repugnant, dark... and she realised it must be the yokai of whom the kind Kagome had spoken. It quickly became apparent to the ghost that, unlike the noble InuYasha, this demon could not see her.
Then, Yugao moaned and began to wring her hands. The sight of a helpless woman being carried away by a dark demon... that, in and of itself, would have been distressing to the gentle spirit. But, this creature had also taken possession of the hereditary weapon of the Mizumimoto clan and, with it, her dearest's soul.
Unheard, Yugao screamed at the demon, she pleaded... demanded... that he release the magari yari.
Do not take my love...!
Then, she watched in silent despair with the knowledge that there was nothing she could do to stop him.
Kakusamaru moved into position reluctantly.
The shadow user felt horribly exposed now that a full moon was shining down upon the lake. In fact, he had the distinct feeling of being watched, causing him to shoot a piercing look at the dome of darkness on the lakeshore. However, to his relief, it remained silent and impenetrable.
He gazed yearningly at the shadows created by the trees and shrubs bordering the lakeshore. How he missed the freedom of their embrace! However, Naraku had specified that proximity to the mansion was essential to ensure the return of the hanzaki's demonic aura to the spear head.
Kakusamaru sighed and rolled his eyes. The extent of Taka's barrier had not exactly left him much of a choice.
And so, he found himself hovering – and sulking – above the Lake of Tears, several metres from the shore. It was the only way to be sufficiently near (yet, not too near) the wraith's domain and still ensure a swift escape. Once the spear had been returned to full power, crossing the lake would be his most direct route to Naraku. His orders had been clear.
If he even suspected that Sesshoumaru had detected him, he was to dive into the lake's depths. The darkness below would provide more than adequate concealment for his escape.
Kakusamaru looked down at the human sagging limply across his arm.
'Of course,' he murmured, 'you won't survive that route. A pity, but it's your own fault, you know.'
The woman did not stir.
He had hoped to deposit his new prize on the other side of the lake and then return, but now there was no time. The delay she had created at the shrine (her fault, definitely) had been longer than he had thought; to his annoyance, he could already detect a slight shift Byakuya's illusion. Soon, he knew, it would dissipate.
The incarnation shrugged. If possible, he would remain above the water and salvage the unusual female. If not – if, indeed, he was forced to let her drown – he could simply discard her in the depths of the lake before reporting to his master. Thus, Naraku would never learn of her.
And, what Naraku doesn't know – won't hurt me...
A rapid exeunt, he knew, was going to be essential, no matter who won the battle within the dark dome before him. There was a very, very slim probability that it could be Taka. She was vicious (and absolutely insane) and, as Naraku had learnt, Sesshoumaru's destruction was already her fondest desire.
By pure chance, Naraku had heard an old rumour amongst demon-kind, telling of a human who had somehow harnessed the power of a giant salamander demon to a weapon. It had not taken his master long to determine that the tale was true, and to discover that the weapon which had been concealed within the little shrine no longer held that power.
It had also not taken Naraku long to determine where that power had gone.
Kakusmaru reluctantly conceded to himself that his master was intelligent. The plan to gain the power of a hanzaki had been conceived and set in motion with considerable patience. Through careful and flattering dialogue, Naraku had deceived the spirit of the Lake of Tears into accepting him as an ally – it had been a happy coincidence to learn that Sesshoumaru could be drawn into the plot. The idea of being able to attack the dog demon had been irresistible to Taka.
If the deranged ghost did win, Kakusamaru's only escape would be underwater. Of this, Naraku had been certain.
He shivered at the thought of having to elude Taka. Kakusamaru suffered no illusions that the wraith would in any way be grateful for his help and spare him. To Taka, there was no discriminating when it came to trespassers.
However, as much as Naraku would have rejoiced in his enemy's demise, he had also conveyed to his servants that he had little doubt that Sesshoumaru would be victorious. Dog demons, he had said, were known to have an innate affinity to the spiritual realm. Thus, one such as Sesshoumaru would be able to actually survive (and keep his sanity) within the blend of realities that was the wraith's nighttime realm.
And, thanks to the deception implicating the spectre in the 'enthralment' of the taiyokai's human pet, an attack upon the ghost by Sesshoumaru would bring to fruition Naraku's carefully orchestrated plan.
Naraku had affirmed that an inu yokai would swiftly pinpoint the source of Taka's power, and realise that the worm charmer's jar also anchored the ghost to the lakeshore. It would then be logical for Sesshoumaru to deduce that breaking Taka's hold on the physical plane would also break her supposed hold on the child he protected. And, of course, the most obvious way to accomplish that would be to destroy the jar which held the seal.
If anyone could evade the ghost long enough to reach the jar, it would be Sesshoumaru. The dog demon would be focussed on the destruction of the ghost — Naraku had dismissed the idea that Sesshoumaru would even care about the fate of the hanzaki's demonic aura. He had been confident that the arrogant taiyokai would consider it inconsequential and assume it to have been destroyed with the jar.
Of course, the small human's body had inconveniently expired earlier than expected, but (to Kakusamaru's relief) Sesshoumaru had still kept his rendezvous with Taka, presumably out of revenge – and that would do quite nicely.
And, even if by some remote chance Taka was the victor – even if she did indeed manage to absorb the dog demon's power and break herself free – well... the seal would still be broken. Naraku would still take possession of the giant salamander demon's yoki.
Either way, Naraku would win.
Kakusamaru frowned in annoyance, then squirmed as his instincts once again told him he was being watched.
By who? came his flustrated thought. He gave the woman a slight shake, but she did not wake. Certainly, not by you, he thought smugly.
Then, Byakuya's illusion begin to fade, and Kakusamaru braced himself to move.
Despite all of his long and careful planning, Naraku still had had no idea how long it would take for Sesshoumaru to free the hanzaki's demonic aura, so he had taken measures to ensure a speedy resolution.
Waiting until dawn would achieve nothing – Taka would lose her connection to the physical plane and elude Sesshoumaru and the power of the hanzaki would retreat with her. Nightfall was essential for the plan to work.
Kakusamaru smirked as he remembered his last meeting with Taka.
'What unfortunate timing,' he had commiserated with her, only that morning. 'But, alas, we must act now – after all, we were so fortunate that Sesshoumaru could be diverted at this time. Who knows when we shall again have such an opportunity...?
'Rest assured, Lady Taka... my master yearns for the taiyokai's destruction as much as you do. He has ensured that the full moon will not be a deterrent. You will be as powerful as if it were the night of the new moon...'
And, Naraku had kept his word. However, he had neglected to inform Taka that the opacity granted by the illusionary blanket of clouds had a time limit, and that limit had just been reached.
As the black dog's jaws clamped upon his throat, Sesshoumaru roared and reared upward. Then, with a fierce shake of his head, he dislodged his assailant. Taka suddenly released the solidity given to her by the hanzaki's barrier and backed up to hover in front of the huge, white dog demon. For a moment, she stared at him as if in disbelief, but then she quickly recovered and, growling viciously, snapped angrily at the air.
'I do not tire,' she hissed gutturally. 'Can you say the same?'
The red glow in her eyes deepened and her hackles rose as she once more called upon the power stored within the earthen jar which lay inside the mansion. Wisps of demonic energy swirled into being around the black dog and began reaching hungrily toward Sesshoumaru.
'Binding yourself to a human... you are a disgrace! Hypocrite!' she spat angrily 'You are the one who is not worthy! You deserve to die! Before the sun rises, son of the Inu No Taisho, your strength will be mine!' Then, she swept toward the inu yokai, carrying the dark tendrils of jaki-stealing yoki with her.
As Taka's jaws again sought purchase beneath his own, Sesshoumaru's demonic aura surged.
Suddenly, the wraith's fangs clamped down on empty air as, with a flash of silver-blue light, the white dog vanished.
A frowning Sesshoumaru landed lightly on his feet several metres away, the Tenseiga once more within its master's grip. The sword's protective barrier pulsed as Sesshoumaru silently conveyed his intentions to the sentient blade.
Unexpectedly, the Tenseiga replied with a brief whisper of... approval.
Sesshoumaru found himself feeling somewhat irked by the sword's response.
Hnh. It is merely the expedient choice, came his dismissive reply.
The dog demon's eyes were fixed on his foe, their golden depths showing both anger and regal contempt. He raised his blade as Taka pivoted and howled, proclaiming her intent to charge again.
It was at that moment that the black barrier surrounding the combatants began to weaken, its opacity diminishing as, faintly, the full moon could be seen beyond it. Sesshoumaru inwardly huffed in disdain as he realised what this meant.
Opportune... but unnecessary. I now know what must be done.
Once more, the very air churned about him, his demonic aura responding to the rage that had been his companion since this manipulative farce orchestrated by Naraku had begun. Nevertheless, his tone of voice was impassive as he faced the giant, black dog.
'It would seem your ally grows impatient,' he stated.
Taka failed to discern the lethal calm that was Sesshoumaru. She looked up at the black dome, her eyes glowing an even deeper red.
'It matters not!' she exclaimed. 'I don't need him... I never needed him! I am now your better, "Lord" Sesshoumaru. You will bow to me!'
'Hanyo,' he replied. 'Your foolish posturing ends now.'
Then, Sesshoumaru raised the Tenseiga and swept it across and downward in one smooth, fluid strike, a streak of violet light following its path.
The Meido Zangetsuha swept across the courtyard, passing through Taka before seeming to dissipate into the melange of physical and spiritual planes surrounding her.
For a moment, the spectre froze, her eyes widening in shock. Then she laughed maniacally. 'You seek to kill me? Do you not even know what you face?'
Sesshoumaru lowered his blade. Then, he watched as the crescent of darkness that was the Meido appeared behind the wraith. As the controlled, powerful gateway to the Netherworld opened, the chaos of realities that surrounded Taka shuddered
Unheard by those outside its boundaries, an unholy shriek echoed within the dark environs of the dome.
Sesshoumaru had already noticed the similarity between the wraith's anomalous creation and the Tenseiga's new power – simply, that both were gateways between realities. It had soon occurred to the dog demon that two such portals could not exist in the same place, that one would ultimately supplant the other. He had been counting on the more controlled Meido being the dominant power and, now, he witnessed the proof that he had been right.
As enduring as Taka's prison had been, it was still a mere distortion of a doorway to the afterlife created by a hanyo. No matter that her black dog blood had been able to connect to the spiritual plane; whatever ability she had had in life, it would have been a pale shadow of what her yokai parent could have achieved.
In contrast, despite not yet being fully developed, his Meido was powered by the jaki of a taiyokai. Therefore, he had anticipated two possible outcomes: either the wraith would be absorbed by the Meido or (more likely ) the seal upon her would be.
It was the latter.
For two hundred years, a perpetual portal to the afterlife had held under seal both the soul the one who had called it into being and the power of the weapon which had killed her. As the Meido had passed through the wraith, the seal upon Taka had surrendered to the more powerful gateway. Now, as the Meido itself closed, the spiritual plane broke its tether to the ghost... and left her behind.
The dog demon watched as the false image of a black inu yokai began to unravel. As the huge dog faded, another figure replaced it. Within moments, the translucent form of a slight female dressed in simple homespun appeared before him, the pricked dogs ears above her long, curling waves of black hair proclaiming her true nature.
I thought so...
Sesshoumaru remembered this hanyo.
As he made his way through the forest, Sesshoumaru's passage barely disturbed the carpet of leaves which covered the ground. The sleep of winter still lay upon the land and a chill mist hung in the air. This, however, was of no consequence to the powerful dog demon.
The son of the recently deceased Lord of the Western Lands was deep in thought as he traversed the secluded woodlands.
The Inu No Taisho's passing had been a hard blow to Sesshoumaru's honour – it had enraged him to learn of his father's ignoble death. Almost as infuriating, though, had been the discovery of his 'legacy', the Tenseiga, which had been left hanging on a tree for him to find (although, realistically, he could hardly fault Old Totosai for choosing such circumspection). And then, of course, there had been the recent revelation that he now had a 'brother'.
He almost snorted aloud in disdain at this memory.
Then, the dog demon halted, for he had sensed two demons. They were negligible in power – the only thing which had made them worthy of notice was the fact that they were actually approaching his much stronger jaki. Then, he caught their scents on the wind.
He was already frowning by the time the two female hanyos emerged from the mist.
Sesshoumaru, who had chosen the solitary Way of Supreme Conquest, had little tolerance for petitioners at the best of times. On this chill, winter day, only weeks after the death of the Great Dog Demon, his expression was beyond forbidding. Yet, the two females continued to draw near.
Just the fact that he had paused – that they had gained his attention – should have made the foolish creatures bolt and run. Instead, both fell to their knees and bowed in supplication.
One looked as if she was indeed ready to flee. Her posture proclaimed her uncertainty and her reluctance to be anywhere near him. The other, however, insisted upon prattling an extraordinary request.
After proclaiming (with barely suppressed pride) that she and her sibling were descendants of the deceased leader of a lesser inu yokai tribe, she then rushed to declare how fate had prevented her dam from pledging herself to his own father's service. But, now, to honour their dam... she and her sister were offering to attach themselves to him. Incredibly, the presumptive hanyo sounded as if she expected him to agree to such a preposterous proposal.
The stare he had fixed upon them conveyed his absolute disinterest.
More mewling hanyos. Hnh.
Unfortunately for the two sisters, Sesshoumaru had had his fill of half-demons. Having just discovered that his father had managed to sire such a whelp from his human consort (surprisingly, she had actually managed to survive the birthing), he was hardly in the mood to tolerate the presence of two more half-breeds.
What, he thought angrily, would an insignificant half-demon know about matters of honour?
Silently, he turned and began to walk away.
'No!' came a cry behind him.
Looking back out of the corner of his eye, a now even more irate Sesshoumaru halted and watched as the one who had been speaking stood. She actually began to come toward him but her sibling swiftly grasped her hand and (wisely) held her back.
'Big Sister,' the timid one spoke softly and urgently as she shot a frightened glance at the taiyokai, 'let's go – please! Lord Sesshoumaru has just given you his answer!'
The standing hanyo shook off her sibling's hand. Her face had taken on a look of desperation. She stepped toward the dog demon, then again knelt and bowed low.
'Mighty, powerful Lord Sesshoumaru,' she said, 'Please... I promise... we would be your most loyal retainers.'
She looked up at the dog demon, her silver eyes hiding nothing from him. He recognised within them a deep hunger for power.
'It would be the highest of honours to serve a demon of such perfect nobility, to dwell in the shadow of your great strength.' She then smiled timidly in a too-obvious attempt at ingratiation. 'Mighty taiyokai... we long to honour our mother, to be with our own kind...'
'Your own kind, hanyo?' interrupted the dog demon. 'You are deluded.' He then swept his hand before him in a gesture of dismissal as he again looked forward. 'This Sesshoumaru has no need of "retainers".'
Saying this, the dog demon strode away. This time, when the young female half-demon cried out, he did not pause or look back.
'You... you would ignore me?!' she gasped. She sprang to her feet. 'No... no! You can't! My... my mother was to serve your noble father. Let us serve you!' She stood, trembling, her hands now fisted by her side. 'I'm strong! I... we can learn quickly!' Her voice became plaintive. 'Please, please do not reject us...'
'Sister...!' Her sibling again pleaded with her.
'Your ambition is misguided,' came the voice of the aloof taiyokai. Then, he disappeared into the misty winter forest.
In the distance behind him, the brash half-demon continued to rage.
'Why? Again, we are scorned!'
'I hate our human blood!'
The spirit's red eyes glowed as she looked frantically about her. Then, she again screamed in rage – but, the deep, guttural growls were no more. Her voice had become young and feminine, matching the form she now held.
'My power!' The ghost swept toward the dog demon. 'Give it back!' she yelled as she struck out, slashing at him with her claws.
Sesshoumaru spared the spirit one taciturn glance as her hands passed harmlessly through him. Taka was no longer an impediment – thus, the dog demon had no further interest in her. Sheathing his sword, he turned his back on the wailing ghost and strode across the courtyard to the entrance of the once-grand main hall of the mansion. Taka followed, trying and failing repeatedly to strike him.
He ignored her, his attention now fixed on what had become his primary target.
The Meido had not dismissed the entirety of Taka's domain; it had only succeeded in separating her from it. The power which had once belonged to a hanzaki remained under seal and – since Taka had not dismissed it – the black dome formed of the giant salamander demon's barrier still enclosed the mansion and its grounds. Now, however, the light of the full moon was penetrating it, turning the unnatural darkness within to a murky, grey gloom.
Left to its own devices, the barrier would probably dissipate with the waning of the seal at dawn.
Sesshoumaru had no intention of waiting that long.
The dog demon entered the derelict building for the second time that day. This time, however, it was not empty.
Sitting in plain sight, in the centre of the hall, was the worm charmer's jar..
The scent of the earthen vessel was no longer barely perceptible – it had fully entered the physical plane. Plus, the stench of the demon worm (now contained within its clay body) was unmistakable. Once more, Sesshoumaru's yoki stirred as his anger rose, this time at the memory of detecting the foul parasite which had been contaminating Rin's body, yet being unable to act upon it – not without also attacking Rin.
The dark aura now surrounding the jar had nothing to do with its paltry occupant, however. The clay vessel was softly rattling in place, buffeted by the strong currents of demonic energy it was emanating. However, as the dog demon had surmised, the connection to the spiritual plane provided by the seal was bolstering the vessel's ability to contain the demonic aura which had belonged to a yokai far more powerful than a demon worm.
Without that support, the jar would have disintegrated long ago.
Sesshoumaru moved toward his target; then, Taka was there before him, hovering above the jar. Her manner had changed markedly – now, it could only be described as panicked.
She reached for the vessel... only to discover that she could no longer touch it. 'No!' she screeched. She again tried to grasp it and, again, was thwarted as her hands passed through its clay walls. 'My power!' she cried, and she began to weep.
Sesshoumaru observed her impassively. 'Your ambition is still misguided, hanyo,' he said. Then, suddenly, the dog demon perceived a change within the wraith.
There had always been a 'wrongness' to Taka but Sesshoumaru had thought that to be a factor of her connection to the yoki of the hanzaki. His magenta-edged lids rose marginally as he watched the ghost's image begin to blur. Then, a second form flowed from her.
Like a patch of dank fog, this new shade drifted to the worm charmer's jar and hovered over it possessively. Small and hunched, the form was hazy and held little detail except for bulbous eyes which glowed red.
It has neither demonic energy nor scent... observed the dog demon. It was also decidedly dark in nature.
Suddenly, Taka issued a piercing, agonised shriek. As the sound echoed and resonated within the dome, the newly-formed apparition dispersed into the ether surrounding the jar. As it vanished, the stench of death ceased to linger in the air; at the same time, the hanyo's ghost sank to her knees. Then, she slowly raised her head.
Black-rimmed, silver irises fleetingly met the dog demon's cold, golden glare before she swiftly looked away and slowly bowed in submission.
Interesting, thought the taiyokai.
A ghost... possessed by another ghost.
'InuYasha... did you feel that?'
The question came from a shocked-looking Kagome. She had just joined her half-demon friend on the ground while Sango, Kirara and Miroku continued to harass and strike down the serpents from above.
The teenager had been about to take aim at another snake demon when she had frozen in place, her bow still half-drawn. Her eyes were darting back and forth from the direction of Takeo's home to the upper end of the valley – from where Aine was supposed to be to where Kagome was certain she was now.
InuYasha frowned and nodded. 'Yeah,' he answered.
The hanyo had been assessing a group of serpents milling about the upper edge of the village (and waiting for an opening to appear between equally milling villagers), when his attention had been diverted by the distant but massive surge of power. He, too, had instantly recognised the unmistakable Dé Danann signature.
More 'wards', he thought. But... That was a helluva lot stronger!
The power he had just felt had far outstripped what had been used by the púca to herd the snake demons. The Dé Danann magic had risen dramatically and then... exploded? InuYasha could think of no other word to describe it.
At that moment, Miroku and Sango noticed their friends distraction and swooped over. As the massive firecat landed in front of InuYasha and Kagome, Miroku leapt from her back. 'What happened?' he asked.
InuYasha and Kagome quickly explained.
The young monk frowned and nodded, also immediately concerned for the safety of the lady healer. 'I agree,' he said, 'it needs to be investigated. Don't worry – Sango and I should be able to handle the remaining serpents.'
Sango stared at the tree line beyond which lay the shrine and the lake. 'But, why would she go there?' she asked.
Kagome suddenly gasped. 'We need to tell Lon!' the girl exclaimed. Then, she frowned at InuYasha in confusion when the half-demon snorted.
'What?' he replied, giving her a defensive glare in return. 'C'mon, you think he didn't notice that?' InuYasha had already realised that he wasn't sensing any more of the púca's wards within the village. 'Shorty's probably way ahead us...'
Nodding, Kagome bit her lower lip and shot a worried look toward the headman's home. 'I can still feel her barrier over the house. Should we go there first?'
InuYasha shook his head. 'No point.'
The half-demon agreed with Miroku's claim – the monk and the demon-slayer were more than capable of cleaning up what was left of the snakes. Thus, InuYasha was now free to check out what was happening at the Lake of Tears, and he was definitely going to take advantage of this opportunity. The half-demon would leave no stone unturned when it came to searching for Naraku. Plus, well...
He was genuinely worried about Lady Aine. Half the time, he felt awkward and tongue-tied in the foreign woman's presence, but... she had never treated him differently because of his heritage (a rare experience for him). Thus, although their acquaintance had been short, he now numbered her amongst those few he respected, and trusted.
InuYasha gave Kagome a resigned look. 'I suppose it's no use telling you to stay here...?'
The teenager shot him a sharp glare.
'Yeah, yeah...' said the half-demon, rolling his eyes. Instantly, the Tessaiga reverted to its dormant form and, with a shrug, InuYasha sheathed it. Then, he crouched down. 'Let's go, Kagome.'
As the two sped away, Miroku and Sango exchanged a nod of mutual understanding; then, the monk swiftly turned and ran toward the nearest cluster of swarming snake demons.
Sango and Kirara flew past him. 'We'll take the right flank!' called the demon-slayer.
Miroku nodded as he veered to the left. Although much diminished in number, the vicious yokai remained a significant threat to the community – the monk knew that only their complete destruction would end the attack
In the distance, he heard Akio calling for more torches. The villagers were still working hard to drive back the serpent demons and, thankfully, their efforts had become much more coordinated and effective. Which, Miroku reflected, was just as well since it quickly became obvious that InuYasha had been right.
The demons were no longer running into invisible walls. There also were no more flashes of fox fire.
Lon and Shippo aren't here, concluded the monk.
He paused and quickly scoped his surrounding, and his lips quirked in a grim but satisfied smile
If we can get most of them past those buildings, he thought, that will be my chance to use the Wind Tunnel.
As soon as they reached the road leading to the shrine, InuYasha skidded to a halt. His ears twitched back and forth as he looked about him.
'What is it?' asked Kagome. Then, she realised she could hear something. "Is that somebody... crying?' she asked.
InuYasha turned and made a beeline to a tussock of grass. He bent over it, only to stand back quickly, eyes blinking bemusedly, as several tiny, snuffling and weeping mushrooms erupted out of the long grass. They bounced past him and onto the road; then, the animated fungi vanished in multiple puffs of smoke.
The half-demon and the teenager immediately recognised the purpose of the kitsune charm: Shippo wanted them to find him.
Kagome slid from InuYasha's back while he dropped to all fours and sniffed intently at the ground. 'Do you think Shippo followed Aine?' she asked, worriedly.
InuYasha shook his head. 'Not on his own. He'd never get here that fast.' Then he huffed and gestured for her to resume her pickaback position.
'I was right,' he said, 'Lon's been here.' He emitted a satisfied grunt. 'Doesn't matter what shape that guy takes – his scent never changes.' He jerked his head toward the road disappearing into the woods. 'They went that way.'
The half-demon then leapt forward and the pair sped up the road toward the shrine.
Lon and Shippo entered the clearing that held the little shrine. The púca skidded to a halt and swiftly shifted back to his true form as he went straight to where he could see an all too familiar object lying on the ground. Meanwhile, the little fox demon gaped in horror at the shrine before making his way cautiously toward the sad sight which lay on its porch.
'Oh no...' moaned Shippo, as he stared sorrowfully at Shiro.
Lon had also seen the boy, but had instantly recognised that the small body held no signs of life. There was nothing he could do for the poor child (although he now had a strong suspicion what had lured Aine away from the village). Devastation was in his eyes, however, as he bent down to pick up the healer's abandoned satchel.
'Ach... Mo bhrón...'he murmured, as he stared at the bag in his hands. His knuckles bleached white as he gripped the burnished leather.
Aine, child of my heart... where are you?
Then, behind him, he heard a soft yelp. Looking over his shoulder, Lon saw a horrified-looking Shippo pointing at the steps of the shrine.
'It's... it's blood!' the kitsune squeaked.
The púca was beside the fox child in an instant. His face blanched when he saw the dark stain on the wooden surface Then, swiftly looping the satchel's strap over his neck, he again shifted to the form of a wolfhound and sniffed intently at the ground. He knew instantly that the blood belonged to Aine. He also quickly realised that he had no trail to follow.
'Damnú air!' he exclaimed in frustration. 'It's as if she's taken to the very air...!' Raising his head, he then scented the breeze. It was blowing from the direction of the lake, and he quickly realised that it held an unnatural taint.
"Laddie... d'you smell that?' he softly asked the fox child.
Shippo sniffed the air, then he began to tremble as his yokai instincts reacted fiercely to the what he had detected. It was an earthen odour, like clay and also... like a graveyard. 'There's... something really dark there, Is it the g-ghost?'
Would a spirit even have a scent? wondered Lon. 'I'm going to find out,' he replied. It's the only lead I've got...!
Then, looking down at the now trembling kitsune, the expression in the older shape-shifter's blue eyes softened in concern.
Brave, loyal lad... but still young. Perhaps, he thought, he should have insisted that Shippo return to his friends?
'You can go back, little warrior...'said the púca gently.
Startled, Shippo looked up at the wolfhound, then threw a frightened glance at poor Shiro. A resolved frown battled with fear on his little face, then he leapt back onto the púca's back.
'I – I'm coming with you,' he said. His instincts were screaming at him that there was danger ahead, but they were equally demanding that there was safety in numbers.
He would not abandon Lon.
Praying that he had picked the right direction, the Londubh loped toward the lakeshore, his concealing glamour once more in place.
Would a glamour be of any use against a spectre? he wondered. Then, he abruptly slowed to a walk.
The lake was not yet in sight, but the saline taint it held was now sharply evident. Beyond the brush screening the shoreline, however, the púca and the kitsune could see a huge black dome blocking the starry horizon. No sound came from it, but it was emanating a repugnant aura of power which resonated against their very souls.
Lon shifted back to his true form. Silently, he crept closer to the shoreline, a shivering Shippo close to his heels.
Like all members of his clan, Lon bore a strong affinity to the natural world. The black dome towering above was, he realised grimly, not natural. Nor was the opaque bank of clouds floating above it. Just approaching the dark construct inundated his very being with hopelessness.
The tale he had earlier heard Taro relate suddenly gained clarity.
Darkness, evil... an utter absence of of all that's light...
Suddenly, the clouds above the dome vanished. Then, in the same instant, both shape-shifters could distantly recognise a very familiar signature of power.
Shippo gulped audibly. 'Sesshoumaru is in there...' he whispered. Guess the g-ghost is kinda busy, he realised. This conclusion brought little comfort to the kitsune, however.
Lon, meanwhile, had given this latest revelation only a fleeting consideration. For, through the branches of the nearest trees, the púca had spotted something else
Rage rose within the Dé Danann as he stared at the black-garbed being hovering above the lake. The creature was watching the dome of darkness – in his left hand, he held a large, ornate spear while hanging over his right arm, held with less care than would have been given a sheaf of straw, was an obviously unconscious Aine.
Although a yokai, the healer's captor gave off no aura of power. Thus, like Aine before him, Londubh quickly guessed his identity.
Kakusamaru... he realised, horror and anger warring within him. Spawn of evil...
What have you done to my lass, you bastard?!
The round orb of the moon caused the surface of the lake to shimmer like a mirror. This, along with the clarity of the night sky, made the environs of the Lake of Tears almost as bright as day.
Lon looked from the creature who had taken his Aine (she was so limp...) to the body of water beneath (was she breathing?), gauging the distances and formulating a strategy.
There's a chance, he thought, eyeing the water. A damned slim one.
His blue eyes hardened in resolve as, not for the first time, he cursed the pigheadedness of the Council of Druids. Then, as his gaze returned from the lake to Aine, his expression became one of profound sorrow.
'Ta brón orm...' he breathed softly.
Ah lass, he thought despairingly. I'm so sorry... To save you, I must leave you.
Lon had no idea why Kakusamaru had stolen Aine – he could only be grateful that the creature had not vanished with her, but had chosen to lurk at this cursed place instead. No doubt, he concluded, grimly, there was a connection to the dog demon's presence within the dark construct. But, who knew when the creature might suddenly decide make off with Aine. If Kakusamaru chose to flee...
Shippo had been convinced that InuYasha would follow them to the shrine, but the pup had been busy fighting serpents the last Lon had seen him – who knew if or when he would arrive? No, Aine must be protected – Londubh could not risk waiting With a gesture, he reinforced the wall of glamour about himself and his small companion, then he turned and crouched down to face the kitsune..
'Little warrior...' he said, 'I'm going after Aine. But, if something happens, if I can't get her to shore... will you fetch her?' He looked into Shippo's wide-eyed stare, his expression deadly serious. 'Will you be able to get my lass to safety?
Shippo was battling panic and confusion on hearing this request. 'W-What d'you mean?' he asked. What, he wondered fearfully, was Lon going to do that he would ask...?
'There's no time to explain,' answered the púca. Then, he gave the little yokai a soft smile. 'Shippo, lad... I don't want to put this upon you but... I need your help. Can you do it?
The fox child gulped and nodded. Of course, he wanted to help Lady Aine – frightened though he was, he would do his best. 'Un-huh,' he said, 'I can carry her, but... but, what if he attacks us?'
Lon smiled grimly.
'Ach, I intend to remedy that. If I'm after doing this right, I'll be rippin' out the bastard's throat.' As he uttered these words, the púca's blue eyes shifted from warm to glacial and predatory.
He means it, thought Shippo. The fox demon shot a quick glance at the blue-skinned being floating above the lake. 'Naraku's incarnations are really hard to kill...' he observed tremulously.
Lon nodded. 'Understood. But, tough though he is, I'll be giving him something to remember me by. He'll release my lass, never fear.'
Shippo looked up at the older shape-shifter and felt a chill of foreboding. Lon looked... sad.
The púca gently squeezed the fox demon's shoulder. 'Sure, but you're a fine lad,' he murmured. Then, he gently rested his hand on the top of Shippo's head. 'May the road always rise to meet you, little warrior.'
With that, Lon passed Aine's satchel to the small demon, then shifted into the form of a blackbird and vanished from view. And, despite not being able to see Lon anymore, the little kitsune sensed the exact moment he had been left alone within the walls of glamour, and he gulped again with fear.
Why did he feel like Lon had just said good-bye to him?
For the second time that day, the Londubh flew with a glamour in place. Already, he could feel the strain of it – but, he reflected, it did not matter. At least it was only a short distance.
What will be, will be... he thought, with sad resignation. I am coming for you, child of my heart.
The púca flew high above the black dome, then circled about and glided over the salt water of the Lake of Tears. Once he was above the hovering Kakusamaru, he changed shape and, still glamoured, dropped like a stone toward his enemy.
Kakusamaru was feeling apprehensive.
Byakuya's illusion had vanished, finally and now he could sense the yoki of Sesshoumaru. It had risen dramtically, its sheer power causing the shadow-user to continue giving the barrier nervous glances.
It is still in place, he observed with fearful frustration. And, there had been no change in the spear. Kakusamaru would know when the power of the hanzaki returned to it
He wondered – was Taka winning after all? Were Sesshoumaru's surges of power purely defensive? Should he brace himself to move out across the lake?
It was then that a huge black dog appeared out of nowhere and slammed into him.
Kakusamaru screamed.
'Taka!'
Then, his shrieks were silenced when the dog's jaws closed on his throat; he gurgled as he felt his own blood filling his mouth… as his flesh was torn apart. At the same time, his right arm suddenly refused to obey him.
The woman slipped from his grasp.
The pain Kakusamaru was experiencing was not quite as severe as when Naraku had tortured him, but this still hurt. He reflexively struck out, swinging the magari yari blindly. The huge dog issued a very human sounding grunt when the flat of the spear's blade struck it, but it had already been pushing off and away from him. Then, it dove toward the lake, mere seconds behind the woman.
Kakusamaru panted in agony and rapidly receded closer to the shore, instinctively reaching for the safety of its shadows and dismissing any notion of seeking out the depths of the lake. His attacker had come at him from offshore, then had entered the water – retreat definitely lay in the opposite direction!
Taka! Taka! Taka! his mind still gibbered.
Then, his throat began to clear itself of blood and, as he took a shuddering breath, he halted his flight a few metres from the cobbled shoreline. He had suddenly realised that whatever had attacked him had been something far more solid than a spirit, for the scent of blood was coming from the spear. He forced himself to calm and again took in the metallic tang on the bone blade. The blood belonged to...
A human?
No, he thought incredulously – how could that be possible? He was certain he had seen a dog.
Wait... Was someone taunting him? His lip curled in anger.
No matter their motives, that someone was going to pay for daring to wound him.
Then, Kakusamaru squirmed and gasped. The sensation of his throat knitting back together was really rather, well, sickening. At least, he thought resignedly, healing was less painful than the original injury.
He looked up, and his eyes narrowed – he had just seen something white dive beneath the water, right where he had been forced to drop his human prize.
What are you, hmm? Once I get my breath...
By the time Lon hit the water, he had shifted back to his true form.
He winced in pain as he swam clumsily to where he knew Aine to be. His arm... did not work properly. Like all of the púcai, he was acutely aware of his body; he knew that his shoulder was badly damaged. Still, he forced it to move and managed to dive and grab Aine – just in time. She was still unconscious, but he heard her gasp reflexively as he manoeuvred her so that her head was above the surface.
Lass, my lass...! Hang on!
Fighting through his pain, he struggled to keep them both afloat. For a moment, his head submerged. Gagging on the salt water that forced its way into his mouth, he pushed back to the surface. Then...
'Lon!' called a familiar, high-pitched voice.
A wave of relief rolled over the púca.
Shippo... Thank you, Danú!
The fox demon had become an over-sized seagull, having quickly decided that that familiar form was the best one for the circumstances. Flapping his wings furiously, he had left the shelter of the glamour and had sped over the water toward his friends. Diving beneath the surface, he came up beneath the unconscious Dé Danann woman, lifting her out of the water
'Good lad!' gasped Lon, as he released his hold on Aine, lest his own struggling to stay afloat pulled her back into the water.
'Hang on to me!' squeaked a frantic Shippo. The fox demon knew he would never get airborne with two passengers. But, he knew could carry them both to shore by paddling.
Lon tried to reach for the gull, but found that his arm was now utterly useless to him. He tried to shift to another shape, something small that the gull could grab, but he found that he could not focus. The pain had become too great.
Gambled... and lost, he thought. But, Aine will be safe…
'Get on me!' pleaded Shippo , his eyes beginning to well with tears.
'Little warrior,' gasped Lon, 'save... my lass...' Then, the salt water of the Lake of Tears closed over his head.
'No!' cried Shippo.
Horrified, he watched as Lon disappeared beneath the water's surface. With a pop, the fox demon became a large pink balloon; he floated as fast as he could toward the shore with Lady Aine lying draped across him. Panicked thoughts raced through his mind. Could he get her to the shore quickly enough to go back for Lon? How would he find him in the dark waters?
Then, Shippo spotted a flash of bright red on the shore and he gasped with relief.
'InuYasha!' he yelled. 'InuYasha! Help!'
To be continued…
A/N: A Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian readers.
A gentle reminder. Despite its long hiatus, the ending of the story was set in stone before the first chapters were even posted. Thus, the instalments may not be coming quickly, but they will be coming. We have a few chapters to go yet… :)
My sincere thanks to those who are following these meanderings through my quirky imagination. And, special thanks to those who have left reviews. You make my day. :D
Next: Dark night of the soul…