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ABC Thought
Chapter 63.
Two days later.
Sesshomaru leaves early in the morning to track down the thief's location. No one knows how far he will go or how much time this journey will take.
As usual, Jaken is tasked to be Shiomi's guardian and he has to stay with her until Sesshomaru returns.
"Want another refill?"
Hearing Shiomi asks, he pushes his empty tea cup to her.
"This is so boring."
Watching the clouds moving slowly on the blue sky before taking one big sip from his teacup, Jaken sighs again.
"How about visiting Rin? I'm worried whether she's doing alright or not."
When being offered to go to Kaede's house, Jaken refuses.
"Just a while ago we're told not to leave the house. Did you forget already?"
Not even to harvest fresh fruits, herbs or mushrooms, to gather water or for whatever the reason. She's not allowed to go anywhere. Period.
"Of course not. I only said so because you kept complaining."
Getting bored to death as well. Shiomi heads to their backyard to tend the garden. Hoping to kill off some time.
Time flows so slow. Everything's so peaceful that Jaken's about to fall asleep, if not for the loud crashes coming from the back of the house. Curious, he rushes to the backyard to check on her.
"Just what in the world are you doin- Shiomi!"
There, Jaken finds Shiomi being surrounded by multiple of black masses, which come in various shapes, that he has never encountered before.
"What are these shadowy things?!"
Earlier, Shiomi fought them back but her fists and kicks simply went through them like air. Yet they could grab her arms and dragged her away easily.
"Hey you! Let her go!"
Jaken tries to barges in to save her but get blocked outside by the tall black wall.
Therefore he uses Nintoujou to clear up the mess. However his magical fire get pushed back and almost set the house aflame.
"Jaken! Hurry and go find Kagome!"
After a bit more of struggling, Shiomi manages to jump out of the enemy's grip and leads them away.
"H-Hey! Wait up! Shiomi! Where the heck are you going?!"
Before Jaken can tell her to bring him along, Shiomi's already run off. Without a choice, he rushes down the hill and makes his way toward to Kagome's place to ask for her help.
I cannot lead them into Kaede's village since they will definitely harm to the others. Is there anywhere else?
While trying to get away from those annoying shadows, I look around the area in hope to find a place to hide. Then I decide to pick the closest forest, tons of trees and vines covered.
That tree trunk should do.
Spotting a big old tree standing among the others, I hide myself under one of its big roots. Patiently holding my breath and waiting for those shadows to leave.
After feeling like forever, I peek out to take a look at the surroundings.
Good. No one is around.
Thinking that they have already gone elsewhere. I step out and make my way back to Kagome's house to reunite with Jaken. Since I've told him to go there to find her earlier.
I have to tell Kagome about what happened. Perhaps she knows a way to deal with them.
It's only a few steps forward then suddenly, I feel a sharp pain behind my neck and everything darkens.
...
..
"...Shiomi."
From the depth of my mind, there's someone calling for my name. Yet their voice sounds too faint for me to figure out who is speaking.
"We must..."
We? You want me to help you?
"Amenonuhoko is the key... It's the only way for us to..."
The key to what? I can't understand you with these broken sentences. What do you want from me?
"... Surely you would act the same, if you were me."
To steal Amenonuhoko and release chaos? Why would I even want to do that?
"All you need to do is... to trust me."
When we don't even know each other? Just who in the world are you?!
"Shiomi! You have to do this or we-!"
No! Get out of my head! Go away!
..
...
"Gasp!"
The moment regaining consciousness, I find myself lying on the cold hard ground next to something that looks like a stone table. Surrounded by small space and multiples rock walls.
Gosh... My head is spinning... Am I inside a cave?
Quite uncomfortable humidity and a bit lacking of air. The surroundings are quite dark and there's a single source of light, which is coming from the burning torch attached on the wall.
After looking around, I notice a small entrance that is either leading in or out. And it's right in front of me.
I need to get out of here!
Somehow having difficulty with getting back on my feet, I look down and realize that both of my hands are tied up way behind my back by a thick rope.
With my current power, removing this shouldn't be too hard...
Then, at the opposite corner of mine, I see something that looks like a pair of small legs on the ground. However due to the dim light, it's hard to figure out who they belong to.
Did that person get kidnapped as well?
A moment later, I hear light footsteps from behind and immediately lie down again. Pretending to be asleep. And my heart's about to burst out of my chest when they stops right beside me.
They haven't noticed, have they?!
After a while, they moves on. Then I take my chance to open my eyes a little to take a peek.
What the heck?!
The culprit was that same damned thief. And those shadows, which were hunting me down earlier, are now floating around them. While Amenonuhoko can still be seen lying in their hand.
Why not killing me to gain full control of Amenonuhoko? What's the point in doing this?
And I start to wonder why they risk all the possibilities of losing their ultimate weapon just to keep me alive.
Could it be that they did not know how to reach to Amenonuhoko? Was that the reason for my kidnapping?
Releasing it from deep slumber doesn't mean one can gain its favor. Not that easily. Especially when Amenonuhoko and I are still soul bound with each other.
Well... They won't be getting any help from me. That's for sure.
Then the thief approaches the person I saw earlier and pick them up from the ground. Seeing him/her showing no sign of objection or even moving, I take my guess that he/she is unconscious.
And the moment he/she is put on the stone table near the main source of light. I'm able to figure out who that is, and it's...
Kuro?!
It's so shocking that I almost gasp out loud.
But why? Didn't he die a few days ago? What the hell is going on?!
Hold on, I have to stay calm. Since that can be someone who looks like him. A relative? A twin brother, perhaps?
Nevertheless, our top priority right now is to get out of here and find somewhere safe. But to do so, I have to take down that thief and their troublesome minions.
If my attack success, I will be able to regain Amenonuhoko.
As gentle as possible, I break the rope that is binding my hands apart and slowly approaches the thief from their side. At the moment, they're too absorbed whispering to themself to care about their surroundings.
"Ouch!"
Yet before I can reach to Amenonuhoko, something pushes me down from behind.
The heck?! I was so sure that no one was looking!
Of course, the sound of my fall is loud enough to alert them and they turns around. Finding me lying on the ground next to their feet.
A shadow?! Where did it come from?!
Turns out, a part of that shadow appears from pieces of the rope that I have torn apart just now.
That wasn't an ordinary rope! They had a shadow turn into one and bind me with it!
Instead of putting me back into place, that thief just stands there and stares. As if waiting for me to say or do something.
"Do you know anything about the weapon in your hand?"
"..."
"That kid on the stone table. How long have you met him?"
"..."
"Why did you took us here?"
"..."
"Can you speak? Do you understand what I'm saying?"
In response to that one question, they nods. What a person of few words.
"Alright, fine. Whoever or whatever you are. I do not know and do not care what your game is. But..."
This time, I'm not going to sit back quietly and let you do whatever you want.
"Amenonuhoko is mine! And I want it back!"
From the ground, I jump at them and grab Amenonuhoko. Trying to remove it from their hand. In instant, they kicks me off and rolls a few meters back to get away.
Again!
This time, I slide forward and aim for their feet. They jumps up and does a roll in the air, then lands right behind my back and grabs my shoulder. Throwing me at the opposite wall.
While in the air, my body hits *Kuro*, who is sleeping on the stone table and end up dragging him along to the ground. Thanks to him shielding my fall, although accidentally, I can get back up easily without a scar.
"Urg..."
From below, I can hear *Kuro* weak groans. But his eyes are still closed.
This place is too dark and has too little space to fight. If we keep going, he will definitely get hurt.
But what can I do to get out of here safely? Come on, brain. Think!
"Sesshomaru!"
And I shout, pretending that he has arrived to save the day. Surprisingly, they takes the bait and turns their head to the entrance to have a look.
Huh? That was way easier than expected.
Now that their attention is elsewhere, I take my golden chance to escape. And it takes them a second to realize my simple plan and starts giving chase.
Jeeze, this guy is fast has heck. Is there anything they can't do?!
Even with youkai energy activated, it doesn't take long for them to catch up to my speed.
Soon enough, the darkness's replaced by the bright sunlight. Looking at the sky, I see that the sun is still high up.
It seems that I haven't been out for too long.
Sensing someone is standing behind my back, I turn around. Immediately bringing my arms up to block their kicks, which are clearly aiming for my head.
"Trying to knock me out again, huh? It won't be easy this time."
Same old trick, I launch forward to get a hold of Amenonuhoko.
In return, they kicks my stomach and sends me upward. Using that as an advantage, I jump higher to get behind their back and yank the weapon backward up to their neck. Attempting to choke them until they give up fighting.
We're struggling at each other for a while until I hear someone's voice calling for my name from afar.
"Shiomi! Nee-san!"
In instant, the thief bangs their head backward and hits my face. Hard.
"Ouch!"
Now that I'm stunned, they pushes me aside and takes Amenonuhoko away from my grip.
"Are you okay?!"
Seconds later, Kagome appears by my side to check on me.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I think."
I touch my face all over. No broken noses or teeth. All good.
"So you must be that mysterious thief! Prepare to die, bastard!"
Inuyasha steps forward with Tessaiga ready in hands. Smirking viciously.
"Wait! We need that guy alive. There's a few things that I need to clarify with them."
Before their battle begins, I ask him to keep the damage at bare minimum. Much to his annoyance.
"Right! Kuro! We have to go back to save him!"
Upon hearing his name coming out of my lips, Kagome's eyes wide open in shock.
"What do you mean? Are you saying that he's alive?"
"I'm not sure. Back then, I saw someone looked a lot like Kuro."
Therefore I tell her about what happened back at the small cave. After listening to the whole story, Kagome agrees to follow me there to save that mysterious boy.
Probably knowing what we're trying to do, the thief slashes the soil near their feet with Amenonuhoko and creates a huge line, which is acted as a portal to summon the shadows from underground.
"Damn it! It's those annoying things again!"
Swiftly, they crawl up onto the surface and covers up the whole cave's entrance, as well as our way toward it.
"Leave them to me!"
In instant, Kagome pulls out several arrows and shoot. Easily getting rid of them. Still, more are coming out from the portal and it looks like the supply is endless.
Soon enough, Kagome will run out of her magical arrow. We have to think of a way to get in there fast.
"Hey Kagome, back me up. I will go in there and take him out."
Therefore I ask for her support.
"Will it be okay?"
"Don't worry. I'll be quick."
Eventually, Kagome decides to trust in my ability and shoots an arrow to clear up the route.
"Alright, lets go!"
As I'm half-way through, the thief turns around and swings Amenonuhoko. Sending multiple explosive energy waves toward to our spot to stop me from moving forward, and Kagome from firing her purification arrows.
"Ouch... That is definitely unfair!"
Only a few seconds and I'm already buried deep under tons of shadows.
"Kagome, are you okay?!"
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine."
Thankfully, I can hear her weak response at the back.
"Kagome! You alr- Fuck!"
Meanwhile from afar, Inuyasha's panic calls for her can be heard as well. Though he gets cut off quite quickly.
"Hold on. I'll save you."
Quickly Kagome gets up and takes out another arrow, aiming at my spot. However before she can release it. The shadows launch at her and pin Kagome down onto the ground.
"So... heavy! Get off me!"
When I'm about to pass out from suffocation. Several energy waves appear from above and crash down on those shadows, completely blowing them away.
"Are we... saved?"
Finally free, I get up to take a breather.
That moment catches the thief's attention as well, their footstep halts as they turns away to find the newcomer.
"I've got you now! Shitty bastard!"
Taking his chance that they're distracted, Inuyasha jumps forward and strikes. However before his blade can touch the thief, something in white appears between them and counters his attack. Casting him aside.
"Huh? What the-?!"
Rolling a few rounds on air before landing onto the ground, Inuysha growls.
"The hell are you doing?! Sesshomaru?!"
Much to our surprise, standing right beside the thief right now is Sesshomaru, who is suppose to be far away from this area at the moment.
"This one is mine."
Suddenly he declares, not letting anyone else gets near them.
"Bastard! Do you even realize what situation we are in?!"
When the brothers are busy arguing over who is going to earn the kill. From behind, the thief starts channeling their dark energy into something that looks like a tiny glowing sphere.
And it's clearly getting bigger by seconds.
What's that? A bomb?
Having a bad feeling about this, I return to Kagome and leads her away.
"Nee-san? Where are we going?!"
While she's too focus on getting rid of the portal on the ground to notice what is happening nearby.
"No time to talk! We have to leave. Now!"
The black sphere in their palm begins to shine, so bright that we cannot see what's ahead of us and the next thing we know. The explosion happens and its powerful energy wave pushes everyone off their feet.
It takes Inuyasha a few seconds to regain consciousness and starts searching for his wife. While Sesshomaru's already on the way to look for his.
"Kagome!"
Since his ears are still ringing loudly due to that unexpected assault, it takes multiple shouts for him to hear us.
"She's okay! We're fine!"
Soon they spot us waving to them from the bushes, which are meters away from the explosion.
"Jeeze, that was really scary..."
Feeling overwhelmed by that dangerous situation, I whine to Sesshomaru as he picks me up from the ground.
"Did you get hurt anywhere?"
Concerned, Inuyasha asks Kagome and she shakes her head.
"Nee-san took me here before that thief exploded. It barely reached us."
Hearing so, he drops onto the ground and scratches his head. Sighing in relief.
...
..
"He's gone!"
And the moment we return to the cave, there's no one in sight.
"This is definitely Kuro's scent, and yours."
After sniffing the whole place, Inuyasha claims.
"That's it?"
Both Kagome and I are confused by the result. It's as if that thief's made out of thin air.
"When you fought with the thief earlier, did your noses catch anything new?"
Therefore I ask Inuyasha to remember whether he has detected any strange scent around them.
"There's only your smell lingered on them."
Which was probably coming from my wrestling battle to gain control over Amenonuhoko at way back...
"Did they say anything at all?"
Kagome wonders whether that thief has revealed any info to me. As in why both Kuro and I were gathered into one place. Or who they really was and the reasons for everything.
"Trust me, I tried. They simply refused talking to me for some reasons."
In the end, we're even more confused than ever.
"We're leaving."
"Eh? Right now? But we're still-"
Not going to let me finish my sentence, Sesshomaru walks out of the cave.
Hmm... Why is he in such a hurry?
Seriously, we've been in here no more than a minute. I haven't gotten the time to check around yet.
"Nee-san?"
Just then, Kagome calls for me.
"It's been a long day. You should go home and take some rest. Leave this to us."
And I'm told to return with Sesshomaru.
Kagome thinks that his excuse for leaving early is because Sesshomaru's worried about my health. But he doesn't say it out loud because others are still here.
"We'll go to your house later. Okay?"
Therefore she promises to visit after they finish investigating this area.
Later, somewhere faraway...
"Shit! I was too careless!"
Hitting their hand against the tree-trunk nearby, they curses.
"And reckless as well."
Judging by the familiar mocking tone, they doesn't need to turn around to figure out who that is.
"Heh! Who knew she would be so determined to take Amenonuhoko back. Even I was surprised."
Recalling to the moment Shiomi fought them so hard for something that was still considered to be her most terrifying enemy, they laughs bitterly.
"Explain. Now."
While still being calm, Sesshomaru demands a reasonable answer from their side.
..
...
Last night.
At their usual secret meeting spot.
"I believe our target is eliminated?"
When being asked whether he had finished his work. Sesshomaru nodded.
"That took quite a while. You wasn't secretly keeping him alive just to dig some info about me, was you?"
His ulterior motive's found out right away.
"Are you doubting my intentions?"
They could sense the uncertainty in his eyes.
"What's your plan?"
To avoid answering their trick question, Sesshomaru reminded them to focus onto the main topic. And if his instinct was right, getting rid of Kuro was not the end of everything.
"I want you to find him for me."
And they demanded.
"Him?"
"The one that you just killed."
"That kid is alive?"
Needless to say Sesshomaru's surprised. Back then, everyone and even him was sure that Kuro's gone.
"After he dies, his soul will find somewhere safe to reborn again. The process will take a few days at least."
Not letting Sesshomaru stay confused for long, they gave him a brief explanation.
"Since it's you. Finding him shouldn't be a problem."
The location for Kuro's upcoming resurrection was unknown. And Sesshomaru was the right man for the job.
"Don't worry about him acting hostile. That boy can't remember how he died, or who killed him."
From them, he learnt about Kuro's special ability. It had a drawback however. For every single time Kuro's body returned, he would not carry memories from his past life.
"He'll be like a baby. Not knowing what is right or wrong."
Or so they claimed. Refusing to elaborate any further about Kuro's power or how they knew about it.
"So? Will you do it?"
Yet Sesshomaru seemed unwilling.
Searching for a person required time, especially when there's no clear information about him. And if he's away for too long, Shiomi would have no one to protect when Amenonuhoko took over her body.
"If you help me. I will guarantee her safety."
Knowing his weakness, they offered him a peaceful partnership. As long as Sesshomaru fulfilled their request, they would keep Amenonuhoko's possessiveness far away from Shiomi.
"That would be... the least I can do..."
Suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the old memories, they stumbled. From afar, Sesshomaru noticed their shoulders were trembling uncontrollably.
"Don't... Come any closer."
Seeing him approached, they swiftly moved away and disappeared.
"This ends here. I expect you to have our target by the next time we meet."
...
..
"Was that a lie?"
After everything he has done for them, Sesshomaru feels tricked.
"Which part of it was a lie?"
Indifferent to his intimidate aura, they asks him to be more specific.
"You said the boy would re-spawn after a few days."
"Just because I said so didn't mean he wouldn't return in day one. That boy is unpredictable."
"You didn't know where he would be."
"Yet I found him first, while searching around for other things."
They reminds Sesshomaru that he's not the only one who is looking for Kuro.
"And I specified to protect her only against Amenonuhoko. Not anything or anybody else. Myself included."
Not going to wait for Sesshomaru mentions his wife, they adds.
"What was you trying to do with Shiomi?"
Getting tired of their nonsense, Sesshomaru demands them to get into the point.
"That... is something I cannot say."
However, even now, they still refuses to reveal their true motive to him.
"Then you can forget about seeing her ever again."
With one last warning, Sesshomaru forbids them to get near Shiomi.
"Is that so? What are you going to do the next time I find her? Are you going to kill me? To put an end to everything?"
Tightening their grip on Amenonuhoko, they threatens him.
"I've gone too far and sacrificed too much to be here. That's why, I cannot allow anyone to ruin my plan. Even if it's you, Sesshomaru."
Meanwhile, Inuyasha and Kagome.
"Something feels odd about that bastard..."
On their way back, Inuyasha recalls to the battle earlier.
"Are you still sulking about Sesshomaru not letting you touch his prey?"
"I'm not sulking!"
Having enough with jokes, Inuyasha explains his reason.
"From the beginning, it's as if that thief didn't want to fight me."
The best they could do were to dodge and block his strikes. Even if they had to attack, which happened a few times, none of their hit was aiming for his vital spots.
They wielded Amenonuhoko, yet barely depended on its blade. And they never tried any special ability on him, when it clearly showed in the end that they could. Instead, all he got were simple kicks and punches.
"Also, that technique wasn't meant to cause damage to anyone. Only for them to escape."
The bomb was destructive enough to push the surrounding trees and rocks off their roots. Yet after thinking it over, it was mostly strong wind to sweep them far away.
"It was loud and bright as heck."
Even now, he can still feel that annoying sensation ringing deep within his ears.
"That reminds me... Those shadows actually never hurt us."
Then Kagome recalls to her encounter with the thief's minions. All they did was holding us down. Nothing more.
The more she thinks about this case, the more mysterious it gets. Just what is that thief's real intentions? And how is Kuro still alive? What's the relation between them?