InuYasha Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Not Your Normal 9 to 5 ❯ A Plan of Action ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5: A Plan of Action

 

“You don't seem happy to see me; I thought it was your goal to find me and all that rubbish,” Naraku chuckled, watching the already agitated expressions on Inuyasha and his friends' faces intensify. “I have simply come to tell you about Kalin and his new journey he is embarking on. If I left it to you to figure out, well, the journey would probably be over.”

 

He watched as Inuyasha took a step forward raising the Tetsusaiga. The only thing that stopped the motion was a calming hand on his shoulder. It seemed as if the monk wanted to hear the rest of the story.

 

“Why are you here Naraku? You normally don't show yourself in person for fear of being annihilated.”

 

The smile that graced Naraku's lips faded. The monk could play the game very well. The urge to eradicate him quickly passed through Naraku's head but he dismissed it. To kill them now would spoil the fun he had planned. He spoke once more.

 

“It is as I told you; I am here to inform you about Kalin. He is a simple man and he knows what he wants. Thanks to me he now has the power to obtain what he wants. And like most humans, what he wants is more power.” He started to pace as he talked, never taking his eyes off his opponents. “Have you heard of a small village about 15 ri east of here? The new corpse on your land was from there. It was wiped out I'm afraid.” He watched as the main fighters of the group tensed up at the news, and it brought Naraku great pleasure to watch Kagome's face pale as she brought her hand to her mouth in a futile gesture of hiding her shock. The old hag with the eye patch didn't seem to take the news any better…and who was this?

 

Standing next to the village priestess and Kagome was another man. Not old by human standards but two things caught Naraku's eye. His clothes were nothing he had ever seen before. They were torn and a bit dirty, but they were definitely a style he had never seen. They looked as strange as Kagome's. The second thing was that, unlike the other men of the village who looked upon him with fear and trepidation, this man had no trace of fear in his eyes. He looked at him like Inuyasha and the others. Foolish. Even Naraku could tell that he was weak. And he dared to look at him with confidence. Perhaps after he had completed his goal of killing Inuyasha and the rest he would come back and destroy this village, taking great care to make this upstart learn the true meaning of pain.

He slid his eyes off the new face and returned them to Inuyasha. “Kalin has a power that I did not think most humans could possess. It only took him about half an hour to kill everyone from that worthless village. And as I'm sure Kagome at least has deduced, the sacred jewel shards help him with that power. And with each shard that power will grow.”

 

“Enough of your games, why are you telling us this crap? It's not like you to let us in on it,” Inuyasha snarled. The hand on his shoulder could only pacify him for so long.

 

“Lowly half breed, if you could just keep your mouth shut and let your betters talk you might know why I decided to tell you this.” Naraku smirked underneath the baboon headpiece again as Inuyasha's face changed color to match his clothes. There was one thing Naraku had learned; the best way to get to Inuyasha was insulting his intelligence and status. Something he knew his half brother had done quite a lot in the half demon's past.

 

Inuyasha shrugged of Miroku's hand and raised his sword to strike. “WIND SCAR!” he bellowed as the energy erupted from the sword on a course straight for Naraku. Just before it hit, a shimmering globe of reddish black energy surrounded Naraku, causing the wind scar to go over and around the energy shield, instead of striking him. Inuyasha raised the mighty fang of his father to strike again but this time was stopped by Kagome.

 

“Why would he destroy a village? What could be gained from it?” she asked Naraku as she placed herself in front of Inuyasha, a hand on his chest to halt the attack. Inuyasha looked pissed that he was interrupted in his second attack, but he obliged Kagome and checked his sword, though his body still radiated anger.

 

“My dear, you seem to have some brains after all,” Naraku said, “but there was a reason he killed them; it was because they were hiding a jewel shard from him.” Now it was time to see if his statement about her intelligence was accurate. Naraku wasn't disappointed.

 

“No way, you know as well as I do that the shards are pretty much in either our or your possession. Besides that if there was a shard this close to this village, I would have sensed it… You…” she seemed to stutter over her words finally coming to her own conclusion. “You planted the shard there. And since he didn't come after my shards the only way he'd know if there was a shard in that village is if you told him.” She looked appalled at her realization.

 

It made Naraku smile even harder. “Of course I told him. A man like Kalin isn't as weak willed as you would think. It took some persuasion to take the first shards I offered him. He thinks he's on a grand quest to reach his full power; each shard will draw him that much closer to his `goal' and that much more under my control.”

 

This time it was the exterminator whose brain finally kicked in. “Each shard?” she asked the baboon clad demon, “How many shards are out there? Like Kagome said, the loose ones are pretty much gathered. How many have you hidden?”

 

“Excellent Sango, you have guessed correctly what I have done.” Now that he had her attention, time to make a strike to her soul. “That kind of intelligence and wit is exactly why I decided to keep your brother around.” Success. Even from this distance he could see her eyes glisten with tears at the reminder of her brother's slavery under his rule, but that was the only reaction that he considered weak. He also noticed her grip on the Hiraikotsu tighten and she'd taken a step forward. Now it was time to finish his mission.

 

“There are about six or seven villages in this area. They are peaceful little human rat holes with perhaps the occasional demon sighting, but for the most part quiet and serene. They each will have a new jewel shard brought to them without their knowledge. And of course with my help, Kalin will be pointed in their direction. Those poor villagers will never know what hit them. Unless of course, you think you can get to the shards first and protect the villages?” He let all the pleasure and mirth he had experienced since he arrived out in a fit of laughter that enraged them even more so. He saw the monk and the exterminator move as if they were one. Sutras came flying toward him to impact with his shield. The demonic and spiritual energy crackled violently against each other as dominance over each other was sought. Right behind the sutras was the Hiraikotsu. The force of the impact with the boomerang was fierce and the fact that it hit the point where the sutras were fighting the shield caused Naraku to force even more energy into that section to keep the weapon out. Finally, it and the sutras fell to the ground

 

But the attack did its job and forced his attention off the other two attacks. With the Tetsusaiga, glowing red with its barrier breaking ability, Inuyasha swung the sword out releasing the energized wind scar. Following the attack was an arrow glowing brightly with purification. They struck the barrier at the same time and shattered it, but didn't stop there. Both arrow and wind scar blew through Naraku, obliterating him.

 

 

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Naraku lifted his head up and opened his eyes. His back was against the wall of his room in his newly acquired castle, one hidden by barriers to keep unwanted visitors away. What brought Naraku out of the trance he was in was the destruction of his demon puppet. He smiled to himself though because it had done its job before its destruction. Now the only things to do were place the shards and watch the fun. By the time it was over, the so-called “heroes” would be tired from chasing after Kalin. There would be quick travel and fighting along the way for them. He knew that Kalin was strong, but at this point he wasn't sure if he was strong enough to take on the entire group. But by the end he knew Inuyasha's death would be certain. He laid several shards on the floor in front of him and nodded his head towards them. From the dark corners of the castle a buzzing could be heard as a group of Saimyoushou appeared and descended to each pick up a single shard. Each demon wasp flew out the open window in the room and headed off in different directions. Naraku smiled once more.

 

“Let the games begin.”

 

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“Keh, it's just another one of his stupid puppets.” Inuyasha said as he kicked the twisted and decayed tree limbs, roots and dirt, components that made up Naraku's demon puppet, away from the baboon pelt on the ground. “Should have known that he wouldn't really come in person.” He grumbled. He and the rest stood around the remains along with Kaede and Lennex. The rest of the villagers returned to their homes. The small attack and the appearance of Kalin and Naraku was more then enough excitement for them in one night.

 

“What are we going to do about this new problem?” Sango asked, looking at her friends. They all wore thoughtful expressions on their face but to Lennex he knew what their answer would be. He may not have been around them that long but he was around enough to know that they weren't going to sit around idle.

 

“We stop him is what we're going to do.” Inuyasha said, conviction lacing his voice.

 

“You realize it's a trap. Why else would he want us to know what he was planning?” Miroku spoke up. “Our destruction is the only thing he could gain by us knowing his plan. While simpler then Naraku's normal schemes, it will have the same effect. The jewel shards we have will be in his possession and all the shards will be tainted even more with us being murdered by Kalin.”

 

“You sound like we already lost monk. Have a little faith. I don't care if he can fly and do the things he does, he's still only human.” Inuyasha replied to the monk.

 

Miroku held his hand that wasn't clutching his staff up in a sign of placation. “I wasn't suggesting that we would lose, just pointing out the fact that it is a trap with our deaths planned at the end of it. But even though it is a trap we have to spring it. I won't let countless lives be butchered if there was anything I could do about it.”

 

The rest looked at Miroku in a new light. They knew he was noble at heart but a declaration like this usually didn't pass his lips. The girls smiled their agreement at Miroku but Inuyasha gave him an inquisitive stare.

 

“Why the sudden rush of nobility?” he asked the monk. Miroku bowed his head and held his free hand up in front of him in a gesture of prayer.

 

“It is my duty to make sure all creatures of Buddha live prosperous and happy lives. To not defend them against evil would be failing Buddha. Besides,” at this point he opened one eye and his mouth curved up in a smirk. “I hear the women in the village east of us are of exquisite beauty, and to let them perish would be a great sin.”

 

If there was anymore to Miroku's words they were cut off when the business end of Hiraikotsu impacted with his skull. Sango walked back towards Kaede's hut, Kagome and Kaede in tow, both the other woman looking back at Miroku in shock and wonder. Inuyasha stood above the now floored monk, his arms crossed in front of him, hands tucked into his sleeves.

 

“You never learn, do you lecher?” he said. Miroku rolled to his back, a hand on his head, but an expression of happiness on his face. Shippo hopped up on Lennex's shoulder and peered at the monk, and then at the other two. “He really is an idiot isn't he?” Inuyasha snorted and walked towards the village. Lennex continued to stare at the monk and shook his head.

 

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Once they were back at Kaede's with a now coherent Miroku they discussed the new problem again. Lennex hung back and listened to them talk about the shards and how to defeat Kalin. He was trying to make his own decision on the best way to help. He didn't know how long it would take Bulma to figure out the mystery of the well so help from that end was going to be nonexistent. He could, however, tell them what he knew about Kalin's abilities. It was a start at least. He waited till they finished discussing a plan of action and cleared his throat. When they all had looked at him he spoke.

 

“Kalin is human, like Inuyasha and Naraku said, but his power isn't magical or spiritual or demonic like you guys have been theorizing. He is using his own body's power.” When they didn't say anything he continued. “A person has their own energy, a life force. Some call it Ki, others Chi and others Chakra. What it all boils down to is an energy field that is produced by the body that can be controlled and shaped at will. Kind of like the Force.” He glanced around and saw 4 sets of raised eyebrows. He glanced at Kagome and shook his head. “Right, 500 years too early. Anyway, if a person studies long enough and practices hard enough, you can use your energy to do the things he was doing; flight, strength, speed, and energy manipulation. And from what I gather these jewel shards of yours can increase someone's power. I have to tell you he is strong.”

 

Finally one of them spoke up. “How is it you know all this?” Miroku asked. The rest looked at him, the same question in their eyes.

 

Well it's like this. I spent some time studying to use these abilities. Honestly I'm quite powerful, usually. Ever since the accident at the well I haven't been able to channel my power. I know it's a bit hard to believe but you saw the proof in Kalin. I'm trained to sense power levels and his was high. Your demon powers are bit of a mystery to me but they are almost on par with his.” This last part he directed to Inuyasha. They all looked at him not really saying much. Lennex grew a bit nervous at their stares but Kagome finally broke the silence. “He hasn't lied to us yet. I think he's telling the truth. I mean if you would have asked me a few years ago if demons existed I would have told you no.”

 

The rest nodded after processing the statement.

 

“Well now we know what were dealing with, that is a definite help.” Miroku said. “Now what do we propose we do?”

 

“Start for the closest village at first light, that's what we do.” Inuyasha said. “We try to keep pace with him. If we can get the shards and get out of the village we can spare those people and have him come for us. If he gets there before us, we know what happens. We're going to have to move fast. Kagome and I will go back to her time, pick up some stuff that will help us. It's not like were going to have time to hunt for our own food, well need instant things from her time.”

 

The rest nodded their head in agreement. Lennex spoke up again. “If you're going back, I'd like you to take a message to Bulma. I'd like her to know that contact with us is going to be nil till this problem gets solved.” As for the food I can give you one of my capsules. You saw how much food one of those contains. That will help you guys out in the speed factor. I wish I could help you, but at this point, whatever is wrong with me saps my energy pretty good. I'd be in your way.”

 

“That's quite all right my friend,” Miroku said standing up and walking over to Lennex. “You have given us knowledge on our enemy, which is a great bit of help.”

 

Miroku continued towards the door. “I will go get some supplies here that will help us on the journey while you are gone to Kagome's time. Sango?”

 

Sango nodded her head and stood to follow Miroku. Inuyasha and Kagome also stood to go. Lennex quickly brought out the recorder and turned on, leaving a brief but detailed message for Bulma. He handed the device to Kagome and the four exited the hut. He stared at the cook fire for a bit till a voice broke him out of his thoughts.

 

“Fear not child, they are quite good at what they do. They will succeed as they always have.” Kaede said to him as she prepared some more herbs, probably for the journey. He believed her when she said they were good, but it still nagged on him that this type of thing was usually not a problem for him. He cleared his mind and tried to raise his power. As before the power would not come and he was left feeling more tired then he was before.

 

“You ok?”

 

Lennex looked up at the fox kit and smiled. “I'm ok Shippo. I just wish there was more I could do.”

 

Shippo nodded his head. “I feel that way a lot. But Kagome once told me that as long as I keep trying to do what I can and to do it the best I can then there isn't anything more I could do.”

 

Lennex nodded his head in agreement as he thought to himself, here I am stranded in the past, being given sage advice from a kid. Had he done everything he could do? He thought about the Dragonballs. He could have had them get the radar from Bulma and search for them, but if his calculations were correct and he was sure that they were, Kami wouldn't be on Earth for another seventy or so years, so the Dragonballs wouldn't exist in this time. And he was pretty sure that while the dragon was powerful, there wasn't any way it could grant a wish in the future to affect the past.

 

If only Korin had some Senzu beans. He could have had Kagome grab a couple and he was sure that by eating one, whatever effects he was feeling now would be gone. And he could fight. But the Senzu were gone. They had probably used the last of them up in a fight or a sparring match taken too far. He heard Korin gripe about how the things weren't easy to grow and since the little boy known as Goku had found his tower; he had nothing but trouble keeping the beans in stock. And Lennex could agree now with Korin, that they did use the beans too much. If they would have used them only in life or death situations then there would be one available to him.

 

Lennex shook his head. No sense in beating a dead horse. He stood up to walk outside and his thoughts all came tumbling back to him in an instant. Before Goku came about there were lots of Senzu beans. Korin was a deity in his own right and from what he knew of ancient history, Korin was around a lot longer then Kami was. He knew that because Korin talked about the previous Guardians of Earth before Kami. He might not have any beans in the future; but what about in this time?

 

“Lady Kaede, I have a question for you.” He spoke, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice, for he didn't want to get hopes up if he was wrong. “Is there talk or stories or do you have a general knowledge about a tower that stretches into the sky, probably, oh a hundred or so miles south from here?”

 

Kaede shook her head “I am not sure because I'm not sure what a mile is.” Lennex almost smacked his head. He had to keep reminding himself that this was the past. He did a few quick calculations in his head.

 

“About 40 to 45 ri south of here.” He said with the new distance.

 

Kaede thought about it for a moment but shook her head in a negative. “I am sorry but I am really not familiar with anything more then 20 ri radius from here. I have lived here a long time and don't generally travel that far. However, Miroku met the others south of here. He has traveled quite a bit; he or perhaps Sango might know more.”

 

“It's worth a shot, thank you Kaede.” Lennex said he then turned to Shippo. “Think you can track down Miroku and Sango?”

 

The kit nodded his head and took a few breaths through his nose. He nodded again and went through the door, Lennex not far behind him.

 

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It only took them about ten minutes to locate the two and when they did Lennex had to clamp a hand over the kits mouth before he said anything. They were standing by a hut with some newly acquired food stuffs but the fact that Sango was in Miroku's arms was what almost set the kit off. Lennex sort of suspected there might be something between the two, although Miroku certainly had his own unique way of showing it. It wasn't that they were doing anything other then hugging, but from Shippo's almost explosive reaction, he knew this was something that didn't occur often. They had spotted them as they had rounded a hut just down the dirt path that was used as a street in the village. Before Shippo said anything he quickly grabbed he kit and pulled back out of sight. He released the kit's mouth and said, “Now I know that you want to make a comment or two but let's wait till Miroku is alone. No sense in embarrassing Sango eh?” The young demon considered it and nodded in agreement. While he had gotten the urge to help all those in need from Goku, and most of his viciousness and fighting prowess from Vegeta, one of the gifts he had received from Piccolo, was the ability to read people to a fault. He wasn't always right but more often then not, he got a good understanding from body language and actions. And he was sure these two were in love with each other; just for some reason they had not figured out how to express it out in the open.

 

However often these meetings happen he wasn't sure, but if he judged the other two new friends of his right, this was a lot father then those two had taken their relationship. He whispered something in Shippo's ear and the kit nodded. They walked back the road a bit and then turned back around. When the started walking again, Lennex took care to drag his feet a little to make noise he then spoke.

 

“Are we getting any closer to them Shippo? I really need to talk to them.” He said a bit loudly. Shippo replied with the same decibel. “I think they are right up this way.”

 

When they rounded the corner they saw that the two now had a fair amount of distance between them, but the blush in Sango's cheeks was present. Lennex acted like he didn't notice and presented the same question to them that he had asked Kaede.

 

“Father used to talk about a tower like that. No one from our village had ever been there though. The village that lies at the base of the tower was rumored not to like strangers too much,” Sango answered.

 

Miroku nodded his head. “I too have heard of this tower, no one really knows anything about it other than its size. It can be seen from a distance, but as Sango said the villagers really are not friendly, which is odd.”

 

The eyebrow that rose on Lennex's face was enough to make the monk continue.

 

“The monks and holy figures that have passed by this area have spoken of a holy aura. With something like that present you would think the people might be a little nicer.”

 

Lennex could have almost jumped into the air and shouted he was so happy. This was it, Korin's tower. From the stories he'd heard when he first met Goku and the rest, the village didn't like strangers because the tower was precious to them and they didn't want any harm coming to it. But it was definitely here.

 

“I have a new plan.” Lennex said, “And I need you to get me whatever passes for transportation in these parts.”

 

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Upon an impulsive decision and the threat of multiple Sit commands, Kagome and Inuyasha decided to spend the rest of the night in her time. They had gone to a store that was open twenty four hours a day to get food for the journey, and Kagome argued that she wanted to spend time with her family just in case. This had set off a side argument with Inuyasha about how he figured she thought he couldn't protect her and it had ended with a face plant into the hard concrete of the sidewalk. Thankfully the streets weren't that crowded so explanations weren't necessary.

 

When they got home, her mother had made her favorite meal and the newly reunited family and one surly half demon enjoyed dinner together. Afterwards Kagome retired to a bath and left Inuyasha with her mother. Her brother and grandfather had gone out to make sure everything was in order with the shrine for the night.

 

After a little coaxing, Mrs. Higurashi had gotten what was going on between this young man and her daughter. She had to bite her tongue when she did to keep from laughing. The fights these two got in were so childish, and petty and cute. But then most lovers' spats often were. While she knew that nothing had happened in the past that would make a mother of a teenage girl worry, she did know that Kagome loved Inuyasha, and was almost certain he reciprocated.

 

She explained the need to be with family before a dangerous journey, and was sure she had the same argument her daughter had with the half demon. His whole point on his side was it was pointless to worry because he would protect her and she could come back whenever she wanted. Fortunately she was a bit more calm then her daughter and finally explained to Inuyasha why it was important for Kagome.

 

After that Kagome had come out of the bath and spent some time with her family watching TV and talking. A now pacified Inuyasha sat through the night without another negative word. Kagome had gone to bed and slept like a baby in her soft mattress and fresh sheets. Inuyasha sat against bed frame on the floor in his usual sleep position, his sword in scabbard propped against his shoulder. When they awoke it was still dark, but the promise of the sun rising wasn't to far off. Inuyasha went downstairs first to allow Kagome to dress and when she joined him in the kitchen, they ate the small breakfast her mother had left out for them.

 

With their supplies in tow they returned to the past and entered the village just as the Sun's first rays were washing across the village. When they walked up to Kaede's hut they were met with a new site. There was a horse tied up at the front and Lennex and Miroku were finishing tying saddle bags on while Sango made sure the saddle was secure. They waved to the approaching travelers. When they were close enough to talk without shouting Inuyasha asked. “What's with the horse? We've never needed an animal before?”

 

Miroku shook his head and pointed to Lennex. “It isn't for us, it's for him. He's going on a little journey of his own.”

 

Inuyasha and Kagome looked at Lennex. “So where do you think you're going? This isn't exactly a time you're familiar with,” Kagome asked.

 

Lennex finished tying the cord and made sure the satchel wasn't going to fall off, and then looked at the newcomers. He explained the idea he had come up with while they had been gone. When he was done the two could not think of any arguments against it. The only thing that worried them was, as Kagome said, this not being his era. When she voiced her concern Lennex was ready with an answer.

 

“I'm taking one of you as a guide.” He saw Inuyasha about to protest and quickly held up his hands. “I know that you need everyone together for this upcoming fight, but I'm taking Shippo. He wouldn't be that effective against Kalin, and I need someone who knows both demon and humans. Sides with what I know I hope to help the little guy out when it comes to a fight.” At the mention of fighting and Shippo in the same sentence, Inuyasha snorted. “The runt does pretty good but I wouldn't expect him to be that much help in any fight.”

 

Lennex grinned and shot back, “I know, and I hope to wipe that belief from your mind. Give me some time. I may not have shown it but I'm very good at what I do.” Shippo walked out of Kaede's hut with a few of his own supplies and hopped up on the horse to put his things in one of the satchels. Kagome noticed that he brought some of the paper and crayons she brought him. As a child it wasn't unusual for him to have that kind of thing, but with what she had seen of Shippo's drawings, he was a very talented artist. She knew that when they returned to the village his drawings would be like a picture diary of this trip.

 

After everything was settled with the horse Lennex pulled himself up into the saddle. . He'd rode when he was younger and hoped riding a horse was like riding a bicycle and that one never forgot. Miroku walked up and handed a scroll to Lennex.

 

“It's a map of the surrounding area. I marked a good route to get you close to where you're going. When you reach the last destination on the map, you'll have to find someone in that area to show you the rest of the way.”

 

Miroku backed away and Sango approached him. “I know you have abilities of your own but since your unable to use them I brought you a gift of protection.” She handed him a small bag. “These items are general purpose repellents and guards against demons. I hope they serve you well. And if they don't I also offer you this.”

 

She reached around behind her and pulled something from off her back behind the Hiraikotsu. When her arm reappeared she held a katana. “I had to trade a few family secrets in the demon exterminator world for this but I feel you should have a weapon also. Have you ever used a sword?”

 

Lennex nodded his head as he accepted the sword. While he was still human he had trained with weapons such as the katana and staff, he hoped he remembered those skills too. It had been awhile since he'd used anything else but his body. With a wave to their friends, he and Shippo started off heading south. They watched him go and after a few minutes Inuyasha finally spoke.

 

“Come on guys, we got our own trip to start.”

 

With that they gathered up their things and started to head out of the village themselves. Heading on an eastwardly course. They hoped they would get to the closest village before Kalin did. Already Kagome could start to feel the fluttering feeling in her mind that represented a jewel shard. By the time they exited the boundaries of the village, the sun had risen all the way past the horizon, and the day had started in full.