InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Down the Rabbit Hole ❯ Dreams Becoming Nightmares ( Chapter 2 )

~*~AN~*~ Okay, I didn't get many reviews for the first chapter, but I had to write another one before my muse beat me to death with the idea. For the next chapter I'll need some more reviews. I want to know that people actually enjoy the story. Oh, and I will never put warnings, pairings, disclaimers, etc. in the AN. They will be in the box above where the story information is located.

 

“Wind scar!”

 

As the energy shot forth from the blade towards the opponent, the Kitsune managed to dodge the shot, unwilling to test the strength of his beloved blade against such attacks just yet. His blade had no such abilities, but he was flexible and skilled enough in his swordsmanship that he easily danced around the attacks the Inu hanyou threw his way.

 

The Kitsune's mind began to slip back into the old routine of a soldier and the persona of Shinigami came forth. A wicked smile slid across the pale face as the violet eyes glittered with anticipation. This was a worthy opponent and Shinigami would enjoy bringing him to his knees. Unconsciously, the Kitsune began tapping into his youki, using the demonic energy to use the illusions that were a staple of the Kitsune clans. The man used the play of shadow and light under the cover of the trees to shift closer to the hanyou, the Gundanium metal blade just barely slipping past the Inu's collar bone.

 

The hanyou countered, using how close the Kitsune was to his advantage and taking a swipe at the porcelain face. Claws raked against his opponent's cheek, but left only shallow cuts that would be fully healed within the hour. The two males only managed to do minor damage to each other as they clashed swords, the Kitsune staying far too close to allow the hanyou to unleash any more devastating attack.

 

“This is ridiculous!” Kagome shouted from the sidelines. The two males were getting more involved in the fight and she was worried one would actually seriously harm the other. Actually, she was more worried for Inuyasha. She had finally gotten him to calm down a bit, and he had grown as a fighter and a pack leader, becoming more responsible. More than that, Kagome had finally gotten him to admit his feelings for her, and she didn't want to lose him so soon after they had begun something more.

 

Miroku leaned closer to Sango to whisper to her, “Do you think this is a good idea? To let them continue? We really don't know much about Duo, and I'm getting a strange feeling about him...”

 

Duo suddenly jerked away from Inuyasha, making sure he was out of immediate attack range, and clapped a hand over his nose and mouth, starting to cough. A second later Inuyasha was growling, attention turned to the south.

 

“What is it, Inuyasha?” Kagome asked as she stepped forward, concerned.

 

“Naraku.” The reply was growled as Inuyasha readied his weapon.

 

“That smell? You mean that smell is Naraku? Ugh! How can anyone smell that bad?!” Duo exclaimed, more concerned with how to spare his nose than Inuyasha.

 

Naraku's scent grew closer, and with each passing second the entire group seemed to tense. Duo's nose began to get used to the stench of the enemies miasma and was able to drop his hand from his nose, readying his sword just as Inuyasha was. The rest of the group was gearing up for a confrontation as well, each preparing their weapon of choice as the young Kitsune stuck by Kagome's side.

 

The group had moved to a clearing away from the village so the little scuffle between Duo and Inuyasha wouldn't do any damage to the fields or huts, something for which they were glad for. Now Naraku couldn't use the village against them or terrorize innocent people. Duo began to growl as he picked up on Naraku's youki, crackling against his own in a distant challenge. His ears swiveled frantically and his nose twitched, trying to provide him with as much sensory knowledge about this Naraku as he could get.

 

Inuyasha was much calmer, until Naraku entered the clearing. He let out a growl and took a defensive stance as Duo fell into a similar stance beside him. As the two most powerful males they unconsciously took on the responsibility to protect, or at the very least provide cover for the rest of the pack.

 

~*~*~

 

Sesshomaru was traveling the countryside with Rin and Jaken. He hated the little toad youkai, and saw no purpose for him to follow when they went out in search of Naraku. The little creature was no help in protecting Rin, as the young human was taller, probably stronger, and definitely had more courage. He needed to find a real youkai fighter that he could trust to protect his young ward. Unfortunately, that left out every warrior in his army. There were already whispers among his court that Sesshomaru was beginning to become like his father, showing mercy and even affections towards a human.

 

The Taiyoukai could deal with the whispers, but when his own servants hissed and growled at his ward and whispered threats to her is when he became outraged. That was why he never left his charge at the castle, finding the battlefields a safer place for her than the very building she should be able to call home. For the young girl, home was only where Sesshomaru was.

 

The only youkai he trusted was his uncle, Shingi, who was his late mother's only sibling and was a true and loyal advisor to his father, even after he had betrayed his mate's memory and took a human as a second mate. When he was forced to leave his ward's side while home he put Rin in Shingi's charge, and could be confident that she would be alive and happy while he was gone. Shingi had also been the only youkai to understand that having Rin by his side was a good thing.

 

Sesshomaru's court had been worried since his childhood that he would not be able to find a suitable mate. His cold, hard demeanor left no room for emotions, not even love or lust. Shingi was the only one to know that Sesshomaru had been with lovers before, and he was the only one to know that the great Lord of the West held no preference when it came to the gender of his lover. Sesshomaru required his lovers to be submissive to him, but strong enough to satisfy him, and they had to hold a certain level of beauty and grace.

 

Though he'd had lovers, and had plenty of potential to choose a mate from among them, it was Rin that would have the final say in his decision. His future mate must be able to bare him pups, an heir, but they also must accept Rin as their own as he had. Shingi saw this as a good sign because the Lord was looking for a tolerant mate with enough compassion to take care of a human pup that is not their own. It would gain favor with the people and soften the fearful image Sesshomaru had created for himself. He had only wished he could pull Shingi away from the castle, but he had far too many responsibilities as the acting Lord while Sesshomaru was away.

 

The Taiyoukai was pulled from his musings when the stench of Naraku reached his nose. He growled softly, picking up his pace to meeting the vial hanyou in battle and causing his traveling companions to take up a jogging pace in order to keep up with him. When he neared the clearing he could see Naraku, taunting his brother and the small pack that followed him. He noticed a new male among the pack, and recognized the scent as a Kitsune. Maybe he was a teacher for the Kit? He was only three parts youkai, but that was more than his brother, so he was curious as to why this male traveled with them.

 

He waited in the cover of the forest, motioning for Rin and Jaken to keep quiet as they finally caught up to him. They were down wind, so they wouldn't be detected until they chose to be. Jaken sat himself down to catch his breathe while Rin stepped up beside Sesshomaru, watching the scene with him. She had a sharp eye for strategy at her young age, a fact that made the youkai Lord quite proud.

 

~*~*~

 

Naraku had been surprised at the amount of restraint the Inu hanyou was showing and he soon grew tired of taunting him. His attention turned to the new face among the group, flicking out a tentacle to put the Kitsune on the defensive as he attempted to unnerve him.

 

“Well, well. Has the Inu hanyou finally been able to tame himself a youkai? Though, you aren't a full-blooded youkai, either, are you? Do you know what you are?”

 

Duo dodged the tentacle easily enough, and simply let a smirk slide across his face as Naraku began to speak. He let out a chuckle from deep in his chest. “Of course I know what I am. I am Shinigami, Death.”

 

The answer was a natural one for the ex-Gundam pilot, but showed his enemy that he would not be easily unnerved. It also seemed to draw the rest of the group's attention towards him, slightly taken aback by his comment, as well as the attention of the Lord of the West, still hidden in past the forest line.

 

“Death, are you? Seems to be a fairly large claim for someone who is only three parts youkai. Tell me; was you mother the hanyou bitch? Were your parents even mated? Most likely not. No youkai would mate a filthy hanyou.”

 

“Filthy hanyou? Such words coming from you? I'm surprised seeing as you're a hanyou yourself. Or have you manage to trick your mind into thinking you're a youkai? Such a pity.” Duo snickered as he gave back as good as he got, and he could tell Naraku was not pleased. Another tentacle was shot his way as the enemy continued.

 

“I won't be a hanyou, not for much longer. All I need to do is finish off Inuyasha's little wench and complete the Shikon no Tama.” He wasted no more time with words as he lashed out at the group.

 

Duo dodged what he could, slicing through the tentacles that tried to slither their way past him and towards the others. Inuyasha tried to give himself the time and space to use his Wind Scar, but it was proving to be difficult as the tentacles they cut down were replaced almost immediately. Kagome had to be careful of her aim when releasing arrows with Inuyasha and Duo standing between her and Naraku, but she managed to purify any of the tentacles that came near her and the Kit. Sango took to the air on Kirara for her attacks, and Miroku beat back what he could with this staff, being unable to use his wind tunnel.

 

First Inuyasha was thrown to the ground by a tentacle, and then Kagome managed to get hit, but got off an arrow, purifying the appendage that was headed for Sango. The hoshi was picked up and flung off to the side. Duo was knocked down, only to roll back up to his feet once more. Inuyasha was flung back as Duo charged Naraku, getting nailed in the chest with a tentacle. He was flung onto his back, coughing violently as the wind got knocked out of him. They couldn't seem to get much closer, only Sango had any sort of advantage, but the second the Kitsune thought it he saw her and Kirara get slapped out of the sky.

 

Duo growled, righting himself and raising his sword. He was frustrated, but instead of charging, as Inuyasha had just done, he let himself calm, Shinigami coming back to the surface again. His violet eyes darkened as he smirked and ran straight towards Naraku, his mind registering the tentacles as if they were enemy mobile suits. Shinigami took advantage of the bodies heightened senses and strength, using his surroundings as catapults to launch himself toward Naraku.

 

Inuyasha saw him coming up, but without anything around him to take another leap, the Kitsune would fall short, so the hanyou swallowed his pride, knowing that at the moment the Kitsune had the best shot at Naraku. He dashed forward, holding out his hands as if he were preparing to give Duo a small boost over a wall, and braced himself. The harsh rubber sole of Duo's boot landed in the hanyou's palm, surprisingly light, before pushing off and heading straight towards Naraku, sword ready.

 

~*~*~

 

Sesshomaru had been watching intently from the tree line, not surprised that the group had only managed to get so close. No one member was particularly strong, so if they wished to defeat Naraku they'd have to do it as a pack. Little Rin even understood this, though she held no ties to her pride like a warrior would. He snorted softly, watching as one by one, the group was slapped to the ground. It didn't even seem like the new male had any sort of skill that could be of use, even though it was evident that he was the most observant of the group.

 

The Taiyoukai's interest was peaked when the adult Kitsune, not much younger than himself, seemed to go through a shift in his disposition. He became colder, calmer, and more focused. He began to exude the aura of a leader, of someone who knew strategy and war, and he leaped into action. He was surprised by the Kitsune's show of grace and power, but what he found even more surprising was that his half-brother also recognized this and managed to push aside his pride to help the Kitsune reach his target. `Perhaps this Sesshomaru's half-brother has finally learned.'

 

His attention is drawn to the Kitsune once more when he heard is ward's sharp intake of breath. He had made it to Naraku and managed to bring down his sword, injuring the hanyou. It only served to piss him off, and the Kitsune pushed off a tentacle, trying to forcing himself back away and let another pack member attack or defend as they saw fit, only he wasn't quite quick enough. Sesshomaru sighed, `He would have had the time if a pack member had thought to attack and distract the hanyou.'

 

He watched as a tentacle snatched the warrior from the air and squeezed him before throwing him into the ground. A yelp was let loose as the Kitsune hit the ground, struggling to at least crawl out of range before Naraku could snatch him up again. Unfortunately the others had attacked while he was being handled, and were now all tangled in their own situations. The youkai Lord was comfortable with letting them struggle for a bit longer, only wishing to jump in if it looked as though Naraku was going to get his hands on the jewel shards the Miko held, but he felt an insistent tug on his kimono sleeve and turned his attention to his ward just as the Kitsune was picked up once more.

 

“Help him, Sesshomaru-sama… please?” Rin's plea was just barely over a whisper, wanted to keep quiet, as she'd been instructed. He could not refuse his ward.

 

“You will stay here with Jaken. This Sesshomaru will come to collect you when it is safe.”

 

The little girl nodded vigorously and gave a bright smile to her protector in thanks. Sesshomaru's lip twitched a bit in an answering smile. It was almost impossible to notice when looking at him, but Rin could tell the difference. He left the cover of the forest and pulled the Tokijin, reading his sword for battle before coming up behind the hanyou. He leapt for him, managing slice through a good many tentacles before Naraku turned on him. He snarled, angry that the Lord of the West had caught him off guard.

 

Inuyasha was actually glad to see his brother for once, though he was sure he had been there for at least most of the fight, if not all of it. `That ass does have a tendency to be annoying like that.' He had managed to free himself and Kagome from Naraku's grasp, while keeping the Kit safe, but not without a few injuries. In Naraku's fury he threw Duo back down to the ground. The Kitsune didn't move right away, which worried Kagome, but he slowly looked up towards where his sword had been discarded the first time he was thrown down. He struggled a bit, trying to crawl towards it. The down time he was allotted during Naraku's distraction allowed him to regain a bit of his energy, his minor cuts and bruises already beginning to heal, but he had taken too much damage from being thrown around.

 

Naraku had really outdone himself this time. He was much stronger than before, but Sesshomaru had managed to give him a run for his money, while Inuyasha and the rest of the group jumped on the chance to attack while their enemy was distracted. Even though the Taiyoukai was fairing better, he didn't escape unscathed. He was pushed backward, slamming back into a tree. He winced as his metal armor bit into his back, the wood of the tree cracking under his weight. He looked up to see Naraku pushing back the others before turning back to the Kitsune. He wanted to finish off the seemingly weak one, so he had one less enemy to deal with. His keen eyes picked out his ward running toward the wounded ally and he cursed, running to keep Rin protected.

 

Duo saw the girl running for him and blinked. `Where the hell did she come from?!' The battlefield was no place for a child, and he feared she would get hurt. He knew Heero had a similar experience; a little girl out with her dog who was later killed by a small miscalculation. He didn't want that kind of memory. He already had the ones from his past to deal with. He used what little energy he had regained to push himself up and moved towards the young girl, grabbing her and pulling her down. He shielded her with his body as he looked back to see if he could call on someone for help, but when he saw a tentacle coming he made sure the girl was covered and safe.

 

Naraku laughed as he whipped the Kitsune across the back. “Well, well, Sesshomaru. You should train your ningen pets better. At least Inuyasha's wench is old enough to fight. The child really is useless, so I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I got rid of her for you, ne.”

 

Two growls were heard; one being Sesshomaru's as his eyes began to bleed red and the other was Duo, who glared back at the hanyou while shielding the child. He locked eyes with the youkai Lord, communicating silently. He would shield the girl while Sesshomaru would eliminate the threat. The Lord of the West charged, much too angry to be bothered by the tentacles that lashed out at him, trying to beat him back. Naraku was not successful and Sesshomaru viciously attacked when he got within range. The hanyou took a nasty slash across the chest, throwing up a protective barrier and knocking Sesshomaru back. He used the time to flee, like he had every other time before.

 

“Bastard!” Inuyasha shouted as Naraku fled. Everyone else let out a sigh of relief, happy that they could rest and heal whatever wounds they had acquired.

 

No one approached Sesshomaru, who was still growling and snarling in the direction Naraku had disappeared. Jaken, the cowardly imp, finally emerged from the forest and walked towards Rin and the Kitsune. Duo sat up, letting the girl up and looking her over to make sure she wasn't hurt. She gave him a big smile, and he couldn't help but smile back.

 

“Rin's name is Rin! What's your name?”

 

Duo chuckled. “My name is Duo. What-“ He was interrupted by the Taiyoukai.

 

“Rin, this Sesshomaru told you to stay in the cover of the forest.”

 

“Rin is very sorry, Sesshomaru-sama.” The little girl's head drooped, but her spirits were lifted when Sesshomaru rested his hand on her head. It was a silent way of saying that she was forgiven, and that she shouldn't attempt it again. Duo smiled at the display. Something about the tall youkai reminded him of home. It might have been how he seemed so much like a mix of his friends, his own “pack” of sorts.

 

“Are you her caretaker?” Duo spoke to the youkai, though not exactly expecting an answer.

 

“Rin is this Sesshomaru's ward,” only answering the Kitsune, Duo, because he had protected Rin, “Your sword.”

 

Duo was surprised when his katana was inserted into the ground before him, the sheathe and cloth wrap back with his duffle bag. He grabbed onto the hilt, but instead of pulling it free he used it to help him stand, not certain if had regained enough energy to be sure on his feet. He listened as the others drew closer Kagome yelling about how he shouldn't attempt to stand. He waved her off, finding himself able to stand on his own, before pulling his sword from the ground, wiping the blade off on his jeans.

 

The little imp thing was stuttering, trying to explain to Sesshomaru how Rin had managed to escape his charge. Apparently the imp was her keeper when the youkai wasn't around. Duo snorted to himself, knowing that little thing couldn't possibly be capable of protecting Rin from very much. Sesshomaru only ignored him, but what little Rin said managed to catch Duo's attention.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, can we stay until we're sure Duo-sama is all better?”