InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Down the Rabbit Hole ❯ Shadow Warrior ( Chapter 6 )

~*~AN~*~ Okay, so I'm back. It's helped my stress level to write out more to this story, so I was able to get out a good amount. And yes, to quell some curiosity, I am working to make this a Sessx2 central story, and Quatre and Trowa will make a few appearances.

 

Shingi was perched under a large dogwood tree in the castle's private gardens. His charge was busy running through the stone path, stopping only briefly to smell a flower every so often or to try and sneak up on a butterfly. The Inu youkai smiled as he watched the girl in her play. He treated young Rin as if she were his own, which was one of the reasons she was put in his care. He had three sons of his own, ranging from Sesshomaru's age to a little younger than Inuyasha, but he had never been blessed with a daughter. His mate, Eiki, had died during childbirth only a few years after the pervious Western Lord met his fate.

 

He was pulled from his thoughts as he sensed a familiar presence approach the city, but the demonic aura that came with it worried him. He stood with quick and graceful efficiency, catching his sharp, young charges attention.

 

“What's wrong, Shingi-san?”

 

“Inuyasha-sama approaches, but he brings others with him.”

 

Rin squealed with delight, catching her guardian off-guard. She collected the rings of flowers she had crafted earlier and took off towards the castle. Shingi had not been expecting the girl's action, or her speed at accomplishing it. He finally caught up to her and cut off her advance in the Great Hall, mere yards from the castle's exit. He glared at the servants that had obviously decided not to stop the girl before getting that far. Rin was pouting when he turned his attention back to her.

 

“You know you are not allowed out into the surrounding city unless with Sesshomaru-sama. You will find the Lord's office and tell him I went to meet his brother at the gate. There is a dark aura that worries me, so you will not approach unless I or the Lord tell you to.”

 

Rin nodded reluctantly and turned to shuffle off towards Sesshomaru's office. She paused briefly and looked back, but her guardian was waiting for the begging look in her eye and simply shooed her off. She continued on her way. Shingi made his way through the city swiftly and through the open outer gates to stand just outside, his gaze directed off in the direction of the approaching group. One of the guards on duty turned to him, nervousness stalling his question.

 

“Shingi-san,” the vocalization of the name was followed by a swift bow as the Inu's eyes turned to the guard. “W-who is it that… that are looking to approach?”

 

Shingi's eyes flicked back out over the worn dirt path that lead to the gates as he spoke. “Inuyasha-sama and his pack approach. Be vigilant.” Both guards snapped to attention immediately, awaiting their long unofficially exiled Lord.

 

~*~*~

 

Heero was wary about walking into a youkai city with so many humans, one of which being a Miko, and with one of his own wounded. Even so, he carried Duo with a fierce protectiveness, even growling at the other members of their group if they strayed too close. Only the Kit and Wufei were safe near the Alpha Ookami. He eyed the city laid out before them against the base of a small mountain.

 

The wall was high, heavy white stone to match the castle at the city's center. The large outer gates loomed in the near distance, though they were open and what he assumed to be youkai, were wandering freely in and out. There were two guards standing at attention, but what caught his attention was the tall figure standing by them. The figure was staring right at him, and Heero would have mistaken him for Sesshomaru if it weren't for the deep gold hue of his hair, matching the innate golden Inu eyes. Two deep red stripes, almost as dark as blood, adorned his cheeks, but his skin was otherwise flawless. He was dressed in a similar manor to the Western Lord, but instead of being dressed in white the fabric was the same deep red of his stripes.

 

The group slowed to a stop as they approached, with Inuyasha upfront to greet the Inu. The male bowed his head to Inuyasha before looking over the group, his gaze brief but observant, before returning once more to his once exiled charge. There was warmth to his expression no one in the group had been expecting.

 

“Inuyasha-sama, it is certainly a surprise to see you again. You have grown well.”

 

“Shingi-san,” Inuyasha began cautiously, thrown by the warm welcome. “My friend needs to see a healer, preferably a youkai healer. Once he's up we'll be out the city.”

 

Shingi's eyes flicked toward Heero and the unconscious Kitsune in his arms as he was mentioned, but moved back to the younger Lord with a light of disappointment in his eyes. He ignored the soft warning growl he had received from the Ookami.

 

“Are you sure you won't stay longer? Rin-san almost ran down the gate in her excitement to meet with you.”

 

Kagome smiled. “That sounds like Rin, alright.” The lack of honorific caught Shingi's attention, but he didn't bother drawing attention to it. That was for his Lord to correct. Inuyasha spoke up.

 

“I'm sure Sesshomaru wouldn't want us to stay any longer than we had to.” Shingi sighed, thinking on the stubbornness of the two brothers to communicate with each other.

 

“Very well than.” Shingi turned and began walking down the central stone path, the only stone laid path in the city it seemed. The group followed behind, but at a slower pace, trying to take in the city that they were guided through. The group unconsciously shifted their formation to put the humans, and more importantly, Kagome, into the center. Wufei noticed immediately that the people seemed the most leery of him, being a Riyuu. There was a hushed whispering that seemed to follow the group through the city as they all speculated about why the younger Lord was back and who trailed behind him. The aura the followed the group, centered on the sword laying on the unconscious Duo, kept them at bay as well, but also increased their whispers.

 

A young youkai child was watching from the front of the crowd and was viciously pushed forward by a few of the older children behind him. He let out a yelp as he was thrown forward, landing at Wufei's feet. A woman, most likely the child's mother, gasped and moved forward, but hesitated to come close enough to the Riyuu to grab her child. Wufei glared at her, appalled that she would leave her child to a potential enemy to safe herself. He let out a reptilian hiss in her direction as he crouched down to the child.

 

The small boy was quivering and staring up and the Chinese youkai with wide eyes filled with fear. He smiled in an attempt to ease the boy's fear, holding his hand out towards the child. The group had all paused to watch, the golden eyes of the Inu youkai taking a particular interest.

 

“Are you alright?” The boy eyed his hand before looking back up at Wufei. He nodded rapidly before attempting to stand on his own. Wufei's hand swooped down to help him. He left out a yelp, but calmed when he realized he was standing and unharmed. The young boy smiled at the Riyuu suddenly, bowed his head, and ran off towards his mother. Wufei turned his attention on the mother once more.

 

“You should be willing to protect your child at all costs, woman. It is dishonorable of a parent to leave their child to the mercy of a potential enemy because of their fear.”

 

Heero rolled his eyes at his lover's typical preaching of honor, and they both turned to continue on their way. The rest of the group did as well, still agitated at being in the middle of a youkai city and glad trouble hadn't started. Shingi took that as his queue and continued down the stone path towards the castle.

 

The hushed whispers of the crowd seemed to grow louder into more of a quiet chatter as the youkai began gossiping about what they had just witnessed, but that noise soon died away as they moved away from the city and reached the inner gate. The gate swung inward and four guards were standing at attention just inside. Just before them was a small female youkai, a servant by her clothing and demeanor, with her head bowed. She spoke in a steady and calm manner, but without meeting the eyes of any that had approached.

 

“A messenger has informed Sesshomaru-sama that a healer was needed. I am to escort the wounded to the healer's quarters. The Lord has requested that Shingi-san escort the others to his study immediately.” Shingi nodded in acknowledgement and turned back to the group.

 

“Who will be escorting the young Lord?” The title threw the group off, but Shingi was so used to listening to Rin's stories and the honorifics she used, he assumed the unconscious braided Kitsune was a Lord.

 

“Wufei and I will take him.” Heero spoke up. It was clear he wouldn't be relinquishing his hold on Duo anytime soon, so the group agreed. Inuyasha also had a few words to say.

 

“Sango, Miroku, you should go with Heero and Wufei, too. And take Kirara. Sesshomaru hates cats.” He would have order Kagome to follow the others as well, but he knew she'd argue with him, and the Kit wouldn't leave her side in such a large and unfamiliar place.

 

Heero scowled, but could understand the reasoning. From what he'd heard, and somewhat witnessed, Sesshomaru didn't think fondly of humans. It would make sense to send as many of the humans as possible to the safer of the two locations. The servant bowed her head and turned, motioning for the group to follow as she led them off towards the healer's quarters.

 

Once the rest of the group was almost out of sight Shingi turned to the three remaining. The Miko looked increasingly nervous, never having been to the Western castle before, or any other Lord's castle. The small Kitsune also looked borderline frightened and he clung tightly to the Miko. Shingi locked eyes with Inuyasha.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama will meet with you in his study. The young Rin-san is with him now, as well, so the Kit will have company.”

 

The Kit perked up a bit at the news, but it was short-lived as Shingi turned motioning for the others to follow. Inuyasha slipped his arm behind Kagome, keeping her close and effectively sticking the Shippou between them. Shingi allowed himself a small smile at the display as he led them through the winding hallways that had been designed to confuse any unfamiliar intruder.

 

All too soon they were standing in front of an ornately carved sliding door. Shingi knocked softly, the sound easily carried to the ears of the room's occupant. A firm `enter' was heard and Shingi carefully slide the door open, standing aside to allow the others to enter ahead of him. He slid the door closed behind them as he also entered.

 

Sesshomaru was sitting behind a low desk on a cushion; books, scrolls, and hand-drawn maps were spread out over the desk. Two other cushions were situated on the opposite side of the desk. The room was otherwise very tidy, with large bookshelves holding both books and scrolls lining the walls. There was a screen leading out to a small patch of garden on the far end of the room and the frolicking of the young girl could be heard.

 

“Inuyasha, Miko, this Sesshomaru figured you would send all the others with Duo-san. Sit, and Shingi can take the Kit outside to pay with Rin. If that is alright.”

 

“I'm surprised you let us in at all. It's no secret that you hate me, a hanyou, and I keep the company of humans.”

 

“You're companions are of no concern to this Sesshomaru as long as they cause no trouble. As for you, it may come as a surprise, but this Sesshomaru does not hate you. There is a certain discontent this Sesshomaru feels for you, but not hatred. Now sit.”

 

The hand at Kagome's back urged her to sit first, so she settled herself down with Shippou still in her arms. Inuyasha settled himself onto the cushion next to her and glanced over as the Kit whispered in her ear.

 

“Kagome, can I go play with Rin-chan?” Kagome's eyes held a bit of uncertainty for a second, but she smiled and nodded.

 

“Sure, but you behave yourself for Shingi-san. You hear?” The Kit nodded enthusiastically and hopped down from his adoptive mother's arms. He raced off towards the screen, which was left partially open in anticipation of their arrival. Shingi smiled and followed after the Kit, closing the screen behind him as he left.

 

“Okay, Sesshomaru, what do you want?” The Inu Lord quirked an eyebrow.

 

“This Sesshomaru wants to know about the Kitsune, Duo; his companions as well, but mainly Duo. He carries with him a dark youkai aura this Sesshomaru has never felt before.”

 

~*~*~

 

Duo was carefully laid out on the single futon in one of the rooms the healer used for her patients. The healer herself was an old Taka (1) youkai who had studied youkai medicines and spells since her childhood. As they brought Duo in her eyes had widened and she had hurried to make a comfortable place for him. Now that he was settled, both his swords laid out beside him, she was shooing the rest of them into an adjoining room. Both Heero and Wufei protested, wanting to stay with their friend, but the old Taka's glare rivaled even Heero's and she insisted he would be fine to rest by himself for a moment.

 

Once they were corralled into the next room the old Taka set in on her interrogation of the group, wanting to know anything and everything she could.

 

“The boy is a pack member of yours, yes? Was he since birth? Or did you take him in later?”

 

“He's from my pack, yes.” Heero spoke up. “He only joined us at the age of 15. I don't know much about him from before that. Only that he was orphaned.”

 

“Do you know what lands he roamed before you found him? Or what he did for a living?”

 

Heero frowned, trying to find a way to answer the question without letting the old woman youkai know they were not from that time or lands. “He, and the two of us, are from a distant land. And he has spoken of stealing to survive before, and his skills would support that. I don't know what else he would have done.”

 

The Taka nodded and began to pace around, picking through scrolls and books and collecting bottles and boxes. The group watched her for a short time before Wufei could no longer hold in his impatience.

 

“Healer, do you know what is wrong with Duo, or are you just asking gossiping questions to pass on to you Lord?”

 

The old woman turned back to him, an eyebrow raised. She looked at the Riyuu with some level of indignation, taking offense at being called a gossip. She went about her business and laid her findings out on a small table on the far end of the room. She scanned through them for a moment before nodding to herself and looking up at Wufei.

 

“There is nothing wrong with your friend. He simply sleeps deeply. But the sword your friend carries is what fueled my questions. It is a sentient blade that uses the power and emotions of its wielder to cause damage, and it is the blade of a Kagemusha, whose power has been long thought extinct.”

 

The Taka looked up, past the group and towards the door to room where Duo lay. The blade was calling out, letting others know its master was awake. Heero and Wufei felt it as well and eyed the door, wanting to check on their friend, but hesitating in the presence of the healer. The Taka closed her books and rolled the scrolls back, but left them on her desk as she walked towards now conscious Kitsune.

 

“You may see your friend, but you will not interfere with any questions I must ask him. Kagemusha can be dangerous if not trained properly, and my duty lies in also keeping the Western Lord safe.”

 

~*~*~

 

Duo groaned as consciousness began to return to him, slowly. He was aware of a warm presence at his side and as he reached his hand out to investigate he felt the leather sheathe of his sword and that of another. It was the second sword that gave off the warmth. It was gentle warmth that seemed to strengthen and overwhelm him as he touched it, but it didn't cause him to fear it.

 

Suddenly the blade's energy seemed to flare and his senses were overloaded with input. He gasped and lurched upward, his vision now filled with color trails and edged in shadows. He heard, saw, and felt the approach of others and he let his instinct of self preservation take over. His body melted into the shadows, taking his swords with him, and he kept a careful eye on who was drawing near. The door slide open and an old woman he didn't recognize walked in and paused when she noticed the bed lay empty. His senses were telling him she was a Taka youkai and a healer, a voice whispered to him that she meant him no harm.

 

Duo kept to the shadows, however, as five others approached. He saw Heero and Wufei and it took only a fraction of a second to realize the others with them were members of Inuyasha's pack. The whispers were growing steadily louder, telling him about those in the room, and that they were friends - pack, and also reaching out to whisper of court conspiracies within the nearby reaches of the castle. A castle belonging to the Western Lord, the whispers informed him. He shifted out of the shadows, without ever realizing what he was doing, behind the group. The youkai whipped around, and a second later so did the humans, as Duo's presence was made public.

 

“Duo! Where were you? We thought you were gone.”

 

Duo looked at Wufei, tilting his head to the side. His vision, and all of his other senses, was still over loaded and the whispers were still getting louder. At least now they were reminding him of what event his friend was referencing.

 

“I was here. There-“ he pointed to where he had been standing when they walked into the room. “I heard people coming… wasn't sure where I was… why are they so loud?”

 

“Who is loud, Kitsune?” The healer asked, stepping closer to Duo.

 

“There are whispers, telling me about everything going on… they're getting too loud. And all of my senses are different. It's disorienting…”

 

“You are coming into your powers, boy. The powers of a Kagemusha are broad and great, but it seems you have not been trained.”

 

The word Kagemusha definitely caught Duo's attention as his head cocked to the side with a quick, sharp motion. His eyes focused as his senses cleared a little, the whispers dying down as his memory focused on the image of his mother. She had told him to seek out the Miko's help, didn't she?

 

“Kagome, where is she? She told me to ask Kagome about it.” That caught Heero's attention. He stepped up next to the Taka.

 

“Who told you to ask Kagome?”

 

“Amelia… my mother.”

 

 

(1) Taka - hawk or falcon