InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Down the Rabbit Hole ❯ The Western Castle ( Chapter 7 )

~*~AN~*~ Forgive me for the horribly long delay in getting this written ::bows::! Real life hasn't been too kind to me lately, but I'm getting back on track. And you should see some improvements as I now have a lovely Beta! Thank you, lass48!

 

Heero's head was cocked to the side with a look of analytical concentration on his face. As far as any of them knew, Duo's parents were both dead. And besides that, how had he contacted her from Feudal Japan? His ever curious and rational lover spoke up before he had the chance to ask the numerous questions swirling around in his head. One thing was for sure, the ex-Wing pilot had never been so thrown off balance.

 

“Duo,” Wufei waited until he had the braided man's full attention, “Explain the meeting with your mother to us. Aren't your parents deceased?”

 

“Yes, they are. It was... it was more like a vision, I guess. She wasn't solid, and she couldn't touch me, but I felt her there. She felt so familiar.”

 

“Was she a youkai or a hanyou?”

 

Duo cocked his head, smiling a bit at Wufei. Heero nodded minutely to himself. They both knew where the Chinese man was going with his questions. He was trying to figure everything out, especially how the three of them had come to be able to travel to Feudal Japan and why they weren't quite human there.

 

“She was a hanyou.”

 

“And she told you to seek out the Miko?” The Taka butted in. “Why is that?”

 

He eyed the old woman for a moment, knowing she wasn't a threat, but not too thrilled with her being there as he spoke about his experience. He finally relented, nodding to himself as he made the decision to do so. “My mother said Kagome could help me. That my powers were similar to hers.”

 

The Taka nodded and opened her mouth to speak again, but everyone's attention was drawn to Duo as he tensed and whipped his head around to stare up into a corner of the room. His eyes were unfocused, but narrowed as he raised his lip in a silent snarl. A hand reached down to grip the hilt of his non-sentient blade as he slowly lowered into a crouch.

 

“Wha-” Miroku was unable to finish his question before Duo seemed to shift upwards and blur into the shadows all at once. A sense of panic seized the room as the inhabitants tried to figure out if the Kitsune had left or was simply lurking in the shadows like before. It only took a few seconds of hesitation for the youkai to confirm that he had, in fact, fled the room.

 

“We need to find him! He is untrained and could lash out at anyone! Who knows what the fools of this court speak of when they think they have complete privacy!” The group looked to Heero for guidance, being the only Alpha in the room. He started giving orders immediately.

 

“Miroku, Sango, take Kirara and find Inuyasha! Tell him what's happened, but to not harm Duo! Wufei, take to the skies-”

 

“No!” The Taka squawked. “He is a Ryuu! The guards will panic and attempt to shoot him down for fear of their Lord if he takes his youkai form! I will fly, they will not harm me.”

 

“Then go, Taka-sensei, but don't dare harm Duo.” The Taka bristled, feeling a bit disrespected, but brushed it off due to the urgent situation. The humans had already taken off through the halls, so she too left, using one of the larger windows in the room to take immediate flight. Heero turned to his lover.

 

“I need you to search the grounds immediately surrounding the castle then. He may have gone for someone outside of these walls.”

 

“And you, Heero?”

 

“I'm going to take my Ookami form and sniff him out.”

 

~*~*~

 

“Why do you want to know about Duo?” Inuyasha was confused as to why Sesshomaru would take an interest in the Kitsune. He was also vaguely suspicious of his brother and the hospitality they were being shown so far. He would have expected Sesshomaru to have been annoyed at their presence and gotten rid of them with as little contact as possible.

 

“This Sesshomaru is concerned. There is an old dark aura that surrounds him now. This Sesshomaru wants to know what it is and were it has come from.”

 

Inuyasha hesitated to cooperate, but he was worried about the safety of his own pack as well. The whole situation was rather odd, and quite frankly, he didn't trust Duo enough not to turn on them if something had gotten to him or awoken within him. Kagome shifted nervously on her seat, also concerned, but hopeful that they weren't going to be endangered by their new found friends. She listened to the hanyou speak.

 

“We don't know what the hell it is either. He disappeared from camp last night and when we found him this morning, knocked out cold, he had a creepy sword with him.”

 

Sesshomaru raised a brow. “His sword did not seem 'creepy' to this Sesshomaru upon our last meeting.”

 

“No, not his sword,” Kagome began, “He had a second sword with him, giving off a strange youkai aura.”

 

“A second sword? What did it look like?”

 

Before she could even begin to describe the sword there was a sharp knock on the door. The Western Lord bid them to enter with an annoyed tone to his voice at being interrupted. A stocky Kuma youkai entered and informed them that some of Inuyasha's pack mates were outside with urgent news. Sango's annoyed voice could be heard from inside the room.

 

“Well, let them in then!” Inuyasha growled out, but the Kuma hesitated until he got a short nod from his Lord. Almost as soon as he disappeared from the doorway, Miroku, Sango, and Kirara appeared, and by the harried looks they all wore, it was evident something had happened.

 

“What's wrong? Did something happen? Is Duo alright?” Kagome was overwhelmed with concern for their Kitsune friend. Miroku was the one to answer.

 

“Duo awoke, but shortly after he disappeared. The healer called him a Kagemusha, and it seemed to get his attention. He was explaining what happened to him last night when he suddenly tensed and disappeared.”

 

Sesshomaru froze when he heard the word 'Kagemusha'. He had heard the legends about them, just as everyone else, but they were believed to be extinct. Wiped out long ago. He stood swiftly as the houshi finished speaking. “Where is he now?!

 

The boom of his voice in the rather small office caused the humans to jump, and Inuyasha to tense. Sango squeaked out an answer as she eyed the Demon Lord closely. “We don't know! He didn't say anything, he just disappeared!”

 

The screams of the children reached the room, followed closely by the screech of the healer. Everyone was in motion all at once, rushing out onto the terrace where the children had gone to play. Sesshomaru was the first one to reach the scene, but he froze, as did the others behind him as they caught sight of what was going on.

 

~*~*~

 

Wufei had used the same window as the Taka to get outside, thankful that the healing quarters were on the ground floor. He was scowling as he took off through the grounds, sticking close to the castle walls before wandering further out. He didn't understand why he wasn't allowed to fly. It was obvious that the town had seemed fearful of him in particular, but why? Perhaps the Ryuu from the time period weren't as civil with the Inu youkai?

 

He didn't make it far from the wall when movement caught his attention. Wufei whipped around in time to see a shadow flit past a window. He narrowed his eyes and bolted back towards the castle taking a running leap for a balcony ledge and climbing his way upwards after the shadow he believed to be his friend. He made it halfway up the rather large castle wall when he heard an ear-splitting screech. Wufei looked up to see the Taka circling a terrace a few stories higher. He was sure he could leap up and take flight from where he was, but he looked below him to see the guards beginning to stir with all of the commotion going on. He would have to risk getting shot at.

 

As he looked up, still unsure about his decision, he saw the Taka diving for him. The old bird would slam him into the wall if he kept his hold so as she neared he pushed off, letting out a hiss of pain as her sharp talons caught him by the shoulders. He grabbed her legs for an extra assurance, not quite trusting the Taka to keep hold of him. He snarled at her as she carried him up to the terrace.

 

“You could have at least given me a little more warning, you old bird!” His comment got him dropped, rather abruptly, onto the terrace. He huffed as his breath was knocked out of him, but rolled to his feet quickly, unharmed by the fall. His eyes widened at the sight before him.

 

~*~*~

 

Heero had taken off through the house, moving to the upper floors quickly and trying to follow the direction Duo had seemed so interested in. He caught passing whiffs of the braided Kitsune's scent throughout the house, letting them lead him in the general direction of his wayward pack mate and friend. The servants of the castle were smart enough to get out of the large chocolate colored wolf's way as he raced through the halls, and only one or two soldiers tried to stop him as he made his way higher.

 

He leapt up a set of stairs slamming into a Kuma soldier stationed at the top and using his chest as a launching pad to send him into the office to his left. The scent was steady now, and getting stronger and he raced out onto the terrace. He was going so fast that he was forced to dodge through the gathering of the others, darting past Sesshomaru and landing in the clearing. He quickly shifted back into his humanoid form, crouched and panting, but ready to attack none-the-less.

 

Heero's eyes widened as he saw what had happened. There was a large, sleek, black Kitsune pinning a woman down by her throat. He could tell it was Duo, and he was snarling, giving the woman a sharp shake as a warning not to move. The Ookami looked behind him to see Shingi down on one knee and bleeding from a blade strike to his shoulder. It didn't look very bad and was probably already healing itself. He was holding his arms out, shielding Rin and Shippou who stood behind him as they clung to his clothing and watched, wide-eyed and frightened.

 

The discarded blade was a simple long dagger off to Heero's right, just within reach. He picked it up and tucked it into his obi at his side for safe keeping. He stood slowly as Sesshomaru walked forward, watching the Lord approach Duo and what would seem to be the female assassin.

 

She had, in fact, attempted to assassinate the Western Lord's young charge as well as her playmate and Shingi. Sesshomaru stepped up to her and the Kitsune who had pinned her. His voice was level and calm, but carried an undertone of command.

 

“Duo-sama, you may release her. This Sesshomaru wishes to question her.”

 

The honorific startled the young Kitsune, and he released the woman, but stayed very near in case she tried to escape. The Western Lord slammed his foot down on the woman's chest. He recognized her from his own court, a female Inu youkai of high breeding. She was one of the many concubines that was trying to earn his favor as well as the place by his side as his mate.

 

“Why have you attacked my advisor?” The female stayed quiet, a glint of defiance in her eyes. He snarled, eyes turning blood red as acid dripped from his claws, dangerously close to her face. Her vanity won over defiance and her resolve crumbled.

 

“To get them of out the way!”

 

“Them? Who are your other targets?” Her defiance was back, but a deep growl got her tongue working again.

 

“That little brat and your advisor.” Anger was welling up inside her as she continued, stating her reason. “You passed me over, the best possible choice as your mate, all because I wouldn't accept that dirty little human as my charge as well! And Shingi whispers lies in your ears about me! Naraku told me he would make me Lady of the Western Lands if I killed those two!”

 

Sesshomaru snarled and flicked drops of noxious acid across her face and shoulders. She shrieked and grasped at her face as Sesshomaru removed his foot from her chest. He called on the Kuma, who had followed Heero onto the terrace after regaining his footing, and ordered the woman taken down to the dungeons. Once she was dragged off, the tension on the terrace seemed to lighten a good deal. Many who had been holding their breath released it and Heero and Shingi stood. Duo shifted back into his humanoid form, still kneeling by the Western Lord's feet and leery about standing.

 

Both Rin and Shippou bolted from behind Shingi as soon as the coast was clear. Rin ran straight to Sesshomaru and clung to the fabric of his hakama while Shippou all but knocked Kagome over as he leaped up into her arms. Sesshomaru's hand came to rest on top of Rin's head as he reached his other out towards Duo.

 

“Stand, Duo-sama. This Sesshomaru wishes to thank you.”

 

Duo's eyes flicked towards Heero before returning to the Lord. He took the hand offered to him, though he didn't really need the help to stand. The second their hands made contact the whispers returned to Duo. They told him many things about the Inu youkai that stood before him. His fatherly love for the young Rin was confirmed, as well as the fact that it wasn't enough to fill the loneliness the Lord felt. A harsh whisper of jealousy towards the Inu hanyou Sesshomaru called his brother shot through Duo just as he released the Lord's hand. It was obvious that something had passed between them, but Duo was doing a good job of hiding it as he spoke.

 

“I would never let any harm come to a child, especially Rin-chan. All I can do is offer you my assistance, with anything, when I am able to give it.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded, accepting Duo's offer. He turned to look over those who had gathered on the terrace. It seemed Duo was fine, but he was still curious as to why he never sensed the presence of a Kagemusha with Duo before.

 

“You are all welcome to stay the night, as it grows late. Dinner should be served shortly.”

 

“I would like to look over the young Kitsune Lord first, to make sure he truly is fit to be up and about, my Lord.” The Taka has shifted out of her youkai form as everyone had relaxed. Wufei eyed the woman, sensing an ulterior motive, but not quite sure what it was. Sesshomaru turned to Duo, silently questioning whether or not he felt he needed to be looked over. When Duo turned his gaze to Heero, however, it was evident that he wasn't getting anywhere near the dining hall, or food for that matter, until the healer was sure he was okay. He relented with a sigh.

 

“Alright, I'll go, but we need to make this quick because I'm starving after all that.”

 

There were a few chuckles as they all started to make their way back into the castle and Wufei rolled his eyes as he shooed Duo towards the doors.

 

“You're always starving, you bottomless pit.”

 

~*~*~

 

Quatre and Trowa were shifting through files and stacks of papers that had been strewn all over the low, Asian styled coffee table. They had managed to find a whole score of Preventers' files from all the recently closed or transferred cases, but they were looking for the reason why Heero and Wufei had chosen to push their cases off to other agents. Cases were very important, as the more high profile cases you worked on and solved, the more promotions and respect you got in the Preventers. And Heero and Wufei were handling very high profile cases, ones you don't just pass off and then disappear for no reason. Not that they needed the money or the respect, but they both took pride in doing their jobs well.

 

Lady Une had gotten word from Duo that he would be escorting the young girl they had found back to her home and that he'd be taking a leave of absence, but he never said where he was going or how long he was taking off. Wufei and Heero had disappeared almost immediately afterwards, without giving word to Une, and they suspected that the couple had followed Duo. They just had to prove it.

 

Quatre moved on to Heero's laptop as Trowa continued to shift through all of the paperwork. Of course it was password protected, he had expected that, but he input a simple line of code that allowed him to work around the main login. It was obvious that opening had been purposefully left there for people like Quatre in case of an emergency, but his truly private files were going to be hell to get to, if not impossible. He checked the web browser history. The last few pages referenced an old shrine in Japan that had been neglected and destroyed during one of the wars. He looked it up on a satellite map, noticing that the shrine was right in the area Duo and Rin had been found.

 

Trowa's shadow fell over the keyboard as the taller pilot, now almost 6 foot, was watching over the blonde's shoulder. Quatre looked up and angled the screen so he could get a better look.

 

“I think we can consider that proof enough that they were at least thinking about following Duo. The girl was probably from the area, so it makes sense that Duo would go back there.” Trowa nodded.

 

“Can you tell if they bought any train tickets to the nearest train station?”

 

Quatre started typing frantically, but it was futile. Heero and Duo were the hackers of the group, and Heero was the top hacker, so all of his other files were locked up tight. He made one more vain attempt to get around the security settings when a message popped up on the screen.

 

--Quatre and Trowa

We figured Lady Une would send the both of you to try and figure out where we've gone. Yes, we followed Duo, but I doubt you'll be able to do the same. We'll be fine. We will try to make it back as soon as we're able, but we don't know when that will be. Please take our files back to headquarters for us. We didn't have the time.

Heero and Wufei--

 

“Well, I guess that answers that question.” Quatre said as he looked back up at his partner.

 

“We're still going to follow them, though.”

 

“Of course we are.”