InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Convention of Killers ❯ Chapter 6: Challenge 1: Nakago ( Chapter 6 )

A/n: I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!

Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha, Fushigi Yugi, or Yu Yu Hakusho and make no profit off of this story.

*Convention of Killers*

By: Kage Otome (Shadow Maiden)

Chapter 6: Challenge 1: Nakago

Everyone tensed the moment they heard that soft haunting melody float through the air. Except for Kagome--she remembered this song, it was the melody that announced the first challenge. Quickly shutting down her hearing she motioned for the others to do the same, however they were to astounded by the unique sound pattern to do as she asked. Sighing she prepared herself for the end of the ‘lovely melody’ she made the same mistake they had last time--She supposed the only way for them to learn was to do so from their mistakes. She shook her head again at the dumbstruck expressions on their faces, it really was a spell binding song--it caught a person unaware, that’s what also made it dangerous. No doubt this was the signal to the first challenge but that also brought upon the question, what would be the signal to the challenges once they exited the labyrinth? A voice? A sound? A color? What?Right now she had no time to ponder it.

The rest of her makeshift team screamed in agony as there ears were assaulted suddenly by a high pitched screech, signifying the end of the signal. She shook her head stepping over their bodies as her eyes narrowed in contemplation of what exactly the challenge was. She didn’t see, smell, hear, or taste anything different. But then again, sometimes it wasn’t a threat that could be detected by mortal or physical senses that most are born with. Most of the time it was something supernatural. She didn’t expect anything less. Looking toward the others she snorted. She wasn’t going anywhere until they recovered. After all if the challenge was issued to a specific person, she wouldn’t be of much use anyway.

Challenges when issued in Shrinlai were normally brought upon by a certain melody signaling the challenge. This was the melody to the first challenge, a very beautiful soft one that turned horrifyingly loud in the end, ending with a screech. Sometimes the challenge can be issued to just one person, but only that one person will hear, feel it. It’s a shudder of cold and a whisper on the wind when the song ends. If no one feels is then the challenge is for everyone present. Of course a lot of the time, Sharan will throw out challenges individually to either test, rile or annoy the hell out of said individuals. But the purpose of the challenges were tests essentially to find out the fighters weaknesses and strengths or to turn the ‘team’ against one another. Normally for the first reason. Of course---who knows what else goes on behind those silver eyes. She certainly didn’t want to ponder it too much.

After all the mind is a very dangerous thing. In more ways then one.

Quirking a brow she stared at her companions who were still recovering from the loud, very high-pitched ending. It was of no surprise to her when the humans, Nakago and Tomo rose first. The two hanyou’s--Yusuke and Naraku were the next to rise, and of course the last to rise were Kurama, Hiei, and Sesshoumaru. After all the demons had the best hearing, it honestly wouldn’t surprise her if they wouldn’t be able to hear properly for at least another hour. After all, it had made her eardrums bleed.

“Did any of you feel a cold draft or a voice whispering on the wind, when you heard the melody?” Kagome asked quietly, so as not to further damage their already wounded ears.

“I did.”

Kagome glanced at him out of the corner of her eye before frowning. ‘How---unusual. Normally he would’ve tested the one who posed the most threat to him. But to pick a human? Either this human is very powerful, or he’s changed his strategy.’ Kagome thought. Her eyes traced over his features, he was handsome, she mused.

If she were still human, she’d of probably gone ‘gaga’ for him, of course the same could be said of her other companions, fortunately she wasn’t. At least...Not anymore. His blonde hair fell around his face, to his shoulder blades perhaps, it was a ruffled, very sexy look. But his eyes caught her interest, they reminded her of her own eyes when she had been mortal. Eyes so cold and indifferent, but beneath that lied something in wait. A weakness--something in his eyes reminded her of herself, abused, alone, angry and bitter. She had gotten her revenge against those that had betrayed her, those that should’ve protected her. Shaking her head, her long dark braid flew behind her. Now was no time to ponder a life that she had long since left behind.

“He will test you first then.”

Nakago stared cooly at the woman whose features remained impassive as she stared at the clearing, in which the challenge would no doubt take place. She was no fool. Sharan knew that Kagome knows most of the things that take place in his world, at least when she tries to escape. Who knows, maybe he advanced as well, these challenges could be completely different from what they used to be, therefore she said nothing else to anyone, after all---she didn’t want to be responsible for giving them false information that could lead to their death. She needed them, at least until they got out of the palace walls. Then she didn’t really care what happened to them.

Nakago stepped into the clearing, not daring to show the hesitancy and apprehension he was certainly feeling. Suddenly images came to life, the clearing transformed into familiar palace walls. Nakago saw himself as a child, helpless and weak. His eyes widened imperceptibly. ‘What’s going on?’

“What’s happening?” Tomo asked standing next to Kagome, looking out at the clearing where Nakago knelt, something deep in his eyes emerged, something dark and angry. Bitter, cold and pained. She recognized that look in his eyes, the haunted pain, betrayal even, she had once held that same look in her eyes. That had been a long time ago. A very long time ago. Now was time for him to prove his strength, to prove he wasn’t going to let the past get the better of him.

Nakago’s blue eyes narrowed as a younger, naive version of himself and him. The Emperor of Kotou, who had been responsible for the purging of Nakago’s clan, the Nin, it had been 14 years since then. Nakago who was a mere 11 years old lashed out with his seishi powers against soldiers who were raping his mother, in front of him. Unfortunately the force of the blast killed both the soldiers and his mother. The Emperor after realizing what Nakago was (a Seiryuu Seishi) kept him around the imperial palace as his “plaything” so to speak. Nakago clenched his head in pain as images kept repeating themselves over and over.

No one looked away as the images of Nakago’s past flashed across the area. Tomo attempted to go to him, but was flung back by a powerful barrier.

“He has to do this alone.” Kagome spoke quietly so as not to further agitate the young man. “None of us can reach him. It’s part of Sharan’s game.”

Looking into all to familiar images she couldn’t help the small flash of empathy. She knew how it felt to be the victim of brutal crimes. She couldn’t stop the lump from forming in her throat, she wanted to look away but she didn’t. When her other companions turned to look away from the brutal scenes, from the pedophiliac tendencies of the Emperor, to Nakago growing up, killing, growing cold and bitter, hating the world in general. She didn’t turn away. Not once.

She couldn’t spare him the pain, so she watched, as a punishment for herself. She knew she should’ve destroyed this Godforsaken world the last time no matter what the cost---even her life. But she didn’t so she, in her own mind was responsible for these people’s pain. She watched the pain he went through, which she had no doubt was torture fore him as a respect for his strength, not breaking long ago. Gritting her teeth her eyes flashed, he was only mortal, he could only take so much before he broke. And if he kept this all bottled behind an emotionless facade, a hatred of the world, he’d end up just like her---exiled to the Land of the Lost. To live with the pain of his mortal life and the years to come. Immortality was not a gift, if anything it was a curse, living with the pain of loss, of what could’ve been, betrayal so many things. Eternal youth---whoever wanted such was a fool.

Narrowing her eyes they fell not on the scenes playing but the man kneeling clutching his head. A part of her heart that still felt went out to him, feeling his pain. Closing her eyes she prodded at his mind, she had to reach him, otherwise he wouldn’t know how to beat this particular challenge. ‘Nakago...’ No response. ‘Nakago, can you hear me?’

“Who’s there?”

‘Kagome’

“What? 221;

‘You have to draw yourself out of this, it’s an illusion, he is bringing your past to life around you while you are unable to interfere, do anything. You have to break out of the illusion.’

“How?”

‘Just believe in yourself.’

“To believe you must have faith...I have none.” He whispered.

‘What would your mother say, your lover, or the Emperor for the matter? If anything use your want for revenge against the Emperor to break free of it, otherwise you’ll never get it, you’ll be stuck in this hell that is your past---forever.’ She knew it was harsh but it was the truth. She had been lucky enough to have been alone when she went through this challenge, no one had been there, but her. Now everyone knew his past, willingly or not. She was once where he was, her only belief was not to have faith in believing. After all she thought it was for fools. But it was belief that made her fight and conquer, in the tournament 1000 years ago and the war that had started 500 years ago.

It was her anger at the world that had blinded her to the strength that lied in believing in yourself. She’d only wished...Nakago’s eyes flashed as his eyebrow’s pulled down in anger. If only to get back and kill him he would do as she asked. Closing his eyes, he looked deep inside, and he found the anger, the rage and disgust, pushing it to the surface with an explosive amount of energy the illusion began to shatter. He was better then this, stronger then this. The blue energy cackled about him, destroying the illusion completely. Breathing hard he rose to his feet, and looking up, he saw them looking at him, with various emotions, pity, shock, sympathy. All except her---he couldn’t quite identify the emotion, but before he could further examine it, those silver-blue eyes shut down of all emotion.

“Nakago...Are you okay?” Tomo asked hesitantly.

He simply nodded.

“So is Emperor--”

He was cut off by Nakago’s cold voice.

“How much did you see?”

“Everything.” Nakago’s blue eyes flashed.

“Calm yourself, we have more important things to concentrate on.” Youko was the one who spoke this time, his baritone voice was purring, rumbling, like a large cat. His voice reminded her of someone---someone from a long time ago, someone she had once fancied herself in love with. He had betrayed her family and attempted to protect her, he gave his life so she would have a chance at hers. She could still remember the look in his eyes. A soft look entered her eyes when she thought about him, he was perhaps the only one she truly cared for in her mortal life. But she didn’t believe in love---not anymore.

“What are you thinking about?” Startled she glanced up to Youko who’s bewitching golden eyes stared deep into her own silver-blue.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me, if we’re going to work together, we have to trust each other.”

“Why are you so interested?” Kagome asked softly.

“I don’t know. The look in your eyes.”

“What look?”

“A bitter regret.” She glanced up startled.

Does it really show in my eyes?

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A/n: Well that’s it for Chapter 6, everyone, I hope you enjoyed it!