InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Gathered Storm ❯ Visions Clash ( Chapter 6 )

Author's Note: Another chapter unfolds! The plot is really taking a life of its own, so I'm just writing as it comes to me. I do hope it's to your liking! I was a wee bit sad that my last chapter only got 2 reviews, but FANFICTION has been wonky lately. READ & REVIEW, please!

 

BORING DISCLAIMER: I, Cait, claim no ownership over the Inuyasha Crew nor the fantastical Japanese mythology that is woven within. I do, however, admit my (perhaps slightly unhealthy) obsession for the silver-haired hanyou and friends.

 

 

Birds that scream for territory
Can learn to sing euphorically
Given in time that is real
And there's a wasteland in your soul
The burned out trees will leave you cold
Living out an ideal~ “She Cries Your Name” by Beth Orton

 

 

 

Chapter 6: “Visions Clash”

 

 

 

She had wrapped a shawl firmly about her withered form and sat down by the fire with a steamy cup of delicate tea. The aches from the intense vision had come to pass, slowly but surely as she tried to relax from the shock. This would take careful interpretation, but she was sure of the oncoming events that seemed to drift between the dreaming and waking worlds. Her eyelids slid shut as she began to pour over the jumbled information she had received.

 

The battlefield had contained both light and dark warriors. The dark ones were clothed with death and reeked of rotting flesh. The scale of them was enormous; throngs upon throngs of them poured over the murky landscape. Their auras were lit with desperation and chaos which consumed the bright life of the natural abundant flora around them. All sounds of nature ceased and the clinking of rusty armor swamped her senses.

 

At the far end of the scene stood proud warriors of the light. This group was hardly an army, containing just six members. Four of the six had unique auras about them that personified the four elements of the world. A powerful invocation had caused the strength of their original powers to surge. They stood with their weapons of choice against the incoming battle which would swamp their vision and confuse their wits.

 

Two fingers at each temple began to massage her sensitive head as she pulled back from the fleeing images. The scent of blood and death was quickly brushed from her nose and replaced with the strong jasmine that seeped in her clay mug. She hastily brought the steaming mug to her lips and sipped the soothing concoction. What little good it did, at least it had warmed her throat and belly and chased out the impending doom at the pit of her stomach.

 

There were two things she was sure of. The first was that the four warriors were not too far away and very much unaware of the destiny that would claim their perceptions. And the second was that the one who would cause the chaos to erupt was standing right outside of her door.

 

*~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~*

 

 

The chatty kitsune had finally quieted down and been lovingly, albeit forcefully, tucked back into his quilt with Kilara snuggled up beside him. The raven haired woman pulled back her slender hands from the kit and smiled inwardly as the child's mouth drooped open in relaxation.

 

She felt all eyes on her as she rose from the nest she had created for Shippo. Turning around only proved her theory as the faces of a curious demon huntress and lecherous monk appraised her. Kagome's pale cheeks deepened in a warm blush as the realization of why they were so focused dawned on her. Miroku had witnessed the little heated exchange between Inuyasha and herself and gone and blabbed about it to Sango. Naturally, she was mortified by the circumstances. That damnable monk was just too perverted for his own good. Now Sango would be at her heels with silent questions in her every glance.

 

A deep sigh slipped from her rosy lips as she enveloped her shivering form within the dark green cloak. It would do no good to hide the situation from her friends, nor would it be in her favor to give them all the information.

 

“So, Kagome, did the big bad hanyou touch you—“ Miroku began before getting cut off by a large, blunt object which knocked against his skull in a scolding manner. The one wielding it glared at him warningly, uttering a sigh of disdain at his perverted words.

 

Sango sent an apologetic smile towards the miko who was glowing from embarrassment. “Ignore him, Kagome. Miroku's lack of sleep has stolen his senses. And if he truly depends on his self preservation, he'll keep his mouth shut.”

 

Miroku opened his mouth to protested, but shrank away at the look of doom that was emanating from his beloved Sango. It would be best not to test his limits with her this morning.

 

Letting the cold air relieve the heat from her cheeks, Kagome responded softly, “That's alright Sango. I'm just going to lay down for a bit, if that's alright with you?”

 

Sango merely nodded her head in agreement as she pulled the leering monk by the cuff of his robes away from the campfire and towards their separate beddings. She knew that her dearest friend would share her secret later as she always did. A gruff whine was heard from Miroku along with a thump as Sango threw him by the scruff of his neck onto his blankets.

 

“Sango, you really are too rough for such a lovely lady,” was heard from the sore man.

 

“So help me monk…” Sango's voice trailed off threateningly, leaving Kagome alone in her thoughts.

 

 

Kagome settled at the far end of the camp, her soft chocolate eyes scanning the tree tops for a flash of red. She felt that he was nearby although he had snuck off out of embarrassment once they had reached the hollow. A smirk tugged at her supple lips once her vision focused on a pair of golden orbs staring back at her.

 

“Are you going to stay up there, Inuyasha?” She quipped, bringing the velvety covers around her curvy form.

 

A snort resounded from the tree as he kicked at a falling branch. “Maybe, wench. Why?” His tone was warmer than usual, though it still held a note of wariness.

 

Waves of night danced about her shoulders as she shook her head at him, laying her head down upon the bedding. “Fine, you can stay up there where it's cold, stubborn ox. But if you change your mind…” She trailed off, leaving the offer open-ended.

 

Flakes of white tickled her cheeks as the tree shook with Inuyasha's soft laughter. “Sleep, Kagome. I'll watch over you.”

 

Smiling in contentment, Kagome rolled over to slumber. She drifted off peacefully knowing that the man she loved unconditionally hovered above her.

 

*~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~*

 

 

Tendrils of frost crept their way towards an unguarded home as a cloaked figure slipped through the wooded area. No sounds came from the forest but the pinging of ice falling from the sky onto the bare branches. Where the figure walked, it brought death.

 

The silhouette glided over the frozen ground towards the abode. Purpose willed this form to the abandoned area even though pride was the fence. It had to be done.

 

Head bowed, it reached the cracked door of the shanty dwelling and proceeded to turn the knob in a silent motion. As soon as its hand touched the handle, it was thrown back by protective shocks that guarded the home. Ah, the figure thought, she has been prepared for my entrance. I should've known.

 

“I know you're there, Kikyo,” a gravelly voice sounded from behind the thin wood. “Ye should learn how to knock.”

 

Scowling, Kikyo returned the banter, “You've locked out your only living family member, Kaede. You should be ashamed.”

 

The click of a lock unlatching was heard from the door as the old woman opened the door slightly. Peering condescendingly, Kaede replied, “Living, you say? I remember quite clearly, Kikyo that you are far from the world of the living.” Her glassy eye swept down her sister's cloaked from, appraising the strange aura that surrounded the woman. It was an eerie feeling that plunged into her as she assessed Kikyo.

 

“Aren't you going to invite me in, sister?” Kikyo's mouth was stretched into a twisted grin. She seemed almost eccentric-- like someone with an underlying power that was just out of their reach. Curiosity got the better of her as Kaede pulled the door open, dipping her head in silent invitation to the cold woman.

 

Kikyo took no time slipping into the modest dwelling. She was on a mission, and time was certainly no a luxury. She turned as the old woman closed the door and locked the latch once more.

 

“And what do I owe the pleasure of your presence, sister Kikyo?” Kaede leaned back against her walking stick she had begun using as a cane since the winter had caused the soreness in her joints to increase.

 

Dead eyes observed her before responding, “Kaede, I am in need of a favor. I need your knowledge on something of great importance.”

 

A gray brow quirked as Kaede lowered herself onto a wooden bench. “Indeed? Well, I shall lend what help I can. What is it that ye seek from me?”

 

The sullen woman paused, choosing her words carefully. As much as she hated to admit it, she truly needed the old woman's help gaining the items she required for the scroll. In her mind's eye, she pictured the list on the parchment that was needed to bring the spell to full force. Kikyo knew Kaede had knowledge of the first object.

 

“Sister,” she began with kind words to butter the old miko up, “I know you are well versed in many artifacts dealing with the spiritual realm. Your knowledge very well exceeds my own, and I wish for but a piece of what you know.”

 

Kaede was unfazed by her older sister's words. She knew what Kikyo sought. It had only been a matter of time until her undead sister would come calling for it. It wouldn't bode well for Kaede to reveal too much. She had seen the forthcoming events that were to unfold and she knew that the epiphany the gods had blessed her with gave her certain control over the situation.

 

Leaning her chin atop her palms that held her cane, she answered her sister in a calm voice, “What knowledge do ye seek, Kikyo?”

 

The cloaked woman took her time in responding once more, walking over towards the fire with purpose in her stance. She longed to tell Kaede of her plans, and yet if she were to reveal too much, her sister could very well try to put a stop to it. However, there was a confidentiality that sisters had between each other which was a bond that could not be broken by any means. Perhaps if she spoke with care, Kaede would not block her journey.

 

Poking at the fire with a metal tipped stick, she spoke into the dying flames, “There's a story as old as the beginning of time about a desperate separation of two lovers. Heaven and earth stood in the way of them being together, and a great rift between light and dark was created…”

 

Kaede canted her head slightly as Kikyo spoke. The sorrow that cloaked her voice was evident and the old woman felt a pang in her heart as she continued to listen.

 

“The separation was between the living and underworld, casting the man and woman to the different planes. It is truly a shame that there stands a broken bridge between two lovers…” Kikyo turned her dark gaze back to her sister, her ashen skin looking brighter from her passionate plight. “I seek to put an end to this, Kaede.”

 

Ah, there it was. Her dilemma circled around the fates of the gods. It was as she had suspected from defining the different elements of her vision. She dipped her head as a signal for Kikyo to explain further.

 

“In order for me to heal these two beings, I am in need of a certain artifact. The Jade Cup of Life is what I seek to begin mending the hearts of the lovers, Kaede. And I know you have knowledge of its whereabouts.” The passion in her voice receded slightly as she bowed her head slightly in supplication. Not that she would ever submit to Kaede, but at least as a gesture of her need.

 

Kaede sat still for a few moments, her expressional completely unreadable. And of the sudden, a deep chuckle shook the woman's form. Kikyo was taken back by her reaction, brows knitting slightly in aggravation. This was not the outcome she had expected.

 

Kaede's laughter died down slightly, but the humor in her eye still shone. “Sister, your tale is truly full of sorrow and angst. But it's merely a veil to cover your true purpose.”

 

Her jaw dropped slightly at the accusation. Surely she hadn't known anything about her intentions, how could she have known? Naraku would hardly be the type to spread gossip to a priestess, especially one known to abhor him and everything he stood for.

 

The mischevious light in the old woman's eye glimmered as she began to explain, “You seem quite disconcerted, sister. Allow me to put your mind at ease. I will tell you the last known whereabouts of the Jade Cup. I will also tell you to seek the next artifact in the West. And I will graciously give you this advice: a passionate plight such as this is wielded out of selfish intentions. Review your reasons as to why you choose to release the power of the Megami Desu. You may have the power to curb the destruction that will follow.”

 

Pride swallowed Kikyo's logic as she responded, “You are a fool, Kaede. I will take your knowledge, but not your advice. I know what my actions will bring, and I welcome all the consequences that may come along.” The corners of her mouth quirked slightly. Yes, the consequences were hardly a hindrance. With the power she would wield, she could control even the heavens themselves. This weak warning from her decrepit sibling did nothing but spurn her desire for the dominance she craved.

 

A soft sigh from Kaede's withered lips signaled as a white flag. She knew Kikyo would never listen to reason or her insight. As much as she hated to reveal the information Kikyo demanded that would create havoc amongst the lush land, she knew it was her part to play in a bigger plan governed by the highest spiritual powers.

 

“Aye, then. You will find the Cup located a few leagues northwest of this village. It resides within a shrine encased with a certain sutra. You will need the following to release the barrier…”

 

 

 

 

 

A/N: Good? Bad? Let me know! I am taking CREATIVE LIBERTIES when it comes to the personalities of the gods and mythology involved. So even if you don't agree with it, you have to admit it's a pretty unique plot. I will be setting up a timeline on my livejournal site indicating the process of the plot without spoilers. -PLEASE- review! I will write more frequently if I know how this story is appealing to the masses.