InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Gathered Storm ❯ The Chasm of Faith ( Chapter 8 )

When she embraces

Your heart turns to stone

She comes at night when you are all alone

And when she whispers

Your blood shall run cold

You better hide before she finds you

“Ice Queen” by Within Temptation

 

 

 

Chapter 8: “The Chasm of Faith”

 

 

Hurried steps resounded across the landscape as the six irked companions crossed the rolling tundra. That light… The eerie bright shock of illumination that seemed from another world had sent strange tremors of energy. They could not decipher it, nor find its meaning.

 

At the insistence of their stubborn leader, they had taken off in much of a rush to find the one who could explain it all to them. Miroku sensed a definite change in the aura of the land, but he could not explain how it had occurred. The tendrils of ill fate pulled at their senses, sending them reeling towards the village that housed the one woman who may make sense of it all.

 

Inuyasha lifted his silvery head up slightly, scenting the air suspiciously as he stopped short atop a high hill. “Oi, hurry up. We gotta get there before night fall.”

 

With her Hirakotsu poised carefully upon her back, Sango leapt onto Kirara as the tiny demon morphed with a blaze of fire into her larger form. “Inuyasha! I'm going to scout ahead towards the village.” A sizzle of anxiety slipped up her spine as the slayer tightened her grip upon the fire cat's back.

 

“Sango, I'll come with you. I wish to relay the intense change in spiritual energy that I experienced to the miko,” came Miroku's urgent rumbling as he crossed the field of white towards her.

 

Sango's brow furrowed for a moment as she turned to Inuyasha seeming to wait for his command. “Feh- let him go with you, Sango. Kagome and I will be right behind you.”

 

A sharp nod came from the slayer as she slowed the fire cat's pace to allow Miroku to climb aboard. The monk, with Shippo clinging to his shoulder, saddled onto Kirara before taking flight into the darkening sky leaving a trail of snow to fall in their wake.

 

A sprinkling of ice drifted upon Kagome's delicate countenance as she stopped short to look over at her only companion. “Inuyasha?”

 

He lowered his powerful form to the snow, shifting his arms towards his back. “Get on, Kagome. We don't have much time.”

 

She worried her lip before climbing onto her dearest friend. Within seconds, they were rushing across the frosted valley at what felt like a million miles per hour. Kagome felt the disquieted energy the tensed Inuyasha's sinewy back. Trying to comfort him, she lowered her head upon a spot between his shoulder blades and exhaled softly.

 

Claws gripping into the frozen wasteland, Inuyasha dashed across at an amazing speed. He felt her thighs grip around him as they sprint over an obstacle causing them to be in mid-air for a moment. A flare sparked in his belly and he clenched her supple legs in the palms of his hands tenderly. Even at the speed of their journey, he heard Kagome gasp by his ear as she leaned into his touch.

 

A smirk danced across his lips. The clever hanyou flicked his claws gently across the back of her legs, causing a tiny squeal to grace his attentive ears.

 

Through her tough jeans flames licked against the contrasting chill of her skin. Bumps of pleasure formed up her thighs as the devil between her legs teased her while crossing the petrified land. Half of Kagome yearned to fall into the chaos that was Inuyasha's delicious invitation. Logic was being muddled by fire and ice, both stirring the coals deep within the core of her trembling form. She caressed his shoulder with her cheek, mumbling incoherent words while they chased the crescent moon along the landscape.

 

The heat that radiated off of both of them felt torrid emotions that were enough to melt the ice from the ground. Inuyasha hitched Kagome higher up on his back, snickering as another mewl slipped from the girl's mouth. The friction from the movement increased the scent of her arousal.

 

“Everything alright, Kagome?” growled the teasing half-demon.

 

Kagome's heavy-lidded eyes flashed with annoyance at his remark. Damn him. “I'm f-fine,” she managed to spurt out before Inuyasha picked up speed, a low chuckle reverberating in his chest.

 

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Tiny hands framed the looking glass as a pair of deep crimson eyes surveyed the unfolding progress that was to be his greatest diabolic plan. A deep, rumbling chuckle resounded about the walls of the dilapidated palace that housed the sinister shadow.

 

“Very good,” the sickeningly dark voice cooed with sarcasm at the image. “Kagura is finally pulling her weight around here.”

 

Naraku leaned back against his mahogany carved throne setting his claws stretching across the arms of the seat. The dull sound of scratching vibrated against the hallow walls while he focused on a scene fluttering by the mirror.

 

“She needs him,” came the emotionless child-like voice from Kanna. “Kagura will find him for her.”

 

A brow quirked against Naraku's furrowed brow. The image in the glass formed a trio of unusual characters charging elegantly towards the Western Lands. “The Taiyoukai? Honestly, I didn't think that this would be so entertaining.” A wicked smile curled his mouth while he relaxed against his throne.

 

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The wind whipped through silver tendrils as the demon with a mission scoured the landscape. She was near, he could feel it. It was curious; the vibrations from Tensaiga sent signals through his form inviting him to take the weather astride and continue towards this insane destination.

 

Patience was not a characteristic that Sesshoumau possessed. The idea of obtaining this virtue seemed foreign to him, not to mention forced upon him. However, when fate dropped a human girl into his life it surely spurned this new development of tolerance.

 

Nearing a chasm that had been blanketed with ice, the Taiyoukai slowed his wandering pack to a stop. He took in a swift breath through his nose to determine the scent that had drifted by. Even in the frozen air, the scent of death was strong. The aroma of graveyard soil was closing in on the other side of the canyon, but the stronger odor of an incarnated demon stood out. Sesshoumaru's eyes sparked as his vision captured the wind witch perched upon a towering section of boulders.

 

Red eyes pierced through the thickness of the drift. Kagura's visage tightened in surprise as the demon lord took in her body atop the rocks. “I should have known you out of all people would be able to find me, Lord Sesshoumaru.” The silk of her voice was strained over the gales of wind as they reached the dog demon's ears.

 

A smirk coveted Sesshoumaru's lips as he leapt from the far side of the chasm to her side. Even through the torrential elements, he was truly graceful. Sliding his sword from his sheath and clutching it with a readied stance, his commanding voice replied, “Your surprise betrays your thoughts, Kagura. Why were you looking for this Sesshoumaru?”

 

Her ruby eyes blinked in sheer amazement, “How did you know I would be looking for you?”

 

Sesshoumaru lifted his sword higher, placing the edge close to Kagura's breastbone. “That is not your concern. I asked you a question, wind sorceress. You will give me an explanation, or I shall run you through.”

 

Surprise melted into annoyance at the pompous words the inu youkai forced upon her. “How dare you. Have you forgotten? I can control these winds. A gust could snatch your pitiful weapon away in a second.”

 

A low, bitter chuckle resonated through Sesshoumaru and the metal of the sword dancing upon Kagura's chest. “It wouldn't be wise to pose threats to me, when it is I from whom you seek aid. I won't ask again, witch. I demand an answer.”

 

Kagura's eyes slid shut for a moment as she tried to gather patience to still the anger that was bubbling within her. Flakes of ice drifted upon her full lashes as she lifted her gaze to meet the molten amber of the inu youkai. “I seek the knowledge which you possess, my Lord. Nothing more.”

 

“And what knowledge is this, sorceress?” the cold voice of Sesshoumaru countered.

 

“There is a dagger—one that controls much power. It has been said that this weapon was smelted in the depths of the Western lands by a dark hearted smith. It holds the power to create life from one's blood.” Kagura's eyes narrowed at her counterpart's strong gaze.

 

“Why do you think that I would have knowledge of this object of power?”

 

“It was written that your father eliminated the man who created the dagger. Inu no Taisho coveted the dagger and kept it under lock and key within a secret chamber at his grand residence. The dark weapon has not been moved from its resting place within your palace. Or so the rumor goes…” Her lips quirked at the end as she witnessed the taiyoukai's expression turn grave.

 

“Perhaps. You have certainly performed thorough research on the subject. Why is it that you wish to have it?”

 

Kagura shifted her fan to her right hand, smiling deviously. “The Katai-Chi dagger is a required element to resurrect a dead god.”

 

The lord altered his position into that of defense. Anger twisted his features as a growl rushed from his mouth, “I should have known that Naraku would be cowardly enough to seek aid from a dead cause. He expects to resurrect a god? For what purpose?”

 

Kagura flicked her fan open as a soft chuckle slipped from her lips. “I've peaked your curiosity, huh? No, I shall not answer anymore of your questions. Your expression was enough answer for my own queries.”

 

Sesshoumaru stepped into Kagura's position, slipping the cold iron of his sword against her lily-white throat. “Even if you do find it, it won't do you any good. No one upon this earth possesses the power to control the dark magic that lies within the dagger.”

 

Kagura swallowed carefully before responding. “So you say. If there is no one who can harness its power, than why not release the knowledge of where it is kept.”

 

The blade pressed closer against her vulnerable neck. A smirk from Sesshoumaru stole Kagura's breath. “Indeed.”

 

With that, he released her and sheathed Tokijin at his hip. “Your information lacks some truth. The Katai-Chi has never been at the palace. The last I heard, it was in the Valley of Sound within my lands. It is a treacherous journey to get there, and even if you can keep from succumbing to the elements that keep it safe, there is still the possibility that it has been moved or even stolen. However, since I do not believe that Naraku bears the strength to manage the sorcery of the dagger, I foresee your journey being fruitless. Therefore, it will be no threat to me.”

 

Kagura scoffed at Sesshoumaru's impudent remark. “We shall see, dog demon.” With a flick of her wrist, she sent a feather to the ground and leapt aboard. Cruising to a higher altitude she called down to him, “My thanks to you, Lord Sesshoumaru.” She angled the enlarged feather against an east wind, sending her back towards the woman who would be sent to capture the Life's Blood dagger.

 

Sesshoumaru let his gaze steady upon the wind witch as she drifted away. Her last words struck a chord within him. Perhaps Naraku did possess a facet that could unlock the dark mysteries of the dagger. And if he did, Sesshoumaru would be there to stop him.