InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A New Twist ❯ Richard's side of the story ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: I, Ethril Dragon, do not now or have ever owned Inu-Yasha or anything to do with Inu-Yasha. I do own Ether, Lilly, Mimi, and any others I create. Richard Cypher is created and owned by the co-author from this point on. Richard Cypher is not to be confused with any other anime character because he is strictly made up by my co-author and fiancé. ENJOY!!!!!! ^_^

 

Chapter 11

 

(This chapter begins with Richard and his night and day that corresponds with chapter 10 for Ether)

 

Richard Cypher is his name. He had been coming to the shrine for the past few days following a lead to find a half-dragon girl that was living with humans. He had recently found out that one of the humans at the shrine that the half-dragon girl lived at was a priestess. Richard sighed as he sat on the steps leading up to the shrine. He was using a concealment spell on his swords so that no one could see them. He sighed again as he remembered last nights events.

 

*The previous night for Richard*

 

Richard stood in the shadows of the shrines large tree, waiting for the girl's light to go out. He waited for sometime; absently petting the shrines cat Buyo. They were both silent as he stood up slowly when the light went out. He wouldn't go now; he would wait a few hours.

“Mrooow”

“Hmm?” Richard glanced down at the fat cat and sighed. He knew the half-demon was around, but it felt like the mutt was on the other side of the house. “As long as she doesn't wake up, I should be able to grab her and run.” He muttered as time slowly ticked by. He sat back down and crossed his arms over his chest to meditate. His finger tapped lightly against his arm as he waited, listening to the sound of the wind and keeping his concealment spell up.

A few hours later his eyes snapped open and he stood up silently but swiftly. He sniffed the air to make sure the mutt was still on the other side of the building, in the sister's room it seemed. He growled softly, a half-dragon such as the one he was taking should not live among humans, it was too dangerous. What made him even angrier was the fact that one of the humans was a priestess; dragons that were coming of age shouldn't be anywhere near human mikos or priests. He growled softly and his eyes slowly bled red as he walked swiftly up to the house. He jumped with great ease and landed on the roof of the building, right over the window. He slid and landed on the windowsill making just a slight thump sound. He winced as the girl shifted in her sleep; he would have to move swiftly. He extended his claws and began scratching softly at the window to try and drag it open forcefully. He couldn't use his powers, which would awaken the girl and the half-demon, so he had to do this manually…how demeaning to have to do things like a human, he thought to himself. He didn't realize he was making a lot of noise until the girl woke up and screamed. He panicked and fled from the window, followed by the half-breed only a few seconds later. In his panic he let his concealment spell slip slightly to reveal some of his aura. He moved faster, so that demons and humans wouldn't see him. He only stopped when he was sure the half-breed wasn't chasing him anymore. He cursed his stupidity for messing everything up.

During that whole night, he didn't try to take her again, but he did watch her under his concealment spell and now an invisibility spell so that the half-demon mutt on guard duty wouldn't see him.

 

*End previous night*

 

Richard went over the details over and over and decided that because of his anger towards the humans, he had not noticed how horribly he was doing at trying to stay silent, and thus had messed up. If he had just stayed calm he probably wouldn't have awakened the girl. `Ether…that's her name.' He finally remembered what the girl's name was. He looked around at the passer bys and stood up. To them he looked like a tall redheaded man wearing black clothes with red intermingled with the black in symbols and designs, but really he looked much different.

“Mroow?” Buyo rubbed up against Richard's legs.

Richard looked down and then bent to pick up the fat cat with ease. He was much stronger then he looked as well. “You smell fish? Well you can't have it.” He muttered as he began to climb the shrine steps.

“Mrow.” Buyo said in a huff.

Richard laughed softly. “No, the fish isn't for you.” He gently petted the cat's head as he climbed the steps. He glanced down at the cat, sensing something. “You seem different from other cats…” he mumbled before setting the cat back down at the top of the steps.

Buyo looked around “Mrooooow.” (in cat language “I have a drop of demon in me”) he meowed smugly.

Richard nodded. “That would explain it. Even a drop can be perceived by strong ones such as myself.” He watched the cat mildly. “Tell me, are you related to an Uncle Jeff?” he asked curiously.

Buyo nodded in a cat like way. “Meoooww” he yawned and walked off towards the house to see if the family was up yet.

“Geese…who would have guessed one of Uncle Jeff's distant relations lives way out here!” Richard chuckled and followed slowly and silently. “Then again my family is known for having hot blood.” He shook his head. As he walked he heard movement from the house. He moved swiftly into the shadows and placed another spell around himself to disguise himself completely in the shadows.

“No no you silly cat, stay in the house.” Richard heard as he hid in the shadows. He watched as one of the girls tapped the sleeping cat with her foot. The large cat wouldn't budge and the group finally moved on. Richard waited for a few minutes until the group was inside a small shrine towards the back. `Why would they go there?' he wondered idly to himself.

He swiftly and silently moved towards the shrine only to hear soft-spoken words made by the half-demon. He pushed the door open slightly to see the white haired half-demon and the older girl jump in. There was a flash of blue and then the other girl walked up. She was the one he was after. He pushed the door open, intending to grab her before she jumped, but for once he wasn't fast enough.

“Damn” he muttered as she disappeared into the blue light. He looked down into the well and did a quick sweep with his own powers. “Teleportation of some sort.” He mumbled again. He was about to jump in when a cat's meow interrupted him.

“For the final time, the fish is mine so STAY PUT” he yelled at the fat Buyo standing in the door way.

“Mraaaow! (I'm hungry!)” Buyo complained as Richard jumped lightly into the well. “Mreeeow! (Come back here!)”

Richard grinned as the blue light engulfed him and he was taken to another end of the well. He looked up, into a blue sky. He was defiantly in a different place, and possibly a different time because the smells swirling around him were cleaner, crisper, and wilder then normal. He jumped lightly once again and grabbed the rim of the well with his hand. He pulled himself out and flipped through the air.

As he landed he surveyed the group in front of him. His eyes trailed over the humans and demons in front of him, only to rest on Ether. His goal was to grab her and take her back with him. She shouldn't even be around these humans, especially the monk and miko when she was so close to her birthday. He glared as he remembered his own 17th birthday. It had been painful enough for him as a half dragon, half demon. In fact he really was still a half demon because his demon blood was as strong if not stronger then his dragon blood.

“You have something that does not belong to you.” He stated with a clear and steady, if hard, voice. He was still staring at Ether. Did she even understand what she was going to go through? Did she even know what other male dragons would do to get their hands on her? There were more male dragons then female dragons in the world and competition for them could turn deadly.

“What the hell is it?” the two silver haired demons demanded.

Richard almost chuckled, but instead pointed at the shielded dragoness. “Her”

To be honest he had expected some sort of struggle to get her, a heavy battle to claim rights. He had brought his swords and had worn specially made clothes that self mended and warded may curses and spells. His hand moved by it's self to the hilt of his first sword. He felt the tassels move against his hand and one of them start to wrap around his hand. He was staring solemnly at the taller, stronger silver haired demon when a voice penetrated his battle concentration.

“Mrooooow! (I want the fish!)” Richard blinked once and twice before realization finally dawned on him. He turned and glared down at the very fat cat sitting on the edge of the well. The real question was not how did he get there, but how the hell did he get out of the well?

“I told you not to follow me!” Richard exclaimed in irritation. In a way he actually had been looking forward to the fight.

“Mraoww (I'm hungry)” Buyo said, showing off his fangs in hunger.

“You can't have my fish so there!” Richard didn't realize he was receiving many strange looks from the group behind him as he spoke with Buyo, Kagome's fat cat.

“…um…I don't want to interrupt but how did my cat get here?” Kagome demanded as the stranger kept arguing with her cat.

“I don't think that's important right now girl.” Sesshomaru growled before Inu-yasha could comment. His hand was still on Tokijin even as the red haired creature continued to argue with the strange fat cat.

The group stood there for a moment waiting, and partially stunned. First the stranger looked like he was going to fight them to the death and now he was practically yelling at a cat over a fish.

“I still want to know what is going on.” Ether demanded in a soft voice, seemingly similar to a pout.

Richard finally sighed and pulled out a brown paper wrapped object out of a hidden pocket. “Fine, if I give you this will you go back?” he asked exasperated and irritated. That fish he had been saving was going to be his dinner.

Buyo nodded and took the fish that Richard unwrapped into his mouth. He made a content grumbling sound and jumped back into the well. “Little thief for all I care, using his small powers simply to go after a fish.” Richard grumbled as he turned back to the group, his mood ruined.

“I suppose fighting would be pointless right now.” He sighed as the group watched him warily. He ran a hand through his hair and crumpled the brown paper. “My names Richard Cypher.” He stated simply as he sat down on the edge of the well. “I'm here to take Ether back through the well and to the Sohmas in the Demon controlled lands.” He stated simply. Might as well explain what he was there for before they decided to attack him when he didn't feel like fighting. If he ever did decide to fight he wanted to make sure he was in a bloody good mood for it. He was the kind of person that either did things when he was in the proper mood, or when he was forced into doing things.

Ether glared at the guy Richard for a moment. “I already told them I didn't want to live with them. You tell them I'm not going back even if it means I have to fight them.” She told him with as cold a voice as she could manage. Unfortunately it wasn't very cold as she wanted and it only came out sounding like a childish pout, except for the fact that she was extremely serious in the matter.

Sesshomaru had lifted his hand away from Tokijin and was now holding Ether by the shoulder. He almost expected her to run forward to yell at this Richard, to scold him and maybe even slap him. “Tell me…are you also a dragon then?” he demanded critically. It wasn't hard to figure out. His aura was similar to Ether's, though because it was slightly different was probably because he was a different person.

Richard laughed heartily for a moment and nodded. “Yeah, I'm a dragon. Part actually, I'm also part cat demon as well.” He shook his head hoping they wouldn't ask about that mixture.

Sesshomaru nodded but didn't let go of Ether's shoulder.

Kagome stepped forward to look at Richard a little better. Inu-yasha tried to stop her, but she simply gave him a warning glare. “Why would you come after Ether anyway?” she asked angrily.

Richard yawned and looked at the human with contempt. “Because whether Ether believes it or not, being in your presence, or any other humans presence, is hurting her. The closer she comes to her 17th birthday the worse it will get.” He stated simply. “If I can't get her to go with the Sohmas then I can at least try to get her away from humans until after she turns 17.” He yawned again. He had used up a lot of his energy the last few days following and watching Ether, and now those sleepless nights were finally catching up with him.

“Then Ether can stay at my castle for the rest of the time.” Sesshomaru stated.

“Don't I get a say in this?!” Ether demanded. She pulled away from Sesshomaru gently and stomped up to Richard. “I think your lying. My mother never told me that being around humans would hurt me! We lived by humans while she was alive and I lived in an orphanage for 12 years of my life. Never has being around humans hurt me!” she said, anger actually starting to flair up inside her, something that hadn't happened in awhile and she had no idea why she should get so mad now. A headache started to form in the back of her head as a rock shifted slightly by her foot.

Richard sighed. “Your mother didn't tell you because your one of the first half-dragon half-human in over 200 years. The other dragons have nearly forgotten what it's like for a half-human amongst us. Your mother probably didn't even know.” He stopped, but then continued. “Besides, being near humans didn't hurt you when you were young, but now with your coming of age their presence will be increasingly difficult for you.”

Ether felt mad, but her anger subsided slightly. “How do you know then? Maybe it doesn't hurt me at all!” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. To be honest she didn't feel like she was in pain, except for the fading headache.

“Why don't you remove that necklace of yours than, it shields you most of the time you know.” He stated. “How often have you taken it off while you've been around humans? How about while you've been around strong humans like your sister or that monk?” he asked her questioningly.

Ether hesitated. It was true she had only taken it off once or twice while she was at the orphanage, and during those times it was by accident. And she had only taken it off once while she had been with her new family, and that hadn't been for long. While at Sesshomaru's castle demons and only one human had surrounded her, and Rin was still rather young. “Not often.” She finally admitted.

Richard smirked slightly; time to prove that he and the demons were right. “Remove it now while both the monk and the priestess are standing right next to you.”

Ether looked around and saw that both Kagome and the monk, her friend she supposed, were looking at her curiously. She reached up and carefully unclipped her locket. It took a moment as her draconic features reemerged, but as soon as her scales were completely seen the headache started in the back of her head. It was something not quite noticeable but as the minutes went by and she continued to look at her sister and the monk the headache grew to a migraine and she had to grab her temples to make it stop.

Sesshomaru hurried up and quickly slipped the necklace back around her neck. He had seen the struggle Ether had been going through when she had taken off the necklace.

“You see, it hurts. Their purity powers are trying to purify you, which is really contradictory since you are really purifying yourself when you turn 17.” Richard sighed. “It's a weird explanation and I don't want to say it right now, but I hope you believe me now.” He stated rather bored.

Ether looked at her sister sadly and then her gaze fell onto the grass. Kagome was her sister, she had just started to get to know her, and now it hurt to be around her? It wasn't right.

“Have no worries though. After you turn 17 and have time to heal after a little training, you can be around humans with no side effects.” Richard stated hurriedly. The sadness Ether had been showing actually made him worry about her.

Ether perked up and grinned at Richard. “You mean it?”

Richard nodded and sighed. “Yeah of course I mean it.”

“So…what are we going to do then?” Kagome asked slowly. If Ether was going to get hurt just by being around her and their family then something had to be done.

“Ether will stay in my castle until she is able to be around humans and more specifically powerful humans again.” Sesshomaru said blatantly, with a voice that dared anyone to argue. “And to keep Ether happy I suppose you could visit during her stay.” He added indicating that Kagome was now invited to his castle.

Ether grinned and hugged Sesshomaru happily. “Really? You mean it?” if he meant it that would mean she would be staying at his castle for a month or more. As long as Kagome got to visit she thought she would be alright.

“I'll be coming with you.” Richard said casually.

Sesshomaru growled. “Why should you come along?” He demanded coldly.

Richard shrugged. “Well because I'm the only Dragon around currently that knows that Ether is from another time. You'll need a dragon to help train her, and any other male dragon would force mate her the minute she came of age.” He stated simply. “And a female dragon would see her as competition.” He shrugged again.

“And why wouldn't you force mate her?” Inu-yasha asked curiously and protectively.

“Well because I already have a mate.” He grinned secretly and sighed. He pulled the neck of his shirt back to reveal the crescent moon shaped bite mark that indicated he was mated for life.

Sesshomaru nodded. If he had read correctly, most dragons mate only once and that is for life, unlike humans and some demons.

Kagome felt uncomfortable about letting Sesshomaru take her sister to his castle for a whole month. Sure he said she could visit, but it couldn't be for long because she might hurt Ether unintentionally. “Alright, I'll tell my family that Ether will be staying here.” She said hesitantly.

Ether grinned and could barely contain herself. She was going to be staying with Sesshomaru, but what about her family? She had just started to get to know them and now she had to stay away from them for a month or more. “Richard…how long will the training take before I can go home?”

Richard hesitated…the one other part human dragon he knew had taken nearly a year before he could be around humans again. “Between a month…to a year.” He said truthfully.

Ether froze for a moment.

“But I think a month after your birthday, if you wear that necklace, you should be able to stand being around humans ever few days.” Richard wasn't sure if that would work, but it was better then nothing.

“Alright, so Lady Ether will go and live with Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome can visit every now and then. That should work out well.” Miroku said, nodding to himself. Sango looked at Miroku questioningly.

“And why should that work well? Ether will be separated from her family!” Sango demanded.

The monk and demon slayer started arguing with each other, or at least Sango was arguing while Miroku tried to explain.

“Right then, you best lead the way Lord Sesshomaru!” Richard said, standing up and brushing himself off.

Ether moved forward and hugged Kagome quickly. “Come by soon ok?” Ether smiled as she asked.

Kagome nodded and took a step back. “See you soon Ethy.”

Ether nodded and felt Sesshomaru's arm snake around her waste. It wasn't long until they were flying through the air on Sesshomaru's cloud. Ether looked around, wondering how Richard would follow them. “He is behind us.” Sesshomaru stated, knowing what Ether was looking for.

Ether squirmed and then peaked behind Sesshomaru. She gasped when she saw Richard gliding through the air with large black and red dragon wings. Her eyes lit up and she grinned widely. “Do you think I'll be able to fly?” she asked softly, remembering a time she had asked her mother that same question.

“Perhaps one day.” Sesshomaru said just as softly. He moved softly and pulled her back against his chest. She couldn't fly now and he didn't want her to fall. “I think it would be best if you removed your locket before we reach my castle.” He stated.

“Oh! Really?” She looked up at him, tilting her head back against his chest. She smiled happily and removed her necklace carefully. The swirl of scales appeared as she placed her locket into her pocket. “Better?”

Sesshomaru didn't answer, but averted his gaze forward. She was increasingly beautiful when she smiled up at him. He watched as his castle came quickly into view and grew larger as they approached it. He was ecstatic inside, Ether would be staying for over a month, and she would be staying near him the entire time if he could help it.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Ok, I actually had this done in December, but the thing is, I had saved the final finished copy to a new jump drive that I had gotten. Before Christmas break though, that jump drive had been stolen and all the info for this chapter had been lost. So now I have finished it for a second time, but the story has changed slightly. Enjoy and I apologize for taking so long on writing this chapter.