InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Another Opens... ❯ The Swords ( Chapter 12 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Namiyo11 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.3K | Visits: 186 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.3K | Visits: 186 | Status: Completed
Chapter 12- The Swords
Recap: Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and Miroku are being held captive by Ayami and the Panthers. What about Kagome? What happens now? Read on!
No, I do not own Inuyasha! Onjou, Lady Atae, Kokuzoku, and Lord Yotogi are my original characters.
Kagome sat, hands clenching on the blades in her lap. With a cold force to her voice that echoed Lord Sesshomaru’s worst rage, her advisors and everyone were ordered out of her apartments when they‘d followed her in, seeking to help, to ask, to discuss. There was nothing to discuss. Her family was being held. She would get them back.
Tenseiga and Toujikin. Sesshomaru’s swords. Tetsusaiga. Her beloved’s. Together, two of them were the Fangs of Inutaisho. She was his daughter by the ritual, and by marriage, really. He would know what to do, she reflected sadly. ‘So-think, Kagome. Sesshomaru trained you, Inutaisho trained him, so think! There has to be something that can be done.’
What was the question. On one side-Ayami, the entire Panther tribe, an unknown number of Dokueki, the traitors led by Kokuzoku, and they held her kin and Miroku hostage in an unknown territory.
On the other-herself, Sango, an injured Kirara, the loyal packs...assuming all the packs were still loyal that claimed to be...and the swords. Totosai might be her only hope. Alone for the moment, she permitted herself to weep. But as she did...the Swords sang to her, a strange song as she lay on her mat clutching them...she fell asleep and dreamed for a time...
***
It turned out that the quake had driven the old Smith from his workshop. He’d been headed away from the area when collected by guards sent to find him. But when he was all but dragged into the Audience chamber of the Keep...it wasn’t Sesshomaru waiting for him.
Instead, it was Kagome. She was clad in the white and green troll hair kimono and her clan breastplate on, the iridescent green armor a more feminine form of Lord Sesshomaru’s. Her arms tucked into her sleeves, hair pinned up as she knelt in the place that was hers for now as regent, the Hamayami in it’s rarely used holder on her back. Alone-and with three blades tucked into the sash at her waist that ought not to be there!
“Kagome! What-” he stared, eyes wide as he automatically made obeisance as he had not in many years, not since his former master had last summoned him here centuries ago to undertake a commission, create the Swords of the Fang...Kagome didn’t wave it off, only ordered everyone out, and sat in the Seat of Honor studying him.
“Totosai, why didn’t you tell me about the different arrows my Hamayami can make?” she asked softly. The question stunned him. No explanation. No greeting after she’d acknowledged his bow. Just a question.
“Well...er...what..? What different arrows?”
“I think you know. The Hi-ya, the Seirei-ya and the Shoheki-ya, of course.”
“You’ve mastered the barriers as well? Already??” Totosai was startled.
“Well, sort of. I’ve wondered if they can be moved...” she admitted. He shook his head as the hanyou sat watching him.
“No. Not to my knowledge.”
“Oh,” Kagome looked down, then back up, “I don’t suppose you could make it stronger?” He looked serious as he replied.
“Only by killing a powerful Panther. A panther, now-shoot one, and allow it’s blood to soak into the bowstring, and that will produce the Hama-ya. The Spearhead arrow,” he told her. Kagome frowned.
“What does this Hama-ya do, Master Totosai?”
“It makes your Hi-ya appear tame. The Hama-ya’s destructive power is almost frightening to consider. Don’t go looking for it, it’s probably too dangerous,” he told her.
“That’s what you always say. As if what it does now isn’t dangerous!” the Lady sighed.
“Well, it merely has the power of each fang now, Kagome, as you know,” he assumed that she did, if she’d learned to create the arrows...
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“You...found and mastered the arrows without knowing?” Totosai asked.
“Well, it’s not like you hand out owner’s manuals, Totosai. Be a lot easier if you did!” Kagome answered, and Totosai frowned as well, the question in his eyes. What was a ‘owner’s manual?’
“Hmp,” he looked away.
“What about the fangs?” she asked.
“Eh? What? Fangs?” Totosai looked innocent, and the hanyou rolled her eyes.
“I have no time for this. Totosai...Inuyasha and Sesshomaru-” her eyes closed, and she told him. The old smith was horrified. His Master’s sons. Reconciled at last, only to have this happen! Treason, enemies holding them, kidnapping, no. Poor child. So recently an innocent mortal...now with her pack gone, the weight of the Clan and their danger on her shoulders. ‘But then’, he mused, ‘was it truly any different then when she’d warded the Jewel? A difficult burden seems to be her destiny.’
Yet she bore Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga, not to mention Toujikin! The ward on Inuyasha’s sword wasn’t affecting her! The power this child held now...they were never meant to be back together! And with the Hamayami-no. They had to be safely separated again. That Toujikin was enduring the Tetsusaiga’s presence and vice versa terrified him. The two Swords hated each other, yet stayed silent. Because of her rage, Toujikin was almost joyous...and Tetsusaiga sensed it was against the enemies of its master, that she needed aid and was willing to do whatever needful to get its Master back. Tenseiga was calming them as well! All three were willing to work together for her!
Totosai could feel it and he was afraid.
In her hands, they were balanced as it had been with Souunga! No! The Swords of the Honorable Ruler must never be reformed, or allowed into a single set of hands again! The Hamayami was all she was ever intended to wield, damn it! It sat behind her, protecting and supporting her. If Sesshomaru or that young pup ever saw this...it’d probably kill them, Totosai reflected. This young hanyou was likely the only creature on earth that could command all three swords now. And with them, used correctly, she could become mistress of the world if she chose.
Kagome’s heart was strong, yes...but she was not strong enough to withstand this temptation for long. The Smith knew it. The longer she carried them, the more the power would call to her. Even his lost master Inutaisho was almost overwhelmed by it. Kagome spoke again, dragging him back to the now, not the terrifying future. Should her grief and fear turn fully to rage...the world itself might pay for it.
“So, you see now why I have brought you here. You will explain to me, Totosai. Everything about them, and the Hamayami. No tricks, no evasions. I must know, and only you can help me before it’s too late,” Kagome noted gravely, and the old Smith looked...nervous as hell.
“Well-er...I was initially unsure, but I...studied the matter, Lady.” Damn. Totosai knew there was no weaseling this time. She must not be permitted to keep those swords, and helping her was the only way to stop a tragedy. “Each fang provides an arrow, and each-has another purpose,” he answered as he knelt before her.
“Well?” she leaned forward.
“The Hi-ya is yours, Kagome. The purifying fire arrow that slays youkai as your own miko powers once did. The Shoheki-ya comes from Inuyasha’s fang. The protecting arrow that guards your mortal blood. The Seirei-ya is from Sesshomaru. The spirit arrow that can manipulate and target, binding and powering the whole. The hanyou fangs alone weren’t strong enough to power it, you see. Only the fang of a true Inu youkai could do that. After all, you only make up a mortal and a single youkai together. But if used with Tetsusaiga-it’s designed to perfectly complement it’s current powers. I assumed the besotted boy would make you his mate, after all.” This made sense, and Kagome nodded, eyes soft. He had...
So, it was as she suspected. The Hamayami was intended to be matched to Inuyasha’s sword. Of course! Barriers that Tetsusaiga could break. Fire arrows to watch his back. And highly flexible spirit arrows, to create auras, enhance his weapons, target foes, assist them in tracking...but...he said something else of interest.
“Current powers, Master Totosai?” Kagome asked suddenly, and he knew, he knew what she wanted as he had from the moment he’d seen them...no! She was barely able to handle them now, much less if he did as she clearly wanted.
“I cannot and will not say more! Lady Kagome, this is not a good thing, this path is dangerous, and not just to you.”
“You’re right,” she answered. A truth that made him stare as she rose and began to pace in the empty Hall. “Totosai...you served their Father faithfully. You helped me! I only want them back! I don’t care how!” To his shock, Kagome came and-knelt? Yes, kneeling in front of him, eyes pleading. Begging!
“Kagome...”
“I don’t want this! I’ll pay any price you set, Master Totosai! Without the Swords, I-I’m not strong enough to hold them, I dreamed, Totosai-” a shiver ran down her spine, “I dreamed such horrible dreams...please, help me save them. Help me, the blades want things, I can’t-they’ve been-” she shuddered. Dreams of power, of glory, of blood flowing in vast rivers as they bore her to the pinnacle of power...of slaughter.
So easy to leave them there, said the whispers, they had abandoned her, Inuyasha had rejected her, Sesshomaru had left her the Clan, all she need do is grasp it...so tempting! A darkness had filled her mind all night as she dreamed...Naraku would’ve trembled at the promises...promises the swords could deliver on. She knew it. “You’ve dreamed as Inutaisho once did. They were never intended to be in one set of hands again, even with Souunga banished,” Totosai took her cold hands in his to comfort her.
“Please. Help me,” she whispered.
After a long moment, he nodded, but he did set a price...one she accepted without hesitation. She called her councilors, and a plan was made once they divined her intent. A dangerous, risky plan as they pooled their knowledge. Yotogi, Atae, Sango-they all agreed. In spite of the risk, this was their best chance.
Together, they walked to Sesshomaru’s chambers, and Kagome went to a sword rack in his bedchamber. Taking Kuroi-yaiba in both hands, she held it, bowed to it, and handed it over. But Totosai wasn’t the only one who wished to help at a cost, and again, she had no choice.
***
“Fine. No problem. So long as you agree to my terms, Kagome,” Kouga told her flatly when he heard her out in the gardens.
“What terms?” Her hands were taken, and Kagome’s eyes widened.
“Nothing so bad. I love you, Kagome, be my woman, and I’ll make you happy every day. No more of this bloodshed and unfaithful dogs nipping at your heels and treating you badly. Be with me! I'll do anything you ask, Kagome, if you'll only stay by my side,” he asked urgently, eyes hopeful.
“Kouga...” she hesitated...and nodded.
***
So Kouga was installed into the apartments beside Kagome’s purloined chambers, the chambers of the Clan Lord. Then Hakkaku and Ginta were brought to the Keep and seen to as honored guests.
That night’s supper, a feast that she ordered, well. It was where she announced her wedding plans, her betrothed on her arm. Kouga smiled smugly as he held her hand in his, lording it over the assembled Inu.
“It’s for the best, my Kagome,” he told her with a smile, one that was returned slowly.
“Maybe...maybe it is.”
Yotogi soon left as did Onjou, one headed home, it seemed, leaving with his pack in outrage...the other to the Lynx territories. Sango remained closeted with Kirara, and it was noted...she looked grim.
Soon after, a barrier rose over the Keep, and lesser Inu were set to hunt Samiyousho in it’s boundaries. The old Smithy building was lit again on the grounds...his old workshop in happier days...
Author’s notes-So now you know why the Hamayami needed Sesshomaru’s fang in the first place. I do hope you enjoyed finding out the cause of this mess. It seems harsh to have Kouga demand she marry him, but the guy is in love, and sees a way to have it all. Intense, I hope! I’ve always suspected there was a variety of reasons the swords were separated, so I decided to go with it a bit. Thanks for reading! -Namiyo’
Recap: Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and Miroku are being held captive by Ayami and the Panthers. What about Kagome? What happens now? Read on!
No, I do not own Inuyasha! Onjou, Lady Atae, Kokuzoku, and Lord Yotogi are my original characters.
Kagome sat, hands clenching on the blades in her lap. With a cold force to her voice that echoed Lord Sesshomaru’s worst rage, her advisors and everyone were ordered out of her apartments when they‘d followed her in, seeking to help, to ask, to discuss. There was nothing to discuss. Her family was being held. She would get them back.
Tenseiga and Toujikin. Sesshomaru’s swords. Tetsusaiga. Her beloved’s. Together, two of them were the Fangs of Inutaisho. She was his daughter by the ritual, and by marriage, really. He would know what to do, she reflected sadly. ‘So-think, Kagome. Sesshomaru trained you, Inutaisho trained him, so think! There has to be something that can be done.’
What was the question. On one side-Ayami, the entire Panther tribe, an unknown number of Dokueki, the traitors led by Kokuzoku, and they held her kin and Miroku hostage in an unknown territory.
On the other-herself, Sango, an injured Kirara, the loyal packs...assuming all the packs were still loyal that claimed to be...and the swords. Totosai might be her only hope. Alone for the moment, she permitted herself to weep. But as she did...the Swords sang to her, a strange song as she lay on her mat clutching them...she fell asleep and dreamed for a time...
***
It turned out that the quake had driven the old Smith from his workshop. He’d been headed away from the area when collected by guards sent to find him. But when he was all but dragged into the Audience chamber of the Keep...it wasn’t Sesshomaru waiting for him.
Instead, it was Kagome. She was clad in the white and green troll hair kimono and her clan breastplate on, the iridescent green armor a more feminine form of Lord Sesshomaru’s. Her arms tucked into her sleeves, hair pinned up as she knelt in the place that was hers for now as regent, the Hamayami in it’s rarely used holder on her back. Alone-and with three blades tucked into the sash at her waist that ought not to be there!
“Kagome! What-” he stared, eyes wide as he automatically made obeisance as he had not in many years, not since his former master had last summoned him here centuries ago to undertake a commission, create the Swords of the Fang...Kagome didn’t wave it off, only ordered everyone out, and sat in the Seat of Honor studying him.
“Totosai, why didn’t you tell me about the different arrows my Hamayami can make?” she asked softly. The question stunned him. No explanation. No greeting after she’d acknowledged his bow. Just a question.
“Well...er...what..? What different arrows?”
“I think you know. The Hi-ya, the Seirei-ya and the Shoheki-ya, of course.”
“You’ve mastered the barriers as well? Already??” Totosai was startled.
“Well, sort of. I’ve wondered if they can be moved...” she admitted. He shook his head as the hanyou sat watching him.
“No. Not to my knowledge.”
“Oh,” Kagome looked down, then back up, “I don’t suppose you could make it stronger?” He looked serious as he replied.
“Only by killing a powerful Panther. A panther, now-shoot one, and allow it’s blood to soak into the bowstring, and that will produce the Hama-ya. The Spearhead arrow,” he told her. Kagome frowned.
“What does this Hama-ya do, Master Totosai?”
“It makes your Hi-ya appear tame. The Hama-ya’s destructive power is almost frightening to consider. Don’t go looking for it, it’s probably too dangerous,” he told her.
“That’s what you always say. As if what it does now isn’t dangerous!” the Lady sighed.
“Well, it merely has the power of each fang now, Kagome, as you know,” he assumed that she did, if she’d learned to create the arrows...
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“You...found and mastered the arrows without knowing?” Totosai asked.
“Well, it’s not like you hand out owner’s manuals, Totosai. Be a lot easier if you did!” Kagome answered, and Totosai frowned as well, the question in his eyes. What was a ‘owner’s manual?’
“Hmp,” he looked away.
“What about the fangs?” she asked.
“Eh? What? Fangs?” Totosai looked innocent, and the hanyou rolled her eyes.
“I have no time for this. Totosai...Inuyasha and Sesshomaru-” her eyes closed, and she told him. The old smith was horrified. His Master’s sons. Reconciled at last, only to have this happen! Treason, enemies holding them, kidnapping, no. Poor child. So recently an innocent mortal...now with her pack gone, the weight of the Clan and their danger on her shoulders. ‘But then’, he mused, ‘was it truly any different then when she’d warded the Jewel? A difficult burden seems to be her destiny.’
Yet she bore Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga, not to mention Toujikin! The ward on Inuyasha’s sword wasn’t affecting her! The power this child held now...they were never meant to be back together! And with the Hamayami-no. They had to be safely separated again. That Toujikin was enduring the Tetsusaiga’s presence and vice versa terrified him. The two Swords hated each other, yet stayed silent. Because of her rage, Toujikin was almost joyous...and Tetsusaiga sensed it was against the enemies of its master, that she needed aid and was willing to do whatever needful to get its Master back. Tenseiga was calming them as well! All three were willing to work together for her!
Totosai could feel it and he was afraid.
In her hands, they were balanced as it had been with Souunga! No! The Swords of the Honorable Ruler must never be reformed, or allowed into a single set of hands again! The Hamayami was all she was ever intended to wield, damn it! It sat behind her, protecting and supporting her. If Sesshomaru or that young pup ever saw this...it’d probably kill them, Totosai reflected. This young hanyou was likely the only creature on earth that could command all three swords now. And with them, used correctly, she could become mistress of the world if she chose.
Kagome’s heart was strong, yes...but she was not strong enough to withstand this temptation for long. The Smith knew it. The longer she carried them, the more the power would call to her. Even his lost master Inutaisho was almost overwhelmed by it. Kagome spoke again, dragging him back to the now, not the terrifying future. Should her grief and fear turn fully to rage...the world itself might pay for it.
“So, you see now why I have brought you here. You will explain to me, Totosai. Everything about them, and the Hamayami. No tricks, no evasions. I must know, and only you can help me before it’s too late,” Kagome noted gravely, and the old Smith looked...nervous as hell.
“Well-er...I was initially unsure, but I...studied the matter, Lady.” Damn. Totosai knew there was no weaseling this time. She must not be permitted to keep those swords, and helping her was the only way to stop a tragedy. “Each fang provides an arrow, and each-has another purpose,” he answered as he knelt before her.
“Well?” she leaned forward.
“The Hi-ya is yours, Kagome. The purifying fire arrow that slays youkai as your own miko powers once did. The Shoheki-ya comes from Inuyasha’s fang. The protecting arrow that guards your mortal blood. The Seirei-ya is from Sesshomaru. The spirit arrow that can manipulate and target, binding and powering the whole. The hanyou fangs alone weren’t strong enough to power it, you see. Only the fang of a true Inu youkai could do that. After all, you only make up a mortal and a single youkai together. But if used with Tetsusaiga-it’s designed to perfectly complement it’s current powers. I assumed the besotted boy would make you his mate, after all.” This made sense, and Kagome nodded, eyes soft. He had...
So, it was as she suspected. The Hamayami was intended to be matched to Inuyasha’s sword. Of course! Barriers that Tetsusaiga could break. Fire arrows to watch his back. And highly flexible spirit arrows, to create auras, enhance his weapons, target foes, assist them in tracking...but...he said something else of interest.
“Current powers, Master Totosai?” Kagome asked suddenly, and he knew, he knew what she wanted as he had from the moment he’d seen them...no! She was barely able to handle them now, much less if he did as she clearly wanted.
“I cannot and will not say more! Lady Kagome, this is not a good thing, this path is dangerous, and not just to you.”
“You’re right,” she answered. A truth that made him stare as she rose and began to pace in the empty Hall. “Totosai...you served their Father faithfully. You helped me! I only want them back! I don’t care how!” To his shock, Kagome came and-knelt? Yes, kneeling in front of him, eyes pleading. Begging!
“Kagome...”
“I don’t want this! I’ll pay any price you set, Master Totosai! Without the Swords, I-I’m not strong enough to hold them, I dreamed, Totosai-” a shiver ran down her spine, “I dreamed such horrible dreams...please, help me save them. Help me, the blades want things, I can’t-they’ve been-” she shuddered. Dreams of power, of glory, of blood flowing in vast rivers as they bore her to the pinnacle of power...of slaughter.
So easy to leave them there, said the whispers, they had abandoned her, Inuyasha had rejected her, Sesshomaru had left her the Clan, all she need do is grasp it...so tempting! A darkness had filled her mind all night as she dreamed...Naraku would’ve trembled at the promises...promises the swords could deliver on. She knew it. “You’ve dreamed as Inutaisho once did. They were never intended to be in one set of hands again, even with Souunga banished,” Totosai took her cold hands in his to comfort her.
“Please. Help me,” she whispered.
After a long moment, he nodded, but he did set a price...one she accepted without hesitation. She called her councilors, and a plan was made once they divined her intent. A dangerous, risky plan as they pooled their knowledge. Yotogi, Atae, Sango-they all agreed. In spite of the risk, this was their best chance.
Together, they walked to Sesshomaru’s chambers, and Kagome went to a sword rack in his bedchamber. Taking Kuroi-yaiba in both hands, she held it, bowed to it, and handed it over. But Totosai wasn’t the only one who wished to help at a cost, and again, she had no choice.
***
“Fine. No problem. So long as you agree to my terms, Kagome,” Kouga told her flatly when he heard her out in the gardens.
“What terms?” Her hands were taken, and Kagome’s eyes widened.
“Nothing so bad. I love you, Kagome, be my woman, and I’ll make you happy every day. No more of this bloodshed and unfaithful dogs nipping at your heels and treating you badly. Be with me! I'll do anything you ask, Kagome, if you'll only stay by my side,” he asked urgently, eyes hopeful.
“Kouga...” she hesitated...and nodded.
***
So Kouga was installed into the apartments beside Kagome’s purloined chambers, the chambers of the Clan Lord. Then Hakkaku and Ginta were brought to the Keep and seen to as honored guests.
That night’s supper, a feast that she ordered, well. It was where she announced her wedding plans, her betrothed on her arm. Kouga smiled smugly as he held her hand in his, lording it over the assembled Inu.
“It’s for the best, my Kagome,” he told her with a smile, one that was returned slowly.
“Maybe...maybe it is.”
Yotogi soon left as did Onjou, one headed home, it seemed, leaving with his pack in outrage...the other to the Lynx territories. Sango remained closeted with Kirara, and it was noted...she looked grim.
Soon after, a barrier rose over the Keep, and lesser Inu were set to hunt Samiyousho in it’s boundaries. The old Smithy building was lit again on the grounds...his old workshop in happier days...
Author’s notes-So now you know why the Hamayami needed Sesshomaru’s fang in the first place. I do hope you enjoyed finding out the cause of this mess. It seems harsh to have Kouga demand she marry him, but the guy is in love, and sees a way to have it all. Intense, I hope! I’ve always suspected there was a variety of reasons the swords were separated, so I decided to go with it a bit. Thanks for reading! -Namiyo’