InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ August and Everything After ❯ Heaven and Hell ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha. *sighs dispiritedly* Not for lack of trying.

The bridge was bustling with activity. Inu Yasha sat slapping his standard issue black gloves against his thigh. Impatient, he sighed. He was waiting for his half-brother, Sesshoumaru to return from his meeting. He stood, long black cloak whipping around him, a startling contrast to his silver hair. He stalked over to the bridge rail and stood, silently gripping it with both hands. Below him, the crowds washed up against the market stalls like waves upon the shore. Just another day in Hell.

Demons were entering Hell at a steady pace from the other side of the bridge. They carried with them the souls of humans. One greedy demon didn't wait until he returned to his dwelling to devour his prize. He halted only a few feet from Inu Yasha. Smiling wickedly, he tilted his head back and swallowed the glistening globule held cupped in his clawed hands. The prince of the underworld turned to look at the satisfied demon.

"First catch of the New Year, is it not?" The demon licked his lips and leered.

"Yes, the sweetest souls they always are."

"And I'm sure you have a good reason for not taking it to our Lord and master, as our laws dictate." The demon grimaced.

"Stinking nobles those!" he growled. "Thinking to get all souls sweet! Deserving, I am!"

"I'm sure." Inu Yasha reached up and pulled the hood of his cloak down. The demon paled and dropped to his knees before Inu Yasha, clutching his shaking hands.

"Sorry I am! Too great was the urge! Forgiveness beg I of you!" Inu Yasha smiled a forgiving smile.

He winked at the trembling demon. "I too have felt the urge to indulge myself." It's all right, you will be forgiven." He turned to walk away. The demon collapsed with relief. Suddenly, Inu Yasha spun around, slicing the demon neatly across the throat. Gasping and clawing at the bloody hole in his neck, the demon gurgled, "Forgiven you said was I!"

"And indeed you shall be, on Judgment day." The demon's eyes glazed over, and he fell to the ground. His body immediately incinerated and blew away, all the souls he had ever consumed floating high over the heads of the passerby, towards Heaven. A few descended down into Hell. None of the other demons noticed, they continued their comings and goings. Death was a common occurrence in Hell.

Past the market place, past the bored Demon Prince, past the swaying death trees and the bridge between Hell and Earth, a young Angel stood. How had such a creature come to be in Hell? She was Kikyo, banished from Heaven, damned to Hell. Condemned to death was the straight forward way to put it. For an Angel to set foot in Hell, was for them to lose all angelic powers, and for a defenseless Angel, Hell was not a good place to be. Kikyo had been banished for her interest in the dark arts. The spells of demons. Kikyo had managed to master a few of these spells, unbeknownst to the higher ranking Angels. It was here, amid a grove of moaning death trees, that Kikyo attempted her first spell. She was trying to open a plane portal. Heaven and Hell exist on a different plane than Earth. It was impossible to enter either Heaven or Hell unless you used the bridges or possessed the raw power to do so. The Devil and God had that power, along with a few high ranking demons and Angels. And now, Kikyo had it. She would get her revenge! How dare God banish her, and then so readily replace her with that simpering sister of hers?! Kagome wasn't fit to lead a group of pigeons, let alone be the Guardian Angel of the Wind. Infuriated by this, Kikyo raised her arms and began her spell. "Spirits of the wind! Listen to your true master!" If she was lucky, Kagome wouldn't have accepted the position yet. Technically, she was still the Guardian Angel of the Wind and the wind spirits would have to obey her. "Come to me now! Descend into the darkness in which I dwell! Carry me across the planes to Earth! Bring me now and obey my words!" Reluctantly, the wind spirits lifted her up. She slowly dissipated into the air, whirling away in a tornado of storm clouds.

"Come on Kagome! You have to accept the position! The longer you wait, the longer Kikyo still has her powers!" The raven-haired Angel seated on the low stone wall sighed and looked up at the blue-haired one standing above her.

"I know, Estwael, I know. I just…I don't know if I could handle that sort of responsibility. All those lives, all those souls… I just don't know." The blue-haired Angel Estwael kneeled at her feet and took her hand.

"It seems daunting, I know, but you won't be alone. You'll have me, and Veran and Coelle. Kagome smiled weakly.

"There are all those demons. I know each Guardian is responsible for protecting their element from the corruption of a demonic presence. Am I strong enough? Can I protect all the Winds? I can't get your help with that."

"That's true, but don't forget, you'll have lesser wind Angels working under you. They can help. And don't forget the big guy." Estwael smiled. "I'm sure he won't mind giving you a boost during your first few decades."

"Oh Estwael! You are such a good friend! I don't know what I'd do without your council." Estwael smiled, but inside, he sighed. A friend, never anything more. The Guardian Angel of Water had loved Kagome since she and he were but a few centuries old. They had virtually grown up together. Maybe it was this familiarity that kept her from truly loving him as he did her.

"I think I will do it! For Heaven! I'm going to talk to God right now!" She gracefully floated into the air, leaning down to quickly kiss Estwael on the cheek. "Thank you again, my friend!" Then she flew away in the direction of the setting sun, where God's home lay.

When Kagome reached God's home, she was greeted by two cheerful faces. Veran, Guardian Angel of Earth, and Coelle, Guardian Angel of Fire floated forward to greet her.

"Kagome dear, have you made your decision?" inquired Veran, tranquil as always.

"I hope you have decided to join us!" piped Coelle. She, unlike Veran, was spirited and wild, like her element. Her flame colored hair, floated above her head, always in disarray, and her violet eyes snapped. Her dangerous beauty had ensnared many an admirer. Veran hovered slightly behind his energetic cousin, dark hair flopping over his flaming red eyes. Veran was strong and solid. Broad-shouldered and square-jawed, he was sturdy, someone who could be counted on.

Kagome nodded. "I have decided to accept the position." She said softly.

"Oh joy and rapture!" squealed Coelle, clasping her hands to her bosom and twirling high into the sky. "Finally, another female who isn't always freaking me out! No offense, but your sister was a little weird even before you-know-what."

"None taken." replied Kagome. She entered the small cabin in which dwelled God. Fifteen earth minutes later, she emerged, the newest Guardian Angel. As she danced with Coelle and spoke to Veran, an egg crumbled, revealing a new baby bird. Birth was a common occurrence in Heaven.