InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 7 )

Once more, I'd like to thank my reviewers. I wasn't going to update for another two days because I was a little disappointed at the few reviews I've been getting but thanks to a very uplifting reviewer (Gentlefist), I decided to change my mind.

Gentlefist: I was so laughing and if I'd had you in front of me, I would have hugged you for all that you said! You totally said everything I was feeling! Thank you for your words of encouragement. You have no idea how much better I feel.

annonie mouse: I know its late, but thank you for your review. I didn't forget you!

And so...LET'S CONTINUE!!

 

 

CHAPTER 8

 

For the third time, Ujio was headed to the city of Kamakura. This time however, he knew what the answer would be. `At least this time, she won't have a reason to kill me', he thought. He held in his hand a different scroll. The Inu no Taishou had given him orders not to give her the scroll, but to read it to her. He knew that if he gave her the scroll she would throw it back at him, ignore it completely or worst - purify him before he said a word. Hopefully he could read it to her before she did any of those things.

 

Upon arriving, he followed her calming scent, to where he could find her. When he did, she was sitting by the same river he had first encountered her. He thought of a way to sneak up on her, but not look as if he would attack.

 

Too late!

 

He felt the arrow pierce his leg. It instantly began its effects. He had not seen her grab her bow. He had to admit that his alpha picked the best of the best, but did he also have to send HIM to his death!

 

~~~~~~~

 

“Wow. You demons do not have any common sense. You must be really useless to your Daiyoukai for him to send you thrice to your death bed.” I mocked him as I saw him wince in pain from the purification.

 

He looked at me with much anger. He began to lift his hand that held another scroll. I readied another arrow in case he tried something. Instead, he did something that took me off guard - he began reading it.

 

“To the Lady Kagome, (This time he did not include my title. Probably something he wrote hastingly.)

 

I, for the third time, have asked for your aid in the war that has commenced. Yet you denied my request and for that you have inadvertently killed hundreds of villagers in my land, including many humans.

As I said before, this war also includes you. Don't make the same mistake and come before you lose much more.”

 

The inu youkai dropped the scroll. Apparently he was in much pain. His words had come out almost as a whisper. He did not look at me, but kept his eyes on his wounded leg. He tried to pull the arrow out, but hissed when he touched it - mainly because the arrow was made from my own powers rather than out of wood.

 

“Tell your Daiyoukai that I am willing to sacrifice a few lives.” Again, I turned with every intention of leaving him to his slow death. `I have sacrificed much more than this and survived.'

 

I had not prepared for what came next.

 

“Tanaka-sensei is dead. That is what you used to call him, right?” There was no anger or jest in his voice. It was said flatly.

 

I stopped. I could feel the blood fall all the way to my feet.

 

WHAT HAD HE JUST SAID?!

 

I turned to him. My anger had returned, but it was not directed at him. I walked up to him and kneeled. Grabbing the arrow, I dissolved it. He growled and glared at me, but did nothing else. I put my hand in his wound and concentrated on pulling out all the purification power that had slowly seeped into his body.

 

Never before had I healed a youkai, so I was careful not to inflict more damage. I looked at him and noticed he had been glaring at me.

 

“Daijoubou desu ka?”

 

“H-hai.” He stood and moved his leg, testing it.

 

“Kirara.” I motioned for my neko friend and mounted her. He turned surprised blue eyes to me. “Lead the way.”

 

Recovering from his stupor, he sprinted west.

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

It took a day and three quarters to get to the Western Castle. The castle was not at all what I expected. Then again, this castle seemed to be much, much older than the castle at Kamakura. The most interesting part of the castle was the main donjon (keep). To enter one had to first pass through a separate minor keep inui kotenshu (because it stood inui or northwest of the main tower) that from the outside appeared to have three stories but actually had four, the hidden floor concealing defenses. This minor keep was structurally independent of the main tower but was connected via a roofed passage. Looking closely at the round wooden pillars, these were rough hewn by a hand tool shaped like an axe (the entire castle being made by impressed labour) from hemlock, spruce, and fir trees. There were ten round pillars supporting the first and second floors, twelve pillars supported the upper floors. All in all, it was beautiful. The winter snow made it seem as if it were floating in the clouds.

 

Upon arriving at the front walls, I dismounted Kirara and she returned to her smaller form. Ujio continued up the slope to the gate until he noticed that I was not following and was instead going on a perpendicular direction to him.

 

“Hime, the entrance is this way.”

 

“I must first give proper burial to my sensei. Inform the Daiyoukai that I shall be back by dawn.” I ran to the mountains with Kirara following behind. I needed to burn off some anger.

 

The blackened remains and the smell of decay greeted me as I walked up the steps to where the monastery once stood. Mangled bodies and dry bones were scattered everywhere. I felt the pain deep within my soul. I walked around for several minutes looking for a clue that would lead me to the body of my sensei. It seemed that I wondered forever until I came across a most painful scene.

 

`Kagome,' called Kirara.

 

A few meters from the east walls of the monastery, a body was tied to a tree trunk. I cautiously walked up to it, afraid to confirm my suspicions. Unfortunately, the Dharmachakra (Wheel of Life) chain identified him. Before burying him, I took the chain and put it inside one of my sleeves.

 

Mustering all my courage, I began the task of burying the bodies with the help of Kirara. I said a prayer, checked that all was well, stood and bowed. I did not move from the spot. A powerful youki (demonic aura) emanated from all around me. From the waves it sent off, I could tell that the demon was not threatening me, but was rather alerting me to its presence.

 

Only a very powerful youkai, or rather Daiyoukai, could do this, I concluded.

 

“Did I not make it clear to your servant that I was to arrive at your home before dawn? Or is your entire race so thick-headed that words bounce of your skull?” I tried to keep my tone down but I hated to be spied on.

 

“Keh. Proud.” He allowed himself a small mocking laughter. “Have recent events not taught you that your pride will only get others killed?”

 

Disbelief racked me. No one in the past six years had dismissed me so easily and it angered me that he would dare discount me now. It reminded me of too many bad memories of the people at the monastery who saw through me. People who held no regard for me whatsoever. I kept my stare, matching his. Still I could not help taking in every one of his features. He had the most beautiful silver white hair that reached to his calves. On each cheek bone was a jagged dark blue line and on his forehead, a crescent moon in between his dark black brows showed his crest. He was very handsome. His clothes only heightened his masculinity and power. But what had me mesmerized were his unusually colored eyes - golden oceans. Seeing how I wouldn't speak, he once again broke the ice.

 

“I offered you a truce. My offer still stands, if you decide to ally yourself with me and my clan. You will be protected by me. Anyone, whosoever tries to pluck a hair from your head wishing you harm, will suffer my wrath. That also includes anyone in my service.” He did soften his tone. It almost seemed as though he was talking to a child.

 

I cocked my head to one side. To be quite honest, the Daiyoukai aroused my curiosity. I had heard stories about him from other older priestesses. He was rumored to be immortal and dangerous, but righteous. He never killed anyone without reason. From what I had heard so far, from the four reigning Lords, he was known to be the strongest. In my opinion, he was yet to be rated.

 

Narrowing my eyes, I thought of a question, but found myself instead asking something else. “Why me? I mean, I'm pretty sure you can call upon any kuro miko. For it is safe to presume that your enemy has bargained with these, for if not I would not be here.”

 

He dropped his head and shook it from side to side, letting out a sigh. He strode towards me. I was too lost in his last remark and did not notice him at my side. The inu-youkai reached out to grab my wrist, but rapidly removed his hand for it had been scalded by my miko powers. That tore me away from my daze.

 

“Gomen nasai.” Had I just apologized for defending myself?

 

“Even unconsciously you guard yourself.” He had just complimented me!

 

“What is it exactly that you want me to do? Well, besides the obvious obliteration of your enemy.”

 

“I wish for your help.” It was simply stated. “I want you to use your powers to guard us against the other priestesses. My army and I will take care of the demons.”

 

“And what do I gain out of this?”

 

“I give you my word that the human villages in my territories will be protected. No harm will come to any human even after the war is over.”

 

“Your word means nothing to me. I need some other kind of assurance.” He grinned at me.

 

“Give me your hand.” It was quite literally a command.

 

“What?! I will do no such thing!” Had the thinning air up here made the demon begin to lose it?

 

Rolling his eyes in annoyance, he extended his left arm while rolling up his sleeve with the other. He used one of his claws to make a deep gash on his wrist. I hadn't noticed he had been looking at me during the whole thing.

 

“This is a sacred ancient ritual only performed among the four Daiyoukai. We slit our wrists right where the pulse is strongest. We collect the blood in a cup, filling it with our blood. After they are full, we exchange cups, so to speak, and drink the entire contents. It is what seals our deal. If any said demon breaks their promise he dies a slow and agonizing death.” All this was said in the bluntest manner.

 

I gave him a doubtful look. Well... it would be nice to see him get killed. One less youkai to worry about, right?

 

I granted my answer by extending my hand to him. His hand gently tugged me closer. I could have sworn he had done it almost very fatherly.

 

“This might hurt a bit so try to refrain from pulling your hand from me or using any of your powers.” Was he worried about me? “Also, seeing that we have no drinking utensils, we will have to drink the blood directly from the source.”

 

At those last words, I shook a little. He saw this and again smiled. His face swiftly changed to a more serious one as he began to speak once more.

 

“I, the Inu no Taishou, Daiyoukai of the Western Lands, do hereby agree to protect Kagome, princess and miko of Kamakura, from any harm. I take an oath today to also protect all humans living within my territories as truce to said miko. If I were to fail on my word, either accidentally or purposefully, may I suffer the consequences, whatever they may be.” With a nod, he signaled my turn.

 

Following his example, I voiced my pact. “I, Minamoto Kagome, Princess and Miko of Kamakura, do hereby agree to aid the Inu no Taishou, Daiyoukai of the Western Lands, by putting my spiritual powers at his command. I take an oath today also to protect his army from the kuro miko powers by providing them with barriers against any danger. Should I fail to keep my promise, I accept the consequences, whatever they may be.”

 

He clutched my right wrist very carefully. He lowered his mouth to my wrist and kissed it. His eyes followed my reactions. Without further a due, he bit my wrist and began drinking the blood. I felt my strength leaving me. He drank ferociously. Too quickly, he stopped his drinking and licked my wound.

 

“My saliva will help it seal faster.” His voice sounded a bit like a drunk. Before he offered his hand, he blinked several times. I thought perhaps he was trying to regain posture. He looked weaker than I did. And to think that he wasn't the one who had lost half his blood!

 

Shakily, he raised his wrist, cut a small opening and offered it to me. I took his wrist with both hands and pulled it to my mouth.

 

The moment of truth.

 

`For Kami's sake just do it!' came Kirara's voice in my head.

 

I closed my eyes and put my lips on his wound. Being how he was powerful and a youkai, the wound had already begun to close, leaving only a drop-size opening. Some thing inside me took over instinctively as soon as the scent of his blood reached my nose.

 

Opening my eyes, but without removing my mouth from his wrist, I glanced up at him. A moments warning... a flash of red and the smell of sandalwood... And then I blacked out!