InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 9 )

CHAPTER 10

 

`Why the hell did I not notice the stench of blood so heavily in the air? Maybe it was the latest loss of blood my body has just suffered?' The demon increased his pace.

 

The scene passed by in blurs. Next thing she knew the neko landed and she jumped down onto the ground. The cries of youkai, clashing weapons and the loud noise of feet stomping on the earth greeted them. The war had begun. Whatever had commenced it did not matter anymore. Their goal now was to do everything in their power to defend the villages, human and youkai.

 

“Miko, will you be alright by yourself?” He had not looked at her but she knew that he was fighting his youkai. His eyes were red and his hair had become loose. All she could sense was him. He surrounded her with power and danger.

 

“Worry about yourself Daiyoukai.”

 

“I should warn you that the southern and the northern Daiyoukai, and their armies are also our allies. Just make sure you don't kill any of our warriors.”

 

“How the hell am -”

 

“You know what to do then.” He stormed off in a white blur before she could finish. The only evidence of his fighting - the countless youkai body parts being thrown off in the air.

 

Kagome prepared her bow with an arrow. This was going to be a long first day. She kneeled, asked for the Kami's blessing, and began the chant that would protect her new `tomodachi' (friends).

 

She didn't have to come out of the shadows. The youkai were frantically sniffing the air and widening there eyes. No doubt, they had sensed the change in the air.

 

She smirked inwardly. Perhaps this battle was not such a bad thing after all.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

The arrows flew out of my hands two at a time. Sometimes they would hold enough purification energy to go through thirty youkai at a time. The rush of adrenaline in my blood was amazing! Surely such joy in the kill, even the kill of youkai, could not be so sweet and delectable. It must be due to the blood of the Daiyoukai in me. Kirara was at a distance from me, also aiding in the battle. I kept stealing glances towards her direction.

 

As my ya (arrow) began to decline I realized that more and more youkai charged at me. Stepping back a few steps, I was doubled over by a sharp pain in my lower abdomen. The pain caused my aim to miss and the last of my ya flew across into the more dense part of the field. My neko friend came to my side immediately defending me in my weakened state.

 

I winced at the pain. My breathing was becoming ragged and I searched around the battle field for the source of my pain. For a fleeting moment, I panicked as the thought of a familiar pain that had come earlier than expected. To my surprise, I came across a very unusual sight. The youkai, from the western army I gathered, were surrounded by a blue light. I needed no more sign. These glowing youkai were the ones I was to protect.

 

And from the looks of things, my power was being challenged by the kuro miko. I closed my eyes and called forth my power. I measured it and let it seep out of my body. The blue light left me in a rushed wave and bathed the entire armies. However, only the allied army was left with the light surrounding them.

 

So this is how I was going to recognize them! Damn you Daiyoukai for not informing me as to `how' I would know.

 

The effects of my power took in rapidly. The enemy tried hard to injure the western, northern and southern warriors, but to no avail. Sending Kirara off again, I ran again into the battle using Murakumo no Tsurugi. Taking a stance, I let youkai after youkai come charging at me.

 

A few hours into the ongoing conflict another pain brought me to my knees. This time, however, the pain was more intense. Killing the boar youkai that had jumped on top of me, I thrusted my blade through its middle and pushed it off of me.

 

Searching again for the source, my eyes caught the sight of the Inu no Taishou being thrown to the side by a giant paw. The Daiyoukai had preferred to stay in his humanoid form. The humongous hyena was drooling acidic saliva, some of which was falling on the inu-youkai's legs. I noticed that the Inu no Taishou did not move.

 

I raced to his side as fast as the pain allowed me. A large number of different youkai were already surrounding him and ready to pounce on him. I cut in half two of the youkai in the circle and stood over the unconscious inu-youkai.

 

“THAT. WAS. A. BIG. MISTAKE.”

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

He could faintly hear the sounds in the area. But all sounds were more of a humming. He used his heightened sense of smell to help him discern his surroundings. Catching the smell of enemy youkai, he let his jyaki emanate his injured body. At the same moment, he caught the scent of gardenias and lilies.

 

“THAT. WAS. A. BIG. MISTAKE.” Her icy tone was every bit threatening.

 

The Inu no Taishou forced himself up on his elbows and blinked in order to see what he knew was going to be almost worth all the pain he was feeling. The first sight he saw was Kagome whirling her naginata and taking her stance. An evil smirk crossed her face.

 

Before he had time to blink again, she had moved. All he could see was the slaughter of the youkai and a black blur move around him. She slowed down once she saw that only two youkai were left standing. The miko kneeled on one knee and pushed herself off the ground towards the two remaining youkai. A diagonal move with her blade across their bodies and the sound of deathly cries was the last he saw of his attackers.

 

Kagome landed gracefully and separated her sword. She bended over to pick up a pack of ya that was lying on the snow.

 

“Arigatou, miko. Your presence here has proven a most valuable asset.” He stood and extended his arm to her in appreciation.

 

Without acknowledging him, the miko turned away from him. “Do not let it go to your head. If anyone is going to have the pleasure of killing you, the pleasure... will be mine.”

 

The sound of his laughter overrode that of the battling youkai. She whipped around and witnessed the transformation of the inu youkai.

 

Finally.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

The young demon prince was keeping his end of the fight by protecting this part of his inheritance. He had hoped to fight side by side with his sire, but was instead send with both his brothers and half the army to the other side in order to entrap the enemy. Just like their father, the three young inu youkai barely had to make an effort to kill. Still, victory was not something that was coming easy because of the kuro miko.

 

The prince knew that this war was far from over even though the eastern armies were easily being disposed of. He also noticed that his warriors were not being affected by the kuro miko. That could only mean that the stubborn miko was indeed helping them after all.

 

“Damn!'' He'd wanted to see this girl. His father had made such a fuss about her that he'd actually aroused his curiosity. Putting his feeling aside, he continued fighting.

 

~~~~~~~

 

The war had been going on for four straight days. It was a little past midday on that fourth day. No one had had any rest. The Inu no Taishou had ordered me to go sleep, being that I was human and such things were needed. Of course, I did not listen and continued. He did not know that in order for the spell to continue, I had to be awake.

 

My body did need rest and I would be lying to myself if I said no. It was hard for me to protect the allied army while at the same time, protecting myself. I had never needed to protect any one else during a fight. Unknowingly, Lord Otoya granted my wish.

 

“Retreat!” The eastern lord turned towards the Inu no Taishou and pointed his sword at him. “This is far from over! I will be back and when I do....” he now turned to me, “I'll make sure to take my time with her after I take the Shikon no Tama. She looks like she could give me a good time!” His laughter was loud enough to burst my ear drum. The Inu no Taishou was about to charge at him but my hand stopped him. Startled, his eyes fell on me to see why I had done this. I gazed into his red eyes as I gave a small nod.

 

I can take care of myself.

 

He understood me and sheathed his sword.

 

Turning to the hyena, I mockingly replied, “REALLY? I doubt someone like you could satisfy me. I doubt you can even satisfy yourself!”

 

Otoya's anger rose at my remark. He would have attacked us, but instead opted to retreat. We watched the enemy literally run with their tales between their legs. Soon, the only army was that of the western allies.

 

“Let us go back to my castle. You will stay at my home until this war is over.”

 

“Fine.” I knew it would be useless to argue so I simply accepted. “There is however, something I must do. Where is the nearest human village?”

 

“For you, half a day from here on that direction” He signaled south of where we were standing. “I will have a guard escort you there.”

 

“No. With the recent events I doubt any human would trust a woman being escorted by a demon, even a miko. Besides, I must tend to the injured. Humans are my priority. I will be back by nightfall.” Surprisingly, he did not dispute my decision. “Kirara, let's go.”

 

~~~~~~~~

 

The village was small, maybe sixty or seventy people lived there. And now, after the attack, probably less than half were left. From those that were left, mostly all were injured in one way or another. Thankfully, there was a doctor in the village that was not hurt much and had helped me.

 

As I came into the last house, I saw a feeble woman hovering over the body of who I supposed was her son. I noted a deep gash on his lower side. Getting up quickly when she saw me, she fell at my feet and mumbled through her tears. “Please, miko-sama, save my boy!”

 

Giving her a reassuring smile, I said. “Do not be troubled. Your boy won't die.”

 

“But the wound - “

 

I interjected and again tried to calm her down. “Trust me. I won't let anything happen to him.”

 

She got up and took me to the child's side. I kneeled on the right where he laid in a futon. I put my hands over his wound letting my power seep through. Without delay, he opened his eyes and hugged his mother.

 

I began walking towards the door when she called out to me. “My lady, how can I repay you?”

 

“That is alright. Knowing that he is cured is enough.” I continued towards the door.

 

She ran in front of me and said, “Please. I cannot let you leave without giving you something!”

 

I was about to protest but a thought came into mind. “Perhaps there is something you can do for me. Do you know the way to Kamakura?”

 

“The imperial city? Of course!”

 

“I need you to deliver a message for me to the emperor. Can you do that?” I really didn't want to send a woman out unprotected as war was being waged.

 

“After what you have done, I'd walk on fire without my geta (Japanese sandals) for you!”

 

“I don't think that would be necessary,” I chuckled. “Do you have a piece of parchment and ink for a message?”

 

“No, but I know where to get some. If you could please sit down, I will be back.” She exited the small hut and was back in less than two minutes.

 

“Here you go miko-sama.” She handed me the materials and watched anxiously as I wrote.

 

When the ink was dry, I rolled the paper, took one of my ribbons and tied it. I gave it to her and gave her instructions.

 

“I want you to go to the castle and ask for a samurai named Hiroyaki. Now, knowing the stupid guards at the gate, they will not let you through even after you tell them that you are delivering a message from their princess. Bu - “ She gasped and held her hand to her mouth. Realizing now who I was, she fell to the ground and began mumbling her apologies for not recognizing me.

 

With an inward roll of my eyes, I reassured her. “It's quite alright. I have never been here and it is practically impossible for you to have recognized me.” When she was convinced that I was not offended, she let me continue.

 

“As I was saying... If they don't let you see Hiroyaki, I want you to scream at the top of your lungs as if someone was attacking you. Because you are a woman, all the guards in the palace will come out and will want to know why you are screaming. Since you now have their attention, ask them out loud which one of them is Hiroyaki. When he acknowledges himself, tell him that you have a message from Kagome to the emperor. From there, he will know what to do.”

 

“Princess, what if it does not work and I am imprisoned or even killed. Who will care for my child?” Her fear began to bother me.

 

“You have my word that nothing will happen to you.”

 

Somehow, she nodded and smiled to me. “I will leave immediately.”

 

I held her back. She frowned and asked, “Is everything okay princess?”

 

“If my father or Hiroyaki or anyone else asks where I am or what I am doing, tell them I am still here helping. Say that you met me on the road to your furusato and knowing who I was, you asked me to cure the women from your village from a disease. In return, tell them I asked you to deliver this message.” I grabbed my cloak and put it on.

 

“You are fighting in the war, are you not?” It was a simple question, but the fear behind her words stopped what I was doing.

 

“Hai. I assure you though, that I am doing this to keep the war from coming to the human furusato around here.”

 

Again, she smiled. “I know. Sumimasen. A hime, not to mention a miko, would never willingly help a demon injure any human. I believe you are helping the Inu no Taishou.” It was more a statement than a question.

 

I nodded. She walked to the door while saying, “He may be a demon, but he does not act like one. Although he has never helped us, he has never bothered us either. Domo arigatou, for your help Lady Kagome. This village will always welcome you.”

 

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I was going to end here, but I'm feeling generous today! So please, don't disappoint me and review after you finish reading the next chapter!