InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Concrete Rose ❯ The Hunters ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Concrete Rose
 
Chapter 5: The Hunters
 
 
 
“ May I ask where we are going, Masoto?” Yukiko asked, trying desperately to keep up with him. They hopped from tree to tree at an amazing speed, but for some reason, Masoto was going his fastest. Yukiko pushed herself and jumped in front of him. Masoto came to an instant stop mere centimeters from her.
 
“ Why have you stopped?” He asked, not sounding the least bit tired. Yukiko crossed her arms.
 
“ We aren't going a step forward until you tell me where the hell we are going. Why did we leave the rest of our kin behind on this little venture? First you get me up in the middle of the night and then you refuse to tell me why. So, what is it?” Yukiko said, sounding infuriated. Masoto smiled.
 
“ Yukiko, we are going to the Hunters' castle.” He said. Yukiko's eyes widened.
 
“ The Hunters? Why do we need them? They're nothing but a bunch of humans.” She said. Masoto nodded.
 
“ They are not humans, Yukiko. They all have traces of youkai in their blood. They have the heightened senses of them. We will be able to track the brat quicker if we employ them.” Masoto asked. Yukiko raised an eyebrow.
 
“ What makes you think they will willingly work for...” Yukiko was silenced by Masoto's hand. He was looking down. Two people where passing below them. One was obviously a youkai, but the other was a beautiful young miko. A two-headed dragon was with them.
 
Koga sniffed the air. Rin looked at him.
 
“ Is something wrong, Koga?” She asked. Koga did not answer her right away. He looked up in the trees and saw nothing. The trees swayed in the wind. “ Koga?” Rin asked again. Koga blinked out of his stupor and looked at her.
 
“ Yes?”
 
“ Is something wrong?” Rin asked, looking up also.
 
“ No. I just thought I smelled something.”
 
“ Another youkai?”
 
“ Yes. Whatever it was, it is gone now. Come on. We should keep going.” Koga said. Rin nodded and lowered her head. The truth was, she felt an evil presence, but could not place what it was exactly.
 
Up in the trees, Masoto stood up on the branch. He watched the duo walk off, still talking jovially to each other. He looked over to the tree across from him. Yukiko's body materialized from being camouflaged. She looked down at the figures disappearing into the brush.
 
“ Who was that?” Yukiko asked. Masoto smirked and crossed his arms and looked at their retreating figures.
 
“ That was Sesshomaru's little foster daughter of sorts. I have heard of her. Quite the pretty young thing, isn't she?”
 
“ Shut up, Masoto. How do you know it was her?” Yukiko asked, hopping over to his tree. Masoto looked at her.
 
“ That two-headed dragon is Ah-Un, another one of Sesshomaru's companions. I have a feeling that she will come in handy one of these days. But, we need get to the castle before nightfall. Come on, Yukiko. Quicken pace.” Masoto began jumping from tree to tree again. Yukiko sighed and followed him.
 
Kimi looked up at the cliff that Sesshomaru had scaled so fast. He looked down at her. Kimi crossed her arms.
 
“ Are you not going to follow me?” Sesshomaru called to her. Kimi raised an eyebrow.
 
“ I do NOT believe I can fly, Sesshomaru. I, unfortunately, do not have the ability to leap great bounds.” Kimi yelled up at him. Sesshomaru cringed at her yelling. He could hear her just fine without her screaming. He jumped down and landed gracefully in front of her. Kimi took a step back, a little shocked at his sudden appearance in front of her. “ Don't do that!” She yelled. Sesshomaru ignored her.
 
“ Come on.” Sesshomaru grabbed her by the wrist and threw her up in the air. Kimi screamed. Her momentum slowed and she hung in the air for a moment. She began falling. Sesshomaru just watched.
 
“ Sesshomaru, I'm going to...” Kimi noticed that she hadn't hit the ground yet. In fact, she was hovering on something soft and white. She stood up straight. Sesshomaru watched this with interest in his eyes. He walked forward examined the white thing Kimi was standing on. “ What the hell?” Kimi whispered.
 
“ It is a cloud. Apparently, you can fly.” He said and began scaling the cliff again. Kimi just watched him.
 
“ Sesshomaru, I don't know how to move on this thing!” She yelled up at him. Kimi sat down and thought for a moment. She closed her eyes, and felt the wind against her face.
 
“ It is about time.” A deep, cold voice said. Kimi opened her eyes and saw Sesshomaru standing there. Kimi frowned and lost her concentration on the white cloud. She fell straight through the center of it and landed hard on the rocky ground. Sesshomaru fought the urge to laugh. Kimi stood up quickly.
 
“ That was not funny.” She said. Sesshomaru looked at her quizzically.
 
“ This Sesshomaru did not laugh.”
 
“ It's written all in your eyes, Sessy. You were resisting the urge to do so. Not as cold as you make yourself out to be, huh?” Kimi said, walking past him. Sesshomaru pinched one of her ears. Kimi's eyes watered. “ OWW!” She yelled. Sesshomaru smirked inwardly and walked ahead of her.
 
“ Do not dawdle, Kimi.” Sesshomaru said. Kimi frowned and walked after him. In mere minutes, they came to Toutousai's place. The old man was sitting outside his home, watching them approach.
 
“ Ah, the great lord of the Western Lands. What brings you to me, Sesshomaru?” Toutousai stood up.
 
“ I have come to ask you a question about a thunder youkai called Nariko.” Sesshomaru said. Toutousai looked confused for a moment.
 
“ Why Nariko? She has been dead for many years now.” Toutousai said. Sesshomaru looked to his left as Kimi stepped out from around him. Toutousai looked at her.
 
“ You knew my mother?” Kimi asked. Toutousai just stared at the girl. She looked so much like Nariko.
 
“ Yes, I did. I even knew your brute of a father. You must be Kimi. What is it that you wish to know?” Toutousai asked.
 
“ What do you know of my father?” Kimi asked. Toutousai sighed.
 
“ Well, his name was Akusaru. He was a ruthless bastard if you ask me. Very brash and boisterous. Loved killing, but the only person who could really talk some sense into him was your fair mother. Nariko was a very kind woman, as I am sure you know already. Akusaru was killed by some cat youkai shortly before you were born. It was him who named you. Do you know what your name means?”
 
“ Not a clue.”
 
“ It means `She who is without equal.' I hope you live up to that name, Kimi.” Toutousai said. Kimi just stared at him. Sesshomaru sighed.
 
“ We've come to ask if there was a weapon made for her in order to control her thunder youkai blood. She tends to destroy things when she changes.” Sesshomaru said. Kimi glared at him.
 
“ I only do it when you irritate me.” Kimi said. Sesshomaru ignored her.
 
“ You are talking to the wrong person, but there was a weapon made especially for you, Kimi. It is a scythe. Your grandfather had it forged for you. I did not make it, but I know who did.” Toutousai said.
 
“ Who is it and where are they, old man?” Sesshomaru asked. Toutousai shot him a look.
 
“ So overbearing, Sesshomaru. If your father could see you now...”
 
“ You try my patience, old man.” Sesshomaru practically growled. Kimi sensed the oncoming argument and stepped between the two.
 
“ Who is he, Toutousai?” She asked sweetly. Toutousai looked away from Sesshomaru and at Kimi's sweet face.
 
HER name is Michiko. She lives in the east. She will be able to give you more detailed information on the weapon. Michiko lives in the Northern Lands. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a bath to prepare.” Toutousai began walking away. The name hit something inside of both Kimi and Sesshomaru.
 
“ Thank you, Toutousai.” Kimi said. Toutousai waved his hand over his shoulder. Sesshomaru turned and walked off. Kimi walked off after him. “ What now?”
 
“ We go see this woman about your weapon. Then we retrieve it from wherever it is hidden. Simple as that.” Sesshomaru said. Kimi nodded and walked in silence for once.
 
Masoto stopped on a branch. The forest ended here. Yukiko jumped beside him. The sight before her was rather strange. There seemed to be nothing there. However, a faint green tint was over the clearing. Masoto jumped down.
 
“ We're here.” He said as Yukiko landed beside him. Yukiko looked around.
 
“ Not to bust your bubble, Masoto, but there is nothing here.” She said, running a hand through her hair. Masoto shook his head and walked forward. He stepped through the barrier. Yukiko followed. On the other side, she saw a grand castle before her. As she took a step forward, Masoto pulled her back.
 
“ What?!” She yelled. Masoto nodded towards the arrow that had just struck the ground inches in front of her. They looked up and saw a woman dressed in all white standing on the top of the gates. In less than a second, she was in front of Yukiko and Masoto.
 
“ Who are you?” She asked. Her red hair covered one eye. She had green eyes and looked quite sinister. She held a bow in her right hand. Masoto took a step forward.
 
“ I am Masoto, leader of the Kino clan of thunder youkai. This is Yukiko. We've come to ask for your assistance in a matter that we are having trouble completing ourselves.” Masoto said. The woman looked him up and down, then at Yukiko.
 
“ Follow me and be silent. The youkai who reside in the courtyard respond to noise.” She said quickly. Masoto and Yukiko followed her inside the gate.
 
Inside the courtyard, nothing appeared to be there. Yukiko looked around. She was about to ask a question, but Masoto shook his head. They continued following in silence until they walked inside the castle.
 
“ I didn't see any youkai.”
 
“ They are camouflaged. It is one of their traits and why we use them as guards. If for some unknown reason you get past me, they are your next test. Now, you want to speak with Akio, our leader. I am Sanna.” She said. Sanna led them into a large room.
 
“ Are you a human?” Yukiko asked.
 
“ Yes and no. I am three-fourths human. My mother was a cat hanyou. That is the case with most of us here.” Sanna turned away from them. Once again, they seemed to be staring at absolutely nothing. “ Akio, we have guests.” She said calmly.
 
Yukiko breathed out as she noticed how cold it had gotten inside the room. She turned her head and a man appeared, standing right in front of her. Yukiko gasped and jumped back. The man smirked to himself. Sanna turned her head and sighed.
 
“ Akio, this is Yukiko and Masoto of the thunder youkai. They wish for our assistance.” Sanna said. Akio nodded. He had icy blue eyes and sky blue hair, a weird combination. He seemed to radiate power, but Masoto could tell he too was only part youkai.
 
“ Very well. What is it that you wish for us to do?” Akio asked. Masoto cleared his throat.
 
“ We are looking for a hybrid named Kimi. She is the daughter of one of our dead enemies and the key to finding a very powerful weapon. She keeps evading us unintentionally and now she has united with a very powerful foe. One we plan to destroy once we acquire the weapon.” Masoto said. Akio nodded.
 
“ And who, pray tell, might this foe be?”
 
“ Sesshomaru.” Yukiko said with a fair amount of disgust in her voice. Akio looked at Sanna and smiled. Sanna nodded and turned to go out of the room. Yukiko watched her go then looked at Akio.
 
“ You want to get rid of the lord of the Western Lands? That is no easy task. I know that from personal experience. Now, let us talk payment. What is in it for us?” He asked.
 
“ We will happily split whatever is left of Sesshomaru's with you.” Masoto answered. Akio nodded. He was silent for a moment. Then, Sanna entered the room with four other people. Masoto and Yukiko watched them.
 
“ Good deal. I want you to meet the rest of the hunters.” He motioned for them to walk around.
 
There were two guys, Jiro and Ken. Jiro had wild red hair and red eyes. Ken had black hair and deep brown eyes. Both carried swords. There were also two other women, Inari and Suzuka. Inari looked extremely young and wore her long black hair in braided pigtails. She had large of brown for eyes. She carried whip around her shoulder. Suzuka had to be the most intimidating person in the room. Just by looking at her, you would think she was a princess of some sort. Suzuka had long black hair that she kept in a high ponytail. She had a beautiful face. She had slits of gray for eyes.
 
“ They are the best trackers around. Where was the girl last?” Akio asked.
 
“ We don't know exactly. She is on the move right now. Maybe you could try and track her from Sesshomaru's castle.” Masoto said. Akio nodded. He turned to look at his crew.
 
“ Jiro and Sanna, go after the girl. Follow them wherever they go. We will be along.” Akio said. Sanna nodded. Jiro walked out of the room.
 
“ You're just sending two of them? Sesshomaru will mutilate them in seconds.” Yukiko said loudly.
 
“ Like I said before, they are the best trackers around. They are just scouting in this mission. Regardless of Sesshomaru's heightened senses, he will not be able to hear, see, or smell them. This I can guarantee.” Akio said. Masoto nodded.
 
“ We might need a little leverage for taking the girl. Is there anyone residing at Sesshomaru's place?” Akio asked. Yukiko nodded. “ Who?”
 
“ His servants, of course. I doubt he would barter with one of them.” Masoto said. Yukiko shook her head this time.
 
“ You are wrong there, Masoto. Sesshomaru also has another companion that not many know about. Her name is Kai and she is a very powerful inu youkai. She is his assistant of sorts and caretaker of that girl. I've been keeping tabs on her for quite some time now.” Yukiko said. Masoto looked shocked at her knowledge.
 
“ Good. Suzuka, I think you could handle this one on your own. Bring Kai here.” Akio said. Suzuka nodded and walked out of the room.
 
Rin and Koga walked up to Inuyasha's home and knocked. Kagome slid the door open, releasing the sound of a squalling child. Kagome smiled at Rin.
 
“ Hi, Rin. What brings you here?”
 
“ I just came to see how you are coming with Taro.” She said, smiling. Kagome stepped aside, letting them in the house.
 
“ Just fine. Pay no attention to the noise in the background. Inuyasha had diaper duty. Apparently, Taro is beating him...” Kagome jumped back as a naked baby came zooming out of a room. Inuyasha trailed after him. Rin laughed.
 
“ He learned to walk rather early.”
 
“ Inuyasha said it had something to do with being part inu youkai. He's also quite fast, too. He won't listen to a word Inuyasha says, but when I tell him something, he instantly listens.” Kagome said. Rin nodded.
 
“ Well, Koga and I just came by for a visit. I was tired of being in castle. Plus, Kimi is gone off with Sesshomaru. Something about Toutousai.”
 
“ Kimi?” Kagome asked. Rin nodded.
 
“ I found Kimi rather beaten up on my way back to the castle after Taro was born. I saved her and took care of her until she was able to get back on her feet. She's like Inuyasha in every way almost. She drives Sesshomaru up the wall.”
 
“ Is she a youkai?”
 
“ Yes. She's a hybrid of thunder and inu youkai.” Rin said. Kagome nodded and Inuyasha walked back in holding his son by the arm. Taro was squealing and trying desperately to get loose of his father. Inuyasha stomped over to Kagome and dropped the boy in her lap.
 
YOU can change the damn child's diaper or whatever you call it.” He said in a dry tone. Kagome sighed and picked up her dirty son. She disappeared into the next room. Inuyasha turned his attention on Rin and Koga.
 
“ Hi, Inuyasha.” Rin said, smiling broadly. Inuyasha nodded towards her. He crossed his arms in his sleeves and sat down in front of them.
 
“ You came to see Taro?” He asked. Rin nodded. Inuyasha then turned his glare on Koga. “ And what about you?”
 
“ I'm just along for the ride. Rin needed some company and I just happened to be in the area.” Koga said snidely. Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something, but Kagome entered the room.
 
“ Sorry about that. Rin, would you mind helping me with dinner?” Kagome asked. Rin nodded and followed Kagome out of the room. Inuyasha again looked at Koga.
 
“ I take it my big brother doesn't know that you are with her.” He said. Koga smirked.
 
“ Why do you keep thinking that your brother is going to stop me from seeing Rin?”
 
“ Because he is Sesshomaru and he is very protective of those he considers close to him. It is obvious that he sees Rin as his own daughter.”
 
“ That is a laughable concept, Inuyasha. Why on earth would your prissy brother see Rin, a human miko, as a daughter?”
 
“ He's cared for Rin since she was a little girl. He even saved her life quite a few times and initially brought her back to life after YOUR wolves killed her years ago. Rin didn't tell you that?” Inuyasha asked. All the color in Koga's face disappeared.
 
“ That's impossible. My wolves never even saw Rin before.” He argued. Inuyasha chuckled to himself.
 
“ Just imagine when Sesshomaru finds out that the leader of the wolves that killed her when she was child is the one trying to get with her now. I have to be there for that conversation. IF and only IF there is even a conversation. Like I said before, Sesshomaru is very protective of Rin. I am sure that he doesn't even know you are with her. When he finds out...” Inuyasha's voice trailed off.
 
Rin filled some bowls with rice while Kagome stirred the stew. Rin sighed and looked over at Kagome.
 
“ Kagome?”
 
“ Yes?”
 
“ What do you think about Koga?” She asked. Kagome dropped the spoon in the stew at the sudden question. She turned towards Rin and smiled.
 
“ Well, Koga is like Inuyasha in a certain way. Although they will never admit it, they are very much alike. They both are loud and tend to act without thinking. Not to mention they are very careless and arrogant. Why the sudden interest in Koga?” Kagome asked. Rin shook her head quickly.
 
“ I was just wondering. That's all.” She said. Kagome crossed her arms over her chest.
 
“ Yeah right, Rin. Are you interested in Koga? If so, I think he's interested in you.” Kagome said slyly. Rin's face flushed instantly. She smiled and looked at Kagome again.
 
“ Really?” She asked. Kagome nodded. Rin's face faltered for a moment.
 
“ What's wrong?”
 
“ Sesshomaru would never allow it.” She said disdainfully. Kagome raised an eyebrow.
 
“ Why do you say that?”
 
“ Sesshomaru is overprotective of me. He doesn't even like me talking to the young boys in the village below his castle. Plus, Koga's wolves killed me when I was younger. He's basically the whole reason why I am with Sesshomaru.”
 
“ I see. Well, I'm pretty sure that Sesshomaru will allow you to make your own choices. In the mean time, I suggest you go for it. Now, let's feed those boys before they kill each other.” Kagome said, grinning. Rin nodded and continued filling the bowls.
 
Kimi sat on the ground in front of a fire. Sesshomaru was up in a tree, watching her intently. Kimi seemed to be concentrating on something. Sesshomaru blinked when he saw a white ball forming on the ground. The ball began to get larger and larger. It took the shape of a cloud. Kimi smiled and stood up. She looked up at Sesshomaru.
 
“ I did it!” She yelled. Sesshomaru inclined his head slightly. He sighed and leaned back against the tree, staring up at the sky. Kimi looked back down at the floating cloud. She stepped on it, testing its stability. She then sat down on it.
 
Sesshomaru pulled Tokujin out and pointed it straight ahead of him. He opened his eyes and saw that Kimi was floating on the cloud, holding Tokujin by the tip. It took Sesshomaru a minute to take in the scene before him.
 
` How can she be able to touch Tokujin without being overwhelmed by its demonic aura?' He thought to himself. Kimi noticed Sesshomaru's blank expression before he had time to mask it. Using his stupor to her advantage, she pulled on Tokujin. Kimi smiled and reversed the sword that it was pointing into Sesshomaru's armor.
 
“ Ha ha! Looks like I've got the big, bad sword now, Sessy.” Kimi said. Sesshomaru narrowed his amber eyes. Before Kimi could blink again, he had the sword back in his possession. Kimi gasped as she fell through her cloud. Sesshomaru sighed and reached out to catch her.
 
“ Do not do that again or this Sesshomaru will not be so generous as to catch you.” He said in a low voice. Kimi mimicked him silently and Sesshomaru let her wrist go. Kimi landed on the ground hard. She winced in pain at the scrape on her leg. Staring at the ground, she saw feet in front of her. Looking up, Sesshomaru towered over her.
 
“ You big jerk!” Kimi tried to stand up and take a swing at him. Sesshomaru was going to let it hit him, sure it would cause no damage. At the last second he saw something rather strange. He immediately jumped out of the way.
 
Kimi swung her arm down. She struck a tree. It seemed as though nothing had happened until Kimi noticed the big hole where the tree should have been. She stared at the gaping hole.
 
“ Sesshomaru?” She whispered. Looking around, she saw no sign of him. She fell to her knees. “ Oh, what have I done? Rin will never forgive me for this. I will never forgive myself!” Kimi cried.
 
“ I am pleased to see that you do not hate me.” A deep voice said from behind her. Kimi looked up and saw Sesshomaru standing in one piece. Kimi forced her small body off the ground and stalked over to him. Her hand connected with his face before he could stop it.
 
“ You asshole!” With that, she walked over to the other side of the fire and sat down among her things. Sesshomaru decided not to reprimand her and went off to hunt. Kimi watched him go out of the corner of her eye. “ Jackass.” She sighed.
 
Kai opened her eyes. She walked to her balcony and looked out onto the gardens. The sun was setting. She saw a glimmer of something red, but dismissed it as a trick of the light. Just as she turned her head, something silver went whizzing past her head at a high speed. Kai gasped and took a step back. She looked at the wall. A Chinese star was lodged in it.
 
“ Hello, Lady Kai.” A voice said. Kai froze.