InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Destiny's Bond ❯ Rhythm of the Heat ( Chapter 7 )

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

Just another reminder: I do not own Inu Yasha (Just the feeding of him would lead me quickly to bankruptcy) nor do I own his friends (slavery is wrong after all). Rumiko Takehashi owns the rights to them. The Onikami family, Konran, Youmei, and Musoka all are my creations, so please ask me for permission before borrowing them. Also the words of the chant that appears in this chapter comes from the Peter Gabriel song “Rhythm of the Heat”. Also there is a cameo appearance by Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon characters.

Destiny's Bond

Chapter Six: Rhythm of the heat

Lance the Flamesniper

Kouga's mind was reeling. One second he was talking about the girl he knew as Taijya no hime-chan and the next he was being tackled by Sango who it turns out is his childhood friend. Without thinking his arms wrapped around her pulling her closer to himself. This… feels kinda good. Kouga's mind reported. Out of the corner of his eye however he could see the monk's eye beginning to twitch, a motion that got more pronounced when Sango tightened her hug and began to burrow her head into the crook of his neck.

In Sango's mind there was also a lot of confusion. On one had she was overjoyed at finding her long-lost and presumed dead childhood friend. That's what initiated the hug. I feel so secure right now, more so than I have in a long while… But the inner voice had its own agenda now that Kouga was holding her. It was at her coaxing that Sango tightened the hug. This feels good… it feels right! To be held by this beautiful male is what we should always have sought!

“What's going on here?” Miroku had asked.

“Uhm, what indeed?” Kagome responded in confusion.

“It seems to me that Kouga came seeking Sango, but wasn't aware of that,” Shippou responded helpfully.

“Still this reunion seems to be lasting a little longer than I would expect,” Miroku responded tartly.

That snapped the two out of their respective reflections. The two parted both blushing furiously. “S-sorry,” they stammered in unison, then blushed deeper when they realized what they'd done.

Kouga slowly got to his feet and coughed slightly to compose himself. “Well… if you do not mind I believe that this calls for a celebration. Which you are all welcome to participate in, of course.” With that Kouga walked to the gate of the village and let out a series of yips, barks, snarls and yowls.

Within moments of the last yowl ending the entire pack converged on the village carrying large amounts of wood, spitted boars, fish and several deer within moments a large fire was built in the middle of the village as well as several smaller cooking fires. The hanyou and his group could only look on in shock at how quickly the wolves worked to get the celebration started.

&&&&&&&&

Crown Café Juuban ward Tokyo, Early evening

The Crown Café is a little known spot in the middle of the bustle of Tokyo. It offers a clean well lit environment for those who need such a place. The food is of a three star rating and the café boasts a wide variety of coffees and teas from around the world. The waiters and waitresses are discreet and never linger more than they have to in order to insure that the guests have their privacy. In the far corner of the café two customers who most definitely prefer privacy are having a conversation over tea.

“All I want to know is why you and he are messing with the timeline around the feudal era,” Setsuna Meioh said in a no non-sense tone.

“Really Setsuna,” Youmei replied as she sipped her tea. “What makes you think we're doing anything in the feudal era?”

“Perhaps the fact that I've been watching you and that… that…Miscreant in action?”

“You shouldn't call him a miscreant, you'll hurt his feelings. Konran is a sensitive soul after all.”

“Right and I'm a spiny hedgehog.”

“You hide that fact rather well if that's the case. But then again maybe that's why you're so aloof.”

“What I mean is that you know as well as I that he would take me calling him a miscreant to be a compliment. But that is beside the point. Why did he have to open a portal from the Modern Age to the Feudal Era?”

“He didn't. I did that.” Youmei stated sipping her tea again.

“What!?” Setsuna snarled. “Why?”

“Because it needed to be done. We need the Shikon no tama for Konran and my mutual goals and we needed it in that point of the feudal era. Opening the well was the most convenient way to facilitate that.”

“Okay I understand that,” Setsuna began. “But your actions are disrupting Crystal Tokyo which is a bastion of Order in the future. Shouldn't that play a part in your plans? Especially since you are who you are?”

“Setsuna, Setsuna,” Youmei sighed. “While it is true that a bastion of Order would normally be something I would strive for, I remember all too well what happened to my last attempt at such a thing. I made a Kingdom of ultimate order, of which you are the last living citizen. I made the mistake of thinking that doing so would be better than working with Konran to keep balance, as we are charged to do. Because of that, when it came time to balance accounts everything was so off kilter that the entire thing was eliminated by Metall'ia in order to regain balance. I have since learned that working with Konran, when possible, allows balance to occur which is a very good thing.”

“I've been around for a long time and yet I still don't get you and his relationship. Order and Chaos are opposites!”

“And opposites attract,” Youmei said with a slightly Konran-ish smile.

Setsuna's jaw dropped. “You mean you and he…”

“As he would say: “That… is a secret”. But don't worry Setsuna. There will still be a Crystal Tokyo. It'll just be more stable.”

&&&&&&&&&&&

Konran was watching as the ookami were gearing up for a huge celebration. Granted he was watching from a cliff high up on the tomb of Midoriko but that was how he liked to view things. His kith and kin were all like that. Already he could hear the sounds of drums, fifes and strings as the wolves began their celebration in earnest. It was about this time that a shadow eclipsed Konran's own. Slowly Konran turned to see a mass of stone standing before him.

“And just what do you think you are?” Konran asked.

“I am Yama!” It replied. “Father sent me to kill his enemies. Move aside little human or die with them.”

“I see. You presume to kill me if I don't allow you to interfere with the plans I and my allies have so carefully wrought. I think not. The idea does not appeal to me at all. Run back to the pile of parts you call a Father abomination or the only death that will occur here is yours.”

“I don't think so! You see Father made me so that no weapon made by man or demon could harm me!” Yama exclaimed as he raised his massive fist over his head intent on smashing his opponent.

The man in front of him seemed to blur. One second later the man was behind Yama. The rock covered demon's arm slowly slid from its upraised position. Yama looked to see that his arm was now lying on the ground. He slowly turned in time to see Konran sheathing his sword.

“But that isn't possible! No weapon of Human or demon make can harm me!”

“You did say that didn't you?” Konran responded jovially. “Good thing my weapons don't fall under either of those categories.”

“But…but how…?”

Konran's smile turned cold as a ball of emerald tinted energy formed in his open hand. “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in your “father's” philosophy you aberration of all that is divine. Tenrai Denkou Kashou!”

Yama didn't have a chance to even scream as his body was disintegrated by the power of the energy attack.

“Let that be a warning to you Naraku. Do not interfere in the plans of your betters,” Konran growled. Unknown to him three shaimyoushou that had been observing the scene flitted off with a report to their master.

&&&&&&

Miroku sat lost in thought. Things had been getting stranger over the last few days. There had only been one other time he'd ever seen Sango throw herself into another man's arms and that was when she had been affected by the sake sprites of that mountain. Still it didn't mean that it didn't illicit a pang of jealousy on his part. He did care for Sango after all.

And yet lately she had been lashing out quite violently towards him. Even on occasions when he was not being lecherous. And the looks she would give him during those occasions… It was almost as if she were seeing him as an enemy on equal footing as Naraku.

The thought gave him pause. Could Sango have somehow become possessed? It would explain her drastic mood change toward me certainly. But even so she's not lashing out at others, so if she is possessed I'm clearly the target of the spirit's ire. But when would it have happened and why now and not sooner. Sango's easily one of the stronger willed people in our band so if she was possessed, the oni must be a powerful one. I'll have to be watchful to be sure. With a nod Miroku decided on a course of action and returned to where Inu Yasha and their group were camped.

&&&&&&&&&&

Tokyo, Modern Era 11:00 p.m.

The head of the Onikami family smirked as he watched the group hop from rooftop to rooftop. Over time they had become quite good at it. Still he'd be willing to pit any five of his own children against any five of them and bet on his kids winning. Mostly, his certainty in the outcome was because the subject of his scrutiny had yet to master the art of tactics while his children were practically born practicing the skill.

“Watching the Senshi roof hop again?” A male voice said from behind him.

“Maybe I am Ryo,” The family head said. “Only the original five are on patrol tonight. But then they again are Renji's assignment.

“What would mom think if she caught you doing that?”

“She'd whap me for it then would ask me if Saturn was with them. She's your mom's favorite after all.”

“Why do you watch them at all?”

“One never knows when such wildcards could become a help… or a hindrance. Regardless you have just come from the Southern Lands. What is going on down there?”

“From what I gathered,” Ryo sighed. The Southern Lady has no idea what the hissers and squeakers are up to. She's been busy preparing for the birth of her child as you well know.”

“But still the Rats and Snakes are getting backing from somewhere.”

“True. I just haven't found out who or why and I've also heard mention from the rats that they and the snakes are looking for some items but I could only get the name of one item from my sources: The Shikon no Tama.”

“Then it is as I expected. Good work my son. Keep me informed as you are able.”

&&&&&&&

Inu Yasha and the others had been invited to the impromptu celebration that the ookami were holding. Naturally, Inu Yasha refused the invite. He still didn't trust Kouga's intentions and the fact that he had a massive pack with him did little really to calm the hanyou's distrust.

Because of this Inu Yasha and the others watched from several yards away as the wolf demons danced and their music played on muted only by the distance. The dancing and singing had been going on for several hours but was also not showing any sign of ending. Regardless one by one the members of Inu Yasha's group drifted to sleep with Inu Yasha being the last to do so. After all he had a lot on his mind thanks to his talk with his arch-nemesis Kouga.

That Kouga had confronted him on his feelings for Kagome was a surprise. That he had taken him to task for choosing to honor an undead miko's wishes over his own feelings was a shock. And his offer of help was something so unbelievable to Inu Yasha that he would have told himself it was a lie had he not been there to see and hear it himself.

How do I feel about Kagome? I mean sure I like her and I think she cares about me, but do I love her? And if I do what does that mean when it comes to Kikyo? When I'd heard that Naraku was behind our dispute, I vowed revenge hoping to avenge Kikyo's death because I did love her despite what I might have said. But what did Kouga mean about others noticing Kagome and trying to woo her? Instantly his thoughts turned to the two Hojos: The feudal merchant boy and the modern guy with the weird taste in gifts. Now that he thought about it there were also several men in Kaede's village who tended toward lingering looks when the young miko walked past in that short kimono she called a “skirt”. He was also well aware of the pangs of anger he encountered when he saw this. Perhaps Kouga is right. Perhaps I really do love Kagome. If that's the case I should tell her. But then that means I can't go to hell with Kikyo. But now that I think about it, why did I agree to such a stupid idea to begin with. Next time I see Kikyo I'll tell her I cannot go to hell with her. She'll be angry but that can't be helped. Who'd have thought the wimpy wolf would know so much about these sorts of things? With that thought, which if ever someone asked him about he would deny in mind he drifted off to sleep.

&&&&&&&

The wolves began a chant around midnight as they continued to dance around the bonfire- all the cooking fires had long since been extinguished. It was a chant that was tradition among the ookami youkai, a devotion to the sun who was of course in their mythology paramour to their mistress the moon.

“Drawn across the plain land to the place that is higher! Drawn into the circle that dances `round the fire! We spit into our hands and breathe across the palms, raising them up high held open to the sun!” Called out Kouga the others who first echoed then began repeating it as the moved around the fire enacting the words, though it would be several hours before the sun rose.

Unknown to Kouga someone else heard the votive and was responding.

&&&&&&&&

Sango tossed and turned in her sleep as her mind came to the field in her dreams. Miroku was there with his promises of lecher free behavior but for some reason there was something else getting her attention. Music that seemed to call to her and for once the vicious voice only said one thing to her.

“Ignore the Monk. Listen he's calling us!”

Sango felt herself in this dream turn and walk away from Miroku toward the distant mountain.

“Drawn across the plain land to the place that is higher! Drawn into the circle that dances `round the fire! We spit into our hands and breathe across the palms raising them up high held open to the sun!” The other voice chanted as Sango walked with it toward the fire on that high mountain. “Tonight you will see, He can help us. Tonight is the night you find out the one who help you with what those like the baka houshi have done!”

Sango found herself in the clearing with the shadow man. In the distance she could hear Miroku calling to her to come back. For once she didn't or couldn't listen. This would help her resolve things. The fire obscured his features but this time she wasn't going to turn away.

“I want to know,” She said “who are you?”

“I am the one who has answers you seek. The key to unlocking what's been done to you Sango,” the shadow man said. “Though I don't consciously know how.”

“Who are you?”

“You know me.”

“Who are you?”

“You've seen me in the world you live in. You know my voice and yet you can't tell me who I am?”

“You're voice does sound familiar. It always has. But please! Show me! Who are you! I can't keep living like this!” As Sango spoke the chanting of the vicious voice seemed to rise in volume and then begin to fade as if she were walking off somewhere.

&&&&&

Sango's eyes opened though they were heavily lidded. She slowly rose to her feet and removed her traveler's clothes revealing the slayer's suit under it. She saw the fire and smiled. The beautiful male is there. I can smell him. Sango thought as she walked toward the fire. And I know just how the line they don't recite goes…

Inside her mind Sango was only vaguely aware of the fact she was now walking somewhere in the waking world. The shadow man was still standing before her as if he was debating something.

“She has gone to seek me and you must bear witness to what she does. But you need to know who I am before you do that,” the shadow man said before stepping back into the light of the fire casting off the shadows that hid him and revealing…

“K-kouga?” Sango stammered. She remained in place long enough to see him nod before she found herself seeing though her own eyes in the waking world but unable to control her movements. Instead she found herself walking toward the bonfire, the wolves dancing having stirred up dust as they moved. The dust was now raining down on her.

“Drawn across the plain land to the place that is higher! Drawn into the circle that dances `round the fire! We spit into our hands and breathe across the palms, raising them up high held open to the sun!” The wolves chanted. As she stepped into the circle the chanting slowed then stopped as the wolves watched her walking slowly, almost sauntering toward their leader.

“Self conscious, uncertain… I'm showered with the dust…” Sango said huskily as she stood before Kouga. “The spirit enters into me…” she continued first laying her hands on his shoulder then snaking them around his neck to pull him closer. “…And I…submit… to trust!”

With the last word Kouga found his lips pressed firmly to those of Sango. They were soft and strangely sweet. Slowly his eyes closed as he returned the kiss. Not knowing nor at the moment caring what this meant for either of them. Both were just enjoying the pleasantness and spontaneity of the moment. For now, that was enough.

TBC