InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Destiny's Bond ❯ Dreams and Other Tests ( Chapter 12 )

Like I always do at this time (the beginning of the chapter) I would like to remind everyone that I do not own Inu Yasha, he'd eat me out of house and home if I did anyway. Rumiko Takehashi owns Inu Yasha. Any characters that aren't hers or products of my own musings belong to the people they belong to (such as Setsuna Meioh who is briefly mentioned in this chapter as is a Sailor Senshi both of whom are products of Naoko Takeuchi). I'm not getting paid for this, in fact I do this for fun and my only reward is the satisfaction of telling a good story and of course the satisfaction of knowing someone enjoyed my effort.

 

Destiny's Bond

Chapter Eleven: Dreams and other tests

By

Lance the Flamesniper

 

The battle for Musashi had taken place in the late afternoon early evening hours and was exceptionally decisive. While the villagers at first were afraid of the army of lupine warriors and their leader but worries quickly dispelled when the army began working with the villagers to rebuilt and hunt down straggler soldiers. By the time the sunlight was dying, all the soldiers had either been captured, slain or ran off. At Kouga's order the first and last option were preferred.

 

Kouga for his part walked through the village flanking Kaede on one side on the other was Inu Yasha. Surprisingly, Sango seemed content to walk with wolf prince. Miroku despite his look of disapproval was assisting the village healers by offering blessings and in extreme cases last rites to villagers and soldiers alike.

 

“Kouga-sama,” Kaede intoned. “Ye have earned this village's eternal esteem for the timely aid.”

 

“I am flattered Kaede-dono,” Kouga said, clearly embarrassed by the praise. “But I don't feel I deserve such an honor. My pack and I were merely traveling with Inu Yasha as I have been asked by Kagome to help them in destroying Naraku. In this instance we were glad to be of help.”

 

“Not that I needed it!” Inu Yasha huffed.

 

“Nor did I say you did,” Kouga patiently placated his eyes drifting to briefly meet Sango's as his mind also drifted briefly to their stolen moment at the well. “However even you must admit that my pack's help made it at least easier.”

 

“Regardless ye have the village's gratitude Kouga-sama,” The one-eyed miko stated, not missing the look passing between the slayer and the youkai. I am not so old that I have not chanced upon that look passed between the young. Mayhap this will curb the monk's wandering hand and eye. Miroku, ye have been a fool! Methinks that if ye are not careful all ye care for will be lured away. “What are ye plans for this night prince of wolves?”

 

“Well since I'm traveling with Inu Yasha and his groups for the time being I thought it might be best to have my pack set up camp in the forest Kaede-dono. I however feel it better for me to stay in the village.

 

The miko merely nodded. She had heard from various travelers, including Kagome of Kouga. Clearly he was a good leader and knew that basically he was allowing himself to be used as hostage to keep the wolves in line while also acting as a reminder not to do anything foolish for the villagers. A truly wise move. That it allows you to stay close to yon Taijya don't rub ye wrong either does it? Kaede added mentally.

 

&&&&&&&

 

As she walked beside Kouga, Sango's mind was adrift. She had seen Kouga fight before, both against Inu Yasha and against other demons. She never realized he was as skilled as when they fought together. In many ways she found herself in awe of how well their skills had melded. It wasn't perfect teamwork, or trained teamwork but almost a natural kind of team work.

 

What were you thinking kissing him like that? What if Inu Yasha or gods forbid Miroku would have shown up? Sango sniped at her inner self.

 

Oh no no, little Sango. I wasn't the one kissing him… You kissed him. And I must admit I am jealous.

 

That stopped Sango short. That was me? But how? Why?

 

He's a handsome man, you're an attractive female…for a human. Such behaviors I believe are natural.

 

But… I don't act that way with Miroku! If it's natural why don't I act like that with him?

 

Hmmm, why indeed?

 

Sango didn't have an answer and she didn't suspect she wanted to hear her inner self's opinion. It was enough to know that she was going to find out about it tonight.

&&&&&&&&&

Tokyo, The Future, 0:00 A.T.E.

 

Konran looked out over the city of Tokyo. It wasn't the city of Tokyo of the 20th century. Nor was it the village of Mushashi that would some day become Tokyo. It wasn't even the pure, idealistically over sanitized city of Crystal Tokyo that Sailor Pluto might dream of. This was a different city named Tokyo and he was a frequent visitor to it. This was what would come if he and Youmei failed: a twisted, broken version of a once proud city inside a ruined world. It was something the Setsuna Meiohs of the world couldn't grasp.

 

Sprawled around his perch on the wreckage of Tokyo tower was the desolation that was the city ruled by the Black Emperor. He had had another name before he rose, or as he called it ascended, but most called him by his title at least in public. From the tower he could see the burnt ruins of the Hikawa Shinto shrine that used to sit atop sakura no oka as well as the ruins of the Higureshi shrine, noticeable only because of the remains of its legendary tree. Down below him were a trio of humans. Two, one of whom was clad in a green and white fuku- a senshi survivor perhaps- kept watch while the third diligently picked the lock to the nearby convenient store.

 

“They are truly amazing,” Konran said to the three beside him. “Even with their world resembling hell on Earth, the humans still adapt and survive. They truly are magnificent.”

 

“Why do you do this to yourself Konran?” The black skirted woman next to him asked. She appeared human but usually she was merely his sword, though if Konran wished she could be any weapon he imagined, or more accurately the spirit that lives inside the sword.

 

“He does it to remind himself what he is trying to avoid,” The man that was Youmei's sword spirit replied. “Even you should appreciate that Shino.”

 

“Bite me Kyo!” The sword spirit fired back.

 

“Stop it, both of you!” Youmei interrupted. “Allow Konran his brooding. It helps him keep focus. And further look upon this world sword siblings. Dedicate yourselves to your masters' wishes and work to prevent this grim existence. Not for our sakes but for the humans. So they may not know this suffering.”

 

The Two sword spirits nodded that they understood. There was no more talking for several hours. Meanwhile, below them Tokyo smoldered and the battle for survival continued.

&&&&&&&

 

“Kaede-san, a moment of your time please?” Kouga asked once Inu Yasha had went off to brood or whatever it was that he did before sleeping.

 

“Aye, Kouga-sama, what may ye be needing this evening?” the elderly miko asked.

 

“Onegai, Kaede-san, you may call me Kouga. I am not your lord. But that is beside the point. I have a question.”

 

“Do ye now? Come now out with it then, as ye can see I am old and in need of more rest than I used to need.”

 

“If I were attempting to court a woman, how would I go about it?” The wolf asked, looking rather uncomfortable.

 

“Are ye seeking a female then wolf?” At Kouga's almost shy nod she smiled. “I had suspicions ye know. Unless some village maiden has caught ye eyes, you seek to court Sango, do ye not?”

 

“Shhh! Not so loud Kaede-dono. But yes, she is the one I wish to woo.”

 

“May I ask why?”

 

“She is witty, smart, kind, strong, loyal and beautiful. A man could not ask for more in a woman and not be asking for the Maiden of the Moon herself!”

 

Kaede nodded. That was good enough for her. “Ply her with flowers, wolf. Ply her with gentle deeds and know that already her heart is stirring to the cause you seek.”

 

That last part I knew. But if I do as Kaede suggests I may yet sway her completely! Kouga thought even as he offered the miko a flourished bow. “Arigato Kaede-dono.”

 

As the wolf left Kaede added to her self. “Treat her well wolf or I will ask young Kagome to pin ye to the God tree.”

&&&&&&&&&

Sango settled into her blankets uneasily. As he was wont to do the monk had tried to grope her… in the village square… again. Bashing him wasn't enough but she settled for it then informed the group she would be sleeping outside this evening and, after bidding all her friends save Miroku good night left them. Before setting up her impromptu camp she looked around for Kouga, wanting to tell him goodnight. Unfortunately she couldn't find him and was surprised to find herself both disappointed and saddened at his absence. Without further though she had set up her blankets. Internally, she wasn't looking forward to this evening's rest and the meeting it would allow, but for her own sake it must be done. With that in mind she slowly lay down and closed her eyes.

 

Almost instantly she found herself in the realm of her dreams. Right away she noticed the differences. The field had changed to a cave with a grotto. The entire grotto lit with a luminous glow. Nearby she saw a path that she knew would lead to her back to the field where Miroku waited. Standing at the mouth that door however was the man who was, it seemed rapidly changing her life. To her his presence was clear: he was here because somehow that made her more comfortable.

 

“All I ask San-chan,” Dream-Kouga said when he saw her. “Is that you hear her out.”

 

Sango nodded in spite of herself. “So where is she?”

 

As if summoned by her words a voice spoke from the shadows. “I'm here.”

 

Sango tracked the voice and found a pile of discarded chains near a deep shadow. “I thought you said I'd get to see you tonight?”

 

“Are you sure that's what you want? Once you see me, things can't be the same again Sango.”

 

“Truthfully? I'm afraid.” Sango answered.

 

“A little fear is good,” The shadow replied. “But I always wondered something Sango. How could you have missed the biggest clues about the truth?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I mean how could you miss that you survived something that would have killed a normal human? How could you overlook the fact that a Shikon shard was able to even work on you?”

 

Now that Sango thought about it, those things didn't make sense. “Well I…”

 

“I can tell you why Sango. It was because of me,” The shadow woman said as she walked into the light.

 

She looked like Sango, the conscious self realized with only a couple of notable differences. This shadowy self had claws, cute looking fangs and pointed ears. Truthfully she looked like Sango imagined she would if she were a…

 

“You're thinking I look like you would if you were a wolf hanyou, am I right?”

 

“Y-yes,” Sango replied uncertainly. “B-but I'm not a…”

 

“Remember me saying it was all Miroku's fault or someone like him's fault things were all wrong? I was the one born Sango! We were born a hanyou and some stupid houshi at father's behest had me sealed away!” Shadow-Sango said with tears in her eyes.

 

Sango wanted to argue. Wanted to say that this being was lying, somehow, instinctively she knew. This being wasn't lying. The thought scared her more than she was ever afraid of anything. “I believe you. You're why I was always stronger and faster. Those came from you didn't they?”

 

“It was all I could do. Only being around youki could I even try to get loose and contact you, my waking self.”

 

Suddenly the words Sango's father had said when she was twelve came back to her”… Clearly the seals are weakening again. Just as Shinmaru warned us they would. She'll need to stay in the village away from youkai a while until they strengthen again.”

 

“So because of Inu Yasha and the others…?”

 

“I've been able to come back this far. But now we come to the problem Sango: What do we do now? We can keep fighting each other, which will continue to hurt us. Or we can work together: allow me to become part of you Sango. You'd become a hanyou, stronger and faster than you are already, but still us.”

 

“But what about Miroku? What was done to us is wrong but I still have feelings for him. Yet you don't like him.”

 

“I think we both know, that that will be your call. Yes I don't like Miroku. And I definitely think we can do better, but it's not just that he's a monk that makes me dislike him. It's how he treats us. How he seems content to act like he wants a relationship then flirts with every woman he meets.”

 

“Okay, so if I were to agree to this. How would it happen?”

 

“We'd need one more sizable dose of youki to completely free us. The monk's seals are that strong. It would take the power of a taiyoukai to do the job now.”

 

“A taiyoukai? Like Sesshoumaru?”

 

“He's a taiyoukai certainly… but I think you'd find one closer and far more kissable er I mean likable.”

 

“No, you mean Kouga. Keep in mind I've not agreed to this. I need time to think about it.”

 

“That's fine. I can understand that this is a big step. But please don't take too long.”

 

“What? Why?”

 

Before the Shadow-self could answer the sound of a rooster's crowing snapped Sango back to wakefulness. Sango looked around blearily then glanced down. Sitting on her blankets was a single red rose.

&&&&&&

 

Kagome came awake with a start then realized that she was back home… and needed to hurry or she'd be late for school. She quickly put on her school uniform, grabbed a slice of toast and bolted out the door… only to skid to a halt as a black haired girl with blue eyes flecked with gold was waiting for her at the steps. The girl was wearing the same uniform as Kagome only she had decorated it by wearing some kind of black shirt under the blouse and black tights under the skirt. Something about it reminded Kagome of something but she couldn't put her finger on it.

 

“Hey aren't you…?”

 

“…A little miffed about being made to wait Kagome. Yes a little,” the girl replied.

 

“Gomen nasai… Wait a minute! That wasn't…”

 

“…Your intention? I understand that. Still we better hurry.”

 

“Who are you?”

 

“Orihime Onikami. Father speaks well of you so I thought we should get aquainted. In fact he asked me to invite you to meet him. Also he wanted me to give you a gift which you'll get after school,” With that the girl turned on her heel and began quickly walking.

Kagome blinked as the girl walked off. Girl? No she's like a force of nature! “Hey wait up!” The miko exclaimed as she hurried after the strange woman.

 

TBC

Japanese words:

Gomen Nasai- I'm sorry

Arigato- Thank you

Onegai-Please

Sakura no oka- Cherry Hill

 

Author's note:

A.T.E. is a shorthand I came up with. It stands for After Time's Ended. No matter what time it is in this era every moment of the day is 0:00.