InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Destiny's Spiral ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Card Captor Sakura, a TV, popcorn maker, or a bookmark. Though I do own some Inuyasha DVDs, and a rainbow comforter.

The Real Chapter One

“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome”

-Isaac Asimov (1920-1992)

* * *

The sun was rising over the horizon. Dewdrops across the clearing sparkled in the sun's early morning light.

The sound of singing birds was broken only by a lone priestess, slowly making her way to a small cave on the opposite side of the clearing.

Dew dampened the bottom of her hakama. However, wet hakama were the last thing on her mind. She had many duties and responsibilities. Some were given to her because of her position as head priestess in her village, and others were given by the hands of fate.

The responsibility she was on her way to fulfill is one she had taken on herself. It was one she had to complete a least three times a day.

“Kikyo!” a voice called out.

Upon hearing her name, Kikyo paused and turned to find the one who called.

After a moment she saw it, the source of the voice. It came from a certain half-demon in red. His silver hair was wildly flying in the wind. Inuyasha, Kikyo thought.

As Inuyasha landed before her, she asked, “Inuyasha, what are you doing here?”

“I was walking along the outskirts of the village, when I caught your scent. It was leading away from the village, so I came to see what you were up to.” By the end of his explanation his arms were crossed.

In other words, you were worried. Kikyo smiled at that thought, and giggled at how hard he tried to hide his concern.

“What are you laughing at?” Inuyasha asked staring at her with suspicious eyes.

“You. Who else?”

Before Inuyasha could ask why she was laughing at him, Kikyo had invited him to join her.

The two began walking and Kikyo begun to explain her errand.

“For the past two weeks I have taken responsibility for a man I found washed up in a river. When I found him, he was covered in burns. No place on his body was spared, and because of that he will never move from the cave he now resides in.”

Inuyasha was listening intently beside Kikyo.

“So far the only information about him and his past I have recovered is this. His name is Onigumo; he was the leader of a large army of bandits. One night, his comrades turned on him. They set him ablaze and tossed him over a cliff.”

Inuyasha smirked and began to chuckle.

“The bastard must have done something pretty horrible to have his whole army turn on him.”

“That may be so Inuyasha, but it is my duty as head priestess to heal the injured. Onigumo is no exception.”

The rest of their walk was silent.

Crickets chirped in the grass. Birds were flying overhead looking for their breakfast.

Upon arriving at the cave, which housed Onigumo, Kikyo asked Inuyasha to wait outside.

Inuyasha reluctantly complied.

I don't trust the bastard. Someone whose whole army rebelled against him doesn't deserve Kikyo's care, Inuyasha thought.

You're jealous, a voice in his head said.

I'm not jealous. He doesn't have anything worth being jealous of, Inuyasha argued.

Okay, you're not jealous. You just wish it was you Kikyo was taking care of instead of him.

Yes. It's `bout time you got it right, Inuyasha congratulated.

When he backtracked he realized what he said and mentally slapped himself. Damn it.

His response was a triumphant laugh.

He held his hand in front of his face and cracked his fingers.

The dirty bastard, if it was someone I cared for, other than Kikyo, they wouldn't be in there alone like she is. Not that that day would ever come. No one would dare be seen with a dirty half-breed like me.

In anger, Inuyasha curled his fingers into a fist and punched the tree next to him. The strike was so powerful, the tree broke after Inuyasha punched it.

Kikyo then emerged from the cave.

“Inuyasha, what was that noise?” Kikyo looked around and saw the broken tree.

“I see.”

“Keh,” Inuyasha crossed his arms. “How's the bandit?”

“Not so well, I'm afraid. He passed on during the night. I've given him his last rights. All that's left is to give his body a proper burial.”

“Are you going to do that now?”

“If I could give the time at this moment I would, but right now I have other duties to do in the village.”

A smile on her face, Kikyo asked Inuyasha, “I have to return to the village, would you care to escort me back?”

Inuyasha couldn't help it. Her smile was so kind it could make anyone help her. His face lost its usual gruff look and took on a softer one. He nodded, “Yeah.”

Content in each other's company, the two made their way back to the village. They were too busy focusing on each other to feel the demonic aura approaching from the south.

* * *

“These herbs should take care of your daughters infection. If it doesn't begin to clear in a week, tell me and I will give you a stronger medicine.”

“Thank-you, Lady Kikyo,” the village woman said as she bowed in respect.

Smiling Kikyo said, “It was no trouble at all. All I wish is for your daughter to get well soon.”

“Yes,” the woman said bowing again. She stood up, nodded gratefully at Kikyo and left.

Just as Kikyo took a breath, she heard herself being called again. Never a moment to myself, is there?

“Sister Kikyo!” Kaede shouted, quickly running towards her elder sister. At first Kikyo was happy at the thought of spending time with her younger sister. That was until Kikyo saw the worried expression on Kaede's face. Despite her bandaged eye, Kaede was always happy, and carefree.

“Sister Kikyo!” Kaede exclaimed standing in front of her elder sister.

Kikyo kneeled down to Kaede's height, “What is it Kaede?” Kikyo asked concerned.

“Something is wrong. I was practicing the arrow of sealing in the forest, when all of a sudden every animal ran to find shelter! What's going on?”

Kikyo stood up and took a survey of the area. Seeing nothing unusual, she closed her eyes and searched for any demonic auras near by.

Almost instantly, she felt an aura so strong it nearly knocked her over.

Opening her eyes, Kikyo said, “I must find Inuyasha.” Kikyo ran off with her bow and arrows, leaving Kaede behind.

How did I not feel this before? Where is Inuyasha? I may need his help, Kikyo thought, running as fast as she could to the outskirts of the village. The area where Inuyasha had most likely hidden himself.

* * *

All the animals and even the lesser demons had hidden themselves due to the intense demonic aura. It would have been silent if it were not for the snoring of a certain half-demon.

The trees and grass seemed to jump at the sudden movement of Inuyasha when he woke up. “Damn. The best nap I've had in ages, and some big-ass demon has to ruin it.”

“Wait. A demon?” Inuyasha said to himself with eyes open wide in realization.

Footsteps approached the tree line Inuyasha was sitting in. Quickly, Inuyasha stood up in the tree, claws up, and ready to strike the intruder.

A second before he attacked, Inuyasha caught a very familiar scent. Knowing he could trust this person, Inuyasha jumped down from the tree, landing softly on the ground.

Hearing noise behind her, Kikyo turned, bow at the ready. “Inuyasha! Where have you been?” Kikyo nearly shouted. She put the arrow she had drawn back in her quiver. “What were you doing? Surely you must have caught wind of the approaching demon long before now.”

Inuyasha's cheeks were tinted red. He refused to look Kikyo in the eye. “Well, I was….I was…”

“Never mind. There are more important matters at hand. Come, we must find the source of this demonic aura.” Kikyo interrupted. She turned toward the direction of the aura and began to run. Inuyasha quickly caught up and began the trek with her.

As the two ran through the village, everyone they saw were either worried or on edge because their high priestess had been gone for so long. It also could have been the fact she was running as fast as she could with a worried, yet determined, expression. It was a pretty close call.

Kikyo only stopped once. She had stopped to tell Kaede not to follow her, and continued on.

The demon appeared to be in the forest, whose aura was so evil, the vapors (other wise known as aura), could be seen by someone with strong spiritual powers. Kikyo was one of the few able to see said vapors.

The couple minute run felt like an eternity with the power of the unknown demon weighing down on them, but at last Kikyo and Inuyasha reached the point where the demon's aura (A/N: is that word starting to sound weird or be annoying to anyone else?) was strongest.

The tree of ages was usually a sign of perseverance and peace in the forest. Now it was a source of fear, anxiety, and tension. The wind rustled the leaves, as if to serve as a warning. Inuyasha growled and quickly coiled his body, ready to strike when the enemy showed itself, while Kikyo readied her bow.

The wind blew again. A blossom fell from the tree, and the enemy struck.

All that could be seen was a streak. The streak went straight for Kikyo, but hit Inuyasha when he jumped in front of Kikyo. The force of the blow sent Inuyasha flying into a tree across the field.

“So, the protector of the Sacred Jewel has come. She has even brought her half-breed sidekick.”

Inuyasha slowly stood up, one hand down by his side, the other against the tree to steady himself. “Hiding won't save your sorry hide. You may as well show yourself now.” He stood straight and charged in the direction the demon came from before.

All that could be heard was a deafening crack as Inuyasha was forced back. This strike was much stronger and caused Inuyasha to crash through one tree and the one behind it.

If it wasn't for Inuyasha's twitching hand, Kikyo would have thought he was unconscious. “Fool. Your efforts are useless. So spare your life and leave. My quarrel is with the keeper of the jewel, not you. Though if knowing my identity is of such importance to you, half-breed, I will tell you.”

The branches of the sacred tree rustled as the mystery demon jumped into the clearing. Standing a few meters before Kikyo, was what appeared to be a young man. He wore a black hitoe (His red jacket thing), and matching hakama. The only armor he wore was a silver breast plate. A thin violet obi was tied on top of the breast plate, with the knot on his side. Secured in place by the haori-himo was his weapon of choice, a sword.

His attire was clearly chosen by someone who cared about his appearance. His hair, which was black as a raven, went just past his waist, and was let down, allowing it to move with the breeze. He had midnight blue eyes that sparkled like stars. There was a pair of raven wings coming from his back.

“My name is Takemaru, of the raven clan.”

Inuyasha snorted, “Anyone who cares about his looks as much as you do, is no match for me. Get ready to die!”

Inuyasha began to charge at Takemaru once again, but this time was blocked by Kikyo's arm.

“What are you doing?” Inuyasha asked slightly angered by the fact she interfered.

“He's right, Inuyasha. This fight has nothing to do with you. Go back and protect the village, I will take care of Takemaru.” Kikyo both ordered and explained.

There's no way—,” Inuyasha started, but was interupted by Kikyo. “Go now, Inuyasha,” Kikyo told Inuyasha still not looking at him. When he didn't leave right away, Kikyo turned toward him and shouted, “Now, Inuyasha!”

Inuyasha may have been stuborn, but in this case, he knew when to listen. Inuyasha started in the direction of the village, grumbling the whole time.

Inuyasha now gone, Kikyo turned to address Takemaru. “What is it you want?” Kikyo asked bow up in order to defend herself from any sudden attacks. “Isn't it obvious? I want the Sacred Jewel,” was his reply.

“Are you intending to kill me to get the jewel, Takemaru?”

“The only obstacle in the way of the jewel is you. So, naturally I will kill you.” As an after thought he added, “By any means necessary.”

“If so than why did you not attack while I was talking with Inuyasha?”

“Attacking you while your guard was down would have proven nothing. Besides, to win this fight, you'll need every advantage you can get.” Takemaru drew his sword. “Prepare to die, Priestess.” He raised his sword in the air, and it began to spark with energy.

* * *

Inuyasha had just arrived at the village, when something caught his attention.

This scent, he said in his head. “It can't be. Kikyo's blood?” he said aloud, and immediately started running as fast as he could in the direction he had just come from.

* * *

Takemaru had been much less than he claimed to be. Kikyo had gotten through the battle, only getting a scratch on her right forearm. The cut was bleeding and would need bandaging when she returned home.

Takemaru on the other hand, now lay on the ground, dieing. The warmth of life was slowly leaving his body. Kikyo glanced at his body, He should be dead within minutes, she predicted.

Silence was broken by movement in the forest behind her. Kikyo turned and saw Inuyasha quickly approaching. “Inuyasha—“ Before Kikyo could finish her question, Inuyasha had slashed her shoulder. The force of Inuyasha's attack, sent her crashing to the ground.

Inuyasha stepped harshly on Kikyo's back. He looked down at her with a look of absolute disgust. “You were a fool. Did you really think I would let scum like you have the jewel?” he scoffed, and ran off towards the shrine witch housed the Sacred Jewel.

As Inuyasha left, Kikyo pounded the ground and shouted, “Damn you, Inuyasha!” Quieter she said, “You will regret the day you betrayed me,” and slowly began to stand up.

* * *

Inuyasha broke through the roof of the shrine, clutching the sacred jewel in his hand. The villagers were shooting arrows, both on fire and not, at Inuyasha but his robe of the fire rat protected him.

Inuyasha chuckled, and said out loud to himself, “The jewel is mine. Now I can become a full demon.”

Inuyasha dashed into the forest, he reached the sacred tree and saw a trail of blood leading off in the direction of the bone-eaters well. He glanced around and saw the body of Takemaru, but Kikyo's was missing.

Does this mean Kikyo is still alive? Inuyasha thought.

He followed the blood, hoping to find Kikyo, but he only found a dead end. The blood was all over the field. Inuyasha stood on the rim of the well hoping he would be able to sort out the trail from there.

Once on the rim he was tackled from behind, which caused him to drop the jewel on the ground, while he fell backwards into the well.

When he looked up to the mouth of the well he saw Kikyo standing there, bow drawn and an arrow pointing at him. “Die, Inuyasha!” Kikyo shouted, and released the arrow.

The arrow pierced Inuyasha's chest, pinning him to the bottom of the well. He raised an arm toward Kikyo only to have it fall to his side.

Kikyo fell to her knees and picked up the jewel.

Kaede came running into the small clearing with the village men. When she saw Kikyo next to the well, and a puddle of blood around her, Kaede became very worried.

“Sister Kikyo! Sister Kikyo are you alright?” Kaede asked kneeling beside her sister.

Kikyo turned very slightly toward Kaede and said, “Kaede take this,” she handed Kaede the jewel. “Take the jewel Kaede, it must be burnt with my body. That way it can never again fall into the wrong hands.”

“But Sister Kikyo, you can't…You can't,” Kaede stammered, beginning to cry.

Kikyo then began to fall as her life ended.

“Sister Kikyo! Sister Kikyo!” Kaede shouted now hysterical. The only family she had was now gone, leaving her alone in the world.

One of the village men carried Kaede back to the village, and another carried Kikyo's lifeless form.

Kikyo's body was burnt that night with the sacred jewel.

The village was too busy grieving over the loss of their high priestess to notice a faint blue light rising form the bone-eaters well. In the center of the light was Inuyasha's sealed form being absorbed into the well. When the light vanished, so had Inuyasha's body.

><><><><><

Chapter 2

“Home! That was what they meant, those caressing appeals, those soft touches wafted through the air, those invisible little hands pulling and tugging, all one way.”

-Kennth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

* * *

A soft voice called out through the darkness, “Inuyasha. Inuyasha. Open your eyes, Inuyasha.”

Every part of Inuyasha's body felt as heavy as solid rock.

Usually when one has had a sleep as peaceful as his, they would feel very refreshed and energized. Yet he woke up it felt as if he had no energy. Just the thought of lifting a finger sounded like torture, not to mention two eyelids.

Unfortunately for him, this voice wanted him to wake up, and it seemed like it wouldn't go away until he did.

Gathering all the strength he had, Inuyasha opened his eyes, and what he saw amazed him. On either side of him there was no ground, sky, or any other being. All he saw was blue with streams, and lone stars of white light.

“Where…am I?” Inuyasha asked to no one inparticular.

“You're inside the bone-eaters well,” the soft voice answered. Inuyasha's became confused as he slowly looked to his right and left, still seeing no one.

“Why do you look so confused? Do you not know who I am?” Inuyasha shook his head. “Well then, let me introduce myself.”

A silver light appeared in front of him. The light then transformed and took on the shape of a young women. Her hair was brown in colour and went just short of her shoulders. Some locks of hair on the top layer of hair were curled into ringlettes. Her outfit was a short kimono, (A/N: Like Nazuna's from the spiderhead episode) with no pattern, and was completely white. The only colour she wore was a light pink obi.

“I have no name, but I am one of the beings of time which have existed since time began. I also have no true form, the appearance you see before you is what I choose to look like.”

She seemed like someone who was wise, but her voice was playful and innocent, almost like a child, Inuyasha noticed. Still too tired to move a lot, he just sat there and continued to pay attention to the being of time.

“I'm sure right now you fell very weak, and there is a good reason for that. A priestess sealed you to this well. Do you remember?”

“Kikyo…” Inuyasha said vaguely. He was great difficulties putting together complete sentences. He decided that thinking was a great burden and decided to stop thinking because it was giving him a headache.

The nagging voice in his mind practically screamed at him to keep thinking for a little longer because he may be able to learn something about her if he studied her.

Fine, I'll do it, he started by looking at the girl's face. He squinted, “Your eyes…they seem…familiar.”

The spirit gasped and her face lit up. “If these eyes look familiar…” she clapped her hands together, “That means all hope for you isn't lost!”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“It means your lost memories aren't completely lost, just sealed. Kind of like you are now. I should change that, now that I think about it.”

The spirit closed her eyes and focused her powers. An arrow then protruding (A/N: How often can you use that word?) from Inuyasha's heart appeared. Inuyasha reached for the arrow only to be repelled by sacred energy and scolded by the spirit girl.

The arrow began to faintly glow. Seconds later it exploded into a white light, and Inuyasha instantly felt his strength and energy return.

Inuyasha tried to stand up, but it turned out that when there is no gravity standing up can be difficult. The force he used to stand sent him spinning instead.

“Hey! Why can't I stand? Why can you stand? Get me out of here. Now,” he said getting frustrated.

“I'll let you leave. Soon. First I have to open some of your lost memories,” the spirit said like it was the most obvious thing ever.

“You keep going on about lost memories, but I still remember everything,” Inuyasha grunted.

“So, you're saying you remember your friends?”

Inuyasha snorted, “Friends? I don't have any friends.”

The spirit sighed a tired, frustrated sigh. “Kagome had the patients of a saint putting up with you.”

“Kagome? Who's that? What are you doing?!” Inuyasha yelled.

Inuyasha had been startled by the spirit who suddenly flying in close to Inuyasha and pressing her pointer finger against his forehead.

There was a slight pop, and a small burst of energy. Since there was nothing holding him down, Inuyasha was pushed back.

His eyes glazed over causing everything to blur. Images he didn't recognized appeared before him.

* * * *

A young girl with black hair lay knocked over on her side.

“You're pathetic, Kikyo,” Inuyasha heard himself say.

The girl looked annoyed, “I'm not Kikyo!”

She stood up with a hand on her hip and the other pointing to the right, looking angry. “Look, I'm telling you, I'm not her!”

The girl began to walk up the roots of the tree Inuyasha was pinned to. “Whoever her is.” The girl was now right in front of Inuyasha. And I'm saying you gotta be her,” Inuyasha said. “'Cause if you're not there's no way you could smell—“

Inuyasha leaned forward a little and sniffed. “You're not her.” He felt a little taken back. He had really believed it was her.

“I know,” the girl stated. “My name is Kagome. Ka-go-me.”

Inuyasha looked to the side. She thought she was so smart, let's see her deal with this. “You're right. Kikyo was cuter. Much cuter.”

Kagome's face said that he was dead.

* * * *

Inuyasha and a monk named Miroku were in deep conversation about the Tetsuaiga and how to defeat Naraku. They heard shouting from the hot springs. The two rushed over thinking Kagome and another girl named Sango were in danger.

Just behind the bushes was a small monkey that had been knocked unconscious by a rock.

“Huh? A monkey?” was heard.

Inuyasha and Miroku came through the trees only to see a naked Kagome and Sango in a towel.

“Hey, what's with all the ruckus?” Inuyasha asked.

The next minute was filled with screams and grunts of pain from both Miorku and Inuyasha.

Now seated around the campfire once again, Miroku sat down with a blissful smile, while Inuyasha had his eyes closed and his face down towards the ground looking very grumpy. Both had a large bump on their heads and scratches around an eye.

“This time you actually in deep conversation and rushed to help,” a young kistune Inuyasha knew was named Shippo said, while holding a twin-tailed cat.

“Why'd they have to suspect me too?” Inuyasha complained.

“Hmmm. It was worth the pain. That was a wonderful sight we just saw,” Miroku said, with eyes closed. He was mostly likely replaying that moment again and again in his mind.

* * * *

“Alright, I've heard just about enough,” Inuyasha said.

“Inuyasha?” Kagome asked.

Inuyasha held up Tetsuaiga and said, “We'll just kill `em both and solve the problem.”

“Yes,” Miroku agreed. “I can use my wind tunnel to my heart's content.”

“Don't even think about interfering,” Inuyasha told Miroku.

Inuyasha charged forward to attack, “Kaguya is mine! Arrgh!” He unleashed a wind scar at Kaguya.

Kaguya kept her sword in front of her and deflected the attack. “You cannot defeat me so easily,” Kaguya said.

Kagome turned to Shippo, “Listen Shippo, transform into a bow for me.” Shippo looked curious, “A bow?” He became doubtful, “But there's no arrow.”

“Never mind, just do it!” Kagome told him.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha charged at Kaguya. She did a horizontal swing, and Inuyasha jumped out and struck with a vertical thrust. Kaguya disappeared then reappeared on his right and tried to hit his head with a vertical thrust. It missed and Inuyasha pushed her, “You wench.” Inuyasha struck again, this time swords met. Kaguya took her blade out making Inuyasha stumble forward. He turned to see Kaguya had her mirror.

“Oh no,” Miroku said and ran off.

Kaguya began to chant, and Inuyasha stood with his sword up.

“Look!” Shippo said, now a bow. “The mirror's glowing!”

“It's the one that sent Naraku flying!” Sango said as she, Kagome, and Shippo rode on Kirara.

Inuyasha ran toward Kaguya, as the mirror began to exert a bright light.

“Wind tunnel!” Inuyasha heard Miroku shout.

Inuyasha was pulled away from the attack and landed on Miroku.

Inuyasha lifted his head up and shouted, “What the hell were you thinking! I told you to say out of this!”

“I figured you'd say that,” Miroku said, eyes slightly closed, partially glaring.

* * * *

What was that?” Inuyasha asked.

“Those were some memories for your lost life.” The spirit explained.

“Why just give me a few memories?” Inuyasha crossed his arms. “Why not give me all my memories?”

“Because, that takes away from the experience,” the spirit said.

Inuyasha was tired of this girl now. “Whatever. Can I leave now?”

The spirit's face went flat. “Fine. Just hold still. It's going to take me a minute to find the city of Tokyo.”

She clasped her hands together and began to chant. A circle of ancient characters appeared around Inuyasha's feet. The characters flew around Inuyasha and gently guided him to a tunnel of light.

“What the hell is this!?” Inuyasha yelled.

The spirit hadn't led Inuyasha to an exit. Instead he was staring at an endless void filled with doors.

“The thing is, I don't know which way to take you. In fact I usually get lost trying to find the right door, so you're going to have to find your own way out,” The spirits voice emanated from all around.

“Crap.”

* * * *

MM.org- Please tell me chapter one showed up with chapter two. If this didn't work I don't know what to do.

~Kelso