InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Displacement ❯ "That Is A Good Question" ( Chapter 11 )

Displacement

 

Chapter 11

 

“That Is A Good Question”

 

“Good morning, Lady Kagome,” Ryuichi said, entering the room. Kagome was already awake and finished slipping on her blouse as he entered.

 

“Hey Ryuichi,” she replied. “So what's on the agenda today?”

 

“Unfortunately I will be needed to converse with the soldiers. Our military strategy against Chu is being reviewed, and Ying Zheng has become…distraught recently and will not meet with them himself,” Ryuichi explained. Kagome nodded and remembered what she had read in her history textbook. All those mercury pills were starting to catch up with the Qin Lord.

 

“So what will I be doing then?” Kagome asked. Ryuichi had been looking out for her the last several days, giving her tours of the palace and the tour of the city yesterday. She'd like to trust Ying Zheng not to make a move with her around, but she knew better than that. Ying Zheng had done a lot of horrible things, rape probably wouldn't even faze him.

 

“I'm hoping you wouldn't mind just spending the day in the gardens or here. I'm sure I could persuade one of the guards to keep watch over you if you want some company,” Ryuichi offered.

 

“Hm, no thanks, I guess,” Kagome said. Ryuichi nodded and patted her on the shoulder.

 

“Do not worry, Lady Kagome, I am sure we shall find a way to return you to your world,” he whispered.

 

“I know, it's just that in my world, there's something really bad happening lately, and I'm worried about it getting worse while I'm gone,” Kagome said. It was true, if time in the feudal era and at home was flowing normally while she was here, there was no telling what Naraku was doing. Although she trusted Sesshomaru to ensure Kohaku's safety along with the shard of the jewel he had, there were still the shards from Kouga's legs she had from their last battle with Naraku. With only three shards of the jewel left, she was sure Naraku would come looking for hers eventually, and if Sango and Miroku were alone with Inuyasha or her should he seek them out, they would be gravely outmatched. She didn't want to return to the feudal era to find the houshi and the taijiya dead.

 

“You fight in a war in your world?” Ryuichi asked, frowning. A young woman, much less one like Kagome, shouldn't be in battle.

 

“Hey, it's not like that,” Kagome defended. “I have a lot more power than you think. I'm kinda a priestess, or miko, or whatever you would call it here.”

 

“A priestess? You possess holy powers?” Ryuichi asked, surprised. “You have not mentioned this before.”

 

“Was I just supposed to mention it out of the blue?” Kagome pointed out. “It's not like you've asked or anything.”

 

“True,” Ryuichi admitted. “Please continue your story.”

 

“Well, in my world there's a really powerful youkai, or yaoguai, called Naraku,” Kagome explained. “I mean really powerful, he's probably killed hundreds of youkai and humans and he's still growing stronger from what we know. Inuyasha is strong, but we're not sure if he's strong enough.”

 

“Surely if this `Naraku' creature was so terrible, someone would have taken up an army against him by now,” Ryuichi said. “However powerful he may be, he cannot be invincible.”

 

“It's not that simple. Naraku has…” Kagome trailed off and thought for a moment before reaching inside her blouse. She pulled out a length of string strung through the capper on a small bottle. Inside lay two tiny pink slivers of a gemstone.

 

“What are those?” Ryuichi asked.

 

“It my world there's a really powerful jewel called the Shikon-no-Tama. The full jewel can grant its holder their deepest desire, or so the legends have said,” Kagome continued. “I shattered the jewel a couple years ago, these are just two of the pieces. Even in their fragmented state the shards of the jewel are incredibly dangerous. They've been used to revive the dead and can empower even normal humans to near youkai-level strength, they make youkai get even stronger, and they've even been used to enchant weapons sometimes. Naraku has all but three shards of the complete jewel and has gained a lot of his power from them, and he knows where the third one is. These two are the other ones he doesn't have.”

 

“So, you fear he will come to collect these two shards of this jewel from you in your absence, and that your family may be in danger from him while you are not there,” Ryuichi said after a moment.

 

“Exactly,” Kagome nodded. “Sango and Miroku are strong, but even all of us combined have a hard time surviving the battles with Naraku. I may get back to find that Naraku took Kohaku's shard of the jewel, and then…” Kagome sighed, and Ryuichi moved forward. Kagome gasped as the Japanese native pulled her into a gentle hug.

 

“I am sorry for you,” he said, pulling back. “No one should have to bear such burdens. I wish you luck and victory in your battle when you eventually return. I do not know what type of creature this Naraku is, but I do believe you will find a way to defeat him in time.”

 

“Thank you,” Kagome replied, smiling. “I know we'll find a way, but it's not gonna be easy. Like I said, even a single shard of the jewel possesses great power, and Naraku has almost all of them. There's no telling how strong he'll become if he acquires all of them.”

 

“Then you must make certain he does not,” Ryuichi nodded. “If these shards are so dangerous then it is up to you to safeguard them and make sure they do not fall into the wrong hands.”

 

“Right,” Kagome agreed. There was a small sound, and the two turned their heads. The curtain to the room was moving slightly.

 

“Did you see anyone?” Kagome asked, tensing.

 

“I do not believe so, but I shall check,” Ryuichi replied, moving to the curtain. The gold-tinted cloth was pulled back, and he quickly scanned the hallway outside the room.

 

“I do not see anyone,” he said. “Well, if you'll excuse Kagome, I must go meet General Wang Jian. I shall return this evening.”

 

“Bye,” Kagome waved. Ryuichi nodded and left the room, the golden curtain swinging back into place behind him. Kagome looked down at the two jewel shards before dropping the bottle back inside the collar of her blouse. She stretched again and looked through her pack, pulling out a history book. Might as well continue the research on a way home…

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“I will not make camp with you tonight,” Toga announced suddenly, stopping his walk. One by one, the small army behind him followed suit.

 

“Why not my lord?” Yuka asked. Toga raised his hand and pointed a slender finger to the horizon. Inuyasha followed the gesture. A line of mountains and hills loomed in the distance.

 

“We near Song Shan,” he replied. “The secret to harnessing the power of the Meidou awaits me. The rest of you shall make camp at nightfall and I shall continue on to the mountain. I can complete my travel there by morning and likely be back the same day.”

 

“You can't go alone, what if you meet another army?” Inuyasha objected.

 

“I am quite capable of handling any human army that might attack me,” Toga sniffed, casting the hanyou a slight glare.

 

“I must agree with Inuyasha, my lord,” Yuka chimed in. “Please, allow some of us to accompany you for safety.” Toga thought for a moment.

 

“Yuka, you and Inuyasha may follow if it will ease your minds, so long as you keep up with me,” he said. “Any humans who wish to join us may come, but I will not order it.” Inuyasha and Yuka both nodded. “Good. Then let us continue.” Toga resumed his walk forward, and Inuyasha cast a glance at Yuka.

 

“Hey,” he muttered. Yuka raised her head from examining her claws and looked over at him. “What happened last night?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“It is none of your concern,” Yuka said harshly.

 

“I'm just trying to be nice, don't be so bitchy,” Inuyasha protested.

 

“Do not begin this, either of you,” Toga commanded from ahead of them. “We near the end of our journey and if you two cannot be civil to each other than I'd rather you not speak at all.”

 

“Forgive me my lord,” Yuka mumbled, bowing her head.

 

“Keh, whatever,” Inuyasha snorted, folding his arms. Yuka glared at him, but was silent. The front of the procession was silent for a few minutes, save for the background noise of the humans talking behind them.

 

“Was it about your brother?” Inuyasha asked suddenly. Yuka's eyes went wide.

 

“What do you know of him?” she hissed.

 

“Oinari told me he was killed by humans,” Inuyasha shrugged.

 

“I'm gonna kill that fox,” Yuka growled, looking over her shoulder to glare at the youkai in question, who wasn't even paying attention to her. “Why do you care anyway?”

 

“You tell me, you're the one who started this whole thing, digging under my skin about humans,” Inuyasha replied. Toga cast a glance back at the neko as she rolled her eyes.

 

“Fine, yeah, he was killed by humans,” she muttered. Inuyasha frowned.

 

“And?” he prompted.

 

“And what?” Yuka shot back. “He was killed by humans, end of story.”

 

“I'm not stupid ya know, there's more, ain't there? If he was such a great and powerful youkai than how did he get killed by a bunch of wimpy humans?” Inuyasha asked. Yuka's lip curled up in a snarl as she turned her head.

 

“That's enough, Inuyasha,” Toga cut off, turning around to face the hanyou. “I do believe I said for you two not to speak if you cannot be civil.” The two fell back into silence, and Inuyasha let it drop. He could relate to Yuka not wanting to discuss her past to an extent, but something didn't add up. How did a single dead relative lead to such fierce hatred of humans?

 

“So, how do you think the Meidou will be tempered?” he asked, walking a little faster to walk alongside Toga. The taiyoukai shook his head.

 

“I do not know. If there is such a way I am certain I can find a clue to the means at Song Shan, and if I cannot find what I need there then I shall find and pursue a new course of action,” he explained.

 

“What if there isn't a way to harness the Meidou?” Inuyasha asked. That was something else that didn't make sense to him. He knew full well that the Tenseiga couldn't form a perfect circle when Totosai reforged it for Sesshomaru, and although he wasn't quite sure how he did it he had strengthened the technique from a mere crescent to an oval. But if Sesshomaru's Meidou wasn't perfect, then somehow, assuming his father found a way to perfect it himself, it must have been weakened somehow. Either that, or he wouldn't find a way to temper it at all. Sesshomaru's Meidou had finally completed itself when the Tetsusaiga and the Tenseiga harmonized with each other. Did Toga know this was possible, or was there something more to it all? Inuyasha frowned. Something wasn't right about this whole quest, something didn't add up. What was he missing?

 

“That is a good question I do not have an answer to,” Toga replied. “The Meidou is far too strong to be left unchecked, if I cannot find a way to harness its energies safely then it shall consume the Tenseiga and myself eventually. If these energies cannot be contained then I shall have to discard the sword and hope its power does not fall into the wrong hands.”

 

Inuyasha nodded and fell silent for a moment. He cast an aside glance at the taiyoukai and thought for a moment. One way or the other the Tenseiga, complete with incomplete Meidou, would find its way to Sesshomaru after his father's death, and the Tetsusaiga would end up in his father's tomb inside his eye.

 

“Do you have a son?” he blurted out. Toga raised an eyebrow and turned his head.

 

“No,” he said briskly. “I have my intended awaiting me once I return to Japan. But I do not yet have a mate nor a child.”

 

“You have an intended, but you haven't mated her?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“No. Hatsutenka is a lovely youkai, but I have not claimed her,” Toga explained. “I'm a taiyoukai, it is vital I choose a mate worthy of my standing.

 

“So you're holding out in case someone better comes along,” Inuyasha said dryly.

 

“Do not presume to judge me, Inuyasha, you are not a taiyoukai,” Toga glared. “I've quite literally had inu-youkai bitches throw themselves at my feet begging to bear the Lord of the West his first son. If I wish to claim Hatsutenka then I shall, if I find another youkai to my liking then I shall claim her. But tell me, what business is it of yours which youkai I mate?”

 

“I'm just asking,” Inuyasha muttered. Toga snorted and looked ahead.

 

“You are a great warrior, Inuyasha, and your youth is expected to give rise to questions. But I am more than twice your age and strength and a great deal wiser as well. Believe me when I say that any decision I make is made with the utmost consideration and forethought.”

 

“I'll try,” Inuyasha replied dryly. His father's plans were well laid out, but they weren't without their shortcomings. His father may have eventually intended for Sesshomaru to return the Meidou to Tetsusaiga, but he doubted Kanna and her influence on the battle had been included in such a plan. His father was intelligent, but not infallible.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“You are certain of this?” Ying Zheng said, staring out his window.

 

“Yes my lord,” Li Si replied, holding his head down. Ying Zheng turned and drew his sword, holding it against Li Si's neck. Li Si's eyes stared down at the blade as its edge rested against his flesh.

 

“You are aware of what this could mean if you are incorrect?” Ying Zheng asked.

 

“Yes my lord,” Li Si whispered. Ying Zheng smiled and withdrew the sword and sheathed it.

 

“But by the sovereigns, are you aware of what this could mean if you are correct?” he said, chuckling. Li Si nodded.

 

“I am, my lord,” Li Si replied. Ying Zheng turned back to the window and sighed.

 

“I have been a fool, Li Si,” he muttered. Li Si stood and didn't respond. “Do you know why?” Ying Zheng asked, looking over his shoulder.

 

“No, my lord,” Li Si shook his head, standing.

 

“I have waited. I wait for that pathetic yaoguai to kill my enemy, I wait for Chu to falter, I wait for my envoys to find my elixir of life, I wait for the maiden Kagome to favor me. I wait, I wait, I wait wait and wait!” Ying Zheng roared the final word, causing a few of the guards in the garden below his window to look up at their ruler. Ying Zheng inhaled deeply and smiled.

 

“I am Lord of Qin, Li Si, ruler of the civilized realm, heaven's chosen son to unify this land under the Qin banner. Why, Li Si, should I wait for the gods to give me the victory, the woman, the immortality I seek, when I could easily take them on my own?” Li Si did not reply. “Now,” Ying Zheng continued, “tell me again.”

 

Li Si repeated his earlier message, and Ying Zheng's lips curled into a large grin, until the Qin Lord was partially laughing aloud like a madman.

 

“Li Si, when I conquer Chu and claim all I deserve, you shall take your place in history as the architect of my reign,” he said, turning.

 

“Thank you, my lord,” Li Si said, bowing again.

 

“No, thank you, Li Si. Come,” Ying Zheng walked past his advisor and began to walk down the steps from his room. “There is much work to be done. This Lord of Qin shall wait no longer.”

 

Hatsutenka - I needed a name to slap on Sess's mom somewhere. I pretty much just ran some words through a search engine and joined them together. Hatsu can mean “new, eight, or hearts”, and Tenka means a whole bunch of things, and can be broken down into Ten and Ka, which each have their own meanings. I meant for the name to mean “new snow”, but given that each of the name's components has more than one translation, you can translate it as you like.

 

Be forewarned, baaaaaad things are gonna happen next chapter.