InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Double Vision ❯ Chapter 31 ( Chapter 30 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Kirara, in full battle-form, launched herself through one of the Cloud Palace’s windows and landed at Ai’s feet. As soon as she hit the ground, she changed forms in a flare of fire, reappearing as a cute little yellow kitten, with big, bright eyes and a little button nose. “Trill…”

“What is it Kirara? Do you want some breakfast?” Ai summoned her shikigami. As soon as they saw Kirara, they bustled off to prepare her meal. Ai settled down on her dais, patting the silken cushions invitingly. Kirara was an old friend. Inutaisho had found the little orphan kitten by her dead mother’s side, and brought her to Ai to raise. Kirara jumped up beside Ai, who stroked and petted her soft fur. Kirara butted her tiny moist nose against Ai’s hand, and Ai obligingly scratched along the cat’s jawline. Kirara purred contentedly. Ai buried her face in the kitten’s warm fur. She found it easy to accept Kirara’s love. Perhaps it was because it was so unconditional and uncomplicated. She knew the cat would never pass judgement against her, or turn against her. It made her happy when the cat returned to her for a special meal, some petting, and a warm, soft place to sleep.

Kirara had played a big part in helping Ai regain her sanity when she first came to Japan. Having the baby cat relying on her felt familiar and comforting. She theorized that she must have kept a pet cat before, in the time before she was placed in the cave. It took many years for the kitten to grow up, as is the case with most animal-form demons. As soon as the cat could reliably change into her battle-form, Inutaisho took her away. He told Ai that the cat had a job to do, that fire cats like her were meant to be warriors. Ai had sobbed for days, neither sleeping nor eating, and all she could think of was where her only friend had been taken, and what had become of her. In her sorrow, she felt her soul separate from her body. She felt drawn to the nearest being, who happened to be Inutaisho’s vassal, Miyoga the flea. Suddenly she saw the world through the little flea’s eyes. She saw herself, reclining on her dais, her face blotchy and streaked with tears, one arm hanging limply to the floor. It only took her a moment to figure out how to make the little flea body she possessed walk, and she hopped nimbly up on to the robe of a passing servant. Soon she was looking out through the human servant’s eyes. Thinking quickly, she walked to the stables, to the area where the master’s hunting falcon was kept. The falcon was a mortal animal, not a demon in animal form, but she possessed power and grace, and in her body Ai would be free to fly across the lands. Ai removed the hood and jesses from the falcon, discretely carrying the bird to the roof of the stables. As she released the falcon, she entered her body, reveling in the freedom she felt in her heart and the strong beat of her wings against the air.

Ai flew and flew through the bright blue sky. She felt a joy such as she could never remember feeling before, not that she could remember much, but she did not allow her excitement to stop her from searching for Kirara. She flew all over the Western Lands, over meadows, forests and fields. From time to time she captured a small rabbit or dove for sustenance, as for many days she flew in an ever-increasing search pattern. To the east, she encountered rocky mountain peaks, but she did not let that stop her, and it was there that she spotted Kirara, hunting mice in the stableyard of a village of demon slayers. Why had Inutaisho taken Kirara to live amongst demon slayers? She perched atop the village watchtower, using her keen eyesight to observe the village. She watched humans come and go about the business of everyday human life, and discovered little of interest until a woman in priestess garb emerged from a small, crudely constructed shrine, calling out sharply, “Kirara!” Kirara ran up to the priestess, standing up on her hind legs to receive a pat on the head. “Transform!” the priestess commanded. Kirara changed into her battle form, and the priestess jumped on the big cat’s back. They flew off quickly, Ai following behind, hoping to remain unnoticed.

Kirara set down in a small meadow. The priestess drew a sword, and she and Kirara began to practice attacks and defenses. After a while, Ai felt the approach of a familiar demonic aura. She feared Inutaisho had come for her, but she soon saw that she was not the one he had come for. She watched in great sorrow as her mate laid the priestess down in the grass.

Ai was tempted to remain in the body of the falcon, and live out her life flying free over the lands, but she knew she could not do so. She had a secret she had concealed from her husband and all the servants and nobles that surrounded him in his palace. Inutaisho was going to be a father.