InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ For Your Eyes Only ❯ Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don't own Rumiko Takahashi's "Inuyasha" or Sheena Easton's "For Your Eyes Only". The story is inspired by a scene (Fertilization Ritual of Morgaine) from the movie "Mists of Avalon".

 

~ For Your Eyes Only ~

Chapter 1

 

"Kaede-sama, you called for me?"

 

Kagome stood at the doorway of her mentor's study. She scrutinized her older companion, who stood regally at the other end of the room, back facing her and hands clasped behind her. Before her was a large window that showed a beautiful garden-view. It was summertime, the heat of July at its worst. Luckily, inside the rock-temple the air was cool and more bearable. It was forenoon; the time when everybody in the temple of Asgard retreated to their rooms to rest and meditate.

 

Kaede was at the window, relaxed and calm, just like always. Her posture gave off no hints as to why she had called her dearest and most important student at a time like this. Kagome wondered at it out loud, but received no reply. She settled on waiting for the supposedly important announcement, and continued staring at the back of her mentor.

 

Eventually the small woman turned around. Kagome never ceased to be amazed at the respect she felt when seeing the most simple-looking, yet so extraordinary person before her. At the same time she looked like a fierce pirate or a dangerous witch, but also the mother figure Kagome had never had the chance to have. She wore simple red and white robes and her long graying hair was pulled to a white ribbon, not one wisp escaping or hanging on the sides of her face. She was chubby, which gave her a pleasant image of a soft and suave granny, but the fantasy was washed away when one noticed the black patch covering her right eye.

 

Kaede felt a sting of guilt when watching the innocent girl in front of her. How she wanted to continue maintaining the image of her as a child that was always so interested and curious of the world, always wanting to learn more. That child had long ago grown out of the mold of a little girl. She was now a woman; her body shaped like one and her mind, though still innocent, obtaining knowledge of an adults. She remembered the day when that child had been placed in her arms, ready to be raised to one day become a priestess of Asgard. Little Kagome had been just a bundle, a mere baby back then. That had been almost 20 years ago, and now she was a beautiful youth with ebony hair and shiny eyes. She had every natural trait a real miko would possess, and even more.

 

And now she was to be sent away.

 

It would be so hard to tell her. This Kaede had understood when, without Kagome's knowledge, she made the deal with the Warrior Clan. Kaede had tossed her right in the middle of the contract, willing to risk everything, even their lifelong friendship; everything for the sake of Asgard.

 

Asgard…

 

Its holy grounds had served the race of people for centuries. While other lands had fallen down on the attacks of the now overwhelming and organized groups of youkai, Asgard had continued to flourish, not letting anyone with a foul heart through its spiritual barrier. It was the city blessed by Midoriko; its name indicating “The Garden of the Gods” Its guardian had been the great jewel, Shikon no Tama, which had defended the living environment of the people with its insurmountable spiritual power. No one had been able to overcome the city while it still was under the safe protection of the precious stone.

 

However, not more than one lunation ago, the jewel had been stolen. A traitor inside the walls of Asgard had snatched the city's vital protection, fleeting the holy grounds and disappearing with it. The jewel had the ability to grant its possessor one wish, thus in the wrong hands was a dangerous and deathly weapon.

 

Asgard now stood defenseless, the residing priestesses keeping its stance. Until the guardian stone was retrieved and back in the pure hands of the priestesses, Asgard needed a new influential leader - one with powers both spiritual and physical to fight back the dangers threatening the city in forms of youkai and bandits. The priestesses it already had were not enough to stand against an army - if one happened to hear of its conflict and march into the capital. Asgard needed an ally - a collaborator who would help it regain its posture as a power-site. It had to contact an old comrade; one with who ties had been cut long ago.

 

Kaede sighed as the difficult subjects in her mind sailed towards an unknown destiny. She looked at the anxious girl in front of her, shivering when thinking that this fragile and gentle creature was to be the future of her beloved homeland. This was so unfair towards her, towards both of them - but especially towards Kagome. Nobody had asked her if she wanted to be a part of this fate. Nobody asked her if she wanted this- a new life, never to return back to Asgard. Her heart sank as she thought how disappointed Kagome would be after this conversation. She would hate her for doing this. But this was the only chance for Asgard, this was Kagome's calling.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

They were everywhere to be seen. They looked just like the old scrolls and writings indicated; pointed ears, fangs, weapons of different caliber and an aura around them that was everything but welcoming… This was the Warrior Clan she had studied so much about- the group of youkai humans had once been in a close association with.

 

They were far away from the familiar security of Asgard. The party of five had traveled for a whole of two weeks towards the South and was now finally within the lands of Chitose where the Warrior Clan had been heard to be residing. In silence the small group rode deeper into the dwellings of the tribe and tried to avoid the dirty looks it received.

 

"Miko Kaede, you sought for a conference with us?"

 

Kaede turned her gaze to the older looking member standing in the middle of a clearing and felt certain equality with the aged man. His years showed clearly on his being, but even though he seemed centuries older than anyone else present, his posture was still mighty, filled with authority. His face held no wrinkles such as humans- yet again it never would, but his sideburns and beard were rich, adding more strength to his already impressive posture.

 

Kaede descended from her horse, landing softly before the much taller man. She bowed her head slightly, indicating her respect towards her elder. He too unfolded his arms, gesturing an approval of her action. Kaede saw this as her moment to speak and voiced out her message.

 

“Elder, I come to seek for the aid of your tribe on times of trouble. As commonly known, the city of Asgard has been for centuries inhabited by people of spiritual powers. The great priestess, Midoriko fought alone against hundreds of youkai in order to establish the holy grounds where the city now resides. Her battle with the demons lasted for seven days and seven nights, after which on a moment of desperation against the strongest of her opponents, she created the sacred jewel, the Shikon no Tama, from the souls of her enemy and herself and afterwards became a crystallized form, which now looks after its descendants in the city temple.”

 

Kaede paused to glance at the elder, but his face remained expressionless as he listened to her. Keeping her head bent, she took it as a permission to continue and went on with her tale.

 

“The Shikon no Tama is a power-crystal holding four main elements. The four are called Aramitama, representing courage, Nigimitama, representing friendship, Kushimitama, representing wisdom and Sakimitama, representing love. When united, these elements create a powerful balance within a soul and can be used for either pure or evil. The jewel has been held purified in Asgard by the powers of our priestesses and it has provided us with spiritual security and welfare.”

 

Kaede stopped to ponder on how to continue, when she heard the elder speak.

 

“Priestess, though not quite sure where you are getting to with your story, frankly I am very much aware of the existence of the Shikon no Tama and am acquainted with the history of its birth. A youth like you might not recall, but long ago we, the Warrior Clan, too were familiar with the city of Asgard and its spiritual powers…”

 

His last words did not come out quite with as much intensity and for a while silence fell to the clearing. Kaede, if possible, bent her head even lower and whispered quietly into the air.

 

“I have to thank you for your compliments elder, though I am sure both of us see that I am by no means a youth anymore. However, thanks to my years I can say that I do remember your presence amongst us and that it has been over 50 years since we last had a chance to be accompanied by your kind.”

 

The elder stared at her for a while, then smirked and waved his hand dismissively as if pushing the subject aside. When he addressed the woman in front of him again, his voice was unfaltering and his words coarse.

 

“What happened is now in the past and there is nothing that can be done about it. You say that you come for us in the hopes of help. Instead of wasting our time, go into telling us what is it that you need.”

 

Kaede nodded and spoke again, this time with a hint of worry in her voice.

 

“The Shikon no Tama was stolen from us and our city stands now defenseless. We may only ask for your aid to certain extends in protecting our walls, but instead I am here to offer you an exchange.”

 

The elder's facial cast was solemn as he eyed the small priestess in front of him and re-folded his arms.

 

“Go on”

 

Kaede embraced herself and prayed to all the gods above that they were listening to her. Lifting her gaze to look at the contracting party across her, she voiced her terms.

 

“I have heard that your leader is the son of the deceased Inu no Taisho, the Great Demon Dog who powered the lands in the West. According to my understanding he has yet to choose a companion and therefore is still in search of a mate. My offer is to have him and my most gifted young priestess joined together and have their first-borne become the leader we are in the desperate need of.”

 

The elder had a peculiar look on his face and seemed to be in oblivion of her point. He looked as if about to burst out laughing so to clarify herself, Kaede quickly continued before letting him get any false assumptions.

 

“With the Shikon no Tama gone, we only have our spiritual powers aided by some bows and arrows to defend ourselves was Asgard ever to be attacked. It is only a matter of time that word of our current state spreads across the lands, and the already hostile youkai groups seek for dominance over us. When that time comes, we will need a spiritually powerful leader with skills of warfare to save us from destruction. Was our miko and your chief to join, the heir would no doubt become the salvation of Asgard.”

 

The elder, still with his arms folded across his chest seemed to think for a while before speaking up.

 

“I understand your state of stress, but what is there for us in this? We are warriors, true - we fight for survival and have never been conquered by anyone. However, we have never been in the need of an ally and our aid has never been sought by anyone. Your people no doubt need our help, but will we be willing to give it is another issue.”

 

The elder locked his eyes with Kaede's in a challenging manner and continued.

 

“And the Shikon no Tama? What will ever become of it did it end up in the wrong hands? With the plan of yours you may be able to save your dwellings, but how about the rest?”

 

Kaede smiled quietly and answered the elder with as much respect as she could muster.

 

“I had yet to come to that. With our city at risk of perishing, my main concern is to find a solution for our safety as fast as possible. Was the Shikon no Tama ever returned back to us, all problems would cease and the need of this joining would become unnecessary. My fear is, however, that whoever stole the jewel is planning on using it on something evil and therefore the need for our city to be protected is greater than ever. On that moment when a wish upon the jewel is made, I must say however, that your power in fighting will also be needed, since no other group is able to gather up as much strength and courage as your pack holds.”

 

Quiet talking was heard around them and the elder eyed his tribesmen cautiously. His gaze landed back on the small woman in front of him, who seemed to be waiting for him to speak. Still suspicion in his mind, he questioned the priestess skeptically.

 

“With the heir of our leader and your priestess in your care and protection for your city guaranteed, what is left for us except cleaning the mess made by the disappearance of the Shikon no Tama - an issue which is not ours to worry about from the beginning? My question from before remains, what is there for us to gain?”

 

Kaede, feeling that she had to use her last trump card sighed and answered quietly.

 

“The disappearance of the Shikon no Tama is the worry of everyone who wishes not to be devoured by the destructive outcome of a single evil wish made upon the jewel. With our city being protected by the heir, you shall have the power and skills of the priestess who mothers this child. Her ability to sense the jewel will be vital in search for it and its possessor. In addition, she possesses knowledge on healing and has a number of other adequate qualities that will no doubt come to use for your tribe.”

 

Once again silence fell between them. Kaede studied the expression on her fellow counselor's face. Finally he let his arms loose and breathed out a sigh.

 

"You have convinced me miko. I shall discuss the matter with our leader and get then back to you. Let us hope that meanwhile no greater harm will become upon us due to the current state of the affairs. However, almost a year in waiting for the heir to be even born, with at least another decade for him to be ready to stand up for his own people - this is a long time to wait for salvation priestess!”

 

Kaede, finally letting out the breath she had been holding since the beginning of the council, nodded gravely and answered with no uncertainty in her voice.

 

“With all the years of security to come, it is a small sacrifice to be made. With the help of your protection, we will hold our posture until ready to defend ourselves independently again”

 

The elder nodded and turned to leave. Kaede watched his retreating back as his tribesmen got up to leave as well. She mounted her horse with a help of her companions and was about to make her exit when hearing to elder speak to her for the last time.

 

“I truly hope your priestess will not commit the same mistakes as the ones that were made 50 years ago.”

 

Kaede, without answering, kicked her horse to a gallop and turning their direction towards home, silently hoped for the same.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

The first golden rays of light touched the lands as a pair of matching hued eyes drifted open. Laying his back to the tree's branch where he had been snoozing, the red-clad figure eyed down to the camp where the rest of his tribe was quietly residing. He hadn't slept much - the usual few hours he always did. He was a warrior, a fighter who was to be alert at all times.

 

Straightening his back he let his gaze scan his surroundings cautiously before leaping down from the tree and landing easily before the campfire that was now nothing but ashes in the middle of a small clearing. His tribesmen, though seemingly asleep, noted his presence, but did not stir. Lifting his face towards the sky, he wrinkled his nose at the smells that were not familiar to him and decided the sooner they left the better. He wished not to spend a moment too long at these unfamiliar surroundings.

 

His gaze travelled to the opening of a small cave. Without too much thought, his eyes lingered there for the briefest of moments, only to have him turn his head away and break into a run towards the forest.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

Kagome slowly drifted awake. The first thing she became aware of was that the futon she was laying on felt surprisingly soft this morning and that someone must have pulled the voluminous curtains in front of the windows, since her sleeping quarters were never this dark even at nighttime. Once her senses sharpened, reality however washed over her like a wave of a vicious storm, and she suppressed a moan of emotional pain by pressing her face into the furs below her.

 

She laid there in silence for a while, hoping that if she squeezed her eyes closed tight enough and prayed steadfast, a moment later she would find herself from the familiar surroundings of her own residence in the temple-grounds of Asgard. With the opening of her eyes however, she still remained in the darkness of the cave, the only light illuminating the place being the one that emerged from the steps that lead to the ground above her.

 

Sighing tiredly, she slowly pushed herself to a sitting position on the futon. The cloak that had been covering her for the whole night fell off her shoulders and revealed her naked body. Like an onlooker, she scrutinized her no longer virgin core and felt a pile rise to her throat. The tears never came though and she ended up staring down at herself with no particular thoughts or emotions, only the words “I want to go home” playing in her head.

 

Broken images of the previous night played around in her mind and she had difficulty grasping which ones were real and which ones the production of her imagination. From the moment she had been made to leave the grounds of Asgard, taken into the port and placed onto the raft to have her travel to the other shore, she had felt the once vibrant life force start draining from within her. Her heart was engulfed by fears she had never experienced in her life with every paddle closer to the mainland and while walking though the forest into the clearing where her destiny awaited for her, she could feel her hopes and dreams shatter and her once bubbly demeanor being replaced by despair.

 

Once she was alone with the stranger though she had learned of sensations that were quite the opposite of grief. Kagome lifted her hands to her burning cheeks as the recollections of the previous nights events reminded her of all the things that had been done to her - and of all the things she had done! She squeezed her eyes shut as remembering his hands and lips on her body and shook her head slightly as if trying to get rid of the images. Shifting on the futon, she found her thighs moist and sticky and when bringing her hand down to see what it was, she squealed and quickly wiped her hand on the furs. She looked down at herself and was not sure if she was supposed to feel embarrassed, disgusted, curious or ashamed.

 

Ripping the hem of her cloak, she proceeded on wiping the slime away, but when getting up found it still flowing down the side of her thigh from within her. She grunted in an annoyance and wiped herself again, only now finding also a small amount of blood on the piece of cloth. Staring at it in a rueful manner, she lowered her hand and let the piece of cloth fall to the ground, as her eyes focused on an empty spot on the wall.

 

Having been brought up to one day become a priestess guarding the Shikon no Tama and keeping it pure, she had obtained barely any knowledge on the acts of intimacy and intercourse. After hearing about her doom from Kaede some weeks ago, she had wanted to storm out of the high-priestesses study and cry in her sleeping quarters until her mentor yielded and changed her mind, but seeing the look of desperation on the older woman's tired face, Kagome had realized that now was not the time to be selfish and petty. If this was truly what had been planned for her, then she would brace her destiny and not be afraid.

 

The education she had received on the practical part of the contract was however meager and done in a hasty manner, the preparations of her departure taking most of the time. She had learned the theory of sexual intercourse, but when it became into the actual act of love-making, she was in complete ignorance. She assumed that since it had already been agreed that she would become the partner of the Warrior Clan's leader, no games of seduction or skills of wooing for her were needed. At the back of her mind she was slightly disappointed. If this was where things had come to, it would have been nice to at least get to know him before stripping down into bare essential in front of each other.

 

Kagome sighed, but knew that all had been planned for the two of them in order to her get pregnant as soon as possible and for Asgard to have their protector amongst them in no more than a year's time. She had been told by Kaede, that after the baby was born, he could stay with her mother for three months in order for her to recognize his spiritual powers after which the baby was to be presented to the priestesses and slowly molded into the “Omnipotent”. His skills of combat were to be taught to him by the representatives of the Warrior Clan who, until Asgard was capable of standing on its own, were helping on protecting it against the enemies. Kagome herself however, was to stay with the youkai, her place being beside her new mate.

 

Due to the newness of her entire situation, Kagome was not sure what to make out of it. Her thoughts became to an abrupt halt, when hearing voices at the opening of the grave and the sound of feet descending the steps to the underground area. Gasping, she grabbed her cloak, which was still on the furs and wrapped it tightly around herself. She backed herself to the furthest corner of the dwelling and in silence, waited.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

Keeping his eyes focused on the target ahead of him, he leapt from one treetop to another. Pushing off from a branch with a bit more effort than before, he cracked his knuckles and with one swift slash in the air, cut the huge bird he had been hunting into two. His prey fell, its body now lifeless and unmoving, and its slaughterer jumping down in the efforts of catching the animal before it hit the forest floor.

 

Once on the ground, he snatched the corpse up from its legs and hauling it over his shoulder, headed back to the direction he had come from. Without haste he walked down the path to where he smelled his tribesmen. Against his will, he found his thoughts rushing back to the previous night's events.

 

She was there. He could smell her. Emerging from the forest into the clearing, wearing a long black robe that covered all of her features, she was nervous and scared. He could sense her fear. She had come with two escorts, who, when she didn't notice, were shooed back home, away from possibly causing any unnecessary bustle.

 

He followed her every move, and then decided it was time for her to notice him. He called for her, bringing her attention up to the plateau. She lifted her gaze to him, and stayed put, linking her eyes with his. She didn't fidget, she felt respect. Satisfied with their first connection, he had her taken underground.

 

Stopping when coming to a riverbank, the lone figure covered his eyes with the sleeve of his haori from the bright rays of sunlight that peeked from behind the high mountains in the east. He dropped the bird to the ground and proceeded into the river sinking knee-high and stared at his reflection in the surface of the water.

 

He listened to the conversation of the tribe's elder and the decrepit priestess from the side of the clearing. Sitting on a huge rock, ears twitching, he made his own conclusions of the matter that was being discussed in front of him.

 

The Shikon no Tama… His knowledge on the jewel was sufficient enough and somehow he thought it to be ironical that he was once again to deal with it. He knew of the powers that the jewel had and thus agreed with the old woman that it ending into the wrong hands meant trouble big time. The suggestion that the hag made however about him and some priestess getting it on in the hopes of the people saving themselves made him fight down the urge to jump on the witch and pound some sense into her. Had she lost her fucking head?! She clearly knew who he was but her knowledge didn't reach as far as to know that no one told him what he was to do, less who he was to mate with…

 

After the meeting was finished however, the elder soon approached him. Standing on a hilltop and looking down into the valley where their clan was residing, the leader was deep in thought when feelings the presence of the much older party behind him. The discussion was heated, yet ending with the elder placing a hand on his shoulder and while looking up at the setting sun, whispering:

 

“Think about your mother”

 

Shaking his head, he splashed water onto his face, and waded then to the bank and got out of the river. Lifting the breakfast-bird from the ground, he headed back to the camp, accompanied by his storming thoughts.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

Kagome eyed the entrance of the cave cautiously as the shadows in the stairs grew and the sound of descending steps became more audible. Before anyone however entered the dwelling, something was placed on the last step and then the presence of whoever she had just heard and seen, disappeared back to where he came from.

 

Moments passed by, before Kagome slowly let her back detach from the cold surface of the rock-wall. Peeking at the entrance of the cave, yet not sensing anyone there, she let herself relax for the slightest of amounts. As quietly as she could, she took hesitant steps towards the bundle that lay on the stone-floor on the other end of the room, all the while keeping her eyes locked with the staircase.

 

When reaching the folded article, she scrutinized it for the last time before grabbing it from the ground. Lifting it up, she recognized it to be a cloth of some kind and unfolding it, found it to be a light kimono of a very simple design with wide sleeve openings. The patterns on it were that of white and green and investigating it closer, she found small embroidery on the neckline. On the same pile with the kimono laid a nagajuban for her to wear underneath the actual clothing and a green obi for her to tie the kimono on.

 

Slightly taken aback, Kagome glanced from the clothing up to the stairs of the cave as if expecting someone to enter and explain to her the meaning of this, but when yet finding herself alone, she landed her eyes back on the pile in her arms and swallowed slightly. Telling herself that there was really not too much else that could be done, she shook her cloak off her shoulders and grabbed the underclothing.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

Having returned back to the camp, he watched his tribesmen gather together the little amount of belongings they had and swallowed down the last piece of meat he had been consuming on. When all seemed to be ready for their departure, he glanced at the cave and with an annoyed grunt, leapt from his place beside the now dying fireplace to stand at the opening. With his arms folded across his chest, he tapped his foot on the ground and let an impatient growl escape his lips.

 

The damn wench was taking way too long. How difficult could it be to just get herself dressed and rolling…

 

As he was about to enter the grotto to give the woman a piece of his mind, he felt her smell drift closer and soon enough, a pair of cautious eyes peeked from within the darkness.

 

He couldn't help himself but to gape at her for a while, when seeing her hesitantly appear in front of him, her head bent and her hands clasped in front of her. The clothing she had been provided with had been assembled together with perfection and honored the curves of her form.

 

“It's about time”

 

His voice, though no more harsh than usually, made her head snap up. He was sure she would break down into tears and mentally prepared himself for the outburst, but instead her lips formed a thin line and her eyes flashed at him in a dangerous manner. He could sense irritation surface from her petite being and lifted a brow at her temper. She opened her mouth to say something, but was cut by his comrade who voiced out their readiness to go. Without turning to look at the owner of the voice he nodded, all the while keeping his gaze locked onto the storming brown orbs in front of him. Smirking, he broke eye-contact and turned his back to her, facing his tribesmen and voicing out his command.

 

“Let's go!”

 

The group made their leave. Tucking his arms into his sleeves of his haori he started walking to the direction of the rest of the group. Soon enough however he stopped again, sighed in an irritated manner and turned to look at the girl who hadn't moved a muscle. She stared back at him, her facial expression now turned into disorientated and doubtful.

 

“I…”

 

Clenching her fists she dropped her head as if gathering her courage. Keeping her face to the ground, she muttered quietly.

 

“At least you could tell me your name”

 

He stared at her without saying a word. A small breeze of wind danced around them, blowing at her hair lightly and drifting to him, encircling him with her intoxicating scent. Blinking once, he turned and with his back towards her, spoke over his shoulder quietly.

 

“You can call me… Inuyasha”

 

Without waiting for her to answer, he took into the woods, slowly enough to feel her make a move and follow him. Listening to her light footsteps against the forest ground, he glanced up to the sky and letting out a deep sigh, wondered just how in hell would all this turn out.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

A/N: Dear Readers,

 

Thank you for the reviews on the Prologue! If you were reading this fic before, you can see the story has been changed quite a bit from what it originally was (hopefully towards the better…) and I have been so excited to write it again! I apologize for the grammar mistakes, which were pointed out in some of the feedback I received - English is only my second language (though I use it every day) but I will promise to do my best to improve! If however someone would be interested in doing the Beta-Reading for this story, please let me know! I'm quite busy with work but will try to update on regular basis. Once again all feedback is very much welcome and any ideas will be taken into account!

 

~ Elysia ~