InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forbidden Sanctuary ❯ "Falling Forever . . ." ( Chapter 9 )

[~: A/N :~]

 

Semi: Konnichi wa Minna-san! Wow . .. major lack of update -sighs-

 

ChibiLee: Gomen Semi-sama, CL was tired..

 

Semi: I know Chibi, you needed a break. After all you were working for several months none-stop.

 

CL: Ano . . . Semi-sama? Daijoubu?

 

Semi: I'm fine, and since your good again you can get back to work you lazy little leech.

 

CL: -face plants- Meanie! -pouts-

 

Semi: Oye . . . what-eve, well anyway I hope you all forgive me for being so late to update. Please enjoy this new addition of FS. -bows-

 

CL: It's time for CL's recap! In the last chapter, Umeko was confronted by Naraku who told her a mean lie! Now she's run away. The group tried to find her but Naraku seems to be planning something. The last we saw of Umeko she ran into someone. Who could it be?! Read and find out! -solutes-

 

[~: Disclaimer :~] I do not own InuYasha nor do I own Beauty and the Beast, or the song “Going Under” . Have a nice day.

Sanctuary

By: Youkai Semi

 

Chapter Nine: “Falling Forever . . .”

 

 

“I'm called Umeko.” The blind hanyo took a cautious step foreword.

 

“I'm Hakudoshi.” The voice replied hesitantly a moment later. “You shouldn't be here.”

 

“Why not? I'm just traveling.” Umeko's brows knitted together in anxiety.

 

“This area is fulled with demons . . . none of which as understanding as myself.” Hakudoshi replied mildly, obviously covering the true intentions of his warning. Umeko heard it in his voice, he wasn't acting of his own free will but had somehow let something slip.

 

“Do you know of a place that is safe?” She asked after a moment of thought, feeling her voice quiver just a bit.

 

“Master Naraku would gladly protect you from whatever it is you are running from.” The boy replied mechanically, as if parroting something back that he had been forced to learn. For an instant, the name the boy had given her had sparked something. It was like a distant memory trying to resurface but only fled when grasped. It left a sense of fear and dread, as if she knew it and needed to stay far-far away from it.

 

“This Naraku you speak of . . . are you certain he will not harm me?” Umeko had to no who or what this person was. She couldn't bring herself to trust anything, including her own instincts.

 

“He will not, he gives his word. My master has already spoken with you and would like to further assist you, Lady Umeko.” Hakudoshi commented quietly. She could hear a very slight tone of fear o his voice. Focusing on it; she almost grasped what he was afraid of, but it became as elusive as the faint tickling of memory. Her eyes clouded with her own fear and anger. Fear she was about to make a very stupid mistake and do something very wrong. And anger at those who had lied to her. Trust was a thing of the past.

 

“Take me to him.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady herself. Suddenly she felt she had just stepped onto the wrong path. Her heart felt heavy and a deep sorrow began to fill her.

 

'It doesn't matter anymore. . . they lied not I. Naraku has not.' Umeko thought to herself, but it brought no comfort.

 

“You will serve Master Naraku willingly?” The boy asked in a tone that said he was giving her one last chance to escape. She hadn't thought of serving him . . . but if he kept her safe what did it matter? It was the least she could do for his protection was it not?

 

“Hai.” She took a deep breath an gave a resolute nod. Though she could not see it Umeko could feel the boy's eyes fill with sorrow yet his scent did not change.

 

“Follow me.” He gave the instruction without emotion and retreated further into the forest with Umeko close behind. The rain beginning to fall harder to remove their scent after they had left.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Sesshomaru paused mid-step and looked up at the dark clouds filling the sky. The storm ha finally caught up with him. The torrents of cold water did not phase him nor did the now icy wind buffeting against his lean form. The water cascaded down his face and clothes, creating a giant pool of water at his feet. The smell of it reminded him of Umeko and suddenly his chest began to ache.

 

'The short time I have known this girl has changed me. Is this what it means to be human? I had thought such things below me in my pursuits, but now I'm not so sure.' His thoughts went back in time, recalling a conversation he had had with his father over Tetsusaiga.

 

 

[~: Memory :~]

 

“Is power all you want Sesshomaru?”Inu Taisho kept his back to his eldest son.

 

“It is all that matters, I want the sword.” Sesshomaru answered in his usual icy tones.

 

“Then you will never understand what it means to be truly strong. You will never have the sword.” His father walked away without another word. Sesshomaru was left to think over his words but they had no effect on him.

 

[~: End of Memory :~]

 

 

'Was this what you meant father? If so it is both the greatest strength you can possess . . . as well as your greatest weakness.' Sesshomaru sighed and looked straight up, letting the water run down his face and plaster his long silver hair to his scalp.

 

'I'm sorry Umeko . . . I could not be there when you needed me. Now I fear I am too late to do anything.' No one could tell the difference between the rain and tears that mingled on his cheeks and clothing, nor would he admit they were there. He could not let himself admit that a single girl had stripped him of his strength. The Taiyoukai thought if anyone knew they would think it laughable that the once strongest Youkai had been brought to heel in the wake of a half mortal girl.

 

 

* * *

 

 

“Do you think Lord Sesshomaru found Umeko yet?” Shippo questioned the group from his spot on Miroku's shoulder.

 

“Unfortunately there's no way of telling just yet.” Miroku's answer was less then enthusiastic.

 

“If he hasn't we can go look for her ourselves.” Sango added when the kitsune suddenly drooped in sadness.

 

“Really?” He perked up instantly, putting on a brave face and tried to help by keeping a lookout.

 

“He'll find her.” InuYasha commented once they fell silent while continuing further into the forest. The unwavering certainty surprised the others, leaving no room for doubt or questions. While they pondered on InuYasha's behavior, they barely noticed the sudden sound of sucking. The resounding snap of slap against skin brought their attention back to their hanyo friend who was now looking down at something in his palm.

 

“What is it now Meyoga?” InuYasha's irritation was evident in his voice, but this time the others heard something they had never heard there before. The hanyo was actually being patient for once.

 

“Quick to the point as usual master.” The flea laid squashed flat for a moment before re inflating himself back to normal. “I have strange news from Shoga. It seems that before you found Lady Umeko, but after Keshina had, Naraku himself had found her. So that time at the hot spring was not the first time they had met.” Meyoga sat down on InuYasha's shoulder and crossed his arms as he spoke. An audible gasp of shock from the others followed shortly after.

 

“Hmph, old Lady Shoga is more reliable then you so I'll believe her. Which means Naraku's setting another trap for us.” InuYasha scowled at the horizon.

 

“Or Sesshomaru.” Sango put a hand to her chin while thinking. “Think about it. He pitted

against Kikyo then myself against Kohaku. There is something between Sesshomaru and Umeko but I don't think they know it yet. Well maybe, but it's unlikely with who we're dealing with here.”

 

“Precisely. But it makes no sense if the jewel of four souls has been lost as we think it has.” Meyoga nodded in agreement but gave them something else to puzzle out.

 

“Do you think that demon who killed Kagome took it first? She might have been working with Naraku all along.” Miroku put his own thoughts into the mix with mild hesitation, Kagome was still a touchy subject.

 

“It is a possibility, but one thing's for certain. Lord Sesshomaru is in danger.” Meyoga looked at the group with a serious expression.

 

“Oh, no. Not only that but he's all alone.” Sango's brows knitted in worry. They hadn't expected something like this to happen. Though they should have. No one thought Naraku would still pursue them now that the jewel was supposedly gone. But the jewel may not be gone at all as previously thought. Rather it may have been stolen instead. Things were going from bad to worse in a matter of a heartbeat.

 

“Tech, that's his problem not ours. He should have come back to the camp with me. Then we could of all gone after her. The bastard has to be as stubborn as a mule.” InuYasha turned his back, closing his eyes and crossing his arms in his own stubborn form.

 

“Shouldn't we go after him then?” Shippo asked when no one spoke again. Thy looked at him but still said nothing.

 

Finally it was InuYasha who broke the silence. “Come on. If we find Naraku, then we'll find Umeko and Sesshomaru.” He began walking again, the others looking at each other with raised eyebrows. When he noticed they weren't behind him he turned and glared.

 

“Well?! Come on! We don't have all day you know.” He yelled in his usual fashion then turned back around.

 

“I'll just be leaving then.” Meyoga was about to make a run for it but InuYasha was quicker.

 

“Not this time Meyoga. Stay on Kirara if you like, but you're staying with us.” He muttered and let the flea go. Meyoga wa taken aback but did as told, jumping onto the nekomata and watching his master with curiosity. This was a different InuYasha then he was used to.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Umeko was surprised when Hakudoshi lead her through the forest to a castle. She wasn't sure what it was but the tapping of her sick proved it to be something of stone and quite large. How big it was sh couldn't say so she figured it had to be a castle. Another surprise was that they had made it just ahead of the rain storm. Something rather unusual in itself.

 

'What is this place?' Umeko's thoughts held fear. 'It's almost as if this place is here and yet . . . not of this world.' Her frown showed her concern.

 

“There is nothing to fear, please - let us continue.” Hakudoshi looked back to comment then continued passed the door. Umeko hesitated a moment before venturing after him. In the entrance hall they were greeted by a small girl. If she could see she would have noticed the similarities in the two children for both had hair as white as her own.

 

“This way.” The girl held a mirror to her chest, unseen by the hanyo in front of her. Umeko nodded and followed, but like Hakudoshi, she hid it well.

 

'Why are these children afraid? For that matter what are they afraid of?' Umeko thought unhappily.

 

“Please excuse my brother. He speaks when he should be silent.” The girl spoke once they entered a hall. Anyone who could see would of fled at the sight of the skeletons lining the wall, slumped against it as if they had just fallen.

 

“Hakudoshi is your brother?” Umeko found herself asking out of curiosity.

 

“Yes, in a matter of speaking. I am Kanna. Master Naraku will call for you in a short while. He is currently busy and wishes not to be disturbed.” Kanna excused herself and left the hanyo to her own devices. Umeko frowned slightly and tapped her staff on the ground. The vibrations told her she was in a small room by herself with only one exit. That was fine, she could create one if the need arose. She positioned herself on the floor, in the middle facing the door, and laid her staff next to her for easy access.

 

'I feel this is a trap of some sort but I have no other choice.' The hanyo closed her unseeing eyes and consented to wait for Naraku to call for her. She began thinking of the past week, wondering if everything that was said was a lie. It made no difference for she had started down a path she could not back away from.

 

Unknown to Umeko, Naraku was actually watching her. He smiled in satisfaction when the jewels on her forehead slowly turned black. He had told many that the jewel was far more beautiful when covered in malice. Now he had the whole jewel in his grasp. And all of it dark with anger and hate.

 

Naraku pulled a single shard from his robes and gave a wicked grin. All he had to do was put it all together and make it even darker. He moved his fingers as if to flick the shard away, but in reality it shot from his hand and embedded its self with the rest of it's whole on Umeko's forehead. A blinding light filled her room engulfing the hanyo within it. Naraku shielded his eyes for a moment until it died away. Before him knelt a young woman with a sadistic grin gracing her lips.

 

“The darkness embraces you. It suits you quite well.” He nearly laughed but held it at bay. There was time yet to celebrate.

 

“Welcome Lady Umeko.” He gave a matching grin before standing up and walking over to her. He lifted her chin with his index finger and smiled down at her.

 

'Fall . .. continue to fall into darkness. Show me how beautiful you can make the jewel on your forehead.' Naraku thought longingly as he swept his hand along her brow.

 

 

[~:End of Chapter:~

 

Semi: Ok . . . Naraku has officially creeped me out.

 

CL: Hai . . . but hasn't he always been a creep? -snickers-

 

Semi: Haha, very funny. Well folks that's it for chapter nine! ^-^ Stay tuned to find out what's in store for the next chapter and it's characters!

 

CL: This is getting good tee hee. More fun next time! -solutes-

 

[~: Teasers for the next chapter:~]

 

The Inu group figure out that 'Somethings not quite right' and Naraku corners Keshina! And what's this?! She reveals the secrets concerning Umeko's curse!

 

Chapter Ten: “ You are near to the dark.”