InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Freedom ❯ Feudal: The Shapeshifter Youkai, Haruki Kobayashi! ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer:

 

Kathryne-San: Konnichiwa! (tries not to laugh) I'm holding back laughter…I must admit, MiLord looks hysterical.

 

MiLord: (struggles under Jizou statue) AHH! Stupid Shippou!

 

Kathryne-San: So, because I'm having a hard time holding back laughter, my disclaimer is short. I do not own InuYasha. Rumiko Takahashi does. To the fanfic!

 

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Chapter Seven: Feudal: The Shapeshifter Youkai, Haruki Kobayashi!

 

The village of Boutan had for years been plagued by a mysterious person. On first glance, he looked human…but something deep down said otherwise, and the village headman knew it. When this person first came, he bought a large mansion, but no-one was ever seen coming out of it. Those unlucky few who entered never returned.

 

Around the same time every year, he would ask for the most beautiful maiden in the village to come to him. She would not return, and it was unknown what became of her. When a curious young man would venture within, they would find the man's corpse—devoid of blood. After a while, it would stop…then, the person would return, like always…

 

One day, someone did finally come out of his mansion. The girl they had sent within was found, weeping, and with a scroll daubed in blood. She said that the man was no man…right before her eyes he had changed his appearance—to that of a human. But he could not have been, she said, for before, he was too pale…

 

The scroll read: Baka. I know this maiden is not the most beautiful. You try to deceive the Shapeshifter. But it is I who will deceive you…Signed, The Shapeshifter.

 

A week later, the day when the rain was expected to come, this mysterious person emerged from the mansion, to view the destruction of Boutan Village. He stayed in his mansion, untouched by the destruction, and watched within his mansion as the rain washed away the blood and put out the fires…

 

Now, the Shapeshifter looked at the body of the rat youkai, rent in two by Inuyasha, and snarled, “I should never have sent you, weakling…”

 

He drew his hands into the sleeves of his kimono. The darkness under the mansion which he stayed was ideal for him. He was not overly fond of the sun, though he could tolerate it for a short time. It would burn his skin and turn it the color of raw meat. For his paleness was the one feature the girl described…too pale to be human…which was true.

 

Kobayashi Haruki was no human.

 

Haruki was a master of disguise; he could use any appearance he wished. When he had seen the headman, he was black-haired and brown-eyed, but whenever he received a maiden, he returned to the appearance of which he was most comfortable with. This form was the palest, lightest of all. His eyes were the color of sapphires, his hair the golden color of the midday sun. He could be anything he wanted—other youkai, human, it mattered not to him.

 

Haruki walked over to a large crystal orb and placed his hand upon it. “I see the hanyou knows about me…” He drummed his nails upon the surface of the orb. “As I hear it, the son of Inu no Taishou…how interesting…”

 

His eyes turned to the figure who appeared before him.

 

“Well, now, what are you standing here for? I told you what you must do.”

 

“You must keep your promise.” The voice of the figure was dry; a sardonic youth, Haruki thought.

 

“You are too nostalgic for my taste,” Haruki drawled. “However, if that is what you really want…”

 

The figure nodded.

 

“You go, and do what I ask, and then I will see to it.”

 

The figure, who stood in the shadows, bowed and left.

 

“A sentimental baka…he shall learn soon enough…” Haruki unsheathed the blade at his side, grinning, so he saw his reflection, and his white fangs gleaming against it.

 

“And so will the hanyou…”

 

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Kathryne-San: As you can tell, it was short and full of foreshadowing. The one clarification:

 

Inu no Taishou: Literally, Lord of Dogs; the title of Inuyasha's father (his real name is unknown)

 

Hehehe…I like my villain.

 

MiLord: (Struggles still) GRRR!

 

Shippou: What do you think?

 

Kathryne-San: I love it. It's perfect for our Sesshoumaru fangirls.

 

Inuyasha: (pokes MiLord)

 

Kathryne-San: (pokes MiLord) Good idea, Inu-sama.

 

MiLord: Ow! Hey! Stop poking me!

 

Rikku-San: (tackles Inuyasha) Fluffy!

 

Shippou: (without Kathryne-San's prompt, he Jizou-statues Rikku-San.)

 

Kathryne-San: Good Shippou! Now, I must get back to typing new chapter…Sayonara!