InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Dreams ❯ The Winds of Time ( Chapter 2 )

So here's chapter two, a little intro of everyone (almost).

 

Disclaimer: Own Inuyasha? Alas, not yet.

 

 

In Dreams

 

 

Chapter 2

 

 

The Winds of Time

 

 

High atop the windswept mountain it waited. The urethral glow, dimmed over time. The world below changed as the memory of the portals faded. Demons and humans found love and hate for each other side by side, both whispering of days when their worlds were separate, both fighting for rank. Gods and Fates grew petty and demanded much of the living. And in the netherworlds, the soulless plundered for souls.

 

Sealing the portal door had hidden Gaia, but somehow combined the mirror worlds with their opposites. The veils were thin now, and all creatures had to fight for their place. Wars for dominance shook the universe, and in the pursuit of power, rumor spread of a once great warrior priestess who possessed a gift. She could wield the threads of Gaia that allowed passage through the gateways to the source. She had protected the balance. Good and evil sought for truths to this history. All awaited her re-birth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

`There!' He felt the beat of power again. The young man stood still hoping the next vibration would coax his direction. What had started as a simple demon hunt now lead him to search for the cause of the mysterious aura that faintly caught his attention halfway up the steep slope. The mountain wind whipped around him, testing his strength as it pushed at his body.

Va-voom. His head snapped to the right and he started in the direction of the pulse. Climbing swiftly up the rocky peak he noted the swell of energy that permeated the air. It was not a demon aura, yet not pure either. It was something he could not place, and therefore he decided it was definitely dangerous. He felt no fear, but was wary.

 

“What in the two hells?” He breathed heavily.

 

Suddenly a bright, heavy pink light flashed before him. He halted and brought his arm up to his forehead to shield his eyes. He peered through the glare to adjust his sight and focus on the origin. A small orb lay carelessly on the gray ground of the mountain cliff. A beautiful jewel, that seemed to both capture and emit light. It shimmered at its core. He felt it tug at him with a tremendous duel energy, and he knew instinctively, this power could not be left to the grasping hands of others. He must bring it back to his village.

 

`To protect? To Hide? The elders will know what to do.'

 

As he reached towards the jewel, a warning of immeasurable power shot through him, and the jewel darkened. His hand retreated. But he worried more to leave the thing in the open, than for his safety. `I cannot leave this here.'

Determined, he reached into his side pouch and pulled out the piece of soft, stamped leather he used to bind the demon wards given to him by the village priestess. It was strong enough to keep the spells; hopefully it would do to carry the orb. He reached again, with the leather shielding his hand, and the jewel calmed. He wrapped it carefully, dropped it in his bag and began to search the area for clues as to how this had come to be.

 

`Who would leave such a powerful……… ……...who could channel such power?'

 

After nothing was found, and as he made his way cautiously back to the village, a small light flickered in the back of his mind.

 

`Wait, could this be?' He wondered.

 

He quickened his pace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This power is beyond me,” the aged Miko peered at the jewel that lay on the leather cloth, on the small, low, wood table in her simple hut. Her brown eyes studied the orb.

 

The young man and his father exchanged knowing glances. The elder spoke.

 

“Could this be the key we have been searching for?”

 

Her brow creased. “I believe it to be.” She answered carefully. She raised her eyes to the men standing in front of her. “We must protect it at all costs until one is found with the strength to wield it, to purify its taint.” She reached across the table to re-wrap the jewel and place it in a small, ornately carved wood box. “You must go to the western Shrine, the temple there is a training ground for the most powerful Mikos.” She stood, and handed the box to the young man.

 

He quietly accepted the responsibility.

 

“I leave it to you, Onigumo, to complete this task.”

 

He bowed his head to her and turned to leave with his father, eager to make plans for their journey.

 

“Onigumo, take great care. Many will be drawn to the aura, and its taint, I fear, will bring much sorrow should the key be abused.”

 

The young man nodded and slipped out the door into the cool twilight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He sat very still, straining his ears in the darkness towards the mouth of the cave.

 

`Am I hearing things or what? Was it my imagination?' He cursed his human form for its obvious limitations and tried to listen for any sounds of movement. After waiting an acceptable amount of time, and witnessing nothing to cause distrust, he relaxed. A little.

 

The air in the cave was cool and damp, sending a shiver through his body. But he dare not light a fire. Not on this night. He could not risk unwanted attention. He sighed heavily and leaned back against the hard, uneven rock wall behind him. Long black hair fell over his shoulder to catch between the wall and the young man's back.

 

“Damn! I can't wait `til this night is over.” He breathed to himself.

 

He closed his dark eyes and wished for the sunrise. He hated feeling so vulnerable. He hated hiding. He longed for more power, to end this curse. There must be a way…….to become….. `…If there is, I'll find it.'

 

He'd grown used to not belonging. He'd come to accept, and even not mind his aloneness. He'd grown strong, and sure, and careful. Indeed he was more powerful than most, except right now, and he honed his fighting skills daily. But he needed more. He needed to prove his worth.

 

His thoughts began to drift around the beautiful girl he'd seen yesterday. She was a priestess, and a powerful one at that, for he could feel her aura. She sat alone, far away, in the great field of sea green grass that spread to the river beyond his forest. She smelled sad, and he'd watched her for a long time before she'd slipped away, her black hair tied low…

 

 

…A figure stood before him. Even from this distance he new it was a woman. Her long black hair, freely swaying with the wind, released her scent to him - the river and sweet smoke. She had used young wood for fire, to dry herself and her clothes. He inhaled deeply and found something distinctive, uniquely her. But there was more. He took a step towards her. Tears.

 

He found himself drawn to her and watched, almost from outside his body, as his feet closed the space between them with urgency. Her back was still to him when he reached her, and reached for her. She leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around her waist, hoping to comfort her. Somewhere in the back of his mind he questioned his actions, but his instincts won easily over his wonder. She was warm and soft in his arms. He felt the need to protect her always, and he wanted to quell the worries that had troubled her to tears. She sighed.

 

“It has been so long. Truly I have waited an eternity.” She spoke so quietly he strained to hear. “I grow weary alone here.”

 

He hugged her closer, trying to assure her that he was there for her, as he could find no words to provide strength. She sighed deeper into his embrace.

 

“I fear the battle is just beginning. I have held on for as long as I can. Now I must leave it to another.”

 

She turned in his arms and pressed into his chest. He felt himself yearn for her, to hold her forever, to make her his.

 

“What can I do?” He asked as he laid his cheek to the top of her head.

 

“Watch for me. Help me. Remember our love.”

 

He caught big brown eyes and smooth pale skin before his lips were pressed into hers. His eyes drifted closed as a sweet, sure, familiar kiss pushed him into a memory. A flash of pain. Sorrow. Longing.

 

“I promise.”

 

The sky darkened and the wind picked up. The smell of decay swirled through his senses. Earthy, rot. He felt her disappear from his arms, and he opened his eyes….

 

 

…And opened his eyes. The cave was merely dim, as the early morning light chased the deep shadows into recess. The dream still numbed his awareness and he shook his head to clear his thoughts. `That girl? I…knew her?' His body was still warm where her flesh touched his, and he felt himself stir below his belt.

 

“What the hell? I must be going nuts!” He blushed remembering the kiss. “I need to get me a woman.”

 

Again he caught the stench of rotting earth. “Bluhh!” It assaulted his sensitive nose. His furry dog-like ears twitched toward the direction where he heard the sound of something heavy dragging.

 

He sensed the demon, not too far from outside the cave. `Must've picked up my human scent and figured on an easy meal.'

 

He could tell by it's aura that it wasn't very powerful, and by it's slow and open approach that it wasn't too bright.

 

He rose to his feet and stretched his long, lean form sending stilled blood to his resting muscles. He strapped his sword to his waist and felt his power fully return to him. Long thick silver hair hung just below his waist. Sharp golden eyes reflected the light peeking into the cave. He ran his tongue lightly over his fangs and cracked his knuckles, and flexed his claws.

 

“Betcha' think this is yer lucky day,” he snorted as he strode fearlessly to the cave mouth, “having breakfast come to you n'all.” He unsheathed his sword and felt its power prickle through his body. “Keh!”

 

He left the dream to linger in the cool shade of his hiding place, deciding to wonder about it later, and marched to battle against his new enemy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She stood on the highest hill that sat to the west of her small village, opposite the shrine temple. From here she had a clear view of the surrounding area. Low hills and fields covered the land to the south and west, behind her towards the river. Forest wrapped-in most of the remaining area to the east and north. The sun was just beginning to give twilight her introduction, fanning the last deep reds and oranges into pinks and fading blues. A few early stars twinkled in the sky above her.

 

She came here often to meditate. She loved to feel the high breeze sweep over her. It refreshed her senses. This quiet spot was hers. It was the place where she could release the desires and fears she held in every moment she was a priestess. All her life, for as long as she could remember, she had been different. She possessed spiritual powers that called for training, and had moved to the temple to live in her early youth. She had accepted her responsibility as just that. A responsibility. She had accepted that she was a Miko, and a protector of her village. But here, up here in the long swishing grasses, she was a woman. An ordinary woman, with wants and needs. And dreams.

 

Currently, she was watching a man walk briskly towards the village from the north road. He was a stranger, and a warrior. He walked with the fluid motion of well developed strength and agility, despite the load he carried on his back - supplies she guessed. And she could make out the sword at his waist and a bow over his shoulder. His aura was strong and full, but warped. He carried a burden. Something outside him was causing the energy pulse she sensed. She should return to the shrine grounds to greet this man, for she knew that was his destination, and find out his purpose here.

 

“Kaede, we have practiced enough for today. You have done well. Pack up your things; we will head back to the village now.”

 

She herself went to gather the target they had been shooting at, and collect the arrows that were stray. The little girl slung two baskets of arrows over her back and began to struggle with her older sister's long bow. The young woman reached to relieve her.

 

“Thank you Kaede. I will carry the bows. Ready?” She filled the arrow purses on the girl's back with what she had retrieved.

 

“Yes sister Kikyo.”

 

They walked together back to the village as the sun slipped his face behind the hill. The cool breeze whispered around her of great change and sacrifice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kay, done. I am sorry if this is short and/or choppy. I wrote this chapter once already, and lost it on my computer. So then I got discouraged and waited a while before hastily punching out what I remembered having. Hope the inspiration fairy can spare a little dust for me on the next chapter.