InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Dreams ❯ Drawn to the Rhythm ( Chapter 5 )

Thanks Raven, Kagome13lover, Staralinga and Hands-off-the-half-breed, for your awesome reviews! But I am so sorry to have taken so long to write this next chapter - it's been in the making for weeks and weeks. A month? It was a bit ridiculous that I let things keep me. Work is busy and time gets filled up, but I'll try so much harder. PS. I get kinda graphic here (you've read me before and now I feel I must warn), but you all know the rating right?

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Inuyasha does not belong to me…….in this world….

 

 

 

 

In Dreams

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

Drawn to the Rhythm

 

 

 

 

 

“Please forgive me in my haste for this late intrusion Miko-sama. I search for the Priestess Kikyo.”

 

The travel-worn young man stood, head bowed, in the doorway of the shrine gate-house. The older Miko peered through the dim of early evening to search his face for intent.

 

“I come on a matter of the greatest importance.” He then looked up into her eyes. “I bear news of the key. It has been found.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He caught himself staring again at the young priestess. She was beautiful; delicate features graced pale skin, and the deep, dark pools that were her eyes were full of wisdom, caring, and strength. And more. Her traditional robes couldn't hide her womanly figure, and her long, black hair tied back revealed her long, creamy neck.

 

“I am glad, for your sake, that your journey here was uneventful, especially since you undertook it alone.”

 

Her smooth voice broke his reverie and he inwardly shook himself to attention.

 

“I too am glad for my fortune. I knew of no other place to go where the safety of the jewel could be ensured.”

 

She smiled at him. “You were right to bring it here. I am honored to have such faith placed in my abilities. Her eyes darkened, and her voice came out sharp and determined. “I will guard it with my life. Rest assured, Onigumo, that none shall abuse its power.”

 

“Yes priestess.”

 

He bowed his head, and handed her the box containing the sacred jewel. She accepted the burden and bowed her head slightly to him.

 

She felt the tremendous energy emanating from the key. She carefully put the box down on the floor in front of her where she knelt across from the young man. She could feel the tainted power. She would try her best to purify the aura, and control the evil that fought inside the orb. `I can feel this power is alive. There is a balance kept inside, but it is so fragile.'

 

Onigumo watched her as she opened the casings and picked up the jewel in her bare hands.

 

It's colour darkened, and it shimmered inside its core. Light began to swirl around the dark, as the thick pink colour reddened, and seemed to burn.

 

She felt the twisting of two wills. She released her mighty spiritual power into the key and felt it latch onto the purity found there, in one half. But she felt something detach, and pass over her - an angry darkness filled, then flickered out of, the room. She paid it too little mind.

 

The jewel brightened. The angry colour faded, paling now to a soft pink glow. The aura of the jewel calmed, and the shimmering dulled. It now appeared as glass, almost clear, with the slight tint of pearly rose-white.

 

Onigumo looked at the Miko. She met his eyes and smiled again. He was amazed. She had purified the taint just by touching it! She was powerful. He had been instructed to seek her out specifically; the reputation of her immense spiritual powers had reached even the distant villages surrounding his homeland.

 

“It will be kept here in the temple. It will be kept safe. I will see it protected at all costs.”

 

“Thank you Priestess Kikyo.” He bowed again to her.

 

“Kaede, please take Onigumo to the village Inn. See to it that he receives food and drink, and a bed.” She instructed her younger sister who sat reverently to her left. She turned back to the young man before her. “Go and rest yourself. I am sure you are weary from your long journey.”

 

He was indeed, but found himself reluctant to leave her company. “Thank you priestess.” He stood, after the Miko and her charge, and then followed the young girl from the temple.

 

Kikyo watched him go. She had felt his attraction to her. He was not the first to look on her that way. He, himself, was a handsome man. Tall and fit, with long dark hair, and dark brown eyes. His character seemed respectful and responsible. She felt a small twinge of pain in that she could not allow herself even to wish for an embrace from another. He was a demon slayer, from one of the mountain villages far to the north. Again she wondered that he would come alone. His village must have a great deal of faith in his strength, both physical and mental. To carry such a dangerous cargo unaided and so far……

 

She turned to face the shrine centre. She walked up to the altar and placed the sacred jewel on the flat stone surface. She cast the energy spell that erected a barrier to ward off those who would be drawn to its power, but knew that alone, would not be enough.

 

`How long will this duty be mine? Forever? Is there a way to destroy this power, to ensure it never falls into the hands of evil?

 

After a long moment, she made her way out of the temple, to the shrine grounds and walked to her favourite spot there. The night air soothed her, and she enjoyed the breeze that brushed across her body and ruffled the heavy cloth of her robes. Under the tree of ages she sat and rested. Her thoughts wandered to the jewel. She tried to remember all she knew about it. It could grant the desires of those who could channel energy. It would in the least bestow great strength and power to anyone who possessed it. But its true gift was that it could open a link to the gateway realms. It could provide access to the flows from Gaia. It was the key to the portals, and that was what made it so very dangerous. Could she herself wield it? Would it change her?

 

`I would never fall to such temptation. I am a priestess, and I know my place.'

 

She leaned back against the old tree and closed her eyes. She let her mind clear, and focused only on the energy flows of life around her, feeling the rhythm of the tides of the elements. She tuned out the world and let the silent hymn of meditation fold her away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onigumo leaned back on his futon and let his body relax. But his mind swirled around the Miko, Kikyo. He found desire building in his heart a longing he had never felt before. He knew the code of the priestess. She may not take a mate while in active duty. Her position came before and above all else. Anything material or otherwise that may compromise her focus was forbidden. The knowledge that he could not have her burned.

 

`May I stay by her side? May I wait for her? I would wait `til the end.'

 

He glanced around the small room he occupied. Sparsely furnished, it was clean and neat. The Innkeeper had provided a warm meal and kindly ushered him to his sleeping quarters. He felt the light spring breeze push into the room through the thin screen of the sliding door. He found it warm, and noted how long it had been since he had slept in-doors. For just over two weeks he had spent most of his journey outside, sleeping under the stars. Most nights had been chill, and his sleep had been broken to keep the fire alive. Not that he would have let himself drift too deep, for fear of the jewel he protected.

 

`But I had no trouble at all. It is still secret. Even if a demon had felt the power, perhaps it could not have recognized the difference, and thought it not wise to investigate such a strong aura.'

 

As he drifted to sleep he decided to stay, for a few days at least, in the village to make sure all was well and, secretly, to be near her. He would try to send word in the morning that he was safe, and the mission complete. His father would be glad to hear news that he was well, and that the key's taint had been purified. It could be protected here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From deep in the woods a presence stirred. Small animals and ground-dwelling insects scurried away from the tremors that shifted the dark surface of the forest floor. Tree roots snapped, and delicate undergrowth was drowned by the upheaval of dirt that slowly erupted as something huge rose from its deep nest to surface. Its mass grew in the night as it lifted its long hard-shelled body out of the dank earth where it had slept for so long. She stretched her long worm-like form as it emerged from the ground, and smiled a grimace of a smile. She tested her forgotten voice.

 

“At long last,” she hissed, “that power breathes once more. It will be mine!”

 

Dirt fell from her tangled black hair as she slowly snaked through the wood. Her naked human upper torso shone pale and eerie in the moonlight and seemed severed as her centipede hide blended with the shadows of the forest. She urged blood to her unused yet eager muscles and followed the pull of the familiar pulse. She was one of the elder demons, and had lived through the ages of the guardians. She knew the scent of their power, and the fate of Midoriko. She knew what the beating of the aura that had sucked her from her waiting slumber was, and she was drawn to it, like thirst to water.

 

Far in the distance, outside the forest, a lone figure caught her stale scent. His silhouette stood statue-still on the horizon of the western foothills. The energy around the village had changed; the wind had brought him this news. Something heavy hung in the air. And now this ancient demon had awakened - `Why?'

 

He would send a spy to investigate. He had other more pressing matters to attend to. He turned gracefully and started down the hill to enlist his aid. The moonlight caught in the silver of his long hair before he disappeared into the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kikyo's brown eyes snapped open. The heady strength of the approaching aura warned her of a great and deadly demon.

 

`So, it has begun already.'

 

She rose from her seat under the great tree and noted the scent the breeze had carried to her. She glanced in the direction of the forest. `There!' She rushed towards the shrine keep for her weapon.

 

A young priestess caught her attention out of the corner of her eye.

 

“Priestess Yumi! Alert the village that a great demon approaches! Gather the men and send them to the temple to await my instructions. Hurry!”

 

She did not wait to see the young girl scurry off as she flew up the steps of the main quarters and found her bow and arrows. Kaede emerged from her domicile, noted her sister's countenance and started to gather her own weapon.

 

“Kaede, you are not ready to face such a foe. You would best aid me by gathering those who can draw the proper wards. Then go to the temple and set the guard. The village men will be there very soon and you must deliver my instructions - if I am unable to halt the demon outside the village, they must protect the temple and its sacred treasure. Go!”

 

The girl silently nodded and set about her tasks with determination. Kikyo flew out into the dark and down the long stairs to the stables. She quickly mounted the old mare she favoured bareback and raced towards the opposite edge of the village, where she could feel the demons approach.

 

“Courage Haniko! This demon is old, and strong.” She called to the horse. But Kikyo knew the mare would not scare in battle; that was why she chose her.

 

As she passed the last houses of the village and closed the gap between them and the forest she noticed someone ahead. A figure stood in the dark, sword drawn, perhaps a hundred paces from the tree-line.

 

`Who would dare come out here alone?'

 

His stance was relaxed and confident, and his aura was steady and calm……..and familiar? There were no real warriors in her village, and how could anyone else have picked up on this demon energy as fast as she?

 

As she drew nearer he turned at the sound of her horses hooves thundering across the clearing.

 

“Onigumo!” She whispered to herself.

 

Before she had time to call to him the trees behind him shook and moaned. With much loud snapping and popping, the closest of them came crashing to the ground, their tips only a few feet away from where Onigumo stood.

 

He had felt the strong demon aura through his sleep. His slayer training allowed him to detect demon energy, and he was among the best of the best from his village. He still considered it at least part his responsibility to protect the jewel while he was here, and did not want to leave the priestess to do this job alone. By the strength of the aura, he knew she would be glad of the aid, as he was glad to have her here now.

 

He turned his full attention towards the face of the hole and peered into the shadow to try to catch a glimpse of his foe. He caught movement in several different places at once. He crouched down a little and let the fallen trees hide him as he cautiously made his way closer to the tree-line. He noted he could no longer hear the horses approach and stole a backward glance. The Priestess sat still atop her mount, arrow cocked and bow drawn aiming straight ahead at the darkness. He tried to follow her line of sight. He thought he heard a hiss to his left. He looked again to the Miko as he moved slowly through the broken branches of the sheltering tree. She was cocking another arrow when a piercing shriek cut through the night and the forest seemed to move all at once, from all around him. She let the second arrow fly, and he watched the dark where it disappeared and heard the second scream of fury as it again found its mark. Then the demon emerged, her pale, human face was twisted with rage. She reached across her body and pulled an arrow from her right shoulder and flung it the ground while glaring at Kikyo in annoyance. He saw another wound in her lower abdomen. Kikyo shot again, but this time the demon caught Kikyo's arrow and snapped it in two. But it burned where it touched her hand.

 

Onigumo took in the Demon as she came up along side of him. Her comely upper body appeared human, but for her many arms, and was met at the waist with the form of an insect - a centipede - whose length receded far into the wood. He hoped his presence might yet be unknown to her. He searched her again for her weaknesses, her vulnerabilities. Her centipede skin looked quite thick, and would probably repel most of the damage he could inflict with his sword. He would have to attack her human body, as Kikyo had done. He silently made his way through the fallen tree towards her side. He would try to come from behind, while she was focused on the Miko.

 

Kikyo watched Onigumo in her peripheral vision, but kept her eyes straight ahead on the encroaching demon. She had another arrow knocked and was poised to shoot, but held off as she charged it with her spiritual power.

 

“You cannot stop me priestess, now get out of my way!” The demon began to rise on her many hind legs, seeming to grow as she drew herself up high into the air. “I am Mistress Centipede of the elder demons, and I will have the key for myself!” She looked down at Kikyo.

 

The priestess's horse snorted and backed away a little from the she-demon. “Steady Haniko.” Kikyo whispered. Then she let her arrow go, intentionally aiming for the demon's exposed underbelly, curious to see what damage could be caused.

 

The sacred arrow tore deep into the demon's flesh, ripping open a hole many times the size it should have as it bore almost all the way through. Blood spurted form the ugly wound, and the demon screamed and charged. She dove at Kikyo, her whole form moving to follow her torso's lead like a ribbon, and lashed out her long forked, poisoned tongue. Her claws missed their mark as the young Priestess urged her horse to jump forward and to the left. Kikyo directed Haniko to circle back and face the demon who was now twisting around to find her. Mistress Centipede spied her prey and grinned as she flicked her tail back like a whip and caught horse and rider, sending both skidding across the field in a heap.

 

Kikyo felt the hit knock the air from her lungs as she and Haniko crashed together into the ground. The horse's body landed on her right leg, and her head hit hard against the earth. Blackness threatened to take over her vision, her leg was numb and her horse was not moving. Her bow was gone. And the demon………where was she? She coughed for air, but a deep burning sensation in her lungs prevented her from taking a full breath. She could not move, and her vision was so blurry. She tried again to take-in air, but was allowed too little. Blackness overtook her.

 

Onigumo watched in terror as the object of his desire was brutally smashed into the ground. He cared not if he was seen too early now, he wanted only to protect the Miko, and defeat this devil. He charged silently out of his cover, straight at the demon. Mistress Centipede turned her attention away from her victory and set her beautiful, black eyes on him.

 

“And now you wish to meet your end? Little man, I will devour you!”

 

She dove again, her hair streaming behind her, her fangs slipping out from behind her smile. Onigumo stood his ground, but half crouched, both hands on his sword. As the wind of her attack touched his face he leapt aside just in time to avoid her and swung up with his sword as fast and hard as he could. He felt his blade cut into something soft yet resistant; his swing force was heavy, then light. He looked back to watch two of her right arms fall to the ground.

 

Mistress Centipede hissed and thumped her tail against the ground, hoping to crush him, but again he dove away and swung at her hide. Dirt sprayed everywhere, making it even harder to see in the darkness. His sword barley scratched the surface of her thick lower body's skin.

 

The demon made a sharp turn intending to encircle the young warrior and squeeze him to death by wrapping him up in her long body. Onigumo saw her intentions and quickly grabbed onto her side, and climbed onto her back. He ran up her body as she tried to lunge at him with her teeth. He deflected her attack with his sword and held on to her back with one hand gripping one of her plated-scales. She rose up straight and high again to shake him off. The plate he clung to lifted, and revealed her softer flesh underneath. He stabbed into it with his sword; the blade sunk easily into her skin, and he twisted it when it was buried to the hilt. The she-demon screamed and shook violently to try to dislodge the culprit. Onigumo held fast. He withdrew his sword and then swung hard at her exposed under-skin again, aiming from the side to hack into her, hoping to slice through deep, and eventually sever a great part of her body. The force of his swing sliced clean into her side, the gash meeting up with the previous stab wound to open a messy cavern of dark blood and guts. But in the time it took him to complete this attack, she had twisted around to face him with her cruel, beautiful eyes. She quickly wrapped two hands around his neck and her tail around his body and squeezed. Her effort forced her own life blood to poor out of her side, but she smiled with satisfaction as she heard the bones in his lower body crack and snap as she crushed his form to mush. Onigumo's eyes bulged from his head and he choked for air as she squeezed tighter and tighter. His body was numb; he felt nothing but the need to breath, burning through his starving lungs.

 

“Did you honestly think you could defeat me? Now you will…………”

 

A merciful blackness swept him away as he heard the demon choke on silence, and he felt the weightlessness of falling………..then nothing.

 

Kikyo shot one last arrow through the demons temple, to be sure of a killing blow. The two previous arrows she had shot at once had pierced through her gullet and left her choking and gasping for her own air. Her great body had collapsed as her many arms flew to her neck to clutch and claw at the death wounds. Her eerie eyes had rolled back in her head by the time the Miko had walked up to her face and shot her last arrow, almost point blank, through her skull.

 

Kikyo leaned on her bow. She looked back at her fallen horse, and ahead at the fallen young man who had saved her life. Then she looked at the demon. How many more would come? How long will this go on? How many more lives would be lost?

 

“None!” She vowed to herself. “None.”

 

The Priestess took a deep breath and stood up straight. She made her way over to the motionless body of the brave demon-slayer. She knelt over him to perform the sending blessing that would help guide his spirit to Gaia. But his aura reached to her. She leaned in close to his face and felt the faint breath of life. He was still alive!?!

 

`I must get him back to the village!'

 

She felt over his body, lightly probing through his skin to assess the damage that lay inside. She shuddered at the severity of his wounds. So many crushed and broken bones, there was much internal bleeding and swelling, and she worried even moving him would cause further damage. Thank the gods he was unconscious.

 

She would have to go back to the village for help. She could not carry his weight, even if she herself were not so badly injured. And Haniko, she would see to it that her horse was buried here. The old mare's lungs had collapsed after the strain of the hit, and the collision with the ground under her own body weight. The demon would have to be dealt with also - fed to the bone-eaters well.

 

A single lonely tear escaped her eye and trickled down her cheek, and she sighed a heavy sigh. She was exhausted and she let her shoulders hunch over as another tear threatened to fall.

 

Suddenly, a low, husky voice startled the silence. “I will carry him.”

 

Kikyo snapped her head around to meet the one who spoke. A tall, unearthly beautiful young man stood behind her. His golden eyes met hers, and his long silver hair swayed in the night breeze. She could feel his was a demon aura, but not completely. There was something different about his energy that she could not quite place. She felt no threat from this man, although she was surprised by his presence. Where had her come from? And that she had not heard his approach was something in and of it's self. But his help she was willing to accept. As she rose to her feet she saw the soft white dog ears perched on top of his head that flicked in her direction when she spoke.

 

“I would be grateful, thank -you.” She bowed her head slightly to him. She did not fully trust this man, but was reluctant to leave Onigumo here alone (with or without him around). Better to keep them in sight. “May I ask your name?”

 

He stepped gracefully around her and gently scooped up the broken body into his arms. She caught the scent of wind. “Inuyasha.” He met her eyes again, and held her gaze. “Priestess………?”

 

“…Kikyo.” She softly smiled at him.

 

She adjusted her bow on her back, and started back toward the village with the mysterious stranger at her side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy crap! Finally I'm done!!!! Again, I'll apologize for how long it took me to get this chapter out. Sorry, my dears. Kay, now let' see about chapter six……..