InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Into the Fire ❯ The Abomination ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Title: Into the Fire

Author: Chiaztolite

Rating: NC-17/M for future lemon, rape, and violence

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Inuyasha

Shin-ai: dear, beloved

Ikite: live

Into the Fire

Chapter 9: The Abomination

“Does the walker choose the path, or the path chooses the walker?”

Garth Nix, Chronicle of Abhorsen.

“…Pray.” She said.

The boy looked up at his mother, the beautiful golden-haired holy tiger knelt next to him. They were inside the shrine, again, performing their early morning routine: offering their respects to the Gods. Her blue eyes gazed upon him, her hands pressed on his shoulder, gently urging him to lower his head. He complied with her wish although he did not understand the point of executing this ritual every morning.

He was ten… His young mind could not fully grasp the destiny of his own birthright yet.

She gave him an appraising look as he bowed down three times, humbling himself before 12 lifeless statues surrounding them in a circle.

`He is young…' she thought as she watched her son with a soft smile. Her eyes glittered under the 12 lit candles, each one placed in front of a statue. `He does not yet understand his duty…'

When the ritual was completed, he lifted up his face and his questioning gaze met hers. She gave him a slight nod and rose to her feet. They were done…

It was a bright sunny morning, a welcomed change for the commonly misty weather of the Mountain of Gods. The lush grass was still wet with traces of dew. The peasants living on the foot of the mountain had been up and about since dawn, tending their fruitful lands. Side by side they walked along a cliff back to the palace. A few holy tigers from lower caste passed by, all stopped to offer their respect to their queen and the young prince. As they ascended the cliff, he gazed upon the sea of trees below. The Forest of No Return…

He stopped as he saw the human village afar, just outside the boundary of the forest. The very rare good weather had allowed him to catch a glimpse of where the mortals live.

“… Human settlement…” she murmured, following his stare. “The forest is keeping them away from us…”

His curious blue eyes glued to the village that looked no bigger than a grain of rice from where he stood. Yet it was there nevertheless…Its existence roused the curiosity in him.

“…Mother,” he called her. “Why am I not allowed to go pass the boundary of the forest?”

“We are very special creatures, dearest…” his mother's velvety voice answered. “Both youkais and humans seek us out for our hearts…”

“Why?”

He did not understand.

“A holy tiger's heart, once consumed, is a source of power for those beings…”

“But how come the creatures of the forest never try to take my heart?”

“They bow to your father. They had sworn to stay loyal to our clan, until their death…”

The child looked up, staring at his mother's beautiful profile. Cool breeze blew and tousled her silky golden tresses.

“…Are we so afraid of other youkais and humans that we have to hide behind the mist all the time?”

His innocent question carved a smile on her face.

“There is no need to fear the mortals…” Her gaze shifted to meet his. “The Gods protect us. They created the forest and the barrier so that our clan may live in peace. That way your father, and all the kings before him, can concentrate on guarding the gate to the afterlife. And when you are ready…”

She kneeled down before him, bringing her eyes to the same level as his. Cerulean blue orbs bore into identical ones.

“When you reached the age of 250…” she said, smiling as she thought that it was still a long time from now. But…is it?

She raised her finger to graze his clean forehead. “When the Gods think that you are ready to ascend the throne, they will carve the symbol on your forehead. Eiou…the `Eternal King'.”

When he looked at her, fear was in his eyes. To be the Eiou, to serve the Gods, the one who guards the gate… Is he strong enough? Will he be able to live up to the expectation?

His race had lived peacefully for thousands of years, protected by the Gods and the barrier of the mountain. Few members of the race knew how to fight and defend themselves. The members of the lower castes: the peasants and the workers, depended on the warriors and the nobles for protection, which was rarely needed since they lived in the land where wars and famines did not exist.

A king of holy tiger was called `Eiou', the Eternal King, not only because he, together with his royal family, was blessed with immortality, but also because he could reign for as long as he wished. But most of the kings chose to retire when their heirs reached the age of 250, or even sooner as long as the next Eiou was ready to take over the throne, since guarding the gate to the afterlife was a very demanding task. Their lives filled with fights against the evil spirits trying to enter the world of the mortals, to tip the balance of good and evil.

“Ryoushin…” his mother's voice called him back to the realm of reality. His eyes fluttered before finally settling back on hers.

“Your father told me you heard voices from the box…” she said in a solemn manner. “You know which one I am talking about…”

Ryoushin startled when her prying question reached his ears. He lowered his head, his gaze glued to the earth beneath him. He did not dare to answer, or to utter a lie.

“Look at me.” She hooked her finger underneath his chin, gently forcing him to lift up his face. He had no choice other than to stare deep into her eyes. Her bewitching feline eyes...

“…I heard nothing…” Those false words rolled in his tongue. He tried hard to hold his gaze, yet he shuddered under her intense stare.

“Do not lie to me, my son…” she spoke. “Have you forgotten who I am?”

He shook his head. He should have known better than to try to deceive her, for not only that she was his mother, but she was also the great sorceress of the clan, and therefore could detect his untruth.

”What did the voice say?” Once again she asked him, her soft tone never changed.

“…It spoke of great power…” he timidly answered after a long pause. “It said I could be the greatest youkai ever roamed the earth if I opened the box and let him dwell inside my thought…”

She could not hide the trouble that haunted her eyes, his words resonated within her mind. Her arms snaked around the young cub, taking him into her embrace. She ran her fingers through his golden hair, pulling him even closer to her.

“…A long time ago…” she whispered in his ears. “Many, many years before our time, the holy tigers lived side by side with our brothers, the panthers. Their leader, a male youkai named Shiyuu, envied our clan and the power that we hold. He was so driven by jealousy that he took the sword that opens the gate to the afterlife and stole the sacred fire from the underworld…”

He stood still while listening to the story told. No one had ever spoken about what was inside the box, or why it was forbidden. The truth was, no one ever spoke of it at all.

“…He created a forbidden fighting technique, using the fire that seeped into his body. Then, to test his new power, he slaughtered every living creature in his home, including his wife and children. What he did angered the Gods so, causing them to command the 16th Eiou, the reigning king at that time to seal him together with the scroll containing his forbidden technique.”

She released him and shifted his body away from her so that she could take a good look at him.

“That is the creature that had asked to enter the realm of your thought, Ryoushin…” She shook her head grimly, her hands reached out to cup his face. “Never let him enter. Do you hear me? Do not give him a chance to take over your consciousness…”

He nodded without much of a thought or hesitation, rewarded with a soft, relieved smile from his mother.

“You do not need power from such creature.” She added. “The Gods protect us, and they always will…”

She sighed and lifted her body up to rise on her feet. Her eyes wandered to the palace on top of the mountain, which peak was so high that it pierced the clouds.

“Come now…” she said, her hand extended to hold his. “Your father will need me soon. Some guests are coming…”

He looked up to her, his eyes gleamed with interest as they rarely let any visitor to pass through the barrier.

“Who are these guests, Mother?”

“The dragon clan from the north…A very important clan, so I have heard. Their messenger came, bearing news that they wish to pay a friendly visit. Your father had decided to let them in and meet them.” she muttered, while taking his hand and started ascending their path back to their home. He could hear uneasiness and a slight hint of abhor in her voice.

“You do not like them?” he asked, his prying blue eyes glued to her face. She sighed, keeping her sight straight to the series of steps laid in front of them.

“…I do not trust them…” was her only remark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There were fires… There were screams…

He sat up on the futon, his feathery soft blanket gripped in his tightened fist. His eyes widened in fear as he saw the red hue of fire shone through the thin paper of the shoji. He did not know what was happening outside, though he smelled fear and death, seeping into the air like poison.

Not yet did he have the chance to get up and discover the cause of the riots, the sliding shoji flung open and a middle aged youkai came rushing in. He was Kishi, one of his father's most trusted followers, the boy's most trusted friend and teacher.

“Young master!” he proclaimed in relief as he saw him safe. He went straight to him, the situation did not give him any chance to bow his head. His hand took the small body of the cub and lifted him into his arms, carrying him out of his bed chamber.

The boy gasped as the scene outside came to his sight. The night sky was no longer dark, but bright red with the heat of fire. The earth was stained black with thick blood. The ever so peaceful palace was engulfed in a complete chaos. Soldiers were fighting, the servants were running in attempts to escape early deaths. He saw the dragons, wearing their traditional aquamarine armor and gauntlet, slaying many of his kin. Too many… A gory scene of battle was before him.

“Where is my father? My mother?!” he almost screamed.

“Sssh…!” Kishi placed his hand over the boy's mouth in fear of revealing their position to one of the dragons. He took his master to one lonely hallway that had not been touched by the battle. He was not even sure where to go, where the safest place was. He gasped as he sensed two enemies approaching, no doubt looking for the heir to the throne of the mountain. Hastily, he concealed himself and the cub still wrapped inside his arms. They hid within a dark, narrow passage, pressing their body to the wall in hope that the dragons would not sense their presence.

The boy gritted his teeth, his heart was drumming as the thought of his parents flooded his mind. Kishi's arms were around him, preventing him from wriggling away and running to find his father and mother. Fear like nothing he ever experienced before engulfed him.

`…Where are the Gods…?!' his agonized heart screamed. `Have they abandoned us…?'

Suddenly a pale, slender arm reached from the darkness behind them. Kishi gasped as he felt a firm grip on his shoulder, and if not for the boy within his embrace, he would have grasped his blade and cut the intruder's throat.

“…Come with me…” then he heard a female's voice whispered. “Hurry!”

“My Lady…” he sighed in relief as he recognized his queen's voice. He turned around to look at her. Her usually creamy, slightly tanned complexion looked deadly pale, as if blood had drained from her whole body. “Thank Gods you are alive, my Lady…” Kishi whispered to her, rewarded with a quick nod from the female.

“…Mother…” the child uttered a muffled squeal. “Where is Fa…”

But his mother laid the palm of her hand over his mouth, telling him to hold his tongue.

“There is no time for idle chat...” she quickly said, and cocked her head towards where she came from. “Hurry!”

Not willing to waste another minute, she led them through the inner courtyard of the palace, through the parts of the palace which had not been tainted by the battle. She intended to take them outside the palace, away from the very core of the riot. Soon enough, they passed the hidden gateway that led to the cliff on the side of the mountain.

Ryoushin's heart skipped a beat when he came face to face with a scene beyond his worst nightmare. The ever so peaceful mountain was burning, black smoke soared high in the red sky. He could hear screams, the smell of death was thick in the air. The whole village where the holy tigers lived was burned to the ground, his people were slaughtered like animals. Those were the peasants, the ones who could not even defend themselves… All slain like their lives worth nothing.

As the queen gazed upon the village in flame, tears started to roll down her soft cheek.

`This is not supposed to happen…' her heart sobbed. `The Gods were supposed to protect us…'

The sight of her young son caught her eyes, and immediately she realized that there was one last thing to be done. The dragons were not going to stop until they had killed every single member of the royal family, especially the heir to the throne. Quickly she wiped the tears that had cascaded down her face. Her back straightened as she forced to turn her eyes away from the painful sight.

“Come.” She commanded them, leading them along the lonely, narrow path on the cliff. The path ended before the old, abandoned servant quarter at the far west side of the mountain. They entered the house, after making sure that no one saw or followed them. Complete darkness surrounded them, though their sensitive feline eyes adjusted their sight to the gloom in no time.

She approached the far wall of the small space, the palm of her hand rubbed the coldness of its surface. She raised her index finger to her mouth, sinking her sharp fang into her flesh, drawing blood. Using her red blood as paint, she drew a small symbol on the wall: three leaves intertwined in the centre with a circle surrounding them. She laid her palm on top of her drawing, covering the entire symbol. As she gathered all her energy into her hand, the wall started glowing with white light. A black spot started growing from underneath her palm, its size grew until almost covering the whole wall. It looked like nothing but a solid black circle on the surface.

When her work was done, she stepped aside to make way for Kishi and her son to enter the black hole she created.

“Go.” Her stern voice commanded when she saw them still. Kishi tightened his arms around the youkai child before stepping up and hesitantly let the tip of his foot touched the black circle, and much to his surprise, that part of his body disappeared into the darkness. It was a tunnel… She had created a secret path for them to run away.

“After you, my Lady.” Kishi said, his head slightly inclined to request her to be the first one to escape. Yet, the queen froze like a statue.

“…My Lady?”

Slowly she shook her head.

“I am not going.” Her voice unexpectedly calm when she uttered those words. “The Eiou is still fighting for our people, I shall remain by his side.”

Ryoushin started mewling when he heard his mother, as he understood exactly what she meant.

“Mother…” his arms reached out for her. Kishi put the child down to let him run into her embrace. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his velvety golden locks. Tears burned in her eyes as she realized that might be the last time she ever embraced him, loved him.

She moved him two steps back, her glassy eyes met his tear-filled ones. Elegantly tapered fingers traced the smoothness of his rosy cheek.

“…Listen to me, Ryoushin…” she whispered softly. “This is the time when you have to be strong, do you hear me? Live on… and one day, come back and reclaim what is yours…Never forget what you were born to be…”

“…I don't want to leave…” he started to sob, shaking his head as he understood what was going to happen.

She wiped the tears that rolled down his cheek like a stream, and murmured endearments and encouragements to the frightened youkai child. For the last time, she pulled him into the warmth of her embrace, kissing his forehead as her own tears started to cascade down her face. It was hard to let go, yet she forced herself to push him away, handing him over to Kishi who stood still like a statue.

“Take him away.” Her voice was cold, even though her heart clenched in pain. Her vision blurred due to the tears welling up in her eyes.

“My Lady, please…” The faithful retainer still tried to persuade her to come with them, to save her own life together with theirs. He was responded with a firm shook of her head.

“My Lady, you should live for young master.” He pushed even further. “Please, let me stay and defend our people. You as the queen should…”

“Kishi,” her regal tone stopped him. “This is the last order from your queen. Will you defy me?”

He was at loss of words. Her blazing eyes commanded him to leave, to take her son and leave, but his body was not willing to move. Voices from outside the quarter startled them. The dragons, they were close…

Her gaze returned to him, sharper than ever. This time, she did not command with her words, but with her hands. She pushed them both towards the tunnel, forcing them to get inside and escape.

“Go.” She simply said. Her son started crying, each sob breaking her already shattered heart.

“Go.” She said again. “And take these with you…” she took out four small scrolls from beneath her outer kimono, and handed them to the male whom she trusted her son's life to. “The sacred scrolls of our race… I'd rather die than to let the dragons to possess the secret to open the gate to the afterlife...”

Kishi nodded, and hid the scrolls beneath his haori. Knowing how important those ancient treasures were to his people, he would die to protect them.

The voices grew louder, sounded closer. The dragons were heading their way, they had found their traces.

She pushed them deeper into the tunnel, since they were unwilling to move.

“Just follow this tunnel.” She instructed. “It will lead you to the south boundary of the forest. When you reached the other side, do not forget close the door to the tunnel.” Her eyes softened when she looked at her cub. “When the time comes for the next Eiou to return, our blood… your blood will once again open this passage. Remember that, my son…”

“I don't want to leave…” he still sobbed, shaking his golden head weakly.

“My Lady, please… There is no way that I can leave you here…”

“Kishi.” She almost screamed out of frustration, her head bowed down, her shoulder trembled. “I beg of you…” he could hear her faint sob. “Please save my son… I am begging you as a mother, not as a queen…”

He froze for another two seconds, but he finally understood. He wrapped his arms around the young child's waist, dragging him deeper into the tunnel despite his cries and screams. His tried to wriggled his way out, his arms flailed, trying to reach out for her. She looked at him for the last time and exerted all her efforts to curve a soft smile on her lips.

“Ryoushin…” came her mute whisper. “…Ikite.”

Despite all of his pleads for her not to send him away, she touched the wall and closed the tunnel.

The exact moment the secret passage closed completely, their enemies barged into the small room, only to find the queen of the holy tigers stood as a solitary figure. There were four of them, all soldiers, all wearing aquamarine armors and gauntlet. Their grey eyes glittered in satisfaction as they found one of their preys, although the son and heir was nowhere in sight.

She stood still with her back glued to the wall, trying to conceal any cues that might lead to where her son went. Suddenly those soldiers moved aside, giving way to a tall male youkai wearing the same armors, although much more elaborate. His long, grey hair was tied behind his neck. His fierce, cold and cruel grey eyes stared at her and a mocking smile curved on his flawless face. He stepped forward, grey eyes bore into her fiery blue ones. Both of her hands were hidden behind her back, ready to cast her spell and sorcery on the dragons she loathed so.

“Well…well…” the leader of the dragons spoke with his slick voice. “Who do we have here…” The vile smile on his lips turned even more vicious as his right hand that was behind his back started revealing itself slowly. “The Eiou's widow, are you not?”

With that said, he showed her his right hand, causing her eyes to widen and for one moment, her heart stopped beating.

She started to scream hysterically as she saw that his right hand was gripping her king's decapitated head. The long, blood-drenched golden hair hung from the dragon's grip, head swayed from the arm's previous movement.

She cried and wailed as she realized her beloved's death. The dragon dropped the bloody limb unceremoniously, causing it to roll down next to her feet. Her shivered body drooped to the floor, tears cascaded freely down her cheek as her fingers extended to graze the cold, dead skin of her mate.

Inside the wall, Ryoushin had to cover his mouth to muffle his own scream. After the opening was closed, the wall before them turned into a veil-like barrier that still allowed them to view whatever was happening on the other side. His wide eyes stared bleakly at the sight of his father's death, at the sight of his mother's grief.

The leader of the dragons approached the mourning queen with a wicked smile on his face. She stopped sobbing when she realized how close he was, his presence disgusted her. Gathering all her concentration once more, she prepared a deadly spell to be cast on him. Her fingers flexed, her head lowered to conceal a pair of eyes that started to glow amber.

His smile grew wider as he realized what she was planning to do. Fortunate for him, he had prepared for this… Before she had a chance to cast her spell, he grabbed a small leather pouch hidden beneath his armor and poured its content onto her. She gasped as she found out what he had done. That dust-like substance weakened her body, causing the energy that she had gathered flowed to nowhere, leaving her on the floor, gasping and panting for breath.

Her eyes widened as she saw the white particles sprinkled all over her body. The dragon chuckled as he saw her blazing, angered blue orbs. He kneeled down next to her quivered body, his fingers combing her silky golden tresses.

“So it is true…” he said. “The only way to bind your sorcery is with the crushed bones of your people, ground to dust…”

She gritted her teeth, trying to move, but the dust had bound all her power and rendered her immobile. He ran his fingers through the golden hair fanning around her, taking a handful of locks and brought them to his face, inhaling the smell of roses radiated from her.

“They said the queen of holy tigers has a bewitching beauty.” He whispered close to her ears. “This is the first time I ever find a gossip to be true…”

She responded to his remark with a growl, which earned another chuckle from him. He yanked her hair backwards, exposing the bare, smooth and pale skin of her throat. He brushed his hot lips against the smooth plane of her neck, taking pleasure in the feeling of the strong pounding pulse and the streaming blood in her veins. He positioned himself behind her kneeling pose, one hand was fisted in her thick tresses, pulling her head back to keep her throat exposed for his mouth to explore. He slipped his other hand underneath her kimono, cupping her right breast, messaging the soft mound with a force that was nowhere close to gentle.

She screamed in frustration as her body was still unable to move, the thought that her son was spared was the only comfort for her.

Meanwhile, without her even knowing it, her son and her loyal follower were still there, watching the whole scene. Kishi gritted his teeth, anger flared within him at the sight of the humiliation his queen had to suffer. He had to exert all his strength to remain inside the tunnel, instead of barging out and slay the dragon for everything he had done. But her earlier words echoed in his mind. She had trusted him with her son. If he exposed himself together with the young prince, all her efforts and suffering would be fruitless.

The child shuddered in his arms, as he too, wanted to go and defend his mother himself. But Kishi placed a firm grip on his body, preventing him from digging his own grave.

“…Kill me…” they all heard her low voice, thickened with hatred. “…Just kill me…”

His mouth emitted a low chuckle against the nude skin of her shoulder. Both of his hands were now ravaging her breasts, not even care that his sharp claws had marred her skin and drew blood from her body. With one flick, his hand pulled the golden hair and jerked her head toward him. His mouth was so close to her ears, she could feel his hot breath that made her body shivered.

“What an honor to have the queen of holy tigers as my slave…” he murmured while his lips traced her jaw line. “During the day you will serve me hand and foot…” He yanked her hair even further back, forcing her body to arch like a bow. His lips moved upward to her ear, nibbling on the delicate flesh before he whispered huskily, “…And at night…”

He completed his sentence by covering her mouth with his, locking her lips in a deep, lustful kiss.

He immediately drew back as he felt a sharp pang on his lips, the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth. The red liquid flowed down to his chin, and he realized that she had bit him, proved by the droplet of blood that trickled down from the corner of her mouth. Satisfaction was in her eyes as she judged the damage she had done to him.

“…Bitch…” he growled, wiping the blood from his chin with the back of his hand.

His eyes turned red and blinded with rage, he drew his sword and in one rapid swing, sliced her throat and separated her head from the rest of her body.

Ryoushin could not hold back from screaming as he saw her blood sprayed in the air, splattered all over the floor. Her headless body stayed still, and her decapitated limb rolled towards the wall before coming to a complete stop right before where the tunnel was. Cold, dead blue eyes stared back into his…

Worried that the child's hysterical screams would reach the dragon's ears, Kishi lifted him up, turned around, and ran along the tunnel as fast as his tiger's legs would allow him. He forced himself to ignore the boy's cries. His small body struggled, tried to free himself so that he could run to his mother. But all was gone, and if he returned now, only death awaited him…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was cold, yet he felt nothing. They would not risk lighting a fire to warm the cave of their refuge for the dragons might be able to track them down. The youkai child lied still on his side. His whole body shivered, though it was not due to the cold. His heart ached so much that he wondered how it did not kill him.

`…You lied, Mother…' he whispered inside. `You said the Gods will always protect us…'

He closed his eyes tightly as the scene he had seen earlier would not stop haunting his mind. The blood… The way the dragons had slain his kin… The cold, lifeless eyes of both his parents...

The images burned strong in his mind, as if carved by a blade of fire. He curled his clawed fingers into a tight ball of fist. Flame started to build-up inside his usually cool, peaceful blue orbs.

`…I want to be stronger…' he heard himself whispered. `I want to be stronger…I want to be stronger…'

His eyes widened as he recalled what the haunting voice had promised him.

A great power… The greatest, most powerful youkai ever roamed the earth…

`I want to be stronger…' it was his own voice this time. His desire for revenge was much powerful beyond any other reasoning. Slowly he rose to his feet and like a ghost, started walking towards the mouth of the cave where they were hiding in.

Kishi who was supposed to stay awake to guard them both had succumbed to his own exhaustion, and fallen asleep. No one could stop the youkai child from wandering into the darkness of the forest, finding his way back to the tunnel his mother had created. With his bleeding finger he recreated the symbol. Just like what his mother had showed him, he concentrated all his youki to his palm, transferring energy to the glowing symbol. The black hole was formed…

He extended his arm and watched the darkness slowly engulfed his whole body. He walked and walked, with only one place as his destination.

When he came through the other side, he gazed around the room that in no doubt will haunt his sleep for the rest of his life. The space was completely empty. There was neither dead body nor limb, only the dry, blackened blood that pooled and stained the tatami floor. A proof that what happened earlier was indeed real.

Not afraid of anything anymore, he walked outside the abandoned servant quarter, to see the fire had died out, leaving only smokes and black ruins behind. Neither dragon nor tiger was in sight, as if the whole mountain had died.

As if guided by an invisible string, he traced his path back to the palace where he had lived for the whole period of his young life, the palace where all his ancestors before him had lived and reigned in peace. Not even one soul was awake. They were either dead or drunk from celebrating victory.

Dead bodies of his people were piled on top of each other to form a hill in the middle of the palace's courtyard. Thrown together like trash, no one even bothered to give them proper burial ceremony.

Then he saw them: his father and mother. Each head pierced by a spear that was planted deep into the earth, showcasing their death so unceremoniously in the very core of the whole massacre. As their lifeless blue eyes stared at him, his flaming ones stared upwards to the sky, watching Gods.

As he got closer and closer to the forbidden room, the haunting voice reached his ears, speaking in an ancient language he somehow understood. He stopped in front of the closed stone gate. A familiar feeling engulfed him, but it was different than the time before. He had been afraid… but this time, he was numb to any emotions. Only anger and hatred remained…

`You came back…' the voice whispered as soon as he stepped into the dark oblivion. `What do you want, child?' It spoke again when the boy stepped closer to the glowing box.

“Power…” he whispered. “I want to be stronger…”

A low, eerie chuckle reached his ears, but it did not stop him from getting closer to the object that contained his desire.

`Very well…' it whispered. `Release me and you shall have what you wish for…'

With one simple flip of his hand, the box opened, revealing nothing but bright red light. The heat, he felt it right away… burning him that he had to gasp for air. The fire surrounded him, enveloping him like a thick blanket. He could not stand the pain, as if the fire around him was indeed real. He fell onto the floor, bucking and rolling, yet the burning pain did not subside. His arm reached for someone, but no one was there. Only him and the evil that was seeping inside his body. The pain grew stronger, pushing him over the edge of his consciousness. Before he submitted to the dark oblivion, he saw him… A raven haired male with scarlet eyes like two pools of blood, watching his suffering with an evil smile on his face.

“…Shiyuu?” his failing consciousness tried to whisper. But darkness took him…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He did not know how long he had laid there. The coldness of the floor beneath him did not help the heat of the fire to subside. The bright red light had now disappeared, and so was the flame around him. Yet the pain was still there, inside of him. The same heat, but invisible…

Someone barged in and faintly, he heard his name being shouted.

`…Kishi?' he thought weakly.

The faithful servant came rushing towards him. He had woken up only to find that the child had gone. He had traced his scent to the unclosed gate of the tunnel, all the way to this very place. He did not know what had happened to him, why he laid on the floor half conscious.

He kneeled down next to his master and tried to lift him up. The moment their skin touched, Kishi pulled his hand back, for the child's skin was burning. It was as if he had touched a blazing lump of coal.

“Young master?” he tried to wake him, yet the child remained still. Fear started to creep within his heart. How could he let the child die, when he had promised the queen that he would save the only heir to the throne? There was only one place Kishi could think of, and he had to bring his master there in order to save him.

He took off his haori and wrapped it around the child's still body before lifting him up. He ran and ran, his legs worked the best they could to bring his master to their destination: the shrine of the Gods.

Inside the dark shrine, Kishi laid the still half-conscious child in the centre of the circle, surrounded by the 12 statues. Immediately he dropped down on his knees and started praying, begging the Gods to spare the young life. Slowly, the statue of Oho-yama, the great mountain God, started to glow.

“…He is no longer welcomed here…” the God spoke, his voice roared in the deep silence of the shrine.

Kishi stared at the statue bathed in golden light, his mouth gaped in both awe and fear. What does he mean by…

“The child had done what is forbidden…He had released the curse.”

Kishi glanced over his shoulder to the motionless child, suddenly understood what had happened. Quickly, he bowed deeply, his forehead touched the cold floor.

“Great Mountain God, please spare this child…” he begged. “Have mercy on him. He is just ten years old…”

“He is no longer welcomed here.” The God only repeated. “He will be forever banished from this mountain, and his immortality will be taken from him.”

What the God had exclaimed left the elder youkai speechless. His troubled eyes were locked on his young master. Still ten years of age, but forever banished from the only home he had ever known, and turned mortal…

Just when Kishi was about to beg again, he saw the child's forehead glowed in a red light. The light slowly faded, leaving a tattoo that seemed to be carved with red flame. He gasped in shock when he recognized the symbol: it was the tattoo of a sinner, only possessed by those who had angered the Gods. The tattoo of an abomination…

“The tattoo will act as a seal for the evil within him.” The God spoke again. “Every time the devil tried to take over his consciousness, the tattoo will try to prevent it. This child will have to endure suffer for the rest of his life.”

“…How could you be so cruel to a child who had suffered so much?” Kishi whispered in a hoarse voice. He turned around to gaze at the twelve statues of the Gods, howling,

“Where were you when our race was slaughtered?! Where were you when our people were dying?!”

The only answer was a fading voice that seemed to come from a far,

“…Take him away… He is no longer welcomed here…The abomination…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Ryoushin came to a full consciousness, he was back inside the cave where they were hiding. He sat up, his fingers lifted to rub his forehead, where the tattoo was placed. Strangely, although he was not even conscious, he heard the whole thing, and understood what he was now. Even so, he could not bring himself to regret what he had done. Although the pain from the burning flame had subsided, he felt no different than before he released the curse of the forbidden fire.

He looked up at Kishi who was still by his side. The ever faithful servant returned his stare in a grim manner, not knowing what to say now that he had failed to fulfill his promise to the queen.

“…You should leave…” the child's emotionless tone startled him, he hardly recognized the coldness in that voice. There was no longer the innocent, contented holy tiger prince he once knew.

“You will only waste your life if you stay with the one who is cursed by the Gods…” Ryoushin added, his tone did not change.

The elder youkai said nothing, but moved closer and kneeled down before the younger. With his sharp fang he broke the skin on the pad of his index fingers, and with the blood he sketched out a symbol on the cave floor.

Ryoushin watched him, feeling slightly perplexed. But the sketch came to a complete symbol and he understood what Kishi was doing. As he opened his mouth to protest, the stern tone of the servant stopped him.

“…I swear never to oppose your throne… For as long as my heart resides in this body, I will never defy you…Please accept my offer of faith.”

Moments passed by with silence surrounding them. The kneeling servant slightly lifted up his face and said,

“Young master, you are supposed to say `I accept'.” He reminded the cub, since this was the first time he had a servant sworn loyal to him.

But Ryoushin shook his head, unwilling to accept his offer. Kishi bowed his head even lower, until his forehead touched the cave floor.

“Young master…” he whispered, almost begging. “Please say that you accept...”

Still, Ryoushin did not answer and instead, he turned away.

“Why do you even wish to stay with me?” his voice was icy, although they both could hear a hint of quiver inside. “I freed you from your obligation as a servant. My father is dead, there is no longer a need for you to stay with me.”

“I'd rather die than to abandon my future king…”

A sad and rather bitter smile curved on Ryoushin's lips.

`Future king?' He mused. How could he claim his birthright now that he was banished and no longer immortal? Besides, his subjects were all gone, slaughtered like animals. All the meaning in his life, all that he was born and ever lived for, had now vanished.

`At least this is not going to be a very long life…' he almost chuckled at the irony. He shifted his eyes to gaze at the still kneeling servant. He could not deny that his heart was touched by Kishi's request.

Sensing that his master still had his hesitation, Kishi pleaded once more.

“Young master, send me not from your side…”

There was a long pause until Ryoushin's slightly quivered voice answered,

“…I accept…”

White light started to appear on Kishi's forehead. The light gradually faded, revealing a carved symbol very much the same with the one he created on the floor. A sign that a pact, the one that could only be undone by death, had been established between them. But soon, the light completely faded and took the symbol with it, leaving Kishi's forehead clean just like how it was supposed to be.

“I wonder if some of our people had escaped outside the barrier…” Ryoushin said. “We shall search for the survivors.”

“As you wish, my Lord.” Kishi responded with his head inclined. “But if I may suggest, you should rest until dawn. It has been a very long day. There is no reason for you to neglect your own health…”

Ryoushin nodded, and as he laid his body back on the floor, he thought about his new life. The one that resembled nothing like he had before… Before had been peaceful. Before had been safe, and content. This one…

`…The only path left for you is the path of revenge…' A voice spoke within his mind.

`Be quiet.' The boy commanded, but the voice only laughed.

`Revenge…' it repeated. `Remember that, child…'

The boy closed his eyes, only to open them with a smile on his lips. A pair of gleaming scarlet eyes like two pools of blood stared above…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shouri walked towards the elderly tiger youkai who was resting underneath a nearby tree. He immediately inclined his head as a sign of his respect when he saw her approaching.

“Kishi,” she regarded him. “There is something that bothers me greatly…”

“What it is, my Lady?”

She kneeled down next to him, and his wise eyes could see her beautiful face clouded with worry.

“I have heard rumors that a demon by the name of Naraku is searching for your master.” She said. “This demon wishes to open the gate to the afterlife and therefore seek Ryoushin's help.”

To her surprise, Kishi nodded. “It was just last night that the strange youkai came to us, my Lady.” He informed her. “And as you have heard, he offered Ryoushin-sama an alliance. A help to open the gate exchanged with the return of his throne to the Mountain of Gods.”

His remark left her in silence. She looked away towards the tree where her mate laid underneath, though she could only see his tail from where they were sitting.

“My companions seem to think that he is Naraku's ally and therefore will cause us harm.” She said dryly.

“My master will do no such thing!” Kishi solemnly exclaimed. “He refused the demon's offer and drove him away! He will never lower himself to accept such offer, not even for the throne.”

A gentle smile was on her lips as she calmed the fuming ward.

“I know.” She said, laying her hand on his reassuringly. “I know…”

Kishi returned her warm smile and observed the fair inu princess. The race of holy tigers had never married outside their own circle in order to keep their blood whole. His master would be the first one to find a mate who was from another race. But somehow he could not deny that he felt she was the one destined for him.

A frown appeared on his face as his attention shifted to where her companions had gathered near the riverbank. Humans, youkais, and hanyou altogether…

“My Lady,” he said, calling her back from her realm of thought. “What a strange pack you travel with… And Ryoushin-sama still has no idea that you and the demon Naraku are connected.”

“He is not connected to me…” Shouri replied before she cocked her head towards the pack. “He is connected to them, and they sought me out for aid… I agreed to help them to help your master.”

“But what does Ryoushin-sama has to do with all these?”

Shouri turned her head to return Kishi's stare. “Have you not heard?” she asked him back. “Naraku had joined his forces with the Great Dragon.” She shifted her gaze towards the tree where Ryoushin was. Her eyes softened as she recalled their last encounter. Ryoushin had been a wanderer for almost all his life in search of the survivors of his race, and therefore their time to meet was scarce. In the five years time of him courting her, he only saw her seven times. “The last time your master came to me…” she continued. “He had said that it was time for his revenge. I was certain that if I join this pack, our path will cross and I may have a chance to help him rid the curse…”

Her eyes saddened and her gaze drooped to the grass beneath her.

`The curse…' she sighed inwardly. How she would help him gets rid of it, she did not even know. But she knew that as long as the evil spirit still resided in his body, their life together would remain merely as a dream. For these five years, she had let herself believed that if he managed to defeat the dragon and sate his desire for revenge, the evil spirit inside him would disappear. But that might only be her wishful thinking…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome walked towards the twin cubs who were sitting still at the side of the river all by themselves. When they saw her approaching, they jumped up in alarm and looked as if they were about to run away.

“Wait,” Kagome stopped them and soften her voice, “Don't go, I will not hurt you…”

The cubs did not seem to believe her, as they started to let out their fiercest growls, which sounded more like a cat's than those of a tiger's. They looked frightened at the sight of her, shown in how their ears were flushed against their skulls, and their golden fur rose up along their back.

Kagome gave them a sweet and friendly smile, and kept moving forward. As she moved closer and closer to them, they stepped back even further.

“Don't be afraid…” she tried to coax them, yet their beautiful blue eyes still contained suspicion and fear. They started to growl even louder when she showed no sign of leaving.

“You better leave the cubs alone.” Yuusou said when he realized what the human girl was trying to do. “If he sees you with them…”

Too late.

All they saw was a vision of golden, black, and white blur leaping towards where Kagome stood on the riverbank. Right away, Inuyasha jerked up when he saw danger approaching her.

“Kagome!” he yelled out as he raced towards where she stood, his hand was on the hilt of Tessaiga. As for her, she did not even realize what was happening until she felt the tips of sharp claws on her throat.

“How dare you, human…” she heard a deep voice hissed from right behind her. “If you value your life, you will not move even one inch…”

She stood still, chill started to run down her spine. From where he was standing, she could not see any part of the owner of the voice. She neither sensed his youki nor his presence. The only proof that he was indeed there, behind her, was the sharp claws on her throat.

She saw Inuyasha stood not far in front of her with Tessaiga gripped in his hand. The raging hanyou let out a low, fierce growl at the sight of his Kagome in danger.

“You bastard…” he hissed between clenched teeth.

The first thing that he saw of his enemy was the pair of deep, bewitching cerulean blue orbs, glittering like sapphire. He recognized that sharp gaze… It was the tiger's.

He was a tall male figure wrapped in white kimono and black hakama. His shiny golden hair, cut short just past the junction of his neck, was highlighted with black stripes in random places. One long golden lock fell from the side of each cheek, cascading past his shoulder, framing his immaculate face. One black stripe graced each of his cheek, and a strange tattoo that resembled an ancient symbol was on his forehead.

`What kind of creature is he…?' Inuyasha thought warily as he observed the stranger before him.

If it was indeed his speed, then he must be the fastest creature Inuyasha had ever seen in his entire life. Not only that, his move was completely silent, like still water in a pond. There was no sign of breathing, no sense of youki, no scent, no presence whatsoever…

Even now when he had the girl in his mercy, his exterior was as calm as a dead corpse. His blue eyes stared back at Inuyasha with a complete composure.

“…Do not move…” he said to him in a strangely calm tone. “If you take even one step, my claws will pierce this human's throat…”

His words caused Inuyasha to droop his gaze to where the tiger had Kagome's throat. The sight of his lengthened claws left the hanyou stunned. It was true that all youkais had the ability to lengthen their claws to some extent, but this stranger had extended his to the same length of his elegantly tapered fingers. Each claw acted as a perfectly sharp dagger.

His blue eyes shifted to the side as they both noticed another presence. The scent of apple blossom filled their senses.

“Why are you traveling with humans, Shouri…?” the tiger asked as soon as she got closer and took her place next to him.

The princess laid the palm of her hand on his arm, as if trying to sooth him.

“Let her go, Ryoushin…” she softly spoke.

Ryoushin was not willing to budge, not even when his intended coaxed him. His eyes were still locked with Inuyasha's golden gaze. Shouri laid a firmer grip on his arm, trying to get him to release the frightened human girl. She understood why Ryoushin had always loathed humans. After all, humans had been one of the kinds that hunted his race for their hearts.

“…Shin-ai…” she gently whispered. “Please…”

Only after he saw her pleading eyes that he was willing to comply. Slowly, he shortened his claws to normal length, and lowered his hand before he pushed the girl towards the awaiting hanyou.

He turned around and without a word, took her by her elbow before leading her back to where they came from.

“Come, Shinsei…Shinzou…” he glanced over his shoulder and commanded the cubs, who were gladly trailed behind him.

Kagome rubbed her throat as she watched them walked away. She had been frightened, but fortunately, the tiger did not hurt her.

“What was that about…” she muttered.

Sango, Miroku, and Shippou came running with worry on their faces.

“Are you alright, Kagome-sama?” the monk asked her, which was responded with a smile.

“I am fine, not even a scratch…” she had to admit.

“But still…” Inuyasha grumbled, putting Tessaiga back into its sheath. “He did not have to go to that extent… The cubs were unharmed…”

Sango let her eyes wondered to the strange youkai and the inu princess.

“What a remarkable speed…” she muttered.

“And what a strange demeanor…” the monk added. “Another eccentric addition to an already unique pack!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshoumaru was watching the male youkai whom was with his sister with a wary expression on his face. He had been watching the whole scene earlier from afar. Yes, his speed had proved that he was a formidable fighter indeed. The black stripes on his cheek were signs that he was a noble breed. But something else bothered the youkai lord greatly.

`That tattoo on his forehead…' he mused. The stranger had a familiar tattoo on where his family emblem should have been. He was able to recognize it since he had seen it in an old scroll his father had left him. It was the tattoo of a sinner, placed on the forehead of the one cursed by the Gods…

`Why on earth does he have that tattoo on him? What have he done to anger the Gods?'

His golden eyes narrowed as anxiety started to creep inside of him. This was the male Shouri had chosen to become her mate? An abomination…?

As Shouri approached her brother with her intended on her side, the smile that graced her lips disappeared when she saw the coldness in his face. His eyes glued on the ancient tattoo, causing her to understand that he knew the meaning of it.

She stopped a few feet away from him, her emerald eyes were watching him cautiously. He was not even looking at her, his sharp gaze was aimed at the holy tiger whose eyes returned his stare.

Ryoushin could not help but wonder who the youkai was, standing before him with the regal and aristocratic aura surrounding him. No one could deny that his features resembled Shouri's very much, from their hair to their facial markings…

Shouri watched the two males observed each other with wariness growing inside her. She could sense her brother's suspicion and aversion towards the holy tiger next to her. As for Ryoushin, she smelled his pure curiosity. She opened her mouth to introduce them to each other, but a deep rumble that came from Sesshoumaru stopped her. Instead, she laid her hand on Ryoushin's arm, grabbing his attention.

“…Shin-ai,” she spoke softly. “Could you give us a few moments?”

His blue eyes stared deep into her emerald ones, hesitated to leave her alone with this unfriendly creature, whoever he was…

“It is alright…” she smiled to assure him when she sensed his reluctance. With a slight nod, he left her with the two cubs tailed behind him, her gaze followed them.

“…Is he the reason why you agreed to join the pack?” the youkai lord spoke his mind, earning a sharp glance from his sister.

Shouri gazed at her brother for a few moments, before closing her eyes and inclined her head.

“…Forgive my selfishness…” she muttered. “But I have no intention in helping you to defeat Naraku…”

“He was the male you chose to become your mate? An abomination?”

His words caused Shouri to jerk and throw him a piercing gaze.

“You spoke like our grandfather…” she said dryly, as memories of a time not so long ago flooded her thought. There was a familiar, distressing situation, when she had chosen him as her mate regardless of her grandfather's disapproval.

“Then he was right!” Sesshoumaru snarled, slightly surprised to find himself to agree with the lord he loathed so. “Shouri, you are playing with fire…That cursed being will only lead you to the path of suffering…”

Shouri turned around to face him, and he could see anger started to flare within her green orbs.

“Could you not at least be civil to the male I love?” she whispered hoarsely.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed at her words.

“Love?” he repeated her. Never once did he ever think that Shouri, a full blooded youkai just like himself, could possess that human quality. The thought appalled him so. “That is a worthless emotion you spoke of, Sister…”

“Oh, forgive me for not being able to live up to your expectation!” She snarled back, throwing those sarcastic words at him. Then she turned away, revealing her back to his sight, refusing to return his intense gaze. Just like the times when she hated him for being her brother.

Time passed without them uttering one word to each other. Cold breeze blew and tousled their silver tresses. But when she spoke again, her voice was gentler.

“I did not tell you any sooner as I feared you would condemn him just like everyone else…”

She turned to face him, her misty green eyes were almost pleading when she said,

“…Please give him a chance, Nii-sama…” she walked towards him and placed one hand on his shoulder. “You have to see pass the tattoo on his forehead, and maybe…”

But he yanked her hand away and turned his back to her. Her clouded eyes locked on his back as he walked away, denying her request…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sesshoumaru was lost in his realm of thought as he wandered through the woods to clear his mind. The appearance of Shouri's intended bothered him greatly, not to mention that he was the one cursed by the Gods. He sighed as he recalled what she had said to him,

`I did not tell you any sooner as I feared you would condemn him just like everyone else…'

But of course, he thought to himself. For the first time in his life, he had to agree with his grandfather, the Lord of the Eastern Lands. That creature should not be allowed to get close to her.

The cursed one, the one who sinned, the abomination…

He had approached Yuusou and asked the inu prince to tell him the story of the tattoo on the tiger's forehead. The truth that he discovered was far worse than his imagination.

`He is two souls in one body…' Yuusou had said. `Every time one half sees her, the other also sees… Every time one half touches her, the other also touches…A dark shadow lurked in the depth of his consciousness, waiting for the right moment to take over…'

A chance… her voice echoed in his mind.

A scent of blood pulled him back into the realm of reality. Though faint, he could still sense it clearly. His eyes narrowed as he also smelled a familiar scent along with the blood.

`Naraku…' he growled inwardly, increasing the pace of his steps until he was hopping from one tree to another. His keen nose allowed him to follow the trace back to its source.

He landed on the ground not so far from a small waterfall, surrounded by the stillness of the blooming magnolia trees. The scene before him would be absolutely serene if not for a female figure wrapped in white and purple kimono, laid on a rock, writhing and whimpering in pain. His eyes glued on the shaking female youkai, disgusted by Naraku's stench that covered her whole body. Even the sweet, pungent fragrance of the blossoming magnolias did not help to cover the demon's scent that was most unpleasant to him.

Slowly, he stepped forward, snapping a thin branch underneath his boots to intentionally gain her attention. As expected, the wounded youkai jerked in alarm, her pink eyes widened when she saw him standing only a few feet away. Instinctively, her hand lifted up to cover the torn portion of her upper kimono. Fear was in her eyes as she watched the youkai lord approaching. Her long, raven hair that usually tied up neatly in a bun was tousled and cascaded past her shoulder. Her body shrunk away, as her desperate effort to get away from him. One more inch, and she would fall from the edge of the rock into the pool of water.

“Sesshoumaru…” Kagura whispered in disbelief. Her heart cringed at the thought that the cold youkai lord had caught her in her most frail state. Naraku had found out her attempt to pass information to his enemies, again, and therefore smeared 100 lashes on her back with his whip as a form of punishment. Her whole body shook with hatred and disgust as she recalled what else he had done to her to satisfy his own carnal lust…

Fully aware that the daiyoukai was still standing there watching her, she lifted her chin up and returned his emotionless stare unwaveringly as an attempt to regain some of her pride.

“What are you…” she started to say.

“You reek of Naraku.” He hissed, even before she had a chance to finish her words.

Kagura could only stare at him with widened eyes when he turned away from her and started to walk back to where he came from. Anger started to creep inside her as she saw him leaving.

“Why?!” she screamed at the top of her lung. “Why do you always ignore my existence?!”

Her angry words stopped him.

“Why won't you help me defeat Naraku?!” she screamed again, though her voice had weakened this time, laced with faint sobs. Her fiery eyes were locked on his still back.

`Why are you ignoring me…' she sobbed inwardly. `Even now, you would not even turn around and look at me…'

Still, he would not open his mouth to utter a word or two to her. Much to her surprise, he started walking away again, leaving her in such a humiliating state by herself. She gritted her teeth at the sight of him leaving. With all the strength that she had left, she leaped forward with her opened fan on her right hand.

“I hate you…” she hissed, her wrath took a hold of her as she lifted her arm to swing her weapon. Before she had a chance to blow him away, he turned around and lunged at her with a speed that was too swift even for her eyes to keep up. In a split second, her right wrist was gripped tightly in his hand. He held her there for a few moments, his golden eyes looked down upon her as if she was a mere insect to be crushed. She shivered as she could feel the coldness in him. With one violent gesture, he shoved her away like a piece of unwanted rag. She squealed in pain as her already injured body crashed against the hard trunk of a tree. The wounded female was still trying to overcome the stinging throb of pain when she saw the youkai lord approaching. As he towered in front of her, she looked up to him and thought that he would strike her more for her earlier action.

She closed her eyes and let a teardrop trickled down her already tear-streaked face. She was waiting for his next blow in silence, but nothing came. Slowly, her eyelashes fluttered and she opened her eyes, staring deep into pools of gold before her. He was kneeling down in front of her, watching her…

She startled when he opened his mouth and his deep, calm voice reached her ears.

“Do you wish to sink even lower by begging others to help you, Kagura?”

His question left her bemused. Her bright pink gaze collided with his golden ones.

“If I freed you from Naraku, what will you gain?” he asked again. “You will be indebted to me. There is no freedom there. Same hell, only different master...”

As he stared at her, he could see the deep gashes that marred the uncovered portion of her upper arm and shoulder. It was certain that Naraku had whipped her, ripping her formerly smooth skin and tainting her upper body with long slashes that ran from the top of her shoulder down to her back.

His gaze drooped to her hand that reached out to touch his chest, her eyes were almost pleading as she whispered,

“…Will you treat me the same way as he does…?”

His eyes were on hers for the longest time, and she had indulged herself to wish that he would take her into his embrace and sooth her pain. But instead, he took her hand away from his body and rose to his feet.

“I am not the kind whom one should seek comfort from.” He said with no emotion in his voice, his eyes were as cold as ever.

She stared into space bleakly as his words echoed in her mind, her hand that had tasted the warmth of his body was still hanging in the air. Sesshoumaru gazed upon the wind sorceress that was in her most fragile state, a view that was quite rare, considering her always haughty demeanor. He looked up, appreciating the moonlight that shone through the branches of the blossoming magnolia trees. He lifted his arm to pluck a cluster of flowers and held it at the level of his eyes, their soothing fragrance filled his senses.

As he turned around to leave, he dropped the small branch he had picked up on her lap, causing her to startle and stare at his back with a puzzled expression.

“They match the color of your eyes…” he said, without even looking back.

Long after the Lord of the Western Lands had gone, Kagura was still sitting underneath the tree. The magnolias were still clutched within her fingers, and as she gazed at the beautiful pink flowers, she recalled the words he uttered before he left.

`They match the color of your eyes…'

She could not help but let a thin, bittersweet smile appeared on her cherry lips.

`Those words might be the best comfort you could ever provide…Right, Sesshoumaru?' She mused.

A/N: Finally this chapter is done! Sorry for the delay…Again, I was busy with school business. But my Christmas break had started and now I'll have all the time to write. Isn't that great?

This chapter is the longest one I have ever written, I hope I didn't make you bored. Some of you may wonder why I spent a great length in describing Ryoushin's past. He is a very important OC in this story, and also the sequel, and that's why I had bothered to write a back story for him. I hope you like him. He's my favorite OC!