InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ InuYasha: Into the Shadows ❯ Prelude ( Prologue )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

23 March 2022
Kyoto Prefecture
Japanese Imperial State

An infant’s cry filled the small room as Izayoi let herself fall backwards, exhausted.

“Please,” she spoke softly, “Let me see my child.”

The midwives spoke in hushed tones to each other as they cleaned the infant, and she could hear subdued panic in their voices. Something was wrong.

Forcing herself to sit, her heart began to race.

This time she demanded, “My child! Let me see.”

One of the midwives brought the swathed child to her.

“I am sorry, Lady Izayoi. He is…”

She snatched the infant from the woman’s arms, her mind filled with fear. As she looked down at her son he met her gaze with large, alert brown eyes. He did not possess the round, cherubic face of a newborn. His features were thin and angular. His ears were not rounded either, they were elongated, coming to points.

Her son was not human. He was…

“Oni” she whispered as a single tear streaked down her face.


He stood silently, staring at the now inert form of his foe. The demon spirit had identified itself as Ryukotsusei and was likely the most powerful of such beings that he had ever encountered. While he lacked the strength to banish it outright, he did eventually manage to work a powerful ward binding it to a cliff. The joy of victory would have to wait however, there was much on his mind.

He had received communications indicating that Izayoi had given birth earlier that day and things were not well. His son was born an “Oni”, a word from Japanese folklore denoting a spirit or demon. However these days the term was used in the Imperial State for those children born not human.

A decade before, all across the globe, seemingly normal parents began producing apparently mutant children. These children were almost immediately dubbed elves and dwarves by the media for, in truth, that is what they resembled. Despite modern medical and scientific technology, no one could determine the cause for this phenomenon, and in the end it was simply called Unexplained Genetic Expression or UGE. This was a tumultuous time for the world, even more so in the Japanese Imperial State, where such genetic expressions of metahumanity were looked upon as being the result of tainted blood.

As the Inu-no-taisho, leader of a martial order of mystical warriors, this birth was socially damning for him.

His warriors were radioing back to the temple, arranging for an airlift out of the area when his keen senses picked up the faint sound of footsteps behind him.

“You are aware of what your wife gave birth to?” The newcomer spoke in a clear, even voice.

“Sesshomaru. Take care on how you speak of your brother.”

“My brother? No father. That thing is not my brother, he is not Yamato-Minzoku. He is…”

“Still of your blood!” He spoke sharply, cutting his son off.

“My blood? No, he is the product of you and the impure blood of the mongrel woman you choose to share your bed with.”

With an audible sigh he closed his eyes. “Is this how it is going to be, my son?”

“This is how it is, Chichi-ue.”

Several moments passed in silence before Sesshomaru spoke again.

“Imperial forces are moving on the temple as we speak.”

His nostrils flared in anger as he turned quickly to face his son. The year before a second wave of UGE swept the country. Instead of targeting solely infants, this outbreak effected one out of every ten humans. They did not mutate into elves or dwarves however, these UGE sufferers transformed into monsters of legend. Orks and trolls.

This goblinization sparked new outbreaks of world-wide panic. Fearing the outbreak might be contagious, many governments began rounding up metahumans and placing them in secluded camps. In the Japanese Imperial State, a program of forced relocation began sending many metahumans to the forsaken isle of Yomi off the coast of the Philippines.

“I’ll not allow my son to be placed in a death camp!” he snarled.

“It appears you have no choice. It is imperial decree,” Sesshomaru responded without emotion.

Regaining his composure, he turned his back to his son.

“I am the Inu-no-taisho. If they want my child, they will have to take him by force.”

An Ares Dragon appeared in the sky above, the rotors of the helicopter causing miniature whirlwinds of dust and debris to circle around them.

“You do not have to go,” Sesshomaru replied, cold eyes regarding his father intently.

“I cannot allow this to happen.”

The helicopter landed several meters away, his warriors were in the process of boarding. With an audible sigh he made his way towards the craft.

“If you insist on this foolishness, at least leave the Tetsusaiga with me.”

His hand reflexively fell to the mighty katana at his side. The Tetsusaiga was a powerful foci and symbol of his order.

“Foolishness, my son?” he spoke wearily. “Have you never felt the need to protect something? To serve a cause beyond your own?”

When no reply was forthcoming he stepped onto the helicopter. As the craft climbed into the night sky, his sorrow-filled eyes watched Sesshomaru disappear into the fading landscape.


A force of the Japanese Imperial Army had indeed surrounded the grounds of his order’s temple. He was surprised by the size of the detachment sent to retrieve the child. The reputation of his Dog Warriors’ exploits seems to have traveled far.

His men manned the perimeter, ensuring it was secure against both magical and physical intrusions. Though a mystical tradition that focused on ancient martial styles, his Dog Warriors were well aware that they lived in a modern world and had armed themselves accordingly. Semi-automatic firearms were just as common as a katana or sai.

Hayato, one of his advisors, came to him as he surveyed the scene from a balcony.

“The general of the Imperial forces wishes to speak with you.”

“A general? It appears we merit more thought than I had guessed. Very well, bring him in.”

Hayato bowed and stepped out, reappearing a moment later with the general. He was an arrogant looking man, his uniform and medals in impeccable order.

“I am General Takemaru of Setsuna, I…”

“Can you tell me why Imperial forces have surrounded my temple?” he cut the general off.

Takemaru grimaced slightly, “You are well aware why, Inu-no-taisho.”

“I had hoped I was mistaken. Has the Emperor grown so base as to steal away the sons and daughters of his nation?”

The general snarled. “Such filth is not to be tolerated in Imperial lands! They are not…”

With a speed that defied human ability, he drew the Tetsusaiga and cut a trail across Takemaru’s chest. The general gasped in pain as he stumbled backwards, clutching at the wound.

“You would do well not to dishonor my family in my home.” He said as he took a step towards the speechless Takemaru. “Do not worry, I was feeling merciful. The wound is superficial.

Turning to Hayato he added, “Return him to his men.”

Hayato nodded quickly and scrambled to comply with his lord’s order.

After they left, he leaned against the wall for a moment to catch his breath. Blood was beginning to soak through the bandages under his clothes, leaving small pools on the floor.

Hayato returned with Izayoi and the child. He looked at his lord with concern.

“Inu-no-taisho, please do not do this. You are still wounded from your battle with Ryukotsusei.”

“Listen to him, my husband.” She pleaded. “Flee with us, we can begin our lives again elsewhere.”

“InuYasha.” He spoke.

“What?” both Hayato and Izayoi replied in unison.

“That shall be my son’s name.”

“InuYasha.” Izayoi spoke softly as she gazed at the infant.

“Take them, Hayato. Take them and flee this place, ensure my son grows into a man free and not in some damnable camp.”

The sound of gunfire could be heard outside now.

“Go!” he shouted, clenching the Tetsusaiga in his hand.

“Lady Izayoi!” Hayato called, pulling lightly on her arm. “Please, come with me.”

The gunfire escalated and an explosion shook the walls as she allowed herself to be led away. With a final glance at her husband, she watched as he leapt from the balcony into the melee.

Moments later they were aboard the Ares Dragon, rapidly climbing away from the battle below.