InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Journey of the soul: The panther devas' plot ❯ Countdown to destruction ( Chapter 22 )

Disclaimer: Most of the characters in this story are the actual work of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own them in any way.

 

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Chapter 21: Countdown to destruction

 

---Flashback---

 

"Kaze no kizu!!!" screamed the Inu no Taisho.

 

Sesshomaru watched in awe as the energy wave slammed into the panther devas troops and smashed them to bits. Then, following the signal from his father, he commanded his squadron that had been waiting for this specific opportunity to charge forward and scatter the remainder of their enemies.

 

As he hacked his way through panther youkai, two shadows clouded the battlefield. Glancing up briefly, he saw his father battling the enemy's general. He instinctively knew that this clash of titans would decide the fate of the battle regardless of the state of the surviving army, but he had no doubt in his mind the Inu no Taisho would succeed.

 

And so, he trudged forward, carving a path of blood and destruction until only a few scattered felines remained which he did not even deemed worthy of pursuing. Shortly thereafter, a loud howl of victory proclaimed his father the winner against the panther's general, thus ending the battle once and for all.

 

As it was, the gathering of survivors took longer than expected and it was not until nightfall that Sesshomaru could find time to speak to his father. As he entered the Inu no Taisho's tent, he could spot a doctor applying a few ointments on one of the deeper wounds he had received during his battle with the panther's general.

 

"Congratulations my son. You have lead your squadron quite skillfully today," complimented the older youkai.

 

"Your praise is unfounded father. It was you, with the Tessaiga, that brought us victory once more."

 

"I opened the path, that is true, but your accomplishment is still as important as mine. If you had not pushed back the enemy troops while they were destabilized then my blow would have been for nothing."

 

Sesshomaru did not answer, he merely narrowed his eyes and turned sideway. Sensing his son's peculiar mood, the older youkai gestured sharply to the healer who bowed mutely and exited the hut.

 

"You are angry."

 

It wasn't a question. It wasn't even a statement. It was a request for the truth and Sesshomaru had no other choice but to comply.

 

"You keep praising my ridiculous accomplishments... yet you continuously deny me the opportunity to truly prove myself. Why do you keep refusing to put me in a situation of power?"

 

"Tell me my son, what would you do if I accepted your request?"

 

"I would make the western lands shine. I would extend their borders, conquer new lands and defeat all that stand in the way."

 

"Power... Sesshomaru is this really the only thing you desire?"

 

"Is there anything else to desire, father?"

 

The Inu no Taisho did not answer, he simply shook his head in sad disappointment and left his son to his own musing.

 

---End flashback---

 

Sesshomaru never understood why his father had been so disappointed that day. With power, you ruled over everyone. With power, your enemies feared you. With power, you could establish a strong and lasting dynasty. Yes, power really was the key, it was everything. So why was the late Inu no taisho so disappointed that his son would desire it so much?

 

A breeze carrying the acrid scent of sulfur marked a momentary pause in the inu-youkai's musing. Raising his head, he gazed at the volcano looming in the distance. Returning his eyes to the path ahead, he continued walking lazily toward his destination.

 

He rarely came here. The proximity of the active volcano brought too many overpowering stenches for his liking. However, this time he had to make an exception. He needed information and the person living here was the only one alive who could answer... provided his brain was still in good working order. Totosai had always been a most irritating old man. If he wasn't so skilled in making swords, he would have disposed of him long ago.

 

As Sesshomaru neared the mouth of a long-fossilized youkai, the rhythmic sound of a hammer being banged on steel reached his ears, telling him in no uncertain terms that his visit had not been in vain. Not bothering with the formalities, he simply entered and walked straight to the working blacksmith.

 

When he was only a few feet away, Totosai stopped banging and brought the sword he had just been working on at eye-level for inspection.

 

"So, you finally found Tessaiga... only to realize it didn't want you?"

 

"You already know?" shot back Sesshomaru, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

 

"I felt its aura when it came back into this world," replied the old man, turning fully to face his visitor. "But really now, I thought you had long realized my swords weren't just normal blades."

 

"I am already well aware of this. But I still fail to see how this could explain Tessaiga's rebuttal."

 

"Well, have you ever wondered why your father had the sword forged in the first place?"

 

"He had it made when it became apparent his power alone would no longer be sufficient to protect his human..."

 

"I'm not about to sacrifice you just so I can play around with a stupid sword that doesn't even look capable of cutting through butter!"

 

Sesshomaru's eyebrows twitched as understanding washed over him. Tessaiga had been created to protect his father's mate... and it had coincidentally answered his worthless half-brother's plea for the miko's life who happened to be a human too.

 

"Ridiculous," he commented. "You expect me to believe that my father only wielded the blade in order to protect humans? That is nonsense."

 

"Believe what you will. But one thing's for sure: Tessaiga's purpose did not match yours."

 

Sesshomaru tightened his jaw and fixed the blacksmith with a smoldering gaze. "I will retrieve Tessaiga from the filthy hands of Inuyasha and bring it back to you so you can change it back to the proud weapon it once was."

 

Not even waiting for Totosai to answer, the inu-youkai turned on his heels and left as quietly as he arrived. Once he had completely disappeared, the blacksmith shook his head in discouragement.

 

"Honestly Sesshomaru, if you weren't so power-hungry, maybe you would realize that Tenseiga's not as useless as you seem to think."

 

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Toran paced the space of her study, her features set in a permanent scowl. She wasn't happy. She wasn't happy at all about how things were turning out. After scheming and struggling to outwit Naraku, her plans were all coming undone thanks to a miko who decided to use her brain a little too much.

 

Well, if Kikyo wanted to play smart, then Toran was more than willing to answer the challenge. The woman stated she wanted to meet her... and even went so far as to call in a debt of honor to force her hand. However, she had conveniently forgotten to specify any details as to the condition of their meetings. Such a loophole would not be left unexploited.

 

"Yuki!" she called firmly.

 

A second later, her personal servant respectfully opened the door and bowed to her. "Yes, Toran-sama?"

 

"Go and find Seijiro, he shouldn't be too far away."

 

The servant bowed once more and slid the door close, leaving the panther youkai alone with her thoughts. Knowing she wouldn't be disturbed for at least a few minutes, Toran allowed herself a few moments of idle contemplation.

 

Humans were a weak species in general. Far weaker than even the lowest-class youkai. Usually, they weren't even worth bothering because they were so insignificant. However, they had their use. Yuki, for example, was one such human who had more than once proved her usefulness. She was diligent, well educated, discreet and fiercely loyal. Of course, those were the very basic of requirements for someone to be her personal servant... however Yuki not only met her standards, she exceeded each and everyone of them.

 

Thanks to some incredible intuition, Yuki always managed to predict her needs. An unexpected meeting with high dignitaries? A set of cloth was ready and waiting for her on her bed. Official duties kept her working late at night? A snack would appear before her before she even realized she was hungry. Something went badly and she was furious? A load of cheap and conveniently breakable things would suddenly appear in her room, just begging to be shattered.

 

Yes, Yuki was the ideal servant. Someone who managed to not only fulfill her needs, but anticipate them and take care of them before they even had a chance to become needs. Too bad she was only human, this meant she would grow old and die in a matter of years. She was in her prime now... but in a decade or so, her performance would begin to decay.

 

"Maybe I should give her some of my blood to drink. If she manages to resists the changes that would occur in her body thanks to that, then she'd stay young and strong for centuries, meaning it would save me the trouble of searching a new personal servant," she reflected idly.

 

 

She was beginning to seriously consider this option when a knock on the door brought her back to reality. Turning to face the newcomer, she gestured for him to sit while she herself kept standing. Seijiro was her link to Shunran's unit and now it was time to use his gift to her advantage.

 

"I want you to transmit a message to your brother... a message to both Kikyo and the shinobis."

 

The panther couldn't help but grin when she imagined the face the woman would make when she heard her terms of the bargain. Kikyo was smart yes... but she was smarter.

 

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"Would you mind explaining to us what your plan is. I thought we were supposed to be a team?" questioned Karura with a touch of frustration.

 

"I wish to hear Toran's answer first."

 

"My sister will meet you Kikyo, with you calling in the debt of honor, there's no doubt about that. But you'd do well not to underestimate her, she will find a way to turn your proposal to her advantage," countered Shunran.

 

"We will have to see about that," replied the miko with an indifferent shrug. "Just as long as she hears what I have to say, I believe she will find my proposal fair enough."

 

Just then, a surge of youki spiked in the surrounding woods and everyone promptly scrambled for their weapons. Not a second later, a nameless panther youkai emerged from the forest with his hands up in the air to show his peaceful intentions.

 

"I mean no harm," said the male panther. "I merely came to deliver a message to the miko named Kikyo."

 

"I am Kikyo, what is your message and who is it from?"

 

"Toran-sama. She has agreed to meet with you. I have been ordered to escort you back to the castle... alone," said the panther nervously.

 

Silence fell on the group, thick and heavy. Plainly, this was not at all what they had in mind and it showed openly on their face. Shunran was the first to recover by giggling lightly.

 

"Well you did say you wanted to see her. You spoke nothing of the rest of us... nor did you specify the place where you wished to meet her. I told you my sister would turn your request to her advantage."

 

For her part, Kikyo was seething with anger at her own carelessness. She had been so confident things would go her way that she hadn't even bothered to formulate her request properly. Her mind was racing to try and find a way out of this situation, but she came up empty. Changing her request now would make the panther youkai refuse to hear her and she couldn't have that, she needed to make this proposal. So, reigning in her anger, she stood up as regally as possible.

 

"Very well, I shall follow you," she said tensely.

 

"Like hell you will!" instantly snapped Inuyasha.

 

"Quiet! This is the only chance we have to get a shot at Naraku and come out alive. I will not waste it!" replied Kikyo firmly.

 

"But the moment you get within their walls, you'll be at their mercy!"

 

"That's why Shunran will stay with you to ensure my safety," countered the woman calmly.

 

"I'm not letting you go!"

 

Irritated, the miko stalked to the stubborn hanyou and brought her face an inch from his own, even going so far as to stand on tiptoe to drive her point home more firmly.

 

"Let me make things absolutely clear: Toran's conditions involves me and only me, so I will abide by them, end. Of. The. Discussion!"

 

For a few seconds, Inuyasha looked as if he was about to explode in fury. His knuckles and jaw were clenched so tight that his arms trembled and his face looked carved out of stone. Still, after a few minutes of this silent struggle, he abruptly whirled around and crossed his arms over his chest.

 

"Fine, go and get yourself killed for all I care!" he snapped angrily.

 

Kikyo stared at the hanyou's back with an unreadable expression before finally closing her eyes and turning back to the nameless panther youkai that had just appeared before them.

 

"Shall we go?"

 

The feline nodded and gestured for her to follow as he turned on his heels and vanished into the surrounding forest. Casting one last look at her group, the miko inclined her head in a silent goodbye and took off herself.

 

The silence that fell on the clearing then was deafening. Two pairs of eyes immediately turned to Inuyasha who stubbornly refused to answer them. He just kept standing there, perfectly immobile and staring at nothing. Tension radiated from his body and it looked to Karura as if he was fighting against the urge to simply take off after the miko.

 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, but was really only a few minutes, Inuyasha whirled around so sharply that both human and youkai couldn't help but jerk slightly in surprise.

 

"How long until they reach the castle?" he demanded without preamble.

 

The question was so unexpected that it took Shunran a few seconds to process it. "Well, they'll be traveling on the main road... and likely in their true form to go faster. So my guess would be around tomorrow evening."

 

Inuyasha nodded grimly. "Can we follow them?"

 

"I'm afraid not. Knowing my sister, she'll have ordered every patrol to kill you on sight. No, your only chance of getting through is by our original route," answered the feline youkai, at once understanding where the hanyou was going with this.

 

"Through the Forest of Illusions eh? And how long will it take us?"

 

"Well, if it were just you and I, we could travel the distance in something like three days. However, as strong as Karura might be, she doesn't have the stamina to run for that long."

 

The woman opened her mouth to object, but before she could actually say anything, Inuyasha cut her off sharply.

 

"Three days it is! Karura you're on my back! We leave in five minutes! Get moving you two!"

 

The two women were so surprised at how authoritative the hanyou had just been that all they could do was stare at him, completely dumbfounded. With a sigh of irritation, Inuyasha clenched his fists and barked.

 

"Get MOVING!"

 

And with a jerk, both Karura and Shunran scrambled to obey.

 

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Ryo was growing restless. He had been in the panthers' forteress for days now and there was still something he had yet to uncover. Getting in had been relatively easy. Being the master of illusions that he was, altering his shape and scent to that of a nameless panther youkai had been child play.

 

Finding out what they were up to had also been simple since it was common gossip among all of the castle's retainers. However, the question of how exactly they were planning on accomplishing their goal still eluded him. It seemed only the higher ups were privileged to that information... and those were almost impossible to approach without arousing suspicion.

 

"And Sesshomaru expects me to report in two days... I'll be a laughing stock if I can't find out the answer to that simple question," he reflected glumly.

 

But then, luck finally decided to shine on him because at that moment, some small bribe of conversation reached his ears.

 

"... A human priestess!"

 

"Don't be silly, a human priestess? Here? Toran-sama would never allow it."

 

"But I saw her! She was shuffled in secretly not an hour ago! If you don't believe me, why don't you go and see for yourself, they're keeping her in the most remote cell of the prisoners' wing."

 

"Yeah yeah, whatever, I've got better things to do than to check out on your silly rumors."

 

"But I swear..."

 

The rest of the conversation was lost to Ryo. As opposed to the panther who had just spoken, he found this rumor more than a little interesting and very worth investigating. If Toran had decided to associate with a human, let alone a human priestess, then something incredible was up... and he needed to know what it was.

 

The prisoners' wing wasn't all that far away so it took only a few minutes for him to reach it. Quietly slipping into the shadows, he used his magic to alter his form and change into a tiny spider. He then climbed on the wall and slipped in through a window. Once inside, it took little effort to find the cell the miko was being held in.

 

When he saw her though, he instantly notice something off about her. She looked and smelled like a human, but her aura was unlike any he had ever seen before. Human auras were usually light like a cloud in opposition to youkai auras which were usually thick, heavy and oppressive. This woman's however hovered in between. It was not quite human yet not quite youkai either.

 

Before he could really wonder on this strange mystery, steps resounded on the floor, making him scramble away from his position right in front of the door to a safer one on the nearby wall. An icy shiver ran down his spine when he realized the miko's gaze had followed his every movement with shocking accuracy. Did she see through his disguise somehow? Impossible, not even a youkai could make out his presence, let alone a mere human!

 

However, the miko's attention did not remain fixed on him for long since the steps quickly resolved themselves into the form of Toran, who looked rather unhappy to say the least.

 

"So, what was it you wanted to talk about so much that you needed to call in a debt of honor to force my hand?" she spat.

 

"It is my understanding that you need my services to get rid of a mutual acquaintance of ours. I am willing to cooperate openly with you to achieve that goal... if you refrain from disposing of my group and I once the job is accomplished."

 

"You're not exactly in any position to bargain, miko."

 

"I will admit that you are at a distinct advantage over me... however, you do not strike me as someone who would kill needlessly."

 

"What are you getting at?"

 

"You wish to get rid of Naraku and I so no one will be left to challenge your ownership of the shikon jewel. However, I believe we can settle this difference with a simple duel. If you can defeat Inuyasha in a one on one battle, then the jewel is yours for the taking. If Inuyasha wins, then the jewel comes back to us."

 

Toran narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the miko. "A hanyou stands no chance against me. Are you actually that eager to get rid of the jewel?"

 

"You would be wise not to underestimate Inuyasha... and to be careful when using the jewel. I have seen it at work and believe me, the power it grants always comes at a very high price. Ask for too much and you could very well lose yourself completely."

 

"Thanks for the warning, miko," shot back Toran sardonically. "But I wouldn't worry, we're very well prepared for every eventuality."

 

"I find these words less than reassuring," replied Kikyo levelly.

 

"I was not aiming for reassurance," smirked the panther with a predatory grin. "However, it will not be said that I backed away from a challenge, no matter how insignificant. So I will fight Inuyasha and defeat him single-handedly. And then the jewel will be mine to use as I please."

 

"Inuyasha might yet surprise you. His strength is far greater than you can imagine," shot back the miko with narrowed eyes.

 

"We'll let the outcome of the duel decide who's right... until then, make yourself at home."

 

"Thank you for your hospitality, Toran-sama," replied Kikyo icily.

 

"You are most welcome," chuckled the panther youkai before walking away.

 

The sound of Toran's steps resonated in the halls for a few more seconds before it disappeared completely. When she was completely alone, Kikyo allowed her gaze to slide on the wall where she immediately spotted the spider that had caught her attention earlier.

 

"You might as well show yourself, kitsune," she said dispassionately.

 

Finding himself unmasked, Ryo had no other choice but to obey. In a small puff of smoke, he changed back to his true form and stared at the woman with open curiosity.

 

"How did you know?"

 

"That is a trick I shall keep to myself if you don't mind," replied Kikyo with an amused smile. "More to the point though, I would be very curious to know who you are spying for."

 

Smirking, Ryo snapped his fingers and transformed himself into the miko's mirror image before sending her words right back at her. "That is an information I shall keep to myself if you don't mind."

 

"Fair enough I suppose... but heed my warning kitsune, the shikon jewel is definitely not something you want to mess with. Wherever it goes, it leaves nothing but tragedy behind."

 

"And you're willing to relinquish ownership of it if Toran wins against Inuyasha? That's cold of you."

 

"I have a lot of faith in Inuyasha's strength so I doubt he will lose. However, even if he does fail to defeat Toran, she will eventually be forced to relinquish her ownership of the jewel when she witnesses all the chaos and destruction it will inevitably unleash upon her kingdom."

 

"You're twisted, you know that?"

 

"Desperate would be a more accurate term. Toran has no desire to see me live beyond the disposal of Naraku. I am merely trying to ensure the survival of my group. And besides, no matter what I might say, she will not listen. Unless she witnesses first hand the destructive power of the jewel, my words are wasted."

 

"For someone who's desperate, you sure seem to have a good grasp over the situation."

 

"My mind is clear... but it does not matter. There are too many unknown elements in this situation for anyone to predict what will happen. I can only try my best to steer the events in a favorable direction... and hope for the best."

 

"Damn, you're one heck of a thinker, you're giving me a headache," said Ryo with an impressed shake of his head. "Well, it's been fun chatting with you, but I'm afraid I have a report to make before the full moon."

 

"The full moon?" repeated Kikyo suspiciously.

 

"Oh yeah, that's when the panthers are planning their big event... though as to what that is exactly, you'll have to figure it out for yourself. Anyway, best of luck miko... and try to stay alive. I'd like to have another chat with you one day."

 

"I am not planning on leaving this world anytime soon," shot back Kikyo.

 

"Good... then I'll see you later I suppose," bowed Ryo before vanishing in a puff of pink smoke.

 

Once she was alone once more, the miko couldn't help but frown as questions popped in her head faster than she could answer them. The first thing that came to mind was the kitsune's employer. She couldn't see that many people who had both the means and the reason to send a spy all the way out here. In fact, she could see only one person: Sesshomaru. There was no doubt in her mind that he would show up in time for the full moon... but what would he do then? How would he react to the jewel's presence? And, more importantly, what on earth was supposed to happen then? What were the panthers planning?

 

Then there was Inuyasha. When would he get here? She knew he would press forward as much as he could. But even then, he would be forced to avoid the main road and all of its patrols. This meant he would be forced to follow their original road through the Forest of Illusions... how long could that take him? Three days? Four days? It was hard to tell.

 

Finally, after turning things again and again in her mind, she decided to call it quits before she went crazy. Standing up, she gazed out at the moon through the window of her cell and allowed her cool and composed mask to slip away, revealing her for what she really was at this moment: A woman who was hopelessly worried and who wanted more than anything to be comforted by the one she loved.

 

"Five days," she murmured quietly. "Inuyasha... please be safe."

 

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Author's note: Well, things are really getting a move on aren't they? I had one hell of a time with Totosai in the beginning though... I just couldn't get him in character, so in the end I resorted myself to show him as you read earlier.