InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagura's life ❯ enter kouguma the hellpainters ink ( Chapter 4 )

Kagura flew through the sky on her white feather. Her nose sifted through ever smell that it came across. The sun was high overhead now. A day had passed since her fight with Naraku.

“I must complete my task quickly.” Kagura said to no one in particular.

Warm air blew on her face as she sniffed around. This is taking to long she thought. I must find a way to track the sent. Kagura decided that she was not approaching the situation correctly. Slowly her feather floated to the ground. Toutousai said that Koutatus was from the capital. That is to the east of here. At Kagura's command the winds began to blow to the west. This should make things a little easier to find.

“I'll head to the east.”

Kagura lifted herself into the air once more atop her feather. She traveled eastward for some time. Upon reaching the capital city she rose high into the air. Looking around for a near by castle. She spotted a large fortress like castle near a river. The palace was far off and took servile minutes of travel to arrive there. Upon reaching the stronghold Kagura lifted her nose to the air. She took a deep lungful of air. There was some kind of foul smell in the air.

“Is that it?” Kagura questioned herself.

Kagura headed in the direction opposite of the wind. As she continued she came across a pile of ruble that looked to be from a small hut. There was an unmistakable odor that lingered in the air here. I must be close to the grave Kagura thought with a sigh of relief. She headed to the ground. After she had her feet on the ground she surveyed the area for a grave marker.

“The smell is overpowering. I hope I can find this Koutatus soon so I can leave this place.”

Kagura walked for a moment following the stench. A short while later she came upon a tree at the base of a hill. The ground looked saturated with something black. The smell was more then overwhelming. There was no mistaking it; the smell was that of painters ink. Kagura looked at the black earth. No plants grew there.

“Finely!” Kagura said impatiently. “Koutatus! I Kagura of the wind summon you.”

The air fell silent. Kagura eyes carefully watched her surroundings. She held her fan ready to attack. The black ground began to bubble. The Saturated earth moved and turned. Servile jets of black ink spewed from the soil. The Ink began to spin together. An image began to form.

“Why do you summon Koutatus Kagura of the wind?” An ominous voice bellowed.

“I desire his talent. I wish to commission him to do some work.”

The voice laughed a hideous laugh. A clear image of a three-headed snake could now be seen. It was completely black.

“Koutatus is no more. I devoured him and gained immortality through his sole only I, Kouguma remain.

So Inuyasha did not kill him. Kagura though to herself.

“So why do you linger here? Surely an immortal would not find propose in being saturated inside earth forever.

“Sadly my life was only sustained by the Shikon jewel. I was allowed to excite as I do now because Koutatus offered his life to me. I am unable to move from this spot.”

Kouguma's image began to shift. The liquid like ghost spun around.

“Do you now own Koutatus's talent? Could you paint me an image able to come to life? Kagura ask.

The ink began to settle. An image of a large Demon holding a hale burg now rested in front of Kagura.

“I can take any form I choose. I can portray any form on any surface.” The large hollow eyes of the demonic apparition reflected the late days light. “Why would I help you?” The demon said as his body began to liquefy again.

“I have heard that Koutatus wished for the affections of a woman called Hime.”

“Yes the fool fell in love with her the first time he laid eyes upon her.” Kouguma's image shifted to one of a young woman. “I am tormented day after day by his last wish. He wished to know her.”

“I could bring her to you. Would that satisfy he's desire once and for all?”

“He was weak and fool hearted. I do not share his desire. If you could bring me a part of her body that should be enough to sooth him. If you do this for me I will do as you wish.” Kouguma said.

Kouguma's outward appearance began to swirl. He formed an outline of a middle age man and slowly filled the lines in with black ink.

“Fine. If that's what it takes I'll return with her head if I must.”

Kagura snapped her fan open. In a swift motion she swung her fan downward. A huge gust of wind lifted her off her feet into the air. Kouguma's motions where slowed as he began to churn again. At the peak of her upward motion Kagura closed her fan and drew a feather. She landed on the feather and headed toward the castle she had passed earlier. Kouguma now moved at his normal pace. As soon as time returned to its normal flow he was blown against the tree he rested near.