InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lock and Key ❯ Investigation ( Chapter 1 )

Inu-Yasha stumbled out upon a stone road, his padded feet scraping against the rough ground. His claws were a bloody mess, his hair frayed from an entire night's run. His eyes sagged, but this phased the youkai none. His mind was set only on reaching Hiten's castle, and taking revenge on the thunder lord. Crows over-head sounded out their warning call, warning the forest life of an approaching youkai. He grinned absently, yes, warn the bastard, I expect one hell of a fight from him. Leaving the rough turf, he stepped onto moist, cool leaves that littered the forest floor. He still didn't remember much, only that Kagome and Shippo were dead. His heart ached, Kagome. A vivid memory of her drifted into his heavy mind, causing the ends of his mouth to curl slightly in a moment of happiness. Only two days ago, she had been within reaching distance, he could see her move and talk, she was alive. Two days. A snarl erupted from deep within his throat, a scent. Sniffing out the smell, he growled. This path reeked of Hiten. He grinned evilly; he was nearing the thunder youkai.

Kaede-Babba murmured beneath her breath as she led the funeral services for Kagome and Shippo. This was a nightmare! In one day, they had lost all hope of ever completely recovering the Shikon no Tama. She sighed and hung her head, if only she had warned Kagome of the danger. She had known that Hiten was after her, but not out to kill her, and poor Shippo! Inu-Yasha had told her the story of that tragic night, the poor little lad. Inu-Yasha had stumbled back into her village in a daze, and it had taken a full day's prying to get him to tell her of the day's events. When he finally broke, he fell apart completely. This had surprised her, she knew that the two youths were close, but not that close. Another sigh escaped the elder's mouth, a single tear sliding sown her cheek. If only I had warned her.

Wind whipped through the Silver-haired youkai's hair as he sped through the treetops. His nose told him that each second, he was drawing remarkably closer to the thunder demon's lair. He stopped as a large castle suddenly loomed into view. His jaw dropped, how could such a large fortress be hidden from the minds of the elders? Ah well, as long as he got to kick Hiten's ass, it didn't matter too much. Leaping from the canopy of a giant oak, he tumbled on the ground, waiting until he could regain his balance. As he steadied himself, a glint caught his eye. Coming closer to the tiny sphere, his heart raced, the jewel looked so much like the Shikon no Tama! Only.it was a deep ruby color, the color of time. His jaw dropped, was this.the jewel of the elders?!

He had only heard of the mystical sphere in myths, legends that had spread throughout the whole of his land. Reaching forward cautiously, he picked the jewel from it's nesting place in the underbrush. As he touched the glassy surface, a surge of power rushed through his body. Dropping the stone, his eyes widened. The jewel did exist! Plucking it from the earth again, he cradled the ruby stone in his hands, eyeing it in wonder. This jewel was thought to be pure myth, but here he was, holding it in his hands. He flinched as a hand tapped his shoulder, and a soft voice followed. Inu-Yasha spun around, knocking the woman from behind him. He growled at the shriveled up woman, "What do you want you old hag!" The woman did not respond, but instead stood to her feet. "Do you wish to know what you hold in your hand, my boy?" Her voice completely defied her age, as it was soft and musical. Inu-Yasha snarled at her, "I know what it is! I don't need your help." The woman smiled, "Oh but you do if you wish to recover what is so dear to you. The girl that you lost can be brought back to life, do you want her back?" Inu-Yasha stared at the woman, "How do you know about Kagome?!?!?!" The Woman smiled once again, and removed the hood that clouded her face. "Oh my god." Inu-Yasha gasped, "You're the.the goddess of time." The woman smiled, "I am, but I am not here to watch you marvel at me. The one that you lost has defied fate, she was never intended to die. This is an error in time, and it must be corrected immediately."

Inu-Yasha's ears perked up, "You can bring her back to life?!" The woman grinned, "That I can.but anything good comes with a price that is equally as terrible." His hope died away, "What's the price?" The smile that the woman held fell to a frown, "To save her life, you must spare your love." Inu-Yasha growled, "What kinda price is that? I.don't love her! I just need her to get the Shikon no Tama!" The woman smirked, "Oh Inu-Yasha.You cannot hide your feelings, I know of what you feel for the young maiden." Inu- Yasha sighed, "You win.what do I have to do to activate the jewel?"

Hiten prowled through the passages in his home, his long braid swinging gently behind him. "Where is that stupid jewel? Why can I not find it? ARRGGH! Why is the millennium eye not working?" He scowled to himself and continued his pacing. Running a hand through his extensive locks, he growled as the eye clouded over. Inu-Yasha was near, and.he held the jewel of the four elders! A snarl curled the thunder youkai's lips, damn him! Whipping around, he grabbed the black cloak that had been worn to Kagome's death. A faint tint of blood remained at the hem of his cloak, the blood of Kagome. His snarl changed from a frown to a grin, maybe there was a way to pry the jewel from Inu-Yasha. Damn that half-breed! So far he had beaten him to both the Shikon no Tama, and the jewel of the elders! "arggghhh!" The hideous sound was released from deep within his throat, sending chills through any life form within the castle's walls. Sweeping out of his chambers, Hiten shot down the hallway in a sudden burst of speed. "I will claim the jewel of the elders, and your life as well Inu-Yasha!" He growled, storming through the fortress, and out into the wilderness that surrounded his home.

Inu-Yasha sighed deeply, god that was one hell of a sacrifice. But Kagome's worth it.His mind flashed back to one of the rare moments the two had shared as a happy pair. His eyes glazed over slightly as he let his thoughts turn to that moment in history completely. ~ Three weeks earlier ~ "Inu-Yasha! Hahaha Inu-Yasha put me down right now!" Kagome giggled, pounding on his back in mock frustration. Inu-Yasha chuckled as he ran through the grassy hills that surrounded his forest, Kagome slung over his shoulder. She screamed in real terror as he leapt from a cliff, and fell to the soft waters below. A waterfall washed them deep within the clear waters with a gentle touch, throwing the both of them onto one of the muddy banks that lined the small pond. Kagome giggled again and threw her arms around Inu-Yasha's neck. "Mmm, that was fun Inu!" He stared at her in disbelief, was she.hugging him? A small blush lined his face before he returned the embrace. The words 'I love you' were on the tip of his tongue, but it was nearly impossible to withhold that loving phrase. ~ End of flashback ~ He raised his head to the woman that stood before him, "I'll do it." She nodded and stood aside as the youkai rushed past her, trying to conceal the tears that fell from beneath his lids. The goddess eyed Inu-Yasha in wonder, "So strong for such frail love.you will win this without a doubt." At this, a gentle wind picked up, and the woman was gone.