InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Dawn ❯ The Crystal in the Reef ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Sesshomaru or anyone from the hit anime and manga series, Rumiko Takahashi does. I do own all Original Characters in this story.

Chapter One: The Crystalin the Reef

"You ready to dive, Akata?" asked Leon as he adjusted his scuba gear. The couple stood among other divers on the boat's deck. A white canopy was erected over the deck like a tent to protect the passengers from the deadly UV rays. Akata and Leon stood near the dive hatch as they prepared to explore the world under the sea.

"Are you sure there is nothing dangerous here?" asked Akata, her black eyes filled with anxiety.

Leon smiled at her and replied, "I already told you, honey, the kronis and the calamari are deep water predators. We're sitting amidst a reef. The only things we'll have to look out for are the local sharks."

The young woman waved her hand dismissively at his last comment. Sharks had lost their villainous reputation millennia ago. When compared to the monstrosities Norsben had created and unleashed Earth's natural, normal predators just couldn't spark the terror they once had. Sharks didn't sink ships. Still, she couldn't shake her ominous feelings. Something was going to happen.

"Okay, people, are you ready to visit the big blue?" called their guide. A chorus of "yes" rose from the small crowd. "Here are the rules: you are not to go any further than a hundred yards from the boat; you are only to be out for three hours, that is how much air you have in your tanks; you must not surface anywhere but here at the diving hatch, reasons are obvious; and you must not linger in the hatch, people need to be able to enter and exit freely. And remember your monitor will vibrate when their status changes. You know the what the various colors mean, right? Good, any questions? Then let's go!"

Akata adjusted her face mask, looked down at the water with trepidation, then jumped in. As soon as she cleared the hatch Leon jumped in after her and they began exploring the reef together. The young woman's ill feelings were soon forgotten in the wonder of the coral reef. The reef was growing on the remains of buildings. Every now again she glimpsed a steel support poking up from the mass of colorful, immobile animals or an opening where a window had not been covered over. The ruins of Tokyo had become one of nature's most beautiful art works.

As they wandered about the reef Akata noticed something flashing in a small ravine. The sunlight, so benevolent and gorgeous under water, was reflecting off of something. Curious she swam down. As she approached the item she noticed it was embedded into rock, not coral. Akata thought it was glass and her black eyes narrowed as she peered at the thing. The young woman reached a hand out toward the exposed portion. It was hard and smooth beneath her gloved fingers. As she moved her fingers across the surface she noticed a film was being removed by her actions. Carefully she brushed the film from the surface and saw something within the glass.

A pale hand with long nails and two pink stripes on its wrist was inside it. Akata felt her heart begin to beat faster. Hands shaking, she brushed away more of the film and uncovered more of what she now believed to be crystal. She also exposed an arm within a strange red and white sleeve and as she moved up the crystal she revealed more of the strange being within.

A strip of spiked metal wrapped around the being's chest and left shoulder and a white, furry, scarf-like item was wrapped around the being's right shoulder. On the being's hip was a sword; Akata had to think for a moment before she realized what it was. Swords were only seen in museums and as pictures in history books. Terrified by her discover but curious as well she wiped away the film that covered the being's face. Long white hair flowed over his back while pale bangs nearly covered the purple waning crescent moon on his forehead. Twin pink stripes, like on his wrists, graced each cheek.

'He's beautiful,' thought Akata as she stared in awe of the trapped being. 'I wonder who he was.' She placed both hands on the surface as she looked at the strange man. 'Was he a demon? He looks important.' She noted everything about his strange costume. The broad pants that tightened at the ankles, the black shoes he wore, the light armor on his torso, the long furry cloak on his shoulder, the red eye shadow, and the long full sleeves of his shirt. 'But if he was a demon, how could he be important? Who are you?' she wondered.

She felt something respond to that question. Her spiritual powers began to rise within her. It then focused within her hands and flowed into the crystal. 'What's going on?' she thought in alarm. She tried to pull away but her body didn't move. Frozen, Akata stared at the crystal and the trapped demon before her, her heart pounding so hard she thought it would burst from her body. The monitor on her wrist noted her rising blood pressure and racing pulse and signaled the tour boat.

On the boat the man who was monitoring the divers noticed the alert signal. He couldn't imagine what had frightened the diver, but she wasn't calming down. Since the situation was unknown, he did the only thing he could do; he pressed the return signal on the control panel. With the world in the state it was in now, nothing could be dismissed.

Leon felt his monitor vibrate and looked down. The light was red, the signal for all divers to return to the boat immediately. He looked around for Akata but didn't see her. Now he had to make a choice, he could either return to the boat and assume she was already on her way, or he could stay to look for her and risk encountering whatever danger that had caused the unexpected call back. Leon didn't believe his wife would return without him and rose slightly in the water to try to see further around. He noticed a stream of bubbles rising from an opening in the reef and swam toward it.

The returning divers pulled themselves onto the deck as fast as they could and then one of them approached their guide and the monitor who were staring at the panel. "What is going on?" he asked.

"We aren't sure," replied the monitor. "One of the divers' blood pressure and pulse shot up, indicating something had terrified her only her terror seems to be increasing." A murmur began building on the deck. They wondered what had caused their fellow diver to become terrified and hope that it was nothing more serious than a bad scare. Something they could all laugh about later.

Akata felt her monitor vibrate and knew they were being called back to the boat. Panic began to set in; she had no idea she was the cause of the alarm. 'I have to get back to the boat,' her mind screamed but her body remained frozen and her wide eyed gaze locked on the demon in front of her. Her spiritual power continued to pulse from her body into the crystal.

Then his eyes opened and looked straight into hers.

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Sorry this has taken so long to update. Combination of writer's block, school work, and too many stories kept me from getting to this one.

Warning: If you are one who despises science fiction or just don't like mobile suites do not read beyond the first few chapters.

Just thought I would warn you so I didn't burned by outraged Gundam-haters.

To the rest of you, you'll see the heavy scifi in about two chapters from now, if you weren't getting that vibe from the description of the "present" world.

As always constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged.

(But details would be nice too.)