InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Night Vision ❯ Chapter 2
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: kagomefire 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Suspense / Mystery / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.19.2005 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 308 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Suspense / Mystery / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.19.2005 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 308 | Status: Completed
Thunder rumbled loudly above the stone castle; lightning crackling and flashing before the metallic boom of thunder. Its gray stone walls shimmering silver with every close flash of light. The Lord of the Western Lands stood in front of a large window that ran from floor to ceiling in the darkened library. Every now and then a lightening flash would cast the room in its eerie light sending Sesshomarus shadow flickering across the bookcases. Rain pelted relentlessly against the glass window, but molten amber eyes bore no sign of emotion as he gazed through the water rippled glass.
The paper work he had been studying, regarding his secret militia was left lying at the edge of his desk momentarily forgotten.
His sensitive youkai hearing, picked up the foot falls as servants bustled up and down the corridors. His eyes flicked to the door of his chambers as he heard a timid knock, but he didn’t turn. He caught the familiar scent and his gaze turned back to his lands.
“Enter,” He ordered quietly, his impassive voice chilling. Although very quiet, his command was heard and the massive oak door that sealed the library from the corridors was opened.
A male chid servant walked in, closing the door behind him. His head was bowed in respect, eyes fastened onto the stone floor, and hands clasped in front of him in genuine respect for his Lord. He was a young kitsune child; his parents slaughtered by demons when he was very young.
"What was so important that I needed be interrupted?" Sesshomaru, by asking the question, permitted the young fox child permission to speak.
"Forgive my intrusion, my lord," He began, his soft voice innocent and ever respectful; but the Demon Lord could smell the unease rolling off the kitsune in waves. This was his only servant that he actually respected. He was always respectful, never disobedient, and showed no sign of fear, only bravery. Foolish, for a child, but it earned respect nonetheless. "I have been asked to inform you that Lord Inuyasha, Lord of the Eastern Lands, is approaching with request of a meeting with you. He says it is important, and it has to do with the Lord and Mistress of the Southern Lands."
Sesshomaru nodded ever so slightly, albeit his gaze was still directed towards the window, then upon realizing the vassals head was bowed, “You are dismissed, thank you.” The kitsune knew he was the only retainer Lord Sesshomaru ever acknowledged with gratitude and he felt himself flush with the praise.
“Yes, my Lord.” With a bow, the young kitsune opened the door, and walked out of the room, shutting the door softly behind him. With the entrance shut, the last traces of any light from the hall was cut off, and the Demon Lord was left in darkness once again.
Lightning flashed in the distance. The storm was raging on, but it was leaving his lands with enough water to last a while. Something flickered in his side vision, and he glanced over at it.
A scarf.
Her scarf, his mind amended.
Behind his stoic facade, his mind was raging an internal battle as to why he brought it with him instead of leaving it. And why he kept it now, instead of throwing it away or giving it to Rin; A young girl he had saved.
But he could not lie to himself. He kept it because of her scent and because every time he caught a whiff of it, it had the same effect on him. It was serene and peaceful, calming yet invigorating. At first, he placed it as cinnamon sticks and vanilla. But now, he realized it was neither and yet it was both. It seemed to hang in the balance. It confused how now that one human could have a scent like no other human or demon he had ever come across. It confused him because on every other human, a demon of his caliber could smell death. But her scent held no trace of it. Not even a lingering scent.
Damn.
He needed to focus his mind else where. His time was wasted by human thinking. Full realization struck him then. Why was his brother coming to the Western Lands? Was trouble arising the East?
“Why have you come, little brother?”
-x-x-x-
A week.
Kagome sighed. It had been one week since that mysterious night in the field. She could still feel the cool night air flitting across her skin, running invisible fingers through her hair. She could remember his amber colored gaze boring into her; his pristine hair glistening slightly in the pale moonlight.
Lord Sesshomaru....
She had heard stories about him. No body lived near her house, but there were few villages down the roads. When she would go to buy food, or cloth or anything else she needed, she would hear old women, and young women (most of the time in awe) talking about the ‘handsome, but fearful demon lord'. People told that if he ever ran across a human, that didn't occupy a village, or any part of his lands, they would never live to hear about it. Of course, she had countered their accusations saying if he had never left any survivors then where did the stories come from?
She blinked away the memory and stared up at the sky. Tonight, she was in her little boat, lying down, her arms behind her head, feet propped up and hanging off the edge.
She had spent many a night like this on the lake, when the water was still like this. Instinctively, she knew if she were to look over the side of the boat she’d see a mirror image of the sky she was currently gazing at: the normally azure sky, now a dark, midnight blue, few clouds and a sliver of a crescent moon.
She sighed softly, her breathing the only sound in the open lake. She was bathed half in and half out of the waning crescent moon light.
She felt a longing so great, so sweet, that I made her heart ache. She wanted to fall asleep, and not wake up until the suns warmth woke her. But, like all of her others, that dream was impossible.
She untucked her arms from underneath her head and sat up. The boat rocked slightly from her sudden movement and she saw the water ripple; distorting her reflecting and the mirror image of the sky.
“I guess I need to head back.” Her voice was soft, and taken away to be played with by the wind and a soft smile grazed her lips.
Feeling small tingles across the back of her neck, she glanced reflexively to her left where the small dock was located. She sucked in air as she saw a small figure darting down the edge of the wooden deck and peer over the edge.
"Hello?" Kagome called out to the shadowed silhouette, but it didn't seem to have heard her. She tried again, but to no avial.
She felt worry start to build. The shadow looked like whoever it was, couldn't be but a small child; she seemed to be alone too. The dock wasn't safe at all. The wood was old and starting to rot. Some of the boards were loose and crumbling.
She breathed out a sigh of relief as the young child turned to walk back down the pier, but then gasped as the wood at teh end started to crummble, and fall into the lake.
She heard a splash as the wood hit the water, heard a high scream that broke the spell of silence, and saw the figure fall into the water. Without pausing to think, Kagome jumped out of the boat, and into the water.
-x-x-x-
Lord Inuyasha, Lord of the Eastern Lands, stood in the darkened library of his brothers castle. The sparkling fire was the only light in the room and his shadow darted this way and that each time the flames jumped. Golden eyes met molten amber and he nodded his greeting.
“I was informed that you have a traitor amongst your midst,” Lord Inuyasha stated calmly, getting right to the point.
Sesshomaru’s only outward reaction was the slight shift in his stance as he turned from his brother and sat down behind his desk. Inuyasha sat down in the chair across from the desk and glanced around the room.
On one end, a tall bookcase was neatly organized with hard bound books. He caught the titles of them; they were in Ancient Greek. Inuyasha smirked.
“Studying are we?”
“How have you heard of this traitor?” Sesshomaru asked, completely ignoring the sarcasm from his little brother.
“The Northern Lands, ruled by Lord Archinia, was under siege two days ago. The Lord was murdered and so was his entire castle. The Lands were torched and scalded with fire. Demons were festering on the remains of the dead, and the Lords head was on the post which held the Southern Crest. The children were burned alive, and the women were raped and killed; their bodies scattered across the land like dolls.”
Lord Sesshomaru’s eyes flashed with disgust and anger, along with Inuyashas.
He continued, “Before I arrived at the castle, I ran into one of Lord Archinia’s vassals. The only one, I thought, that survived. All he got out before he died, was that a traitor was amongst your vassals, and mine.”
“How can you be sure that it was true? For all you know, little brother, you fell into a trap.” Sesshomaru’s eyes were cold and calculating as they pierced into Inuyasha’s.
Any other time, Inuyasha would have started a fighting match with his elder brother, but he knew why the question was asked. He himself, had questioned the vassals honesty.
“Upon closer inspection, the vassal turned out to be Lord Archinia’s top General.” Inuyasha watched as the realization struck his brother, then looked at him grimly.
“That is your Generals brother, is it not?” Inuyasha questioned.
“It is.” Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair, his fingers hooked together underneath his chin. “Have you located who your traitor is?”
“No. I was the only one that heard what the General said before he died. I decided to keep it a secret. I do not have any idea of who could be plotting against me; I suppose the same goes for you, am I correct?”
Sesshomaru said nothing. It was then that Inuyasha’s eyes fell upon the paper work that had been laid on the corner of the desk. “You already are doing as I supposed you were.”
Now, Sesshomaru nodded. He and Inuyasha did not get along that well. But they had pushed aside their differences and accepted the fact that they were brothers. They fought by each others side when necessary, and warned the other when needed. They each held quarters at the others castle in case the need arose, and were welcomed when undisturbed.
Sesshomaru rose, as did Inuyasha. “You should stay until the storm passes over. It should be gone by morning. I will have Jaken show you to your quarters. You have my appriciation for the knowledge of my vassals.”
Lord Inuyasha nodded simply. “I will let you know if anything else arises. When you find your traitor, and if it is before I do mine, then torture it till they tell you names. More than likely, they are working together.”
Sesshomaru nodded, crossed the room and opened the door. Jaken stood outside and turned around when he heard the door open.
“My Lord! What has happened?”
“Jaken, take Lord Inuyasha to his chambers. He will be staying the night,” Sesshomaru stated coldly.
“But.....me lord....,” He broke off at the look on his masters face, and his own paled considerably. “Y-yes, my Lord.” Jaken looked at Inuyasha. “This way, Master Inuyasha.”
Bidding a farewell, Inuyasha followed Jaken down the corridors and disappeared. Sesshomaru glanced around. Something felt strange.
Rin...
Where was she? Normally, she was all ways around Jaken, or in the flower garden. But the storm would have kept her away from the out doors, wouldn’t it?
Rin....
Sesshomaru wasn’t sure what it was, but something was telling him to find her. And soon.
TO BE CONTINUED
The paper work he had been studying, regarding his secret militia was left lying at the edge of his desk momentarily forgotten.
His sensitive youkai hearing, picked up the foot falls as servants bustled up and down the corridors. His eyes flicked to the door of his chambers as he heard a timid knock, but he didn’t turn. He caught the familiar scent and his gaze turned back to his lands.
“Enter,” He ordered quietly, his impassive voice chilling. Although very quiet, his command was heard and the massive oak door that sealed the library from the corridors was opened.
A male chid servant walked in, closing the door behind him. His head was bowed in respect, eyes fastened onto the stone floor, and hands clasped in front of him in genuine respect for his Lord. He was a young kitsune child; his parents slaughtered by demons when he was very young.
"What was so important that I needed be interrupted?" Sesshomaru, by asking the question, permitted the young fox child permission to speak.
"Forgive my intrusion, my lord," He began, his soft voice innocent and ever respectful; but the Demon Lord could smell the unease rolling off the kitsune in waves. This was his only servant that he actually respected. He was always respectful, never disobedient, and showed no sign of fear, only bravery. Foolish, for a child, but it earned respect nonetheless. "I have been asked to inform you that Lord Inuyasha, Lord of the Eastern Lands, is approaching with request of a meeting with you. He says it is important, and it has to do with the Lord and Mistress of the Southern Lands."
Sesshomaru nodded ever so slightly, albeit his gaze was still directed towards the window, then upon realizing the vassals head was bowed, “You are dismissed, thank you.” The kitsune knew he was the only retainer Lord Sesshomaru ever acknowledged with gratitude and he felt himself flush with the praise.
“Yes, my Lord.” With a bow, the young kitsune opened the door, and walked out of the room, shutting the door softly behind him. With the entrance shut, the last traces of any light from the hall was cut off, and the Demon Lord was left in darkness once again.
Lightning flashed in the distance. The storm was raging on, but it was leaving his lands with enough water to last a while. Something flickered in his side vision, and he glanced over at it.
A scarf.
Her scarf, his mind amended.
Behind his stoic facade, his mind was raging an internal battle as to why he brought it with him instead of leaving it. And why he kept it now, instead of throwing it away or giving it to Rin; A young girl he had saved.
But he could not lie to himself. He kept it because of her scent and because every time he caught a whiff of it, it had the same effect on him. It was serene and peaceful, calming yet invigorating. At first, he placed it as cinnamon sticks and vanilla. But now, he realized it was neither and yet it was both. It seemed to hang in the balance. It confused how now that one human could have a scent like no other human or demon he had ever come across. It confused him because on every other human, a demon of his caliber could smell death. But her scent held no trace of it. Not even a lingering scent.
Damn.
He needed to focus his mind else where. His time was wasted by human thinking. Full realization struck him then. Why was his brother coming to the Western Lands? Was trouble arising the East?
“Why have you come, little brother?”
-x-x-x-
A week.
Kagome sighed. It had been one week since that mysterious night in the field. She could still feel the cool night air flitting across her skin, running invisible fingers through her hair. She could remember his amber colored gaze boring into her; his pristine hair glistening slightly in the pale moonlight.
Lord Sesshomaru....
She had heard stories about him. No body lived near her house, but there were few villages down the roads. When she would go to buy food, or cloth or anything else she needed, she would hear old women, and young women (most of the time in awe) talking about the ‘handsome, but fearful demon lord'. People told that if he ever ran across a human, that didn't occupy a village, or any part of his lands, they would never live to hear about it. Of course, she had countered their accusations saying if he had never left any survivors then where did the stories come from?
She blinked away the memory and stared up at the sky. Tonight, she was in her little boat, lying down, her arms behind her head, feet propped up and hanging off the edge.
She had spent many a night like this on the lake, when the water was still like this. Instinctively, she knew if she were to look over the side of the boat she’d see a mirror image of the sky she was currently gazing at: the normally azure sky, now a dark, midnight blue, few clouds and a sliver of a crescent moon.
She sighed softly, her breathing the only sound in the open lake. She was bathed half in and half out of the waning crescent moon light.
She felt a longing so great, so sweet, that I made her heart ache. She wanted to fall asleep, and not wake up until the suns warmth woke her. But, like all of her others, that dream was impossible.
She untucked her arms from underneath her head and sat up. The boat rocked slightly from her sudden movement and she saw the water ripple; distorting her reflecting and the mirror image of the sky.
“I guess I need to head back.” Her voice was soft, and taken away to be played with by the wind and a soft smile grazed her lips.
Feeling small tingles across the back of her neck, she glanced reflexively to her left where the small dock was located. She sucked in air as she saw a small figure darting down the edge of the wooden deck and peer over the edge.
"Hello?" Kagome called out to the shadowed silhouette, but it didn't seem to have heard her. She tried again, but to no avial.
She felt worry start to build. The shadow looked like whoever it was, couldn't be but a small child; she seemed to be alone too. The dock wasn't safe at all. The wood was old and starting to rot. Some of the boards were loose and crumbling.
She breathed out a sigh of relief as the young child turned to walk back down the pier, but then gasped as the wood at teh end started to crummble, and fall into the lake.
She heard a splash as the wood hit the water, heard a high scream that broke the spell of silence, and saw the figure fall into the water. Without pausing to think, Kagome jumped out of the boat, and into the water.
-x-x-x-
Lord Inuyasha, Lord of the Eastern Lands, stood in the darkened library of his brothers castle. The sparkling fire was the only light in the room and his shadow darted this way and that each time the flames jumped. Golden eyes met molten amber and he nodded his greeting.
“I was informed that you have a traitor amongst your midst,” Lord Inuyasha stated calmly, getting right to the point.
Sesshomaru’s only outward reaction was the slight shift in his stance as he turned from his brother and sat down behind his desk. Inuyasha sat down in the chair across from the desk and glanced around the room.
On one end, a tall bookcase was neatly organized with hard bound books. He caught the titles of them; they were in Ancient Greek. Inuyasha smirked.
“Studying are we?”
“How have you heard of this traitor?” Sesshomaru asked, completely ignoring the sarcasm from his little brother.
“The Northern Lands, ruled by Lord Archinia, was under siege two days ago. The Lord was murdered and so was his entire castle. The Lands were torched and scalded with fire. Demons were festering on the remains of the dead, and the Lords head was on the post which held the Southern Crest. The children were burned alive, and the women were raped and killed; their bodies scattered across the land like dolls.”
Lord Sesshomaru’s eyes flashed with disgust and anger, along with Inuyashas.
He continued, “Before I arrived at the castle, I ran into one of Lord Archinia’s vassals. The only one, I thought, that survived. All he got out before he died, was that a traitor was amongst your vassals, and mine.”
“How can you be sure that it was true? For all you know, little brother, you fell into a trap.” Sesshomaru’s eyes were cold and calculating as they pierced into Inuyasha’s.
Any other time, Inuyasha would have started a fighting match with his elder brother, but he knew why the question was asked. He himself, had questioned the vassals honesty.
“Upon closer inspection, the vassal turned out to be Lord Archinia’s top General.” Inuyasha watched as the realization struck his brother, then looked at him grimly.
“That is your Generals brother, is it not?” Inuyasha questioned.
“It is.” Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair, his fingers hooked together underneath his chin. “Have you located who your traitor is?”
“No. I was the only one that heard what the General said before he died. I decided to keep it a secret. I do not have any idea of who could be plotting against me; I suppose the same goes for you, am I correct?”
Sesshomaru said nothing. It was then that Inuyasha’s eyes fell upon the paper work that had been laid on the corner of the desk. “You already are doing as I supposed you were.”
Now, Sesshomaru nodded. He and Inuyasha did not get along that well. But they had pushed aside their differences and accepted the fact that they were brothers. They fought by each others side when necessary, and warned the other when needed. They each held quarters at the others castle in case the need arose, and were welcomed when undisturbed.
Sesshomaru rose, as did Inuyasha. “You should stay until the storm passes over. It should be gone by morning. I will have Jaken show you to your quarters. You have my appriciation for the knowledge of my vassals.”
Lord Inuyasha nodded simply. “I will let you know if anything else arises. When you find your traitor, and if it is before I do mine, then torture it till they tell you names. More than likely, they are working together.”
Sesshomaru nodded, crossed the room and opened the door. Jaken stood outside and turned around when he heard the door open.
“My Lord! What has happened?”
“Jaken, take Lord Inuyasha to his chambers. He will be staying the night,” Sesshomaru stated coldly.
“But.....me lord....,” He broke off at the look on his masters face, and his own paled considerably. “Y-yes, my Lord.” Jaken looked at Inuyasha. “This way, Master Inuyasha.”
Bidding a farewell, Inuyasha followed Jaken down the corridors and disappeared. Sesshomaru glanced around. Something felt strange.
Rin...
Where was she? Normally, she was all ways around Jaken, or in the flower garden. But the storm would have kept her away from the out doors, wouldn’t it?
Rin....
Sesshomaru wasn’t sure what it was, but something was telling him to find her. And soon.
TO BE CONTINUED