InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nikanaru ❯ Past and Future Sins ( Chapter 15 )

Boy, it's been awhile! But for all your patience, I have…

 

ART! ART! ART!

 

www.deviantart.com/deviation/41805682/

Well, I just jumped a hurdle of holy shit in terms of schoolwork, so I figured what'd I'd do now is assemble together all the sketches I'd done in my notebooks.

 

And for those of you who are actually keep up on this shit, I'm trying to give Max a different hairstlye... that's why his hair looks a little different between sketches.

 

www.deviantart.com/deviation/41823635/

Shit! I had a lot more than I thought. I felt the need to spiff this up some, even thought they're just sketches.

 

www.deviantart.com/deviation/40690073/

Shippo will eventually make an appearance as an adult. I tried whittling away what he might look like.

It's a bit tough, because I want to give him enough characteristics to be recognizable as the Shippo we know and love, yet different enough to warrant being creative about the whole thing. I'm not terribly sure about giving him the same clothes as he had in the series.

I mean, do YOU still wear the same clothes you had when you were 10?

So I gave him a katana. Because katanas invariably rock. And I also put some sharp claws on his fox feet to de cute-ify him.

Yeah.

 

…aaaaaaaaannnddd (Warning: Somewhat Erotic!)

 

www.deviantart.com/deviation/46303931/

 

…oh, like you didn't see that. coming.

 

 

Warning: Some parts of this chapter are a pretty dark. Or at least darker than I've done before. Which is odd, because other parts are kinda lighthearted. There's kind of a dichotomy of moods in here. But in any event, fair warning.

 

Nikanaru

 

Chapter 15

 

Past and Future Sins

 

Or

 

Something Completely Under whelming for the Product of a Four-Month Hiatus. Is the Author an Asshole, or What??

 

???? Years Ago

 

Oh, for fuck's sake! Where is she??

 

Wait, what I am thinking? Where the hell else would she be?

 

How many shoes had she ruined along this dirty path? Numberless times she'd had to replace the footwear she'd worn out, even after she'd gotten into the habit of buying so-called “quality” hiking shoes. Certainly, they were a radical improvement over the school-uniform shoes she'd worn during the first year of her quest, but even the modern world's toughest industrial materials were no match for the rigors and harshness this journey in the feudal era had been putting them through. But, to be fair, no one in the modern world has demon-battling in mind when they design footwear.

 

“Hey!”

 

So far, this latest pair had been holding out fairly well. She didn't care for how bulky they were, nor how they clashed with the school uniform she regularly wore, but one of the many lessons she'd learned on her adventures was that substance really did matter more than style. In the end, she valued not having her shoes fall apart mid-journey (forcing her to pick up a pair of those God-awful sandals everyone in this time wore) more so than she valued looking good.

 

“Would you stop?!”

 

Another thing she rather liked about them was how the outsoles' jagged treads dug firmly into the ground, allowing her to storm off far more efficiently. Not that it really made much of a difference at the moment, given that he'd leaped right overhead and landed in front of her path, but it was, at the very least, one positive thing for her to focus on.

 

“Now look…!”

 

“I SAID I'll be back in the morning.” Her sharp return was noticeably without her usual warmth as her pace refused to break and she simply moved around him.

 

I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate this! Exhaling a sigh of frustration, he twisted his whole body and stubbornly followed.

 

“You don't even need to go!”

 

“I don't need to be here, either.”

 

“Well then what's the point of going anywhere??”

 

“I want to be there.”

 

“What the hell for?!”

 

“So I can rest.”

 

“So? There are beds right in the village! They're just as good as the ones at your house!”

 

“S'not a matter of what I'm sleeping on. It's just less noisy at home. I can rest better there.”

 

“What? Are you fucking crazy? There's all that goddamned machinery and… and cars and shit! How can any sane person possibly relax there?!”

 

Or half-sane, anyway. Crazy goddamn woman.

 

“By knowing that there's something even worse they could be forced to deal with back here.” He paused, only briefly, growling at the blow to his ego, but did not yet relent.

 

Just apologize. Just swallow your stupid fucking pride and apologize.

 

“So you're just blowing off that whole training regiment you were on?” He sneered, adopting a harsher, condescending tone. “Decided that you're too lazy to exercise and work on your aim, huh?”

 

“I'm in better shape than I've ever been, and my aim is fine. I can afford to have one night to myself.”

 

Just… apologize.

 

“Oh? If you're in such great shape, then how come I still carry you around everywhere?”

 

“Because you grab me and sling me over your back whenever you get impatient… which, by the way, is pretty often.”

 

Just say it! “I'm sorry!”

 

“I am NOT impatient! I carry you because you're too fucking slow!”

 

“Yeah, we've been over that.” She sighed. “I'm slow. Slow, slow, slow. I've got these damn human legs that can't exceed forty clicks.”

 

… forty `whats'?

 

“And, God help me, but I've also got this stupid human flesh that actually requires that I stop and dress whenever I get a scrape or gash, seeing as how I don't heal from chest impalements overnight.”

 

“I'm sorry I said that stupid crap! Would you please stay?” Just say it!

 

“Well, shit, it's sure as hell not helping that wound that you're out here frolicking around!”

 

“And it's my fault, of course…” She continued, monotone and bored-sounding. “…because I was born human. And it's a good thing I've got someone around to remind of that that's my fault. Otherwise I might start to have these crazy thoughts, like that I didn't ask to be born this way.”

 

“As opposed to what?!” He snarled back. “It's not like anything useful ever goes on in that head of yours!”

 

AW, FUCK!!!

 

Regret immediately struck him when she spun around and he got a real good look at her face making the transition from sullen to angered. It was the beginnings of a familiar routine… when this expression and those fiery eyes made their grand appearance, a single word would be spoken… and he'd promptly eat dirt. Her mouth opened, and he instinctively flinched.

 

Yet, something different happened this time. Though her lips contorted in such a way to mouth the first syllable, she stopped just short of actually saying it. Like a soldier in mid-battle who'd suddenly given up, her fiery expression held for a moment longer before finally crumpling into a bitter scowl. She was usually so expressive, either in anger or happiness, but now, she just seemed… resigned. As if she was tired… as if she'd surrendered out of exasperation. Closing her eyes tightly, mouth pursed, she said nothing as she turned back around and resumed her pace.

 

The ears atop his head drooped at the sight of this. Getting slammed into the ground by the cursed necklace was something he always despised but… oddly, not getting slammed into the ground at this moment felt even worse. The rosary had always acted as a means of absolvent, in a weird sort of way… he'd do or say something to upset her, she'd punish him for it, and through that act, he'd be exonerated. They'd be even. Even though there were times he thought she used the damn thing recklessly and unfairly, he was often glad she was there to keep him in line. He knew he was often times too brash and impulsive, and having her there to act as a buffer to his tactlessness was, he had to confess, handy.

 

Now, he'd just done something stupid… really stupid… and she was too hurt… too resigned to even care anymore.

 

“I just don't see why you have to make such a big, fucking deal out of every stupid little thing I say!” He cried out of frustration.

 

Why the hell does she have to be like this?? He was almost glad when she turned around to respond, but disenhearted with her answer.

 

“Maybe it's because the things that you say actually mean something for some people.” She said quietly before resuming her path, leaving the half-breed there to stare after, crestfallen.

 

She was always there. She was always at his side, tempering his crude, morose attitude and actually smiling kindly in the face of it… or giving some of it right back, depending on her mood at the time. He was like that with everybody, as he'd never given two shits about what anyone ever thought of him… he'd had to be that way. He was a half-breed, and there was no point in caring whether or not people liked him, considering that no one ever did. That was how he'd deal.

 

But she was the first person who'd ever deflected this attitude. It at first confused him that she wouldn't be driven away like everyone else, but then… in the back of his mind, he began to think that she somehow “got” him. That she understood that it was a conditioned reflex, and that there wasn't always a correlation between his mouth and his brain.

 

He kind of liked that idea. Even though he just didn't have to vocabulary to describe why, he just liked that she put up with him. He liked that she always stuck around, no matter what came out of his mouth. Maybe he'd taken that assumption for granted.

 

Because… and even if he didn't have to vocabulary to express why… she was the one person in the world whom he didn't want believing he was an unfeeling, selfish jerk. The rest of the mankind could go hang itself for all he cared, but her…

 

Oh… for… goddamn it…

 

She'd assumed that when she didn't hear him coming up behind her that he was going to leave her alone now… usually, he stomped around everywhere, but she was surprised when his hand suddenly came down on her shoulder. And with a surprising gentleness, at that.

 

“Okay.” Turning back to face him, she saw that he was looking away, head and eyes wandering off the left, unable to face her. It was as if he was about to do something that made him terribly uncomfortable… nervous, even. “Look… I… I say stupid things. That… whatever it is that most people have that makes them think before they talk… I just don't have that, okay?” There was something in his voice… something… careful. As if, despite what he had just claimed, he was trying very cautiously to choose his words right now.

 

“And I've never needed that... I've never had to be careful about what I say. I've never wanted to. That's how I've been since I was born, and that's probably how I'll always be.” Pausing, he took another deep breath. “I say stupid shit. Even if I don't really mean it. It's not the first time it's happened, and it sure as hell won't be the last time. That's just how I am. But…” He paused again, this time releasing her and turning his back to her, arms rigidly crossed around his chest. He took a deep breath and, despite all of his inner inhibitions, said it.

 

“… I just hope that you to know that… even when I'm really pissed, no matter what I ever say, I never… I never say it because I want to hurt you.”

 

Silence ensued. She stood there, staring wordlessly at his back, effectively stunned.

 

“I…” She really didn't really know what to say. What could she say? Words… sincere words… she knew those didn't come very easily for him, if at all. The fact that he could make a gesture like this toward her was just… overwhelming. It took her completely off guard, and she suddenly forgot her anger. And her ability to respond. If those words had come from anyone else, it wouldn't have been that big a deal. But from him?

 

“…I do… I do know that.” She admitted, a little shyly herself, deciding to offer him an equally sincere response. “ And… I'm… really happy to hear you say that. So… thank you.”

 

“Keh.”

 

Despite it all, she managed to smile. His head turned over his shoulder slightly, glimpsing quickly at her and finding the fact that she was smiling again to be to this satisfaction. Inhaling again, his voice once again found it's usual, gruff demeanor.

 

“Anyway…” He spoke, taking a few slow steps back to the village, trying to sound aloof. “…if you wanted to… stay here for another night… well, that wouldn't suck.” He was a bit surprised, but not at all unhappy, that she suddenly giggled. It was a mirthful little laugh, one which seemed to erase all of the depression, anger and sadness from her.

 

It did the same for him.

 

“Yeah. I suppose I will, then.” She finally acquiesced, making to follow him. The pace they took was quiet and leisurely, despite that the boy generally favored running around. Yet he wordlessly took measured strides, designed to remain at her pace. He even slowed down enough to let her catch up to him, but said nothing of it. And she didn't press him about it.

 

In this moment, she was reminded of something… one of the first things she'd learned about him. When it came to him, it was the actions, always the actions that spoke louder than any words. When that was taken into account… then he was considered the kindest person she had ever met.

 

*************

 

Holy Fuck!!

 

“Holy fuck!!” His hands clamped down against his ears so hard, they nearly melded into the top of his skull. The fact that the monster they'd been facing had been completely reduced to ashes thanks to that shot was completely lost on him as his eardrums rang painfully and thunderously. “What the hell did you DO?!”

 

“I just pulled the trigger.” She explained.

 

“'Just'? You didn't `just' anything! ”

 

“Well, I TOLD you this was going to be loud.” She muttered, lowering the weapon.

 

“That's not `loud'! That's like fucking dynamite going off right in front of us!”

 

I can't hear my own voice! He realized, surprised considering how much he yelled.

 

“Well, sorry.” She huffed, putting it back into its holster. “But it killed the demon, didn't it?”

 

“AND my fucking lobes!” He berated. “I thought you said that you wanted to be quiet about having that thing!”

 

“I do. I mean… I just don't want mom to know I have it.”

 

“Why?”

 

“She doesn't like guns.”

 

“Yeah, well now neither do I!” Glaring at the strange, modern weapon she'd brought back with her from her home, he nearly growled at it in anger. She'd told him that it sort of worked like a little canon.

 

Well, it's sure as hell almost as loud as one.

 

“What's wrong with the bow and arrows you've been using before now??”

 

“This is more effective.”

 

“It's more deafening! That noise'll attract every demon miles from here! You may as well be throwing thunderbolts at `em!”

 

“I just thought I'd… y'know, try it and see.” She shrugged, examining the firearm, making sure the put the safety back on. “I mean, my miko energy went into the bullet just as easily as it does for the arrows.”

 

“Yeah, but… fuck, isn't there some way you can quiet that thing down?”

 

“Well… there are these things called silencers that can reduce the noise… but getting one isn't going to be easy. It's not quite legal for me to have one.” She paused briefly. “Then again, it's not really legal for me to have this, either.”

 

“So can you get one, or not?”

 

“I can, but… it's gonna take a few days. And I have to do it without my mom finding out.”

 

“Oh, great.” He sighed, still whittling away at his hurt ear with his pinky finger. “So, uh… until then do not fucking use that thing!”

 

Uh…

 

“…Please?” Sighing at his muddled attempts at being polite, she nevertheless found herself grateful that he was at least making an effort nodded.

 

**********

 

She looks tired… should I ask? I should ask.

 

“Hey… hey, wench, you tired?”

 

“Mmm? No, no, m'fine.”

 

“We can stop here for the night, you know.”

 

“Too early.”

 

“Naw. The sun's been down for hours. We can make camp.”

 

“I thought you wanted to get there early.”

 

“Yeah, but… no sense in doing it if the rest of you are all going to be fucking zombies by the time we get there.”

 

“Hmmm…”

 

“What?”

 

“What?”

 

“What's so funny?”

 

“I'm not laughing.”

 

“You're smirking...”

 

“I'm just smiling.”

 

“Well, fine then, what the hell are you smiling about?”

 

“… I dunno. I guess it's just been a good day?”

 

“Keh. You're so fucking weird sometimes, I swear.”

 

“Really? I'm only weird `sometimes' now?”

 

“Yeah… I guess you're making progress. Or… maybe I'm just around you so much that I'm used to what a crazy wench you are.”

 

“…and this coming from a guy who eats shrimp-flavored instant noodle like it's some kind of medical necessity?”

 

Some kind of `what'?

 

“Some kind of `what'?”

 

“Medical ness… aww, forget it.”

 

“No! Why do you always do that?”

 

“Do what?”

 

“You say something that has something to do with your world, and then you never fucking explain it to me! What you think I'm too dumb to understand?”

 

“Uh… it's not that I think you're dumb… which I don't. But it's probably because whenever I tried to explain some of this stuff to you in the past, you kept griping about how annoying and useless it is.”

 

“Well, now I wanna know!”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah, really!

 

“Why the sudden change?”

 

“I dunno… maybe I'm making progress, too.”

 

“…yeah. I guess we both...”

 

“GUYS!!” The sharp voice of their friend alerting them very suddenly, both spun around as the older demon slayer came rushing up to them.

 

“What? What's wrong?”

 

“We have to go back.” She explained.

 

“What?! Why??”

 

“A…” She heaved. “A messenger from the… the Wolf Tribe caught up with us back in the village.”

 

“Yeah… and?”

 

“We have a BIG problem.”

 

**********

 

Her own scream barely registered in her ears… they were still ringing from all the violent explosions of energy that had taken place around them. But she screamed out nonetheless, for even if she couldn't hear it, she prayed desperately that he could… that he would show some sign that he could still hear her. But as she limped toward him, she heard none. He laid there, motionless…

 

Never before in her life had she experienced this kind of sheer exhaustion… all of her energy, both physical and spiritual, had been utterly depleted. Every facet of her being was fighting to not collapse down onto the ground and succumb to unconsciousness. How she was succeeding at this moment completely eluded her. She was hurt and tired, her vision hazed, and every step she took felt like a hurdle. And yet, she continued on, nonetheless. She had to get to him.

 

When finally she'd limped over to where he was, she collapsed just next to him, reaching out with her hand, still screaming… still crying. Hoping to God that he'd respond somehow. With her hand clutching his robes, she was able to detect the shallowest of breaths as his chest barely rose and fell. Even with her body screaming out in protest, she forced herself to crawl over to where his face was… she had to look at him… had to see him. Had to see his eyes.

 

Hey… there you are. There's her voice. She's still alive. Thank God.

 

She screamed more… she couldn't even be sure if any sound was coming from her mouth at this moment, her throat was so raw, but she still would not stop saying his name… over and over. Only when she saw his head move slightly did she stop. Slowly, his neck craned over to meet her face. There was only a little blood trickling down from the side of his mouth, but his heavy lidded eyes made clear the serious extent of his injuries.

 

You did it… you beat him. I'm just… sorry I couldn't… oh God… this is what dying feels like, isn't it?

 

Still, she couldn't hear anything. But still she asked him… was he going to be okay? She couldn't hear, but she was certain that what she'd asked him.

 

I…hey…just tell her.

 

His lips moved… only with extreme slightness, barely being strong enough to speak still. What was he saying… she couldn't hear him. She couldn't read the minimal movements of his mouth.

 

But not matter how hard she held on, the darkness swept in… her head fell, right next to his as her eyes were forcibly shut. A moment later, his did too.

 

*********

 

She found her voice again… only in the last place she wanted to have it. She had it back, but only so she could uselessly beg for mercy from a creature that possessed absolutely none.

 

“No… please…”

 

Her life ended yesterday. She wanted to resist more… she wanted put up more of a fight. Yet she couldn't. She had neither the strength, nor the will. This was doubtlessly why he was doing this now… taking her during her single greatest moment of weakness.

 

“…stop…”

 

If had had any kind of sense of humor at the moment, she might have observed how he went about his task with the same kind of cold, ruthless efficiency he showed in battle. He did nothing more than he had to… he did not touch her breasts, nor any other part of her body… they was useless toward the task he had at hand. With his tail, he had pinned her down, making it impossible for her to move. With his one hand, he'd quickly stroked himself into a sufficient erection.

 

“…I…I can't…”

 

And without a single break in stride, he'd forcibly plunged it into her. When her hymen had shattered, she'd barely had enough left in her to scream.

 

Even now, it all felt surreal. She wanted to believe that this couldn't be happening, that none of the things that had happened in the last 24 hours could have… but the feeling of him unsympathetically driving himself into her body was far too real… too harshly real to be disbelieved.

 

“…begging you…”

 

He stopped, but only for the few seconds it took to release her hip and backhand her across the face with a warning growl.

 

“Silence!” The blow had been hard enough to knock her out, but she wasn't that lucky. Still, her conscious mind lingered, forcing her to feel, with excruciating vividness, his member warping her virgin insides as he resumed his pitiless thrusting.

 

His face… even his face hadn't changed. Even in this act, still that stony expression remained, with only a slight frown being of any noticeable difference. None of this horrible experience was being made in hatred, lust or vice. It was nothing personal, or against her. No, this was all strictly business to him. But perhaps that's what made it even more terrifying. He didn't want her, but he wanted something from her. And this was the only way in which it could be gotten.

 

This was the price she paid… for merging her being with the Shikon. For becoming something powerful enough to become desirable, even to him.

 

Hopelessly, tears streamed down her face, thankful that her exhausted body was slow to respond to this invasion… at least he would not have that satisfaction that she had showed any sign that she had enjoyed it. Not that she suspected that he cared whether or not she did. He sought only his end, as quickly and effectively as possible. Anything else was just noise.

 

In truth, it didn't last that long… though to her, each passing second was scarred into her memory in agonizing detail. But after what had felt like forever, he finally gripped at her hip harshly and, with one single thrust, impaled her all the way in. A hissing groan was the only sign he gave of having achieved his climax. And though it was the end, it was still the hardest part… she felt him… she felt the essence that was him slip past even the furthest depths that had been safe from the length of his manhood up to this point. There was the horrible feeling of his seed surging into her. It made her realize… it made her realize that this was not the end… this was only the beginning.

 

“My child…” He hissed.

 

**********

 

This was heaven?!

 

STOP IT!!! STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT , STOP IT!!!!

 

From his vantage point, he saw everything… every single last horrible, abhorrent thing that his brother was doing to her. He saw clearly the pain in her face… he heard her soft, whispering voice begging for mercy. He watched him beat her into submission… and he saw how heartlessly he took her.

 

LET HER GO!! YOU FUCKING MISERABLE BASTARD, DON'T TOUCH HER!!!

 

This was heaven?!

 

STOP HIM! SOMEBODY STOP HIM!! WHY ISN'T ANYBODY DOING ANYTHING? !

 

From here in the afterworld, he was given the choice of watching… seeing what was happening to her now. It pained him… more than he could conceivably dream, to watch this happen, and to know that he was absolutely helpless to do anything about it… and yet, he could not turn away from it… he could not stop watching… no matter how unbelievably it hurt to see this happen, he could not turn his back on her. Even in death.

 

This was heaven?!

 

Fuck… fuck… fuck…fuck…!

 

He would easily trade an eternity in hell over what he was now witnessing. He would suffer a thousand eternities if it meant stopping this from happening. But he couldn't. This was the living world, he was watching. He was no longer part of it. He couldn't do a damn thing… except…

 

You've earned your place here. They told him. Though you've committed many sins in your time, the changes you made… your actions leading up to the final days of your life were of great virtue and courage. You have proven that your soul is indeed the one that merits eternity in paradise. The changes he made? He only ever made them on account of her. Thanks to her, he had found redemption… it was her who saved him. Her who made his life something worth changing. And now here he was in heaven… while on earth, the one who saved him was suffering… suffering abhorrently. Watching this, he cried. Sorrow and misery, greater than any he had ever known when he was alive, filled him as he wept helplessly.

 

This was heaven.

 

This was paradise… he was given so many choices… he could have simply erased his pain… made himself forget it. But he refused. The very idea of it completely disgusted him. And so he had begged them… begged them to let him do something. Anything. Anything he conceivably could to help her. Just to be with her again.

 

Do you have any idea what it is you ask? You have achieved heaven. You needn't live again. Should you do so, your slate will be cleaned. You may not achieve what you have in this lifetime, and your soul may grow errant again. There is absolutely no guarantee. You would risk this?

 

In a fucking heartbeat.

 

Know this… You can live again, but not as you are now. Your soul will return, but your mind, your body, and your memories will be forever lost. The person you are will cease to exist. You will remember nothing. You will not even remember why it is that you have done this.

 

I could never forget. Never. Not in this or any other lifetime.

 

If that was the only option, then so be it. There was no chance of the Tenseiga being used to revive him… his brother would see to that. No other means of cheating death were available to him. If he was to return, he had to do this through the natural laws that the Gods had bestowed.

 

I'll do it.

 

Very well, then. We will honor you your requisition.

 

This was how much he loved her. This is how much he wanted to protect her. Even if it meant losing the most cherished, precious memories he had of their time together. Even if it meant never getting to hold her in his arms again as a lover. But somehow, he was certain… certain that he could save her again.

 

Even if it meant rebirth.

 

**********

 

“My child… my Nikanaru…”

 

 

*********

 

Present

 

Whooo, doggy!

 

It was a relatively small eatery… maybe a little bit bigger than the standard size of a restaurant back in the city. Pulling aside the shoji, a whole myriad of smells hit Max all at once, but they struck him without any unpleasantness. Rather, he gladly welcomed their implied promise of deliciousness.

 

Yup. This is where the food is. He noted to himself, recognizing several smells that even a human nose with pick up with ease: Meat… fish… fruits… tea… The place was set up like any other conventional restaurant… a few cushions set down for people and some small tables here and there. Inside, the patrons were ten humans about three other demons. At the rear of the room was a door leading into the back, where the food smells were whaffing in from… the kitchen area, no doubt.

 

Max was a bit nervous about stepping inside this place… he knew nothing of this establishment or the people… but saliva nearly overflowed from his mouth at the sight and the smell of the food the customers were having for breakfast. He hadn't eaten in nearly two days now. (Except for whatever that slimy thing in the stream had been). With a quick nod to Al behind him, and with a heavy breath, he took a single step inside.

 

“Uh… hey.” Was his humble greeting to all within. “Do we, like, order at the counter, or do we just sit somewhere?” He was eyed briefly by all for a few moments before a servant appeared from the back room and approached him.

 

“My Lord…” The servant, clad in a robe more elegant than most around here, bowed most respectfully. “… We regret that we have no separate areas for servants and masters. If such a thing does not offend you terribly, we would be honored if you and your servant were to be seated right here.” With practiced formality, her hands indicated to a small table at the corner of the room.

 

“Oh, I wouldn't be offended at all, madam.” The servant seemed a little taken off guard at having been addressed so highly by a demon. “Me and my, uh… servant are crazy hungry. We're seriously not picky at the moment.” Smiling that this little excursion into sixteenth century dining had gotten off to a good start, Max gladly took a seat at the table. Al cautiously followed suit.

 

“I regret that we are still preparing most of our food.” The woman spoke carefully. “May I get you some fish to begin with?”

 

“You absolutely may, darlin'.” Max was still accustomed to being very casual and friendly with everyone he spoke with… so being addressed in such oddly affectionate terms stunned the servant-girl enough to do something unthinkable… she looked Max right in the eye.

 

Aw, fuck, did I just do something wrong?? Half a second later, the girl seemed to realize what she was doing and snapped her head down, almost violently breaking eye contact.

 

“Oh! I… I … F-forgive me, Master Inu! I will get you some fish at once!” As if having suddenly realized that she was now serving the President of the World, the young servant darted off hastily into the back. Max looked on blankly.

 

“Why the hell am I so scary to these people??” He looked over at Al.

 

“You're asking ME?” Impressively, the servant woman re-appeared instantly with not only two plates of fish, but also with a side of lamb and rice.

 

“Right off our stove, my Lord.” She stated nervously, setting it down with such speed and grace that it spoke of her years of experience in this métier. Max grinned almost wildly, and even Al's eyes lit up at the steaming plates of nourishment placed before them. Each grabbed at the chopsticks to their side, manners forgotten in their rush to destroy starvation, and each grabbed at the food before them. So in a rush was he to unburden himself of his aching hunger that Max stuffed a wad of meat in his mouth before he remembered to say “thanks” to the girl… only with a mouthful of fish, it came out more like “Tmhankphf.”

 

His grandmother would have been proud,

 

The servant again retreated into the back, fearful of Max despite the fact that her giving him food had officially made her his favorite person in the world. Ordinarily, he'd want to try and allay her fears, but he and Al were far too engrossed in their facial stuffing.

 

Several minutes passed with wordless chomping, chewing, mastication and swallowing. Both of their sticks impaled and grabbed zealously into the bowl of rice, and a duel very nearly broke out over a single grain. Fortunately, the servant girl appeared moments later with a fulfilling plate of sushi and shrimp, and both Al and Max's aggressive attitudes dissipated when they realized that there was enough food for them both.

 

“Mmm!” Through his closed mouth, Max's throat made noises that were akin to a kitty getting petted in the sweet spot. “Holy cow, this is GOOD.”

 

“Yeah.” Al agreed after swallowing her own portions. “I figured without any health codes to have to abide by, they could serve us stuff that was rolled around in filth.”

 

“Well, maybe that's the trick.” Max considered between greedy bites. “Maybe filth gives it that extra flavor, and we've never considered this because modern society conditions us to have certain prejudices against the unsanitary.”

 

“That most well-articulated stupid thing you've ever said.”

 

“I choose to take that as a compliment.” Max was able to chew through the delectable meat in his hands faster than most in no small part thanks to the sharp constitution of his teeth, and he quite relished that there as little chewing getting in the way of his enjoyment of his meal. “Damn, they don't make `em like this at home. This here is some meaty meat.”

 

“What?” Al's hovering head looked over from her food with an arched eyebrow.

 

“The meat.” He repeated, pointing to the leg of lamb in his hand. “It's meaty.”

 

“You can't say that.”

 

“Whad'ya mean?”

 

“'Meaty meat.' It's redundant. You sound like a retard when you say that.”

 

“'Meaty meat' is not redundant!”

 

“You say that the meat is `meaty'. It's a redundant adjective. That's like saying you stepped in some `wet water.' It's meat. There's no need to call it meaty. You're wasting breath by doing that.”

 

“Nuh-uh. `Meaty' does not actually mean to being full of, like, actual meat. It means like… mass amounts. Huge. Big quantities. In reference to anything, not just meat.”

 

“You're still using a qualifying adjective that mirrors your noun! That's in bad form.”

 

“Is not.”

 

“Why are being all defensive? I am telling you this for your sake, so that people don't think that you're some kind of idiot.”

 

“Look, nouns and…uh, adjectives can too be the same! I mean, take `Manly men' for example. A man can be a man without being manly. And meat can be meat without being meaty! It could be, like… stringy and shit! Stringy meat is not, by definition, meaty!” When absolute silence permeated the room following Max's rebuttal, the two looked about and realized that they'd caught the attention of the entire room. It wasn't simply that they'd been loud, though, that was the reason for all the quizzical looks.

 

What??

 

Oh… right!

 

“I mean…uh, shut up, slave girl!” Max faux-snarled at Al. When she sharply turned back around to glare at him with murder in her eyes, Max suggestively winked and winked so hard he was came close to fanning air at her. Finally understanding, Al very reluctantly looked away and lowered her head.

 

“Yes…” She hissed thought incredibly gritted teeth. “…master. Forgive me.” Knowing damn well he was going to pay for this later, and possibly with his balls, Max quietly resumed eating his food, observing from the corner of his eye with relief as the other patrons returned to their own meals, no longer befuddled by the demon master that took sass from his servant.

 

Any potential awkwardness stemming from this exchange was luckily snuffed out when, from behind the curtains leading into the kitchen, the servant girl appeared again, this time formally holding the curtains aloft for the passage of another character coming through. This person immediately stood out as a demon, as his skin color was a rusty shade of red all over, a considerably more alien characteristic than Max had seen yet. Furthermore was that he was a rather large, bulky character, not fat, but heavy. He wore a white kimono, whose tailoring was clearly of a higher class than most. The girl's hand motioned the demon's attention toward Max, and immediately a delighted smile struck the demon's face.

 

“Master Inu.” The demon bowed politely.

 

Master what?? Max looked off to both sides, seeing if there was anyone else in the immediate area that this demon could have been speaking to.

 

“It is an honor to have you here, gracing us with your presence. This humble village rarely receives lords of your stature.”

 

UH? ! Unsure of what in the name of heaven this person was talking about, Max only stared at him quizzically.

 

“Ah!” The demon spoke suddenly. “Forgive me… I am Oyodama, one of the heads of this outpost.”

 

“Oh… um. Hello.” Max replied slowly. “What… what did you just call me?”

 

“Master… Inu?” Oyodama repeated carefully. “Apologies… I know not your name, as I received no advanced word of your arrival.”

 

“My, uh, name is Max.” He stated, cautiously getting up to bow.

 

“Lord… Max, then.” Oyadama delicately worded out the strange word. “That is a… rare name in these parts. Are you then, my lord, enjoying your meal?”

 

What… the… hell…?

 

“Yeah.” He affirmed. “I mean, I would've settled for some cheap ramen, but, man, your waitress really went to town on us… fish, rice, meat…”

 

“I am supremely honored by your flattery.”

 

“Ooookay.” Max nodded, waiting a moment before adding. “May I… ask why?”

 

“Why… what, my lord?”

 

“Well, pardon me, but I'm pretty sure I'm not your lord. I think… you might be confusing me with someone else.” Oyadama peered curiously at that Max's suggestion.

 

“With… the greatest of respect, my Lord, I could not.” Said Oyadama, making certain to bow his head as these bold words escaped his darkened red lips. “There can be no mistaking the scent and markings of the clan of the Western Inu Nobility.”

 

…did he just call me a noble dog?

 

“It brings me great reassurance to see that one of you still walks this earth.” The foreman continued. “The many I had spoken to believed you all taken within the Binding of Honshu.”

 

Binding??

 

“Yeeeaahhh… I… was… out of town at the time.”

 

“Strange fortune, but to our benefit if it means at least one of the great Lords fights for us in these dire times.”

 

“I'll… bet.”

 

“Please, then, eat unto your fill. Certainly, my house needs no payment from an honored guest such as yourself.”

 

“Oh!” Snapping to attention at the prospect of a freebie lunch, Max smiled. “Okay!” With another bow, Oyadama retreated back into the kitchen, motioning for the servant to follow him. Beaming at his luck, Max sat back down.

 

“What… what the hell was he talking about?” Came the immediate and hushed question from Al.

 

“Beats the heck out of me.” Came the reply from his mouth seconds before more lamb was shoved into it.

 

“Well, shouldn't you ASK instead of mindlessly nodding your head like that?”

 

“Shut up. We're getting free food. Don't question it.”

 

“…well, if that guy finds out how full of shit you are, I hope to God he has a sense of humor about it.”

 

“Look, he's got me confused with some blue-blooded wellborn. So we'll eat up, then we'll ask him which way is the quickest to Edo, and we're gone! We'll even get a doggy bag in case it's a long trip.” Al sighed, frustrated by the fact that she found the scheme moronic, and yet further frustrated that she could not think of anything better herself. Resigned, she took another mouthful of their ill-gotten goods.

 

“Hey… speaking of which,…” She piped in between bites. “…did that guy call you, like, a `royal dog' or something?”

 

“Yeah, I caught that, too.” He confirmed dispassionately. “Must be some weird symbolic title or something.” It seemed logical, considering that it wouldn't have made sense for the demon to apotheosize him and insult him all in the same sentence.

 

“What about that whole `Binding' thing?” Max shrugged.

 

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

 

“I mean… nowhere in any textbook I've seen is there any reference to an event called the `Binding'.” She spoke with some assuredness, being one of the school's top history students.

 

“Well, there's nothing in history about demons and magic and stuff either, is there?” Max dismissed. “I mean, just based on what we've seen so far, there's probably thousands… hundreds of thousands of things and events that historical chroniclers missed.”

 

“Isn't that weird, though? That… none of this stuff… demons, monsters, wars… was ever marked down in history as real?”

 

“Yeah… it probably all got dismissed as mythology at some point in time.” He wondered briefly, staring into space. “Or… or… more exciting theory… the insidious secret government conspires to keep all knowledge of it from ever reaching the unsuspecting public!”

 

“I know you're trying to be facetious, but that's very likely.”

 

I'm trying to be `what'??

 

“It's just… this doesn't so much feel like the past as it does some kind of… alternate universe or something.” Max arched an eyebrow at that theory.

 

Alternate Universe?? Now THAT'd be interesting… I could run into some evil version of myself with a goatee.

 

“I thought you weren't into that Sci-Fi/Fantasy stuff.”

 

“I became extremely interested as of these last couple of days.”

 

“Oh.” Shrugging, the two took a moment to finish off their respective plates, Max handily devouring the lamb while Al's chopsticks mercilessly ensured the final grain of rice.

 

With timing that was perfect enough to lead one to suspect that all of their movements had been choreographed by a Broadway musical director, Oyadama, this time flanked by two servants, appeared before them.

 

“Is there anything else we can get for you, Master Inu?”

 

“Hmmm…nah.” Max gave his stomach a thoughtful pat. “That pretty much did the trick. My compliments to the chef!”

 

“Indeed, indeed… I work hard to train my servants.”

 

“It… shows.” Max said slowly, careful not to say anything that would make it sound like he outright approved of this slavery. “So… uh, say; We're on our way to Edo right now, and we're not too familiar with this area… d'ya think you could tell us which route would be the fastest?”

 

The response Max got was wide-eyed and blank. From both Oyadama, and everyone in the room.

 

“F-forgive me, I don't think I head you quite right.” The demon carefully replied.

 

“Uh… Edo. We're trying to get to Edo.” Again, Oyadama stared at him a few moments, opening and closing his mouth.

 

“Is this… some manner of jest my Lord? Forgive me… my… sense of humor is perhaps less cultured than yours.” Max did like to think of himself as a funny guy, but not unintentionally.

 

“No, no joke.” Max assured him. “I'd, um… just like a straight answer.”

 

“Then…” Oyadama cleared this throat. “…then, my Lord, my answer would have to be… that you cannot.”

 

“What??” Max squeaked, wondering if he was now the one being jested with. “What do you mean?”

 

“The… the Binding, my Lord.” Oyadama chuckled briefly. “The Binding of Honshu. Edo was within.”

 

Binding of Honsu?? What is that, like a treaty or something?

 

“Hey… listen… why don't we play a little game.” Max tried tactfully. “Why don't you pretend that I'm… some foreigner visiting from the other side of the world…” Which, for all intents and purposes, was true. “…who's visiting Japan for the first time and doesn't know anything that's going on here?” Oyadama stared on curiously still, but nodding, still not daring to question his Lord's peculiar logic.

 

Yeah, that's right. It's a game… and if you don't think it's funny, it's because you're less cultured than me. Yeah, we'll go with that.

 

“Okay, so… what is this `Binding' thingy… what is it?”

 

“Well…” Oyadama began, reciting like a student being quizzed at school. “…some sixteen years ago, there was a… great cataclysm of some kind. No one knows for certain what it was, as everything within the binding was trapped, and anything outside could not get in.” The demon slowly cleared his throat. “They say that the Gods themselves perhaps witnessed a great darkness, and wished to lock it away… keeping the rest of the world safe from it, though that part is but rumor.”

 

Whaaat?

 

“In any event, a great barrier just appeared surrounding and completely cutting off anyone from entering or leaving Honshu. It is believed to be protection bestowed by the Gods, as the power of the barrier repels demons and humans alike. It's not holy power, but not demonic, either.”

 

Whaaaaaat??

 

“Almost all of the great demon lords were within the binding, as well. That is why this war goes on… a power struggle ensued when the humans believed that we'd been weakened enough for them to wriggle out of our grasp.”

 

No fucking way. No fucking way.

 

“In any event…” Oyadama continued. “Edo is within the binding. And that is why it is impossible for anyone to go there.”

 

“Um…” Max raised a finger. “Wait… so if we're not on Honshu… then where is this??”

 

“The Northern end of Hokkaido island, Lord.” Max grimaced his eyes.

 

“How… how much… how much of Honshu does this `Binding' cover?” Max asked, hoping that perhaps wherever the well was was not within.

 

“All… all of it, my Lord.”

 

Drooping his shoulder and neck, Max turned to Al, bearing a similar expression of disbelief and despair.

 

“Well… shit.”

 

**********

 

The previous trio of demons had been a significantly far cry from the brightest batch she'd ever encountered. Nevertheless, she was confident that they weren't quite stupid enough to bungle her instructions. She was also had confidence that they weren't stupid enough to disobey her, as she'd made certain to look within their panicked eyes and see for herself the terror she'd rightfully stricken in their hearts. Yes, they would carry out her plans, if only out of fear for their own lives, and it was within their limited capacity to do so. That much she could be certain of.

 

And with that assurance in mind, she now found herself on the outskirts of Shaskul… not too far away was a small shrine. It remained ruined, yet still standing, from a previous battle that had been wrought here. Cracks in the stone and unwashed bloodstains adorned the remains of what was once a holy place. She of the person who had since those bloody battles had taken up residence here… but she didn't know him as the ruthless and fearsome warrior who'd slewn the previous residents of his home… she knew him as the next player in her stage.

 

He sat outside, the old Inu demon, sitting with his legs crossed and eyes closed… perhaps in meditation, but knowing him, she doubted his mind was focusing on any calm reflections. Knowing him, his mind was busy obsessively contemplating the death of his enemies. His face appeared at ease and relaxed, though with the 800-odd years worth of wrinkles all over, it was difficult to be certain.

 

She approached him with slow and deliberate footsteps, making certain that he could hear them.

 

“I see the years have been kind to you, Reikoku.” Despite the amiable choice of words, the sentence was spoken without anything remotely resembling affection or friendship.

 

“The years would have been truly kind to me if they had taken you from this world, witch.” Reikoku spoke without opening his eyes.

 

“Rest assured, they are doing their best, and making certain that I am as miserable as can be conceived until that time comes.”

 

“And why have you left your little cabin in the woods, then? What have you come here for? Further misery?” His eyes opened just then. “At my claws?”

 

She supressed her scoff and kept it internal. He thought to be able to defeat her? She let him keep that delusion. It was certainly true that Reikoku… MASTER Reikoku was indeed a powerful warrior despite, or perhaps because of his age… he'd survived countless battles and, in doing so, possessed the experience, skills, knowledge, and the mercilessness of a truly fearsome conqueror. But he also possessed the warrior's pride… the inability to suffer indignity or defeat. It was his previous inability to kill her that gave rise to such barely restrained hatred. Pride was one of the utmost things Kikyo found abhorrent in men and demon alike, but it would ironically be her key to subordinating this old dog.

 

“Regretfully, no.” She stated. “What brings me here is a matter of mutual interest to us.” Reikoku finally brought himself to his feet, now meeting Kikyo eye to eye with a stare that could rival her own cold gaze.

 

“The only interest I carry with me at this moment is the desire to shred every foul piece of your body into unrecognizable pieces.”

 

“I do not doubt that.” She replied unintimidated. “But mine is not the only body on which you would want to unleash your wrath, is it?”

 

“No… just the principal one.”

 

“Interesting… do you mean to say that the death of an old, hermit crone is of greater importance to you than those of the human army in the temple to the West?” The old inu demon cracked an eyebrow at this. “Have they not been aggravating you far more than I?”

 

“What of them?”

 

“An opportunity for your vengeance against them is at hand.”

 

“How? Their numbers remain greater than ours, and the miko's infernal barrier still stands strong.” It was incredibly difficult for him to remain neutral sounding while explaining his own impotence against his enemies. The armies he'd lead into battle against them had not been defeated, but they'd been unsuccessful in vanquishing their opponents either. At this moment, Reikoku's forces were deadlocked with the humans in the West… and his own arrogant mind, this was a profanity, as no opposing forces should be able to stand up to or equal him.

 

“Numbers are of little importance. If you were to render ineffective the holy powers of those priestesses and monks, you could take the whole fortress yourself.”

 

“I could.” He said slowly, scrutinizing her carefully. “Do you have the audacity to suggest an alliance between yourself and I?”

 

“Hardly. While I have nearly the contempt for them that you do, the power to nullify their holy energies is not mine.” Reikoku waited a moment longer.

 

“Speak, witch.”

 

“Another Inu demon has recently entered town… and he could be the key you'll need for your revenge.”

 

“How is this?”

 

“He could take down a certain barrier…”

 

End Chapter 15

 

A/N: I'm a horrible, horrible, horrible person.

 

(Gets kicked in the balls by the Update Fairy.)

 

Ow.

 

Koday.