InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Rulers of Four Directions ❯ End of Endless Dream ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters in this fan fiction are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. The original characters and plot are the property of Chiaztolite, who is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary of Previous Chapter: Shouri and Lord Shogo tried to keep Rin's soul attached to her body. Sesshoumaru was officially introduced to the other male nobles of eastern lands: Yuusou and Zoichi, and his sister: Shouri, who had been raised as Yuusou's sister. Lord Shogo told him if he would have to tell Shouri himself if he wanted to be her older brother. Sakki reappeared and challenged Sesshoumaru to a battle.

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Rulers of Four Directions

Chapter 09: End of the Endless Dream

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“That is...” Lord Shogo's eyes widened as he murmured in disbelief.

The sight certainly proved the truth of a cliché saying: “One is never too old to learn”. At the late age of 3000 years old, he could still witness something he had never seen before.

Their midnight visitor was a female with curious appearance. With one glimpse, Lord Shogo could tell she was no mortal, as skin that pale could have no blood streaming under it. The ethereal aura surrounding her also greatly contributed to his confidence. Though what she was exactly, he could only guess yet not fully determine.

Sakki, still perching on top of the protective stone wall of the eastern palace, shifted her gaze to stare straight at the motionless Lord of the Eastern Lands. She arched one eyebrow when she saw him, when she noticed him observing her.

“Interesting...” She said before leaping in the air and landed smoothly on the ground. Those silver butterflies followed her, swarming around the raven locks that framed her heart-shaped face.

Sesshoumaru followed Sakki's gaze and found his grandfather standing only a few paces away behind him. The elder's eyes were fixed on the female, his face was taut with unease. It caused the young yokai's forehead to frown with questions. From Lord Shogo's tense expression, there was no doubt the lord could see this mysterious creature. But how?

Sakki found it astonishing that she had, once again, encountered another mortal who was able to see her. Why? Was he, just like the other male, the wielder of “one of those swords”?

“More and more I find you demons interesting...” She said, her crimson lips were stretched into an empty smile. “Who could have guessed?”

“What are you doing here?” Lord Shogo hissed as he took a step closer to the motionless female. “This is not your realm.”

“I beg to differ...” Sakki responded calmly. “... For this realm falls under my jurisdiction.”

“What is she?” Sesshoumaru asked his grandfather without taking his eyes away from the female.

“Can you not tell, Sesshoumaru?” Lord Shogo's response was another question. “She is one who collects souls.”

“One who collects souls?” Sesshoumaru repeated, his gaze shifted towards his grandfather. His hand was already on top of Tenseiga's hilt, ready to draw the sword that could cut through unearthly beings. As he had guessed, this being with no scent had aimed for Rin's soul from the start. She had followed them all along, undoubtedly waiting for the right moment to gather the sleeping girl's soul.

 

He returned his watchful gaze back to the female figure before him. The modest plain black kimono she wore during their first encounter had been replaced with a different garb. She wore a black silk kimono with white trimming that appeared to be too big for her slender body. The collar, which was supposed to be appropriately positioned just below her neck, drooped down to the curve of her shoulders to reveal an expanse of her chest. It was quite an indecent garb, he thought, as no respectable female would walk around with so much skin exposed. Her sleeves that were long and billowy resembled fluttering butterfly wings. The white obi belt was wrapped tight around her waist and tied together with a red string. The black choker he saw on her the last time still adorned her neck.

His golden eyes narrowed when he captured the sight of a marking directly underneath her right collar bone. It was an interesting tattoo of black flame surrounded by seven short lines that formed a complete circle, caging the flame itself. It was an insignia he had never seen before, and the meaning was mysterious to him.

“It was quite rude to call me a mere `soul collector'.” Sakki spoke, pulling him out of his musings. Though her voice held an icy calmness, there was a gleam in her purple eyes.

 

She regarded the two yokai standing before her. Judging from their silver hair and amber eyes, they were undeniably demons from the dog clan. She had often heard that dog demons are proud and powerful, yet she never thought that they had enough pride and bravery to stand against her. She found it… mildly amusing. Again, she felt the twitch at the corners of her lips.

 

“I have no desire to fight any of you.” She said as she noticed their stance, their readiness to draw their swords. “I only wish to collect the girl's soul and leave in peace.”

 

“Hmmph…” Sesshoumaru grunted at her words. “Indeed, you have been so patient, lurking in the dark for so long, waiting for the perfect timing to swoop in and attack.”

 

Sakki regarded the young demon silently for a few moments, allowing some time to let his words sink in.

 

“Again, you were being rude.” She said. “If I was waiting for something, it was for the girl's soul to ripen. It was not to, as you had put it so eloquently, `swoop in and attack'. Do you not understand, yokai? I do not need the advantage of good timing to defeat the likes of you, if it is what it takes to complete my duty.”

 

“Spoken like a true immortal bitch.” Sesshoumaru remarked, raising one elegant eyebrow as he spoke.

 

Sakki frowned. Were her ears mistaken or did this yokai just call her a `bitch'? After performing her duties for 1000 years, she had heard a wide variation of curses and blasphemous words directed at her, yet she never expected that obscene word could also come out of such aristocratic lips. With two vigilant eyes, she watched the male unsheathing his sword, the same sword that had damaged the sleeve of her kimono at their last encounter.

 

`That sword…' She whispered inwardly. The Death God's warning resounded in her mind. This male wielded a sword that could eliminate her existence, turning her into ash even with the slightest touch.

 

`Tenseiga…' Lord Shogo named the sword silently. The corners of his eyes twitched slightly at the sight of the unsheathed blade. It had been many years since he saw that sword last. Though the blade appeared dull and battered, he was one of the very few living creatures who understood the power of the sword. It did not surprise him to learn the former Lord of the Western Lands had chosen his eldest son as the heir to the extraordinary sword.

 

`Sesshoumaru, so you are planning to use Tenseiga to exterminate this being.' He stated his silent remark, keeping a watchful gaze on his grandson and the sword.

 

Sakki, clearly aware of Sesshoumaru's intention to eliminate her, slipped one hand underneath her obi belt and fished out a long cylindrical object. Its length was twice as long as the span of her palm, its diameter was no more than half her index finger. The surface of the object was coated with what appeared to be silver, engraved with intricate flower patterns. When she laid a firm grip on the center of the object, a long sharp blade sprouted from one end. It was a sword, disguised in a beautiful and seemingly innocent form.

 

“You leave me no choice but to fight.” She stated as she took her stance.

 

The two creatures, mortal and immortal, stood motionlessly as if waiting for a sign to begin their battle. A sudden wind blew and a mutual understanding passed between them. Their fight had just begun.

 

They leaped at the same time, clashing sword against sword. Immediately, Sesshoumaru noticed the drastic change in the female's attitude. In their previous fight, she had remained impassive, exerting her efforts only to dodge his attack. But this time, she was fierce, calculating, alert, responsive. He scoffed inwardly. She, a cocky so-called `immortal', had obviously underestimated him the first time they sparred. The yokai lord would certainly not give her any reason to believe she was mistaken in facing him seriously.

 

The sounds of metal crashing against metal had alarmed the other inhabitants of the eastern palace. Yuusou, Zoichi, and Shouri gathered at the side of the open-air courtyard. Jaken and Kohaku followed soon after, along with some other curious eastern palace residents.

 

“What is going on?” Zoichi voiced the question that was in everyone's minds. His amber eyes narrowed as he observed the young Lord of the Western Lands, who seemed to be fighting something. Something invisible. Yet strangely, they all could hear the crashing of metals, see the flying sparks caused by two swords clashing.

 

“What is happening, Grandfather?” Yuusou asked as he took one step towards Lord Shogo.

 

“Step back!” The lord commanded, causing the young male to stop after the first step. “Do not enter the courtyard.” The lord warned with a tense voice. He scanned those who had gathered behind him, completely oblivious of what was taking place within the courtyard. The soul reaper, being invisible as she was, could slay all these creatures easily if she wished it.

 

Sakki kept a pair of ever-watchful eyes on each of her opponent's movements. This dog demon had quite a skill, she thought as she blocked one swift attack right before the tip of her nose. She leaped a few paces back, yet her opponent relentlessly trailed after her. Once again their swords met, their gaze collided. The distance between their faces was so close that she could not help but tracing his features with her eyes. He had a noble face, accentuated by the interesting markings on his forehead and cheekbones. His amber eyes, ablaze like two burning golden coals, stared straight into hers. She recognized the stubborn resolve in those eyes, a resolution that only grew stronger with each moment that passed.

 

Why?

 

She found it quite strange that a demon, a demon lord at that, would protect a human child with all his strength. It was not a secret that demons regarded and treated humans like specks of dust underneath their feet. She could have sworn that this one demon, with typical handsome face and confidence in his skills enough to believe he could kill an ethereal being, was one of them. And yet, he had been striving to shield the little girl from her power. Why?

 

Arching her eyebrows when she felt her curiosity ignited, she bounced back yet again, escaping his sword. It was not every day she encountered a being so interesting that he managed to spark curiosity within her empty self. He swiftly advanced, ending her musings. She leaped towards him just seconds before he reached her, placing one hand on his shoulder as she used his body as a step stone.

 

His eyes widened slightly when he felt her touch on his shoulder, light as a feather, before she soared above his head. She jumped high above him, her sleeves fluttered in the wind like the black wings of a butterfly. Truly, she resembled the insect: light, swift, alert, graceful. Her landing a few paces behind him was smooth and inaudible.

 

With one effortless move without even stopping to reorient himself, Sesshoumaru swerved around, changing his course to chase after his opponent. He could see her standing still, waiting for him. With utmost precision, he aimed his sword at her left chest, determined to spear her with Tenseiga. But with speed that was too fast for a mortal's eyes to see, she advanced, passing him so swiftly that she was suddenly behind him.

 

“Your futile struggle ends here...”

 

He heard her voice, so close as if she had whispered those words in his ear. He felt the strange chill running down his spine, for her eerie voice sounded like death itself. Yet he persevered, swerving around once more to stab her chest. She was there, still waiting. The exact moment he raised his blade at her, she aimed hers at his neck.

 

Their swords met with a loud crash. Both pairs of eyes widened when they saw the third sword had joined the collision. The three swords were tangled with none of them able to move, except to be drawn away from the joint.

 

Slowly, Sakki turned her head to the side, her glimmering amethyst eyes regarded the one who had dared to join their battle. He returned her gaze with candour. She regarded his sword that had stopped both hers and the younger demon's blade. Though the sword managed to put the fight to a halt, it was undoubtedly not one of those swords with powers to slay unearthly beings.

 

“An ordinary sword of this world cannot kill me.” Raising one of her eyebrows, she commented casually.

 

The corners of Lord Shogo's lips curled into a thin, mysterious smile.

 

“I do not know who you are.” He said. “But I cannot let you kill my grandson.”

 

Then, he shifted his sharp gaze to his grandson.

 

“Sesshoumaru,” He called him. “You shall not kill this being. It is not wise to anger the Death God, Hakuou.”

 

The young lord's eyes twitched. A deep frown appeared on his forehead.

 

`Hakuou...' He repeated the name inwardly.

 

Hakuou, the Death God, the deity of the underworld. He was greatly feared by any mortals, by both humans and demons. Though no mortal had ever seen his form, he was believed to possess the appearance of a truly terrifying monster.

 

Certainly, Sesshoumaru thought as he returned his gaze back to the female's composed face. As she was a soul reaper, she was undoubtedly one of the Hakuou's minions. Exterminating her would be an offence to the Death God himself.

 

“Female,” Lord Shogo called her, earning her attention. “Could you not spare this one soul? A soul of an ordinary human girl surely holds no importance to the Death God himself.”

 

Sakki was silent for a moment, as if she was considering the lord's request.

 

“You are a wise demon,” She finally said. “But what you ask for is truly out of the question. The girl's life had been prolonged twice already. It is time for her soul to return to the afterlife.”

 

Sesshoumaru clenched his jaw when her answer reached his ears. It was evident the female was determined to collect Rin's soul, no matter what. If that was the case...

 

Without warning, he swiftly pulled his sword. He swivelled away from his grandfather to attack the female from the side. Again, she met his sword readily. She moved away from the spot, leaping across the courtyard. He tailed behind her, matching her speed.

 

Sakki glanced at the yokai who closely followed her. He was more persistent than she expected. He was even willing to accept the wrath of the Death God for the sake of prolonging the life of the little girl. But it did not matter, she thought, as she could sense the ripening of the little girl's soul. Any moment now, the girl would cross over from the realm of dream to the realm of death.

 

As she had predicted, the moment arrived.

 

A solitary silver-winged butterfly appeared in the distance. It flapped its wings, travelling down the lonely passageway of the eastern palace towards the courtyard, towards her. The sight of the butterfly, slowly flying from the direction of Rin's chamber, stopped Sesshoumaru dead in his track. It flew across the courtyard, passing Lord Shogo's watchful eyes, and now it was before him. It danced momentarily in front of his widened eyes before continuing its journey. It stopped when it reached the welcoming palm of the female, who then cradled it in her gentle hands.

 

Sakki brought the butterfly closer to her face; her ten fingers shielded the delicate soul so affectionately.

 

`Welcome home, Rin...' She whispered the silent greeting, her lips almost curled into a smile.

 

Slowly, she turned to look at the yokai standing not so far from her; his expression was an undisguised mixture of astonishment and disbelief. She stared at him silently with the butterfly perching on the open palm of her hand.

 

Sesshoumaru needed no one to tell him that the butterfly was indeed Rin's soul. Was that a proof that Rin was truly dead? He could feel his blood slowly turned cold.

 

“The deed is done...” He could hear the female softly said, causing him to blink his eyes a few times to rid a dizzy spell that seemed to have affected him.

 

“The girl is dead.” She stated, her voice was as soft as the one before.

 

He saw her walking away from the courtyard with the butterfly cradled safely against her chest. He chased after her, his face was twisted in anger.

 

“Wait!” He commanded her. When she stopped, she was before the protective stone wall of the eastern palace.

 

Slowly, she turned her head to the side to reveal her profile. She looked at him yet said nothing. His glare was fixed on her, yet he could not say a thing. Silence passed between them and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze in time, until she leaped to the top of the stone wall and scattered into hundreds of silver butterflies.

 

-To be continued-

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Ch09 is finished sooner than I expected. Hope you enjoyed it. Ch10 will probably follow sometime during the weekend. Thanks to all the readers. Please take a few seconds to review. I appreciate any feedback you have on the story.

 

-Chiaztolite-