InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shards of Destiny ❯ Chapter Four ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, etc., of Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. This story is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit.

SHARDS OF DESTINY

Summary: Naraku has crossed over to the modern era, and our heroes must band together to try and stop him. But what troubles arise as old relationships are torn apart by new, and the dark spider sits spinning new webs of deceit?

A/N: Editing this chapter really resonated with me, as my own grandfather just passed away on Christmas Eve. He left a great legacy, and will be missed. (Fate)

Chapter Four

What occurred in one world often had a ripple effect in another. No one knew this better than Hiei, who’d spent the last three years patrolling the border and rescuing the stupid humans who crossed over, completely unknowing, from the Living World. Enki’s Law protected them, but who knew for how much longer as the next Great Tournament was only a few months away.

A fact which left the border particularly vulnerable right now. Most of those former contestants appointed by King Enki to police it were off training for the next tourney to decide Demon World’s fate. With the very crown as the prize, what demon wouldn’t?

Which left Hiei to investigate that strange disturbance in the Forest of Fools. Or so he told himself. But then, he had his own reasons for checking that particular forest out.

The Forest of Fools was where, four years prior, they had faced the renegade Spirit Detective, Sensui Shinobu. They being the Urameshi team, or Yusuke, Kurama, that blundering buffoon Kuwabara, and himself.

Hiei smiled. That was also where Yusuke first realized his full demon potential as a Mazoku heir and came into his own. Hiei had always respected the Spirit Detective. That was just where he’d finally learned why.

Yusuke was a demon. Like himself, and Kurama. As evident by their later participation in the First Great Tournament. Classified as A and S, or “Super-A,” class demons by Spirit World, the three of them had each fulfilled their own potential in fighting some of Demon World’s top contenders. A circumstance proved once again when they fought that odious Yakumo and his Netherworld allies.

But that was nearly four months ago. And it’d been quiet ever since. Too quiet. Hiei itched for some real action. He wasn’t one to sit patiently on the sidelines. As a fire demon born of an ice witch, he wasn’t peaceful by nature. As the only one ever to master the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, he craved the furor of chaos even more…

Leaping from tree to tree with unnatural speed, Hiei appeared as a black flicker to the ordinary eye, the branches swaying and shifting in his wake. He could easily teleport from Mukuro’s castle, but enjoyed the exercise more. Feeling the strength in his limbs, the easy response of his body to his least command---there was something freeing in physical movement that he had missed almost as much as untold bloodshed. He’d spent too much time lately confined to the castle. He should have gone before now, but thoughts of Mukuro and how she might feel had constrained him.

“Hn.”

Landing on the last tree, Hiei sneered. See what emotion got you? Fettered by the weakness of indecision, afraid to hurt another, trading your freedom for their sentiment.

Impossible.

Dismissing the irony, Hiei coldly focused on the ground below him. Nothing marked it from any other copse in the Forest of Fools, except the superb memory this was where they’d first emerged from Human World, using the tunnel Sensui built under the earth in the Devil’s Cave-mouth.

Hiei glanced at the sky, where storm clouds boiled, bathing the day in purple twilight. They’d emerged high in the sky over Demon World, and Sensui, taken with the beauty of the forest, had urged them to actually land and fight in the barren Plateau of the Beheaded some miles distant. But this was where the barrier had first been breached, and its ghostly reflection still lay like a tingle of energy across his skin.  

Lightning flickered high above, as if emphasizing the point. Ignoring it, Hiei dropped to the forest floor---a small, bare clearing in the midst of ancient, towering giants. The earth was churned, as if a giant hand had swept across it. Loose rocks and dirt tumbled around a raised mound. A ragged hole, dug into its surface, radiated outwards in a fanning circle.

It was like something had been ripped up by the roots. But as there’d never been anything there to actually pull free, it only mimicked the pattern, a ghostly reflection of something done somewhere else. Hiei frowned, studying the swirled earth for energy readings. He knelt by the hole’s lip, sharp gaze narrowing on a few long, wiry grey hairs tangled in the loosened dirt, a smear of blood seeping into the rocks with something else, almost oily in consistency. Like boiled skin…

Abruptly, Hiei looked up. An eddy of wind stirred the fine black hairs across his forehead, setting the trees to creaking around him as his red eyes narrowed. There was something on the wind that…

A fan snapped open.

“Dance of Blades!”


Sango opened her eyes. It was light outside, but why was everything so pink?

“You’re awake.”

“Kagome.” Turning her head to the right, the slayer tried to smile at the young woman kneeling beside the strange futon.

“How are you feeling?” the miko asked, concern in her pretty brown eyes.

“Tired,” she admitted, feeling it. Her body felt battered, her limbs heavy. The futon was wonderfully soft. “Where am I?”

“My bedroom,” the other girl said, tenderly reaching out to brush her tangled bangs back. “You know, I always wanted to show it to you, but I never thought it’d be like this.”

Sango chuckled, then winced as her ribs told her that wasn’t such a good idea. Ouch. Must be bruised. “Kirara?” she asked instead.

“Downstairs, getting fed. Kuwabara brought some kibble.”

“Who…?”

“He’ s one of the people helping us. Don’t worry, Kirara’s doing much better, thanks to Botan.”

Sango’s brows knit.

“Don’t ask.” Kagome shook her head. “It’s a long story. You just rest for now and regain your strength. Kurama drew out all the poison from the Saimyoushou but said it would take a couple of days for you to fully recover.”

The miko fidgeted with a fold of the blanket before finally admitting, “I was really worried about you.”

“I’ll do,” Sango dismissed. “But what about you, Kagome? How are you doing?”

“I’m all right, I guess.” She shrugged, looking away, as her fingers ran deeper wrinkles into the pink blanket.

Sango frowned. Kagome didn’t look all right. There were telling circles under her eyes, which were dark with worry. Unearthing an arm, which weighed a ton and shook slightly, the slayer sought the other girl’s hand, knitting the fingers through hers. “I’m sorry about your grandfather,” she whispered.

“How did you…?” Kagome turned back, tears sparkling in the corners of her eyes.

“Miroku told me, before I…” Sango left off, troubled. Before everything became a blur of strange impressions and odd images. Something tugging on her wrist, a feverish feeling of swinging through the air but being held safe in strong arms. As safe as when her father last held her, a small child in the throes of a nightmare.

That was…a long time ago. Sango frowned, but pushed the distressing thought aside to focus on her friend. Poor Kagome. The loss was still fresh, her grief still poignant. “You know,“ she said softly, “it’s okay to cry.”

“I know,” Kagome sniffled, wiping at her eyes, “but…”

Yeah. But. Sango understood. What was one man, when compared to so many dead already? But, still, it was important. He was important, if only because he was important to her.

“His memory deserves respect,” Sango said. “And you deserve time to grieve.”

“Oh, Sango.” Kagome’s face crumpled as she pulled the blanket up to hide it, her shoulders shaking as she finally let go. Sango simply ran her fingers through the young miko’s dark hair, eyes full of unspoken sadness as she stared unseeingly over the bowed head.  


He easily sidestepped the multiple wind-blades sent spinning his way, pulling his sword with an impatient look.

“Is that all?” he demanded as the blades thudded into the earth beyond him, ripping through several trees which fell with giant shudders to the earth.

“Why, you…” Flushing with anger, the demoness’s expression contorted. Her fan whirled in a complicated dance. “Dance of Blades---Duet!”

“Hn.”

The summoned attack was merely an extension of her blade technique, sweeping from either side of the wind youkai’s body. The airy scythes spun through the air, coming so quickly they hummed like angry hornets.

No…that was wrong. For the humming came from hundreds of wings fanning the air around her as a literal Hive of Hell morphed out of the growing purple darkness. What Hiei mistook for gathering storm clouds was actually condensing into a miasma.

The air fairly crackled with the poisonous jyaki that fueled the nebulous cloud. Hiei sneered. As if that could ever affect him. Dropping his sword point, he raised his right hand, wrapped in sealing sutras, palm up. A ghostly fire formed from the very pits of hell blossomed inside his open palm, a darker purple-and-black mix of energy then even that pathetic vapor.

His smile was cruel as the wind witch stared, wide-eyed. Her fan trembled as she read the darker power burning inside his palm and the cold disdain on his face.

“You are a fool, woman, if you think your petty wind tricks will work on me.”

“What are you?” she whispered, her fear increasing. Her red eyes flicked to the stationary insects, who remained indifferent, merely watching. Her expression hardened as her hand tightened on her closed fan, nearly snapping it in two. “It doesn’t matter,” she said bitterly. “I’m trapped already after five hundred years of freedom. My death would only serve his purpose.”

She drew a white feather from her black hair. It expanded even as she leapt for the scant promise of safety. “Until we meet again, demon,” she said contemptuously. “That is, if you survive.”

He ignored her withdrawal, eyes on the insects who now converged, their bloody eyes gleaming with anticipation. Legs twitched, as if already grasping flesh, mandibles working as their yellow-striped purple bodies quivered. The very air vibrated with the sound of blurring wings.

Hiei’s lip curled even as the angry cloud of evil insects swallowed him whole.


 It felt good to release the tight knot of pain inside her chest, even if it left her eyes hot and her head swollen. Sniffling, Kagome hunted for a crumpled tissue inside her pocket even as she finally sat back on her heels.

“I’m sorry,” she said, fumbling with the tissue, “but it all just…”

“I know,” Sango said, eyes dark with sympathy. “It’s okay. I understand.”

Yeah, she would, if anyone. Sango had lost her entire village to Naraku’s schemes. Kagome felt guilty for burdening the exhausted slayer with her sorrow, when Sango had lost so much more.

“You know,” Kagome offered forlornly, dabbing at her swollen eyes and sniffling, “Gramps used to say everything had a story, some type of history, and if he didn’t know it, why, he just made one up. It used to drive me crazy, all his nattering about history that, memorial this. But he understood. About Inuyasha and all. He always supported me, just like my mom. They never questioned any of it. It’s crazy, if you think about it. Any other girl’s parents would have locked her up, but he even went along with making up all those stupid excuses for why I missed so much school. I don’t think just anyone would do that.”

“He sounds like a good man,” Sango said, smiling.

“He was,” Kagome agreed, smoothing the wrinkled blanket. “The best.”

They kept quiet for a time, each lost in their own thoughts. Kagome sighed. Gramps was gone, but there were still others who needed her.

Gathering herself, she smiled crookedly. “Are you hungry?”

“A little,” Sango admitted.

“My mom made sandwiches,” Kagome said, getting up stiffly. Like an old woman. Her knees were sore, her body achy. She could use an aspirin. “I think it helps to have everyone here. Keeps her busy.”

And away from the pain…

“How is everyone?”

“Oh, they’re fine. Miroku’s sleeping, like you, but Inuyasha is already up making a nuisance of himself. I told Shippou to keep him busy. He’s just itching to go off and find Naraku, but he can’t sniff him out here like he could in the Sengoku Jidai. Too many cars and fumes, I guess.”

Kagome smiled at Sango’s incomprehension. She grew diverted by the thought of showing the other girl the city. Boy, was the slayer in for a surprise.

“What am I wearing?” Sango asked curiously, staring down at herself.

“Some of my old clothes. Sorry, I know they don’t quite fit, but we left so quickly, we forgot a lot of our stuff.” Kagome blushed, wondering who had exchanged the slayer’s clothes and what they’d seen rummaging through her closet.

“It’s true, then.” Sango looked apprehensive. “We’re really stuck here, in the modern era?”

“Yes,” Kagome admitted uneasily. “With the well destroyed, I don’t see how…”

Closing her eyes, Sango sucked in her breath. “Kohaku,” she whispered.

Kagome bit her lip. “We don’t know that…that Naraku didn’t somehow bring him along. Remember, Naraku still needs the Jewel shard embedded in Kohaku’s back.”

“That’s true.” Sango managed a watery smile. “Thank you, Kagome.”

“Don’t worry, Sango. We’ll get him back, you’ll see,” Kagome comforted, wondering if it even did.

*And Naraku will pay,* she silently vowed, eyes darkening with determination.


Kagome found Kuwabara in her kitchen feeding three cats. The gentle giant stood in a cloud of euphoric benevolence, over-pouring kibble into bowls as the cats purred and wound circles around his feet.

“Here you go, guys,” he said, his deep, rough voice so at odds with the sweet act. Kagome smiled as she walked past, hand reaching for the refrigerator door. Opening it, she paused.

Three cats?

Startled, she looked over her shoulder. There was Buyo, all but swooning as Kuwabara ran a big hand down his back. And Kirara, daintily accepting a treat. And a third cat, wolfing down whatever kibble it could reach.

“Who’s that?” she asked, puzzled.

“Uh…” Kuwabara blinked. “Isn’t it yours?”

“No,” Kagome drawled, even as the back door slid open, admitting Inuyasha.

“What the hell, Kagome---” the hanyou barked, only to jump back in surprise as the strange cat, getting a good look at the human-sized dog, hissed, swat, and streaked out the door.

“Ow!” Inuyasha awkwardly hopped on one bare foot, clutching the other where the cat got a nasty swipe on its way past. “Stupid cat!”

“Hey! That’s not nice!” Kuwabara protested.

“Just wait until I get my hands on that…”

“Don’t you even think about it, dog boy!” Kuwabara’s fist curled, brows descending.

“Hey, guys, don’t you think you could’ve waited for me?“ Yusuke was suddenly there, leaning against the opened sliding glass door, arms crossed and smirk in place. “I love a good fight.”

“That sounds like a great idea.” Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, eyes lightening. “I’ve just been itching to---”

“Don’t you dare.”

Kagome glowered, fists on her hips. All three men took an instinctive step back.

“I trust,” she snapped, “you to remember we are all on the same side.”

“Well said.” She looked up, blushing, as Kurama suddenly appeared beside Yusuke. The handsome redhead gave the other man a silent look.

“Aw, it was just in fun.” Yusuke scuffed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. Kuwabara hunched his shoulders, embarrassed, as Inuyasha defiantly crossed his arms.

“Feh. Whatever,” he muttered, unable to meet Kagome’s eye.

“Inuyasha,” Kagome began, but all four men suddenly tensed, their startled eyes going to the ceiling just before a loud thud and the sound of breaking glass followed a girl’s battle-cry.

“Hiraikotsu!”


He avoided the giant, spinning weapon that came crashing through the window, easily leaping above it. Eyes heating, he landed on the roof in a crouch. Growling, he judged the boomerang’s return. Deflecting it with the Jagan, he made his move.

Hanging off the lintel, he used his feet to bust through the remaining glass, leaping through the window and not even bothering to draw his sword. A hard fist crashed against his unknown attacker’s jaw, sending them flying. They hit the wall with a dull thud, sliding down to sprawl on their knees, coughing.

Gods, he was tired of having things thrown at him. And this time, he wasn’t playing around. Snarling, Hiei wrapped his hand around the figure’s throat, jerking them back up against the wall and pinning them there as they struggled futilely.

The bedroom door slammed open, admitting a dark-haired man who held one hand to the prayer-beads wrapped around his right wrist. “Sango!”

The person pinned to the wall made a gurgling noise, but Hiei’s sword was already out and pointed at the monk’s neck.

“Let her go, demon!” he said, even as his throat worked convulsively around the sharp kiss of steel. He didn’t drop his odd stance, blue eyes resolute.

Her?

Hiei’s red eyes cut to the right in surprise. Tangled hair, wide eyes, small hands clutching his wrist, seeking for a pressure point. His eyes fell, taking in the too-snug T-shirt and long, bare legs even as others piled into the room behind the monk.

“Hiei!” shouted the big buffoon his sister loved.

“Oh my god, Sango!” A strange girl covered her mouth with both hands.

Kuwabara protested, “Hiei! That’s a girl! You can’t do that to girls!”

“You better let her go, demon, or you’re gonna eat about ten feet of my Tetsusaiga!” A ridiculous, silver-haired half-demon snarled, claws tightening on his hilt.

Hiei eyed them coolly, unmoving.

“What the hell, three eyes!” Yusuke clambered through the window, Kurama right behind him, neatly coiling his thorn-whip.

“Really, Hiei,” the fox admonished. “Is all this necessary?”

“Hn.”

Stepping back, Hiei let his fingers open. The woman fell, gasping for air as the other girl ran over to help her. Hiei kept his sword up as he retreated to Yusuke and Kurama’s side.

“Care to enlighten?” he acidly invited.

“Care to die?” the half-demon demanded, rusty sword half-drawn.

Hiei didn’t deign to respond. That mongrel was too weak to even bother with.

“That’s not such a bad idea,” the other man, fully human, muttered angrily as he knelt beside the two women. “Sango, are you all right?”

She nodded shakily, even as the other girl glared over her shoulder. “You monster! Just what do you think you were doing?”

“Kagome‘s got a point.” Yusuke scowled down at his friend, then did a double-take. “Wait a sec---did you suddenly grow taller, Hiei, or have I started to shrink?”

Sticking a big thumb up, Kuwabara squinted at the comparison. “Hey! Shorty ain’t so short anymore.”

“Whaddya do, three eyes, start eating all your vegetables?“

“Yusuke,” Kurama demurred as the fire demon glared, somewhere at the boy’s shoulder instead of at the middle of his chest.

“Don’t make me amputate that tongue, detective.”

“Yeah!” Yusuke chortled. “Now you can actually reach it.”

“Haha!” Kuwabara guffawed. “That’s right, Urameshi. Now he doesn’t need to use a step ladder!”

“Do all of you want to die today?” the demon growled when even Kurama smiled.

“What is this, a reunion or somethin’?” the mongrel demanded. “That ass hole just attacked our friend, and you’re all just standing around like nothing happened! I knew we couldn’t trust you---”

“Inuyasha!” the black-haired girl snapped, trying to help the brown-haired one to stand. She had one arm draped over her narrow shoulders as the monk with the short pony-tail took the other.

“Wait, your arm ain’t healed all the way yet.” Yusuke started forward, only to be blocked by a giant sword that suddenly materialized in the hanyou’s hands.

“We’re fine, thanks. We can take care of our own,” the dog demon growled, gold eyes glinting as the tension in the room skyrocketed.

“Eep!”

The odd noise made everyone stare at the brown-haired girl. Color suffused her face as everyone grew riveted on the bead-wrapped palm caressing her bottom. Her bare bottom. Since her odd, old-fashioned fundoshi underwear only covered the front, like some jock-strap of the Feudal Era.

“Miroku!” the dark-haired girl shrieked.

“Hentai!“ the brown one shouted, and let go with a wallop that sent the poor sod flying. He stumbled over Inuyasha, and half-fell against the side of the bed.

“So worth it,” he murmured, rubbing the stark handprint on his cheek with a dreamy smile.