InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Evil Eye, The Serpent's Tongue ❯ The Rising Sun, the Crescent Moon ( Chapter 28 )

“Who do we have here?” Inuyasha asked, raising an eyebrow as Kagome and Shippo reentered the village.

 

Shippo glanced at Kagome, who winked and wrapped her arms around him and looked at him lovingly. Shippo held his snicker as she ran her fingers through his hair, purring softly.

 

“Oh…this is my new boyfriend.”

”WHAT?!?” Inuyasha shouted, jumping up. Kagome giggled and spun her hair in Shippo's locks.

 

“Oh yea. I met him while getting Shippo…isn't he dreamy?”

 

Inuyasha was fuming. “How could…what….when….why…” His jaw flapped as Kagome giggled. “You….can't be serious.”

 

“She is, little man.” Shippo said, his voice going down into that low octave he had used against Ryu. Kagome laughed and pulled Shippo closer, nuzzling his shoulder as Inuyasha tried to focus.

 

Miroku came outside and stared at the two of them, whistling. “What the hell happened to you Shippo?”

 

Inuyasha glared at Kagome. “You are going to throw away everything we have for…Shippo?” The two of them burst into laughter, falling tot eh ground. Inuyasha's eye ticked slightly as he stared at the two, his hand inching towards the two of them. “Lousy wench and…SHIPPO!?!” Inuyasha shouted, looking at the demon. “How the hell can this warrior be tiny Shippo?” He paused, and noticed the jewel shard flicker on the back of the fox demon's neck. “Feh, jewel shard.”

 

Miroku chuckle and leaned against the wall. “I would have thought you could smell Shippo, even with the changes he's gone through…which begs the question…how is it that you aren't killing us Shippo?”

 

Shippo shrugged. “I don't remember. One minute I was in the forest and thought I heard Sango, the next minute I'm huge and Kagome is looking at me funny.”

 

“It was the picture.” Kagome said. “Somehow…the picture broken Neko's gaze.”

 

“It's love.” Kaede said calmly. “Love from those you believed betrayed you.”

 

Inuyasha frowned. “You need to stay in bed old woman.” He smirked, till he fell face first to the ground. “damn these beads and damn the word SIT!”

 

Kagome chuckled and looked at Kaede. “You feeling any better Kaede?”

 

The woman nodded. “My old bones still hurt, but I do feel better.” She looked at Shippo. “Tell me Shippo, how did you feel before you blacked out?”

 

Shippo paused. “Cold…alone…but then, all of a sudden, I was warm and happy!” He grinned. “That's when I saw Kagome and realized she'd shrunk…er…I'd grown.”

 

Kaede nodded. “As I thought. You see, the potion I am working on was never designed to cure Neko's spell. Instead, it merely allowed you the chance to speak directly to the heart and essence of the person.” She looked at Kagome. “The picture acted the same way. Once an opening was found, it was easy for you to break down Neko's walls.”

 

Before they could go on, Inuyasha frowned, sniffing the air. He growled softly. “Sesshomaru…and I am guessing that other scent is Rin. They are close.”

 

^&^&^&^

 

Neko watched as ryu twirled his sword, focusing on bringing out his energy. Ever since he had gotten back, he had been quiet, on edge. She had sent Sango, Kirara and Kagura out to seek more jewel shards while she tried to calm her lover down. For the final battle, Ryu wanted as many as he could find in their bodies. With the hanyou, the miko, monk and TWO youkai fighters…he wanted another edge.

 

Besides, he figured he could use a makeover.

 

Right now, they were on the roof of the palace, Neko sitting with her legs stretched, watching as Ryu sent dark energy flying from his blade. He was quickly becoming better at wielding the sword, learning new techniques at every point.

 

“Ryu…we didn't need Shippo…we can manage without him…” Ryu continued to fight. “Listen…sit down…we can plan our next move…I can try to bring Shippo to our side again…”

 

“This isn't about Shippo.” Ryu said quietly, sheathing the weapon. Neko raised an eyebrow as he walked over to the edge of the castle. “Are we doing the right thing Neko…is this what we want?”

 

Neko stood up, stroking his shoulder. “What do you mean?”

 

“IS this really going to bring us peace Neko…paradise? Or will this only bring on a war none of us want?”

 

Neko nuzzled his shoulder. “It's that girl…Kagome…you talked to her, didn't you?”

 

“I sense good in her Neko…I sense things I thought I would never find again in a human. I mean, with Sango, while I love her as a demon, as a human, there were things like that…but there was still human emotions I could not stand…her guilt…her hatred at Naraku…her need to kill our kind.” He sighed. “But with Kagome…”

 

Neko scratched his neck with her claws. “There are some good ones out there Ryu…that is why we are offering them the chance to separate themselves form the weak.”

 

Ryu nodded, knowing she was right. “But…what if she won't turn to our side…I don't want to kill her Neko. That would make me no better then those that killed our…”

 

“Shh…” Neko said, holding him closer. “She will turn my love…and when she does, we will be free to wipe those humans off the face of the earth.”

 

^&^&^&^

 

“I talked to wolf boy…”

 

“Koga” Kagome corrected Inuyasha

 

“Feh.” He replied. “He said Kagura visited him a few nights ago offering an alliance. He refused, but he says Kagura has a jewel shard, and is gathering more.”

 

Sesshomaru scoffed. “Seems Ryu is offering any weakling a chance at power…he certainly knows how to wage battle with the lowest of the low.”

 

Rin gave him a glare. “Not now.”

 

Sesshomaru growled. “I will say want I want to say!”

 

Everyone paused, looking at the two. No one had seen the emotionally lacking Sesshomaru get so angry. More shocking, Rin didn't react. She merely flipped her ebony hair over her ear and turned back to Inuyasha.

 

“So, what is our plan of action?”

 

Miroku took out a map. “Ryu has called himself Lord of the East. I have heard of a castle of Naraku's that is suppose to lay near the edge of that land. It also isn't far from this forest, and would explain how Ryu and Neko took over so fast after converting Sango.”

 

Sesshomaru's voice remained stilled, but they could tell there was a flicker of anger. “The Palace of the Rising Sun.”

 

“What?” Everyone asked.

 

“The Palace of the Rising Sun. Each of the four taiyoukais represent one of the heavenly bodies: The Half Moon, The Twilight Star, The Rising Sun, and the Living Earth. The Rising Sun was the domain of the taiyoukais of the east…the Dragon Lords.”

 

Kagome frowned. “Ryu said something about you not coming to his aid…is Ryu a taiyoukai?” Sesshomaru merely nodded curtly. “Then why have we never heard of him?”

 

“Ask Jaken.” Sesshomaru replied. “I have no time for history lessons.”

 

Jaken, looking over at his master, began the narrative. “In years past, the Dragon Lords of the East ruled. They are considered rebels for a number of reasons, a few being that they don't believe in enslaving humans or beasts of burden. They also allow females to become masters of their land.”

 

“And that is a problem, Master Jaken?” Rin asked, glaring at him.

 

“n..n…no!” Jaken squawked. “Not at all.” He rubbed his head with a stubby hand. “50 years ago, the one you call Naraku attacked the Palace of the Rising Sun. He conquered it, killing off all that stood in his way. Dragons will never be absorbed, and even Naraku would never try to absorb one, unless they wished to be in constant torment.

 

“Naraku, in the end, murdered Lady Shiva, taiyoukai of the east, and Lord Ryu's mother. It was believed that her son died with her. However…it now seems Lord Ryu was away from the palace…and returned to find Naraku's handiwork. Since then, he must have been in exile, which would explain his lack of crests.”

 

“Why is that?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“For crests to forever show, one must sit upon their kingdom's throne. Should enough claim the spot, the crests fade, to protect the exiled.” Sesshomaru looked down his nose at his brother. “That is why you do not have crests, brother. I will not let you.”

 

“You bastard!” Inuyasha leapt for his brother, but Kagome already had him on the ground, eating dirt.

 

“But we don't know if he is still there.” Rin replied, trying to get the topic back on track. “He could have moved, or never even been there.”

 

“It is foolish to rush into battle without knowing what is there.” Sesshomaru said. Rin nodded with agreement.

 

“But if we don't, Ryu and Neko risk getting more allies. Who knows who they will convert. We need to go in and strike them down, now. Get Sango, get her back on our side, then cut those two in half.”

 

“No.” Kagome said. Everyone looked at her and she fidgeted slightly. “I don't think Ryu is that evil.”

 

“Kagome…are you ok?” Miroku asked. “Are you sure Shippo didn't hit you too hard during the fight?” Shippo stuck his tongue out at the monk.

 

“I know its crazy…but I think, in his heart, Ryu believes he is doing the right thing.” She sighed. “we talked...in the forest. And before we start talking about his tongue, he isn't brainwashing me. I just have this feeling in my gut…”

 

“Like where he's going to put his blade?” Inuyasha said. “Kagome, this guy is evil, and so is his little mate Neko.”

 

“I…against all the fiber in my being…agree with my little brother.” Sesshomaru said. “There is nothing that could have happened to this Ryu to justify attacking my lands.”

 

“What about that whole `coming to my aid' thing?” Miroku challenged.

 

Sesshomaru growled. “An ancient treaty that I cared not to renew. It does not give him the right to come into my lands.”

 

“And kill people.” Miroku added, getting a nothing in response. “Nice to see where your priorities are.”

 

“Whoever told you that in this agreement that you could even talk to me…let alone challenge my view…”

 

“Watch your mouth Sesshomaru, or I will cut off your other arm!” Inuyasha growled.

 

“Try it.” Rin said, standing up, placing her hand on her blade. “My Lotus Blade has yet to be baptized in blood.”

 

“GUYS!” Kagome shouted, causing all of them to settle down. “Ryu and Neko had a kid.” She sighed, watching them all grow still. “Not even had…Neko was pregnant…she got attacked by these villagers, and lost the baby. Ryu blames mankind for the lost of his child.”

 

“Sounds like a loss canon.” Inuyasha said.

 

“Inuyasha, Sesshomaru just threatened my life.”

”I'll kill him…” Inuyasha grumbled. Sesshomaru smirked slightly.

 

“Sesshomaru, I am going to get my bow and put an arrow between Rin's eyes.” In a flash, Sesshomaru had his hand on Kagome's throat. He paused, hearing Rin chuckle, and frowned, loosing his grip.

 

“A cruel trick miko.”

 

Kagome nodded. “All I am saying is that we should try and reason with him…if we can't, then we can slash and cut him.” She stood up. “we leave tomorrow for the castle in the east. Get some sleep…we may be fighting for our lives by tomorrow evening.”