InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gates of Heaven and Hell ❯ The Second no Shikon no Tama ( Chapter 2 )

The Gates of Heaven and Hell

 

Chapter Two

The Second Shikon no Tama

 

Yuki-hime

 

AN: This is an alternate reality fanfiction to where I, Yuki-hime, am in complete control of this story. ^^ power trip alert! Warning: this fanfic is a KagomexSesshoumaru pairing. I'm going to do a short introduction that will lead into the first chapter. I don't want you completely confused. As I stated before, the only similarity to the series is that I am using the characters and likeness as well as certain plots, twists or etc from the series to push this little story along. To be sure that there is no confusion, I am listing the following characters the will appear. I hope this helps.

 

 

* I will not be listing my own original characters with the guide below.

 

 

romance: the romantic development between characters.

angst/drama: emotional developments.

action/adventure: adventurous content {battles, quests, journeys}

 

 

RATING: R

 

 

Character Guide:

Kagome

Sesshoumaru

Jaken

Rin

Inuyasha

Myouga

Kikyou

Kaede

Miroku

Sango

Kohaku

Kirara

Shippou

Kouga

Toutousai

Naraku

Kanna

Kagura

Hakudoushi

 

 

Guide:

“ ” the spoken words.

Any thoughts are in italics.

* for definitions or notes at the end of the story.

 

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Inuyasha's breath echoed off the small room's walls. Ten feet in front of him, the fragmented Shikon no Tama rested on its pedal-stool. The half-demon breathed a sigh of relief as the realization hit him. This jewel still glowed darkly; the purple aura filled the room. He recalled earlier, `It was a bright light I saw from her. Is there another Shikon no Tama?'

 

Kikyou's hand touched the half-inu's forearm. “Inuyasha, are you okay?” Her expression was one of worry.

 

“Did you not sense it?” Aggravation could be heard in his voice.

 

“Sense what?”

 

“I saw another Shikon no Tama, Kikyou. The jewel was around this girl's neck and it glowed as bright as the sun.” He turned away from the tainted shards. “Why can we not purify these shards? How is it possible that two exist?”

 

“Inuyasha, if there was another Shikon, I am sure I would have sensed it. The balance of power would be too unstable for two to co-exist in time,” her voice was full of confidence, but Inuyasha could not easily erase the image of it from his mind.

 

“I can't just sit around and let Sesshoumaru gain control of a Shikon whether it is fake or not. We are going to Sesshoumaru's castle.”

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

The half-demon watched through the mirror that his disciple held. It had been a very small burst of power, but he trusted what he had briefly felt. His lips turned in amusement. Maybe his victory was closer than he thought. Naraku turned as his vessels appeared before him. `Perfect. I will have what I want.'

 

The night concealed the figures from human eyes. The woman possessed blood-red eyes that contrasted with the green earrings that hung on either side of her face. Feathers peeked from her tiny pony-tail. The man beside her had a cold stare in his eyes. His armor banged together as he knelt before his master.

 

“Kagura, I want you to attack and distract Inuyasha while Muso retrieves the girl and jewel from Sesshoumaru.” The two disappeared almost as quietly as they came. Naraku would wait and watch as he tested the new waters that the road to power led him down.

 

`What is it about this girl?' Naraku knew that he possessed most of the shards and where to find the remaining pieces. But the knowledge that the broken jewel could not be purified by any priestess sparked his interest even more when Kagome showed up. `Does she possess the real Shikon jewel?' Naraku was not going to let such an opportunity slip past him. There were too many questions and she might hold the answers.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

“Inuyasha, you must think about what you are saying,” Miroku's voice could not cut through the half-demon's thick head. “Sesshoumaru could have easily taken her as bait, you said you wounded him.” How was he going to talk sense into the crazed half-demon?

 

The hanyou went about his preparations. “Inuyasha aren't you listening to Miroku?!” the urgency in her voice slipped past him as well. Sango looked to the doorway. The priestess stood, blocking some of the natural light. “Kikyou, talk some sense into him.”

 

She sighed. “I have tried. Inuyasha has made up his mind. Now we must decide whether or not to go with him.” The monk and taijia exchanged glances and then looked at Inuyasha as Kikyou's younger sister, Kaede, handed him the last of the food and supplies.

 

The girl was in her early teens, and wore a simple pale orange kimono. She was training under Kikyou to become a priestess and follow in her foot steps. The young girl looked up to her older sister and was of more use to the group than Miroku sometimes.

 

“Very well,” Miroku heaved, “but I have a bad feeling about this.”

 

The group left shortly. Miroku and Shippou accompanied Sango on Kirara, while Kikyou went with Inuyasha. Kaede waved the group goodbye as she silently wished them a safe return. Halfway to Sesshoumaru's, Sango spotted saimyosho; a dozen or more could be seen to the north of where they were. “Inuyasha! Naraku's insects are heading toward the castle as well.” Her voice carried to the duo.

 

“Heh! I knew it! There is something to that girl, especially if Naraku is after her too.” Kikyou nodded. An uneasy feeling came over her. `A dark aura?' It engulfed her senses. She tried shaking it off but she could not steady herself with Inuyasha jumping about.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

The wind-goddess was not ignorant of everything. She knew that Naraku was sending them into a dangerous situation. `Damn that Naraku, using me as his shield.' She glanced over in Muso's direction. The evil aura permeating from him made him easily visible to her. The feather tickled her skin that was kept hidden under the kimono.

 

Black locks waved in and out of her vision. `But this little venture could prove to be useful. If Muso was distracted long enough… I might have enough time to obtain the Shikon for myself. With the jewel, I can finally have my freedom.' Kagura had no animosity towards Inuyasha or his brother Sesshoumaru. She could attempt a bargain with either one. `Hmmm…' A thoughtful expression crossed her features. `I don't see Inuyasha agreeing but his brother could be swayed given the right offer.' Now the problem was how to get around Muso.

 

Kagura's `companion' was riding horse-back, half following the saimyosho and the wind-demon as well as depending on his demonic powers. Naraku had given him explicit instructions not to hurt the woman.

 

“Bring her back untouched and undamaged,” Naraku's voice echoed through his mind.

 

The demon pulled hard on the horse's reins. Less than a yard from where he sat, a barrier had been erected. His eyes looked to the sky. Muso could make out Kagura as she flew ahead. `Good, at least the sky isn't barred off.' Inuyasha's group was not far behind them. He had to hurry turning the horse around for another route.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Sesshoumaru carried Kagome to the hot springs, which had been prepared earlier for their arrival. Her eyes lit up when they met with the lush foliage. “It's beautiful.” The demon lord sat her down on the ledge, letting her feet dip into the warm water. “I've never been to a hot springs before,” she voiced softly.

 

He stood still for a second. “I will return for you shortly.” The youkai turned and disappeared. She watched his retreating form until she could not make anything out before removing her deep blue silk robe, uncovering the jewel.

 

Kagome eased her damaged body into the water, sighing in relief. `This is wonderful!' Her mind wandered to her predicament. She had yet to see another human being. Was she the only one? Kagome had so many questions that she wanted to ask…Sesshoumaru? `I think that's how he pronounced it.' For now she simply closed her eyes and let her mind float across the pools.

 

Time seemed to cease as she wafted in the silent waves. Forest sounds lulled her to fully relaxing. Lost in her consciousness, Kagome was dumb to the pink glow emanating from her chest, as the jewel melted back into her body, and to the small crowd it had begun to attract. Sesshoumaru was, of course, the first to arrive on the scene. He was followed by Rin, Jaken, and a few maidens with some lesser demon-servants. The aura of power also attracted some unwanted visitors from outside the lord's lands; lesser demons that were kept at bay due to the shield the youkai erected earlier.

 

Sesshoumaru noted Naraku's saimyosho which was followed by the dots of Inuyasha and his fellow travelers. His eyes narrowed. Inuyasha and the others would eventually get through, it was best for him to meet them and persuade them to set aside their differences long enough for him to figure out what the hell was exactly going on.

 

His gaze adverted back to the nude woman floating in the hot springs. What was it about her? The power emanating from this human's soul was unlike anything he had sensed before. And he was sure Inuyasha got a whiff of it as well. `Damn half-breed.' Sesshoumaru concluded that the woman could only have a pure Shikon no Tama. But the question was, `how can there be two?'

 

The demon decided to take the female inside to a safer and more secluded place. He descended into the water, ignoring the liquid as it soaked into his kimono. The silk robe was quickly wrapped around her nude form and the two emerged, water dripping off both demon and human as the duo made their way to the confines of the castle.

 

Although the robe concealed the light it still remained present as Sesshoumaru set Kagome on his bed and gave orders to the servants to watch over her. The youkai prince headed to greet his half-brother and dispense of the saimyosho.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

The pain and dizziness dissipated. Kikyou felt a warm glow deep in her soul. “Inuyasha,” her soft voice floated to his sensitive ears. “I feel it. I feel a pure Shikon no Tama.”

 

“Where?” his tone was urgent. “We have to get to it before Naraku!”

 

“She is being well guarded, though…” her words stopped when Inuyasha made a sudden move to avoid a blow from Tenseiga.

 

The swing killed half the poisonous bugs. “Watch where you are swinging that damn thing!”

 

“Inuyasha,” his eyes were cold. “Stay out of the way.”

 

The two landed a few yards away. Kikyou stepped to the side but not away. “I see you have replaced your armor. I want that girl. Hand her over.”

 

“And what will you do if I refuse?” His eyes still surveyed the sky and edge of the forest for unfamiliar demonic auras. A bad feeling came over Sesshoumaru. He dared not turn his attention away from Inuyasha and lead them to her. He could feel a strong aura approaching quickly and spotted demons in the distance as they began to block the sun.

 

The demon-hunter landed with Kirara. The monk and kitsune child climbed down and faced Sesshoumaru as well. “I have no intention to fight you, Inuyasha. I want to know where Naraku's minions are and how many.”

 

“All we saw were the saimyosho,” Sango replied. “Do you think that Naraku already knows something is going on?”

 

“It would seem so, however, we shouldn't count on assuming that,” the monk responded to her statement.

 

“So you did not see any other demons?” Sesshoumaru's eyes searched the area. He paused momentarily. `It's pointless to send the army and not have two or three hidden within their cover.' He turned and speed off. He could not smell any other demons but that did not mean there still wasn't something going on. The bad feeling began to grow. He simply forgot about Inuyasha and the others, and never noticed them behind him. Afterall, they were not an immediate threat.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Rin, the little girl, sat with Jaken guarding the door. She watched as the two human women dressed and cared for the unconscious miko. The child could not tear her eyes away from light budding from her chest. “Master Jaken, do you think it is as Lord Sesshoumaru says?”

 

“This woman holds the happiness that demons and humans seek. She bears the power that we need to defeat Naraku and his evil Shikon.” She recalled his words.

 

“You doubt Lord Sesshoumaru?” Jaken questioned. Both knew the answer to that. The two women shrieked, drawing the couple's attention. “What is it?” he inquired as they ran to the bedside in time to see the chain of the jewel melting into her skin.

 

The four of them watched at it disappeared under her flesh. Rin reached out to touch her as the room filled with tornado like winds. Kagura appeared above the bed, her fan ready at her face. “Where is Sesshoumaru?” she questioned.

 

“What?” was all Jaken could stammer as he stumbled backwards.

 

“I must speak with him. It is urgent!” she spoke. “I want to free myself from Naraku's grip and wish to aid him…”

 

Her words were cut off as a man burst through the door. The dark brown hair was slightly matted to his forehead. Kagura's curse went unnoticed as Muso stepped into the room. “Kagura, good job. How did you know that this girl was unguarded?” His eyes swept across the room. Not one of these living creatures could lay a hand on him.

 

“I had a hunch.” Sesshoumaru appeared behind Muso. Kagura avoided his expression and kept her eyes on her co-conspirator. Everyone knew that Muso knew that Sesshoumaru was behind him.

 

“Naraku will be very pleased that you found the human unguarded. I would say that that was a very stupid move, wouldn't you Sesshoumaru?” He turned and faced the demon.

 

“Jaken, get the humans out of here.”

 

“Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru,” he replied and hustled the three other people out.

 

He laughed. “We are going to guide this girl to destroy the world. There is nothing you can do but watch like a helpless human.” His laughter pierced the air.

 

Sesshoumaru moved quickly, but his swing missed as the demon dodged it sliding to the left and closer to the bed. Inuyasha and Kikyou made it to the doorway stopping when the fight came into their vision. Behind them, their companions were catching glimpses.

 

Inuyasha's eyes absorbed the events in front of him. “Kagura! Get away from her!”

 

Kikyou could feel the pulse of the jewel clearer now. Her eyes were attracted to the faint glow. She shoved her way past Inuyasha and the two men fighting, coming to Kagome's side. Her hand reached out to touch the spot on her chest, but the wind-sorceress made herself aware again. Wind whipped against Kikyou's face. “Kagura! You have no business here, leave at once!” Her voiced warned of the future pain to come.

 

“I can not let you have her so easily, Kikyou. Her soul and jewel belong to Naraku.” The wind picked up again as Kagura jumped off of the floating feather. `Kagura, get the girl and leave.' Muso's voice carried through their link because of a common bond. She landed opposite of Kikyou and laid her hands on Kagome's arm. Her skin was hot and the demon winced quickly redrawing her itchy fingers. “What's going on?!”

 

Concern crossed Sesshoumaru's features. He easily slipped to Kagome's side, standing beside Kikyou, he reached out to touch her. His fingers met her skin in a light caress. The prince did not feel any unusual heat. Kikyou's eyes soaked in his actions until Muso's voice drew her attention.

 

She turned in time to see him lunge at Sesshoumaru, sword drawn. The blade struck him in the back. Blood trickled down the cold steel, splattering on the marble flooring and staining another kimono.

 

“Not a smart move Sesshoumaru, turning your back on…” he was interrupted by the wind of Inuyasha's fang, Tessaiga.

 

“Back off dammit! I will be the one to kill Sesshoumaru!” Inuyasha's anger flared as he proceeds to exchange blows with Muso.

 

Sesshoumaru shot Kagura a deadly look of warning before he picked up Kagome's unconscious body. He had to get her away from Naraku's reach while the hanyou was distracting Muso. For a brief moment, the demon almost felt appreciation for Inuyasha's brashness. Kikyou laid her hands on his arm, causing him to pause and listen to her words.

 

“Sesshoumaru please let us help. If you join us, together we can defeat Naraku. I can help you and this girl. We can give you a temporary shelter; let you build your strength. I will teach her, help her use the hidden powers within her soul.” She paused, drawing on the power of her next words. “If you wish it so Lord.”

 

He adverted his gaze to the sleeping female. Her warmth was amazing. As much as the demon prince hated to accept help, especially from humans, he saw little other options under her scrutiny. The silver haired demon stared into an endless abyss, seeing a small glimmer of hope laying with this strange woman. `Why do I feel so connected? What is it I see?'

 

For a very brief moment, Sesshoumaru felt a bond with his father. He could almost understand his parent's actions. `There is no other choice,' *Inu no Taisho's voice echoed. “Very well. We shall stay only until the human wakes. We shall finish the arrangements later.” He left the hard edge in his voice to get his point known. `Do not cross me.'

 

She nodded. “Yes, of course.” He disappeared quickly. When they reconvened near the edge of the forest, the demon lord had acquired three more human females and the toad demon, Jaken. No one questioned him, but eyebrows did raise. Questions were plenty with everyone wondering if the demon prince really did hate humans.

 

Inuyasha and Muso had moved the fight out into the courtyard. Sango landed with Miroku as Kikyou drew her bow. She would not let her resolve be worn down by this demon. But the thoughts of the number of humans made her wonder if Sesshoumaru was as bad as Inuyasha makes him out to be.

 

“What's going on Miroku?” Sango whispered as she glanced at Inuyasha's brother and the two human women around him and in his arms. A small girl appeared under his kimono, peeking out. If she did not know better, she would think Sesshoumaru was a friendlier demon.

 

The bow left the miko's hand. It sliced Muso's arm, but he dodged it for the most part. “Inuyasha!” her voice carried a silent signal for their departure. They had awkwardly obtained what they had come for.

 

Muso's yell relinquished his hold on the power he had been building. Inuyasha smirked as he recoiled the attack with *Bakuryūha'

s power. The attack would surely keep them busy for several minutes. Catching up to the group, the hanyou was taken aback when his eyes met with the golden orbs of his estranged brother. A low growl began in his throat before the priestess could lay her hands on him.

 

“Inuyasha, we will talk about this later. Until then, let's get back to the village,” her voice gave him a small sense of reassurance. But it did little to quell the anger that still lingered in his belly. The Shikon no Tama would be his.

 

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

 

Okay this is where the spoilers come in…because if you do not know who Inutaisho is, then you could be mad. ^^

 

*Inu no Taisho - the father of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. For more information, you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inu_no_Taisho or http://www.inunotaisho.net/

 

*BakuryÅ«ha (Bakuryuha) - English translation: “Backlash Wave”

 

Muso note: I wanted to mention that Muso's appearance could be possible because even though Naraku re-absorbed into the demon's body, Muso is eventually re-born into two parts: Onigumo and Akago. But then Naraku had to absorb both his human heart (Akago) and soul (Onigumo) to keep from being purified by Kikyou.

 

Muso = Akago/Onigumo = re-born Muso {with a part of his soul = who has the other parts?}