InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gift ❯ Dumbstruck ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Jade Empire. All events are fictional any similarities to real persons or events is coincidental and just plain freaky.

Chapter 2

It wasn't quite dawn when Jian reached close shore. Her stomach was clenched tightly in apprehension as the ports men paddled her towards the beach. The two hadn't talked much during the ride it was pretty much awkward silence the entire time. Usually she could start up a conversation with anyone however the man seemed very surly and pissed that he had to paddle across the water in the dead of night for just one passenger. Jian was very easily bored anyway, so 4 hours of nothingness had caused her to play out all sorts if unpleasant scenarios in her head. It was a quick decision to come here, after all, and she really did know what she was going to be doing when she arrived. After many grotesque scenes had worked out in her head she forced her self to concentrate on something else. Her mind began to wonder as she looked about the small craft for the umpteenth time. There were just two people and two packages on board. She had packed light because being a monk she had to live with material sacrifice. Only one of the two parcels on boat was hers. The other was a rather large box she believed to be payment for her new sensei's services. She wondered what could possibly be in it,

`Weapons, silver, books, couldn't be an animal no air holes, it couldn't be food we barely have enough to feed the shrine…'

A sharp wind brought her out of her thoughts, she pulled her blanket closer and was surprised to she that they had touched land and the ports men was tying the vessel to the dock. Jian jolted up shaking her mind back into focus.

“ I take it this is the place, right?” she asked.

“Of course it is girl now hurry up and get out,” he replied in less of an angry tone but more of a frightened one.

“oook,” she said with a puzzled look on her face. She grabbed her bag, dropped the blanket and clambered on the dock with surprising grace for someone who hadn't moved in four hours. The ports men then began to struggle to unload the box, it looked pretty heavy and the man was pretty old so Jian asked politely,

“Um, do you need some help with that?”

“The day I need a little girl to help me will be the day when I need you to carry my casket, now move the hell out of my way, wench.”

“Just trying to be nice you asshole no need to get snippy!” she snorted with disgust and under her breath.

She got off the dock and on to the beach where she enjoyed watching the old man struggle with the box until finally he pushed it onto beach. He was panting heavily sweat dripping off his brow but the rest of his body was still and his eyes turned to her. Or at least that's what she thought until she heard some sort of commotion behind her. She turned to it, the sun was rising properly now, and saw a team of horses and a two men coming towards them. When they reached her the taller of the two bowed curtly,

“Spirit monk”

“Well not quite s..”

“Naraku wishes to see you, now”

“Ok sure which one of…”

“Follow” with that he turned around and started to walk back up the path towards what the suns ray finally showed to be a castle perched upon the surrounding cliff.

“Ho” was the only word that left her dumbstruck mouth as she saw the immensity of the palace and it took her a few seconds to register the tall man was not gong to wait for her as she ran to catch up to him.

By time Jian reached the palace gates she was wondering what was with the people here. Was it that it was early or did everyone just seem to have a permanent bad mood. Because for the second time today her journey was made in awkward silence.

`At least this time I have something to look at' she mused. The palace was truly a wonder to behold. It was gigantic castle surrounded by beautiful gardens. The gardens were filled with flowers of every color and smelled like heaven. Every step up the mountain side was carved of white marble as were the walls surrounding the palace. This reminded her greatly of Dirge, her monastery. It too was placed upon a mountain, much greater then this one granted, but the resemblance was still startling. She look down the other side of the hill to see something Dirge did not have a town of peasants in settled in a valley just at the foot of the hill.

The morning sun had risen and the commoners woke from their peaceful slumber. The early day hustle commenced as children ran to get water from the river and maids emptied chamber pots. Jian did not have time to dwell on this little town though. The palace gates opened swiftly and she followed her guide inside. Her stomach was all a flutter as they got closer to her new master. It was nervousness, excitement, and anxiety all rolled into one, she could hardly breathe. `Maybe that was from all the running up the side of a freaking mountain how the hell is this guy going so fast?' she thought bitterly. She was no slouch but this guy was expecting much from a girl who sat in a boat all night, spirit monk or not.

Finally they reached what she supposed was the throne room, much to her relief.

“Stay here until called in, spirit monk,” was all the man said before he once again whisked off.

“Wow a whole sentence don't I feel special,” she groaned lightly while messaging her aching legs. Her breath was still rapid and her brow was all sweaty. She tried her breathing exercise and made an effort to calm her twanging heart.

Everything needed to be back under control when she met him she wished to make a good impression after all. She stood at the bottom of a few stairs that lead to a grand doorway. The minutes ticked away at slow pace, she hated waiting. Her nervousness speed up time but her excitement slowed it back down. At long last a small woman opened the door, bowed slightly to Jian and uttered softly that she could enter. Her legs turned to jelly.

`Stop being an idiot my god its your new master not some sexed crazed lunatic eventually you have to get over your uneasiness.'

`But what if it is some sexed crazed lunatic what if I break some weird Japanese rule or something…'

“Shut up you stupid brain” she growled quietly as Jian marched up the steps and towards her new master.

`Inhale and exhale. Inhale…'