InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gold Manacles ❯ The Gold Manacles ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

"Dogs, considered man's best friend and probably the most obedient creatures ever. They have good traits; they are playful and have great stamina. They are very protective of their owners and instinctive when trouble lurks about. They also have excellent hearing so when you call out to them most probable they will come to you in no time. At times they are aggressive, yet they are capable of kindness and demand love in return. Dogs, so full of life, so full of STUPIDITY, that's why I have a cat! [Sigh] There are some creatures you can't knock any sense into. The story I am about to tell you is true. It happened some days ago so the details are still fresh in my mind. But, honestly Inuyasha, what were you thinking?"



The Gold Manacles

By: Jeannette and Maritza (Lady Sai) Lara

"Legend has it that there was a battle between Heaven and hell thousands of years ago. Once again Haku and his minions in an attempt to over power heaven, attacked the celestial forces of Kami. Destruction surrounded the Earth and the smell of death was unbearable and without discrimination. People cried out for their lives and prayed to Kami for salvation, which he could no longer bear to hear and see the suffering of those that remained faithful to him. Kami split the earth into two and from the scorching part of hell he forged two pair of manacles made with the strongest metal unimaginable to man. Blessing it with his almighty power, the manacles turned into an indestructible gold. Kami over took Haku by placing one of the pairs around his wrists, which was sufficient enough to bound Haku leaving him powerless. Because the force between the manacles and Haku's own evil was great, he was thrown back into the deepest part of hell and sealed forever. His minions fled immediately, and once again Kami's forces ruled the earth attempting to preserve peace and harmony." Kaede-sama took a pause in narrating the story.

Kagome and the others were intrigued by the story and began to share with one another what they would do if they had manacles as powerful as the ones from the legend. Shippo was the first to speak, mentioning that he would use it on any bully that tried to beat him up. Kagome laughed while petting Shippo on the head.

"Oh Shippo, you will always have us to protect you." Kagome comforted the youngster.

"Besides, you will not be a child forever, soon you will be a young man" added Sango, "and bigger" interrupted Miroku.

"How about you Sango-chan, what would you do with manacles like that?" inquired Shippo.

Sango thought awhile but was not sure, "Manacles that powerful must have their drawbacks."

"I know what I would use them for." Miroku smiled, Sango frowned.

"For some odd reason, I don't think we really want to know." Kagome interrupted before Miroku could share his thoughts, "Besides, there is a child present."

"Well," Sango added, "If that were the case, then I know what to do with manacles blessed by the power of Kami," Sango confronted Miroku face to face, "hopefully it would cure you of your perversity."

Miroku just smiled because he knew that he had been caught red handed, they were right, he would use the manacles to bound a woman, of course, he had a particular woman in mind.

As they continued to joke around, Kagome noticed Inuyasha laying in front of the door not giving a care for their comments. She turned herself towards him and asked him what he would do.

"Heh! What do I care about a pair of manacles, we should be out there searching for Naraku instead of wasting time hearing fairytales."

"It is no fairytale I grant you, it really happened." Kaede defended.

"Well, hag, what necessity do we have for a story, it's not bedtime you know."

"Inuyasha, don't be so rude!" Kagome reprimanded, "Besides, it is educational to hear about history."

"Heh!" he responded.

"Kaede-sama, if my ears do not deceive me, I believe I heard you mention two pairs of manacles?" Miroku inquired.

"Yes, indeed." She responded.

Shippo jumped out of Kagome's lap with excitement, "So there is another pair? What happened to it?"

"Ah, well they were too wonderful to destroy yet too powerful to have around. I believe the manacles were placed in the protective care of a Tenyo."

"You mean that the manacles really do exist?" Kagome asked in disbelief. Kaede nodded in confirmation. "Incredible, manacles that are capable of stopping Haku, they could probably stop the most powerful demon on this Earth."

Upon hearing Miroku's comment, Inuyasha's ears twitched grabbing his full attention. He rolled over to face Kaede, who seemed surprised by his sudden interest.

"Where does this Tenyo live?"

"Well, um, at a temple, in the middle of Naku no mori (forest of weep)."

"Ha! With manacles like those, I could stop Naraku!"

"Inuyasha! You're not thinking of."

"Exactly, Kagome! Naraku would be at a disadvantage. I could finally destroy him!"

"Inuyasha," Kaede called for his attention, "It is one thing to deal with a Yokai, yet a Tenyo would be a completely different matter."

"Humph! A Tenyo means nothing to me!" Inuyasha jolted up in an instant.

"Inuyasha, where are you going?" Kagome and the others startled up.

"I am going to get those manacles!"

Kaede rose up in disbelief, "Impossible, that Temple is said to have a very powerful barrier, unlike a Yokai, Tenyo's should not be messed with!"

"Do not worry, hag, there is no barrier that Tetsusaiga cannot break!" Inuyasha left right away, leaving the others without time to react.

Kagome, surprisingly to all, sat back down and served herself some tea from the kettle in front of her.

"Kagome, are you not going to stop him?" Sango wondered. Kagome sipped her tea annoyed and did not respond.

"I see, I understand."

Sango sat down as well and proceeded to serve herself some tea. Miroku did not understand their action. Kaede placed her left hand on his right shoulder indicating to him that it would be all right.

"Inuyasha will be fine, the girls figured it would be a waste of time to stop him."

"I see." Miroku proceeded towards the door.

"Are you going to follow him?"

"I figured that I might be of some help if he runs into trouble."

"I'll go with you Miroku-san!" Shippo jumped onto his shoulder.

"Ah, Shippo, two heads are better than one."

"Miroku, Tenyos can be tricky to deal with." Kaede warned.

"I am aware of that Kaede-sama, I'll be careful."

"Miroku."

Miroku turned his attention to Kagome who did not even look at him; she simply sipped her tea with a displeased face.

"Yes, Kagome-san?"

"Tell that dumb mutt to come back alive!"

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

Miroku had managed to catch up to Inuyasha whom, in excitement, had traveled a long distance in such short time. Miroku called out as well as Shippo. Inuyasha stopped and looked back.

"Ah! Miroku, have you come to stop me?"

Miroku finally, in front of Inuyasha, paused to catch his breath before speaking. Shippo spoke before hand, telling Inuyasha that they had come to help him.

"Ha! Thanks, but I think I can handle a Tenyo alone." He said with pride.

"Ah, then Inuyasha-san has confronted a Tenyo before." Miroku wisely added. Inuyasha suddenly frowned in embarrassment, but would not admit to anything.

"Humph! I can handle a Tenyo." He said turning his face away.

"We know you can, Shippo and I just wanted to assist you just in case the Tenyo has a greeting party. You have no necessity to deal with anything else but the Tenyo." Inuyasha was momentarily confused yet agreed, "Well, if that's the case, I'll accept your help. I don't have time to waste on petty little tricks." He smiled and continued to walk.

"Miroku." Shippo whispered into his ear, "Don't you think you fed his ego a little too much?"

"Do you think I was serious," Miroku whispered back, "Besides, the best way to avoid a discussion with Inuyasha is by making him feel important."

"Oh, I see, just like that phrase that Kagome used once, I believe it was reverse psychology."

"Exactly, Shippo!"

It had been long since Inuyasha, Miroku and Shippo reached Naku no Forest. Strangely enough, they had not confronted anything. It seemed too easy, which had them feeling uneasy. Inuyasha was thinking that it had been too bad that he had been hasty to ask Kaede about the forest itself, and why it had such a name as Weep. Yet, it was too late to turn back now and before they knew it, they had reached the Temple already. To their surprise, the Temple seemed to be abandoned rather than guarded, not to mention, low maintenance.

"Inuyasha, something's not right here." Miroku only confirmed what was in Inuyasha's mind all along. Worst of all, Inuyasha could not pick up a scent of any kind.

"What do we do now?" Shippo wondered.

"Quiet! I am thinking!" Inuyasha answered, rudely

"And you are capable of thinking?"

Before Inuyasha could grab Shippo, the child ran up to Miroku and jumped on him hiding from Inuyasha.

"I think we have no choice but to move on."

Inuyasha agreed with Miroku. Aware that they could be walking into a trap, the three proceeded cautiously. Inuyasha could sense nothing, yet he felt something that could not be explained. They had walked up to the entrance of the Temple and, so far, it seemed too normal. As the three walked in, Inuyasha could not help but feel suddenly a bit lighter than usual. But, what caught his attention were the voices of Miroku and Shippo calling. Inuyasha turned and saw that Miroku had Tetsusaiga in his hands.

"Hey! Miroku, what are you doing with Tetsusaiga?"

"It flung away from you!" he answered.

"Flung away from me?" Inuyasha returned and tried to go back through the entrance but found it impossible. "Hey! What's the meaning of this!"

"I am sensing a barrier." Miroku answered.

"A barrier? You didn't sense one before!"

"I know. It seems that once you passed through, a barrier appeared. Shippo and I got smacked against it and Tetsusaiga just flung off of you."

Inuyasha grinded his teeth at figuring that this had all been done intentionally, but why?

He did not hesitate, "Miroku! Guard Tetsusaiga, I'll get the manacles!"

Before Miroku could say anything, Inuyasha had gone off within the Temple. He sat down in front of Shippo who had a big bump on his forehead. "Well Shippo, it seems you and I will just have to sit it out." Placing Tetsusaiga across his lap, Miroku rubbed the forehead of the youngster to keep him from crying.

Meanwhile, not far from the Temple, still within the forest, a group of three people lurked about.

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

Inside the temple, Inuyasha searched and searched yet found nothing. He felt like he was running in circles and was starting to doubt the story Kaede had told them. Everything seemed desolate until he heard the distant sound of a heavy door closing. Inuyasha immediately made his way towards the sound and found a huge shrine with a huge wooden door made out of oak. He did not remember seeing this particular shrine before nor had he seen one that big, no matter, he had no time for contemplation. Yet when he tried to open the door he found that it was jammed.

"I'm not taking anymore of this shit!" Inuyasha sliced the door into many pieces and entered the shrine. Just as Kaede had said, before him on a display were the manacles. He proceeded to grab them. Strangely, they were unusually light, yet he did not even bother to wonder. He ran out of the shrine laughing on how easy the hunt was, but before he could make it towards the Temple entrance, a young and beautiful woman stood there blocking the way. The woman looked at the manacles in Inuyasha's hands and sighed, regretfully.

"I see you already found them, not too mention you broke into private property and destroyed that beautiful door that took many years to confect."

As defenseless as she looked, Inuyasha took no chances and was apprehensive about the situation.

"Humph! Don't play dumb with me lady, you let me in!"

"That indeed, I did, I thought you wanted tea, but I see you came for something else instead." She spoke, softly.

"Damn right! And there is no way you can stop me! You see these manacles here? I am leaving with them so step aside! I don't want to hurt you!"

"Hurt me? Well first time I have heard a weak leveled Yokai speak to me like that. I admire your confidence, Hanyou."

Inuyasha felt a jab in his heart; what exactly was he dealing with?

"Yet I must admit, I do feel a bit hurt considering that you are stealing what is not rightfully yours."

"Humph! I have no time for this! Get out of the way or I will!"

From outside the Temple, Miroku and Shippo could sense a great power accompanied by commotion.

"What is happening?" Shippo was frightened

"It seems that Inuyasha has found the Tenyo." A moment went by when Miroku heard footsteps coming from the forest. "Shippo!"

"Got you Miroku" he stood en guard waiting to see what would emerge. Shippo's eyes widened when he finally saw who it was. "Isn't that Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha's brother?"

Sesshoumaru, accompanied by Jaken and Rin, came out from the forest and continued walking until they saw Miroku and Shippo.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, aren't those two always around that Kagome girl and your brat brother?" Jaken was just as surprised as Miroku and Shippo.

Suddenly, there was a blast and high from the wall Inuyasha came falling down with the manacles. Shippo and Miroku looked up high as Inuyasha announced his victory. Yet, as he flew down, he noticed the presence of Sesshoumaru and the others. "Inuyasha, what are you doing here?" Was the only thing Sesshoumaru said in his calm tonality.

"I should be asking you the same! Let me guess, you heard about these manacles and now you want them!"

Sesshoumaru looked at the manacles and suddenly opened his eyes wide. "Keep your distance."

Inuyasha and the others were surprised by the remark, yet would not succumb.

"I know your tricks, if it's a fight you want then you will get one!"

Miroku noticed that one of the manacles was around Inuyasha's left wrist, which he did not fail to point out. Indeed, one of the manacles was around his wrist, "What the hell!"

"Did you honestly think you could take them without paying a price?" The Tenyo appeared before them from above.

"What's the meaning of this!"

"Inuyasha, do not anger her more." Sesshoumaru said very seriously.

"Don't order me around! You are not my master to be telling me what to do!"

The Tenyo observed the conflict from above and could not help but laugh at the thought in mind. Without notice, Inuyasha flew through the air and found himself on the ground.

"Inuyasha," said the Tenyo from above, "I will teach you a lesson that you will never forget." With this said, she disappeared.

"Ha! So much talk! You see Miroku, Tenyo's are just mouth!"

"Ah, Inuyasha, I hate to point it out," Miroku started but could not finish the sentence; Inuyasha had figured it out.