InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Journey Into the Past, Present, and Future. ❯ Prelude of Tragedy to Come ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Lady Sai
Leaving Kaede behind was the hardest thing she could do but she could not risk endangering the girl’s life to indulge her own curiosity. She left first thing in the morning before anyone else rose from sleep. Before going to bed, she had asked Toshio-san’s sister, Maruka, where the house was. Maruka had told her but along the conversation, had offered to take the healer, herself, to the site. Reika was more than just grateful, but at the same time, was not all too sure about taking Maruka with her.


Shiroi came up behind him, looking at the woman then her brother. Sesshoumaru felt she was demanding an explanation. Nothing had really happened, he thought, except that she started holding her belly and moaning in pain. Then, she passed out. It was fortunate for her; Sesshoumaru had been there to catch her before she hit the ground. The smell of her blood irritated him, especially, when it mingled with the sweetness of the flowers.
Shiroi’s attention on her brother was interrupted when Jubei gently jostled the semi-unconscious woman in his arms. “Lady Izayoi? Lady Izayoi,” he urged.

Shiroi felt relieved when the woman stirred. “She’s alive,” she said.

“Of course she’s alive,” Sesshoumaru answered as a matter of fact.

“We must take her inside,” Jubei said.

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 04.27.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 233 | Status: Completed

Chapter Six
 
Leaving Kaede behind was the hardest thing she could do but she could not risk endangering the girl's life to indulge her own curiosity. She left first thing in the morning before anyone else rose from sleep. Before going t bed, she had asked Toshio-san's sister, Maruka, where the house was. Maruka had told her but along the conversation, had offered to take the healer, herself, to the site. Reika was more than just grateful, but at the same time, was not all too sure about taking Maruka with her.
What if, she thought, they happen to stumble upon this Naraku? There was telling how he would react. There was no telling how powerful he was. It could get out of hand if Reika was not careful. However, Maruka did know where the house was so she accepted the woman's assist.
Before leaving, she had left written instructions for Kaede to follow, which mostly commanded the child to look over Toshio-san. The other one consisted on not budging until she returned from her trip. Before breakfast could be served, Reika and Maruka had left the hut on foot. Maruka had assured her that it would not take long to get there.
The trek on foot was an interesting one. The air was nippy but it felt nice on Reika's skin. She followed the woman without question, trusting her without question. The way was scenic as it cut through a small wooded area. Maruka had said that her brother enjoyed being in touch with nature that he built his house among the trees. The air was filled with the twitter of small birds that filled her own heart with song.
As usual, she was into her own thoughts. Last night had been very crucial. She watched her patient with an eagle's eye. She never did say he was going to sleep comfortably but she did all she could so that he could sleep better. She had given him a special tea to numb the pain a bit. It, also, contained properties to make him sleep. She had applied more ointment to his face, his hands, and his feet. Those areas tended to dry up quicker. To help further more, Reika had sung him a lullaby so to soothe his nerves.
She sighed, heavily. If he did not die first, then, she was sure it would take months before he was completely healed. She would have to make frequent house calls to check up on him. She would have to make more ointment to make sure he healed properly. Yes, there would be scarring. The burns ran deep. Cleaning him had been arduous. Just touching him caused him to scream in pain. Poor man.
It was not long. They had finally arrived to where Toshio-san's ordeal had happened. Maruka guided the doctor towards the house site. There was nothing but ashes left of it with boards of burnt lumber jutting out here and there, reaching for the sky. Maruka showed Reika where the different rooms of the house had been. She, also, showed where the crops had grown, which were left untouched. Reika carefully studied her surroundings.
There was something wrong here, she thought. To her utter astonishment, the place reeked of hatred. The ugliness of it was all over the place! There was negative energy everywhere. It was difficult to pinpoint the origin. She instructed Maruka to stay where she was. There was a questionable look on her face but she did what she was told. There was more than one aura present. She looked down on the ground. The soil was black under her feet. She went down on one knee to carefully inspect the dirt. As the tips of her fingers came into contact with the ground, Reika quickly jerked them away, feeling her fingers burn to the touch. Maruka watched with wonderment from her location. Did the doctor find something, she thought to herself as she clutched her yakuta at the lapels. It did not look good. She watched as Reika rose from her knee and scan the area about her some more.
“Miss Reika?,” she called out.
Reika just held out her hand, forbidding the woman from moving from her spot. She looked about some more. There must have been an origin of a sort. Where was Toshio-san running from? Perhaps, by pinpointing where the jyaki proceeded from, perhaps, Reika could find this Naraku.
“Perhaps, it left for another village,” Maruka chimed.
“The demon is still here. Or else, the jyaki would not be so concentrated.”
Then, suddenly, a surge of black energy jerked at her senses. They were not alone. From a path, in between a group of trees, the energy emanated there. She walked towards the opening, the path was not much traveled but she noticed the remnants of footprints in the earth? The direction of the prints ran towards the house. She noticed something else. She knelt down enough to bring her index finger to the dirt to touch the object of her attraction. She did not have to look at it to tell it was blood. She brought her finger to her lips to taste the crimson liquid, first testing it with the apex of her tongue, and then tasting the entire finger.
“Hanyou,” she muttered.
 
 
 
Shiroi sucked the blood from her finger. She had pricked it on one of the rare flowers in the garden. Its beauty was so captivating that she decided to touch the red bloom. Its petals were as soft as velvet. Its aroma was alluring. The incident happened the moment her fingers made their way to the stem. She had not realized before that they had thorns. To think, she pouted; they looked so harmless, at first. She glared at the flower.
“If you do not know what it is, then, do no touch it,” growled Renga, standing behind the younger one. Shiroi, still maintaining the pout, turned her head to her sister, who towered impressively over her.
“You have spoken with Jubei, I gather?,” sucking her finger more.
Renga, looking down boorishly at her sister, offer a hand. Shiroi knew what it meant. She, without second thought, placed her hand into Renga's. The older woman examined the injury by looking at it. There was blood. No shit!, she figured for herself. She then smelled the blood to see if it smelled wrong. Nope, it smelled fine. Then, she placed Shiroi's finger in her mouth, sucking up some of the blood and tasting it. There did not seem to be any obvious traces of poison in her bloodstream. Shiroi pulled her finger out from the warm confines of her sister's mouth.
“Well, what is the verdict?”
Renga was serious all of a sudden when she answered Shiroi's question, “You are going to die.”
“What!,” Shiroi exclaimed, glaring at her sister.
“The poison is spreading all throughout your entire system. Soon, you will be dead.”
“You have got to be serious if you think me dumb to fall for your stupid trick,” she eyed Renga-- there was a glint of skepticism in her eyes. “I think I would know if I were dying.”
Renga smiled. She then grabbed her long braid to remove the red ribbon she had holding it in place. Without further hesitation, carefully, wound the fabric around her sister's finger, tying it in a knot, loose enough as to not cut off the circulation. Shiroi beamed at her attentive sister. Renga looked at her work of art with pride, glad that it was not a battle wound like the one across her father's chest. She had had to deal with that one. He almost died.
“I have to leave,” Renga informed, releasing Shiroi's index. Shiroi stared at it, moving it to be sure that it was not dead.
“To where?”
“To Fuji-yama, to the forests to collect webbing from the Steel Spiders that occupy the place.”
“Can it not wait? Father is bound to wrap up business soon and it would be rude to leave before having the chance to meet Izayoi-sama,” she locked eyes with the elder, who seemed to be impatient.
“Do you want your halberd fixed?”
“Yes, but…”
“But, the sooner I retrieve the webbing, the sooner your weapon will be repaired. Anyway, I am taking Ah-Un with me.”
“Does Sesshou-kun know?”
“No, but I am certain you can tell him I just borrowed it for a mission of dire importance. He will understand,” Renga grinned.
“What is wrong with Ain? Can you not take her, instead? You know how Sesshou-kun is like when you touch his things,” she ended rhetorically.
“Yes, Shiroi, we have all seen his room,” she rolled her eyes. “Anyhow, if you are that worried, then do what you can to stall him away from the stables.”
“I still say you should take Ain,” Shiroi insisted.
Renga sighed as her shoulders slumped in defeat. “Do you not think I have not thought of that?”
“What is wrong?”
“The damned bitch is, apparently, in heat as of now.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Me and Jubei tried getting his mount off her but it is no use. She would have bitten me if I would have proceeded further with the plan of separation. We decided to let them be.”
“You left them rutting?”
“What other choice?”
“I still think you should ask him.”
“Imoto-chan, I am pressed as it is. You tell Ototo for me. Only hell knows where he could be…”
“But, Ane-ue!”
“AND, I rather not waste time looking for permission when I could be two steps ahead into getting the halberd fixed.”
“But?”
“No, buts! I must depart before it darkens.”
“It is only midday, Renga,” Shiroi reminded.
“And Fuji-yama is not exactly a hop across the lake. I will be off. Save me dinner,” she instructed.
“Renga, I still say go ask him. I am sure you have been able to pick up the direction of his scent as easily as I have.”
“There are times I damn it,” Renga said. Then, “Well, I must be off! See you later!,” She smiled, landing two hard slaps on Shiroi's shoulder, causing her to wince from the force of Renga's strength. Renga, without saying anything further, turned and walked away from the garden, waving her sister off in dismissal. Shiroi shook her head in disbelief and sighed her resignation as the intimidating frame of her sister's disappeared within the house.
Sesshoumaru was going to kill her, she thought, for not stopping Renga from confiscating his animal. She could only hear his silence, which spoke louder than any. He was going to kill the both of them, surely.
On the other hand, Shiroi was not in obligation to say anything if he did not ask. Technically, omission was not lying. It was just omitting what she knew of the situation from his ears, even if he did ask. At least, that was how she tried reasoning with herself.
“It is no use. He will find out no matter how I try to hide the truth. He is far too perceptive.”
“Hide what truth?” Shiroi jumped startled, almost throwing up her scroll at the sound of Jubei's deep voice behind her.
“OH!,” she cried, when she saw him standing close to her. “Jubei-kun! What are you doing creeping up on me like that?! You scared the youki out of me!” She placed a clawed hand to her chest to slow down the fast pace of her heart, shifting slighting on her boulder.
“I see her Highness was too preoccupied with her own thoughts to mind her senses. Lucky for the both of us, we are not in the middle of a battle,” he said, grinning.
“Yes, very lucky. But still, that was no excuse to sneak up on me like so!,” she scolded, her brows furrowed in annoyance.
Jubei smiled as she still tried steadying her galloping heart. He presented her with a white lily. Shiroi was taken aback, surprised at the lovely gift Jubei held in his grasp. It pleased him greatly when the princess graced him with a smile, accepting his gift most graciously. There was a hint of rosiness to her lovely cheeks.
“Jubei-kun, I do not know what to say. It is most lovely,” she complimented as she admired the beautiful flower to avert his eyes.
“When I gazed upon it, I thought of you and how it matches your hair,” he said, staring at her as she twitched bashfully.
Shiroi brought it closer to her nose, taking in its wonderful fragrance. She let out a soft chuckle and said, “No doubt you picked it from our garden.”
Jubei chuckled himself and answered, “How you know me.” It was more of a statement than a question. He felt his cheeks go warm when she giggled at his comment.
“So, how long will you be staying here?,” he asked.
There was silence between them then, she decided to answer.
“To be perfectly honest with you, as long as Father needs me.”
Jubei breathed relief. She was going to be here for a very long time, then. He was glad for that factor. Shiroi was easy to talk to and the many conversations they have had in the passed have proved interesting as well as educational. He could talk to her about anything and she would listen with understanding. Jubei smelled the air; taking in the many smells produced by the many flowers. It was intoxicating.
Shiroi's head jerked up. Jubei noticed this. There were footfalls in the distance heading their direction. The closer they came the louder they became. Shiroi started up, searching for the source of the sounds.
“The stride is most familiar,” said she, swishing her head to her right. “Something is not right, the footfalls sound most desperate despite their even stride.”
Jubei turned his head the same direction as hers and sniffed the air. There were two different scents, which were very familiar to Jubei. They intermingled in the wind. And, there was also a faint smell of… “Blood,” said Jubei.
Shiroi nodded, and added, “I smell it, too. Let us check it out,” she suggested. So, Jubei and Shiroi both decided to investigate. They quickened their stride as the smell of blood became more intense. Immediately, Jubei knew whose blood it was. It belonged to Izayoi. Worry and desperation caught his heart like a vise and he quickened his pace. Shiroi dashed to keep up with the older youkai.
“I hope she's not hurt!,” he pronounced as he made way through the garden and towards the Sanctuary.
Suddenly, they both stopped in their tracks to see Sesshoumaru emerge from the brush with his white kimono flapping, carrying Lady Izayoi in his arms. Jubei wasted no time in running to his Lady's aid. There was still that faint smell of blood prickling his nostrils.
Sesshoumaru halted once he found himself face to face with Jubei and his sister Shiroimaru. He saw worry written all over the retainer's face the moment that this one had seen his mistress passed out in the young prince's arms. Jubei, once he got to his Lordship's side, checked the human for any injuries.
“What happened?,” Jubei questioned as he checked her forehead for fever. She was a little hot as she breathed heavily.
“I did not do anything, if that is your main concern?,” Sesshoumaru answered in his usual monotone, gently handing the woman over to Jubei.
Jubei took her without question. He looked down upon her face, she was slowly coming to. Shiroi came up behind him, looking at the woman then her brother. Sesshoumaru felt she was demanding an explanation. Nothing had really happened, he thought, except that she started holding her belly and moaning in pain. Then, she passed out. It was fortunate for her; Sesshoumaru had been there to catch her before she hit the ground. The smell of her blood irritated him, especially, when it mingled with the sweetness of the flowers.
Shiroi's attention on her brother was interrupted when Jubei gently jostled the semi-unconscious woman in his arms. “Lady Izayoi? Lady Izayoi,” he urged.
Shiroi felt relieved when the woman stirred. “She's alive,” she said.
“Of course she's alive,” Sesshoumaru answered as a matter of fact.
“We must take her inside,” Jubei said.
 
In her chambers, Jubei had set the woman on the futon. As soon as the servants had seen their mistress in this state, they wasted no time in running out to inform Lord Touga. Shiroi helped Jubei by accommodating the pillows so that she could be comfortable. They had also informed the midwives.
“The water sack has broken,” informed the Princess, pressing cold compresses against her stepmother's delicate skin.
Izayoi stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, slightly. “The baby,” she moaned. And with a smile, she finished her thought, “He wants to see the light.”
In the shadows, Sesshoumaru observed. Did she say, He?, the Prince thought. Did this human assume she was giving his father another male heir when his own mother could not produce one after birthing him? He was broken from his reverie when the doors slid opened, ushering in the midwives. They bowed as soon as they locked gazes with Sesshoumaru. He returned the gesture with a slight bob of his head, not changing his expression, whatsoever. Soon, Jubei slid out of the way to make room for the head midwife. He did not have to be a mind reader to know it was best to remove himself from the room. He bowed to Izayoi who somewhat groaned from pain. He then excused himself from Shiroi then from the midwives.
The head midwife looked at the Princess but Shiroi, in turn, asked to stay to be of assistance to the human. They looked at each other at the lady's request but finally gave up and decided that another pair of female hands was needed. Shiroi bowed her thank yous. Jubei and Sesshoumaru had been witness to this. Shiroi turned her eyes to both males and with a meaningful glare, she shooed them away with only three flickers of her hand. Jubei understood and tapped Sesshoumaru on the arm.
Before Sesshoumaru could turn to leave, the doors slid open again, ushering in his father, who appeared to be out of breath. He could tell he was running from the smell of sweat all over his body. He looked at his son with the same gaze his daughter had given her brother.
“I swear, I did nothing,” he tried assuring his father.
Shiroi momentarily abandoned her place next to the wife to see to her father, “Father?,” she whispered.
“The servants told me she had fallen,” he said with worry.
“They exaggerate,” Sesshoumaru corrected. “I caught her before she hit the ground.”
“Father, your new wife, my stepmother is in labor.”
The InuTaisho nodded. Without another word, he went to join his wife. Jubei, Sesshoumaru, and Shiroi, followed his majestic form with their eyes as he joined the woman by her side. To see her father hold Lady Izayoi's delicate form in his arms, and by the way he kissed her forehead, was very touching. Shiroi smiled. Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, did not find it too amusing. Why was his father like that with this woman? He certainly was not like that with his own mother, Sesshoumaru pondered. What was so special about her that his father would favor this woman over his first consort?
“Izayoi,” he spoke her name ever so softly. Their sensitive hearing was quick to pick up the tenderness in his tone.
Then, the woman spoke, “Koibito, you have come.”
“Of course, why would I not?”
“Our son, he is ready to come,” she said with a smile.
Lord Touga smiled in return.
“Koibito,” she uttered.
“Yes?”
“Your son,” she began, and much to Sesshoumaru's fear, he was preparing himself to be scolded by his father for taking the damned human out in the garden when they should have stayed indoors instead.
“What about Sesshoumaru?,” his father urged.
Here it comes, Sesshoumaru thought.
“He was most kind to me, my Lord. It was not his fault.”
At those words, Lord Touga nodded. Jubei and Shiroi looked at Sesshoumaru who stood as cold as a statue. But, they knew he was surprised and perhaps, he was seething within himself from the kind words Izayoi offered in his defense.