InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Journey Into the Past, Present, and Future. ❯ Into the Abyss ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter Seven

 

The way into the cave seemed endless. The scenery was all the same: rocks, moss that began green, turning brown and going darker the further she went. There were also a lot of disgusting-looking insects and other strange animals running about. The jyaki itself grew thicker as she traveled further. With this evidence alone, any normal human could see himself on the right path if they lacked the sensibility to sense jyaki—that's if they did not pass out first. All the same, there was not much to figure out since Reika only had one path to follow. Hanging from her neck, was a brilliant green stone held by leather cord, which Reika used to illuminate her path through the darkness. The stone's light was beginning to waver; so Reika rubbed its smooth face making it glow brighter.

 

Somewhere within the trek, Reika felt fatigued and had to stop a moment. The aura grew worse causing her senses to spin out of control. Her eyes began to blur, her ears began to ring…the jyaki had suddenly shifted. Before she could fully understand what went on, Reika lost her balance and fell to the ground, scraping her arms and knees. Tears fought their way to her eyes. The tunnel around her began to spin; she quickly clamped her eyes shut and paced her breathing to keep from throwing up.

 

She stayed like this for a few minutes until the wave was finally gone. Slowly, Reika regained her senses. Little by little, she struggled to her feet assisted by stinging arms. It was a little difficult seeing she landed on her knees hard—at any rate, she finally stood on her two feet despite the slight pain. Looking down, the stone continued to glow and was using its own power to form a protective barrier around Reika, who quickly realized the dark wave didn't leave at all—it lingered. Reika touched the gem lightly, not wanting to exterminate its light. She proceeded forward.

 

Her efforts and patience finally paid off when she found herself in a huge dome-like cavern with extremely high ceilings. In the middle of that very ceiling was a hole the size of two rice patties, barely letting much light in but enough to see that it was still day.

 

She proceeded with caution as the jyaki reached to higher levels of concentration.

 

“This is not good,” she uttered softly as she walked closer to the edge of a precipice. Using both the light from the stone and the light above, she made it to the edge aiming the stone into the depression below. Unfortunately, the light was not enough to allow great visibility. However, she could hear something moving below, like scales scratching against rocks. It was very windy; the rush of air that suddenly blew upwards from below, carried within the stench of over a thousand youkai. Quickly, Reika turned away, bringing her sleeve to her nose, but the smell was too awful to shield against. Being earth-bound had its disadvantages, she realized.

 

There were more rasping sounds coming from below. Gut-wrenching moans and unholy growling accompanied the rasping. Could Naraku be down there or are those his minions? she wondered. The prospects of going down there to investigate did not quite sit well with her. Then something unexpected happened; through the loud rasps of rubbing scales and threatening rattle-like warnings, there was a heartbeat. Reika's dark eyes were wide with wonder. She went closer to the edge-- cautious not to lose her balance-- cupping her right hand to her right ear, Reika listened.

 

Pum-pum, it was faint but she heard it again. Pum-pum, there it was again. It is definitely a heartbeat, she concluded, and not just any heartbeat—it is human. Reika stepped back. Could someone be captive down there? It was possible; she had seen things like that before where humans have been kidnapped by demons. If that were the case, what would they want with one human? She did not like the odds but what if he or she needed her help?

 

Reika looked around to see any possible way down. From where she stood, she could not see any. She would have to look. But something inside her told her it was a bad idea. Suddenly, an eerie feeling entered her body as if her heart missed a beat. She quickly looked back; there was nothing but darkness and cave walls. However, past experiences and her own keen senses had taught Reika to not rely solely on sight-- the eyes were deceitful at times. The feeling grew strong; she was not alone. 

 

She could not exactly pinpoint its location but it felt like the demon's dark aura surrounded the whole of the cavern. Reika decided it was best to pretend at being paranoid and returned her attention to the chasm below. As she searched for a way towards the ground beneath, she heard the grinding of rocks and the rasping of scales below, she felt this Naraku's suffocating presence, squeezing at her soul.

 

Reika took one deep breath and proceeded to find a path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From his vantage point, he observed the trespasser. She must be one of those interlopers from the village, but there was something different about her. She was not like the villagers he had encountered days before. No, she was something else—almost like Kikyo, at the same time-- not like Kikyo. Something about her sparked his interests, all of a sudden, and he wanted it! He decided he would study her more—anyone with enough guts to venture this far was worth his attention, worth keeping alive… for the time being.

 

He watched as she searched the cavern. He watched as she peered into the chasm. And he almost jumped out of his own skin when she quickly turned her head to lock gazes with him in the dark. Except that, she could not see him. However, it seemed like she sensed him; it was safer to assume that she could and was playing him for a fool to later smoke him out into the open.

 

Yes, he would study her more before making any more assumptions. And once she proved herself no longer of his interest-- or no longer a threat, for that matter-- he would kill her.

 

But this pretty one's death might be worse that Kikyo's.

 

 

 

***

“He was most kind to me”, her words echoed, “It was not his fault.” Sesshoumaru was in deep thought. He did not understand why this woman defended him despite his indifference towards her. She was a fool to think she would win him over with mere niceties. But still, she did not hold him culpable for what happened in the garden. Why would she? He did absolutely nothing to cause her distress.

 

The sun, he realized, was already setting in the horizon behind the Eastern Mountains.  He could no longer sit outside his father's chamber. Sesshoumaru decided to retreat out onto the garden near the koi pond where the chrysanthemums hovered, slowly retiring to their slumber. Two hours already passed and not a sign of his father or his sister Shiroimaru. Jubei had sat with him for a while but then retired to his forge, mumbling something about putting together a damned sword. Whatever that was, Jubei was not all too clear. Except for the servants, Sesshoumaru was there alone with his own thoughts.

 

The koi lazily swam in the murky waters. Tonight the moon would be wearing its crescent face. From without the main house, Sesshoumaru could hear the nursemaids scurrying about in haste fetching more warm water and gathering more blankets. The smell of birthing fluids lingered in the air, along with the blood. It had made him sick to his stomach. Soon, he hoped, the runt would be born-- putting an end to all this waiting-- here to impose on their lives, bringing Death sooner to his father's door.

 

Ironically, though, the sun played out his father's fate metaphorically. Sesshoumaru was aware that tensions were up—not only were his father's enemies aware of his betrayal to his own kind—there was talk among his allies and even among his retainers. Surely the birth of a half demon in this house was not looked upon with admirable eyes—it's a sure sign of the Inu no Taisho's weakness.

 

His own mother, Lady Zayura, did worse to make known her displeasure of this arrangement, which added to more of the tension. Everyone was aware that she would kill the human and pup if they should ever come face to face before her. Of course, that was not Sesshoumaru's main concern. He could care less if a band of oni tore his father's bride from limb to limb and squished the hanyou pup between two fingers. Unfortunately for Sesshoumaru, he knew his father would not approve of that.

So many problems…and they all bore his father's name. Sesshoumaru ended that thought with a sigh.

 

 For now, there was not much he could do. If death came, he'd be ready to defend his father—even if it's an idiot choice-- with all he had. And although, this was his father's problem and his father should be the one to deal with it…he did not want to disappoint his progenitor by letting his stepmother and new baby sister, or brother, die in enemy hands.

 

Perhaps, now would be a good time as any to seek Jubei—and he knew exactly where he was. Besides, Sesshoumaru was bored.

 

***

 

 

It did not take Sesshoumaru long to arrive at the forge. He found Jubei sitting on the tatami mat with his back facing the door. It came to Sesshoumaru's attention that the veteran war hero was deeply concentrated on something when he did not as much twitch his ears upon Sesshoumaru's arrival.

 

With great scrutiny, Sesshoumaru searched the older youkai's workshop to discover the forge flames burning low. He took a few steps closer to peer into the furnace-- the heat was incredible—there was nothing in there. Close by, a familiar silvery object caught his eye; it was Shiroi's halberd standing on its handle against the wall. The blade, its large crack noticeable, refracted the dancing lights. Sesshoumaru turned around once he noticed Jubei shift his position. Letting curiosity get the best of him, the Prince decided he would quench that said-curiosity by having a look; what project could Jubei be working on this time?

 

Carefully and quietly, he worked his way around Jubei's hunched frame. Little by little, something came into view, something shiny—correction…some things shiny—metal. To his surprise, he saw pieces upon pieces of metal shards lying in a pile within a square of purple fabric. He recognized the fabric.  And not far from the pile was a hilt, which he knew all too well.

 

He peered in further and to his bigger surprise he caught Jubei placing the shards together, piece-by-piece, with a pair of chopsticks. Sesshoumaru raised a delicate eyebrow in disbelief. His jaw almost dropped simultaneously, but he caught it before giving it the chance.

 

“What. Are. You doing?” Even though Sesshoumaru straightened his face, he knew his tonality gave him away.

 

“What does it look like I'm doing?” Jubei answered, picking up another metal shard, studying it, and then putting it next to the right piece.

 

“Wouldn't it be easier to melt the pieces down and make a new sword?”

 

“I suppose it would but then again, you are not a sword smith.”

 

Sesshoumaru inwardly sighed and decided to sit next to Jubei as this one repeatedly drew metal shards from the pile, matching them together like a puzzle. There were times Sesshoumaru simply did not get this man. It was no wonder his father liked him; Jubei was as strange as his father as well as unconventional. It was amazing Jubei lasted this long.

 

“Where is Renga, anyway?” He said, looking at the hilt.

 

“Away,” was Jubei's simple answer.

 

“Where?”

 

“Fuji-yama no Mori to fetch spider webbing…as a bonding agent for Shiroi's halberd.”

 

“I see.”

 

There was silence. A very uncomfortable one. Jubei decided to break the ice.

 

“Any word on Lady Izayoi?”

 

“I wouldn't know…nor is it my concern to know.”

 

“Pity.”

 

Sesshoumaru's brow quirked again.

 

“In all earnest, I would give my life to safeguard hers and the pup's. For a human, she is really dignified and well worth the sacrifice.”

 

There was silence again as Jubei matched yet another piece to a metal shard.  Either, Sesshoumaru began to think, either Jubei had lost his mind or he is just trying to pass time.  What aggravated Sesshoumaru was how Jubei defended this Izayoi woman; what aggravated him even more was that Jubei was using fancy chopsticks to cater the pieces into place.  With an inward sigh, he continued watching the metal-smith at work.

 

 

  Jubei's attention was keen the moment he heard the rustle of silk to his left.  He had to admit the pleasure it gave him to drive Lord Touga's son crazy with all his personal peeves.  Of course, he would not tell the Prince this as he diligently puzzled the shards together.  True, he would need a bonding agent for this as well but Renga would soon provide it once she returned from Fuji-yama.  At the moment, he entertained thoughts on how to drive the Prince crazy.

 

On the other hand, Sesshoumaru silently observed-- he had seen enough.  Gracefully, he stood to his feet and without as much as a word, Sesshoumaru quickly abandoned the forge.  As soon as Jubei heard the shoji close into place, a smirk quirked into place. He didn't need to lift his head to know Sesshoumaru was gone. His ears heard his gentle footfalls drifting farther away.

 

When he returned to his work, suddenly the smile he wore turned into a frown.  He stared at the shard he had gripped with his fine eating utensils. It sparkled brilliantly into his eyes.  Then, without another thought, he rolled his eyes, tilting his head backwards, and dropped the chopsticks into the pile.

 

"I hate it when he's right."

 

 

***

 

The descent down the shaft had been quite a treacherous one since the path was very narrow-- the width of one human-- and the air currents were extremely strong.  Despite that, Reika could still hear the writhing of scales coming from the darkness below.  With her body closely against the rock walls, she slowing made her way down feeling for nooks to grab onto.  The green stone around her neck continued serving as her only light source.  She hoped to touch bottom soon-- although, falling off the side would end her ordeal sooner. It would be painful, she reminded herself.

 

Down here, the Jyaki was more viscous.  Fortunately for her, she withstood it like a seasoned priestess even though she felt her legs trembling beneath her-- preparing themselves, at any moment, to give way.  It had been a very long time since she faced energy so negative that it was capable of killing everything it touched.

 

With that in thought, and the torrents at her back, Reika decided it best to sit for a while before resuming her journey into the mouth of Hell.

 

Keeping her back firmly against the wall, she carefully slid to the ground.  Her seat was far from being comfortable but this just had to do.  Strangely, she was exhausted—she took it the jyaki was partly responsible for this lethargy.  The other part had to do with not getting any sleep the night before tending to Toshio, the victim of all this and the reason why she was here. She wondered how he was holding up under little Kaede's care. Reika remembered leaving her instructions to be followed while she was away—simple instructions. At any rate, Kaede was not alone. Toshio-san's family was there to give the girl a hand.

 

For now, the negative aura was somewhat stable. Presently, there was no sudden ripple to be alarmed about.  With her mind made up, Reika decided to rest her eyes.  If anything should attack her, the stone would protect her.

 

Calmly, she brought her robe tighter to her body to keep what little warmth existed; the necklace would do the rest.  With one deep breath, she relaxed her body and she closed her dark eyes.

 

***

 

He observed her with ravenous greed as the woman rested her body within the belly of his cave, which served as a haven towards recovery and reconstruction.  He still was not as strong as he aspired to be, however, he was meeting his goal. At least, he was strong enough to do Kikyo and that half-breed InuYasha in; that alone filled him with great satisfaction. He would have felt more satisfied finishing off Kikyo's little sister but that was not made possible.

 

  When he saw this woman for the first instant, he was graced with the vision of a brave busybody female with the guts to venture within his domain-- foolish as she may be—for his first intention, as selfish as it was, was to kill her. But, there was something about her that stopped him from acting on that fantasy.  There was something familiar about her. He could not quite place her but he'd seen her. 

 

Before this, he had a different life. And in that life, which came back to him like pieces of a puzzle, he was a man—a very lowly man with not much of a future ahead of him. It disgusted the creature to even think about this, to think that he was no better than a hanyou. Yes, he remembered killing Kikyo, then InuYasha. He remembered going to the fields wearing that damn half-breed's likeness to then deliver the fatal blow. To his misfortune, Kikyo did not die instantly however, the plan was not completely at a loss. He had accomplished tarnishing her soul, leading her to seal her lover to that sacred tree near the shrine.

 

But, before that, before becoming what he was now, he was in agony. That bastard thief had set him on fire, severely burning his entire body. He knew that as soon as he was strong, he would find that thief and repay him deservingly. If it were not for Kikyo finding him in that cave and tending to his wounds, he would have died sooner. It was through her that he learned of the existence of the Shikon no Tama.

 

As the days passed—him in agony—his chances to recovery were slim. And if he did recover, his body would never be the same ever again. He would not walk right. The burns on his body were so severe he would have been forced to conceal himself from public eyes. No longer would he have been revered, they would have treated him like a monster.

 

Still, for some reason, the woman before him seemed vaguely familiar. Naraku—as he called himself-- decided he would let her live until he could decipher where he'd seen her. He, also, wanted to know why she was here.

 

No doubt it had something to do with that peasant.

 

From where he was suspended high in the darkness, he observed this meddlesome but fascinating woman at rest.  Naraku thought to himself that he could just touch her, perhaps he'd get the answers he needed.  Most of all, he reasoned within himself, he wanted to see if he'd wake her, how would she react?  Would she fear him?  Or would she be like Kikyo--- fearless?

 

Just maybe if he got a closer look at her.  Maybe, if he touched her-- perhaps making her scream-- he'd have a better excuse to tearing her to pieces.  Yet, Naraku wanted to know why she was here and how she thought she was going to destroy him. That was usually the reason anyone came looking for him.

 

Naraku went closer. Extending his hand, he wondered if he'd be able to touch her face without waking her. Slowly, he inched closer…and closer until the tips of his fingers were barely centimeters away from her left cheek. She stirred. Naraku jerked his hand a little. As soon as she seemed relaxed, he proceeded with his plan, inching closer until his index barely touched her skin.

 

Reika suddenly woke with a start the moment she felt the force-field go up. She stared at absolutely nothing but the darkness itself.  However, she felt something, which reasoned her to wake up.  The aura had shifted-- like death was upon her.  She looked down and saw the gem working the way it was supposed to work, glowing even brighter in protection. Something was watching her-- or someone.  She touched her left cheek, strangely. Whatever it was, it was here…watching her.

 

With an inward sigh, Reika decided it was time to move on.  She was in no way safe, although, her safety was non-existent by the time she reached her destination.  Only the gods could guide her and protect her in this one. 

 

Carefully, she picked herself up, staying close to the wall.  And keeping her body against its face, the doctor descended further without certainty of making it out dead or alive. 

 

The gods will protect me, she thought to herself.  The gods have to protect me. They owe me.