InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Ruins of Heaven ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

“Mistress . . .”

 

“What is it?” came the irritable feminine voice's demand.

 

“We wish to report to you . . . some good news and some bad news . . .”

 

“Well? Tell me!” the female commanded harshly.

 

“We have succeeded in bringing the half-demon to our realm. We have even changed him from an adult to a child, as you wished.”

 

“Really?” came the purr. “Where is he? In one of the holding cells?”

 

“That is the bad news, I'm afraid. He is near Solace . . . or so our scouts have told us.”

 

“What?! How did this happen?”

 

“His brother was enveloped by the water as well. They are together. Given the half-demon child's status now, we have no doubts that the full demon will protect him. They are kin, after all.”

 

“Hmph . . . well, we'll just see about that now, won't we? Send troops after them. I want that child.”

 

“Yes, mistress.”

 

`Soon, sweet one, you will be within my grasp and the portal will be able to be opened. Very soon, indeed.'

 

* * *

 

Tasselhoff let out a heavy sigh then cast a glance back at the newest additions to their traveling group. He had no doubts that the little boy with them would be someone interesting to talk to and maybe even have a little bit of fun with, but the child stayed close to the taller male. Of course, Tasselhoff wasn't sure he could say he blamed the boy. They acted as if they had no idea as to where they were at.

 

'Maybe they don't,' he reasoned, turning his attention back to the road. 'They don't look like any race I've ever seen before.'

 

Sure, the older of the two had some elvish features to him. He had very long, silvery hair and the pointy ears, like all elves had. But the colourings on his face . . . they never washed off. They'd been with the group for over two days and Tasselhoff had watched the one called Sesshomaru cleaning himself off. When he'd splashed water on his face, the stripes, the crescent moon, the pink on his eyelids remained. The younger one, Inuyasha, had silvery white hair and golden eyes, much like Sesshomaru's, but his ears . . . his ears were on top of his head. Not on the sides like everyone else's. Both had claws and fangs, giving the kender the idea that maybe they were vampires or something. Then there was the fact that there was something very unsettling about the two. They both could smell things long before anyone else in the group smelled them and could detect if someone was friend or foe by scent alone . . . they even saw better in the dark than what Tanis could and Tanis was half elvish!

 

'I'd hate to have to fight against them,' the kender mused. 'They both look like they can handle things on their own. Still, I wish the kid would come up and talk to me. I'm sure he's a lot of fun and would be interested in hearing my stories.'

 

He heaved another sigh. So much for the new companions being interesting.

 

* * *

 

Fizzban huffed a little as he ran towards the road. Of all the things to happen, of all the things Takhisis had to do, she had to bring two demons from another realm into their own. And not just any demons. Both were the sons of a powerful demon lord known as InuTaisho. Granted, the oldest son was the only full-blooded demon and the youngest son was only half, having had a human mother, but both were formidable in their own rights. And having just the half-demon in this realm would prove deadly. He and the other Gods and Goddesses knew it. The half-demon was the key.

 

'Can't think about that now,' he wheezed. 'Must get to them before Takhisis's servants reach them. I must keep the half-demon safe. I must.'

 

He ran as fast as his legs would carry him . . .

 

* * *

 

“What are you doing?”

 

Sturm looked up at the quiet inquiry only to have his eyes meet the golden gaze of the silver-haired child that had somehow become one of their newest traveling companions. He'd just gotten back from gathering firewood and had set about building a campfire so they could keep warm and cook some of their rations. Curiosity lit the boy's eyes and a soft smile had graced his lips. It was the first time he'd spoken to anyone.

 

'Such a lively child . . . his eyes . . . they're like twin suns . . . as are his brother's. Where did they come from? They're not like anyone I've ever met!'

 

“I'm building a fire,” Sturm replied.

 

“Oh . . . can I help?”

 

“Sure,” the knight nodded, handing over a few of the branches. “You place them in a pile like this . . .”

 

As he spoke, Sturm strategically placed the branches in a circle and on top of each other. The boy watched him intently and soon began to mimic his movements.

 

“And now that we're done, we light it,” he finished.

 

“How?” came the inquiry.

 

“Like this . . .”

 

He pulled out the piece of flint and hard stone then struck them together until a few sparks landed amongst the dry leaves. Within moments, he had a crackling fire going. Sturm raised his head and offered the child a smile. The boy's eyes had widened almost in delight as the fire got started.

 

“And now we have a fire. Thank you for your help, Inuyasha.”

 

“You're welcome,” the boy whispered.

 

“Inuyasha,” a cold voice intoned. “Come over here.”

 

As the child scampered over to his older brother, Sturm couldn't help but smile a little more.

 

'Definitely a lively soul. There's a lot of honour in him. In his brother as well. They're like Caramon and Raistlin yet . . . they're not. They're different. Somehow. They have their own kind of affection for each other. I wonder where they came from. Ah well. It doesn't matter. I am just glad he's with us.'

 

* * *

 

Tanis shook his head as he heard Sesshomaru's command to Inuyasha and watched as the boy hurried over to the older male. The fact they were brothers, or at least half-brothers, was not lost on the half-elf. In some ways, they reminded him of how Raistlin and Caramon had become, but without the snide remarks coming from Sesshomaru. However, it wasn't their behaviours or mannerisms that concerned him. It was what they were that did.

 

'They're not elves. Even though Sesshomaru has the ears for it, he isn't an elf. His senses are better than those of an elf. I've never heard of an elf that could hear and smell things as well as he does. As well as either of them do. Then there's Inuyasha . . . and his ears. They're almost like, like . . . dog ears . . . but that isn't possible . . . is it?'

 

Given everything that had been happening lately, Tanis wasn't so sure anymore. Those strange priests were nothing like anything he had ever seen. So it was possible that were some dog-like creatures out there . . . he hoped.

 

'At least the boy's helpful. I'm not so sure about Sesshomaru . . . yet.'

 

“Is there something bothering you, Tanis?”

 

Startled, Tanis blinked only to see Sesshomaru standing before him, his golden eyes flashing. He took a deep breath then let it out. Sesshomaru appearing out of nowhere was something that he hadn't been expecting. Tanis shook his head.

 

“No,” he replied. “Why do you ask?”

 

“You were watching us,” came the smooth answer. “More specifically, Inuyasha. Again.”

 

“I can't help it . . . you and your brother have me intrigued,” Tanis confessed.

 

“Oh?” Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at him, sending a tiny shiver of fear through him. Tanis got the distinct feeling that he was talking to someone who would and could kill him without batting an eye or feeling guilty over it. His presence was very commanding, too. Tanis felt himself saying things he wouldn't have said otherwise.

 

“Yes,” Tanis nodded. “I've been trying to figure out what you and your brother are. You're nothing like anything any of us have ever encountered.”

 

“I see . . .” The silver-haired male smirked. “We don't fit into any of your pre-conceived notions of race, I take it?”

 

It came out as a question but was more of a statement. Somehow, Sesshomaru had hit upon the problem.

 

'He's dangerous,' a little voice whispered but Tanis ignored it. Again, he nodded.

 

“Yes. I guess you could say that.”

 

“Then I shall make it clear for you, Tanis Half-Elven. Very clear. You won't wonder anymore.”

 

“I won't?” Tanis blinked. Already he didn't like where this conversation was going.

 

“Oh yes,” Sesshomaru assured. “I guarantee it.”

 

“Okay . . . what are you?”

 

“We're demons.”