InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The True Purpose ❯ Scene 50 ( Chapter 50 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Gonna change gears just a tad, don't get nervous. It'll all work together, trust me.
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Scene 50 ---------------------------------------------------------------- The Northern Mountains
* It takes Kouga only four days of hard running to reach the foot of the mountains that are his Father's territory. Then it takes a day to trek to his large cave. When the Prince's tornado dissipates at the entrance, the two wolf demons standing at the entrance greet him calmly.
Sheratou- Prince Kouga, you've come...
Kouga- I need to see Father.
* Both the wolves move aside to give their Prince passage.
Taruga- It's good to see you again, brother.
* Kouga pauses to lay a hand on the shoulder of his true younger brother when he gets a sudden feeling of dread.
Kouga- Is Father well?
Taruga- Didn't you come because he summoned you?
* Kouga studies his brother.
Taruga- He is very ill... He says he's...
* Kouga goes on into the cave. He finds his elderly Father laying on his thick pile of furs in the inner cave chamber. As Kouga enters, his Father sniffs his scent then opens his eyes.
Dairufu- Kouga,.. my son...
* Kouga goes over quickly to help his Father sit up.
Kouga- What's going on Father?
* Dairufu's (1) chuckle turns into a hacking cough.
Dairufu- Have you gone as.. blind as.. I?
* Kouga looks into Dairufu's unseeing eyes, but says nothing.
Dairufu- I'm.. glad that you have (cough) finally heeded my call...
Kouga- Father,...
Dairufu- You are my eldest son...
* Kouga sighs and sits down beside his Father.
Kouga- Okay, Father. I get the message. I know I haven't been around lately, but I've been busy...
Dairufu- Yes, I know all about your.. business... Your hunt for that mongrel demon Naraku... Chasing that (cough) human b----... Fighting with the Inu hanyou, Inuyasha...
Kouga- Father,..
Dairufu- My wolves bring me all the information I need...
* Kouga glances to the side where a couple large wolves are laying together lazily.
Dairufu- You heed me, Kouga.. Leave that hanyou alone or...
Kouga- Inuyasha is the reason I'm here, Father...
Dairufu- You are here because I called you (cough)!
* When Kouga rolls his eyes Dairufu reaches over and clubs him upside his head.
Dairufu- Pay attention to me, whelp!
Kouga- Yes, Father. But Naraku has been killed... Finally and for good.
* The elderly wolf nods approvingly.
Dairufu- I knew you would handle the mutt... Now what about the hanyou Inuyasha?
Kouga- He's been cursed...
* Dairufu's blind eyes widen to show his surprise. He raises a hand to strike Kouga again, but this time the Prince grasps his wrist gently.
Kouga- Father, please don't do that...
Dairufu- What did you do?!
Kouga- It wasn't me... He was cursed by a cat demon.
* Now Dairufu moans, lowers his eyes, and shakes his head sadly.
Dairufu- I do hope that Lord Sesshomaru hasn't killed the cat...
Kouga- I'm here to see if there is some other way to remove the curse that won't have Lord Sesshomaru cowering to this cat's whims...
* Dairufu turns his face toward Kouga, confusion evident.
Kouga- Perhaps I better explain what I know...
Dairufu- Yes, but do so quickly... I've not got much (cough) time left to me...
Kouga- Stop saying that and listen, Father.
* The old wolf grunts and listens carefully as Kouga explains everything that has happened. When he is done they both sit quietly a few moments.
Dairufu- So fate has done her work on those two finally...
Kouga- You knew of their Father's..?
Dairufu- Of course... I made it a point to know all the secrets of my rivals.. as well as my allies. (Cough) It's how I remained the Ruler of the North.. You would do well to learn this, whelp, now that I am passing my mantle to...
* A long coughing spell takes ahold of Dairufu and Kouga rises to brace his failing Father up until he calms down once more.
Dairufu- And they have had pups, you say?
Kouga- Yes. Seven... That reminds me of the other reason that I've come..
Dairufu- You are here to take my place... Will you refuse your own destiny?
* Kouga sighs despairingly.
Kouga- No, Father. I won't run from my obligations.. But first I have to help my allies...
Dairufu- The only one that can remove a cat's curse is the one that places it.
* Kouga lets his head fall into one of his hands with a frustated groan. Dairufu looks toward him again and sniffs.
Dairufu- Are you in pain, my son?
Kouga- No, Father.. Okay, forget that... Do you remember about the curse concerning the black Inu pups?
* Now Dairufu groans.
Dairufu- Ohh, don't tell me one of their pups was...
Kouga- Is.. Lord Sesshomaru turned the little guy over to me... I accepted him, then gave him back...
Dairufu- (Nods) Wise decision, son. Again, you prove your...
Kouga- Father, will you drop that...? How can we end that stupid curse? It's time for the old prejudices and wars to end...
* Dairufu looks away. He is quiet for a long moment. Again he shakes his head sadly.
Dairufu- The only way for that curse to end... is mentioned in the original wording of the curse itself.
Kouga- Can you quote it to me?
* Dairufu coughs lightly again as he thinks with squinted eyes, murmurs to himself a few moments, then nods.
Kouga- Father?
Dairufu- What? Oh, yes.. (Clears throat) Two sides that were one are now torn and severed. Doom will befall each parent of Black Inu pups born, not delivered... (cough) Until brothers unite, the dogs will suffer this plight.
* When Dairufu finishes Kouga just stares at him for a couple moments.
Kouga- Brothers unite...? Does that mean Sesshomaru and Inuyasha?
* The old wolf leader sighs heavily. Then thinks a moment as he scratches one of his pointed ears.
Dairufu- Hmm... It's possible... But at the time of the curse, the brothers were the Inus and Ookamis...
Kouga- So then.. If Sesshomaru and I were to become allies, perhaps?
Dairufu- To prove this alliance, the two of you would have to join in battle.. as well as in.. err...umm...
* Kouga gets the message and stands.
Kouga- What?!
Dairufu- If I hadn't already been mated I would gladly have been willing to put that Dog under me.
* Kouga blushes when his elderly Father chuckles thickly. The Leader then waves a hand dismissively.
Dairufu- Forget that... Come to me, son, so I can get this ritual over with... Come in, Garusei and Taruga.
* Kouga turns to watch his only remaining brothers enter the chamber somberly. The change in the atmosphere suddenly weighs heavily on Kouga and he looks back down at his Father.
Kouga- Father,..
Dairufu- You three are my only remaining sons...
* Kouga leans to grasp his Father's shoulders.
Kouga- I didn't come here for this... Can't you fight this, Father?!
* Dairufu wilts again.
Dairufu- Are you.. refusing,.. Kouga?
Kouga- No..! No, Father, I told you I won't run from this... But I'm just not.. ready...
Dairufu- Everything that you have told me, that has happened recently.. That has shown decisions you've made... You are ready, my son... This is why Inari is calling to me now... Please kneel before me, Prince Kouga.
Kouga- F-Father, I.. I don't want you to go...
Dairufu- Will it be you or Taruga?
* Kouga hesitates, then looks toward his brother thoughtfully. He is a little surprised when both he and the youngest, Garusei, turn their backs. Signalling to Kouga that both refuse to vie for Kouga's place. Both knowing that their oldest brother is indeed stronger than them. Slowly Kouga swallows, then moves to kneel in front of his Father. He takes the elder demon's trembling hand as he reaches it toward his head.
Kouga- (Quietly) As you wish, Father... But I want you to know before this continues... I have always respected you.. as our Leader... But I have also loved you.. as my Father.
* Dairufu smiles warmly with a nod.
Dairufu- You have made me proud, my son... Now, may I continue...?
* Kouga quickly releases Dairufu's wrist and bows his head. The Prince closes his eyes tightly. Taruga and Garusei turn back around to witness the ritual as they feel their Father's weak energy begin to fill the chamber. Dairufu chants the ancient exchanging passage that will transfer his own mantle of leadership to his son. When the verse is finished the brothers watch their Father's cloak lift upward in the swirling energy, then lower to settle over Kouga's shoulders. With the transfer of power and leadership complete, Dairufu lays back down weakly. Kouga raises his sparkling eyes to watch his Father slowly fade away. When the once powerful demon is truly gone, the energy that has lit up the chamber settles to collect inside Kouga. Taruga and Garusei watch Kouga's body straighten up onto his knees a moment. When the chamber dims once more Kouga collapses forward onto the empty bed of furs. The two brothers join their new Leader. For several moments, they are just three sons mourning the passing of their great Father. The two large wolves give a low mournful howl, then fall silent. Kouga gathers himself and stands.
Kouga- (Quietly) You both accept me?
Taruga- Yes.
Garusei- You will rule us well, M'Lord.
Kouga- Then I ask for you both to help me establish this new honor and set things in order quickly.
Taruga- Why such haste?
Kouga- I'll explain as we make our way to the Elders' meadow.
* Taruga and Garusei follow Kouga out of the cave. For the first time, Kouga raises his hands to ask his newfound energy to transform him into his full demon form. Taruga and Garusei step aside as the transformation takes place. Kouga's large black wolfen form turns his head to glance toward his brothers, his eyes flare to red, then he raises his head to howl. The Leader's call for the Elders to gather in the usual meadow. With the swiftness still granted to him by the Jewel shards Kouga's dark form takes off. His brothers glance at each other, then take off to follow as closely as they can.
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(1) Dairufu- Rough combination of the Japanese words for Father (Daifu) and Wolf (Urufu). The brothers' names are just made up.
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Scene 50 ---------------------------------------------------------------- The Northern Mountains
* It takes Kouga only four days of hard running to reach the foot of the mountains that are his Father's territory. Then it takes a day to trek to his large cave. When the Prince's tornado dissipates at the entrance, the two wolf demons standing at the entrance greet him calmly.
Sheratou- Prince Kouga, you've come...
Kouga- I need to see Father.
* Both the wolves move aside to give their Prince passage.
Taruga- It's good to see you again, brother.
* Kouga pauses to lay a hand on the shoulder of his true younger brother when he gets a sudden feeling of dread.
Kouga- Is Father well?
Taruga- Didn't you come because he summoned you?
* Kouga studies his brother.
Taruga- He is very ill... He says he's...
* Kouga goes on into the cave. He finds his elderly Father laying on his thick pile of furs in the inner cave chamber. As Kouga enters, his Father sniffs his scent then opens his eyes.
Dairufu- Kouga,.. my son...
* Kouga goes over quickly to help his Father sit up.
Kouga- What's going on Father?
* Dairufu's (1) chuckle turns into a hacking cough.
Dairufu- Have you gone as.. blind as.. I?
* Kouga looks into Dairufu's unseeing eyes, but says nothing.
Dairufu- I'm.. glad that you have (cough) finally heeded my call...
Kouga- Father,...
Dairufu- You are my eldest son...
* Kouga sighs and sits down beside his Father.
Kouga- Okay, Father. I get the message. I know I haven't been around lately, but I've been busy...
Dairufu- Yes, I know all about your.. business... Your hunt for that mongrel demon Naraku... Chasing that (cough) human b----... Fighting with the Inu hanyou, Inuyasha...
Kouga- Father,..
Dairufu- My wolves bring me all the information I need...
* Kouga glances to the side where a couple large wolves are laying together lazily.
Dairufu- You heed me, Kouga.. Leave that hanyou alone or...
Kouga- Inuyasha is the reason I'm here, Father...
Dairufu- You are here because I called you (cough)!
* When Kouga rolls his eyes Dairufu reaches over and clubs him upside his head.
Dairufu- Pay attention to me, whelp!
Kouga- Yes, Father. But Naraku has been killed... Finally and for good.
* The elderly wolf nods approvingly.
Dairufu- I knew you would handle the mutt... Now what about the hanyou Inuyasha?
Kouga- He's been cursed...
* Dairufu's blind eyes widen to show his surprise. He raises a hand to strike Kouga again, but this time the Prince grasps his wrist gently.
Kouga- Father, please don't do that...
Dairufu- What did you do?!
Kouga- It wasn't me... He was cursed by a cat demon.
* Now Dairufu moans, lowers his eyes, and shakes his head sadly.
Dairufu- I do hope that Lord Sesshomaru hasn't killed the cat...
Kouga- I'm here to see if there is some other way to remove the curse that won't have Lord Sesshomaru cowering to this cat's whims...
* Dairufu turns his face toward Kouga, confusion evident.
Kouga- Perhaps I better explain what I know...
Dairufu- Yes, but do so quickly... I've not got much (cough) time left to me...
Kouga- Stop saying that and listen, Father.
* The old wolf grunts and listens carefully as Kouga explains everything that has happened. When he is done they both sit quietly a few moments.
Dairufu- So fate has done her work on those two finally...
Kouga- You knew of their Father's..?
Dairufu- Of course... I made it a point to know all the secrets of my rivals.. as well as my allies. (Cough) It's how I remained the Ruler of the North.. You would do well to learn this, whelp, now that I am passing my mantle to...
* A long coughing spell takes ahold of Dairufu and Kouga rises to brace his failing Father up until he calms down once more.
Dairufu- And they have had pups, you say?
Kouga- Yes. Seven... That reminds me of the other reason that I've come..
Dairufu- You are here to take my place... Will you refuse your own destiny?
* Kouga sighs despairingly.
Kouga- No, Father. I won't run from my obligations.. But first I have to help my allies...
Dairufu- The only one that can remove a cat's curse is the one that places it.
* Kouga lets his head fall into one of his hands with a frustated groan. Dairufu looks toward him again and sniffs.
Dairufu- Are you in pain, my son?
Kouga- No, Father.. Okay, forget that... Do you remember about the curse concerning the black Inu pups?
* Now Dairufu groans.
Dairufu- Ohh, don't tell me one of their pups was...
Kouga- Is.. Lord Sesshomaru turned the little guy over to me... I accepted him, then gave him back...
Dairufu- (Nods) Wise decision, son. Again, you prove your...
Kouga- Father, will you drop that...? How can we end that stupid curse? It's time for the old prejudices and wars to end...
* Dairufu looks away. He is quiet for a long moment. Again he shakes his head sadly.
Dairufu- The only way for that curse to end... is mentioned in the original wording of the curse itself.
Kouga- Can you quote it to me?
* Dairufu coughs lightly again as he thinks with squinted eyes, murmurs to himself a few moments, then nods.
Kouga- Father?
Dairufu- What? Oh, yes.. (Clears throat) Two sides that were one are now torn and severed. Doom will befall each parent of Black Inu pups born, not delivered... (cough) Until brothers unite, the dogs will suffer this plight.
* When Dairufu finishes Kouga just stares at him for a couple moments.
Kouga- Brothers unite...? Does that mean Sesshomaru and Inuyasha?
* The old wolf leader sighs heavily. Then thinks a moment as he scratches one of his pointed ears.
Dairufu- Hmm... It's possible... But at the time of the curse, the brothers were the Inus and Ookamis...
Kouga- So then.. If Sesshomaru and I were to become allies, perhaps?
Dairufu- To prove this alliance, the two of you would have to join in battle.. as well as in.. err...umm...
* Kouga gets the message and stands.
Kouga- What?!
Dairufu- If I hadn't already been mated I would gladly have been willing to put that Dog under me.
* Kouga blushes when his elderly Father chuckles thickly. The Leader then waves a hand dismissively.
Dairufu- Forget that... Come to me, son, so I can get this ritual over with... Come in, Garusei and Taruga.
* Kouga turns to watch his only remaining brothers enter the chamber somberly. The change in the atmosphere suddenly weighs heavily on Kouga and he looks back down at his Father.
Kouga- Father,..
Dairufu- You three are my only remaining sons...
* Kouga leans to grasp his Father's shoulders.
Kouga- I didn't come here for this... Can't you fight this, Father?!
* Dairufu wilts again.
Dairufu- Are you.. refusing,.. Kouga?
Kouga- No..! No, Father, I told you I won't run from this... But I'm just not.. ready...
Dairufu- Everything that you have told me, that has happened recently.. That has shown decisions you've made... You are ready, my son... This is why Inari is calling to me now... Please kneel before me, Prince Kouga.
Kouga- F-Father, I.. I don't want you to go...
Dairufu- Will it be you or Taruga?
* Kouga hesitates, then looks toward his brother thoughtfully. He is a little surprised when both he and the youngest, Garusei, turn their backs. Signalling to Kouga that both refuse to vie for Kouga's place. Both knowing that their oldest brother is indeed stronger than them. Slowly Kouga swallows, then moves to kneel in front of his Father. He takes the elder demon's trembling hand as he reaches it toward his head.
Kouga- (Quietly) As you wish, Father... But I want you to know before this continues... I have always respected you.. as our Leader... But I have also loved you.. as my Father.
* Dairufu smiles warmly with a nod.
Dairufu- You have made me proud, my son... Now, may I continue...?
* Kouga quickly releases Dairufu's wrist and bows his head. The Prince closes his eyes tightly. Taruga and Garusei turn back around to witness the ritual as they feel their Father's weak energy begin to fill the chamber. Dairufu chants the ancient exchanging passage that will transfer his own mantle of leadership to his son. When the verse is finished the brothers watch their Father's cloak lift upward in the swirling energy, then lower to settle over Kouga's shoulders. With the transfer of power and leadership complete, Dairufu lays back down weakly. Kouga raises his sparkling eyes to watch his Father slowly fade away. When the once powerful demon is truly gone, the energy that has lit up the chamber settles to collect inside Kouga. Taruga and Garusei watch Kouga's body straighten up onto his knees a moment. When the chamber dims once more Kouga collapses forward onto the empty bed of furs. The two brothers join their new Leader. For several moments, they are just three sons mourning the passing of their great Father. The two large wolves give a low mournful howl, then fall silent. Kouga gathers himself and stands.
Kouga- (Quietly) You both accept me?
Taruga- Yes.
Garusei- You will rule us well, M'Lord.
Kouga- Then I ask for you both to help me establish this new honor and set things in order quickly.
Taruga- Why such haste?
Kouga- I'll explain as we make our way to the Elders' meadow.
* Taruga and Garusei follow Kouga out of the cave. For the first time, Kouga raises his hands to ask his newfound energy to transform him into his full demon form. Taruga and Garusei step aside as the transformation takes place. Kouga's large black wolfen form turns his head to glance toward his brothers, his eyes flare to red, then he raises his head to howl. The Leader's call for the Elders to gather in the usual meadow. With the swiftness still granted to him by the Jewel shards Kouga's dark form takes off. His brothers glance at each other, then take off to follow as closely as they can.
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(1) Dairufu- Rough combination of the Japanese words for Father (Daifu) and Wolf (Urufu). The brothers' names are just made up.