InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Perish Once More ❯ Chapter Twenty-One: Unveiling ( Chapter 21 )

To Perish Once More: Chapter Twenty-One: Unveiling

-Jasmine Fields

****

The damned intruder almost evaded his momentarily unguarded awareness.

Still, in his temporary haze, he was ready to shield him self against the irritated boar turned demon when it assailed him and he dodged with a counter attack of his own from the tree line concealing the stream.

Splicing, severing and separating the beast's head from its neck after strangling and thrashing it had been effortless devoid the use from the power of the shards. Without pause, he gutted the creature's intestines and threw the scraps to the wolves that happened upon him at the clearing beyond the current's flow.

Raw meat…

Devouring the litter still carried in the freshly slain beast's uterus, he earned first claim for killing the wretched primate. The blood guzzling down his throat was a delicious treat, and filled his hunger.

Shaking the vestiges of the embryos from his claws, he invited the wolves and demons that obeyed his command to dispense of its remainders as they deemed fit.

His canine teeth dripped with the still warm red oozing liquor as he backtracked to the water's edge.

Thirst quenched, he wiped away the excess water from his face and stilled.

A threat prowled close by.

Backing away from the embankment, he used all his disciplined stealth to circle around behind the trespasser for a better trace of its scent.

So long as it distanced it self from his spared tribe members and wolf charges, he would believe it capable of sane judgment and sensibility.

Cruelty…

It was a testament to the means of a vengeful end.

He would spare no sacrifice that opposed his strength or offended his prided perceptive senses.

Heels dug in the earth he jumped on his prey tackling it to the ground.

Peculiar…

The boy is stronger than he appears.

Concentration renewed, he darted the weapon chucked at his legs.

Back flipping to a ready stance he balled his fists and prepared to charge this new menace.

"I just want to talk." The boy virtually begged.

Snarling in frustration with the rush of bloodlust distorting his good sense, he snapped his command.

"Make it fast or else."

Crackling his claws to emphasize his point, he took a step forward to appease the necessity to commit to memory the boy's scent.

It was familiar.

…but confused him.

What the hell is going on here?

Growling deep in his chest, waiting for the boy to state his purpose, he took another fisted step forward.

Kagura.

The boy stiffened and retreated several feet, eyes terrified and telling.

Taking another sniff, he stopped.

Taijia?

It was the bizarre source of his puzzlement.

Who is this kid?

Hackles elevated, staring down his potential adversary, he halted his aggressive advances so the kid would speak.

"Who are you?"

He'd kill the kid if he worked with the enemy.

****

He didn't know precisely what he was getting into for this obedience, but surmised, from his restricted travels that Jaken's only strength was his Staff of Heads and association for keeping conversation, Aun was useful for flying, tracking small game, and keeping everyone paced together. As for Rin - she won Lord Sesshoumaru's fondness and pet-like affection.

Finally, en route to a mysterious snow covered mountain, he witnessed Tokijin's supreme might. Of course, as little as it was used, he already knew Tenseiga's power.

No matter the circumstance, he, however immaterial, assessed his own utility and would gain respect, of sorts, for accomplishment of his lordship's wishes.

Decidedly, he promised not to recoil in the magnificent presence of his lord when following in order to gain his confidence and favor, if it were possible. Swearing a silent oath of absolute true allegiance and submission to every directive given him, he gathered his weapon and headed for his destination.

Lord Sesshoumaru…

His master…

Lethal.

He now lived to serve the great dog demon.

Perfect.

Cloaked in the confines of his heart were secrets bearing witness to gross genocide. The soul, naked exposed and ashamed, gnashed its metaphorical teeth demanding penitence for the evils committed on his account.

I will live…

While Naraku was a cast off war lord - presently isolated from thought or imagination or dream - only imposing as black shadows and corrupt pre-eminence - the young taijia desired, yet, a conduit to seal away the abyss of transgressions collected as he acknowledged the dishonor to his name.

I will live for him.

Perhaps, in due course, the opposing forces straining his soul would die. In the meantime, he was entrusted with a mission.

Prince of the wolf demon tribe…

That was his goal.

Squatting behind some low bushes at the riverbed, he watched as the prince rested in solitude acting upon intimate thought conjured up.

I've never met him before…

He wasn't familiar with Kouga's relationship to Kagome or Sango - or lack thereof, from the sound of things. Apparently, through his own observation, the demon prince loved the priestess with his entire being, and had no misgivings about expressing his cravings.

He realized the confrontation with the wolf demon would not necessarily be gracious…

However, he had a job to do.

Standing up to lean against a tree a mere arm's length away, he patiently waited for calmness to overtake the prince leader when he rolled over, ceasing his ministrations.

The blood was rushing back to his legs when he decided to allow a few more moments of privacy before barraging him.

A rustle across the bank alerted him. It was the only warning he received before the boar crashed through the brush.

Escaping the boar's fierce temper, he watched as it raced toward his very objective.

The struggle against that manic monster was short-lived.

…and then he disappeared.

Panicked, Kohaku frantically sought for a visual on the wolf-demon. He just wouldn't bear it, if he failed this mission.

Nearly giving up his search, he briefly glanced up at a whistle in the wind just in time to see his target ambush him with a silent jump.

Barely.

He just barely cleared razor sharp claws as he whipped out his scythe to defend him self.

Movements natural and instinctive, he pushed away, shouting the first thing that came to mind.

Damnation would come before he completed this task and then if death came to claim him…

So be it.