InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Perish Once More ❯ Chapter Twenty-Four: Revelation ( Chapter 24 )

To Perish Once More: Chapter Twenty-Four: Revelation

-Jasmine Fields

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Kikyo.

She had hidden her presence from him once again. He wondered, precisely, how she managed to escape his notice - or minimally, the flow of her magic, that identified her as a priestess - after she fell into his extraordinary poison.

Disturbed from an awakened nightmare, silently he fingered the Shikon in his palm.

Even with the scraps of Onigumo's heart lacerated from his body, his soul, admittedly felt less insulted with out the thief's gluttonous appetite for the undead woman.

Swearing, though to a degree relieved, he had figured the carving out of that wretched villain would ease the malignant affliction of need coursing through his veins to doom him.

Yet, he was made for greater things, than traipsing around the countryside mourning for her presence - sickened in grief for her absence - simultaneously succumbing to his instincts of wishing - no, lusting - for the cruelest of deaths to overcome her.

It was disgusting times such as these his heart involuntarily skipped a beat.

His efforts for the jewel he so diligently worked to acquire cast doubts shadowing his already sinister mind.

He him self had no desire for the woman…no desire for her flesh…no desire for her embrace. Even now, Onigumo seemed to linger while he wanted nothing better than her destruction…her ruin…her corruption, all the better yet, if it could be attained.

Still, she was likened to a plague in the foremost of his every thought and inflicted him with infinite tireless migraines.

Altering his mindfulness elsewhere, he sought a certain refuge stemmed from the evidence of the nearly complete Shikon Jewel - almost its entirety in his grasp. Of course, he would love nothing more than to possess the remaining shards that vengeful wolf-demon was appointed guardian over.

But…

Not now.

Wickedly grinning, the tide of his soul waxed and waned while he planned for future encounters with those seeking opportunities against his life to bring about his misfortune and devastation.

He pitied their excuses. They truly were short sighted. Never might they possibly imagine his true blessed intent.

Miroku.

The gift bestowed upon his grandfather and father alike - then to the young monk him self - fueled their inner drive, generating an invisible intense sense of urgency.

Of course, originally, it was simply an experiment to create an incarnation for an unnamed purpose. Though his test altered his course of action, he chose to learn all he could from the air void - advantages as well as disadvantages - when the monks utilized it in combat.

Hence, Kanna was birthed into existence - quiet, soulless, dependable, and her self a void.

As his consciousness grew, he used his substantially matured powers from the piddling of a shape shifting master to a spiritual catalyst, of sorts, he reasoned.

Goals reassessed, he yearned for an infamous name whispered on the lips of even the tiniest of children on their beds.

The servants of the cloth were to behold his ascent to power with respectful fear rooted in the knowledge that he alone was responsible for the cause of their deep devotion and prosperous education.

It was not genuinely meant to discourage and dampen zeal and smolder the hope of life that nevertheless occasionally overwhelmed those men.

Kouga.

He had targeted his tribe, since they were easy enough prey. His deepest satisfaction at this conquest was monumental since, not so shortly beforehand, Kouga was superior in strength and stature, for a short time - even with out the shards, before the jewel had broken and scattered across all regions of Japan; he was quite a worthy rival.

Victory was not complete, yet, but soon…

At the time, he hadn't identified the prince of the wolf and wolf-demon tribe as stronger than he appeared.

Miscalculating the affects of revenge for his henchmen and new found love for the priestess, he assumed the wolf-demon leader would continue searching for additional shards and hadn't prepared for the possibility of a long term pursuit.

The two shards embedded in his legs had been a challenge in the beginning, but nevertheless, he had shown his true fighting skill and wit when he took out Ginkotsu - that metal monster of the Shinichitai and the giant brother, removing his shard - on his own accord, and tracked him to his castle and lair several times past.

Time and time again, the young leader successfully dodged all attacks intended for him.

Truly impressive.

Sango.

His intent against the exterminator's village was nothing less than overt boldness and desire for the destruction of so many potential dangers to his own survival. He had in mind total self-preservation when he absorbed the demons liable for the onslaught of her kind, as it were.

The discovery at his skill to affectively influence and manipulate a multitude and army of snarling, howling demons was under appreciated in this state of war.

The woman her self - had been a short lived fascination turned near obsession.

She had strength and skill of her own.

First, she climbed out of her own grave and stayed alive in spite of the implanted jewel shard being removed from her body. Then, she borrowed Tesseiga for one of his investigations with out incurring the wrath of the irksome hanyou. Most surprisingly, her love for her brother had nearly purified the jewel shard on its own.

There had been so much potential for a beautifully dark addition to his collection.

But her loss was his gain.

Kohaku.

And now, he was dead. The boy served him faithfully enough - and his mortal life spared, for a time.

He had Kagura to thank for that.

Snickering fondly of his interrogation with Kagura several days before, memories settled of his first encounter with Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru.

…whom he formed a pact with…gave poisonous insects to…

Sesshoumaru.

…whom he shared a human arm to discover the Tesseiga's fully empowered unrivaled strength…

Sesshoumaru.

…whom he found weakness in a single girl - that was his belief, in any case, though the demon lord never seemed thwarted by interference.

Injuring his pride had been his goal when he abducted Rin. It seemed impossible, however, to deduce this lordship's motives.

Most certainly it would have taken more than a kidnapping to earn the right of his full-out sustained wrath.

Gods, yes, he coveted and labored day in and out eventually becoming Sesshoumaru's equal in battle and power. He felt somewhat…satisfied with his accomplishments.

Eyes narrowing, stray thoughts wandered.

Half brother to Inuyasha.

Half-demon who captured Kikyo's heart…who almost was granted another life gifted by the will of the Jewel of Four Soul's…who's love for the priestess caused Onigumo's unwarranted jealousy and hatred.

Inuyasha…

…who very nearly spoiled its obvious dormant beauty with such a juvenile desire for a decently normal civil human life…

Inuyasha.

The name incited his soul as the competitor for Kikyo's heart. Growling, he instantly rejected the betrayal of his mind.

Plans were nothing with out action.

All until this point had been a purchase of time. If ever his endeavors came to fruition…

Kagome.

Genuinely, he liked the woman and hated her suffering.

Nothing personal against you…

But there was nothing to be told for failure. It was a necessary evil.

Stewing over the revolting stench of the dungeon, he beckoned his few servants do his bidding and sanitize the entire living quarters.

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