InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trouble Comes in Threes ❯ The First Two ( Prologue )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha nor anything that has to do with Inu-Yasha. I do own the original plots that are OOC to the original manga and anime.

 

“Trouble Come in Threes”

By Ethril Dragon

 

I don't know where to begin. Should I start off with the current date and the circumstances leading up to this devastation? This is the first journal entry I've been able to write down since everything started happening, and I'm afraid I might not get the chance to add another.

 

My name is Kagome. I'm 19 years old, living in the feudal times of Japan. Two years ago my friends and I defeated Naraku and made a wish on the Shikon Jewel. The wish was simple, that Inu-Yasha could be with the woman he loved in the living world. In my heart I knew he wanted Kikyo. Expecting for my soul to be given to her, I was surprised when she was given a new soul and a real body.

 

After that Inu-Yasha mated Kikyo, Sango and Miroku got married, and Shippo and I became our own little family. Life was actually turning out really good, except for the fact that the well had sealed up.

 

About 3 months ago we heard rumors of a strange plague to the south. At first we thought it was just a normal illness, like the flue. With my future knowledge, I was able to help educate our village on how to properly clean water and why it was important to wash their hands. As time went on, reports of the plague became worse. Soon we heard that it was affecting both humans and demons. Some were spared, and they made their way north. That's how we heard of it. Then, the first of our village fell sick.

 

I hate to write this, I really do. It breaks my heart to even have to remember. Shippo was too young. He was a happy and healthy kitsune, and I have no idea why he became sick first. One by one the villagers fell sick. Whatever the plague was, it knew no difference between age, gender, and race. I held Shippo in my arms as he drew his last breath.

Sango, Kaede, Inu-Yasha, and Shippo died. We were in mourning as we buried our loved ones. I remember it was a sunny day and there had been a light breeze.

 

A month passed and our village was only a quarter of what it had been. Survivors from other villages came and moved in. We welcomed them, for they were extra hands. A better trained priestess moved into the village as well, and I began my training again. Things were starting to actually resemble something normal when something worse came.

 

A few people started seeing things. We didn't believe them at first, thinking they were simply stressed. But slowly, their skin grew pale and their heart beats became faster. It wasn't like the plague that had struck before. This was different. Again both demons and humans were affected. Instead of death, the illness brought insanity and inhuman strength. The insane began attacking each other as well as those who had been left unaffected. Miroku and I escaped the insanity, but many did not. Kikyo ended up being one of the afflicted.

 

My long time friend and I left the village with the bare minimum, just what we could grab. We headed for caves that our group had often times used while traveling. At night we would hear the distant screams and savage cries. We left the cave only to hunt for food during the day. It seemed that as the insanity progressed, the afflicted became nocturnal.

 

One day Miroku went out to find some herbs. When he returned, he brought with him a frightened young girl. She had scratches and bite marks all over her. From her we learned that the Insane that were still alive had formed packs. The packs were a mixture of human and demon, though the demons were typically the leaders. I treated the girl's wounds the best I could.

 

Days past and slowly her skin began to be tinged with a sickly gray. It was in the throws a fever that she admitted to me that one of the Insane had bitten her. I had a horrid moment where I wondered if I was in one of those zombie horror films from home. I wasn't, I knew that, because this was worse.

 

On the fifth day the girl, Sakura, screamed and lunged at me. Miroku knocked her out and took her from the cave. It was night time. We blocked the cave entrance that night and Sakura was never seen again.

 

We had thought the worse to be over. After 2 months of traveling and avoiding the Insane, Miroku and I found a village with what was left of the monks and priestesses. They had erected a new barrier that would repel the Insane. We found refuge there.

I wish I could say that's where my story ends, but it is not. Unaffected Demons have shown up outside the barrier, demanding to be let in. One of them…is Sesshomaru.

 

End Entry 1 of Kagome's Journal.

 

“I say we make an entrance for the demons and let them in,” Miroku said calmly as he leaned against his staff.

 

One of the younger monks made a rather rude sound in his throat. “It's their fault to begin with! They're the ones who cursed the land! We should thank the gods that they were cursed as well!”

 

Kagome felt her eyebrow twitch in irritation. Once again the monks and priestesses began to fight over whether or not to let the demons in. There were only 20 or so of them, not to mention the few humans that were in their midst. Kagome wondered what had made Sesshomaru allow humans near him. Had it been the Plague, or the Insanity?

“Will you all SHUT UP!” Kagome yelled, her miko energy flaring. Instantly those fighting were silenced. There was one thing about having been the last Shikon Miko, others tended to listen to her. “There is NO PROOF that demons had anything to do with this mess,” She said as she waved towards outside the barrier. “We're probably the last survivors and we need all the help we can get.” Kagome glared at those that had been against letting the demons in.

 

“I don't know about you, but demons are stronger and faster then a human, no matter how strong the human is in holy powers.” There were some reluctant nods. “If anything else, they'll be able to help us hunt and fight if the time arrives.”

 

Without another word, Kagome turned and focused on the barrier. She felt Miroku next to her. Slowly, a doorway opened up in the barrier. One by one the demons and their human companions entered.

 

The miko's and monks that had been against letting the demons in turned and headed back for their respective huts. Kagome rubbed the bridge of her nose, things were not going well…then again things had not been going well 3 months ago when the plague had first started to spread.

 

“Greetings Lord Sesshomaru,” Miroku bowed in respect and Kagome mirrored him. Sesshomaru was his typical stony faced self. Kagome glanced around. She saw nothing of Jaken or Rin, though the two headed dragon was sadly following his master. Kagome could only assume both were dead.

 

The two groups were silent as they watched Kagome and Sesshomaru. It felt like a ton of ice cubes had fallen into the pit of her stomach as Kagome realized she had been made the leader. She took a deep breath and approached Sesshomaru.

 

“No starting fights Sesshomaru, we can't afford any more deaths.” Kagome looked at him seriously. He stared down at her coldly. Kagome stared right back at him and after a few minutes, he nodded slightly.

 

Kagome released the breath she had been unconsciously holding. “Hiro, Aoi, assign huts to everyone,” Kagome said, taking advantage of her leadership. Since arriving she had noticed how no one had really been made in charge. She didn't like the idea of being the leader, but at this point things had to get done. “Kasumi, find the cooks for dinner and see what can be done.” With that the three began following her instructions.

 

“Miko…We must speak,” Sesshomaru said in a monotone voice. Kagome looked up at him warily. Something seemed…off about him. She nodded.

 

“Miroku, help everyone settle in and see if you can find out if anyone has any special skills.” Kagome said.

 

“Sure Kagome,” Miroku got the hint that Kagome wanted to speak with Sesshomaru alone. He hesitated a moment, old habits telling him to be worried about the powerful demon. Kagome rolled her eyes and made a shooing motion with her hands.

 

Once alone, Kagome lead the way to the border of the barrier. They would be most alone there. The others tended to avoid this spot, especially when night was coming. Kagome waited for Sesshomaru to speak first.

 

“Inu-Yasha?” the name spoke volumes to Kagome.

 

“Dead, died in the plague along with Sango, Kaede, and Shippo.” Kagome was almost glad her friend had died of the plague. At least he had not suffered further and he had not had to see his love going insane.

 

“Kikyo?”

 

“The insanity got her.”

 

Silence spread between the two of them. Kagome did not need to ask about Rin or Jaken. If there was one thing she knew about Sesshomaru, he would not have left those two behind during times like this.

 

“Who are they?” Kagome said as she jerked her head back towards the group who were being leaded to empty huts.

 

“The last of my servants and warriors,” Sesshomaru said as he too looked over at them.

Again silence seemed to stretch between them, but Kagome did not mind. It was better then having Sesshomaru attack her. Suddenly Kagome chuckled. Then that chuckle grew into a hysterical laughter.

 

Sesshomaru's eyes went a little wide at the outburst coming from the small woman. His eye brow quirked in question as she calmed down enough to speak.

 

“Sorry, sorry,” Kagome said as she wiped her eyes and fought for breath. “It's just…I can't help but remember all those times you tried to kill me. For some reason, it's just funny now.”

 

Sesshomaru's expression did not change. He saw nothing funny in the past.

 

“That reminds me, I have something for you…in case we ever ran into each other again.” Kagome motioned for the silver haired demon lord to follow her. It took little time for her to lead him to her hut. She ducked inside the one room building and rustled around for a moment.

 

Sesshomaru's eyes went a little wider as Kagome emerged with a battered old sword in hand. “He said it's yours now.” Kagome couldn't even say Inu-Yasha's name as she handed Tetsusaiga over to Sesshomaru.

 

Sesshomaru took the sword he had fought his half brother for, for so long. He felt nothing as he unsheathed it. The sword stayed in its battered form as he looked it over.

 

Sesshomaru had no use for it; he had his own swords Bakusaiga and Tenseiga. Closing his eyes, he re-sheathed Tetsusaiga. For now he would keep it, until he could find a better use for it. Perhaps if Totosai was still alive the old sword maker would take it.

Kagome watched in surprise as she actually saw emotions flash across Sesshomaru's face. They were fast, too fast for her to really tell what they were, but she saw them all the same.

 

“Let's get you to an empty hut,” Kagome said as she smiled warmly. With that she led him to one of the empty huts that was closer to hers. Sesshomaru did not complain when she showed the pitiful hut to him, nor did he say anything when he entered to find only a few blankets and a fire pit. It was all anyone had at this point. And he understood that.

“Dinner will be soon. There will be a bell. After that we post start sentry duty to keep the barrier up. I'm on second and last shift tonight so if you need anything, you'll find me near the barrier's inner edge.”

 

Kagome turned and left then. Once she was a little ways away from Sesshomaru's hut, several people swarmed her anxiously. Her leadership had become common knowledge and she tiredly accepted it.

 

From the entrance of his hut, Sesshomaru watched as Kagome gave orders and listened to those that now looked to her. Silently, he went back into his hut. Out of his kimono, he pulled a small folded orange kimono. Sesshomaru held it in his lap as he listened to the sounds around him. His thumb rubbed back and forth across the fabric as he started his daily meditation.