InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unforgiven ❯ The Wanderer ( Chapter 5 )

DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately, I cannot steal Inuyasha from Rumiko Takahashi…(it would be kinda obvious, too….)

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing! You guys are what keeping me updating fast. If you bug me about updating, I'm likely to feel more guilty, and psu myself to write faster. Well, I keep getting a lot of "Hey! Where's [insert couple here]" And, once again, I can't always fit everyone in every chapter, but I try. Thankfully, this chapter covers almost all the main characters, so no one will feel left out! :

Please R&R!

"Unforgiven"

Chapter 5: The Wanderer

Steam and fire spit from the crevices in the cracked ground below. It made the air around the two travelers waver with the extreme heat, and caused their eyes to water and burn. Jaken moved along rapidly, his long toes not making it easy to leap around the burning pits in the ground.

"Eeeeep!" He cried, as one of his toes was halfway turned into a crisp.

Sesshomaru had caught up with him, and watched as Jaken floundered in pain. Frowning in frustration, he sent Jaken a hard kick to the backside that caused him to fly to the dwelling at the other side of the fiery plane. The green demon slowly pulled his self up, looking half grateful, and part fearful at the blow his master had dealt him. Now on the other side, Jaken hoisted up the Staff of Heads, and looked on the dwelling that they had arrived at. It was a huge skull, partly buried in the hot earth. As Sesshomaru made his way across the barren landscape to join Jaken, they both heard the clank of metal upon metal coming from the inside.

Sesshomaru walked straight past his cowering follower, and approached the mouth of the skull. It was dim inside, and long shadows leaned and moved in the firelight from the back of the cavern. The metal clinking continued, as Sesshomaru's eyes fixed on the person in the back.

Suddenly, the voice of the person called out to him, in warning and with no fear. "Who comes without knocking? I am only an old man who makes swords. If I do not know you, go away." The voice was weathered with age.

Sesshomaru's gold eyes glinted with the fire. "Toutousai." It wasn't a question, but a demand.

The hunched-over demon in the back, dressed in his green-and-black striped kimono, now whirled around to face the silent dog demon. His face was long, with a pointed chin, almost as if it were a puckered crescent moon. He had receding gray hair on his head, and a stubborn mouth. He looked on in mild confusion and interest at the beautiful countenance before him.

"Who are you?" His voice now trembled slightly with fear he had not shown before. Sesshomaru radiated an awesome power, and every hair on Toutousai's neck stood on end.

Sesshomaru's face remained cold as the steel of Toutousai's swords, as he stared down the old demon. "You forged the sword of my father- the Tetsusaiga?" His eyes narrowed, waiting for the answer.

Sudden realization dawned on Toutousai, and his eyes bugged out even further from his wrinkled face. "You are the son of the Lord of the Western Lands?"

The white-haired demon still remained impassive. "You made for him the Tetsusaiga. I want to know how to break the demon barrier on the blade."

Toutousai's eyes narrowed, his lungs heaving within his bony torso. "You are the elder son. That sword was to be given to his youngest. That is why that barrier is in place." His withered mouth became set in a grim line.

Sesshomaru looked monumentally displeased by the sword maker's answer, and his eyes grew even harder. "I will have that sword." His tone was icy.

Toutousai became more riled, losing a little more of his fear as Sesshomaru insulted him. "I forged that sword- and it was not your father's wish to see it in your hands."

Sesshomaru's mouth twitched a little, and Jaken watched from the sidelines. The delicate mouth of the demon began to twist a little, and suddenly he was smiling an unnatural smile. Jaken shuddered, even in the stuffy, hot room. A smile on Sesshomaru's lips was the most fearful thing he could imagine…it brought images worse than being torn apart alive by hungry wolves, or the most painful kind of torture. When Sesshomaru smiled, the men who were wise ran.

"So…you will not tell me how I may overcome the barrier?"

Toutousai's fear was beginning to return, as he noticed the sick glint deep within the demon's eyes. "N-no….NEVER!"

Without another word, and before the sword master could move, Sesshomaru made a quick flick of his fingers that caused limbs to split from body, and dark blood to splatter over the walls. The sword and hammer that the demon had been using fell to the ground with a clatter, and lay there, steaming.

Jaken made a small sound of pride, knowing that he was on the side of this powerful demon. Yet, he knew that if he upset the demon, he too could one day be on the receiving end of a lethal blow like that. "M-master Sesshomaru?" He began, quietly, scampering after the retreating demon.

"Why did you kill him without finding the secret?"

"He is of no use to me anymore."

And Jaken asked no more questions.

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Kagome looked up with a snap as the demon guard brought them their morning meal. Her eyes lit up in undisguised hunger as she saw the slim plate of food and water. Inuyasha opened his eyes too, eyeing the food with a bitter look on his face.

The guard stood for a moment, as Kagome moved towards the plate, and a look of pity flew across his face. She was a very pretty girl, after all, and hadn't complained one bit when he had taken her to the cell. She was the first prisoner under his watch to have ever shown him any sympathy. "How….are you doing down here?" he asked, quietly, knowing that, as a guard, he should not be even giving the prisoners a second glance.

Her brown eyes shone surprise at him, as she cradled the plate in her hands. Her face was streaked with dirt, and her beautiful black tresses were now matted. "I….I'm….alive….at this point, that's all I can ask for." What could you say to a question like that, anyway? She had just been locked in a dank dungeon for an undetermined amount of time, after all.

Inuyasha growled in warning from the corner where he sat. A tip of a fang peeked out over his bottom lip. Something about the way the guard looked at the girl irritated him. "Leave her alone, wolf! Of course she's not doing all right….either you let us out, or she'll just get worse."

The guard looked miffed, as his eyes narrowed at Inuyasha. "It's Kouga- not wolf! I was just….never mind." Looking dejected, the brown-haired demon retreated, his long ponytail swinging, and the sound of his boots ringing against the metal of the bars.

Inuyasha closed his eyes once more, his hands folded in his wide sleeves, giving him the appearance of a meditating monk. Kagome raised an eyebrow at him, noticing how he was not making a move to get his meal. "Hey…Inuyasha, aren't you going to eat?" She sounded slightly worried, and he flinched.

"No….you eat it." He had noticed how gaunt she had become, and he knew that a human like her needed nourishment far more than his hardened body did.

She sighed loudly, almost motherly. "Now, Inuyasha….you have to eat something.." With her new no-nonsense tone, she picked up his plate, and walked towards him to shove it into his clawed fingers.

He raised a single eyebrow at her, but didn't object. They both began eating, Inuyasha busying his eyes with everything but Kagome, Kagome busying herself with her food.

"Inuyasha….forgive me for being so rude…" he words rang throughout the cell. "…But I want to know. Why are you after Naraku? Why are you a criminal in his eyes?" Part of her didn't want to know, so that she wouldn't have another reason to fear his temper. But, from the gentleness she had seen of late, she was sure that he would not harm her on purpose.

She was feeling the same kind of hatred welling up in her as Inuyasha had expressed, every time she thought of Naraku. And she wanted her and Inuyasha to become comrades…not just temporary cellmates who knew nothing about each other.

He glowered, his face turning sour from the calm look he had before. "It's not something you need to hear….let's just say I killed somebody very very important…"

Kagome nodded, silently. ..Murder? But who? Who was important? She sensed a double edge and a sorrow to his words, and didn't know what to make of them. But how could she press any further? Inuyasha was a closed book that needed plenty of prying. She had gotten this far already…she was sure she would be able to crack the case one way or another…

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Miroku stood, rigid, as before, trying to keep his face as stern and professional as possible. After all, having to stand in front of his men on a platform like this meant that it was important for him to be the most disciplined. And, of course….it was important that he be the best in front of Naraku.

Miroku had been completely in shock when, the night before, Naraku had requested that he gather the troops so that he may address them. Since Miroku and Sango had become residents at the palace, Naraku had rarely left his quarters. He was habitually a recluse, and he led the region just fine from his darkened wing of the house. But, some change had seemed to spark his interest in the men beneath him.

The newly-appointed Commissioner watched warily as Naraku descended from the high steps of the tower. Was he fearing losing the loyalty of his men, or was it just another part of his never-ending web of domination? Miroku faced Naraku with an expressionless face, saluting the approaching man. The thought of what could be formulating in Naraku's mind confused Miroku.

The men below the stage also saluted, lined up in rows of black uniforms and straightened caps. The visage of the tall, imposing Naraku struck either awe or fear in the hearts of the many men that stood in front of him. Naraku, no expression adorning his face except for a small smirk, returned the salutes, and then waited till he had the eye of every man in the audience.

"My men…!" His voice rang loud…it boomed along the walls of the courtyard with its deep tone. The gaze of his beady eyes was intense and far-seeing. "We are nearing the peak of our society. Our city is created of the fastest, the greatest, the smartest. It is only fitting that we be the masters of our destiny." His words were smooth and persuasive.

Miroku, even feeling the disgust for his General writhing in his stomach, was admiring of the way he could make every man hang on his words. "We must be able to be strong in the face of the dangers and the evils outside, and those who would seek to throw down you and your families." His face shone in honesty, and Miroku felt alarmed that the crafty Naraku could wheedle his way into the hearts of those around them- was so easily able to trick them with his words.

"And it is also important…" he spoke again, this time, a sinister edge creeping softly into his voice. "…that I alone be your leader, and that no one come between us. You all, and I, as your leader are alike in the way that we are men….but I have the power that you do not have. Believe me when I say I know what is best for you, and what is best for this country." Miroku wanted to spit at his feet.

"You….will not cross me."

At this point in his speech, a deadly silence hung over the crowd. "If I hear of any more traitorous acts, such as with the man who previously lead the Palace Guard.." there was a collective shudder of terror within the men. Miroku gulped reflexively. So, the man who last held his position had been murdered because of acts against Naraku? "Then, I will not hesitate to act with the same force I used with him." His voice was now lethal, and you could have heard a pin drop within the crowd.

He let the words sink in for a moment, and then the pleasantry of earlier returned to his voice. "But, let not your hearts be troubled by such words….for every one of you here is loyal…"

He stared into the crowd with burning intensity, as if waiting for response. After a long moment of hesitation, Miroku began to applaud. The men looked up to the Commissioner in surprise, and then all at once they joined in cheering Naraku. The cheer welled up into one great yell. Miroku and Naraku met eyes across the stage, and Miroku stared at him with pretended admiration.

Naraku nodded deferentially to him, but Miroku's breath came choppily. Was that a look of challenge in his shrewd eyes, behind his placid features? Did he doubt Miroku's intentions, or had Miroku become paranoid? Naraku, after one last salute to the men, turned slowly and began to make his way back up the flight of stairs. Even as he continued clapping, Miroku's bright eyes watched him intently as he left.

He knew that Sango had also followed every word of the speech from their bedroom window.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Sesshomaru and Jaken left the cave. Nighttime had crept up on them easily, the inky sky blanketing the hills and forest around them, the pale moon bathing everything in eerie light. From the shadows of the rock faces nearby, two eyes watched the approaching figures.

Sessomaru stopped in his tracks, sensing a great evil energy nearby. There was a specific smell, too, that seemed all too familiar, and all too disgusting. He reared back a little, his senses becoming attuned to the landscape around him. "Come out." He spoke, commanding.

The cloaked figure slinked out from behind the rock, and now stood on the path directly in front of the impatient Sesshomaru. Whoever it was had their face covered, was hunched over, with only bony fingers protruding from the cloth that was drawn around them.

"What do you want?" Sesshomaru cracked his knuckles swiftly to show the creature his intentions.

The figure chuckled darkly, hearing Sesshomaru's displeasure. "I have knowledge that may be of use to you. You just murdered the famed swordsmith, Toutousai the mountain demon." The voice was hushed, scratchy and deep.

Sesshomaru sniffed in disdain. "You have nothing that I need." He began to walk forward, intent on slaying this person that emanated the strange aura. Then he would move along to claim the sword that was rightfully his.

The person moved out of Sesshomaru's way, bowing down a little lower. When Sesshomaru had moved a few paces away, the weathered voice spoke once more from underneath the cloak. "But I know of how you can break the sword's barrier."

Sesshomaru paused, showing that he was giving the figure an opportunity to speak.

"You have murdered Toutousai. If you rid this world of the entire line of Toutousai, and spill their blood upon the earth, then the curse of the Tetsusaiga will be dissolved."

Silence hung between them, as Sesshomaru pondered the words. "Where is the rest of his line?"

"He has a sole descendant- a daughter. She lives in the valley two thousand paces East of the Citadel."

Now that Sesshomaru had his information, he turned to slice the cloaked person in two.

But the figure had vanished.

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A/N: Things we should sum up at the end of an eventful chapter.

Sesshomaru= awesome!

Inuyasha/Kagome= aww!

Miroku is the best!

Hahahaha now you know who the guard is…..

Please review!