InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Within The Last Breath ❯ Prologue ( Chapter 1 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
THE LAST BREATH
Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha and co. It is solely the possession of Rumiko Takahashi so don’t sue me!!!____________________________________________________________ _________________________
The land has transformed before his eyes, now what used to be the tranquil zone inhabited by the Chinese farmers now foretold the story of war embellishing the blood, vengeance, courage, and sacrifice that is held within its pages. Now filled with limp bodies, air exuding the pungent smell of death the farm lands were now long forgotten.
Corpses lay every square inch of the land as his comrades and the enemies irrevocably agreed on the tempting the living with the tranquility of death as their mangled bodies littered the soaked red ground.
However although there were many already inhabiting the mud dirt soil, some still stood tall with passionate intensity, vigor, and ethnocentric superiority manifesting in their eyes, simultaneously continuing the cataclysm. It was through a soldier’s eyes that the ferocities and viciousness reflected upon and although he went through an intense training in order to harden even the softest organ, he couldn’t help but feel the mourn that the catastrophe exuded.
Like many of his comrades, Inuyasha pledged his allegiance to his country and in a show for nationalism applied to serve Japan. During those simple times, he never fathomed to actually face the brutalities that, once again, now lay before him, however it became true to form when his country finally decided to explore the mysteries of the world.
It had been a dream for him then; a break from his mundane routine he called life to finally enter an adventure once he was drafted. But those were the times when he had no strings attached, no family, no one to love, and was always welcomed by the chill of his bare apartment.
Once he came into the training camps, the joys of companionship was bestowed upon him as he encountered friends in the vicinity. It wasn’t hard back then, it actually had an underlying callousness and rowdiness. Times were good even all through the rigorous training because immediately after he and a fellow of other soldiers would escape the camp and find a place to party all night long drinking and doing something illegal.
During one of those escapades he met her once. She captured his heart that moment and left with a part of it when she vanished in thin air. He managed to move on from there…
And then when his life was in the right track with a girlfriend, she showed up out of no where. Everything immediately changed when she came into his life… but… he can’t go back to that now, thinking of her just hurt too much and it was required of him to concentrate on the surroundings in order to insure subsistence.
He quickly skimmed the land before him. He was one of those men that still stood teetering the fragile line of life and death. It wasn’t cowardice that hindered him from conjoining with his comrades but he believed it was not the right time…
Yet it had been a torture for him to watch the excitement that he could truly enjoy and he has been itching to see his sword tainted with the glistening blood of the treacherous men and those that harmed the shield of protection that enclosed Japan. It was this belief that kept him in the war in order to protect “her” and so this was what driven him into survival. His eyes now laid before the man that seemed to be the leader of the insidious group.
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Naraku smirked, when he immediately felt the wave of abhorrence directed towards him from the pathetic soldier that hid behind the bushes, he brushed it off as if he was experienced from the constant loathing directed towards him and continued to bestow his concentration on the catastrophe before him.
The land was now in utter chaos and was absolutely magnificent in his eyes. The underscoring fools actually was gullible enough to accept his lame excuse to declare war and also managed to turn some capricious men with his eloquence to fight for him.
But then again, he was one of those traitorous men that turned his knowledge against his own country…but it was the sweetest moment of all to see the shell shocked eyes of his former allies that died post his revelation.
Yes, it was definitely heavenly, maybe he had done it for his pleasure and sadism but he felt no remorse for those fools that now closed their eyes forever taken by slumber or the ones uttering his name from the injuries they have acquired. He ignored them all as he basked and absorbed this picturesque moment…
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Inuyasha’s eyes were trained onto one particular body and it was of a man holding smoldering red demonic eyes and long black hair, and stood on a hill towering over the buffer zone to emphasize his prominence and superiority.
A smirk grazed his face as his eyes flickered over to him in a sign to acknowledge his presence then turned back to the war. It caught him off guard, that he had no time to safe-guard his position. An involuntary shudder jolted through his body as Inuyasha remembered the look that was directed at him a moment ago… then a lingering feeling that he has encountered those eyes before… where did he see them? His memory was distorted, so he brushed it off…
He looked at him once again and now he had an embedded smirk on his face and a glint of amusement sported in his eyes. The mere sight of him just sickened Inuyasha, it was sadistic men like him that tainted the earth’s innocence and were the catalyst that sped the reach towards chaos.
However for now his mindset concentrated on him and nothing would cloud his visions now except the thoughts of the woman he left behind. It was useless for him to think of nothing else, it has been a losing war internally and now she was the haunting ghost of his dreams since he had left for this obligation.
So he just took the memories of her and turned it into an inspiration and drive to achieve victory, and after he would run into her arms and never let her out of his sight. He would just have to achieve his goal so to finally embrace his dreams of acquiring the feel of rapture…
It itched that he was in a limbo, although his pride might fight against his uncertainty, he couldn’t help but feel inapt and impotent. Minutes have just past and his plan of attack has yet to be delivered and he has no idea what it is now except his original idea of attacking the leader himself. He had no doubts of his strength, quite capable, he might say so himself…however his foolishness fails him again. Agitation of no action, it bothered him to an end…
But then he found his opening for his attack…
I’m gonna enjoy this Inuyasha licked his lips as it almost tasted of blood and excitement throttled through…
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Hah foolish wimp, might as well give him a purpose.
It was the glint of amusement that gave him away, his opponent however ignored this. He kept his eyes devoted to the war but he sensed him coming and fast. However not panic was the emotions surging in his body but enjoyment and adrenaline. He moved to show him his back, a show of weakness that would again draw him ever so close. The plan was full proof as his attacker drew closer
Ahh… now it was his turn to portray the ruthless world that he submerged himself in and utterly enjoy. Now he could have his excitement again… by killing this man…
He rotated his body towards the intruder, a smile grazing his face as a shocked soldier landed before him…
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A gasp threatened to escape from his mouth but he swallowed it down his throat as a grunt of acknowledgement instead was voiced.
It shocked him, he overlooked the small things now he is faced with the situation he’d rather not deal with. However he knew that it was inevitable and now he must prove himself. Anger seeped through and his temper shot through for his stupidity, now wasn’t the time to speak his mind however couldn’t help it…
“Burn in hell!!!” he shouted as he came attacking with his trusty sword. Swinging with precision towards his opponent in attempt to slice him in half. But the man managed to slip easily out of his range.
“Hmmph… Inuyasha…it been a long time.”
“What are you talking about fool I’ve never met a bastard like you. You‘re in a league of your own! My attacks already damaging your brains?!” he laughed once, attempting to slice but again it was managed by a swift sidestep.
“It is foolish of you to utter such things. I suggest you attempt to concentrate on your fighting because you obviously lack the skills. As for me, I am not very surprised that your brain cannot manage to store much information regarding that it is so small. But yes, we have met. You remember me, fellow soldier?!
“What?! State your name!
“My identification will not emit more than my appearance as for which I have changed and became a new man. However, my name is Naraku but should Onigumo emanate past memories, Inuyasha?”
“Huh? That Onigumo has been burning in hell with my help! As for you, I’ll be obliged to help you join him!” he slashed again, however this time managing to catch a miniscule taste of Naraku’s clothing.
“Your naiveté amuses me,” his eyes glinting as he watched Inuyasha pant for a breath of air, “I know it is none of your concern since you will die anyhow but some part of me maintains Onigumo’s soul, so humor me Inuyasha, how’s your girl?” Naraku laughed with malice as Inuyasha felt stiff cold chill down his spine.
It hasn’t occurred to him that this man may have been the one that caused every pain he has gone through in a long time. His heart clenched with grief of having memories reborn within him… Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he managed to channel his frustrations on anger and fighting.
“Enough talk!!! Fight you bastard!”
No more words were exchanged between the two as the utmost connotation of a combat and hostility was displayed by the men.
Inuyasha jumped forward slashing with relentless rage but again managing to catch only air. Naraku continuously avoid the attacks with no effort. It went on for minutes, always ending up the same, Naraku smirking while Inuyasha in a loss for breath.
“Have you learned your lesson yet. I would have thought after all you have been through you would’ve retained some knowledge. However again you prove me wrong. Here’s a wise advice, never fight against someone in a whole new league as you, you have already lost twice, I suppose you should stop while you’re at it.” Naraku smirked as Inuyasha again tried to lacerate him but comes up empty handed.
“Guessing that you are shocked that I could easily avoid your attacks? Have you notice anything new or has your sense failed you once again. When I meant new man, it is just what I meant. That pathetic Onigumo has sold his soul to the devil and welcomed him into his body, thus creating me. I am a combination of many sorts of power even you cannot fathom!!!” he cackled as thunder erupted and dark clouds began scattered across the sky and the beginnings of a storm pelted them.
“Keh, you may have acquired new power but tonight is the last night you will taint the earth!!! Go back to where you belong!!!” Inuyasha knew that he may have no chance but in the back of his mind there was a lingering hope of defeating him. A new surge of power overcame him, now he looked to his father’s sword for assurance. It thumped with a vitality like a living heart throbbing in his hand. A new confidence held in his face…yet would it be enough?
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Hmm… a new vigor in his eyes, very interesting…
“Ahhh, should I leave you and your sword alone? Enough formalities, I suggest we finish this!!!” Naraku drew his own sword that glittered with a hidden malice.
The handle crafted from gold and shaped like a snake that seemed to slither around its masters hand. A red ruby embedded in the golden head of the serpent, its eyes followed and scrutinized its enemy’s every move.
Suddenly Naraku struck with a force towards his enemy. Inuyasha with a sudden shock just manages to raise his sword to block the attack. Each men tried to overpower each other with their weapons, passing their maximum strength to overthrow the other.
Naraku with an underlying strength pushes down sending Inuyasha flying to the other direction and landing on his back on the soil.
Panting with anger, Inuyasha sits up breathing hard from the intense fight. He jumps up and ran for another attack with sword in hand. He slashed left and right towards Naraku who seemed unfazed by the hostility of his opponent just blocked the attacks with his sword. Both jumped back panting from their previous activities.
“So…Have enough yet?! It’d do you some good if you just surrender to me. Your woman did, remember?”
“Shut up!!! Don’t ever speak about her again!” Inuyasha spat on the ground by Naraku’s foot, “Just fight me bastard!” Inuyasha ran now again with his sword but this time Naraku’s swung his sword with a thunderous strength that sent Inuyasha’s sword flinging towards the ground striking it.
“Now what are you going to do now?” with a taunting voice.
It was then that Inuyasha’s fist connected to Naraku’s cheek. The grip slipped allowing the sword slip to the ground with a clatter, making both without weapons. Inuyasha swung again but this time blocked by Naraku’s fist and was kicked in the stomach sending him staggering back.
Inuyasha swallowed the bile that forced its way towards his throat, then he pounced towards his enemy with raging fist. They fell on the ground and Inuyasha locked his fist on Naraku’s neck, his claws broke the skin blood tainting the his nails and slithering down it’s owner’s own flesh.
Naraku mockingly reached towards Inuyasha’s cervical and clung to the neck and turned their position, now Inuyasha on his back.
Naraku now gained the upper hand this time not only did Inuyasha’s blood smear his hands but his choke hold was so strong it restricted air to flow in and out. His arms shook which seemed like an action to take the soul out of the body.
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Inuyasha saw black spots, his vision blurred and he thrashed about to gain the much needed oxygen to enter his system but it was restricted. His mind swam and unconsciousness threatened to overcome him until he lost it.
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Darkness was everywhere.
There he was in the middle of the room laying on his back with a chilling cold and he couldn’t see anything. His body ached and refused to move.
Inuyasha shouted however his mouth was dry and it hurt just breathing yet he knew however he tried he couldn’t.
A light now was before him calling his name with such a tempting proposition. But there was something calling him. A whisper in all the darkness calming his soul. At first he couldn’t decipher the voice but then it became clearer.
Inuyasha…Inuyasha…don’t give up. If there was a person that could defeat him it is you… Believe in yourself. I’ll be waiting for you. I love you…
He knew who uttered that voice and it gave him a new vitality to live. He turned his back away from the glittering light in front of him and struggled to open his eyes.
It took his last bit of strength until he fully could see everything around him however his head still spun and still he was denied from breathing. Naraku’s eyes met his with a smoldering hatred.
“So I see you haven’t given up yet. But Inuyasha I’m sure everything will be alright afterwards no one wants you anyways, you have nothing to live for and as for your woman she’s as good as mine.” he laughed in his face but now Inuyasha saw red.
Inuyasha has had enough he kneed his opponent to where it hurt most sending the bastard rolling away from him clutching his midsection.
With the freedom to breath, Inuyasha took a whiff of oxygen to satisfy his body however he struggled as the wind burned his nose with its coldness as droplets of rain entered his nose.
He pushed his body up into a sitting position and after a moment he stood with shaky legs, concentrating only on himself. Standing up he was turned away from his seemingly preoccupied opponent then was met with the shockingly silent surroundings and the pungent smell of death.
He looked toward the land before him and everyone has reached their end while the other few were struggling to keep alive. It took a few moments to face the reality of the situation. It was his soft heart that led to his demise. The lack of cold heartedness and the deep loneliness that sent him vulnerable to his opponents, now was not different…
He was distracted enough with his own thoughts to hear the movements of Naraku until finally it was too late.
His opponent was hovering behind him, he turned around quickly to face Naraku with a brazen look however it was when he moved that he felt the sharp object slicing his organs.
Inuyasha’s eyes glazed over with shock, and Naraku twisted the sword that intensified the pain he felt. His limbs decided to fail him now as he fell to the ground on his knees however he was still fighting death.
Only one thing came to his mind and he wished to speak it…
“Ka…” blood sputtered out of his mouth “go….” he hit the ground as he heard a malicious laughter in the background “me…” it was then that his mind keeled over spilling with a plethora of memories. It was all in that moment that his life was flashing before his eyes…
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So how was it guys? READ AND REVIEW… I really need some helpful criticisms so that you guys could help me make this story better.
P.S.
Inuyasha is a human in this story except he retains his amber eyes and his silver hair. His senses is not so keen as a hanyou…
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