InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Yellow Brick Road ❯ Pact With the Devil ( Chapter 12 )

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INYUSHA AND COMPANY, NOR DO I OWN WIZARD OF OZ.

AN: Thank you to SleepingChickenNugget and ktshabatie for beta-ing.



Chapter 12: Pact with the Devil

“You know that the evil and malice in the Shikon no Tama was Amatsu Mikaboshi.” Kagome was only paying attention to the inu-youkai holding her. However, the houshi in the room could not stay out of an intellectual conversation.

“Excuse me, Kagome-sama. You said the evil within the jewel was Amatsu Mikaboshi? In other words, the jewel contained Midoriko’s soul with a Kami, not a youkai?”

“Hai. The origin of evil, the one that was cast out of the heavens by Ama no Uzume. The goddess of dawn sent him down to earth from the heavens. In this plain his influence became less, and the stars he governed shone brighter in his absence.” She still had not turned to the houshi.

Miroku was becoming confused about how a Kami got himself trapped within a jewel and voiced his confusion, “How did Midoriko trap him?”

Kagome finally turned her gaze from the one who held her; each occupant was addressed with her eyes in turn. “That will be explained, but there is much that needs to be said before the creation of the jewel becomes important. Listen.

“After Amatsu Mikaboshi was cast aside, he, like all things that survive their defeat, began to plot revenge. He knew that in order to regain his place he must understand his foes. As time passed, his interest in his foe turned into an obsession over one in particular.

“He was captivated by Amatsu-Uzume’s beauty. No longer did he want to regain his old reign, but the reign that would place him next to his beauty for all eternity. He pursued with an endurance only a Kami can muster. It did not matter, at every turn she would rebuff him.

“Uzume remembered what he had been in the darkness before her dawn. He was a vile being that caused her face to contort with disgust. She pleaded with her sister, Amaterasu, to help her. Therefore, it began that Amaterasu ensured that Mikaboshi could no longer reach Uzume.

“Mikaboshi stewed in his jealousy, in his self-pity of rejection. Then delusion set in. He decided that Uzume was testing him. If he could take down Amaterasu, thereby allowing Uzume take her place as the most powerful Kami (in his mind Uzume was the most powerful because it was she who cast him out), then Uzume would no longer have a reason to refuse him.

“He used all that he could in order to have his plan come to fruition. The humans and lower-level youkai fell as easy prey. Power-lust is strongest in those creatures. Through his manipulations, youkai and human alike learned to be very suspicious of each other. It is true that there was never any great love between the two, but there was a time when they were willing to live and leave the other to their own devices.

“Amatsu Mikaboshi’s power and influence began to rival the level it had been at before he was cast out. Amaterasu knew that Mikaboshi’s influence needed to be stopped. His constant manipulation made it next to impossible for both youkai and humans alike to find any sort of stability within their societies. She knew that her light deterred him, but never did he come fully into the light.

“In her brightest hour she created the shadows born of and for darkness. The shadow’s sole purpose was to devour Amatsu Mikaboshi. The shadows went on the hunt for their ultimate prey. The greatest trick Mikaboshi ever played was convincing the world that those sent to deliver the world from his evil were far more sinister than himself.

“The great banishment marked a turning point in the internal war between the Kami. Mikaboshi had proof that the living could be used to thwart the intentions of the Kami above. His arrogance grew when the humans warred over the validity of Shinto verses Buddhist beliefs.

“The centuries spent fighting over who was right and who was wrong, weakened the Kami’s influence over this plane. Mikaboshi then sought to further dull it by destroying all those who existed in the living plane that strengthened the Kami.

“When the warrior miko Midoriko walked the earth, Mikaboshi could not ignore the threat that this one human posed to his plans. The Kami tried to draw Midoriko to the forbidden island. However, her arrogance would not let her comply.

“The shadows were evil. Even the fiercest of youkai would not tempt a shadow. It was better to leave them where they could harm none. Besides, she believed herself to be an invincible miko. So Mikaboshi engaged her in battle through the manipulation of youkai. This would be the mistake that got him trapped within the jewel.

“Midoriko sought to destroy all the youkai in one move, so she set a ring of purification and then tightened it to herself. As the ring collapsed, it drew Mikaboshi in to combine with Midoriko’s soul. As she tried to purify the last of the evil, she was not strong enough to take down a Kami. She imprisoned herself and Mikaboshi within the jewel.

“He was still strong enough to manipulate those who came within a certain distance of the jewel. This is why the pull on the jewel was always so strong. Mikaboshi constantly searched for an escape. When the jewel fell into the hands of a seer, he saw a time when he could finally gain his vengeance.

“There would come a time when superstition would be replaced by science. Man’s arrogance in his own knowledge would become so severe that no longer would they seek the divine advice of the Kami. Not long after the seer, did the jewel come to Kikyou.

“With every vile deed committed by the dark hanyou, I will tell you one thing he did that helped us all. Naraku’s own greed and malice was so great, that Mikaboshi could not influence Naraku’s wants. This is why Mikaboshi influenced Kikyou to seal you to the Goshinboku, Inuyasha, and to take the jewel with her in death.

“Within the depths of hell, out of the watchful eyes of the Kami, Mikaboshi bound the jewel to a small portion of Kikyou’s soul. He poured infinite amounts of malice and hate within that bound portion of her soul. He hid in hell for centuries, because the small portion was over-looked for so long.

“The Kami knew he planned something when the jewel did not reappear quickly. Also aware that a time of weakness was approaching for them, they created a soul so great that it could hold the malice of the universe without taint. When the jewel approached the plane of the living, it was combined with this Kami created soul.

“I was never truly Kikyou’s reincarnation. What I contained of Kikyou was a distorted abomination. That is why I was able to call most of my soul back on Urusue’s mountain, because what I called back never belonged to Kikyou. This is also why she was so full of malice and hate. It was Mikaboshi’s doing. She started to be able to override that malice when, by chance, most of her soul was returned to her.

“It is also why she could not survive after it had been ripped from her the second time. She was a good woman; her only flaw was her humanity. It is humanity that lends itself so easily to greed and arrogance. But, that is neither here nor there.

“The problem now, is that Amatsu Mikaboshi is free to move again. The conception of this little one,” her hand rubbed lightly over her womb, “provided him the means to escape both myself and the shadows.”

Inuyasha had listened to it all, but he had to know, “How do you not fall to the shadow’s pull?”

There was a dry a laugh that emanated from the small woman. “”Fall to their pull.’ No wonder they wanted so desperately to get away from here. Inuyasha, you of all people should know not to judge someone for being something they cannot control. However, to answer your question, it is my incomplete soul.

“The shadows have no need to tear their way in. It is like someone ripped the door off, and now I can no longer defend myself. Trust me; you do not want to be their food.”

“So Kagome-sama, what is the plan?” Miroku’s intuition told him that there was something that both Sesshoumaru and Kagome were not offering, and it had to do with the baby.

“I have no plan. I tried to walk the yellow brick road, but someone put a damn poppy field in my way. Mikaboshi will not come to me until he is sure that he can get rid of me without danger to himself.”

“Then why does he not wait forty or fifty years? You’ll be dead and the threat you represent will be gone,” Miroku’s voice was distant, and in all actuality he had not meant to state those thoughts aloud.

“No, I won’t. He can no longer count on mortality to take me. Besides, there are events playing out now that he would be a fool to pass up. He knows all that I know. He was there with me when I went to school. An even scarier idea is that he probably remembers things in better detail than I could ever hope to have done.”

Sesshoumaru had held his breeder tightly to him. As she went over all that she knew, he was waging an internal battle with himself. He did not want to admit to himself how important she was to him, and not just because of what she carried for him. In his long life, he had met many beings of noted worth, yet all others would pale in comparison.

He would never fall into the trite notion that she was made for him, obviously she was not. A slight smirk graced his features and his ego swelled as he realized that he had thwarted a plan of the Kami. How many other lords could claim that? The smirk instantly faded as he remembered the consequences of his interference.

His hand rubbed more soothingly over her womb. He would fix this. Their pup would live a long life.

She was a strong and powerful female. He would not prove his strength and power through breaking the being even the dark Kami could not taint.

Sesshoumaru began to understand his father’s final words and their true meaning. “Have you someone to protect?” Sesshoumaru had many to protect, but now he had someone whose protection was more precious than anything else was.

If Kagome survived this without breaking, then it did not matter what else had to be broken in the process. The West could fall. Even he, Sesshoumaru, could fall, as long as she persevered. Sesshoumaru was brought out of his musing by the voice of the very being he would lay down anything for.

“It is so quiet.” She obviously had not meant to say it aloud. Sesshoumaru cocked his head at her in curiosity. “I haven’t heard his voice since I awoke this morning. It has been so long since I have done things without his side comments in my head. So long. I almost feel the need now to make those remarks in his absence.”

“You will not. Do not dishonor the position of Breeder of the West, by self-degradation. You are more than worthy to restore the honor to the position that had so much shame brought to it by its previous owner.” Sesshoumaru’s eyes never left Kagome’s; she needed to have her self-esteem replenished. She needed many things, but it was her sense of worth that was imperative to their ability to save their pup.

“Come, breeder. It is time that we fix your attire.” Sesshoumaru stood, while still cradling Kagome to his body. He acknowledged the others in the room, “Kit, you will remain here until we have returned. You are never to speak of what was revealed in this room. Monk, you fetch your wife. She is not to be left alone in the Citadel in her condition. This threat will be dealt with.”

Inuyasha, crouched in one corner, could barely contain the whimpers that wanted to escape his throat. Why was everything being so cruel to such a pure being as Kagome?

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Rin had sat worrying. She had been more and more restless the further her pregnancy progressed. The truth was she was terrified of giving birth. It was not so much the pain, as it was all the unknowns. She wished that she could share these fears with her husband, but she could not. Every time she attempted to bring it up, his eyes would sparkle with the idea of finally having his child to hold, and that there was no way that Rin could ruin his happy anticipation with her fear.

Besides, giving birth was a part of the cycle of life. Rin had died twice. It was time that she started contributing to the cycle. She would have chastised herself more harshly had she noticed that there was a strange correlation between morbid thoughts and late pregnancy.

Rin was tired of being tired. As she was trying to find a comfortable position to rest in she noticed the shadow. Toto was what Kagome had called it. Rin had been so lost in thought that she had not registered how the shad-Toto had been trying to comfort her.

The little thing was producing a calming tune in hushed tones and whispers. It had pushed pillows and other items of comfort towards the pregnant woman. All the while, the shadow was very careful never to touch the woman.

Rin stared at Toto and then attempted to get closer to it. It was as Rin was attempting to regain her feet that her husband’s voice came to her. “Koi, would you like some help?” Amusement was shining brightly in his deep violet eyes.

“Miroku-kun, you know how I feel about you laughing at me. It is your fault I am in this condition.” Her tone was playful chastisement. Her smile was blindingly bright as she looked on her husband with love.

“Ah, my dear, I do believe that you very much enjoyed the measures I took to ensure your condition. If your memory has started to fade, I will be more than willing to refresh it.” His brow waggled in a motion that was so true to his lecherous nature.

Rin reveled in her husband’s need to lavish her with physical affection. She had been deprived of this aspect of life for her entire childhood. At first, she had shied away from his need to touch no matter where they were, but now she would not trade his wandering hands for the world.

“I believe, my dear husband, that the reigning lord might take offence to us using one of his private rooms in such a manor. Besides, we are in a youkai settlement. No one would allow you to exorcise anything to secure us other lodging for the night.”

“Does my wife no longer find her husband attractive?”

Rin was giggling at the absurdity Miroku always seemed to create. “Is it not I that is supposed to ask that question? I am the one that continues to swell to proportions yet unknown.” Her hand gingerly rubbed her swollen belly.

Miroku was in front of his wife in a moment. He knew that his wife’s words were said in jest, but he could not shake the sickening feeling that had entered his being upon hearing of Sango’s ending moments. “I am truly offended that you would think so low of me. You are the woman I love, the woman I married. You are the soon-to-be mother of my child. There is nothing that can be said or done for me to ever find you unattractive. Rin, you are an amazing woman, for whom I thank the Kami daily. Never did I think I would find a woman whom would accept me so wholly for whom I am. If I have not said it often enough, I apologize. I love you, my precious Rin.”

Miroku ended his declaration with a passionate kiss, his lips pressing earnestly against those of his wife. His fingers tangled in the baby hairs at the base of Rin’s head, while his thumbs tenderly stroked her jaw line. Miroku coaxed her plump bottom lip into his mouth while caressing it adoringly with his tongue. Rin was lost in her husband’s affections. Her hands moved to his chest and then she raked nails against him as she moved said hands up to his powerful shoulders. Gripping him firmly, Rin tried to hoist her now heavy-laden body towards her husband.

Rin had never understood how she received such a blessing in the man before her, but she would spend the rest of her life in gratitude. It had been two years since she had become reacquainted with the monk, and to this day, she did not know for certain why he pursued her with such passion, but happiness did not need reason to be.

Both had forgotten where they were, so lost in each other that it was not until a coughing noise came from the doorway that reality came back to them.

“You two need to stop that. Lord Stuffy wants to finish the ‘discussion.’” It had been a while since Inuyasha had entered a room where the scent of arousal permeated the air room so heavily.

Miroku was quick to compose himself. While helping his Rin stand, he prodded at the hanyou. “Inuyasha, just because you insist on living in a foul mood, does not mean the rest of have to as well.”

“Feh, at least I’m not stupid enough to get it on in the lord’s chambers. There is some serious shit going on, and yet you insist on thinking with the wrong head, houshi. Now come on, they are bound to return any moment.” Inuyasha moved to return to the private study.

Rin followed behind her husband and quietly asked, “What happened that Sesshoumaru-sama and Kagome-sama had to leave?”

Miroku fumbled to answer his wife’s innocent question, “Uh … Kagome-sama ran into difficulties with her … clothing.”

“I thought she looked beautiful in her kimono.”

“That she did, but unfortunately circumstances arose in which the lovely kimono would no longer be quite so lovely.”

Rin knew her husband was talking in circles because he did not want to have tell her what had occurred in her absence. One did not have to be a genius to guess that Kagome issued a challenge to Sesshoumaru. Rin hoped that she would be allowed some time to speak, privately, with the older woman. Her lord was a noble alpha, and should be treated as such.

She knew that her lord was going to have to give Kagome-sama some time to adjust to her new role, but Kagome would need to learn to back down. It would not be fair to the pup if its parents could not be allowed in the same room together.

As Rin was just finishing up the process of settling herself, she was eagerly looking forward to the time when it wouldn’t be a major ordeal to accomplish such a simple task. Soon Sesshoumaru reentered the room, followed by Kagome.

For the sake of his sanity as well as hers, he had allowed his breeder to be adorned in a much simpler outfit. She would not be making another appearance outside of his quarters tonight, so the point was moot. Sesshoumaru took his seat and Kagome moved to serve him sake. When the inu was settled, she moved to place herself upon her own cushion.

Inuyasha was tired of feeling so awkward. There was some serious shit going down and everyone else seemed more preoccupied with pleasantries. “So what are we gonna do? We ain’t got time to be sittin’ around.”

“Inuyasha, there is far less time than you realize. However, we cannot rush into action without some sort of plan. There is much at stake. Now if you have a plan, we will gladly listen.”

Yuichi watched as the hanyou’s ears flattened to his head while he was admonished for his brash behavior. Something was sticking out in his mind. He made to move himself before the tai-youkai. In his prostrated position the others in the room could see his orange hair quiver as his body shook with tremors.

“My lord, may this kit question the revered breeder?” Yuichi never removed his eyes from the floor, forcing the inu to respond verbally.

“Hn.” Yuichi did not have a clue what that meant. Therefore, he based his assumption off of the fact that he was still breathing.

Gathering the rest of his courage, he began, “Breeder-sama, you said that Amatsu Mikaboshi was searching for the perfect time to strike, and that the time would come when the Kami held little influence over this plane. Humanity would be the key in the weakening of their influence. You also said that there were events now that, if you were him, you would try and utilize.”

Kagome stared at the kit, so like the one she had failed. Shaking the morbid memories from her head she responded, “Hai, there are.”

“Then why do we not assume that he is there. He must be lured back to the shadows without him realizing what is happening until his fate is sealed. Are these events dependent on location or can they be moved closer to the shadows?”

Sesshoumaru listened to the kit; truly, his breeder had been right in the kit’s worth. Yuichi was living up to the meaning of his name.

Kagome gnawed her bottom lip deep in thought. “Paradoxes and Lollypop gangs, so many things that could be.”

“Breeder, you cease your babbling. No one wishes to hear of flying monkeys right now.” Sesshoumaru did not use a harsh tone with Kagome; in fact, it was the gentlest voice Rin had ever heard from her lord.

Kagome snapped her attention to the tall youkai, her head nodded in agreement, “If I were Mikaboshi, I would use the Franciscans.”

“Kagome-sama, you mean the foreigners that have been trying to spread their belief of one Kami and his son who was sacrificed?”

Kagome laughed. The mood in the room was considerable lightened by her reaction to the houshi’s words. After she calmed herself, she noticed the looks the others in the room were giving her, “I am sorry, but if they heard you describe it that way you might find yourself burning on a stake.”

“How is that funny?”

“It’s not. What I was laughing at was his inability to grasp a religion that will infuse itself across the world in the future. It is not that it will be universally believed, but knowledge of it will be common.”

Sesshoumaru growled because he knew of the religion she spoke. “These foreigners are from the far reaches of the continent?”

“Hai. Portugal if I remember correctly. That does not matter; what matters is that the more converts the Christians create, the weaker the influence of the Kami becomes. Therefore, Mikaboshi would be isolated most from the Kami, when he is in the domain that the Franciscans occupy.”

“Feh, what good does it do us to know where he is, if we ain’t got nothing to use against him?”

“Maybe there is something within these Chris-Christians’ beliefs that can help?” Rin had stayed quiet for as long as she could, but things were not good. For the future of her child she would risk being reprimanded.

“Hai, they believe in miracles, proof of divine intervention, in order to validate their beliefs.” She smiled brightly at Rin. It was perfect.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Madoka stared at the youkai walking before her. He was young, but of a malleable age. He definitely had ambition, but obviously no family to speak of, for if he had, he would not be here. He would do.

A cruel smile played across her features that could almost be considered beautiful. Those fools had given her the perfect tool to set her plans into motion. “So, soldier, do you have a name?”

Kuro had felt the old bitch’s eyes on his back ever since they had left the Citadel. He was never drinking again. Well, that would be a little extreme. He was never drinking with unknown drinking buddies. Oh, and the next kitsune he saw, he was beating the shit out of him.

The old dog was still trying to talk to him. There would be no good that would come from conversing with her. Yes, he was ambitious, but also understood that many thought his lack of status made him blind because of his ambition. The truth was quite the opposite; because of his status, he had seen many with blind ambition become the patsies of those more powerful than them.

All the female knew how to do was manipulate; she was renowned for her intelligence. If he played this right, he might just come out of this assignment with far more.

“My name is Kuro, Madoka-sama.”

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AN: Thank you for reading, please review.

Emily