Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Standing In The Shadows ❯ Chapter 3

Standing In The Shadows 3

 

Disclaimer: As much as I may wish otherwise, I do not own any part of Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. They are owned by their respective authors. I only claim ownership of this twisted plot and the muses that created it.

 

A special HUGE thank you to Ryukotsusei for believing in my writing ability and helping me work out the kinks in this story. You're an awesome writer yourself and an awesome beta.

 

Chapter Three

 

Koenma couldn't believe he was seeing the items that were now being held within her hands. Even though they seemed perfectly ordinary, aside from being very old, he knew better. Amaterasu was shielding the energy each one of the items should be emanating at this very moment. His voice was incredulous and very strained, causing the rest of the group to turn and stare at him with concern. "Dad's going to kill me! He specifically told me those were to stay locked up in the vault and not to be removed without his express permission! Why and how did you take them out? Does he know you've got them? If not he's going to blow his top when he finds out!" When his mother gave him a look that very clearly told him she knew better than he did on what should happen to the items he sighed heavily, taking a moment to cover his eyes. He was doomed, there was no doubt about it.

 

Yusuke wasn't sure what this all meant but it had to be serious, he was certain of that. Koenma looked ready to swallow his pacifier at any given moment and he had no desire to attempt CPR on his boss, assuming the demigod could choke to death to begin with. It would have been hilarious to the detective if the situation hadn't been so serious. Already his attention was being pulled back to the goddess seated in front of him and the artifacts that she held in her hands. Amaterasu had begun to drop the shield on the first of the items, the curved jewel Yasakani no Magatama causing a collective gasp from the group as the power of the jewel called to each of them individually, pulling them towards the item as if they had no minds of their own. The lure was the promise of peace and benevolence, offering each of them something that they had never been privileged to feel before.

 

Amaterasu raised the shield securely back in place over the jewel and looked at each of them in turn until she was satisfied that she had their complete attention once again. “This is the power of the jewel. You have now seen for yourself how just a glimmer of it's energy affects an individual. Human or demon, it does not matter. Both are affected in the same way.” Her gaze returned to the jewel for a moment and she smiled warmly at it with affection. When she resumed speaking her voice had lowered, speaking her thoughts on the matter. “The power of the jewel is of itself not a bad thing. But in the wrong hands it could bring down nations. Armies could be brought to a mindless standstill, almost in a trance like state if you will. It would be remarkably easy for any opposing force to run them over as if they were no more then stalks in a rice field.”

 

“Just how does the jewel involve us?” Hiei's words came out a little sharper then what he had intended but he had not liked how easily he had come under the power of the jewel. In a word it had pissed him off. 'If what she says is true then that thing should be destroyed. It's too powerful to stay in existence and that fool Enma cannot adequately protect it if word gets out what it is capable of.' The scowl on his face became deeper the more he thought about it, wondering if there was any way possible that he could do the deed himself.

 

Kagome glanced over at Hiei, taking note of the deepening scowl on his face. She had no doubts that the pull he had felt from the jewel had unsettled him and he was now taking it as a very serious threat. `We don't even know what the other two artifacts do. If the jewel by itself is this powerful then I can't even begin to imagine what they all do together.' Still, she couldn't allow him to do anything drastic without knowing exactly what was going on. She laid a comforting hand on his arm, hoping that it would calm him down some so they could hear Amaterasu out and learn why she had brought the items to them. The thought crossed her mind 'Thank God I am not the Guardian of that jewel. It's hard enough with the Shikon, if I had to guard that one too I might as well parade around with a great big target on my back.'

 

“The Shikon no Tama is close to being finished is it not?” Amaterasu turned her soft gaze on Kagome, waiting expectantly for the answer while listening to the low murmurs of the people and demons around her. From the various reactions she was hearing from the rest of the group they did not know that Kagome held the Shikon no Tama much less that she was on a quest of her own to reform it. Kagome stood there, shuffling her feet nervously as she tried to figure out how to disappear. She wasn't prepared to have her story revealed to her friends in this fashion but it wasn't up to her to dictate what this Goddess chose to do.

 

Koenma's voice echoed through the courtyard, his head whipping around to look at Kagome so fast she was surprised he didn't give himself whiplash. "You mean to tell me she has that damned thing?" Koenma couldn't believe what he was hearing! His father had demanded he find that damnable jewel and it had completely eluded him. “I've been searching for it all these centuries and all this time it has been right here? Right under my nose with this girl?” This was completely unbelievable and at that moment the demigod was wishing he had something to throw, his irritation was quickly getting the better of him. Whirling around on his mother, his eyes narrowed in frustration. "Why was I not told that she had it? More to the point, how did she manage to keep it hidden?"

 

`Perhaps the better question would be why did he never ask who had it.' Youko was following the conversation now with a lively interest. It had been a while since there had been this much excitement, much too long in his opinion, and he had been bored. But now it looked like things were about to change if Koenma's reaction to the news was anything to go by. `Go ahead Kurama, ask him that and see what he says.'

 

Kurama didn't have the chance to say anything before Hiei got in a question of his own. “What is this jewel that she is talking about?" He turned towards Kagome, crimson eyes barely concealing how disturbed he was over her apparent lack of trust with him. "And when were you intending to tell me about this?”

 

“When was she intending to tell you about this? Come on Hiei, it isn't like she is dating you or anything. What makes you think she should have told you? You haven't even asked her out for crying out loud.” Shizuru was following the conversation with as much interest as everyone else in the group, but she was the one out of all of them who noticed Kagome's discomfort at the suspicions the goddesses simple question had caused and decided to come to her friends defense. When Hiei turned his glare upon her she put her hands on her hips and stared right back at him, not backing down. “You don't own her Hiei, leave her alone!”

 

Amaterasu caught everyone's attention with an upraised hand and a deathly quiet descended upon the group. “She has not told any of you any of this because it did not concern any of you up to this point.” She gave Koenma a pointed look. “And that includes you and Enma. She is my miko, not yours. As such she owes no allegiance to either of you.” She turned a kindly look back on Kagome. “The time for secrets is now past. Your friends also have secrets that you will also be learning this day so there is no need for shame or embarrassment.” The looks that comment earned Amaterasu from the rest of the group was almost enough to make her laugh out loud. Koenma was doing a very good imitation of a fish out of water. Hiei had a death glare on his face, refusing to look at anyone in particular. Kurama looked to be deep in thought while Yusuke and Kuwabara looked resigned to the fact that the plans they had for the day were now shot to hell. “Now if you will please answer the question.”

 

“We have collected half of the shards now my Lady.” Kagome was now kneeling in front of Amaterasu as she answered the question, looking up into the goddesses face. It was far easier for her to face Amaterasu then it was to look at her friends behind her with the calm that the goddess was projecting into her. “Naraku has the remaining shards in his possession, but my friends and I have not been able to recover them yet. He stays well hidden, and it is a vicious fight every time we do find him.” She fought to contain the tears that wanted to form as she thought over the past several battles, all that she and the others had sacrificed only to remain uncertain what the outcome of her journey would be. She refused to appear weak in front of her friends, or the Goddess. Later she could mourn over what they had lost once the battle was decided, assuming she survived. "It will be time for me to resume my journey shortly, I was granted leave to attend the festival. After today Inuyasha will come and we will resume the hunt once more."

 

Kurama turned a questioning glance on the girl kneeling at Amaterasu's feet, knowing that if someone didn't start trying to unravel this soon Hiei was very likely to lose his temper. Clearly he hadn't counted on his partners feelings for the girl to be quite this well developed, but even he could see the flare of jealousy in the apparitions eyes when another male had been mentioned. "What journey is it that you speak of and who is Inuyasha?" When Kagome looked down at her hands, chewing on her lip uncertainly he tried projecting his voice in more of a soothing tone. "Please Kagome, we must know what is going on if we are to help you."

 

"The journey she speaks of takes place five hundred years in the past, made possible by a rip in time. The well that lies beyond is the portal that allows her passage in order to complete her quest. My miko is a time traveler though I am certain many times she has wished it otherwise." Amaterasu took up the tale, knowing she had more of the answers than Kagome did at the moment. It was by her doing that the tear in the fabric of time had come about, a test to make sure she was choosing the proper Guardian. Amusement shown in her eyes as they took in what she had said, their gasps of startlement were not unexpected. Skepticism was prevalent in the men in spite of all they had seen in their own journeys and the girls looked positively in shock that such a thing was even remotely possible. Koenma was the only one of the group that looked like he totally believed it and he looked like he was about to throw a temper tantrum. Only the look his mother gave him made him subside, waiting to hear the rest of what she had to say. "Whether you believe it or not does not change the truth of my words and eventually even the most skeptical of your group will come to accept this. "The purpose of Kagome's journey is to recover the shards of the Shikon no Tama, a jewel of immense power which was shattered through some most unfortunate circumstances. The reasons behind this are of no importance to you at the present time. Should you have need of further knowledge then it will be revealed but for the moment we have more important matters to speak of."

 

Hiei crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly and leveled a glare at the Goddess, clearly not liking how the initial question had been overlooked. "That still doesn't tell us who this Inuyasha is and what he has to do with Kagome. Or what this Shikon no Tama jewel is to us. Why should we be concerned about it? If you think you can just come in here, give us a few paltry bits and pieces of information and still expect our help you can just think again lady. I am not a fool, I for one refuse to be played with like this."

 

Amaterasu looked at Hiei for a long moment, evaluating the demon before her. He would do well, she decided. As a chosen one he had to prove himself to be strong and so far she had not been disappointed. "He is feisty isn't he? You're going to have your hands full with that one but I have confidence that you will be able to tame the fires to your will." Kagome felt her face heat up, no doubt turning red with embarrassment as the goddess once more turned her attention to the impatient fire demon who looked even more agitated by what she had said. “Inuyasha is a hanyou who aids Kagome in her quest for the remaining shards. He is her protector, using the Tetsusaiga, to very good effect so far I might add. There are several others in her group there as well but it is Inuyasha that you will be meeting shortly.” She chuckled softly. “This should prove to be very interesting to say the least.”

 

Koenma felt his face getting red the more he listened to what his mother was saying. If his ears weren't deceiving him it sounded for all the word like his mother was taking over his team that he had worked so hard to put together and he just couldn't sit back and allow that to happen. “Wait just a minute here! This is my team not yours, you can't just come in here and take them over like they belong to you. Hiei and Kurama are on probation, I hold the papers! So they answer to me. They can't go with you. Yusuke owes me his life so he can't go either. Kuwabara is the only one who actually volunteers but he won't leave the others. They are mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!” He was actually sputtering and his hands were clenched into fists as he yelled out the words at his mother, seeing the possibility of all his hard work going down the drain. “You can't do this to me.”

 

“She can and she is.” A new voice entered into the discussion and everyone's head turned to stare at King Enma who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He looked at Amaterasu, an unreadable expression on his face. “I don't know why you have decided to take the artifacts out of the vault but for the time being I will allow it. If by doing this you have found a way to solve my problem of all these bothersome demons that Koenma has chosen to gather into a team, so much the better for me I say.” He looked over at the demons who were staring at him with a mixture of hate and startlement on their faces, then gave Yusuke a slow malicious smile. “Goodbye and good riddance I say.” With those words King Enma suddenly disappeared from their sight as if he had never been there in the first place.

 

“Back to what I was saying.” Amaterasu was already lifting the shield on the second object she held in her hands, the Kusanagi no Tsurugi. The sword drew everyone's attention to it, most especially Hiei and Kuwabara who each took a step towards it, reaching their hands out as if meaning to take hold of it. The closer their hands came to the sword, the more the feeling of courage swelled in their chest. The sound of rising wind started rushing past their ears, the louder the sound got the more they felt like they could take on and defeat the powers of the world. The lure was irresistible, when Amaterasu snapped the shield back down in place over the sword, earning her a growl of frustration from Hiei at the feeling that he had somehow been thwarted from his chosen goal. Glaring at the goddess in front of him, he wondered just what her purpose there was. He didn't know what she had planned but if it was to merely tempt them with the lure of further power only to take it away then he had no qualms about showing her the error of her ways. Whether or not he could fight a Goddess and win was a question he had no answer to but he was more than ready to find out.

 

“Don't try it Hiei, you won't win. Not yet anyway.” Kurama laid a restraining hand on his partners arm, willing him to back down and not try anything rash that could possibly get him killed. “She could easily stop you with that jewel she is holding alone, and we don't even know what it is that the mirror does yet. Do you really want to risk all that? We need to know all of it first, we don't have enough details yet.” Kurama was praying that Hiei would be calm enough to listen to reason, it was much the same line of thinking that he had currently been having with Youko. It had calmed the irate kitsune down enough that he was now listening to reason and thinking things through rationally. He was rewarded when he got a black look and a grunt from his partner but Hiei had stopped his advance forward. Kurama let out a small breath of relief that he hadn't realized he had been holding and turned his attention to the goddess once again. “What is it that the mirror does? What power does it hold?”

 

“The power of the mirror?” Amaterasu smiled at Kurama. “Come and look if you have the courage to do so.” Kurama stepped forward and looked at the mirror as Amaterasu lowered the shield on the item in question. What he saw in there was anyone's guess but it was enough that it brought a cry from his lips and he fought to stay on his feet as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Amaterasu snapped the shield back in place as Kurama quickly recovered from the experience. “If you would please tell the others what it was that you saw, it will explain to everyone what it is that the mirror allows you to see.”

 

“Tell everyone what I saw?” Kurama sucked in his breath, his skin was as pale as new milk from the shock of the experience he had just had. “How do I explain this? What I saw was myself. I mean I saw Youko Kurama. I saw Shuichi. I saw both of us inside this body. I saw our souls. All of the darkness, all of the taint. I saw all of the goodness that is inside me also. I saw how old Youko is and the imprint of all his experiences on his soul. I saw how young Shuichi is and the imprints of those experiences also. How am I supposed to explain all this and have it come out right? I saw everything I have been and what I will become if my life continues on the path I am currently on. I also saw what I am capable of becoming, the good as well as the bad. Does that sound right? I don't know how to explain it any better then that.”

 

“And that is the power of the mirror” Amaterasu looked at each of them with a serious look. “Each of you would see something different. You would see your own soul reflected back to you. The past and the present. The future with all of it's potential. I wonder if each of you has the strength to confront yourselves with nothing hidden in the shadows. No way to hide from yourself.” Silence followed her words as each person in the group thought about the words she had spoken. No one among them was sure of the answer except Kurama who appeared to have retreated back into his careful controlled calm, displaying no hint of the experience that he had been subjected to. Hiei was sure that Youko was in large part responsible for that, even now the normally green eyes were completely golden in color. A quick mind brush had been rebuffed with a promise that they would talk it over at a later time.

 

Yusuke was having a hard time deciding just who he wanted to glare at. Koenma for acting like the team was nothing more than property after all they had been through, or at Ameratarsu for coming here in the first place with these powerful objects. Even though he wouldn't say it just now, he was extremely concerned about the quick shift he had felt in Kurama's energy after he had been in contact with that mirror. If Hiei's reaction to the whole thing was any indication something was definitely wrong with the kitsune, Hiei looked ready to kill anyone that dared to approach Kurama at the moment. What could he have possibly seen in there to shake him up so badly? If there was anything Yusuke hated it was having loose ends like this and not knowing exactly what was going on. “You still haven't explained what it is you want from us or why you have come to us with this information.”

 

“I suppose you could say that I am temporarily taking over your contracts from Koenma. Whether it will be permanent remains to be seen, it will depend on if the artifacts choose you as carriers and how well you prove that you can protect them.” Amaterasu looked at Koenma, giving him a glare to silence him before he could start another outburst. "My miko must complete her appointed task with the Shikon no Tama. I believe that this will be an appropriate trial for the rest of you to determine if there are any among you who are worthy to guard these items. As such, you may now all consider yourselves to be in my service until further notice." She turned her attention to Kagome who was still kneeling before her as Koenma's ear splitting shriek of “What?!!” was heard along with stunned silence from the rest of the assembled group. Amaterasu chose to ignore the outburst and continued speaking as if Koenma hadn't offered any protest at all.

 

“Kagome, now you will learn about your new partners and team mates. They are a true team already, they have been working together for years. The leader of this group is Urameshi Yusuke. For all intents and purposes he was once a human but has had his Mazuko blood awakened. He is in fact a demon now but by your expression I am certain you were already aware of this." Amaterasu waited for Kagome's nod of assent. Having gotten the nod that she was indeed correct Amaterasu was about to continue with the introductions when Yusuke's cold angry voice cut her off.

 

“Just wait a minute here! How the hell did you know I was a demon? And if you know about me do you know about all the others as well?” Yusuke was yelling now, but he didn't care, at least not until he noticed the black looks he was getting from Hiei and Amaterasu. Hiei looked like he was ready to stomp the spirit detective down into the ground if he wasn't careful and shove his foot down his throat for good measure. Yusuke stopped yelling but still demanded his answer. “Well?”

 

“It is part of the power of the being a miko Being able to tell the difference between someone being a human or being a demon.” Kagome wouldn't look at him but she still answered his question. “I knew that you were a demon although I didn't know what kind. I know that Hiei and Yukina are also. My miko powers tell me that. Shuichi is confusing to me, he feels like a demon but he also doesn't so I'm not sure about him anyway. He doesn't feel like a hanyou either, I know how they feel. The rest of you all feel human to me.” Now she did look up at him, pleading in her eyes. “I knew, and I wanted to be friends with you all anyway. I hope that doesn't change anything, I hope we can still be friends.”

 

“Of course it doesn't change anything!” Keiko and Shizuru had both walked up to the girl during her explanation and each had put an arm around her, helping her to her feet and seeking to reassure their friend that nothing had changed now that all of the secrets were being brought out into the open. “If anything it just means we can all be more open with each other and not feel like we have secrets that we have to keep.” Yukina nodded her agreement with what the other girls had said, walking over to hug Kagome. To all appearances it looked as if the girls had formed their own protective circle around Kagome, willing her to believe in them and their combined friendship. Kagome gave them all a thin tremulous smile of thanks and as one they looked back at the goddess.

 

"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, Urameshi Yusuke is the leader of my son Koenma's Spirit Detective team. He is a formidable opponent now that his Mazuko blood has been awakened. As well as having full use of his demonic energy, he can still tap into his reiki which manifests itself in the form of his spirit gun." Amaterasu looked over at Yusuke with laughter in her eyes at the grumblings that she was beginning to hear from the spirit detective. Apparently he believed that some things should be able to remain private. While normally she would agree with him, this knowledge could not remain hidden if he were to be chosen. Then again, even if he were to be passed over he would make a formidable guardian to one of the chosen and thus the knowledge would have needed to be revealed anyway. 'Isn't it funny how they were all so interested in hearing about my Miko's secrets but they don't want their own revealed.'

 

Kagome looked over at Yusuke and gave him a hesitant smile “The type of demon that he is doesn't bother me in the least. Surely, he can't be any more difficult to deal with than Inuyasha. Can he?” She looked back over at Amaterasu, completely missing the look of dark anger that passed over Yusuke's face at the idea of being compared to someone that he didn't know. Hell, for all he knew this Inuyasha could be a brainless twit and worthless as a fighter. Hiei however didn't miss the look and while he didn't laugh out loud, if you knew how to read the little fire demon you could see he was highly amused at the comparison.

 

“The next member of the team that has caught your attention so thoroughly is Hiei. He is an apparition of mixed heritage, being half fire and half ice. Few can match him with his chosen weapon, the katana and he has proven himself many times over with the sword. He also possesses the Jagan eye which aides him in wielding the Dragon of the Darkness Flame.” Amaterasu smiled at the girl, already she was sporting a deep blush and she couldn't resist furthering her discomfort along with the apparition's. "He would be a difficult mate to tame down if you are so minded, but I believe the effort put forth would be well worth it in the end." Turning once more to the apparition who seemed caught between outrage and curiosity at what had been said, she continued on. "His loyalty is unquestionable once a vow is given, it will not be retracted. To be sure, he is a fierce and loyal protector." Kagome blushed even harder, refusing to look at Hiei. Instead she turned her head and her eyes fell on Kurama.

 

“The handsome young man that is getting so much enjoyment from seeing you blush is Youko Kurama, also known as Minamino Shuichi.” As Amaterasu prepared to tell Kagome the information that she would need to know about the kitsune, Kurama himself stepped forward and raised his hand palm outward in a motion asking her to stop. Amaterasu did so, somewhat surprised until he spoke.

 

“No one can explain a kitsune like a kitsune. I would prefer to speak for myself if you please.” Amaterasu gave him a slight nod as she settled back, interested in how Kurama would explain himself to the little miko and ready to fill in any important gaps he chose to leave out.

 

“The human part of me is the person you know as Shuichi. I was born to a human mother. But my body is also a home to a spirit kitsune named Youko Kurama. He is well over one thousand years old and in his time became a very accomplished thief.” Kurama fell silent for a moment, his eyes becoming unfocused. Then he shook his head and smiled at Kagome once again. “We talk to each other often and Youko asked me to inform you that kitsune are among the most beautiful of demons and that you should consider yourself privileged to be allied to one such as himself considering his caliber and reputation. My weapon of choice is the rose whip and we do have some particular talents with plant life. Kurama turned to Amaterasu, who was looking quite irritated with his explanation. He couldn't help but smile. Kitsune were expected to be vain and if she had believed him to be any other way she was in for a surprise. "I think that pretty well covers it for me."

 

Kagome couldn't help herself, she started to laugh. Kurama had sounded so much like Shippo when he was in one of his preening moods that she just couldn't help it. “Oh my God, are kitsune always proud and self inflating?” At the sour look that Kurama turned on her, she gasped in her breath “I'm sorry, but right then you sounded just like another kitsune I know when he is bragging and full of himself."

 

`I am not bragging and full of myself! I only spoke the truth.' Youko's tail was swishing in his irritation and right then Kurama was more then inclined to agree with him. `She has a lot of nerve for a human, even if she is a miko.'

 

Amaterasu turned her back on Kurama, clearly dismissing his high opinion of himself. “The final member of the team is Kuwabara Kazuma, a human with very high spirit energy and spiritual awareness. He is the one who will normally feel any abnormal levels of energy first among the group and he also possess a spirit sword that he can use to cut through barriers and dimensions.”

 

With the introductions now finished Amaterasu stood and raised her hands beginning to gather her energy. “Today is the day that the Shikon no Tama will be completed. The final battle is only minutes away now., I, Amaterasu have decreed that this will be.” She looked at Shizuru, Keiko, Botan and Yukina. “I wish that the four of you go up and wait at the house, it will not be safe for you here. If you stay, you will surely die.” The energy that she was holding in her hands was glowing now, as bright as the sun and hurting anyone's eyes that tried to look directly into it. The temperature grew perceptibly warmer and still she continued to gather more energy, seeming to call it from the sun itself. The air crackled under the strain of all the energy and random lightening flickered across the sky, seeming to originate out of nowhere and striking the ground around the shrine. The smell of ozone filled the air, making it hard to breath. The girls gave each other a frightened look but it was Shizuru that took charge, herding the other girls into the house as Amaterasu had ordered. She wasn't certain what was coming but she was positive that none of them wanted to be caught in the middle of it.. Koenma let out an undignified yell, unable to believe what was happening. "Mother! Just what do you think that you are doing?"

 

With a single word Amaterasu released the glowing orb of power that she had been gathering into her hands. The power exploded outwards in response to her will, rising skyward forming a sphere, whose edges fell to earth in a golden shower of sparks, firmly anchoring itself to the ground. Enclosed within the sphere was the shrine and the well, along with the entire team, Kagome, Koenma and Amaterasu herself. Unknown to all of them except Amaterasu, a lone black bird had also found himself caught within the sphere.

 

“The shield will not hurt you if you come into contact with it but you can't escape it's boundaries either.” Amaterasu looked at each of them soberly. “The shield will not drop until the Shikon no Tama is completed, which means the death of Naraku or the death of everyone that is standing here now. This will not be an easy fight, do not underestimate your opponent.” Satisfied with the looks of determination that she saw on each face Amaterasu turned to the well and began to chant. The well started to glow, a brilliant blue color as the wind began to pick up around them. So strong was the force of the storm that anything not secured down was thrown about and each person had to brace themselves against the onslaught. Kagome felt herself slipping suddenly but she was steadied as a securing hand wrapped around her arm, anchoring her in place. She looked up gratefully, the words dying on her lips when she saw the muscular Mazuko demon that was holding her. Yusuke had wasted no time in assuming his demonic form. If Amaterasu said this would not be an easy fight then he wasn't going to take any chances. Kagome turned her attention to the others and immediately noticed Kurama had changed as well, giving control to the Kitsune within him. She was grateful to see that they were all taking this seriously, Naraku wasn't an opponent to be taken lightly.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Meanwhile in the feudal era Inuyasha had been resting in a tree overlooking the village. It was a quiet day since Kagome had gone home to her own time and he had quickly found that he was bored. Even now he was considering the idea of going through the well, just to find out if she was ready to return yet. He understood that occasionally she needed to go home but that didn't stop him from dreading the times that she had left. Every day she spent in her own era was time wasted that they could be looking for the shards. All of this for a festival she claimed she could not miss. 'Stupid human customs. Why couldn't they find someone else to take her place? Then we could be doing something useful instead of just sitting here!'

 

His attention was captured suddenly as the sound of breaking tree branches in the distance reached his ears. Quickly he lept to the top branch of the tree and looked towards the horizon. A storm was brewing and trees were falling like matchsticks before the wind, it was unlike anything he had ever seen before. However this was an orderly chaos and certainly not a natural occurrence. Unsure of what to make of it Inuyasha held his position, until he realized the strange phenomenon was making it's way towards to village. Seeing this he jumped to the ground and raced to find Kaede. If nothing else, she could get the villagers to safety while he dealt with this strange menace.

 

Kaede walked out of the hut with both Sango and Miroku following closely behind her. They had all been spending an enjoyable afternoon visiting while Shippo was out gathering plant life that would aid him with some of his kitsune magic. The kit wanted to impress Kagome with some new spells when she returned the following day. Now he was racing towards them, his eyes wide with fright and the special plants he had sought clutched in his hand, seemingly forgotten. "The trees are falling! Somethings coming! Don't just stand there, run!"

 

It was right at that moment that the wind storm arrived, trees crashing down onto the village around them. Huts were destroyed as the branches crashed through the roofs, sending villagers running for their lives. The sound of the wind was incredible as they each ran for cover, hoping to avoid being crushed by falling debris. It sounded as if the Earth itself was groaning under the impact of such destruction. Digging his claws into the bark of a fallen tree, Inuyasha braced himself, staying in disbelief at what the wind had carried towards them.

 

Naraku was in the winds grasp, clearly not of his own choosing. Dark energy flared around him as he tried fighting off the storm's effects but it was to no avail. Desperately he grasped at any anchor he could, sinking his claws deeply into the surface only to have it ripped away from him. Crimson eyes glared malevolently as he saw the audience he had, cursing whatever God spawned this storm from hell. He would make them all pay, their deaths were his to control! Gathering a burst of ki Naraku hurled it at Inuyasha, hoping to obliterate the hanyou from existence for bearing witness to this disgraceful event. However the wind had other ideas, absorbing the energy into the center of the storm and only increasing its fury as it tore at his robes. Naraku was powerless to stop his journey at the moment but once this was over, whoever was responsible would pay and pay dearly. He would make sure that theirs would be one of the most long drawn out painful deaths that he had ever inflicted.

 

“He's headed towards the well!” Sango's shout reached Inuyasha's sensitive ears, tearing him out of his shock at seeing the evil hanyou in such a state.

 

"Fuck! Kagome's in danger!" Inuyasha didn't think that Naraku could get through the well but this storm was far from normal. If indeed that was the bastards intended destination then the girl could be in harms way and that was completely unacceptable. Without waiting for the others he took off at a run, hoping he could somehow stop this from happening. If need be he could always destroy the well. It would mean never seeing Kagome again but that was far preferable to Naraku running loose in her time where they would not be able to stop him. Unfortunately the wind seemed to sense his intentions and picked up speed, preventing him from reaching the well in time. He arrived just as Naraku was pulled through, his claws leaving deep gouges in the wood to signal his passing. Brilliant blue light flared as the portal was activated, taking the hanyou to the future. Without pausing Inuyasha leapt forward, jumping into the well after Naraku. There might be little that he could do now but he wasn't going to allow the bastard to get away without a fight. He would protect Kagome, even if it meant tearing Tokyo apart to do so.

 

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

I know, this is an evil place to end this chapter but I just couldn't help myself *grins*. Thank you to all my reviewers, I love you all. Please continue to review, it lets me know if the story is going as it should be.