Disclaimer – I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 6 – The Surprise of Understanding…
Inuyasha sat leaned against a tree across from the fire. Golden eyes reflected the flame clearly. Kagome was lay, stretched out beside him, with her head rested comfortably in his lap. Akina was laid out beside Kagome, snuggled into her mothers side.
He watched Iria, the fire only lit up half of her face. Her exhaustion was more than even she knew. Briefly he wondered why she hadn't told him the whole truth. Why she had closed up so much then 6 years previous.
She knew that Soanaru was propped up against the tree beside her. She also recognize morning as the cool air touched the bare skin of her revealed back. Amber eyes opened slowly, blinkingly staring at the fire. Sitting up quickly, she also saw Inuyasha on the other side of the flames.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
Rubbing her eyes she smiled warily at him, "I feel fine. How're you? You were injured as well."
"Feh. It already healed." Narrowed eyes he suddenly became more serious. "We need to talk."
Iria nodded. Soanaru and Kagome were suddenly awake and sitting up. Akina lay still sleeping, but now on Kagome's lap.
"What the hell is this prophecy you've kept from us." Inuyasha stated.
"Well, you're blunt." Soanaru rolled his eyes and Iria elbowed him in the rib.
"The prophecy is nothing too worry about. It is something that I alone need to fulfill." She replied.
"You would have told us it if that was all there was too it." Kagome replied knowingly.
"Why? There isn't anything to worry about… just…-" She started.
"There was a prophecy read 279 years ago. It was said that a half blood would be orphaned and given two gifts. The ability too use elements to her nature, and too transcend time." Soanaru said.
"Transcend time?" Kagome asked, confused for a second.
"Yeah. It was said that this prophecy would be born 300 years from the day it was predicted. This child was born. However, she was sent through The Great Bone Eaters Well, because the world she had been in before was dying." Iria looked away at this point as Soanaru continued too explain.
"A half demon found her and raised the young child until the elderly woman was killed in a raid. After that, she would have 5 tasks to complete before she was ultimately sent back to the time she was meant to live in."
"Task one, would be to help defeat Naraku, the evil demon that was slowly killing the time, during the Warring States Era." Iria said.
"Task two, learn the 4 elements before the four domains become unstable." Soanaru added. "And collect the 8 jewels as well, returning the four domains back to relative peace."
"Task three, four and five are still sorta unknown." Iria averted her eyes, her expression sheepish.
"How are they unknown? The Prophecy has already been read, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it was read, and written down… but the paper it was written on was ripped. The last three tasks are just going to come as they are, I guess." Iria sighed
Kagome nodded once before speaking, "Is there anything else that you haven't told us?"
Iria looked Kagome dead in the eye, "Everything that I've told you is the truth, it is everything I know about my life."
Inuyasha snorted rudely at that statement.
"Problems?" Iria asked, sarcastically.
"You left one important detail out, that you neglected to tell anyone." He said, golden eyes pinned to her own. Her own eyes widened slightly.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Soanaru suddenly blurted out.
"There's a claiming mart on her neck, one that represents the eastern kingdoms, and you have a similar one that represents the Western Lands. Meaning you're mates." He said.
Iria's hand moved to her neck, which she touched absentmindedly over the fang marks embedded there. Sighing softly, before snorting and beginning to laugh.
"Is that what you wanted me to tell you? That we were mates?" She asked, once she'd gotten back under control. Wiping her eye with her finger to rid the tears.
"You didn't think that the possibility of you being pregnant was something that we needed to know?" Inuyasha replied.
"I'm not with child, so there is no need to worry about that little detail…" Iria rolled her eyes.
"Are you positive?"
"Yes, we were mated over a year and a half ago." She sighed before standing.
"Anymore questions as to how I live my life?" Iria questioned waiting a second before turning on her heal, "I'm going for a walk…"
"You can't. Do you know what day it is? You'll be getting weaker throughout the entire day…?" Inuyasha said to her.
"Oh that's a statement I haven't heard before… I've still lived most of life as a hanyou. I'm aware of the night that I have to be most careful." She stalked out quickly into the cool night.
Soanaru glanced at them with deep green eyes. "I'm sorry we've kept this from you. I hope you understand… the western and eastern kingdoms needed to be united, and she and I were caught in the middle."
"Caught in the middle?" Kagome questioned.
"Iria is Sesshomaru's heir. He intitled that to her about the same time that we mated." He explained.
-Flashback-
It had been two days after the initial ceremony for the mating. He could feel her nervousness through the bond that they shared. He wore the black robes of the eastern lands and stood upfront near Sesshomaru and his own father.
She had been stunning. Wearing silk robes of blue and silver. But even he heard the immediate whispers that sprung up in the crowd of only demons and demoness' Still thought she walked at the elaborate pace and didn't falter a step.
Their eyes connected briefly and he felt the rush of fear, sadness and anger from her. But he channelled pride and strength back. Just as she reached the small platform they all sat on.
"Iria, will you accept this crown as your own if the Lords fate should be death before he can bring his own heir into the world."
She bowed her head appropriately.
"You cannot allow such a vile beast to accept the crown of the heir to the western lands, Lord Sesshomaru!" An old demoness spoke loudly from the crowd.
"You disagree with my choice?" Sesshomaru asked.
"N..n..no milord."
"Uncle, may I add?" Iria asked.
"You may."
"I'm Iria, for those of you that didn't know. I was born to my grandfather's youngest son, Inuyasha. I cant change that, just like you cant change the fact that you were all born to full fledged demons. My birthright as a hanyou is precious. I will never ever forget the hateful looks of disgust. It makes you stronger being by yourself. I'm not saying I want to lead you, want to boss you around because I have the power too do so… I want to fight beside you in battle defending our lands. I want to talk to you as an equal, and ask for your advice since most of you are somewhat older. If you still feel the same about me being a hanyou, than I'm sorry." She said, "But I will do that of which my uncle bids me."
Whispers broke out as she stepped back. Soanaru clapped respectively with the others she noticed. Backing down from the place she stood she caught the slight smile on Sesshomaru's lips.
The ceremony for announcing his heir went well from that time on. Iria accepted the small silver crown as it was placed ontop of her head gracefully before kissing Sesshomaru's face before going to stand next too Soanaru.
"If its any contallation, at least we're in this together…" He said awkwardly. He felt her amusement just as she felt his nervousness.
"Yeah, so if I go down I'm probably going to take you with me." She smiled before leaning gently into his arms.
-end flashback-
"I see."
"Some still don't respect her but, you know. Most do, so it works out alright." Soanaru replied. "Now if there isn't anything more you wished to discuss… I'm going to go and make sure my mate isn't as distraught as she feels." He rubbed his chest absentmindedly.
Kagome and Inuyasha gestured in the direction of where Iria went. Soanaru was gone by the time they turned back to tell him it was to leave. They both sat in comfortable silence rocking their child back and forth.
"Do you think that Akina will be any better when she's as old as Iria?"
Laughing softly Kagome replied, "I doubt it…"
--
She sensed him trying to sneak up on her, but she didn't care. Feeling the warm cloak wrap around her shoulders was slightly more frightening than she thought it would be, nearly jumping out of her skin t the odd feel.
"You alright?" He asked and she nodded. Leaning slightly back into his arms as they talked.
The Cliffside they overlooked was filled with water from the spring defrost. The huge waterfall promising a flood at some point before the end. The sun was glinting the rocks making it even more beautiful.
"We're close." She said softly.
"I know. Are you ready for that battle?" Soanaru asked.
"I have the two smaller katana's but I don't have enchantment anymore, do I?"
Soanaru shook his head against her neck as they sat together. "I'm sorry…" He whispered.
"It wasn't your fault… so stop feeling guilty."
The scream that tore through the air was loud and made them both jump. They stood quickly before taking off towards the sound and the quickly appearing smell of blood.
Smoke rose from the forest, billowing over the tops of the trees quickly. Soanaru ran through on the ground while Iria jumped and caught one of the trees under her felt catapulting herself through the air.
They both came to a stop at the edge of the forest beside the small group of fox demons scattering around trying to get away from the ogre demons surrounding them.
"Have you come to help us? P…lease." The little body of a baby fox demon sat near the bush on the opposite side of them. Iria dropped easily from the tree in front of him.
"What happened?" She asked softly, bringing the kit into her arms as she pushed the water energy into her hands to soothe some of the worse wounds on his skin.
"The ogre demons went crazy, I don't understand it much either, they usually live in perfect harmony with them." He replied, shivering at the cold of her magic.
"Hide, alright? Quickly." She said, "We'll fix this."
The small kit scampered off with a nod and both Soanaru and Iria took off into the village, swords drawn. The smog blocked out the sun as it edged slowly towards sunset.
Arylyn swept in beautiful arcs, glowing a pretty blue as it sliced clean through one of the large demons. He ran through the northern and eastern parts of the small village cleaning out the survivors of the brutal attack.
"Element Wind: Wind Break." She called, both of the smaller swords in her hands crossed as the wind cut through the ogre demon quickly.
Soanaru took a quick look around before digging Arylyn into the ground. Walking carefully into the rather large tent he looked around for any survivors. Finding none he turned only for his sensitive ears to pick up the sound of tiny whimpers coming from the closet.
Twisting back around he walked slowly over to the closet and opened the door in the same manner. 3 small fox demon kits huddled quietly in the confined space. They hid their faces in each others shoulders, waiting for the finishing blow.
"Hey, little ones. I wont hurt you, I promise. My friend, she and I are here to help you." He whispered softly too them holding his hand out to them.
The cowering little demons glanced at him wearily before taking the offered hand. They climbed up his arm until they reached his shoulder and sat much like Shippo did in his earlier years.
Soanaru walked out of the tent only to be met by the ugly faces of 3 ogre demons. He dodged to the side as one tried to punch him with an overgrown fist, only to be side swipped by another one. Landing on his side he absorbed the blow so the kits weren't hurt.
But suddenly all three ogres were on him, and he didn't know how he was going to dodge this one. The secret technique of the Eastern Kingdom wasn't perfected enough to use with other people.
As the fists came crashing down towards him he closed his eyes, preparing himself for the pain that never came. The clang of metal and skin was sickening as it cut through the scale flesh.
"Move!" But it was too late, even as he threw himself out of the way the blades creaked under the weight of the fists, and her arms faltured as her long silver hair changed to black and long claws turned to human fingernails. The blades shattering into a million pieces was deafening.
Everything went black suddenly.
--
Soanaru carried her close to his body. She was breathing barely, but breathing none the less. Her now midnight black hair was slightly matted and it concerned him, even as he fed his demonic aura into her frail human body. Watching as it helped slow the bleeding.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered.
--
AN
So like, since I haven't updated in what feels like years, which I'm sorry about by the way, this is a double update chapter thing. Enjoy.
Disclaimer – I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 7 – The ways of the Sword.
Soanaru sat by her bedside. It was well into the night and he had wondered if Inuyasha and Kagome would come to find them but as of yet it hadn't happened. He stroked the black hair on her head carefully.
Iria stirred as the lights of dawn shone through the window. Her golden eyes opened slowly. She whimpered as her bones cracked and snapped when she moved.
"Soa?" She whispered. "are you okay?"
Soanaru's hand tightened on hers slowly. The harsh whiteness of the walls was nearly overpowering too them both as they opened their eyes.
"Ah, young ones. How do you feel?" The old fox witch asked and Iria smiled and nodded.
"I'm fine thank you." She sat up, holding back a wince.
"Ri, you should be resting…" Soanaru whispered. Shaking her head she held his hand tightly before pulling herself to her feet.
"How is everyone here?" She asked, "We came a little late to help…"
"We lost a few, but it would have been more with out you two dears' help. Thank you, we appreciate it." The older demon replied.
"Yeah." She mumbled as she looked around the small make-shift infirmary. Numerous little fox demons were around them.
"Well, I must go tend to others. I hope you know that you were extremely lucky." The demon said, nodding her head towards Soanaru. "My names Ashen if you need anything." And with that she left.
Iria turned her gaze to Soanaru. His blue streaked hair hung slightly on his face as he snoozed, stretched out over the sleeping mat she had been on. She could feel his pronounced presence from the demonic energy he had sent through her body.
Quietly she tip-toed around him before walking carefully towards the exit. There was some business to take care of first.
--
Kagome glanced worriedly around from where she and Inuyasha watched Akina play. Iria hadn't returned since the day before and it disturbed her.
"Do you think that we were to forward?" She questioned, leaning into her mates embrace.
"Keh, no. She should have told us the truth in the beginning…" Inuyasha answered. "She'll be back, you worry too much woman."
"You worry too little." Kagome pouted slightly, poking him in the stomach.
--
Risha could tell that the pack leader, she was as of yet unsure of his name, was still watching her. She grinned cunningly. Oh how that bitch would rue the day she had ever trusted her. Risha chuckled softly.
--
Iria stood at the center of a small clearing not far away from the small fox camp. Starring around the trees outlining the circle, she grinned when she saw the shadow amidst the trees.
"I knew uncle didn't trust me enough too do this by myself." She sighed, "Sachi, Kino… get out here!" Her voice called over the tree tops.
2 demons dressed in similar outfits as a demon slayer fell to the ground in front of her. One wore a orange demon slayer outfit, while the other wore dark blue.
"Milady, it was not that he didn't trust you." Sachi said, her red hair falling in front of her eyes as she spoke.
"Hai, he just wants you protected and safe." Kino added, his deep purple eyes locking on hers.
"Mm. I know. Thank you for your help by the way. I know you had to have defeated some of those ogres." She said.
"You're welcome, milady." They coursed. Bowing their heads lower.
Sighing abruptly Iria said, "You don't have to call me lady, you've been with me since I first went to the castle, nor do you have to bow to me. I am not your leader…"
"Yes Iria-san." They replied.
"You should come with me to the village. I need you to do me a favour." She said.
--
After appointing them proper guards of the small village she crept back to where Soanaru still lie. Most of the injured were gone now, and the rest slept soundly. She knelt down toward him, brushing the same pieces of hair off his face as she pressed her hand against his face.
The hand that lay on his thigh was suddenly around her waist and brought her down fast. Her body moulded into his and they fit similar to puzzle pieces. Iria yelped quietly as he grinned sleepily down at her.
"You're tired, get some sleep Ri." He whispered, placing a tender kiss on her forehead as her golden eyes drooped sleepily. Snuggling into his arms she fell into an easy sleep.
--
The creepy deep blue eyes watched every scene as though the owner was there for each one. Smiling evilly as he noted the group was temporarily separated.
"Excellent. This will be much easier for me to put my plans in place. Kukuku." He laughed weirdly.
A small sliver of Enchantment lay on the table in front of him. The piece shimmered and shined in the soft light of the room. Like a soft, incomplete jewel of its own.
--
AN!
Gasp. What is to come. :O! anyways, expect an update whenever I get one in. I know that they're a little sporadic, and I'm sorry. However, my school year it winding down ever so slowly… so hopefully after my assessments are done, I'll have more time for such as this. Double update though!
Reviews make me happy and give me inspiration, hint hint. Haha.