Mt. Kurama and the Mischievous Tengu King by Lyraejean
Chapter 1
Mt. Kurama and the Mischievous Tengu King
Disclaimer: As much as I hate reading these they are necessary…so here goes. I don’t own any Inuyasha characters all belong to the illustrious Rumiko Takahashi. Original story line is mine. Blah blah blah…^^;
Author’s Note: Okay so this is my first Fanfic, so please bear with me. Since it is a one shot I set it up just like an actual episode. I hope you enjoy it. This is dedicated to Yuzuki, for convincing me to write this.
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“Mmm…Master Sesshomaru!” Jaken stammered, fear quaking every limb of his body. “Perhaps it would be better if Rin and I awaited you here. This area has a ff…foreboding demonic aura.” Glancing fearfully around, Jaken failed to notice his lord had stopped walking and he carelessly bumped into Sesshomaru’s leg , falling back landing in a heap on the ground.
Sesshomaru glanced boredly at the pathetic looking toad demon. “Jaken.” His face remained as stoic as an ancient god statue, but his eyes smoldered as if to say ‘if you say one more word I will kill you.’ Jaken recoiled, whimpering softly as the rest of the group began the steady trek forward in search of Naraku.
As night fell an eerie mist swirled the ground as the group settled in for the evening by a small stream. While Rin caught dinner, Jaken started a small fire and got comfortable. Without a word Sesshomaru seemed to vanish as he left the young girl in the not-so capable hands of his servant.
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Meanwhile not too far off…
“Inuyasha! SIT!” Kagome screamed, her entire aura brimming with anger. The whole group seemed to have looks of utter despair as Inuyasha plummeted face first into the ground.
“Do you suppose he will ever learn?” Sango whispered to Miroku as she watched the, all-to-common, display.
“No, Sango, I don’t believe he will.” Miroku responded softly, hanging his head slightly. His hand stealthily raising outwards, finding its soft yet muscular target. As he rubbed Sango’s perfectly shaped posterior he failed to see Sango’s hand as it flew through the air connecting with the side of his face, leaving a red imprint of her hand in its stead.
“He’s not the only one,” Shippo sighed, shaking his head. Kirara mewed cheerfully at his side. The group pressed forward leaving the hanyou in a small crater. “You…you’re not going to just leave me here!” He yelled in a muffled cry.
It didn’t take long for Kagome to slow her pace to let Inuyasha catch up so they could look for a place to bed down for the evening. The stars were already visible through the pine and cryptomeria tree tops. Within a half hour everyone was settling around a roaring campfire waiting for the ramen water to boil. A slow crawling fog swirled just beyond the campfire’s edge. The fog seemed to lick at the lit circle as if it were a barrier protecting the unsuspecting pack. Soft banter and laughs persisted as dinner was consumed and cleaned up. It was well into the night as they all drifted off to sleep. All the while the fire dwindled, causing the fog to draw closer and more sinister.
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The next morning…
*Yawn* Inuyasha stretched his arms and yawned aloud. His arms snapping to his sword upon hearing a soft rustling behind him, he stood and in a blink of an eye was in battle stance, Tetsusaiga drawn.
“So. You are finally awake. Inuyasha.” A monotone, sultry female voice sounds in the clearing.
“Ki…Kikyo!” Inuyasha stammers, nearly loosing his footing as well as the Tetsusaiga. “What…what are you doing here?” Re-sheathing his sword, his eyes traveled to catch her gaze; his sad, almost pain-filled eyes, connected with her emotionless ones.
“I should be the one asking you that, Inuyasha. I would have thought you of all people would know to be more cautious on Mt. Kurama. This is after all the home of the Tengu King, Sojobo.” Kikyo laughed softly, “Where are your companions?”
Glancing around almost frantically, “Ugh…where…where is every…where am I?” The surroundings were completely different from where he had fallen asleep; but even more strangely, when he turned back to question Kikyo further, she had simply vanished. And even worse, he couldn’t sense Kagome anywhere. Miroku and Sango weren’t far from where he was so he set off to find the two closer companions, all the while lost in his own mind and the phantom Kikyo.
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‘Nhh…my head…why am I so dizzy?’ Kagome sat up holding her head, trying to keep it from spinning. Opening her eyes, surveying the area, she immediately started panicking as she realized that her friends were nowhere to be found…and not only that but her sleeping bag and her backpack were missing as well. ‘Where is everyone…and my bath stuff is gone too…*sigh*’. Standing, she dusted her skirt off when suddenly a bolt crossed at the edge of her senses. ‘A jewel shard is near by…and something else too…a separate demonic aura. But there is something familiar about it…’
“Woman. What are you doing here, and where is my pathetic half brother?” Fear struck Kagome as she turned to see who was speaking. ‘Oh gods…not him. Even Koga would be better than him!’
Just then a voice sounded through the forest, “Lord Sesshomaru! I’m so glad I found you! It’s Rin. She’s missing.” Jaken slowly walked into the clearing. He was soon cowering in fear for his life as Sesshomaru towered over him, his eyes filled with such hatred. “Fool. Tend to Ah-Un.” With that he headed back into the woods.
“Hey! Wait! What did he mean the little girl is missing? Do you even know where you are going!?” Kagome ran after him yelling the whole way. “Don’t ignore me!” Sesshomaru paused for only a second, glancing back at the annoying girl before continuing, not bothering to answer. Kagome silenced the harassment, fear gripping her under his gaze, she however followed after him hoping that if they found Rin perhaps they would find the others as well.
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Rin rubbed her eyes sleepily giving a great yawn. “Oh great! You’re awake. I was really worried.” A small voice called out. When she opened her eyes she took in her surroundings. An expansive room was laid out before her. Numerous pillows of many bright colors covered the floors. The walls were painted bright blue with whimsical paintings of various children’s tales. Upon further examination she realized most of them had the similar depictions of almost human looking goblins; the only thing that appeared to be inhuman was that their faces were either red, seeming to have unusually long noses, or blue with beaks similar to birds, and both breeds had small wings on their backs. “Those are called Tengu. They are goblins that are known to be quite mischievous; sometimes even more so than we fox demons are.” The small voice stated. The little boy gave Rin a big smile. “My name is Shippo. What’s yours?”
“My name is Rin. Where are we?” Rin asks continuing to take in the stories surrounding her, shifting almost anxiously around. ‘Where could Lord Sesshomaru and Master Jaken be…?’
“I don’t really know,” Shippo answered sadly. ‘I sure hope everyone else is alright.’ Seeing how upset Rin appeared Shippo tried hard to keep his nervousness to himself. “Don’t worry Rin! I’ll make sure we get out of here safely.” At that very moment the screen on the far side of the room opened to reveal a very tall, heavier set tengu with wildly long white hair. His nose, which seemed to be well over a foot long, sat in the middle of a very fat face of the deepest crimson in color. A high pitched laughter rang out in the room but the strange looking goblin never opened his mouth, his smug face the only clue that he was the one making the hideous sound. “You will never escape from here. When I tire of you, my servants--the karasu tengu--will dispose of you however they please.” As he spoke his features did not move; the demonic aura swirled around him in a black mist unseen by human eyes. The chill in the room caused Rin to shiver as Shippo grabbed her protectively, knowing then that they were dealing with a strong demonic force powerful enough to speak directly into other’s minds. ‘Boy, I hope Inuyasha finds us soon. I don’t think I can protect both of us.’
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“Miroku! Sango! Have you seen Kagome? Where’s Shippo?” Inuyasha called bounding into the clearing franticly.
“We had hoped they were with you, Inuyasha. We had only just managed to meet up a few minutes ago.” Miroku stated, his hand raising in a prayer like state in front of his face, his eyes closed as he stamped the bottom of his staff into the ground, a clinking sound resounding from the rings at the top. Several blue faced, winged goblins seemed to appear only briefly before scattering away into the skies. Inuyasha immediately withdrew Tetsusaiga from its sheath at his waist. The sword instantly transformed into a massive fang. But before he was able to strike at the goblins a voice sounded from his shoulder. A tiny flea bounced up and down clearly panicking. “My Lord Inuyasha! Do not strike them down!” he cried, flailing his many arms with each bounce.
“Miyoga?” Inuyasha paused mid-pose, lowering his sword. “You better have a good reason for letting those things get away!” He bellowed angrily, picking up the offending flea in with his thumb and forefinger crushing him effortlessly. The now paper-thin flea floated to the ground on the breeze before popping to normal girth, rubbing his head and moaning softly. As Miyoga seemed to recover from the blow, Miroku and Sango gathered around to hear the explanation, hoping it would give answers to where their missing companions might be.
“You shouldn’t treat me so roughly, my lord…” Miyoga whined softly. “After such a greeting the only reason I will tell you anything is for Shippo and Lady Kagome’s sake.” Sitting up straight Miyoga seemed to take a more serious tone as he crossed his two sets of arms into his sleeves. “Those goblins were in fact karasu tengu. They are the servant breed of tengu. The higher class that they serve is known as the konoha tengu. Tengu are usually very malevolent by nature. Helping humanity with odd jobs, every once in a while playing a harmless trick. However, they do have an evil side as well. If a human abuses power or knowledge for their own gain, disturbs the nesting mountains and forests, or dishonors the tengu tribe, tengu turn into vile spirits that will play ruthless pranks on the offenders, perhaps even consume them body and soul. If I’m not mistaken the dress of those particular karasu tengu and our current location we are in the domain of the king of the Tengu, Lord Sojobo.”
At the mention of the name Inuyasha let out on odd sounding breath. “Do you know of this lord, Inuyasha?” Sango asked but judging by the look upon his she already guessed that he had heard the name somewhere before.
“Yeah…Kikyo mentioned it a little while ago.” At the mention of Kikyo’s name the group looked upon Inuyasha as though he has committed a deadly error. “Hey…don’t look at me like that! I ain’t done nothin’…” After a long incredulous pause he continued. “There was something odd about her though. She didn’t even have a scent. Normally she smells of dirt and clay…but this time there was nothing, like she was a ghost.”
“It is rumored that strong tengu can project their spirits to a different location than their body or even warp reality, leaving their victims disoriented and wandering, sometimes without any memory at all.” Miyoga contemplated aloud as he often did. “Why they would take Kagome is a mystery. I doubt that they even have her at all. But they do like to take children who stray too far from their homes. They are attracted to the playful nature of children. But by far the most concerning thing about the situation is that there has been severe unrest in these parts recently. It has been rumored that the tengu lord has been behaving strangely for a fortnight. More and more humans have disappeared in these parts.”
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Chewing her lip Kagome didn’t know whether she should tell Sesshomaru that something was wrong. They seemed to be going in circles. The scenery didn’t seem to change at all but still he pressed on. The only reason she knew that they were making headway was the fact the location of the jewel shard was getting closer at the same pace that they were walking.
“Stop that incessant fidgeting.” Sesshomaru barked, and she jumped at the sudden menacing sound. “Sorry,” she whispered softly. “Sesshomaru…uh…I think we’re lost.”
A low growl emanated from deep within Sesshomaru’s chest, he paused turning towards the small miko. “You dare question this Sesshomaru?”
Kagome took a small step backwards wishing she had her bow and quiver of arrows, however deep in the recesses of her mind she knew even if she had them she would never get a shot off if he truly wanted her dead. “Everything looks the same…are…are you sure we aren’t going in circles?” She swallowed slowly, taking a deep breath, sure it would be one of her last and eyeing him warily.
Sesshomaru smiled maliciously. “Pathetic.” He turned and continued walking towards his unseen target. “You need more training miko. The world around us is a demonic trick. They can change our surroundings but never change the scent of this forest.”
“Sesshomaru?” Kagome asked hesitantly. He did not respond, he simply paused awaiting her question. “Um…this doesn’t seem like something Naraku would do…who do you think we are up against?”
“Tengu. This mountain and the surrounding forests are their domain.” As if that small statement explained everything he continued forward. Kagome, deciding it was best to take his input at face value, didn’t press any further. ‘Sesshomaru, Lord of the West. He should know of any threats within his lands. Hmm…I think that was the longest he’s ever spoken around me. And he didn’t once mention Inuyasha or the Tetsusaiga. Must be a record.’ Kagome almost laughed at that last thought.
They traveled in silence for what seemed like hours. Kagome took to playing ‘I spy’ in her head to keep her mind off of everyone else. It was boring to play alone but she wasn’t about to ask Sesshomaru to play. After having to spy stones or leaves at least five times each, because the surrounding forest still seemed to be repeating itself, she gave up playing at all. She sighed to herself, thinking, ‘I’d give anything to have someone to talk to! I’d even settle for Inuyasha yelling at me to make ramen.’
“Miko, we are almost to the castle. Do not interfere.” Sesshomaru stated his voice devoid of any emotion.
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“Shippo don’t worry. Lord Sesshomaru will come for me. Then you can go find your friends too.” Rin said in a hushed tone, her smile like a ray of sunshine pushing through the clouds on a cloudy winter’s morning.
“Did you say Sesshomaru! You are the girl who travels with Inuyasha’s brother?!” Shippo yelled, covering his mouth when he realized how loud he had actually spoken. His voice lowered to a whisper, “Sesshomaru hates humans. Why do you travel with him?”
“Sesshomaru doesn’t hate Rin. I travel with him because he allows me. He has always been kind to me. He will come. I know he will.” Rin sighed, her voice getting a little less sure of herself.
“I’m sure he will.” Lord Sojobo walked into the room his smug face leering down at the children. “In fact he will be here very soon. When he arrives I will deal with him. But until that time comes, fox, amuse me. Show me some of your tricks.” Sojobo’s voice floated in their minds, the high-pitched edge making both the children cringe slightly.
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“Inuyasha. Let’s stop for a moment. We’re going in circles.” Sango called. Turning she stopped to hear what Miyoga and Miroku were discussing.
“This appears to be another tengu trick. This is one way they protect their domain. This forest we are seeing is not real. Looks like we’ll never find our way to the top, might as well turn back. It’s hopeless.” Before Miyoga could utter another word Inuyasha had snatched him from his perch on Miroku’s left shoulder.
“I can’t believe you’d just give up on Kagome like that.” Growling Inuyasha flattened Miyoga without a second thought and dropped him to the ground. “An illusion huh? That changes what we see right? But not what we smell.” Inuyasha dropped down to all fours and began sniffing the ground for any sign of the missing group members. Almost instantly he growled, rising in what appeared to be a defiant motion. “Sesshomaru!” He cried taking off into the wilderness, “If you hurt her I’ll kill you!”
Miroku and Sango exchange worried glances “Kirara! Let’s go!” Sango cried. The little fire cat jumped into the air being engulfed in flames. A moment later she emerged in her battle form, her white sabertooth-like fangs glinting brightly in the sun. Kirara gave a mighty cry as she swooped down towards the taijiya and monk. Sango grabbed onto the scuff area on the neck pulling herself up only the fire cat, grabbing Miroku’s hand she pulled him up with her as Kirara took off swiftly after Inuyasha.
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Sesshomaru and Kagome found themselves in an expansive courtyard of a lavish castle. Sojobo didn’t keep them long emerging from the main building, the kidnapped children in tow. “Oh look children, unwanted guests.” Sojobo sneered. He stepped down into the courtyard.
“You have something that belongs to me.” Sesshomaru’s arrogant voice called out over the threshold. “Return Rin, or you will die.” The only movement was Sesshomaru’s eyes narrowing in focus as he studied his opponent.
Sojobo laughed heartily raising his tengu fan high over his head. With one fluid motion he brought the fan down swiftly, a great hurricane blast shot out of the feathered tipped fan tearing everything in its path. Kagome clumsily jumped to the side barely missing the full brunt of the wind, the force throwing her to the side along with debris from the wreckage.
“Kagome!” Shippo yelled, seeing Kagome thrown from the blast, Shippo grabbed Rin’s hand pulling her off to the side of the patio. Ducking under the railing the children hopped off the terrace and ran around the outside of the courtyard towards the slightly injured miko. Vaguely dazed Kagome picked herself off the ground she took off in a sprint toward the children.
Sesshomaru neatly dodged the assault, jumping over the barrage he withdrew his sword, Tokijin, from its resting place at his side, his body poised to end the life of his enemy in one smooth stroke. His whole body stopped abruptly in the air only feet from his target. His gaze changed swiftly from his adversary to the offending force blocking his strike to find Inuyasha, Tetsusaiga fully transformed, beneath him thwarting his onslaught. Sesshomaru flipped cleanly backwards, he landed several feet from the hanyo. “Do not interfere.” He stated dully as he swiped the Tokijin through the air in a downward arc, a radiant blue arch emitted in its wake, the shear force of the strike propelling the arch toward Inuyasha. Inuyasha jumped to the side, he readied his sword and dashed full speed towards his brother.
As Kagome reached the children she protectively guided them behind her turning to watch the battle unfold. Kirara landed softly beside them and her passengers swiftly disembarked. “Miroku, Sango, am I glad to see you!” Kagome cried cheerfully hugging Sango to her for an instant before turning back to the dueling brothers.
“Here, Kagome.” Miroku handed Kagome her big yellow backpack, as well as her bow and quiver of arrows.
“Kagome!” A voice sounded from slightly below her ear as a slight prick of pain shot through the nerves I her neck. Instinctively she slapped her hand over the offending ache, pulling her hand away she down at her open palm curiously.
“Miyoga! You’re here too?”
“I do not know what you are implying Lady Kagome!” Miyoga bellowed putting on the façade of being hurt by the accusation. The charade quickly fell away as Miyoga became very serious. “Kagome, have you noticed anything out of place about Lord Sojobo?”
“You mean the large tengu over there?” Kagome asked as she turned her attention to the tengu king. He seemed to be quite enjoying the spectacle in front of him as he gaily jumped from one foot to the other, like an overexcited child at Christmas. She concentrated hard for only a moment, she gasped. “He has a jewel shard embedded in his nose! And it’s black, it must be one of Naraku’s.”
Miroku and Sango grabbed their weapons defensively, ready to strike out but Miyoga’s small voice rang out loud and clear. “You must not attack him directly! If you should offend him he will not rest until he is completely satisfied that you have learned the error of your ways. Shard or no shard.”
“But then how do we defeat him?” Sango inquired. Miyoga only looked down in thought no answer coming to him.
“I have an idea!” Kagome cried as she placed her backpack at her feet. She raised her bow and drew an arrow from its resting place nestled in her quiver. “If I hit the shard at this angle I might be able to purify it, releasing Sojobo from its dark possession. It’s a tough shot but I know I can do it!” She notched the arrow ignoring everything around her she concentrated solely on the black glow of the jewel shard. “Hit the mark!” She shouted as she released the arrow. It flew through the air being engulfed in a pink holy light. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha stopped dead in their tracks as the bright light of the arrow connected with shard, shielding themselves ever so slightly from the purifying powers that emanated forth. Her arrow struck the shard dislodging it from Sojobo’s long nose; the shard flew into the air as its color faded to a light pink, all the taint and malice fading. Sojobo collapsed loosing consciousness.
Sesshomaru restored Tokijin to its former resting place on his left side. “Rin.” He stated simply, turning he slowly left the castle grounds.
“Yes mi’lord.” Rin called merrily running to fall in step behind Sesshomaru, pausing only for a moment to turn with a big smile she waved to Shippo. “Goodbye!”
Once Sesshomaru was out of sight Inuyasha sheathed Tetsusaiga and walked towards his friends as they gathered around Kagome and Shippo giving great hugs of worry and congratulations. “Kagome! That was amazing!” Shippo chirped from her shoulder.
“Feh. I could have handled it” Inuyasha snorted, folding his hands into his haori, looking indignant. Kagome let out a large huff as she gathered herself up for the long winded argument that was forming. Un-noticed to the distracted quarreling group, a short distance from the unconscious form of the tengu king a saimyosho quietly descended, scooping up the tainted shard and swiftly headed off towards the castle of the, now fuming, Naraku.
“Might I suggest we move on. While we may have helped Lord Sojobo I doubt he will see it that way. And you never want to get on a tengu’s bad side.” Miyoga said in a hushed voice eyeing the surrounding suspiciously. Taking the old flea’s advice in such matters the group headed away from the hidden castle and out of tengu territory.
Miyoga was right in his assumptions on the Lord Sojobo’s countenance, when he awoke he was in the foulest mood any of his servants had ever seen. He vowed to at that moment that if that young priestess were to ever step foot on his lands again he would make sure she would regret it, that is IF she could even remember.
The End.