The Shikon Jewel sat on a small, wooden table glimmering in the soft candlelight. Naraku, cold as the dark of the night, sat in the corner of his room in his fortress, reached over the table and grasped the jewel with his dead-cold fingers.
Once the jewel is once again whole no one will challenge me and live. Still, why is it that I am unable to be rid of that dog demon Inuyasha? I have sent many powerful foes including reincarnations of myself, but even they have proven useless for Inuyasha still lives. How can that be? He’s only a half demon! He doesn’t even possess a shard of the Shikon Jewel!
Naraku’s mind filled with memories of the many battles he waged against Inuyasha. In their most recent encounter, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha’s older brother, found Naraku’s hidden castle by following Naraku’s scent, but little did Sesshomaru know that he was wandering into a trap. After a short battle, Naraku covered Sesshomaru in pieces of his flesh and began to absorb Sesshomaru to be part of Naraku. The Tessaiga, Inuyasha’s powerful sword, broke through Naraku’s barrier allowing Inuyasha to wound Naraku in the process of unexpectedly saving Sesshomaru.
I do not understand all this. Inuyasha should be a splinter on the tip of my finger not a knife pricking against my back. Sigh. The Tessaiga has made Inuyasha an even greater threat. Inuyasha’s and his friend’s refusal to accept their fates makes me look incompetent! I must put an end to this. I will use the power of the Shikon Jewel to put an end to their ridiculous crusade! Hmm, but what if we do battle and I lose the Shikon Jewel before it is made whole once again? All of my past efforts to complete the jewel would be in vain. I must hold out until I finish collecting the rest of the shards. Luckily I know how to find the rest. I must kill that coward Koga. He possesses two shards: one in each leg. The rest I can track with ease.
Naraku unclenched the Shikon Jewel in his right hand as a poisonous bee appearing deader than alive passed the window in Naraku’s chamber then disappeared into the dark of the night. Naraku kept gazing out the window as Kagura, the wind sorceress, stared at him coldly from the doorway.
“How long are you planning to cower behind your hidden fortress?” she asked him boldly hiding her face behind her fan.
“Kagura, I am not cowering from Inuyasha. I am simply waiting for the right moment to strike,” he responded in his cold, monotonous tone with his eyes fixed on the jewel.
“The world will end before you take any action without the aid of your puppets and demons!”
“Dear Kagura,” he smiled softly. “I must wait until the time is right. When the jewel is wholly in my possession, I will be invincible,” he grinned wider. “When that occurs I will strike at Inuyasha and his friends to finish our ordeals once and for all, that is, if they are not destroyed by then.”
Naraku stood up putting the incomplete Shikon Jewel inside his kimono. He then pulled out another jewel: Kagura’s heart. Kagura’s face stiffened afraid of what he was about to do. He made a fist over the jewel and squeezed it. Kagura fell on her side putting one hand on her chest as if trying to undo the crushing sensation that’s stopping the blood flow to the rest of her body.
“Next time show more respect,” the evil demon commanded.
Naraku walked around the weakened wind sorceress and exited the room. Kagura remained on the floor glaring at Naraku as he walked away.
*******
The repeated knee tapping was becoming too much for little Shippo to handle. Impatient and a bit concern, Inuyasha got up and rested his arms on top of the Well of Time hoping to see any signs of Kagome.
“Inuyasha, stop being so impatient!” said Shippo with a bit of an attitude. “Kagome will return in a little while. She promised.”
There was something about Kagome’s presence that is so peaceful and so comforting, somewhat like a mother’s love. Having gotten used to her being around her absence is easily noticed. No matter what encouragement Shippo gave, Inuyasha feared the worst for what he considers a clumsy girl. Inuyasha ran out of patience. He girdled his loins preparing to go after Kagome. Shippo hopped onto the well trying to stop him.
“That stupid girl always takes her time when she’s in her own world,” snapped Inuyasha. “We’ve got work to do here!”
“But it’s her world, Inuyasha,” explained Shippo. “She hasn’t been there in so long. We should give her more time. She’s already done so much for us.”
“Yeah, like shattering the Shikon Jewel,” muttered Inuyasha.
“Oh, come on, Inuyasha! Just wait a little longer!”
“She’s always getting herself into trouble! What if she’s in danger? I can’t protect her from here!”
“Kagome is a big girl. She can manage without your protection for a bit.” Shippo was hoping he’s right.
“I’m on this side of the well. There’s no way of knowing Kagome is alright if we can’t see her!”
An image of Kagome being chased by a large monster popped in Shippo’s mind. “Go save her, Inuyasha!” Shippo trembled in fear of what might happen to Kagome.
A voice called out from the bottom of the well. The startled companions lost their balance falling back from the well. The little fox quickly got back up to peer down the well. Kagome stood at the base with her heavily packed backpack. Shippo exclaimed with excitement.
“Hi, Shippo. Can you get Inuyasha to help me pull up this bag?” She wiped sweat off her forehead with her left sleeve. “It’s too heavy to carry this all the way up the well by myself.”
Shippo bounced off the well landing on Inuyasha’s head. Inuyasha tossed Shippo away then dropped to meet with Kagome at the base of the well. He picked up Kagome’s bag and carried her to the top of the well. As soon as Kagome got off Inuyasha’s back Shippo jumped onto her calling her name out.
“It’s about time you got back!” Inuyasha exclaimed climbing out of the well. “You had us waiting here for so long!”
“I’ve only been gone for twenty minutes,” she said.
“Really?” Inuyasha looked up at the sky as if checking his clock.
“I’m so happy you’re back, Kagome!” the little fox hugged her neck. “You should’ve seen how impatient Inuyasha was to see you again!” Inuyasha hit Shippo on the head to make him shut up. “What was that for?” complained Shippo landing on his feet rubbing his head.
“No reason. I just felt like hitting something.”
Kagome shook her head with a little smile happy to be back. She picked up her bag and placed it on her back. All geared up, the three adventurers headed for Lady Kaede’s village. As they walked, Kagome asked about when Sango came into view atop a small ridge. A soft breeze graced her kimono and brushed her hair gently.
“Sango! Kagome has returned!” Shippo announced.
Sango looked behind her then turned around and waved from a distance to welcome Kagome. Inuyasha looked around for Miroku. He asked Sango when he couldn’t spot him.
“A caravan was passing by,” Sango pointed toward a road ahead. “Miroku went to meet them. He hasn’t comeback since.”
They all headed toward the caravan. As they approached, the caravan continued on its way. The flirtatious monk stood on the side of the road as the caravan passed him by. Shippo noticed bead curtains closing behind a beautiful woman on a wagon. Inuyasha called out to Miroku. The girls gasped as soon as they caught glimpse of Miroku’s cheek. Miroku wore a puzzled face wondering out loud why the girls could be giving him such shocked looks followed by evil glares. Inuyasha brought Miroku’s attention to the kiss mark on Miroku’s cheek as if he didn’t notice.
“Oh, this,” Miroku placed his hand on his blushed cheek. “This mark on my face will be to forever remember the face of the most beautiful woman to ever walk the earth.” He looked up at the sky with eyes twinkling. “My cheek must never be cleaned again.”
Miroku closed his eyes in meditation while Inuyasha rolled his eyes and murmured an insult. Miroku motioned to welcome Kagome but she slapped him.
“I’m gone twenty minutes and you already returned to your old womanizing ways!” Kagome she snapped.
“I am only a man, Kagome,” he said rubbing his stinging cheek. “I have my flaws. I cannot resist my attraction and love for beautiful women.”
The girls glared at him.
Miroku gave up trying to impress Sango and Kagome for several reasons some of which include a sense of respect for them, and learning his lesson after countless assaults by the girls for his peeping while the bathed.
“That’s not what I meant,” he replied feeling interrogated. “Women are the most beautiful creatures to ever walk the earth. It is only natural that I take advantage of the moments I share with women. I do not have long to live and there are so many women in this earth. I must be like the bee going from flower to flower.”
“Enough of this!” exclaimed Inuyasha. “Let’s go back to village already!”
The girls didn’t say a word to Miroku as the group walked back to the village.
Shippo looked up at the kiss mark. “Miroku, how did you get that beautiful woman to kiss you?”
“I suspect she was overwhelmed by my charm,” Miroku said a bit prideful.
“What charm?”
A boil formed on Miroku’s forehead, but he didn’t lose his cool. Instead, he ignored Shippo and continued on silently along with the rest of the group.
Lady Kaede was picking herbs in the garden when Kirara the demon cat sensed the others approaching. The elderly priestess lifted her eye over the horizon. “Come, Kirara, let us prepare something for them,” she picked up her basket of herbs and vegetables. “They must be hungry.” Lady Kaede and Kirara went into the house to prepare supper for the arriving adventurers. A while later, Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Lady Kaede all ate supper. Kirara eat her fill next to Sango. After a long silence, Inuyasha asked Kagome what she had brought from her time and place. Kagome went through a list of provisions and medical supplies she brought including antiseptics, ointments, bandages, and few water bottles for their journey.
After dinner they all went to sleep. The next day they all bid farewell to Lady Kaede. Kirara transformed into a large youkai to transport Sango, Miroku and Shippo. Kagome got on Inuyasha’s back and off they went continuing their journey to find the remaining shards of the Shikon Jewel.
*******
“We’ve been traveling for two days and we still haven’t found a piece of the Shikon Jewel!” complained Inuyasha.
I can see why Inuyasha is so upset over the fact that we haven’t found a piece of the Shikon Jewel, Kagome thought to herself. Naraku has the largest piece meaning that he’s so close to completing it. I have two pieces and Koga has two pieces. There are still some shards left to be found but now they are so few. If we continue traveling without finding another shard, then we have to conclude that Naraku has the rest of them! We have to find the remaining pieces before he does, but that would mean that we’d have to go after Naraku. Oh, I hate thinking about facing him, but I know our meeting is inevitable! Oh, please let there be a jewel shard nearby!
Sango walked next to Miroku frowning at the mark on his face.
“Miroku, you haven’t washed your face for two days!” Sango stated in an agitated voice.
“I vowed not to wash off the mark of that woman’s lips,” Miroku said with his eyes closed as if the vow meant something deeper than just a goodbye kiss.
“If you don’t clean that mark off your face, I’ll shave it off with my sword!” she threatened.
“My dear Sango, does this mean you are jealous that you didn’t get to kiss me?”
Sango’s slap to Miroku’s face scared away the birds hiding in the trees. Miroku’s face swelled to the red hand mark covering half of his face.
“You don’t get it do you, Miroku?” She confronted him. “You fool with women’s feelings! You pretend to be the man that will love them the rest of their lives, next thing they know you’re with another woman! When will you learn to treat women with the proper respect?”
She gave him the cold shoulder walking to the head of the group. Miroku remained in the spot where he was slapped.
“Wow, you made her real angry, Miroku,” Shippo pointed out.
Miroku continued moving along followed by Shippo. Why would Sango be so angry at me for following my male instincts? Miroku was still confused. Does she have feelings for me but refuses to let me know? Maybe that’s it. She feels that I’m playing with her feelings because I treat her so nice yet I devote time to other women. Miroku recalled moments when he was wounded with Sango looking after him. He would always fool Sango into believing he was really weak before his hand rubbed her rear end. Afterwards, Sango would always beat him for it. Ok, so maybe she doesn’t have feelings for me. Maybe she has trouble liking men that love many women or, in her words, play with other women’s feelings. Who else does she know plays with other people’s feelings and emotions? Gasp! Naraku! Naraku manipulates his enemies into believing their friends and love ones are free from his spell before he makes them turn! Like the time when Kohaku was believed to be freed from Naraku’s spell tricking Sango into thinking Kohaku had returned to her. Kohaku turned out to still be under Naraku’s spell. That must be why she gets so angry at me. I bring back bad memories. . .
“Miroku?”
“Yes, Shippo?”
“Are you going to be alright?”
“It’s not me you should be worrying about.”
Kagome stopped walking and turned her gaze to the forest.
“Kagome, what is it?” asked Inuyasha.
Sango stopped on her tracks noticing the group stopped following her.
“I sense the presence of a shard of the Shikon Jewel!” exclaimed Kagome.
A grin came over Inuyasha face. “It’s about time! Where’s it coming from?”
“It’s coming from down the road in that direction,” Kagome pointed away from the path they were headed.
Inuyasha cracked his knuckles aching for some action. “Come on! Let’s go!” he called out to the group as he ran in direction of the shard. “I’ve caught the scent of a demon!”
Miroku followed on foot. The girls and Shippo rode Kirara towards the location of the shard of the Shikon Jewel.
*******
The mysterious figure sat at the table with his back turned to the dining room entry. Soft sunlight shone through the window sills enough so the eyes of the stranger could be seen through his hooded cloak. He silently feasted on the meal prepared by his old hosts. Only the slurping of the soup kept the room from being completely silent. The stranger cupped the bowl with his leather-clad hands holding it just above the table. All the while his hosts, the old folks, examined the sack belonging to the traveler resting against the wall. It was much too heavy for the elderly man to carry in his advanced stage. Whatever was in the sack must be expensive, thought the old man. The guest slurped the last of the soup and set the bowl on the table. Just before he could thank the old couple a man burst through the doorway panting hard.
“Sir, the demon . . .” the villager spoke out of breath. “He is coming!”
In a confident, soft, tenor voice the stranger told the villager to warn the rest of the village and to seek cover. The villager left and did as he was told. The stranger turned to the old folk in the next room instructing them to stay indoors. He then reached for his sack of weapons and adjusting his armor with little effort. The elderly couple could only see his shadow on the ground as the stranger exited their home to face the approaching demon.
Dark, grey clouds hovered across the morning sky blocking out the sun. Villagers ran into their homes shutting their doors and windows shielding themselves from danger. Horses neighed nervously in their stables. The wind howled scattering leaves and debris. The lone stranger marched out of the village to meet the demon. The sound of pebbles crushing underneath his boots was accompanied by small earth shakes. The demon approached. After advancing a few more yards the thundering footsteps stopped. The howling winds died down. The stranger paused at a distance outside the village keeping his eyes fixed in the direction of the nearby forest. Curious villagers peeked out of their windows to quench their curiosity. They then burrowed themselves inside their homes at the sound of an earth shaking roar. Horses broke their tie-downs and ran wildly inside their stables trying to escape for their lives. The stranger remained still as the loud thuds resumed. Cracking of tree trunks from the surrounding forest accompanied each resounding thud.
The last trees at the end of the forest broke to the large claws of a two headed dragon. The blood red dragon erected to its full size towering over the village. Each head had two horns on them. Its mighty arms had three claws each larger than the body of a man. Fixing its gaze at the village meditating of the great feast it was about to enjoy, the giant dragon roared loudly with one head and shrilled annoyingly with the other to announce his arrival. It took one step forward then spotted the stranger in the dark cloak standing in his way.
Why does that man not run from me? Thought the demon. Has he been standing there this entire time? No matter. He will make for a good appetizer before I engulf the rest of my feast. The dragon examined the stranger. He stands as if he were a statute, unwavering with confidence.
“Do you find me amusing?” the stranger broke the silence with a calm, muffled voice.
The dragon continued studying its possible opponent.
“Do you not speak, Roarshaku?” the stranger confronted the evil dragon.
How does he know my name? I have only just met him! Is it possible he might be a reader?
“Do you not speak?” The stranger asked again.
I don’t care who this man is. He’ll still make a great appetizer!
“I will not be your appetizer,” the stranger rebuked the demon’s thoughts.
So, you’re a reader, realized the demon. Since you can read my mind, know this: I will devour you and this village! I will pick the villagers’ flesh off my fangs with your bones!
“Roarshaku, I warn you only once: spare this village and I may spare your life,” warned the stranger.
You fool! You cannot defeat me! I have a shard of the Shikon Jewel! With this shard I am invincible!
The stranger knew not of the Shikon Jewel or its power. “Your new found power does not frighten me,” responded the stranger. “You want this village you have to come through me first.”
The stranger pulled down his hood exposing his blue blood face mask. His shoulder length, dark hair drooped on the sides of the bands tying his mask in place. His hawk eyes fixed in a gaze at the dragon demon.
What kind of face mask is that? It looks to be made of dragon scales, studied the demon.
The stranger warned the dragon demon once more.
Fool, no man can defeat me, roared the demon.
The stranger tossed his cloak aside revealing his armor. His breast plate and pads all matched the pattern and color of his mask. The material of the armor was that of dragon scales. His back armor held two swords. The swords’ sheaths made an “X” across his back. An arrow pouch sat in the middle of the “X” pointing at the sky. The string of the bow rested on his right side. The bow handle was securely fastened to his chest. His belt housed another sword on his left side and two short daggers, one on each of his sides. The stranger’s gloves, pants and arm sleeves were made out of soft, black, metal links.
The dragon’s eyes widened. Can this be him? Can this be the one dragon slayer? Dragons of this region have confronted a man of this description. Warning reached my ears that he might come this way. None of the other dragons have prevailed over the dragon slayer! If this is that man, I shall be the one to strike him down! I shall summon the power of the Shikon Jewel to defeat him!
The stranger smiled at the dragon’s moment of fear underneath his face mask.
Dragon slayer, behold my wrath!
The demon prepared to attack. The dragon pulled back arching its necks in spring action. A loud rumble escaped from the belly of the dragon—he was preparing to discharge its blast of fire. The stranger grabbed the handles of the swords on his back, got on one knee but did not draw out the blades just yet. The rumbling noise traveled from the dragon’s belly, through the necks and finally to the tip of the throats. Steam and smoke seeped out of the dragon’s mouths. Large glows illuminated the village and the surrounding forest. The stranger waited for the blast. The dragon released his firepower with the aid of a shard of the Shikon Jewel engulfing the stranger and the surrounding area.
*******
Inuyasha stopped at the other end of the forest followed by the rest of the group. They got there just in time to see the giant, two headed dragon engulf the stranger. Kagome screamed in horror. Miroku looked on as the dragon gave no end to its fire blast.
“Serves him right for thinking he could take on that giant dragon all by himself,” Inuyasha frowned. “Leave this matter to me and Tessaiga,” Inuyasha tapped his wondrous sword.
“Look! The dragon’s fire is diminishing!” Miroku snapped Inuyasha out of his pride.
They all looked in the same direction as the dragon ceased raining fire waiting for the smoke to clear to see his victim’s remains.
What! This cannot be! He is unharmed! The dragon pulled its heads back in horror and disbelief. I used the power of the shard of the Shikon Jewel! How did he survive?
The stranger held his two swords in front shielding him from the fire.
“It’s going to take more than a shard of the Shikon Jewel to help you stop me, Roarshaku!” the stranger rose to his feet.
Inuyasha heard the mention of the Shikon Jewel. He pulled Kagome to his side. “Kagome, where’s the shard hidden?”
“He has the shard in between his necks!”
“That’s all I need to know–huh?” Inuyasha watched as the stranger moved to battle the demon.
The stranger leaped on the dragon landing behind one of the dragon’s thick necks and inserted his blades into one of the necks anchoring himself safely on the dragon. The dragon roared at the feel of the cold metal piercing his scales ripping his muscle tissue. The dragon tried shaking the stranger off him, but the more it shook the more the blades penetrated into his neck. Kirara lay on the floor with its paws over its head trying to block out the dragon shrill. The stranger dropped to the ground and put away his swords then withdrew his bow and arrow. The warrior placed an arrow against the string of his dragon-bone bow. The stranger uttered a phrase to himself then released the arrow aimed at Roarshaku’s heart. The arrow cut through the air in a dark blue aura piercing through Roarshaku’s scaly chest into his heart. The stranger replaced his bow as Roarshaku weakly roared in pain falling to the ground slowly.
“You will no longer harm the innocent,” the stranger instructed the dragon. “You will be used for good. This is your purpose: to follow my command and safeguard the weak.”
Roarshaku laughed wickedly. “Your arrow does not affect me,” Roarshaku spoke. “You are much too weak to overcome the power of the shard of the Shikon Jewel! Thus I will not give into your pathetic commands!”
Inuyasha thought this to be the perfect moment to strike while the others watched in wonder.
“Inuyasha,” Kagome stopped him before he could make a move. “The stranger isn’t finished with him yet.”
“Oh, yeah? How do you know that?” Inuyasha frowned.
“He’s drawing out his other sword,” she turned her attention to the duel.
They looked on as the stranger drew out the sword that hung by his side.
“Very well. Roarshaku, this is now your end,” he announced.
The dragon replied with a growl then lunged at the stranger. The stranger jumped away from the attack. Roarshaku’s powerful jaws came crashing down on his prey. An orange aura surrounded the stranger’s sword. “Dragon Strike!” shouted the stranger as he leapt at the oncoming dragon. The sword’s powerful beam struck the dragon between the necks cutting the dragon in two dissolving it from the inside out. The stranger landed safely on the ground on one knee. He placed the sword’s tip on the ground and remained on one knee as the remaining pieces of the dragon’s gore fell around him like rain.
The grey clouds began to fade. The sun shone on the village again. The villagers slowly poured out of the homes to see the conclusion of the battle.
Something glimmered on the ground. The stranger walked over and picked up the shard of a jewel the dragon possessed. Is this what gave that dragon its powers? He examined the jewel as Inuyasha and the others came running out of cover over to the stranger.
“Another demon!” shouted a startled villager referring to Inuyasha.
The warrior drew his sword ready to fend off the approaching demon. Kagome raced after Inuyasha to avoid any confrontation.
“Inuyasha,” Kagome called out to him. “Don’t do anything stupid!”
Inuyasha’s perked his ears and stopped on his tracks. “What do you mean ‘anything stupid,’” Inuyasha asked a bit offended. Kagome drew his attention to the crouching warrior ready to strike. “Come on, Kagome,” Inuyasha calmed her worries. “I can handle this mortal.”
That obviously was not Kagome’s point but Inuyasha walked over to the warrior anyway.
“Hey, if you could’ve finished that dragon in one swing in the first place, why didn’t you?” Inuyasha confronted the warrior.
The warrior remained silent ready to pounce on Inuyasha. Inuyasha placed his hands in front of him signaling that he comes in peace.
“Hey, relax. I’m not here to kill anyone. I’m here for the shard you got on your hand.” The stranger’s eyes widened. Inuyasha quickly moved away from the stranger’s sword swing. “What’s your problem?” asked Inuyasha dodging the swings.
“My problem is that demons still walk this land terrorizing mortals,” declared the stranger preparing to attack Inuyasha again.
“Stop!” cried out Kagome. “Inuyasha isn’t a bad demon! He just wants to make friends!”
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.
“Friends?” scowled the stranger. “Demons are no friends of mine!”
The stranger prepared to attack again. This time Inuyasha braced to defend himself.
“Hey, you best calm down or I’ll do you in!” warned Inuyasha reaching for Tessaiga. “I’ll take you out in one swing!”
Miroku and Sango gasped at the unnecessary violence about to ensue. Kagome knew what to do.
“Inuyasha, sit!”
Inuyasha looked at Kagome just as she shouted her command wondering why Kagome would punish him for defending himself against an aggressive stranger. No matter what the answer was Inuyasha’s chin smashed into the ground. The stranger stood in amazement at what just took place. Kagome hurried over to them and apologized to the stranger for the entire ordeal.
Why does she have to apologize to him? Inuyasha growled.
“Greetings, warrior,” Miroku approached the stranger. “You have very impressive skills and powers. Mind you telling us who you are?”
The stranger removed his mask exposing his handsome face. His appearance differed from the others suggesting he wasn’t from around those parts. His skin was more tan than yellow, his hair black and a bit thick tied in a ponytail with a navy blue silk sash.
“I am Raygan,” he introduced himself.
“I’m Miroku. These are my friends: Kagome, Shippo and Sango.” He looked down. “You’ve already met Inuyasha.”
Raygan was a bit uncomfortable at the sight of the fox demon Shippo but put aside his differences for now. He held out the jewel shard.
“This is what gave that dragon its powers,” Raygan concluded.
“It’s a very dangerous jewel if found on the wrong hands,” added Miroku.
Raygan thought for a second then turned to Kagome and handed her the jewel without question. Kagome was a bit surprised that Raygan did not hesitate to give her the jewel. She smiled and thanked him. Raygan turned to Sango and approached her. A feeling of familiarity came over Raygan as he noticed her weapons and garments.
“I’m Sango,” she said.
“Is that boomerang of yours made out of demon bones?” Raygan asked out of curiosity.
“It’s a hiraikotsu and yes, it’s made out of demon bones,” she explained. “I’m a demon slayer.”
“Demon slayer? Our meeting truly is a pleasure,” Raygan smiled.
Sango blushed with appreciation.
*******
The villagers all came out to thank Raygan for defeating the demon dragon. The elderly couple that fed Raygan was among the crowd wishing to thank Raygan. Some of the villagers offered their homes, others offered their animals, and some even offered their daughters to repay him for his duties.
“People of the village, please listen to me,” Raygan was humbled by their generous gesture. “I do not wish to receive these gifts of yours. I am satisfied with your thanks. I only ask that you all make the most out of your lives. Do not let time waste away.”
Some in the crowd were touched by Raygan’s modesty. Others were saddened that they couldn’t offer Raygan something in return for his services. Murmurs filled the mouths of some of the crowd members begging Raygan to reconsider the offer. Raygan ignored them cutting through the crowd to reach the elderly couple. He bowed in front of them and thanked them for their hospitality.
“He is very kind and sweet,” Kagome thought out loud.
Inuyasha was angry at Raygan but mostly at Kagome for making him “sit.” He couldn’t care any less about Raygan’s kindness. Miroku, on the other hand, was stunned at Raygan’s refusal to accept the daughters of the villagers as trophies.
Trophy wives. I’d never thought I’d see the day someone was offered countless beautiful women and turn them down. This must be a dream. Wait! I wasn’t the one offered the women. This is a bad dream. If this isn’t a bad dream, how I wish I were Raygan!
“He is very honorable,” added Sango.
“He refused all of those women,” said a still shocked Miroku.
A few moments later, Raygan returned to the front of the village fully cloaked with his hood draped behind his neck and carrying his sack of weapons. A lizard-like, winged creature no larger than Kirara was riding Raygan’s right shoulder. When the creature saw Inuyasha it leaped in the air to attack Inuyasha. Inuyasha drew out Tessaiga and prepared to chop the hostile lizard. Raygan called out to the little reptile. The small dragon halted its assault and returned to its master.
“Nice little dragon you got there, Raygan,” Inuyasha said sarcastically sheathing Tessaiga.
“You must forgive my dragon. He senses and attacks demons,” Raygan explained.
“Are we really all bad?” wondered Shippo with an innocent look.
Raygan did not respond to Shippo’s question.
“Okay, we have shards to collect. Let’s go guys,” Inuyasha got impatient.
“Inuyasha, he practically defeated the dragon to give us the jewel shard,” Kagome replied a bit upset.
“I could’ve done it myself!” Inuyasha said proudly.
“But you would’ve been injured.”
Inuyasha became upset at Kagome for doubting him but calmed down as soon as he saw Kagome’s eyes. Still, he didn’t care about Raygan’s aid. To him the shard was much too easy to collect. Kagome still looked at him with caring eyes.
“What are you looking at me like that for?” he asked feeling a bit uncomfortable. “The shard was too easy to collect! I hope I get to slay a powerful demon next time!”
Her care turned into an angry look.
“What is it now?” he asked.
“You can at least thank him for the trouble he went through to collect the shard,” she said crossing her arms.
“He didn’t even know about the shard so I don’t owe him any thanks,” Inuyasha said with his back turned to Kagome.
“Quit being a jerk!” Kagome snapped.
Raygan asked Miroku if the two of them always behaved as they were.
“Inuyasha can be quite the handful,” Miroku explained. “Kagome is the only one who can put him in his place.”
Kagome noticed the stares of Raygan, Sango, Shippo and the villagers then blushed out of embarrassment. “Perhaps we should get a move on,” she said.
The others agreed.
“I too must be on the move,” Raygan said making sure he had everything.
“Which way are you going?” asked Kagome with a different intention.
Raygan directed her attention to a road leading to the west of the mountain region.
“We’re heading along that same path! We could go together!” Shouted an excited Kagome. “No!” yelled Inuyasha from behind the group. “He’ll just slow us down!”
Still keeping her attention on Raygan and wearing a glowing smile, she ordered the shouting Inuyasha to sit. After the rumble on the ground ceased, Kagome clasped her hands against her chest and politely asked Raygan to accompany them. A moment of silence and a couple of glances later Raygan nodded. Kagome’s jumping for joy startled the little dragon on Raygan’s shoulder.
After the group made sure they had their belonging, they bade farewell to the villagers and moved on . . . Inuyasha followed a few moments later.
The mystery of this stranger intrigued Kagome. She made it her intention to get to know him better.
*******
“Unfortunately all of the shards of the jewel we struggled so hard to retrieve were stolen by an evil demon named Naraku.” Kagome explained to Raygan the events leading up to the shattering of the Shikon Jewel.
Miroku elaborated on Naraku’s origins and how each member has been affected by his evil doings. Sango reminisced in sadness about Kohaku.
“Looks like this Naraku of whom you speak is truly evil,” Raygan noticed their pain. “I am sorry for all the pain he has caused to all of you.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Inuyasha did not care for Raygan’s apologies. “When we finally take him on again, and if he is brave enough to finish a fight, I’ll destroy him! Be sorry for him because Naraku will wish he’d never been born!”
Sango and Miroku frowned at Inuyasha.
“You can’t beat him on your own, Inuyasha,” said Miroku adding reminders of Inuyasha’s near death encounters.
“Yes, I can and I will!” Inuyasha’s pride kicked in.
“If you think you’re the only who can, I’ll prove you wrong! I will destroy him!” Miroku raised his voice.
“I’ll destroy him for what he did to Kohaku!” Sango snapped.
Inuyasha stopped walking and faced them. “I’m going to slay him for what he did to me and Kikyo!” he told them.
“Are you forgetting the curse he placed on my family?” shouted Miroku. “He’s mine to deal with!”
The three of them started arguing. Kirara jumped into Shippo’s arms and hid its face. Raygan took a few steps back giving them some room. The little dragon sought cover behind Raygan’s hood. Inuyasha cracked his fingers as if preparing to defend himself – or attack. Kagome tried to calm them all down but Inuyasha was too furious to calm down. He kept thinking of how Naraku made him and Kikyo turn on one another. Inuyasha believed he held more than enough reason to be the one to kill Naraku. He was getting close to strike Miroku out of anger and frustration. Kagome yelled louder to get them all to calm down. Miroku held out his staff while Sango reached for her sword.
“Like your stupid weapons can match my Tessaiga!” Inuyasha grinned.
Inuyasha drew out his Tessaiga. Raygan reached for his swords. Shippo and Kirara screamed then jumped behind a rock. Kagome was afraid of what was about to happen. She could not wait any more.
“Inuyasha!” she cried out to him.
Inuyasha ignored her and continued to reach for his sword.
Raygan stated, “This is why demons serve no place in the company of mortals.”
Becoming angrier still at his annoying presence, Inuyasha turned to Raygan to release his anger. “You got a lot of nerve running your mouth like that!” warned Inuyasha.
“You best settle down before you get yourself hurt,” Raygan responded unafraid of him.
The two warriors faced one another with viper-like gazes. Kagome seemed to have lost her voice from the shock of them confronting themselves. The little dragon hopped off Raygan while Inuyasha growled at Raygan’s stone-stiff expression.
Who does this bastard think he is? Thought Inuyasha. “Are you going to stand there all day, Raygan? Or are going to make your move?” teased Inuyasha.
“You are the one who initiated the fight therefore I give you the first move,” Raygan replied.
Inuyasha was not expecting that comeback. It’s true, Inuyasha started the argument, but he did not want to be the one to draw the first move. He preferred to finish the fight making it look as if the conflict wasn’t his fault. Damn! If I don’t make a move he’ll win, but if I do make a move Kagome’s going to take it out on me!
“Are you finished?” Raygan interrupted his thoughts. “The group wants to move on. Pull yourself together and get a move on.”
Miroku and Sango relaxed their hands off their weapons. Shippo and the others resurfaced but Inuyasha was not going to let Raygan boss him around.
“Who do you think you are giving me orders?” barked Inuyasha.
Raygan ignored him. Instead he turned to Kagome. “Kagome, does Inuyasha always talk more than taking action during a tense situation?” Raygan was teasing Inuyasha.
Kagome broke a smile and give a small nod.
“Hey!” shouted Inuyasha trying to get back into the fight.
“Inuyasha does seem to shout more than he ever does anything,” Miroku concurred.
“Miroku, you—” Inuyasha growled at Miroku.
“We must continue on our way,” said Raygan picking up his dragon. “Shall we?” he turned to the group forcing them to move on.
Sango and Kagome smiled then began making their way up the road. Miroku closed his eyes and asked the Buddha to forgive his actions. Inuyasha stood there ready for action that would not come.
“Hey! You walking away from a fight?” Inuyasha tried provoking Raygan into a fight.
“Grow up, Inuyasha,” said Shippo walking right past him.
Suddenly Inuyasha felt like idiot. “Why is it always, my fault?” he asked himself then moved on forgetting about how the entire ordeal got started in the first place.
After some time Kagome looked up at the darkening sky. “Maybe we should set camp here,” she suggested.
Determined to keep moving, Raygan faced the group about ready to give his farewells when Sango eyed him.
“Kagome has a point about us making camp,” she said. “Raygan, would you join us for supper before you continue on your way?”
He could not turn down a warm meal before his long journey so Raygan agreed to her offer. Kagome silently cheered. There was something about Raygan that really appealed to Kagome. She could not quite put her finger on it, but she is sure it has something to do with his manners and the mystery of his whereabouts.
As they prepared to make a meal Kagome thought of the questions she wanted to ask him. Sango thought the same. Miroku collected some logs and set them up with the help of Shippo. Soon supper would be ready and the past rivalries would be forgotten.
*******
The wood crackled as the campfire fed on it. The adventurers ate a few snacks Kagome carried in her backpack. Raygan’s little dragon and Kirara shared a jerky. Sango sat next to Kagome. Miroku adjacent to Raygan. Their weapons lay close to one another. Inuyasha sat on a boulder away from the group while Raygan made conversation with the group.
“Kagome, how is that you possess power over Inuyasha?” Raygan asked referring to Kagome’s “sit” command. “You are merely a mortal yet you have supernatural powers.”
Kagome smiled and gladly explained to him how she came to control Inuyasha through the prayer beads Inuyasha wears around his neck. Raygan nodded then asked why she was wearing such strange clothing.
“Oh, this is my school uniform,” she told him. Raygan raised an eyebrow. “I’m from another time,” Kagome began. “I travel to the Feudal Era through a well.” She went on to explain how she first fell into the well and met Inuyasha.
“Where do you come from, Raygan?” Sango was curious. “You don’t look like you’re from Japan.”
“I am not. I’m from the Continent,” he informed them.
“You’re from the Continent? Wow! How did you get here?” Shippo asked.
“I travel from faraway lands,” Raygan explained. “It is my job to protect people from harmful dragons. Dragons that lost their way and purpose.”
“Why you?” asked a still curious Shippo.
“Because I am a dragon master,” Raygan replied. “The responsibility has been bestowed on me to tame dangerous dragons and use them for good.”
“Raygan, why did you fire an arrow at that great dragon?” Miroku recalled Raygan firing off an arrow at Roarshaku’s heart.
“Once my arrow pierces a dragon’s heart, its heart purifies and it becomes good,” Raygan held an arrow in his hand. “It obeys my command because I force it to realize that I am its master.”
Shippo told Raygan that Kagome also has purification powers.
“Is that true, Kagome?” asked Raygan.
She explained how her touch and her sacred arrow are able to purify demon auras among other things.
The little dragon crawled over to his master and rubbed against Raygan.
“What is it, Dragon?” asked Raygan. He then looked up at the night sky then stood up. “I must be taking my leave,” he stood up and bowed. “I have lingered for long enough.”
Inuyasha overheard Raygan saying he had to leave. He got off the boulder and rejoined the group. “Leaving so soon, Raygan?”
“I must be making haste, Inuyasha. There are more villages in danger,” he said reaching for his gear. “It has been a pleasure meeting most of you.”
With that Raygan made his prejudice of Inuyasha very clear.
“I hope we meet again, Raygan.” Miroku shook hands with Raygan.
“I was delighted to have met you, Dragon Master,” Sango said with a bow.
“Maybe next time you can tell me all about the Continent!” said Shippo.
“I promise to do so, Shippo.” Raygan patted the little demon’s head. He had warmed up to the cute, little fox.
“Be safe in your dragon hunting,” Kagome hugged Raygan farewell.
“Be safe in your jewel hunting,” he responded. Raygan then turned his attention to Inuyasha. “Farewell, Inuyasha.”
“Well, bye,” Inuyasha responded without care. “Good riddances,” he murmured.
The little dragon raced down the road. Raygan closely followed behind. The others looked on as Raygan disappeared into the night. When he was no longer in sight, the girls faced Miroku.
Why do they look at me like that? A confused Miroku stared into their serious faces. “Is there something I did to merit such evil glares?” he wondered out loud.
“That, Miroku, is how you treat a woman!” Sango and Kagome jinxed.
“Are you ladies still upset over my flirting?” It all came back to Miroku as Sango and Kagome glared at Miroku. “Maybe there is something I could learn from him,” Miroku scratched his head. “But it is I who will ultimately teach Raygan how to caress a woman,” Miroku added.
Shippo closed his eyes to avoid seeing the girls slap Miroku.
“Let’s get some rest,” suggested Inuyasha tired of all the confrontations.
They made camp nearby and fell asleep under the stars, all except for Inuyasha. He kept watch for any evil men or demons.
*******
The next morning the group continued down the road in hopes that they would run into another jewel shard. The girls, still enamored to have met such a man as Raygan, kept talking about him for quite the distance that the guys were getting annoyed of them.
“Will you girls cut that out!” said Inuyasha.
“Are you jealous, Inuyasha that I’m not talking about you?” Kagome teased him.
“No, you girls are getting on my ner – huh?” Just then Inuyasha’s ear twitched to the sound of something in the distance. He searched for the source of the sound.
“Inuyasha, I feel a dark presence approaching from the east,” Miroku sensed something too.
“It’s Naraku,” Inuyasha concluded. “I can smell his scent from here.”
“Naraku?” whimpered Shippo.
Sango slipped her hand into her boomerang. Kagome drew out an arrow and placed it on her bow string. Shippo stood next to the transformed Kirara. Miroku held his staff firmly. Inuyasha took a few meters ahead of the group then withdrew Tessaiga. They waited for the demon to emerge.
The ground trembled.
“Look! Something is underground!” Kagome pointed at a mound forming.
Inuyasha leapt in the air and stabbed the dirt piled on top of the ground. Something moved away from the Tessaiga underground. It burrowed itself deeper into the earth.
Miroku saw the earth open up ahead. “Look something emerges!” he warned.
The others looked ahead. Shippo turned behind him and saw a giant serpent pop out. “We’re surrounded!” Shippo trembled.
“I don’t think so, Shippo,” observed Miroku. “I believe it is one giant serpent not two.”
Inuyasha stared directly into the five eyes of the horned serpent that emerged. Its five eyes seemed to form a crown on its head.
“Kagome!” Inuyasha called out. “Do you see any jewel shards?”
“No.”
Damn it! This is going to be a waste of my time. I better make this quick. Inuyasha welded Tessaiga. “Wind scar!” he shouted as he crashed Tessaiga into the earth. The serpent quickly dug itself into the earth evading the attack. He dodged my wind scar! He’s fast meaning I must be quicker!
“Inuyasha! Behind you!” warned Miroku.
Inuyasha dodged the large pieces of earth being flung in every direction. Kirara ran with Shippo holding on to Kirara’s tails. Miroku guided Kagome to safety. Inuyasha stared at the demon serpent again. He held Tessaiga firmly with both hands pointing the sword at the serpent. “You’re mine!” he said.
“Inuyasha, I will devour you!” The serpent spoke. “I am Naraku’s greatest incarnation yet! You’ll find your Tessaiga to be useless against me!”
“Inuyasha, be careful!” shouted Kagome worried.
Inuyasha frowned at the serpent. He leaped in the air once again summoning the wind scar. The wind scar’s blast caused a large explosion lifting much dirt in the air blinding out the sun. Did I get him? Inuyasha wondered. The serpent laughed. Inuyasha looked around for the laughing serpent. I missed again! Next time he won’t be so lucky!
The serpent lunged at Inuyasha using the settling dust as a screen. Inuyasha dodged. When the dust cleared, then two foes one another down expecting the other to yield. None of them gave into one another so they continued battling to the death.
