Revelations

Chapter 12: The Crimson Sunrise

Why…why were they here? What were they doing? With a look of pure disdain Inuyasha looked up into the towering form of his half brothers castle.

He would have complained…but it was nothing he hadn’t already been sat a hundred times for that night.

As if being forcefully dragged, Inuyasha fell in step behind Kagome as they followed the spectral form of Vash up into the upper echelons of the fortress. The reaction of the guards made it clear that even though they weren’t exactly welcome…they were expected.

On reaching the upper most chamber Vash ushered himself in, immediately sliding the door behind him leaving Kagome and Inuyasha in the dimly lit hall.

The room itself was a mere anti-chamber, modest trophies and armor littered the room…each a stronger reminder than the last of exactly whose domain this was.

Seeing the empty room Vash’s eyes wandered to the entrance to the large veranda beyond.

Yellow eyes watched the starry skies; trained ears heard the winds voicing the woes of the world. Without acknowledging to others presence lord Sesshoumaru continued to look to the eastern horizon.

Vash walked up beside the demon lord and took support of the stonewall that acted as a railing.

“What a night, such darkness…I would extinguish the greatest of candles just to sleep in its soothing arms.”

Sesshomaru didn’t say a word for a long time. His mind clouded by a very many thoughts. Vash continued…

“But of course, darkness can be of many varying degrees. The darkness that comes would bath us in nothing but our own blood. Not a very comfortable disposition according to me.”

As he spoke he subtle slid a black folio onto the rock ledge of the porch. All most as if snapping out of a trance, Sesshomaru spoke the instant his eyes met the black leather.

“I am no pet of Gaugan. I shall not bow to their every whim.”

Vash nodded, far from defeated though…

“My lord, you’re father fought so valiantly long ago. Words of his deeds still echo in the mighty chambers in Paris, I-”

“Vash you know all to well that I am not my father. This Sesshomaru in not moved by such…”

The demon lord stopped short, memories of his talks with Valcos came rushing back…memories of the world consuming him.

Vash was sure nothing could get more bizarre than this…the mighty Sesshomaru…faltering in speech…no, nothing could top this…well except if he suddenly burst into song and began petting squirrels.

“My mind is twisted.”

“What was that?”

“M-wha…oh nothing my lord.”

Vash watched now as Sesshomaru slowly picked up the file…his entire form seemed different.

“Where is Valcos?”

The question caught Vash by surprise…

“He has gone to terror’s breast my lord. He has gone to cleanse himself. I…am unsure whether we shall se him again…”

Sesshomaru seemed to ponder over the fact for a while, odd looks passing over his eyes.

“I am not to fight at Barithil…” the demon lord asked questioningly.

Vash was still slightly shaken by the demons mood swing, shaking off the cobwebs he replied.

“Praetor Montaque believes the shadow will try to take the new world as well. You have been chosen to protect these lands from it. I doubt the onslaught will be to heavy, but we still need our best me-I mean demons.”

An odd silence followed as Sesshomaru continued read the folio. Vash shifted uneasily as he looked upon the demon he’d known for over two hundred and fourthly years.

“We make for Barithil with the second day. We shall be gone for over half a year. You understand.”

Sesshomaru understood perfectly, he even gave Vash a slight nod in agreement.

“There is one more who wishes to meet you before the end.”

Sesshomaru moved back towards his chambers. As he past Vash he spoke.

“I shall see him.”

Silently Vash followed the demon back into the castle.

“Sesshomaru, I have looked in on you and your mother, even if it was not welcomed, for years now. But I fear that this may be the last time our eyes do meet. This war must be won for the survival of all…even if it means our sacrifice.”

Sesshomaru said nothing…

Expecting nothing less from the demon Vash slid open the door. Facing a startled Inuyasha in the eye he spoke.

“Enter.”

Reassuring Kagome that all was all right, he ushered Inuyasha into the room and slid the door shut behind Inuyasha.

Looking around the room Inuyasha almost jumped when he saw Sesshomaru sitting by the hearth. He looked…tired, Unsure of what to do, Inuyasha sat down directly opposite Sesshomaru…what had Vash been thinking.

Before he could speak, Sesshomaru cut him of.

“Two hundred and forty years ago, the shadow came to end this world. Father and I came to Gaugan’s aid. Even my mother fought. The world almost ended that day, existence threatened to become but memory…”

Now Inuyasha was really getting freaked out. What was his brother talking about? After finishing all he had to say he simply stared at his half brother.

Inuyasha shifted unsteadily under his gaze.

“Look…I’m going to fight at this B-Barithil place.”

Silence

“It’s going to be a while before I return”

Crickets could be heard outside.

“Hey look!! Don’t get all angry just because I’m going and you’re not. I don’t want this thi-”

“Be careful.”

The words were but whispered but they had enough power behind them to bring down the entire castle.

Without giving Inuyasha time to recover Sesshomaru rose from his position and began to usher his little brother out of the room.

“The shadow is not one to be taken lightly, take care against its will.”

Sliding the door open Sesshomaru was greeted by an absolutely floored Vash and a beaming Kagome…no doubt they had been listening in on the conversation.

Before they were about to leave Sesshomaru looked Vash right in the eye. Jerkily Sesshomaru held out his hand to Vash.

Feeling as if his feet were going to slip away, Vash slowly took his hand in his. Looking up he waited to wake up from his dream.

“We shall se what life’s battles bring. Before the end…give this to Valcos.”

Slowly Vash let go of his hand and fell in step behind a very happy Kagome.

Sesshomaru looked on at Kagome’s smug frame…somehow her gate just put him of.

“Remember Inuyasha…I wish for you to live because only I am permitted to kill you…”

Kagome almost burst out laughing.

**

Sighing, Miroku trudged over the final hill…he’d been traveling for most of the night; he needed rest. Walking through the old temple Miroku retired to his quarters without even greeting his mentor. As he allowed sleep to take him over his thoughts wandered to all that had happened over dinner.

When he returned after washing his hands he found Inuyasha and Kagome a fairly heated argument. Vash lingered hopefully on the side of the argument. Somehow Kagome was convinced that they should now leave for wherever they were supposed to be headed.

The argument was all too aggressive for him and thus chose to view the scene from afar. The only words he held on to were Vash’s

‘This war will consume us all, I know for a fact that the minute Valcos returns, yes he will return, he will come straight to the heart of it. So we will eventually meet them.’

The conversation had gone on for a while until-as usual-Kagome got her way. So the plan had drawn up. It helped hat Kagome did have the monk’s silent vote. Anything to see…

The journey had all been planned out by the fire; they would be traveling to an ancient fortress known as Barithil. Gaugan believed that this was where the shadow would strike with all their might.

The group would spend near six moons in travel. In truth, magic permitted them to reach the fortress in one month. But Vash needed to travel the lands reorganizing the defenses on the build up to the fortress.

It was agreed that they would be better taken care of traveling with Vash rather than unknown officers. Thus they were ready to begin their journey. Vash decided that it was for the best that they leave in two days, the remainder of the time would be used by them to bid goodbye…not the most reassuring of thoughts.

On seeing Hachi and Mushin silently enter his room and sit down at the far wall Miroku silently smiled…there was much news to be told and retold.

Miroku woke up to the smell of good food and drink, quickly eating his breakfast Miroku walked out into the sunlight. There Mushin stood looking on towards the grave marker of his father. Standing by his side Miroku looked on. There they stood for ages, watching the sun rise into the air. There was much in store for the both of them.

**

Days past and finally the day of departure finally came. Miroku was seen walking slowly towards the modest shrine of Kaede’s where Shippo obediently stood.

At the foot of the long stairs stood Vash with two horses by his side. Kagome and Inuyasha could be seen moving towards them from the direction of the well. Kagome still fast asleep on his back, lost in her dreams…

Again she saw herself lost in the crimson desert. Again she found herself chasing after a silent figure of Inuyasha.

Looking up she noticed a change from before, the sun had risen from the sand traps, it shone bright red over all the bloody Sahara.

As she came close, she finally grabbed the shoulder of Inuyasha. Turning him around she saw that it was not indeed Inuyasha.

It was a girl, her eyes, and her hair why even her kimono was bright red. She looked unfazed into Kagome’s eyes. Ominously she pointed in no real direction…opening her mouth she was about to speak.

Sadly her words were drowned out by her waking mind. She was unable to discern the last words. She could swear it sounded like

‘to the wasteland’

**
**

I know rushed chapter, I know, long time…blame Anno sensei. You know the one…well maybe not. But well here we are the end of the first book.

CHEERS!!!