Dejavu

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Tenjho Tenge.

This chapter is dedicated to Jen (Tana-san) don't tire on lending your wisdom and support to others.

Chapter 5: ‘Mark of troubles to come.’

The pale blush of the sunset sky washed over Shin’s form as he stood in the iron wrought balcony, a pleasant afternoon breeze caressing his exposed chest as he leaned tentatively against the cold metal fence. He was dressed simply in cream colored, linen pants that hung loosely along his legs in much the same fashion as the traditional hakama.

The stoic faced teen gazed unwaveringly at the cityscape, his lustrous hair was put up in a low pony tail, the platinum strands glimmering as they swerve gently in the cool zephyr winds.

The city looked so peaceful against the picturesque horizon one would think that such beautiful panoramic view would instill the same calm and peace upon all who gazed at the balmy atmosphere, and yet the teen’s thoughts were far from serene.

His mind was askew, his thoughts troubled. In the midst of the placid setting his mind was thrust in a downward spiral of turmoil born of anger and fear for the young girl whose purity tore through the madness that has long kept him captive.

‘She’s not at school today.’ He thought closing his eyes as he took in a lengthy breath. Liquid amber pools opened slowly peering blankly at the rosy orange clouds. The teenager clenched both hands into tight fists, the dull nails breaking through the skin, enough to dig a shallow flesh wound on his palms. His haunted eyes flashed brilliantly in sparks of pinkish-golden cinders as impatience and worry flitted across his features.

What if she was hurt? What if she was in grave danger?

He had no idea where she was or how to reach her. Damn it. Why did she leave for a place where he could not be there to protect her?

Shin frowned deeply, striding back to the warm confines of his expansive condo; he paused briefly in front of a glass encased sword, his slanted eyes running along the length of the transparent box. Beholding the treasured heirloom made his right hand twitch involuntarily as an overwhelming urge to break the glass cage and pick up the swords gnawed raw at his being.

In truth, he felt a great compulsion to be with her and it was tearing him apart. Like a festering wound inducing a feverish nauseated state, his anxiety at her absence was distressing him extremely. To merely sit and anticipate her reappearance cut through him, bleeding him dry. But no, he had no means to reach her for she was out of his reach, at least for the time being.

Shin sighed heavily and observed the single branch of sakura blossom his maid had placed in a single arrangement near the window. Upon beholding the soft pastel hues of the flower he was again reminded of how vulnerable the young girl of his thoughts was. Lifting up the twisted branch he held it close to his mouth reveling in the way the delicate petals brushed past his lips.

“Kagome, return to me safely.” He murmured softly.

He had scoured around the shrine grounds undetected earlier that afternoon, directly after finishing school. Deep inside he somehow knew she would not be there, not after the strange and powerful magic he encountered in that sacred well house, yet he searched for her none the less. It was fruitless and futile that he knew but it alleviated some of the tension he felt. The teenager sighed.

The old man was familiar with the ingrate who accompanied Kagome enough to trust her safety to him, but that did not mean the fool was capable of guaranteeing her protection. No, only he was capable of fully protecting such a delicate creature.

Unbidden images flashed, Shin’s thoughts suddenly drifted to the male scent that had intermingled with that of Kagome’s. He grunted aloud, shifting his shoulders up as a resurgence of indignation washed over his tall frame.

That offending scent.

Yes, that intolerable stench that clotted his lungs and rankled the fury of the beast inside. It was human. No. Something interfered with the scent as though it was marred. How can he describe it? Shin shook his head in defeat, there was just something about that scent that aggravated and offended him. Such foul odor usually is just a scent, irritating yes but never had he lost control over such an inconvenience, yet this particular one had torn down his mental barrier permitting the howling beast to surge forth.

The rage of his dark side was akin to the fury of a raging tornado spinning and contorting wildly out of control. But within that unquenchable wrath he was oddly still rational, still aware and in control of his actions, as though he himself was inside the eye of the storm.

The thought in itself was perplexing. Why has the beast within chosen to allow his pragmatic self to be retained when given any opportunity, it tried to superimpose its control over his body?

Such an occurrence has never happened before.

Has his bestial side even though primitive, perceived Kagome as the vestige of salvation? Was there something that the beast inferred that he himself has been ignorant of?

Shin paused in thought. Supposing that Kagome was precious in the beast’s eyes, then it would indeed stand to reason why his savage half was inclined to be indignant where Kagome’s safety was jeopardized in the slightest. This rather possessive side of the beast intrigued him slightly, such knowledge that the otherwise savage nature of the beast was somehow tamed by Kagome is an important revelation.

But then again, how will that effect his interaction with the girl? Would the beast interfere when they are together?

A sudden streak of jealously appeared. Shin frowned, the notion that the caged animal in the depths of subconscious viewed the girl as important laced his mind with apprehension. It implied that she was under the beast’s direct protection and undoubtedly the beast viewed her as some possession not to be wrestled from its grasp.

However, what if he was with her. Would the beast retaliate?

The teen smiled weakly, perhaps he was making too much of this. After all, was not the beast and he as one? What harm can the beast inflict on him? Only one thing mattered, Kagome’s well-being.

‘She best be not harmed or there will be hell to pay!’

Shin’s eyes narrow dangerously as he gazed purposely down his hands, where the smooth half moon cuticles are in place instead of the sharp dangerous looking claws.

If indeed the girl was hurt in any form, he will hunt down the miserable fool that chaperoned her and rip him to pieces, claws or not.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Warring States Era: With the Inutachi.

The deafening clash of steel weapons resounded across the flat terrain. Wisps of silver tresses danced in a flurry of white and red dots barely visible to the naked eye.

Half brothers released attack after attack launching each offence at great speed, both adamant in dealing the other’s demise.

In the far corner of the battle field, near a grass knoll, Kagome, Sango, Shippo and Kirara watched in horrified silence, the villagers have long since fled upon the feared Lord’s appearance, only the four remained as avid spectators. Every once in a while Kagome would rub the now burning mark on her neck, her vision was slightly hazy and there was a peculiar buzzing in her head.

“Bastard! What have you done to Kagome! Kaze no kizu!!!”

SLASH.

BOOM.

“Impudent fool! It would profit me nothing to mark such an insignificant creature.” The Inu lord rushed past Inuyasha at blinding speed, slashing at him from the side in a blur of white. Feebly the younger half inu vainly tried to block the on coming attack.

The elder inu smirked in rapturous amusement. “You delude yourself that such childish sword play will deliver you from death at my hand.” He stated smugly.

“Yea? Well just remember that it was my childish swordplay that left you with only one arm to fight with!”

“Impudent fool. Know where you belong… On your knees.” He fired another searing blast from tokujin. Inuyasha tumbled on the dirt ground barely managing to dodge his half brother’s strike.

Sesshoumaru flips in the air twisting with ease, his only hand stilling the lethal dance of Tokujin, only to level the lethal katana horizontally in front of his armored chest.

Kagome gasped, this stance was vaguely familiar she has seen this once before. She rubbed her upper arms vigorously; in an attempt to dissuade the goose bumps rising along her skin. As warm flooded her arms the trembling miko took one halting step forward, her right hand held in front of her thundering heart. She could feel it! The stirring of jaki-a tremendous out pouring of it, like the recoiling of a snake poised to strike.

Her wide eyes focused solely on the stately alabaster perfection suspended in mid air. She chewed anxiously on her lower lip as the cold feeling of dread crept further up her spine as her miko senses tingle in alarm.

‘Oh no, please, please don’t let it be …’

Arrogant golden eyes gleam with sinister intent, apathetic and savage, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands, soared high above them, his pristine white garments fluttering in the icy winds. He smiled most cruelly, the pointed fangs flashing menacingly as he looked down to his adversary swaying pitifully on the ground below.

“Die hanyou.” With great precision and skill the Inu lord unleashed Tokujin’s fatal attack as streaks of hot-white light concentrated around the demonic sword. “Sou ryou ha!”

Bolts of lightning charged along the menacing blade, imbuing it with a tremendous rush of energy. The massive amount of power released, coalescing to form a colossal blue dragon swirling around Sesshoumaru’s proud figure, enveloping him in a mantle of blue and white radiance.

“Keh! Bring it on!!” taunted the hanyou gripping the hilt of Tetsusaiga tighter, his narrowed eyes fixated on his much despised elder half sibling.

Inuyasha grit his fangs as the earth groaned and quaked beneath him. He stood his ground bracing himself for the inevitable, as the cobalt dragon plunged head on towards him charging at break neck speed.

Sesshoumaru smirked coolly surmising the current state of his half sibling by his tattered clothes and blood covered figure.

‘It ends this day hanyou.’

Inuyasha coughed loudly, his battered lungs wheezing pitifully at the many injuries he sustained. Blood poured freely from the many gashes that decorated his body he found that he was hard pressed to subdue the vigorous trembling of his right hand-his sword hand. Undeterred he narrowed his eyes further at his advancing opponent even as his vision dim and blur partially.

‘Dammit not now!’ he growled inside, his skin prickling as the blue dragon streaked closer and closer. Inuyasha took in a shuddering breath ignoring the way his legs wobbled under the strain of his numerous wounds. Fatigue and blood-loss seeped further in his weary body as he began to swerve unsteadily. He forced his eyes to squint a margin, still resolute in protecting Kagome, the proud hanyou stood alone and refused to ask for aid from his friends.

It was his fight!

The bitter memory of Kikyo’s demise replayed in his mind, the pang of losing her still lingered in his heart. No! He won’t allow a similar fate to happen to Kagome. She deserved a good life. And he will be the one to see that she gets just that. Kagome was his to protect! And he will protect her at all cost, even if it meant dying at Sesshoumaru’s hands.

Dying? …Since when had the thought entered his mind? …. Never! The bastard will be the one to die today not him!

Inuyasha snarled in defiance. He wanted to buffet the demonic blade’s attack with kaze no kizu, but was far too depleted in strength and could not muster the power to break through the blue dragon’s path.He cursed under his breath as his body staggered forward.

He had to think quickly of something.. anything to block the attack.

Inuyasha gnashed his fangs, failing to leverage himself back onto his feet. He sunk to the ground on his knees barely restraining the violent tremors wracking through his frame.

“Inuyasha!”

Kagome could watch no more, instinct took over and with no regard to her own safety, ran haphazardly into the precarious foray.

“NO KAGOME!!” Sango rushed past Kirara hooking one hand on the sling attached to Hiraikotsu with the intention of hurling the giant boomerang against Tokujin’s attack.

“SANGO!!”

A frantic Shippo clutched at her leg tensely, incapacitating the taijiya and allowing the crucial time to launch her weapon to lapse. Sango watched helplessly as the terrifying scene played out before her.

“Stop!!!!” Kagome screamed from the top of her lungs, waving her arms rapidly above her head.

Time stood still, even the passive lord flinched noticeably as the immodestly garbed girl propelled herself to the forefront of Sou ryou ha’s assault.

‘Is the girl so much of a simpleton to stand against Tokujin’s attack so recklessly?’ he mused.

Arms spread out as if to bear the grunt of Sou ryou ha alone, Kagome’s face shone with determination.

“Baka! Get out of the way!” bellowed Inuyasha hoarsely grasping the large wound on his side.

Kagome craned her neck to glance at him from the corner of her eyes.

“I’m-not-going-anywhere!” she mouthed out stubbornly.

“This is no time for your tomboyish bravado Kagome, you could die!” cried Inuyasha in a despairing tone.

“Oh? And you wouldn’t?” challenged the girl her eyes aflame. “You once told me to entrust my safety to you. All I’m asking now is for you to do the same and believe in me, now SHUT UP!!”

The hanyou looked at her in astonishment but recovered quickly. Inuyasha grumbled, clearly he made the mistake of discounting her bravado if ever he was in danger, he should have known she would pull a stunt like this due to her selfless attitude. Grunting painfully, as he pushed against the ground with the now untransformed Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha heaved himself onto his feet splattering more crimson droplets on the dusty dirt covered ground.

“I DIE-YOU LIVE! THAT’S HOW IT SHOULD BE YOU STUPID, STUPIDGIRL!” roared Inuyasha.

“OSUWARIIIII!!!”

SPLATTTT.

“I will save you this time around.” murmured Kagome.

Sesshoumaru regarded the scene that unfolded below as he hovered in the air with little interest. If the foolhardy girl chose to die beside the hanyou it would be to his advantage. After all, he would be free of her tiresome presence and the problem of the ‘mark’ altogether. He could only gain in such circumstances.

Tenseiga pulses minutely, Sesshoumaru fleetingly tenses but chooses to disregard the impulse to pick up the sword, opting instead to remain motionless.

The wild thunderous roar of Sou ryou ha covered the two forms below, a split second later; the cataclysmic crest of power swamped the fields in sea of radiant light.

The miko yelped aloud as she became submerged recoiling back at the force of Sou ryou ha’s power.

“KAGOME!!!” choked out Inuyasha reaching out towards the girl.

BOOM.

Sour you ha’s forefront blasted head on to the miko, exploding in a blinding light, as a chorus of lamentation from her companions echoed in the midst of the plain.

“Kagome.” sobbed Inuyasha, clutching a shredded green fabric close to his chest. He was spared! Kagome died for him. Tears brimmed around his reddening eyes, a bitter ache once again piercing through his heart.

All around bits of white and green textiles floated as the dust partially cleared. The young kitsune wailed inconsolably as he clung to the sobbing taijiya.

Kagome was no where to be seen.

Rage poured out from every fiber of his being, Inuyasha reared back and howled in anguish.

“BRING HER BACK YOU BASTARD I KNOW YOU CAN!”

Sesshoumaru sneered. “Have your senses taken leave? Look around her body is dispersed in the four winds, nothing of her remains to be revived…. Dear brother.”

“Sesshoumaru, I swear I’m going to gut you with your own sword before this day is through!”

“This Sesshoumaru fails to see how that can be deemed possible considering your present condition.” scoffed the young lord in a crisp tone.

The dust settled finally, giving all an unobstructed view. Behind the imposing taiyoukai there hovered glowing specks slowly taking form. Sesshoumaru shifted and turned his head at the sudden presence looming large behind him. He swiveled gracefully in mid air, facing the apparition face to face.

“K-Kagome?” gasped Inuyasha as the particles solidified fully.

“Inuyasha? What are you doing down there?” she blinked in confusion, her torn skirt and blouse billowing in the breeze.

“Keh! Hey ugly girl you’re the one that’s floating! Uncross your eyes and take a good look around… You are dead right? If you’ve come back as a ghost you can at least scare the hakamas off the bastard next to you!”

“What are you talking about?”

Kagome glanced alongside just in time to see Sesshoumaru vanish and re-appear directly in front of her face.

“Epp!”

“Curious.” He remarked in a silver tone, the young lord observed her intently. “You do not appear hurt.” He ran an elegant, clawed finger along her arms at a leisurely pace, observing the shredded state of her vulgar garb. The taiyoukai’s head touched the crown of Kagome’s head, unintentionally breathing in her subtle sweet scent. He pauses, a moment of apparent bliss flickering behind the swirl of resplendent amber gems.

The mark on the miko’s neck hum imperceptively. The miko gasps in surprise.

‘What is he doing?!!!’

Kagome gulped nervously at Sesshoumaru’s bizarre behavior. For one who loathed humans and their emotional exhibitions, he sure was putting on quite a show.

“W-was I s-suppose to?” she stammered.

Sesshoumaru looked at her coolly after mentally recollecting his composure. “You were in Sou ryou ha’s direct path. You should have been obliterated on the spot.” He retorted casually still engrossed in examining her form with inquisitive eyes.

“I … was?”

The inu lord nodded gazing at her full in the face.

Inuyasha cleared his throat loudly. “Kagome, he is trying to kill ‘us’. What the hell are you doing making goo goo eyes and having polite conversation with him?”

Kagome stiffened. “Yea, that’s right!” she cried punching a fisted hand against her other palm.

“Now let him have it Kagome!” yelled the hanyou, thumping his fists in the air.

Squaring her shoulders she pointed one accusing finger at the passive looking lord. “Hey you, why did you try to kill us? We did nothing to you! And as for this mark, I don’t even want it so you can just have it back!!!”

Sesshoumaru mentally recoiled. She was refusing his mark? Where other females clamored to gain his attention and obtain the honor of bearing his mark ‘she’, a lowly ningen is casting it aside frivolously? He frowned in displeasure over the slight.

“I believe my intention was to kill not to try to kill. Why your unwanted presence remains here to plague this Sesshoumaru is quite a puzzle… unless.”

Sesshoumaru fastens his topaz orbs on the incandescent glow emitted by the mark on the young girl’s neck. His suspicion grows as he feels the faint pulse radiating from Tenseiga. ‘The sword Tenseiga answer to her call also?’ his slanted eyes narrowing with the sudden realization. ‘It repulsed Sou ryou ha’s blast and protected her.’

The inu lord’s frown deepened, the sudden turn of events unsettling him to the core. “This is not the last you have seen of me.” With those cryptic words the western lord departed from the scene-a dazzling ball of white light.

“Hey! Come back her buster! How am I supposed to get down?”

“Flap you arms Kagome!” suggested a relieved Shippo.

Kagome smiled-it was the thought that counts. “Um thanks Shippo….Inuyasha… help, please.” She implored.

The hanyou let out a heavy sigh as he tucked in both arms within the enveloping sleeves of his haori. “Keh! Stupid ugly girl.”

“Osuwariiii!”

Splat.