Inuyasha: The Prophecies

By: Guardian Angel

Chapter Nine

                                    Inuyasha and Kagome watched as Nina made her way from the house towards a tree.

                                    Inuyasha let out a sigh as well as a low growl as he brought up a clawed hand in front of his face. “She’s been moping around since Inukai left. This is all his fault.” He then let out a long stream of curses.

                                    Kagome raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you had such a, um, big vocabulary, but is it necessary to say such things around people their age? I’m sure Nina’s mother would appreciate it if we didn’t say such things.”

                                    “Oh, well,” Inuyasha said. “They’ll live.”

                                    Nina put her hand on the tree. “It’s not as pretty or important as the Go-Shinboku Tree and I would prefer it being the Go-Shinboku Tree, but I suppose this will have to do until we are able to live above ground again.”

                                    And you would be able to live above ground if you would listen to me, the same old dark voice said.

                                    Nina frowned. Yeah. Well, I happen to be very smart and I know I shouldn’t listen to you.

                                    Ahh, but if you were smart you would listen to me, the voice said.
                                    That is where you are sadly mistaken. I shall not listen to any evil being such as yourself. Now rid yourself of my presence. I can’t stand being around you, Nina thought as she looked up at the leaves. “I don’t even see how these can survive underground away from the sunshine and sky and clouds and everything else that’s wonderful up there.”

                                    I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, you can’t get rid of me, the voice said.

                                    Oh, shut up, would ya, Nina thought. It’s your fault I got all worked up when Inukai was trying to help me.

                                    Are sure about that? The voice asked.

                                    Yes, I’m very sure about it, Nina thought. In fact, some of the things that have been happening to me are all your fault. I can’t stand you. Just leave me alone so I can be happy again.

                                    You’ll never be happy until you kill the one who stole your love, the voice said.

                                    Nina let out a low growl as her hands turned into fists. I’m not killing Kayko, no matter what you say. She let out a sigh as she saw a happy couple walk past her house. She looked down at the ground. Inukai… what are you doing right now?

                                    Inukai helped Kayko out of the sewers. The two then began to walk down the snow-covered road towards Inukai’s home.

                                    I don’t need Nina. She has the stupid jewel any-She has the Shikon no Tama! Inukai thought as his eyes widened in realization. Dad’s after it and so is every other demon! Nina’s going to get killed!

                                    “What’s wrong?” Kayko asked spotting his wide eyes.

                                    “N-nothing,” Inukai said. He gritted his teeth. I’m not going back there. She said she never wanted to see me again so she won’t.

                                    Riku slammed the door open to Kanna’s room and entered it. His face was drained of all color giving off the impression that he had seen a ghost.

                                    Kanna turned around to face her brother. “What is it?”

                                    “Tell me it isn’t true,” Riku said.

                                    Kanna gave him a puzzled look.

                                    Riku went over to his sister and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Tell me that you and Kagura didn’t try to kill Inukai. Tell me that it isn’t true that Father ordered you both to kill him. Kanna, tell me the truth.”

                                    Kanna let out a sigh. “Father wishes to have the Sacred Jewel, but his slave has the jewel. He sent the Shichinintai, Kagura, and me to retrieve the jewel from her. We told him to tell his slave to hand over the jewel, but she refused to. We then told Inukai to tell her to hand it over, but he refused to. And so, we had to kill him, but we failed in doing so.” Kanna let out another sigh. “Riku, I really don’t want to kill him. He’s our younger brother and I couldn’t bare to lose him, but we must do as Father says.”

                                    Riku gritted his teeth as his hands turned to fists. “If Father wishes for Inukai’s death, then he’s one cold hearted sick man.”

                                    Kanna let out yet another sigh. “I’m sure he has his reasons for wanting to do such things.”

                                    Nina sighed glumly as she sat down on a tree branch. Inukai, I need you. I’m sorry for biting off your head like that. Please come back to me.

                                    Anna and Sharon watched their best friend.

                                    “What do you think we should do?” Anna asked.

                                    Sharon shrugged. “I don’t know.”

                                    “I don’t like her being like this,” Anna said. “She’s not as cheerful as she usually is. It’s depressing seeing her like this.”

                                    Sharon nodded. She then spotted Max and elbowed Anna on the side.

                                    “What?!” Anna demanded.

                                    Sharon pointed her finger at the half wolf demon. “Shouldn’t we ask him what he was really trying to accomplish when he was being so understanding of Nina?”

                                    Anna nodded and the two girls went over to him.

                                    Max picked a flower and looked down at it. A thing so beautiful can easily wilt from despair. He looked towards Nina. And there would be the proof of my theory.

                                    “Okay, Max, speak up,” a voice said.

                                    Max turned around to see Sharon with her arms crossed and Anna with her hands on her hips.

                                    “Speak up about what?” Max asked not having the slightest idea of what they were talking about.

                                    “You know perfectly well what we’re talking about,” Anna said.

                                    “Yeah,” Sharon said. “So don’t go acting all innocent ‘cause you’re not.”

                                    Max sweat dropped and nervously said, “I honestly have no idea what you’re both talking about.”

                                    “Sure you don’t,” Sharon said.

                                    “‘Fess up. How could you be so understanding of what Nina’s going through and not try a single move on her?!” Anna said pointing a threatening finger at the boy.

                                    “Umm, I, uhh,” Max said unable to think of anything in his defense.

                                    “You make a move on every girl except her. Why?!” Anna said glaring daggers at him.

                                    “I-I don’t make a move on every girl I meet,” Max said.

                                    Anna frowned. “I mean on every beautiful girl you meet. There, you happy?”

                                    “Not really,” Max said letting out a defeated sigh. He then regained his composure. “If you two really wish to know why I was so understanding of Nina, then I shall tell you.”

                                    “It’s about time,” Sharon muttered.

                                    She and Anna sat down cross-legged in front of Max as he also sat down cross-legged.

                                    Inukai continued walking down the streets holding Kayko’s hand. He then bumped into someone and looked towards the one he bumped into to see it was… “Albert?! You’re still alive?!”

                                    “Of course I’m alive, you big jerk!” the cat demon said.

                                    “You haven’t grown an inch, as I can see,” Inukai muttered.

                                    “Yeah, well, I can still kick your butt, dogface,” Albert said.

                                    “Who’s he?” Kayko asked not really interested in what was going on between the two.

                                    Albert’s eyes lit up and he jumped into Kayko’s arms. Kayko caught the little cat demon totally taken aback by his sudden action.

                                    “It’s you, Nina. I’ve missed you so much,” Albert said hugging Kayko’s neck.

                                    “I am not Nina,” Kayko said looking away. “I am called Kayko. Now, I suggest you get off me at once before I contact your parents and tell them of your misbehavior.”

                                    Albert looked up into Kayko’s eyes and realized she wasn’t Nina. Her cold eyes sent a shiver down his spine and he slowly nodded then jumped out of her arms landing gracefully on the ground. Albert then shot Inukai a glare. “I can’t believe you’re replacing Nina with her! I’m telling!”

                                    “Go ahead if you want. I could care less,” Inukai muttered and continued on his way to his house.

                                    Albert began growling. Why that big good for nothing jerk, when I get my hands on him-

                                    “I suggest you stay out of our way for now and don’t you dare say a word to Nina,” Kayko said coldly shooting the little cat demon a glare. She then followed Inukai.

                                    Albert grunted, but felt another chill go down his spine when he saw Kayko’s cold eyes. He then turned around and began going down the streets that Inukai was walking from. When I find Nina, Inukai’s going to be in so much trouble.

                                    “Kagome, let’s go home,” Inuyasha said.

                                    “What? Why?” Kagome asked confused.

                                    “‘Cause I’m hungry and I want some ramen,” Inuyasha said putting a hand over his growling stomach.

                                    Kagome let out a sigh and shook her head. “Inuyasha, what am I going to do with you?”

                                    Inuyasha raised a questioning eyebrow. “What do you mean what are you going to do with me?”

                                    “Nothing,” Kagome muttered and yawned. “I’m tired. Let’s go home, eat, take a shower, and go take a nap for a while.” She sighed.

                                    Inuyasha nodded smiling.

                                    Inukai entered the mansion and went straight to his room. “Kayko, you stay here. I need to go talk to my father about some things.”

                                    Kayko nodded and entered the room. She sat down on the bed as Inukai left his room closing the door. Kayko looked out the window. I sense many demons around here. They truly have taken over the Earth. How can we restore everything back to the way it was? She sighed and closed her eyes as she remembered the day she thought she had killed Inukai. He killed many of the villagers who lived there and destroyed many things. How do I know I can really trust him? She then remembered what Nina had told her about it being Naraku who really betrayed them and not them betraying the other. Well, if that is true, then I have the life of the one who dared to make me kill someone I loved and to try and kill me, in my very hands.

                                    Inukai walked down the hallway towards the throne room. He began thinking about the way Kayko had acted around Albert. She’s nothing like Nina. Nina would never act like that even if a demon had mistaken her for someone else. Kayko had acted so cold hearted towards Albert. Was it because of what happened to us a couple of moths ago? Does she not trust many demons anymore? She used to be kind of like Nina before that one incident. Okay. Not really. She didn’t show her emotions all that much. She rarely did. From time to time she would show them to me, but other than that, you had to guess what she was really feeling. He looked towards one of the windows. Nina…

                                    “You see, the jewel has four souls,” Max said as he began explaining to Anna and Sharon why he understood what was going on with Nina. “Courage, friendship, wisdom, and love. When either of these souls is thrown off course, that person’s soul becomes unbalanced. Well, the same thing can be said for the Shikon Jewel. Nina has balanced it out, but the souls have gone unbalanced now and Nina is feeling the effect of it. You see, when the bearer of the Jewel of Four Souls begins to unbalance the jewel, they begin to be consumed by the darkness, which begins to invade their heart. Nina’s heart is naturally filled with the four souls or else she wouldn’t have been able to purify the jewel, but now that Inukai has been, let’s say, rejecting her, the soul of love has become unbalanced and Nina’s heart is becoming filled with darkness. As more darkness consumes her heart, the more unbalanced all the souls become. Nina will lose her wisdom to see things through. She will lose many of her friends due to her change of her current mood causing her to lose friendship. She will also lose the courage to do many things, including fighting for her life, friends, and the protection of the jewel.”

                                    Anna and Sharon exchanged glances. They then looked towards their best friend.

                                    “What will happen when the darkness completely takes over her?” Anna asked concern filling her face.

                                    Max let out a sigh. “If that happens, then, I fear, she shall become our enemy.”

                                    “What?! How?!” Sharon demanded standing up.

                                    “I told you, if her heart becomes totally consumed by the darkness, then-”

                                    “I heard you the first time!” Sharon cried.

                                    “Then why-”  

                                    “Because-because-because that’s just too hard to believe,” Sharon said.

                                    “Yeah,” Anna said.

                                    “But it is the truth,” Max said. “It also proves another theory I had.”

                                    “Theory? What sort of theory?” Anna asked.

                                    “I believe that Nina maybe the chosen one that is mentioned in the prophecy of the Shikon no Tama,” Max said.

                                    “Explain,” Sharon said sitting back down.

                                    “Well, according to the prophecy, there would be someone who was the descendant of a half demon and priestess, they would then become the first half demon, half human priestess. This chosen one would have the power to defeat the greater evil that is working with Naraku as we speak. The chosen one would also have the power to soften the greater evil’s heart,” Max said. “I believe I know who the greater evil is.”

                                    Both girls got up this time and said, “Who’s the greater evil?!”

                                    Max let out a sigh and looked towards the road. “You shall all find out soon enough. I just hope my theory is wrong.”

                                    Inukai entered the throne room. “Father, I must speak with you.”

                                    Naraku looked towards his youngest son. His eyes were hard and cold. He nodded. “Very well. Then speak.”

                                    “N-Rosalyn, I known she has the Jewel of Four Souls, but she is under my responsibility so I believe you should’ve asked me to get it instead of telling Kanna, Kagura, and the Shichinintai to get it,” Inukai said.

                                    Naraku let out a sigh. “You’re right. I should’ve asked you. So, then may you retrieve the jewel?”

                                    Inukai nodded and spun around to leave the room.

                                    Kayko got up and went over to the window. She let out a sigh as she put her hand on the cold window. Naraku, that slime, just wait until I get my hands on him. He’ll wish he never was made to begin with. The door then opened. She spun around to see Inukai. “What is it?”

                                    Inukai went over to her and whispered, “The Shikon Jewel, I need it.”

                                    “What do you mean you ‘need it?’” Kayko asked.

                                    “I mean, if I don’t get the jewel from Nina only it’s you, then you or her is dead,” Inukai said.

                                    “What?” Kayko asked raising a questioning eyebrow. “Can you repeat that in a way that makes sense?”

                                    Inukai let out a sigh. “Okay. You see, my father believes you’re Nina and he wants the Shikon Jewel and if I don’t get it from you, you’re a dead woman. He’ll think he really did kill Nina, meaning she’ll be safe, but if he finds out she’s alive, she’ll be put back into danger.”

                                    “Are you saying you want me dead?” Kayko asked.

                                    “What?! No!” Inukai said putting her hands in his. “Kayko, I love you. I could never want your death.”

                                    Kayko looked into his golden eyes to see he was telling the truth. She then nodded.

                                    Just then the door opened again. The couple looked towards the door to see Naraku standing beside it.

                                    “Inukai, is she resisting your orders?” Naraku asked looking towards Kayko. Hmm, something’s changed about her. What it is, though, I do not know.

                                    “Umm…” Inukai looked towards Kayko to his father then back to Kayko. What do I say? If I say yes, he’ll kill Kayko. If I say no, he’ll think I’m up to something. He gritted his teeth. There’s only one thing to do. He looked towards Kayko, his eyes telling her his decision.

                                    Kayko’s eyes widened and she shook her head.

                                    Inukai let out a sigh and looked towards his father. “She was… resisting me.”

                                    Kayko glared at him. “You creep! I can’t believe you told him that! Do you realize what’ll happen to me?! Do you not have a heart?! Or are you too stupid to realize what you’ve just done?!”

                                    Inukai looked down at the ground knowing full well what he had done. I can’t look at her. I already feel guilty for telling my father that. He then whispered, “I’m sorry, Kayko.”

                                    Naraku went over to Kayko growling and grabbed her by the arm. “You should know better than to yell at your master, useless slave. The punishment for not doing as you’re told and for yelling at your master is death.”

                                    Kayko’s eyes widened once again and she looked towards Inukai.

                                    Inukai avoid looking at her and kept his gaze on the floor. Soon, he heard Kayko go into the throne room and his father unsheathe his blade. He then heard Kayko scream and the sword kill her as she breathed her last words that Inukai couldn’t quite make out. His dog-ears drooped. He mentally cursed for having good hearing and looked towards the window. Nina, I wouldn’t let the same fate happen to you. Kayko, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to have you killed, but I ran out of options and this was the last of them I could pick. I’m really sorry. He shook his head too ashamed of himself. He then went over to his bed, lied down on it, and fell asleep.

                                    Nina jumped off the tree branch and went over to her house. She was about to enter it when Anna and Sharon ran in her way.

                                    “Nina, why don’t you come with us?” Anna asked.

                                    “Yeah. We’ll go hang out at the Sengoku Jidai,” Sharon said.

                                    Nina shook her head. “I do not feel like going anywhere, but to my room.”

                                    “Nina, we’ll have lots of fun there and we want you to be there with us,” Anna said.

                                    “Yeah. We’ll do karaoke and eat and, well, lots of things,” Sharon said

                                    “Then we’ll go wherever you want to go,” Anna said.

                                    “Thanks, guys, but I don’t want to go anywhere except to my room,” Nina said.

                                    “We’re really worried about you, damn it. Don’t you realize that?” Anna said.

                                    “And we’re trying to help you,” Sharon said.

                                    “Thanks, guys, but I’m okay. Really,” Nina said smiling.

                                    “No, she’s not,” Anna muttered. “She’s hurting on the inside and she knows it.”

                                    “That smile scares me,” Sharon whispered.

                                    Nina then walked past her two best friends, entered the house, went into her room, lied down on her bed, and closed her eyes. No. I’m not okay. I still feel so lonely without Inukai here with me. She sighed and looked towards her window. Inukai, where are you now that I want you here with me?

                                    Inuyasha and Kagome entered their house. Inuyasha made himself some ramen and began eating it. Kagome made herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She then sat across from Inuyasha at the table.

                                    “Someone needs to cheer up Nina,” Kagome said.

                                    “I agree,” Inuyasha said not looking up from his food.

                                    “Inuyasha, the jewel, it’ll make her evil if she keeps acting like this,” Kagome said.

                                    “What?!” Inuyasha asked wide-eyed as he looked up from his ramen.

                                    “I said-”

                                    “I know what you said, but I want to know how,” Inuyasha said.

                                    Kagome then began explaining about the Shikon Jewel to him in about the same fashion Max did to Anna and Sharon.

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