Everything seemed like another world within the feudal era as the typical group along with the newest addition of Teri to the team to mix things up. The skies couldn’t be any clearer, the sun couldn’t be any brighter, and the day couldn’t have been going any better. The group had since left their sojourn home at Kaede’s village and were now making their way through the prime of a beautiful day littered with flourishing plants, flowers, herbs, and trees thick in forage. Many subtle smells were aloft by diminutive breezes of wind as they made their way along a makeshift trail. “So, let me get this straight…” Teri began speaking, instantly breaking the uncomfortable silence that was around. “Instead of us avoiding trouble we’re hoping to run into a demon who is strong so we can salvage its fang?” He spoke in a manner that was half spoken and half questioned.
If there was any peace left in the area, it was about to flee to the opposite end of the world. “Well, maybe if you hadn’t of fallen through that damn well to begin with, none of us would have to tote you around worrying about whether or not you can keep up with us. Anyway, if we can get a strong enough demon to slay for its fang we can have a sword smith forge a weapon out of it for you and then maybe you’ll be of some use.” InuYasha snapped at Teri.
InuYasha’s words caught everyone’s ears, Miroku and Sango’s aimless flirting was quickly shattered and Kagome was starting to become aggravated by InuYasha’s attitude towards Teri, he hadn’t done anything to him and the least he could do was be nicer than he normally was since he was new. “InuYasha..!” she asserted as she stopped before him. She wasn’t very happy, but InuYasha’s ego wasn’t going to give into her will at this time.
Teri was silent for a moment staring InuYasha down; the anger was beginning to show through. InuYasha grinned inside of himself ignoring Kagome’s orders to apologize, this is what he wanted…a fight. Besides if he hurt the poor bastard he could just use it as an excuse of testing him to see if he were truly ready for the Feudal Era. “All this guy does is throw his weight around...Well he’s gonna get a taste of his own medicine,” Teri thought as his teeth clinched and became bare along with the clinched fists by his side. “Well why don’t we use your fang! Oh yeah that’s right you’re half demon, you don’t quite measure up. Oh and lets not forget you said “strong demon,” I guess that eliminates both possibilities of you being of any use doesn’t it?” Teri was smirking, but maybe he’d gone a little overboard.
It didn’t take long for InuYasha to react to the insult, he shoved Kagome out of the way making her hit the ground with a thud and launched himself at Teri hoping for a one hit victory but unfortunately for him Teri was expecting the challenge and managed to dodge InuYasha’s first attack, InuYasha’s claws just barely grazed his cheek. InuYasha forced Teri into a defensive position and they began exchanging blows with one another, but Teri wasn’t going to hold up as long as InuYasha and he began to back down scattering around the area and tempting InuYasha to chase him. While they were still on their second wind, Teri and InuYasha at one time pulled up some power and threw themselves at each other; both attempting punches. The two brutes collided and hit each other in the face at one time and only fell to the ground dazed from the quick battle each laying on the ground for only a small moment before jumping back to their feet to be on guard for another attack. InuYasha instinctively took a stance, but secretly Teri’s head was pounding from the hit he received. Teri only shook his head and picked up the green hat that’d fallen from his head when he collided with InuYasha.
“Very noble of Teri to walk away from InuYasha, after all it was a meaningless fight.” Sango spoke looking over to an agitated InuYasha, but what else was new? Miroku quickly agreed and went on with the slayer at her pace while InuYasha mumbled something about cowards and chose to stay behind not satisfied with the unfinished melee him and Teri had just gotten into.
“Damn,” Teri mumbled to himself rubbing his head a bit, his head was bleeding some, but it only got caught up in his hair. He put the hat back on quickly not really wanting anyone to know how easily he was bleeding from such a slight hit, he fixed the hat in his own fashion and continued on the trail; before long Kagome caught up to her friend and threw her arms around him in an embrace and quickly apologized for InuYasha’s behavior.
“I’m sorry for him, are you okay? He can be a real brat sometimes,” she mocked glaring back at the half-bred demon for a moment. Teri’s head was still pounding, but this was just an obstacle to endure after all without suffering there could be no good in life.
“Yeah…I’m fine, really. You don’t need to apologize, it was a good work out anyway.” He gave Kagome a reassuring smile and he hid the small truth from her. If it was the last thing he needed it was Kagome worrying about him and bandages marking how weak he was, that wasn’t even a taste of what was to come and Teri was sure of it. The day would prove more trailing than any attitude that InuYasha could have.
“I’m glad you’re here, if it was anyone person I’d want here…It would have to be you.” She admitted with another kind smile as she hooked arms with Teri and leaned her head against his right bicep.
“Well…here I am, I am somewhat glad to be here too.” Teri joked as they led the group along the dirt trail lined off by beautiful pine and willow trees which were aging like fine wine. The sun was especially bright, the trees providing some shade with small rays of light peering through where allowed. A clear sky and delicate gusts of wind added to the comfort provided to the gang by Mother Nature herself. Kagome looked up to Teri and he to her. Teri had a certain gaze of fondness over her as they shared a smile and continued making their way through the forest. Teri stole a look down at his heavily bandaged left hand, which he’d only recently broken, however badly it bothered him, Teri vowed he wouldn’t give in to the suffering it caused him.
Shippo caught up to the two and the young kitsune climbed onto Teri’s shoulder. “Teri, how well do you know Kagome?” He questioned curiously, wanting to know where the two’s relationship stood.
“I don’t understand what you mean, Shippo.” Teri commented and then gave a quick glance to Kagome noticing her head was turned away in embarrassment.
The kitsune figured that Teri was beating around the bush and just didn’t want to answer the question. He frowned and got as straight to the point as he could. “Do you feel about Kagome the way that InuYasha does?!” He practically asked the world and Kagome began to flush.
“Shippo!!” Kagome scolded. She sighed, “Just stop it.” She broke away from Teri and left him with the fox demon, now deciding she wanted to walk alone.
Shippo felt bad for putting Kagome on the spot like that, he’d never been a pest to her before and out of everyone he respected her the most. Teri looked to Shippo from the corner of his eyes in question. “So…” He started making sure he had Shippo’s attention before he went on. “Why so concerned on where Kagome and I stand in relationship terms?” He inquired the young kitsune who was seated comfortably on his right shoulder.
“Uh!” Is all that Shippo could muster in response to Teri’s question. Obviously he’d been taken by surprise. He looked away, quickly trying to come up with a lie to tell the new comer.
“Well..?” Teri coaxed Shippo for an answer to his recently spoken question. He figured that he was up to something, why would anyone just come out and ask a question like that? Especially when it had nothing to do with any of the events that’d taken place earlier. Then Teri remembered that not even a minute ago that Kagome and himself were mighty close together. “Oh, hm…did you ask because of how close we were just a moment ago?” Yet again Shippo was taken off guard, the question practically answered the one before that and Shippo nodded reluctantly.
Clearing his throat to speak he began explaining. “You see, it is pretty apparent to Sango, Miroku, and myself that Kagome and InuYasha are in love…” Shippo trailed off purposely wanting to see how Teri would react, but the young man only nodded wanting him to continue. “So when I noticed how close you were to Kagome it raised the question.”
“I see, do you mean to tell me that InuYasha is the no good boyfriend that Kagome’s friends always speak of?” Shippo only nodded. “Now it makes so much sense why she came back every now and then, she must’ve been mad at him during those times.”
“Right again.” Shippo answered. Teri looked back to InuYasha then in front of him to Kagome who was several feet ahead of the group in thought of what he said.
The group went on in silence with InuYasha trailing in the back; Miroku and Sango together near the end, Teri and Shippo, and Kagome at the far front as they made their way on. After another hour or so of traveling Teri began to act a bit awkward glancing around constantly. His footsteps began to turn sloth like until he came to a sudden halt nearly making everyone run into him. Anger was beginning to boil inside of InuYasha but what else was new? He was ready to boil over from his short-tempered attitude. “Have you gained your senses, is there something wrong?” Sango jumped in front of InuYasha before the half-bred demon could utter a single indecent word. Teri only shook his head then walked in circles looking around the area before he left the trail and went stray ward into the woods.
“Hey! Get back here!” InuYasha called after Teri, he wanted to give Teri a piece of his mind before the day’s end.
After a few minutes of running, dodging trees, and yelling Teri finally stopped, having come upon exactly what he thought he’d heard. The group came upon a large waterfall that led into a hot spring. The silhouette of mountains could be seen in the distance as the sun began to set just over them. Locally, forage from the forest led into beige colored sand just at the foot of the brook. A haze of ardent steam settled around the area as the glistening waters promoted light from the sun. Around the area, the blooming trees provided a certain necessity of shade and was a habitat to the many outlandish forest creatures around; chirping, chattering, and squealing was recognized while the group made their way over inspecting the area with waylay glances.
“Almost seems too good to be true,” Miroku stated as he kneeled by the warm liquid and swept his hand gently through it, letting the water trickle back to the warm spring sand. Teri took a quick peek to him and then the others; they all seemed to be in agreement. He somewhat understood their situation but he couldn’t at all feel as deeply as they did about it.
“Well, ladies first. We can use it afterwards,” Teri announced…the perfect gentleman. “We’ll go set up camp.” With that he went back, but not far into the forest.
“Yeah…what he said,” InuYasha reluctant to agree with Teri soon followed to aid in the preparation.
Sango watched the two go off and then caught a glimpse of Kagome eyeing her impatiently. “What?” Kagome cleared her throat and pointed just behind her in enough time for Sango to turn around and avoid Miroku’s sinful touch. “What are you doing?!” Sango scolded heatedly, hovering over Miroku now. He held a serous expression for a moment before a slight quirk began to show through. Sango didn’t even hesitate to knock him on his head, “now move it!” She pointed to the forest. Miroku was about to speak, but Sango cut him off. “No, it isn’t worth it either!” She shrieked. Miroku sighed having been defeated and went to assist in setting up camp.
Night creped upon them and camp had finally been set up while Kagome and Sango were finishing up in the hot spring. The sun’s rays began to soften with every hour that passed on, Mother Nature’s cheek…the sky began to dim in an array of magnificent yellow, orange, and red before finally allowing the moon to replace the sun. The stars cooperated with the moon in shining down their dim light, decorating the sky with a sparkling smile.
-The Boys-
“So Teri, what do you think of this world so far?” Miroku questioned, eager to get the approval from Teri and was always interested in the things he had to say.
“Suck up…” InuYasha mumbled the sentence before Teri could answer. He was posted in a treetop just overhead of the two, as a fresh fire was raging on. Miroku and Teri had been caught up in conversation ever since they had stopped here in the forests.
“I like it fine, Kagome warned me of how dangerous it can be here. How much you guys go through, but so far it has great scenery and kind people. Something that is hard to find in my day and age.”
Miroku managed a friendly smile, “yes…it can be difficult at times.” It wasn’t long before the smile slowly faded and a melancholy expression took its place. Teri didn’t want to pursue on this topic any longer than it had already gone. He removed the hat from his head and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand taking a few quick glances around the forest and then up at InuYasha crossing his arms over his chest as he managed his way to his feet.
“InuYasha..!” Teri called up to the hanyou
“Yeah…what?” An uptight InuYasha responded.
“What’s your deal, that’s what.” Answered Teri.
The demon, actually wanting to pursue this conversation further jumped down from the tree and landed face to face with the new blood. Maybe he could twist his words and start another fight with him…only this time he was determined to finish it. “Go on…” InuYasha crossed his arms over his chest, an undying fierce appearance emitting from his being.
“Well…Ever since I’ve come here it just seems as if you’ve got it out for me. The others said you’re always like that though, ya know looking out for number one and all. I don’t have a problem with that but we don’t have a problem with each other either, so lets call a truce.” Teri’s proposal came out of nowhere and caught InuYasha as well as a listening Miroku off guard. Teri didn’t have anything to make a truce about, if anything InuYasha should have been the one offering a truce for being the jerk he normally was but Teri wasn’t going to push his luck.
InuYasha’s eyebrow perked just slightly in the mild interest he was beginning to take in this conversation. “A truce?” He questioned, wanting more of an explanation.
“The way I see it is, I’m probably gonna be sticking around for awhile. We should try to get along the best we can so we can work together the same way. So listen, I’m sorry about that little argument we had back there earlier.” He finished extending his right arm out, his hand open for a shake if InuYasha took the deal.
“Alright…fine, agreed.” The two shook hands and everyone was happy. It was surprising how well Teri could handle personal situations but also get InuYasha to do the same. Usually someone would have to beat it out of him or just simply wait it out, but this time it was smooth sailing. InuYasha went back to his thoughts back up in the tree and all was well.
“How’d you do that?” Miroku asked astonished.
“Do what?” Asked a now confused Teri. Miroku could only blink, truly he did not understand how InuYasha could be.
-The Girls-
Kagome and Sango were “finishing up” in the hot springs, they’d been in for quite some time had finished up 3 times already and were working on their fourth. It was hard to pull yourself out, once you got in; Sango had claimed earlier. Kagome easily agreed and why not? The scenery was perfect, the springs were the right kind of scenery to make you relax, and the perfect temperature all made for the perfect moment.
Kagome eventually peeked a single eye open and took a glance over to Sango, she’d dozed off. NOW Kagome finally decided that this was the time to get out. Attempting to nudge her friend awake, she was suddenly stopped when ruffling was heard in the forage of nearby trees. “Damnit, Miroku and InuYasha. Just one time.” She thought to herself whipping around to see if she could spot anyone of the perverts, but to no avail. She gripped a rock sitting on the brook of the spring and prepared for one dead on shot. Kagome took the calm moment to get Sango awake, at first the demon slayer was anything but pleased with the rude awakening; shooting up to her feet and pounding Kagome on top of the head.
“I was dreaming!” Sango announced most displeased with Kagome’s actions.
Kagome gave a nervous chuckle pointing over to the bushes, whispering “I heard something ruffling in the bush’s over there. I think it may be Miroku and InuYasha again.”
“Or Teri..?” She raised an eyebrow trying not to seem as if she may had wanted him to try and peek at them.
“Or him, but it is unlikely.” Kagome responded trying to get a better view of where the sound had come from. The ruffling picked up again and the head of a person peaked over.
Kagome and Sango freaked, immediately screamed bloody murder and threw their rocks at the person. Both rocks hit, but there was no report. No yelling, no ruffling…nothing and shortly after the aged appearance of Totosai came into complete view. There were two large welts on his head and in silence he eyed the two girls before his face turned red all over.
Both Sango and Kagome had forgotten about their partially nude forms and it didn’t take much to realize what the old man was blushing over. Helpless to do anything to keep him from watching they ducked back into the water and more screeching pursued.
Totosai soon received a great bashing to his head from InuYasha who had come as quickly as he could along with Teri, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara. “What are you doing?!” Demanded the hanyou ready to give the old man another beating to his head.
The blacksmith quickly bowed before InuYasha, not wanting to feel anymore of his might. “I beg of you, spare me…I’ll let you keep the Tetsusaiga.” Totosai pleaded, seeming very sincere in the offer he put forth.
“That’s nice...considering I already own the Tetsusaiga!” InuYasha scoffed giving the old blacksmith another pound to the head.
“Alright, InuYasha go easy on him…” Teri joined in. Let’s just go back to the fire, take him back with us, and let Kagome and Sango finish.” The rookie suggested. Kagome and Sango were sighing in relief at Teri’s levelheaded implication.
“Good idea, better than letting InuYasha have his way with old Totosai here.” Miroku agreed as he helped the man to his feet and lead him back into the forest.
“That means you too, InuYasha.” Teri added, breaking his glimpse of the girls. Reluctant to leave, the stubborn half-breed approved.
-Later-
Everyone had since gathered around the fire not far from the hot spring, faint sounds of rushing water from its waterfall could be perceived in the background. It mixed in perfectly with the calls of nature and the soft roar of the fire that had been accompanied by Kagome, InuYasha, Shippo, Kirara, Sango, Miroku, Teri, and the blacksmith, Totosai. An awkward silence made its way over the group, there had never been conversation it seemed like that didn’t involve the word “Naraku” and it was getting to everyone.
Another while passed and it wasn’t long before Kirara and Shippo were sound asleep near the fire in each other’s comfort and then there were six left to shoot the breeze. Totosai, being the old man he was had earlier forgotten the reason for him burdening the group with his presence, but after a nice zoning out period it wasn’t hard to remember. “Hey you…Sonny,” the old man began deciding to also tug on Teri’s white shirt. The sudden sound of dialogue grasped everyone else’s attention without fail and Totosai held the floor.
“What is it now, old man!?” InuYasha demanded just as if Totosai was pulling on the sleeve of his hakama himself.
“Yeah..What is it?” Teri added in a bothered tone of voice, lightly pulling his arm away to avoid further tugging on his outfit.
“You’re the one, Misuteri…I felt your presence and that is why I am here” Totosai began but was quickly interrupted by Teri himself.
“Whoa now, my name is Teri. I don’t know about all this Misuteri-stuff yet. I just get here and hear a weird story. Sango started all that so you might want to talk to her” He protested, his facial expression backing up how serious he was.
“That’s because it’s true!” The demon hunter broke out.
Kagome placed her hand gently on Teri’s shoulder. “Maybe you should listen, I mean I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t accept the fact that I was a possible reincarnation of the priestess Kikyo.” Teri glanced to his friend and slowly her words began to win him over. It was all a bit much to handle for the ordinary guy who was used to living a less than middle class life and attending a private school that in the states would normally cost an arm and a leg.
“Fine, I’ll listen. Just don’t expect me to jump for joy over this.” Teri finished crossing his arms over his chest, he glanced around to the others and he could tell that they were all interested in what Totosai had to say for once. Giving the old blacksmith his complete attention, he gave the sign for Totosai to go on with his words.
“Well now that we’ve got the children’s bickering out the way, I can continue. Misuteri was the one person of my time who could have put the world at peace. I was around during that time when Midoriko was attempting use her positive spirituality to free the world of the over population of demons. They were a huge threat and the battle was just as large, a war of seven days and seven nights raged on until finally a certain demon pushing the priestess passed her limitations got the best of Midoriko and injured her brutally. Thus the Shikon No Tama came to be.”
InuYasha was becoming inpatient with hearing the same repetitive stuff over and over again. “That’s all good and well old man, but we’ve heard this story once so if you could get to the point you would help to make it seem a lot less like I’m in hell right now.”
Totosai now held a very blank expression on his face, scratching his head ignorantly now. “What point?” He questioned the half demon that only responded with a hit to the head and with that he left the group, leaving Teri, Sango, Kagome, and Miroku to deal with his slowness.
Everyone watched InuYasha make his abrupt exit. “Totosai, where does Misuteri come into all of this?” He questioned, ready to see where he was going to go with this.
“Midoriko was Misuteri’s mentor, no one knew where he came from. It was just that during the last few days of the seven days of fighting, he appeared one day. His assistance helped reduce the number of demons greatly. That last day she was struck by the demon, there were supposed sightings of Misuteri. Some were good, most were bad. The boy lost track of his roots once she passed away. He couldn’t handle life on his own and lost his way. Eventually he too passed due to his loosing his path of righteousness.”
“We’ve heard this once before, Totosai. I don’t get why you’re repeating it.” Teri interrogated.
“Your quest for the shards of the Shikon Jewel bring me here. Who has heard of the Doragon-Seki?” Totosai went on to question.
Sango secretly knew but did not speak up. Miroku seemed surprised at the mention of the word. Kagome and Teri were at a slight loss. “Doragon-Seki is a very dangerous village. No one really knows what goes on there…No one gets the chance to tell. Some think it is nothing more than a myth. What do you know old man?” The monk spoke up now.
“Nothing…” Totosai simply answered.
“Then why mention it?!” Miroku was getting worked up over the matter, realizing he was out of line he quickly stopped and sat in silence. Sango watched him curiously, she began to think that he knew way more about this than she did.
“I mention it because with your friend present, you could take down this empire. There have been rumors that they withhold shards of the Shikon Jewel. It’s not too much farther from here. I would gladly forge a weapon for the reincarnation of Misuteri. An exact duplicate.”
“That sounds very…dangerous.” Kagome stated seeming very concerned.
“It will be, but that is our mission. Looking back I’d have to say we’ve been in pretty perilous situations before, this wouldn’t be any different.” Miroku added his two cents.
“I am not sure, what do you think Teri?” Sango questioned.
Teri was already deep in thought. “I need a weapon and they are collecting these shards, it’d be killing two birds with one stone. What about the risk?” Teri gave a light sigh. “No guts, no glory, right?” He questioned himself and found his head nodding in agreement. He looked up to everyone. “I say we go for it. I mean…It is risky and all, but I need that weapon and you guys need those shards.
Kagome sighed. He’d obviously done the math, which was no surprise to her, and now that Totosai mentioned jewel shards she did feel a faint sign of something she’d just have to keep an eagle’s eye on Teri. “I…agree.”
“That’s everyone…We’ll leave early tomorrow. Totosai, can you work in a night?” Teri asked.
“I could try, maybe if you made me an offer. I could…”
The group cut off Totosai. “You just said you’d do it for free!” Everyone bellowed.
“Did I?” Totosai questioned in his typical air headed fashion.
“That’s right, old man you did.” InuYasha suddenly came back to join the group. “It’s about time everyone got some backbone, I say we take over this Dragon House and retrieve these Jewel Shards.” For once InuYasha had a point, which no one could argue with. “Totosai, get to work on forging.” Before the old man could even give the slightest dumbfounded glance, InuYasha immediately put him to work and carried him off.
The group’s goal was set and all that was needed to do now was to prepare for tomorrow. Preparing started with some well earned rest which everyone began to get, all except Totosai who was busy with work and the newfound Teri who was a bit anxious and nervous about the first battle he could possibly be in.
-Early Morning-
Totosai put his best work at hand, forging a sword from a snake’s fang was no easy task and over night at that. The old blacksmith began to put his finishing touches on Teri’s weapon, which had come out as a trident. The handle being 72” long and three blades forked from it in a serrated design, he began to carve the characters for the name of the trident on its handle with a yawn, he made his exit on his three-eyed animal of transportation. Totosai’s usefulness proved to be very strong this time around and with the trident in good hands, Totosai could leave the scene knowing that his work would not go in vain convinced that the trident’s power could match that of the Tetsusaiga. If he truly was the reincarnation of Misuteri then it wouldn’t take Teri long to master the trident’s way.
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