Fragile Dreams, Chapter 17



written by Christine

Chapter 17

Inutaishou woke and looked at the empty space beside him. A chill went down his back. “Isabo?” he called out. There was no response. Inutaishou rose and went to the cave entrance. There he stood in the snow, looking for a clue as to where she had gone. “MYOUGA where are you? I know you’re here, I can smell you.” “My Lord,” Myouga the flea demon said jumping into the hand of Inutaishou, “How may I serve you?” “You can start by telling me where she is.” “I can’t tell you that my Lord, but she did leave a message for you, there in the snow,” the flea demon pointed. Inutaishou walked over to it. The stick lay on the ground next to her message. “Have gone to see the children.” Of course, he thought, “Myouga, what is that symbol under the letters?” “I’m not quite sure sir. I don’t think she drew it intentionally. She was in the middle of writing the note, then she went all glassy eyed and her hand dropped to her side. Afterwards she changed into a Unicorn and then ran off as if her life depended on it.” “Did she have another vision?" "I don't know but her actions indicated so." "Then it must mean something. Tell me what do you think that symbol is.” “Well, it looks like the ancient sign for dragon.” “Dragon? ...Ryuukoysusei!” He ran back into the cave. Ten minutes later he ran out of the cave in the direction of his mate. Why didn’t she tell me? Inutaishou thought.

	“My Lord, aren’t we being a little rash?” Myouga yelled as he jumped on board and held on for dear life. “Maybe that squiggle meant nothing at all” “What do you know about the vision that Isabo and my brother had? Did it involve me other than fathering InuYasha?” “Vision? I…”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know. You’ve live among and on my clan since my father’s days as Lord!” “Yes, ah well... the vision involved your death at the hands of Ryuukoysusei. It was seen by InuHaru, Isabo and your daughter Akina.” “Akina? She’s been plagued by these dreams too? That’s why she changed so dramatically. I assumed it was Isabo’s leaving. Why didn’t you tell me this?” “InuHaru threatened to curse me if I said one word.” "If he weren't already dead, I'd kill my brother for that." Inutaishou caught and chased the scent of the dragon throughout his devastated land. Sickened by every destroyed den he passed, the Dog Demon Lord had no option but to push on past them. Never had he imagined Ryuukoysusei would exact such revenge on him after sparing the dragon’s life. He should have killed it when he had the chance, even at the cost of his life. InuYasha would never have been born but was one child’s life worth the life of the entire Dog Demon clan and all InuYasha's siblings? It was too late to second-guess his actions now. He had failed his people. This time he was going to finish the job for the sake of the few that remained.

	He was getting close. “Myouga, if something happens to me, I want you to keep an eye on InuYasha. Teach him what he needs to know about our people and our traditions. Tell him I love him.” He transformed his body into its dog shape.

“Yes my Lord.” Myouga let go of his Lord and dropped to the ground. He watch him disappear from sight and then had to make a big jump to the side to avoid being squashed under the hoofs of Isabo as she raced to catch up. Inutaishou caught up with the dragon and pounced on him like a rabid dog, biting and ripping at the cuts already in the dragon’s body, undoing the freshly healed parts. The dragon screamed and reached around with sharp claws. Its aim was true as its claws ripped through the dog’s soft underbelly, disemboweling him. The dragon held the dog in midair by his entrails. Through the haze of pain Inutaishou heard a anguished scream. He looked quickly in its direction and saw a Unicorn standing on the cliff, Isabo. He could feel his life force draining from him. Suddenly it all made sense. With the clarity of the dying, Inutaishou understood it all, why she left him, the importance of his youngest son, and the love of a human girl. Isabo had seen this day and yet she gave herself back to him.

	He saw the dragon glanced toward her and Inutaishou gave one last burst of strength, for the sake of his love and all of his clan. He threw himself at the dragon with his clawed paw over the beast’s heart. The force of the blow sent the dragon slamming into the wall. One of the claws tore through his evil heart and lodged in the cliff face. Inutaishou yelled as he broke off the toe but it was just one more drop of pain amongst a sea of agony. He reverted back to his humanoid form and fell to the ground, landing in a pool of his own blood.

The dragon screamed and struggled for a short time and then fell silent in sleep. As long as the claw pinned him, he was sealed, as good as dead. Isabo leaped down the cliff to the floor of the canyon. She changed to her human form and knelt in the blood beside her dying lover. Tears streamed down her face. She never felt so helpless in her life. With all her healing powers, there was nothing she could do for him. Too much blood was lost; too many organs damaged and removed. She gave the only comfort she could. She placed her hand behind his neck and lifted his head into her lap. She blocked all his pain and stopped what bleeding she could. The snow changed to rain and the red pool of blood started to flow away.. “I’m sorry,” he said weakly. She shook her head, tears falling from her eyes and mixing with the rain. She put her finger to his lips. “No regrets. They are useless,” she managed to said “Who is left?” he asked. Isabo opened her mouth but only a squeak emerged. She swallowed and managed to say “Sesshomaru.” He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched a fist. She stroked his head in comfort. “Give Tenseiga to him. He already has trouble expressing emotions. This day will freeze his heart. He won’t be able to use Tetsusaiga; not as a protector. If he ever finds his heart again, Tenseiga will serve him well.” He coughed and blood foamed from his mouth. Isabo gently wiped it away. “I must ask you to do something.” He raised his hand and she gripped it in hers. “Take care of Izayoi and InuYasha for me. When he comes of age, give Tetsusaiga to him. You’re my only hope for them, will you do that?” “I will.” Her eyes fell to the third sword, the devil’s sword as she always called it. “And what about Sou’unga?” she asked “It’s too strong. I planned on giving it to Akina for she would have had the strength of will to control it. You are the only other choice. If you don’t want it Isabo, destroy it.”

	She nodded. He released her hand and reached for her face. She kissed it and then bent down and kissed his lips. He held her head to him and then let up enough so she could break the kiss. He felt the salty tears falling on his face. "Don't go," she sobbed even though she knew it was a useless request. He gazed into her eyes and weakly smiled.

“I always loved you best,” he said. Then his eyes closed and he went limp. Inutaishou was no more. Isabo rocked his lifeless body as she threw her head back, closed her eyes and cried out her anguish to the world. The ground rumbled in sympathy and the sky wept with her.

Song: The Steward Of Gondor (Featuring Billy Boyd)