Welcome to Gaia! ::

Chapter One

Naraku stood on the terrace of his eerie castle, surveying the horizon for any trace of his foes. Two weeks had passed since his last encounter with Inuyasha and his companions. He needed a new devious plot to entertain himself and keep the jewel seekers distracted. The sky was blood red, containing golden threads woven into the tapestry that was the sunset. A dark image rose from the dying rays, ominous and menacing, “Can it be?” the evil demon asked himself silently. He placed his hands on the banister of the balcony and stared at the foreign object.

“What is it, Master?” Kagura, the wind sorceress asked from her post by the door. Kanna of the void stood motionless beside her.

Naraku turned to the two maidens, “Kagura, Kanna. Do you know what that mountain is?” he asked them, pointing his index finger to the west, to the black landmass invading the sky.

The wind sorceress stared into the setting sun. Kagura gasped quietly, her red eyes widening in wonderment, “That mountain wasn’t there before,” she stated as she slowly approached her master.

Kanna lifted her face to meet the mountain, “That is Shiotosai,” she said in her monotone voice, the magic mirror cradled between her palms, “the Forbidden Mountain,” she finished, her black, emotionless eyes in a constant cold stare.

Naraku chuckled quietly to himself, “I thought as much,” he added, then turned and exited the room, his dark robe flowing like falling rain.

In a manner of minutes, the three demons, were heading towards the new mountain, “What does Naraku seek in such a foreboding place?” Kagura asked the other incarnation, which was her sister.

Kanna lifted her head, and fires appeared in her devilish mirror, “Five hundred years ago, there lived the three elemental princesses,” Kanna began. As she began to speak, a wave washed over the face of the mirror, “Mizurina, the eldest and strongest of the three held the power to manipulate water. She was capable of monsoons, frigid rain, and icy snow. The second sister, Rikuaka, was the gentlest of the three and she possessed the power to control the very earth. Had she not been such a kind spirit, Rikuaka could’ve caused massive earthquakes, devastating mudslides and volcanic eruptions,” Kanna added, her mirror’s image changing according to her story, “Finally, the youngest of the three, and perhaps the most deadly, Hiana had the ability to create and control fire. The three sisters lived in peace for a few hundred years, but tension grew between the three as their powers began to grow,” Kanna paused as a picture of a burning tree appeared in the mirror, “Hiana wanted the most power, and to gain that, she murdered Princess Rikuaka, and attempted to kill Mizurina as well. When she failed to destroy her greater sister, Hiana was punished severely,” the image changed once more as the fire extinguished from the burning tree, “Mizurina sealed her youngest sister in Shiotosai, the forbidden mountain which only appears when the sun makes its last desperate attempt to shine, before she is murdered be the moon and her blood rays cover the sky. It is said she’d sleep for all eternity,” Kanna paused as the mirror’s image shifted into the mountain Shiotosai, “but along with her imprisonment, a curse was laid upon her: the curse of eternal burning. Whatever comes in contact with her skin will smoulder and burn. Due to this curse, even if she were freed, she would incapable of any physical contact,” Kanna finished as a black cloud conquered the face of the mirror before dissipating. As the cloud vanished, the mirror was as empty as the eyes of its owner.

The three villains arrived at the mountain, and floated to the summit. The mountain was not capped, and in truth was an active volcano. Naraku descended until he was inches above the molten rock. He searched through his robes to find a stray jewel shard. His search was successful and he tossed it into the lava, “Come forth, mighty princess!” Naraku screamed, raising his hands above his head.

The lava bubbled beneath the jewel fragment, and a pale, slender hand breached the molten shell. It grabbed the jewel and dragged it under. After a few moments, a pale face with red hair emerged from the molten rock. The maiden wore a black kimono of fire rat with a similar style to that of Inuyasha’s. She lifted her head to reveal a pair of burning amber eyes and a set of dark lips. As she slipped her hair back, it caught an updraft and flickered and flailed like the flame’s they were named after. The princess’s and the demon’s eyes locked in an icy stare, “Why have you summoned me?” she asked in a deep voice almost as cold as Kikyo’s.

“I require your aid in a certain matter,” Naraku replied, his mouth curling into a wicked grin.

The fire princess crossed her arms across the width of her chest and narrowed her golden eyes, “I’m listening,” she stated in a dark tone.

Miles away, Inuyasha and the others had taken sanctuary in Kaede’s village, unaware of the being hunting them down. Naraku gently took the hand on Hiana, allowing it to burn deeply into his hand. They rose from the crown of the volcano, and descended to the ground. With a nod of his head, Naraku vanished and Hiana was left alone. She smiled to herself at the beauty surrounding her. The trees were exploding with dozens of shades of green. The forest floor was carpeted with a rainbow of flowers. The sky was a bright blue as the sun hid behind the horizon. Hiana danced on the green grass, happy to be alive, and freed from her prison. But her joy diminished as she felt the grass die beneath the soles of her feet, the bitterness and cruelty of her curse. She reached into her robe and pulled out two confinement sutras, and placed them on the bottoms of her feet. She then started walking in the direction of Kaede’s village and the scent of the half-demon Inuyasha. She leapt high into the treetops, and spotted a small village that reeked of the hanyou’s demon blood. She flew towards it, barely letting her feet touch anything.

Back in the village, the group was enjoying another hand-cooked meal of Kagome’s in the fading evening light. They ate in silence, save for the inevitable munching of food. Inuyasha was the first to finish, and he turned to Kagome, “How come you didn’t ask me how I liked it?” he asked, his ears twitching as he tilted his head in curiosity.

Kagome put down her bowl and finished chewing her rice. She looked up to the now standing dog demon, “Because, Inuyasha, I am tired of asking an getting NO response!” she hollered, her eyes ablaze.

“Sheesh,” the half demon spat, “I was just wondering,” he said, crossing his arms his chest, “it wasn’t that good anyway,” he said in an inaudible whisper.

Kagome’s ears burned as she stormed over to Inuyasha, “INUYASHA!” she yelled at the top of her lungs. The hanyou’s hair stood on end as he slowly turned his face towards the furious Kagome, “Si…” she began, and the dog demon automatically flinched, and fell to the ground. But, young Kagome did not finish her command. She stood erect, eyes wide, and gazing at the forest in the fading sunlight.

Inuyasha, who’d closed his eyes in preparation for his punishment, now opened them, and stood beside Kagome, “What’s wrong, Kagome?” he asked the young girl.

“I sense a jewel shard,” she stated, grabbing her bow and quiver.

“Well what’re we wasting our time around here for? After it!” Inuyasha declared, a grin growing on his face as he led the group into the forest. He sniffed the air sharply, and exhaled with a grunt, quite annoyed at the scenario.

“What’s the matter, Inuyasha?” Miroku asked, standing beside his anxious and agitated comrade.

“Damn!” Inuyasha said with a quiet growl, “I can’t catch any scent,” he yelled, turning to face every direction in an attempt to sniff out the being that possessed the Shikon jewel shard.

“It smells like,” Sango began, as she smelled the air around her, “fresh water As if the forest was washed clean,” she finished, shifting the Hiraikotsu so it was easier to access if the time arose.

Kagome turned her body in circles, trying to scope out where the jewel was, “Here it comes!” she said, knocking an arrow in the bowstring and aiming it in the direction of the jewel fragment.

A young woman emerged from the trees, her navy blue hair clinging to her shoulders and neck. Her eyes were deep blue, like the ocean before a storm. The woman’s skin was pale like freshly fallen snow, and her dress was cerulean, with a short cut and made of fabric that was thin and revealing.

“What a beauty,” Miroku exclaimed quietly as he approached the newcomer. He walked confidently towards her, smiling constantly.

“Oh, no! Not again!” Kagome shrieked, disarming her weapon and putting her hand over her face.

“Idiot,” Shippo contributed from the safety of Sango’s shoulder. Sango stood silently, her eyes flaming at the sight of Miroku flirting with yet another woman.

The persistent monk approached the young woman, “You’re by far the most beautiful woman I have ever had the delight of passing upon,” Miroku said coolly as he stood before her.

Sango scoffed, “Straight to the compliments. He skipped introductions completely. That’s not like him,” Sango thought to herself, turning her face towards the greenery and distracting her eyes.

The woman fluttered her long eyelashes. The lids were painted a shimmering gold, and highlighted the color of her eyes, “You know, monk. Flattery will get you nowhere with me,” she said, her voice washing over the love-struck monk like a wave breaking on shore. She stepped closer to the anxious Miroku, accenting her movements coyly.

“My fair maiden. You are a beautiful rose in a field of dusty wildflowers. A smell like the open breeze of the sea haunts you presence. A body of fine make, and face and hand hold beauty beyond compare,” he concluded as he stepped closer.

“A poet too?” she laughed, “This is quite entertaining,” she said sharply, turning a small grin to the beaming Miroku.

“Will you take the honour of bearing my children?” he proposed, taking the woman’s pale hands in his.

The smile disappeared from the woman’s face, and her eyes burned a deep violet, though it was hard to tell in the setting sun, “How dare you? You presume too much you perverted pig!” she hollered. As her rage built up, shards of ice started to crawl down her arms to her hands. From there, they were transferred on the unsuspecting Miroku. Within moments, the lecherous monk was a solid block of ice.

Inuyasha huffed, then leaned up against a tree. Shippo followed suit, “Serves him right,” he said with a giggle. Though Sango and Kagome were glad Miroku received what he deserved, they rushed to his side. Kirara took her larger form and attempted to thaw the monk from his frigid confinement.

The dog demon closed his eyes and cracked the knuckles in his right hand, “Look, Miroku may be the biggest jerk on the entire planet, but…” he said, opening his eyes so each amber facet caught the last ounce of light, “Nobody turns my friends into popsicles and gets away with it!” he bellowed, rushing towards the mysterious woman, claws sharp and ready.

From above, Hiana watched the scene unfold. When the woman came into view, she gasped at the spectacle. The woman who froze the one known as Miroku was her frigid elder sister, Mizurina. Hiana watched as the dog hanyou ran at Mizurina. The enchantress took the form of liquid water, and dissolved into the ground. The half-demon was puzzled, and the water princess appeared behind him.

“Inuyasha!” a young girl in strange green and white clothes yelled from beside her frozen comrade, “Watch out behind you!” Inuyasha turned, but reacted too late, and Mizurina hurled him into a nearby boulder. The girl abandoned the monk, threw her weapons to the ground, and ran toward the half-breed, “Inuyasha!” she yelled, rushing into his arms.

“Stay back, Kagome,” Inuyasha said, pushing her to the side, and drawing his giant sword to regain his stance. He grunted in pain and crumbled toward the ground. The girl rushed to his side to stop him from falling, “Really,” he said with a grin, “I’m fine,” he concluded, standing straight up.

“All right,” Kagome said softly with a nod of her head before returning to the rest of the group, who’d now huddled around the imprisoned Miroku, “Be careful, Inuyasha,” she whispered, clutching her heart.

Chapter Two

Inuyasha smiled and turned to Mizurina, "Bad move," he said smuggly, raising the Tetsuaiga over his head. Mizurina smiled and rain started pouring down on the dog demon, "Feh, a little rain never hurt anybody," Inuyasha said, bringing the sword down.

Mizurina laughed, "Yes, half-breed. But a lot can kill you," she stated as four walls of water rose up, and surrounded Inuyasha. The water climbed swiftly, and reached his waist. The level grew higher, and it was impossible to lift his sword out of the water. Soon the water was to his neck, and countinued to rise at a rapid pace.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed, knocking an arrow and firing it at the water princess. Mizurina anticipated such a move, and a wall of water rose around her, absorbing the arrow.

Inuyasha watched the arrow hit the wave surrounding Mizurina, and observed the scene before him. The arrow turned, and he knew the target. He started to run towards her, but the watery coffin was now completely full, and he was running out of oxygen. Hiana watched from her perch in the canopy. Though she was a proud young woman, she was not cold like her older sister. As the arrow shot from the wave, Hiana ripped th incantations of the soles of her feet, and leapt down onto the battle scene. The arrow flew until it was a few feet from the young Kagome's heart. Hiana's bare feet touched the shaft of the arrow, incinerating it instantly. Hiana landed softly on the ground, manipulating the warm air radiating off the surface of the earth to lighten her. The green grass smoldered under her feet, and burst into flames, "Enough!" the fire princess yelled, "Your fight is with me, Mizurina," Hiana concluded, pulling the fire proof gloves off her pale hands.

"Ha," Mizurina snorted, averting her gaze to her traitorous younger sister, "Die, b***h!" she screamed, abandoning the dog demon. The cascading water collapsed, and Inuyasha splashed to the ground, wheezing and gasping for air. Mizurina conjured rain clouds around Hiana. Fight was pratically futile, for Hiana's only weakness was water, but she refused to stand by and watch innocent bystanders get killed on her behalf. The fire princess conjured up fire sheilds to absorb the water attacks, but they were soon extinguished, and Hiana was running out of time.

Hiana ran through the trees, dodging the aquatic attacks. Inuyasha had rejoined the group, and inspected everyone. Once everybody was in check, the dog hanyou turned to Kagome, "Kagome, where are the jewel shards?" he aska her quickly.

The girl looked at the battling maidens, and spotted the fragments of the Shikon jewel, "the water woman has two; one on each wrist," Kagome said, then searched for the shards on the other princess, "and the fire maiden has one shard in her heart," she said, turning to Inuyasha.

The half-demon had already re-drawn his sword, "then I'll get the all at once," he walking over to the quarrelling beauties, the Tetsuaiga resting on his shoulder.

"Wait, Inuyasha," Sango interjected.

"Yeah? What?" Inuyasha asked, turing to face the demon slayer.

"That one girl saved Kagome's life. We can't condemn her for a good deed," she added. Inuyasha frowned, "I know you want to get the sacred jewel shards, but we mustn't act irrationally and take innocent lives," she finished.

Inuyasha sighed deeply, "I guess you're right, Sango," he said, reluctantly sheathing the Tetsuaiga. He sighed quietly, then started walking towards the battle, which had moved deeper into the forest.

Hiana was now running for her life, frantically dodging the waterfalls from her elder sister, "Die, hell-wench!" Mizurina screamed, unleashing a horde of icy daggers at Hiana. The fire princess made an attempt to avoid the attack, the jagged weapons slashed the entire of her back; head to toe. She screamed in agony, and withered to the ground, whimpering softly as her bare skin touched the green grass, burning it swiftly, "Now die!" Mizurina cried, hurling a wall of water at her defenseless younger sister. Inuyasha dashed onto the scene, scooping up the princess and leaping into the canopy, and out of sight. Mizurina boiled with rage, "You'll not escape!" she bellowed as she flew in pursuit.

Inuyasha's feet barely touched the tops of the trees as he ran from Mizurina, "hey, you!" he barked to the woman in his arms. She blinked her eyes open and looked at the face of her saviour, "I need you to hang on to my neck, so I can draw my sword," he ordered. Hiana nodded weakly, and winced in pain as she hung her arms tightly around his neck. Inuyasha turned and ran toward Mizurina as he drew the Tetsuaiga. When the sword took form, Inuyasha let out a cry that could be heard in all corners of the region. The water sorceress unleashed icy pikes that pierced the dog demon's hold on the Tetsuaiga, causing him to release it," Damn it!" he exclaimed, as Mizurina countinued to twart the sword further our of his reach.

Mizurina cackled, and a hufe ball of water formed in her hands. The sphere grew until it was enormous. Hiana gasped quietly in Inuyasha's arms. Even the half-demon had to gasp at the catastrophical endeavor before him. He knew that it was imposssible for him to dodge the attack, so he hunched down, and covered the fire princess to the best of his ability.

"Die already!" Mizurina screamed, preparing to launch the attack.

"Oh no, you don't!" Kagome yelled, her arrow flying toward the water princess. It hit the mark, separating the flesh from her left wrist, and releasing the shikon jewel shard. The princess had had her fun, and convinced that her younger sister would persih, Mizurina vanished, and the water sphere popped, hollow like a bubble. Kagoem breathed a sigh of relief, and started looking for the jewel fragment. It was nestled safely in a small tuft of grass, radiating it's violet irracdescence. Kagome opened the bottle around her neck, and placed it with the half a dozen already residing there. She capped the bottle, then cupped her hands around her mouth, "INUYASHA!" she shreiked.

The dog demon walked softly down a seldomn used path, "Yeesh, Kagome," Inuyasha sniffed with a toss of his silver mane, "do you have to let the entire region know I'm here!" he said as he emerged from the forest, carrying the injured woman in his arms.

"You're all right," Kagome said sweetly with a gentle smile.

Inuyasha grunted, then revealed the princess in his arms. She flinched in the half-demon's grasp and turned her face slowly to meet his gaze, "Lay me by the monk," she whispered softly. Inuyasah obeyed, and Hiana placed her hands on the ice. The frozen structure under her palms was cold, but her bare hands melted the ice swiftly, and Miroku lay shivering on the ground. Sango sighed with a relieved smile, and called upon Kirara to warm there frozen friend. The large two-tail demon obeyed her companion, and placed her warm furred body against the chilled form of Miroku. Hiana smiled to herself, then made an attempt to stand. Her ankles were still to weak, and buckled instantly.

Inuyasha rushed unexpectedly to her side, "Idiot," he said with a short laugh, "Your wounds are far from healed," the dog demon concluded, helping the girl to her feet. Inuyasha put his hands on her shoulderd to steady her.

Hiana huffed sharply, "I need not your support, nor sympathy," she said, brushing Inuyasha's hands away with the cuffs of her sleeves. She turned toward the trees amd staggeredd a few steps. Again she faltered, and she collapsed against a young green tree. Her bare hands and face burned deeply into the new bark, and silver tears streamed down her face. She slid down the tree, burning all the way, until her hands we inches from the grass, but still clinging to the wounded tree. Inuyasha knelt beside her, "Leave me be!" she ordered, her hands flat on the ground, burning deeply into the foilage.

Inuyasha grunted, and slammed his palms on the grass, "Shut up!" he demanded, "and let me help you!" he shouted, his amber eyes glowing with a sense of concern.

Hiana gasped quietly. She closed her eyes, and turned away, putting her left fist to her chest. She opened her eyes, and nodded. Inuyasha scooped her up in his arms, and carried her back to the warm fire light. She nestled to his warm form, and fell asleep, exhausted from the day;s strains. Inuyasha placed her gently by the crackling fire, and took his post under a tree close to Kagome. Kagome had an aggitated look on her face. Inuyasha golden eyes widened, and he flinched, preparing for the worst.

"Relax, Inuyasha. I won't say it," she said gently, her expression softening slightly.

Inuyasha breathed a sigh of slight relief, and Shippo started to speak, unaware that the fire princess was still listening, "Wahat're we going to do about her?" the young fox demon squeaked.

"Her injuries are still too serious for movement, even if she is an elemental princess," Sango put in, stroking the purring feline in her lap.

"We could always do with more women in the group," Miroku added, rolling his shoulders and stretching his still stiff body. The girls sighed simotaneously and Kagome turned to Inuyasha.

Her brown eyes mey his golden spheres and a little moment sparked between the young pair, "What di you think?" the young mortal girl asked the young half-demon.

The dog demon pweaked his ears, and turned his nose to the darkening sky, "Fine by me," he said, folding his arms into the sleeves of his kimono, "No sense arguing with you guys," he added, leaning against a tree, "we'd all better get some sleep," Inuyasha concluded. The rest of the group nodded in a agreement, and nestled into their sleeping spaces. Kagome and Shippo crawled into the fuschia sleeping bag, while Miroku and Sango found refuge under similar, but seperate trees.

The night drug on, and grew darker, and the chill of the wind crept deviously into the damp form of Hiana's kimono. She huddled her body close, shivering quietly in the dark. The fire princess opened the lids of her golden eyes, and gazed at the stars wheeling above her; constantly burning. She sniffed the air. Thousands of scents tantalized her nose; the wood burning in the fire, the flower petals drifting on the dancing breeze, the cool crisp water clinging to her black kimono, the acorns and mushrooms hidden in the young fox demon's vest, the sweet fragrance of Kagome's skin, the faint smell of blood clinging to the claws and fangs of Kirara, the salty tears running down Sango's face as the countless horrific memories of the past cling to her dreams, the pungent smell of the devilish winds in Miroku's right hand, and the scent of long years of lonely nights, convered in blood, still clinging to the silver mane of Inuyasha. The princess shivered louder, and curled into a tiny ball.

The dog demon cracked his right eye open to the quaking form of Hiana. He stood up quietly, and with a silent rustle, removed the coat of his kimono. He held the red garment in the palm of his left hand, and offered it to the princess, "Here, it has a few tears, but at least it's dry," Inuyasha spoke quietly, holding the coat within easy reach of Hiana's grasp.

The fire princess was hesitant, but the robe of Inuyasha was from the fire rat, and like her own kimono, it didn't burn. She discarded her own robe and swiftly replaced it with the red coat of Inuyasha. It still had retained some of the hanyou's body heat, so it warmed her quickly, "Thank you, Inuyasha," the feiry princess whispered softly.

The dog hanyou regained his post, and turned back again to the princess, "What's your name? he asked, leaning his face on his open palm.

The girl slowly spoke, "Hiana," was all she said, then she rolled over and fell asleep.

Inuyasha's eyes grew heavy with sleep, "Hiana," Inuyasha said, weighing the name on his tongue like a piece of meat. Something about that name seemed gamiliar to him, "Hiana. Maybe Myoga can tell me something about her," he stated, turning his face toward Hiana on last time before the realm of sleep overcame him and his world went black.

it doesn't sounbd to bad and the new girl kind of makes thestory sound intresting and not half bad u should send it to the people who make inuyasha i whould watch it xp