To Change Time by Flips4Fun

The Ring of Many Secrets

Lady Ky- So Andrea you finally have some time for my challenge. You do realize it has been almost two months.

Andrea- *bows* Please forgive this humble fan. She is a fool.

Lady Ky- If you disappoint me you WILL perish. *Snaps fingers*

*Sesshomaru appears behind Lady Ky. An evil smirk on his face as he draws Tokigin.*

Sesshomaru- Do you understand, human? *lift Andrea's chin with blade*

Andrea- Yyeessss.

*Sesshomaru removes blade and smirks*

*Andrea bows so low nose scrapes floor.*

*Lady Ky laughs evilly*

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Answer to challenge from Western Heiress Lady Ky

The Ring of Many Secrets

Prologue

The sun crested over the horizon spreading the warm glow of morning. Its ascension was an answered prayer to the exhausted villagers below. War had begun between human and demon. Night held no comfort for the villagers. Demons rode in on the evening shadows laying waste to all that lie in their paths as they searched for the girl that possessed the sacred jewel shards.

The High Priests and Mikos have long been experimenting with spells and sutras in every attempt to keep the vile beasts at bay. None had succeeded. Their hopes now lie in the reports from the East of a powerful spell that has the ability to bring even the strongest of demons into submission. Every village within the kingdom began to dispatch messengers to find the priestess who wielded such power. None had yet returned. Rumors of demons intercepting the runners and the speculation of horrific torture began to circulate.

Priestess Keade found herself again this morning tending to her small herb garden just outside the village. This was her therapy as she tried to release all the pain and torment brought by the nightly raids of the demons.

"Priestess Keade," a deep, sultry voice spoke from behind her, "any word from the East?"

"Not again." She whispered to herself

For what seemed the hundredth time this day another curious villager had came across her and was probing her for information about the East. Keade hung her head and sighed in frustration. The questions swarmed like the bees in her gardens. She began to loathe those who prodded her incessantly. The gods have indeed abandoned her as she found herself facing the same dilemma she tried so desperately to hide from.

'When did I become so bitter?' she thought to herself.

'If they don't give me the peace I so desperately seek, I will be the one they will have to subdue.' The vision of being tamed by the same villagers who drove her to the brink of insanity amused her.

She dove deep within herself gathering the strength to keep calm and not show the annoyance that was boiling inside. Keade readied herself for the rhetoric. The same tedious reply she had given to the other multitude inquisitors that came her way that very day.

"Not yet."

She replied and then paused as she rose to address him.

"Do I know ye, child?"

She asked of the man who stood before her. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she took in this foreign yet seemingly familiar appearance.

Possibly the sun was playing tricks on her as she saw the shadow of a man she had came across many years ago. This of course was not possible, for he would have not aged a day in the many years since their last encounter.

His slender torso seemed clothed by his long wavy, ebony tresses that reached well past his midline.

'Odd he would choose to have his hair flow so freely,' she once again thought to herself.

He was quite a handsome gentleman. His creamy skin seemed to show no time nor age from toiling in the harsh fields. Keade released a bit of her power in order to further explore the odd villager before her. Her eyes connected with his. She found herself staring at the cold blank orbs which seemed to pierce her soul. She was hypnotized by the frigid stare and became lost in their obvious iniquity. She released her powers further, pushing deeper, trying to decipher the enigmatic pools.

Her pure energy began to prod, attempting once again to reach his inner soul. Even with all her might and will she was unable to tap into him. His true self was masked by a powerful barrier. He was no man, evil was within, but she could find no signs of a demonic aura. Breaking the spiritual link, she calmed her powers and suddenly became aware of how much energy she spent. The burning of her chest begged her to release of the air she was holding. Her immediate thought was to run and hide for he would surely overpower her. She was terrified.

The knowing gaze he held on her exposed her failure. He knew what she had tried to accomplish. He felt the pulse of her power. He knew she had tried to enter his soul with her miko but was unable. It pleased him. His sinister smirk spoke volumes as he basked in the pleasure of her shortcomings. His demeanor quickly turned dark.

"Lady Keade," the calculated sweetness of his voice sent icicles rushing through her blood.

"Are you feeling all right?" He nearly laughed posing the jaded question.

She almost lost her battle to remain calm as his amused eyes searched her being. There was no sign of concern, no compassion only the deranged entertainment he was receiving from her torment. His foreboding smile twisted his beauty into a gruesome character. He was toying with her. Testing her might.

She of course had been unable to obtain his secrets. The urge to escape his grasp became her top priority. Would he allow her to leave?

"If you would excuse me young man." She spoke as she cleared the knot that had lodged in her throat.

"I have a few ailing villagers that need my attending." She muttered trying to veil her fears.

"Oh . . . ?" his sultry voice spiked her powers once more.

"I do not believe I will be able to let you go."

"What do you me you will not let me go?" Keade stiffened yet held her ground.

"Who are ye?" she asked.

"Do you not recognize me . . . Wise Priestess Keade?", taunting her.

"You and I share a long history."

He began to raise his right hand brandishing a simple gold ring. The moment he touched its simplicity Keade felt the strong urge to purify. As he slid the ring slowly over the first knuckle, Keade's body began to jerk releasing her powers. Her miko reacted in turn enveloping her in a pink luminescence.

"D-E-M-O-N." She shuttered "But how is it possible? I am unable to sense your aura."

"Ah." He grinned as he fingered the band.

"Do you know the answer to which is so desperately sought by your village? I will gladly help in their quest."

The skewed grin on his face was all too telling. He reveled in the success of his unfolding plan. As he removed the trinket from his finger, blinding ultraviolet rays began to radiate from his body revealing his true aura. Keade stumbled as the full force of the energy shook the earth beneath her aging form. She fell to the ground. Her miko ability coursed through her trying to protect what little life she was able to cling. His strength overpowered her body pulling her will into his soul. At once, she regained the insight power she had tried to utilize moments earlier. Her mind became overwhelmed by visions of death and destruction. The stench of decaying flesh assaulted her nose causing her to retch. The screams of innocent men, women and children destroyed under the supervision of this one person pierced her ears. The physical and mental assault was too much. He was in her mind.

Enjoying the effects from his show of power the demon replaced the ring. Keade lay on the ground exhausted, covered in the rank acid that had once resided in her stomach. Her vision clouded as she struggled to face her attacker. Blood trickled from her ears. The tightness in her throat restricted her speech.

The realizations awaken within. No other being could possess such a monstrous enjoyment at the torture of the innocent, except one. The thought forced her to face a most fearsome reality.

"NARAKU." She breathed to the ground below.

A sinister laugh echoed with satisfaction as the fields of the village below were flooded once again by an army of bloodthirsty demons. Inhuman screams filled the air as the villagers were ripped apart and feasted on.

"NO!" Keade cried.

"It has begun." Naraku chuckled once again as he surveyed the gruesome scene. He took pride in his work and smiled. He turned and walked toward Inuyasha's forest to await the return of the girl who possessed the remaining shards to the sacred jewel leaving a broken Keade for the lesser demons to feast upon.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, people I know a bit boring but the ring needed to be introduced. Please don't flame or attack me. This is my very first fic. I'll get better with practice. (I hope)

I feel bad for torturing the elderly. Sorry Keade. It had to be done. I promise your suffering will be avenged.

Thank You to:

Lady Ky. for allowing me to do this.

Annette if you didn't approve I would have never went this far.

Diane *Glomps you*

Big hug to Sierra for putting up with me.

Kisa I love you and your Fan Fics