A Broken Heart of Gold by Obsidian_tresses

Prophecies

A dark, ominous cloud drifts through the skies of Japan's feudal era. The revolting stench of miasma permeates even the least sensitive of noses. Everything the miasma graces wilts and dies, just like the many people its producer killed. The aura of a wicked, half demon sends even the bravest of men back into the holes of their safe havens. Something in the air goes amiss. Only those who see the streak of purple know that it is Naraku who is planning something.

To the untrained eye of a human, all that is visible is a purple orb traveling at amazing speeds, but to a demon, a hideous creature is seen. Tentacles and grotesque limbs protrude from the bandit once called Onigumo. Behind the half-demon are his offspring; poor unfortunate souls that were conjured up from Naraku's very own being. The names of the demons are Kagura, the wind demoness, and Kanna, the void youkai. They happen to be his unwilling slaves.

Many rumors have been circling around the beautiful-now-black pearl he posses. Some say Naraku has gained most of the Shikon no Tama. Some say he has only five or six pieces left to acquire. Some say that he still has many more shards to look for. The unnerving truth is, he only needs one more, and that one, is in the possession of his most hated adversary, Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha." Naraku's anger grows from the mere thought of the inu-hanyou. "That filthy meddling dog."

That is the reason for where he is going. That is the reason why he seeks her out. He needs to know what will happen- what he needs to do to ensure his victory. He needs all the information he can receive out of her even if it means torturing her. Who does he need? Where is he going? Naraku is on a quest to visit the Oracle of Sendai.

The Oracle of Sendai is known for her completely accurate predictions and the price she charges. She is known to be a vicious, deadly creature, but also one of the most gentle of beings. The Oracle of Sendai is a median, never choosing a side, never containing bias thoughts. She doesn't care so much for the quarrels of man or demon. The Oracle only cares about keeping the balance. She cannot alter the future, only predict it.

Naraku twirls his most prized possession around his fingers, feeling the Shikon's dark, tainted energy sending jolts across his skin. He can almost, just almost, see the future that lies ahead of him. Naraku can taste the blood that will be spilt once he rips that infernal miko from the hanyou's over-protective arms and watches his enemies' expressions when he pieces together the last piece of the jewel. Naraku can hear the blood-curdling screams when he takes control and reveals his darker, demonic side. He can almost grasp his dreams for they are so near. He knows that if he succeeds, the end will be here.

As he ascends into the gradually thinning atmosphere of the mountain in which the oracle resides, he knows he is getting closer. That woman, she is a clever, old witch, hiding so far away from any civilization, keeping to herself and only herself. Naraku also knows the reason why the oracle would hide so far away, for she believes only those who are strong enough to survive the conditions of the mountain are worthy of her gift.

As Naraku nears, he feels the impenetrable magical barrier that completely strips a demon or any other of their powers. He lands on a cliff and climbs the rest of the way, leaving the weak Kagura and Kanna behind. Up here, the white flakes never cease in their accumulation. The thick snow is a hindrance for him, and he silently curses the wench for having too much precaution. Naraku finally reaches the summit of the damned mountain, and enters a cave.

He prods along the cold ground, slowly making his way to the heart of the mountain. No progress seems to be made. Naraku's patience wears thin as he follows the twists and turns of the path. It felt like a never-ending maze. How he wishes that he could speed up the process by using his demonic abilities. This mountain has basically made him into a disfigured human.

The farther Naraku journeys, the more algid the air in the narrow tunnels becomes. He can see his breath and is starting to shiver, the only thing motivating him is the thought of world domination and the blood and gore that he will paint the country of Japan with. So enamored with his fantasies, he doesn't see the light progressively getting stronger at first. Naraku picks up his pace when he realizes that there are small streaks of iridescent light. His trek to his future is almost at hand.

Naraku arrives inside an arctic, dimly lit chamber, the only source of light coming from glowing worms attached to the ceiling of the cave. His eyes land on a female, situated at the center of the room with her legs crossed and eyes shut in meditation. She is dressed in white garbs while pale turquoise hair pools at the ground behind her. The oracle's skin is translucent and her lips are blue like a man after death.

After his observations, he ventures deeper into the room, and the temperature steadily drops. Naraku has difficulty approaching her as frost coats his outer layer of clothing and begins to freeze the black blood in his veins. With great effort, he is able to crawl within a couple feet of her and ceases all movement, waiting for her to respond.

Lids still covering her eyes, she speaks with a harsh, yet musical voice, "Ah, Naraku. I had foreseen you coming. To what do I owe the pleasure of being in your atrocious presence?"

"As if you don't already know, Oracle of Sendai. You know the answer I seek, and I intend to find out," he bites back, steam seeping through his pores.

"If you do not have any inquiries, how is it that I am supposed to give you an answer? One cannot acknowledge a question, if there was no question given," the oracle's tone became hard, but her expression was indifferent.

Naraku grits his teeth together and replies, "There is no point in asking the question when the person already knows what is going to be asked, Oracle."

She grins in an eerie way, "That may be so; however, I would greatly appreciate it if I actually heard your question."

"I have no patience for your smart-remarks, bitch!"

He lunges, and raises his hand to backhand her when her eyes shoot open to reveal unnerving, completely white orbs. Naraku's body is suspended in mid air merely inches from her face.

She tilts her head to the side, and she makes Naraku hover so close that the tips of their noses touch. Her icy breath fans over the frozen plains of his face, "Do you dare attack me? I am sure that you are aware I can kill you without even lifting a finger. I can bring you down to your knees and damage your mentality and then force you to roam the earth," the oracle broke a few bones in his ribs without moving for a little emphasis. "Do not force me to deliver my wrath upon you, Onigumo. This will be your first and only warning." With that, she drops him like a ragdoll and he scrambles back into sitting position.

She purses her pale blue lips, "I will only ask one more time, what is your reason for coming here, vermin? You are only permitted to ask one question."

He sits, trying to come up with the appropriate question. Naraku's blood, red eyes connect with her white, "What is my fate in this life?"

"Ahh. So, you do want to know something. You of all dirt on this planet should know I do not simply give charity to those that seek me, especially those that disrespect me. What are you willing to pay me in exchange for this information?" Light blue eyebrows rise in question.

Naraku pulls out a medium blood-drenched sack from the side of his hakama. He approaches the scary woman with caution, carefully setting her pay down in front of her. He takes a few steps back to ensure a safe distance.

The Oracle of Sendai blinks in anticipation and moves her thin, long fingers to untie the heavy sack. A metallic odor assaults her nose; she licks her dead lips. The edges fall to the earth, and she gasps.

There, inside a once white sack are hearts. Not the hearts of animals, but hearts of the most courageous humans or youkai. Courageous hearts always tasted the best to her. And, yes, she loved to feast on the flesh of the living. The oracle loved it when the blood dribbled down the side of her mouth and the crunch that was present when she ate the bodies uncooked. It was her definition of a delicacy.

She picks up one of the smaller organs and holds it close to her nose, inhaling the sweet-bitter aroma. The oracle gulps and takes a bite out of the heart like it is an apple. As she chews, Naraku sees the dark liquid run down the side of her mouth and he shivers in disgust. She finishes the heart and chuckles at Naraku's gawking.

"It has been some time since I have been able to savor a dessert like this. Your payment is worthy of my answer.

"You will be able to complete the jewel and make the wish your black heart desires. However, you will meet your end by the hands of the ningen girl who travels with both demons and humans."

Recognition flashes across his eyes like lightning. "She must be referring to Inuyasha's whore. That is of no consequence, I will kill her once I gain full power. No one will be able to stop me.

"That filthy ningen will die before I will allow any such action. I will gladly take pleasure in feeling my claws glide through her weak human flesh and hearing her cries of pitiful agony." He smirks at his own brutal thoughts of her carnage. He rises to his feet and says, "I give you my gratitude Oracle of Sendai for sating my curiosity." Naraku turns his back to leave the icebox.

"A daughter of life and ultimate source of power."

Naraku pauses mid-step and about-faces to look the woman who is currently entranced. His curiosity peaks by this 'daughter,' and he intends to find out who she is; maybe he can harvest her strength or make her bend to his will.

"Whom do you speak of, wise one?" he adds to flatter her.

The Oracle of Sendai's eyes glow like the earth's molten core, and her voice booms with such force it shakes the mountain itself.

"A heart of gold will never grow old

"Stormy eyes are the cause for stormy skies

"Her happiness is the key for none will ever be free

"Her ultimate sacrifice will only suffice

"Even though she only mortal, she can only close the portal," the oracle's words echo, causing the rock around them to ripple like an ocean's waves.

The glow from her eyes recedes and she snaps her fingers nonchalantly. A hole rips into the air behind the oracle and she bestows Naraku with a wicked grin before she is sucked in, disappearing completely.

Debris fall from the high ceiling and Naraku is knocked out of his stupor. He feels the warmth of the mountain return and the ancient magic rapidly diminishes. He gathers his energy and takes off.

The ugly half-breed is able to escape from his narrow death. Naraku glances over his shoulder just in time to see the mountain crumble inward and see his children flying away from the damage.

Naraku curses the fates and the oracle under his breath. "Damned oracle. She could have killed me. She will suffer greatly. However, now is not the time to indulge myself in such imaginings. I have a jewel to complete and a miko to kill."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a/n- Hola! Obsidian here! It takes me a while to update even though the chapters are most likely going to be kinda of short.