Bend and Don't Break: Prologue

DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the canon characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Sunrise, Viz and all other respective copyright owners. I do not lay claim to these characters in any way, shape or form.

Rating: PG-13/T (I'm uploading it here to be on the safe side)

Content warnings: Canon-level violence (Inuyasha), swearing, body horror, psychological horror, torture, sexual intimidation, physical abuse of minors, psychological abuse of minors, mentions of death and injury to minors, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, bigotry and prejudice

Pairings: Inuyasha x Kagome, Onigumo/Naraku > Kikyou (unrequited), Akitoki Hojo > Kagome (unrequited), past Inu no Taishou x Izayoi, male OC x male OC, female OC x female OC

Author’s notes:

Okay, I realise I'm not the first person to do an Inuyasha AtLA AU. Nor do I expect to be the last. However, this was one of those ideas that just wouldn't leave me alone. And the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to give it a shot. So here we are. :)

This is going to be a long one. I'm estimating it's going to run for at least 40 chapters.

All of the original characters featured in this story are my own creations. All of the other characters belong to the parties mentioned in the disclaimer.

This story combines various elements of both canons, so there will be some differences between the world this story is set in and the world of Avatar: the Last Airbender. You'll discover those differences as the story progresses. For now, here's where it all begins...

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Prologue

She'd fallen for the last time.

Kikyou had held them back with all she had. She'd stood tall, her face set firm against the onslaught. She'd weathered the storm as the island was engulfed in frost and flame. None of the invaders had escaped her thunder.

They hadn't gained so much as a step without a fight. She'd shattered every wave of troops. The Fire Nation's army had scattered like leaves in a tempest. She'd stood her ground until her legs could bear no more.

Yet it all came to nothing in the end.

She hit the snow at the Goshinboku's feet. So near and yet so far. Her weary arms did little to break her fall. Her strength had bled away through a thousand cuts.

"Such a shame. It's not like you to disappoint me, Avatar."

The traitor's voice was poison in her ear. His smile was even more venomous. Satisfaction oozed from his every pore. She was in his hands now and he knew it all too well.

She shook her head, wincing as pain shot up her neck. Even that effort cost her. Her vision had blurred to a haze. Her limbs were frozen hard as the roots beneath her. The remains of her sodden robes lay crumpled around her. Standing was far beyond her now, let alone bending. Even the pain was leaving her.

No. She forced her eyes to focus on her wavering hand. The full moon's light gave her a glimpse of its outline. There was still time. She reached for the tree.

He raised a hand in response. She touched the trunk for the briefest of seconds. He flicked his wrist and snatched her away with a sneer. Her outstretched finger left a streak of blood.

Laughter followed in its wake. A cacophony of voices rose to join it. Even the firebenders took mirth in her current state. The Avatar, master of all four elements, crushed in the jaws of defeat. No match for a common soldier, let alone a bloodbender. She set her teeth against them. Let them laugh. Let them laugh out their final breaths.

That only fuelled their amusement. Laughter rose around her.  Laughter colder than ice. Shadowy forms writhed above her, drawing ever closer. Hunger glittered in their eyes.

He noted their presence with a frown. For all his power, he had yet to bend a spirit completely to his will. He wasn't about to give her up just yet. He drew back his arms and hoisted her into the air.

The pain drove what little breath she had left from her lungs. Her body hung like a broken doll. One movement and she'd be shattered.

His grip was cruel but the sight that met her eyes was far crueller. The shrine was little more than blood and ashes. Fire took no prisoners. Even the children hadn't escaped their onslaught. Those who still drew breath were nearing their last.

Not even her own sister. Her eyes sought Kaede's. She was hunched over the chief elder's body, one finger pressed to her fading pulse. Her other hand clasped the side of her own face. Her remaining eye fixed her with a silent plea. Her voice had given out long ago.

Kikyou's bile rose with her fury. The reek of charred flesh was thick enough to bring tears to her eyes. She clenched her teeth against them. He'd get nothing from her. Not even if it cost her life.

"So here we are."

His voice dragged her gaze back to his face. She sharpened her glare. It was the only weapon she had left.

It bounced off him like a pebble. A smirk rose to his lips.

"I suppose I should get the formalities over and done with." His tone was heavy with boredom. The soldiers snickered at his blatant contempt. "If you're quite finished, of course."

He didn't deserve a response. Her eyes said more than enough.

"Of course. I would expect no less from the Avatar." There was mockery in every syllable.  He motioned towards the encroaching spirits. "Very well."

There was no need for his encouragement. The spirits thronged around her, scrambling and tearing at one another as they fought for their prize.

The largest one - half woman, half centipede and all monster - had already staked her claim. She'd wrapped her hideous coils around the tree, encircling her in their deadly embrace. She bared her fangs at any who dared come near. The traitor gave her a look of mild reproach. He waved a hand towards the shrine's remains.

"There's plenty to go around. The Avatar and I will continue our conservation in peace." His tone brooked no argument.

Kaede uttered a soft gasp. Horror dawned in her eyes.

"No."

The word clawed its way out of Kikyou's throat before she could force it back down. He turned on her with a smirk.

"Oh? You object?" He beckoned the spirits onwards with a smile.

That was all it took for her rage to peak. "You will do no such-"

Her voice broke into a shriek. He flung her to the ground in an instant. Agony tore its way up her spine.

His smirk widened. He watched her torment with the same dispassion he'd show a fly. His hands stayed poised in threat. When her struggles finally ceased he crooked a finger towards her. He forced her gaze back up to his.

"It's for the greater good, after all."

His words stung sharper than her wounds. She steeled her glare against him. He could bend her any way he chose but he would never break her. She drew in a ragged breath and sent the Goshinboku a final plea.

Never.

A single spark glinted in response.

"The tree!"

The soldier's cry was urgent enough to tear his attention away from her. He released her with a curse. Her face slammed into the snow. She uttered a curse of her own before she forced herself onto one elbow. Not a moment too soon. The spirit tree had answered her call.

The firebenders muttered in confusion as a sudden wind stirred the tree's branches. Some reached for their weapons. Some drew out their flames. Buds of light flickered in response. The light of hope kindled in Kaede's eyes.

Only he remained unruffled, his stare fixed firmly on the tree. It made no difference. The spirits were already backing away. They knew when their time was up.

The earth gave a sudden shudder. The firebenders' mutterings gave way to cries of dismay. The branches were blooming into brilliance. Their blossoms lit the night brighter than the aurora.

That brought the frown back to his face. He steadied himself, only for the next shudder to send a crack splintering down the Goshinboku's trunk.

The cries gave way to screams as the tree's spirit portal flared open. The wind rose to a gale. Several firebenders turned tail and fled. Most of the others backed away. Their triumph was crumbling into terror.

A faint smile broke through her pain.

The earth ceased its shuddering. The gale became a squall. The spirits scattered as the tree burst into blossoms of light. The traitor's confusion gave way to horror. A gasp escaped his throat as the same light flared in her eyes. He'd lost his chance long ago.

She reached within herself and drew strength from the Goshinboku's roots. The tree blazed like a bonfire. Life flooded back into her limbs. She reached for the squall and drew its energies around her. She gathered her breath and launched herself into the air.

The fleeing firebenders halted in their tracks. Some dived for the ground. Too late. She flung out her arms and thrust them all away. The remaining spirits were swept aside like smoke.  Even the traitor couldn't stand before her.  His scream was lost in the tempest of her fury.

Her smile was still on her lips as she gave herself up to the light. This was all the time she needed.

Time to make an end.

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Constructive criticism is very welcome!

I'm going to upload the story so far over the next couple of weeks. There are 18 chapters to date (soon to be 19), including the prologue, so I'll try to spread the updates out a bit.