Author's Notes: Hello everybody, just a few quick notes before the beginning of the adventure.
1. The story will be updated weekly.
2. Everything in italics are meant to be Aya's thoughts.
This story is meant to be her adventure.
3. If you enjoy it please don't forget to review.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha, it belongs to the amazing Takahashi Rumiko.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1: The Sacred Bloodline
March 4th
I already miss Okayama. The wonderful scent of green is everywhere, numerous parks and places to just plainly wander in. I always preferred living outside of Tokyo, specifically in the western part of Japan. Tokyo is just a cement jungle and honestly there are just way too many people cruising through the streets. I love nature and prefer to be surrounded by it, rather than cement blocks of business towers and retail buildings.
I was born in Tokyo twenty-four years ago to the Deguchi household. My father passed away when I was seven. "Car accident on Shuto Expressway" they always said to me, but I knew better than that. After all my family had many secrets; so it was impossible to not cause any disruptions in our family life. After the death of my father my mother Nanami was so devastated that our family friend; my godmother and my mother's best friend invited us to move in with her at their family's shrine. Higurashi Yukiko was the mother of Higurashi Kagome and Higurashi Souta.
I loved my childhood. Kagome was a younger sister to me in every way and the only reason I hated moving was that they could not come with us. Living with the Higurashi's for ten years was quite the excitement. I still remember grandpa's stories on Heian era and Sengoku period.
They are my family.
We left Tokyo after my fifteenth birthday due to my mother's work transfer to open a new branch of the Satsuma company in Okayama. I spent a long time adjusting in school back then, but eventually everything got better. It's been over seven years since I've been to Tokyo yet I am happy to see my family. I promised Kagome I would come see her on her high school graduation. I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Deguchi Aya and I have returned.
The moment the Sunrise Seto overnight train arrived at the Shinagawa train station, Aya collected her elegant grey suitcase and headed out. She was dressed in casual skinny jeans with an over-sized pine green hoodie while her dyed light brown hair was slightly wavy and all loose, nearly reaching to her waist. Her blue eyes were covered by large dark sunglasses.
Tokyo, you haven't changed. Always so busy, busy, busy.
Aya remained in her own thoughts as she caught a taxi to the Higurashi Shinto shrine. It wasn't long until they arrived and Aya paid her fare before walking up those horrifying steps up to the shrine.
I always hated these steps. Why couldn't there be an escalator? For the elderly and…well me. Seriously, hundred and eight steps until I reach the bloody top… and I have to drag this suitcase with me. Shit.
It took nearly ten minutes as Aya finally reached the top, trying to catch her breath while holding onto her suitcase," I swear, these stairs will be the death of me one day", Aya spoke breathlessly.
Aya groaned holding her side, as she looked around the shrine, noticing a black haired young woman sitting by the Goshinboku tree.
"Kagome-chan!", Aya exclaimed, recognizing her easily.
Kagome looked up as smile forming on her face, recognizing the voice.
"Aya-chan? Is that really you?" Kagome exclaimed with excitement as she quickly stood and rushed to Aya's side.
Aya nodded," Yup, all me darling. Haven't you gotten my email? It's hard to get a hold of you these days... finishing up your university entrance exams and all".
Kagome laughed nervously," ah… haha… yeah I am quite busy. My schedule is hectic… you know how it is".
Aya smiled as she responded quickly," Well I'm now here like I promised. My mother convinced me to transfer to Waseda University here in Tokyo so we can attend together".
Kagome opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a loud," AYA-CHAN IS THAT REALLY YOU? Kagome you're home!"
Aya winced at the loud proclamation as she turned in the direction of the house seeing Mrs. Higurashi waving at the two of them.
"Well I guess I gotta go say hi to Aunt Yukiko", Aya grinned as she walked off rolling her suitcase with her.
Kagome headed to the Higurashi home as well. Aya smiled as she hugged her godmother as she reached the front door.
"It's been a long time Aunt Yukiko. I'm thankful for you having me here", Aya spoke all excited to be surrounded by her family.
Kagome's mom smiled, as she let Aya to enter the house," Oh Aya-chan, you are always welcome here. Go in, the lunch is nearly ready".
Aya didn't need to be told twice and she headed in taking off her sneakers and putting on a pair of casual slippers as she went to the living room.
"Konnichiwa Higurashi-san... long time no see", Aya spoke with a smile.
"Ahh, welcome Aya, good to have you with us once again..."Jiichan responded.
"Aya-chan you should put your suitcase upstairs in your old room. Lunch will be shortly done", Yukiko announced from the kitchen as she slaved behind the stove.
Aya smiled and lifted her suitcase," Of course. Thank you Aunt Yukiko", and with that Aya headed upstairs.
Lunch was absolutely delicious. The simple yet flavorful food that was before them, caused both Aya and Kagome to stuff their faces in. Delicious okonomiyaki accompanied with miso soup and several side dishes.
"Ahh mama this is delicious…", Kagome commented, trying to chew the food quickly.
"Agreed... I missed your cooking Aunt Yukiko", Aya added, grabbing another egg roll.
"I'm glad you still like it Aya-chan. We're glad to have you here with us, I was happy to hear from Nanami that you would be coming to us but she sounded so
distressed. Is something the matter in Okayama?" Yukiko asked as she poured jasmine tea.
Aya set down her chopsticks and cleared her throat," ahhem... yes... but I will cover that part of the story after dinner if you don't mind", she added.
Yukiko smiled softly and nodded her head," Very well... Souta make sure to clean up before bed..."
Souta pouted," demo...I wanted to hear Aya-chan's story...ok", he added seeing his sister's glare. With that Souta quickly excused himself and rushed upstairs to get ready for bed.
Aya closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
I must share this with them. It concerns them. I must protect what must be protected.
"Very well. I will share what I must...just please have an open mind, alright?", Aya asked, looking around the table. Jiichan, Yukiko and Kagome nodded in agreement.
Aya exhaled," Alright, The reason why I had to come back is to protect the Higurashi-Nagano bloodline just like my father did before me... "
"What... What do you mean... protect?" Yukiko asked with a stunned expression on her face.
" Ok... ... please just listen to what I have to say. I am Deguchi Aya daughter of Deguchi Nanami and I am also the last of the Ishimizu youkai bloodline... My family
was sworn to watch over the Higurashi-Nagano blood for the last seven hundred years..." Aya spoke softly.
"Yokai?... You... but you're human like me...?... You don't look ,.." Kagome started, all in shock.
Aya raised an eyebrow and asked," How do you know what a yokai looks like?"
Kagome bit her lip, worried as her Mama nodded in agreement.
"Let her know the truth Kagome. You have nothing to lose", Mama commented as she started to clean up the plates from the table.
Kagome sighed and leaned back against the back of her chair. Her body was shaking from the sudden nerves that carried through her body out of fear.
"Alright Aya but you will listen to me first. Do not interrupt me until I say it all. Can you promise me that?" Kagome questioned.
Aya smiled at her and spoke," Of course Kagome-chan. Spill".
"It started three years ago. I was gonna go to school but I caught Souta trying to go into the locked well house because Buyo managed to get in there. So I ended up
being the cat rescuer all the way down by the well and in that moment the seal on the well broke and I was pulled down the well by a mistress centipede five hundred
years into the past" Kagome spoke, her was shaking.
Aya stared at her in disbelief as Kagome continued on.
"The centipede was demanding me to give up the shikon no tama, causing havoc on the other side of the well. I met a hanyou pinned to the tree by a sacred arrow.
To make the long story short, centipede bit out the shikon no tama from my body and I released the hanyou who destroyed the centipede with ease. Unfortunately, I
managed to shatter the shikon no tama into numerous shards and we had to collect it but we had a foe to deal with... Naraku. In the end we succeeded in defeating
Naraku and I made the wish on the jewel... but it forced me back to this time and the well hasn't worked since then... It's been three years", Kagome concluded, her
eyes rimmed with tears.
Aya processed Kagome's story in silence. It felt as if hours passed by when Aya finally looked at Kagome.
"Alright Kagome, I believe you...now believe me", Aya spoke and closed her eyes for a moment. Her appearance began to change. Her light brown hair took on a
shade of pale lavender while her brown eyes turned into beautiful forest green. Her ear elongated while a silver stripe appeared on each of her forearms and on her
neck.
Aya smiled showing off her pearly white fangs," I'm an Ishimizu yokai, who was meant to be protect Midoriko's lineage that is known as Higurashi-Nagano line…..
that's you", she stated grinning.
Kagome was stunned by her proclamation. Jiichan Takahiro held onto his sutras, freezing in place while Mama continued to wash the dishes but listened in.
"What do you mean Midoriko's lineage? What? I'm…. I'm Kikyou's reincarnation… right? I'm not Midoriko's reincarnation. I mean how could Midoriko be
reincarnated ...?What..a water yokai?" Kagome questioned still in disbelief and confusion.
Aya smiled feeling comfortable in her natural state," Don't think of it as a reincarnation Kagome because technically Midoriko is your descendant, and so was your
father and so is your grandfather. The Higurashi household has been connected to Midoriko since Heian era...my family was sworn to protect the pure lineage of
Midoriko however I do not know the reason... my grandparents knew and so did my father but he passed away before he could pass that down onto me... and by the
way yes a water yokai, we control water well... just me now I'm the last of the bloodline... but I don't know how to control it fully as my mother is not a youkai. This
is all my father's blood ", her tone softened.
Mama simply poured more tea in front of them.
"That's for the nerves", Mama simply commented with a smile.
Aya smiled softly, taking a small sip of the tea. Kagome was still in shock, trying to process the information while Grandpa stood and headed out mumbling under his
breath something about Heian era.
"My dad….. my dad knew all of this?" Kagome questioned.
"Yes, why do you think our families have been always so close? My father was your father's protector just as your grandfather's isn't that right Jiichan?.." Aya spoke as
she looked at the granfather who was drinking his tea casually.
"My father's lineage has always excelled and my father was a strong youkai but I have no knowledge from my family. My mother knows nothing and my
grandparents... they... they've gone too", Aya added.
Kagome spoke softly," but ... I thought there are no youkai in this world..."
"Actually... you'd be surprised to know that there are a lot of youkai in this time but we're hidden we've learned to assimilate but there are a lot of them that are very
old, some of them from the time of Midoriko even and those demons are the ones I need to protect you from; because of the holy powers you currently possess, you
are a target. You will be stuck with me from now on... and it doesn't matter where we go", Aya stated as if it were non-negotiable contract.
Kagome spoke up," I see.. "
Aya took another sip of the tea and lifted up a silver necklace with a simple jade stone showing it to Kagome all casually.
"This is Ishimizu heirloom which will allow me to follow the holy powers of Higurashi-Nagano line, wherever it deems necessary. So do not worry dear Kagome-chan...
that's the main reason why we'll attend Waseda University together", Aya stated all content.
Kagome groaned leaning into her mother, seeking comfort. She didn't want to inconvenience her friend this way. Mama gently hugged her daughter, giving her a soft
kiss on the forehead.
"I love you my sweet Kagome. I want you to listen to Aya. She is part of our family as your older sister. I trust her to protect you", Mama spoke with a gentle smile.
"Don't worry about me, Grandpa or Souta. We will be alright", she added.
"Hai, we will be alright. Aya speaks the truth. I will retire for the night", Jiichan quickly spoke up, slowly departing from the room.
Aya simply nodded," Aunt Yukiko, Souta and Jiichan are no longer affected. Jiichan holds no spiritual powers and your brother will never hold them.. There's always
only one child that may possess the sacred powers".
Kagome looked up at her mom for a moment before giving her another yet this time bone crushing hug.
"And here I thought... my life would be simple after the well closed", Kagome muttered.
.
March 5th
"Sotsugyo omedeto", Aya spoke, a warm soft smile upon her face.
They were all standing outside the Komae High School. Kagome, Eri, Yuka and Ayumi were all beaming, dressed in their graduation capes holding their diplomas in
their hands. Aunt Yukiko stood with Jiichan, Souta and Aya beside Kagome, the whole family filled with pride.
"Arigatou Aya-chan", Kagome spoke feeling happy.
"We were all accepted to universities...", Eri spoke enthusiastically.
"That is fantastic news. You all worked very hard", Aunt Yukiko expressed.
" I'm going to be an interpreter" Ayumi stated.
"..and I'm going to be an anchorwoman", Yuka added.
"Pfftt.. you better become Miss Campus first", Eri smirked playfully.
"Alright,, Kagome.. ready to go home?", Yukiko asked
Kagome nodded," Hai mama... Ja ne Yuka, Eri,,, Ayumi", she waved to her friends before taking off with her family back to the Higurashi shrine.
When they finally reached the Higurashi shrine, Jiichan and Souta headed inside along with Yukiko to prepare the celebration dinner. Kagome smiled as she and Aya
walked past Goshinboku towards the well.
" I want to show you the well...", Kagome spoke, feeling melancholy.
" You know just because I am a yokai that doesn't mean I don't understand feelings. I don't know how it was in the past... but... I understand that although you have
your family here... you still feel lonely... am I right?", Aya spoke as Kagome slid the wooden door to the well's entrance.
' That is odd. In the past... yokai are ruthless... definitely not filled with emotions", Kagome simply stated. She took the few steps down towards the well, letting her
hands clutch onto the wooden frame of the well.
"I love my family Aya-chan... I always will... but... I miss the feudal era. I miss my other sister Sango, I miss Shippou... Kaede-baachan, Miroku...but I miss most of
all Inuyasha... I was born to meet him... I was born to do this... I just ... I really want to see them again", Kagome continued, holding back tears.
Aya stood beside her gently rubbing her back, when she looked down the well.
"Wow... sky...", Aya uttered.
"It...it's working... the well it's working...", Kagome repeated in shock.
"Kagome?" came Aunt Yukiko's voice from the entryway.
"Mama... I...it's working...", Kagome barely managed to say.
Yukiko looked at Aya and then at her daughter. A small smile formed on her face.
"It's ok Kagome... just be home before dinner", Yukiko smiled.
"I'm coming with Kagome... no way I'm letting you go to feudal era without me", Aya added.
Kagome smiled at her best friend and at her mother. The adventure wasn't over.