EDITED/REVISED 2/19/17

Her Life – Chapter 2 – "Marco Polo"


Never, not even to this day, did he ever understand Kagome's reasoning for waiting twenty years to hand over something to its beneficiary. What was the purpose behind it? If this man mattered to her so much to leave something to him, why make him wait so long to receive it?

Every angle he could think of was used to try and find this "Inuyasha" character. Public records, private detectives, and online searches turned up nothing for him except for the actual legend of the Shikon Jewel and the hanyou Inuyasha that played a crucial part in its completion; but obviously these weren't the same men!

He'd even gone so far as to ask her three girlfriends if they knew who "Inuyasha" was. They had known who he was, had even met him once, but they didn't know anything about his place of residence or even a surname.

Finally, after five years of searching on his own, he'd gathered up the courage to ask Souta about this everlasting mystery man. The story he received though left little to the imagination…

Of course he had thought Souta was delusional when it was revealed to him the secret Kagome's double life. However, when he was shown the evidence that backed up such a claim, his eyes were opened to a whole other world filled to the brim with demons; most of which had no interest in helping a human lawyer.

Sure, the mystical creatures lived among the humans; some even in plain sight, but, that didn't mean that they liked the mortal population. Not a single demon would help him in his search…

That is until about ten years later.

During that period was when the youkai class decided to reveal themselves to Japan; wanting to live freely instead of behind their human masks. Surprisingly, Japan's mortal residents had welcomed them with open arms; not once ever being fearful of the supernatural creatures. Yet one person still hadn't been revealed – the hanyou Inuyasha.


Fifteen years more was how much longer it had taken Hojo to track down the mysterious hanyou. Fortunately, he was a patient man. Yet he wondered, in the long run, if the entire situation surrounding Kagome's death would come to flourish itself into something even worse. Would there be future repercussions?

"Guess there was no time like the present to get the ball rolling."

After a four hour drive into the mountains, Hojo finally reached the almost hidden walkway that would lead him even further up into the foothills. Pulling out a collapsible wagon, the now seventy-two year old lawyer loaded the heavy wooden trunk and began to make his way to what was hopefully the home of the man he'd been trying to find all these years. Hopefully this "Inuyasha" wouldn't be upset that it took so long to find him. That is, if he released that bit of information.

"Amazing" was too trivial a word to describe the huge house that stood next to the rocky alcove of the mountain. The outside appeared as if the entire thing was created through years upon years of standing through the elements. The weather-beaten walls held such a beauty to them that the entire house appeared as if it was created for the God's themselves. He just knew that Kagome would have loved it; she had always enjoyed things that had an older flair to them.

Pulling himself out of his reverie, Hojo continued to make his way up to the front door. After setting the trunk beside him and straightening up his suit, the lawyer gently rapped the door three times and not even a second later did the door open to reveal a familiar face he had not seen for over thirty years.

He was positive that Kagome stood before him.

"Yes, may I help you?"

Closing his gaping mouth, Hojo bowed and responded, "Good afternoon. I'm with the law firm of Nakamura, Hojo, and Hojo. I'm here to call on a man that, from what I've been told, lives at this residence. Would a Miroku Fujioka reside here?"

Obviously the woman was a bit suspicious of him. With how long it even took to find the man it wouldn't surprise him one bit if they didn't receive many visitors this far out. However, she seemed to overcome this very quickly; motioning him inside and asking him to leave his cart by the door.

"If you will please follow me I will lead you to his study."


The familiar woman led him to the study, poured him some tea, and left to find, and hopefully bring back, Miroku. While waiting he noticed the paintings that lined the walls. Each had one thing in common; they were all scenes from the Feudal Era. Every one of them different, yet you could see the same people and settings repeated. There were only four that he saw heavily constant though; an elder priestess, a monk, what appeared to be some sort of slayer and her cat, and surprisingly, the hanyou Inuyasha himself. Hojo recognized him instantly from the few photos that Souta had showed him.

He got closer to one of the paintings, just to get a better look, and noticed the name of the artist written in the corner. Before he could investigate it more though, a voice stopped him.

"I see you have an eye for fine art as well."

Turning, Hojo found an older gentleman that had just a few hints of Inuyasha's features. If his suspicions were correct, then it was just a concealment spell to fool him; Hojo straightened his suit again and bowed slightly in respect.

"Hello my name is Akitoki Hojo and I'm with the law firm of Nakamura, Hojo, and Hojo. You're Miroku Fujioka I presume?" He paused for dramatics only. "Or should I call you Inuyasha?"

Hojo noticed the frown that marred his face. Had he crossed the line too quickly perhaps?

"I am Miroku Fujioka and the woman whom you met earlier was my wife Sango. What business do you have with me?"

Wanting to get to the point, "Miroku" had them both sit down while the woman from earlier came back in with snacks and a fresh pot of tea. Hojo quickly pulled the important documents out of his briefcase. He wanted to get this over with quickly, he could tell that this man wasn't too happy to have him in his home, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why. But onto business -

"I must say you are a very hard man to track down. Took me quite a while and for that I apologize. The point though is that I'm here now. Sango, I think you'll want to stay and here this."

Sango, who was almost out the door, stood beside Miroku; ready to hear what Hojo had to say.

"Will you please get on with it? I'm a busy man; and you're trying my patience."

From Souta's stories Hojo knew the last thing he needed to do was make Inuyasha upset.

"Of course; I am here because you sir have inherited something in one of my client's will's. If you will excuse me." With a short bow he quickly left, returning with the cart containing the wooden trunk. Parking it next to his chair, Hojo opened his briefcase and pulled out his glasses and an extremely old paper.

"If you will allow me, I will read her will verbatim."

The yellowed paper crinkled as it was unfolded, declaring that it wished not to be read, but Hojo knew this was important. He began to read,

"I, Kagome Higurashi, resident of Tokyo, Japan, being of sound mind and strong (well, semi-strong) body, hereby make this my last will and testament. Any other will's that were created before this one shall now and forever be, revoked and non-existent."

A barely audible gasp erupted from the old man across from him and sadness overtook his face. Was he honestly in so much shock?

Hojo skipped to the part involving the man before him.

Finally, I leave my large wooden trunk, including all its contents, to the most influential person that has ever entered into my life. (I just hope that you can find him) I do not know what name he goes by now, (for, no doubt, he has changed it over the years to avoid suspicion) but when I knew him last, truly knew him; his name was simply "Inuyasha". If you are able to find him and deliver my trunk to him I would appreciate it…

I, Kagome Higurashi, hereby sign this will at Tokyo, Japan on this day – 19 December, 2011 and state that it is, and forever will be, my final wishes for my life's possessions.

My love to all of those I left behind."

When Hojo looked back up from the will, the elderly gentleman was gone and in his place was the hanyou Inuyasha. The woman beside him had her arm wrapped tightly around his shoulders; obviously trying to keep her emotions in check. Inuyasha though had a face was unreadable. So many emotions were overcoming him at once that no one could give a precise name to it. Did Kagome truly mean so much to him?

With bating breath, Inuyasha stood and eased his way towards the trunk where he ran his clawed fingers over the lid gently; seemingly lost in his thought. Never had Hojo seen a man look so forlorn and broken. He suspected he should hurry the paperwork along so that he could leave Inuyasha to his thoughts.

"Pardon," Sango interjected. "Do you know what is in the trunk?"

"I don't really think that matters at the moment Kikyo." Inuyasha's deadpan voice sounded throughout the room. A deep breath was taken and Inuyasha removed himself from beside the chest and heatedly grabbed a pen from his desk while he faced the older lawyer sitting before him. Anyone could tell from just a glance just how badly this news was hurting him.

"What the hell do I have to sign Hobo?"

Honestly, Hojo couldn't blame the man for being so blunt. (Or rude for that matter) He'd just revealed to him that a woman, who had apparently had a huge impact on his life, was dead If he were in that same boat he would certainly be acting the same way. The one thing he couldn't figure out though was if Kagome possibly played such an important role in his life, then why hadn't this man been a part of hers? Not once had Kagome ever talked about this man in all the years he'd known her. Nor had he seen hide or hair of him around the Shrine. Was there a reason this man was kept so secretive?

Sensing that Inuyasha was getting impatient, the forms were immediately whipped out and signed off on, the chest unloaded and set against the wall, and Hojo's briefcase closed and tucked under his arm. With the cart rolling along behind him, Hojo followed "Sango", whose real name was apparently Kikyo, to the front door. One last thought crossed his mind though and, before stepping out the front door, excused himself to quickly return to the study.

"You know, she must have meant an awful lot to you to have some of her paintings." He stated while staring at a particular piece.

"What the hell are you still doing here?! And what are you talking about? No one knows who even painted these." Inuyasha harshly answered. Did he really annoy him that much?

Hojo took a step closer, "I beg to differ. Kagome always hid her signature in her artwork. This one for example," Hojo pointed to the larger work of art over the mantel piece; the huge tree overtaking the canvas being recognized almost immediately. "One can't see it unless they look hard enough, but for me, I can see her mark as clear as day.."

Out of the corner of his eye, the lawyer noticed Inuyasha come to stand next to him to gaze intently at the painting. After a few minutes of silence, Hojo decided to leave the hanyou to his own inner musings. He had to get going anyway – it was a long drive back to Tokyo.


It wasn't until hours later that Inuyasha finally spotted what was supposedly Kagome's mark within the branches of the painted Sacred Tree and quite frankly he wasn't happy with what he found. In a way, he didn't quite understand what the words meant, yet, in another light, he thought that he did.

Guessing that he had used his brain enough for the night, Inuyasha turned to leave his study but not before taking one last glance at the now bold words staring him right in the face. He wondered again why she signed it like that.

Just why did she call herself "The Lonesome Miko"?


TOTAL WORD COUNT – 2,136 (Originally 1,976)

Update two on the revision – PLEASE FEEL FREE TO RATE AND REVIEW!