Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.
Legacy of the Cursed Mask: Battle Across Time
Chapter 2: Broken Spirits
"Oh...I don't know if I can do this..." Hachi groaned miserably.
"What do you mean, you don't know?!" Azusa grumbled as she sat astride the transformed tanuki, alongside Jiro and in front of the numerous bundles of supplies that they had recently finished secured to his massive flying form. "You already did a test liftoff, so we know you can still fly!"
"Well, yes, but...I've never had to fly while carrying so much!" Hachi nervously admitted, darting an anxious glance at the she-wolf. "And the mountains are a long ways away, so..."
"Look, I'm gonna make this really simple, stupid!" Azusa growled, clenching her fists. "Either you get us back home right now, or I'll skin you alive and turn you into -!"
"Azusa, stop it. You're not helping," Jiro stated with a voice of strained patience. When the she-wolf turned her furious glare on him, he went on to add, "It is a long way back home, and Hachi is going to be carrying our weight and that of the supplies for the entire trip. That won't be easy."
Furrowing her brows at this, Azusa retorted, "Yeah, but -!"
"Could either of us do that?" Jiro broke in before she could get rolling again. "Carry all of this food and medicine all the way back to the mountains on our own?" Azusa opened her mouth to retort, only for her tongue to fall flat as she realized that she was incapable of retort in this case. Satisfied that the she-wolf was momentarily silenced, the Demon Slayer continued with, "Perhaps instead of making threats, we should be encouraging our new friend, and offering him thanks for the effort he will be making."
Noises of confusion and uncertainty sounded in Azusa's throat for a few seconds before she ultimately stuck her nose up in the air and folded her arms across her chest. "Hmph! Whatever!"
It's nice to see someone with some sense, InuYasha couldn't help but think, smirking at the way Jiro had left Azusa looking like an idiot. Still, I can't wait for Hachi to get going as well...if only so there'll be one less scrawny wolf around here!
As InuYasha looked on, studying the rest of the groups that would soon be departing for the mountains and the wolf-demon/Demon Slayer alliance, Jiro patted the transformed tanuki's back in a reassuring manner. "Hachi, I understand your concerns," he told him soothingly. "Just take it slowly, and fly low over clear ground. If you feel like you're having trouble, you'll be able to land and rest for a brief time."
"But not too long!" Azusa chimed in, darting a poisonous glare at the tanuki. "Unless you were in the mood for every demon in the area to pick up the scent of food and come after -!"
"Alright, alright! I get the idea!" Hachi moaned pathetically. Heaving a deep, wearied sigh, the transformed tanuki then gritted his teeth. "Oh, well...the sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can take a break..."
And you'll need one after going on a trip with the bitchy wolf! InuYasha couldn't help but think as Hachi heaved a deep breath and began to grunt with effort. Moving so slowly that the half-demon could hardly see it, the massive blob that Hachi had become slowly lifted up off the ground. After several seconds, Hachi and the precious cargo he carried rose up above the roofs of the buildings before tentatively started towards the mountains.
"Goodbye, my friends," Jiro called out to the people below, waving farewell as he and the others slowly flew away. "May Buddha look over you."
"Yeah, whatever! Let's just get outta here!" Azusa grumbled derisively as she lay back and folded her arms behind her head. "Damn...the sooner we get back home..."
Whatever! I'm just glad to be rid of you, bitch! InuYasha thought even as Azusa's whiny voice faded away. Then the half-demon turned his attention to the next group that was even now making final preparations to depart. The same way I'll be glad to get some space from those two...
"Are you ready to go, Momo?" Totosai inquired of his three-eyed bull, who was presently chewing contently on a patch of grass. "We've got a lot of traveling ahead of us, boy. So I hope you're ready..."
Growling in his throat as he studied the aged demon that had so recently caused so much trouble for himself and his friends, InuYasha made his way over to Totosai. "You ready to go yet, old man?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes, yes, almost," Totosai absently replied as he turned towards InuYasha. "Just letting Momo fill his belly a bit while they get themselves together."
As Totosai angled his head off to the side, InuYasha glanced about and watched as Miroku approached, with Shippo a short distance behind. "Sorry to take so long!" the little fox apologized as he bounded up to them, carrying a small satchel. "I had to get some more batteries and cards for Kagome's camera." A beat passed as the half-demon looked down at Shippo, who looked rather sheepish and explained, "Well, I figured...we were probably going to be gone for a while, and I wanted to record as much as possible for Kagome, and..."
"We understand, Shippo," Miroku nodded in a wearied manner, his few belongings bundled up and ready for travel. "And...it is very thoughtful and wise of you to take such things into consideration. After all, I...expect it will be some time before you return here, so..."
Frowning slightly at the monk's choice of words, InuYasha was brought back to the moment when Totosai spoke. "Listen, InuYasha...before we leave, I need to say something to you," the aged blacksmith began, his words heavy with concern. "I...I know that I made a grievous error earlier, using the Reikikaega as I did..."
"Gee, ya think?!" InuYasha gruffly demanded, just the thought of that utter and complete fiasco enough to fan the flames of anger within.
"Now, I was upset about how the wolf-demon girl and the others...their lack of respect for the forces that exist beyond our kin, and...well, I honestly thought that I knew the sword well enough to..." Totosai began, only to trail off, his frown wrinkling his entire face. "But that's no excuse. No matter how angry or upset I was with them, it's no excuse."
"It sure isn't," Shippo muttered, making it clear through his voice that he still hadn't recovered from his own experience with the Reikikaega. "I...I really...!"
Pausing to glance down at the little fox even as he trailed off, the aged blacksmith sighed. "I know. And whatever my intentions, I had no right to do what I did. And I am deeply sorry to be responsible for whatever suffering you endured at my hands," Totosai assured the little fox. "And that is what I wanted to discuss with you, InuYasha. For as I already explained, from what I have been able to determine about the Reikikaega, it's powers are in violation of the laws that govern life and death. If it truly is capable of what I think it is, if it really can revive a person more than once, then I can't help but fear that there may be another price to be paid for using such power. And that frightens me."
"I'm pretty sure that I heard this speech the first time, old man," InuYasha grumbled impatiently.
"What I'm saying, InuYasha...is that just I am responsible for what happened as a result of my misuse of the Reikikaega, you also must be responsible for the results of wielding such power," Totosai carefully explained. "And so, I urge you not to use its power rashly. For while your intentions are good, those intentions may yet lead to the worst of consequences. For even if it truly can restore the dead back to life, to wield such power means that you must be responsible for the unforeseen consequences of such power. Consequences that may well be far worse than the consequences of my own actions this day."
Despite the fact that he was still angry with the ancient blacksmith, InuYasha heaved a deep breath, for he couldn't help but admit that Totosai had a valid point. He had seen the consequences of Urasue's tampering with life and death in the form of Kikyo, her soul broken and split between herself and her current incarnation, Kagome. He thought of Enju and the animated army Urasue had been in the midst of creating. He thought of the corpse puppets Naraku had used, transforming his own victims into helpless slaves, capable only of acting out his cruelty.
As these and other consequences of tampering with life and death came to mind, InuYasha nodded. "I understand, old man," he slowly admitted, his hand falling upon the Reikikaega which now hung from his right hip. "But...if anything happens, and it looks like...this sword is the only way to save someone's life, then...I'm not gonna stand around and watch them die."
Several seconds passed in silence at this, silence that was only broken when Totosai finally nodded and answered, "That's fair. I can accept that." Heaving a deep sigh, the aged blacksmith looked about at his companions for this trip and asked, "Well, then...are we ready?"
"I am, Totosai," Miroku solemnly nodded.
"So am I," Shippo piped up. "Let's get on, and -!"
"Uh, hold on a second, Shippo!" InuYasha promptly broke in, holding up his hand to the little fox. When several eyes fell upon him, prompting the half-demon to give a slight smirk. "While you're at the Demon Slayer fort...I'd like for you to do a little favor for me. Okay?"
Blinking a few times in surprise, Shippo finally replied, "Uh, sure! But, uh...what kind of favor...?"
"There," Sango noted as she finished tying the last knot. Then she looked up at the boy she loved and asked, "Are you alright, Michiru? I didn't tie this too tight, did I?"
"No, I'm fine, Sango," Michiru easily answered, looking somewhat sheepish over the fact that he was presently tied securely to Kirara's back.
"We're really sorry about this, bro," Kaname assured her twin, sadness at Michiru's current state marking her features. "But...we couldn't take the chance of you falling off. And...well..."
"I understand, sis. Believe me," Michiru assured her as well, looking down at his weakened frame with a sense of disgust. "Though...the sooner I get my strength back, the happier I'll be."
I know how he feels, Sango couldn't help but think, recalling the times when she had been rendered bedridden as the result of a battle. Of being utterly helpless to do anything on her own, of being forced to laze about, day after day, as her body slowly mended and recovered from whatever damage had been done to it. I'm just glad that...as bad as things were...they weren't as bad as Miroku feels they may have been...
Shuddering once more as she thought of the dread fate that Miroku predicted would have befallen them if things hadn't been different, Sango was brought short when she felt something tugging at her kimono. Issuing a noise of confusion, the warrior woman glanced down and noted the newest member of their little group at their side. "Kanna?" she began, looking at the transformed girl in surprise and concern. "Is something wrong?"
The little girl didn't answer right away, instead glancing between Sango and Kirara. But finally, she gulped nervously and asked, "Are...a-are you sure this...safe...?"
For a moment, Sango was about to ask why Kanna was suddenly so nervous, especially since she had flown in the past. But then the Demon Slayer remembered that when she had, she had been an incarnation of Naraku, had had no real emotions. Had literally been unable to feel fear at the prospect of falling from a great height. So with this in mind, she knelt down before her and said, "You've flown before, with Kagura, haven't you?" Gulping nervously, Kanna gave a slow nod. "And did Kagura ever let you fall when you flew with her?"
Considering this for a time, Kanna pressed her lips together before giving a tiny shake of her head. "N-no..."
Smiling at this, Sango placed her hand on the little girl's shoulder. "I promised Kagura that I would take care of you, Kanna. And I will," the Demon Slayer assured her in a warm voice that held no insincerity. Seeing not the creature that Naraku had created to bedevil them time and time again, but instead, an innocent that had been Naraku's victim from the very moment she had been brought into this world. "Now, if you want me to tie you down to Kirara as well, that's fine. But no matter your decision, I promise you; I won't let you fall."
Again, there was a heavy silence as Kanna considered these words. Again, she gulped nervously as she asked, "P-promise...?"
"Promise," Sango vowed, meaning every word. "Now, let me help you up. The sooner we take off, the sooner we can get to the mountains."
Shifting about nervously, Kanna then issued a shaky nod. Smiling in response, Sango gently wrapped her arms around the little girl and, moving slowly so as to avoid frightening her, lifted her up off the ground. The former incarnation instinctively gasped and grabbed Sango tightly, but she didn't panic and allowed herself to be placed upon Kirara's back without protest. "Are you alright?" the warrior woman asked once Kanna was securely positioned behind Michiru. "Would you like me to tie you down as well?"
A few seconds passed as Kanna visibly considered this, but eventually, the former demon shook her head. "I...n-no..." she fearfully murmured. "I..."
"You don't have to worry, Kanna," Kaname chimed in, offering the former incarnation a cheering smile of her own. "I'm sure Sango and Kirara will take good care of you, the same way they'll be looking after my bro, and - InuYasha!"
Starting at this name, Sango looked over her shoulder to see that the half-demon was indeed approaching. When a tiny gasp was heard, she quickly looked back to see Kanna cringing from him. "Whoa, easy! Calm down, Kanna," she told the tiny girl before taking up position between the half-demon and the former incarnation. "I'm sorry, InuYasha, but..."
"Naw, it's okay. I get the idea," InuYasha returned with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Sorry about that, Sango, but...well, I figured that, with everyone else on their way, I'd stop by here really quick, and...see you all off." Issuing a noise of understanding even as she nodded, the woman warrior looked on as the half-demon focused on what was quite likely his best friend. "You take care of yourself, Michiru, got that? The next time I see you, I want you back to full strength and then some!"
Smiling wanly, Michiru nodded. "I got it, but..." he began, pausing to frown slightly at the bonds that were needed to keep him astride Kirara, "...I don't think I'll be taking care of myself for a while, yet..."
"Just make sure that you get better, understood?" InuYasha ordered in a voice that was more friendly barking than bite. A beat passed before the half-demon frowned and said, "Oh, and...before you take off, there's...something I was meaning to ask you about." Taking note of this, Michiru looked up at his friend with a quizzical look. "Remember when we were in the jet, and it started transforming and I pulled you outta there?"
Michiru's face paled somewhat as he grimaced, "Uh...sorry, but...I've been trying to forget that for a while..."
The chagrined expression that spread across InuYasha's face it this made it clear he understood exactly what Michiru was saying. "Yeah, sorry. That...was pretty bad." Then he grunted in his throat and asked, "Anyway, like I said, there was something that bugged me about that night. When I pulled you out of that metal bird, you were trying to grab something. So...what was it?" After a moment of looking at his friend, Michiru issued a heavy groaned and lowered his eyes in dismay. "What?" the half-demon frowned, clearly confused by his friend's reaction. "Wait, you didn't leave anything important in that thing, did you?!"
"No, no, it's...it's not that..." Michiru hesitantly responded. "But...it's just that...that thing I was...trying to reach?" InuYasha nodded, urging his friend to continue, even as Sango and the others looked on curiously. "It was the lever that fires off the ejector seat."
"Oh!" Kaname immediately gasped, clearly understanding what her brother was saying. Which was more than Sango or any of the others could say, including InuYasha.
"E...ejector seat?!" InuYasha muttered out, shaking his head perplexedly. "What...what's that supposed to mean, anyway?!"
Before Michiru could speak again, Kaname gave a nervous smile and explained, "Well, you...jets like that are equipped with chairs that are designed to launch the pilot out of the jet and to a safe distance if the jet is damaged and about to crash."
"Really?!" Sango gasped, once again surprised by the devices that have come into existence in the five centuries between this world and the one her modern friends and companions came from.
Nodding, Kaname went on to say, "Once the seat is far enough away, it deploys a parachute to slow the fall." The confused looked of InuYasha and the other Feudal members of their group making it clear that they didn't understand what she was saying, the Kururugi girl tried again. "It's...you know how a sail on a boat works, right? It catches the wind so it can move across the water, right?" Pausing as her friends nodded, Kaname concluded, "Well, a parachute is sort of like that. It's a large cloth that catches the air so it can slow a person's fall, so they can land safely."
A cloth that slows falls? Sango thought, trying to envision such a thing. I never...but then, she's right. A sail does catch the wind to move a boat, so...why can't a parachute catch the air to -?
"So - wait!" InuYasha got out, looking hard at Michiru. "You mean...if I hadn't pulled you out of the jet, you'd've been able to get us out of that thing safely?"
"Well...maybe..." Michiru hesitantly replied. "I...it might have...not worked, with the jet transforming, and..."
As Michiru trailed off helplessly, InuYasha gave a groan of patent disgust. "Great. That's just perfect..." he muttered sourly, smacking himself in the forehead. "Damn...now I really feel like the idiot Kagome's always...!"
"InuYasha, no. You...you couldn't have known..." Michiru assured him.
"That's right," Kaname seconded, placing her hand upon his arm. "Besides, you and my bro are both okay. No one died, InuYasha. That's what important."
"Yeah, maybe..." InuYasha grumbled, shaking his head in a way that made it clear that he didn't feel the slightest bit reassured by his friends' words. "I just..."
"You didn't know, InuYasha. You were just...trying to save me..." Michiru assured him. "There wasn't...time to explain. And besides...Kaname's right. We're all still here, so...it's okay." The sour expression on InuYasha's face made it clear that he did not feel okay, not in the least. Leaving the Kururugi boy to sigh as he turned his gaze elsewhere. "Uh...listen, sis? Could you...do me a couple of favors?"
Starting at this sudden request, Kaname looked at her brother and replied, "Uh, sure, bro? What is it?"
"First, while I'm away...I'd like for you to...take care of Kagome for me..." Michiru explained, causing Kaname to gape at him in surprise. "You two have been fighting a lot, and...that has to stop. We're a team, and...we have to work together..."
"I know that!" Kaname quickly protested. "But - Kagome, she's been such a bitch lately! Yelling at you, treating you like a criminal, and -!"
"I know. But...that's because she...didn't know the truth," Michiru stated, putting a bit more force into his weakened voice. "But...she does now, so...I'd like you to help her with her throat. Heal her, and...patch things up with her..."
Making a face at this, Kaname looked hard at her brother for a moment before sighing. "Okay, bro. If you say so...but I have to be honest; with the way she's been acting lately, I've really been appreciating her having to keep her mouth shut!" As these words prompted InuYasha to curl up the corner of his lip, the Kururugi girl sighed. "So...what else would you like me to do?"
"Could you give me a minute...to speak with InuYasha...?" Michiru pleaded, glancing over at the half-demon. "It's just...there's something I...wanted to talk to him about...before we left..."
Blinking a few times in surprise, Kaname then glanced between her brother and the half-demon and back again, clearly considering her sibling's request. But as she studied her brother, she gave a tiny, half-hearted sigh and nodded. "Okay, bro," she told him, moving up to embrace him. "And...you be sure to let Sango take care of you, okay? You're not slowing anybody down. Not anymore."
"Thanks, sis," Michiru replied, returning Kaname's embrace to the best of his ability. It was an embrace that lasted for several seconds before the Kururugi girl surrendered it and pulled away.
Looking sadly at her brother, Kaname sighed and gave Sango a sad smile. "Take care of my bro for me...okay, Sango?"
"I will," Sango promptly vowed, bowing her head with a look of compassion and certainty. Nodding in return, Kaname gave one more glance at her brother before sighing and turning to depart.
Watching as Kaname finally disappeared from view into a wooded area on the edge of the village, InuYasha then turned to Michiru. "Alright, what is it you wanted to say that you couldn't talk about in front of your sister?" he wondered, folding his arms across his chest and cocking his head to the side. "Or do I even need to ask?"
Issuing a tiny sigh, Michiru gave a slight shake of his head. "You probably don't, but..." Glancing off in the direction Kaname had departed in, the Shikigami User then looked at his friend. "Look...I know Kaname's been training hard, and...she's much stronger than I was when I left the first time. And...I know that she can take care of herself...for the most part..." Pressing his lips together, he then added, "But...I'd feel a lot better...if she didn't have to..."
"So you want me to keep an eye on her for you," InuYasha stated, looking Michiru squarely in the eye.
"Yeah," Michiru nodded. "I...like I said, I know she's a lot stronger than when I...came back the first time, but...there's still a lot going on that we don't understand, and...it's only a matter of time before Naraku comes after us again. And with us splitting up like this..." Pausing to swallow a lump of bile that had formed in his throat, he let his gaze drop somewhat before again looking into the half-demon's eyes. "InuYasha...you're my friend. And...well...there aren't many people that I'd trust with this, so..."
As Michiru trailed off, Sango couldn't help but smile at the clear trust that he had in the half-demon. And she was not the only one smiling; in response to the Kururugi boy's silence, InuYasha made his way up to him, moving slowly so as to avoid startling Kanna, and placed his hand upon his shoulder. "Don't worry about it," the half-demon assured Michiru. "Nothing's going to happen to Kaname. Not while I'm still around; you can count on that..."
Meeting his friend's gaze, Michiru heaved a deep breath before nodding. "I know," he finally replied. "Take care of yourself...InuYasha..."
"Same to you," InuYasha replied, clapping Michiru's shoulder once more before backing away. Then the half-demon looked Sango's way and stated, "You better get going. The sooner he's better and back here with us, the better I'll like it!"
"Agreed," Sango assured her friend. Turning to face Kirara and her riders, the Demon Slayer asked, "Are you ready?"
"Ready whenever you are..." Michiru assured Sango, while Kanna gave a belated and more fearful nod.
"Okay, then," Sango nodded. Moving carefully so as to avoid disturbing either Kanna or Michiru, she mounted Kirara. Once she was certain of her seat and her grip, the Demon Slayer looked upwards. "Alright, Kirara! Remember, stay low and take it slowly, okay?"
Kirara gave a thoughtful growl and nod of her head before her lower legs and tail lit up with flame. Gently easing herself into the air, the two-tailed feline began to stride forward in the air, making her way towards the mountains.
It was with a heavy heart that Kaname watched Kirara flying away, moving much slower and closer to the ground than she did normally. Carrying with her a good friend, a former enemy...and the brother that was so much a part of her life that she couldn't imagine losing him.
This isn't the first time we've been apart since we came here, Kaname reminded herself, recalling Michiru and how he left with Sango, Kirara, and Koga to fetch some mushrooms for Robai. But even as she thought this, the Kururugi girl let go a heavy sigh before backing up a bit and then sinking down against a nearby tree. But...still...
Despite everything, Kaname couldn't help but be worried about her sibling. For while Jiro had been optimistic that the Demon Slayers would be able to restore Michiru's strength, she couldn't help but fear that something might go wrong, or that they might not be able to help, or something unforeseen would happen. Fears made that much worse by the fact that Michiru's strength was so badly faded that to even attempt to cast a spell could end in disaster for him. And they were flying into a situation that had been unstable before and could well be far worse now.
The wolf-demons' and the Demon Slayers' supplies were extremely low on food when we left, so it must have gotten even worse since then, Kaname couldn't help but fret. And the wolf-demons, they used to eat people! If things are really bad now, what's to stop them from...from...?!
As grim images of a war for survival began taking form in Kaname's thoughts, she hurriedly shoved them to the side even as she wrapped her arms around her frame and lowered her gaze. I know why he has to go; with his powers drained like they are, he can't even move without someone's help, let alone defend himself. But...
For a moment, Kaname considered things she could have done differently, only to reject them one by one. She knew that it wouldn't have been wise for her to accompany her brother to the mountains; with the group splintering the way it was, that would have left just InuYasha and Kagome to guard the jet and to keep an eye on Kohaku. And with the possibility of Naraku and other forces coming to look for such an artifact of power, that would have been far too dangerous for her friends and the people of this village. And using her own Shikigami powers to replenish Michiru's would not only have drained her strength as well, but in his current state and with her relative lack of experience, the odds of something going disastrously wrong with that were far higher than she wanted to think about. And talking Michiru out of going hadn't been an option, for the simple reason that he needed to recover his full power as quickly as possible.
And yet...
Things were so bad between us...after he got back from his first time here, Kaname couldn't help but think, recalling how distant he had become. Wrapped up in a world that she had not been part of, a world of magic and demons and danger that she would never have believed in before. There was that wall between us, and...I don't want to go back to that. A moment passed as moisture welled up in the girl's eyes, as she involuntarily sniffled. I don't want to lose my brother again...
"Hey, Kaname!" came a sudden voice, one that jolted the Shikigami User and caused her to look up in surprise. "Is something wrong?"
"Huh - oh, InuYasha!" Kaname replied even as she looked up to see the handsome half-demon approaching. Hurriedly wiping her eyes of any sign of tears, the Kururugi girl rose back up to her feet and studied the silver-maned warrior.
"Are you okay?" InuYasha wondered as he studied Kaname's face. "Is something bothering you?"
"I, uh..." Kaname hesitated, uncertain as to what to say. For while she did appreciate InuYasha's concern, the fact was that she didn't want to burden him with her own concerns. Not after hearing of his own torments, of having him spill forth his hidden pain and fears, things that far eclipsed her own problems. "No, not really," she lied. A lie she followed with a downplayed truth. "Just...worried about my brother. That's all."
"Hey, you don't have worry about a thing! Sango will take care of him!" InuYasha immediately reassured her. "And when he gets back here, Michiru'll be as good as new! Hell, maybe even better!"
Again, those unspoken fears and uncertainties that loomed in Kaname's mind tried to return to the forefront of her thoughts. And again, she forced them to the side and forced a slight smile onto her face. "I know...it's just..." she paused, trying to find the right words to say. "He's still my brother, and..."
As these words sounded, InuYasha's eyes fell slightly, his expression darkening somewhat. But even as Kaname took note of this shift, it reversed itself as the half-demon forced aside whatever it was that was troubling him and stated, "Yeah, I know. I mean...Sango's the same way with Kohaku, so..."
As InuYasha shrugged, Kaname frowned somewhat, thinking of her own brother. "By the way...InuYasha?" Taking note of the way the half-demon glanced her way, the Shikigami User went on to say, "I...about what Michiru said to you before he left. I...I could ask what it was, but..." Pausing to heave a sigh, she let her gaze falter somewhat before adding, "...I think I...can guess what it was..."
A beat passed before InuYasha issued a sigh of his own. "Yeah...you probably could..." he admitted, nodding slightly as he glanced about uncomfortably. "Look, I...he's just worried about you, that's all. The same way you are about him, and..."
"I know, I know. I...I didn't mean anything," Kaname promptly assured the half-demon. "I'm sorry." After these two words were said, a heavy silence fell between the two of them, one that was as deep and suffocating as the ocean depths.
Discomforted by this awkward silence and drained from the events and revelations of that day, Kaname looked up at her friend and companion. "Umm...InuYasha...?" When the half-demon again met her eyes, she gave a feeble sigh. "I was wondering...do you think anybody would really mind if we...took a break or something?"
"What do you mean?" InuYasha wondered, cocking his head to the side in a quizzical manner.
"Well...it's just that...after everything that's been happening, I...I'm feeling kinda...out of it, and...well, I know that we can't really take the day off. Not with everything that's been happening. But..." Pausing to study her half-demon friend, a person possessing a good heart despite his rough exterior and mannerisms, Kaname went on to ask, "Maybe we could just...take it easy for a while? Grab a quick snack, maybe take a nap? Something like that?"
Several seconds passed as InuYasha considered this idea, before at last breaking into a wearied smile that betrayed his own emotional and physical expenditures. "Kaname...that sounds like a damned good idea," he finally declared. "Let's go. I could use a bite, and with everything that's been happening, it's probably about lunchtime, anyway."
"Good point. I hadn't been tracking the time, but...yeah," Kaname admitted even as InuYasha started towards the residence where they had been staying with their newfound friends, Tamoa, Shunsuke, and the elderly Kaito. "Besides, we have all that food you got for us," she noted as she started moving alongside the half-demon. "Be a shame not to eat it."
"Heh! You said it!" InuYasha decided as the two of them made their way through the village together.
I don't believe this... Kagome thought, standing in the shadows of a large building as she watched InuYasha and Kaname making their way down the streets of Tsuzumi Village. Both the modern girl and arrogant half-demon acting as casual as could be, like any other couple a person might see in any other city, whether in Feudal Japan or the modern world.
Kagome had not been intending to spy on either InuYasha or Kaname. With all the work that had been taking place to get Hachi laden with supplies, and her mind reeling from the staggering horrors that Miroku's theories had filled her imagination with, the modern priestess had found herself eager for some kind of distraction. Something to take her mind off of everything, all the worries and fears and her own theories and frustrations. And so she had spent some time watching InuYasha from a distance as he went to see off Michiru and his group, waiting for him to be done saying his goodbyes so she could approach him without interference. Hoping to get him alone to spend some time with him, as well as begin repairing some of the damage so recently done to their relationship.
And so she had watched as InuYasha had watched Michiru and the others depart, and had started towards him. Only for Kagome to halt when she saw that the half-demon making his way over to Kaname, who was looking down about something. Leaving the modern priestess to look on, listening as the two conversed somewhat awkwardly, without any idea of what to do.
Kagome's voice had not yet recovered from her overusing it in shouting at Kaname and sitting InuYasha, rendering her mute and unable to call out to the half-demon. And she really didn't want to go anywhere near Kaname, not with all the frustration and confusion she still felt towards the Kururugi twins, and especially since she didn't want to risk breaking the promise she had made to InuYasha to not start a fight with Kaname. Leaving Kagome with no idea as to what to do, save for waiting and watching for InuYasha and Kaname to finish speaking and to go their separate ways.
And now, Kagome was standing there, watching as InuYasha and Kaname made their way back to Kaito's home. Chatting easily amongst themselves, with the half-demon smiling at something the Kururugi girl said. Leaving the modern priestess caught between the typical jealous outrage she would feel when it came to InuYasha and Kikyo...and despair.
When was the last time I was like that with InuYasha...? Kagome couldn't help but wonder, frowning even as she started away from the warehouse she had been standing in the shadow of. Have we...ever just talked and relaxed together like that? Been able to...just enjoy being with each other...?
No matter how hard Kagome wracked her mind and scoured through her memories, she couldn't remember a single time when she and InuYasha had been able to do something so simple. Her relations with the half-demon were typically characterized by him ruining the moment by doing something really stupid or angering her and her subsequently sitting him for it. Even getting close to him was difficult at best, given his tendency to isolate himself from the others, his many years of loneliness making him harder to approach. The only times their relationship really seemed to work was when they were either hurt or sick or they had just been through another ugly battle or something of that nature.
And yet, Kagome could see InuYasha and Kaname, acting completely casual and conversing naturally as they walked along the streets. Nothing at all like her own relationship with the half-demon, which at times seemed like the metaphorical hedgehog's dilemma.
But how?! How can they be getting so close, so easily?! Kagome couldn't help but wonder. Is it because of what happened when InuYasha told her and Michiru about his full-demon self? Is it because they accepted him that...?! Then she frowned, shaking her head. But...I accepted him! We all did! We all know he's different, that he's a half-demon and all the rest of it! Why is it so different for Kaname?!
Again, Kagome considered the situation, trying to make sense of it, and ultimately failing. She knew that Michiru had gotten very close to InuYasha during his first journey and the two had subsequently become good friends, and so it made sense that Kaname, being similar to her brother in more than one way, would also become close to the half-demon. And the fact that she had reacted to learning the truth about his demonic transformation the way InuYasha had said would also make the half-demon more approachable for her. But Kagome and InuYasha had spent far more time together, bonding in ways that the Kururugi girl could not have. And yet, Kaname now seemed closer to the half-demon than Kagome herself.
And as she struggled to make sense of this, that same jealousy and anger and fear that Kagome would experience virtually every single time Kikyo showed up again made itself known, only this time much worse. For while she could accept that InuYasha genuinely loved Kagome's previous incarnation and had formed a true romantic relationship all those years ago, Kaname was a completely different matter. She had no relation to either Kagome or Kikyo, had no bonds that had been previously developed and had not spent the extensive amounts of time that Kagome had, building her relationship with the temperamental half-demon. And yet...
No...stop it...! Kagome thought, struggling to throttle down these ugly parts of herself, lest they prompt her to make another tragic mistake like the ones she feared she had already made. I...it's not like they're actually doing anything! Just...walking together and talking! It's not like there's anything wrong with that! It's...it's perfectly innocent! Harmless!
But even as Kagome thought this, images appeared in her mind; chibi versions of Miroku and Sango together in a loving relationship that was admittedly not without a few problems. Then from out of nowhere, a chibi version of Michiru popped into the picture, catching the chibi Sango's attention. The two of them would spend time together, doing perfectly innocent things, until at last the chibi Michiru kicked Miroku in the butt and sent him flying away. Then the chibi Michiru wrapped his arm about the chibi Sango, who kissed him in return, while chibi Michiru made the V-sign for victory. All the while the chibi Miroku came crashing to the ground, looked about to see that he had lost the woman he loved, which sent tears like waterfalls spilling forth from his eyes.
While this was happening, chibi versions of Kagome and InuYasha were looking on, just as a chibi Kaname appeared out of nowhere, just like the chibi Michiru. And now that chibi Kaname was spending time with the chibi InuYasha, doing things that looked perfectly innocent, until...
No! That can't happen! I won't let it! Kagome vowed as she shook her head free of that horrid image. But even as she did so, she again looked at the real InuYasha and Kaname. And despite the fact that they were now quite distant, she could still see them walking side by side. But...how can I stop it...?
For a moment, Kagome considered giving chase after them and trying to get in on the downtime InuYasha had suggested. But the very thought of watching him and Kaname enjoying themselves together made her feel sick to her stomach. And besides...even if I went, what could I do?! she wondered, pausing to massage her worn throat. I still can't talk! So if they started...all I could really do is watch and pass notes to them!
Shuddering at the thought of being in that position, Kagome shook her head miserably. I...if only I hadn't sat InuYasha so much! I'd still have my voice, and I could try and straighten things out with him! Maybe...make things better between us!
But even as she thought this, Kagome realized that there was no point in crying over what had been done. Her voice was gone, and now she had to do whatever she could to recover it, so she could sit down with InuYasha and straighten things out. Miroku had a chance to straighten things out with Sango, and he blew it! And...even if Michiru was lying, that doesn't change the fact that Sango, she...she believes in him, not Miroku! And now...I might be the one who's about to lose if I don't fix things!
Her eyes falling to the street even as she again thought about that, the scenario of the chibi images again flashing through her mind, stopping just sort of Kagome's chibi self being kicked aside by the chibi Kaname, Kagome shook her head miserably. But...how would I even do that?! she wondered fearfully. I've already been doing my best to make things work with InuYasha! What else can I do?! A lump of bile forming in her throat, the modern priestess swallowed it loudly. I want to be with InuYasha...but what can I do...?
As Kagome considered the matter, her heart sank that much more, because she couldn't think of a single thing that she could do. Not in the here and now. And especially not if she was truly guilty as InuYasha implied her to be.
I...this is all too much...! Kagome couldn't help but think, barely able to believe all that had happened this day. In the time since breakfast, the perfect love she had envisioned between Miroku and Sango had been wiped away, her belief that Miroku had been in the right had been damaged by InuYasha's words and faith in Michiru, she had heard a tremendous story of the past, and worst of all was Miroku's theory, which left her confronting fears that had long since been buried beneath fantasies and dreams. So much that was happening far too fast to comprehend, let alone cope with. And now...
I...I need to get away...to think, or...just to... Kagome thought miserably, turning and moving off in the opposite direction. Quickly losing herself amongst the people of the village as they went about their own lives. I...I can't deal with this...not now...
"So, this be your childhood home, eh, Miroku?" Totosai absently wondered as Momo slowly descended to the earth.
"Yes. This is where I grew up," Miroku confirmed even as he studied the landscape and the temple that had changed nary a wit over the years. It was certainly a bit more run down, but other than that, the air was the same, the mountain stone off in the distance was unchanged. And near where Momo had landed...
"Hmm?" Totosai started, his aged eyes settling upon an abnormality in the landscape; a massive depression, as if something had scooped out a section of the earth in the shape of a bowl. Enough years had passed since to allow the grass to grow back, and in the center of the bowl lay a stone of memorial. "What in blazes is this hole here?"
"This?" Miroku started, pausing to study the hole in question. "This is where my father died. Where his Wind Tunnel..."
As Miroku flashed back to that horrible day so many years ago, when his father's Wind Tunnel had become too large and powerful to be restrained any longer, when he as a child had forcibly restrained by Mushin lest he join his father in his fate, the aged blacksmith issued a surprised gasp while Shippo gulped loudly. "Oh!" Totosai got out, sounding somewhat chagrined. "I'm...I'm sorry, Miroku. I..."
"That's alright. I know you meant no offense," Miroku thought as he continued to study the hole before him. Memories of his fallen father flittering in his mind. "Thank you for bringing me here, both of you. I appreciate your going out of your way for me."
His eyes still upon the memorial that Mushin had crafted for his father, Miroku continued to stand there for a time, until a tiny voice asked, "Uh...Miroku? Are you...alright?"
No. And I never will be again, Miroku thought, memories of Sango turning away from him to give her love to Michiru still lurking in the shadows of memory. What he actually said was, "I...yes. I'm sorry, Shippo. There are...many memories for me here. Some good, and...some bad." Heaving a deep breath, the monk slowly turned towards his companions. "Again, thank you for your troubles. But I think you should be on your way now. There's still much that needs to be done. By all of us."
"Agreed," Totosai nodded before frowning. "Though I have to admit, I am not looking forward to carrying out my own duties...necessary though they may be." Unable to blame the elderly blacksmith for this, Miroku looked on as he said, "Well...best of luck to you, Miroku. Here's hoping you can get your Wind Tunnel fixed."
"Yeah," Shippo seconded before waving. "Bye, Miroku! We'll see you later!"
"Take care, both of you," Miroku returned, bowing his head politely to the both of them even as Totosai urged Momo into the air once more. With the monk watching them carefully even as they rose up higher, with Shippo doubtlessly pointing the way to the mountains where the wolf-demons and Demon Slayers were. Never once taking his eyes off of them...because he knew he would likely not see them again.
When at long last Totosai, Shippo, and Momo were gone from view, Miroku issued a heavy sigh as he returned his attention to the massive hole that now served as his father's memorial. Father... he thought as he once again flashed back to that dread moment so many years ago, before his own Wind Tunnel had first formed. When the abyssal hole Naraku had cursed his family with finally claimed his father's life. You never told me about...my mother...how you met...if you were married. It was always just you, Master Mushin, and myself here. Frowning as he once more thought of Sango, of how she had turned her back on Miroku and the faults that were her reason for doing so. Faults that he knew his father had. How did you meet...what was she like, and...why did I never meet her? Why...?
The memorial had no answers for Miroku. Leaving the monk to turn his gaze from the stone and the hole where he had almost died himself and look to the simple temple where he had grown up, where he had been trained in the skills needed to be a monk, to channel spiritual energy and battle demons. Where his father and Mushin had taught him every single sin he knew. And finally, with one last deep breath, started towards it.
"Master Mushin?" Miroku called out as he made his way up the stairs to the temple proper, pausing just long enough to remove his sandals before entering. "Mushin, are you there? It's Miroku."
There was no response, but that did not dissuade Miroku from continuing into the familiar surroundings. And as he did so, his ears pricked at the sound of low snoring, snoring that caused the monk to groan with certainty that he knew why Mushin was failing to respond.
Sure enough, a few seconds more of searching and Miroku found an elderly monk dressed in brown robes passed out on the floor. He was bald with large white eyebrows and a mustache, and his cheeks were the perpetually rosy color of a confirmed drunkard, and his nose was an even brighter red. He had what Miroku had heard Kagome call a beer belly, and had a tokkuri propping up his head like a pillow.
"Ugh...drunk as usual..." Miroku grumbled, grateful that this was one habit of his master's that he had avoided picking up. And as he looked at his aged mentor, he was on the verge of kicking him in the head for his wake-up call. But even as he reared back his foot to deliver the kick, Sango's angry face appeared in his mind, once again calling him out on his sinfulness. Throwing all his faults in his face more, before giving her heart to someone else. And he once again remembered his theory, a theory that was all but reality in his mind, that it was his own selfishness and sinfulness that had, in another time, brought doom and death upon his head and those that he cared for most deeply.
His insides twisting about at these things, Miroku heaved a heavy sigh before bending down and gently shaking Mushin's shoulder. "Wake up...you damned drunk," he couldn't help but say, for there was no getting around the reality of his teacher's excesses. When Mushin failed to rouse, the monk frowned that much more deeply and shook him harder. "C'mon, wake up! I need your help!"
Even as the notion of kicking Mushin awake once again flitted through Miroku's mind, his master's eyes slowly opened. Exhaling a rancid blast of boozy breath, Mushin groaned somewhat as he slowly propped himself up. "Oh...Miroku," he began, eyeing the younger monk as he made himself comfortable. "I see you're still alive."
"You won't be able to say the same if you keep drinking this way," Miroku informed him, one of the countless warnings the younger monk had heaped upon his master for his excesses.
Rolling his eyes and visibly dismissing this latest warning, Mushin asked, "So what trouble brings you back here this time? Because you can't expect me to believe that you're here just because you missed me or were in the mood to give me another lecture."
"It's a long story, but I'll do my best to keep it brief," Miroku began, sitting himself down cross-legged before the much older man. "Several nights ago, there was a bright blue light in the skies. Did you see it?"
"See it?!" Mushin gaped, his eyes widening in surprise. "Miroku, my boy, I was enjoying a good nap after having some strong sake, only to be awakened by the sensation of the strongest, purest demonic aura I had ever sensed! And when I stepped outside to see what happened, I saw a brilliant blue star hanging in the sky, cleansing the land of many demons." Snorting loudly as he shook his head in amazement at this event, the older monk added, "Just the sight of it knocked the sake clean out of me. I kid you not."
Resisting the urge to remark that it would take nothing short of a miracle to leave Mushin sober, Miroku took a deep breath and stuck to business. "That star is actually an artifact of great power that was created during a battle with Naraku's forces," he told his master. When Mushin opened his mouth in surprise, Miroku held up his hand in negation. "I'll explain as much as I can to you later," he vowed despite knowing that he could not trust his master's drunken tongue with the knowledge of the Reikikaega's existence or abilities. "But for now, I need your help. During the course of the battle, I was attacked by Naraku's latest incarnations. The creature bit me here," he spoke, holding up his right forearm, "and later, I discovered that its bite had somehow disabled my Wind Tunnel." Pausing just long to make certain that Mushin's sake-addled mind was processing everything that was being said, Miroku went on to say, "Later on, when the creation of the artifact you witnessed was being set in motion, it's power began drawing in multitudes of demons, and was pulling into itself anything with demonic power. Including that contained within my Wind Tunnel."
His eyes opening even wider, Mushin asked, "Uh...so what happened?! Given that you're still here before me, I'm guessing you weren't sucked into that blue star."
"Indeed. But it almost happened. And if not for the fact that one of my...allies was able to anchor me to the ground, I would have been pulled into the star myself," Miroku admitted, unwilling to use the word friend when he was no longer certain he deserved that title. "However, while I was able to avoid being pulled in, the object you saw was able to rip huge amounts of demonic matter out of the Wind Tunnel." Wincing as he once again recalled the sheer agony he had felt as everything the cursed void in his hand had ever consumed had been forcibly pulled out of it, the monk lowered his arm once more. "In the days since then, I discovered that the Wind Tunnel had been stripped of much of its former power. The winds are almost nonexistent now."
"Really?" Mushin returned, glancing down at the cursed hand before eyeing Miroku. "And what would you like for me to do?"
"You know the Wind Tunnel curse as well any human could. And we both know that it's my best weapon against Naraku," Miroku began, again holding up his cursed hand to his mentor. "I was hoping that you could examine it for me. Perhaps see what is wrong with it."
Frowning somewhat, Mushin heaved a smelly sigh before muttering, "Alright, Miroku, but...what you're describing is completely unlike anything I've dealt with before, either with your father or grandfather. So I can't make any guarantees I'll be able to help you with this." Nodding his understanding, Miroku watched as his surrogate father took gentle hold of his right hand and began lifting up the cloth that concealed the Wind Tunnel from view. "Now, let's see what we have to...huh?!"
"What?!" Miroku wondered, suddenly alarmed by his master's reaction, his expression of consummate astonishment. "Mushin, what is it?!
A few seconds passed before Mushin replied, his eyes narrowed and serious. "Miroku...when was the last time you opened your Wind Tunnel?"
"Several days ago, when I checked to see if it had recovered from the bite of Naraku's incarnation," Miroku admitted. "Why? What is it?"
A beat passed before Mushin heaved a deep sigh. "Miroku...I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for you in this case."
Starting somewhat at this statement, Miroku then narrowed his eyes at his old master. "Mushin, you had better not be about to make some joke about me being about to die, or -!"
"This is no joking matter, Miroku!" Mushin declared, forcing his palm up so that the monk could see it. "See for yourself!"
Miroku did see. And what he saw caused his eyes to widen in astonishment and his mouth to fall open in shock.
For the Wind Tunnel...was gone.
"Wha...?" Miroku gasped as he brought his right hand up closer to his face so as to study it carefully. And what he saw was bare, unblemished flesh. Unable to fathom this reality, he turned his hand this way and that, studying the palm of it from every conceivable angle. Again, he saw nothing. There was absolutely no sign of the abyssal hellhole that was Naraku's curse upon his family.
"I can't fix something that doesn't even exist anymore," Mushin remarked, smiling coyly at the young monk. "Now can I?"
Still staggered by what he was seeing, Miroku required several seconds to recover from this shock. "But...!" he started, pausing to shake his head in disbelief. "How...how is this even possible?! Naraku, he still lives, and -!"
"Well, this isn't the first time the Wind Tunnel's disappeared, now is it?" Mushin wondered in a rhetorical manner.
"I - yes, but -!" Miroku sputtered out, still trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Pausing to take a deep breath, the monk looked hard at his surrogate father. "Master Mushin, it doesn't make any sense! In the past, Naraku erased the Wind Tunnel to trick us into believing that we had managed to kill him! To maintain the illusion that he was dead so he would have time to recover and prepare for whatever plan he had in mind! Why would he erase the Wind Tunnel like this?!"
"Perhaps he didn't," Mushin declared, looking Miroku in the eyes, his words steadier than they had any right to be. "You said that that blue star pulled all the demon power out of the Wind Tunnel, right?"
"Yes," Miroku answered, already realized what Mushin was about to say. "But - the Wind Tunnel was still with me, even after the battle! It was still here," he added, holding out the palm of his right hand, "just days ago! I swear it!"
"I'm not accusing you of lying, Miroku...for once," Mushin remarked in a snarky manner. "I'm saying that perhaps, while that star didn't immediately destroy the Wind Tunnel... it may have done critical damage to its foundation."
Frowning somewhat at these words, Miroku narrowed his eyes and returned, "I'm...not sure what you mean."
"Well...take this temple, for instance," Mushin began, thumping his hand gently upon the hardwood flooring. "It's built upon a nice, sturdy foundation, right? That's what supports it." Miroku nodded to this, though he still wasn't sure where his old master was going with this. "Same with those big, fancy castles and mansions the rich folk live in. Those big buildings are only able to stay up straight because they have strong foundations to support their framework. And if anything were to happen to it...say, for instance, if something were to yank that foundation right out from under the building..."
As Mushin trailed off, Miroku realized what he was saying. "So...you think that the jet - I mean, the star - what it pulled out of me...was the foundation of the Wind Tunnel curse?"
"In a sense," Mushin confirmed with a nod. "Like all demonic artifacts and beings, the Wind Tunnel was dependent upon the demonic power it's infused with in order to sustain itself. But when that power was pulled out of it, the Wind Tunnel began to dissipate." Then the aged monk tapped the palm of Miroku's hand, adding, "And ultimately, it collapsed completely. Fading away to nothing."
It made sense, Miroku thought. And the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Swords like the Tetsusaiga were dependent upon demonic power, and so were vulnerable to the spiritual power of Kagome's Sacred Arrows and other sacred artifacts. And his own ability to destroy demons came from his channeling spiritual power to destroy the demonic power that sustained them. So if the jet had truly extracted the demonic power that had been at the heart of the Wind Tunnel curse, then it made sense that the curse would ultimately break down.
But even as he thought these logical thoughts, Miroku's mind reeled in astonishment at what this meant. "But...that would mean that..."
"That's right, my boy," Mushin nodded, smiling brightly. "If I'm right...then you're finally free of the Wind Tunnel curse."
Free. Free of the curse that had ultimately consumed both his father and grandfather. Free of the plague that would doom him to die a most horrible death, and would subsequently doom any and all children that Miroku might have. Free of the need to hunt down Naraku in order to save his own life.
Free of the most powerful weapon Miroku had had to defend himself and destroy demons.
"I...I don't...can it really be this easy?" Miroku wondered, his eyes again falling upon his bare hand. "Naraku, he - we both know that he's erased the Wind Tunnel in the past, so..."
"And what possible reason would he have for doing it this time?" Mushin wondered with a raised eyebrow. "You haven't fought him, so there's no reason to think you've killed him. And I don't expect that he's stupid enough to think that you'll believe that he's just rolled over and died for your convenience!"
That was true, Miroku was forced to admit. Naraku had no reason to dispel the Wind Tunnel in this instance, no trick to lend credence to. In fact, given the staggering defeat their nemesis had recently suffered, it was much more to his advantage to maintain the Wind Tunnel, to make Miroku vulnerable to being cut by it or by being stung by his Saimyosho. No matter how hard he thought about it, the monk could think of no rational reason for Naraku dispelling the Wind Tunnel in this case.
"Then...is this real...?" Miroku wondered, again studying the palm of his hand. "I'm...free? Forever?"
"Well, the 'forever' part remains to be seen," Mushin admitted. "But, one thing's for sure; if you came here for me to look at your Wind Tunnel, then...well, there doesn't seem to be much reason for you to stick around." Then he gave Miroku a lopsided smile and added, "That is, unless you're in the mood to spend some time with an old man, getting him caught up on what's been happening in your life."
As Miroku continued to study the spot on his hand where the Wind Tunnel had once been, he heaved a deep breath. "Actually...I think I'll do that," he finally decided, lowering his arm and looking at his master. "The others...aren't expecting me back for some time, anyway. And in all honesty, I could use some time away from them." When Mushin furrowed his brows at this, the monk added, "A lot has happened since I was last here, and...there is a great deal I need to meditate upon."
"Oh, boy. Sounds like a lot has been happening since I last saw you," Mushin groaned good-naturedly. "Tell you what; why don't you go purify your filthy self while I put together something for us to eat? We can talk about everything that's been happening over lunch."
Still stricken with shock over the idea that his Wind Tunnel may, in fact, be truly gone but Naraku still lived, Miroku heaved a deep sigh. "I think that sounds like a good idea," the monk decided, getting back up to his feet. "And as I said...there is much that I need to think about."
But even as Miroku began preparing for a ritualistic cleansing and meditation upon his sins, he again glanced down at his right hand. But if you're right, Mushin...and the Wind Tunnel truly is gone... he slowly thought, considering everything that had been happening in recent times, then my next decision...has become simpler to make...
"Wow..." Michiru breathed in low astonishment as the eastern caves of the mountains that were the home of the wolf-demons came into view. Caves that had become the temporary shelters for Daisuke and his band of Demon Slayers as they worked to build their new homes. "They've...been busy while we were gone..."
"They sure have," Sango remarked, her voice low with awe as she surveyed the fortress was in the process of being built. The area denoted by the outer walls of this new fort were much larger than that of her own fort, and even that of the fort that Daisuke and the others had been forced to leave behind. The outer walls seemed to merge seamlessly with the sheer wall of mountain stone, and there were several towers situated about the walls. Four of the towers were larger and taller, with two positioned at the front corners and the other two just before the mountain face, while the remaining three towers were placed at the center of each wall. At the center of the eastern wall was a massive gate and drawbridge over a moat that now surrounded outer wall. Realizing that this would make for a good defense against any landbound enemy that might try to break in, Sango also took note of the shrines that were now situated at the top of each of the four larger towers. Shrines that she realized had to be fitted with the barrier stones that Michiru and the Shikigami Users amongst the Demon Slayers had crafted, giving them further protection from attackers. And while there weren't many buildings within the fort proper, it was obvious considerable progress had been made.
Still, it will be a long time before this place will be a true home for them, Sango knew as Kirara flew closer. Aloud, she said, "How are you holding up, Michiru?"
"Uh...a bit sore, but...I guess I'm okay..." Michiru assured her in a wan tone. "Though...I can't wait to get these ropes off..."
Sango couldn't blame him for this. This had indeed been a long and uncomfortable trip for everyone. Kirara, though a strong and brave friend, wasn't used to carrying three passengers, especially one that needed to be tied to her body in order to stay on her back. And Kanna, still forced to deal with the terrors of an emotional being, had spent the entire trip clinging to Michiru for dear life, her eyes screwed shut. And Sango couldn't imagine how sore and tired Michiru must be after such a trip.
As they got closer, Sango noted a Demon Slayer emerging from the shrine that stood atop one of the larger towers, and although she couldn't make out his words when he called out, she could see him waving in their direction. Taking this to mean that they had been recognized as friends, the warrior woman guided Kirara downwards. As they descended past the fort walls, there was no sign of opposition; quite the contrary, for as the two-tail came down to land, several Demon Slayers were already approaching. To her surprise, they were led by two very familiar faces.
"Daisuke! Haruna!" Sango called out as Kirara placed her feet upon the solid ground. "I...I wasn't expecting..."
"But we were," Daisuke said by way of explanation. The leader of this group of Demon Slayers wore a uniform similar to Sango's and was a large, thickly built man with a weathered face and the beginnings of a beard. And despite the fact that the pressure of recent events was weighing heavily upon him, he still smiled happily at the sight of the group of young warriors. "You see, Jiro, Azusa, and Hachi have already been here. And while they were dropping off some of the food and medicine, they told us some of what's been happening."
Pausing to consider this, Sango frowned slightly. "Then...you already know why we're here."
"Indeed. Jiro told us about what happened to Michiru," Haruna added as she studied the worn Kururugi boy. The head of the Shikigami Users among the Demon Slayers, she was an attractive older woman with long dark hair who clothed herself in a stylized white kimono and blue hakama. "And...I can see that he wasn't exaggerating as to your condition..."
"Hello, Haruna..." Michiru spoke, looking somewhat embarrassed at being seen like this. "I, uh..."
Placing her fingers upon Michiru's lips and thus silencing him, Haruna said, "There will be time enough for talk later. For now, let's get you all someplace where you can rest and be comfortable. It's a long trip from Tsuzumi Village to here, and from what Jiro has told us, you've already been through a great ordeal."
"Agreed. We can discuss this inside, where's it more comfortable," Daisuke nodded. Then he glanced about at some of the nearby Demon Slayers and ordered, "Hayate, Ebisu, Mi! Come help us with -"
"Uh, hold on!" Sango protested, holding up her hand to Daisuke. When the Demon Slayer leader frowned in surprise, the woman warrior turned towards Kirara's other rider. Trembling nervously at the sight of so many people, so many other Demon Slayers, Kanna all too eagerly reached towards Sango as she wrapped her arms about the former incarnation. Lifting her up off of Kirara's back, Sango cradled Kanna in her arms before turning once more to Daisuke. "I'm sorry. It's just...Kanna, she's...she's not good with strangers, and..." A beat passed as the warrior woman noted the frown the mention of this name brought to Daisuke's face. "Uh, wait...Jiro, did he...?"
"He told me about Kanna, though he didn't have time to tell me everything, and said that you would explain it to me later," Daisuke stated, eyeing the little girl who was presently shedding tears of fear upon Sango's chest. "And make no mistakes; this is a story that I will want to hear as soon as possible."
Realizing Daisuke's subdued anger and understanding it as if it were her own, Sango nodded. "Alright. But if it's all the same, I'd rather talk to you about it in private," she politely requested. "It's...a long story."
"I don't doubt it," Daisuke declared, heaving a deep breath as he visibly set aside what anger he might have had for the girl that had once been Naraku's creature. "Alright, everyone, let's get the boy untied and to the medical center. It's the best place for him in his current state."
Watching as the three Demon Slayers moved towards Kirara and began to efficiently untie the bonds that secured Michiru, Sango nonetheless frowned. "The medical center?" she asked, looking towards Daisuke. "What...?"
"It's one of many innovations and inventions we've been able to make since you've left," Haruna declared with an air of pride. "By using techniques and knowledge from the texts Michiru lent to us, we were able to create a special building for medical treatment that protects and sterilizes infections that hide in the air."
"Huh?" Michiru started, looking perplexed even as the three Demon Slayers finished untying him. "There's...a spell for that? But I...?"
"There certainly was. In fact, there is a great deal of knowledge to be found in the texts you let me copy," Haruna assured him. "Knowledge that has proven to be invaluable us in the short amount of time we've been able to draw upon it."
As Michiru was eased off of Kirara's back, it was clear from his expression that he still didn't know what his fellow Shikigami User was talking about, "I...I'm sorry, but...I don't remember..."
"That's okay. I don't always remember half the spells I know," Haruna assured him. "Besides, you're exhausted. Your memories are doubtlessly playing tricks on you."
"I know how that feels," Daisuke nodded. "Come on. Let's get our friends to the medical center. I'm sure they could use some time and rest now."
Nodding as one, the three Demon Slayers lifted Michiru up off the ground, eliciting a surprised squawk from the Shikigami User as he found two of the warriors under his shoulder and the third with Michiru's legs propped over his shoulders. Watching as the trio carried the boy she loved away, Sango paused just long enough to set Kanna down on the ground. Taking the former incarnation's hand in her own, the woman warrior fell in step behind the trio even as Kirara returned to her smaller, cuter form. Even as the two-tail fell in step with her mistress, Daisuke and Haruna began moving alongside them.
"Daisuke...did Jiro tell you about Totosai?" Sango wondered, directing a sideways glance at the head of this group of warriors. "He's the one who forged InuYasha's sword, and...well..."
"Jiro mentioned the blacksmith you speak of," Daisuke confirmed. "However, he has not arrived yet."
Frowning somewhat, Sango decided that this made sense, given that Totosai and Shippo would be first traveling to Mushin's temple before coming here. "Listen, Jiro, he...he told me that you might be able to help Michiru regain his strength," Sango hesitantly mentioned. "Haruna...do you really think you can help him?"
"Oh, certainly," Haruna declared without hesitation. "Jiro told us about how his powers were overused by that cursed mask. And while the strength of his spirit may have been drained, I can still sense the power of his Shikigami. It will take a few days, but we will be able to restore his powers to full."
Issuing a sigh of relief at this, Sango smiled and replied, "Thank you. I...I know that you already have a great deal that needs to be done, and -"
"Think nothing of it, Sango," Haruna broke in, holding up her hand and smiling her reassurance. "You and your friends have already done so much in the name of our alliance with the wolf-demons. As far as I'm concerned, you are all members of our group, and deserve the same protections as the rest of us."
Daisuke glanced at Haruna, a slight shadow appearing upon his face at her words. But Sango didn't think anything of it, and instead continued alongside the group until they reached a large building, one of the few that she had seen to be completed from the air.
With Daisuke sliding the doors open, the group entered, with the trio of Demon Slayers carrying Michiru in first. As Sango entered, she frowned, for there was a strange scent in the air. Noting her expression, Daisuke smiled sympathetically. "I know. The scent of this place is disturbing," he nodded as he glanced about the wooden interior of what appeared to be a fairly traditional building of this time, though the walls were all wooden and were inscribed with various talisman and symbols. "But I can't deny that the warriors who are being treated here are certainly healing faster. And wounds that are cleansed here don't suffer infection, and that's what matters."
"Agreed," Haruna noted. "Let's find our young friend an empty room where he can rest." As the three Demon Slayers carrying Michiru nodded and made their way down a nearby hallway, she then glanced back at Sango and Daisuke. "If you'll excuse me...I'd like to spend some time with Michiru. There are some...matters I need to discuss with him. In private."
Again, a shadow appeared on Daisuke's face, a deeper one than before that definitely drew Sango's attention. "Haruna..."
"I won't pressure him, Daisuke. Certainly not in his state," Haruna promptly assured her leader. "But as I've already told you, I feel this is vitally important to the future of the alliance. And as I've said -"
"I know all that," Daisuke broke in, annoyance creeping into his words. "But he's a young man, and not formally a member of either tribe of this alliance. And after everything he and his friends have done -"
"I'll simply talk to him. Nothing more," Haruna assured Daisuke again. Before another word could be said, she started down the same hallway that Michiru had been carried down, an odd smile on her face.
Bemused by this strange conversation and the things that had clearly gone unsaid, Sango looked at Daisuke and wondered, "What was all that about?"
Heaving a deep sigh, Daisuke shook his head sourly. "A lot has been happening since you left us, Sango," he stated in a tired manner. "And...for now, let's just say that Haruna and I have been...disagreeing on certain matters." For a moment, the woman warrior frowned and was about to ask what Daisuke meant when he said, "Come. Let's find a room where we can talk. You can fill me on some of what's been happening lately."
This place smells like a hospital, Michiru couldn't help but think as he lay in the simple room the Demon Slayers had carried him into.
It wasn't exactly the same, of course. But as Michiru lay in bed, sniffing at the air, he couldn't help but be reminded of that same antiseptic smell that clung relentlessly to doctor's offices and hospitals. But even as he was about to ask what was causing this scent, Haruna's voice sounded, "Mi? Hayate? Ebisu?" as the three Demon Slayers turned about, the somewhat older woman appeared in the doorway. "Thank you for helping with Michiru, but...if you please, I'd like to speak with him."
"Of course," Mi replied, bowing her head politely before glancing back at her companions. "Come on. There's still a great deal for us to do." As the other two Demon Slayers nodded their assent, Mi led them out of the room.
Once the three Demon Slayers had left, Haruna entered the room and closed the door behind her. "Hello, Michiru," she greeted him, bowing her head politely. "It's good to see you again, though...I wish it were under better circumstances."
"So do I," Michiru admitted, not for the first time embarrassed to be in his current state. "Haruna, I...I heard what you said to Sango. About...helping me recover, and...I really do appreciate that..."
"And as I said to Sango, as far as I'm concerned, I feel that you are as much a part of this alliance as any Demon Slayer or wolf-demon," Haruna assured him. "So you need not worry." Reassured by his fellow Shikigami User's words, Michiru nodded. "However..." she began, cocking her head to the side, "...there is something important that I wish to speak to you about."
"I heard," Michiru nodded. "So...what is it?"
"It is a critical matter, one that I feel to be extremely important to our future. Not just the Demon Slayers, but to this alliance as a whole," Haruna declared in all seriousness. "Remember when you let me copy your family's texts?" Nodding to this, Michiru lay back and listened as the veteran Demon Slayer continued. "As I told you before, the knowledge inscribed with them is extremely advanced, far more than the scrolls I had lost."
Getting a bad feeling about this and wondering once again how many advances his family had made in unlocking the powers of the Shikigami since the Feudal Era, Michiru asked, "Uh...Haruna...? You haven't...shared any of the -?"
"No, no. You need not worry about that," Haruna swiftly assured him. "We will not share what you've given us with anyone beyond this alliance." Satisfied by the sincerity of Haruna's words, Michiru relaxed a bit. "But as you know, we lost many good friends in the battle that destroyed our old fort. And if I have to be honest...even if they were still with us, we simply don't have the numbers to utilize what you've given us to its utmost."
Perplexed by this statement, Michiru asked, "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is that having knowledge is not the same as knowing how to utilize it properly," Haruna explained. "And while we have been able to conduct some experiments using the knowledge you've given us, we've barely been able to scratch the surface of what I feel we can accomplish with it. There's so much more that we could do if we had more people who wielded the powers of the spirits."
Pausing to consider this for a time, Michiru eventually gave a weary shrug. "Well...they do say that...many hands make light work..." he finally admitted. "But...why talk about this...with me...? What can I do...?"
The instant this question was sounded, Haruna gave a slight smile. "You can let me bear some of your children."
It took several seconds for Michiru's mind to register exactly what Haruna had said. And when it finally did, his eyes bulged clear out of their sockets.
"WWHHAAAAATTTT?!"
Author's Notes: So, I'm betting that nobody saw that last line of Haruna's coming. What exactly is she after? You'll have to wait to find out. Until then, please, read and review! And maybe check out my other stories?
Now, I know some of you might think I'm over-angsting Kagome a bit here in regards to her reaction to seeing InuYasha and Kaname together, especially since only a relatively small amount of time since InuYasha confronted her about Michiru's innocence and even less time since she heard Miroku's theory. But I'd have to think that, given how these things have overwhelmed her, she would be even wary about how her own actions have affected others, and that much more fearful that she might have driven InuYasha away through her own mistakes. I hope this makes sense.
BloodPokemon101, sure. In fact, if you like, why don't you just send me the information on these OCs. I can't promise I'll use them, but I'm always open to ideas.
TurboDuel, then just keep reading, because what I have planned will likely blow your mind.
Guest, the panther tribe is a possibility, though I make no guarantees.
crossMIRAGE19, thank you. This story started because, when I played "InuYasha: Secret of the Cursed Mask", I really liked the dynamic of the Michiru/Sango relationship, and wanted to explore it. And then I decided to include Kaname, and the rest is history. There are also a lot of things that I feel Rumiko Takahashi never really took advantage of, such as the time travel aspect, and I wanted to work with that. Thank you for your kind words, and I'm glad you're enjoying the InuYasha/Kaname pairing.
Fenikkusumaru, here's the latest chapter. Hope you enjoyed.
LeonioAria Niru, well, what can I say? I played "InuYasha: Secret of the Divine Jewel", felt that Janis has a lot of potential as a character, and wanted to explore it here. As for how she gets back to Japan and the rest...you'll just have to wait and see. In regards to Kagome, she's having a difficult time, letting go of her fantasy, especially in light of the alternative that she helped create the disaster Miroku theorized. Miroku is going to be spending some time dealing with what he's done. I hope you enjoyed this latest InuYasha/Kaname moment, and Kanna is cute like this, though it will be some time before she recovers from what's happened to her. But Naraku isn't going to try and get Kanna back, though; now that she's human, he feels she's useless to him.
Frosty Wolf, let's just say that this new incarnation is going to bring a lot of misery to InuYasha and the others.
IrishKatana, I'll about giving Michiru the Flower Bloomer.
Demons of the arch angel, I'm not a fan of Sesshomaru, to be perfectly honest.
Dragoon Swordsman, glad you enjoyed the Michiru/Sango scene, and yeah, Kanna is going to be a part of their family.
Mickol93, Michiru and Sango will stay together, though it will take some time to forgive herself, especially with what comes next.
inginuyasha, I'm glad you're looking forward to Janis. As I said, she has a good deal of potential as a character. More Michiru/Sango and InuYasha/Kaname moments are coming, and yeah, I could never see InuYasha with Kagome. It's clear that she feels no guilt for her abusive ways, and she's made it abundantly clear that she doesn't trust InuYasha in the slightest. You'll have to wait and see who Kurogasa is, and if this is indeed the Band of Seven on their way. Oh, right, I haven't updated that list. I'll have to work on that. Sorry.
Keep Calm and Be Ninja, well, I'm always trying to improve my abilities as a writer. You'll have to wait and see who the old man, as well as for the answers to your questions.
Uruz 11, I know what you mean. And I'm glad you enjoyed the recap in the previous chapter. Unfortunately for Sango and the others, there will be some additional consequences of being struck by the Reikikaega, but you'll have to wait and see what those are. I do agree that Sango tends to punish herself far too much, and I'm glad you liked the scene with her and Michiru at the Promise Shrine. Miroku and Kagome will be struggling with the consequences of their actions for a while, but they will continue to have problems for a while. And yeah, Kagura's in a very bad position, and she knows it. I'll be working something for her. As for the identity of the old man and girl, you'll have to wait and see.
Raidentensho, anything's possible.
Xthenjazziesaid, yeah, it's really going to be hitting the fan in the near future. Anyway, Koga will be showing again soon.
Deiru Tamashi, thank you for the kind words. You're right in that it won't be smooth sailing with Kagome. And you can expect plenty of trouble to be heading towards InuYasha and the rest of the gang, particularly with Naraku's latest scheme. As for Janis...wait and see.
J4RRE77, Miroku's not getting off the hook anytime soon.
