The stranger stands up. He's surrounded by a mysterious, though beautiful golden light.
'No way in hell! This can't be…' Inuyasha and Sesshomaru look surprised and wide-eyed at the stranger.
'Father!'
Inuyasha and Sesshomaru follow Miyuki, the seishin no Onnanoko (=girl of the spirits) they found after destroying So'unga, to the afterlife. She says that she has to bring them there because someone wants to meet them there. Before they enter the world after this one, performs Miyuki a little miracle. From dirt, water and grass, along with a shard of the sacred jewel, she's able to give Sesshomaru an arm again. And it will grow as a real arm, as long as she can take care of it for the next three weeks.
Whenthey arrive in the world after this one, Goshinki, an old foe of Inuyasha, appears. They're saved by a strange spirit. A spirit who is quite familiar to both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.
Chapter 3: The last goodbye
"Milord!" Miyuki runs towards the stranger, makes a quick genuflection and then jumps into lord Inu no Taisho's arms. "Ikuymi! It's so good to see you again," Inu no Taisho says happily and smiling. "Father and the seishin no Onnanoko seem pretty close," Sesshomaru says, stating the obvious, just to know for sure that he isn't dreaming. "I hope it doesn't turn out we have another sibling walking around somewhere," Inuyasha says. "I don't think I can stand another half-breed sibling," Sesshomaru says. "Geez, how nice of you," Inuyasha says with a sarcastic undertone in his voice. The two brothers look toward Miyuki and their father. Miyuki is giggling with childish joy while Inu no Taisho hugs her. "So, Ikuymi. Did you bring me my sons?" Inu no Taisho asks when he stops hugging his former servant. At least, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha are still assuming that Miyuki was their fathers servant, but they're not entirely sure about it anymore. Miyuki jump out of Inu no Taisho's arms and land between him and his sons, in a genuflection.
"As I promised, milord. May I present? Lord Inuyasha and lord Sesshomaru, Warriors of the Sun and sons of lord Inu no Taisho, the great dog demon of the land of the west and first Warrior of the Sun," Miyuki says formally, introducing her young lords to her late lord.
"Warriors…"
"…of the Sun?"
"Don't worry, my sons. It's a title for those who decided to travel alongside Ikuymi. She just loves to give almost everything a nickname," their father says, trying to reassure his sons. Miyuki stands up again. "Was that formal enough, milord?" she asks with a childish smile on her face. "It was perfect, Ikuymi. Now, let me see my sons." Inu no Taisho walks towards his sons, Miyuki stands behind him, out of the way. "Geez, you boys have really grown." Both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru can't find anything to say. Miyuki looks towards her lord. 'Oh God, he's gonna do it. Poor boys.' Miyuki thinks while looking at Inu no Taisho.
"It's good to see you boys all fine. There's just one thing I'm not that happy with," Inu no Taisho says slowly.'He's gonna say it!' Miyuki covers her ears.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW YOU BOYS BEHAVE!" yells Inu no Taisho furious. The boys let their heads hang. "Sorry dad," they both say with a little voice. Inu no Taisho continuous yelling at his sons about their bad behavior, like fighting over his heirlooms all the time and the fact that they're still trying to kill each other, even though they have the same goal. "I should've known that this would happen," says Miyuki while her lord keeps yelling on. "Milord, shall we proceed to the mansion?"
"Huh? Yes, let's go." Inu no Taisho walks to the edge of the lake, followed by Miyuki. "My young lords, are you coming along?" Miyuki asks over her shoulder. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha follow Miyuki and their fathers' spirit.
"Welcome to my humble home." Inu no Taisho guides Miyuki through the giant portal, but Inuyasha and Sesshomaru remain standing before it, completely astonished by the giant mansion. "My young lords, are you coming along?" The 'spell' on them is broken and they walk after Miyuki and Inu no Taisho. "You got yourself a nice apartment, milord," Miyuki says while she looks around. "All thanks to you, Ikuymi. All thanks to you."
"Hihihi, you give me too much credit, milord. You always did," Miyuki says giggling. "Well, give me wrong. You were the one who got me this nice 'apartment'," Inu no Taisho says, with a complete serious face and voice. "Anyway, did something interesting happen during my absence?" Miyuki asks, switching the subject. "Hmm…Let me think. Not that I can remember…"
"Really? That's strange," Miyuki says, thinking as deeply as her lord. "Oh wait, now I remember. Renkotsu and Bankotsu, those two idiots from the band of seven, have a new record," the demon lord suddenly says. "Oh, how long did it take them to stop fighting and make a peace contract?" Miyuki asks, not surprised but still a bit curious about the record. Bankotsu and Renkotsu, two dead members of the infamous band of Seven who are 'living on' in the afterlife, have been fighting each other since the day they died, both with words and weapons. And every once in a while they make up to each other. This is officially documented in a contract which (always) says that they promise not to fight the other one again. But they just love the fighting and they always break the contract to fight each other again. The contracts never last long and many spirits in the world of the dead are pooling how long the next contract will last, or how fast they will make up again
"No, you got it wrong. It's not about that," Inu no Taisho says. "Then what is it about?" Miyuki asks surprised and almost 'dying' out of curiosity, for as far as such a thing is possible in the world of the dead.
"They set the new record about how long it lasted," Inu no Taisho explains calm, but slowly, like he is afraid to tell Miyuki the truth. "And…? Come on, spill it out already," Miyuki says. Inu no Taisho laughs. "It's quite funny to tell you. But they managed to get to fight again, before they even signed the peace contract!" Inu no Taisho says, trying to say the sentence without laughing. "You're kidding, right?" Miyuki asks with a dry, emotionless voice. "I wish I was," Inu no Taisho says with a serious voice again.
"Holy crap!"
They enter the mansion and arrive in the great hall. "I like it here, milord. It's like an old French castle around the time of Lois XIV of France," Miyuki says while she looks around her in the great hall. "Who?" Inu no Taisho asks. "Nevermind, he's from after your time. I just like it here," Miyuki says, waving her lords question away. A few servants are waiting at the bottom of the giant stairs for them to arrive. "Inari! Kameyo! Kentaro! Reizo! Everyone! It's so good to see you all!" Miyuki runs towards the waiting servants for them to arrive.
"Ikuymi!"
"Ikuymi-chan, it's so good to see you!"
"Miky-chan!" a twin voice yells."I'm so happy to see you all again! But Kentaro, Reizo, don't call me Miky-chan." Miyuki hugs everyone. "It's good to see in good health again, Ikuymi," says a new voice. "Master Shingekazu, madam Keianna. It's so good to see the two of you again," Miyuki says happily and she bows for her old friends. Shingekazu was the head of the household, back when Miyuki lived with Inu no Taisho and Keianna was the head of the maids. "Miyuki, it has been far too long. You really should visit us more regularly," Keianna says. "Well, you know how it goes. We're still behind in paperwork, so I make a lot of overtime. And our kind lord has sent me to the world of the living again, so" Her last words are full with hidden anger. The other servants laugh.
"Master Shingekazu, madam Keianna, we have guests. My sons have come to visit me, thanks to Ikuymi. So, please prepare a room for us. We have a lot to talk about. Madam Keianna, please prepare tea for us," Inu no Taisho says, interrupting Miyuki's reunion with her old friends and coworkers.
"Yes, lord Inu no Taisho," Shingekazu says. "At you service, milord," Keianna adds. Shingekazu and Keianna turn to the other servants to give them orders. "Kentaro, Reizo! Prepare a room. Get a table, pillows to sit on, come on! Move it!" Shingekazu starts commanding the boys, while Keianna takes care of the girls. "Kameyo, Inari! You heard our lord. Go prepare hot tea! And some food, our guests look like they're hungry. Hurry!" All the servants disappear to do their jobs. "Milord! Let's go to the garden! Please," Miyuki begs when the servant are out of sight. Inu no Taisho laughs. "You always loved the garden, didn't you?" Miyuki chuckles happy.
"Very well then. To the garden!"
"I just LOVE this garden!" Miyuki drops on the soft grass of the ornamental garden and sniffs a big red rose. "Come on, Ikuymi. Stand up. Kentaro and Reizo won't be happy if they see what you've done to their garden," Inu no Taisho says, warning her young servant. "But it just feels sooooooooooooo góóóóóóóóóóóóód," Miyuki murmurs. "Ikuymi." Inu no Taisho's voice sounds angry and warning.
"Okay, okay. Anything you wish, milord." Miyuki jumps on her feet. "Lord Inu no Taisho. The room for you and your guests has been prepared, milord," Shingekazu announces when he enters the garden. "We'll follow you, master Shingekazu. Oh, and send Kentaro and Reizo to the garden. Our little miss flower lover ruined the flower bed again."
Miyuki flops down on the pile of pillows and yawns. "I could have a nice nap here," she says with sleepy eyes. The others sit down on the places that are meant to sit on. There's a table with hot tea on it. "Milord, can I sleep now? I'm tired…" Miyuki lays her head on Inu no Taisho's lap and immediately falls asleep. "Geez, she's finally asleep." Inu no Taisho turns to his sons. "Down to business, my sons." His face is serious instead of the playful smile that was first on his face. "But tell me first, who was the first one Ikuymi saw when she woke up?"
"Father, who is this seishin no Onnanoko?" Sesshomaru asks, ignoring his father's question. Inu no Taisho pets Miyuki's hair. "Tell me first, what does Ikuymi call herself now? And who did she see first when she woke up," Inu no Taisho asks, refusing to answer his son's question before his own has been answered.
"She calls herself Miyuki. And it must have been Rin who saw her first. Sesshomaru let her watch over Miyuki all the time," Inuyasha says. "Rin? Ah, the human girl, I see. That explains a lot," Inu no Taisho says. Being a spirit, it's natural for him to know about Rin, after all, the dead know everything. The fact is that Inuyasha and Sesshomaru both don't know about this rule, but neither of them notices the fact that their father knows Rin without ever meeting her. Nor has any of them told their father about Sesshomaru's little 'pet-human'.
"Well, could you explain it to us?" Inuyasha asks. "Ikuymi was right, Inuyasha. You did inherit my patience. I assume that Rin is a very playful child," Inu no Taisho asks, still ignoring his sons questions. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru nod. "*sigh* That explains an awful lot. Ikuymi behaves very childish because the first person she saw was a child. It's also the reason she called herself Miyuki instead of Ikuymi. Well, I guess you guys just have to deal with her then. I think you're perfectly able to. After all, you defeated So'unga together."
"Wait, does this mean that she is worse than So'unga?" Sesshomaru asks. "Much worse. Not evil worse, but worse worse. She'll behave very childish for some time."
"Father, why did you leave her with us? For what purpose?" Sesshomaru asks. "Purpose? Hahaha… My boys, of all the things you would want to know about Ikuymi, you want to know her purpose first. Not what she is? Or maybe how I know her?" Inu no Taisho asks, curious about the decision his sons will make about their first question. Because the first question will determine how much he will tell them, or not tell them. "Dad, what is the reason you left Miyuki with us," Inuyasha asks, repeating the question his brother just asked. "*sigh* You boys won't give up that easily, I guess." Inu no Taisho straightens his back and his face gets a serious expression. "Miyuki's purpose is simple. You'll need each other to defeat Naraku, but you're gonna need Miyuki to seal him up forever. That is her purpose. Who she is? She the daughter of everything, born from the three species that rule over the world of the living."
"What does that mean, father?" Sesshomaru asks. "I still don't know, Sesshomaru. But this is what Miyuki told me herself when I met her, 584 years ago."
"How did you meet her, dad?"
"I found her. Just like you boys did. She didn't remember who she was, but for some reason, she knew exactly who I was. She was a brilliant companion and an excellent swordsman; we had a lot of fun together."
"Dad, how long did you travel together with Miyuki?"
"Uhm… Let's see, from 384 years before your birth until the afternoon before your birth, Inuyasha. Sesshomaru met her once before."
"He did?"
"I did?"
"On second thought… you'll probably not remember anymore. It was 506 years ago that you saw Ikuymi for the last time. You were a kid. (Remember, Sesshomaru was 25 in human years, but he looks like an 5 year old boy 'cause he's a demon) And we didn't visit you that often." Inu no Taisho leans a little bit backward. "That were some beautiful times. Ikuymi held both of you in her arms, when you were baby's."
"But Miyuki was dead when I was born."
"Trust me, Inuyasha. This is not the first time I sent Ikuymi back to world of the living. I sent also sent her back to check up on you, Inuyasha."
"Oh… I see…" There is an awkward silence for a few moments.
"But enough about the past for now, back to business. Sesshomaru, Inuyasha."
"Yes?"
"I want the two of you to travel along with Ikuymi, defeat Naraku and restore the balance of power between demons and humans. After that, you'll have to promise me that you will help Ikuymi on her own journey."
"Yes father."
"Wait, what kind of journey?"
*sigh* "Geez, this way I tell them more than I actually should. Ikuymi is not from your time, not even from mine. She already died many times, but for some reason her spirit refuses to live on peacefully in the world after this one. Like it has some unattended business to do. The moment I met her, she had already walked the earth for one thousand years."
"One thousand!"
"But that doesn't matter. You must first make sure that Ikuymi gets her memories back. Because without those. Well, let's say that you don't have to try sealing up Naraku. Ikuymi won't remember the procedure."
"How can we restore her memories, father?"
"Hmmm… … Master Shingekazu, please get a map of Japan."
"Yes, milord." Master Shingekazu takes a map from the table next to him and gives it to Inu no Taisho.
"Thank you, Shingekazu. Now listen carefully boys, because this is important. You must bring Ikuymi to the shrine of the Sun, on Hokkaido-island…"
"Hokkaido-island?"
"Indeed. At the foot of mouth Ashidake is a little shrine, called the shrine of the Sun."
"Why would we bring her to that place, father?"
"To lift the curse that rests upon her shoulders. That's the sole purpose of the warriors of the Sun. To bring Ikuymi to Mt. Ashidake and to let her lift the curse."
"What curse?"
"I don't know. You boys wouldn't have to do this if I'd known that. If I'd known, I would have helped Ikuymi myself."
"Tell us about the curse, dad… please."
"*Sigh* Alright …
"Remember, my sons. Her eyes can't ever turn pitch black. She'll destroy the world when she reaches that state." They're standing at the gateway to the world of the living. Inuyasha is carrying the sleeping Miyuki on his back.
"All right, we'll remember that, farewell Dad."
"Oh, before I forget, she won't have any memories of her past live so, you'd better take her to Shonomaru village to get some back."
"We'll do."
"One other thing…" Inu no Taisho gives Sesshomaru a shoulder bag. "It's Ikuymi's. It's called a hollow bag. And it's said that everything will fit in it," Inu no Taisho explains. Sesshomaru takes the bag and turns around without saying another word to his father. Inuyasha walks to his father, carrying Miyuki on his back. "Dad, I…"
"You should go now," Inu no Taisho announces, "the sun will rise soon. If you'll stay any longer…I fear the worst."
"All right. Just…just say hi to…to my mother," Inuyasha says. "I will, my son. Now go." Sesshomaru and Inuyasha walk into the mist. "Goodbye, my boys."