Chapter Three

Never forgotten

"I'm ready to tell you all what happened that night."

Hina's eyes widen at her daughter's sudden statement and as quickly as they had widen they soften in understanding. She could see the inner conflict waging inside Kagome's icy blue eyes and smiles gently while brushing her daughter's cheek in light comfort. "Alright, go get dress and we'll meet you in the living room when you're done." Kagome nods at her mother and watches as she descends the stairs and rounds into the kitchen with the rest of her family.

The young miko closes her eyes briefly before entering into her room. Telling her family what she had gone through after weeks of mourning will be tough. It wasn't something she was particularly looking forward to, but in order to heal her heart she had to. The young miko slowly dries her body off with the towel and takes her time putting on her pajamas. 'Talking about it will make the hurt lessen.' She thought to herself while pulling her shirt over her head and down the length of her body, concealing her exposed flesh.

'You will tell them everything?' Kagome sighed at the voice manifesting itself once again. Hadn't she made it obvious to the dark hanyou that she didn't want to talk to him during all times? She ignored him several times and he kept on coming with questions or crude statements. "That's none of your business." She told the dark hanyou with slightly narrow eyes. She could feel that he didn't like her response and felt him frowning ever so slightly with his eyes narrowing in displeasure. It was silent for several seconds and soon the several seconds turn into several minutes.

She didn't know why the dark hanyou had ceased his harassment against her, but she wasn't complaining. She actually preferred him that way. It made her life a little easier to deal with.

Once she was done she left her room and descends down the stairs to meet with her family. It was going to be a long night. She knew her family would have questions after she told them what happened in the Feudal Era, especially from the now inquisitive, more mature, Souta. She remembers liking him more when he was a kid. It was a lot easier back then without another person who fretted over her being as oppose to the little boy who asked when his older sister was coming back home.

She could hear the murmurs in the living room and heard Souta's voice announce that she was coming. Her eyes widen at the level of his ability to sense her whereabouts. It was impressive. She enters the living room and all eyes fell on her in wonder, curiosity and concern. Souta's eyes, however, were critical and sharp. He had a goal set within his mind and she could feel it wanting to bubble to the surface. She had to be careful with what she said because she was more than sure that Souta will pick on anything relating to the creation of the Tasogare no Tama. Even Akio was present for the tale and was lying down besides Souta's feet in his bed with his head resting on his front paws in a comfortable position. Every so often his eyes would open and close whenever he heard movement from one of them.

Her grandfather was sitting in his chair with his cane besides the chair's arm, reminding Kagome of her grandfather's age and his deteriorating body. His expression was a stern one, but it was open for anything that she was going to say. Her mother was sitting down already, her composure a bit stiff and anxious. Souta was the only one standing up with his arms crossed against his chest, leaning against the night table besides the couch near their mother. His hair grew during the past few weeks. His bangs grew, growing pass his light eyes. His expression reminded her of Miroku whenever he was in deep thought.

The semblance at the moment between her brother and the monk sent a pang of pain through her heart and she had to stop her face from straining in pain. It was difficult to hide it, but she manages well and takes a seat besides her mother. She stares at her hands, twiddling her fingers as a distraction to postpone her story. Their eyes were on her, eager and anxious to know what happened back in the past. To know the faith of the others and how their lives came to an end and also how that Gem that hung around her neck came to be.

She was ready to tell them.

At least that's what she had told herself.

It was the only way to begin healing and in order for her to go to University she had to get better. 'Come on girl, you can do this. If you can survive in an era that's not your own and is hundreds of years into the past, you can handle this.' She chimed to herself mentally in an effort to give her confidence a boast. After several seconds she looks up and begins to speak. Slowly, but surely she told her story.

"It all started when Kikyo came one night a few months ago and Inuyasha went after her…"

"So Hitomi how are you and Souta?" The young teen smiles at the mention of her boyfriend's name and her green eyes brighten up like stars. "Everything's going well, except…" She trails off remembering Kagome, but doesn't mention her to her friend. Everyone in school all knew Souta's older sister was sickly. "Hmm, never mind Miyuki, but I'll see you tomorrow in school I got to study for tomorrow's science exam, night!" Once her friend said her farewells as well Hitomi hung up and sprawled lazily across her bed.

She had already studied for the exam in the beginning of the week so she was set for tomorrow. Bringing her eyes to her window she gazes at the moon. It reminded her of the kitten she heard in the alley. It had the most unusual, but most beautiful mewl she's ever heard. It was like the sound of soft high pitched chimes. She wanted to see the kitten and the urge was strong. She didn't know why since she wasn't a huge fan in felines. She preferred canines any day since they were so active and sociable. So she didn't understand why she wanted to see the kitten so badly.

"I hope it doesn't get hurt out there by a car or stray dogs." She told herself in a low murmur, her tone being one of concern. "Tomorrow before school I'll go see if it's still there. With the sun light I should be able to see it." Turning over she pulls the covers over her body and closes her eyes for the night.

She hopes she didn't have any more dreams about that boy tonight, the boy with the sad mahogany eyes that filled her heart each time she dreamt of him with so much pain. She still didn't know his name, but she often felt it on the tip of her tongue ready to be used as if it has been said from her several times before.

Staring out from her balcony, the young demoness with her ever longing filled eyes, recalled her young years as a child in the past, her past during the Feudal Era.

She recalled the first time hearing the name Naraku was when she was very young, about ten summers old during the time of the Feudal Era. She had been busy playing with her appointed guardian in the court yards of her home estate when her mother and aunt Kanna walked by the open corridor. They were discussing someone in hush tones, but not once had they mentioned the one who they were talking about. Her curiosity, being as high as the tallest mountain had gotten the best of her. She skillfully honed her hearing as they walked to the far corner of the large mansion that overlooked the gardens.

Being able to control the wind currents she was able to listen to their conversation clearly as if she was besides them. It was a trick she taught herself a year ago and it came in handy at times.

"Ten years and still no sign of him or the miko's presence," Her mother's voice was sultry and held an emotion to it that she's never heard her mother use before. She couldn't relate the emotion to anything, but worry and relief. Her aunt as usual was silent, listening to every word her mother was speaking while holding her precious mirror. "Ten years and Sesshomaru has still not given up his search for her." This miko had stirred her curiosity.

What had made the miko so worthwhile that the Lord of the Western Lands has spent the last ten years searching for her?

The conversation with her mother and aunt ceased momentarily before her mother with all the disgust and hatred in the world spat out his name, "That bastard Naraku, even in death I can't live in peace. Deep inside I know he's still out there, plotting and scheming. I can feel it in my soul!" At the sound of his name the black wavy haired girl titled her head to the direction of her mother and aunt, staring widely at them with her ruby colored eyes in wonder. "Na-ra-ku?" She had not meant to say his name out loud, but it came out all the same. She felt her guardian stiffen and his heart rate hitched at her questioning of the name she just said out loud. He cursed at the mentioning of the dark hanyou's name.

The sound of his name, no matter how softly it was said was heard by her mother and aunt. The look in their eyes told the black haired beauty that his name was not meant to be known by her. The look on her mother's face was one of fury, rage and a realization of the wind witch's mistake of saying his name moments ago while her daughter was near.

She remembered her mother walking over to her place in the court yards, her eyes narrowed deeply and her brows furrowed upset. She was before her in seconds and kneeling down in front of her. She missed the rise of her mother's arm, but did not miss the loud sound that erupted from her mother's hand onto her soft, full cheeks.

SLAP

She stared wide eyed at her mother with hot tears springing within her ruby colored eyes, the corner of her lips electing into a deep frown.

She could feel her assaulted cheek heating up from the painful strike.

"You are to never say that name ever again, so long as you live. Do I make myself clear, Manami?" The sound of her mother's voice was unlike the soft and loving voice she was used to hearing. She did not like this tone that was being used against and being the witty, smart child that she was she voiced her feelings about the situation. "It is only a name! It is nothing, but a name! Why would you hurt me mama for saying a name?" She exclaimed angrily in her defense, her eyes narrowing at her mother, which caused the tears that had gathered within her eyes to fall down along her cheeks.

Her words angered her mother more for her mother's rosette colored eyes flashed with impatience and something else, something that she couldn't quite place, but recognized all the same. It looked like something akin to failure. She watched as her mother turned her face from her, her gaze now on her guardian. They were narrowed deeply and as hard as stone. "Take her to her room and meet me in my study, now." The order was hard and stern and her guardian, who was not one to follow orders so easily, did not protest against her mother.

She had dare not challenged it and was led away to the confinements of her room, not only did saying that name punished her to her room, but it earned her the first hit she's ever received from her mother and it had been the last.

This was the start of her quest for knowledge of the one named, Naraku.

Over the next few years she would sneak out at night disguised in a black cloak and search for information about Naraku from demons and humans alike. She learned a great deal about this Naraku and his infamous reputation before his disappearance and the group that opposed him in his conquest to retrieve the shattered shards of the sought after Gem known as the Shikon no Tama. The tales she heard were interesting and sparked something within her. She wanted to know more about this Naraku and also her family's connection to the hanyou.

The fact that his existence was forbidden from her made it all the more worth knowing. Everyone in the estate were forbidden to speak about Naraku and it seemed everyone else within the immediate area of where she lived were under orders as well. She had opportunities to travel far whenever her mother was away on trips, trips she never knew the purpose of, but she did not question them. It gave her the chance to search for information and for that she was glad.

Her quest for knowledge about Naraku came to an end when she heard the tale of The Night of the Red Moon. It was the last battle between Naraku and his adversaries, which included a monk, demon slayer, a hanyou, the Lord Sesshomaru and Koga of the eastern Wolf Tribe and lastly a young miko. That night both Naraku and the miko vanished without a trance along with the Shikon no Tama. They've been missing ever since and despite attempts to find them their search was left fruitless.

After a few decades her interest in knowing more about Naraku had died down. She found out that her mother, aunt and uncle had worked for Naraku, but that was all the information she received about the relation to her family and Naraku.

There was nothing else, but tales and stories of horror that she heard over and over again from those she asked of. It was the same thing and nothing new appeared so she ended her search that lasted for centuries until a few weeks ago when she heard the voice of a man, a man claiming to be Naraku, the very same Naraku who she had learned so much about on her own during her youth behind her family backs. It was like a dream come true after she had gotten over her skepticism of him.

She only heard his voice, but a few times and it mostly came when she was asleep.

She wanted to meet him.

To talk to him face to face and ask so many questions that has been stored within her mind for so many centuries.

Her musing of recollection was interrupted by her door opening. She didn't have to glance over her shoulder to know that it was her mother. "What is going on in that head of yours now?" Kagura asked with deep curiosity under toning her words. The older demoness had matured beautifully over the centuries, her features more sharpen and elegant than the decades before. Her personality was still intact, if not more refined than her younger years.

Buried deep within Kagura's rosette colored eyes was a reflection of worry and anxiety. Her daughter was not often quiet and kept to herself and for weeks now she's been reserved and mostly silent. It meant she was plotting, but what was she plotting was the question. "What are you scheming now, Manami?" Kagura asked with a slight frown on her shapely, colored lips with eyes narrowing in the lightest of displeasure.

Manami furrowed her brows at her mother's questioning of her. Her mother always knew whenever she was plotting, no matter how much discretion she tries to achieve, but this was one plot her mother cannot know about. Usually she would reveal her plans to her mother, such things as pranks or strategies against the Lords in revenge. This plot of hers she could not reveal.

"Mother, why do you think I'm always plotting? Can't I just take time to think about things without being accused of mischief?" She questioned with a slight edge to her tone with the light lie coming out easily. She inwardly winced when she saw her mother's expression. It was one of disbelief. "Don't give me that bull Manami, I am your mother. I know you like the back of my fan. Now, tell me what you're up to." She said with a raised brow at the younger demoness in front of her.

Manami looked more like him than ever now and at times it pained her to see his face in her daughter.

She had inherited his dark wavy locks, his grin, his niche for scheming and most especially his eyes.

Her daughter's eyes haunted her the most.

Kagura thought it was amusing in a sick way that she feared her own daughter, but only in the sense that she reminded her so much of that dark bastard.

Manami's lips tightened at her mother's proclamation. This was going to be a little more difficult than she thought beforehand. She quickly scanned her mind for an escape, for a distraction and as fast as she had started her search for one she had found it. She had recalled one time during her youth a question she had asked her mother. It was a question she has yet to answer till this day and it was her ticket out.

Manami turned around, facing the opened balcony door and cast her gaze outside to the stars and moon. "If you must know mother I was wondering…" She trailed off for dramatic effects purposes only and grinned when she felt her mother tense ever so slightly in preparation to her thoughts just as she did when she was younger. Only this time she was asking it to save her plot from being revealed. "I was wondering about… my father." The manner in which she had asked held a genuine tone of wonderment and also a silent longing.

She knew nothing about the man who spawned her or what he looked.

Immediately she felt her mother's tenseness come full force and in the back of her mind she was contemplating on whether she should regret using this as a means to escape questioning. She disliked her mother being uncomfortable and tense. She hesitated looking over her shoulder to her mother. It was silent for several seconds before Manami felt her mother retreating towards the door. The sounds of the door knob turning and the door opening reached her hearing and so did her mother's voice. The soft, loving voice she was used to all her life.

"Whatever it is that you are plotting, I'll allow it to go on for a little while longer. I just hope you find what you seek and won't regret it."

At the sound of the door closing Manami turned around fully with wide eyes. Her mouth was agape and she soon composed herself. Her mother couldn't possibly know what she was plotting. She made sure to be as discreet as possible. With that in mind she began to relax and walked back outside to lean on the balcony railing.

She gazed up to the moon and stars.

"I hope I find what I seek too, Mother."

Once the door to Manami's room was shut Kagura returned to the main hall far away from Manami's room. She turned to the one she had appointed as her daughter's guardian since the time of her birth. "Make sure she's kept safe and unharmed. I have a feeling she's seeking him out, so keep a sharp eye on her, got it brat?" Kagura ignored the glare Kisho sent her way as he placed the book he was reading down on the table.

"Your bossiness is getting on my nerves hag and if I had known Manami would turn out to be a schemer like him, I would have never agreed to be her guardian in the first place." Kisho argued lightly and meant half heartily.

They both knew that he loved Manami despite her connection to Naraku and would do anything in his power to protect her.

"Yeah, yeah you little brat just do what I say." She told him with a small smirk on her lips. Kisho scowled at her deeply, his gaze taking on a more thoughtful look as he toned down his voice. "Do you still plan to keep her in the dark about her connection to Naraku?" Kisho asked with a raised brow, his onyx eyes reflected wonder. Kagura sighed and scowled lightly. "Yes. It's for the best and if she comes across the truth I'll talk with her about it, but I highly doubt that she will after a little over five hundred years." She argued lightly. She's known all about Manami's late night escapades for information about Naraku when she was younger.

With each night that she had gone out for information Kisho had followed in secret, making sure the information Manami found out was not her relation to Naraku. She thought her daughter would stop in her search for information when she learned of the horrible tales concerning Naraku, but it did not. Manami's existence was unknown to the world at that time and the knowledge of which she was father by. As long as Manami had worn that cloak the beings she had questioned did not match a face to her parentage.

"If she hadn't come across the truth throughout many of those time periods what difference will this one be?" She asked with a raised brow in his direction. It was a challenge she sent him. She wanted to see him prove her wrong and when he didn't answer she knew he couldn't and that made the anxious feeling inside her chest lessen all the more.

She left him soon after and went to see Kanna. The younger sister was busy sedating those that were nestled inside their cocoons. She entered the dimly lit room and saw Kanna checking over the progress of their wards. She slowly walked to Kanna and as she did she glanced over each cocoon with critical eyes. She had remembered when Kisho had been within one. It was the most disgusting thing she has seen. It made her skin crawl, but she knew this time it was different.

These wards that were placed in her charge were not the product of someone's creation; rather they were cocoon for other purposes.

Kagura brought her gaze to the last cocoon and gazed into the translucent amber colored sac. Its color differed from the other two, which were the color of a vibrant orange, because this cocoon was harvested before them and by Naraku. She could see the vague silhouette of the body within it. Her eyes hazed with memory at the person inside it. It was through him that Sesshomaru had thought of the idea to cocoon the two unconscious beings from his pack.

It was a week after the final battle when Lord Sesshomaru came to her with an unconscious body that she knew.

The silver haired Taiyoukai seem completely healed from his wounds, but the way his golden gaze was had told Kagura that he was not healed inside. His gaze was hallow and empty and so terrifyingly cold. The miko's disappearance along with Naraku must have been devastating for him.

"What are you doing here, Sesshomaru?" Kagura asked while shielding her womb with her fan from them to see. She knew it was pointless because he could smell the life inside her, but at least she could have her dignity.

"I know you have his soul and I want you to return it back into his body now." Kagura glanced over to Kanna and that mirror of hers and Inuyasha's unconscious body that was being held by the older brother. Kanna hadn't mention she had Inuyasha's soul in her grasps.

"Is this true Kanna?" Kagura asked the young preteen. Kanna nodded and shifted her mirror to the left, causing the mirror's glass to glow white. Soon after a stream of light began to escape the mirror and travel towards the hanyou's body. As the hanyou's soul returned to its rightful place signs of life began to show within Inuyasha. The canine ears that adorned his head began to twitch every so often and his breathing became more pronounce.

As Inuyasha's soul was being transferred back into his body, something from the corner of the room caught Sesshomaru's attention. It was oval shaped and the color of amber. His sense of smell picked up not only the life within Kagura's womb, but also the scent of the boy who had once tried to take Rin's life. If he was not mistaken he was the brother of the demon slayer, Sango.

He narrowed his eyes in thought before turning his gaze to the reviving hanyou in his arms.

Once Inuyasha's soul was completely within his body once again Sesshomaru mentioned the cocoon with interest. "I see Naraku kept the boy's body preserved after he took the shard of the Shikon from his back." Kagura nodded her head at Sesshomaru's assumption.

"Yes, he did. He thought he could use Kohaku's body in the future to do his bidding once more and no doubt to cause pain to the demon slayer." She replied with a solemn gaze in her eyes.

"It is useless now and without a soul or a shard of the Shikon no Tama to keep him alive there isn't any use in preserving his body. I was actually going to dispose of it today before you arrived, unannounced." Kagura informed him lightly with slight agitation to her tone. She did not expect Sesshomaru's next words at all.

It took her by complete surprise and her rosette colored orbs soon widen at his request in shock along with Kanna.

"Do this and you shall be accommodated and provided for doing such a service for this Sesshomaru." He informed in all seriousness.

"I wonder if we can find them all again." The wind witch mused as she stared at Kohaku's form. It's been centuries since he's been cocoon and still after all this time there was no sign of his older sister's reincarnated soul or the others. She began to wonder if they will ever find them. She felt a sudden heaviness settling within her beating heart. It was sorrow that she was feeling. She wondered how they will bring Kohaku back to life when his soul was lost to him after all these centuries.

Was Sesshomaru's Tenseiga capable of accomplishing such a feat?

While in her thoughts she felt a familiar presence entering into her home and wondered why he was here in the dead of night. He knew better than to come in person to her home while Manami was present. Kagura stood where she was currently, waiting for the newcomer to meet her in the nesting room. She was more than sure Kisho was masking the guest's youkai energy.

It didn't take long though for the door to open and for her rosette colored eyes to meet bright turquoise.

The look on his face was one full of joy and mirth.

Kagura grinned widely, knowing what that look meant.

"We found one of them."

A/N: Lady Manami here and with a new chapter to A Single Tear. I know it took long to get this chapter up, but I've been having writer's block lately and needed to find inspiration and I did, hopefully it stays. I hope you enjoy the chapter!

So now you're getting a feel as to what happened after the battle and seeing some old and new characters. And yes I did name Kagura's daughter after my own pen name, which means Beautiful Love and it fits well as to why Kagura names her that, but that will be in future chapters. I can pretty much conclude that all of you already know who the male at the ending of the chapter is with the turquoise eyes!

Thank you all for reading and reviewing

R&R

Lady Manami